CLASSIC EXTENSION IN GREECE WITH MASS AUDUBON ~ APRIL 30 TO MAY 6, 2010 DAY 1~FRIDAY~APRIL 30 THESSALONIKI/ATHENS / CORINTH/ EPIDAURUS/ MYCENAE / NAUPLION An early flight takes you to Athens (flight not included in cost.) Upon arrival at the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, you will be met and continue with your drive to Nauplion. En route, visit some of Greece’s most famous sites. Your first stop will be the Corinth Canal and (Korinthos). Coming from Athens, Corinthia is the first region you come to in the Peloponnesus, the first sign of warmth and excitement. The aromas of the sea, the mountains, the harvest of grapes and currants are all-encompassing. The region is thick with pine and olive trees. The coast and the little ports in the vicinity are unforgettable. Here you'll rediscover some old Greek myths, learn that Nemean wine is called "Herakles’ blood" and that retsina is the teardrop of a certain wood nymph. In the age of myth Corinth was always being thrown into turmoil by tribes pouring into the Peloponnesus from the Isthmus. With the setting of the Dorians (9th century BC), Corinth's history began. It became a great naval power and perfected the trireme. The Corinthians were the first to have the idea of cutting through the Isthmus but were unable to accomplish this feat. Instead they invented and built a paved slipway, called the diolkos, to haul their boats over the Isthmus. They were foremost in the arts, particularly ceramics. The 5th century was their most glorious period. But with the success of Athena as a powerful force, Corinth was eclipsed and fell into decline. In 146 BC the Romans completely destroyed the city. In 67 BC Nero tried his hand at digging through the Isthmus and got as far as a big trench, but works were abandoned with his death, and not until 1891- 1893 did the canal finally become a reality. Invasions and looting by barbarians threw Corinth into a new decline and the city was not heard from again until the early Byzantine era. Continue with a visit to the home of Agamemnon, the ancient king, who united and commanded the Greeks during the Trojan War. The ruins of Mycenae were thought to be a myth until Heinrich Schliemann proved otherwise. At one time the city overlooked a large bay which is now the plain of Argos. The site is impressive and features the Palace of Agamemnon, the Treasury of Atreaus, and the tomb of Clytemnestra, the wife of the great king who, with the aid of her lover Aegisthus, stabbed him to death for sacrificing their daughter to get favorable winds for the journey to Troy. Aegisthus and Clytemnestra then ruled Agamemnon's kingdom, but were eventually killed by Agamemnon's son, Orestes. The famous Lion's Gate is the oldest monumental sculpture in Europe and is said to be the coat of arms of Atreus, mythical king of Mycenae. You will have a quick lunch stop in Mycenae at a local taverna (cost of lunch not included). Your sightseeing is concluded with a visit to Epidaurus, the birthplace of Asclepius, the god of healing and son of Apollo. The site became one of the most important centers of healing in the ancient world and by the 4th century BC the sick were traveling from far and wide to seek medical and mystical cures at the sanctuary. The ruins of Epidaurus include the foundations of the Temple of Asclepius, a sanctuary of Egyptian gods, a sports stadium, Odeon and bath complex. But without doubt, the major attraction is the wonderful theatre, with its legendary acoustics which amaze and delight 21st century audiences. If you drop a matchstick in the centre of the original beaten earth stage it can be heard by people sitting in the highest of the 55 tiers. Having lain hidden and protected beneath layers of earth for centuries, it is one of the best preserved structures from Classical Greece. Elegant with its stone seats, it not only reaffirms the achievements of ancient civilization it also plays host to marvelous concerts. Resume your drive to Nauplion. With its marble pavements, looming castles and remarkable homogeneous architecture, Nauplion is the most elegant town in mainland Greece. Defended to the south by the Akronafplía and Palamídi fortresses and to the north by Bourtzi castle, the town occupies the northern side of a peninsula at the head of the Argolic Gulf. It emerged from obscurity in the 13th century and endured many sieges during the struggles between Venice and Turkey for the ports of the Peloponnesus. From 1829 until 1834, the town was the first capital of liberated Greece. Situated in the outskirts of the picturesque town of Nauplion, you will find your accommodation for the evening. The Amalia Nauplion Hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens housing striking varieties of trees and flowers. Built in the neoclassical style, the hotel offers 175 beautifully furnished rooms all with modern amenities. Facilities include three restaurants, spacious lounges, a bar, coffee shop and an outdoor swimming pool. Overnight at the AMALIA HOTEL. (D) DAY 2~SATURDAY~MAY 1 NAUPLION May 1st is a huge holiday in Greece and all the classical sites are closed, but the town of Nauplion is charming and will be a wonderful place to celebrate. Old Nauplion is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece; the former capital of Greece may remind visitors of the Old Athens Plaka but it’s on the sea, with two mountains along side and a medieval fortress overlooking the town. Nauplion is full or restaurants, shops, cafes, beautiful old buildings, and a beach. Your day is at leisure. Overnight at the AMALIA HOTEL. (B,D) DAY 3~SUNDAY~MAY 2 NAUPLION/OLYMPIA This morning travel to Olympia, one of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity, dedicated to the father of the gods, Olympian Zeus, and birthplace to one the world’s most prestigious sporting events. It is one of the largest and most beautiful sites in Greece. Situated in West Peloponnesus, Olympia is an unspoiled, tranquil, lush green valley of wild olive and plane trees, spread beside the twin rivers of Alpheus (the largest in Peloponnesus) and Kladhios, and overlooked by the pine covered hill of Kronos. The valley among the two rivers was in ancient times full of wild olive trees, poplars, oaks, pines and plane trees and it was these trees that gave the center of the sanctuary the name Altis, meaning alsos (grove). The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC and reached their height of popularity in 576 BC. The festival was open to only Greek born men but later Romans were allowed to compete. Slaves and women were not even allowed to be spectators and women caught sneaking in were thrown off a cliff. The events included foot races, wrestling, discus, javelin, long-jump, horse and chariot racing, and a type of boxing called pancratium. There were not only athletic events but also writing, poetry and history readings, plus business transactions and treaties were made between leaders of city-states. Excavations are ongoing with new treasures being unearthed. See the workshop of Phidius were he created the famous statue of Zeus, one of the ancient wonders of the world no longer with us. Next to the Temple of Zeus ranked the Heraeum, dedicated to Hera, the wife of Zeus. In this temple, probably the oldest Doric building known, stood the table on which were placed the garlands prepared for the victors in the games. The votive buildings included a row of 12 treasure houses and the Philippeum, a circular Ionic building dedicated by Philip II, king of Macedonia, to himself. The Altis, or sacred precinct, enclosed a level space about 660 ft long by nearly 580 ft broad. In this were the chief centers of religious worship, the votive buildings, and buildings associated with the administration of the games. Strolling through this magical place you can almost imagine the pomp and majesty that brought fighting nations together for a short time every four years, to compete in sporting events rather than battle. Amalia Olympia Hotel is a unique place that combines the energy, the space, the serenity of the area with top of the line services with large comfortable rooms, endless green gardens, an over exceeding large swimming pool, restaurant with all kinds of treats and a spacious lobby with cozy corners around the fireplace. The hotel is ideally located in close proximity to all major historical and cultural sites. Overnight at AMALIA HOTEL IN OLYMPIA. (B,D) DAY 4~MONDAY~MAY 3 OLYMPIA/DELPHI Your early morning visit to the Archaeological Museum allows you to see the most impressive collection of sculptures of the austere style (first half of the 5th century BC). There are also the pediments and metopes of the temple of Zeus. The East pediment portrays preparations for the chariot race between Pelops and Oenomaos while the West pediment shows the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs. The twelve metopes, three of which are Gypsum casts, depict the twelve Labors of Hercules. Of the terracotta sculptures, the most complete is a composition of Zeus and Gannymede (most probably from a temple pediment). There is also a rich collection of bronze articles such as figurines and small effigies, tripods, strips, arms and portions of armor (helmets, breastplates, grieves, etc.) Among these is a Persian helmet from the booty captured by the Athenians, after the battle of Marathon and also the helmet worn by Miltiades, the victorious commander of the Athenian forces in that battle.