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WhYATHENS
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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, Designers 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 andpeople 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
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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
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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.
AXI 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 anothersource 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.
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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 shortdrive 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
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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 alsovisit 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).
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The Acropolis MuseumDesigned my Bernard Tchumi in col-
laboration with Michalis Photiadis; the sparkling new museum,
since its opening in June 2009, has already become the Citys 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 measuresprotecting 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 Museums 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.
MuseumsThe 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 StadiumOriginally 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.
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ATTRACTIONS
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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 worlds
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 andclubbing and after 9 pm for dinner at the citys 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 OlympicGames 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.
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CAPE
SOUNION
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DELPHICRUISE TO HYDRA
WITH CHARTEREDYACHTS
GREEK
ISLANDS
OLYMPIA
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TESTIMO-NIALS
ABOUTGREECE
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
companys history. I would agree having managed our globalprograms 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
LanguageThe 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.
TimeGreece 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
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On behalf of my client PIERRE FABRE MEDICAMENT and my
company GRUP CONGRESS its 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 Im 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 Unionsince 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 withcomfortable 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.athensconventionbureau.gr
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ATEDCo S.A.
7 Xenofontos Str, 105 57 Athens Greece, Tel: +302103253123 Fax: +302103216653
www.athensconventionbureau.gr email: [email protected]
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