Archaeological Institute of America

Arkhaios Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival
2026-10-12 09:00 - 2026-11-18 00:00 (America/New_York)
The multi-day Arkhaios Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival is an annual juried competition, part of Archaeology Month celebration. It is free, open to the public, and is an educational event showcasing the discovery of past cultures gained from ethnological or archaeological research, and illustrated through documentary films.
The Virtual Edition is an international online screening of all the Official Selection films. During the week of the Festival, there are several in-person Arkhaios Festivals in the US, showing the best films from the Arkhaios Official Selections.

AIA Life, Luxury & Leisure in Ancient Rome tour
2026-10-14 - 2026-10-25
Immerse yourself in the opulence and grandeur of ancient Rome while uncovering the secrets of daily life, the indulgence of luxury, and the pursuit of leisure that helped to define one of the most influential civilizations in history. Our adventure
begins in Rome, heart of the Roman Empire, where we witness the architectural marvels that stand as a testament to Rome’s engineering prowess. At the Baths of Caracalla, learn about the interesting Roman bathing culture and the significance of these
communal spaces in Roman society. Delve into the world of luxury in ancient Rome with visits to the opulent villa in Tivoli and the well-preserved remains of ancient cities frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Learn about the daily lives and
customs of the Romans through beautifully preserved frescoes and artifacts, as well as the exquisite art, landscaping, and leisure pursuits enjoyed by the Roman elite. Throughout the tour, archaeologist and professor Crispin Corrado will guide the group at many sites, offer several lectures, and be available to engage in discussions. Whether you are an avid archaeology or history enthusiast, or simply curious about one of history’s greatest civilizations, this journey will provide a deep understanding and appreciation of ancient Rome’s enduring legacy.
Highlights include:
• A custom-designed itinerary with five nights in central Rome, two nights in Naples, and three nights in Sorrento
• Visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
o Spend a full day exploring Rome’s ancient monuments, including the Roman Forum, the House of Augustus on the Palatine Hill, the Domus Aurea, and the Colosseum
o Enjoy a day trip to Tivoli for visits to Hadrian’s Villa, a 2nd-century A.D. complex; and the Villa d’Este, a Renaissance masterpiece of garden and villa architecture
o Explore Pompeii and Herculaneum, both of which were buried (and preserved) by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79; as well as Villa Poppea (Oplontis), an ancient villa with incredible wall paintings
• The collections of Rome’s Capitoline Museums, with magnificent Classical and Renaissance art; the awe-inspiring Pantheon; and the superb Naples Archaeological Museum
• Carefully selected, 4- and 5-star hotels
• Our group size is limited to 16, and you will also be accompanied by a professional tour manager, and expert local guides, who will handle the details so you can relax, experience, and learn.

Beyond Shipwrecks: Engaging the Past Across the Generations
2026-10-15 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library, the Pennsylvania State University, 201 Old Main, University Park, PA, 16802, United States

Spokane Monthly Archaeology Lecture
2026-10-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-11-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-01-21 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-02-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-03-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-04-15 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
Join us for our monthly lectures on a variety of archaeological topics!

Marking the Flesh: Revealing the Tattoo Practices of the Nile Valley
2026-10-18 12:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Martha Sharp Joukowsky Lectureships
Time and Location TBA

Sex in the Roman Arena
2026-10-18 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago)
Charles Eliot Norton Memorial Lectureship
Location TBA

Petra (Jordan): A Wonder of the World Between a Rock and a Hard Place
2026-10-24 11:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
Charles Eliot Norton Memorial Lectureship
Time and Location TBA

Isis, Mistress of the Southern Lands: From Heliodorus’ Aethiopica to Meroe, an ancient kingdom on the Nile
2026-10-27 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)

Bundles of Meaning: Interpreting Rock Art Through Indigenous Knowledge
2026-10-29 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | https://www.archaeological.org/event/bundles-of-meaning-interpreting-rock-art-through-indigenous-knowledge/

Archaeology Day of the Dead
2026-11-01 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 W. Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93728, United States
The activities in this event will consist of the following:
1. Archaeological Outreach at the Zoo
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo will host a major celebration for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on Sunday, November 1st, and has invited the Society to participate. Recognizing the high attendance anticipated for this event, the Society will host an educational table staffed by our board members. This presence will allow us to engage with the public, promote the importance of archaeology and anthropological studies, distribute educational materials, and recruit new members. Archaeology aligns perfectly with the thematic essence of Día de los Muertos; it serves as a profound reminder that death is not a final erasure, but rather an entry point for studying the vibrant cultures, civilizations, and enduring lessons left behind by past generations.
2. Guided Tour of the Kingdoms of Asia Exhibit
The Society will host an in-person, guided tour of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s newly opened Kingdoms of Asia exhibit. This immersive installation features monumental replicas of ancient Khmer architectural marvels and sacred sites, including the Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple, and Kbal Sapean. The original 13th-century Cambodian temples are globally renowned, highly studied by archaeologists and art historians, and have served as iconic filming locations for several Western movies. This specialized tour will delve deeply into the historical significance of these structures, decoding their rich symbolic elements and explaining their roles in ancient Southeast Asian cultures.

Tanzania Safari: Human Origins & the Great Migration
2027-01-02 - 2027-01-13
Experience the Serengeti’s Great Migration, and view two significant human origin fossil sites plus magnificent savannah and volcanic landscapes, including Ngorongoro Crater. Stay at exclusive and luxurious tented camps, and travel in spacious, four-wheel drive safari vehicles.
Highlights are many:
• Leading our group of just 16 participants is paleoanthropologist & naturalist Dr. William Harcourt-Smith and expert driver/guides.
• Spend three days experiencing the spectacular “Great Migration,” when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, along with tens of thousands of zebra, amass in the Lake Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti ecosystem.
• Spend three days exploring the Great Rift Valley and the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcanic crater 10 to 12 miles in diameter that is teeming with African wildlife.
• Spend two days at Lake Natron, at the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano, and visit the archaeological site of Engare Sero, where your AIA lecturer has worked for two seasons—it has the largest assemblage of fossil footprints on the African continent.
• Visit the famous Oldupai (Olduvai) Gorge and its museum with your expert AIA lecturer, learning about the important hominid fossils and tools found there.
• Stay for two days at the beginning, plus a day room at the end, at a luxurious resort and spa hotel in Arusha and visit Arusha National Park.
• Enjoy eight nights at luxurious tented lodges in ideal locations, offering the amenities of a well-appointed hotel with the adventure of being under canvas.
• Travel in Land Cruiser safari vehicles with extra sitting room and space to stand, look, and photograph out all sides of their large, pop-up roof hatches.

Egypt's Hidden Gems
2027-01-08 - 2027-01-24
This unique, 17-day itinerary is the perfect trip for those who wish to revisit Egypt and discover lesser-known but spectacular Pharaonic wonders. A group of just 16 guests will travel under the leadership of an exceptional and engaging trio
that has been receiving accolades for 20 years: Egyptologist Stephen Harvey, along with an expert local Egyptology guide and a professional tour manager.
The highlights are many and varied:
• Spend a full day discovering the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), plus another full day exploring the iconic masterpieces of the historic Egyptian Museum, as well as the wide-ranging collection of the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC).
• Gain exclusive access inside the Red Pyramid at Dahshur, enter the burial chamber of the collapsed pyramid at Meidum, and visit two mud-brick pyramids in the Fayoum Oasis.
• Go behind the scenes at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara to see remarkable new excavations that are not open to the public.
• Explore the necropoli of Beni Hasan, known for its 39 rock-cut tombs with well-preserved paintings of dancing, acrobatics, juggling, fishing, hunting, and weaving; and Tuna el-Gebel, with huge catacombs housing thousands of mummified ibises and baboons, among other discoveries.
• Visit Tell el-Amarna, which replaced Thebes (modern Luxor) as the capital of Egypt under the heretic 18th-dynasty Pharaoh Akhenaton, and became significant for its monotheism and distinctive artistic style.
• Enjoy two in-depth visits to Abydos, where Stephen Harvey has worked since 1993, including visits to the spectacular Temple of Seti I, with its invaluable “Abydos King List” and chapels with exquisite reliefs; and special access to the subterranean Osireion (the symbolic tomb of Osiris), centered around a burial chamber once surrounded by water.
• Visit Dendera’s Temple of Hathor, renowned for its exquisite columns and a well-preserved, painted astronomical ceiling.
• In Luxor, visit the evocative Ramesseum, the funerary temple of Ramesses II (“The Great”), as well as the best-preserved temple of ancient Thebes: Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramesses III. Also discover little-visited tombs of administrators, governors, and minor nobility, featuring detailed scenes of daily life.
• Enjoy luxurious or best-available accommodations throughout, with at least two nights at each property. Relish three nights at the magnificent boutique Hotel Al Moudira on Luxor’s West Bank and enjoy its 24 acres of palm groves and exotic gardens.
With only 16 spaces available, we urge you to reserve your place today by calling 800-748-6262 or emailing aia@studytours.org.

Absolute Egypt
2027-01-26 - 2027-02-13
This itinerary is carefully crafted to provide discerning travelers with the finest Egypt tour available. Our 19-day program is the most in-depth exploration of ancient Egypt’s greatest sites, combining all the best attributes of an all-inclusive, well-paced,
luxury trip with just 16 travelers.
• Our leaders are an exceptional and engaging trio, who have led special Egypt tours together for twenty years: Egyptologist Dr. Stephen Harvey, plus both an expert tour manager and an expert Egyptology guide.
• Meet with excavators and conservators, including behind-the-scenes visits, when possible, due to Dr. Harvey’s extensive contacts.
• Discover the preeminent sites of the pharaohs from Cairo to Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel:
– Spend a full day discovering the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and another full day seeing the iconic masterpieces of the historic Egyptian Museum, plus the wide-ranging collection of the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC).
– See the amazing Giza pyramids and Sphinx as well as Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser and closed-to-the-public tombs.
– Explore the astounding temple complex of Karnak as well as Luxor Temple, plus spectacular royal mortuary temples and tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
– Visit two remarkable, less-visited temples: the Temple of Hathor at Dendera and the Temple of Khnum at Esna. Both have exquisite columns and well-preserved, painted astronomical ceilings.
– Cruise the Nile from Esna to Aswan aboard an eight-cabin dahabiya, a traditional sail boat, away from the convoys of large riverboats, so that we may visit sites without the typical crowds. From the spacious covered top deck, observe timeless pastoral scenes of feluccas, farmers, herders, and village life.
– Overnight at Abu Simbel to visit without the usual crowds the stunning rock cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari, including the Sound and Light Show.
• Enjoy 4- and 5-star accommodations for 17 memorable nights:
– Four nights at Giza’s 5-star Marriott Mena House Hotel in Pyramid View rooms;
– Two nights in Luxor on the Nile’s East Bank at the 5-star Steigenberger Nile Palace;
– Three nights in Luxor on the Nile’s West Bank near the Valley of the Kings at the spectacular, 5-star Hotel Al Moudira;
– Four nights cruising on a luxurious, eight-cabin dahabiya;
– Two nights at the 5-star Sonesta Nouba Hotel Aswan;
– One night at the 4-star Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort;
– One night at the convenient, 5-star Le Méridien Cairo Airport Hotel.
This exclusive tour is the most inclusive and fascinating experience of ancient Egypt available. It is limited to just 16 guests, so we urge you to reserve your space today.

Tess Davis, “Blood Antiquities: Tomb Raiders, Art Smugglers, and the Black Market in Cultural Treasures”
2027-01-26 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Semans Auditorium (Room 117), Belk Visual Arts Center, 315 N. Main St., Davidson, NC, 28035, United States
We all know the thrill of tomb raiding adventure novels and Hollywood films—Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, Thomas Crown—hunting for hidden treasures. But the real stories of looted and trafficked cultural property are far darker. In reality, it’s no longer daring explorers who dig up the past, but opportunistic criminals, war profiteers, mafia networks, armed insurgents, and even terrorist organizations.
The Antiquities Coalition, founded in 2014 by Deborah Lehr, was created to combat this cultural racketeering. As a “think and do tank,” the Coalition unites business leaders, government officials, lawyers, security experts, and other professionals in working towards a future when the past is preserved for the next generation, not looted, smuggled, and sold to the highest bidder.
In this exclusive talk, Executive Director and attorney Tess Davis takes you behind the scenes to reveal the high-stakes, illicit world where stolen art and cultural treasures fuel crime, conflict, and corruption—and the ways we can fight back.

Maya Pyramids & Temples of Yucatan
2027-01-30 - 2027-02-07
This incredible nine-day holiday provides the best-paced itinerary available to see the sun-drenched Yucatán peninsula’s ancient sites, traditional Maya villages, and colonial architecture. Maya art and architecture abound, with visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, plus Ek Balam, Dzibilchaltun, and more: iconic as well as off-the-beaten-path sites with soaring pyramids, distinctive temple complexes, and wonderful sculpture. There is free time to bird watch, shop for crafts, or
relax, reflect, and enjoy our excellent accommodations. Enjoy two nights at the Villas Arqueológicas Chichén Itzá (next to Chichén Itzá) and three at the Hacienda Uxmal (next to Uxmal). Maximum of just 12 guests.

Absolute Egypt (February)
2027-02-16 - 2027-03-06

Jungle Kingdoms of the Ancient Maya
2027-02-18 - 2027-03-03
This immersive experience, co-sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), brings together two renowned organizations that are committed to the study and preservation of our shared cultural and architectural heritage. I will be leading this tour as both the former Director of Programs for the AIA and the current Executive Director of SAH. As part of a small group of no more than 16 guests, join me on this winter getaway to delve deep into the legacy of the ancient Maya. Marvel at stucco friezes, towering pyramids, and painted frescoes as we visit some of the most significant and visually stunning archaeological sites in the region, including Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilán, Tikal,
Yaxhá, Copán, and Quiriguá—four of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will also enjoy time to reflect, relax, or go bird watching in serene natural settings from our comfortable hotels and remote jungle lodges. This is a rare opportunity to experience and imagine Maya civilization while engaging with the still-standing walls of its culture. As space is limited and this tour is available on a first-come, first-served basis, I encourage you to contact AIA Tours soon to reserve your space.

Jungle Kingdoms of the Ancient Maya
2027-02-18 - 2027-03-03
Join us on this tropical adventure that offers the most comprehensive and best-paced exploration of the ancient Maya world amid the verdant jungles and awe-inspiring ruins of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
This immersive experience, co-sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), brings together two renowned organizations that are committed to the study and preservation of our shared cultural and architectural heritage. Ben Thomas will be leading this tour as both the former Director of Programs for the AIA and the current Executive Director of SAH. As part of a small group of no more than 16 guests, join us on this
winter getaway to delve deep into the legacy of the ancient Maya. Marvel at stucco friezes, towering pyramids, and painted frescoes as we visit some of the most significant and visually stunning archaeological sites in the region, including Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilán, Tikal, Yaxhá, Copán, and Quiriguá—four of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will also enjoy time to reflect, relax, or go bird watching in serene natural settings from our comfortable hotels and remote jungle lodges.

Cruising the Mekong River Vietnam and Cambodia
2027-03-01 - 2027-03-14
We invite you to join AIA lecturer and host Miriam Stark on a captivating journey through the rich history and vibrant culture of tropical Indochina on our luxurious tour of Vietnam and Cambodia along the majestic Mekong River. Spend two nights in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (still known as Saigon), a dynamic hub that exudes energy, before embarking the exquisite, 14-suite Mekong Princess, a riverboat that embodies the gracious heritage and beauty of Southeast Asia, combined with a romantic French colonial style and all the modern comforts. Her small size and ultra-shallow draft allow us to experience this mighty river from an intimate perspective. Throughout the journey, Professor Stark will offer a series of lectures, share insights into what you are seeing, and encourage discussions. Local guides will accompany you on all excursions. Cruise the Mekong for seven nights, from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. The Mekong takes us into the fascinating but seldom-visited world of one of
Asia’s great waterways. Marvel at floating villages whose residents literally live on the water—working, shopping, and even attending school and church. Tour a family-owned orchard, visit a noodle factory and a coconut candy maker, and experiment with typical Vietnamese ingredients during a cooking demonstration. Conclude the program with three nights in Siem Reap, where you can immerse yourself in the world-famous Khmer temples of Angkor, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire, including the iconic Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom. An optional pre-trip extension to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay is also available.
This adventure is limited to only 24 guests and is co-sponsored with another organization.

"The Strait of Hormuz through time: tracing the archaeology of a key global trading connection from the Bronze Age to the Portuguese"
2027-03-07 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S3A1, Canada
Derek Kennet (University of Chicago)

The Queens of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace: Beauty, Power, and Presence in the Neo-Assyrian World, c. 8
2027-04-04 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Penn Museum, 3230 South Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
Too often overshadowed by the legacy of Assyria’s ancient kings, this presentation illuminates
the queens who reigned with them in ancient Iraq during the ninth and centuries BCE. We focus
on the queens of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace because it is here that Iraqi archaeologists
discovered their royal tombs. The tombs contained heaps of precious jewelry and regalia, along
with cuneiform inscriptions, and even some skeletal remains. Putting together these artifacts of
death, and connecting them to the art, architecture, and written record of the era, we can
reconstruct the beauty, power, and presence of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace queens in life and for
eternity.

Türkiye: Ancient Splendors of the Aegean & Mediterranean
2027-04-11 - 2027-04-24
Many of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient Greek and Roman sites are found along Türkiye’s beautiful Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Visit world-famous, plus little-visited yet spectacular, Greco-Roman sites, Byzantine churches, Crusader castles, and Ottoman palaces. Your engaging AIA lecturer/host, Yaşar Ersoy, teaches classical art and archaeology and has been doing fieldwork in Türkiye since 1980. Throughout the program he will offer illustrated talks and informal discussions about the sites you are visiting and their places within the larger ancient Mediterranean world. Along the way, you will enjoy delicious cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and the company of a small group of like-minded fellow travelers. An expert tour manager/local guide will handle logistics and smooth the way.
Highlights:
• Visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
– Historic Areas of Istanbul, including the 6th-century Byzantine church-turnedmosque of Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans
– Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, whose treasures include ancient villas with splendid frescoes and mosaics, and the 2ndcentury A.D. Library of Celsus
– Aphrodisias, whose Temple of Aphrodite, tetrapylon, large stadium, and baths of Hadrian are unforgettable
– Hierapolis-Pamukkale, where we see the ruins of the baths and temples of a famous 2nd-century B.C. thermal spa
• Marvel at a variety of Greco-Roman sites, including:
– Sardis, former capital of the Lydian Empire and King Croesus, who was defeated by Persian king Cyrus the Great in 546 B.C.
– Didyma’s 7th-century B.C. Temple of Apollo, one of the leading oracles in the ancient world; and the 4th-century B.C. Temple of Athena at Priene, which became the classical model of Greek city planning
– Magnesia on the Meander, renowned for its Artemis cult, which has the ruins of a well-preserved theater and a stadium that could seat 30,000 spectators
– Kibyra, with its magnificent stadium, odeon covered with a Medusa mosaic, late Roman bath, and underground tombs
– Sagalassos, a rarely visited and recently excavated site at an elevation of 5,000 feet, with breathtaking views
– Aspendos, with one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world, renowned for its acoustics; and Perge, with its splendid theater, stadium, and enormous Hellenistic and Roman gates
• Explore several fine museum collections, including Istanbul’s Archaeological Museum, Burdur’s Archaeological Museum, and the Antalya Archaeological Museum
• Two flights within Türkiye are included to maximize your time
• An optional extension to central Türkiye is available, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia; Hattusha: the Hittite Capital; and the Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük. Also visit Ankara, with its superb Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and Konya, the famous center of Sufi mystic Rumi and his followers.

Grand Mediterranean Voyage: Malta to Türkiye
2027-04-11 - 2027-04-24
We invite you to join archaeologist Michael Hoff on an enriching, ten-night voyage through the central Mediterranean and into the Aegean. Experience an extraordinary variety of sites throughout Malta, Sicily, Italy’s “heel,” the island of Corfu and mainland Greece, and Türkiye as we explore some of the most remarkable landscapes and archaeological treasures of the ancient world. Embark in Valletta, Malta, our elegant, home-away-from-home: the 92-stateroom Le Dumont d’Urville, which makes for an ideal
base as we wend our way toward Türkiye. The vessel’s intimate size, inviting public spaces, and attentive service create an ideal setting for both discovery and relaxation.
Highlights include:
• Exploration of Malta’s remarkable prehistoric heritage, including the Tarxien Temples and the even older sanctuary of Ħaġar Qim, along with Valletta’s magnificent Baroque St. John’s Co-Cathedral, home to Caravaggio masterpieces.
• A visit to Syracuse, Sicily, once one of the greatest cities of the ancient Mediterranean, where the vast archaeological park, the monumental Greek theater, and the historic island of Ortygia reveal the city’s Greek and Roman legacies.
• A day in Puglia, discovering Lecce’s exuberant Baroque architecture before exploring the historic port town of Gallipoli, with its winding streets and long history of Mediterranean trade.
• Greece’s lush island landscapes of Corfu, sacred sanctuary of Delphi, dramatic Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, and breathtaking monasteries of Meteora, one of Europe’s most extraordinary cultural landscapes.
• Stepping into the ancient world at Ephesus, one of the best preserved classical cities in existence; and visits to the impressive remains of Perge and Aspendos, including Aspendos’ magnificent Roman theater.
Drawing on decades of excavations and research in Greece and Türkiye, Professor Hoff will offer engaging lectures and insightful interpretations that deepen our understanding of the sites we visit. His talks and conversations will illuminate the historical connections, archaeological discoveries, and cultural traditions that helped shape the Mediterranean world. I hope you will join us for this remarkable journey across the ancient Mediterranean. This program is co-sponsored, so we encourage you to
contact us today at aia@studytours.org or (800) 748-6262 to reserve your preferred stateroom.

Greece's Temples, Theaters & Sacred Landscapes: An Archaeological Exploration tour
2027-04-12 - 2027-04-25
Experience the awe-inspiring ruins of ancient Greece through the eyes of an expert. This immersive journey, led by archaeologist Jenifer Neils and a local guide, brings deeper meaning to the temples, theaters, and sanctuaries that shaped Western civilization. As we travel from the Acropolis of Athens, across the Peloponnese, to the oracle of Delphi and the monasteries of Meteora and to sites associated with the remarkable life of Alexander the Great, each site comes to life through the insights of our expert local guide. Professor Neils will offer informal discussions and a series of formal lectures throughout the program. With a small group of fellow travelers, explore world-renowned sites and museums, and return each evening to exceptional accommodations.
Highlights:
• Travel in the company of Jenifer Neils, a leading archaeologist and expert on the ancient Mediterranean.
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: » The Acropolis of Athens, with its iconic Parthenon and nearby Acropolis Museum
» Epidaurus, home to the remarkably preserved theater and sanctuary of Asclepius
» Mycenae and Tiryns, centers of the Mycenaean civilization and Homeric legend
» Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held for more than a millennium
» Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo and site of the most famous oracle in antiquity
» Meteora, with its dramatic monasteries perched atop towering rock formations
» The archaeological site of Vergina, burial place of Macedonian royalty
• Explore outstanding museum collections
• Enjoy excellent meals and stays in historic towns, with time to explore.

Hiking Southern Italy: Islands & Fire in the Land of the Gods
2027-05-08 - 2027-05-18
Welcome to an extraordinary springtime journey through the rich ancient history, breathtaking volcanic landscapes, and legendary food and wine culture of southern Italy and Sicily. Led by archaeologist Crispin Corrado, this thoughtfully paced program combines exceptional archaeological exploration with five rewarding hikes through some of the Mediterranean’s most dramatic scenery. Travel among active and dormant volcanoes, walk ancient paths overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and discover remarkable sites that illuminate the ancient Roman world, all while enjoying distinctive four-star accommodations, excellent regional cuisine, expert local guides, and the seamless support of a professional tour manager throughout.
Highlights include:
• Pompeii, one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites, destroyed (but also preserved!) by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79
• Hiking the trail of Vesuvius National Park to the crater, with amazing views over the whole Gulf of Naples
• A breathtaking hike along the “Path of the Gods,” on the Sorrento Peninsula, with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea
• A ferry ride to the fabled island of Capri to hike along fragrant trails to Roman Emperor Tiberius’ Villa Jovis
• A visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of Greco-Roman art and artifacts
• A private boat ride to Stromboli, the most active volcano in Europe, erupting at intervals of approximately 15 minutes
• A hike to the top of Vulcano, viewing numerous volcanic phenomena, including smoke clouds, vapor spouts, and sulphuric mud holes
This tour requires an elevated level of fitness, please see the what to expect section in the brochure
