12 V i s i t www.theculturalexperience.com C a l l 0345 475 1815 Early Periods the foundations of modern western civilisation the essential archaeology of greece The remains of countless cities, fortifications, temples and monuments, scattered throughout Greece, stand testament to a long and vibrant past: many enjoy a worldwide reputation while some await discovery by the more inquisitive. Our selection of sites is representative of the major periods: Mycenaean, Archaic and Classical and in themselves are some of the most important in Attica and the Peloponnese. Our expert guide, Dr Rita Roussos, a veteran of many an archaeological project and former lecturer of Archaeology and Art History at the AmericanUniversityofAthens,willnarrate, explain, interpret and analyse each of the sites of antiquity that we explore, many of which are still under excavation. Whilst in the present we will enjoy colourful Greek culture and sample some fabulous cuisine. Our bases for the tour are two delightful five-star hotels: one with stunning views over Nafplio’s old town and harbour, the other with amazing vistas over Athens and the Acropolis and yet within easy walking distance of the Plaka. Both boast well- appointed swimming pools and al fresco dining. For that extra bit of comfort and style you might wish to spend a little extra and book a superior room or even a suite. 29 May – 5 June 2018 8 days with Dr Rita Roussos Activity Level 2 Essentials Return flights from London, 4 and 5 star hotels, buffet breakfast, 3-course dinner with drinks each evening, all entrance fees and expert guide throughout. Tour price: £2395 Single supplement: £350 Deposit: £225 Price without flights: £2195 Homeric and Ancient Greece! Evocative times that resonate through the centuries: the little known Mycenaean civilisations of the Iliad and the Odyssey; the Archaic age that saw the rise of city states such as Athens and Sparta and the fateful war with Persia; the Classical era during which Athens and Sparta vied for supremacy; the Hellenistic which saw the spectacular rise of upstart Macedonia. Greece is an enduring and irresistible lure to those who are interested in antiquity, for the Greeks were the founders of so many of those ideals which we commonly think of as peculiar to the West. From travellers like Cyriac of Ancona ‘father of archaeology’, who journeyed there over five and a half centuries ago recording inscriptions and describing the monuments he saw, to Heinrich Schliemann and his quest to prove the historical accuracy of the Iliad and Aeneid, the Hellenic adventure was and is of profound significance for the history of the world. Day1–Depart.FlyfromLondontoAthensand transfer to our hotel in Nafplion for 4 nights. Day2–MycenaeandTiryns. Mycenae is one of the most important palatial centres of the late Bronze Age in Greece. The famous Lion Gate and the Treasury of Atreus, the largest of the beehive tombs outside the walls of the city, are the most notable of its ancient remains. Tiryns is another excellent example of the Mycenaean civilization. Its impressive walls, built of stones even larger than those of Mycenae, are up to 8m thick and 13m high. Day 3 – Epidauros and the Nafplion Archaeological Museum. Drive east to the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros. This centre of healing attracted thousands of visitors and facilities were built to accommodate them - hostels, gymnasium and, of course, a theatre. Designed for a capacity of c13,000 spectators, Epidauros theatreisinanexcellentstateofpreservation. In the afternoon we return to Nafplion to visit the Archaeological Museum, housed in an impressive Venetian building constructed in 1713 to serve as the storehouse for the Venetian fleet. Day 4 – Messene. Drive south to explore the large but unfrequented site at Messene, the political, economic, religious and artistic centre of the Messenes. Still undergoing excavation, the site comprises a large theatre, an agora, a vast Sanctuary of Asclepius and the most intact and impressive of all ancient Greek stadiums. Day 5 – Corinth and Acropolis Museum, Athens. Corinth is on the narrow isthmus between the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs connecting the Peloponnese to the rest of Greece. Although it is now split by the Corinth Canal, for over a millennium it was rarely out of the limelight in the ancient world. Continue to Athens and check-in to our hotel for the next 3 nights. Evening visit to the spectacular Acropolis Museum. Day 6 – Athens Acropolis, Agora. Explore the four major standing structures on the