Corinth, Isthmia, Nemea, Olympia

 July 22

Early in the morning, the Journey family assembled in front of the UINDY, Athens campus to start their three-day historical journey to Isthmia, Corinth, Nemea, Olympia, and Delphi. Our group boarded a chartered bus and headed for Corinth. Upon arrival, Captain Evangelos Rigos, Director of the Hellenic Electronic Center and who generously sponsored our Journey met the Journey family. Captain Rigos gave us a presentation on Greek mythology on Isthmia and Ancient Corinth and guided us to a restaurant overlooking the Corinth Canal, where we enjoyed breakfast sponsored by the Hellenic Electronic Center.

At the conclusion of breakfast, our group headed to the Archaeological Sites and Museum of Isthmia and Ancient Corinth. Captain Rigas and our private guide gave us a tour of the sites, all sponsored by the Hellenic Electronic Center. Highlights of our visit included visiting the isthmus and the Corinth Canal and the ancient sanctuary of Isthmia, which is the home of one of Ancient Pan-Hellenic games. Following, we visited Ancient Corinth one of the more prominent Ancient Greek city-states and the site of Apostle Paul’s Address to the Corinthians. In Corinth, we visited the museum and site, which included the Ancient Temple of Apollo.

Subsequent our visit in Isthmia and Ancient Corinth, we headed to the Archeological Site and Museum of Nemea. Here, Dr. Stephen Miller, Emeritus Professor, University of California at Berkeley, gave us a tour of the facility. We were fortunate to be led by Professor Miller because of his credentials as the preeminent archeologist responsible for the discovery of the ancient stadium and site for the Ancient Nemean Pan-Hellenic games. Our group visited the museum, temple, and ancient stadium where the games were actually held. Professor Miller gave a fascinating explanation of the years of exploration prior to uncovering of the tunnel and Ancient Stadium. He continued giving an account of the delicate work involved with the restoration of the Temple of Nemean Zeus and other areas at the site.

We continued on to the local Nemean taverna with Professor Miller and Captain Rigas. The meal, sponsored by the Hellenic Electronic Center, featured an abundance of souvlaki, and salata for the students. At the conclusion of the meal, Dr. Miller showed a film and gave a presentation about next year’s historic recreation of the Ancient Nemean Pan-Hellenic Games, where he invited the Journey to Greece program to participate.

After the presentation and film, the Journey to Greece family gave Dr. Miller, his wife Effie, and Captain Rigos an official JTG t-shirt. AHEPA Advisor Lou Eleopoulos, a UC Berkeley Alum, and Journey student Dimitri Dimitriou, a current Cal student, presented Dr. Miller an official Berkeley university shirt and hat.

Following our wonderful time in Nemea, the Journey family headed to our plush hotel situated beside the hillside of Ancient Olympia with a view of the countryside and featuring a pool for our students to enjoy. Our group rested for the night and prepared for our visit to Ancient Olympia the next morning.  

July 23

On this beautiful Saturday, the students enjoyed a buffet breakfast at our hotel, before departing for the archeological site and museum of Ancient Olympia. Upon arrival to the historic venue, our tour guide met our group and showed us around the site. On our tour, we visited the ruins of the Phillippeion and ancient Temple of Hera and Zeus. Our experience culminated with a stop at the Ancient Olympic Stadium. Subsequent our traditional group picture outside the tunnel of the stadium, our students went inside the stadium and further explored the ancient archaeological site.

After our visit, we walked to the Ancient Olympia Museum where Dr. Dimitriou briefed us about the historical significance of the artifacts. Subsequent the museum visit, which featured sculptured ornaments from the Temple of Zeus and the famous Hermes by Praxiteles, our group proceeded to a local Olympia taverna for a group lunch.

When the souvlaki, pastichio, and keftedes were complete, we went back to our hotel. Following two busy days, we were afforded the opportunity to relax poolside and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Ancient Olympia. 

Later that evening, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at the hotel’s restaurant and returned to our rooms to relax for the last day of our trip.