Our 2001 Trip Itinerary

Monday 7 May -- 11.30 am depart Rotorua to Auckland, then Singapore Air Lines SQ286 at 2.15 pm to Singapore.

Tuesday 8 May -- depart Singapore 10.55 pm.

Wednesday 9 May -- arrive Athens 5.25 am, transfer to hotel.

Thursday 10 May -- Tour commences: we leave Athens, heading south to Cape Sounio, and the Temple of Possidon, Then continue to Port Rafti, and lunch at Rafina. Then via Marathon to the island of Euboca (Evia) to overnight in Chalkis (Halkida).

Friday 11 May -- Travel north and go up the coast. Morning tea at Vourie and continue to Molos, then the monulent to Leonidas. Pass through Lamia and climb up throught the hills to lunch at Domokos Omvriaki. Then continue crossing the Thessaly plains to Trikala.

Saturday 12 May -- Depart to cross the plains to skirt Larissa and stop at Tirnavos for lunch. There are two routes on the next stage which will be decided on the day; we end up at Paralia (on the coast).

Sunday 13 May -- Depart hotel and travel north via Elatorori and Sfika, crossing the Aliakmon River to Servia for lunch, then via Metoxas and Elassona to Larissa. Visit Memorial to the War Disabled.

Monday 14 May -- Depart hotel and follow route through to Volos for morning tea; continue along coast route and pass by Lamia. Then over the Pass of Thermopylae to Arahova and Delphi.

Tuesday 15 May -- Depart hotel for visits to Delphi historic sites. Lunch at Arachova, then travel back to Athens.

Wednesday 16 May -- Free day in Athens. The second tour party arrives.

Thursday 17 May -- Fly to Chania on Crete

Friday 18 May -- Official Flag-hoisting at Firkar Fortress; visit to Naval Museum; visit to Historical, Archives of Crete, visit to then War Museum. (NZ Prime Minister and party arrive in the afternoon.)
Evening: Memorial Complex of the Battle of Crete at Sykolia - memorial service, roll call of honour, laying of wreaths. By coach to Galatos village for another memorial service, laying of wreaths, dinner with Municipality of Nea Kydonia.

Saturday 19 May -- Air sports demonstration by Flying Club of Chania. Function at Vouwers, Municipality of Kolymbari: anniversary celebrations, memorial service, laying of wreaths, return to hotel. In the evening, travel to Allies Cemetery at Souda Bay, memorial service, laying of wreaths. Later, a concert and dinner.

Sunday 20 May -- To Holy Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary - Official Doxology. Address by the P.M. Afternoon free. In the evening, Keriti Memorial Service, reception by Prefecture of Chania. (This concludes official portion).

Monday 21 May -- Day trip to Sfakia for lunch and swim. Return to Chania

Tuesday Leisurely day visiting the sites of the battlefields - Maleme airstrip, Tavronitis River, Plantanias, Galatos etc.

Wednesday 23 May -- left open for choice of a walk round Chania, or possibly a coach trip.

Thursday 24 May -- Fly from Chania to Athens.

Friday 25 May -- Morning -- bus tour of the city, visiting Acropolis, 1896 Olympic Stadium , Royal Palace, and venues of the 2004 Olympics. Visit British War Cemetery. Afternoon free. Evening: to Acropolis for "Sound and Light" show.

Saturday 26 May -- By coach to the Corinth Canal and other point of interest. Visit to Myceme for lunch and the archaeological site.

Sunday 27 May -- optional tours.

Monday 28 May -- Transfer to Piraeus and board Olympic Countess. Depart 11 am for Mykonos. Depart Mykonos 2200 for Kusadasi in Turkey.

Tuesday 29 May --Coach to Ephessos (Ephesus), a well-preserved archaeological site of pre- and Roman era. Back to ship to depart noon for Patmos; probably take a 2-hour coach trip to villages and Monastery of St John.Leave Patmos 2000 hrs.

Wednesday 30 May -- Rhodes; probably another coach tour to Lindos. Depart 1800.

Thursday 31 May -- Heraklion on Crete; just time to go to the Museum. Leave at 1130 and arrive Santorini 1630. Leave Santorini 2030 -- hope I can get some sunset pix.

Friday 1 June -- Arrive back in Piraeus. Transfer to Airport and fly BA2641 to Gatwick, London.

Friday 15 June -- Leave Heathrow on Air New Zealand NZ1 at 4.25 pm.

Sunday 17 June -- arrive Auckland 5.15 am.

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