Greek legend tells that Titans battling Olympian gods once hurled giant rocks at Zeus in an attempt to knock him out of the sky. Their missiles piled up to become the mountains which blanket Greece, and stray boulders splashed into the sea to form the islands that serve as steppingstones across the Aegean.

In the past 25 years, Greece has witnessed significant economic development, but on the few fertile plains and many rocky slopes of this tip of the Balkan Peninsula, farmers herd sheep or tend olive groves, wheat fields, and vineyards, as did their ancestors for thousands of years. Each province preserves its traditional costume, brightening the festivals held in the small, square-dominated villages. Throughout the storied isles of Greece — some 400 lie in the Aegean and Ionian Seas and account for a fifth of the nation’s area — the white of house and church glints against the blue of sky, and men go down to the sea for sponges and fish. This seafaring tradition gives Greece the world’s largest merchant tonnage — more than half of it registered under foreign flags for tax reasons.

During the Bronze Age (3000–1200 BC) a maritime civilization flourished. By 800 BC Greece was undergoing a cultural and military revival, with the evolution of city-states, the most powerful of which were Athens and Sparta. This period was followed by an era of great prosperity known as the classical or Golden Age. During this time, a tradition of democracy was ushered in. The classical age came to an end with the Peloponnesian Wars (431–404 AD) in which the militaristic Spartans defeated the Athenians.

Greece became a part of the Byzantine Empire in 395 AD. By the 12th century, the Crusades were underway and Byzantine power was much reduced by invasions.

For 25 centuries a crossroads between Europe and Asia to both merchant and conqueror, Greece did not achieve political unity until rebellion brought independence after 400 years of Turkish rule in 1830. The Acropolis in Athens stands as an enduring monument to the “glory that was Greece,” fountainhead of Western culture and democracy. Below its marble ruins, glass-faced offices serve shipping, tourism, and flourishing light industries in a country that still must import much of its food, machinery, and raw materials.

The arts have been integral to Greek life since ancient times. In summer, Greek dramas are staged in the ancient theaters where they were originally performed. Greek literature’s ancient heritage spans poetry, drama, philosophical and historical treatises, and travelogues. Western civilization’s mania for logic and “ideas” can be traced directly back to ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and the West’s sciences, arts, and politics are also deeply indebted to classical Greece.

The Host Country

Area, Geography, and Climate Last Updated: 4/29/2004 11:27 AM

Greece, a rugged country of mountains and islands, is bordered on the north by Bulgaria, the former Yugoslav Federal Republic of Macedonia, and Albania; on the east by Turkey and the Aegean Sea; and on the south and west by the Mediterranean and Ionian Seas. The land area, including the islands, is 50,270 square miles (about the size of Alabama). Only 25% of the land is arable, and much of that is dry and rocky. Greece is 2 hours east (ahead) of Greenwich mean time and at about the same latitude as New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.

Greece has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Athens daytime summer temperature averages 90°F and often exceeds 100°F for periods in July–August. Humidity is low and the heat is tempered by sea breezes. Summer evenings are comfortable outdoors. Spring and fall temperatures are pleasant, and winter temperatures are 30°F–55°F. Snow flurries occur, particularly in the northern suburbs, but seldom accumulate. Air pollution is a major problem in Athens throughout the year, but the climate is otherwise healthy.

Thessaloniki, in northern Greece, experiences high temperatures and humidity from the end of May until the end of September. Summer heat is sometimes tempered by late morning and early evening breezes. July and August nights can be uncomfortably warm. In winter, periods of mild, sunny, and spring-like weather are interspersed with uncomfortable cold periods. Thessaloniki has periods of chilly and damp weather, with considerable rainfall and occasional snow. Temperatures often fall below freezing in winter. Although snow does not linger, the city has been struck by blizzards. One feature of Thessaloniki’s climate is the vardari, a strong northwesterly wind that appears suddenly and irregularly from the area of the Axios (Vardar) River Valley.

Population Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:13 PM

Greece’s population is about 10.9 million. Metropolitan Athens, including Piraeus, has about 4,500,000 people, and greater Thessaloniki 1 million. Other population centers are the cities of Patras, Volos, Iraklion, Kavala (see Special Information), Larisa, Kalamata, and Tripolis. Most of the remainder of Greece is sparsely populated. About 28% of the population is agricultural, a percentage that is declining with greater economic development and increasing urbanization.

Greeks claim continuity with ancient Greeks, whose language achieved its first written form in Mycenaean times 14 centuries before Christ. The modern Greek language, “Dimotiki,” maintains most of the vocabulary and some of the grammar of ancient Greek. “Katharevousa,” a 19th century attempt to eliminate foreign influences and return the language to its classical roots, has been almost completely phased out since 1974 as a language of culture and administration.

During Byzantine and Ottoman times, Greece received Slavic, Albanian, Turkish, Gypsy, and other population inflows. From the 1821 War of Independence up until the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne with Turkey, Greece was in the process of expansion and tried to incorporate the Greeks of the region, particularly of Asia Minor, into one state. Once regarded as one of the most ethnically homogeneous societies in Europe, Greece has seen a massive influx of immigrants, mostly from neighboring Albania and mostly illegal, since the end of the Cold War. Statistics indicate that immigrants now account for at least 10 percent of the population, a figure likely to increase in the future. Other immigrant groups include Poles, Romanians, Bulgarians and Filipinos.

The only officially recognized minority is a Muslim population (130,000 persons) concentrated in Western Thrace, though most Gypsies and many Vlach, Slav, and Albanian speakers continue to use their traditional languages at home. Urban Greeks strongly encourage their children to learn foreign languages. Most leading shops, hotels, and restaurants in Athens and Thessaloniki employ clerks who speak English. This is not the case outside major tourist centers, however, where some knowledge of Greek makes life easier and more rewarding. The Greek Orthodox Church is the predominant religion in Greece, professed by 97% of the population. The Church is self-governing under the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece and has historic ties to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul. There are approximately 65,000 U.S. citizens registered in the Athens consular district. Of those, 41,000 are registered in the greater Athens area, including 3,246 in Pireaus. Many Greek Americans are retired in Greece, and several multinational corporations who have local or Middle Eastern operations based in Athens employ U.S. citizens. Athens and the rest of Greece have a steady flow of U.S. tourists each year.

Public Institutions Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:23 PM

Greece’s current constitution dates to the restoration of democracy following the 1967–74 military dictatorship (junta). The 1975 constitution establishes Greece as a parliamentary democracy, the Hellenic Republic, with the President as its largely ceremonial head of state. The Prime Minister, as head of government, is responsible to a 300-seat Parliament of the Hellenes elected every 4 years by a system of reinforced proportional representation. Greece has an independent judiciary along European models. The constitution guarantees a wide range of civil liberties.

The largest political party in Greece’s parliament is the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), which won 43.79% of the popular vote in the April 2000 general election and has 157 seats in Parliament. PASOK leader Constantine Simitis is Prime Minister. Since winning its first election in 1981, PASOK has governed the country continuously except for a brief period between 1990–1993. The largest opposition party, the center-right New Democracy Party (ND), holds 122 parliamentary seats after winning 42.74% of the vote in April 2000. Three smaller parties, each of which received at least 3 percent of the popular vote in the last election, together hold the remaining 21 seats. The current President of the Republic, Constantine Stephanopoulos, an independent conservative politician widely respected across the political spectrum, was elected by Parliament to a second 5-year term in May 2000.

Entering the European Union’s Economic and Monetary Union was a key priority for the current PASOK government. Greece entered the EMU on January 1, 2001, after satisfying the economic criteria in the Maastricht Treaty for acceptable performance on inflation, budget deficit, and government debt. Greece has been a member of the European Union since 1981, and Greek policy on most international issues follows the EU consensus. Greece is also a member of NATO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Western European Union, and the United Nations.

Arts, Science, and Education Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:25 PM

Greece has rich cultural roots, and a continuing literary, artistic, and musical life. Modern writers carry on the heritage and tradition of the giants of ancient and recent Greek letters. The writings of Nikos Kazantzakis and other Nobel Prize laureates, George Seferis and Odysseus Elytis, are available in English.

Although Greek art suffered neglect during the centuries when Greece was under foreign domination, art is again flourishing with works from the primitive through realism to extreme avant-garde. Athens has scores of active and interesting commercial galleries, as well as other urban art centers.

Greek museums are also numerous, from the world class Cycladic Art Museum to the assortment of masterpieces in the National Archaeological Museum (due to re-open in time for the 2004 Olympics). Other important museums in Athens include the Benaki Museum, the Folk Art Museum, the Byzantine Museum, and the Goulandris Natural History Museum.

Folk art and handicrafts survive in Greece, but, as a result of commercialization and tourism, it is difficult to distinguish between fakes and the genuine article. Greek popular music can be heard on numerous radio stations around the clock, as well as at frequent public concerts and in nightclubs. Many Americans fall under the spell of more exotic music featuring the “bouzouki,” a stringed instrument, heard not only on the radio, but also in “bouzouki clubs,” where performances usually start at midnight. Rebetika (1920s slum music) has experienced a revival throughout the country. Folk dancing can sometimes be seen in the Greek countryside, especially on holidays, and city dwellers may spontaneously break into traditional dances at parties and other social functions. In the Plaka district of Athens, several tavernas have live dance shows, as well as some other more authentic folk music nightclubs.

Athens has many theaters. Most performances are in modern Greek. Occasionally, foreign touring companies perform in English. The Karagiozi shadow puppet theater, with oriental and Turkish antecedents, is also worth seeing.

The Hellenic Festival, held every year in June and July, features performing arts ranging from Greek tragedy to modern dance and rock groups, often with internationally famous groups or stars from the U.S .and Europe. Cultural centers of interest to the English-speaking community are the Hellenic American Union (HAU), the British Council, and the Athens Center. Their programs, which normally extend from October through May, include concerts, films, exhibits, lectures, and panel discussions.

Athens has several libraries, most of which are noncirculating, e.g., the National Library of Greece, the Parliament Library, and the Athens Municipal Library. The Embassy hosts an Information Resource Center, which is a non-circulating facility designed for explaining US politics, culture and society to Greeks.

Some of the lending libraries open to the public are the following:

Hellenic-American Union
22 Massalias Street, Athens

British Council Library
Kolonaki Square, Athens, 363–3215

French Institute Library
31 Sina Street, Athens, 362–4301

Goethe Institute Library
14-16 Omirou Street, Athens 522–9294.

National Research Foundation Library (periodicals only)
48 Vas. Konstantinou Ave., Athens, 722–9811

Commerce and Industry Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:29 PM

Since Greece’s entry into the European Union (EU) in 1981, the Greek economy has been transformed, from agriculture to services and from emigration to immigration. Greece joined the EU Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on January 1, 2001. The Euro was introduced on January 1, 2002, replacing the drachma, the world’s oldest continuously circulating currency.

In 2002, the Greek population was approximately 11 million, and the Greek GDP was $132 billion. Services (including tourism) accounted for 69 percent of GDP with industry, construction, electricity and mining totaling 23 percent of GDP. Agricultural output accounted for 8 percent of the total GDP.

Shipping is a major economic activity. Nine percent of the world’s commercial shipping is Greek-owned, making the Greek commercial fleet the largest in the world. As of May 2003, the Greek flag flies on 929 ships with a total gross registered tonnage of 34.7 million tons. Another 2,426 ships of a total gross registered tonnage of 69.1 million tons are controlled by Greek shipping interests.

Greece’s most important industries in terms of production and employment are: food processing, tobacco, textiles, chemicals (including refineries), nonmetallic minerals (cement), telecommunication equipment, metallurgy, aerospace and military equipment, pharmaceuticals and shipbuilding.

Greece is a leading world producer of bentonite, magnesite, amd perlite, as well as an important European producer of bauxite, cement, ferrochromium, emery and marble. A plant processing bauxite into alumina, then into aluminum, is operated by the French firm Pechiney on the Gulf of Corinth.

U.S. investment in Greece is estimated at $2 billion, representing almost a third of all foreign investment. Major U.S. investments include: Hyatt Hotels ($155.6 million), Crown Cork and Seal ($110 million), Searle ($94.6 million), Abbott Laboratories ($83 million), Philip Morris Group ($73.1 million), Pepsico foods and beverages ($71.1 million) and IBM ($70.9 million).

Greece is undertaking a vast number of major construction and infrastructure projects in order to host the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. The projects directly related to the Games include the construction of eleven new sports facilities, a five-stadium complex, and an Olympic Village. In addition, Greece is implementing an ambitious tourism infrastructure program focused on hotel development and operation, marina and port development, museum development and management and development of archeological sites in Athens and Olympia. The Greek State is also pursuing a number of ongoing projects including: construction of peripheral roads in Athens; development of metro systems in Athens and Thessaloniki and of a tram system in Athens; upgrading of the highway network; modernization of the main north-south railway; a 1.5 mile bridge linking Rion and Antirrion at the western end of the Gulf of Corinth; and wastewater treatment plants for the cities of Athens, Iraklion, Volos, and Larissa.

Greece’s low level of investment over more than a decade has kept its industrial base relatively small to meet domestic demand. As a result, imports are three times bigger than exports. The merchandise trade deficit has, however, been offset by income from tourism and shipping and net inflows from the European Union.

In 2002, imports totaled $31 billion and exports $10.3 billion. The 14 other countries currently in the EU account for 52.2 percent of the Greek import market. US exports to Greece in 2002 totaled 1.15 billion dollars, while imports from Greece were 546 million dollars. Major Greek exports to the U.S. are: cement, vegetables, bauxite and aluminum, tobacco, fruits and petroleum products. The EU remains Greece’s major market, absorbing 43.2 percent of Greek exports. The other European countries and Asia are the second and third largest markets. In 2002, the U.S. absorbed 5.3 percent of Greek exports.

Greece’s labor force is estimated at 4.4 million people. Greek labor unions play an important role in determining wages, fringe benefits and working conditions. Unemployment is officially projected to drop to 9.6 percent of the labor force in 2003, from the 10 percent recorded in 2002. However, unemployment of women and young people ages 15–24 is among the highest in the European Union. Although emigration has dramatically decreased over the last three decades, more than 5 million Greeks are estimated to live abroad, mainly in the U.S., Australia, Germany and Belgium. Conversely, the numbers of immigrants seeking work in Greece has been increasing, exceeding 700,000 by 2002. Per capita income in Greece is projected at $ 12,555 in 2003.

Greece has been an EU member since January 1, 1981, and has received substantial aid from the EU. Net inflows from the EU reached 5.5 billion Euros in 2002. The Third Community Support Framework Program (2002–2006) from the EU provides for some $24 billion to fund projects such as building highway and rail networks, airports, and bridges, and to the development of the Athens and Thessaloniki Metro systems and wastewater treatment plants in major Greek cities.

Transportation

Automobiles Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:31 PM

Automobiles are necessary for trips outside the cities and for commuting from the suburbs. Small cars are most suitable for driving on the narrow Greek roads and city streets. Air-conditioning is desirable, especially during hot, dusty, summer months. American cars may be ordered duty-free directly from the manufacturer or through U.S. dealers. Purchasing a new car through a local dealer is usually more expensive than purchasing and shipping a new car from outside Greece, since the cost of shipping is included in the local base price. Due to the high import taxes imposed on non-diplomats, the market for used vehicles is limited to the diplomatic community. Though the sale of second- and third-hand cars is fairly typical within the diplomatic community, limited demand keeps prices low. For this reason, newcomers should not expect to recuperate blue book value for expensive vehicles or should be prepared to export vehicles upon departure. While the U.S. Government will only ship one vehicle per employee at government expense, the Greek government authorizes duty-free ownership of two vehicles for families with two drivers. All imported vehicles must be fitted with a catalytic converter and pass an emissions test before a vehicle license is issued.

Car repair and spare parts are available in Athens for most non-U.S. made cars. It is hard to find mechanics trained to work on models with U.S. specifications. There is an experienced contractor on the Embassy premises who performs maintenance and repair of official American-made and imported vehicles and who also provides similar services after-hours for individuals at reasonable prices.

The Embassy operates a duty-free gasoline pump in the upper parking lot. While both leaded and unleaded gasoline is currently available, availability of leaded gas is expected to decrease as Greece comes into compliance with EU environmental standards. Gasoline costs about 0.75 Euro per liter (unleaded) on the local economy and about $0.60 at the duty free pumps. The Embassy Customs and Shipping Section assists personnel in obtaining license plates for their personally owned vehicles. To obtain license plates, personnel must present a valid international driver’s license or a valid Greek license. (Personnel without a valid U.S. license may apply for a driving test but be warned — the test is in Greek.) A license plate will not be issued to persons presenting only a U.S. drivers license. It is therefore imperative for employees and adult family members to obtain valid international drivers licenses prior to arrival. AAA offices in the U.S. are a good source for information/ application. The Community Liaison Office maintains applications for international driver’s licenses to assist personnel in applying for their international driver’s license renewals. The Greek Government requires third-party liability insurance for all motor vehicles. The Embassy has names of local companies who issue insurance. Some U.S. firms offer comprehensive policies with Greek liability coverage. Vehicles cannot be driven prior to purchase of insurance.

Local Transportation Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:32 PM

Main streets and highways are paved; secondary roads are rough and ungraded. Most roads are two-lane, except for parts of the National Road and several new highways in the Athens area. The road network is good and constantly being expanded. In response to tourism, road surfaces are improving; however, in some remote areas, be prepared to find unimproved conditions. The roads to Belgrade and Sofia are good. The borders between Greece and Turkey, FYROM, Bulgaria, and Albania are open to private automobiles. Before driving to Greece through FYROM, Bulgaria, or Albania, however, check with the Embassy to find out which border crossings you may use.

The Athens area now is home for more than 40% of Greece’s 11 million people. The number of vehicles in the greater Athens area has increased dramatically over the past 20 years and now totals over 1 million. Roads are narrow and often lined with parked cars. Heavy traffic flows in and out of the city from early morning until after midnight are typical and, indeed, have gotten worse with numerous Olympics-related construction projects. This causes noisy and irritating driving. In an effort to control the pollution problems in Athens, driving is restricted in the central area every day, except Sundays, holidays, and the month of August. Only public transportation, motorcycles, and vehicles with diplomatic license plates are exempt from these restrictions. For security reasons, no Mission employees use diplomatic plates on their cars, but those having diplomatic status are issued a special card, which can be presented to the authorities if stopped when driving in the restricted area. The Chancery is within the restriction limits. Because of congestion in the city, shopping trips and commuting can be extremely time-consuming. Commutes of about an hour each way are not uncommon. For this reason, over the last few years the Embassy housing office has made a concerted effort to move people closer in. Athens has a good and inexpensive public transportation system consisting of buses, trolleys, and a metro. Taxis are inexpensive, but getting one can be frustrating. Cab drivers take more than one passenger or group of passengers and sometimes decline to pick up passengers at all. Radio taxis can be obtained by telephone and can require waits of 30–45 minutes to arrive. Parking is a perennial problem throughout most of the city and environs, even at supermarkets. Limited parking is available at the Embassy on a first-come, first-served basis.

Regional Transportation Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:33 PM

Athens enjoys a new modern airport which compares favorably with U.S. and other European airports. Numerous airlines connect Athens with the Near and Far East, North Africa, and Europe, often with daily flights. Daily service within Greece is available from Athens to Thessaloniki, Alexandroupolis, Kalamata, Kavala, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, and the other larger islands. Railroad service within Greece is good but not extensive. As a maritime nation, Greece has extensive inter-island ferry and hydrofoil service. The main ports serving Athens are Piraeus and Rafina. While many cargo ships (some with passenger accommodations) go to the U.S. no direct cruise ship service is available between Greece and the U.S. U.S.-flag cargo ships, which operate between Piraeus and the U.S., do not carry passengers.

Communications

Telephones and Telecommunications Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:34 PM

Greek OTE telephone billing is different from that in the U.S. OTE bills cover 2- month periods, arrive at least 4 weeks after the end of the billing period, and must be paid within 5 days after the payment expiration date to avoid disconnection. Calls are metered and charged per unit. Long-distance calls are metered and charges vary according to distance. A call to the U.S. costs about 25¢ plus 18% tax per minute. Residential phones listed in the Embassy’s name are VAT exempt. Residents of most Athens’ suburbs can request itemized billing. Direct-dial calls to the U.S. can be placed by dialing the prefix 001 followed by the area code and the local U.S. number. Long-distance, collect, person-to-person, or credit card calls may be placed through the OTE operator by dialing 139. Many personnel find it more convenient and substantially less expensive to use a telephone credit card or alternative telephone service for calls. Card phones are available throughout Greece.

Wireless Service Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:34 PM
Cellular phone use has proliferated throughout Greece. While somewhat expensive, there are a number of reliable networks to choose from. U.S. cellular phones are not compatible with the Greek telephone system but Greek cellular phones can work in the U.S.

Internet Last Updated: 11/3/2003 8:16 AM

Internet providers are plentiful in Greece. Typical (PSTN 56kbps modem) subscription fees average $15 per month plus separate telephone charges from OTE for the local connection and time spent on-line. For example, the estimated monthly charge for a PSTN connection with 100 hours of Internet access would be about $70. ISDN (64k & 128k) and ADSL (384k, 512k & 1024k) connections are also available at additional cost. Most Internet Service Providers insist that customers authorize direct billing of monthly subscription fees to a credit card.

Mail and Pouch Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:37 PM

APO mail service is available to all American personnel assigned to U.S. Government agencies in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Kavala. The Mission APO operates a small post office and offers the following services:

First-class mail, priority mail, space available mail (SAM), registered mail, certified mail, return receipt, and insured mail. Registered mail items can be insured up to $25,000. Regular insurance provides coverage for up to $5,000.

A variety of postage stamps can be purchased, including the standard booklets of 20 first class stamps.

The APO is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 0930 to 1230 hours.

All outgoing items received at the APO are flown to JFK, N.Y., and Frankfurt, Germany to onward destinations within 48 hours. First class and priority mail items travel by air to their destinations and usually arrive within 5 to 10 days. SAM parcels travel by surface upon arrival at JFK and normally take 10 to 20 days to arrive. However, delays can occur during busy periods. Letter class mail delivered to the Embassy Mail Room is sent out daily.

The transit timeframe is the same for incoming mail. However, it is usually received on a daily basis.

Maximum weight for parcels is 70 pounds. Maximum size (length and girth combined) is 108 inches.

Please use the following address to receive mail at the Athens Embassy:

Full Name
PSC 108 Box (check with your office for correct number)
APO AE 09842

Please use the following address to receive mail at the American Consulate General in Thessaloniki:

Full Name
PSC 108 Box 37
APO AE 09842

Please use the following address to receive mail at the IBB Greece Transmitting Station:

Full Name
PSC 108 Box 39
APO AE 09842

Military Postal Service (MPS) is also provided at the Athens APO. Parcels and letters with the “APO AE” theater and most “APO AP” mail can be sent free of charge. However, MPS mailed with special services (certified, insured, etc.) are charged for postage according to weight and destination. Additionally, excess household and/or personal effects will be charged for according to the weight and destination.

High-theft items such as electronic equipment (computers, stereos, etc.) should be sent “registered with insurance.” Do not confuse regular insurance with registered mail.

Registered mail is separated from the regular mail, signed for at each stop by an American citizen, and locked in a secure area at all times. It is extremely rare for registered mail to be lost or stolen because of these safeguards. Regular insured mail is combined with other uninsured parcels and receives no special handling.

The Athens APO no longer provides outgoing express mail service. DHL service is available through the Embassy Mail Room. The Embassy APO facility operates on a “cash only” (U.S. currency) basis. Personal checks and credit cards are no longer accepted for postal transactions. While stamps can be purchased at the APO, stamp shortages do occur at times. Patrons may find it convenient, and are encouraged, to purchase stamps directly from the USPS at their on-line WEB page, URL: www.usps.com.

Radio and TV Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:38 PM

TV reception in Athens is good, with most programs broadcast in Greek. CNN International is available without special fees, cable or satellite.

Major Greek networks run recent U.S. movies and sitcoms in English with Greek subtitles. AFN television service is available in private residences for a minimal fee. EWSA manages the distribution of the AFN decoders.

Television reception can be augmented by erecting a satellite dish and subscribing to various pay for view satellite services, including NOVA, a popular cable distributor, which allows viewers to watch MSNBC and BBC World.

VOA broadcasts by shortwave in Greek and in English, and London BBC can be received on short-wave radios. Daily news is broadcast in English on several Greek radio stations.

All channels broadcast in color using the European PAL/SECAM system. US-standard televisions will not receive this signal. Purchase of a multi-format, adjustable voltage television set and VCR, available from AAFES or locally, which includes NTSC, PAL, and SECAM, is highly recommended. U.S. standard TVs brought to Greece can be used with VCRs and computer games only from the U.S., without modification.

DVDs and VHS tapes are widely available in Greece. Embassy employees can pick them up at the EWSA store, at a local DVD shop, or over the web via www.amazon.com or www.netflix.com.

Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals Last Updated: 4/29/2004 1:39 PM

There is an edition of the International Herald Tribune printed every day but Sunday in Athens. Inside is the English language version of Greek paper of record Kathimerini, which contains news, features, and entertainment listings. The paper’s weekend edition comes out on Saturday. The supplement’s website is www.ekathimerini.com

The local English-language paper Athens News is published every Friday, and contains an overview of the week’s news and feature stories on life in Greece. The paper’s website is http://www.athensnews.gr/

The Financial Times and The Wall St. Journal Europe are available at newsstands, though often a day after publication. The big European newsmagazines and papers are also available at selected kiosks throughout the city.

The Stars and Stripes, and a wide selection of American magazines, are available at the EWSA convenience store at the Embassy.

Subscribers to Time and Newsweek International will get their magazines promptly, while there will be a one to two week delay for magazines published in the U.S. Even with this delay, Embassy personnel are advised to use the post APO address for magazines.

APO is also a godsend for ordering books, CDs and DVDs. Prices on sites such as amazon.com and powells.com are usually lower than at the English language bookstores in Athens, which are clustered near Syntagma Square. The best one is Eleftherodakis on Panepistimiou St.

Athens has a number of first-rate movie theaters which show “recent” (2–3 months after the U.S. release) U.S. and foreign films. Open-air theaters are a popular summer venue for movie lovers, but sometimes hard to understand given the outside noise (Greeks read the subtitles).

Health and Medicine

Medical Facilities Last Updated: 4/29/2004 2:13 PM

Medical Facilities are good. A Regional Medical Office (RMO) is currently made up of a regional medical officer, a physician’s assistant (PA), two part-time registered nurses, and a receptionist. The staff of the RMO provides preventive health care services, including evaluation and treatment for common medical problems, advice, and outside referral. The medical unit maintains close contact with a cadre of well-trained Greek physicians, of which many are English-speaking doctors trained in the U.S. or in western Europe. During an average month, the medical unit sees over 250 patients. The Regional Medical Officer and the Physician’s Assistant also have responsibility for more than 20 posts, many of which have poor health infrastructure. The Regional Medical Officer travels outside Greece over 50% of the time.

The heart of the medical unit is our American nurses who speak fluent Greek and know the local medical community. They administer immunizations, assist in patient education, screen and evaluate medical problems, direct Embassy personnel to the care of local physicians, as appropriate, and follow up on staff who are hospitalized.

The Regional Medical Office maintains a small pharmacy and can provide some medications for acute, short-term treatment. Medications like Advil, Tylenol, etc., are also available in the EWSA convenience store. Employees should fill prescriptions before arrival and make arrangements for refills to be sent to post. If necessary, the Regional Medical Officer can fill out a prescription form.

Persons stationed in other parts of Greece may have to travel to Athens for treatment.

For specialized care, Athens has several general hospitals and clinics, including separate pediatric and maternity hospitals. The level of care at these facilities is good, with the only weakness being the level of nursing/support-type care. Most hospitals are equipped with modern diagnostic equipment and trained technicians. Therefore, emergency and most routine surgery, as well as general hospitalizations, can be handled at local facilities. If an individual requires medical evacuation for further treatment, the evacuation points for all posts within Greece are London and Germany. Routine dental care is available throughout Greece. In Athens, pediodontic and orthodontic care is available from American or Greek dentists or orthodontists, with a few who have received their training in the U.S. Athens has oral surgeons, if needed. If possible, individuals with corrective lenses should have /extras made in the U.S. before arrival in Greece. Local opticians can fill optical prescriptions, however, and some local ophthalmologists have extensive experience with contact lenses. Additionally, bring sunglasses for sun-drenched Greece. In Greece, few facilities are available for handicapped individuals although an effort is being made to renovate some facilities to serve people with disabilities ahead of the 2004 Olympics and Paralympics, but those that do exist are not up to Western standards. Some hospitals and other medical institutions are equipped for wheelchairs. There is now ramp access from the back parking lot to the Chancery but wheelchair ramps are limited in other Mission buildings. However, special arrangements can be made to facilitate visits by persons who use wheelchairs. Elevators that can accommodate wheelchairs are available in the Chancery.

Community Health Last Updated: 4/29/2004 2:18 PM

The level of community health is considered high in Athens. Although the enforcement of regulations concerning the storage and sale of foods and drugs is less strict than that in the U.S., most local restaurants and taverns are safe and good places to eat. The local fruits and vegetables are excellent and do not require any special preparation beyond cooking and cleaning. Most meats can be procured locally and are safe. Pasteurized milk in Athens is safe for consumption.

The sanitation practices in the cities are good, unless a public works strike occurs; trash can sometimes accumulate up to a week at a time. In Athens and its suburbs, the garbage is collected 3-7 days a week, depending on the area. Local sewage drainage and treatment are adequate. The water in most cities throughout Greece is potable, but use a fluoride supplement for children up to age 13. When visiting small villages and the islands, however, consume bottled water, as the water source may be limited and not well treated. Insects and vermin pose no particular problems, but mosquitoes, garden pests, and ants can be annoying.

The major endemic, communicable diseases of concern to Americans are respiratory infections, which are caused by high levels of pollution present in Athens at periods of time throughout the year. Therefore, individuals with chronic respiratory disorders such as severe allergies, asthma, and emphysema may experience difficulty breathing during heavy pollution periods. Otherwise, no unusual health risks are involved in living in Greece. Traffic accidents can be a cause of injury, both in Athens and outside of major cities. Defensive driving and wearing seatbelts are crucial. Roads and sidewalks are uneven, contain potholes, and are especially slippery in the rain. This can pose hazards for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Employment for Spouses and Dependents Last Updated: 4/29/2004 2:20 PM

Employment opportunities for non-Greek citizens are limited. All Greek firms, and most U.S. offices, hire employees who are fluent in Greek. Qualified Greek citizens, many of whom speak several languages, are available in Athens. The Government of Greece makes every attempt to protect employment opportunities for its own citizens. Only 10% of the employees of foreign firms may be non-Greek. Aliens must have a work or residence permit before accepting employment in Greece. Under the terms of a 1995 bilateral work agreement spouses and dependents of American personnel assigned to the U.S. Mission may work on the local economy. The Human Resources Office coordinates the permit procedure with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy is occasionally able to offer employment of a mostly clerical nature to American family members and members of household. Employment within the Mission may be under a number of different appointing authorities and work schedules. Jobs within the Mission include Community Liaison Officers, HR Assistant, EWSA manager, roving secretary, security escort, APO manager and assistants, security training coordinator, GSO assistant, etc. The Embassy also offers a full summer-hire program for dependents between the ages of 16–22. Family members may also conduct home-based businesses for Mission-only clientele. Private English teaching and occasional positions with language centers and private schools are also possible sources of employment. Holders of valid U.S. teaching certificates may write directly to the schools located in the Athens area for additional information on employment. (See also Education.)

Professionals requiring licenses in the U.S. usually require licenses in Greece to practice. Fluency in written and spoken Greek is normally a basic requirement. A number of Mission spouses with “portable” skills have found both local and multinational positions. Currently, Mission spouses are employed in a number of diverse positions outside the embassy such as physical therapy, graphic art, psychiatry, professor of education, EU project auditor, etc.

American Embassy - Athens

Post City Last Updated: 4/29/2004 2:20 PM

Athens, the capital of Greece, is situated 300 feet above sea level on the Attica Plain, bordered by the Aegean Sea and Mounts Parnis, Penteli, and Hymettus. Athens is built around the Acropolis and picturesque Lycabettus Hill. The Attica Plain is agriculturally rich, but surrounded by semiarid hills and mountains. Athens is the commercial, cultural, and political center of Greece. Athens is a “mother city,” the central point of a group of suburban townships with separate entities. Some northern suburbs are Psychico, Filothei, Kifissia, and Ekali. Old Phaleron, Kalamaki, Glyfada, and Voula border the sea.

Security Last Updated: 4/29/2004 2:34 PM

Embassy Athens is designated “critical”for indigenous terrorism. Local Greek terrorist groups consider official Americans, U.S. Embassy and U.S. Military personnel, preferred targets. We believe that the threat to official U.S. Government personnel on short-term assignments to Greece or visiting for tourism is relatively low. The indigenous groups historically have engaged in extensive operational surveillance over long periods of time. There were several well-publicized arrests in July 2002 of members of the most notorious Greek terrorist groups, November 17 and ELA. The full impact of those arrests and the subsequent trials on future terrorism has yet to be determined. We nonetheless urge vigilance and caution, as the worldwide threat from other terrorist groups against Americans in general remains high. Official Americans should assume they are potential targets.

Over the past year the U.S. Embassy has experienced numerous bomb threats, protest marches, and anti-U.S. demonstrations. These protests are generally peaceful though a few provoked random acts of violence. Travelers to Greece are advised that protests or demonstrations could occur at any time; unwitting observers or bystanders might be identified, to their disadvantage, as Americans. RSO recommends that official U.S. travelers in Greece remain alert when moving about in public places and avoid certain places where demonstrators frequently congregate. These places include the Polytechnical University area, located on 28 October (Patission) Street between the National Archeological Museum and Omonia Square; Exarchion Square, located near Kolonaki; Omonia and Syntagma Squares, which are often used as launch sites for large demonstrations; and Mavili Square, located near the U.S. Embassy. Visitors should keep abreast of news about large demonstrations and avoid these areas and metro stops.

Crime is rated “medium” in Greece. For TDY visitors, pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are the most common crimes. Taxis are generally safe though metered cabs are recommended. Taxis too will often pick up more than one passenger unless prior arrangements are made. Crimes of opportunity — thefts, break-ins, and occasional scams — are on the rise. Travelers should be especially cautious with wallets, purses, and parcels when traveling on crowded streets, public buses, trolleys, and/or subways. There have been several instances of motorcyclists approaching cars stuck in traffic, reaching through open windows or smashing closed ones, and stealing whatever is within reach. The Embassy recommends keeping purses, parcels, handbags, etc. out of sight under the seat or on the floor of the car. Windows should be kept closed and doors locked. Beggars and other street people may also confront pedestrians who may attempt to divert attention, and then steal unprotected valuables - either by pick-pocketing or snatch-and-grab techniques. Women are generally safe from violent crime in Greece. Men are aggressive by American standards, however, when pursuing women.

Traffic in Greek urban areas, especially Athens and Thessaloniki, is chaotic. Greece leads the European Union in per capita traffic fatalities. Road rage is common. Accidents sometimes lead to fist fights. Drivers in Greece should exercise caution and common sense. Foreigners driving in Greece are required to carry an international driver's license that must be obtained prior to arrival, along with their regular (U.S.) driver's license (a U.S. license itself won't do). Drivers and pedestrians alike should exercise extreme caution when operating motor vehicles or when walking along roadways. Moreover, tourists who rent motorbikes either on the Greek mainland or its islands must wear helmets and must take special precautions on the local roads that are typically poorly maintained and frequently pothole-ridden. Greece also leads the European Union in per capita motorcycle deaths.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 11/3/2003 9:44 AM

The U.S. Mission has over 500 American personnel, including dependents, in the Athens area and about 10 in other locations. The Mission employs 400 Foreign Service nationals countrywide. Under the supervision of the Ambassador and the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Mission functions are discharged by counselors for political, economic, management, consular, commercial, and public affairs. Attachés represent the Justice Department, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transportation Security Administration of the Department of Homeland Security, Defense Communications Support Group, the Social Security Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the U.S. military is represented by the Office of the Defense Attache (DAO) and the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) as well as Foreign Area Officers in Athens and Thessaloniki, the APO at the airport and the 953rd US Army Transportation Unit in Pireaus. The Marine Security Guards are under the supervision of the Regional Security Officer. Other U.S. Government offices in Greece include the American Consulate General in Thessaloniki and IBB Relay Station at Kavala and transmitting station at Rhodes.

The Chancery is at 91 Sophias Avenue, tel. 210 721-2951/9 and tel. 210 721-8401/8. The Consular Section (in the Chancery) can be reached on 210 721-8561/9. ODC offices are located at the Greek Zorba Base, at 4 Megalou Alexandrou, Goudi, 157 73, Greece, tel. 210 720-2600. The Embassy web page (www.usembassy.gr) contains frequent updates on a variety of issues of topical interest.

Newcomers traveling by air are met on arrival by a designated sponsor and/or a representative of the office and assisted through customs. They should inform the appropriate agency personnel office in advance of accompanying dependents and baggage, arrival date and time, flight number, and airline. New arrivals may call the Embassy Human Resorces Office (210 720-2260 or 210 720-2254) or after office hours call the Security receptionist (210 720-2483) for assistance.

Agencies at post are responsible for sending welcome information to new employees upon receiving notification of their assignment. Post check-in begins on the first workday following arrival. The Administrative Section assists new arrivals in matters concerning the acquisition of essential identity cards and visas, housing, leave, pay and allowances, and customs clearances. The CLO serves as referrals for domestic help, schools, and baby-sitters.

Post Orientation Program

The HR Office provides the new arrival with a full Welcome package, which includes a Welcome Book produced by the CLO, maps, informational materials and a check-in schedule. The Welcome Book gives a brief outline of Greek history, government, economic development, culture, and religion, and recommendations on hotels, dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as useful information on getting around in Athens. HR also schedules each new employee for a full day of administrative briefings with appropriate management offices (General Services, Housing, Financial Management, Information Management, Medical Unit, Security, etc.)

A one-day orientation program run by CLO is held periodically for new arrivals and their dependents over age 14. The session, usually held at the Ambassador's residence, includes briefings on U.S. objectives in Greece by different Mission agencies, general background on the work of the Embassy, a short presentation on Greek culture by our FSN staff, and lunch.

We are proud of our quite extensive and innovative language program which includes specific programs for specialists and family members. There are also field trips and weekend immersion programs available for employees and dependents. With the help of FSI, we just published a CD-Rom titled Out and About in Athens. Post management supports language training for all employees and their families to ease the adjustment to, and enhance the enjoyment and understanding of Greece.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 8/31/2001 6:00 PM

New arrivals usually move directly into permanent quarters; however, temporary quarters are sometimes necessary, especially during the summer transfer season. If temporary quarters are necessary, most arrivals are accommodated in government-leased apartments. Occasionally, when no temporary apartments are available, arrivals must use hotel accommodations until permanent quarters are available.

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 11/5/2003 4:06 AM

The Embassy provides housing for all State Department personnel and employees of other agencies through the Embassy's Interagency Housing pool. The housing pool primarily consists of government-leased apartments and maisonettes (townhomes). The pool has some single family homes (both government-owned and -leased), but these are rare and normally reserved for higher ranking Embassy officials with representational duties. The only designated houses in the pool are the Ambassador and DCM's residences and the Marine House.

Most Embassy housing is located in the suburbs of Athens, and commuting is a necessity. In the closer suburbs, apartments prevail. There are a number of units in the Kolonaki area and other areas adjacent to the Embassy. The apartments closer to the Embassy are generally older and smaller than residences in the more distant suburbs but offer the convenience of a shorter commute to the Embassy and closer proximity to the American Community School (ACS). Some of the larger, newer apartments and most of the housing pool's maisonettes are located in the more distant suburbs, but the associated commute times may be considerably longer. Because our experience over the years is that the long commutes and extensive traffic delays have caused serious complaints, over the past two years the Mission has made a conscious effort to find housing closer to the Embassy. Dwellings are similar in layout to American homes, although most residences have balconies and/or terraces; bedrooms and kitchens are generally smaller and garages are rare.

New arrivals will normally be assigned housing by the Interagency Housing Board before arrival. Assignments are based upon interagency housing standards for rank and family size. It is essential for incoming personnel to notify their sponsoring organization and the GSO Housing Office as early as practical as to their preferences and concerns for housing (e.g., location, number of officially sponsored dependents, allergies, pets, and other concerns which the Housing Board should take into account). Due to landlord restrictions, the Housing Office cannot guarantee that incoming employees will be provided housing that can accommodate pets. The few landlords that do allow pets generally limit them to one only. If you wish to import a pet, it is imperative that GSO be notified well in advance.

Those assigned to single family residences are responsible for cleaning and maintenance of their yards. You may do the gardening and yard cleaning on your own, or you may hire gardeners or others. Gardening expenses are similar to those in the U.S. and can easily be around 100 Euro per month.

A few agencies do not participate in the Interagency Housing Pool. The Embassy Housing Office provides a briefing to employees of these agencies and assists them in making contact with local real estate agents. The Housing Office also assists in negotiating contract/lease terms with the prospective landlord.

Furnishings Last Updated: 8/31/2001 6:00 PM

Furnishings are provided for all U.S.-owned and short-term leased housing in Athens by the occupying agency. Basic furniture, a stove, refrigerator/freezer, washer and dryer, microwave, and dishwasher are included. Depending on space and building maintenance considerations, appliances may be of European size. The Ambassador's and DCM's residences also have cooking utensils, china, crystal, silverware, and guest linens. Bring personal items such as pictures, art objects, special purpose lamps, books, stereo equipment, radios, and small appliances. Before shipping effects, it is recommended that an agency representative in Greece be contacted to learn about the availability of specific appliances and furniture.

The post administers a uniform drapery allowance. Carpets will be supplied for living and dining rooms only. Kitchen utensils, sheets, pillow cases, towels, blankets, and electrical appliances are available locally but may be more expensive than similar items in the U.S.

Houses and apartments have hot and cold running water; hot water is supplied from electrically operated heaters installed in kitchens and/or bathrooms or by solar heaters on building roofs. Most plumbing facilities and equipment give adequate service but vary in degree of modernity. Central heating is considered expensive by most Greeks, and people living in apartments where heating is controlled by the lessor may receive heat for only a limited number of hours a day. Supplemental heat, as from electric heaters, is often desirable. They may be bought locally. Many houses and apartments have fireplaces. Firewood is available but expensive. Most homes have marble or tile floors and concrete walls that are cold in winter. Older buildings are drafty, and heat generated by radiators is inadequate. Expect to wear medium-to-heavy sweaters and socks or slippers indoors during cold months. Supplemental carpeting or area rugs may be included in your shipment. Current is 220v, 50-cycle, AC, single or three phase. Adapter plugs, required for most American equipment, automatic fuses, and screw- and bayonet-type 220v light bulbs are available in supermarkets and electrical supply stores. Transformers in various wattages are available locally. The Embassy provides three transformers as part of the furnishings package.

Food Last Updated: 11/5/2003 4:13 AM

The EWSA Convenience Store. All American Mission employees, their dependents, and those assigned to Greece on temporary duty may join the EWSA located on the Embassy compound. Membership prices are $36 for a single person and $72 for a family, per year, nonrefundable. A deposit of $200 for singles and $300 for families is also required, refundable prior to departure. Temporary memberships for personnel on temporary duty are also available based on length of stay. The EWSA store stocks over 5,000 food items including various wines and alcoholic beverages. An excellent variety of popular American products is available at the store, including dairy products, canned and packaged products, frozen food and meats, soft drinks, household products, toiletries and a large supply of Hallmark items. Other services include an after-hours bar and grill open 3 days/week, video and DVD rental, gasoline station, fitness center, payment of telephone bills, hairdresser, dry cleaning, and photo developing. The Embassy cafeteria in the Chancery is open from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. every day.

U.S. Military Base at Souda Bay, Crete. All American employees assigned to the Mission, as well as eligible dependents, are authorized to use the U.S. Military base facilities and services on Crete. A uniformed services ID card is required for admission to the military base. The yellow card must be presented when purchasing controlled items. All cards are provided to non-military personnel by the HR Office.

The Local Market. On the local market, fresh meat, both local and imported, is cut in the European manner and is relatively expensive although good pork and lamb are available at lower prices. Local beef is not aged and lacks the tenderness of American beef. Fresh chicken, eggs, and local cheese are always available. Many Greeks shop daily, so a shopping district is an important part of every suburb. Each has its own grocer, butcher, florist, greengrocer, pharmacy, and a fish merchant. Fresh produce, fruits, plants, eggs, and sometimes fish can also be purchased at the colorful weekly neighborhood farmers' markets (laiki). Fish is available but expensive. The huge central market daily sells fresh meats, game, chicken, seafood, spices, and a surprising variety of other commodities. Some neighborhoods have the Greek equivalent to the U.S. supermarket and even have megastores that sell clothing, appliances, electronics and food. Many of the larger grocery stores cater to the demands of clientele with international tastes, so they stock delicacies from around the world in addition to national products. Although some specialty items are expensive, there are also bargains. In any case, there is almost nothing that cannot be found in the Greek food market. Greek bakeries offer a tasty variety of home-style bread from wheat to French and Arabic - all made without preservatives. Sweet shops specialize in a variety of Greek pastries and European-style cakes and chocolates. Health food stores are a new fad and located in many areas. Greek wines are plentiful, varied and inexpensive, and some of the finer ones compete well internationally.

Clothing Last Updated: 11/5/2003 4:21 AM

Wardrobes for Greece should include hot and cold weather clothing similar to that worn in Washington, D.C., although outer wear for snowy conditions is normally not necessary, except in northern Greece and in mountainous areas. Skiing is available, so if you plan to do some, bring appropriate clothing. Warm winter clothes and sweaters are necessary because apartments, houses, and some offices are not adequately heated. Summer clothing should be lightweight and include many washable items. EWSA provides a contract dry-cleaning service, which is excellent. Shoes wear out quickly because of dust, dirt, and uneven pavements. Fashionable shoes in average sizes and widths are available and of good quality but are expensive. People with large, narrow, or wide feet or who are more comfortable in shoes of a special American brand should bring a good supply with them or order through mail-order companies. Athletic wear and shoes are available at many stores. Employees sometimes use the services of a seamstress who can make clothing repairs and do tailoring work.

Men Last Updated: 11/5/2003 4:18 AM

Medium-to-heavyweight wool suits are most comfortable during late fall and winter. For outdoors, supplement these with a sweater or a medium weight coat. A lightweight raincoat is also useful. One or two dark conservative suits are a must. Dark suits are worn year round for official functions, receptions, and informal dinners. Black tie is only rarely required for senior officers. In spring, summer, and early fall, lightweight suits are ideal. Complete clothing requirements for a full 2- or 3-year tour of duty are recommended. English and good Greek woolens are available locally but are expensive. Since the weather is pleasant most of the year, bring informal sportswear (sport shirts, slacks, shorts, or jeans, loafers, etc.) for picnics, beaches, and at home. Order shirts, ties, underwear, pajamas, socks, etc., from the U.S. or purchase locally at higher prices.

Women Last Updated: 11/5/2003 8:01 AM

Lightweight cotton, cotton-linen blends, silk, or other natural fibers in simple styles are preferred during the summer season. Slacks are popular casual attire. Shorts are not popular outside of the Embassy community unless on an island/ beach. Dark cottons, silks, and polyesters are worn during spring and fall. Suits and jacket dresses give versatility to clothes, particularly for changes of temperature and occasion. Wool dresses, suits, and sweaters are worn from October through April. At least one black dress or suit with long or elbow-length sleeves is useful. Leather skirts, jackets, and coats are popular. Any cloth coat is appropriate in winter, as are fur coats. One or two raincoats are desirable. The amount of clothes and variety of dresses required for cocktail parties, receptions, formal dinners, and dances varies according to rank and representational activities. European women dress fashionably, particularly for social occasions. Black is always in style for dressy occasions. Simple dresses are suitable for cocktail parties. Short as well as long dresses are worn for formal occasions.

Female officers and spouses of diplomatic personnel with representational responsibilities should have at least two evening dresses appropriate for formal occasions (one for summer, one for winter) and appropriate wrap and accessories. Stoles or evening sweaters are recommended for evening garden parties in summer. Summer wear is often more casual than dresses for fall and winter receptions and dinner parties. Ready-to-wear clothes of all kinds are a standard item in Greece. The British department store, Marks & Spencer's, offers a good variety of clothing, selling clothes according to both size and height (i.e. short, medium and tall). Prices and quality vary. Sales held twice yearly (August and February) offer good buys. Local shops carry good purses, belts, buttons, and jewelry. Imported or handmade items are expensive.

Greek markets offer a variety of yard goods. Imported silks, woolens, and cottons are available, but the best quality fabrics are expensive. Some local silks are attractive; Greek cottons, though less expensive, are seldom colorfast or preshrunk and never drip dry. Notions of European origin are plentiful. Dressmaking services range from local seamstresses to expensive couturiers. Local seamstresses are expensive. Local silver jewelry is attractive and reasonable. Yarns for knitting are available. Fur jackets, stoles, and coats are available locally. Prices vary according to styles, kind of fur, and whether the skins are pieced or whole.

Sports clothes are practical. Many summer receptions are in the garden, so spike heels are not practical. For walking around in Athens, wear low-heeled shoes with non-skid soles, as the sidewalks can be slippery and uneven. Purchase sports and walking shoes in the U.S. (now they are available in Greece, although the everyday shoes seem to be less comfortable than ones purchased in the U.S.). Greek and American women wear blouses or sweaters and skirts year round. These are available locally or ordered through mail-order companies using APO. Bring several swimsuits, since saltwater and bright sun wear them out rapidly. Attractive European-style swimsuits are available locally but are expensive and are made for smaller sizes. Beach shoes that can be worn in the water are useful for the often stony or sizzling sand beaches.

Children Last Updated: 8/31/2001 6:00 PM

Ready-made clothing for children is available locally, but good quality apparel is expensive. Most families obtain children's clothing through catalog companies. As in the U.S., boys wear jeans or slacks to school, and girls wear dresses or skirts or jeans or slacks with blouses or sweaters. Sweaters are necessary, especially during colder months when building heat is inadequate.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 11/5/2003 8:08 AM

Athens has several main shopping areas in the city and the suburbs, where you can find a good variety of locally made and imported goods. Stores of one specialty cluster together - furniture stores in one section and light fixtures in another. Megastores (e.g. Carrefour), large supermarkets and economy merchandise chains throughout the city carry a wide variety of cleaning and cosmetic products, as well as everyday household items. Hondos Center is a store that carries a great variety of makeup lines (Lancome, Christian Dior, Maybelline, Clinique, etc.), but are more expensive than in the U.S. Each neighborhood has its own dry cleaner, shoe repair shop, hairdresser, and men's hair stylist. A contractor dry-cleaning service is available through the employee's association. There is a good hair salon, open two days a week, located on the embassy compound, which provides hair cutting and styling services for men, women and children at reasonable prices. Local hair stylists and beauty shops are expensive compared to U.S. prices for the same service. Housing repairs and problems are coordinated through GSO. Friends, neighbors, and associates are helpful on where to find auto mechanics. Mechanics are good, but parts for American cars may be unavailable. Ordering is possible, but can be very slow. There is also a contractor auto repair garage on the embassy compound that can work on your vehicle after-hours.

Domestic Help Last Updated: 11/5/2003 8:11 AM

Domestic help is available in Athens. Embassy families sometimes employ a fulltime servant or a part-time cleaning person, depending on representational duties and family size. Many house dwellers also employ a part-time gardener. Non-Greek national domestics are often passed from departing to arriving American personnel. Most domestics hired locally by Embassy employees are Filipinos. These workers usually speak English and their native language, in addition to Greek. By government decree and custom, in addition to regular compensation, full-time servants receive bonuses at Christmas (a month's salary); Easter (half a month's salary), and vacation time (8-15 days' wages). Live-in servants also receive food, clothing, and medical care. The servant's medical care is provided under IKA (Greek social security - old-age pension and medical care) or proof of insurance from their own country. A legislative decree provides for obligatory insurance enrollment with IKA for all full-time, live-in domestic employees as follows: gardeners, butlers, and cooks pay 35%-45% of monthly wage (13.25% by employees and 22.20% by employer).

General house workers are normally paid by the hour or by the day and are considered to be self-employed. Those workers are responsible for signing up for IKA and making the payments themselves. Those who employ day workers are not obliged to pay this insurance fee. The CLO office maintains a list of domestic employees and references and the HR Office assists employees on the legalities of residence permits, IKA, etc.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 11/5/2003 8:16 AM

In addition to the Greek Orthodox Church, several other faiths are represented in Athens. Sunday school and CCD classes are available through several churches.

St. Andrew's International Church (an interdenominational fellowship) has services in central Athens and Kifissia.

Others centrally located are St. Denis Cathedral (Catholic), St. Paul's Anglican, Church of the Latter-day Saints, Grace Baptist Church, Trinity Baptist Church, Crossroads International Christian Center, Living Christ Family (Sofokleous St. Omonia), Church of Christ (Pireaus St. Omonia) and First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Located in the northern suburbs are St. Peter (Anglican/Episcopal), St. John the Baptist (Catholic), and Hellenic International Christian Church in Kifissia offers an interdenominational Pentecostal service.

Located in the southern Suburbs are Glyfada Christian Center and Church of the Holy Apostles.

The central Cathedral has services in Greek, with readings and announcements occasionally in English. Beth Shalom Synagogue is located in Athens, and a mosque occupies the top floor of the Caravel Hotel.

Education

Dependent Education

At Post Last Updated: 11/13/2003 12:27 AM
There are a number of schools that serve the international community. Currently, most Embassy dependent students attend the American Community Schools, TASIS, and St. Catherine's British School. The first two schools are fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. St. Catherine's is accredited in England.

The American Community Schools (ACS) is a private, nonprofit school incorporated in Delaware. The governing body is an eight-member Board of Education elected by the Parents Association. There is always an Embassy representative serving on the Board.

ACS provides an American educational program and offers the International Baccalaureate program to interested students. ACS has limited special education resources centers for learning disabilities at elementary and secondary levels. Admission to these programs is limited and is based on evaluation of records. ACS has a current enrollment of 745. Pupils with American citizenship comprise 45% of the student body; English-speaking citizens of more than 40 other countries make up the remainder. About 95 students graduate from high school each year, and, of these, 95% continue their education at colleges and universities. The school complex is located in Halandri, 7 miles from downtown Athens. It consists of three schools: an elementary school (junior kindergarten through grade 5), a middle school (grades 6-8), and a high school (grades 9-12), as well as administrative offices. Bus service is available. Curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate program, business education, fine arts, physical education and an extensive foreign language program. ACS Athens offers a large array of after-school athletic and cultural activities in grades 4-12, as well as opportunities for in and out-of-country trips (cultural/athletic middle and high school). ACS participates in forensic tournaments, as well as the Model United Nations Conference in The Hague. All faculty members are certified and more than 54% hold master's degrees. By spring 2004 ACS hopes to have finished construction on a brand new performing arts center, sports complex and Olympic size indoor swimming pool. The international address is:

129 Aghias Paraskevis Street and Kazantzakis
152 34 Ano Halandri, Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-639-3200
Fax: 30-210-639-0051
E-mail: acs@acs.gr

Tasis Hellenic International School is a branch of the American School in Switzerland. It was founded in 1979 in a merger between TASIS Greece and the Hellenic International School, which was established in 1971. It prides itself on having a caring, student-centered community. TASIS Hellenic enrolls 284 students at the Middle and Upper School on the Kifissia campus. TASIS Hellenic offers American college preparatory, Cambridge University I.G.C.S.E. and "A" level preparation, American advanced placement courses and International Baccalaureate programs, and English as a second language. Classes are small; the average class has 15 students. All faculty are certified, and 92% of the graduating seniors continue their education at colleges and universities in the U.S. and the U.K. The academic year extends from September to mid-June. The school year is divided into 2 semesters, with a 3-week Christmas vacation and a 2-week spring break. Grades and teacher comments are sent to parents four times yearly. Bus transportation is provided from all major residential areas in and around Athens.

Tasis also has an elementary school (pre-K to grade 5) with an enrollment of 100 and a curriculum that is designed to meet the special needs of the young child. The elementary school is located 12 minutes from the middle and high school campus. The mailing address is:

TASIS Hellenic International School
P.O. Box 51051
Artemidos and Xenias Street
145 10 Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-6233-888
Fax: 30-210-623-3160
E-mail: www.tasis.edu.gr or info@tasis.edu.gr

St. Catherine's British Embassy School is coeducational and caters for children aged Pre-kindergarten - High school. Some families are permanent residents of Athens while others are more internationally mobile. The curriculum is closely modeled on the British National Curriculum but has certain adaptations and additions that take into account the school's unique circumstances. All children follow programs of study in English, mathematics, science, art and design, geography, history, music, physical education, religious/moral education, and technology. Every effort is made to keep class size small. The school occupies a site in Lykovrissi, bordering the residential suburb of Kifissia, and is within easy access of other northern suburbs of Athens. All children are required to wear a school uniform, which is designed so that most items are relatively easy to obtain. The school's facilities in terms of playground space, campus environment, and outdoor swimming pool are excellent. Mailing address for overseas mail is:

P.O. Box 51019
145 10 Kifissia, Greece

Local address is:
Sophocles Venizelou 73
Lycovrissi, Greece 141 23
Tel: 30-210-282-9750/282-9751
Fax: 30-210-282-6415
E-mail: info@stcatherines.gr or www.stcatherines.gr

Campion School is an all-age, coeducational international school run on British lines, admitting pupils of any race or nationality. Senior pupils are prepared for the "A," "O," and AP level exams and the SAT. Campion is registered in Massachusetts and has been a member of the Governing Bodies Association in the U.K. since 1970. Bus service is available. One-third of the student body is British; the remainder represents 50 other countries. Computer and technical studies are available, and a particularly wide range of foreign languages is taught. Campion has one campus with grades PreK-12 in Pallini, 16 km from the American Embassy. The mailing address is:

P.O. Box 67484
Pallini 153 02
Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-607-1700
Fax: 30-210-607-1750
E-mail: dbaker@hol.gr

St. Lawrence College is an independent coeducational school registered in England. A British public/prep school prepares students for "A" and "O" level exams, as well as SAT's. Current enrollment is 800 pupils from 18 countries between the ages of 3 and 18 years. The school is located in the Hellenikon area of Athens. Bus transportation is available. Mailing address is:

P.O. Box 70151
Glyfada 166 10
Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-894-3251
Fax: 30-210-898-0107
E-mail: info@st-Lawrence.gr

Foreign Language Schools

Japanese School. Instruction is in Japanese. Address is:

Embassy of Japan
64 Vassilissis Sophias Avenue
115 28 Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-682-4278
Fax: 30-210-729-2193
E-mail: infornofa@nttls.co.jp

Deutsche Schule Athens
Chomatianou and Ziridi St.
Maroussi 151 23
Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-619-9261
Fax: 30-210-619-9267
E-mail: dsathen@hol.gr

Italian School. Elementary, high school, and lycee. Instruction is in Italian. Address is:

Odos Mitsaki 18
111 41 Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-228-0338
Fax: 30-210-202-7628
E-mail: scitalat@otenet.gr

Lycee Franco-Hellenique - U.S. Dependents also attend a French school, which offers a program from PreK though high school. This school has over 140 students in both the Greek and French sections of the school. Each section is set by the respective education ministries. The contact information is:

Lycee France-Hellenique
P.O. Box 60050
Aghia Paraskevi 153 01
Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-601-2704
Fax: 30-210-600-3460
E-mail: Info@lfh.gr or www.lfh.gr

Special Needs Education Last Updated: 11/5/2003 8:27 AM

Special teachers and speech therapists are available for private hire through the Center for Psychic Health, 58 Notara Street, 106 83 Athens, telephone 210 881-2944 and 210 823-2833. A private, independent organization called CARE/HELLAS also has a listing of specialists. Check with RMO for the listing. ACS and TASIS can accommodate children with mild special needs or learning disabilities. Families having children with more severe problems should verify with the RMO and CLO whether or not facilities are available for their specific needs at post.

Higher Education Opportunities Last Updated: 11/13/2003 12:46 AM

The American College of Greece or Deree College serves nearly 7,000 students at its two campuses. The college is an independent, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Association for Schools and Colleges and under American direction. Primarily a coeducational liberal arts college in the English and American tradition, the main campus offers a 3-4 year program leading to a bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, psychology, sociology, English, history, and dance. The downtown center offers business and economics courses in the afternoon and evening and offers a 2-year associate degree in secretarial studies. The first graduate MBA program will begin in 2004. Most Deree students are Greek; 20 other nationalities are also represented. Instruction is in English. Pierce College (tel. 210 639-3250) is an affiliated secondary school on the main campus. The mailing address is:

6 Gravias Street
153 42 Aghia Paraskevi
Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-600-9800/9
Fax: 30-210-600-9811
E-mail: www.acg.edu or info@acg.edu

The University of LaVerne is fully accredited with academic requirements identical to the main school in California. Evening classes are held at TASIS School in Kifissia, though most classes are now moving to a new campus near ACS in Halandri as of fall 2003. BA and BS degrees can be pursued in business administration and economics, business management, behavioral science, sociology, history, political science, psychology, social science, and mathematics. Courses leading to a master's degree are available in business administration, and management. For counseling and more information visit their website or write to:

Ellis 3
Halandri 152 33
Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-689-8850
Fax: 30-210-682-9536
E-mail: www.laverne.edu.gr

The University of Indianapolis is a private, coeducational university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Established in 1902, and now an integral part of the educational and cultural life of Indianapolis and environs, the university maintains a moderate size and a diverse student body to whom it offers a comprehensive set of general, pre-professional, and professional programs grounded in the liberal arts.

University of Indianapolis is an accredited institution similar to LaVerne. They offer BA, BS, MA, MS and MBA degrees. They are located only a few blocks from the Metro near Syntagma Square. All professors are U.S.-educated. Address is:

9 Ipitou Street
Syntagma Square
105 57 Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-323-9909
Fax: 30-210-324-8502
E-mail: www.uiny

College Year in Athens is a program intended as a year abroad to enrich education at the sophomore, junior, and senior levels. Instruction is given in English by visiting U.S. and Greek professors. Courses are Greek civilization, archaeology, culture, art, literature, and politics. A limited number of qualified adults may be accepted as part-time special students for credit. They also offer short (three week) college-credit courses in Athens or on the islands. The mailing address is:

DIKEMES
5 Plateia Stadiou
P.O. Box 17176
100 24 Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-7256-0749
Fax: 30-210-7561-1029
Website: www.cyathens.org or cyathens@aol.com

Founded in 1881, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens provides graduate students and scholars from some 168 affiliated North American colleges and universities a base for research and study in the history and monuments of Hellenic civilization.
First and foremost, the school is a teaching institution, introducing North American graduate students to the sites and monuments of Greek civilization from antiquity to the recent past.

American School of Classical Studies is primarily a research institute for a limited number of students sent from the U.S. by their graduate schools. The mailing address is:

ASCSA
54 Souidias Street
106 76 Athens, Greece
Tel: 30-210-723-6313
Fax: 30-210-729-4047
Website: www.ascsa.edu.gr

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 11/5/2003 9:06 AM

Opportunities for sports participation abound in Greece. Many tennis clubs exist, from elite to affordable. A superb and rigorous test of golf is available at the 18-hole Glyfada Golf Course. Reasonable annual fees of around $1,000, plus slightly more tourist-oriented daily greens fee are available. Only four other courses exist in Greece: in Rhodes, Porto Carras (Halkidiki) serving Thessaloniki and Northern Greece, Corfu, and a small 9-hole course at the VOA Station in Kavala. American-style 10-pin bowling lanes are available in a few locations, and are becoming more popular.

The annual Athens marathon group each November and weekly runs of the international Hash House Harriers welcome joggers wishing company. There are also a number of weekend walking groups that welcome both adults and children and their dogs. Roller-skating and ice-skating rinks are accessible, and health clubs have become popular. Yachtsmen moor their craft in numerous marinas along the Saronic Gulf, and organized racing is available. The less affluent can charter various size yachts with or without a skipper to cruise the islands. Sailing classes are also available for adults and children.

Windsurfers love the balmy breeze of the Aegean Sea, and water skiing, although not as popular, is available as are jet skis. Scuba divers and sailors must understand Greek regulations and have knowledge of local waters. Scuba classes are offered as well. For those who enjoy a sandy beach and cool swim, many beaches are available in close proximity to Athens. Some private beaches offer lockers, sports equipment, parking, umbrellas, chairs, and restaurants in various locations, but for a price. Most public beaches have tavernas that let you use their chairs and umbrellas if you buy drinks or a meal there.

There are a number of riding clubs located in Athens, some with indoor and outdoor rings; lessons given in English can be arranged. All riding is English style. Horse racing takes place three afternoons weekly at the Faliron Race course and will soon be offered at the new Equestrian Center in Markoupoulou.

When the waters cool, the mountains beckon. Greece has several ski areas with lifts, good rental equipment, and instructors. The closest to Athens is near Delphi on Mount Parnassus; Kalavryta in the Peloponnese can be a day trip but is better for a weekend. Mount Helmos in the Peloponnese is 317 miles from Athens; to the north are Mount Pelion and Metsovo. There are inexpensive and very popular ski buses that pick up and drop off at central points during the ski season for those who don't want to drive. From mid-September to June, Athenians spend much time rooting for their favorite soccer team in one of two major stadiums in Athens or in Piraeus. The new Olympic Stadium is used for a variety of national and international sports events.

There are mountaineering, hiking, parachuting, track, table tennis, badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, fencing, field hockey (not ice), riding, rowing, and volleyball associations. The American Women of Greece (AWOG) and NEWCOMERS Club gives bridge lessons, and there are several Greek bridge clubs.

Fishing enthusiasts will find excellent trout streams 3-5 hours from Athens. Sole, bass, pike, mullet, tuna, red snapper, and perch can be caught in the Aegean Sea. Greece is not a hunter's paradise, and access to overcrowded areas is difficult. The country-wide hunting license does not indicate the holder has any gun safety knowledge. Dove season lasts from mid-August to mid-March; partridge season from mid-September to mid-November; and other birds and game from mid-September to mid-March. Decoys and calls are prohibited. European and American hunting equipment, such as boots, guns, jackets, etc., are locally available, although American-made ammunition is difficult to obtain.

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 11/5/2003 9:10 AM

The heart of an assignment to Greece is definitely its availability of touring and outdoor activities. Outside the greater Athens area, one finds Greece. Even with a 2- or 3-year posting, careful planning is necessary to see what Greece offers, whether with numerous organized tours and cruises or using good guidebooks and literature published by the National Tourist Organization.

Representing every era are historical sites and museums throughout Greece. Within a few hours' drive are Delphi (according to legend, the ancient navel of the world), Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tiryns, and other renowned sites. By ferry, hydrofoil, cruise liner, or on local airlines, the numerous islands are accessible-each with its distinctive character: Crete, Santorini, Rhodes, Hydra, Corfu, and the innumerable picturesque smaller spots. Back in Athens are the Acropolis, Agora, Byzantine churches, Roman ruins, and numerous wonderful museums, ranging from jewelry to natural history to a children's museum. Accommodations are available year round in Greece; however, during peak tourist season, advance reservations are wise, and in mid-winter, many small hotels on the islands are closed. Hotels vary from deluxe class to back-packer quality, and recently the National Tourist Organization renovated several typical old Greek villas in several areas for tourist use. Camping is also popular in Greece, and campgrounds have been established throughout the country. There are quite a few ski areas within a day's drive and a number of employees take full advantage of skiing facilities on long weekends or day trips. Charter flights fly in and out of Greece regularly. The Embassy receives deep discounts during the off-season from local cruise lines and international airlines.

Entertainment Last Updated: 11/5/2003 9:21 AM

Greece is characterized by the informality, spontaneity, simplicity, and individuality of its entertainment. Nightlife in Athens is diversified and interesting. Taverna-style restaurants throughout the city and suburbs offer music for dining and dancing. More sophisticated establishments offer floorshows. Clubs are extremely popular with the younger generation and stay open until the wee hours. In fact, it's not unusual to see people leaving them at 6 and 7 a.m.! In summer, outdoor restaurants in the city, the suburbs, and on the sea front are popular. Athens' better restaurants and hotels serve Greek and continental food; several restaurants specialize in Asian and other ethnic food. In restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs, a per person cover charge is included in the bill; however, it is customary to round the bill up to the nearest Euro to tip the waiter.

Athens and the suburbs have many movie theaters. Recent (2-3 months old) American films are popular and widely shown, as are Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, and German films. Most films are shown in their original language, with Greek subtitles.

In summer, outdoor theaters are everywhere. Acoustics at the outdoor cinemas are sometimes poor, but the ambiance makes up for it. There are some downtown where you can watch a movie and see the Acropolis light show at the same time. The theater, a tradition firmly rooted from classical days, operates in modern Greece year round but suffers the same economic restrictions faced in the U.S. and Europe. Even so, most of the private long-established Athenian theaters have full seasons. Greek translations of classical and contemporary plays by foreign playwrights are included in the repertory. A revival of the ancient outdoor theater, with the plays of Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Aristophanes, is the basis of the annual Athens Festival held from June through August. Performances are given in four locations: in Athens at the imposing Roman-era Herodus Atticus theater; at the modern Lycabettus Hill theater, dramatically situated overlooking the city; at the fourth century B.C. amphitheater, noted for its superb acoustics and setting, in the Peloponnese at Epidaurus; and "Little" Epidaurus, 2-l/2 hours from Athens.

There is a folk dance company that performs at the theater on Philopappou Street (opposite the Acropolis) during summer. Karagiozi shadow theater performances are held in public squares in summer. Greek commercial firms regularly organize recitals and theater and ballet performances with foreign artists and troupes during winter. The National Opera Company and the Athens Ballet Company perform in winter; the Athens State Orchestra and the Athens State Opera offer regular year-round programs. The Athens concert hall, the Megaron Musikis, next to the Embassy, has many classical music and ballet performances and hosts performers and exhibitions from around the world. National and religious festivals are colorful, impressive, and worth seeing. It is also possible to be an armchair viewer, as most significant festivals are shown on TV. Typical of such festivities are Epiphany (January) and the pre-Lenten carnival season.

Art exhibits are held at many galleries and cultural centers in Athens. The National Gallery of Art, opposite the Hilton Hotel, on Vasileos Constantinou Avenue, contains a collection of works by Greek painters. There are many museums devoted to folk art and handicrafts, where articles of high quality may be found in Athens, as well as in shops, villages, and islands. The National Museum, Benaki, and Cycladic Museums and many others have been renovated recently and offer first-rate exhibits of Greece's history as well as international rotating exhibits.

Greece has a reciprocal agreement with the U.S. concerning amateur radio operation. Currently, licenses are available. Applicants must have a valid U.S. amateur license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Greek Government does not allow third-party traffic.

Social Activities

Among Americans Last Updated: 11/5/2003 9:36 AM
Activities include American clubs, fraternal organizations, and church groups that invite membership. For adults: AWOG (American Women's Organization of Greece), Newcomers, Greek Red Cross, American Legion, Masonic Order, Parent-Teacher Association, Propeller Club, YWCA, and Women's International Club. AWOG (the American Women's Organization of Greece) was founded by the spouse of the American Ambassador in 1948 and is open to all American women, spouses of U.S. citizens, and to a smaller number of Greek and international members. The honorary president is always the spouse of the current American Ambassador. Originally founded as a study group, it has expanded to raise funds for welfare work in Greece, including bazaars, dances, musical programs, etc. AWOG also offers opportunities for volunteer work with children, elderly, etc. It grants scholarships, aid to schools, orphanages, and hospitals. AWOG has an extensive fine arts program, with weekly and monthly tours and lectures.

NEWCOMERS is an informal and popular women's group with a wide international membership. The Newcomers club has no dues, and the only membership requirement is the ability to speak English. Monthly meetings are held. Other group activities include Greek cooking, international cooking, potluck dinners and cocktail parties, tennis, golf, playgroups, tours, bridge, and walking groups.

Religious groups include Catholic Women's Guild, Catholic Youth Organization, Protestant Women of the Chapel, Saint Andrew's Women's Guild, Saint Ann's Sodality, and American Jewish Community Group.

For young people there are Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

International Contacts Last Updated: 11/5/2003 9:40 AM
Due to the many Americans and other English-speaking foreigners who live in Athens, international contacts are diverse and abundant. Thus it is easy to make social contacts among those with common interests. Americans are invited by Greek friends to weddings, christenings, and other ceremonies in churches and homes. Dress and etiquette vary according to occasion; the Embassy's Protocol Office or others who have attended similar functions can help. Dozens of clubs and organizations in Greece are dedicated to public service, charity, philanthropy, and the exchange of ideas and cultural aspects of Greece and other countries. It is important to note that Greeks tend to dress more formally for events, and the Greek notion of &q