Greece Itinerary!!!

Day One/USA to Greece

• Tuesday, December 26, 2000: Depart the USA based upon your flight schedule (flights will be assigned in October). Dinner served aboard overnight flight.

Day Two/Arrive Athens

• Wednesday, December 27, 2000:
  Breakfast served aboard your flight. Arrive Athens based upon your flight schedule. Collect your baggage/equipment and clear Greek Customs whereupon you will be met by International Sport Tour Managers. The group will be directed to load their baggage and equipment and board an awaiting motor coach. Transfer to your accommodations in central Athens. Band members and staff can visit their hotel (the Hotel Stanley) by clicking on http://agn.hol.gr/hotels/stanley and "Companions" can visit their hotel (Titania Hotel) by clicking on http://www.titania.gr. The hotels are approximately 1 kilometer apart, easily accessible to one another.
  
  After check-in and time to rest and freshen up, we will take a 3 hour city tour of Athens. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides take you through the city to Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library.
  
  Driving down Herod Atticus Street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis, you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896) and the Temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian's Arch built in the 2nd century AD.
  
  On the Acropolis visit its Museum and the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Victory, the Erechtheion and, finally, the harmony between matter and spirit, the monument that puts order in the mind, the Parthenon.
  
  For more information on Athens, click on http://agn.hol.gr/hellas/attica/athens.htm

Day Three/Saronic Gulf Islands

• Thursday, December 28, 2000: (WEATHER PERMITTING. Optional date: Wed. Jan. 3rd) (Departure 8:00 a.m./return 7:30 p.m.)
  
  AEGINA: The biggest of the Saronic Gulf Islands inhabited from the 2nd mil. B.C. with two important archeological sites, a large cathedral dedicated to St. Nektarios the last canonized saint of the Greek Orthodox Church, a wonderful fish market, a unique fruit floating market, and an economy based on pistachio nuts.
  POROS: The smallest of the three islands, covered with pine and lemon trees, situated very close to the Peloponesian peninsula. Enjoy a beautiful walk up to the clock tower and admire the panorama. HYDRA: The smartest of the Greek islands, one of the favorite resorts of the international jet-set, the unique architecture of its houses, the pedestrian narrow streets full of boutiques, exclusive jewelry and handicrafts, attracts both shoppers and photographers. The crystal clear waters will refresh the swimmers.
  
  We take you by bus from your hotel to Marina Trokadero (Pal. Faliro) for your embarkation onto the cruise boat. Lunch is included and will be served on board.

• TROCADERO: Departure 08h.15
• AEGINA: Arrival: 09h.30 - Departure: 11h.30
• POROS: Arrival: 12h.30 - Departure: 13h.30
• HYDRA: Arrival: 14h.30 - Departure: 17h.00
• Return to TROCADERO: 19h.20

You can also click on http://agn.hol.gr/hellas/map.htm

Day Four/Nauplia PERFORMANCE

• Friday, December 29, 2000: We will journey today from Athens (the modern capital of Greece) to Nauplia (the ancient capital of Greece) to perform at beautiful Syntagma Square. Click on http://www.duth.gr/Pelop/naup/nauplia.html to learn more about this ancient site.

Day Five/FREE DAY

• Saturday, December 30, 2000: Optional Sightseeing Tours: various excursions available to accommodate everyone's taste and interests.

Day Six/New Years Eve PERFORMANCE & Party

• Sunday, December 31, 2000: Rest up today because it is going to be a LONG night! Tonight's performance has you parading with police escort from the Hotel Stanley to Syntagma Square (also known as Constitution Square), approximately 1.8 kilometers. In the large square the City of Athens will have the beautifully decorated performance area roped off and will have large screen monitors throughout the area so the 500,000 revelers who will be gathered can have a better view. "Companions" will fall in behind the band to parade to the area and will also be behind the ropes. The celebration concert is scheduled to begin at 11:00 p.m. and will ring in the year 2001. After parading back to the Hotel Stanley a New Year's Eve dinner and party is planned for the band. The Companions will have a New Year's Eve dinner and party at the Titania Hotel. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Day Seven/FREE DAY for optional sightseeing

• Monday, January 1, 2001: Optional Sightseeing Tours: various excursions available to accommodate everyone's taste and interests.

Day Eight/Delphi

• Tuesday, January 2, 2001: Today we will drive through the fertile plain of Beotia, past the towns of Thebes connected with the tragedy of king Oedipus - Levadia and Arachova, famous for its colorful rugs and carpets (short stop). Arrive at Delphi, the Center of the ancient world - the Omphalos (Navel) of the Earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary and Apollo and the museum containing such masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture as the bronze Charioteer and the famous athlete Aghias. Lunch in the modern village of Delphi, return to Athens by the same route. Estimated return to the hotel approximately 19h 30min. http://www.duth.gr/Sterellas/Delphi/

Day nine/FREE DAY for optional sightseeing

• Wednesday, January 3, 2001: Optional Sightseeing Tours and various excursions available to accommodate everyone's taste and interests. This is also the last day for last minute shopping.

Day ten/Athens to USA

• Thursday, January 4, 2001: Check-out of hotel and board motor coach for airport. Clear Greek security and board your return flight to the USA. Arrive USA based upon your flight schedule. Collect your baggage/equipment and clear USA customs. Welcome home!

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