Greece: Athens & Crete

Delight in authentic Greek island life on this enriching, 10-night journey featuring seven nights on Crete. Take in charming Cretan villages, tranquil beaches, olive groves and the breathtaking Aegean Sea over five nights in Heraklion and two nights in Chania. Revel in picturesque old towns and beautiful, 16th-century Venetian harbors in each locale, plus feast on Greek olives, seafood and wine. Enjoy guided tours of Knossos and Phaistos, major centers of the Minoan civilization, and view exquisite Greek and Minoan artifacts, including the mysterious Phaistos Disc. Also set off to the stunning island of Santorini and delve into the intriguing history of Spinalonga Island. Learn how to make traditional Cretan dishes at a fun cooking class, marvel at one of the world’s oldest olive trees, and cruise on Chania Bay at sunset. During three nights in Athens, take in the glorious Parthenon on the Acropolis and admire the Acropolis Museum’s treasures. This remarkable, small-group program includes a round-trip flight to Crete, deluxe and first-class hotels, and illuminating insights from expert guides and lecturers.

MSU Faculty Host - Dr. Jon Frey

Jon Frey is a classical archaeologist specializing in Greek and Roman architecture, with an interest in construction processes and the phenomenon of material reuse in post-classical antiquity. While the majority of his fieldwork experience is in the area of Greece known as the Corinthia, over the past two decades he has also worked in Egypt and on the islands of Crete and Kythera. As the Director of the Michigan State University Excavations at Isthmia, he leads a team of researchers engaged in the use of digital tools to explore and publish the evidence about the ancient world contained in archaeological archives. Jon received his BA from the Ohio State University and his MA and PhD from the University of California at Berkeley.  He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Art History where he teaches courses on the Classical World, Classical Mythology, Ancient Art and Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology. He is excited to share his knowledge of Greece and the research he has conducted in the region. 

*A minimum number of participants is needed for faculty participation.