19th IEEE International On-Line Testing Symposium
Minoa Palace Resort & Spa, Chania, Crete, Greece,
July 8-10, 2013


Location
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About the location:


The 19th IEEE International On-Line Testing Symposium will be held in the MINOA PALACE RESORT & SPA, a luxury 5* beachside hotel situated in the cosmopolitan area of Platanias, 12 km west of the picturesque city of Chania.

Chania is the second largest city of Crete island and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It is a blessed and privileged place with a mild climate during the whole year, countless beauties and all kinds of attractions. Travelers who come are captivated by the traditional style of the villages and the purity of the natural environment.

The city of Chania lies around 40 km (25 mi) from the west end of Crete. It is a place where different civilizations have flourished throughout the centuries. Wandering around the Old Town's maze-like alleys with the beautiful Venetian mansions, the fountains and the elaborate churches will help you discover well-preserved historical monuments. Get familiar with the city of Chania by wandering around in its streets, visiting its museums and admiring the different architectural styles presenting the historical route of the city.

Apart from the city of Chania, the entire region is also breathtaking. The sandy beaches, the mountains villages, the seaside hamlets, the pure nature, the Byzantine monasteries spread along the inland, all create a fantastic background to explore. If you drive around Chania, you will be amazed by the wild nature that will unfold in front of your eyes. You will have the chance to hike impressive gorges, such as the Gorge of Samaria, and see rare flora and fauna. These gorges, with their wild beauty and unpolluted environment stir strong emotions of awe and wonderment. The passage of one of these gorges offers unforgettable experiences.
 Samaria
 

Access

Chania has daily sea connection with Piraeus via ferry boats. The bay of Suda (7 km) that serves as the port of Chania is the biggest and safest bay in the East Mediterranean.

The international airport of Chania (IATA code: CHQ) is located at Sternes, in Akrotiri, 14 km east of the city. Chania is connected by air to Athens but there are also several charter flights from all over Europe during the summer. At the airport are car rentals and taxis for all parts of the island.

There are 3 options to reach Platanias and Minoa Palace from Chania airport:
First option is to use the local bus from the airport to Chania bus terminal and then take another bus to "Platanias" (there is a bus stop out of Minoa Palace and costs 1.90€) or take a taxi (there is a taxi station out of the terminal and it costs around 20€) to Minoa Palace.
Second option is Minoa Palace hotel book a taxi upon request, which will be waiting out of the arrivals terminal. The cost for this option is about 45€.
The last option is to hire a car and drive to Minoa Palace from the highway (24km).
See details at hotel location
http://www.minoapalace.gr/pagesubmenu.aspx?id=3&lang=en
 Map
 

City of Chania


The city of Chania is divided in two parts: the Old Town and the modern city. The Old Town is considered the most beautiful urban district on Crete, especially the crumbling Venetian harbour. The central part of the old town is named Kasteli and has been inhabited since Neolithic times. It is located on a small hill right next to the seafront and has always been the ideal place for a settlement due to its secure position, its location next to the harbour and its proximity to the fertile valley in the south. The Splantzia quarter (next to the east part of Kasteli) is largely untouched and very atmospheric. The main square of the old town is the Eleftherios Venizelos Square. It is the heart of the touristic activities in the area. Next to this (on the west side) lies the Topanas district, which used to be the Christian part of the city during the Turkish occupation. The whole Topanas area is generally very picturesque, with many narrow alleys and old charming buildings. Finally, a very distinctive area of the old town is the harbour itself and generally the seafront with several historical buildings and a thriving nightlife.

 
The modern part of Chania is where most locals live and work. It is less traditional than the old town, but there are still areas of charming beauty or of some historical interest. The oldest district (early 18th century) of the modern city is Nea Hora (meaning "New Town") which is located beyond the west end of the old town. It is a developing area, but also a very picturesque one, with narrow old lanes leading to a small fishing harbour. During the same era the district of Halepa begun to grow to the east of the city and used to be home for the local aristocracy.