Join an Interesting and Educational Journey to Fascinating Greece

Hosted by Dr. Rami Arav, Bethsaida Excavations Project Director

FOCUSING ON CRETE AND THE ATHENS AREA

MARCH 11 – 20, 2005

11, Friday—Arrive at Omaha Airport to check in for the flights to Greece.

12, Saturday—After changing planes on the mainland of Europe and again in Athens, arrive into Herakleion (Iráklio) on the island of Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago.  Following customs formalities, the Greek tour manager will show you to the waiting motorcoach.  After check-in at the hotel, a welcome dinner will be served.

13, Sunday—Enjoy a full-day excursion to Knossós, Vathípetro, Peza, and Thrapsanos today.  First spend some time at Knossós Palace, the first of the Minoan palaces to be discovered, then continue to Vathípetro Villa, also from the Minoan period.  This afternoon, enjoy wine tasting in Peza and stop to admire the pottery in Thrapsanos.  If time allows upon return to Herakleion, visit the Archaeological Museum there.

14, Monday—After breakfast at the hotel, visit Gortyn to see St. Titus’ Basilica and the ruins of the Praetorium and Nymphaeum.  Continue to Phaistos to see ruins of the Minoan Palace of Phaistos. 

15, Tuesday—The Lassíthi Plateau, Ágios Nikólaos, and the Minoan Palace of Mália are on the agenda for today.  Your tour manager will make some suggestions for tonight’s dinner.

16, Wednesday—Focus on the western side of the island today, with visits to Chania (Haniá), Souda, and the Sfakiá area.

17, Thursday—Transfer to Herakleion Airport to check in for the short flight to Athens.  Upon arrival, meet your Athens tour manager.  A guided city sightseeing tour including the Acropolis and the Archaeological Museum will be offered, and the remainder of the day will be at leisure to visit the famous monuments and ruins on your own.  The tour manager will make suggestions for your independent dinner.

18, Friday—A full-day excursion to Delphi awaits today.  Positioned high on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, this site is truly inspirational.  Return to Athens in the late afternoon.

19, Saturday—Spend the morning traveling along the Apollo Coast on your way to Cape Sounion, the outpost of Attica.  Return to Athens in time to freshen up for dinner.  The group will enjoy a very special farewell dinner together at the Dionyssos Restaurant overlooking the Acropolis this evening.

20, Sunday—Transfer to Athens Airport to check in for the flights back to Omaha. 

$2,779 per person from Omaha based on 27 participants*

*Suggested fundraising donation of an additional $1,000 per person to be paid to the Bethsaida Excavations Project

Tour Inclusions:

• Roundtrip flights from Omaha to Crete and from Athens back to Omaha on a regularly scheduled air carrier.
• Air transportation for inter-Greece flight from Crete to Athens using Olympic Airlines.
• Land transportation for the complete itinerary by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach.
• Accommodations based on two persons sharing a room with private facilities in deluxe, five-star hotels.  A single supplement will be charged for anyone requiring single accommodations.
• Breakfast daily at the hotels and two dinners.
• English-speaking Greek tour manager.
• Sightseeing and admission fees in accordance with the itinerary.
• Taxes for all services included in the tour cost.

MORE DETAILS AND FULL COLOR BROCHURES COMING SOON!

PLEASE CONTACT DR. ARAV AT (402) 554-4986 OR RARAV@MAIL.UNOMAHA.EDU

3250 – 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI  49512-1640
616-957-8113
800-469-4883

Fax  616-957-9716
Groups@wittetravel.com
www.wittetravel.com

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING A BROCHURE.