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  • Deadlines

  • 07/03/2011

    Deadline for abstract submission for oral/poster presentation

  • 05/04/2011

    Notification of abstract acceptance for oral/poster presentation

  • 15/04/2011

    Deadline for early registration and payment

 

  •   Under the Auspices of
  • International Year of Chemistry

 

 

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EXCURSIONS

During your stay in Crete, you may wish to enjoy your free time, and explore Crete through selected excursions we are organizing exclusively for the ESOC 2011 participants. Please book your preference with the ESOC2011 Travel Desk 24 hours prior to scheduled departures.
A: Half Day Excursions:
All participants and accompanying persons may join one of the following half day excursions, planned for Wednesday afternoon (July 13th), allocated during the free time from your conference schedule:
Departure at 14:00
Return by 19:00
1. Archaeological (Knossos Palace)
2. Historical (Elounda & Spinalonga)
3. Tradition & Archaeology (Heraklion Venetian Walls)
4. Mountains & Nature (Lassithi Plateau)
B: Full Day Excursions:
1. Tuesday July 12th - Rethymnon & Chania.
Departure at 09:00
Return by 17:00
This full day excursion is FREE only for accompanying persons who have paid the accompanying persons fee. Any other participant may join.
2. Thursday July 14th - Gortys / Phaestos Palace / Matala
Departure at 09:00
Return by 17:00
All Excursions Include:
  • 1. Transfers in modern tourist fully air-conditioned buses
  • 2. Professional English speaking guide
  • 3. All Entrance Fees and Boat tickets
  • 4. VAT 23%

Archeological


Knossos Palace


Driving towards Heraklion to Knossos Palace is an excursion and experience that one must not miss.

Knossos also known as Labyrinth or Knossos Palace is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. 

Knossos Palace was also the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. 

The palace appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces and store rooms close to a central square.

The palace was substantially restored by archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans.		 Knossos Palace
 

Historical


Elounda & Spinalonga

This is a drive north-east to the fishing village of Elounda where the breathtaking views of the gulf of Elounda are unmatchable.  A short boat trip to the island of Spinalonga for a guided tour is scheduled. Spinalonga is officially known as Kalydon and was once occupied by the Venetians who built a fort for defense on the island which can still be seen today.

Spinalonga was also used as a leper colony up until the 1950’s and was used as the location for the recent shooting of the serial “The Island” based on the book by Victoria Hislop

Tradition & Archaeology

Heraklion Venetian Walls


The grounds of the Venetian Walls of Heraklion that stand to this day constitute one of the most important monuments of this type in the entire Mediterranean basin.
This is valid because of the length of the wall (5 kilometres) and its excellent state of preservation.


History

824 – 961 A.D.: The Arabs occupied Crete and organised an important built-up centre that was called Chandakas, in the place of current Heraklion and surrounded it with wall, built from bricks and founded in stone. There were seven bastions.

961 – 1204 A.D: The Byzantines of Nikiforos Fokas took over the island. They erected their own fortifying grounds over the stone groundwork that had been rescued in order to protect the city.

.		 Bethleem Bastion
1211: Venetians occupied the city in and named it Candia.

They started the construction of the city’s fortification in 1462 and they needed more than a century to complete it.

They also built the port and many other buildings of magnificent architecture.		Venetian City Walls
The gates
The gates of Venetian fortification that stand to this day constitute important architectural monuments of period of Venetian domination and served by connecting the city with the suburbs and the countryside.
Two out of the four gates of the wall still stand today: the Pantocrator or “Chanioporta” (meaning “the gate of Chania”) and the “gate of Jesus” also called “Kainourgia Porta” (meaning “the new gate”).

The strategic importance of the fortification was proved during the city’s investment.

The city’s investment by the Turks lasted 21 years and was one of the longest in history.
Jeasus Bastion - Kainourgia Porta
Presently
The Venetian walls still surround a part of Heraklion; it is an impressive huge construction of the 15th century, with several later interventions and expansions.

You can walk on the top of the wall which is very wide.
Visit
We are going to visit the Makasi Gate, the Bethlehem Gate, the Martinengo Bastion, and Nikos Kazantakis tomb. After the visit, you will have free time to enjoy yourself in Heraklion city.

Mountains and Nature

Lassithi Plateau

The inland drive to an altitude of 850m for the visit to Lassithi Plateau allows you to explore the natural environment and the beautiful countryside.
On the way to Lassisthi Plateau we will stop at the Kera monastery to admire the Orthodox heritage through the centuries and then on to the Eco-park “Lassinthos” for a brief tour of the rich Cretan traditional craftsmanship.
 

Passing through the Plateau we will view the many windmills that work regularly to water the fertile plain which was once farmed by the Minoans and later by the Dorians of Lyttos.

A stop at the largest village of the Plateau, Jermiado Village for refreshments and a short walk is also scheduled.

Greek mythology is also linked with the area of Lassithi which claims to be the birth place of the God Zeus.
This is an exceptional tour for lovers of nature and the outdoors.

FULL DAY EXCURSIONS 09:30 – 18:00 hrs

Rethymnon & Chania - Tuesday July 12th - Free Excursion
A visit to the north-west of the island to the popular town of Rethymnon mixed with old and new. A guided tour of the old town is a perfect opportunity to visit the past.

The next stop is the town of Hania, probably the most beautiful and picturesque of all, the formal capital of Crete, well known for the birth place of Eleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936), a major political figure of 20th century.
Here we will also see Venetian fortifications and mansions. The opportunity and time for shopping is also scheduled.

Gortys / Phaestos Palace / Matala – Thursday July 14th



This is a visit to the south of the island with the first stop at Gortys, the former Roman Capital of Crete followed by a guided tour of the Minoan Palace of Phaestos.
The journey will continue to Matala (well known for the caves used by the Hippies in the 1960’s) where there are many tavernas for those who are ready for a lunch break and maybe swimming. Our last stop at the village of Peza; here we will have the opportunity to see a Cretan winery and how some of the famous Cretan wines are made.

The organizers are reserving the right to cancel any excursion that is not completing 25 participants minimum.