Calendar of Events
Exhibitor Exposure
Wednesday, October 8 – Saturday, October 11, 2008
The exhibition will be located in the prime lobby area of the meeting space within the Convention Centre, the central “hub” for moving between sessions. Exposure will be maximized by the delegates visiting the exhibition area during the morning and afternoon coffee breaks and lunch breaks.
Social Events
Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 21:00 - Welcome Cocktail / Reception
Friday, October 10, 2008, 21:00 - Gala Dinner with traditional Cretan Feast
Excursions
Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 13:30
Traditional Archanes Village (wine tasting & lunch)
Archanes is located 15klm south of Heraklio and 10klm south of Knossos. The famous Cretan table grapes are produced here as well as the Archanes wine.
The town of Archanes is picturesque and traditional, with many old restored buildings and a walk around the narrow streets is always interesting, before resting in one of the tavernas on the main square, where you will enjoy a real Cretan lunch.
Archanes was one of the most important areas in Minoan times. Coins of Knossos that were found in Archanes testify that not only the city was under the rule of Knossos for many centuries, but also that it was not a palatial centre, even though it was a very important, independent and autonomous settlement. Most members of the Mycenean royal family of Knossos were living in Archanes. Excavations in the village brought to light a well-preserved building that must have been a summer palace.
The area also gave very important elements about residential architecture, burial architecture and habits from the excavations in Fourni Cemetery. On the foothills of the holly mountain of Jouchtas, in Anemospilia, a Minoan sanctuary was discovered, sacred not only to Archanes but to Knossos as well. And the history of the fine wine starts very early in time for Archanes, according to the findings in the Minoan mansion in Vathipetro, where a winepress was discovered.
☼ Minoan Palace of Knossos - Arolithos
From the port of Heraklion we will drive southwards to
“Knossos”, the ancient Capital of the great king Minos. The original palace of Knossos was constructed around 1900 B.C. Some two-hundred years later it was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt on a grander scale. The final catastrophe occurred around 1500-1450 B.C. with the eruption of the volcano in Santorini. Despite this blow, people continued to live there for another fifty years, until a fire swept throughout the city circa 1400 B.C.
Your guided tour will take you through the fantastic ruins of the ancient palace complex, which served as the administrative and religious centers for the whole region. The restoration undertaken by Sir Arthur Evans, though criticized by some for its modernity, helps the tourist to both visualize the palace as it was and understand its labyrinthine complexity. The living quarters of the king and queen and members of the royal court, rooms for state occasions, theater area, store rooms and potters' workshops are all within the palace complex.
Your journey proceeds to the traditional village of Arolithos . Built recently follows the typical architecture of old Cretan Villages. As you enter the village Walking along its cobble stoned streets you pass shops where artisans produce crafts such as ceramics, weavings, wood carving and even bread baking. A short walk brings you to a small square where lies an authentic Greek coffee shop, where you will receive a welcome drink known as “raki". Continuing on the main square of the village you will see its beautiful old church which is frequently used for marriages and Orthodox ceremonies.
Saturday, October 11, 2008, 14:30
Minoan Palace of Knossos – Arolithos (see above)
Pre & Post Conference Tours
Monday, October 6 – Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Tour A: Mykonos Island
Departure from Heraklio Port on Monday: 09:45
Departure from Mykonos on Tuesday: 17:45
Cost per person: €260,00 (including transportation, overnight stay at a 5* Hotel)
Mykonos (Greek: Μύκονος) is a Greek island and one of the top international tourist destinations, famous around the globe for its cosmopolitan character and its intense nightlife. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. The island is composed primarily of granite. It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet its needs. There are 9,320 inhabitants (2001) most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town), which lies on the west coast.
It is believed that the island was named after a local hero, who is considered an offspring of the god Apollo and was worshipped locally in antiquity.
Tour B: Santorini Island
Departure from Heraklio Port on Monday: 09:45
Departure from Santorini on Tuesday: 17:45
Cost per person: €300,00 (including transportation, overnight stay at a 5* Hotel)
Santorini (Greek: Σαντορίνη) is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km south-east from Greece's mainland.
Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. Its spectacular physical beauty, along with a dynamic nightlife, have made the island one of Europe's tourist hot spots. It is the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera.
A giant central lagoon, more or less rectangular, and measuring about 12 km by 7 km, is surrounded by 300m (984ft) high steep cliffs on three sides. The island slopes downward from the cliffs to the surrounding Aegean Sea. On the fourth side, the lagoon is separated from the sea by another much smaller island called Therasia; the lagoon merges with the sea in two places, in the northwest and southwest. The water in the centre of the lagoon is nearly 400 m (1300 ft) deep, thus making it a safe harbour for all kinds of shipping. The island's harbours are lie in the lagoon and there are no ports on the outer perimeter of the island; the capital, Fira, clings to the top of the cliff looking down on the lagoon.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Tour C: Post Conference Daily Cruise to Santorini Island
Departure from Heraklio Port: 07:15
Departure from Santorini: 21:30
Cost per person: €110,00
(including transportation, tour guide, breakfast and dinner on board)
