Eurosite Annual Meeting 2016

Transcription

1 Serres, Greece 7-10 November 2016 Ecosystems at your service: how to incorporate ecosystem services into practical site management hosted by the Hunting Federation of Macedonia & Thrace, Hellas supported by the Management Body of Kerkini Lake National Park, Serres for Uneco and the Eurosite Economics and Ecosystem Services Working Group made possible with the financial support of the European Union For more information and updates, please visit the Eurosite website:

2 2 Venue Elpida Resort & Spa Valley of Agioi Anargyroi Serres Greece The Elpida Resort & Spa hotel is in an ideal location, in the valley of Agioi Anargyroi with a view on the Acropolis of Serres, that is to say of the tower of Orestes (Koulas). It combines the tranquility of the countryside with the practicality of the centre since it is located in the heart of the green lung of the town and it is only 5 minutes away from the centre of Serres. More information can be found on:

3 3 SERRES Sérres (Greek: Σέρρες) is a city in Macedonia, Greece, capital of the Serres regional unit and second largest city in the region of Central Macedonia, after Thessaloniki. Serres is one of the administrative and economic centers of Northern Greece. The city is situated in a fertile plain at an elevation of about 70 meters (230 feet), some 24 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of the Strymon river and 100 km (60 miles) north-east of Thessaloniki, respectively. Serres official municipal population was 76,817 in 2011 with the total number of people living in the city and its immediate surroundings estimated at around 100,000. The city is home to the Technological Educational Institute of Central Macedonia composed of the School of Technological Applications, the School of Management and Finance and the School of Graphic Arts and Design, with at least 10,000 Greek and international students. KERKINI In the north-west part of the Serres Prefecture, just 40 km from the town of Serres and about 100 km from Thessaloniki, we can visit one of the most beautiful places in Greece, Lake Kerkini. Its unique wetland has been declared a National Park according to the Ramsar Convention and it is one out of ten wetlands of International Importance of Greece. Man s intervention caused the formation of this heaven. In 1932 the first dam was constructed in the waters of river Strymonas and gradually lake Kerkini took shape. The riparian plantations consisting of riparian forests of wild willows, the suspended water-lilies expanded in a surface of thousands hectares, the high fish diversity, the buffalos swimming in the lake s calm water and the great mountainous areas of Belles and Krousia give a unique grace to this land. The lake offers the ideal conditions for bird watching. It is one of the best places in Europe to watch about 300 rare and protected bird species that live and breed here. It is no coincidence that many scientists and amateurs from around the world visit Lake Kerkini for their research every year.

4 4 TRAVEL Macedonia International Airport (Thessaloniki Airport) Thessaloniki Airport is the second biggest airport in Greece, located 13 km from Thessaloniki city center, in the area of Mikra. It operates since 1930 and serves 3.5 million passengers per year. More information about Thessaloniki Airport can be found here: Local public transport The travel from Thessaloniki Airport to Serres is about: - 1 hour by car (there are many car rental companies at the airport); - 1 hour and 15 minutes by the Hotel mini bus. If you prefer to travel from Thessaloniki airport to Serres by public transport, you are advised to - first go from the Airport to Thessaloniki centre (18 km) by bus (about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic conditions) or by taxi (about 30 minutes). Costs: 1.50 euro for the bus, 20 euro or more for a taxi; - then take a bus (named KTEL) that goes from the Thessaloniki bus station to Serres bus station. The bus journey takes 1 hour and the bus departs every 30 minutes until hrs (the last departure time). Costs: about 7.50 euro. We do not advise to take the train, as it takes 2 hours, the scheduled times are not always reliable and it does not go directly to Serres. Costs: less than 5 euro.

5 5 Arranged transfer to the hotel The organisers have arranged transportation between Thessaloniki Airport and the venue Elpida Resort & Spa in Serres. The departure times of the Hotel mini bus will be set once the arrival (and departure) times of the participants are known. EuroCocktail On Wednesday 9 November, following the field trip to Kerkini Lake, we will be holding our traditional EuroCocktail at Elpida Spa & Resort. Participants are invited to bring a small sample of local produce - something to eat or drink that typifies your part of Europe - to share with the other participants. Field trip for spouses - trip to St. Prodromos Monastery and a nearby canyon During the seminar day - Tuesday 8 November - spouses are invited to visit St. Prodromos Monastery and a nearby canyon. Departure will be in the morning and the trip from Serres to the Monastery will be minutes. The walk in the nearby canyon is in a very rich forest area, with streams and old stone bridges. In November you can usually enjoy the marvellous colours of the trees, before they drop their leaves. Visiting Greece You can find useful information about Greece at

6 The organisation of the is financially supported by the European Union. The sole responsibility lies with the author - the Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained in this practical information booklet. The network of organisations managing Europe s natural heritage - Le réseau des organismes pour la gestion du patrimoine naturel européen Eurosite : Postbus 90154, 5000 LG Tilburg, The Netherlands ; Tel. +31 (0) info@eurosite.org internet: