Useful Info

1. License Number Please note that all Greek tour operators and travel agencies need to be licensed as such with a valid license number from the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).

2. Difference between driver & professional licensed tour guide The driver will drive you from one site to the other and will be waiting for you at a designated area. He will not accompany you to the archaeological sites and museums because he is not a professional licensed tour guide. The professional licensed tour guide will ride in the vehicle with you and will visit all the archaeological sites and museums together. It is highly recommended to hire a professional licensed tour guide so as to get a better understanding of Greek history and mythology.

3. Free Admission Days 6 March [in memory of Melina Mercouri] 18 April [International Monuments Day] 18 May [International The first Sunday of every month from 1 November to 31 March

4. Holidays 1 January: closed 6 January: closed Shrove Monday: 08.30-15.00 25 March: closed Good Friday: until 12:00 closed Holy Saturday: 08.30-15.00 Easter Sunday: closed Easter Monday: 08.30-15.00 1 May: closed Holy Spirit Day: 08.30-15.00 15 August: 08.30-15.00 28 October: 08.30-15.00 25 December: closed 26 December: closed

5. Free Admission For Journalists Members of the ICOM-ICOMOS Persons possessing a free admission card Persons under 18 Soldiers carrying out their military service Tour guides University students from Greece and the E.U.

6. Reduced Admission For Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 Students from countries outside the E.U.

7. History It really all did start here. The seat of democracy. The history and the culture is so rich you will never get bored or tired of learning and being amazed. Athens is a must during the summer but it is also becoming a very popular winter destination as the climate is excellent and there is lots to do and see. English is spoken by the vast majority of the local inhabitants, who are very helpful and warm. Crime rate in Athens is the lowest in the whole of Europe. You see few policemen and you can feel free and safe at all times. That is not to say some things do not happen – they do, but rarely do they involve the Greek people who are honest and very friendly. Actually the only crime to worry about is pick-pockets.

8. Weather in Greece Today Please visit: http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/Greece.htm

9. Where to Stay There is a huge choice for you. Since the entire city was basically overhauled and fabulously improved for the Olympic Games in 2004, you can now reap the benefit of the hotels which have raised their standards dramatically. The best locations to stay are Plaka, Syntagma Square, and Acropolis area. For the overnight stay(s) outside Athens you can either book the hotel(s) on your own or I can book it/them for you (within your budget range, of course). The hotel(s) that I recommend is/are family owned, clean and not very expensive.

10. What to Wear You can wear whatever you like. Casual clothing will be fine. If visiting a religious place of worship you will need to be guided on attire, but generally speaking even there, there is no problem.