Glorious Greece Tour

Tour Leader

Judith M. Barringer received her BA from George Washington University, her MA in Classics from Yale and her PhD in Classical Archaeology from the same university. she is a specialist on Greek art and archaeology, and Greek myth and religion. Dr. Barringer is a Professor of Classics at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. A prolific writer, she is the author of many articles and books, including The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece, Art, Myth, and Ritual in Classical Greece, and The Hunt in Ancient Greece. She has been the organizer of conferences in Scotland, Greece, Berlin, and New Haven, and has been a speaker at seminars throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and the USA. Dr. Barringer has received numerous fellowships and grants, including a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and a British Academy Larger Research Grant. She has been featured on television in the BBC series, Divine Women, part 2, and the History Channel, Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Professor Barringer has lived and worked in Greece, including Olympia, and speaks Greek.

Tour Itinerary

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

Day 1: Depart 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-5^th 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 2,500 years of erosion, neglect and damage by bombs. The splendid Theater of Dionysus lies on the south side of the Acropolis and is still used today.  Spend time in the Acropolis Museum, which contains the works of art found onsite. Gather this evening for our welcome dinner party in one of Plaka’s fine restaurants. Overnight for three nights in the Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis with spectacular views overlooking the Acropolis. (D)

Day 3: Athens has been a city for more than 3,500 years and much of the glory 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. Nearby, see the Roman Forum and the towering Temple of Olympian Zeus, or Olympeion, the largest in Greece exceeding even the Parthenon in size. See the Agora, the political heart of ancient Athens from 600 BC. In the 1930s, the American School of Classical Studies began excavations that have revealed a vast array of impressive public buildings. Also view 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”). Dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Day 4: Visit 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. In the afternoon, drive to Brauron, best known as the site of a sanctuary of Artemis, and one of the oldest sacred places in Greece. Here, Artemis, the goddess of nature and the protector of fertility and childbirth, was worshipped. According to the myths Iphigenia, the daughter of the Mycenaean king Agamemnon, established this sanctuary. Then it’s on to Marathon, the site of the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, in which the heavily outnumbered Athenian army defeated the Persians. The tumulus, or burial mound, for the 192 Athenian dead that was erected near the battlefield remains a feature of the coastal plain. Enjoy a visit to Cape Sounion for dinner and to watch the sunset. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Depart Athens and drive to Corinth. Along the way, pass through the four-mile-wide isthmus with a stop to see the canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea, first begun by Emperor Nero in the 1st century. 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. Drive to the lovely seaside town of Naufplio, lying in the shadow of a huge Venetian citadel. Overnight for the next two nights in the Grand Sarai Nafplion. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Today we travel 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 7:Begin the day in the Naufplio Museum, housed in a Venetian warehouse and containing pre-Mycenaean artifacts. Drive to Olympia where we meet with the director of excavations for a tour of the excavation house to see artifacts being studies. We then will join the archaeologists for dinner. Overnight for two nights in the Olympion Asty Hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 8: The UNESCO World Heritage Sanctuary of Olympia enjoyed over a thousand 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. Here, join Dr. Reinhard Senff, director of excavations, for a tour of excavations and to see 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. In the site museum, we will view the plethora of artifacts found during excavations including the relief pediments recovered from the Zeus temple. (B/L/D)

Day 9:This morning, cross from the Peloponnese to mainland Greece via the Rion-Antirion bridge and continue to Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to ancient legends, Delphi was the center of the world. This was the home of Apollo for more than 1,000 years and in antiquity people came here to consult the oracle of the god. Walk to the Castalian Spring, where citizens who entered Delphi 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. And 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 in Delphi for one night in the Kastalia Boutique hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 10: Begin today in the Sanctuary of Athena, containing the remains of several buildings including the enigmatic Tholos, a 4th-century-BC rotunda. The stunning New Temple of Athena was constructed about 360BC. Finally, enter the Delphi Museum, which houses a collection second in importance only to the Athenian Acropolis Museum. Enjoy lunch on our own. This afternoon drive to Piraeus Harbor where we will have dinner in a local restaurant before boarding an overnight ferry (in private staterooms) from Piraeus to Crete. (B/D)

Day 11: From approximately 2,800 BC to 1,000 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. We arrive from our overnight cruise into Iráklio, or Heraklion, the island’s largest city and the port for Knossós. Through the ages, the city has been under the control of the Romans, Arabs, Venetians, and Turks, and each has left behind spectacular cultural remains. We will see the Venetian Arsenal 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. Enjoy lunch on our own. In the afternoon, visit the outstanding Iráklio Archaeological Museum to examine magnificent finds from Knossós and other nearby Minoan cities. Overnight for two nights in the Lato Boutique Hotel in Heraklion. (B/D)

Day 12: An all day adventure takes us along twisting mountain roads to the Lasithi Plain. Stop to look at 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 Knossós where a maze of corridors, passages, hundreds of rooms and stairways make up the Palace of Knossós. 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. Parts of the Royal Road, the paved thoroughfare from the harbor to the palace, are still visible. Dinner this evening is on our own to sample the local cuisine. (B/L)

Day 13: Board a ferry this morning to cruise across the sparkling turquoise waters of the Aegean to the island of Santorini, shaped by an explosion that created its dramatic appearance. 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, visit the Archaeological Museum and the Mégaron Gýzi 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. Destroyed in the Theran eruption about 1627 BC, the volcanic ash preserved the town. This evening, gather to watch the spectacular sunset over the remains of the island’s volcanic cauldron. Overnight for the next two nights in the Santorini Palace Hotel on Santorini, with dinner on our own. (B/L)

Day 14: Enjoy a walking tour of Oia, a quaint town that typifies the white-painted and blue-roofed houses one envisions in Greece. Next, stop at a local winery to savor several delicious and distinct white wines which are typical of the island. Lunch is on our own and the afternoon is free to explore the winding streets of Thira. Our farewell dinner will be in an elegant local restaurant. (B/D)

Day 15: Transfer to the airport for our early morning flight back to Athens to connect to our return flight to the USA. (B)

Tour Cost

$9,695.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes domestic flight from Santorini to Athens; all hotels; most meals (as listed in the itinerary); entry fees; gratuities to guides and drivers; overnight ferry in staterooms from Piraeus to Heraklion; ferry from Heraklion to Santorini; and all ground transportation. Price based upon the exchange rate for the Euro not going over 1.25. If the value of the Euro increases, the price of the trip may go up.

Single Supplement: $1,095.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement will be charged.

Cost Does Not Include: A separate donation as outlined; roundtrip international airfare to Athens; meals other than those listed in the itinerary; food, alcoholic and other beverages not on set menus; passport and visa fees; airport fees and taxes; excess baggage charges; email, telephone, and fax charges; laundry or other items of a personal nature.

Note on Donation: As a tour company that benefits from the cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to the scientific and cultural projects and museums we visit. This has created a bond between Far Horizons and the academic and local communities that has helped us establish an extensive list of lecturers and contacts in each of our destinations. We ask that each participant write a check to the noteworthy project we designate. The donation amount is $150.00 per person and is made by check directly to the donation project. We will be designating a donation project for this trip shortly. Note that the donation is required as part of your registration for the trip and that it is non-refundable.

Fuel Surcharges: Far Horizons must pass on price increases when additional fuel charges are levied.

Registration

A deposit of $750.00 to Far Horizons is required upon making your reservation, along with a completed and signed registration form. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent initial travel documents. Click here to download our Registration Form.

Note About Itinerary Changes

Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. A good book to read as well as a flexible attitude and a sense of humor are essential.

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellations received in writing at least 120 days before departure will receive a refund less a $450.00 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 120 days before the departure date 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 and trip interruption coverage.

Air Ticketing

A group flight will be designated. If you do not fly on the group flight, you are responsible for all flight arrangements and transportation (including airport transfers) to join the group. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased

Private Tours of Archaeological Sites

Private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.

Travel in this part of the World

The group will be walking into and around sites extensively, frequently over uneven paths. All participants must be in good health, physically active, and able to walk independently and unassisted for distances that may exceed two miles or more each day. As a courtesy to your fellow travelers, you must be able to keep up with the group during the daily outings. If you are not physically strong, are walking with a cane, or have problems with climbing, there will be no one to assist you. We therefore strongly recommend that you consider your physical abilities before joining this tour.

Remember that, as a European country, Greece will have hotel rooms that tend to be smaller than those in the United States. We have chosen hotels that are charming and characteristic, but they are often simple and are not five-star. If you would like to be upgraded to a larger room or suite at an additional cost, please contact the Far Horizons office.

This Archaeological Trip to Greece is Limited to 14 Participants.