Travel Information

Greece

GREECE.pngGeographically, Greece forms the southernmost extension of the Balkan Peninsula. Along its northern border, from west to east, lie Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Bulgaria; to the east is Turkey. The Greek mainland is a peninsula bounded by the Ionian Sea to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the east. Crete, the country's largest island, stretching about 165 miles  (266 km) from east to west, lies in the Mediterranean Sea and is separated from the peninsula by the Sea of Crete. Athens is the capital of Greece.

Land and Climate

The Greek landscape, with its 2,000-odd islands and its rugged mainland coastline exceeding 4,000 km in length, is intimately linked with the sea. Only a small wedge of the Greek peninsula's interior is more than 80 km from the sea. Less than a fourth of it is lowland, much of this being coastal plain along the Aegean Sea. The only other lowlands are in the many narrow, mostly fertile mountain basins and valleys and the small plains that often lie near river mouths. The country's interior is dominated by the Pindus Mountains, which extend from Albania on Greece's northwestern border down through central Greece into the Peloponnese (the large peninsula, technically now an island, lying south of the Gulf of Corinth). Mount Olympus, the country's highest peak, reaches 2,917 m.

The Greek Islands are generally subdivided into two groups, according to location. The Ionian Islands, located to the west of the mainland, include Corfu (Kérkira), Leucas, Cephalonia, and Zacynthus and many smaller ones. The Aegean Islands are much more numerous, including Euboea and the Northern Sporades group in the west; Samothrace, Lemnos, and Lesbos  in the north; Chios  and the Dodecanese  group in the southeast; and the Cyclades  group and Crete in the south.

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with extremely dry summers. Average annual rainfall decreases generally eastward and southward of the western coastal areas, from 1,320 mm on the northwestern island of Corfu to less than 406 mm in Athens. Winters are mild throughout the country, with temperatures averaging between 6 to 12 oC (43 and 54 oF), and summer temperatures average from 26 to 28 oC (79 to 82 oF).

Greek National Tourism Organization: www.gnto.gr

Thessaloniki

thessaloniki.pngThe capital of Macedonia and second largest city of Greece. It was first established in 316 B.C. by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great. It is here that Paul, the Apostle of Nations, first brought the message of Christianity (50 A.D.) and that Demetrius, a Roman officer died in martyrdom, thus becoming the holy patron of the city (303 A.D.). Thessaloniki becomes the second important city of the Byzantine Empire, next to Konstantinople, ornamented with numerous majestic and glamorous architectural works that display all forms of Byzantine art. After this illustrious era, the enemies take over. But each time, after every catastrophe, Thessaloniki reexalts her splendor, dressed in her eternal garment of ancient and Byzantine glory.

Today Thessaloniki with its University and the International Trade Fair - a crossroad for peoples' friendship and collaboration - is a lively modern city bustling with life and movement. Large avenues, parks and squares, lines of trees that frame commercial streets with showy shop-windows. Old houses, neoclassical buildings, modern dwellings. Yesterday meets today at old taverns, "ouzeries", restaurants next to hotels and luxury bars, "bouzouki halls" (Thessaloniki is the cradle of modern greek popular song, "rembetiko"), cinema halls, theatres and confectioner's shops that arrange their seats and tables on street pavements and squares. Small family run taverns and basement pastry shops offer a delicious variety of famous Macedonian specialties, next to stalls of ice-cream sellers for busy passers by.

And then, peace. After the lively city, a different world: The Upper City (Ano-Poli), full of poetry and charm. Old neighbourhoods with narrow streets and lovely small gardens. Yards with clothes-lines and children playing jauntily in front of wide open doors. Popular songs and the sweet smell of night flowers. At every step you can hear the heart of Thessaloniki throb. A heart that is immortal both in sorrow and in joy. A friendly heart to all - the Greek and the foreign alike ...

(www.saloniki.org,  http://www.greeka.com/macedonia/thessaloniki/index.htm)

How to reach Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki has its own international airport, Makedonia. It is situated 16 kilometres (10 miles) away from the city. You can reach Thessaloniki:

via Athens by Olympic Airways www.olympicair.com or Aegean Airlines www.aegean-air.gr

via Vienna by Austrian Airlines www.aua.com

via Zurich by Swiss Air www.swiss.com

via Milano by Alitalia www.alitalia.com

via Amsterdam by KLM Airlines www.klm.com

via Frankfurt by Olympic Airways www.olympicair.com or Aegean Airlines www.aegean-air.gr


Useful telephone numbers  (Telephone area code for the city of Thessaloniki: 2310)

Greek National Tourist Organization - Regional Tourism Offices:

THESSALONIKI Offices of Tourism Directorate
136, Tsimiski Str. - Thessaloniki
tel. Center: 2310-252170
      Director: 2310-254810
      Tourist Facilities: 2310-254834
fax: 2310-251621
-Information Office
tel. +30 2310 2211000
fax: +30 2310 221380
e-mail: tour-the@otenet.gr

Information Office of "MAKEDONIA" Airport
Domestic Arrivals Area, 55103 Airport
tel. & fax: +30 2310 471170

THESSALONIKI General Police Directorate /Thessaloniki Tourist Police Service
4, Dodekanissou Str. - Thessaloniki
tel. 2310-554870, 554871 & 54626

Municipality of Thessaloniki: 2310-528483

First aid emergency: 166

Porto Carras , Chalkidiki

The Chalkidiki peninsula lies around 69km Southeast of the northern port city of Thessaloniki. Chalkidiki is divided into three long "fingers", namely, Kassandra, Sithonia and Mt Athos (Holy Mountain), which stretch out into the Aegean Sea.

You can reach the Conference Venue (Porto Carras Grand Resort  www.portocarras.gr)

1.   By Bus:     Group transportation will be arranged by the Organizers. Shuttle buses will depart from Makedonia Airport to Porto Carras Grand Resort and vice versa. The trip takes 2 hours approximately and the timetable will be announced soon. 

2.   By Taxi:   Taxis are available at arrival level. The cost from Makedonia Airport to the Porto Carras Grand Resort is approximately 85 Euro +11% for invoice + 10Euro per 30min of delay.

Thessaloniki Radio Taxis: tel. 2310-525000 / 552720 / 531567 / 550500 / 214900 / 866866

3.   By car:      You can rent a car from the airport.
Thessaloniki Car Rental: http://www.saloniki.org/en/catalog/carrental.htm

Things To Do In

Dine around and Night life

Chalkidiki is a cosmopolitan place, where a visitor can find everything. Many restaurants, ranging from the luxury class to simple tavernas and grills, cater to all tastes, carrying International, European, Greek menus. There are also plenty of nightclubs, boites, piano bars, folklore or modern music halls.

Places  you can visit: www.halkidiki.com

Finally, just for the men visitors the AGHION OROS (The Holy Mount): www.medialab.ntua.gr/athos.html 

Entry Formalities

No visas are required for visitors from West European countries, U.S.A., Japan, many South American countries and the British Commonwealth. For all other countries visas are available on a reciprocal basis. However, it is advisable to contact the Greek Consulate in your country to make sure that there have been no changes in this procedure.

Climate and Clothing

The weather on May is quite warm and very pleasant. The average temperature ranges from 22 to 27°C. Chalkidiki and Greece offer one of the most beautiful Mediterranean climates during this period of the year. We suggest you bring along light clothing, cameras and of course bathing suits to enjoy swimming in an extraordinary blue sea.

You can visit Thessaloniki

The White Tower  (Nikis Avenue, Thessaloniki, Tel: +30 2310 267 832)

The White Tower once stood with many others, surrounding the medieval city, until the Ottoman Turks destroyed all but two in 1866. Constructed in the 15th century this tower served as a defensive bulwark, an infamous prison, a place of execution, and now is home to a wonderful collection of sculptures, frescoes, and other interesting artefacts from 300 to 1400 AD portraying the amazing history and culture of the city. The White Tower, once known as the Bloody Tower, has become the city's most famous landmark.

Archeological Museum of Thessaloniki (Hanth Square 6, M. Andronikou Street, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 2310 830 538)

With a wonderful collection of artifacts from Neolithic times and amazing sculptures from the Archaic to the Late Roman period, this museum is a house of treasures. There are many thematic units that are very significant, and which provide a thorough and unforgettable exhibition of the history of Thessaloniki and the surrounding areas.

Aghia Sofia (Pavlou Mela Street, Aghia Sofia Square, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 3 1270 253)

Built in the 8th century, Aghia Sofia is a beautiful Christian church modeled on the magnificent church of Aghia Sofia in Istanbul. The church contains superb mosaics and wall paintings including a wonderful mosaic of The Ascension.

Byzantine Museum (2 Stratou Avenue, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 2310 868 570)

Containing the finest collection of Byzantine art in Greece, this museum focuses on preserving, researching, and studying the remains of the Byzantine civilization. The treasures housed in this fine museum include priceless icons, frescoes, sculpted reliefs, mosaics, jewellery, manuscripts, and pottery.

Rotonda (Dimitriou Gounari Street, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 2310 213 627)

This monument was built in 306 AD as the mausoleum of the Roman Emperor Galerius. Later the Rotonda became a church dedicated to St. George and wonderful 4th century mosaics were added. After serving as a mosque for the Ottomans, the Rotonda now houses Christian art and occasionally holds art exhibitions and concerts.

Aghios Dimitrios (Aghiou Dimitriou and Aghiou Nikolaou at Egnatias Street, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 2310 221 3627)

After the great fire of 1918 the church was restored with the aim of preserving the details of the original. Originally the church was built on the ruins of a Roman bath. Beneath the church is the crypt of the martyr Aghios Demetrios containing sculpture from the 3rd to 5th centuries and Byzantine artifacts.

Municipal Art Museum of Thessaloniki (162 Vasilisis Olgas Street, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 2310 425 531)

Situated in an eclectic 1905 mansion designed by X. Paeonidis, this gallery contains over 800 works of art. The collections are separated into five different sections, Collection of Artists from Thessaloniki, Modern Greek Etching and Engraving, Byzantine Icons, Modern Greek Art and Sculpture.

Kratiko Theatro (State Theater) (Opposite White Tower, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 2310 223 785)

Special performances are performed here in the winter as well as plays and ballets all year round.

Theatro Kypou (Garden Theatre) (Municipal Park, Germanou Street, Thessaloniki Tel: +30 2310 218 092)

In summer the plays, ballets, and special performances take place outdoors at the Garden Theatre.

The Arch of Galerius (Egnatia Odos, Sintrivaniou Square, Thessaloniki)

To celebrate Galerius' victory over the Persians in 297 AD, this archway was built in 305 AD and reliefs were sculpted onto the surfaces of the arch depicting scenes from the battle.

The City Walls

The City Walls were erected during the time of Theodossios the Great to guard the city from Democracy Square of nowadays across Eptapyrgio up to the site later occupied by the White Tower, a work of the architect Sinan (first half of 16th century).

Modiano Market Ermou (South Side), Thessaloniki

Here, one can not only shop, but eat, drink, listen to the music provided by gypsy musicians and enjoy the culture and diverse crowd visiting the open-air market. 

Places to visit in Greece

Archaeological site of Vergina

Meteora

Delphi Archaeological Museum

Athens

And if all this seems like a little too much culture you can always just travel to the Greek Islands www.gtp.gr, http://www.greekferries.gr/domestic.htm