In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great: from Boy to King Archaeological Tour
Dates - Mon May 2 - Sat May 21 2011
Price - 5,100 euros per person (Sing Supp: 855 euros)
Maximum 18 guests
Tour Price includes: Full board accommodation (except
lunch and dinner on day 10) (hotels 3-5*), All road transfers, All entrance
fees, 17 day excursions with expert guide
Excludes: Flights and airport taxes, Visas, Travel
insurance.
This archaeological tour in Greece
and the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia , is a unique
opportunity to retrace the early footsteps of Alexander the Great, from his
birth through to the beginning of his extraordinary 22,000 mile journey of
conquest. We will explore the lakes and forests of Western Macedonia, the new
cities of Herakleia Lynkestis and Philippi and the rich and fertile heartland
of the kingdom itself: Pella , Vergina and Edessa. We will visit
the sites of some of the most famous sieges and battles that accompanied this
rapid expansion, from the cities of Methone, Olynthos and Stageira to the
battlefield of Chaironeia.
Having explored the epicentre of Alexander’s kingdom,
and stood in the magnificent tomb where his father was laid to rest, we will
head south into the heartland of ancient Greece . Here we’ll investigate the
cities and sanctuaries that played a key role in the development of Macedonia , from Delphi to Corinth
, Olympia to Athens , some of the most significant sites
in the ancient world.
Our adventure finishes in the most important sanctuary
of the Macedonians, Dion, where Alexander feasted with his men and prepared
them for the battles and marches to come on their epic journey east.
About Alexander the Great and this Tour
The name of Alexander the Great resonates through history. One of the greatest generals of all time, he marched out from a small country in the southern Balkans and conquered one of the largest Empires the world has ever seen, dying at just 32 years of age in the famed city of Babylon.
Where did he come from? How was he able to accomplish such staggering feats? What prepared him for a lifetime of conquest?
All these questions and more will be answered on a fantastic new trip to the heartland of Alexander’s kingdom, Macedonia, and the Greek cities that provided his army with much needed allies, supplies and support. With Peter Sommer Travels you will explore Alexander’s world from the Palace in which he was born to the rural idyll where he and his companions were taught by Aristotle. From the mountainous cantons of Western Macedonia to the new cities of Herakleia Lynkestis in
the north and Philippi in the East. From the heartland of the Macedonian kingdom to the battlefield of Chaironeia and the besieged towns of Methone, Olynthos and Stageira. You will stand in Vergina, at the theatre where Alexander’s father was assassinated and he himself was proclaimed King, before walking into the magnificent burial mound to see the riches of the deceased royalty of Macedonia.
As soon as Alexander had been crowned King, he was forced to march south into central Greece to confront rebellious allies and subjects. You will follow in his trail, visiting the magnificent sanctuaries of Delphi and Olympia, and the great cities of old Greece: Corinth, Athens and Thebes, a city that would be crushed into dust by the untamed might of Alexander.
You will visit all of these sites and museums in the company of guides who are experts in ancient and modern Greece, as well as the story of Alexander himself. But you will experience so much more besides: stunning vistas, wonderful hotels, some of the best food and wine that Greece has to offer, and a real insight into the modern culture of this complex country.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet in Thessaloniki for a welcome drink and dinner, and an introduction to the tour.
Day 2: We will begin the tour with a visit to the rich collections in the archaeological museum of Thessaloniki, followed by a stroll around some of the most iconic monuments of this great city.
Day 3: Leaving Thessaloniki, we will head to Pella, site of Alexander’s birth, to explore the fantastic new museum and the city itself before continuing on to Mieza, where Aristotle taught Alexander and his companions in a beautiful river-side setting.
Day 4: We will drive out of Greece and into the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where we will have lunch in the town of Bitola (old Monastir) and tour the site of Herakleia Lynkestis. Returning to Greece, we will travel through the rich forests of Western Macedonia.
Day 5: We will explore the western cantons of Macedonia, from Kastoria to Kozani, and then on to the famous waterfalls of Edessa and its magnificent views over the Macedonian plain.
Day 6: Alexander was just 8 years old when his father sacked Olynthos and sold its citizens into slavery. After exploring the city, we will drive to the Sithonia peninsula to view Mount Athos, into which Alexander’s architect, Deinocrates, planned to carve an enormous portrait of the great King.
Day 7: On to Stageira, the home town of Alexander’s tutor, Aristotle, and another casualty of Philip II’s expansionary policies. We will finish the day at Amphipolis, a major Macedonian military base, and the final gathering point for Alexander’s invasion of the Persian Empire.
Day 8: Thasos, a rich island state, is our objective for the day. The peaceful island capital is a beguiling mixture of modern town and ancient ruins, and we will stroll from site to site before enjoying a relaxed lunch by the sea.
Day 9: We will visit the easternmost city in Macedonia, Philippi, which was founded by Philip II to control the local gold mines and protect the route from Macedonia to the east, along which Alexander later led his armies.
Day 10: Returning to the Macedonian plain, we will spend a day relaxing at a quiet hotel near Naoussa.
Day 11: Vergina: In the early morning light we will stand at the entrance to the theatre where Philip II was assassinated and Alexander was proclaimed King. We will enter the magnificent tomb that Alexander prepared for his father, and then begin our journey south to the cities and sanctuaries at the heart of the Greek world.
Day 12: Heading south in Alexander’s footsteps, as he responded to reports of revolt amongst Macedonia’s Greek allies, we will visit the battlefield of Chaironeia, where at just 18 years of age Alexander had led the Macedonian cavalry in a charge that shattered the Theban army and won the day.
Day 13: Delphi: one of the greatest sanctuaries of the ancient world, and a major preoccupation for Alexander’s father.
Day 14: Olympia: after he had won the battle of Chaironeia, Philip II paid for the construction of a building that contained beautiful ivory and gold statues of his close family, thereby demonstrating to everyone that Alexander was his chosen successor: he was the only one of Philip’s children to be portrayed.
Day 15: Corinth: headquarters of the league of Greek states that Philip and Alexander assembled to support their expedition to the east. We will visit the temples and market place in the centre of the ancient town, before climbing up to the fortified citadel to enjoy magnificent views over the Argo-Saronic gulf.
Day 16: Athens: this city was a major early adversary of Alexander. We will begin our stay here by climbing up to the Acropolis and exploring its wonderful new museum.
Day 17: The morning is given over to private time and relaxation. In the afternoon we will head to the National Archaeological Museum to see some of the greatest treasures in Greece.
Day 18: Thebes: implacable adversary of Macedon, its people rejoiced when they heard a false rumour that Alexander had died, and rose up against the garrison he had placed in their citadel. Their fate at his hands was to serve as a warning to all the other Greek cities whose loyalties were suspect.
Day 19: We finish our tour at Dion, the most important Macedonian sanctuary, where Alexander marshaled his troops and made sacrifices to Zeus in order to gain his blessing for the campaign that he was about to undertake. We will end the day in Thessaloniki, with time for last minute shopping before a farewell dinner.
Day 20: Transfer to the airport at Thessaloniki for flights home.
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