Our pre-conference tour will focus on the ancient Greek colonies of Southern Italy, known as Magna Graecea. Follow in the footsteps of the early Greco-Roman settlers from the archaic period up to the dramatic destruction of Pompeii.
Day 1: Rome to Naples
Meet and Greet at 13.15 Qatar Airlines flight QR113 from Doha arriving 13.25 at Rome International Airport. All participants arriving in Rome at other times should arrange to meet the group at Rome International Airport.
Saturday, 13th of September
NAPLES AND SURROUNDS
Departs: 14.00, Arrives: 18.00 (approx.)
Delegates will be met at Rome International Airport from flight QR113 and then travel by air conditioned coach taking in a panoramic tour of Naples on the way to the hotel. There they will enjoy a guided tour through the history that surrounds the hotel – from the San Carlo Opera House (Europe’s first opera house) to the steadfast Angevine Castle; relic of the Middle Ages.
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 2
Sunday, 14th September
PHLEGREAN FIELDS - SOLFATARA VOLCANO
Departs: 08.00, Returns: 18.45 (approx.)
After breakfast we will tavel by coach to the volcanic Phlegrean Fields, followed by a guided tour encompassing fine examples of historic Greco-Roman art, architecture and engineering. Visit the Lago d’Averno (thought to be the entrance to the underworld), and the Bacoli Piscina Mirabilis, an example of ancient Roman hydraulic engineering, as well as the Acropolis of Cuma and the Amphitheatre of Pozzuoli. The conclusion of this all-day visit will be devoted to the still-active Solfatara volcano between Naples and Pozzuoli.
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 3
Monday, 15th September
NAPLES and national museum
Departs: 08.00, Returns: 18.00 (approx.)
Our guide will take participants on a morning tour of the ancient city of Naples which includes a visit to some of Naples’ greatest landmarks, before heading down to see the excavations made by the ancient Greeks themselves. After lunch, visit the National Museum, treasury of some of the rarest artwork of the Archaic period (800 – 480 BC).
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 4: Paestum
Tuesday, 16th September
Paestum
Departs: 07.45, Returns: 19.00 (approx.)
An all-day tour to Paestum; the ancient city notable for its remarkably well-preserved ancient temples, and fascinating museums that keep an excellent archive of all manner of ancient treasures.
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 5
Wednesday, 17th September
Pompeii - Herculaneum
Departs: 08.00, Returns: 18.30 (approx.)
Visit the infamous ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. These echoes of a time-gone-by with their strong connection to Greek and Mediterranean culture and history, offer a dramatic climax to the tour
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 6: Transfer
Thursday, 18th September
Transfer - Naples, Rome, Athens
Departs: 08.15
Following breakfast we will travel by coach to Naples Airport for flight to Rome and Alitalia connecting flight to Athens. Depart Rome at 14.50 to arrive in Athens at 17.45. On arrival in Athens and collection of luggage, a short walk to the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel for check-in and Welcome Dinner at the Sofitel.
Day 7: Athens
Friday, 19th September
Athens Sofitel
After breakfast tour ends.
Participants are advised to book the pre-conference transfer tour to Costa Navarino which will commence after breakfast.
Day 1: Rome to Naples
Meet and Greet at 13.15 Qatar Airlines flight QR113 from Doha arriving 13.25 at Rome International Airport. All participants arriving in Rome at other times should arrange to meet the group at Rome International Airport.
Saturday, 13th of September
NAPLES AND SURROUNDS
Departs: 14.00, Arrives: 18.00 (approx.)
Delegates will be met at Rome International Airport from flight QR113 and then travel by air conditioned coach taking in a panoramic tour of Naples on the way to the hotel. There they will enjoy a guided tour through the history that surrounds the hotel – from the San Carlo Opera House (Europe’s first opera house) to the steadfast Angevine Castle; relic of the Middle Ages.
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 2
Sunday, 14th September
PHLEGREAN FIELDS - SOLFATARA VOLCANO
Departs: 08.00, Returns: 18.45 (approx.)
After breakfast we will tavel by coach to the volcanic Phlegrean Fields, followed by a guided tour encompassing fine examples of historic Greco-Roman art, architecture and engineering. Visit the Lago d’Averno (thought to be the entrance to the underworld), and the Bacoli Piscina Mirabilis, an example of ancient Roman hydraulic engineering, as well as the Acropolis of Cuma and the Amphitheatre of Pozzuoli. The conclusion of this all-day visit will be devoted to the still-active Solfatara volcano between Naples and Pozzuoli.
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 3
Monday, 15th September
NAPLES and national museum
Departs: 08.00, Returns: 18.00 (approx.)
Our guide will take participants on a morning tour of the ancient city of Naples which includes a visit to some of Naples’ greatest landmarks, before heading down to see the excavations made by the ancient Greeks themselves. After lunch, visit the National Museum, treasury of some of the rarest artwork of the Archaic period (800 – 480 BC).
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 4: Paestum
Tuesday, 16th September
Paestum
Departs: 07.45, Returns: 19.00 (approx.)
An all-day tour to Paestum; the ancient city notable for its remarkably well-preserved ancient temples, and fascinating museums that keep an excellent archive of all manner of ancient treasures.
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 5
Wednesday, 17th September
Pompeii - Herculaneum
Departs: 08.00, Returns: 18.30 (approx.)
Visit the infamous ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. These echoes of a time-gone-by with their strong connection to Greek and Mediterranean culture and history, offer a dramatic climax to the tour
Overnight at Grand Hotel Parkers, Naples.
Day 6: Transfer
Thursday, 18th September
Transfer - Naples, Rome, Athens
Departs: 08.15
Following breakfast we will travel by coach to Naples Airport for flight to Rome and Alitalia connecting flight to Athens. Depart Rome at 14.50 to arrive in Athens at 17.45. On arrival in Athens and collection of luggage, a short walk to the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel for check-in and Welcome Dinner at the Sofitel.
Day 7: Athens
Friday, 19th September
Athens Sofitel
After breakfast tour ends.
Participants are advised to book the pre-conference transfer tour to Costa Navarino which will commence after breakfast.
Cost of Magna Graecea Tour: Twin $AUD 4,600.00 pp, Single $AUD 5,300.00
This tour includes 5 nights first class accom. at Grand Hotel Parkers; 1 night accom. at Athens Sofitel; touring on 5 days with all entrance fees and air-cond. bus; lunch on days 2-5 inclusive; dinner on days 1 and 6; flights Naples-Rome-Athens; all porterage. Accommodation is on B&B basis. Excludes: tipping; Naples city tax of Euro 4.00
NOTE: All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD). Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes for this entire tour as it includes a bit of walking.