2023 Cultural Days in Athens
Dear friends
All the members of the Lyceum Club of Athens are happy to organise the ICB meeting in May 2023 and to welcome all our friends and those accompanying them for the Cultural Days. During your stay you will have the opportunity to discover the historical sites of our capital city, taste Greek cuisine and go on a cruise to two beautiful islands, Aegina and Hydra, both full of history and beauty.
During the evening gala we will have the pleasure to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the Lyceum Club International and to honour its founder, Constance Smedley, in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom.
A few words about the Lyceum Club of Hellenic Women :
The Lykeion ton Ellinidon (Lyceum Club of Hellenic Women) was founded in 1911 by Callirrhoé Siganou-Parren, a pioneer of the feminist movement in Greece and the country’s first female journalist. It is a voluntary organisation which, within 111 years of existence, has played an important and active role in the preservation and presentation of Greek cultural traditions and folk customs. The Club’s social contribution has also been important, especially in the field of women’s education and the defence of women’s rights.
Today it maintains its dynamic presence in Greek society, thanks to the voluntary service of its dedicated members. The Lyceum’s spacious and pleasant premises in the centre of Athens welcome children and teenagers aged from 6 to 18, who have the opportunity to learn and participate in the tradition of national dance as it is still preserved in the Greek countryside.
The Lyceum has a rich collection of authentic regional costumes. These precious costumes were the ones used during the Olympic Games in August 2004. On this memorable occasion, the Lykeion’s knowledgeable volunteers dressed hundreds of young men and women who graciously offered their services and were called upon to host the various events and award prizes to the winners.
We are very much looking forward to seeing you all in Athens
Eleni Tsaldaris, President of the International Lyceum Club of Athens
Program
For ICB members only
Wednesday, May 10th
- Arrival of members of the International Central Board (ICB)
- 1st session in the evening with light dinner at the Lyceum Club of Athens (ICB fee : € 50)
Thursday, May 11th
- 2nd session with coffee break and lunch
For the accompanying participants
Wednesday, May 10th
- Arrival of accompanying persons
- Dinner at your convenience
Thursday, May 11th
- Sightseeing day :
Passa Kotsou, vice-president of the Lyceum Club of Athens, archaeologist and tour guide, will
guide you through the streets of Athens (40 min. walk) to the cable car of Mount Lycabetta.
At the top, coffee break and visit of the church of St. George, then back down to the city for
a visit of the Zappeion Exhibition Centre and lunch.
At your expense, the cable car ticket, the coffee break and the lunch.
For all Lyceum Club members and accompanying persons
Thursday, May 11th
- Arrival of Lyceum club members.
- Registration and Welcome Cocktail at the Lyceum Club of Athens by the end of the day (Welcome Cocktail: € 45)
Friday 12th and Saturday 13th of May
Gala dinner € 140
Friday, May 12th
- Bus tour of the city of Athens
- Guided tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Plaka district and Lunch
- Afternoon free
- Gala dinner at the Eleon Loft
The Acropolis
Built in the 5th century according to the plans of Pericles, this rocky hill became a unique monument of spirit and culture. Its white marble monuments, including the Parthenon, were built at that time. They glow in the midday sun and gradually take on a honeyed hue as the sun sets. Combine the best of science, art and philosophy in one creation and you have the definitive monument of human civilisation. For UNESCO, it is a symbol of world heritage.
Athens city bus tour
This bus tour will take us to the main points of interest of Athens: Panathinaiko Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens Trilogy – National Library, National
Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, St. Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral, Old Parliament, Constitution Square, and the Russian Orthodox Church.
Saturday, May 13th
- Visit to the Acropolis Museum
-
Departure to the Monastery of Kaisariani (20 minutes from the city center)
Visit of the Monastery - Lunch
- Return to the hotels by mid-afternoon.
- Dinner at your convenience
- Visit to the Acropolis Museum
- Bus tour to Cape Sounion along the beautiful coast ot the Sardonic Gulf (70 kms away from Athens)
- Visit of touristic sites - lunch time at Akrogiali.
- Return to the hotels by mid-afternoon.
- Dinner at your convenience
Acropolis Museum
An ultra-modern showcase for ancient treasures. Since 2009, it has been exhibiting true masterpieces that come exclusively from the Acropolis.
Cape Sounion
The drive is a scenic coastal one which offers the chance to view the Saronic Gulf and pass through some beautiful coastal suburbs. The drive to Cape Sounion is approximately an hour and 30 minutes. It will show you this sacred place in the eyes of Homer, the place from which Aegeus threw himself into the sea. At its summit stands proudly the temple dedicated to Poseidon, a haven for sailors.
Monastery
The Kaisarianí Monastery is a former place of worship dedicated to Aphrodite. It is an Orthodox monastery of the Byzantine rite built on the northern slope of Mount Hymette. The walls and ceiling of the catolicon are decorated with polychrome frescoes from the Ottoman period.
Sunday, May 14th
- Day cruise on a private boat to Hydra et Aegina Islands, lunch aboard (€ 180)
- Return to Athens late afternoon
- Dinner at your convenience
Aegina :
In the centre of the Saronic Gulf, dominated by Mount Oros. Here we can see the beautifully preserved Temple of Aphaea Athena, which forms an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, known as the sacred triangle.
Hydra :
Jewel of the Saronic Islands, with its amphitheatrical harbour, beautiful 18th century shipowners’ houses and the small monastery of the Assumption.
The schedules are still to be defined. They will be specified later.
Registration deadline : February 22, 2023
Cancellation policy:
- From April 1st to 15th 2023: less 20%
- From April 16th to April 30th 2023: less 50%
- After May 1st 2023: no refund
Hotels :
As usual, everyone has to book their room individually. Our friends from Athens recommend the Titania hotel (4*) and the Diwani hotel (5*). The Titania will be our main meeting point.
Other hotels nearby: Amalia Hotel, Astor Hotel, Athens Tiare by Mage Hotel, Dorian Inn and Fresh Hotel.
Register now!
To take part in our Cultural Days in Athens from May 10 to May 14, 2023, fill in the registration form by clicking below