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D O D N EP AL O L SIT 20 O 18 F TO JU U ST RS £ ... 300
Journ e ys into the
An c ient World 2018 preview
arranged by andante travels
expert-led archaeological and cultural tours since 1985
ED
O FF ER
One of the top voted tours for 2018 Discover hidden wonders of the Archipelago...
Corfu & Islands by Gulet May 2018 — see page 44 for full details 2
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WELCOME Discover the best of the ancient world in 2018 Dear Traveller, I am delighted to share our new 2018 tour programme with you. Many of our regular guests have been asking for hints of what 2018 may bring... Well, the wait is finally over. As we do each year, we asked you, our travellers, to vote for new tours, and you didn’t let us down with your choices. Our 2017 gulet tour has already proved immensely popular, and your appetite for this unique means of travel is showing no signs of waning: your votes said that you’d like to eplore the archaeological and culinary delights of Corfu and Islands by Gulet (page 44). Your other choices are equally exciting, showcasing your desire to go back to the early origins of the ‘Emerald Isle’ on Prehistoric Ireland (page 52), follow the story of the ancient Persian Empire in Northern Iran (page 49), and take a tribal multicentre tour, tracing the Celts in Germany and Luxembourg. Wherever you find us, our aim is always to bring you closer to the past... but we also like to add a creative spin to the crusades we take you on. With that in mind, you’ll find an interesting collection of joint tours combining cultural pursuits with wonderful wine visits, gastronomic delights and the same archaeological expertise we’re known for. I do hope you enjoy the brochure. The phones at Andante Travels are manned by the people who plan — and have often been on or led our tours. They are always happy to answer any questions you may have; and are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, to advise on any and all aspects of your holiday. All that remains for me to say is: happy travels this year and next.
Ian Finlay, Director Andante Travels
EARLY BIRD OFFER book now on any tour in 2018 and we’ll fix your deposit at £300! You can hold your place on any of our 2018 tours with a fully refundable deposit of just £300pp. Book before 16th June 2017 and that’s all the deposit you’ll ever have to pay - we won’t ask for a top-up regardless of the final price of the tour. Remember, you can view full itineraries for all 2018 tours on our website: www.andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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travelling with Andante putting archaeology first
Founded and run by archaeologists, Andante Travels is one of the UK’s leading specialist tour operators. We are proud to say that we work with the CBA (Council for British Archaeology), CWA (Current World Archaeology) and each year award our own Andante Archaeology Award to deserving projects.
expert guides
small groups
Andante Travellers are interesting, intelligent people leading all manner of different lives — we aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere. Our maximum group size ranges from 14–25 guests, with the average group size currently 18.
value for money
Our tours are conceived, planned and led by articulate experts: archaeologists, historians, writers and broadcasters. Drawing on the ancient sites we visit, our Guide Lecturers are able to build up a vivid picture of life in the past with knowledge, good humour and skill.
Unless otherwise stated all our tours include: flights, Guide Lecturer, Tour Manager, all meals, hotel, wine, local travel, entry to all sites, field notes and tips. We also guarantee not to pass on any currency surcharges — the price of your tour will stay the same, no matter what the price of the pound, dollar or euro.
professional tour managers
great hotels & fabulous food
Our tours are also accompanied by a professional Tour Manager. Efficient and charming, our Tour Managers ensure that all the practical details of your holiday are taken care of. They are also excellent company and include linguists, writers, ornithologists, botanists and fellow travel enthusiasts.
exclusive special access
Ever wanted to explore the Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous sites of Rome, but without the usual crowds? Visit the trenches of a working excavation, or stand amongst the very stones of Stonehenge? Each of our tours features exclusive access to some of the greatest sites, monuments and museums in the world. 4
We hand-pick the hotels you stay in. The vast majority are 4*, but the occasional excellent 3* or 5* could appear along the way. Over and above the star-rating, we endeavour to offer guests an authentic hotel of character. Some of our choices are amongst the best in the world, whilst some are simple, but ideally located for visiting the sites. Most of our tours include all meals, and we have some spectacular ‘special meals’, from dinner on the roof of the Reichstag, to picnics in the flower-strewn hills of Sicily.
holidays everyone can enjoy
Our groups include people of all ages and from all walks of life. Some travel solo, some as couples or groups of friends. All you
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how to book — and why you should do it soon As we work out some of the finer details of our exciting 2018 tours, including their prices, we still like to give our guests a head start on choosing their next Andante adventure. That’s why, if you reserve your place on any tour in this brochure before 16th June, you can do so with a deposit of just £300 — regardless of the final price of the tour. Just get in touch using the contact details below to book your place. Make sure you don’t miss your spot on our most popular tours. New tours, trips with favourite Guide Lecturers and popular destinations fill early. We have already had enquiries about the our ‘Top Five Tours’, so book now to avoid disappointment.
need is enthusiasm and an enquiring mind. We have had wonderful tours, travelling with engaged guests of all ages. Please note that all our tours are moderately active and involve walking so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
peace of mind
When you travel with us, you will be looked after around the clock. In the unlikely event of an emergency, Andante staff will be on hand to help you both on tour and from the UK. We are experts in dealing with the unexpected. We have a 24-hour emergency number and you will be accompanied by Andante staff throughout.
full financial protection
All our holidays are fully bonded and protected. The air holiday packages in this brochure are ATOL Protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3552. ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services in this brochure. Holidays without flights are protected by ABTOT. This means that in the unlikely event of our insolvency, your holiday would be completed or refunded.
Change your mind at any time! You can amend or cancel your booking up until 16th June 2017. So, if you wake up one morning with a burning desire to visit Sicily rather than Pompeii, just drop us a line — we’ll be more than happy to oblige. Full itineraries available online. You will find full itineraries for all our New, Hidden and Relaxed tours in this brochure, and detailed day-by-day programmes for all our 2018 tours on andantetravels.com. If you don’t have access to the web and would like more details on a tour, get in touch and we’ll be happy to put a copy in the post to you.
for further advice, information and to book ask our in-house experts
01722 713800
tours@andantetravels.com USA: 1-888-331-3476 Australia: 02 9191 2623
5249
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new for 2018 Allow us to introduce you to some new corners of the ancient world... As voted for by you, our wonderful guests.
north-western iran
prehistoric ireland
Your top voted destination for 2018! Our second tour to Iran takes in its lesser-known north-west, where we examine Ancient Persia’s great empires from the very beginning...
Experience the fascinating Prehistory of Ireland for yourself as we travel through its rugged landscape with one of the leading experts in Irish Archaeology, Dr Kelli Ann Malone.
Find out more on page 49...
Find out more on page 52...
Find out more on page 35...
corfu & islands by gulet
vienna at christmas
vietnam
Take a meandering route along the northern coast of Greece, and explore the legacy of the incomparable Ionian islands: one of Homeric legend, Venetian majesty and more...
Spend Christmas in Austria’s splendid capital where, as well as enjoying some superb architecture, we get that festive feeling from a Christmas market or two.
Uncover captivating cities, discover mystical ruins, view venerable Buddhist pagodas and explore the richest of cultural remains in this historically fascinating country.
Find out more on page 44...
Find out more on page 20...
Find out more on page 91...
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the celts in germany & luxembourg
Discover the Celts and their world through the remarkable remains found throughout south-west Germany and Luxembourg, and the sites from which they hail.
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special access Each of our tours features exclusive access to some of the greatest sites, monuments and museums in the world.
lemba archaeological research centre
go within stonehenge
insights into corinth
Take part in an exclusive tour of The Lemba Archaeology Research Centre, and enjoy a handling session with local archaeological finds.
Many of us have experienced it from a distance, but now you can get a closer look at Stonehenge as we take a walk within the stones themselves.
Enjoy a specially arranged tour by the former director – which will give you unique insights into the site and its archaeological investigations.
Cyprus|The South — full details on page 25...
The Story of Wessex — full details on page 89...
The Peloponnese — full details on page 39...
excavations at sissi
cappella palatina
Visit excavations on Kephali Hill near Sissi – which aim to shed new light on the structure of the captivating Minoan society...
Visit the Cappella Palatina away from the crowds. The exquisite triumph of Norman architecture simply has to be seen to be believed.
tour the british institute in amman
Crete and Santorini — full details on page 40...
Classical Sicily — full details on page 60...
Discover one of the leading archaeological organisations in Jordan; and meet the incredible scientists working there.
Jordan - Petra and the Desert Fortresses — full details on page 77...
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long haul Where could you go in 2018? With our exciting programme of long haul tours, both established and new, it could be further than you think
vietnam
guatemala, belize & honduras
china
From the electrifying vigour of Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquility of temple ruins at My Son, this beautiful country’s dynamic nature is apparent everywhere you look.
This exciting tour takes us on the trail of the Maya — join us to uncover the mysteries of this magnificent civilisation, which arose from the jungles of Central America.
This is the story not just of one China, but of a multifaceted country’s many incarnations, told through prehistoric settlements and modern cities alike.
Find out more on page 91
Find out more on page 48
Find out more on page 22
northern peru
tanzania & zanzibar
mexico | beyond oaxaca
Travel through truly spectacular mountain scenery on the trail of some of the greatest — yet lesser known — Andean cultures: the Moche, Chimu and Chachapoya.
Following in the footsteps of the East African explorers, get to the heart of a country which witnessed both the birth of humanity, and one of its greatest tragedies.
Journeying from vibrant Mexico City to the Oaxaca highlands, we explore the legacy not only of the famous Aztecs and Teotihuacan, but of many other fascinating peoples.
Find out more on page 79
Find out more on page 84
Find out more on page 77
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cambodia & laos
japan
chile & easter island
Cambodia and Laos present a thrilling balance of mysterious cities, deep forests and colonial grandeur — see it all on this incomparable Southeast Asian tour.
While a relative latecomer to globalisation, Japan’s cultural influence on the wider world has since been phenomenal. On this diverse tour, it’s easy to see why.
From the almost-lunar landscapes of the Atacama desert to Easter Island’s gigantic Moai, silhouetted against the horizon, this is a truly otherworldly rock art experience.
Find out more on page 21
Find out more on page 75
Find out more on page 22
GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR LONG HAUL TOURS mexico | the maya As we explore their jungle ruins, you’re sure to see why the Maya have enjoyed the most enduring hold on the popular imagination of all Mesoamerican civilisations.
call 01722713800 or visit us online at www.andantetravels.com
Find out more on page 78
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expert Guide Lecturers Archaeologists, writers, broadcasters and historians, a constellation of expert guides able to bring the past to life. Our Guide Lecturers accompany you from morning until night. These are the people who make our tours unique...
dr sophie thérèse ambler
is a historian of the Middle Ages. She has taught on the Crusades and British Medieval History at King’s College, London and the University of East Anglia.
ur guide was extremely knowledgeable, passionate and always happy to help.” Guest in 2016
dr denise allen
christian biggi
brian ayers
diana blumberg
dr paul bahn
doru bogdan
dr tertia barnett
david brotherson
is a specialist in Roman glass, with over 100 publications related to her name. She has excavated all over the UK, including at Stonehenge, and overseas.
is an archaeologist and Honorary Lecturer at the University of East Anglia. He specialises in Viking towns on the North Sea and has excavated widely.
is a global expert in prehistoric rock art. He has authored many books and discovered the UK’s only confirmed example of Palaeolithic cave art.
is an Honorary Fellow at Edinburgh University and specialist in rock art. She has immense passion for her subject and has worked in Europe, Africa and the UK.
an experienced archaeologist. He currently manages the International Centre for the Study of Herculaneum at the British School of Rome.
is an archaeological scientist specialising in the analysis of materials. She has worked on field schools in Pompeii and Portus and has excavated in the UK.
is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Alba Iulia, Romania. He specialises in Roman archaeology; and has supervised excavations across Europe.
has been conducting research in Cambodia since 2009. Along with fellow guide Dr Damian Evans, he is a member of the international Greater Angkor project.
ilona bausch
michael brown
jeremy bennett
prof john collis
peter berridge
ian colvin
is a Lecturer in East Asian archaeology at the University of Leiden, the Netherlands. She has lived and worked in Japan and speaks fluent Japanese.
is a British archaeologist. He is currently studying for his PhD examining Maltese agricultural terraces at Cambridge University.
is a researcher and museum archaeologist. He has a wealth of experience, from major research at Stonehenge to being Head of Colchester Museums’ Service.
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is a highly experienced archaeologist and regular broadcaster. He previously worked in the management of the MOD’s historic landscapes.
John Collis PhD FSA MIFA is a leading expert on the European Iron Age, who has excavated widely and published major books on the period.
is a specialist in Late Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions. He trained at Oxford, and is now a researcher at Cambridge University.
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mark corney
dr christina hatzimichael whitley
dr paul croft
prof. valerie higgins
francois desset
deborah hodson
is a French archaeologist specialising in Near Eastern Archaeology. He obtained his Phd from the Sorbonne. He speaks fluent Persian and English.
is Head of Engagement and Learning at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, having previously studied the archaeology of the Roman Empire.
dr sophy downes
nicholas jackson
david drew
nicholas james
dr neil faulkner
dr gai jorayev
is an Honorary Research Fellow at Bristol University. He was also a frequent contributor to Channel 4’s popular series ‘Time Team’.
is an expert in Cypriot prehistory who lives and works on the island, managing the Lemba Archaeological Centre. He has many contacts with local archaeologists.
is an archaeologist whose research interests combine two worlds, in particular the interaction of the classical and Hellenic west and Persian east.
is a writer, archaeologist and broadcaster specialising in ancient Latin America. He studied at Oxford and UCL and has led numerous tours to Mexico and Peru.
is a Research Fellow at Bristol University. A specialist in military history and Roman archaeology, he is the author of works including Rome - Empire of the Eagles.
is a tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning. She specialises in Minoan Crete, and is co-director of the Praisos Excavation Project in Crete.
is Chair of Arts and Humanities at the American University of Rome, where she teaches archaeology. She specialises in the study of human remains.
is an archaeologist with several strings to his bow: he is a specialist in both the history of Berlin (where he lives) and the archaeology of the Middle East.
has worked on the archaeology of American Indians for over 35 years. He is the author of “Aztecs & Maya”; and a veteran leader of tours in Latin America.
is a researcher at the Archaeological Institute, UCL. He is Deputy Director of the Ancient Merv Project, investigating every aspect of Merv’s Silk Road history.
rosetta ferrari
prof. tony king
lucia gahlin
dr fernando lÓpez sÁnchez
oliver gilkes
dr john mcnabb
lived in Italy for many years and speaks Italian. She has a great interest in food and culture and is a member of the exclusive Italian Society of Cheese Tasters.
lectures in Egyptology for University College London, Bristol and Exeter. She has also worked at the archaeological site of Tell el-Amarna in Middle Egypt.
is one of the UK’s foremost experts on Albanian archaeology. A true Renaissance man, he also worked at the British School at Rome for many years.
dr ffiona gilmore-eaves
read archaeology at Cambridge, before undertaking her PhD at Nottingham. She has worked in life-long learning and adult education, especially for the WEA.
lectures in archaeology at the University of Winchester, specialising in animal remains. He has excavated extensively in Britain and abroad, including in Italy.
studied history at the University of Zaragoza. He conducted post-doctoral research in Oxford University as member of Wolfson College.
has been a Senior Lecturer in Palaeolithic Archaeology at Southampton University since 2010. He is heavily involved in projects in Tanzania and South Africa.
“O
pen minded, sociable, humble & humerous. All of which describe our GL perfectly.” Guest in 2016
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expert Guide Lecturers malcolm mcneill
is a lecturer for SOAS, University of London. He has also worked at the British Museum and lectured for Asia House, Christies, and the V&A.
e have travelled with Andante on numerous occasions and each time we have had an exquisite lecturer. They are great within the field and make us feel welcome” Guest in 2016
dr alexander macgillivray
carolyn perry
dr kelli ann malone
alex pryor
dr oren margolis
terry richardson
is a specialist in Minoan Crete. He worked at Knossos for over 20 years and now lives just outside Athens. He has excavated at Sparta, Paros, Kythno as well as on Crete.
is an archaeologist and lecturer in Irish History and Archaeology. She has over 20 years experience in the heritage and tourism industry.
is a historian of the Italian Renaissance. Oren’s research has taken him to a number of Italian cities, including Florence, Venice, Naples, and Rome.
is an archaeologist with extensive experience in the Mediterranean. She is currently a lecturer in Greek History and Mythology at the University of London.
is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southampton. He completed his PhD in Palaeolithic archaeology at the University of Cambridge.
has a background in Ancient History and Classical Civilisation and lived in Turkey. He is the author of the Rough Guides to Turkey and Istanbul.
dr eireann marshall
dr rita roussos
dr katya melamed
peter sharrock
was raised in a 15th century villa in Vicenza, so was born to history! She lectures and researches in Classical Civilisation in Italy and North Africa.
works at the Bulgarian National Institute of Archaeology and has directed many excavations, especially at Bulgaria’s many fascinating ‘lost’ Medieval churches.
prof. john mitchell
is Professor of the History of Art in the Department of World Art and Museology at UEA. His specialisations include Italian history, and religious architecture.
dr iain morley
is a lecturer at the University of Oxford, where he teaches human evolution and Paleolithic archaeology. He has excavated in Britain, Libya and much of Europe.
tony o’connor
has excavated widely in Britain, Italy and Africa, and is now a museum archaeologist. He is one of our most popular guides to Pompeii and Tunisia.
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taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens. She has worked on many archaeological projects in Greece.
is an art historian specializing in the spread of Buddhism across Southeast Asia. His passion for Indochina began when he was in Vietnam as a war correspondent.
dr gillian shepherd
is Director of the Trendall Centre for Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe, Australia. She returns as often as she can to Italy, where her research is based.
john shepherd
is an archaeologist who has excavated all over Europe and the UK. He was a curator at the Museum of London for many years, setting up their Roman galleries.
dr val turner
has been Shetland’s Regional Archaeologist since the post was created in 1986. She has managed large-scale excavation projects all across Scotland.
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dr nicholas vella
paul wordsworth
is Head of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta. He is the author of many works and papers on the archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean.
tony wilmott
is a Senior Archaeologist with English Heritage. He has directed numerous excavations and was Current Archaeology Archaeologist of the Year in 2012.
is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Oriental Studies. His research interests include early Islamic and landscape archaeology.
“A
real treat! Having lecturers who are informative, ply you with facts and theories and who are genuinely interested in an alternative view point is wonderful.” Guest in 2016
your favourite Guide Lecturers Following every tour, we send out questionnaires asking for feedback on your experience – to ensure that we offer the best possible holidays in the ancient world. Our tours are conceived, planned and led by articulate experts: archaeologists, historians, writers and broadcasters. Drawing on the ancient sites we visit, our Guide Lecturers are able to build up a vivid picture of life in the past with knowledge, good humour and skill. Here are some of our favourite Guide Lecturers you rated highest in 2017:
denise allen Travel alongside Denise on a host of 2018 tours, including; Relaxed Provence and Pompeii.
“D
enise Allen was one reason why we booked this tour. A very pleasant person and interesting to talk to regarding archaeology.” Guest on Classical Sicily 2016.
“D
9.4/10
9.7/10
9.7/10
enise is always the best. She was the expert lecturer on the first tour I ever did with Andante and never disappoints.” Guest on Spain & Lusitania 2016.
oliver gilkes
john shepherd
You can travel with Oliver on many of our 2018 tours, including; Albania and the Etruscans.
Join John on a number of 2018 tours, including; The Romans in London & Paris and Naples New Year.
“O
liver - the best lecturer I have ever been on tour with. Excellent delivery, very clear and he did not leave us hanging around too long. Oliver is very enthusiastic about archaeology as well as entertaining, fun and generally great to be with.” Guest on Enemies of Rome, 2016.
“J
ohn was wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and not at all boring. He has a great sense of humour and told us some very interesting stories. John read a letter to us by Pliny the younger that bought tears to my eyes - it was touching to have a first hand description of the terror & devastation that occurred.” Guest on Pompeii, 2016
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tours by country ALBANIA
DENMARK
Land of the Eagles........................... 18
Vikings in the North....................... 26
Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo.... 18
EGYPT
The Via Egnatia............................... 19
Land of the Pharaohs...................... 27
AUSTRIA
FRANCE
Vienna at Christmas........................ 20
Côte d’Azur | Via Julia Augusta...27
BULGARIA
Pyrenees Rock Art...........................28
Thracians & Churches.................... 21
Relaxed Provence............................29
CAMBODIA & LAOS
Vintage Provence.............................30
Cambodia & Laos............................ 21
The Dordogne | Cave Art..............30
CHILE
Romans on the Rhone & Soane.....31
Chile & Easter Island.......................... 22
Languedoc........................................32
CHINA
Hidden Paris....................................33
China................................................. 22
GEORGIA
CROATIA
Georgia.............................................34
Dalmatia & Dubrovnik................... 23
GERMANY
Relaxed Split.................................... 24
Roman Germany.............................34
CYPRUS
The Celts...........................................35
The North: Road to Salamis........... 25
Walking the Roman Limes.............36
The South......................................... 25
Hallstatt & Austria | Iron Age......36
CZECH REPUBLIC Prehistoric Czech Republic............ 26
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GERMANY
ITALY
Hidden Berlin..................................37
Pompeii & Herculaneum................ 56
Short Break in Berlin.......................38
Classical Sicily.................................. 58
GREECE
Ancient Wonders of Sicily.............. 60
Thessaloniki.....................................38
Meet the Romans............................. 61
The Peloponnese..............................39
The Etruscans................................... 61
Crete & Santorini.............................40
Hidden Rome................................... 62
Ancient Macedonia & Epirus........42
Relaxed Capri................................... 63
Meet the Greeks...............................43
Campania | Beyond Pompeii........ 64
Corfu & Islands by Gulet...............44
Sardinia............................................. 65
The Cyclades by Gulet....................46
The Ice Man & His World.............. 65
Crete Revisited.................................48
Rome................................................. 66
GUATEMALA
Relaxed Tuscany.............................. 67
Guatemala & Belize........................48
Pompeii & Amalfi............................ 68
IRAN
Basilicata & Calabria....................... 69
North-Western Iran.........................49
Relaxed Lake Garda........................ 70
Iran | Kings, Shahs & Gardens.....50
Relaxed Siracusa.............................. 71
IRELAND
The Wine of the Gods..................... 72
Prehistoric Ireland........................... 52
Ravenna & Aquileia........................ 73
ISRAEL
Bologna Festive Food......................73
Israel & Palestine.............................53
Naples at New Year.........................74
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JAPAN
TANZANIA
Japan.................................................75
Tanzania & Zanzibar......................84
JORDAN
TURKEY
Petra & the Desert Fortresses.........75
The Hittites.......................................84
KAZAKHSTAN
The Aegean Coast of Turkey..........85
Kazakhstan.......................................76
UK
MALTA
Walking Hadrian’s Wall.................88
Malta & Gozo...................................77
Orkney & Shetland..........................88
MEXICO
The Story of Wessex........................89
Oaxaca & Beyond............................77
UZBEKISTAN
The Maya..........................................78
The Silk Road...................................90
PERU
VIETNAM
Northern Peru..................................79
Vietnam............................................91
SPAIN & PORTUGAL Romans, Visigoths & Viziers.........79 Roman Lusitania..............................80 Rock Art in Altamira......................82 Fôz Côa |Rock Art of Portugal.....82 Phoenicians in Spain.......................83
SWEDEN Sweden & Norway | Rock Art......83
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new for 2018 hidden cities relaxed breaks joint tours
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different ways to explore There’s more than one way to enjoy the ancient world. Everyone is different — that’s why we offer three different ways to travel:
TRAVELS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
HIDDEN CITIES
RELAXED BREAKS
Our classic tours. All-inclusive journeys into the distant past. Join us as we push the boundaries of cultural travel and visit sites often out of reach of mainstream tourism. Each tour is accompanied by an Expert Guide, and features special access across the ancient world.
Unique, intimate, privileged introductions to the secret history of Europe’s great cities. Travel in small groups, visit exclusive sites, enjoy Michelinstar meals, and stay in luxurious hotels. The perfect mix of luxury and culture with special access to fascinating sites.
Very civilised explorations of the ancient world. Relaxed Breaks are real holidays, introduced by Expert Guides, with time to digest the sites and stories. Between discovering historic treasures, why not take in some local culture or spectacular landscapes?
Holidays everyone can enjoy all you need is an inquiring mind
•
Receive Special Access to an exclusive selection of sites
•
Cultural excursions to wineries, private views and boat trips
Receive Special Access on every one of our tours
•
Enjoy Michelin-starred meals and stay in luxurious hotels
•
Plenty of free time to explore at your own pace
•
Travel with an Expert Guide Lecturer throughout the tour
•
Travel with an Expert Guide Lecturer throughout the tour
Travel with an Expert Guide Lecturer throughout the tour
• • •
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albania | land of the eagles with Oliver Gilkes Albania is like no other country in Europe. This is a place where pristine ruins still stand in splendid isolation, shrouded in woodland, or grandly guarding mountain peaks. In Classical times, the Greeks and Romans built cities overlooking the sparkling waters of the Ionian sea; centuries later, Byzantine Christians and Ottoman Turks fought over dramatic mountain strongholds. Oliver Gilkes has directed excavations in Albania for over 20 years and brings with him an encyclopaedic knowledge of Albanian archaeology and culture. Discover Albania’s past and present, from Illyrian strongholds and Greek colonies to communist bunkers.
Special Access
Special access to the Tirana Archaeological Museum and Zekate House, Ottoman Mansion in Gjirokastra, high in the mountains
Highlights • Classical cities, Ottoman mosques, Byzantine churches and more • Enjoy a full day at the World Heritage Site of Butrint • Special access to the sublime Zekate House Fri 20th Apr - Sat 28th Apr Fri 5th Oct - Sat 13th Oct 9 Days Tour Codes: Apr; ALB18A, Oct; ALB18B
albania | montenegro & kosovo with Oliver Gilkes Travel from the shores of the Adriatic high up into the Albanian mountains, into Montenegro, ‘the pearl of the Mediterranean’ and the wide plains of Kosovo. This is the land of the Illyrians and their successors. Journey through the ancient coastal cities, Greek and Roman colonies, explore Medieval towns, where Ottoman mosques jostle for space with frescoed Byzantine churches. Join us as we trace the many civilisations who have Highlights left their mark on these lands. This region hosts little-known archaeological sites that will delight even the worldliest of travellers; whilst the abundant natural beauty, mountains, plains and dramatic gorges, will capture your imagination.
• Explore the Kosovar Roman city of Ulpiana • Admire the beautiful Adriatic coast and the sublime Bay of Kotor
• Enjoy a spectacular voyage along the valley of the Black Drin
Special Access
Visit a true place of Albanian legend: Rozafa Castle. From its imposing position upon a rocky hill, we are treated to stunning views. 18
Thu 27th Sep - Fri 5th Oct 9 Days Tour Code: AKM18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Visit the remarkable World Heritage Site of Lake Ohrid, dotted with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman sites • View the golden treasures of King Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great • Take in the spectacular scenery and truly breathtaking views across Lake Prespa • Witness the meeting of natural and man made splendour at the waterfalls of Edessa
albania & macedonia | the via egnatia with Oliver Gilkes
A journey through time and civilisations, across the dramatic landscapes of southeast Europe. Albania, Macedonia and the Balkans represent one vast patchwork of cultures and civilisations. Our tour takes in the Greek cities of the Adriatic, the tombs and treasures of Philip of Macedon, the lateimperial glories of Thessaloniki and the beautiful Byzantine churches on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Divided by mountains, the Balkans are united by roads which kept the disparate states and Empires in contact, and conflict. Join us to discover the greatest: the Via Egnatia, used by the Romans to speed their conquest of Illyria and Macedonia.
Sun 14th Oct - Mon 22nd Oct 9 Days Tour Code: VIE18A
Special Access
We visit the normally closed Jeni Mosque in Bitola. A mighty symbol of the Ottoman Empire built over the remains of a Byzantine church.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Albania and travel to our hotel. Day Two We begin at Durrës. We visit the circular Forum of Anastasius, before making our way to Apollonia, the Corinthian Greek colony which was vital for the Roman conquest of the Balkans.
on ‘the Bay of Bones’. We continue to Lake Prespa and St. Naum, before travelling to Korbinovo. Day Six We start the day in Heraklea Lyncestis, built by Philip II of Macedon. We explore Bitola, and visit the fine Bitola museum, established in an old Turkish military college.
Day Three We travel to Tirana, capital of Albania. We explore the National Historical Museum. We continue via the new road tunnel below the Krabbe Pass to Elbasan, ancient Scampis.
Day Seven We visit the ancient site and thundering waterfalls of Edessa before visiting Aigai, where we find the great burial mound which covered the tombs of Macedonian royalty.
What’s Included
Day Four We enjoy a day in wonderful Ohrid, an ancient city boasting a Roman, Byzantine, Macedonian and Ottoman past.
Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Five We make our way to the Museum on Water, an expertly reconstructed lake settlement
Day Eight We explore Thessaloniki, the original terminus of the Via Egnatia, where we pay a visit to the Agora and the church of St. Demetrius. Day Nine We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Come face-to-face with impressive finds, including the Venus of Willendorf, at the vast Naturhistorisches Museum Wien • Explore the Ducal Crypt of the St. Stephen´s Cathedral, where members of the Habsburg dynasty found a resting place • Get a glimpse of the former imperial city at palace Hofburg, the winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty
austria | vienna at christmas with Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Spend Christmas in the splendid capital of Austria. Vienna is in many ways a cutting edge city, leading the world in design, architecture, contemporary art and more — but its rich history is even more captivating. Wander in the footsteps of Elizabeth, Empress of Austria, across Baroque streetscapes and past imperial palaces; and discover the echoes of artistic and musical masterpieces waiting around every corner. Take a tour of the Naturhistorisches Museum to marvel the Venus of Willendorf. Of course, at Christmas we’d be remiss not to take a stroll through the many wonderful Christmas markets.
Sat 22nd Dec - Thu 27th Dec 6 Days Tour Code: VNA18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Special Access
Enjoy a delicious dining experience on Christmas Day. We’ll sit down together for a traditional dinner that is sure to be a highlight of our tour.
Itinerary Day One We fly out to Vienna. Upon arrival, our first impression of this marvellous city is a walking tour, which gives us the perfect opportunity to admire its rich architecture — be sure to keep an eye out for the famous façade of the Hundertwasserhaus. Day Two We begin at Naturhistorisches Museum Wien which houses a remarkable prehistoric collection in a stunning setting. This afternoon we take a stroll through one of the famous Christmas markets to get in the festive mood. Day Three We travel out to Stift Melk overlooking the Danube. The Benedictine abbey was once a major production centre for manuscripts. This afternoon we spend time at the former imperial summer palace Schönbrunn, with its superb sculpted garden.
Day Four Enjoy a relaxing Christmas morning, as we visit an atmospheric Christmas market. We move on to the impressive St. Stephen´s Cathedral with its mixture of Romanesque and Gothic architecture and the underground catacombs. Day Five Enjoy a day exploring imperial Vienna. We visit the Imperial Crypt beneath the Capuchin church, another resting place of members of the Habsburg dynasty. This afternoon we view the former winter palace Hofburg, former seat of the Habsburg dynasty. Day Six Our last visit will be to Schloss Belvedere, a historic building complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its world-wide known art collection. Afterwards, we make our way to the airport to fly back to London.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
bulgaria | thracians & churches with Dr Katya Melamed Bulgaria is, in archaeological terms, one of the richest countries in Europe. A golden age of archaeology is currently taking place here – with spectacular sites and priceless finds coming to light. Hidden in the hills and forests are some of Europe’s oldest Neolithic settlements, Thracian tombs, replete with grave goods and exuberantly painted Medieval churches. In ancient times, Bulgaria was located at the apex of great civilisations. From Highlights the south and west Philip of • Spectacularly varied Macedon and Roman Emperor history and landscapes Trajan founded cities here. From the east came Byzantine • Visit the Neolithic traders and Ottoman raiders. houses of Stara Zagora Discover the many ages of Bulgaria, from the Black Sea to • Visits to no fewer than the Rila Mountains, from the six UNESCO World Neolithic to the Iron Curtain. Heritage Sites
Special Access
We hope once again for special permission to enter the Kazanlak tomb. The superb tomb is decorated with beautiful frescoes.
Sat 6th Oct - Tue 16th Oct 11 Days Tour Code: BUL18A
cambodia | cambodia & laos with David Brotherson Cambodia presents a thrilling balance of mysterious cities, deep forests and colonial grandeur. Archaeologically, the country is best-known as the home of the vast and magnificent temple complex of Angkor Wat - a captivating testament to human ingenuity, and to the ravages of time. Of course, Angkor isn’t our only highlight, many other temples and cities, deep in the forests are constantly being uncovered. Laos is the perfect tour Highlights companion to Cambodia. • Discover the iconic Rolling mountains, remote Angkor Wat villages, and saffron-robed monks await you. Discover • Explore Beng Melea – a authentic Asia at its best; 12th century temple and enjoy an unforgettable reclaimed by the jungle adventure in one incomparable itinerary, beginning in Laos and • Tour Ta Prohm – an atmospheric templecontinuing in Cambodia.
monastery
Special Access
We receive special access to the EFEO (French Institute of Asian Studies). We also visit the Angkor conservation project.
Tue 6th Nov - Sun 18th Nov 13 Days Tour Code: LAO18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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chile | chile & easter island with Dr Paul Bahn This is an adventure indeed, travelling across the globe with an international expert to see some of the strangest rock art in the world in vast and remote landscapes. Doing so involves travelling down the coast of northern Chile and into the Atacama desert before flying over the Pacific to a tiny speck of land — the iconic Easter Island. Discover places seldom visited which our ancestors chose to decorate with huge earth pictures and complex rock art. Some of the sites we see are simply extraordinary — their gigantic scale, forms evident only from far away, makes us ask why and for whom such things were created.
Special Access
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Highlights • Travel the lunar-like landscapes of the Atacama Desert • Marvel at the imposing and enigmatic Moai statues of Easter Island • Explore the capital of Santiago at leisure Mon 12th Nov - Thu 29th Nov 18 Days Tour Code: CHI18A
china | china with Malcolm McNeill China has a remarkable history, spanning back over 10,000 years and remnants of its glorious past can be seen at every turn. We journey from Beijing to Shanghai, through vast and varied landscapes and archaeology. From Buddhist temples, to the gargantuan monuments of imperial ambition, to lesser-known prehistoric settlements, this is the story of not one but many Chinas through the ages – encompassing Chinese art and Highlights archaeology. During our 17 day • See some of China’s tour, we will put the great sites most famous sites we see into their true historical context. We see the Great Wall, • Come face to face with Terracotta Warriors and Ming the serried ranks of the Tombs not just as grand relics, Terracotta Warriors but as products of the time, • Discover China’s people and places that led to remarkable prehistoric their creation.
archaeology
Special Access
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates. 22
Thu 12th Apr - Sat 28th Apr 17 Days Tour Code: CAN18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
croatia | dalmatia & dubrovnik with Dr Ffiona Gilmore-Eaves Explore the spectacular archaeology of Croatia, from Zagreb to Zadar, Split to Dubrovnik. Against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic and its islands, we visit villas, pagan temples, early Christian churches and palaces. Part of the Illyrian kingdom, the region succumbed to Roman rule around 32 BC. ‘Dalmatia’ acquired the characteristic trappings of a Roman province: military camps, towns and roads. The province Highlights furnished Rome with many emperors, including Diocletian, • Roman cities, red-roofed walled Medieval towns who famously returned and the sparkling clear in retirement and built a Adriatic waters magnificent palace at Split. Take a leisurely tour through • Discover Dubrovnik, 2,000 years of fascinating from the walled city’s Croatian archaeology and early beginnings to more history.
recent history
Special Access
Enjoy special access to Zagreb Archaeological Museum - the curator will take us on a tour of the museum and deliver a talk.
Wed 23rd May - Fri 1st Jun 10 Days Tour Code: CRO18A
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2018? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2017 There are still spaces available on a number of our 2017 departures, so why wait a year to discover more of the ancient world when you could join one of our most popular tours? Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania – Could anywhere in the world offer us a deeper insight into Roman life than these dramatic seaside towns? Classical Sicily – From columns to cathedrals, explore honey-coloured Greek temples and gleaming gold-in-glass Norman mosaics... Crete & Santorini – Elegant sites, beautiful wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik – Explore spectacular archaeology against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic.
Book your place now! Call 01722 713800, email tours@andantetravels.com, or visit us online at www.andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Ecae quibus, sollici • Explore the immense assimagnist intia palace of Emperor dolupta tiusciatqui Diocletian — one of the best-preserved Roman • doloraeped palaces anywhere in the moluptasped expeles empire erescium non natia quam and utatemp orenimi, • Relax refresh omnistius dendit, si of yourself with plenty natesciis rententem free time,as and enjoy the endless advantages of • nihillisquam staying in justfuga. one hotel Occupta speriae throughout our holiday consequae sita cum fuga. • Let usXeribusant treat you toa a vellautemque special tastingnone of local wines — which have • doluptin et es duntem been produced in quam, quiassitati te southern Croatia for antemquunt aut re over 2500 years antemquunt aut re
Special Access
croatia | relaxed split
Receive special access to the museum in the convent on Trogir – where we have the opportunity to view the remarkable Greek Kairos relief.
with John Shepherd
In AD305, the erstwhile autocrat, Emperor Diocletian, built a vast palace befitting his status and achievements. Join us as we go ‘underground and over ground’ exploring Europe’s most complete Roman palace. Descend below the modern city to see just how much of the medieval and modern town is supported by Roman foundations still standing strong after 1700 years. There is also time on this relaxed tour to take in the Roman city of Salona, Diocletian’s birth place, and examine the remains of baths and early Christian churches – and also to visit the amphitheatre, the place of the execution of many Christians by Diocletian and his co-rulers, a less than pleasing feature of his rule.
Itinerary Day One We fly from London to Split and transfer to our hotel. Day Two We acquaint ourselves with Split, tracing the walls and monuments of the immense Palace of Diocletian. We later visit the cathedral, home to Diocletian’s mausoleum. Day Three We continue our exploration of ancient Spilt, descending below the streets to view the Roman foundations which still support the modern city. The afternoon is free to spend at our leisure.
Sat 14th Apr - Sat 21st Apr Sat 13th Oct - Sat 20th Oct 8 Days
What’s Included
Tour Code: Apr; SPL18A, Oct; SPL18B
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Flights, Lesci ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt ventur lecturer, tour simagnam manager,reall natur? local meals, Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Day Four Today we explore the historic Klis castle. One of the most significant fortifications in the region, it boasts spectacular views of the village of Klis itself, and of the Adriatic. We later visit a small farm and sample local produce.
Day Five At Split Archaeological Museum, the wonderful displays give us a glimpse of ordinary Roman life. We set off for Salona, the ruins of a remarkable Roman city, once the capital of Dalmatia. We enjoy a wine tasting tonight, in part of the Roman palace used by Diocletian’s bodyguard. Day Six Enjoy a full free day today to spend as you choose — take some more time to explore lovely Split, or simply relax. Day Seven We explore Trogir, picturesque Medieval and Renaissance town, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the town museum, tiny art gallery and cathedral before making our way back to Split. Day Eight We fly home to London.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
north cyprus | road to salamis with Terry Richardson Cyprus offers a beautiful setting for archaeological discovery. Amidst the unspoiled natural landscape of this sun-blanched land, on our journey through the northern part of the island we find an array of Medieval castles, expansive classical sites, and gentle villages. Meet with a local archaeologist who offers a real insight into the ongoing excavations on the island. Salamis is, of course, a highlight of our tour. The Highlights ancient city covers a small • Explore vast sites of once stretch of land along the mighty classical cities Cypriot shore, and is easily the country’s best archaeological • Enjoy breath-taking site. Discover the fully restored views from the Kyrenia Roman amphitheatre, a Mountains gymnasium with marble baths, and a fascinating collection of • Discover Byzantine mosaics. castles and domed
Ottoman mosques
Special Access
Receive special access to the ongoing excavations at the fascinating Neolithic settlement of Akanthou.
Thu 12th Apr - Thu 19th Apr 8 Days Tour Codes: NCY18A
cyprus | the south with Dr Paul Croft This beautiful Mediterranean island has a rich Prehistoric, Classical and Medieval past. Recent research has pushed back the dates for the earliest occupation of Cyprus to over 10,000 BC, and over millennia the people of Cyprus developed their own distinctive artefacts, buildings, art and culture. From a Bronze Age olive oil ‘factory’, to Roman tombs, to vineyards once tended by crusaders, the remains of ancient Cyprus each tell Highlights a story. Journey through the • Diverse archaeology land famed as Aphrodite’s from Neolithic houses, birthplace. Dr Paul Croft has to the mosaics at Paphos devoted his career to Cypriot archaeology, and leads us • Journey into the unspoilt from mountain churches to Troodos Mountains Prehistoric and Classical sites, • Travel with renowned overlooking the clear blue Cypriot archaeology waters of the Mediterranean.
Special Access
Receive privileged access to the Lemba Archaeological Research Centre – where guide lecturer, Dr Paul Croft is the manager of the facility, and is perfectly placed to introduce it.
expert, Dr Paul Croft
Thu 19th Apr - Wed 25th Apr 7 Days Tour Code: CYP18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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czech republic | prehistoric czech republic with Alex Pryor Thinking of the Czech Republic, Soviet struggles and Prague’s Gothic spires most likely spring to mind. Yet this beautiful country’s history goes back thousands more years to the Upper Palaeolithic period, when the landscape was covered in forests, and hunter gatherers fashioned stone tools to hunt their prey. Discover what life may have been like for our ancestors who traversed these lands. The Czech Republic still has Highlights a wondrous prehistoric • Visit DolnÍ Věstonice, landscape, littered with caves famous for its early and sites that have unveiled a human expressions of treasure trove of remains. From portable art Dolní Věstonice, a site dating back 28,000 years, to the earliest • Travel through almost settlement of Mladeč found in primordial landscapes in Europe, this tour is a must for search of the lives of our Prehistory enthusiasts.
distant forebears
Special Access
We meet with local archaeologists, who will discuss their work and the very latest developments in Czech archaeology with us.
Thu 30th Aug - Thu 6th Sep 8 Days Tour Code: CPH18A
denmark, sweden | vikings in the north with Brian Ayers The Vikings were great seafarers, raiders and traders of the Early Middle Ages. Far from being a race of barbarians, they presided over an extensive trading network. They fought with swords of Afghan steel, wore imported silk from China, and reached the coast of North America. Following in the Vikings’ footsteps, we make our own epic voyage across their northern world. From Denmark to Sweden we follow in the wake of their longships. Highlights We seek out trading towns, treasure, kings and longships. Join Viking expert Brian Ayers, and trace the rise of this great civilisation – whose ruthless skill has inspired enduring awe and terror throughout Northern Europe and beyond.
Special Access
We visit Roskilde Ship Museum where you have the opportunity to try out as a Viking raider, we have the chance to row and sail a Viking longship! 26
• Explore an epic sweep through the Baltic lands • Discover every aspect of this great Northern European people • Visit runestones, kingly burials and the great trading ports Fri 6th Jul - Tue 17th Jul 12 Days Tour Code: IVI18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
egypt | land of the pharaohs with Lucia Gahlin Pyramids, tombs and mummies — the archaeology of Ancient Egypt is one of the most instantly recognisable of all the great civilisations. This is a narrative of power, vision and ambition. The monuments of Egypt are so much more than dry and dusty stones — through the real expertise of the Guide Lecturer and seasoned Egyptologist, Lucia Gahlin, we ‘meet’ the real ancient Egyptians, from the legendary pharaohs to the humble Highlights workers who laboured to build • From Cairo to Aswan: their tombs and palaces. We follow in the footsteps of have also arranged special great explorers access inside the Great Pyramid and an out-of-hours visit at • Explore the iconic Valley Cairo Museum. Join us for a of the Kings very privileged introduction to the long-vanished kingdoms • Travel with an expert along the Nile. guide who has excavated
throughout Egypt
Special Access
Enter the inner chambers of the Great Pyramid of Khufu; and enjoy out-ofhours access to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Fri 23rd Feb - Mon 5th Mar Fri 23rd Nov - Mon 3rd Dec 11 Days Tour Code: Feb; EGY18A, Nov; EGY18B
france | cote d’a zur - the via julia augusta with John Shepherd Over six days, we explore the Roman sites and cities along the great road called the Via Julia Augusta. The road began in Arles, one of the foremost Roman provincial cities in the region, then ran south across France into Italy. Our journey features mighty works of Roman engineering, and the sites of earlier Iron Age tribes and Greek settlers. Indulge in a panoramic exploration of Roman and Gallic life in the South of France. John Shepherd explores Highlights the Roman origins of the • Follow the route forged sparkling Côte d’Azur. Much by the Romans; and more than a playground for the discover extraordinarily rich, the area is profuse with well-preserved Roman archaeology. April is the perfect monuments time to explore here – pleasant temperatures and spring fill the • Enjoy glorious Côte air, well before the peak tourist d’Azur scenery – sun, season comes into force. sea and the Romans
Special Access
We cross to Ventimiglia, in Italy where we have special access to the Roman site of Albintimilium, introduced by local archaeologists.
Sat 31st Mar - Fri 6th Apr 7 Days Tour Code: VJA18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Enjoy insightful visits to cave sites, in the company of Britain’s foremost specialist on Prehistoric Ice Age art • All the arrangements made for you to gain the best possible access to the caves and rock shelters of this beautiful region • Based in a single hotel - a comfortable former coaching inn in St Girons
Special Access
france | pyrenees rock art
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
with Dr Paul Bahn
Created by our ancestors around 35,000 to 10,000 years ago, at a time when Europe lay in the grip of an Ice Age and creatures now long-extinct roamed the countryside, cave art provides one of the most direct connections with our distant past. The truly astonishing feature of rock art is that it remains precisely where the artist intended. We, the modern visitors, may well view the art as we stand upon the exact spot the artist stood. Preserved by the constant temperature of their environment, these drawings and paintings have remained intact for millennia, deep in the caves of the Pyrenees. Dr Bahn has devoted his career to the study of rock art and is able to provide unique insights into the past.
Tue 17th Apr - Sun 22nd Apr 6 Days Tour Code: PYR18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Itinerary Day One We fly to Toulouse and transfer to our hotel. Day Two We begin our exploration at the large cave site at Mas d’Azil, characterised by colourfully decorated pebbles and finely carved bone harpoons. The museum has a fine collection of portable art from the incredibly rich occupation levels of the cave. Day Three In the morning we drive out to the Grottes de Gargas, where the cave art is composed of two different elements, created over a similar period of time. One is a collection of animal paintings of a period and a style comparable to those at Lascaux in the Dordogne. The other is a group of 231 hand prints in black, red, brown, ochre and white. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the Prehistoric Museum in Aurignac.
Day Four We travel to Tarascon-deAriège to visit the Parc de la Préhistorie. It is primarily important for its facsimile of some of the decorated galleries at Niaux as they would originally have looked, including some parts of the cave which one cannot visit. Afterwards, we will view the famous Niaux cave with its extraordinary animal representations. Day Five We spend a full day in the village of Saint-Lizier. There have been settlements where the village now stands for over 2,000 years, and today it is known for its cathedral, cloisters, and fascinating 18th century pharmacy displaying various medical objects. Day Six We have free time in Toulouse, before we return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• See the beautiful Pont du Gard, a remarkable feat of Roman engineering, with an optional swim beneath the famous arches • Take some free time to absorb the atmosphere and epicurean lifestyle of the fascinating area at your own pace • Enjoy the Roman architecture of Nîmes, including the white marble baths and the perfectly preserved Maison Carrée
Special Access
france | relaxed provence with Dr Denise Allen, Prof. Tony King & Tony O’Connor
The idyllic landscapes of Provence are home to some of Europe’s finest Roman remains. Triumphal arches, amphitheatres, theatres and aqueducts, at once feats of engineering and a clear demonstration of power to the local Gallic tribes. Many of these monuments remain remarkably complete, from the amphitheatres at Arles and Nîmes to the ruins of Glanum, an abandoned Roman town dramatically sited in a cleft in the hills. Expert Romanists and archaeologists tell the story of the Romans in Provence. Hannibal marched his troops across the Provençal hills en-route to cross the Alps; Marius defeated Germanic tribes here; Julius Caesar settled his veterans in the region.
Mon 14th May - Sun 20th May Mon 17th Sep - Sun 23rd Sep Mon 24th Sep - Sun 30th Sep 7 Days Tour Codes: May; PRR18A, Sep; PRR18B, PRR18C
What’s Included Flights, Lesci ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt ventur lecturer, tour simagnam manager,reall natur? local meals, Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Receive a guided tour across the very top of the aquaduct at Pont du Gard, followed by a private wine tasting and lunch at Vergers des Papes.
Itinerary Day One We fly to Marseille and transfer to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Day Two We begin in Nîmes, once a thriving Roman town. Visits include the Arena of Nîmes — the former amphitheatre remodelled as a bullring in the 19th century — and the Maison Carrée, a beautifully preserved temple façade. We also see the original spring of Nemausus, around which the pre-Roman settlement grew up, now landscaped into a lovely park.
Roman theatre and triumphal arch. Afterwards, we enjoy a special wine tasting and lunch in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region, before taking some free time to enjoy at our leisure. Day Five The Roman past of Arles still seems remarkably close. The modern Archaeological Museum has been built alongside one end of the Roman circus, and it vividly tells the story of Roman Arelate with its remarkable collection.
Day Three Enjoy a free morning in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a charming village where the Provençal way of life is alive and well. We visit Glanum this afternoon. Just outside the town is a triumphal arch and a funerary monument, known as Les Antiques.
Day Six We spend the morning visiting the spectacular stretch of aqueduct that once fed Nîmes: the Pont du Gard. We enjoy a private tour, which includes the opportunity to walk along the water channel. We have lunch beside the aqueduct, before a free afternoon here.
Day Four We begin today by visiting Orange, home to a famous
Day Seven We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Joint Tour with
Wine Tours
france| vintage provence with Tony O’Connor One of the joys of travelling to Provence is soaking up the stunning variety of landscapes: fields of lavender, ancient olive groves, cliff-top roads, and maquis-cloaked hills… This idyllic landscape is home to some of Europe’s finest Roman remains - arches, amphitheatres, aqueducts and more. Its vineyards are equally historic, dating back 2600 years – this is also the only place in France to specialise in Rosé. Embrace the Provencal way of Highlights life – extraordinary archaeology • Explore beautiful towns gorgeous surroundings, along the Mediterranean delicious wines and mouthwatering Mediterranean • Discover remarkable cooking. monuments Andante Travels have joined forces with Arblaster & Clarke Wine • Sample delicately Tours to offer a series of Wine & perfumed roses and Archaeology tours dark, full-bodied reds
Special Access
Take a private tour of the Pont du Gard – where we have special access to the ancient Roman aqueduct crossing the River Gadron.
Sun 27th May - Sat 2nd Jun 7 Days Tour Code: AAP18A
france | the dordogne | cave art with Dr Paul Bahn & Dr Iain Morley The caves of the Dordogne Valley are home to one of the earliest, and most extraordinary, displays of human creativity. Wild animals and human figures, some up to 30,000 years old, are vividly brought to life in - created in ochre and charcoal and also etched on cave walls. Experts in rock art and the archaeology of the last Ice Age Dr Paul Bahn (June) and Dr Iain Morley (September) tell the story of the art, its discovery and what Highlights is known of the people who • Take in both the created it — the first true ‘old verdant landscapes masters’, caught in the extreme and limestone plateaux cold of the last Ice Age. We of the Dordogne and will visit some of the worldPoitiers famous rock-art sites - taking you as close as is possible to the • Travel with Ice Age lives of our remotest Ice-Age experts Dr Paul Bahn ancestors. and Dr Iain Morley
SpecialAccees
Enjoy specially booked access to unique and increasingly difficult to see Paleolithic art.
Tue 5th Jun - Mon 11th Jun Tue 18th Sep - Mon 24th Sep 7 Days Tour Codes: Jun; DOR18A, Sep; DOR18B
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Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
france | romans on the rhône & saône with Prof. Tony King Realising the importance of this region in their ambitions for Gaul, the Romans conquered the Rhône valley in 121 BC, and under Julius Caesar continued north into Burgundy during his Gallic War, 58–51 BC. Join us in Burgundy, the gorgeous French region served by the conjoining Rhône and Saône. Amidst its rolling green hills, we find cobbled Medieval streets, glorious Gallo-Roman and Celtic antiquity and some of the most Highlights important Western churches • Uncover five centuries of and monasteries of the Middle history at the remarkable Ages. Aside from historical Gallo-Roman Museum pedigree, this is a region where two great French passions • Pay a visit to the collide: wine and food. Examine best-preserved Roman Burgundy’s viticulture history temple in France during a relaxed vineyard visit and tasting session. • Take a free morning to
explore beautiful Lyon
Special Access
We spend the morning in Vienne, visiting the near-complete Temple of Augustus and other remains of the wealthy Roman town.
Tue 12th Jun - Tue 19th Jun 8 Days Tour Code: RRS18A
CAN’T WAIT FORplace 2018?| tour title TRAVEL WITH US IN 2017 There are still spaces available on a number of our 2017 departures, so why wait a year to discover more of the ancient world when you could join one of our most popular tours? Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania – Could anywhere in the world offer us a deeper insight into Roman life than these dramatic seaside towns? Classical Sicily – From columns to cathedrals, explore honey-coloured Greek temples and gleaming gold-in-glass Norman mosaics... Crete & Santorini – Elegant sites, beautiful wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik – Explore spectacular archaeology against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic.
Book your place now! Call 01722 713800, email tours@ andantetravels.com, or visit us online at www. andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights Joint Tour with
• Follow the story of heretics and the Holy War, the struggle for hearts and minds in Medieval France • Wander within the walls of Carcassonne and stay in a restored 16th century castle in Couiza • Get to the heart of troubadour culture at the atmospheric Château Comtal • Explore the remarkable rock-carved church of the tiny village of Vals
france languedoc - cathars & crusaders with Dr Sophie Ambler
Languedoc was once a thriving province in south-west France and the home of Catharism – an ascetic Christian sect that eschewed and threatened the power of Rome. In 1209 Pope Innocent III launched the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate the ‘heretics’ of Languedoc. Twenty years of fighting followed, leaving behind spectacular castles and abbeys, and fundamentally altering the religious landscapes of Medieval Europe. We explore Cathar cities and Catholic abbeys; grand ruinous castles perched on craggy hilltops, and the polished turrets of Carcassonne. Andante Travels have joined forces with Historical Trips to offer a series of History & Archaeology tours.
Mon 3rd Sep - Mon 10th Sep 8 Days Tour Code: LCR18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Special Access
Explore ruined and deserted villages atop craggy hills, set within beautiful green rolling landscapes.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Toulouse. Day Two We travel to the Cathar refuge of Cordes-sur-Ciel and explore its 13th and 14th century townhouses. Later we visit Albi’s colossal red-brick cathedral and Berbie palace. Day Three We explore Lastours, the Cathar stronghold besieged be Simon de Montfort, before we depart for Carcassonne. We visit the Château Comtal, and discover the culture of troubadours. Finally, stop at the grand basilica of St Nazaire. Day Four We visit beautiful Minerve, where residents were burnt as heretics in a 1210 siege. Then on to Béziers, where, we visit the Gothic Cathédral StNazaire before exploring the town of Narbonne.
Day Five We visit unspoilt Lagrasse’s Benedictine abbey, and the Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide. A major power during the 13th century, which now produces its own wines. Day Six We begin our morning with a visit to Rennes-le-Château, associated in legend with the Holy Grail. We head to Arques, and the castle at Peyrepertuse. Day Seven We visit Puivert, centre of troubadour culture, and Vals’ rock-carved church. On to Château de Foix, a counts’ stronghold. Day Eight We explore Toulouse’s basilica and Jacobin church, former seat of the Dominican order. We return home this afternoon.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Special Access
france | hidden paris
Experience the lesser seen parts of Paris. Gain exclusive access to the Roman baths that lurk below the wonders of the Musée de Cluny.
with John Shepherd
Explore a side of Paris rarely seen by tourists... Roman remains hidden beneath the courtyard in front of NotreDame, underground crypts and miles of catacombs beneath the bustling streets. View a very different vision of the ‘City of Light’: the secret archaeology tucked away amid late 19th century avenues and grand boulevards. No visit to Paris is complete without a trip to the Louvre to examine the key discoveries hidden among its galleries. Enjoy unrivalled access to the Roman baths lurking below the wonders of the Musée de Cluny. We also enjoy specially arranged access to St-Denis Archaeological Unit - which carries out ‘rescue archaeology operations’ each year.
Itinerary Day One We travel to Paris. We check into our hotel, before enjoying an introductory exploration of the historic Marais district. Day Two We visit the infamous Palais de Justice and the royal Sainte-Chapelle and former Revolution-era prison the Conciergerie. We end the day at the Carnavalet Museum Day Three We begin the day at the Égouts, the sewers of Paris. This afternoon, we leave the city centre behind to visit the National Archaeological Museum. We also enjoy special access to the St Denis Archaeological Unit.
Sat 27th Oct - Fri 2nd Nov 7 Days Tour Code: HPA18A
What’s Included Flights, Lesci ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt ventur lecturer, tour simagnam manager,reall natur? local meals, Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Day Four The Roman and medieval past of Paris continues to blend together as we visit the cathedral of Saint-Denis. We end the day with a special meal at the Michelin starred Tour d’Argent.
Day Five We start the day at the Arènes de Lutèce, site of the Roman amphitheatre. We continue to the snow-white confection of Sacre Coeur. The afternoon is spent in Montmartre, where we visit the atmospheric cemetery, and the Musée de Montmartre. This is followed by special access to the Musée de Cluny; and a special evening visit to the Louvre. Day Six We begin at the iconic Notre Dame de Paris and view remains beneath its forecourt. We finish the day with a visit to Paris’ ultimate hidden attraction — the Catacombes de Paris. Day Seven We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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georgia | georgia with Ian Colvin Rarely visited by modern tourists, the region was well-known to the ancient Greeks. Indeed, legend has it that Jason travelled to Georgia to seek out the Golden Fleece. Like us, the Argonauts would surely have marvelled at its snow-capped mountain peaks and forested river valleys. Georgia has an impressive archaeological record, rich in prehistoric monuments, Roman remains and monasteries of the Middle Ages. As well as Highlights Classical sites, we also discover • Classical cities, royal Tbilisi, the ‘city of light’, citadels, vertiginous dramatically-set mountain monasteries and the churches, and the sobering world’s oldest wineries birthplace of Stalin. Ian Colvin has worked extensively in • Travel through dramatic Georgia and shares his intimate mountain scenery, fertile knowledge of the history and river valleys and the culture of the Caucasus.
Black Sea coast
Special Access
We have special access to Ian Colvin’s excavations at Nokalakevi - including the 6th century fortress and Hellenistic necropolis.
Mon 4th Jun - Tue 12th Jun 9 Days Tour Code: GEO18A
germany | roman germany with Tony Wilmott In AD 9 the largest army of the Roman Empire was amassed along the Rhine frontier, preparing to march into what the historian Tacitus described as ‘the bristling forests and foul swamps’ of Germany. They suffered a huge and unprecedented defeat. In response, the Limes was constructed - a defence system of bank, ditch, wall, towers and forts built along the Rhine and Danube. Safe behind this border, Roman cities prospered. Left Highlights behind are grand villas and • Explore a frontier exquisite mosaics. This is a five times longer than delightful tour in a beautiful Hadrian’s Wall, the and accessible part of Europe Rhine and Danube often overlooked by tourists. Meet military history at its • Follow the story of early most exciting, in unexpectedly Roman pioneers through beautiful countryside and to the creation of an handsome German cities. Imperial capital at Trier
Special Access
We visit the Museum für Antike Schiffahrt for a special guided tour of the excavated ships and their reconstructions. 34
Sun 27th May - Tue 5th Jun Sun 2nd Sep - Tue 11th Sep 10 Days Tour Codes: Jun; GER18A, Sep; GER18B
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• The Landesmuseum Württemberg possesses one of the most outstanding collections of Celtic finds throughout Europe • Visit Glauberg, one of the most important centres among the Celtic oppida, with its burial mounds where the ‘Prince of Glauberg’ statue was discovered • See the excellent burial chamber reconstruction in the museum at Hochdorf/Enz
germany & luxembourg the celts in germany and luxembourg with Prof John Collis
Discover the Celts and their world with one of Britain’s leading experts, Prof John Collis. You will be introduced to the remarkable Celtic remains in southwest Germany and Luxembourg. During the tour we view the major collections of Celtic finds of this region and explore many sites from which they derive. The collections we visit display a broad range of artefacts from everyday life to grave goods and ritual objects, perfectly suited to provide the archaeological background to the on-site visits. These include oppida, cemeteries and other sacred areas. Much effort has been put into the reconstruction and maintenance of the major sites such as Glauberg and Belginum to give you a glimpse into the past.
Itinerary Day One We fly from London to Stuttgart, our first destination. Day Two We begin at Landesmuseum Württemberg home to one of Europe’s best collections of Celtic artefacts. We travel to nearby Eberdingen to visit the museum with the reconstructed burial chamber of Hochdorf. Day Three We travel to Hohenasperg to explore the burial mound “Kleinaspergle”. Afterwards, we travel to our next destination, Mainz. On the way we stop in Mannheim to pay a visit to the museum.
Mon 14th May - Mon 21st May 8 Days Tour Code: CET18A
What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Special Access
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Day Four We stop at another museum today, Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum in Mainz. We travel to Glauberg with its museum and archaeological park, famous for the discovery of the lifesize sandstone ‘Prince of Glauberg’ statue.
Day Five En-route to Trier, we stop at the Altenburg, a Celtic Castellum. We continue to Belginum to visit the Celtic-Roman archaeological park. We have some free time in Trier this afternoon to spend as we wish. Day Six We visit the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, which includes impressive artefacts from burial mounds. Afterwards, we head on to the Archaeological Park Martberg. Day Seven Today is spent in Luxembourg. Here, we pay a visit to the National Museum, which houses finds from across all prehistoric periods. The last major site we visit on our tour is the huge 1st century BC oppidum, Titelberg. Day Eight We fly back to London.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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germany | walking the roman limes with Tony Wilmott Built to separate the outskirts of the Roman Empire from the ‘free’ Germanic tribes, the mighty Germany Limes represent the longest ancient defensive system Europe has ever seen. Stretching for 350 miles, from the Rhine to the Danube, the border bristled with forts and watchtowers, manned by legions and auxiliaries. The ultimate protector of the civilised Roman world from the hordes of Teutonic barbarian outside... Tread the paths which once Highlights separated two vastly different • Forts, watch-towers, cultures. Today, the route is bath-houses and more: characterised by rolling hills, immerse yourself in life forests and streams. Led by a on the Roman frontier Roman military expert this tour is a wonderful follow-up to our • A real walking holiday, Walking Hadrian’s Wall tour passing through forests, and a unique expedition in the green hills and streams footsteps of the Romans.
of the Rhineland
Special Access
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Sun 17th Jun - Wed 27th Jun 11 Days Tour Code: LIM18A
germany & austria | hallstatt & austria in the iron age with John Collis Our tour of the European Iron Age takes us through some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes in the world: huge lakes, craggy peaks, green forests and pretty Alpine towns. This fertile land attracted prehistoric settlers, and gave trade routes through the mountains for vital commodities such as salt, amber, and eventually, iron. Early Iron Age Hallstatt culture became wealthy from salt, building huge settlements and leaving behind Highlights rich burials. The later La Tene • Iconic Iron Age culture, on Lac Neuchatel in archaeology introduced Switzerland, is characterised by by leading authority intricate metalwork, very well Professor John Collis preserved. Led by Professor John Collis, an authority on • Fantastic finds, from the Iron Age, we delve into this waterlogged remains time of traders and tribes in to vivid ‘Celtic’ art and Austria and Switzerland. metal work
Special Access
We have arranged special access to excavations at the Hallstatt Salt Mines, accompanied by the Director of Hallstatt Museum. 36
Sun 9th Sep - Sun 16th Sep 8 Days Tour Code: HAL18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Ecae quibus, • Uncover sitessollici behind assimagnist intia facade, Berlin’s imperial dolupta tiusciatqui such as Tempelhof airport • doloraeped moluptasped • Enjoy a specialexpeles evening erescium nonofnatia meal on top the quam utatemp orenimi, Reichstag building omnistius dendit, si • Stay in a 5* in natesciis as hotel rententem central Berlin • nihillisquam fuga. • Enjoy excellent Occupta speriaefood paired with classical consequae sita cum music in the unique fuga. Xeribusant a setting of Berlin’s vellautemque none historic Charlottenburg • doluptin et es duntem Palace Orangery quam, quiassitati te antemquunt aut re antemquunt aut re
Special Access
germany | hidden berlin
Take a specially arranged tour of the Berlin Wall where we discover stories of hope and betrayal, and East German attempts toward freedom.
with Nick Jackson
Home to stunning monuments, architecture and museums, Berlin is an icon of 20th century history. Yet beyond the tourist hotspots, there is an even more intriguing Berlin to explore. Join us in uncovering a lesser known past: take a private tour of the sprawling Hohenschönhausen Jail; and discover the full story behind the iconic Berlin Wall. Archaeologist and Berlin resident, Nick Jackson, leads this exclusive tour as we explore the highs and lows of a city torn apart... and pieced back together again. This tour is a must for those wishing to get at the heart of Berlin’s dynamic and hidden history as well as its finest gastronomic delights.
Mon 4th Jun - Sat 9th Jun Mon 20th Aug - Sat 25th Aug 6 Days
What’s Included
Lesci Flights, ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt lecturer, ventur tour simagnam manager,reall meals, local Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti Tour Codes: Jun; HBE18A, Aug; HBE18B natur? nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Berlin and enjoy an orientation walking tour of the city. Day Two We begin the day at Museum Island, the cultural heart of Berlin. In the Neues Museum we marvel at Germany’s more ancient history, including Heinrich Schliemann’s collection from his investigations at Troy. We later move on to the Pergamon Museum. Day Three We spend the day in Brandenburg. Our first stop is the State Archaeological Museum, which houses artefacts from the Palaeolithic era to the 20th century. This afternoon, we trace Prussia’s early history through its Gothic architecture, including the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul.
Day Four Go behind the wall, as we explore the site of the old GDR. We begin at Berlin’s oldest airport, Tempelhof, which was redesigned by Nazi architect Ernst Sagebiel as a gateway to Hitler’s ‘World Capital.’ Day Five On to Berlin’s most recent history today. We take a specially arranged tour of the Berlin Wall; and take a guided tour of Hohenschönhausen Jail, and the Stasti Headquarters. Day Six We begin with a walking tour of World War II Berlin, and make our way to the German Resistance Memorial centre, where resistance fighters were executed in 1944. We return home this afternoon.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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germany | short break in berlin with Nick Jackson Nowhere are the forces and pressures of Europe’s past, present and future, more vividly on display than in Berlin. At the heart of the continent, the city has often been caught at the nexus of world-events, with sometimes triumphant, sometimes tragic consequences. Trace the development of the city over 600 years: from Prussian capital and leading cultural light of Northern Europe during the Enlightenment, to the most Highlights modern town in the world • Beyond the Berlin Wall during the 1920s. Nick Jackson, - from proud capital to an archaeologist and long-term years of division as the Berlin-resident, also introduces Iron Curtain descended the darker days of the 20th century, with the rise of Nazism • Grand parks and iconic and division under the Berlin palaces - we visit the Wall. The highs and lows of a World Heritage Site of city divided and reunited.
Potsdam
Special Access
We have organised a special presentation of Germany’s Versaille, Sanssouci – the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.
Thu 23rd Aug - Mon 27th Aug 5 Days Tour Code: BER18A
greece | thessaloniki with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley Founded in 315 BC, Thessaloniki is a city whose historical importance and legacy can rival even that of Athens. The monuments of its illustrious past are all around the palace and mausoleum of Emperor Galerius, Byzantine walls, ancient Orthodox churches, and Ottoman mosques. Venture beyond the city walls to ancient Dion and the Enipeas Ravine, at the foot of Mount Olympus. Ancient and modern worlds happily coexist Highlights here: the Arch of Galerius • Discover vibrant overlooks busy boutiques; Byzantine churches and whilst the famous White Tower, a historic old town anchors a waterfront of inviting cafés. During our captivating • Visit Dion, extensively tour, we also enjoy special excavated and site of a access to the Macedonian tombs temple to Zeus found along the road which • Stay in one of the best once led from Pella to Mieza.
hotels in the city
Special Access
We have special access to the remarkable Macedonian painted tombs; and view the gold and precious grave goods, in the site museum. 38
Tue 10th Apr - Sun 15th Apr 6 Days Tour Code: TAX18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Visit the Corinth Museum and enjoy a specially arranged talk by the retired Director of the Museum • The land of Homer’s heroes and the great Bronze Age citadels from which they came • The ‘big names’ of Classical Greece: Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Corinth
Special Access
greece | the peloponnese
We will enjoy a specially arranged talk delivered by the Curator of the Corinth Museum.
with Dr Rita Roussos
This is an odyssey through the great sites of Ancient Greece: set across the backdrop of a rich and varied natural landscape. Beginning in Athens, we walk amongst the Acropolis and the Agora - where merchants were, we admire the monuments of Pericles and much more. We then journey as the ancients did, to seek the advice of the great oracle at Delphi, before continuing into the ruggedly beautiful Peloponnesian hills. Join our Expert Guide, Dr Rita Roussos, as she traces the story of Ancient Greece from the Bronze Age to Classical glory. The holiday for anyone who has ever dreamed of standing at the starting line of the ancient Olympics, imagine debating with Socrates, or following in the footsteps of Hercules.
Itinerary Days One and Two We fly to Athens on Day One, and dedicating our second day to exploring ancient Athens. Ascend the Acropolis and visit the iconic Parthenon and Temple of Athena. Day Three We continue our exploration of Athens this morning, before journeying into the Peloponnesian hills. Day Four We spend an entire day at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, famous as the seat of the oracle.
Tue 17th Apr - Fri 27th Apr Tue 11th Sep - Fri 21st Sep 11 Days
What’s Included
Tour Codes: Apr; PEL18A, Sep; PEL18B
Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Days Five & Six On Day Five we explore Olympia, home of the very first Panhellenic games. We move on to Messene, one of the most beautiful cities in Greece, on Day Six.
Day Seven We pay a visit the ruins of the Byzantine town of Mystras and the site of Epidaurus, home to the ruins of the ancient Greek polis by the same name. Day Eight We tour the site of Nemea, alleged site of Heracles’ slaying of the Nemean Lion, in the company of its former director. Day Nine We explore the great Bronze Age hilltop site of Mycenae. We continue to the lovely town of Nafplion, where we visit the museum. Day Ten We travel to Corinth which owed its prosperity to the isthmus which joins the Peloponnese to the mainland. Day Eleven We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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greece | crete & santorini with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley & Dr Sandy MacGillivray
The Minoans are best known for their huge labyrinthine ‘palaces’ - the greatest of which, at Knossos, was supposedly where Theseus slew the Minotaur. Knossos and all of the sites we visit have their own unique and characteristic charm and elegance, demonstrated in a lively and free artistic expression, and an obvious delight in impressive decoration. Begin on the beautiful, small island of Santorini, ‘Pompeii of the Aegean’, buried suddenly during the cataclysmic eruption of Thera - which signalled the ‘beginning of the end’ of Minoan civilization. In Crete we continue to trace the story of the Minoans, whose writing, organisation and ambition had a profound influence on the development of ancient Greece, and thus the western world.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Santorini. Day Two We begin our day on the island of Santorini and the Prehistoric Museum in Fira, which houses the wall-paintings from the Minoan mansion at Akrotiri. We continue to Akrotiri, destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1500BC, the city is like Pompeii, with houses preserved three storeys high. Day Three We visit the ancient city of Thera. The site has been under excavation since 1904, and findings from the city have contributed immensely to our understanding of Minoan culture and history. In the afternoon, we visit Panagia Episkopi, before travelling by catamaran to Heraklion.
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Day Four We visit the Bronze Age site of Knossos. Excavations have been overseen by the British School at Athens for many years. We continue to the Minoan house at Vathypetro with its elaborate shrine. We return to Heraklion and the museum, with its brightlycoloured wall paintings. Day Five We travel to the important Graeco-Roman site of Gortyn. We return to the Minoan era at the elegant ‘palace’ at Phaistos. Famous finds include thousands of documents, some inscribed with the earliest known occurrence of the writing of the Minoans. We continue to Ayia Triadha, a grand but ruinous villa.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Explore the Minoan palace complex of Malia, with its great courtyards, crypts and circular granaries • Wander through the recently re-opened city of Akrotiri • Elegant sites, wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean
Special Access
We have special access to the excavations at the Sissi Archaeological Project.
Day Six Our day begins with a special visit to the palace of Malia, a huge Minoan complex. We visit the wellpreserved Minoan town of Gournia on the northern coast. This afternoon, you are able to spend some free time exploring the city of Heraklion. Day Seven Today we will see the beautifully situated ruins of Chamaizi. Afterwards, we have the option to visit the tiny island of Mochlos, before returning to the hotel for a free afternoon. Day Eight Before we make our way to the airport, we drive to Sissi to visit the excavations on Kephali hill.
What’s Included • Flights - London to Santorini; Heraklion to London • Guide Lecturer • Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach, boat & catamaran • All meals included (wine with dinner) • Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips • Hotels - 2 nights in Santorini, 5 in Heraklion • Field Notes
Guide Lecturers Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley is a Tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning. She specialises in Minoan Crete, and is codirector of the Praisos survey.
Dr Sandy MacGillivray Dr Sandy MacGillivray is an archaeologist specialising in the Aegean Bronze Age, and the civilizations of Crete, the Cyclades and mainland Greece. He has excavated at Sparta, Paros and Kythnos.
Dates Tue 17th Apr - Tue 24th Apr Tue 8th May - Tue 15th May Tue 11th Sep - Tue 18th Sep Tue 25th Sep - Tue 2nd Oct Tue 9th Oct - Tue 16th Oct 8 Days Tour Codes: Apr; CRE18A, May; CRE18B, Sep; CRE18C, CRE18D, Oct; CRE18E
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Vast historical range: from Homeric sanctuaries at Dodona and to remote 14th century monasteries • The Greek agora, Roman palaces and Byzantine churches of Thessaloniki, capital of Northern Greece, whose centre is a World Heritage site with outstanding museums • The vertiginous monasteries at Meteora, perched high in spectacular mountain landscapes
greece | ancient macedonia & epirus with Oliver Gilkes
We follow in the footsteps of conquerors and cross the mountainous landscape of mainland Greece, rugged, dramatic landscapes once home to the two of the greatest rulers of the ancient world – Philip II and Alexander the Great. Palaces, houses, painted tombs and exquisite pebble mosaics from this time survive at the Macedonian cities of Verghina and Pella. We travel to towering Meteora deep in the Pindos Mountains, where sky-scraping medieval monasteries perch on pinnacles of rock – built as a way of withdrawing from the world. An unusual tour of this unique area of Greece full of fantastic archaeological sites, marked over the centuries, by a cornucopia of peoples and cultures.
Itinerary Day One We Fly to Thessaloniki. Day Two We drive to Nikopoli. We visit the sanctuary of the Actian games with theatre, circus and victory monument. We also stop at Kassiope, the ancient Epirote city. We continue to Nekromanteion, the oracle of the dead on the river Acheron. Day Three We travel to Dodona to visit the shrine and oracles of Zeus. On to Orraon, an EpiroteMolossian city with impressive remains of houses and public buildings. We end the afternoon, with a stroll around the city of Arta.
Sat 28th Apr - Mon 7th May 10 Days Tour Code: MAC18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Special Access
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Day Four We spend time exploring the castrum of Ioannina, the fortress of Ali of Tepelena, with its mosques walls and typical Ottoman buildings. We also visit the Byzantine and archaeological museums; before a free afternoon.
Day Five We explore the vertiginous monasteries of Meteora this morning. We spend the afternoon in Dion, former religious centre of the ancient Macedonian kingdom. Day Six In Thessaloniki, we examine the great Roman imperial palace, and the archaeological museum. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Day Seven On the trail of Macedonian royalty we visit Verghina – burial place of Kings. In the afternoon we visit Pella, Macedonia’s administrative capital with its royal palace Day Eight We transfer to Thessaloniki airport for our flight home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
greece | meet the greeks with Dr Rita Roussos The ‘Greatest Hits’ of the Greek world: gods, heroes, monsters and kings. The stories and legends, customs and politics of the Greek world continue to echo through the ages. From Achilles’ heel to Herculean struggles, election voting to frequenting the theatre. How did a rowdy group of rival kingdoms dominate the ancient Aegean for so many centuries? Our journey begins in the Peloponnesian hills, dramatic landscapes where myth and Highlights legend endured for millennia: • From heroic exploits of where the hero Hercules Hercules, to the Trojan began his twelve tasks, and Wars, and the Golden King Agamemnon set out to age of Classical Athens rescue Helen and capture Troy. Continue to Classical Athens, • The perfect introduction a city whose Golden Age led to the people who kickto astonishing advances in art, started 2,000 years of philosophy, science and politics.
Western civilisation
Special Access
We visit the ruins of ancient Corinth, where we receive a special talk from the now retired site director.
Wed 16th May - Wed 23rd May 8 Days Tour Code: IGR18A
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2018? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2017 There are still spaces available on a number of our 2017 departures, so why wait a year to discover more of the ancient world when you could join one of our most popular tours? Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania – Could anywhere in the world offer us a deeper insight into Roman life than these dramatic seaside towns? Classical Sicily – From columns to cathedrals, explore honey-coloured Greek temples and gleaming gold-in-glass Norman mosaics... Crete & Santorini – Elegant sites, beautiful wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik – Explore spectacular archaeology against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic.
Book your place now! Call 01722 713800, email tours@andantetravels.com, or visit us online at www.andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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greece | corfu & islands by gulet with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley & Dr Sandy MacGillivray
The seven islands of the Ionian Sea are Greece’s ‘other’ archipelago. As deeply embedded in the Hellenic past as the better known Cyclades the Ionian Islands have a history and mythology that encompasses Homeric legend, the homeland of Odysseus, ancient Greek history, Roman grandeur, and Venetian majesty. Corfu was the only Grecian land that never fell to the Turks and was a wellspring of ideas for a national renaissance. From Craggy fortresses, to the deserted metropolis of the ancient world the beautiful blue Ionian hides a host of secret places. What better way to enjoy the Greek islands than by gulet? Join us on a marvellous trip along the northern coast of Greece exploring the archaeology of the Ionian islands.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Corfu Town, and take an afternoon stroll around the Old Town before we board our gulet. Day Two Explore Corfu Town. Originally a Corinthian Greek colony Corfu Town is one of the most attractive towns in Greece, an extraordinary fusion of Ionian Greek, Venetian and British styles, with elegant boulevards and buildings alongside the winding streets of the Old Town; all dominated by the great Venetian fortresses. We visit the archaeological museum, Old and New Fortress. Day Three We visit the ruins of once mighty Nikopolis. A huge Roman ‘new town’ project, founded in honour of Augustus’ Victory over Mark
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Anthony and Cleopatra at Actium. We visit the late Roman walls and basilicas, the impressive theatre and Odeon, and the emperors victory monument built were his command tent had stood during the battle. Cruise to Ithaca. Overnight Ithaca. Day Four On to Ithaca, the island of Odysseus and the culminating locus of Homer’s poem and the location of his famous ‘school’. We shall visit a 9th century BC shrine at Aetos, and the famous Arethusa spring where Odysseus was directed by Athena to meet Eumaios, his loyal swineherd. Modern geoarchaeology has led to clarification of the Homeric geography of the Island. Sail to Poros in Kefalonia.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Sailing with Andante Travels Gulet cruising allows you to experience a completely different side to this stunning Greek island. Enjoy a friendly and informal atmosphere on board - as each tour is limited to a maximum of 18 guests.
The Boat Gulet tours are unlike any other cruise experiences. The vessels are designed to offer total relaxation; making them the perfect partner to an Andante Travels tour. Enjoy beautiful food, and plenty of swimming opportunities, alongside our fascinating archaeological excursions. Enjoy single sittings during on-board dinners; ample space for sunbathing on deck, and plenty of shaded areas to relax in too. The comfort extends to your cabin too: all are air conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms. Historically, gulets were used as transport and fishing vessels along the southern coasts of Turkey. Today they are designed with full comfort and not trade in mind which you will see as soon as you come aboard...
Highlights • Travel to Ithaca, and explore the significant sanctuary at Aetos • Marvel at the mosaics of the 3rd century AD Roman Villa in Skala on Kefalonia • Visit Corfu’s Archaeological Museum which houses the most important finds from the island
What’s Included • Return flights - London to Corfu • Guide Lecturer • Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach • All meals included (wine with dinner) • Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips
Day Five From Cephalonia’s attractive town of Poros we explore the Mycenaean tholos tomb, the Scala Roman Villa, and the acropolis of ancient Sami. Day Six A morning in Argostoli to visit the Stavros museum with finds from all over Kefalonia and then we set sail for Paxos with time to swim upon arrival. Day Seven We return to Corfu Town in time for a afternoon visit to the craggy Byzantine fortress of Angelokastron and the monastery at Paleokastrisa. Day Eight We return home today.
• Hotels - On this particular trip, our hotel is a gulet. • Field Notes
Guide Lecturers Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley is a Tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning. She specialises in Minoan Crete, and is co-director of the Praisos survey.
Dates Sat 12th May - Sat 19th May Sun 20th May - Sun 27th May 8 Days Tour Codes: May; CCO18A, CCO18B
Dr Sandy MacGillivray Dr Sandy MacGillivray is an archaeologist specialising in the Aegean Bronze Age, and the civilizations of Crete, the Cyclades and mainland Greece. He has excavated at Sparta, Paros and Kythnos.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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greece | the cyclades by gulet with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley & Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Join us as we take a meandering route around the Cyclades island by gulet. Discover atmospheric archaeological sites, amidst rugged, sun-drenched outcrops of rock, which stand within sparkling azure seas. Travel to the sacred island of Delos, mythical birthplace of twins Apollo and Artemis. Standing amongst this sprawling ruin, we can easily imagine the magnificent city that once was. Santorini’s multicoloured cliffs are certain to capture your imagination, as will the fascinating Minoan site of Akrotiri. Aside from our archaeological pursuits, we make sure to reserve time for a dip in the beautiful azure sea. Gulet cruising allows you to experience a completely different side to the Cyclades Islands.
Itinerary Day One We fly to Santorini, where we board our gulet.
unfinished Kouroi lying near quarries close to the villages of Melanes and Apollonas.
Day Two Our day begins with breakfast overlooking the Caldera. We visit the ancient city of Thera. We continue to Akrotiri: destroyed by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in 1,500 BC. After lunch, you can enjoy a free afternoon in Santorini.
Day Five We continue exploring Naxos – visiting a number of ancient sanctuaries, the never finished Temple of Apollo, and Archaeological Museum.
Day Three We spend the day at the hilly island of Ios. We visit the Roman Aqueduct and Homer’s tomb. We sail to Koufonisia for a late afternoon swim in the beautiful turquoise waters. Day Four We enjoy the day in Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades where we visit the Archaeological Museum. We also examine the two giant
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Day Six Upon arrival at Delos we wander the Maritime Quarter and the Theatre District and pay a visit to the local Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon you will have free time on Delos. Day Seven We spend another morning on Delos. We explore the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Lion District. This evening, we continue our journey, sailing on via Rhenia to Syros.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Sailing with Andante Travels
Highlights
We sail to Cape Sounion, to enjoy a wonderful dinner overlooking the Illuminated Temple. Soak up the magical atmosphere - first lit by the colours of the sunset and then by the spotlights.
• Explore the Terrace of the Lions, dedicated to Apollo; and visit the ancient and mysterious Castle of Andros
The Boat
• Enjoy dinner overlooking the illuminated temple of Cape Sounion
Gulet tours are unlike any other cruise experiences. The vessels are designed to offer total relaxation; making them the perfect partner to an Andante Travels tour. Enjoy beautiful food, and plenty of swimming opportunities, alongside our fascinating archaeological excursions.
• Enjoy a friendly and informal atmosphere on board our gulet
Enjoy single sittings during on-board dinners; ample space for sunbathing on deck, and plenty of shaded areas to relax in too. The comfort extends to your cabin too: all are air conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms.
What’s Included
Historically, gulets were used as transport and fishing vessels along the southern coasts of Turkey. Today they are designed with full comfort and not trade in mind which you will see as soon as you come aboard...
• Guide Lecturer
• Flights - London to Santorini; Athens to London
• Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach • All meals included (wine with dinner) • Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips
Day Eight On Syros, we visit the local Archaeological Museum and the Early Cycladic cemetery. We continue to Andros, where we will have a walking tour around the village before dinner. Day Nine We spend the day on Andros to take in the Archaeological Museum. Day Ten We enjoy the last full day of our journey on Kea. The charming island is characterised by rocky spires, verdant orchard filled valleys, and olive groves. We then sail to Cape Sounion to explore the Temple of Poseidon. Day Eleven We fly home.
• Hotels - On this particular trip, our hotel is a gulet. • Field Notes
Guide Lecturers
Dates
Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley
Sat 29th Sep - Tue 9th Oct Wed 10th Oct - Sat 20th Oct 11 Days
Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley is a Tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning. She specialises in Minoan Crete, and is co-director of the Praisos survey.
Tour Codes: Sep; CCY18A, Oct; CCY18B
Dr Sandy MacGillivray Dr Sandy MacGillivray is an archaeologist specialising in the Aegean Bronze Age, and the civilizations of Crete, the Cyclades and mainland Greece. He has excavated at Sparta, Paros and Kythnos.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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greece | crete revisited with Dr Sandy MacGillivray The largest and most populous of the Greek islands, Crete is a well trodden destination... but it still has secrets and surprises waiting to be uncovered. Join us as we explore the famous Minoan “Palaces” and settlements; trace the fortunes of the island through the Classical Greek and Roman periods; and gain a deeper understanding of the glorious west of the island. As we journey through the Cretan landscape, we witness it unfold in an undeniably artistic way: a magical tapestry of beaches, ancient treasures, vibrant cities and enigmatic villages. The natural beauty we find, is surpassed only by the richness of its history.
Special Access
Discover more about recent research which has been undertaken in Western Crete, during special talks from local archaeologists.
Highlights • Explore the beautiful Mediterranean island and its lesser-known archaeological remains • Wander through Armeni, where 200 chamber tombs have been discovered
Mon 15th Oct - Mon 22nd Oct 8 Days Tour Code: WCR18A
guatemala | guatemala, belize & honduras with David Drew Uncover the mysteries of a magnificent civilisation which arose from the jungles of Central America. This exciting tour takes us in search of the Maya in Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. We journey to great and ancient cities such as Copan and Tikal and to more remote outposts in the jungle, often by boat across lakes and along rivers that were the arteries for trade and communication across the Maya world. The still mysterious demise of most of Highlights the tropical forest Maya meant • Jungle treks, mangrove that by the 11th century AD swamps, ancient lagoons many of their major cities had and more been reclaimed by the jungle. We may dine with brilliant • Incredible wildlife macaws in the branches above — brilliant macaws, and drop off to sleep to the roar swinging spider of howler monkeys deep in the monkeys, and eagles surrounding forest. above the rainforest
Special Access
We enjoy a special lecture and dinner with archaeologist David Sedat, who has worked at the site of Copan for many years. 48
Tue 13th Feb - Tue 27th Feb 15 Days Tour Code: BEL18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Bazaar of Tabriz • Visit Hasanlu Tepe, one of the most famous archaeological sites of the region, once a major local trading centre • Visit Takht-e Soleiman, another great UNESCO World Heritage site • Marvel at the famous rock reliefs of the region, including those at Bisotun of Darius the Great and the Sassanid examples at Taq-e Bostan
Special Access
iran | north-western iran Guide Lecturer to be confirmed – see our website for latest updates
Iran, the second largest country in the Middle East, is steeped in history. Our second tour in this country will take you to the lesser known, but no less fascinating north-western region. Travel with us from Tabriz, once an important trading centre of the Silk Road, south via Takab and Sanandaj to Kermanshah and then east to Tehran, the capital. On our journey through the country we will visit the most important modern cities, explore famous excavation sites such as Takht-e Soleiman and marvel Achaemenid and Sassanid rock reliefs at sites such as Bisotun and Taq-e Bostan to name but a few. This tour takes you through the ages of Ancient Persia from the earliest beginnings up to great empires once ruling these vast lands.
Thu 8th Mar - Mon 19th Mar Thu 8th Nov - Mon 19th Nov 12 Days
What’s Included
Tour Codes: Mar; IRN18A, Nov; IRN18B
Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Itinerary Day One & Two We fly from London to Tabriz, arriving on Day Two. Day Three We spend a full day in Tabriz, visiting the local Azerbaijan Museum and taking in the historic bazaar complex. Day Four We take a trip around Lake Urmieh, where we see the rock relief at Salmas. On to Hasanlu, famous for its wellpreserved remains. Day Five At Maragheh we marvel the observatory, built in 1259 AD, which attracted scholars from as far as China. The city is also famous for its funerary towers. Day Six From Takab, we travel on to Takht-e Soleiman. The site includes the walls of the former fortified settlement.
Day Seven In Sanandaj, we visit the local museum housing finds from the Kurdestan province. We stroll through the bazaar before continuing on to Kermanshah. At Taq-e Bostan we view the Sassanid rock reliefs. Day Eight We travel to Mount Behistun to see the rock relief of Darius the Great. Day Nine Upon arrival in Hamadan, we make our way to Hegmataneh Hill, the Median capital of the late 8th century. Day Ten & Eleven We spend two days in Tehran. We explore the National Museum, and the newly refurbished Islamic Museum. Day Twelve We travel back to London.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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iran | great kings, shahs & gardens with Francois Desset & Carolyn Perry
A land of mystery, and unparalleled hospitality, Iran is rich in antiquities. The country is intricately decorated, whilst its monumental legacy bears witness to the sweep of its epic history. We will explore the Persian Kingdom - one of the greatest powers of the ancient world, and walk in the footsteps of Cyrus the Great, Darius, and Xerxes at their palaces. In Shiraz and Esfahan we view splendid Islamic architecture which rival the great cities of the silk road. We are delighted to be able to return to Iran, and very lucky to have the unparalleled expertise of our Guide Lecturers to introduce the sweep of Persian history and archaeology. This tour sold out fast in 2016 and 2017 - don’t miss your chance to see this great land!
Itinerary Day One & Two We fly from London to Shiraz. Upon arrival on Day Two we take a leisurely stroll around Shiraz visiting the Naranjestan Palace, the Rose mosque and the Saadi tomb. Day Three We travel to Firuzabad. The main attraction of the day is the visit to the Sassanid Palace of Ardashir. Day Four We explore Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Archaemenid Empire. In the afternoon we view the famous Achaemenid and Sassanid rock reliefs at Naqsh-e Rostam. Day Five We travel out to Pasagardae to see the palace and the tomb of Cyrus the Great. After our arrival back in Shiraz, we will enjoy the Eram Gardens.
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Day Six We make our way to Kerman, stopping at the Sassanid Persian palaces en-route. Day Seven We journey to Mahan to view the Shrine of Nur al Din Nimatullah. We return to Kerman to explore monuments including the Friday mosque. Day Eight & Nine We spend two days in Yazd, a great example of traditional Iranian desert architecture. We wander through the Towers of Silence; with an optional visit to Bagh-e Dolat Abad Garden. Day Ten We travel to Esfahan via Meybod and Na’in – where we visit the Jameh Mosque.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Visit ancient Persian majesty at Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rostam, and Pasargadae, and trace the mysterious Zoroastrians • Uncover old-style Iranian hammams, stunning architecture, and the finest example of a Persian Garden in the world
Special Access
Enjoy a specially arranged tour of the National Museum in Tehran, led by one of Iran’s leading archaeologists.
Day Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen We spend three days in Esfahan, home to fine Islamic architecture. Visits include Maidan-e-Naghsh-e Jahan and Kakh-e Ali Qapu Palace. Day Fourteen We depart Esfahan for Tehran, Iran’s modern capital, via Natanz and Kashan. Day Fifteen & Sixteen We spend two days in Tehran. We visit many museums, including the National Museum; Islamic museum, and Reza Abbasi Museum. We also explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Golestan Palace, and take in the Niavaran Palace. Day Seventeen We return home today.
What’s Included • Flights - London to Shiraz via Istanbul; Tehran Imam to London via Istanbul • Guide Lecturer
Guide Lecturers Francois Desset Francois Desset is a French archaeologist specialising in Near Eastern Archaeology. He currently works at Tehran University on Bronze Age Iran and undeciphered Iranian writing systems.
• Tour Manager
Carolyn Perry
• Local Travel - Private a/c coach & catamaran
Carolyn Perry is an archaeologist, Director of the MBI Al Jaber Foundation and Chair of the British Foundation for the Study of Arabia. She also led one of the first UK groups on a visit to Saudi Arabia.
• All meals included • Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips
Dates
• Hotels - 5 nights in Shiraz, 2 in Kerman, 2 in Yazd, 4 in Isfahan and 3 in Tehran
Thu 5th Apr - Sat 21st Apr Thu 18th Oct - Sat 3rd Nov 17 Days
• Field Notes
Tour Codes: Apr; IRA18A, Oct; IRA18B
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Admire the major sacred artefacts of Celtic Ireland and the collection of prehistoric gold objects in the National Museum in Dublin • Take a ferry to Inis Mor to explore the island’s archaeological sites • View the Book of Kells from the 9th century – a must-see artefact for all interested in the Irish culture
ireland | prehistoric ireland with Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Experience the fascinating Prehistory of Ireland. Travel through the rugged landscape with one of the leading experts in Irish Archaeology, Dr Kelli Ann Malone. The monumental passage tomb of Newgrange – with its widely known stone carvings – is but one of the highlights on a tour that takes in Dublin, the Boyne Valley, Carrowmore, mystical Galway, and the island of Inis Mor. Particularly famous for its Celtic remains, Ireland has so much to offer archaeological enthusiasts. This is more than just a tour for the Prehistoric purists. Join us to discover impressive burial monuments and captivating archaeological sites of earliest Ireland... scattered across this most verdant of isles.
Itinerary Day One We fly from London to Dublin. This afternoon we spend time in the National Museum, with its broad range of artefacts. Day Two We discover more of Dublin today. At the Old Library of Trinity College we view the Book of Kells. We continue to St Patrick´s Cathedral. Day Three We explore the area north of Dublin, including Newgrange Neolithic burial mount. On to the site of Knowth’s complex of grave structures; and finally the Hill of Tara.
Sun 24th Jun - Sun 1st Jul 8 Days Tour Code: PIR18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Special Access
Exclusive visit to an experimental archaeology group affiliated to the University College of Dublin
Day Four We travel north-west to Sligo. We stop at Fourknocks and Boyne Valley to view further burial monument complexes; and Loughcrew, to see a group of engraved cairns.
Day Five We explore the area around Sligo. Carrowmore is home to one of the most comprehensive burial complexes in Ireland; whilst Creevykeel holds one of the best examples of an Irish court tomb. Day Six We spend the day in Galway. We visit the City Museum, which houses archaeological finds from Prehistory to medieval times. Day Seven The day is dedicated to Inis Mor. We stop at Dun Aengus, the most famous Prehistoric hill fort on the Aran Island; and Dun Duchathair set on the steep cliffs above the sea. Day Eight Before we make our way home, we experience the rough karst landscape of the Burren.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Walk the streets of one of the world’s oldest cities - Jericho, founded over 10,000 years ago and occupied ever since • An abundance of iconic ancient sites - from the spectacular, but tragic, fortress at Masada to the coastal Crusader town of Akko (Acre) • Spend three days in Jerusalem - with special access to excavations and museums, and dinner with leading local archaeologists
Special Access
israel & palestine Guide Lecturer to be confirmed – see our website for latest updates
There are few places on earth that can boast such a rich and varied archaeological heritage as Israel and Palestine. Over the millennia, this ancient land has felt the tread of a varied cast of conquerors and settlers: Canaanites, Israelites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans and Imperial Britons. Each one of these civilisations has left their signature on the areas we visit today. Of course religion is an intrinsic part of these lands. Join us as we discover the archaeology embedded in the most holy of cities, Jerusalem; the tragedy of Masada; and visit one of the oldest cities in the world, Jericho.
Tue 24th Apr - Fri 4th May Tue 30th Oct - Fri 9th Nov 11 Days
What’s Included
Tour Codes: Apr; ISR18A, Oct; ISR18B
Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
We spend the day in Jerusalem with a leading Israeli archaeologist – and visit Lion Gate and the Bethseda Pool with them.
Itinerary Day One We fly to Tel Aviv and transfer to our hotel.
a leading archaeologist. We end the day at the Tower of David Museum.
Day Two We explore Beth She’an and the 6th century synagogue of Beth Alpha today. We continue to the beautiful Jezreel Valley.
Day Seven We travel to Jericho for the Herodian Winter Palace complex and the Monastery of the Mount of Temptation.
Day Three We visit Tel Dan, with its remarkable Bronze Age mudbrick gateway; and visit Belvoir Crusader Fortress.
Day Eight We explore Jerusalem, visiting the City of David, Warren’s Shaft, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and more.
Day Four We travel to Tzipori, a fortified city in the Netofah Valley. We continue to Akko.
Day Nine We explore the huge city of Tel Lachish; and we may stop for a ‘float’ in the Dead Sea.
Day Five We explore the Roman harbour city of Caesarea Maritima. We also visit the Israel Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Day Ten We ascend to the isolated fortress of Masada, and visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Day Six Spend a day in Jerusalem with
Day Eleven We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ITALY
Call: Call: 01722 01722 713800 713800 | email: | email: tours@andantetravels.com tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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italy| pompeii, herculaneum & classic campania Uncover everyday life in a Roman town...
Nowhere in the world could give a deeper insight into Roman life than the dramatic seaside towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Before the eruption of Vesuvius these were thriving, lively seaside towns! Bars, shops and brothels did a roaring trade and Pompeii was well-equipped to entertain the passing traveller with amphitheatre, baths and theatre. All this came to an abrupt halt, in AD 79 - when Vesuvius which had done little more than rumble for years - erupted with cataclysmic force. Two thousand years later, the sites of the Bay of Naples confront the modern visitor with a vivid, haunting immediacy like nothing else in the ancient world. Lose yourself in the past, walking the ancient streets in the footsteps of gladiators, slaves, senators and citizens...
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Naples and transfer to our hotel. Day Two We explore the temples, site and museum at Paestum. wander among the three mighty temples, some of the best preserved anywhere in the Greek world. We visit Paestum Museum which houses the unique painted ‘Tomb of the Diver’. Day Three We devote a whole day to Pompeii. No other site can compare in revealing the scale and proportions of a Roman town. We visit some of the best-preserved buildings, as well as an amphitheatre, theatre, forum, bathhouses, bars and brothels. Many of our Guide Lecturers have excavated at Pompeii and will introduce the very latest research that is shedding light
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on this extraordinary site. Day Four We marvel at the exceptional collections of artefacts at the National Archaeological Museum at Naples. We continue to Pozzuoli to see the best-preserved basements of any amphitheatre in the world. We receive special access to the cavernous Piscina Mirabilis at Misenum. Day Five We go off the beaten track to the villas of Stabiae. The vast Villa San Marco is one of the most opulent along this coast, and remains very impressive in its scale. The Villa Ariadne gives wonderful views over the Bay of Naples and is rarely visited. We have a free afternoon to return to Pompeii or relax.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Access to new, rarelyvisited villas in Pompeii • Led by expert guides – all specialists in Roman Archaeology or Ancient History • Special access to the Piscina Mirabilis which provided water to the cities of the Bay of Naples
Special Access
We have special access to the cavernous Piscina Mirabilis at Misenum, usually closed to the public. This gigantic cistern stored water for the Roman fleet and fed the towns of the Bay of Naples.
Day Six We visit Herculaneum, which perfectly complements a visit to Pompeii. We visit another ‘hidden gem’ of the Bay of Naples this afternoon, the modest farm-house discovered at Boscoreale, named the Villa Regina, and visit also a fine small museum alongside it. Day Seven On our final full day, we ascend the great volcanic crater of Vesuvius. We spend the afternoon at the villa at Oplontis, also buried and preserved by the eruption. It is grander than those at Stabiae – its amazing wall paintings are still intact and in their original positions. Day Eight We return home today.
What’s Included What’s Included • Return flights - London • Ecae quibus, sollici to Naples assimagnist intia doluptaLecturer tiusciatqui • Guide • doloraeped • Tour Manager moluptasped expeles • Local Travel erescium non- Private natia a/c coach quam utatemp orenimi, omnistius dendit, si • All mealsasincluded natesciis rententem (wine at dinner, except lunch at Pompeii) • nihillisquam fuga. Occupta speriae • Entries & Tips Entry to consequae sita -cum all sites in programme fuga. Xeribusant a & tips vellautemque none • Hotels - 7etnights • doluptin es duntem accommodation quam, quiassitatiintea hand-picked hotel antemquunt aut re • Field Notespreperunt • Adi omnis am quibus exeruptatur
Guide Lecturers Mon 2nd Apr - Mon 9th Apr Doru Bogdan Mon 9th Apr - Mon 16th Apr John Shepherd Mon 16th Apr - Mon 23rd Apr Dr Eireann Marshall Mon 30th Apr - Mon 7th May Dr Neil Faulkner Mon 7th May - Mon 14th May Doru Bogdan Mon 14th May - Mon 21st May Doru Bogdan Mon 21st May - Mon 28th May Dr Eireann Marshall Mon 10th Sep - Mon 17th Sep Oliver Gilkes
Tue 11th Sep - Tue 18th Sep Guide Lecturer TBC Mon 17th Sep - Mon 24th Sep Dr Neil Faulkner Mon 24th Sep - Mon 1st Oct Guide Lecturer TBC Tue 25th Sep - Tue 2nd Oct Tony Wilmott Mon 1st Oct - Mon 8th Oct Dr Denise Allen Mon 8th Oct - Mon 15th Oct Guide Lecturer TBC Tue 9th Oct - Tue 16th Oct Guide Lecturer TBC Mon 15th Oct - Mon 22nd Oct Dr Eireann Marshall
8 Days Tour Codes: Apr; POM18A, POM18P, POM18B, May; POM18C, POM18D, POM18E, POM18F, Sep; POM18G, POM18H, POM18I, POM18J, POM18K, Oct; POM18L, POM18M, POM18N, POM18O
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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italy | classical sicily The whole story of Sicilia Antiqua...
Islands in the Mediterranean are inevitably influenced by all passing trades and peoples. Sicily is perhaps the ultimate example of this. First came Bronze Age traders, followed by the Greeks and Romans, leaving behind a rich legacy of temples to their gods, graceful monuments which often still stand among the beautiful flower-strewn hills. Later, Normans used Byzantine and Arab artists and craftsmen to create glowing gold-in-glass mosaics in ornate cathedrals and palaces. This tour will leave memories of beautiful bays and ruinous ancient cities; honey coloured columns against a clear blue sky. Of exquisite Roman and Norman mosaics, mighty Mount Etna (fabled home of Cyclops), and of strolling in the wild Sicilian countryside.
Itinerary Day One We fly to Catania and travel across Sicily to Palermo. Day Two Our journey begins at the famous unfinished Doric temple at Segesta, set amongst rolling hills. There is also a fine theatre on the hilltop above. We continue to the magnificent Norman cathedral and abbey. Day Three We spend all day in Palermo. We have a specially arranged early evening visit to the glittering Cappella Palatina. We also visit the Archaeological Museum and Palermo Cathedral. Day Four Today we take a boat across the shallow salt lagoon to the Phoenician island stronghold of Motya. The site is the source of the beautiful
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Motya Charioteer sculpture, discovered in 1979. Day Five We continue on to the ancient quarries at Cave di Cusa, from which came the stone for the temples at Selinunte — unfinished column drums still lie abandoned here. We head to the site of Selinunte, strewn with wild flowers. Day Six We spend all day among the magnificent Greek temples of Agrigento, imposingly ranked along the southern ridge of the ancient city - built to impress those approaching. Day Seven We start the day in opulent Roman style, at the palatial Roman villa with exceptionally fine mosaics at Piazza Armerina. We continue to Morgantina.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Exceptionally fine mosaics at Piazza Armerina, a palatial Roman villa, reopened after extensive refurbishment • From columns to cathedrals – explore honey-coloured Greek Highlights temples and gleaming gold-in-glass Norman mosaics
Special Access
Later this afternoon, we have a specially arranged early evening visit to the Cappella Palatina of Roger II, a glittering jewel of Norman architecture.
Day Eight We spend all day discovering the ancient city of Syracuse. We see the exquisite artefacts in the Archaeological Museum; the Greek theatre; and the ancient quarries. Day Nine Free time in Syracuse. We continue to Noto, now a Unesco World Heritage Site. On to the Roman villa at Tellaro, found beneath a traditional farmhouse, with exceptionally fine mosaics. Day Ten Our last morning is spent exploring Euryalus Castle, the lynchpin of the defences of Syracuse. This afternoon we visit the early settlement at Panatalica. Day Eleven We return home today.
What’s Included
Guide Lecturers
• Flights - London to Palermo; Catania to London
Thu 29th Mar - Sun 8th Apr Oliver Gilkes
Thu 20th Sep - Sun 30th Sep Guide Lecturer TBC
Thu 19th Apr - Sun 29th Apr Dr Denise Allen
Thu 27th Sep - Sun 7th Oct John Shepherd
Thu 10th May - Sun 20th May Dr Eireann Marshall
Thu 4th Oct - Sun 14th Oct Guide Lecturer TBC
• Guide Lecturer • Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach • All meals included (wine with dinner)
Thu 17th May - Sun 27th May Oliver Gilkes
• Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips • Hotels - 3 nights in Palermo, 1 in Marsala, 2 in Agrigento, and 4 in Ortygia • Field Notes
11 Days Tour Codes: Mar; SIC18A, Apr; SIC18B, May; SIC18C, SIC18D, Sep; SIC18E, SIC18F, Oct; SIC18G
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • See one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture in the world — the cathedral of Monreale • Enjoy a private introduction to the glittering Cappella Palatina on an exclusive early-evening tour • Revel in the beautiful landscapes where Greek and Roman occupiers left their mark, overlooking sunlit valleys and lucid seas
italy | ancient wonders of sicily with Dr Denise Allen & Oliver Gilkes
Let us introduce you to Sicily: seductively beautiful and perfectly placed in the heart of the Mediterranean. Discover this fertile prize, coveted by countless cultures, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Normans. The island is home to wonderfully well-preserved Greek temples, Roman villas and Norman cathedrals — many filled with glorious mosaics — and its dramatic scenery once provided the backdrop for ancient battles. On this week-long tour we introduce the very best of Sicily’s archaeological sites. Those who wish to delve a little deeper into the island’s past should turn to our ten-day Sicilia Antiqua tour.
Tue 20th Mar - Mon 26th Mar Tue 11th Sep - Mon 17th Sep 6 Days Tour Codes: Mar; SAW18A, Sep; SAW18B 60
What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Special Access
Later this afternoon, we have a specially arranged early evening visit to the Cappella Palatina of Roger II, a glittering jewel of Norman architecture.
Itinerary Day One We fly from London to Palermo, Sicily’s glittering capital. Day Two On our first full day, we visit the mosaic-encrusted Norman cathedral of Monreale before spending the early afternoon at leisure. In the early evening we have a special, private visit to the extraordinary Cappella Palatina. Day Three Our morning is spent at the temple and theatre of ancient Segesta. The iconic fifthcentury Doric temple here, set against a beautiful sunlit valley, is one of the best-preserved in the world. We travel to Selinunte by the sea in the afternoon to see its Greek temples. Later, onwards to Agrigento.
Day Four We spend a full day exploring mighty Agrigento, once a rival to Syracuse. Explore its excellent museum, and then the splendid temples arranged along the rocky edge of the city. Day Five On the road to Piazza Armerina where we shall see the extraordinary Late Roman villa with its wealth of fantastic figured mosaics. We continue to Syracuse. Day Six This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse, before being drawn in by the exhibits of the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. After lunch, we see the ruined Euryalus Castle, the great Greek fortress that was the cornerstone of Syracuse’s walls.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
italy | meet the romans Guide Lecturer to be confirmed – see our website for latest updates Blood-thirsty imperialist of the greatest civilisation the world has ever known? At it’s peak, the Roman empire covered a vast territory, ruled by powerful, often capricious Emperors. This tour offers a wonderful introduction to the Roman world, with the opportunity to visit both Rome and Pompeii. Taken together, these two cities allow us to explore both the might monuments and feat of emperors, and the more humble, but no less Highlights fascinating world ordinary • Visit both Rome and Roman citizens. The tour will Pompeii be led by an expert in Roman archaeology and civilisation, • Includes iconic Roman and include special access sites throughout - Tivoli, and visits to sites including Herculaneum and more the Imperial Fora, Ostia, Herculaneum, Oplontis, • Stay in two excellent Pompeii and Tivoli. hand-picked 4* hotels
SpecialAccees
To Horti Sallustani, Roman landscaped pleasure gardens developed by Roman historian Sallust in the 1st century BC.
Mon 2nd Apr - Tue 10th Apr 9 Days Tour Code: IRO18A
italy | the etruscans with Oliver Gilkes Before the rise of Rome, the Etruscans dominated much of Italy. At the height of their power and prosperity during the 6th century BC, Etruscan power, influence and ambition rivalled the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians. In their homeland in the Tuscan hills, they built cities, vast cemeteries monumental tombs and a startling abundance of finely crafted objects. This is a beautiful and rural part of Italy, and we stay in just two hotels: Highlights a converted convent, and a • Discover an Italy before 17th century palazzo. Our the rise of Rome Guide Lecturer introduces hilltop cities, spectacular finds • Journey through rolling and lavish painted tombs. hills and charming Life before the Romans: a Medieval towns fascinating alternative view of • Explore every aspect of classical Italy.
Etruscan life and culture
Special Access
We have special access to some characteristic Etruscan painted tombs including the Tomb of the Lion and the Pellegrina Tomb.
Sun 8th Apr - Sun 15th Apr Sun 23rd Sep - Sun 30th Sep 8 Days Tour Codes: Apr; ETR18A, Sep; ETR18B
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Ecae quibus, guide sollicito • An insider’s assimagnist intia ancient Rome dolupta tiusciatqui • Out-of-hours access • doloraeped to the world-famous moluptasped expeles Capitoline Museum, erescium noniconic natia home of the quam orenimi, bronzeutatemp statues of omnistius dendit,and si Marcus Aurelius natesciis as rententem the Capitoline Wolf • nihillisquam fuga. • We engage with the Occupta speriae labyrinthine complex consequae sita the cumcity of ruins below fuga. a streetsXeribusant and hunt out vellautemque none hidden gems amongst the alleys; the theatre of • doluptin et es duntem Pompey the great, and quam, quiassitati te Borromini’s baroque antemquunt aut re surprise antemquunt aut re
Special Access
place||hidden italy tour title rome
We enjoy a private visit to the Capitoline Museum. Secrets are also revealed when we visit the Secret Archives of the Vatican.
with Dr Guide Eireann .... Marshall
Rome is much more than you see on the surface. Behind the grand Renaissance architecture and medieval churches, the city is laid out on ancient Roman lines. Elegant facades hide crumbling ancient masonry and to truly appreciate this legacy, you have to delve beyond the usual marble monuments and beneath the modern streets. During our tour, we explore a hidden world of buried houses, underground temples, and secret catacombs normally difficult to access. A truly exclusive break, Hidden Rome takes care of all your needs; enjoy a 5* hotel in the heart of the ancient city, and a spectacular Michelin starred meal in one of Rome’s finest restaurants.
Mon 23rd Apr - Sat 28th Apr Mon 8th Oct - Sat 13th Oct 6 Days
What’s Included
Flights, Lesci uthotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, lecturer, unt ventur tour simagnam manager,re all natur? local Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti Tour Codes: Apr; HRO18A, Oct; HRO18B meals, site nusda entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
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Itinerary Day One We fly to Rome. Day Two Our first day begins with a trip up the Aventine Hill, to visit the elegant Santa Sabina. We continue to the Forum Boarium, an ancient market where the boats unloaded their cargoes. We also visit the titanic Baths of Caracalla, and the Tomb of Scipios. Day Three We travel to Via Nomentana, one of the great consular roads leading away from Rome. We visit Santa Constanza, and the Church of S. Agnese with its catacombs. We travel to the Appian Way to see the Villa of the senatorial Quintilli. Day Four Our first stop is the exquisite 12th century church of San Clemente, with its wonderful apse mosaic. We then walk
up to the Caelian Hill. We finish with a visit to Palazzo Valentini, an excavated Roman house complex beneath a Renaissance palace. This evening, we enjoy dinner at La Pergola with splendid views over the Eternal City. Day Five We begin the day at the Pantheon, and visit the Cripta Balbi. Strolling through Medieval and Renaissance Rome, we drop in at the Palazzo Spada to view Borromini’s intriguing corridor. Day Six We walk through Rome to see the ancient world’s largest sundial, the Meridian of Augustus. Finally, we travel to Portus, once the port of Rome but now wrapped in ivy. We return home this afternoon.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Ecae sollici • Strollquibus, through the most assimagnist intia magnificent and best dolupta tiusciatqui conserved of all island residences, Villa Jovis • doloraeped expeles • moluptasped Spend some time in erescium nonsetting natia of the fantastic quam utatemp orenimi, the splendid Villa San omnistius dendit, si Michele and it’s gardens natesciis as rententem in Anacapri • nihillisquam fuga. • Enjoy the stunning Occupta speriae panoramic view from consequae cum the summitsita of Monte fuga. Xeribusant a Solaro vellautemque none • Relax during a ferry trip • doluptin et es duntem to the volcanic Isola d’ quam, quiassitati te Ischia, where we visit antemquunt aut re the Area Archeologica antemquunt aut re di Santa Restituta
Special Access
place||relaxed italy tour title capri
Enjoy an after-hours guided tour of Museum of Villa San Michele, followed by aperitifs on the terrace of Café Casa Oliv there.
with Tony GuideO’Connor ....
Beguiling Capri has charmed Roman emperors, Russian revolutionaries and Hollywood stars alike. The legendary idyll presents the perfect microcosm of Mediterranean appeal. Inhabited from the Palaeolithic period, Capri was briefly occupied by the Greeks, before it became the private playground of Emperor Augustus and retirement home of Tiberius. Exploring beyond the tourist-filled cafés and designer boutiques, we find a Capri of unspoilt charm. Explore a rugged landscape, peppered with relaxing beaches and picturesque villages overlook the deep blue waters that lap into secluded coves and mysterious grottoes...
Mon 23rd Apr - Sun 29th Apr Mon 3rd Sep - Sun 9th Sep 7 Days Tour Code: Apr; RCA18A, Sep: RCA18B
What’s Included Flights, Lesci ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt ventur lecturer, tour simagnam manager,reall natur? local meals, Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Naples for a beautiful hour’s drive to Sorrento, where we take a short ferry to Capri. Day Two We begin our day at the Villa Damecuta - perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. We continue by boat to the Grotta Azzura. We stop for some free time in the historic centre of Ana Capri; before a special after hours tour of the Museum of Villa San Michele. Day Three We drive south to Marina Piccola, where we visit the lovely Augustus Gardens. We continue to St. Giacomo’s Charterhouse. We stop for lunch at Marina Piccola,where we enjoy impeccable views of Faraglioni. The afternoon is free for you to explore Marina Grande, perhaps taking a boat to Palazzo a Mare or Piazetta.
Day Four We enjoy a scenic ferry trip, this time to Ischia. We continue to the Archaeological Museum and the Area Archaeologica di Santa Restituta. Finally, we step into the medieval Castello Aragonese. Day Five An imperial morning — we visit Villa Jovis, the most opulent palace of Tiberius. This afternoon we walk along Pizzolungo – arguably the most breathtaking of all Capri’s winding ways. Day Six Our last full day on Capri, we travel to Mount Solaro. We ascend to Barbarossa Castle, passing over lush green pathways. This afternoon we visit Punta Carena, Italy’s second tallest lighthouse. Day Seven We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Descend underground to the remnants of the ancient city below the streets of Naples • Travel by boat to lovely Ischia and the first Ancient Greek settlement • Feel the heat and smell the sulphur as we explore the volcanic landscapes of Solfatara
italy | campania beyond pompeii with John Shepherd
Pompeii has fascinated us for centuries, but archaeological interest isn’t confined to this one area... go beyond and discover more. Explore the hinterland of Vesuvius, a countryside pocked with semi-active volcano craters and one of the entrances to the underworld. It was a land of myth and legend, and, paradoxically, a land of luxury and wealth dotted with the vast villas of senators where the city of Puzzuoli was a ‘second Rome’ in the summer season. The excesses of fine living here were satirized in the Satyricon of Petronius. The tour is based for a whole week in just one comfortable hotel, and includes a trip to the island of Ischia where Greeks established their first trading post in the west – Pithekoussai.
Tue 15th May - Tue 22nd May Tue 18th Sep - Tue 25th Sep 8 Days Tour Codes: May; CPO18A, Sep; CPO18B 64
What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Special Access
Visit the remains of Roman shops and houses, and a massive temple, beneath the streets of the medieval district of Rione Terra.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Naples and drive to our hotel. Day Two We begin with a ferry trip to the island of Ischia. Here, we view the remains of Greek buildings beneath the Church of Santa Restituta. Day Three We begin at Santa Maria Capua Vetere to view the marvellous Iron Age collection in its museum, amphitheatre and temple. We also visit the medieval town of Capua. Day Four Our first day in Naples, we visit the foundations of the theatre as well as the streets and shops beneath the Church of San Lorenzo di Maggiore. A visit to the cloister of Santa Chiara will also reveal the remains of a Roman bathhouse.
Day Five We explore the exotic Roman resort of Baia, terraced into the side of an extinct volcano and the nearby museum. En route we visit the active volcanic area of Solfatara and then on to Cumae. Day Six We travel to Pozzuoli. Here we visit the amphitheatre and the remains of buildings in Rione Terra, beneath the medieval city. We also view the remains of tombs and other little visited remains of Pozzuoli. Day Seven We continue in Naples, with a visit to the incredible Archaeological Museum. Later, we explore the spectacular Catacombs of St Januarius, which date back to the 2nd century AD. Day Eight Transfers to Naples airport for flights home or onward.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
italy | sardinia with Dr Tertia Barnett Sardinia’s archaeology tells the story of rich Prehistoric and Classical cultures regularly in contact with the wider Mediterranean world. Their greatest period of prosperity and architectural splendour was during the Bronze Age, when the inhabitants built thousands of Nuraghi - fortified stone towers, some surrounded by villages. Our tour takes you on an exploration of a variety of sites, building up a picture of this Highlights intriguing island society, before • Conquest and invasion we move on to later Phoenician at the Phoenician colonies and the coming of stronghold of Sulcis, the Romans. Discover tombs, perched on an isthmus temples, traders and invaders at the edge of the island on the rugged shores of this endlessly beautiful, culturally • Explore landscapes, with and archaeologically unique richly varied flowers and Mediterranean island.
wildlife
Special Access
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We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Tue 15th May - Wed 23rd May 9 Days Tour Code: SAR18A
place||the italy tour icetitle man and his world with Guide Guide Lecturer .... to be confirmed – see our website for latest updates The Alpine valleys of Val Camonica hold one of the largest collections of Prehistoric rock art in the world - Italy’s first World Heritage Site. The images depict every facet of life from Neolithic to Roman times. Each depiction is unique, creating a varied and concentrated gallery of prehistoric life: there are animals, humans, boats, carts, huts - an almost overwhelming profusion of detail. Having set the scene, Highlights we venture into the mountains to visit the ice-man ‘Ötzi’ - an • Discover the Prehistoric emissary from 5000 years ago. gallery of 100,000 rock Hikers stumbled across Ötzi in art depictions in the Val 1991, and for over two decades Camonica national park analysis of his body, and the extraordinary Prehistoric tool • Waterlogged wooden kit he carried, has given us structures and everyday a glimpse into the Ice Man’s items preserved in mud world... at Lake Ledro
Special Access
Enjoy a special tour of Bolzano Museum, – home to the Ice Man, Ötzi – with the curators who preserve him.
Sat 2nd Jun - Thu 7th Jun 6 Days Tour Code: PHI18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Go underground at the Colosseum, to see where the gladiators awaited their fate. Private evening visit to the Sistine Chapel (September) • On foot through the glories of the Eternal City from Trajan’s column to the Colosseum; the Forum to the Vatican • Stay in one charming hotel for the entirety of our journey, perfectly placed just behind the Pantheon
Special Access
place||rome italy tour title
We have special access to the Colosseum in May and September; and the glorious Sistine Chapel in September only.
with Oliver Guide .... Gilkes
Rome is an exhilarating and intimate destination where the glories of its ancient past, the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon exist beside museums, art-soaked churches and medieval piazzas: evidence of Rome’s continued power when its empire was no more. This is the perfect introduction to the ‘Eternal City’ led by expert archaeologists who bring to life triumphs, tragedies and political intrigue that characterised the Roman empire and its sucessors. We have special access to the Colosseum (May and Sept) and the glorious Sistine Chapel (September only). Follow in the footsteps of slaves and Caesars; saints and sinners in this unique exploration of over 2000 years of Roman history.
Mon 7th May - Sat 12th May Mon 17th Sep - Sat 22nd Sep Fri 21st Dec - Wed 26th Dec 6 Days Tour Codes: May; ROM18A, Sep; ROM18B, Dec; ROM18C 66
What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Rome. Day Two We begin at the Colosseum, were we have a special visit to the underground service tunnels and the upper levels. We take an afternoon walk through the heart of ancient Rome, including the Roman Forum, the venues of profound historical events such as the Gracchi riots. Day Three We tour the vast collections of the Vatican Museum. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore St. Peter’s Basilica. We return to the Vatican Museum for a private viewing of the Raphael rooms and the Sistine Chapel (September) Day Four We visit the Villa Borghese Museum. Work by Bernini,
Titian, and Canova are among the incredible assemblage of art to be discovered. On to the famous ‘Non-Catholic’ cemetery of Rome beside the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius. We end the day at the Montemartini Museum. Day Five We walk through the winding lanes and alleys of medieval Rome, through the Field of Mars. We continue to the Pantheon, the inspirational building built by Emperor Hadrian to be a shrine for all the Roman Gods. On to the Piazza Navona, and the Column of Marcus. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore this fascinating city. Day Six Before returning home, we spend a morning to explore Ostia Antica the original port of ancient Rome.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Ecae quibus, sollici • Discover the Palazzo assimagnist communal inintia Siena and dolupta tiusciatqui its breathtaking bell tower • doloraeped moluptasped expeles • Explore Cortona, the erescium non natia art and architecture quam utatemp orenimi, city with a ‘diadem of omnistius towers’ dendit, si natesciis as rententem • Journey through the • nihillisquam fuga. of rolling countryside Occupta Tuscany, speriae punctuated consequae with villas sita and cum avenues fuga. Xeribusant a of cypress trees with vellautemque none free time to explore • doluptin esculinary duntem • We enjoy et the quam, quiassitati te delights of Tuscany antemquunt aut re at Michelin-starred antemquunt restaurants aut re
Special Access
place||relaxed italy tour title tuscany
We enjoy a special visit to the impressive Etruscan tumuli of Sodo Melone below Cortona, the burial place of the city’s ancient aristocrats.
with Dr Guide Oren ....Margolis
A wealth of archaeological sites is hidden amongst the rolling hills and golden landscapes of Tuscany. The region has seduced countless civilisations for centuries. It all began with the Etruscans, but the Romans, medieval Christians, British aristocrats, and plundering Napoleon all share a space in the region’s fascinating history. Our visually stimulating tour is set in the rolling Tuscan countryside - a gorgeous land of villas and vineyards. Based in a single hotel in the centre of Sienna, we enjoy a combination of expert-led archaeological visits and free time to explore. Highlights of the tour include visits to the hill towns of Arezzo and Cortona, and the imposing Medici stronghold of Poggibonsi.
Mon 3rd Sep - Sat 8th Sep 6 Days Tour Code: RTU18A
What’s Included Flights, Lesci uthotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, lecturer, unt ventur tour simagnam manager,re all meals, natur? local Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti site nusda entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Italy and drive to our hotel in Siena. Day Two This morning we explore Siena, the last town to hold out against the rise of the Medici. We take plenty of time to explore and savour the marvellous Palazzo Comunale, and perhaps ascend its bell tower for the exceptional view over the city’s rooftops. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. Day Three We travel to Arezzo and explore the life and work of Giorgio Vasari, court architect to Cosimo I and biographer of the great artists. We then move to the Duomo, thought to be located on the site of the ancient city’s acropolis. Enjoy some free time - or visit the Archaeological Museum alongside your guide lecturer.
Day Four Today we enjoy a full day in Cortona, a small charming town in Arezzo’s Chiana valley. We discover the Accademia Etrusca and its fine museum. We also visit the Diocesan Museum. Day Five We drive to Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Pope Pius II. This afternoon, we enjoy a visit to a local Tuscan winery to sample the vintages – Tuscan wines are, justifiably, celebrated, with a rich history of viticulture – providing a refreshing and relaxing end to the day. Day Six We enjoy a final visit to the great Medici fortress at Poggibonsi, relied upon by the Florentine Empire of Cosimo Medici. We transfer to the airport for our return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights Joint Tour with
• Ecae quibus, sollici • Enjoy wine tastings assimagnist intia in local family-run dolupta tiusciatqui vineyards, plus cooking classes and delicious • doloraeped local dishes. moluptasped expeles erescium non natia • See Pompeii, quam utatempand orenimi, Herculaneum omnistius dendit, lesser-known sitessiwith natesciis as rententem archaeologists who bring these ancient sites • nihillisquam fuga. to life Occupta speriae consequae sitaof cum • Enjoy the best both fuga. Xeribusant a worlds: an irresistible vellautemqueofnone combination worldfamous archaeological • doluptin es duntem sites and et mouthquam, quiassitati watering wines te antemquunt aut re antemquunt aut re
Wine Tours
italy place | tour title- wine & archaeology pompeii & amalfi with Diana Guide Blumberg ....
Southern Italy is an incredibly rich region, its abundant archaeology perfectly complemented by its equally historic 4000-year-old wine legacy. Explore rock-cut abbeys, fascinating museums, magnificent temples and the astonishing remnants of ancient towns and villas devastated (and preserved) by Vesuvius. Wine is the life blood of the region – it was named ‘land of wine’ by the Greeks. The wines were adored by the Romans and it’s not hard to see why – bold, full-bodied, and supremely satisfying…but don’t take our word for it. Andante Travels have joined forces with Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours to offer a series of Wine & Archaeology tours.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in time for a light lunch at a local Osteria. Enjoy some free time in Amalfi. Day Two We begin the day with a visit to Tenuta San Francesco, in the beautiful, remote Lattari valley. After a light lunch, we take part in an afternoon cookery demonstration of local recipes at our hotel. Day Three We travel to Corpo Di Cava dei Tirreni, a rock-cut abbey in the Finestre Hills. We have special access to the library and its archives before continuing to Santa Maria for a wine tasting.
Sat 22nd Sep - Sat 29th Sep 8 Days Tour Code: AAA18A
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What’s Included Flights, Lesci ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt venturtour lecturers, simagnam manager, re all natur? local meals, Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
SpecialAccees
We have special access to the library of the abbey at Corpo Di Cava dei Tirreni, and its rich archives of public and private documents.
Day Four We visit Paestum to wander among its mighty temples, then on to Velia, a beautiful ancient city of Magna Graecia. We continue to Sangiovanni, a splendid estate.
Day Five We devote a whole day to Pompeii. No other site can compare in revealing the scale and proportions of a Roman town. We visit several villas which have only recently reopened to the public. Day Six We visit Herculaneum, which perfectly complements a visit to Pompeii. We enjoy lunch at a local wine bar, before continuing to Naples, to visit the archaeological Museum. Day Seven We travel to Sta Maria Capua Vetere, an excellent Archaeological Museum. We continue to the adjacent second century Mithraeum; and visit the Gladiator Museum. Day Eight We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
italy | basilicata & calabria with Dr Sophy Downes A wonderful introduction to the unspoilt mountains and hills of the ‘toe and instep’ of Southern Italy - much favoured by ancient colonists though little-visited by tourists today. Journeying along the coast, we travel through more than 2000 years of an immemorial story. Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Norman and Spanish invaders not only ‘came and conquered’ but stayed – producing cities, castles and churches from the Classical Highlights period onwards. This abundance of sites includes: the • Matera: a maze of rockcut cave dwellings and Codex Purpureus at Rossano, churches occupied for the Byzantine church at Stilo up to 9000 years and the 5th century BC Greek bronze warriors rescued from • The magnificent Riace the sea at Riace – two of the Bronzes, now restored finest bronze sculptures to have to their former glory at survived from the Greek world.
Reggio di Calabria
Special Access
Enjoy a special booked and timed visit to the famous Riace Bronzes, wonderfully restored at Reggio di Calabria.
Sat 22nd Sep - Sun 30th Sep 9 Days Tour Code: BAC18A
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2018? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2017 There are still spaces available on a number of our 2017 departures, so why wait a year to discover more of the ancient world when you could join one of our most popular tours? Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania – Could anywhere in the world offer us a deeper insight into Roman life than these dramatic seaside towns? Classical Sicily – From columns to cathedrals, explore honey-coloured Greek temples and gleaming gold-in-glass Norman mosaics... Crete & Santorini – Elegant sites, beautiful wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik – Explore spectacular archaeology against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic.
Book your place now! Call 01722 713800, email tours@andantetravels.com, or visit us online at www.andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Ecae an quibus, sollici • Visit imposing assimagnist Roman villa intia on the very dolupta banks oftiusciatqui Lake Garda, said to have been the • doloraeped home of the Augustan moluptasped expeles age poet, Catullus erescium non natia quam utatemp orenimi, • Immerse yourself in the omnistiusarchitecture dendit, si of stunning natesciis as rententem the Renaissance, created by – among others – the • nihillisquam fuga. master, Andrea Palladio Occupta speriae consequae cum • Sample thesita products fuga. one Xeribusant a from of the wine vellautemque none producing villas in the Valpolicella area • doluptin et es duntem quam, quiassitati te antemquunt aut re antemquunt aut re
Special Access
place||relaxed italy tour title lake garda
We are delighted to have secured private tours of the Palladian villas of Vicenza, usually out of bounds to the general public.
with Tony GuideO’Connor ....
The region around the Lake is surrounded by mountains and linked to beautiful historic towns by rivers and canals. It is an intriguing area – with prehistoric and Celtic sites adjacent to wonderful Roman remains. All set in a landscape including villas and towns of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. We’re sure this tour – offering a truly unique mix of archaeology, art and architecture – will hold your imagination. The imposing Roman villas, and the Renaissance villas and buildings, associated with the famous architect Andrea Palladio are just some of the wonders of this tour. To cap it all, we will be in the region of the Valpolicella wine villas – noted for their products and histories.
Tue 2nd Oct - Mon 8th Oct 7 Days Tour Code: RLG18A
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What’s Included Lesci Flights, ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt lecturer, ventur tour simagnam manager,reall natur? meals, local Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Verona. Day Two In the morning, we visit the Archaeological Museum and the amphitheatre in Verona. During the Middle Ages it was one of the principal cities of northern Italy caught up in the struggle for power between Venice and Milan. In the afternoon, there will be free time to explore the wonderful architecture and treasures of Verona. Day Three We spend all day in Mantua, an important Roman city and home to many literary figures of the late 1st century BC Augustan age. Full also of Renaissance wonders, the city boasts the Palazzo Te. Day Four In the morning, we travel to the Desenzano Roman Villa
and then on to Sirmione by ferry. Here, by small train, we travel up the hill to the Villa Catullus. We return to Sirmione for lunch. We have a free afternoon with opportunities to visit neighbouring sites. Day Five We spend all day in Vicenza: an almost archetypal ideal of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. This jewel of a place is full of galleries, palaces, and is noted for the works of architect Andrea Palladio — we visit his amazing villa at La Rotunda. Day Six In the morning, we will visit the Villa della Torre, a beautiful villa by architect Giulio Romano, where we enjoy a wine-tasting and lunch. Enjoy free time this afternoon. Day Seven We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights
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• Ecae quibus, sollici • Historic Ortygia, with assimagnist intia and its glorious piazzas dolupta sea viewstiusciatqui • doloraeped • Verdant Pantalica, moluptaspedalive expeles wonderfully with erescium non natia native bird and plant life quam utatemp orenimi, • A relaxed approach omnistius dendit, si to discovering Syracuse, natesciis as rententem with ample time to • nihillisquam fuga. explore Occupta speriae • All based insita a charming consequae cum hotel in Ortygia fuga. Xeribusant-aa beautifully restored vellautemque none and chic area of Siracusa, • doluptin et es duntem across a causeway from quam, quiassitati te city the main part of the antemquunt aut re antemquunt aut re
Special Access
place||relaxed italy tour title siracusa
We have special access to the Catacombs of San Giovanni – truly a necropolis since whole streets of tombs run off under the city above.
with Tony GuideO’Connor ....
With a history stretching back almost 3000 years, the city of Syracuse has the rare accolade of being classed as a World Heritage Site in its entirety. At the heart of the ancient city is Ortygia, painstakingly and dazzlingly restored. We follow in the footsteps of the Greeks, Romans and much later civilisations who landed upon these shores. More than two thousand years later, we can still gaze out over the same harbour and imagine the cool blue waters heaving with triremes, Athenian arrows singing through the air. Discover not only Ortygia, but surrounding sites including the Greek Castle of Euryalus, the Roman Villa at Tellaro and the lovely Pantalica hills, honeycombed with ancient tombs.
Mon 8th Oct - Sat 13th Oct 6 Days Tour Code: SIR18A
What’s Included Flights, Lesci ut hotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, unt ventur lecturer, tour simagnam manager,reall natur? local meals, Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti nusda site entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Itinerary Day One We fly to Catania and transfer to our hotel in Ortygia. Day Two We spend the morning exploring historic Ortygia on foot. We view the Temple of Apollo; the Fountain of Arethusa; and the Great Harbour. After lunch in one of the many chic restaurants in Ortygia, the rest of the afternoon is free. Day Three Enjoy a free morning in Ortygia. After lunch, we visit the hilltop city of Noto, famous for its Baroque architecture. Substantial rebuilding followed a severe earthquake at the end of the 17th century, when this flamboyant style was at its height. Day Four We travel to the palatial Roman villa with exceptionally fine
mosaics at Piazza Armerina. We spend all day exploring the complex here, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, described as a ‘supreme example of a luxury Roman villa’. Day Five We further explore the city of Siracusa, crossing to the mainland to visit the very fine Paolo Orsi Museum. After lunch, we have special access to the Catacombs of San Giovanni. Day Six We drive inland to the hills of Pantalica, honeycombed with ancient Sikel tombs and alive with wonderful plant and bird life. We then visit the ancient Greek castle of Euryalus, a complex vital to the outer defences of the city. Day Seven We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights Joint Tour with
• Discover • Ecae quibus, the best sollici of both assimagnist worlds: an irresistible intia dolupta tiusciatqui combination of worldfamous archaeological • doloraeped sites and splendid wines moluptasped expeles • Enjoy erescium tastings non natia and quamat torus utatemp some oforenimi, Sicily’s omnistius leading wineries, dendit, si natesciis from historic as rententem cellars in marsala to cutting-edge • nihillisquam producers in fuga. Menfi Occupta speriae • Discover consequae a plethora sita cum of fuga. Xeribusant archaeological gems a vellautemque from Greek temples none amid flower-strewn • doluptin et es duntem hills, to the glittering quam, quiassitati Medieval churchesteof antemquunt aut re Palermo antemquunt aut re
Wine Tours
italy | the wine of the gods with John Shepherd
Sicily, the classically beautiful heart of the Mediterranean has been praised by poets and became the prize of countless cultures. The sun-soaked island is home to wonderfully preserved Greek temples, Roman villas and Norman cathedrals – many filled with glorious mosaics. Wine is deeply rooted within the culture here, and has been made in Sicily for millennia. Enter a wine-lover’s paradise, with local vineyards producing an abundance of excellent, complex varieties. Taste the ‘wine of the Gods’ in an exceptionally beautiful setting. Andante Travels have joined forces with Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours to offer a series of Wine & Archaeology tours.
Itinerary Day One We arrive at our hotel in Palermo, in time for dinner. Day Two Our day begins at Palermo’s Archaeological Museum. We continue to Palermo Cathedral, before a special visit to one of Palermo’s magnificent Baroque Palazzi this afternoon, before dinner at Cana Enoteca in Palermo tonight. Day Three Our day begins in the best way – with a visit to a local winery. We stop for lunch at Rapitala, before a free afternoon to explore Palermo.
Sat 13th Oct - Sat 20th Oct 8 Days Tour Code: AAS18A
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What’s Included Flights, Lesci uthotels, et, comnis expert ulpa guide pore, lecturers, unt venturtour simagnam manager, reall meals, natur? local Ibea nonsed transport quid andesti site nusda entry sa cus anddolorporit tips.
Special Access
We enjoy an exclusiive visit to one of Palermo’s magnificent Baroque palazzi.
Day Four We travel to the archaeological site of Segesta. We stop for a light lunch before continuing to the Punic War Ship & Museum. We enjoy dinner in Marsala this evening.
Day Five We begin the day at the De Bartoli estate. We stop for a winery lunch at Donnafugata. The Marsala cellars, were built in 1851. Spend some free time in Marsala this afternoon. Day Six We make our way to Selinunte, once one of the most important Greek colonies in Sicily. We continue to Agrigento, home to Sicily’s most impressive ruins, where your afternoon is free. Day Seven We begin at the Archaeological Museum of Agrigento. We stop for a light lunch, before our afternoon exploring the Valley of the Temples. Day Eight We start the day at Morgante, before travelling to a winery near Vallelunga. We return to Palermo for our flight home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
italy | ravenna & aquileia with Prof Tony King In AD 402 the Roman Imperial court fled from Rome to Ravenna, and for a period was the political centre of the Western Empire. The result? An astonishing flowering of art and architecture created in the dying days of an empire. The city’s numerous churches, palaces and mausolea remain resplendent with shimmering mosaics... Our journey begins in Aquileia, one of the great cities of the late Roman Empire, which played host to Highlights emperors and archbishops. We • An astonishing continue to Ravenna, one of the flowering of decorative ‘must-see’ archaeological cities arts and architecture with unparalleled mosaics. Marvel at the artistry and • Heaven for mosaic explore the stories behind the lovers: the finest glittering tiles: the struggles late-Roman mosaics, of a dying empire and the culminating in glorious growing power of Christianity.
collections at Ravenna
Special Access
We have arranged a special evening visit to the Church of San Vitale to permit you to look at the mosaics in tranquillity.
Mon 22nd Oct - Mon 29th Oct 8 Days Tour Code: RAV18A
italy | bologna festive food with Rosetta Ferrari & Tony O’Connor Discover the home of tagliatelle, tortellini, mortadella, ragù and more. This unique tour will satisfy even the most voracious of appetites for food and for history! What better time could you find to taste the millennial fruits of culinary evolution than during this festive season? The Emilian menu includes some of Italy’s most famous products such as Mortadella and Parmesan cheese which have been made for over 2000 years. This is an unusual Highlights Andante tour - exploring both • Explore the many glories the archaeological remains and of ‘La Grassa’, the Fat gastronomic history of Bologna. City of Italy Along the way we hunt for truffles, visit some fascinating • Visit some of the best museums and enjoy some museums in Italy with sumptuous meals that would ancient river boats, have satisfied even an Etruscan intricate gold-working appetite! and fine sculptures
Special Access
We enjoy a private rendezvous with a local tartufaio – who will introduce us to the secrets of truffle hunting.
Fri 28th Dec - Thu 3rd Jan 2019 7 Days Tour Code: BFF18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • See out the old year with a day in Pompeii when it is almost devoid of tourists • Travel to the amazing Piscina Mirabilis - the giant Roman cistern that fed the Roman Fleet at Misenum • Visit the temple of Mithras, mithraeum, at Santa Maria Capua Vetere with John Shepherd, a specialist in Roman religion and author of the book on London’s famous mithraeum
Special Access
italy | naples new year
Receive special access to the Piscina Mirabilis, the giant Roman cistern that fed the Roman Fleet at Misenum.
with John Shepherd
Naples’ streets and buildings are packed with life - festooned with washing and, at this time of year, decorated with the elaborate cribs of the Neapolitan tradition. Explore the city - its wonderful churches and museums, and the astonishing remnants of the ancient city. On top of this, travel to Sant Maria Capua Vetere, the slave home of Spartacus, to visit one of the best- preserved temples to the God Mithras. Then later in the tour, to the incomparable Pompeii – destroyed, yet preserved, by Vesuvius in AD79. This will also be the time to experience a Neapolitan New Year – an unforgettable occasion - residents literally throwing away the old year... This is one of the best places to enjoy New Year’s Eve!
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Naples. Day Two We travel to Santa Maria Capua Vetere and the Museo Archeologico dell’Antica Capua. We continue to the Mithraeum, before visiting the Museo Campano and the Church of S. Angelo. Day Three We go beneath the streets of Naples to the Roman theatre. We move on to San Paolo Maggiore, before spending the afternoon in the Naples Museum - where you can enjoy some free time.
Fri 28th Dec - Fri 4th Jan 2019 8 Days Tour Code: NAP18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Four We see out the old year at the incomparable Pompeii – destroyed, yet preserved, by Vesuvius in AD79. We return to Naples for a gala dinner in our hotel. Day Five We spend New Year’s Day exploring some of Naples’
most grandiose buildings. We continue along Via San Gregorio Armeno, famous for its Nativity cribs, and head out of Naples to the huge volcanic crater at Solfatara. Day Six We visit Herculaneum today. Buried by pyroclastic surges hotter than those at Pompeii, its buildings remain incredibly well-preserved — even up to their rooftops, in some cases. Afterwards, we enjoy some free time in Naples. Day Seven We head to the Phlegraean Fields, where we experience a fascinating morning of Roman waterworks. We begin at the amazing Piscina Mirabilis, to which we have exclusive special access, and continue to Pozzuoli to see one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Day Eight We return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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japan | japan with Ilona Bausch On the far side of the world, the closed society of pre-19th century Japan was the last major civilisation to engage with the rest of the world. Nevertheless, Japanese culture and history have had an extraordinary influence on the progress of the modern world. The archaeological sites of Japan are still difficult to visit, especially as an independent traveller. We are lucky to have an expert in Japanese archaeology leading this tour, giving us access Highlights to remarkable monuments • Tour an ancient from the fiery ceramics of the civilisation, closed off Jomon Neolithic to temples from the outside world and Shoguns’ castles. We for centuries traverse the astonishingly diverse landscapes by bullet • November is one of train in search of the unique the best times to visit: archaeology, history and with wonderful autumn culture of Japan.
colours in full display
Special Access
Receive special access to sites and museums all over the island, with the chance to meet many local archaeologists.
Fri 9th Nov - Mon 26th Nov 18 Days Tour Code: JAP18A
jordan | petra & the desert fortresses with Nick Jackson Nothing can prepare you for the rose-red city of Petra: only by visiting and standing there can you fully appreciate its scale, its colours and its grandeur. Lively, cosmopolitan and rich, with goods from every corner of the known world, Ancient Petra was an extraordinary city. Its streets were swathed in a fusion of Nabataean and classical architecture — elaborate tombs, colonnaded streets, and temples carved into rose-red rock — Highlights yet Petra is only a fraction of • Spend two full days in Jordan’s story. Discover the the monumental city land of the Old Testament, of Petra, home of the where Bible stories and the Nabataeans. Bronze Age meet. We explore traces of biblical tribes, Roman • Discover the mighty legions, Christian crusaders crusader castle at Kerak, and Islamic caliphates in this one of the best preserved promised land of archaeology. in the Middle East.
Special Access
Take a tour of and Introduction to the British Institute in Amman, either by the director herself or a member of the institute.
Tue 27th Mar - Thu 5th Apr Tue 9th Oct - Thu 18th Oct 10 Days Tour Codes: Mar; JOR18A, Oct; JOR18B
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Marvel at the thousands of petroglyphs found decorating the rocks throughout Tamgaly • Explore the dead city of Sauran, a former hub of the Silk Road • Reach for the stars at Baikonur cosmodrome, the world’s first operational spaceport • Take an exclusive tour of the abandoned city of Otrar with our Guide Lecturer, who is working at the site
Special Access
kazakhstan | kazakhstan
Our Guide Lecturer is actively excavating at the abandoned city of Otrar, and will take us on a special tour of the site and his work.
with Dr Gai Jorayev
Beyond the limits of the known world, Kazakhstan was the land of the Saka and nomad tribes – home of glittering cities and nomadic empires, and the scene of continent-spanning wars. This land lay at the junction of Silk Roads, and hosted a multitude of cultures. Its archaeology covers all eras: from the burial mound cemeteries of nomad raiders, through the great cities of the Silk Road, to the modern day. Kazakhstan presents a majestic landscape - high mountains, green valleys, lake-dotted steppe, western deserts and remote underground mosques... and affluent cities. Join us on a varied and unique journey - and tour wild steppes where nomads lived cheek by jowl with nature.
Itinerary Day One & Two We arrive in Almaty Day Two and visit the Boraldy Necropolis and Panfilov Park.
Day Eight We enjoy a special tour of the abandoned Silk Road city of Otrar, where our Guide Lecturer is excavating.
Day Three We spend the morning at Altyn-Emel National Park; and continue to Tamgaly-Tas.
Day Nine Today is spent in Turkistan city, visiting the museum and huge blue-domed mausoleum.
Day Four We admire Chimbulak’s alpine scenery; before visiting the Central State Museum. Day Five We spend the morning at Tamgaly World Heritage Site. We continue on to Taraz.
Thu 10th May - Fri 25th May 16 Days Tour Code: KAZ18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Six We travel to the striking Akyrtas ruins and visit the 2,000 year old town of Taraz. Day Seven We visit Shymkent museum and Aysha Bibi mausoleum.
Day Ten Off into the vast steppe to the remains of Sauran. In the afternoon we visit Sygnac’s desert-bound ruins. Day Eleven & Twelve We explore space archaeology in Baikonur; and visit Russia by entering the Cosmodrome Day Thirteen & Fourteen We travel to Astana, spending a the day there on Day Fourteen. Day Fifteen & Sixteen After some free time, we return home, arriving on Day Sixteen.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
malta | malta & gozo with Dr Nick Vella & Jeremy Bennett A thousand years before the Great Pyramid at Giza was constructed, people on the tiny island of Malta were moving stones weighing up to 50 tonnes. At 5,500 years old, the megalithic temples of Malta and Gozo are among the oldest ritual structures in the world - decorated with some of the most extraordinary art to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean. Led by an archaeologist specialising in Maltese history, we explore the Highlights many ages of Malta: from those ancient temples through Roman • Discover extraordinary prehistoric culture rule and into the Medieval predating the Great period. We also spend a day Pyramid at Giza in Valletta, the 2018 European Capital of Culture, built by the • A strategic gem, coveted crusading Knights Hospitaller, by empires throughout who defeated the Ottoman the ages – from the Turks in the great siege of 1565.
Romans to the British
Special Access
We receive special access to Ta’ Cenc prehistoric temple, with its dolmens and passage graves.
Mon 16th Apr - Sun 22nd Apr Mon 1st Oct - Sun 7th Oct 7 Days Tour Codes: Apr; MAL18A, Oct; MAL18B
mexico | oaxaca & beyond with David Drew The varied landscapes of Mexico were the homeland of many distinctive cultures. Journeying from Mexico City to the Oaxaca highlands, we explore the legacy not only of the Aztecs and Teotihuacan but many other fascinating peoples: the Totonacs, Toltecs, Cholulans, Zapotecs and Mixtecs. Sometimes allies, sometimes enemies, they all shared the same calendar systems and worshipped many of the same gods. Yet they produced Highlights an array of strikingly individual • Go beyond the Aztecs styles of architecture and of art, on a unique journey many examples of which we see discovering the peoples displayed in some marvelous of ancient Mexico local museums. From the jungles of Veracruz to the • Visit hilltop city Monte uplands of Oaxaca - discover Alban, named ‘World’s superlative sites and some of Best UNESCO Site’ by the world’s finest museums. Which? Magazine
Special Access
We have special access to the remains of the Aztec Templo Mayor – a symbolic temple of Aztec myth, religion and ritual.
Mon 15th Oct - Tue 30th Oct 16 Days Tour Code: MAZ18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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mexico | the maya with David Drew Of all Mesoamerican civilisations, the Maya have enjoyed the most enduring hold on the popular imagination. For a long time, the jungle-clad ruins remained intriguing, yet shrouded in mystery. Recent progress in deciphering Maya writing has unlocked many of their secrets, revealing a society as complex as their art and architecture previously suggested. This is one of Andante’s most adventurous trips, starting with the superb museums of Highlights Mexico City, then travelling via • Travel by plane, 4x4 and the uplands of Chiapas, into motor-launch to sites the jungle and the great river deep in the jungles of Usumacinta, before driving the Maya, and up in the up the Yucatan peninsula. A pine-clad highlands thrilling journey through the rich and colourful landscapes • Exciting archaeology of Mexico to see some of the lost cities, spectacular greatest of the Maya cities.
temples, and vibrant art
Special Access
Discover a symbolic temple of Aztec myth, religion and ritual – with special access to the remains of the Aztec Templo Mayor.
Mon 12th Nov - Tues 27th Nov 16 Days Tour Code: MEX18A
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2018? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2017 There are still spaces available on a number of our 2017 departures, so why wait a year to discover more of the ancient world when you could join one of our most popular tours? Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania – Could anywhere in the world offer us a deeper insight into Roman life than these dramatic seaside towns? Classical Sicily – From columns to cathedrals, explore honey-coloured Greek temples and gleaming gold-in-glass Norman mosaics... Crete & Santorini – Elegant sites, beautiful wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik – Explore spectacular archaeology against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic.
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Book your place now! Call 01722 713800, email tours@andantetravels.com, or visit us online at www.andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
peru | northern peru with David Drew Travel through spectacular mountain scenery, on the trail of some of the greatest of Andean cultures – the Moche, Chimu and the mysterious Chachapoya, ‘the people of the cloud forest’, warriors and traders who initially resisted Inca conquest and whose city of Kuelap towers magnificently above the Utcubamba Valley. A highlight of our tour is special access to the ‘mummies of Leymebamba’, found in tiny houses on a cliff face above the Highlights remote ‘Lake of the Condors’. Led by David Drew, this unique • Drive into the mountains of the Chachapoyas tour reveals the glories of region – ‘land of the Peru beyond Machu Picchu. Cloud People’ See temples, pyramids and abandoned mud brick cities • Enjoy a full day in Lima; as we step into a lost world of and see beautiful views Andean archaeology – littlefrom Kuelap Fortress, a seen and still being uncovered.
citadel in the mountains
Special Access
Meet the ‘mummies of Leymebamba’, 200 wellpreserved Chachapoya mummies found at the Lake of the Condors.
Mon 7th May - Thu 24th May 18 Days Tour Code: NPE18A
spain | romans, visigoths & viziers Guide Lecturer to be confirmed – see our website for latest updates Southern Spain, rich in precious metals, wine and olive oil, has attracted the attention of many would-be conquerors over the centuries. From North Africa came the Carthaginians, superseded by the Romans who (true to form) built cities and criss-crossed the plains with 1000s of miles of roads. Then the Visigoths, fresh from sacking the city of Rome, built churches until they too were vanquished by the Moors. As Europe entered ‘the Dark Highlights Ages’ Al-Andalus flourished • See vibrant Seville, under its Moorish rulers who Moorish Cordoba and fashioned marvellous palaces, Granada that still grace Córdoba and Granada. From prehistory • Follow the route of the to the Renaissance, our tour Via Augusta discovering progresses through the many little-known sites ages of this vibrant, beautiful • Special access to the and fascinating region.
ancient city of Castulo
SpecialAccees
Enjoy a private visit to El Palacio de Lebriga, a sixteenth century palace known for its stunning collection of Roman mosaics
Sun 1st Apr - Sun 8th Apr 8 Days Tour Code: VIS18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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spain & portugal | roman lusitania with Prof Tony King
Mérida, the capital of Roman Lusitania was founded in 25BC by the victorious army of the Emperor Augustus. During its imperial glory days, a plethora of grand Roman monuments were erected; many, including the Forum, triumphal arch and amphitheatre, dominate the town to this day.
Itinerary
Whilst the superb evidence of Romanisation here is the focus of our programme, it is enhanced by some spectacular prehistoric and Medieval sites along the way. Our journey takes us from the coast at Lisbon through beautiful countryside; we see prehistoric tombs, Roman towns, and the sites of the 19th century Peninsular War.
Day Two We travel by ferry to the site of Tróia, the largest fish-sauce production centre known from the Roman world. We spend the afternoon exploring Évora, a former Roman town, and now a World Heritage Site.
Day One We fly to Lisbon and drive to our Pousada hotel in Palmela.
Day Three We travel to São Cucufate, a Roman villa that was rebuilt on a grand scale with gardens and a small temple. We glimpse the pre-Roman past at the major prehistoric site of Os Almendres, the largest group of megaliths in Portugal. Finally, we visit Anta Grande do Zambujeiro, the largest prehistoric burial chamber in the Iberian peninsula.
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Day Four Today, we drive to the border town of Badajoz, a town with a Moorish past, famously besieged by the British in 1812 during the Peninsular War. We visit the Alcazaba Museum, with its major collection of warrior stelae, we then continue to Mérida (Roman Emerita Augusta) named after the veterans who were settled here by Augustus. Day Five We spend the day exploring Roman Mérida, a provincial town still dominated by the remnants of its Roman past. The remains are outstanding, notably the bridge over the River Guadiana, the large amphitheatre, and the ‘Temple of Diana’. The Archaeological Museum has fine displays of objects, including mosaics.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Discover glorious Roman monuments and amazing feats of engineering in Spain and Portugal • Enjoy a unique programme, taking in prehistoric and medieval sites from the coast at Lisbon into Spanish Extremadura
Special Access
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Day Six We travel to Alcántara, home of one of Spain’s orders of crusading knights, and with a remarkable Roman bridge. Continue to the old town of Cáceres, a perfectly preserved example of a Medieval town. We return to Mérida. Day Seven We briefly leave the Romans behind to visit the castle at Medellín. This afternoon we return to Mérida to view the Visigothic basilica of Sta. Eulalia, and the nearby Roman circus. We also marvel at the Roman dam of La Proserpina. Day Eight We visit the huge arches of the aqueduct known as Los Milagros, before our return home today.
What’s Included • Return Flights - London to Lisbon • Guide Lecturer • Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach
Guide Lecturer Professor Tony King Professor Tony King is a lecturer in archaeology at the University of Winchester and a specialist in Roman archaeology. He has excavated extensively in Britain and abroad. Tony is also an expert in animal bone analysis, and has analysed remains from a wide variety of sites across the Roman Empire, including assemblages from Pompeii.
• All meals included (wine with dinner) • Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips • Hotels - 1 night in Palmela, 2 in Évora, 4 in Merida • Field Notes
Dates Sun 15th Apr - Sun 22d Apr Sun 2nd Sep - Sun 9th Sep Sun 7th Oct - Sun 14th Oct 8 Days Tour Codes: Apr; SPA18A, Sep; SPA18B, Oct; SPA18C
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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spain & portugal | rock art altamira Decorated 15-35,000 years ago, the cave of Altamira still displays some of humankind’s first great artistic achievements. This is a unique chance to view the vivid images of horse, bison and deer that have come to epitomise Palaeolithic art. We stay in historic towns in the hills of Northern Spain. A visit to an Ice Age cave really is a tremendous privilege; where else could you approach original masterpieces of such immense antiquity in situ? Highlights Led by rock art expert Dr Paul Bahn, the UK’s foremost specialist on Ice Age art, we visit numerous caves and rock art sites. View the images precisely where they were created, standing or crouching exactly as the original artists did.
Special Access
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Visit sites that are difficult to gain access to, and view some of the world’s oldest artistic efforts alongside an expert in the field.
• A uniquely close encounter with our Stone Age antecedents • See the juxtaposition of the most ancient art and the most contemporary with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum
Mon 7th May - Mon 14th May 8 Days Tour Code: ALT18A
spain & portugal | foz côa | rock art of portugal with Dr Paul Bahn This is a rare opportunity to visit rock art sites away from the beaten tourist trail, across the Spanish/Portuguese border region, in unspoiled countryside. The engravings in the Portuguese Valley were only discovered twenty years ago when they were about to be flooded as part of a huge dam project. An international outcry saved the rock art for posterity. It is not only the largest outdoor collection of Palaeolithic images, but also the only known place where rock art from the Upper Palaeolithic (c 24,000 BC) through to historical times is found together. There is an interesting comparison with the Spanish site at Siega Verde, just across the border.
Highlights • A gallery of rock art over thousands of years, spread over 17 km of river valleys far from the tourist trail • Free time to explore Porto, handsome city on the mouth of the Douro
Special Access
Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give insights into their work to protect local heritage. 82
Mon 21st May - Sun 27th May 7 Days Tour Code: POR18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
spain | phoenicians in spain with Dr Fernando López Sánchez Join us in travelling across Andalucía and the scenic coastal landscape of southern Spain and the western Mediterranean. Almost a synonym for ancient Spain as a whole, Andalucia has long been immortalised in art and music. The Phoenicians of Lebanon were one of the greatest trading powers in the ancient Mediterranean, and in Spain’s glittering metal mines they saw the potential for fabulous wealth. From Phoenician Highlights towns to Bronze Age Ibiza and • Journey through the sanctuaries in the Bay of Cádiz, scenic coastal landscape discover the ancient cultures of Andalucía of southern Spain. We also explore ancient Cartagena, • Discover former trading stronghold of the Carthaginian settlement, Carteia general Hannibal Barca — still considered one of the greatest • See another side of Ibiza, military commanders in history. home to El Puig des
Molins necropolis
Special Access
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We receive a special talk from the Museum Director at El Castillo de Doña Blanca, who will no doubt reveal fascinating insights.
Mon 21st May - Thu 31st May Mon 1st Oct - Thu 11th Oct 11 Days Tour Codes: May; PHS18A, Oct; PHS18B
sweden | sweden & norway rock art with Dr Tertia Barnett Rock art dating from the Neolithic through to the Iron Age is scattered throughout the landscape of Scandinavia. Our journey through Sweden and Norway takes us to the best of these enigmatic depictions - scenes of fighting, sun worship, chariots and boats that shed light on the everyday life and beliefs of the people inhabiting these dramatic landscapes over 3500 years ago. Led by expert Dr Tertia Barnett, discover a Scandinavia that Highlights you never knew existed - stone • Enjoy a afternoon circles, cairns and carved gliding along the Alta boulders hidden within Sweden River, taking in some of and Norway’s varied and the spectacular scenery dramatic landscape. A visit to the impressive Oslo Viking Ship • Marvel at the rock art at Museum – home to the world’s Hjemmeluft, including best-preserved Viking ships – is depictions of over 1500 a particular highlight. mythical figures
Special Access
We receive a special evening visit in Tanum led by the museum’s curator, where we see the area’s carvings by torchlight.
Sat 14th Jul - Sat 21st Jul 8 Days Tour Code: SRA18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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tanzania | tanzania & zanzibar with Dr John McNabb Safari through Tanzania’s rich and varied history; dipping into timelines that offer a lasting experience of this beautiful country. Following in the footsteps of the East African explorers, Burton and Livingstone – we explore that greatest of human iniquities - the slave trade. Travelling inland and further back in time – we go off the beaten track at Iringa to visit the camping ground of ancient hominins and view rock art of later peoples. We journey Highlights on to Kondoa to view some of the finest rock art in East Africa; • Discover Persian princes and Omani sultans in and finally safari northwards to Zanzibar the Serengeti to visit the world famous Olduvai Gorge and see • Explore the iconic the environments and animals Olduvai Gorge that ancient humans hunted and fell prey, too, in this cradle • Enjoy stunning coastal of humanity. views and exotic
experiences in Zanzibar
Special Access
We enjoy a specially arranged visit to the Isimila Stone Age site, where excavations are ongoing.
Fri 31st Aug - Fri 14th Sep 15 Days Tour Code: TAN18A
turkey | the hittites with Michael Brown Ask most archaeology enthusiasts about the Hittites and they will most likely meet you with a blank face. Extraordinary really, when you consider that this Bronze Age, Anatolian civilisation ruled a vast swathe of Asia Minor, building cities designing monumental engineering and developing Iron-Age technology from 1600 to 1100BC. Join us as we shine a light on the Hittites amid the beautiful hills and plains of Anatolia. From Ankara to Alaca Highlights Höyük, this tour offers a real • Discover the world of exploration of Ancient Turkey. the Hittites, one of the We encounter ancient citadels, dominant civilisations of formidable fortifications and the Bronze Age rock reliefs and tombs. Venture away from the tourist trail. • Visit Hattuşa, the capital This trip is a must for anyone of the Hittite Empire; wishing to see an entirely and the nearby open-air different Turkey. sanctuary of Yazılıkaya
Special Access
Receive special access to the excavations and the ecoproject at Kerkenes Dag; and take a private tour of the British Institute at Ankara. 84
Mon 7th May - Mon 14th May 8 Days Tour Code: HIT18A
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
turkey | the aegean coast of turkey with Terry Richardson The ruined cities of Turkey’s Aegean coast were once some of the most powerful in the ancient world, from — if Homer is to be believed — the site of the legendary conflict between Greeks and Trojans, to the World Heritage Site of Hierapolis. Roman and Greek remains abound, in beautiful countryside, amid the ruins of cavernous temples, and in superb museums. The star of our tour is special access to the Roman terraced houses Highlights of Ephesus, where painted • Gaze upon the mighty walls and mosaics have been walls of Troy beautifully restored. All this, in a landscape that offers • Explore great and rugged hills, sparkling glassy famous Classical cities, ocean, and traditional villages, as well as evocative but on a journey that takes us lesser-known ruins from city to sea, makes for an unforgettable getaway. • Beautiful landscapes of
the Aegean Coast
Special Access
We have special access to the beautifully restored Roman terraced houses of Ephesus.
Sat 15th Sep - Tue 25th Sep 11 Days Tour Code: AEG18A
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2018? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2017 There are still spaces available on a number of our 2017 departures, so why wait a year to discover more of the ancient world when you could join one of our most popular tours? Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania – Could anywhere in the world offer us a deeper insight into Roman life than these dramatic seaside towns? Classical Sicily – From columns to cathedrals, explore honey-coloured Greek temples and gleaming gold-in-glass Norman mosaics... Crete & Santorini – Elegant sites, beautiful wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik – Explore spectacular archaeology against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Adriatic.
Book your place now! Call 01722 713800, email tours@andantetravels.com, or visit us online at www.andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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UK
Call: Call: 01722 01722713800 01722 713800 713800 | email: ||email: email: tours@andantetravels.com tours@andantetravels.com tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com ||www.andantetravels.com www.andantetravels.com
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uk | walking hadrian’s wall with Mark Corney The Hadrian’s Wall footpath crosses wild and beautiful terrain, its route covering the shortest distance coast to coast across the country, following Hadrian’s frontier. This is a real walking holiday (up to 13 miles per day) – a wonderful way to chart the entire length of the frontier, on foot – as the Romans would have done. Pass forts, mile castles and some fine museums, as we walk west to west. We start along the shore of the Solway Firth Highlights and end at the excavated fort • To the south, the lands and reconstructed bath-house of the Pax Romana, to at Segedunum. Crossing the the north, the subdued remote Northumbrian and Iron Age tribes Cumbrian fells, one can easily imagine the Roman soldiers, • Walking the wall in the far from Syria or Spain, as they company of a specialist patrolled the farthest flung in Roman archaeology corner of the Empire.
Special Access
We are still putting the finishing touches to our 2018 tour. Please visit our website for a full itinerary and the latest tour updates.
Mon 25th Jun - Tue 3rd Jul 9 Days Tour Code: HAD18A
uk | orkney & shetland with Dr Val Turner The islands beyond the northernmost tip of Scotland glory in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the world. For more than five thousand years they have been home to farmers and fishermen, who left monuments so impressive that this has been called an archaeologists’ paradise. During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, the people of Orkney and Shetland were among the first in Britain to begin building Highlights megalithic chamber tombs and • Visit the most northerly later henge monuments. The and remote outposts of islands are also blessed with an the British Isles extraordinary natural beauty. Wild flowers bloom throughout the summer, covering the green cliffs with colour and the exquisite scent of heather.
• Explore UNESCO sites Skara Brae, Maes Howe and the Ring of Brodgar - uniquely rich and evocative ancient sites
Special Access
Visit sites at the cutting edge of archaeological research where new discoveries are shedding light on every aspect of Stone Age life. 88
Sat 14th Jul - Tue 24th Jul Mon 8th Oct - Thu 18th Oct 11 Days Tour Code: Jul; OAS18A, Oct; OAS18B
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Explore a landscape of rites and ritual • Receive special access to Devizes Museum, with a guided tour by the Museum Director, followed by dinner at the museum • We have special access to Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes, which houses collections including gold work from around Stonehenge • Enjoy a guided tour of Wiltshire museum from Director David Dawson
Special Access
uk | the story of wessex
Enjoy a private early morning visit inside the stones at Stonehenge; and enjoy a specially arranged dinner at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum.
with Mark Corney
The chalk downs of the ancient kingdom of Wessex have been a focus for monumental building and funerary ritual over more than five millennia. Henges, burial mounds of all shapes and sizes, causewayed camps, early field systems and ‘cursus’ monuments are scattered everywhere, forming a landscape full of clues and interest. This was the very first Andante Tour, and our experts have been introducing people to these monuments for several decades now. This very privileged tour includes private access inside the stones at Stonehenge in the early morning. Extraordinary access to Britain’s best-known archaeological site, whose monumental bluestones have graced the landscape for thousands of years.
Fri 7th Sep - Sun 9th Sep 3 Days Tour Code: WES18A
What’s Included Hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Itinerary
Day One We meet in Devizes for an introductory lecture before dinner at our hotel. Day Two We begin at the great henge of Avebury, so huge that part of the modern village still lies within it. With intact ditch and bank fortifications, it is one of the best-preserved and largest henges in Europe. We walk to West Kennet long barrow, a Neolithic chambered tomb. We also pass by the stillmysterious Silbury Hill. The largest man-made mound in Europe. This evening we have special access to Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes, which houses collections including gold work from around Stonehenge. We receive a guided tour from museum staff. Afterwards, we sit down to a special dinner at the Museum.
Day Three We have an early start to take advantage of our special access to Stonehenge - an unforgettable experience amongst the huge stones. The new visitor centre has transformed the setting of the monument. We walk through the wider prehistoric landscape – the cursus, King Barrow and the avenue. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Salisbury Museum to see the excellent Wessex Gallery. We have also arranged a private demonstration of flint-knapping. Much enjoyed by previous guests, this gives a real sense of the skill and craftsmanship of our prehistoric forebears. You cannot help but admire their ability to fashion not only functional (and sharp!) but also very beautiful tools out of such unyielding raw material. We return to Devizes, where we disperse.
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Highlights • We visit no fewer than three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Samarkand, Shahrisabz, and Bukhara • Explore the winding streets of the great Silk Road cities, dazzling blue-tiled domes, mosques, and centres of learning • Travel the ancient trade routes, where caravans of silk, spice, and textiles once crossed the landscape
Special Access
uzbekistan | the silk road
We have a chance to visit Paykend – the predecessor of Bukhara – a vast abandoned city, normally difficult to access.
with Paul Wordsworth
Come along to hear the footsteps of history as we explore the sites and cities of the Silk Road, which once ran all the way from China to Europe, with Uzbekistan right at its heart. The steppes, deserts, mountains and gleaming blue-tiled cities tell a story of trade and conquest. Join us in 2018 on the road to Khiva, Bukhara and fabulous Samarkand; cities built to dazzle the travellers who have passed by for thousands of years. For centuries — if not millennia — this is where not only goods, but knowledge, ideas, and cultures crossed from East to West. We journey in the footsteps of those ancient caravans, from grassy plain to desert voyaging from city to city, crossing Uzbekistan in an unforgettable journey.
Fri 6th Apr - Fri 20th Apr 15 Days Tour Code: UZB18A
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What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Itinerary Day One & Two Arriving in Tashkent Day Two, we visit the History Museum.
Day Nine We spend a whole day in the evocative city of Bukhara.
Day Three We visit Shahrukhiyah, a city hidden in a verdant mound.
Day Ten Special access to excavations at the ruined city of Paykent.
Day Four We visit Gyaur Kala, in Nukus; and medieval Mizdakhkan.
Day Eleven We travel to Samarkand, stopping at Ribat-i Malik.
Day Five We visit Savitsky Museum; before travelling to Khiva.
Day Twelve We enjoy a full day in fabulous Samarkand.
Day Six We visit the fortresses at Ayaz Kala; and the abandoned city of Toprak Kala.
Day Thirteen We travel to Shahrisabz, to see the stupendous White Palace.
Day Seven We spend a day in the Arabian Nights city of Khiva.
Day Fourteen We spend a final day exploring central Samarkand. We later return to Tashkent.
Day Eight We travel across the Karakum desert to Bukhara.
Day Fifteen We visit the Timur museum, before our flights home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, with its monuments and pagodas, and the traditional stilt house once belonging to ‘Uncle Ho’ in Hanoi • Explore the My Son complex, a cluster of Hindu temples in the former religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom • Marvel at the famous Jade Emperor Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City
Special Access
vietnam | vietnam
We visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang, where we enjoy a special talk and guided tour by the director of the museum.
with Peter Sharrock
Vietnam, once part of Imperial China, has a fascinating history and offers a diverse range of culture and natural environments. Follow us on a tour through its lush landscape and captivating, vibrant cities with their historical treasures, mystical ruins and temples. View venerable Buddhist pagodas and explore the rich cultural remains stored in the country’s fascinating museums. Wander with us through the Imperial city of Hue. Visit Hoi An, a historic city of Asian charm and travel with us to My Son to explore the local Cham ruins, regarded as one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes of Southeast Asia. Join us and experience the largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.
Itinerary Day One & Two We fly from London to Hanoi. We arrive on Day Two and tour Hanoi’s History Museum. Day Three We take in the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum; the Temple of Literature; and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Day Four We journey to the Thay Pagoda outside Hanoi, built in the 11th century; before flying to Hue. Day Five In Hue we explore the Thien Mu Pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River. We also visit the Imperial City.
Wed 31st Jan - Mon 12th Feb 13 Days Tour Code: VTM18A
What’s Included Flights, hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Sculpture in Da Nang; and explore the Cao Dai Temple. Day Eight We take a trip to My Son, a complex of Hindu temples built by the kings of Champa. Day Nine In Hoi An we visit the local museum. Other stops include the Old House of Phun Hung. Day Ten We fly to Ho Chi Minh City, to visit the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda. Day Eleven We visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda; and the Museum of Vietnamese History.
Day Six After a morning’s visit to the Thanh Toan Bridge, we make our way to Da Nang.
Day Twelve Our last day in Saigon, is spent viewing the Independence Palace, and Xa Loi Pagoda.
Day Seven We visit the Museum of Cham
Day Thirteen We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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2018 calendar january Vietnam Wed 31st - Mon 12th Feb with Peter Sharrock
Vietnam
The Etruscans Sun 8th - Sun 15th with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
61
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 9th - Mon 16th with John Shepherd
Italy
56
Thessaloniki Tue 10th - Sun 15th with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley
Greece
38
Cyprus
25
48
North Cyprus | Road to Salamis Thu 12th - Thu 19th with Terry Richardson
China
22
27
China Thu 12th - Sat 28th with Malcolm McNeill Relaxed Split Sat 14th - Sat 21st Guide Lecturer TBC
Croatia
24
Spain & Portugal | Roman Lusitania Sun 15th - Sun 22nd with Prof Tony King
Spain & Portugal
80
91
february Guatemala, Belize & Honduras Tues 13th - Tues 27th with David Drew
Guatemala
Land of the Pharaohs Fri 23rd - Mon 5th Mar Guide Lecturer TBC
Egypt
march North-Western Iran Thu 8th - Mon 19th Guide Lecturer TBC
Iran
49
Malta & Gozo Mon 16th - Sun 22nd with Dr Nick Vella
Malta
77
Ancient Wonders of Sicily Tue 20th - Mon 26th with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
60
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 16th - Mon 23rd with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
56
Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses Tue 27th - Thu 5th Apr with Nick Jackson
Jordan
75
Pyrenees Rock Art Tue 17th - Sun 22nd with Dr Paul Bahn
France
28
Classical Sicily Thu 29th - Sun 8th Apr with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
58
Crete & Santorini Tue 17th - Tue 24th with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Greece
40
Côte d’Azur | The Via Julia Augusta Sat 31st - Fri 6th Apr with John Shepherd
France
27
The Peloponnese Tue 17th - Fri 27th with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
39
Cyprus | The South Thu 19th - Wed 25th with Dr Paul Croft
Cyprus
25
Classical Sicily Thu 19th - Sun 29th with Dr Denise Allen
Italy
58
april Romans, Visigoths & Viziers Sun 1st - Sun 8th Guide Lecturer TBC
Spain
79
Land of the Eagles Fri 20th - Sat 28th with Oliver Gilkes
Albania
18
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 2nd - Mon 9th with Doru Bogdan
Italy
56
Hidden Rome Mon 23rd - Sat 28th with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
62
Meet the Romans Mon 2nd - Tue 10th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
61
Relaxed Capri Mon 23rd - Sun 29th with Tony O’Connor
Italy
63
Iran | Great Kings, Shahs & Gardens Thu 5th - Sat 21st with Francois Desset
Iran
50
Israel & Palestine Tue 24th - Fri 4th May Guide Lecturer TBC
Israel
53
Uzbekistan | The Silk Road Fri 6th - Fri 20th with Paul Wordsworth
Uzbekistan 90
92
new
relaxed breaks
joint tours
hidden cities
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
april Ancient Macedonia & Epirus Sat 28th - Mon 7th May with Oliver Gilkes
Greece
42
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 30th - Mon 7th May with Dr Neil Faulkner
Italy
56
may
Corfu & Islands by Gulet Sun 20th - Sun 27th Guide Lecturer TBC
Greece
44
Foz Côa | Rock Art of Portugal Mon 21st - Sun 27th with Dr Paul Bahn
Spain & Portugal
82
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 21st - Mon 28th with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
56
Phoenicians in Spain Mon 21st - Thu 31st with Dr Fernando Lopez Sanchez
Spain
83
Rome Mon 7th - Sat 12th with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
66
Dalmatia & Dubrovnik Wed 23rd - Fri 1st Jun with Dr Ffiona Gilmore-Eaves
Croatia
23
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 7th - Mon 14th with Doru Bogdan
Italy
56
Vintage Provence Sun 27th - Sat 2nd Jun with Tony O’Connor
France
30
Rock Art in Altamira Mon 7th - Mon 14th with Dr Paul Bahn
Spain
82
Roman Germany Sun 27th - Tue 5th Jun with Tony Wilmott
Germany
34
The Hittites Mon 7th - Mon 14th with Michael Brown
Turkey
84
Northern Peru Mon 7th - Thu 24th with David Drew
Peru
79
Crete & Santorini Tue 8th - Tue 15th with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley
Greece
40
The Ice Man & his World Sat 2nd - Thu 7th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
65
Classical Sicily Thu 10th - Sun 20th with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
58
Hidden Berlin Mon 4th - Sat 9th with Nick Jackson
Germany
37
Kazakhstan Thu 10th - Fri 25th with Dr Gai Jorayev
Kazakhstan
76
Georgia Mon 4th - Tue 12th with Ian Colvin
Georgia
34
Corfu & Islands by Gulet Sat 12th - Sat 19th Guide Lecturer TBC
Greece
44
Dordogne Cave Art Tue 5th - Mon 11th with Dr Paul Bahn
France
30
Relaxed Provence Mon 14th - Sun 20th with Dr Denise Allen
France
29
Romans on the Rhône & Soane Tue 12th - Tue 19th with Prof Tony King
France
31
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 14th - Mon 21st with Doru Bogdan
Italy
56
Walking the Roman Limes Sun 17th - Wed 27th with Tony Wilmott
Germany
36
The Celts in Germany & Luxembourg Mon 14th - Mon 21st with Prof John Collis
Germany & Luxembourg
35
Prehistoric Ireland Sun 24th - Sun 1st Jul with Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Ireland
52
Campania beyond Pompeii Tue 15th -Tue 22nd with John Shepherd
Italy
64
Walking Hadrian’s Wall Mon 25th - Tue 3rd Jul with Mark Corney
UK
88
Sardinia Tue 15th - Wed 23rd with Dr Tertia Barnett
Italy
65
Meet the Greeks Wed 16th - Wed 23rd with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
43
Classical Sicily Thu 17th - Sun 27th with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
58
Denmark & Sweden
26
june
july Vikings in the North Fri 6th - Tue 17th with Brian Ayers
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
93
july Sweden & Norway | Rock Art Sat 14th - Sat 21st with Dr Tertia Barnett
Sweden & Norway
83
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Tue 11th - Tue 18th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
56
Orkney & Shetland Sat 14th - Tue 24th with Dr Val Turner
UK
88
Crete & Santorini Tue 11th - Tue 18th with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Greece
40
The Peloponnese Tue 11th - Fri 21st with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
39
The Aegean Coast of Turkey Sat 15th - Tue 25th with Terry Richardson
Turkey
85
august
66
Germany
37
Rome with the Sistine Chapel Mon 17th - Sat 22nd with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
Hidden Berlin Mon 20th - Sat 25th with Nick Jackson
29
Germany
38
Relaxed Provence Mon 17th - Sun 23rd with Prof Tony King
France
Short Break in Berlin Thu 23rd - Mon 27th with Nick Jackson
56
Czech Republic
26
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 17th - Mon 24th with Dr Neil Faulkner
Italy
Prehistoric Czech Republic Thu 30th - Thu 6th Sep with Alex Pryor
30
Tanzania & Zanzibar
84
Dordogne | Cave Art Tue 18th - Mon 24th with Dr Iain Morley
France
Tanzania & Zanzibar Fri 31st - Fri 14th Sep with Dr John McNabb
Campania Beyond Pompeii Tue 18th - Tue 25th with John Shepherd
Italy
64
Classical Sicily Thu 20th - Sun 30th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
58
Pompeii & Amalfi | Wine & Archaeology Sat 22nd - Sat 29th with Diana Blumberg
Italy
68
Basilicata & Calabria Sat 22nd - Sun 30th with Sophy Downes
Italy
69
The Etruscans Sun 23rd - Sun 30th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
61
Relaxed Provence Mon 24th - Sun 30th with Tony O’Connor
France
29
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 24th - Mon 1st Oct Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
56
Crete & Santorini Tue 25th - Tue 2nd Oct with Dr Christina Hatzmichael Whitley
Greece
40
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Tue 25th Oct - Tue 2nd Oct with Tony Wilmott
Italy
56
Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo Thu 27th - Fri 5th Oct with Oliver Gilkes
Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo
18
Classical Sicily Thu 27th - Sun 7th Oct with John Shepherd
Italy
58
The Cyclades by Gulet Sat 29th - Tue 9th Oct Guide Lecturer TBC
Greece
46
september Spain & Portugal | Roman Lusitania Sun 2nd - Sun 9th with Prof Tony King
Spain & Portugal
80
Roman Germany Sun 2nd - Tue 11th with Tony Wilmott
Germany
34
Relaxed Tuscany Mon 3rd - Sat 8th with Dr Oren Margolis
Italy
67
Relaxed Capri Mon 3rd - Sun 9th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
63
Languedoc | Cathars & Crusaders Mon 3rd - Mon 10th with Dr Sophie Ambler
France
32
The Story of Wessex Fri 7th - Sun 9th with Mark Corney
UK
89
Hallstatt & Austria | Iron Age Sun 9th - Sun 16th with Prof John Collis
Germany & Austria
36
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 10th - Mon 17th with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
56
Ancient Wonders of Sicily Tue 11th - Mon 17th with Dr Denise Allen
Italy
60
94
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
october
Crete Revisited Mon 15th - Mon 22nd with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Greece
48
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 15th - Mon 22nd with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
56
Mexico | Oaxaca & Beyond Mon 15th - Tue 30th with David Drew
Mexico
77
Iran | Great Kings, Shahs & Gardens Thu 18th - Sat 3rd Nov with Carolyn Perry
Iran
50
Ravenna & Aquileia Mon 22nd - Mon 29th with Prof Tony King
Italy
73
Hidden Paris Sat 27th - Fri 2nd Oct with John Shepherd
France
33
Israel & Palestine Tue 30th - Fri 9th Nov Guide Lecturer TBC
Israel
53
Malta & Gozo Mon 1st - Sun 7th Oct with Jeremy Bennett
Malta
77
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 1st - Mon 8th with Dr Denise Allen
Italy
56
Phoenicians in Spain Mon 1st - Thu 11th with Dr Fernando Lopez Sanchez
Spain
83
Relaxed Lake Garda Tue 2nd - Mon 8th with Tony O’Connor
Italy
70
Classical Sicily Thu 4th - Sun 14th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
58
Land of the Eagles Fri 5th - Sat 13th with Oliver Gilkes
Albania
18
Thracians & Churches Sat 6th - Tue 16th with Dr Katya Melamed
Bulgaria
21
Spain & Portugal | Roman Lusitania Sun 7th - Sun 14th Guide Lecturer TBC
Spain & Portugal
80
Hidden Rome Mon 8th - Sat 13th with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
62
Cambodia & Laos Tue 6th - Sun 18th with David Brotherson
Cambodia & Laos
21
Relaxed Siracusa Mon 8th - Sat 13th with Tony O’Connor
Italy
71
North-Western Iran Thu 8th - Mon 19th Guide Lecturer TBC
Iran
49
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Mon 8th - Mon 15th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
56
Japan Fri 9th - Mon 26th with Ilona Bausch
Japan
75
Orkney & Shetland Mon 8th - Thu 18th Guide Lecturer TBC
UK
88
Mexico | The Maya Mon 12th - Tue 27th with David Drew
Mexico
78
Crete & Santorini Tue 9th - Tue 16th Guide Lecturer TBC
Greece
40
Chile & Easter Island Mon 12th - Thu 29th with Dr Paul Bahn
Chile
22
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Campania Tue 9th - Tue 16th Guide Lecturer TBC
Italy
56
Land of the Pharaohs Fri 23rd - Mon 3rd Dec with Lucia Gahlin
Egypt
27
Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses Tue 9th - Thu 18th with Nick Jackson
Jordan
75
The Cyclades by Gulet Wed 10th - Sat 20th Guide Lecturer TBC
Greece
46
Relaxed Split Sat 13th - Sat 20th with John Shepherd
Croatia
24
Rome at Christmas Fri 21st - Wed 26th with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
66
The Wine of the Gods Sat 13th - Sat 20th with John Shepherd
Italy
72
Vienna at Christmas Sat 22nd - Thu 27th with Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Austria
20
The Via Egnatia Sun 14th - Mon 22nd with Oliver Gilkes
Albania & Macedonia
19
Bologna Festive Food Fri 28th - Thu 3rd Jan 2019 with Rosetta Ferrari & Tony O’Connor
Italy
73
Naples New Year Fri 28th - Fri 4th Jan 2019 with John Shepherd
Italy
74
november
december
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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essential booking info Unpriced Tours Booking Information
2018 Priced Tours Booking Information
book now on any 2018 tour You can book now on any of the tours listed in this brochure. Our 2018 tours are still provisional and unpriced, so if you change your mind when our next brochure with full program and prices is published we will happily refund your deposit or transfer you to another tour.
Useful information to guide you through the booking process. Please note that bookings with Andante Travels Ltd are accepted only in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in our full booking conditions, which can be found on our website or are available on request.
fixed deposits of £300 The deposits in this brochure are fixed at £300 per person, per tour for every 2018 tour booked before 16th June 2017. So book early and we will fix your deposit - no top ups. changes and amendments Please note that planning for some of these tours is still in progress and some details (e.g. sites, hotels, dates) may change over the coming months. We work hard with our expert guides to create the best possible archaeological tours, and will always consider including a site at a later date if we think it will improve or add greater insight to our journeys. book by phone, email or online A booking can be held for 7 days without commitment after which a deposit is required. For bookings made by telephone or email, payment can be made by card or cheque (payable to Andante Travels Ltd). You can pay securely online, via our website, in either sterling or dollars. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Visa Debit cards. For payments in sterling by credit card or overseas debit card there is a charge of 2.5% of the transaction amount. Please note we do not accept post-dated cheques, nor do we retain your card details.
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insurance We strongly recommend that all travellers are covered by comprehensive travel insurance and do not travel against medical advice. You should organise it immediately when you book, to ensure you have cover against possible cancellation charges, medical treatment and repatriation. We will need to know the details of your policy 4 weeks before departure at the very latest. deposits and final payments £300 for tours costing up to £2000 | £400 for tours costing between £2001 and £3000 | £450 for tours costing between £3001 and £4000 | £500 for tours costing over £4000 balance payment Balance payments will be requested 2 months before you depart for all tours and we will then send you practical information regarding the tour, flights, hotel and joining instructions. cancellation by you Cancellation charges payable to Andante Travels are calculated on time prior to departure as follows: Up to 56 days: Deposit* / 55 - 41 days: 35% of tour cost / 40 - 29 days: 55% of tour cost / 28 - 8 days: 75% of tour cost / 7 days to date of departure: 100% of tour cost | *plus any invoiced flight costs.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
cancellation by us If we have to cancel your holiday before the date of departure, you will have the choice of taking an alternative holiday (and paying or receiving a refund/credit in respect of any price difference) or accepting a full refund of all monies paid. financial protection - Flight inclusive tours: we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the CAA (ATOL No. 3552) which provides for your protection in the event of Andante’s insolvency. The price of your air holiday packages includes the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme as explained below. The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 for Andante Travels, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK; 2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK; and 3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland, which are sold to customers outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland. 1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK and Republic of Ireland are only
protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Andante Travels. aito quality charter Andante Travels is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. Andante Travels abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. whats included We include as much as possible in the tour price: Expert Guide Lecturer Tour Manager (with all groups of 15+) Scheduled flights unless otherwise stated Accommodation Meals with water, and wine where stated; meals are not provided on travelling days Field notes, tips, entrance to all sites in the program committed to sustainable tourism We work hard to ensure our visits have a positive impact on the ancient places we go to and have been awarded the top 5 star rating by AITO in recognition of our excellence when it comes to sustainable travel. We are ANDANTE TRAVELS LTD, registered limited company no. 1969761. Registered offices: The Clock Tower, Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Wiltshire SP5 3HT.
The information listed in this brochure is correct as of March 2017.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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travels in... Special experiences and VIP access in the worlds of opera, art and culinary tradition... art history
food and culture
music and dance
We’ve made our name providing erudite and illuminating archaeology tours. During our many adventures, we realised that the history of the lands we visit is found in more than just the earth they stand upon, but also in the music, the art, and the food that have nurtured the soul of its civilisations for hundreds, if not thousands of years. So in 2017, we ask you to join us on some new adventures, and do more than just learn about different cultures — we are inviting you to embrace them.
You can give us a ring, send us an email, or visit our website to secure your place on tour. We can’t wait to hear from you.
01722 713800 tours@andantetravels.com
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ROSETTA FERRARI Rosetta has not only organised and arranged all of our new tours, she will also join some of the tours as a Guide Lecturer in 2017.
Call: Call: 01722 01722 713800 713800 | email: | email: tours@andantetravels.com tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
If you are still looking for inspiration in 2017 and fancy something out of the ordinary, then look no further. Spaces are available on these unique tours..
july
Spaces
paul klee: modern art and music in switzerland
10th - 14th Chart the life of this highly individual artist — whose work explored Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism and more during this very special Switzerland escape.
Available
17th - 22nd Just when you thought there couldn’t be another side to Italian food... as far from the tourist trail as you can go.
25th - 29th Oct Prepare yourself for forgotten masterpieces with an added injection of new life — discover a festival like no other in this charming area of Ireland.
Available
Available
nov/dec seville: the city and its arts Available
new york: opera, music and dance
27th Sep - 2nd Oct There are many reasons why we love New York — not least because it is an epicentre of the arts. Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House... need we go on?
6th - 11th Oct Allow us to introduce you to the Available man and the music. From private recitals to exclusive performances and opulent operas — the perfect tour for classical music aficionados.
wexford: and the opera festival
parma: its food valleys
northern tuscany: food off the beaten track
Spaces
verdi festival in parma
september 10th - 16th Prosciutto, parmigiano reggiano, porcini mushrooms — these alone are three very good reasons to get excited about this Italian tour.
october
13th - 18th Nov Discover an artistic legacy cultivated by an enduring melting pot of fascinating cultures – from Moorish architecture to Gothic cathedrals; fine art to flamenco.
Available
florence: the city and its arts Available
18th - 22nd Dec Explore the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’ — and get up close and personal with extraordinary artworks, including Michelangelo’s magnificent David.
Call: Call: 01722 01722 713800 713800 | email: | email: tours@andantetravels.com tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Available
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christmas & new year 2017 We are delighted to present our range of festive departures, a feast of archaeology, landscape & celebration for the mind and spirit!
turin festive food
ravenna at christmas
Wed 20th - 26th Dec
Thu 21st - Wed 27th Dec
festive food in bologna
venice at new year
Thu 28th Dec - Thu 4th Jan
Thu 28th Dec - Wed 3rd Jan
Enjoy a Christmas that perfectly combines archaeological sites with Piedmont’s best local food and wine. Explore the wine cellars of Canelli and descend beneath Alba to the remains of the Roman and medieval city below. Enjoy a Christmas Day walk along the splendid avenues and piazzas of Turin and receive special access to the abbey of San Sileno.
with Rosetta Ferrari & Prof Valerie Higgins £2,495 (£2,265 w/out flights | £275 sgl supp)
An unusual tour for Andante - exploring the combination of the archaeological remains and gastronomic history of Bologna. Along the way we hunt for truffles, visit eclectic and fascinating museums and enjoy some sumptuous meals that would have satisfied even an Etruscan appetite!
with Rosetta Ferrari and Tony O’Connor £2,595 (£2,360 w/out flights | £260 sgl supp)
The mists, lagoons and beautiful historic cities of the Po Valley make Ravenna a wonderful choice for a Christmas tour. Enjoy a traditional Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, a very authentic Italian celebration. Ravenna and Aquileia remain remarkably unspoiled. At Christmas we often have the splendid churches, tombs and abbeys almost to ourselves...
with Prof Tony King £2,195 (£1,975 w/out flights | £180 sgl supp)
A very privileged view of La Serenissima. We have special access to the iconic Doge’s palace, where we visit the cells and historic offices of state. We explore the once-mighty republic on-foot and by boat. Our tour culminates with a private evening visit to St Mark’s Basilica
with Dr Eireann Marshall £2,945 (£2,645 w/out flights | £480 sgl supp)
SPACES ARE ALREADY FILLING FAST.... FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK CALL, EMAIL OR SEE OUR WEBSITE
Call 01722 713800 - tours@andantetravels.com - www.andantetravels.com The Clock Tower, Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park,Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HT