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| CALENDAR |
 | September 2010 |  |
| | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
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| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
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CENTRAL GREECE
Thessaly together with the regions of Macedonia and Thrace is often referred to unofficially as Northern Greece. Tall, verdant mountains surround the fertile plain of Thessaly, separating it from the rest of Greek mainland. Mt. Olympus and Mt. Othrys are set at the northern and southern boarders respectively, while in the west, the Pindos mountain range forms a natural barrier separating Greece’s largest agricultural region from Epirus. To the east stands the majestic Mt. Pelion, which is the only Thessalian outlet towards the sea.
The road and rail networks of Greek mainland run straight through the flat land of Thessaly. Larissa, the capital of the region, occupying a central position, serves as an important transportation hub. Fast motorways connect this city directly to Athens, Thessaloniki and the rest of the administrative centres within the region.
The Thessalian experience in co-operation together with team spirit is a valuable asset when organizing gatherings of any nature. Many parts of Thessaly afford necessary facilities, capable of holding conferences, meetings, seminars and exhibitions. Many hotels in the coast of Magnesia, Platamonas as well as in the city of Larissa itself, are excellent for these purposes.
Magnesia constitutes the eastern part of Thessaly. It is characterised by the Pagasitikos Gulf, which is embraced almost entirely by the peninsula of Mt. Pelion. At the innermost point of Pagasitikos and at the foot of the evergreen slopes of Pelion is built Volos, the capital of the region. The city is situated conveniently at the centre of the Greek mainland, at an approximately equal distance from the country’s two main urban centres, Athens and Thessaloniki.
Magnesia is the first Thessalian territory one comes across when travelling along the main road and rail route of Greece connecting Athens to Thessaloniki. To get to the region’s capital, Volos, all is needed is a short detour, about 35 km from the main motorway. Volos harbour is particularly active. It is the main export centre of Thessaly and the scene of much commercial and passenger traffic bound for the Sporades island complex, the great ports of Mediterranean, Syria and other Middle Eastern cities.
Plentiful hotels and guesthouses, renovated traditional houses, self-catering accommodation in well-equipped summer resorts are available throughout the area providing for a relaxed and enjoyable stay in one of Greece’s most picturesque environments. Moreover, Volos has a number of modern hotels located on the charming waterfront, which are all ideal for hosting international conferences and meetings.
Evia, the second largest island in Greece, is long and narrow, stretching over the Aegean Sea alongside the shores of mainland Greece and separated from it by the Gulf of Evia and the straits of Evripos. It is often seen as merely an adjunct to the mainland it hugs so closely. Even the capital Chalkida, can’t seem to make up its mind and clings to both island and mainland.
The capital Chalkida is linked to the mainland, by an old-fashioned swing bridge and a modern suspended bridge, which is part of the motorway from Athens. The city also hosts the terminal rail station of the northern suburban train of Attica. Ferries run regularly from Rafina to Evia’s southern port of Karystos, while numerous other ferry connections exist in minor crossing points along the island’s coast.
The island caters for both winter and summer tourism, offering the best environment for those who wish to combine business with pleasure and relaxation. Chalkida and Eretria have the best-equipped hotels for conferences, providing also a range of auxiliary services to ensure the success of all types of meetings.
The Sporades islands stretch out into the Aegean, east of the Pelion peninsula. With their intense vegetation and mountainous terrain, they seem almost like a continuation of the mainland. There are over 700 islands in this pine-forested northern archipelago – some at the size of rocks, while others much bigger. Of these, the four larger are Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros.
The island of Skiathos has an international airport, connecting it with Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as many European cities by charter flights. Skyros airport also receives frequent flights from Athens, especially during the summer. Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos can be reached by ferry and hydrofoil through the ports of Agios Konstantinos and Volos, while Skyros is connected to the mainland by the port of Kymi in Evia.
All Sporades islands are equipped with modern tourist facilities capable of upholding conference tourism. Most developed is the tourist infrastructure in the island of Skiathos, which possesses exquisite beaches and cosmopolitan nightlife, making it a paradise on earth for the thousands of visitors it attracts each season. Nevertheless many tourists are apt to rank Skopelos ahead of Skiathos, thanks to its more relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. Alonissos and Skyros have been relatively new discoveries for the tourist industry, concentrating rather on ecotourism and promoting other alternative forms of holidays.
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