About Greece
- Athens is one of the oldest capitals in the World, and more than 45% of Greece’s population lives there.
- There are over 120 million olive trees in Greece; some of them date back from the 13th century and still producing olives.
- Greece is considered to be one of the sunniest countries in the World, with over 300 days of sunshine a year.
- There are thousands of English words that came from Greek language, words like apology, siren, marathon, academy, alphabet and many others, Greek being also the oldest Written Language Still in Existence.
- Greece has over 6.000 islands and islets, out of which about 170 of them are inhabited.
- Greece is the country with the most archaeological museums.
- Greek language has been spoken for over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest languages in the World.
- If a Greek spits on you, don’t get mad, it’s a good thing. It’s supposed to chase the misfortune away.
- The highest point in Greece, Mount Olympus, was considered to be home of the Gods.
- In Greece it considered an insult to wave somebody with the fingers extended. Try remembering that next time you visit Greece.
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Athens
The historical capital of Greece named after goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge.
Athens is where democracy was born, 2.500 years ago,
where the marvel of architecture, the Parthenon, was created,
where art became an inseparable part of life and philosophy became a way of thinking.
Athens is a symbol of art, freedom, and democracy in the conscience of the civilized world. A city built in history. |
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Useful information
- Arriving/Departing: Athens International Airport "Elefterios Venizelos". is situated in Spata area, 25 km from the center of Athens (approx. 40 min drive).
Athens airport is directly connected to al major cities in the World, including some regional airports of European destinations.
- Getting Around: Transportation in Athens is inexpensive. A subway and metro system links the city with Piraeus port, the suburbs and downtown Athens.
Buses run regularly all over the city. The Metro runs every about four minutes during rush hours and at about every ten minutes at all other times. From midnight to 5:30am, the Metro is closed. Taxis in Athens are cheap and easy to catch. You can normally pick them on the road at any time of the day but you can also call a radio taxi. You may find yourself sharing a taxi with strangers... While this is illegitimate in principle, it is, however, an everyday Athenian acceptable practice.
- Entertainment and Cultural Events: Whether one wishes to broaden his/her cultural horizon or just to have fun, Athens is the place to be!
The days and nights present the visitor with a dilemma on what to choose : museums, ancient Greek drama or modern theatre, dance, cinema in high tech theatres or in cute little open-air cinemas (during summer season), listening to music and/or dancing, eating out or clubbing. Musical events range from opera and classical music at the Megaron Mousikis (Athens Concert Hall) to Greek music played at all sorts of different places (taverns, concert halls, nightclubs) and from rock or pop concerts to Ethnic music events and Jazz concerts, … everything is there!
- Currency: Greece's monetary unit is the Euro, since 2001.
- Shopping in Athens: Shopping is easy and enjoyable, with many shopping centers where variety is again a main feature together with quality and fashion. Thousands of traditional artefacts are available in Monastiraki’s Flea Market, located in the area of Plaka at the foot of the Acropolis, where even a simple stroll is fulfilling.
- Time difference: Greece (GMT + 2) is 2 hours ahead from Greenwich.
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Tours to consider while in Athens
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Duration (hours) |
Cost per person (€) |
Athens and the Acropolis site |
3½ |
38.00 |
Cape Sounion |
4 |
40.00 |
Full Day Delphi with lunch
without lunch |
11 |
110.00 80.00 |
Full Day Argolis with lunch without lunch |
10 |
110.00
80.00 |
One Day Cruise with lunch
without lunch | 10 | 110.00 80.00 |
- Prices include current taxes
- Prices are based on tours that will have reached 35 persons per coach
- Tours include ENGLISH speaking guides, coach service, entrance fees and a 3-course menu where lunches are included
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