Hellene 2025 Easter Newsletter – Travel updates, Verona, Sirmione & Venice and Istanbul & Troy Blogs, Two Weeks Risk Assessing in Greece, Lego, Odysseus (Damon & Fiennes), Athens Phallephoria

Χαίρετε! Salve! Greetings! Happy Easter! Καλό Πάσχα!

Here’s to a restful Easter break for those staying at home and smooth foreign trips for those venturing abroad either solo, with family or with students!

Hellene Trips at the start of 2025 have proved largely uneventful. We avoided the Heathrow Fire by the skin of our teeth (tho’ it was touch and go for a while!) and feedback has been fulsome, for which are immensely grateful.

However, there are changes afoot, travel wise… so please note –

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GENERAL

i – BA are changing their T&Cs from 31^st March. No longer will it be possible to reserve seats for 4/5 weeks without deposits; the maximum time now is 10 days. Consequently, we will now have to add a £50.00 buffer to all quotes as we already do for other airlines

ii – Passing through Gatwick recently, no one was asked to remove any items whatsoever from hand luggage; only to remove boots and belts. I had liquids and sharps neither of which caused any delay. Whether this was a one off or the start of a long-awaited new initiative, we know not – but would be very interested to receive feedback from those flying. It will make travelling with large groups so much easier!

iii – We understand and respect your right to privacy and that confidentiality is a huge thing, but please encourage your SMT to be realistic when it comes to non-disclosure of medical info and genders. We operate within the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable laws. In the event of an emergency, it is crucial that we have access to your medical information to ensure your safety and provide appropriate care.

iv – ABTA Statement re European Commission proposal for a temporary derogation, allowing for a progressive implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). The Commission’s new proposal aims to provide flexibility for Member States to implement the scheme over a phased six-month period (with additional contingencies beyond that period). It also outlines carrier obligations during the transition period.

v – Airlines are supposed to inform us of schedule changes but on occasion, they do not! We have complained and raised our concerns.

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GREECE

Milton “When I Consider How My Light is Spent” 1673 – via James Heath  

i – The new pricing/prebooked entry system begins on 1^st April. Please be patient as there is bound to be confusion as some sites (especially smaller venues) as it takes time for new info to filter down. Please contact your Greek Rep if you encounter difficulties.

ii – The Climate Resilience Fee (Hotel Tax) is increasing again from 1^st April. Itineraries have been updated, but here’s a summary

April to October

– 1-2 star hotels: 2 euros per night
– 3-star hotels: 5 euros per night
– 4-star hotels: 10 euros per night
– 5-star hotels: 15 euros per night

November to March

– 1-2 star hotels: 0.50 euros per night
– 3-star hotels: 1.50 euros per night
– 4-star hotels: 3 euros per night
– 5-star hotels: 4 euros per night

iii – Athens Public Transport Rolls Out Digital Ticketing System

iv – Our long-standing affiliation with the British School at Athens has drawn to a close. After 25 years of mutual support and cooperation, we will continue with a more informal friendship with colleagues there.

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ITALY

Arthur Symons “Cities” 1907 – via James Heath  

i – We have spoken much about the Papal Jubilee and the difficulties it will cause this year with increased numbers entry Italy and Rome in particular. If you want to know what it’s all about, here’s a guide:  Celebrate the special Papal Jubilee in Rome: what is it?

ii – Doubtless you’ve read of the thousands of mini earthquakes in Campi Flegri. We thought you’d like to know about the highly sophisticated monitoring system in operation and how locals deal with it day today. ‘The ground keeps breaking and deforming’: life in Italy’s volcanic Phlegraean Fields

iii – As of March 24, 2025, ADRIANO, a robotic assistant equipped with artificial intelligence, will be operational at the Temple of Vibia Sabina and Hadrian in Rome. The project, a symbol of Italian expertise, required an investment of 137 thousand euros and the work of more than 30 experts in robotics and AI. Do tell us if you were greeted by Adriano!

iv – Trebula Mutuesca: the forgotten ancient Roman town. This ancient amphitheatre near Rome doesn’t know if it’s a football pitch or a tourist attraction. Interested? Contact Jamie!

iv – Don’t forget the Artemisium in Ortygia is now open to public. Let us know if you visit.

v – Archaeologists found a mikveh (Jewish ritual bath) at Ostia near Rome used into Late Antiquity! “Among the objects recovered during the excavation are oil lamps decorated with the image of a menorah (seven-branched candelabrum) and a lulav (palm branch), as well as a well-preserved glass vessel.” Again, photos greatly appreciated from anyone who manages to fit it in amongst so much ese that Ostia has to offer!

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OUT and ABOUT
Blogs and Suggestions. Athens Phallephoria, Italy, Turkey, Greece

i – The Phallephoria in Athens continued once again for its tenth year. John and I attended two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated their attention to detail. This year it was organised on Sunday, February 23, 2025, in the historic centre of Athens and was similarly well attended. Last year we convinced one retired HoD to attend – we’d love to organise a Teacher Trip. If interested for 2026, let us know!

Animal skins, bells, ritual chaos: Ancient burnout remedy is still at the heart of Greece’s Carnival, and we could all do with a touch of that! Check out the Official Website for 15^th February 2026

ii – Kerry was lucky enough to join her husband in N Italy for a work trip; no surprises as to how she spent her free time!
Verona, Sirmione, and Venice – Attachment A

iii – January saw Claudia and Kerry in Istanbul, with a day trip to Troy. We offered you a teaser in the last Newsletter and as promised, here’s the Blog!
Istanbul (and Troy!) in five days – Attachment B

iv – John and I have just returned from a two week Hotel Risk Assessment in Greece; more of which soon. Needless to say, we also squeezed in a little archaeology, discovered some wonderful ‘new’ museums and new venues.

Lurking in Athens back streets we chanced upon a Weaving Museum offering demonstrations and workshops!

We also discovered some fish farms are offering tours, which might be of interest to those GLs already booking Tours of Apiary Museum and Olive Farms.

En route to Bassae from Andritsina we revisited the *PERFECT* example of a prototype theatre. One can clearly see how the orchestra developed from halos/threshing floor, how the storage area became a skene and how the surrounding terracing developed into the seating area/theatron. Twitter/X Link

Do ask your driver to pull over and check it out, there is sufficient room to park, but please be careful when venturing close to the edge.

The Museum in Chora (repository of Nestor’s Palace finds) remains closed for the foreseeable BUT there is a brand-new museum inside the fortifications of Pylos Akropolis’ Fortifications.

Unfortunately, Chris Nolan and his vast crew prevented us from acquiring any accommodation in SW Peloponnese. Not only did they prevent us from visiting Voidokilia Beach, but it meant we had to drive to and from Kalamata to visit Hotels in the area, adding a considerable number of additional kilometres (and hours) to our trip. However, this did mean we were able to visit the recently opened (14/02/25 – 27/04/25) Griffin Warrior Exhibition in Kalamata Museum, featuring remarkable finds from Pylos. Catch it if you can as it’s off on a world tour for quite some time before returning to Greece. The exhibits are breathtaking.

Kalamata Museum itself is very much worth a visit if a trip takes you to that area and the central historical district has been seriously upgraded. Other ‘new’ must visit Museums (if you can) are those at Amphissa (female and infant burials and votives), Tegea (unassuming from outside, mind blowing interior; a veritable tardis, beautifully lit) and Patras. The latter is particularly good for Roman finds, especially glassware – and it’s HUGE! We also visited the new domestic finds exhibition beneath the New Akropolis Museum in Athens; again, well worth an hour. In addition the Museums café is hosting the solo exhibition of the artist Athena Misegianni entitled “Remnants” from March 15 to April 9, 2025.

One Museum which hasn’t fared well, is that of Sparta. Wooden Edwardian Display cases may be cute, penetrating damp and broken windows patched with brown paper are unforgivable. Perhaps one day, the promised new museum will materialise. Sparta’s New Archaeological Museum Moves Closer to Reality

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WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE CLASSICAL WORLD?

Rather a lot actually. Thus, we’ll only mention Greece, Italy and the UK this time. The remainder if the Classical World can wait until after Easter!

GREECE – Attachment C

ITALY – Attachment D

UK – Attachment E

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A miscellaneous collection of diverse and eclectic articles on Greece and Rome for your whimsy – Attachment F

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SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

i – Dan Conway reported on X: “I just stumbled upon a blog which has a family tree of all the noble families of the Late Republic, including intermarriages, which the author has been updating for TEN YEARS. This is the work of a madman. I mean just LOOK at it! It won’t take you ten years to read it, but you’ll surely be stunned by the work involved!

ii – James spent just under three hours constructing Lego’s new Trevi Fountain………. can you do better? Twitter/X  Link

iii – This however, may take a little longer……….

Roman Thermae (Roman Bath) by Junglescream is the latest project to achieve 10,000 supporters. The build features a roman bath with indoor and outdoor bathing areas.

iv – Bloomsbury Classics new publications

v – Do you ever question what is right before your eyes? I read this and wondered whether I was going mad? Herewith an article on Olympia as a perfect example of not checking one’s sources! Unveiling the ancient glory of Olympia

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FINALLY…

Having been a little despondent about the new Odysseus Film I was eagerly anticipating the release of “The Return” – until I read this. Everything I Liked and Hated about Uberto Pasolini’s ‘The Return’ (2024) I had such high hopes!

Indeed, I may be forced to propitiate the Gods at the First Ancient Greek Temple in 1,700 Years to Open in Arcadia

My offering? Of the Gods To My Ships Deodorant of course – “inspired by the Iliad and Cleaner armpits”

What a tag line! Nausicaa would have loved it!