26 – 29 September 2027
Scientific Programme
Day 1
September 26, 2027 · Arrivals
Arrivals
Transportation to Costa Navarino
Guests arrive at Kalamata International Airport (Option A) or Athens International Airport (Option B) and are transferred to The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino.
20:00–23:00
Welcome dinner
Welcome dinner for all participants
Overnight at the hotel
Day 2
September 27, 2027
07:00–08:00
Breakfast at the hotel
08:30–13:30
Scientific meeting
Including coffee break. Detailed scientific program to be announced.
13:30–15:00
Lunch
15:00–19:30
Option A
Half-day tour to Ancient Messini
Ancient Messini is one of the most significant ancient cities in Greece in terms of its size, form and state of preservation. Founded in 369 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas after the defeat of Sparta, it became the capital of the free Messenians, who had lived under Spartan rule for centuries. The city lies in a beautiful landscape at the foot of Mount Ithome, next to the village of Mavromati.
Unlike many ancient sites, Messini was never covered by a later settlement, which makes it one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the country. The visit includes the theatre, the agora with its fountain house, the Asklepieion, which formed the religious and civic heart of the city, and the impressive stadium and gymnasium, one of the most complete in Greece. The city was protected by massive walls of about 9 km, of which the monumental Arcadian Gate is one of the finest examples of ancient Greek fortification.
Option A
Golf Clinic
Enjoy an engaging golf clinic led by professional instructors, offering a fun and interactive experience, on one of Costa Navarino’s signature courses, organized in cooperation with the Costa Navarino golf team, followed by drinks at the clubhouse. The courses wind through olive groves and along the coastline, with views over the Ionian Sea, and are regularly ranked among the best in Europe. Golf buggies and rental clubs are available, and players of all levels are welcome.
20:30–23:00
Greek Night Dinner
Overnight at the hotel
Day 3
September 28, 2027
07:00–08:00
Breakfast at the hotel
08:30–13:30
Scientific meeting
Including coffee break. Detailed scientific program to be announced.
13:30–15:00
Lunch
15:00–19:30
Half-day tour – Nestor’s Cave and Voidokilia Beach
The famous horseshoe-shaped Voidokilia Beach and the Gialova Lagoon, a protected Natura 2000 wetland and an important stop for migratory birds.
Nestor’s Cave. A short walk leads to Nestor’s Cave, a large natural cavern with impressive stalactites, inhabited since prehistoric times. According to legend, the young god Hermes hid here the cattle he had stolen from Apollo, and King Nestor of Pylos, the wise elder of Homer’s epics, kept his herds in the cave. The cave recently gained international fame as a filming location for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026), starring Matt Damon and Tom Holland. Here, the encounter of Odysseus and his companions with the Cyclops Polyphemus was brought to life on screen. From the entrance, the view over Voidokilia and the Ionian Sea is breathtaking.
Voidokilia Beach: Continue to the iconic crescent-shaped beach, known for its turquoise waters and pristine natural beauty. Enjoy time to swim, relax on the sandy shore, and take in the stunning coastal scenery before returning to the hotel.
20:30–23:30
Farewell Beach Party
Farewell beach party for all participants.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 4
September 29, 2027
07:00–08:00
Breakfast at the hotel
From 08:00
Transfers to Kalamata International Airport or Athens International Airport for departures
Or continue with the Athens extension as outlined below
Athens extension
10:00-14:00
Transfer to Athens
Departure from the hotel by deluxe air-conditioned coach to Athens (approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic) via the modern motorway across the Peloponnese, with a comfort stop at the Corinth Canal. Completed in 1893, the canal cuts through the narrow isthmus that connects the Peloponnese with mainland Greece, with sheer rock walls rising some 80 metres above the water.
Afternoon
Check-in at the Electra Metropolis Hotel (or similar)
The hotel is located on Syntagma Square in the heart of Athens, opposite the Hellenic Parliament and the National Garden, and within walking distance of the Acropolis, the historic Plaka district and the city’s main sights, museums and shopping streets. Syntagma metro station, with a direct line to Athens International Airport, is just steps away.