2008 Volleyball Trip to Italy and Greece
Prior to the start of the 2008 volleyball season, the Hiram College Terriers flew to Europe for a 10-day visit to Italy and Greece. While there, the volleyball team had a chance to visit several cities in both countries and learn about the different cultures in addition to playing against some local teams.
Below is a day-by-day itinerary of the trip. Also available is a recap of the team's experiences in Italy and Greece that was written by Leah Schaffer, which can be accessd by clicking here. In addition, to the right is a link to a photo gallery showing some the places the Terriers visited.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Sunday, Aug. 3
- Depart Cleveland International Airport to Milan Malpensa International Airport in Italy.
- Layover at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City on the way to Milan-Malpensa.
- Leave JFK for Milan-Malpensa.
Day 2: Monday, Aug. 4
- Arrive in Milan Malpensa, Italy and meet our full-time escort, Ms. Eileen, who will take us to Lake Como to visit local attractions and historical sites.
- Check in to hotel for two-night stay in Lake Como, Italy.
- Depart in early afternoon for tour of Lake Como.
- Evening training session.
Day 3: Tuesday, Aug. 5
- Depart hotel and take land cruiser to Bellagio in the Lake Como region.
- Explore Bellagio's local shops and attractions.
- Leave Bellagio at 3:29 p.m. to return to Lake Como.
- Depart hotel for exhibition in Canzo, Italy.
- Arrive back at hotel.
Day 4: Wednesday, Aug. 6
- Check out of hotel in Lake Como and depart for Milan, Italy.
- Arrive in Milan where we will tour Milan Domo, third highest gothic structure in Europe, built over 600 years ago.
- Guided tour of Milan including Castle Medici and the Church of Santa Maria Grazie (stucture that originally housed Leonardo DiVinci's painting "The Last Supper").
- Free time in Milan for sightseeing and shopping.
- Depart Milan for Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Arrive in Thessaloniki for four-night stay and meet our tour guide Despina Chrospathi.
Day 5: Thursday, Aug. 7
- Depart hotel for legendary Modiano Market.
- Opt to visit the Byzantine Museum.
- Guided tour of Thessalonicki
- Exhibition match against Kilkis at 7:00 p.m.
Day 6: Friday, Aug. 8
- Free time in Thessaloniki
- Free time in Pefkohori Village at the Taverna Villa Elia Restaurant. (www.pefkohorivllage.com/villaelia).
Day 7: Saturday, Aug. 9
- Depart hotel for Chalkidiki, Greece passing through beautiful villages and free time exploring beaches and swimming in the Aegean Sea.
- Exhibition match against Thessaloniki at 8:00 p.m.
Day 8: Sunday, Aug. 10
- Depart Thessaloniki for Athens, Greece by motor coach with stops along the way for photo ops.
- Check into Athens Hotel Arion
- Enjoy half-day guided tour of Athens including the Parthenon Temple, the Acropolis Museum and the Panathenian Stadium, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Gate.
- Depart for the Temple of Sounion (dedicated to the God Poseidon and standing some 200 feet above the sea on a cliff on Cape Sounion.
Day 9: Monday, Aug. 11
- Depart hotel for three-hour tour of Athens including admission to the Acropolis
- Free time in Athens.
- Drive out to Cape Sunion including admission to Posseidon temple.
- Arrive back at Hotel Arion
Day 10: Tuesday, Aug. 12
- Journey to Piraeus, Greece for a day cruise to the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra.
- Farewell dinner at Taverna in the Plaka.
Day 11: Wednesday, Aug. 13
- Check out of hotel and depart for Athens International Airport for Cleveland.