LOCATION

Conference Venue
Below you will find a map of the center of Thessaloniki, together with the locations of the Conference Venue (2 Kalapothaki Str.).

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the second largest city in Greece. It was founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, King of Macedonia and was named after his wife Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great.

Today Thessaloniki is considered to be one of the most important trade and communication centers in the Mediterranean. This is evident from its financial and commercial activities as well as its geographical position and its infrastructure.

As a historic city Thessaloniki is well - known from its White Tower dating from the middle of the 15th century in its present form. Thessaloniki presents a series of monuments from Roman and Byzantine times. It is known for its museums, Archaeological and Byzantine as well as for its Art, Historical and War museums and Galleries. Also, it is known for its Churches, particularly the church of Agia Sophia and the church of Aghios Dimitrios, the patron Saint of the city.

Thessaloniki's infrastructure, which includes the Universities campus, the International trade, its port and airport as well as its road rail network, increases the city's reputation; it is also famous for its entertainment, attractions, gastronomy, shopping and even more.

A place that becomes a vacation resort for many citizens of Thessaloniki especially in the summer and only 45 minutes away is Chalkidiki. Chalkidiki is a beautiful place, which combines the sea with the mountain.

Today, Chalkidiki is a summer resort for the people of Thessaloniki. It is really a gifted place due to its natural resources, its crystal waters and also the graphical as well as traditional villages. Some of its most famous regions are Athitos, Kallithea, Peukohori, Posidi, Chanioti, Marmaras, Porto Carras, Porto Koufo and many more.

Mount Athos is the Southest peninsula of Chalkidiki. In Mount Athos monastic life begins and consists to be a unique pilgrimage of Orthodoxy. For that reason, it attracts the attention not only of the Orthodox people but also of every person regardless religion.

In Mount Athos twenty monasteries have hospices with 223 rooms and more than 610 beds. The visitor may be guided from the monks around the other monasteries. In addition, Mount Athos is surrounded by many other monasteries where each one of them has its own importance.

To conclude, visitors always leave Thessaloniki with the best impressions and promised to come back as soon as possible so as to visit it again.

Brief Notes on Thessaloniki & Surroundings

Ancient Times

Byzantine Times

Museums

Monuments - Churches

Archeological Sites

Recreation Area

Mount Olympus

Mount Athos

Chalkidiki

Other Links For The City of Thessaloniki

http://www.saloniki.org

http://www.hri.org/culture97/tour/museums/

http://www.thpa.gr/en/thessaloniki/thessaloniki_short.htm

TRAVEL INFORMATION

The easiest way to get to Thessaloniki is by a direct flight to the city's airport named "Macedonia". From the airport you can get a taxi (approx. cost €20) or a bus (€0.50) to take you to the city center. The airport is 13km away from the City center (approx. 20 minutes).

Most major airline companies have direct flights to Thessaloniki or indirect flights via Athens (Elefterios Venizelos International Airport http://www.aia.gr). Two are the major airline companies in Greece:

Aegean Airlines http://www.aegeanair.com

Olympic Airlines http://www.olympicairlines.com

If you are traveling to Thessaloniki via Athens, you can choose one of the following ways to travel from Athens to Thessaloniki:

By train

The national railway is called "OSE": http://www.osenet.gr

More information: +30 210 3627947 and +30 210 5297777

We suggest you to take the Intercity Express train (4 ? hours) or Intercity (5 ? hours).

Indicative ticket price: €45

By bus

The national bus company is called "KTEL": www.ktel.org

Distances from Athens to Thessaloniki:

511km or 318miles (Approx. 6-7 hours)

Useful phone number: +30 2310 500111 (Thessaloniki's station)

Useful phone number: +30 210 5148856 5124563 (Athen's station)

Indicative ticket price: €35

By airplane

Aegean Airlines: http://www.aegeanair.com

55 minutes

Indicative price: €200 (return)

Aegean airlines have special offers for the Athens-Thessaloniki flights. These offers are usually under the title: "smile". Please check.

Or

Olympic Airlines: http://www.olympicairlines.com

55 minutes

Indicative price: €200 (return)

Prices are based on the organisations' price lists.

Due to changes, please check with your travel agent or with the organization itself.

Useful phone numbers for "Macedonia" Airport: +30 2310 473312, 473212

Useful phone number for Elefterios Venizelos International Airport:

+30 2103530000 (general information), Email: airport_info@aia.gr

Useful telephone numbers

Telegram service international:165

Emergency police line:100

Emergency air police line:210 7753298

National center of Emergency Aid:166

Call information:11888

Dialing Codes

Country code: +30

Every city has a different area code (e.g. for Athens 210, for Thessaloniki 2310).

Climate

Thessaloniki (November): 5� - 15�C

ACCOMODATION INFOMATION

Thessaloniki Hotel info can be found at any touristic www site looking for "hotels in thessaloniki", e.g.http://www.greece.com/hotels/Greece/all/Thessaloniki.html

We strongly recommend you the first four hotels:

Electra Palace

5 minutes walk distance from the University, 30 minutes from "Macedonia" airport

http://www.electrahotels.gr

Aristotle Square

Tel numbers: 0030 2310 294000-1

Mediterranean Hotel

5 minutes walk distance from the University, 40 minutes from "Macedonia" airport

http://www.luxurioushotels.net/medit-pal

3 Salaminos & Karatasou Street

Tel numbers: 0030 2310 552554

City Hotel

3 minutes walk distance from the University, 30 minutes from "Macedonia" airport

http://www.cityhotel.gr

11, Komninon Str.

Tel. Numbers: 0030 2310 269421

Luxemburg Hotel

1 minute walk distance from the University, 30 minutes from "Macedonia" airport

www.hotelluxembourg.gr

6, Komninon Str.
Tel number: 0030 2310 252600

Less attractive and cheaper hotels:

Astoria Hotel

10 minutes walk distance from the University, 40 minutes from "Macedonia" airport

E-mail: Astoria-thessaloniki@athens-holiday.com

9, Tsimiski (Salaminos str.)

Tel. Number: 0030 210 32 25891

Hotel Vergina

15 minutes walk distance, 50 minutes from "Macedonia" airport

http://www.vergina-hotel.gr

19, Monastiriou Str.

Tel. Number: 0030 2310 516021

El Greco Hotel,

10 minutes walk distance from the University, 20 minutes from "Macedonia" airport

http://www.hotelelgreco.gr

23, Egnatia Str.

Tel. Number: 0030 2310 520 620

Note: At that period the International Film Festival will take place in Thessaloniki. Please try to book your tickets and accommodation the soonest.