Our first visit was to the centre of Athens.   We were delighted to discover the steep hill of the Acropolis on one side of the main square and the intriguing Flea Market on the other.   Later in the National Archaeological Museum we saw the contents of the Grave Circles at Mycenae which we were to visit later in the tour.   One grave contained the so-called Mask of Agamemnon.   It was amazing to see objects that had survived for 3,000 years and some of the jewellery was really exquisite.

We also visited the Agora, the ancient market place and the commercial and political centre of ancient Athens, where Socrates was tried and condemned to drink hemlock.   Famous later visitors to the Agora included Cicero and St. Paul.   The site of the original Olympic Games was another fascinating site.   Here you find the ruins of the temple of Zeus, where one of the wonders of the ancient world, the statue of Zeus, had stood.   Unfortunately nothing of it survives today, but many carvings which decorated the temple did survive and they are elegantly displayed in the spacious Olympia Museum.

On our last day we drove to the Theatre of Epidaurus, an incredible structure, designed to seat 14,000 people and still used today.   Even from the top-most tier of the theatre every word spoken or sung can be heard - a claim both tested and proved by tuneful City girls.

The final visit was to Mycenae, the legendary home of the ill-fated Agamemnon.   We passed through the huge Lion Gate and enormous thick stone fortifications and climbed to the top of the city to enjoy the magnificent view over the whole plain of Argos and the mountains beyond. It was an incredible trip and we would like to thank all the teachers who made it so enjoyable.

Jenny, Year 11