July 6: Departure Day, New York to Athens
For all travel details, please see the Travel Information document under the Essential Information tab in your digital locker.
July 7 & 8: Athens
Begin in Athens with an orientation to your program and then spend two days exploring the Acropolis and Parthenon, the ancient Agora, and the National Archaeological Museum. Experience the bustling street life, markets, and cuisine of the modern city, and settle in with your group in your hostel’s comfortable common area.
July 9 – 12: Naxos
Travel by ferry to Naxos, and settle into your accommodation in a coastal town down the road from the port. Take a hike with a local guide from his mountain village through the network of trails that connect the island’s archaeological sites and learn about the important role of Naxos during the Bronze and Classical eras. Spend an afternoon with a Greek family learning to cook traditional specialties with the ingredients from their own garden, which has been in the family for generations. Swim in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean and explore the island’s old town.
July 13 – 15: Crete
Board another ferry to travel to the island of Crete. Arrive in Heraklion and settle into our base in the center of the island’s dynamic main city. Spend the next three days exploring its hidden canyons, mountains, and beaches, while learning about the history and importance of Crete for the Minoans and, more recently, the Greeks. Hike the Lasithi Plateau, strewn with ancient windmills, and explore the Psychro Cave, the mythical birthplace of Zeus with a local guide.
July 16 – 18: Naples
On July 16, fly with your group from Heraklion to Naples via Athens. Take a guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii, a site buried with volcanic ash in 79 CE, with a professional archaeologist. Study the richly preserved objects and living spaces of the first century, stroll the city’s cobbled streets, and see restoration works in progress as beautiful mosaics are being unearthed from beneath the ash. Visit the famous Naples National Archaeological Museum and take a look at the museum’s most unique artifacts. Get a taste of Italian history and culture with a visit to a private hillside estate, where you will learn the art of preparing Italian cuisine alongside a local chef.
July 19 – 23: Rome
Travel northward to Rome, the sprawling city revered by its inhabitants, past and present. From our base in the center of the city, set out to explore on foot and by public transportation. This “Eternal City” is a unique example of the extraordinary treasures of ancient Rome, the splendors of the Renaissance, and the cosmopolitan style of a modern urban center. Visit a local artisans’ workshop to learn about their craft, and create your own Roman mosaic to take home once completed. Your Smithsonian Student Travel Expert, Robert Stephan, will join you for this portion of the program.
July 24: Return Day, Rome to New York
For all travel details, please see the Travel Information document under the Essential Information tab in your digital locker.
July 24: Airport Hotel
One of your leaders will stay overnight with the group. If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, we will send you an email one week prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation.