Athens - Classics School Trip

Day 1 - Flight and city exploration

Fly to Athens to start your Classics school trip and unwind after the day's travel with an evening at leisure in this incredible capital city. Hop on the metro and head down to Syntagma square (Constitution Square), the most important square in modern Athens. From here you can see the Old Royal Palace which now houses the Greek Parliament, watch a Changing of Guard (hourly) with the Evzone’s soldiers in ceremonial uniforms and explore the surrounding National Gardens.

Overnight Athens

Day 2 - Full day tour in Athens

Wake up bright and early to get started on your study of ancient civilisations in Greece. Begin this morning with a guided walking tour of Athens. You’ll see national treasures including the Acropolis, with its most famous building the iconic Parthenon. Built on a rocky outcrop above Athens, you will see both the incredible archaeology of this ancient site, and breathtaking views of the city below. From here, head to the Ancient Agora located beneath the Acropolis, the best known example of a market used for commerce, social, religious and political activities. It was here that Socrates expounded his philosophy and that St Paul attempted to convert people to Christianity. The must-see Hephaisteion Doric temple is also located here.  

After lunch, students visit one of the most important museums in the world, the Acropolis Museum. Displaying collections recovered from the Athenian Acropolis, it has thematic exhibitions including ‘sanctuaries and settlements,’ sculptures from the Parthenon, and ruins from the Ancient Athenian neighbourhood. An audio guide is available. 

If time, take the opportunity to climb the Pynx, a hillside in central Athens where Athenians gathered to host their popular assemblies. One of the most important sites in the birth of democracy, students here could debate or give speeches, joining them alongside Pericles, Aristedes and Alcibiades in the narrative of those who have spoken here.

This evening, enjoy a Greek dinner and show at a local restaurant.

Overnight Athens

Day 3 - Full day visit to Delphi

Embark on a day out to Delphi today, situated on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. The focal point of Greek spiritual life, Delphi was filled with sanctuaries and surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings. It is most famous for being home to the oracle of Delphi. Here prophecies sent from Apollo were delivered by Pythia, the high-priestess to pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean world. After a visit to the archaeological site, you could explore modern-day Delphi and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant with stunning panoramic views.

From here, return by coach to Athens. This evening, students can unwind with a fun night out bowling. 

Overnight Athens

Day 4 - Mycenae, Tiryns and Ancient Corinth

This morning, head to the archaeological site of Mycenae, a lovely 2 hour drive west of Athens. In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilisation and a military stronghold. Since 1999, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its outstanding architecture.

From here it is a short hop to Tiryns, another UNESCO site. Tiryns is the site at which mythical hero Heracles is said to have performed his Twelve Labours. Described as the “mighty walled Tiryns” by Homer, legend held that these walls must have been built by the Cyclopes because of the superhuman strength required to lift the stones.

After lunch at a local restaurant, travel north to Ancient Corinth. If time permits, stop en route at the incredible archaeological site of Epidaurus. This extensive site includes a healing sanctuary and a theatre. The sanctuary was the most celebrated healing centre in the Classical world, with the ill spending a night sleeping in the big hall where Apollo would advise them how to recover their strength in a dream. The stunning theatre is still in use today, 3000 years later. Make sure to test the acoustics!

Arrive at Corinth, which was one of the largest and most important cities in Greece, but was destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC. The Romans built a new city here nearly 100 years later, and made it the provincial capital of Greece. Home to the legendary Jason of the Argonauts, Ancient Corinth also features in Christianity as a site in which St Paul taught the gospel.

Return to Athens for your dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight Athens

Day 5 - Athens, flight home

Your final day in Athens! You could choose to have free time, grabbing that last souvenir and capturing that last snap, or maximise your learning by exploring Classics and Ancient History at the National Archaeological Museum. The largest archaeological museum in Greece, it holds one of the most important collections of ancient Greek art in the world.

Then transfer to the airport for your flight home.