Tours

The following tours have been scheduled in the framework of the 23rd IAPD Congress Athens 2011:

Detailed information on rates & bookings will be announced on September 2010.

PRE & POST CONGRESS TOURS

Greece offers many attractive destinations for unique vacation options:

  • One option is to visit the wonderful mainland where you can find apart from its natural beauty, many historical stopovers such as Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Meteora and so many other world renown places.
  • The other is to choose from the 6000 islands and islets dotting the Aegean and Ionian seas and have the opportunity to experience the most crystal clear waters than you can possibly imagine, strolling among the white houses in the evening and experiencing unforgettable sunsets. Another option is the world renown sailing in the Aegean or Ionian sea that gives you the opportunity to literally “hop” from one island to the other every day.
  • Finally, there are many cultural festivals going on in the summer throughout the country with excellent performing groups from all over the world, held in ancient theatres that can offer you an unforgettable experience.

The Professional Congress Organiser has planned the following pre and post Congress trips:    

  • Magnificent Santorini (3 days)
  • Cosmpopolitan Mykonos (3 days)
  • Delphi - Meteora (3 days)
  • Classical Tour (3 days)

santoriniSantorini (3 days)
A Magnificent Experience

The beautiful island of Santorini (or Thira) is famous for its amazing volcano, unique beaches with white, black or red sand and romantic landscapes. Transfer to Oia, one of the most picturesque villages of Santorini, which is built on the rim of the Caldera with fascinating white and pastel-colored island houses, red pebble walls which cling to the cliff-face, the famous "skafia" cave houses and charming blue-domed island churches. Here you can enjoy a spectacular view to the infinite blue of the Aegean Sea while washed in the breathtaking colors of one of the most famous sunsets in the world!

Mykonos (3 days)
A Cosmopolitan Experience

The most cosmopolitan island in Greece, Mykonos is recognized by its narrow, paved alleys, whitewashed houses and non-stop entertainment! Visitors probably pick Mykonos for its unique nightlife options but its beaches and archaeological sites are no less attractive. One of the most important sites in Greece is the small island of Delos, just off Mykonos, with astounding monuments such as the Terrace of the Lions and the Temples of Isis and Hera. Delos was considered the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

Delphi -  Meteora (3 days)

1st Day: Depart through Thebes, Levadia (short stop) and Arachova for Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by Castalia Spring, visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi. Afternoon free. Overnight stay in Delphi.

2nd Day: Morning free. In the afternoon depart through Central Greece and the cities of Lamia (short stop),Trikala to Kalambaka, a small town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks, and, crowned by the Meteroa Monasteries. Overnight stay in Kalambaka. 

3rd Day: Leave in the morning for nearby Meteora to visit the Byzantine Monasteries. Return to Athens passing by the monument of Leonidas at Thermopylae.

Classical Tour (3 days)
1st DAY: After departure, we pass by Olympic Stadium to see the Athens 2004 Olympics main venue. We continue for the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive to Epidaurus and visit the Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to Nayplia (short stop) and through the plain of Argos arrive to Mycenae. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. In the afternoon (optional stop for souvenirs) depart for OLYMPIA, the birth place of the Olympic Games, through the cites of Tripolis and Megalopolis (short stop).
Overnight stay in Olympia.

2nd DAY: Visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Depart via Patras (short stop) to Rion, cross the Corinthian bay by the new bridge to Antirion. Pass by the city of Nafpaktos and from there on,  along the coastal road to Delphi, known in ancient times as the navel of the world. In the afternoon visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Overnight stay in Delphi.
3rd DAY: Visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi. In the afternoon return to Athens. 

CONGRESS TOURS

  • New Acropolis Museum Guided Tour
  • Athens Sightseeing
  • Cape Sounion (Half-day afternoon tour)
  • Athens by Night
  • Delphi (Full day tour)
  • Epidaurus – Mycenae (Full day tour)
  • Wine Tasting & Ancient Corinth
  • Cruise to the Argosaronic Gulf (Full Day)
  • Hellenic World (virtual reality tour to the Greek ancient world)

ATHENS SIGHTSEEING & ACROPOLIS MUSEUM (Half-day morning tour)

From the Acropolis to Omonia Square, you'll see all the famous sites of ancient and modern Athens on this comprehensive morning tour. Offering a perfect overview of the modern city, this guided tour will help you get your bearings if this is your first visit to Athens.

Depart for PANATHINAIKOS STADIUM cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime’s Ministers residence,  Ex Royal Palace, (guarded by colourful Evzones) Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall). Proceed  passing by  Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown soldier, Schlieman’s House (Nomismatic Museum), Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament, Constitution Square ,Russian Orthodox Church, and finally ACROPOLIS (visit Propylae, Temple of Athena Nike, Parthenon, Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens).

Continue with a pleasant short walk* passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater, in order to visit the new ACROPOLIS museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you.
*weather permitting otherwise bus transfer
Duration : 5 hours

CAPE SOUNION
(Half-day afternoon tour)
This is a great half-day tour option if you're looking to explore Greece beyond Athens, complete with stunning views and world-class Greek ruins.
Depart for a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza) to CAPE SOUNION. Cape Sounion is only 45 miles (70 kilometers) from Athens, making it the perfect lazy afternoon destination. The Cape's Temple of Poseidon is perched on a rocky hilltop overlooking the sea. The view across the Aegean is magnificent with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world., extending all the way to Kea and the Peloponnese on a clear day. The Temple of Poseidon was built in 44 B.C., and many of its original Doric columns are still standing. One of the columns has a graffiti left by none other than Lord Byron in the early 1800s. The precipice is a sheer 197 foot drop to the sea.
Duration : 4 hours

ATHENS BY NIGHT

Fuel your appetite with a night-time tour of Athens and its port, then relax with a Greek dinner show at a typical taverna in the renowned Plaka district. It's the perfect way to spend a night out on the town in Athens!
The tour starts with a visit to Greece's principal commercial port of Piraeus, passing by the most important points of the city (City Hall, picturesque yacht's harbour of Microlimano etc). Your tour continues to Marina Zea, one of the busiest yacht harbors in the Mediterranean and home port to luxury pleasure yachts belonging to Greece's ship-owning and international jet-set communities. From here, it's a short drive to Mikrolimano, another picturesque yacht and fishing boat harbor, home to the former Royal Yacht Club and many fine waterfront seafood restaurants. Following the principal avenues and passing by the Temple of Olympian Zeus, National Garden, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral, Academy, University, National Library, Old Parliament we arrive at Plaka. Short pleasant walk through the old unique Athens city to one of the popular taverns for dinner with live bouzouki music and Greek folk dances.
Duration : 4 hours

DELPHI (Full day tour)
Explore one of the most famous sites of classical Greece on a day tour from Athens to magical Delphi. Depart from our terminal; via the national highway passing by  Thebes, Levadia (short stop), you'll arrive in Delphi at around noon.  Famous for its theater, Temple of Apollo and ancient ruins, Delphi was considered the center of the earth and the universe, and played a central role in the classical Greek world. Pass by CASTALIA SPRING, visit at the archaeological site the TEMPLE of APOLLO famous for its oracle and the MUSEUM of Delphi, with it’s spectacular finds, including the unique bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the Statue of Antinoos. After lunch return to Athens via the picturesque mountain village of ARACHOVA, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its wine and cheese (short stop).

Delphi is one of the national treasures of Greece and Unesco’s world heritage monument. The tour returns to Athens in the late afternoon.
Duration 10 hours

epidaurusEPIDAURUS – MYCENAE
(Full day tour)

Explore the remains of the ancient city of Mycenae a major centre of Greek civilization from 1600BC to 1100BC. Depart from our terminal via the coastal National highway for the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive to MYCENAE and visit the archaeological site, home to the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon. Visit the Palace, the Lionesses Gate and the  tomb of Agamemnon. Before lunch an optional stop in a pottery factory. After lunch through ARGOS proceed to Nauplia the first capital of modern Greece with its Venetian fortress of  PALAMIDI and the fortified islet of BOURTZI (short stop). Continue to EPIDAURUS and visit the ancient theatre. The UNESCO’S world heritage listed monument is reputed to be the birthplace of Apollo's son Asklepios, the healer and was the most celebrated healing center of the classical world. Epidaurus is probably most famous for its theatre, one of the best preserved classical Greek buildings and still used today due to its amazing acoustics. The tour returns to Athens in the late afternoon.
Duration 10 hours

WINE TASTING & ANCIENT CORINTH

Combine traditional Greek wine with a little history of Ancient Greece on this day trip from Athens to a Greek vineyard and a visit to Ancient Corinth.

Driving along the coastal road, we reach Corinth canal (short stop). Continue to the Ancient Corinth where St. Paul lived and preached.  Ancient Corinth was one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. You will visit the Agora and one of the most outstanding monuments of pre –Roman period, the temple of Apollo. Then we will continue to visit one of the most famous vineries of NEMEA. Greece may well possess first place in the hierarchy of countries known for their tradition in viticulture. Not only is this due to Greeks producing wine since the Neolithic Age - 4000 B.C. - but also to the fact that wine has long been adored, praised and chanted in the name of god Dionysus.

Nowadays, Greek wine production, abiding by tradition but invigorated by modem technology, offers a wide variety of fine wines. On tour you will visit  NEMEA is one of the most popular vineyards in Greece. We will visit the state of the art winery facilities. We will learn everything for the production of Greek quality red wine and then we will proceed to the underground cellars with more than 1000 French oak barriques. Finally we will taste some of the best wines of the domain.
Duration 7 ½ hours

CRUISE TO THE ARGOSARONIC GULF (Full Day)

Hydra

A contemporary "paradise," free of the noise and pollution of the big cities since motor vehicles are not allowed on Hydra. When entering the harbour of Hydra you get the feeling of a sweet welcome by the cute tiled houses which seem to squeeze each other to make their way to the port!

Poros

The island is covered by green land and the trees make their way down to the clean and attractive beaches. The "capital" of the island is a picturesque village with tiled houses. Its landmark is the beautiful municipal clock.

Aegina
The biggest island of the Saronic Gulf, overgrown with pistachio nut trees and pines. The island is blessed with 3000 years of history, beautiful landscapes and golden beaches.
Duration approx.: 12 hrs

For additional information please contact the Professional Congress Organiser:
C& C International Group of Companies
1A Pierias str, 14451 Athens, Greece
Tel. +30 210 6889180, Fax. +30 210 6844777 (attn. Hospitality Department)
E- mail: Hosp-iapd@candc-group.com