MEDICON 2010

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Social Events

• A Greek night to a local Taverna will be included within the conference fee.
• After Conference trip to Mount Athos Monasteries (reservations are needed).
• VERGINA (contact with MEDICON 2010 Secretariat)
• MOUNT ATHOS CRUISE (contact with MEDICON 2010 Secretariat)
• OLYNTHOS – PETRALONA (contact with MEDICON 2010 Secretariat)

Mount Athos is a mountain on the peninsula of the same name in Macedonia, of northern Greece, called in Greek Agion Oros, or in English, "Holy Mountain". In Classical times, the peninsula was called Akté (sometimes Acte or Akte).

Politically it is known in Greece as the Self-governed Monastic State of the Holy Mountain. This World Heritage Site is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Mount Athos is situated in the entire third, eastern and most beautiful peninsula of Chalkidiki, called the peninsula of Athos.

The Holy Mount is about 50 Km in length, 8 to 12 Km in width and it covers an area of about 350 square kilometres. The borders of the monasterial city are defined on the ground by an imaginary line that starts from the location "FRAGOKASTRO" in the West coast and reaches the cape "ARAPIS" in the opposite end.

The natural beauty of the peninsula is extraordinary. The highest point of Mount Athos is like a huge cone, reaching 2033 metres in height. It’s a naked, treeless crest that seems to lance the sky and its slopes are fully covered by ancient evergreens. All these help to create an area of incomparable natural beauty.

 

VERGINA (Friday May 28)

Duration: 10 hours (guided in English)

Depart from Porto Carras early in the morning to the heart of Macedonia. Stop at the acropolis of Thessaloniki for a short coffee break admiring the panoramic vie of the second largest city of Greece. Continue to Vergina.

Vergina, identified with ancient Aegae, was the first capital of ancient Macedonia. The today small village became world known due to the discovery of the Royal Tombs as there, was supposed to be the burial place of the Macedonian Kings. The tour includes a visit of the site where a monumental palace was brought to light as well as the newly completed exhibition bearing the Tombs and the findings of all 3 Tombs, one of them as the Tomb of King Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great.

Feast your eyes on the marvelous treasures; all masterpieces of ancient Greek art dated back to the 4th century B.C., such as golden wreaths, silver vessels, miniature sculpture, paintings, exhibited in the unique museum. Enjoy home made Greek food at a local tavern.

Return to Porto Carras via Thessaloniki. Drive along the coastal avenue to see the famous Aristotle’s square and stop at the White Tower, the emblem of the city for photos.

Price per person (including lunch) : 60€

 

MOUNT ATHOS CRUISE (Saturday May 29)

Duration: 10 hours (guided in English)

Chalkidiki is a peninsula of distinctive shape located roughly in the center of Macedonia, close to Thessaloniki and terminates in three smaller ones.

The third one terminates into Mount Athos, while the oldest surviving monastic community in the world, which is known among the Greeks as Holy Mount, occupies the entire peninsula. In the Holy Mount there are 20 monasteries from the Byzantine period, built on a rocky and imposing landscape of inimitable beauty that you can enjoy during the cruise. Even today, approximately 1.200 monks still live there under strict rule, with no women ever allowed to set foot.

Being on board you will have the opportunity to admire from a slight distance the unique Mount Athos with its impressive Byzantine monasteries and be informed by the guide.

On the way back you will have free time at Ouranoupolis. Try the delicious fresh fish in one of the fish taverns of the quaint fishing village or a typical Greek snack.

During the cruise, enjoy the facilities on board. This cruise is the only possibility for women to see Mount Athos!

Price per person: 43€

 

OLYNTHOS – PETRALONA (Sunday May 30)

Duration: 7 hours (guided in English)

Departure from Porto Carras at 9.00 to the archeological site of ancient Olynthos, the most important cultural center in Chalkidiki during the classical period, known also from the ‘Olynthian’ speeches of the orator Demosthenes.

A considerable big part of the ancient city has come to light, built on the famous Hippodamean (grid) system as well as beautiful floor mosaics.

We continue to Petralona where we will visit one of the most beautiful caves of Greece concerning its natural ornamentation and one of the most important ones for its scientific interest. Among the findings, tools and bones both human and animal ones, the most important is the skull of an archanthropus dating back to 700.000 years B.C.

Drive to Polygyros, the capital town of Chalkidiki prefecture and enjoy Greek traditional recipes for your lunch. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Price per person:35€