Day Trip!

Yesterday we took a charter bus on a full day excursion to Mycenae and Nafplion. On our way we stopped at the Canal of Corinth that separates the main land from the Peloponnese.  Mycenae, is an ancient stone citadel so large that the Greeks though it must have been built by giants calling the walls “cyclopean”.  After a trip up and around the ancient palace complex and a view of the surrounding valley we visited the treasury of Atreus, a beehive shape underground tomb around 3 millennia years old.  Our next stop was Nafplion, a coastal town in the Peloponnese surrounded on three sides by water.  We took a dip in the crystal blue Argolic Gulf and relaxed by the sea side. Then made our way to explore the quaint town of Nafplion where we ate dinner and desert!

 Group picture in front of the Lions gate at Mycenae!

the treasury of Atreus

 Sporting the new Abbey Road Beach Towels!

Greek Cultural Extravaganza!

Who wants to get Greeky? WE DO!!  The day started off with a tour of the Acropolis which mean "High City" in Greek.  As you can see, the view was Amazing! Today's optional activities included, a tour of the Byzantine museum with Chris, or a Greek coffee tasting with Emily and Hannah.  As a night time activity we had dinner and made our way to the hotels roof top terrace to watch the sun set and learn some traditional Cretan dances!  

 Gettin Greeky with it!

Dipping our feet in Ancient Greece.. a trip to the Agora, and the New Acropolis Museum

Today was our first full day in Athens.  We started the morning with a group discussion on Ancient Greece then headed over to the Agora.  The Agora, which means open space was the meeting place for the citizens of Athenian democracy. There is a relatively new onsite museum, the Stoa of Attalos that displays artifacts found at the Agora. After lunch and Orientation we made our way over to the new Acropolis Museum.  Our instructor Chris Guided us through the museum and filled our minds with fun facts and interesting insights, and just in case that wasn't enough info, the museum offers a 10 minute documentary about the history of the Parthenon!  After the Museum visit we had an hour and half of down time before another wonderful group dinner, then.. our first friendly competition; a photo scavenger hunt!  

 Ava and Amelia waiting to enter the Agora

 Jacob and Jordan exchanging glances with the bust of a Roman Emperor!

 Group Photo in front of the temple of Hephaestus 

Outside the New Acropolis Museum (photos were not permitted inside)

Welcome to Athens!!

We made it!!!  Everyone arrived safe and sound at the airport in Athens Greece. The city is beautiful and the sun is shining bright! We all went back to the hotel where the students were given some time to get settled in, take showers and relax;  then.. Off to dinner at an amazing Greek restaurant with a roof top terrace and the best view in town!  After Dinner we capped the night off with a gelato and a stroll of the Plaka (the area around our hotel).

 Abbey Road Western Civ 2012!!

 View from the Terrace 

 Bode, Addie, Amelia, and Cammi 

 Emma and Hayle enjoying their fro-yo!

Let the Countdown Begin!

Welcome to the Official Abbey Road Western Civilization 2012 Program Blog!

Stay tuned for all of the exciting news and photos from Athens, Rome, Florence and Paris this summer! More to come!