Aegean Classical Studies: 11-Day Faculty-Led Greece & Turkey
Overview
Built for classics, history, archaeology and art-history departments running a short-term faculty-led programme. The route traces the Greek world across the Aegean - Athens, Delphi and Meteora, then Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus and the Ionian cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma. Every site is mapped to teaching outcomes, guides hold archaeological credentials rather than general tourism licences, and the logistics, risk assessment and 24/7 duty-of-care support are handled so faculty can teach.
At a glance
| Duration | 11 days / 10 nights |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Athens → Izmir |
| Group size | Designed for 15–35 students plus faculty |
| Activity level | Moderate - daily site walking on uneven archaeological terrain |
| Meals | 10 breakfasts, 9 dinners |
| Guiding | Licensed local guide, English (other languages on request) |
| Departures | January, May–June and December academic windows |
Tour highlights
- The Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Agora and the National Archaeological Museum in Athens
- Delphi - the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Tholos and the Charioteer
- The monasteries of Meteora on their sandstone pillars
- Troy, with the stratigraphy explained layer by layer
- Pergamon's acropolis, library site and Asklepion
- Ephesus, including the terrace houses under cover
- The Ionian triad: Priene's Hellenistic grid, Miletus' theatre and the Temple of Apollo at Didyma
- Free faculty places, one per fifteen paying students
- Pre-departure lecture pack and site-by-site reading list
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1 - Arrive Athens. Group airport meet, transfer and an evening orientation session with the academic lead.
Overnight: Athens -
Day 2 - Athens - Acropolis & Agora. The Acropolis and its museum in the morning, the Ancient Agora and Stoa of Attalos in the afternoon.
Overnight: Athens -
Day 3 - Athens - Museums & Cape Sounion. National Archaeological Museum, then the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion for sunset.
Overnight: Athens -
Day 4 - Delphi. Full day at Delphi: the Sacred Way, the Temple of Apollo, the stadium and the museum.
Overnight: Delphi -
Day 5 - Meteora. North to Kalambaka for the monasteries of Meteora and a session on Byzantine monasticism.
Overnight: Kalambaka -
Day 6 - Fly to Istanbul → Canakkale. Transfer to Thessaloniki, fly to Istanbul and continue to Canakkale on the Dardanelles.
Overnight: Canakkale -
Day 7 - Troy. A full teaching day at Troy with the excavation sequence walked in order, plus the Troy Museum.
Overnight: Canakkale -
Day 8 - Pergamon. The acropolis at Bergama - theatre, library terrace, Trajaneum - and the Asklepion.
Overnight: Izmir -
Day 9 - Ephesus. Ephesus in depth, including the terrace houses, the Great Theatre and the Ephesus Museum at Selcuk.
Overnight: Kusadasi -
Day 10 - Priene, Miletus & Didyma. Three Ionian cities in one day: Priene's grid plan, Miletus' theatre and baths, and the oracle temple at Didyma.
Overnight: Izmir -
Day 11 - Depart Izmir. Group transfer to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.
Overnight: -
What's included
- All airport and intercity transfers in modern air-conditioned vehicles
- Accommodation as listed, on a twin-share basis, with daily breakfast
- Professional English-speaking licensed guide throughout
- All entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary
- Local taxes, service charges and portage at hotels
- 24/7 on-tour support line and a Look Vacations tour manager
- One complimentary faculty place per 15 paying students
- Internal flight Thessaloniki–Istanbul and all ground transport
- Pre-departure risk assessment, emergency action plan and 24/7 duty-of-care line
- Site-specific reading list and pre-departure lecture pack
What's not included
- International flights to and from the start and end cities
- Travel insurance (required - we can recommend providers)
- Visas, passport fees and any border charges
- Lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary
- Drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature
- Optional excursions and gratuities for guide and driver
Accommodation
Centrally located three- and four-star hotels with twin and triple rooms for students and single rooms for faculty, all vetted for fire safety, night-desk staffing and secure access.
Who this tour is for
University and college departments running short-term study abroad, honours cohorts and classical civilisation programmes. We can align the route to a specific syllabus, add contact hours, or restructure it for credit-bearing delivery.
Good to know
Can the itinerary be changed to fit our syllabus?
Yes, and most departments do change it. Send us the module outline and we will rebuild the route around your learning outcomes.
What are the safeguarding and insurance arrangements?
You receive a written risk assessment per site, an emergency action plan, 24/7 emergency contact and evidence of our operator liability cover before departure.
How does student payment work?
We can invoice the institution directly or set up individual student payment plans with a deposit and staged instalments.
Book or ask a question
Prices are per person in twin-share accommodation, land only, and vary by departure date and group size. Tell us your preferred dates and we will confirm availability and a firm quote within one business day.
Call +1 202 770 5061 · email usa@lookvacations.com · or send an enquiry through the tour page.
