it - This is Athens

01
MAR-MAY2009 / issue03
THE OFFICIAL CITY OF ATHENS MAGAZINE
FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS
www.breathtakingathens.com
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
ATHENS WITH KIDS
IN AND AROUND ACROPOLIS
BUSINESS NEWS
GRAND RESORT LAGONISSSI
SPRING CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
ATHENS TOP 10
SEMIRAMIS HOTEL
FOOD: EASTER IN THE COUNTRY
AND IN THE CITY
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24
8
28
12
32
GREEK PASCHA
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38
Giorgos Salamas
With breathtaking views of the famed
Acropolis and Parthenon, regal Constitution
Athens Tourism
and Economic
Development
Company
Angie Paragoulia
President
Aikaterini Katsabe
Design Director
Charalambos Andreanidis
CEO
Panagiotis Arkoumaneas
Square and the Parliament, lush Lycabettus
Contact:
7 Xenofontos Street, Syntagma
105 57 Athens, Greece
Hill, or the original Olympic Stadium,
the Hotel Grande Bretagne offers unrivaled
Editorial Team
Nikolas Dervenoulas
Stavros Dioskouridis
Director, Tourism
Development
Manolis Psarros
perspectives of Athens’ mythical history.
T. +30 210 32 53 123
F. +30 210 32 16 653
E. [email protected]
www.breathtakingathens.com
Production
Life is a collection of experiences. Let us be your guide.
The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Hotel Grande Bretagne
Explore the collection at luxurycollection.com or contact your travel professional.
LIVANIS PUBLISHING
ORGANIZATION
98, Solonos Street,
106 80 Athens.
T. 210 36 61 200,
F. 210 36 17 791
www.livanis.gr
YELLOW PAGES
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40
Art Director
A View of the Ancients.
52
MONASTIRAKI, ANAFIOTIKA, PLAKA
Editorial Director
The Breathtaking mag
is a quarterly publication
of the Athens Tourism
and Economic
Development Company
48
INTERVIEW WITH SAKIS ROUVAS
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ROCKWAVE FESTIVAL 2009
44
Cover Illustration
Lila Kalogeri
Director, Athens
Convention Bureau
Photography
George N. Angelis
Gerasimos Domenikos
Dimitris Koilalous
Public Relations Director
Katerina Papadopoulou
Translation Proofreading
Yorgos Avgoustis
Danae Seemann
© 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 Athens 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 publisher’s ability. However, the Breathtaking
mag does not accept responsibility for
any loss arising from reliance on it.
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5
Grand Resort
Lagonissi
The Elegant &
Exciting Escape
BUSINESS
NEWS
8
28
Greek Pascha
A Resurrection
of Souls
Semiramis Hotel
Focus
on positive
energy
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32
ATHENS
INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
12
Athens
with Kids
24
SPRING
CULTURAL
HIGHLIGHTS
48
6
7
EDITORIAL
Panagiotis Arkoumaneas
CEO / Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company
Spring is considered by many to be the best time of year
to visit Athens, as the world-renowned Attica light is
at its best and the city fills with fragrances and colors
to match.
In our spring issue, you will read all the latest business news concerning Athenian tourism and much more. We will offer you some excellent suggestions in making your accommodation choices, highlighting two luxurious hotels. This issue also features an introduction to
Greek Easter (Pascha), a presentation of the biggest rock music festival-Rockwave 2009 in Athens, an interview with Greek pop star
Sakis Rouvas talking about Athens, a Top 10 list of things to do in
Athens and a guide to the area in and around the Acropolis.
Furthermore, you will learn about the cultural events taking place
in Athens, get an introduction to the Monastiraki – Plaka – Anafiotika districts and view the helpful yellow pages that will guide you
through the city.
We hope you enjoy your reading and look forward to seeing you in
Athens soon!
For more information on Athens, you can visit our brand-new website www.breathtakingathens.com
We look forward to seeing you in Athens.
9
Frontlines
8
Business News
Five new galleries
opened at National
Archaeological Museum
of Athens
Info Kiosk at Athens
International Airport
ATEDCo has introduced tourist infopoints in the Arrivals area of Athens
International Airport to better inform and welcome incoming visitors
to Athens.
Through these hospitable and efficient kiosks, visitors may get information from specially trained staff
and receive brochures providing extensive details on all that Athens as
a tourism destination has to offer.
These offerings include recommendations for sightseeing, dining,
nightlife, day trips and shopping; included in the brochures are a map
and a “What’s Hot” insert listing all
current events.
A plasma TV screen at these points
shows various video spots around
Athens. There is also a special informational touch-screen connecting users to the Athens web site
www.breathtakingathens.com,
which also provides a variety of tourist information. The Info Points at
Athens International Airport are the
first of a broader information network serving visitors which will
gradually be extended to all points
of entry to the city, as well as to
other locations of interest to tourists, with the aim of providing the
best possible service for visitors to
Athens.
More than 2,500 objects, including
figurines, vessels, gold jewellery
and silver utensils, among others,
now grace five new exhibition halls
at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, completing the museum’s re-exhibition process.
The grand opening was held Thursday at a newly opened wing which
served as the Numismatic Museum
from 1946 to 1998. This 500 m2wing will house parts of the Vases
and Small Objects Collection and
includes objects never before exhibited publicly.
The ceremony launched a series of
events to mark the 120 years since
the National Archaeological Museum of Athens was first opened at
this location (1889), as well as the
180 years since its founding in
1829.
The first gallery features vessels
from the Hellenistic period (4th-1st
century BC), which are notable for
the variety of their shapes as well as
for their rare decorative images.
These are followed by approximately 500 ceramic figurines, exhibited
in sections according to their association with specific areas of ancient
Greek society, such as religion, theatre, agricultural life, women’s activities and childhood.
The Vlastou-Serpieri Collection is
displayed as a distinct category and
includes ancient items from Greece
and Taranta, Italy.
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The ancient Greek art of gold- and silversmithing is presented in an exhibition of
artfully made gold jewellery and silver
utensils. There are about 600 objects,
notable for their originality, elegance and
the fine detail of their craftsmanship.
The final gallery features rare glass vessels from the Epirus and island regions
of Greece, from the Archaic period
through the Byzantine era (6th century
BC-6th century AD).
These are followed by approximately
500 ceramic figurines, exhibited in sections according to their association with
specific areas of ancient Greek society,
such as religion, theatre, agricultural life,
women’s activities and childhood.
The Vlastou-Serpieri Collection is displayed as a distinct category and includes ancient items from Greece and
Taranta, Italy. The ancient Greek art of
gold- and silversmithing is presented in
an exhibition of artfully made gold jewellery and silver utensils. There are about
600 objects, notable for their originality,
elegance and the fine detail of their
craftsmanship.
The final gallery features rare glass vessels from the Epirus and island regions
of Greece, from the Archaic period
through the Byzantine era (6th century
BC-6th century AD).
Air Arabia to introduce
service to Athens
Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost
carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North
Africa, announced today that it will
launch service to the city of Athens, beginning April 21, 2009.
Roundtrip flights will operate three times
per week between Athens Eleftherios
Venizelos International Airport in the
capital of Greece, and Air Arabia’s hub
in Sharjah. Air Arabia is the first LCC in
the Middle East to commence operations
to Athens.
The LCC will fly to Athens on Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing
Sharjah at 18:55 and arriving at Athens
at 22:45. Return flights will depart Athens at 23:30 and arrive in Sharjah at
05:20. Air Arabia’s first destination in
Greece is also the carrier’s first destination
in a European Union country. In total, Air
Arabia now serves 45 destinations across
the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and the Southern
Europe.
“We are extremely pleased to announce
the launch of service to Athens,” said AK
Nizar, Head of Commercial Department.
“An international tourist destination,
Greece is also an important economic
centre in the Mediterranean region.
There is significant passenger traffic between the country and the Middle East,
particularly for tourism and business. We
are confident that Air Arabia’s non-stop
flight to Greece will further enhance its
popularity among the Middle East-based
tourists.”
Athens, the largest city in Greece, is one
of the world’s oldest cities with recorded
history spanning some 3,400 years. A
bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis,
Athens is central to economic, financial,
industrial, political and cultural life in
Greece. It is rapidly becoming a leading
business centre in the European Union.
Athens is widely referred to as the cradle
of Western civilisation and the birthplace
of democracy. With over 16 million visitors every year, tourism contributes 15
per cent to the US$350 billion Greek
economy.
Athens International Airport’s website Web Award
winner
The Athens International Airport’s website has won a pair of prestigious “Webbies” awards from Flightglobal.com. AIA
won the Bronze award in the category
“Best Airport Website” and the Silver
award in the category “Best Online Innovation” for its Infogate and Autopilot
tools.
“Online innovation, fast, customised,
practical, accurate and up-to-date information, intelligent use of Flash, well developed section for business visitors,
comprehensive” were some of the elements that led to the excellent evaluation
of Athens International Airport’s website
and a pair of “Webbies” awards, in the
framework of Flightglobal.com’s “Webbies - Aviation Web Awards 2008”.
Athens International Airport’s
www.aia.gr was awarded with
• the bronze award in the “Best Airport
Website” category (gold for Amsterdam’s Schiphol website and silver for
San Francisco International Airport)
• the silver award in the category “Best
Online Innovation”, for offering airlines
personalized customer communication through the innovative e-tools Infogate and Autopilot, blending market
intelligence with e-communication
Focusing on the flow of up-to-date, accurate and useful information, AIA aims
at the continuous development of a comprehensive and dynamic airport website,
in a friendly environment offering fast
and easy navigation.
Cultural Park at the Faliron
Delta
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation has
gifted Athens a project on a grand scale
that elegantly combines education, culture, public space and respect for the
environment.
The project to be constructed in an expanse of 166,000m2 will include the new
National Library of Greece, the Greek
National Opera, the “Agora” (an imitation
of the gathering place of Ancient Greeks)
and the Stavros Niarchos Park.
The internationally known Italian architect, Renzo Piano, who was selected for
the design of the project, recently presented the preliminary plans.
A 10,000m2 sloping roof covered with
photovoltaic cells will dominate the otherwise aesthetically low-key Faliron complex, to be built mainly in stone.
The roof will cover the National Library’s
expansive reading room, which is designed to serve as a meeting place. Copies of textbooks from the libraries of the
most prestigious educational institutions in the world, such as Harvard and
Yale universities, will be housed at the
new library, which will also include conference rooms.
Frontlines
10
Athens’ Hotel Grande Bretagne on List of World’s
Best Hotels
The Hotel Grande Bretagne has once
again been included on the lists of the
world’s best hotels in Conde Νast
Τraveller (USA) και Τravel + Leisure
magazines. The Athens hotel was chosen among the best hotels in the country and the world in Conde Nast Traveller magazine’s 2008 Reader’s Choice
Survey, in which the magazine’s more
than 32,000 subscribers responded to
select the best hotels, resorts and
cruise ships in the world. The survey
results were published in the November 2008 issue. At the same time, Travel + Leisure’s international team of
journalists included the hotel on the
list of the World’s Best Hotels 500,
which features hotels receiving the
highest score in the World’s Best survey. The Hotel Grande Bretagne, which
first opened in 1874, is owned by Lampsa Hellenic Hotels, SA. It is managed
by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., one of the leading hotel and
tourism companies in the world with
about 900 hotels in more than 100
countries and employing a staff of
155,000 at the hotels it either owns or
manages.
Reconstruction of
Monastiraki Square
The reconstruction of Monastiraki
Square has been completed, with the
multi-coloured stone paving symbolising its the multicultural history. Visitors can now see - as well as hear - the
waters of the River Iridanos flowing in
the bed found at a depth of 6 metres
during the reconstruction. The renewed square was embraced by visitors the first weekend after work was
completed. The square seems to harmoniously co-exist with the surrounding historical area: the Temple of Pantanasas, restored after the 1999
earthquake, the view of the Acropolis,
the ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library
and the Roman Agora.
Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis
thanked the Ministry of Culture and the
Unification of the Archaeological Sites
of Athens, SA, for the funding and effort they contributed, “so that we can
see a renewed Monastiraki,” he said.
“It is a part of our city.”
With projects such as these, the area
around Monastiraki has undergone a
significant renewal.
In combination with the programme to
showcase archaeological findings in
appropriately designed outdoor areas,
the image of the capital is improved
along with the daily life of residents of
and visitors to Athens.
Etihad Airways adds
Athens to its flight route
Etihad Airways, the national airline of
the United Arab Emirates, is set to
boost its flying programme to Europe
with the addition of a major new route
to Athens. The Greek capital will be
initially served by the airline three
times a week from early June, increasing to five flights a week from October
2009 and then daily from the start of
2010. ‘We anticipate strong demand for
flights to and from Athens,’ said James
Hogan, chief executive at Etihad Airways. The airline will also provide a
flight link between Athens and Melbourne. ‘The new route also offers excellent connecting opportunities between Athens and the rest of our
network, helping to link this historic
European city with Greek communities
worldwide,’ added Hogan.
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Top 10
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Athens has so much to offer that visitors coming
to the city for the first time should put some
thought into planning their itinerary ahead of
time. Here is a list of 10 things you should not
miss.
The Athens Acropolis
Visible from almost every corner of the city, the Acropolis
stands defiant and dignified, dominating the Athenian skyline. The quintessence of the classic era and one of the most
important monuments on the World Heritage List, the Parthenon dominates the Athens Acropolis, attracting millions
of visitors every year.
Antique Athens integrated
contemporary city
into
the
Walk along the Monastiraki, Plaka, Thission and Kerameikos
districts and get to know Ancient Athens in situ. As a result of
the urban development project “Unification of Archaeological
sites,” the majority of archaeological sites have been perfectly integrated into the contemporary city. Walk around Athens
or enjoy a cup of coffee and at the same time gaze on major
sites of antiquity, such as the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora and others.
Get to know more than 5,000 years of
civilisation
Museums in Athens boast important exhibits, taking you on
a journey through more than 5,000 years of human civilisation. Beginning with the Cycladic era, you can move on to
the Minoan times, explore the Classic era, the Roman times,
the Byzantine era, the era of the Ottoman empire, then pass
into the era of Enlightenment, finishing up in the 19th and
20th centuries.
Athens Top 10
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Top 10
14
THEATER
Hiking in the heart of the
city
Situated in the heart of the city centre,
Mount Lycabettus is ideal to go up, either on foot or by cable car, and enjoy
the magnificent panoramic view of Athens.
Plaka and Sunday morning
flea market
Within the picturesque old town of Athens is Plaka, a neighbourhood full of
small cafes, tavernas and souvenir
shops. Every Sunday morning, a flea
market takes place at Monastiraki and
Avissinias Square, with antique furniture, porcelain and many other interesting things for sale.
The Athens Metro: A museum
on the move
The Athens Metro is much more than
just a means of transportation. It is a
museum where in order to pass from
one area to another, you are presented
with exhibits of both the antique era
and contemporary Greek art.
Delicious
Mediterranean
cuisine by the sea
It takes less than half an hour to get
from the city centre to Mikrolimano,
where you can enjoy a meal by the sea.
Make sure you try the variety of fresh
sea food as well as other recipes of
Greek cuisine, famous worldwide for
their fresh ingredients and high nutritional value.
Shopping
Boasting a long tradition in handicrafts,
jewellery making and shoe manufacture, Athens impresses with both the
number and originality of its stores.
Alongside these specialty shops, the
fashion world offers more than one
could possibly ask for: department
stores, internationally acclaimed designers and labels, as well as a big variety of small boutiques that carry
brands from all over the world.
Notorious nightlife
Nightlife in Athens lasts until the early
morning hours. With such a large
number and variety of bars and clubs,
you always want to visit two or three
places before going to bed. The Psirri
district is home to a number of the city’s
hottest clubs and bars playing all types
of music from rock to Latin and pop.
The Gazi district is host to many trendy,
arty-style bars. If you are looking for
something chic, head for the Kolonaki
district. In the southern suburbs, you
will find noisy or quiet places to dance
or have a drink by the sea.
01.
ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT
02.
PROFESSIONAL CONGRESS ORGANISER
03.
EVENTS & DESTINATION MANAGEMENT
04.
STRATEGY & COMMUNICATION
50SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 255INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
760UNIQUE SOCIAL EVENTS77.256PARTICIPANTS37.200ABSTRACT PAGES
17.800INVITED SPEAKERS210.000SQ. M EXHIBITION SPACE520MEDIA ACTIVITIES
4.000ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS100SKILLED PROFESSIONALS
Vibrant cultural life
Last but certainly not least, the arts are
flourishing in Athens these days.
Throughout the year, internationally acclaimed artists perform in the Greek
capital and distinguished visual arts
events take place in a large number of
galleries and museums.
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Spring
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Greek Pascha
A Resurrection
of Souls
The air is filled with the scent of honeysuckle
and lilac. Yes, Greek Pascha (Easter) carries
within it a certain magical quality that is associated with the first signs of spring, the deep
religious feeling characteristic of the famous
Greek writer Papadiamantis, and of course the
ever vibrant spirit of the Greek people.
Welcome Sweet Springtime!
Something peculiar always happens during Easter time. As soon as Holy week starts, everything falls into
place. Scents become even stronger and sweeter, the verses in church are sung louder, and the spirituality
of nature is reflected in the deep mystical feeling of our soul. Yes, Greek Easter is unlike any other. The fact
is that Easter in Greece is by far the most important celebration Orthodox Christianity, since it is associated
with the Resurrection of Christ. The Greek name pascha is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach, meaning
the festival of Passover. The question of when Easter should be observed was first settled by the First Council of Vithynia in Nicaea in 325 AD, when it was decided that the celebration should take place on the Sunday
after the first full moon on or after the day of the vernal equinox. In Greece, Pascha is called Lambre (meaning bright or lucent) because it is a day of joy and it signifies the passage from death to life. Many customs
and folk traditions are revived annually at this time. The week preceding Easter is called the Holy Week and
each day of that week relates directly to a particular event that took place during the last days of Christ
prior to his crucifixion. The procession of the Epitaphios takes place on Good Friday, while on Holy Saturday
(which is called the Great Sabbath in Greek) the faithful gather in churches for the Paschal Vigil holding white
Paschal candles as they wait for the proclamation of the resurrection of Christ. Just before midnight, all the
lights go out. At midnight, the priest chants, “Come receive the light,” and then exits the church’s sanctuary
with a lit Paschal candle to light the candles of the faithful. Then he reads passages from the Gospel of the
Resurrection and as soon as he finishes he chants “Christ has risen...” Then the fireworks begin - a custom
that has its origins in the era when Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire - while the congregation kiss
each other (what the Greeks call the kiss of Love) and say Christos anesti (“Christ is risen”).
The Churches of Athens
For every Christian, Good Friday is the most solemn day of the year. In order to understand what the profound
solemnity that characterises Greek Easter is all about, you can wait at Syntagma Square, where at 9.30 pm
the various Epitaphios processions converge, each one decorated with fresh flowers. There you can see the
decorated biers upon which the Epitaphios is carried from many central churches, such as the Aghia Irini
Church (Saint Irene Church), the Aghia Aikaterini Church (Saint Catherine Church), the Ai Yiorgi Karytsi
Church (Church of Saint George of Karytsi) and of course the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. If, however,
you want to experience a more solemn religious event, you may head towards Plaka, the most picturesque
precinct of the City of Athens, where in Kydathenaion Street you can see the procession of the Epitaphios of
the Church of the Metamorphosi tou Sotiros (Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour). Although you will
have to go up a lot of stairs and then come down while making your way through a dense crowd in the narrow streets holding a Paschal candle, the whole ambiance of the procession is richly rewarding.
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Spring
18
Come receive the light
If you want to experience the Paschal Vigil in
Athens, you can go to any church you happen
to be near, but bear in mind that in some churches the Vigil takes a special form. The Metochion
of Panagios Taphos in Plaka (Monastery of the
Holy Sepulchre, 18 Erechtheos St.) is the church
which first receives the Holy Light from Jerusalem. Athenians welcome the Holy Light at the
Athens Airport at about 8 pm on Holy Saturday.
Then it is passed on to the representatives of
every metropolitan bishop of the country, which
then fly back to their respective cities carrying
the Holy Light with them. The atmosphere is full
of magic: the scents from the sacred rock of
Acropolis, the cool breeze of the night and the
absolute silence as the congregation awaits the
Holy Light. Another idea you may want to consider is going to the Chapel of Aghios Georgios
in Lycabettus Hill.
Sunday of Love
The morning of the Sunday of Pascha (Easter
Sunday) starts with the Divine Liturgy of St.
Basil the Great and the gospels are read in all
languages as a gesture towards international
peace and friendship. Then the Easter celebration starts in every house. The main dish of the
day is the spit-roasted lamb, which has been
prepared the day before, and the traditional
Greek dish kokoretsi (made of the skewered
pieces of the organs of the lamb -- liver, heart,
kidneys -- wrapped tightly in its small intestines,
seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano
and roasted over a slow-burning open fire). Others follow different culinary customs. They eat
roast lamb cooked in the oven, stuffed with rice,
pine seeds and raisins. As soon as the Greeks
sit at the table, they tap their eggs against their
friends’ eggs and the owner of the last uncracked
egg is considered lucky. Then they exchange
wishes and the feast begins in earnest. In the
afternoon of the same day, we have the Easter
Vesper, also known in Greece as the Vesper of
Love. During the Afterfeast of Pascha, which
lasts for 40 days, Orthodox Christians greet each
other by saying Christos anesti, to which they
reply Alethos anesti (“Indeed, He has risen”).
Easter in Athens
The Paschal Vigil starts at 11 pm and at midnight
the lights of the church go out. This small church
is situated in one of the most spectacular sites
in Athens, but on the night of Holy Saturday, as
one listens to the people chanting in unison while
holding candles and hears the cannons firing in
the distance in honour of Jesus raised from the
dead and all the congregation chants in unison,
it is truly unique. Another idea is to participate
in the Paschal Vigil at the Russian Church (in
Philellinon Street) where the congregation gathers, each person carrying their festive baskets
filled with buns, red-dyed eggs and chocolates
so that the priest will bless them before they
carry them back home. Here you will not find
traditional chanters, but a women’s choir. At exactly midnight the Christos Anesti is chanted
100 times and the service continues until 4 in
the morning.
Athens provides many opportunities for you to
have a good time and experience the unique
atmosphere of the Paschal season. You can stroll
around and visit various exhibitions, buy gifts
and Paschal candles, lose yourselves amidst the
many shops specially decorated for these festive days or you can try some Lenten food (any
food or sweets that do not contain meat, cheese,
milk and eggs). All the formal religious events
which take place in the churches of Athens provide a first-hand experience of the solemnity
that is typical of the Greek Holy Week while, after the Paschal Vigil, almost every restaurant
offers mageiritsa (a soup made of the lamb’s
internal organs: liver, heart, lungs and intestines
with an egg-lemon sauce), red eggs and roast
lamb.
21
Culture
20
Rockwave Festival 2009 &
Terra Vibe
nori.kapza
MONSTER MAGNET
ARCH ENEMY
W.A.S.P.
GOGOL BORDELLO
Celebrating its 13th year of success, Rockwave once again presents a four-day music festival experience this summer which promises to be more spectacular than ever, hosting some of the biggest names
on the international music scene on two stages. Rockwave Festival is noted for its great atmosphere
as well as being able to lure some of the world’s biggest acts, with the likes of the Offspring and
Judas Priest mixing it up with Manu Chao and Marky Ramone last time round. Festival goers will have
plenty of shady spots to loosen up over a cold Margarita before the music stars at the amazing
Terra Vibe venue in Malakasa for the evening sheNANIGANS
Saturday 27 June
TERRA STAGE
Sunday 28 June
TERRA STAGE
Monday 29 June
CRUEFEST STAGE (TERRA STAGE)
PLACEBO (Alternative Rock)
MOBY (Electro Pop - Rock)
GOGOL BORDELLO (Gypsy Punk)
THE KILLERS (Alternative Rock - Post
Punk Revival)
DUFFY (Pop Soul)
PLACEBO
Brian Molko, a modern-day Ziggy Stardust with a voice that stands out on
first hearing, is morally responsible for
the sophisticated lyrics that have made
Placebo so unique. It is no coincidence
that they have played sold-out concerts
in 44 countries so far and have gone
gold and platinum in 30.
Two bright stars at the peak of their
international success are coming to
Greece for the first time to appear on
the Terra Stage on the second day of
Rockwave Festival!
The big name of Rockwave Festival this
year are the Killers, one of the hottest
and most successful bands in recent
years! They are coming to Athens at
the zenith of their career. Alongside
with will be appearing the pop soul
Welsh queen Duffy at Terra Stage for
one of the most anticipated Rockwave
nights. Award winners, critically acclaimed and at the top of their music
career with so many hits already to their
name are among those expected, as we
still wait for the full line-up to be announced.
Motley Crue (Hard Rock)
Monster Magnet (Hard Rock)
Arch Enemy (Melodic Death Metal)
Lauren Harris (Hard Rock - Power
Pop)
Moby
Slightly earlier, Richard Melville Hall aka
Moby will appear for a dance session
that few will be able to resist. Words are
inadequate to describe Moby. He’s been
playing music since he was nine, he was
a member of a punk band at 13, he
launched New York’s decks after that
and since then he has been experimenting, stimulating and enthralling audiences while remaining our own Rockwave Hero!
Gogol Bordello
The party will have started long before
with the noisy and outrageous Gogol
Bordello. An unusual mix of gypsy and
punk music with elements of cabaret,
Gogol Bordello is Eastern Europe’s musical answer via the heart of America.
Since 1998, they have toured the biggest festivals in Europe and America
and have shared the stage with Manu
Chao and Dub Trio, as well as with Madonna for a special version of L’Isla
Bonita! The troubadours are coming;
the troubadours are here; their words
are fire; their sound a spear.
THE KILLERS
Are we Human or are we Dancers? That
is the question posed by the eccentric
youths from Las Vegas who seem to
have an answer. Brandon Flowers and
his group descend on the Terra Stage
as true headliners with their complex
lyrics, outlandish appearance and
above all, their tremendous attitude!
Duffy
The surprise of the year, this young
Welsh woman with the deep soulful
voice will take us through the streets
of Rockferry, the most successful album
of the year by this year’s most successful British singer. Rockwave welcomes
Duffy!
The poster boys for ‘80s hair metal, Mötley Crüe parleyed whip-lash hard-rock
songs, melodic power ballads and a wild
image into platinum-level heavy-metal
stardom and with hits like Dr. Feelgood
and Girls, Girls, Girls will dominate the
third day of the festival. Rockwave Festival 2009’s third day is the ultimate hard
rock-metal festival experience. Terra
Stage will be transformed into CrueFest
Stage to welcome the pirates of hard
rock, Motley Crue. Earlier, Monster Magnet will take us far away on an ecstatic
and cerebral Powertrip. No performance
would be complete without the female
side of hard rock. The “Diva Satanica,”
Angela Gossow, with her manic voice and
the death-metal dynamic of Arch Enemy,
appears along with Lauren Harris, any
father’s idea of an ideal daughter and
hard rock idol.
VIBE STAGE
W.A.S.P. (Heavy Metal)
Voivod (Heavy Metal - Thrash Metal)
Meanwhile back on the Vibe Stage:
Blackie Lawless’ W.A.S.P. come to the
Vibe Stage as he carries on the classic
W.A.S.P. tradition to headline this ultimetal date with well-known hits and a
strictly R-rated attitude. Slightly earlier,
the legendary Voivod will be releasing
their own musical Armageddon.
Terra Stage and Vibe Stage will be in
use back to back while bands alternately take the stage.
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THEATER
The result: not a minute without music! Also on offer: camping, kiosks,
games, t-shirts, souvenirs, theme
events and festival services as only
Rockwave knows how to provide, and
above all, the Rockwave Festival
Vibe.
KILLERS
Tuesday 30 June
How could the Rockwave Festival
refuse to give the stage over to the
great Slipknot and massive favourites
Mastodon.
The nine members of Slipknot are the
true on-stage embodiment of theatrical elaborated lyrics (contemporary
industrial poems) and a unique melding of metal and rap, industrial and
gothic. The masked nu-metal Slipknot
headline the Terra Stage on the fourth
day of the Rockwave Festival.
They will be preceded by the hysterically cerebral Mastodon, American
New Wave metal pioneers and huge
favourites among Greek fans. They
will be taking us on their own astral
journey with their new album Crack
the Skye, destination: Rockwave
2009’s star.
DUFFY
PLACEBO
Terra Vibe celebrated its grand opening in 2004. It has since accommodated major shows and events such
as Rockwave Festival and Terra Vibe
Festival with various parallel activities and happenings taking place during the events, such as:
Street theatre-Jugglers
Bungee Jumping
Bazaar
Art Exhibitions
TRAVEL AND CONGRESS SERVICES
What you should know about Terra
Vibe
It is located at the 37th km of the Athens-Lamia National Road in Attica.
Terra Vibe lies on a 40-acre piece of
land and has 200m frontage to the
access road of the Athens-Lamia National Road, where the main entrance
is located. Access is easy by train
(Sfendali Station), by coach, with your
own vehicle via the national road or
by specially chartered buses that are
hired during events such as Rockwave
Festival.
Terra Vibe boasts:
• 15,000 square meter turf
• Storage rooms
• Technical equipment for shows
• Refreshment and snack stalls
• Medical centres
• Lavatories
• Prefabricated houses as dressing
rooms
• Stalls (styled like gazebos) for
various uses
Doors open at 11 am daily.
Terra Vibe
On the map as the biggest open air
venue in the world, Terra Vibe is the
ideal destination for the greatest
bands and the most famous artists.
It has accommodated some of the
greatest names of the international
and the local music scene. The natural beauty and the amazing scenery
of Terra Vibe confirm the feeling that
you are in the countryside, as a sense
of liberation overcomes you.
Services that Terra Vibe offers
include:
• Catering
• Medical care
• Cleaning & hygiene services
• Audience safety
For more information:
www.breathtakingathens.com
www.rockwavefestival.gr
39-41 Lykavittou Street, Athens 106 72, Greece, Direct Tel.: ++30 210 366 8800, Fax: ++30 210 364 6415
email: [email protected] ñ www.afea.gr
MOBY
ICCA
Member
site
25
Kids
24
Travelling with children is not like travelling with friends. Kids need to be entertained and
amused and Athens is a child-friendly city full of activities for that purpose. So if you are coming to Athens with kids, you will find there are many things for them to see and do every day
that you will spend in the city. There are also many facilities in and around Athens that cater
to families travelling with children of all ages. Playgrounds, water parks, zoos, adventure
parks, fun parks and children’s museums are all here for you to enjoy. Listed below are some
suggestions of places to visit with your children.
Athens with Kids
Athens is great for kids and has lots
of attractions, events and activities
for the whole family.
Playmobil FunPark
Playmobil FunPark is a magical children’s play area which pleasantly combines creativity with fun. It is a world especially designed
to meet the playing needs of preschool and school-aged children
(1-10 years). The entire world of Playmobil unfolds before the eyes
of children. Pirates, fire fighters, Vikings and a lot of other themes
have been assembled for children’s enjoyment. If your children enjoy Playmobil toys, then this park is definitely the place to be. A
unique experience for every child! It is located in 1,000 square meters on the first floor of the Playmobil warehouse in Kato Kifissia.
For more information, call: +30 210 8000018.
Emotions Museum of Childhood
The Emotions Museum of Childhood is a museum which uses exhibits, play and stories to encourage children to discover the world
of emotions, as well as to learn more about themselves and others.
Moreover, it sensitises parents and educators on issues relative to
children’s emotional development and socialisation through seminars aimed at adults. Using play, story-telling, interactive exhibits
and other activities, children are encouraged to increase their self
awareness, to explore their feelings and thoughts and to develop
better communication with adults. This is a great place to have fun
with your children and learn a few things about them.
For more information, visit: www.mce.gr.
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Sunshine Express
The English Theatre Club
The English Theatre Club was launched in 1990
as a theatrical workshop for teaching English
through drama and has since performed over
a hundred plays in theatres, parks and schools.
Since 2004, the English Theatre Club has also
had an acting ensemble of international actors
and experienced teachers which produces
plays and puppet shows for children of all ages.
This year’s play is The Cambridge Art Gallery,
an original comedy about an art gallery where
the portraits come to life.
For more information,
call: +30 210 3631217.
Ice skating rink in Glyfada
Glyfada ice skating rink is definitely one of the
venues where you can have a great time with
your kids. Ice skating is one of the best sporting activities for children, providing them with
an opportunity to exercise and lots of fun for
the whole family. If you are worried your children may be too young, worry no more – ice
skating is a suitable activity for kids of all ages
as long as they can walk.
Known for its plethora of youthful activities,
hotspots, bars and cafes, the cosmopolitan and
international district of Glyfada has added a
certified ice skating rink to its offerings. Built
on the basketball court located at the indoor
swimming pool, Palais de Sport, and surrounded by green, the ice-skating rink, named “Glyfada on Ice,” will be open daily through midMay from 11 am until midnight.
For more information,
visit www.onice.gr.
The Museum of Greek Children’s
Art
The Museum of Greek Children’s Art, a nonprofit cultural association, is the only one
of its kind in Greece and one of the very few
worldwide. It was founded in 1994. The paintings and the three-dimensional art works
exhibited in the museum have all been created by children up to 14 years of age from
all over Greece and are renewed regularly.
The museum aims at presenting, preserving
and promoting children’s art, developing
their aesthetics and creativity, and cultivating children’s love for all forms of art. It is
definitely a museum worth visiting in Athens.
For more information,
call +30 210 3312621.
Africa Farm
Africa Farm on the Lambrou Park Estate was
opened in 2000 in Melissochori Thivas. It
houses a large number of exotic and rare
animals from around the world. It’s a haven
for kids and it is also a learning studio for
children and adults alike. Away from the noisy
urban rush, you will find a real oasis surrounded by green, as though you were in magical
Africa. It is located in Thiva, just one hour
outside Athens. African species like zebras
and monkeys, along with some Greek species,
are enough to make kids go wild.
For more information,
call +30 22620 98000.
Sunshine Express is a passenger city train
that offers regularly scheduled sightseeing
tours around the historical centre of Athens
and through the picturesque streets of the
old city and the Plaka area. It is a fun and
imaginative way to introduce the city of Athens to kids. They climb into the train and
discover all the amazing places of Athens:
Monastiraki, Thission, Plaka and of course
the area that surrounds the Acropolis.
Aboard the Sunshine Express, children and
adults will have the opportunity to tour the
major ancient and contemporary sites and
monuments of the Athens city centre in one
single trip. The train departs every hour and
the tour lasts about 40 minutes.
For more information,
call +30 210 8819252.
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Grand Resort Lagonissi:
The Elegant & Exciting Escape
The famous Grand Resort Lagonissi is one of Athens’ top
destination resorts. Over the years, it has set high standards for premium services and exceptional facilities. It is
located on the beautifully lush 72 acre peninsula of Lagonissi, south of Athens, and it combines the magical Greek
sandy beaches with the crystal clear blue waters of the
Aegean Sea. The hotel offers natural beauty with all the
advantages of modern living.
Hotels
28
It is perfectly designed for leisure visitors seeking a
relaxing holiday but also for business travellers who
appreciate comfort and luxury. The resort is only 40
minutes drive from the heart of Athens, 20 minutes
away from Athens International Airport and just 15 minutes away from the fashion-conscious suburb of Glyfada.
The Grand Resort Lagonissi is the crown jewel of Helios
Hotels & Resorts S.A., a company with decades of experience in luxurious destinations in Greece. It was acquired a few years ago and after significant renovation
and expansion, it opened its doors to welcome its guests
with a high standard of service.
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The Grand Resort Lagonissi welcomes its
visitors all year round and is the perfect destination for any time of the year for both business and leisure travelers.
For the comfort of guests, a choice of lavish
hotel rooms or suites, bungalows on the waterfront, villas with private pools and suites
with gardens or balconies are available as
outstanding options for accommodation or
even for hosting private meetings or business events. Organised in seven distinct categories, each suiting specific requirements,
a guest can find everything from basic to
the decadently luxurious without compromising on comfort. Visitors can enjoy the
sunrise and sunset from the balconies of
one of the rooms or suites of the Comfort
Club, while the bungalows and suites of the
Premium Club are ideal for families. If keeping fit is important to you, choose your accommodation from the Grand Sports Club
or Zen Club or raise the stakes on luxury
with the suites of the Exclusive Club and
Golden Club.
But if you want to feel like royalty, the best
option is to choose among the eight villas
of the Platinum Club with their private heated pools, patios, gardens, private access to
the beach, butler service and many more
luxuries. The Dream Suite with its retractable glass ceiling in the bedroom is the ideal romantic getaway for newlyweds. Forbes
and Elite Traveler magazine have named the
Royal Villa, with its indoor heated pool, private gym, vast garden graced by an outdoor
heated pool and private sea-level deck, as
one of the most exclusive in the world.
For the shrewd business traveller, state-ofthe-art services and facilities are to be found
in the brand new conference centre, the
Grand Hall. With its pioneering architecture,
the Grand Hall provides indoor and outdoor
conference spaces with modern high-tech
equipment. The Cosmos Ballroom, able to
accommodate up to 1,600 delegates, features a stage, outstanding acoustics and unhindered visuals and, last but not least, a
breathtaking view of the Aegean. A further
10 satellite meeting rooms, an open-air exhibition area and two foyers surrounded by
waterfront terraces and with capacities
ranging from 25 to 250 delegates provide
facilities for conferences, meetings, exhibitions, galas or social events.
In order to tame your appetite, a gastronomic haven awaits with many different
types of restaurants offering a choice of traditional, fusion or gourmet cuisines from
Greece, Italy, Polynesia, Japan and the Mediterranean region. The thrice awarded exotic “Kohylia,” with its oriental atmosphere
and mouth-watering sushi bar, “Captain’s
House,” with its maritime theme and popular Italian dishes, and “Ouzeri,” for those
wanting to feel they really are in Greece, are
only few of the choices to send your taste
buds to heaven. A visit to “Veghera,” the
brand new club-restaurant resembling a
cruise ship, is the absolute must for the coming summer.
The luxurious spa centre situated on the Mediterraneo beach, has created luxurious treatments and earned its place among the Leading
Spas of the World for the second year running.
It offers the quality, purity and integrity of natural ingredients in all products, combined with
the progressive therapy techniques to ensure
outstanding results. A team of highly skilled
and trained therapists will select a sequence
of therapies and programs to suit specific and
individual needs.
The unique combination of luxury, location,
service and facilities make the Grand Resort
Lagonissi a top destination for business or for
pleasure, side by side with the cultural treasures of Greece and the privileged Mediterranean ambiance of its idyllic location where
every visitor can find true harmony and
peace.
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Hotels
32
On first entering the Semiramis, you immediately become
aware of its otherworldly atmosphere. It is a space that
wins you over, offering every convenience you can conceive of. Exclusively designed by acclaimed designer Karim Rashid and located in the affluent and leafy suburb
of Kifissia, Semiramis is in the heart of evolving Athens,
surrounded by high-end boutiques, restaurants and
cafés, just 20 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes
from the city centre.
Semiramis Hotel
Focus on positive energy
Hotel Amenities
• Rooms designed and furnished by Karim Rashid
• Semiramis Bar – Restaurant
• Originally designed swimming pool with sun deck, umbrellas and lounge chairs
• High-speed wireless Internet connection throughout the hotel
• Art exhibitions
• Gym with personal trainers
• Beauty centre and hamam – face and body treatment
• Underground parking
• 24-hour room service
• 24-hour concierge service
• Free CD and DVD library
• Conference space – 180-person capacity
• Laundry and dry cleaning service
• Multi-lingual staff
• Secretarial service
• Baby-sitting
• Car rental service
• Turn-down service in all rooms
• Early-bird complimentary breakfast
• Unpacking service
• Non-smoking rooms
• Smoke detectors and sprinkler system throughout the hotel
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Room Facilities
•4
standard rooms, 38 superior rooms
5 pool bungalows, 3 penthouse studios
1 penthouse suite
• Balcony with pool or park view
• Direct telephone line with voice mail in every room
• Electronic in-room safe
• Air Conditioning
• Plasma TV (satellite and local channel connection)
• Pay TV and movies on demand
• DVD and CD players with free lending library
• LED signage
• Art work by Karim Rashid in every room
• Variable lighting
• Completely sound-proof
• Electrically operated light-proof draperies
• Choice of king-size, queen-size or two double beds
• Maxi bar (snacks, beverages and accessories)
• Luxury natural bath products
• Choice of pillows
• Cordless phones
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Interview
38
Sakis Rouvas
We met with Sakis Rouvas, one of
the most popular Greek singers,
who spoke to us about the Athens
he knows and loves.
You grew up in Corfu. When did you come
to Athens for the first time and what do
you remember most clearly?
I was very young, not more than 8 or 9
years old. I had come as a member of
the gymnastics team. The most impressive thing I remember was the Acropolis.
I also remember how impressed I was
with the wide streets of Athens and of
course, the many trolley wires high
above. It was an unfamiliar sight for me.
This was particularly true in the area near
Amerikis Square. There were so many
trolley wires that I could hardly see the
sky!
Which part of the city would you take a
friend of yours from abroad to who was
visiting Athens for the first time?
I would certainly take him to Plaka.
If you only had one day to spend in Athens, where would you go?
I would go to the same place I said I would
take my friend: Plaka.
Could you describe Athens in three
words?
To me, Athens is Classical Athens. The
power, the energy of the place, and also
the light, the spirit...
Is there something you would like to have
done in Athens that you have not done
yet?
At some point, I must get myself a nice
loft in Plaka with a view of the Acropolis.
If you were Mayor of Athens for one day,
what would you do for the city?
I would make everybody remember and
pay attention to the glory of Athens. I
would make them see that they deserve
much more than what they have got.
Sakis Rouvas is taking part in
the 54th Eurovision Song Contest
with the song “This is Our Night.”
41
Strolling through Athens
40
Monastiraki, Anafiotika, and Plaka are places whose
reputation has achieved international fame. And yet,
even those who know these places well never fail
to discover something new every time they walk
through the narrow streets. Athens is an everchanging city!
Monastiraki - the Heart of the City
Going down Ermou Street, you are bound to see the historic
church of Kapnikarea. At the point where Ermou Street intersects with Athinas Street, you enter Monastiraki, part of the
district of Plaka. In the middle of it you can see Monastiraki
Square, which has been recently restored and opened to the
public allowing everyone to admire the extraordinarily beautiful
mosaic that adorns it while exposing a part of the riverbed of
the Iridanos River. The area was known as Monastirion because
of the small Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary which
is situated at the intersection of Ermou Street and Athinas Street.
Very close to the square you can see the mosque that was built
by the Turkish official Tzistarakis in 1759 with materials taken
from the oldest nearby buildings. Today, it is part of the Museum
of Greek Folk Art and houses the ceramics collection of Vassilis
Kyriazopoulos. From the square, one enters the flea market,
famous for its antique shops and especially for the Sunday crowd
that gathers there (the place is also known by its old name,
Youssouroum). The bargain hunters and collectors who descend
upon the area have raised it to urban legend status.
Monastiraki,
Anafiotika,
Plaka
The Other
Side of Athens
What to mark on your map
Plaka - the Past Alive in the Present
The Roman Library of Hadrian (near the Metro Station, Areos Street); the Roman Market (Areos Street); the Tower of
the Winds (Aiolou Street); the Mosque (1 Areos Street), the
building at 22 Panos Street (part of the Museum of Greek
Folk Art), where you can see the permanent exhibition Men
and Tools: Aspects of labour in pre-industrial societies; and
the renowned monument Loutro ton Anemon (Bath of the
Winds) (8 Kirristou and Lysiou Street), the first Turkish public bath built during the time Greece was part of the Ottoman
Empire. This public bath was repaired during the reign of
King Othon in the 19th century and remained open until the
early post-war years.
Plaka during the spring is a totally different place
from the one the visitor sees in any other season. In every courtyard you see and smell the
jasmine and the honeysuckle, the night is filled
with intoxicating scents and serenades reverberate through the narrow streets. Without a doubt,
spring is the best season to visit Plaka. Its neoclassical mansions, its stone-paved narrow
streets and its many historic buildings all shine
under a starry sky that highlights the long, unbroken history of the city. Plaka embraces the
east side of the sacred rock of the Acropolis,
while in the south it borders on the Makriyianni
district, Olympieion, Zappeion, Monastiraki and
the central shopping areas at Aiolou Street and
Ermou Street. Most of Plaka’s buildings are listed and any significant structural change is forbidden by the Greek state. It remains the only
place in Athens where you can see what the city
looked like 100 years ago. Lanterns, flowers and
stone-paved alleys are all part of an Athens that
existed next to history and some of the most
significant archaelogical sites. Even today, the
entire electricity and water infrastructure is built
underground so nothing can spoil its historical
image. Indeed, the fact that the streets are so
narrow that cars are forbidden to enter the historic centre makes exploring the area on foot a
delightful experience. Plaka’s main street is Adrianou, which begins at Hadrian’s Gate and ends
at the Thissio metro station. Excavations in that
area have provided ample proof that this is indeed the oldest street of the city in continuous
use more or less for the same purposes from
Classical times to the present. The whole quarter of Plaka is in fact a historical monument,
where in every corner the visitor can see remnants from the Classical period co-existing with
fragments from later periods (Roman, Ottoman
and Modern Greek). In this historic neighbourhood, there are many galleries and museums
which offer a comprehensive survey of each period. Since anyone who explores the cultural
treasures of Plaka needs some time to pause for
a rest, it is always good to know that there are
many small taverns (many of them built below
street level) that offer a glimpse of what old
Athens was like, with the songs and the traditional fried cod that are typical of a Greek Lenten meal.
Anafiotika – A Touch of the Aegean
Anafiotika is the most magical part of Athens; it is indeed an
island situated just below the Acropolis, a place that links
the Greek history and culture of the past with that of the
present. It is situated at the point where Plaka approaches
the Acropolis on its north-east slope and is a settlement of
whitewashed houses built into the rock of the Acropolis hill
in a Cycladic style. This place was initially built by migrant
workers from the island of Anafi who came to the Greek
capital in 1840 to find work on the excavations of the various archaeological sites around the Acropolis. Being very
experienced builders, they had little trouble constructing
their new houses below the Parthenon, taking advantage of
every nook and cranny of the steep hillside and using stones
that had rolled down from the sacred rock. Today, this settlement is made up of 60 houses which make you think you
are actually on the island of Anafi, with its narrow streets,
its small whitewashed houses with their courtyards filled
with pots of basil and all kinds of flowers. Twenty houses in
this area were demolished around 1970. Later, the whole area
was reclaimed by the state, though some people continue to
live there, standing guard over their homes as if to symbolise the long history of the Greek people.
What to mark on your map
The Metochi of the Panagios Taphos (the Monastery of the
Holy Sepulchre) (18 Erechtheos St.) belongs to the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It is a church characteristic of the Ottoman period which was built at the beginning of the 17th century and is dedicated to the Agioi
Anargyroi. The church plays a prominent role in the Easter
celebrations, as it is where the Holy Light first arrives from
Jerusalem on the evening of Holy Saturday. You may also
want to visit Aghios Nikolaos Ragavas (Stravonos Street), an
11th century church that is considered one of the most important Byzantine monuments of the city and which offers
a panoramic view of Athens and Lycabettus Hill.
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Strolling through Athens
42
What to mark on your map
The Museum of Greek Folk Art (17 Kydathinaion St.), a superbly rich collection of artefacts from Greek folk tradition; the Hellenic Children’s Museum (14
Kydathinaion St.) is supported by the
Municipality of Athens and is one of the
best in Europe; the Museum of Greek
Children’s Art (9 Kodrou St.), a museum
unique in its kind; and the Museum of
Greek Popular Instruments (1-3 Diogenous St.), which offers the visitor the
chance to see every aspect of the musical tradition of Greece. There are also
many listed buildings with a long history, such as the Second Primary School
of Athens (106-108 Adrianou St.); the
Archontiko Benizelon (Benizelos Mansion) (96 Adrianou St.), one of the very
few surviving monuments from the Ottoman period; the Centre for Asia Minor
Studies (11-13 Kydathinaion St.), one of
the first private buildings of post-Independence Greece; the Theodoridi Mansion (9 Aiolou St. and Pandrossou
Street), from the end of the 19th century; and the Kallimasioti Mansion (49
Mitreopoleos St. and Kaprinareas
Street) which is, at the moment, protected with aluminium bars for safety
reasons.
How to get there
Plaka is served by the following metro
stations: Acropolis, Syntagma, Monastiraki and Thissio. You can also find the
two tram stations, Syntagma and Zappeion. There are also a lot of bus and
trolley lines which cross the centre of
Athens. However, the best way to enjoy
the area is to put on your best hiking
shoes and start walking toward the sacred rock of the Acropolis.
THE NEW FACE
OF ATHENS
ON THE WEB
Enjoy the best
of Athens with us
www.breathtakingathens.com
All you need to know
about your business
trip in Athens
www.athensconventionbureau.gr
45
Strolling through Athens
44
Athens would hardly be the city
it is without its crown jewel. In
the centre of the city, but holding a unique place in the centre
of the whole world as well,
there is something extremely
precious, a cultural monument
that connects the past with the
future in the most profound
and decisive way.
In and
Around
Acropolis
Imagine a sunny day in spring. Now try
to also imagine a magnificent warm sun
that leaves nothing untouched, awakening an exquisite scent of flowers growing
in the gardens of the houses of Plaka.
The place you are imagining is the area
around Acropolis, a place that seems to
be frozen in time. The houses there have
not been converted, at least not yet, into
apartment blocks; the streets lead towards the sacred place that is the Parthenon. A walk through this area makes
one feel as if time has graciously stopped
progressing at such a furious pace. Now
put on your hat, your sunglasses (Athens, you need to remember, is almost
always sunny), comfortable flat shoes
(the area lends itself to very satisfying
walks as most of it is paved), and gather
your friends to explore the places where
the inhabitants of Classical Athens
walked 2,500 years ago.
Walking Side by Side with History
The route that starts from Dionysiou Areopagitou Street is by far the most beautiful as it follows a path parallel to the
sacred rock of the Acropolis. You could
start from the bust of Melina Merkouri,
the woman who contributed the most
to the new Acropolis Museum located
opposite Hadrian’s Gate. This “grand
promenade,” as Athenians call the
three-kilometre pedestrian walkway
from the Makriyianni district to Kerameikos, was by far the greatest gift the
people of Athens could offer their city.
You will see a great many people opting
to stroll along this wide paved walkway.
As you are enjoying your walk, you have
the chance to gaze at the Acropolis, this
masterpiece of the 5th century BC, and
marvel at the Parthenon, which seems
to be just a stone’s throw away. Right
across the Acropolis, at the opposite side
of the street, you can see the new Acropolis Museum, glittering in the Attica
sun.
As you walk uphill, you can see the ruins
of the Theatre of Dionysus, the Odeon
of Pericles and the Asklepieion on the
south face of the Acropolis. The steps
that lead to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, built in 161 AD by Herodes Tiberius
Claudius Atticus in memory of his wife,
begin just next to these monuments.
At the crossroads of civilisations
Moving further ahead, you reach the entrance of the west side of the Acropolis
on your right, while on your left you can
see the entrance to Philopappou Hill.
Here you will find the “Dora Stratou”
Greek Dances Theatre, named for the
woman that has made traditional Greek
dances world famous. The rustic chapel
of Aghios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, built
in the 9th century AD, is also located
here. You can also see the so-called Socrates’ prison on the nearby footpath.
From there, the road (Apostolou Pavlou)
continues downhill where it leads to the
Pnyx. On the left side, the Pnyx spring
is visible inside the grey rock. From there
you can enjoy a spectacular view of the
Propylaea, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Apteros Niki
(Wingless Victory). The Parthenon was
dedicated to the goddess Athena, the
patron of the ancient city of Athens. Seeing the Acropolis from this vantage point
will certainly remind you of often-seen
images of this great monument. The
road here runs parallel to an olive grove
in the foothills that protect the ancient
monument. If you walk further on, you
will reach the pedestrian walkway in the
Thissio district, which is full of coffee
houses affording a spectacular view of
the ancient sites around them and where
you will encounter the most multicultural assembly of people in the whole of
Athens. There you can also see a flat
area from which you can marvel at the
Areios Pagos, the oldest courthouse in
the world. It was at this very place that
Saint Paul preached to the people of
Athens, a decisive event that was crucial
in the adoption of Christianity by the
Greek people.
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47
Narrow Streets and Low Houses
The road continues around a large pine-filled
park where the monuments of the Ancient
Agora can be seen: the Temple of Hephaestus
or the Hephaestion, the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, the Temple of Apollo Patroos, the Bouleuterion, the Altar of the Twelve Gods, the
Odeon of Agrippa, the Stoa Vasileios (Royal
Stoa), and the Tholos (Round Temple). Further down the road, near the Thissio metro
station, you will come to Asomaton Square,
where a small 11th century church stands, and
where Adrianou Street with its magnificent
neoclassical mansions begins. There are a lot
of shops and coffee houses here and you will
be able to marvel at the architectural perfection of the Temple of Hephaestus. Adrianou
Street is the oldest roadway in continuous
use from antiquity to the present day. Going
uphill, you will see the Roman Agora, which
was built around 19-11 BC. The Tower of the
Winds, or Orologio Kyrristou, stands outside
the eastern boundary of the Roman agora.
Although there used to be a hydraulic clock
up in the tower, it is called Aerides (Winds)
because it was constructed in the shape of
an octagon whose eight sides each had a
carved depiction of the eight winds: Boreas
(north), Sciron (southwest), Zephyr (west),
Apeliotis (east), Livas (south), Notos (south),
Evros (southeast) and Kaikias (northeast).
The surrounding neighbourhood has taken
its name from this monument. Moving eastwards you will have the chance to see the
Anafiotika quarter, with its small whitewashed houses built in the Cycladic architectural style. From there, you can see the sacred
rock of the Acropolis towering above the area.
Winding further through the narrow streets,
you inevitably reach Adrianou Street and
Hadrian’s Gate, from where you originally set
off.
An Alternative Route
An equally enticing route often preferred by
many people is through the commercial
streets starting from Syntagma Square, then
following Mitropoleos Street to reach the
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. From
there, you can take Pandrossou Street, which
will lead you to Adrianou Street. You gradually leave the busy centre behind you, as you
approach the foot of the Acropolis and begin
your walk from the Plaka area.
A Tour Around the Monuments
If you wish to learn more about the monuments around the Acropolis, you may book
a place on the guided tours offered by the
City of Athens Cultural Organisation every
Sunday and certain Saturdays starting at
10:30 am (excluding summer months). These
guided tours are free, although you still have
to pay the entrance fee to the various archaeological sites, wherever this is applicable.
Information: City of Athens Cultural Centre,
50 Akadimias St., Athens, and the Office of
the Municipal Art Gallery and Museums of
the City of Athens Cultural Organisation, 51
Peiraios St., Koumoundourou Square,
2103231841 and 2103240762.
How to get there
Depending on your preferred route, you can
go to one of the following metro stations:
Acropolis, Syntagma, Monastiraki and Thissio. You can also use the two tram stations
at Syntagma and Zappeion. Many bus and
trolley lines also pass through the centre of
Athens, making the area around the Acropolis accessible from virtually every part of the
city.
49
Culture
48
YOUSSOU N΄DOUR
Spring
Cultural Highlights
Nuevo Ballet Español - Sangre Flamenca comes to
Athens
May 5 - 10
Can jazz be combined with gypsy dance rhythms? Can the
flawless movement and synchronisation of classical ballet mix
with the spontaneity of flamenco? In their new production,
Sangre Flamenca, choreographers Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodríguez, the founders of Nuevo Ballet Español, present a passionate panorama of flamenco rhythms incorporating modern
and traditional artistry. Don’t miss this celebration of flamenco at the Badminton Theatre in Athens from 5 to 10 May.
INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION: COMING
FROM...”MILAN-ATHENS”
March 6 - April 6
The non-profit organisation Centre for Applied Industrial Design Science and Society is staging an international exhibition
of digital art titled “COMING FROM…Milan-Athens.” The exhibition calls for young voices in art, particularly the art of video, to come together in harmony as they forge the film aesthetics of the future, offering new, impulsive, challenging and
revolutionary visions. It will take place from 6 March to 6 April
at the CAID Centre.
This initiative, under the supervision of Professor Diego Esposito from Brera in Milan, is an effort to create a connection
between the two cities of Athens and Milan: two poles in art
and history, two locations for study and culture, science and
technology.
Karita Mattila and the BBC Symphony Orchestra of
London for one unique performance in Athens
April 24
Karita Mattila, one of the most famous sopranos in the world
today, will appear alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra of
London under the direction of Jirí Belohlávek on April 24 for
a unique performance that is expected to captivate all opera
lovers. Mattila is recognised as much for the magnificence and
versatility of her lyric voice as for her amazing stage ability.
The programme of the concert in Athens will include Four Last
Songs by Richard Strauss, the Prelude, Act I and Good Friday
Spell from Richard Wagner’s Parsifal and the Symphony No.
9 “From the New World” by Antonín Dvořák.
Nuevo Ballet Español
Nuevo Ballet Español
Les Ballets C. de la B. presents Aphasiadisiac in
Athens
May 5
Based in Ghent, Belgium, Les Ballets C. de la B. is a collective
of choreographers renowned for presenting powerful, theatrical performances of startling, anarchic beauty. Focusing on
issues of communication and human relationships and featuring a cast of five performers who each represent a member
of his own family, Aphasiadisiac sees Ted Stoffer exploring the
private languages and politics of love. Enjoy this unusual and
exceptional ballet at the Pallas Theatre in Athens May 5.
ART ATHINA_Faliro Pavillion
51
THEATER
Culture
50
AC/DC
May 28
AC/DC, who are famous worldwide for their magnificent shows
and their sold-out appearances which galvanize the crowds in
big stadiums round the world, are bringing the “Black Ice World
Tour” to Athens! This is the first worldwide tour of the electrifying hard rock band, AC/DC, since 2001, and it is the first
time in their long-running career they will appear in Athens.
Exactly seven months after the start of the “Black Ice World
Tour,” on 28 October at the Wachovia arena in Wilkes-Barre,
Pennsylvania, we welcome AC/DC on 28 May at ΟΑΚΑ in Athens.
For more than three decades, the Young brothers have enjoyed
the highest level of success. With songs such as Back in Black,
Hell’s Bell, Highway to Hell and For Those about to Rock, the
most important guitar duo in the history of rock has succeeded in entering for good the music conscience of millions, regardless of their music preferences. Their basic characteristics
are their unique energy and eccentric rock ‘n’ roll stage presence. Huge bells, the inflatable Rosie, loud canons and of course
the band’s trade mark, restless Angus Young in school uniform.
ART-ATHINA 2009
February 7 - June 28
Launched in 1993 by the Hellenic Art Galleries Association,
Art-Athina stands today as one of the longest-lasting contemporary art fairs in Europe, attracting over 10,000 visitors annually. Art Athina has witnessed a burgeoning growth in the
number of art collectors, art dealers, curators, artists, critics
and other art enthusiasts from around the world visiting the
event, establishing Athens’ reputation as a vigorous, vibrant
art scene.
The fair will welcome a showcase of selected international
galleries, a wide range of international collectors and art professionals through the VIP guest programme, unique parallel
events, talks, exhibitions and art projects. Newly located near
the seashore in the Faliro Bay, Art Athina presents a unique
opportunity to discover and enjoy international contemporary
art in Greece.
The human body - a fascinating experience!
Youssou N’Dour in Athens
BODIES...The Exhibition showcases meticulously dissected real
human body specimens that have been preserved through an
innovative process and respectfully presented, giving visitors
the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of their
own organs and systems.
BODIES...The Exhibition displays real human bodies and allows
visitors of all ages to view themselves as never before. More
than 200 organs and complete body specimens are on display
in nine galleries showcasing the complexity of the body’s many
bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and organs.
BODIES...The Exhibition is a stunning display of human anatomy, arriving in Athens following its huge success in cities
such as New York, London, Washington, Mexico City, Amsterdam, Prague and Budapest. More than 11 million people have
already had a chance to discover all there is to know about
human anatomy.
The exhibition opened in Athens February 7 and continues
until June 28 at Technopolis.
April 22
BODIES...The Exhibition
BODIES
May 21-24
One of the most important African artists-activists in the world
and most beloved by young people internationally, Grammy
award-winner and ambassador of the United Nations Youssou
N’Dour and his 12-member band will give only one concert on
22 April, at the Olympic Velodrome at OAKA, Athens, as part
of a fundraising effort in support of Action Africa.
Youssou N’Dour and his band, Super Etoile, will give a great
concert, supporting the causes of Action Africa and the building of an orphanage that cares for more than 1,000 children
whose parents have dies of AIDS.
Nuevo Ballet Español
AC/DC
53
THEATER
Easter in the
Country and
in the City
The red eggs, the Easter bread, the
spit-roasted meat, the kokoretsi,
and of course, the traditional
Easter wishes Christos Anesti
(Christ is risen)... There is no doubt
that Easter, as celebrated in
Greece, is something utterly
unique.
Lenten Food
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Lent
lasts for 40 days (hence the name given
to it by Greeks: Sarakosti, meaning 40),
from Clean (Ash) Monday until Easter Sunday. During Lent, normal food is not allowed for those who observe the Eastern
Orthodox customs, and since virtually
every piece of food contains one or other
of the forbidden ingredients, it is easy to
see that eating can be quite a challenge.
However, the truth is that these restrictions only provide a wonderful opportunity to explore other Greek culinary customs, a bit on the vegetarian side to be
sure, but equally mouth-watering as any
of the traditional, well-known dishes famous the world over. These Lenten dishes are mainly based on vegetables, pulses,
greens, potatoes, pasta, oil, and all kinds
of sea-food plentiful throughout Greece.
For a culinary treat during that period,
there are the Lenten sweets, loukoumades (pastry made of deep fried dough
soaked in sugar syrup or honey and cinnamon), semolina halva, fruit preserves
called glika tou koutaliou (spoon-sweets)
Food
52
in Greek, chocolates, sesame paste cakes,
and skaltsounia (Lenten cookies) filled with
walnuts, a sweet that you can find all over
Greece and one that is prepared by adding
a small quantity of ouzo, for that extra
touch. The fast starts in earnest with the
coming of Holy Week and on Holy Wednesday there are two separate Communion
services, both of which begin at dawn. As
for Holy Friday, the day commemorating
the burial of Jesus Christ, even water is
proscribed due to the solemnity of the commemorated occasion. Most children are not
very keen on observing these customs and,
as soon as the Paschal Vigil is over on Holy
Saturday evening, they rush to secretly
help themselves to the traditional tsourekia, (sweet Easter breads) and the red-dyed
eggs adorning the serving platters laid out
in the dining room.
If you want to sample some of these dishes yourselves, then go to: Kallisti Gefsis,
137 Asklipiou St., Athens, 210-6453179 and
Miniature, 21 Romvis St., Syntagma, 2103233459. If you want to enjoy the traditional Lenten sweets, the places to go to
are: Fresh, 21B Loukianou St., Kolonaki, 2107293453, Ktistakis (famous for its loukoumades), 59 Sokratous St., Omonoia, 2105240891 and Karavan, 11 Voukourestiou St.,
Athens, 210-3641540.
The Night of Holy Saturday
The preparations for the festive meal that
takes place after the Midnight Mass of the
Greek Orthodox Easter beginon the morning of Holy Saturday. Greek housewives put
their best efforts into preparing the
mageiritsa, a traditional Easter soup made
of the lamb’s finely chopped internal organs in rice and egg-lemon sauce (in certain
areas they use tomato sauce instead) and
fresh seasonal herbs. This late-night meal
is meant to prepare the stomach after the
long Lenten period for the huge feast to
follow on Easter Sunday. The meal starts
with the ritual knocking of the eggs, which
have already been dyed red – a symbol of
the death of Christ – on Holy Thursday. This
day is also known in Greece as Red Thursday. The first tsourekia (sweet Easter
breads) and the Easter cookies are also
made during that day. Many women also
prepare gardoubakia, a gourmet appetiser
that is made with plaited lamb intestines
and egg-lemon sauce, but roasted in a pan
in the oven, along with kokoretsi (a traditional and very popular dish, typical of
Easter celebrations in Greece, that is made
of chopped intestines and organs marinated in lemon, olive oil and oregano or thyme,
seasoned with salt and pepper and roasted
over an open fire). Right after the exchange
of the wish Christos anesti (“Christ is risen”) at the church, the whole family gathers around the table and, with one candle
still burning (this candle never goes out
during the entire meal) all the family members start filling their plates, while exchanging wishesr. Wine flows freely and the traditional foods of the day are served with
all kinds of salads and fresh cheese.
If you want to sample some of these dishes yourselves then go to: Butcher Shop, 19
Persephonis St., Gazi, 210-3413440 and
Nea Diagonios, 14 Lycavittou St., Kolonaki,
210-3617821).
The Easter Table
It is virtually impossible to imagine the
Greek Easter table without the spit-roasted
lamb and the kokoretsi. The lamb has been
prepared from the day before (Holy Saturday) – the intestines of the lamb from which
the various traditional Easter appetisers
are made must be cleaned thoroughly and
seasoned with salt. Then the lamb is skewered on an iron rod, or spit, (souvla) ready
to be roasted. The roasting starts very early in the morning as it takes at least 10 to
12 hours for the lamb to cook. Early on
Easter Sunday, every home prepares the
fire for the roasting of the lamb and in Roumeli (Central Greece) the custom is that
dozens of skewers are all lined up in a massive celebration that lasts until the next
day and where they offer free wine along
with roasted lamb and mezedes (appetisers) to visitors. The kokoretsi, also prepared
from the day before, is roasted on a separate spit.
The Greek Easter table also offers tiropita
(cheese pie), red eggs, a great variety of
regional cheeses, and christopsomo
(Christ’s bread - a kind of sweet Easter
bread). Whoever visits a Greek household
during Easter Sunday has to knock his egg
against the eggs of the members of the
family for good luck (it is believed that whoever is left with an uncracked egg will have
good luck throughout the year). Then
guests are treated to all kinds of hot appetisers as everyone wishes Christos anesti and gets the reply Alethos anesti (“Indeed, He has risen”).
If you want to sample these specialties for
yourselves, then go to: Mamacas, 41
Persephonis St., Gazi, 210-3464984 and
Vlassis, 8 Pasteur St., Mavili Sqaure, 2106463060).
Easter Sweets
There are certain sweets that are made
specifically for Easter Sunday (although all
sweets are welcome on the Easter table).
Sweet Easter breads, or tsourekia, special
biscuits and chocolate eggs are to be found
in every Greek household. In Greece, the
custom is for the godfather of every child
to offer them a sweet Easter Bread, a chocolate egg and, of course, the Paschal candle with which the child will receive the
Holy Light at midnight of Holy Saturday.
You can try some of the Greek Easter
sweets in these places: Agapitos, 7 Voulis
St., Syntagma, 210-3258110 and Sarayli
Saray, 105 Aiolou St., Athens, 2103253463).
The Easter Basket
This is by far the greatest pleasure for old
and young alike during the Easter season.
They are sold in every sweet-shop and contain tsoureki, Easter cookies and chocolate
eggs. These sweet treats, along with the
fine spring weather, make Greek Easter or
Pascha, as it is called in Greece, a unique
religious celebration.
55
Yellow Pages
THEATER
Info
54
Banks
Clothes and shoe sizes
Cost of Living
Electricity
Internet Access
Pharmacies
Major international banking institutions,
credit card companies and ATMs in and around
Athens are plentiful and easy to access.
For an easier shopping experience, you can
check our list of the Greek equivalents for
American and European sizes.
Athens is a city that offers numerous temptations as far as consumer products are concerned. Below is a list with indicative prices for
a number of everyday products and services:
• Museum tickets €4-12
• Theater tickets from €20
• Cinema tickets €7-10
• Sandwich from €2
• Souvlaki from €1.80
• Big bottle of water €1
• Greek coffee “to go” from €1
•Cappuccino coffee at a café €3,5-5
• A refreshment at a kiosk €0.70
• Drink at a bar from €6
•Full meal (starter, main dish, dessert, not
including drinks) between €20-40 1.5
hour ticket for all means of transport (metro, buses, trains) €1
Tech Specs Voltage 220V
Frequency 50Hz
There 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 Syntagma Square, Kotzia Square and Theseion
(WiFi public hotspots). Athens wifi is a wireless hotspot based on 802.11b/g (WiFi). You
can easily connect to the Internet while you
are sitting on a bench or enjoying your coffee. The connection is free provided that
you chose the wireless network (SSID) athenswifi and type the number which appears
on your screen. The connection speed is
quite fast and the capacity is 4Mbps.
Pharmacies can be found throughout Athens. For overnight service, there are always
one or two pharmacies open in every district.
For pharmacies on call, dial 1434.
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 euros at most Greek and foreign banks and at
exchange bureaus located in the city center.
Bring your passport when exchanging money 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
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
Shopping
If you come from a country outside the European 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 invoice 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 Eleftherios Venizelos Airport and at the Port of
Piraeus.
Holidays
Calendar of Traditional and National Holidays in and around Athens
• October 28 - “OHI” Day commemorates the
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 Departments 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.
Police
• Emergency call: 100
•Tourist police: 171 (information
available in English, French and
German)
•Tourist Police Headquarters:
+30 210 69 77 386,
+30 210 69 24 929
• Airport Police: +30 210 35 30 000
Mobile Phones
Usually mobile phones automatically connect with the Greek network. You can also
do it by yourself by choosing the option “network selection” on your mobile to get manually 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 arrive 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.
Time
Athens is in the Eastern-European timezone, which means two hours ahead of Greenwich 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.
57
Info
56
Weather and Climate
Athens is an ideal year-round city destination with comfortable and favorable climate conditions for travel and sightseeing. 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 August) are dry and hot with temperatures ranging from 78° to 94°F, or 20° to 34°C, and are
recommended for diehard sun worshippers. Seasonal
winds, known as meltemi, may accompany some hot days
depending on the climatic conditions. September is often
considered the ideal month for both urban activities and
nearby island day trips with temperatures ranging from
70° to 83°F, or 20° to 28°C. The Mediterranean climate
makes for mild winters and even milder autumns in lowlying areas (such as Athens) with the coldest temperatures
reported in January 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 relatively
comfortable 45° to 50°F, or 7° to 14°C. Snowy, icy days are
few but within reach atop the surrounding mountain peaks.
In Athens, sunshine and outdoor living is almost always a
given- no matter what time of the year.
Weights and Measures
Listed below is a month-by-month breakdown of average
temperatures and precipitation in Athens. (Source: worldweather.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
• A
pril: 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
• J
uly: 20.8 ° - 33.5 °C / 69 - 92°F
0.58 cm / 0.2 inches rainfall
• A
ug: 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
• O
ct: 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
• D
ec: 6.8° - 14.1 °C / 44 - 57°F
6.91cm / 2.7 inches rainfall
Greece 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.
Degrees Centigrade
Fahrenheit
-10°C
-5°C
0°C
5°C 10°C
15°C 20°C
25°C 30°C 35°C 40°C 14°F
23°F
32°F
41°F
50°F
59°F
68°F
77°F
86°F
95°F
104°F
Fahrenheit Degrees
Centigrade
10°F 20°F 30°F 40°F 50°F 60°F 70°F 80°F 90°F 100°F 110°F -12.2°C
-6.7°C
-1.1°C
4.4°C
10°C
15.6°C
21.1°C
26.7°C
32.2°C
37.8°C
43.3°C
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Info
58
Blue Buses OASA
The blue bus network consists of more
than 320 lines connecting the city center to all the Athens suburbs and to Piraeus. 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. 400
The 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 purchased only on the bus. The ticket is
valid for 24 hours and provides for unlimited travel by the Athens Sightseeing
Public Bus Line and all modes of public
transport.
For more information:
call 185;
www.oasa.gr
Intercity Bus Company
or Association of Bus
Operators (KTEL)
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 hundreds of new buses, many of them powered 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
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 terminal serves central
and northern Greece (+302108317109).
For more information:
call 1440;
www.ktel.org
tram
Ecologically and environmentally friendly, with a view of the Saronic Gulf, the
Tram connects the center of Athens with
the coastal neighborhoods of Glyfada to
the east, and Piraeus to the west. Three
station hubs along its routes connect
passengers with Metro Lines 2 and 3 and
one station connects to the Electric Railway (ISAP), or Metro Line 1. Total 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
60
MUSEUMS
Archaeological Museum of
Kerameikos
148 Ermou St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
Nearest Rail: Thissio
Telephone: +302103463552
Opening Hours: 08:00-19:30
Admission: €2
Archaeological Museum of Piraeus
31 Charilaou Trikoupi St., Piraeus
Nearest Rail: Piraeus
Telephone: +302104521598
Opening Hours: 08:00-15:00; Closed
Mondays
Admission: €3
The Railway Museum of Athens
4 Siokou St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Sepolia
Telephone: +302105126295
Opening Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 09:00-13:00
(Wednesday 17:00-20:00);
Saturday-Sunday 10:00-13:00;
Closed Mondays
Admission: Free
B&M Theocharakis Foundation for
the Fine Arts and Music
Vasilissis Sofias & Merlin Street,
Athens
Nearest Metro: Syntagma (Line 2 & 3)
Telephone: +302103611206
Website: www.thf.gr
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00; Closed
Tuesday; Thu-Fri 10:00-22:00
Benaki Museum
Koumpari Street& Vasilissis Sofias
Avenue, Athens
Nearest Metro: Syntagma (Line 2 & 3)
Telephone: +302103671000
Website: www.benaki.gr
Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00;
Thu 09:00-00:00; Sun 09:00-15:00;
Closed Tuesday
New Benaki Museum
138 Pireos St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Kerameikos
Nearest Rail: Petralona
Telephone: +302103453111
Website: www.benaki.gr
Opening Hours: Mon-Tue Closed;
Wed, Thu & Fri 10:00-18:00;
Fri-Sat 10:00-22:00
Byzantine & Christian Museum
22 Vasilissis Sofias St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Megaro Moussikis
Telephone: +302107232178,
+302107211027
Website: www.byzantinemuseum.gr
Opening Hours: 08:30-15:00;
Closed Monday
Admission: €4
Cycladic Art Museum
4 Neofytou Douka St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Panepistimio
Telephone: +302107228321,
+302107228322
Website: www.cycladic.gr
Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00;
Thu 10:00-20:00; Sun 11:00-17:00;
Closed Tuesday
Admission: €7; Monday €3.50
Frissiras Museum for Contemporary
European Art
3 & 7 Monis Asteriou, Plaka
Telephone: +30 2103234678
Nearest Metro: Acropolis
Website: www.frissirasmuseum.com
Opening Hours:
Wed to Fri 10:00-17:00; Sat & Sun
11:00-17:00; Mon & Tue Closed
Admission: €6
Goulandris Natural History Museum
13 Levidou St., Kifissia
Telephone: +30 210 8015870
Nearest Train: Kifissia
Website: www.gnhm.gr
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat
09:00-14:30; Sun 10:00-14:30
Admission: €3.50
Greek Folk Art Museum
17 Kydathinaion St., Athens
Telephone: +302103229031
Nearest Metro: Syntagma
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-14:00;
Closed Monday
Admission: €2
Herakleidon Museum – Experience
in Visual Arts
16 Herakleidon St., Thission
Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
Telephone: +302103461981
Website: www.herakleidon-art.gr
Opening Hours:
Tue to Sat 13:00-21:00;
Sun 11:00-19:00; Closed Monday
Admission: €6
Jewellery Museum – Ilias Lalaounis
6 Karyatidon St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Acropoli
Telephone: +302109221044
Website:
www.lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr
Opening Hours: Thu-Sat 08:30-16:30;
Sun 11:00-16:00; Wed 09:00-21:00
Mon-Tue: Closed
Admission: €5
Jewish Museum of Greece
39 Nikis, Athens
Nearest Metro: Syntagma
Telephone: +30210 32 25 582
Website: www.jewishmuseum.gr
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri 09.00-14.30;
Sun10.00-14.00;
Closed Saturday
Admission: €5
Museum of Islamic Art
22 Agion Asomaton St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
Telephone: +302103251311
Opening Hours:
Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Su 09:00-15:00;
Wed 9:00-21:00; Closed Monday
Admission: €5
Museum of Greek Children’s Art
9 Kodrou St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Acropoli
Telephone: +302103312621
Website: www.childrensartmuseum.gr
Opening Hours: Tue to Sat:
10.00-14.00; Sun: 11.00-14.00;
Mon: Closed
Admission: €2
Museum of Modern Ceramics
4-6 Melidoni St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
Nearest Rail: Thissio
Telephone: +302103318491
Website: www.potterymuseum.gr
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri 09:00-15:00;
Sun 10:00-14:00;
Closed Saturday
Admission: €3
National Archaeological Museum
44 Patision Ave., Athens
Nearest Metro: Omonoia
Nearest Rail: Viktoria
Telephone: +302108217724
Opening Hours:
Tue to Sun 08:30-15:00;
Mon 13:00-19:30
Admission: €7
National Art Gallery – Alexandros
Soutzos Museum
1 Michalakopoulou &
50 Vas. Konstantinou , Athens
Nearest Metro: Evangelismos
Tel.: +30 2107235857 +302107235937-8
Website: www.nationalgallery.gr
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat
09:00-15:00; Sun 10:00-14:00;
Closed Tuesday
Admission: €6.50
National Historical Museum
3 Stadiou St., Athens
Nearest Metro: Panepistimio
Telephone: +302103237617
Website: www.nhmuseum.gr
Opening Hours:
Tue to Sun 09:00-14:00;
Closed Monday
Admission: €3; Sunday: Free
Numismatic Museum
12 Panepistimiou Ave., Athens
Nearest Metro: Syntagma
Telephone: +302103643774
Website: www.nma.gr
Opening Hours:
Tue to Sun 08:30-15:00;
Closed Monday
Admission: €3
War Museum
Vasilissis Sofias Avenue & Rizari
Street, Athens
Nearest Metro: Evangelismos
Telephone: +302107215035
Opening Hours:
Tue to Sun 09:00-14:00;
Closed Monday
Admission: Free
CITY OF ATHENS
ARTS Exhibition
Dance Festival
BABEL Comics Festival
Athens Video Art Festival
Technopolis hosted hundreds events
from May 1999 to present such as:
Visual Art - Photography - Technology - Sculpture -Conferences Seminars, International Festivals Concerts - Theatrical and Dance
Events- Business Forums Educational Programs Product presentations
Concert Alkistis Protopsalti
“Technopolis” of the City of Athens provides:
Access to the disabled, Coffee bar, 20 WC, nearby parking.
Operating hours: Weekdays and Weekends 10.00-22.00.
(Operating hours may be modified without notice)
Access:
Trolley: Line 21 (from Omonia Square),
OASA Busses: 035, 049, 811, 815, 838, 914, B18, ?18, 731, 031.
Train: Station “Thision”.
Metro: Station "Keramikos".
Contact:
Technopolis City of Athens, 100 Piraeus Str., 11854 Gazi, Athens
Tel: 210-3461589 and 210-3467322, Fax: 210-3413228
http://www.cityofathens.gr/dimotikoi-foreis/texnopolis-dimoy-athinaion
Mail: [email protected]
CITY OF ATHENS
CULTURE TO THE NEIGHBOURHOODS
Íikitaò Êaklamanis
The City to Share Your Ideas
Some of humanity’s most exciting ideas were born in Athens, and from here they were shared with the world.
This could be due to the fine weather. Or the inspiring scenery. Or, if you prefer, the Athenian attitude towards life.
Whatever the reason, great ideas seem to have always reached the most distant places when coming from this unique
place of Europe. Enhanced by its state of the art venues and facilities, Athens today can meet the demands of any event
and always deliver an impeccable result.
Bring your meeting to Athens. Get inspired. Share your ideas.
Athens
T: +30 210 32 53 123
F: +30 210 32 16 653
E: [email protected]