2016 Speech Processing Courses in Crete
Speech Synthesis: Advancements in Modern Speech Synthesis Engines

25-29 July 2016    University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

TRAVEL INFORMATION

MAP of Heraklion Center on Google Maps

HOW TO REACH Heraklion - Crete:

By air:
During summer, the city of Heraklion Heraklion International Airport ("Nikos Kazantzakis", airport Code: HER) is well connected with many European cities with nonstop charter flights (50 airlines fly to the Heraklion airport, being the 2nd busiest airport in Greece) as well via Athens Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH).

The distance from the airport to Heraklion center is approx. 5 km.

By sea:
There are now two ferries going daily between Athens (Departure from Piraeus Port) and Heraklion two times per day in August (day and night schedule, 7 hour trip):

 

Distances - approximately, from the center of Heraklion:

- 5 km to Heraklion International Airport
- approx. 20 minutes walking distance to the Port
- 6 km to the Minoan Palace of Knossos
- 8 km to the University Campus

PUBLIC TRANSPORTS
TRANSPORTATION FROM / TO HERAKLION TO / FROM AIRPORT AND UNIVERSITY

There is a frequent public bus service from Heraklion-airport to the center of town as well as from the center of town to the University Campus. It is necessary to buy your tickets prior to getting onto a public bus. You can buy bus tickets from ticket machines at "Platia Eleftherias" Square and at some of the kiosques. The current price of the bus-tickets is 1.50 Euros (one way) from Airport to the center of town or from the center of town to the University Campus.

From the airport and the port as well as from the city center, you can reach both FORTH and the University of Crete by bus, No.11 (ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ / ΠΑΓΝΗ), ("ΠΑΓΝΗ" is the university hospital located 800 meters south of the Physics Department "ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ") The bus stop is in front of the University of Crete - Physics department. The Computer Science Department is just 100 meters away from the bus stop. There are bus stops in the city center. The main stop is in "Platia Eleftherias" Square.

The use of a taxi is also a convenient and relatively not expensive mean of transportation in Heraklion. Taxis in Heraklion are silver. You can find a lot around in the city streets. You can find them also waiting at the airport, the port, the bus stations, in the Lion's, and the "Platia Eleftherias" Square. From the Airport to the center of town, the cost of a taxi is approximately 10 to 13 Euro. From the center of town to the University Campus, the cost of a taxi is approximately 12 to 15 Euro.

Automobile / Motorbike rental:
There are rental offices at the Airport and in Heraklion city.

Travel agency contacts:
If you need to contact a local travel agency for further information, we can suggest, for example:


BASIC INFO: HERAKLION

Geography:
Capital of Crete, in the center of the northern coast of the island

Population:
<4th biggest city in Greece with 150.000 residents (2001 census)

Climate:
Soft Mediterranean, Sun shinny, Mild Temperatures

History:
Birthplace of the first European civilization, the Minoan period beginning around 3000BC, with its capital at Knossos.

Economy:
Key sectors are Tourism, Agriculture, Trade

Crops:
Olive trees, vines, legumes

Diet:
Cretan foods with olive oil, vegetables, fruits, wines, raki.

Museums:
Archaeological Museum, Historical Museum, Natural History Museum

Archaelogical Sites:
Knossos

Academic Institutions:
University of Crete, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Technological Park (STEP C)

Down Town:
Morozini Fountain (Lions Square), Vasilika of Saint Markos, Vasilika of Saint Titos, Venetian Fortress, Logia (city hall), Outdoor market

Also Visit:
Archanes Village, Creta Aquarium

Airport:
"Nikos Kazatzakis" Heraklion International Airport is located about 5km from the city and it's the second busiest airport in Greece due to the charter flights.

Port: Commercial and Cruise port, that connects Crete with a multitude of destinations such as Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes and mainland Greece.

Road Network:
European road E75 runs through the city and connects Heraklion with the 3 other major cities of Crete, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno and Chania.

Hospitals:
Regional Academic (ΠΑΓΝΗ), Venizelio General, Private Clinics, Health Centers

Emergency phones:
Police: 100, Ambulance: 166, Fire Brigade: 199

Information:
National Tourism Organization