Dear Friends, In the 17th century, the notion began to develop in England and other European countries that knowledge of classical antiquity was essential to a child’s education in order to understand the roots of Western civilization. The need to travel to the lands that gave rise to Western traditions is as strong today as it was 300 years ago. We are pleased to inform you of this program offered by Thalassa Journeys for families to explore the most important ancient centers of Greece, places that have contributed so much to the formation of our civilization. Thalassa Journeys has hosted similar programs for members and friends of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and other prestigious organizations. The tour, solely sponsored and operated by Thalassa Journeys, will provide a joyful learning experience for the entire family – children, parents, and grandparents. Please note: children must be age 5 and above to participate in the programs. The itinerary is designed to enlighten the senses and inflame the imagination of people of all ages and to awaken their minds to the wonders of classical antiquity including the Acropolis and its glorious past. Young explorers and adults will delve into the Bronze Age Mycenaean civilization and the world of Homer. They will discover the citadel of Mycenae, home of Agamemnon. At the magnificent 4th century BC Theater of Epidaurus, families will learn about ancient Greek drama and consider the connections between theatrical performances and healing; in Nemea, one of the four places where in antiquity athletic contests were held, children will compete in mock races in the original ancient stadium. At the awe-inspiring Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo, travelers will walk the Sacred Way and learn about the critical role oracles played in the ancient world. In Athens, parents and children alike will marvel at the achievements of the Golden Age. This extraordinary journey of discovery and learning will end with visits to some of the most important and attractive Greek islands. Volcanic Santorini was home to a sophisticated Bronze Age society, whose main town of Akrotiri was blanketed in ash and pumice following a huge eruption of the volcano in the late 17th century BC. It is now one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. Naxos, the largest of the Cycladic islands, is known for its ancient sites, attractive landscapes, old villages and inviting beaches. Uninhabited Delos is a veritable open air museum, while nearby Mykonos is famed for its characteristic white-wash architecture. Professor Richard A. Billows will serve as the Expert Guest Lecturer. Prof. Billows will travel with the group for the entire trip. His lectures and discussions will illuminate aspects of Greek history and culture for both adults and children and will bring the ancient sites to life. This is the perfect opportunity for multigenerational families to travel, explore and learn together about the wonders of the ancient Classical world. Warm regards, Andrew Ackerman The Laurie M. Tisch Executive Director Children’s Museum of Manhattan Epidaurus’ 4th-century BC theater Aegean Sea Delphi Ionian Sea Acropolis Museum Athens Mycenae Epidaurus Nafplion Mykonos Delos Peloponnese Naxos GREECE Santorini Capturing memories of the Acropolis ITINERARY Saturday, July 13 Sunday, July 14 ATHENS ATHENS/NEMEA/MYCENAE/NAFPLION Thursday, July 11 One of the world’s most venerable cities, Leave Athens in the morning. After driving over DEPART THE USA Athens is the capital of Greece and the oldest the Corinth Canal, the narrow waterway that Depart New York for Athens. city in Europe. Its ancient monuments are separates the Greek mainland from the testimonials to its glorious past that gave birth Peloponnese, continue to the site of ancient Friday, July 12 to democracy and many other ideas and Nemea, one of the four sanctuaries where ATHENS, Greece institutions that form an integral part of the athletic competitions were held, starting in the Arrive in Athens and transfer to the Hotel Plaza, Western tradition. In the morning, tour the 6th century BC. Visit the remains of the site, located on Constitution Square, the heart of Acropolis. Occupied since prehistoric times, including the impressive museum. Children the city, and within walking distance to many of the rocky plateau of the Acropolis (the word may run a race in the Stadium, following in the Athens’s attractions. In the evening enjoy a “acropolis” means “upper city”) rises steps of ancient athletes. After lunch, continue “welcome” dinner. dramatically out of the plain and dominates to Mycenae, the most important center of the Meals: D the modern city as it did in ancient times. Mycenaean Civilization that flourished in the The incomparable Parthenon, the temple second millennium BC. Homer described dedicated to Athena Polias, and the other Mycenae, the home of Agamemnon, as “rich in temples and structures built in the 5th century gold.” Walk through the monumental Lion Gate BC represent the highest achievement of to explore the fabled citadel. From Mycenae, architecture and art of the Classical period. continue to nearby Nafplion and the Hotel After exploring the Acropolis, visit the new Amphytrion. Acropolis Museum. Built at the foot of the Meals: B, L Acropolis, it houses an outstanding collection of sculpture and other artifacts. Adults will Monday, July 15 spend the afternoon at leisure, or visit the NAFPLION/EPIDAURUS/NAFPLION National Archaeological Museum, while children Built on a spacious bay and crowned by two will participate in a treasure hunt of “ancient” fortresses, Nafplion is one of Greece’s loveliest artifacts around the foothill of the Acropolis. medieval towns. Spend the morning at leisure. The Acropolis and Plaka, Athens Meals: B Children may visit the hilltop fortress of Palamidi. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Thursday, July 18 Epidaurus, the shrine dedicated to Asclepius, SANTORINI the god of healing. A religious shrine, health Known in classical antiquity as Thera, the center and popular spa in antiquity, Epidaurus volcanic crescent-shaped island was a is famous for its 4th-century BC theater, known flourishing center during the Bronze Age, for its perfect acoustics and proportions. inhabited by a sophisticated society. In the late Meals: B 17th century BC, a massive volcanic eruption collapsed half of the island and buried its Tuesday, July 16 main town, Akrotiri, in a thick layer of ash and NAFPLION/CORINTH/DELPHI pumice, preserving its houses, streets and Leave Nafplion in the morning for Corinth, one squares as they existed 3,700 years ago. of the most prominent and prosperous cities of Some have connected the disappearance of ancient Greece. Explore the site, including the half of the island to the legend of Atlantis. Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest in Greece, Starting in the 1960s, excavations by Greek Delphi and visit the museum. Excavations in Corinth archaeologists brought Akrotiri to life, becoming have been under the direction of the American one of the world’s most important archaeological School of Classical Studies since 1896. Continue sites. Akrotiri, which we will visit in the morning, to Delphi, stopping on the way for lunch. Check- conveys a powerful lifelike picture of a well- in at the Hotel Kastalia. Dinner in Delphi. organized and prosperous Aegean prehistoric Meals: B, L, D city. Later, we will visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which contains artifacts excavated at Wednesday, July 17 Akrotiri, including exquisite murals. The afternoon DELPHI/SANTORINI will be free to make your own discoveries of One of the most impressive sites in Greece, Santorini. Delphi stands on high ground and is Meals: B, L surrounded by towering mountains split by a ravine. This place of savage beauty has been Friday, July 19 sacred from the earliest times. Steam and SANTORINI/NAXOS Standing at Sandorini’s town of Phira fumes emerge from cracks and crannies in the Sail in the morning across the blue Aegean rocks giving the region an awesome majesty Sea to Naxos. Be on deck as the ship sails BC, Naxos excelled in marble-sculpting. that perhaps inspired the building of the from Santorini to admire the panorama of the Explore in the afternoon atmospheric Chora, fabled shrines starting in the 7th century BC. white-washed towns perched on top of the the island’s main town, its narrow alleyways Here, a priestess would render the oracles to 1,000-foot high volcanic caldera. Arrive in spread below the Kastro, a citadel built by the those anxious to know the future. Explore the Naxos in the early afternoon and transfer to the Venetians, who held the island from 1207 to site, including the Sacred Way; the Treasure of Aegean Land Hotel, located near a lovely 1537. Facing Chora is a small islet, connected the Athenians; the Temple of Apollo; and the beach. A major center of the prehistoric to the town by a causeway, on which are the Stadium. Also, visit the Museum, which houses Cycladic culture and the birthplace of Dionysus, remains of a temple built in the 6th century. the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer, Naxos is known for its varied and beautiful Meals: B, L, D among other treasures. After lunch in Delphi, landscapes, ancient sites, picturesque old drive to Athens airport for the flight to Santorini. villages, Byzantine churches decorated with Saturday, July 20 Hotel Santorini Palace. high quality frescoes, and fertile soil that NAXOS/DELOS/MYKONOS/NAXOS Meals: B, L, D supports a vibrant agriculture. In the 6th century Cruise to uninhabited Delos, the small island that was sacred to the ancient Greeks, on account of its being the birthplace of the divine twins Apollo and Artemis. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delos is a vast archaeological site and a veritable open air museum.