Archive of Past Programs

Note: This program is no longer available. Please see Domestic Trips and International Trips for currently available programs.

Glory of Greece: Cultural Treasures Revealed*

A Learning Vacation in Beautiful Greece

Steeped in history and culture, Greece is a country of ancient wonders. Step into this enchanting land of mythology, art, and architecture—foundations of today's Western civilization. Journey through time as you study Greece's early Bronze Age, Classical period, Byzantine era, and modern era. Enter the world of philosophy, perfection, and creativity—where civic leaders developed city-states; early rulers built grand palaces; athletes competed to please the gods; artisans created treasures of gold, pottery, and marble; and poets and playwrights taught and entertained.

Your adventure begins in Athens and continues through mainland Greece, including Peloponnese. Visit some of the world's finest museums and most important archaeological sites in the key centers—both ancient and modern—of social and political activity. First-class accommodations, special permissions, intimate settings, cultural activities, and new discoveries combine to offer a rare glimpse of the ancient world of Greece.

*Optional trip extension to Crete and Santorini (see below).

Cultural Travel with an Educational Focus

Discover the cultural life of Greece today

Discuss Greek mythology and history

Review the development of western civilization from the early Bronze Age to the Byzantine era

See world-renowned sites throughout Greece

Travel with Scholar Dr. Donald McGuire

Dr. Donald McGuire, professor of classics at the State University of New York, Buffalo, has focused his research on Roman literature and culture, Minoan and Mycenaean architecture, Greek tragedies, and Ottoman history.

Trip Dates and Cost

Saturday, May 10–Friday, May 23, 2008
Tuition: $7,145; Nonmember tuition: $7,395
Deposit: $1,000
Balance due: February 10, 2008
Optional Post-Trip: May 23–May 26
Tuition: $2,849

Trip Itinerary

Saturday, May 10: Arrival in Athens

Arrive at Athens International Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight Athens. (D)

Sunday, May 11: Athens City Tour • National Archaeological Museum

Take a panoramic drive by coach to see the highlights of the modern city of Athens. See the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament House, the Academy, the University, the National Library, Omonia Square, the Presidential Palace, the Panathenian Stadium, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Dr. McGuire guides us through the National Archaeological Museum, where the remarkable collections provide an introduction to Greek art. Overnight Athens. (B, L, D)

Monday, May 12: Theater of Dionysus • Acropolis • Ancient Agora • Cycladic Museum

The Theater of Dionysus is the birthplace of Greek tragedy and the first theater built of stone, where the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes were performed during the contests of the Dionysian festival. Climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis to marvel at architectural masterpieces. Tour the Parthenon and the Erechtheum. In the afternoon, visit Ancient Agora—the birthplace of politics and philosophy—at one time the commerce hub of ancient Athens, now in ruins. After lunch, visit the Cycladic Museum, which houses a collection from the Cyclades Islands of the southern Agora. Overnight Athens. (B, L)

Tuesday, May 13: Eleusis • Ancient Corinth • Acrocorinth • Nafplion

Leave the bustle of Athens and travel to the Peloponnese, the peninsula southwest of Athens. En route, we stop at the Eleusis, the location of one of the ancient world's great "mystery cults"— religious cults that required initiation and demanded, upon pain of death, absolute secrecy from their initiates. The site includes several gate and temple precincts as well as a fascinating museum. Other stops include the Corinthian canal, the ancient city of Corinth, and the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish fortifications at Acrocorinth, the citadel located to the south of the ancient site. Visit Nafplion, a small city with the tangible feel of Italy. Explore Venetian fortifications and a piazza-like central square situated on the Saronic Gulf. Overnight Nafplion. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, May 14: Mycenae • Tiryns • Epidauros

Near Nafplion are two important sites of the Greek Bronze Age, Mycenae and Tiryns, and the classical sanctuary at Epidauros. Mycenae and Tiryns were two of the strongholds of the Mycenaean Greeks and date back to approximately the start of the second millennium B.C.E. (before Christian era). They reached their peak between 1500 and 1100 B.C.E., when Mycenaean Greeks extended their control throughout Greece, across the Aegean, and as far as Troy. Tiryns was said to be the home of Hercules. Mycenae was ruled by Agamemnon, who led the Greek expedition to Troy to fetch Helen, his brother Menelaus' wife. Both sites feature massive acropolis walls and architecture that reflect a militaristic and monarchic culture. Epidauros was the most important healing sanctuary in the Greek world; today it is best known for its theater. Enjoy a folk dancing demonstration in the evening. Overnight Nafplion. (B, D)

Thursday, May 15: Acadia • Olympia

Take a beautiful drive through the steep hills of Acadia. Pass through the towns of Vitina and Langadia, which boast tasty cookies, yogurt, and hilltop views. At Olympia, learn that the city was not residential, but a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, where athletic games were held in his honor every fourth year. The structures are some of the most important architecture from the Classic era. The entire site, sitting at the confluence of several rivers, is a gorgeous landscape. In the museum, appreciate the metalwork, pottery, and sculpture of the ninth through fourth­ centuries B.C.E., including the famous sculpture Hermes of Praxiteles. Overnight Olympia. (B, L, D)

Friday, May 16: Gulf of Corinth • Delphi

Leave the Peloponnese, crossing the Gulf of Corinth by ferry. Enter Delphi, arguably the most spectacular of all Greek sites. Delphi was famous in ancient Greece for its oracle, known as the "Pythia," a priestess who issued prophecies to all petitioners. The oracle was situated in or near the Temple of Apollo, and the path to the temple is lined with treasuries built by all the major Greek city-states to give them a permanent presence at the sanctuary. Overnight Delphi. (B, L)

Saturday, May 17: Delphi

Enjoy a full day exploring Delphi's remarkable views and offerings—both on-site and in the museum. Visit the stadium, a beautifully situated theater, and the circular Temple of Athena at this site perched on the steep hillsides of Mount Parnassos. A leisurely midday picnic breaks up the day. Overnight Delphi. (B, L)

Sunday, May 18: Thessaly • Kalambaka

Drive through the central towns of Greece, crossing the fertile plain of Thessaly to Kalambaka. Explore the Meteora, Greek Orthodox monasteries set on the tops of rock pinnacles. The development of the monasteries began in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries C.E. (Christian Era)—they are marvels of determined construction and religious will. View the frescoed chapels, courtyards overlooking thousand-foot drops, and striking ossuaries (gravesites). Overnight Kalambaka. (B, L, D)

Monday, May 19: Vergina • Thessaloniki

On the drive to Thessaloniki, we stop at Vergina (ancient Aigai), the first capital of Macedonia and site of the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. You may enter the tomb, discovered by archaeologists in 1979, and examine its supreme artistry. Enjoy lunch and local wines at a nearby winery. Continue to Thessaloniki, one of Greece's prettiest and largest cities. In ancient times, the region of Thessaly was the territory where witchcraft was practiced. Cross the Thessalian plain and enjoy the view of Mt. Olympus, mythic home of the ancient Greek gods. At Thessaloniki, see materials from the Roman and Byzantine eras. Walk through the heart of the city of Thessaloniki, one of four ruling cities during the later Roman Empire, second in importance only to Constantinople in the Byzantine era. Overnight Thessaloniki. (B, L)

Tuesday, May 20: Thessaloniki • Pella

At the outstanding Archaeological Museum, examine a spectacular collection of art and artifacts before visiting the Macedonian site of Pella. In the fourth century B.C.E., Pella was the stronghold of the royal house of Philip II of Macedonia and his son, Alexander the Great. Visit the site museum to see its exquisite collection of mosaics. Overnight Thessaloniki. (B, L)

Wednesday, May 21: Lefkadia • Edhessa

Outside the modern city of Veronia, we visit the site of Lefkadia to see two royal Macedonian tombs with well-preserved paintings. Our afternoon drive through countryside marked by tumuli (ancient grave mounds) brings us to Edhessa, known for its breathtaking views and waterfalls. Overnight Thessaloniki. (B, D)

Thursday, May 22: Thessaloniki • Athens

Morning at leisure. Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport for return flight to Athens. Farewell dinner and closing program. Overnight Athens. (B, L, D)

Friday, May 23: Athens • United States

Morning transfers to Athens airport. (B)

Optional Post-Trip Extension to Crete and Santorini Islands

Continue your Greek adventure with Dr. Donald McGuire.

Friday, May 23: Athens • Iraklion • Knossos

Board an early flight from Athens to Iraklion, Crete's largest city. Just outside of Iraklion is Knossos, the most famous of the ancient Minoan palace sites. It was a royal stronghold between 2000 and 1400 B.C.E., first for the Minoans and then for the mainland Mycenaeans. Tour the ruins of the Labyrinth, excavated by Sir Arthur Evans, which were home to Minos and Pasiphae, Daedalus and Icarus, and the Minotaur. After lunch, visit the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion, filled with Minoan antiquities. Overnight Iraklion. (B, L, D)

Saturday, May 24: Gortyn • Phaestos

Visit Gortyn, a site with primary ruins from the Greco-Roman era through the Byzantine period. Stones inscribed with laws provide insight into the legal arrangements of this society around 500 B.C.E. Phaestos, the second-most powerful Minoan center, is set on a high ridge with a magnificent ceremonial staircase. Explore rock-cut tombs near the beach at Matala. Overnight Iraklion (B, L, D)

Sunday, May 25: Santorini

Travel by hydrofoil ferry to Santorini—also called Thira—a Greek island in the southern Cyclades Islands, north of Crete. The volcanic island has remains of important Minoan settlements. The crescent-shaped island reflects the violence of the 1628 B.C.E. volcanic explosion that altered the landscape of the Bronze Age. The event weakened the Minoan civilization and over the next two centuries, the Mycenaeans became the prevailing power of the Aegean Sea. At the Prehistory Museum, see some of the frescoes of Acrotiri, and enjoy wine tasting at Santos Winery. Overnight Santorini. (B, L, D)

Monday, May 26: Thira • Athens

Explore the ancient site of Thira, a Greek colony dating to the ninth or tenth century B.C.E. Thira sits atop a steep hill with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the dramatic Kamares beach of black volcanic sand. Evening return flight to Athens. Overnight Athens. (B, L)

Tuesday, May 27: Athens • United States

Morning transfers to Athens airport. (B)

Tour Details

Tuition: Tuition is per person and is based on shared accommodations. Tuition includes accommodations, meals listed, entry fees and permits, most gratuities, and transportation from arrival in Athens on May 10 until departure from Athens on May 23. Transportation to and from Athens is your responsibility.

Tuition for optional post-trip extension is based on shared accommodations. Tuition includes accommodations, all meals, entry fees and permits, most gratuities, and transportation from Athens on May 23 until departure from Athens on May 26, including air flights to and from the islands.

International program prices are based on current tariffs/currency exchange rates and are subject to change. Crow Canyon reserves the right to levy a surcharge, if necessary, prior to the final payment date.

International Air: International air flights are not included. For assistance making arrangements, we recommend Travel Management, Inc., in Post Falls, Idaho. E-mail crow@tmitravel.net, or call 800.975.7775 and ask for the Crow Canyon representative. Or, you are welcome to make your own arrangements. Plan to arrive in Athens by Saturday evening, May 10. Schedule departure for anytime on May 23.

Accommodations: All nights are spent in first-class hotels. Shared accommodations are double occupancy. Single accommodations are available for an additional fee of $825 (main trip) and $250 (post-trip).

What to Expect

Travel is by deluxe coach. Return from Thessaloniki to Athens by air is included in tuition. Access to some locations requires moderate walking and standing for up to two hours.

Crow Canyon is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to conduct archaeological research and public education programs. Crow Canyon is nationally recognized for the quality of its archaeological research and education programs.

The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's programs and admission practices are open to applicants of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California
CST 2059347-50

Copyright © 2007 by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. All rights reserved.