Accompanying Persons' Excursions

Involves visits to three archeological sites near Volos. Sesklo and Dimini are Neolithic settlements inhabited between 6,000BC-3,000BC and 5,000BC-4,000BC respectively.

In Dimini a large Mycenean settlement has also been discovered which was identified as ancient Iolkos, the city of Jason and the Argonauts.

Dimitriada, on the other hand, is much more recent as it was founded by Demetrios the Besieger, king of Macedonia , in 290BC. The excursion ends with a visit to the Volos Archaeological Museum.

The sense of mystery engendered by mount Pelion's impenetrable forests has given rise to many legends. Tour visits the villages of Milies and Visitsa, where some of the best old mansions can be seen, known as «archondika». Tsangarada is next, built in the spine of Pelion, at an altitude of 450m. Characteristic features of the village are its many old mansions, its flag stone piazzas, its picturesque alleys and its superb view of the Aegean Sea. Swimming and lunch is in Aghios Giannis, the most popular beach resort of eastern Pelion, a charming little town along the waterfront. Final stop of the tour is Makrinitsa, overlooking Volos reached through Hania (the top of the mountain) after a mountainous route. Many of the old houses are built in the traditional style with jutting upper storeys, supported on wooden sorbels, and slate roofs, with overhanging saves. The main square (platia) is especially attractive due to its fountain, plane trees and tiny church (13 th c.).

A 16km journey on the narrow gauge (600mm) heritage railway climbing smoothly Mount Pelion's western slope ends at the picturesque village of Milies.

The village church and the library-cum-museum with rich collections dating back to the 18 th Century are worth a visit. Lunch will be in the village of Vizitsa, and return to Volos by bus. This way it is possible to experience a different side of Pelion – that by road.

Post Conference Activities

Join us on a lazy day cruising along the beautiful beaches of the Pagasitic Gulf. This is an area not very well - known to the mass tourism travellers; something that probably gives an advantage to those who wish to enjoy it. The cruise departs from Volos with a traditional motor - sailer. We will cruise close to the beautiful beaches of Lefocastro, Kalamos, Horto and the island of Trikeri. We will stop for the first swim in Mikro. From then on we will continue the cruise towards Tzasteni (a well known land mark of Pelion), and our second swim will be in Prasouda, a very small island in the middle of the Gulf. The waters there are very clear and clean.

A trip to Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising a set of vertical rocks rising from the Thessaly plain, upon which is perched a monastic community.
Meteora is the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos. The first hermits settled there in the 11th century.
The most important monasteries of Meteora are:
Great Meteoron is the biggest of the monasteries. The church "Katholikon" is honoured to the "Transfiguration" and was erected in 14th century. The old monastery is used as a museum.
Varlaam is the second in size monastery. The church (built in 1541) is of the cross-in-square with dome and choirs type, with a spacious lite also surrounded by a dome. The old refectory is used as a museum.
St. Stephen is the most easily accessible. The small single-nave church of St. Stephen was built in 16th century. The old refectory of the convent is used as a museum.