scientific programme - International Society of Blood Transfusion

GENERAL
INFORMATION
14
Registration hours
The registration area in the Athens Concert Hall will be open at the following hours:
Saturday 2 July
12.00 – 19.00 hours
Sunday 3 July
08.00 – 19.00 hours
Monday 4 July
08.00 – 17.30 hours
Tuesday 5 July
08.00 – 18.00 hours
Wednesday 6 July
08.00 – 14.00 hours
Shopping in Athens
In Athens the usual opening hours for shops are:
- Monday, Wednesday & Saturday from 08.30-14.30 hours
- Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 08.00-13.30 hours and from 17.30-20.30 hours
These times are not always strictly adhered to. Many shops in tourist resorts are open seven days a week.
Department stores and supermarkets are open from 08.00-20.00 hours (Monday-Friday) and from 08.00-
15.00 hrs (Saturday) and are closed on Sunday. Post offices are open from 07.30-14:00 hours (Monday-
Friday)
Travel and visa
Upon request, the Congress Organiser is willing to send you a letter of invitation. It should be
understood that this letter will be sent only to help participants to raise travel funds or to obtain a visa.
A letter of invitation is not a commitment on the part of the organisers to provide any financial support.
Applications for a letter of invitation should be sent to the Congress Organiser before May 1, 2005.
Please note that only registered delegates who paid their Congress fees may apply for a letter of
invitation. Applications received after May 1, 2005, will not be dealt with.
TRANSPORTATION:
Travel by Air
Athens Airport
The Athens International Airport is located in Spata, 27 Kms north-east of Athens and handles all international
and domestic flights. For more information please visit the Eleftherios Venizelos website: www.aia.gr
A special feature of this web site is that on the home page you can link to live arrival and departure
information by clicking on the link Real Time Flight Information.
The Athens International Airport “∂leftherios Venizelos” is linked to the city center by :
From Airport by Bus:
Three express lines serve the Athens International Airport to Athens City Center on a 24 hours basis.
The bus line E95 (Direction Syntagma) serves Athens City center (Syntagma, Constitution Square
The following timetable is applicable:
From Airport to Syntagma area
From Syntagma area to Airport
Every 25’ from 06.30 to 21.20 Every 25’ from 06.00 to 20.40
Every 25’-35’ from 21.20 to 06.30 Every 25’-35’ from 20.40 to 06.00
Current ticket price for the airport express line is E 3. It allows for unlimited travel by all transport modes
(bus, trolley and metro) for 24 hours from the time of its validation during first trip (validates only once).
Please refer to the hotel list (page 17) for the closest bus stop to the ISBT Conference Hotels.
From Airport by Taxi
An average journey by taxi from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport to City Centre should take approximately
40/50 minutes, depending on the traffic. The cost of the ride should be around E 25-28 per way.
A pre-ordered transfer can be organised for you. You will be met by your driver and transferred directly
to your Hotel. Do not forget to request your transfer when registering, flight details can be sent at a later
date.
From Airport by Metro
The metro (Lines 2 and 3) runs from about 05.00 am until 02.00 am, every 10 minutes, the trip takes
approximately 30 minutes. For further information contact Attiko Metro or through the Internet
www.ametro.gr
Weather
Typically Mediterranean climate. Athens enjoys relatively mild winters and lovely, temperate autumns
and springs. The hot summers, while dry, can be oppressive at their heights. The “meltemi”, or summer
winds, can help break the heat. The climate is pleasant, and sunshine is plentiful. The minimum average
temperature is 28ÆC and the average maximum is around 34ÆC.
Web site
This announcement is also available on the Internet: www.isbt-web.org/athens