Uncover GREECE WITH DAME MARY BEARD
Don’t miss the chance to tour Athens with the eminent historian and take in the picturesque islands of Mamma Mia!
Ancient Greece influenced almost everything we take for granted today – from medicine and law to maths and philosophy to art and sport. Athens, the birthplace of Socrates and Plato, was the heart of the empire. The spectacular Parthenon that overlooks the city is a reminder of those times. Today, Athens is also a buzzing cosmopolitan hub.
During your 10-night holiday, you’ll spend three nights in the Greek capital, giving you plenty of time to explore the old and the new. From there, you will set sail for an exciting seven-night cruise on the Star Flyer tall ship around the islands of the Aegean, including Skiathos and Skopelos, both locations for the making of the hit film Mamma Mia!.
Bringing the history of Ancient Greece to life will be acclaimed classicist and author Dame Mary Beard. Mary, a fellow of Newnham College and professor of ancient literature at the Royal Academy of Arts, presented two episodes of the BBC series Civilisations. She will be on hand during two exclusive half-day tours of the sights of Athens. In the first, she’ll share her insights as you visit the Piraeus Museum, the Tower of Winds and the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. As the author of
The Parthenon, Mary is perfectly placed to lead the second excursion to the Acropolis – one of the world’s most iconic monuments. In between, you’ll be treated to an evening in Mary’s company, where she’ll deliver an exclusive talk before taking your questions.
‘The classical sites and museums of Greece open up to us, better than almost anything else, the achievements of Ancient Greek culture and “civilisation”,’ said Mary.
THE HIGHLIGHTS THE LAND OF THE GODS
According to Greek legend, Hephaestus, the blacksmith to the gods, forged Hermes’s winged helmet, Helios’s chariot and the armour of Achilles (spoiler: there was a design flaw). But he was thrown from the heavens by Zeus, landing on the island of Myrina Lemnos, one of the stops on your tour. You will also see the Temple of Poseidon on Poros, stroll through the lemon groves of Lemonodasos and visit Epidaurus’s ancient theatre that dates back to 340BC. You will also get a taste of Turkey, with a day in Dikili or on an excursion to Bergama, known in ancient times for its cotton, gold and fine carpets, where you can visit the Red Basilica, built around the time of Hadrian.
INSIGHT FROM MARY
There’s nothing like visiting landmarks with an expert guide to transport you back in time. And they don’t come much more expert in the classics than Professor Mary Beard. Mary will join you for two exclusive half-day tours of the sights of the Greek capital, including the ancient Acropolis and its museum. A professor of classics at Cambridge University, Mary has written books on the Parthenon and the classical art of Greece. She will also deliver an in-depth lecture and question and answer session in Athens.
THE ISLANDS OF MAMMA MIA!
On the trip, you will take in both Skiathos and Skopelos, two locations that feature in the hit film Mamma Mia!, which starred Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Amanda Seyfried. When you’ve finished location-spotting among the luscious olive groves, you can visit one of the island’s 120 churches, its delightful beaches, two convents, the monastery or the ruins of the island’s castle. In Skiathos, you will find stylish boutiques and plenty of souvenirs to snap up, as well as flower-filled gardens and the historic Old Town.
TRAVEL IN STYLE
Sailing aboard Star Clippers’ Star Flyer, one of the company’s luxurious tall ships, you will enjoy all the mod-cons of a luxury hotel. Dine in the elegant ship’s on-board restaurant, take a dip in one of the two swimming pools or just relax in the outdoor Tropical Bar or chic piano bar.