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wiki travel
Το wiki travel είναι ένας μεγάλος tour operator παγκοσμίως με έδρα το Λονδίνο
Απευθύνεται στην παγκόσμια αγορά αλλά κυρίως της Ασία (Κίνα, Κορέα, Ιαπωνία.
Don’t do / don’t go
Athenians hold negative perceptions for the areas around Omonoia Square and locals advise you to avoid these areas late at night.
There are many beggars and homeless people who walk around the streets asking for money or food. Often they use children as sympathy tools. Places to avoid areVathis Square (can be populated by druggies using even at 5 o’clock in the afternoon), the roads on the right of the National Archaelogical Museum (almost a gathering place for the beggars of the city – the density is enormous) and the south end of 3 September Street.
There is also absolutely no reason that a tourist will travel to Acharnon and Liossion Street and the triangle between Peiraios, Athinas and Sofokleous street.
The back streets of Piraeus are probably also places where its unwise to wander around late at night. More recently, Sofokleous Street (a major street south of Omonia), especially the western part near Pireos Street, has gotten a reputation for crime and drugs; some Athenians will advise you to avoid it even during the daytime. Some may also argue that wandering around the Zappeio gardens and the Pedion Areos parks at night time may not be wise.
Stay safe
While Athens is generally a very safe city, there have been a huge number reports of pickpockets on the Metro (also the line from Airport), buses and in other crowded areas, including Plaka. You will notice that natives travel with their hands on their bags and pockets, which unfortunately is not without reason. You will probably be warned about pickpockets by hotel staff and friendly waiters, but this may be too late. Be extremely cautious and split all your documents, cards and money into different places. Street crime is rare; when it happens, it’s most commonly purse-snatching from women walking away from banks and ATM machines.
The friendly stranger bar scam has been reported from areas of central Athens frequented by travelers, including Omonia, Syntagma, and Plaka. Recently, there have been some reports of fraud. Usually, someone will stop you and ask for directions. A couple of other guys then show up claiming to be police, showing a badge (obviously a fake one). They ask if you were getting drugs from the other guy and then ask for your passport and wallet for verification. While you are busy trying to convince them that your passport is valid, one of them sneaks out some money from your wallet.
Another danger recently reported, especially by travelers boarding the Airport Express Bus in Piraeus, is pickpocket gangs operating buses used by tourists. As the bus is boarding, a large group traveling together (who are reported often to be of various nationalities other than Greek) will divide itself in two, with half of them going on board and then stopping in the aisle to cause a jam-up among passengers trying to board through the door behind them, the other half then offering to help the jammed passengers lift their luggage on board. Just before the bus leaves, the half of this group on the bus gets off. Then, joining the other half outside the door, they all quickly disperse.
What has happened, of course, is that the passengers who were being “helped” with their luggage by some of this group were being pick-pocketed by others. The theft is particularly effective because it’s directed at travelers who are leaving the country and are thus not likely to report it–many victims don’t realize they’ve been robbed until they get to the airport or even until after they get on the plane. Some travelers have claimed that certain bus drivers are party to these crimes by neglecting to open the rear door of the bus for boarding passengers, thus ensuring a tighter and more confused crowd of jammed passengers trying to board through the center door, making the criminals’ job easier.
lonelyplanet
Το lonelyplanet είναι παγκοσμίως γνωστό site όπου κυρίως Αγγλοσάξονες διαβάζουν πριν ταξιδέψουν
Dangers & annoyances
Bar scams
Bar scams continue to be an unfortunate fact of life in Athens, particularly in the Syntagma area. The basic scam is always some variation on the following theme: solo male traveller is lured into bar on some pretext (not always sex), strikes up conversation with friendly locals, charming girls appear and ask for what turn out to be ludicrously overpriced drinks, traveller is eventually handed an enormous bill.
Fortunately, this practice appears confined to Athens at this stage.
Theft
Crime, especially theft, is low in Greece, but unfortunately it is on the increase. The worst area is around Omonia in central Athens – keep track of your valuables here, especially on the metro and at the Sunday flea market.
The vast majority of thefts from tourists are still committed by other tourists; the biggest danger of theft is probably in dormitory rooms in hostels and at camping grounds. So make sure you do not leave valuables unattended in such places. If you are staying in a hotel room, and the windows and door do not lock securely, ask for your valuables to be locked in the hotel safe – hotel proprietors are happy to do this.
In transit
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Blood clots may form in the legs during plane flights, chiefly because of prolonged immobility (the longer the flight, the greater the risk). The chief symptom of DVT is swelling or pain of the foot, ankle, or calf, usually but not always on just one side. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it may cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. Travellers with any of these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention. To prevent the development of DVT on long flights you should walk about the cabin, contract the leg muscles while sitting, drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Πηγή: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece/practical-information/health
Το επίσημο site της κυβέρνησης της Αυστραλίας
Crime
Crime, including pickpocketing and bag snatching, can take place in tourist areas and on public transport. Australians should exercise particular caution in the Omonia and Exarchia areas of central Athens.
You should exercise normal safety precautions when walking alone and avoid, where possible, secluded areas after dark. Tourists have been the victims of serious assault, including sexual assault, including in Athens and on the Greek Islands.
Πηγή: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/advice/greece
Το επίσημο site της κυβέρνησης των ΗΠΑ
The Omonia and Exharchia areas of Athens are at particular risk for crime and politically-motivated violence;
U.S. Embassy personnel and their families have been urged strongly to avoid these areas between 9 p.m. and dawn
CRIME:
If you travel by Metro, keep track of your purse/backpack/wallet at all times.
Thieves will often try to create a diversion to draw your attention away from your immediate surroundings.
These diversions can include “accidentally” sneezing or spilling something on you and loudly accusing you of having bumped into them.
Thieves ride the trains in from the Athens Airport, so be especially careful when you first arrive.
You may be tired and a bit disoriented and you may have just visited the ATM or exchanged money.
Be discreet when discussing plans and organizing your belongings upon your initial arrival.
Always keep a close eye on your suitcase. Omonia, Vathi, and Kolokotroni Squares in Athens, while very close to the tourist sites, are areas with high crime rates;
Πηγή: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1127.html#safety
Το επίσημο site της κυβέρνησης του Καναδά
Crime
Pickpocketing, purse snatching, luggage theft, muggings, and other crimes occur in tourist areas and on public transport. Remain vigilant and do not show signs of affluence. After dark,
do not walk in the Athens districts of Monastiraki or Omonia, or around the two railway stations of Larissa and Peloponissos.
Avoid secluded areas, parks, and down-market bars and restaurants, especially after dark.
Women should not accept rides from strangers or casual acquaintances. Sexual assaults have occurred, particularly on the islands.
Πηγή: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=106000
To site είναι της Πρεσβείας της Νορβηγίας στην Ελλάδα.
Som turist er man spesielt utsatt for lommetyverier; det er viktig å være oppmerksom på hvor man oppbevarer verdisaker som penger, pass, mobiltelefon osv. Kriminaliteten er generelt sett omtrent på nivå med andre europeiske land. Det bør utvises aktsomhet, spesielt i Aten og andre store byer, samt på metrosystemet, rundt Omonia-plassen i Aten, på havnen iPiraeus og på båtreiser.
ΜΕΤΑΦΡΑΣΗ:
As a tourist, one is particularly prone to pocket thefts, it is important to be careful where you store valuables such as money, passport, cell phone, etc. The crime is generally less on a par with other European countries. There should be exercised due care, especially in Athens and other major cities, as well as the metro system, around Omonia Square in Athens, the port of Piraeus and the ship journeys.
Πηγή: http://www.norway.gr/Norsk/hellas/reise/sikkerhet/
