The Eighth International

Dimotiko Skolio of Spetses

SPETSES, GREECE
4-8 July 2001
  

Information for Delegates

Dear Conference Participant,

Vouchers for your participation at the Learning Conference 2001 have now been posted. The type of vouchers you will receive depends on your registration and the particular booking requests you have made. Please keep these vouchers with you when travelling and during the conference as they must be presented as required for the various aspects of your registration.

Possible vouchers include:

• Lunches for the four days of the Conference with full registration;
  
  
• Conference Dinner to be held Saturday 7 July - venue to be advised;
  
  
• Spetses Hotel Accommodation; and
  
  
• Greek Classical Theatre - included as part of full conference registration - date to be advised.

The date of the play has not yet been determined as negotiations with the ATTIS Theatre group are still in progress. We are trying to schedule the play for the evening of Sunday 8 July as it would be a wonderful finale to the conference but we will advise you of the date as soon as it has been decided.

Other delegates and partners or family members staying on Spetses during the period of the conference but not registered for the conference will be able to attend the play for $US30.00. Also, partners and family members can purchase tickets to the conference dinner. Additional tickets for the play and the dinner are now available at: EXTRAS-BOOKINGS

If you have booked any of the above and do not received the appropriate vouchers in this mail or there is any discrepancy in the information on your voucher, please contact us on +61 (2) 9787 6762 or +61 (2) 9591 5661, by fax to +61 (2) 9591 5762 or by email to vouchers@learningconference.com

• Athens Accommodation and Transfers: Delegates who have booked accommodation in Athens and/or Transfers, will receive the relevant vouchers in a separate mailout.
  
  
• Tour and Cruise bookings are subject to minimum numbers and are being processed now in Athens. Once completed, confirmation will be posted to delegates who have submitted bookings.
  
  
• Program: The final round call-for-papers has now closed and a draft program is being prepared. This will be available on the website soon. We are still accepting Virtual Presentations so please visit the Call for Papers link if you are interested.
  
  
• Timetable: If you are travelling prior to the conference and do not get a copy of the timetable before you depart, you will be able to view one at your hotel in Spetses - just ask at the reception desk upon arrival.
  
  The final schedule will be available shortly but as a guide to what to expect we advise that the days are planned to run as follows:

	Wednesday 4 July	Evening Welcome Reception in the open-air Amphitheatre within the Anargyrios & Korgialenios School grounds, starting approximately 6 or 7 pm
	Thursday 5 & Friday 6 July	Paper & Workshop Sessions - approx 8am through to early afternoon when we will break for the day to return in the cool of the evening for the Plenary Sessions.
	Saturday 7 July	Paper & Workshop Sessions, same as Thu/Fri for the day with the Conference Dinner scheduled for the evening
	Sunday 8 July	Paper & Workshop Sessions, same as Thu/Fri for the day with the Greek Classical Theatre in the Amphitheatre in the evening

• Registration: Delegates should have completed their registration by 20 June 2001 with all payments to be made by that date. Confirmation is not required as you will have received receipts for all payments made - all you need to do when you arrive at the conference venue, the Anargyrios & Korgialenios School of Spetses, is to go to the Secretariat desk and collect your name badge and conference satchel which will include a copy of the final program and the booklet of abstracts. We will have a number of support people both in Spetses Town and at the School to assist you with any enquiries you may have.

Many of the links on the site have been updated or have new material and links - the fourth round abstracts are on-line and you will find information on the new Athens International Airport at Spata as well as timetables for the Flying Dolphins from Zea Marina, Pireaus to Spetses in the GETTING THERE link. We will shortly add a map of Spetses marking the location of many of the Island's hotels and places of interest.

A few practical non-conference things:

Climate: The temperature at that time of year in Spetses is well into the 30's and we encourage an informal dress code. Leave the suits and jackets at home, dress lightly - even for the dinner, smart casual is the way to go - and for the conference itself, shirts & slacks, shorts & t-shirts and light dresses will be fine. The dinner is likely to be held in an outdoor venue overlooking the sea with tables set under frond-covered umbrellas. Although very hot, the climate is dry and it is pleasant by the sea, but be prepared, especially if you are coming from a southern hemisphere winter and do make the most of it.

Transport around the Island: Spetses Town is approximately 2 kilometres from end to end along the coast, the School is just outside the Town down the road by the sea, and the road around the Island is about 25km. Cars are banned during high season but there are various small vehicles permitted and the island is famous for its horse and cart transport. There are bikes available for hire but the distances are not great around town and walking can be a wonderful experience while you wander around the little winding streets (with no names) exploring the curio shops, boutiques, galleries, museums and historical spots. You can also take an inexpensive water taxi for the short trip across to Kosta and Portoheli on mainland Peloponnese.

Dining out: There are many Tavernas throughout the town where you can get good meals at any time of the day or night and fresh produce is available for those wishing to dine at 'home' - and the fishing boats come straight into the harbour and sell their catch directly from little stalls around the wharf.

A final word, be prepared for long days as the town is supposed to really 'rock' at night - apparently it is a favoured vacation spot of wealthy Athenians for its proximity to Athens, its fine sailing, beaches and pine forests.

I trust that you will have a safe and pleasant flight and look forward to meeting you in Spetses.

Adriana Hassapis
for the Learning Conference 2001

____________________________________________ Spetses 2001

Getting to & from Athens Airport, Athens Centre, Pireaus & Spetses by Bus and Flying Dolphin

 

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