ms2025

Information about Messinia

Messinia is an ideal place to live: a culturally rich region where age-old traditions and nature’s bounty bring out some of the fundamental joys of living. The region is characterized not only by its diverse and stunning natural beauty but also by its diverse and remarkable history: here lies the palace of Nestor – one of the most significant structures of the Mycenaean period, which played an enormous role in the history of the Greeks for half a millennium, from around 1600 to around 1100 BC. In the storerooms of this palace, numerous clay tablets with Linear B script were found, which were deciphered by British scientists in the 1950s. The language of these tablets proved to be unmistakably Greek! Here, too, lies Ancient Messene, a fascinating city of the ancient Greek classical era, a delightful source of knowledge and an aesthetic experience for the visitor. There are also three important Venetian castles – Methoni, Koroni, and the Old Navarino Fortress – and an Ottoman one above Pylos, known as the New Navarino Fortress. And much, much more.

1. Natural Beauty

Part of living in Messinia is living in harmony with nature. One of the Mediterranean’s last unspoilt areas, the region features stunning landscapes that combine the crystalline Ionian Sea with rolling hills covered in olive trees and vineyards and the southernmost major wetland in Greece, the Gialova Lagoon: a biodiversity hotspot in which many species of birds find food and shelter. For millennia, people in Messinia have taken pride in the beauty of their home. Here, living off the land isn’t just possible; it’s a pleasure.

2. Pylos (also known historically as Neokastro) is best known for the part it played in the legendary Naval Battle of Navarino, where the victory of the allies in 1827 marked the beginning of Greece’s full liberation from Turkish rule. The Municipal Unit of Pylos is made up of the Municipality administrative centre of Pylos and ten local communities.

The Battle of Navarino is of great significance, not only for Greek but also for European and world history. By combining their fleets in October 1827 to protect the Greeks from imminent widespread massacre, the nations of England, Russia, and France not only aided decisively in the stubborn and protracted (1821-1829) armed struggle of the Greeks against the Ottomans for independence, they also laid the foundations for a practice followed to this day by the UN: sending armed international blue helmets to areas of the world where “humanitarian disaster” looms.

3. Time Traveling

Messinia doesn’t hide its age. Archaeological sites such as the Palace of Nestor and the amazingly well-preserved ancient city of Messene make for experiences that go far beyond sightseeing; they fascinate adults, fire the imagination of children, and encourage a more philosophical approach to life itself. The past is still alive all around us, in unspoiled rural communities whose founding dates have been lost to folklore, and in rituals and traditions rooted in distant eras. In the shade of thousand-year-old olive trees, farmers hold tasting sessions for wine and oil produced from the land according to methods their ancestors used, while along the coast fishermen set out for the same shoals as their grandfathers, in search of the same seafood treasures.

4. Real Farm to Table

Messinians know from their ancestors that the best food is made using homemade and home-grown products. The local cuisine is a precious legacy from the past, featuring age-old recipes and the farm-to-table approach that marked the food philosophy of Messinia long before the Mediterranean Diet became a popular lifestyle choice around the world. And, of course, we must mention precious Messinia’s extra virgin olive oil and wine from the local vineyards.

4. We Love you in the Evening, and Underneath the Moon

When the ancient Greeks gazed up at the sky in all its stellar splendor – something that we, as modern city dwellers, cannot do so easily – it prompted questions that led to the birth of astronomy. Today, one of the things we love about Messinia is how the night sky, still undimmed by urban light pollution, is full of brightly twinkling stars, and how you can easily connect the heavenly dots that form the constellations.

Venue

Accommodation

1. Karalis Beach Hotel

https://www.karalisbeach.gr/

2. Karalis City Hotel

https://www.hotelkaralis.gr/

We are going to offer the whole package price for your teachers, except the accommodation for which you have to contact Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. for the invoices and payment.

CONFERENCE PACKAGE (offered by GR NSO): it will include:

1 coffee break and 1 dinner on 2th May 2025
1 coffee break, 1 light lunch and 1 dinner on 3th May 2025
1 coffee break and 1 light lunch on 4th May 2025
Transfer from the .......airport at ..........th May 2025
Transfer to the .......airport at .....2th May 2025
Guided tour on 3th May 2025

More info for transfers, are described in the relevant paragraph below.

Please note that the above package will NOT include accommodation at hotel: we ask each country to book the hotel accommodation and pay directly to the agency Fastravel Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε., which acts on behalf of the hotel, for its participants. The rates are:

Single Room : 110€/per night with breakfast

Double Room : 115€ /per night with breakfast

Rates do not include the “climate crisis resilience fee” *

*Greece has introduced a new “climate crisis resilience fee” for tourists this year,replacing the previous hotel tax. According to Greece government the tax is 7€/per room/per night and is payable directly to the hotel during check out.

We can send an official letter for those who need it, but we cannot send contracts since there won’t be any expenses except the accommodation

Dinners

2th May @

3th MayTBC

Transfer to the event’s place

Please fill in the https://courses.etwinning.gr/survey/index.php/864223?lang=en with your flights and your final confirmation in order to arrange the transfers. Transfers are covered in the following dates:

Transfer from the Athens airport is arranged 10th May at ................TBC
Transfer to the Athens airport is arranged at 12th May at..............................TBC
Transfers from the hotel to the venue will also be provided

*For early arrivals or other requirements, see below "Travelling instructions & getting to the event’s place (for early arrivals)"

The coach will be waiting in the *Short Term 2* parking as from TBC

The number plate of the bus is *TBC (white coloured) and you will find driver with a clear sign of eTwinning. He will be waiting you at the shuttle @ the Short Term 2 parking - right out of the main building at Athens airport.TBC

On the 12 May, after our seminar is finished, the coach will depart for the Athens airport (.....).TBC

Travelling instructions & getting to the event’s place (for early arrivals)

For early arrivals you can contact Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. so you can arrange transfer on your own expenses or you can use public transportation:

: http://www.ypa.gr/en/our-airports/kratikos-aerolimenas-kalamatas-kapetan-bas-kwnstantakopoylos-kaklk

Patras is connected by air mainly through the Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (AIA "Eleftherios Venizelos").

How to reach Patras from AIA "Eleftherios Venizelos"
The AIA "Eleftherios Venizelos" is located in Spata, 33 km southeast of Athens, and at a distance of approximately 240 kms from Patras. Patras is connected to AIA "Eleftherios Venizelos" by bus, car or train. You have the following options concerning your transportation from Athens Airport to Patras:

By Train
There are no trains connecting directly Athens International Airport (AIA) "Eleftherios Venizelos" with Patras, but a combination of train and bus can be used.

Use the Suburban Railway System (Proastiakos) from AIA "Eleftherios Venizelos" to Kiato terminal station (Kiato). Trains run approximately every one hour and the route duration is 1.5 h. At Kiato terminal station take the OSE bus to Patras. The route duration is approximately 1.5 h. The exact timetables of trains (Airport-Kiato-Airport timetable) and buses (Kiato-Patras-Kiato Buses timetable) and all relevant information are given at the Athens Suburban Railway webpage.

By Bus
Right outside the baggage claim area at the arrivals level (exits 4 & 5) take the Express Line X93 to the Kifisos Intercity Bus Station (KTEL). The route duration from the AIA "Eleftherios Venizelos" to the Kifisos Intercity Bus Station (KTEL) is about 1 hour, depending on the traffic load.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from AIA "Eleftherios Venizelos" to the Kifisos Intercity Bus Station (KTEL). Taxis serve on a 24-hour basis. The route duration is approximately 30 minutes, and the cost is ~ 50 €.

From the Kifisos Intercity Bus Station (central station for busses that run domestic routes all over the country) take the bus to Patras. Buses depart every 30 minutes, from 5:30h till 22:00h. The trip duration, taking the Express Bus to Patras, is about 2.5 h (the Express Bus itinerary does not include intermediate stops).

Timezone

Greece uses GMT +2 Timezone