UNESCO Treasures of Ancient Greece

COMING SOON!

Circumnavigating the Peloponnese by Private Luxury Yacht  

September 17–26, 2026 (10 days)  aboard the 50-cabin Emerald Azzurra 

with Professor Sanjaya Thakur

Dear Colorado College alumni, family, and friends,

I’m pleased to invite you on this circumnavigation of Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula in the company of Colorado College Professor of Classics Sanjaya Thakur. You will spend a night in Athens and then cruise around the Peloponnese aboard the luxurious, 50-cabin Emerald Azzurra for seven nights.

Along the way, Sanjaya will be part of a team of onboard experts, including archaeologists Jack Davis and Shari Stocker, who together will offer a series of lectures and informal discussions. This cruise, aboard this ship, with these experts, is an unmatched way to experience a beautiful and deeply historical part of Greece that is filled with archaeological delights.

Your adventure begins in the heart of historic Athens with a night at the stylish and contemporary Athens Capital Hotel – MGallery Collection, ideally located on Syntagma Square. After a private visit to either the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art or the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture, you will embark Emerald Azzurra, whose sleek design grants access to hidden harbors and a rare, full circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula.

Along the way, visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mycenae, the fabled Bronze Age citadel; Epidaurus, known for its perfectly preserved ancient theater; Mystras, a remarkable Byzantine city; Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games; and Delphi, once home to the most influential oracle in the ancient world. Gain special access to Nestor’s Palace at Pylos, one of the best-preserved Mycenaean sites in Greece, and glide through the Diros Caves by boat, among chambers that show evidence of Neolithic habitation.

Between guided visits, explore coastal towns such as Nafplion, Gythio, and Pylos, each with deep historical roots. Conclude the voyage with a dramatic passage through the Corinth Canal, a feat of 19th-century engineering, before returning to Athens. Also available are a two-night, pre-tour extension in Athens and a four-night, post-tour extension Aegean cruise.

The program is co-sponsored by other organizations, so I encourage you to contact Eos Study Tours today at (800) 856-8951 or tigertravel@studytours.org to reserve your preferred suite or stateroom.


Sincerely,

 

Cindy Hyman ’82
Associate Vice President for Engagement

Tour Prices

Tour Prices  (9 nights)

Cabins start at $10,990 per person Double Occupancy, $15,990 single occupancy

Contact us for more details or to be among the first notified when the brochure is ready. 

800-856-8951 or tigertravel@studytours.org

Colorado College Faculty Leader

Sanjaya Thakur is professor of Classics at Colorado College, where he has taught since 2008. Professor Thakur earned a B.S. from UCLA, double-majoring in Biology and Latin; two M.A. degrees (Classical Studies and Classical Art/Archaeology); and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He has led many study tours through Greece, Italy, and Spain, and is an avid traveler. Professor Thakur was a Fulbright Fellow in Greece (2004-05) and has served as the Director of the Classical Summer School at the American Academy in Rome (2021-23) and as an Elizabeth A. Whitehead Scholar at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens (2022-23). He teaches a wide range of courses on campus and abroad for CC on subjects such as Greek and Roman history, Greek and Latin literature, ancient athletics, and Greek and Roman art and archaeology.

Itinerary

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 & 18: HOME / ATHENS, GREECE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19: ATHENS / PIRAEUS / EMBARKATION

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20: NAFPLION / MYCENAE / EPIDAURUS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: GYTHION / MYSTRAS / SPARTA / DIROS CAVES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: KALAMATA / MESSENE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: PYLOS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24: KATAKALON / OLYMPIA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: ITEA / DELPHI / CORINTH CANAL

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: ATHENS / HOME

 

OPTIONAL, POST-TOUR EXTENSION

Remain in your cabin for an additional four-night cruise through the Aegean Sea, exploring some of the region’s most iconic ancient sites with expert local guides. Highlights include the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, the sacred island of Delos, the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey, and the Minoan Palace of Knossos on Crete.

Additional Information

Sustainable Travel

Eos Study Tours is a member of Sustainable Travel International, a globally recognized organization dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices. This partnership highlights our commitment to responsible travel and aligns with Colorado College’s commitment to nurture an ethic of environmental sustainability.
Learn more at www.studytours.org/sustainability.


For questions, and to reserve your space, contact Eos Study Tours: 800-856-8951 or email tigertravel@studytours.org

ABOUT THE EMERALD AZZURRA 

In March 2022, Emerald Cruises launched the Emerald Azzurra, a sleek superyacht designed to explore ports and harbors inaccessible to larger ships. Measuring 360 feet in length with just 50 spacious cabins, this stunning vessel offers a modern, Scandinavian-inspired ambiance. Forty-four cabins feature step-out balconies, and each cabin includes convertible beds, flat-screen TVs, stocked mini-bars, and bathrooms equipped with hair dryers, plush robes, and premium bath products. 

The Azzurra offers inviting public spaces designed for relaxation and comfort, including multiple lounges and outdoor areas where you can soak in the views. Delight in fresh, locally sourced cuisine prepared by expert chefs, served either in the elegant Reflections Restaurant or al fresco on The Terrace. Indulge in a range of luxurious amenities: unwind with a dip in the infinity pool or soak in the outdoor hot tub. Savor handcrafted cocktails at the open-air Sky Bar or in the elegant Horizon Bar & Lounge (which also converts to a lecture room with full A/V capabilities). Rejuvenate your body and mind at the Wellness Center with soothing massages, revitalizing facials, and a cutting-edge infrared sauna. Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the yacht, and explore onshore with a selection of bikes available for guests. 

 Emerald Azzura

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Contact

For questions, and to reserve your space, contact Eos Study Tours: 800-856-8951 or email tigertravel@studytours.org