Description
Butrint: a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visible from the island of Corfu, the ruined city of Butrint lies protected on a peninsula. Butrint is a kaleidoscope of Mediterranean history; as one of the trade centres of the ancient world, the city attracted numerous conquerors and travellers throughout the millennia. Excavations have unearthed theatres, temples and baths from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman periods. Consequently in 1992 UNESCO declared Butrint a World Heritage Site.
Elizabeth’s favourite island – Corfu
Corfu found fame as a popular traveller’s destination as early as the 19th century. Bored of life at court, Empress Elisabeth of Austria travelled to the island and chose it to realise her dreams. She ordered a palace to be built in the style of Greek mythology and dedicated it to her favourite hero, Achilles. It is called the Achilleion.
Ancient Mycenae
Mycenae is a town steeped in history and legend. When Heinrich Schliemann began excavating an acropolis site here in 1876, he discovered 13 kilos of golden treasure, including Agamemnon’s alleged death mask. The monumental Lion Gate, the Cyclopean masonry and the Treasury of Atreus are what make Mycenae one of the most important archaeological sites in modern-day Greece.
A lecturer accompanies the trip
Exciting topics, background information and fascinating facts – our expert offers talks on a whole range of subjects from his specialist field.
