15 JUN 2017
to
16 JUN 2017
Event
Conference

Policy learning forum: Vocational training for the long-term unemployed

Learning from inspiring practices

Practical Information

Arriving in Thessaloniki (SKG): How to get from the airport to your hotel

Taxis are always available outside the main building of the airport. On average a taxi will drive you to your hotel in about 20-30 minutes. Prices range from €20 – €25 Euro. A double fare is applicable between midnight and 05:00 am. Please quote your hotel to your driver.

City bus (number 78 or 78N): This service operates 24 hours a day and connects Thessaloniki Airport to the City Center and the Central Coach Station. Route lasts approximately 40 minutes depending on the traffic. The cost of the ticket is 2 Euro and can be purchased on the bus from the automatic vending machines. You need to have the Euro coins as the machines don’t provide change from notes. Online information oasth.gr

Conference venue

Makedonia Palace Hotel

Address: 2, Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, GR-54640, Thessaloniki, Greece

Telephone: (+30) 2310 897197

*Internet facilities: Free Wi-Fi connection will be available.

Social events

Thursday 15 June 2017

18:00 Boat Trip

Cedefop is organising a half-hour boat trip along the city coastline of the Thermaikos Gulf where you are offered a welcome cocktail on board the “CLEO” at 18:00.

19:00 (hosted) Dinner

Cedefop is hosting a Dinner for the Forum participants at Yialos fish restaurant at 19:00 (address: N. Plastira - M. Emvolo – N.A.O.K.Th., Thessaloniki, Tel. 2310-442121). Accompanying persons may join you at this dinner; the cost of participation for them is €42,90.

Shuttle bus – Organised transfers

Transfers will be provided by Cedefop accordingly

15.06.2017: Between the docking place of the boat (“CLEO”) to the restaurant “Yialos”

(and back to the Makedonia Palace hotel after the dinner).

16.06.2017: Makedonia Palace Hotel to the airport

City map for the conference

 

Secretariat desk during the conference

The Secretariat desk at Makedonia Palace Hotel will operate:

Thursday 15 June 2017

08:30-18:00

Cedefop

Friday 16 June 2017

08:30-13:00

Cedefop

E-mail: cedefop.events@artion.com.gr cedefop.events(at)artion.com.gr

Mobile during the event: +30 6979903733, Ms. Vicky Giotopoulou

Contact persons

Please do not hesitate to communicate with us should you need any help or assistance before or during the Forum on any of the following mobile phones:

+30 6979903733,      Ms Vicky Giotopoulou, Project Manager

+30 6977970405,      Ms Valentini Amarantidou, Project Leader

Greece - Thessaloniki

Time

Greece is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2) throughout the year.

Language

Greek is the official language but English is widely spoken, as well as German and French.

Currency

The Greek currency is EURO. Credit cards are widely used in most establishments. Most currencies and traveller’s cheques can easily be changed either at banks, hotels or money-changers with some handling charges.

Power supply

The standard current in Greece is 220 volts. Plugs are European standard with two round pins.

The city of Thessaloniki

Set on the northern shores of the Thermaikos Gulf that opens into the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki is approximately 550 kilometers north of Athens and in close proximity to Halkidiki's beautiful beaches. It is the metropolis of the Region of Macedonia, one of Europe's oldest cities and the second largest city in Greece.

Founded in 316 BC by Cassander, King of Macedonia, the city was named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great and has been a crossroad of cultures and civilizations for over 2300 years. Few other places have such a density of outstanding historic monuments as Thessaloniki. The atmosphere is a fusion of Greek, Balkan and South-eastern European influences that co-exist harmoniously, creating a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment, where visitors from all over the world feel welcome.

Thessaloniki has the largest university in Greece, Aristotle University, which is one of the most established universities in the academic community in Europe. The city possesses the second largest and most important port in Greece, the International Fair which attracts commercial interest from all over the world, offers cultural events, theatres, Modern Art galleries, libraries, an immense variety of high standard recreational facilities and examples of modern architecture, art nouveau and eclecticism.

A few of the city's many attractions include the White Tower (15th century), the Arch of Galerius (4th century BC) with its magnificent frescoes, Thessaloniki's many churches, in particular the Rotonda (4th century) dedicated to St George, containing mosaics of the period, and the Agia Sofia (8th century), which was converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule. In 1988, 15 monuments of Thessaloniki were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Weather in June

http://www.accuweather.com/en/gr/thessaloniki/186405/june-weather/186405?lang=en-us

The climate in Thessaloniki is Mediterranean with a definite seasonal variation. Average daily temperatures stay at a comfy 30 degrees Celsius, with highs reaching above 32 and lows at around 28.

People & Life

Thessaloniki is a popular destination. You will certainly enjoy a pleasant and interesting stay in the city. People are friendly and happy to help with any questions. The atmosphere is unique during the day in the commercial and shopping center, but especially during the evening, with a wide variety of bars, restaurants and theatres for entertainment. Thessaloniki is renowned for its unique location, along the Thermaikos Gulf, its sunsets, its long history, its monuments and museums as well as its distinguished cuisine.

What to see

Thessaloniki is host to an impressive array of museums, cultural organisations, archaeological sites and monuments. A list includes:

Monuments & Churches

  • The White Tower (seafront avenue)
  • The Roman Forum
  • The Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
  • The Rotonda (D. Gounari str)
  • Agios Demetrios church and the crypt
  • The Old Walls
  • Agia Sofia church (Agias Sofias street)
  • The Ahiropiitos
  • Vlatadon Monastery (Upper Town)

Museums & Galleries

Night Out

You won't need to wonder where to get a drink in a town with this many bars! Thessaloniki is by far the liveliest city in Northern Greece, maybe even the whole country. Most of the bars are situated at the old seafront (Nikis Ave.) and around, many of the taverns are either downtown or in the old city (Kastra). You can also find numerous bars and taverns at Krini, an area in eastern Thessaloniki, or you can visit the bars located in the big shopping centers just out of the city en route to the airport. You can find also a lot of nightclubs, bars and restaurants in Ladadika, the neighborhood with the old warehouses next to the port.

Shopping in Thessaloniki

The city center is one of the most popular shopping areas in Thessaloniki. Shopping malls and department stores are available both in the city center as well as in other city districts. Some of the best – known shopping malls can be found in eastern Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki Airport Area) and are easily accessible by ring road (public transportation and taxis).

The commercial market of Thessaloniki (shops, boutiques, etc.) operates as follows:

Monday / Wednesday / Saturday:

09:00 – 15:00

Tuesday / Thursday / Friday:

09:00 – 14:30

 

17:30 – 21:00

Shopping Malls and big department stores operate as follows:

  • Monday-Friday: 09:00– 21:00
  • Saturday: 09:00 – 18:00 or 20:00

Banks in Thessaloniki

Greek and International banks can be found in the city center and all popular districts of Thessaloniki. Most banks operate Monday-Friday 08:00 – 14:00. Some banks located in the city center remain open until 19:00 hrs or operate for the public on Saturday morning (please contact your hotel reception for detailed information). All banks are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange.

Useful Websites

Useful Phones

Police
Tourist Police Station
Ambulance
Emergency Phone*		 100
+30 2310554870 / 2310554871
166
112
Phone book information 11888

*After a recorded message in English and Greek, an operator receives the call in English, French or Greek, puts the caller through to the necessary service, and assists with interpretation, if necessary.

Thank you and enjoy your stay !