GLORIOUS GREECE

With Dr. Jennifer Tobin
October 11 - 25, 2008

Located at a geographical crossroads, Greece is a fascinating blend of the Balkans, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Within this land of rugged beauty, nearly three-quarters of the nation is mountainous and uninhabited with over 2000 islands stretching from the Ionian Sea in the west to the Aegean Sea and Turkey in the east.

This area has been a turbulent battleground for millennia. Early Greek history portrays a multitude of internal struggles, from the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures to the city-states that began to emerge three thousand years ago. The scattered states were consolidated under Alexander the Great, designated a province under the Romans, and became a powerful part of the Eastern Orthodox Christian world under the Byzantines.

For the four hundred years under the Ottomans, Greece disappeared completely. During the centuries of domination, the Greek idea of nationality was defined by language and culture and not by land controlled. The Greek Orthodox Church preserved the Greek language, and along with its Greek identity. Finally in 1821, the people rose up to fight the Greek War of Independence, and Greece became an independent country.

Far Horizons proudly presents a 15-day journey through Greece that includes viewing both the celebrated and more remote remains of the many civilizations that have passed across this land. We will spend two days in Athens, travel through the Peloponnese Peninsula, visit the rugged northern part of the country, and sail to two islands - Crete and Santorini - and during each day’s exploration our study leader, Dr. Jennifer Tobin, will expose the countless layers of exciting Greek history.

ITINERARY: (B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner

DAY 1: Depart New York’s JFK airport on our flight for Athens, Greece.

DAY 2: Arrive Athens. This afternoon, visit the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the great hill dominating the city of Athens. It has been occupied since the Neolithic period and in Mycenaean times there was already a palace and fortified citadel here. In the mid-5th century BC, the Athenians began an immense construction program that resulted in the construction of several extraordinary buildings that still stand today. Walk through the Propylaia, the enormous entrance to the Acropolis, and pass the Temple of Athena Nike, built to commemorate the Athenians’ victories over the Persians. View the Erechtheion, situated on the most sacred part of the Acropolis, said to be where Poseidon left his trident marks in a rock and Athena’s olive tree sprouted. See the Porch of the Caryatids on the south side of the Erechtheion with carved statues of women used in place of columns; it is considered one of the most beautiful works of architecture in the Greek world. The immense and lovely Parthenon, originally built to house the 40-foot high sculpture of the goddess, Athena Parthenos, is one of the world’s most famous buildings. The splendor of its frieze and perfection of its architectural techniques makes it immensely impressive even after 2500 years of erosion, neglect and damage by bombs. The splendid Theater of Dionysos lies on the south side of the Acropolis and is still used today. Spend time in the new Acropolis Museum built just below the Parthenon and containing the works of art found nearby. Gather this evening for our welcome dinner party in one of Plaka's fine restaurants. Overnight in the Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis with spectacular views overlooking the Acropolis. (D)

DAY 3: Athens has been a city for more than 3500 years and much of the glory of the Classical period of ancient Greece can be seen in the many buildings and monuments that still survive. Begin today at the Arch of Hadrian, built by the 2nd century emperor of Rome who was a great admirer of classical Greece. Visit at the National Archaeological Museum, one of the world’s finest storehouses of ancient art, for an overview of the cultures we will see during our trip. Here, view breathtaking collections of sculpture, pottery, frescoes and jewelry, and an exhibit on Mycenaean gold including the gold death mask originally thought to have belonged to the legendary king, Agamemnon. The Agora formed the political heart of ancient Athens from 600BC. In the 1930s, the American School of Classical Studies began excavations that have revealed a vast array of impressive public buildings. Democracy was practiced in the law courts, and shops, schools and theatres made this the social and commercial center of the city. Nearby, see the Roman Forum, and the towering Temple of Olympian Zeus, or Olympeion, the largest in Greece exceeding even the Parthenon in size. Return to the Agora to see the Roman Forum and the Tower of the Winds, an octagonal structure originally built as a water clock and weathervane by an astronomer in the 1st century BC. Move forward in Athenian history and pay a visit to the 12th century Little Metropolis church, or Panayia Gorgoepikoos (“Virgin Who Answers Prayers Quickly”). Late this afternoon, drive to Cape Sounion to watch the sunset from the spectacular Temple of Poseidon. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: This morning, transfer from Athens to Corinth. On our way, we pass through the 4-mile wide isthmus at Corinth with a stop to see the canal, first begun by Emperor Nero, and the reason for the ancient city’s prosperity. Excavations show that Corinth was once the largest Roman township in Greece. Visit the Temple of Octavia where three ornate Corinthian columns still stand on a platform, the Glauke Fountain and its four cisterns that were carved from a huge monolith, the theater, and the Temple of Apollo, the most striking structure of the lower city. Continue to the Sanctuary of Epidaurus, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an extensive therapeutic and religious center dedicated to Asclepius, a mortal physician deified after his death by Zeus for retrieving a patient from the underworld. The theater was built late in the 4th century and is known for its near-perfect acoustics and contains the only circular orchestra surviving from antiquity. Drive to the lovely seaside town of Nauplio, lying in the shadow of a huge Venetian citadel. Overnight for the next two nights at the Hotel Rex. (B/L/D)

DAY 5: Following breakfast this morning, visit the Nauplio Museum, housed in a Venetian warehouse and containing pre-Mycenaean artifacts. Then it's on to Mycenae another UNESCO World Heritage site. The extensive complex, uncovered by Heinrich Schliemann, is one of the earliest examples of sophisticated citadel architecture. Surrounded by unbreachable fortification walls up to 46 feet wide, the city contained royal palaces and rich tombs. Walk through the imposing Lion Gate, erected in the 13th century BC, to reach the royal family’s shaft graves where 31 pounds of gold funerary goods were found, and then visit the tholoi, or beehive tombs, outside the city walls. Continue to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tiryns, a 13th-century BC citadel protected by a circle of cyclopean walls. (B/L/D)

DAY 6: The UNESCO World Heritage Sanctuary of Olympia enjoyed over 1000 years of esteem as a religious and athletic center. The city was famous for the Olympic Games which were held every four years at the late-summer full moon and were the most prestigious of all Hellenic competitions. Begin in the site museum to see the multitude of artifacts found during excavations including the relief pediments recovered from the Zeus temple. The rest of the day will be spent seeing the exquisite structures of the city. The massive column bases and tumbled sections are proof of the former magnificence of the Temple of Zeus. Walk through the colonnade surrounding the central court at the Palaestra (the training center for wrestlers and boxers), the workshop of Phidias, the archaic Hera Temple, and the still-standing vaulted entrance to the stadium. Overnight at the Hotel Europa. (B/L/D)

Photo by Dick Lunde

DAY 7: This morning, transfer from Olympia to Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cross from the Peloponnese to mainland Greece via the new Rion-Antirion bridge. This bridge, completed in 2004, has reduced travel time across the Corinth Gulf from 45 minutes to a mere 5 minutes. According to ancient legends, Delphi was the center of the world. This was the home of Apollo and for more than 1,000 years in antiquity people came here to consult the oracle of the god. Walk to the Castalian Spring, where citizens who entered Delphi for religious reasons were required to purify themselves. Water from these springs provided the cold baths in the Gymnasium for athletes who were in training. Enter the Sacred Way through the agora and pass the Bouleuterion, or Delphic Council House, and the Rock of Sibyl marking the place where the first prophetess of Delphi pronounced her oracles, into the heart of the sanctuary. Here lies the stunning Sanctuary of Apollo and one of the finest theaters of the ancient Greek world. Continue to see the marble quarry and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and the 656-foot long stadium partly hewn out of the rocks that would hold 7,000 sports enthusiasts. Overnight tonight at Hotel Apollonia. (B/L/D)

DAY 8: This morning, return to the Temple of Athena to witness the sunrise. Visit the Delphi Museum, which houses a collection second in importance only to the Athenian Acropolis Museum. Transfer from Delphi to the spectacular monasteries of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As early as the 11th century, ascetic monks seeking refuge from the expanding Ottoman occupation found the unique geological formations here an ideal sanctuary. Although more than 20 monasteries were once in existence at Meteora, only six survive as functioning monasteries. These monasteries were originally only accessible by a basket lift; however in the 1920s stairs were carved to make the monasteries more accessible. Overnight tonight at the Meteora Hotel in Ioannina. (B/L/D)

DAY 9: When Alexander the Great died in 323 BC, he had conquered most of the then-known world and had set in motion a lasting legacy of a Hellenized world united by a common language. However, before Alexander’s death in Babylon, he spent his formative years in northern Greece. Unearthed in 1977, Vergina houses several spectacular tombs, thought to be the burial place of members of Alexander’s famous father (Philip II) and several other members of his family. In 1996 Vergina, or ancient Aigai, was given UNESCO World Heritage status. The several tombs uncovered contained large quantities of gold and other valuables which are now displayed in the modern onsite museum. This afternoon, continue to Thessaloniki, founded around 315 BC in honor of Alexander the Great’s half-sister. The city has a rich and variable occupation with monuments remaining from the Roman period, Byzantine period and Ottoman period. Thessaloniki is perhaps best known for its still-functioning Byzantine churches, nine of which constitute another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Modern Thessaloniki is second in size only to Athens and is full of vibrant modern culture. Tonight, dinner will be free in order to explore the fine local cuisine. Overnight tonight at the Capsis Hotel. (B/L)

DAY 10: Begin with a free morning to explore Thessaloniki. Early this afternoon, board the InterCity train from Thessaloniki to Piraeus Harbor. This train trip, which travels through the diverse vegetation of Greece from alpine-like forests near Mt. Olympus to Mediterranean flora and fauna, is considered by some to be one of the most scenic in Europe. This evening, board an overnight ferry to Crete. (B/L/D)

DAY 11: For approximately 2,000 years, from 2800 BC to 1000 BC, Crete was the center of a brilliant civilization of mythical origin. According to Homer, Zeus was born here, and his son, Minos, is credited as the great king of the Minoans. The city of Iráklio, or Herakleion, is the island’s largest city. It was the port for Knossós, and has been under the control of the Romans, Arabs, Venetians, and Turks, and each has left behind spectacular cultural remains. Remains of the Venetian Arsenal are to be found at the end of the colorful old port along with the 16th century fortress still bearing the Lion of St. Mark. The city walls are three miles long. Reinforced by seven large bastions, these bulwarks were designed by the same man who built the fortifications of Padua and Verona. In the outstanding Iráklio Archaeological Museum, we will view the magnificent finds from the palaces and houses of Knossós and other nearby Minoan cities. (Please note that the Iráklio Museum is currently undergoing renovations and only a portion of its collection may be on display.) Later, we will visit the Rhithymna Museum, which is housed in a 16th century Venetian villa and contains a notable coin collection. Dinner this evening is on your own to sample the local cuisine. Overnight for two nights at the Astoria Capsis. (B/L)

DAY 12: An all day tour takes us along twisting mountain roads to the Lasithi Plain. Here, we will visit Lato where traces of an ancient town lie scattered over the slopes with an awesome view down the mountainside to the sea beyond. The setting is extraordinary, in a saddle of land between two mountains each crowned by an acropolis, with the agora in the open space between. Next, proceed to Knossos. A maze of corridors, passages, 1300 rooms and stairways make up the Palace of Knossós, and although there is controversy concerning the reconstruction done one hundred years ago, the complex illustrates the richness and complexity of the former civilization. Stunning painted frescoes covered the walls, light wells allowed air circulation, and the royal apartments were adorned with paintings and private bathrooms. We will see parts of the Royal Road, the paved thoroughfare from the harbor to the palace, which is still visible. Dinner is free. (B/L)

DAY 13: Board a ferry this morning to cruise across the aqua waters to the island of Santorini, the southernmost island in the Cyclades, shaped by geological turbulence that has created its dramatic appearance. The island exploded in 1500 BC, and what remains are broken pieces of the volcano’s rim encircling a deep lagoon. The exquisite whitewashed villages cling to volcanic cliffs above beaches of black sand. In the capital village of Fíra, or Thíra, we will visit the Archaeological Museum and the Mégaron Gyzi Museum, housed in a 17th century mansion with collections about the island including photographs taken before the devastating 1956 earthquake. Santoríni’s Pompeii is the Minoan town of Akrotíri, preserved for millennia under volcanic ash. If the site is open, visit Akrotiri. This evening, gather to watch the spectacular sunset over the remains of the island’s volcanic cauldron. Overnight for the next two nights at the El Greco Hotel. (B/L)

DAY 14: Today, we visit the famous Boutari winery. Boutari is well-known as one of the most exported labels of wine from Greece. At the Santorini vineyard, Boutari produces several delicious and distinct white wines which are typical of Santorini. Lunch is on your own. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the winding streets of Thira. Our farewell dinner will be tonight in an elegant local restaurant. (B/D)

DAY 15: Transfer to the airport for our return flight to the United States. (B)

(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner

STUDY LEADER: Dr. Jennifer Tobin received her BA in Classical Studies from Stanford University and her PhD in Classical Archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. From 1992-97, she was an Assistant Professor at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey. In 1997, she returned to the United States and is now an Associate Professor and Head of the Classics Department at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Tobin is a specialist on both the ancient Greeks and the Romans, speaks Greek and Turkish, and has worked on archaeological projects in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. Her enthusiasm for this part of the world and her fun-loving personality make her a most appropriate study leader.

TRIP DATES: October 11-25, 2008

TRIP COST: $8,995.00 (per person, double occupancy). Includes roundtrip international airfare from the New York; all hotels, meals as noted, entry fees, and all ground transportation.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,150.00
Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.

NOT INCLUDED: Passport or visa fees; airport or departure taxes; beverages or food not included on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; personal tips; alcoholic drinks; telephone and fax charges; or other items of a personal nature.

RESERVATION: A deposit of $500.00 is required along with your registration form. Final payment is due 75 days before departure.

Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information. An information book designed for this trip, including maps of archaeological sites and articles of pertinent interest will be sent upon receipt of final payment.

NOTE ABOUT ITINERARY CHANGES: Changes in our itinerary, accommodations and transportation schedules may occur. The itinerary on the yacht is based upon weather. Should the winds decide to change; our itinerary will change. A flexible attitude and sense of humor are essential.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS: Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will result in an administrative fee of $250.00. Cancellations received less than 75 days before departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation.

LIMITED TO 15 PARTICIPANTS