by the Knowledge and Database Systems Laboratory
(Timos Sellis, Organization Committee Chair of VLDB'97).
Last update: 26-July-1997
Several hotels are available for accommodating VLDB 97 participants.
The organizers have booked rooms at the following hotels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please, note that the US$ prices have been calculated according to the currency exchange ("buy" rate) of US$ 1 = 266.365 GRD (GRD=Greek drachmas) set on May 22, 1997. Final calculations should be made according to the current prices on the payment day.
Note :
There is a number of excursions and other activities (pre- and post-conference tours) for accompanying persons. A representative of the official VLDB 97 travel agency (Airtour Greece S.A.) will be at the conference location to assist you. For more information, do not hesitate also to contact them at the address :
AIRTOUR GREECE S.A. 330, Thiseos Ave. Athens,GR 176 75 GREECE
Tel: +30-1-9395-663 through -665 Fax: +30-1-9395300email: incentiv@airtour.gr
Afternoon tour, Duration:4 hours
Highlights
Leave Athens for a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza) to Cape Sounion where you will visit the 5th century B.C. temple of Poseidon with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world (on a clear day you can see at least 7 islands). The Doric columns of local marble have 16 flutings instead of the usual 20. The precipice is a sheer 197 foot drop to the see.
Morning tour, Duration: 41/2 hours
Highlights
[Athens is the diamond on Earth's ring\
These words represent the feeling one has when visiting the city. The sightseeing tour starts visiting the [Holy Rock\, Acropolis , the world known monument of the ancient times. Propylea, The Temple of Wingless Victory Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum are visited in order the visitor to get the best feeling of Ancient Greece.
After Acropolis, a short interval takes place, for a cold drink opposite Acropolis and some rest. The tour continues with a Panoramic Bus Tour, passing right in front of the National Garden, Syntagma Square, the Greek Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier driving down Panepistimiou Avenue with its neoclassical buildings, the Old University and the National Library. With a short stop in front of the former Royal Palace, now the Residence of the Republic's President the tour will finish in front of the Panathenean Stadion where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.
The sightseeing program of Athens is the same as in B.
After that, you will be transferred with the bus towards Syngrou Ave. along the seaside road which passes across the south suburbs of Athens.
You are reaching the restaurant, after 3/4 of an hour.You will enjoy a nice lunch with sea food. The day 's tour will go on, driving along the coastal road passing by tiny gulfs and nice resorts to cape Sounion. Here you are visiting the Poseidon Temple, which is build at a superb place,looking over the Saronic gulf and the Aegean Sea.Return early in the evening at the hotel.
[Now the serene sense in supping with the gods\.
This was the sense of the poet Agelos Sikelianos who between 1927 and 1930 revived the Delphic Festival in Delphi,the center of the earth,wishing to [instill the forgotten Delphi watchword in all human souls\.
The Archaeological site
The Sanctuary of Apollo with the Treasuries , the temples and the peribolos [ enclosure] lies on the south flank of Mt.Parnassos.The center of the Sanctuary is dominated by the Doric Temple of Apollo. The sacred way leads to the temple and is lined with Treasuries , monuments and offerings.
Northwest of the temple is the theater [ 5.000 seats]where the Delphic
Festivals were held.
The Museum
The museum's collection consists exclusively of objects of all kinds from the Sanctuary of Delphi.Among its major works are : the navel of the world,The Sphinx of the Naxians , the statue of Antinous ,the group of Thyiads [ three colossal female figures portrayed dancing around a flowered column from the Sancturay of Dionysos ], the bronze Charioteer and the head of Dionysos.
Epilogue
[Without your aid , O God , I will climb to the summit and alone , with my wits and guts - my brothers will wait on the lower heights - I will sing of the heart of Man, my heart\
On this [flaming red Argive earth\ celebrated by the poet [where the poppy flames still brighter\, you'll hear the most sublime voices of the Greek land - Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles.
The Mycenaean treasure
The road lead to Mycenae [rich in gold\. The Acropolis reveals itself in the heart of a landscape that is barren to the north , a bit tamer towards the south. A gray mound of rock with the marks of Cyclops upon it. One has to touch these gigantic rough-hewn slabs in order to comprehend the deep sense of security they offered the Mycenaeans. On the nearby hill of Panayitsa archaeologists brought to light the most stunning edifice of Mycenaean architecture , The Treasure of Atreus, also known as the beehive Tomb of Agamemnon.
Epidaurus
The breeze carries waves of sweet fragrances from the woods,resin and turpentine. On a hillside,within the Sanctuary, lies the Theater of Epidaurus,the most famous and best preserved of all the ancient theaters in Greece. Built of limestone, it can seat 12.000 spectators. Attending a performance of ancient drama in this theater is almost a mystical experience, never to be forgotten.
(6) One-Day Cruise
The Saronic Islands
Egina
The town of Egina was a busy commercial port during Greece's golden age. Today , an attractive resort welcomes you on your way to visit the Temple of Athena Aphaia.
Poros
Stroll through streets flanked by neoclassical houses or hire a cab to visit the Temple of Poseidon and the Monastery of Panaghia. The blue sea and golden beaches are ideal for a refreshing midday swim.
Hydra
The former mansions of sea captains rise above the towns quaint and colorful harbor , now an artists colony . Relax in a waterfront cafe and watch the world go by or meander through the narrow streets where shops and galleries offer fine gold and ceramics.
16 kilometers from the center of Athens, between Peania and Pallini, on a calm hill, a simple rock made wall, a wooden door, an old chariot, mark the entrance to G. Nasioutzik's estate. When entering, one thinks enerything is magical. 35.000 sq. meters of green ground and about 3.000 trees. The house of the estate gives the impression of always being there. It is a small cottage, made of rocks, wood and bricks on the top and full of old objects, most of them of great value (carpets, byzantine icons, ceramics etc).
It is its immense garden (with a swimming pool and a tennis court) that participants may choose to visit on Wednesday, August 27, afternoon. Buffet dinner will also be served.
[NOTE: THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ONLY IF A MINIMUM of **150** PEOPLE REGISTER]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note :
Responsible for VLDB 97: Mr. P. Skordos, Ms. Chr. Mastoridou
The Athens International airport is located about 10 Km from the Conference hotel and is constructed near the so called "Poseidon Coast". The airport has two terminals: Western (usually for the greek air company Olympic Airways) and the eastern terminal (for the international companies and flights). Apart from these there is also the charter flights' terminal, which lies close to the eastern terminal. The visitor usually uses a taxi from the airport to the rest of Athens and suburbs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The addresses and phone numberes of all embassies in Athens are availiable on-line.
The weather is typically warm during August days (30 deg C / 86 deg F) and pleasantly cool during the evenings (20 deg C/68 deg F).
The tourist should though have an umbrella (for the rare summer rains) and a thin jacket for possible cooler-than-usual evenings. On-line information about everyday Athens weather can be found at :
Hint: Celsius to Fahrenheit degrees are converted to each other using the formulas F = C * 1.8 + 32 and C=(F-32)/1.8.
Olympic Airways is the official VLDB 97 carrier. For air fares, please check with your closest Olympic Airways office.
The visitor can safely use a taxi or can also rent a car.
Athens is a well-known city for the ancient monuments (Acropole, Parthenon) and museums. A lot of tourists visit these monuments, as well as the surrounding area called "Plaka", which has many traditional greek stores and restaurants. You can proceed to a virtual tour of Athens.
During day the tourist can visit Plaka (see "Tourism in Athens"), can visit nice beaches in Attika for swimming and other sea sports. Night entertainment lasts till three at the morning during summer and the Poseidon Coast (near where the Conference will be held) is the center of the summer night life of Athens, with many music clubs and bars. Other typical entertainment in Athens during summer include fish eating at restaurants and sightseeing along with greek coffee drinking by the sea (morning and afternoon).
The most important event of cultural interest in Athens during August is the Athens Festival of Herodio, which includes many events (concerts, ballet, ancient greek theatre) and is held by the Athens Acropole in the ancient Amphitheatre of Herod Atticus. Another very important cultural event, though not in Athens, is a series of events that happen in the second biggest city of Greece, Thessaloniki, (about 50 minutes trip with the Olympic Airways flights). These cultural events are held to celebrate the city being the Cultural Capital of Europe for 1997.
The greek currency unit is called "drachmi" (or drachma in English) for one and "drachmes" for two or more. The visitor can find approximate currency conversion rates at: http://www.rubicon.com/passport/currency/currency.htm.
English language is well understood in tourist places. Taxi drivers usually do not speak english, apart from numbers in english to be able to tell you the fare. The greek language is a difficult one, since it is not based on the latin alphabet, but the greek one. Most of the characters of the greek alphabet have been used by the slav alphabet, which is used by eastern Europe countries.
The greek language is also spoken in Cyprus, since the majority of its inhabitants are of greek nationality. To feel more acquainted with the language you can see and hear some greek words.
Greece is located at GMT+2 Time Zone. Athens geographic coordinates are 38°N and 23°E. Time differences are +1 hour from central european time, +2 hours from western Europe, +7 hours from the US eastern coast (New York) and -7 hours from Australia. Thus 12:00 noon in Athens is 5:00 in the morning in New York.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
154 |
You can have a access one-line a much more detailed list of useful phones in Athens or search in the greek yellow pages.
Hotels, restaurants and stores in the tourist areas accept credit cards, but for other payments (transportation, food, entertainment) the tourist should carry cash in drachmas.
|
This page is maintained at the National
Technical University of Athens by the Knowledge and Database Systems Laboratory (Timos Sellis, Organization Committee Chair of VLDB'97). Last update: 26-July-1997 |