Olympia: The Legacy of the Ancient Games
Glory (kleos) is not earned, it is seized. I was the greatest runner of antiquity, a champion in four consecutive Olympiads. Join me on a journey to the cradle of competition.
Why this journey
Relevance
This journey is an immersion into the origins of athletic competition and the Olympic spirit. As we visit Olympia, Nemea, and Corinth, we will not only explore ruins, we will relive the values of excellence (arete), honor, and the sacred truce that surrounded the games in antiquity.
Learning
You will grasp the connection between sport, religion, and politics in ancient Greece. Through hands-on workshops, you will experience the disciplines of the pentathlon and feel the thrill of running in the original stadium. You will examine the mindset of the ancient athlete and his pursuit of immortal glory (kleos).
Today
The mindset of an elite athlete (discipline, resilience, and a focus on excellence) is directly applicable to any professional field. This journey is ideal for athletes, coaches, and team leaders seeking inspiration in the foundations of competition and high performance.
Included
- Accommodation in charming, well-located hotels.
- All breakfasts and the lunches or dinners specified in the itinerary.
- Expert guides and historians throughout the journey.
- Entrance to all museums, monuments and historic sites in the itinerary.
- Comfortable private transport for all transfers between cities and activities.
- Exclusive workshops, tastings and immersive experiences described in the program.
- A welcome pack with reading materials and a travel journal.
- Basic travel insurance.
Not included
- Round-trip international flights to the expedition start/end point.
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses, purchases and souvenirs.
- Optional activities during free time.
- Tips (optional).
Who runs it
Institutions we have worked with
Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrival in Athens: The Cradle of Civilization
Welcome to Athens. After dropping off our luggage, we will climb Philopappos Hill for a panoramic view of the Acropolis at sunset. Dinner will be an introduction to the Mediterranean diet, the foundation of any Greek athlete's physique, as we discuss the philosophy of a "healthy body in a sound mind".
- Day 2 The Panathenaic Stadium and the Modern Games
In the morning, we will run a few laps in the Panathenaic Stadium, a marble reconstruction of the ancient stadium and host of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. An Olympic historian will tell us the story of its rebirth and the legacy of Pierre de Coubertin.
- Day 3 Corinth and the Isthmian Games
Travel to Corinth. We will explore the ancient Diolkos, the paved road along which ships were hauled, a feat of engineering. We will then visit the site of the Isthmian Games, held in honor of Poseidon. Here, the prize was not olive, but a crown of pine or celery.
- Day 4 Nemea: The Lion's Lair and the Nemean Games
We will head to Nemea, famous for the myth of Hercules and the Lion. We will visit the sanctuary of Zeus and the perfectly preserved stadium, where we can line up at the original stone starting line. We will re-enact the athletes' oath and discuss the role of mythology in sport.
- Day 5 Arrival in Olympia: The Sacred Sanctuary
Travel across the Peloponnese to Olympia, the most sacred place in ancient sport. We will spend our first afternoon at the archaeological museum, home to masterpieces such as the Hermes of Praxiteles and the pediments of the Temple of Zeus, which tell stories of order against chaos.
- Day 6 The Heart of Olympia: The Temple of Zeus and the Workshop of Phidias
We will explore the Altis, the sacred precinct of Olympia. We will pause before the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, which housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the statue of Zeus by Phidias. We will visit the workshop where the great sculptor created this colossal work.
- Day 7 Competition Day: The Stadium and the Palaestra
Today is the day. We will enter the stadium through the same vaulted tunnel used by the ancient athletes. We will run a "stadion" (approx. 192 meters) on the original track. Beforehand, we will visit the Palaestra and the Gymnasium, the training grounds, for a hands-on workshop on the disciplines of the pentathlon: discus and javelin throwing.
- Day 8 The Legacy of the Victors and the Zanes
We will examine the legacy of victory. We will see the Philippeion, a monument to the triumph of a royal family, and the "Zanes", the statues of Zeus funded with fines levied on athletes who cheated. A debate on fame, fortune, and corruption in ancient and modern sport.
- Day 9 Return to Athens and Plato's Academy
We will return to Athens. In the afternoon, we will move away from the center to visit the archaeological site of Plato's Academy. In this serene olive grove, we will discuss the relationship between physical and philosophical education, and how the ideal of a complete citizen included both.
- Day 10 Olympic Farewell
A free morning in Athens for last-minute shopping in Plaka or a return visit to a favorite spot. We will gather for a farewell lunch with views of the Acropolis, sharing the lessons learned about competition, honor, and the Olympic spirit. Transfer to the airport.