Check here often for updates and information on our 2010 performance tour to Greece & Athens!

Latest Itinerary/Info

5/6/10 - The itinerary has been updated to include all our scheduled performances and also our hotel information.  We now have 5 performances scheduled (two informal performances, three concerts/liturgies).  I've also posted details on the overnight ferry, too.  We're now under 60 days until we leave, so stayed tuned and check your email often!

2/7/10 - I've been speaking with a few of you individually about your deviations/staying abroad, but I thought I'd share a few resources with everyone, in case it might be useful.  If you're planning on extending your trip, or perhaps still thinking about it, here are a few tips and resources for you to consider.  Remember - the most expensive part about going to Europe is actually getting there.  Once you're abroad, you can stay out there are see a lot for a reasonable cost, sometimes as cheaply as about $100 per additional day.

For flights, there are a few online resources I use regularly, with skyscanner.com being the most frequently used.  It searches almost all airline agencies, including budget airlines, but most importantly, it can find you the cheapest flights if there are multiple airports within a city.  For example, Paris is served by three major airports, Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais.  Depending on the city you're flying from/to, it can be significantly cheaper at one airport rather than the other two.  skyscanner.com can check that for you.  Use the "Map" option listed under "Search Tools" for a visual guide.

You can of course check those budget airlines directly, which include ryanair.com and easyjet.com.  Hint: some larger airlines (such as Air France) will give a better deal for a round trip ticket, compared to a one-way ticket.  You can always buy the round trip ticket and just not use the return, but some airlines will have a penalty they'll charge, though it's uncommon to be imposed.

As for train travel, raileurope.com is a good reference for costs and transit times.  You will save a few dollars buying the tickets when you get in country, but if your group is anything larger than two or three passengers, you may run into issues with availability.  For the trains that are frequent (i.e. Rome to Florence), availability is not usually an issue.  Pre-purchasing tickets will guarantee your seat, but with a small added charge.  If you've never traveled Europe by train, it might calm your nerves to have tickets pre-purchased and have one less thing to worry about.  A note about trains - they're often more expensive (yes, MORE expensive) than flights on budget airlines, and always much longer.  For example, a flight from Rome to Paris is as cheap as $40 US and about 2 hours; a train from Rome to Paris is about $120 US and about 15 hours.  Of course, in the defense of trains, it's an experience all on its own; the scenery is usually beautiful (unless you're on an overnight train...), and seeing the countryside can be worthwhile, especially through Switzerland and the Italian Alps.

As for accommodations, there are many options, but the most economical option would be renting an apartment.  Hotels are always an option, but you pay a premium for daily room cleaning, the front desk, and all the amenities that come with a hotel.  A hostel isn't for everyone; mostly one or two people who don't mind cramped quarters and sharing rooms and bathrooms (if that's you, you'll save major money that way; it can be as cheap as $15 US per night).  Renting an apartment is great for a couple of reasons:

1)  It's economical - they range from $30 US per person up to rates comparable to a 5-star hotel
2)  It's convenient - locations are usually central, often near many attractions and public transportation

If an apartment interests you, shoot me an email and let me know what city you're in.  I can help you find something that suits your needs.

02/05/10 - The itinerary has been updated, somewhat significantly.  Nothing is drastically different; it's more about moving things around to better suit us.  I've also included some new details, too.  Payment deadline is next week!

Here are two pictures of our hotel, just so you know what to expect.  The hotel itself is very average, but the location (at the footstep of the Plaka) and views from the rooftop terrace are prime.

The view from the upper, southern-facing rooms

The rooftop restaurant - breakfast is here, and there's an outdoor terrace to the far right.  That's the Acropolis in the background...

10/15/09 - Some updates for you--as of now, we have about 50 participants registered, which means we'll all be saving a little bit of money (about $100).  I know it's not much compared to the total, but hey, every little bit helps, right?  The new total should be reflected in your new invoices shortly.

Also, for any participants intending on deviating (staying abroad longer and returning at a later date), your deadline to file in writing to ACIS is no later than March 26, 2010.  If you need assistance with your arrangements, please contact Mr. Dokko for more information.

Raffle tickets will be available in a week or so, so please check in with Mr. Dokko towards the end of October.  We'll also coordinate a car wash (through Glenn Thomas Dodge of Long Beach) for those that are interested in raising funds that way.

Registration for the trip closes tonight at midnight.  There may still be a few spaces available after that, but each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  The absolute last call would be February 4, 2010, but even then, applications are not guaranteed to be accepted.

Please make a note of a required meeting for all registered participants on Wednesday night, December 16th 2009 at 6:30pm in the choir room.  At this meeting, we'll discuss some logistics and start working on things you'll need to take care of before departure.  All participants not traveling with a parent/adult chaperone is required to come with a parent/guardian; you'll need to sign some paperwork that requires both your signature and your parent's.

09/29/09 - OOPS again...  The deadline to submit final payment is February 15, 2010, not April 15.  Sorry if that creates problems for anyone...

09/23/09 - OOPS! I neglected to include a few important pieces of information last night at the potluck...

• The October 9 deadline is just for intitial registration, which includes a $150 deposit. The entire sum of the tour cost is not due at this time. You have until April 15 to pay off the remainder of your balance.
• Registration is available either by mail or online through the ACIS website via credit card, handy if you accrue miles/benefits/awards/credits with your credit card. The registration form is available on this website. After logging in to polychoir.com (if you haven't already), click on the "Downloads" link to the left, the under "2009-2010," click "Documents." You should see the Registration Booklet as a PDF file for download.
• To register, print out just the last page of that packet, complete and submit to Mr. Dokko (along with appropriate payment, checks payable to "ACIS") and he will mail it in for you. Alternatively, you may mail it in yourself. Registration is also available online, to do that...
• Click here and where it says "Enter your Group Leader's ID Number:" type in 31075. Where it says "Your Group Leader's Last Name," type in "Dokko." You'll then be guided through the registration process, which concludes with providing your credit information for payment.
• Again, whether you're registering by mailing in the completed form or online, the Group ID Number is 31075, and the Group Leader's last name is "Dokko"

05/19/09 - We've just received provisional confirmation of our performance for a 5:00pm mass on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City!

03/06/09 - DATE CHANGE! The district calendar for the 2009-2010 school year has just been released and it looks like we don't get out of school until the 17th of June, which means the departure date for Greece/Italy would be pushed back to the 24th of June.

02/27/09 - Thank you to all who attended last night's meeting. Please remember that early registration forms (and to receive the $100 incentive) must be submitted to Mr. Dokko no later than 11:30am on Friday, March 27, 2009, NOT April 1, 2009. ACIS must receive the registration forms by the 1st, so in order to insure they get there in time and the early registration incentives are applied, we will mail them together that Friday.