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Conference Venue
The conference venue will be the Tower of the Faculty of Education of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
(http://www.educ.auth.gr, http://www.eled.auth.gr ), centrally located in the city of Thessaloniki.
About Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece, in the district of central Macedonia with a continuous 3000-year history. With more than one million inhabitants in the urban area, Thessaloniki is an important economic, commercial, intellectual and cultural centre for Greece and South-East Europe. Thessaloniki is one of the rare cities in Europe having a long and continuous history. Prehistoric settlements prove that the area has been inhabited since the fifth or sixth millennium BC. The “real” history of the city began around 315-316 BC when Kassandros, husband of Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great, unified 26 neighboring settlements into one large town, which he then named after his wife.
Since then, the strategic and geographical position of the city and its rich inland made it an important centre during the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, as well as throughout the years of the Ottoman Empire. Thessaloniki has always been considered as a major metropolitan area in the region, linking Western Europe and the northern Balkans to the "eastern Greek world" and the eastern Mediterranean world. The important role of Thessaloniki is also demonstrated by the consecutive visits that the Apostle Paul paid it in 50 A.D. and 57 A.D. Here, Paul established the first Christian church in the European continent.
Its long multiethnic and multicultural history is documented in a wealth of monuments, from ancient ruins dating 23 centuries back to important churches dating from the 5th century and still in use.
Thessaloniki is a contemporary, diverse city that offers all modern facilities. In its cosmopolitan atmosphere, street cafes and restaurants be they traditional or trendy to combine life in the fast lane with the art of relaxing. As a financial and trading centre, Thessaloniki boasts a shopping district that offers a large variety of local and imported products.
The Archaeological and Byzantine museums, the numerous well-preserved antiquities and churches, along with the concert halls, theatres, rich culinary tradition and night life, all make Thessaloniki an interesting place to live and work in.
  More photos from Thessaloniki
For more about Thessaloniki see:
Wikipedia
How to reach Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is located at the northern side of Greece, 500 km (310 miles) north of Athens. It is linked by air, train and bus with Athens and other European countries.
By Air
Thessaloniki has its own international airport “Makedonia” and flights connect it with major European cities. There are several local flights connecting Thessaloniki to Athens.
The airport is situated 16 km (10 miles) away from the city center.
Car hire services and taxi services are all available at the airport. For the taxis, the fare is around 15 to 20 €.
There is also a public transport busline (No. 78), starting/ending at the airport, going through the city center and ending/starting at the central bus station on the other edge of the urban area. (You need a single ticket for 80/90 cents - to be bought with coins (!) in the bus, or at the bus station in front of the airport exit).
For further information contact Macedonia International Airport, http://www.thessalonikiairport.gr
By Train
Thessaloniki is connected by train to Athens and other Balkan cities. There is a regular rail connection to Athens several times a day. The journey is approximately 4h 15 min to 5h 45 min.
For further information contact Railway schedule in Greece: http://www.ose.gr
By Bus
The bus service in Thessaloniki is well organised in order to offer multiple destinations with frequent departures throughout the day. Buses link Thessaloniki to Athens and other towns and villages in Greece including villages in Chalkidiki as well. Bus tickets from Athens to Thessaloniki costs about 30 € (one way) and the trip takes 5h 30 min approx.
Getting Around Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki has a good public transportation system that can be used to travel throughout the city centre and beyond the city limits.
Getting around is possible by bus and taxis as both are easily available throughout the city and they have low costs.
However, as Thessaloniki is a relatively small city with all its prime attractions within close proximity to each other, it can be easily explored on foot.
All major car rental companies have branches at Macedonia Airport. Cars can also be rented from the downtown branches in Thessaloniki. The cost of taxi is approximately 5-7 euro for short distances
Useful links about Thessaloniki:
Municipality of Thessaloniki
http://www.saloniki.org
About Greece
Greece is situated in Southeastern Europe, has an area of 131,957 sq. km and a population of 10,964,020. The capital city of Greece is Athens. Greece’s coastlines reach an astonishing 13.676 kilometers’ length, with more than 2.000 islands.
From the harbor of Thessaloniki the visitor can travel by cruise liners, ferries or hydrofoils to many of the popular Greek destinations.
Links:
Ministry of Tourism - Greek National Tourism Organisation
Hellenic Culture
Travel & General Information
Languages
The official language of the conference is English.
Passport / VISA
Passport and visa requirements vary from country to country. Delegates requiring a letter of invitation in order to attend the conference, may write to the Organizing Committe (Athanasios Marvakis, Email: marvakis@eled.auth.gr) specifying the necessary details.
Please note that this procedure aims explicitly at assisting delegates who need to obtain a visa or permission to attend the conference. It is not an official invitation covering fees and other expenses and does not imply any financial support from the conference organisers.
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For details please visit the Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
http://www.ypex.gov.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US
Greek Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad,
http://www2.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Services/Directory/Greek+Missions+Abroad/GREEK+MISSIONS+ABROAD.htm#I
Currency
Since the 1st of January 2002, the Euro (EUR) is the currency of Greece. A currency converter is available here.
Electrical Appliances
The electricity supply in Greece is alternating current, 220-250 volts, 50 cycles. Appliances for 110 or 120 volts may be operated by using step down transformers of 220 - 250/110 volts connected to each outlet.
Time Zone
Greece is in the Eastern European Time Zone. Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). Like most states in Europe, the Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3). Link: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com
Greece Telephone Code
To call Greece, you will need to dial: International Access Code ++30 + number
Shopping
Greece is the ideal place to shop for a wide variety of products, catering to everybody’s tastes and needs. Prices are very reasonable in relation to product quality and visitors will be able to find something for every kind of budget.
Food shops are open (during summer period) Monday through Friday from 09.00 till 21.00. On Saturdays shops stay open from 09.00 till 14.00, while they are closed on Sundays. Kiosks at the streets may stay open till 22.00 and beyond.
Weather
Summers in Thessaloniki see average temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees , though temperatures over 35 degrees are not uncommon so be sure to pack sunscreen and light clothing if you re planning on doing some mid-day sightseeing. Rainfall during the summer is minimal and infrequent, and while temperatures can reach over 35 degrees they will almost never reach over 40 degrees.
Usefull links: Hellenic National Meteorological Service- http://www.hnms.gr, http://www.accuweather.com
Useful telephone numbers, in case of emergency:
Emergency ambulance service: 166
On-duty hospitals, clinics, doctors & pharmacies: 1434
Police (Emergency number): 100
Regional Police Departments: 1033
SOS Doctors: 1016 (not provided under the National Health Service)
Tipping Advice
Tipping is acceptable in Greece. Although restaurants generally add a service charge directly to your bill, it is still good practice to leave a small tip for the waiter. Equally, porters, chambermaids and other service staff should be tipped, with the exception of taxi drivers who usually do not expect them.
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