ATHENS CONVENTION& VISITORS BUREAU

WhYATHENS

ATHENS

Each year, more and more travelers choose Athens for their lei-sure and business travel. This comes to no surprise, as apart

from the eternal sunshine that this city is blessed with and the

great variety of things to see and do, Athens is considered one

of the safest Capitals in Europe. A user-friendly well connected

transportation network, one of the biggest archaeological sites

in the world, numerous museums, restaurants and bars, sandy

beaches with turquoise waters, Designer’s boutiques, the Greek

hospitality and of course the Acropolis are some of the elements

that make Athens so attractive.

Surrounded by a lining of stunning coastline and mountains, Ath-

ens is filled with gems just waiting to be discovered. Located at

the crossroads of three continents, the capital of Greece with an

overall population of close to 4 million people has often been

the melting pot of many cultures. Characterized by a culture and

people that are welcoming and relaxed every visitor will feel like

home.

Furthermore, a factor that is driving Athens’ destination popular-

ity is the increasing number of international carriers that fly to

and from its new award-winning airport, providing easy access to

Athens from the rest of the world.

Athens is an ideal congress destination, combining state-of-the-

art infrastructure, excellent congress facilities and venues easily

accessible from all over the world with world-class cultural at-

tractions, modern amenities, diverse entertainment and natural

beauty. Most hotels in Athens underwent extensive renovation in

preparation of the 2004 Summer Olympics, another great benefit

for visitors that can now enjoy comfortable and stylish accom-

modation combined with outstanding services.

Finally, Athens gives you a unique opportunity to share your ideas,

enrich your culture and relax at the same time.

For more information on Athens, please visit www.breathtakingathens.com

YS

GETTING TO ATHENS

Athens is easily accessible from all European countries and most

destinations around the world. The Athens International Airport,

Eleftherios Venizelos (opened in March 2001), strongly focuses

on customer satisfaction and provides high security standards

and high-end quality services to travellers. It is connected daily with over 60 cities around the world. The airport is located 33 km southeast of Athens and is easily accessible via Atttiki Odos, a

six-lane motorway (the Athens City Ring Road). Public transpor-

tation to Athens and the Port of Piraeus is provided by express

airport shuttles on a 24-hour basis, while a direct Metro line con-nects the airport to the city center (Syntagma square) in less than 40 minutes.

A taxi ride from the airport to the city center cots between 25-40

Euros. Duration approximately 40 minutes.

In addition, coaches connect Athens to the southeastern Euro-

pean states and the Balkans on a regular basis, while ferries op-

erate daily from the port of Patras (2h drive from Athens) to Italy.

To view all destinations served by Athens International Airport please visit www.aia.gr

MOVING AROUND

The Athens public transportation network offers a wide range of routes, combining many different means, including the metro, trains, buses,

trolleybuses and the tram. With a ticket of €1.40 you can move around using any means of public transport for 1h and 30m. Tickets are available

at all metro and train stations as well as the kiosks on the streets. Alternatively, you can inquire about day or weekly passes that offer transport

at discounted rate.

ΤAXI Greek taxis are inexpensive by European standards and offer an alternative to public transport. All licensed taxis are

equipped with meters (the fare is charged per km and per hour)

and display a card detailing the latest valid tariffs and surcharges.

In certain tourist areas you may be asked to pay a predetermined

(standard) amount for a ride to a specific destination; thus, before

boarding a taxi make sure to seek information from another

source on the exact fare of the journey.

Listed below is a breakdown of taxi rates (per km) in Athens:

The flat rate at the start of the meter: 1.19 €

Rate per km inside the city limits (zone 1): 0.68 €

Rate per km inside the city limits (zone 2): 1.19 €

Waiting time fee (per hour): 10.85 €

Minimum travel charge: 3.19 €

Night tariff (from 24:00 – 05:00): 1.19 €

To/ from Eleftherios Venizelos airport: 3.84 €

Outward from seaports and railways and bus depots: 1.07 €

Baggage over 10 KG (22 lbs) each: 0.40 €

* Fares as per September 2011.

METRO The state-of-the-art Athens Metro, opened just be-fore the 2004 Olympic Games. It serves all major city spots and

sites of interest, giving you, at the same time, the opportunity, to

see the ancient ruins and statues which were discovered during

its construction and are in display at various metro stations.

Athens offers an array of luxury and mid range accommodation

establishments. Most hotels were upgraded or completely reno-

vated for the 2004 Olympic Games or built after that, offering ex-

ceptional services coupled with the traditional Greek hospitality.

Most of Athens’ luxurious hotels and international hotel chains are

located in the city centre, making it easy for guests to enjoy the

rich culture and immerse themselves in the Athenian life. A short

drive away, equally luxurious hotels await guests who prefer the

mountain air or the sea view. Athens is one of very few capitals in

Europe offering excellent beaches and crystal clear seas in close

proximity. With a capacity of 29,050 hotel rooms in 493 hotels, the

city and the surrounding area can undoubtedly satisfy even the

most demanding guest.

Athens can host any meeting / conference / congress as event

organizers have an unrivalled choice in a variety of state-of-the-

art venues. Fully equipped and easily accessible, most of these

venues offer large exhibition facilities and prime services to event

organisers. With long experience in hosting major international

events, such as the 2004 Olympic Games and many International

and European Association congresses, Athens has rightfully be-

come one of the most attractive event destinations over the past

few years.

As a world-class events destination, Athens is home to a large

number of companies in the MICE industry that will advise you

and provide assistance in organizing your event in Athens or else-

where in Greece. The Athens Convention Bureau, in particular, is

continuously working with its member partners to develop ser-

vices and activities in order to present event organizers with the

utmost event solution.

CONFERENCE VENUES

OTHER SERVICES

ACCOMMODATION IN ATHENS

ATTRAC- TIONS

Acropolis The Parthenon, a monument that constitutes the

symbol of Greece and the ancient Greek civilisation worldwide,

has been standing on the “sacred rock” of Athens, the Acropolis,

for thousands of years. The Parthenon along with the other mon-

uments of the Acropolis, are magnificent pieces of art, reflecting

the Classical period and the Golden Age of ancient Athens in the

5th and 4th centuries B.C. In this archaeological site one can also

visit the nearby Museum of Acropolis.

ATTRACTIONS

Byzantine Museum The Byzantine and Christian Museum of

Athens is one of the most important public institutions in Greece.

Established in the early 20th century (1914) in order to collect,

study, preserve and exhibit the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine cul-

tural heritage in the Hellenic territory.

The museum collection contains an important number (approxi-

mately 30,000) of works of art such as icons, sculptures, ceram-

ics, ecclesiastical textiles, paintings, jewelries and architectural

elements (wall paintings and mosaics).

The Acropolis Museum Designed my Bernard Tchumi in col-

laboration with Michalis Photiadis; the sparkling new museum,

since its opening in June 2009, has already become the City’s top

attraction and is expected to become one of the most visited and

“must see” museums worldwide. The museum, which exhibits

approximately 4.000 artefacts, allows the sculptures to be viewed

in natural light, with special glass and climate-control measures

protecting them from sunlight. The most impressive part of the

museum is its top floor, where visitors will be able to view the

frieze and then look out of the windows to view the Parthenon it-

self. The overall budget for the Museum’s construction was €130

million, including the cost of expropriations.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus At the footsteps of Acropolis, the

Odeon was built in 161 A.D. under Tiberius Claudius Atticus

Herodes. To date concerts, plays and ballets are performing from

May to October. The natural setting of Herodeion, with its marvel-

lous arcades, the Parthenon as a backdrop and the moon up in

the sky will certainly fascinate you.

Museums The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is

one of the largest archaeological museums in Greece and one

of the most important museums in the world devoted to ancient

Greek art. Founded in 1889 to house and protect antiquities from

all over Greece, thus displaying their historical, cultural and ar-

tistic value. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens, The

Byzantine Museum, The Museum of Cycladic Art, the Benaki Mu-

seum and the National Gallery of Athens are only a few of the

places you will want to visit while in Athens.

Panathinaikon Stadium Originally built in the 4th century B.C.

for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaia (ancient

Greek festivities), the “Kallimarmaron” Stadium (meaning “beau-

tiful marble”) was the venue of the first modern Olympic Games,

in 1896.

ATTRAC- TIONS

- ATTRACTIONS

CONFERENCE VENUES

Eating out in Athens During the past decade, the Athe-nian cuisine has experienced a gourmet revolution. The traditional

and world-renowned moussaka and souvlaki image has given way

to a cornucopia of fine dining options and Michelin star restaurants.

Meanwhile, the Athenian landscape of the 19th century neoclassical

buildings, ancient sites, artsy industrial and Mediterranean coastal mi-

lieus have created a canvas for alluring interiors and exteriors. Roof-

top bar - restaurants in Athens can compete with some of the world’s

most renowned ones, but can they claim a view of the Acropolis?

Nightlife Athens is famous for its vibrant nightlife. The Athe-nians like to party and will do so almost every night of the week.

The choices are plenty and they appeal to all tastes and lifestyles. In

general, things get started pretty late: around midnight for bars and

clubbing and after 9 pm for dinner at the city’s tavernas, restaurants

and bar-restaurants. The Greeks are well known for their lust-for-

life lifestyle; a mentality that includes good food and good company,

regardless of age. In Athens, life is for living and leaving your wor-

ries behind. The result is a good-hearted, energetic city with bars

and restaurants to match. Hip areas include Gazi, Psirri, Metaxourgio,

Monastiraki, Theseion and Kolonaki. Traditional Greek evenings can

be spent in Plaka.

Sports and recreation The birthplace of the Olympic Games has a tradition of athletics. The great outdoors is what rec-

reational sporting in Athens is all about - yachting, sailing, windsurf-

ing, beach volleyball, trekking and skiing. Who can forget the cyclists

whizzing past the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill, the breathless mara-

thon runners crossing the finishing line at Panathenaic Stadium or the

windsurfers, sailors and rowers finessing the blue, Mediterranean

seas during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games? Of course,

the gorgeous summer weather coupled with the crystal clear tur-

quoise waters, just minutes away from the city center, is ideal for sun

and sea sports enthusiasts. The Fall and winter also have their sport-

ing charms such as trekking and hiking on mountain trails, kayak-

ing, horseback riding, mountain biking and skiing. Regimented health

buffs are also accommodated by the many state-of-the art fitness

centres at many leading hotels and throughout Athens in Kolonaki

and around Syntagma Square.

CAPE SOUNION

CWY

DELPHICRUISE TO HYDRA WITH CHARTERED YACHTS

GREEK ISLANDS

OLYMPIA

TESTIMO- NIALS

ABOUT GREECE

“It was a very well spent few days in Athens. I am certain having now re-visited Athens/Greece, I can sell it with confidence to any clients looking to place MICE business in the area.” Sandra Boothman, Account Manager, HelmsBriscoe International, Scotland

“…The 2008 Athens program was rated as one of the best in the company’s history. I would agree having managed our global programs for the last six years ….”Peter Kropp, International Conference and Events Manager, Oriflame Cosmetics

“Everyone that attended has said that it was the best Conference we ever had. That says a lot because we have held our meetings at several other locations in Europe and America.” Brent Howe, Chevron

TESTIMONIALS

Language The native language of the population is Mod-ern Greek. English is widely spoken as a second language by

the majority of Greeks, while French and German is also spoken

at a good extent.

Time Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and an hour ahead

of Central European Time.

Health Emergency treatment is free in public hospitals. There are more doctors per person in Greece than in most other

countries in the European Union.

ABOUT GREECE

“On behalf of my client PIERRE FABRE MEDICAMENT and my company GRUP CONGRESS it’s a pleasure to send all of you our biggest congratulations for your wonderful job during our New Perspectives Congress in Urology held in September 2007.”New Perspectives Congress in Urology, Margarita Carbonell, General Manager, GRUP CONGRESS

“Excellent congress in a lovely city!” “Very enjoyable conference! Well done!” “Very well organized. Enjoyed the sessions and excellent opening ceremony and other social activities.” Comments from participants, 31st Annual Meeting of the International Urogynecological Association

“THANK YOU for arranging such a wonderful meeting. We arrived home at 2am East Coast US time, and I’m still feeling very happy and content about the conference and the wonderful kindness of the Greek people.” “A very warm and whole hearted thanks for organizing one of the best Congresses in recent years.” “It was a perfectly organized event! I enjoyed the multicultural environment!”“I ‘ve just gotten back from a wonderful cruise to the Greek Isles. What a beautiful country you live in!” Comments from participants, 25th International Congress of Pediatrics

Currency Greece is a full member of the European Union since 1981, and its currency is the Euro (€). All major credit cards are widely accepted in Greece.

Climate Athens is an ideal year-round city destination with comfortable and favourable climate conditions. Rainfall is mini-mal (estimated at just 40 cm or 16 inches per year) and there are on average 300 days of sunshine a year.

Visa information Greece follows the Schengen Agree-ment provision and the subsequent acquis concerning short term visa issues stays of up to three (3) months in the Schengen area. Holders of regular passports from the rest of the world need a visa in order to enter Greece (and the Schengen area).

www.athenscvb.gr

ATEDCo S.A.7 Xenofontos Str, 105 57 Athens Greece, Tel: +302103253123 Fax: +302103216653www.athenscvb.gr email: info@athenscvb.gr

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