A Summer Tour of Ancient and Modern Athens
The Paideia Institute invites you to join us for a one-week tour of Athens in July 2024. This curated experience will give you the opportunity to explore ancient and contemporary Athens side by side through the city’s most iconic archaeological landmarks, museums, and scenic neighborhoods.
Each guided activity is led by the Paideia Institute's expert docents and paired with a meal at some of Athens’s most sought-after restaurants and tavernas. Savor delicious food, exquisite wine, and excellent conversation!
Itinerary
Monday, July 15: The Acropolis
The obligatory first stop on any trip to Athens! Hike up to the ancient high city and through the gates of the Propylaea to see the magnificent temples built in the 5th century BCE under the order of Pericles: the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and, of course, the Parthenon. Afterwards, stroll down to the modern Acropolis Museum to view, among the museum’s rich collection of artifacts excavated at the Acropolis, iconic kouros and kore sculptures from the Archaic and Classical periods as well as the original caryatids of the Erechtheion.
Lunch at: The Acropolis Museum Restaurant, Dionysiou Areopagitou 15.
The iconic 5th century BCE temple of Athena Parthenos.
Tuesday, July 16: The Ancient Agora
The center of political and civic life in the ancient city-state, the archaeological remains of the Athenian agora offer a glimpse into the once bustling marketplace shared by marble workers, merchants, politicians, and philosophers. Some highlights of the agora include: the remarkably well-preserved Doric Temple to Hephaestus, the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, and the Bouleuterion assembly house. Stop by the museum housed inside the Stoa of Attalos to view artifacts relating to the institutions and workings of ancient Athenian democracy.
Dinner at: Ellevoro, Rovertou Galli 2.
The restored Stoa of Attalos at the Athenian agora.
Wednesday, July 17: The National Archaeological Museum
Home to the most extensive collection of Greek archaeological artifacts worldwide, the National Archaeological Museum offers a sweeping survey of Greek art from prehistory to late antiquity. The museum’s Mycenaean collection includes the renowned golden funerary Mask of Agamemnon, so-called by 19th century amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann during his controversial excavations at the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae. Uncover Greece's archaeological past through magnificent artifacts and the often surprising stories of how they were found.
Lunch at: Rozalia, Valtetsiou 59.
The Bronze Age "Mask of Agamemnon".
Thursday, July 18: Day Trip to Sounion
Take in the sea breeze and spectacular views of the Aegean on a day trip to Cape Sounion, just an hour south of Athens. Watch the sunset glow through the archaeological remains of the Temple of Poseidon, a sight that has inspired countless poets and travelers throughout the ages. But please don’t carve your name into the temple’s marble columns, as Lord Byron did on his Grand Tour in the early 1800s!
Lunch at: Sardelaki, Leof. Poseidonos 18, Vouliagmeni.
The Temple of Poseidon, overlooking Cape Sounion.
Friday, July 19: The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
Founded by art collector Antonis Benakis in the 1930s, the Benaki Museum's collection of cultural artifacts showcases the timeline of post-Classical Greek history and the diverse range of civilizations that have influenced Greek culture. Housed in the Benakis family's stately Neoclassical residence in central Athens, the museum's collection includes historic textiles, household items, toys, decorative arts, and traditional dress dating from Byzantine times through the last century. Connect with the rich legacy of Greek cultural heritage beyond ancient times!
Dinner at: Kuzina, Adrianou 9.
The Benaki's collection includes examples of historic Greek interiors and decorative arts.
Who can join Athenian Adventure?
Please note that there are no linguistic or academic prerequisites to attend Athenian Adventure. Though we welcome participants who have a background in the Classical languages and humanities, all programming will be in English and will be accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Paideia’s Athenian Adventure takes place during the first week of Living Greek in Greece High School so that parents whose children are attending the high school program can explore the city and get a taste of the immersive Classical experiences that we offer our students. The Athenian Adventure itinerary includes some of the sites that our students visit during Living Greek in Greece, but please note that all Athenian Adventure programming takes place separately from the high school group’s schedule.
We also welcome participants who are not connected to our other programs and just want to enjoy an enriching summer holiday in Athens!
Registration
The cost to attend Athenian Adventure is $150 per day, which covers our guides, site entrance fees, one group meal per day, and a chartered bus for the day trip to Sounion. Participants are welcome to register à la carte for the days they wish to attend, or join for the whole week for the reduced cost of $700. Athenian Adventure does not include group accommodation, but we recommend the Herodion Hotel or the Philippos Hotel for your stay in Athens.
Please register for Athenian Adventure no later than May 1st, 2024, using the form below.
If you have any questions or require special accommodations during any meals or site visits, please reach out to us at [email protected].