Greece - Korina Miller [590]
Some travel agencies in Athens are licensed to issue ISIC and Euro26 cards. For ISIC cards you must show documents proving you are a student, provide a passport photo and cough up €10. For Euro26 you just need proof of age, a photo and €14. Visit www.isic.org and www.euro26.org for more details.
Aegean Airlines offers student discounts on some domestic flights, but there are none to be had on buses, ferries or trains. Students can often find good deals on international airfares.
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EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
All foreign embassies in Greece are in Athens and its suburbs, with a few consulates in Thessaloniki.
Albania (Map; 210 687 6200; Vekiareli 7, Athens GR-152 37)
Australia (Map; 210 870 4000; cnr Leoforos Alexandras & Leoforos Kifisias, Ambelokipi, Athens GR-115 23)
Bulgaria ( 210 674 8105; Stratigou Kalari 33a, Psyhiko, Athens GR-154 52)
Canada (Map; 210 727 3400; Genadiou 4, Athens GR-115 21)
Cyprus (Map; 210 723 7883; Irodotou 16, Athens GR-106 75)
France (Map; 210 361 1663; Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias 7, Athens GR-106 71)
Germany (Map; 210 728 5111; Dimitriou 3, cnr Karaoli, Kolonaki, Athens GR-106 75)
Ireland (Map; 210 723 2771; Leoforos Vasileos Konstantinou 5-7, Athens GR-153 34)
Italy (Map; 210 361 7260; Sekeri 2, Athens GR-106 74)
Japan (Map; 210 775 8101; Athens Tower, Mesogion 2-4, Athens GR-115 27)
Netherlands (Map; 210 723 9701; Leoforos Vasileos Konstantinou 5-7, Athens GR-106 74)
New Zealand ( 210 687 4701; Kifisias 268, Halandri, Athens 152 26)
Turkey Athens (Map; 210 724 5915; Leoforos Vasileos Georgiou 8, Athens GR-106 74); Thessaloniki (Map; 23102 48452; Agiou Dimitriou 151, Thessaloniki)
UK Athens (Map; 210 723 6211; Ploutarhou 1, Athens GR-106 75); Thessaloniki (Map; 23102 78006; Tsimiski 43, Thessaloniki)
USA Athens (Map; 210 721 2951; Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias 91, Athens GR-115 21); Thessaloniki (Map; 23102 42905; Tsimiski 43, Thessaloniki)
It’s important to know what your embassy – the embassy of the country of which you are a citizen – can and can’t do to help if you get into trouble. Generally, it won’t be much help in emergencies if the trouble you’re in is remotely your own fault. Remember that you are bound by the laws of the country you are in. Your embassy will not be sympathetic if you commit a crime locally, even if such actions are legal in your own country.
In genuine emergencies you might get some assistance, but only if other channels have been exhausted. For example, if you need to get home urgently, a free ticket is exceedingly unlikely. If you have all your money and documents stolen, your embassy will usually assist with getting a new passport, but a loan for onward travel is very unlikely.
Some embassies used to keep letters for travellers, but these days the mail holding service has usually been stopped.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
See the Events Calendar for the top festivals and events throughout Greece.
FOOD
For large cities and towns, restaurant listings in this book are given in the following order: budget (under €15), midrange (€15 to €40) and top end (over €40). Prices refer to a main dish for one person unless otherwise noted in the review. Within each section the restaurants are listed in budget order. For information on Greek cuisine, Click here.
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GAY & LESBIAN TRAVELLERS
In a country where the Church still plays a prominent role in shaping society’s views on issues such as sexuality, it should come as no surprise that homosexuality is generally frowned upon by many locals – especially outside the major cities. While there is no legislation against homosexual activity, it pays to be discreet.
Some areas of Greece are, however, extremely popular destinations for gay and lesbian travellers. Athens has a busy gay scene, but most gay and lesbian