Presents for Listeners and Friends

Led by John Labonia, General Manager, WLRN

Including concerts of the Chamber Music Festival SPECIAL GUEST HOST JOHN LABONIA

Dear Listeners and Friends of WLRN, Every day WLRN takes you on adventures near and far that span the globe through our programming. Now, we are thrilled to announce a rare opportunity for you to take an adventure of your own! I invite the WLRN community to join me to explore landmark historic sites, idyllic and other hidden treasures of . As South Florida’s Storyteller Station and your source for life-long learning, we are honored to partner with Thalassa Journeys, at the forefront of educational travel for more than 50 years. Fronted by the longest coastline of any country in , Greece presents an extraordinary variety of attractions that include magnificent landscapes, idyllic islands and ancient sites and monuments that have survived through the centuries. While these attractions have made Greece a popular travel destination, there are areas and islands of this fabled land that are incredibly beautiful and important, yet they remain “hidden” and undisturbed by the usual characteristics of mass tourism. We designed this itinerary to include places that are “undiscovered”, places that will fascinate and delight you. WLRN Public Radio and Television is the Our journey of this unusual discovery will begin in , specifically in most trusted, valued, and supported , the biblical , also known as Salonica. Founded in the 4th century BC on the head of a spacious bay, and named after the half-sister of public media organization in South , Thessaloniki has remained prosperous, vibrant and Florida. As General Manager since 2000, cosmopolitan since its founding almost 2,500 years ago. From here, we will John Labonia has overseen the vision continue to Thessaly in . Once of the country’s most surprising and and mission of WLRN, leading its interesting regions, Thessaly boarders and was the home of transformation into a thriving business “god-like” , the hero of ’s . It was also home to , who led enterprise through sense of place the in their expedition to fetch the . The legendary stories journalism and documentary storytelling. of Achilles and Jason reveal a land that has been inhabited since deep antiquity. Among the sites we will explore here are the incredible medieval monasteries of (“monasteries in mid-air”), and glorious and its old traditional WLRN has grown steadily to become an villages. From Thessaly, we will venture into the world of the , where we integral part of the community it serves, will explore two of its most attractive islands, and . offering a rich and varied mix of news The ancient believed that music was a gift from the gods. In fact, the word and information, arts and culture, “music” comes from Muses, the nine mythological daughters of Zeus, the supreme childhood education and lifelong god of the Greek pantheon, who were the patron goddesses of the arts. It is then learning. It’s where the South Florida befitting that while we will be in the land that contributed so much to our Western community turns to experience the world tradition, we will be able to attend concerts of sublime classical music. This 13-day through its programming. journey is timed to coincide with the Thessaly Chamber Music Festival. In its third year of consecutive operation, the Festival has established a high reputation for On behalf of WLRN, John is proud to host offering superb music performed at notable venues. Combined with an itinerary that explores magnificent historic cities and sites, this promises to be an this once-in-a-lifetime experience and incomparable travel experience. brings his unique perspective to bear. This will be a journey of extraordinary beauty and culture. I am delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to our WLRN community. Please join me and members of the WLRN family to explore Hidden Treasures of Greece: Exploring Landmark Historic Sites and Idyllic Islands from September 29 – October 12, 2020. Whether you are a first-time traveler to this fabled land, or have visited Greece before, this magnificent travel and learning experience will surely reward you with innumerable memories. Sincerely,

John Labonia General Manager, WLRN

Cover: Skopelos Meteora, “the monasteries in mid-air” JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS Thessaloniki Discover places in Greece that are of Vergina singular beauty and importance, yet they remain “undiscovered” and authentic. Meteora Attend chamber music concerts Pelion performed by internationally Vyzitsa accomplished musicians. Explore Skiathos and Skopelos, Skiathos Aegean considered to be among the most Sea beautiful of the Greek islands. Sk opelos Ionian Visit Meteora, the incredible Sea GREECE “monasteries in mid-air.” Tour the sumptuous temple-like tomb Mot or r out e of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Ship r out e Great. Air r out e

and the Cathedral of Aghios Dimitrios, a overlooking the 3rd-century BC theater, and near ITINERARY 5th-century dedicated to the guardian restaurants, cafes and boutiques. In the Tuesday, September 29, 2020 of the city. evening, attend the opening concert of the DEPART THE USA Meals: B Thessaly Chamber Music Festival, held in the Depart the United States for Thessaloniki, main auditorium of the Larissa Conservatory. Greece. Friday, October 2 Meals: B, L THESSALONIKI/VERGINA/LARISSA Wednesday, September 30 In the morning drive to Vergina, the ancient Saturday, October 3 THESSALONIKI, Greece Macedonian royal capital, where we will visit LARISSA Arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest the incredibly sumptuous temple-like royal Located in central Greece, Thessaly is one of city. Transfer to the Hotel Electra Palace , located tombs, including that of Philip II, the father of the country’s most interesting areas, yet it in the center of the city. Founded in 316 BC at a Alexander the Great. His tomb yielded treasures mostly remains beyond its usual tourist head of a spacious bay and named after the in gold, which we will see in the Archaeological destinations. , the ancient geographer half-sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki, Museum. Vergina is a UNESCO World Heritage and historian, called it, “a country most the biblical Thessalonica, is renowned for its Site. After lunch, continue through the scenic blessed.” In the morning, visit the Diachronic monuments dating from late antiquity and the countryside of and Thessaly to Museum, whose exhibits of artifacts chronicle Byzantine era. Under Justinian, it became the Larissa, the vibrant capital of the region of the history of Larissa and Thessaly from the second most important city in the Byzantine Thessaly. Our home in Larissa will be the Hotel Paleolithic period to the late Byzantine era, Empire. Thessaloniki was also for centuries Divani , located in the center of the city, a span of about 10,000 years. Enjoy the home to a thriving Jewish community and an important center of learning and scholarship. St. Paul preached here in AD 49-50, and addressed two of his epistles to the citizens of the city. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: D

Thursday, October 1 THESSALONIKI In the morning, tour the city’s important monuments, including the remains of the Palace of Galerius, the Roman who lived in the city; the Rotonda, built as an imperial mausoleum, later converted to the church of Aghios Georgios; and the Arch of Galerius. Also, visit the superb Museum of Byzantine Culture . In the afternoon, visit the city’s Byzantine churches, including Aghia Sofia, dating from the 8th century; the church of Holy Apostles, decorated with striking 14th century mosaics; , Pelion

FOR RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL TOLL-FREE 866–633-3611 Typical street in Skopelos Larissa’s 3rd-century BC theater afternoon at leisure. Late in the afternoon, led the Argonauts in quest of the fabled Golden of Portaria. Afternoon at leisure in Volos. drive to the Folk Museum of Larissa. After Fleece. Evening concert at the Volos Conservatory. viewing its interesting exhibits, attend a Meals: B, L Meals: B, L concert at the Museum’s auditorium, followed by dinner at a local taverna. Tuesday, October 6 Wednesday, October 7 Meals: B, D VOLOS & PELION VOLOS Ascend in the morning the road to the Pelion Visit in the morning Volos’ attractive Sunday, October 4 massif. As in antiquity, thick forests of , Archaelogical Museum. Highlights of the LARISSA/METEORA/TRIKALA/LARISSA oak, beech, olive and fruit orchards cover the collection include the outstanding Leave Larissa in the morning for Meteora slopes of Pelion. According to , (6500 - 3500 BC) figurines, the painted stelae (“monasteries in mid-air”), one of the most Pelion was the home of the , depicted from the , and gold jewelry. extraordinary sights in Greece and in all Europe. as half –man, half –horse creatures. The profusion Continue to the neoclassical building that is the Rising from Thessaly’s valley are gigantic rocks of vegetation, the magnificent scenery, the headquarters of the Lyceum of Women of Volos, on top of which are monasteries built by hermits surrounding blue sea, the villages with the an educational, cultural and philanthropic some 600 years ago. At this UNESCO World preserved architecture, and the friendly and institution, where we will be hosted by its Heritage site, we will visit the monastery of St. hospitable people make Pelion one of the officers. Exhibited is a wonderful collection of Varlaam, originally founded in the 14th century, most beautiful and welcoming places in traditional costumes. The afternoon is free for which is covered with fine frescoes. The Greece. Explore Makrinitsa, one of Pelion’s independent activities. monastery’s refectory has been turned to a most striking villages. Built on the side of a Meals: B museum to house the monastic treasures. Enjoy high hill, Makrinitsa is known as “Pelion’s lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue to balcony,” on account of its superb position that Thursday, October 8 nearby Trikala. The Homeric Trikke, Trikala is the opens up to wide vistas. Old timber-framed VOLOS/MILIES/VYZITSA/VOLOS reputed birthplace of Aesculapius, the god of houses with slate roofs are built on steep Drive in the morning along the coastal road, and healing. Explore this interesting and progressive terraces. Enjoy lunch at the neighboring village then up the slope of Pelion to the picturesque town, and after dinner at a restaurant serving local specialties, attend a concert held at the Cultural Center, before returning to Larissa. Meals: B, L, D

Monday, October 5 LARISSA/DIMINI/VOLOS Drive in the morning to Dimini, one of the most important Neolithic settlements in Greece, located near Volos. Settled around 5,000 BC, Dimini’s excavated houses, workshops and narrow streets give a vivid picture of a Neolithic village. Continue to Volos for lunch, and then check-in at the Hotel Xenia , built in a lovely spot overlooking the sea. Situated on a broad bay, the university city of Volos, Thessaly’s main port city, occupies the site of Bronze Age lolcos, the home of Jason, and the place from which he Chamber Music concert at a Byzantine church village of Milies, where we will visit the small church of Taxiarchon, which is covered with luminous 18th-century frescoes. Nearby is THE THESSALY CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Vyzitsa, with its many well-preserved old We have planned our journey to coincide with the Thessaly Chamber Music Festival, whose mansions built in the traditional architectural six concerts we will attend. The festival is under the aegis of Chamber Music Hellas, a New style of Pelion. Home-style lunch has been York-based non-profit organization, and its Artistic Director, Lowell Liebermann , one of prepared for us by the village’s folk, folowed by America’s most esteemed composers of classical music, who will also participate in the a concert held at the 18th-century church of festival as a pianist. Other participating musicians include Bil Jackson , acclaimed as one of Taxiarchon, whose interior is covered with the premier clarinetists of our time and praised by The New York Times for his “beautifully exquisite frescoes. inspired artistry;” violinist Cathy Meng Robinson , cellist Keith Robinson , and violist Scott Meals: B, L Lee , the three founding members of the Miami String Quartet, which has won many awards and accolades, including the Grand Prize at the Fischoff competition; and William Hobbs , a Friday, October 9 piano recitalist who has performed throughout America, Europe and . VOLOS/SKIATHOS ISLAND In the morning, board a ferry at the port of 2020 marks the third consecutive year of the Thessaly Chamber Music Festival. Travelers who Volos. Cruise in the great Pagasitic Gulf and attended the previous festivals have been delighted by the exceptional musicianship of the the Aegean Sea to Skiathos, where we will performers, the variety of the music presented and the intimacy of the experience. arrive early in the afternoon. Known for its extensive forests of pine, incredibly beautiful “The music was fabulous, and all the other arrangements were wonderful.” L.S., Chicago, IL coves and sandy beaches, Skiathos has been “It was an extraordinary trip, and I have been telling all my musical friends about how special inhabited at least since the 7th century BC. it was.” O.H., Woods Hole, MA Our home in Skiathos will be the Hotel Elivi , an excellent beach-front resort. “A lovely memory and so well done.” H.S., New York, NY Meals: B, L

Saturday, October 10 SKIATHOS/SKOPELOS/SKIATHOS Sail in the morning from Skiathos to the neighboring island of Skopelos. Chora, the island’s main town, climbs up and around a hill like an amphitheater. Its setting and distinctive traditional architecture make it one of the loveliest in the Greek islands. Explore the town on foot and visit several of its old churches, including the 11th-century church of Aghios Athanasios, with wall paintings from the 16th century; the church of the Panaghia, with fine frescoes; and the Folklore Museum, whose collections include colorful traditional garments. Return to Skiathos in the afternoon. Meals: B, L Skiathos Sunday, October 11 SKIATHOS In the morning explore the island, starting in Skiathos’ old town, with its labyrinthine alleyways, and then to the monastery of Evangelistria, sited in a superb tree-clad hillside. Facing a courtyard is the dignified 18th-century monastery. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Skiathos and the resort’s facilities on your own. In the evening, attend the closing concert of the Festival, followed by a farewell dinner. Meals: B, D

Monday, October 12 SKIATHOS/ATHENS/USA Transfer to the airport for the flight to Athens to connect with the flight home. Meals: B

White Tower, Thessaloniki Alley in the picturesque village of Makrinitsa, Pelion

FOR RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL TOLL-FREE 866–633-3611 RATE REGISTRATION $6,190 per person, double occupancy. Single room supplement: $970 Enclosed is my check or credit card no. for $______($ 1,000 per person) as a deposit to hold_____ place(s) on Hidden Treasures of Greece, September 29-October 12, 2020, with WLRN Public Media. I understand that final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to PROGRAM departure and is payable by check or credit card. Please make check payable to and mail with this registration form to: INCLUSIONS Thalassa Journeys 8815 Conroy-Windermere Rd., Suite 406, Orlando, FL 32835 ■ Two nights in Thessaloniki’s Hotel Electra Palace ; Phone Toll-Free: (866) 633-3611 three nights at Larissa’s Hotel Divani ; four nights AmEx Discover Visa MasterCard at the Hotel Xenia , Volos; three nights at the q q q q Hotel Elivi , Skiathos.

■ American breakfast each morning at the hotels. No.

■ Seven lunches and four dinners, as noted in the Exp. 3- or 4-Digit Security Code itinerary, with wine or beer.

■ Ground transportation within Greece with air-conditioned, Wi-Fi equipped motor coach. Preference at hotels: DR./MR./MRS./MS. FIRST LAST ■ All tours and excursions as per the itinerary, with Double accommodation professional English-speaking guide. q Single accommodation q ■ Program of lectures and discussions by the DR./MR./MRS./MS. FIRST LAST Special Guest Host, John Labonia Share with

■ Airport/hotel/pier transfers and handling of luggage. ADDRESS

■ Entrance fees to archaeological sites and Each participant must sign below: I/We have read museums. the “General Information” section and agree to its CITY/STATE/ZIP terms. ■ Entrance fees to the concerts.

■ Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers.

■ All local taxes and service charges. TELEPHONE (DAY) (EVENING) SIGNATURE DATE

■ The services of an experienced trip director.

■ Complete pre–departure material. E-MAIL SIGNATURE DATE NOT INCLUDED: Airfare for International flights and airfare from Skiathos to Athens; expenses of a GENERAL INFORMATION personal nature; meals and other items not mentioned PAYMENT SCHEDULE: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment can be made by personal check or charged to a credit card. in the itinerary and the Program Inclusion. CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: All cancellations are subject to a $300 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received 61-90 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received within 60 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose not to participate. INSURANCE: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. ITINERARY: The itinerary, accommodations and arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of Thalassa Journeys. RESPONSIBILITY: Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the traveler and Thalassa Journeys and the tour’s sponsoring organization. Thalassa Journeys and the tour’s sponsoring organization act solely as agents for the traveler with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. In that capacity, we exercise all reasonable care possible to ensure the traveler’s safety and satisfaction, but, we neither assume nor bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriage or other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the traveler or in affecting these tours. We are not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil disturbances, acts or threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the traveler, and tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the traveler shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour(s) as may be offered by us, or else, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the traveler’s behalf from carriers, third-party tour vendors, etc., but, we shall not have any obligation or liability to the traveler beyond the foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations to the tour’s itinerary and to substitute hotels, transportation methods, or lecturers if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule any tour prior to departure, and, so long as this is not due to any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the traveler shall be entitled to a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding their deposit(s), the traveler certifies that he/she and/or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other travelers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain any person as a member of any tour should such person’s health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety of other travelers or impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the traveler’s risk entirely, and, we shall bear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be affected exclusively in the state or federal courts presiding in the City of New York, pursuant to applicable New York law. RATES: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, Golden diadem found in the grave of King Philip II, Vergina they are subject to change.