THE FRIENDS OF THE AAIA
Post date: Feb 24, 2020 5:38:23 PM
The Friends of The
AUSTRALIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE AT ATHENS
PRESENT A FIVE-DAY EXCURSION TO
Ephesos, Priene, Miletos, Didyma
and Pergamon
on Friday 29th, Saturday 30th , Sunday 31st May, Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd June 2020
Ionia, the central region of the western coast of modern-day Turkey was one of the cradles of
Greek culture in various periods, but most particularly in antiquity. Here Greeks came into
contact with the local cultures of Asia Minor, which led to fluorescence, particularly in the sixth
century BC. Later developments were built on these firm foundations. Today Ionia is best known
for its majestic ruins which primarily date to the Roman period, a time when the region was once
again one of the most prosperous in the Greek world. On this trip we shall marvel at the majestic
ruins of Ephesos, Priene, Miletos and Didyma. We shall also visit Pergamon, an amazing city
built on a hilly crag and its surroundings, which in the Hellenistic period was the centre of an
important kingdom that punched well above its weight. This is a truly eye-opening excursion,
which will allow us to enjoy the antiquities of the region as well as the beautiful countryside in
the full bloom of spring.
The projected itinerary is:
Friday 29 May
1250 Flight from Athens (Eleftherios Venizelos Airport) to Samos
1345 Arrive at Samos airport, by coach to Vathy for a leisurely lunch (not included)
and a visit to the local Archaeological Museum
1800 Ferryboat to Kusadasi
1930 Arrive at Kusadasi, transfer to hotel. Evening free.
Saturday 30 May
0830 Coach pick-up from hotel for full-day tour.
Visit the “House of Virgin Mary” and then continue to the magnificent ruins of ancient
Ephesos, arguably the best-preserved Roman-period city on the eastern Aegean coast, with its
impressive roads, houses and public buildings.
Our final stop for the day is the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. (Lunch included)
1600 Return to hotel
Evening free.
Sunday 31 May
0800 Coach pick-up from hotel, drive to Pergamon (modern Bergama).
Full-day tour of the ancient city. Among the sites to be visited are the acropolis, the site of the
Altar of Zeus, the Library and the Asklepieion. (Lunch included)
Afternoon Return to hotel.
Evening free.
Monday 1 June
0830 Coach pick-up for a full day excursion. Our first stop will be the Ionian city of
Priene, famous for its theatre, Agora, Bouleterion and well-preserved houses. We shall then
visit the ruins of the great city of Miletos. Its theatre is by far the most impressive of the
town’s surviving monuments. There are also the council-chamber, marketplace, temples,
baths and Ilyas Bey Mosque to be visited. After lunch we will continue to Didyma, the site of
the world-renowned Temple of Apollo, famous for its great oracle. (Lunch included)
Afternoon Return to hotel.
Evening free.
Tuesday 2 June
0730 Check out from hotel
0830 Ferry to Samos.
1000 Coach tour and time for lunch (not included). Please note: enquiries are
currently being made into a winery visit. If this eventuates there will be a slight
supplementary payment.
1730 Flight to Athens
1825 Arrive at Athens (Eleftherios Venizelos Airport)
RESERVATIONS:
Members and Non-Members (plus one guest) who wish to participate in this excursion are
requested to register their place by Wednesday 11 March at the very latest. Note that priority
will be given to currently registered Members, as places are strictly limited.
Please ensure, when making your reservation, you advise the office.
a) if you will require a single, double or twin (2 single beds)
b) provide a contact telephone number (mobile and landline where possible), plus email
address if available.
c) provide us with your passport number.
PARTICIPATION COST (per person) :
Members: Non-Members:
Single room: €460 Single room: €485
Double/Twin room: €415 Double/Twin room: €440
Triple room: €400 Triple room: €425
If Non-Members choose to become Members before making their deposit they will be eligible
to pay the Members' rate. Single yearly membership is €30, family membership €40. If any
current Non-Members intend to include membership payment in their bank transfer they
should inform the office by telephone or email before doing so.
Cost includes
v Economy air fare Athens-Samos-Athens
v Ferry Samos-Kusadasi-Samos
v Hotel accommodation with continental breakfast for four nights at the four-star Ayma
Beach Hotel, Kusadasi.
v Coach transfers on Samos
v Coach transportation in Turkey
v Guiding by accredited guide in Turkey
v Museum/site entrance tickets included in Turkey-based itinerary
Not included are meals (other than breakfast and lunch in Turkey as indicated in the
itinerary), museum entrance fees when visited at leisure, tips plus any other sundry expenses.
1ST PAYMENT DEADLINE / DEPOSIT
For all confirmed reservations a non refundable deposit per person of:
€ 100 for Members and Non-Members
should be paid into Alpha Bank IBAN acc. number GR20 0140 1150 1150 0231 0029 916 by
WEDNESDAY MARCH 11 at the very latest.
IMPORTANT: When remitting your deposit please ENSURE your NAME (and that of any
other participants you are paying for) is RECORDED on the PAYMENT SLIP and
then please either fax or email a copy of the remittance slip to the Institute
(fax no. 210 924 1659, email: aaia@otenet.gr) to ensure we have a correct record of your
payment.
Please note that no reservation will be considered valid or confirmed without proof of
payment by the deadlines given. In the event the places have not been filled by the deadlines
given, then members will be invited to register additional guests, if they so wish, subject to
remaining availability.
2ND PAYMENT DEADLINE
Half of the balance must be made into the same Alpha account as above by FRIDAY 3
APRIL. Apologies, but any cancellations after this date will be non-refundable.
3RD PAYMENT DEADLINE / FINAL PAYMENT
The remainder of the balance, final payment must be made into the same Alpha account as
above, by FRIDAY 1 MAY.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Travel Insurance must be a personal responsibility. Costs arising from
illness or injury cannot be borne by the Friends of the Australian
Archaeological Institute at Athens. Participants are also solely
responsible for ensuring that their required travel documents are in
order.
Places are strictly limited, so please respond within these deadlines, to avoid
disappointment.
PLEASE CALL the Office of the AAIA on 210 924 3256 (Monday-Friday 9:00am-1:00pm) to
BOOK as places are limited, or fax no. 210 924 1659, email: aaia@otenet.gr, including full
contact details
NOTE:
All participants are advised to exercise due caution when visiting archaeological sites, and more
generally while on the excursion, and are recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes. We
also advise all participants to bring clothing appropriate to the expected/forecast weather
conditions as well as sun protection if necessary