The city of Volos

Volos is the capital of Magnesia that belongs to

the region of Thessaly situated in the center of

Greece, almost equally spaced from Athens

and Thessaloniki. The Prefecture of Magnesia

includes the Northern Sporades island cluster

formed by the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos

and Alonnissos, as well as other smaller islets

that constitute the Northern Sporades National

Marine Park, where the “Monachus Monachus”

seal lives and reproduces.

The climate in Volos is Mediterranean with dry

hot summers and mild winters. The average

temperature in June is approximately 28oC,

the relative humidity drops to the comfortable 40% three days out of four. Precipitation is not likely

around that period, historically occurring in less than 20% of days.

Half of the Prefecture’s terrain is mountainous. Spread along the Pagasitic Gulf, beautiful Pelion and its

numerous picturesque villages, a mountain resonating with legends and traditions, was considered to be

the summer residence of the Olympian Gods.

The region of Magnesia was inhabited from the Neolithic Period, as indicated by findings at Sesklo and

Dimini. Today, Volos is one of the largest cities in Greece and a major port with modern buildings, an

excellent layout and a bustling economic, commercial, touristic and cultural life.

The University of Thessaly contributes to the cultural life of Volos. The University of Thessaly was

founded in 1984. In order to serve the needs of the region of Thessaly, the first Departments that were

established at the University were based on agricultural, educational and technological sciences. The

current academic structure of the University of Thessaly offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies

in humanities, agricultural sciences, engineering and health sciences

For more information on Magnesia: www.magnesia.gr

For more information on Volos: www.volos-city.gr

How to get to Volos There are several ways to get to the city of Volos, most of them being a combination of public transport

means. The simpler and more beneficial way to come to Volos is to get a direct a flight to Athens, spend

a couple of days on sightseeing in Athens, and then use public transport from Athens to Volos as

indicated below.You may also wish to allocate a day or two for a touraround Volos to visit the superb

surrounding area of unique natural beauty at Pelion, the home of the Centaurs.

Fly directly to Volos

The Nea Anchialos National airport is a small military airport around half an hour drive from the city of Volos located 27km south-west from the city. It serves several destinations such as: Amsterdam, Charleroi, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Manchester, Milan, Paris and Vienna. Airlines using the Nea Anchialos National airport include: Airliner, Austrian Airlines, FlyNiki, Germania Airlines, Monarch, Regional Airlines, Ryanair, Small Planet, Transavia and Transavia France.

From the airport to the city, you may use the public service managed by KTEL buses or take a taxi. For more information on the airport: www.volosairport.gr/en For more information on KTEL: ktelvolou.gr/en/home

Via Athens

The Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located 27 km east of the city of Athens. A large number of European and International carriers fly direct into Athens. The airport has excellent public transit connections to the city. From the airport you may use: Metro service that will cost you €8 Bus service that will cost you €5 Taxi that may cost you up to €35 during the day and

€50 during the night. The cars are easily recognized because they are all yellow with illuminated sign marked "TAXI" on top.

There are two alternative ways to go from Athens to Volos: By intercity train: From the Athens airport, using metro or taxi (not bus), you should get off at “St.

Larissis” (on the red metro line) and get a train ticket to Volos. You will need to change over at the city of Larissa with the same ticket. For more information on the train service: tickets.trainose.gr/dromologia/

By intercity bus: From the Athens airport, using bus X93 or taxi (not metro), you should get off at “St. Ypera/konLeof. Liosion” and get a direct ticket to Volos.

Via Thessaloniki

Flights to Thessaloniki are available by many airlines from various parts of Europe. There are direct flights to Thessaloniki from London, Milan, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam, Zurich, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Belgrade, Larnaca, Istanbul and Bucharest. During summer months there are also many charter flights, especially from cities in Germany and the UK. From the airport, you may use: Bus service: The airport is served by a 24-hour bus service from

Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organization. On arrival at the Macedonia International Airport Terminal of Thessaloniki you can use the bus Line 78 (or Line 78N during night hours), route Airport - KTEL /central bus station, which goes directly to the city center. Tickets can be purchased from the Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organization (OASTH) desk 07.00 – 21.00 (cost €0.80), or from the automatic vendors inside the bus (cost €0.90).

Taxi: The cars are easily recognized because they are all blue and white with illuminated sign marked "TAXI" on top. The cost to the bus station should be about €20-25.

There are two alternative ways to go from Thessaloniki to Volos: By intercity bus: Timetable information and online booking can be found at www.ktelvolou.gr

Indicative Timetable from Thessaloniki to Volos: 8:15, 11:00, 13:15, 15:15, 17:15, 19:15, 21:15, 23:00 Ticket price: one way €18.40, return €32.0.

By intercity train: Timetable information can be found at www.trainose.gr Ticket prices: €15 - €23.

Volos by car Volos is the heart of Greece easily accessible virtually from anywhere. You should foresee a3hour ride

from Athens (330 km ) or a 2hour ride from Thessaloniki (and 212 km). The highway connecting all three

cities is modern and comfortable. You should be expecting to spend around €15 for tolls and €40-50 of

gas during single way.

How to get to the venue The address of the venue is: “Giannitson and Lahana, 383 34 Volos”. Most buses pass pretty close from

that area.GPS coordinates: 39.36548,22.932334. If puzzled, you may call at 2421 006367 for directions.

Below a map view of the area to help orientation.

For more information on the itineraries and timetables of the buses: http://astikovolou.gr

Coffee and Drinks

Petite Fleur

“J 'ai cache, mieuxque partout ailleurs, au jardin de mon Coeur, une Petite

Fleur”. “I hide in the best location, in the garden of my heart, a little flower”.

These are the first lyrics of the song «Petite Fleur» based on the lovely

melody of Sidney Bechet. At “Petite Fleur”, the time has long stopped

flowing. Alice after Wonderland, often comes here for cakes looking for the

hasty hare. The teachers of Harry Potter drink tea at least once a week.

As night falls, the ghosts of Astor Piazzolla and Billie Holiday sit next to the

piano for a hot chocolate... Colourful and forgotten by time, “Petite Fleur”, in the centre of Volos, takes

you through flavours you have not tried before. Turntables playing old vinyl discs and the escape from

everyday life is a sure bet.

Open: Mon 11:00-15:00, Tue-Sat 11:00-24:00, Sun 16:00-23:00

Address: 54B TakiOikonomaki str., Volos

For reservation: Tel. +30 2421039313

Novel

In the centre of Volos, “Novel” is a place with a modern minimal decor

with walnut and special stylish walls in shades of black and gray.

Starting your day with the most delicious espresso, make a lunch break

with exotic finger food and amazing combinations of dishes from the

Chef, enjoying the wine of your choice from a wide variety of flavours

and fragrances. As the evening comes, you have great fun listening to

music and drinking the best drinks and tastiest cocktail city.

Address: 3 Kontaratou str., Volos

For reservation: Tel. +30 2421301746

Isalos

The seaside of Volos has many coffee-bars where you can relax

enjoying the nice view. In an idyllic location away from the bustling

harbor, “Isalos” is located literally on the beach. Its name means “Water

Line” showing that it is hit by the waves. You can sit back and relax

enjoying your coffee or your drink with a stunning view to Pagasitikos

Gulf. As the sun set, colors are dancing in the sky of Volos and the

relaxed music carry you away.

Address: Anavros Park, Volos

For reservation: Tel. +30 24210 25777

White

“WHITE” has changed the summer nightlife of the city. Located

in the Old City (Palaia) it has become the most popular summer

destination until the wee hours. The concept starts from

Wednesday till Saturday, with many guest appearances and

many theme parties. The interior has a unique character,

lovingly decorated with white color dominating, multifaceted

personality and the water element being present. Outside the

club there is a specially made courtyard where you can enjoy

cocktails.

Address: Pirassou&Lachana, Palaia, Volos

For reservation: Tel. +30 6945169087

Where to Eat

Volos, the city of the Argonauts, the capital of

Magnesia is a modern city with important cultural

development.

The seaside, the benchmark of the city with the

fishermen and the fishing boats, shops, beautiful

buildings, the view to Pagassitikos gulf and the

beautiful mountain of the Centaurs, promises magical

explorations having as a guide the rustling of the

passage of mythical creatures.

The tsipouradika of Volos consist a story of flavors

that has its roots in the early 20th century.

It would be a great omission for the visitor of the city, if he/she did not get to know the atmosphere of

tsipouradika and did not enjoye the ritual of tsipouro accompanied with appetizers dominated by seafood

of any kind. In Volos about 400 tsipouradika give color to the entertainment of the citizens and constitute

the main meeting place.

Their story starts somewhere in the early ’20s, when a few shops serving tsipouro first appeared. Then

the 25ml bottle was introduced and escorted by some appetizers, seafood mainly, such as octopus,

crayfish and more. According to tradition, the refugees from Asia Minor brought the habit of tsipouro with

seafood.

Today, every 25ml bottle leads to different meze - a rite maintained by those years. The 25ml bottle is a

small bottle of tsipouro like a small glass of water. Each customer orders a 25ml bottle, repeatedly as

long as he/she stands. Each one is accompanied by, different for each tsipouradiko, appetizers.

So you can sit at one of the many tsipouradika throughout the city and just order 25ml bottles of tsipouro

for you and your company, leaving the choice of appetizers to the owners of the tsipouradiko you

selected.

O Mpokos

In the center of Nea Ionia of Volos, at 143

Meandrou Str., we meet tsipouradiko “O Mpokos”.

The tsipouradiko, one of the oldest of Volos, from

1981, offers very good quality tsipouro, either bulk

or bottled, customer’s choice. However, “O

Mpokos” is notorious for the hearty dishes and

particularly the fresh glossy. After all, this is the

reason why it has been visited by very famous

personalities from all over Greece, such as Greek

actors, singers and politicians.

For reservation: Tel. +30 2421066683

To Chtapodaki (The Little Octopus)

Situated at a picturesque place of the city, “To

Chtapodaki” is a unique tsipouradiko downtown. Next to

the pedestrian shopping street of Ermou Str. and close

to the beautiful building of the Library of the University of

Thessaly, it is eager to serve the most demanding

customers. Its name means "The Little Octopus"

referring to the delicious seafood served, all being

cooked on the grill. The smiling staff serve with joy either

bulk or bottled high quality tsipouro accompanied with

fresh appetizers, chosen by the owner. Besides , this is

the magic in the tsipouradika of Volos. To order only

tsipouro and wait with impatience and curiosity for the

unknown dish.

The Abbey

Apart from the famous tsipouradika, Volos has a lot of

beer houses. One of them is situated in Tsalapata

complex, where the conference takes place. The Abbey

is set in the old laboratories of processing of clay.

Typical brick walls remain intact, the same as the old

machines that are incorporated nostalgically to the

backdrop, highlighting unexpectedly their metal charm

on the recesses of the rooms. Rooms with names,

Dormitorio, Triklinio, Pulpitum (pulpit) will try to introduce

you to the monastic sense, a tribute to the rare beers to

accompany the excellent pork that melts in your mouth,

braised for 7 hours with "Christian piety". The store

celebrates with piety the rare beer, preferably coming from Belgium, Germany and Czech Republic. Draft

beer, beer jug, such as a Trappe Quadrupel, beer measure, sinful beer of 12 alcoholic degrees, such as

Du Demon Lager, blessed beer, such as a Chimay blue or a Deus Brut des Flandres. If you prefer wine

you will achieve your goal with the sweetest Chilean Tanao that fits just perfectly with the warm,

homemade bretsel, Belgian beef braised for hours in dark beer, German sausages, steak or spicy

tenderloin with cashews, ginger, spearmint and basil.

For reservation: Tel. +30 24210 33130

LaikoTaverneio

If you prefer listening to live Greek Music while eating and

drinking, you can visit the region “Palaia”, the Old City of

Volos. There you can find many Greek taverns, most of which

have live Greek music at night. One of them is

“LaikoTaverneio” with delicious dishes of pork and chicken

and friendly staff. It is well-known for its heart-taking

mushrooms and infinite red and white bulk wine, that will

please even the most demanding palates. In this place you

can enjoy your meal while being carried away by the sounds

of the Greek bouzouki. Thus, you will get to know how the

Greeks have real fun.

Address: 30 Krokiou str., Palaia, Volos

For reservation: Tel. +30 2421022102

Pirounaki

The “Pirounaki” (Little Spoon) is located in the center

of Volos , just up from the beach and in the heart of

the shopping center. It is set in a stunning neoclassical

building. The environment is amazing both inside and

at the covered courtyard. It is very bright and cheerful

and has very nice decor and beautiful furniture and

colors. The service is impeccable. The staff is very

helpful, smiley and polite . The menu has rich and

wide variety to choose from. The dishes and salads

are very tasty. Do not miss the amazing Pavlova for

dessert. Prices are very reasonable concerning the

quality offered.

Address: 20 Ogl str., Volos

For reservation: Tel. +30 2421021206

Plagiws

“Plagiws” (Sideways), named after the movie of

Alexander Payne, is a comfortable and beautiful

place with good service and mostly nice coffee and

food in the center of Volos. In a very cosy

environment with amazing music and minimal style

you will enjoy your meal, coffee or drink at very

reasonable prices. You can taste seafood, meat

(liver is excellent cooked) or pasta (“grancapeleti” is

a very loved dish). Last but not least : the waitresses

and the waiter are ready to make you feel homy.

Address: 8 Kontaratou str., Volos

For reservation: Tel. +30 2421 021900