sign in sign up
<<
Home , Asclepeion, Monemvasia, Nafplio, Nemea (town), Pylos

Greece A Family June 26–July 5, 2020 Aboard the Private with Dr. Micheal Person 18-cabin Sailing Yacht '92, SM '01, PD '06, PhD '06 Running on Waves Dear MIT Alumni & Friends,

Greece is one of the best destinations in the world for a family trip. and Greece’s Peninsula deliver an enticing blend of history, diverse cultural influences, stunning natural beauty, and archaeological treasures. From Athens, an overland journey takes us across the Canal to the ancient site of and to the picturesque seaport town of . Then, set sail for a seven-night cruise around the stunning, sun-drenched coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula aboard the modern, privately chartered 18-cabin three-masted sailing yacht, Running on Waves.

Travel with an exceptional lecture team that includes MIT Research Astronomer Michael J. Person, Smith Assistant Professor Rebecca Worsham, and a youth coordinator, and a local expert in history, archeology, and culture.

Delve into treasures of antiquity at the World Heritage site of , the bygone citadel of and the rock of . Take a boat ride through the gleaming stalagmites and stalactites in the Diros Caves and float in the clear blue waters surrounding the . Have fun racing on the track at ancient Olympia, learn the mysteries of mystical , and cruise through the Corinth Canal back to Athens.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about and create meaningful family memories. Contact the MIT Alumni Travel Program office today at 800-992-6749 or email us at [email protected] to reserve your space. You may also contact the tour operator, Criterion Travel, at 888-328-2089.

Sincerely,

Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program

P.S. Visit our website at alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updates on all of our programs.

Greece is rich in majestic treasures, both man-made, like the Greek temples long reduced to archaeological ruins at Delphi, and natural, like the island of Monemvasia that rises from the sea off the coast of the Peloponnese (back cover). Lecturers One of things that drives my interest in astronomy is its potential to connect us all. Dr. Michael Person Rebecca Worsham is is a research astronomer an Assistant Professor Regardless of our geographic, social, or in the MIT Department in the Department of political differences, we all live under the of Earth, Atmospheric, Classical Languages same sky. Indeed, our distant ancestors and Planetary and Literatures Sciences, and at Smith College, mostly saw the same sights in the sky director of the MIT where she teaches overhead as we can see now, although with Wallace Astrophysical Roman and Greek a greatly different context. During this trip, Observatory. An alumnus archaeology, , and himself, Dr. Person received . She earned I'll discuss some of the origins of astronomy, his S.B., S.M., and Ph.D. degrees from MIT. her Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology from how we've come to know what we now His specialty is observational astronomy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel understand about the night sky, and how especially as applied to small bodies in the Hill in 2015 with a project focusing on the distant regions of our solar system. He has domestic architecture of the Middle those of an earlier age used this knowledge used most of the great telescopes around Age (c. 2000–1700 BCE) in mainland to propel us to where we are now. the world in his studies of these distant Greece. She has excavated extensively in —Dr. Michael Person objects, but frequently prefers mobile Greece, including sites such as Corinth, '92, SM '01, PD '06, PhD '06 platforms—including small telescopes , and Azoria in . Beginning in deployed from vehicles driven to remote the summer of 2015, Rebecca organized locations as well as NASA's SOFIA airborne and co-directed an observatory—which allow him to obtain archaeological project data on events only visible from specific at the early Mycenaean points on the Earth. He's also active in the settlement of Malthi in amateur astronomy community, frequently southwestern Greece. giving talks to schools, museums, and sidewalk star parties about the night sky, and the promise of astronomy.

For Young Travelers The schedule of daily activities, excursions to archaeological sites, and educational content are designed for children eight years of age and older. Learn about the gods and heroes of , hold foot races in the venues used in the original Olympic competitions, try Greek dancing, make new friends, and gain a sense of history and the world around them. There will be time to swim in the ocean, and stroll through the villages of the Peloponnese. AIR LAND CRUISE DELPHI ITEA

CORINTH CANAL Greece CORINTH ATHENS NEMEA MYCENAE KATAKOLON OLYMPIA EPIDAURUS NAFPLIO

Theatre at Epidaurus

MESSENE Nafplio

PYLOS

GYTHION

MONEMVASIA LIMENI DIROS CAVES

Itinerary

Friday–Saturday, June 26–27 Home o Athens Depart the USA and arrive in Athens the next day. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel located in the historic Plaka District at the foot of the . Gather this evening for a welcome orientation and rooftop reception. Hotel Electra Palace (R) Ancient Olympia, Elis

Sunday, June 28 Temple of Athena, Delphi Athens o Corinth o Nafplio (Embark) History comes to life in , left intact by the Romans when they redeveloped the city as their provincial capital in 44 BC. Among Corinth’s treasures is the well- preserved Temple of with its massive Doric columns. Then continue onward to Nemea, site of the Sanctuary of Zeus and the first Panhellenic Nemean Games. This evening, board Running on Waves in Nafplio’s harbor beneath the stunning Venetian castle. After dinner enjoy a Greek folkloric dance performance and lessons. Running on Waves (B,L,D)

Monday, June 29 Mycenae o Epidaurus Ancient Mycenae was regarded as merely legend until its ruins were discovered in the 1870s by Heinrich Schliemann. Explore the impressive ruins, once a major center of Bronze

Diros caves Age civilization known for its imposing structures and gold treasures, including the reputed mask of . At the World Heritage Site of Epidaurus, see the asclepeion and experience the marvelous acoustics in the 4th century theater that could seat up to 15,000 people. At sunset sail along the scenic eastern shoreline of the Peloponnese peninsula. Running on Waves (B,L,D) Tuesday, June 30 Friday, July 3 AIR LAND CRUISE DELPHI ITEA Monemvasia Olympia Explore the medieval fortress town of Visit Olympia, iconic site of the ancient Monemvasia, delighting in its panoramic Olympic Games. During the Games, the CORINTH CANAL sea views, charming alleyways, and local Greek city-states were bound by a truce Greece CORINTH ATHENS tavernas. The only entrance to Monemvasia that forbade hostilities and focused NEMEA is through a fortified gate. Free time at attention strictly on athletic competition. MYCENAE KATAKOLON lunch allows for the opportunity to try one Visit the temples, stadium, sanctuary, stoa, OLYMPIA EPIDAURUS of the many quaint restaurants in the old and race on the ancient track. After a tour NAFPLIO fortified city or at a seafood taverna in of the museum's impressive statues and the new port town. Spend the afternoon artifacts, return to the port of Katakolon swimming in the azure waters from the and set sail for the .

MESSENE stern of the ship or at the beach. Running on Waves (B,L,D) Cruise to Gythion this evening. Running on Waves (B,D) Saturday, July 4 PYLOS Delphi o GYTHION Wednesday, July 1

MONEMVASIA LIMENI Diros o Limeni Corinth Canal DIROS This morning drive across the dramatic Call at Itea and climb to the spectacular Nafplio CAVES landscape of the Mani peninsula to the ruins of Delphi. Located on the slopes of Diros Caves, used for centuries as a shelter, Mt. Parnassus, Delphi was the influential Corinth Canal workshop, treasure storage, cemetery, oracular sanctuary to Apollo, considered and place of worship. Ride in small boats by the ancient Greeks to be the center through the extensive cave past of the world. Its stunning setting and stalagmites and stalactites. Enjoy lunch architecture evoke the same reverence by the sea in the small fishing village of today as they did thousands of years ago. Limeni followed by a refreshing swim in This afternoon cruise through the dramatic crystal clear waters. Corinth Canal, whose steep limestone walls soar nearly 300 feet overhead. Enjoy Running on Waves (B,L,D) a farewell dinner on board as the ship Thursday, July 2 returns to Athens. Running on Waves (B,L,D)

Messene Sunday, July 5 Drive to Ancient Messene, where ongoing excavations and restoration projects are Athens underway at the expansive archaeological (Disembark) site. Messene’s impressive walls and towers, temples, stadium, theater, o Home nymphaeum, and tombs reveal a legacy of Disembark this morning and transfer to a once vibrant city. Taste local delicacies the airport for flights home.(B) at a taverna before returning to the ship. The afternoon is free to swim at the beach or explore the quaint port town of Pylos. Photos Family at Monemvasia © Darrah Shields. (from Dreamstime. com) Temple of © Sergey Novikov • Sanctuary of Running on Waves (B,L,D) in Epidaurus © Evgeniy Fesenko • Boat and Burtzi castle in Nafplio © Milan Gonda • Ancient Olympia, Elis © Elgreko74 • Temple of Athena Pronea, Delphi © Shariff Che’Lah • Near Diros caves © F8grapher • Alley in Nafplio © Michele Kemper • Corinth Canal © Mikhail Markovskiy • Acropolis © Sborisov • Monemvasia © Voyagerix. Ship photos courtesy Running on Waves.

Acropolis, Athens Optional Pre-Cruise Extension

June 24–27 Athens Explore the Acropolis and the beautiful new Acropolis Museum; the Agora, the focus of public life in Athens, and its unique museum; the kerameikos, once the potters’ quarter of the city as well as an important cemetery with numerous funerary sculptures; and the National Archaeological Museum, one of the world’s most significant museums devoted to ancient Greece. Extension details and pricing will be sent to confirmed participants. Running on Waves

Launched in 2011, Running on Waves combines the look of a classic three- masted sailing vessel with a contemporary design and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. She is modern, highspeed, and environmentally friendly, with a High Ocean Class rating that allows her to sail anywhere around the globe. All thirteen sails are deployed hydraulically from the deck by a four-man crew. The vessel meets all current SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements for navigational and safety equipment. She boasts stabilizers, a bow thruster, a hydraulic stern marina for easy access to the sea, and a sun deck with a Jacuzzi. Much of the deck area is shaded for protection from the warm summer sun. Meals are served buffet style in the dining room that can seat the entire ship’s complement. Sodas, bottled water, coffee and tea are complimentary. Beer and are included with meals on board. Each of the ship’s 18 cabins has efficient air conditioning and heating along with private en-suite facilities (shower, toilet, sink) with unlimited water consumption. Single, double, and triple accommodations are available.

Program Rates, per person 3rd person Category/Deck Double Single in Triple

C 129 sq. ft., two portholes, upper and lower twin beds, shower $6,995 $12,195 — Tween Deck

118 sq. ft., two portholes, two lower and one upper twin beds (Cabin 22) OR B $8,695 — $5,795 two lower twin beds (Cabin 24) OR Tween deck one double bed (Cabin 29) SPA 129 sq. ft., two portholes, one double bed SUN DECK A (Cabins 16, 17, 18) OR two lower and one $9,495 — $6,495 Tween deck upper twin beds (Cabins 19, 23, 25, 27)

151 sq. ft., two large windows, one skylight, Premium 2 $10,795 — — main deck double bed, seating area, shower DINING ROOM 5 3 6 2 172–194 sq. ft., one or two large windows, two 4 Premium 1 $11,795 — — skylights, double bed, seating area, shower MAIN DECK main deck

Owner’s 215 sq. ft., two large windows, two skylights, Suite double bed, seating area with large sofa $13,295 — $8,295 27 25 23 21 19 17 15 29 main deck (can accommodate a third person), shower

There is a discount of $500 for children (ages 8–18) sharing a cabin with an adult in any GALLEY 24 22 18 16 14 category. The discount does not apply to the third person rate in a triple. Double beds TWEEN DECK measure 71” x 51” and 73” x 53”. Twin beds measure 71” x 31.5”.

PROGRAM RATES INCLUDE wine or beer with lunch and dinner. • If you are taking part in swimming AIR ARRANGEMENTS One night accommodations in Athens • Welcome and farewell wine receptions activities, you must know how to swim. U.S. domestic and international airfare Seven nights aboard Running on Waves • Bottled water on motorcoaches • Like any true sailing ship, cabin doors is not included in the program rates. • Meals as specified in the itinerary • All Professional Tour Manager and Youth are heavy and stairs between decks Economy-class airfare from New York excursions as specified in the itinerary • coordinator throughout • Professional are steep. We take safety on board to Athens, Greece, is approximately Full program of briefings, lectures, and English-speaking Greek guide seriously and travelers age 8 to 18 will $1,249 per person as of May 2019 and presentations, and a youth program • throughout need to review a safety rules document is subject to change without notice. Program Rates,Group per airport person transfers on group arrival with their parents prior to departure. Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc., can help THIRD CATATEGORY and departure days • Baggage handling WHAT TODO UEXBLEPECTSINGLE Any physical or mental condition that with airline arrangements for this trip PERSON • Gratuities to porters, waitstaff, guides This is a moderately strenuous program may require special medical attention and can be reached at 877-376-1754. C 129 sq. ft.,and two drivers portholes, • Gratuities upper and to shipboardlower twin beds,that shower is at times$XXX physically $XXXdemanding —must be reported in when you You are also welcome to book your 118 sq. ft.,personnel two portholes, • Entrance double fees bed • O LimitedR two lower twinand busy. Daily$XXX activities can— involve $XXXmake your reservation. Temperatures air transportation through your local B beds, showeropen (Cabin bar on 22 board has twoRunning lower ontwin Waves beds :and one one to three miles of walking, often on during this time of year generally range travel agent, an online travel site, or upper twinbottled bed) water, soft drinks, juice, coffee hilly and/or uneven terrain. Participants from the mid 80s to the low 90s F, with the airline of your choice. should be fit and in active good health. moderate humidity on the coast. 129 sq. ft.,and two tea portholes, at any time, double and bed house OR twobrand lower twin beds $XXX — $XXX A and one upper twin bed, shower 151 sq. ft., two large windows, 1 skylight, double bed, seating $XXX — — P2 area, shower 172–194 sq. ft., one or two large windows, two skylights, $XXX — — P1 double bed, seating area, shower 215 sq. ft., two large windows, two skylights, double bed, $XXX — $XXX O seating area with large sofa (can accommodate a third person), shower Discount of $500 for child 7–18 in any category; does not apply to third-person rate. G reece general information Reservation Form

RATES DO NOT INCLUDE Airfare between home and To reserve your space, please complete the form Athens, Greece • Medical expenses and immunizations • and send it to: MIT Alumni Travel Program, Airport transfers outside of group arrival and departure 600 Memorial Drive, W98–2nd Floor, Cambridge, days • Optional excursions or deviations from the MA 02139. Deposit checks should be made payable to Criterion scheduled tour • Excess-baggage charges • Travel and Travel. You may also call the Alumni Travel Program at 800-992- trip cancellation insurance • Meals not specified in the 6749 or the tour operator, Criterion Travel, at 888-328-2089. itinerary; food and beverages not part of the included Contact Information meal • Personal items such as telephone, internet and

fax charges, laundry, room service, alcoholic or other Name #1 (as on passport) MIT AFFILIATION beverages not specified as included • Other items of a

personal nature Name #2 (as on passport) MIT AFFILIATION

A NOTE ABOUT COSTS Tour costs are based upon Odyssey A Family Preferred name #1 Preferred name #2 current fuel prices, currency values, taxes, tariffs, and a minimum number of participants. While we will do CHILD #1 NAME (AS ON PASSPORT) DATE OF BIRTH RELATIONSHIP everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change. If there are significant changes, details CHILD #2 NAME (AS ON PASSPORT) DATE OF BIRTH RELATIONSHIP and costs will be advised prior to departure.

Preferred name child #1 Preferred name child #2 TRAVEL INSURANCE We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. Information about Street Address travel insurance will be sent to registrants and is available in advance upon request.

City/State Zip/Postal Code June 26–Jul TERMS & CONDITIONS Home Phone Work Phone Reservations & Payments or general welfare of the A deposit of $1,000 per tour group or the individual person is required to confirm participant, and subject only Mobile Phone E-mail a reservation. You may reserve to the requirement that the space immediately by calling recoverable portion of the tour Are you traveling with any other parties on this program? y 5, 2020 the MIT Alumni Travel Program price that corresponds to the at 800-992-6749. Or you cost of unused services and Yes, may send the completed accommodation be refunded, reservation form with your if any. ACCOMMODATIONS deposit payment (check or Itinerary Changes Cabin preference: 1st 2nd credit card information) to the The itinerary presented for this MIT Alumni Travel Program, 600 Bed preference at hotels (not guaranteed): tour is subject to modification Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor, o One Bed o Two Beds o Three Beds and change by MIT and Criterion Cambridge, MA 02139. Final Travel. Every reasonable effort payment deadline is February, SINGLE TRAVELERS will be made to operate the 27, 2020 and can be made by If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: program as planned; however, check or credit card. All prices o I prefer to have single accommodations. should unforeseen world events quoted in this brochure are and conditions require the o I plan to share accommodations with based on tariffs, costs, and itinerary to be altered, MIT and exchange rates of the United o I’d like to know about roommates. the tour operator reserve the States dollar that were in effect I am a o Non-smoker o Smoker. right to do so for the safety and at the time of publication. best interest of the group. Any I understand that if a roommate cannot be found by the final payment Cancellations & Refunds extra expenses incurred in this deadline of February 27, 2020, I will pay the single rate. Cancellations shall not be situation are the responsibility Payment effective until they are received of the participant. in writing by Criterion Travel, o Enclosed is my check for $ ($1,000 per person, Responsibility the tour operator. Deposits are payable to Criterion Travel), to reserve place(s) on A detailed statement of refundable (less a $500 per limitations and exclusions of Greece: A Family Odyssey. person administration fee) if liability of Criterion Travel and written notice of cancellation o Please charge my deposit to: MIT for loss of property, injury, is received within 30 days of o VISA o MasterCard o American Express o Discover illness, or death will be provided reservation; after that, deposits to passengers upon enrollment are 100% nonrefundable. and is available by calling MIT at Cancellations after final Credit Card Number Exp. Date 800-992-6749. All participants payment deadline of February, are required to sign this form 27, 2020: All payments are 100% prior to trip departure. cardholder Signature Sec. Code nonrefundable, regardless of o I/We have read the tour information section of the brochure and agree booking date. Refunds cannot California Seller of Travel be made to passengers who do Program • CST #2088800-40 to the Terms and Conditions stated therein. not complete the tour for any o I understand that the detailed statement of limitations and exclusions The MIT Alumni Travel Program reason at all. Criterion Travel of liability will be sent to me for signature after registration, and is provides further information reserves the right to withdraw available for review prior, upon request. about the Travel Program and a participant from a tour at any the relationship between the time at his/her own expense, Alumni Association and the tour when such action is determined Signature Date operator online at: http://alum. by tour staff to be in the best mit.edu/travel/About. interest of the health, safety, Signature Date PRSRT STD MIT Alumni Travel Program U.S. Postage 600 Memorial Drive, W98–2nd Floor PAID Cambridge, MA 02139 Permit No. 604 Sacramento, CA

eroe al H s hic yt M d n a s st ue nq Co hty Land of Mig

UNPLUG from daily life and spend time with family members for a week of adventure.

enjoy a full youth program with sports activities, Greek mythology, art, photography, and more.

Sail the crystal waters of the Peloponnese. Experience the intimate, 18-cabin yacht Running on Waves on a seven night cruise and witness a rousing production as the crew raises all 13 sails (weather permitting).

Enhance your experience by traveling with an exceptional lecture team that includes local experts in history and culture.

Explore the renowned site of Greece the ancient Olympics with a chance to race on the historic track.

June 26–July 5, 2020 Swim in Greek waters from sandy beaches A Family Odyssey or secluded covers, and ride a boat through the gleaming Diros caves.

Aboard the Private 18-cabin Sailing Yacht Running on Waves