Unbound 7 by University of Cambridge Development and Alumni Relations

Unbound

Cambridge Alumni Travel

Edition 7 / 2015

Welcome to Unbound, featuring Cambridge Alumni Travel programme trips for 2015. In this edition you can explore Bengal by river, discover the spectacular landscape of the Namib desert or gain exclusive access to Scottish country houses. We have also put our trip scholars and alumni travellers centre-stage. Turn to page four to read all about Dr Michael Brooke and learn about seasoned traveller Mary Rossiterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adventures on page 21.

Contents Full details of how to contact the operators, find out more about the trips and how to book can be found on page 23

Africa 18 Enigmatic Egypt Morocco’s Imperial Cities Namibian Odyssey

South America 19 Wildlife of Costa Rica Andean Civilisation – Peru and Bolivia

Asia 6 – 7 Bengal by River Crossing the Ancient Silk Road Kingdoms in the Sky Ladakh and Kashmir

Europe 12 – 13 Hereford Three Choirs Festival Country Houses of the Borders Waterloo 2015 Malta and Gozo In the footsteps of the Romans

Key Trip activity Art

Archaeology and ancient history

Food and wine

History and architecture

Wildlife Scientific Geology Photography

Trip type Asia 8 – 9 Colliding Continents The Golden Road from Samarkand Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang Sacred and Tribal China Burma

Europe 14 – 15 Gastronomic Piedmont Berlin Romania Art Treasures of St Petersburg

City break

River cruise

Sailing tour

Cruise Asia 10 Magnificent Mekong Best of Borneo

Europe 11 The Norwegian Fjords Arctic Explorer Arctic Highlights

Europe 16 – 17 Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast Provence and the Camargue Alexander’s Path Hellespont Gateway of Legends Ancient Routes of the Caucasus

Luxury hotel

Train

Activity rating: low

Activity rating: medium

Activity rating: high

Meet the scholars Dr Michael Brooke 1971 BSc Hons in Zoology, University of Cambridge 1977 DPhil, The breeding biology of the manx shearwater, University of Oxford 1978 Resident Scientific Administrator, Cousin Island, Seychelles 1981 Postdoctoral Research Assistant studying viral diseases of seabirds , Zoology Department, University of Oxford 1985 Senior Research Associate, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge 1991 Leader, Sir Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition to the Pitcairn Islands 1994 Hans Gadow Memorial Fellow and Strickland Curator of Ornithology in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge

What was your first trip? It was back in 1993 from Costa Rica for a few days, then via Cocos Island to the Galapagos. Since that time, I have been to the Galapagos five more times. What do you take from the trips? You get to go to places that you’re keen to go to and without exception it is great being with a terrific bunch of people who are interested, interesting and keen to learn and discuss things.

What do you think you add to the trips? I’m always very mindful not to upstage the local guide. They know much more about the local setting and can answer all those questions. I see my role as providing background perspective which is in my case, the biology and the natural history. When I do my homework ahead of this trip [to Borneo] I shall have the fun of delving into the evolutionary origins of the special plants and animals of the region. Dream location? I’ve always had this yearning to see the Northern Lights. Nepal and Tibet also appeal. I’ve been to Tibet before and it’s just totally impossible to put yourself in the mindset of one of the Buddhist pilgrims who’s going up and down on their knees for miles and miles and miles. […] I got quite fond of yak butter tea. Favourite thing in the Museum of Zoology? The drawers of Hawaiian birds – wonderful, red and yellow and so colourful. Many of them are now extinct and it almost makes you weep. So much has gone– there were other factors in their demise, but these were the species that constituted some of the spectacular Hawaiian cloaks that if you were a chief you got to wear.

What is your funniest trip memory? I was on a trip down the Amazon and we were routed through Lima on the way and basically shared a hotel in transit with the Miss Peru contestants. They were just jaw-droppingly beautiful. Tell us about your career After completing a seabird DPhil at Oxford while employed as warden of Skokholm Bird Observatory, I did postdocs at Oxford and then Cambridge. From there, I was absorbed onto the staff of the Zoology Department on a part-time basis. While not a road to riches, this trajectory allowed me scope to travel (to some of the world’s most wonderful places) and for consultancy, the latter constructively interacting with my academic interests.

Michael is the trip scholar on Temple World’s trip to Borneo, departing in June 2015. Read more about this exciting adventure on page 10.

Unbound Winter 2015

Professor James Allan Emeritus Professor of Eastern Art, University of Oxford

Dr Rowena E Archer Lecturer of Medieval History, University of Oxford

Professor Jeremy Black MBE (Queens’ 1975) Professor of History at the University of Exeter and author of The Battle of Waterloo: A New History

Professor Timothy Blanning (Sidney Sussex 1960) Retired Professor of Modern European History, University of Cambridge and Fellow of Sidney Sussex College

Dr Michael Brooke (Magdalene 1968) Hans Gadow Memorial Fellow & Strickland Curator of Ornithology, University of Cambridge Museum of Zoology

John Bryden (Emmanuel 1965) International musician and concert pianist and Director of the Edinburgh Society of Music

Dr Robin Catchpole Astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge and former Senior Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich

Professor Roger Davies (Churchill 1975) Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford

Professor Julian Dowdeswell (Jesus 1977) Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, Fellow of Jesus College and Professor of Physical Geography, University of Cambridge

Professor Andrew Goudie (Trinity Hall 1964) Emeritus Professor in Geography, University of Oxford and President of the British Institute in Eastern Africa

Dr Jamie Greenbaum Visiting Fellow at Peking National University where he is researching the early Northern State of Yan

Professor Charles Higham (St Catharine’s 1959) Research Professor at the University of Otago, New Zealand

Professor Geoff Horrocks (Downing 1969) Professor of Comparative Philology, University of Cambridge and Fellow of St John’s College

Dr Hubertus Jahn Lecturer in East European History, University of Cambridge Dr Nicholas James Affiliated Scholar in Archaeology, University of Cambridge and tutor at the Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge Professor Alexei Leporc Curator of Western European Art at the Hermitage

Professor Julius Lipner Chair of Hinduism and the Comparative Study of Religion at Cambridge and Fellow of Clare Hall

Dr Rosie Llewellyn-Jones An authority on colonial India from the 18th to the 20th century

Marc Millon Wine, food and travel writer, and author of The Food Lover’s Companion to Italy

Professor Chris Perrins Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow, Edward Grey Institute of Ornithology, University of Oxford

Professor Charles Ramble Former lecturer in Himalayan Studies at the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford

Dr Ulrike Roesler Lecturer in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies at Oxford’s Faculty of Oriental Studies, Fellow of Wolfson College and founder of the Tibetan and Himalayan Research Centre

Dr Peter Sarris Reader in Roman, Medieval and Byzantine History, University of Cambridge

Professor Mike Searle Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

Dr Diana Spencer (St John’s 1992) Reader in Roman Intellectual Culture, University of Birmingham

Dr Simon Stoddart (Magdalene 1977) Archaeologist at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Magdalene College

Professor Mark J Smith Professor of Egyptology, University College, Oxford

Professor Janice Stargardt (Sidney Sussex 1964) Professional Research Fellow in Asian Archaeology at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

Dr John Villiers (King’s 1954) Editor of the Pallas Guide to Romania and former visiting fellow Trinity College Oxford

Dr Claudia Wagner Classical Archaeologist, University of Oxford and Director of the gem database at the Beazley Archive

Bruce Wannell Writer, linguist and lecturer; has accompanied many alumni trips to Central Asia

Roger White (Christ’s 1969) Architectural historian and former Secretary of the Georgian Group and Garden History Society

Current Cambridge academic or alumnus/a

Unbound / Edition 7 / 2015

Asia

Bengal by River

Crossing the Ancient Silk Road

Calcutta and a week’s cruise along the Hooghly

Central Asia and China

26 Sep — 9 Oct 2015

£4,590*

23 Aug — 9 Sep 2015

Dr Rosie Llewellyn-Jones

Dr Jamie Greenbaum

Martin Randall Travel www.martinrandall.com

Distant Horizons www.distanthorizons.co.uk

Bengal was an outpost of the Mughal Empire and the first region to come under the control of the East India Company. Calcutta (Kolkata), founded in 1690, became the capital of British India until 1911. West Bengal is the land of lost capitals and fading grandeur: Hindus, Muslims, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish and French also founded settlements on the fertile banks of the river. Highlights include:

£3,840*

Four days are dedicated to Calcutta and its Georgian and Victorian buildings that formed the British city, before boarding an exclusively chartered river cruiser for a week-long journey on the Hooghly. Stops include Kalna, home to stunning 18th-century terracotta temples, and Murshidabad, once the Mughal capital of Bengal. Steeped in history but off the conventional tourist route, this tour adds a dimension to India for those who know it, and for those who are yet to encounter it in what was once the richest province in India.

The ancient Silk Road was actually a vast network of roads with a number of branches stretching westwards from Xi’an to Venice and Rome. Dr Greenbaum will show that the road was a mechanism not just for the trade of silk and other precious items, but also a crossroads for the expansion of religious ideas, arts and the exchange of opinions. The journey begins amidst the spectacular landscape of the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, a small and beautiful country in the heart of Central Asia. Travel south past herds of Bactrian camels and Tajik camping grounds and spend two nights on Lake Issykul the world’s second highest navigable lake. Cross into China and arrive in Kashgar for the famous Sunday market where down the ages Eastern traders have rubbed shoulders with some of the most colourful figures in Central Asia. It is still a thrilling experience. Continue on to Turfan, an important oasis town on the Silk Road and a jewel in the Buddhist crown until the 8th century when Islam spread from the West. The town, now Muslim, presents a captivating contrast of these two religious influences. At Dunhuang, in caves hewn over a millennium, discover one of the world’s richest treasure troves of Buddhist art. The journey ends in Xi’an, seat of the great 9th-century Tang court, which opened its doors to the cultural and economic influences of Byzantium and Arabia.

• • •

Islamic architecture in Murshidabad and Gaur, Hindu temples in Baranagar and Kalna, Georgian and Victorian buildings of the Raj Sailing along the banks of the Hooghly gives a unique insight into unspoilt village life Led by Dr Rosie Llewellyn-Jones an authority on colonial India

Not including international flights. Flights from London £690

Including flights from London

www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

Kingdoms in the Sky

Ladakh and Kashmir

Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan

Stunning landscapes and ancient cultures

11 Oct — 27 Oct 2015

£3,780*

3 Sep — 20 Sep 2015

Professor Julius Lipner

Dr Ulrike Roesler

Distant Horizons www.distanthorizons.co.uk

£3,480*

Isolated by formidable mountain barriers, the peoples of Sikkim and Bhutan have preserved a sophisticated, living medieval culture in the modern world. Accompanied by Professor Lipner, travel through some of the world’s most magnificent scenery and explore these unique kingdoms. The journey begins in Kathmandu where the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas tower above the foothills encircling the Kathmandu Valley. Enjoy a wonderful drive through terraced fields, tea estates, small towns and soothing green landscapes to Darjeeling – one of India’s finest hill stations. Sikkim is a kingdom of relentlessly steep hills, knife-edged valleys and stunning variety of plants and animals. The monasteries here are the repositories of both great art treasures, and centuries of belief. Explore Gangtok, a trading station from where, a 100 years ago, caravans of horses and yaks started their long and arduous journey into Tibet. On a spectacular road enter Bhutan and drive to Thimpu, its capital, hemmed in by jagged forbidding mountains. It is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt countries in Asia and its architecture is stunning. The role of religion in Bhutan is crucial and the influence of red-robed lamas can be seen everywhere. The journey finishes in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta). It is an intense, vital and crowded city where the grand old buildings of the Raj overlook narrow winding bazaars and offers a stark contrast to the peace and serenity of Bhutan.

Cradled by the mighty Himalayan and Karakorum mountain ranges, the remote kingdoms of Ladakh and Kashmir offer a spectacular diversity of landscapes, cultures and people. The journey begins in Ladakh, strategically located between the historic mercantile towns of South and Central Asia. Over many centuries, salt, spice and silk caravans journeyed across these silent valleys and huge open spaces. This was a region crucial to the transmission of Buddhism from India to Tibet. The party will visit the ancient towns Leh, Shey, Basgo and Tingmosgang, all capitals of historic kingdoms within Tibet’s cultural sphere, attracting trade, prosperity and new faiths. Cross the highest motorable pass in the Himalayas and journey to the other-worldly and magical Nubra valley, with its cultural jewel, the Disket Monastery: for many this truly is a lost paradise on earth. From Leh fly to Srinagar to stay on a traditional boathouse from where you will explore this lakeside city at the heart of the hauntingly beautiful vale of Kashmir. Discover a gentle countryside of lakes surrounded by apple orchards and fields of saffron. The Mogul Empire was a defining influence in 16th and 17th centuries as whole courts would arrive from the heat of India, luxuriating in the lush landscape and creating sublime gardens and beautifully carved pavilions.

Including flights from London

Unbound / Edition 7 / 2015

Asia

Colliding Continents

The Golden Road from Samarkand

Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang

A geological journey through the Himalayan mountains of Nepal

A journey through Central Asia

A trek through an ancient and spectacular kingdom

11 May — 25 May 2015

£2,780*

14 Apr — 28 Apr 2015

£3,230*

16 Apr — 3 May 2015

£3,350*

Professor Mike Searle

Bruce Wannell

Professor Charles Ramble

Distant Horizons www.distanthorizons.co.uk

The crash of the Indian plate into Asia is the biggest known collision in geological history, and it continues today. The result is the Himalaya and Karakoram, the largest mountain range on Earth. This region has half of the world’s highest mountains and a reputation as being one of the most remote and savage ranges of all. Professor Searle is a geologist at the University of Oxford and one of the most experienced field geologists of our time. During the nine-day trek to Annapurna Base Camp, he will explain more about the geological processes that formed such impressive peaks based on his own accounts of extreme mountaineering and research in the region. The trek does not require special technical abilities and will involve about five to eight hours of walking per day. Accommodation is in very simple mountain lodges and the party will ascend to about 4000 metres in altitude.

Few landmarks have tantalised the minds of travellers and artists more than the legendary cities of Central Asia. Originally caravanserais on the Golden Trade route across Central Asia, they developed into thriving centres of commerce and culture. Learn more of the region’s great kingdoms whose magnificent civilisations have produced some of Asia’s most beautiful art and architecture. The journey begins in Samarkand whose main square, the Registan was described by Lord Curzon as ‘the noblest square in the world’. Continue on to ‘Divine Bukhara’, a town of hundreds of mosques, madrassas and minarets. Cross the great Oxus River and visit the ancient ruins of Merv in Turkmenistan which in medieval times was the second most important city in Asia Minor after Baghdad. The journey finishes in Khiva whose many mosques and colleges have been rebuilt and where it is still possible to experience the timelessness of a Central Asian Caravan town.

Locked away in the wilderness of the Himalayas, on the very edge of the Tibetan plateau, lies the secret, ancient kingdom of Mustang, known to its inhabitants as the land of Lo. After decades of isolation its borders are now open. This is a spectacular land whose history and culture are steeped in ancient customs and traditions. The 10-day trek does not require special technical abilities and will involve about five to eight hours of walking a day. Accommodation is in very simple mountain lodges. After two nights in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara, enter Mustang through the Kali Gandaki gorge, one of the deepest in the world and begin a series of walks through some of Asia’s most spectacular landscapes to Lo Manthang, the kingdom’s capital. The trek passes through valleys, deep ravines, desert canyons, grasslands with white-walled villages and ancient cave homes all set against the soaring snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Enjoy spectacular dawns and sunsets and discover a world of silence, shadows and spirits.

Including flights from London

www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

Sacred and Tribal China

Burma

A journey through Laos, Yunnan and Tibet

The art and culture of the Golden Land

13 Oct — 3 Nov 2015

£3,580*

29 Oct — 12 Nov 2015

Professor Charles Ramble

Professor Janice Stargardt

Distant Horizons www.distanthorizons.co.uk

£3,550*

There can be few crossings more awe-inspiring than ascending from the jungle lowlands of Laos, through the hills of Yunnan Province to the spectacular mountains of Tibet, dotted with ancient monasteries and temples. The journey begins in the royal town of Luang Prabang, a small backwater in the heart of Laos and one of Asia’s last unspoiled havens. Take a beautiful northern road, through endless rice paddies and lush jungle to the misty mountains of the Hmong hill tribes whose settlements are perched precariously on high cliff faces. Here enter China through a small ‘back door’ border crossing with the Himalayan foothills beyond. Yunnan Province (literally ‘South of the Clouds’), is home to some of China’s most diverse variations in flora, fauna and ethnicity. Continue on through bamboo forests and the lush tea plantations to the ancient towns of Dali and Lijiang with their colourful markets left over from the Southern Silk Route. Rolling terraced hills give way to jagged snow capped peaks as one ascends into the Tibetan world of Shangri-La. On the Himalayan plateau of Tibet, the party will explore the traditions of China’s most famous minority group, in the medieval capital city of Lhasa and surrounding towns of Gyantse and Shigatse. Then finally return to earth on the world’s highest (Sino Tibet) railway.

Accompanied by Professor Stargardt, explore the ancient land of Burma, now Myanmar, one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries in Asia. Myanmar is the last of the truly magical destinations of the Orient, a glimpse of old Asia and the most devoutly Buddhist nation on earth. The party of Aung Sang Su Kyi, the National League for Democracy, is encouraging informed and respectful visits to Burma. Begin the journey in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) and explore this curiously Victorian city with its wide, straight boulevards and majestic colonial facades. The former capital is dominated by the huge golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda – Burma’s spiritual centre. It is a fascinating experience to visit the pagoda at dusk when thousands of pilgrims throng to this holiest of shrines. Travel on through lush countryside to the ancient citadel of Sri Ksetra which has been the focus of much of Professor Stargardt’s research. Spend two nights exploring Inle Lake, amidst the Shan Mountains at over 1000 metres above sea level. Mandalay was Burma’s last royal capital and today is the cultural heart of the country, with a romantic and evocative past. Cruise along the mighty Irrawaddy River to the many shrines and pagodas of Sagaing and the huge ruined temple of Mingun. Nearby is the ancient capital of Bagan on the Irrawaddy River. It is a true wonder of the ancient world with hundreds of huge pagodas soaring towards the sky.

Not including international flights

Including flights from London

Unbound / Edition 7 / 2015

Asia

Magnificent Mekong

Best of Borneo

Exclusive river cruise from Siem Reap to Saigon

White rajahs, orangutans and the birdwing butterfly

29 Oct — 11 Nov 2015

£3,490*

24 Jun — 5 Jul 2015

Professor Charles Higham

Dr Michael Brooke

Temple World www.templeworld.com

£2,750*

Accompanied by a world expert on the origins of the Angkor civilisation, this tour begins at wonderful Siem Reap. Explore the vast temple complex at Angkor, from romantic Ta Prohm, still half-covered in jungle, to Angkor Wat itself, with its incredible 12th-century bas reliefs. Commencing the scenic journey south along the mighty Mekong, glide along aboard the exclusively chartered 20 passenger Toum Tiou I, with just 10 comfortable ensuite cabins and a charming colonial feel. With the benefit of the ship’s shallow draft, get up close to the banks to see entire towns on stilts, gleaming paddy fields and spectacular pagodas en route, with stops to discover local life. Also explore Phnom Penh, the charming ‘Pearl of Asia’ with its tree-lined boulevards and magnificent Royal Palace and that evening enjoy a stunning performance of Khmer Classical Dance created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. Crossing the border into Vietnam, the river fans out into a fertile delta known for its rice production and lush orchards of mangoes and citrus fruit. Here, at the lively floating markets, sampans jostle for trade, laden with mounds of colourful fresh produce. End in charming Saigon where there is time to explore its French colonial heritage and reflect on more recent history at the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Discover the lushly forested island of Borneo, one of the most untouched wildlife habitats in Asia. Home to orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and a superb array of birds, the island also boasts a fascinating colonial legacy. Beginning with Kuching, historical home of Sarawak’s unique white rajahs, learn about the city’s heritage then search for rare proboscis monkeys and Irrawaddy dolphins with a cruise on the nearby Santubong River. Explore Bako National Park which boasts seven eco-systems, from beach and mangrove forests to grasslands and peat swamps. Wonder at over 150 species of birds. Flying to Sabah, visit Kota Kinabalu Park, a botanical haven, with pitcher plants, orchids and the very rare Rafflesia plant. At Poring, a canopy trail allows treetop views and Dr Brooke hopes to fulfil his ambition to spot Malaysia’s national butterfly, the Rajah Brooke birdwing. Then on to Sepilok, renowned for its orangutan orphanage. See the work of the centre and watch some of its inhabitants at feeding time. The final highlight is the Kinabatangan River, navigating the backwaters by boat in search of the endangered pygmy elephant, wild orangutans, macaques, monitor lizards and tropical birds such as rhinoceros hornbills, crested serpent eagles and blue-banded kingfishers. With like-minded fellow travellers and Dr Brooke’s insightful lectures, there can be few better ways to explore this wonderful region.

£3490 ground only. Optional flights from London from £850. Single supplement £1400, upper deck cabins £100 supplement

£2750 ground only. Single supplement £490. Optional flights from London from £750 – £950

www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

Europe

The Norwegian Fjords

Arctic Explorer

Arctic Highlights

Sail deep into some of Norway’s most beautiful fjords

Travel along the beautiful snow covered coast of Norway

In search of the Northern Lights

1 May — 10 May 2015

£1,871*

£1,769*

18 Feb — 23 Feb 2015

£1,529*

Dr Robin Catchpole

Professor Roger Davies

Hurtigruten www.hurtigruten.co.uk

A Dover departure A visit to Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway The rich Viking history of the area

Witness the extraordinary coastal landscape, and visit picturesque villages and stave churches where the scenery and cultural heritage have held visitors spellbound for centuries. Enjoy the most authentic experience of Norway’s fjords with kayaking, guided walks and lectures. Highlights include a visit to Luster where you can visit the UNESCO-listed Urnes Stave Church dating back to the 1100s, cosy villages and bustling towns, some of them seemingly clinging to the edges of the fjord’s cliffs as well as the beautiful castle at Rosendal. *

17 Mar — 24 Mar 2015

Professor Julian Dowdeswell

Starting in Dover, this voyage aboard the MS Fram will give you the ultimate fjord experience. Enjoy many of Norway’s most beautiful fjords including Lysefjord, Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord. Highlights include: • • •

Based on an inside cabin per person. Departure from Dover

Hurtigruten ships have been a vital link between the cities, towns and hamlets, carrying local passengers, freight and guests since 1893. Taking you closer to the heart of this coastline, Hurtigruten is the only operator that lets you discover and experience the authentic Norwegian winter. Highlights include: • •

A Taste of Vesterålen excursion included in your tour Sailing to Hammerfest the World’s northern-most town

Flying direct to the northern town of Bodø, you’ll sail north aboard MS Midnatsol to Kirkenes and back to the charming town of Svolvær. Here you will dock for two nights to enjoy the beautiful Lofoten Islands, explore Svolvær’s Viking heritage and the stunning scenery of this coastline, before taking the fast ferry back to Bodø to fly home. This sevennight package is a must for all serious aurora hunters. *

Based on an inside cabin per person Includes return flights from London Gatwick

Winter is perhaps the most special time to explore the wild and untamed Norwegian scenery and the Arctic Highlights voyage spends its entirety within the Arctic Circle giving you the best opportunity to see the Northern Lights. You also get the chance to take part in some fantastic winter excursions to areas of this frozen land that are seldom seen by tourists such as city tours and husky sledging, or a snowmobile trip through a frozen landscape. Highlights include: • •

Starting your journey from Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic A visit to the North Cape - 2000km from the North Pole

Enjoy a drinks reception on the first night on board, group dinners and the services of a tour manager. Flying direct to Tromsø, this tour includes three nights on the MS Richard With including full board, one night pre and one night post stay in the Radisson Blu hotel in Tromsø. *

Based on an inside cabin per person. Includes return flights from London Gatwick

Unbound / Edition 7 / 2015

Europe

Hereford Three Choirs Festival

Country Houses of the Borders

Waterloo 2015

Celebrate the 300th anniversary of one of the world’s oldest choral festivals

Exclusive access to Scotland’s finest castles and country houses

Commemorating 200 years since the Waterloo Campaign

29 Jul — 2 Aug 2015

£950*

15 Jul — 21 Jul 2015

£1,595*

8 May — 10 May 2015

£920*

John Bryden

Roger White

Professor Jeremy Black MBE

ACE Cultural Tours www.aceculturaltours.co.uk

In 2015 the Three Choirs Festival will be celebrating its 300th anniversary, making it the world’s oldest continuously running music festival. The festival is recognised internationally for the vast range of choral music performed and for the excellent standards achieved by its 800 participating artists. Hereford’s stunning cathedral will host the Festival Chorus and Philharmonia Orchestra will perform concerts including Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Mathias’s Luz Aeterna, Nielsen’s Hymnus Amoris and Verdi’s Requiem. Exclusive highlights include:

Cross the threshold into private estates not normally open to the public. The rolling and dramatic scenery provides a glorious backdrop for some of Scotland’s finest castles, monastic ruins and country houses. Highlights include:

• • •

A private piano recital by your trip scholar A guest lecture by the festival director Geraint Bowen A private tour of Hereford Cathedral

The Wihan Quartet will perform works by Haydn, Smetana and Beethoven and the festival’s closing recital is by esteemed mezzo soprano Sarah Connolly. *Single room supplement £55

• • •

Private access to Mertoun with its exceptional ducal art collection A visit to Traquair where locked gates await the return of a Stuart dynasty A tour of Mellerstain House which boasts perhaps the finest Robert Adam interior north of the border

Also explore Marchmont, with baroque plasterwork by Thomas Clayton, Floors Castle, a spectacular ducal fantasy and visit Manderston with its silver staircase. Further highlights include Bowhill House, renowned for its paintings by Canaletto and Gainsborough; Abbotsford, where we will explore the romantic creation of Sir Walter Scott and Paxton House, a Palladian mansion on the River Tweed. *

Including welcome drink, breakfast, dinner, five lunches and all visits

“It has been a dammed serious business… The nearest run thing you ever saw in your life.” So the Duke of Wellington described Waterloo. Join Professor Jeremy Black and Nick Lipscombe for a comprehensive exploration of one of the most decisive battles in history – the monumental clash that ended over 23 years of European conflict and ushered in half a century of peace. Visits include: • • •

A visit to the Hougoumont Farm complex fiercely defended by the British A trip to Napoleon’s HQ at Le Caillou A visit to the atmospheric Waterloo crypt

Before the crowds descend in this bicentennial year, survey the battlefields of Ligny, Quatre Bras, and Waterloo itself. Trace the order of battle, with visits including La Haye Sainte at the centre of the battlefield. Further visits include the Wellington Museum and the newly restored Panorama fresco. *

Including travel by Eurostar, all visits, breakfast, 2 lunches, dinner, single supplement £130

www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

Malta and Gozo

In the Footsteps of the Romans

Megaliths, Romans and crusaders

In Rome and Pompeii

6 Jul — 12 Jul 2015

£3,300*

6 Apr — 14 Apr 2015

Dr Simon Stoddart

Dr Diana Spencer

Andante Travels www.andantetravels.com

£3,300*

A privileged introduction led by Cambridge archaeologist Dr Simon Stoddart, whose research has shed new light on Malta’s 5500-year history. Dr Stoddart will introduce the mighty prehistoric monuments and medieval grandeur of this tiny Mediterranean island. Strategically placed with a fine natural harbour, Malta was coveted by empires through the ages. The tour is based throughout in a grand five-star hotel in Valletta on the edge of the old town, built in the colonial style. A full day is spent on foot exploring the historic sites of Malta’s capital, founded by the Crusading Knights Hospitallers after the long and hard-fought siege of 1565 against the Ottoman Turks. The truly unique aspect of Malta and Gozo’s past lies in far distant prehistory. Over 5000 years ago, the first Stone-Age farmers settled on the island – they built finely decorated temples, stone circles and other structures which are among the oldest in the world (1000 years older than the Great Pyramid at Giza). Guests will travel the short distance across the sea to Gozo and wander among these enigmatic monuments at Ta Cenc (where Dr Stoddart has secured special access) and Ġgantija. A unique trip taking in many little-visited, but vitally important, ruins on the sun-soaked shores of Mediterranean. The best of Maltese culture, past and present.

Bloodthirsty imperialists or the greatest empire the world has ever known? At its peak, the Roman rule stretched from Scotland to Syria, overseen by a cast of capricious Emperors who remain household names. Take a fantastic journey into the heart of the Roman Empire, contrasting the marble grandeur of Rome with the haunting streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Over 10 days Roman and Classical scholar Dr Diana Spencer delves into every stratum of Roman society from slaves to Caesars. The tour starts in Rome, where you spend four days exploring the 2000-year-old monuments of the Eternal City. Other highlights include the Roman harbour of Ostia and Hadrian’s imperial retreat at Tivoli in the rolling Sabine hills. Travel south in the footsteps of the Roman elite, to the extraordinary cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Buried but preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79, the cities of the bay of Naples are a window into the Roman world. Wander the ancient streets past villas, baths, brothels, bars and amphitheatres. There is also a chance to view the smaller Herculaneum – where two-storey buildings and carbonised furniture still survive. Complete this picture of Roman life at Naples Museum, home to treasures unearthed over 200 years of excavations. A vivid portrait of the extraordinary and the everyday in Roman Italy.

Including flights. Guaranteed to run with just 10 guests. Single supplement £390

Including flights. Guaranteed to run with just 10 guests. Single supplement £425

Unbound / Edition 7 / 2015

Europe

Gastronomic Piedmont

Berlin

Some of the finest food and wine in Italy

600 years at the heart of Europe

3 Oct — 9 Oct 2015

£2,790*

Professor Tim Blanning

Martin Randall Travel www.martinrandall.com

Andante Travels www.andantetravels.com

One of the most celebrated gastronomic regions in Italy, centre of the ‘Slow Food’ revolution Wine and food production studied at source, including a visit to Alba, white truffle capital of the world Beautiful landscapes upland pasture, rolling hills, sloping vineyards and hazelnut woods, studded with castles and medieval towns.

The study and enjoyment of wines is a large part of the tour, with the noble Barolo a feature. Among the foods investigated, truffles are significant, but the mountain cheeses such as Castelmagno make an equally powerful impression.

23 Apr — 27 Apr 2015

Marc Millon

Gastronomically, Piedmont is one of Italy’s most interesting regions. Its wines are superb, the food is varied and the delicious cooking ranges from traditional country fare to modern cuisine. This tour bypasses Turin in favour of visits in the countryside and smaller towns such as Alba and the royal house of Savoy at Castello di Rivoli. This bucolic exile is not at the expense of culinary excellence; there are superb restaurants, from rustic trattorias to Michelin-starred establishments. Highlights include: • • •

Inclusive of flights, accommodation, all food tastings, two wine tastings and entrance to all museums. Single supplement £180

£1,600*

Discover one of Europe’s great historic cities from the ostentatious monuments of Frederick the Great to the years of division as the Iron Curtain descended. Award-winning historian and author Professor Tim Blanning traces the development of the city over 600 years, introducing the city’s architectural gems and their place in world history. Highlights of the tour include Museum Island, the cultural heart of the city. The museums feature artefacts from many of the great ancient sites such as Troy, Egypt and Babylon. Guests explore the city on foot, walking in the 17th-century square Gendarmenmarkt, which was badly damaged in World War II and not fully restored until 1994. Visits here include the French and German domed cathedrals, the former built as refuge for Protestant Huguenots expelled from France in 1685. Venture beyond the city to Frederick’s summer palace at Sanssouci – surrounded by lavish gardens often described as the German Versailles. In Berlin you will explore the city’s turbulent, often tragic 20thcentury history including World War II bunkers, Tempelhof Airport and the poignant memorials to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Based in a stylish four-star hotel in the centre of the city, the tour includes a special dinner on the roof of the Reichstag building, with panoramic views over the city. A fascinating introduction into the divided history of a now united city. *

Not including flights. Guaranteed to run with just 10 guests. Single supplement £100

www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

Romania

Art Treasures of St Petersburg

Wooden villages, painted churches and Saxon citadels

A beautiful city without the crowds

11 Oct — 21 Oct 2015

£2,280*

26 Feb — 3 Mar 2015

Dr John Villiers

Professor Alexei Leporc

Distant Horizons www.distanthorizons.co.uk

£2,160*

Travel with Dr John Villiers on a journey through one of Europe’s most beautiful countries with its dazzling collections of cultural and artistic treasures; signs of a medieval past long since lost elsewhere. This is a country whose ethnic and political history is rich and complex, its ancient towns lively and well-preserved and the intense spirituality of its people wonderfully expressed through their music, arts, crafts and traditions. The journey begins in Bucharest where Byzantine churches crumble next to palatial Beaux-Arts town houses. Here, there are none of the crowds of neighbouring Prague or Budapest. Continue on to Maramures with its deep valleys, dense woodlands and traditional villages centred around exquisite wooden churches trimmed in elaborate wood carvings. Enter the fabled land of Transylvania through the dramatic Bicaz gorge and spend two nights in Sighisoara, the only remaining inhabited fortified citadel in Romania. Explore the 16th-century fortress of Brasov with its magnificent medieval centre and visit Peles Castle, an extraordinary palace set in a beautiful park in the majestic Bucegi mountains.

The beautiful city of St Petersburg, often known as the Venice of the North, was founded by Peter the Great to demonstrate his wish that Russia was a major power with its roots firmly fixed in Europe. Accompanied by Professor Leporc, explore this grandest of cities with its elegant buildings and unsurpassed palaces located both in the city and the surrounding countryside. The visit has been specially planned for February and March when the snow makes everything picturesque and the city looks magnificent. The theatres are open, the vodka and furs come out and the insides of the buildings are kept cosy and warm. Perhaps most importantly at this time, one can enjoy the city’s wonderful architecture and superb museums without the huge crowds later in the year. During the six days in St Petersburg, there will be two visits to the Hermitage with its hundreds of glittering, gilded rooms and its unrivalled collection of European and Russian art. Enjoy a day excursion to Tsarkoye Selo, the spectacular town of Imperial Palaces just outside of St Petersburg and Peterodvorets, designed to the specifications of Peter the Great to rival Versailles, one of the greatest monuments not only of Russia but the whole of Europe. There will also be visits to the Peter and Paul Fortress and Yussopev Palace. The rooms are gorgeous in their richness and variety. For those who wish, the journey can be extended to include a four day visit to Russia’s traditional ‘Holy Mother’ – Moscow.

Including flights from London

Unbound / Edition 7 / 2015

Europe

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast

Provence and the Camargue

Cruise from Split to Dubrovnik

Luxury barge cruise from Avignon to Aigues Mortes

20 Sep — 27 Sep 2015

£2,350*

12 Jul — 18 Jul 2015

Dr Peter Sarris

Dr Rowena E Archer

Temple World www.templeworld.com

£2,590*

The hauntingly beautiful Dalmatian coast has been occupied by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and for almost 700 years by the Venetians. This architectural, artistic and cultural legacy is explored in comfort aboard the yacht MS Barbara, chartered for our exclusive use with just 16 ensuite cabins. Starting in Dubrovnik, the former Republic of Ragusa, explore the Stradun, walk the walls, see the Sponza Palace and visit the Baroque Assumption Cathedral which houses a polyptych by Titian. Spend a day on the island of Mljet in the stunning national park before cruising to Korcula, known to the Knidian Greeks as ‘Black Corcyra’. Today there is a preserved medieval city and the locals believe Marco Polo was born there. Other lovely places include Hvar, an island of great historical significance where the churches house paintings by Tintoretto and Bellini. Also visit Trogir, with its beautiful Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Our highlight will be Split, a delightful city contained within the walls of a giant palace built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Meander along the Rhône River on our privately chartered luxury barge through the lovely scenery of the Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon regions. Starting in the medieval walled city of Aigues Mortes, cruise along picturesque canals, the Petit Rhône and the Rhône River towards historic Avignon. One of our first stops is at the magnificent Roman city of Arles. See its superb theatre and arena complete with treasures from a second golden age in the 11th and 12th centuries and the Romanesque Cathédrale St Trophîme with its renowned sculpture of the Last Supper. Spend time exploring the fortified village of Les Baux de Provence, perched on a rocky outcrop in the Alpilles, then at Villeneuve les Avignon, marvel at the remarkable Pont du Gard, a masterpiece of Roman engineering to bring spring water to Nîmes via a 50km aqueduct. We shall have a wine-tasting at a prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape cellar before arriving at Avignon where we visit the medieval Gothic Palais des Papes, a symbol of the church’s influence throughout the western Christian world.

Excluding flights. Single supplement £1300. Optional flights from London from £330

Ground only. Single supplement £1500. Optional train from London from £180 – £250

www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

Alexander’s Path

Hellespont Gateway of Legends

Ancient Routes of the Caucasus

Classic yacht cruise through Lycia and Pamphylia

Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Troy and Istanbul

Georgia and Armenia

15 Jun — 29 Jun 2015

£2,795*

19 Sep — 26 Sep 2015

£1,395*

9 Sep — 23 Sep 2015

£3,150*

Dr Claudia Wagner

Professor Geoff Horrocks

Dr Hubertus Jahn

Temple World www.templeworld.com

Distant Horizons www.distanthorizons.co.uk

This delightful itinerary is full of theatres, tombs and the beautiful Taurus Mountains. The sea passage has changed little in appearance over the last few thousand years, with dramatic peaks and deep-set wooded inlets making this a spectacular route. Travelling in comfort, visit wonderful classical cities such as Xanthos, Phaselis and Myra which feature widely in the history of the eastern Mediterranean. Among the gems is the beautiful mountain city of Arykanda, in the alpine-like valleys behind Phoenix, reminiscent of Delphi. Explore rare sites including Oenanda and Pinara in the Akdağ Mountains. Other highlights include Kekova, with picturesque sunken ruins. Accommodation is aboard a classic Turkish yacht, fitted with the most modern conveniences. Enjoy pleasant cabins with proper beds and ensuite bathrooms, a chef to prepare excellent fresh Turkish cuisine, and stewards to wait on your every need. There is also plenty of time for relaxation and swimming in the crystal-clear azure bays.

Take a timely look at this geographically pivotal region and explore the fascinating history of the cities surrounding the Sea of Marmara, from the classical legends of Troy to the Allied invasion of Gallipoli, marking its 100th anniversary in 2015. The Sea of Marmara divides Europe from Asia and has been the focus of military ambition since the Bronze Age. The Trojan War is the stuff of legend and literature and recent excavations at Troy help bring the site to life. Also included are visits to Assos, a fine Hellenistic city and Iznik, Byzantine Nicea, famous as the place where the Nicene creed was agreed in 325AD. At Gallipoli, discover the significance of the Dardanelles in WWI, sparking the Gallipoli landings and the disastrous Allied defeat which helped shape modern Turkey. Conclude with a reminder of the might of the Byzantines and Ottomans at Constantine’s glittering capital, Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul.

Ground only. Single supplement £1,100 Optional flight from London from £330

Ground only. Single supplement £250. Optional flights from London from £150

From the legend of the Golden Fleece to the stories of ancient Ararat, Georgia and Armenia share turbulent histories, extraordinary cultural traditions and spectacularly beautiful landscapes. The journey begins in Georgia, which for centuries stood as a key stop on the Silk Road, a stepping stone between Europe and Asia. From Tbilisi explore the eastern-most part of the country – Kakheti – a province rich in historic monuments and home to its greatest vineyards. Travel North along the Georgian Military Highway to the remote town of Kazbegi, beautifully situated in the spectacular High Caucasus. En route to Armenia visit Mtskheta, a World Heritage site where Christianity was first adopted. The Armenian monastic complex of Haghbat is an excellent example of 10th-century Armenian architecture and nearby is beautiful Lake Sevan. Spend three days in Yerevan, Armenia’s elegant capital, and visit the Matenadaran, the world’s largest collection of ancient manuscripts including works by Aristotle. *

Including flights from London

Unbound / Edition 7 / 2015

Africa

Enigmatic Egypt

Morocco’s Imperial Cities

Namibian Odyssey

Cairo and Saqqara, Coptic monasteries, desert oases, Luxor, Abydos and Dendera

Islamic art and architecture, Roman North Africa

Dunes, deserts, wildlife and rock art

17 Mar — 30 Mar 2015

£2,390*

3 Oct — 14 Oct 2015

£3,350*

10 Sep — 21 Sep 2015

£3200*

Professor Mark J Smith

Professor James Allan

Professor Andrew Goudie

Temple World www. templeworld.com

Temple World www.templeworld.com

Designed to suit both first and second-time visitors, this unusual tour goes off the beaten track to visit Egypt’s unsung gems. Start in Cairo, where as well as the Egyptian Museum and Giza pyramids, visit lesser-known Saqqara with its iconic Step Pyramid. Heading into the desert, explore the Coptic monasteries at Wadi Natrun, some of the oldest in Christendom. Continue to Alexandria, once home to the Pharos lighthouse and now showcasing its spectacular new Biblioteca Alexandrina. Visit the poignant Commonwealth war cemetery at El Alamein then turning in from the coast arrive at the great oasis of Siwa, famed for its temple of Amun where the oracle made Alexander the Great a god. Journey through the fascinating remote oases of Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga to reach the glittering Nile. End with visits to the treasures of Luxor as well as Abydos and the amazingly well-preserved Temple of Hathor at Dendera. Optional four to seven-day Nile cruises are available to add from Luxor.

Staying in boutique hotels and riads, this tour studies Morocco’s 6000 years of archaeology, art and architecture. Morocco benefits from the rich artistic legacy of the Berbers, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Portuguese, French and Spanish. Travel to Moorish Tetouan, with its fascinating original Medina and delight in the picturesque blue-hued houses of Chefchaouen. Continue southwards to the Ummayad Imperial cities of Fes and Meknes, discovering their palaces and medieval medinas. Here too lie the ruins of Roman Volubilis, with beautifully preserved mosaics. After experiencing Rabat and Casablanca, reach mighty Marrakech, from which the Moroccans ruled lands stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to Timbuktu. Explore its labyrinthine souks and squares, delightful gardens and the lofty villages of the High Atlas. Highlighting art and architecture, the tour encompasses much more, with desert dunes, magnificent scenery, exotic bazaars and wonderful local cuisine.

Join Professor Andrew Goudie, a specialist in desert geomorphology with decades of research in Namibia, to explore this spectacular landscape. The Namib Desert is home to the world’s largest sand dunes at Sossusvlei, and some of nature’s rarest plants. From the pools and shadows of Sesriem canyon to the eerily foggy coastline of the Atlantic, this arid and ever-changing landscape is a photographer’s dream. Travel up the starkly beautiful Skeleton Coast to Damaraland, home to the uniquely adapted desert elephant and black rhino. Discover the unique prehistoric rock art at Twyfelfontein, and stay in a private lodge at Etosha National Park where the shimmering salt pan is alive with mighty herds of game – zebra, rhinos, elephants and giraffes. Accompanied by a superb local naturalist throughout, end at Okonjima, home of Africat, where there is a chance to get up-close to leopards, cheetahs and lions.

Ground only. Single supplement £490. Optional flights from London from £490

Ground only. Optional flights from London from £260. Single supplement £795

Ground only. Optional flights from London Single supplement £530

www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

South America

Wildlife of Costa Rica

Andean Civilisation – Peru and Bolivia

Central America’s garden of Eden

Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines

14 Feb — 26 Feb 2015

£2,995*

9 Sep — 29 Sep 2015

Professor Chris Perrins

Dr Nicholas James

Temple World www.templeworld.com

Andante Travels www.andantetravels.com

A jungle-clad jewel nestled between the Pacific and the Caribbean and fringed by powder-white beaches, Costa Rica is considered by ecologists to be one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. In this stunning setting, this exploration goes in search of some of the world’s most unusual mammals such as sloths, tapirs and armadillos as well as a host of monkeys and fabulous birds, from bright toucans, macaws and parrots to the highly-prized resplendent quetzal. Staying in carefully chosen lodges and hotels throughout, this tour sets itself apart with congenial companions and an expert trip scholar. With ornithologist Dr Chris Perrins, who is a veteran lecturer on our alumni tours, discover the waterways of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast and the lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes of Arenal Volcano. Experience outstanding wildlife in the mist-covered Cloud Forests of Monteverde and jungle beaches of Manuel Antonio. Encounter squirrel monkeys, cheeky white-faced capuchins, white nosed coatis, birds such as roseates and northern jacanas and stunning butterflies such as the blue morpho. Truly a paradise on earth, for anyone interested in the natural world, Costa Rica is utterly beguiling.

Ground only. Optional flights from London c. £650. Single supplement £640

£6,695*

This is a true trip of a life-time, uncovering the depths and heights of Andean civilisation. The tour is led by Nicholas James, published expert in preColumbian archaeology who has lectured at both Oxford and Cambridge. Beginning in Lima, home to some of the world’s finest museums, we travel along the coast to view the Nazca Lines. An optional flight will be organised to view these vast depictions of animals, birds and geometric forms, etched into the desert. Travel by boat across great Lake Titicaca to the sacred Inca Islands of the Moon and the Sun. Also visit the beautiful city of Arequipa, 2300 metres high and surrounded by volcanoes. It retains most of its original Spanish grid-plan and marvellous colonial architecture. Over 21 days we explore the once fabulously wealthy cities, citadels and temples of the Incas and their enigmatic ancestors at Tiwanaku and Cuzco. For the culmination of the tour you will venture into the mountains to view the incomparable site of Machu Picchu, spending a full day among the temples and vertiginous terraces. Other highlights include the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa, royal estate of Ollantaytambo and traditional Inca markets at Pisac. This spectacular variety of sites, cultures and landscapes make for an unforgettable journey. *

Including flights. Guaranteed to run with eight guests. Single supplement £940. Nazca lines flight supplement approx. £100 payable on the ground

Alumni Experience Crossing the Ancient Silk Road www.distanthorizons.co.uk

Image: Mr P Newth (Queens’ 1977)

We managed to do a great deal at what seemed to be a comfortable pace and I came home just wanting to go back again!

Mr P Peterzan (Queens’ 1950) Alexander’s Path www.templeworld.com

Image: Chris (Pembroke 1957) and Heidi Shorrock

Excellent and well organised

Inside Rome on Foot www.andantetravels.com

Wonderful Aurora Displays Dr J Porter (Newnham 1965) Northern Lights www.hurtigruten.co.uk

Image: Lt Col Blaker (Jesus 1958)

Miss B A Charles (Newnham 1971)

Unbound Winter 2015

It surpassed our expectations Mr C Bowden and Mrs S Bowden (Lucy Cavendish 1991) Shropshire Country Houses www.aceculturaltours.co.uk Mary Rossiter (Girton 1956)

Dr M Harrison and Mrs E Harrison (Emmanuel 1966) Walking Istanbul www.andantetravels.com

Image: Mr J Thies (Fitzwilliam 2005)

Laos, Yunnan and Tibet www.distanthorizons.co.uk

It was a good introduction to the long history of this complex city and has given us some understanding of the paradoxes facing modern Turkey.

How many of our trips have you taken? I think it will be 15. Since 2000 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to China, Ethiopia, the Galapagos, Lagos and Cambodia, India, Burma, Madagascar, Eastern Turkey, Swaziland, a Mediterranean cruise and Laos, Yunnan and Tibet. What inspired you to travel with us? Up to 1999 I had not been away alone. I saw the travel programme in CAM and applied in some trepidation, hoping to meet compatible companions. The holidays offer travel plus education, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more fun than TV or Google! I had a very friendly welcome on the first trip and I have never looked back! What is it about our trips that you like? I have been on two trips with other companies and they do not have the same atmosphere or the tour scholars, all of whom are amazing. Everything is done efficiently but the tours are not made to feel like a package. I also like the unusual choice of destinations, and the fact that you are often not sure till the last minute that it is safe. We are often seen or told about things above and beyond usual tourist trail. Even though we are tourists, it feels more like an adventure of discovery What has been your most inspiring moment on a trip? There have been too many, but they include the courage and humour of people living in adversity against a background of present or recent political oppression such as in Ethiopia, Iran or Burma.

Holy Trinity Church near the Kazbegi-Gergeti village. Ancient routes of the Caucasus tour, p17

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody got on well, I found the food and accommodation excellent and the guides well informed and helpful. The intellectual buzz was priceless, happy memories.â&#x20AC;? Mr P Arnold (Emmanuel 1961) Galapagos Islands and Ecuador, Templeworld 2013

Unbound Winter 2015

Unbound For further information and to book

ACE Cultural Tours

Hurtigruten Ltd

To find out more about a trip that interests you or to book, please contact the individual operator, either by email or phone. All the operator contact details are listed opposite, and they are all more than happy to provide further information to help you make your booking decision and to discuss whether a trip is right for you. More information about the Cambridge Alumni Travel programme can be found at www.alumni. cam.ac.uk/travel, where you can search for a trip by destination, date or favourite trip scholar.

Stapleford Granary, Bury Farm, Stapleford Cambridge CB22 5BP

Bedford House 69 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 79 Fulham High Street London SW6 3JW

T +44 (0)1223 841055 E ace@aceculturaltours.co.uk W aceculturaltours.co.uk

T +44 (0)208 846 2633 E uk.groups@hurtigruten.com W hurtigruten.co.uk

Important note

Andante Travels

Martin Randall Travel

All the trips in this brochure are run by tried and tested travel operator partners. The operators have sole responsibility for the trips and the University has no control over or responsibility for the operation of the tours. All queries about individual trips should be addressed to the operator concerned. The information provided in this brochure is for general information only; if you are interested in making a booking, please contact the travel operator directly and indicate you are a Cambridge alumnus/a.

The Clock Tower, Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HR

Voysey House, Barley Mow Passage London, W4 4GF

T +44 (0)1722 713800 E tours@andantetravels.co.uk W andantetravels.com

T +44 (0)20 8742 3355 E info@martinrandall.co.uk W martinrandall.com

5085

Distant Horizons

Temple World (incorporating IMA Travel)

13 Melloncroft Drive, Caldy Wirral CH48 2JA

13 The Avenue, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2AL

T +44 (0)151 625 3425 E info@distanthorizons.co.uk W distanthorizons.co.uk

T +44 (0)208 940 4114 E info@templeworld.com W templeworld.com

Development and Alumni Relations University of Cambridge 1 Quayside Bridge Street Cambridge CB5 8AB

+44 (0)1223 332288

E contact@alumni.cam.ac.uk

facebook.com/cambridgealumni @camalumni