Dates: August 19-26, 2006
Starting Place: The Island of Paros, Greece
Airport: Kos Airport
Price: $2500.00 (airfare to Greece and Kos not included)
Latitude: Antiparos 37N         

 Day 1: Saturday August 19 Welcome to the Cycledes Islands and Greece! We will meet you in Paros today. You can fly to Paros or take a Blue Star ferry from Port Pireas outside Athens. Please let us know your mode of travel and arrival time so we can meet and escort you to Antiparos (only 20 minutes from Paros). The Ferry from Athens is approx. 25 Euro per person, travel time is approx. 4 hours to Paros' port. Reservations are recommended.

We might have to wait for each other on Paros before we all head over to Antiparos. Donít worryÖour staff will take care of you. Once we are all together we will travel over to Antiparos - home of many sandy beaches, volcanic landscape and light blue clear waters. This is a unique place for sea kayaking trips. Depending on everyoneís arrival time we will either start with lunch or dinner. After introductions and a trip orientation we will take a walk to familiarize  ourselves with the surroundings.

Oliaros Hotel, a small charming hotel located very close to the beach of Ai Giorgis (St. George, 11 km from the main village of Antiparos) will be our home for our time here. We will share studio apartment traditionally decorated with built in beds, satellite TV, air conditioning, private bathroom and spacious verandas and splendid views.  Dinner tonight will be served at a local restaurant. Be prepared for Greek salad, olives, calamari, tasty French fries, fish, tzatzikiÖand much more.

Day 2: Sunday August 20 After a breakfast served by Crossing Latitudes staff we will go down to the beach where our kayaks are waiting. We provide double and single kayaks by Prijon. For participants with little or no paddling experience weíll cover the basics of comfortable and fun sea kayaking. This includes kayak anatomy, getting in and out, basic paddling strokes, wet-exits, basic rescue techniques, injury prevention etc. People with kayaking experience can help with the basics or we can help you further hone your own technical skills. Your leaders will also demonstrate a capsize and assisted rescue so everyone is familiar with our procedures. It's likely you'll want to capsize just for fun and practice. The water is warm (70 degrees Fahrenheit +), you won't find a more inviting place to play and learn skills.

In the afternoon after a picnic lunch we'll take a day trip out and around the bay. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Maybe we'll end the day with a walk up the hills for a spectacular view of the sunset.

Day 3: Monday August 21 - Day 7: Friday August 25 Each day after a hearty breakfast we'll venture out on day-trips. There are many route choices in this area. We might paddle around the island of Despotiko and look for the old archeological sites.  Or maybe we will circumnavigate Antiparos.  The many bays to explore along with a famous ''Cave" with stalactites and stalagmites make our island exceptional. Expect fun paddling, many stops for swimming, snorkeling and just exploring either by kayak or by foot. This is your trip and we intend to make it as enjoyable as possible.

There may be times when we split up into smaller groups. Some folks might go on a longer day trip and others might stay with one of our staff members and enjoy the beach in front of our hotel.  Maybe we'll work on technical paddling skills such as learning how to brace (support strokes), the Eskimo roll or perform self rescues.

In the afternoons you can rent bikes and explore Antiparos. The island offers an authentic taste of the Cycladic landscape. Small picturesque villages with whitewashed  houses, nice restaurants with fresh fish, shops and bars, the ruins of an old castle and the archeological museum are some of the interesting points in the main village. At some point we also hope to take an afternoon off from paddling and travel back to Paros for an archeological sight seeing tour. There is history around every corner.

Day 8: Saturday August 26 Breakfast and a final group photo will mark the official ending of our expedition. We will help you get to Paros and the ferry terminal. Please do not plan on departing Athens until late afternoon or in the evening. The ferry ride from Paros to Athens will take approximately 4 hours and once again we do recommend that you have reservations.

General Information:

The price includes: All meals, transportation from day one when we meet on Paros until the last day when we return to Paros, hotels and guest houses (included in the itinerary), all sea kayak related equipment such as kayaks, paddles, spray skirts, Personal Floatation Device (life jacket), first aid kit, repair kit etc.

The price does not include: Airfare or ferry travel to Paros Island, passport fees, tourist visa fees, airport fees and taxes, accident and travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, medical fees, personal equipment (see the Personal Equipment List), individual services apart from the group, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls etc.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances while traveling. The Travel Guard "Protect Assist" insurance plan protects you in the event that you have to cancel your trip for a variety of reasons. It covers you for everything from Trip Cancellation to Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Lost, Stolen or Damaged Luggage, Baggage Delay, Medical Expenses, Emergency Medical Transportation and more. This plan is ideally suited for adventure travel.

Location: Paros and Antiparos islands are south of mainland Greece. Flights and ferries arrive daily from Athens.

Travel: You can fly or take a ferry to Paros Island.  For information concerning the boat schedules from Athens to Paros please check the following web sites:

www.bluestarferries.com

 www.dolphins.gr

You can also reach Paros by plane, for information check: www.olympic-airways.gr  online or call +30 210 9666666.  We recommend that you contact Edmonds Travel for your air travel. "KJ" is our contact person, you can reach her at 1-800-261-3868  Email: kj@edmondstravel.com Edmonds Travel can also help out with pre-travel arrangements if you like to do some sight seeing in Athens before or after our trip.

Airport fees: Upon returning to the US the Greece government will charge a departure fee of approximately $25.00 per person. This amount must be paid in cash at the airport.

Kayaking:  This trip is for anyone. We will gladly help you become a confident paddler. We'll travel 5-10 nautical miles per day. We will stop and take rest breaks, swim and explore. Having fun is important to us, we strive to make each day as full and adventurous as possible.  At times we could experience strong winds and building seas.

Culture: Greek with international visitors, mostly European. Folks speak Greek, though many islanders speak some English.   Topography:  Mountainous, dry desert, cliffs as well as lush areas with olive groves.

Currency: Greece is part of the European Union, the Euro is their currency. Euros are accepted in restaurants and stores. Major credit cards are also excepted at many places. ATM machines are available at Paros.

Climate:  During August & September daytime temperatures can reach the 90ís (30 degrees Celsius)  evening temperatures drop to the low 70's (22 degrees Celsius) with a sea-breeze. Sunscreen and light colored protective clothing are advised

Passport & Tourist visa: You need a passport, your tourist visa will be issued upon arrival. 

Medical concerns: A recent tetanus booster is recommended. We only patronize restaurants we trust and your non-restaurant food is carefully prepared to high standards  by  your leaders. We buy all our drinking water. Tap water is safe to drink though it may taste brackish in some locations.

Food:  Island food is typically fresh salads, calamari, stuffed wine leaves, tzatziki, feta cheese, lamb and fish. Count on traditional foods as well as international cuisine. Being a vegetarian is easy here.

Last minute assistance: If you need assistance shortly before departure or while traveling to Greece, you may call the following number for Crossing Latitudes in Europe +46-70-670 11 53 or our office in the States: +1-406-585-5356. Please leave your name, a message and a number where we can reach you.

See You in Greece!

Tim & Lena Conlan
Crossing Latitudes, Inc.