GREECE
(with Arawjo Tours) (click for site info)
June 7 - 17,
2016
Tuesday, June 7
Arrival in Athens / Pre-dinner Walk
Church
of Agios Demetrios Loumbardaris
(click for site info)
(above image from web
source)
Views around the Acropolis
Wednesday, June 8
Evzones:
Changing of the Guard (Old Royal Palace)
within
Syntagma
Square (click either for site
info)
1896 Olympic Stadium
Temple of Olympian Zeus (click for site info)
The Temple of Olympian Zeus also
known as the Olympieion, was built over several
centuries starting in 174 BCE and only finally completed by Roman emperor
Hadrian in 131 CE.
(images above from
Dianne)
Visit Acropolis Museum
(above five museum
images from web source and one from Dianne)
Acropolis Archeological Site (click for site info)
An "acropolis' is any citadel or complex
built on a high hill. The name derives from the Greek Akro, high or extreme/extremity or edge, and Polis, city,
translated as 'High City’, 'City on the Edge’ or 'City in the
Air’, the most famous being the Acropolis of Athens built in the 5th
century BCE.
(click for site info)
(four images above from
Dianne)
Thursday, June 8
Lion
of Chaironeia (click for site info)
The
Lion of Chaeronea was erected by the Thebans in memory of
their dead after the battle of Chaeronea (338 BC)
Monastery of Holy Luke (click for site info)
Hosios
Loukas is a historic walled monastery. It
is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and
art, and has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
(two images above from
postcard)
(four images above from
Dianne)
Delphi Museum (click for site info)
Sphinx of Naxes
Charioteer of Delphi
(images above from
Dianne)
Friday, June 10
Oracle of Apollo (click for site info)
Delphi was an important ancient Greek religious sanctuary sacred to the god
Apollo. Located on Mt. Parnassus near the Gulf of Corinth, the
sanctuary was home to the famous oracle of Apollo which gave cryptic
predictions and guidance to both city-states and individuals. In addition,
Delphi was also home to the pan-hellenic Pythian Games.
Dianne and Jack
standing at the center of the world (Greek Mythology)
(images above from Dianne)
(Dianne prays for
improved eye health)
Thermopylae (click for site info)
Thermopylea is a mountain pass near the sea in northern Greece which was the site of several battles in antiquity, the most
famous being that between Persians and Greeks in August 480 BC.
(Group Photo from
Paul Quinn)
Saturday, June 11
Vergina Royal Tombs (click for site info)
Vergina has enjoyed worldwide renown in the past few
decades, owing to the discovery there of the ancient city of Aigai, the ancient capital of the Macedonian kings, and its
cemetery. Of particular note are the tombs of the royal dynasty, most notably
King Philip II and a young prince who is identified as Alexander IV, and a cist
grave.
(above six museum
images from web source)
Free Time in Veria
(lunch with Doug and
Marlene)
(finding Roman wall
ruins / photo from Doug)
(shrine to St. Paul)
Sunday, June 12
Monasteries of Meteora
(click
for site info)
The Metéora, literally "middle of the sky",
"suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" —
etymologically related to meteorology - is a formation of immense monolithic
pillars and hills like huge rounded boulders dominate the local area. It is also associated with one of the
largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries.
(above image on left
from postcard)
Varlaam Monastery
(above two images
from Web source)
Rousanou (Monastery) Convent
(above three
interior images from Web source)
(images above from
Dianne)
Monday, June 13
Dodona
(click
for site info)
Dodona
in Epirus, north-west Greece,
lies in a valley on the eastern slopes of Mt. Tomaros
and was famed throughout the ancient Greek world as the site of a great oracle of Zeus. The
site was expanded in the Hellenistic period, and one of the largest theatres in
Greece was built which, recently restored, stands as testimony to
Dodona’s importance throughout antiquity.
(Jack with the Sacred Oak Tree of Zeus)
Travel into Peloponnese
Old Bridge
New Bridge
Tuesday, June 14
Olympian Asty Hotel
(photo from web source)
Olympia Archeological Museum
(click
for site info)
Hermes of Praxiteles
Nike of Paionios
(3 images from Dianne
and 1 from web source)
Ancient
Olympia (click for site info)
Olympia was an ancient Greek sanctuary site dedicated to the
worship of Zeus, in whose honor Pan-Hellenic Games were held every four
years from 776 BCE to 393 CE. Ended by Christians since it was pagan rituals.
(postcard image above)
(six images above from
Dianne)
Wednesday, June 15
Nemea (click for site info)
Nemea was a religious
sanctuary in the northern Peloponnese where
pan-Hellenic athletic games were
held every two years from 573 BCE until 271 BCE, after which, the Games were
definitively moved to Argos. The games have been renewed since year 2000.
(image on left above
from Doug)
Arrival in Nafplion
Thursday, June 16
Mycenae (click for site info)
Mycenae was
a fortified late Bronze Age City. This acropolis dates from between the 14th
and 13th century BCE.
In addition to the great history and
geography we enjoyed some great food.
Friday, June 17
Returning to Athens
with stop...
Epidaurus (click for site info)
Located on the fertile Argolid plain of the east Peloponnese and blessed with a mild climate and natural springs, the sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus was the most celebrated healing center of the Classical world. It was an important sacred centre in both ancient Greek and Roman times.
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Two views of canal
(amazing draw bridge went under water about 12 meter down).
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The End
Additional Travel Photos at
http://www.retkuprof.com/TravelPhotos.html