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Greece
Shopping Tours May 22-June 4 2004
This tour takes us on a wild ride through the island of
Crete, Santorini, and through the ancient city of Athens.
We will spend the first two nights in Chania, Crete, an
old waterfront city known for it's Venetian influence
and old world beauty. Then we will head off to the mountain
village of Anoyeia, passing through Rethymnon and finally
ending up back by the water in Heraklion. We will have
the chance to visit the ancient palace of Knossos and
visit some amazing artists specializing in glass blowing,
fabric manufacturing, pottery, and much more. We will
spend the next  couple
of nights in Santorini visiting the famous picturesque
places like, Oia and Fira.
During our stay in Athens, there will
be visits to other ancient sites, such as, the Acropolis,
ancient Epidavros Amphi-Theater and Mycenea, and Nafplion.
As we pass through these incredible places we will also
have private access to some of Greece's most talented
artists and designers. We will also be learning how to
blow glass and throw pottery! All activities are open
to voluntary participation. You may dine wherever you
like, although some meals are included in your cost of
the trip.
The tour will be guided by Aegean Affair owner, Kelly
Davison, and by private travel guides in Greece through
the historic site. Because we are traveling before high
season in Greece, we are able to get the best prices possible
for fabulous hotels and avoid much of the summer racket.
Cell phones are available for rental in Greece upon request.
Please ask for details.
Due to the non-refundability restriction of this tour,
purchase of travel insurance is strongly recommended.(click
here for Travel
Guard Insurance/)
Note: The
trip price is based on the prevailing exchange rate between
U.S. dollar and the Euro and is subject to change if there
is a wide currency fluctuation between now and our departure.
Shopping
Tour Itinerary
(Crete-Santorini-Nafplion-Athens)
(Please note that participation in any and all days events
is voluntary. There will also be other options of artists
and places to visit should you prefer to see something
different than the planned visits with the group.)
May 22
Depart from San Diego Airport heading for Athens, Greece.
May 23
Arrival in Athens airport. Meet with Fantasy Travel representatives
and check-in to a connecting flight to Chania, Crete.
Arrival in Chania, check into Hotel Kydon. The rest of
the day can be used at your disposal. I will give you
direction and suggestions, should you feel up to getting
to know Chania.
May 24
Artists visits scheduled for the day
Carmela Iatropoulou (ceramics, jewelry)
Katerina Farmaki (mosaics, etc.)
Kostas Liapakis (Cretan fabrics and Kilims)
Visit to the Art Village in Chania
Various shops in Chania
Stay another night in Hotel Kydon
May 25
Departure from Chania heading toward Heraklion, Crete.
ON the way there will be stops in Apokoronos (blown glass/embroidery
workshop)Reythymnon for lunch, visits with artists visits.
Visit Tarrha Glass in Anoyeia village. Travelers will
have the opportunity to learn how to blow glass, including
a hands on experience for each person!
Following the visit to Tarrha Glass and dinner in Anoyeia,
the group will head to Heraklion's Hotel Astoria to check
into our hotel and bunk up for the night!
May 26
Visit to Knossos Palace.
Visit to artist Manolis Patramanis factory and shop (ceramics)
Visit to Margarites Village to visit artist Yiorgos Dalamvelas.
This village is known for it's traditional pottery. Several
workshops also organize short two hour lesons.
Overnight again in Hotel Astoria, Heraklion.
May 27
Transfer to Heraklion port to embark on the ferry to Santorini.
Arrival in Santorini and transfer to the Volcano View
Villas for check in.
Day at leisure to relax or explore the island on your
own. Suggestions and direction will be offered. I have
stayed in this hotel before and it is fabulous!
May 28 Guided walking tour
and artists visits through Oia and Fira, with a stop for
lunch in Oia. The rest of the day is at your disposal.
There are many historic sites to see as well as brilliant
ways to enjoy this incredible island.
May 29
Transfer to Santorini port. First class tickets or high
speed ferry to to Pireaus (Athens port).
Transfer to Electra Palace in Athens for check in and
overnight stay.
The rest of the day is at your disposal.
May 30
Half-day tour including a visit to the Acropolis and its
museum.
Visits to 2 -3 artists in Plaka/Syntagma area.
May 31
Full day tour to the area of Argolis, for a visit to Mycenea,
the ancient theater of Epidavros, and Nafplion. Great
shopping and artists in Nafplion!
Return to Electra Palace for overnight stay.
June 01-03
Lots of artists/designers to see in the Athens area (including
jewelry, clothing, shoes, leather, glass, and metal).
(Possible day trip to Spetses Island.) Free time will
also be given.
Continue staying at Electra Palace.
June 04 Transfer
to Athens airport for flight back home.
Optional Tours
Available while in Athens
While in Athens the following tours are available:
- Afternoon tour to Cape Sounion EURO 32 per person
- Full Day to Delphi including lunch EURO 82 per person
- 1-day cruise to Aegina-Poros-Hydra including lunch EURO
80 per person
- Athens by night including dinner and show EURO 52 per
person
| Nonrefundable
Tour Cost Group |
Minimum
of 10 Participants |
|
| Per person in double |
$2690 |
|
| Per single |
$3590 |
|
| *Non refundable deposit
of $400.00
is required for all interested parties. This will
be subtracted from the total amount. The deadline
to pay for the trip April 4. |
*Payment in full due by April 2nd.
Above rates include :
* All transfers as per itinerary by private airconditioned
bus
* 2 overnights in Chania at htl Kydon or similar
* 2 overnights in Heraklion at htl Astoria or similar
* 2 overnights in Santorini at htl Volcano View Villa or
similar
* 6 overnights in Athens at htl Electra Palace or similar
* Half Day tour to Knossos Palace
* Half Day tour of Athens
* Full Day tour to Argolis
* Professional English speaking guide during the land tours
* Entrance fees to the sites and museums visited during
the tours
* Meals : 12 breakfast & 2 lunches
* Air ticket Athens-Chania
* Ferry or Highspeed tickets Heraklion-Santorini-Piraeus
* Taxes
* Private visits, demonstrations, and/or lessons from artists
and designers.
* Reduced prices on all purchases made from featured artists/shops
on the trip or listed on www.GreeceShoppingGuide.com. |
