Welcome this years SMES trip: Our Greek Legends Tour!

This will be our blogsite for our Greek Legends Tour.  I has all our itinerary, flight and hotel details, but will also be updated daily with ongoing pictures and small movies taken during the tour.  Please tell your friends and family to visit this site so they can check our daily progress!

Day by Day Itinerary

Thursday 4th March Outbound Flight from Richmond (& Houston)

Depart on your Delta flight to Athens (see details Below)

Friday 5 March Arrive in Athens!

Arrive at Athens airport where you will meet Jo Leitner along with a Greek interpreter.  You will transfer from Athens airport to the 5 star Royal Olympic Hotel, by deluxe private coach. The hotel is in a fantastic location near to the famous Plaka area, under the acropolis. You can relax or explore the city with Jo. who knows it very well. In the evening, pick up from hotel & transfer to Dionysos restaurant overlooking the Acropolis for our first nights dinner.

Saturday 6 March Travel to Delphi

Pick up from hotel after breakfast, for a full day trip to Delphi. Here we see the famous Mount Parnasssas, said to be the center of the ancient world. Our guide will introduce us to the remains of once magnificent temples as well as artefacts and treasures in the nearby museum. For lunch we will have incredible views over the gulf of Corinth. In the evening, pick up from hotel & transfer to Kalokerinos restaurant in Plaka for dinner and a traditional Greek folklore show. Return to hotel. 

Sunday 7 March  Fly to Santorini

Transfer from hotel Royal Olympic to Athens airport for your flight to the extraordinary and beautiful island of Santorini. Upon arrival, transfer to our Hotel, the lovely Dana Villas with great views over the caldera towards a newly rising volcano. In the evening we have dinner at the local Simos restaurant, within walking distance from Hotel Dana Villas. Overnight.

Monday 8 March Day at Leisure in Santorini

Today is at your leisure. You may wish to take a boat trip to the volcano arising in the sea or risk a donkey ride down the steps to the harbour. You could just relax by the hotel or visit one of the beaches, of course there will also be time to explore the exclusive shops of Santorini. This evening we are free to choose our own restaurant (cash voucher included) or we can all eat as a group at one we like.

Tuesday 9 March  Half Day guided Tour Santorini

Pick up from hotel after breakfast and enjoy a locally guided half day Santorini island tour including a visit to museum. This afternoon is free to relax..

Wednesday 10 March  Return flight to Athens

Transfer from hotel Dana Villas to Santorini airport for your return flight to Athens. Upon arrival, transfer back to the Hotel Royal Olympic. In the evening, pick up from hotel & transfer to Diogenis restaurant in Plaka for dinner. Return to hotel. Overnight.

Thursday 11 March: Private Athens city tour

Pick up from hotel after breakfast, for a half day Athens city tour with a local guide including a visit to Acropolis site. Return to hotel. This afternoon is at leisure, perhaps some shopping in the Plaka area after a leisurely lunch.. In the evening, pick up from hotel & transfer to “Taverna tou Psara” restaurant in the Plaka, for our farewell dinner. Return to hotel. Overnight.

Friday 12 March Return flight home

Pick up from hotel and transfer to Athens airport for your flight back home.

Hotel Details:

Hotel Details:

We will be staying at the Royal Olympic hotel in Athens on 5th, 6th, 10th & 11th of March.  It's a 5 star hotel chosen for its great location near to both the Plaka and the Acropolis.

28-34 Athanasiou Diakou Str. 117 43, Athens, GREECE Tel.: 011 30 210 92.88.400 Fax.: 011 30 210 92.33.317

http://www.royalolympic.com/

We will be staying in Santorini at the Dana Villas hotel on 7th 8th, 9th, of March.
Dana Villas, Firostirini
Santorini, Greece
Post Code 847 00.
Tel: (from the US) 011 30 228 602 2566
http://www.danavillas.net/

Flight Details:

All reservations using can be checked using your surname and the code given in your emails at www.delta.com

Your Flights:  Outbound

Depart Richmond at 10.25am, arriving at JFK New York at 11.49am.

Depart JFK New York  at 4.10pm.  Arrive Athens at 9.15am

Return:

Depart Athens 11am on 12th March, arrive JFK New York at 3.25pm

Depart JFK New York at 6.30pm, Arrive Richmond at 8.31pm.

*The Mahood family have a separate itinerary flying from Houston.

Departs	Arrives	Stops	Flights & Cabin (Class)	Travel Time
Outbound: Richmond, VA (RIC) to Athens, Greece (ATH) on Thu, 4 Mar 2010
10:25am RIC	11:49am JFK	Nonstop	Delta 6627  Canadair Regional Jet  operated by Comair Dba Delta Connection  In-Flight Services Coach (T)	15 hr 50 min
4:10pm JFK	9:15am ATH  Arrives 05 Mar	Nonstop	Delta 132  Boeing 767  In-Flight Services Coach (T)
Return: Athens, Greece (ATH) to Richmond, VA (RIC) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010
11:00am ATH	3:25pm JFK	Nonstop	Delta 133  Boeing 767  In-Flight Services Coach (U)	16 hr 31 min
6:30pm JFK	8:31pm RIC	Nonstop	Delta 6525  Canadair Regional Jet  operated by Comair Dba Delta Connection  In-Flight Services Coach (H)