A
chaotic, vibrant city with an absolute mix of ancient, old and new, preparing
madly with all the intense passion that is part of Greek heritage, for the 2004
Olympic Games. They are working on the proposed Metro 24 hours a day, and yes,
Athens is noisier than ever before. The
Metro station at Syntagma Square (Constitution Square) has a magnificent
underground museum, proudly displaying antiquities unearthed during excavations.
The Metro costs DRX 250 between all stops (approximate R5.30). Cleanliness, calm
and order is the rule of the day.
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The
brand new Athens airport, Eleftheriou Veneizelou, opened in March 2001.
This prototype airport is German designed and financed mostly by
the German government and the EU. The airport is surrounded by acres of
olive groves and fruit orchards, which makes for a more traditional type
of air approach to Greece. Although the airport is far from town, it is
very comfortable and clean with cafés and various types of shops to while
away your time. |
Allow
at least 2 hours travel time from downtown Athens to the Airport, as traffic is
very often backed up.
If
travelling via a Schengen country, immigration is cleared at your transfer
point, and customs is cleared in Athens. Baggage trolleys cost DRX350 each
(approximately R7.20). Drachma coins are accepted and notes only in the
denomination DRX500 and DRX1000. Please obtain Drachma notes prior to departure
in the required amounts as there is no Cambio in the Arrivals Hall.
Greece entirely switches over to the Euro in 2002.
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