DOCSLIB.ORG

Athens Top Sights • Local Life • Made Easy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Athens Top Sights • Local Life • Made Easy ATHENS TOP SIGHTS • LOCAL LIFE • MADE EASY Alexis Averbuck 0-prelims-pk-ath2.indd 1 5/10/2012 9:43:02 AM In This Book 16 Need to Know 17 18 Neighbourhoods 19 Before You Go Arriving in Athens Getting Around National Archaeo- logical Museum & Ancient Agora, Athens Exarhia (p98) Need to Your Daily Budget Most visitors arrive at Athens’ Eleftherios Athens has an extensive and inexpensive Monastiraki & Discover the treasures Venizelos International Airport at Spata, integrated public transport network of Psyrri (p38) 27km east of the city centre. Most ferries buses, metro, trolleybuses and trams. Pick at the world's foremost Know Budget less than €100 Neighbourhoods The ancient Athenian QuickStart and cruises arrive at the port of Piraeus. up maps and timetables at the EOT tourist collection of Greek art X Dorm beds €25, pension doubles from €65 civic centre spills into Benaki Museum & office, the airport, or online at www.oasa. and antiquities, then the modern city's Kolonaki (p74) For more information, X Souvlaki shops and tavernas are good value A From Eleftherios Venizelos gr. The metro (www.amel.gr) is the best way soak up the vibe in central shopping hub – see Survival Guide (p 158 ) International Airport to get around town. Conveniently, all public bohemian Exarhia. Consistently fashionable X Stretch your euros in the low season a heady mix of eclectic E# National transport operates under the same ticketing Archaeological and loaded with popular Destination Best Transport shops, restaurants and E Top Sights Currency Midrange €100-€200 system. Tickets good for 90 minutes (€1.40), Museum boutiques, cafes and bars. National Archaeological Euro (€) Syntagma & Metro (blue line) a 24-hour travel pass (€4) and a weekly bars, Kolonaki is also X Double rooms in midrange hotels €80-€160 E Museum Plaka Express bus X95 ticket (€14) are valid for all forms of public Top Sights home to some of the X Local tavernas have hearty midrange fare Language transport except for airport services (airport Keramikos & Gazi Ancient Agora city's premier museums, Monastiraki Metro (blue line) including the Benaki. Greek X Most sights have reasonable entrance fees metro €8, bus €5). (p122) E Thisio Metro (blue line to green line) The city's ancient Top Sights Visas Top End more than €200 Kolonaki Metro (blue line) m Metro cemetery, Keramikos, Benaki Museum X Double rooms in top hotels from €150 leads to the illuminated Not required for citizens of the EU or Express bus X95 Three colour-coded lines criss-cross central towers of Gazi's Schengen countries; not required for stays X Excellent dining; some accompanied by Athens. Line 1 (green) also serves Piraeus. Keramikos Makrygianni Metro (blue line to red line) Technopolis and the E# Greek Parliament, Guide up to 90 days for the US, Canada, Australia Michelin stars Line 2 (red) gets the closest to the Acropolis Benaki Syntagma & Plaka and New Zealand. Psyrri Metro (blue line) and the Acropolis Museum. Line 3 (blue) hottest bar district in Museum X Nightlife and cocktail bars abound # (p58) serves the airport. The central hubs are Syn- Athens. E E # Ancient Parliament anchors Money tagma (blue and red lines) and Monastiraki Top Sights E Agora enormous Plateia N From Piraeus Port (blue and green lines). ATMs widely available. Credit cards Keramikos Syntagmatos, and the Useful Websites accepted in many hotels, restaurants and Destination Best Transport winding lanes of Plaka, shops, but not all. J Bus, Trolleybus & Tram Athens’ Official Site (www.breathtaking Syntagma & Metro (green line to blue lined with shops, Blue-and-white local express buses, regular Temple of athens.gr) With what’s-on listings. Plaka line) Acropolis E# become quaintly Mobile Phones buses and electric trolleybuses operate E# Olympian Ministry of Culture (www.culture.gr) Muse- Bus 040 Zeus residential as they twist Local SIM cards can be used in European every 15 minutes from 5am to midnight. E# up the slope of the ums and archaeological sites. Filopappou Hill & and Australian phones. Most other phones Monastiraki Metro (green line) They are generally slower than the metro, E# Acropolis Acropolis. can be set to roaming. US/Canadian phones Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/ and best for neighbourhoods outside the Thisio (p112) Filopappou Museum Greece/Athens) Information, hotel bookings, Thisio Metro (green line) Hill need to have a dual or tri-band system. centre. The free OASA map shows most Unwind in the quiet 11111 traveller forum. 111111 1 1 Kolonaki Metro (green line to blue routes. Athens’ tram (www.tramsa.gr) offers stretch of town Temple of Your keys to under- 11111 1 1 1 line) spanning ruin-strewn Time a slow, scenic coastal journey to Faliro and 11111 Olympian Zeus & Eastern European Time (GMT/UTC plus two Makrygianni Metro (green line to red line) Voula, via Glyfada. Filopappou Hill and the Acropolis Area 1111 Panathenaic cafe-lined pedestrian- 11111 hours, or plus three hours during daylight Advance Planning (p22) 1111 Psyrri Metro (green line) Stadium (p88) savings). K Taxi ised streets of cool Explore the grand The colossal temple Three months before Reserve your hotel Thisio. early to increase choice and reduce price. Avoid driving in Athens at all costs – it is E Acropolis and the leads to the stadium, Plugs & Adaptors A At the Airport much simpler and cheaper to take a cab, but Top Sights superb Acropolis the home of the first One month before Book tickets for a Plugs have two round pins; electrical current beware of taxi driver scams (p 163 ). Filopappou Hill Museum, then wander modern Olympic games, performance at Odeon of Herodes Atticus Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is 220-240V. North American visitors will the relatively quiet and laid-back residential or Megaron Mousikis. Reserve a table at The arrivals hall has ATMs, tourist informa- require an adaptor and a transformer. streets of Makrygianni. neighbourhoods Mets top-end restaurants. tion, car hire and baggage storage. For those who need to sleep out by the airport to catch E Top Sights and Pangrati. standing the city – Tipping One week before Check online for strike an early flight, there are only two hotels: E Top Sights Acropolis information (http://livingingreece.gr/ Small change and rounding up is usually Sofitel, right at the terminal, and Holiday Inn, Temple of Olympian strikes); book tours. Acropolis Museum su՗ cient. a 15-minute shuttle ride away. Zeus we help you decide what to do and how Need to Know Neighbourhoods to do it Tips for a What’s where smooth trip 124 Keramikos & Gazi Keramikos 125 104 National Archaeological Museum & Exarhia Neighbourhood Life in Exarhia 105 y Top Tips 2 Graffiti A-Go-Go communal tables. Choose from the buffet of the day’s offerings: a range of Don’t Miss f Do not skip the The walls, alleys and stairways of Ex- Top Sights Local Life home-style Greek cooking and alterna- museum – it contains arhia are adorned with, possibly, some The Grounds of the world’s most creative graffiti. tive fare. Plates come in two sizes: big Keramikos Once inside you’ll find a plan of the site. A path superb original sculp- Neighbourhood Life in Exarhia tures (reproductions Often with a pointed underlying politi- or small. leads down to the right to the remains of the city were placed among cal message, these elaborate works are A cemetery from 3000 BC to the 6th century 1 Map p 128 , D2 wall built by Themistocles in 479 BC, and rebuilt the tombs when the an inspiration to behold. Start at the 6 Record Shopping AD (Roman times), Keramikos was originally a by Konon in 394 BC and around the grounds. The Exarhia’s fun music shops include %210 346 3552 sculptures were moved Exarhia has an eclectic mix of Strefi Hill end of Themistokleous and settlement for potters who were attracted by the wall is broken by the foundations of two gates; 1 Plateia Exarhion the chance to pick up, among other indoors for their comic stores, record shops, publish- Plateia Exarhion is the epicentre of simply wander the neighbourhood, clay on the banks of the River Iridanos. Because Ermou 148, Keramikos tiny signs mark each one. things, old-school vinyl. Serious music Explore protection) ing houses and alternative book neighbourhood life. Pick a spot on the looking for the latest expressions of of frequent flooding, the area was ultimately and clothing stores. It has a vibrant both fancy and ire. fans comb Vinyl Microstore (%210 361 converted to being the city’s primary cemetery, adult/child incl mu- f Bring your imagina- square for prime people-watching. Sacred Gate bar scene, particularly the crowded 4544; www.vmradio.gr; Didotou 34, Exarhia; and now lies below street level due to the silt de- seum €2/free, free with tion: though many of the Locals choose modern cafe-bookshop The Sacred Gate spanned the Sacred Way, along student hang-outs on Mesolongiou, 3 Reclaimed Square mPanepistimio) for eclectic indie, posits. Rediscovered by a worker in 1861 during Acropolis pass ceremonial buildings and Floral (Themistokleous 80, Exarhia; W; which pilgrims from Eleusis entered the city dur- good-value eateries, and rock and The inhabitants of Exarhia took back alternative and dance vinyl releases the construction of Pireos street, Keramikos is gates no longer exist, mOmonia), with grey-toned images of h8am-8pm Apr-Oct, ing the annual Eleusian procession. Between rembetika (Greek blues) clubs. an entire city block, turning it into a and CDs over a coffee. The owners now a lush, tranquil site with a fine museum and this was a monumental retro life and, you guessed it, flowers 8.30am-3pm Nov-Mar the Sacred and Dipylon Gates are the foundations Plateia Exarhion (Exarhion Sq) is completely locally planted and main- organise party tours, art exhibitions a collection of magnificent sculptures.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Impact of the 2004 Olympic Games on the Greek Economy 3
    Ι∆ΡΥΜΑ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΩΝ & ΒΙΟΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΩΝ ΕΡΕΥΝΩΝ FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH 11 Tsami Karatassou, 117 42 Athens, Greece, Tel.: +30 210-9211 200-10, Fax: +30210-9233 977 The impact of the 2004 Olympic Games on the Greek economy January 2015 2 The research for this study was conducted by N. Zonzilos, E. Demian, E. Papadakis, N. Paratsiokas and S. Danchev, under the supervision of the Director General of IOBE, Professor N. Vettas. The researchers would like to thank C. Katsiardis for his research assistance and all the individuals who offered their assistance with data and insight on the Games. IOBE would like to thank Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki for the financial support of this study. The judgments on policy issues and the proposals contained in this study express the opinions of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the members or the management of IOBE. The Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) is a private, non-profit, public-benefit research organisation. It was established in 1975 with the dual purpose of promoting research on current problems and prospects of the Greek economy and its sectors and of generating reliable information, analysis and proposals for action that can be of high value in economic policy making. ISBN 978-960-7536-61-7 Copyright 2015 Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research This study may not be reproduced in any form or for any purpose without the prior knowledge and consent of the publisher. Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) 11, Tsami Karatassou St, 117 42 Athens, Tel. (+30210 9211200-10), Fax:(+30210 9233977) E-mail: [email protected] – URL: http://www.iobe.gr Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research IOBE The impact of the 2004 Olympic Games on the Greek economy 3 FOREWORD Without a doubt, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and in the other four Olympic cities had a multiple impact on the Greek economy, on many levels and at various time periods.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Renaissance on Athens Southern Coast: the Case of Palaio Faliro
    Issue 4, Volume 3, 2009 178 Urban renaissance on Athens southern coast: the case of Palaio Faliro Stefanos Gerasimou, Anastássios Perdicoúlis Abstract— The city of Palaio Faliro is a suburb of Athens, around 9 II. HISTORIC BACKGROUND km from the city centre of the Greek capital, located on the southern The city of Palaio Faliro is located on the southern coast of coast of the Athens Riviera with a population of nearly 65.000 inhabitants. The municipality of Palaio Faliro has recently achieved a the Region of Attica, on the eastern part of the Faliro Delta, regeneration of its urban profile and dynamics, which extends on an around 9 km from Athens city centre, 13 km from the port of area of Athens southern costal zone combining historic baths, a Piraeus and 40 km from Athens International Airport. It marina, an urban park, an Olympic Sports Complex and the tramway. extends on an area of nearly 457ha [1]. According to ancient The final result promotes sustainable development and sustainable Greek literature, cited in the official website of the city [2], mobility on the Athens coastline taking into consideration the recent Palaio Faliro was founded by Faliro, a local hero, and used to metropolisation of the Athens agglomeration. After a brief history of the municipality, we present the core of the new development. be the port of Athens before the creation of that of Piraeus. Behind the visible results, we highlight the main interactions among Until 1920, Palaio Faliro was a small seaside village with the principal actors that made this change possible, and constitute the few buildings, mainly fields where were cultivated wheat, main challenges for the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Spring Break in Athens March 2015 Framingham
    Spring Break in Athens March 2015 Framingham State University Trip leaders: Judy Otto Brian Cacchiotti Sue Dargan David Eccleston Stacey Eccleston P a g e | 2 Things to consider before we go… Planning your activities We STRONGLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING A GOOD GUIDEBOOK FOR ATHENS (or taking one out of your local library). Then spend some time planning your itinerary: what will you want to see and when do you want to see it? We always hope for sunny warm weather, but museums and churches are a GREAT ALTERNATIVE on rainy, cooler days! We hope to have some bulletin board space in the hotel where we’ll post information and allow you space to leave notes for each other. Trip leaders will be posting our daily schedules and you are welcome to join us! The for-credit class will be doing several required activities including, 1) an architectural tour, 2) an urban planning tour and 3) a museum visit, in addition to the included tour – but everyone is welcome to join us! Money The currency for Greece and 17 other countries in Europe is the euro, €. There are 100 eurocents to the euro. It’s currently trading at 1€ = $1.14 (as of Feb. 16, 2015). We will upload a “cheat sheet” converter to the trip website a couple of days before departure (see www.itsallgeography.com). Getting cash: the easiest and best way to get cash in Athens is with bank ATMs, which are everywhere. Be sure there are enough funds in your account to cover your planned expenses for the week.
    [Show full text]
  • Part a and B) by the Reg- Passenger and Employee Safety Transportation Is Allowed)
    CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Report 2018 Contents 1 6 1 Message from the CEO 03 Our People 38 MESSAGE Human Resources 38 Respect to Human Rights 39 FROM THE CEO Employee Representative Unions 39 Bene"ts and Perks 40 Employees’ Leaves 41 2 Health and Safety of Employees 42 Employee Training 50 It is a great pleasure and honour to present to you the second Corporate 2018 Highlights 04 Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report of Urban Rail Transport (STASY) S.A. With the present Report, we conNrm our 7 commitment to transparency in our business practices, whose purpose is to beneNt society, the environment and the economy within which we operate. 3 Society 51 Social Actions 51 Special Pricing Policy 56 Information about the Report 06 Culture 57 Education 61 By adhering to the seven Key Social Responsibility needs of passengers, to fully harmonise the Principles of the ISO 26000:2010 International services that we provide with the European best Standard and the United Nations’ Sustainable practices, and to consistently strengthen our Development Goals, we work consistently to progress to growth. 4 contribute to economic growth in our country, 8 we seek to ensure the social well-being of the We are committed and ready to rise to all the Greek people and we take steps to balance our social, environmental and economic challenges Urban Rail Transport S.A 07 impact on the environment. that we will encounter in our journey towards Corporate Pro"le 07 Environment 62 creating a sustainable world, for the current Environment-friendly Fixed-Rail Transport 63 History 08 Inspired by the passenger-oriented philosophy generation as well as for those to come.
    [Show full text]
  • Deliverable D 5.2.2
    TIP4-CT-2005-516420 Page 1 of 28 QCITY issued: 30-01-09 DELIVERABLE D 5.2.2 CONTRACT N° TIP4-CT-2005-516420 PROJECT N° FP6-516420 ACRONYM QCITY TITLE Quiet City Transport Subproject 5 Noise propagation & receiver perception Work 5.2 Performance report of a low squeal track solution Package in Athens Tram Network Written by Prof. Konstantinos VOGIATZIS TT&E, UTH, CDM, TRAM & APT Date of issue of this 30-01-09 report PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR Acoustic Control ACL SE PARTNERS Accon ACC DE Akron AKR BE Amec Spie Rail AMEC FR Alfa Products & Technologies APT BE Banverket BAN SE Composite Damping Material CDM BE Havenbedrijf Oostende HOOS BE Frateur de Pourcq FDP BE Goodyear GOOD LU Head Acoustics HAC SE Heijmans Infra HEIJ BE Royal Institute of Technology KTH SE Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij DE LIJN LIJN BE Lucchini Sidermeccanica LUC IT NCC Roads NCC SE Stockholm Environmental & Health Administration SEA SE Société des Transports Intercommunaux de STIB BE Bruxelles Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific TNO NL Research Trafikkontoret Göteborg TRAF SE Tram SA TRAM GR TT&E Consultants TTE GR University of Cambridge UCAM UK University of Thessaly UTH GR Voestalpine Schienen VAS AU Zbloc Norden ZBN SE Union of European Railway Industries UNIFE BE PROJECT START February 1, 2005 DATE DURATION 48 months Project funded by the European Community under the SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME PRIORITY 6 Sustainable development, global change & ecosystems Performance report of a low squeal track solution Athens Tram Network TIP4-CT-2005-516420 Page 2 of 28
    [Show full text]
  • Information Package Mothers in Action
    Information Package Mothers in Action European Voluntary Service at Inter Alia September 2018 – February 2019 During these six months you will offer your services to Inter Alia and the community around. The voluntary activity will be divided as follows: 5 days a week for 6 hours a day. You will support the activities in the office focusing on community development, migrants’ integration, intercultural dialogue and social cohesion. Also, you will have the opportunity to design and run a small project of your own. More details will follow in a daily schedule proposal. Welcome to our Inter Alia premises! We are excited to have you in our international and friendly team!!! Volunteering in Inter Alia you will have the chance to meet and work with people with a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, youngsters willing to share ideas and knowledge. Our office is located at the heart of the historic but also alternative Exarcheia district with the quirky cafes and bustling art scene. Inter Alia Address: Valtetsiou 50-52, 10681 Athens, Greece Telephone: +30 21 5545 1174 Exarcheia area is covered by overwhelming street art and graffiti. Full of little boutiques and shops with comic books, used vinyl records or second-hand books, and customized t-shirts. You can also find several interest activities and events happening in the social centers around, and beautiful rooftops terraces playing live music as spring blooms. If you’re interested in counterculture then this is the place to be! Wandering around Exarcheia or enjoying a cup of coffee in one of the cute and colorful cafes located at the area is simply a must! Accommodation.
    [Show full text]
  • SAGT 2019 12Th International Symposium on Algorithmic Game Theory
    SAGT 2019 12th International Symposium on Algorithmic Game Theory National Technical University of Athens September 30 - October 3, Athens, Greece Welcome to Athens! The 12th International Symposium on Algorithmic Game Theory (SAGT 2019) is held at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, during September 30 - October 3, 2019. This leaflet contains the conference program and useful information about getting around in Athens. We gratefully acknowledge the support from the National Technical University of Athens and its School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems, the Athens University of Economics and Business and its Department of Informatics, Facebook, the EU COST Action GAMENET (CA 16228, the European Network for Game Theory), Springer, and the European Association for Theoretical Computer Science (EATCS). We would also like to thank the Local Arrangements Committee, and in particular, Antonis Antonopoulos, Eleni Iskou, Thanasis Lianeas, Angeliki Mathioudaki, Georgios Papasotiropoulos, Panagiotis Patsilinakos, Stratis Skoulakis and Artem Tsikiridis for their active participation in several organizational tasks. September 2019 The organizers 1 Program 12th International Symposium on Algorithmic Game Theory { SAGT 2019 September 30 { October 3, National Technical University of Athens, Greece Monday, September 30 9:30 { 9:50 Registration 9:50 { 10:00 Opening Tutorial 1 10:00 { 11:00 Georgios Piliouras Learning in Zero-Sum Games Revisited: The Connection to Physics and Conservative
    [Show full text]
  • Case Study 10. Athens Historical Centre, Greece
    Mapping and Performance Check of the Supply of Accessible Tourism Services (220/PP/ENT/PPA/12/6491) Case Study 10 The Historical Centre of Athens as an Accessible Destination, Greece “This document has been prepared for the European Commission; however it reflects the views only of its authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.” 1 European Commission Enterprise and Industry Directorate General (DG ENTR) “Mapping and Performance Check of the Supply of Accessible Tourism Services” (220/PP/ENT/PPA/12/6491) Case Study: The Historical Centre of Athens as an Accessible Destination 2 Contents Contents ........................................................................................................ 3! Table of Figures ............................................................................................ 3! Executive Summary ........................................................................................ 4! 1.0! Introduction ......................................................................................... 6! 2.0! Overview and background information ............................................................... 7 3.0 The integration of the supply chain .................................................................. 18 4.0 Provisions for cross-impairments ..................................................................... 27 5.0 Impact ..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Pocket Athens 3 Preview
    ATHENS TOP SIGHTS • LOCAL LIFE • MADE EASY Alexis Averbuck 00--title-contents-pk-ath3.inddtitle-contents-pk-ath3.indd 1 99/10/2015/10/2015 111:09:261:09:26 AM In This Book 16 Need to Know 17 18 Neighbourhoods 19 Before You Go Arriving in Athens Getting Around National Archaeo- logical Museum & Ancient Agora, Athens Exarhia (p000) Need to Your Daily Budget Most visitors arrive at Athens’ Eleftherios Athens has an extensive and inexpensive Monastiraki & Discover the treasures Venizelos International Airport at Spata, integrated public-transport network of buses, Psyrri (p000) Budget less than €100 27km east of the city centre. Most ferries and metro, trolleybuses and trams. Pick up maps at the world's foremost Know Neighbourhoods The ancient Athenian X Dorm beds €25, pension doubles from €65 cruises arrive at the port of Piraeus. and timetables at the EOT tourist office, collection of Greek art civic centre spills into Benaki Museum & QuickStart (p165) the airport or online at www.oasa.gr. and antiquities, then X Eat at souvlaki shops and tavernas the modern city's For more information, A From Eleftherios Venizelos soak up the vibe in Kolonaki (p000) The metro (www.amel.gr) is the best way central shopping hub – see Survival Guide (p157). X Save euros in the shoulder or low season International Airport Consistently fashionable to get around town. Conveniently, all public E# National bohemian Exarhia. a heady mix of eclectic Archaeological E and loaded with popular Destination Best Transport transport operates under the same ticketing shops, restaurants and Top Sights Currency Midrange €100–200 Museum boutiques, cafes and system.
    [Show full text]
  • Bid to Host ICDAR 2019 in Athens, Greece by Basilis
    Bid for hosting Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................ 3 1. VENUE ............................................................................................ 4 1.1 Hosting city ........................................................................................... 4 1.2 Conference hall ...................................................................................... 9 1.3 Dates .................................................................................................. 12 2. ACCESSIBILITY ................................................................................... 13 2.1 How to get to Athens .............................................................................. 13 2.2 Arriving to the Athens airport .................................................................... 13 2.3 Airticket costs to Athens .......................................................................... 13 2.4 Visa requirements .................................................................................. 15 2.5 Getting around ...................................................................................... 15 2.6 Average weather in Athens ....................................................................... 18 3. PROGRAM AND MILESTONES SCHEDULE .......................................................... 20 3.1 Conference tentative program ................................................................... 20 3.2 Key milestones schedule..........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Greece Know Before You Go Driving Culture ‰‰ Driving Is on the Right
    Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Greece Know Before You Go Driving Culture Driving is on the right. • Speeding is common. Drivers are required to carry a valid national license, an • Drivers typically run red lights. International Driving Permit (IDP) and proof of third-party • Motorbike drivers weave between cars and lanes. insurance. • Drivers making left turns should be alert to drivers Seat belt use is mandatory for drivers and passengers. attempting to overtake on the right. There are frequent strikes involving public transportation. • On two lane highways, slower drivers often use Drivers may ignore pedestrian signals and marked crossings. the shoulder, while faster drivers ignore double Blood alcohol limit is below 0.049 g/dl. yellow centerlines and pass other vehicles. Placement of road signs frequently makes them difficult to see. • It is common for pedestrians to step into Driving at night is not recommended. roadways or ignore crossings and signals. There are 9.1 road deaths per 100,000 people in Greece, compared to 2.8 in Sweden and 2.9 in the UK. • Driving licenses are often acquired without passing a test. Road Conditions • There are approximately 116,960 km (72,675 miles) of roads. • 41,357 km (25,698 miles) of roads are paved, including 1,091 km (677 miles) of expressways. 75,603 km (46,977 miles) are unpaved roads. • Beyond major motorways, road surface conditions vary widely. Paved roads may give way to gravel without warning signs. • Paved roads in rural areas are frequently in poor condition with large potholes. • The modern highway system is generally in good condition.
    [Show full text]
  • Financial Performance Report of Athens Public Transports
    ATHENS URBAN TRANSPO R T ORGANI S ATION FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT OF ATHENS PUBLIC TRANSPORTS 2 nd DRAFT REPORT J U L Y , 2 0 1 2 F I N A N C I A L PERFORMANCE REPORT 2011 ATHENS URBAN TRANSPORT ORGANISATION PURPOSE OF THE REPORT This report is a brief overview of the first financial results of Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) for year 2011. The purpose of the report is to provide essential information to shareholders, decision makers and stakeholders about the financial performance of State-owned Urban Transport Companies. ATHENS PUBLIC TRANSP ORT GROUP Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) responsibilities deal with monitoring and control of the public transportation network in the Athens Metropolitan area (Attica region). According to the new legislation on urban transport system (law 3920/11- March 3 2011) the five operators merged to two operator companies; the OSY S.A. and STASY S.A. The first company is responsible for the bus network, which was formerly operated by ETHEL S.A., and the electric trolleybus network that was operated by ILPAP S.A. The second company is responsible for the operation of urban railway system, which was formerly operated by ISAP S.A., the Athens metro system, which was formerly owned by Attiko Metro S.A. and operated by AMEL S.A. and the Athens tram system, which was formerly operated by TRAM S.A., a subsidiary of Attiko Metro S.A. The shareholder of both operator companies is OASA S.A., which is responsible for the management of the transport operators.
    [Show full text]