Take an unforgettable 10-day journey along beautiful coasts of the Aegean to visit the sites that gave birth to the Western world. So much of what we claim as Western (indeed, world) civilization is anchored in this relatively small area, the meeting point of Europe and Asia. We will explore over 3,000 years of history, from ancient Troy to today’s modern cities. We will begin in Athens, Greece and explore the beautiful and culturally rich cities, towns and landscapes of the peninsula, including Corinth, Marathon, Thebes, Leuctra, Delphi, Thermopylae and others. From the dawn of history with Homer, Thucydides and Herodotus to the beginnings of drama with Aeschylus and Sophocles and more, we will visit the sites that created our shared world. We will then cross over into European Turkey and from Istanbul we will depart back into time for a visit to Homer’s Troy and Alexander’s first great victory at the Granicus River. In the ancient city of Troy we will see where fought Paris and Achilles, Hector and Agamemnon. We will then cross the narrow water separating the continents, the Hellespont, and hike the incredible Great War battlefields of the Gallipoli Peninsula, scenes where the narratives of the three modern nations – Turkey, Australia and New Zealand – were forged in bitter battle. Then, it is back to Istanbul, one of the globe’s great cities, where we will explore from Roman times to the present. Throughout, there will be incredible experiences with food, drink, art, culture and history. From the Acropolis and Parthenon to the Delphic Oracle, from the pass at Thermopylae to the Hagia Sophia, and so much more! The art and architecture that defined the Hellenic world and inspired our modern one will be at close hand as we explore the ancient sites. We will experience the sparkling azure waters of the Aegean as well as hike the olive-and grape-clad mountainsides, visiting small hill villages of thousands of years to bustling modern metropolises, this truly will be an epic adventure – Homeric even!

Expedition highlights include the following:

• The cities that helped create the western civilization – Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Thebes and Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul and more
• The battlefields that shaped world history – Troy, Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, Leuctra, Gallipoli and more
• Spectacular meals, drinks and natural beauty

For those that wish to join us, we will also offer an additional three days on a famed Greek island (Santorini, Mykonos or similar) as a pre-expedition trip.

While the ancient world of Greece and Turkey are, of course, accessible to American travelers on their own, fully understanding the ancient history that formed our Western heritage requires months if not years of preparation. A professional, guided experience is essential in comprehending the complexities of the events and their timing, specific locations and cultural influences. Tours are available throughout the region. What sets Essential History Expeditions and Dr. Brian DeToy apart is his unique experience with 14 years as a university professor including teaching history and strategic studies at West Point, 28 years as a US Army officer with combat experience, and 22 years of leading groups at throughout the world. Brian’s many tours, both large and small, include military leaders, West Point professors and cadets, business leaders of international companies, history buffs and many families. Brian’s combined experience as a scholar soldier brings the events of history to life.