It isn’t every day that A Level classicists get the opportunity to visit Greece, so when the opportunity arose, I grabbed it with both hands! The trip would take us across Southern Greece to sites like the Athenian Acropolis, Olympia (the site of the Olympic Games), and many more.
Determined to inspire other young classicists to visit Greece, I decided to document my experiences in a travelogue, capturing every moment along the way.
Day 1: Embarking on an epic adventure
Our tour began on a spring Monday morning. The first leg of our odyssey involved a coach ride from college to Manchester Airport, followed by a 3 hour flight to Athens International. After a total of 12 hours of travel, we arrived at our hotel, filled with anticipation to explore the wonders of Southern Greece.
Day 2: Ascending the Acropolis
The day kicked off with a guided tour of the Athenian Acropolis, offering breathtaking views and a chance to explore iconic buildings like the Parthenon, Propylaea and Erechtheion – classical architecture that we had studied, but was even more impressive in person. We learnt that the ancient Greeks believed the sound of running water under the Acropolis was the voices of sacred spirits.
We then descended the Acropolis to the Agora, offering fantastic photo opportunities of the Acropolis from below. At the site, we explored the museum and the Temple of Hephaestus.
After a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant, surrounded by adorable stray cats, we met our coach driver for the week, Yanis, and embarked on a scenic four-hour journey to Delphi. As evening fell, we shared dinner together, and Yanis surprised us by revealing that we had unknowingly eaten goat meat! This became a popular joke for the rest of the trip.
Day 3: Scenic Delphi
On Wednesday, our group set out for the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, home to the famous Pythia. The climb up the winding Sacred Way proved to be steeper than expected, but the panoramic views made it worthwhile. Once down the mountain, we revisited the museum to marvel at famous statues like Kleobis and Biton and the Delphi Charioteer. Seeing these impressive artifacts in person highlighted their true scale and intricate beauty. We headed back to the coach, ready for the journey to Olympia.
After around 4 hours of travel, we arrived in Olympia and settled into our hotel for the night. However, our sleep was interrupted at 2 am by some very noisy Italian tourists!
Day 4: Olympia: Birthplace of the Olympics
The day’s adventure led us to the historic Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Our guide expertly navigated us through the sprawling site, revealing training grounds for various sportsand the iconic running track where ancient athletes once competed. We couldn’t resist staging our own impromptu race, challenging a friendly group from an Italian school. Though they emerged victorious, it was all good fun.
After a satisfying lunch at a local eatery (the best food that we had had all week, in my opinion!), we hit the road again, bound for Tolo.
Day 5: Mycenae's archaic marvels and the charming town of Nafplion
On Friday morning, we visited the settlement and museum at Mycenae, admiring the iconic Lion’s Gate, a brilliant example of archaic architecture. I climbed to the settlement's top and was rewarded with stunning views of snow-capped mountains on one side and a valley leading to the coast on the other. We then headed to the museum, showcasing pots, weaponry, and death masks, often made from gold. Some claim that the death mask of Agamemnon was found on this site, although archaeologists dispute it due to conflicting dates. Before lunch, we briefly stopped at a nearby family tomb dedicated to a wealthy family, but the presence of bees hastened our departure.
Later, we visited the beautiful port town of Nafplion, with charming, cobbled streets lined with ivy-covered shops and colourful plants. Here we stopped for lunch before heading off to the healing sanctuary of Epidaurus. The highlight was exploring the theatre which was built so specifically that a speaker could be clearly heard if they were stood directly at the centre!
In the afternoon, we returned to Tolo to spend some more time on the beach, playing volleyball and paddling in the sea. The evening allowed us to explore the area once more, savouring what we thought would be our last night in Greece.
Day 6: National Archaeological Museum and Temple of Poseidon
On Saturday, we made our way back to Athens for the final leg of our journey. Our first stop was the National Archaeological Museum, which proved to be a true highlight. Being face-to-face with ancient artefacts like the mesmerising Zeus of Artemisium was a breathtaking experience (his eyes really do follow you around the room!). The Ninnion Tablet depicting the Eleusinian Mysteries also left a lasting impression.
Later, we explored the Acropolis Museum, which housed pieces like the Caryatids from the Erechtheion. I also, unexpectedly, ran into my friend Tom and his family. Finally, we reached the windswept Temple of Poseidon, offering stunning views of the sea.
As we returned to the airport for our flight home, unexpected challenges emerged when our flight was cancelled due to strikes in France. With uncertainty in the air, we found ourselves spending the night in a hotel, hoping for a resolution the following day.
Day 7: Unexpected hurdles and grateful farewells
Sunday arrived, and we were told to meet in the hotel’s dining room for a briefing. There, we received both good and bad news. The good news: we had a flight back to the UK that night. The bad news: it was to Bristol, not Manchester.
Fast forward 12 hours, and we finally arrived back at college. Our return journey felt like an odyssey of its own, adding to the adventure of the trip.
In conclusion, our trip to Greece was truly unforgettable. If a similar opportunity arises at your school, college, or university, don’t hesitate to take it. Your own odyssey awaits!
Alisdair is a recent graduate from Runshaw College where he completed his A Levels in classical civilisations, modern history, and politics. Motivated by his passion for exploring the past and its relevance to the present, Alisdair is hoping to pursue a BA in history at Lancaster University.