2015

How to go to Naxos

Transfer to Naxos Naxos is the largest of the islands. There are different ways to get there, but Naxos has no international airport yet.

Domestic flights: If you fly to Athens you can get a domestic flight to Naxos (½ hr). The domestic airlines in going to Naxos is Aegean Air . Often there are bad connections between the international flights and domestic flights, and please be aware of the fact that there is only 1 flight a day and that the departure time can be different from day to day. Domestic flights should be ordered in good time especially in high season. Sometimes the flights are cheaper through flight Internet travel agencies.

Ferryboats: You can go to Naxos by ferry boat. There are two possibilities: • From Pireus – 1½ hours by bus no 96 from the airport. There are the fast ferries (Blue Star Ferries), which take 5 to 5½ hours of sailing and there are the high speed ferries which take about 4 to 4½ hr’s. (Hellenic Seawys)The departures of the ferries from Pireus to Naxos are usually 4.30 to 5.30 p.m. (16.30 to 17.30). • From Rafina – ½ hr bus drive from the airport. The High Speed boat leaves at 15.45 from there to Naxos (not every day) • Another possibility is to fly to Santorini or , from where the sailing time to Naxos is very short.

Here are 2 Internet addresses where you can see the ferry schedules and book your trip by Internet: www.gtp.gr and www.openseas.gr

Remember to book the ferry ticket ahead, just in case. August is still High Season in Greece. The final summer schedule might not be ready before may. I usually book this way: Go to www.openseas.gr where you will find ferry schedules from Athens (Pireus) or Rafina. When you know which route and boat you want, find the webside for the ferry company, e.g. GA Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways. By contacting the ferry company directly you avoid having to find a travel agency in Greece, make reservations online, pay and pick up the ticket in the port office at the port of departure. You can also go directly to www.hellenicseaways.gr or www.bluestarferries.gr

Please mail info of arrival time and the name of the boat to Hotel Kouros – (Christos Sideris) [email protected] +30 22850 67000, (cell +30 6978246779), Possibly a copy to Ursula, so that we can arrange a taxi to share if a couple of persons arrive at the same time. If you are travelling with someone already you can just share a taxi. There is a local bus from Naxos to Apollonas departing from the port in Naxos at 1 p.m. and may be 3 p.m. In the evening a taxi will be the best choice. The seminar will start September 4 and finish September 9 in the evening, there will be a closure procedure and a celebration in the evening. We would recommend that you don’t take home right after the seminar, but take the boat the next day or later to Athens, unless you have found a night boat on the schedule. If you further questions to the travel part please contact Ursula Fürstenwald: [email protected] or +45 39272524.

Best wishes Ursula, Jette and Frank