essc.gr

The social program of the 6^th International ESSC Congress that is detailed in the following paragraphs is now finalised. As we are just a short breath from the Congress we would kindly ask you to fill in the pre-registration form stating the exact venues you are interested to attend and the number of people you want to pre-book. This is essential for each and every venue, as the organizing committee needs to make the necessary arrangements and also because for each venue there is a limited number of available seats. Provisional registration to these venues is actually done on a “first come – first serve basis”. The amount due for your participation to these activities will be payable upon your arrival at the registration desk. Please return the completed form as soon as possible and in any case before April 30^th.

Events

1. Monday, May 9: Ice break cocktail reception, to be held at the venue hotel following the official opening ceremony. Time: 20:00-22:00. (Cost: included in the registration fee of all delegates and their accompanying persons). Catch up with old colleagues and get to make new friends in a nice and relaxing atmosphere.
2. Tuesday, May 10: ½ day guided tour of Thessaloniki. Time: 09:00-13:00. (Cost: included in the registration fees of the accompanying persons. Provided seats are available, delegates are also welcome to join). Departure: venue hotel 09:00, White Tower 09:15. A concise guided tour of the city’s most important landmarks, a golden opportunity to travel through its long history and exciting civilization.
3. Thursday, May 12: Mini cruise at Thermaikos Gulf. Time: 18:00-19:30. (Cost: 10€ per person. Includes cruise, one drink and snacks. Further drinks are charged at the nominal rate of the vessel’s bar). Departure: promenade between the White Tower and the Royal Theater, at 18:00. CLIO (spelled ΚΛΕΙΩ in Greek) is neither a typical nor traditional vessel, but rather a summer-mood decorated vessel that will host us for a 1 ½ hours cruise at Thermaikos Gulf. You should embark by 17:45, but you are also welcome to do so any time after 17:00. And if you feel you did not have enough, you may relax for as long as you like after we return. Get ready for a marvelous mini-cruise and see the city center and its surroundings from the sea. Feel the spring breeze and get acquainted with what Greek music has to present. Enjoy yourselves after a full scientific day and refresh for the official Congress dinner. In case of weather restrictions the venue will be shifted to Friday, May 13. In the unlikely case of poor weather conditions also on Friday May 13, we regret that the event will be cancelled for safety reasons and full refund will be given to all registered people.
4. Thursday, May 12: Official Congress dinner, to be held at the venue hotel. Time: 21:00-24:00. (Cost: 30€ per person. Includes sampling of typical Greek cuisine in a luscious buffet, soft drinks, bottled water, 1 beer or ½ bottle of wine per person, live music, traditional Greek dances performance). This is the official dinner of the Congress. Enjoy with your colleagues and friends, sample typical Greek food in a luxurious atmosphere and relax under the sounds of the professional music band. Perhaps you even get to learn some traditional Greek dances.
5. Saturday, May 14: Post-Congress excursion. Time 08:30-20:00. (Cost: 35€ per person. Includes transportation, entrance to the museum, entrance to a typical winery, a coffee break, BBQ lunch (weather permitting, or a suitable alternative in case of poor weather conditions). Departure: White Tower 08:15, venue hotel 08:30. We will travel south to the village of Vergina and visit a unique archaeological site where the treasure of Philip the ancient king of Macedonia was brought to light by the famous archaeologist Manolis Andronikos, in what is considered to be amongst the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20^th century. We will then drive west to the city of Naoussa and visit the regional center for environmental education where we will relax on a soothing cup of coffee and get informed on their environment related activities targeting the future of the world: primary and secondary pupils. Next stop is BOUTARIS winery in the village of Stenimachos, along the western Macedonian “wine road”, on the slopes of Mt Vermion. Weather permitting this will be the time to enjoy a BBQ lunch accompanied by typical local wines. In case of bad weather, we will shift our lunch to the picturesque village of Agios Nikolaos.