GREECE AGAMEMNON TO ALEXANDER MAY 5-22, 2018 TOUR LEADER: DR JOHN TIDMARSH

Overview During our travels we shall visit many of the great sites of ancient and medieval Greece while focussing on two vital eras in its rich history, namely the world of the Aegean Bronze Age and that of the Macedonian rulers Philip and his son Alexander (the Great), whose exploits altered the ancient world forever.

It is during the Aegean Bronze Age (c.3000-1000 BC) that we see the rise and fall of two of the most remarkable (and enigmatic) civilizations—Minoan and Mycenaean—of the ancient world. In Crete we explore the sprawling palace of King Minos at Knossos, home to the legendary Minotaur, along with the lesser known but equally fascinating Minoan palaces of Mallia and Phaestos and the charming and well-preserved Minoan village of Gournia, unearthed by the extraordinary American Harriet Boyd Hawes, the first woman to lead an archaeological excavation in the Aegean.

From Crete we then travel to Athens, home to the Acropolis, ancient Agora, and a host of superbly laid out museums. From Athens (also a Mycenaean stronghold, the remains of which are still visible) it is on to the Peloponnese, where we enter the world of Agamemnon and the warrior Mycenaean kings who dominated Greece from their awe-inspiring palaces at Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos (all of which we visit) until their civilization mysteriously collapsed at the end of the Bronze Age.

We then head north, via the imposing medieval castle of Methoni, the iconic classical sites of Olympia and Delphi (both of whose origins reach back to Mycenaean times), the picturesque port of Volos situated on the wooded slopes of Mt. Pelion, and Meteora, with its stone pinnacles crowned precipitously by Byzantine-era monasteries, before arriving at Thessaloniki, gateway to ancient Macedon.

It is from Macedon that Alexander set out from his birthplace Pella, with its palace, opulent peristyle houses, and fine mosaics, to conquer the world after Philip had fallen victim to the assassin’s blade at Vergina (ancient Aegae) and was buried in a monumental tomb whose spectacular contents are now on display.

Join us for this fascinating 5,000-year journey through Greece, the most timeless of lands.

Your tour leader Dr John Tidmarsh was previously Tutor and then Part-Time Lecturer in Greek and Roman archaeology in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sydney, and is the former President of the Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation. He is a Co-Director of the University of Sydney’s excavations at Pella in Jordan (where he has worked since 1979) and is also Co-Director of the Australian Archaeological Mission at Jebel Khalid in Syria. He was previously Associate Director of the University of Sydney’s excavations at Paphos, Cyprus, and was also Senior Investigator at the university’s excavations at Torone in Greece.

GREECE AGAMEMNON TO ALEXANDER

Tour dates: May 5-22, 2018

Tour leader: Dr John Tidmarsh

Tour Price: $8,975 per person, twin share

Single Supplement: $1,245 for sole use of double room

Booking deposit: $500 per person

Recommended airline: Emirates

Maximum places: 20

Itinerary: Heraklion (3 nights), Athens (2 nights), Nafplio (2 nights), Pylos (2 nights), Olympia (1 night), Delphi (2 nights), Volos (2 nights), Thessaloniki (3 nights)

Date published: May 31, 2017

Enquiries and bookings

For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jemma York at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email jemma@academytravel.com.au

Tour Highlights

MINOAN CRETE Discover the Minoan civilization that flourished during the Middle Bronze Age on Crete from c. 2000BC to 1500 BC which through its art and architecture made a significant contribution to Western European civilization as it is known today. Visit the Palace of Minos at Knossos, home to the legendary Minotaur, as well as the lesser-known (but equally fascinating) Minoan palaces of Malia, Gournia and Phaestos. ATHENS Experience Athens, which grew from a small Mycenean community to a city that at its height epitomised the best of Greek virtues that gave birth to democracy. Wander through the Agora, centre of city life, on our way to Greece’s defining symbol of cultural achievement — the Acropolis — dedicated to the goddess Athena and proclaiming the glory of Athens to the world.

MYCENAE Explore the Mycenean citadels of the Late Bronze Age in the Peloponnese. Visit the awe-inspiring palace of Agamemnon at Mycenae, with its Lion Gate, monumental tombs and Cyclopean walls, as well as the citadel of Tiryns (‘of the mighty walls’) as mentioned by Homer, and the beautifully preserved ‘Palace of Nestor’ at Pylos where the spectacular ‘Tomb of the Griffin Warrior’ was unearthed.

AMAZING MUSEUMS Investigate thousands of years of accumulated history through a dazzling array of museums that provide relevance and context to the sites visited on the tour. From the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, displaying Minoan treasures from all over Crete, to the National Archaeological Museum of Greece with its collection of Mycenaean and classical period artefacts, and smaller site museums at Nafplio, Olympia and Delphi.

PELLA AND VERGINA Visit the premier cities of the ancient Macedonian kingdom. Explore Pella, the kingdom of the brilliant military commander, Philip II father of Alexander, with its palace complex, agora and opulent houses embellished with fine pebble mosaics as well as Vergina, burial place to the Macedonian kings, where Philip was assassinated and then buried in an unplundered tomb whose contents were revealed to the world in 1977.

Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D.

Saturday 5 May Arrive

The tour commences at Athens Airport where we will board a flight to Heraklion. We arrive in Crete and transfer to our hotel for an introductory talk and drinks followed by dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Heraklion (D)

Sunday 6 May Gournia, Malia and Knossos

Our day begins with a talk in the hotel before departing by coach for the Minoan town of Gournia, named for the hollow vessels found at the site. Gournia was excavated by an American team of archaeologists in the early part of the 20th century and consists of a central palace, some sixty houses and an interconnecting road system. We explore another Minoan site at Malia, the third largest palace on Crete after Knossos and Phaistos. Originally constructed c. 1900 BC it was later destroyed and the ruins we see today are of the second palace rebuilt c. 1650 BC. The palace was discovered in 1915 and excavations of the entire town continue today. After lunch we visit Crete’s most famous site, the Minoan palace complex of Knossos. The area shows occupation from Neolithic times but the first palace was established c. 1900 BC. This was destroyed by an earthquake 200 years later and completely rebuilt. The site is, in fact, a complex of administrative, residential, and religious structures that offers an excellent idea of what life in Minoan Crete may have been like. Overnight Heraklion. (B, L)

Monday 7 May Phaistos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum

This morning we travel to Phaistos, a Minoan royal palace complex on a dramatic hilltop site overlooking the Messara Plain. We return to visit the excellent Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, which re-opened in 2014 following a lengthy renovation with artefacts displayed both chronologically and thematically. Its collection includes Minoan artefacts and wall paintings from Knossos and the other Minoan palaces as well as the mysterious Phaistos Disk. Overnight Heraklion. (B)

Tuesday 8 May Athens Agora and the Acropolis

We depart our hotel in Heraklion and board a flight to Athens where we transfer to our hotel. After lunch in a local restaurant we walk through the Agora, centre of the ancient city where citizens assembled for a wide variety of administrative, cultural, religious and political purposes. We continue up to the Acropolis. The Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the exquisite temple of Athena Nike are the centrepieces of the ancient buildings on the Acropolis and encapsulate both the beauty and

Above: The grand Palace of Minos at Knossos; the Phaistos Disk housed in the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion Below: the caryatides support the porch at the Erechtheion in Athens

achievements of ancient Greece. We complete our tour with a visit to the Acropolis Museum where artefacts recovered from the site and spanning thousands of years are displayed. Dinner is in a local tavern. Overnight Athens. (B, L, D)

Wednesday 9 May Athens Archaeological Museum

There is a talk in the hotel this morning preceding our visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Greece, with its incomparable collection of Mycenaean and classical period art and artefacts. Originally built to house finds from around Athens it has become a truly national museum with collections devoted to prehistory, sculptures, metallurgy and pottery. These pieces will remain with us during the tour as exemplars of many of the sites we shall visit throughout the country in the coming days. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore the museum or enjoy more of Athens. Overnight Athens. (B)

Thursday 10 May Mycenae and Tiryns

We depart for the Plain of Argos and arrive at Mycenae, the seat of Agamemnon who served as leader of the Greek coalition at Troy and a site that gave its name to a whole civilization. This morning we walk through the famous Lion Gate, see the Shaft Graves of Circle A and climb through the site to the crowning Megaron Palace where the Mycenaean king would have held sway over much territory. Blending back into the rocky hills, the ruins of this ancient powerhouse are in a spectacular location atop the citadel and ringed by well-preserved Cyclopean walls. This afternoon we stop at the smaller Mycenaean citadel of Tiryns. Celebrated by Homer for their strength, the walls of Tiryns still impress as does the well-preserved acropolis, entrance ramp and gate house. We arrive at our hotel and settle in before dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Nafplio. (B, D)

Friday 11 May Nafplio and Epidaurus

This morning we walk through the narrow-cobbled streets of the old town of Nafplio, characterised by Venetian architecture, through Syntagma Square to the Archaeological Museum to see the finds discovered from Tiryns, Mycenae and Epidaurus. We visit the baroque fortress of Palamidi, standing 216 metres above the town and named after Palamedes, the son of Nafplio and hero of the Trojan war. This afternoon we visit the impressive site of Epidaurus, the location of the Asclepeion, one of the most famous healing centres of the Classical world. The well-preserved 4th century BC theatre is regarded as the best in Greece for its fine structure and perfect acoustics. Overnight Nafplio. (B)

Saturday 12 May The Palace of Nestor at Pylos

Departing Nafplio we pass through Kalamata - the second largest town in the Peloponnese and famous for its olives and

Above: The well preserved Ancient Theatre at Epidaurus known for its fine perfect acoustics and fine structure Below: The museum at Nafplio houses an exquisite find of Bronze Age armour from the Mycenaean Tomb in the Dendra region dating from the end of the 15th Century BC

olive oil - on our way to Pylos, located on magnificent Navarino Bay, stopping at the Mycenaean period ‘Palace of Nestor’, seat of power for wise king Nestor in Homer’s Iliad. This recently restored site contains one of the best-preserved Mycenaean palaces ever excavated and the small area allows easy interpretation. We arrive in Pylos and freshen up before dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Pylos (B, D)

Sunday 13 May Pylos

Using the small town of Pylos as our base, we explore our immediate surroundings in order to examine the role of Pylos during the Peloponnesian War, as well as its role in hastening the end of Ottoman rule in Greece. The protecting island of Sphacteria, where 440 Spartan hoplites were trapped during the Peloponnesian War, forms a backdrop to a beautiful scene as we remember the decisive engagements that have taken place at this isolated location. In the afternoon we head to Methoni, which contains one of the best-preserved Venetian castles in the area. Founded during the Crusades, this castle with its impressive sea tower was a vital staging post for traders moving between the Levant and Europe. Overnight Pylos. (B)

Monday 14 May Olympia

We depart Pylos for the ancient site of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games and where the Olympic flame is still lit every four years. Home to the Temple of Zeus, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, the sanctuary at Olympia not only lies in a beautiful and peaceful setting but its largely non-reconstructed remains allow a unique opportunity to visualise how this complex would have looked during its heyday. Also within the sanctuary is the ancient Temple of Hera while just outside the precinct are the gymnasium and well-preserved stadium. The archaeological museum is a treasure trove of artefacts excavated from the sacred precinct including superb architectural sculptures from the Temple of Zeus itself. We arrive at our hotel in Olympia and settle in before dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Olympia. (B, D)

Tuesday 15 May To Delphi

This morning we travel to Delphi, chosen by the Greeks as the navel of the Earth and located on the spectacular cliff face of Mt Parnassus. This afternoon we visit the Delphi Museum and view its collection of treasures including the marble Sphinx of Naxos and the marvellous Charioteer, one of the finest extant bronze statues from the classical world. Our visit also prepares us for our visit to the site tomorrow. We check in to our hotel and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Delphi. (B, D)

Wednesday 16 May Sanctuary of Apollo

Today we visit the impressive and mystical archaeological site of Delphi, home to the most important oracle of the ancient

Above: Depiction of the reception room at the Mycenaean Palace of Nestor near Pylos; the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, the largest in the Peloponnese, considered to be the perfect example of Doric architecture Below: Nestled on the southern slopes of Mt Parnassus is the site of Delphi, seat of the oracle and the imposing Temple of Apollo

world whose influence on rulers and the ruled alike was profound. Political decisions were made and colonies around the Mediterranean were founded only after consultation with the Oracle. We examine the site today, exploring the Temple of Apollo, treasuries, the theatre, stadium and Altar of the Chians. Overnight Delphi. (B)

Thursday 17 May Thermopylae

This morning we head east to Volos. Along the way, we make a short detour to the site of Thermopylae, the location of the famous last stand by Spartan soldiers during the 480 BC Persian Wars. Little remains at the site except for a bronze statue of Leonidas, the warrior King of the Spartans, erected in 1955. Overnight Volos. (B, D)

Friday 18 May Meteora

We take a day trip to Meteora to see the amazing landscape of steep-faced sandstone pinnacles, often crowned with a Byzantine monastery. These buildings seem to fill the summit and their precarious position must have given a great sense of security, seclusion and spiritual elevation to the orthodox monks who inhabited them. Access to the monasteries was deliberately difficult, requiring long ladders tied together or large nets and baskets used to haul up both goods and people. Reaching the top required a leap of faith as it is said the ropes were only replaced “when the Lord let them break”, symbolising the fragility of life. Overnight Volos (B)

Saturday 19 May To Thessaloniki

We have a leisurely morning in Volos before departing for Thessaloniki, located on the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. As the second-largest city in Greece it is a major economic, commercial and transport hub for south-eastern Europe and the administrative capital of Greek Macedonia. Overnight Thessaloniki. (B, D)

Sunday 20 May Thessaloniki

Founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, Thessaloniki's history spans some 2,300 years. An important metropolis by the Roman period, Thessaloniki was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire. The city is home to numerous notable Byzantine monuments, as well as several Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish structures. Today we start by visiting the palace, Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, the Byzantine citadel and two incomparable museums: the Archaeology Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture. In the late afternoon you might like to stroll along Thessaloniki’s esplanade to one of the city’s iconic monuments, the White Tower. Overnight Thessaloniki. (B)

Above: Monastery buildings in their seemingly precarious position atop the steep sandstone pinnacles at Meteora Below: The Derveni Krater is considered a masterpiece from the Archaeological Museum in Thessaloniki. Discovered in 1962 it is decorated with beasts, tame animals, vine and ivy branches

Hotels Hotels have been selected principally for their central location

Heraklion, GDM Megaron Hotel (3 nights) www.gdmmegaron.com

Athens, Electra Metropolis Hotel (2 nights)

www.electrahotels.gr/ Nafplio, Hotel Victoria (2 nights)

www.hotelvictoria.gr/ Pylos, Hotel Karalis (2 nights)

www.hotelkaralis.gr/ Olympia, Hotel Europa (1 night)

www.hoteleuropa.gr/ Delphi, Hotel Nidimos (2 nights)

http://www.farahnilecruise.com/

Volos, Hotel Aegli (2 nights) www.aegli.gr/

Thessaloniki, Electra Palace (3 nights)

www.electrahotels.gr/

Monday 21 May Pella and Vergina

Today we take an excursion to visit the premier cities of the ancient Macedonian kingdom: Pella and Vergina. In this world of Alexander the Great and his father, Philip II, we visit the ancestral capital at Pella and view the beautifully executed pebble mosaic floors, the well-presented site museum and the streets and buildings of a city that, for the briefest of moments, ruled from Greece to India. At Vergina we visit the theatre where Philip II was assassinated and visit his tomb, now presented in a state-of-the-art complex that both covers his tumulus tomb and presents the beautiful objects found there in 1977 when the tomb was excavated by Manolis Andronikos. Returning to Thessaloniki we visit two important Byzantine monuments: the church of St. Sofia (Hagia Sophia) and the church of St Demetrius (Hagios Demetrios). These originally seventh and eighth century churches have suffered the vicissitudes of time but still retain tantalising glimpses of the fine early Byzantine wall mosaics and frescoes which survived the ninth century iconoclast movement. This evening we conclude our tour with dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Thesssaloniki. (B, D)

Tuesday 22 May Depart

We depart for Thessaloniki airport for our included flight to Athens where the tour officially ends. Jemma York will be happy to help you with options if you would like to stay on in Greece or onward connections to Europe. (B) Above: Detail of the Stag hunt mosaic by Gnosis dating from the 4th

Century BC and thought to be portraying Alexander the Great from the House of Abduction of Helen at Pella Below: The discovery of Phillip II’s tomb yielded stunning treasures like this golden reliquary and a gold crown comprising of 313 oak twigs and 68 acorns

Tour Price The tour price is $8,975 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for a single room is $1,245 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour.

Tour Inclusions Included in the tour price 17 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels Breakfasts daily, plus lunches and dinners as noted in

the itinerary Economy class flights from Athens to Heraklion return

and Thessaloniki to Athens Land travel by air-conditioned coach Extensive background notes Background talks Services of a tour leader and national guide throughout

All entrance fees to sites mentioned on itinerary Qualified local guides where appropriate Porterage of one piece of luggage at all hotels Tips for all services included in the itinerary

Not included International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below) Travel insurance Meals not mentioned in itinerary Expenses of a personal nature

Air travel OPTIONS The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour, we recommend Emirates Airlines which offers flights to Athens from most Australian cities. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business and First-Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. These may be group or individual transfers.

Enquiries & bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Jemma York at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email jemma@academytravel.com.au

Weather on Tour Spring is a pleasant time to travel through Crete and mainland Greece and should not vary too much through the regions we visit on tour. Expect temperatures averaging between 24–26 ºC throughout with minimums between 12-15 ºC. The is only a slight chance of rain.

Fitness Requirements of THIS tour

GRADE TWO

It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.

Participation criteria for this tour

This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of physical activity per day on most days, including longer walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and a more demanding tour schedule with one night stops or several internal flights. You should be able to: keep up with the group at all times walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only

short breaks stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and

museums tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions such as cold,

humidity and heat walk up and down slopes negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites,

which are often uneven and unstable get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or

boat unassisted, possibly with luggage move your luggage a short distance if required

A note for older travellers

If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.