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Useful Information about Greece

Capital: Athens Area: 131,957 sq km Time difference: GMT+2 (6 hrs behind Hong Kong) Summer Time(5 hrs behind Hong Kong) Weather: Average Temperature (in Celsius)


  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Athens (C) 10.3 10.7 12.4 16 20.7 25.1 27.9 27.7 24.2 19.4 15.5 12.2
Thessaloniki (C) 5 6.6 9.7 14.2 19.4 24.2 26.5 25.9 21.7 16.1 11 6.8

Languages: Greek (official) English is widely spoken

Religions: 98% Greek Orthodox, 1.3% Muslim, 0.7% other

Currency: Euro (€)
Electricity: 220V 50 Hz European plug with two circular metal pins

International Calling Code: 30

Mobile phone standards: GSM 900 & 1800, 3G

Emergency Assistance: Police: dial 100;Medical dial 166

Visas: Visas are NOT required for holders of HKBNO, HKSAR passports: Important: Passport must valid for at least 6 months from date of departure

China Embassy: Address:2A, Krinon Street, 154 52 Palaio Psychico, Athens, Greece Tel:(30) 1 6723282

website: http://gr.china-embassy.org

Things to bring: Bible, good walking shoes, hat, sun glasses, water bottle, travel kettle (if required) If you are visiting Greece in the winter, you will need warm clothing, a coat (preferably a raincoat as well), gloves, a scarf and other warm clothing. Weather in Greece is not cold as it is in Europe, but days can be rainy and cold.

New Rules for Taking Liquids through Security:

To comply with the new guidelines recommended by the Hong Kong SAR Government, all departing flights from Hong Kong International Airport have to adopt new measures on hand baggage restrictions starting from March 21, 2007 (Wednesday). In accordance with the recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), there are new aviation security control guidelines for screening liquids, gels and aerosols carried in cabin baggage on international flights. The guidelines were recommended by the ICAO Council subsequent to a terrorist plot to smuggle liquid explosives onto an aircraft flying from the UK to the US in August 2006 which was foiled by the UK officials. The new ICAO security measures for cabin baggage of air passengers include:

  1. All liquids, gels, aerosols in cabin baggage have to be carried in containers with a capacity not greater than 100ml. Liquids, gels, aerosols carried in containers larger than 100ml are not to be accepted, even if the container is only part-filled;
  2. Containers have to be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre. The containers must fit comfortably within the transparent plastic bag, which should be completely closed;
  3. The plastic bag has to be presented separately from other cabin baggage for visual examination at the screening point. Only one transparent plastic bag per passenger is permitted; and
  4. Exemptions would be made for medications, baby milk/ food and special dietary requirements subject to verification