The western region of modern-day Turkey is home to a group of cities founded about 3,000 years ago by colonists from Greece and subsequently ruled by a succession of empires from both east and west. The greatest of these is the city we now know as Istanbul. Beginning here, where Emperor Constantine renamed Byzantium after himself and designated it the new capital of the Roman Empire, we make our way along the eastern shores of the Aegean to discover these cities and learn their histories. Our first visits are to the Mycenean ruins of Troy and the island of Chios, Homer's birthplace. Continuing along the route of Alexander the Great's early conquests, we explore ancient Priene and stunning Ephesus, where St. Paul preached the Christian gospel. On Patmos we visit the cave where St. John received visions of the Apocalypse, and in Rhodes we explore the medieval stronghold of the Crusader Knights of St. John. Along the mountainous coast to the south, we visit the ancient Lycian capital of Xanthos, the Hellenistic complexes at Perge and Aspendos, ancient Greek Seleukeia, and Roman Olba-Diocaesarea. End the tour with a visit to Athens, the ancient city of philosophers and the birthplace of democracy. Travel with guest lecturers, Karen Armstrong, renowned author on the world’s religions and cultures, and John Prevas, Professor of Classics at the University of South Florida.
Lowest category cabins from $9,890 per person plus airfare
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