RECON 2017 Conference will take place in July 22-23, 2017, at Oursoulines (Kazantzakis) School, in Chora Naxos, Greece.
The sessions of the Conference will be accommodated in the famous Oursoulines French School, known as ‘The School of Nikos Kazantzakis’ within the traditional medieval settlement of Chora Naxos.
Naxos is the Cyclades' largest island! This little city island with endless stretches of sandy beaches, fertile valleys and mountain villages offers so much to see and do.
Shaped like a diamond, or as some say, like a green leaf on the Aegean, it boasts a fertile land, due to its many natural sources of irrigation. This natural phenomenon has provided the island with a vibrant industry of agriculture and self-sufficiency apparent by the many products the island produces. The island is also a natural resource of marble and emery, with skilled craftsmen providing the region with the material used to build many mythical monuments for millennia.
Remains of these temples and other significant artefacts are found throughout Naxos, making it an ideal place to see up close, the temples and mythical legends we read about in books: The Temple of Demeter; The Temple of Apollo; the sanctuary at Yria (temple dedicated to the god Dionysus); the giant “Gulliver-like” statues Kouroi and the medieval castle above Naxos’s Old Town.
A civilization that dates back to the 4th millennium B.C., Naxos, since ancient times, has been a pivotal hub connecting travellers and nomads to destinations near and far.
It has also been a crossroads of many cultures and religions, ruling kingdoms, dukes and emperors, apparent by the various architectural styles and religious monuments on the island: from Venetian towers and styles in the Old Town, to the over 200 Byzantine churches high atop mountain peaks and nestled in between green valleys and ravines.
In recent years, the charming villages of Naxos have claimed their own in the world of travel destinations, offering a visit into village life in real time.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction to visiting Naxos is its breathtaking coastline. Scores of endless sandy shores, some easy to get to, and others more remote, provide the option of easy access or exploration to find your own special place. In recent years, Naxos is getting on the map of becoming a year-round destination for nature and adventure lovers. The mountain peaks and massifs boast an extensive network of gorgeous hiking and biking trails, many of which include sightseeing.
Similarly the flora and fauna in the fall and spring are certain to provide a different island experience, as is the geological appreciation of the island.
Population: Approximately 18,000
Square Miles: Naxos has an area of 435sq.km and a coastline of 91km
Climate: Mediterranean with mild winters (12-14℃; or 53-57℉) and warm summers (25 -30℃; or 77-86℉)
Access to Naxos: Naxos is accessible via ferry and hydrofoil from the ports of Piraeus, Rafina, the islands of the Cyclades and others, including Crete. Additionally, there is a direct flight (s) from Athens.
From Athens:
• Daily ferry/ferries from the port of Piraeus (approximately 5.5 hours)
• Daily ferry from the port of Rafina (approximately 5 hours)
• Daily hydrofoil(s) from the port of Piraeus (approximately 4 hours)
• Daily hydrofoil(s) from the port of Rafina (approximately 3-3.5 hours)
• By air: Daily flight (s) from Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos
From Santorini
• Daily ferry/ferries (approximately 2-2.5 hours)
• Daily hydrofoils (approximately 1 hour)
From Mykonos
• Daily ferries (approximately 1-2 hours)
• Daily hydrofoils (approximately 20 minutes)
From Crete
• Daily hydrofoils (approximately 3.5 hours)
Islands Close by: Islands of Small Cyclades – Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissia, Donoussa; Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Ios, Amorgos
