7 Days Group Tour Athens 2022
Art Tour Athens + Hydra
Why contemporary art in Athens?
Athens, the cradle of Western culture has more to offer than only the Acropolis and souvlaki. The metropolis at the Eastern border of Europe has turned in the last years into a hotspot of contemporary art. Despite the severe financial problems that brought the development of the country to a halt the will to live and the joy of the Greeks remained unstoppable.
The biggest push in contemporary art came unexpectedly with the financial crisis which lasted from 2009 till 2018. The government collapsed and so did the biggest part of the private sector. Only shortly before, from 2000 till 2007 Greece experienced a new period of financial well-being due to big amounts of foreign capital flooding in. That’s when a considerable part of society started to discover the world outside of Greece. Young Greeks and especially artists returned from trips, studies and residences in Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid with new ideas and inspiration. After the first shock they denied the crisis to rule their lives. They decided to take the lead and started low budget art projects, exhibitions and festivals. Since the world was looking towards Greece this updraft did not remain unnoticed.
In 2017 Documenta, the world’s most significant exhibition for contemporary art held its opening reception for the first time outside of Germany: in Athens! By then it was already no secret anymore and the word spread quickly: Athens is the new Berlin.
Itinerary
Sunday, June 19 – Saturday, June 25, 2022
Including Trip to the island of Hydra
Including Athens Epidaurus Theater Festival 2022
Subject to modification
Day 1 (Sunday): Welcome in Athens
Individual arrival in Athens and at the hotel of choice.Welcome drinks and briefing on Lycabettus Hill with grand view of the city. After a short walk down the hill dinner in the city center.
Day 2 (Monday): Journey to Hydra I DESTE
Early boat trip from Pireas to Hydra island. After the hotel check-in guided tour through the little town of Hydra with a light lunch. In the late afternoon opening reception at DESTE Slaughterhouse: Jeff Koons.
Day 3 (Tuesday): Return to Athens I SNFCC
In the morning, there will be some time to enjoy a swim at the stunning rocky beach of Hydra town. At noon boat trip back to Athens. Visit of the SNFCC Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centers (built by Renzo Piano). Transfer to the city center. Dinner in town.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Acropolis Museum I Pnyx I Psyrri and Graffiti I Art Spaces
The New Acropolis Museum: A few years ago Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi designed this spectacular building which now houses the Acropolis findings. Guided tour by a licensed guide. After the museum walk up to the Pnyx hill, where the people’s assembly of the Attic democracy was taking place. From there one has one of the best views over the Acropolis. The way back leads past the Areopag (Mars’ hill), from where Paul was preaching to the Athenians. After the lunch break tour through the neighbourhood of Psyrri which is famous for its murals and graffitis that were created mostly during the financial crisis.
Day 5 (Thursday): Kolonaki Art Galleries and Museums I Keramikos Art Spaces
Visit of the major art galleries and the Benaki Museum in the Kolonaki area. The afternoon is free for individual tours. Later in the afternoon meeting in Keramikos area and visit of two of the hippest art spaces and their founders. Afterwards dinner nearby in one of the most exciting restaurants with Greek-Japanese fusion cuisine.
Day 6 (Friday): Changing of Guards I EMST I Epidaurus Theatre
Changing of Guards ceremonies take place at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is off Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament. After a short metro ride visit of the Contemporary Art Museum EMST, which is housed in the former brewery FIX. Lunch in Koukaki. In the early evening bus transfer to Epidaurus (approx. 2h) and visit of the festival in the antique theatre. Late evening bus transfer back to Athens.
Day 7 (Saturday): Flea Market I TAF I Project Art Gallery I Departure
Farewell and individual departure. Those with more time, can stroll through the flea market, visits two well hidden exhibitions and/or have a last coffee on a roof terrace overlooking the Acropolis.
Including Trip to the island of Hydra
Including Athens Epidaurus Theater Festival 2022
Subject to modification
Day 1 (Sunday): Welcome in Athens
Individual arrival in Athens and at the hotel of choice.Welcome drinks and briefing on Lycabettus Hill with grand view of the city. After a short walk down the hill dinner in the city center.
Day 2 (Monday): Journey to Hydra I DESTE
Early boat trip from Pireas to Hydra island. After the hotel check-in guided tour through the little town of Hydra with a light lunch. In the late afternoon opening reception at DESTE Slaughterhouse: Jeff Koons.
Day 3 (Tuesday): Return to Athens I SNFCC
In the morning, there will be some time to enjoy a swim at the stunning rocky beach of Hydra town. At noon boat trip back to Athens. Visit of the SNFCC Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centers (built by Renzo Piano). Transfer to the city center. Dinner in town.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Acropolis Museum I Pnyx I Psyrri and Graffiti I Art Spaces
The New Acropolis Museum: A few years ago Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi designed this spectacular building which now houses the Acropolis findings. Guided tour by a licensed guide. After the museum walk up to the Pnyx hill, where the people’s assembly of the Attic democracy was taking place. From there one has one of the best views over the Acropolis. The way back leads past the Areopag (Mars’ hill), from where Paul was preaching to the Athenians. After the lunch break tour through the neighbourhood of Psyrri which is famous for its murals and graffitis that were created mostly during the financial crisis.
Day 5 (Thursday): Kolonaki Art Galleries and Museums I Keramikos Art Spaces
Visit of the major art galleries and the Benaki Museum in the Kolonaki area. The afternoon is free for individual tours. Later in the afternoon meeting in Keramikos area and visit of two of the hippest art spaces and their founders. Afterwards dinner nearby in one of the most exciting restaurants with Greek-Japanese fusion cuisine.
Day 6 (Friday): Changing of Guards I EMST I Epidaurus Theatre
Changing of Guards ceremonies take place at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is off Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament. After a short metro ride visit of the Contemporary Art Museum EMST, which is housed in the former brewery FIX. Lunch in Koukaki. In the early evening bus transfer to Epidaurus (approx. 2h) and visit of the festival in the antique theatre. Late evening bus transfer back to Athens.
Day 7 (Saturday): Flea Market I TAF I Project Art Gallery I Departure
Farewell and individual departure. Those with more time, can stroll through the flea market, visits two well hidden exhibitions and/or have a last coffee on a roof terrace overlooking the Acropolis.
Services included
Tour host Jordanis Theodoridis in English or German
Ferry boat to Hydra, Lunch in Hydra
Guided tour Acropolis Museum (English)
Guided tour Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (English)
All museum entry tickets
Bus transfer to the listed museums
Theater tickets
Metro tickets
Ticket cable car up to Lycabettus Hill
Welcome drinks
Price: CHF 800 / Person
Minimum number of participants: 10
Deadline May 8, 2022
As soon as the minimum number is reached I will notify the participants so that they can proceed with their individual flight and hotel booking – the sooner the better.
A cancellation after confirmation and payment is not possible.
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
Individual transfer to the port of Pireas
Accommodation on Hydra
Accommodation in Athens
Flight to Athens
Travel recommendations:
Hotels Athens:
Villa Brown Ermou, https://brownhotels.com/athens/villa-ermou
Perianth, https://perianthhotel.com
Electra Metropolis, https://www.electrahotels.gr
Athens Capital Center Hotel, https://all.accor.com
Elia Ermou Athens Hotel, https://www.eliaermouhotel.com
These Hotels are located in the city centre close to Syntagma Square.
Hotels Hydra:
Bratsera Hotel (a former sponge factory)
Hydroussa Hotel
Sidra Hotel
Kirki Accommodation
Hotel Mistral
Hydra is car-free. Hotels which are out of town can be reached only by water taxi or by foot!
Flight:
Swiss and Aegean offer several daily flights from Zurich to Athens. International airport Eleft. Venizelos is connected with the city centre by metro (Euro 10) or taxi (flat rate Euro 35).
Note:
The booking of the flight and the hotels is carried out independently by the participants. Due to the present COVID-19 situation a private travel insurance is strongly recommended.
The tours begin every morning at 10am with a little introduction by Jordanis Theodoridis.
Lunch is scheduled as a smaller meal, whereas dinner is the main meal. All selected restaurants are medium-priced and serve urban-Greek food which also includes a variety of vegetarian dishes. Feel free to join (the price for a dinner meal, including beverages, is about Euro 50/p.person).
Single parts of the tour may be omitted. However, the 'Art Tour Athens+Hydra' can be booked only as a whole.
The tour will be in English. Artists/curators speak Greek or English.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
In the last fifteen years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops. Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and include by now also Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants.
widmertheodoridis is co-operating with Travel Coach Thedda Tsoukala www.oohmygreece.com
Ferry boat to Hydra, Lunch in Hydra
Guided tour Acropolis Museum (English)
Guided tour Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (English)
All museum entry tickets
Bus transfer to the listed museums
Theater tickets
Metro tickets
Ticket cable car up to Lycabettus Hill
Welcome drinks
Price: CHF 800 / Person
Minimum number of participants: 10
Deadline May 8, 2022
As soon as the minimum number is reached I will notify the participants so that they can proceed with their individual flight and hotel booking – the sooner the better.
A cancellation after confirmation and payment is not possible.
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
All meals and beverages
Individual transfer to the port of Pireas
Accommodation on Hydra
Accommodation in Athens
Flight to Athens
Travel recommendations:
Hotels Athens:
Villa Brown Ermou, https://brownhotels.com/athens/villa-ermou
Perianth, https://perianthhotel.com
Electra Metropolis, https://www.electrahotels.gr
Athens Capital Center Hotel, https://all.accor.com
Elia Ermou Athens Hotel, https://www.eliaermouhotel.com
These Hotels are located in the city centre close to Syntagma Square.
Hotels Hydra:
Bratsera Hotel (a former sponge factory)
Hydroussa Hotel
Sidra Hotel
Kirki Accommodation
Hotel Mistral
Hydra is car-free. Hotels which are out of town can be reached only by water taxi or by foot!
Flight:
Swiss and Aegean offer several daily flights from Zurich to Athens. International airport Eleft. Venizelos is connected with the city centre by metro (Euro 10) or taxi (flat rate Euro 35).
Note:
The booking of the flight and the hotels is carried out independently by the participants. Due to the present COVID-19 situation a private travel insurance is strongly recommended.
The tours begin every morning at 10am with a little introduction by Jordanis Theodoridis.
Lunch is scheduled as a smaller meal, whereas dinner is the main meal. All selected restaurants are medium-priced and serve urban-Greek food which also includes a variety of vegetarian dishes. Feel free to join (the price for a dinner meal, including beverages, is about Euro 50/p.person).
Single parts of the tour may be omitted. However, the 'Art Tour Athens+Hydra' can be booked only as a whole.
The tour will be in English. Artists/curators speak Greek or English.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
In the last fifteen years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops. Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and include by now also Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants.
widmertheodoridis is co-operating with Travel Coach Thedda Tsoukala www.oohmygreece.com