USITT is pleased to announce an international study tour for the summer of 2005 – a spectacular custom tour of Greece, focused on the antiquities of this glorious country as well as modern sites and culture. This 15-day tour has been organized by OPA Tours, one of the world's finest tour companies, that specializes only in Greece.

Tour leader is Dick Durst, Past President of USITT and tours coordinator of the International Committee. The tour will include visits to both ancient and modern theatres and discussions with the professional staff members who operate them. In addition, participants will explore some of the most beautiful cities and cultural sites in Greece.

Tour General Description

“We have created a great balance between the must see sites of Greece that have attracted tourists from around the world, plus the addition of visits and tours that are custom tailored for our group -- places that regular tours don't go,” Mr. Durst suggests.

Daily events include visits to the theatres at the foot of the Acropolis, the Melina Mercouri Foundation, and the town of Veria; performances at Epidavros and Dora Stratou; trips to the Musuem and Study Centre of the Greek Theatre in Athens; a tour of the Museum of Cinema and Photography in Thessaloniki; visits to the ancient theatre at the silver mines of Lavrion and the new excavations of Nemea plus the possibility of a backstage tour of the National Theatre and Music Megaron.

The tour will be based in some of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the country – Thessaloniki, Nafplion, and Athens – with day trips and adventures moving out from those centers.

This custom tour is limited to the first 30 registrants, in order to provide a personalized experience to the participants. Since much of the tour will include climbing through the antiquities and monuments, some facets will require substantial walking, and participants must be able to sustain the physical exercise.

Tour guide Nanda Kontopoulos is regarded by many previous tour participants as the finest guide in Greece, and she and tour organizer, Joyce Helfand, will be with the group through the country. Nanda's fabulous notes-free tour will be among the highlights of the exploration.

The group will leave from JFK in New York on June 25 and return July 9. Tour costs are $2,586 (shared occupancy) based on a minimum of 25 participants, plus the cost of airfare, which will be quoted 11 months prior to the tour. Single supplement is an additional $568. Tour details are available from the USITT Office, Mr. Durst at rdurst1@psu.edu, or at www.usitt.org.

Because of the need to confirm the international airfare early, a $300 deposit is required by July 15, 2004 to ensure a space.

This will be a fantastic, personalized opportunity for theatre design and technology professionals!

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