Including concerts of the

Thessaly Chamber

Music Festival

Exploring Landmark Historic Sites & Idyllic IslandsTREASURES OF GREECE

September 29 – October 12, 2020

Presents

Dear Friends,

I invite you to join me and members of The Cultural Center on an extraordinarycustom-made journey to Greece. Scheduled to take place in fall 2020, one of thebest times of the year to visit this fabled land, the journey includes several specialarrangements that were set up just for us.

Fronted by the longest coastline of any country in Europe, Greece presents an extraordinary variety of attractions that include magnificent landscapes, idyllic islands and ancient sites and monuments that have survived through the centuries.While these attractions have made Greece a popular travel destination, there areareas and islands of this fabled land that are incredibly beautiful and important, yetthey remain “hidden” and undisturbed by mass tourism. We designed this itinerary toinclude places that are “undiscovered,” places that will fascinate and delight you.

Our journey of this unusual and unique discovery will begin in northern Greece,specifically in Thessaloniki, the biblical Thessalonica, also known as Salonica.Founded in the 4th century BC on the head of a spacious bay, and named after thehalf-sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki has remained prosperous, vibrant andcosmopolitan since its founding almost 2,500 years ago. From here, we will continueto Thessaly in central Greece. One of the country’s most surprising and interesting regions, Thessaly borders Mount Olympus and was the home of “god-like” Achilles,the hero of Homer’s Iliad. It was also the home of Jason, who led the Argonauts intheir expedition to fetch the Golden Fleece. The legendary stories of Achilles andJason reveal a land that has been inhabited since deep antiquity. Among the sites we will explore here are the incredible medieval monasteries of Meteora (“monasteries in mid-air”), and glorious Pelion and its old traditional villages. FromThessaly, we will venture into the world of the Aegean Sea, where we will explore twoof its most attractive islands, Skiathos and Skopelos.

We have timed our journey to coincide with the Thessaly Chamber Music Festival. Theancient Greeks believed that music was a gift from the gods. In fact, the word musiccomes from Muses, the nine mythological daughters of Zeus, who were the patrongoddesses of learning and the arts. In addition to the many discoveries we will makeon this journey, it is Indeed befitting that while we are in the land that contributed somuch to our Western tradition, we will be able to attend concerts of sublime classicalmusic.

We are most pleased to to have on this journey Dr. Helen C. Evans as the ExpertGuest Lecturer. The Curator of Byzantine Art at New York’s Metropolitan Museum ofArt, Dr. Evans is one of the world’s pre-eminent scholars of Byzantine culture and art.Her lectures and discussions will enrich your understanding of the places we will visit,including Thessaloniki, the city that is richly endowed with important monuments dating from late antiquity and the Byzantine periods, and awe-inspiring Meteora.

Whether you are a first time traveler to Greece, or have visited the country before, thisis a journey of rewarding and memorable experiences. Join us to discover extraordinary places that are beyond the usual tourist itineraries.

Best wishes,

Donna Guzzo,Executive Director

Cover: Skopelos

Meteora, “the monasteries in mid-air” EXPERT GUEST LECTURER

Dr. Helen C. Evans, as the Mary and MichaelJaharis Curator for Byzantine Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, has spent extensive time in Constantinople, Thessalonikiand Ravenna - major cities of the ByzantineEmpire at differing times over its long history.At The Met, she has curated the award–winningexhibitions The Glory of Byzantium(843-1261) in 1997, Byzantium: Faith andPower (1261-1557) in 2004, Byzantium andIslam: Age of Transition in 2012, and most recently Armenia! in 2018. The New YorkTimes, the Wall Street Journal, the WashingtonPost, Apollo Magazine and others have praisedthe exhibitions as among the most importantcultural events of their years. The catalogue ofher exhibition Byzantium: Faith and Power(1261-1557) won the award for the best bookon Byzantine art of its year. Byzantium andIslam: Age of Transition won the World BookAward for the best new book in Islamic Studiesfrom The Ministry of Culture and Religious Guidance, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran.Dr. Dr. Evans has taught courses on Byzantineand Armenian art at New York University andColumbia University, where she is adjunct professor. She has lectured widely in Europeand America. She received her B.A. with Honors from Newcomb College of Tulane University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from The Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. Sheis president of The International Center for Medieval Art (ICMA) and immediate past-president of the Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) and AAMC Foundation.

ITINERARYTuesday, September 29, 2020DEPART THE USADepart the United States for Thessaloniki,Greece.

Wednesday, September 30THESSALONIKI, GreeceArrive in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largestcity. Transfer to the Hotel Electra Palace, locatedin the center of the city. Founded in 316 BC at ahead of a spacious bay and named after thehalf-sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki,the biblical Thessalonica, is renowned for itsmonuments dating from late antiquity and theByzantine era. Under Justinian, it became thesecond most important city in the ByzantineEmpire. Thessaloniki was also for centurieshome to a thriving Jewish community and animportant center of learning and scholarship. St. Paul preached here in AD 49-50, and addressed two of his epistles to the citizens ofthe city. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.Meals: D

Thursday, October 1THESSALONIKIIn the morning, tour the city’s important monuments, including the remains of the Palaceof Galerius, the Roman emperor who lived inthe city; the Rotonda, built as an imperial mausoleum, later converted to the church ofAghios Georgios; and the Arch of Galerius. Also,visit the superb Museum of Byzantine Culture.In the afternoon, visit the city’s Byzantinechurches, including Aghia Sofia, dating from the 8th century; the church of Holy Apostles, decorated with striking 14th century mosaics;

Volos

Athens

Pelion

MiliesVyzitsa

Makrinitsa

Skiathos

Skopelos

AegeanSea

IonianSea

Larissa

GREECE

Meteora

Trikala

Thessaloniki

Vergina

Dimini

Ship routeMotor route

Air route

and the Cathedral of Aghios Dimitrios, a 5th-century basilica dedicated to the guardianof the city. Meals: B

Friday, October 2THESSALONIKI/VERGINA/LARISSAIn the morning drive to Vergina, the ancientMacedonian royal capital, where we will visitthe incredibly sumptuous temple-like royaltombs, including that of Philip II, the father ofAlexander the Great. His tomb yielded treasuresin gold, which we will see in the ArchaeologicalMuseum. Vergina is a UNESCO World HeritageSite. After lunch, continue through the sceniccountryside of Macedonia and Thessaly toLarissa, the vibrant capital of the region ofThessaly. Our home in Larissa will be the HotelDivani, located in the center of the city,

overlooking the 3rd-century BC theater, and nearrestaurants, cafes and boutiques. In theevening, attend the opening concert of theThessaly Chamber Music Festival, held in themain auditorium of the Larissa Conservatory.Meals: B, L

Saturday, October 3LARISSALocated in central Greece, Thessaly is one of the country’s most interesting areas, yet itmostly remains beyond its usual tourist destinations. Strabo, the ancient geographerand historian, called it, “a country mostblessed.” In the morning, visit the DiachronicMuseum, whose exhibits of artifacts chroniclethe history of Larissa and Thessaly from thePaleolithic period to the late Byzantine era, a span of about 10,000 years. Enjoy the

Portaria, Pelion

FOR RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL TOLL-FREE 866–633-3611

Discover places in Greece that are of singular beauty and importance, yet theyremain “undiscovered” and authentic.

Attend chamber music concerts performedby internationally accomplished musicians.

Learn from Dr. Helen C. Evans, one of theworld’s foremost experts of Byzantine culture and art.

Explore Skiathos and Skopelos, consideredto be among the most beautiful of theGreek islands.

Visit Meteora, the incredible “monasteriesin mid-air.”

Tour the sumptuous temple-like tomb ofPhilip II, the father of Alexander the Great.

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

of Portaria. Afternoon at leisure in Volos.Evening concert at the Volos Conservatory.Meals: B, L Wednesday, October 7VOLOSVisit in the morning Volos’ attractive Archaelogical Museum. Highlights of the collection include the outstanding Neolithic(6500 - 3500 BC) figurines, the painted stelaefrom the Hellenistic period, and gold jewelry. Continue to the neoclassical building that is theheadquarters of the Lyceum of Women of Volos,an educational, cultural and philanthropicinstitution, where we will be hosted by its officers. Exhibited is a wonderful collection oftraditional costumes. The afternoon is free forindependent activities.Meals: B

Thursday, October 8VOLOS/MILIES/VYZITSA/VOLOSDrive in the morning along the coastal road, andthen up the slope of Pelion to the picturesque

led the Argonauts in quest of the fabled GoldenFleece.Meals: B, L

Tuesday, October 6VOLOS & PELIONAscend in the morning the road to the Pelionmassif. As in antiquity, thick forests of chestnut,oak, beech, olive and fruit orchards cover theslopes of Pelion. According to Greek mythology,Pelion was the home of the centaurs, depictedas half–man, half–horse creatures. The profusionof vegetation, the magnificent scenery, the surrounding blue sea, the villages with the preserved architecture, and the friendly andhospitable people make Pelion one of themost beautiful and welcoming places inGreece. Explore Makrinitsa, one of Pelion’smost striking villages. Built on the side of ahigh hill, Makrinitsa is known as “Pelion’s balcony,” on account of its superb position thatopens up to wide vistas. Old timber-framedhouses with slate roofs are built on steep terraces. Enjoy lunch at the neighboring village

afternoon at leisure. Late in the afternoon,drive to the Folk Museum of Larissa. After viewing its interesting exhibits, attend a concert at the Museum’s auditorium, followed by dinner at a local taverna.Meals: B, D

Sunday, October 4LARISSA/METEORA/TRIKALA/LARISSALeave Larissa in the morning for Meteora(“monasteries in mid-air”), one of the most extraordinary sights in Greece and in all Europe.Rising from Thessaly’s valley are gigantic rockson top of which are monasteries built by hermitssome 600 years ago. At this UNESCO World Heritage site, we will visit the monastery of St.Varlaam, originally founded in the 14th century,which is covered with fine frescoes. Themonastery’s refectory has been turned to a museum to house the monastic treasures. Enjoylunch at a local restaurant, and then continue tonearby Trikala. The Homeric Trikke, Trikala is thereputed birthplace of Aesculapius, the god ofhealing. Explore this interesting and progressivetown, and after dinner at a restaurant servinglocal specialties, attend a concert held at theCultural Center, before returning to Larissa.Meals: B, L, D

Monday, October 5LARISSA/DIMINI/VOLOSDrive in the morning to Dimini, one of the mostimportant Neolithic settlements in Greece, located near Volos. Settled around 5,000 BC,Dimini’s excavated houses, workshops and narrow streets give a vivid picture of a Neolithicvillage. Continue to Volos for lunch, and thencheck-in at the Hotel Xenia, built in a lovely spotoverlooking the sea. Situated on a broad bay,the university city of Volos, Thessaly’s main portcity, occupies the site of Bronze Age lolcos, thehome of Jason, and the place from which he

Typical street in Skopelos Larissa’s 3rd-century BC theater

Chamber Music Hellas concert at a Byzantine church

village of Milies, where we will visit the smallchurch of Taxiarchon, which is covered with luminous 18th-century frescoes. Nearby is Vyzitsa, with its many well-preserved old mansions built in the traditional architecturalstyle of Pelion. Home-style lunch has been prepared for us by the village’s folk, folowed bya concert held at the 18th-century church ofTaxiarchon, whose interior is covered with exquisite frescoes.Meals: B, L

Friday, October 9VOLOS/SKIATHOS ISLANDIn the morning, board a ferry at the port ofVolos. Cruise in the great Pagasitic Gulf andthe Aegean Sea to Skiathos, where we will arrive early in the afternoon. Known for its extensive forests of pine, incredibly beautifulcoves and sandy beaches, Skiathos has beeninhabited at least since the 7th century BC.Our home in Skiathos will be the Hotel Elivi,an excellent beach-front resort.Meals: B, L

Saturday, October 10SKIATHOS/SKOPELOS/SKIATHOSSail in the morning from Skiathos to the neighboring island of Skopelos. Chora, the island’s main town, climbs up and around ahill like an amphitheater. Its setting and distinctive traditional architecture make it oneof the loveliest in the Greek islands. Explorethe town on foot and visit several of its oldchurches, including the 11th-century church of Aghios Athanasios, with wall paintings fromthe 16th century; the church of the Panaghia,with fine frescoes; and the Folklore Museum,whose collections include colorful traditionalgarments. Return to Skiathos in the afternoon.Meals: B, L

Sunday, October 11SKIATHOSIn the morning explore the island, starting inSkiathos’ old town, with its labyrinthine alleyways, and then to the monastery of Evangelistria, sited in a superb tree-clad hillside. Facing a courtyard is the dignified18th-century monastery. Afternoon at leisureto enjoy Skiathos and the resort’s facilities onyour own. In the evening, attend the closingconcert of the Festival, followed by a farewelldinner.Meals: B, D

Monday, October 12SKIATHOS/ATHENS/USATransfer to the airport for the flight to Athens toconnect with the flight home.Meals: B

White Tower, Thessaloniki

Skiathos

Alley in the picturesque village of Makrinitsa, Pelion

THE THESSALY CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVALWe have planned our journey to coincide with the Thessaly Chamber Music Festival, whosesix concerts we will attend. The festival is under the aegis of Chamber Music Hellas, a NewYork-based non-profit organization, and its Artistic Director, Lowell Liebermann, one of America’s most esteemed composers of classical music, who will also participate in the festival as a pianist. Other participating musicians include Bil Jackson, acclaimed as one ofthe premier clarinetists of our time and praised by The New York Times for his “beautifully inspired artistry;” violinist Cathy Meng Robinson, cellist Keith Robinson, and violist ScottLee, the three founding members of the Miami String Quartet, which has won many awardsand accolades, including the Grand Prize at the Fischoff competition; and William Hobbs, apiano recitalist who has performed throughout America, Europe and Asia.

2020 marks the third consecutive year of the Thessaly Chamber Music Festival. Travelers whoattended the previous festivals have been delighted by the exceptional musicianship of theperformers, the variety of the music presented and the intimacy of the experience.

“The music was fabulous, and all the other arrangements were wonderful.” L.S., Chicago, IL

“It was an extraordinary trip, and I have been telling all my musical friends about how specialit was.” O.H., Woods Hole, MA

“A lovely memory and so well done.” H.S., New York, NY

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GENERAL I N FORMAT I ONPAYMENT SCHEDULE: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment can be made by personal check or charged to a credit card.CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: All cancellations are subject to a $300 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received 61-90 days prior todeparture will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received within 60 days of departure aresubject to 100% cancellation penalties. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this programin which you choose not to participate.INSURANCE:We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction withcancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travelprogram, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. ITINERARY: The itinerary, accommodations and arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of Thalassa Journeys.RESPONSIBILITY: Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the traveler and Thalassa Journeys and the tour’s sponsoring organization. Thalassa Journeys and the tour’s sponsoring organization act solely as agents for the traveler with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. In that capacity, we exercise all reasonable carepossible to ensure the traveler’s safety and satisfaction, but, we neither assume nor bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriageor other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the traveler or in affecting these tours. We are not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike,war, civil disturbances, acts or threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance,quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the traveler, and tour rates provide for arrangementsonly for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the traveler shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour(s) as may be offered by us, orelse, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the traveler’s behalf from carriers, third-partytour vendors, etc., but, we shall not have any obligation or liability to the traveler beyond the foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations tothe tour’s itinerary and to substitute hotels, transportation methods, or lecturers if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, orreschedule any tour prior to departure, and, so long as this is not due to any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the traveler shall be entitledto a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding theirdeposit(s), the traveler certifies that he/she and/or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or othercondition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other travelers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain anyperson as a member of any tour should such person’s health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety of other travelersor impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the traveler’s risk entirely, and, we shallbear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be affected exclusively in the state or federal courts presiding in the City of New York, pursuant to applicable New York law. RATES: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change.

Preference at hotels:

Double accommodation q

Single accommodation q

Share with

No.

Exp. 3- or 4-Digit Security Code

R A T E$6,190 per person, double occupancy.Single room supplement: $970

P R O G R A M I N C L U S I O N S■ Two nights in Thessaloniki’s Hotel Electra Palace; three nights at Larissa’s Hotel Divani; four nights at the Hotel Xenia, Volos; three nights at the Hotel Elivi, Skiathos.

■ American breakfast each morning at the hotels.■ Seven lunches and four dinners, as noted in the itinerary, with wine or beer.

■ Ground transportation within Greece with air-conditioned, Wi-Fi equipped motor coach.

■ Lectures and discussions by Dr. Helen C. Evans.■ All tours and excursions as per the itinerary, with professional English-speaking guide.

■ Airport/hotel/pier transfers and handling of luggage.

■ Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums.

■ Entrance fees to the concerts.■ Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers.■ All local taxes and service charges.■ The services of an experienced trip director.■ Complete pre–departure material.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare for International flights and airfare from Skiathos to Athens; expenses of a personal nature; meals and other items not mentionedin the itinerary and the Program Inclusion.

Golden diadem found in the grave of King Philip II, Vergina

Join Donna Guzzo & the members of The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beachon a journey to the Treasures of GreeceSeptember 29 - October 12, 2020

50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

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866-633-3611