Exploring the Early Years of Alexander the Great
In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great: from Boy to King
For more than 2,000 years Alexander the Great has excited the imagination of people around the globe. A tour in Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia offers a unique opportunity to retrace his early footsteps from his birth through to the beginning of his extraordinary 22,000 mile journey of conquest.
Traveling back through time, participants will explore the world in which Alexander grew up, from the palace in which he was born to the rural idyll where he and his companions were educated by Aristotle. They will learn about Alexander’s personality and the lives of the people who inhabited his tumultuous world. They will follow in his footsteps from young prince to king and trace these action-packed years as he took on the mantle of warrior and leader and embarked on his campaign of conquest of the Persian Empire.
Alexander’s formative years were dominated by the rapid expansion of the Macedonian kingdom, as his father Philip II carved out vast new provinces. Participants will learn about this expanded realm from East to West and North to South, following routes that Alexander took as regent to his father, the king, while familiarising himself with the land that he was born to rule. They will explore the lakes and forests of Western Macedonia, the new cities of Herakleia Lynkestis and Philippi that his father founded to secure his realm, and the rich and fertile heartland of the kingdom itself: Pella, Vergina and Edessa. They will visit the sites of some of the most famous sieges and battles that accompanied this rapid expansion, from the cities of Methone, Olynthos and Stageira to the battlefield of Chaironeia.
Having explored the epicenter of Alexander’s kingdom, and stood in the magnificent tomb where his father was laid to rest, the group will head south into the heartland of ancient Greece. Here they will investigate the cities and sanctuaries that played a key role in the development of Macedonia, from Delphi to Corinth, Olympia to Athens, some of the most significant sites in the ancient world.
The adventure finishes in the most important sanctuary of the Macedonians, Dion, where Alexander feasted with his men and prepared them for the battles and marches to come on their epic journey east.
For more detailed information about this escorted tour, see Peter Sommer Travels.
Photo courtesy Heinrich Hall/Peter Sommer travels.
Labels: alexander the great, ancient greece, archaeological tours in Turkey, greece, macedonia, travel
Peter Sommer Travels: Exploring Ancient Turkey by Land and Sea
Turkey has long been known for its wealth of archaeological treasures. Ancient Greece, Rome, Byzantium, and others have all left some of the finest material examples of their culture and legacy within its present day borders. Here, the ancient remains of Homer's Troy were unearthed and explored, and ongoing excavations throughout the country continue to reveal more of what is left of the vast network of breathtakingly impressive, monumental settlements left behind after these great civilizations met their demise. No less fascinating is the mosaic of Turkey's own history and culture, making it a preferred travel destination for those with a more discriminating palate for escapes beyond the beaten tourist path. 
In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
In 2009, Peter Sommer Travels will offer no less than 18 unique excursions, one of which could arguably be considered its flagship offering: Entitled "In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great", it is no doubt inspired by the agency founder's 2,000 mile personal trek across Turkey in 1994, retracing the steps of Alexander the Great. Perusing the itinerary of this trip alone draws one to conclude that it is no wonder that the National Geographic Society has tabbed it as one of the "100 best worldwide vacations to enrich your life". Go to the website and see for yourself. For those of us who, for whatever reasons, prefer the specialized educational tour over the excavator's trowel and pick-ax, this alternative to the traditional tour vacation might be just the solution. For more information about these travel tours, go to www.petersommer.com. As the writer has often noted, reading history is interesting, but actually seeing it is an adventure that enriches your life. Labels: archaeological tours in Turkey, tours in Turkey, Turkey tours, vacations in Turkey
