Get ready for fun and learning in Greece!
Tentative Program Itinerary:
Day 1 – Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Evening: Arrive in Athens. Be greeted by the CISabroad On-Site Program Coordinator at the airport and transfer to accommodations for check-in. Welcome dinner at a traditional Greek taverna.
Meals: Dinner
Transportation: Airport to accommodations (one group transfer via private coach); hotel to dinner (walking)
Day 2 – Wednesday, January 6, 2016 – Epiphany National Holiday
Day: Breakfast at the hotel and group orientation. Cultural scavenger hunt, coordinated by faculty leaders and CISabroad On-Site Program Coordinator. Free time for the remainder of the day to explore Athens, with La Vida Local activity suggestions by CISabroad On-Site Program Coordinator.
Evening: Time for book club/daily meetings (no classroom space)
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: For the scavenger hunt (public transportation passes and walking)
Day 3 – Thursday, January 7, 2016
Day (8:30 A.M. start): Walking tour of Athens, including visits to the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum (lunch covered as part of the tour). Time for book club/daily meetings.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Transportation: Accommodations to all visits (walking)
Day 4 – Friday, January 8, 2016
Day: Depart on day trip to Isthmia/Corinth. Tour the Archeological Museum at the site of the Ancient Games, and the Sanctuary of Poseidon.
Afternoon: After lunch, visit the Theater of Epidaurus. Transfer to accommodations for overnight in Naupila, the neoclassical first capital of Greece.
Evening: Dinner at a restaurant in town
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach and walking)
Day 5 – Saturday, January 9, 2016
Morning: Day trip to Nemea/Corinth. Visit the Archeological Museum in Nemea.
Afternoon: After lunch, visit the Sanctuary of Zeus, and participate in the stadion race. Transfer and overnight in Olympia, with dinner arranged at the hotel (12 Euros pay on-own)
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 6 – Sunday, January 10, 2016
Morning: Day trip to Olympia. Visit the Archeological Museum.
Afternoon: Tour the ruins. Run stadion race. Transfer and overnight in the town of Itea, just outside of Delphi, with dinner arranged at the hotel (12 Euros pay on-own)
Evening: Time for book club/daily meetings
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach and walking)
Day 7 – Monday, January 11, 2016
Morning: Day trip to Delphi. Tour the Archeological Site and Museum.
Afternoon: Lunch in Delphi, and free time to explore before departing back to Athens.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach and walking)
Day 8 – Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Day: 8:00 A.M. departure to the Floisvos Harbor to embark on an adventure of Deep Sea Fishing in the Argosaronikos waters!
Notes: This will be an all day excursion, with 4 hours of transit time on the boat and 4 hours of fishing. The group will be split into 2 boats: 12 people per boat with 6 people fishing per side. Deep sea fishing rods, bait, and crew to assist you are included with the boat rental. There will be cold snacks provided onboard, and it is recommended for you to bring additional food to eat.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to and from port (private coach), into the Argosarokikos waters for fishing (charter boats)
Day 9 – Wednesday, January 13, 2016
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.: Conference space at the hotel for class instruction
Afternoon: Group bowling excursion
Evening: Dinner at Spondi, a Michelin Guide restaurant!
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: To and from bowling excursion (private coach)
Day 10 – Thursday, January 14, 2016
Morning (9:00 A.M. departure from hotel): Depart for Oaka Olympic Stadium for an Indoor beach volleyball training session at the Olympic complex in Athens. The group will be split into 2, and have approx. 1 hour of playing time each.
Afternoon/evening: Attend a basketball game (confirmation pending)
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to and from visits (private coach)
Day 11 – Friday, January 15, 2016
Day: Visit the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens “Spiros Louis” and tour the Main Olympic Stadium, the Aquatic Center, Velodrome, and Indoor Basketball Arena.
Evening: Time for book club/daily meetings.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to and from Olympic Athletic Center (private coach)
Day 12 – Saturday, January 16, 2016
Morning: Visit the orphanage SOS Child Village in Vari, just outside of Athens. Meet with children and a guide who will explain more about the orphanage. Return to Athens, and have free time for the rest of the day, with La Vida Local Activity suggestions by On-Site Program Coordinator.
Gift requests for the children: NEW sweaters, pullovers, and winter jackets for children ranging from small to teenagers (about 15 years old). Prior to the visit, ensure your gift clothing donation is wrapped and ready to be presented as a gift.
Afternoon/evening: Attend a football (soccer) match (confirmation pending)
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to all visits (private coach)
Day 13 – Sunday, January 17, 2016
9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.: Conference space at the hotel for class instruction
Afternoon: Visit the Panathenic Stadium in Athens, the site of the first modern Olympic Games!
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (private coach)
Day 14 – Monday, January 18, 2016
Day (11:00 A.M. departure): Day trip to the Glyfada Golf Club in the suburb of Athens. Tour the grounds. Optional: time to golf . Those not wishing to golf can join the On-Site Program Coordinator for a walk around the center of Glyfada to see its shops and eateries!
If you are golfing, here are the prices you need to know:
Golfing (18 holes): 25 Euros (students), and 50 Euros (full price/adult)
Equipment rental: 30 Euros per person for clubs and 10 Euros for a Trolley
Evening: Time for book club/daily meetings.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to and from Panathenic Stadium (private coach)
Day 15 – Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Day: Free day to explore, pack, and soak up the last moments in Athens!
Evening: Farewell dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Transportation: To lunch/dinner (walking)
Day 16 – Tuesday, January 20, 2016
Morning: Check out of accommodations and transfer to airport for flight home
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to airport (one group airport transfer via private coach)