News and Views No crisis for restoration project


Greece may be facing financial challenges but nothing is stopping the country from complet- ing its ambition plan of restoring its unique and glorious classical monuments.The most recent example of the restoration results is the Caryatids or Kores of the Erectheion in the Acropolis Museum. The Greek conservators are using avant-garde techniques such as the cutting-edge laser technology On 28th Janu- ary, thanks to this pioneering method, the visi- tors had the opportunity to watch the cleaning


The Snow Train


The ‘Snow Train’ is a newly launched service by TRAIN- OSE, a company affiliated to Hellenic Railways (OSE). From 13th February and every weekend, the Snow Train


is carrying ski and


snowboard lovers from Thessaloniki to the Kai- maktsalan Ski Centre in the Mount of Voras. This excep- tionally unique trip does not only have a high-quality ser- vice for all passengers, but also offers a 50% discount to everyone who would like to enter in the ski resort.


Kaimaktsalan is one of Greece’s most popular win- ter destinations. Perched at an altitude of 2,050 meters, it


is located 135km north-


west of Thessaloniki. The ski centre has 14 trails for all skill levels, totalling 13km for ski- ing and snowboarding and a 5km trail for cross-country skiing. Its high elevation


helps retain snow longer than any other ski resort in the country. The centre has accommodation facilities, which can also be found in Aghios Athanasios and Panagitsa, lower along the access road. There are also restaurants and bars, includ- ing Snowbar, which boasts


the highest elevation among its peers in the country, ski instructors and equipment rental shops. The location offers superb views of west- ern and central Macedonia, as well as a clear view of Mount Olympus. For more information please visit: www.kaimaktsalan.gr


Hotel reservations rise in Greece


Expedia, the international travel agency, announced on 31st of January a noteworthy rise in hotel room reservations in Greece sending optimistic messages over this year’s tourism trends. According to Expedia, the figures available so far for the months of April, May and June are very encouraging with significant reservations recorded for April and November.


In a press conference held in Athens, company officials said that the government’s deci- sion to lower VAT rates for hotels, resulting in slightly reduced room prices, has positively contributed to the attractiveness of Greek tourism.


According to the data released by the company, room reservations for Greek hotels through special promotional offers accounted for 43% of total reservations. The highest number of res- ervations for Greek destinations was recorded in the USA, Italy, France, and Germany. + Video


http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/menuitem.7f0d4e449429307c1259661045 1000a0/?vgnextoid=33d962ba4e7eb210VgnVCM100000010a0a0aRCRD&lang_choosen=en


FEBRUARY 2011, ISSUE 140, Page 4


process of some of the of the most important statues of Acropolis live. On the same day, conservator Kostas Vas- siliadis explained the cleaning process to the numerous museum visi- tors, who were witness- ing a procedure that until recently had been taking


place only in laboratories inaccessible to the public.


IN BRIEF...


After the cabotage lifting im- posed by the Greek govern- ment, a significant increase is expected this year in pro- grammed cruise ship arrivals in the Port of Piraeus, a major destination for cruise ships in the Mediterranean basin. It is also the most affordable port to travel in the Mediterranean Sea.


C R


enewable energy boom–


The renewable energy sourc- es (RES) have risen by a total of 290 MW in 2010, according to data released by the Envi- ronment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry. The Minis- try estimates that wind park and photovoltaic systems will generate additional power of at least 500 MW by the end of this year as the new law en- courages individuals and com- panies to invest in this field. Based on that data, Greece will achieve the ambitious goal of sourcing 20% of its energy from RES by 2020.


T


rireme in New York City


A non-profit group of New Yorkers called Trireme in New York City is trying to restore the


‘Olympias’, the ancient


Athenian trireme, on a full- scale model,. The idea is to row down the ship to the Hudson River on 4th July 2012. Olympias is the fast- est human- powered ship on the


planet. It has 170 oars and was constructed by the Hel- lenic Navy in 1987. Since then it has left Greece only once to visit London in 1993 in order to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of Greek democ- racy.


+ video http://www.youtube. com/watch?v =UWlgxhUH3JQ


ruising to rise in 2011


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