NEW in Fall 2012 ...

Situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for over 1100 years. Prague is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is among the most visited cities on the continent.

Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, and this "city of a hundred spires" has become one of Europe's most popular destinations. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form. It contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo-Classical and Deconstructivism.

Some of the sights you'll visit include the Old Town with its Old Town Square, The Astronomical Clock, the picturesque Charles Bridge, New Town with its busy and historic Wenceslas Square, Prague Castle (the largest castle in the world) with its St. Vitus Cathedral and Josefov (the old Jewish quarter) with Old Jewish Cemetery and Old New Synagogue.

Beyond well traveled streets, Prague hosts an undiscovered and intriguing contemporary art scene, with experimental theatre and film leading the way, while scores of photo and art galleries line its narrow lanes with the latest works of a wide variety of artists.

Just as Classical Greece provided the founding energy and brilliance behind much of the art, culture, mythology and even political democracy of our western world, Paris became the crossroads of a literary, film, painting and sculpture revolution that fed life into the emerging arts of the 19th and especially the 20th century. It was in the studios and literary 'salons' of the vibrant Left Bank that a vanguard developed experimental techniques, and the intellectual, emotional, and philosophical attitudes that reconfigured the arts as they were known.

Your stay in Paris will include three of the most formidable museums:

• The Louvre, with its treasures from antiquity to the present, presenting the world's largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, and of course the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
• The Picasso Museum, which features a spectacular collection of Pablo’s works including drawings, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and engravings, as well as the artist’s private collection of paintings by Cezanne, Braque, and more.
• The Orsay Museum, housed in an old train terminal, across the street from the Sienne, contains the world's most important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, including major works by Van Gogh, Delacroix, Manet, as well as Degas’s ethereal dancers, Monet’s water Lilies and Gauguin’s exotic images from his stay in the South Pacific.

And don't worry - you won't leave Paris without ascending to the top of the Eiffel Tower, exploring the Notre Dame Cathedral, and visiting the bookshops and galleries in the Latin Quarter.

Athena's study abroad program in Greece is designed to extend beyond the classroom and expose students, in an active and experiential manner to the living culture of a nation. In addition, students will become familiar with that nation’s heritage contained in the art, architecture, social traditions, and history of its peoples.

Please note: The Fine Arts Triangle is an excursion that is offered as part of Athena's study abroad program on Paros Island, Greece. This is not an accredited course.