Andante Travels - River & Ocean Cruises in 2022

River and Ocean Cruises Enriching, expert-led tours worldwide

OCEAN CRUISING WITH ANDANTE Discover the ancient world from a wondrous new perspective Gloriously relaxing and evocative of a more civilised era of travel, there are few better ways to discover the ancient treasures of our wonderful world than aboard a ship. Sail across sparkling oceans, step ashore to discover incredible sites filled with rich history and enjoy the comforts that cruising can bring as you make your way to the next destination.

While the majority of our cruise programme for 2022 is centred around historic rivers, we do have some glorious ocean cruise options that will showcase wondrous sites in and around Europe.

Sail a round trip from Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik on our Treasures of the Dalmatian Coast cruise and visit Korčula, reputedly the birthplace of Marco Polo; explore Diocletian’s sprawling palace complex, now the old town of Split; and spend time in the verdant Mljet National Park.

Join our brand new Antiquity of the Aegean cruise and you will encounter islands of the Cyclades and Dodecanese, and the legendary sites to be found among them. Highlights range from a visit to the UNESCO-listed island of Delos to the Acropolis of Lindos on the island of Rhodes. We will also spend time on Santorini, where a discovery of Akrotiri awaits, and Kos, where we visit the Casa Romana with its amazing frescoes.

2 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Images: MS-Belle-de-l’Adriatique Croisi Europe©Zvardon & MS Equator

RIVER CRUISES WITH ANDANTE See the ancient world from a new perspective and discover the archaeology of some of our finest waterways on board a river cruise next year. We’ve combined the pleasures of river cruising with expert-led visits to iconic archaeological and historical sites in a range of fascinating destinations in Europe and beyond.

The Rhône

The Rhine

The Moselle

In antiquity, the Rhône was the most important artery connecting the Mediterranean to Southern and Eastern Gaul, which explains the spread of Hellenisation after the Greek foundation of Massalia (ancient Marseilles), as well as Roman culture after Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. So strongly felt was Roman culture in the Rhône Valley, that Pliny the Elder described it as more akin to Italy than a province. The wealth from the production of wheat, olive oil and wine, which flowed down the river, resulted in an incredible development of the cities of the Rhône Valley, starting in Lugdunum – ancient Lyon – continuing on to Vienne and then onto Arles, the epicentre of the trade tours, as well as Nîmes. It’s for this reason that the Rhône Valley is home to the most spectacular Roman monuments to be found in all of France.

The Rhine acts not only as an artery for trade, as evidenced by the spread of the Hallstatt and La Tene cultures in the Late Bronze to Iron Ages, but as a formidable barrier. Unknown to Greek writers, Roman writers characterise the Rhine as a boundary. Servius describes it as the border between Gallia and Germania, while Augustus sees it as the limits of the civilised world. Roman colonisation began with the Julio Claudian emperors, starting with the foundation of Cologne. From this period, there is a flourishing of Roman culture and development of Roman cultures, aided by a strong military presence on the Rhine. With the metamorphosis of the Roman Empire into the Frankish Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, the legions of the Roman Empire settled along the Rhine gave way to castles in the medieval period as competing elites fought over its fragmented territory.

The Moselle, particularly the part between Trier and Koblenz, presents one of the most beautiful course ways in Germany. Today the Moselle is known for its beauty and wines, though it might equally be remembered for its long history. Not only is the course of the river marked by medieval castles, but its vines were introduced to the area in the Roman period, at a time when there was a policy of Romanising the Gauls living in the area in order to provide a bulwark against tribes who menaced the Roman borders. Several historical cities line the river, most notably Trier, which can boast about being the oldest city in Germany and was the capital of the Praefecture of Gaul from the 4th century AD. Koblenz, founded by Augustus’ step son, Drusus and so named because it was on the confluence (confluentes) of the rivers Rhine and Moselle reached its peak in the Middle Ages.

The Guadalquivir

The Guadiana

The Nile

Called the Kertis or Rherkes by indigenous peoples and Baetis in the Roman period, the Guadalquivir is the most important river in Spain, not just because it is the country’s only navigable river but because it flows through Andalusia, the heartbeat of Iberian history. The current name of the river derives from the Arabic wadi al kabir, or great river, bestowed on it by the Moors who settled in the area from the 8th century onwards. The river acted as a conduit of trade and culture over millennia of history, and it is from the Guadalquivir that ships first set sail to the New World, as is commemorated by the fact that Christopher Columbus is buried in the Seville’s Cathedral.

With the conquest of the Americas in the 16th century, the Guadalquivir became the gateway of trade with the New World, bringing untold wealth to Seville, Cádiz and the rest of the region.

The fourth-largest river in the Iberian Peninsula, the very name of the Guadiana underlines its rich history, named after the Latin word for duck, anas, and the Arabic word for river, wadi. Attracted by the fertility of the river’s banks and its commercial opportunities, a succession of peoples founded or developed cities along its course.

The Guadiana runs east to west through one of the most picturesque landscapes on the Iberian Peninsula, starting near Badajoz in the Spanish region of Extremadura to the Algarve, emptying in the Gulf of Cádiz, where it meets the Guadalquivir. The confluence of these rivers unites two of the most important historical centres of the Iberian Peninsula – Andalucia and the Algarve. By both uniting and separating these countries, the Guadiana has acted as a barrier and a conduit of millennia of history.

A slim ribbon of blue and green winding its way north through Egypt from its southern border to the Mediterranean, the Nile is so vital to life in this arid land that 95% of Egypt’s population live in 4% of its land area – along the fertile banks and delta of the Nile. The great cities of the pharaohs were built besides and across its waters, the gigantic stones to build the monumental temples and pyramids were transported by river barge, and the flood waters were all too often the difference between feast and famine for the ancients. Without this mighty waterway, the story of civilisation would be told very differently. The Nile represents photogenic views of white-sailed feluccas and tumbling cataracts, sublime tranquillity at the end of a day’s exploration, and – in the fine cruise vessels – the most enjoyable and relaxing means of transportation between Egypt’s unforgettable sights.

Image: MS Monet

To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 3

NEW FOR 2022

EXPLORING THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE RHÔNE Greeks, Romans and Celts 9 Days

From £3,495pp

Departing April & September

The Rhône was the major conduit of culture in France in Antiquity, transmitting Hellenic culture from Marseille, founded by Greeks in 600 BC, to the cities along the historic river. This cruise examines the role the river played in the ancient world as a channel of trade and culture, and showcases France’s most important archaeological and historical sites.

Tour Highlights • Explore the exceptional amphitheatre and archaeological museum at Arles • Visit the Palais des Papes in Avignon, home to the Popes in the 14th century

Activity Level

Mâcon Trévoux Lyon Vienne Tain L’Hermitage Le Pouzin

• View the iconic Pont du Gard, one of the world’s most famous aqueducts • Examine the important site of Glanum with its famous Triumphal Arch and mausoleum • Enjoy exclusive Andante excursions during the cruise

4 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Avignon St. Remy-de-Provence Arles Martigues Marseille

Image: The Pont Saint Benezet and the Palais des Papes in Avignon

Day One | London - Lyon After landing at Lyon Airport, we transfer to our hotel and time permitting explore the city.

Day Two | Vienne & Lyon This morning we travel to Vienne, the erstwhile capital of the Allobroges made into a colonia by Julius Caesar. We explore its Roman remains, including the well-preserved Temple of Augustus and Livia, built in the 1st century AD, and the nearby Jardin Archaeologique de Cybele, which bears precious remnants of the ancient city. We return to Lyon after lunch to explore the Jardin Archéologique, which preserves remains of the ancient Church of Sainte-Croix, built on top of ancient remains, as well as the Church Saint Etienne, dating to the 4th century AD. In the late afternoon, we join our ship and sail to Mâcon in the evening.

Day Three | Mâcon - Trévoux This morning, we wake in Mâcon, a city famous for its beautiful positioning on the Saône and which produces some of the world’s finest wines. From here, we set off for our archaeological explorations. We return to the ship in Trévoux and enjoy another evening of dining and cruising.

Exclusive Andante excursion: Today we visit the Roche de Solutré, a prehistoric site that was the centre of Solutrean palaeolithic culture. Here, we will also visit the Prehistoric Museum world before continuing to the world-famous abbey at Cluny, a Benedictine monastery that was destroyed during the French Revolution, but whose remains testify to its power and wealth.

Day Four | Lyon - Tain L’Hermitage We wake up in Lyon and spend the morning there before our afternoon sailing to Tain l’Hermitage, famous for its wines as well as for Valrhona, one of the world’s most important chocolatiers.

Exclusive Andante excursion: This morning we continue our exploration of Lyon, this time visiting the wonderful Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière, as well as the adjacent Roman theatre built in the 1st century BC, which seated 10,000 people.

Day Five | Tain L’Hermitage - Le Pouzin - Avignon We awake at the stunning little town of Tain L’Hermitage famed for its wines, whose vineyards can be seen on the hills facing the river.

We return to the ship in Le Pouzin and we then sail south to the medieval city of Avignon.

Exclusive Andante excursion: This morning we walk to the atmospheric town of Tain L’Hermitage in order to enjoy a privately organised wine-tasting in this world-famous wine-producing area.

Day Six | Avignon - Arles This morning we wake up in Avignon, the historic city which became home to the Popes in the 14th century and which continued to be held by them until the French revolution, ensuring that it was adorned by a series of artists working to make the city fit for the papacy. In the afternoon, we sail to Arles, ancient Arelate, which became a very important city in Gallia Narbonensis. In the evening we sail to Martigues.

Exclusive Andante excursion: We spend the morning exploring the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe and decorated by important artists such as Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti.

From there we drive to Arles to see the incredible amphitheatre and we also explore the important collection of artefacts at the Museum of Ancient Arles.

Day Seven | Martigues We wake in Martigues and dock for the day. Founded in the 13th century, Martigues was built on the remains of the ancient city of Maritima Avitocorum and is known for its atmospheric docks and canals. In the morning we explore the stunning natural habitat of the Camargue, the largest wetland in Western Europe and famed for its wide variety of wetland birds and white horses. In the evening, our last aboard the MS Camargue, we enjoy a gala dinner.

Exclusive Andante excursion: After lunch on board, we head out to explore the ancient remains of Marseille, the city which has remained important since its Greek foundation in the 7th century BC. Here we explore the Museum of the Roman Docks as well as the remains of the Greek walls and Roman docks in the Jardin des Vestiges.

Day Eight | Martigues - Glanum This morning we disembark and set off for the stunning Pont du Gard, perhaps one of the most striking and well-preserved Roman ruins in France. Built in the 1st century AD, it carried water from Uzès to ancient Nemausus, a masterwork of Roman engineering, which remained largely intact because of its use as a customs bridge. In the afternoon, we visit the well-preserved site of Glanum, which was never as wealthy as Arelate or Nemausus but which, nonetheless, was able to produce showy remains as the Mausoleum of the Julii and the Triumphal Arch built during the reign of Augustus.

Day Nine | St. Remy-de-Provence - Marseille - London Time permitting, we have a walk around the charming town of St. Remy-de-Provence before travelling to Marseille to take our return flight back to London.

Guided by John Shepherd An archaeologist who has worked around Europe, John is an ancient glass specialist.

Price includes

Culinary inclusions

• Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer • Exclusive Andante excursions with entry to all sites as stated in the itinerary • An excursion to the Camargue wetland with Croisi Europe • All taxes & gratuities

• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners • At hotels: water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • MS Camargue: welcome cocktail and all on board drinks*, served in the restaurant and in the bar to include tea, coffee, soft drinks, beers and a selection of wines, cocktails and long drinks *Premium branded drinks at own cost

Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport

Accommodation • 1 night at a hotel in Lyon, 7 nights aboard the MS Camargue & 1 night at a hotel in St. Remy

Dates & prices per person 30th April – 8th May 2022 & 18th – 26th September 2022

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

Main Deck Outside Cabin with a window

£3,495

£595

Upper Deck Outside Cabin with a large floor to ceiling window

£3,795

£595

Image: MS Camargue

Ship Information MS Camargue The MS Camargue is a premium rated ship, comparable to a 4* hotel, and boasts bright and spacious interiors. The Upper Deck has two main areas; the lounge and bar towards the bow of the ship, and the restaurant towards the stern. Cabins are 14m² in size and include a TV, telephone (for internal calls), safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V, Wi-Fi, en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet, hairdryer, a selection of bath products and towels.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/arnc

To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 5

NEW FOR 2022

EXPLORING THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MOSELLE & RHINE From late antique splendour to medieval grandeur 7 Days

From £2,495pp

Departing September

Activity Level

The Moselle, with its winding, vine-covered banks, is most famous for its wines and beautiful landscape, though the river might be even better remembered for its rich history, which is evident from the castles brooding over its course way. After absorbing the majesty of the Moselle, we end the tour on the Rhine where we visit Strasbourg, with its famous medieval core, including the stunning Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Tour Highlights • Explore Trier’s fine Roman ruins, including the Aula Palatina and Porta Nigra

Koblenz Moselkern

Luxembourg

Trier

• View the Trier Cathedral, the oldest church in Germany which retains Roman walls • Visit the Cathedral de Notre Dame in Strasbourg with its exceptional stained-glass windows • Cruise along the romantic Rhine whose sheer rocks and vines, alongside its castles have made it a World Heritage Site

Strasbourg

• Exclusive Andante excursions during the cruise

6 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Image: Reformed church of St. Paulin, Strasbourg

Day One | London - Luxembourg - Trier Today we fly from London to Luxembourg and continue on to Trier.

After settling into our hotel, and time permitting, we take an exploratory walk around this historic city.

Day Two | Trier The scale of the Roman remains in Trier can be gauged by the number of baths that have been found. We start with the Viehmarkt Baths, restored in the late antique period, and continue to the Barbara Baths, the largest thermal complex north of the Alps, and finally the Imperial Baths, whose impressive remains were built in the 4th century. We end the morning with a visit to the amphitheatre. After lunch, we visit the astounding Aula Palatina, built by the emperor Constantine as part of a palace complex; its opulence can be gauged by the fact that it was heated by a hypocaust system. It remains the largest extant ancient hall, surviving to this extent because it was transformed into the archbishop’s residence and later into a church.

We end the day with a visit to the Rheinisches Landesmuseum, which contains one of the best collections of ancient artefacts in Germany, including the Trassem gold hoard from 1600 BC and a number of wonderfully preserved artefacts. In the evening we board our ship, the MS Monet, docked on the Moselle.

Day Three | Trier - Moselkern We awake for our last morning in Trier and after exploration of the city’s medieval wonders, we sail after lunch to Moselkern.

Exclusive Andante excursion: Our morning starts with a visit to the incredible Cathedral of St. Peter, the oldest church in Germany, whose 4th century Roman brickwork is visible in the nave. We proceed to the Liebfrauenkirche, which is UNESCO-listed and is one of the oldest Gothic churches in Germany, being built on top of a Palaeochristian church. We end our visit to Trier with the Porta Nigra, whose remarkable preservation is due to its transformation into two superimposed churches.

Day Four | Moselkern - Koblenz This morning we are moored in Moselkern and from here we visit some of the castles which overlook this historic river. After lunch on board, we spend the afternoon sailing to Koblenz, the city which lies in the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine, where we dock in the afternoon.

Exclusive Andante excursion: This morning we explore two of the many castles dotted along the Moselle. We start with Cochem Castle, built in the mid-12th century and made into an imperial castle

by King Konrad III, the Hohenstaufen predecessor of Frederick Barbarossa. Destroyed by Louis XIV in the nine-year war, it was restored in the 19th century. We proceed a short drive away to the romantic ruins of Winneburg Castle, built in the 13th century and a ruin since the 17th century when it was overrun by Louis XIV. In the late afternoon, we explore the streets of Koblenz where we see the Basilica of St. Kastor and the Liebfrauenkirche.

Day Five | Koblenz Today is spent cruising along the most romantic part of the Rhine, which was declared a UNESCO site for its historic towns, castles and outstanding beauty. From the comfort of our ship, we witness the spectacular landscape of the Rhine, a mixture of sheer rocks and vineyards. A highlight of this day is Lorelei, the monumental slate

rock which inspired Heine to poeticise a Siren luring sailors to their deaths. Tonight, the last night aboard the MS Monet, we enjoy a gala dinner.

Day Six | Strasbourg We disembark early in the morning at our final destination, the magnificent city of Strasbourg, home to the Legio VIII Augusta and famed, above all, for its medieval splendours. We begin our exploration with the Archaeological Museum, which has a spectacular collection of artefacts spanning from pre-history to the Merovingian dynasty. Middle Ages. We continue to the famous Cathedral of Notre-Dame built out of red Vosges sandstone over several centuries and displaying a range of architectural stylesfrom 12th-century Romanesque to 15th-century Late Gothic. The Strasbourg Cathedral has exceptional medieval stained-glass windows that compare in magnificence to those at the Cathedral in Chartres. We arrive in time for the presentation of the celebrated astronomical clock. In the afternoon, we visit the Museum Oeuvre de Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, which has an exceptional collection of European medieval art, representing seven centuries of art created in Strasbourg and the Upper Rhine region. On display are original sculptures from the cathedral and stained-glass windows.

We continue to the Eglise de Saint Pierre Le Jeune, founded in the 7th century as a Merovingian chapel and later transformed into a Romanesque and then Gothic church during the 13th and 14th centuries. The church nave features beautiful vaulting with carved consoles depicting a lion to represent Saint Mark and a man slaying a dragon.

Day Seven | Strasbourg - London On our last day, time permitting, we will explore the beautiful city of Strasbourg before making our way to Strasbourg airport to travel back to London.

Ship Information MS Monet Named after the famous impressionist painter, Claude Monet, this standard rated ship is comparable to a 3* hotel. The MS Monet may be an older ship in the Croisi fleet, which is reflected in its the décor, but it still offers the same level of service on board as newer ships, and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The Upper Deck has two main areas; the lounge and bar towards the bow of the ship, and the restaurant towards the stern. Cabins are 11.5m² in size and include a TV, telephone (for internal calls), safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V, Wi-Fi, en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet, hairdryer, a selection of bath products and towels.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/amrc

Price includes Guided by Esther Unterweger Born in Austria, Esther studied Provincial Archaeology and Art History at the University of Graz, Austria.

• Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer • Exclusive Andante excursions with entry to all sites as stated in the itinerary • All taxes & gratuities

Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport

Dates & prices per person

Accommodation

Cabins | 20th - 26th Sep

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

Main Deck Outside Cabin with a window

£2,495

£395

Upper Deck Outside Cabin with a window, the top part of which opens

£2,695

£395

Image: MS Monet

• 1 night at a hotel in Trier, 4 nights aboard the MS Monet & 1 night at a hotel in Strasbourg

Culinary inclusions • 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners • At hotels: water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • MS Monet: welcome cocktail and all on board drinks*, served in the restaurant and in the bar to include tea, coffee, soft drinks, beers and a selection of wines, cocktails and long drinks *Premium branded drinks at own cost

To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 7

NEW FOR 2022

MOORISH WONDERS OF THE GUADALQUIVIR & GUADIANA Exploring Andalucia and the Algarve on a cruise 8 Days

From £2,995pp

Departing June & September

Activity Level

Called the Baetis in the Roman period, the Guadalquivir is the most important river in Spain, not just because it is the country’s only navigable river but because it flows through Andalucia, the heartbeat of Iberian history. The Guadiana, in turn, meets the Guadalquivir at the Gulf of Cadiz, thereby linking the historically rich Andalucia with the Algarve.

Tour Highlights • Admire the Alhambra dubbed by Arabic poets ‘the pearl set in emeralds’ and unique example of Moorish architecture transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 16th century • Explore Italica, the oldest Roman city outside of Italy, and home to stunningly preserved remains unencumbered by later periods

Alcoutim Huelva

Seville

Granada

Isla Minima El Puerto de Santa Maria Cádiz

• Examine the historic remains of Cádiz, including its extraordinary Phoenician and Roman remains • Visit unique Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, a colourful blend of Islamic and Renaissance architecture

8 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Image: Cordoba

Day 1 | London - Seville We start our tour by flying to Seville and, time permitting, visit the Metropol Parasol in the city. Afterwards we join our ship, the MS La Belle de Cadix, in Seville.

Day 2 | Seville We wake up in Seville, the capital of Andalucia, which was once the ancient city of Hispalis and later became enormously wealthy for its crucial rule in the Trans-Atlantic trade.

Exclusive Andante excursion: Today we venture to Cordoba where we begin our exploration of its colourful remains with the world famous Mezquita, or Cathedral Mosque, erected in the 8th century. We continue to the city’s Jewish Quarter where we see vestiges of the multi-cultural medieval city when the city gave rise to such luminaries as Maimonides and Averroes. We end our visit of Cordoba with the Medina Azahara, the 10th century palacecity built in order to administer the capital Day 3 | Seville - Isla Minima Today our ship is moored in the vibrant city of Seville before it departs in the afternoon for the Isla Minima set in the Marshlands of the Guadalquivir. Here we have a tour of an Andalucian hacienda before we sail to Cádiz.

Exclusive Andante excursion: Today we visit two of Seville’s UNESCO listed sites, starting with the Real Alcazar, built in the 14th century, an important example of mudejar architecture, which is blending of Moorish and Europe styles. We continue a short distance to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world built in order to signal the city’s increased importance after the reconquista.

Day 4 | Cádiz This morning we are in Cádiz, the important port which lays claim to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Located on a spit of land surrounded by sea, Cádiz retains an old quarter which bears the remains of its ancient past.

Exclusive Andante excursion: Today we explore the important city of Cadiz founded by Phoenicians in the 9th century BC. We start with the archaeological museum, which contains an important collection of artefacts from the city’s vast history, before proceeding to the Roman theatre, built in the 1st century BC and once one of the largest theatres in the empire. We end the morning with a visit to the Cathedral built in the city’s hey day when the city was enriched by the Transatlantic trade. After lunch, we visit the archaeological site which contains the remains of the Phoenician settlement of Gadir.

Day 5 | Alcoutim - Huelva Today we join the Guadiana which meets the Guadalquivir in Cadiz, and sail to Alcoutim, located in the Algarve, near the border, mid-morning. After a brief stay here, we sail the rest of the afternoon towards Huelva where we arrive in the evening.

Exclusive Andante excursion: This morning we visit the 13th century Moorish Castle at Alcoutim, whose imposing position on the right bank of the tributary river of San Marcos made it an important site from the Neolithic period onwards. The current castle belongs to the period of the reconquista when the Portuguese crown undertook defensive measures to stamp their authority over lands they gained.

Day 6 | Huelva - El Puerto de Santa Maria We awake in the Huelva, where we spend the morning before sailing in the afternoon towards El Puerto de Santa Maria in the province of Cadiz. In the evening we re-join the Guadalquivir and sail back to Seville. After our exclusive Andante excursion in the morning, we enjoy an afternoon wine tasting in the area of El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Exclusive Andante excursions: Called on’u ba by the Phoenicians who settled here and later renamed Onoba by Greeks, Huelva was an important Phoenician trading post, exchanging precious metals and fish with cities throughout the Mediterranean. This morning we explore this city’s important past at the important Huelva Archaeological Museum.

Day 7 | Granada Having sailed through the night, we return to Seville and end our tour with one of the most impressive cities in Spain, Granada. In the morning we visit the incomparable Alhambra, first built as a fortress in the 9th century and turned into a palace fortress in the 14th century by the Emir of Granada. The Alhambra remains the most important witness to

Guided by Doru Bogdan Doru is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Alba Iulia in Romania, and has supervised an array of excavations.

the great flourishing of the Muslim period of Andalucia, testament to the vibrant and cosmopolitan culture which made this part of the world unique.

Exclusive Andante excursion: After lunch, we explore the Archaeological Museum of Granada, which sheds light on the city itself as well as on Andalucian history.

Day 8 | Seville - London After disembarking the ship, we end our tour by visiting one of the most important Roman sites in Spain, Italica. The ancient city, founded in the 3rd century BC, is one of the best preserved in Spain and includes an amphitheatre, a number of elite houses, as well as a Traianeum, a shrine to the important emperor who was born there. In the afternoon, we take our return flights back to London.

Ship Information MS La Belle de Cadix The light and bright MS La Belle de Cadix, comparable to a 4* hotel, has four decks. The restaurant is on the Main Deck, the lounge and bar on the Middle Deck, the ‘Pianorama’ Bar is on the Upper Deck and there is a Sun Deck with chairs and deckchairs.

Cabins are 13.5m² in size and include a TV, telephone (for internal calls), safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V, Wi-Fi, en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet, hairdryer, selection of bath products and towels.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/aggc

Price includes • Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer • Exclusive Andante excursions with entry to all sites as stated in the itinerary • A wine-tasting experience and an excursion to the Alhambra with Croisi Europe • All taxes & gratuities

Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport

Accommodation • 7 nights aboard the MS La Belle de Cadix

Culinary inclusions

Dates & prices per person 2nd – 9th June 2022 & 15th – 22nd September 2022

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

Main Deck Outside Cabin with a porthole window

£2,995

£595

Middle Deck Outside Cabin with a window

£3,145

£595

Upper Deck Outside Cabin with a large floor to ceiling window

£3,295

£595

Image: MS La Belle de Cadix

• 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners • MS La Belle de Cadix: welcome cocktail and all on board drinks*, served in the restaurant and in the bar to include tea, coffee, soft drinks, beers and a selection of wines, cocktails and long drinks. *Premium branded drinks at own cost

To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 9

TREASURES OF THE DALMATIAN COAST Discover ancient Dalmatia on this exclusive Andante cruise 8 Days

From £2,995pp

Departing May & October

During this cruise you’ll discover many historical, cultural and scenic highlights of the region known in ancient times as Dalmatia. The fascinating history of the region is brought to life by your Guide Lecturer with stops that include the perfectly-preserved Gothic towns of Hvar and Korčula, the gorgeous ‘green island’ of Mljet and beach-fringed Brač.

Activity Level

Split

Pucišca

Tour Highlights • Enjoy a walking tour of Dubrovnik, which George Bernard Shaw described as “paradise on earth” • Visit Korčula, reputedly the birthplace of Marco Polo, and immerse yourself in the histories of both Stari Grad and Hvar Town • Explore Diocletian’s sprawling palace complex, now the old town of Split • Spend time in the picturesque, verdant Mljet National Park and take a boat ride to St. Mary’s Isle to visit an ancient Benedictine monastery

10 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Stari Grad Vis

Hvar Korčula

Biševo Mljet Dubrovnik

Image: Mljet Island

Day One | London - Dubrovnik We fly to Dubrovnik and transfer to the port to embark MS Equator. We spend the rest of our day in the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and before our welcome dinner, our Guide Lecturer will give an overview of the Dalmatian Coast’s history as well as the itinerary for the tour.

Day Two | Dubrovnik - Korcula ˇ Stopping for lunch at a secluded bay on the way, we sail today to Korčula, reputedly the birthplace of Marco Polo. The enchanting island is home to one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, and we explore its Gothic palaces, stone streets and fairytale towers. Gourmet delights await this evening at whichever restaurant you choose, with fresh fish and seafood a particular pleasure, accompanied by the excellent local wine.

Day Three | Korcula - Biševo - Vis Following a stop at tiny Biševo to visit the luminescent natural phenomenon known as the Blue Cave (weather permitting), MS Equator sails on to Vis, formerly a Yugoslav naval base.

As a result of decades of restricted access, Vis has a special charm – ‘the Mediterranean as it once was’. We have the chance to explore the attractions of Vis, including a Roman thermal palace and a small archaeological museum displaying a 4th century BCE bronze of Artemis, along with time at leisure, during which you may sample some of the island’s renowned wine. In the evening you have a wide choice of restaurants to choose from.

Day Four | Vis - Stari Grad - Split We berth further along the island in Stari Grad, which justifies its translation (‘old town’) with a history that stretches back 2,500 years. After, MS Equator sails on to Split, arriving in the afternoon. Before our arrival, our Guide Lecturer will give a talk on Diocletian and the later Roman of the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Here, in the land of his birth, the Roman Emperor Diocletian retired, having built the most extraordinary palace complex, which now comprises much of the old town. There are Roman-era remnants to admire – not least the Temple of Jupiter (now cathedral baptistery) and the Peristyle, the city’s elegant central square – along with Gothic and Renaissance buildings, which add further lustre to this UNESCO site. With amazing restaurants to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice at dinner.

Day Five | Split - Pucišca - Hvar Our journey continues towards Pučišča, situated on the island of Brač, an island which has made its own unique contribution to world culture over thousands of years – the white stone from its quarries has been used in the building of, amongst other iconic buildings, Diocletian’s Palace, The White House and Budapest’s Parliament. The stonemasonry tradition is still strong and, in the village of Pučišća, we visit the Stonemasonry School to learn more about the skills involved in sculpting Brač stone in a variety of ways. MS Equator then sails on to Hvar, the sunniest of the Dalmatian Islands. Hvar Town, another walled gem enclosing eight centuries of beautiful architecture, is a highlight of the Dalmatian Coast, and we visit the oldest public theatre in Europe along with the Renaissance cathedral.

Day Six | Hvar - Mljet Our voyage continues to Mljet, the greenest of the Dalmatian Islands. Here we spend time in the picturesque, verdant Mljet National Park and take a boat ride to St. Mary’s Isle to visit an ancient Benedictine monastery, an old abbey and 12th century church. We berth in the port of Pomena this evening, a tiny village with just 50 permanent inhabitants. Onboard the MS Equator a sumptuous Captain’s Dinner is served.

Day Seven | Mljet - Dubrovnik An undoubted icon of world travel, Dubrovnik is unmissable. On our arrival in the afternoon, we spend more time in this sublime city, jewel-like with its characteristic ruby red roofs encircled by white-gold walls. Dubrovnik’s fame is well earned, but in the height of summer it can be overwhelmed with tourists. So much nicer then to visit in spring or autumn, and to remain here in the evening after the day trippers have departed. A panoramic city tour helps you gain your bearings, then there is free time to make your own discoveries – perhaps visit the elegant 15th century Rector’s Palace, home to the rulers of Ragusa, as Dubrovnik was then known, the Franciscan Monastery or one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe (which is still dispensing). In terms of quality restaurants, Dubrovnik has an embarrassment of riches, and you are sure to find a memorable dining venue this evenin.

Day Eight | Dubrovnik - London We disembark the MS Equator after breakfast and catch our return flight back to London.

Ship Information MS Equator Built in 2017, this new vessel is one of the finest flagships of the KOMPAS fleet, and we would characterise the quality as equivalent to a good 4* hotel. With just 18 cabins across two accommodation decks (Lower and Upper), the elegantly furnished cabins are all outsidefacing, with portholes (Lower Deck) or windows (Upper Deck), and all come with private bathrooms, air‑conditioning and flat-screen TVs as standard.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/adac Price includes • Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer • The services of a local Cruise Director throughout • Entries to all sites & museums • Excursions throughout as stated in the itinerary • WiFi on board • All taxes & gratuities

Included travel Guided by John Shepherd

• Return flights from London & all local transport

A specialist in the study of ancient glass, John has worked extensively in the field as an archaeologist, in France, Italy and Bulgaria.

• 7 night aboard the MS Equator

Accommodation Culinary inclusions

Cabin | 21st - 28th May & 15th - 22nd October

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

• ‘Half board plus’ cruise - 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 2 dinners • Tea, coffee and bottled water

Lower Deck cabin with a porthole window

£2,995

£595

Not included in the price

Upper Deck cabin with a window

£3,295

£695

Dates & prices per person

Images: The MS Equator, Dubrovnik

• Dinners other than stated in the itinerary • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 11

NEW FOR 2022

ANTIQUITY OF THE AEGEAN Exploring islands of the Cyclades & Dodecanese on a cruise 9 Days

From £3,695pp

Departing July

This cruise offers you a combination of improbably beautiful islands and a staggering breadth of history which shaped the world we know today.

Starting in Athens, the cradle of Western civilisation, and then visiting some of Greece’s most iconic islands in the Cyclades & Dodecanese, in the wake of countless mythological and historical figures.

Tour Highlights • Explore the inimitable ruins of Athens, including the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum

Activity Level

Athens

Mykonos Delos Paros

Kos

• Visit the iconic Terrace of Lions in Delos and the Theatre Quarter with its opulent houses • View Kos, home of Hippocrates, and the important Sanctuary of Asclepius

Santorini

Rhodes

• Examine the unique Minoan ruins in Akrotiri, including its stunning frescoes and architecture

12 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Image: Thira

Day One | London - Athens We fly from London to Athens. Time permitting, we will take a walk around the city to orientate ourselves.

Day Two | Athens The Athenian Acropolis is our focus today. On the slopes of the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus reminds us of the origins of theatre. We move on in time when we make our way to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, then proceed to the last part of the Panathenaic Way to enter the Sanctuary of the Acropolis through the Propylaea, pausing as we emerge to catch sight of the Parthenon, showing itself to us from its most impressive angle. The Erectheum is the most sacred site. After lunch in Plaka, we make our way to the Acropolis Museum. We board our ship for the evening in time for dinner.

Day Three | Athens Our ship is moored in Athens today, the bustling capital of Greece, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world. In the evening, we set sail to the popular island of Mykonos.

Exclusive Andante excursion: We spend another entire day in Athens, starting with the Agora. Overlooking this is the impressive Temple of Hephaestus. We proceed along the Panathenaic Way towards the Kerameikos, the Sacred Gate and then we continue on to the National Museum of Athens with its unrivalled collection of Cycladic and Mycenaean artefacts.

Day Four | Mykonos/Delos We awake to find ourselves docked just outside the beautiful island of Mykonos. While today it is famed for its tourism, in antiquity Mykonos was above all a supply centre for the more important island of Delos which lies nearby. In the evening we cruise to the Dodecanese.

Exclusive Andante excursion: A short stint across the water on row boats, has us arrive on Delos. It was here that Leto gave birth to the twins, Apollo and Artemis, on the shores of the Sacred Lake, which is now overlooked and guarded by the Terrace of the Lions. At the other end of the Sanctuary of Apollo is the Propylaea, the official entrance to the Sanctuary. After lunch we proceed to the Theatre Quarter, where there is not just the theatre itself but also a number of houses, including the Houses of Dionysus and of Cleopatra.

Day Five | Kos We spend the morning sailing from the Cyclades to that other iconic set of islands, the Dodecanese, in particular Kos, the home of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. In the evening we set sail to Rhodes.

Exclusive Andante excursion: In the afternoon, we explore ancient Kos starting with the important Sanctuary of Asclepius, God of healing at the Ancient Agora, then continue to the Casa Romana – an impressive residence where remarkable mosaics and frescoes give evidence of its inhabitants’ affluence. We’ll take a walking tour from here back to the harbour.

Day Six | Rhodes We wake this morning in Rhodes, the most historically important island in the Dodecanese whose strategic setting made it significant not only in antiquity but also in the medieval period when the Knights Hospitaller chose it as their new headquarters after Islamic forces ejected them from Jerusalem. In the evening we set sail for Santorini.

Exclusive Andante excursion: Today we explore Rhodes City with its charming alleys and fortifications, starting with the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Order, which seems to have been built upon the Temple of Helios where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood.

The tour continues to visit the Archaeological Museum, which is in what was the Hospital of the Knights. The final stop in Rhodes is the Acropolis of Lindos.

Day Seven | Santorini We spend the morning sailing along Homer’s wine dark sea to the Dodecanese, admiring the beautiful scenery and considering the wealth of history which the islands played host to. In the early afternoon, we find ourselves in Santorini. In the evening we start cruising towards Paros.

Exclusive Andante excursion: This afternoon we explore Santorini, starting with Akrotiri, one of the finest examples of Minoan culture outside Crete, with stunningly delicate frescoes. We proceed to the Museum of Prehistoric Thera with its staggering collection of Cycladic artefacts.

Day Eight | Paros This morning we are moored in Paros, arguably most famous for the marble from its quarries, used in some of the most noted Greek sculptures such as the Venus di Milo or the Hermes with infant Dionysus. We spend all day docked here, allowing us to explore the island. In the evening we set sail for Athens.

Exclusive Andante excursion: We start our visit to the island with the Paros Archaeological Museum with a wide-ranging collection from the protocycladic and Mycenaean to Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic eras. We proceed to the Church Panagia Ekatontapiliani, a 4th century Byzantine church (also known as the Church of 100 Doors). After lunch, we visit the Temple of Athena and then we conclude at Frankish Castle.

Day Nine | Athens Having disembarked in Piraeus, we have a last walk around Athens, time permitting, before we start our return journey back to London.

Ship Information MV La Belle de L’Adriatique This premium rated ship has five decks and is comparable to a 4* hotel.

The restaurant is on the Main Deck, the Lounge Bar with dancefloor on the Embarkation Deck, and a smaller piano bar with terrace on the Upper Deck. The Sun Deck has a bar, two jacuzzis and sunloungers.

Cabins are 13.5m² in size and include a TV, telephone (for internal calls), safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V, Wi-Fi, ensuite bathroom with shower and toilet, hairdryer, a selection of bath products and towels.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/aagc Price includes

Guided by Aristotle Koskinas Aristotle studied classical archaeology at the University of Ioannina, Greece, and worked for the Greek Ministry of Culture for several years.

• Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer • Exclusive Andante excursions with entry to all sites as stated in the itinerary • All taxes & gratuities

Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport

Accommodation

Dates & prices per person Cabin | 9th - 17th July 2022

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

• 1 night in a hotel in Athens • 7 nights aboard the MV La Belle de L’Adriatique

Lower Deck Outside Cabin with porthole windows

£3,695

£695

Culinary inclusions

Main Deck Outside Cabin with porthole windows

£3,745

£695

Embarkation Deck Outside Cabin with panoramic windows

£3,845

£695

Upper Deck Outside Cabin with panoramic windows

£3,945

£695

Image: MV La Belle de L’Adriatique

• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners • MV La Belle de L’Adriatique: welcome cocktail and all onboard drinks*, served in the restaurant and in the bar to include tea, coffee, soft drinks, beers and a selection of wines, cocktails and long drinks *Premium branded drinks at own cost

To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 13

EGYPT

Highlights & discoveries 12 Days

From £5,925pp

Departing February, March & September ‘22 & February ‘23

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 much more than dry and dusty stones – through the expertise of our Guide Lecturers, we get to ‘meet’ the real ancient Egyptians.

Activity Level

Cairo

Tour Highlights • Experience the delights of cruising the famous River Nile • Discover the impressive temple site of Abu Simbel

Luxor

• See the grand gallery as well as the royal burial chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu

Edfu

• Explore the enigmatic Valleys of the Kings and Queens, and pay a visit to the exceptionally well-preserved tomb of Nefertari

Aswan Philae

Abu Simbel

14 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Image: Abu Simbel

Day One | London - Cairo We depart from London and arrive in Cairo – this buzzing, energetic metropolis that is Egypt’s extraordinary capital – a city that Egyptians admiringly refer to as ‘the Mother of the World’.

Day Two | Cairo We start our day with a visit to Saqqara, a vast necropolis to the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. We discover the incredible Step Pyramid of Djoser, the smooth-sided Pyramids of Unas, the Mastaba of Mereruka, and the Imhotep Museum. After lunch we visit Memphis and its open-air museum, its highlight being the extraordinary fallen colossus of Ramesses II. Day Three | Cairo This morning, we pay a visit to the pyramid complex on the Giza Plateau, including the Great Pyramid – a true wonder of ancient world, where atmospheric passageways lead to the breathtaking grand gallery and royal burial chamber. We also explore the Solar Boat Museum, the Valley Temple of Khafra and the enigmatic Great Sphinx. In the afternoon, we enjoy a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, where the world’s most extensive exhibition in pharaonic artefacts can be seen. Among the treasures on display are the solid gold mask of Tutankhamun and the Narmer Palette.

Day Four | Cairo - Luxor We fly from Cairo to Luxor. Later we take a boat across the river to have lunch and then afterwards proceed to the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri, a stunning collection of shrines that have been largely restored to their former glory.

Day Five | Luxor This morning we lose ourselves in the captivating complex of Karnak.

Here, we encounter the cult temple of Amun-Ra, chief of the deities of the New Kingdom. This is a spectacular multi-period location with a wealth of religious and historical inscriptions at every turn. In the afternoon, we visit the famous Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank at Thebes. These two enormous statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III stand at a towering 18-metres high, and were erected to guard the entrance of the pharaoh’s memorial temple. Afterwards, we visit the Qurna tombs of Rekhmire and Sennefer.

Day Six | Luxor The Valley of the Kings awaits us today. This was the final resting place of royals and nobility for almost 500 years, with excavations dating the site back as far as the 16th century BC. Its most notable occupant is, of course, King Tutankhamun, so famously discovered

by Howard Carter in 1922, and since returned to his original burial place where he now lies undisturbed. After lunch, we visit the Valley of the Queens, which includes the exceptionally preserved Tomb of Nefertari, who was the wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II. Day Seven | Luxor Guided by Lucia Gahlin

Our first visit today is at the Ramesseum, with its fallen colossus of Ramesses II, an astounding testament to the Pharaoh’s reign.

Afterwards, we make our way to Medinet Habu, arguably the bestpreserved temple of the New Kingdom. On the East Bank we check in to our Nile cruise boat. After lunch on board, we explore Luxor Temple, with its avenue of sphinxes, military reliefs and gorgeous papyrus columns. Our afternoon continues with a visit to the best and oldest – Aboudi’s Bookshop, the world’s best English language Egyptological bookshop.

Day Eight | Luxor - Edfu The fantastic Luxor Museum is a real treat - a masterfully arranged collection of archaeological artefacts and home to celebrated works of art, including the famous statue of Tuthmosis III, an extraordinary figure carved from greywacke. We return to our boat and enjoy lunch before we set sail to Edfu.

Day Nine | Edfu - Kom Ombo We make our way to the temples of the gods of Upper Egypt, starting with the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Towering at a jaw-dropping 37 metres, it’s decorated with vivid scenes of King Ptolemy VIII destroying his enemies before Horus. The complex even houses an Nilometer, a structure made to measure the depth and clarity of flooding Nile water. This afternoon, we explore the Temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder at Kom Ombo and the site’s Crocodile Museum.

Day Ten | Philae - Aswan Today we make our way to ancient Egypt’s southern border and visit the impressive Temple of Isis in Philae. The flooding of Lake Nasser caused the whole complex to be moved from its original location.

After a stop at Aswan (High) Dam, we visit the Unfinished Obelisk Quarry. After lunch on the boat, we visit Elephantine Island to take in various important temples and the museum there.

Day Eleven | Aswan - Abu Simbel - Cairo It’s an early morning start as we transfer to Aswan airport and fly to Abu Simbel. Here, we make the most of our last day exploring what is considered to be Egypt’s most impressive temple site, home to temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari. After lunch, we fly to Cairo, where a farewell dinner awaits this evening.

Day Twelve | Cairo - London Today we catch our return flight back to London.

Guided by Dr Elizabeth Bloxam

Join Lucia in Egypt on our 8th February ‘22, 27th September ‘22 & 21st February ‘23 departures.

Join Elizabeth in Egypt on our 1st March ‘22 & 28th February ‘23 departures.

Price includes

Accommodation

• Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • Field Notes • All taxes & gratuities

• Accommodation at the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel, Sofitel Winter Pavillon, MS Tulip & Le Meridien Cairo Airport

Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport

Culinary inclusions • 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 10 dinners (plus 1 snack in hotel room due to late arrival) • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person Date

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

8th - 19th Feb

£5,925

£960

1st - 12th Mar

£5,975

£960

27th Sep - 8th Oct

£6,045

£960

21st Feb - 4th Mar ‘23

£6,045

£960

28th Feb - 11th Mar ‘23

£6,045

£960

Image: MS Tulip

Ship Information MS Tulip MS Tulip offers spacious and luxuriously furnished accommodation. The public areas provide the ultimate in comfort, elegance and design, which enable its guests to experience a fascinating way to travel and relax. It has a 5* restaurant, which serves daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge bar, or watch the sunset by the outdoor swimming pool with a cocktail. All cabins have been elegantly decorated and the include panoramic Nile views, air conditioning, a mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, and a Smart TV with satellite. Each room also has its own bathroom with a bathtub and hairdryer.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/aegh To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 15

EGYPT – CRUISING THE NILE

In the wake of the pharaohs 17 Days

From £7,075pp

Departing April & August

This luxurious cruise is perfect for those who crave an in-depth exploration of the sites that line the Nile. Sail a distance of 410 miles between Cairo and Aswan on a journey that includes a stretch of river only recently reopened. Travelling by way of water, explore a range of rarely visited sites that most tourists miss along with the most iconic.

Tour Highlights • Explore Seti I’s temple at Abydos, home to the most beautiful raised reliefs • Travel through Middle Egypt to the rarely visited Beni Hasan and Amarna • Discover remains of the royal cemetery of Egypt’s most intriguing Pharaoh, Akhenaten, and his powerful wife, Nefertiti • Visit the Nubian site of the temples at Abu Simbel, rescued from Lake Nasser’s rising waters after the creation of the High Dam

Activity Level

Cairo Beni Suef Minya Assuit Governorate Sohag Qena Luxor Edfu Aswan Abu Simbel

• Discover the Red and White Coptic Monasteries, built from remnants of Pharaonic temples and boasting awe-inspiring murals

16 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Image: Ruins of Kom Ombo

Day One | London - Cairo We arrive into Cairo and transfer to our airport hotel, which is conveniently located for our early morning flight tomorrow.

Day Two | Cairo - Abu SImbel - Aswan Today we catch a flight to the renowned Nubian site of Abu Simbel, miraculously rescued from Lake Nasser’s rising waters. It was rebuilt on the western bank, and the two massive rock temples of Ramesses II and his favourite queen, Nefertari, were originally carved into the mountainside in 1244 BCE to honour the deified royal pair – as well as to awe the Nubians.

Day Three | Aswan This morning we transfer to our Nile cruiser and enjoy lunch together on board. In the afternoon, we take a ride around Elephantine Island, the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan in a traditional felucca boat.

Day Four | Aswan The quarries await discovery this morning, acknowledged as archaeological sites in their own right and also as the source of quality stone for the construction of ancient Egypt’s decorative monuments. Next, we visit the atmospheric ruins of Philae, the Ptolemaic island temple that was originally dedicated to Isis.

Day Five | Aswan - Edfu We sail to Edfu via Kom Ombo today, stopping to visit the partially restored remains of its Ptolemaic temple that stands dramatically above the Nile. Free time on board the MS Tamr Henna follows later this afternoon.

Day Six | Edfu - Luxor We go ashore at the Temple of Edfu, a Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Horus, the avenging falcon god. Back on board our cruiser, we have lunch and then proceed to Luxor via Esna Lock. In the evening, we enjoy a visit to Karnak’s ‘City of Temples’, probably the ancient world’s largest remaining religious site, with structures dating back 4,000 years. We visit the illuminated Luxor Temple later.

Day Seven | Luxor Today we discover the Colossi of Memnon and then, at nearby Deir el-Bahari, we visit the impressive colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, mortuary temple of the only female pharaoh. Next, we visit the Valley of the Kings. Only a selection of the tombs are open to the public and we visit a number of them, including the elaborately decorated tomb of Seti I. Later, we head to Karnak and explore the immense sanctuary of the sun-deity, Amun-Re. Day Eight | Luxor - Nag Hammadi Sail from Luxor towards Qena, disembarking so that we can drive to the site of Abydos – one of the oldest cities in ancient Egypt and notable for its temple of Seti I. From here, it’s on to Dendera, which is home to a temple complex whose main feature is the wellpreserved Temple of Hathor – goddess of love, music and wine. The ceiling boasts an incredible plaster cast of the Zodiac of Dendera.

Dinner is held back on board our ship and later we travel onwards to Nag Hammadi.

Day Nine | Nag Hammadi - Sohag Today we head towards Sohag via Abu Homar’s Lock, visiting the Red and White Coptic Monasteries en route. Built from remnants of Pharaonic temples, these monasteries showcase truly incredible murals.

Day Ten | Sohag - Assuit Our morning is spent relaxing aboard the ship as we sail towards Tel el Amarna, cruising through Assuit’s Lock as we go. After lunch, we visit the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary – known as the Burnt Monastery – which lies on the path of the flight of the Holy Family in Egypt.

Day Eleven | Assuit - Tel el-Amarna Today we sail to Tel el-Amarna, thought to be the most significant city site that survives from ancient Egypt. We visit the tombs of important figures such as Ahmose I, Pentu and Meryre, and we visit the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the foundations of the Great Palace of King Akhenaten and also the Small and Great Temples of Aten.

Day Twelve | Tel el-Amarna - Minya Visit the west bank of the Nile today, touring Tuna el-Gebel and the ruins of a major Egyptian city, El-Ashmunein. We also visit a section of the 39 stone-cut tombs of Beni Hasan on the Nile’s east bank.

Day Thirteen | Minya - Beni Suef Sailing to Beni Suef, we begin at the Pyramid of Meidum. Next, we continue to the Pyramid of Amenemhat III, which is 48 metres tall and is coated in limestone.

Day Fourteen | Beni Suef - Cairo We sail from Beni Suef to Cairo, which offers a chance to relax before the city’s bustle and chaos descends.

Day Fifteen | Cairo Today we move forward in time and visit the only two surviving representatives of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the three Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. We tour nearby Memphis and the necropolis of Sakkara, where we visit the museum and see the 3rd Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser’s distinctive Step Pyramid complex. We also see the smooth-sided Pyramid of Teti.

Day Sixteen | Cairo This morning, we visit the Citadel – the medieval Islamic stronghold of Salah el-Din. After lunch, we explore The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and walk through the vibrant Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. A farewell meal follows this evening.

Day Seventeen | Cairo - London Today we depart Cairo for our early morning return flight to London.

Guided by Dr Elizabeth Bloxam Elizabeth is currently Visiting Professor of Egyptology at North East Normal University, Changchun in China.

Price includes

Accommodation

• Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • Field Notes • All taxes & gratuities

• Accommodation at Le Méridien Cairo Airport, Mövenpick Hotel Aswan & MS Tamr Henna

Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport

Culinary inclusions • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 15 dinners (plus 1 snack in hotel room due to late arrival) • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person Date

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

25th Apr - 11th May

£7,075

£995

29th Aug - 14th Sep

£7,075

£995

Image: MS Tamr Henna

Ship Information MS Tamr Henna The MS Tamr Henna has four different cabins available: Standard cabin (pricing show is based on this cabin type), jacuzzi suites, royal suites and executive suites, all of which have their own unique style. All cabins are fully air-conditioned, with either a large sliding window or balcony, safety deposit box, private bathroom, Satellite TV with in-house video channels, a hairdryer and mini-bar.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/aegc To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 17

GOLDEN AGE OF TRAVEL: EGYPT

The luxury and romance of a bygone era 12 Days

From £8,995pp SAVE UP TO £500

Departing December

This Egypt itinerary takes in all the unmissable highlights in peerless style. Luxuriate in the surroundings of the iconic Mena House, Old Winter Palace and Old Cataract hotels and a fine Nile cruise vessel, celebrate the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, and marvel at breathtaking monuments that attest to the glory of an extraordinary ancient civilisation.

Activity Level

Giza Saqqara

Cairo Memphis

Tour Highlights • In the centenary year of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, visit the tomb itself along with Howard Carter’s house in Luxor, and marvel at the glittering funerary treasure that forms the centrepiece of the new Grand Egyptian Museum • Follow in the footsteps of writers, travellers, film stars and royalty with stays in iconic hotels, and appreciate the romance of a classic Nile cruise • Visit the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, painstakingly relocated stone-bystone in the 1960s to avoid being submerged by the waters of Lake Nasser

18 To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074

Luxor Kom Ombo Aswan

Edfu Philae

Abu Simbel

Image: River Nile

Day One | London - Cairo - Giza We fly to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, and upon arrival we transfer to Giza and our hotel, the Marriott Mena House. This historic property, overlooking the Pyramids, was once a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill.

Day Two | Giza We start our day at the Pyramids of Giza, last surviving wonder of the ancient world. Nearby, the mighty Sphinx looks on, its inscrutable nature perfectly in keeping with intense speculation about its age. After lunch we visit the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum, which will beautifully display thousands of artistic treasures of ancient Egypt, including the breathtaking funerary treasure of the boy-pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Day Three | Memphis & Saqqara Amongst other interesting features, the necropolis of Saqqara presents a fascinating timeline of pyramid development, with the so-called ‘Step Pyramid’ revealing techniques that would eventually be perfected on a massive scale at Giza. After lunch we proceed to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt. Its scattered ruins now comprise an open-air museum and particularly impressive is a huge statue of Ramses II. Day Four | Giza - Cairo - Luxor A short flight from Cairo takes us to Luxor, site of the famous city of Thebes. We arrive in time for lunch and a visit to the excellent Luxor Museum, home to a well-chosen and engagingly displayed collection of local masterworks before settling in at the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor. A Nile-side oasis of colonial charm, this hotel is where Howard Carter announced the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Day Five | Luxor Today we plan to view the silent sentinels known as the Colossi of Memnon, explore Howard Carter’s House and descend into a selection of tombs in the Valley of the Kings necropolis.

Tutankhamun’s Tomb is an essential visit in this centenary year, but rather small and plain compared to others we see, which are richly and colourfully decorated with hieroglyphs.

Day Six | Luxor A second day of West Bank exploration includes the Valley of the Queens, where the wives of the pharaohs were laid to rest in splendid surroundings, and the graceful Temple of Hatshepsut, one of a handful of female rulers of ancient Egypt. We also visit the mortuary temple of Ramses II, the Ramesseum, whose fallen statues reputedly inspired Shelley’s great sonnet Ozymandias. Later, in the afternoon, we board the luxurious Nile cruise vessel, the S/S Misr.

Day Seven | Luxor - Edfu Our Nile cruise programme begins with the imposing Luxor Temple, which has been in almost continuous use as a place of worship for more than 3,000 years, and the awe-inspiring temple complex of Karnak, the largest ancient religious site in the world, comprising immense pylons and obelisks, tranquil lakes and a mesmerising Hypostyle Hall of 134 soaring columns set out perfectly geometrically and adorned with exquisite hieroglyphs. We set sail along the Nile at lunchtime.

Day Eight | Edfu - Kom Ombo The atmospheric Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples of ancient Egypt, dates to the Ptolemaic period, around 100 BC. Look out for the ancient Nilometer, which measured the level of the river’s waters and helped predict the year’s harvest. In the afternoon we sail on to the enthralling Greco-Roman twin temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the falcon-headed Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god.

Day Nine | Philae - Aswan The Temple of Philae, ancient centre of the cult of Isis, beguiles visitors not least for its idyllic island setting. This visit marks our arrival in the Nubian city of Aswan, and this afternoon we wander the Botanical Gardens that cover Kitchener’s Island, home to hundreds of species of trees and flowering plants.

Day Ten | Aswan We disembark our cruise vessel and check in at another very special colonial-era hotel, the Old Cataract, notable for its association with Agatha Christie, who wrote Death on the Nile during a stay here. This morning we visit the Aswan High Dam, an impressive engineering achievement, albeit one that threatened ancient wonders with submersion; and the Unfinished Obelisk, which would have been the largest in history had it not been abandoned. Our afternoon will be spent at leisure.

Day Eleven | Abu Simbel - Aswan We travel to the far south of Egypt and the temples of Abu Simbel.

They would have been forever lost beneath the waters of Lake Nasser were it not for the amazing salvage work, dismantling and rebuilding stone-by-stone 60 metres up the cliff. The Temple of Ramses II is a fitting tribute to that pharaoh’s power and ambition, iconic for its four 20-metre-high statues, but impressive too in its many halls and chapels. The smaller Temple of Hathor is another rock-hewn masterpiece. On our return to Aswan the afternoon is ours to relax before enjoying farewell cocktails and dinner later on.

Day Twelve | Aswan - Cairo - London We bid farewell to the Old Cataract Hotel and transfer to Aswan airport for our flight home to London via Cairo.

Guided by Lucia Gahlin A specialist in the archaeology of ancient Egypt, Lucia has been leading tours to this country for over 20 years.

Price includes • • • •

Expert Andante Travels Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager Entries to all sites as per the itinerary Field Notes All taxes & gratuities

Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport

Accommodation • Accommodation at the Marriott Mena House Hotel, Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, SS Misr & Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel

Culinary inclusions • 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 10 dinners (plus a light supper in hotel room due to late arrival) • Water with all meals and tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person Date

Twin/Dbl Share

SS

7th - 18th Dec

£9,495 £8,995

£2,375

• Premium-view package (Pyramids-view (Cairo) and Nile-view (Luxor & Aswan) - £300 per room supplement (subject to availability)) • Cruise suite upgrade - £2,500 per suite supplement based on a Senior Suite (subject to availability)

Image: Marriott Mena House Hotel

Ship Information SS Misr The SS Misr is a 5-star luxury Nile steamer which offers 16 cabins and eight suites along with a luxurious bar and lounge, restaurant, and a large sun deck with a swimming pool. All cabins and suites feature a private balcony overlooking the breath-taking view of the Nile. They are fully equipped with a private bathroom, air-conditioning, hairdryer, minibar, satellite TV, internal telephone and safe deposit box.

For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/aega

To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 237 074 19

Scenic Scotland | UK & Ireland Gardens | Overseas Gardens | Archaeology Our sister company, Brightwater Holidays, also offers a glorious selection of cruises that combine the charm of water-based touring with visits to some of Europe’s most beautiful gardens. Sail along this continent’s most renowned rivers aboard comfortable ships on award-winning holidays that offer exceptional value for money.

Amiens

MS Loire Princesse ©CroisiEurope

Picardy Gardens Cruise

Castles and Gardens of the Loire

Cruise silently along the waterways of the Somme on board an eco-friendly, electrically powered barge. This holiday includes three half-day cruises, with the rest of the time spent exploring our host city of Amiens and visiting some of the region’s most outstanding gardens. Discover Moulin Venton with its host of water features, the unique floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages, and Maizicourt, recently voted the best garden in Picardy by French TV viewers.

The châteaux and gardens of the Loire Valley in France are justly famous for their fairytale architecture and formal splendour. We are delighted to offer the opportunity to tour iconic sites while enjoying all the pleasures of river cruising. On board the MS Loire Princesse, expect refined French cuisine with drinks included, along with a personal welcome from Captain and crew. Highlights include Château de Villandry, Château d’Ussé and the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau.

Keukenhof Gardens

Floriade & a Dutch Bulbfields Cuise

Enjoy a riot of colour among the beautiful bulbfields of Holland.

For vibrancy, colour and serious charm, nothing quite compares to the sight of not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of flowering bulbs, carpeting the fields in a radiant vision of patterns and patchwork. In 2022 we will also visit Floriade, one of the premier events of the horticultural world that takes place just once every 10 years. In addition to Keukenhof and Floriade, we will also visit the Museum van Loon, Rubens House and Antwerp’s Botanic Garden.

Zaanse Schans

Floriade & A Summer River Cruise

Combine a visit to Floriade with a leisurely cruise along the waterways and rivers of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, visiting a host of historic gardens and fascinating museums. We sail aboard the A-ROSA AQUA, a spacious and well-equipped river cruise ship. Highlights on this eight-day holiday include the historic and iconic windmills at Zaanse Schans, a walking tour of the Hanseatic city of Nijmegen, a chance to see works of art by Van Eyck and Rubens, and a stunning collection of historic gardens in Ghent, Antwerp and more.

FOR OUR BROCHURE, OR MORE INFORMATION, CALL OUR TRAVEL EXPERTS 01334 208 005 | INFO@BRIGHTWATERHOLIDAYS.COM | WWW.BRIGHTWATERHOLIDAYS.COM