Pre & Post Congress Tours

AFEA SA has been appointed as the official tour operator for the IFLA 2019 Congress.

You may book your tour before the Congress, by using the following link or during the Congress at the designated Travel Agent counter which will be located within the registration area.

https://afea.eventsair.com/ifla-wlic-2019/tours

Tour Dates Cost per person
2 Days Olympia Tour / DBL sharing room, Half Board 

20-21 August

3-4 September

172€
2 Days Tour – Kalamata, Messini, Koroni, Methoni

22-23 August

2-3 September

3-4 September

265€
2 Days Tour – Mystras, Monemvasia

21-22 August

2-3 September

3-4 September

265€
2 Days Tour – Santorini

20-21 August

22-23 August

31 August – 1 September

1-2 September

490€
1 Day Cruise – Hydra, Poros, Aegina

22,23 & 31 August

1 & 2 September

100€
1 Day Tour – Kalamata, Messini

21 & 23  August

2 & 3 September

150€

 

2 Days Olympia Tour

1st DAY: Leave Athens behind and head to the strategically Corinth canal (short stop). Continue to EPIDAURUS and visit the majestic Ancient theatre, world famous for its outstanding acoustics. Proceed to the beautiful seaport town of Nauplia (short stop) and through the plain of Argos arrive to Myceane. Visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Learn about the classical Greek culture as you walk through this impressive archaeological site. In the afternoon depart for Olympia, the birth place of the Olympic Games. Overnight stay Olympia.

2nd DAY: After breakfast, set off with your expert guide and visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of OLYMPIA. Marvel at the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame, the Stadium and the archaeological Museum. Continue via Patras and see the famous Antirion Bridge which is considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Continue your route with your driver and arrive back to Athens in the late afternoon.

 

2 Days Tour – Santorini 

1st DAY: We will travel to Piraeus port where the ferry for Santorini departs. Board your ferry for an 8-hour crossing to Santorini, or upgrade to a speedboat for a ride of around 5 hours. During the trip you will have the chance to see some of the most beautiful islands of Aegean. Arriving at the port of Santorini, our expert driver will be waiting you holding a sign with your name in order to transfer you at the hotel. The rest of the day at leisure to enjoy one of the most romantic islands of the world and wander around the picturesque village of Oia, famous for the breathtaking sunsets.

2nd DAY:  After your breakfast, check out of your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax on amazing beaches or to visit the main town, Fira. Fira is a bustling place which invites everyone to shop, stroll though its streets, or enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants overlooking the volcanic site. If you like the history you may visit “Akrotiri” site to see the ancient remains after the volcano explosion. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the port for the return back to Athens. Our expert driver will be waiting you again at the port of Piraeus to transfer you safely at your Athens central hotel.

 

2 Days Tour – Kalamata, Messini, Koroni, Methoni

1st DAY: Depart from your Hotel via the coastal National highway for the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive to MESSINI and visit the archaeological site. Picturesquely situated on a hillside below the village of Mavromati and still undergoing excavation, the site comprises a large theatre, an agora (marketplace), a vast Sanctuary of Asclepius and the most intact and impressive of all Ancient Greek stadiums. Ancient Messeni was built in 369 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas, after the battle of Leuctra, where he defeated the Spartans, invaded in Laconia and freed the Messenians from Spartian dominance. Continue to KALAMATA, the second most populous city of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece and the largest city of the homonymous administrative region. After a stop for lunch, we will have the opportunity to discover the so many sides of the city. Check out the fortified castle from the Middle Ages, the renowned dance festival that attracts fans from all over Europe, the nunnery where traditional handkerchiefs are still made by hand, neoclassical buildings, 19th-century churches, fashion boutiques, art shops and traditional cafes. This city in the Peloponnese is chock full of surprises! Overnight in Kalamata.

2nd DAY: In the morning we will first visit the Castle of Koroni, built during the Byzantine era and the only castle in Greece that is still inhabited to the present day. We will see the fields and houses on our left and continue towards the great plateau on our right hand, where we will admire the breathtaking view of the whole Messenian Bay in the depths of mountain Taygetos! Leaving Koroni and before heading towards Methoni, we pass by some of the most famous beaches of Messenia, such as the beach of Finikounda, the Loutsa beach and the Anemomylos beach, the most famous beach of the area. Next destination is the imposing castle of Methoni which dominates the southwest tip of the Peloponnese. It is one of the most significant castles in Greece, with an area of about 93 acres, while at its edge by the sea is Bourtzi, which can be reached by a paved corridor through the Pyli tis Thalasas (Gate of the Sea). Built in 1209 by the Venetians on a rock penetrating the sea, it is separated from the mainland by an artificial moat, which is overlapped by a beautiful stone bridge. Inside we see the ruins of the homes of Venetian noblemen and other buildings, Byzantine churches and bastions. After lunch in the area we return back to Athens, through the National Highway.

 

2 Days Tour – Mystras, Monemvasia

1st DAY: Depart for the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive to MYSTRAS, the ‘wonder of the Morea’, built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. Then, we will proceed to Sparta, one of the most important Greek city-states throughout the Archaic and Classical periods and famous for its military prowess. In the modern city of Sparta we will have lunch and a visit at the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta. The museum aims to highlight the culture and technology of the olive and olive production, which is inextricably linked with the Greek and Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, it is located in the heart of Laconia, one of the main olive producing locations in Greece. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Monemvasia for overnight.

2nd DAY: The Castle Town of Monemvasia is among the most impressive places in Greece. Located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese, was entirely carved on the back side of a sea rock in the Medieval times. This huge sea rock is not visible from the mainland, so that the locals could avoid enemy attacks. The only way to reach Monemvasia was by boat, while later on a paved pathway was constructed to connect the castle entrance to the mainland. This is how the name came out, from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning “single entrance”. A walk around the Castle Town is a travel to the past, while the sea view from the castle top is breathtaking.   After lunch we return back to Athens, through the National Highway.

 

1 Day Cruise – Hydra, Poros, Aegina

Take a day cruise from Athens to the fabulous Greek islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina for a relaxing day on the sea. With all your transport, transfers and buffet lunch organized, (a delicious lunch and Greek folklore show aboard your ship are included), you can sit back and enjoy your leisurely day cruise with free time on each island to explore. After transferring from Athens to the port by motor coach, you’ll set sail for the island of Poros, where you’ll have free time for strolling and shopping.  Head ashore at the colorful capital and enjoy around two hours to look around on your own.

As you approach the island of Hydra admire the colourful  harbor and get tips from your guide on what to see and do on the island.  You will have about 2 hours  at leisure to enjoy the unique charms of Hydra island, whose amphitheater shape once served as a safe shelter for Saronic Pirates. Amble down the narrow lanes, relax over coffee, or buy souvenirs in the quaint shops. From the decks, you will be able to admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand witness to a long and turbulent history.

Upon arrival in Egina (Aegina) a guided excursion to Egina’s ancient Temple of Aphaia is also available at your own expense or take a walk around the main town. Aegina is one of the Saronic islands of Greece in the Saronic Gulf. The lovely island is only 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Athens, and is a popular getaway for Athenians during the summer months.

Return to your cruise-boat and sit down to enjoy a Greek folklore show of traditional music and dancing as you sail back to Piraeus. After an hour at sea, disembark and finish your trip with a drop-off (if option selected) in Athens.

 

1 Day Tour – Kalamata, Messini

Depart via the coastal National highway for the CORINTH CANAL (short stop). Drive to MESSINI and visit the archaeological site. Picturesquely situated on a hillside below the village of Mavromati and still undergoing excavation, the site comprises a large theatre, an agora (marketplace), a vast Sanctuary of Asclepius and the most intact and impressive of all Ancient Greek stadiums. Ancient Messeni was built in 369 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas, after the battle of Leuctra, where he defeated the Spartans, invaded in Laconia and freed the Messenians from Spartian dominance. Continue to KALAMATA, the second most populous city of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece and the largest city of the homonymous administrative region. After a stop for lunch, we will have the opportunity to discover the so many sides of the city. Check out the fortified castle from the Middle Ages, the renowned dance festival that attracts fans from all over Europe, the nunnery where traditional handkerchiefs are still made by hand, neoclassical buildings, 19th-century churches, fashion boutiques, art shops and traditional cafes. This city in the Peloponnese is full of surprises!

 

Terms & Conditions

Prices shown are in Euro per person. All tours operate on a sharing basis. All tours are conducted in English.

Complimentary Pick up & Drop of Point for Congress Tours: Megaron Athens International Conference Center

Special Notes

Please note that for the following tours a minimum number of 10 pax is required in order to be realized: Mystras, Monemvasia  (2days tour)

Kalamata, Messini, Koroni, Methoni  (2days tour)

Kalamata, Messini/ (1day tour)

For the Santorini 2days tour a minimum of 2 pax is required in order to be realized

Payment Information

Full prepayment is required for the confirmation of your booking.

In case of an outstanding payment, the confirmation of your selected services will be resent upon finalization of your payment. If you proceed with a wire transfer, you are kindly requested to send a copy of the bank transaction receipt at wlic2019-tours@afea.gr.

Cancellation Policy

o Cancellations received up and including August 17th, 2019 – full refund

o After August 17th, 2019 – no refund will be made.

Cancellation of tours must be made in writing to the AFEA SA at wlic2019-tours@afea.gr  before August 18th, 2019. An administrative fee of 30 euros will be deducted from all refunds. No fees will be refunded after this date.

Kindly note, that all refunds will be processed one month after the Congress.

Contact Details

AFEA S.A. – Professional Congress Organizer

Travel & Congress Services

39-41 Lykavittou Street

10672 Athens, Greece

Tel:+30 2103668842

Fax: +30 2103643511

email: wlic2019-tours@afea.gr

www.afea.gr