Practical information
ARRIVING IN THESSALONIKI (SKG): How to get from the Airport to your Hotel
Arrivals: Cedefop, through its PCO ARTION Conferences & Events, is providing airport transfers from the Makedonia Airport in Thessaloniki (SKG) to Porto Palace Hotel (the Forum venue). Upon your arrival please look for our welcome team, holding a Cedefop sign.
Kindly do not miss to provide your flight details through the online registration system.
Departures: Transfers from the hotel to the airport are provided likewise. Pick up time is scheduled at 2h before your departure flight. You are kindly invited to meet and confirm your transfer with the Secretariat during the Forum.
Thessaloniki airport | http://www.thessalonikiairport.com
Thessaloniki’s International Airport “MAKEDONIA” is located only 15km from the city center. The Forum hotel is located nearby the city center.
Forum Venue & Hotel
Porto Palace Hotel, 5*
http://www.portopalace.gr/
65, 26th Oktovriou Str. | GR-546 28, Thessaloniki | T. +30 2310504504
*Internet facilities: Free Wi-Fi connection will be available.
Organised Transfers
Tuesday 22 November 2016 – Optional Cultural Programme for attending persons
17:00 Pick up from Porto Palace Hotel
20:30 Return Transfer from cultural programme & Winery to Porto Palace Hotel
Wednesday 23 November 2016
08:00 Pick up from Porto Palace, transfer to Cedefop
Please check out and carry your luggage with you if departing on the 23rd November
In case you miss the Transfer, to access Cedefop by taxi at your own cost:
Cedefop is easy to access by taxi within maximum 30 minutes from any part of the city and about 10 minutes from the airport. In general, taxis are easy to find, at the airport and all over the city; taxis are blue-white and easy to stop in the street or be called by your hotel reception.
Please quote to your driver:
Cedefop, Address: Europe 123, 570 01 Thessaloniki (Pylea), Greece
Telephone: (+30 2310) 490 111
Social Events
Monday 21 November 2016, 20:00
Cedefop is organising a Dinner for the Forum participants at Porto Palace Hotel
Tuesday 22 November 2016, 17:00 – 20:30 (optional)
Cedefop offers, through its PCO, a possibility to take part in a cultural programme (it is subject to prior registration):
Visit at a Winery : From the shorefront of the Thermaikos bay to high up on the mountains of the region and back down to the plains, the area of Thessaloniki is home of many famous wines. We will learn about the viniculture of the region and visit one of the most renowned Domains, located in the mountain of Ossa. Wine & spirits degustation assorted with local cheese varieties and meze is part of this programme.
Cost: The cost per person – at 20 Euro - should be covered by you. Reservation is possible through the online registration system.
City Map for the Forum
Secretariat Desk during the Forum
The Secretariat desk will operate:
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Monday, 21 November 2016 |
09:00-18:00 |
Porto Palace, Thessaloniki |
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Tuesday, 22 November 2016 |
09:00-16:30 |
Porto Palace, Thessaloniki |
E-mail: cedefop.events@artion.com.gr
Mobile during the event: +30 6979229731, Ms. Kelly Angelaki
Contact Persons
Please do not hesitate to communicate with us should you need any help or assistance before or during the Forum in any of the following mobile phones:
+30 6979229731, Ms Kelly Angelaki, 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
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Set on the northern shores of the Thermaikos Gulf that opens into the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki is approximately 550 kilometres north of Athens and in close proximity to Chalkidiki's beautiful beaches. It is the metropolis 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.
MUNICIPALITY OF THESSALONIKI
http://www.thessaloniki.gr/portal/page/portal/EnglishPage
Weather in November
http://www.meteo.gr/meteoplus/cf-En.cfm?city_id=1
The climate in Thessaloniki is Mediterranean with a definite seasonal variation. Average daily temperature stays at a comfy 15 degrees Celsius, with highs reaching above 18 and lows at around 10. November can be rainy in Thessaloniki.
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, in the 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 organizations, 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
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
- The Museum of Byzantine Culture
- State Museum of Contemporary Art
- Thessaloniki Museum of Photography
- Thessaloniki Technology Park
- Museum of Macedonian Ethnography
Night Out
You won't 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 and 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.
Usefull Websites
Thessaloniki
Discover Thessaloniki
www.thessaloniki.gr
10 Reasons to visit Thessaloniki
www.visitgreece.gr
www.saloniki.org
www.thessaloniki.travel
Usefull Phones
| Police | 100 |
| Tourist Police Station | +30 2310554870 / 2310554871 |
| Ambulance | 166 |
| Emergency Phone* | 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!