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Call center: +30 211 211 8888105-107 Vas. Sofias Ave., 115 21 Athens Greecetel: +30 210 6451881, fax: +30 210 6426147Email: mideast@mideast.gr

light up your life

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light up your life

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Call center: +30 211 211 8888105-107 Vas. Sofias Ave., 115 21 Athens Greecetel: +30 210 6451881, fax: +30 210 6426147Email: mideast@mideast.gr

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by Souha Katerina MousbehManaging Director

Discover a world where each color is a unique sensation! Mideast offers you a unique insight to Greeces most sensational destinations...care to join?

Discover Greece

have the great pleasure and honor, together with all members of the Mid East Team, to present to you our very special edition on Greece, this great country which spread the Greek spirit all over the world Which country does not have a Greek-style building?... Is there any Museum that does not pride for its Greek ancient treasures?...

Greece is not only about 5.000 years of History, Civilization, Culture, Philosophy, Sciences or Greek Mythology It is not only the country that gave birth to the Democracy to the Olympic flame for Athletics and to historical leaders such as Alexander the Great or Leonidas

of Sparta

It is not only the country of sunshine, green mountains, beautiful beaches, lovely islands and Zorba the Greek Or the country of Byzantine churches, monasteries and Iconography

It is also the ideal place to enjoy your time, to have fun, to live the Greek way of cosmopolitan life, to experience the famous night life and fill your heart with memories that only Greece can offer you

Should you be looking for a family, a honeymoon or even an incentive desti-nation, Greece has everything you can dream of

If you still have not had the chance to visit this great coun-try, you should really do so at your earliest convenience As for those of you who have al-ready visited Greece, we know you would love to come back and experience it all over once more, making the memories you have warmly kept in your hearts become alive again

Make your decision today to visit our 365-days destination and let us take care of all the rest!...

Looking forward to welcome you to Greece, soon!...

3getaway to greece: editorial

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Book with someone who cares!A Group with a long historyMidEast Travel has been operating in the Greek market since 1983 and today it employs more than 40 experienced and educated professionals who stand out for their consistency and courtesy. Initially specialized in the Middle East tourism market, now, after the experience that has been accumulated, we travel you worldwide, while keeping our strong specialization in the Middle East, Persian Gulf and North African markets.

Whether you are an individual travelling for pleasure or you are a company from the pharmaceutical, marine or other sector and you need a partner to organize and realize incentive trips, events and other requests, MidEast is your best choice, ranking extremely high in the cus-tomers preferences by always offering high quality services.

MidEast is a Greek private group of limited companies, under the ownership of Mousbeh family, which consists of the com-panies MidEast International Tours Ltd. (Air Tickets) and Mid-East Travel and Tourism Ltd. (Tourism Services).

Our VisionTo be every travelers 1st choice, being trusted for the services we offer, satisfying even the most complicated requests.

Our MissionTo offer the most complete and qualitative tourism services

with an emphasis to the human aspect of each traveler, self-improving daily, taking into consider-ation and evaluating our customers suggestions.

Our PhilosophyWe base our principles, attitude and actions on the love we feel for our customers, always caring for their upmost satisfaction.

Our AimTo be the most beloved and trustworthy tourism organization, offering excellent products and the best service to our customers.

Why MidEast? We operate in the tourism market since 1983. We travel you all around the world taking

advantage of our expertise and knowledge of s

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5getaway to greece: company profile

every destination. We provide travel services with the best value-for-money

offers. Our companys professional personnel are always willing to

serve you with a warm smile. We are internationally recognized with awards and distinc-

tions.

Above all, WE TRULY LOVE OUR CUSTOMERS!

Where do we differ?You can ask our customers!

Our Strategic targets Constant focus on our customers needs and desires. Continuous qualitative controls of products and services. Steady training and development of our personnel. New website launching providing online access to our services. Continuous development and increase of our market share

for the following years.

Our PersonnelOur personnel comprise more than 40 multilingual profession-

als in the tourism sector, working fulltime, most of whom have been employed in our company for many years. Our people stand out for their courtesy and quality of service they offer both to individual and corporate customers.

Our Services in Greece and the World Extensive services for incoming tourism Air tickets issuance Ferry tickets issuance Train tickets issuance Visa issuance, where effectible Hotel reservations Car, limousine and bus (17, 30, 50, 70 seats) rental Package tours for both individuals and groups. Ecotourism, alternative, cultural, archaeological, religious and

educational interest trips Cruises in seas, oceans, rivers and lakes Private aircraft, helicopter and aerostat chartering Incentive trips Team Building Services Organization of Conferences Exhibitions, professional meetings and events organizing Organization of commercial delegations

Whether you are an individual, travelling for pleasure, or you are a company from the pharmaceutical, marine or other sector and

Athletic federations servicing Boat, yacht and ship rentals Travel insurance service Multilingual guides and drivers VIP service at the airport 24hours call service Catering service

Our Achievements Representatives of the Syrian Ministry of Tourism since 1985. Organization of Official Delegations for presidents from

foreign countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, India, Iraq, Qatar and many other Princes of the Arab world and other important personalities of the world.

Numerous important distinctions and awards from the larg-est companies, committees and even countries.

Award of the Best Outgoing Tourism Brochure 2009 among all Travel Agencies in Greece during the Philoxenia Exhibition.

Our Customers Customers in Greece that comprise companies, public

organizations, foreign embassies, chambers of commerce,

multinational companies from the marine and phar-maceutical sectors indicatively, athletic delegations and thousands of individual clients.

International customers that comprise the largest travel agencies of the Arab market and all conti-nents of the world.

Our Operating HoursMonday to Friday: 08:00 19:00Saturday: 09:00 13:00(During the months of July and August our Incoming Department operates on Sundays as well)

Member of the Organizations IATA, HATTA, PETAGA Certified by ISO 9001:2000: 318128 GNTO licence number 020661000125600

you need a partner to organize and realize incentive trips, events and other requests, MidEast is your best choice...

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The Greek National Tourism Organiza-tion for providing us with their wonderful pictures of Greece.

Mrs Despina Ouzouni, owner of Blast! Communications Advertising Co. and her great team, Panagiotis Vergopoulos, Fotis Kiamos, Dimitris Kazos and Gian-nis Koutroubas, for their hard efforts in designing this edition within a short period of time.

Mrs. Elli Vogiatzi, director of Explorer Edi-tions Ltd. for her extended research, texts writing and pictures offering.

The Paspartu Co. for their professional and punctual translations.

Mrs Maria Theofanopoulou, editor of the Greek Travel Pages for kindly offering us their maps.

Our dear colleagues, Elina Argyri, Alice Mousbeh, Moussa Nazour and Stathis Sarantopoulos, for their great effort and time they devoted for the realization of this edition.

Mr. Panagiotis Vergopoulos and Mr. George Liadis for providing us with pic-tures from their personal collection.

acknowlegements

special thanks for their contribution in this edition to:

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company profile....................................... 5getaway to greece .................................16thematic holidays ..................................36quality products made in greece ..... 62map of greece ....................................... 64athens ........................................................ 66tours ........................................................... 94cruising greece .......................................96the saronic gulf...................................... 98mykonos .................................................. 102santorini .................................................... 114paros.......................................................... 128naxos ...........................................................131cyclades .................................................... 132crete .......................................................... 142rhodes....................................................... 162kos .............................................................. 172patmos ..................................................... 176kalymnos, kastelorizo ........................... 180leros, carpathos ...................................... 181ionian islands ......................................... 182corfu .......................................................... 184zakynthos ................................................ 192kefalonia ................................................... 196lefkada......................................................200ithaki .........................................................204kythira paxoi ........................................205north aegean .......................................206samos .......................................................208chios ..........................................................210samothraki ..............................................212lesvos .........................................................213ikaria ..........................................................214lemnos ......................................................215skiathos ....................................................216sporades .................................................220thessaloniki ............................................222chalkidiki .................................................232north greece ........................................238

kastoria ....................................................240kaimaktsalan...........................................241veria, naousa .........................................242pieria, elatohori ...................................243pella, kerkini lake ................................244kavala ........................................................245xanthi .......................................................246komotini .................................................248alexandroupoli ....................................249epirus .......................................................250meteora ..................................................258kalampaka ..............................................259elati ............................................................260pertouli ....................................................261pelion .......................................................262volos .........................................................263plastira lake ...........................................264evia, halikda, edipsos .........................266arachova .................................................268parnassos ...............................................269delfi ............................................................270nafpaktia ..................................................271karpenisi..................................................272kalavryta, arcadia, diakofto, taygetos, corinth .................................275nafplio ......................................................276tolo ............................................................279loutraki, corinth isthmus .................280porto heli ................................................281epidaurus ...............................................282ancient corinth ....................................283mycenae, kaifas ....................................284katakolo, loutra in kilini ...................285mani ..........................................................286mistras, monemvasia ........................287messinia ..................................................288kalamata ..................................................290patra .........................................................292emergency numbers ........................296

contents

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17getaway to greece: discover greece

The country where the sciences were born, the foundations of todays theories of the universe, philosophy and mathematics.

Greece What pops into your mind when you think about Greece? Mythology, history, civilization, the sciences, sun, sea, excursions

This small country, maker of huge contributions to the sci-ences, with a history reaching down the ages, a great civiliza-tion on which all the civilizations of the world rest, the 6,000 islands, the two seas around its shores, its many small bays and coves, but also thousands of different destinations to choose from for traveling in winter or summer. Thats Greece!

The country where the sciences were born, the foundations of todays theories of the universe, philosophy and math-ematics. The country where Alexander the Great was born, the great general whose brilliant strategizing made his dream of a Greater Greece come true.

The country which also gave birth to the theatrical arts, with

more than 100 theatres around the country which you can still see, even today, in the exact places where they were built originally.

The country whose own alphabet was used to create the latin alphabet which is used today in so many languages around the world (including English!).

The country where the Olympic Games and ideals were born, making athletics a global event, symbolized by the flame that lights the torch which travels round the world bringing with it its message of peace, always starting its journey from ancient Olympia, as it has always done. Where there have been great personalities whove made important contribu-tions to political life, poetry, song and the arts in general.

Thats Greece! Lets discover this beloved country

The Antikythera mechanism, 150100 BC, an ancient mechanical computer designed to calculate astronomical positions.

Greek civilization through the ages

Greek civilization began thousands of years ago and evolved along with the historical progress of the country.

It begins with the Neolithic period, where evidence of a flourishing civilization can still be seen from the many Neo-lithic settlements found in Thessaly, the Peloponnese and Macedonia. In the Iron Age, the first urban centers in Crete, Mainland Greece, the Aegean and the Cyclades began to develop.

One great milestone in the cultural past of the country was the Minoan civilization, with the Minoan Palaces which you can see in Crete and its surrounding areas. The best known and best preserved of these is the one at Knossos in Crete.

The development of the Greek alphabet and the writing of Homers epic poems took place in the Geometric period, and the Athenian Alliance sealed the Golden Age of Pericles during which the Parthenon was built on the Acropolis of Athens.

The Roman Empire made its presence felt in Athens and St. Pauls missionary journey brought Christianity to Greece, re-placing worship of the Twelve Gods of Olympus, which the Greek people had believed in up until that time. Exhibits in the many archaeological museums all around Greece are evi-dence left from these times.

The Ottoman Empire, which took power after this, was an-other important milestone that had great influence in defining cultural identity in many parts of Greece, something which is obvious even today.

After the struggle for liberation, which was won in 1821 due to the pure strength of will and ideals of the Greeks, and over subsequent years, Greece expanded to take its current territorial form.

The development of the Greek alphabet and the writing of Homers epic poems took place in the Geometric period, and the Athenian

Mythology

Ancient Greek mythology begins with worship of the twelve gods which people believed to live on Mount Olympus. Fa-ther of the gods was the almighty Zeus.

Together with Hera, Poseidon, Demetra, Athena, Hestia, Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Hephaestus and Hermes, they make up the twelve gods who, according to mythology, took power from the Titans in a great battle.

Tales of how the world was made, the adventures of mor-tals dealing with all powerful gods, and other stories of this sort were passed from mouth to mouth, until the epic poets made them an immortal part of Greek literature.

Aristotles Poetics are probably the first appearance of a form which we would recognize as literature today. This was fol-lowed by Homers epic poems, which were a starting point for gathering information about ancient Greek history.

And just as Jason and the Argonauts took their journey to find the Golden Fleece, in the 11th cen-tury BC, shipping and navigation saw rapid devel-opment in the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations; the journey of Odysseus was linked to the making of nautical charts from Thales of Miletus, and Era-tosthenes first measured longitude in degrees and determined the 16 points of the compass from which the wind blows.

It just goes to show how advanced the an-cient Greeks were

Alliance sealed the Golden Age of Pericles during which the Parthenon was built on the Acropolis of Athens.

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Theatre

The theatre in ancient times was a ritual ceremony held in honor of the 12 gods of Olympus. It was an important institu-tion in the Ancient Greek city-states. It was a way of educat-ing the conscience and also reflected the collective morals of the time.

Combining religion, social and political comment and educa-tion, it was a pivotal point for cultural expression. You can still see the many ancient theatres all over Greece today, which show how important they were at the time they were built.

Through the theatre and the celebrations held in honor of the god Dionysius, drama was born: tragedy, comedy and satire. Even the masks worn today in carnivals around the world are inspired by the ones worn in the Greek theatre.

Through the theatre and the celebrations held in honor of the god Dionysius, drama was born: tragedy, comedy and satire.

Medicine appears for the first time in Greek mythology with Asclepius, god of medicine and healing, and in ancient Greek history with

The Sciences

The ancient Greek philosophers were especially inventive for their times and, with limited means, invented philosophy - the mother of all sciences.

Each of them interpreted the universe in their own special way using their own methods, and thus the sciences were born. Astronomy, arithmetic, mathematics, medicine, and education are all sciences for which Greek philosophers laid down the first principles and which led to the evolution of many other sciences.

Astronomy was born at the moment mythology was born, and became an established science thanks to the ancient Greek philosophers who were keen to understand the movements of the stars.

The theories and observations of Pythagoras, who apart from the theorem we all know, also theorized about the harmony of the spheres, as well as those of Aristarchus, Hipparchus and Eratosthenes, led Copernicus to gather the ideas together and get the credit for developing the science by presenting

them as his own original system. The Mathematics we see in arithmetic and geometry was based on astronomy. The philosophers concerns revolved around the creation of the universe, and mathematical calcula-tions and theorems were a part of their search for answers. Pythagoras, born in the island of Samos, was inspired by this, and his theorem consists on of geometrys most fundamental principles.

Euclid was inspired in the same way and the mathematical in-terpretations written down in his Elements, the earliest ever discussion of geometry, are also still taught in schools all over the world today. The greatness of the minds of Ancient Greek history is more than proved by the fact that the same prob-lems that occupied these philosophers, like the squaring of the circle, trisecting the angle and so on, still concern intellectuals around the world today.

Medicine appears for the first time in Greek mythology with Asclepius, god of medicine and healing, and in ancient Greek history with Hippocrates, a doctor and father of Western medicine, from whom we get the Hippocratic Oath which is still taken by doctors today. We also have the first approaches

Hippocrates, a doctor and father of Western medicine, from whom we get the Hippocratic Oath which is still taken by doctors today.

to pedagogy, the science concerned with the proper educa-tion of children, by the most famous of Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

Greek personalities in modern Greece

Melina Mercouri, one of the most dynamic female figures on the Greek and European political scene, was born in Athens, and is well known for her struggle to have the Parthenon Mar-bles returned to Greece in her capacity as Minister for Culture.

A respected Greek actress and singer as well, her best known song is Ta Paidia tou Peiraia, which won an Academy Award for its composer Manos Hadzidakis, in the film Never on Sun-day in which she starred.

Aristotle Onassis, the archetypal Greek tycoon, made his name a legend all over the world. With a vision of making Greece com-petitive in shipping and tourism, he bought the exclusive rights for air travel in Greece and his founding of Olympic Airways made this a reality. He spent most of his summers on Skorpios, his private island near Lefkada, in the company of world famous celebrities.

There are many Greek personalities of international fame that this small country can be proud of. The so-prano Maria Callas, whose voice echoed around the world, the composer Vangelis, winner of the Acad-emy Award for the soundtrack to the movie Chari-ots of Fire, the composer and self-taught musician, Yanni, have all proudly represented Greece in every concert performance they have given.

Other personalities include the musician and com-poser Mikis Theodorakis, the Nobel Prize-winning poet Odysseas Elytis, the painter and sculptor, Do-menikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), the author Nikos Kazantzakis, and many others, who, with their artistic gifts, have inspired love for Greece in the hearts of people around the world.

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The historical figure of Alexander the Great is closely tied to Macedonia, and even today the image of his face, which appeared on the coins of the time, is an important symbol for Greece.

Historical and legendary figures of Ancient Greece

Greece has given birth to many powerful figures, mythological and otherwise, whose reputation survives today. Greece, and specifically Thebes, was the birthplace of the greatest of all mythical heroes, Hercules. Most of you will have heard of the legendary 12 Labors of Hercules. He killed the Nemean lion and the 9-headed Lernaean Hydra, captured the fleet footed Golden Hind of Artemis and killed the Erymanthian Boar, cleaned the Augean Stables in a single day, killed the Stymphalian Birds, captured the Cretan Bull, stole the wild horses of Diomedes, took the Girdle of the Amazon Queen, Hip-polyta, brought the cattle belonging to the monster Geryon to the court of Eurystheus, took the Apples of the Hesperides, and his final task was to capture and bring the 3-headed hound, Cerberus, out of Hades. Hercules went down in history for his exploits and, after his death, was made a god, representing strength and bravery. Youll probably have seen pictures of Hercules with the lion, club in hand, with the bearing of a giant, his powerful body rippling with muscles.

The author of the Iliad and the Odyssey is Homer, Greek by birth. The Iliad describes, in no less than 16,000 verses, the last 51 days of the Trojan War which was the outcome of the abduction by Paris

of the beautiful Helen, wife of Menelaus the king of Sparta. This war is one of the great events in Greek mythology, a great source of inspiration for ancient Greek literature, particularly for Homer. And its still an inspiring story today, as youll have seen from recent mov-ies, such as Troy, starring Brad Pitt. The Odyssey describes the decades of wandering by Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his trials and tribulations until he finally makes his way back home. Greek mythol-ogy comes alive for us through the writings of this great poet.

Alexander was born in Pella, son of Phillip V, the king of Macedonia at the time. He was well educated at an early age, studying with the philosopher Aristotle. When he was just 16 he alone put down the uprising of the Thracians when his father was away, showing his adept political and strategic skills. This was the beginning of a long historical journey, of political intrigue, conquests in Persia and Italy, and the expansion of the Greek state to the farthest reaches of the Orient. Alexandria in Egypt takes its name from this great king. After his death the name of Alexander still carried great weight and the title Great was added to his name. The historical figure of Alexander the Great is closely tied to Macedonia, and even today the image of his face, which appeared on the coins of the time, is an important symbol for Greece.

The Olympic Flame, which is still lit today as part of the sacred ceremony which takes place in ancient Olympia, in March of each

Greek hospitality, the warmest in the world

Greece is marked by certain moral principles. Its warm hos-pitality towards visitors is a defining characteristic, deeply felt, no matter where you go.

Your visit to every island and every corner of Greece is seen as an opportunity by its people to bring you closer, make you feel at home, and show you how important you are to them. They will share their way of life and experiences with you and for sure you will return home with the warmest memo-ries of Greek hospitality.

In many places they will treat you as if they have been ex-pecting you, and they wont let you leave unless you have something to eat or drink with them first.In any case, at the first opportunity, theyll persuade you to join them in dancing. How else are you going to get to know the real Greece?!

The hospitality of the Greeks doesnt end here. Hospitality is a matter of pride for the Greeks. The philosopher Thales has said that Pride (philotimo) for the Greeks is something like breathing in and out for other people.

The word philotimo has a broader meaning than pride; it covers both the sense of the Greeks pride in themselves, and also the idea of philanthropy and hospitality to strangers. You will find it as you get to know the Greek people you meet and maybe youll come to understand why there isnt a very good translation for this word in any other language!

Athletics Made in Greece!

Greece is the country which gave birth to athletics and sports in general. The ancient Olympic Games took place in ancient Olympia, from 776BC, hence the title.

The Olympic Games were held in honour of the god Zeus; athletes from all over Greece took part and the institution flourished in the 6th and 5th centuries BC.

The games were abandoned under Roman rule, only to be resurrected in 1896 in Athens, in the same spirit, governed by ideals of fair competition, respect for fellow athletes and competitions to show off athletic prowess, in the sporting spirit.

Olympiad, symbolizes fire stolen from Zeus by Prometheus and given to mankind.

The Olympic Flame, which is still lit today as part of the sacred ceremony which takes place in ancient Olympia, in March of each Olympiad, symbolizes fire stolen from Zeus by Prometheus and given to mankind.

The story is part of Greek mythology, and the Games have always stimulated interest in the ancient Greek history and mythology.

Greek history and the story of the Ancient Olympics has become well known through the Games, which are today a shining celebration of the athletic spirit and the ideals of vol-unteerism, amongst others, uniting athletes from all corners of the globe every four years.The Marathon is considered to be the most important of the Olympic sports. It has its roots in the times of the ancient Olympic Games and is the only sport included in the modern Games in exactly the same form - a stirring reminder of their history and origin.

The Marathon race covers about 48 kilometers, which is the distance run by Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens to tell the Athenians the outcome of the battle of Marathon

against the Persians. The phrase We have won (Nenikekamen) was Pheidippides last before he fell dead on the ground.

In many countries around the world today, Mara-thon races are run, not only during the games, by athletes hoping to finish the distance as it is thought of as a great achievement to actually finish the race and is a symbol of the determination of people tak-ing part in the event.

108 years after the first modern Olympic Games, the Games at last returned home, in 2004. The safe and extremely successful organization of the Games in the true Olympic spirit was a huge triumph for Greece, despite the many doubts that were raised beforehand.

Events were held in the Kallimarmaro Stadium in Athens, and the stadium in Ancient Olympia once again, a powerful reminder of the Games of an-cient times.

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The Greek islands are captivating from the first moment you set your eyes on them.

The Islands

Part of the culture and traditions of the country, the islands are also an inseparable part of Greek history, and of the countrys development today. Tens of thousands of coastline surround the 6,000 islands and uninhabited rocky islets of our beautiful country.

From the largest island in Greece, Crete, to the smallest of rocky isle, there is a paradise to be discovered, and they all have their place in the tourist destinations to be explored. Theyve lived through difficult times under various foreign invaders, but their traditions and unique Greek identity have survived through the ages.

You will undoubtedly have seen pictures of the islands in Greek and foreign magazines, with their white houses, little stone alleyways decorated with flower pots and small chapels, shining in the sunlight surrounded by the bluest of sparkling seas. The Greek islands are captivating - from the first moment you set your eyes on them. With castles and fortresses still watching over their inhabitants, keeping the old

traditions alive.Its difficult to know where to start! With cosmopolitan Mykonos maybe, romantic Santorini, or chivalrous Rhodes? Or maybe Lefkada, which hides many surprises, or pictur-esque Folegandros?

The green island of Samos or captivating Skiathos? No matter where you start its difficult to leave any of them out! They are all unique, and all deserve a mention A perfect destination for people looking for a relaxing, peace-ful time or a cosmopolitan atmosphere, for anyone looking to discover ancient civilizations or to admire the wonders of Greece through the ages, for those who love water sports, or anyone looking for new gastronomic experiences.

For everyone drawn to the islands for whatever reason, the islands cast a magical spell. For all of you searching for a unique vacation experience in a historic, and stunningly beau-tiful location...

The dances vary a lot from place to place. Youll find different dances in mainland Greece and others in the islands.

Traditional dancing express yourself!

In ancient Greece the Greeks believed that dance was a gift from the gods so that they could forget their pain and troubles. Greece today is tied to the dances handed down through the ages, which survive today as a means of expres-sion that touches the hearts of Greeks all over the world.

Opa can be heard in any dancing circle of men or women moving together to the music of all kinds of dances, danc-ing the Greek way.

The dances vary a lot from place to place. Youll find dif-ferent dances in mainland Greece and others in the islands. There are the Thracian dances, Stergios and the Kalamatianos dances, all different. Each is a particular reflection of the heart and soul of the smallest of villages or the large towns. One of the most popular dances became so because of the film Zorba the Greek, in which Anthony Quinn danced a fast paced hasapiko style dance, which became known as the sirtaki, to the music of Mikis Theodorakis. The sirtaki doesnt come from any particular area, and it isnt considered to be a traditional dance; it was specially created for the

movie to allow the Greek, Zorba, to show his pain, his emotions and feelings about the difficulties of his life. The movie was such a success that everyone as-sociates Zorbas moving sirtaki dance with Greece.

Connections - Transfers

You can reach Greece by air from most countries in the world. The Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos and the Macedonia Air-port in Thessaloniki receive thousands of flights everyday.

The country also has connections by boat to and from Italy from the ports of Patras and Igoume-nitsa, whilst the Port of Piraeus, one of the largest harbours in Europe, is also the largest port facility of the country connected to international shipping routes.

And how could it not be, given that the greatest Greek tycoon of all time came from here, as well

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Its coast to the east is that of the Aegean Sea, west is the Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean is in the south.

as many other Greek important Greek ship owners? Greece has more than 5 major port facilities and many smaller pas-senger ferryboat terminals all along its coasts.

For travel in the capital city, instead of taking the car, you can also use the well organized public transport system: there are Buses, the Electric Railway, the Tram, the Metro system and the Suburban Railway, whilst for travel to destinations outside the capital there are: trains, planes, the National Bus Company, and ferryboats (high speed and conventional).

Location

Greece is located in south Eastern Europe, south of the Balkan Peninsula, in the Eastern Mediterranean. To the north west it borders on Albania, to the north it has borders with Bulgaria, and to the north east with Turkey. To the south is Cyprus and the continent of Africa, and Italy is to the west. Its coast to the east is that of the Aegean Sea, west is the Ionian Sea, and the Mediter-ranean is in the south. Impressively enough, its coastline reaches a length of more than 13,670 kilometers.

Climate

The climate is of Mediterranean type, with mild winters and dry hot summers, and the average annual temperatures range from +10 to +23 C (50 to 73 F) according to the four seasons.

General Information

The language spoken is Greek, and the currency is the Euro, which replaced the Drachma. The religion of 85% of the population is Orthodox Christian, while Orthodox Christians and other religious groups have harmonious relationships throughout the country.

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37getaway to greece: thematic holidays

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winter holidaysGreece is not just about sea, sun, islands and secluded beaches. The winter destinations are probably more than the summer ones! During the winter, the wildly beautiful mountains dress up in white, welcoming those who love this season. Warm, traditional guesthouses, picturesque villages, cozy taverns, trails, rivers and streams ideal for rafting, the opportunity for a plethora of activities are some of the reasons that urge winter vacationers to visit Greece. At the same time, the 19 ski centers, most of which are open from the end of November until the beginning of May, contribute to the countrys growth and become one of the reasons why so many tourists are visiting Greece from all over the world during the winter.

conferences & congresses

There is no better place for a conference than where Ancient Greeks, scientists, poets and philosophers used to meet. Those who gave this world their wisdom. Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes and many other destinations are ideal for the organization of a successful conference, simply because they combine every-thing. Hundreds of conference centers and meeting rooms will cover every need, satisfying even the most demand-ing professionals. Combine business with pleasure by visiting significant archaeological sites, like the Acropolis, Delphi and the Minoan Palaces, enjoy the exceptional local cuisine and get in touch with the local cultural heritage.

There are hundreds of hotels and resorts in Greece ready to wel-come you and your family in their premises. Playgrounds, childrens pools, especially organized beaches, uniquely designed games and activities, special menus and even nanny services. Most of the beaches in Greece are sandy and have shallow waters, thus safe for chil-

dren. The specially designed water parks have gigantic waterslides, which guaran-tee adventure and action for children.

Greece has thematic parks in almost all major cities, like Allou Fun Park and Allou Kingdom in Athens. There are also many zoos, entertainment parks and interna-tional circuses that often visit Greece.

family holidays

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The vigorous night life in Greece is known all over the world. They say that Ath-ens is the city that never actually sleeps. Mykonos is the island where fun never stops. Parties never end in Crete. All that put Greece on top of the most popular destinations for entertainment and fun. Theatrical shows, movies, operas, bars, clubs, cafes, Greek music, beach parties, local events with singing and dancing, concerts etc. Dance on a table, throw flowers at singers and dance the night away

entertainment

Greece is certainly not a country known for creating fashion, nor for attract-ing the modeling spotlights. However, its a country that has big department stores and malls, especially in the bigger cities, where travelers can find practi-cally everything. This is why Greece can be an ideal shopping holidays destination. Many prestigious, international boutiques and brands have a branch here. Additionally, you can find bargains at every store!

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If you wish to live the ultimate luxurious holidays, Greece is the place to do it. You can rent a private jet or helicopter and fly wherever you want, at any time. If you dont fancy big crowded hotels, here you have the chance to rent a private villa, with exclusive amenities and services and enjoy your privacy in the comfort of your own space, your own private pool or even private beach. Finally, a limo with your personal driver can take you anywhere you want! .

luxuryholidays

40th km. Athens-Sounio Ave., 190 10 Lagonissi, Athens, Greece

Tel. +30 22910 76000 Fax +30 22910 24534 e-mail: grandresort@grandresort.gr www.grandresort.gr

Grand Resort Lagonissi, intimate, luxurious and elegant, is Athens most sophisticated resort, off ering its leisure guests stunning levels of accommodation on the waterfront. Jet setters favourite retreat private peninsula with fi fteen restaurants and bars is a gourmet experience on its own, distinctive hospitality & cosmopolitan fl air of nightlife.

Luxury is our business

Be spoilt by an unspoilt landscape.

40th km. Athens-Sounio Ave., 190 10 Lagonissi, Athens, Greece

Tel. +30 22910 76000 Fax +30 22910 24534 e-mail: grandresort@grandresort.gr www.grandresort.gr

Grand Resort Lagonissi, intimate, luxurious and elegant, is Athens most sophisticated resort, off ering its leisure guests stunning levels of accommodation on the waterfront. Jet setters favourite retreat private peninsula with fi fteen restaurants and bars is a gourmet experience on its own, distinctive hospitality & cosmopolitan fl air of nightlife.

Luxury is our business

Be spoilt by an unspoilt landscape.

weddings & eventsSantorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos, Pelion, Skopelos, Corfu, Rhodes and Crete are always top destinations for romantic weddings and spectacular events. The Greek scenery is fairytale like. Dazzling white, exciting blue, romantic ambiance, breathtaking views, amazing sunsets, long sandy beaches, verandas literally hanging on the steep cliffs, isolated chapels, secluded coves and the famous Greek tradition is the ideal canvas for a unique ceremony. Its like a tradition now! Not only in reality, but in the movies as well. Greece has been included in so many movies lately, with romantic weddings taking place in the islands, with the hot sun, the deep Aegean blue and the amazing sunsets on the background.

Greece is the cradle of civiliza-tion. Monuments of world cultural heritage, archeological sites, museums with exhibits as old as 5.000 years, art exhibitions, sculptures, statues, ancient cities Birthplace of famous scientists, artists, philosophers, writers, poets and musicians. Get to know the place that gave birth to Aris-totle, Plato, Pericles, Homer, Herodo-tus, Elytis, Seferis, Theotokopoulos and so many more.

Who hasnt been taught about Greece? Who hasnt admired the incredible monuments and artifacts exhibited in museums all over the world? Who hasnt learned the Greek alphabet, upon which the Latin one was created? Who hasnt seen the symbols of the Greek language in every scientific field? Who doesnt dream about visiting this unbelievably beautiful country, where history and culture created wonders?

cultural tourism

For those who seek the perfect religious holidays destination, Greece is the answer. In the island of Patmos, Saint John wrote the last book of the New Testament, the Apocalypse, while in Corinth Apostle Pavlos got Greeks in touch with Chris-

tianity. People from all over the world choose Greece, in order to follow the path of Apostle Pavlos in Greece, while spreading Jesuss words. Liter-ally, thousands of churches scattered around the country unveil the spread of this religion, but also that Greeks

truly believe in it. Exceptional monasteries, religious museums, chapels carved in rocks, churches in remote places, built by monks who carried the building materials themselves on top of hills, steep cliffs and mountains.

religious tourism

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syachting& sailingIf your hobby is to sail with your private boat or yacht, then Greece is definitely your ideal destination. There are about 6.000 islands and islets waiting for you to explore them. The possibilities are endless. You dont actu-ally need to have your own boat. You can rent one, with or without a skipper - in case you are a certified captain- and visit the small picturesque or bigger cosmopolitan ports. You will have the chance to swim in secluded beaches, isolated coves and dive in incredible bays. Feel independent and find the peace your soul desires.

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Travelling does not always involve visits to archaeological sites, museums and natural beauties. Gastronomic tourism is widely popular here in Greece, simply because this land has a big agricultural production, as well as fresh fish and meat. Additionally, the Greek cuisine is internationally known for

the healthy but delicious flavors in every recipe. From the Greek salad to pastitsio and mousaka and from gourmet dishes to seafood, Greece speaks her own food language. Bread, locally produced cheese, a wide selection of wine labels, ouzo, virgin olive oil, fruits and vegetables. Rich flavors for unique gastronomic delights.

gastronomy

sports & naturism tourism

athletics & sports

Greece truly combines everything. Where else would you be able to go swimming and then cross a gorge, go canoeing, kitesurfing and horseback riding? Go rafting and trekking and then hike, scuba diving and bird-

watching? Imposing mountain ranges, gorges, deep forests, protected areas, national parks, rivers, streams, caves, volcanic soil, interesting sea bed, amazing beaches, plains, valleys and plateaus. Here you will have the chance to get in

touch with pure and unspoiled nature, during your winter or summer holidays. Just choose a destination and bring your good spirits with you. The rest is up to Greece

Greece gave birth to sports, with the first ever Olympic Games that took place in Ancient Olympia, around 776 B.C. to honor Zeus. The first contem-porary Olympic Games were organized, once again, in Greece in 1896. Since then, every 4 years this significant event takes place in different cities each time, all over the world. The Olympic Flame ceremony, which signifies the attempt of Zeus to steal the Fire from Prometheus, is taking place in March just before the Games, in Ancient Olympia. Greece is the ideal place to host major athletic events and to welcome athletes who wish to do their training here, especially since the creation of modern, spacious and fully equipped athletic premises, after 2004 Olympic Games.

carnivalsThe carnivals of Rio and Venice are not the only ones, known for originality, inspiration and creativity. Many cities in Greece organize annual fiestas with Patras being the most renowned one-, reflecting the humor, the fun, the cre-ativity and the good spirits of the locals. The famous Greek hospitality is what makes each carnival special, no matter where it takes place.

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Hot springs, SPAs, thalassother-apy, mud therapy and alterna-tive treatments are available in many places in Greece, where you can combine your holidays with all the options above. The most well known destination, ideal for medicinal tour-ism, is Aedipsos in Evia. There are also many hot springs in Mountainous Pella, Samothraki, Kythnos, Loutraki, Sidirocastro in the prefecture of Serres, Rhodes, Kos, Lefkada, Ikaria and Kylini.

hot springs & natural spa

This is the country that gave birth to Medicine, with Hippocrates and Asklipios discovering new ways of healing and treating several illnesses, setting the grounds for the evolution of this field. Greece has created the ideal conditions for the further development of medical tourism.

Greek doctors, of every specialty, are ex-ceptional. Most of them are working in big, ultra modern hospitals. Greece can be the country you choose to visit for a treatment or for cosmetic surgery.

medical care

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Greece, being known for the warm hospitality and the excellent tourism infrastructure, has also many casinos for the gambling lovers. The most known ones are in Loutraki, Athens, Patra, Corfu, Rho-des, Syros, Chalkidiki and Xanthi. Each one offers a great variety of games and of course intimate service.

casino

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IonianIslands

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political mapof greece

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athensfrom 5.000 B.C. to present,

a global landmark The history of Athens goes way back in time. Since the mythical era, Goddess Athena gave her

name to this city that has contributed so much to the world history and civilization. Since the Classical Period and the creation of Arts and Sciences, Athens gave the world her lights! This is why

it was justifiably named The Cradle of Civilization. During, the Golden Age and under Pericles administration, Athens experienced a cultural booming, that later defined the foundations of the Western European Culture. The visitor will get the chance to see the monuments, the sights, the

historical neighborhoods and the museums and get in touch with the citys glorious past.

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67getaway to greece: athens

The Sacred Rock. The architectural wonder. A high aesthetics masterpiece. Acropolis could actually be the only reason for you to visit Athens. Propylaea, the colossal entrance, open the doors to Ancient Greece and welcome everybody to the Parthenon, the Erechthion and the Temple of Niki. Enjoy, admire and respect this monumental wonder of Ancient Greece and feel the special energy of the ancient rock that protects Athens since 432 B.C..

athensacropolis

Since June 2009, the new Acropo-lis Museum is the pride of the city. State-of-the-art technology, impressive modern architecture, more than 4.000 exhibits, from the Neo-

lithic Era until the Middle Ages. During construction, a vast archeological site was discovered. On the ground floor of the museum, as well as in the courtyard, there are glass floors, from where you

can admire the remnants of the ancient city, which was recently revealed. Even though it opened in just 2009, the mu-seum has already attracted millions of visitors from all over the world!

the new acropolis museum

This is a location of extreme historical importance. An exceptional place that enjoys a wonderful view of the Acropolis, the Salamina island, Athens and the surrounding mountains. During the summer, this hill transforms into a live theater, where dancers with traditional costumes perform numerous Greek folk dances. Walking down the Philopappou Hill, you will find yourself in the foot of Pnyka, where the greatest philosophers, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates etc., were gathering and discussing

the philopappou hill

monastiraki

This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens and the place where ancient Athenians used to meet. A huge bazaar is daily open here, in the main pedestrian streets, where you can find anything you can think of. Aromas, flavors, unique pictures, authentic couleur locale and lots of small stores, selling from old coins and stamps collections to antique and jewelry. Dont forget to negotiate your prices! From here, you can also buy souvenirs.

the parliament& the constitution square

This is where Athenians meet. In this Parliament, the First Greek Constitution was voted, follow-ing the steps Ancient Greeks adopted and introduced to the world. This is where the homonymous Square got its name from. The white marble used

in and outside of the building makes you feel the historical importance of the square. Constitution Square is the hear t of the city and the crossroad of a number of major street ar teries. Overlooking the building, you will

see a Monument which is dedicated to the Unknown Soldier. Two guards, dressed in traditional Greek costumes, are standing still, protecting the Monu-ment. These guards are always chosen among a prestigious Special Forces team.

If you wish to combine your visit to Athens with fun... then get on board the Happy Train and get the chance to see the most popular and significant monuments of this city. Acropolis, Monastiraki, Plaka, Thisio, the National Library, the University of Athens, the Presidential Mansion, the Gate of Adrianos, Zappeion and many more.

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Makrygianni

MavilliMetaxourgio

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Victoria

When you visit Athens, you should definitely check out the stadium, where the first contemporary Olympic Games took place. We are talking about the Kallimarmaron Panathinaikon Stadium, with the 5 circle-trademark of the Games, hanging in a prominent position. This stadium was built according to the architecture of the Ancient Stadium of Olympia, where the first ever Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C.

the happy train

kallimarmaron stadium

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In a beautiful location about 50 kilometers from Athens, visitors will get the chance to admire the truly spectacular Temple of Poseidon, which is located in Sounio. Atop of a hill, it dominates the scenery and enjoys a unique location. Try to visit it during full moon. Sit by the rocks; let the sea breeze caress your skin and wait until the moon rises. The temple will be filled with the light and the sea will reflect your every thought.

sounio

mikrolimano

This is a small picturesque marina, with hundreds of sailing boats and amphitheatrically built beautiful houses, only a few kil-ometers away from the city center. In

Mikrolimano you will feel like you are in an island. The sea breeze will ease your stroll and the view will sweep you away. Try one of the taverns or the luxurious restaurants for fresh fish

food and ouzo or wine. Alternatively, enjoy your coffee or drink in one of the numerous cafes or bars, with the fabulous view.

Athens has a lot of multiplexes where various cultural events take place all year round. Most of them are basically athletic premises, which were created for the 2004 Olympic Games and now serve as theaters.

The Badminton Theater has many rooms, used for theatrical shows, recitals and con-certs and its considered one of the biggest ones in Athens. The Athens Concert Hall is considered one of the most upscale cultural centers in Europe, with state-of-the-art equipment and luxurious premises. The acoustics in every one of its rooms is amazing, as acknowledged by the public and numerous renowned artists.

The Greek National Opera annually presents a plethora of operas, ballets, oper-ettas, shows for children and international recitals. The Piraeus Municipal Theater, in the center of the homonymous suburb, is one of the best in the Balkans. The

Veakeion Summer Municipal Theater is located in one of the most beautiful neighbor-hoods of Piraeus, Kastella. The National Gallery hosts more than 15.000 works of art, like paintings, sculptures, statues and also periodical collections. It has been the vault of Greek art since the Metabyzantine Era.

If you are in Athens during the summer months, you should definitely check out the Athens Festival, with cultural events (operas, the-atrical shows, concerts and exhibitions) in the Herodio Theater, the Athens Concert Hall and elsewhere. Athens knows very well what civili-zation means!

festival & cultural events

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There is a great number of museums you can visit in Athens: the National Archeological Museum, the Byzantine Museum, the Benaki Museum, the Goulandri Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Coin Museum and many more. Visit the Paiania Cave, which is the only cave in Athens with stalactites and stalagmites. Ad-ditionally, few kilometers off the city, you can visit the Marathon Lake. This is a significant historical place. On the one hand, the water supply of the lake feeds Athens. On the other hand, a famous ancient battle took place there.

The famous Marathon Naval Battle. Last but not least, this is where the Marathon race, one of the most important sports in the history of the Olympic Games, was first introduced.

If you have muscle problems, pay a visit to the Lake of Vouliagmeni. The water is warm and medicinal, curing arthritis and other similar illnesses. They say that this Lake is haunted and that on the inside there is a huge cave, with daedal passages underneath the entire city! The Cave is about 80 meters deep and 4 kilom-eters long and has been the object of study and research.

museums caves lakes

A thens has an intense, dynamic nightlife. After sunset, the cafes transform into bars and the clubs get jam packed. Everybody will soon be dancing, or at least rhythmically move to the sounds of Greek or foreign music. For a wild time, you can either go to a club or to a live stage, with Greek or foreign music. During the winter the major bars and clubs are in the citys center. However, during the summer months star ting from May- they all move by the water, along the Athenian coastline from Pireaus to Varkiza. There you will find huge night clubs with live music or guest DJs from all over the world.

Dont forget to go to Bouzoukia, live bands and known singers giving awesome performances that make the crowds go wild! Dance on the tables and throw flowers the Greek way!

nightlife

sThis city never sleeps. Its one of the very few cities in the world, where you will see traffic, even at 4 am! Bars and clubs stay open as late as they want, unlike in other European countries. Live stages are always jam-packed, where everybody is dancing right on the tables, throwing flowers at the singers.

entertainment

just for fun

If you are up for a high adrenaline rush, visit Allou Fun Park, the new thematic entertainment park, in Rendi. You will find many interactive games, roller coasters, skills games, the panoramic wheel, which is one of the biggest ones in Europe, the amazing STAR FLYER and the new 4D Gate, which projects educa-tional and entertainment movies in 4D! This is like a miniature Disneyland in Athens. Right next to Allou Fun Park, parents and their kids can find Allou Kid Park, which is strictly for children!

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On the very top of Parnitha -the highest mountain in Attica-, the Casino Mont Parnes is welcoming all gambling aficionados! The Regency Ca-sino Mont Parnes is a luxurious hotel built in this uniquely beautiful National Park. The oldest Casino of the city offers a plethora of games and has impeccable service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whats more, less than 80 kilometers away from the city center, the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki gaming halls have 80 tables and 1000 slot machines, offering the most modern and exciting games. Enjoy its perfectly equipped VIP room that has been created to meet the needs of even the most demanding players. The Casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

casino

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A thenians love the movies. Numerous movie theaters, as well as multiplexes can be found all over town and are usually packed during the weekends. If you want to enjoy a movie in comfortable chairs, eating and sipping champagne go to the Gold Class, of Village Cinemas. Impeccable service and high aesthetics ambiance cer tainly upgrade your experience. If you dont mind a crowded theater, grab pop corn, pizza, beer or coffee and your friends and visit one of the neighborhood movie theaters. Athens, as well as other cities all over Greece, has beautiful summer theaters, as well. Enjoy a movie under the stars!

If you enjoy shopping, Athens offers everything your heart might desire. If you are into haute couture and in-ternational brands visit Kolonaki, the most fancy area in Athens. Greek and foreign fashion brands, prestigious boutiques, high aesthetics stores, impressive jewelry shops, both local and foreign. Near the Constitu-tion and Omonoia Squares you will also find some new shopping malls. The pedestrian streets of Monastiraki and Plaka mainly form the historical center of the city. Explore the big market, which includes stores with ethnic clothes, acces-sories, handmade jewelry, furniture, used books, souvenirs, antiques, handmade rosaries, food and spices. All the narrow paved streets are crowded, especially dur-ing the summer months. Ermou Street, one of the main shopping roads of the center, together with the nearby streets, forms the well known commercial hub of the city.

You can also find lots of stores in the main port of the city, Piraeus. Every Sunday, there is a bazaar, where everybody can sell or buy whatever they want: clothes, food, weird objects, exotic artifacts, birds, utensils, kitchenware, acces-sories, books, magazines, vinyl discs, military attires and so much more.

Except from downtown and Piraeus, major shopping areas may also be found in Glyfada, Kifisia and N. Psychiko.

Shopping tips: You can enjoy Tax Free shopping in most of the big department stores in Athens. Just look for the relevant sign in the counters or outside the stores.

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You will be so im-pressed with this citys vigorous life. Greeks eat dinner very late; around 10 pm! Traffic downtown and by the coastline never stops. There are endless dining pos-sibilities. Visit the center and taste the ever famous Greek Souvlaki! Restaurants are open until very late, giving visitors the chance to eat whenever they want. It seems that there are no time limits, as opposed to other European countries, where everything pretty much

closes around 9-10 pm. Try the picturesque taverns for authentic Greek food in Plaka, Monastiraki, Thision and Psiri. If you are looking for gourmet cuisine visit one of the most cosmopolitan restaurants in Athens, with Greek, Ital-ian, French, Arabic, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and Asian flavors. The Arabic cuisine aficionados should know that Halal, the special way of animal slaughtering, is used in some Greek restaurants.

dining

Mount Lycabettus, at 277 me-ters (908 feet) above sea level, is the highest point in the city that surrounds it. Pine trees cover its base, and at its peak are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a restaurant and a large open-air theater which has housed many Greek and International concerts.

The hill is a popular tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabet-tus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki. Popular stories suggest it was once the refuge of wolves, possibly explaining the origin of its name (which means the one (the hill) that is walked by wolves). Mythologically, Lycabettus is credited to Athena, who created it when she dropped a mountain she had been carrying for the construction of the Acropolis.

mountlycabettus

for a coffee

Greeks love their coffee! They can go at any time of the day! Live like a Greek and enjoy your coffee or frappe, served only here, at a caf anywhere in town. Frappe is basically instant coffee with sugar or milk or neither- shaken with cold water and ice. Its considered like a Greek trademark, especially during the summer. You can also try the Greek coffee, as well as other European flavors, like espresso, freddo, cappuccino etc. as well as a variety of fruity or chocolaty drinks.

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, , . , , .

, , , , , , , , , . . trusco, avangard , .

, , . , , . .

> (up) Pastitsada is a local pasta delicacy. Usually made with pasta and chicken, red sauce, garlic and spices!

> (down) Kum-Kouat is one of the most famour local products. You will find it in various forms including liquor and local pastries

The construction of the Athenian Metro took few years. The main reason was because every time they were digging in a new place, they would stumble across ancient monuments and new archeological findings. This is actually one of the cleanest, most comfortable and safe metros in the world. With convenient connections and stops, it will take you practi-cally anywhere in the city. The train, which was recently refurbished in order to meet the European standards, will take you from Kifisia to Piraeus which means from the southern to the northern suburbs and vice versa.

There are many bus and trolley lines, while the tram will take you through some of the most pictur-esque Athenian neighborhoods, to Glyfada and Voula two very upscale southern suburbs.

If you wish to leave the city for a while, you can visit one or more of the nearby islands, fly anywhere in Greece, or board on a high speed or conventional boat from the ports of Piraeus, Lavrion or Rafina and visit any island in the Aegean Sea.

Transportation in Athens is the best way to move around, avoiding the traffic. Its cheap and convenient.

If you are planning on driving, prefer the Attiki Odos, which is an impres-sive highway connecting many Athenian neighborhoods. The taxis are yellow and you can stop one practically anywhere you stand simply by raising your hand, or by calling at specific numbers, that can be found in any phone book. Dont be surprised if they accept another passenger during your ride.

transportation

athens sightseeingthe Acropolis and the new Acropolis MuseumThis tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city, such as the Panathenaic Stadium, the Prime Ministers residence (ex Royal Palace) guarded by the Euzones in their colorful uni-form, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Hadrians Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Constitution Square (Syntagma). On the Acropolis visit the Architec-tural Masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: The Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and finally the harmony between material and spirit, the monument that puts order in the mind, the Parthenon. Continue and visit the place where at last the statues found their home and admire the wonders of the classical era: The new Acropolis museum.

athens by nightyour evening will start with a drive to Piraeus and its natural harbors, such as lively Zea with its busy yacht marina and tiny Mikrolimano , one of the most picturesque corners of Piraeus. Then, return to Athens for dinner in Plaka, the old city, in a typical Greek tavern with folk music and dancers.

cape sounioDrive along the coastal road, passing the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni & Varkiza to the most Southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand. On the way, you have a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the little islands offshore. After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Sounion.

delphiDrive through the fertile plain of Viotia, crossing the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of King Oedipus - Levadia and Arachova (short stop on the way back). Arrive at Delphi, the center of Ancient World - the Omphalos (Navel of Earth). Visit the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo and the Museum containing such master-pieces of Ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Lunch in the modern village of Delphi, return to Athens by the same route.

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argolisLeave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Drive to Mycenae. Visit the Lions Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, and the Royal Tombs e.t.c. Depart for Nau-plion through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress, leave for Epidauros, to visit the Theatre (4th century B.C.)

ancient corinthleave Athens and drive South West until we reach the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea . Drive on and visit the ancient town of Corinth where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the City, which include the Agora (market place) and Apollos Temple (6th century B.C.) short stop at the Site of the Ancient Port of Cehries, where St. Paul disembarked, will conclude the visit.

hydra poros aeginaIn the morning we take you by bus, from Athens to Piraeus for your embarkation to the cruise boat. At: 08.30 depart to Hydra, where we arrive at: 11.45.Free time for a walk or a swim. At: 13.30 embarkation and sail for Aegina past through Poros and seashore of Peloponnese. The lunch will be served during the voyage. At: 15.30 we arrive at Aegina where you have time for a swim. At: 18.00 embarkations for the voyage of return to the port. Arrive to Piraeus, late in the after noon.

You are also welcome to try one of our multi-day tours in Greece, combining the above destinations and even adding more! s

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cruising greece!3 Days Cruise

Itineraries 2010 AQUAMARINE/THE AEGEAN PEARL Day Port Arr. Dep. Friday

Athens (Piraeus), Greece - 11.00 Mykonos, Greece 18.00 23.00 Saturday

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey 07.00 12.00 Patmos, Greece 16.00 21.00 Sunday

Crete (Heraklion), Greece 07.00 11.30 Santorini, Greece 16.30 21.00 Monday Athens (Piraeus), Greece 07.00 -

4 Days CruiseItineraries 2010 AQUAMARINE/THE AEGEAN PEARL

Day Port Arr. Dep. Monday

Athens (Piraeus), Greece - 11.00 Mykonos, Greece 18.00 23.00 Tuesday

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey 07.00 12.00 Patmos, Greece 16.00 21.00 Wednesday Rhodes, Greece 07.00 18.00 Thursday

Crete (Heraklion), Greece 07.00 11.30 Santorini, Greece 16.30 21.00 Friday Athens (Piraeus), Greece 07.00 -

an unforgettable experience you shouldnt miss

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7 Days CruiseItineraries 2010 CRISTAL

Day Port Arr. Dep. Friday Athens (Piraeus), Greece - 18.00 Saturday Istanbul, Turkey 16.00 - Sunday Istanbul, Turkey - 19.00 Monday Mykonos, Greece 15.00 24.00 Tuesday

Patmos, Greece 07.00 10.30 Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey 14.30 20.30 Wednesday Rhodes, Greece 07.00 18.00 Thursday

Crete (Agios Nikolaos), Greece 07.00 11.30 Santorini, Greece 17.00 21.00 Friday Athens (Piraeus), Greece 06.00 -

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Aegina, Poros, Spetses, Hydra. These small, charming islands of the Saronic Gulf are the ideal weekend getaways for the Athenians. Each one is different and has its own beauty and character. Emerald waters, ancient temples, unique religious monuments, picturesque small ports with cozy taverns There is so much to explore!

Poros is a cosmopolitan destina-tion and ideal for those who want to escape the citys stress and bustle. Interesting facades, efflorescent gardens and windows, bougainvilleas and nar-row paved streets, create this amazingly warm image. The trademark of the island is the historic clock, on the top of a hill, surrounded by pines. In location Galatas, which is across from the island, visitors will have the chance to see a true paradise: Lem-onodasos (Lemon Forest). This is a forest of thousands of lemon and orange trees that will dazzle you with their aromas. The forest is crossed by streams, while there are also windmills and picturesque taverns. Its a protect-ed, by UNESCO, natural monument and it has inspired a lot of artists.

The Russian Navy Yard, which is a preserved historical building, has once hosted the warehouses of the Russian Navy. Only a small part of the front walls is saved today. The quiet beach in front of the building is considered one of the best of the island, with crystal clear waters.

Finally, on the north side of the island, visitors will admire remnants of the ancient Temple of Poseidon, of Doric architecture.

Poros is only few miles away from the shores of Peloponnese. Access is very easy either by boat from the port of Piraeus, or by car. You can drive from Athens, with direction towards Corinth, to Galatas and from there you take the small ferry to Poros. The boat ride is only 5 minutes.

a short getaway full of surprises

the Saronic Gulf

a touch of color

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The island that combines history, ro-mantic atmosphere, tradition, crystal clear waters and rich vegetation is definitely worth a visit. A blessed by nature island and a cosmopolitan destination with a high aesthetics tourism infrastructure.

The picturesque port of Dapia is the first thing you will see when you approach the island. Southwest of Dapia its the Posei-donion Square, where the famous homony-mous hotel and the statue of the heroine Laskarina Bouboulina (work of the artist Natalia Mela) are located.

Kounoupitsa is one of the most beautiful corners of the island, ideal for a nice stroll, after the sunset. The lanterns light up the seaside little street and the carriages add a romantic touch to the scenery. No vehicles are allowed in the island, except from very few taxis and the local buses.

At the end of the port you will see the tra-ditional lighthouse of the island, one of the oldest ones in Greece. Nearby, its the little chapel of Holy Mother of Armata, to honor Virgin Mary for her bless during the famous Spetses Naval Battle.

The ideal beach for water sports is Scholes. Ag. Anar-gyroi is the most well known beach of the island, where you can enjoy the sea, as well as the fresh fish served in the numerous taverns of the area. In this same area, you can visit the secret of the island, Bekiris Cave. You will find it by following the trail, through the trees, on the opposite side of the beach. Ag. Marina is the favorite beach of young people, while the beaches near the port are ideal for a quick dip.

If you are in Spetses at the beginning of September you will get the chance to ex-perience the re-enactment of Armatas torpedoing, which is the most significant cultural event of the island.

In the port, you will see two groups of small boats, which represent the Greeks and the Turks. The attack begins and the Turkish boats sail towards Ag. Mama, in the port of Dapia. This is where the naval battle begins and Armata gets torpedoed. The battle is actually a fantastic show of thousands of fireworks that light up the sky. The fire in the middle of the port is visible from every-where on the island. An experience you shouldnt miss! You can also actually participate, by getting on board in either the Greek or the Turkish boats.

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Aegina has one distinctive char-acteristic. Its cozy! From the moment you reach the port, you will feel the warmth of the place, which anxiously awaits for you to explore it. Significant ancient monuments, neoclassi-cal buildings and mansions, nice beaches and good food.

In the 19th century and for a whole year Aegina was the capital of the Greek state. This led to its booming develop-ment around 1828. Around that time, the first Greek bank, the first Mint, the first archeological museum, and many other important institutions, were created. The majority of the buildings in the island are neoclassical, with beautiful efflorescent gardens and rich colors. Mitropoleos Street is one of the main streets of the capital, where the government building of Kapodistrias (the first Prime Minister of the Greek independent state) and the library of Aegina dominate.

Aegina, and especially the location Perdika, which reminds us something of Cyclades, is a popular destination amongst boat owners. Souvala is the second big-gest port of the island and its known for its hot springs. Agia Marina is one of the most well known holiday resorts of the island. Dont forget to visit Mesagro, one of the islands traditional settlements, with beautiful old buildings and locals whose main occupations, even today, are agricul-ture and pottery.

cozy

aeginaThe administrator of the hospital was also the person who took the initiative to cre-ate this center, with the help of hundreds of volunteers from all over Greece and abroad. The main goal is to protect, care and heal animals and birds, wounded ei-ther from humans or from natural causes. When the wounded animals recover, they return to their natural habitat.

The Temple of Afaia is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece. Its located right above Agia Marina, on the top of a hill, enjoying a fabulous view. Palaiohora, also known as Aeginas Mystras, is a small religious state, built around the 700 B.C., right across from the church of Ag. Nektarios, on the top of a hill. The church of Ag. Nektarios, whos the protector Saint of the island, is located across from the hill of Palaiohora. There are a lot of stories told by monks, nuns, locals, priests and friends about this Saint. They say that if you approach the area where his holy relics are, you can actually hear his bones moving!

The pistachio tree was first cultivated in Aegina in 1864. The cultivation then expanded in Attica and the rest of Greece. Pistachios are usually sold roasted and salted or as collected from the trees. The candied sweet made of Aeginas pistachios is delicious.

Hellenic Wildlife Hospital

significant monuments

pistachios

Hydra is definitely an island you will want to come back to. Wild, proud, charming, beautiful, noble, historic, cosmo-politan. Every year many celebrities from all over the world visit the island, most of which actually own a house there.

As the boat approaches the eastern part of the port, visitors im-mediately feel the different kind of aura this small island inspires. Its as Greek as it can get! You wont even know if this is real or some sort of a live painting. The small port is always packed, as numer-ous sailing boats and luxurious yachts dock there, especially during the weekends. The canons and the historical mansions give the place a special kind of historical importance, reminding visitors that Hydra, apart from being a cosmopolitan island, is also a place with a rich historical and cultural heritage, that everyone should respect and preserve. All the houses are amphitheatrically built, overlook-ing the port. A strict architectural style is religiously followed. The main building materials are stone, timber and tiles. The historical mansions, which were built before the Greek revolution, are 2 or 3 story buildings, with grey stone and no balconies. No vehicles are allowed on the island, something that creates a romantic, relaxed and peaceful ambiance. You can walk every-where in the small town and if you need to go uphill, you can use a donkey. The donkeys are actually the attraction of the island and even until now they are used as transportation means. You can take a taxi boat to tour around the island or reach the beaches on the opposite side.

wild & proud

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The islands are connected by conventional and high speed boats with the port of Piraeus.access

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mykonosthe island that never sleeps!The ultimate cosmopolitan destination. The most popular island of Greece.

The Queen of Cyclades. Celebrities from all over the world travel here every summer, to enjoy luxurious holidays!

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cosmopolitan

mykonosThis island has a weird energy, immediately felt as soon as you set foot on it. Its the way everybody is dressed, talks and moves. Everything you have actually heard about this island is true. The narrow streets that form a maze, the white houses, with the neat backyards, the excellent tourism infrastructure, the cosmopolitan flair, the vigorous night life, the amazing golden sand beaches, the gourmet restaurants.

The islands architecture strictly follows the Cycladic style. Small white, cubic houses, with non tiled roofs, blue shutters, fuchsia bougainvilleas, churches with colorful domes and pic-turesque windmills. The way houses are designed and built has one purpose only; to protect people from the extremely strong winds. Besides, Mykonos is known

as The Windy Island. Who says that there is only one Venice? Mykonos has its own Venice. Venetian style houses, built literally in the water, with colorful wooden roofs, Little Venice is actually one of the most photographed parts of the island.

the architecture

access Mykonos is connected by boat with the port of Piraeus and Rafina. Its also connected by air with Athens and Thessaloniki. Additionally, there are a

lot of charter flights that connect the island with many European countries during the summer months.

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Life is a collection of experiences. Let us be your guide.

Hotel email: info@santa-marina.grwww.luxurycollection.com/santamarina t www.santa-marina.gr

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Santa Marina.Explore the collection at luxurycollection.com or contact your travel professional.

Surrounded by brilliant blue sky and the shimmering Aegean Sea, the legendary island of Mykonos is a

picture-postcard come to life. With its whitewashed churches, windmills, quaint cobbled streets and

pristine beaches, this stunningly beautiful island captures the very essence of Greece.

Only 3km from the cosmopolitan town of Mykonos, Santa Marina Resort & Villas oers the ultimate

lifestyle experience with a selection of luxurious accommodations, 4 tantalizing restaurants, and an exclusive private beach. Oering majestic sea-views,

each of the stylish rooms and suites boasts natural interiors, a private balcony or terrace, and a sumptu-

ous marble or mosaic-tiled bathroom. Some of the larger suites have two en-suite bedrooms perfect for

families, while others boast generous living spaces and private innity pools. For the ultimate in privacy,

comfort and relaxation, the elegant villas sit high atop the hillside within lush gardens, elegantly furnished

and complete with private pools.

Oering a gourmet dining experience in an elegant atmosphere, Marine Club Restaurant and Bar serv