Aegean Treasures of the Peloponnese & Meteora! April 26–May 10, 2017 High above Kalambaka, Meteora With popular Aegean leader, Dr. Ken Sheedy, rival city-state Athens in the Peloponnesian War, we invite you to discover renowned sites on and Mystra, the lost capital of Byzantium. the Peloponnese, from Mycenae to Epidaurus. We will continue to Olympia and the Sparta, and Olympia, then Delphi and Meteora! archaeological Museum in Olympia, one of We will have an introduction in Athens to the most important in Greece and then cross museum collections from the Peloponnese, over to the mainland for two nights at Delphi, and then depart for the Corinth Canal and the one of the most incredible archaeological ancient trade city of Corinth. sites in Greece, perched high on a mountain A highlight here is the acropolis of Ancient with a view toward the Corinth Canal and Corinth that housed the Temple of Aphrodite, the Peloponnese. the goddess of love and fertility. We will then continue to Meteora, one of the The enchanting town of Nauplion will be most spectacular sites in Greece, where ancient our base as we explore the ancient citadel of monasteries cling to immense mountains of Mycenae (the center of Greek civilization rock, overlooking the Greek countryside. during the second millennium BC) and the We hope you will join us on this wonderful ancient religious sanctuary of Nemea. We will adventure! continue to the fantastic theatre of Epidaurus, Sincerely, and see the most celebrated asclepeion or healing temple, of the classical world. We will visit ancient Tripolis and Tegea en route to the idyllic Byzantine settlement of Margaret M. Betchart Monemvasia. Then continue to Sparta, the For AAAS Travels warrior city of ancient Greece, that defeated & Sigma Xi Expeditions LEADERSHIP Leading this expedi- and has explored sites on the Peloponnese tion will be Dr. Ken many times. Sheedy, Director Ken is an experienced lecturer and of the Australian expedition leader and has led trips to Greece, Centre for Ancient Turkey, Cyprus, and the Black Sea. He is a Numismatics at popular leader of many past Aegean Odyssey Macquarie University Expeditions for Sigma Xi and AAAS. He looks in Sydney, Australia. forward to sharing his love of Greek history Formerly with the and archaeology, and his enthusiasm for the British Museum culture and people of Greece with you. and the Australian Archaeological Institute in Athens, Greece, Ken is an archaeologist whose special focus is the Greek world, including Greek sites in Turkey. Ken is an authority on Greek coins and has published papers on many Greek archae ology topics includ ing archaic coinage of Paros and the Cycladic City-States, sculpture of archaic Paros, and the development of pottery styles of the Aegean islands. Ken has participated in excavations on Paros and the Greek mainland Entrance to Monemvasia ITINERARY Days 1/2 New York to Athens, Greece great civilizations that developed in the Aegean Depart New York’s JFK Int’l. Airport for Athens, from the 6th millenium BC to 1050 BC (Neolithic, Greece. Transfer to the Herodion Hotel (2 nights) Cycladic, Mycenaean). The treasures are amazing, near the foot of the Acropolis. Today we’ll explore including collections of ancient Greek sculpture, the ancient Numismatics Museum in Schliemann pottery, and bronzes. House, where coin collections from the ages may We will depart Athens for the Corinth Canal be seen and visit the New Acropolis Museum. and the ancient trade city of Corinth. Surrounded Welcome social. L by beautiful plains and fertile springs, “Wealthy Day 3 Acropolis & Byzantine Museum Corinth,”st a i was known, is located on the isthmus This morning we will visit the Acropolis and between the Peloponnese and the mainland of the Parthenon. The height of the Golden Age of Greece, making it an ideal location for trade. Athens is displayed A highlight of this site is the ancient Acrocorinth, on this hilltop. The the acropolis of Ancient Corinth that housed the Acropolis will give Temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and you a feel for the fertility. Transfer to Hotel Marianna in Nauplion artistic beauty, (3 nights). B,L richness, and importance of Day 5 Nauplion Walking Tour ancient Athens, Today you will explore the enchanting town the empire that of Nauplion located on the Argolic Gulf. Nauplion ruled the Eastern Mediterranean. We will also served as the first capital of modern Greece, and visit the Byzantine Museum, as an introduction remains one of Greece’s most romantic towns. to Monemvasia and some of the other sites on the Walk through the narrow cobblestone alleys, Peloponnese. Welcome dinner. B,D view historic buildings and monuments in Syntagma Square, or venture up from Nauplion Day 4 National Archaeological Museum to Palamidi Castle, where the beautiful view of & Corinth the Gulf makes the drive or trek worthwhile. B This morning, we will visit the National Archaeo logical Museum with emphasis on Day 6 Mycenae – Nemea & Epidaurus collections from the Peloponnese. The collection This morning we’ll visit the archaeological sites of prehistoric antiquities includes works of the at Mycenae and Nemea. The Mycenae site is an Epidaurus ancient citadel that served as a military strong­ times. Afternoon drive to Monemvasia to our hold and center for Greek civilization during Hotel (2 nights). B,L the second millennium BC. It is archaeologically Day 8 Monemvasia significant for excavations of gold burial masks, Today we will have the opportunity to explore diadems, carved rings, and the “Lion’s Gate.” the small idyllic island of Monemvasia. Separated We will then visit from the mainland in 375 AD by an earthquake, Nemea, a religious the small island boasts beautiful views over the sanctuary where Mediterranean Sea. Monemvasia is a stone­built we will see the settlement founded by the Byzantines in the Temple of Zeus 6th century, and remains an entire town of and the stadium medieval castles, mansions and cobbled streets. where Pan­ Almost completely car free, we will explore this Hellenic games small town on foot. B were held. Day 9 Sparta & Mystra We will Sparta was a warrior city in ancient Greece that continue to reached the height of its power after defeating the Sanctuary rival city­state Athens in the Peloponnesian War. of Asklepios in There are many surviving monuments from Epidaurus. Here, different periods of the ancient capital city of we will see the Sparta, including an acropolis with a temple, ancient Theatre theater, Roman shops, and a Byzantine basilica. The Treasury at Delphi of Epidaurus The Archaeological Museum of Sparta hosts and the most collections of various monuments from this celebrated asclepeion, or healing temple, of the ancient city that we will be able to see. classical world. This archaeological site is one of the most complete, and is known for its This afternoon we will visit Mystra, the lost architectural brilliance and influence. B,L capital of Byzantium. Located on a rugged hillside in the lush Spartan valley, Mystra remains one Day 7 Tripolis & Tegea of the most beautiful Byzantine cities in Greece. This morning we will visit the town of The structures here were originally built Tripolis where we will explore the Panarcadic between the 13th and 15th centuries. We will Museum to see the Mycenean, Arcadic, and wander the pathways to see ruins of city gates, Classical collections, many from recent churches, a monastery, and a convent. We will excavations. In the afternoon we will visit Tegea, then transfer to the Vytina Mountain View Hotel most known for being the location of worship (2 nights). B,L,D for goddesses Athena and Alea. There is a Day 10 Olympia delightful newly renovated museum show­ Today we’ll visit Olympia, known as the home casing pieces from Neolithic through Roman of the original Olympic Games of Classical times. Agios Nikolaos Mystra Palace Held every four years throughout Classical as we drive through the lush mountains to Patras. Antiquity, these first Olympic Games were held in We’ll visit the state of the art Patras Archaeological honor of Zeus, and all victors were awarded free Museum which opened in 2009. Then drive across meals for life. Here we’ll see the Temple of Zeus, the spectacular new bridge to the mainland and the Heraum, additional buildings, as well as the Delphi. Acropole Hotel Delphi (2 nights). B,L Olympic stadium and Hippodrome. Day 12 Delphi Later we will visit the Archaeological Museum Delphi is one of the most incredible archaeo­ of Olympia, one of the most important museums logical sites in Greece where we will have the in Greece. A highlight of the museum includes opportunity to see the ruins of what once the 5th century BC sculptural ornaments from represented the center of religion and symbol the Temple of Zeus, one of the best surviving of unity for the ancient Greek world. Located ensembles from ancient Greece. B,L,D on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus, Day 11 Patras to Delphi Delphi is famous for being the omphalos or Patras Archaeological Museum “navel of the world,” the place where earth Today we enjoy the beautiful Grecian nature and heaven meet. Delphi served as the seat for the oracle of Apollo who was consulted on important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. B Day 13 Lamia Museum & Meteora This morning we will drive to Lamia to visit the Archaeological Museum which is located within the archaeological site of Lamia Castle. It houses pre historic and Classical artifacts. We will then travel to Kalambaka and Meteora, one of the most spectacular sites in Greece. Meaning “suspended in the air,” Meteoras i a rock formation of immense mono lithic pillars that once housed 24 monasteries during the 16th century, six of which still function today.