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Mediterranean Cultures
May 20
– June 27, 2007
May 20,
2007
Departure
on an international flight from Washington D.C. to
Istanbul.
May 21, 2007
Arrival in
Istanbul where you are met by your CSA Turkish On-site
Coordinator. Transfer to your hotel. Later a local guide
conducts a walking tour of the historic heart of this
amazing city. Sights include the Blue Mosque, the
Hippodrome, the Snake Pillar and the Spice Market.
Tonight celebrate the start of your program with a
Welcome Dinner.
Hotel:
Euro Plaza or similar
May 22,
2007
Continue
your exploration of Istanbul with a local guide.
Highlights today include Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace,
and the Grand Bazaar. In the afternoon enjoy a cruise on
the Bosphorus.
May 23, 2007
A morning
visit to the EU Office in Istanbul (subject to
availability) will allow for a discussion on the
politics involved in Turkey’s bid for membership. After
a visit to the American Chamber of Commerce you have a
free day to continue your exploration of Istanbul. This
evening you have a special Turkish Dinner complete with
local belly dancers.
May 24,
2007
This
morning depart Istanbul; a stop at the site of Gallipoli
allows for a discussion of WWI and the involvement of
the Australians, British and Turks. Later take a ferry
to the Asian side of Turkey and visit the ruins of the
legendary city of Troy, discovered by Heinrich
Schliemann in the 19th century. Continue on
to Bergama.
Hotel:
Bergama Hotel or similar
May 25,
2007
Today
visit the archaeological site of Pergamon, one of
Turkey’s greatest classical sites. You will see the
Acropolis, the Red Church and the Pergamon Museum. Also
visit the Asclepion, one of the ancient world’s oldest
and most important medical centers. In the afternoon
drive to Selcuk and visit the ruins of Claros and the
Archaeological Museum at Izmir.
Hotel:
Selcuk Hotel or similar
May 26,
2007
Incomparable Ephasus is one of the most stunning sites
in Turkey! You explore this incredible site this morning
with a local guide. Later drive to Pamukkale.
Hotel:
Hierapolis Pamukkale or similar
May 27,
2007
A local
guide introduces you to the gleaming travertine pools of
Pamukkale. Later visit the sites of Aphrodisias and
Hierapolis. Free afternoon.
May 28, 2007
First stop
this morning is the ancient town of Milas. Later
continue on to Bodrum, the ancient Halicarnassus. Free
afternoon.
Hotel:
Majesty Marina Bodrum or similar
May 29,
2007
Today is
free to continue exploring Bodrum.
May 30,
2007
Transfer
from your hotel to the port city of Marmaris. Ferry
journey to the Greek Island of Rhodes. Upon arrival you
are met by your Cultural Studies Abroad On-site
Coordinator who will remain with you for the duration of
the program. Transfer to your hotel. You will want to
start exploring this fascinating island, once home to
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the
Colossus of Rhodes.
Hotel:
Plaza Hotel or similar
May 31,
2007
Today a
half-day excursion will discover the Acropolis of Lindos
and the Mater Palace. Entrances are included to the
Acropolis, the Palace and Museum.
June 1,
2007
Transfer
to the airport for a short flight to Heraklion, on the
island of Crete. Once the center of the splendid Minoan
civilization, Crete boasts a long and fascinating
history. Hotel: Hotel Astoria or similar
June 2,
2007
A full day
exploring the wonders of Crete will include the Ex
Aghios Nikos and the site at Knossos, once the center of
the Minoan culture. A stop will be made at Matala for
swimming.
June 3,
2007
Today
discover the Museum of Heraklion, Ex Elounda, Agios
Nikos and Spinalonga where you enjoy a cruise.
June 4,
2007
Full day
at leisure in Heraklion.
June 5,
2007
Today
board a ferry for the beautiful island of Santorini.
Discover the small twisted streets with their very
picturesque whitewashed houses.
Hotel:
Santorini Image or similar
June 6,
2007
This
morning journey back in time during a visit to ancient
Thira. Once an outpost of the Minoan world, Thira was
destroyed during a violent volcanic eruption about 3,500
years ago, and perhaps the Minoan civilization along
with it.
June 7,
2007
Today
explore the island’s Caldera by boat.
June 8,
2007
A ferry
ride this morning brings you to Piraeus, Athens busy
port. Transfer to Athens, once the center of art,
culture and democracy in the ancient world.
Hotel:
Esperia Palace Athens
June 9,
2007
Classical
Athens comes alive during a morning tour of the
Acropolis including the famed Parthenon. After a free
afternoon you have a panoramic tour of Athens by Night
followed by a special Greek Dinner and Folklore Show.
June
10, 2007
Continue
your study of Athens with visits to the incredible
Archaeological Museum, and the Benakis Museum. If
possible, a guided visit to the Greek Parliament will be
included.
June
11, 2007
Today’s
specialized visits may include the U.S. Embassy and the
European Commission. Coach is available for local
transfers all day.
June
12, 2007
Today
visit the sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus and Corinth.
Continue to Nafplion.
Hotel:
Hotel Amalia or similar
June 13,
2007
Full day
at leisure with coach and guide at the group’s disposal.
June 14,
2007
Full day
at leisure with coach and guide at the group’s disposal.
June 15,
2007
Transfer
to Patras where you board an overnight ferry (sleeping
berths included) to Bari, Italy.
June
16, 2007
Today a
drive across the southernmost part of Italy brings you
to the lovely city of Taormina.
Hotel:
Hotel Assisos Palace or similar
June 17,
2007
Etna looms
menacingly over the island of Sicily and today you
discover this active volcano around Etna and Gole
dell’Alcantara.
June
18, 2007
Today
travel to the city of Siracusa where a guided tour will
introduce you to the city’s rich history including the
Greek Theater and the Roman Amphitheater.
Hotel:
Hotel Jolly Siracusa or similar
June
19, 2007
Today is
free to continue discovering Siracusa.
June
20, 2007
Today
journey to Agrigento where you visit the famed Valley of
the Temples.
Hotel:
Akrabello or similar
June
21, 2007
A morning
drive brings you to one of the most fascinating cities
in all of Sicily: Palermo. Visits today include the
splendid Norman-Byzantine cloister in Monreale and the
Cappella Palatina in the Palazzo Dei Normanni.
Hotel:
Astoria Palace Hotel
June
22, 2007
After a
free morning in Palermo transfer to the pier and board
an overnight ferry with sleeping berths to Naples.
Overnight on ferry
June
23, 2007
This
morning visit one of the ancient world’s most famous and
stunning sites- Pompeii. Buried by Vesuvius’s violent
eruption, Pompeii was both destroyed and remarkably
preserved by the volcano’s ash and lava. Later continue
to the Eternal City, Rome. In the evening enjoy a guided
tour of Rome By Night.
Hotel:
Regent Hotel Roma or similar
June
24, 2007
Morning
transfer to the train station. You have reserved seats
on a train to Florence. Known as the Cradle of the
Renaissance, Florence is a living textbook of Italian
art and architecture. A local guide will conduct a
walking tour of the city’s historic center. Entrances to
the Cathedral, or Duomo, are included. Return to Rome by
train in the afternoon.
June 25,
2007
This
morning’s specialized visit (availability permitting) is
to a local Government office. Later a local guide
conducts a tour of Rome including entrances to the
Vatican Museum which includes Michelangelo’s Sistine
Chapel, and St. Peters Basilica.
June 26,
2007
Continue
discovering the riches of Rome with a full day tour
including entrances to the Villa Borghese and the
catacombs, just off the Appian Way, outside the city
walls.
June 27,
2007
Full free
day in Rome. This evening toast the success of your
program at a farewell Dinner.
June 28,
2007
Transfer
to the airport for your return flight to the USA.
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