| This is a
custom
designed trip for baseball players. It's the only one of it's
kind so far to provide a baseball vacation in Greece.
In addition, you'll have many opportunities to interact with Greek
Nationals.
Baseball is a new medium between our cultures, even if you don't speak
Greek you'll be able to interact with the locals. We'll eat at
some
great restaurants, be entertained by a full time agenda, see some great
sights and Play Baseball, Greek style.
|
The
trip is far
more economical than any travel agent could or would do. This
is a rare opportunity that we have the Hellenic Baseball Federation
sponsor
us and give us use of their new fields and stadiums. No travel
agency
could put together a trip like this. Greece is a fairly expensive
country but we'll be going at a reasonable cost that includes first
class
treatment in every step of the way. The trip will include
all
lodging, ground transportation, all baseball, all tours, lots of
sightseeing,
shopping sprees, full time guide and several meals.
|
Most
every day
we'll tour a different area, see the local attractions and play a local
baseball team. Some evenings will have group outings or
dinners.
Occasionally there may be joint meals with the local teams that
will
allow the Greek and USA players to get together, exchange ideas and
make
new friends. You'll find baseball enthusiasts of a variety of age
groups and levels as many of their players are Greek American
players.
They are eager to meet and play ball with you. All facilities are
high quality.
|
Trip is open
to any adult person who plays baseball. The average age of
our
teams is usually in the mid 40's. The trip will be scheduled for
fall of 2005 as the weather will be more pleasant and Europe will be
done
with their summer vacations. Trip will be late September - early
October. Players, family members and tourists
are all welcome. We'll be limiting ourselves to a maximum of 14
players.
We will need 3-4 good pitchers, a couple of catchers and some good
position
players. Come as a team or come as a pool player and join the
team.
Don't be just a tourist, be an International
Baseball Ambassador, get to know the people not just the
postcards. Be one of the privileged few to experience this new
and exciting adventure.
|
Baseball
Baseball has
only
been played for 5 years in Greece.
This came about because of
their
hosting the recent Olympic Games. Since it's inception, the
Hellenic
Amateur Baseball Federation has formed leagues, has about 20 men's
amateur
teams,
2 new stadiums and practice fields. Their 3 best teams are about
high school level. We'll be hosted by the Hellenic Amateur
Baseball
Federation who will provide the teams, fields, umpires etc.
Our
team
will
be made up of US players from various leagues and organizations.
The average age of our teams is usually in the mid-40's. We
generally
have players in their 20's through the 60's. We'll be playing at
least 5 games against local Greek teams.
Transportation
You'll need to
make
your own airline reservations to and from Athens. Once there,
you'll be met at the airport and transported to our hotel for check
in.
We will be making arrangements for a team bus
that will transport us
from
the different venues and tours while in Athens. Upon departure,
you'll
be transported to the airport and assisted by our tour guides.
|
.
|
Food
Breakfasts
will
be included with the rooms at the hotel. Lunches and dinners will
be at your own expense. At least 1 welcoming dinner and 1 final
dinner banquet
is included.
There may also be some dinner get together with the local teams.
Restaurants are in our hotels and others within easy walking
distance.
Being on
the
Mediterranean, Greek food
is highly seafood oriented. Seafood dishes of all sorts are
available just about everywhere. In addition, many dishes are
lamb and beef based. There are a lot of pasta dishes available
plus a variety of vegetables. Potatoes and of course french fries
come with many meals. Fast Greek food consists of shish kabob or
various meats on flat bread. Breakfasts can
vary from fruits, bread & salami to full American style, depends on
the hotel. Our hotel offers a full American style
breakfast. In Greece, Ouzo is the
national drink. You'll need to develop a taste for it as it is a
potent liquor that tastes like licorice. There are lots of
ouzories around Greece.
.
|
Entertainment
Athens is a
huge
city with plenty of things to do and see. Before we depart, we'll
plan some evening activities or cultural events to attend while
there. There are plenty
of restaurants, bars,
discos, night
clubs and other activities to keep
you busy each day, Athens rocks!.
|
Sightseeing
After our
first
day of arrival, most days will include extensive
sight
seeing and then evening baseball games. We'll
visit some of the most attractive and interesting places of the ancient
city. Some of these will include the Temple of
Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's
Arch, Theater
of Dionysus, Temple
of
Hephaistus and the Ancient
Agora. We'll visit the Acropolis,
the Museum
of Acropolis and the architectural masterpieces of the
Erechteum Temple, the Propylae,
the Temple of Athena and the Herod
Atticus Theater.
We'll take
a trip
to Cape
Sounion by driving along the coastal road, past the southern
suburbs of Athens, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, with their
wonderful beaches, to the southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where
the spectacular Temple of Poseidon stands overlooking the Saronic gulf.
Another
day,
we'll visit
The
Peloponessos province and the Corinth area. We'll drive
along the scenic west coast of Attica to the ancient town of Corinth,
where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. In ancient
times, Corinth was amongst the richest cities and this is quite evident
by its remains, including the huge Agora and Apollo's Temple.
Before we return to Athens, we'll also have a stop at the port of
Kechreae where St. Paul disembarked.
One day, we'll either take a boat
cruise or take a day trip to visit Delphi.
If we visit Delphi, we'll have a half day trip to one of the
islands. If we take a
whole day off for a boat
cruise and visit 3
Saronic
islands we'll depart from the Marina Flisvos
and sail or
hydrofoil through the Saronic Gulf to visit the Island of Egina,
the
largest of the Saronic islands. Famous for its pistachio nuts and
ceramic jars. We'll sail through the straits between the green Island of Poros and
the Peloponnese and down to the Island of Hydra,
know for its scenic beauty and its stunning architecture. On the
return journey back
to Athens, we'll enjoy the live Greek Dancing show on board.
Another other days, we'll visit
some of
modern
Athens that will include the Tomb
of the Unknown
Soldier, House
of Parliament, Presidential Palace,
National Library, University, Academy, and Panathenaic
Stadium, where
the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896.
There will also be at least a half day on your own for your
personalized sightseeing and shopping. All in all, between the baseball and the tours,
this will be a very
busy schedule that will give you a great experience in Greece.
|
Accommodations
When you
travel a long distance to a foreign land, you want a comfortable place
to stay. We'll be
staying
in 4-5 star hotels, depending on who rates them. Unless something
changes, we'll be staying at
the newly renovated Electra Palace
Hotel in the Plaka.
The hotel has been recently
renovated and refurbished to first class facilities. All rooms
will have private baths, A/C, fully soundproof, TV, direct dial
phone. There is also high speed internet access, pay per view
movies, hair dryers, safes, mini bars and more. They have bars,
restaurants, coffee shops and laundry facilities. It's on a
pedestrian street at the base of the Acropolis in the old part
of Athens. There
are many narrow pedestrian only streets in this area with lots of
shops, bars, clubs, and outdoor restaurants. All are within easy
walking distance from the hotel.
|
Schedule
and Agenda
Late September
or
early October have been recommended as the local teams will still be
playing baseball and the weather is at it's best. We'll start the
trip when you arrive on a Sunday. You'll be met at the
airport by one of the travel agents who will help you get to the hotel
for check in. Most flights
will
arrive morning or early afternoon. You will have the afternoon
off for
decompression. In the evening, we'll have a welcoming dinner at
the hotel or close by restaurant. Departure will also be on the
following Sunday. You are, of course, welcome to come earlier or
stay later on your own. If you do, you'll be responsible for your
own transportation and accommodations during those times. A
preliminary detailed agenda is shown
below.
Requirements
This trip is for amateur baseball players.
Wives, girl friends, family members or other tourists may also
attend. You will
need a valid passport, a visa is not required.
Outline
of Schedule for 8-day tour, 7 nights
Day
1
Saturday
|
Depart
US
|
Day
2
Sunday
|
Transfer
to Hotel for decompression.
Afternoon on
your
own in the Plaka
Evening
Welcome Dinner with team members.
|
Day
3
Monday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Morning tour of Athens
Lunch at local
restaurant
on your own
Afternoon
tours of Acropolis
Transfer to
ballpark
for Game #1
Dinner on your
own
|
Day
4
Tuesday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Day tour to Cape Sounion
Lunch at local
restaurant
on your own
Afternoon
tour at Cape Sounion
Transfer to
ballpark
for Game #2
Dinner on your
own or with local baseball federation
|
Day
5
Wednesday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Day Trip to The
Peloponessos
Lunch at local
restaurant
on your own
Afternoon
tour of Ancient Corinth sites
Return to Athens Hotel
Transfer to
ballpark
for Game #3
Dinner on your own
|
Day
6
Thursday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Day trip to islands or Delphi
Lunch at local
restaurant
on your own
Dinner on your own
|
Day
7
Friday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Morning tours of modern Athens and local
sites
Lunch at local
restaurant
on your own
Afternoon shopping
on your own
Transfer to
ballpark
for Game #4
Dinner on your
own
|
Day
8
Saturday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Transfer to
ballpark
for Game #5
Lunch at local
restaurant
on your own
Free afternoon
Dinner banquet with team at local restaurant
|
Day
9
Sunday
|
Breakfast
at the Hotel
Transfer to
airport
for departure back to US
|
Dates
September 18-25,
2005, note, these are preliminary dates.
Total
Cost
We need
at least 10 players for this trip to happen, plus any number non
players. The cost per person will be $1,795
each. These
costs are based on staying at 4 star hotels in double
occupancy. If you want a room to yourself, add $375.
Airfare
to and from
Athens is not included. Current prices from San Francisco are
about
$960. From New York about $716.
What things cost in
Athens.
Universal
Currency
#1
Currency
Converter #2
Greece is part of the European Union and uses Euros. Approximate value, 1 Euro = $1.21.
If you would like
more information on playing in Athens send an email to Dennis@DennisMc.com
Included is: Transfer to and from Airport
Hotel accommodation for 7
nights.
All local transport to scheduled events
Admission to scheduled tourist
attractions.
All Breakfasts at Hotel
2 Dinners
All baseball costs (umpires, fields,
etc.).
Translator/Guide at scheduled events
|
Not
included is: Air fare or
other transport costs to
and from Athens
Non-scheduled trips (taxis, buses,
trains
etc.).
Lunches and most dinners
Each player to bring their own
playing
gear and uniform.Visa,
international travel, import or other simlar costsEach player to bring 1 dozen leather baseballs
|
Contact
Dennis McCroskey,
Baseball Adventures
P.O. Box 707
Mendocino, CA 95460
707-937-4478
707-937-2349 fax
email: Dennis@DennisMc.com
Sign
Up
To sign up for this
trip you need to fill
out the application form and send a $500 deposit. The balance
of funds will be due by August 1,
2005. If for some
reason, the trip does not happen, all deposits will be returned in full.
Roster
We needed a minimum of 10 players with a maximum of
14. If it says
confirmed, these are people who have their application and
deposits in and have confirmed they are coming. If it says maybe,
it means they are considering
going on the trip.
Roster of Interested
Participants
| Player |
Status |
Positions
|
Dennis
McCroskey
Mike
Bradley
Adny Badolato
Tony Pisa
Tim Daley
Del Phillips
Sid Rosenblatt
Mike Carter
Dave Decruz
Rick Liebman
Mike Day
Gary Kroeger
|
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
Yes
Maybe
Yes
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
|
P,IF
P,C,IF,OF
1B,P
IF,P
|
Non Players
|
Status
|
Positions
|
Robert Badolato
Billy Badolato
|
Maybe
Yes
|
Support
Support
|
|
|
Erechteum Temple
Our Luxuary Party Bus
Fresh from the Medeterranian
Electra Palace Hotel
Constitution Square
|
