GREECE. The official name of the country of Greece is HELLENIC REPUBLIC. The current population is approx. 11 million. The capital of the country is ATHENS, with a population of 4,5 million.

MUSEUMS. Greece has the biggest variety of museums in Europe. Athens has over 44 museums. Among the most famous are the National Archaeological Museum (presently closed), the Cycladic Arts Museum and the Acropolis Museum.

CLIMATE. Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate, that tends to be cooler in the inland and the mountain areas. In summer dry and warm days are often relieved by a system of seasonal breezes called “ Meltemia”. Winters are mild in the southern and coastal areas, and cold and snowy in the most mainland and mountain areas. Generally the rain season is between November and March. In Athens, which enjoys a mild and rather warm climate, the average temperature in January is 10 C (50 F) and in July 30 C (88f).

MONEY. The EURO is the currency used in Greece. Notes are in denominations of EURO 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Coins are in denominations of EURO 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and EURO 1 and 2.  Diners Club, Visa, American Express, Mastercard and other major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.

SHOPPING. In Athens and other major cities, shopping hours are different in the Summer and the Winter. In general Monday, Wednesday and Saturday shops are only open until 3:00 p.m. On the other days, they are open until 2:00 p.m. and then 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sundays only souvenir shops are open. The most famous shopping streets in Athens are Ermou Street and Stadiou Street, selling everything from Stephanel to Gucci to Max Mara to local Greek designers now making a name for them abroad. Gold, museum copies, furs, and local handicraft are what someone should look for in Greece. There are also malls and large multi stores that stay open until 9:00 pm.

ATHENS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Public transport in Athens is well organized and efficient. Public transport is mainly served by local buses and trolley buses. From the Athens International Airport you can take presently bus X95 to Syntagma Square (central Athens), X94 to Ethniki Amyna Metro Starion, bus X96 to Piraeus port, X97 to Dafni Metro Station, X93 to the KTEL Bus terminal and X92 to Kifissia (northern suburbs). Currently the ticket costs € 3,00, is valid for 24 hours and can be used for all means of public transportation. From the airport you can also take the Metro directly to Syntagma and Monastiraki stations in Athens (€ 6,00) and the Suburban Railway to the Larissa Station in Athens (€ 6,00).  Both the Metro and the Suburban Railway run every 30'.  There are three Metro lines and three Tram lines in Athens, as well as bus and trolley bus lines.  Fares range presently between € 0,45 and € 0,70.

DINING. There is a variety of eating establishments in Greece, usually characterized by certain well defined features, such as restaurants, boits, taverns, barbeque-style eating and fish taverns. There are also very good International restaurants, such as: Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mexican and Polynesian restaurants