Philomobile in Greece

Tour # 1848
June 28 - July 12, 2009
$3295.00 including air, taxes and land services

PHILOMOBILE is a unique approach to teach philosophy to students on site.

Can you imagine:
- Walking with your students along the Agora in Athens ?
- Consulting the Oracles and honoring Pindar in Delphi ?
- Imagining a tragedy in the theatre of Epidaurus ?
- Reviving an existentialist conversation between Sartre and de Beauvoir at the Cafe de Flore ?
- Discussing the "Enlightenment" at the restaurant "Le Procope at the same table where Voltaire and Rousseau sat ?
- Visiting the Sorbonne, where school of thoughts have developed from Abelard till Foulcault ?

Don't you think that within these conditions students will be thrilled to learn Philosophy ?

ITINERARY

Day 1: Sunday, June 28
Board your Air France transatlantic flight from Kennedy airport to Paris. Check-in at terminal One is three hours prior departure time.

Day 2: Monday, June 29 ATHENS
Change plane in Paris for your connection to Athens. On arrival assistance and transfer to your hotel.

Day 3: Tuesday, June 30 ATHENS
Today your guide will show you the contrasts, which make Athens such a fascinating city. Visit the National Archeological Museum and along the tour view Constitution Square, the House of Parliament, the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the National Library, the Evzones in their picturesque uniforms, the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern era were held in 1896, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Acropolis, “The harmony between material and spirit”, the monument that “puts order in the mind.” Visiting the Acropolis, enjoy a walking tour and discussions during the visit. These will outline: Ancient Greek culture, the Homeric world and the rise of Western Philosophy in Greece, as well including information on the language, mythology, art, the theater, literature and politics. You will be introduced to the religion of Ancient Greece and the cults, specifically that of Dionysus, and the ceremonies at the Temple of Athena.

Day 4: Wednesday, July 1 ATHENS
Morning walking tour in the Agora, the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, social and administrative activity, the religious and cultural centre and the seat of justice in the days of Socrates. We’ll discuss of the Pre-Socratic philosophers, the rise of the Sophists, then of Socrates and Plato. Lecture on the cults of Greek gods and goddesses. We will visit the temple of Hephaestus, god of smiths and metal workers. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Day 5: Thursday, July 2 ATHENS
Keramicos: we visit the largest ancient cemetery, located outside the city walls. First used in the tenth century before the Common Era (BCE), its was named for the clay used to make funerary urns (keramos). The symbols on the gravestones will be explained. Discussion of Plato’s Academy and lecture on competitive sports in antiquity will take place.

Day 6: Friday, July 3 ATHENS
We visit Vravona, (also called Brauron), a sanctuary in the hills not far from the Aegean shore, where pilgrims paid homage to Artemis (Diana). We will have a discussion about the attitudes of the Gods, Greek poetry and more about the importance of Plato. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner in the garden of a Greek restaurant followed by discussions.

Day 7: Saturday, July 4 CORINTH
We leave Athens for the Sanctuary of Eleusis linked to Athens by the Sacred Way. Learn of the cult of Demeter and Persephone - in whose honor the "Eleusian mysteries" were held. These initiation rites could not be divulged, on pain of death, and death too came to any non-initiate who penetrated the sanctuary. We’ll discuss about Aristotle and his importance, continue to Corinth and we will spend the next two nights at a resort Hotel, on Kalamaki Beach.

Day 8: Sunday, July 5 CORINTH
In the morning we visit Ancient Corinth, one of the three major powers in Greece and one of the richest cities. See the huge Agora and Apollo’s Temple (6th century BCE). Then visit the legendary home of the Atreides, Mycenae, and the city “rich in gold.” See the Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs before returning to your hotel.

Day 9: Monday, July 6 PATRAS
First visit today is Epidaurus dating to the 3rd and 4th c. BCE. See the sanctuary dedicated to the healing God Asklepeios, the open-air theatre, the best preserved in all of Greece, famous for its excellent acoustic. In the theatre learn more about Greek drama and the cult of Dyonisus. Continue by motor coach via Nafplion to Patras. The next two nights will be in a resort hotel near the beach.

Day 10: Tuesday, July 7 PATRAS
Drive to Olympia to visit the famous Archeological site where the Olympic Flame burns during modern day Olympic Game. See the Temple of Zeus, the original Stadium and Bouleuterion where competitors once swore an oath to conform to the rules. Return back to Patras.

Day 11: Wednesday, July 8 ATHENS
To day we visit Delphi, the centre of the ancient World, the “Omphalos” or “Navel” of the Earth, a breathtaking site, traditionally considered to have been founded by Zeus. In the Temple of Apollo, we learn about its construction, and of the cult of Apollo. Further lectures will deal with Hellenic and Roman philosophy from the fourth century BCE to 3rd century CE (AD).

Day 12: Thursday, July 9 AGEAN ISLAND
Ferry crossing to the Island of Sifnos or Serifos. Both are small picturesque Agean Islands.

Day 13: Friday, July 10 AGEAN ISLAND
Day at leisure on the island

Day 14: Saturday, July 11 AGEAN ISLAND
Day at leisure on the island

Day 15: Sunday, July 12 RETURN
Take the ferry back to Athens and drive to Athens airport for your return flight to JFK, via Paris

The price of $3295.00 includes:

• Airfare from JFK to Athens with AIR FRANCE
• Airport and security taxes @ $ 180.00
• Fuel surcharge: “Q” taxes of $ 110.00
  All taxes are subject to increase and adjustment at time of ticketing.
• All airport, hotel and harbor transfers
• Round trip crossing to the island by ferry.
• 13 nights accommodation at 3 star-hotels in double or triple rooms.
• Breakfast daily.
• 3 “philo” dinners at local restaurants.
• Guides for the visit to archeological sites.
• Deluxe motor coach for transportation.
• Entrance fees to monuments.
• Services of Dr. Yunus Tuncel to lecture on Greek philosophy and to moderate the discussions.

The price of $3295.00 doesn’t include:

• Single room supplement + $ 610.00
• Optional travel insurance
• Meals others than those mentioned
• Gratuities to assistants, local guides and drivers
• Gratuities for baggage at hotels
• Cost of personal items: phone, drinks, laundry, etc.
• Passport & visa fees
  Everyone needs a valid passport, not expired prior to December 28, 2009. In case you are not an American or European citizen a visa may be required.