Archaeological Institute of America

Greece's Temples, Theaters & Sacred Landscapes: An Archaeological Exploration tour
2027-04-12 - 2027-04-25 | SC
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.

Spokane Monthly Archaeology Lecture
2027-04-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-05-20 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!

Hiking Southern Italy: Islands & Fire in the Land of the Gods
2027-05-08 - 2027-05-18 | SC
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

AIA Sicily Circumnavigation: Sailing around Sicily & Malta
2027-05-24 - 2027-06-02 | SC
We invite you to join archaeologist Jim Higginbotham, our AIA lecturer and host, on this delightful, eight-night circumnavigation Our journey begins and ends in Valletta, Malta, one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Sail to Sicily and cruise clockwise around this marvelous island, bursting with archaeological and architectural wonders including the Doric Greek temple at Segesta, Palermo’s stunning Norman Palace, and the Greek theater at Taormina. Sample the rich flavors of Marsala with a guided tasting of this famed Sicilian wine, and on Syracuse’s Ortygia island enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a nobleman in a private Baroque palazzo. In all, our itinerary features six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including a full day in the Aeolian Islands, along with a specially timed sunset sailing through the Strait of Messina. An optional pre-trip extension is available, for an unforgettable introduction to Malta and Gozo. Along the way, we will benefit from the knowledge and insights of a team of onboard experts, including AIA lecturer/host James Higginbotham, who will provide a series of lectures and informal discussions. Our means of cruising from port to port is delightful. Like Marjorie Merriweather Post’s legendary Sea Cloud, the Sea Cloud II embodies the elegance and romance of a bygone era while offering the highest standards of modern comfort. This magnificent windjammer is operated by a highly skilled crew that hand-sets more than 30,000 square feet of canvas, a rare and captivating sight at sea. Life onboard seamlessly blends classic sailing traditions with refined service, spacious accommodations, and thoughtful amenities. This program is co-sponsored by other organizations, and the Sea Cloud II has only 47 cabins, so I encourage you to contact
AIA Tours today at aia@studytours.org or 800-748-6262 for your preferred cabin.

AIA Hiking in Scotland's Orkney & Shetland Islands tour
2027-07-19 - 2027-07-29 | SC
This is the perfect opportunity to explore all that Scotland’s Northern Isles have to offer: prehistoric stone circles, burial chambers, and settlements; quaint villages; huge seabird colonies; and remarkable plant life—all amidst dramatic landscapes. This will
be Scotland seen slowly, with time for in-depth exploration at each site. The Orkney and Shetland islands have an amazing wealth of archaeological sites dating back 5,000 years. Together the islands have more than 18,000 known sites, with new discoveries being made every year. This archaeological saga is worth the telling, and nowhere else can the evidence be seen in more glorious a setting.
Highlights:
• A private virtual tour of the Ness of Brodgar excavations and access to some of the finds. This ceremonial site in the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” was in use for around 1,000 years and a 20-year excavation project was completed in 2024. The site is within the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Orkney, which also includes the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, estimated to have been constructed around 2700 B.C.; the Stones of Stenness; the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar, one of Europe’s finest Neolithic monuments; Skara Brae settlement; and associated funerary monuments and stone settings. These are unquestionably among the most important Neolithic sites in western Europe.
• “The Crucible of Iron Age Shetland”—including Mousa Broch, the best-preserved known broch in the world, Old Scatness, and Jarlshof—where the lack of intensive modern farming means that the preservation of these sites and their landscapes is exceptional.
• The Isles are a birdwatcher’s paradise, and one of the major seabird breeding and feeding areas in the North Atlantic. More than a million birds breed in very large colonies.
• All meals are included, and you will enjoy comfortable accommodations: four nights at the elegant Lynnfield Hotel, a comfortable overnight ferry from Orkney to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, and three nights at the remote and charming Busta House Hotel.
This unique tour is more highly active than our usual land tours and features daily hikes that are easy to moderate in difficulty. You must be able to walk or be on your feet for most of the day; keep a steady group pace; and navigate uneven terrain, and up and down inclines and steps. To fully enjoy and visit all the sites on this itinerary one should be in good physical condition and, obviously, enjoy walking! Two local guides and a tour manager will accompany our group of fifteen participants. Our guides will explain in advance the difficulty of each day’s walk(s) and, if you prefer, you can opt out of any walking excursion and be driven to the next stop; but, bear in mind that some sites can only be visited if you walk to them.
