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Tip of the day 18/3/2022 – Space Olympiad 2022 in Athens!

Tip of the day 18/3/2022 – Space Olympiad 2022 in Athens! 960 720 Cloudkeys

The 44th World Scientific Space Congress or the “Space Olympiad”, as it is unofficially referred to by many people, will be held for the first time in Athens, at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaro Mousikis), from 16 to 24 July 2022. It will be attended by more than 4,000 renowned scientists, specialized in the study of Space, from Universities and Research Centers around the world, representatives of the largest international space organizations, as well as the largest space technology product companies with their exhibition stands. 

So, why in Athens? 

Because it is a city, a location that combines classical history with modern art, and many entertainment options, but also has a wide variety of quality accommodation choices under a Mediterranean summer backdrop. 

Perhaps, there is no better period for someone to visit Athens than the month of July, as the days will be long, bright and warm without yet having reached the usual higher temperatures of August. Furthermore, the city will be empty, as it’s the normal holiday period, and Athenians are going to leave the city soon. So, an ideal chance to enjoy Athens at most without being lost in the crowd. 

Ferry services to nearby (or even distant) islands will be daily and perhaps with more than one trip during the day. So, visitors could find themselves in Aegina, Spetses, Hydra, Poros, Tinos, Andros for their afternoon coffee on a one-day trip or even for more days on a more distant Greek island if they have the time to enjoy it more. 

In the area of Athens where the Conference will take place, between Ampelokipi and Ilisia, there are also the National Research Foundation, EKT, the National Library, the Archaeological Museum, while very close by, on the hill of Pnyx, is the Observatory, and a little further away, but also easily accessible by transport, is the Eugenides Foundation (Planetarium), which should definitely be included in the visitors’ programme. 

Apart from the above mentioned points of research interest that are directly related to the Congress, you will also find in the area some other important attractions such as the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro), but also the majority (and the most significant too) of the museums of the city that are concentrated here: National Gallery, Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art, Greek Children’s Museum, Byzantine Museum, Historical Museum, etc. The Acropolis and the Parthenon and the historic and picturesque neighborhood of Plaka and Monastiraki are only three metro stops away. 

But let’s not forget that we are in the heart of summer, and although we are in a very urban city, there are several green spaces and parks around, ideal even for a picnic on your lunch break. Smaller or larger parks such as Alsos Ilision, Evangelismos Park, Eleftherias (Freedom) Park, behind the Megaron Music Hall and the Rizari Park are in the area, while in the garden of the Athens Concert Hall itself, you might discover some music events as part of the festival that takes place there every year around this time. 

We never forget the local food of a travel destination, and the area lends itself to restaurants with some delicious recipes anyway. Similarly, the city’s nightlife, or at least an important part of it, is here, in the famous Mavili square which boasts some of Athens’ most famous and historic bars. You will definitely spend an evening strolling around to get to know it better. Some of our gastronomic suggestions which combine a beautiful environment are: 

  • Noah Athens (Parko Eleftherias, behind Megaro Mousikis)  
  • Vassilenas (Vrasida 13 Hilton area, Athens 11528 Greece) 
  • Agora Select Restaurant (Chatzigianni Mexi 8 Ventiri 9, Ilisia, Athens 11528 Greece)
  • Vlassis Restaurant (15 Meandrou, Athens 115 28 Greece)
  • Vezené Athens (Vrasida 11 Behind Hilton Hotel, Athens 11528 Greece) 
  • Ta Skalakia (32 Dionissiou Tou Eginitou, Athens 115 28 Greece)
  • Ventiri Roast House (Ventiri 5 Hilton, Ilisia, Athens 11528 Greece)
  • Coocoovaya (2a Mexi Chatzigianni, Athens 115 28 Greece)
  • Kiouzin (Likavittou 16, Athina 106 73, Kolonaki, Athens)

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the area is one of the safest in Athens, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t always be careful, especially if we are in a foreign country. Also, as you will notice as you walk around in the neighborhood, most of the country’s major public hospitals are located here (Evangelismos, Aretaieio, Ippokratio, Alexandra, Laiko, Red Cross, Andreas Syngros, Children’s Hospital, Agios Savvas, Elpis), as well as private health structures, medical clinics and diagnostic centres (Euroclinic, Athens City Med, Athenian Mediclinic etc). Therefore, it is probably the most suitable area for your stay as whatever happens, you will find everything within five minutes.

“Look here – That’s Athens – Feel at home”

Make yourself at home!

Find the house that will accommodate you so you can feel an almost real space experience by combining it with a short summer getaway in the historic city of Athens: 

 

Who is COSPAR: 

COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) was founded in 1958, shortly after the start of the space age, and is held every two years on a different continent.

Its objectives are to promote international Space Research and Technology and the peaceful exploration of Space. It is a forum for dialogue and cooperation worldwide, far from political agendas, working closely with the United Nations and other global organisations. Greece has been a member state of COSPAR almost since its inception, through the National Committee for Space Research of the Academy of Athens.

COSPAR finally settled on the Greek bid and Athens to host the conference, which won out over the bids from Warsaw, Lausanne and Prague in a particularly high level of competition. Our country’s candidature for 2022 was prepared by the Space Research and Technology Office of the Athens Academy of Sciences and was actively supported by many public and private institutions, the Municipality of Athens, Ministries, almost all the Universities and Research Institutions of the country, while the support of Greek scientists from the diaspora, with several of them participating in the Local Organizing Committee, was equally enthusiastic and moving. In fact, Athens was chosen from the very first vote during the 42nd COSPAR Congress in Pasadena, California, USA, where more than 3,300 space scientists from all over the world participated, for the first time in the history of the institution.

So, plan your trip to Greece today and if you need any help the Cloudkeys team will be by your side with some tips or travel advices!