About Greece

As a congress destination, Greece offers an ideal location:

• With perfect climate
• Comfortable access from most European and International destinations
• Famous Mediterranean gastronomy
• The invaluable heritage of the 2004 Olympic Games in terms of infrastructure and services
• A stunning blend of ancient history, mythology and modern lifestyle excitements
• A well – educated population and widespread competence in the English language
• The legendary warmth and hospitality of the Greek people
• Know – how and human resources capable of organizing successful congresses

Greece is one of the world’s most celebrated destinations with ancient and modern attractions such as museums of the ancient and Byzantine eras and archaeological sites and cities, all of them historical monuments which have inspired modern education and culture around the world.

General Information about Greece
ATMs: They are widely available in Greece for Master or Visa cardholders.

Banks: Banks are open from Monday to Thursday, 8:00-14:00 hrs and on Friday, 8:00-13:00 hrs; on Saturdays and Sundays they are closed. Central branches of some banks may be found open until 20.00 daily and from 10.00 to 16.30 on Saturdays. For further details while in Athens please consult your hotel concierge.

Climate: The climate in Greece is mostly dry and temperate. In Athens, Southern Greece and the islands, the climate is typical Mediterranean with warm and dry summers and mild winters.

Credit cards: All major credit cards are accepted in almost all hotels, shops and restaurants. Stickers in the front windows will advise you as to which cards are accepted.

Currency: EURO is the official currency

Electricity: Electricity is 220 V/50 Hz. Plugs are the standard continental (DIN) type with two round pins.

Healthcare: Emergency treatment is free to all in public hospitals. Public and private hospitals can be found in big cities. Small and large islands usually have hospitals and health centres.

Language: Greek is the official language. Most Greeks speak English as a foreign language.

Population: Greece has 11,000,000 inhabitants, the majority of whom live in the big cities. The population of Athens is 3,500,000.

Religion: The majority of Greeks (95%) are Greek Orthodox.

Restaurants: Restaurants and Tavernas are normally open for lunch from 12:30 to 16:00, for dinner from 19:00 to midnight. Fast food and souvlaki shops usually serve food all day long, and some of them stay open till late at night. Cafes and bars are open all day from about 8:00 until late in the night.

Telecommunications: The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the USA or Canada, 0044 for the United Kingdom). Public payphones are available all over Greece and use phone cards, which can be purchased from kiosks. For information concerning mobile phone use in Greece (telephone transmissions are based on GSM technology), please ask your provider.

Time: Greece is GMT+2, Greece 12:00 - London 10:00 - New York 05:00 - Sidney 20:00.

Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory but is quite usual in Greece.

Visa requirements: Greece follows the Schengen Agreement provisions and the subsequent acquis concerning short-term visa issues. Countries applying the Schengen acquis in full (EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, plus associated countries: Iceland and Norway) follow a common visa policy for short-term stays of up to three (3) months in the Schengen area. The citizens of these countries are not subjected to border controls within the common area (airlines or other carriers require identification (ID) Card or passport or any other piece of identification issued by a public authority).

Citizens of the following EU and other European countries do not need a visa to enter Greece (and the Schengen area). They have only to produce a passport or an ID card at the border: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom

For holders of regular passports of the following countries who wish to visit Greece (and the Schengen area) and stay up to 3 months (90 days) within a six (6) month period, no visa is required: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile. Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, The Holy See (Vatican), USA, Uruguay,Venezuela

Holders of regular passports from the rest of the world need a visa in order to enter Greece (and the Schengen area). You may visit the following internet address for a full list of Greek embassies abroad: http://www.mfa.gr/english/the_ministry/missions/index.html