Travel Safety Concerns

I know that you have been watching the news lately of the growing unrest in North Africa and other areas of the Middle East. This past week there were even riots in Athens. And I realize that you, like me, were concerned about traveling to Greece in light of these headlines.

I contacted EF this week and expressed our concerns for safety and the protection of our investment in our June trip to Greece. I received an answer and want to share with you what EF has said. (Note: Anything in quotation marks, is an exact quote from our EF tour consultant.)

“EF will never put our travelers in harm's way. If the US State Department issues a travel warning we will not send any groups to Greece.” This EF did for Egypt trips.

“No EF groups stay in Athens. We made that move over a year ago. Instead we have our groups stay in Glyfada, a smaller beach/resort town 30 miles south of Athens. Therefore, groups will not be in Athens for anything other than scheduled sightseeing.”

“Our office in Athens keeps us updated about the situation and if there was an actual flare up while you are on tour we will make sure to steer our groups clear of any danger.”

On our trips we request, and it is standard for most tour companies, to stay near city center so that we are in walking distance of at least some of the city’s attractions on our own time. In light of last year’s protests over the country’s financial woes, EF has already taken steps to protect its travelers by moving the hotel location outside of Athens.

Since we are a private tour group with our own bus, then we have control over when and where we can go and make adjustments if need be. This will be a plus for our group.

Glyfada, a southern suburb of Athens, is known as the ‘Beverly Hills’ of Greece and home to many of Greece’s millionaires and celebrities. One of its most famous residents was Aristotle Onassis! This fashion-conscious suburb is known in Greece for its upmarket cafes, well-known restaurants, boutiques and cosmopolitan summer clubs…doesn’t sound like too bad a place to stay!

“In the event that a travel warning is issued you can pick alternative destinations or receive future travel vouchers. Or, if the entire group decides they do not want to travel you can always use the EF Peace of Mind program to change your travel plans.”

Although the Mediterranean area is in turmoil, it does not necessarily mean we will be near any of the problems or that Greece is a dangerous place to visit. If we consider that Mexico, our next door neighboring country, is in worse shape and travel warnings HAVE been issued there, then a European might frown on traveling to Texas because it borders Mexico.

Those of us in Texas are not afraid to live here, but in this perspective I understand why a foreigner might be apprehensive by just listening to the news about Mexico. So until there is a travel warning issued, I believe we are in no danger in Greece.

Port of Piraeus

Although you may not see this town name on our itinerary, we will be passing through Piraeus on our way to the cruise departure. Piraeus is the third largest city in Greece by population and the location of one of the most important harbors in the Mediterranean.

Located a short distance from Athens on the Saronic Gulf, Piraeus is the departure point for cruises and ferries to the Greek islands. It became the port city for Athens in the 5th century BC.

The city proper consists of a rocky peninsula, originally an island, featuring three natural harbors. In addition to the central one, called Kantharos in ancient times, there are two smaller harbors to the east which are still in use. One is called Zea, also known as Pasalimani , and the other is Munichia, the smallest of the three and widely known as Mikrolimano.

The central port serves ferry routes to almost every island in the eastern portion of Greece, the island of Crete, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and much of the northern and the eastern Aegean Sea, while the western part of the port is used for cargo services.

Greek Gods and Goddesses

One cannot truly understand Ancient Greece culture without having a basic understanding of the religion and beliefs of the people of the period. So here is a brief background of the primary Greek gods and goddesses associated with many of the sites we will visit. The Romans, who came later, adopted many of the Greek deities, but changed the names. The only name they did not change was Apollo.

In Greek mythology, twelve gods and goddesses ruled the universe from atop Greece's Mount Olympus. These Olympians had come to power after their leader, Zeus, overthrew his father, Kronos, leader of the Titans. All the Olympians are related to one another.

The following well done videos give a good explanation of gods and goddesses. You can also access the Greek Gods video at this link and the Greek Goddesses video at this link. Once you've seen the videos and read the family tree below, then test your knowledge with the ThinkQuest interactive test at the bottom of this post.

The Ancient Greek Gods


Rod Stewart MySpace Video


The Ancient Greek Goddesses


Rod Stewart MySpace Video

Zeus (Roman name: Jupiter)

The most powerful of all, Zeus was god of the sky and the king of Olympus. His temper affected the weather, and he threw thunderbolts when he was unhappy. He was married to Hera but had many other lovers. His symbols include the oak and the thunderbolt.

Hera (Roman name: Juno)

Hera was goddess of marriage and the queen of Olympus. She was Zeus's wife and sister; many myths tell of how she sought revenge when Zeus betrayed her with his lovers. Her symbols include the peacock and the cow.

Poseidon (Roman name: Neptune)

Poseidon was god of the sea. He was the most powerful god except for his brother, Zeus. He lived in a beautiful palace under the sea and caused earthquakes when he was in a temper. His symbols include the horse and the trident (a three-pronged pitchfork).

Hades (Roman name: Pluto)

Hades was king of the dead. He lived in the underworld, the heavily guarded land where he ruled over the dead. He was the brother of Zeus and the husband of Persephone, Demeter's daughter, whom he kidnapped.

Aphrodite (Roman name: Venus)

Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, and the protector of sailors. She may have been the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Dione, or she may have risen from the sea on a shell. Her symbols include the myrtle tree and the dove.

Apollo

Apollo was the god of music and healing. He was also an archer, and hunted with a silver bow. Apollo was the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, and the twin of Artemis. His symbols include the laurel tree, the crow, and the dolphin.

Ares (Roman name: Mars)

Ares was the god of war. He was both cruel and a coward. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, but neither of his parents liked him. His symbols include the vulture and the dog, and he often carried a bloody spear.

Artemis (Roman name: Diana)

Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of women in childbirth. She hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals. Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin of Apollo. Her symbols include the cypress tree and the deer.

Athena (Roman name: Minerva)

Athena was the goddess of wisdom. She was also skilled in the art of war, and helped heroes such as Odysseus and Hercules. Athena sprang full-grown from the forehead of Zeus, and became his favorite child. Her symbols include the owl and the olive tree.

Hephaestus (Roman name: Vulcan)

Hephaestus was the god of fire and the forge (a furnace in which metal is heated). Although he made armor and weapons for the gods, he loved peace. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and married Aphrodite. His symbols include the anvil and the forge.

Hestia (Roman name: Vesta)

Hestia was the goddess of the hearth (a fireplace at the center of the home). She was the most gentle of the gods, and does not play a role in many myths. Hestia was the sister of Zeus and the oldest of the Olympians. Fire is among her symbols.

Hermes (Roman name: Mercury)

Hermes was the messenger god, a trickster, and a friend to thieves. He was said to have invented boxing and gymnastics. He was the son of Zeus and the constellation Maia. The speediest of all, he wore winged sandals and a winged hat and carried a magic wand.

…also sometimes included:
Demeter (Roman name: Ceres)

Demeter was the goddess of the harvest. The word “cereal” comes from her Roman name. She was the sister of Zeus. Her daughter, Persephone, was forced to live with Hades each winter; at this time Demeter let no crops grow. Her symbols include wheat.

Dionysus (Roman name: Bacchus)

Dionysus was the god of wine, which he invented. In ancient Greece Dionysus was honored with springtime festivals that centered on theater. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal. His symbols include ivy, the snake, and grapes.

ThinkQuest Interactive Quiz

(be patient as it may take a little while to load...but worth it!)

Requires Java

Ancient Agora of Athens

As mentioned previously the Tower of the Winds is actually located just between the Plaka District and the Ancient Agora of Athens (a site similar to the Roman Forum in Rome). The Agora is located just north of the Acropolis.

The democratically governed Agora was the political and religious heart of Athens as far back as the 6th century BC. It was also the center of daily and commercial life…similar to what town squares used to be in the United States.

It was here that law courts were located and anyone who happened to be in the Agora during a trial could witness these proceedings. It was however only adult male citizens appointed by lot who could serve as jurors.

The state prison was located here as well as the mint which produced the city’s coins inscribed with an owl, the symbol of Athena, goddess of wisdom and the patron goddess of Athens.

The American School of Archeology has been excavating the Agora since 1930 and the finds are exhibited in the two-story stoa of Attalos which now serves as a museum. This main building in the Agora was built by King Attalos of Pergamon (ruled 159-138 BC) but was destroyed in 267 AD.

It was rebuilt between 1953-56 on the original foundations using ancient building materials. A unique exhibit in the museum is a klepsydra, a water clock that was used for timing plaintiff’s speeches. Other items include bronze ballots and everyday items such as terracotta toys and leather sandals.

Also located in the Agora (and its best preserved ruins) are the Odeion of Agrippa, once a covered theatre, and the Hephaisteion, a temple to Hephaistos also known as the Theseion.

This 51-page full-color guide to the Agora prepared by excavator John McK. Camp II presents information about each building in the Agora complete with color photographs, maps, diagrams, and drawings. If you are planning to spend your free time exploring Athens (we have a day and a half!), then you might want to print this guide to use in your visit to the site.

You will enjoy this short YouTube video, Teacher Travels: Ancient Agora, which shows many of the fascinating relics discovered by the archealogists.

The Plaka District

In the shadow of the Acropolis lies the neighborhood known as the Plaka District, one of our destinations on the walking tour the day we arrive in Athens. It is the historic heart of the city and the oldest continuously inhabited area in the city.

It lies just to the east and at the base of the Acropolis. Most streets have been closed to automobile traffic.

The name probably came from pliaka (meaning old) used by Albanian soldiers in the service of the Turks who settled here in the 16th century.

Here you will find old-fashioned tavernas where you can have a bite to eat or you can browse in the many antique and icon shops. There are also lots of souvenir and jewelry shops here too.

You will also find a few galleries and there are several museums in the Plaka. Of special note are the Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum, and the Jewish Museum.

The Lysikrates Monument, built to commemorate the victors at the annual choral and dramatic festival, is located in the Plaka District. It is the only choregic monument still intact in Athens. Its name comes from choregos (or sponsor) of the winning team.

A notable church in the Plaka is the Agios Nikolaos Ragavas which has ancient columns built into the walls.

The most impressive building located here is the Tower of the Winds in the far west of Plaka and part of the ancient Roman Agora. Built by the Syrian astronomer Andronikos Kyrrestes around 100 BC, it has a weather vane and waterclock. On each of its marble sides one of the eight mythological winds is depicted.

Enjoy a tour of the Roman Agora, the Plaka District, and a few other Athens sites on this short YouTube video.

The Parthenon

One of the most famous buildings in the world is the Parthenon, the crown jewel that tops the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Pericles commissioned its construction as a grand rebuilding project in 447 BC.

The sculptor Pheidias was entrusted to supervise the construction of a magnificent new Doric temple to the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Built on the site of earlier Archaic temples, it was built primarily to house the Parthenos, Pheidias’s impressive 39-foot high cult statue of Athena covered in ivory and gold.

Taking nine years to complete, the temple was dedicated to the goddess during the Great Panathenaia festival of 438 BC. Constructed of Pentelic marble by the artchitects Kallikrates and Iktinos, the complex architecture of the Parthenon replaces straight lines with slight curves. All the columns swell in the middle, similar to a cigar shape, and all lean slightly inwards.

The reason for this is not quite clear. Some suggest it was done to prevent visual distortion, while others argue it was simply for aesthetic reasons. I have also heard that its design withstands earthquakes better, of which the surrounding area is susceptible.

The building remained a temple to Athena for over a thousand years until the Roman Empire came into power. It was then the statue was looted and destroyed. The Parthenon has also served as a Christian church, a mosque, and even a Turkish arsenal. Its present state of ruin owes to an ammunition explosion during a Venetian invasion in 1687.

The pediments, metopes, and friezes which run around the temple depict the people and horses in the Panathenaic procession, while other sculptures represent Greek mythology and Athenian historical events. During the explosion, many of the sculptures were blown off the building and scattered.

In 1806, Thomas Bruce, 7th earl of Elgin, removed many of the sculptures with the Turks permission and the "Elgin Marbles" are currently on display in the British Museum in London. At present, the Greeks are trying to get the sculptures returned to Athens, but with little luck. But there are two sides to every story...the British and the Greeks.

The Parthenon is currently in a state of restoration, but officials do not plan to return it to its pre-1687 state. An exact to scale replica of the Parthenon stands in Nashville, Tennessee. It was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial.

Enjoy a 360-degree panorama view of multiple locations atop the Acropolis. Just click on any location and number at this site and move your cursor around. You're almost there!

General Information for Athens and the Islands Tour 2011

--We are traveling with EF Educational Tours.
--This is a 10-day private tour June 16-25, 2011 especially for our adult group. (We are not doing the 3-day extension.)
--The all-inclusive tour price is $3,942 per adult. This includes the $95 enrollment fee, current departure fees*, program fee, weekend supplement, all-inclusive insurance plan, private bus, adult supplement, 4 nights Athens hotel in double rooms with private baths, 4-day Greek Isle cruise with inside double rooms with private bath, roundtrip airfare from DFW, all breakfasts and dinners in Athens, and breakfast, lunch and dinner on the cruise.
--Ship to shore transportation is provided in the tour cost. Optional excursions are available for all ports of call through Louis Cruise lines while on tour.
--This price is good through Feb. 26, 2011 when the final payments must be received. $125 late fee will be charged if final payment is not received by that date. *Departure fees are subject to change according to the airport tax.
--The $135 All-Inclusive Insurance Plan covers medical and accident, baggage and property, and tour cancellation and interruption. The insurance is not required, but I do recommend it. The insurance is automatically billed to all travelers and must be paid upon enrollment or within 30 days of enrollment. If you do not want it, you must decline in writing. Once you decline it, you cannot get it back.
--Each participant must have a roommate or will be subject to a single supplement charge. As of 2010, the single supplement is $40 per night in a hotel or cruise cabin. That would be $40 x 8 nights = $320.
--Enrollment options:
Internet: enroll online quickly and easily at http://www.eftours/enroll. Our tour number is 193839. (The lower student price appears first; the adult supplement appears on the next page after you register with your birthday to provide your age)
Phone: call 1-800-665-5364.
Mail: send in the enrollment form with the full payment in the prepaid envelope provided (I have these).
Fax: complete the enrollment form and fax to 1-800-318-3732.
--Payment options:
--Manual payment: the full price is due upon enrollment through Feb. 26, 2011.
--Credit card or direct bank debit: pay $95 ($230 with insurance) with enrollment, then the balance is automatically divided into monthly payments deducted monthly from your checking account or credit card. With this plan you have 2 more months (until May 15, 2011) to make payments (30 days prior to departure) and do not have to worry about late fees.
--When registering, you MUST put your name on the application EXACTLY as it is on your passport or birth certificate. This is the same name that will be put on your airplane tickets (and passport if you don’t have one yet) and the names must match. Married women use your married name. EF requires you include a middle name (or maiden name if that is on your passport) for enrollment.
--You will need a passport to travel abroad. If you have one, make sure it will be valid at least six months after our return in 2011. Adult passports are good for 10 years; children’s passports are good for five years. If you do not have a passport, then wait until about 6 months prior to departure to apply.
--Once we have organized our traveling group, I will keep you informed of everything you need to know. I will have meetings a few months prior to departure. Until then I will keep you informed on sites we will see, what to expect, what to pack, how to obtain currency, where to shop, how to get passports, inform you of airline flights and hotels…everything you need to know through this travel blog at http://luv2go.blogspot.com/.
Right now you just need to decide if you want to join us…and we hope you do!
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