Ancient Greece a Circumnavigation of the Peleponnese Aboard Harmony V May 12–23, 2014 GREECE
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Ancient Greece A Circumnavigation of the Peleponnese aboard Harmony V May 12–23, 2014 GREECE Itea Delphi ATHENS Known as the “cradle of Corinth Brauron Western civilization,” Katakolon Mycenae Sounion Greece and its Peloponnese peninsula offer a perfect blend of Olympia archaeology, ancient history, culture, and natural beauty. You are invited to join a cruise aboard a chartered 25-cabin Greek Nafplion yacht through azure waters, and an exploration of the cities and Epidaurus sanctuaries of ancient Greece. Mt. Lykaion Begin in Athens, where you will gaze upon the soaring columns of the Parthenon, discover the treasures of the National Archaeological and Acropolis Museums, and meander through Kyparissia the winding alleys of the Plaka district. An overland journey takes you to Corinth, site of the spectacular Temple of Apollo, Mystras and to the World Heritage site of Epidaurus. Then, embark the intimate, privately chartered Harmony V for a seven-night cruise along the stunning, sundrenched coast of the Peloponnese. Gythion Delve deeper into archaeology and ancient history with stops at Mycenae, Monemvasia, and Mystra. Explore Mt. Lykaion’s Areopolis Sanctuary of Zeus, trace the origins of the Olympic Games to ancient Olympia, and meander the hillside of mystical Delphi. Monemvasia Conclude your journey with a transit of the towering Corinth Canal en route to Athens. For expert insights and perspectives on the archaeology and ancient history of Greece, we will be accompanied by a Professor of Classics and a Professor of Greek Archaeology from The University of Arizona who will show us their field research site at Mt. Lykaion. HIGHLIGHTS • Travel with an active field research team and enjoy a guided tour of a current excavation site • In Athens, visit the storied Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum, home of the world’s richest collection of ancient Greek artifacts • Relax aboard the Harmony V, an intimate, 25-cabin yacht entirely rebuilt and refurbished in 2009 • Cruise through the narrow, steep-sided Corinth Canal, too challenging to transit for most commercial vessels but easily navigated by the Harmony V Contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today! 888-328-2089 [email protected] DAILY ITINERARY MONDAY & TUESDAY, MAY 12–13, 2014 cape overlooking the Aegean Sea— to Home - Athens, Greece honor the god of the sea. In the late Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to afternoon visit the Benaki Museum, whose Athens, arriving Tuesday. Visit Mars Hill on collections span Greek prehistory to the north side of the Acropolis for a lovely modern times. panoramic view of the city, then stroll the HOTEL ELECTRA PALACE-ATHENS (B,D) streets of the colorful Plaka, the oldest FRIDAY, MAY 16 neighborhood in the city. Join fellow travelers for a welcome reception and Athens (Corinth, Nemea & Epidaurus) dinner this evening. - Nafplion HOTEL ELECTRA PALACE-ATHENS (R,D) History comes to life in ancient Corinth, left intact by the Romans when they WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 redeveloped the city (once home to Athens 100,000 citizens and 460,000 slaves) as of Zeus, remains an important part of This morning explore the ancient their provincial capital in 44 BC. Among the mythology of ancient Greece. Dr. Acropolis, including the Parthenon and the Corinth’s treasures is the well-preserved Romano and Dr. Voyatzis lead a team of new Acropolis Museum housing treasures Temple of Apollo, with its massive archaeologists and experts in a scientific excavated at the site. While evidence of Doric columns. Continue to Nemea, site excavation of this site. En route to rejoin an original settlement on the northern of the Sanctuary of Zeus, which was the Harmony V in Kyparissia, visit Bassae slopes of the Acropolis dates to 3000 BC, developed in the 6th century BC with the and its Temple of Apollo Epicurius, which the remaining structures date to the 5th establishment of the Panhellenic Nemean has the oldest Corinthian capital ever century BC, when ancient Athens reached Games. Also visit the World Heritage site found. its pinnacle during the Golden Age of Epidaurus, known for its sanctuary HARMONY V (B,L,D) of Pericles. Continue to the Agora, honoring Asclepius, the god of medicine, the center of political and public life and its 15,000-seat theater, an acoustic and emvasia, meaning “entry.” Explore the WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 in ancient Athens, for a visit. After marvel built in the 4th century BC. This narrow, cobbled streets of this charming Katakolon (Olympia) lunch visit the renowned National afternoon, board the exclusively chartered town, which in the 13th century was the Depart this morning for Olympia, site of Archaeological Museum, where you Harmony V in Nafplion. commercial center of Byzantine Morea. the ancient Olympic Games and a vast can see the 3,600-year-old gold “Mask HARMONY V (B,L,D) This afternoon, cruise to Gythion and complex that once included temples, of Agamemnon” among the museum’s enjoy an onboard lecture. baths, and athletic venues. During the SATURDAY, MAY 17 treasures. HARMONY V (B,L,D) Games, held every four years, the Greek HOTEL ELECTRA PALACE-ATHENS (B,L) Nafplion - Mycenae city-states were bound by a truce that From the picturesque port of Nafplion, MONDAY, MAY 19 THURSDAY, MAY 15 forbade hostilities and focused attention travel to the hilltop site of ancient Gythion (Mystras & Areopolis) on athletic competition. Athens (Brauron & Sounion) Mycenae, regarded as merely legend Drive from Gythion to the ruins of the HARMONY V (B,L,D) This morning travel to Brauron for a visit until its ruins were discovered in the medieval town of Mystras, a World to the mysterious Sanctuary of Artemis 1870s. Immortalized as “rich in gold” in Heritage site sitting high atop Mt. THURSDAY, MAY 22 and Ifigeneia, where most of the buildings Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Taygetos. A school of philosophy Itea (Delphi) - Corinth Canal date from the 5th century BC. Continue Odyssey, Mycenae was a major center attracted intellectuals from throughout Disembark at Itea for an excursion to the to Sounion and the magnificent Temple of Bronze Age civilization known for its the Byzantine Empire, and the breadth spectacular ruins of Delphi. Located on of Poseidon, built of gray marble in imposing structures and gold treasures. of creativity in art and architecture is the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, Delphi was 444 BC and perfectly located—on the This afternoon visit the site of ancient evident throughout the town. Starting at the sanctuary of the influential Delphic Tegea, with its impressive 4th- century the Kastro, the walled section, observe oracle and was considered to be the BC Temple of Athena Alea, and explore the elaborate frescoes and decorative center of the world by the ancient Greeks. Nafplion’s Archaeological Museum before facades as you descend the hill. Later, Its stunning setting and awe-inspiring returning to the ship. travel through the Mani region, whose architecture evoke the same reverence HARMONY V (B,L,D) inhabitants have for centuries remained today as they did thousands of years fiercely independent, and to Areopolis for ago. Cruise through the dramatic Corinth SUNDAY, MAY 18 a walking tour of this historic town. Canal, whose steep limestone walls soar Monemvasia HARMONY V (B,L,D) nearly 300 feet overhead, and enjoy a The medieval fortress of Monemvasia— farewell reception and dinner on board. TUESDAY, MAY 20 the “Gibraltar of Greece”— is a massive HARMONY V (B,L,R,D) rock rising dramatically from the sea and Kyparissia (Mt. Lykaion & Bassae) connected to the mainland by a causeway. Today visit the sacred and mysterious FRIDAY, MAY 23 The only entrance to Monemvasia is Sanctuary of Zeus atop the southern peak Athens - Home through a fortified gate; hence, its name, of Mt. Lykaion. This virtually unexplored This morning, transfer to the airport for which comes from moni, meaning “single,” Panhellenic site, known as the birthplace flights home. (B) Contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today! 888-328-2089 [email protected] Harmony V The Harmony V was launched in 2003 and refurbished in 2009. This sleek, high- tech yacht fits in well with the elegant private yachts found in the world’s most famous ports. With only 25 guest cabins, Harmony V offers an intimate and comfortable cruise experience with ample public spaces that include a lounge and bar, indoor single-seating dining room with large windows, al fresco dining area, sun deck, mini-spa, and swim platform for easy access to the ship and for a wide range of sea-related activities. All cabins have windows, en suite bathrooms, wood paneling, twin or queen beds, flat-screen TV, and mini-fridge. RATES (per person) Double Single Category C $5,990 $9,590 Category B $6,490 n/a Category A $6,990 n/a Category P $7,690 n/a U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included in the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare to Athens is approximately $1,065 from Los Angeles or $965 from New York as of December 2013 and is subject to change without notice. In order to give you as much flexibility as possible with the variety of air travel options available, you are free to make your own air arrangements for this program. Contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today! 888-328-2089 [email protected] GENERAL INFORMATION RESERVATION FORM Program Rates Include Reservations and Deposits To reserve a place on Ancient Greece please complete and return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per Comprehensive educational program by To reserve space, please complete the person, payable to Criterion Travel.