While on mainland in Greece:

Kalambaka (Meteora - Monasteries in Mountains)

Full Day Excursion

From Delphi we will travel by motor coach to the town of Kalambaka which is right next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the “Meteora” – incredible natural stony pillars that are topped with monasteries from the Byzantine period. Film buffs will recognize this area which was featured in the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only”! The name Meteora comes from the Greek adjective ‘meteoros’ which means hanging in midair – and the pillars and monasteries certainly seem to be doing just that. How and why were the monasteries built in such a difficult place to get to, you might ask?   From around the 9th century, due to the increasing power of Byzantium and threats by invaders, hermits lived in the caverns of  Meteora. During this period Monks were searching for inaccessible places to build their monasteries – and the Meteora was the ideal place for them! Initially the monasteries were reached by using swinging nets or baskets and ladders – which carried food and people slowly up to the top. Today they are accessed by steps carved into the rocks.

Travel Tip:

Appropriate clothing is required to visit the monasteries. Sleeveless clothing and shorts are prohibited. Skirts and shawls are available at the entrance for those who are deemed to be unacceptably dressed (including guys wearing shorts and tank tops). So not to worry, you will most likely not be sent all the way back down to change!

Delos (while in Mykonos)

Full Day Excursion

We will take a boat from the Port in Mykonos to Delos for a guided tour of the island and  museum and enjoy the spectacular views of other surrounding islands in the Aegean.

A sister island of Mykonos and the mythical birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis, Delos has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important  archaeological locations in Greece. Remains of the Mycenaean period were uncovered and are now housed in the museum on this once sacred island along with other beautiful artifacts of antiquities including mosaics from the homes of the wealthy inhabitants.

Delos was considered an international harbour and the absence of taxes enticed foreigners to populate the island.  Wealthy merchants and bankers, not only from other parts of Greece but also from Africa and the Middle East, became the main inhabitants making Delos a major centre for commerce in the Mediterranean.  In fact in the 2nd century BC it was one of the main slave trading centres in the region for the Romans. Several of the temples and ruins you will see, were built for the gods the foreigners worshipped, however the key temples dating from the 8th century BC were dedicated to Apollo.  Eventually the religious importance of the island diminished after the wars against the Romans and gradually ancient religions were replaced with Christianity.

Tour of Volcano, Santorini

Our programs are enhanced by additional excursions which go beyond the focus of the course and give students the option to explore areas outside of the region in which our programs are located, in a supervised environment with private coaches and guides. Schedules and costs of these excursions are provided to students in March.

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