INVITATION to the
Athens, Corinth, Northern Greece and Istanbul
Study Tour June 10 to June 23 2013
To participate in an educational Familiarization Twelve (12) Day Study Tour visiting the highlights of Greece from June 10 – June 23, 2013 for the “refundable” fee of $895 pp!!!!
The tour offers educational study travel to Greece as an introduction to the country and its cultural treasures. This is an opportunity to visit our country and get familiar with our services, in order to further promote the planning of future group study tours of your college (for students and/or alumni) to Greece and Turkey in 2014 and 2015.
We are a family-run tour operator specializing in custom tailored educational programs, offering our services to colleges, universities, high school groups for more than 35 years!!
Among those, some of our repeat clients are:
T
 Harvard Divinity School, University of California at Long Beach, San Diego State University, Elon University, St Olaf College, University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota Duluth, Drew College, Concordia College, St. Mary’s College, Carthage College, Grandview University, Winthrop College, University of Arkansas, Luther College, Virginia Tech, University of Missouri, Austin Pay State University, and Carleton College to name a few. |
The cost of this tour is subsidized by our office and participating hotels for only $ 895 per person
(Excluding airfare to/from the US).
This cost is FULLY refundable to eligible participants after organizing their group study tour arrangements to Greece, Turkey or Italy with us!
Eligibility to participate:
- Faculty professors and their spouses in colleges and universities at Religion Dept, Classics Dept, Archaeology Dept, Art History Dept, Philosophy and History Dept, Architecture Dept as well as professors of Greek-American origin
- High school teachers or staff in Study Abroad programs or staff in Continuing Education Department or Alumni Offices
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WHY OFFER THIS TOUR? As believers of first hand experience and personal knowledge, we invest on people (instead of printed advertising) and their personal development. Thus we believe that visiting the sites, museums and people of Greece as a part of “on hands” education is very important for students so we would like to encourage you to come and experience
Greece and its cultural wealth as a potential educational destination for your study tours. We would like to offer this fam. trip as an exploration tour. There is no obligation on the part of the participants except to consider us as their future travel partner for organizing group travel arrangements for the next group study travel to Greece, Turkey or Italy.
Full refund of the payment $ 895 per person for this tour will be made upon the operation of the first study tour with us!
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JUNE 2013
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Mon June 10: ATHENS
Arrival in Athens. Meeting and transfer by private bus to the centrally located hotel near the old town and Acropolis Museum. Walking orientation tour of the area. Welcome dinner at traditional tavern. Overnight in four star Hotel Herodion or similar (D)
DAY 2 Tue June 11: ATHENS
After breakfast, meet your guide at 8:30am for a guided visit of the Acropolis and New Acropolis Museum. Pass by the Roman Agora, the Tower of the Winds and the Ancient Agora with its Museum; afternoon visit Byzantine Museum (if time allows). Evening cocktail in the roof garden of the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Herodion or similar (B)
DAY 3 Wed July 4: ATHENS – CORINTH
At 8.30am departure by bus for guided visit of the National Archaeological Museum and continue to reach Ancient Corinth for visit of the site where St Paul preached. Return to Athens for dinner at local restaurant. Overnight Hotel Herodion or similar. (B, D)
 
Ancient Corinth-“Bema”
Paul spent 18 months in the city of Corinth before the Jews of the city charged him with breaking the law and brought him before Gallio at the city's place of judgment (bema). The mention of Gallio provides an anchor for New Testament chronology as we know from Roman sources that Gallio was proconsul of Achaia from June 51 to May 52. Standing on this platform, the proconsul dismissed the charges against Paul as a dispute of Jewish law and not of a criminal nature.
DAY 4 Thu June13: DELPHI, ARACHOVA
At 8:00am morning departure towards the mainland and continue towards Delphi. Guided visit of the oracle site and the unique Archaeological Museum, including the famous statue of the Charioteer. Drive to Arachova for dinner at local establishment. Overnight at hotel Likoria in Arachova or at hotel Leto in Delphi. (B, D)
DAY 5 Fri June 14: DELPHI – KALAMBAKA
Morning departure to drive towards Kalambaka (4 – 4 ½ hours drive) to visit two of the most famous monasteries in Meteora, built on the cliffs overlooking the plain of Thessaly. Dinner (included) in the hotel. Overnight in Kalambaka (Hotel Amalia or similar) (B, D)
DAY 6 Sat June 15: METEORA – VERGINA – THESSALONIKI
Departure from Kalambaka to reach Vergina, the Tomb chamber of King Philip, father of Alexander the Great. Dinner in a selected ouzo place with Greek appetizers. Overnight in Hotel Olympia in Thessaloniki (B, D)
DAY 7 Sun June 16: THESSALONIKI
At 9:00am city tour by coach to visit the Old Walls of the city (if possible the site of the Acropolis of the town) the churches of St. Demetrius, Ag. Sophia, city wall fortifications, the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius, Ossios David, Panagia Archeiropoitos the newly renovated Archaeological Museum and the Byzantine Museum. Dinner at a selected ouzeri. Overnight at Hotel Olympia (B, D)
Day 8 Mon June 17: THESSALONIKI – VERROIA – NAOUSSA
Drive via Verroia visited by St Paul (short stop to visit St Paul’s monument as well as the small Byzantine museum) and continue to Naoussa to visit the school of the ancient philosopher Aristotle, where Alexander the Great was instructed. Wine tasting at the local winery, producing a local red variety and wine tour of the premises. Dinner and overnight in the hotel Ambelonas in Naoussa (B, D)
DAY 9 Tue June 18: NAOUSSA – PHILIPPI – KAVALLA
Morning departure to visit the site of Philippi visited by St. Paul and where Lydia the first European woman was baptised. Dinner in a typical restaurant with local specialties and overnight at hotel Lucy in Kavala (B, D)
DAY 10 Wed June 19: KAVALLA – NESTOS – ALEXANDROUPOLIS
Drive to Nestos River for an optional river rafting down stream. Enjoy hiking and nature walking in this unique river location. Continue towards Alexandroupolis. Dinner in a selected restaurant and overnight at hotel Alexander Beach in Alexandroupolis. (B, D)
DAY 11 Thu June 20: ALEX/POLIS – GREEK TURKISH BORDER – ISTANBUL
Departure for the Turkish boarder. Meet Turkish guide and private bus and drive to Istanbul. Walking tour of Istanbul visiting the Cisterns, the Hippodrome, and St Sophia Basilica. Dinner and overnight at hotel Daphne or Arcadia (B, D)
DAY 12 Fri June 21: ISTANBUL
Visit of Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, walk through the famous Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, visit Theodosian Walls. Dinner on your own and overnight in Istanbul (B)
DAY 13 Sat June 22: ISTANBUL
Guided visits of the Arch. Museum, the Mosaic Museum (if we can get access permit) Chora (Kariye Cami) and an optional visit of the Geek Orthodox Patriarchate. Afternoon free. Farewell dinner and overnight. (B, D)
DAY 14 Sun June 23: ISTANBUL – USA
Transfer to the airport for return to the US or extend your stay for optional extension tour to Troy, Sardis, Hierapolis and Ephesus
COST: $ 895 per person (in shared double room)
The tour will only be operated when the minimum number of participants is filled
Single supplement: $ 650
NOTE: The tour payment will be fully refunded upon the completion of your own group study tour to Greece, Turkey or Italy (min, 10 participants) operated and arranged by us, ETC in the next few years
Includes:
- Accommodation in Greece and Turkey for a total of thirteen (13) overnights in 3 *** and 4 **** hotels (based on double occupancy), centrally located with all modern facilities
- Daily breakfast buffet style
- Nine (9) dinners (or lunch instead) in Greece including welcome dinner in hotel properties and/or in local restaurants and a total of two (2) dinners in Turkey as mentioned in the itinerary
- English speaking guide/lecturer through out the tour for both in Greece and Turkey
- Transportation by deluxe motor coach with modern facilities and professional drivers including group bus transfers to/from the airport upon arrival and departure
- Assistance through out our reps in Athens and in Istanbul
- Admission fees to the arch. sites and museums in Turkey
Not Included:
- Admission fees in Greece - note: we can issue Museum Card for free admission to all sites – valid for 3 years – for all professors/ faculty with proper document from the college or university
- Airline Tickets to/from US
- Tips for guides and bus drivers - suggested $ 2 per day per participant FOR EACH
- Any extra meals, portages or other services not mentioned
- Visa in TURKEY - cost € 20 per person, paid upon arrival, cash only
Exploration Study Tour : June 10- 23, 2013
Deadline for REGISTRATION: March 15th, 2013
Email us to: Edtours@ed-tours.com, att.: Thalia Cocconi
Good Faith deposit of $ 250 per participant is required to secure your participation (send by check to :ETC, 4321 Lakemoor Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405)
Final payment due: May 1st, 2013
NOTE:
Spouses are eligible to join
Children and friends are allowed to join with additional charge.
Opportunity to extend your stay in Greece on your own to visit other sites, islands and cities or to travel with our assistance to Turkey, Cyprus, Italy or Egypt for exploration.
Cancellation conditions:
For cancellations from March 16th 2013 until May 1st 2013 the cancellation fee is $ 150 per person
For cancellations received after May 1st 2013 until June 10 -2013 full cancellation fee applies (tour cost of $895 per person)
Your contact reps in Greece:
Thalia and Dimitri Cocconi, office: (+30) 210 8951725 or (+30) 210 9657441
Thalia’s cell (24 hours): (+30) 6977 275 867
Dimitri’s cell: (+30) 6977 617 540
Conditions and Responsibility:
Educational Tours and Cruises LLC (ETC) provides customized travel planning throughout the world for group travellers who have a variety of reasons and goals for travel. The goals and/or opinions of these groups do not reflect or imply the position of ETC in any matter. Brochure contents may not be duplicated without permission from ETC. In offering these travel arrangements. ETC acts solely as an agent for the sale of transportation, guide services and other travel related services. ETC maintains no control over the personnel, equipment or operations of any entity furnishing services, products or accommodations. ETC assumes no responsibility or liability for, and shall not be expected, asked or required to pay for any injury, damage, expense, personal injury, property damage, inconvenience or any other loss experienced by reason of:
(1) any intentional, wrongful, negligent or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any supplier, its agents or employees;
(2) any defect, breakdown or other failure of any vehicle, equipment, service, product or other instrumentality which is owned, operated or otherwise used by a supplier;
(3) any intentional, wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any other party not under the direct control of ETC ;
(4) financial problems causing non performance by any supplier; or
(5) any other cause, condition or event whatsoever beyond the direct control of ETC (such as personal medical emergency or personal accidents)
ETC cannot guarantee any rates, bookings or reservations of any supplier. Your retention of tickets, reservations or bookings after issuance shall constitute consent to the foregoing provisions. All prices quoted are subject to change if airlines or ground operators increase their prices, the U.S. dollar is devalued significantly against foreign currencies, the group falls below minimum numbers, or a fuel surcharge, government tax or user's fee is imposed. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times. ETC reserves the right to withdraw from any tour any tour member whose conduct is incompatible with the interests of the group as a whole. The above Conditions and Responsibility also includes the individual group leaders and their respective organizations.
NOTE: As of March 1st, 2008, ETC will provide personal assistance from hotel to the airport during bus transfer arrangements for flights departing only for the following time period (8:00am – 12:00am).
Feb1, 2012
Dimitri and Thalia Cocconi
Educational Tours and Cruises LLC
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