David Trobisch
Throckmorton- Hayes Professor of New Testament Language and Literature
Email: DTrobisch@BTS.edu //Curriculum Vitae / short CV // tel (207) 774 5212 x 205 //fax (207) 874 2214

Trip to Greece
(1/9-1/19 2006)
Γεια σου! Yasou!

Back to Homepage // last edit: 02/05/2006 // Note the alternative web site: www.trobisch.com/bts

Timoth: Song written and read during our last supper in Athens

Participants // Daily from GREECE // Emergency Contact
Wallet Card (survival)

Any questions concerning specific travel arrangements? You may contact our travel agent directly:
PAT KOSSUTH * DIRECT NUMBER 207 523-3509 * EMAIL pkossuth@travelexperts.com

UPDATES (skip updates)

	3/1: Final instructions By now you all should have received your paper tickets by mail. If not, contact me immediately. Please send me an email about how you plan to get to Boston. If you have someone drop you off and have an empty space, or if you are looking for a ride, please let me know. I will try to coordinate supply and demand. (Florence, Lynn, Zareen, Shirley – you already told me). I will try to keep track at http://www.bts.edu/trobisch/Greece2006/Participants.htm Otherwise: the Concord Trailways bus leaves Portland at 1:30 on Sunday. The class will officially begin at the Boston airport on Sunday evening at 5 PM. Check in, go through security and meet us at the departure gate. You will have to greet me with “Γεια σου! [ pronounced Yasou]!” so I know you did your homework and I can give you credit for it. Point family and friends to our web site (www.bts.edu/trobisch) where we will post a daily BLOG. Check it out. I already filled in the first entry. And finally: please note my cell phone number: [not posted, send me an email if you lost it]. You may call me anytime from now on and may leave it as an emergency number with friends and family, the phone will work in Greece as well and voice messages can be left. I will be able to receive email without attachments sent to dtrobisch@bts.edu in Greece as well (I receive them on my cell phone seconds after they are sent, oh technology!).
	12/27: EMERGENCY CONTACT. 1. Erica and Becky on the Portland campus (tel (207) 774 5212 x 201) and Jackie Bussiere (x 118) on the Bangor campus have my cell phone number. 2. Emails and Short Text Messages (SMS) sent through www.trobisch.com/bts will reach me immediately. 3. The hotels with their phone and fax numbers are listed below. 4. PAT KOSSUTH * DIRECT NUMBER 207 523-3509 * EMAIL pkossuth@travelexperts.com will keep a watchful eye on us and will be happy to trace us down. 5. There will probably be a "Blog" on www.bts.edu/trobisch with brief daily updates and wise cracks, entitled: "Where in the World is David Trobisch?"
	12/26: Bus schedules added.
	12/26 * There is some home work you will have to do before we leave (and yes, I will have a quiz sometime, somewhere…): Read an article on the history of Greece and familiarize yourself with the Greek alphabet. Both links are posted on our web site. * In case the server goes down, I will put up information on an alternative web site, please NOTE: www.trobisch.com/bts . There you will find a link to an alternative email address and a possibility to send me a text message to my cell phone. This is for emergencies. * Learn some phrases in Modern Greek. A link is posted on the web site (includes sound). Have fun with it. The “informal assessment” mentioned in the syllabus will probably be something like ordering food in a restaurant in Greek. * The syllabus is now posted as well. Read it. I can still change it. * If you want to take your cell phone a) make sure you have coverage (call your provider) b) make sure you have a tri-band phone to handle the European signals (call your provider) c) make sure you have an adapter for the 220 volt outlets and your transformer can handle it (most cell phone power supplies can). Rates for direct calls to and from a cell phone to the US range between 1$ and 1.50$ per minute (call your provider). Very reasonable in case of an emergency. Don’t count on much internet access, but you will find internet cafes in the cities and some hotels may provide access. But don’t count on it. * Make sure your Debit Card is working. Generally this is the best way to access cash in Europe. But some banks want you to tell them that you are traveling. If you take cash, it is best to change it to Euros in Greece. Traveler checks are safe but often difficult to cash (stores often don’t take them, banks have complicated procedures etc.) Credit cards are accepted but not always in restaurants and usually not for small amounts. Cash withdrawals from credit cards are expensive but possible. Personal checks are usually not accepted.
	12/26: Added a link to the Greek Alphabet (PDF), Ancient Greek. Exercise
	12/22: fixed the links to the hotel sites.
	12/13: Itinerary and hotel list updated.
	12/12: Greece has 220 volt outlets. You will need an adapter (Staples, WalMart) for Europe (UK is different) and make sure your appliance can handle the 220 volt (most computer and cell phone adapters can but few hair dryers do).
	12/12: Welcome Menu: Click here.
	12/8: A visit has been confirmed for your group on Jan 10th at 9:00 AM in Thessalonica at the Patriarchal Institute and a meeting with the Bishop.
	12/8 Greek Orthodox Worship Service in Olympia ~~either Saturday night or~~ Sunday morning.
	12/8 Jan 16th visit Mycenae from Corinth.
	12/6: The prices are finally in. Lunch and dinners are not included, which will give us a chance to explore the local offerings in smaller groups and adjust them to our taste and budget. Included is travel insurance. We will probably be able to do more than indicated on the itinerary. I am working on setting up a meeting with a Greek congregation or church officials (we will try to attend a Greek Orthodox service on Saturday evening or Sunday morning), visit one of the depositories of Biblical Manuscripts in Greece (Thessalonica, Athens, Meteora), visit at least one pre-historic site (working on Mycenae, not too far from Corinth).
	12/6 Hotels and their web sites added.

Contents

	Homework
	Flights / Bus
	Hotels
	Itinerary
	Prices
	Links to Sites
	Possible presentation topics to be presented on site
	Map

Homework (before the trip)

	Familiarize yourself with the Ancient Greek Alphabet (PDF) and do this exercise.
	Read the overview article about the History of Greece: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Greece
	Syllabus
	Learn basic phrases in modern Greek: Greek for Tourists

More Greek Vocabulary

Simple Words: http://www.greece.org/gr-lessons/gr-english/vocab.html

Simple Phrases: http://www.greece.org/gr-lessons/gr-english/phrases.html

Flights

Depart January 8

Concord Trailways:

Bus leaves Bangor: 11:15

Bus leaves Portland: 1:30

Arrival Logan Airport: 3:15

Alitalia

6:00 PM Depart Boston Alitalia#619

Arrival January 9

7:35AM Arrive Milan

10:45AM Depart Milan Alitalia#724

2:00PM Arrive Thessaloniki

Return January 19

6:30 AM Depart Athens Alitalia#727

8:10 AM Arrive Milan

10:30 AM Depart Milan Alitalia#618

1:20 PM Arrive Boston

Concord Trailways:

Bus for Portland: 2:15 (arrives 4:25); 3:15 (6:10); 4:15 (6:25)

Bus for Bangor: 5:15 (arrives in Bangor 10:30)

Hotels

	January 09-12 / Hotel Best Western Vergina cat B’ http://www.vergina-hotel.gr/
	January 12-13 / Hotel Antoniadis - Kalambaka Cat B’
	January 13-14 / Hotel Villa Apollonia Cat B’
	January 14-15 / Hotel Amalia – Olympia Cat A’ http://www.amaliahotels.com /
	January 15-17 / Hotel Mantas sea side – Corinth / Loutrak Cat B’ http://www.mantashotels.gr/
	January 17-19 / Hotel City Plaza – Athens Cat B’ http://www.city-plaza-athens.com/

Itinerary

According to Greek law the maximum hours a guide and driver may work per day is 9-10 hours.

	Jan.9- Thessalonica / Hotel Best Western Vergina Arrival by AZ 724 at 14:00 ( 2:00 PM ) - Transfer to Hotel Vergina WELCOME DINNER at 20:00hrs Dinner on pre-ordered menu ( transfers provided to dinner) Overnight in Best Western Vergina
	Jan10 - breakfast at Hotel Best Western Vergina Pick up at 08:30 hrs Visit as arranged from us at 09:30hrs at Patriarchical Studies And meeting with the Bishop . Orientation Tour of Thessalonica. Visit Museum of Thessalonika In the afternoon visit the city of Thessaloniki. Overnight in Best Western Vergina
	Jan 11- breakfast at Hotel Best Western Vergina Pick up at 08:30 hrs Full day visit to Phillipi (archaeological site of Philippi and the place where Lydia was baptized), visit of Kavala. Overnight in Best Western Vergina
	Jan 12 - breakfast at Hotel Best Western Vergina Pick up at 08:30 hrs Continue to Borea( Veria ) to visit remnants of ancient city Vergina still visible and the tombs of Philip 1, Overnight in Kalambaka
	Jan 13.- breakfast at Hotel Antoniadis Pick up at latest 08:30 hrs Travel to Meteora to visit the monasteries. The Monastery of Metamorphis and one more Monastery of Rousano or Ag.Stefano . Continue to Delphi . Overnight in Delphi
	Jan 14 - breakfast at Hotel Villa Apollonia Pick up at latest 08:30 hrs Visit to Delphi including the Archaeological site of Delphi and the museum. Continue to Olympia via the new Rio Antirio Bridge . Overnight to Olympia
	Jan 15 - breakfast at Hotel Amalia Pick up at latest 08:30 hrs Attend a Church service. Visit the Archaeological site of Olympia and the Museum of Olympia. Continue to Corinth Overnight in Corinth .
	Jan 16 - breakfast at Hotel Mantas sea side Pick up at latest 08:30 hrs Visit the Archaeological site Mycenae & the site of Corinth Overnight in Corinth .
	Jan 17 - breakfast at Hotel Mantas sea side Pick up at latest 08:30 hrs Visit for of Ancient Corinth and Ancient Cenchrea . Overnight in Athens
	Jan 18 - breakfast at Hotel City Plaza Pick up at latest 09:00 hrs Full day city tour of Athens ( visit Acropolis, Areopagus and Agora) Overnight in Athens
	Jan 19 - breakfast at Hotel City Plaza Depart for Boston

Prices

$ 2700.00

Plus tuition fees (Participants, who are not full time students at BTS or spouses of fulltime students have to sign up as auditors and pay the audit fee of $350.00)

Includes

Air fare Boston-Greece.

Accommodations with bed and breakfast throughout.

Deluxe bus. Same bus throughout except for departure transfers.

Arrival and departure transfers. Luggage porterage.

English speaking guide throughout the tour (same guide throughout the tour).

Entrance fees to the following Archeological sites: Museum of Thessaloniki , Philipi, Museum of Vergini, Meteora, Delphia, Olympia, Corinth , Acropolis.

Price is based on group size of 18 – land and air.

INCLUDES TRAVEL INSURANCE.

Not included:

	Single room supplement $295.00 additional.
	Transport from Bangor or Portland to Boston. You will have to make arrangements yourself. Bus schedule (www.concordtrailways.com)
	Lunch and dinner. Please allow 15-25$ for food per day.
	Tips for driver and guide (at your discretion).

Links

	Bus schedule (www.concordtrailways.com)
	Philippi (Paul's most loyal supporters),
	Thessalonica (excellent museum),
	Vergina (sensational discovery of the unplundered tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great), Close to Βεροια (Veroia)
	Meteora monasteries (UNESCO world heritage site),
	Delphi (oracle),
	Olympia (ancient site of the Olympic games),
	Mycenae (prehistoric archeological site)
	Corinth (the port of Cenchreae to the East),
	Athens (Acropolis).

Map

Sites Route:
Click on map to enlarge

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Last modified February 05, 2006