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OSSN 2007 International Educational
Tour Oct 16-26, 2007
In 1997, OSSN hosted our first International Conference in Athens, Greece to learn so much about the fabulous "Garden of the gods!" Ten years later, OSSN is duplicating many aspects of that very first OSSN International Conference with a few new and exciting "twists" to the agenda! During "Garden of the Gods ll" conference event, agents will have the opportunity to experience a land-based PRE conference stay on the lovely island of Mykonos! Added to this, agents can then also enjoy a Greek Island cruise sailing from Mykonos, before they arrive into Athens for 5 more exciting days! It's a great time of year to experience one of the most historical and archeological wonders of the world. Experience Greece the OSSN way! Join us for a fabulous educational adventure through the "Garden of the gods ll!
Today we board our overnight flight to Greece. Luftansa Airlines will be offering special agent rates from all of their gateways and also from all gateways that their partner United Airlines services, as well! Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Upon our arrival into Athens, OSSN members and companions will be greeted by our Homeric Tours Director and transferred to the ferry port of Rafina. We will board our superferry and we're off to the island of Mykonos! We will transfer to the lovely San Marcos Hotel in Mykonos, just 5 minutes from the port area and just across the road from the beachfront. The San Marcos is located in the exclusive area of Houlakia Bay, on a natural beach (a preserved archaeological site) The hotel hugs the gently sloping hill that overlooks the bay and the small isle of Delos.
On jet-set Mykonos beautiful beaches, chic boutiques and elegant nightclubs all vie for the tourist’s attention. Beneath its sophisticated surface, however, lies a quintessential Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot the island and sheep graze in the shadow of whitewashed windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over the picturesque harbor. Be sure to send your regards to Pete the Pelican. Having met "Pete" during our last visit to Mykonos, we can't wait to see him around town again!
Only 3 ½ nautical miles from Mykonos by ship, in ancient times Delos was the “spiritual center” of the Cyclades, or circle chain. As the mythical birth place of Apollo, it was considered a sacred island. Today Delos is essentially a large archeological site with no inhabitants except members of the French School of Archeology who have been excavating the island for over 100 years. Overnight stays on the island are forbidden. The ruins take up almost a square mile
After our complimentary breakfast the rest of the day will be at leisure. Today will be our last to explore all the shops that the island has to offer. OSSN members will enjoy an evening farewell cocktail reception as we head off tomorrow to explore more of Greece on our 3 night cruise! (Breakfast and cocktail reception included.)
We will board the Newest ship in Louis Cruises' fleet the MV Opera. Newly refurbished and just purchased for over 49 million dollars, this ship formerly sailed as the lovely NCL Leeward in the late 1990's! OSSN members will enjoy outside staterooms for this romantic and historic tour of some of the most significant islands of Greece. Get ready to enjoy Greek hospitality at its finest as you sail through the magnificent Agean Sea. ( Just a note of history) In ancient times the sea was the birthplace of two ancient civilizations – the Minoans of Crete and the Mycenean Civilization of the Pelpponnese. Later arose the city-states of Athens and Sparta, among many others that constituted the Hellenic Civilization and the Athenian Empire. The Aegean Sea was later invaded by Persians and the Romans, and inhabited by the Byzantine Empire, the Venetians, the Turks and the Ottoman Empire. The Agean region was the site of the original democracies, and its seaways were the means of contact among several diverse civilizations of the Eastern Mediterranean.
This morning you will arrive on the island of Rhodes; the beautiful “Island of Roses” has a rich and varied history. On a hill above the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Below lies the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages. The crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval city of Rhodes behind when Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent defeated them. The Turkes then occupied Rhodes for almost 400 years leaving mosques minarets and a Turkish bath to mark their presence. All dining is included on your cruise!
This morning we arrive in Turkey at the port city of Kusadasi. Kuşadası is a resort town on the Agean coast of Turkey, near the ancient city of Ephesus, 90 km south of İzmir and a short distance across from the island of Samos. It is extremely popular as a tourist destination, both for its many beaches, and as the port for cruise ship passengers heading to Ephesus. Kuşadası has a residential population of 50,000 which rises to over half a million during the summer due to local and foreign tourists. Near Kuşadası, there is a national park full of beautiful beaches.
Later that same day we arrive on the island of Patmos! Patmos the island known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is now the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. Climb into this cave during your tour of this tiny island. The Monastery of St. John built on one of the island’s highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury.
We will visit such sights as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Royal Palace and the Panathenian Stadium. We will also visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the world famous Acropolis and its Museum. We will visit the Greek Orthodox Cathedral and the Monastiraki (Flea Market) as well as the modern market. We will drive through Patission Ave and Alexandras Ave. as well as Vas and Sofias Ave and Panepistimiou Ave. We will drive by and see the Academy, the University and the National Library then finally onto our hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be at leisure! Upon completion of our tour, we will check into the lovely 5-star Divani Caravel Hotel. The Divani Caravel is a luxury Athens hotel ideally situated in the heart of Athens. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Divani Caravel is the largest of the Divanis Chain Hotels, which has exemplified Greek hospitality for the last 45 years. This same hotel was the site of OSSN's very first international Conference in 1997!
After our complimentery breakfast, the OSSN Educational Conference morning agenda will be hosted at the Divani Caravel. Executives from the Greek National Tourist Office, Homeric Tours, Louis Cruises, Divani Hotels, and Monarch Classic Cruises will all meet and welcome the OSSN attendees during this morning session. Then OSSN members are in for a VERY special treat, as we are transferred to the prestigious Yacht Club of Athens for a luncheon hosted by Monarch Classic Cruises. President of both Monarch Classic Cruises and also of the Greek Shipping association, Mr. Andreas Potamiamos and Monarch Executive VP Mr Andy Christo will both welcome us at this event. OSSN and Monarch Classic Cruises executives will hoist the OSSN flag and logo banner above the Yacht Club in a commemorative gesture of this 10th anniversary of OSSN returning to Greece to support tourism!After our luncheon, the entire group will depart to Cape Sounion to watch a fabulous sunset while visiting this site. After our OSSN luncheon, agents who have signed up in advance, will venture to Cape Sounion. Since we know agents have many choices of ways they may want to spend their time in Athens, we have elected to make the tour today an optional choice. You will be forwarded information to sign up in advance if you want to take this tour, or you may opt to spend the day touring the many sites of Athens on your own! Enjoy a scenic drive past the Riviera of Attica, which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf. The route passes through some of Athens most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Alianthos) to Cape Sounion the most southerly point of the entire peninsula of Aemos (Balkans). Cape Sounion known also as Cape Kolónes is a precipitous rocky headland rising 60m from the sea. On the highest point of the headland are the columns of the ruined Temple of Poseidon with 6x13 exceptionally slender Doric columns, constructed of local marble with 16 flutings instead of the usual 20. This beautiful, white marble-structured temple sits upon a hill overlooking the sea and in ancient times was the landmark to show the sailors they were close to home. The Temple of Poseidon (which dates from the 5th Century BC) forms a conspicuous landmark from the sea. An inscription confirmed the attribution to Poseidon. Another inscription simply has the name of Lord Byron – English poet and Philhellene – This evening enjoy some time to relax and maybe explore the great Greek cuisne of the Plaka district! The ancient Plaka sits at the base of the Acropolis and is the gathering point for night life in Athens. Shopping, dining relaxing and socializing, all to be found in the Plaka.
After our complimentary breakfast this morning, OSSN members will drive along the coastal road of the Soronic gulf to Mycenae where we will visit the remains of the ancient city, including the Lionesses Gate, the tomb of the Agamemnon and the Palace. Later we will continue to drive through ARGOS onto NAUPLIA. During the tour, OSSN members will be able to have lunch at a local restuaruant and have a little time to tour the town on their own before we continue our visit to lovely EPIDAURUS and its theater which is famous for its remarkable acoustics! As we return to Athens, we also we visit ancient Corinth and the sites made famous by St. Paul the apostle. After a full day of touring these exciting historical cities of Greece, we return to the lovely Divani Caravel for our overnight stay.
After our complimentary breakfast the rest of the day will be at leisure. Today affords the opportunity to take advantage of the many wonderful shops in Greece in particular the Plaka district or perhaps an optional excursion to Delphi may be your preference. OSSN will arrange this optional tour for members to pre register for if they prefer to tour today as part of a group. This evening’s Gala Dinner is courtesy by the Greek National Tourist Organization. ( Stay tuned for more information about this special THEME DINNER! Be prepared to come dressed as your FAVORITE Greek god or goddess! Let's explore the history of Greece's most amazing folklore during a special costume evening in the Garden of the gods! Special prizes will be awarded for the most original costumes-Our final evening in the Garden of the gods!
After our complimentary breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight home. It 's been a busy week and a half with so much opportunity to share great times and a great educational agenda in the OSSN International Conference "Garden of the Gods II!" INCLUDING:
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After our complimentary breakfast the rest of the day will be at leisure to
explore this beautiful island. OSSN will arrange an optional excursion to nearby
Delos for agents who want to explore a little further shores!
After our final breakfast at the lovely San Marcos Hotel, we will transfer
to the port of Mykonos for our three- night / four day cruise to the Greek Islands
and Turkey cruising through the magnificent Agean Sea. 
An optional tour to nearby Ephesus should not be missed for here history truly
comes to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted
by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass architectural masterpieces like
the Magnesium Gate and the library of Celcius before arriving at the Great Amphitheater
where St. Paul was arrested and cast out of the city.
For those members who have cruised aboard Louis Cruise Lines' 3 night Greek
Isle cruise, we will disembark after breakfast on the ship. We will be met by
our Homeric Tours representative and begin a fabulous Athens City Tour on our
deluxe motorcoach!
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