Tour of Greece and Turkey

June 8 - July 3 (Greece and Turkey)
June 8 - June 22 (Greece only)
June 23 - July 3 (Rhodes and Turkey only)

Visit the Sources of Western Civilization

Join The College of Saint Thomas faculty in a tour of the sites most important in the civilization of ancient Greece and the subsequent Christianization of the eastern Mediterranean! At its height, Greek civilization stretched from its current boundaries eastward around the coast of present-day Turkey (ancient Ionia), where the ruins of Troy evoke the story of the Trojan War and the magnificent excavation of Ephesus recalls both the glory of the Roman Empire and the address of Saint Paul to the Ephesians. Come with us as we explore and study Athens' Acropolis and temples, Apollo's sanctuary at Delphi, Agamemnon's castle at Mycenae, the quintessential outdoor Greek theater at Epidaurus, the site of the first Olympian games, and the place where Saint Paul preached to the Corinthians. Our tour will also include study of the ancient Minoan site found on the island of Santorini, as well as a visit to Rhodes with its Crusader fortresses, castles, and ancient towns. Lastly, we will visit Istanbulóancient Byzantium and Constantinople--and a variety of sites which span from the Roman Empire to the era of Constantine and beyond.

 The tour has been organized in two tiers, such that those persons who wish to participate only in the Greece portion of the trip (mainland Greece and Santorini,) may do so, returning from Athens to the U.S.A. Persons desiring to participate in the entire tour, which includes Rhodes, Ephesus, Troy, Perganmum, Bodrum, Istanbul, and other sites, will sail from Athens to Rhodes, enter Turkey at Marmaris, proceed up the western coast, and return to the U.S.A. from Istanbul.  Persons may also choose to participate in the Rhodes/Turkey portion of the tour if they wish.

 A preparatory class for the tour will be held at the College in spring semester, 2004, to introduce participants to the sites to be visited and provide background information and reading materials. The class will include a series of movies based upon ancient Greek tragedies. The tuition for the class is included in the program tour fee, and all participants of the tour are welcome to attend the preparatory class. For those unable to do so, the College will provide a reading list which may be pursued at the participant's leisure. On-site lectures will be given both by College of Saint Thomas More faculty and experienced local guides.

GREECE ITINERARY
Monday, June 7:  Depart USA. 
Tuesday, June 8:  Arrive Athens. Transfer to hotel for rest and welcoming dinner. Overnight and breakfast.

Wednesday, June 9:  Athens. Sightseeing in Athens, including guided tours of the Acropolis (Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, and Acropolis Museum), Theatre of Dionysus, Theatre of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Agora, where Socrates engaged Athenians in philosophical conversation and where a Temple of Hephaestos still stands. The Areopagus, where the first Athenian law court was established (as told in Aeschylus' Oresteia) and where Saint Paul preached in 54 A.D. and received his first Athenian convert to Christianity, can be viewed from the Acropolis.  

Thursday, June 10:  Athens - Sounion - Athens. Morning free to visit museums such as the Cycladic or Benaki Museums, followed by an afternoon drive along the coast to Cape Sounion, dominated by the Temple of Poseidon, magnificently and appropriately situated at the edge of the cape where seafarers would have arrived and disembarked. Dinner on the return drive in a typical Greek tavern. 

Friday, June 11:  Athens ñ Corinth ñ Epidaurus ñ Nauplion . Begin six day coach tour of ancient Peloponnese and mainland Greece.  We will tour the site of ancient Corinth, where Saint Paul preached to the Corinthians, and its small museum, after which we will proceed to Epidaurus, the site of the best-preserved and constructed theater of ancient Greece (plays are still performed there); it was regarded as a place of healing and renewal for those attending the tragedies presented there.  Dinner and overnight in the delightful seaside resort of Nauplion.

Saturday, June 12:  Nauplion  - Tiryns ñ Mycenae ñ Nauplion.  Our first visit is to Tiryns, birthplace of Hercules, with its massive Cyclopean walls and fortifications.  From Tiryns, which served as a satellite fortress for the Mycenaeans in the 13th century B.C., we proceed to Mycenae itself.  Mycenae was the home of the Achaian warrior and king Agamemnon who marshalled and led the Greek troops in their ten-year siege of Troy after the Trojans' abduction of Helen, the wife of Agamemnon's brother Menelaus. We will visit the ruins of Mycenae, where the famed lion gates guarding Agamemnon's palace can still be seen along with the palace walls and rooms and other artifacts.  Our afternoon includes a swim stop at Tolos Beach and an optional climb to the Palamidi Fortress back in Nauplion, with its beautiful scenic view of the bay, or free time in the town, where the explorer can still find artisans creating icons in their own small studio shops.

Sunday, June 13:  Nauplion ñ Tripolis ñ Vytina ñ Dimitsana.  We will spend the night in Dimitsana as we cross the Peloponnese Mounains on our way to Olympia.  Optional visits include the open-air water mill museum, the Folklore Museum in Stemnitsa, and a hike along the Lousios Canyon to the Greek Orthodox Monastery.

Monday, June 14:  Dimitsana ñ Olympia.  Visit of the site of the first Olympian games, Temples of Zeus and Hera, Phidiasís Workshop, and the museum, which contains Praxitelesí celebrated statue of Hermes.

Tuesday, June 15:  Olympia ñ Kalavryta ñ Diakofto ñ Egion ñ Agios Nikolaos ñ Delphi.  We take a ride on the narrow-gauge railway (clog train) to Diakofto through spectacular canyons along the Bouraikos River.  From Egion we take the ferry to agios Nikolaos on the mainland and proceed by coach to Delphi for dinner and overnight. 

Wednesday, June 16:  Delphi ñ Athens.  Delphi was the most celebrated and mysterious site of prophecy in ancient Greece. Home of the oracle of Apollo, it is situated on the side of Mount Parnassus, residence of the Muses. We will visit the site of the oracle, theater, and museum returning to Athens in the afternoon.

Thursday, June 17:  Athens ñ Santorini.  Transfer from our Athens hotel to the port of Piraeus for 7:30 a.m. ferry to Santorini, arriving 2:50 p.m. the same day.  Dinner and overnight in Santorini.

Friday, June 18:  Sanotrini. Santorini is the most photographed, beautiful, and quintessential of Greek islands. Situated upon the rim of a giant volcanic caldera, it is said to be the site of the legend of Atlantis, and looking down upon the sunset glowing red in the waters of the caldera, visitors believe the legend. Santorini is the site of extremely important excavations linking the Minoan civilization of ancient Crete to ancient Peloponnese civilizations such as the Mycenean. We will take a guided tour of the Akrotiri Exvacation with its extensive remnants of Minoan culture and then visit the Prophet Elias Monastery and the Santos winery.  Optional visit to Archaeological Historic Museum on this day or Sunday.  (Museum hours:  8:30 a.m.-3:00p.m.)

Saturday, June 19:  Santorini.  Optional visits include a boat trip to the black island in the caldera, hiking to Doric Ancient Thera, or visiting the town of Ia at the northern tip of the island.

Sunday, June 20:  Santorini.  Free day.  Optional visit to the Nomikos Foundation (open until 8:00p.m.) with its beautiful copies of the Minoan frescoes. 

Monday, June 21:  Santorini ñ Athens.  Early morning transfer to the port for return ferry to Athens.  Arrival late afternoon and transfer to hotel in Athens for overnight.  Farewell dinner in the Plaka

Tuesday, June 22:  Athens ñ U.S.A. or Athens ñ Rhodes.  Breakfast and transfer to the airport for departure to the U.S.A. or to Piraeus for ferry to Rhodes at noon.

 RHODES/TURKEY EXTENSION TRIP:

Wednesday, June 23:  Athens ñ Rhodes.  Breakfast and transfer to Piraeus for ferry to Rhodes at noon.  We cruise along the islands on this overnight ferry to Rhodes, arriving about 10:00 or 11:00a.m. on Thursday, June 24.

Thursday, June 24: Rhodes, associated in ancient times with the Greek sun-god Helios, was the home of the Knights of St. John, who fortified the island against Muslim invasions. Earlier, it was the site of the Crusaders' battles with the Turks and one of their recruiting grounds as they traveled to Palestine. Philippe Auguste of France and Richard the Lion-Heart of England were among those who stopped in Rhodes to recruit mercenaries before going on to the Holy Lands. We will visit both the old and new towns of the capital city Rhodes, including the Palace of the Knights, fortifications, and museum.  Dinner and overnight.

Friday, June 25:  Tour of the island. Visit ancient and historic cities of Lindos (with Acropolis) and Kameiros with lunch break at seaside in Ialyssos or Philerimos. Dinner and overnight.

Selcuk - Ephesus - Izmir

Saturday, June 26:  Rhodes ñ Marmaris ñ Bodrum.  After breakfast, we take the 8:00a.m. hydrofoil to Marmaris, Turkey.  After meeting our Turkish guide, we embark on our coach tour of Turkey, driving to Bodrum for dinner and overnight.

Sunday, June 27:  Bodrum ñ Didyma ñ Miletus ñ Selcuk.  Bodrum (Ancient Halicarnassus) is the birthplace of Herodotus, the father of Greek history.  Bodrum's mausoleum of Mausolus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; after it was destroyed by an earthquake, the Knights of St. John used its stones to build the 15th century Castle of St. Peter. Visit the castle with its unique underwater archaeology museum containing fascinating wrecks from the Mycenaean, Byzantine, and Arabic eras.  In Didyma, visit the ancient oracle and temple with the Medusa head. Miletus was one of the principal ports and centers of the Greek world and contains an outstanding ancient Roman Theatre and other monuments. Dinner and overnight in the Kalehan Hotel, Selcuk, a four-star hotel in the traditional Turkish Karavan Serai style.

Monday, June 28:  Selcuk ñ Ephesus ñ Selcuk.  We will visit the ancient Hellenistic/Roman site of Ephesus with the Library of Celsus, odeum, gymnasium, Twin Churches of Mary, and Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians. In nearby Selcuk are the Basilica of St. John, where the apostle spent the last years of his life, and a museum containing archaeological finds from Ephesus. Outside the town is found the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is thought to have spent her last days after being conducted there by St. John.

Tuesday, June 29:  Selcuk ñ Izmir ñ Pergamum ñ Assos.  On our way to Assos, situated close to Troy, we will stop at Pergamum.  Pergamumís Asclepeion was one of the most reputed medical centers of the ancient world, and its acropolis also contains a library, open theatre, and the Trajaneum, erected in the second century, A.D. for the deified Roman Emperors, Trajan and Hadrian.  Assos, where we will have dinner and stay overnight, is a small, pleasant seaside town with a traditional Turkish flavor. 

Wednesday, June 30:  Assos ñ Troy ñ Istanbul.  After a drive of one and a half hours, we arrive at Troy.  The ancient city of Troy, excavated under the guidance of Heinrich Schliemann in the late 19th century, was the site of the famous Trojan War, the story of which has echoed down through the ages since Homer told it in the Iliad and Odyssey. In the nine levels of the city, Troy VI has been identified as the city most likely to have been Homer's Troy, and visitors can see the remnants of the Scaean Gates and King Priam's palace, as well as the plain in front of the city where the Greeks camped--not to mention, of course, the remains of the fabled Trojan Wall.

Thursday, July 1:  Istanbul.  Istanbul, or ancient Byzantium, was renamed Constantinople in honor of the Emperor Constantine who established it as the eastern capital of the Roman Empire. With the fall of Saint Sophia to the Ottoman Turk Mehmet II in 1453, the city entered a new era and was renamed Istanbul.  We will undertake a full day tour of this fascinating, mysterious, and historic city, including the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Saint Sophia, Grand Bazaar, ancient Roman underground cisterns, and other sites. Dinner and overnight.

Friday, July 2:  Istanbul.  Morning visit to the Kariye Museum.  Afternoon free.  Optional visits and tours include the new Archaeological Museum and Hora Byzantine mosaics and a boat cruise on the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. 

Saturday, July 3:  Istanbul ñ U.S.A.  After breakfast, transfer to airport for departure.

THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS NECESSARY TO ACCOMMODATE REVISED INTER-ISLAND SAILING AND UNFORESEEN SITE/MUSEUM CLOSINGS

 ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotels are chosen for their quality of accommodation and service and for their proximity to sites (the hotel in Athens, for example, is within walking distance of the Acropolis). The hotels range from superior tourist-class to first-class and three- and four-star hotels. All hotels have air-conditioning, private facilities, and TVís.

TRANSPORTATION

Driving excursions are in modern air-conditioned coaches. The ferry from Athens to Rhodes includes cabins with two berths and private showers and W/C's.
MEALS

All breakfasts throughout the trip are included in the trip cost.  In Greece, eight (8) dinners, including a welcome and a farewell dinner, are included in the trip cost.  In Rhodes and Turkey, nine (9) dinners are included.  Breakfast and dinner on the Athens/Rhodes ferry are not included.  Breakfasts in the hotels are generally breakfast buffets. Dinners include three courses plus salad in hotels or selected taverns.

GUIDES

In addition to lectures by College of Saint Thomas More faculty, all scheduled visits and tours will be guided by local English-speaking lecturers.

COST
For Greece (mainland Greece and Santorini,) only:  $2,415
For Greece plus Rhodes and Turkey (entire itinerary): $3,591
For Rhodes and Turkey only:  $1,176
Rates are double occupancy.
Add $475 for single accommodation in Greece.
Add $325 for single accommodation in Turkey.

PLEASE NOTE:  COSTS FOR TURKEY ARE COMPUTED IN U.S. DOLLAR AND ARE THEREFORE FIXED AT THE PRICE QUOTED.  HOWEVER, COSTS FOR GREECE ARE BASED UPON A EURO EXCHANGE OF ONE EURO_=$1.20.  IF THE U.S. DOLLAR DECREASES IN VALUE, A CURRENCY SURCHARGE MAY BE APPLIED TO THE PRICE QUOTED ABOVE FOR THE GREEK PORTION OF THE TRIP. 

Prices do not include transatlantic airfare. Participants are encouraged to seek their transatlantic tickets through brokers, who offer such tickets at reduced prices.

The trip fees include all accommodations and transportation (excluding transatlantic), including airfare between the Greek mainland and islands, hydrofoils, ferries, motor coaches, airport/boat transfers, etc. Also included are all dinners and breakfasts while on the tour, and all museum and site entry fees in Turkey.

The accommodation cost included in the total trip fee is based upon double occupancy in the hotels. For those desiring to have a single room, there is an additional charge of $475 for the Greek mainland and islands portion and an additional charge of $325 for the Turkey extension portion.

Although the fees of motor coach drivers are included in the trip fee, participants are advised that it is customary to provide a small tip to drivers at the end of their tour. We collect all such tips from those wishing to give them and present them to the driver. We sometimes do this also with the local tour guides. Participation is voluntary and minimal.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE; DEPOSIT; and REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation conditions:

1.The College reserves the right to cancel the tour if there are fewer than ten (10) participants. All deposits will be fully refunded.

2. Should you need to cancel:

 Up to 45 days prior to departure, there are no cancellation fees.

45-30 days prior to departure: $500 cancellation fee per person.

29-15 days prior to departure: 50% cancellation fee per person.

14-0 days prior to departure: no refund.

Participants are strongly advised to buy full cancellation/accident insurance.

The Visa fee for entrance into Turkey ($15-$20) is not included in the program fees.

Participants must carry IDís issued by the College for admission into archaeological sites.  The program fee does not include admission fees for archaeological sites in Greece. However, admission fees in Greece may be waived if student IDís issued by the College are presented.

For further information, please call Dr. Judith S. Shank or Mrs. LaDorne Hart at the College of Saint Thomas More:  817.923-8459, 1 800.583-6489.

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