About the Tour

This month-long tour of Greece will take you on a leisurely exploration of the world that inspired western civilisation, gave us many iconic examples of art and developed ways of thinking that are integral to our own view of the world.

The fascinating and colourful world of Minoan Greece on the islands of Crete and Santorini is explored, along with how the Mycenaean world overtook and adapted Minoan civilisation.

The tour takes you to Corinth, Olympia, Delphi and Dodona but focuses especially on Athens and the full flowering of Greek civilisation, religion and art in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE.

In northern Greece, the tour visits Thessaloniki. Here, you will examine the Macedonian state that produced Alexander the Great, and the Hellenistic world that provided Rome with the opportunity to develop its empire and ensured the spread of Greek ideas and culture. A visit to Vergina reveals the fabulous treasures of the tomb of Philip II (the father of Alexander the Great) as well as his capital at Pella. Trips to Meteora and Mistras examine Byzantine Greece and later history.

As well as covering important well-known sites, the tour also explores lesser-known and remote parts of the country, including the amazing Vikos Gorge. It takes place in the Greek spring - before the peak tourist season and the hottest weather begins, and while the wild flowers are blooming in profusion.

Itinerary - April - May 2009

Sun 5 April: Wellington - Athens

Depart mid-morning.

Mon 6 April: Athens

Arrive Athens early morning in time for breakfast and a shower before a bus tour of the main sites of this busy city. You finish the day with a short walk to the top of Philoppapus Hill to view the Acropolis and get your bearings. (Breakfast)

Tue 7 April: Athens

Visit the centre of Classical civilisation - the Acropolis, the new museum that is displaying its art, and the commercial centre of the city in the agora. (B)

Wed 8 April: Athens

The plays of all the major Greek playwrights were performed in the Theatre of Dionysu - you get a quick taste of these before visiting the Potters' Quarter of ancient Athens and the burials outside the city walls.

The afternoon allows all the time you wish to explore the marvels of the National Museum of Athens. (B)

Thu 9 April: Athens - Aegina - Athens

A ferry trip to the impressive but little-visited temple of Athena Aphaia at Aegina. Afterwards, there is time for a swim or to explore the quiet port of Aegina itself and enjoy pistachios. (B)

Fri 10 April: Athens - Brauron - Thorikos - Sounion - Athens

Off-the-beaten-track, visit the sites of Brauron and Thorikos, and investigate the 'Little Bears', an old deme theatre set amongst silver mines, and finally Poseidon's famous temple at Sounion. (B)

Sat 11 April: Athens (free day)

A chance to visit or revisit the sights of Athens. (B)

Sun 11 April: Athens - Delphi - Athens

An early start for a day trip to Delphi, a most stunning and atmospheric site. (B)

Mon 13 April: Athens - Santorini (free afternoon)

Leave Athens by morning ferry for ancient Thera (now called Santorini) and the remains of the volcanic activity of the 17th century BCE. The afternoon is free. (B)

Tue 14 April: Santorini

Today's visit to Akrotiri and ancient Thera provides the opportunity to explore the Minoan settlement that produced the stunning wall-paintings now located in Athens. (B)

Wed 15 April: Santorini (free morning) - Herakleion (Crete)

A free morning for exploring this most picturesque of islands before boarding the late-afternoon ferry for Crete. (B)

Thu 16 April: Herakleion - Knossos - Herakleion

An exploration of the iconic Minoan palace at Knossos, excavated by Sir Arthur Evans, followed by a visit to the newly renovated Herakleion Museum which displays treasures from the palace and other Minoan sites. (B)

Fri 17 April: Herakleion - Lassithi/Diktaean Cave - Aghios Nikolaos - Herakleion

A drive high into the mountains of central Crete and a limestone plateau with stunning views. Climb up (on donkey, if you wish) to the Minoan sanctuary cave where Zeus was born. Then head down to the sea to enjoy dinner by the picturesque harbour at Aghios Nikolaos. As this is Greek Orthodox Easter Friday there will be candle-lit processions at midnight. (B)

Sat 18 April: Herakleion - Gortyn - Phaestos - Aghia Triada - Aghia Galini

Head south to the Mesara Plain and beautiful Minoan palaces at Phaistos and Aghi Triada. If time permits, there will be a visit to the Roman administrative capital of Gortyn, site of the earliest-known Greek Law Code. (B)

Sun 19 April: (Easter) Aghia Galini (free day)

A free day by the sea in a small Greek village to enjoy the Greek celebration of Easter. (B, L)

Mon 20 April: Aghia Galini - Kommos - Spili - Souda Bay - Chania

Kommos is a recently excavated town situated by the sea and, as yet, relatively unvisited. There will be a chance to swim from its sandy beach before heading north to Chania via the solemnity and peace of the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Souda Bay where many New Zealanders were laid to rest. (B)

Tue 21 April: Chania - Aptera - Rethymnon - Arkadi - Chania

If time permits, you will visit the little-known Greco-Roman site at Aptera above Souda Bay before lunching in the delightful harbour town of Rethymnon. Later you visit the Arkadi Monastery, the most famous shrine on Crete to resistance against the Turks. (B)

Wed 22 April: Chania (free afternoon)

The small but rich and beautifully displayed museum in a Venetian church is the first stop. Then the day is free to enjoy the delights of this small harbour town. (B)

Thu 23 April: Chania - Thessaloniki

The flight to northern Greece leaves late morning, giving you time for an orientation tour of Thessaloniki on arrival. (B)

Fri 24 April: Thessaloniki - Pella - Thessaloniki

The museums in Thessaloniki are stunning and today you visit the Archaeological Museum and Museum of Byzantine Culture (which won the annual Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2005). In the afternoon you visit Pella, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Macedonia, with its stunning pebble mosaics. (B)

Sat 25 April: Thessaloniki (free day)

A chance to explore this lovely city on your own. (B)

Sun 26 April: Thessaloniki - Vergina - Metsovo

One of the most stunning recent archaeological discoveries is the unrobbed tomb purported to be Philip II's (father of Alexander the Great) and its accompanying tombs. Beautifully restored, you will be stunned by the museum and artefacts displayed. Metsovo, a beautiful Vlach town, will be quiet at this time of year and very appealing. (B)

Mon 27 April: Metsovo - Meteora - Metsovo

A day trip to the famous monasteries at Meteora on their improbable rocky perches. The Katara Pass, on the way, should be alive with primroses, cowslips and wild tulips. (B)

Tue 28 April: Metsovo - Dodona - Nekromanteion/Acheron River - Bourazani

Head over the rest of the Pindhos Mountains and visit the secluded oracular site of Dodona before approaching the Acheron River and another prophetic site by the river of Hell, the Acheron. Your hotel for the next three nights will be close to the wild Zagoria. (B, D)

Wed 29 April: Bourazani - Vikos Gorge/Monodendri - Kipi - Bourazani

The Vikos Gorge is the largest in the world and visually stunning. A visit to Kipi features intriguing 19th century bridges. (B, D)

Thu 30 April: Zagoria region (free day)

A free day to rest or explore the region. (B, D)

Fri 1 May: Bourazani - Olympia

A long day's drive south, stopping to see the site of the Battle of Actium, crossing the exciting new road bridge across the Corinthian Gulf and finally to Olympia. (B)

Sat 2 May: Olympia (free afternoon)

A morning to explore the peaceful site of Olympia and a chance for a run in the stadium. The nearby museum is rich in material and well displayed. (B)

Sun 3 May: Olympia - Pylos - Kalamata

South to the little-visited site of Nestor's Mycenaean palace at Pylos, situated overlooking the sea in the Bay of Navarino. On to Kalamata, the home of olives and a bustling port, for the night. (B)

Mon 4 April: Kalamat - Mistras - Nafplion

Climb over Mount Taigetos on a stunning switch-back road leading to the homeland of Sparta. One of the last outposts of the Byzantine empire, Mistras, once capital of Greece and much larger than modern Sparta, tumbles down its quiet hillside, almost abandoned. The delightful town of Nafplion is your home for the next two nights. (B)

Tue 5 May: Nafplion - Epidaurus - Tiryns - Nafplion

Explore the less well known remains of the healing shrine of Epidaurus, which is famous for its well-preserved 4th century BCE theatre. Then move on to the little-visited site of Tiryns, with its Mycenaean palace and impressive fortifications. (B)

Wed 6 May: Nafplion - Mykenai - Old Corinth - Athens

Head back toward Athens for Mycenae, its famous Lion Gate of the 13th century BCE and the so-called Treasury of Atreus, and its new museum. Then on to Ancient Corinth, where St Paul preached in the agora, and the iconic 6th century BCE Temple of Apollo stands impressive against the bulk of Acrocorinth. (B)

Thu 7 May:

Athens (free day) (B)

Fri 8 May:

Depart Athens for Wellington (B)

Sat 9 May:

In transit

Sun 10 May:

Arrive Wellington

B, L, D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided.

While the intention is to follow the outlined itinerary, it is subject to change if necessary. We cannot guarantee that all the sites and museums indicated will be accessible and/or open: your tour leaders have the right to change the itinerary at any time as circumstances dictate.

Teacher Bio

Chris Dearden recently retired after 30 years as Professor of Classics at Victoria University as well as holding several administrative positions there. His particular interests lie in Greek drama, especially comedy, and its spread throughout the Greek world.

This will be the fourth Victoria Community Continuing Education study tour he has led to Greece and he has also led tours to Turkey. He set up and led the annual Classics Programme student field trip to Greece and is a regular presenter in the Victoria Community Continuing Education programme.

A tour manager will also accompany the group.