EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Airlines Most of the following are within 100m or so of Syndagma: Air Canada, Óthonos 10d tel 010/32 23 206; Air France, Vouliagménis 18, Glyfádha tel 010/96 01 100; Air Greece, Níkis 20 tel 010/32 55 011; Alitalia, Vouliagménis 577, nr airport tel 010/99 88 888; American Airlines, Panepistimíou 15 tel 010/33 11 045; British Airways, Vouliagménis 130, cnr Themistokléous, Glyfádha tel 010/89 06 666; Canadian Airlines (Amfitreon Air Services), 3rd floor, Syngroú 7 tel 010/92 12 470; Cronus, Óthonos 10 tel 010/33 15 502; CSA, Panepistimíou 15 tel 010/32 32 303; Cyprus Airways, Filellínon 10 tel 010/32 47 801; Delta, Óthonos 4 tel 010/33 11 678; easyJet, airport only tel 010/96 70 000; Egyptair, Vouliagménis 26 tel 010/92 12 818; El Al, Voukourestíou 16 tel 010/92 12 818; Kenya Airways, c/o KLM; KLM, Vouliagménis 41, Glyfádha tel 010/96 05 000; Lufthansa, Vas. Sofías 11 tel 010/36 92 11; Malev, Panepistimíou 15 tel 010/32 41 116; Olympic, ticket office at Fillelínon 15 tel 010/92 67 555 for reservations or tel 010/96 66 666, main office at Syngroú 96 tel 010/92 69 111; Qantas (represented by British Airways); Singapore Airlines, Xenofóndos 9 tel 010/32 39 111; South African Airways, Merlin 8, Kolonáki tel 010/36 16 305; Swissair, Óthonos 4 tel 010/32 35 811; Thai, Sekéri 1, Kolonáki tel 010/36 47 610; Turkish Airlines, Filellínon 19 tel 010/32 46 024; TWA, Syngroú 7 tel 010/92 13 400.

Airport enquiries tel 010/92 69 111 for Olympic flight enquiries; for all other carriers tel 010/35 30 000.

American Express Poste restante and money changing at the main branch at Ermoú (1st floor), cnr Syndagma. Mail pick-up desk open in summer Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Sat 8.30am-1.30pm; shorter weekday hours in winter. Currency exchange only at Ermoú just before Nikis, south side of street. Two Amex offices are open 24hr at the airport.

Banks The normal banking hours are Mon-Thurs 8am-2pm and Fri 8am-1.30pm and just about all banks can do exchange during those hours. The National Bank of Greece at Syndagma stays open for exchange Mon-Thurs 8am-2pm & 3.30-6.30pm, Fri 8am-1.30pm & 3-6.30pm, Sat 9am-3pm & Sun 9am-1pm. The nearby, less crowded Yenikí Trápeza/General Bank cnr Ermoú and Syndagma, has longer hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-6.30pm, Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-2pm, closed Sun.

Bird-watching The Hellenic Ornithological Society organizes three-day excursions to major nesting and migratory areas such as the Vikos Gorge, Messolónghi wetlands and Préspa lakes. It's located at Emm. Benáki 53, Athens, tel 010/33 01 167.

Camera repair Most central at Pikópoulos, Lékka 26, off Ermoú, 3rd floor and Kriton Kremnitsios, Karayeóryi Servías 7, 5th floor.

Car rental A number of companies are to be found on Leofóros Syngroú, including InterRent/EuropCar, at no. 4, tel 010/95 88 990; Holiday Autos (no. 8), Thrifty (no. 24), Eurodollar (no. 29), Just (no. 43), Avanti (no. 50), Antena (no. 52) and Autorent (no. 118); the latter three give student discounts, while Payless is just off Syngroú at Hatzikhrístou 20.

Car repairs, tyres and assistance Mechanics for virtually any make are scattered around Néos Kósmos district, while spares stores congregate along and between Kalliróis and Vouliagménis. If they don't have the part, or the know-how, they'll refer you to someone who does. Tyre stores are grouped between Trítis Septemvríou 60-80 (north of Omónia). ELPA - the Greek automobile association - gives free help and information to foreign motorists at Leofóros Mesoyíon 2 (northeast of Lykavitós) and at the Athens Tower in Ambelókipi. For emergency assistance call 104 (free, though you'll pay for any parts).

Dentists Free treatment at the Evangelismos Hospital, Ipsilándou 45, Kolonáki and at the Pireás Dentistry School ( Odhondoiatrikó Skholío ), cnr Thívon/Livadhías, well north of the metro and public buses. For private treatment, check the ads in the Athens News or ask your embassy for addresses.

Embassies/Consulates include: Albania, Karakhrístou 1 tel 010/72 34 412; Australia, Dhimitríou Soútsou 37 tel 010/64 50 405; Britain, Ploutárhou 1, Kolonáki tel 010/72 36 211; Bulgaria, Stratigoú Kallári 33a, Paleó Psihikó tel 010/67 48 105, Mon-Fri 10am-noon; Canada, Ioánnou Yennadhíou 4 tel 010/72 73 400; Denmark, Vas. Sofías 11 tel 010/36 08 315; Egypt, Vas. Sofías 3 tel 010/36 18 612; France, Vas. Sofías 7 tel 010/33 91 000; Germany, Karaóli Dhimitríou 3 tel 010/72 85 111; Hungary, Kálvou 16, Paleó Psihikó tel 010/67 25 337 (Mon-Fri 9am-noon); India, Kleánthous 3 tel 010/72 16 227; Ireland, Vas. Konstandínou 7 tel 010/72 32 771; Israel, Marathonodhrómou 1, Paleó Psihikó tel 010/67 19 530; Italy, Sekéri 2, Kolonáki tel 010/36 17 227; Japan, Messoghion 2 tel 010/77 58 101; Netherlands, Vassiléos Konstandínou 5-77 tel 010/72 39 701; New Zealand (consulate), Xenías 24, Ambelókipi tel 010/77 10 112; Norway, Vassiléos Konstandínou tel 010/72 47 605; Romania, Emm. Benáki 7, Paleó Psihikó tel 010/67 28 875 (Mon-Fri 10am-noon); South Africa, Kifissías 60, Maroússi tel 010/68 06 645; Sweden, Vas. Konstandínou 7 tel 010/72 90 421; Turkey, Vas. Yeorgíou Vita 8 tel 010/72 63 000; US, Vas. Sofías 91 tel 010/72 12 951.

Emergencies Dial the tourist police tel 171 (24hr) for medical or other assistance. In a medical emergency , don't wait for an ambulance if you can travel safely - get a taxi straight to the hospital address that the tourist police gives you. If your Greek is up to it, tel 166 summons an ambulance, tel 105 gets you a rota of night-duty doctors, and tel 106 ascertains the best hospital for you to head for. Otherwise, KAT, way out in Kifissiá at Níkis 2, is excellent for trauma and acute complaints if you can hold out that long - it's the designated casualty ward for Greater Athens.

Environment Greenpeace, Zoödhóhou Piyís 52, Exárhia tel 010/38 40 774 (Mon-Sat 9am-4pm). Stop by if you want information, or are staying long-term in Greece and would like to participate in volunteer work and campaigns. WWF Greece, Filellínon 26, 4th floor tel 010/32 47 586 has many excellent field programmes.

Ferries Most central offices for major lines like ANEK, Strintzis, Hellenic Mediterranean, G&A and Ventouris flank Leofóros Amalías between Syndagma and Hadrian's Arch; a prominent exception is Minoan Lines, on Vasiléos Konstandínou, next to the Olympic Stadium. Phone 143 for recorded timetable in Greek or pick up schedule for coming days from the OTE office. Hellas Flying Dolphin tickets are sold an hour before departure at the quay in Marína Zéas (tel 010/42 80 001), although it's wise to book tickets in advance during high season at an agent in Athens or Pireás. For Minoan high-speed catamarans to the Cyclades phone 010/75 12 356.

Gay groups Akoe Amphi, the Greek National Gay and Lesbian Organization, has an office at Zalóngou 6 tel 010/77 19 221 (Mon-Fri 6-11pm).

Greek-language courses Athens Centre, Arhimídhous 48, Pangráti (tel 010/70 12 268, fax 70 18 603) is considered the best for foreigners. The Hellenic American Union, Massalías 22, is more geared to the needs of Greeks learning English.

Hiking Trekking Hellas, Filellínon 7, 3rd floor, arrange hiking tours throughout Greece. The Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing, Milioni 5, Kolonáki (tel 010/36 45 904) can help with detailed maps for mountain paths and refuges.

Hospital clinics For minor injuries the Hellenic Red Cross, Trítis Septemvríou/Kapodhistríou, is fairly good. For inoculations , try the Vaccination Centre, Leofóros Alexándhras 196/cnr Vasilíssis Sofías, Ambelókipi (Mon-Fri 8.30am-12.30pm), where most jabs are free; phone 010/64 60 493.

Internet cafés Internet cafés with full email capabilities and access to the Net have been sprouting up all over the city. Some of the more central and reliable places are: Info Café , branches at Ippokrátous 31 tel 010/36 15 094 and cnr Botási & Solomoú, Exárhia tel 010/33 04 002; Museum Internet Café , Patissíon 46 tel 010/88 33 418; Café 4U , Ippokrátous 44 tel 010/36 11 981; Sofokleous.com Internet Café , Stadhíou 5 tel 010/32 48 105; and Tafnet , Pendélis 3 cnr Mitropóleos, Pláka tel 010/32 49 282. The standard rate is about ¬5.70 per hour.

Laundry Numerous dry/wet cleaners will do your laundry for you, or there are coin-ops at Dhidhótou 46, Exárhia; cnr Ploutárhou & Karneádhou, Kolonáki; and Ioulianoú 72-78, near the Archeological Museum.

Lost property The transport police have a lost property office ( Grafío Haménon Andikiménon ) at Alexándras 173, 7th floor tel 010/64 21 616. Bring your passport with you.

Luggage storage Best arranged with your hotel; many places will keep the bulk of your luggage for free or a nominal amount while you head off to the islands. Pacific Ltd, Nikis 26, Syndagma (tel 010/32 41 007) has a per piece charge of ¬1.60 per day, ¬22.30 per week. It also has a storage area at the airport.

Motorbike rental Available from Motorent, whose head office is at Falírau 5, cnr Makriyánni, Koukáki tel 010/92 34 939, fax 92 34 885.

Mount Áthos permits In Athens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Akadhimías 3, in the arcade, 5th floor, is the first stop in securing a permit; office hours are Mon, Wed & Fri 11am-1pm.

Pharmacies ( farmakía ) The Marinopoulos branches on Patissíon and Panepistimíou are particularly good and also sell homeopathic remedies. Bakakos, on Omónia square is the largest general pharmacy in Athens and stocks just about anything. Call 107 for after-hours pharmacies (in Greek) or consult daily listings in Athens News . All pharmacies display a daily list of those open after-hours.

Phones You can phone locally from a metered phone at a períptero (kiosk), where you pay afterwards or at the airport OTE. Most períptera are phasing out their phones, however, since phone boxes that require phonecards are now quite common. The cards cost ¬2.80 for 100 units and ¬5.70 for 200 units. These are handy to have and can be used for a quick call home. The Athens OTE no longer has metered phones.

Police Dialling tel 100 gets the flying squad; for thefts, problems with hotel overcharging, etc, contact the tourist police at Dimitrakoupoúlou 77, Koukáki tel 171.

Post offices ( Tahydhromía ) For ordinary letters and parcels up to 2kg, the branch on Syndagma (cnr Mitropóleos) is open Mon-Fri 7.30am-8pm, Sat 7.30am-2pm, Sun 9am-1.30pm. To send home parcels of personal effects, use the post office in the arcade between Voukourestíou and Kriezótou (Mon-Fri 7.30am-2pm) or, closer to Omónia, at Koumoundoúrou 29. Paper and string are supplied - you bring box and twine. "Surface/air lift" will get parcels home to North America or Europe in two weeks. For souvenirs, a branch at Níkis 37 expedites shipments and minimizes duty/declaration problems.

Poste restante The main post office for Athens is at Eólou 100, just off Omónia (Mon-Fri 7.30am-8pm, Sat 7.30am-2pm, Sun 9am-1.30pm).

Scuba diving Greece has gradually been opening up to diving although there are still restrictions because of underwater antiquities. If you want to do an introductory dive or a full PADI course, instruction and certification can be given by bilingual Greek-South African Peter Kastrinoyiannakis tel 010/98 43 851. Or contact the Scuba Diving Center of Vouliagméni, Poseidonos at Vouliagméni Bay tel 010/89 64 609.

Tours Most travel agencies offer a half-day tour of classical Athens including a bus drive around the highlights of the city and guided tour of the Acropolis and Museum for ¬30. CHAT tours, Zalongou 4, Ayia Paraskevi (tours can be booked at many of the major hotels in central Athens, even if you are not staying there), tel 010/60 72 150, has the best guides and can arrange independent itineraries as well. Tours are also offered to Sounion (¬25), Delphi (one day ¬64, two-day tour with hotel room ¬87-100) and three days to Delphi and Meteora for ¬202. Other agencies with tours include GO Tours, Voulis 31-33, tel 010/32 25 591 and Key Tours, Kallirois 4, tel 010/92 33 166.

Train information, reservations and tickets The most central OSE offices are at Filellínon 17 (international trips only) and Sína 6 or you can call 010/52 97 002.

Travel agencies Most budget and youth/student agencies are to be found just off Syndagma, on and around Filellínon and Níkis streets. The cheapest ferry tickets to Italy are usually sold through USIT, Filellínon 1 (tel 010/32 41 884). Among other agencies; Periscope, Filellínon 22; Himalaya, Filellínon 7; and Arcturus, Apóllonos 20, are worth scanning for air travel deals, as is Magic Bus, Filellínon 20 which can also do island packages.

Work/residence permits/visa extensions at the Aliens' Bureau ( Ipiresía Allodhapón ), Leofóros Alexándhras 173; open Mon-Fri 8am-1pm, but go early or you won't get seen. Also, come armed with small notes for revenue stamps, large notes for the extension fee(s), wads of passport photos, pink personalized bank receipts and plenty of patience.