The Sea of Homer

Exploring Greece,
the Greek Islands & Turkey

DISTINGUISHED GUEST LECTURER

Emily Wilson is a Professor in the Department of Classical Studies and holds the College for Women Class of 1963 Chair in the Humanities at the University of Pennsylvania. Her books include The Death of Socrates: Hero, Villain, Chatterbox, Saint (2007) and The Greatest Empire: A Life of Seneca (2014). Her verse translations include Six Tragedies of Seneca, four translations of plays by Euripides in the Modern Library The Greek Plays, and Oedipus Tyrannos. She is the Classics editor of the revised Norton Anthology of World Literature. Her 2017 translation of the Odyssey, in iambic pentameter, met with wide acclaim, as did her new translation of the Iliad, published in fall 2023. She is now working on translations of select dialogues of Plato, and a fictionalized retelling of the ancient myths associated with the Trojan War. She was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2019, and won a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2020.

The 4th-century BC theater of Epidaurus, Greece

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Patmos, Greece

The famous Lion Gate that leads to the citadel of Mycenae. c. 1350 BC, Greece

ITINERARY

Wednesday, July 1, 2026
DEPART THE UNITED STATES
Depart the United States.

Thursday, July 2
ATHENS, Greece
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the Athens Capital Hotel (or similar). Join Emily Wilson, fellow travelers and the Trip Director this evening for a welcome dinner. (D)

Friday, July 3
ATHENS
The ancient monuments of Athens are testimonials to a glorious past that gave birth to democracy and saw the beginnings of many of the arts and sciences at the core of the Western tradition. In the morning, tour the Agora, the civic and commercial center of ancient Athens and the living heart of its democracy. Here Socrates could be seen daily, questioning the assumptions of his fellow citizens. See the remains of the civic buildings and visit the Agora Museum, housed in an impressive reconstructed colonnaded building. In the afternoon, visit the National Archaeological Museum whose magnificent treasures trace the cultures and civilizations that developed in Greece from prehistoric times to the Roman period. (B,L)

Saturday, July 4
ATHENS
Today we will celebrate Independence Day at the beautiful grounds of the American School of Classical Studies or another appropriate venue. Our schedule of activities for the day will remain flexible, pending the confirmation and timetable of the event. Details will be provided later. (B,L)

Sunday, July 5
ATHENS/MYCENAE/NAFPLION/EPIDAURUS/ATHENS
Leave Athens in the morning. Drive over the steep banks of the Corinth Canal to reach Argolis, in the northeast Peloponnese, one of the most significant historic and archaeological regions of the country. Stop in Mycenae, the powerful center of the Mycenaean civilization, which flourished in the late second millennium BC, and the home of Agamemnon, who led the Greeks against Troy. Walk through the monumental Lion Gate to explore the fabled citadel. Continue to Nafplion, the capital of Greece before Athens and one of its most striking towns, for lunch at a seaside taverna. Then, drive to Epidaurus, the sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing, which in antiquity, was a religious shrine, health center and a popular spa. Epidaurus is famous for its incredible 4th-century BC theater, renowned for its harmonious proportions and perfect acoustics. Return to the hotel late in the afternoon. (B,L)

Monday, July 6
ATHENS/EMBARK
In the morning, tour the Acropolis, site of the incomparable Parthenon and other temples and structures built on the Acropolis in the 5th century BC. They represent the highest achievement in architecture and art of the Classical period. Also visit the Acropolis Museum, which houses an outstanding collection of sculptures. Transfer to Piraeus in the afternoon to embark EXPLORA II. Set sail in the evening. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, July 7
PATMOS
The rugged island of Patmos is where St. John the Evangelist was exiled during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian and where he is said to have received visions of the Apocalypse, which later became the Book of Revelation. Visit the 11th-century Monastery of St. John with its enormous towers, domed roofs, belfries and battlements. Admire the artistry of the icons, manuscripts and fine embroideries. Enjoy time at leisure in Chora, the island’s main town, one of the most beautiful in the Greek archipelago. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, July 8
AT SEA
Spend the day cruising in the fabled Aegean Sea, the “wine-dark sea” of Homer, attend informative lectures and briefings from Professor Emily Wilson, relax and enjoy journeying across the open sea, and treat yourself to some of the many amenities aboard EXPLORA II. (B,L,D)

Thursday, July 9
ISTANBUL, Turkey
Founded by Greeks in the 7th century BC and named Byzantion, in AD 324, Emperor Constantine made the city the capital of the Roman Empire, naming it after himself, Constantinople. For over 1,000 years, it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Renowned as the most resplendent city in Europe, in the 15th century it was taken over by the Ottoman Turks, making it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Spend the day touring the principal historic monuments, including the incomparable Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century; the Topkapi Palace, the sumptuous place of the sultans for three centuries; the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in the early 17th century, and decorated with hand-painted blue tiles; the Hippodrome; the underground Basilica Cistern; and the Grand Bazaar. (B,L,D)

Friday, July 10
AT SEA
Enjoy the ship’s facilities as EXPLORA II sails toward Kusadasi. (B,L,D)

Saturday, July 11
KUSADASI/PRIENE/EPHESUS
From Kusadasi, on Turkey’s Aegean coast, we drive to Priene, site of a well-preserved 4th-century BC city. Dominating the site is the imposing Temple of Athena, a superb example of Ionic architecture set against a backdrop of tree-covered hills. In the afternoon, explore Ephesus, one of the world’s most celebrated archaeological sites. Renowned in antiquity as a center of worship of the mother goddess Cybele, Ephesus was also one of the communities where St. Paul preached the gospel of Christianity. See the stunning façade of the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Theater, and other large public monuments, as well as more modest buildings that give a glimpse into the daily lives of the ancient Ephesians. (B,L,D)

Sunday, July 12
MYKONOS/DELOS/MYKONOS
Previously an island that relied on fishing and other traditional occupations, Mykonos transformed itself to become the most glamorous and high profile island of Greece, perhaps because of its main town, the quintessential traditional Cycladic town, a maze of narrow lanes and gleaming whitewashed cubic architecture that stretches from a hill that is crowned with the island’s famed windmills to the curving harbor. Take an excursion to Delos, the nearby small island that was sacred to the ancient Greeks as the birthplace of the divine twins, Apollo and Artemis. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delos is a vast archaeological site and a veritable open-air museum. Walk the Sacred Way to see the remains of sanctuaries, temples, the celebrated Terrace of the Lions, and houses, some of which contain exquisite mosaics. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Mykonos. (B,L,D)

Monday, July 13
PIRAEUS/DISEMBARK
Dock in the morning in Piraeus. Disembark and transfer to the airport for the return flight home. (B)

All accommodations aboard the EXPLORA II are spacious terrace suites that combine elegant space and light. They feature:

● The Ocean Terrace Suites measure between 377 – 420 sq ft.
● Oversize floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the sea.
● Bespoke king-sized bed sleep system. In some suites the bed can be converted to two twins.
● Lounge area with dining/coffee table.
● Heated marble bathroom floor and Mandala Blue custom bath toiletries and amenities.
● Spacious private ocean-front terrace with dining area and daybed or sun loungers for relaxation.
● Spacious walk-in wardrobe with a seated vanity area.
● Mini-bar replenished according to each guest’s preferences.
● Espresso machine, a kettle and teapot.
● Infotainment system with on-demand TV options.
● Individual climate and lighting control.
● Wireless bedside devise charging station.
● Gentle motion-activated bedroom night lights.
● Pair of binoculars for guests’ use during the journey.