Ancient History Tour

• Start your journey in Rome, the Eternal City that was built on seven hills. Make sure to wear comfy shoes!

• Take a full day to visit the Colosseum and walk through the ruins of palaces and temples on the Roman Forum.

• Take your pick out of hundreds of ancient Roman sites, but don't miss out on the majestic Pantheon.

   

"I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble."
-Augustus Caesar

• Take a train to Naples at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Climb to the top of this active volcano for a great view!

• Overlook and visit the ruins of Pompeii, the Roman city that was buried in ash after Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

• The many stunning mosaics found at Pompeii are safely stored in the Archeological Museum of Naples.

   

"The universe was plunged into eternal darkness."
-Pliny the Younger

• Travel to Brindisi, and get off in Barletta to visit Cannae, where Hannibal defeated the Romans in 216 BC.

• A large Roman column marks the end of the Via Appia, the ancient road that connected Brindisi with Rome.

• Visit nearby Ostuni, nicknamed 'The White Town', beautifully located on a hill amidst olive plantations.

   

"The Appian Way, the queen of the long roads."
-Statius

• Take a ferry to Patras on the Peloponessus, where the Greek leg of your Ancient History Tour begins.

• Climb up to Patras Castle and visit the Roman Odeon, where concerts are still being held in summer.

• Travel by bus to Olympia, the sanctuary where the original Olympian Games were held in honor of Zeus.

   

"For what thing without Zeus is done among mortals?"
-Aeschylus

• Travel by train to (New) Corinth, and overlook the ancient city from the top of the Acrocorinth Citadel.

• Take a day trip to see the archealogical treasures of Argos, and the historic seaport town of Nafplio.

• In the nearby ruins of legendary Mycenae, you'll find the Tomb of Agamemnon and the famous Lion Gate.

   

"On the road to Argos, you see left the ruins of Mycenae."
-Pausanias

• Travel onwards by train to Athens, cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy.

• You simply can't miss the majestic Parthenon temple, built on top of the Acropolis in the 5^th century BC.

• Take a few days to discover Athens' monuments and museums, and watch the sunset from Areopagus hill.

   

"Athens deserves to be admired."
-Pericles

• Your last stop is Thessaloniki, a popular tourist destination full of Roman and Byzantine monuments.

• Visit the White Tower, the symbol of the city that houses an exhibition on its rich history.

• Still got those comfy shoes? Go hiking on Mount Olympus, mythical home of the Olympian Gods.

   

"Is that which is holy loved by the gods because it is holy, or is it holy because it is loved by the gods?"
-Plato