Over three millennia ago, the ancient Greeks lived in the area that we will be touring. Our trip through Northern Greece and Turkey will explore ancient and modern sites that were of paramount importance to the Greeks, Ottomans, Byzantines and Turks who have lived in this region for the past 3000 years.

Our 15-day journey will explore ancient sites at Delphi, Troy and Athens, beautiful monasteries at Meteora as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thessaloniki and Istanbul. Istanbul will amaze you with the culture, history and architecture of the Byzantium, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, all of which called this city their home. We will also see the fateful beaches of Gallipoli where the Turks and Anzacs struggled during the First World War a hundred years ago.

We will also take time to see the natural wonders of Northern Greece such as Aoos National Park, which will be bursting with pristine rivers and forests, flowering meadows and shimmering lakes; and Vikos Gorge, the world’s deepest. We will stay in traditional villages and eat phenomenally fresh food.

Please join us for two weeks in the spring of 2016 to visit a region of the Mediterranean often ignored.

OrientationThe orientation course will consist of four Wednesday evenings, March 23 to April 13, 2016, 7 - 9:30 pm held at the University of Calgary campus. Topics for discussion will include the history and culture of Greece and Turkey and background information on the sites we will be visiting. The itinerary, travel arrangements, and health matters will be discussed in detail.

ItineraryIncluded meals are shown following the daily itinerary B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner

APR 18-19 Depart Calgary for Athens. (D)

APR 20 The star of Athens is the Acropolis and surrounding ruins. The Acropolis is the most important ancient site in the Western world. It was first inhabited in Neolithic times, but the structures as they are seen today were built in the 6th century BC, and have come to be regarded as the zenith of classical Greek achievement. We will start the day by climbing Plaka’s streets to the Acropolis. In the Acropolis we will visit the Parthenon, Temple of Nike, theater of Dionysos, Temple of Poseidon and the new Acropolis museum. We will have lunch in the surrounding neighbourhood before heading down to the ancient Agora where we will see the Roman area as well as Hadrian’s Library and Church of Agios Eleftherios. The evening will be free to explore more of Athens. (B, L)

APR 21 Today we will drive to Delphi and see the centre of the Ancient Greek World. Regarded as the centre of the world — Zeus released two eagles at opposite ends of the world and they met in Delphi. The city reached its height between 6th and 4th century BC, when multitudes of pilgrims came to the sanctuary to consult the oracle. Nearby, the

Historical and Cultural Perspectives of Northern Greece and TurkeyAPRIL 18 – MAY 1, 2016

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sacred way goes past the temple of Apollo where the oracles would give advice that would launch armies. We will spend the day exploring this area. Some of the highlights we will see are the Ancient Delphi, Sanctuary of Apollo and Delphi museum. We will spend the night so that we can walk through the valley of Cyprus trees and Olive trees without the crowds who come up from Athens for the day. (B, D)

APR 22 From Delphi we travel to Meteora which The World Heritage listed as an extraordinary place. The massive pinnacles of smooth rock jut up to 14th century monasteries. You do not have to use rope ladders anymore to access these monasteries as paths have been carved into the rocks for easier access. Each monastery is unique with its own distinct character. The afternoon will be spent exploring the temples nearby the town of Kastraki. We will stay in the town of Kalambaka for two nights. (B, D)

APR 23 We will drive 11 km up to the top of the hills around Kalambaka, then walk throughout the day to work our way back down to town. Along this gentle walk we will visit the following monasteries which are all unique and open to exploring Moni Agiou Nikolaou, Moni Megalou Meteorou, Moni Varlaam, Psropetra lookout, Moni Agias Varvaras Rousanou, Moni Agias Triados, and Moni Agiou Stefanou. (B, D)

APR 24 Today we drive from Meteora to Zagorohoria. The Zagorohia’s 46 traditional stone and slate villages in the Pindos mountain range are stunning. The air here is crisp and cool and the views outstanding. The Vikos-Aoos National Park bursts with pristine rivers and forests, flowering meadows and shimmering lakes. In the afternoon, we will be visiting the Vikos Gorge and a couple of other villages. The Vikos Gorge is 12 km long and 900 metres deep; the world’s deepest. (B, D)

APR 25 After breakfast we travel to Thessaloniki. The Byzantine and ancient sites constitute its major attractions. It is a walkable small city with a World Heritage listed harbour. It is a city full of colourful, winding little streets marked by white plaster houses, Byzantine churches and great food. It is a very safe city. We will spend the afternoon on a walking tour that will lead us from the ancient walls down into the harbour. We will visit the White Tower,

Palace, Arch and Rotunda, Castle and the Byzantine wall, Modino Market, Archeological Museum, Bey Haman, Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki and the Ladadika district. (B)

APR 26 We will spend the morning continuing to explore Thessaloniki before we fly to Istanbul in the late afternoon. The evening in Istanbul will be spent exploring this fascinating city with a short evening guided stroll along the Isstikal Cadessi which is a major avenue in Istanbul. (B, D)

APR 27 Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world. It is where Europe meets Asia. Two days is not enough time to see even a fraction of what it has to offer. With only a few days here we will have to start early. In the morning we will visit the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya and the Basilica Cistern. After lunch we will go on a walking tour of the Grand Bazaar. This colourful and chaotic bazaar is the heart of the old city and has been for centuries. We will enjoy dinner in the Beyoglu district. (B, D)

APR 28 Our second day in Istanbul will be devoted to the Topaki Palace and the Bosphorous. We will spend the morning at the palace. The palace was the former court of the Ottoman Empire, visiting the palace’s pavilions, jewel filled treasury and sprawling harems gives a fascinating glimpse into their lives. In the afternoon we will go on a private cruise on the Bosphorous. The Bosphorous strait, between the Black Sea and Marmara Seas divide Europe from Asia. On this boat trip we will get the lay of the land and see why this city grew and became so important. (B, L)

APR 29 Today we travel to Gallipoli, a region equated with one of the most significant military battles of the 20th century. We will go through Anzac Cove to the battlefields, the Nek and Lone Pine and share the stories of heroism and camaraderie that unfolded among the tragedies of what has become a defining moment in Australian, New Zealand, and Newfoundland history. We will stay the night in this region. (B, L)

APR 30 After breakfast we will visit the ancient site of the city of Troy. Until the 19th century, many historians doubted that Troy was a real place. Its discovery in the 19th century revealed that in the ruins of Troy was not

a single city but rather a series of settlements built on top of each other. We will explore these ruins that were at one time the capital of one of the most powerful empires in the world. In the afternoon we will travel back to Istanbul where we will have a final dinner before the end of the trip. (B, D)

MAY 1 Return to Calgary.

Accompanying Resource PersonDr. Geoff Jackson earned his PhD from the University of Calgary and teaches in its history department. He is a widely published research associate at the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. For the last 10 years he has travelled extensively throughout the Mediterranean and brings a passion and deep understanding of the culture and history of Northern Greece and Turkey. His extensive knowledge will allow for the trip to include authentic experiences and give the participants insight into how this region has developed over the centuries.

CostsAirfare $1,900Tuition and other costs $6,400 GST $60TOTAL $8,360 Single supplement $1200

Cost includes: Tuition and four-week orientation course, airfare, accommodation, transfers, all surface travel, and meals as listed in the itinerary. A deposit of $500 is required with the registration form. There is a $200 withdrawal fee prior to the final payment date. Final payment is due on December 10, 2015. Please see the Refund Policy section for withdrawal/refund procedures and liabilities. Fees are based on the information available at the time of print and are subject to change to reflect any changes in currency rates, airfares, or land costs. There are possibilities of decreases or increases, and any changes will be reflected on the final payment and passed on to the participant. All fees are based on double occupancy.

11good thinking.

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Choose your adventure:■ Bali and Singapore John Gilchrist February 14 - 28, 2016 TRA 177-001

■ Yellowknife: Aurora Borealis at Its Best Dr. Wayne Lynch March 20 - 25, 2016 TRA 153-005

■ Portugal: An Historical and Gastronomic Journey Dr. John Humphrey April 7 - 24, 2016 TRA 184-001

■ Historical and Cultural Perspectives of Northern Greece and Turkey Dr. Geoff Jackson April 18 - May 1, 2016 TRA 178-001

■ Central Asia and Its Treasures Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Dr. Valery Efimenko April 21 - May 8, 2016 TRA 147-002

■ Turkey and Greece: Exploring the Eastern Aegean Dr. John Humphrey Sept 2 - 21, 2016 TRA 183-001

■ The First World War in Words and Walks Harry Vandervlist Sept 9 - 22, 2016 TRA 181-001

■ Mountain Moose and Autumn Colour Dr. Wayne Lynch Sept 16 - 18, 2016 TRA 180-001

■ The Great Bear Rainforest Dr. Wayne Lynch Sept 26 - Oct 1, 2016 TRA 175-003

■ Wild Argentina and Chile with Optional Extension to Easter Island Dr. Wayne Lynch Nov 14 - 29, 2016 Extension: Nov 29 - Dec 5, 2016 TRA 165-002

■ Harp Seal Helicopter Adventure Dr. Wayne Lynch March 1 - 8, 2017 TRA 179-001

■ Tanzania and the Serengeti Plains Dr. Wayne Lynch March 23 - April 8, 2017 TRA 161-002

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