Greece: An Adventure Awaits Minnesota State University, Mankato Study Abroad Trip

Greece:An Adventure Awaits

Minnesota State University, MankatoStudy Abroad Trip

Destinations in Greece

AthensLoutraki

(city within Corinthia)

Wineries (Lafkiotis, Nemea and

Skouras)

Saronic Gulf Cruise (Aegina, Poros and Hydra)

NauplionEpidarus

MycenaeAcropolis (Athens)

Sounion

Ancient Corinth

Canal of Corinth

Lake Vouliagmeni

OlympiaDelphi (Not on itinerary)

Athens, Greece

Cultural Highlights of Athens

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square which is the central square adjacent to Parliament in Athens.

Folk dancing and entertainment at a local restaurant in Athens.

Other Highlights in Athens

Old Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece

– Visitors can run around the historic track and sit in the marble stadium

– Greece was host to the Olympics in 2004

Loutraki

http://www.city-of-loutraki.gr/

Loutraki Highlights

Beaches

Access to several sightseeing day excursions

Blue Lake

Heraion

Loutraki is the seat of the municipality Loutraki-Perachora. It is largely a tourist town, and is well-known in Greece for its vast natural springs. The name itself, Loutraki derives from the Greek word for Spring.

Wineries

Lafkiotis

Nemea (Wine Coop)

Skouras

Lafkiotis Winery

Family-owned winery located in that has been in operation for 40 years. Wine is aged in French, oak barrels in environment-controlled cellars. Lafkiotis exports to several countries around the world including the United States. ( www.lafkiotis.gr)

Nemea (Wine Coop)

A Greek Wine Coop established in 1937, which now includes all vine-growers in the region.

http://www.greekproducts.com/nemea/

Skouras Winery

In 1966 George Skouras built a modest winery at Gymno, a tiny vineyard commune inside the Nemea Appellation. Since then he has grown tremendously and is on the forefront of Greek Wine Industry.

www.skouraswines.com

Saronic Gulf Cruise

Leaving Athens to reach Aegina, Poros and Hydra Islands

Aegina Island

Aegina Island

Picturesque houses

Horses pulling carriages

Busy port with cruise ships, fishing boats, dolphins, catamarans

Small in size – only 83 square kilometers

Olive tree hillsides

Poros Island

Population of 3,500

Serviced by ferries

Island named for Poseidon “God of the Sea”

33 square kilometers

Poros Island

Unique icon souvenirs are available on the island.

Hydra Island

Beautiful port village

Cafes/restaurants

Most popular Saronic Gulf Island compared with Aegina, Angistri, Poros and Spetsis

Gold shops

Nauplion

Belltower of Fortress of Palamidi

View of Bay of Nauplion

Nauplion

Looming castles

Marble pavements

Remarkable architecture

Elegant mainland cityBelltower of Fortress of Palamidi

Epidaurus

Epidaurus was built around the 3rd Century BC and is adorned with a multitude of buildings most famous of which is the ancient Theater of Epidaurus.

“If a coin drops in the center – you can hear it anywhere in the theater”

Mycenae

High above the modern town of Mycenae, the excavated ruins of the original city state are found. Some of the famous ruins include the lions gate and the royal tombs

Acropolis

View of Acropolis from below the hill in Athens

Acropolis: Erechtheion

Construction began in 420Built to accommodate religious ritualsFamous for the six caryatids which support the structure

Acropolis: Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus

Acropolis - Parthenon

The Parthenon is temple of the Greek Goddess Athena and considered the most important surviving building of classical Greece.

Acropolis: Museum

The museum consists of nine galleries mapped out in chronological order display art from the acropolisThis photo is of Nike unloosening her sandal.  The relief is from the parapet of the bastion of the temple of Athena Nike. Dated to circa 410 BCE.

Sounion

Southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula

Ruins of the ancient Greek Temple of Poseidon – “the god of the sea” in classical mythology

Offers a beautiful view of the Aegean Sea

Sounion

Coastal Views Near Sounion

Coastal Views Near Sounion

Ancient Corinth

Ancient Corinth

Greek city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth

Founded circa 6,000 BC

Visited by Apostle Paul

Destroyed by an Earthquake in 1858

Tied to many historical eras including; Prehistoric, Classical, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman

Castle of Corinth

The Castle Rests at the Top of the Hill

Canal of Corinth

Connects the Ionic and Aegean Seas

Canal of Corinth

Ionic Sea Side of the Canal

Canal of Corinth

Aegean Sea Side of the Canal

Lake Vouliagmeni

Population of 4,000

Sits on Hymettus Mountain

Beaches

Site of 2004 Summer Olympics

Olympia

Stadium at Olympia

Olympia

Site of the Olympic Games in classical times

Olympic Games date back further than 776 BC

In 394 emperor Theodosius I abolished them because they were reminiscent of paganism

Delphi

Delphi is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece, known for the oracle which influenced world affairs for over 1,000 years

Also known as the belly button of the world

Delphi

Delphi

Delphi

Scenic View Near Delphi

Group Photo at Delphi Marker

Questions?

Thanks and I look forward to traveling with you and sharing in this exciting experience!

OPA!