SYROS ISLAND

Syros, the "duchess" of the Cyclades Islands cluster and the "nymph" of the Aegean Sea as we are used to call this superb island, bears an exceptional nobleness that shall enchant you at the very first sight.

Ermoupolis, which is the main port and the capital of the island as well as the capital of the whole Cyclades Islands cluster, is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns of Greece as it is amphitheatrically built and pulses with neoclassical buildings and mansions from another era.

The spacious square with the palm trees, the imposing town hall, the cultural center, the museum, the municipal theater, the historical monuments and the scenic quarters are the main sightseeing of this magnificent town.

Touring around the island of Syros you will come across numerous settlements of unique natural beauty, special traditional picturesqueness and hospitable insular mentality, which are spread all around embellishing the already amazing landscape.

The much-frequented regions of Azolimnos, Vari and Megas Gialos are the main tourist resorts of the island, while Finikas is the ideal place for peaceful vacations.

Furthermore, Possidonia (or Delagratsia) and Galissas, which are regarded as the most beautiful settlements of Syros, are gifted with superb sandy beaches and clean waters not to mention their traditional profile with the neoclassical villas and the verdant gardens. Kini, Delfini, Aetos, Sousouni, Grammata, Kymata, Asteria, are also some of the beaches that are worth visiting.

From the island of Syros you will have the opportunity to visit all the islands of the Cyclades Islands cluster as well as Astypalea, Rhodes, Karpathos, Heraklio, Halkida, Skiathos and Thessaloniki.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

There are various ways to travel to the island of Syros.

1. From the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” there is a bus service operating 24 hours a day to the port of Piraeus. The busses are leaving the airport every 20 minutes. To reach Pireaus it takes you 1 hour and you can buy the ticket from the bus driver for 3 Euros. If you prefer a taxi it will cost you 20-25 Euros depending on the traffic.
   From Piraeus you can travel by:

   1. Ferry Boats: the trip lasts 3,5 hours and the tickets cost 18 Euros for the economy class and 26.50 Euros for the business class.
   2. High Speed Boats: the trip lasts 2,5 hours and the tickets cost 29.40 Euros for the economy class and 38 Euros for the business class.
      
      You cannot enter the Boats without a ticket. Buy it from one of the numerous travel agencies in the port.
      
2. From the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” you can go to the port of Rafina. From Rafina only High Speed Boats are operating for Syros and not every day. Ask your travel agent.
   
3. From the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” you can travel to Syros by plane.

HOTEL INFORMATION

The following hotels offer special prices for the participants of the School:

1. Hotel Aegli: Single rooms 50 Euros, Double rooms 60 Euros. There is a PC in
                       every room with 24 hours Internet connection.
2. Hotel Kymata: Double rooms 35 Euros, rooms with 3 beds 45 Euros.
3. Hotel Palladion: Singe rooms 30 Euros, Double rooms 40 Euros.
4. Hotel Ostria/Philoxeno: Double rooms 20 Euros.

All the above hotels are in a walking distance from the port and the Cultural Center where the School will take place (See Ermoupolis map). Please contact the secretary Ms. Evelyn Pappa (evepappa@central.ntua.gr) for reservations.

SHIPS TIME TABLE*