Floral Diversity in Greece
Sponsored by
California Garden Clubs, Inc. Directors:
George Perko
Dr. Phillip V Stanley
July 12-22, 2010


George Perko and Dr. Stanley have put together a summer tour for 2010 designed specifically for members of CGCI. There will be arranged visits to at least five private gardens in Athens, in the Peloponnese, and on the island of Paros. This has been arranged through members of the Mediterranean Garden Society in Greece. Some of CGCI members may actually be members of this organization, since California is one of its largest chapters. In fact, a talk was once given by the society at a meeting of the CGCI. It has also been arranged to visit the local headquarters of the Society and view its unique garden. On Paros participants will visit not only three gardens but also the butterfly valley. There are plans to introduce the participants to the new quality of Greek wines through two wine tastings: one at Epidaurus and the other on the island of Paros. Greece's ancient past and its contribution to the modern world have not been forgotten. There will be visits the New Acropolis Archaeological Museum, the Acropolis, the Agora (the ancient market), the ancient theater at Epidaurus, the Bronze Age palace at Mycenae, and Nemea, the site of UC Berkeley's excavations.

We hope that many of you will find this tour fascinating and inviting and will join us next summer as we look at the "Floral Diversity of Greece." For further information contact George Perko (gperko@msn.com) or Dr. Stanley (pstanley@sfsu.edu)


Acropolis, Athens

Day 1:
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the hotel
5:00 PM: Met in hotel lobby. Brief orientation walk to New Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis
Welcome dinner
Athens hotel (D)


National Gardens, Athens

Day 2:
AM: Visit the Athens Centre for talk on plants in Greece by George Perko after walk to the National Gardens
PM: Visit and talk at the Mediterranean Garden Society center after visit to private garden at the home John Zervos
Athens hotel (B)

Day 3:
AM: Visit Athenian Agora (the ancient market) and Agora Museum; talk on the plantings in Agora to simulate ancient plantings
PM: Visit Vorres Museum and gardens after bus to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon and view the sunset
Athens hotel (B)


tholos Tomb, Mycenaep> Day 4:
AM: Bus to Peloponnese stopping at the Corinthian canal, Nemea (UC Berkeley excavation), Mycenae site and museum
PM: Free time in Nauplion
Nauplion hotel (B)


Theater, Epidaurus

Day 5:
AM: Visit ancient healing sanctuary and theater at Epidaurus and transfer to Comas farm
PM: Visit museum in Nauplion and later afternoon wine tasting at Nauplion cava
Nauplion hotel (B)


Day 6:
AM: Bus to Piraeus and take ferry to island of Paros
Paros hotel (B)

Day 7:
AM: visit three private gardens on the island
PM: afternoon free to explore or go for a swim at Piso Livadi
Paros hotel (B)


Day 8:
AM: visit and talk at garden and plant supply center on plants in the area
PM: visit butterfly valley and winery
Paros hotel (B)


Day 9:
AM: ferry to Athens, transfer to hotel rest of day free
Athens hotel (B)


Aegina

Day 10:
AM: ferry to Aegina, visit Temple of Aphaia and gardens at monastery of Nektarios
PM: afternoon free, ferry back to Athens
Farewell Dinner
Athens hotel (B, D)


Day 11:
Departure for USA

Price: $3,458


Application