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Georgia College & State University’s (GCSU) School of Continuing and Professional Studies in collaboration with the Department of Continuing & Professional Education will be hosting an adventure tour ‘The Wonders of Greece’.
Adventure tours are international excursions that take a small group of people and enrich them in another country. ‘The Wonders of Greece’ will allow participants to explore the ancient history of Greece, learn more about and explore archaeological structures, learn to cook Greek cuisine, and experience Mediterranean culture.
“We chose Greece for its archeological and mythological history and expansiveness within the travel community. We were also heavily influenced by the surging popularity of Mediterranean Cuisine,” said Angela Criscoe, executive director of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “But we also wanted this adventure to connect back to Georgia College and build a community between our attendees and the college, so we picked a location very dear to one of our faculty member’s hearts.”
GCSU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Costas Spirou grew up in Samos, a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea, and worked closely with Criscoe and Director of Continuing & Professional Education Angie Woodham to help plan educational aspects of the trip.
Before attendees leave on the trip, Spirou will provide a lecture on the culture and his upbringing in Greece.
“When we began planning for the trip, we were inspired by Dr. Spirou and he taught us a lot about Mediterranean culture that influenced the schedule. To give our attendees a small glimpse into what they will experience, he will provide a short lecture about his personal upbringing and culture so our group can take that knowledge with them to Greece,” said Criscoe.
The adventure tour will take place between May 31, 2024, and June 8, 2024. Throughout the trip, attendees will have native English-speaking tour guides lead guided tours through Athens, the Acropolis, the archaeological site of Olympia, the Olympia Land Winery, and more. In addition, attendees will be able to cook with local ingredients in a Greek cooking class.
“We are very excited to be able to host a cooking class that will give our attendees a chance to not only taste the cuisine but make it. It’s a very unique opportunity to get hands-on with a popularly growing food and understand its origins and preparation,” said Woodham.
Nineteen spots are available for the trip and the deadline to sign up is Jan. 1 with a $500 deposit.
The trip is booked entirely through WorldStrides, a traveling company specializing in educational travel and experiences.
Included in the price is ground transportation, seven hotel nights, 24-hour emergency support, seven breakfasts and three dinners, native guides, two 24-hour public transportation passes in Athens, and two alcoholic beverages included at welcome and farewell meals.
“Anyone interested in the trip can feel safe traveling and experience Greece to its fullest potential because all the logistics are covered. Everything is secured in a safe package with a schedule that you can follow each day,” said Woodham. “The entire trip is personalized to our small group to ensure a fun and unforgettable experience.”
Two informational Zoom sessions will be hosted on Sept. 13 and Nov. 16 at noon.
To learn more about the trip and to receive the link to the Zoom sessions, please visit worldstrides.com/custom/ georgiacollegeandstateuniversity-greece-2024.