Hellene Travel: 2026 Start of Summer Term Newsletter – An important Wedding, Easter Trip Feedback, future trip planning, Conferences, Research and Resources, Classics under fire (protection and ammunition), Performing Arts, Literature and humour.

Χαίρετε! Salvete! Greetings! Welcome back!

We must begin with huge Wedding Congratulations to James and his new Wife Charlotte! A beautiful setting with subtle green coordinated palate, the whole was, of course, Roman themed – cake, décor, altar, table settings with Roman numerals and famous locations. John, Sarah and Vishal were seated at Table IX, Spanish Steps.

The Celebrant’s address referenced Marcus Aurelius and other notables. The Bride didn’t quite enter with distaff and spindle in hand, nor the Groom togate, but rings were exchanged and the keys of the house handed over by James.

The happy couple will honeymoon in Sicily, so expect thousands of archaeological photographs. Charlotte has fully embraced James’ passion – he’s a lucky man.

Items arising from Easter Trips Feedback

Most trips have gone without a hitch and feedback has been wonderfully positive.

Obviously, not all trips run 100% without problems. This year the weather did affect some, especially flooding in Athens but Itineraries were smoothly altered by the great ground team. One school missed their Aetna visit because of closure, but an alternative geological venue swiftly arranged.

One prep school (rightly) complained that the mandatory Vatican Headsets were extremely intense Audio Guides, far too detailed for school groups. No other School has mentioned this, so we are not quite certain if this was an error by the Entrance Staff, or whether secondary pupils simply turn them off in contrast to earnest Prep school pupils trying to be perfect! If you had issue, please let us know.

The new Biometric checks caused delays as expected but thankfully none so serious to miss flights or venues. Things are obviously improving but they predict it will be September (after the Summer rush) until all glitches are sorted.

Similarly, some few international students experienced intensified scrutiny of paperwork both here and abroad. We cannot emphasise how important it is for Schools to always check with their own Embassies and Consulates and the counter parts in the country they intend to visit for latest information and requirements. Group Leaders should always accompany said students through Passport and Security check points.

Please notify us as early as possible of any SEND pupils or those with disabilities intending to travel. We are amending our paperwork to highlight this, as teachers should be fully aware of unexpected changes or closures, etc during a trip. Group Leaders need to be able to account for this when completing School Risk Assessments.

A final plea! Please, should you encounter any difficulties (even in the middle of the night) contact our Agents and/or us, don’t suffer in silence and leave it until you come home. Regular Clients know this, but some newer/younger teachers may not – we really are here 24/7!

OUT and ABOUT – Suggestions and future planning

i – When Rome met Greece: what the Capitoline Museums exhibition looks like.

ii – Pompeii, a new permanent path for casts of victims of the Vesuvius eruption

iii – Rome raises entry fee for Pantheon from €5 to €7

iv – “Metro C isn’t a subway, it’s an archaeological dig with trains”

Plan your trip: Both Metro A and B lines intersect with Metro C: take Metro A to San Giovanni or Metro B to Colosseo-Fori Imperiali. Colosseo-Fori Imperiali and San Giovanni intersect. Porta Metronia is reachable only via Metro C.

v – ARA PACIS – L’Ara si rivela. An immersive experience that combines technology, sound, and storytelling in a thrilling and engaging visit.

An innovative multimedia project inviting you to explore this iconic monument – commissioned by the Roman Senate to honour Octavian Augustus – through an extraordinary and exciting visual journey 27 March 2026 to 31 December 2026

WHERE: https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/ara-pacis-museum
Website: http://www.arapacis.it/mostra-evento/l-ara-si-rivela

vi – Museum of Argos to reopen in September according to local sources – not the most attractive of buildings, but therein treasures lie…………… a huge boon for those studying Mycenaean components.

vii – Zeibekiko Performance in Syntagma Goes Viral After March 25th Parade

For the fourth consecutive year, the Alexandros Mousoulos Dance Group hosted its own open-air “glenti” (party) in the heart of the city. A troupe of 120 dancers captivated onlookers with synchronized performances of the Hasapiko and the deeply soulful Zeibekiko.

And maybe for the future………

i – Puy du Fou theme park in France opens

Download the Brochure

ii – Il Navigium Isidis – An historical reconstruction of an ancient ritual, with traditional procession and symbolic consecration of the ship, marking the beginning of the navigation season after the winter break. Educational stalls dedicated to ancient Rome: the life of the legionary, gladiators, food, writing and ceramics, trade, and navigation in the Roman world.

The event is open to the public and is designed for families, schools, history enthusiasts, and tourists. INFO militumschola@gmail.com Whatsapp 3389314808

a – Rito, mare e identità nel Mediterraneo antico (with translation)

b – Reviving Ancient Traditions in Bacoli

RESEARCH and RESOURCES – Attachment A

Including SENTENTIAE ANTIQUAE on Iliad Books 15 – 17, Liv Mariah Yarrow, A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry, a full course on the subject, “The Ancient World in Video Games” and two new interactive digital maps; one of the Ancient World blending cities, topography and ancient texts, the other a full digital scanning of Pompeii in its entirety.

CONFERENCES of which you may have not been aware – Attachment B

HP Lovecraft, Homer Appreciation Day, a Lecture in Latin “‘Dignum me habeas’: Expectationes et experientia festi militum Romanorum apud Vindolandam” and AI for Ancient Studies

CLASSICS UNDERFIRE – Attachment C

From within and without; ammunition & protection

At an event last September in Brooklyn entitled “Radical Re-Imaginings: Classics for the 21st Century,” prominent academics from leading American universities discussed the provocative theme, “Forget the Classics?” Many progressive classics professors now question the relevance of their field, which some now call “Ancient World Studies,” because of the academic discipline’s alleged association with white supremacism. One panel featured Princeton’s Dan-el Padilla Peralta, who has notoriously called for the destruction of classics because of its alleged ties to racism, sexism, and misogyny, while classics professor Curtis Dozier declared: “Doing classics in dark times may mean not doing as much classics as we’re used to doing.”

THEATRE, CINEMA AND OTHER PERFORMANCE ARTS – Attachment D

We’ve come a long way since Heron of Alexandria, the brilliant C1st AD inventor designed automated theatrical machines that used motion, timing, and storytelling (good video).

You’ve recited the epic, told the tale, taught the text, read the book(s), seen the film(s) NOW soon SEE THE OPERA!

i – The American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the Gennadius Library presented an evening with the creators of the new opera ‘The Odyssey’, based on the acclaimed translation by Emily Wilson, music by Tom Smail and direction and design by Isabella Bywater

More drama related items in the attachment, from Hesiod on the stage, a pregnant Antigone, Lysistrata in Shanghai and the Oresteia in Reykjavík, resources, reviews and upcoming productions.

CONTENTIOUS ISSUES FOR CLASSROOM DISCUSSION – Attachment E

The current state of the word has thrown up a lot for this section and probably warrants a newsletter of its own. Hope some of the attached prove of interest.

BOOKS and Bookish related things – Attachment F

A varied selection of fiction and non-fiction

What did reading look like in Roman antiquity? Pasts Imperfect (4.2.26)

The familiar image of solitary men perusing scrolls oversimplifies the scene. Roman elites were certainly capable of silent reading. But for pleasure, convenience, or physical reasons such as waning eyesight, many preferred to hear words read aloud by enslaved laborers. Although these workers are often elided within the historical record and modern scholarship, they brought ancient literature to life through their voices, bodies, and choices.

i – The Ancient Roman Guide to Building Your Personal Library

ii – Marilyn Monroe’s Greek Books

“A room without books is like a body without a soul” Cicero

WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE CLASSICAL WORLD?

Because of the huge amount of incoming information, we dealt with Greece, Italy and UK in the last Newsletter; now for the remainder……….

As ever, current openings and developments in red.

BALKANS, SCANDANAVIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, N MACEDONIA POLAND, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, BLACK SEA and beyond – Attachment G

SWITZERLAND, GERMANY/AUSTRIA, FRANCE, SPAIN – Attachment H

TURKEY, EGYPT, ISRAEL, IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA – Attachment I

SE ASIA – Attachment J

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

FINALLY

As memories of Easter break relaxation (!) fade away and you gird your loins for the Examination Season, I thought perhaps some humour may be apt, thus:

i –The Ancient Greek Guide to Cheating Scandals: Real Housewives of Mount OlympusRetrospect Journal (University of Edinburgh’s student-led History, Classics, and Archaeology magazine.)

ii – Ancient Statues at The Met to Receive Patrons’ Noses Starting at $800 a pop, the inaugural Smellowship program offers donors a chance to admire their noses on ancient statues missing noses

iii – A reference by Jeopardy host Ken Jennings to King Croesus (and by extension, Herodotus) when discussing Trump’s ill-conceived war plans.

“They’re telling me a great empire will be destroyed if I attack Persia. Even the oracles who don’t like me very much, very nasty, they all said to me, “Sir, it’s one of the great empires, and it’ll be destroyed. And all because you attacked Persia.” Ken Jennings (@kenjennings.bsky.social) 2026-03-17T02:16:27.084Z