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THE OFFICIAL CITY OF ATHENS MAGAZINE FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Breathtaking Mag 01

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50SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 255INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

760UNIQUE SOCIAL EVENTS77.256PARTICIPANTS37.200ABSTRACT PAGES

17.800INVITED SPEAKERS210.000SQ. M EXHIBITION SPACE520MEDIA ACTIVITIES

4.000ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS100SKILLED PROFESSIONALS

01. ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT

02. PROFESSIONAL CONGRESS ORGANISER

03. EVENTS & DESTINATION MANAGEMENT

04. STRATEGY & COMMUNICATION

MEMBER OF

02_21X28_ADV_print.indd 1 2/2/09 2:11:46 PM

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The Breathtaking mag is a quarterly publication of the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company

Contact:

7 Xenofontos Street, Syntagma105 57 Athens, Greece

T. +30 210 32 53 123F. +30 210 32 16 653 E. [email protected]

Production

EKDOSEIS KORIFI S.A.

253, Ethnikis Antistaseos,

Pallini, Attica

T. 210 66 65 669

F. 210 66 65 810

Editorial Director

Giorgos Salamas

Design Director

Charalambos Andreanidis

Editorial Team

Nikolas DervenoulasSakis DimitrakopoulosStavros Dioskouridis

Illustration

Lila Kalogeri

Photography

Gerasimos Domenikos Dimitris KoilalousAggeliki Panagiotou

Translation Proofreading

Yorgos AvgoustisLaura BodgerDanae SeemannMichele Spurdle

Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company

President

Aikaterini Katsabe

CEO

Panagiotis Arkoumaneas

Director, Tourism Development

Manolis Psarros

Director, Athens Convention Bureau

George N. Angelis

Public Relations Director

Katerina Papadopoulou

© Breathtaking mag. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Ath-ens Tourism and Economic Development Company.

Where opinion is expressed it is that of the authors and does not necessarily coincide with the editorial views of the publisher of the Breathtaking mag. All information in this magazine is verified to the best of the authors’ and the pub-lisher’s ability. However, the Breathtaking mag does not accept responsibility for any loss arising from reliance on it.

EDITORIAL

7

BUSSINES NEWS

8

A CHRISTMAS STORY IN ATHENS

12

INTERVIEW:

NANA MOUSCHOURI

16

BYZANTINE AND CHRISTIAN MUSEUM

18

WINTER IN ATHENS

22

THE NATIONAL GARDEN

24

GETTING AROUND WITH

THE UNDERGROUND M ETRO SYSTEM

28

THE MALL ATHENS

30

ATHENS IN 6 DAYS

32

SIZZLING NIGHTS IN GAZI

38

ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL ATHENS

40

THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

44

WINTER CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

48

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A TASTE OF THINGS GREEK

50

YELLOW PAGES

52

APPENDIX

MAP OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

TO AND FROM THE ATHENS

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

58

MAP OF ROAD ACCESS

TO AND FROM THE ATHENS

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

60

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BYZANTINE MUSEUM

18

NANAMOUSCHOURI

16

A

CHRISTMAS

STORY IN ATHENS

12

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THE NATIONAL

GARDEN

24

ATHENS IN 6 DAYS

32THE

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

44

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DEAR READERs,

Our efforts to promote Athens as an ideal city break destination throughout

the year are continuing at a steady pace. In the past three months, we offi-

cially presented the activities and goals of the Athens Tourism and Econom-

ic Development Company, we strengthened our ties with international tourism

organizations and we laid the foundations for a direct and consistent relation-

ship with the private sector that operates in the tourism industry in Athens.

This is a wonderful time for Athens as the urban regeneration that is taking

place will enhance the modern image of the city and will contribute immense-

ly to its economic growth. Over the next five years, Athens will become a

showcase for major remodelling projects.

Since our goal is to promote Athens as an ideal city break destination by in-

triguing, informing and interacting with visitors, we have added some new

sections in the magazine aiming to provide more useful information to the

tourism professional.

On the following pages, you will learn about the company’s news and all the

latest developments in our city. For more information, please visit our web-

sites www.athensconventionbureau.gr and www.breathtakingathens.com.

Enjoy your reading, and we hope to see you in Athens soon.

7

EDITORIAL Panagiotis ArkoumaneasCEO / Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company

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AEgEAn EnTERs InTO CODEshARE AgREEmEnT wITh BRussEls AIRlInEs

Aegean Airlines and Belgium’s Brussels Air-

lines have signed a cooperation agreement

which allows both companies to schedule

flights with common codes as part of their

networks, enabling the companies to offer

their customers significant benefits.

According to the announcement, this coop-

erative agreement, which goes into effect

in January 2009, will enable Aegean Airlines

to add Brussels to its steadily growing for-

eign flight destination network. Aegean will

make seats available on Brussels Airlines’

daily flight from Athens to Brussels. At the

same time, Brussels Airlines will offer its pas-

sengers flights through Athens to three oth-

er destinations in Greece – Thessaloniki, Her-

aklion and Rhodes.

TRAm lInE nETwORk TO ExTEnD TO PIRAEus

The project to extend the tram line to the

Port of Pireaus has taken another step to-

ward completion. A Joint Ministerial Deci-

sion was signed recently by the competent

ministries (Environment, Physical Planning

and Public Works; Transport and Communi-

cations; Rural Development; and Culture) to

allow for the immediate call for bids for the

project in January 2009. A contract is ex-

pected to be signed in May 2009, with work

scheduled to begin in July and to reach com-

pletion by October 2010. At that time, the

extension will begin trial operations.

Bussines News

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The Piraeus extension will result in:

- a reduction in traffic by about 15,000 ve-

hicles per day;

- the improvement of the city centre and

surrounding areas through renewal

projects; the support of commercial uses

of local and hyperlocal importance;

- improved services for passengers travel-

ling by sea;

- a reduction in air and noise pollution, with

an accompanying improvement in the ur-

ban microclimate;

- the reconstruction and improvement of

pavements;

- the renewal of public areas, as well as the

Korai, Alikakou and Deligianni squares, and

the area around Evagelistria Church.

AnEk: “PAssEngER lInE Of ThE YEAR” fOR 2008

The Cretan ANEK SA. shipping line was voted

“Passenger Line of the Year” for 2008 as part

of the 5th annual Greek Shipping Awards spon-

sored by Lloyd’s List.

The awards ceremony took place at a hotel

in central Athens and was attended by no-

table figures from politics, business and

shipping to highlight the significance of this

particular event for Greek shipping.

ThE gOlDEn hAll

The Golden Hall is a new shopping destina-

tion for luxury and fashion, launched by Lam-

da Development, which officially opened its

doors to the public on 28 November. Lamda

said that 75 million euros have been invest-

ed in the project.

Golden Hall spans three levels, plus an un-

derground car park (with 1,400 parking spac-

es), totalling an area of 60,000 m2. Some

132 shops already open for business include

Gap, Pull and Bear, DKNY, Lacoste, Tommy

Hilfiger, Mandarina Duck, Bric’s, Liu Jo,

Vardas, Zara Home, TAG Heuer, Germanos,

Mastic Spa, Mulberry, Porsche design, Tumi,

Lapin, Bang & Olufsen and Bally. Eateries

and cafes include Prytaneion Gold, Meat Me,

Flocafe, Starbucks and Pastis.

The two first levels feature fashion, footwear,

accessories, jewellery stores, housewares

and a hairdresser’s salon, as well as book-

shops and several coffee and snack bars. The

third level accommodates five up-market res-

taurants featuring Greek and international

cuisine.

PAsAl DEvElOPmEnT hOsTs AThEns hEART gRAnD OPEnIng AT PIREOs 180 On 4 DECEmBER

The Athens Heart consists of four levels of

commercial and entertainment space, as

well as dining areas, according to a news

release. Specifically, there are 80 stores with

Greek and international brand-name cloth-

ing, electronics and housewares, as well as

select cafes, restaurants and bars, in a

20,000 m2 area. The movable glass roof on

the second level provides plenty of light and

a magnificent view of the Acropolis and Lyca-

bettus Hill. There are also three levels of

underground parking with a 750-car capacity.

This new shopping and entertainment cen-

tre is a major investment for Pasal Develop-

ment, as noted in the news release, as it

creates jobs while serving as a focal point

for the local area. Already, 95% of the prop-

erties have been leased.

Sotiris Theodoridis, CEO of Pasal Develop-

ment, said he was pleased that the Athens

Heart was completed according to plan and

is now ready to serve the Athenian public,

helping to upgrade the area and adding to

its interest and vibrancy.

9

new

s

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BRussEls, BERlIn, BARCElOnA, vIEnnA AnD vEnICE ARE AEgEAn’s nEw DEsTInATIOns

Aegean Airlines continues its course of dy-

namic growth with the unwavering aim of

serving the market demands and offering

quality service to its customers. As the sum-

mer 2009 schedule gets under way, the net-

work will be enhanced with the addition of

even more European destinations from Ath-

ens. Five popular destinations will be added:

Brussels, Berlin, Barcelona, Vienna and Ven-

ice. These additions follow on the heels of

the introduction of Paris as a destination

with two flights daily, a third daily flight to

London, and one flight from Athens to Dus-

seldorf.

All of the abovementioned flights will be

scheduled exclusively on brand-new Airbus

A320/321 aircraft, which by May 2009 are

expected to total 21 aircraft. Ten are to be

delivered between November 2008 and May

2009.

nEw AIRlInE AThEns AIRwAYs In-AuguRATED fRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 2008

Athens Airways, founded in 2008, is a new

private airline based in Eleftherios Venizelos

Athens International Airport. Athens Air-

ways seeks to serve major destinations in

Greece safely, quickly and reliably, with an

emphasis on high-quality service.

Athens Airways will provide its passengers

the opportunity to enjoy a new level of serv-

ice before, during and after their flight as

part of a complete travel experience. All pas-

sengers will enjoy undifferentiated benefits

and services of travelling business class.

The Athens Airways fleet will initially consist

of four 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 jets, which

will be delivered between November 2008

and February 2009. Starting in March, sched-

uled service will include destinations in north-

ern Greece and the islands. Sakis Andriano-

poulos is owner and CEO of the company,

whose headquarters are in Koropi.

swIss AIRlInE BABOO COnnECTs AThEns TO gEnEvA AnD nICE

Swiss airline Baboo, based in Geneva, is a

fast-growing airline which begins service

from Athens International Airport to Gene-

va and Nice on October 26 2008. The com-

pany will run a direct scheduled service from

Athens to Geneva every Monday, Wednes-

day, Friday and Sunday, and one flight with

a stop-over in Nice every Saturday. There

will also be a service to Nice with one stop

in Geneva every Monday, Wednesday, Friday

and Sunday.

CITY Of AThEns PROPOsEs RElIEf mEAsuREs fOR BusInEssEs

Understanding the anguish business owners

faced due to the economic crisis and in light

of the Christmas season, Mayor Nikitas Kak-

lamanis stressed the need to prevent all

forms of bureaucratic delays and complica-

tions. To this end, he announced his intention

to submit a proposal to the Athens City Coun-

cil during its meeting on Monday December

15 2008 that would permit business owners

whose stores were damaged to undertake

necessary repairs without applying for the

permits normally required for such work.

Furthermore, Mayor Kaklamanis will pro-

pose that stores which undergo repairs re-

ceive an exemption from the payment of fees

for the occupation of pavements for the

course of the work.

A proposal concerning the repair of dam-

aged building facades will also be put for-

ward, suggesting that these buildings be in-

corporated - with priority status - into the

Prosopsi (facade) restoration programme,

as long as they satisfy the necessary condi-

tions.

10

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Additionally, Mayor Kaklamanis an-

nounced that, within the next few days,

the City would complete its documenta-

tion of the damages caused to public

buildings.

The City of Athens will give priority to

speeding up permit issuance proce-

dures for buildings found to have stabil-

ity problems.

Aware of the problems facing the capi-

tal’s tourism industry, Mayor Kaklama-

nis said he would submit a proposal for

hotels operating within Athens city lim-

its - which will likely encounter booking

cancellations due to the negative im-

ages broadcast by the international me-

dia - to receive an exemption from pay-

ment of sojourn tax for the month of

December.

mEAsuREs PACkAgE sEEks TO BOOsT TOuRIsm

A package of new measures to boost

tourism was announced by Greek Prime

Minister Kostas Karamanlis, stating

that the government is determined to

do everything it can to help this strate-

gically important sector.

Mr Karamanlis also announced the fol-

lowing measures:

- All tourism enterprises will be funded

within the framework of the govern-

ment’s liquidity support plan for the

economy.

- The National Strategic Reference

Framework 2007-2013 will be imple-

mented immediately to provide funding

for activities related to tourism infra-

structure, services and enterprises.

- The portion of the transient occupan-

cy tax paid to local administrations will

be reduced from 2% to 0.5%.

- The local tax offices will immediately

refund any owed value added tax.

- The Credit Guarantee Fund of Small

and Very Small Enterprises will pro-

vide working capital loans with fully

subsidised interest up to the amount

of 350,000 euros.

- Immediate priority will be given to the

payment of outstanding amounts

owed for funding given to enterprises

inducted into the Investment Law of

the public investment programme.

- The seasonal unemployment benefit

will be made an employment bene-

fit.

- The issue of regulating the operation

of hotels will be addressed.

- The number of vouchers provided by

the Workers’ Foundation for social

tourism will be increased by 21% in

2009.

- Enterprises participating in training

programmes will be required to absorb

30% of those trained.

Mr Karamanlis added that special at-

tention would be paid to support the

hotels in the centre of Athens.

He said that the government’s top pri-

ority would be to address the effects of

the global economic crisis on Greek

tourism, which significantly influences

the course of the country’s economy.

He expressed his determination to do

everything possible to help Greek tour-

ism overcome the problems caused by

the crisis. The government will take ad-

ditional initiatives to that end if they

are deemed necessary, he said, while

stressing that Greece’s status as a safe

and hospitable destination gained in

2004 must be maintained.

new

s

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A Christmas Story in Athens

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AThEns wAs A POPulAR TOuRIsT DEsTInATIOn, EvEn AT PEAk wInTER hOlIDAY sEAsOn. ThE CITY OffERED A vARIETY Of ExCITIng ACTIvI-TIEs, EnOugh TO sATIsfY EvEn ThE mOsT DE-mAnDIng AnD DIffICulT TAsTEs. ThE CITY’s

lIvElY AnD AnImATED ChARACTER CAmE AlIvE AT ChRIsTmAs, whEn ThE CITY wAs DECORATED wITh sPARklIng lIghTs AnD ChRIsTmAs CAR-Ols AnD sOngs COulD BE hEARD ThROughOuT ThE CITY sTREETs.

Ch

rist

mas

in A

the

ns

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Ch

rist

mas

in A

the

ns Syntagma Square, in the heart of Athens, was an oasis for

children and adults alike; they participated in various events

under the big Christmas tree and people from all over gath-

ered and celebrated together like a big happy family. The

City of Athens had organised several small events, including

an all-day band and choir performing Christmas carols, can-

dy cane booths, pony rides for the young and a big old-fash-

ioned carousel in the middle of the square drawing young

and old for a taste of Christmas festivities! The Christmas

village was built complete with elves and Christmas orna-

ments and children of all ages were entertained by clowns,

Looney Tunes characters and other performers.

Just a few moments from Syntagma Square, at Zappeion,

young visitors wandered through the Garden of Fairytales.

The National Gardens were transformed into an imaginary

land where children experienced the magical world of fairy-

tales, not only from Greece, but also from other countries

of the world. The Biscuit House with its Biscuit People, San-

ta Claus’ house, the Workshop of Wishes, the Iceman, the

Hut of the Little Drummer Boys, and the Goblins of the Wind-

mill were only some of the main features of interactive en-

tertainment in the Gardens to be discovered and enjoyed.

The Megaron Athens Music Hall, only a few metro stops away

from Syntagma, was an excellent choice to spend the early

part of an evening filled with Christmas tunes in a programme

designed especially to conjure some holiday magic.

A stroll from Syntagma down Ermou Street, which connects

Syntagma Square with Monastiraki, put you in the Christmas

mood. The pedestrianised Ermou Street was filled with Christ-

mas spirit, featuring plenty of street musicians, chestnut

sellers, performers of all kinds and thousands of people walk-

ing around and enjoying the celebrations. The shops were

magnificently decorated, and there were plenty of opportu-

nities for last-minute Christmas shopping in an atmosphere

of joy and merriment. Shopping in Athens during the holiday

season was a unique experience that was enjoyed by family

and friends.

Celebrations were held all over Athens and events were or-

ganised in various locations throughout the city. On the Sun-

day before Christmas, we enjoyed a live Greek hip-hop act,

Goin’ Through, at Kolonaki Square. The live show was fol-

lowed by a DJ set with DJs from 95.2 Athens Dee Jay and

endless dancing. On Saturday 27 December we went to

Keramikos Square for another spectacular live performance

by favourite Greek pop bands Raining Pleasure and Matisse.

Even though the afternoon was rather chilly, dancing and

the music from the DJs of 95.2 Athens Dee Jay kept us warm

until the show was finished. The party continued at the bars

and clubs in the Gazi District, packed with energy and en-

thusiasm, where we mingled and had a good time along with

the young crowd of the city.

Over the holidays, we gained a few pounds from our visits

to the various restaurants and tavernas offering tradition-

al Christmas menus with mouth-watering dishes such as

roast pork or stuffed turkey and traditional Greek Christ-

mas sweets called melomakarona and kourabiedes. Despite

the cold and looming economic crisis, people were joyous-

ly roaming the streets of Athens bundled in scarves and

mittens.

The year 2009 was welcomed with dazzling fireworks, bus-

tling energy, music and plenty of wishes for a happy new

year all over town. Thousands of people gathered in the

streets of Athens to bid a shared farewell to 2008 and ex-

press their joyfulness and hopes for 2009. We visited various

parties in clubs and hotels where everybody was celebrating

with dancing, flowing champagne and a big smile on their

faces. Early in the morning, we had a fancy breakfast in a

plush hotel in the centre of Athens and finished up a memo-

rable night in a lovely way.

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InterviewNana Mouschouri

◆ hOw DID YOu fEEl ThE fIRsT TImE YOu PERfORmED OuTsIDE gREECE?

It felt as if I was carrying inside me all my friends, the music,

the optimism of my songs, the sun, the moon and the sea of

my country and of course its history. All of these things gave

me strength, but I was well aware of the fact that, after a cer-

tain point, the responsibility was mine and mine alone. I had

these intense feelings of fear and joy and the knowledge that

I had to perform to the best of my abilities.

◆ whAT DOEs AThEns mEAn TO YOu whEn YOu ARE ABROAD?

Athens is the magical city that I grew up in. I saw it cry and

smile and I saw it destroyed and reborn. I was born in this city

and it was there I matured as an artist. I was influenced by its

philosophers, its poets and its musicians. Athens is the eternal

city, the only city that exemplifies the historical existence and

the cultural identity of our country. Athens is a unique city,

unlike any other.

◆ whAT DO YOu mIss mOsT ABOuT AThEns?

As I live abroad, I miss Athens a lot, especially its light and its

sky. I miss being able to see the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill and

Philopappos Hill, the sea and the small forests (the few that

have managed to survive). There are also things from the past

that I miss, like the reunions at the old Floca with Nikos Gatsos,

Manos (Hatjidakis), Melina (Merkouri), Tsarouchis and a great

many other friends of mine from that era. I also miss the ser-

enades, the scent of jasmine and acacia, the old taverns and in

general the whole atmosphere of the period I grew up in. We

should love and respect our city, we should be concerned about

it and, above all, we should be proud of it.

◆ hOw DO YOu fEEl whEn YOu sEE gREEks ABROAD?

I always feel especially pleased when I meet a Greek living, as

I do, far from our country because we both feel the same nos-

talgia and the same optimism, which goes hand in hand with a

certain anxiety about our future in a foreign land. We are both

proud of our cultural heritage. But, like all people who live far

away from home, we share an admiration for our country be-

cause we miss it so much, but we also see that the problems

that Greece faces are not unique to our country, but more or

less the same wherever one happens to be.

◆ whAT Is ThE wORsT mEmORY YOu hAvE fROm AThEns AnD whAT Is ThE BEsT?

The worst memory I have from Athens must be the latest events

from December 2008, which left me with a bitter feeling that

there is a lack of respect for our country and particularly for

humanity itself. It seems that there is no proper moral upbring-

ing anymore and all that is left is love for money and power. The

best memory I have from Athens is the ‘50s, an era when peo-

ple used to dream about their future, created something and

built a new life in a wounded city that had been devastated by

the war. Nothing was for free and we had to work hard to gain

anything, and as a result we learned first-hand that in life you

have responsibilities and obligations, and not only rights.

◆ whAT Is ThE OnE ThIng ThAT YOu wIsh YOu hAD DOnE In AThEns AnD hAvEn’T AlREADY ACCOmPlIshED?

I would like to permanently settle in an apartment with my

husband, who loves Athens as much as I do. I would like to be

able to say good morning to joyful and hospitable people. Fi-

nally, if I could, I would like to give this city a feeling of trust,

joy and peace!

Inte

rvie

w

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A musEum BEfORE ThE musEum

Initially, the Byzantine and Christian Museum was housed in the

Academy of Athens, where the first collections were presented to

the public in 1924. However, in 1930 the Museum was moved to the

Villa Ilissia which had been built by the architect Stamatios Klean-

this for the Duchess of Plakentia. The main building, whose exte-

rior is covered with marble tiles, consists of two levels and a base-

ment. This building is a towering construction at the far end of the

courtyard and is complemented by two low wings on either side,

initially built for ancillary purposes, and by a building at the front

housing the entrance gate. Architect Aristotelis Zachos designed

the interior of the main building so that it could house religious

artιfacts. The most radical architectural interventions are visible in

the basement of the main building where three halls were remod-

elled to look like characteristic temples of the Paleochristian, Byz-

antine, and post-Byzantine periods, while the various artefacts, and

the sculptures in particular, were set up in such a way so as to al-

lude to their original contexts. Icons and miniatures were exhibited

on the upper floor. The left wing of the compound houses various

illustrative types characteristic of Byzantine art, while the right

wing features manuscripts, reproductions of sculptures, mosaics

and frescoes. In the centre of the whole compound there is a round

courtyard designed by architect Kimon Laskaris.

19

Byzantine and Christian Museum

mu

seu

ms ChRIsTIAn ICOns, ElABORATE AlTAR sCREEns (ICOnOsTAsEs), AnD vEsTmEnTs

TRImmED wITh gOlD ARE sOmE Of ThE ExhIBITs OnE CAn ADmIRE In OnE Of ThE mOsT REnOwnED musEums In ThE wORlD. A vIsIT TO ThE BYzAnTInE AnD ChRIs-TIAn musEum Of AThEns wIll PROvE ThAT ThE EnD Of hIsTORY hAs nOT BEEn wRITTEn YET.

For those not acquainted with its austere architecture, the Museum resembles an urban monastery. However, the Byzan-

tine and Christian Museum is not a monastery, but a place where treasure spanning centuries is kept: the treasure of an

imperial past and a cultural heritage that opened the way to Europe’s future. Situated right at the heart of Athens, the

Museum has more than 25,000 artιfacts in its possession, originating from the 3rd to the 15th century and arranged in

collections. A new gallery featuring the post-Byzantine collection with objects from the 16th to the 20th century is due

to open soon. The exhibits are mainly from Greece, Asia Minor and the Balkans. Sculptures, icons, miniatures, frescoes,

pottery and fabrics, manuscripts, sketches, anthivola (preparatory drawings), etchings and incunabula, as well as repro-

ductions of Byzantine and post-Byzantine frescoes and mosaics, can be seen in the show-cases of the Museum.

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A hIsTORICAl flAshBACk

The first part of the exhibition is related to the Paleochristian

and Byzantine period. This journey back in time starts with

the introduction to the Byzantine Empire and its connection

to the ancient world. It consists of six thematic subunits: old

forms – new symbols; the secular world; the temples of the

new religion; the Christianization of ancient temples; Chris-

tian Egypt – coptic art; and final resting place: the Christians

before death. The second major thematic unit attempts to

give a picture of the world of Byzantium presenting impor-

tant aspects of Byzantine society and it consists of nine sub-

units: power and administration; the critical milestone; wor-

ship and art; the frescoes of a Byzantine temple: Diocese of

Evritania; Attica: a Byzantine province; Francs and Romans

in Byzantium; facets of public and private life; the last days

of glory; and the fall of Constantinople. Soon there will be a

new subunit featuring the period up to the 20th century.

lIfE InsIDE ThE musEum

The Byzantine and Christian Museum is not merely a place

that brings us closer to the past. Through its various activi-

ties (exhibitions, workshops, scientific conferences, musical

events, lectures and book presentations) it builds a cultural

relationship with all aspects of the modern era. One example

is the “Adventure of a Monument,” as is the name of one the

educational programmes that are being prepared by the Mu-

seum in accordance with the main theme and the structure

of its exhibits, as well as the regular exhibitions that are

hosted there. Such programmes are intended both for or-

ganised groups of visitors and for primary and secondary

school students. Leaflets with information about its past and

current projects can be found at the Museum ticket office.

A lIvIng hIsTORY

Before you leave the Museum, make sure you visit the gift

shop where you will discover faithful reproductions of icons,

gravures, frescoes, jewellery and various accessories. You

will also find CDs, CD-ROMs, audio- and videotapes, books,

cards, posters, children’s books, games and jigsaw puzzles.

gEnERAl InfORmATIOnAddress: 22 Vas. Sophias Avenue, 106 75 Athens

Telephone: +30 210 72 11 027, +30 210 72 31 570

Fax: +30 210 72 31 883

URL: www.byzantinemuseum.gr

E-mail: [email protected]

Open: Tuesday - Sunday: 08.30 - 15.00

Tickets: €4 (reduced €2)

How to get there: It is a 15-minute walk from Evagelismos

Metro Station or from Syntagma Square. If coming by bus or

trolley, use the Rigillis Street stop. Both indoor and outdoor

areas of the Museum are fully accessible to visitors with dis-

abilities.

mu

seu

ms

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EvERY sEAsOn hAs ITs Own sPECIAl ChARm BuT wInTER Is AlwAYs AnD fOREvER In OuR hEARTs: sTROllIng AROunD wITh fRIEnDs, gOIng TO PARTIEs, shOPPIng, BuYIng hOT ChEsT-nuTs fROm sEllERs On EvERY CORnER, wARmIng OnE’s hAnDs wITh OnE’s Own BREATh AnD lOTs Of jOYOus lAughTER. AT nIghT, AThEns TAkEs On AnOThER PERsOnAlITY, BE-COmIng mORE glAmOROus, mORE sPARklIng, mORE sEDuCTIvE, OffERIng mORE ThRIlls ThAn AT AnY OThER TImE. ThIs Is ThE AThEns wE lOvE.

22

Winter in Athens: The ‘hottest’ days of the year

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DOwnTOwn In mOTIOn

The cool – and sometimes chilly – breeze

makes you really feel the winter but it is

so invigorating that it is like a breath of

fresh air. Hand in hand with our friends,

we walk the streets. The most beautiful

walk is on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street

(the pedestrian zone right below the

Acropolis). There we can see the new

Athens meeting with the old one. Dionys-

iou Areopagitou is a place where cultures

spanning many centuries come join to-

gether. A short walk from there brings

us to the National Garden, a real oasis

for quiet relaxation. The Monastiraki

area provides a flashback to times long

gone (its cafes are peerless) and for

evening entertainment there is the Psiri

area, an impressive place ideal for food,

drink, theatre, or simply walking around

and enjoying the night. Walking in and

around Syntagma Square at Christmas

time is a must, since the lighting of Pan-

epistimiou Street, Vassilissis Sofias Av-

enue, Vassilissis Amalias Avenue and

Ermou Stret creates a spectacular set-

ting for those night excursions around

the centre of the city.

lET ThE musIC BEgIn

Music brings every part of Athens to life.

Whatever it is that you like, you will be sure

to find it in one of the hottest spots of this

artistic town. The centrally located Athens

Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis) (210-

7282333), specialises in classical reper-

toire, while the Greek National Opera (Eth-

niki Lyriki Skini) (210-3612461) offers all

kinds of operas, 18th century to modern,

operettas and ballet. The Half Note Jazz

Club (210-9213310) is an alternative venue

hosting jazz, rock and folk groups from

around the world. The Gagarin 205 (210-

8547600) is the ideal destination for those

with alternative experimental musical

taste, while the Glass Music Theatre (Gi-

alino Mousiko Theatro) (210-9316101-4) is

a first-rate choice for those who enjoy

good music. Also, the Heaven’s Grove (To

Perivoli tou Ouranou) in Plaka (210-

3235517) has special Greek nights for

those who enjoy listening to traditional

Greek music in a lively environment.

hOllYwOOD BlOCkBusTERs

We may not award Golden Globes here

but we surely like our spectacles grand

and glamorous. At the Badminton Thea-

tre (210-8840600) you can see ballet

ranging from Romeo and Juliet to pro-

ductions by the National Theatre Ballet

of Prague. Another thing that you simply

must do is watch a movie at one of the

many Village Cinemas (210-8108080)

where each hall features a different film.

There is also the multi-purpose audito-

rium Bios (210-342533) where you will

be able to enjoy an alternative theatrical

performance in a venue that encourages

experimental productions. As for the Pal-

las (210-3213100), its own experimental,

avant-garde shows are always the “talk

of the town.”

shOPPIng mARAThOn

Shopping in Athens is fun as Athenians

are famous for their consumer prowess.

The Attica Centre (211-1802600) is a rel-

ative newcomer, but is one of the places

that you must not miss and it is located

right in the centre of Athens. If that is

not enough, then a stroll in Kolonaki will

certainly make you want to stay in Ath-

ens forever. There you will be able to do

some window shopping and visit any of

stores in the area cater to all tastes and

budgets. Further away, in Maroussi, there

is The Mall Athens (210-6300000) where

you are sure to find anything you desire.

Returning to the centre of the city, you

should not neglect going to Ermou Street

(in Syntagma Square) as its stores are

some of the most famous in Athens and

– the most important – the street will lead

you to the archaeological site of Plaka.

All ABOuT ART

Athens is the city of art, with numerous

museums that host world-class exhibi-

tions. The National Gallery (210-7235937-

8) will amaze you not only with its own

permanent collections, but also with its

exhibitions. The Benaki Museum (210-

3671000), with buildings in the centre of

Athens and in several surrounding areas

(210-3453111) always offers a variety of

exhibits for its visitors to admire along

with its permanent displays. The Muse-

um of Cycladic Art (210-7228321-3) offers

exhibitions of works of international re-

nown, in addition to its many ancient and

modern exhibits. There is also the Tech-

nopolis of the City of Athens (100 Peiraios

St.), which is an art exhibit in itself,

housed in the former city gas works now

transformed into an art venue. Your chil-

dren will not be disappointed, either. The

Hellenic Children’s Museum (210-

3313995) provides little ones a gateway

to the magic of life.

sTAR mIChElIn

Contrary to popular opinion, Greek cui-

sine is not only mousaka; it is highly rat-

ed in the renowned Michelin guide while

our chefs are real maestros in their kitch-

ens. It is a well known fact that Athenians

are famous bon viveurs. There are many

great restaurants, especially in the

downtown area, such as The Brasserie

Valaoritou (210-3641530) in trendy pe-

destrianised Valaoritou Street, the Peo-

ple (210-3389334-5) with a huge bar and

a modern menu, or the Rosebud (210-

3392370), whose decor is inspired by

cinema. The area around the Sacred

Rock (Ieros Vrachos), the name of the

hill on which the Acropolis stands, is

home to many clubs and restaurants that

are certain to lift up your mood, such as

the Athinaion Politia (210-3413795), the

En Athinais (210-3453018), or the Stavlos

(210-3467206). If you fancy a drink, head

for the Psiri area, where many small bars

like the Buzz (210-3469559), the Koo-

Koo (6933 331003), or the Kinky (210-

3210355) are an indispensable part of

this up-and-coming area. Needless to

say, you should also book your table at

the famous Spondee (210-7564021) and

Varoulko (210-5228400), which is owned

by award-winning chef Lefteris Lazarou,

as both restaurants are considered to be

among the best in town.

23

win

ter

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SMALL PONDS, NARROW PATHS AND TALL TREES WHICH OFFER PLENTY OF OXYGEN

AND WHOSE SHADE OFFERS A WELCOMING PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO SIT AND RELAX.

WHILE WALKING DOWN THE MANY NARROW PATHS INSIDE THE GARDEN YOU HAVE THE

FEELING THAT YOU ARE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND NOT JUST A FEW FEET AWAY FROM

THE CENTRE OF ATHENS. THIS GREEN OASIS DOES NOT ONLY HAVE A HISTORICALLY

NOTABLE NAME, BUT ALSO A COMPLEX AND INTERESTING HISTORY.

The National Garden

25

Par

ks

Let us then begin with its history. Once upon a time, there

was a king whose name was Othon, the first king of mod-

ern Greece. In accordance with his own Bavarian heritage,

the King decided to build a palace right in the centre of

Athens that would be more impressive than the one in

Versailles and at the same time reflect the nobility of

Greece. The result was the building that now houses the

Greek Parliament. Nearby he decided to build (1839-40)

the first official park. He first called upon the French bota-

nist and landscape designer Louis Barrault to supervise

the construction of this huge garden. When Barrault tired

from all the planting, Prussian botanist Friedrich Schmidt

assumed the responsibility of finishing the task. Schmidt

had studied under the Bavarian Smarat and had the bril-

liant idea of transporting an estimated 15,000 plants from

Genova. The King asked Gerasimos Metaxas, an engineer

with the Greek army, to do all the technical work, that is

build the narrow pathways, the ponds, complete the pav-

ing, and of course take care of the plumbing. Yet, nothing

would have been completed on time if it were not for Ot-

hon’s wife, Queen Amalia. The garden’s design and the

planting took some time, as it was not easy to transport

so many plants and have the irrigation system ready to

water them all. Initially, only 3 hectares were planted with

the 15,000 plants from Italy. Later on, plants were brought

from France, Spain, Germany, Algeria, Egypt and other

nearby countries. Many species of ornamental plants that

are now very popular in Greece were first planted on Greek

soil in the National Garden. The same holds true for many

species of the Greek flora, not to mention the palm trees

which still give the Garden its distinctive quality. In 1851-52

all the area that we see today was completed. In 1860, a

committee of town planners charged with the city plan

finalised the garden’s boundaries and formalised its use,

and in 1927, the garden ceased to be a private royal garden

and became a public park, open to the public. It was during

that time that it was rechristened the National Garden.

A CulTuRAl gARDEn

The National Garden is not only a place where you can enjoy

a breath of fresh air. Queen Amalia wanted the park to in-

clude cultural elements as well, to be a place that would

make her walks spiritually as well as physically invigorating.

So, inside the park you will find:

◆ A children’s library with two reading rooms and near-

ly 6,000 books. One of the reading rooms is for read-

ing stories and listening to music and the other, – the

entrance hall -- is specially designed to acquaint its

young visitors with its books and various activities.

The first Saturday every month the group “Paramith-

osentouko” (story chest) organises readings of Greek

traditional fairytales accompanied by live music. The

library is open daily from 9.00 – 15.00, except Sunday

and Monday (Tel: 210-3236503).

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27

Par

ks◆ A playground in a large space (half a hectare)

on the east side of the park (near Irodou At-

tikou Street) for lots of fun and games.

◆ A small collection of animals and birds (also on

the east side of the park) consisting of ducks,

geese, guinea fowl, peacocks, parrots, wild

goats, a donkey, etc.

◆ A small botanical museum, featuring a collection

of specimens of the ornamental plants present

in the park.

◆ A sun dial located at the Amalias Avenue entrance

so that you always know what time it is!

◆ The mosaic floor of a Roman villa (425 m2) lo-

cated near the Vassilissis Sofias Avenue en-

trance.

◆ The remains of Roman baths which are located

near the children’s library. There is a section of

the marble epistyle (with a Latin inscription) of

the Adrian aqueduct which is in the area of

Kolonaki.

◆ The iron polygonal seat of Queen Amalia which

is located on a high rock (near the playground),

where she used to sit and admire the ancient

monuments.

◆ Six busts of historical figures (poets, politicians,

musicians, etc.)

◆ Five trellises with climbing plants, the biggest

of which (near the artificial cave) has got a peb-

ble floor (465 m2) and a small fountain.

◆ Six small ponds, the biggest of which (around

1,000 m2) is located in the centre of the park

and has got a wooden bridge, a small waterfall,

and two small islets, which double as fountains.

These ponds also function as water reservoirs

for watering the entire area.

◆ And so the story ends and they lived happily

ever after in our magical garden.

fOR ADulTs AnD ChIlDREn

The National Garden is a park ideal for walking. It is located in the

centre of Athens, next to Syntagma Square. It is open from sunrise

to sunset and there is no admission fee. There are four different

entrances: one on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, one Irodou Attikou

Street, one on Vassilissis Amalias Avenue, and a small side entrance

from the Zappeion Garden. You can get there on lines 2 and 3 of

the Athens Metro (Syntagma stop), by tram, by trolleybus, and by

bus. (For more information, call 185 or visit www.ethel.gr, www.oasa.

gr, www.ametro.gr, www.isap.gr, www.athens-trolley.gr). National

Garden, 1 Amalias Avenue, 105 57 Athens. Tel: 210 7215019, 210

7216542; fax: 210 7215019)

hOw BIg Is ThE nATIOnAl gARDEn?

The National Garden covers a total area of 15.4 hectares and it is a

closed park with huge areas with trees and plants which alternate

with narrow, shaded pathways. Its pathways have a combined total

length of 7.5 km. The clumps of trees and bushes and the flower-beds

cover an area of 12 hectares. There are 7,000 trees – and 40,000

bushes in the park, 25 percent of which are deciduous and 75 percent

evergreen. Of all the ornamental species (trees, bushes, climbing and

mossy plants), 100 are part of the Greek flora and 400 have come

from abroad. The first two hothouses in Greece were built in the Na-

tional Garden, while the water used for irrigation comes from an

ancient aqueduct, originally built by Peisistratos, the ancient tyrant,

(6th century BC) which provides 1,085 m3 of water a day, with the

help of five wells, each giving 315 m3 of water.

ThE REBuIlDIng BEgIns

Given that such a long time has passed from the time the National

Garden was built, the Greek authorities have decided that the time

has come for a general overhaul of the whole park. For that reason,

a group of 14 scientists from the National Technical University of

Athens will be in charge of the entire process. In about 18 months,

all the unpaved pathways will be paved, all the other pathways and

squares will have their paving replaced, the zoo buildings will be

renovated and, finally, the playground will be expanded. Plans also

call for the installation of a drainage system, new lighting, water

purification system, filters and biological processes. There will also

be specially designated areas to promote environmental awareness.

When it is finished, the National Garden of Athens will be on a par

with the greatest parks in Europe. The story goes on.

gETTIng TO knOw ThE PARk

To avoid getting lost among the narrow pathways ,you can always call

210 3231841 to get information on scheduled guided tours. The point of

departure for these tours is at the Vassilissis Sofias Avenue entrance.

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28

Getting Around WITH THE UNDERGROUND METRO SYSTEM

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During the construction of the Athens Metro 50,000 objects were

excavated from the depths of the earth. The history of Greece was

revealed in layers. Roman baths, a section of the Peisistratian aq-

ueduct, the bed of the Iridanos River and the ancient road which

led to the municipalities of Messogia were all unearthed at Syn-

tagma station. Two mass graves which date back to the beginning

of the Peloponnesian War were discovered not far from the station

at Keramikos. The archaeological excavations carried out at Monas-

tiraki station exposed the remains of settlements dating from be-

tween the 8th century BC (Geometric Period) and the 19th century

AD. The embedded Iridanos river bed, which has been made acces-

sible to passengers, was also unearthed at this spot. At the Acrop-

olis station, the excavation revealed graves from the Mid- and Post-

Helladic periods, as well as dwellings, workshops, roads and

baths.

The metro connects the four points of the compass and all the ar-

eas of Athens which serve different purposes: from the commercial

quarter with its working-class districts to the more industrial areas

with their well-to-do suburbs. From an architectural viewpoint, eve-

ry station is compatible with the area where it has been built. Dif-

ferent building materials (such as marble, granite or tiles), different

aesthetics and variations in the use of space all characterise the

city beneath the ground. Artistic works of the most famous Greek

artists have also been put on display. One example is the two works

of art created by Alekos Fasianos especially for Metaxourgio sta-

tion, which is located in the neighbourhood where he grew up. Us-

ers of the Metro can see an illuminated statue of Taki (at Fix station),

a work of art created by Nikos Kessanlis (Omonia station), and a

structure with trees created by Kostas Tsoklis (Ethniki Amyna sta-

tion) to mention but a few. It is worth planning to make a few stops

to get a taste of both contemporary and ancient Greek civilisation.

The whole scheme is of an informative nature.

The 27 stations which currently operate on the two lines of the

metro system were opened to the public in stages from the year

2000 onwards. The work is still in progress, so that this rapid means

of transport will eventually reach most areas of the city. One of the

plans, for example, is to link the port of Piraeus with the airport. At

present, the lines cover a total of 51 kilometres and serve 650,000

passengers. The two lines join up with the old Piraeus to Kifissia

train line and also with the tram line which leads to the closest

beaches. Using the Metro gives passengers a general picture of the

city as a whole. Now that the Friday and Saturday services have

been extended to provide a night time service (until 2 am), the

Metro can also be used for evenings out. It is not coincidental that

centres of entertainment with restaurants and bars have sprung up

in the areas surrounding the new stations (such as at Keramikos

and Fix). The Metro service is entirely safe to use at any time of day

or night. It is constantly monitored and policed, and uses the most

up-to-date fire fighting equipment and earthquake proofing.

The station at Syntagma is different to all the rest. It is located in

the heart of the city at a point where two underground lines meet

and where the tram starting point is located. It is considered to be

the busiest spot in Athens, so it is no surprise that the large space

which is available to rent is much in demand. Organisations from

both the private and public sectors choose Syntagma to promote

their work. Charities requesting donations, writers reading poems

for the Ministry of Culture, and numerous bazaars are all encoun-

tered. The area is also used for practical purposes. For example, this

summer the central office of the Ministry of Economy used the

space to collect a special land and property tax, serving 30,000

citizens daily. In short, Syntagma station is available to anyone who

wishes to communicate with the residents of the capital.

29

ThE AThEns mETRO Is nOT jusT A mEAns Of TRAnsPORT. IT AlsO funCTIOns As An unDERgROunD musEum sInCE mAnY sTATIOns DIsPlAY ARChAEOlOgICAl fInDs AT ThE ExACT sPOT whERE ThEY wERE DIsCOvERED, AnD OThERs ARE DECORATED wITh wORk fROm ThE mOsT wEll-knOwn ARTIsTs In gREECE. TRAvEllERs CAn slOw DOwn ThE PACE Of ThEIR jOuRnEY TO TAkE A lOOk AT ThE DIsPlAYs, whEREAs vIsITORs TO ThE CITY CAn PlAn TO sTOP Off AT sElECT PlACEs TO sEE EIThER fInDIngs fROm EARlIER CEnTuRIEs OR COnTEmPORARY CREATIOns.

Tran

spo

rtat

ion

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30

The Mall Athens FUN, FASHION AND FOOD

THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO EXPERIENCE THE CHRIST-

MAS SEASON THAN THE BIGGEST SHOPPING CENTRE IN

ATHENS: THE MALL ATHENS, THE SHOPPING CENTRE THAT

HAS BECOME THE PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS AND, OF

COURSE, SHOP. ISN’T IT TIME YOU VISITED?

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When you first see the Mall Athens from

a distance, it gives the impression of a

huge modern art installation. As you

approach, you realise that it is indeed

a place full of life that is certain to lift

your spirits. It offers 200 different

choices for shopping, fun, and food. Its

construction marked a new era and

changed the way Athenians think about

shopping and entertainment. The

brandname chain stores, the restau-

rants and the coffee shops, the modern

cinema halls and the amusement facil-

ities for all the family satisfy every con-

ceivable need. The modern architec-

tural design ensures that when you

visit the Mall your visit will be care-free,

pleasant and safe. The Mall Athens has

a total area of 58,500 m2. It is located

in Maroussi, in the heart of the Attika

region, and is a few minutes’ walk from

the Neratziotissa ISAP electric railway

station and from the Attiki Odos motor-

way (Andrea Papandreou 35, Maroussi,

Tel. 210-6300000)

EvERYThIng YOu wAnT Is hERE

Such a huge mall could not fail to pro-

vide all services that you may need

within easy reach. On the ground floor

you will find the ELTA (the Greek Post

Office) so that you won’t miss the

chance to send a card to your loved

ones back home. You will also find an

OTE shop for your mobile phone, a dry-

cleaner’s, a Takouni Express, in case

your shoes need some repairing, a phar-

macy, in case you have got a hangover

from too much shopping, the L.A. Hair

Styling salon, you never know, a super-

market, so you can stock up on your

way home. There is also an information

office, many ATMs, in case you need

more cash, a first-aid station, a crèche

and a babysitting service. You will also

find ramps, restrooms and parking

spaces for those with disabilities, as well

as special parking places for mothers

with children.

gETTIng ThERE

If you decide to go by car, you can take

the Attiki Odos (Exit 11). If you come from

areas that connect to Kifissias Avenue,

when you reach the Maroussi rounda-

bout you turn left and follow the road

parallel to the one that leads you to At-

tiki Odos. Access by public transport is

also very easy:

- By ISAP Electric Railway (Line 1), use

Neratziotissa Station.

- By Proastiakos Suburban Railway,

follow the pedestrian bridge be-

tween the Neratziotissa Station and

the Mall. This will lead you to the en-

trance of the Mall Athens.

For more information you can visit the

following links: www.ethel.gr, www.

oasa.gr, www.proastiakos.gr, www.ose.

gr, www.ametro.gr, www.isap.gr, www.

athens-trolley.gr, www.ktel.org, www.

ktelattikis.gr

DOn’T mIss

- free phone spots: make as many

calls as you want, free of charge, to

all national and international net-

works!

- Events: The Mall organises various

seasonal events almost every month.

For instance, on November 16 there

was a fashion show where one could

see all the new designer trends for

the coming winter. Also, the Christ-

mas shopping season began on No-

vember 15 in full holiday spirit..

InfORmATIOn

Opening hours: Mon. – Fri. 09.00 -21.00,

Sat. 09.00 – 20.00. The Mall’s car park

can accommodate 2,100 cars. It is con-

structed in three levels and has spe-

cially designated parking spaces for

people with disabilities. It is open from

08.30 to 02.00. Restaurants and cine-

mas have their own opening hours.

A shORT guIDE TO ThE shOPs

The shops in the Mall Athens cover all

your shopping needs; all you have to do

is decide whether you want to buy

clothes, shoes, toys, electronics or

whatever else you want. The spacious

corridors, the escalators, the pleasant

lighting and the right atmosphere will

surely make you want to buy everything.

On the ground floor, you will mainly find

all the big stores (supermarkets, banks,

electric goods and phones), general

services and the amusement park. On

the first floor, you will find stores that

sell clothes, shoes, toys, and jewellery.

On the second floor, you will find stores

that cater to younger tastes, such as

accessories, casual wear and more

mainstream items. The third floor is the

place to go if you want to have fun (cafés,

pizzas, snacks) or go to the movies. The

fourth floor is devoted to restaurants.

You do not want to leave feeling hungry,

do you?

31

sh

op

pin

g

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32

DAY ONEACROPOlIs

It’s probably stating the obvious, but the

best way to spend the first day of your vis-

it to Greece is with a visit to the Acropolis,

considered to be one of the world’s greatest

cultural monuments. So wake up early, dress

comfortably and get ready to discover the

sensations of Athens. Metro line 2 or the

Athens Sightseeing Public Bus, line No.400,

will take you to the Acropolis. If you take

the Metro, make sure that you check out the

archaelogical findings on display at the

Acropolis station. When you arrive, you can

take a walk up Dionysiou Areopagitou Street,

a cobbled, pedestrian road along which, you

can admire examples of the different eras,

all present at once in a city that has been

inhabited for centuries. You can see modern

apartment blocks, neoclassical buildings of

the late 19th and 20th centuries and, of

course, the city’s landmark, the rock of the

Acropolis with the Parthenon at the top and

the Herodeon Attikou amphitheater at its

base. The proper entrance to the site is lo-

cated at the Propylaia. The Propylaia direct

you to the Parthenon, the ruins of which

still dominate the center of the Acropolis.

PlAkA

For a late lunch, you can go to Plaka, one of

the oldest neighborhoods in Athens. There

you can find numerous good restaurants and

tavernas where traditional Greek cuisine and

ouzo can be enjoyed. Make sure that you

visit Anafiotika, an area within Plaka where

the houses are influenced by the Cycladic

architecture and it feels as if you are on an

Aegean island. If you are still not tired, you

should walk toward Thission, following Di-

onisiou Areopagitou around the Acropolis,

which will lead you to the pedestrianized Ap-

ostolou Pavlou Street. At Thission you will

find plenty of cafés, bars, restaurants and a

lot of young people that make the area quite

lively.

Athens in 6 days

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DAY TWOlYCABETTus

A landmark of this Greek city, Lycabet-

tus offers wonderful trails for walking

and finding a peaceful spot in nature.

There is a funicular railway that can take

you all the way up the hill to St George’s

church or you can choose to hike the

distance through shrubbery and trees,

enjoying a little exercise and a magnif-

icent view (look out for the swimming

pools on the rooftops!).

kOlOnAkI

Minutes later on the way down, you will

find your way to the elegant, well-kept

streets of Kolonaki, the classy and glam-

orous part of town offering an array of

expensive, trendy restaurants serving

various cuisines, as well as some of the

best Greek tavernas and coffee shops,

not to mention a variety of stores for

some of the most exciting shopping! If

you are a strict follower of design fash-

ion, Diane von Furstenberg, Armani,

Lanvin, Marc Jacobs or other brands of

avant garde art and fashion can be

found in beautifully designed shops and

art galleries exhibiting the hottest new

trends in art and architecture.

musEum Of CYClADIC ART

Making your way even further down,

you can enjoy a drink in the Dexameni

area, the best spot for people-watching,

before heading toward the Museum of

Cycladic Art. This is one of the most

modern and important museums of pre-

historic and ancient Greek art where

you can get a glimpse into the depths

of Greek history. The museum is housed

in a beautiful building on Neophytou

Douka Street.

nATIOnAl gAllERY

The National Gallery, across from the

Evangelismos Metro Station and near

the Hilton Hotel on the corner of Micha-

lakopoulou and Vasileos Konstantinou

avenues, offers a cultural journey into

the realms of 19th and 20th century

Greek art, as well as international visit-

ing exhibitions introducing the Greek

public to artists and art movements of

worldwide renown.

skOufA sTREET

When night falls, stay in the area and

walk back to Skoufa Street where a new

bar springs up every few weeks, making

the area a must for bar flies and young

people enjoying a night out. Alterna-

tively, make your way to Exarchia to

discover an alternative “indie” crowd

and their hot-spots.

DAY TREEPAnAThEnAIC sTADIum

On the third day in Athens you should

start with a visit to the Panathenaic Sta-

dium. Located at Vasileos Konstantinou

Avenue, it is one of the most impressive

monuments in Athens. In ancient times,

it hosted the Panathenaic Games in

honor of the goddess Athena. The Sta-

dium hosted the first modern Olympic

Games in 1896 and in more recent years

it was the venue for the archery com-

petition and the finish of the Marathon

in the 2004 summer Olympics. The bril-

liance and magnificence of the stadium

is highlighted by the luminous white

marble, in contrast with the rich green-

ery of the hillside of Agra and Ardettus

which surround it.

hADRIAn’s gATE

If you walk down Vassilissis Olgas Av-

enue as far as its junction with Amalias

Avenue, you will find Hadrian’s Gate, the

entrance to the temple of Zeus, the fa-

ther of all Greek gods. He was honored

in this 6th century BC temple that was

so big it once comprised 104 columns

that took 700 years to complete, but

today, 2,600 years later, just 15 re-

main.

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nATIOnAl gARDEn

Opposite Hadrian’s Gate you can take a walk

in the National Garden, a peaceful, green

refuge in the center of Athens. This public

park was once the palace garden of the roy-

al family. It contains gardens, a zoo and small

lakes and ponds, complete with ducks, swans

and a few peacocks. You can also find sev-

eral cafés hidden away - ideal places for a

snack!

sYnTAgmA squARE

You can exit at Vassilissis Amalias Avenue

and walk towards Syntagma Square. At Syn-

tagma, just in front of the neoclassical Par-

liament Building, it is worth watching the

Evzones in the changing of the guard. These

are soldiers dressed in the traditional attire

that the soldiers wore when rebels won the

War of Independence in 1821.

ERmOu sTREET

The commercial Ermou Street, down the

road from Syntagma, is an enjoyable way of

spending your afternoon. You can find shops

for all tastes and there are plenty of trendy

and hip bars and restaurants at which to

enjoy your evening at the nearby Koloko-

troni Street and Karytsi Square.

DAY FOURmOnAsTIRAkI flEA mARkET

Day 4 would not be complete without a vis-

it to the city’s flea market in Monastiraki.

The train or the Metro (Monastiraki Station,

Lines 1 and 3) is the best way to arrive quick-

ly and efficiently in the heart of the city and

explore its narrow paved cobblestone

streets, leading to numerous traditional

stores offering Greek souvenirs and para-

phernalia as well as leather goods, antiques,

jewelry, clothes, music and many more treas-

ures.

AnCIEnT AgORA

Continue your long walk towards the ancient

Agora, the place where democracy and rhet-

oric were born. Beautiful ruins give a his-

toric feel to the city that no other European

capital can boast of. While discovering the

birth of all ancient Greek virtue, you may

reward yourself by eating a souvlaki and sip-

ping a glass of ice-cold ouzo in one of the

plentiful little tavernas hidden away in dif-

ferent parts of the area. Remember, you are

below the rock of the Acropolis so the high-

er up you walk, the better view you will get,

and the the greater the appetite you will

have to enjoy the Greek delicacies offered

nearby!

BEnAkI musEum Of IslAmIC ART

With a full stomach, take some time to ex-

plore the magnificent Benaki Museum of Is-

lamic Art, situated at 22 Asomaton St and

12 Diplou St. The new Museum opened in

June 2004 and is the only Museum of Is-

lamic Art in the Balkans.

PsYRRI

At night you may bar hop in Psyrri, one of

the oldest neighborhoods in Athens which

is full of restaurants, bars, clubs, art galler-

ies and theaters and has become a main-

stream entertainment area for many young

Athenians! One thing not to be missed is

trying the Cretan rakomelo and you are guar-

anteed to spend the rest of your night on

fire! If you are lucky, you may find open some

of the city’s hottest galleries, which Psyrri

seems to be swarming with, and maybe pick

up a few pieces to bring back home.

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36 36

DAY FIVEnATIOnAl ARChAEOlOgICAl musEum

Your visit to Athens would not be com-

plete without a visit to the National Ar-

chaeological Museum. The Museum is

located at 44 Patission Ave, just a five-

minute walk from Victoria Station or a

10-minute walk from Omonia Station

(Line 2). The National Archaeological

Museum is the largest museum in

Greece and one of the world’s great mu-

seums. Although its original purpose

was to secure all the finds from the 19th

century excavations in and around Ath-

ens, it gradually became the central

National Archaeological Museum and

was enriched with finds from all over

Greece. Its abundant collections, with

more than 20,000 exhibits, offer a pan-

orama of Greek civilization from the be-

ginnings of prehistory to Late Antiquity.

kYPsElI

Areos Park and Kypseli lie beyond the

museum. Kypseli is one of the oldest

neighborhoods in Athens and, despite

the fact that it is one of the most heav-

ily populated areas in the world, it is a

beautiful place to be. The historic

Fokionos Negri, a pedestrian road with

numerous cafés, restaurants and a park

along its length, runs through the mid-

dle of the district and is the perfect place

to relax, eat something or have a frap-

pé and watch the world go by.

nEw BEnAkI musEum

If you want to go on with your explora-

tion of Athens, your next stop should

be the recently refurbished new

Benaki Museum at 138 Pireos. Metro

Line 3 (Keramikos Station) will take you

there. Enjoy the modern architecture,

the light-filled space and the exhibits

of modern Greek and international art.

Make sure that you visit the exquisite

café-restaurant on the ground floor

that offers interesting gastronomic se-

lections.

gAzI

At night you really must pay a visit to

the latest hip place in Athens: Gazi. A

district full of trendy restaurants, chic

cafés, cool bars, music, and art, close

to the old city gas-works which has been

turned into a museum-cultural center

that may be the only one of its kind in

Europe. Take Metro Line 3, get off at

Keramikos Station and make sure that

you have fun!

DAY SIXCAPE sOunIOn – TEmPlE Of POsEIDOn

On your last day (which we hope it won’t

be) you should head off the beaten track

and visit the Temple of Poseidon at

Sounion. Cape Sounion is one of the

most famous and picturesque locations

in Attica. It is the southern-most point

in Attica and offers a breathtaking view

of the Aegean and the islands. In ancient

times, the temple was the last sign of

civilization the Athenians saw as they

sailed away from home and the first as

they returned. If you have time, one sug-

gestion is to stay and admire the sunset

there, one of the most amazing sunsets

one can witness. Close to the temple

you can find a couple of tavernas to

sample some fresh fish dishes and have

a glass of cold ouzo.

vOulIAgmEnI

On your way back to Athens (or on your

way to Sounion if you prefer) you should

stop and go for a dip at Lake Vouliag-

meni mineral spa, which is reported to

have many healing effects for dermato-

logical diseases, neuralgia, headaches,

disfiguring arthritis, chronic gynecolog-

ical diseases and other problems. The

lake contains minerals such as lithium,

potassium, calcium and iodine. These

minerals are known to alleviate bone and

muscle problems, as well as those men-

tioned above. If you’d rather go to the

sea, don’t worry. Just across the street

you can find Vouliagmeni beach, one of

the most popular beaches in Athens with

plenty of cafés, bars, tavernas and res-

taurants nearby.

glYfADA

Another place you should visit if you go

to the south of Athens is Glyfada. Glyfada

stretches from the bottom of the Hymet-

tus Mountain and extends to the Saronic

Gulf. It is the residence for many Greek

millionaires, politicians and celebrities. It

is a fashion-conscious suburb of Athens

and is well known for its chic cafés, fa-

mous restaurants, stylish boutiques and

cosmopolitan open-air summer clubs lo-

cated next to the sea. Make sure that you

visit one! Glyfada has been called

“Knightsbridge on Sea” or the “Hellenic

Hamptons.”

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podimatas

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ThERE wAs AlwAYs sOmEThIng In ThE AIR In gAzI. gAzI Is A nEIghBOuRhOOD ClOsE TO ThE CEnTRE Of AThEns whICh Is OnE Of ThE fEw REmAInIng AREAs In whICh YOu CAn sTIll COmE ACROss sInglE sTOREY hOusEs AnD ThE sCEnT Of jAsmInE. ThE AREA TAkEs ITs nAmE fROm ThE PuBlIC gAs wORks whICh OPER-ATED In ThE AREA BETwEEn 1864 AnD 1884. IT wAs, AnD sTIll Is, knOwn As ‘gAzOChORI’ (gAs PlACE).

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Sizzling Nights in Gazi

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Changes first began to take place in this corner of the city

in Iakhou St in 1989. Sofia Spiratou set up one of the first

organised endeavours to create a theatre of dance with the

Roes theatre. In 1999, the biggest centre of culture in the

city – the City of Athens Technopolis – was founded, making

quite successful use of the old Gas Works premises. In Janu-

ary of the same year, Gazaki bar opened its doors in Trip-

tolemou St, its main attraction being the view from the ter-

race and, in time, its good music. Soon after, another bar

joined them- the Nipiagogio (8, Elasidon and Kleanthous St)

which brings a funkier atmosphere to Gazi. Gradually, things

began to take shape and today there are a total of over 60

places to wine and dine, 20 theatres, a wide variety of music

venues, one summer cinema and a strip club. Gazochori takes

after Manhattan, and each square metre of land is worth as

much as a first class plane ticket and a ten day stopover in

the Big Apple.

Gazi can be compared to Hora, the capital town of an island.

A Hora which determines the contemporary identity of a city

which seeks to offer style to its visitors. Its basic motto is

“Get people sitting outside.” They may have impressive in-

terior décor, but their real objective is the terrace outside.

It has an air of summer in the Aegean, even though you are

just down the road from Omonia Square. Your eyes are drawn

to everything and everything, you don’t shy away from strut-

ting on the catwalk, you acquire a summer attitude, take your

drink at the tall metal Alley Cat (a bar with metal and rock

sounds at 50, Konstantinoupoleos St.), go and find out what’s

happening at the fashion conscious Almodobar (a small bar

at 60, Konstantinopouleos St., inspired by the well-known

Spanish producer) and finally enjoy a salad of avocado, cour-

gette and gruyere at Kanela, a restaurant belonging to the

category of new tavernas (a style which thrives in Gazi). All

of these are within a stone’s throw of each other.

You cannot call yourself a sought-after young Athenian un-

less you have walked, glass in hand, past the outside of Hox-

ton (a bar at 42, Voutadon St.). For a time it was considered

the absolute “place to be” in the city. “You haven’t been to

Hoxton? You haven’t done a report on the Hoxton? You don’t

know where Hoxton is? Well then, what on Earth are you do-

ing in this city?” Later on, the new Metro stop opened (which

looks as if it was designed purely for the Hoxton as the stop

is exactly outside its entrance) and the establishment passed

from the realms of merely legendary to becoming an institu-

tion in itself. Emo, trendies, passers-by, mothers, fathers, cats

and dogs sit side by side in one of the most beautiful squares

in the city. In time, other bar restaurants to suit all tastes

opened alongside the Hoxton. The alternative bar, K44, (44,

Konstantinoupoleos street), promoting a loftier mood at-

tempts to become the first runner, but as the tide turns to-

wards Gazi and the alternative trend prospers, neither of the

two (or even the 102!) can fail to prosper.

Persephonis St is the road which connects the two ports: Pi-

raeus and Constantinople (Piraeus and Konstantinoupoleos

St.). It also provides a connection between fish and meat

(Sardelles (Sardines) and Butcher Shop). The daughter of Dim-

itra, Lady of the Underworld, links the gothic Closer bar with

the indie Mad Club and all the post modernism of the modern

Greek spirit is expended at Mamaca’s, a restaurant which is

transformed into a Club by night. In the same Mykonian spir-

it there is also the new A Liar Man, with a jazz bar atmosphere

in surroundings which are more reminiscent of the narrow

alleyways of the Cyclades than of 2, Sofoniou St!

The coffee shop-come-snack bar is a trend which was

launched in Psyrri and spread rapidly to areas to the south.

Two years ago, if you had strolled down Dekeleon St. you

would have found nothing more than a few forsaken souvlaki

shops, a couple of kafeneions to play cards in, and Nona and

the Oinomageirio , the basement cellar serving wonderfully

civilised dishes, which disturbed the whole neighbourhood

every Sunday with its clarinets. These days, hustle and bus-

tle reigns: every street corner is packed with tables. With the

exception of the other cabaret restaurant without the danc-

ers, Brothel at 33, Orfeos St., all the establishments present

a specific image: ouzo. raki, mezes and conversation from

which the masses spill out and head for the Triptolemou,

Mexican Tapas, trendy Dirty Ginger (which offers food as well

as drink) and the wild club-bar Socialistas. Humanity of all

kinds, disorderly throngs, prowling throughout the night,

through a drunken haze and endless rounds of socialising,

to find which waiter they need to pay and where they have

left their coats. Besides all this, just a few minutes walk away

(on the corner of Dekeleon St.) is the Motel, which is sym-

bolic of the Athenian dance scene.

It is indeed true that the centres of entertainment in Athens

are multiplying: Kefalari, Kolonaki, Psyrri, Exarcheia, Syn-

tagma, Bournazi and the seaside areas. Gazi is trying to ap-

peal to all types but without focusing only on its accession

to a share of night entertainment and also by focusing on

doubling the numbers of households. Its challenge is not to

become overrun by ethnic bouzouki clubs, as has happened

in Psyrri, and to maintain its pell-mell of people and options.

In other words, to retain its status as the island oasis in the

centre of Athens.

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Cit

y

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During its recent renovation, the Electra Palace was complete-

ly refurbished, expanded and outfitted with the most modern

facilities of the 21st century which will turn a simple visit into

an incredible and memorable experience.

The Electra Palace Hotel Athens benefits from its idyllic loca-

tion in the middle of the historical center of Athens in the

shadow of the Acropolis. The Electra Palace is a five-star hotel

able to offer contemporary and luxury facilities together with

the aristocratic and traditional architecture of Plaka. The dis-

trict of Plaka is the picturesque historical area of Athens built

on the slopes of the Acropolis with its labyrinthine streets and

neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the old resi-

dential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is the centre of

the city’s commercial activities, and the area where most of

the must-see sights of Athens are located, all within walking

distance from the hotel.

Electra Palace Hotel AThEns

41

ElECTRA hOTEls AnD REsORTs Is A gREEk hOTEl ChAIn, fOunDED In 1965. ThROugh ThE YEARs, IT hAs EsTABlIshED A lOng AnD suCCEss-ful PREsEnCE wIThIn ThE gREEk TOuRIsm InDusTRY. ThE ElECTRA PAlACE hOTEl - AThEns, whICh wAs BuIlT In 1975 In ThE hEART Of ThE hIsTORICAl CEnTER Of AThEns In ThE DIsTRICT Of PlAkA, wAs An ADDITIOn TO ThE COmPAnY’s PROPERTIEs. OThER PROPERTIEs Of ThE COmPAnY ARE sITuATED In lOCATIOns lIkE CRETE, ThEssAlOnIkI AnD RhODEs.

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The hotel provides all the amenities that a visitor desires in order

to have a pleasant and memorable stay in Athens. It has 135 stand-

ard and superior rooms with a glorious view of the Acropolis, nine

junior and 10 full suites, and one presidential suite. The rooms in

the Electra Palace Hotel Athens are designed to please all visitors

with their unique ambience, while maintaining the tone of the his-

torical neighbourhood of Plaka. The facilities of the hotel rooms

include air-conditioning, mini bar, soundproof windows, digital safe

deposit box (laptop size), direct telephone lines from room and

bathroom, data port and wi-fi Internet connection, color satellite

television, automatic film selection system, night light, generator-

backed security light, hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers and a magnify-

ing mirror in the bathroom - without doubt everything a guest wants

and needs. Additional services include 24-hour room service and

secretarial service during business hours in order to ensure that

your stay, for business or otherwise, is pleasurable.

Greece is well known for the delight it has to offer when it comes to

food. Electra Palace Hotel offers a magnificent introduction to the

delicacies of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The Motivo that oper-

ates in the ground floor of the hotel is the perfect place to start your

day with the buffet breakfast that is served every day. An extensive

and innovative selection of Mediterranean cuisine from the “a la

carte” menu awaits guests for an enjoyable lunch or dinner while

relaxing in the remarkable garden of the restaurant. The newest ad-

dition is the Electra Palace Roof Garden restaurant, which will charm

you with its mouth-watering flavors and the stunning view of the

Acropolis and the historical district of Plaka. In the lobby area, you

will find “Duck Tail” bar with the impressive wooden decorations

where you can enjoy your drink, cocktail, coffee or light snack while

you are relaxing in one of the leather Chesterfield sofas.

If you would prefer something healthier, you are in the right place.

With its heated indoor pool, fully equipped work-out room, sauna

and steam room, it is almost certain that you will be satisfied. Hotel

guests can choose their personal care menu with one of the many

massage programs available from the experienced and highly

trained staff of the hotel.

The hotel is the ideal venue for successful social or business events.

Three function rooms, “Alkioni,” “Electra” and “Lefkothea,” and a

spacious banquet hall, all with the latest audio-visual equipment

and experienced personnel, are available to satisfy the most de-

manding client. The capacity of the meeting space varies from 10-

50 persons in a U-shaped arrangement; from 10-150 persons in

classroom style; up to 300 persons in theater style; and for ban-

quets and up to 350 persons for a cocktail.

Electra Palace Hotel – Athens was named the “Best Hotel for the

Year 2008” for the Mediterranean area by the Golden Tulip Hospi-

tality Group. The award was announced during the Golden Tulip

45th Annual Conference, which took place in Antwerp 7-9 Novem-

ber 2007.

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At the hotel’s grand opening, Greek Minister of Tourism Aris

Spiliotopoulos stated in his remarks that: “It is very impor-

tant for us to promote quality as an integral part of our new

tourism policy, to be aware that such centerpieces not only

highlight Greece’s orientation toward quality tourism, but

also indicate the new attitude of all those who bring vision

to tourism.” He added that, “All travellers can now enjoy the

luxury and comfort that the name ‘Crowne Plaza’ guarantees

in Athens. The most important thing is they can see that

something is changing, something is moving, and that Ath-

ens, and by extension all of Greece, is gaining infrastructure

that can make the difference.”

The prime location of Crowne Plaza, a short walking distance

from the Athens city center, makes access to historical mon-

uments and shopping districts easier. Also within walking

distance is the Megaro Moussikis metro station, two stops

from Syntagma Square. It is the largest hotel located near

the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis) Conference

Center.

The Crowne Plaza

Hotel

45

ThE CROwnE PlAzA hOTEl Is ThE nEwEsT luxuRY hOTEl In AThEns, BuIlT TO ThE sTRICT sAfETY sPECIfICATIOns Of ThE CROwnE PlAzA ChAIn AnD PARTICulARlY DE-sIgnED TO OffER TRAvEllERs suPERB ACCOmmODATIOn AnD PREmIum fACIlITIEs AnD sERvICEs DuRIng ThEIR sTAY. CROwnE PlAzA, As A mEmBER Of ThE InTERCOnTInEnT-Al hOTEls gROuP, Is OnE Of ThE mOsT PREsTIgIOus hOTEl ChAIns In ThE wORlD, wITh 297 hOTEls In mORE ThAn 50 COunTRIEs. ThE AThEns vEnTuRE Of ThE ChAIn hAs BEEn BuIlT wITh A PhIlOsOPhY Of mEETIng ClIEnT nEEDs, AnD TO sATIsfY BOTh lEI-suRE vIsITORs AnD BusInEss TRAvEllERs.

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ROOms & fACIlITIEs

The attention that has been paid even to the slightest detail

is evident in the 193 luxury rooms and suites of the Crowne

Plaza Hotel, all of which include lavish facilities and ameni-

ties, such as a 26’’ LCD satellite TV, on which guests can

listen to their favourite Greek and foreign radio stations via

internet, video on demand and pay TV, a laptop safe that is

opened with the guest’s credit card, a cordless phone, a me-

dia hub (that can be connected to digital cameras, iPods and

Playstations), a versatile 4-pipe air-conditioning system for

climate control all year round, a mini bar with a special area

for foods that do not require refrigeration, an ergonomi-

cally designed closet with interior downlight, a shoe rack, a

tie rack, an iron and an ironing board, bathrobes and slippers,

a 1500W hair dryer, Yves Roche toiletries, nightlights and

reading lights, specially designed bathroom lighting, envi-

ronmentally friendly wool carpets, coffee- and tea- making

facilities, leather chairs and footstools, an entrance control

system, excellent sound-proofing (windows with four glass

panes and high-quality soundproofing materials), pillow

menu, anatomic mattresses with 1,000 pocket springs, a door

bell, an illuminated room number, and our unique ”forgot

something” service, which enables you to request anything

you forgot to bring on your trip. Services, such as 24-hr room

service, cable or wireless Internet access in all areas of the

hotel, 30 minutes free Internet access every day for all guests,

wireless printing in the business center and electronic infor-

mation boards posting details about the events taking place

at the hotel, are available.

BusInEss & sERvICEs

The hotel facilities of the Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre

cater to both business and leisure travellers. It is considered

to be one of the prime locations for business meetings be-

cause it is located near the heart of Athens but is outside

the traffic controlled zone. There are 14 meeting rooms –

most of which have natural light - with a capacity of 1,000

persons and state-of-the-art equipment, such as a DVD play-

er, a central console for microphones, an amplifier, a matrix,

an electronic stand where the remaining speaking time is

visible, an electronic sign where the name and logo of the

business holding the event is posted, screens that are low-

ered automatically from the ceiling, as well as portable

screens when needed. The conference rooms are panelled

with environmentally friendly wood and do not require skirt-

ing for organized events.

lEIsuRE & EnTERTAInmEnT

The Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre Hotel also features a

fully equipped, 150 m2 gym with a sauna, state-of-the-art ex-

ercise machines and a massage area; restaurants and bars

located in the main entrance of the hotel and on the roof gar-

den with a view of Lycabettus Hill; an open-air swimming pool

on the roof garden; restrooms for persons with physical dis-

abilities; and an underground parking area with a capacity of

150 cars. There is also the special VIP Club floor, featuring a

lounge where you can have your breakfast privately with a

view of Lycabettus Hill, or relax during the day.

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THIS YEAR, ATHENIANS WILL ENJOY ONE OF THE MOST INTER-

ESTING WINTER SEASONS, AS THE VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT

ON OFFER IS SUCH THAT EVEN THE MORE RELUCTANT WILL BE

TEMPTED TO WATCH AT LEAST ONE PERFORMANCE. ROCK, POP,

JAZZ, DANCE AND MUSICALS ALL FEATURE PROMINENTLY IN THE

ENTERTAINMENT LANDSCAPE OF ATHENS.

JAZZ

Jazz made an impressive start this winter with appearances by

Chick Corea, Brad Mehdlau and Jack DeJohnette, to mention only

a few, and it promises to keep on going just as impressively with

Carla Bley and Wayne Shorter. The former is well-known to jazz lov-

ers, being one of the great women in jazz, and especially free jazz.

She will be performing at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mous-

ikis) where she will give a jazz interpretation of Christmas carols.

Joining her on December 3 in the Alexandra Trianti Hall will be the

C. B. Brass ensemble and, of course, Carla Bley’s partner on bass,

Steve Swallow. The great saxophonist Wayne Shorter, whose show

will also take place at the Athens Concert Hall on March 23, needs

no introduction. His participation in the second Miles Davis Quintet

in 1964 and the creation of his own jazz-rock fusion group, the

amazing Weather Report, in the 1970s are all it takes to guarantee

him a place in the annals of jazz history. Another jazz musician, who

deserves our attention is drummer Manu Katche. He is well known

through his participation in albums of artists such as Peter Gabriel

and Sting. Playground and Neighbourhood for the German com-

pany ECM are only two of his own successful albums. Manu Katche

appears at the Pallas Theatre on December 8 as part of the “Jazz

Masters” series.

Winter Cultural Highlights

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SPECTACLES

One of the most ambitious productions this year is Rain by the

French-Canadian troupe Cirque Eloize, appearing at the Badminton

Theatre from December 4 to December 21. This is the sixth produc-

tion of the well-known “circus without animals” so popular with

Athenians, which has had 3,000 shows in 300 cities and in 30 coun-

tries across the globe. The aim of Daniele Finzi Pasca, the man be-

hind the show and its director, is to make the spectators revisit their

own childhoods and let them play with the rain water with the im-

pulsive enthusiasm they had when they were children.

Another show that is eagerly awaited is the new production by the

extremists of musical theatre, the Tiger Lillies, at the Badminton

Theatre, from January 13 to January 23. Dwarfs, otherworldly songs,

and fantastic, unreal tales from Martin Jacques’ group, which has

garnered huge admiration for its previous work. At the same venue,

starting January 28 and going on for two weeks, we will have the

opportunity to see the dance version of Edward Scissorhands by

groundbreaking choreographer Matthew Bourne, soon after the

show’s opening in London which was December 2.

POP AND ROCK MUSIC

As far as pop and rock music are concerned, there are many inter-

esting artists that we will be able to see perform live. First and

foremost is Anne Clarke, the poet and important artist of electron-

ic music, whose show we will enjoy on December 19 at Gagarin 205.

Anne Clarke’s show will feature some of her most important works,

such as Our Darkness, Abuse and Sleeper in Metropolis. Tricky, the

unpredictable artist of the trip-hop scene, is coming to Athens for

the third time as part of his tour to present his new album Knowle

West Boy. Whoever has attended a concert by this British artist

knows very well that the experience is unlike any other and this

time will be no different. Two groups that have come to Greece so

many times they are almost eligible for citizenship are the Tinder-

sticks and Calexico. The former are coming to Athens nine years

after their last appearance here and will be performing the melan-

cholic ballads of their new work, The Hungry Saw, on February 21

at the Badmington Theatre. The latter are coming on January 31 to

the Fuzz Club with Carried to Dust, their best album so far and a

project that offers another successful fusion of mariachi sounds

and American desert rock.

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A Taste of Things Greek

YES, THERE IS LIFE AFTER MOUSAKA! PIES,

GREENS, HERBS AND SPICES, GREEK FETA

CHEESE, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL AND

THAT HEAVENLY GREEK WINE ARE A TREAT

TO THE PALATE. FIVE REGIONAL CUISINES

PROVE THAT THE MEDITERRANEAN MIRA-

CLE HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE.

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CRETAn CuIsInE

Cretan cooking is the trademark of the Med-

iterranean diet, as it includes large quanti-

ties of wild greens, vegetables and fruit.

Legumes and grains are served two to three

times a week, olive oil is first in line and the

soft whey cheese anthotyro can be found

in every cellar. Red meat is not consumed

more than once a week and poultry no more

than twice at the most. Fish is preferred

much more frequently and a glass of red

wine at each meal is a perfect complement

to the menu. Thyme, oregano, basil and mint

all lend their own overtones of flavor. Some

of the favorite specialties include gamopi-

lafo (pilaf dish traditionally served at wed-

dings), kaltsounia (small cheese turnovers),

volvi (tubers), xerotigana (honey-dipped

pastries), tsikoudia (distilled spirit), Cretan

snails and cheese pie from Chania.

Alatsi, Vrasida 13, Hilton, 210 72 10 501 /

Rakaki, Moschonision 2-4, Kaisariani, 210 72

37 457 / Pasifai, M. Alexandrou 24, Korydal-

los, 210-4944024/ Tzougri, Thoukididou 53-

55, Kalamaki, 210 98 36 260

ThE CuIsInE Of ThRACE

Thracians love their food. Bread made from

local wheat or a mix of wheat and barley

tops the list of favorite treats, followed by

pasta with spicy tzorba (trahana) with red

pepper. Pork, beef, lamb, chicken and fish

are prepared in a variety of ways. The favored

fish is palamida, or Atlantic bonito, and it is

either baked in the oven with olive oil and

garlic in a ceramic dish or fried. Salt cured

fish or mackerel are the ideal winter appe-

tizer but preferred dried in summer. Thra-

cians eat a lot of legumes and vegetables

cooked on their own or with meat. A favorite

cheese is touloumotyri (soft white cheese,

like Mt. Parnassus cheese), but myzithra (aged

sheep’s milk cheese), yoghurt and kopanistes

(whipped feta spread) are also popular.

Aneton, Str. Leka 19, Marousi, 210 80 66 700

/ Ta kioupia, Dinokratous and Anap. Pole-

mou 22, Kolonaki, 210 74 00 150-1

ThE CuIsInE Of mAnI (PElOPOnnEsE)

Salads – whether raw or cooked – make up the

starter course. The wild greens are exception-

al: boiled vlita (amaranth), kolokythokorfades

(zucchini flowers), artichoke tops, sprouts

(which make a great omelet), tubers, lykoi

(weed sprouts) with various herbs and home-

made tomato paste are excellent, while com-

bined with eggs, they make the famous kagi-

anades omelets. Legumes hold a place of

honor, as do lupines, which are now served at

many restaurants as an appetizer accompany-

ing ouzo. Pork liver with orange, pork tsi-

garides, pastourmas (pressed, dried meat),

fried fouskarakia (jellyfish), snails, salted meat

and the syglino sausages are all very impres-

sive dishes. Salted quail are also a special del-

icacy, as well as cabbage turnovers with spin-

ach, cheese pies, travihti (fried pastry with

cheese), sweet pumpkin pie, koutalides pan-

cakes and onion pie. Homemade pasta is also

wonderful, including egg noodles, trahanas

(sweet or sour), and twists. Olive oil is the es-

sential ingredient, while the most popular of

the cheeses is the soft tyromizithra.

manimani, Falirou 10, Koukaki, 210 92 18 180

/ giandai, Leonidiou 31 & Giatrakou, Metax-

ourgio, 210 52 38 812

ThE CuIsInE Of ROumElI (CEnTRAl gREECE)

The people of Roumeli have a weak spot for

pies. Pies with greens, zymaropita single-

crust pies, bobota corn bread, hilopites egg

noodles, trahana, cheese, klotsotyri soft

white cheese and katiki low-fat soft cheese

are just some of the popular items. Wild

greens, vegetables, fruits and nuts complete

the picture. Good local wine and strong

tsipouro spirit are real winners. Grilled meat,

roast lamb with potatoes, boiled goat, koko-

retsi and kontosouvli (marinated meat on a

skewer) have all contributed to the area’s

reputation. Bread made with starter dough,

rooster pot roast, and meat with oil and oreg-

ano wrapped in wax paper, pork sausage,

baked lima beans, pan-fried cheeses, rabbit

stifado with onions and dishes with game

are a taste treat for the very fortunate.

Butcher shop, Persefonis 19, Gazi, 210 34

13 440 / Psistiri, Aeschylou 8, Psiri, 210 32

52 357 / Creation, Dekeleon 22, Gazi, 210

34 16 616 / To katsiki, Athineon 12, Galatsi,

210 29 20 700

ThE CuIsInE Of ThE IOnIAn IslAnDs

The Ionian cuisine is like a traditional Italian

canzonetta: delicious and like walking on air,

as it relies on the purity of local products

and the exceptional combination of the in-

gredients and the loving care that goes into

its preparation. The pastitsada pasta dish

with rooster or beef in tomato sauce, spices

and garlic from Corfu is exceptional, as is

the sofrito, beef cooked in vinegar or wine.

The bourdeto (fish broth) and the cod with

potatoes from Lefkada and the meat pie, the

kakavia fish stew and scrambled eggs with

tomato from Kefalonia are among the pop-

ular dishes. Zakynthos ragu, beef pot roast,

stuffed rooster and pork in wine are also

distinctive specialties.

Rena tis ftelias, 25th March 28, N. Psychico,

210 67 43 874

51

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52

Yellow Pages

BAnksMajor international banking institutions,

credit card companies and ATMs in and around

Athens are plentiful and easy to access.

Banks are open to the public Monday through

Thursday 08:00 to 14:30 and Friday 08:00

to 13:30, except on public holidays. The

“Open24” Bank (Eurobank) is open mornings

and afternoons, as well as on Saturdays.

Foreign currency may be exchanged for eu-

ros at most Greek and foreign banks and at

exchange bureaus located in the city center.

Bring your passport when exchanging mon-

ey as you will need it for the transaction.

Traveler’s checks and credit cards issued by

major companies are also widely recognized

and an accepted means of purchasing items

in Athens.

ClOThEs AnD shOE sIzEsFor an easier shopping experience, you can

check our list of the Greek equivalents for

American and European sizes.

ClOThEs

GR USA UK IT

36 extra small (XS) 6 32

38 small (S) 8 34

40 medium (M) 10 36

42 large (L) 12 38

44 extra large (XL) 14 40

46 extra extra large (XXL)

16 42

shOEs

GR USA UK

36 6 3.5

37 6.5 4

38 7.5 5

39 7/W 8.5 6

40 7.5/W 9 6.5

41 8.5/W 10 7.5

42 9/W 10.5 8

43 10 9

44 10.5 9.5

COsT Of lIvIngAthens is a city that offers numerous temp-

tations as far as consumer products are con-

cerned. Below is a list with indicative prices for

a number of everyday products and services:

• Museumtickets€4-12

• Theaterticketsfrom €20

• Cinematickets €7-10

• Sandwichfrom€2

• Souvlakifrom€1.80

• Bigbottleofwater€1

• Greekcoffee“togo”from€1

• Cappuccinocoffeeatacafé€3,5-5

• Arefreshmentatakiosk€0.70

• Drinkatabarfrom€6

• Fullmeal(starter,maindish,dessert,not

including drinks) between €20-40 1.5

hour ticket for all means of transport (met-

ro, buses, trains) €1

shOPPIngIf you come from a country outside the Eu-

ropean Union and spend a minimum of €120

on the same day in the same store, you can

benefit from a tax refund. Ask for your in-

voice or receipt and the tax-free receipt. Do

not forget to get your invoices or receipts

stamped at the airport.

You can also find duty free shops at Elefth-

erios Venizelos Airport and at the Port of

Piraeus.

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53

ElECTRICITY

Tech Specs Voltage 220v

Frequency 50hz

hOlIDAYsCalendar of Traditional and National Holi-

days in and around Athens

• October28-“OHI”Daycommemoratesthe

day the Greek dictator Metaxas said OHI, or

“no,” to the Italian ultimatum which asked

Greece to allow Italian forces to use Greek soil

for military operations or otherwise face war.

• December 25 & 26 - Christmas

• january 1 - The feast of St. Vassilis

(Greek Santa Claus), New Year’s Day

• January 6 - The Epiphany

• Clean monday (Ash monday) -

movable feast

• march 25 - Greek Independence Day

• Orthodox good friday - movable feast

• Orthodox Easter - movable feast

• Orthodox Easter monday -

movable feast

• may 1 - Labor day and the Feast

of the Flowers

• August 15 - Assumption

of the Virgin Mary

hOsPITAls

Many public hospitals and a few private ones

operate in Athens. The Emergency Depart-

ments at public hospitals work on a rotation

basis. To find out which hospitals are on duty

at any particular time, dial 1434. Treatment

in public hospitals is free of charge.

InTERnET ACCEssThere are numerous internet cafés in Athens

which are usually open all day long and are

very reasonably priced. You can also use the

public internet WiFi connections in Syntag-

ma Square, Kotzia Square and Theseion

(WiFi public hotspots). Athens wifi is a wire-

less hotspot based on 802.11b/g (WiFi). You

can easily connect to the Internet while you

are sitting on a bench or enjoying your cof-

fee. The connection is free provided that

you chose the wireless network (SSID) ath-

enswifi and type the number which appears

on your screen. The connection speed is

quite fast and the capacity is 4Mbps.

mOBIlE PhOnEsUsually mobile phones automatically con-

nect with the Greek network. You can also

do it by yourself by choosing the option “net-

work selection” on your mobile to get man-

ually connected.

Your mobile phone operator will inform you

about charges for calls received from your

own country or for the ones you make while

in Greece (local and international calls).

TECh sPECs

GSM

Band 900mhz

1800mhz

Of course, a cheaper solution is to get a Greek

mobile telephone number as soon as you ar-

rive in Athens and use this during your stay.

You can buy a new SIM card even from the

kiosks on the streets and the cost is €5.

PhARmACIEsPharmacies can be found throughout Ath-

ens. For overnight service, there are always

one or two pharmacies open in every district.

For pharmacies on call, dial 1434.

POlICE• Emergencycall:100

• Touristpolice: 171 (information

available in English, French and

German)

• TouristPoliceHeadquarters:+30 210

69 77 386, +30 210 69 24 929

• AirportPolice:+30 210 35 30 000

TImEAthens is in the Eastern-European time-

zone, which means two hours ahead of Green-

wich Mean Time. Additionally, Athens has

daylight-savings time, meaning that during

spring and summer (from March to October)

the clocks are put forward one hour.

Info

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54

wEAThER AnD ClImATEAthens is an ideal year-round city des-

tination with comfortable and favorable

climate conditions for travel and sight-

seeing. Rainfall is minimal (estimated

at just 40 cm or 16 inches per year) and

Helios, the sun god in Greek mythology,

smiles upon its streets over 300 days

a year. The summers (June through Au-

gust) are dry and hot with temperatures

ranging from 78° to 94°F, or 20° to

34°C, and are recommended for die-

hard sun worshippers. Seasonal winds,

known as meltemi, may accompany

some hot days depending on the cli-

matic conditions. September is often

considered the ideal month for both ur-

ban activities and nearby island day

trips with temperatures ranging from

70° to 83°F, or 20° to 28°C. The Medi-

terranean climate makes for mild win-

ters and even milder autumns in low-

lying areas (such as Athens) with the

coldest temperatures reported in Jan-

uary at a very temperate 41° to 55° F,

or 5° to 13°C. Christmas in Athens is a

delight considering you can take in the

city’s lights and attractions at a rela-

tively comfortable 45° to 50°F, or 7° to

14°C. Snowy, icy days are few but with-

in reach atop the surrounding mountain

peaks. In Athens, sunshine and outdoor

living is almost always a given- no mat-

ter what time of the year.

Listed below is a month-by-month break-

down of average temperatures and pre-

cipitation in Athens. (Source: world-

weather.org and Hellenic National

Meteorological Service)

• jan: 5.2° - 12.5°C / 41° - 54.5°F

5.69 cm / 2.2 inches rainfall

• feb: 5.4° - 13.5 °C / 42° - 56.3°F

4.67 cm / 1.8 inches rainfall

• march: 6.7° - 15.7 °C / 44°

- 60.26°F 4.07cm / 1.6 inches

rainfall

• April: 9.6° - 20.2° °C / 49° - 68°F

3.08 cm / 1.2 inches rainfall

• may: 13.9° - 26.0 °C / 57° - 78°F

2.68 cm / 1.05 inches rainfall

• june: 18.2° - 31.1 °C / 65 - 88°F

1.06 cm / 0.4 inches rainfall

• july: 20.8 ° - 33.5 °C / 69 - 92°F

0.58 cm / 0.2 inches rainfall

• Aug: 20.7° - 33.2 °C / 69 - 92°F

0.6 cm / 0.2 inches rainfall

• sep: 17.3° - 29.2 °C / 63 - 85°F

1.39 cm / 0.5 inches rainfall

• Oct: 13.4° - 23.3 °C / 56 - 74°F

5.26 cm / 2 inches rainfall

• nov: 9.8° - 18.1 °C / 50 - 65°F

5.83 cm / 2.2 inches rainfall

• Dec: 6.8° - 14.1 °C / 44 - 57°F

6.91cm / 2.7 inches rainfall

wEIghTs AnD mEAsuREsGreece uses the metric system, as do the

majority of European countries. The UK

and the U.S.A. use the imperial system.

The conversion table below may be

useful.

mETRIC sYsTEm uk / usA (ImPERIAl)- 1 gram (g) 0.0353 ounce

- 1 kilo(gram) (kg) 2.204 pounds

- 1 centimeter (cm) 0.393 inch

- 1 meter (m) 3.281 feet / 1.093 yard

- 1 kilometer (km) 0.621 mile

- 1 centiliter (cl.) 0.021 US pint /

0.0176 UK pint

- 1 liter (l) 0.264 US gallon /

0.220 UK gallon

- 1 liter (l) 2.1 US pints / 1.76 UK pint

UK/USA (IMPERIAL) METRIC

SYSTEM

- 1 ounce (oz) 28.349 grams

- 1 pound (lb) 0.453 kilo (grams)

- 1 inch (in) 2.540 centimeters

- 1 foot (ft) 0.304 meters

- 1 yard (yd) 3 feet-0.914 meter

- 1 mile (mi) 1760 yards-1.609

kilometers

- 1 US pint (pt) 0.473 liter

- 1 UK pint (pt) 0.568 liter

- 1 US gallon (gal) 3.785 liters

- 1 UK gallon (gal) 4.456 liters

Temperature in Greece is expressed in

degrees Centigrade. But if you come

from the United Kingdom or the United

States, you’ll find our conversion tables

useful.

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55

DEgREEs CEnTIgRADE fAhREnhEIT-10°C 14°F

-5°C 23°F

0°C 32°F

5°C 41°F

10°C 50°F

15°C 59°F

20°C 68°F

25°C 77°F

30°C 86°F

35°C 95°F

40°C 104°F

fAhREnhEIT DEgREEs CEnTIgRADE10°F -12.2°C

20°F -6.7°C

30°F -1.1°C

40°F 4.4°C

50°F 10°C

60°F 15.6°C

70°F 21.1°C

80°F 26.7°C

90°F 32.2°C

100°F 37.8°C

110°F 43.3°C

TRAnsPORTATIOnThe Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway

Company/Metro Line 1 (ISAP)

Referred to as Metro Line 1, the Athens-

Piraeus Electric Railway Company, or

ISAP, runs between Piraeus and Kifissia

and connects to Metro Lines 2 & 3, the

tram and bus routes at hub stations.

The total travel time from the first to

the last stop on Line 1 is less than an

hour. The electric railway runs daily

from 05:00 to 00:15

For more information dial:

1440 or +30 210 32 48 311;

www.isap.gr

ATTIkO mETRO (mETRO lInEs 2 & 3)One of the charms of modern Athens

is the new underground metro (its con-

struction made headlines when ancient

artifacts were found underground and

halted its progress). You will see many

of these ancient artifacts in special ex-

hibits incorporated into the design of

the stations Two lines (Metro Line 2 and

3) serve 23 stations. From start to finish

on each line (2 & 3) is 20 minutes or

less. At peak hours trains run every

three minutes. Attiko Metro runs daily

from 05:30 to 00:15. On Fridays and

Saturdays operating hours are extend-

ed to 02:00.

For more information:

+30 210 51 94 012;

www.amel.gr call

hEllEnIC RAIlwAYs ORgAnIzATIOn (OsE)Domestic and international departures

from Athens and Thessaloniki with con-

nections to major railways. Main sta-

tions are:

• Peloponnisou+30 210 51 31 601

• Larissa+30 210 52 97 777

(serves northern Greece and

international routes)

For more information dial:

1110;

www.ose.gr

PROAsTIAkOs(suBuRBAn RAIl)This new high-speed rail system offers

access to Irakleio and Neratziotissa,

near the Athens Olympic Sports Com-

plex. A connection can be made to the

Kifissia-Piraeus ISAP line. It also gets

you to Kifissia, the hub of business in

northern Athens; Doukissis Plakentias,

an important urban residential area;

Pallini and Kantza in the eastern part

of the greater Athens area; and Koropi,

a center of industrial development. A

new route to Corinth has just been ini-

tiated with plans to extend the network

with added routes to Lavrio, Rafina, and

Chalkida for easier mobility. It also

serves Athens International Airport.

The suburban rail runs daily from 06:00

until 12 midnight. The line from Neratz-

iotissa station to the Airport and back

to Neratziotissa station runs 24 hours

a day every 30 minutes.

For more information:

+30 210 52 72 000;

www.proastiakos.gr

Info

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56

BluE BusEs OAsAThe blue bus network consists of more

than 320 lines connecting the city cent-

er to all the Athens suburbs and to Pi-

raeus. OASA provides information on

the best way to reach a destination by

dialing 185. Blue buses run daily from

05:00 to 00:15.

For more information:

www.oasa.gr

AThEns sIghTsEEIng PuBlIC Bus lInE nO. 400The Athens Sightseeing Public Bus Line

No. 400 makes stops at the city’s top

sightseeing spots. Schedules from

June to September are from 07:30 to

21:00, every 30 minutes. The duration

of the round trip is 90 minutes. The

ticket costs 6 euros and can be pur-

chased only on the bus. The ticket is

valid for 24 hours and provides for un-

limited travel by the Athens Sightseeing

Public Bus Line and all modes of public

transport.

For more information:

call 185;

www.oasa.gr

ThERmAl BusEs s.A. (EThEl)The Ethel buses are the core lines that

connect the Athens and Piraeus city

center s to the centers of surrounding

municipalities. The renovation of the

core Athens bus system resulted in hun-

dreds of new buses, many of them pow-

ered by natural gas. There are several

express bus routes to and from Athens

International Airport. Thermal buses

run daily from 5:00 to 23:00.

For more information:

call 185 or +30 210 88 36 076;

www.ethel.gr

TROllEY OR ElECTRIC BusEs (IlPAP)The old yellow trolleys of Athens’ past

have been replaced by cutting-edge

purple and yellow trolley buses with

digital displays. The trolleybus is just

one more means of transport to take

you where you want to go in Athens.

Trolleybuses run daily from 5:00 to

00:30.

For more information:

call 185 or +30 210 88 36 076;

www.ethel.gr

InTERCITY Bus COmPAnY OR AssOCIATIOn Of Bus OPERATORs (kTEl)The Greek bus companies, or KTEL,

serve destinations outside of Athens

and have a dense network throughout

Greece. Almost every city and village

has a local KTEL with routes to main

centers and to Athens. There are two

bus terminals: Kifissou 100 serves the

Peloponnese (+302105124910) and

western Greece; the Liossion 260 ter-

minal serves central and northern

Greece (+302108317109).

For more information:

call 1440;

www.ktel.org

TRAmEcologically and environmentally

friendly, with a view of the Saronic Gulf,

the Tram connects the center of Athens

with the coastal neighborhoods of Gly-

fada to the east, and Piraeus to the west.

Three station hubs along its routes con-

nect passengers with Metro Lines 2 and

3 and one station connects to the Elec-

tric Railway (ISAP), or Metro Line 1. To-

tal waiting time during peak hours is a

mere 8 minutes. The Tram operates

from Monday to Thursday 5:00 to 00:15

and from Friday to Saturday on a 24-

hour basis

For more information:

www.tramsa.gr

Info

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PuBlIC TRAnsPORT TO/fROm ThE AThEns InTERnATIOnAl AIRPORT

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ROAD ACCEss TO/fROm ThE AThEns InTERnATIOnAl AIRPORT

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