Previous Courses

Our eight-day journey through Türkiye was a memorable exploration of ancient history, uncovering Rome’s legacy across iconic sites.

We began and ended in Istanbul, exploring the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and ancient forums, while enjoying tea in the Grand Bazaar and sunsets over the Golden Horn. A flight to Izmir kicked off our exploration of Türkiye’s ancient cities. Highlights included Pergamon’s steep theater, the serene ruins of Priene, the sanctuary of Apollo at Miletus, and the stunning marble structures of Aphrodisias.

In Ephesus, we admired frescoed terrace houses and visited the Temple of Artemis. We wrapped up with some relaxation at the hot springs in Hierapolis, a well-deserved break after days of walking and discovery.

A five-day historical journey through Naples and the iconic region around Mount Vesuvius exploring varying the history and ancient sites Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, related seaside villas and even a Roman farm.

In true panem, pizza et circenses style, participants explored ancient history with unique access: behind-the-scenes tours at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN), underground tombs, and on-site visits to the famed ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The journey then led us to the lesser-known side of Vesuvius, where we visited the atmospheric “Villa of Augustus” set along the volcano’s slopes, revealing more layers of the ancient past.We concluded with exclusive tours of the Stabian villas of San Marco and Boscoreale, gaining insight into the lives of both the wealthy and everyday people leading up to the monumental eruption of 79 AD.

Key to the experience was placing antiquity in the context of contemporary culture, onsite expert insight and indulging in Napoli’s gastronomic delights

A five-day immersion experience into the heart of ancient Rome. From May 6 to 10, Darius and our guests explored ancient Rome, venturing both within and beyond the historic Aurelian Walls. Starting in Rome,we explored history firsthand, touring the Campus Martius, the Forum Boarium, the Imperial Forums, and more. Special access and underground site visits brought the layers of Rome’s past to life, and we enjoyed plenty of aperitivos to soak in the Roman atmosphere.

Our adventures also took us outside the city where we visited Ostia Antica to discover the significance of Rome’s ancient port, marveled at Emperor Hadrian’s Villa Adriana in Tivoli, and explored the everyday life of ancient Palestrina. Throughout the week, we overlapped history with contemporary Rome, meeting today’s experts as well as enjoying contemporary Roman cuisine.

Since 2021, we have curated a week-long program for selected undergraduate and graduate students of NCSU’s School of Design.The focus of the NCSU program is explore the centuries of Rome’s architectural progress, with a strong emphasis on ancient Rome’s building materials, topography, and grand projects of renewal spanning a thousand years.

This immersive experience took attendees on exclusive visits to sites reflecting the shifts from ancient through medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and modern eras. Each morning featured engaging lectures, while afternoons offered hands-on explorations where participants captured Rome’s beauty through sketching, painting, and photography, led by NCSU faculty. Alumni were welcomed to join in alongside students, enriching the creative experience.