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THE OFFICIAL CITY OF ATHENS MAGAZINE FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS
Citation preview
01
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
3
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. info@atedco.grwww.breathtakingathens.com
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
4
BYZANTINE MUSEUM
18
NANAMOUSCHOURI
16
A
CHRISTMAS
STORY IN ATHENS
12
5
THE NATIONAL
GARDEN
24
ATHENS IN 6 DAYS
32THE
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
44
6
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
8
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
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
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
11
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
12
A Christmas Story in Athens
13
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
14
15
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.
16
17
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
18
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.
20
21
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: bma@culture.gr
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
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
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
24
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).
26
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.
28
Getting Around WITH THE UNDERGROUND METRO SYSTEM
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
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?
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
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
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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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
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
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
40
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
em accum veliquam quisisit alit
49
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.
50
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
57
58
59
PuBlIC TRAnsPORT TO/fROm ThE AThEns InTERnATIOnAl AIRPORT
60
61
ROAD ACCEss TO/fROm ThE AThEns InTERnATIOnAl AIRPORT
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