2020 BROCHURE Intelligent, expert-led tours worldwide Outstanding new tours including Algeria and Sri Lanka • January special offers
Upgrades you’ll love
when you fly British Airways Expect excellence as standard when you fly British Airways, with comfortable seating and M&S snacks to purchase on shorthaul services. Longhaul flights include a generous baggage allowance and tasty complimentary meals. Special occasion? Upgrading your flight helps you start your journey in style.
Club Europe For a flight filled with plenty of perks, choose Club Europe for an enhanced experience on your shorthaul flight. You’ll benefit from an additional baggage allowance of two 32kg checked bags, a guaranteed window or aisle seat and complimentary meals and refreshments.
Club World Club World offers an exclusive longhaul journey with extras like lounge access, indulgent dining and a seat that transforms into a fully flat bed to pamper you throughout. You’ll even enjoy luxury bedding and amenities by The White Company. British Airways Club Suite is available on selected aircraft, boasting additional comforts such as a sliding door and direct aisle access on every seat.
To book your upgrades, please contact our Customer Care department 01722 237005 2 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
A380 aircraft pictured, serving selected longhaul routes. Cabins pictured are Club Europe (above) and Club Suite (below).
Welcome to Andante Dear Traveller, Can you believe it’s that time of year again when our second edition brochure drops on your doormat? It’s something of a bumper edition this time, as we have a selection of brand new tour experiences on offer for 2020, ranging from Mediterranean ocean cruises to immersive far-flung adventures that are lighter on archaeology, in favour of a greater focus on heritage and culture. What’s more, we’ve been bold with our destinations for 2020 welcoming back the likes of Algeria, Sri Lanka and Russia, and we are excited to be returning to Lebanon. If you’re an adventurous traveller – and we’re sure you are – there will be something for you among the following pages. As you’ll know, our 35th anniversary is ongoing again this year and we’ve enjoyed a great start to it – in 2019, we were shortlisted in the South Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards, we won two prizes at the Luxury Lifestyle Magazine’s Readers’ Travel Awards, we finished in the Top 20 of the Best Educational Tour Company category in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Images left to right: Petra by candlelight
Awards, and our very own Dr Eireann Marshall was crowned Top History & Culture Guide by Wanderlust magazine at its World Guide Awards. Finally, at the end of November, we learned that we had won two prizes at the prestigious British Travel Awards. We brought home silver for Best Special Interest Holiday Company and bronze for Best Holiday Company to the Italian Peninsula. What a year! 2020 is set to be another one for the books – and not just for us, but for you as well! Everyone who books a tour during the month of January will automatically be entered into our grand prize draw to win a place on one of our Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania tours. We also have our 35th anniversary photo competition, which will come to an end in July with “people” as the final theme and each month offers the prize of a £50 Amazon gift card. And, finally, our January sale. There really is no better time to book your next holiday because we are offering you up to £200 off when you pay in full, or a low deposit from just £199 per person. So, whichever Andate adventure you choose, we can’t wait to welcome you on tour in 2020.
Contents All about Andante
Which Andante tour is right for you?..............pg 4 New for 2020......................................................pg 6 Award-winning holidays and offers................pg 8 Celebrating 35 years.......................................pg 10 Holiday Extras..................................................pg 12 FAQs and how to book.....................................pg 14 Meet our team of experts............................ pg 186 Calendar......................................................... pg 192 Tours
Oberammergau................................................pg 16 Worldwide escorted tours............................. pg 24 Cultural Journeys......................................... pg 140 River cruise.................................................... pg 160 Ocean cruise.................................................. pg 166 Bare Bones......................................................pg 174 European food holidays................................ pg 180 01772 650 051 3
Which ANDANTE tour is right for you? From countless opportunities to travel with renowned experts in archaeology to ancient world cruise voyages, and from cultural adventures in far-flung destinations to shorter, more affordable archaeological escapes – we are sure to have something for you. Andante offers a range of holidays that caters to a variety of budgets and interests alike, which enable you to choose an experience that suits you. Why? Well, because we understand that every traveller is an individual and there is no such thing as ‘one tour fits all’.
Delve deeper into the world of archaeology If archaeology and history are passions of yours, we recommend our classic escorted group tours. Designed and led by experts, the itineraries can take you to some of the most iconic sites in the world as well as those considered to be lesser-known. From the incredible temples at Baalbek in Lebanon and the much-discussed ancient site of Troy, to the legendary Pompeii and even Egypt – the choices are endless. What’s more, our escorted group tours are all led by revered guide lecturers, meaning you’ll get first-hand expert insight throughout. • We include return flights from London on all of our escorted group tours • Some of these departures feature special access to excavations sites, museums and ruins – experiences that aren’t open to general tourists • You’ll travel in the company of a leading expert, meaning that visits to sites will ultimately be more immersive, interesting and memorable • Ahead of your tour with us, you’ll receive an interesting booklet of field notes See tours from page 24
4 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Images left to right: Abu Simbel, Knossos Palace, Machu Picchu, Peru & Umayyad Palace
Travel by water
For an added touch of charm, why not consider a cruise for your next archaeological adventure? For a smaller, more intimate experience, we recommend a river cruise. Our partner for these tours is A-ROSA River Cruises and their vessels are perfect for winding your way along the Rhine, Rhône and Danube, in search of ancient treasures and historic ports. If you’re looking for a Mediterranean escape, treat yourself to an ocean cruise. Aboard a charming small ship, the experience will feel just as personal and tailored to you as our river cruises!
• Discover both the archaeological and historic highlights of the Rhône, Danube and Rhine rivers on a memorable cruise aboard the A-ROSA Aqua, Donna or Stella in 2020 • For ocean cruising, hop aboard small ships M/S Princess Aloha, M/S Equator or M/S Panorama and explore either the Dalmatian Islands or Greece
See tours from page 160
Surround yourself with culture
Perhaps you’re looking for a holiday that’s lighter on the archaeology, but heavier on the culture? If so, our Cultural Journeys range is for you. Created to showcase each destination’s true heart through immersive experiences, personal encounters with local people and visits to sites that can put your chosen locations into both social and historic contexts, these are enriching travel experiences that will linger in the memory long after you return home and can help shape your world view. From Brazil and Greenland, to Nepal and Costa Rica, discover more about our wonderful world on one of these tours. See tours from page 140
How about a back-to-basics approach?
If it’s an ancient-world adventure you’re after, but you simply don’t have the time or budget for one of our fuller-bodied tours, our Bare Bones collection would be a perfect fit. Return flights from London are still included, but you’ll travel around in the company of a local guide rather than one of our guide lecturers, and there will be more free time as well as flexibility to choose your own dining experiences, with fewer meals included. A 5-day trip to the amazing site of Pompeii, a 6-day journey to the site of ancient Troy, or a chance to delve into the stories of the Minoans on a short Greek break all await with Bare Bones. See tours from page 174
archaeological tours If you're looking for ancient-world adventures that are longer than our typical 7-10 day tours, we'd like to introduce you to our sister company, Archaeological Tours. Offering in-depth archaeological explorations led by renowned expert scholars, their specially designed tours range from 12-20 days, and showcase phenomenal sites both iconic and lesser known in all corners of the globe.
Look out for our sister company
For more information about our tours visit: andantetravels.com or call a member of our team today: 01772 650 051 Images left to right: M/S Equator sailing on the Adriatic Sea, Nepalese man in Kathmandu & the Colosseum in Rome
01772 650 051 5
New for 2020 One of the best things about travel is that no two years are the same. Places that may have been off-limits once again open to travellers or a destination may rise from obscurity, making it easier to visit in the future. 2020 is no exception as we have a selection of brand new tours on offer that visit amazing places, including Russia, Sri Lanka and Algeria.
6 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
EA RS 9Y ER AF T RE TU RN S
ALGERIA
RUSSIA
Discover Roman Mauretania
An epic journey into history and archaeology
Still considered one of the least-visited countries in the world, access to Algeria’s romantically ruined Classical cities is now easier than it has been for some years – so there is no better time to explore this country. Its sites are a palimpsest of Numidian, Byzantine and Roman remains, and include one of the best-preserved colonies anywhere in the Empire – the incredible Timgad.
The vast country of Russia, once home to the Tsars, is rich in both history and culture. On this tour, experience the glories of its present-day capital of Moscow as well as its former imperial capital, St. Petersburg. There will also be a visit to the charming town of Novgorod and time to pore over finds at the Hermitage, from the prehistoric through to the Soviet past.
SRI LANKA UNESCO monuments and spiritual sites await It’s time to return to magical Sri Lanka. On this trip, learn more about one of the earliest great Buddhist kingdoms, explore ethereal temples, visit dagoba shrines, and observe amazing endemic wildlife. Landmark UNESCO monuments, ancient ruins that tell stories of the island’s past civilisations and cultures, and truly breathtaking landscapes await discovery on this tour.
Also new for 2020 • 9 culture-rich tours, taking you from Nepal to Peru, pg 140 • A brand new range of European River Cruises, pg 160 • Journey to Croatia and Greece with our new small-ship Ocean Cruises, pg 166
• Explore Falco’s Britannia with novelist Lindsey Davis, pg 30 • Travel to Troy or Florence with our Bare Bones tours, pg 174 • Watch the once-per-decade Oberammergau Passion Play on one of our Short Breaks, pg 16
For more information about our tours visit: andantetravels.com or call a member of our team today: 01772 650 051 Images left to right: St. Basil's Cathedral, Arch of Caracalla at Djemila, Nativity Cathedral and the bell tower Kremlin & Sigiriya Rock
01772 650 051 7
Award-winning Andante holidays
Winners at the British Travel Awards
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine award-winners
In November 2019, we were delighted to win two prizes at the prestigious British Travel Awards – for the second year running! We brought home silver for Best Special Interest Holiday Company and bronze for Best Holiday Company to the Italian Peninsula – all thanks to you, our valued and intrepid travellers!
Last year, Andante Travels made the finals of the Luxury Lifestyle Magazine Readers’ Travel Awards, thanks to the support of its readers. We were crowned winners of Best Specialist Tour Operator and Best Escorted Tour Operator.
Finalists in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the Best Educational Tour Company prize A few months ago, we were delighted to learn that Andante Travels was named a finalist in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. We were shortlisted for the Best Educational Tour Company prize, something that came as a fabulous surprise ahead of our 35th anniversary year!
8 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Two special offers for you in January Why not get your year off to a fantastic start by treating yourself to a place on tour? If you book before the end of January, you can enjoy one of our special offers! Save up to £200pp on selected tours when you pay for your trip in full or take advantage of our £199 low deposit – the choice is yours.
SAVE UP TO £200 when you pay in full OR
LOW DEPOSIT FROM £99
to make booking easier For full T&Cs, visit andantetravels.com/latest-offers Isola Bella island
We are proud to be a Feefo gold trusted service award-winner 2019 “Experiencing History” Andante offers a complete service with well-described tours, accurate in terms of information. The expertise that accompanies the tours is good and, together with a tour manager, they provide a complete and much appreciated service. For those who enjoy learning and experiencing history, they are unparalleled together with the reassurance that meals are catered for making the learning experience more enjoyable and a recognised priority. People have to be prepared to move around and be reasonably fit. I would recommend them with confidence to people willing to extend their knowledge and experience history. I would love to travel with them again – as a solo passenger, I did not feel out of place or discriminated against as happens on some tours.
“Something for every one on every level” The quality of expertise offered by their guides, the choices of sites and the professionalism at every level make Andante well worth it.
“Experience the extraordinary with Andante” A fantastic tour operator if you want to travel off the beaten track. The guide lecturers I have had have been knowledgeable, approachable and great company. The tour managers are well organised and professional. There is always a local guide when exploring exotic places and I have felt safe and well cared for.
Meet Wanderlust's Top History & Culture Guide of 2019, our very own expert guide lecturer, Dr Eireann Marshall Dr Eireann Marshall, one of Andante’s longest-running and most popular tour guides, has been crowned Wanderlust magazine’s Top History & Culture Guide at its 2019 World Guide Awards. To read the full story visit andantetravels.com/worldguideawards
01772 650 051 9
Celebrating 35 years of intelligent travel Here at Andante, we understand that our guests are more intrepid travellers than mere observers, which keeps us on our toes where finding exciting new destinations to explore is concerned. 2020 is no exception. We’ve scoured the ancient world to seek out sites worth visiting and stories worth telling, and we are confident that the collection of tours on offer for the new year will enlighten, surprise and enchant. We’re particularly looking forward to inviting you on tour in Algeria, home to some of the most awe-inspiring Roman remains you’re likely to encounter. What’s more, the fact that this country is still considered to be somewhat off the beaten track means that you’ll get to explore its sites almost in complete solitude as there won’t be the hordes of tourists you’ll find at other, more iconic archaeological hotspots. We will also be returning to Lebanon, where the magnificent temples at Baalbek await, and we have other interesting destinations on offer, which range from Oman and Ethiopia to Belize and Armenia. It’s our passion to create itineraries that showcase some of history’s greatest monuments, from those known the world over to the ones that have slipped under the radar, and to unravel the tales that surround them. Experiencing these archaeological wonders in the company of a renowned expert is a transcendent way to travel. There is, quite simply, no better way to ‘do’ an archaeological holiday. Their unrivalled knowledge, personal insights and ability to educate in ways that both involve and entertain the guest mean that you’ll be in the best possible position to get the most out of your ancient world tour – and we can’t wait to welcome you.
BOOK A TOUR IN JANUARY & YOU COULD WIN A TRIP TO POMPEII IN 2020
Our number ONE departure – Pompeii One of our most popular and longest-running tours is Pompeii. A bucket-list site for many, this is one that changes almost with the seasons as new discoveries are often being made or new villas are being opened up to the public. Our 2020 departures will be extra special because we’ve secured private access to the Theatre of Herculaneum, the Cave of Sejanus and the Paestum store rooms.
10 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
LEBRATING CE
35 Years
“Andante is a logical choice for the intelligent traveller if they are interested in touring the remote past, mixed in with a little bit of the present. Archaeology should be exciting and thrilling, a real adventure for everybody to follow through.” - Oliver Gilkes
For full T&Cs, visit andantetravels.com/latest-offers
Our oldest tour – Journey Through Wessex First taking place 35 years ago, back in 1985, this was Andante Travels’ inaugural tour. With our offices based in Wessex, this itinerary made perfect sense as we have myriad archaeological and historical sites on our doorstep. From the mighty monoliths of Stonehenge and Salisbury’s incredible cathedral, to the breathtaking mosaics housed within Fishbourne Roman Palace and the Neolithic henge at Avebury – this week-long tour takes it all in. Join Wessex archaeology expert Mark Corney on this, our hometown tour.
On the rise Serbia & Albania One of the hottest trends for 2020 travel is to make a beeline for destinations that may be considered somewhat under the radar. Some of the most talked about just happen to be part of our tour range for the new year, and we would be delighted to have you join us there. So, where are we talking about? Well, places on the rise are Serbia and Albania – both of which you can explore with Andante and in the company of our experts. Trust us, these countries won’t stay lesser-visited for long – they’re truly set to bloom.
Sensational value – Tunisia The superpowers of Carthage and Rome clashed in three Punic Wars that determined the course of Western history. Join us in Tunisia and visit the UNESCO-listed Dougga and Kairouan, the Bardo and Sousse museums, the El Djem amphitheatre, and – new for our 2020 dates – Bulla Regia.
Rated 5* by our guests – Classical Sicily The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily arguably has the richest history of any region in Italy, ranging from the Phoenicians to the Normans, and even the Greeks. This trip showcases the wonderful monuments from all the cultures which found their homes on the island.
Images left to right: Ruins of Pompeii, Stonehenge, Medieval fortress in Golubac, ancient site of Dougga & the Atacama Desert
01772 650 051 11
Start your holiday early. We’ve helped millions of customers travel essential extras that every traveller needs for less hassle and more holiday:
12
Less hassle. More holiday.
Airport hotels
Airport parking
Airport lounges
Book an airport hotel for
With a wide range of parking options to choose from, free transfers and Park Mark approved car parks, you know your car will be in safe hands.
Enjoy the VIP treatment and avoid the hassle of the airport terminal with complimentary drinks and snacks in an airport lounge.
and wake up minutes from the terminal feeling relaxed and ready to start your tour.
Call Andante Travels to book: 01722 671 138
13
Frequently asked questions What level of knowledge do I need? The honest answer? None at all! All you need to enjoy a holiday with Andante Travels is enthusiasm. People with a wide range of experience – from experts and amateurs, to the merely curious – come on tours with us. They are suited to all interest levels.
Are Andante’s tours suitable for solo travellers? Absolutely! We have single places available on all of our tours and these are very popular – often being the first to fill. Many long-lasting friendships have been formed on our tours over the past 35 years and solo guests often return year after year to travel once again with the new friends they’ve made.
Will there be opportunities to experience local culture? Of course. We do our very best to give you everything a country has to offer because part of travelling is to delve into the local way of life. Where we can, we will take you to a local festival or market, or offer you an invitation to a working excavation site.
Can different flights be arranged for me? Certainly. If you wish to fly out early or stay on for a few days after your tour ends, we can help book your flights to suit your needs. We do charge an administration fee for this service and there may be a supplement for private transfers. To find out more, just call our friendly sales team who are happy to advise.
Do you accept late bookings? We understand that the thrill of travel can take hold at any moment so yes, of course we do! However, we always recommend booking as early as possible to ensure the best price for your trip (and to make sure you don’t miss out, of course). Our sales consultants are always happy to help with late availability.
How much spending money will I need? We include as much as possible on our tours, so you shouldn’t need much extra money. However, if your departure includes free time or independent meals, you’ll need to consider currency to cover these. What’s more, there might also be optional excursions on offer and you may find a souvenir or two to buy.
Will a member of staff be on hand to help at all times? We can assure you that when you travel with us, you’ll be looked after round the clock. In the event of an emergency, Andante staff will be on hand to help you both on tour and from our office in the UK. We are experts in dealing with the unexpected – trust us – and we will provide you with a 24-hour emergency number when you head off on one of our tours.
What kind of person typically takes an Andante tour? On an Andante Travels tour, the company is never dull! Our travellers are interesting, intelligent people who lead all kinds of lives. We aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere so that you feel comfortable – as if you’re travelling with friends. After all, if you like this sort of holiday, you’ll be relieved to know your fellow travellers do, too!
14 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
What are meals generally like on Andante Travels tours? Local cuisine is something we aim to showcase on our tours as it can tell you a lot about the history and culture of your chosen destination. Wherever possible, we dine in local restaurants.
What’s included in the price of a tour? As mentioned before, we try to include as much as possible so that all you need to do is turn up and enjoy the experience. Accommodation, return flights and entry fees to all sites listed in each programme will be included as standard, as will most meals as per each itinerary.
How about financial protection? Am I covered? Our holidays are all fully bonded and protected via ATOL (for flight-based holidays) or ABTOT (non-flight holidays).
Are tours operated by Andante Travels sustainable? We work hard to ensure that our visits positively impact the ancient places we visit. We’ve been awarded AITO’s top 5* rating when it comes to sustainable and responsible travel.
What are your opening hours? We are open 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
Ratings explained We have designed a grading system to help you understand how strenuous or relaxed your tour is likely to be. The levels are determined by components that make up a tour, such as the distance and terrain walked, the driving distances covered and each day’s length. Activity Level
Level 1 - Gentle A tour that is determined as gentle will have a relaxed pace, with little walking and less exertion where travel and day length are concerned.
Level 2 - Light On light tours, anticipate mild walking with a mostly relaxed pace. There will be more visits and travelling than on our gentle tours, but not by much.
Level 3 - Moderate A decent level of fitness is required for our moderate tours. There could be walking between sites, more standing and travelling to encounter.
Level 4 - Active If you choose an active tour, come prepared for longer days – and ones that fit more in. More walking, bigger distances covered and more energy!
Level 5 - Challenging For challenging tours, you’ll need to be physically fit. Days could include long drives, hikes and multiple visits, meaning they’ll be lengthy and tiring.
How to book If you are already interested in joining one of our tours and want to know more, please do give our sales team a call today.
If you have already booked a place on one of tours and require further information, please contact our Customer Care team.
Call today: 01772 650 051
Call today: 01722 237005
Alternatively, all of our trips are available to book
Visit our website: andantetravels.com
Images left to right: Moai on Easter Island, Pyramid of Giza, Jinji Lake in Suzhou & the menhir of Er Grah in Brittany
01772 650 051 15
The once-a-decade OBERAMMERGAU Passion Play 2020 In 1633, citizens in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau were struck by the deadly plague. They decided to make a promise to God that if no more lives were cut short by the disease, they would get together every 10 years to re-enact His life, suffering, death, and subsequent resurrection. Miraculously, the villagers’ lives were spared and so, a year later in 1634, the once-per-decade Passion Play of Oberammergau saw its inaugural performance. 2020 marks the 42nd performance of this legendary event and it truly is a bucket-list worthy experience. Don’t miss your chance to witness this iconic spectacle.
What’s included in a tour? Return flights from London The support of an experienced tour manager The services of an expert guide lecturer on tours except the Short Break option Comfortable coach travel throughout Meals as per the individual itineraries Hand-picked accommodation throughout your tour Entries to all sites in the itinerary and tips throughout Tickets to the Passion Play itself, see individual itineraries for category type
“It’s not often that you find such a famous and longstanding tradition in such a small village like Oberammergau - it truly is so special to be part of the play.” Frederik Mayet - plays the role of Jesus in the 2020 Passion Play.
16 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Images left to right: Traditional houses in Oberammergau, ©Oberammergau Passion Play
Over 2000 citizens take part in the performance, despite the fact there are only 124 speaking roles
Contents
A Short Break in Oberammergau........................................................ pg 18 The most compact and affordable way to experience the Passion Play as part of a group, which also includes a visit to the awe-inspiring Neuschwanstein Castle. Oberammergau & the Dream Castles of Bavaria.......................... pg 19 Witness the once-per-decade Oberammergau Passion Play alongside visits to some truly stunning castles in beautiful Bavaria. Oberammergau, Munich & Salzburg................................................. pg 20 Tour Nymphenburg Palace, dine at the famous Hofbräuhaus and sit in the audience as the iconic Passion Play unfolds.
Oberammergau & the Southern Limes............................................. pg 22 Along with experiencing the Passion Play, visit the monuments of imperial Trier, walk along the southern Limes and more. Oberammergau & the Archaeology of Northern Italy................ pg 23 Go underground in Trento to discover the remains of Roman road, meet the mummified remains of Ötzi the Iceman and explore the ruins of the Caves of Catullus, all alongside watching the legendary Passion Play in the charming Bavarian village of Oberammergau.
For more information about our tours visit: andantetravels.com or call a member of our team today: 01772 650 051
Image: ©Oberammergau Passion Play
01772 650 051 17
Activity Level
SHORT BREAK IN OBERAMMERGAU
The most compact way to witness this legendary event 3 Days
From £995pp
Departing June & July 2020
For anyone wanting to experience the once-per-decade Oberammergau Passion Play as a standalone event – our short breaks are ideal. Fly into this memorable Bavarian village one day before the performance takes place so that there’s just enough time to explore its history and heritage as a destination, and then it’s show time. Tour Highlights • Category Two tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play on our August departure and Category Three tickets on all June and July departures • An included excursion to the world-renowned Neuschwanstein Castle, simply put, one of Ludwig II of Bavaria’s wildest Romantic fantasies • Time to explore the charming village of Oberammergau itself, which is known for its long-standing woodcarving tradition
Day One | Munich - London This morning we catch an early flight to Munich from London. Upon our arrival, we drive to our hotel located in the Oberammergau area. Tonight we will see our first group dinner take place and we can then return to our hotel for the remainder of the evening. Day Two | Oberammergau After breakfast, we have ample time to explore Oberammergau itself. A village known for its traditional woodcarvers, many of the shops here both display and sell the wares of these skilled craftspeople. Elsewhere, there is the fantastic Oberammergau Museum,
which showcase the area’s amazing carvings and tell the story of the Passion Play itself. Later, it’s the main event and we attend the legendary Passion Play. There is a lengthy threehour break between acts for dinner.
Day Three | Oberammergau - Munich London Breakfast this morning is sure to be abuzz with discussion following last night’s once-per-decade performance. Afterwards, we pack our bags and head to the airport, stopping en route at the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle. Upon arrival at Munich Airport, we catch our return flight back to London.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
17th Jun - 19th Jun
£995
£220
25th Jul - 27th Jul
£1,095
£220
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in the Oberammergau area* 2 breakfasts & 2 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
*Due to the demand of the Passion Play, we are unable to confirm the exact hotel for the night in the Oberammergau area. Please check our website for the most up to date information.
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/sho 18 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Images left to right: ©Oberammergau Passion Play, artwork in Oberammergau & the Benedictine abbey
Worldwide
Activity Level
OBERAMMERGAU & THE DREAM CASTLES OF BAVARIA
Delve into the architecture of this German region with visits to its castles 6 Days
From £2,150pp
Departing 4th - 9th June 2020
European travel experiences simply don’t come more memorable and iconic than the Oberammergau Passion Play. Held just once per decade, this epic performance is something that should be on every keen traveller’s bucket list. This exclusive itinerary combines the spectacle and drama of the play itself with a whirlwind tour of Bavaria’s incredible fairytale castles. Tour Highlights • Witness the once-per-decade Oberammergau Passion Play with Category One tickets to the event included
Munich
• Visit Herrenchiemsee Palace, Neuchswanstein Castle and Hohenschwangen
Chimesee
• Stay in majestic alpine surroundings in the lovely town of Füssen Füssen
Day One | London - Munich Depart from London on a direct flight to Munich. Upon arrival, we head to our hotel, stopping for lunch en route. Later, there’s an optional walking tour and dinner is at the Hofbräuhaus.
Day Five | Füssen Our day is dedicated to Ludwig’s crowning glory – the stunning castle of Neuschwanstein. The castle was the scene of Ludwig’s arrest in 1886. We spend our afternoon here.
Day Two | Munich We drive to Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, this morning. Here, we visit Herrenchiemsee Palace, known as the Bavarian Versailles. After lunch, there’s a chance to explore its grounds before free time in Munich.
Day Six | Munich - London After breakfast, we return to Munich via Castle Berg on the Starnbergersee. We pay our respects to King Ludwig II at his tomb in Munich’s St. Michael’s Church and then return home from the airport later.
Day Three | Munich - Oberammergau After a relaxing morning, we drive to Oberammergau and have lunch en route. We check in to our hotel and gather together this afternoon for our performance of the Passion Play. Day Four | Füssen Following our late night at the play, we begin the day at a relaxed pace and travel to Füssen, our home for the next two nights. En route, we visit Hohenschwangen, Ludwig’s childhood home, for a guided tour.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Oberammergau Bavarian Alps
Guided by Giles McDonogh An academically trained historian, Giles has written about the history of Frederick the Great
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
4th Jun - 9th Jun
£2,150
£495
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Munich, Oberammergau* & Füssen 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
*Due to the demand of the Passion Play, we are unable to confirm the exact hotel for the night in the Oberammergau area. Please check our website for the most up to date information.
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/obb Images left to right: Neuschwanstein Castle & Fraueninsel Island on Lake Chiemsee
01772 650 051 19
OBERAMMERGAU, MUNICH & SALZBURG
Sites of significance, architectural marvels and cultural encounters 6 Days
From £2,245pp
Departing June & July 2020
Activity Level
Taking place just once every decade, the incredible Passion Play of Oberammergau is a bucket-list event that is simply not to be missed. This tour not only includes Category Two tickets to the event itself, but it will take in an array of incredible sites in both Austria and Germany alike. Explore Nymphenburg Palace, dine at the Hofbräuhaus and wander Salzburg’s streets.
Nymphenburg Palace Munich Salzburg
Tour Highlights • Sit down to dinner at Munich’s famous Hofbräuhaus, which was mostly destroyed in the World War II bombings and was also frequented by Mozart • Category Two tickets to the iconic Passion Play of Oberammergau • Visit the stunning Nymphenburg Palace and its glorious gardens • Enjoy an 18th century-themed dinner concert at the St. Peter Monastery
20 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Oberammergau
Day One | London - Munich We fly from London to Munich and upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. After we have checked in, we have an orientation tour of this spectacular Bavarian city, where tradition and modernity sit side by side, like few places on earth. This evening we have a welcome dinner at the hotel. Day Two | Munich After breakfast this morning, we start our exploration of Munich, taking in the grandeur of the city centre. This afternoon, we have the chance to visit Nymphenburg Palace, which was once the main summer residence of the former rulers of Bavaria. The palace is of Baroque style and some rooms still show their original Baroque decoration. It is now one of the most famous sights in Munich and the gardens contain two lakes, canals, fountains and Pavilions. Tonight, we have dinner at the famous Hofbräuhaus, which dates back to the 16th century and was frequented by Mozart, who claimed his opera “Idomeneo” was written after a few visits to the Hofbräuhaus, fortifying him for the task! All rooms except the historic beer hall were destroyed in the Second World War bombings.
concert with a late 18th century theme, located in the candlelit surroundings of the St. Peter Monastery. The food we enjoy tonight will be from traditional 17th and 18th century recipes.
Day Six | Munich - London The final morning is free for you to explore at leisure or to simply relax at the hotel. We then transfer to the airport for our return flight to London this afternoon.
Day Three | Munich Our morning is dedicated to Munich’s magnificent Residenz, Germany’s largest city palace and official home of the royal Wittelsbach family. The first buildings here were erected in 1385 as a castle, and over time it was transformed by its rulers into a magnificent palace. It now contains 10 courtyards and over 100 rooms. Later, we drive through the beautiful scenery of the Bavarian Alps towards the tiny town of Oberammergau, home to the world famous Passion Play that takes place just once every ten years. We have dinner at our hotel later this evening. Day Four | Oberammergau Following a morning at leisure to soak up the atmosphere, we gather together to attend the legendary Passion Play. The play will be a unique and traditional experience, performed by the residents of Oberammergau. Dinner is included during the intermission. Each decade sees an adjustment to the play, which is influenced by the years that have passed in between. The play itself presents the Passion of Jesus Christ, from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, through his trial, crucifixion, resurrection and finally his Ascension. Day Five | Salzburg Today we move from Oberammergau to the storybook streets of Salzburg, a city with a rich, diverse history and influential music heritage. Our morning tour includes a visit to the Mozart Residence, which is where he lived from 1773-1780. Mozart composed many of his masterpieces here and it is now a museum that takes visitors on a journey through his life and works. Tonight, we enjoy a dinner
Barnaby Rayfield Barnaby has been a freelance music critic since 2010 and he currently works at the Royal Albert Hall.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
29th Jun - 4th Jul
£2,245
£495
11th - 16th Jul
£2,245
£495
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Munich, Oberammergau* & Füssen 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
*Due to the demand of the Passion Play, we are unable to confirm the exact hotel for the night in the Oberammergau area. Please check our website for the most up to date information.
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/obe Images left to right: the City of Salzburg, Nymphenburg Palace, Munich & Hofbrau
01772 650 051 21
Activity Level
OBERAMMERGAU & THE SOUTHERN LIMES Travel the length of the Roman frontier known as the Limes 9 Days
From £3,250pp
Departing 25th August - 2nd September 2020
Our journey begins in Trier on the River Mosel, the oldest city in Germany. It culminates in the spectacular depiction of the events of the crucifixion as portrayed by villagers-turned-actors in the once-per-decade Oberammergau Passion Play. In addition to witnessing this spectacle, investigate sites and museums along the longest artificial frontier of the Roman Empire. Tour Highlights • Discover the monuments of Imperial Trier, including the Porta Nigra city gate, the basilica and the audience hall of Constantine the Great • View the Aschaffenburg Pompejanum, an idealised 19th century vision of a Pompeiian house, built by Ludwig I of Bavaria
Rhineland Luxembourg
Mainz
Aschaffenburg Regensburg
• Enjoy Category One tickets to the legendary Oberammergau Passion Play
Oberammergau
Day One | London - Trier We fly into Luxembourg and transfer to our hotel in Trier, stopping en route at the funerary monument of Igel, Villa Nennig with its gladiator mosaic and the reconstruction of the Villa Borg. Day Two | Trier It’s our first day in Imperial Roman Trier and we visit the Porta Nigra, the Museum am Dom with its ceiling frescoes and Constantine’s Palace. Day Three | Trier Another day in Trier awaits, with a walk to the Rheinisches Landesmuseum. After lunch, we visit the Trier Imperial Baths and the amphitheatre. Day Four | Mainz We drive to Mainz today. We visit the Museum für Antike Schifffahrt and tour its reconstructions as well as excavated ships. En route, we see the Drusus Stone and aqueduct. Later, we visit the Isis Temple and cathedral. Day Five | Aalen Today we visit the Pompeiianum in Aschaffenburg and then it’s on to the 22 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Osterburken Roman Museum. Continue along the Limes to Aalen, stopping at the watchtower at Grosserlach-Grab.
Day Six | Regensburg A visit to the Aalen Limes Museum gets our day off to an interesting start and then it’s on to the archaeological park. Next, we visit the Weissenburg Roman Museum, the Roman baths and fort. From here, we drive on to Regensburg for our hotel and overnight stay. Day Seven | Oberammergau Leave the hotel on foot and walk to the Roman Fort Gate in Regensburg, where we continue along the line of the Roman fortress of Roman Castra Regina. From here, we make our way to Oberammergau and there is free time to relax and explore later. Day Eight | Oberammergau Today is the main event – the Passion Play. Our tickets are Category One and the performance will run from 1.30pm until 9.30pm, with a three-hour break. Day Nine | Munich - London We depart for the airport and fly home.
Guided by Tony Wilmott Senior Archaeologist with Historic England, Tony has directed numerous excavations.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
25th Aug - 2nd Sep
£3,250
£530
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation in Trier, Mainz, Aalen, Regensburg, the Oberammergau area* • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
*Due to the demand of the Passion Play, we are unable to confirm the exact hotel for the night in the Oberammergau area. Please check our website for the most up to date information.
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/obg Image: the High Cathedral of Trier
Worldwide
Activity Level
OBERAMMERGAU & THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF NORTHERN ITALY Discover sites that tell the stories of this region’s fascinating history 7 Days
From £2,595pp
Departing 13th - 19th June 2020
Spend seven glorious days discovering the history and archaeology of locations in both Italy and Germany, and watch a performance of the legendary Passion Play in Oberammergau. Visit historic Brescia, tour ruined Roman villas replete with mosaics, go underground to observe subterranean ruins, and pay a visit to the mummified remains of Ötzi the Iceman. Tour Highlights • Go underground in Trento to discover unique Roman remains
Munich Oberammergau
• Come face-to-face with Ötzi the Iceman at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, a mummified man who lived between 3400 and 3100 BC • Journey to the ‘pearl’ of Lake Garda – Sirmione – and explore the ruins of the Caves of Catullus
Bolzano Brescia Milan
Day One | London - Munich We fly from London to Munich and drive to our hotel, which is located in the Oberammergau area. Day Two | Oberammergau Today we bear witness to the once-per-decade spectacle that is the Oberammergau Passion Play. There will be an intermission for dinner. Day Three | Bolzano We depart for Bolzano in Italy’s north, stopping for lunch en route.
Day Six | Desenzano A morning journey to Desenzano, situated in the southwest corner of Lake Garda. Here, we view one of the best surviving villas of the late Roman age, along with its amazing mosaics. Later, we take a ferry to Sirmione and explore the Caves of Catullus. Day Seven | Milan - London We make our way back to the airport and catch a return flight to London.
Day Four | Bolzano South Tyrol’s Museum of Archaeology awaits, where we see the remains of Ötzi the Iceman. Stored in a cold cell, the mummy and his tools can be seen through a window. After lunch, we explore the Spazio Archaeologico Sotteraneo del SAS Tridentum. Dinner follows later on. Day Five | Brescia We drive to Brescia. Upon arrival, we visit the Romanesque Duomo Vecchio, the Santa Guilia Museum, and the UNESCO-listed Capitolium.
Images left to right: the Caves of Catullus & the harbour in Desenzano
Densenzano
Guided by Craig Alexander Craig developed a 3D scanner for rock art, which was tested and refined in Val Camonica.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
13th Jun - 19th Jun
£2,595
£500
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Oberammergau*, Bolzano and Brescia 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
*Due to the demand of the Passion Play, we are unable to confirm the exact hotel for the night in the Oberammergau area. Please check our website for the most up to date information.
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/obi 01772 650 051 23
Introducing our worldwide escorted tours If exploring the ancient world is something that appeals to you, but you want to do so both as part of a like-minded group of travellers and in the company of a renowned expert – someone whose knowledge and passion can bring the sites you visit to life in ways you couldn’t have dreamed were possible – our escorted group tours are for you. Follow an archaeologist onto a working excavation site (access that other tourists simply wouldn’t be granted), be led off the beaten path to a site you may not have found independently, and explore incredible ruins alongside an expert as they’re presented to you in a new light.
What’s included in a tour? Return flights from London to your chosen destination The support throughout of an experienced tour manager The services of an expert guide lecturer throughout your tour All local travel aboard a private air-conditioned coach Meals as per each individual itinerary All entries to sites visited throughout as well as all tips included A booklet of field notes, which illuminate the sites you’ll be visiting Hand-picked hotels throughout your stay
“Andante’s tour was wonderful, with knowledgeable, attentive guides who work very hard to please everyone and give as much information as possible. Many people on the tour had used Andante two, three or more times.” Trusted customer, 2019.
For more information about our tours visit: andantetravels.com or call a member of our team today: 01772 650 051 24 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
images left to right: Monastery at Meteora, the tombs of S’ena and Thomes in Sardinia, prehistoric cave art inside the Lascaux centre & the ruins of Dougga
United Kingdom & Ireland
Mary Anning & General Pitt Rivers.................................................... pg 26
Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik.......................................................... pg 72
Journey Through Wessex........................................................................ pg 28
Relaxed Split................................................................................................. pg 74
Britannia Prima.......................................................................................... pg 29
Serbia | Land of the Iron Emperors.................................................... pg 75
Falco’s Britannia with Lindsey Davis................................................. pg 30
Albania | Land of the Eagles.................................................................. pg 76
The Archaeology of London................................................................... pg 31
Albania & Macedonia | The Via Egnatia........................................... pg 78
Archaeology & Ghosts in East Anglia................................................ pg 32
Epirus & Macedonia................................................................................. pg 80
The Archaeology of the Isle of Man.................................................... pg 33
The Peloponnese........................................................................................ pg 82
Highlights of Hadrian’s Wall.................................................................. pg 34
Crete & Santorini....................................................................................... pg 84
Walking Hadrian’s Wall............................................................................ pg 35
Crete Revisited............................................................................................ pg 86
The Golden Age of Northumbria......................................................... pg 36
South Cyprus............................................................................................... pg 87
Romans in the North................................................................................ pg 37
North Cyprus............................................................................................... pg 88
Discover the Picts...................................................................................... pg 38
Asia
Orkney & Shetland.................................................................................... pg 39
Byzantium..................................................................................................... pg 89
Explore Northern Ireland........................................................................ pg 40
Aegean Coast of Turkey........................................................................... pg 90
Prehistoric Ireland..................................................................................... pg 41
South East Turkey...................................................................................... pg 92
Europe
North East Turkey...................................................................................... pg 94
Brittany | Carnac & Beyond................................................................... pg 42
Armenia & Georgia................................................................................... pg 96
Dordogne Cave Art.................................................................................... pg 43
Russia.............................................................................................................. pg 98
Roman Provence........................................................................................ pg 44
Lebanon.......................................................................................................pg 100
Languedoc | Cathars & Crusaders...................................................... pg 46
Israel & Palestine......................................................................................pg 102
Pyrenees Rock Art..................................................................................... pg 47
Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses............................................pg 104
Ancient Catalonia...................................................................................... pg 48
Oman.............................................................................................................pg 106
Rock Art of Altamira................................................................................. pg 49
Uzbekistan..................................................................................................pg 108
Roman Lusitania........................................................................................ pg 50
Sri Lanka......................................................................................................pg 110
Romans, Visigoths & Viziers................................................................. pg 51
North India.................................................................................................pg 112
Sardinia | Warriors & Traders............................................................... pg 52
China | Beyond the Great Wall...........................................................pg 114
Syracuse & Ortygia.................................................................................... pg 53
Africa
Classical Sicily............................................................................................. pg 54
Egypt | Highlights & Discoveries.......................................................pg 116
Puglia & Basilicata..................................................................................... pg 56
Egypt | Pharaohs & Pyramids.............................................................pg 118
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania.............................. pg 58
Egypt Cruise | In the Wake of the Pharaohs.................................pg 120
Pompeii & Naples at New Year............................................................. pg 60
Algeria | Roman Mauretania...............................................................pg 122
Rome | Heart of the Empire................................................................... pg 61
Tunisia | The Punic Wars......................................................................pg 124
Hidden Rome............................................................................................... pg 62
Ethiopia | The African Empire.............................................................pg 126
Falco’s Rome with Lindsey Davis......................................................... pg 63 Latium | The Roman Rich....................................................................... pg 64 The Etruscans.............................................................................................. pg 65 Ravenna & Aquileia................................................................................... pg 66 Venice at New Year.................................................................................... pg 67 Val Camonica............................................................................................... pg 68 Denmark | Not Only Vikings.................................................................. pg 69 Poland | Slaves, Celts & Goths.............................................................. pg 70
South America
Mexico | The Maya...................................................................................pg 128 Guatemala & Belize................................................................................pg 130 Northern Peru | Land of the Cloud Warriors................................pg 132 Peru | Essence of the Andes.................................................................pg 134 Peru | The Incas & their Ancestors...................................................pg 136 Chile & Easter Island..............................................................................pg 138
01772 650 051 25
MARY ANNING & GENERAL PITT RIVERS Pioneers in Palaeontology and Archaeology 6 Days
From £2,125pp
Departing 7th - 12th July 2020
Activity Level
Mary Anning and General Pitt Rivers are scientific pioneers who had a huge impact on their respective fields, palaeontology for Mary Anning and archaeology for Pitt Rivers. On this tour we trace the footsteps of these early pioneers to explore their lives as well as their scientific achievements, throughout the south coast. Tour Highlights • View some of Mary Anning’s fascinating discoveries on display in London and Oxford
Museum of Natural History Oxford
• Take a walk along the coast of Lyme Regis as Mary Anning did on her explorations • Get insights into the early formative years of modern British archaeology • See artefacts from Augustus Pitt Rivers' excavations in the Wiltshire area and his private collection
26 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
London
Stanton Drew Circle Stonehenge Lyme Regis
Museum of Natural History
Day Two | London - Salisbury Before we depart from London today, we make a stop at the British Museum in the morning to view some of the country’s most important archaeological discoveries. These include a helmet recovered from the Sutton Hoo ship burial. Afterwards, we journey south to bucolic Wiltshire. Upon arrival, we head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge for a tour of this world-renowned destination, a site where Pitt Rivers did some field-walking in 1869. We also venture into the cathedral city of Salisbury to explore finds on display at the Salisbury museum, where we also find the Pitt Rivers Collection, which now forms part of the Wessex Gallery. The Museum is located within a Grade I listed building and it houses one of the best collections on Stonehenge, as well as the local archaeology.
We move on to Bokerley Dyke, a defensive structure likewise investigated by Pitt Rivers. Upon arrival in Oxford, we visit the Museum of Natural History where another example of an Ichtyosaur found by Mary Anning is on display.
Day Six | Oxford This is our final morning of the tour and we begin with a visit to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. Founded in 1884, the museum received a donation of around 22,000 objects from Pitt’s private collection. The museum also houses fascinating archaeological and ethnographical artefacts from locations all over the world. We enjoy lunch in Oxford before making our way back to London, where our captivating week comes to an end.
Day Three | Salisbury - Lyme Regis En route to coastal Lyme Regis, we make a stop at the beautiful Larmer Tree Gardens near Tollard Royal, created by Pitt Rivers in 1880 as pleasure grounds. They were the first gardens to open in the United Kingdom for public enjoyment but were closed in 1900 due to the death of Pitt Rivers. Restoration work began in 1991 under Michael Pitt Rivers and they reopened to the public in 1995. We enjoy a leisurely stroll here and then it’s on to the Iron Age hillfort of Badbury Rings, where we explore its impressive rampart and ditch remains. In the afternoon, we finally arrive in the historic seaside town of Lyme Regis, which was once the home of Mary Anning. Day Four | Lyme Regis Our day begins at the Lyme Regis Museum, where we explore the Mary Anning Wing. Its geology gallery tells her life story and also showcases a selection of the area’s fantastic fossils. Later, in the afternoon, we follow in Mary’s footsteps with a refreshing walk along the beach – fossil hunting as we go! This will make for a perfect introduction to the stunning Jurassic Coast. Day Five | Lyme Regis - Oxford This morning, we journey northeast to visit Cranborne Chase, an estate inherited by Pitt Rivers, where he started excavations in the mid-1880s focussing on the Roman and Saxon remains. There are many Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments here, including the remains of a number of Iron Age settlements on the downs.
Guided by Paul Tubb A landscape archaeologist and mountain leader, Paul has been studying the prehistory of southern Britain for the past 40 years. He has also spent time fossil hunting in Lyme Bay.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
7th - 12th Jul
£2,125
£480
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • All local transport • Accommodation in London, Salisbury, Lyme Regis & Oxford • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/apr Images left to right: Lyme Regis coastline, Stonehenge & Ammonite prehistoric fossil at Natural History Museum, Oxford
01772 650 051 27
Worldwide
Day One | London We arrive in London independently and meet at our hotel. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to the fascinating Natural History Museum, where we view the Mary Anning Collection, which offers an introduction to the life and discoveries of this pioneering palaeontologist. Here, an Ichthyosaurus found by Mary and her brother Joseph during their adventures is on display, as are other specimens and sketches.
Activity Level
JOURNEY THROUGH WESSEX
Visit the famous stone circle of Stonehenge 7 Days
From £2,395pp
3rd - 9th May 2020
Nowhere else in the world can you find such an outstanding cluster of sites covering thousands of years in such a concentrated area. This tour takes advantage of the monuments of Wessex as a textbook introduction to the story of our human past in Britain. Journey through millennia – from prehistory to medieval Britain – piecing together the past as we go. Tour Highlights • Visit Old Sarum, Salisbury Cathedral and Winchester Cathedral
Avebury
Devises
Bath
• View the excellent collections of the Wessex Gallery at Salisbury Museum • Pay a visit to the legendary site of Stonehenge, erected in the late Neolithic period and one of the most famous megalithic sites in the entire world
Stonehenge Old Sarum
• Wander around Fishbourne Roman Palace and admire its in situ mosaics
Salisbury
Winchester Fishbourne
Day One | Winchester We meet this evening at our hotel in Winchester and enjoy an introductory lecture before our group dinner. Day Two | Devizes - Amesbury This morning we visit the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, which houses some of the finest prehistoric collections in England. Next, we visit the Neolithic henge at Avebury. After lunch, we view the chambers of the Long Barrow at West Kennet and Silbury Hill. Day Three | Salisbury - Stonehenge A visit to Salisbury Museum awaits, where we view finds from the earliest evidence of human occupation through to medieval times in the local area. In the afternoon, we explore the famous site of Stonehenge. Day Four | Maiden Castle - Dorchester Our day starts at Maiden Castle, known for its impressive ramparts. We spend our afternoon at the Roman Town House in Dorchester, where we view its excavated remains as well as the impressive mosaic floors. 28 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Six | Bath This morning we travel to Bath and visit the Roman Baths Museum. Aside from the vast pre-Roman and Roman collections in the museum, the complex is home to remains of a Roman temple, a sacred spring and the baths. Free time to explore the city follows. Day Seven | Old Sarum - Winchester Our final day’s first visit is to Old Sarum, known as Sorviodunum in Roman times. Our next stop is Salisbury Cathedral, which is home to the world’s oldest still-working mechanical clock. Before our tour ends, we discover the striking Winchester Cathedral.
Portchester Castle
Dorchester
Day Five | Fishbourne - Portchester We continue our explorations of the Romans in Britain at Fishbourne Roman Palace, where we view the largest assemblage of in situ mosaics in the UK. The afternoon is spent at Portchester Castle. This formed part of the fortification sites along the Saxon Shore in the late 3rd century.
Maiden Castle
Guided by Mark Corney A frequent contributor to Channel 4’s “Time Team”, Mark is a Roman specialist.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
3rd May - 9th May
£2,395
£310
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation at Mercure Winchester Wessex Hotel 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/whc Image: Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Worldwide
Activity Level
BRITANNIA PRIMA
The wealth of the Roman west country 5 Days
From £1,435pp
19th -23rd April 2020
After distant and mysterious Britannia was conquered and brought into the embrace of the Roman Empire, new systems, beliefs and comforts mixed with local traditions to produce a uniquely British twist. These western lands became the late Roman province of Britannia Prima, with its principal city at Cirencester, as well as other nearby rich villas and temples. Tour Highlights • Visit the Roman temple and famous hot spring bathing complex in Bath • Stand in the amphitheatre arena at Caerleon and view the legionary bath house
Chedworth
Lydney Park
Cirencester
• Discover the forum, basilica and vast town walls at Caerwent, ancient Venta Silurum
Caerleon
Caerwent Bath
Day One | Bath Arrive independently and meet the group at our hotel in Bath. Day Two | Bath Spend the day in Bath and visit the famous Roman Baths complex and its museum. There will be some free time in the afternoon to explore Bath at your own leisure. Day Three | Cirencester - Chedworth This morning, we drive out to Cirencester. Just on the outskirts, we find the remains of one of Britain’s largest amphitheatres. In the Corinium Museum we explore the galleries with impressive finds from the Roman city, second in size only to London in its heyday. After lunch, we continue to Chedworth to investigate one of the largest Roman villas in Britain, which boasts several beautiful mosaics. Day Four | Lydney Park - Caerwent We make our way to Lydney Park, famed for its lush rhododendron gardens, at their best in the spring. Above these stand the remains of Image: Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire
the Roman Temple of Nodens and its bathing complex, with remarkable finds in the museum. The most famous is a perfect little bronze statue of a dog, associated with healing. The afternoon will be spent at Caerwent, Venta Silurum, built as a planned settlement and market town for the defeated Silures tribe. We view the impressive remains of the town wall, excavated houses, forum basilica, and a temple.
Day Five | Caerleon On our last morning, we journey out to Caerleon, the Roman legionary fortress Isca Augusta, one of only three permanent legionary fortresses in the country. We explore the exposed fortress walls and barracks blocks, and pay a visit to the remains of the military bath house. The excellent National Roman Legion Museum contains important finds from the site. After lunch, we return to Bath and our tour comes to an end.
Guided by Dr Denise Allen Denise has excavated at numerous sites around the UK.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
19th - 23rd Apr
£1,435
£245
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation at the Abbey Hotel, Bath 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/brp 01772 650 051 29
Activity Level
FALCO’S BRITANNIA
Exploring Roman Britain with Lindsey Davis 6 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing July & October 2020
This tour offers you the chance to visit some of the most important sites in Roman Britain alongside both an award-winning novelist and a well-known archaeologist. Your Guide Lecturer, Denise Allen, will provide you with cutting-edge commentary on the sites, while Lindsey Davis will give insights into how she conceived her Falco and Albia series. Tour Highlights • Explore the luxurious palace at Fishbourne
St Albans
• Visit two superb Roman villas on the Isle of Wight • Enjoy the sacred, healing complex around the hot spring of Roman Bath
Day One | London Our day starts with a visit to the Museum of London. Here, we view wonderful everyday artefacts like leather undergarments and a garum amphora. Next, we visit the Billingsgate Roman baths and the Mithraeum. Day Two | Welwyn - St. Albans We start with a visit to the Roman baths at Welwyn, just north of the modern-day Welwyn Garden City. We proceed to the ancient city of Verulamium, where we visit the theatre, the only one of its kind in England. Our final visit of the day takes us to Verulamium Museum, where we will see its colourful mosaics and everyday objects. Day Three | Butser - Fishbourne We travel to Butser Ancient Farm, to explore reconstructed Romano British housing, before proceeding to Chichester, where we see remnants of the heartland of King Togidubnus. We end the day at Fishbourne, the backdrop of a Falco novel, and believed by many to be Togidubnus’ palace, the opulence of which is evidenced by its extraordinary mosaics. 30 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Four | Isle of Wight We venture to the Isle of Wight where we visit Brading Villa, which has some of the most interesting mosaics in Britain, including the intriguing depiction of a man with a cockerel’s head. We continue to Newport Villa, grand enough to be glazed and to have frescoes as well as a bath complex. Day Five | Portchester - Old Sarum This morning we head to Portchester Castle, the finest preserved Roman fortress in Northern Europe. Built in the end of the 3rd century, it was strategically placed to defend the coast from pirates. We continue to Old Sarum to consider the role this incredible fort played in the Roman period. Day Six | Bath - Charterhouse The bathing complex in Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is intriguing for conflating a bathing complex with a sacred spring to the goddess Sulis. Our final visit is closely linked to the first Falco novel, namely the mines at Charterhouse, whose extraction of silver and lead was important for the payment of Roman soldiers.
London
Bath
• Discover everyday life in Roman Londinium at the Museum of London and other surviving sites in the city
Welwyn
Old Sarum Porchester Isle of Wight
Fishbourne
Guided by Dr Denise Allen A specialist in Roman glass, Denise studied archaeology at Cardiff University.
Special Guest Lindsey Davis Lindsey Davis is a novelist best known for her Roman detectives, Marcus Didius Falco and Flavia Albia.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
13th - 18th Jul
£2,495
£610
12th - 17th Oct
£2,495
£545
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Guest Lecturer, Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in London, Portsmouth & Bath 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/fbr Image: Old Sarum, Salisbury
Worldwide
Activity Level
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF LONDON Discover a wealth of intriguing history 5 Days
From £1,675pp
Departing June & October 2020
The city of London has a history spanning 2,000 years. This walking tour focuses on its Roman and medieval past, up to the 20th century. As well as artefacts from London’s past, excavated and displayed in the Museum of London, we trace back from Londinium in AD 43 up to the start of the 20th century at Whitechapel, and discover the secrets of this global metropolis. Tour Highlights • Visit the London Mithraeum to view the temple remains in their new location • Delve into the 18th century at Dennis Severs’ House, with its recreated interior • Walk along the remains of the London Wall and discover other Roman sites hidden beneath the modern street level
Day One | Museum of London Arrive independently in London and meet at our hotel. This afternoon, we visit the Roman Gallery of the Museum of London, for a tour that is followed by an introductory lecture and dinner. Day Two | London Mithraeum We start with a walk along parts of the London Wall. Arriving at All Hallows by the Tower, we view the Saxon and Roman finds on display in the Crypt Museum, as well as remains of a Roman pavement that once formed part of a domestic house. Next, we visit Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, discovered in 1848. This afternoon, we see the London Mithraeum, one of London’s most significant archaeological sites. We end our day at the Guildhall, where we view the remains of the Roman amphitheatre. Day Three | Dennis Severs’ Hous Focusing mainly on medieval London today, we will return to the Museum of London to visit the medieval Gallery. A stroll along Smithfield Meat Market brings us to the Charterhouse. Image: Remains of the London Wall
Day Five | London Our tour ends after breakfast.
Whitechapel
Southwark
Founded as a Carthusian monastery, it became a Tudor mansion and later a boys’ school and almshouse. Next, it’s on to the Museum of the Order of St. John. The exhibition tells the story of this religious military order. We visit the Church of St. John and end the day at Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields, the residence of a Huguenot silkweaver family from 1724 until the beginning of the 20th century.
Day Four | Whitechapel - Southwark On our last full day, we continue our exploration of industrial to modern day London. A walk through Whitechapel and its troubled past leads us back to Spitalfields. From the London Monument, a reminder of the Great Fire of 1666, we cross the Thames to Southwark. A visit to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the replica Elizabethan playhouse, based on archaeological and historical sources, invigorates the theatre’s history and its modern use.
Dennis Severs’ House
Museum of London London Mithraeum
Guided by John Oxley Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and City of York Archaeologist.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
1st - 5th June
£1,675
£660
19th - 23rd Oct
£1,675
£660
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in London 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aol 01772 650 051 31
Activity Level
ARCHAEOLOGY & GHOSTS OF EAST ANGLIA M. R. James & the supernatural 4 Days
From £1,085pp
Departing October & December 2020
East Anglia’s rich archaeological heritage exists alongside fables, legends and stories, exemplified by the ghost stories of M. R. James. As a Cambridge-based archaeologist, medievalist and curator, James was born and bred in the region, and was privy to its odd corners and folklore. Join us as we take a peep behind the curtain into pandemonium. Tour Highlights • Explore the Neolithic flint mines at Grime’s Graves • Visit the reconstructed Saxon village at West Stow • Listen to the haunting classic ghost stories in atmospheric surroundings
Grime’s Graves
• Tour Sutton Hoo, the burial place of kings and Britain’s richest archaeological find Cambridge
Day One | Cambridge We arrive in Cambridge and take an orientation walk around this great university city. An evening presentation on M. R. James includes a reading of “OOh Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad” perhaps his greatest story – a warning of the dangers of archaeology. Day Two | Fitzwilliam Museum This morning we visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, where M. R. James was assistant director, and where he most likely composed “Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook" a tale of the dangers awaiting bibliophiles. On to King’s College Chapel, the setting for the story “A Night in King’s College Chapel” and, after lunch, we walk past the Cambridge University Library, which James borrowed for the setting of the story “The Tractate Middoth,” a terrible admonition about returning library books! Next, we pay a visit to the Pepys Library in Magdalene College, the model for all subsequent gentlemen’s libraries so familiar to James. Tonight there will be a reading of “Canon Alberic’s scrapbook”. 32 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Three | Bury St. Edmunds We start the day by visiting Bury St. Edmunds and the ruin of the great Benedictine abbey. From here, we drive to West Stow, where excavations in the 1980s brought to light a remarkable Saxon village of the migration years. After lunch, we go on to Grime’s Graves near Brandon, to visit a Neolithic flint mine. Later, we drive via Great Livermere (where James’ father was Rector) to Scole. This evening, we’ll hear a story about the dangers of illicit excavation in burial mounds, entitled “A Warning to the Curious”. Day Four | Sutton Hoo - Cambridge Our last day begins with a trip to the coast, and Aldeburgh, the seaside town James used as inspiration for last night’s story, among others. We explore some of James’ haunts – the Martello Tower, the White Lion Hotel and the curiosity shop. After lunch, we will go on to see some burial mounds at Sutton Hoo, the great royal necropolis of East Anglia – burial place of King Redwald, the richest burial ever found in England – with its new visitor centre. We return to Cambridge for our onward journeys.
Bury St. Edmunds
Aldeburgh
Sutton Hoo
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Oliver has worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Albania and Italy.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
5th - 8th Oct
£1,135
£260
14th - 17th Dec
£1,085
£220
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • All local transport • Accommodation at Hilton Cambridge City Centre & Hotel Diss by Verve • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/mrj Image: The old library and clock tower, Cambridge
Worldwide
Activity Level
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF MAN Discover a wealth of sites across a wide range of history 6 Days
From £1,545pp
Departing June & September 2020
Ellan Vannin - the Isle of Man - boasts a rich archaeological heritage from the Neolithic period and the Iron Age, a Celtic and Norse past, and times under the control of the Earls of Derby, the Dukes of Athol and then the British Crown. Add in the Great Laxey Wheel and Archibald Knox, and you’ll wonder why you’ve not explored this fascinating part of the world before. Tour Highlights • Discover a Viking ship burial at Balladoole
Kirk Andreas
• View striking examples of Celtic and Norse crosses • See the world’s largest working waterwheel at Laxey • Visit Tynwald Hill, one of the island’s most distinctive landmarks
Laxey Wheel
Peel Tynwald Hill
Day One | Douglas We meet in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, at our hotel. There will be a welcome lecture from our expert guide before dinner this evening, which will give us an interesting introduction to the surrounding area. Day Two | King Orry’s Grave - Kirk Andreas This morning we pay a visit to King Orry’s Grave, a Neolithic chambered cairn, the Neolithic tombs at Cashtal yn Ard, and Ballafayle, which is also a Quaker burial ground. Kirk Andreas houses cross-slabs from the 7th to the 11th centuries, and Kirk Maughold is the site of an early monastery with Celtic and Norse memorials. Day Three | Peel - Tynwald Hill We start with the Neo-Gothic Kirk Michael Church, which boasts an impressive collection of Norse crosses. We continue to Peel Castle, which was originally constructed by Vikings in the 11th century, before moving onto the House of Manannan museum. Here, we learn about the island’s fascinating maritime, Viking and Celtic past. Image: The Great Laxey Wheel
Douglas
We also visit Tynwald Hill, which still plays a prominent role in Manx government, and Saint Trinian’s medieval church, which is situated at the foot of Greba Hill.
Day Four | Balladoole - St Michael’s Isle Today, we visit the Neolithic Meayll Circle and the village folk museum in Cregneash. Then it’s on to Chapel Hill in Balladoole to see an Iron Age fort, a Viking ship and a Celtic/Norse chapel. After, we visit Castle Rushen in Castletown and Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla, before the chapel and Derby Fort on St. Michael’s Isle. Day Five | Laxey Wheel Our day begins at the Great Laxey Wheel, which is the world’s largest working waterwheel. Moving on via Cronkbourne village, we visit Braddan cemetery, the Old Kirk Braddan, to see the Braddan crosses. Afterwards, at the Manx Museum, we will have lunch and some free time to explore. Day Six | Douglas After breakfast this morning, our tour will come to a close.
Balladoole
Saint Michael’s Isle
Guided by Andrew Foxon Andrew has many years of experience within the museum sector on the Isle of Man.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
22nd - 27th Jun
£1,545
£95
7th - 12th Sep
£1,895
£95
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation at the Sefton Hotel 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/iom 01772 650 051 33
Activity Level
HIGHLIGHTS OF HADRIAN’S WALL
Highlights of the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire 6 Days
From £1,595pp
20th - 25th September 2020
Hadrian’s Wall and the history of the Romans in Britain is as fascinating as ever. For those who wish to explore the former Roman frontier, but with less walking involved, we are delighted to offer an alternative tour. Join our guide lecturer Tony Wilmott, one of the leading experts in Roman archaeology, on this unique trip from coast to coast. Tour Highlights • See the new Hadrian’s Wall gallery at the Tullie House Museum
Housesteads Roman Fort
• Visit the Temple of Mithras at Carrawburgh and take a tour of Vindolanda
Birdoswald
• Explore Hadrian’s Wall and its forts during a more relaxed walking tour
Tullie House
• View the bath house at Ravenglass, one of the tallest surviving Roman structures
Day One | Wetheral We meet this afternoon in our hotel for an introductory lecture before dinner. Day Two | Swarthy Hill - Ravenglass Today we look at the little-visited western flank of the Hadrian’s Wall frontier. In the morning, we start at the Roman fort Swarthy Hill (milefortlet 21). In the afternoon we drive to Ravenglass, the southernmost fort on the frontier system, to see the Walls Castle Roman bath house. Day Three | Birdoswald - Tullie House We drive along Hadrian’s Wall, pausing at Turret 52a, Banks East and the pre-wall Pike Hill turret. We begin at Milecastle 48, Poltross Burn, and walk one mile to Birdoswald Fort, via Turrets 48a and 48b, the bridge at Willowford and Milecastle 49, Harrows Scar. In the afternoon we visit Tullie House Museum – one of the two major Hadrian’s Wall museums – and its new gallery. Day Four | Housesteads - Chesters Today, we see the iconic central sector of the Wall. In the morning, we visit the Temple of Mithras at the fort of 34 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Carrawburgh, followed by Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum. From here, we walk three miles across the grandiose crags of the Great Whin Sill, passing Milecastle 37 and 39, towards Steel Rigg. Our day ends with a visit to the fort of Chesters.
Day Five | Vindolanda - Corbridge The Stanegate was the Trajanic frontier pre-dating Hadrian’s Wall, and today we visit its key sites. We spend an entire morning at Vindolanda, famous for its unique collection of Roman ink writing tablets. We visit the extensive and ongoing excavations and the superb museum. In the afternoon, we travel to the Roman site of Corbridge with its fascinating museum. Day Six | Newcastle On our final day, we drive to Wallsend - Segedunum, to visit the most completely excavated Roman fort on the line, the museum, and the reconstructed bath house. We continue in the museum of the eastern flank of the Wall, the Great North Museum in Newcastle before our tour ends.
Wetheral
Segedunum
Corbridge
Ravenglass
Guided by Tony Wilmott Senior Archaeologist at Historic England, Tony has directed numerous excavations.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 25th Sep
£1,595
£250
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • All local transport • Accommodation at the Crown Hotel Wetheral & the Beaumont Hotel Hexham • 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 5 dinners • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/hah Images left to right: Milecastle 39, Hadrian’s Wall
Worldwide
Activity Level
WALKING HADRIAN’S WALL
Discover the archaeological remains at Vindolanda 9 Days
From £2,195pp
7th - 15th September 2020
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, covering up to 7.2 miles per day. Pass forts, mile castles and some fine museums as we walk west to east. Tour Highlights • Walk along the largest unbroken section of Hadrian’s Wall • Search deeper into the rich Roman history of this unique area • Explore Birdoswald, where we’ll see its fort and museum
Whittle Carrawburgh Dene Birdoswald Segedunum Benwell Lanercost Vindolanda Heavenfield Scotswood Priory
• Walk the route in the company of an expert, who knows its stories inside and out
Day One | Wetheral We meet at our hotel in Wetheral and have a welcome lecture from our guide. Day Two | Tullie House Museum We drive to Bowness-on-Solway where our walk begins. We wander along the Solway Firth toward Burgh-by-Sands. Our day ends with a visit to Tullie House Museum in Carlisle. Day Three | Birdoswald Starting at Lanercost Priory, we stroll via Haytongate, Hare Hill and the Banks Turret to Birdoswald. Day Four | Carvoran We return to Birdoswald and walk towards Thirlwell along the longest unbroken section of Hadrian’s Wall. After a short drive, we stop at Carvoran to explore the notable collections of the Roman Army Museum. We continue on to Burnhead. Day Five | Vindolanda Our visit to Vindolanda includes the 3rd century bath house, fort, a temple, and the internationally important museum. After lunch, we drive to Steel Rigg and Image: Housesteads Roman Fort
head to Housesteads Roman Fort to view the remains and the museum.
Tullie House
Day Six | Chesters We head to the fort and mithraeum at Carrawburgh, and continue further on to Chesters. Here, we visit the most complete Roman cavalry fort and bath house in the country. Day Seven | Corbridge We start at Heavenfield and trek to Port Gate. After lunch, we take a short drive to Corbridge, once a vibrant Roman town. In the museum, we will view the large collection of artefacts associated with Hadrian’s Wall. Day Eight | Benwell This morning we start at Whittle Dene Reservoir and wander to Heddon-onthe-Wall. We then drive to Benwell to explore the remains of the Roman Temple and the Vallum Crossing. Day Nine | Segedunum We begin with a walk from Scotswood to Newcastle and visit the Great North Museum. Before heading home, we visit Segedunum Roman fort at Wallsend.
Wetheral
Guided by Tony Wilmott Senior Archaeologist at Historic England, Tony has directed numerous excavations.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
7th - 15th Sep
£2,195
£425
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Wetheral & Hexham 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/had 01772 650 051 35
Activity Level
THE GOLDEN AGE OF NORTHUMBRIA The Kings of the North 6 Days
From £1,745pp
14th - 19th September 2020
In an era of warfare, raiders and ruthless kings, northern England occupied a place on an international stage that placed it alongside the great powers of the continent. The kingdom of Northumbria dominated the north and under its Kings Edwin, Oswald, Ivar the Boneless and Eric Bloodaxe, it held primacy over Anglo-Viking Britain. Tour Highlights • View St. Paul’s monastery at Jarrow Bamburgh
• Visit the famous monastery of Lindisfarne, raided by Vikings in AD 793
Lindisfarne
• Explore the once bustling Roman town of Corbridge in the Tyne Valley • Discover medieval York and admire the Norman architecture of Durham Cathedral
Hexham
Jarrow Durham
Day One | York Arrive independently in York and gather at the hotel. This afternoon we explore the heart of the city, including the city walls and York Minster with its aweinspiring stained-glass windows. Before dinner, there will be an interesting introductory lecture. Day Two | Jorvik centre Today we will walk through the city to the Yorkshire Museum, with its superb collection of finds from Roman Anglian and Viking York. This afternoon we walk to Coppergate and the Jorvik centre, where, during the 1970s, groundbreaking excavations uncovered rich evidence for the early city. Day Three | Brompton - Auckland We drive to Brompton. Here, in the churchyard, are the famous hogbacks – Anglo-Viking tombstones formed in the shape of an early medieval longhouse or hall being savaged by fierce bears. On to Bishop Auckland, where the bishop of Durham had both a castle and palace. We continue to Durham and enjoy a walk through the city. 36 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Brompton
Day Four | Durham We explore the Norman magnificence of Durham Cathedral, one of the bestpreserved Norman buildings in Europe. Inside the building are the tombs of St. Cuthbert and St. Bede. Next, we visit Durham Castle, where the bishop, the Royal warden in the north, held power from the 11th century. Day Five | Jarrow - Hexham We drive to Jarrow to visit the remains of St. Paul’s monastery, once Bede’s home monastery. Amazingly, some of the original buildings remain standing around the later church. After, we drive to see another great building of its time at Hexham Abbey. We end the day with a visit to Corbridge, a Roman supply base. Day Six | Bamburgh - Lindisfarne Today we head to Bamburgh. The Norman royal castle is evocatively located right above the sands of the beach. This afternoon we make our way to Lindisfarne, where St. Cuthbert’s community produced masterpieces like the Lindisfarne gospels. We return to Durham for our onward journeys.
York
Guided by John Oxley Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and City Archaeologist of York.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
14th - 19th Sep
£1,745
£325
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in York & Durham 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/nob Image: Bamburgh Castle
Worldwide
Activity Level
ROMANS IN THE NORTH
See the Cramond Lioness at the National Museum of Scotland 7 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing June & September 2020
Britain was Rome’s most northerly province. Several attempts were launched to try and subdue the whole island, but the Romans had to settle for the rich south, leaving the bleak highlands under the watchful eyes of the Roman army. This tour follows in the footsteps of Septimius Severus, the last emperor to make a serious attempt to conquer the north. Carpow
Tour Highlights • Visit York, the metropolis of the Roman north
Rough Edinburgh Castle Inveresk Cramond
• Explore the remains of the Antonine Wall, the most northerly frontier wall • Discover Vindolanda, one of the most important civilian and military sites
Trimontium
• Tour Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and home to the National Museum of Scotland Vindolanda Corbridge
Day One | York We meet in York and check in to our hotel. We then have an orientation walk around the city and enjoy a lecture on the Romans' last invasion of Scotland. Day Two | York - Eboracum Today we explore York – ancient Eboracum – base of the sixth legion. We visit the famous Yorkshire Museum and walk along the line of the legionary fortress walls to the Multangular Tower. This afternoon, we visit the excavations of the legionary headquarters beneath York Minster. Day Three | Corbridge - Vindolanda We drive to Corbridge, a supply base used by the garrison of Hadrian’s Wall, and by Severus to provision his army. Next we explore Vindolanda, part of the original northern frontier, but reoccupied in the 3rd century. Day Four | South Shields - Segedunum We have a morning visit to South Shields with its reconstructed buildings. Later, we drive to Wallsend, where Hadrian’s Wall met the Tyne,
South Shields Segedunum
the eastern anchor of the northern frontier, to the fort at Segedunum.
Day Five | Trimontium - Edinburgh We drive north to Newstead, Roman Trimontium, an advance post north of the wall. We will explore the site and take a walk along part of Dere Street to see the marching camp of Severus’ time. We will also explore the fine Trimontium Museum of Scotland before heading onward to Edinburgh. Day Six | Inveresk - Cramond We journey to Inveresk, an important fort where the local church of St. Michael was built over the remains of the military buildings. After, we visit the supply base at Cramond, where the famous Cramond Lioness was found. In the afternoon, we see this sculpture in the National Museum of Scotland. Day Seven | Carpow - Gask Ridge We follow on the trail of Severus and his army to Carpow on the River Tay. From there, we drive to the Gask Ridge to trace the watch towers and signal stations. Our tour ends this afternoon.
Image: Corbridge’s old stone bridge, Northumberland
York
Guided by Dr Simon Elliott Co-Director of a Roman Villa in the Medway Valley, Simon is also an award-winning author.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
8th - 14th Jun
£2,495
£550
21st - 27th Sep
£2,495
£550
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • All local transport • Accommodation at The Grange Hotel, Hotel Indigo Newcastle & Apex Hotel Waterloo • 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ron 01772 650 051 37
Activity Level
DISCOVER THE PICTS Warriors, Monks & Artists 7 Days
From £2,045pp
6th - 12th September 2020
The Picts were long considered to be a mysterious lost people from a very dark age, to the extent that entirely erroneous origin myths were created for them in recent centuries. Get insights into the most recent developments in Pictish archaeology, which will revolutionise our understanding of the Picts and their kingdoms. Tour Highlights • See most of the finest Christian sculpture produced by the Picts
Portmahomack Burghead Bay
Elgin
• View the important Pictish collection in the National Museum of Scotland • Visit a chief royal fort of the northern Picts on the Moray Firth at Burghead • Explore masterpieces of Pictish carving, such as the St. Andrews Sarcophagus Meffan Museum
St. Vigeans Sculpture Stones McManus Gallery
Day One | Edinburgh We meet at our hotel in Edinburgh. Here, we will enjoy an introductory lecture before our first group dinner. Day Two | St. Andrews Our day starts with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland. Here, we will view its collections of spectacular objects and jewellery. After lunch, we journey to St. Andrews to inspect the famous 8th century sarcophagus. Day Three | Meffan Museum This morning, we visit the McManus Gallery to view the Pictish collection. After a short drive, we stop at the Glamis Manse Stone. In the afternoon, we explore the Meffan Museum to see more of the stone-carvers’ art of the southern Picts. Day Four | St. Vigeans Today we journey to Angus to visit the St. Vigeans Sculptured Stones and Museum. An outstanding collection is gathered here from the Pictish royal monastery. We return to Dundee to explore the new V&A museum. 38 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Five | Craig Phadrig We drive to Dunning to see the free-standing Dupplin Cross, erected in memory of the mighty Pictish King Constantine. We then drive through Aviemore Cairngorm National Park towards the Inverness area. Later, we visit Craig Phadrig, an important royal fort where St. Columba was honoured by the pagan King Bridei. Day Six | Burghead - Elgin We begin at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, where we see the collection of archaeological artefacts from the Highlands. Next, we explore Burghead, a Pictish promontory. Finally, we continue to the museum in Elgin, to see a significant assemblage of impressive carved stones. Day Seven | Elgin - Edinburgh We journey to Portmahomack to spend time at the Tarbat Discovery Centre. Here, we experience the site of the great Pictish monastery as well as spectacularly decorated cross slabs. After lunch, we return to Edinburgh and our tour ends.
Dupplin Cross
St. Andrews Edinburgh
Guided by Peter Yeoman Until recently, Peter was the Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
6th - 12th Sep
£2,045
£395
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • All local transport • Accommodation at Apex Hotel Grassmarket, Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa Dundee & The Mansefield Hotel • 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pic Image: Loch Morlich, Cairngorm National Park
Worldwide
Activity Level
ORKNEY & SHETLAND
From standing stones to chambered cairns 11 Days
From £2,995pp
13th - 23rd July 2020
The islands beyond the northernmost tip of Scotland glory in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the world. For more than 5,000 years they have been home to farmers and fishermen, who left monuments so impressive that this has been called an archaeologist’s paradise. Both Orkney and Shetland are also blessed with natural beauty. Underhoull
Tour Highlights • Marvel at the Neolithic dwellings at Skara Brae
Muness Castle
• Visit Maeshowe, one of Europe’s finest Neolithic chambered cairns • Admire the megalithic Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar
Lerwick
Scalloway
• Discover Jarlshof with its remarkably well-preserved wheelhouses
Broch of Mousa
St Ninians Isle
Old Scatness
Day One | Lerwick We meet at our hotel on Shetland. Day Two | Old Scatness - Mousa Broch We travel to Old Scatness, an Iron Age broch and extensive settlement site. Next, we visit the amazing site of Jarlshof before continuing on to Mousa Broch, the unique Iron Age tower structure, the tallest surviving in Scotland.
Day Six | Maeshowe - Ring of Brodgar We visit Maeshowe, the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. Day Seven | Midhowe - Taversoe Tuick Travel to the island of Rousay to explore Midhowe chambered tomb, sealed 4,500 years ago. Next, we view the Iron Age defensive structure of Midhowe Broch. Our day ends at Taversoe Tuick.
Day Three | Underhoull - Muness Castle Today, we see Viking houses at Underhoull, the replica Viking house and ship at Brookpoint, and Muness Castle at Skaw.
Day Eight | Kirkwall We dedicate our day exploring to Kirkwall, including St. Magnus Cathedral, , Earl’s Palace and Bishop’s Palace and Tankerness Museum.
Day Four | Scord of Brouster This morning, we drive out to Standydale Temple. Next, we visit the Scord of Brouster, the Shetland Museum and the Broch of Clickhimin.
Day Nine | Skara Brae Today we explore Skara Brae, Skaill House and the Brough of Birsay.
Day Five | Scalloway We explore St. Ninian’s Isle and the South Voe Croft Museum. Next, we spend the afternoon at Scalloway Museum and then take an evening ferry to Orkney. Image: Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney
Day Ten | Italian Chapel Visit the Tomb of the Eagles and the Burnt Mound at Liddle. Our day ends at the striking Italian Chapel which was built by prisoners of war in the 1940s. Day Eleven | Kirkwall Our tour ends in Orkney and, from here, we make our journeys home.
Midhowe Skara Brae Maeshowe
Kirkwall
Guided by Peter Yeoman Until recently, Peter was the Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
13th - 23rd Jul
£2,995
£195
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • All local transport • Accommodation at The Shetland Hotel Lerwick & The Ayra Hotel Kirkwall • 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/oas 01772 650 051 39
Activity Level
EXPLORE NORTHERN IRELAND
An insight into the country’s archaeology and history 6 Days
From £2,095pp
10th - 15th August 2020
Northern Ireland is an area of rich and diverse ancient and historical interest. From enigmatic megalithic archaeology to medieval castles – and the region’s troubled modern history, we will sample the wonders of Northern Ireland’s varied past. With Belfast as our hub, this tour will allow us to experience the warm welcome of the city’s culture. Tour Highlights • Walk along the Peace Wall in Belfast to view its murals • Visit Titanic Belfast and hear about the story of this iconic liner • Get insights into Ireland’s past from prehistory up until the modern day
Giant’s Causeway
• Explore Navan Fort - ancient seat of kings – and its reconstructed Iron Age dwelling Navan Fort
Day One | London - Belfast We fly from London to Belfast and check in to our hotel. In the early afternoon, we meet for an orientation walk around the city. Before dinner, there will be an introductory lecture. Day Two | Titanic Belfast This morning we visit the Ulster Museum, which features significant archaeological finds. A walk along the Peace Wall and Murals brings us back into modern history. Next, we spend time at Titanic Belfast, exploring the history of this tragically famous ship. Our last visit of the day will be to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Day Three | Downpatrick Today we journey to Downpatrick, stopping at the impressive Neolithic Legananny Dolmen and Ballynoe Stone circle en route. Upon our arrival, we visit Down Cathedral to view the magnificent stained glass windows and St. Patrick’s grave just outside. Next, we visit the 18th century mansion Castle Ward, the setting of Winterfell in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’. 40 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Four | Navan Fort We begin with a tour at the Giant’s Ring, a Neolithic henge monument situated on the outskirts of Belfast. On to Armagh to visit Navan Fort, a large hilltop enclosure assumed to represent an ancient ceremonial site. We continue with a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh and the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a complex of early Bronze Age megaliths. Day Five | Giant’s Causeway Today we journey north. Situated dramatically on the edge of an outcrop on the craggy Antrim coast, we visit the ruins of Dunluce Castle, seat of the McDonnell Clan. A short drive brings us to probably the most famous geological feature of Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway. Before we make our way back to Belfast, we pay a delicious and warming visit to Bushmills Distillery. Day Six | Belfast - London Before we travel home, we visit St. George’s Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. Built between 1890 and 1896, it is now one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland.
Belfast Downpatrick
Guided by Jeremy Bennett A British archaeologist, Jeremy is currently studying for his PhD at Cambridge.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
10th - 15th Aug
£2,095
£325
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Grand Central Hotel, Belfast 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/nir Image: Giant’s Causeway
Worldwide
Activity Level
PREHISTORIC IRELAND
See the iconic Megalithic sites of Newgrange & Knowth 8 Days
From £2,445pp
Departing June & August 2020
Experience the fascinating prehistory of Ireland. The monumental passage tomb of Newgrange is but one of the highlights on this tour that takes in Dublin, the Boyne Valley, Carrowmore, mystical Galway, and the island of Inis Mor. Famous for its Celtic remains, Ireland has so much to offer archaeological enthusiasts. Tour Highlights • Take a boat trip to the island of Inis Mor and visit Dun Aengus Creevykeel Carrowmore Carrowkeel Newgrange Loughcrew Hill of Tara Dublin Galway Inis Mor Poulnabrone
• View one of the largest examples of an Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel • Admire the prehistoric artefacts at the National Museum of Dublin • Visit the Hill of Tara with over 30 visible monuments, including the Stone of Destiny
Day One | London - Dublin Fly to Dublin and enjoy a city walk. This includes a visit to Trinity College to view the Book of Kells and also the 12th century St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Day Two | Hill of Tara Our tour begins at Fourknocks, a burial chamber discovered in 1949. We then explore the Hill of Tara before continuing to the National Museum. Here, we explore its fine exhibition. Day Three | Newgrange - Knowth This morning we journey to Newgrange, a monumental burial mound from the Neolithic period. From here, we enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Knowth, situated in the Boyne Valley. Day Four | Loughcrew - Creevykeel We head for Loughcrew, a rugged group of partially engraved megalithic carvings. Next, we travel to the coastal town of Sligo and stop for lunch. Our final visit of the day is to one of the best and largest examples of an Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel.
Image: Polnabrone Dolmen
Day Five | Carrowmore - Carrowkeel Today’s highlight is our visit to Carrowmore, considered as the largest prehistoric cemetery of Ireland. After lunch, we wander around Carrowkeel megalithic complex, one of the most important Neolithic centres of prehistoric Ireland. Day Six | Poulnabone - Galway We start with a scenic drive south towards Galway. En route, there will be a stop to view either Drumanone Dolmen or Castlestrange Stone, depending on time. After lunch, we travel to Poulnabrone Dolmen. In Galway, we visit the prehistoric collection in the Galway City Museum, before ending our day with a city walk. Day Seven | Inis Mor We catch a ferry to Inis Mor, a magnificent island bearing a wealth of sites and monuments. We visit Dun Aengus – the largest prehistoric hillfort on the Aran Islands. Day Eight | Galway - Dublin - London We travel back to Dublin for our return flights to London.
Guided by Jeremy Bennett A British archaeologist, Jeremy is currently studying for his PhD at Cambridge.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
28th Jun - 5th Jul
£2,445
£555
2nd - 9th Aug
£2,545
£555
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Dublin, Sligo & Galway 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pir 01772 650 051 41
Activity Level
BRITTANY | CARNAC & BEYOND
Encounter the world’s largest assemblage of megalithic sites 7 Days
From £2,295pp
Departing May & September 2020
Brittany offers a prehistoric landscape filled with some of the greatest megalithic monuments in the world, from standing stones to chambered tombs, many with fine carvings. Visit Carnac, where stone rows writhe across the heather-clad countryside or stand in woodland wreathed in ivy and moss. Tour Highlights • See a selection of fascinating passage graves, chambered tombs and polished axes
Vannes Erdeven
• Devote an entire day to wandering around the many monuments of the sites of Carnac
Plouharnel
• Take a ferry to the Island of Gavr’inis and visit the famous, elaborately decorated passage tomb
Day One | London - Carnac We depart from London, take the train to Vannes via Paris, then a coach to our hotel in Carnac. Day Two | Locmariaquer - Table des Marchands Spend the morning in Locmariaquer. Visit megalithic monuments such as the Mané-Lud tumulus, the passagetomb Mané Rutual, and the giant fallen stone known as the Grand Menhir Brisé. We end the day at the Table des Marchands, a neolithic burial complex. Day Three | Gavr’inis - Vannes We travel to the island of Gavr’inis in the Gulf of Morbihan. We view the stone circle of Er-Lannic on its islet, ending the day with a visit to the excellent Archaeological Museum in Vannes. Day Four | Plouharnel - Erdeven Today we see various sites between Plouharnel and Erdeven, including Mané-Kerionned, the impressive Crucuno dolmen, and the passage graves of Mané-Groh and Rondossec. 42 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Carnac
Geant du Manio Gavr’inis Locmariaquer Petit Mont Cairn
We continue to Carnac Prehistory Museum, which contains a wonderful array of artefacts.
Day Five | Carnac - Geant du Manio We devote an entire day to exploring the megalithic sites of Carnac. We visit the rows at Le Menec, and view the alignments of Kermario. After lunch, we explore the passage grave at Kercado and the menhir known as Le Géant du Manio. Day Six | Le Rocher - Petit Mont Cairn We delve into the Le Rocher passage tomb and then it’s on to explore the Arzon peninsula to visit the Petit Mont Cairn. This extraordinary cairn has been much reconstructed, but it is still a very impressive structure from about 4600 BC with several phases of burial chambers. It was commandeered in 1943 to have a bunker built into it, and, ironically, the damage created revealed the very first dolmen chamber. Day Seven | Carnac - Vannes - London We drive to Vannes for our train home, via Paris.
Guided by Dr Nick Thorpe Nick is senior lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Winchester.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
11th - 17th May
£2,295
£390
7th - 13th Sep
£2,295
£390
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return trains from London & all local transport Accommodation in Hotel Le Tumulus 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bri Image: the Celtic landscape of Carnac
Worldwide
Activity Level
DORDOGNE CAVE ART
Explore a range of stunning prehistoric cave sites 6 Days
From £2,195pp
Departing June & September 2020
Famed for its caves, the Dordogne Valley has some of the finest examples of prehistoric cave art. Vividly brought to life in ochre and charcoal are wild animals and human figures up to 30,000 years old. We will see some of the world-famous rock art sites – taking you as close as it is possible to get to the lives of our most remote Ice Age ancestors.
Rouffignac Abri di Poisson
• Enjoy a tour led by our experts in rock art and the archaeology of the last Ice Age
Day Two | Abri du Poisson - Cap Blanc We begin at the small rock shelter known as Abri du Poisson and then to the fascinating site of Laugerie Haute. After lunch, we visit the excavations at Abri Pataud and then we move on to the Musée de l’Abri Cro-Magnon. The day ends at the rock shelter at Cap Blanc. Day Three | Lascaux - Le Thot We visit the Lascaux IV centre. Lascaux is the most famous and spectacular of all decorated caves, with hundreds of paintings and 1,500 engravings, best known for its awe-inspiring depictions of aurochs, horses and deer. After lunch in Montignac, we go to Le Thot Park. Our final visit today will be to Lascaux II. Day Four | Rouffignac - Font de Gaume We travel by electric train into the cave system of Rouffignac, known as the Cave of the Hundred Mammoths. We then take a short drive to Font du
Gaume, the only decorated cave in France with multicoloured paintings that remains open to the public. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to over 200 representations of animals.
Day Five | Cougnac - Pech Merle Our first visit is to Cougnac. Two caves are found here that contain the claw-marks of cave bears as well as fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations. We also see paintings of mammoths, ibex, human type figures and three megaloceros. Next, we continue to Pech Merle, with painted black outlines of aurochs, mammoth, spotted-horses, geometric shapes and handprints. This cave reveals a full repertoire of cave art techniques and material – it is truly thought-provoking and an unforgettable experience. Day Six | Les Eyzies - London Today, we say our goodbyes and travel back home. Please note that the order of visits might change due to availability of caves.
Image: Prehistoric cave art inside the new Interpretation Centre, Lascaux IV
Cap Blanc Pech Merle
Les Eyzles
• View the UNESCO-listed cave system at Grotte de Rouffignac
Day One | London - Les Eyzies We fly from London to Bordeaux and drive on to our hotel in Les Eyzies.
Lascaux
Le Thot
Tour Highlights • Discover images from the world-famous painted cave of Lascaux at the new Interpretation Centre, Lascaux IV
Cougnac
Guided by Dr Paul Bahn Join Paul in the Dordogne on our June departure.
Guided by Dr Rob Dinnis Join Rob in the Dordogne on our September departures.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
2nd - 7th Jun
£2,295
£195
8th - 13th Sep
£2,195
£195
15th - 20th Sep
£2,195
£195
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at Hôtel le Centenaire 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/dor 01772 650 051 43
ROMAN PROVENCE
Spectacular Roman sites in a glorious setting 9 Days
From £2,895pp
15th - 23rd September 2020
Activity Level
The idyllic landscapes of Provence are home to some of Europe’s finest Roman remains. We tell the story of the Romans in Provence as we visit triumphal arches, temples, theatres and aqueducts. Many of these monuments remain remarkably complete from the magnificent amphitheatres at Arles and Nîmes, to the ruins of Glanum.
Vaison la Romaine Orange Pont du Gard Pont Julien
Nîmes
Tour Highlights • See the Pont du Gard with its three-tiered arches, the highest of all Roman aqueducts and the best preserved • Enjoy a visit to Nîmes to see its Roman architecture and the newly opened archaeological museum • Visit the medieval town of Vaison la Romaine with some of the most significant Roman ruins in France
44 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Arles
Glanum Les Baux de Provence
Aix-en Provence
Marseille
Day Two | Orange We begin the day with a visit to Orange, where we will explore the theatre, Roman triumphal arch and the fantastic museum. The Roman city on the site was founded in 35 BC, however, it was originally under Celtic rule. The ancient porticoes, Celtic fortifications and beautiful fountained squares make this small town well worth the visit. In the afternoon, we explore charming Saint Rémy de Provence, a charming village where the Provençal way of life is alive and well. Day Three | Nîmes We spend the day in Nîmes, which was once a thriving Roman town. Visits include the Arena of Nîmes, where the former amphitheatre was remodelled as a bullring in the 19th century, and the beautifully preserved temple façade at Maison Caree. Next, we see the original spring of Nemausus, around which the pre-Roman settlement grew up, and has since been landscaped into a modern day park. We then continue to the Temple of Diana and the newly opened Archaeological Museum, Musée de la Romanité, and a little free time is available for further independent exploration of this wonderful location.
Day Seven | Pont du Gard - Les Baux de Provence We spend our morning at the spectacular stretch of aqueduct that once fed the historic city of Nîmes: the Pont du Gard. This monument was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and in 2004 it was awarded the coveted title of 'Grand site de France.' Described regularly as a true masterpiece of ancient architecture, the Pont du Gard is a sight to behold. Upon our return to our hotel, we will stop off at Les Baux de Provence to explore the ancient village, which is perched on a rocky outcrop. Day Eight | Vaison la Romaine Driving north, we reach Vaison la Romaine with its impressive Roman ruins. We visit the site of Puymin where we can see the remains of houses, a theatre and a sanctuary. On our return, we stop briefly at Cavaillon to see the remains of a 1st century Roman arch.
Day Nine | Marseille - London We drive to the Pont Flavien, a rare example of a Roman Day Four | Glanum bridge with triumphal arches. We then proceed to the This morning we head off to the spectacular site of Glanum, once an oppidum airport for our return flights home. and which has played host to some fascinating excavations. Here, we will visit the museum and there is an option to walk to the viewing areas that overlook the site, sanctuary, monuments and residential area. We proceed to Avignon for an independent lunch and then the rest of the afternoon is free to spend at leisure. Take the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere, culture and history of the area, which also boasts an array of local shops. Day Five | Pont Julien We visit the Musée Granet, home to a collection of artefacts from the pre-Roman site of Entremont, which we later visit. The site was settled between 180 and 170 BC and was then abandoned due to the Romans taking control in 123 BC. It contains two distinct areas of settlement around the ramparts. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely drive over the Luberon Hills to Pont Julien, which is a Roman bridge over the Calavon river. It was built between 29 BC and 14 AD during the early Roman Empire by Domitius Ahenobarbus. Day Six | Arles The Roman past of Arles still seems remarkably close. Today, we visit the Obelisk, Cloisters, and Cryptoporticus tunnels that are located deep beneath the forum. We also have the chance to marvel at the amphitheatre which is still in use to this day. Other sites include the impressive ancient theatre, Roman baths, and the Alyscamps. Next, we tour the modern Archaeological Museum, which vividly tells a story of Roman Arles through its fantastic exhibits and collections. Arles is a truly fascinating destination to explore. Finally, we return to our hotel via Barbegal, where we stop to observe the ancient aqueducts and mills.
Guided by Craig Alexander Craig developed a 3D scanner for rock art, which was tested and refined in Val Camonica.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
15th - 23rd Sep
£2,895
£395
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Provence 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pro Images left to right: Glanum Archaeological Park, Les Baux-de-Provence & the roof of Maison
01772 650 051 45
Worldwide
Day One | London - Provence Fly into Marseille and then transfer to our hotel.
Activity Level
LANGUEDOC
Cathars & Crusaders 8 Days
From £2,695pp
7th - 14th September 2020
Languedoc was once a thriving province in southern France and the home of Catharism, an ascetic Christian sect that eschewed the orthodox beliefs of the Roman Catholic church. In 1209, Pope Innocent III launched the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate the ‘heretics’ of Languedoc. 20 years of fighting followed, leaving behind spectacular castles and abbeys.
Cordes-sur-Ciel
Tour Highlights • Stay in a restored 16th century castle in Couiza
Albi
• Heretics and Holy War, the struggle for hearts and minds in medieval France • Explore ruined castles and deserted villages perched atop craggy hills, set among vertiginous landscapes that boast spectacular views
Toulouse Béziers
Lastours Carcassonne
Day One | London - Toulouse We arrive in Toulouse and enjoy a lecture at our hotel. Day Two | Cordes-sur-Ciel - Albi We travel to the fortified Cathar refuge of Cordes-sur-Ciel, where 13th and 14th century townhouses are perched high on a hill. We see Albi’s red-brick cathedral and later we visit Musee Toulouse-Lautrec in Berbie Palace. Day Three | Lastours - Carcassonne Today we view Lastours, the Cathar stronghold besieged by Simon de Montfort, where four of the few last surviving Cathar castles remain. From here, we drive to Carcassonne to visit the Château Comtal and the Grand Basilica of St. Nazaire. Day Four | Narbonne - Béziers This morning we travel to Narbonne for a walking tour of its centre. View the Cathedral of Saint-Just-etSaint-Pasteur and the Palais des Archevequers. We continue to Béziers with its Gothic Cathédral St. Nazaire. Our last stop is in Minerve. 46 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Five | Peyrepertuse - Arques Our first destination today is the vast and ruined Capetion Castle of Peyrepertuse, which towers high above the countryside. After lunch, we visit Château de Quéribus. Finally, we head to Arques, a castle gifted to one of Simon de Montfort’s lieutenants. Day Six | Fontfroide - Lagrasse We start at the Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide, a major power in the fight against the heretics during the 13th century. Next, we visit the Abbey of St. Marie d’Orbieu in Lagrasse. Our final stop today is Villerouge Termenès to see the castle. Day Seven | Montsegur - Puivert This morning we pay visits to both the castle and museum at Montségur, the scene of the last stand of the Cathars against the Albigensian crusaders. Later, we discover Puivert Castle. Day Eight | Couiza - London This morning we drive to Toulouse to explore the basilica and crypt at St. Sernin. Later, we travel home.
Puivert Montségur
Lagrasse Arques Couiza
Narbonne Fontfroide
Peyrepertuse
Guided by Dr Pamela Marshall A retired lecturer and an expert in the archaeology of standing buildings.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
7th - 14th Sep
£2,695
£495
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Toulouse, Carcassonne & Couiza 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/lcr Image: Castle in Carcassonne
Worldwide
Activity Level
PYRENEES ROCK ART
Travel alongside the leading expert on rock art worldwide 6 Days
From £2,195pp
19th - 24th October 2020
Created by our ancestors around 35-10,000 years ago, at a time when Europe lay in the grip of an Ice Age, cave art provides one of the most direct connections possible with our distant past. The astonishing feature of rock art is that, preserved by the constant temperature of their environment, these drawings and paintings have remained intact and in situ for millennia. Tour Highlights • Get insights into the creation of cave art and the life of the people who created it
La Vache
• Visit the key sites of prehistoric cave art of the area such as Niaux, Mas d’Azil and Gargas • Stand in the exact spot where artists who created these early masterpieces of art once stood
Grottes de Gargas
Le Mas-d'Azil St Girons
Day One | London - Saint-Girons We fly from London and arrive in Toulouse, admired capital of the Occitane region, and journey south to our hotel in the gorgeous town of Saint-Girons. Day Two | Grotte de Bédeilhac The day begins with a drive out to the Parc de la Préhistoire. Primarily important for its facsimiles of the main chamber of Niaux, it shows the figures as they would have originally looked. Later, we visit the Grotte de Bédeilhac. Occupation here dates back at least 15,000 years, with a variety of intriguing pieces of cave art, drawings, engravings and even clay mouldings among the striking rock formations. Day Three | Grottes de Gargas This morning we drive out to the Grottes de Gargas, where we find cave art, created in the Upper Palaeolithic period of approximately 25,000 BC. Afterwards, we visit the rich Roman site of Lugdunum Convenarum, St. Bertrand de Comminges, and the beautiful Basilique de St. Just.
Day Four | La Vache - Niaux Today we visit the cave of La Vache, situated directly opposite of Niaux, but much lower in the valley. This cave served as a living area for prehistoric people over several centuries and, although undecorated, it shows living floors and hearths. Fully prepared with this new-found insight, we go on to view the famous Niaux Cave itself. Here, we find one of the greatest and most powerful collections of Ice Age drawings that can still be visited. Day Five | Mas d’Azil Our explorations today begin at the huge cave site of Mas d’Azil, which is characterised by colourfully decorated pebbles and finely carved bone harpoons. We also visit the site’s accompanying museum, which showcases a fine collection of portable art. Our afternoon will be spent at leisure exploring this fascinating area. Day Six | Saint-Girons - London After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.
St-Betrand-de-Comminges Grotte de Bédeilhac Niaux
Guided by Dr Paul Bahn The world’s leading expert on prehistoric rock art.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
19th - 24th Oct
£2,195
£190
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at Hotel Eychenne 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pyr Image: Prehistoric rock art
01772 650 051 47
Activity Level
ANCIENT CATALONIA
Iberians & Romans in North-East Spain 8 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing June & October 2020
Prehistoric cave paintings show the emergence of a complex society early in the region’s history and an advanced Iberian culture developed here. There were Greek settlements along the coast before it was conquered by the Romans. Catalonia was one of the first areas of Spain to free itself from the Moors and, as a result, there evolved a very distinct regional culture. Tour Highlights • See the 2500-year old village of Callafell
Besalú
• Discover prehistoric art in the caves of Ulldecona
Girona
• View the magnificent Les Ferreres Aqueduct, built by the Romans to supply water to Tarragona • Explore the medieval monasteries’ hillside towns Tarragona
Day One | London - Tarragona We arrive in Barcelona airport and then drive to the Iberian village of Calafell. We then continue to our hotel in Tarragona. Day Two | Tarragona We spend the day exploring Roman Tarraco (Tarragona). After lunch we continue visiting the Circus (one of the best preserved in the entire Empire) and the amphitheatre. Day Three | El Mèdol – Centcelles – Altafulla This morning we visit the Roman quarry of El Mèdol and then it’s on to Altafulla. After lunch, we drive to the aqueduct el Pont de les Ferreres and the Roman villa at Centcelles. Day Four | Ulldecona – Tivissa This morning we head to Ulldecona where the discovery of prehistoric rock art has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. We then continue to Tivissa. On our return to Tarragona, we visit the early Christian cemetery.
48 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Five | Tarragona – Barcelona – Girona Driving northwards along the coast we view the Arco de Bera on our way to Barcelona, exploring the city, the underground excavations and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, we continue driving north to our hotel in Girona. Day Six | Girona - Besalu We take a walk around Girona’s town walls and the Arabic baths before visiting the Archaeological Museum, housed in an 11th century Romanesque monastery. In the afternoon we drive to the Church of Santa Maria de Porqueres and then Besalu. Day Seven | Emporion - Ullastret We start our day at the trading site of Emporion, colonised by Iberian, Greek and Roman settlers. This afternoon, we pay a visit to the Iron Age settlement of Ullastret. Day Eight | Girona - London A visit to Girona Cathedral awaits this morning before we drive to Barcelona airport for our flight home.
Ullastret
Barcelona Altafulla
Ulldecona
Guided by Dr Andy Souter Currently Andy is a Teaching Fellow at the University of Reading.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
1st - 8th Jun
£2,495
£375
5th - 12th Oct
£2,495
£375
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Tarragona & Girona 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners. Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/cat Image: Medieval city of Tivissa
Worldwide
Activity Level
ROCK ART OF ALTAMIRA
A close encounter with our Stone Age antecendents 8 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing June & August 2020
Decorated 35-15,000 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. View the images precisely where they were created, standing or crouching exactly as the original artists did. Tour Highlights • Experience a tour in the company of our rock art experts • Wonder at the spectacular Tito Bustillo cave paintings and engraved images • Visit the cave of Altamira heralded as the Sistine Chapel of cave art
Altamira
• Explore the contrast between modern art and cave art at the legendary Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Day One | London - Bilbao We fly into Bilbao and transfer to our hotel. Day Two | Ekainberri - Bilbao This morning we drive to see the facsimile of the painted cave at Ekain, with some of the most realistic colourful depictions of horse and bison. We leave the prehistoric era behind this afternoon with a visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Day Three | Covalanas - El Pendo We have an attractive drive through the mountains to the small cave of Covalanas, decorated with deer drawn entirely in a red dotted outline. After lunch we visit the cave of El Pendo, which contains a panel 8.8m long of painted animals. Day Four | Altamira - El Castillo Today we reach the famous site of Altamira, where we see the superb facsimile of the cave and the museum. Continue along the coast to El Pindal to view a series of geometric signs and a variety of animal figures. Image: Prehistoric bison in the Altamira caves
Day Seven | Candamo - Teverga We visit Candamo, where we see the more famous engraving of a stag and other fine figures. Our final visit of the tour is to the prehistoric park at Teverga. Day Eight | Bilbao - London We return home to today.
Tito Bustillo La Loja
Teverga El Castillo
Day Five | Las Monedas - El Castillo We head south of Santillana and visit two decorated caves; Las Monedas’ labyrinth cave assumed to have been painted by a single person and in contrast, we visit El Castillo with a plethora of art phases - the earliest dating back to 40,000 years ago - plus a mixture of hundreds of animal figures and 50 red hand stencils. Day Six | La Loja - Tito Bustillo We travel west along the coast into the mountainous region of Asturias to La Loja – a cave with fine engravings, which stand out clearly in white against the dark rock. This afternoon we see the cave of Tito Bustillo, discovered in 1968 by a group of cavers.
Candamo
Bilbao
Ekainberri
El Pendo
Guided by Dr Paul Bahn Join Paul in Altamira on our June departure.
Guided by Dr Rob Dinnis Join Paul in Altamira on our August departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
15th - 22nd Jun
£2,495
£290
24th - 31st Aug
£2,495
£290
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Bilbao, Santillana del Mar & Oviedo 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 6 dinners. Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/alt 01772 650 051 49
Activity Level
ROMAN LUSITANIA
Private tour of the Archaeological Crypt at Alcácer do Sal 8 Days
From £2,595pp
20th - 27th September 2020
The Iberian peninsula, known by Romans as Hispania, was one of the wealthiest parts of the ancient Mediterranean. Evidence of that wealth, includes its rich fisheries, silver mines and agriculture. While the programme focuses on the Roman period, it is enhanced by some spectacular prehistoric and medieval sites along the way. Tour Highlights • Visit the Basilica of Santa Lucia del Trampal
Cácres
• View intricate mosaics and well-preserved frescoes • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cáceres • Wander the city of Mérida and see the Roman aqueduct, Los Milagros
Trampal
Elvas
Lisbon
Badajoz
Mérida
Escoural Alcácer do Sal
Day One | London - Lisbon Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to our hotel in Alcácer do Sal. Day Two | Alcácer do Sal - Évora Our day begins at the Cripta Arqueologica do Castelo de Alcácer do Sal and continue to Troía. After lunch, we visit the megalithic complex of Os Almendres. The last stop of the day will be at Anta Grande do Zambujeiro, the largest prehistoric burial chamber in the Iberian peninsula. Day Three | Évora Today we travel to the Escoural Cave, famed for its Paleolithic art and its funerary remains. After lunch, we explore the Roman Villa São Cucufate, which was reused as a monastery in the medieval period. Finally, we visit the museum at Vila de Frades. Day Four | Évora - Mérida We head to the town of Badajoz to visit the Provincial Archaeological Museum. We proceed to Mérida and admire the ruins of the Aqueduct de Los Milagros, constructed in the 1st century AD. 50 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Sao Cucufate
Day Five | Mérida We walk to the 11th century Muslim fortification, the Alcazaba. Next, we drive to Casa del Mitreo to view its mosaics and well-preserved frescoes. We end our day at the National Museum of Roman Art. Day Six | Mérida This morning we start at the Cornalvo Dam, before driving to Medellín to explore the Roman theatre and castle. This afternoon, we explore the Roman Circus and the Basilica de Santa Eulalia. Day Seven | Mérida After breakfast, we visit the Basilica of Santa Lucia del Trampal, the only extant Visigothic church in the Iberian peninsula. We continue with a tour of the Cáceres Museum before having a guided tour of the town. Day Eight | Mérida - Elvas - London On our final morning, we visit the Amoreira Aqueduct in Elvas before transferring to the airport for our return flights to London.
Guided by Dr Andy Souter Currently Andy is a Teaching Fellow at the University of Reading.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 27th Sep
£2,595
£550
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Pousada Castelo Alcácer Do Sal, Évora Olive Hotel & Parador de Mérida • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/spa Image: Amoreira Aqueduct at Elvas
Worldwide
Activity Level
ROMANS, VISIGOTHS & VIZIERS
Pay a memorable visit to the legendary Alhambra Palace 8 Days
From £2,595pp
Departing April - October 2020
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, then came the Romans and then followed the Visigoths, who were vanquished by the Moors. From prehistory to the Renaissance, this tour progresses through the myriad ages of this region. Tour Highlights • Follow the scenic route of the ancient Roman road known as the Via Augusta • Explore the ruined Moorish palace of Medina Azahara, a UNESCO-listed site
Córdoba
• Tour three important locations – Seville, Córdoba and Granada • Spend an afternoon at the stunning Alhambra Palace, with its enchanting blend of Arabic and Renaissance architecture
Seville
Carmona
Granada
Málaga
Day One | London - Seville Fly from London to Seville. Upon arrival, we transfer to our comfortable hotel. Day Two | Seville Our first full day begins at the Palacio le Lebrija, home to an Archaeological Museum famous for its Roman mosaics. Next, we visit Seville’s Archaeological Museum and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the See – the largest Gothic church in the world. Finally, we tour the Real Alcazar, the oldest European royal palace to be still in use today. Day Three | Seville This morning we drive to Italica, home to Roman remains, ancient cobbled streets and one of the Empire’s largest amphitheatres. Back in Seville, we visit the Metropol Parasol, the iconic wooden structure referred to by locals as Las Setas. Underneath Las Setas, we will explore the discoveries found during excavations. Day Four | Seville - Córdoba Today we travel to Carmona to explore the ruins of the ancient city, the Image: Sunset over the Alhambra
fortress and the necropolis, which is known for its rock-cut tombs. Later, we drive to Córdoba and visit the Archaeological Museum.
Day Five | Córdoba After breakfast, we explore the ruined Moorish palace of Medina Azahara. In Córdoba, we explore the Mezquita and the atmospheric Jewish Quarter. Day Six | Córdoba The Ibero-Roman archaeological park of Torreparedones awaits today, and we visit its market and forum. We then visit the Baena Archaeological Museum and after lunch it’s on to the Andalusian city of Jaén. Day Seven | Córdoba - Granada Our entire day is spent in Granada, visiting its Archaeological Museum and then finally the iconic Alhambra. Described by Muslim poets as a pearl set in emeralds, this is a true highlight. Day Eight | Málaga - London We drive to Málaga, on the southern coast, and catch our flight to London.
Guided by Doru Bogdan A Roman archaeology specialist, he has supervised excavations in Italy and Turkey.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
27th Apr - 4th May
£2,595
£435
14th Sep - 21st Sep
£2,595
£435
19th Oct - 26th Oct
£2,595
£435
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Seville, Córdoba & Granada 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Please note this tour does change due to seasonal opening times and ferias.
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/vis 01772 650 051 51
Activity Level
SARDINIA | WARRIORS & TRADERS Visit the fascinating sites of Su Nuraxi 9 Days
From £2,795pp
Departing May & September 2020
The archaeology of glorious Sardinia tells the story of rich prehistoric and Classical cultures. From the thousands of Bronze Age nuragi, to ancient Phoenician colonies, discover the diverse and captivating sites that have shaped this intriguing island society. We visit a variety of sites unique to the island, including the Phoenician site of Sulcis. Tour Highlights • Examine the mysterious Tophet — children’s cemetery — at Sulcis
Sassari
Palmavera
Su Tempiesu
Alghero
Santu Antine
• Explore the Cagliari Archaeological Museum to see the unique nuraghic bronze figurines and statues • Visit the highest Bronze Age structure in the Mediterranean at the nuraghic site of Su Nuraxi at Barumini
Barumini
Cagliari
Monte Sirai
Day One | London - Alghero We fly from London to Sardinia and upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. Day Two | Alghero Our first stop is the Monte d’Accoddi, an impressive prehistoric temple site. After lunch, we visit the Museum at Sassari. Day Three | Alghero We visit one of the more complex Nuragic settlements, namely that at Palmavera. We continue by taking a short journey to explore the pre-Nuragic tombs at Anghelu Ruju. Later, enjoy free time in Alghero. Day Four | Alghero - Dorgali Today we visit Santu Antine, one of the most complete and architecturally sophisticated nuragi in Sardinia. We continue our exploration of nuragi by visiting the two-storey tower at Losa, impressively set overlooking an island plain. Day Five | Dorgali We travel by 4x4s to the megalithic chamber tombs at S’Ena e Thomes, 52 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
before visiting the sacred spring at Su Tempiesu. Later, we drive to another valley to visit Sa Sedda e Sos Carros, hidden in the mountains near Dorgali, where we visit nuragic settlements.
Sulcis
Day Eight | Pula Our morning will be spent at the fantastic Archaeological Museum at Cagliari, which hosts the island’s most important artefacts. Later, we visit Nora, a Phoenician trading settlement. Day Nine | Pula - London We transfer to the airport to catch our return flight to London.
Pula
Guided by Farès Moussa Join Farès in Sardinia on our May departure.
Day Six | Dorgali - Pula We visit the nuraghic village and sacred well at Santa Cristina. We continue to the most famous and complex of all nuragic sites, Su Nuraxi at Barumini. Day Seven | Pula Today we visit the Phoenician settlement of Sulcis. Founded in the late 8th century BC, Sulcis rapidly developed into a large and prosperous city. After lunch, we visit Monte Sirai, a 3rd-2nd century BC Phoenician site.
S'Ena'e Thomes
Guided by Dr Tertia Barnett Join Tertia in Sardinia on our September departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
15th - 23rd May
£2,795
£355
22nd - 30th Sep
£2,795
£355
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Carlos V, Hotel Brancamaria & Lantana Resort Hotel • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 6 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/sar Image: The well temple of Santa Cristina
Worldwide
Activity Level
SYRACUSE & ORTYGIA
The greatest Greek city in Sicily 6 Days
From £1,995pp
20th - 25th October 2020
With a history stretching back almost 3,000 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, an evocative palimpsest of history. On this tour, we gaze out over the harbour and relax in one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy. Tour Highlights • Discover Sicilian Baroque architecture in Noto
Catania
• Relax in bewitching Ortygia with its stunning views and piazza
Piazza Armerina
• Visit the Temple of Athena incorporated in the modern cathedral • Travel to Piazza Armerina, with its unique array of mosaic floors which have been newly renovated
Megara Hyblaea Syracuse
Day One | London - Ortygia We fly to Catania from London and drive to our hotel on the island of Ortygia, in Syracuse’s historical centre. Day Two | Ortygia We explore Ortygia, starting with the Temple of Athena, remarkably assimilated into the fabric of the Cathedral and continuing with the Temple of Apollo, Fountain of Arethusa, and the Great Harbour, where the sea battle between Syracuse and Athens in 413 BC took place. The afternoon is free for us to enjoy. Visit the Caravaggio painting in Santa Lucia, or the Byzantine Jewish baths or the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. Day Three | Ortygia - Noto Enjoy a free morning before driving to Noto, famed for its exceedingly well-preserved Baroque architecture. The city, built ex-novo following a severe earthquake in 1693, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We also take in the late-Roman villa of Romana del Tellaro, which has fine mosaics depicting the ransom of Hector’s body. Image: The Duomo
Ortygia
Day Four | Piazza Armerina Today we travel to the late-Roman villa in Piazza Armerina for a chance to see its exceptionally fine mosaics firsthand. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an astounding example of a luxury Roman villa. We tour its rooms and admire the excellent works of art. Day Five | Syracuse We visit the fine Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum before exploring the spectacular Neapolis archaeological area famed for its theatre. After lunch, we visit the catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse, underground Greek cisterns transformed into Christian burials in the Paleochristian era. Here, we also visit the Norman basilica of San Giovanni, along with the crypt that is home to well-preserved frescoes. Day Six | Syracuse - London To mark our final morning, we take a short drive to Megara Hyblaea, founded by colonists in the 8th century BC, from home the city took its name. We then transfer to the airport.
Noto
Guided by Ffiona Gilmore Eaves Ffiona has worked in life-long learning along the WEA and has specialised in Adriatic Archaeology.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 25th Oct
£1,995
£245
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at the Royal Hotel Maniace 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/sir 01772 650 051 53
CLASSICAL SICILY
Special access to the glittering Cappella Palatina 11 Days
From £3,345pp
Departing March - October 2020
Activity Level
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily arguably has the richest history of any region in Italy. During the Greek and later the Norman periods, Sicily was a creative centre of philosophy, art and learning. On this sun-soaked island, we find wonderful monuments from all the cultures that found their homes in Italy. Tour Highlights • Visit the cathedral at Monreale, which is covered in opulent mosaics
Palermo
• See truly exceptional mosaics at the Villa Romana, Piazza Armerina • Discover the magnificent Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site • Visit Arab-Norman churches in Palermo with their blend of Byzantine and Arabic art • Explore Syracuse, with its spectacular Duomo and Greek theatre
54 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Marsala Selinus
Morgantina
Agrigento
Akrai
Catania Syracuse Noto
Day Two | Segesta - Monreale After breakfast, we drive to the ancient Greek city of Segesta, home to an elegant but unfinished 5th century BC Doric temple and the remains of an impressive hilltop theatre. This afternoon we make our way to Monreale, the former hunting ground of the Norman kings of Sicily. Here, we discover an opulent Norman-Byzantine cathedral and abbey, founded by King William II in 1174. The site recently achieved UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its stunning construction and mosaic work. Day Three | Palermo Today is ours to explore the wonders of Palermo. We start at the Archaeological Museum, where we find famous metopes from the Selinus temples, as well as a fascinating array of artefacts discovered underwater. Later, we visit the beautifully decorated church of La Martorana and the neighbouring Chiesa di San Cataldo. After lunch, we go to the Palermo Cathedral, a 12th century construction that replaced a Moorish mosque and which houses the tombs of some of the Norman kings. This evening, we enjoy a private visit to the Cappella Palatina, the extraordinary chapel with glittering mosaics and Arabic ceiling. Day Four | Marsala - Motya This morning, we drive to Marsala and visit the museum with its remains of a Carthaginian warship sunk in the first Punic war. After lunch, we cross by boat to the island of Motya, a stronghold of the Phoenicians, sacked in 397 BC by the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius the Elder. We also visit the Archaeological Museum, taking time to admire its world-renowned statue of the charioteer.
around Ortygia, the oldest part of the ancient city, and the site of the remarkable 5th century BC Temple of Athena.
Day Nine | Akrai - Noto We start the day with a visit to the little-known Greek city of Akrai, where we see the remains of a theatre. We proceed to Noto, a baroque fantasy of a city that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we have lunch before exploring the city with its elaborate balconies and dramatically placed churches. This afternoon we visit the late Roman villa at Tellaro. Day Ten | Syracuse This morning we visit the catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse. Here, we also visit the Norman basilica of San Giovanni, felled by the 1693 earthquake, along with the crypt that boasts well-preserved frescoes. The afternoon is yours to enjoy. Day Eleven | Catania - London Following breakfast, we make our way back to the airport where we catch our return flight to London.
Guided by Dr Neil Faulkner Join Neil in Sicily 19th March
Day Five | Selinus We start the day at the quarries of the Cave di Cusa, used by Selinus for their titanic temples. Their heavy work was abandoned in 409 BC when Carthaginians sacked their city, a common refrain in the violent history of Sicily. We can still see the remnants of columns on site, sadly destined to remain both unfinished and in situ. We then travel on to Selinus itself to see the temples of the eastern sanctuary, including the incredible Temple G, one of the largest temples of the Greek world. We finish the day at the Acropolis of Selinus, dramatically positioned overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Join Eireann in Sicily 14th May
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Join Oliver in Sicily 10th September
Day Six | Agrigento We spend a whole day exploring the magnificent remains of Agrigento today, the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragas. We take in the Valley of the Temples, a World Heritage Site of seven Doric sanctuaries, including the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Concord, with its elegant walls and columns. We also view the remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Day Seven | Piazza Armerina - Morgantina We begin at the magnificent Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina. This late antique villa is noted for its superb collection of mosaics, which can now be viewed from a newly installed network of raised walkways. We proceed to Morgantina, a city founded by the native Sikels under their leader Ducetius. We find an exciting collection of remains, including a bouleuterion – an ancient Greek council chamber – a theatre, kilns and houses complete with mosaics. Day Eight | Syracuse Today we discover traces of Syracuse’s glorious past in the exceptional Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Later, we make our way to the Neapolis Archaeological Park, home to an incredible theatre where Aeschylus’ tragedies were once performed in the playwright’s presence. This afternoon we walk
Guided by Dr Gillian Shepherd Join Gillian in Sicily 17th September
Guided by Dr Doru Bogdan Join Doru in Sicily 1st October
Guided by Dr Jamie Sewell Join Jamie in Sicily 8th October
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
19th - 29th Mar
£3,345
£490
14th - 24th May
£3,445
£490
10th - 20th Sep
£3,445
£490
17th - 27th Sep
£3,445
£490
1st - 11th Oct
£3,395
£490
8th - 18th Oct
£3,395
£490
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation in Palermo, Marsala, Agrigento & Ortygia • 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/sic Images left to right: the temple of Hera at Agrigento & cloisters of the Duomo di Monreale
01772 650 051 55
Worldwide
Day One | London - Catania We depart from London and arrive in Sicily.
PUGLIA & BASILICATA
Visit the extraordinary Sassi of Matera 9 Days
From £2,995pp
Departing March & September 2020
Activity Level
Basilicata and Puglia offer rich histories, with outstanding monuments dating from the Neolithic period. Along with the wealth of history left by the Magna Graecia, this area is a showcase for fascinating troglodytic dwellings, Byzantine churches and Norman castles. It is the home of Horace and the land where Hannibal won his most famous victory. Tour Highlights • Explore the fascinating trulli of Alberobello • Discover Matera, European Capital of Culture for 2019
Cannae Melfi Venosa
Trani Castel del Monte Gioia del Colle Matera
• Immerse yourself in the wonderful Baroque city of Lecce • Visit Castle del Monte, the most spectacular castle in southern Italy • Examine the magnificent National Museum of Taranto and discover its great collections
56 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Metapontum
Puglia Taranto Massafra
Egnatia Lecce
Alberobello Ortanto
Day Two | Lecce -Otranto We begin our day in Lecce visiting some of the churches and the amphitheatre of the Roman city of Lupiae. When Lecce became part of the Kingdom of Naples, it took on a new cultural identity, becoming the ‘Apulian Athens’. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, this fostered the development of the ‘Lecce Baroque’ style, characterised by exuberant carving. We proceed to an off the beaten track, private visit to the Roca Vecchia Archaeological Park. We then visit the beautiful seaside city of Otranto, which was violently besieged by Ottomans in 1480. Here we visit the cathedral and the Byzantine Church of San Pietro.
Day Eight | Venosa - Melfi We travel to Venosa to visit the 12th century abbey of the Holy Trinity, which houses an important Norman tomb. Next, we continue to Melfi to visit an impressive Norman Castle. We also explore the National Archaeological Museum, home to a priceless Bronze Age statuette and the Roman sarcophagus of Rapolla. Day Nine | Trani - London This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight home to London.
Day Three | Egnatia - Alberobello Today we drive to the ancient site of Egnatia, a Messapian city which was also a strategic trading centre in the Roman period. We move on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello, before having some free time to explore this city with its unique architecture at our own pace. Day Four | Matera We spend all day in Matera, the European Capital of Culture for 2019. Carlo Levi, author of "Christ Stopped at Eboli", gave a heart-breaking account of the desperate poverty he witnessed during his years of exile in Matera in the 1940s. We begin with an exploration of the extraordinary Sassi of Matera, a network of phenomenal rock-cut cave dwellings and frescoed Byzantine churches. In the afternoon, we have some free time for independent wandering. Day Five | Massafra - Taranto Today we drive to Massafra to explore this lesser-known city with cave dwellings and wonderful Byzantine churches replete with frescoes. We continue to Taranto, to explore the outstanding National Archaeological Museum, one of the most important in Italy. Day Six | Metapontum - Gioia del Colle This morning we head to Metapontum, one of the most opulent cities in Magna Graecia. We visit The Temple of Hera before continuing on to Gioia del Colle to see the wonderful castle rebuilt by Frederick II. As well as the castle itself, we will also explore the National Archaeological Museum. Day Seven | Castel del Monte - Cannae We start with a visit to Castel del Monte to see the spectacular 13th century hunting lodge of the Emperor Frederick II. We spend the afternoon in Trani where we will visit the exquisite cathedral and Swabian Castle located on the sea front. Afterwards, we have free time.
Dr Eireann Marshall An Honorary Research Fellow for the Open University, Eireann is bilingual in both Italian and English, and has led many Andante tours. She has also published many articles on Roman North Africa.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
28th Mar - 5th Apr
£2,995
£265
4th - 12th Sep
£2,995
£310
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at the Grand Hotel di Lecce, Hotel San Domenico al Piano di Matera and the Giardino degli Ulivi Resort & Spa, or the Hotel San Paolo • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bap Images left to right: The ancient Sassi di Matera & the ancient Roman theater in Lecce
01772 650 051 57
Worldwide
Day One | London - Lecce We arrive into Puglia from London and drive to Lecce. Time permitting, we will have an introductory stroll around the city.
POMPEII, HERCULANEUM & CLASSICAL CAMPANIA Exclusive access to the off-site Theatre of Herculaneum 8 Days
From £1,995pp
Departing April - December 2020
Activity Level
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 - Pompeii, a trading town equipped with many bars, shops and brothels, while Herculaneum was an affluent elegant town. Tour Highlights • Visit off the beaten track villas at Stabiae • Explore newly opened houses in Pompeii • Private access to the Cave of Sejanus and the adjoining villa of Pausilypon with its dramatic coastal views. • Private access to the store rooms at Paestum, where we see Lucanian painted tombs normally closed to the public
58 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Naples
Vesuvius Herculaneum Oplontis
Pompeii
Stabiae Cava de' Tirreni
Worldwide
Day One | London - Cava de’Tirreni Today we depart from London and arrive in the beautiful bay of Naples. Day Two | Cava de’Tirreni - Paestum Our day begins with a visit to the fascinating site at Paestum to wander among the mighty temples. After lunch, we visit Paestum Museum, famed for its archaic metopes and its painted tombs. Here, we will have private access to Lucanian painted tombs normally shut to the public. We also view the famous ‘Tomb of the Diver’, which is dated to around 480 BC. Day Three | Pompeii We devote our day to Pompeii. We visit some of the most well-preserved buildings, including its amphitheatre, theatre, forum, bath houses, and bars. Fountains are worn from use, wheel ruts are carved into the street, and the walls are adorned with graffiti and paintings. Travelling by the best routes to avoid crowds, we also visit many houses that have only recently reopened to the public. Day Four | Naples - Pozzuoli Today, we marvel at the exceptional collections of artefacts at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. After lunch, we move on to Pozzuoli to see one of the most impressive amphitheatres in the world. Later, we gain private access to the Cave of Sejanus, an impressive tunnel dating to the age of Augustus, which gives access to the lovely seaside villa of Pausilypon. Here, we visit a theatre and odeon, built at a later date. Day Five | Stabiae Go off the beaten track to the villas of Stabiae, an exclusive Roman resort for the very wealthy. The vast Villa San Marco, with its swimming pool and bath complex, is one of the most opulent along this coast and it remains very impressive in its scale. The Villa Arianna, with its wonderful frescoes, is remarkably little-visited and provides wonderful views over the Bay of Naples. During our visit, we will walk through the grand rooms, chambers and gardens – all in splendid isolation. Later in the afternoon, there is some free time. Day Six | Vesuvius - Oplontis Today, we ascend to the great volcanic crater of Vesuvius. The majority of our journey will be by bus, but the final part requires a short walk, which will be well worth the effort. After the ascent and peering into the crater, you will see fumaroles and the layers of previous eruptions, while walking around the perimeter of the crater affords magnificent views over the Bay of Naples. After lunch, we continue to the impressive villa at Oplontis, which boasts sumptuous frescoes, a bath complex, a swimming pool, and interesting slave quarters. Day Seven | Herculaneum The town of Herculaneum, which perfectly complements a visit to Pompeii, is our last port of call. Here, we can wander the streets with almost complete houses rising up on either side. In addition to the site, we explore the Antiquarium, newly opened after 44 years, and which houses precious articles found along Herculaneum’s sea front. After lunch, we have private access to Herculaneum’s theatre, which is off-site and is still buried by the pyroclastic flow.
Guided by Tony O’Connor Join Tony in Pompeii 20th April.
Guided by Ben Kane Join Ben in Pompeii 27th April.
Guided by Diana Blumberg Join Diana in Pompeii 25th May.
Guided by John Shepherd Join John in Pompeii 7th September.
Guided by Dr Jamie Sewell Join Jamie in Pompeii 14th September.
Guided by Dr Gillian Shepherd Join Gillian in Pompeii 28th September.
Guided by Tony Wilmott Join Tony in Pompeii 5th October, 12th October & 14th December.
Guided by Dr Simon Elliott Join Simon in Pompeii 19th October.
Guided by David Rudling Join David in Pompeii 2nd November.
Guided by Mark Corney Join Mark in Pompeii 9th November.
Dates & prices per person
Day Eight | Naples - London After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flights to London.
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 27th Apr
£2,095
£175
27th Apr - 4th May
£2,095
£175
25th May - 1st Jun
£2,195
£175
7th - 14th Sep
£2,195
£175
14th - 21st Sep
£2,195
£175
28th Sep - 5th Oct
£2,195
£175
5th - 12th Oct
£2,095
£175
12th - 19th Oct
£2,095
£175
19th - 26th Oct
£2,095
£175
2nd - 9th Nov
£1,995
£175
9th - 16th Nov
£1,995
£175
14th - 21st Dec
£2,095
£175
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at the Hotel Scapolatiello or similar 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pom Images left to right: The ruins of Pompeii & the remains of Herculaneum
01772 650 051 59
Activity Level
POMPEII & NAPLES AT NEW YEAR The ancient city and its New Year traditions 7 Days
From £2,995pp
28th December 2020 - 3rd January 2021
Explore vibrant Naples, with its wonderful churches and museums, and the astonishing remnants of the ancient city in the festive season when the city is festooned with crib scenes. We explore Pompeii and Herculaneum, which give us incomparable glimpses into everyday life in antiquity — without the hassle of the crowds. Tour Highlights • Visit the well-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Pozzuoli • Celebrate the New Year with a delicious gala dinner and festivities Naples
• Explore the amazing Piscina Mirabilis, the largest Roman cistern in Europe • See out the old year at Pompeii and Herculaneum, when it’s devoid of tourists
Pozzuoli Misenum
Day One | London - Naples We fly from London to Naples and transfer to our hotel. Day Two | Naples This morning we visit the National Archaeological Museum, home to many of the finest wall paintings and statues that were recovered from Pompeii and Herculaneum. After lunch, we walk to the cloister of Santa Chiara – covered with fabulous maiolica tiles – the Roman baths and the excavated streets below San Lorenzo Maggiore. Day Three | Pompeii Today, we have a full day roaming the incomparable sights of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city destroyed by Vesuvius. We explore its streets, public buildings, villas, and bars, as well as sites which have been recently opened by virtue of the Great Pompeii Project. Day Four | Herculaneum - Oplontis This morning we visit the once prosperous city of Herculaneum, which was buried by 23 metres of volcanic material that perfectly
60 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Herculaneum Oplontis Pompeii
preserved organic material. We visit the warehouses where 300 victims lost their lives. After, we venture to Oplontis, said by many to be the home of Nero’s wife Poppaea.
Day Five | Naples On New Year’s morning, we will have a relaxing start before heading underground to visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro. The patron saint of Naples was buried here under the later Roman Empire before being moved to the cathedral. The afternoon will be free to explore Naples at leisure. Day Six | Pozzuoli - Misenum In the morning we drive to Pozzuoli to see one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the Roman world, constructed by the same architects who built the Colosseum. Later we have a private visit to the Piscina Mirabilis – a huge cistern that stored water for the Roman fleet stationed in Misenum. Day Seven | Naples - London We return home today.
Guided by Mark Corney A freelance archaeologist, Mark specialises in later prehistoric and Roman architecture.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
28th Dec 2020 3rd Jan 2021
£2,995
£495
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at San Francesco al Monte, Naples 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/nap Image: The haunting site of Pompeii
Worldwide
Activity Level
ROME
The Heart of the Empire 6 Days
From £2,095pp
Departing April & December 2020
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. Tour Highlights • The sprawling villa of Emperor Hadrian at Tivoli, its halls and pavilions covering more ground than most cities
Tivoli
Rome
• Visit the Ara Pacis, Augustus’ altar to the restoration of peace with its splendid reliefs
Colosseum
• Explore Portus, the great port of Rome that was created by both Claudius and Trajan Portus
Day One | London - Rome Fly from London and upon arrival in Rome, we transfer to our central hotel. Day Two | Colosseum - Forum Our adventure begins at the Colosseum, the iconic Flavian Amphitheatre – the largest of its type ever constructed. Here, we see the atmospheric corridors in which so many lives were lived and broken. Next, we visit the adjacent triumphal Arch of Constantine, before visiting the imperial palaces on the Palatine Hill, including the Cryptoporticus and the Roman Forum, which was the very centre of Roman power. Day Three | The Imperial Fora & the Baths of Diocletian A day exploring more of the ancient city centre, the Imperial Fora, including the game-changing architectural space of Trajan’s Forum and the huge market complex that he built for the people of the city. We then move on to the remains of the Baths of Diocletian, and the National Roman Museum.
Image: The iconic Colosseum
Day Four | The Field of Mars Originally a swamp, the Campus Martius outside the city walls found use first as a military training ground and then as the venue for consular elections. Later, competing dynasts oversaw huge building projects. We visit the stadium of Domitian, Pompey’s theatre, the Ara Pacis, and also the adjacent mausoleum of Augustus. Day Five | Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli A day out of Rome at Tivoli awaits. First to the huge country villa built for Hadrian and his court. The vast halls and galleries were a mine of treasures for the early archaeologists. Later, we pay a visit to the 16th century Villa D’Este, built by Cardinal Ippolito D’Este, son of Lucrezia Borgia. Here, we explore its fountains and gardens. Day Six | Portus - London On our way to the airport, we visit Portus, the great harbour built by Claudius and Trajan to supply Rome. The huge warehouses, docks and harbour basin lie secreted in woodland right by Leonardo da Vinci airport.
Guided by Dr Simon Elliott Join Simon in Rome on our April departure.
Guided by Dr Andrew Souter Join Andrew in Rome on our December departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
17th - 22nd Apr
£2,245
£265
4th - 9th Dec
£2,095
£265
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at the Albergo Santa Chiara or similar 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rom 01772 650 051 61
Activity Level
HIDDEN ROME
Special visit to the Mithraeum beneath the Circus Maximus 7 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing March & October 2020
Rome is the pivotal city of Europe, a capital that has dominated the history of the last two millennia. Its famous, great monuments are accompanied by a host of smaller, more difficult to reach, or just hidden sites Via andNomentana monuments all of which tell their own stories about the eternal city. Tour Highlights • Explore the underground ruins of Nero’s infamous Golden House, a revolution in architecture and luxurious design
Rome
• Visit Ostia Antica, the wonderfully preserved great port city that kept the capital of an empire fed and supplied
Field of Mars Colosseum
Forum Boarium
• Walk along the Appian Way, visiting the Villa of the Quintilli and the Circus of Maxentius
Aventine Hill Aurelian Walls Appian Way
Day One | London - Rome We fly to Rome and transfer to our city centre hotel. Day Two | The Appian Way We drive to the Appian Way to see the vast suburban estate of the Quintili and the equally extensive Villa of the Emperor Maxentius. This afternoon we visit the Baths of Caracalla. Day Three | Golden House - Colosseum This morning we visit the legendary Golden House which the Emperor Nero built after the great fire of Rome. More underground surprises will follow at the church of San Clemente, and then an afternoon visit to the Colosseum where we will be permitted to visit the areas below the arena floor. Day Four | Aventine Hill We visit the Forum Boarium, see the temples of Portunus and Hercules, and visit the churches of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and San Giorgio in Velabro. We then descend below to explore the hidden Mithraeum of the Circus Maximus. In the afternoon we ascend 62 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
the Aventine Hill to visit Santa Sabina, to explore the excavations below.
Day Five | The Field of Mars We start our day at the Cripta Balbi, one of the most important excavations undertaken in recent decades. Afterwards we take a walk through part of the Field of Mars visiting wellknown sites like the Pantheon to see this for ourselves. The afternoon is completely free for you to enjoy. Day Six | Aurelian walls We begin at Santa Constanza, built as a mausoleum for the sister of Constantine the Great. Later, we visit the early Christian catacombs that lie below the adjacent church of San Agnese. This afternoon we make our way to the Aurelian walls to explore the Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas, and the tomb of the Scipios. Day Seven | Ostia Antica - London Explore the extensive town of Ostia Antica, its level of preservation is comparable to Pompeii. We then head to the airport for our flight to London.
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Join Oliver in Rome 20th March.
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Join Eireann in Rome 23rd October.
Guided by John Shepherd Join John in Rome 30th October.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 26th Mar
£2,495
£355
23rd - 29th Oct
£2,695
£455
30th Oct - 5th Nov
£2,545
£435
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at the Albergo Santa Chiara 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/hro Image: Temple of Hercules Victor in the Forum Boarium
Worldwide
Activity Level
FALCO’S ROME with Lindsey Davis 6 Days
From £2,895pp
15th - 20th September 2020
Such a city has a thousand stories hidden in its teeming streets and during this special tour we will be guided by Lindsey Davis, whose novels of the investigators Marcus Didius Falco and Flavia Albia have brought the city to life in all its glorious and nefarious splendour. Tour Highlights • Visit the Domus Aurea, Domitian’s Palace in Castel Gandolfo and the Mithraeum underneath the Circus Maximus
Piazza Navona Forum Boarium
Rome Nero’s Golden House
• Enjoy a series of evening lectures, where your knowledge about this destination and its history will be expanded in engaging ways • Travel in the company of esteemed novelist Lindsey Davis as she takes you on a unique tour of Falco’s Rome
Day One | London - Rome Upon arrival in Rome, we enjoy an evening walk around the Imperial Fora. Day Two | Forum Boarium We begin at the Forum Boarium, taking in the Insula dell’Ara Coeli by the Vittoriano en route. From here, we explore the Theatre of Marcellus, the Temples of Hercules Victor and Portunus, and the Ponte Rotto. We move on to Santa Maria in Cosmedin and then walk to the Circus Maximus, and finally have private access to the Mithraeum. This afternoon, we walk to the Aventine via the Clivus Publicius and then visit the Basilica of Santa Sabina, where we will explore the rarely seen excavations underneath the basilica. Later, we walk to the Piazza dei Cavaglieri di Malta. Day Three | Castel Gandolfo Our day starts at the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo, where we explore the remains of the Villa of Domitian, which are in the Barberini Gardens. After lunch, we move on to the remains of Horace’s Sabine Villa in Licenza. Image: Aventine Hill
Day Four | Piazza Navona Today, we take a short walk to the Palazzo Valentini to view its extraordinary remains. We then walk to the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona, once Domitian’s Stadium, where we will consider the emperor, whom Lindsey Davis wrote about in "Master and God". We end the morning with a visit to the Gladiator’s Museum. Day Five | Nero’s Golden House We head to Nero’s Golden House and then walk to the Caelian Hill, hunting for further traces of the Domus Aurea and visit the apartment blocks on the Caelian Hill, buried underneath the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo. After lunch, we examine the Domus Flavia on the Palatine and then we end the day with a visit to the Forum. Day Six | Ostia Antica - London This morning we explore the extensive town of Ostia Antica, its level of preservation is comparable to Pompeii. We then transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.
Castel Gandolfo
Ostia Antica
Special Guest Lindsey Davis Lindsey Davis is a novelist best known for her Roman detective, Marcus Didius Falco.
Guided by Eireann Marshall Wanderlust’s Top History & Culture Guide of 2019, Eireann’s expertise brings sites to life.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
15th - 20th Sep
£2,895
£435
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at The Hotel Forum 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/fro 01772 650 051 63
Activity Level
LATIUM
The Roman Rich 7 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing May & October 2020
The picturesque hills and plains were an ideal retreat for the great and good of Imperial Rome, who came to escape the oppressive summer heat of the Eternal City. Emperor Hadrian himself built a villa complex here in the beautiful setting of Tivoli - his opulent and extravagant creation is one of the ‘blockbuster’ sites. Tour Highlights • Private visit to the lesser-known Roman town of Tusculum
Alba Fucens Rome
• Explore the hugely opulent villa built by the Emperor Hadrian in Tivoli
Praeneste
• Visit Tiberius’ seaside villa at Sperlonga with its remarkable dining room • Enjoy a private visit to Ninfa and its wonderful garden
Tivoli
Ostia Antica
Tusculum
Alatri Norba Cassino
Terracina
Day One | London - Gaeta We fly from London to Rome and transfer to our hotel in Gaeta. Day Two | Terracina - Sperlonga We begin in Terracina to view the ancient remains of the hilltop sanctuary of Jupiter Anxur. We continue to the centre of Terracina to visit the Roman ruins, and then it's on to the remains of the amazing seashore villa built for Emperor Tiberius at Sperlonga. Day Three | Ninfa - Norba We have special access to the famous gardens at Ninfa, which overlie a former medieval town. This afternoon we travel to Norba to appreciate some magnificent views. Day Four | Cassino - Alatri This morning we drive to Cassino, where we explore the classical Roman site, with remains of the theatre, amphitheatre and a range of tombs. We then visit the National Archaeological Museum, before ascending Monte Cassino to discover the renowned monastery. Later, we 64 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
continue to Alatri, to enjoy a tour of the tetrahedral and polygonal wall.
Sperlonga
Day Five | Tivoli Visit Hadrian’s Villa, which sprawls across the rolling countryside at the foot of the hills below the town of Tivoli. In the afternoon, we visit the grandiose 16th century Villa D’Este, built by Cardinal Ippolito D’Este. Day Six | Tusculum - Praeneste We travel to Tusculum, one of the largest Roman cities in the Alban Hills. Here, we have special access to the Roman town and its well-preserved theatre. We then visit Palestrina and its Archaeological Museum. Day Seven | Alba Fucens We head for the hills today, to visit Alba Fucens, strategically positioned on the main route to the Adriatic. The large site stretches over a hill with three spurs. Day Eight | Ostia Antica - London We finish our tour with a visit to Ostia Antica before transferring to the airport.
Gaeta
Guided by Diana Blumberg Join Diana in Italy on our May departure.
Guided by Prof. Tony King Join Tony in Italy on our October departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
17th - 24th May
£2,495
£290
11th - 18th Oct
£2,495
£290
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Villa Irlanda & Hotel Flora or similar • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/lat Image: The hilltop sanctuary of Jupiter Anxur
Worldwide
Activity Level
THE ETRUSCANS
Visit the Tomb of the Lion and the Tomb of the Pilgrim 8 Days
From £2,395pp
Departing April - October 2020
Before the rise of Rome, the Etruscans dominated much of central Italy. At the height of their power, Etruscan influence penetrated south into the Bay of Naples and north into the Po Valley. In the Tuscan hills, mighty cities such as Tarquinia, Cerveteri, Orvieto, Chiusi and others forged a league that dominated and traded with Greek colonists and Phoenician traders. Tour Highlights • See the Banditaccia cemetery at Cerveteri, a true city of the dead
Florence
Pisa Volterra
• View the unique painted tombs of Tarquinia, the earliest fresco cycle in western art
Colle di Val d'Elsa
• Explore the dramatic medieval city of Orvieto – Etruscan Velzna – and its magnificent cathedral
Orvieto
Tarquinia
Day One | London - Colle di Val d’Elsa We leave London and upon arrival in Pisa, we transfer to our hotel. Day Two | Volterra We explore Volterra and visit the Guarnacci Museum, famed for its alabaster cinerary urns. We walk through the town and to the Acropolis, where we see the Etruscan temple foundations. We visit the ancient city gate, the Porta all’Arco and a fine Roman theatre. Day Three | Florence This morning we drive to Florence and visit the Archaeological Museum. The collections of the Grand Dukes of Florence include some of the finest Etruscan bronze sculpture known. Some free time in Florence follows. Day Four | Civita Castellana We spend the day at Chiusi, the key inland city of northern Etruria. The collections in the museum are drawn from the area, and include finely carved cinerary chests and tomb markers in. Later, we visit Etruscan painted tombs. Image: Volterra’s Roman theatre at sunset
Day Five | Rome We start our day at Veii and explore the remains of the Portonaccio Temple, dedicated to Apollo. This afternoon, we visit the Villa Giulia Museum in Rome, which houses one of the world’s best collections of Etruscan art and artefacts, including the Apollo of Veii. Day Six | Tarquinia Up the coast we go to Tarquinia to see the Archaeological Museum and exquisitely painted subterranean chamber tombs. Over 6,000 tombs have been discovered at the Monterozzi cemetery painted with depictions of banquets and funerary games. Day Seven | Orvieto Explore Orvieto to visit the Belvedere Temple Podium, and the Etruscan cemetery of Crocifisso del Tufo. Day Eight | Civita Castellana - London This morning we visit the remarkable Banditaccia cemetery at Cerveteri, with rock-cut tombs under tumuli arranged in rows along streets. Later, we transfer to the airport.
Civita Castellana Rome
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Join Oliver in Italy on our April departure.
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Join Eireann in Italy on our September departure.
Guided by Prof. Tony King Join Tony in Italy on our October departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
26th Apr - 3rd May
£2,395
£325
20th - 27th Sep
£2,395
£325
25th Oct - 1st Nov
£2,395
£325
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Palazzo Pacini & Hotel Relais Falisco or similar • 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/etr 01772 650 051 65
Activity Level
RAVENNA & AQUILEIA
Special evening visit to the Basilica of San Vitale 8 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing April - November 2020
In AD 402, the Roman Imperial court fled from Rome to Ravenna, and for a period this was the political centre of what remained of the Western Empire. The result was an astonishing flowering of art and architecture created in the dying days of the Empire. We begin in Aquileia, a great city of the Roman Empire, which played host to emperors and archbishops. Cividale
Tour Highlights • Special access to the San Vitale and mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Concordia Sagittaria
• Marvel at the Tempietto Longobardo, a unique Lombard chapel
Aquilleia Grado
• Visit the medieval monastery at Pomposa, with its 14th century frescoes
Venice
• Admire the 4th century mosaic floor of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Aquileia Pomposa
Day One | London - Grado We depart from London, and upon arrival in Venice, we transfer to our hotel in Grado. Day Two | Aquileia We travel to Aquileia, a bustling Roman colony. We explore the cathedral with its famous 4th century mosaic floor. Afterwards, we walk along the riverine port to the 6th century Church of Monastero. We also visit the National Archaeological Museum of Aquileia. Day Three | Cividale This morning we drive to Cividale to visit the Tempietto Longobardo and the Diocesan Museum. Next, we explore the Cividale Archaeological Museum and later in Grado, the 6th century churches of S. Eufemia and S. Maria delle Grazie. Day Four | Pomposa We begin our day at the Roman colony of Concordia Sagittaria, before proceeding to the Abbey of Pomposa. Day Five | Ravenna Explore Ravenna with a series of 66 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
superb monuments, including the Arian Baptistery, the Neonian Baptistery, Ravenna Cathedral and the Achiepscopal museum. Next, we visit the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra and the National Archaeological Museum.
Day Six | Ravenna This morning, we visit the so-called remains of the apocryphal ‘Theodoric’s Palace’ and then on to the Church of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo. We proceed with a visit to the Church of San Francesco and the Cripta Rasponi. This evening we have our special private visit to the Basilica of San Vitale and the mausoleum of Gallia Placidia. Day Seven | Classe - Ravenna We have free time this morning to spend at leisure. After lunch, we drive to Classe to visit the commercial port of Roman Ravenna, its museum and the Byzantine church of San Apollinare. En route back to Ravenna, we stop to visit Theodoric’s great stone mausoleum. Day Eight | Ravenna - London We drive to Bologna airport for our return flights to London.
Bologna
Ravenna
Guided by Prof. Tony King Join Tony in Ravenna on our April departure.
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Join Eireann in Ravenna on our May departure.
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Join Oliver in Ravenna on our November departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 27th Apr
£2,495
£320
25th May - 1st Jun
£2,495
£320
2nd - 9th Nov
£2,495
£320
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Grand Hotel Astoria & Hotel Palazzo Bezzi • 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rav Image: Archaeological area of Aquileia
Worldwide
Activity Level
VENICE AT NEW YEAR
A private visit to the Doge’s Palace and a special tour of St. Mark’s Basilica 6 Days
From £3,295pp
Departing December 2020 - January 2021
This is Venice, but not as most experience it. Enjoy a privileged view of this maritime republic alongside New Year’s festivities. Not only will we explore the floating city’s great churches, scuole and iconic architecture, we have arranged a private tour of the iconic Doge’s Palace as well as special access to St. Mark’s Basilica. Finally, mark the new year with celebratory fireworks. Tour Highlights • Be treated to a private tour of the magnificent Doge’s Palace • Experience a special evening visit to the legendary St. Mark’s Basilica
Torcello
• Ring in 2021 with celebratory fireworks on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore as well as a festive gala dinner • Pay a visit to the renowned island of Murano and its Venier glass factory Murano
Day One | London - Venice Depart from London on a flight to Venice. Upon arrival, we visit Altinum, an ancient Roman coastal town that was abandoned after the Hunnic and Gothic invasions, when the population sought refuge in the Venetian lagoon. Later, we transfer to our hotel and we can relax for the rest of the evening. Day Two | Torcello - Murano Our day begins on the tiny and charming island of Torcello, where we explore the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. In the afternoon, we will head on over to the nearby island of Murano and visit the fascinating Venier glass factory as well as the popular nearby Glass Museum. Day Three | Venice This morning, there is some free time to enjoy the city at leisure. After an early lunch, we reconvene for a private tour of the magnificent Doge’s Palace – the highlights of which are the prisons and the Bridge of Sighs. In the evening, we are treated to a special private tour of the legendary St. Mark’s Basilica. Image: Fireworks over the Rialto Bridge
Day Four | Venice We begin today’s touring on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and then travel by vaporetto to the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Lunch is followed by a visit to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and then we walk via the Rialto Bridge to the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Tonight, we enjoy a gala dinner and can then watch the festive Venetian Firework Display from the island of San Giorgio. Day Five | Venice After a well-deserved later start to welcome in the new year, we visit San Pantalon Church and the Ghetto for the darker side of history. In the afternoon, we embark upon a private boat tour of the Grand Canal. Day Six | Venice - London There is a little free time available to us this morning before we return to the airport and catch our flight home.
Venice Santa Maria Assunta Grand Canal
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Eireann was named Top History & Culture Guide at Wanderlust’s World Guide Awards.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
28th Dec 2020 2nd Jan 2021
£3,295
£675
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at Hotel Saturnia & International Venice 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/vex 01772 650 051 67
Activity Level
VAL CAMONICA
Meet Ötzi and learn about his life and death 6 Days
From £1,995pp
30th May - 4th June 2020
The Alpine valley of Val Camonica holds 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 through to Roman times. Having set the scene, we venture into the mountains to visit the ice-man ‘Ötzi’ - an emissary from 5,000 years ago. Tour Highlights • Discover the prehistoric gallery of over 100,000 rock art depictions in the National and local parks of Val Camonica
Castello del Buonconsiglio Seradina-Bedolini Trento Valle Camonica Lake Ledro
• Visit remarkable waterlogged wooden structures and items preserved in the mud at the edge of Lake Ledro • View well-preserved artefacts from the pile-dwelling settlements of the region and reconstructed villages Milan
Day One | London - Milan We fly to Milan and journey to our hotel. Day Two | Val Camonica Today, we visit incredible rock art sites in Naquane Park. The Valley is 75km in length and contains more than 100,000 prehistoric rock art images depicting people, animals, tools and weapons. We continue with a visit to the huge Copper Age engraved boulders at Massi di Cemmo. In the afternoon, we spend time in the National Museum of Prehistory of Val Camonica (MUPRE). Here, we will see a marvellous collection of statue stelae and a wide range of finds. Day Three | Seradina - Foppe This morning, we visit the rock art sites in the archaeological park of SeradinaBedolini showing scenes of hunting, war, magic and agriculture. After lunch, we contrast art with everyday domestic life as we view reconstructed prehistoric houses – and more rock art – at Foppe di Nadro. Here, we can see a Neolithic hut and also a Rhaetic Iron Age house. 68 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Four | Lake Ledro We visit the Giovanni Rambotti Archaeological Museum, which houses many artefacts from lake dwelling excavations, and the MAG Museo Alto Garda. Next, we travel to Lake Ledro to visit the newly-renovated Piledwelling Museum. Here, a Bronze Age pile-dwelling village (“palafitta”) was discovered in 1929 and reconstructed structures can be viewed. The local museum has a wide range of artefacts on display found in the area. Day Five | Bolzano - Trento We delve further into the Alps and visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, home of Ötzi, the Ice man. In the afternoon, we return to Trento, allowing us the opportunity to visit the Science Museum, the cathedral or an impressive underground Roman site. Day Six | Trento - London This morning, we visit the archaeological collections of the Castello del Buonconsiglio before we drive to the airport for our flight home.
Desenzano del Garda
Guided by Craig Alexander Craig developed a 3D scanner for rock art, which was tested and refined in Val Camonica.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
30th May - 4th Jun
£1,995
£135
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at Hotel Brescia & Hotel America 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/phi Image: Rock drawings in Val Camonica
Worldwide
Activity Level
DENMARK | NOT ONLY VIKINGS A journey through Jutland and the Danish Islands 10 Days
From £4,195pp
Departing June & September 2020
The Danish Vikings were masters of the sea, whose impact was felt throughout Europe between the 9th and 11th centuries. We visit two of the network of ring forts at Fyrkat and Trelleborg, the earliest post-Roman town in Northern Europe at Ribe, the largest Viking Age town at Haithabu, and the royal mounds at Jelling. Tour Highlights • Come face-to-face with the Iron Age Tollund Man, Europe’s most famous bog body
Lindolm Høje Fyrkat
• Visit the once-important trading centre of Haithabu to see the original settlement site, some reconstructed buildings and the museum
Silkeborg Jelling Bække Ribe
• Wander across Lindholm Høje, a major Viking burial site including ship-shaped stone settings
Day One | London - Hamburg We fly to Hamburg and drive to our first hotel on Jutland. Day Two | Danevirke - Haithabu This morning, we take a walk along the Danevirke, Denmark’s historic southern defence. We then explore Haithabu and Gottorf Castle. Day Three | Bække - Ribe We drive to Bække, where we find two barrows from the Bronze Age and a 45m-long Viking ship-shaped stone setting. We travel to Ribe to visit the local Viking Museum and end the day viewing Ribe Cathedral. Day Four | Jelling - Silkeborg We journey to Ravning Enge where the remains of a Viking bridge have been discovered and partially reconstructed. We continue to Jelling, a famous site connected to Harald Bluetooth. Later, we visit Silkeborg Museum, where we take a look at the famous Tollund Man. Day Five | Fyrkat - Lindholm Høje Today we explore Fyrkat and its Viking Centre. We continue to Lindholm Image: Nyhavn in Copenhagen
Day Seven | Ladby - Trelleborg Today, we travel to Ladby to view the largest ship burial found in Denmark. Next, we cross the bridge to Sjælland and visit Trelleborg. Day Eight | Gammel Lejre - Roskilde We start at Gammel Lejre to view the remains of Neolithic and Bronze Age mounds, great halls and a stone ship setting. On to the Gothic Roskilde Cathedral and the Viking Ship Museum. Day Nine | Copenhagen We spend the morning at the National Museum of Copenhagen before having some free time this afternoon. Day Ten | Copenhagen - London We return home today.
Ladby
Copenhagen Gammel Lejre
Danevirke
Høje, an extensive burial ground with circa 150 ship-shaped stone settings. Finally, we visit the Viking settlement in Sebbersund.
Day Six | Den Gamle By - Århus This morning, we visit the open-air museum of Den Gamle By. Later, we tour Århus and have some free time.
Den Gamle By
Hamburg
Guided by Brian Ayers An expert in medieval archaeology, Brian is Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
17th - 26th Jun
£4,195
£650
2nd - 11th Sep
£4,195
£650
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Europa Best Western Aabenraa, First Hotel Atlantic Aarhus & Hotel Skt. Anne Copenhagen • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/den 01772 650 051 69
POLAND
Slavs, Celts & Goths 10 Days
From £3,095pp
30th May - 8th June 2020
Activity Level
Poland covers a large area in the centre of Europe and throughout the ages it has attracted many people who settled here, taking advantage of the fertile soils and valuable resources such as amber and salt. Our journey visits not only great cities with wonderful architecture but also many museums, cathedrals, castles and prehistoric sites. Tour Highlights • Visit the lakeside Bronze Age site of Biskupin • Walk among the ancient stone circles of northern Poland
Gdańsk
Biskupin
Torun
Ostrów Lednicki
Warsaw Łódź
• Explore the extraordinary salt mines dating back to the 13th century • Admire the 15th century Orgrodzieniec Castle situated among rocky outcrops Zamek Ogrodzieniec
70 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Ojców Kraków
Day Two | Krakow We spend the day in Krakow. We visit the Archaeological Museum and then explore Wawel Castle, where the earliest settlement was established on a hill beside the river. The castle was built by the order of King Casimir III the Great and it consists of a number of structures situated around the Italian-styled main courtyard. Here we will see the excavations beneath the castle itself. Day Three | Krakow - Wieliczka Salt Mine - Ojców Travelling south of Krakow we get to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which reaches a depth of 327 metres and extends along horiztonal passages and chambers. The rock salt varies in shades of grey has been extracted since the 13th century. We then drive north to the Prądnik river valley where remains of a Gothic castle can be seen near the village of Ojców.
Day Eight | Gdansk - Warsaw by train This morning we explore Gdansk including the old city centre, Archaeological Museum and the Historical Museum with an important amber collection. In the afternoon, we enjoy a train journey to Warsaw. Day Nine | Warsaw Today we explore the city centre. After lunch there will be some free time to continue discovering the city at your own pace. Day Ten | Warsaw - London A visit to the Cultural Centre is first, after which there will be some more free time and an independent lunch before driving to Warsaw Airport for our flight home.
Day Four | Zamek Ogrodzieniec - Lodz Today we leave Krakow behind and set off to visit the stunningly situated Gothic castle at Ogrodzieniec. First built in the 14th century, it has been rebuilt several times throughout history. From here we journey to Lodz and check in to our hotel. Day Five | Lodz - Torun This morning we visit the Archaeological Museum in Lodz, before having time to explore the city further. Located in the central part of Poland, Lodz is a former industrial hub and the country’s third largest city. We then drive to Sarnovo to see the long barrows, which are the earliest in Europe, and from here it’s on to Torun, with its well preserved centre. Day Six | Torun - Biskupin - Ostrow Lednicki Today we visit one of the most famous archaeological sites in Poland, Biskupin, where Bronze and Iron Age lakeside settlements have been well preserved thanks to waterlogged conditions. We then continue to Ostrow Lednicki, an island situated on Lake Lednica, where the remains of a medieval settlement can be seen. Day Seven | Gdansk We set off on our drive to Gdansk, visiting Gothic barrows and stone circles at Odry en route. We continue to the Malbork Castle, a 13th century Teutonic fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the third largest castle in the world measured by land area. We then drive back to Gdansk.
Guided by Prof. John Hines Professor in the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University, John specialises in the archaeology of the early medieval period - particularly the literature of the Vikings.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
30th May - 8th Jun
£3,095
£525
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at INX Design Hotel, Vienna House Andel’s Lodz, Hotel Bulwar, Hotel Almond Business & SPA Gdańsk & Polonia Palace • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pol Images left to right: Krakow square & the Wieliczka Salt Mine & Malbork Castle
01772 650 051 71
Worldwide
Day One | London - Krakow We arrive in Krakow airport and transfer to our hotel in the city.
CROATIA | DALMATIA & DUBROVNIK Wander around the extraordinary Diocletian’s Palace 9 Days
From £2,795pp
Departing May & September 2020
Activity Level
Explore the spectacular archaeology of Croatia, from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. We visit villas, temples, churches, and palaces. The province furnished Rome with emperors, including Diocletian, who returned in retirement and built a magnificent palace in Split.
Aquae Iasae Zagreb
Tour Highlights • Enjoy privileged access to Zagreb Archaeological Museum, where the curator will take us on a special tour and deliver a fascinating talk • Spend two days in Dubrovnik, where you’ll learn about the walled city’s early beginnings and its place in more recent history • Travel through Croatia, viewing Roman cities, red-roofed medieval towns and the Adriatic’s blue waters
Zadar Trogir
Šibenik Split
Dubrovnik 72 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Two | Zagreb - Aquae Iasae
We start our day at the Roman settlement of Aquae Iasae in the town of Varaždinske Toplice. The natural thermal spring site, including the shrine around the spring and an adjacent bath house, has been extensively excavated over the past 50 years. We also visit the local museum. After lunch, we visit Zagreb Archaeological Museum, where we have a tour from its curator, examining many of the wonderful finds.
Day Three | Zadar We spend the day in Zadar, an ancient Adriatic city which became a major trading centre under Roman rule. We explore sites along the main street and visit Romanesque churches of the Middle Ages. After lunch, we visit the Archaeological Museum of Zadar which houses finds from prehistory onwards, including an amazing collection of Roman material.
Day Seven | Narona - Dubrovnik We depart from Split to Dubrovnik, diverting to visit a collection of Roman Imperial sculptures found in their shrine at the Roman town of Narona. Later, we arrive in Dubrovnik. The historic medieval walled town is one of the most famous in Europe. Before embarking on a detailed exploration, we enjoy a walking tour of the old town and harbour. Day Eight | Dubrovnik We spend a full day in Dubrovnik, walking the city walls and then touring Lovrijenac Fortress. We also visit the old city harbour and Lazaretto. Day Nine | Dubrovnik - London There will be time for final exploration this morning before our return flight to London.
Day Four | Šibenik - Trogir We enjoy a scenic drive along the Adriatic coastline to Šibenik, unusual in that it has no Greek or Roman antecedents but was founded by the Croats in the 9th century AD. Later, we move on to another medieval city, Trogir, but this was founded by Greek sailors in the 3rd century BC, developed into a Roman town, later sacked and then rebuilt in the Middle Ages. The town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, we travel to Split. Day Five | Split Today is spent exploring Diocletian’s Palace, considered to be one of the Romans’ most imposing ruins. Emperor Diocletian built the palace and after his retirement in 305 he settled there. This extraordinary residence, now the core of the town of Split, was built in the form of a huge fortified camp, with a temple, and mausoleum for the emperor’s use, porticoes and guardrooms. Day Six | Split - Salona We spend today in Salona, the ruins of a remarkable Roman city and former capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. We see the remains of a number of basilica style churches as well as a bath house and amphitheatre – the site of many Christian martyrdoms in the persecutions of the early 4th century.
Guided by Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves Join Ffiona in Croatia on our May departure.
Guided by Dr Lisa Marie Graham Join Lisa in Croatia on our September departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
8th - 16th May
£2,795
£375
9th - 17th Sep
£2,795
£375
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation in Palace Hotel Zagreb, Hotel Delfin Zadar, Cornaro Hotel Spilt, Hotel Neptun Dubrovnik • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/cro Images left to right: Diocletian’s Palace & the fortress walls of Dubrovnik & skyline of the city of Zadar
01772 650 051 73
Worldwide
Day One | London - Zagreb We arrive in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb and enjoy an introduction to Croatia with a leisurely walk around the Old Town on our first afternoon.
Activity Level
RELAXED SPLIT
Explore the underground foundations of Diocletian’s Palace 8 Days
From £2,795pp
Departing April & October 2020
Immerse yourself in the history, culture and archaeology found on the idyllic Croatian coast. From our hotel, which will be our base for the entire tour, explore subterranean Roman foundations, incredible ancient ruins and other fascinating sites. Sample local produce, from wine tastings to farm visits and with ample free time to revel in the delights of the city. Tour Highlights • Explore the immense palace of Emperor Diocletian, built for his retirement and now UNESCO-listed
Trilj
• Enjoy a special tasting of locally produced wines in an unforgettable setting – part of the Roman palace used by Diocletian’s bodyguard
Klis Trogir
• Take a walk around UNESCO-listed Trogir, a picturesque Renaissance town with an impressive Venetian cathedral
Day One | London - Split We check in to our hotel and then enjoy an introductory walk around the city. Day Two | Split We acquaint ourselves with Split, a delightful fusion of ancient and modern, beginning by tracing the walls and monuments of the immense Palace of Diocletian, which is interwoven with later medieval houses. We visit the Cathedral of St Domnius, the oldest Catholic cathedral still in situ originally built to house Diocletian’s mausoleum. Day Three | Split Our exploration of ancient Split continues this morning as we descend underground to view the Roman foundations of Diocletian's Palace including the cellars. In the afternoon we have some free time. Day Four | Trilj - Klis This morning we visit the Roman site of Trilj, which has many archaeological findings dating back to the Mesolithic era. Later, in the afternoon, we travel to the spectacular Klis Castle. 74 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Five | Split - Salona The exhibits at Split’s Archaeological Museum gives us an insight into ordinary Roman life. Then we visit Salona, the ruins of a remarkable Roman city and once Dalmatia’s capital. Here we visit a bath complex and amphitheatre, where Saint Domnius was martyred under Diocletian’s persecutions. Tonight we enjoy a wine tasting in part of the Roman palace used by Diocletian’s bodyguard.
Split
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Join Eireann in Croatia on our April departure.
Guided by Mark Corney Join Mark in Croatia on our October departure.
Dates & prices per person
Day Six | Split Today will be spent entirely at leisure.
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
25th Apr - 2nd May
£2,795
£435
Day Seven | Trogir - Split Our adventures today take us to Trogir, a picturesque medieval and Renaissance town, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon we have free time in Split.
3rd - 10th Oct
£2,795
£435
Day Eight | Split - London Today we say our goodbyes and fly home to London.
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at Hotel Cornaro 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/spl Image: Church ruins in the ancient town of Salona
Worldwide
Activity Level
SERBIA | LAND OF THE IRON EMPERORS Special visit to Emperor Galerius’ retirement villa 8 Days
From £2,695pp
24th September - 1st October 2020
The wide lands of the Danube were the homelands to two great European peoples, the lllyrians and the Serbs. The Illyrians provided Rome with a series of martial emperors who collectively saved the Roman world, while the Serbian Kings established the shape of the medieval Balkans. From remote prehistory until the birth of modern Europe - this tour is not to be missed! Tour Highlights • Explore Vinča, the Danube-side cradle of Neolithic civilisation • Visit extraordinary Gamzigrad, Emperor Galerius’ retirement home • Visit Golubac and other fortresses on the banks of the mighty Danube
Novi Sad
• See the medieval new town of Kruŝevac, built by the heroic but doomed Prince Lazar
Sirmium
Belgrade
Kladovo
• The old town at Nis, a typical medieval trading city of the Balkans Day One | London - Belgrade We fly into Belgrade and transfer to our hotel in the city centre. Day Two | Sirmium & Novi Sad We drive to Sirmium, one of the capitals of the Late Roman world. In the afternoon, we cross the river to Novi Sad and visit the Petrovaradin Fortress, a vast edifice built by the Austrian emperors against the Turks, but never used. Day Three | Belgrade We visit Vinča, with its famous river bank site, one of only two prehistoric ‘tells’ in Europe. We return to Belgrade for an afternoon visit to the Serbian National and Historical Museum with its archaeological collections. Day Four | Kladovo An early start and a drive along the Danube. We stop at the huge Roman site of Viminacium and then onwards to Golubac fortress. After lunch we continue along the Danube gorge stopping at Lepenski Vir, the extraordinary Mesolithic river side Image: Medieval fortress at Golubac
village, found during the building of the Danube dam. Continue to Kolubac.
Niš
Day Five | Belgrade - Nis This morning, we journey to Zajecar to see the finds from Gamzigrad, stopping en route at Trajan’s great bridge. Finally we visit Felix Romuliana, where Emperor Galerius built himself a retirement villa, after we drive to Nis. Day Six | Nis Explore the ruins and archaeological site of Justiniana Prima. The 6th century Emperor Justinian the Great ordered the reconstruction of his home village into a model ‘city’ of his era. We make our way back to Nis to see the Archaeological Hall. Day Seven | Nis - Belgrade Today we visit the Turkish fortress and the Constantinian Roman villa at Mediana. We head back towards Belgrade stopping at Kruŝevac to visit Prince Lazar’s town and church, the first of the Byzantine Moravan style. Day Eight | Belgrade - London Today we return home.
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Oliver has worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Albania and Italy.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
24th Sep - 1st Oct
£2,695
£175
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Royal Inn Belgrade, Aquastar Danube Hotel & New City Hotel • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ser 01772 650 051 75
ALBANIA | LAND OF THE EAGLES Wander the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint 9 Days
From £2,395pp
Departing May & October 2020
Activity Level
Albania is home to pristine ruins, a rich archaeological story and some truly great museums. The Greeks and Romans built cities overlooking the the sparkling Ionian Sea, while Byzantines and Ottoman Turks fought over dramatic mountain strongholds. Albania is a country that has transformed itself from the secretive Stalinist land of 30 years ago. Tour Highlights • Visit Tirana, Albania’s bustling capital, alongside our expert guide • Fantastic scenery, mountains, valleys, and the dramatic Albanian Riviera
Kruja Tirana
Berat
• Uncover a story of the discovery of 2,000 years of untouched archaeological heritage • Explore the citadels of Gjirokastra and Berat, and visit fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Sites
76 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Gjirokaster Butrint
Sarandë
Day Two | Tirana We begin with a full day in Albania’s lively capital, Tirana. We visit the National Historical Museum and the National Gallery, which houses over 5,000 works, including a permanent exhibition of Socialist Realist art. After lunch, we have special access to the Archaeological Museum, located on the east of Mother Teresa Square. It was the first museum founded in this country after the Second World War and it houses exhibits from Classical times up to the Modern Period. The collections here are extensive and range from Roman statues to jewellery and ancient clay pots, each of which tells a different story. Day Three | Tirana - Sarandë We drive to Apollonia Archaeological Park, site of the Greek colony founded by the Corinthians in 588 BC, then on to one of the largest ancient cities of the Adriatic. Today the excavations are surrounded by olive and oak trees with grassy banks hinting at what may still lie buried beneath. This afternoon we drive along the beautiful Ionian coast, stopping for lunch in Vlorë, before we reach our hotel at Sarandë this evening. Day Four | Sarandë - Butrint Our entire day will be spent at Butrint, which achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1992 and remains Albania’s best known site. It is one of the most striking archaeological sites in the Mediterranean and our guide lecturer Oliver Gilkes has directed excavations here for many years. After lunch at Butrint Castle, we explore the museum housed there, before walking down to catch the ferry across the Vivari Channel. Here we will explore the Venetian Triangular Fortress.
Day Seven | Berat Today, we shift from classical to medieval times in the attractive town of Berat. The lower city along the riversides was the preserve of the Muslim inhabitants, while by agreement the Christians held the citadel. There are both Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques to visit, as well as the Onufri Museum, with its spectacular collection of 16th century religious artwork. Day Eight | Berat - Kruja We visit Durrës, Albania’s chief port and the starting point of the Via Egnatia. Here we visit the 2nd century amphitheatre, the largest in the Balkans, as well as sections of the mighty walls. We continue to Kruja, the last bastion of Christianity against the Ottoman Turks and now an interesting town set in beautiful countryside. Here we visit the Skanderbeg Museum, to learn about Albania’s national hero, and enjoy the delightful Ottoman bazaar. An eclectic last day to truly represent the many ages and influences of Albania. Day Nine | Kruja - London This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
Day Five | Sarandë - Gjirokastra Today we arrive in Gjirokastra and have the chance to visit the Gjirokastra Museum, the Medieval Fortress and the National Museum of Armaments. This afternoon we enjoy special access to the late Ottoman mansion, Zekate House. Built in 1812, Zekate is widely considered to be one of the grandest examples of its kind, providing us with amazing an insight into the upper echelons of Ottoman life. Day Six | Gjirokastra - Berat We continue north through the rugged and changing landscapes to the ruins of Byllis. According to legend, the city was founded by warriors led by the son of Achilles returning from the Trojan wars. Archaeologists have yet to find evidence of Homeric heroes but have uncovered a Hellenistic era stadium, theatre and fortifications. After lunch we will visit Byllis Cathedral, formerly known as Basilica B. Later we will drive to Berat.
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Oliver Gilkes is one of Andante Travels' longest serving lecturers. He has worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Italy, Albania and Libya.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
8th - 16th May
£2,395
£240
9th - 17th Oct
£2,395
£240
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Tirana International Hotel, Hotel Brilant, Hotel Cajupi, Portik Hotel & Hotel Panorama • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/alb Images left to right: Ancient theatre in Butrint, Apollonia & the Church of Saint Mary
01772 650 051 77
Worldwide
Day One | London - Tirana We arrive in Tirana and transfer to our hotel located in the heart of the city.
ALBANIA & NORTH MACEDONIA The Via Egnatia 9 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing May & October 2020
Activity Level
Embark upon a journey through both time and civilisations, which crosses the dramatic landscapes of south-eastern Europe. Albania, Macedonia and the Balkans represent a vast patchwork of cultures, and this tour takes in the tombs and treasures of Philip of Macedon, the late Imperial glories of Thessaloniki, and stunning medieval churches on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Tour Highlights • See the ruins of Illyrian Apollonia, one of the Via Egnatia’s starting points • Pay a visit to the thunderous waterfalls at Edessa and its ancient city below • Discover Albania’s lively capital of Tirana, a growing city break hotspot • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ohrid, the ‘city of light’ situated on one of Europe’s oldest and most picturesque lakes • Wander around the incredible palace complex of Galerius, one of Thessaloniki’s most important late antique monuments
78 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Durrës
Tirana Ohrid
Apollonia
Bitola Verghina
Edessa Thessaloniki
Day Two | Durrës - Apollonia Our day begins at Durrës – ancient Dyracchium – the principal terminus of the Via Egnatia. Here, we visit the circular Forum of Anastasius, where the road actually began. We continue south to Apollonia, the starting point for the older southern branch and also a great Corinthian Greek colony, which facilitated the Roman conquest of the Balkans. The young Octavian attended the schools of rhetoric here. Day Three | Durrës - Tirana - Ohrid Today we set out to explore Tirana, the vibrant and lively capital of Albania. This is a pastiche of a city with Ottoman, fascist, communist, and modern elements all mixed together. During our time here, we tour the National Historical Museum to gain insight into Albanian history and then we continue on to Elbasan – ancient Scampis. After walking through the castrum, with its fine late Roman and Ottoman walls, onto the line of the Via Egnatia, we follow the route of the road up the scenic gorge of the river Shkumbini to the pass into Macedonia. Day Four | Ohrid A day in beautiful Ohrid – ancient Lychnidos – awaits. Founded by Philip of Macedon, this destination is one of northern Macedonia’s most popular and it’s easy to see why. It boasts a Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past. The many Byzantine churches trace the waxing and waning of Byzantine ambitions in the Balkans. We will discover St. Clement’s, the churches of St. Sofia and St. Panteleimon, and the 9th century fortress of Tsar Samuel. Before our day ends, we will also stroll past the much photographed Church of St. Jovan Kaneo.
Day Seven | Edessa - Verghina - Thessaloniki We venture into cool and fresh Edessa this morning, with its tree-lined streets and numerous streams. Here, we visit the impressive waterfalls as well as the ancient city below. We also find the Ottoman bridge that carried the Via Egnatia over the river. On to ancient Aigai, the traditional Macedonian capital. In the 1980s, a series of tombs were uncovered, including the tomb of the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II. From here, we make our way to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city. Day Eight | Thessaloniki First on our list of visits for today is the Agora, the ancient city’s centre. We also explore the Church of St. Demetrius, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. We see the palace complex, the Rotonda of Galerius and the triumphal arch over the Via Egnatia. Finally, we tour the Archaeological Museum and the Byzantine Museum. Day Nine | Thessaloniki - London Today we transfer to the airport and catch our return flight back to London.
Day Five | Ohrid - Bitola Along the shores of Lake Ohrid to the ‘Bay of Bones’ this morning. Underwater excavations here have revealed typical Bronze Age lake-shore settlements. We continue on to Lake Prespa and St. Naum, a monastery that was founded by one of the disciples of the saints Cyril and Methodius. From here, we journey onward and travel to Bitola in southwestern Macedonia. Day Six | Bitola - Edessa Today we begin in Heraklea Lyncestis, built by Philip II of Macedon to guard Macedonia’s northern border. The remains of fine Roman and Byzantine buildings can be found throughout. We explore Bitola, which was the hub of Ottoman Macedonia, a military garrison and market centre. The town still retains much of its late Ottoman atmosphere, with its fine 15th century mosques. We then take a walk around the city centre, including the Jeni Mosque.
Guided by Oliver Gilkes One of Andante’s longest-standing guide lecturers, Oliver has worked as both a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Italy and Albania. He is a specialist in Balkan archaeology.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
26th May - 3rd Jun
£2,495
£345
19th Oct - 27th Oct
£2,495
£345
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Premium Beach Hotel, Royal View, Hotel Epinal Spa & Casino, Aigai Hotel & Thessaloniki • 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/vie Images left to right: St. Jovan Kaneo church, Church of St. Naum & the White Tower of Thessaloniki
01772 650 051 79
Worldwide
Day One | London - Tirana We fly from London to Albania and transfer to our hotel in the city of Durrës.
EPIRUS & MACEDONIA
Ancient Kingdoms of Northern Greece 10 Days
From £3,295pp
Departing April - October 2020
Activity Level
We follow in the footsteps of conquerors and cross mountainous landscapes while exploring the two northern kingdoms of ancient Greece and their successors. Epirus boasts famous sanctuaries and monuments to victory, while palaces, houses, painted tombs and exquisite pebble mosaics survive at the Macedonian cities of Verghina and Pella.
Pella Vergina
Tour Highlights • Visit the richest ancient burial ever found in Europe – the tomb of Philip II – and its extraordinary museum • See the vertiginous 14th century Meteora monasteries, each perched boldly on a separate crag • Spend time exploring the wonderful ancient sites of Thessaloniki and its important museums • Explore ancient Pella, the capital of Macedonia and famous birthplace of Alexander the Great
80 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Thessaloniki Dion
Ioannina Meteora
Dodona Nekromateion Kassope
Atra Nikopolis
Day Two | Nikopolis - Orraon We drive to Nikopolis, once the capital of Epirus Vetus, constructed by Augustus in celebration of the Battle of Actium in 31 BC with well-preserved ruins. Here, we visit the Actian sanctuary, with its altar, theatre and stadium, the museum and parts of the ancient city centre including its walls and basilicas. In the afternoon, we visit the small Hellenistic fortified centre of Orraon, an EpiroteMolossian city, with very well preserved houses. Day Three | Nekromateion - Kassope We drive to the Ionian coast to visit the Nekromateion of the Acheron. This is a controversial site, which might be part of the oracle of the dead known form classical sources. On to the Hellenistic city of Kassope. Situated high in the hills it has spectacular views of the plain below, and is a model city, with an agora, a theatre and a regular street grid. Kassope was abandoned along with other settlements to provide the population for the new city of Nicopolis. Day Four | Dodona - Arta Our journey leads us to Dodona, the oldest oracle in Greece, to view the shrine and oracles of Zeus, where the god spoke to supplicants via the rustling of leaves in an oak tree. It was the location of huge festivals. We drive southwards to Arta, on the Ambracian Gulf. The capital of Pyrrhus of Epirus, it was also an important Byzantine centre and we will visit the archaeological museum, the remarkable church of Panagia Parigoritissia and the famous bridge. Day Five | Ioannina An opportunity to get to know Ioannina, one of the loveliest towns of Greece. This morning, we visit the Archaeological Museum, where the finds from Dodona can be seen, including pilgrims’ questions and the gods’ answers! We take a walking tour of the Castro and its museums. This was the medieval town and the heart of the realm of the Vezir, Ali of Tepelena, whom Byron included in his poem 'Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage'. Our afternoon is free to explore the city, or why not take a boat ride across the lake? Day Six | Ioannina - Meteora We drive to Meteora and spend the whole day wandering among the spectacular vertiginous monasteries here - home to a monastic community dating back to the 14th century. Settled for reasons of isolation and security, each pinnacle of rock sustains a monastic community reached by stairs cut into the rock. We will visit several monasteries.
Day Seven | Dion - Thessaloniki An early start and a drive across the wide plains of Thessaly. We will pass through the Vale of Tempe, a beautiful gorge which was thought to be the haunt of Apollo and the Muses in antiquity, and where Xerxes the Persian King of Kings passed during his invasion of Greece. In the afternoon we visit Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus, the religious capital of Macedonia. On to Thessaloniki. Day Eight | Thessaloniki - Pella The morning is devoted to Thessaloniki, founded by King Cassander as a new capital city. We explore the Agora and Roman forum before heading to the Late Roman palace complex of Galerius to see the Rotunda and the triumphal arch of the emperor. In the afternoon we travel to the ancient city of Pella. This was Macedonia’s administrative capital and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. We visit the monumental agora, and houses and the outstanding mosaics, now on display in the museum. Day Nine | Thessaloniki - Verghina This morning, we visit the Archaeological Museum with extraordinary finds from the city and its region, including the stunning Derveni bronze crater. Afterwards, a visit to the adjacent and equally superb Byzantine Museum which completes our survey of the archaeology of the region. In the afternoon, we drive out to Verghina, the ancient capital of Macedonia to visit the tumulus, identified as the tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Day Ten | Thessaloniki - London On our last day of this tour, we transfer to the airport for our return flight back to the UK.
Guided by Oliver Gilkes Join Oliver in Epirus & Macedonia on our April departure.
Guided by Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley Join Christina in Epirus & Macedonia on our September & October departures.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
6th - 15th Apr
£3,295
£495
14th - 23rd Sep
£3,295
£495
26th Oct - 4th Nov
£3,295
£495
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Saz City Life Hotel, Divani Meteora Hotel & the Excelsior Hotel • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/mac Images left to right: One of the Meteora Monasteries & the ruins of ancient Kassope
01772 650 051 81
Worldwide
Day One | London - Thessaloniki We fly from London to Thessaloniki and transfer to Ioannina over the Pindus Mountains to our first hotel.
PELOPONNESE Homer & Beyond 12 Days
From £3,395pp
Departing June & September 2020
Activity Level
Embark on a modern-day odyssey to the sites of ancient Greece. Beginning in Athens, we journey as the ancients did into the wild and beautiful Peloponnesian hills. A trip for anyone who has ever dreamed of standing at the starting line of the ancient Olympics, debating with Socrates, or following in the footsteps of Hercules. Tour Highlights • Visit the famous Acropolis of Athens with its unique masterpieces of ancient architecture
Delphi
Olymipa
• View the National Archaeological Museum of Athens’ galleries, housing the most important collection of ancient Greek art • Visit the well-preserved Mycenaean Palace of Nestor, known from Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad • Wander the famous citadel of Mycenae and see the Lion Gate, the grave circles and the Treasure of Atreus
82 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Corinth Nema
Messene Pylos
Athens Mycenae Nafplion
Day Two | Athens We spend an entire day on foot in ancient Athens. According to legend, the city was founded by King Theseus, best known for his Minotaur slaying heroics in Crete. We climb up to the Acropolis to visit the Parthenon, Theatre of Dionysus and Temple of Athena. The most important structures visible today derive from the Golden Age of Pericles. The afternoon we spend in the Acropolis Museum, built to house every artefact found at the Acropolis. Day Three | Athens - Delphi We continue our exploration of Athens with a walk through the sites of the Agora, the political and commercial heart of ancient Athens where Socrates stood trial and where free-born male Athenian citizens could come to cast their vote. We view finds from the area in the Museum of the Ancient Agora, housed in the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos. After lunch, we enjoy our first drive through the Peloponnesian hills to our hotel at Delphi. Day Four | Delphi - Olympia Spend a day at the Panhellenic Sanctuary at Delphi. The oracle was given by a priestess called the Pythia who sat on a tripod over a chasm in the inner sanctum and, inhaling the vapours which issued from it, uttered prophecies in a trance. We leave in the early afternoon, crossing the Rion-Antirion bridge, and travel to the Peloponnese peninsula at Olympia. Day Five | Olympia This morning we explore Olympia, home of the first and greatest Panhellenic Games and the most important religious centre in the 8th century BC. Here we find the ruins of the ancient stadium, and temples such as the Pelopion, once the alleged tomb of Pelops, the mythical chariot-racing king who gave this region its name. The major festivals here provided opportunities for the meeting of representatives from the Greek states. Day Six | Olympia - Pylos Today starts with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Chora, which houses finds from Pylos. We head on to the Palace of Nestor, mentioned in Homer’s writings as home of the oldest and wisest among the Greeks fighting at Troy. The palace here is the best-preserved Mycenaean palatial structure excavated and includes reception areas, baths, store rooms and workshops. Enjoy a free afternoon in Pylos with an optional boat trip in the bay (not included). Day Seven | Pylos - Messene - Nafplion We spend the morning in Messene, one of the most beautiful ancient cities in Greece. Pausanias visited the city between 155 and 160 AD and described it in his ‘Guide to Greece’. Excavations in the city have continued for over a century, revealing a well-preserved stadium, odeon and many other buildings. We view finds from the area in the Archaeological Museum of ancient Messene. After lunch, we make our way towards Nafplion.
Day Eight | Nafplion - Epidaurus This morning we journey to the lovely town of Nafplion where we visit the Archaeological Museum. Before lunch we continue with a visit to the ancient site of Epidaurus, a celebrated centre of healing in the ancient world. Perched on the slopes of a hill, the town has both some of the finest examples of 14th and 15th century architecture in Greece, and some of the finest views. The afternoon is free to spend at your own leisure in Nafplion. Day Nine | Nafplion - Mycenae We explore the great Bronze Age hilltop site of Mycenae, another major hub of Greek civilisation and, according to Greek tradition, capital of legendary King Agamemnon. Excavations support Homer’s claim of a city ‘well built and rich in gold’. We wander into the city with its Cyclopean walls through the famous Lion Gate and view the archaeological remains of the acropolis, including the palace and the grave circles where the so-called mask of Agamemnon was found. Day Ten | Nemea - Tiryns This morning, we visit the site of Nemea where, according to legend, Heracles fought the Nemean Lion. We see the Temple of Zeus. After lunch we will continue to the archaeological site of Tiryns, a Mycenaean hillfort said to have been the mythical birthplace of Heracles. We will see the citadel with its Cyclopean walls and the palace remains. Day Eleven | Corinth - Athens We drive to Corinth, which owed its prosperity to the isthmus that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland. One of the great cities of classical Greece, it was founded by Corinthos, a descendent of the god Helios, according to Hellenic myth. Upon arrival in Athens we will view the National Archaeological Museum in Athens with its fantastic collections. Day Twelve | Athens - London Our Peloponnesian odyssey comes to an end. We bid farewell to the city of Athens and fly back to London. Guided by Dr Angelos Papadopoulos Join Angelos in Greece on our June departure.
Guided by Dr Rita Roussos Join Rita in Greece on our September departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
1st - 12th Jun
£3,495
£345
21st Sep - 2nd Oct
£3,395
£345
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Herodion Hotel, Acropole Delphi Hotel, Hotel Pelops, The Karalis Hotel, Hotel Ippoliti & Hotel Plaka • 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 11 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pel Images left to right: The legendary Parthenon & Acrocorinth above the archaeological site of Corinth
01772 650 051 83
Worldwide
Day One | London - Athens We fly from London to Athens.
CRETE & SANTORINI
Special tour of the archaeological site at Sissi 8 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing April - October 2020
Activity Level
The Minoans are best known for their incredible labyrinthine palaces - the greatest of which, located at Knossos, was supposedly where Theseus slew the Minotaur. Our journey across these two beautiful islands will demonstrate the impressive architectural and artistic skills of this Bronze Age civilisation.
Akrotiri
Fira
Tour Highlights • Experience the rich history and archaeological sites of Crete and Santorini in the company of our experts • Explore the city of Akrotiri – the “Pompeii of the Aegean” – and the fascinating frescoes on display in the museum • Take a boat trip to the island of Spinalonga, a former leper colony, to explore the abandoned buildings • Visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion and view its fascinating collections
84 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Heraklion Knossos Vathypetro Palace of Phaistos
Gortyn
Sissi Elounda Chamaizi Gournia
Day Two | Fira - Akrotiri We begin at the Prehistoric Museum in Fira, enjoying the wall paintings from the Minoan buildings at Akrotiri, as well as a large number of artefacts found in various island excavations. This afternoon we continue on to Akrotiri itself. Destroyed by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in around 1500 BC and buried by ash, the city is reminiscent of Pompeii and has retained some impressively well-preserved houses. Day Three | Thera - Heraklion We journey to the ancient city of Thera, located on a ridge of Messavouno Mountain, some 360 metres above sea level. The site enables us to imagine the lives of people centred around Thera’s 800-metre long main street, the city’s enormous theatre and the walls of the sacred grotto. This afternoon we visit Panagia Episkopi, a Byzantine cathedral containing many beautiful frescoes, before a catamaran takes us across the water to our next destination, historic Heraklion. Day Four | Palace of Knossos - Vathypetro This morning we visit the world-renowned Palace of Knossos, a majestic complex. The intricate, multi-storey layout of the palace has led to its connection with numerous myths and legends, including that of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. We continue on to the Minoan country house and outbuildings of Vathypetro to view an elaborate shrine and a wonderfully preserved wine press – one of the oldest in the world. Following this, we return to Heraklion to spend time at the exceptional Heraklion Museum with its artefacts from the Minoan age, including the iconic bull’s head ‘rhyton’ brought here from Knossos Palace.
Day Six | Palace of Malia - Gournia Our day starts at the Palace of Malia, a huge Minoan complex, significant not only for its size, but also its strategic port and grand façades. We then proceed to the late Minoan town of Gournia, one of the few sites in the region to have been fully excavated. The remains of Gournia cluster around cobbled streets on the side of a hill and are crowned by the now-ruined palace. Traces of some 50 houses are in evidence here, as well as a court and cemetery. This afternoon, we have the option of a boat trip to the haunting and evocative island of Spinalonga, location of a former leper colony, which was still in use until 1962. Day Seven | Mochlos This morning we go by fishing boat to the tiny island of Mochlos (if the weather permits). This afternoon is free for us to enjoy our spectacular surroundings at our leisure. Day Eight | Sissi - London This may well be our last morning in Crete, but the discoveries aren’t over yet. Before we make our journey to the airport, we drive to stunning Sissi to visit the excavations on Kephali Hill, where evidence for Early Minoan mortuary activity has been found near Crete’s latest Minoan palace to be discovered. Alas, it is now time to say goodbye to the Minoan world as we make our way back home.
Day Five | Gortyn - Palace of Phaistos We enjoy a morning at the important Greco-Roman site of Gortyn, a gem of the archaeological world since its discovery in 1884. The site is best-known for its collection of 5th century stone blocks, inscribed with the law codes of classical Greece – the oldest and most complete example of coded ancient Greek laws ever found. We resume our adventures with the Minoans at the magnificent Palace of Phaistos. Famous finds here include thousands of documents, some inscribed with the earliest known occurrence of the still undecipherable writing of the Minoans – a script also known as ‘Linear A’. We leave the columns and courtyards of Phaistos to visit Ayia Triada, a grand but ruinous Bronze Age villa that has yielded more examples of Linear A tablets than any other site of its kind.
Dr Sandy MacGillivray Join Sandy in Crete 21st April & 13th October.
Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley Join Christina in Crete 12th May & 29th September.
Dr Rita Roussos Join Rita in Crete 1st September & 8th September.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
21st - 28th Apr
£2,495
£235
12th - 19th May
£2,545
£235
1st - 8th Sep
£2,545
£235
8th - 15th Sep
£2,545
£235
29th Sep - 6th Oct
£2,545
£235
13th - 20th Oct
£2,495
£235
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation in Santorini, Heraklion & Elounda on specific dates • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/cre Images left to right: Palace of Knossos & the Basilica of Saint Titus
01772 650 051 85
Worldwide
Day One | London - Santorini We depart from London and fly to stunning Santorini.
Activity Level
CRETE REVISITED
Enjoy a very special guided tour of the ongoing excavations at Zominthos 8 Days
From £2,495pp
14th - 21st September 2020
The largest and most populous of the Greek islands, Crete is a well-trodden destination although it still has secrets and surprises waiting to be uncovered. Explore the famous Minoan palaces and settlements, trace the island’s fortunes through the classical Greek and Roman periods, and discover more about the important research being undertaken in Western Crete. Tour Highlights • Explore Armeni, where 200 chamber tombs and where over 500 skeletons have been discovered
Kissamos
• Uncover the lesser-known archaeological remains on this familiar island
Chania Aptera
• Learn more about recent research during talks led by local archaeologists Elyros
• Visit Aptera, one of the most significant city states in Crete
Eleutherna Arkadi
Lissos
Day One | London - Chania Today we fly to Chania and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we enjoy a lecture from our expert guide. Day Two | Chania - Kydonia Spend the morning discovering the Chania Archaeological Museum and ancient Kydonia, on whose former site modern-day Chania is now built. In the afternoon, we take a walking tour around the town’s historic centre. Day Three | Kissamos - Polyrhenia We start at the Kissamos Museum and move on to the ancient city of Polyrhenia as well as the Hellenistic town of Phalasarna. Day Four | Elyros - Sougia - Lissos Travel to Elyros this morning, a Doric and Roman town famed for its two harbours. Continue on to Sougia for lunch and then take a boat to Lissos, an ancient city known for being home to the Temple of Asklepios. Day Five | Aptera - Armeni Today we visit Aptera, the mythological setting for the legendary contest 86 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Zominthos
between the Sirens and the Muses. We stop to explore a Mycenaean cemetery at Armeni and then we explore the Rethymnon Archaeological Museum and its artefacts.
Day Six | Eleutherna - Arkadi Monastery The archaeological site and museum at Eleutherna awaits this morning, which showcases remains from the ancient city of the same name. After lunch, we pay a visit to the Eastern Orthodox Arkadi Monastery. Day Seven | Zominthos - Rethymnon This morning we discover the new excavations at Zominthos, where we have special access and a guided tour from one of the excavators themselves. Following a traditional Greek lunch in the mountain village of Anogia, we are treated to a little free time to explore Rethymnon at our leisure. Day Eight | Chania - London We return to Chania and transfer to the airport for our flight back to London.
Guided by Dr Sandy MacGillivray Specialising in the Aegean Bronze Age, he has excavated at Sparta, Paros and Knossos.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
14th - 21st Sep
£2,495
£395
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Chania & Rethymnon 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/wcr Images: Site of Eleutherna
Worldwide
Activity Level
SOUTH CYPRUS
Special access to the Lemba Archaeological Centre 8 Days
From £2,695pp
23rd - 30th September 2020
This beautiful Mediterranean island has a rich prehistoric, classical and medieval past. The earliest date for the occupation of Cyprus was over 10,000 years ago, and it was these early settlers who developed their own distinctive artefacts, buildings, art and culture we see today. Dr Paul Croft leads us from prehistoric to classical sites, while overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Tour Highlights • Gain a privileged introduction to Cypriot archaeology by Dr Paul Croft, who has participated in many excavations throughout the island
Nicosa
• Fantastic, diverse archaeology from Neolithic houses to the fabulous mosaics at Paphos • Journey into the unspoilt Troodos Mountains, where traditional villages and spectacular Byzantine churches await discovery
Kakopetria Maa Palaiokastro Paphos Souskiou
Day One | London - Limassol We fly from London to Cyprus. Day Two | Khirokitia Our day starts at the Crusader fortress of Kolossi, which stood by the vineyards where the Knights of St John made their wine. Next, we explore Limassol Castle before continuing to the village of Khirokitia, with over 60 stone roundhouses. After lunch, we enjoy a special tour to the Bronze Age olive oil ‘factory’ excavations at Kalavasos Ayios Dhimitrios. Day Three | Nicosia Travel to the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. We visit Cyprus Archaeological Museum, home to the world’s most extensive collections of Cypriot archaeology. We also visit the Leventis Museum, before having some free time. Day Four | Troodos - Kakopetria We drive into the beautiful Troodos Mountains to visit a series of frescoed Byzantine churches, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also stop at the town of Kakopetria. Image: Temple of Apollo at Kourion
Day Five | Kourion This morning, we visit the ancient city of Kourion to explore its remains. We then continue to the important religious centre known as the Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis. After lunch, we drive to Souskiou Vathyrkakas, the largest known cemetery of the Chalcolithic period in Cyprus. Day Six | Tomb of the Kings Today, we explore the elaborate rock cut ‘Tombs of the Kings’, the Experimental Village and excavations in Lemba, and Maa Palaiokastro, a late Bronze Age settlement. Day Seven | Nea Paphos - Fabrica Hill We spend the morning at Nea Paphos, well known for its fantastic mosaics. After lunch, we continue with a visit to the excavations at Fabrica Hill. Day Eight | Paphos - London We spend our final morning visiting the famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite at the World Heritage Site of Kouklia before we fly home this afternoon.
Kourion
Troodos Khirokitia Limassol Kolossi
Guided by Dr Paul Croft Paul is the manager of the Lemba Archaeological Research Centre and a resident of Cyprus.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
23rd - 30th Sep
£2,695
£490
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation in Alasia Hotel Limassol & Azia Resort & Spa Paphos • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/cyp 01772 650 051 87
Activity Level
NORTH CYPRUS
Discover ancient Salamis with its Royal Tombs 8 Days
From £2,765pp
Departing April & October 2020
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 discover an array of medieval castles and churches, expansive classical sites and gentle villages. This is truly an unforgettable tour. Tour Highlights • Explore a number of impressive archaeological sites, including the GrecoRoman splendours of the ‘Homeric’ royal tombs of Salamis • Enjoy breathtaking views from the Kyrenia Mountains out across the Mediterranean Sea to distant Anatolia
Akanthou
Lamboussa
• Discover domed Byzantine churches, Lusignan-era Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, Ottoman-era mosques and caravanserai
Kyrenia Güzelyurt
Bellapais Nicosia
Palace of Vouni
Day One | London - Kyrenia We arrive in northern Cyprus and transfer to our hotel. Day Two | Kyrenia - Lamboussa We start our exploration of Cyprus with a guided tour of Kyrenia Castle, which dates back to the Byzantine period. Visit the Shipwreck Museum, housed in Kyrenia Castle, which tells the story of trade in the Mediterranean at the turn of the 4th century BC. After lunch, we uncover ancient Lamboussa with its necropolis and Roman fish tanks. Day Three | Akanthou - Bellapais This morning we visit the Neolithic settlement of Akanthou, where we have special access to the excavations. The site boasts a reconstruction of one of the dwellings discovered there. Later, we travel to Bellapais Abbey, a 13th century monastery. Day Four | Nicosia - St. Hilarion We visit the 16th century Büyük Han, Nicosia’s Selimiye Mosque, and walk along the Green Line. In the afternoon we discover the Castle of St. Hilarion. 88 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Five | Palace of Vouni - Soli Travel to Güzelyurt, stopping en route to see the altar at the late Bronze Age sanctuary of Myrtou Pigadhes. We continue to Morphou to visit the Museum of Archaeology and Natural History and Byzantine church of St Mamas before heading to the 5th century BC, hilltop Palace of Vouni. Finally, we visit the ruins of Soli, once one of the 10 ancient city kingdoms. Day Six | Famagusta Enjoy a walking tour of Famagusta, during which we see St Nicholas Cathedral, the remnants of the Venetian palace and the wonderfully well-preserved city walls themselves. Day Seven | Salamis - Enkomi Visit the ancient site of Salamis, famous for its archaic period Royal Tombs and Cellarka cemetery, its 15,000 capacity theatre and bath house complete with mosaics. Later, take a tour of the Bronze Age city of Enkomi. Day Eight | Kyrenia - London Today we fly home.
Salamis Enkomi Famagusta
Guided by Terry Richardson Terry is a specialist in ancient history and classical civilisations.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
14th - 21st Apr
£2,765
£365
15th - 22nd Oct
£2,765
£365
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at The Arkin Colony Hotel and Casino & Arkin Palm Beach • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ncy Image: Sunset over the Kyrenia mountain range
Worldwide
Activity Level
BYZANTIUM
Private evening visit to the magnificent Hagia Sophia 7 Days
From £2,695pp
16th - 22nd November 2020
Superbly situated on the banks of the Bosphorus strait, built on seven hills like Rome, the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul has been around for over two and half millennia. Two great empires have made it their capital, the Christian Byzantines and the Muslim Ottoman Turks - a spectacular legacy that makes the city so appealing to passionate archaeology and history lovers. Tour Highlights • Discover the glorious Blue Mosque, built to rival the Grand Mosque in Mecca
Istanbul
• The vast and rambling Topkapi Palace, which is now a museum and treasure house Troy
• Enjoy special out-of-hours access to one of the world’s greatest building, the magnificent Hagia Sophia
Day One | London - Istanbul We fly from London to Istanbul. Day Two | Istanbul We visit the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the little-visited Church of St Sergius and Bacchus. We lunch by the famed Basilica Cistern, which we visit after our Turkish meal. The day ends with a very special private visit to the glorious Hagia Sophia – a real highlight of this tour. Day Three | Istanbul We begin at the Hagia Eirene (Church of the Holy Peace), sister church to the nearby Hagia Sophia, before spending the rest of the morning exploring the nerve-centre of the mighty Ottoman Empire, the Topkapı Palace complex. In the afternoon, explore the wonders of the Süleymaniye Mosque and its ancillary buildings. Day Four | Istanbul A free day for those who want to take a Turkish bath, shop in the Grand Bazaar or your Guide Lecturer (weather dependent) may take you Image: Hagia Sophia
Assos Ayvalik
on foot through the back streets of one of the most traditional parts of Istanbul, finishing on the banks of the Golden Horn for a ferry ride down this evocative waterway.
Day Five | Istanbul We visit the extensive Archaeological Museum. We then take a boat up the Bosphorus Strait we see the hills of Asia, the Dolmabahce Palace and the Ottoman fortress of Rumeli Hisar – and perhaps a sighting of shearwaters and dolphins. Day Six | Istanbul In the morning we head out to the Church of Saviour in Chora and its lovely mosaics, followed by the Walls of Theodosius and nearby Byzantine Palace of the Porphyrogenitus. Later we cross the Golden Horn and explore the Galata Mevlevi Lodge. Day Seven | Istanbul - London The morning is free, but there is a chance to see some superb quality Turkish carpets and kilims in a restored Byzantine-era cistern before lunch and our flight home.
Pergamon
Sardis
Izmir Kusadasi
Hierapolis
Guided by Terry Richardson Terry is a specialist in ancient history and classical civilisations.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
16th - 22nd Nov
£2,695
£525
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation at Yasmak Sultan Hotel 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/byz 01772 650 051 89
AEGEAN COAST OF TURKEY
Special access to the Roman-era houses of Ephesus 11 Days
From £2,895pp
Departing April & October 2020
Activity Level
The Greek and Roman cities of Turkey’s Aegean coast were amongst the most powerful in the ancient world. The remains are set in a beautiful landscape of rugged limestone peaks, plunging valleys, olive groves, pine forest and flower-studded meadows, with the startlingly blue waters of the Aegean Sea glittering in the distance. Tour Highlights • Gaze upon the mighty walls of Troy as everyone from Achilles to Alexander the Great has desired to do • Explore remarkably well-preserved classical cities such as Pergamon, Miletus and Aphrodisias, and discover a range of evocative lesser-known ruins • Enjoy the sublime scenery of the Aegean Coast – secluded bays, meandering rivers, rocky headlands, and traditional villages are still waiting to be found outside of the popular resorts
90 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Istanbul
Troy Assos Ayvalik Pergamon
Izmir Kusadasi
Sardis
Hierapolis
Day Two | Istanbul - Troy - Assos We travel to Çanakkale and continue to the site of ancient Troy, evoking Homer’s epic poem and the labours of archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. It is tantalising to imagine the Greek army ranged across the landscape, while Paris strode the walls of the city and Hector duelled with Achilles. Day Three | Assos We drive up to the site of Assos, perched on a prominent hilltop overlooking the Aegean and Sappho’s island of Lesbos. Assos is one of the most beautifully situated ancient sites in the world. We also explore the well-preserved Doric Temple of Athena. Your afternoon is free - explore the site further or enjoy a swim. Day Four | Assos - Ayvalik We travel to the ruins of Alexandria Troas. The site is little-known today but was visited twice by St Paul in the first century. Surviving features include the agora temple, its columns and reliefs, a partly excavated odeon and superb section of Roman streets. This afternoon we drive to atmospheric Ayvalik, a wholly Greek town up until the population exchanges of 1923. Day Five | Ayvalik - Pergamon - Izmir We spend the day at the great Hellenistic city of Pergamon, whose extensive remains range across a dramatic rocky outcrop. Our explorations include the Acropolis, the theatre, and altar of Zeus. After lunch, we visit Pergamon Museum and the Aesclepium, an ancient medical centre. We continue to Izmir.
Day Nine | Kusadasi We spend the morning at Priene, set on a peaceful wooded hillside beneath a towering limestone peak. The Temple of Athena stands as a substantial ruin. We follow in the footsteps of the Greeks to Didyma, a huge temple which housed an oracular shrine to Apollo. We end the day at Miletus, home of philosophers and scientists. Day Ten | Kusadasi Our tour culminates at Ephesus, one of the highlights of western Turkey. This was one of the richest cities in Asia Minor and continued to thrive through the Roman period. We have special access to the Roman terraced houses, with painted walls and mosaics now beautifully restored, with a talk from the curator. After exploring the city we visit the newly reopened museum, housing treasures from the site. End the day at the fortifications and Basilica of St John at Selçuk, the city which replaced Ephesus in Medieval times. Day Eleven | Kusadasi - Izmir - London We drive to Izmir for our flights home via Istanbul.
Day Six | Izmir - Sardis - Pamukkale Before setting of to Sardis, we stop off at Manisa Museum, we then drive inland to Sardis, with its massive gymnasium and bath-house and finely preserved Temple of Artemis. We continue to Pamukkale, the limestone ‘cotton castle.’ Located in the River Menderes Valley, the Roman ruins here remain remarkably well-preserved. Day Seven | Pamukkale - Hierapolis We explore ancient Hierapolis, with extensive tombs, a ‘Plutonium’ (shrine to the underworld deity Pluto) and oracular Temple of Apollo. The limescale formations with cascading pools and hot springs make this site very picturesque. Enjoy a free afternoon. Day Eight | Pamukkale - Kusadasi We travel east up the valley of the Maeander river, through magnificent scenery to the site of Aphrodisias. The mountains surrounding this idyllical site produced very fine white marble, and the city became famous for its sculptors. Guided by Terry Richardson Join Terry in Turkey on our April departure.
Guided by Isabella Sjöström Join Isabella in Turkey on our October departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
25th Apr - 5th May
£2,895
£490
3rd - 15th Oct
£2,895
£490
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Divan Corlu Hotel, Assos Kervansaray Hotel, Bacacan Hotel, Saruhan Hotel, Doga Thermal Hotel & Charisma Hotel • 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aeg Images left to right: Temple of Assos, Temple of Trajan & the landscape of Seytan Sofrasi
01772 650 051 91
Worldwide
Day One | London - Istanbul We arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel.
SOUTH EAST TURKEY
Charting the rise and fall of civilisations 12 Days
From £3,695pp
Departing April & September 2020
Activity Level
The Tigris and Euphrates both rise in the mountains of Turkey and flow south into the Persian Gulf. The Fertile Crescent saw the birth of agriculture and the first domestication of cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. Prior to this agricultural revolution, hunter-gatherers built the remarkable temple complex at Gobekli Tepe. Ankara
Tour Highlights • See the excavations at Gobekli Tepe, with megaliths pre-dating Stonehenge • Visit the volcanic landscapes in Cappadocia and the soft rock hewn out in the Byzantine-era to create underground cities and rock-cut churches • Explore the beautifully laid-out Zeugma Mosaic museum in atmospheric Gaziantep, filled with one of the finest arrays of mosaics in the world • Walk up to the World Heritage Site of Nemrut Dag, where huge statues of syncretised Greek-Persian gods and the kings of Commagene gaze imposingly from the summit of a remote peak
92 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Cappadocia Adiyaman Andana
Șanliurfa Gaziantep
Gobekli Tepe
Day Two | Ankara - Cappadocia We begin our day with a visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, housed in a restored Ottoman-era caravanserai. Here we explore a remarkable collection of artefacts documenting the history of Anatolia from the Neolithic period through to the Iron Age. This afternoon we drive across Anatolia to Cappadocia. Day Three | Cappadocia We start our explorations of Cappadocia with a visit to the Ihlara Valley, a beautiful, verdant gorge occupied by a fast-flowing river. The gorge is believed to have contained more than 4,000 dwellings and 100 churches cut into the rocks. We explore some of these churches before moving on to visit the impressive Aşıklı Höyük, a settlement mound comprised of layers dated between 8200 and 7400 BC. Day Four | Cappadocia This morning we begin with a visit to a local co-operative which produces traditionally made carpets, and we see how these are made. We then continue to our main visit of the day at Goreme Open Air Museum. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fairytale landscape of eroded volcanic tuffs, full of rock-cut churches of the early Byzantine period. Day Five | Cappadocia - Adana Today we head south, stopping en route at the extraordinary underground city of Derinkuyu. This is one of the largest and most accessible of many such Byzantine settlements. We continue our journey south across the Anatolian plateau before crossing the formidable Taurus range and dropping down to the fertile Cilician Plain to overnight at Adana. Day Six | Adana - Gaziantep This morning we visit Adana Archaeology Museum, which houses a fine collection of Hittite artefacts. We continue east and rise into wooded mountains to visit the eight century BC fortress palace of Karatepe, now located in an archaeological park. The twin gateways of the fortress palace are lined with relief-carved figurative slabs. Day Seven | Gaziantep Today we explore Gaziantep, named in 2015 as a UNESCO “Creative City of Gastronomy”. Our main focus this morning is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which contains the very fine Roman mosaics from Zeugma, a city which stood on a crossing of the Euphrates river, and which has now been largely flooded by the construction of the Birecik Dam. We also visit the town of Halfeti, itself partially submerged as a result of the same project. Here we can see houses and minarets emerging from the water, and even parts of the old castle and palace.
Day Eight | Gaziantep - Adiyaman We start the day today with a walk around historic Gaziantep including the Medusa Roman Glass Museum and Gaziantep citadel, largely built by Turkish Mamluks in the 13th – 16th centuries. The citadel itself lies on top of existing Roman walls and a Neolithic tell. In the afternoon we take the long but scenic road north to overnight at Adiyaman, at the foot of Mount Nemrut. Day Nine | Adiyaman We begin at the Roman bridge at Cendere, built by the Legio XVI Flavia Firma in the reign of Septimius Severus around AD 200, and the Karakus Tumulus, probably built to cover the burials of the mother, sister and niece of Antiochus’ son and successor. After lunch we continue to the remote hilltop site of Mount Nemrut, where Antiochus I had a monumental sanctuary constructed to promote his rule, comprising the world’s largest tumulus and a collection of huge statues of the gods and of himself. Day Ten | Adiyaman - Sanliurfa This morning we drive to Șanliurfa and view the Pools of Abraham, filled with sacred carp. It was here that Muslim teachings tell how Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod, but upon landing in the fire the flames were turned into water and the logs into fish. Sanliurfa is Turkey’s most Middle Eastern city, and we continue our exploration of this bustling place with a foray into the labyrinthine bazaar. Day Eleven | Sanliurfa - Gobekli Tepe Our last full day is dedicated to the excavations at Gobekli Tepe, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. Situated on top of a rounded hill in the anti-Taurus mountains a few miles north of sanliurfa and the flatlands of Mesopotamia to the south, it was closed to the public for several years. In the afternoon we return to Sanliurfa to visit Sanliurfa Museum complex, completed in 2015 and home to a treasure trove of finds from Gobekli and containing a life-size reconstruction of one of the stone circles. Day Twelve | Sanliurfa - London After breakfast this morning we head to Sanliurfa airport for return flights to London, via Istanbul. Guided by Terry Richardson With a university background in ancient history and classical civilisations, Terry first traveled to Turkey as an undergraduate in 1977 and has been back countless times since.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
1st - 12th Apr
£3,695
£675
26th Sep - 7th Oct
£3,695
£675
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Swissotel, Best Western Premier Cave Hotel, Otel Seyhan, Grand Gaziantep Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Hotel & Manici Hotel • 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 11 dinners • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/eas Images left to right: Mount Nemrut & the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu
01772 650 051 93
Worldwide
Day One | London - Ankara Today we depart from London and fly to Ankara, then we check in to our hotel in time for dinner.
NORTH EAST TURKEY
Explore a region far beyond the reach of most tourists 11 Days
From £3,295pp
27th May - 6th June 2020
Activity Level
The dramatic landscapes between the Black Sea and Lake Van include mountain ranges and fertile plateaux, wherein lies the snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat. We learn more about the Uratians, an intriguing people about whom little was known until relatively recently and we end our journey at the glorious Lake Van with time to explore its surroundings. Tour Highlights • Learn more about the history of these little-visited parts of Turkey • Explore the remote Kingdom of Urartu with its fortified palace complexes and the ruined medieval Armenian city of Ani • Discover the Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery, which has been built into the side of a sheer cliff in a remote mountain valley • Admire spectacular scenery that ranges from dense forest to volcanic craters – a tour to this part of the world is picturesque and surprising in equal parts
94 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Istanbul
Trabzon
Kars
Erzurum Tatvan
Dogubayazit Van
Day Two | Trabzon Today, we tour Trabzon, once an important Greek colony on the Black Sea. The Greek General Xenophon reached here in 401 BC with 10,000 troops following his retreat from Mesopotamia, as recorded in his Anabasis. We visit the outside of the 13th century Church of Hagia Sophia, with its impressive late-Byzantine frescoes, relief carvings, and the impressive citadel built on a spur of land sloping down towards the Black Sea. We also visit a couple of Byzantine churches turned into mosques following the Ottoman conquest. We then travel up into the lower reaches of the Pontic Alps to view the outside of the Sumela Monastery, which is spectacularly built into a sheer cliff. It dates from the 6th century and it boasts some fine frescoes. The monastery was hastily abandoned in 1923 following the population exchange between Greece and the newly founded Republic of Turkey. We then drive over the dramatic Zigana Pass and follow the old Silk Road to Erzurum, the highest city in the country. Day Three | Trabzon - Erzurum We walk around the historic city of Erzurum, visiting a number of atmospheric buildings left by the Saltukid and other Islamic dynasties. These include the 13th century Çifte Minare Medrese (Double-minaret religious school), the glazed-tile adorned Yakutiye Medrese, a number of elegant tombs with conical roofs, and the Ulu Cami (Friday Mosque), notable for its wooden dome. The journey onto Kars is beautiful, taking us through remote country where rivers have cut deep gorges through the mountainous landscape. Day Four | Erzurum - Kars Today we head out east from Kars to the frontier with the modern Republic of Armenia, separated from Turkey by a deep gorge and river. Here lies the medieval ‘ghost’ town of Ani, a once powerful, church-filled settlement astride a branch of the Silk Route. It has long been empty, its churches succumbing to earthquakes and the elements, but enough have survived to give us a taste of its glorious past. We admire the frescoes within the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, and then we cross to Kars. Here, we visit the impressive crag-top citadel, the 10th century Church of the Holy Apostles and some fine late 19th century Russian houses and administrative buildings. Day Five | Dogubayazit This morning we drive to Doğubayazit. Our main focus here is the romantic 17th century Ishak Pasha Palace, a wonderfully ornate and architecturally intricate palace dramatically situated on a limestone ridge with superb views over the Ararat Plain below. There is a Urartian rock-cut chamber high in the cliff-face behind the palace, flanked by relief-carved figures, and a lovely domed Ottoman mosque beneath it. The views to Mount Ararat from Doğubeyazıt are superb. Day Six | Dogubayazit - Tatvan We drive over the near 10,000 feet high Tendurek Pass, past frozen lava flows, and get our first tantalising glimpses of Lake Van, a startlingly blue high-altitude soda lake seven times larger than Lake Geneva. Navigating the northern shore of the lake, we pass beneath towering Mount Suphan to the medieval city of Ahlat, famed for its monumental tombs and elaborately carved gravestones.
Day Seven | Nemrut Dag Today we take minibuses up to the World Heritage Site of Nemrut Dag. This site is located on one of the highest peaks of the Eastern Taurus mountain range and was built by the Late Hellenistic King Antiochos I of Commagene. After lunch we drive south to Bitlis, then continue to Por where we visit a formerly Armenian village. Here you will visit a small 7th century church with the best collection of khachtkars (Armenian stelae). Day Eight | Tatvan - Van We descend into the deep valley carved by the river Bitlis. A short detour up a green and beautiful side valley brings us to a Kurdish village where the locals have turned a charming 7th century Armenian church into a barn. From here, we retrace our steps to Lake Van and skirt its southern shores to Akhtamar Island, home to the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross. We also visit the impressive Van Archaeological Museum. Day Nine | Van Today we explore Old Van, including the mighty Rock of Van and the burial chambers of the Urartian King Argishti. Later, we visit the remains of the city that stood at the foot of the ‘rock’ complete with a couple of well-restored Ottoman mosques, as well as several badly-ruined buildings including an Armenian church. We look up to see a massive cuneiform inscription carved into the sheer cliff-face of the Rock of Van, carved at the behest of the Persian king Xerxes. Day Ten | Van We drive south into the heart of the mountains to visit the fairy tale fortress of Hoşap, which was built by a Kurdish chieftan in the 17th century. Our final visit today will be to the fortified-palace of Çavuştepe, built on a mountain spur snaking out into a wide valley. Constructed relatively late in the Urartian period the site is notable for its beautifully-carved basalt masonry, blind windows, cisterns and twin temples. Day Eleven | Van - Istanbul - London After breakfast, we fly from Van to Istanbul and onward flights home.
Guided by Terry Richardson With a university background in ancient history and classical civilisations, Terry first traveled to Turkey as an undergraduate in 1977 and has been back countless times since.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
27th May - 6th Jun
£3,295
£630
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Zorlu Grand Hotel, Polat Erzurum Resort Hotel, Cheltikov Hotel, Butik Ertur Hotel, Tatvan Kardelen Hotel & Elite World Van Hotel • 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/net Images left to right: Akhtamar Island & Ishak Pasa palace
01772 650 051 95
Worldwide
Day One | London - Trabzon Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to Trabzon, ancient Trebizond, located on the historic Silk Road. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel.
ARMENIA & GEORGIA
Explore the site of Nokalakevi with Dr Ian Colvin 15 Days
From £4,595pp
Departing June & October 2020
Activity Level
Between Europe and Asia, the Caspian and the Black Sea, and on the ancient Silk Roads and the Scythian invasion routes stand the republics — ancient kingdoms — of Armenia and Georgia. Their location between great civilisations guaranteed them a pivotal role in world history. Yet, their varied landscapes are reason enough to visit. Nokalakevi
Tour Highlights • See exquisite metalwork and jewellery from the Bronze Age • Discover the captivating history that created both Tbilisi’s and Yerevan’s urban centres
Kutaisi Borjomi
Tbilisi
Batumi
• Enjoy the country’s dramatic landscapes, from its lush sub-tropics to the semi-desert steppes • Learn about the ancient Georgian wine-making tradition, which involves fermenting grapes in earthenware and has now been recognised by UNESCO
96 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Dilijan Yerevan
Day Two | Yerevan This morning we visit the Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin and the striking ruins of Zvartnots, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon we visit the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Manuscripts and its Matenadaran Museum, which commemorates the creation of the Armenian alphabet. Day Three | Yerevan Today we drive east into the Gegham mountains to visit the World Heritage Site of Geghard. This 12th and 13th century monastery is carved out of the living rock. Nearby, perched above the gorge of the Azat, stands the fortress and summer palace of Garni with its Graeco-Roman temple. This afternoon, we explore Yerevan’s History Museum. Day Four | Yerevan We begin at Shengavit, a settlement that spans the Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age. We continue to the museum and fortress of Erebuni, the ancient Urartian capital in the Araxes valley in the first half of the 1st millennium BC. This afternoon we have free time to explore Yerevan at our own leisure, or choose to take an optional visit to the moving Genocide Museum and memorial at Tsitsernakaberd (Swallow’s fortress). Day Five | Yerevan - Dilijan This morning we travel towards Ararat. Beneath the mountain stands the monastery of Khor Virap. Here, King Artaxias I founded one of Armenia’s ancient capitals, Artashat, on the advice of Hannibal the Carthaginian. Further south we visit Areni Cave, a fascinating archaeological site that has preserved organic materials from the 5th millennium BC, including an ancient winery and the world’s oldest shoe. We lunch at the medieval monastery of Noravank, an architectural gem in a stunning valley setting. Day Six | Dilijan - Tbilisi Today we visit three of Armenia’s finest and best-preserved monastic complexes. The 10th-13th century Haghartsin is hidden at the head of the wooded valley outside Dilijan, while the twin World Heritage Sites of Haghpat and Sanahin are perched on a high plateau above the valley of the Debed River. Day Seven | Tbilisi This morning we start with a walking tour of Old Tbilisi, taking in the Metekhi Church, the Narikala Fortress, the Baths district, the Great Synagogue, the Sioni Cathedral, and the 6th century Anchiskhati Basilica. After lunch, we visit the Georgian National Museum with its spectacular gold rooms. Day Eight | Tbilisi We travel to Kakheti, the most important of Georgia’s wine-growing regions. The monastery of Iqalto, was founded in the late 6th century, and in the 12th century, David IV ‘the Rebuilder’ founded an Academy here. We continue with a visit to Tsinandali, the 19th century summer palace of the Chavchavadze family. Over lunch at a local winery, we sample the local wines and learn about the ancient Georgian ‘Qvevri’ wine-making tradition.
Day Nine | Tbilisi The Open Air Ethnographic House Museum is our first port of call today. This attractive museum preserves type examples of traditional architecture from Georgia’s many regions. We continue to the Museum of Fine Arts, which displays some of Georgia’s most precious medieval Christian artwork and Queen Tamar’s exquisite bejewelled cross brooch. Free time follows. Day Ten | Tbilisi - Borjomi We start our day at Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient capital and religious centre. After visiting the 6th century Jvari Chuch, we explore the excavations of the ancient royal citadel of Armazistsikhe and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. After lunch, we visit Gori for the ancient rock-cut city of Uplistsikhe and the Stalin Museum. The latter preserves the museum erected by Stalin’s murderous Caucasian viceroy Beria, making it a fascinating relic of the cult of Stalin and the counterpoint to the exhibition on the Soviet Occupation in Tbilisi’s National Museum. Day Eleven | Borjomi This morning we drive past the fortress of Khertvisi, to the medieval cave monastery of Vardzia. This afternoon we return to Borjomi via Akhaltsikhe and the Rabati fortress, a centre for Ottoman slaving. Day Twelve | Borjomi - Kutaisi We drive to Kutaisi this morning, Georgia’s second city and historic capital of Imereti. Here, we visit the royal monastery and World Heritage Site of Gelati, with its rich mosaic and frescoes and its medieval Academy. After lunch, we have free time to explore the city. Day Thirteen | Kutaisi - Batumi Today we visit our guide lecturer’s site of Nokalakevi. The extensive ruins of a large Byzantine-period fortress stand atop earlier archaeological levels going back through the 1st millennium BC to at least the 3rd millennium. After a tour of the site and the small museum, we have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we journey to Batumi. Day Fourteen | Batumi We start with a walking tour of Batumi, before visiting the Roman playing-card fort at Apsarus, with its small museum. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore further. Day Fifteen | Batumi - London Transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. Guided by Ian Colvin Currently working at the University of Cambridge, Ian is a researcher and historian who specialises in the Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
4th- 18th Jun
£4,595
£690
1st - 15th Oct
£4,695
£690
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Tufenkian Historic Yerevan, Best Western Plus Paradise Hotel Dilijan, Mercure Tbilisi Old Town, Borjomi Likani Health & Spa Centre, Best Western Kutaisi Hotel & Batumi World Palace • 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 13 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/gaa Images left to right: Ancient monastery at Tatev & the ruins of Zvarnots temple
01772 650 051 97
Worldwide
Day One | London - Yerevan Upon arrival in Yerevan, we transfer to our city centre hotel.
RUSSIA
Culture, history & archaeology on an epic journey 13 Days
From £4,995pp
Departing September 2020 - May 2021
Activity Level
The vast country of Russia, once home of the Tsars, is rich in culture and history. Experience the glories of its present-day capital Moscow and its former imperial capital St. Petersburg, as well as its charming historical town of Novgorod, as we encounter prehistoric finds in the Hermitage through to its most recent Soviet past. Tour Highlights • Explore the remarkable capital of Russia, Moscow, its iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Red Square
St Petersburg
Novgorod
• A full day to explore the renowned treasures of the Hermitage including the Scythian Gold artefacts • Experience the grandeur of Russia’s imperial capital St. Petersburg with its marvellous palaces of the Tsars • Wander the halls of Catherine’s Palace at Tsarskoye Selo and view the world famous reconstructed Amber Room
98 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Suzdal Moscow
Vladimir
Day Two | Moscow We start this morning with an introductory lecture, then afterwards, we leave the hotel for a walking tour of Moscow. At the famous Red Square, we will spend time exploring its surrounding sites visiting St. Basil’s Cathedral, whose architects were supposedly blinded by Ivan the Terrible so that they could never again recreate such splendour, and Lenin’s Mausoleum, the resting place of the famous Soviet leader, where his preserved body is on display and Choral Synagogue. After lunch, we pay a visit to the State Tretyakov Gallery, one of the largest museums of the country housing over 100,000 works of fine Russian art. Day Three | Moscow Our second full day exploring Moscow starts with a visit to the Kremlin, the fortified citadel in the heart of the city. Overlooking the Moskva River, we will tour the complex, its cathedrals and the Armoury Chamber, a treasure house which forms part of the Grand Kremlin’s Palace. After lunch, we visit the State Historical Museum and the Museum of Archaeology. Day Four | Moscow - Suzdal Today, we leave Moscow and journey to Sergiev Posad to visit Trinity Sergius Lavra, Russia’s most important monastery and spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church, founded in 1337. Following lunch, we travel east to Suzdal. Here, we visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life, an open-air “living village” where traditional old houses and churches are assembled. Day Five | Suzdal & Vladimir We spend the morning in Suzdal, exploring the city on a walking tour including the local Kremlin, Krestovaya Palata and St. Ephimius Monastery. In the afternoon we drive to Vladimir, a town founded by Vladimir Monamakh in 1108 as a fort in the Rostov-Suzdal municipality. Here, we will visit the 12th century Assumption/Dmitrievsky Cathedral and view the Golden Gate, the ancient Russian city gate. Day Six | Suzdal - Moscow - Novgorod Travelling north brings us to the city of Yaroslavl. A tour here includes the Spassky Monastery, built in the best traditions of Russian architecture and the church of Ilya the Prophet. We’ll walk through the park complex situated in the historical centre, arriving at the local museum to visit the archaeological department. After lunch, we enjoy a boat trip on the Volga and then transfer back to Moscow to take an overnight train to Novgorod. Day Seven | Novgorod We arrive in Novgorod in the early morning. Here, we tour the Kremlin, viewing the ancient Detinets-Kremlin walls and towers, visiting St. Sophia’s Cathedral with its Magdeburg gates and bell tower, the bronze Monument to the 1000 Years of Russia, as well as the Chamber of Facets, an exceptional example of Gothic architecture. This afternoon, we visit the Troitsky excavation site.
Day Eight | Novgorod - St. Petersburg We travel by coach to St. Petersburg and upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel. After lunch, we tour the city tour and visit the Peter & Paul Fortress, which Peter the Great built in 1703 to provide protection from the Swedes. We end the day with a visit of the historic centre on Vasilyevsky Island. Day Nine | St. Petersburg This morning, we drive to Peterhof to visit the Grand Palace and lush parks of the imperial estate, often referred to as the Russian Versailles. After lunch, we return to St. Petersburg and spend the afternoon visiting St. Nicholas Cathedral and Alexander-Nevsky Monastery. Day Ten | St. Petersburg Today is dedicated to the world-famous State Hermitage Museum, the second largest art museum of the world. An extraordinary collection of jewellery including Scythian artefacts are on display in the Gold Room. In the afternoon, we view the relics from the Altai burials as well as the Pazyryk carpet. There will be free time to explore the rest of the Hermitage before we return to our hotel. Day Eleven | St. Petersburg We spend the morning in Tsarskoye Selo or Tsar’s village, the former residence of the imperial family. Here, we visit Catherine’s Palace to marvel at the famous, reconstructed Amber Room. In the afternoon we visit Yusupov Palace with its sumptuous and rich interior, and the site where Grigori Rasputin was murdered. Our day ends with a canal boat ride. Day Twelve | St. Petersburg This morning, we return to the Hermitage for a specially arranged tour of the storage rooms. Upon our arrival back in the city centre, there will be free time to explore more of St. Petersburg at your own leisure before our farewell dinner this evening. Day Thirteen | St. Petersburg - London We transfer to the airport for our return flight back to London.
Guided by Prof. Alexei Leporc After studying at St. Petersburg State University and the University of Vienna, Alexei worked as an Assistant Professor and then as the Curator of 19th and 20th century prints at the Hermitage Museum.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
27th Sep - 9th Oct
£4,995
£865
14th - 26th May 2021
£5,495
£1,010
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Radisson Collection Hotel Moscow, Pushkarskaya Sloboda Hotel, Radisson Park Inn Veliky Novgorod & Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 • 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 12 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rst Images left to right: St. Basil’s Cathedral & Catherine’s Palace Hall
01772 650 051 99
Worldwide
Day One | London - Moscow We fly from London to Moscow and transfer to our hotel. This evening we’ll have dinner together.
LEBANON
Discover a wealth of history in this intriguing country 8 Days
From £3,045pp
Departing April - December 2020
Activity Level
A small country, dominated by great mountain ranges, Lebanon’s impact on the history of the Mediterranean is out of all proportion to its size, for here is a rich archaeological history to explore. This is the homeland of the Canaanites/Phoenicians whose great coastal trading supplied the known world with luxuries, including cedarwood, spices and metals.
Byblos Baalbek
Tour Highlights • Explore Byblos, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world • The Roman remains at Tyre including the Hippodrome and monumental streets • Visit the great temple of Jupiter Heliopolis in Baalbek, and of Eshmoun in Sidon • The National Archaeological Museum including the sarcophagus of Ahiram with the earliest Phoenician inscription
100 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Beirut Beit Eddine
Anjar Niha
Sidon Tyre
Day Two | Byblos Byblos, site of one of the great trading cities of the early Bronze Age, and arguably the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world. Through its trading contacts with the Greek world, Byblos exported the alphabet to the West. Our morning includes visits to the citadel and St John’s Church, and in the afternoon, we visit the archaeological park and monuments from the crusader period. Time permitting we’ll also stop to view the inscriptions left by ancient armies at the Nahr-el-kalb (the Dog River), between Byblos and Beirut. Day Three | Beirut All day in Beirut, a city reborn; the rebuilding programme following the civil war (1975 -1990) gave the unique opportunity for an archaeological study of the city. The earliest occupation dates to the Palaeolithic period, but the first urban phase belongs to the Middle Bronze Age (c. 3000BC). The Roman city of Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus was famous in the 3rd century for its law school. The major surviving monuments also date from this period, including a large bath complex and one of the main thoroughfares lined with shops, luxury houses and a laundry. We visit the National Museum with excellent collections of Lebanon's cultural heritage and the reconstructed heart of the city and the central archaeological zone with the remains of Roman Berytus. Day Four | Baalbek The great temple complex of Baalbek in the heart of the Bekka valley includes the vast Temple of Jupiter Heliopolis, once the largest in the world (22.9 m high), with peristyles and hexagonal courts. To the side lies the Temple of Bacchus, the remarkable state of preservation of these temples, particularly the latter, show fine detail of their devotional purpose. We also visit the nearby quarries, which contain some of the largest monoliths ever quarried.
Day Seven | Sidon & Tyre Tyre: “Say to Tyre, that city standing on the edge of the sea, doing business with the nations in innumerable islands." Ezekiel’s description of Iron Age Tyre, one of the great cities of the ancient Near East. Its wealth, through trade and manufacture, particularly of purple dye from the murex, was the benchmark from which all others were measured. We visit the two archaeological parks which show the wealth of Tyre in the Roman period. Sidon grew wealthy from the production of glass and textiles, and held a favoured position with the great King of Persia. In their wars with the Greeks, the Persians relied on Sidon’s navy. We visit the Temple of Eshmoun, patron god of Sidon, as well as evidence of the Crusader past with a visit to the Sea Castle. Day Eight | Beirut - London We take our return flight from Beirut back to London. Please note, the order of the itinerary may vary slightly depending on the arrival day of the week. For the itinerary travelling over New Year the tour content will be different to allow New Year's eve to be in Beirut, please see our website for more details.
Day Five | Anjar & Niha Following the Arab conquest in the 7th century, the first Islamic dynasty the Umayyads saw themselves as heirs of Rome and Byzantium and used the architectural and artistic language of those earlier powers to express their own ideas. This fusion between east and west is nowhere more evident than at the planned city of Anjar. In the afternoon we will visit the temples of the Roman period at Niha. The chief temple here is dedicated to the god Hadaranes and has been well restored. Day Six | Beit Eddine - Beirut We start our day with a visit to the palace at Beit Eddine. Built by the Emir Bechir at the end of the 18th century in an opulent oriental style. We also visit the contemporary town of Deir El Qamar before travelling back to Beirut. Guided by Tony O’Connor A specialist in the Roman Empire, Tony has excavated widely across Britain, Europe and North Africa. He is also deeply interested in Roman coinage. Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
26th Apr - 3rd May
£3,045
£345
25th Oct - 1st Nov
£3,045
£345
22nd - 29th Nov
£3,045
£345
27th Dec 2020 3rd Jan 2021
£3,495
£475
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Four Points by Sheraton, Grand Hotel Kadri, Gefinor Rotana, or similar • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner. A snack will be provided in the hotel room upon arrival on day one • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/leb Images left to right: The Jupiter Temple of Baalbek, Beirut at night & Umayyad Palace at Anja
01772 650 051 101
Worldwide
Day One | London - Beirut We fly from London to Beirut and upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel.
ISRAEL & PALESTINE
View incredible archaeology in the Holy Land 11 Days
From £4,295pp
Departing October & November 2020
Activity Level
There are few places on earth that can boast such a rich, varied and important archaeological heritage as both Israel and Palestine. Over the millennia, this ancient land has felt the tread of conquerors and settlers: Canaanites, Israelites, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Ottomans and Imperial Britons, all of whom have left their signature.
Acre Tzippori
Beth She’an
Tour Highlights • Pay a visit to one of the world’s oldest cities, Jericho, where archaeologists have unearthed evidence of settlement as far back as 9,000 BC • Discover Armageddon or Megiddo, a city of great strategic importance in the ancient world and also the scene of many significant battles • Spend a total of three days in Jerusalem, where we can immerse ourselves in a history that stretches back almost 5,000 years • Ascend to Masada by cable car and explore this spectacular archaeological site while enjoying the views
102 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Tiberias
Tel Aviv Jerusalem Bethlehem
Day Two | Galilee We spend our first morning exploring the Roman and Byzantine city of Beth She’an, thought to have been occupied since the 6th to the 5th millennia BC. We visit the 6th century synagogue of Beth Alpha, which features colourful wall panels depicting scenes such as the Binding of Isaac, and a Greco-Roman zodiac. After lunch, we explore the ancient city of Tel Megiddo, where recent excavations have unearthed no less than 26 layers of ruins. Day Three | Galilee We begin the day at the archaeological site of Tel Dan, where a remarkable Bronze Age mud-brick gateway still stands in place. We continue to Tel Hazor, once the largest fortified city in the country. After lunch, we continue to Belvoir Crusader Fortress, one of the best preserved Crusader Fortresses in Israel. Lastly, we view the ‘Jesus Boat’ in the grounds of the Nof Ginosar Hotel. Day Four | Galilee This morning we drive to Tzipori, a fortified city perched on a mound in the Netofah Valley. Thanks to extensive excavations in the area we are able to view an ancient synagogue, Jewish homes lining a cobbled street, a Roman villa, and a number of intricate 5th century mosaics, depicting images such as the famous “Mona Lisa of Galilee”. In the afternoon we continue to Acre, on the sunny shores of Haifa Bay. We discover striking Ottoman aqueducts, medieval churches, and city walls established by Crusaders. Day Five | Galilee - Jerusalem Today we explore the national park and Roman harbour city of Caesarea Maritima, constructed by Herod the Great. We spend the afternoon at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the largest museum in the country. It is here that we encounter the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Biblical and extra-Biblical manuscripts known to man. Day Six | Jerusalem We spend a full day today exploring many of the highlights of the old city of Jerusalem, starting with an early morning visit to the Temple Mount and continuing to the City of David, the oldest part of Jerusalem settled during the Canaanite period. Here we explore the ancient water system discovered by Sir Charles Warren, the British engineer who rediscovered it in 1867, and the Pool of Siloam. After lunch we visit the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum and spend some time in the Old City walking along the Via Dolorosa. Day Seven | Jerusalem We drive to Jericho this morning, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Here we explore the remains of the settlement of Tel es Sultan, site of Katherine Kenyon’s excavations, Hisham’s Palace, an early Islamic construction and the Herodian Winter Palace complex. In the afternoon, we visit the Herodium, the palace-like fortress built by King Herod; the combination of fortress and palace is a uniquely Herodian innovation, which he repeated on several other sites, including Masada. It is here that after 35 years of archaeological research, Ehud Netzer announced he had found Herod's tomb and resting place. The news made headlines worldwide.
Day Eight | Jerusalem Today we begin with an ascent to Masada, a rugged Herodian fortress high up on the isolated cliffs of the Judaean Desert. According to ancient sources, the defenders of this fortress committed mass suicide rather than surrender to the Romans in AD 73. This incredible site is one of Israel’s foremost attractions, and achieved World Heritage status in 2001. After a short visit to En Gedi National Park for a taste of this beautiful oasis – the biggest in Israel, we round off our day with a visit to the remote desert caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, before returning to Jerusalem. Day Nine | Jerusalem - Dead Sea After breakfast we travel to the archaeological site of Tel Lachish, a huge Near East city with commanding views over the hills and coastal plains. We continue to the walled city of Tel Beer Sheba, where we enjoy a picnic lunch amid the ruins of the national park. We stop at the mysterious prehistoric site of Tel Arad, with its altars and standing stones, before continuing to the glittering Dead Sea where, if we have time, we may “swim” atop its famous hyper-saline waters. Day Ten | Dead Sea - Jerusalem Today we are accompanied by Dr Avi Solomon, a leading Israeli archaeologist. Beginning with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, it is believed that this church is the site of Jesus’s crucifixion, as well as his empty tomb, now encased within an 18th century shrine. After, Dr Solomon will give us a private behind the scenes tour of the excavations at the Western Wall tunnels and the Roman Odeon. After lunch, we enter Palestine for a visit to Bethlehem, where we take a short tour that includes a stop at the Church of the Nativity. Day Eleven | Jerusalem - Tel Aviv - London We make our way from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv airport for our return flight home. We arrive in London this evening.
Guided by Nick Jackson An archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of excavation and guiding experience, Nick graduated in archaeology at the prestigious Institute of Archaeology UCL in London.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 30th Oct
£4,295
£950
24th Nov - 4th Dec
£4,495
£950
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Olive Mount Gilboa Hotel, Mount Zion Boutique Hotel & the David Dead Sea Resort and Spa • 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/isr Images left to right: Scenic view over Masada & the ruins of Bethesda pool
01772 650 051 103
Worldwide
Day One | London - Tel Aviv - Galilee We fly from London to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel located in Tiberias, northern Israel, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. We have a welcome night’s rest before starting our adventure tomorrow.
JORDAN | PETRA & THE DESERT FORTRESSES Spend two days in the evocative rock-cut city of Petra 10 Days
From £3,195pp
Departing March - October 2020
Activity Level
Nothing can prepare you for Petra: the scale, the colours and the 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.
Gadara
Wadi As-Seir
Tour Highlights • Visit Jerash, the best-preserved Roman town in the east, a site that is home to the Oval Plaza and the columns of the Temple of Artemis
Umm al-Jimal
Jerash
Dead Sea
Amman Umm al-Rasa Kerak
• Spend two days in the evocative rock-cut city of Petra, an iconic and instantly recognisable site that needs no introduction • Admire the almost lunar-like desert scenery of Wadi Rum, which was immortalised on film in ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, aboard a fleet of 4x4s • Discover the mighty crusader castle at Kerak, built in the 12th century and one of the largest in the Levant region
104 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Petra
Wadi Rum
Day Two | Wadi Seer - Dead Sea - Amman After a leisurely start, we head to the valley of Wadi Seer. Here we find the remains of Qasr-al-Abd, a well-preserved Hasmonean and rare Hellenestic period Palace. We then spend time both at and in the Dead Sea. The lowest place on earth is also the deepest hypersaline lake in the world, over nine times saltier than the ocean. This salinity has created a harsh environment so it is unsuitable for any plants of wildlife, hence its name. It is however, a unique experience to be able to ‘float’ on the Dead Sea, so we make the most of this opportunity. Day Three | Gadara - Jerash We explore two Roman Decapolis cities today as our adventure continues. We start off at the ancient city of Gadara (known today as Umm Qais), which offers views over the Golan Heights and Sea of Galilee. After lunch we continue to Jerash for the afternoon, which is set in the pine valleys of the biblical land of Gilead, and is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the east. The architecture is particularly fine, and includes the impressive 2nd century Hadrian’s Arch, the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis and the Oval Plaza - framed by a magnificent colonnade - a unique feature of the Forum. Day Four | Amman The morning is spent in Jordan’s modern capital Amman. Here we visit the Archaeological Museum and the citadel. The museum is home to artefacts from archaeological sites from across the country, including the Dead Sea bronze scroll written in Aramaic characters. The citadel is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, and we visit the ruins of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the palace of the Omayyad Caliphs. Before lunch we visit the Memorial Church at Mount Nebo. In the afternoon, we make a short drive to the early Byzantine Church of St George in Madaba, where we view the amazing 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land depicting biblical sites of the Middle East from Egypt to Palestine. After, we explore the Madaba Archaeological Park. Day Five | Umm al-Jimal Today we head into the eastern desert to explore the dramatic basalt city at Umm al-Jimal, even the doors are made of huge black slabs and some of them still operate! After lunch we travel on to the desert castles, Qasr Azraq, Amra and al-Kharanah, with far-reaching views over the surrounding landscape. Jordan’s desert castles were so called due to their imposing stature, but they served mainly as agriculture and trade centres, and caravan stations.
Day Seven & Eight - Petra Today is the first of two full days in Petra, and with the archaeological park spread across 200 square kilometres, we will easily fill our time spent here as there is much to explore. Located among mountains and rugged desert canyons, this ancient capital of the Nabatean Arabs is carved directly into a mixture of sandstone cliff face, its colours a mixture of red, white and pink hence it is also known as the “Rose City”. We walk into the site each day, both for the sense of discovery, and to experience the famous entrance to the ravine site, the Siq. As we wander along the colonnaded streets, we take in some of the ancient city’s most significant structures, such as the world-renowned “Treasury” (Al-Khazneh), a mausoleum over 40 metres in height with a truly impressive ornate façade. The Nabateans, though essential nomadic, developed a sophisticated water technology, the remains of which we will also see here during our extensive visit. Led by our expert guide, there are optional climbs on both days to Nabatean ‘Monastery’ and ‘High Place’. Day Nine | Little Petra - Wadi Rum This morning we will visit the Neolithic site of Beidha, where 8th Millennium BC houses can still be seen, and the painted tomb at “Little Petra” (Siq al-Bahrid). Thought to have been an important suburb of Petra the site includes temples, tombs, water channels and cisterns carved out of rock. We drive to Wadi Rum, home of the largest Roman copper mine in the empire. Here we take 4x4s through spectacular scenery, made famous by the filming of “Lawrence of Arabia”. There are also several rock art sites to be explored here. Afterwards, we head back to Amman for a farewell dinner. Day Ten | Amman - London We fly from Amman today, arriving back into London in the afternoon.
Day Six | Umm al-Rasa - Kerak We visit the church and spectacular mosaics at Umm al-Rasas. A Roman and Byzantine site, the mosaics of the churches have fine depictions of the principal cities of the region. Before lunch we have a brief stop at a viewpoint at Wadi Mujib. On next to the mighty crusader castle of Kerak, one of the largest in the Levantine region. Overlooking the Dead Sea, it was built in 1132 as the first line of defence for the Crusader kingdom of Jerusalem.
Guided by Nick Jackson Join Nick in Jordan, 24th March & 6th October.
Guided by Dr Neil Faulkner Join Neil in Jordan, 28th October.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
24th Mar - 2nd Apr
£3,195
£550
6th - 15th Oct
£3,195
£550
28th Oct - 6th Nov
£3,195
£550
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Al Qasr Metropole & The Old Village Resort • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner. A snack will be provided in the hotel room upon arrival on day one • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/jor Images left to right: Ruins at the citadel of Amman & the desert of Wadi Rum
01772 650 051 105
Worldwide
Day One | London - Amman We depart from London Heathrow in the afternoon and arrive at Amman airport late evening. Upon arrival, we make our way to our hotel for a much needed rest.
OMAN
Explore Bronze Age tombs at the UNESCO-listed site of Bat 11 Days
From £4,395pp
6th - 16th November 2020
Activity Level
Oman has been a crossroads of commerce for millennia. Passing through spectacular landscapes, we travel from the rugged peaks of the northern mountains to the southern and eastern coast through desert, and groves of frankincense trees at Salalah, with her green wadis, waterfalls and date-palm groves.
Muscat Nizwa Ras ak Jinz
Tour Highlights • Discover the once lost city of Ubar in the Empty Quarter • Explore the striking Bronze Age conical tombs at Bat, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site • Follow in the footsteps of the ancient caravans on this unique tour as we explore a range of rock art, classical era and Islamic sites • Travel through contrasting landscapes, from the dunes of the Empty Quarter and craggy mountains to the sparkling sea
Ubar
Salalah
106 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Two | Muscat Spend a full day in Muscat, an ancient trading city. Visits in the morning include the Grand Mosque, the Bawshar Iron Age archaeological site with examples of late Lizq and early Samad period honeycomb tombs, and take time to wander through the labyrinthine alleyways of Muttrah Souq. This afternoon, we take a short drive to the Al Alam Palace followed by a visit to the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman, which showcases the nation’s heritage from the earliest human settlement through to the present day. Day Three | Muscat - Nizwa Today, we travel in 4x4s through date palm orchards to Al Hazm fort Al Ayn and the UNESCO Site of Bat, where we discover the extraordinary Bronze Age beehive tombs. The distinctive ‘beehive’ dry stone tombs form an enormous necropolis. We continue to the historic walled town of Nizwa for the night. Day Four | Nizwa We drive to the quaint village of Al Hamra, nestled in the foothills of the Jabel Ahkdar. Its old multi-storied mud houses are surrounded by a vast expanse of lush green date plantations. We visit nearby Has’t Ben Sult, a large rock covered with engravings of men, women, and children. On to Wadi Ghul, home of the traditional weavers of Oman, and then to Wadi Nakher, Oman’s deepest canyon to see rock art and Bronze Age tombs. Our next stop is Misfah, a lovely village with stone houses precariously clinging to the side of the mountain cliff where we enjoy a picnic lunch. Afterwards we’ll explore the Falaj irrigation system. Day Five | Nizwa Today we make our way to Wadi Tanuf, set against the backdrop of the Al Hajar mountains. Here, we’ll enjoy a short walk to see rock art and Hafit tombs. In Nizwa, we visit the famous Round Tower Fort and its souq, renowned for its intricately hand-carved khanjars (daggers). After lunch in Al Mandi, we drive to Jabrin with its beautiful painted murals; more of a fortified palace than a fort, it was built in the 17th century by Bil’arub bin Sultan. We conclude our day in Iron Age Salut near Bisyah an archaeological site home to an ancient fortified collection of ruins and fortifications, some of which date to over 3,000 years ago. Day Six | Nizwa - Ras al Jinz The archaeological site of Lizq in Ash Sharqiyah is our first visit today. Discovered in 1979, the hill fort here has pottery similar to Early Iron Age sites. An interesting change from site visits, the traditional weaver's in Akhdar is an opportunity to see a small family-run business with fascinating makeshift tools - the only manufacturers of the Sultan’s turbans. We continue to Samad for a picnic lunch, before travelling to Ras al Jinz for an overnight stay at the turtle conservation centre where, if we are fortunate, we may see nesting turtles.
archaeological sites with evidence of settlement dating as far back as the Chalcolithic Age. We continue to Sur to visit its major shipyard. The lateen sailed Dhow, the classic ship of Arabian seas, is still constructed in the yards here. Later we fly to Salalah.
Day Eight | Salalah Today starts at Khor Rori Creek and the ruined city of Sumhuram. We visit the museum before heading to the nature park Wadi Darbat for lunch. Afterwards in Mirbat, an important town as early as the 9th century for its trade in frankincense, horses, and slaves, we explore old houses famous for their woodcarvings. We’ll also reflect on the 1972 military campaign in Oman, in particular the legendary battle at Mirbat. We stop at Bin Ali’s Tomb, a fine example of medieval architecture, on our return to Salalah. Day Nine | Salalah We start today at Hanun, a depot along the frankincense routes, and the nearby, 5th century BC triliths. Driving into Rub Al Khali, the Empty Quarter, we reach the fabled city of Ubar - Iram of the Pillars at Shisr. Once a crossroads of the frankincense trade across Arabia, Ubar vanished beneath the sands around AD 300 and became a place of myth and Koranic legend. An expedition and excavation in 1992 found an ancient fortified spring which, while clearly not the ‘Atlantis of the Sands’, might well be the origin of the myth. En route back to Salalah, we visit a Frankincense tree plantation. Day Ten | Salalah Today we explore Al Balid. It is the site of the first archaeological park in Oman, and is today part of the UNESCO World Heritage Land of Frankincense. Walking around the ruins, we see remains of watchtowers, pylons of a bridge, and foundations of houses, souqs, and mosques. The site museum houses an excellent collection of finds and frankincense. In the afternoon we travel through a spectacular landscape of plains, mountains, and pastureland to visit the biblical “Nabi Ayoub” Prophet Job’s Tomb, perched in the mountains. Day Eleven | Salalah - Muscat - London We leave Salalah and travel to Muscat for our onward flight back to the UK.
Day Seven | Ras al Jinz - Salalah The town of Ras al-Hadd is located on the east coast of Oman facing the Indian Ocean at what was an important ancient trading point between East Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula. Located here is a range of
Guided by Nick Jackson An archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of excavation and guiding experience, Nick graduated in archaeology at the prestigious Institute of Archaeology UCL in London.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
6th - 16th Nov
£4,395
£995
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Al Falaj Muscat, The View, Raz al Djin Scientific Centre & Juweira Boutique Hotel • 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/oma Images left to right: Beehive tombs at Bat & the Al Alam Palace
01772 650 051 107
Worldwide
Day One | London - Muscat We fly from London to Muscat. After checking into our hotel, we meet as a group for dinner.
UZBEKISTAN
Visit the UNESCO-listed sites of Bukhara and Samarkand 15 Days
From £3,845pp
18th September - 2nd October 2020
Activity Level
Follow in the footsteps of history as we explore the sites and cities of the Silk Road, which once ran from China to Europe, with Uzbekistan right at its heart. The steppes, deserts, mountains, and blue-tiled cities tell stories of trade and conquest, and this is a journey across the country that traces the paths of those who’ve passed by for thousands of years. Tour Highlights • Discover a total of four incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Khiva, Samarkand, Shahrukhiyah, and Bukhara • Get a taste of the avant garde at the renowned Savitsky Art Museum, home to the world’s second-largest collection of Russian avant garde art pieces • Travel the ancient trade routes, where caravans of silk, spice and textiles once crossed the landscape • Enter the magnificent Bibi-Khanym Mosque and admire the many ornate palaces in the mesmerising Silk Road city of Khiva
108 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Nukus Tashkent Khiva
Bukhara
Samarkand
Day Three | Tashkent Our day is spent in Tashkent and we enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, which will see us explore ancient mausoleums and beautiful mosques alike, including the Tillya Sheikh. We also take in remnants of the city’s Soviet past. Day Four | Tashkent - Nukus This morning we fly west to Nukus, located in the Karakalpakstan Republic. Upon arrival, we make our way to Gyaur Kala – the “Fortress of Infidels”. This settlement was established at the time of the first Persian Empire and its surviving mud-brick walls and towers are indicative of Zoroastrian inhabitants. Following lunch, we continue to the medieval city of Mizdakhan, the site of Uzbekistan’s oldest necropolis, first founded some 2,000 years ago. Still a place of pilgrimage and mysticism, the legends surrounding this site include that of the “World Clock”, a building said to shed just one brick per year. Legend has it that when the final brick falls, the end of the world will begin. Day Five | Nukus - Khiva Today we visit the world-renowned Savitsky Art Museum, which is home to the second-largest collection of Russian avant garde art outside of Russia itself. Here, we will find archaeological and ethnographic objects on display. Next, we travel south along the Amu River to the remote ruined tepe of Chilpik Dakhma, a Zoroastrian “Tower of Silence” used in funerary sky burial rituals until the Arab invasion of the 7th century AD. Our final destination for the day is Khiva, a significant Silk Road city that is famous for its role as a slave trading post. Day Six | Khiva An excursion to the mighty fortress of Ayaz Kala gets our day off to a fascinating start. Dramatically situated on a hilltop overlooking the Kyzylkum Desert and erected to protect local inhabitants against nomadic attacks, these ancient strongholds were largely destroyed at the time of the Arab invasions. We continue on to the abandoned city of Toprak Kala, built by the slave-owning Khorezm and with an extended line of crumbling walls that is visible for miles around. Built in the 3rd century AD, its remains include the residences of Khorezm governors, workshops that formerly manufactured bows and a palace with three imposing towers. Day Seven | Khiva Today we step into a world of “Arabian Nights”, spending an entire day exploring Khiva on foot. We will discover its narrow alleys, graceful minarets and thriving markets. Although it was almost completely destroyed by Genghis Khan, the parts that have been rebuilt are impressive. The first of Uzbekistan’s sites to achieve UNESCO World Heritage Status, the city still boasts its original defensive walls and gates, as well as many ornate mosques and mausoleums. Day Eight | Khiva - Bukhara Today we catch the train from Khiva for a long ride through the Karakum desert to the oasis of Bukhara. We arrive in Bukhara mid-afternoon, allowing time to
visit the beautifully located Samani and Chashma Ayub mausoleums as well as the Bolo Khauz Mosque before we check in to our hotel.
Day Nine | Bukhara The day is ours to explore Bukhara, formerly part of the Persian Empire and then seized by the Samanids in 903 AD. As part of our tour, we visit the Po-i-Kalyan religious complex. Tonight, we attend a traditional folk show and then we enjoy another group dinner. Day Ten | Bukhara We explore the ruined city of Paykent today. After lunch at the Paykent Museum, we return to Bukhara and then visit both the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani and the Bolo Haus Mosque. Other places of interest will follow. Day Eleven | Bukhara - Samarkand Follow the Silk Road route to Samarkand, stopping en route at Rabat-i Malik – an 11th century caravanserai with an intricate Persian façade. Day Twelve | Samarkand After breakfast, we head out for a dazzling day of discoveries in Samarkand. Today’s highlights include the Ulugh Beg Observatory, the necropolis at Shah i Zinda, Uzbekistan’s oldest archaeological site at Afrasiyab, and finally the breathtaking Registan Square. Day Thirteen | Samarkand Switching to smaller vehicles, we travel to the turquoise-domed city of Shahrisabz, ancient birthplace of Amir Temur (Tamerlane). Here, we find the remains of the 14th century Ak-Saray Palace and the Dorus Saodat. Day Fourteen | Samarkand - Tashkent Our last full day begins exploring more of central Samarkand, visiting the restored Gur-i-Amir Mausoleum complex where Tamerlane was buried. We then visit the enormous Bibi-Khanym Mosque with its magnificent columns, portals and minarets. After lunch, we return to Tashkent via high-speed train and have a farewell meal. Day Fifteen | Tashkent - London We rise early this morning and head back to the airport for our return flight home to London, via Istanbul.
Guided by Francois Desset A French archaeologist specialising in Near Eastern archaeology, Francois earned his PhD from Sorbonne. He is working on a project in the Halil Rud Valley and also works at Tehran University.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
18th Sep - 2nd Oct
£3,845
£335
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at International Hotel Tashkent, Jipek Joly, Orient Star Khiva Hotel, Asia Bukhara, & Registan Palace • 13 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 13 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/uzb Images left to right: Kalta Minor minaret in Khiva & the ruins of the Ayaz-Kala fortress
01772 650 051 109
Worldwide
Days One & Two | London - Tashkent We take an overnight flight to Tashkent and then transfer to our hotel, with some time to rest before lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan. Highlights here include the remains of a prehistoric man dating from 1.5 million years BC as well as significant statues and reliefs from the country’s Buddhist period. This evening, we enjoy a welcome meal as a group.
SRI LANKA
Discover no less than six awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites 15 Days
From £3,995pp
Departing November 2020 & May 2021
Activity Level
Small wonder that Sri Lanka is home to some of the finest World Heritage Sites, with landmark monuments and ancient ruined cities that still stand in homage to the island’s past civilisations and cultures, their unique artefacts and archaeological treasures. Join us on this trip of a lifetime as we learn more about one of the earliest great Buddhist kingdoms. Tour Highlights • Witness the unique ‘puja’ ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth
Anuradhapura
• Climb Kasyapa’s citadel of Sigiriya and enjoy unforgettable views
Habarana
• Explore the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site • Enjoy a free day in Nuwara Eliya, a jewel of a hill station in the cool uplands • Share the road with working elephants as you journey though tropical countryside
Kandy Colombo Bentota
110 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Nuwara Eliya
Day Three | Colombo Our day begins at the Gothami Temple, home to beautiful wall paintings that intricately and vibrantly depict the life of Buddha. This afternoon, we visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, where, according to legend, the Buddha converted the earliest inhabitants of Lanka to Buddhism. Day Four | Colombo - Anuradhapura We journey to Anuradhapura for lunch. This area boasts a wealth of evocative sites and, this afternoon, we pay a visit to Mihintale, which was the site of the island’s first Buddhist sermon and first conversion of a long line of kings. Day Five | Anuradhapura - Habarana Our day begins at the ancient city of Anuradhapura, royal capital from the late 5th century BC, until it was sacked and burned by Chola Tamils in 993. The power of the Sinhalese kings was then transferred to Polonnaruwa. It will take us most of the day to examine the remains of 15 centuries of continuous occupation. As we stroll among the ancient buildings, we will be awed by the huge dimensions of the three dagobas of the oldest periods and charmed by the unique architecture and moonstone thresholds of its monasteries and temples. We also visit the site museum, which displays sculptures, bas-reliefs and other precious artefacts. Day Six | Habarana The story of King Kasyapa’s retreat to his palace, built 180 metres above the surrounding forest on the rock of Sigiriya, is filled with intrigue, murder, revenge and suicide. It took him seven years to build his citadel and its spectacular gardens, pools and pavilions, designed to blend with the natural landscape. This extraordinary complex is no less beautiful today than it was in the 5th century BC. We shall climb Kasyapa’s citadel slowly, stopping to enjoy the water garden terraces, the famous "Sigiriya maidens" painted in a rock gallery, the magnificent views and visit Sigiriya Archaeological Museum. After a full morning of activity, we have the afternoon at leisure. Day Seven | Habarana We will spend the full day at the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. A series of great builders – including Vijayabahu I (1055-1110), builder of the first Temple of the Tooth, and Parakramabahu (1153-86), who built a vast number of dams, reservoirs and canals - have provided us with an archaeologically rich site that boasts unique architectural elements. A tour of the new site museum will end this fabulous and interesting day. Day Eight | Habarana This morning we visit the huge Avukana Buddha, which stands at over 40 feet tall, and the massive 4th century BC reservoir at Kala Wewa. We continue to the great Golden Temple of Dambulla. The easy ascent rewards us greatly as we will be able to stand before magnificent cave temples that are boldly decorated with paintings and effigies carved out of the living rock. Enjoy free time this afternoon. Day Nine | Habarana - Kandy En route to Kandy we will stop to visit Aluvihare, the site where the Buddhist doctrine Tripitaka was finally written down on talipot palm leaves. After viewing the cave temple’s graphic depictions of what awaits sinners, we have arranged an informal discussion about Sri Lankan Buddhism with the chief monk of this important temple. We will also visit a spice garden and stop for lunch at a restaurant created by a popular folk artist. Touring continues in Kandy at the Anglican Cathedral. This evening we will visit the Temple of the Tooth at the time of the puja, or prayer offerings.
Day Ten | Kandy Today begins at the three temples of the Kandyan era: Gadaladeniya Viharaya, with its strong southern Indian influences reminiscent of the Hindu art of Vijayanagar, Lankatilaka Viharaya, and finally Kataragama Devale, which is famed for its carved wooden pillars. We visit the lovely Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, home to more than 4,000 species. We enjoy lunch inside the gardens before returning to Kandy to visit a batik workshop and free time follows afterwards. Day Eleven | Kandy - Nuwara Eliya We drive to Nuwara Eliya this morning and in the afternoon stop en route to sample some tea as part of a guided tour of the Labukelle Tea Estate. Day Twelve | Nuwara Eliya Explore Nuwara Eliya at leisure with time to enjoy walks through the ‘tea capital’ in Victoria Park and Gregory’s Lake. Lunch is at the 19th century colonial Hill Club. Day Thirteen | Nuwara Eliya - Bentota We journey to Bentota, stopping en route at Mulkirigala Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple built on a 205-metre high rock. After lunch we join the southern express way just a short distance from the temple to continue our journey to Bentota. Day Fourteen | Bentota Today, we visit the Martin Wikramasinghe Folk Museum for an excellent overview of traditional life in Sri Lanka. We continue to the fishing village of Weligama to see a Megalith carved with a figure identified as Kushta Raja, the ‘leper king’, and the Purvarama Monastery. In the afternoon we tour the historical centre of Galle, including its ramparts and fort, as well as the National Marine Museum and the Marine Archaeological Project. Before heading back to our hotel we have a short visit to Ambalangoda. Our farewell dinner this evening includes a performance of the Kolam dance. Day Fifteen | Columbo - London We make our way back to Colombo to take our return flight back to London.
Guided by Prof. Bilinda Devage Nandedeva Bilinda has a PhD in Art Conservation and has experience in Sri Lankan art & architecture.
Guided by Prof. Nilan Cooray Prof. Cooray has over 25 years of work experience in design and supervision of architectural conservation work.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
6th - 20th Nov 2020
£3,995
£780
7th - 21st May 2021
£4,095
£780
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturers & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Galle Face Hotel, Palm Garden Village Hotel, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, Araliya Green Hills Hotel & Cinnamon Bay Bentota • 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 13 dinners • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine or two glasses of beer & a soft drink, tea or coffee with included dinners • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/sri Images left to right: Sigiriya Rock & silhouettes of the traditional fishermen at Weligama
01772 650 051 111
Worldwide
Day One & Two | London - Colombo We depart from London on an overnight flight to Colombo. Upon arrival on Day Two, we transfer to our hotel and take time to relax ahead of dinner this evening.
NORTH INDIA
Be mesmerised by the iconic Taj Mahal 18 Days
From £5,295pp
1st - 18th December 2020
Activity Level
India’s turbulent history and cultural heritage only means one thing — exotic traditions, fascinating architecture and artwork. Our tour includes visits to many world-famous sites, monuments and leading museums, which bring a comprehensive understanding of the cultural synthesis that has evolved between the country’s primary religious civilisations. Tour Highlights • Explore and contrast Old and New Delhi, where the ancient and modern blend seamlessly together • Discover Lucknow, where we visit the exquisitely decorated Rumi Darwaza and enjoy the city’s famed cuisine • View Khajuraho’s amazing sculptures and some of the world’s finest temple carvings, including the Kandariya Mahadev • Enjoy an early morning boat trip on the holiest of rivers in India, the Ganja — a memorable highlight of our tour
112 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Delhi Agra Lucknow
Jaipur
Gwalior Orchha
Varanasi Khajuraho
Day Three | Delhi Enjoy a sightseeing tour of New Delhi. We visit the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, the President’s Palace, Secretariat buildings and the Indian Parliament House. Day Four | Delhi Today it’s time to discover the richness of Old Delhi. We start at Lal Qila and then continue to the Jama Masjid, Birla House, and the National Museum. We also get the chance to experience a rickshaw ride in the markets of Old Delhi. Day Five | Delhi - Lucknow We fly to Lucknow this morning. After free time at our hotel, we meet up in the late afternoon for a walking tour to discover some of the heritage of the city. We start from Gol Darwaaza before ending at the Akbari Gate, where we enjoy some of the famed cuisine for which the city is widely known. Day Six | Lucknow We continue exploring Lucknow today, visiting the exquisitely decorated Rumi Darwaza. We also see the magnificent Bara, Husainabad and Asafuddaula Immambara’s, which reflect the quintessence of Awadhi architecture with its strong Persian influence. The Hussainabad Picture Gallery houses a collection of life-sized oil paintings of the Nawabs of Oudh (1882 - 1885). Our afternoon includes an insight into Chikankari (traditional hand embroidery). Day Seven | Lucknow - Varanasi We board a train for Varanasi, arriving at lunchtime. After lunch together, we have free time in the afternoon to spend as we wish. This evening, we enjoy the mesmerizing spectacle of the sunset aarti on the ghats (steps) of the Ganga. Day Eight | Varanasi We start our day with a boat trip on the Ganga. Our observation of the religious rituals being performed by the locals on the ghats is accompanied by live sitar music. After breakfast, we visit Sarnath, one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites. We also visit Bharat Kala Bhawan, which includes collections of archaeological material. Day Nine | Varanasi - Khajuraho Fly to Khajuraho. Out afternoon includes visits to the Southern Group of Temples — Duladeo Temple and Chaturbhuja Temple. The Archaeological Museum has a small but well-presented collection of Khajuraho sculptures representing Brahmacnical Jaina, and Buddhist faiths in its five galleries. Day Ten | Khajuraho Today is the turn of the Western and Eastern Group of Temples. The Kandariya Mahadev temple is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group. The Chaunsath Yogini Temple built in the 10th century AD is dedicated to the 64 yoginis who accompany Goddess Kaali, and Chitragupta Temple, is famous for the 11-headed impressive sculpture of Lord Vishnu. Our temple visits are completed with Vaaman, an intriguing shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, Lord Vamana.
Day Eleven | Khajuraho - Orchha We travel to Orchha this morning and during the journey, our guide will use this opportunity to deliver a lecture. Jahangir Mahal is a noted palace with royal cenotaphs and provides amazing scenes of surrounding locales. Our day finishes witnessing an aarti (prayer) ceremony at Lord Raja Ram Temple. Day Twelve | Orchha - Gwalior We drive to Gwalior visiting Datia Palace en route. Datia Palace stands tall in the historic city of Datia and is a great example of Indo-Islamic architectures. Day Thirteen | Gwalior - Agra Our day starts with a city tour of Gwalior. Next is the Jai Vilas Palace, a symbol of age-old Indian culture and opulence. Later, we board the Gatiman Express and travel to Agra. Day Fourteen | Agra The Taj Mahal is our first stop today. An immense mausoleum in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Today’s visits also include the elegant garden mausoleum of Itimad-ud Daulah and Agra Fort, a walled palatial city built of red sandstone. Day Fifteen | Agra - Jaipur Journey to Jaipur, home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. En route, we stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital in the late 16th century. We also take a brief stop at Abhaneri to see the Chand Baori. Day Sixteen | Jaipur A short drive brings us to Amber and the magnificent fort that nestles on the rocky hill rising above Maota Lake. After a visit to the Anokhi Textile Museum, we return to Jaipur to explore the intricately carved marble Old City Palace. Next we visit Jantar Mantar, one of five astronomical observatories. Day Seventeen | Jaipur - Delhi Drive from Jaipur to Delhi. Enjoy free time this afternoon before a farewell dinner this evening. Day Eighteen | Delhi - London We depart from Delhi and fly to London.
Guided by Dr Mehreen Chida-Razvi A Research Associate in the Department of History and Art at SOAS, University of London, Mehreen specialises in the art and architeture of Mughal South Asia and the Islamic world.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
1st - 18th Dec
£5,295
£995
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hyatt Regency Delhi, Vivanta Gomti Nagar, Taj Ganges Varanasi, Radisson Jass Khajuraho, Orchha Palace & Convention Centre, Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Trident Agra, Trident Jaipur & Pullman New Delhi Aerocity Hotel • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/nin Images left to right: The iconic Taj Mahal & the Kandariya Mahadeva temple
01772 650 051 113
Worldwide
Day One & Two | London - Delhi We fly overnight from London to Delhi. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
CHINA
Beyond the Great Wall 17 Days
From £5,595pp
14th - 30th May 2020
Activity Level
China has a truly remarkable history that spans all the way back over 10,000 years. As we journey from Beijing to Shanghai, we tell the story of China through the ages. The great sites we see are put into their historical context thanks to the knowledge and expertise of our fantastic guide.
Tour Highlights • View the underground army of the life-sized Terracotta Warriors, truly one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world
Beijing
Xi’an
• Visit Luoyang – the cradle of Chinese civilisation – where Buddhist temples that date from the 1st century at the outstanding Longmen Grottoes can be observed • Explore the incredible Garden of the Humble Administrator, undoubtedly one of Southern China’s finest gardens • Visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre
114 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Louyang
Suzhou Chengdu
Shanghai
Day Three | Beijing This morning we visit the Forbidden City. This site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. After lunch, we view the Temple of Heaven, a vast ritual site constructed by the Yongle Emperor. Day Four | Beijing Today we explore the Summer Palace, the largest royal park in China. Later today, we travel to Fahai Temple at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain, a destination famed for its vivid frescoes from the Ming Dynasty, which cover an area of over 230 metres. Day Five | Beijing We explore the Tombs of the Ming Dynasty this morning, final resting place of 13 emperors. In the afternoon we visit a site which not only holds UNESCO status, but the title of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the iconic Great Wall, an unparalleled feat of Chinese engineering. We visit the Huanghua section of the wall. Day Six | Beijing - Luoyang We travel by bullet train to Luoyang, considered the geographic centre of China, and home to a vast wealth of archaeological findings. This afternoon we visit the Ancient Tomb Museum. Day Seven | Luoyang Today we visit the Longmen Grottoes, home to almost 100,000 Buddhist statues, which stand in a terrain of artificial caves and limestone cliffs. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to the historical Luoyang Museum and spend time here exploring its vast collections. Day Eight | Luoyang - Xi’an We travel by bullet train to Xi’an this morning, one of the oldest cities in China. Our afternoon is at leisure and we can experience the city at our own pace. Wander around the Islamic Quarter with its Great Mosque and Bazaar. Day Nine | Xi’an We spend our morning with the 2,200-year-old Terracotta Army. The 8,000 statues displayed here were crafted for Emperor Qin Shi Huang in order to guard his tomb. After lunch we continue to Banpo Neolithic Village and Museum, a 6,500-year-old settlement. Day Ten | Xi’an Today, we visit the Han Jingdi Tomb, the final resting place of Emperor Jingdi (188-141 BC). Here, we view some of the 50,000 impressive terracotta figurines. We complete our day with a visit to the Shaanxi Provincal History Museum, which presents thousands of years of Chinese history. Day Eleven | Xi’an - Chengdu We travel by high speed train to Chengdu this morning. After lunch we explore the 3,000-year-old settlement at Jinsha. Excavations here have uncovered exquisite jade, ivory and gold artefacts.
Day Twelve | Chengdu Our day begins at the site of Sanxingdui, a direct link back to a culture of around 3,000 to 5,000-years-old. While in Chengdu, we have the opportunity to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, or alternatively, choose to visit the Sichuan Provincial Museum or tea houses in People’s Park. Day Thirteen | Chengdu - Suzhou We fly from Chengdu to Suzhou today. Located in the southern Jiangsu Province, in the centre of the Yangtze Delta. Known as “heaven on earth”, Suzhou was for centuries the most prosperous non-capital city of the empire. After lunch we have some free time to explore at our own pace. Day Fourteen | Suzhou Today begins with a visit to the Suzhou Museum, noted for its world-class store of Chinese arts, crafts, and calligraphy. In the afternoon, we explore the Garden of the Humble Administrator. Widely considered to be one of southern China’s finest. It is the largest and perhaps the most famous in all of Suzhou. Day Fifteen | Suzhou - Shanghai We travel to the city of Shanghai. Now a modern marvel of architecture both colonial and contemporary, Shanghai is currently the world’s most populous city with over 24 million inhabitants. Before checking in to our hotel, we take a scenic river boat trip along the Bund — the city’s historic quay along the Huangpu River — to view its 19th century trading houses from the water. Day Sixteen | Shanghai We make the most of our last full day in China by heading to the leafy boulevards of the French Concession, a fashionable part of the city. The afternoon is free to spend at leisure. Visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre, which exhibits a collection of objects that reveal the more recent history of communist China then take a walking tour with your Guide Lecturer, or discover other highlights of this vibrant city at your own pace. Day Seventeen | Shanghai - London This morning we say our goodbyes to the East and head West – back to the UK aboard our return flight to London.
Guided by Dr Kim Hunter Gordon A historian of late imperial and modern China with an expertise in traditional Chinese theatre, Kim was awarded his PhD by Royal Holloway University.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
14th - 30th May
£5,595
£845
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao Hotel, Mudu Lee Royal International, Grand Mercure Xi'an Renmin Square, Buddha Zen Hotel Chengdu, Scholars Boutique Hotel & Equatorial Hotel • 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches & 15 dinners Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/can Images left to right: Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang & the Jinji lake in Suzhou
01772 650 051 115
Worldwide
Days One & Two | London - Beijing Following an overnight flight to Beijing, we transfer to our hotel. Later, we visit the National Museum of China. Afterwards we touch on recent history at Tiananmen Square.
EGYPT
Highlights & Discoveries 12 Days
From £4,745pp
3rd - 14th November 2020
Activity Level
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 real expertise of our Guide Lecturers, we ‘meet’ the real ancient Egyptians.
West Bank Cairo
Tour Highlights • Enjoy access to both the grand gallery and royal burial chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu • Discover the impressive temple site of Abu Simbel, which is a real highlight of our tour
Luxor Edfu
• Experience the delights of cruising the Nile while pausing to visit the beautifully preserved temples of Upper Egypt • Explore the enigmatic Valleys of the Kings & Queens and pay a visit to the exceptionally well-preserved tomb of Nefertari
116 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Abu Simbel
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 Pyramid of Unas, the Mastaba of Mereruka, and the Imhotep Museum. After lunch we visit Memphis and its open-air museum, its highlight begin the extraordinary fallen colossus of Ramesses II. Day Three | Cairo This morning we visit the pyramid complex on the Giza Plateau, including the Great Pyramid – a true wonder of the 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 Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where the world’s most extensive exhibitions in pharaonic artefacts can be seen. Among the many treasures on display are the solid gold mask of Tutankhamun and the Narmer Palette. Day Four | Cairo - Luxor Today we fly to Luxor. After checking in to our hotel, 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 which have largely been restored to its 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 to 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 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 best-preserved temple of the New Kingdom.
On the East Bank we check in to our Nile cruise boat, the MS Tulip. After lunch onboard we explore Luxor Temple, with its avenue of sphinxes, military reliefs and gorgeous papyrus columns. Our afternoon continues with a visit to the new Aboudi’s bookshop, which is the world’s best English language Egyptological bookshop.
Day Eight | Luxor The fantastic Luxor Museum is a treat in store - a masterfully arranged collection of archaeological artefacts and home to celebrated works of art, including the famous statue of Tuthmosis III - an extraordinarily realistic figure carved out of greywacke. We return to our boat and enjoy lunch before we set sail to Edfu. Day Nine | Luxor - West Bank In the morning, 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, its decorated with vivid scenes of King Ptolemy VIII destroying his enemies before Horus. The complex even houses a Nilometer, a structure made to measure the depth and clarity of flooding Nile waters. This afternoon we explore the Temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder at Kom Ombo and the site’s Crocodile Museum. Day Ten | West Bank Today, we disembark and 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 | West Bank - Abu Simbel 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 the temples of Ramesss II and Nefertari. After lunch, we fly to Cairo and have a farewell dinner at our hotel this evening. Day Twelve | Cairo - London The modern world is calling us home. We take our leave from Egypt and catch our return flight to London.
Guided by Lucia Gahlin A specialist in the archaeology of ancient Egypt, Lucia has been leading archaeological tours here for over 20 years.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
3rd - 14th Nov
£4,745
£820
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa, Sofitel Pavillion Winter Luxor, the MS Tulip & Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel • 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner. A snack will be provided in the hotel room upon arrival on day one • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/egh Images left to right: Abu Simbel & feluccas on the River Nile
01772 650 051 117
Worldwide
Day One | London - Cairo We depart from London and arrive in Cairo. The city is a buzzing, energetic metropolis that is Egypt’s extraordinary capital.
EGYPT
Pharaohs & Pyramids 16 Days
From £6,275pp
In partnership with
archaeological tours
31st October - 15th November 2020
Activity Level
Beginning in Cairo and heading south to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, travel the Nile by land, water and air. Visit Egypt's most spectacular temple and pyramid complexes – both iconic and lesser-known – before embarking upon a luxurious five-day river cruise aboard the MS Farah. This is an amazing way to experience all that this historic country has to offer.
Cairo
Tour Highlights • Wander through Karnak, whose vast and sprawling complex is largely dedicated to Amun, the Egyptian god of air and the sun
Luxor
• Explore the seldom-visited pyramid complexes at Dashur and Abusir, where the 5th Dynasty Pharaohs built their pyramids
Edfu Aswan
• Cruise in comfort along the Nile, visiting Aswan's Philae Temple, Kom Ombo's rare double temple and even the Valley of the Kings and Queens • Discover the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel overlooking Lake Nasser, among the most famous and awe-inspiring monuments in all of Egypt
118 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Abu Simbel
Day Two | Cairo After an introductory lecture, we begin at Memphis – the first capital of a united Egypt – and then Sakkara, its necropolis. At Sakkara, we visit the museum and tour the Step Pyramid complex of Djoser, which predates the Giza Pyramids and is the world's first monumental building constructed entirely from stone. We also tour the smaller Pyramid of Teti, built for a 6th Dynasty King. Day Three | Cairo We move forward in time today for a visit to the only two surviving monuments of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx. We explore the site and visit the Solar Boat Museum, where the reconstructed remains of the Solar Boat of Cheops are on display. Day Four | Cairo This morning we explore the Citadel – the medieval Islamic stronghold of Salah el-Din – before devoting half a day to Cairo's Egyptian Museum, which is home to artefacts that include items from Tutankhamun's tomb. If there's time, we will stop to explore the atmospheric Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Day Five | Cairo As we travel from Cairo to neighbouring Dahshur and Abusir, we trace the story of development of the pyramids following their initial design at Sakkara. At Dahshur's royal necropolis, the 4th Dynasty King Snefru completed the problematic Bent Pyramid, later perfecting this architectural form with the Red Pyramid. We have a special permit for our afternoon visit to the site of Abusir, the primary burial ground where 5th Dynasty Pharaohs built their pyramids. Day Six | Cairo - Luxor This morning, we fly 300 miles to Luxor. Our hotel's steps are the location from which Howard Carter announced the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Our explorations begin at Karnak's 'City of Temples', where structures date back 4,000 years. Reached via the Avenue of the Sphinxes, this is a dazzling maze of obelisks and subsidiary shrines. After, we visit Luxor Museum. Day Seven | Luxor Cross the Nile this morning and pay a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Queens. While over 60 tombs were discovered in the Valley of the Kings, only a select few are open to the public. We have been granted access to explore a few, including the Tomb of Seti I. Next, it's on to the Valley of the Queens, which contains 75 tombs that once belonged to the queens of the 19th and 20th dynasties. Day Eight | Luxor A return to the Nile's west bank awaits this morning as we visit the Tombs of the Nobles – a site of over 400 tombs carved into the rocky hillside. We also stop at the well-preserved archaeological site of the ancient Deir el-Medina, once the village home of artisans who built and decorated the royal tombs of Thebes. Later, we have a tour at the Oriental Institute's Chicago House to learn about their Epigraphic Survey, which is dedicated to producing photos and line drawings of inscriptions and relief scenes of Luxor's major temples and tombs.
Day Nine | Luxor This morning, we drive north to Dendera – home to an important temple complex, whose main feature is the well-preserved Temple of Hathor. On its still-intact ceiling is a circular plaster cast of the Zodiac of Dendera, displaying the trajectory of the sun, moon and stars. Day Ten | Luxor The Colossi of Memnon await discovery this morning, two gigantic sandstone statues that date from the 14th century BCE. Next, we explore the temple complexes at Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum funerary temple and the lesser-visited tombs of Kheruef and Ankh-Hor. From here, we return to Luxor for lunch aboard our Nile cruiser – our home for the next four nights. Later, we discover the Temple of Luxor, built over 3,000 years ago. Day Eleven | Luxor - Edfu Our first morning cruising the Nile is spent at leisure. Lunch is on board and then we sail upstream to Edfu. Day Twelve | Place name Our day begins at the Temple of Edfu, built between 237 and 57 BCE. Back on board our cruiser, we have some free time and then later in the afternoon we visit the restored remains of Kom Ombo's Ptolemaic Temple. From here, we sail onwards to Aswan. Day Thirteen | Aswan Today starts at the quarries, where an unfinished obelisk remains embedded in its native stone. We then visit the Temple of Philae, which is dedicated to Isis. Day Fourteen | Aswan We disembark and visit the grand Kalabsha Temple. After the construction of the High Dam, it was moved to Lake Nasser from its former location 30 miles to the south. We also admire archaeological finds in the Nubian Museum before our day ends with a farewell dinner. Day Fifteen | Aswan - Cairo Our tour ends on a high note with a visit to the renowned Nubian site of Abu Simbel. The colossal statues of Ramesses at the entrance still inspire a sense of awe as they once did over 3,000 years ago. We fly to Cairo later. Day Sixteen | Cairo - London We transfer to Cairo's airport for our return flight to London.
Guided by Dr Xavier Droux Dr Xavier Droux completed his PhD at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. His research focuses on predynastic Egypt and the role and significance that animals held for the Egyptians at the time.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
31st Oct - 15th Nov
£6,275
£1,230
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Marriott Mena House Hotel, Sofitel Old Winter Palace Pavilion, M/S Farah, Aswan Mövenpick Hotel, Le Meridien Cairo Airport • 15 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 9 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit archaeological-tours.com/egy Images left to right: The Giza Plateau & the Temple of Horus in Edfu
01772 650 051 119
Worldwide
Day One | London - Cairo Today we arrive into Cairo and transfer to our hotel. A welcome dinner follows.
EGYPT CRUISE
In the Wake of the Pharaohs In partnership with 17 Days
From £5,395pp
archaeological tours
31st August - 16th September 2020
Activity Level
This luxurious cruise is perfect for the archaeology and history enthusiast who craves 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 the river that has only recently reopened. Over 17 days, explore little-known and rarely visited sites along with the most iconic. Tour Highlights • Discover the Red and White Coptic Monasteries, built from remnants of Pharaonic temples and boasting truly awe-inspiring ancient murals • Travel through Middle Egypt by way of water, exploring the rarely visited sites of Tel el-Amarna and Beni Hasan • Explore Seti I's temple at Abydos, home to the most beautiful raised reliefs in the country and considered to be somewhat off-the-beaten-track • Pay a visit to the Nubian site of Abu Simbel, rescued from Lake Nasser's rising waters after the creation of the High Dam
120 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Cairo Bani Sweif Minya Assiut Governorate Sohag Qena Luxor Edfu Aswan Abu Simbel
Day Two | Cairo - 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 later, 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 here are open to the public and we visit a number of them, including the elaborately decorated tomb of Seti I. In the afternoon, 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 well-preserved Temple of Hathor – goddess of love, music and wine. The ceiling boasts an incredible plaster cast of the Zodiac of Dendera. Dinner is on board our ship and later we travel onward 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 visit the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the foundations of the Great Palace of King Akhenaten and the Small and Great Temples of Aten. Day Twelve | Tel el-Amarna - Minya Visit the west bank of the Nile today, touring Tuna El Gabal and the ruins of a major Egyptian city, ElAshmunein. 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 Cairo's Egyptian Museum and walk through the vibrant Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. A farewell meal follows. Day Seventeen | Cairo - London Today we depart Cairo for our early morning return flight to London.
Guided by Lucia Gahlin Lucia Gahlin is a specialist in the archaeology of ancient Egypt and has been leading archaeological tours to Egypt for over 20 years.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
31st Aug - 16th Sep
£5,395
£995
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Le Meridien Cairo, Aswan Mövenpick Hotel & the M/S Tamr Henna • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 16 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit archaeological-tours.com/egc Images left to right: Ruins of Kom Ombo & the M/S Tamr Henna
01772 650 051 121
Worldwide
Day One | London - Cairo We arrive into Cairo and transfer to our airport hotel, which is conveniently located for our early morning flight tomorrow. Free time awaits this afternoon before our welcome group meal, where we can get to know one another better.
ALGERIA
Roman Mauretania 10 Days
From £3,695pp
Departing September & November 2020
Activity Level
Algeria is still one of the least-visited countries in the world, but access to its ruinous Classical cities is now easier than it has been for some years. The sites are a palimpsest of Numidian, Roman and Byzantine remains, and include probably the best-preserved colonia anywhere in the Empire – Timgad.
Annaba Tiddis
Algiers
Tour Highlights • Wander perfectly preserved streets at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Roman Djémila and Timgad with its immaculate gridded plan • In Sétif gaze upon one of the most exquisite mosaics in all of the Roman world – the ‘Triumph of Dionysus’ • Explore the Roman ‘City of Bridges’, Constantine, and the evocative ruins of Hippo Regius • Visit museums, which have been little-publicised, containing some astounding artefacts, displayed with great simplicity
122 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Constantine Setif Batna Lambaesis Biskra
Timgad
Day Two | Setif - Constantine We start our day at the Setif Archaeological Museum, home to some unusual artefacts, but also some exceptional Roman mosaics including the ‘Triumph of Dionysus’. Afterwards we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Djemila, our first ancient city, which has been described as ‘one of the most perfect expressions of the meeting of Roman power and African beauty’. Via Béni Fouda on ancient border of Nuimidia and Mauritania, we continue on to Constantine. Day Three | Tiddis & Constantine Our morning is spent first at the beautifully situated ruined city of Tiddis and then in El Khroub at the old Nubian Tomb of Massinisa. The city of Constantine has always been a natural fortress, dramatically situated on a plateau by a deep ravine. Here we’ll see its museum, kasbah, suspension bridge and the Palace of Ahmed Bey, one of the finest Ottoman-era buildings in the country. Day Four | Constantine - Annaba St. Augustine ended his days at Hippo Regius, and we visit the splendid ancient city and the basilica dedicated to him in the 19th century. This was once a port, situated on an inlet which has since silted over, leaving the ruins isolated and complete. We continue, via the hot springs at Hammam D’Bagh, to visit the theatre and museum at Guelma. The Numidian Jugurtha won an important battle against the Romans here. Day Five | Annaba - Batna We travel north into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to Madaure. This was the birthplace of Apuleius in the 2nd century AD, and later, where the 4th century churchman St. Augustine was educated. The impressive ruins reflect this mixed Numidian, Roman and Christian history. Khemissa is a huge ancient city set in glorious surroundings. We also travel through Souk Ahras, the birthplace of Augustine.
Day Eight | Batna - Algiers Our morning is spent travelling back to Algiers, but before lunch we visit the Bardo Museum housed in a neo-Moorish villa and the Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts. After lunch in a private home in the Casbah, a unique kind of medina or Islamic city but also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we end our day with a visit to local mosque and an Arts and Crafts Museum. Day Nine | Algiers We spend the whole of today along the Mediterranean west of Algiers. Driving west we reach Cherchell, Phoenician Iol and Roman Caesarea, which was once the capital of the Numidian client King Juba II and his wife Cleopatra Selene, daughter of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. Our afternoon is spent at the Roman city of Tipasa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the sea, with impressive remains both of the high Roman Empire, and of the early Christian period. We also stop at the huge cylindrical tomb, variously called the ‘Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania’ or the ‘Tomb of the Christian Woman’. Day Ten | Algiers - London Depending on flight times, there may be free time in Algiers, before continuing to the airport for our flights back to London.
Day Six | Timgad & Lambaesis Timgad is the textbook Roman town: the entire layout survives, retaining its playing-card shape and strict grid of streets. The World Heritage list of sites describes it as ‘an excellent example of Roman town planning‘. Trajan ordered its construction in AD 100 for veterans of the Third Legion Augusta. Afterwards we continue on to the Roman garrison town of Lambaesis, the main military base of the legion which held the whole of North Africa at the beginning of the 2nd century AD. Day Seven | Biskra We spend our day travelling southwards through the spectacular scenery of the Aurès Mountains to the Biskra province which lies on the northern edge of the Sahara. In the town of El Kantara visits include the mosque and tomb of Sidi Okba, the abandoned mud-brick village of Thouda and canyon village of Rhoufi and lastly the Gorge of Tighanimine.
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Join Eireann in Algeria on our September departure.
Guided by Steve Roskams Join Steve in Algeria on our November departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
29th Sep - 8th Oct
£3,695
£525
1st - 10th Nov
£3,695
£525
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Novotel Setif, Novotel Constantine, Hotel Sabri, Timgad Hotel Hazem & Lamaraz Arts Hotel • 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 12 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/alg Images left to right: UNESCO-listed Timgad, ruins at Djemila & the city of Constantine
01772 650 051 123
Worldwide
Day One | London - Algiers We fly from London to Algiers and transfer to our hotel in Setif. This evening we’ll have dinner together as a group.
TUNISIA | THE PUNIC WARS
Stand before the mighty ancient amphitheatre of El Djem 9 Days
From £2,195pp
Departing March - December 2020
Activity Level
A land where dramatic events shaped ancient history – the superpowers of Carthage and Rome clashed in three Punic Wars, which determined the course of Western history. Lasting over 100 years, this conflict resulted in the destruction of Carthage and assured Roman ascendancy. Surprising landscapes, ruins and monuments await on this memorable 9-day tour.
Tunis Teboursouk
Tour Highlights • Visit the incredible El Djem amphitheatre – Africa’s largest and best preserved – which was originally designed to seat 35,000 people
Dougga
Nabeul
• Gaze upon some of the world’s most impressive mosaics at the Bardo, Sousse and El Djem museums respectively • Tour a selection of little-known sites, including Mustis and Ain Tounga, as well as the site of Bulla Regia, which we’re able to return to in 2020 • Explore the UNESCO-listed sites of Dougga and Kairouan, and discover the beautifully preserved Phoenician site of Kerkouane
124 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Kairouan
El Jem
Day Two | Tunis Our day begins at the famous Bardo Museum, where we see its amazing collection of mosaics. In the afternoon, we begin our exploration of Carthage, starting at Byrsa Hill and moving on to the Salambo Tomphet and the Roman Antonine Baths, one of the largest in the whole of the Roman Empire. Day Three | Tunis Explore sites on the beautiful Cap Bon peninsula today. We start at the extraordinary site of Kerkouane, the only purely Punic site in Africa. Next, it’s on to the coastal town of Nabeul, where we visit the museum and its mosaics. Day Four | Tunis - Dougga We drive west to Dougga, one of the best preserved and most famous ancient sites in North Africa. Here, we’ll visit the theatre and the famous Capitolium. We will also explore bath complexes, houses and sanctuaries, all in the kind of peace no longer found at European sites. Dougga is one of the Roman world’s best sites, and a visit here is always a memorable one. Day Five | Dougga - Teboursouk The sites on our list for today have been newly included in this itinerary for 2020. We begin at the unique city of Bulla Regia, made the Numidian capital by Massinissa. Here, we explore a bath complex and series of houses replete with mosaics, which have underground rooms that offered their elite owners protection from the blistering African heat. We also tour two largely unexcavated sites, namely Mustis and Ain Tounga.
Day Eight | Kairouan The mighty ancient amphitheatre of El Djem awaits discovery today. This is one of the Roman Empire’s largest and best preserved, and was designed to seat up to 35,000 spectators. The huge drum of the seating area still completely dominates the modern town and can be seen for a great distance across the surrounding plain. We climb up the seating area and descend into the service tunnels, where animals and gladiators awaited their often grisly fates. After, we visit the museum of El Djem, with its collection of mosaics and in situ houses. Day Nine | Kairouan - London Today we transfer to Tunis airport for our return flight back to London. Please note, the Christmas departure is an 8-day tour so the order and content of the itinerary vary slightly, please see our website for full details.
Day Six | Teboursouk - Kairouan Our day starts the impressive Zaghouan Aqueduct before exploring Oudhna. A drive across the plains brings us to the Roman site of Thuburbo Majus. We explore the forum before moving on to two bath complexes and the well-preserved Palaestra of Petronius. Later, we travel on to Kairouan, Tunisia’s most important religious city, founded by the Umayyads in the 7th century AD. Day Seven | Kairouan Today we travel to Sousse and visit its excellent museum, located in the city’s 12th century kasbah. This museum is home to the second largest collection of mosaics in the world, after the Bardo Museum. After lunch, we return to Kairouan and walk to the Great Mosque, which has a plethora of reused Roman pillars and lintels, and we will also explore the city’s vibrant medina.
Guided by Tony O’Connor Join Tony in Tunisia on our March departure.
Guided by Farès K. Moussa Join Farès in Tunisia on our April departure.
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Join Eireann in Tunisia on both November departures & our Christmas departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
3rd Mar - 11th Mar
£2,195
£215
7th Apr - 15th Apr
£2,195
£215
3rd Nov - 11th Nov
£2,195
£215
11th Nov - 19th Nov
£2,195
£215
20th - 27th Dec
£2,195
£200
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at El Mouradi Hotel Africa, Hotel Thugga & Las Kasbah Kairouan • 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/tun Images left to right: Ancient site of Dougga, El Djem amphitheatre & mosaic detail in the Bardo Museum
01772 650 051 125
Worldwide
Day One | London - Tunis Today we fly from London to Tunis. Upon arrival, we make our way to the hotel.
ETHIOPIA
The African Empire 14 Days
From £5,495pp
26th October - 8th November 2020
Activity Level
Ethiopia is a land of striking contrasts, defined by the peaks of the Simien mountain plateau and the depths of the Rift Valley, home to the modern city of Addis Ababa and the granite stelae of Aksum, landlocked and yet refreshed by the waters of the Blue Nile. This ancient land, source of fables and stories since antiquity, is full of exciting archaeology to explore.
Aksum Mek’ele
Tour Highlights • Explore the labyrinthine churches and palaces of Aksum, Lalibela and Gondar, Ethiopia’s great imperial cities
Gondar Lalibela Bahir Dar
• Visit the site of Yeha and the prehistoric Tiya burial complex with its enigmatic symbols • Pore over fascinating artefacts at a range of museums, including the National Museum of Ethiopia • Stand before the majestic Blue Nile Falls waterfall and visit Emperor Fasiladas’ atmospheric Epiphany Pool
126 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Addis Ababa
Day Two | Addis Ababa After checking in to our hotel and having lunch, we can either take time to relax and acclimatise, or take a local guided walk. As the capital of the African Union, Addis Ababa is as you might expect, the country’s commercial and cultural hub, but it is also a sprawling city of extraordinary contrasts. Day Three | Addis Ababa This morning we travel to the Paleolithic site of Melka Kunture, where finds dating back over 1.7 million years have been unearthed. We continue to the 600-year-old rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam with an extraordinary story. Then to the pre-historic burial complex at Tiya, noted for its remarkable stone stelae, many of which bear mysterious symbols, especially swords and knives. Day Four | Addis Ababa - Lalibela An early morning flight takes us to Lalibela, centre of the Zagwe dynasty of medieval kings. Here, we visit the Cultural Centre and exhibits include ancient manuscripts, cultural artefacts and archaeological finds from local sites. After lunch we drive to the Medieval cave monastery of Yimrehanne Kristos, with its preserved church and royal lodge of the 12th century. Day Five | Lalibela A day in Lalibela to visit the iconic medieval rock-hewn churches and monasteries. The city is almost a work of art completely carved from the rock. The Zagwe ruled at a time when the pilgrimage to Jerusalem was impossible, so they built their own. We visit a whole series connected by dark tunnels, wide plazas, and steep worn steps. Day Six | Lalibela - Bahir Dar A day-long drive today, as we cut through the Ethiopian countryside on dirt roads to Bahir Dar, modern capital of the Amhara region of Ethiopia. This area was the focal point of the medieval Christian empire, resulting in a wide variety of archaeological sites from the pivotal period in Ethiopian history. Bahir Dar is a lakeside city known for its wide avenues lined with palm trees, its variety of colourful flowers. It is located on the south shore of Lake Tana. Day Seven | Bahir Dar This morning, we travel across Lake Tana by boat, to explore some of the lake’s islands and churches. There are more than 20 churches scattered across the islands of the lake, the oldest dating to the 14th century, although some may have pre-Christian origins. After lunch, we make a visit to the spectacular Blue Nile Falls. Day Eight | Bahir Dar - Gondar We journey north today, passing Guzara Castle where the emperor Susenyos tried to introduce Catholicism. Our destination is the imperial splendour of Gondar, the first capital city of the Ethiopian empire. This afternoon, we visit Emperor Fasiladas’ Epiphany Pool, where the populace were converted to Orthodoxy, still used today for huge ceremonies of baptism and cleansing. Day Nine | Gondar Our destination this morning is the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie, with its remarkable painted walls and ceiling. After lunch, we visit the Imperial Palace
complex at Gondar. The Palace consists of six castles, built by a series of emperors and empresses in the 17th and 18th centuries with help from Portuguese engineers.
Day Ten | Gondar - Aksum Fly to Aksum, a city founded as early as the 10th century BC and reputed as the one-time home to the Queen of Sheba. We visit the Aksum Archaeological Museum, which hosts a wide range of artefacts dating to the Aksumite Empire that flourished until the 7th century AD. We also explore the Tombs of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, as well as the Mai Shum reservoir. Later, we discover St. Mary of Zion Cathedral, the oldest church in Africa. According to tradition, the Treasury houses the Ark of the Covenant. Day Eleven | Aksum We begin at the Lioness of Gobedra, a fascinating rock sculpture carved into the relief a few miles outside Aksum. We also see the neighbouring quarry, from which it is believed that the stone used to fashion the city’s renowned stelae was sourced. We then explore the palace complex at Dungur. This excavated site, of 16th century AD date, was undoubtedly the semi-fortified residence of one of the great nobles of Aksum though today it is better known as the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. Day Twelve | Aksum - Mek’ele We drive to the site of Yeha to see the Pre-Aksumite Saba‘an Temple of the Moon. Dating back to the 8th century BC, the Temple is believed to be the oldest standing structure in Ethiopia. Nearby lies a palace complex, and royal tombs. In the afternoon, we visit the Wukro Archaeological Museum, which opened in 2015 and is home to hundreds of artefacts. Day Thirteen | Mek’ele - Addis Ababa On our final full day, we fly back to Addis Ababa, where we explore some more of the city. We visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Mount Entoto, the National Museum of Ethiopia, and the Ethnological Museum. Day Fourteen | Addis Ababa - London We take our leave from Ethiopia and catch our return flight home to London, arriving early evening.
Guided by Dr Jacke Phillips A Research and Teaching Fellow at the SOAS in London, Jacke is a specialist in the archaeology of Ethiopia, from prehistory to the medieval period.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
26th Oct - 8th Nov
£5,495
£875
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation in Addis Ababa, Mezena Lodge, Avanti Blue Nile Resort, Goha Hotel, Sabean International Hotel & Planet Hotel • 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 12 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/eth Images left to right: The monolithic church of Saint George & Holy Mass at the rock-carved church in Lalibela
01772 650 051 127
Worldwide
Day One | London - Addis Ababa We depart from London and travel overnight to Addis Ababa.
MEXICO The Maya 16 Days
From £4,995pp
2nd - 17th November 2020
Activity Level
In the tropical forests of Mexico and central America, the Maya raised magnificent cities with elegant palaces and towering stone pyramids. They were sculptors and painters of remarkable skill and refinement, and mathematics and astronomers who conceived some of the most complex calendars the world has ever known. Mérida
Tour Highlights • View the Aztec Templo Mayor • Encounter enduring Maya traditions among the Chiapas communities • Discover Palenque, which is considered by many as the most beautiful of all the Maya cities • Travel in 4x4s and then by motor launch boat to reach the remote site of Yaxchilán, famous for its remarkable architecture • Explore the ball court, observatory, sacred well, and the great pyramid of Kukulcan at the awe-inspiring city of Chichén Itzá
128 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Uxmal Campeche Mexico City Cristobal de las Casas
Cancun Tulum Chichén-Itzá
Palenque Bonampak Tonia
Day Two | Mexico City The day begins with exploration of the remains of the Templo Mayor, once the sacred heart of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, combined with a visit to the excellent museum. In the afternoon we walk a short distance to the National Palace to see Diego Rivera’s magnificent murals. Day Three | Mexico City Most of our day will be spent at the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the finest museums in the world, with collections spanning every era of Mexico’s richly-textured past. We have lunch at the museum and then have free time. Day Four | Mexico City - San Cristóbal de las Casas We fly south to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, on the edge of the beautiful Chiapas Highlands. Stopping for lunch in Chiapa de Corzo, we drive on to the handsome Colonial town of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the great centre of traditional Maya culture. Later in the afternoon we can take a look at the products of the many hundreds of local Maya weavers who come here from nearby villages. Day Five | San Cristóbal de las Casas A full day begins with a visit to Chamula, one of the most fiercely independent of all Maya towns. Here, famously, the local community have been largely left to run their own affairs. We return to San Cristóbal for lunch with some free time to enter Santo Domingo church, stroll along the cobbled streets of the local market or visit a small museum devoted to Maya textiles. In the early evening we visit the museum at the Casa Na Bolom. Day Six | Toniná - Palenque We drive east to Toniná, a spectacular site perched in the hills above the fertile Ocosingo valley. On the periphery of the Maya area, it seems to have been one of the longest lasting Maya cities, possessing the very latest Maya ‘Long Count’ date known, from 15 January 909 AD. Day Seven | Palenque A full day among the ruins of Palenque, beautifully positioned on the lower slopes of a range of jungle clad hills. The city possesses art and architecture of remarkable quality, most famously in the well-preserved ‘Palace’ complex and the ‘Temple of the Inscriptions’, where Palenque’s greatest king, Pacal, lies buried in a massive sarcophagus. Day Eight | Bonampak & Yaxchilán We travel in 4x4s first to the famous Maya site of Bonampak, best known for the remarkable preservation of its vividly painted murals. From Bonampak we continue to the Usumacinta River and a journey by motor launch downriver to the jungle site of Yaxchilán, constructed within a horseshoe bend in the river. Day Nine | Palenque - Campeche Today we drive north to the coastal city of Campeche, founded by Spanish settlers in 1540 and with a fine Colonial centre which we explore this afternoon. Day Ten | Campeche - Uxmal We begin our day with a visit to the remote site of Edzná. The city endured until the time of the conquest but was then abandoned and lay undiscovered until 1907. Our next stop is Sayil, a ruined Late Classic city extensively mapped in the
1980s which led to estimates of a peak population here of some 12,000 at the city’s height around 850 AD. We finish the day at Kabah, best known for its ‘House of the Masks’.
Day Eleven | Uxmal - Mérida We devote the morning to Uxmal, especially renowned for the elegance of its architecture and the exceptional state of preservation of the buildings. The tallest structure is the so-called Pyramid of the Magician, but the city’s two major glories are the so-called ‘Nunnery’ quadrangle and the magnificent House of the Governor. A recently deciphered inscription above the central doorway confirms this purposeful astronomical orientation. In the afternoon we continue to Mérida. Day Twelve | Mérida - Chichén Itzá We visit the new Mundo Maya Museum. This very good and comprehensive museum covers the history of the Yucatan from earliest times to the Colonial period. This afternoon we head for Izamal to visit the impressive Franciscan Monastery, which is most famous as the home of the great Spanish chronicler and extirpator of Maya ‘idolatries’, Diego de Landa. Day Thirteen | Chichén Itzá Today we encounter one of the most visited and impressive of all Maya cities: Chichén Itzá. It is a vast and still mysterious site where archaeological work has been ongoing for many years. After lunch we continue to the walled city of Ek Balam, a lesser-known site, but where major discoveries have been made over the last decade or so. Here one can climb the steps of the largest pyramid for a marvellous view of the surrounding jungle. Day Fourteen | Chichén Itzá - Tulum We visit the ruins of Cobá. More than 30 carved stelae have been found here, some with images of Cobá’s rulers. At its summit is a temple structure with a stucco image of a figure plunging to earth, known as the ‘Diving God’. Further Diving Gods are to be seen at the coastal site of Tulum, which we visit in the afternoon. Day Fifteen & Sixteen | Cancún - London A leisurely morning at our beach-side hotel , before we transfer to the airport in Cancún for our flight home, arriving in London on Day Sixteen.
Guided by David Drew Writer, broadcaster and archaeologist, David studied at Oxford and UCL. Having excavated in Peru for many years, he has been involved with a British NGO — the Cusichaca Trust.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
2nd - 17th Nov
£4,995
£750
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hampton Inn & Suites Mexico City, Hotel Casa Mexicana, Hotel Villa Mercedes, Hotel Plaza Campeche, Hotel Hacienda Uxmal, Gamma Mérida El Castellano, Hotel Villas Arqueologicas Chichén Itza & Hotel Los Lirios Tulum • 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches & 14 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/mex Images left to right: Chichén Itzá & Maya ruins in Palenque
01772 650 051 129
Worldwide
Day One | London - Mexico City We fly in to Mexico City and transfer to our hotel.
GUATEMALA & BELIZE
Discover archaeological treasures and a dramatic history 14 Days
From £5,995pp
1st - 14th December 2020
Activity Level
Explore the enduring mysteries of a magnificent civilisation that arose from the impenetrable jungles of Central America. From lush jungles to the prolific soils of soaring volcanoes – powerful sunlight and plentiful water have long provided a dramatic habitat for colourful wildlife, the teeming Maya people, and Old World settlers. Tour Highlights • At daybreak, take a walk around Tikal’s stunning ancient temples and climb them as the sun rises • Observe an array of magnificent endemic wildlife on this tour, from howler monkeys and macaws to eagles • Tour the well-preserved buildings of Antigua, a UNESCO-listed city that was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 • Examine an array of amazing ancient artefacts at fascinating regional museums throughout the trip
130 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Yaxhá
Tikal Petén
Antigua
Lamanai Belize City Belize Xunantunich
Copan Caracol Guatemala City
Day Two | Antigua Today we explore the beautiful city of Antigua, Guatemala’s vibrant capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We receive an exciting introduction to the region, in a city renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings and encircled by volcanoes. Day Three | Antigua - Copán We leave Antigua this morning to the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Guatemala City. This museum was first founded in the late 19th century and houses one of the most important collections of pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican artefacts in the world - over 20,000 pieces in total, offering an unparalleled glimpse into Guatemalan history. Next, we drive to Rio Hondo for lunch and then cross the border into Honduras to arrive in Copán. Day Four | Copán Our expedition is well underway today, as we explore the extensive ruined city of Copán. Though initially discovered in 1570, the ruins of Copán were not excavated until the 19th century. They are now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are much admired for their Hieroglyphic Stairway. We wander the extensive stone ruins, viewing ancient tombs, the grand Monument Plaza, and the magnificent ball court, where an early precursor to the modern game of basketball was played. Day Five | Copán - Petén We cross the border once more for a tour of the city of Quirigua, a Maya archaeological site in southwestern Guatemala, best-known for its gigantic carved stelae. Once the vassal state to Copán, Quirigua came to prominence when its ruler ‘Cauac Sky’ captured his overlord, ‘18 Rabbit’. The Great Plaza here is the largest known public space in the entire Maya region. The reason behind the city’s decline remains a subject of much speculation. Later, we drive to Flores and then continue to Petén. Day Six | Petén - Tikal Our focus for today is nothing less than the mighty Tikal, an incomparable Maya metropolis that was occupied continuously from 800 BC to AD 900. For long periods, Tikal was the most powerful political force among the Maya, boasting a lengthy list of dynastic rulers that included the revered Chak Tok Ich’aak I, or Great Jaguar Paw, whose name appears on numerous recovered ceramics and stelae. The Tikal National Park is an enormous site and on this full-day tour we cover many of the park’s prized features, and also visit the museum which offers plenty of extra historical and archaeological insight. Day Seven | Tikal Today, we continue our discovery of Tikal. We take ourselves straight to the heart of this enchanting spectacle, climbing the highest jungle temple. We have the afternoon to relax at our hotel.
Day Eight | Yaxhá - Belize This morning we drive to the once thriving city of Yaxhá, a former ceremonial centre of the pre-Columbian Maya. After a picnic lunch, we enjoy a boat trip to the important Maya site of Topoxte, first discovered in 1904. We visit the archaeological ruins here, for a middle Preclassic encounter. After our full day of exploration, we travel across the border into Belize. Day Nine | Caracol Today we venture deep into the forests to the Vacau Plateau, where the impressive Maya city of Caracol invites more ancient exploration. Caracol is home to some truly awe-inspiring temples, including the ‘Canaa’ or ‘Sky Palace’, the tallest man-made structure in Belize. After a light lunch, we take a scenic route back to our hotel. Day Ten | Xunantunich - Belize City Following breakfast we travel to Xunantunich, with its well-known Mayan stucco friezes depicting dancing figures. Next is the Classic period site of Cahal Pech, by the banks of the Macal River. Cahal Pech is the oldest known site in the Belize River Valley. We continue on to Belize City, where we visit the collections of the National Museum of Belize. Day Eleven | Belize City - Lamanai Our action-packed day begins at Altun Ha, for a tour of the temples where sacrifices and blood-letting rituals were performed long ago. Later, we board a motor launch to Lamanai and cruise through acres of luxurious vegetation, teeming with birds and jungle creatures. Tonight we stay in the area’s delightful eco-jungle lodges. Day Twelve | Lamanai We explore the remote jungle remains of Lamanai, which spread along the shores of the New River lagoon. Highlights here include the extraordinary Mask Temple, decorated by a 13-foot high stone mask of a Mayan king, and the High Temple. Day Thirteen | Belize - London We start our day with a last boat ride from Lamanai to Belize City. Back on dry land, we head to the airport and check in for our flight back to London, via the US. Day Fourteen | London We arrive back in the UK. Guided by Nicholas James A graduate of Oxford, Nicholas has worked on the archaeology of American Indians for over 35 years.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
1st - 14th Dec
£5,995
£900
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Camino Real Antigua, Hotel Marina Copán, Hotel Casona del Lago, San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina & Lamanai Outpost Lodge • 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 12 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bel Images left to right: Ancient Tikal & a howler monkey in the jungle
01772 650 051 131
Worldwide
Day One | London - Guatemala City This morning, we depart from London aboard a flight via the US to Guatemala City. Upon landing, we transfer to our hotel in Antigua and enjoy a welcome dinner together as a group.
NORTHERN PERU Land of the Cloud Warriors 14 Days
From £5,260pp
In partnership with
archaeological tours
2nd - 15th November 2020
Activity Level
A journey to Peru's north is filled with archaeological sites, phenomenal UNESCO-listed ruins and vast landscapes. Encounter friezes that tell historic tales, follow in the footsteps of the ancient Mochica and explore parts of sites that members of the public can't access. To experience this part of South America is to see a side of Peru that most explorers miss. Tour Highlights • Visit the incredible UNESCO-listed site of Chavín de Huántar with the site director, our expert scholar John Rick, and explore underground spaces no tourists are ever granted access to
Chachapoyas Chiclayo
Trujillo
• Explore Chan Chan, the biggest city ever built from adobe bricks • Experience the Citadel of the Cloud Warriors – Kuelap – which is known as the “Machu Picchu of the North”
Huaraz
• Learn about the important political and religious headquarters of the Moche at the Sun and Moon Temples Lima
132 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day Two | Chacapoyas This morning, we fly to Jaen and on to Chacapoyas. Upon arrival, we visit Karajía – a funerary site that hosts six sarcophagi perched upon a sheer cliff face. Each long-faced tomb is constructed from wood, clay and straw, and is shaped like a stylised forlorn individual. Today, however, we see stone ruins among the fields. Day Three | Chacapoyas After breakfast, we visit Kuélap, the architectural wonder of the Chacapoyas. Kuélap is surrounded by a colossal wall almost 2,000ft long and 65ft tall. Inside, we find both public and private buildings, the majority of which have circular designs and decorative friezes. Our day ends with a tour of Chacapoyas. Day Four | Chacapoyas Today we drive to Yerbabuena and walk for two hours to get a close-up view of a colourful cliff tomb. The site is perched on a cliff and its tombs are like mini houses, with red pictographs that date back to 1200 CE. Later, in Leymebamba, we visit the community museum that houses 219 mummies as well as artefacts recovered in 1997 from cliff tombs overlooking the Lake of the Condors. Day Five | Chacapoyas - Chiclayo Travel from Chacapoyas to Chiclayo today – a lengthy journey, but one that allows us to see the Utcubamba River, and cross the Marañon River and the Andes by the lowest pass in Peru, Porculla, which is 2,145m above sea level. This route will help us appreciate how the greenery of the forest changes to desert. Day Six | Chiclayo Upon arrival in Chiclayo, we head to our hotel and enjoy a lecture as we go. Later, we start our tour by visiting the remaining traces of the ancient Mochica. Our first destination is the Complejo Arqueológico Huaca Rajada (Cracked Pyramid Archaeological Complex), a funerary complex located 22 miles from Chiclayo. Next, we visit the Museo Tumbas Reales (Royal Tombs Museum), built specifically to house the tomb of the Lord of Sipán. After lunch, we visit the Pirámides de Túcume, a complex of 26 pyramids that once formed an urban centre. Day Seven | Chiclayo The Bosque de Pomac is our first visit today. This site was first excavated in 1978 by the Japanese archaeologist and anthropologist Izumi Shimada, but it wasn't until 1992 that his team discovered a tomb of an elite member of Sicán society. Next, we visit the National Sicán Museum, which showcases different aspects of daily life among the Sicán culture. The museum also houses Sicán nobility tombs. Day Eight | Chiclayo - Trujillo The city of Trujillo is our destination today, but en route we stop at the El Brujo pyramid complex for a visit. The Huaca Cao pyramid is known as such due to the discovery of the tomb of the Señora de Cao, a member of the Moche royalty who was around 25 when she died. In the on-site museum, we can see her mummified body, with its skin covered in tattoos depicting snakes and spiders alike.
Day Nine | Trujillo A city tour of Trujillo is ours and we visit the Plaza de Armas, the Monumento a la Libertad, and la Casa de la Emancipación - a Republican Neoclassical architectural treasure. We also visit the Archaeological Museum of "Universidad Nacional de Trujillo". After a visit to the Temple of the Dragon, we drive to the coastal town of Huanchaco, where we watch local fishermen. Finally, we explore Chan Chan, the centre of the Chimú civilsation. Day Ten | Trujillo The Sun and Moon Pyramids (known as the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna) are first on our list for today, sites considered to be the most important Mochica ceremonial centre in the region. Explore the interior of the Moon Pyramid and admire the amazing reliefs that depict the many Mochica anthropomorphic deities. We also visit the site museum, where the Moche people's artistic sensibility is on display - reflected in their metal, ceramic, textile, and even wooden creations. Day Eleven | Trujillo - Huaraz We drive on to Huaraz today and check in to our hotel. Later, we have the rest of the day to relax and then there's an interesting lecture in the evening. Day Twelve | Huaraz Today we are treated to an excursion to Chavin de Huantar, a ceremonial centre that best represents high Peruvian culture. John Rick, our expert scholar, excavates here and we are given a privileged opportunity to explore parts of the complex that no tourists ever get to see. In our ascent to Cordillera Blanca, we visit Lake Querococha. After crossing the Cahuish tunnel, we go down the Mosna River Valley and reach the Chavin archaeological complex, which we spend time discovering. After lunch here, we visit the Chavin National Museum, home to an enlightening array of artefacts that shine the spotlight on Chavin culture. Day Thirteen | Huaraz - Lima We make our return to Lima today. Upon arrival, we sit down to enjoy a final group dinner together. Day Fourteen | Lima - London We depart from Lima for our return flight to London.
Guided by Prof. John Rick Professor John Rick is Associate Professor and Chair of Anthropological Sciences at Stanford University, Curator of Anthropological Collections, and past Director of Stanford’s Archaeology Centre.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
2nd - 15th Nov
£5,260
£665
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport, Hotel Casa Hacienda Achamaqui, Casa Andina Select Chiclayo, Costa del Sol Wyndham Trujillo, Andino Club Hotel, Huarez & Innside Lima Miraflores • 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 13 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit archaeological-tours.com/per Images left to right: Chan Chan ruins at Trujillo & the lost city of Kuelap
01772 650 051 133
Worldwide
Day One | London - Lima We arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
PERU
Essence of the Andes 7 Days
From £2,625pp
In partnership with
archaeological tours
15th - 21st November 2020
Activity Level
Experience the highlights of this magnificent country on this compact seven-day exploration. Taking in archaeological sites, enjoying cultural encounters and even meeting with local people, this week-long trip offers a memorable introduction to Peru's history and heritage. From the iconic site of Machu Picchu to small artistic towns, join us on this whirlwind tour. Tour Highlights • Pay a memorable visit to the bucket-list site of Machu Picchu, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World back in 2007 • Learn about ancestral methods and techniques used to produce traditional textile art from the locals • Discover the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo • Get a taste of local life during a walk through the lively San Pedro market • Gaze upon the dramatic Golden Temple, dedicated to the Sun God
134 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Lima
Machu Picchu Sacred Valley Cusco
Day Two | Lima Today, we take a tour of the city’s main avenues, boulevards, and squares. This orientation walk starts with an exploration of Colonial Lima. First, we stop off at the Main Square to get a chance to explore it on foot and we will admire the exteriors of the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, and the City Hall – all examples of Lima’s still-present colonial architectural opulence. We will then pay a more in-depth visit to the Cathedral of Lima, where a wander through its numerous chapels will help us travel back to the past and show us various architectural styles (from Renaissance to Neo-Classical), while learning about the religious history of Peru. After, we make our way to Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that currently holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited private residence in the Southern Hemisphere. The Santo Domingo Convent awaits us next – a religious and architectural gem that houses holy paintings, images, and relics of Peruvian saints, as well as written accounts of the endeavours of the Dominican Order across the country. Day Three | Lima - Sacred Valley This morning, we continue the trip towards Awanacancha. Here, we learn about the various types of camelids (Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas, and Guanacos) that live in the Andes region. Additionally, the local villagers will teach us about the ancestral methods and techniques used to produce their traditional textile art. A few miles along, we will reach Pisac – a beautiful place where Inca and Colonial influences have reached a perfect balance and create a unique way of life for local inhabitants. We will get a chance to explore this quaint town, famous for its artisan markets that sell extraordinarily fine jewellery along with ceramic and textile craftwork. Day Four | Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu This morning, we will continue our trip towards the archaeological site of Moray. Used as an agricultural testing ground, the site’s system of circular terraces descends 490 feet (150m) from where we will stand, serving as a perfect testament to the advanced levels achieved by the Incas, who excelled at building masterful constructions in harmony with nature. The journey continues on until we reach the Salt Pans of Maras. The sight of this still-operating salt mine, in use since Inca times, is amazing – the stark white of the steeply descending salt pans juxtaposed against the green of the surrounding mountain slopes. Finally, we visit one of the last remaining Inca towns, Ollantaytambo, which was once strongly guarded by a massive fortress. We discover the large archaeological complex of what used to serve as a wayside inn for royal delegations on long journeys. Surviving structures here include multiple walls and towers, which were used to protect the citadel from potential invasions.
Day Five | Machu Picchu - Cusco A visit to the Santuario Histórico de Machu Picchu (Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu) awaits us this morning. Aboard a comfortable train, we depart from Aguas Calientes, and then later we take a bus to the entrance gate of the Machu Picchu citadel. Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham more than a century ago, Machu Picchu is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its architectural beauty, spectacular natural landscapes and the energy held in its enigmatic structures make it a breathtaking bucket-list destination. Here, we follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas as we explore this magical citadel. We return to Cusco via train from the Aguas Calientes station. Upon arrival, our private transfer service will be waiting to take us back to our hotel. Day Six | Cusco We explore the artistic and bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas today, which is home to many renowned artists. Through narrow streets, we arrive at the main plaza of San Blas, which is surrounded by many well-known artisan workshops, such as Mendívil, Olave, and Mérida. We will take our time to visit some workshops and contemplate the artists’ work. Next, we continue to the San Blas Church, built in 1563 on top of an Inca sanctuary. The church is a simple structure, famed for its beautiful pulpit carved from one single cedar tree – representing one of the most exquisite works of wood carving in the Spanish churrigueresque style and done by indigenous hands. Stroll along its cobblestone alleys as we make our own way toward Hatum Rumiyuq Street (which in Quechua means “Of the Old Rock”), which is home to the famous TwelveSided Stone. We continue our exploration of the Imperial City with a visit to the San Pedro Market, which being the city’s main street market, will give us an opportunity to get to know the products of Cusco, overwhelming us with the sights, aromas, tastes, and colours of the region. Just a few blocks away, we discover one of the most impressive buildings of Inca Cusco – the Qoricancha (the Golden Temple), a temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, whose interior walls were said to have been covered in gold. We complete the day with a walk through the Main Square, where we visit the cathedral to admire its exquisite vestibules and priceless paintings from the Cusco School of the 17th and 18th centuries. Day Seven | Lima - London We fly to Lima airport from Cusco for our return flight to London.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
15th - 21st Nov
£2,625
£445
Price Includes • Local Guide • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Innside Lima Miraflores, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel & Villa, Inkaterra Machu Picchu & Casa Andina Premium Cusco • 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 5 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit archaeological-tours.com/pex Images left to right: Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo & the Salt Pans of Maras
01772 650 051 135
Worldwide
Day One | London - Lima We are greeted at the airport in Lima upon our arrival and, from here, we transfer to our hotel.
PERU
The Incas and their Ancestors 18 Days
From £6,495pp
Departing April & September 2020
Activity Level
Machu Picchu, Cuzco, the Colonial jewel of Arequipa and the Nazca Lines — this is a classic tour of some of Peru’s major archaeological and cultural attractions. Explore the world-famous sites of the Inca alongside the intriguing remains of their lesser-known predecessors, as we climb from the Pacific into the highlands to the ancient centre of the Inca Empire. Tour Highlights • Experience the world-renowned Machu Picchu after the crowds start to disperse and again at daybreak, before it gets busy • Discover the Inca heartland around their capital of Cuzco, a location that is also home to the Incas’ most sacred shrine – the Temple of the Sun • Grasp the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a thrilling flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines
136 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Puerto Inka
Lima
Machu Picchu Cuzco Nazca Arequipa
Day Two | Lima The day is spent in Lima. In the morning we visit the National Museum of Anthropology & Archaeology and, after lunch by the sea, enjoy a walking tour of some of the highlights of the Spanish Colonial capital. Day Three | Lima - Nazca This morning we depart from Lima and drive south along the desert coast to the city of Ica. Here we tour the Regional Museum, which houses a wealth of ancient coastal artefacts, notably some very fine pots from both the Paracas and Nazca cultures. Later, we continue south to the modern town of Nazca. Day Four | Nazca Our day begins with a drive across the desert to the Nazca ceremonial centre of Cahuachi. Featuring some 40 mounds that originally formed the bases to mud brick structures, Cahuachi is thought to have been a pilgrimage site. After lunch, we visit the Antonini Archaeological Museum, which houses an extensive collection of Nazca material. Day Five | Nazca - Puerto Inka First thing this morning we have the opportunity to fly over the Nazca Lines in a small plane. This optional activity is pre-bookable, price on request. Breakfast follows at the hotel and then we head to the coastal site of Puerto Inka, an extensive and important ancient port, from where in Inca times coastal products were shipped to Cuzco along a road that is still visible heading off into the interior. Day Six | Puerto Inka - Arequipa This morning we drive to the city of Arequipa, with its Spanish Colonial centre, it is deservedly a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only is there much to see in Peru’s second largest city, but it also possesses a famous regional cuisine, which we will have ample time to sample. Day Seven | Arequipa We begin at the well-preserved Santa Catalina Monastery. Founded in 1575, the convent is a small town within a city, enclosed by lofty protective walls. We continue to the ‘Museo Santuarios Andinos’. The museum houses archaeological material from the region but it is most famous as home to some marvellously preserved mummies of the Inca period. Day Eight | Arequipa - Cuzco In the morning we fly to Cuzco. Upon arrival there is time to relax and acclimatise to the altitude, before taking an optional walk through the Inca capital. Day Nine | Cuzco Enjoy a walking tour of Cuzco this morning, during which we see the Coricancha - or Temple of the Sun, the Incas’ most sacred shrine. After this we make our way to the Inca Museum. This afternoon, we explore the great fortress of Sacsayhuaman, its massive walls were constructed from huge blocks of limestone that were dragged from nearby quarries by thousands of workers. Finally, we visit Q’enqo, built of comparably worked stone but a smaller, sacred site where observations were made of the movements of planets and stars. Day Ten | Cuzco We first make our way to Tipon, south of Cuzco, to see this beautifully positioned archaeological site, which has extensive and well-built Inca terrace systems. After lunch, we see the Temple of Viracocha at Raqchi, built largely of mud brick on stone foundations. Day Eleven | Cuzco In the morning, we travel to the beautiful site of Chinchero. Originally the private estate of the ruler Topa Inca, it possesses impressive carved rock outcrops, sweeping Inca terraces and a painted early Colonial church that incorporates
a large Inca hall. We also make a specially arranged visit to a local family to witness a demonstration of traditional weaving. We continue on to Moray and its extraordinary circular terrace systems, the exact purpose of which is still much debated. Here we have a boxed lunch, before descending to the Urubamba Valley or ‘Sacred Valley’ and proceeding to Ollantaytambo.
Day Twelve | Cuzco Today we spend time exploring the main Ollantaytambo ruins, which enjoy impressive views across the Urubamba to the ancient quarry site. From here, we then drive up through the Patacancha Valley, past a number of ancient settlements, to the Inca site and Colonial church located at Marcacocha. We stop for a picnic lunch before returning to Ollantaytambo, where we can explore more of this uniquely well-preserved Inca town. Day Thirteen | Cuzco - Machu Picchu We board the train in Ollantaytambo for Machu Picchu and travel along the Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes. This small town is situated directly below Machu Picchu and, in the afternoon, we catch a bus up to the legendary site and will spend the rest of our day here. Day Fourteen | Machu Picchu - Cuzco We set off early this morning to complete our exploration of Machu Picchu. Later, we return up the valley by train to Ollantaytambo and thence to Cuzco. Day Fifteen | Cuzco Explore Cuzco and see the Cathedral, the church of San Blas, the Casa Cabrera and the main Colonial buildings around the Plaza Nazarenas After lunch we visit the Casa Concha Machu Picchu Museum. The rest of the day is left for us to spend as we wish. Day Sixteen | Cuzco This morning we drive to the small colonial village of Pisac to experience its lively local market. We also view part of the extensive Pisac ruins after lunch. Day Seventeen | Cuzco - Lima We take a morning flight to Lima, where we visit the Larco Herrera Museum. After lunch at the museum, we transfer to Lima airport for our flight home. Day Eighteen | Lima - London After an overnight flight, we arrive in the UK. Guided by David Drew Writer, broadcaster and archaeologist, David studied at Oxford and UCL. Having excavated in Peru for many years, he has been involved with a British NGO — the Cusichaca Trust.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
29th Apr - 16th May
£6,495
£995
23rd Sep - 10th Oct
£6,495
£995
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Casa Andina Standard Nazca, Hotel Puerto Inka, Casa Andina Premium Arequipa, Casa Andina Premium Cuzco, Hotel Pakaritampu & El MaiPi Hotel • 16 breakfasts, 16 lunches & 16 dinners • Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/sam Images left to right: Machu Picchu & the Nazca Lines
01772 650 051 137
Worldwide
Day One | London - Lima Arrive in Lima and transfer to the hotel.
CHILE & EASTER ISLAND
Discover some of the world’s most enigmatic rock art 17 Days
From £8,395pp
Departing March & November 2020
Activity Level
A true adventure. We travel down the coast of northern Chile and into the Atacama desert, before flying over the Pacific to the remote, bucket-list destination of Easter Island. We shall explore places seldom visited, which our ancestors chose to decorate with huge earth pictures and complex rock art. Tour Highlights • Discover extraordinary geoglyphs and petroglyphs amid unforgettable lunar-like landscapes • Explore Easter Island, the most remote piece of land inhabited on the planet, and visit a range of sites where the enigmatic moai can be seen in situ • Visit a range of fascinating regional museums, which include exhibits on shrinking heads, wooden carvings and the famous Chinchorro mummies, in a variety of locations
138 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Arica Iquique San Pedro de Atacama Easter Isalnd
Santiago
Day Three | Santiago - Arica We fly to Arica and visit the San Miguel Archaeological Museum, home to the famous Chinchorro Mummies. Later, we cross the stark oasis of the Azapa Valley to view the spectacular rock art still visible on the hillsides — a vivid assortment of human figures and animals. Day Four | Arica - Iquique This morning our journey takes us through the Atacama Desert. We stop at Chiza and Tiliviche to see the sprawling human and llama geoglyphs here. We also visit the Ariquilda petroglyphs before travelling to our hotel in Iquique, stopping en route to explore El Gigante del Atacama, the world’s largest prehistoric depiction of a human. Day Five | Iquique We start our day with a boat trip into the Pacific from Iquique harbour. Next, we visit the excellent Regional Museum in Iquique, where archaeological collections feature two Chinchorro Mummies. After lunch, there is a tour of the ‘ghost town’ of Humberstone which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day Six | Iquique - San Pedro de Atacama Today, we drive to Cerros Pintados to view geoglyphs scattered along the hillsides. More than 450 figures have been discovered here. We continue to Quillagua and visit its small museum before continuing on to San Pedro de Atacama, one of Chile’s most beloved destinations. Day Seven | San Pedro de Atacama Today, we drive to see the petroglyphs at Yerbas Buenas, located in Chile’s geographical centre. The afternoon is free to spend how you wish, either stay in San Pedro de Atacama or join an optional excursion, such as the Atacama Salt Flat Tour. We visit the Flamencos National Reserve, Lake Chaxa and finally the village of Toconao. Day Eight | San Pedro de Atacama Our morning is spent among the amazing lunar landscapes of the Valle de la Luna. This afternoon we fly back to Santiago. Day Nine | Santiago We make our way over to Vina del Mar to visit the Museo de Arqueologia e Historia Francisco Fonck. After lunch, we embark upon an informative walking tour of Valparaiso, a quirky city famed for its maze-like streets, vibrant colonial architecture, and richly artistic heritage. Day Ten | Santiago - Easter Island The next part of our adventure as we head to Easter Island. Our explorations start with a walk around Hanga Roa, the island’s capital and harbour, as well as its only town which is home to most of the islands 5,000 inhabitants.
female moai to have ever been discovered, as well as an original moai eye. This afternoon will be free for us to enjoy at leisure.
Day Twelve | Easter Island After breakfast, we go to the quarry at Rano Raraku, where many unfinished moai are still standing in situ. The biggest moai in existence lies here incomplete, and measures a staggering 21.6 metres from end to end. Afterwards we visit the longest line of standing statues at Tongariki and enjoy a picnic lunch at Rano Raraku. Our day ends with a viewing of the rock carvings at Papa Vaka. Here, we see marine petroglyphs carved into the basalt. Day Thirteen | Easter Island We continue to explore. The Ahu Vaihu, where the moai lie face down with broken necks; Akahanga, is an unrestored platform near which the island’s first king is said to be buried; Hanga Tetenga, where tumbled statues rest amidst scattered rocks; Te Pito te Kura, the site of the largest moai to be transported from Rano Raraku; and, lastly, the detailed carved figures of the royal platform of Ahu Nau Nau. After a barbecue lunch, we go to Anakena Beach with its white coral sands, where the afternoon is free. Day Fourteen | Easter Island This morning, we head out to the ruined platforms of Vinapu, which feature the finest stonework on the island. We visit Ahu Huri a Urenga, the quarry at Puna Pau, Ahu Akivi, another inland platform and we walk to the lava cave at Te Pahu. After a picnic lunch, we go to the restored moai in the harbour of Hanga Piko, and to Ana Kai Tangata on the seafront. We continue to Rano Kau, a wide volcano within which lies a crater lake, and visit the Orongo ceremonial village, on the crater’s edge and 300-metre cliff. Day Fifteen | Easter Island - Santiago After a morning spent at leisure, we transfer to the airport and catch our return flight to Santiago. Days Sixteen & Seventeen | Santiago - London Our last day in this exciting capital begins with a visit to the Museo de Arte Precolombino. Afterwards we return to the UK, arriving in London on day Seventeen.
Guided by Paul Bahn
Day Eleven | Easter Island Our first day on Easter Island begins with a trip to see our first moai at Ahu Tahai. We continue on to the nearby Museo Antropologico Sebastian Englert to learn the story behind the moai and their discoverers. Here we see the only
The world’s leading archaeologist on prehistoric rock art, Paul is one of our best-known Guide Lecturers.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
14th - 30th Mar
£8,395
£925
7th - 23rd Nov
£8,495
£925
Price Includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Return flights from London & all local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Magnolia, Hotel Antay, Hotel Terrado Cavancha, Hotel Altiplanico Atacama, Holiday Inn Santiago & Hotel O’tai • 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 13 dinners Water with all meals & tea or coffee with dinner • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/chi Images left to right: Moai at Easter Island & the Atacama Desert
01772 650 051 139
Worldwide
Days One & Two | London - Santiago We fly overnight from London to Santiago and land in the morning of Day Two. After a welcome lunch, simply relax and recover or join a guided walking tour around vibrant Santiago.
New for 2020 – introducing Cultural Journeys There’s a lot of world to discover and our brand new range of Cultural Journeys tours will make some of its most incredible destinations a little more accessible. These aren’t trips for the mere observer, these are adventures designed to immerse you in the local way of life. Sample regional dishes, meet the people who call these places home and explore an array of off-the-beaten-track gems. With chances to encounter amazing wildlife, learn how to make traditional crafts or cuisine from people who’ve made them for generations and discover the stories woven into the tapestries of the landscapes, come join us.
What’s included in a tour? Hands-on experiences, which range from classes in making traditional crafts to cookery lessons, where authentic tastes entice the senses Personal encounters with local people, whether this is through a workshop where a regional craft or skill is taught, or a visit to a school, business or a family home Visits to both legendary and lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites The services of a Tour Host throughout, who knows the destination very well Return flights from London and all other transport as detailed in the itinerary Hand-picked accommodation throughout, ranging from hotels to unique stays Meals and drinks as per each individual itinerary All listed activities as well as entries to all sites and museums visited Gratuities for waiters at included meals and hotel porters Accommodation and transport taxes
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware.” - Martin Buber
140 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Images left to right: Traditional pottery making in Costa Rica, the citadel of Amman
Cultural Journeys
Asia
The Americas
Israel .............................................................................................................pg 142
Costa Rica...................................................................................................pg 152
Bathe in the Dead Sea, join a family for a Shabbat dinner and take a cable car to King Herod’s fortress-palace on this unique tour.
Meet locals at one of the world’s five Blue Zones, visit a craft beer brewery and explore the magnificent Arenal Volcano National Park.
Jordan ...........................................................................................................pg 144
Brazil ............................................................................................................pg 154
Explore the bucket-list site of Petra, cruise the Wadi Rum desert in a fleet of 4x4s and discover an incredible nature reserve in Jordan.
Take a samba workshop and learn to cook a traditional dish, visit Christ the Redeemer, and tour the surprising Tijuca National Park.
India ..............................................................................................................pg 146
Peru ...............................................................................................................pg 156
A sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, the chance to observe tigers at a sanctuary and tours of myriad UNESCO sites await.
Visit the Inkaterra Spectacled Bear Project, see a demonstration of authentic Peruvian weaving and trek the mighty Machu Picchu.
Nepal ............................................................................................................pg 148 Discover the country's rich spirituality, enjoy a jungle safari by jeep and take a yoga class with a master instructor. China ............................................................................................................pg 150 Visit the Terracotta Warriors, learn calligraphy and tai chi, and see giant pandas at the Chengdu research base on this immersive trip.
Europe
Greenland & Iceland ..............................................................................pg 158 See bread baked in geothermal hot springs, come face-to-face with awe-inspiring glaciers and accept an invite into the homes of Greenlanders on this hands-on, multi-centre tour.
For more information about our tours visit: andantetravels.com or call a member of our team today: 01772 650 051
Images left to right: Tiger in Ranthambore National Park, Iguazu Falls & the Great Wall of China
01772 650 051 141
ISRAEL
A unique blend of the ancient and the modern 10 Days
From £3,495pp
Departing November 2020 & March 2021
Activity Level
A country of natural beauty and unbeatable history, Israel’s culture blends the ancient and modern seamlessly. Indulge with a wine-tasting experience and cookery class. Take a cable car to King Herod’s desert fortress palace and accept an invitation from a local family to join them for an Shabbat dinner. Join us here and uncover the true heart of Israel.
Golan Heights
Acre Sea of Galilee
Haifa Nazareth
Tour Highlights • Spend time with both the Druze community and a Jewish family to learn more about their ways of life, their cultures and their traditions • Sample amazing wines at the Golan Winery, enjoy a unique culinary tour in Nazareth and learn to make the delicious dish known as shakshuka
Masada
Beit She’an
Tel Aviv
• Travel right across Israel, paying a visit to many of the country’s cultural icons that include Tel Aviv, Haifa, Acre, Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem • Explore Ein Gedi Nature Reserve with its varied landscapes, botanical gardens and endemic wildlife
Jerusalem Bethlehem
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
142 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
at the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherd’s Field. We finish our day trying our hand at creating a popular Israeli dish – shakshuka – at an immersive workshop.
Day Two | Tel Aviv & Old Jaffa We begin our tour in Tel Aviv with a visit to Old Jaffa, the first Jewish city of the modern era, and we take a walking tour to view examples of the intriguing Bauhaus architecture from the 1930s. The local proliferation of the style won Tel Aviv recognition by UNESCO as well as the nickname, ‘the White City’. After lunch, we enjoy a street art and graffiti tour. We see the best works of street art and graffiti, and we uncover the history, philosophy and different meanings of the art around us. This evening we visit Sarona Market, a lively urban market that offers both an excellent and wide range of contemporary Israeli cuisine.
Day Seven | Jerusalem Today we visit the City of David and tour its tunnels. We also see the newest excavations of Jerusalem during the time of the 1st Temple period. We continue our exploration with a walk through the Jewish Quarter and visit the Western Wall and the Cardo – an ancient commercial street where you can still shop today. After lunch, we visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum, a powerful remembrance to the Holocaust situated atop Har Hazikaron, which translated to the “Hill of Memory.” Our morning finishes with free time at Mahane Yehuda Market, established in 1887. Upon our return to Jerusalem, we see the spectacular Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David Museum.
Day Three | Tel Aviv - Haifa After breakfast, we head north along the Mediterranean coast, stopping to see the impressive remains of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great and once the seat of Roman rule. We continue on to Haifa, the largest harbour city of Israel, for a panoramic view of Haifa Bay and of the beautiful Bahá’í Gardens with its impressive temple. Next, we enjoy a special lunch at a Druze village, where we learn about the Druze community and its importance in Israel’s history. Heading northwest, we reach the ancient crusader port city of Acre, a fascinating town with an excavation site over 1,000 years old. Here, we visit the Crusader Halls and underground tunnels, as well as the ancient port and fortifications that were strong enough to allow the inhabitants of the town to fend off Napoleon’s army. Day Four | Sea of Galilee & Golan Heights Our day starts with a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, before paying a visit to Capernaum, where a 2nd century synagogue was discovered and which threw new light on the life of the community of that era. We also visit Safed, centre of Jewish mysticism for hundreds of years, which has recently developed into a contemporary artists’ colony. Israel has also become well-known for the quality of its wines, and after lunch we visit the Golan Winery, where we have the chance to sample some of their vintages. We finish the day with a 4x4 Jeep tour of the Golan Heights, which offers views over the Sea of Galilee. Day Five | Haifa - Jerusalem It may be wise not to eat too much breakfast today because our first stop is in Nazareth, where we enjoy a culinary tour of the local specialities – including ancient spices, confectionery, tehina from the Galilee, local coffee, and what is considered to be the best hummus in all of Israel. With our stomachs much fuller, we make our way south through the Jordan Valley towards Jerusalem, stopping on the way to visit Beit She’an, with spectacular ruins of the ancient Roman and Byzantine city. Arriving in Jerusalem, we take part in a truly authentic experience as we join a local family for a Shabbat dinner. This is a perfect opportunity to learn about Shabbat and its traditions, as well as enjoy an excellent meal. Day Six | Jerusalem We spend a full day exploring the highlights of the old city of Jerusalem, starting with a stop at the Mount of Olives, which offers a panoramic view across the old city, and then we make our way through the Christian Quarter. Continuing to the Arab Bazaar, where haggling is an art form, our walk takes us along a portion of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After lunch, we enter Palestine for a visit to Bethlehem and we take a short tour that includes a stop
Day Eight | Dead Sea & Ein Gedi Nature Reserve A refreshing start to the day is ours as we have time to float on the waters of the Dead Sea. After, we take a picturesque drive out to the site of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in a series of caves between 1946 and 1956. The rest of our day is spent hiking in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. The largest oasis in Israel, it is home to a variety of landscapes, botanical gardens, springs, and small waterfalls. If we are lucky, we may even spot Nubian ibexes and rock hyraxes. Day Nine | Masada This morning we ascend by cable car to the UNESCOlisted site of Masada, where we marvel at King Herod’s desert fortress palace and last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against Roman domination in 73 CE. The afternoon is free to spend as we wish before we regroup in the evening to enjoy a farewell dinner together. Day Ten | Jerusalem - Tel Aviv - London After breakfast, we return to Tel Aviv and board our return flight back home to London.
Tour Host: Yonatan Zilbershied A licensed tour guide in all parts of Israel, Yonatan has guided many groups and solo travellers around the country.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
16th - 25th Nov 2020
£3,495
£830
15th - 24th Mar 2021
£3,595
£830
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London, flight information and all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at the Tal Hotel, the Bay Club Haifa & the Harmony Hotel • 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners, plus a light supper in the hotel on arrival day • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, & entries to all sites and museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/isl Images left to right: Cable car over the Masada Fortress & the Shrine of the Bab
01772 650 051 143
Cultural Journeys
Day One | London - Tel Aviv Upon arrival in the Israel capital of Tel Aviv, we meet our Tour Host. We have a light supper at our hotel and then it’s off to bed ahead of tomorrow’s adventures.
JORDAN
Centuries-old sites and other-worldly desert landscapes 10 Days
From £2,995pp
Departing September 2020 - April 2021
Activity Level
Jordan appears on most people’s bucket lists, with Petra getting most of the attention. However, there is more to this amazing part of the Middle East. Float in the Dead Sea, traverse the lunar-like Wadi Rum desert and let the landscape astound during a visit to a nature reserve – this is Jordan, but certainly not as you may know it. Tour Highlights • Walk through the main Siq at Petra and marvel at the mighty Treasury, which appears majestically through a crack in the rose-red rock canyon • Meet with locals in the Abdali mall in Amman, have lunch with a local at their home in the Dana village and spend time at Dana Children’s Centre • Enjoy a Jordanian wine-tasting experience, learn to cook traditional dishes and be treated to sunset cocktails by candlelight in the Wadi Rum desert
Jordan River Jerash Amman Ma’in Hot Springs Dead Sea
Dana
Wadi Mujib
Jordan
Petra
• Trek through the diverse Dana Biosphere Reserve, with the chance to see many different animals – perhaps we’ll glimpse the elusive sand cat Wadi Rum Village 144 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day One | London - Amman Flying from London, we arrive and meet our Tour Host. After a bite to eat, we relax in the hotel so that we can start our tour reinvigorated the next morning.
Day Three | Jerash Head north from Amman to visit Jerash today. Conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, the city’s golden age came under Roman rule and the site is now acknowledged to be one of the world’s best-preserved Roman provincial towns. Next, we visit Ajloun Nature Reserve, where we take a nature trek through woodlands filled with oak, pistachio, and oriental strawberry trees. Here, we might spot a striped hyena, crested porcupine or a stone marten. After a rest at our hotel, we head out for dinner and traditional live music at Kan Zaman village. Day Four | Amman - Wadi Rum After passing through a string of ancient sites on our way south, we reach the city of Madaba, known as the “City of Mosaics”. We visit St. George’s Church before continuing south, with stops at Mount Nebo and a local women’s centre, where traditional crafts, ceramics and hand-embroidery are produced. Here, we have a chance to get involved in some of the processes. On arrival in Wadi Rum, there is a sunset cocktail reception in the desert with canapés by candlelight, and our night comes to an end under canvas in our deluxe Bedouin tents.
Day Eight | Wadi Mujib Today we travel to Wadi Mujib, where we walk through the canyon. Depending on the weather, we can either walk along the mountainside or through the stream at the bottom of the canyon, with the opportunity to swim in the natural pools. Next, we visit a farm in the Jordan Valley area to see the different produce that is grown here as well as the different traditional techniques used, before sitting down to lunch. We return to our hotel, where an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea awaits. Day Nine | Ma’in Hot Springs & Jordan River Free time this morning is followed by a drive to the Ma’in hot springs. Popular with both locals and tourists, the springs are located 264m below sea level in one of the most breathtaking desert oases in the world. After lunch at the springs, we travel to the site of the Baptism of Christ. We have the opportunity to bathe in the waters here before we return to our hotel for a farewell dinner. Day Ten | Dead Sea - Amman - London We return to the airport in Amman and fly to London.
Day Five | Wadi Rum - Petra Today we take a safari by Jeep through Wadi Rum, stopping to admire the rock formations and to take tea with some of the Bedouins, who teach us about their culture. Our morning ends with a visit to Petra Kitchen. Here, a local instructor will show us how to make some classic Jordanian dishes, which we eat for lunch. We have an opportunity to visit the lesser-known Little Petra afterwards. Later this evening, we enter Petra at night. Walking through the Siq for the first time by candlelight is very magical and memorable experience.
Tour Host: Mohammad Abdulnabi Join Mohammad on our Sepember and November 2020 Departures
Tour Host: Salah Abu Naffa Join Salah on our March 2021 departure
Day Six | Petra - Dana Today is all about Petra. We spend a full day exploring its highlights, including an option (for the energetic) to climb to the Monastery – similar in design to the Treasury at the entrance of the site, but much larger. From here, we travel onward to the Dana Biosphere, where our guest house for tonight is situated. Day Seven | Dana - Dead Sea After breakfast, we trek through the Dana Biosphere Reserve, an area of staggering beauty, history and biodiversity. The only reserve in Jordan that encompasses the four different biogeographical zones of the country (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian), it is a melting pot of species from Europe, Africa and Asia. The 449 identified animal species
Tour Host: Ashraf Hanini Join Ashraf on our April 2021 departure
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
11th - 20th Sep 2020
£2,995
£475
23rd Oct - 1st Nov 2020
£2,995
£475
15th - 24th Mar 2021
£2,995
£475
2nd - 11th Apr 2021
£2,995
£475
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London, flight information & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at the San Rock Hotel, Sun City Camp, the Old Village Resort, the Dana Guest House, & the Dead Sea Spa Hotel • 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, and entries to all sites and museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/jod Images left to right: Petra & the Hammamat Mai’n hot springs
01772 650 051 145
Cultural Journeys
Day Two | Amman Our day begins with a city tour of Amman, starting at Citadel Hill. The hill has been a focus for human settlement since the Palaeolithic Age, but unfortunately, when the Romans moved in to occupy the area, they cleared away whatever they found – including the remains of the Ammonite city of Rabbath Ammon, which they threw over the side of the hill. Fortunately, the huge Umayyad Palace complex on the upper terrace of the citadel remains. We also visit the Roman amphitheatre before heading downtown to the newer part of Amman. After lunch, we mingle with locals at the Abdali mall and visit the King Abdallah Mosque, before enjoying a Jordanian wine-tasting experience. Dinner will follow.
found here include 25 that are endangered, including the sand cat, Syrian wolf and the spiny-tailed lizard. Our walk is followed by lunch with a family at their house in the Dana village. For those who wish, there is a chance to visit the Dana Children’s Centre and take part in the community functions, such as planting trees, painting or teaching English before we drive to our hotel on the banks of the Dead Sea.
Take part in the lively Diwali Festival in November 2020 or the colourful Holi Festival in March 2021
INDIA
A true indulgence for each of the five senses 11 Days
From £3,245pp
Departing October 2020 - March 2021
Activity Level
A multi-faceted and diverse country with a range of landscapes, cultural groups, cuisines, and ideas, India can be as chaotic as it is peaceful and as exuberant as it is serene. A magical sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, the chance to glimpse tigers at a conservation project, a trip by boat to the cave temples on Elephanta Island, and more await on this trip of a lifetime.
Delhi Bharatpur Jaipur
Tour Highlights • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites that include the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, the Elephanta Caves, Hawa Mahal, and Qutub Minar
Ranthambore National Park
• Gain insight into local life at a village in Ranthambore and wander around the bustling fish market at the Sassoon Docks in Mumbai • Embark upon a journey of contrasts – from the north to south – that starts in Delhi and moves on to Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, and to Mumbai • Admire a plethora of architectural styles as reflected in buildings, temples, caves that are home to sculptures, religious art, carvings, and even shrines
146 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Agra
Mumbai
Day Three | Delhi Our sightseeing of Old Delhi starts at Jama Masjid and then we’re dropped off at the Chandni Chowk, one of the busiest, oldest and somewhat chaotic markets in Old Delhi. After a short walk in the market, we hop aboard rickshaws and wind our way through the labyrinth of narrow streets. By coach we drive past the magnificent Red Fort and our final stop is at Raj Ghat, the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi. Our morning ends with a visit to Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (a Sikh temple), where we see the afternoon langar – or, ‘free kitchen’. The concept of the langar is to uphold the principle of equality between all people regardless of religion, caste, colour or creed, and it serves thousands of people each day. In the afternoon, we walk to Connaught Place to spend time in the local market, where a variety of handicrafts are on sale from different parts of India. Day Four | Delhi - Jaipur After breakfast, we drive to Jaipur and check in to our hotel upon arrival. After some free time, we regroup in the afternoon to take part in a Patangbazi (kite-flying) session from the terrace of a heritage hotel, accompanied by an Indian high tea. On arrival at the venue, we are welcomed by the retainers of the erstwhile royalty, who will assist women in putting on traditional sarees, while men gain a royal aura with instruction in tying Rajasthani turbans and scarves. Day Five | Jaipur After a brief photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a short drive brings us to Amber and the magnificent fort that nestles on the rocky hill rising above Maota Lake, a symbol of power and perseverance. Close to the fort and located in a magnificently restored haveli (or mansion) is the Anokhi Textile Museum. On display are a varied selection of block-printed textiles alongside images, tools and related objects. We return to Jaipur or the ‘Pink City’ to explore the carved marble Old City Palace, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1728. Next, we visit Jantar Mantar, one of five astronomical observatories built in north India between 1724 and 1730. Afterwards, we can enjoy a walk in the local bazaar.
craftspeople for the promotion and revival of traditional Indian crafts. The Dastkar Ranthambore has identified local craft traditions and helps local women to come forward and use their skills. Our day ends in a nearby local village, where we have tea and conversation with a local family, a chance to learn about life here.
Day Eight | Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra No trip to India is complete without a journey by train, and ours takes us to Bharatpur. On arrival at the station, we visit the Agra Fort. This walled palatial city was built from red sandstone in the 11th century, an era marked by invasions and battles, and it was the site of the India Rebellion of 1857 – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest Mughal forts in all of India. Day Nine | Agra - Mumbai What better way to start the day then with a sunrise visit to the legendary Taj Mahal? After breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to Delhi and fly to Mumbai. Day Ten | Mumbai At Sassoon Docks, we see the first catch of the day at one of the largest fish markets in the city before visiting a Koli fishing village and the local dhobi wallas in the community laundry. Our morning continues as we travel by motorboat to Elephanta Island. Here, we discover the ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. We return to Mumbai and after lunch, a walking tour showcases the city’s impressive architecture and includes the magnificent UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in contrast with other Art Deco-inspired buildings. At the end of our walk, we stop at a local café to enjoy a snack and local Indian beer. Day Eleven | Mumbai - London This morning we bid farewell to India and fly to London.
Day Six | Jaipur - Ranthambore National Park Formerly the hunting grounds for the Maharajahs of Jaipur before Indian independence, this park is one of the finest tiger conservation programmes in the country under Project Tiger. These majestic predators, assured of protection here, roam freely during the daytime and can be seen up close. Ranthambore Sanctuary has a lot of fauna, but the star of the show is the great Indian tiger. We drive to Ranthambore in the morning and then take part in a late-afternoon safari in the park. We’ll close the day with a presentation on the tigers of Ranthambore, which is followed by an enlightening lecture from a wildlife expert. Day Seven | Ranthambore National Park Our day starts with an early morning safari, another chance to spot tigers along with other endemic wildlife. We return to the hotel for breakfast and enjoy some free time. In the afternoon, we visit Dastkar – a local endeavour that works with
Tour Host: Manish Nagar Join Manish in India 13th October 2020 & 25th March 2021
Tour Host: Shakeel Chauhan Join Shakeel in India 10th November 2020
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
13th - 23rd Oct 2020
£3,245
£740
10th - 20th Nov 2020
£3,245
£740
25th Mar - 4th Apr 2021
£3,295
£740
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London, flight information & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at the Le Meridien, Trident in Jaipur, Sawai Vilas, Trident in Agra and the Taj President • 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 9 dinners • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, and entries to all sites and museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ind Images left to right: Elephanta Caves in Mumbai & tigers in Ranthambore National Park
01772 650 051 147
Cultural Journeys
Days One & Two | London - Delhi After an overnight flight, we start our adventure in India’s capital territory at a leisurely pace with lunch and a talk about the incredible variety of Indian cuisine. After, we visit the 16th century Humayun’s Tomb and the UNESCO-listed Qutub Minar, and then we drive past both the India Gate and Presidents’ House.
Dashain Festival - an important event in the Nepalese calendar, experience this festival during our October 2020 tour
NEPAL
Truly unparalleled natural beauty and spirituality 12 Days
From £2,945pp
Departing October 2020 - April 2021
Activity Level
This is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture and religions. Discover the country's rich spirituality, experience a yoga class with a master instructor, and observe both local and migratory aquatic birds at the Royal Chitwan National Park. There are also visits to spiritual centres, adding a new dimension to this tour.
Pokhara
Tour Highlights • Explore Royal Chitwan National Park on a jungle safari in 4x4s and canoe through this World Heritage Site, which showcases nature at its very best • Considered the birthplace of yoga, there is simply no better place to take a class and we enjoy tuition from a master instructor • Learn about local life during a visit to a Tharu Village and take a hike to the Gurung Village in Kalabang • Discover an abundance of World Heritage Sites that include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas
148 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Kathmandu Chitwan Chandragiri Hills
Days One & Two | London - Kathmandu After an overnight flight to Kathmandu, our Tour Host will accompany us to the hotel and will give us an introduction to Nepal. A group dinner follows later.
Day Four | Kathmandu Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites, a fitting start to our day. Afterwards, we visit Boudhanath, one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of Nepal’s most important Buddhist sites. Our day continues with an introduction to the art of old Tibetan Thangka painting and a visit to the academy. Leisure time follows a late lunch. Day Five | Kathmandu - Chitwan Today we head to Chitwan. Once we arrive and check in to our hotel, it’s time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Royal Chitwan National Park. By Jeep and canoe, our jungle safari along the Narayani River allows ample opportunity to spot local and migratory aquatic birds. Along the banks of the river, we enjoy a cocktail and magnificent sunset views. In addition to a BBQ dinner at our hotel, we’ll enjoy a performance of a typical Tharu cultural dance. Day Six | Chitwan A second day of exploration in the park starts with an early morning nature walk, the perfect time of day to see and hear the dawn chorus. After some time at leisure and then lunch, we visit a local Tharu village. Here, we have the chance to meet some of the locals, who are indigenous people of the Terai region. We also see some of their traditional skills. In addition to dinner at our hotel this evening there will be a presentation by an expert on the jungle and National Park.
Day Nine | Pokhara Today is spent at leisure. Many consider Nepal as the birthplace of yoga, tantra and meditation – with yoga being practiced as far back as 28,000 years ago. With this in mind, we reconvene at our hotel in the afternoon for a special class with a master yoga instructor. Day Ten | Pokhara - Chandragiri Hills We have a long journey ahead of us to reach Chandragiri Hills. With this in mind, we enjoy a lengthy break at the Riverside Springs Resort with an opportunity to swim, have lunch or relax before continuing with our drive. Upon arrival, we travel by cable car to the hilltop, where we view the magnificent Himalayan range – a great start to our visit here in the stunning Kathmandu Valley. Day Eleven | Chandragiri Hills After an early breakfast, we take a scenic trek downhill towards Chitlang, a Newari village quite unchanged since medieval times. The Newar – or Nepami – are a community whose ancestral home is in the Kathmandu Valley. During our visit, we will gain an understanding of their ancestral heritage and learn about the old traditions, cultures and lifestyles of the villagers. After a free afternoon, we meet up as a group again in the evening for dinner. Day Twelve | Chandragiri Hills - Kathmandu We say our farewells to Nepal today and return to their airport for our flight back home to London.
Day Seven | Chitwan - Pokhara On to Pokhara next, a city on Phewa Lake. The beautiful lakes and the Himalayan peaks rising behind them combine to make this a place of remarkable natural beauty. A truly idyllic place to enjoy a free afternoon before taking an evening walk with our Tour Host and sitting down to dinner at a local restaurant. Day Eight | Pokhara After an early morning excursion to Sarangkot to view the sunrise over the Himalayas, we head to a Kalabang village. Situated approximately 1500m above sea level, the location offers amazing views of the Pokhara valley. After a short hike, we arrive at Gurung Village, where the locals extend a warm welcome accompanied by locally prepared raksi – their homemade rice wine. Our time here gives us a wonderful insight into village life, including a visit to the community school and their income-generating coffee farm. Next, it’s on to the impressive
Tour Host: Ajaya Manandhar Join Ajaya in Nepal 22nd October 2020 & 3rd April 2021
Tour Host: Bipin Chandra Banepal Join Bipin in Nepal 24th November 2020
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
22nd Oct - 2nd Nov 2020
£2,945
£545
24th Nov - 5th Dec 2020
£2,945
£545
3rd - 14th Apr 2021
£2,945
£545
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London, flight infomation & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at Hotel Shangri-La, the Machan Country Villa, the Temple Tree Resort & Spa & the Chandragiri Hills Resort • 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers wine, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, and entries to all sites & museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/nep Images left to right: Stupa of the Swayambhunath Temple in Kathmandu & Nepalese farmers
01772 650 051 149
Cultural Journeys
Day Three | Kathmandu Where better to start our orientation than at Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. After viewing several of the square’s monuments, we visit the great medieval town square of Basantpur and the Ason Bazaar, which is the heart of the city for locals and where they shop for all manner of goods. After lunch, it’s on to Swayambhunath Stupa, located atop a hill in Kathmandu Valley. The steep stone stairs are worth the climb as surrounding this temple are multiple other temples and chaityas, which reflect an early impression of the mixture of Hindu and Buddhist religions. After, we drive to Budhanilkantha Temple, which is located at the foot of the Shivpuri Hills and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda), whose vantage point offers spectacular views over the Annapurna Himalayan range. The rest of our day is spent visiting the International Mountain Museum and the Gurkha Museum, dedicated to the history of these regiments.
Mid-Autumn Festival – also known as the Moon Festival, experience this during our September 2021 tour
CHINA
Iconic monuments & cultural legacies 15 Days
From £4,295pp
Departing October 2020 - September 2021
Activity Level
Overflowing with history that spans back over 10,000 years, and with rich culture, visual arts and crafts, as well as diverse landscapes and incredible cuisine, China should be a must-visit for every discerning traveller. The ancient and modern sit side-by-side as we explore a bamboo forest, ascend the Great Wall by cable car and discover amazing temple sites.
Beijing
Tour Highlights • View the Terracotta Warriors, a truly unrivalled archaeological discovery
Xi’an
• See giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base, hike the Behai scenic area and take an atmospheric walk through Mukeng Village’s bamboo forest • Travel by rickshaw in Beijing, take a cable car to the Great Wall (and a toboggan back down), and cruise the “Golden Waterway” of Suzhou by boat • Visit UNESCO Sites that include the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, Mount Huangshan, and more • Learn tai chi, ink brush painting and calligraphy, and watch Kunqu opera
150 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Suzhou Chengdu Huangshan
Shanghai
Days One & Two | London - Beijing After an overnight flight, we meet our Tour Host and head to the Forbidden City — or Palace Museum. After, we visit Tiananmen Square and touch on its recent history. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional Beijing duck dinner.
Day Four | Beijing Our day begins at the Great Wall, at its Mutianyu section – one of the most wellpreserved and least crowded. A cable car up takes us up and a toboggan slide will bring us back down. Next, we explore the Summer Palace’s lakes and gardens. Day Five | Beijing - Chengdu Leaving Beijing behind, we fly to Chengdu – the capital of the Sichuan province. Later in the afternoon, we enjoy a cup of green tea in Wangjiang Pavilion Park, which allows us to experience the relaxing life of the locals at the end of the day. Day Six | Chengdu The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding awaits this morning, which is a non-profit research and breeding facility for giant pandas. From here, we head to Jinli Street. This is modelled on the architectural style of a traditional old town in the western Sichuan province, Shu. Embroidery, handicrafts and souvenirs can be seen here, all accompanied by the delicious aroma of street food. We meet up this evening to see a performance of Sichuan opera. Day Seven | Chengdu - Xi’an Travelling by bullet train, we arrive in Xi’an for lunch. Home to the largest and best preserved ancient city wall in China – and boasting amazing views – we learn about its history and functions. An evening of Tang Dynasty music and performance makes for an entertaining event during our dumpling dinner.
Day Twelve | Huangshan - Shanghai Consumed in China for over 4,000 years, green tea has many health benefits. Today we visit a core production area of Chinese green tea. Joining the local tea farmers, we’ll spend time picking tea with them and then we enjoy a tea ceremony. After lunch, we take a train to Shanghai. Day Thirteen | Shanghai Our day in Shanghai includes a visit to Yuyuan Garden, a fine example of a classical Chinese garden, and then we head to the leafy boulevards of the French Concession. After time in the arts and crafts enclave at Tianzi Fang, we finish our exploration at the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre – an insight into life under Chairman Mao. This evening, we cruise along the Huangru River. Day Fourteen | Shanghai - Suzhou A visit to Suzhou sees us learn about one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese opera, Kunqu. Next, we enjoy a boat ride on the Grand Canal or “Golden Waterway”. Suzhou embroidery is a perfect combination of embroidery techniques and art. At the Embroidery Research Institute, we see some pieces made from silk thread. It’s our final evening, so we visit the Garden of the Masters of Nets for a musical Pingtan performance. Day Fifteen | Suzhou - Shanghai - London This morning, we bid a fond farewell to the east and head back west to the UK on a flight home to London.
Day Eight | Xi’an A private visit to the Xi’an Antiques Research and Protection Institute under the guidance of an expert is ours. The jewel in Xi’an’s crown is next – the 2,200-yearold Terracotta Army. We view the ranks and other elements of the monumental tomb complex. Later, we learn to reproduce the warriors as pottery art.
Tour Host: Francis Yang Join Francis in China on our October 2020 departure.
Day Nine | Xi’an - Huangshan We fly to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), a range of over 70 jagged peaks in the Anhui province. After checking in to our hotel, there is free time before dinner. Day Ten | Huangshan After breakfast, we transfer to Mukeng Village and trek around the bamboo forest, known for being the location of scenes from the Oscar-winning movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. We visit Xidi, declared part of the “Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui” World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000 before heading to Tunxi. This afternoon, we have an ink brush lesson with a master, followed by a calligraphy class. Our day ends with on Tunxi Old Street. Day Eleven | Huangshan A full day exploring Mount Huangshan awaits. We take the Yungu cable car up to the mountain, where we visit the Begin-to-Believe Peak, hike in the Beihai scenic
Tour Host: Amy Lee Join Amy in China on our May 2021 departure.
Tour Host: Ariel Cao Joing Ariel in China on our September 2021 departure.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
12th - 27th Oct 2020
£4,295
£575
10th - 25th May 2021
£4,495
£615
8th - 23rd Sep 2021
£4,495
£615
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London, two internal flights & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at Novotel Xinqiao in Beijing, Tibet Hotel in Chengdu, Grand Noble Hotel in Xi’an, Huashan Huiyan Hotel in Huangshan, Equatorial Hotel in Shanghai, & the Pan Pacific Hotel in Suzhou • 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, and entries to all sites & museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/chn Images left to right: Temple of Heaven in Beijing & panda bears in Chengdu
01772 650 051 151
Cultural Journeys
Day Three | Beijing Today we take part in a tai chi lesson with a master at the Temple of Heaven. Later, we travel by rickshaw to the Hutong Museum and then we visit the house of a local family. Here, we find out about their way of life. We visit the Sanyuanli Market and then tonight we get to witness a truly spectacular kung fu show.
area, visit the Flower Grown out of a Writing Brush Rock, and the Lion Peak. A cable car will bring us back down the mountain later on.
San José Patron Day - a religious day which you can experience during our March 2021 tour
COSTA RICA
Parks teeming with wildlife and biodiversity, and an award-winning guide 11 Days
From £4,750pp
Departing July 2020 - March 2021
Activity Level
From the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, this country is a destination that Mother Nature can be proud of. In addition to its national parks, which are filled with flora, fauna and rich biodiversity, Costa Rica is also known for being a peace-loving nation of warm-hearted people. Join us here for an unforgettable adventure and a walk on the wilder side. Santa Rosa National Park
Tour Highlights • Visit one of the world’s five Blue Zones to learn how the Nicoyan people follow practices that appear to unlock the secrets to longevity • Explore Tortuguero National Park – best discovered via its network of canals – and the incredible Arenal Volcano National Park • Engage with the spirited Costa Ricans (Ticos) through visits to markets and encounters with locals in thriving communities, as well as during activities • Embark upon a circular expedition from the Central Valley to Tortuguero on the Caribbean Coast, and from La Fortuna to the Gulf of Papagayo and back
152 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Playa Panama
Arenal
Tortuguero La Fortuna
San José
Day One | London - San José Upon arrival in San José, Costa Rica’s capital, we meet our Tour Host and transfer to our hotel. Here, we will be briefed about tomorrow’s exciting plans.
Day Three | San José - Tortuguero The first visit today is to Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. Our drive takes us across the Braulio Carrillo National Park, a scenic journey that sees us pass by large banana plantations. We switch to travelling by boat and journey down La Suerte river as well as the local canals. There is ample time for wildlife spotting. After lunch at our lodge, we enjoy a visit to Tortuguero town, where we meet one of the descendants of its first two settlers, who arrived there back in the 1940s. Day Four | Tortuguero National Park An early start awaits as we have a forest awakening tour lined up. The park is one of the most important nesting sites of chelonia midas – the green sea turtle – and its forests and waterways are home to endangered mammals such as sloths, monkeys, agoutis, coatis, and manatees. It also boasts abundant bird species. Back at the Laguna Lodge a walk through the hotel gardens is followed by an introduction to and tasting of some Caribbean snacks unique to the province. Day Five | Tortuguero - La Fortuna This morning we head to the Northern Plains, where the Arenal Volcano is located, and the afternoon is spent at leisure.
Day Nine | Playa Panama We grab the chance to recharge our batteries today. Relax at the hotel and enjoy its watersports facilities or choose to join an optional whale and dolphin expedition. Day Ten | Playa Panama - Central Valley Before our adventure ends, we visit the Chorotega Pottery Workshop for a demonstration and a chance to try this craft ourselves. Next, we visit a Blue Zone. There are only five in the world, with the others being located in Italy, Japan, California, and Greece. People who have lived beyond the average life span are concentrated in these areas because of resources and the communal way of life. The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica holds the record for the lowest rates of middle-age mortality, and it has the second highest concentration of men who are over the age of 100. Here, we meet with an elder from the community. A quick stop in Puntarenas for a “Churchill” (a blend of ice, fruit, milk, and sugar) ends our day on a sweet note. Day Eleven | San José - London We say our goodbyes and depart on a flight to London.
Day Six | Arenal Located in the northern part of the Alajuela province, near the Nicaraguan border, the Arenal region boasts varied scenery. The Arenal National Park has incredible hiking, panoramic views, abundant wildlife, lush vegetation, and the country’s most active volcano. After exploring some of the park trails, our afternoon is free to relax. Why not explore the town or choose from an activity? Day Seven | La Fortuna - Playa Panama A scenic drive transfers us from the San Carlos Plains towards the North Pacific Coast. En route, we visit Liberia City with a chance to see the local market. Lunch is at Posada Real Café, where we will be met by the owners who explain the history behind the unique style of the house and the food we enjoy. After, we visit the Hidden Garden Art Gallery and then it’s on to our hotel. There is an optional visit this afternoon to CEPIA in the town of Huacas, a Costa Rican nationally accredited non-profit organisation that aims to promote culture, health, sports, and education for families from poor backgrounds in Guanacaste.
Tour Host: Kattia Valverde Join Kattia in Costa Rica 4th July 2020 & 11th December 2020.
Tour Host: Johnny Villalobos Join Johnny in Costa Rica 10th March 2021.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
4th - 14th Jul 2020
£4,750
£955
11th - 21st Dec 2020
£4,750
£955
10th - 20th Mar 2021
£5,195
£1,075
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at the Bougainvillea Hotel, Laguna Lodge, the Arenal Manoa Hotel, & the El Mangroove Hotel • 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, and entries to all sites & museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/csr Images left to right: Arenal Volcano & Tortuguero National Park
01772 650 051 153
Cultural Journeys
Day Two | San José Considered to be both a traditional Central American city and a cosmopolitan urban centre, we learn more about San José during our orientation. On foot, we see the National Theatre, Metropolitan Cathedral and Central Park, and we visit the Central Market for a quick browse. We also visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, home to a collection that boasts 1,600 pieces of gold work dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD. Meeting one of the museum’s curators, we learn some behind-the-scenes facts about this collection. Travelling on to the community of San Isidro de Heredia, at Sibú we’ll enjoy a historic and delicious experience of one of the world’s favourite foods – chocolate. We sample fresh cacao fruit and roasted cocoa beans. We then try an indigenous hot chocolate recipe from the 1500s before savouring dark chocolate and classic European-style bonbons.
Day Eight | Santa Rosa National Park Our first visit is to the UNESCO-listed Santa Rosa National Park, home to the largest remaining section of tropical dry forest in Central America, whose beaches are the preferred nesting site for sea turtles. Including a natural history walk on the Indio Desnudo Trail, our visit features La Cason Historic Museum and the Monument to Heroes. After lunch, it’s time for some light refreshments at the Maderos Brewery, where a talk from the master brewer and a tasting await us.
Champion’s Parade - an event to celebrate the Rio Carnival Parades which you can experience during our February 2021 tour
BRAZIL
Endless attractions in one enchanting and surprising country 14 Days
From £4,995pp
Departing August 2020 - February 2021
Activity Level
A vast South American country, Brazil’s attractions are endless. Whitesand beaches, lush rainforests and dramatic waterfalls with small colonial towns that contrast with large cities full of energy and rhythm. Stand before the powerful Iguazu Falls, gaze upon one of the New7Wonders of the World and take part in a cookery class. Let Brazil astound you.
Salvador
Tour Highlights • Visit UNESCO-listed sites that include Christ the Redeemer and the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls • Enjoy the world-renowned beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema • Savour cahaça and caipirinha tastings, learn to cook the dish moqueca, take a samba class, and be introduced to the Brazilian martial art of capoeira • Discover Tijuca National Park, considered to be the largest urban forest in the world and which boasts an incredibly rich biodiversity
154 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Rio de Janeiro
Iguazu Falls
Day One & Two | London - Rio de Janeiro After an overnight flight, we arrive in Rio, where we’ll be met by our Tour Host. We then transfer to our hotel where we can take the rest of the day to relax before our first group dinner in this vibrant city.
Day Four | Rio de Janeiro This morning we enjoy a cookery class, where we learn to make a traditional dish of the Bahian and African culinary heritage called moqueca. Next, it’s on to a different tradition – carnival. The one in Rio is well-known and the biggest in the world, so this afternoon we enjoy a hands-on carnival experience at a samba school, where we gain an understanding of the dance’s history and music, and we learn how the parades became a trademark of Rio itself. The February 2021 tour includes tickets to the Champion’s Parade, which finishes in the early hours. Day Five | Rio de Janeiro After a morning relaxing on Copacabana beach, we head to the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, a peak at the mouth of Guanabara Bay. We travel to the top of the mountain by cable car, the perfect place for a breathtaking 360-degree view of Rio. Descending down, we stop at Morro da Urca for a refreshing cocktail as we watch the sun setting and the city preparing itself for another night of fun. Day Six | Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro is one of the most important cultural and economic cities in Brazil. On an orientation tour, we visit downtown Rio, the Olympic Boulevard and the port area, while gaining an insight into the city’s history and architectural influences. We also visit the Rio Art Museum and the Museum of Tomorrow. Lunch today is at the Confeitaria Colombo – a living portrait of the Belle Époque. Day Seven | Rio de Janeiro - Iguazu Falls It’s time to leave Rio behind and fly to Iguazu Falls. After settling in to our hotel, we visit the Bird Park, which is situated in four hectares of native sub-tropical forest and home to over 500 birds, both indigenous and from other continents.
Day Ten | Iguazu Falls - Salvador Our adventure continues as we fly onwards to Salvador. After a traditional “Senhor do Bonfim” welcome at the airport, we will allow for some time to relax at our hotel before meeting up again for dinner later this evening. Day Eleven | Salvador As we explore Salvador this morning, we’ll encounter Portuguese colonial architecture and Afro-Brazilian culture as reflected in the city’s historical buildings, museums and in some of its many churches. We learn about the Brazilian martial art called capoeira, which incorporates several elements of the African culture – fighting, acrobatics and dance – and we can have a go ourselves. After lunch, we browse the stalls at the Mercado Modelo, a handicrafts market in the old Customs House. We have a chance to mix with the locals, who are open to a spot of bartering! Before dinner, we enjoy a Brazilian show that features traditional dances through the ages. Day Twelve | Salvador Our journey takes us to Praia do Forte, a haven that preserves the nesting grounds of sea turtles, protected by a barrier reef. The TAMAR Project here is an ecomuseum, allowing guests to observe sea turtles and sharks in outdoor tanks. Before returning to Salvador, we visit the local village. A farwell meal follows. Days Thirteen & Fourteen | Salvador - London The morning is spent at leisure and then we reconvene at a restaurant for a late lunch. Later, at the airport, we catch an overnight flight back home to London.
Tour Host: Marcella Granatiere
Day Eight | Iguazu Falls Following a trail through the lush vegetation of the Atlantic Forest, we arrive at the 240-plus falls that form the horseshoe-shaped Iguazu Falls. A glass elevator moves us slowly up the cliff-face for an exquisite view from the upper deck. By Jeep, we are taken to the Macuco Trail in the Iguazu National Park. Different species of sub-tropical plants are in abundance here and we may even spot endemic wildlife. After, we have a short trek on foot and jump on board a twinengine boat to cruise into the Iguazu Canyon, arriving at the waterfalls’ base. Day Nine | Iguazu Falls The Tancredo Neves bridge takes us over the border to Argentina. After a scenic drive to the Argentine Iguazu Park, we visit the falls and then, by train and on foot, we come to the famous devil’s throat. Itaipu Dam, which we visit afterwards, may be controversial, but is without question a true engineering
Born in Rio, she has led many groups around Brazil. For over 20 years, her role has enabled her to share her passion for the country.
Tour Host: Heidi Immerman Born in South Africa, she has lived in Brazil for 30 years. Her insight into local culture, music and food ensure her tours are memorable.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
12th - 25th Aug 2020
£4,995
£745
14th - 27th Oct 2020
£4,995
£745
17th Feb - 2nd Mar 2021
£5,695
£745
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at Arena Copacabana Hotel, the Recanto Park Hotel, & the Wish Hotel da Bahia • 11 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 9 dinners • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, and entries to all sites and museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/brz Images left to right: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain
01772 650 051 155
Cultural Journeys
Day Three | Rio de Janeiro We start our day in a convertible Jeep, heading towards Corcovado. Passing by lush vegetation, birdlife and maybe even some sloths, we arrive at the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the New7Wonders of the World. We continue on our journey, entering the Tijuca National Park, which is considered to be the largest urban forest in the world. Lunch and a visit to the bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, which is full of artists, is followed by a cachaça tasting.
feat. This evening’s barbecue dinner is followed by a Latin music show, where we have a chance to try out the fantastic samba techniques from earlier in the tour.
PERU
An abundance of cultural, natural and historical treasures 11 Days
From £4,895pp
Departing June 2020 - May 2021
Activity Level
The diversity of Peru’s landscape offers the intrepid traveller an incredible range of scenery. Visit the Inkaterra Spectacled Bear Project, take a boat across Lake Titicaca to the astonishing Uros floating islands and follow in the Incas’ footsteps during a visit to Ollantaytambo. Memorable experiences await, in addition to encounters with locals, on this tour. Tour Highlights • Enjoy a rare chance to meet the real-life Paddington at the Inkaterra Spectacled Bear Project in “deepest, darkest Peru” • Learn the traditional process of tea-making, see an authentic Peruvian weaving demonstration and barter with sellers at Cusco’s bustling market
Lima
Machu Picchu
Sacred Valey Cusco
• Travel from Lima to Puno, taking in the best of southern Peru, from the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu, to places that include Lake Titicaca, Cusco and Ollantaytambo – several of which are UNESCO-listed • Discover centuries-old colonial architecture, art and cultures on this tour
156 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Puno
Day One | London - Lima Arriving into Lima from London, we enjoy dinner with our Tour Host before heading to our rooms for the night. There’s a full day of touring ahead tomorrow.
Day Four | Sacred Valley This morning, we cross the Urubamba River to the Salt Pans of Maras, which have been in use since the Inca times. Next, it’s on to the archaeological site of Moray. The site’s extraordinary circular terrace system descends 490 feet from where we stand, serving as a perfect testament to the level of advancement achieved by the Incas. After a gourmet picnic here, we visit a “Chichería” and learn about village life over a locally produced corn beer. Day Five | Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu Our explorations begin at Ollantaytambo, which was once fiercely guarded by a massive fortress. We discover the archaeological complex here with its walls and towers, which were used to protect the citadel from possible invasions. We then travel to Aguas Calientes and take the scenic train up to Machu Picchu. To celebrate our visit, we will have a special opportunity before dinner to observe an ancient ritual performed by a local shaman that honours the Andean gods. Day Six | Machu Picchu - Cusco This morning we travel to the Inkaterra Spectacled Bear Project. Once common throughout the Andes, the spectacled bear is now critically endangered. This project was designed to rescue bears that have been negatively affected by human impact and then reintroduces them back into their natural habitat. We also visit an organic tea (Camellia Sinensis) plantation and tea house to discover the traditional tea-making process. We get involved in the last part of this process, when the freshly picked leaves are pressed over wooden blocks and we seal our own teabags. For those who still have the energy, we have the opportunity to return to Machu Picchu before continuing to our hotel in Cusco. Day Seven | Cusco Our explorations of Cusco continue at the nearby Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an astounding sample of Inca military architecture. After, on our way back to the city, we stop off at San Pedro Market. The city’s main street market,
Day Eight | Cusco - Puno It’s an early start for us this morning as we make our way to Puno, our journey presenting us with beautiful views of the Andes as we go. En route, we make a stop at Andahuaylillas, a friendly town that is home to one of the most unique churches in the Andes, known as Peru’s Sistine Chapel and which features beautifully decorated murals and frescoes. Our next stop is Racchi, one of the most important constructions of the Inca Empire, known for its architecture. We have a chance to see vicuñas and llamas at La Raya Pass, some 14,222 feet above sea level, before stopping in Pucará, a town known as the place where the Toritos (little bulls) of Pucará are made. Day Nine | Puno Today we wake in Puno, on the shores of the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. We take a boat to the floating islands of Uros, where we can meet with their inhabitants, and then we cross the lake to Taquile Island, where old Quechua traditions thrive alongside modern life. We share lunch with locals at their homes before returning to Puno later this evening, where a final group dinner awaits us. Day Ten | Puno - Lima - London Today we fly from Puno to Lima and then onwards to London, arriving home on Day Eleven.
Tour Host: Karim Ruiz Rosell A specialist in Pre-Columbian art, archaeology and history, Karim is an experienced tour guide and often leads groups around Peru.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
21st Jun - 1st Jul 2020
£4,895
£750
23rd Sep - 3rd Oct 2020
£4,895
£750
26th May - 5th Jun 2021
£4,995
£750
Price Includes • A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at the Mercure Ariosto, Casa Andina Premium Valle, the Inkaterra Hotel, the Palacio del Inka, & the Casa Andina Premium Puno • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners, plus a light support in the hotel room on arrival day • Water with all meals, either two glasses of wine, two beers, or two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, & entries to all sites & museums • Gratuities for all waiters for included dinners, lunches & hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/per Images left to right: Sacred Valley of the Incas & the Salt Pans of Maras
01772 650 051 157
Cultural Journeys
Day Two | Lima Explore Lima on a tour through its historic centre, stopping at the artistic barrio of Barranco, the ancient site of Huaca Huallamarca and the Plaza de Armas. We also enjoy a cocktail at the famous Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that has been continually inhabited since the 16th century. After lunch, we head to the Pueblo Libre District and visit the Larco Museum, an 18th century Viceregal mansion that houses over 3,000 years of Peru’s pre-Columbian history. We are also lucky enough to be joined here by the curator of the museum. Day Three | Lima - Sacred Valley From Lima, we fly south to Cusco and make our way to the Sarapampa Hacienda. The Sumar family, who have owned the Hacienda for three generations, open the doors of their home to us and share their passion for farming Cusco’s giant white corn, a unique species that only grows in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After lunch, we visit Chinchero village, famous for the quality of its textiles. We walk through its alleyways and visit the weavers’ workshop of Nilda Callañaupa.
this visit will give us an opportunity to engage with local sellers and get to know the products of Cusco. Next, we discover one of the most impressive buildings of Incan Cusco – the Qoricancha (the Golden Temple), whose interior walls were said to have been covered in gold. In the afternoon we visit San Blas, a quaint neighbourhood home to renowned artists. Stroll along its cobblestone alleys as we head towards its church, which features a beautiful pulpit carved from a single block of wood. Our day finishes in style with a refreshing pisco sour tasting.
GREENLAND & ICELAND
Mystical landscapes in the land of fire and ice 12 Days Activity Level
From £8,195pp
Departing 11th - 22nd September 2020
Iceland has become a popular destination in recent years, but few people ever make it to Greenland in spite of the lure of its natural wonders. With special cookery demonstrations, time to soak in geothermal hot springs and perhaps the most otherworldly landscapes on offer, you won’t just find your typical tourist highlights on this exciting multi-centre itinerary. Tour Highlights • Bathe in natural hot springs and geothermal pools among volcanic scenery • Learn about traditional ways of life from local people living in incredibly isolated locations, and sample food and drink unique to both countries • Grasp your chance to hunt the elusive northern lights • Travel further and explore deeper on a wide-ranging trip that includes stops in Reykjavik, Ilulissat, the Eqi glacier, Haukadalur, Eyjafjallajökyull, and Þingvellir National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
158 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Day One | London - Iceland Today we fly from London to Iceland, where we meet our Tour Host. From here, we drive through the volcanic landscape on the way to our hotel in Reykjavík.
Day Three | Eqi, Oqaatsut & Rodebay We set off early this morning for a full-day boat trip to Eqi. We get close to the edge of the glacier by boat and we may see the calving process as icebergs break away. This area is excellent for spotting whales and hopefully they will put in an appearance. Afterwards, we continue on to the small settlement of Rodebay, an entirely different world compared to the relative ‘metropolis’ of Ilulissat. We take a walk around and then dine at the old trading station. Day Four | Sermermiut Today we travel by coach to the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2004. Various Inuit cultures have lived here over the past 4,000 years and remains from ancient times can still be seen. In the afternoon, we accept an invitation from a local family for coffee and cake. Here, the latest gossip is shared, we can see the national costume and we will learn about life so very isolated from the rest of the world. Day Five | Greenland - Iceland Free time awaits this morning for one last chance to explore Ilulissat before we return to Iceland. If we have time this evening, we hope to see a performance at the Harpa Theatre, which is an architectural marvel in its own right. Day Six | Reykjavík We have a full day to explore Reykjavík. We learn about life in the city from the very beginning of settlement in Iceland to the present day, and we visit Hallgrímskirkja church as well as the Nordic Cultural Centre and the National Museum. We also stop by the City Hall, which juts into the small lake of Tjörnin. Our final visit of the morning is to Búrið, a Cheese & Skyr School where we learn about Icelandic cheese and the unique dairy product skyr over lunch in its buttery. After lunch, we will pay a visit to one of the local swimming pools. Day Seven | Reykjadalur Bathing in a secret hot spring with no one else around is an amazing experience and one that we will take advantage of today. We travel by Jeep to the starting point in the south of Iceland and then hike through a beautiful landscape surrounded by hot springs. After the chance to bathe in the waters, our guide shows us how food is cooked using the geothermal energy. We cook ourselves a delicious lunch of hot spring-baked bread, which sits in the ground for 24 hours.
Day Nine | South Shore We travel through fields, farms and villages towards the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers in south Iceland. We visit Seljalandsfoss, a ribbon-like waterfall, which drops from an overhanging lava cliff. We also visit the tiny settlement of Skógar, home to one of Iceland’s best folk museums. At Vík í Mýrdal, the southernmost village in Iceland, we feel the heat from actual flowing lava in a safe environment during an Icelandic lava show. En route to our hotel, we stop at the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and a local craft market. Day Ten | Westman Islands A short ferry ride brings us to the Westman Islands, where we explore the town of Heimaey and this island by foot and bus alike. See bird cliffs, walk up a volcano crater and visit the “Pompeii of the North” – a volcanic excavation project. The Westman Islands are also ideal for bird-watching. Later, we visit the Aquarium & Natural History Museum, with its assortment of life forms that live in the surrounding ocean. Day Eleven | Þingvellir National Park We sail back to the mainland this morning and visit the Laugarvatnshellar caves, where the last cave people in Iceland lived – only a century ago. On the way back to Reykjavík, we visit Þingvellir National Park (anglicised as Thingvellir), which is UNESCO-listed. We stroll around the country’s most sacred site, home to the oldest existing national parliament in the world – the Alþingi. The Mid-Atlantic rift is clearly visible here – a rift that is forming as Iceland is being pulled apart by tectonic forces at the rate of 19mm per year. Day Twelve | Iceland - London Our tour has come to an end, so we drive back to Keflavik airport in the morning, enjoying our final glimpses of the volcanic landscape as we go. Later, we fly to London.
Day Eight | Friðheimar, Geysir & Gullfoss Our first stop today is at Friðheimar, a local horse farm and greenhouse. Here, we meet Icelandic horses, we see a display and then visit the stable, where we enjoy a hot drink and meet the riders and their steeds. We then have a cooking demonstration before sitting down to a lunch of tomato soup and fresh bread.
Tour Host: Eyrún Björnsdóttir A member of the Icelandic Search and Rescue Team and Wilderness First Responder, Eyrún has extensive experience guiding in Iceland.
Dates & prices per person Eqi
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
11th - 22nd Sep 2020
£8,195
£1,500
Price Includes
Þingvellir National Park Oqaatsut
Reykjavik Keflavik
Sermermiut
Geysir Friðheimar
Reykjadalur
Ilulissat
• A Tour Host throughout • Return flights from London to Iceland, Iceland to Greenland, & all other transport as detailed • Accommodation at the Hotel Arctic, the CenterHotel Midgardur, the Landhotel, and Hotel Vestmannaeyjar • 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 10 dinners • Water with all meals, two soft drinks & tea or coffee with included dinners • All activities, & entries to all sites & museums • Gratuities for hotel porters • All accommodation & transport taxes
Heimaey
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/gic Images left to right: Þingvellir National Park & colourful houses in Greenland
01772 650 051 159
Cultural Journeys
Day Two | Iceland - Greenland It’s back to the airport this morning for our flight to Ilulissat in Greenland. On arrival, a guided city walk teaches us about the interesting local history. We visit the old town and see buildings from the very start of the Danish trading station, the busy fishing harbour, the old church, and the museum. We also enjoy a sunset cruise to the famous Ilulissat Icefjord, the world’s largest ice sculpture park.
From Friðheimar, we drive to the geothermal area of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers known as Geysir and Strokkur. Most active nowadays is Strokkur, erupting every five or so minutes. We continue on to the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss.
New for 2020 – Introducing our range of river cruises Created in partnership with A-ROSA, this collection of river cruises aims to showcase the archaeological and historic gems up and down the Rhône, Rhine and Danube. Each cruise includes a selection of fully exclusive, private excursions that will be led by our very own expert guide lecturers. Uncover ancient ruins, discover architectural splendours and learn how these major European rivers functioned as both limits of empire and conduits of trade.
What’s included in a tour? Stay aboard an A-ROSA river cruise ship as per each individual itinerary The services of an expert Guide Lecturer throughout the river cruise Return flights from London All meals and specified drinks on board Archaeological excursions throughout, as stated in the itinerary All taxes and gratuities Transfers throughout as stated in the itinerary Air-conditioned cabins each with private bathrooms Live music entertainment aboard the cruise boat in the evenings Evening lectures from your expert Guide Lecturer
Contents
Cruising the Rhône | Archaeological Highlights......................................................... pg 161 Admire replica cave paintings at the incredible facsimile Cave of Chauvet II, wander around the amphitheatre at Arles and stop at the Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct. Cruising the Danube | Highlights & Archaeology...................................................... pg 162 Choose between the 6 or 8-day option and visit Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, the Benedictine Melk Abbey or Budapest’s stunning Buda Castle. The extended version features Vienna’s Natural History Museum, Buda’s Aquincum and Devin Castle. Cruising the Danube | Christmas Markets & Festivities......................................... pg 164 Soak up the festivities with a visit to Vienna’s Christmas markets, lose yourself in history at an 11th century abbey and explore the Cathedral of St. Stephen. Cruising the Rhine | Medieval Cathedrals & Castles at Christmas..................... pg 165 Tour magnificent buildings of religious significance on this tour, including Mainz’s Church of St. Stephan and Strasbourg’s Cathedral de Notre-Dame.
160 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Images left to right: The A-ROSA Aqua, dinner onboard, outside Nîmes amphitheatre & the Parliament of Budapest
River cruise
Activity Level
CRUISING THE RHÔNE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS Impressive rock art, Roman sites and ancient feats of engineering 6 Days
From £1,729pp
Departing 29th October - 3rd November 2020
Enjoy a relaxing, scenic cruise along France’s historic Rhône, from Lyon to Viviers and all the way down to Arles. On this cruise, we will discover the area’s rich past through visits to sites that range from an incredible Roman amphitheatre to ancient temples, and even a replica museum that showcases breathtaking examples of cave paintings that are 36,000 years old. Tour Highlights • Visit the facsimile Cave of Chauvet II in Ardèche, which has recreated 32,000-year-old paintings that were discovered back in 1994
Lyon Vienne
• Spend time in historic Arles, where we pay a visit to its amphitheatre, theatre and the Roman necropolis of Alyscamps
Ardèche
• Gaze upon the magnificent Pont du Gard, the tallest-surviving Roman aqueduct, which carried water over a distance of 30 miles to Nîmes Day One | London - Lyon We fly to Lyon and have free time at leisure before the A-ROSA Stella starts its journey along the Rhône. Day Two | Viviers - Arles After a relaxing morning spent at leisure, we travel from Viviers to Ardèche. Later on, we return to Viviers and sail onward to Arles. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Visit the facsimile Cave of Chauvet II in Ardèche, home to recreations of 32,000-year-old rock art.
Day Three | Arles - Avignon This morning we awake in Arles and set out for a walk around this historically rich city. After, it’s onward to Nîmes before rejoining our ship in Avignon later today. Exclusive Andante Excursion: In Arles, we visit the theatre, necropolis of Alyscamps and amphitheatre. In Nîmes, we see the Maison Carrée temple and then the Pont du Gard.
Viviers
Day Four | Avignon - Vienne Our morning is spent in Avignon, an imposing historic city that was home to several Catholic popes. Lunch is on the ship and we cruise to Vienne. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Visit the monumental Papal Palace, seat of the Avignon Popes during the so-called ‘Babylon Captivity’ of the papacy from 1309-76.
Nîmes
Guided by Dr Eireann Marshall Wanderlust’s Top History & Culture Guide of 2019, Eireann’s archaeological expertise makes her a perfect guide for this river cruise.
Dates & prices per person
Day Five | Vienne - Lyon Today we enjoy time in Vienne and then we proceed to Lyon, where we rejoin the A-ROSA Stella for our final night on board this charming ship. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Vienne sees us visit the Roman theatre and the Temple of Augustus and his wife, Livia. We visit the Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourviere, where artefacts that reveal the area’s past are on display, and we also visit the Roman theatre.
Day Six | Lyon - London After breakfast on board, we transfer to Lyon airport and fly to London.
Image: The Papal Palace and the Pont St Bénézet in Avignon
Avignon Arles
Cabin
From
SS
Twin/double A cabin (deck 1)
£1,729
Min 2 pers
Twin/double outside A cabin (deck 1)
£1,829
£149
Twin/double outside C with Juliette balcony cabin (deck 2)
£1,949
£169
Twin/double outside D cabin with Juliette balcony (deck 3)
£1,999
£179
Price Includes • • • •
5 nights aboard the A-ROSA Stella Expert Guide Lecturer Dr Eireann Marshall throughout All meals & specified drinks on board included Archaeological excursions throughout, as stated in the itinerary • Return flights from London to Lyon • All taxes & gratuities • Transfers throughout, as stated in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rrh 01772 650 051 161
CRUISING THE DANUBE: HIGHLIGHTS & ARCHAEOLOGY Master artworks, architecturally rich castles and historic religious sites 6 or 8 Days
From £1,729pp
Departing October & August 2020
Activity Level
Be enchanted by the winding route of the Danube by way of its grand historic cities with stories to tell. From Upper Austria’s Engelhartzsell to vibrant Budapest, discover an opulent palace that houses master artworks, pore over artefacts at a museum whose collection includes a 22,000-year-old iconic figurine and visit stunning ancient castles. Tour Highlights • Stand before Gustav Klimt’s famous work of art The Kiss at the Schloss Belvedere in Austria’s vibrant capital of Vienna • Pay a visit to the 11th century Benedictine Abbey of Melk
Engelhartszell Vienna Munich
Melk
• Gaze upon the 22,000-year-old Venus of Moravany, an artefact housed within the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava (6-day tour only)
Budapest
• Explore the ancient site of Aquincum, where Marcus Aurelius wrote part of his Meditations, and see its amphitheatre and museum (8-day tour only)
162 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Bratislava
Image: Hofburg Palace in Vienna
Six Day Itinerary
Eight Day Itinerary
Day One | London - Munich We fly to Munich and, upon arrival, we transfer to Engelhartzsell. Here, we join our ship – the A-ROSA Donna.
Day One | London - Munich We fly to Munich and, upon arrival, we transfer to Engelhartzsell. Here, we join our ship – the A-ROSA Donna.
Day Two | Vienna Our cruising brings us to Vienna, the city of music and Habsburg splendour. After an early lunch, we disembark for a city tour.
Day Two | Vienna After lunch in Vienna, we begin our visits for the day.
Day Three | Budapest We cruise into Budapest and leave our ship for a day of discovery. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today we visit Buda Castle, once the palace complex of the Hungarian kings and today home to Budapest History Museum. Free time will follow, so why not explore the Varnegyed or climb the terrace of the Fisherman’s Bastion?
Day Four | Bratislava After an early lunch, we disembark the A-ROSA Donna to explore the myriad delights of Bratislava. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Here, we visit Bratislava Castle, the symbol of this capital. From here, we visit the Slovak National Museum, home to the 22,000-year-old Venus of Moravany. Next, there is time to explore the area at our leisure.
Day Five | Krems - Melk We disembark in Krems for a tour and rejoin our ship later in Melk. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today we discover the UNESCOlisted Benedictine Abbey of Melk, which was founded in the 11th century and is known for its scriptorium.
Day Six | Munich - London Today we transfer to Munich and catch our return flight back home.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Our first visit of the trip is to the city’s Natural History Museum, made famous by the 30,000 BCE Venus of Willendorf figurine. After, we explore the magnificent Hofburg Palace, which was first built back in the 13th century.
Day Three | Vienna Still in Vienna, more cultural and archaeological discoveries await us. Exclusive Andante Excursion: We travel to the impressive Roman remains of Carnuntum today, the ancient capital of Pannoia Superior. Here, we see the amphitheatre and Heidentor. Later, at the Schloss Belvedere, we admire Klimt’s famous work, The Kiss.
Day Four | Budapest After a stop in Esztergom, we arrive in Budapest and disembark for a few hours of exploration. Exclusive Andante Excursion: First up today is Aquincum, the capital of Pannonia Inferior, in which Marcus Aurelius wrote part of his Meditations. At this site, we visit the amphitheatre and museum. We also go to Florian Square to see the Thermae Maiores.
Day Five | Budapest A second day exploring Budapest’s delights on land is ours. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today we pay a visit to Buda Castle, which is now home to the National Gallery and Budapest History Museum. Later on, we can explore independently with free time.
Day Six | Bratislava The many wonders of Slovakia’s capital await us today. Exclusive Andante Excursion: We start out at Devin Castle, an impressive fortification whose history reaches back to the Neolithic period. Free time in this city will follow later on.
Day Seven | Melk After cruising down the scenic Wachau Valley, we disembark in Melk. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today we visit the amazing Benedictine Abbey of Melk, founded in the 11th century.
Day Eight | Munich - London Today we transfer to Munich and catch our return flights home. Guided by Esther Unterweger
Guided by Matthias Greben
With an MA in Provincial Archaeology at Karl-Franzens University, Esther has an interest in 19th century art and is an art history expert.
A Master of Archaeology, Matthias is close to submitting his PhD dissertation. He has excavated widely in Europe at various sites.
Price Includes: 6-day tour
Price Includes: 8-day tour
• • • • • • •
• 7 nights aboard the A-ROSA Donna • Expert Guide Lecturer Matthias Greben in August and Esther Unterweger in October • All meals & specified drinks on board included • Archaeological excursions throughout, as stated in the itinerary • Return flights from London to Munich • All taxes & gratuities • Transfers throughout, as stated in the itinerary
5 nights aboard the A-ROSA Donna Expert Guide Lecturer Esther Unterweger throughout the tour All meals & specified drinks on board included Archaeological excursions throughout, as stated in the itinerary Return flights from London to Munich All taxes & gratuities Transfers throughout, as stated in the itinerary
Dates & prices per person
Dates & prices per person
Tour
Cabin
From
SS
Tour
Cabin
From
SS
25th Oct 2020 (6-day)
Twin/double outside S cabin (deck 1)
£1,729
Min 2 pers.
30th Aug & 18th Oct 2020 (8-day)
Twin/double outside S cabin (deck 1)
Aug £2,499 Oct £2,209
Min 2 pers.
25th Oct 2020 (6-day)
Twin/double outside A cabin (deck 1)
£1,849
£155
Twin/double outside A cabin (deck 1)
Aug £2,659 Oct £2,379
Aug £335 Oct £215
25th Oct 2020 (6-day)
Twin/double outside C cabin with Juliette balcony (deck2)
30th Aug & 18th Oct 2020 (8-day)
£1,969
£180 30th Aug & 18th Oct 2020 (8-day)
Twin/double outside C cabin with Juliette balcony (deck 2)
Aug £2,949 Oct £2,659
Aug £399 Oct £270
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rdh
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rda
01772 650 051 163
River cruise
Exclusive Andante Excursion: In Vienna, we visit the Hofburg Palace, first built in the 13th century and expanded numerous times since. Next, we discover the Schloss Belvedere, where we admire Klimt’s The Kiss, among other impressive works of art.
Activity Level
CRUISING THE DANUBE Christmas Markets & Festivities 5 Days
From £1,629pp
Departing 23rd - 27th December 2020
Enjoy the season’s festivities with a visit to Vienna’s charming Christmas markets, get lost in stories of the past at a spellbinding 11th century Benedictine Abbey and gaze upon dazzling scenery. Travel along the glorious Danube and enjoy its historic, architectural and religious highlights – there is much to explore here. Tour Highlights • Cruise through the evocative Wachau Valley with its picturesque landscapes Engelhartszell
• Visit the 11th century abbey of Melk, famous for its scriptorium • Spend Christmas Day in Vienna and explore its charming markets
Munich
Day One | London - Munich Today we fly to Munich and travel on to Engelhartzsell, where we join our ship – the A-ROSA Donna. Day Two | Dürnstein - Vienna Cruise from Engelhartzsell and arrive at Dürnstein this morning. After breakfast, we disembark for our first excursion of the tour. Later, back on board, we pass through the Wachau Valley, which offers some of the Danube’s most scenic views, and then we arrive in Vienna later tonight – just in time for a Christmas market visit. Exclusive Andante Excursion: We make the most of our first full day with a visit to Dürnstein Abbey, an 18th century Baroque jewel on the banks of the Danube.
Day Three | Vienna It’s Christmas Day and we celebrate it in Vienna. We end with a festive dinner on board the ship, during which we continue to cruise to Melk. Exclusive Andante Excursion: The festivities begin at the Christmas market in front of the Schönbrunn Palace. After Christmas lunch, we visit the Cathedral of St. Stephen.
Day Four | Melk We disembark in Melk, where we enjoy a morning visit. Later, we rejoin our ship in the same area and cruise on to one of the Danube’s most scenic parts. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Tour the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, which was founded in the 11th century and is a UNESCO-listed site. It is home to the famous Neustaedter Altar. Day Five | Munich - London This morning, we arrive into Engelhartzsell and transfer to Munich, where we catch our flights back home.
Dürnstein Melk
Vienna
Guided by Matthias Grebien A Master of Archaeology and close to submitting his PhD, Matthias has excavated extensively at sites throughout Europe.
Dates & prices per person Cabin
From
SS
Twin/double outside S cabin (deck 1)
£1,629
Min 2 pers.
Twin/double outside A cabin (deck 1)
£1,729
£125
Twin/double outside C cabin with Juliette balcony (deck 2)
£1,839
£145
Price Includes • • • •
4 nights aboard the A-ROSA Donna Expert Guide Lecturer Matthias Grebien throughout All meals & specified drinks on board included Archaeological excursions throughout, as stated in the itinerary • Return flights from London to Munich • All taxes & gratuities • Transfers throughout, as stated in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rdx 164 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Image: Dürnstein in the Wachau Valley, Austria & Cathedral of St Stephen in Vienna, Austria
River cruise
Activity Level
CRUISING THE RHINE Medieval Cathedrals at Christmas 5 Days
From £1,649pp
Departing 23rd - 27th December 2020
What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a glorious river cruise along Germany’s scenic Rhine? Explore magnificent buildings of religious significance, gaze upon stunning examples of architecture and watch as history comes alive on this trip. What’s more, this cruise offers the chance to celebrate Christmas in the city of Strasbourg with festivities and food. Tour Highlights • Soak up the festive atmosphere of Strasbourg on Christmas day with guided tours of the historic sites, a Christmas lunch and a city walking tour
Cologne Koblenz
• Admire the Chagall stained glass windows of Mainz’s Church of St. Stephan
Mainz
• Pay a visit to the incredible Cathedral of St. Peter in Cologne, which is the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe as well as a revered UNESCO Site
Strasbourg
Day One | London - Cologne We arrive in Cologne and join the A-ROSA Aqua, which departs in the early evening for the city of Mainz. Day Two | Mainz Late this morning we arrive in Mainz and disembark. We have lunch back on board the ship and then begin our overnight cruise to Strasbourg. Tonight, we enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner on board our ship. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Upon arrival in Mainz, we visit the Church of St. Stephan, a late medieval Gothic church known for its fabulous Chagall stained glass windows.
Day Three | Strasbourg It’s Christmas Day and we spend it in Strasbourg. After a leisurely breakfast, we start our day’s touring. We return to the ship later for an overnight cruise on to Koblenz Exclusive Andante Excursion: Explore Strasbourg at this special time of year. Visit the Cathedral de Notre-Dame, enjoy a Christmas lunch and explore the La Petite France area. Image: Scenic view of Strasbourg, France
Day Four | Koblenz - Cologne Cruise through the Middle Rhine Valley to Koblenz, arriving late in the afternoon. Excursions follow and we return to the ship for dinner and onward cruising back to Cologne. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Koblenz’s streets bring us to the Basilica of St. Castor, its oldestsurviving church. Free time follows later and there is much to discover.
Guided by Dr Jamie Sewell With over 15 years of experience supervising excavations at European sites, Jamie is an archaeology expert and a worthy tour guide.
Dates & prices per person
Day Five | Cologne - London This morning we awake in Cologne and enjoy our final excursion of the trip. After, we transfer to the airport and make our way back home. Exclusive Andante Excursion: Our final excursion is to the Cathedral of St. Peter, a UNESCO-listed site and the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It is Germany’s most visited.
Cabin
From
SS
Twin/double outside S cabin (deck 1)
£1,649
Min 2 pers.
Twin/double outside A cabin (deck 1)
£1,789
£160
Twin/double outside C cabin with Juliette balcony (deck 2)
£1,929
£185
Twin/double outside D cabin with Juliette balcony (deck 3)
£1,969
£195
Price Includes • • • •
4 nights aboard the A-ROSA Aqua Expert Guide Lecturer Dr Jamie Sewell throughout All meals & specified drinks on board included Archaeological excursions throughout, as stated in the itinerary • Return flights from London to Cologne • All taxes & gratuities • Transfers throughout, as stated in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/rrx 01772 650 051 165
New for 2020 – introducing our range of ocean cruises A wonderful way to enjoy the ancient world, why not treat yourself to an ocean cruise? Cruise the Mediterranean aboard a small ship, a type of vessel that offers the traveller more as it can berth in smaller, more characterful ports of call than the mega-ships. M/S Princess Aloha and M/S Equator both explore the richly historic and scenic Dalmatian Coast and islands, while the M/S Panorama circumnavigates the Peloponnese from Athens, making stops at sites such as Olympia and Delphi. John Shepherd, an Andante expert guide lecturer, will lead the Dalmatian cruises, while a local archaeology specialist will lead the Classical Highlights of Greece cruise.
What’s included in a tour? International flights and ship transfers Most meals on board: half-board plus (breakfasts, lunches and two dinners) on the Croatia cruises and full board on the Greece cruise (breakfast, lunch and dinners each day of the cruise) Excursions as specified in each individual itinerary Accompanying guide lecturer or local expert, both specialists in archaeology The services of a cruise director throughout 2-night 4* stay in Athens before the Greece cruise, with an included Acropolis excursion and evening meal Tea, coffee and bottled water WiFi (Croatia cruises only) Port and city taxes
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
For more information about our tours visit: andantetravels.com or call a member of our team today: 01772 650 051 166 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Images left to right: Small Croatian island, onboard the M/S Galileo, ruins at Delphi, onboard the M/S Princess Aloha
TE
TE
AN ND
A TO IVE
US CL EX
AN ND
A TO IVE
US CL EX
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF DALMATIA
Just six years old, M/S Princess Aloha belongs to the middle of three categories within the ATLAS fleet, and we would characterise the quality as equivalent to a good 3* hotel. With just 18 cabins across two accommodation decks (main and lower), M/S Princess Aloha is exclusive to Andante Travels on its 3rd May, 2020 Dubrovnik-Dubrovnik round-trip sailing. Comfortable air-conditioned cabins feature private bathrooms, with portholes (lower deck) or windows (main deck) and flatscreen TVs. The communal-seating restaurant serves up buffet breakfasts, four-course lunches and two dinners (welcome dinner and captain’s dinner). Other dinners are independent, but there are always good choices of dining venues within walking distance of where the ship is berthed. The sun deck is the perfect place to relax with a drink and soak up some spring rays. WiFi is free on board.
Built in 2017, this new vessel is one of the finest flagships of the ATLAS fleet, and we would characterise the quality as equivalent to a good 4* hotel. With just 18 cabins across two accommodation decks (Main and Lower), M/S Equator is exclusive to Andante Travels on its 17 October 2020 Dubrovnik - Split sailing. Elegantly furnished cabins are all outside-facing, with portholes (lower deck) or windows (main deck), and all come with private bathrooms, air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs as standard. The salon restaurant serves up delicious buffet breakfasts, 4-course lunches and two dinners (Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Dinner). Other dinners are independent, but there are always good choices of dining venues within walking distance of where the ship is berthed. The sun deck features sunbeds and a jacuzzi. Wi-Fi is free onboard.
Search ATLAS + Princess Aloha on YouTube for a short video of this vessel. For deck plans and further information visit andantetravels.com/princess-aloha For cruise details see page 168
Search ATLAS + Equator on YouTube for a short video of this vessel. For deck plans and further information visit andantetravels.com/equator For cruise details see page 170
Aboard the M/S Princess Aloha
Aboard the M/S Equator
CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF GREECE Aboard the M/S Panorama
The M/S Panorama is a 175-foot fully motorised yacht, but one which unfurls its sails at least once every voyage. We would characterise the quality as equivalent to a good 3* hotel. 24 cabins are situated across 3 decks with cabins on the upper and main decks featuring a window and on the lower deck the cabins have porthole windows. All cabins have air-conditioning, ensuite bathrooms with showers, flat screen TVs, hairdryers, mini-fridges and mini safes. The October 2020 cruise is full board, with all buffet meals served in the comfortable restaurant, surrounded by large windows providing beautiful views of the ports of call. During the day, life on board centres around the Lounge and Dining Room at the Main Deck as well as the Upper deck indoor and outdoor bar area and the sun deck. The M/S Panorama was last renovated in 2014.
For deck plans and further information,visit andantetravels.com/panorama For cruise details see page 172
Images left to right: M/S Princess Aloha, M/S Equator, M/S Panorama
01772 650 051 167
Ocean cruise
DALMATIAN ISLAND MEDLEY
DALMATIAN ISLAND MEDLEY Aboard M/S Princess Aloha 8 Days
From £1,795pp
3rd - 10th May 2020
Activity Level
This outstanding value for money round-trip cruise aboard the comfortable M/S Princess Aloha takes in every key highlight of the Dalmatian Coast and islands. The fascinating history of the region is brought to life by your accompanying Andante Travels Guide Lecturer – and there is so much to tell. Tour Highlights • Appreciate the natural beauty of Mljet National Park • Enjoy a walking tour of Korčula, reputedly the birthplace of legendary explorer Marco Polo • Visit the elegant 15th century Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik, home to the rulers of Ragus • Explore Stari Grad, one of Croatia’s oldest towns, with a history dating back to the ancient Greeks
168 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Split Brač
Omiš Pučišća
Hvar Korčula Mljet Dubrovnik
Day One | London – Dubrovnik We fly to Dubrovnik and transfer to the port to embark M/S Princess Aloha. Before our welcome dinner, our Guide Lecturer will give an overview of the Dalmatian Coast’s history as well as the tour itinerary for the upcoming week. Day Two | Korcula Early in the morning, we set sail for the island of Korčula, with a swimming stop en route (weather permitting). Korčula was reputedly the birthplace of legendary explorer Marco Polo, and in many ways its postcard-perfect old town, with its towers and turrets, narrow cobbled lanes and stone townhouses, seems little changed in the centuries since. A walking tour tells its story, and then there is time to make your own explorations. Day Three | Pucišca (Brac) The island of Brač has made a unique contribution to world culture over thousands of years – the white stone from its quarries has been used in the building of 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 about the skills involved in sculpting Brač stone. Back onboard M/S Princess Aloha, the Captain hosts drinks and a special dinner.
Day Seven | Dubrovnik M/S Princess Aloha returns to Dubrovnik this morning, and after lunch we take a tour of the city, jewel-like with its characteristic ruby red roofs encircled by whitegold walls. We visit the elegant 15th century Rector’s Palace, home to the rulers of Ragusa, as Dubrovnik was then known, along with the Franciscan Monastery and 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 here. Day Eight | Dubrovnik - London We disembark M/S Princess Aloha after breakfast and transfer from the port of Dubrovnik to the international airport for our flight home.
Day Five | Bol (Brac) - Stari Grad (Hvar) The Golden Horn, at the small town of Bol back on the island of Brač, is one of Croatia’s great beaches. We stop to relax and swim here before heading to Hvar, an island much loved by Europe’s fashionable jet-set, but also one which has a quiet side away from the summer resorts, in its fields of lavender and hilltop fortresses. We berth in Stari Grad, one of Croatia’s oldest towns, with a history dating back to the ancient Greeks, where you are free to choose from one of the excellent cafés and restaurants that line its harbour.
Guided by John Shepherd A specialist in the study of ancient glass, John has worked extensively in the field in Europe as an archaeologist.
Dates & prices per person Cabin
From
SS
Lower Deck
£1,795
£395
Upper Deck
£2,195
£495
For full information on cabin types, visit our website www.andantetravels.com/princess-aloha
Price Includes • International flights and transfers • ‘Half board plus’ cruise – 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners • All shore excursions as detailed in the itinerary • The services of an Andante Travels Guide Lecturer throughout the cruise • The services of a local Cruise Director onboard throughout the cruise • Tea, coffee & bottled water • Wi-Fi onboard • Port tax
Not Included in your holiday price • Dinners other than stated in the itinerary • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks • Tips/gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/odm Images left to right: The Old Fortress at Omiš & the village of Pučišća
01772 650 051 169
Ocean cruise
Day Four | Omiš - Split For 300 years from the 12th century to the 15th century, the pirates of Omiš were the masters of the Adriatic and one of the most powerful maritime forces of the entire Mediterranean. Superb shipbuilders and sailors, they crafted a fleet perfect for stealth attacks and even preyed on the likes of the Papacy and the Crusaders. The pirate ‘dukes’ reigned from this mainland stronghold and, even when their hegemony fell to the mighty navy of the Venetian Republic, they still managed to hold fast in their fortresses for 24 years. Some of these great edifices still stand and may be explored on a walking tour, after which we board a small boat to sail into Cetina River Canyon, a protected nature area. After lunch, M/S Princess Aloha sails on to Split, where a guided tour takes in the attractive seafront promenade and the vast palace complex of the 3rd century Roman Emperor Diocletian, which now comprises much of the old town of Split.
Day Six | Hvar - Mljet Sailing around the island of Hvar this morning, we arrive in Hvar Town, a delightful ‘Dubrovnik in miniature’, with Gothic buildings, marble streets and fortified walls. Here we see the oldest public theatre in Europe, dating to 1612, which has recently reopened its doors, and spend some pleasant time exploring the town’s historic heart. After lunch, we continue to Mljet, to explore Mljet National Park, home to five types of forest, myriad bird species and two deep lakes. Mljet also has a rich cultural heritage, with bright folk costumes and charming traditional handicrafts – the evening is at leisure to dine independently and soak up some of the local colour.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS OF DALMATIA Aboard M/S Equator 8 Days
From £1,995pp
17th - 24th October 2020
Activity Level
Sailing one way between Dubrovnik and Split allows for a more leisurely discovery of the many historical, cultural and scenic highlights of the region known in ancient times as Dalmatia. Cruising aboard the superb M/S Equator, there is simply no better exploration of the wonders of Dalmatia. Split
Tour Highlights • Enjoy visits to no fewer than seven islands, each with its own character and attraction • Sail around Dubrovnik’s city’s walls en route to one of the tranquil Elaphiti Islands for a swim stop • Explore the attractions of Vis, including a Roman thermal palace and a small archaeological museum displaying a 4th century BCE bronze of Artemis • Visit the oldest public theatre in Europe and the Renaissance cathedral in Hvar, another walled gem of Gothic buildings and marble streets
170 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Brač Hvar Vis Biševo
Korčula Slano Mljet Elaphiti Islands Dubrovnik
Day One | London – Dubrovnik We fly to Dubrovnik and transfer to the port to embark M/S Equator. Before our welcome dinner, our Guide Lecturer will give an overview of the Dalmatian Coast’s history as well as the tour itinerary for the days ahead. Day Two | Dubrovnik - Elaphiti Islands - Slano An undoubted icon of world travel, Dubrovnik is unmissable. This morning we appreciate why George Bernard Shaw described this enchanting walled medieval city as “paradise on earth”. On a walking tour of Dubrovnik’s gleaming stone streets, we make stops at the elegant 15th century Rector’s Palace, home to the rulers of old Ragusa, along with the Franciscan Monastery and its ancient pharmacy. Enjoy magical views as M/S Equator sails around Dubrovnik’s city’s walls en route to one of the tranquil Elaphiti Islands for a swim stop. Back on the mainland, and the Peljesac peninsula noted for high quality wine production, Slano is our gateway to Ston, a once fortified village now best known for its succulent oysters, which we get to sample this evening.
Day Four | Korcula 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 Five | Vis M/S 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. Back onboard, a sumptuous Captain’s Dinner is served this evening.
Day Seven | Bol (Brac) - Split After a stop at the Golden Horn, a breathtaking, constantly shape-shifting beach on the island of Brač, M/S Equator sails on to Split. 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 World Heritage Site. With amazing restaurants to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice at dinner. Day Eight | Split - London We disembark M/S Equator after breakfast and transfer from the port of Split to the airport for our flight home.
Guided by John Shepherd A specialist in the study of ancient glass, John has worked extensively in the field in Europe as an archaeologist.
Dates & prices per person Cabin
From
SS
Lower Deck
£1,995
£495
Upper Deck
£2,395
£595
For full information on cabin types, visit our website www.andantetravels.com/equator
Price Includes • International flights and transfers • ‘Half board plus’ cruise – 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners • All shore excursions as detailed in the itinerary • The services of an Andante Travels Guide Lecturer throughout the cruise • The services of a local Cruise Director throughout the cruise • Tea, coffee and bottled water • Wi-Fi onboard • Port tax
Not Included in your holiday price • Dinners other than stated in the itinerary • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks • Tips/gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/odh Images left to right: View of Prožurska Luka on the island of Mijet & Dubrovnik’s old harbour
01772 650 051 171
Ocean cruise
Day Three | 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 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, but which still offers a choice of restaurants for dinner.
Day Six | Biševo - Hvar - Stari Grad (Hvar) Following a stop at tiny Biševo to visit the luminescent natural phenomenon known as the Blue Cave (weather permitting), M/S Equator sails on to Hvar, the sunniest of the Dalmatian Islands. Hvar Town, another walled gem of Gothic buildings and marble streets, is a particular highlight, and we visit the oldest public theatre in Europe and the Renaissance cathedral. We berth further along the island in Stari Grad, which justifies its translation (‘old town’) with a history that stretches back 2,500 years. Choose one of the excellent cafés and restaurants that line the harbour here for dinner.
CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF GREECE A 2-night Athens stay and a 7-night M/S Panorama 10 Days
From £2,895pp
21st - 30th October 2020
Activity Level
This wonderfully laid-back introduction to the ancient highlights of mainland Greece combines a 2-night stay in the shadow of the Acropolis with an enchanting cruise aboard the elegant M/S Panorama, circumnavigating the Peloponnese and closing the loop with a transit of the Corinth Canal. Tour Highlights • Explore Delphi, one of the most sacred sites of the ancient world
Itea
Athens Pireas Katakolo
• Discover the ancient site of Epidaurus, renowned throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary
Epidaurus Nafplion
• See the natural splendour of Cape Tenaro and the Dirou Caves, along with the charming town of Areopolis • Take in the ancient wonders on a walking tour of Athens, including the mighty Parthenon
172 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Pilos Gytheion
Day One | London – Athens We fly to Athens and transfer to the 4* Herodion Hotel (or similar), located in the very heart of the Greek capital, overlooking the Acropolis. Day Two | Athens A full-day walking tour takes in the ancient wonders on our doorstep, as a local expert introduces the sublime collection of temples – most famously the Parthenon – that comprise the Acropolis, and the extraordinary antiquities now on display in the state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum. Day Three | Athens - Piraeus This morning we head on foot to Agora – once the city’s market centre, seat of government, mint, trial courts, and site of the best-preserved temple of Hephaistus, as well as the beautifully reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, which is now the Agora Museum. After a light lunch, we proceed to the port of Piraeus to be welcomed aboard M/S Panorama. There is a little time to settle in and get acquainted with our elegant new surroundings before dinner is served. The ship sails onwards for Epidaurus. Day Four | Epidaurus
After lunch onboard, M/S Panorama sails on to Nafplion.
Day Five | Nafplion (Mycenae) - Monemvasia Optional Andante Excursion: After a short walking tour through the colourful city of Nafplion, we head out into the countryside of Argolis to visit the remains of the Bronze Age city of Mycenae. Lunch onboard follows, then M/S Panorama sails to Gythion by way of Monemvasia, with the chance to admire this lost-in-time Byzantine fortress town.
Day Six | Gythion (Mani) Included Andante Excursion: Mani is Greece at its wildest and most beguiling. Our excursion takes in the natural splendour of Cape Tenaro and the Dirou Caves, along with the charming town of Areopolis.
Included Andante Excursion: Delphi is one of the most sacred sites of the ancient world, and this seat of the oracle set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus retains a distinctly spiritual air. There is time to fully explore the complex of ruins and the adjoining museum. Guests on the excursion rejoin M/S Panorama at Patras, and the ship sails on to Itea.
Day Nine | Itea (Delphi) Optional Andante Excursion: Pylos is home to some fascinating ruins, including the Palace of Nestor, the best-preserved complex of its kind from the late Bronze Age. The excellent archaeological museum in Chora is particularly strong on Mycenaean history. After lunch, this afternoon M/S Panorama negotiates the Corinth Canal, the narrow channel carved through the isthmus of Corinth, as it sails back to Piraeus.
Day Ten | Piraeus – Athens – London We disembark M/S Panorama after breakfast and transfer from the port of Athens to the international airport for our flight home. Guided by Eugenia Alexiou Born in Athens, Eugenia studied Art History and Archaeology at the National University of Athens, and has a Master’s degree in Byzantine Art.
Dates & prices per person
After lunch onboard, M/S Panorama sails to Pylos this evening.
Day Seven | Pylos Optional Andante Excursion: We drive from Katakolon to Olympia. We visit the ancient stadium, the temples of Zeus and Hera, and the excellent museum dedicated to the Olympic Games of antiquity. After lunch onboard, M/S Panorama sails on to Katakolon overnight.
Cabin
From
SS
Category C cabin (Lower Deck)
£2,895
£725
Category B cabin (Lower Deck)
£3,295
£895
Category A cabin (Upper or Main Deck)
£3,725
£1,095
For full information on cabin types, visit our website www.andantetravels.com/galileo Excursion
Price
Optional Mycenae excursion
£55
Optional Pylos excursion
£55
Optional Olympia excursion prices includes lunch
£78
Price Includes • International flights and transfers • 2-night 4* stay in Athens and 7-night M/S Panorama cruise • All meals – 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners in Athens; full board cruise • Locally guided walking tour of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, Kerameikos & the Agora (Athens) • Epidaurus, Mani and Delphi shore excursions • The services of a local Guide Lecturer throughout the cruise • The services of a local Cruise Director throughout the cruise • Wine and fruit in cabins on arrival • Tea, coffee & bottled water • Wi-Fi at Athens hotel
Not Included in your holiday price • • • •
Other shore excursions (see price panel below) Alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks with lunch and dinner Wi-Fi aboard M/S Panorama Tips/gratuities
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ogc Images left to right: Ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi & Limeni village in Manu
01772 650 051 173
Ocean cruise
Included Andante Excursion: We drive to the ancient site of Epidaurus, renowned throughout the Greek world as a healing sanctuary.
Day Eight | Katakolon
Looking for something more flexible? Introducing Bare Bones. Delivering the same level of expertise and insight into the working world of archaeology that you would expect from a full-bodied Andante Travels tour, our Bare Bones tours are just that bit more customisable. What’s more, if you’re after an ancient world adventure that’s both affordable and less than a week long – this is the collection for you. We’ve kept the return flights from London and daily breakfasts alongside our usual site and museum visits, to ensure you have more choice over both your meals and any free time that features on your itinerary. With centrally located hotels throughout, rest assured you’re in the best position possible to get the most out of your Bare Bones experience.
What’s included in a tour? Shorter duration These tours are just 5-6 days in length, rather than our typical 7-16 day experiences. Single centre Staying in just one place for the duration of the tour – and in a centrally located hotel – means you’re perfectly placed to explore the area at leisure. Dining flexibility Daily breakfasts are included and an optional dinner package can be added, but most of our Bare Bones tours don’t include lunches and evening meals. If you’d like dining recommendations, your expert or local guide will be able to provide recommendation for great restaurants that cater to a variety of tastes and budgets alike. Flying flexibility Return flights from London and transfers are always included on our Bare Bones tours. However, should you want to extend your tour, our friendly team will be able to assist with your specialised travel arrangements. Free time and flexibility Generally, your tour will include one free afternoon plus evenings at leisure, enabling you to get the most out of your destination. Additionally, you can tailor your holiday with optional packages and upgrades. Travel like a local Some Bare Bones tours include travel aboard local ferries or regional trains. Pre- and post-tour extensions We would be happy to provide you with extra options, such as extending your trip or perhaps treating yourself to an upgrade where possible.
Contents
174 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Berlin....................................................pg 175
Greece..................................................pg 177
Venice...................................................pg 175
Minoans..............................................pg 178
Florence..............................................pg 176
Rhodes.................................................pg 178
Rome....................................................pg 176
Troy.......................................................pg 179
Pompeii...............................................pg 177
Istanbul...............................................pg 179
Images left to right: The old harbour of Sissi, turkish ceramics, traditional street in Lindos & the Rialto Bridge
Activity Level
Activity Level
BARE BONES
BARE BONES
Berlin 5 Days
From £855pp
Venice
Departing August & September 2020
5 Days
From £925pp
Departing 26th - 30th November 2020
Venice’s maritime republic produced some of the world’s best works of art and architecture. This is a connoisseur’s tour led by one of our guide lecturers who is a local.
Day One | London - Berlin In the early evening, we take a walk around the heart of Prussian Berlin. This includes a stop at the Memorial at Bebelplatz, which commemorates the 22,000 books burned by Nazis in 1933.
Day One | London - Venice We fly from London to Venice and transfer to our hotel. Later, there is a walking tour of Piazza San Marco.
Day Two | Berlin Our morning is spent at Museum Island, where we explore innumerable treasures that include the reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate, the Babylonian Processional Way at the Pergamon Museum, and the famous bust of Nefertiti at the Neues Museum. The afternoon offers free time to explore the city or museums at leisure. Day Three | Berlin We enjoy our day in Potsdam and visit Sanssouci, Frederick the Great’s Rococo summer palace, famed for its park and waterworks. Next, we venture to Cecilienhof, the Hohenzollern royal palace that was the site of the Potsdam conference at the end of WW2. Day Four | Berlin Today we journey to Wittenburg and visit a selection of World Heritage Sites associated with Luther. These include the Lutherhaus and the Castle Church, where he allegedly nailed his 95 theses to the door. We also visit the houses of other figures of the Reformation, including Melanchthon and the painter Cranach.
Day Two | Venice Our day begins with an in-depth visit to the legendary Doge’s Palace, including the Secret Itineraries and the Bridge of Sighs. We continue with a visit to the staggering Basilica of San Marco, which includes the Pala D’oro and the museum. Day Three | Venice Today we venture to the little-known and fascinating Casino Venier, and then to the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. Next, we explore the Rialto and the Basilicas of the Frari and Giovanni e Paolo. Finally, we end our day at the exquisite Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Day Four | Venice Exploring Canareggio, we visit the Church of Madonna dell’Orto and have a break at the famous café, Al Timon Bragozzo. From here, we continue to the infamous Ghetto before ending our morning at the Ca D’oro. Free time to explore the city follows.
Day Five | Berlin - London This morning, we explore the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Our tour ends in the afternoon.
Day Five | Venice - London Not far from St. Mark’s lies the Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Greci. We pay it a visit and also explore the Icon Museum, as well as Vivaldi’s Church of San Giovanni in Bragora. Look out for the remnants of Chiesa della Pietà, where he taught orphan girls. Our day ends at the Arsenale, Venice’s ship yard, and then we return to the airport.
Dates & prices per person
Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
27th Aug - 31st Aug 2020
£945
£165
26th Nov - 30th Nov 2020
£925
£155
24th Sep - 28th Sep 2020
£855
£165
Price Includes • • • •
Local guide Nick Jackson All local transport Accommodation in Berlin All breakfasts
• All taxes • Entries to all sites & museums • Return flights from London & airport transfers
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbb Images left to right: Reichstag building & St. Mark’s Square
Price Includes • • • •
Local guide Eireann Marshall All local transport Accommodation in Venice All breakfasts
• All taxes • Entries to all sites & museums • Return flights from London & airport transfers
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbv 01772 650 051 175
Bare Bones
This tour offers a fascinating flavour of the city’s past through visits to Prussian Palaces and museums, and at sites such as the home of Luther and the German Reformation.
Activity Level
Activity Level
BARE BONES
BARE BONES
Florence
Rome
5 Days From £1,075pp Departing September & November 2020
5 Days
From £1,075pp 7th - 11th November 2020
Become immersed in this city’s Renaissance masterpieces, from the Baptistery and the Medici Chapel, to the Uffizi Gallery – all in the company of an expert in art history.
The icons and hidden gems of Rome await. Not only do we visit the Vatican, Colosseum and Pantheon, but we also explore sites unknown to locals, such as subterranean ruins.
Day One | London - Florence Fly from London to Florence and transfer to the hotel. Later, our guide will take us on an orientation walk past famous sights.
Day One | London - Rome We fly from London to Rome. In the evening, after we’ve checked in, our guide takes us on a tour of the Campus Martius, which includes the Pantheon, Temple of Hadrian and Piazza Navona.
Day Two | Florence Today we begin at the Medici Chapel, known for its Michelangeloproduced tombs. We continue to the Galleria dell’Accademia, where the highlight is Michelangelo’s iconic David. After taking in the Loggia della Signora, we end our day at the Santa Croce chapel, which is home to innumerable works of art and frescoes by Giotto. Day Three | Florence This morning we visit the Palazzo Vecchio, famed for its Hall of the 500. After lunch, we visit the staggering Uffizi Gallery, where Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch are currently displayed. Day Four | Florence Pitti Palace awaits our discovery this morning. Home to an amazing art collection, here we can see Raphael’s Madonna della Seggiola and Gentileschi’s Judith and her Maidservant. Later, we visit Santa Maria Novella, home to Giotto’s spectacular Crucifix. Day Five | Florence - London Our morning is spent exploring the Baptistery, an octagonal masterpiece that is one of the city’s oldest standing buildings. We also pay a visit to the Museum of the Cathedral before we make our way back to the airport and catch our flight home to London. Dates & prices per person
Day Two | Rome Our day begins at the Colosseum, where we explore its incredible interiors. After, we visit the Arch of Constantine and the imperial palaces on the Palatine. We also make time to see the magnificent Roman Forum and Imperial Fora. Day Three | Rome A private visit to the little-known Porta Asinaria awaits us. This imposing 3rd century gateway has massive ballista towers and guardrooms. Next, we continue to the excavations beneath the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran and then it’s on to the Porta Maggiore and the Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker. The day ends at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and its excavations. Day Four | Rome We explore sites outside of the city today, starting at the Catacombs of St. Sebastian and then the Circus of Maxentius. We venture down the Appian Way to see the tomb of Caecilia Metella and the Villa of Capo di Bove. Day Five | Rome - London It’s our final day and we explore the fabulous Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel before our flights back home to London. Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
10th Sep - 14th Sep 2020
£1,195
£305
7th Nov - 11th Nov 2020
£1,075
£140
19th Nov - 23rd Nov 2020
£1,075
£215
Price Includes • Local guide Dr Agata Chrzanowska • All local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Berchielli
• • • •
All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbf 176 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Price Includes • Local guide Kate Parkinson • All local transport • Accommodation at the Hotel Albergo Santa Chiara
• • • •
All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bro Images left to right: Tomb of Giuliano de Medici & view of St. Peter’s Basilica
Activity Level
Activity Level
BARE BONES
BARE BONES
Pompeii 5 Days
From £765pp
Greece
Departing March & November 2020
6 Days
From £1,195pp
Departing June & September 2020
Embark upon an odyssey through some of ancient Greece’s greatest sites, such as the Acropolis and Mycenae, and trace the story of Greece from the Bronze Age to classical glory.
Day One | London - Naples We fly from London to Naples, where we settle into our hotel. We meet as a group in the evening along with our local guide and, time permitting, we can take a stroll through modern-day Pompeii.
Day One | London - Athens Upon arrival into Athens, we check in to our hotel and take an orientation walk around Plaka.
Day Two | Pompeii A full day among the ruins of ancient Pompeii awaits. Beginning at the town’s amphitheatre, we take in a range of sights from brothels and bars, to public squares – all of which were preserved under layers of ash and lapilli. Day Three | Naples A train ride brings us to Naples for a tour of its fabulous National Museum of Archaeology, home to the finest mosaics and paintings from the Vesuvian towns. Later, we see the Roman market buried beneath the Church of San Lorenzo. Day Four | Herculaneum Today we pay a visit to nearby Herculaneum, once an upmarket coastal city that was buried beneath 23 metres of volcanic material, which hermetically sealed the site. Here, unlike Pompeii, even fragile items such as wood partitions, beds and shutters have been almost perfectly preserved. You can almost feel the presence of the city’s ancient inhabitants and the horror they experienced on that day. Day Five | Naples - London After breakfast this morning, we make our way to the airport and catch return flights back to London. Dates & prices per person
Day Two | Athens Our first full day begins on foot in ancient Athens as we climb to the Acropolis and visit the Parthenon. The afternoon is spent at the Acropolis Museum, which is considered one of the best in the world. Day Three | Nafplio We begin our journey into the Peloponnese, stopping to explore Corinth en route, one of classical Greece’s greatest cities. We continue on to Tiryns, a major Mycenean citadel and the mythical birthplace of Hercules. Day Four | Nafplio Today we explore Mycenae, centre of the Late Bronze age and the capital of King Agamemnon. Later, we visit the Argive Heraion, where the sanctuary of Hera was built on three gigantic terraces. Day Five | Nafplio Before free time in the afternoon, we visit Nafplio’s Archaeological Museum, where we see bronze armour found near Mycenae. Day Six| Athens - London Today we visit Epidaurus, a centre of healing in the ancient world. Perched on the slopes of a hill, the town has some great examples of 14th/15th century architecture in Greece. Later, we fly back home. Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
16th Mar - 20th Mar 2020
£765
£140
19th Jun - 24th Jun 2020
£1,195
£225
16th Nov - 20th Nov 2020
£765
£140
4th Sep - 9th Sep 2020
£1,195
£225
Price Includes • Local guide Daniela Mantice • All local transport • Accommodation at the Hotel Palma
• • • •
All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbp Images left to right: Poignant Pompeii & the theatre of Epidaurus
Price Includes • Local guide Miranda Spitha • All local transport • Accommodation at Hotel Plaka & Hotel Ippoliti
• • • •
All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbg 01772 650 051 177
Bare Bones
The Vesuvian towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum offer a unique glimpse into everyday life in Roman cities. Here, ongoing discoveries and newly opened sites await.
Activity Level
Activity Level
BARE BONES
BARE BONES
Minoans 6 Days
Rhodes
From £1,095pp Departing May & September 2020
6 Days
From £1,045pp Departing May & September 2020
An archaeological journey that is, in part, a quest to understand the people we know as the Minoans, and to appreciate the cultures that historically replaced theirs.
Explore Greek temples and theatres alongside medieval castles and modern villages. Uncover the rich stories of an island ruled by Greeks, Crusaders, Ottomans, and Italians.
Day One | London - Heraklion We fly from London to Crete and settle into our hotel in Heraklion.
Day One | London - Rhodes Fly from London to Rhodes and transfer to the hotel, where some leisure time awaits upon arrival.
Day Two | Santorini The first day of our tour is spent in Santorini. We visit the site of Akrotiri, buried during the cataclysmic eruption of Thera. The city is reminiscent of Pompeii, with houses preserved up to three storeys. Day Three | Heraklion After an orientation walk of the area, we explore Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum, where we see important finds such as the Phaistos Disc and amazing Minoan frescoes. Day Four | Heraklion Today we visit the magnificent palace complex of Phaistos and, in contrast, Vathypetro, a Minoan country house that is home to a wonderfully preserved wine press. Our afternoon, however, is devoted solely to the world-renowned Palace of Knossos. This majestic complex was erected in Greece’s Bronze Age. Day Five | Heraklion We explore the royal quarters of the third-largest Minoan Palace today, Malia. Later, we visit Gournia, walking through the streets among its ruined houses and palace. Later, we visit Agios Nikolaos on the shores of Mirabello Bay before returning to Heraklion.
Day Two | Rhodes Our first day begins at Kamiros, a well-preserved Hellenistic city that was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 142. In the afternoon, we head to the Acropolis of Ialyssos to admire the Temple to Athena Polias, along with the medieval monastery of Filerimos. Day Three | Rhodes Today we visit Lindos, which is dominated by its dramatic Acropolis. Here, we explore the Temple of Athena Lindia, the Hellenistic walls and the stunning Propylaea. Free time follows this afternoon. Day Four | Rhodes Rhodes was occupied by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem for two centuries before the Ottoman conquest. Today we visit the Jewish Quarter and the Kahal Shalom Synagogue. Later, we explore the medieval monuments that have given the city UNESCO status, such as the Palace of the Grand Master and a selection of churches. Day Five | Rhodes The Acropolis of Rhodes awaits, which is home to the remains of an odeon and stadium. We also visit Rhodes’ Archaeological Museum.
Day Six | Heraklion - London After breakfast, we return the airport and fly back to London.
Day Six | Rhodes - London After breakfast, we return to the airport and fly back to London.
Dates & prices per person
Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
26th May - 31st May 2020
£1,095
£325
15th May - 20th May 2020
£1,045
£355
22nd Sep - 27th Sep 2020
£1,095
£325
11th Sep - 16th Sep 2020
£1,125
£475
Price Includes • Local guide Miranda Spitha • All local transport • Accommodation at Olive Green Hotel
Price Includes • • • •
All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbm 178 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
• Local guide Nikolaos Mastrochristos • All local transport • Accommodation at Rodos Park Suites & Spa Hotel
• • • •
All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbd Images left to right: Knossos Palace & view of Lindos
Activity Level
Activity Level
BARE BONES
BARE BONES
Troy 6 Days
Istanbul
From £1,295pp Departing May & October 2020
6 Days
From £965pp
Departing May & October 2020
Istanbul is a truly transcontinental city, its European and Asian elements fusing with remarkable results. Discover its unusual and stunning architecture, rich history and more.
Day One | London - Izmir We take a flight from London to Izmir and transfer to our hotel, which is located in Ayvalik.
Day One | London - Istanbul We fly from London to Istanbul, where we are met by our guide.
Day Two | Hisarlik Today we explore Hisarlik, believed to be the site of Troy although its complex archaeology is more thought-provoking than conclusive. In the afternoon, we venture to Assos – dramatically perched on a rocky ridge – and see ruins of a theatre and the Temple of Athena. Day Three | Ayvalik We explore the outstanding Pergamon, an immense site with great remains that include temples such as the Trajaneum. The highlight here is the Sanctuary of Asclepius.
Day Two | Istanbul Our discoveries begin with a visit to the late Roman Hippodrome. From here, we walk to the 6th century Basilica Cistern. Next, we explore the inimitable Hagia Sophia, the Mosaic Museum and the fabulous Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. Day Three | Istanbul This morning we walk to the Süleymaniye Mosque and the spice market, before reaching the regenerated Golden Horn waterfront area. Later, we have an enchanting ferry cruise up the Bosphorus.
Day Four | Izmir Free time in Ayvalik awaits this morning and then we visit the remains of the ancient agora of Smyrna, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 178 AD. This was later rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius.
Day Four | Istanbul The day begins at the Hagia Eirene, one of the few Greek Orthodox churches in the city that wasn’t converted into a mosque. We continue with a visit to Topkapı Palace, a magnificent legacy of the Ottoman sultans. The remainder of the afternoon is spent at leisure.
Day Five | Izmir Ephesus is ours to discover today, without a doubt one of the best ancient Greek sites and known for its Temple to Artemis. The on-site theatre and Curetes Street make this an exceptional place to visit.
Day Five | Istanbul Cross the Golden Horn and enter Beyoğlu – or Pera – and then a tram takes us up to the “Grand Rue de Pera”, stopping at Taksim Square. We visit the Museum of Innocence and end at Pera Museum.
Day Six | Izmir - London We return to the airport and fly back to London today.
Day Six | Istanbul - London After breakfast, we return to the airport and fly back to London.
Dates & prices per person
Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
27th May - 1st Jun 2020
£1,295
£350
6th May - 11th May 2020
£965
£390
28th Oct - 2nd Nov 2020
£1,295
£350
21st Oct - 26th Oct 2020
£965
£390
Price Includes • Local guide Bulent Sahan • All local transport • Accommodation at Bacacan Hotel Ayvalik & DoubleTree by
• • • •
Hilton Izmir All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbt Images left to right: Temple of Athena at Assos & the Hagia Sophia
Price Includes • Local guide Bulent Sahan • All local transport • Accommodation at Yasmak Sultan Hotel
• • • •
All breakfasts All taxes Entries to all sites & museums Return flights from London & airport transfer
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/bbi 01772 650 051 179
Bare Bones
A blend of the fascinating Bronze Age, stunning Greek cities and charming Ottoman towns awaits on this tour. Hunt for the remains of Troy and visit stunning sites like Ephesus.
EUROPEAN FOOD HOLIDAYS in partnership with Gregg Wallace One of the true great pleasures of a European short break is undoubtedly the food. Our continent is home to myriad towns and cities which bring together not only enthralling history and scenic splendour, but also fresh produce of exceptional quality and culinary traditions shaped over hundreds, if not thousands of years. This brand new collection of short foodie breaks includes eight itineraries that visit four countries – Greece, France, Spain and, of course, Italy. Go hunting for truffles in Bologna, tour a saffron farm in Thessaloniki to learn the secrets of this lucrative ingredient or explore fragrant lavender on a culinary discovery of Provence. With this new range of food tours, gourmet adventures await in magnificent cities considered to be the true icons of European gastronomy.
What’s included in a tour? Scheduled return international flights from London The support throughout of an experienced tour manager The knowledge of local guides All local transport Centrally located located, quality hotels Meals as per each individual itinerary All activities as per the itinerary
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. -J.R.R. Tolkien
180 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Images left to right: Cannoli with chocolate chips, production of mozzarella, fresh olives, fruit market in Palermo
Parma...................................................................................... pg 182
Tuscany.................................................................................... pg 184
Parma ham, Parmesan cheese and porcini mushrooms
Zeri lamb, traditional breads and Carrara marble-cured pork
Palermo................................................................................... pg 182
Seville...................................................................................... pg 184
Mozzarella, marzipan fruits and markets of Western Sicily
Ibèrico ham, Manzanilla sherry and traditional tapas
Catania.................................................................................... pg 183
Provence................................................................................. pg 185
Pistachios, Etna wines and Aztec cholocate in Eastern Sicily
Lavender, goat’s cheese and Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Bologna................................................................................... pg 183
Thessaloniki............................................................................ pg 185
Pasta, cheese and truffles in Italy’s gastronomic capital
Saffron secrets and sublime seafood in Greece’s second city
For more information call a member of our team today 01772 650 051 or visit authenticadventures.com
Images left to right: Homemade pasta, Jamon Iberico & Italian gelato ice-cream
01772 650 051 181
PARMA
PALERMO
One of Italy’s great gastronomic centres, any gourmand will be at home here. Here, porcini mushrooms spring up in the Apennine woods, superb local wines are produced in hilly vineyards and specialties of the region are known worldwide.
On this island, echoes of Phoenician, Greek, Carthaginian, Roman, Moorish, Norman, Spanish, and Italian conquerors abound in its food. Let us introduce you to the most iconic, distinctive and multi-cultural tastes of Western Sicily.
Day One | London - Parma We fly from London to Milan, arriving around lunchtime. We transfer to our hotel and then it’s on to a cookery class at Commanderia del Gusto – the results of which we enjoy for dinner. The cookery class here is highly regarded and makes use of key flavours as well as influences of the region. In the evening, we return to our hotel.
Day One | London - Palermo Fly from London to Palermo this afternoon and transfer to our centrally located hotel. A light dinner at a fine restaurant follows.
Parma ham, Parmesan cheese & porcini mushrooms
Day Two | Parma A morning dedicated to a veritable trinity of Parma flavours. First, we visit one of the area’s iconic dairies to learn how ParmigianoReggiano is made. This slow-maturing granular cheese is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, and around 3.5 million 40kg wheels are produced each year. Next, we get to taste the cheese in its various vintages. Next, we have a private visit to a family-run Parma ham producer, where a tour and tasting await. Production is strictly limited to an area of the Parma hills between the Enza and Stirone rivers, at a height of less than 900 metres above sea level. We also sample some excellent sparkling wines at a winery, where lunch is provided, and the afternoon is spent at a balsamic vinegar producer. Day Three | Parma A treat awaits this morning as we head into the Apennine woods to hunt for delicious porcini mushrooms. Lunch is prepared nearby and we enjoy recipes that include the prized porcini as well as almostforgotten mountain dishes. The afternoon is free for independent exploration, so why not discover the city’s fine architecture, museums and history? Later on, we reconvene for a traditional bomba di riso dinner at a restaurant, which is a real treat. Day Four | Parma - London A further morning at leisure offers us the time to shop for souvenirs and then, after an independent lunch, we fly back to London. Dates & prices per person
Mozzarella, marzipan fruit and the markets of Western Sicily
Day Two | Palermo No gastronomic tour of Italy would be complete without a visit to a food market, and Palermo’s are simply fantastic. We explore one of its best, Mercato del Capo. From here, we take part in a cookery class at La Botte 1962, a charming family-run restaurant in Monreale that is known for its seafood dishes. Here, we learn about the varied regional flavours and then we create our own delicious lunch. A walking tour of Palermo follows, as does a little leisure time in this vibrant city. Day Three | Palermo The Biddeci dairy welcomes us this morning and we learn how fresh mozzarella is made. This dairy also produces ricotta and other regional cheeses, which are all made according to time-honoured methods. After, we meet the monks of San Francesco for a lesson in making traditional Sicilian marzipan fruits at the memorable location of the Church of San Francesco di Paola. This evening, we are free to make our own choices for dinner. Day Four | Palermo Sicily is renowned for its olive oil and this morning we visit Frantonio Vallone for a tasting and tour. A busiate pasta lunch follows and we spend the afternoon at a limoncello workshop, which includes a refreshing tasting of this sharp liqueur. Also, at Limonio, we can walk among its lemon orchards. Dinner tonight is included. Day Five | Palermo - London A day at leisure invites us to discover the history and grandiose architecture of the Sicilian capital, and then we fly home. Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
15th - 18th Sep 2020
£1,145
£160
20th - 24th Sep 2020
£1,225
£190
Price Includes • • • •
Return flights from London Return transfers Three nights at a central hotel Two lunches and one dinner
• Commanderia del Gusto cookery class with dinner to follow • All excursions and tastings as mentioned in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com 182 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Price Includes • • • •
Return flight from London Four nights at a central hotel Busiate lunch and two dinners La Botte 1962 cookery class with
lunch to follow • Guided food market walk • All excursions and tastings as mentioned in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com Images left to right: Parmesan cheese & marzipan fruits
CATANIA
BOLOGNA
With a cuisine that deliciously reflects its melting-pot culture, Sicily’s eastern side is well-worth visiting for any lover of food. Here, we find chocolate still made to Aztec methods, stretched cheese, amazing wines, and much more.
If there’s one Italian region that should be on every foodie’s bucket list, it’s Bologna. Here, we find the highest quality balsamic vinegar, the most heady truffles, sparkling red Lambrusco, and truly incredible Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Day One | London - Catania We fly from London to Catania and transfer to our centrally located hotel. Dinner follows at a local restaurant.
Day One | London - Bologna We fly to Bologna this morning and we transfer to our hotel with a light lunch included en route. This afternoon, we head to a pasta cookery class at the acclaimed Podere San Giuliano and dinner.
Pistachios, Etna wines and Aztec chocolate in Eastern Sicily
Day Two | Catania A guided walk through the produce and fish markets of Catania gets our morning off to a great start and then we enjoy a cookery class at the acclaimed Myda Cookery School. In addition to being a primer on Sicilian flavours, here we can learn to make arancini and cannoli, which are then enjoyed for lunch. The rest of our day is at leisure. Day Three | Catania The morning is dedicated to the pistachio, which grows prolifically in the farmland around Bronte. We walk around the orchards and get to taste some of these prized nuts. Every year, Bronte hosts a Pistachio Festival and during our timely visit, preparations will be well underway! Next, we visit one of Etna’s great vineyards for a tour and wine tasting experience. Fertile volcanic slopes are ideal for wine production and Etna wines have earned DOC accreditation for the exceptional quality that this unique terroir inspires. Day Four | Catania Today we discover the DOP-accredited Ragusano cheese, made in the same way for at least the past 500 years. We get to sample some of this cheese and then it’s on to a chocolatier in Modica, where the chocolate is still made according to ancient Aztec methods. Here, manual grinding of the cocoa, rather than the modern technique of conching, gives the chocolate a crumbly texture. Dinner tonight is included at a fine local restaurant. Day Five | Catania - London A morning at leisure comes as a welcome break from the busy week we’ve had and then we return to the airport to fly home. Dates & prices per person
Pasta, cheese and truffles in Italy’s gastronomic centre
Day Two | Bologna A walking tour of Bologna’s foodie hotspots gets our morning off to a tempting start and then we head into the woods for a truffle hunt with a tartufaio and his dog. Truffles may well make an appearance in our following lunch, which is a real delight for anyone who is a fan of this earthly delight. In the afternoon, we enjoy a brandy tour and tasting at Villa Zarri - arguably Italy’s finest spirit. This family-run distillery is noted for its exceptional brandy, created by distilling wine made from Trebbiano grapes, which grow on the hillsides of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Dinner is independent this evening. Day Three | Bologna Today we discover the gloriously versatile Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese at the 4 Madonne dairy, where we learn about the timehonoured production process and admire the stacks of wheels in its ageing store. Next, it’s onto the balsamic vinegar producer Giusti for a tour and tasting. Balsamic, surprisingly, requires as much expertise as a fine-wine or slow-maturing cheese, and is decanted into barrels of decreasing size throughout its ageing process. Later, we head to Chiarli Winery to learn about the region’s sparkling red Lambrusco, and a traditional bollito misto dinner follows at the fantastic Buca Manzoni restaurant in the city. Day Four | Bologna - London After a morning and leisure and independent lunch, we visit the Carpigiano Gelato University, where an ice cream workshop and tasting await. Later, we return to the airport and fly back to London. Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
27th Sep - 1st Oct 2020
£1,275
£190
6th - 9th Oct 2020
£1,295
£140
Price Includes • Return flights from London • Four nights at a central hotel • Two dinners at high quality local restaurants
• A Myda cookery class and lunch • A guided food market walk • All excursions and tastings as mentioned in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com Images left to right: Cheese drying & raw homemade pasta
Price Includes • Return flights from London • Three nights at a central hotel • Three lunches and one bollito misto dinner
• Podere San Giuliano cookery class with dinner to follow • Truffle hunting excursion • All excursions and tastings as per the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com 01772 650 051 183
TUSCANY
SEVILLE
Discover the territory of Lunigiana and its culinary heritage. Sample a kaleidoscope of secret tastes, from chestnut bread to peasant pasta, and from freshly pressed olive oil to pork fat cured in marble, gastronomic discoveries await here.
With its enthralling history, grand monuments and almost year-round sunshine, Seville is already a fabulous short break destination. However, consider its culinary prowess and you’ve got yourself a winner – one for serious foodies!
Day One | London - Pisa - Aulla Fly from London to Pisa and transfer to our hotel, and then it’s on to dinner at Pasquino’s. This restaurant is known for its Lunigiana specialties, such as the unleavened panigaccio, baked in terracotta ‘testi’ dishes. We watch it being made and enjoy it for dinner.
Day One | London - Seville We fly from London to Seville and check in to our central hotel. After, we enjoy sublime specialties at the El Rinconcillo restaurant.
Zeri lamb, traditional breads and Carrara marble-cured pork
Day Two | Aulla We head into the mountains to the agriturismo Montagna Verde for a cookery class of traditional dishes and protected recipes, such as testaroli pasta and herb pie. Early evening, we talk a walk around the villages of the area. Free time follows for dinner. Day Three | Aulla An hour from Aulla are the chestnut woods of Regnano, where we watch chestnut bread being made and get to sample some. En route back to Aulla, we stop in Fivizzano to see how Clementi China, an alcoholic elixir made with bitter herbs, is produced. Day Four | Aulla Turning our attention away from food for a while, we visit the quarries of Carrara, whose marble was used to form Michelangelo’s David. Here, we see how Lardo di Colonnata – pork fat cured in local marble – is made, and then lunch is at leisure in the area. In the afternoon, we visit the Olio Moro olive grove and walk around the plantation, see the oil presses and enjoy an olive oil tasting. Day Five | Aulla - Pisa - London Nearby Zeri is a region of rugged mountains, picturesque villages and sheep farms – and its lamb is highly prized in Italy. Here, we follow a shepherdess and her flock into the mountain pastures and learn what makes this breed so special. Lunch is at Ristorante Catinella and then we return to the airport for our flight to London.
Dates & prices per person
Ibérico ham, Manzanilla sherry and traditional tapas
Day Two | Seville Our day begins with a walking tour around a lively food market and then we head to an olive farm for a cookery class focused on paella. Back in Seville later, the old quarter of Triana awaits as we explore its shops and food stalls. The evening is at leisure. Day Three | Seville Much of today is dedicated to the Andalucian delicacy – Ibérico ham. At Eiriz Jamones, one of the foremost producers, we see the environment in which the prized pigs live and learn how their diet contributes to the taste of the ham. Lunch is provided here. After, we return to Seville, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Day Four | Seville Another iconic taste of this region is sherry and one of the best is Manzanilla, made exclusively in the bodegas of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, 12 miles or so closer to the sea than Jerez. During our visit to the cellars, we get to taste some. Next, we visit Cadiz and a little free time is available, and then it’s on to Queseria Gazul – a dairy that produces fantastic goat’s cheese. In the evening, we sit down to a tapas dinner at a local restaurant. We sample a selection of flavour-filled small plates during this enjoyable meal. Day Five | Seville - London There is much more to Seville than its cuisine, so today is free to enjoy the city at our leisure. Perhaps visit its Gothic cathedral or visit a few more tapas hotspots you’ve heard about? In the evening, we transfer to the airport and catch our flight back to London.
Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
11th - 15th Oct 2020
£1,195
£100
4th - 8th Oct 2020
£1,295
£140
Price Includes • • • •
Return flights from London Return transfers Four nights at a central hotel Picnic lunch, Zerasco lamb lunch
and panigaccio dinner • Montagna Verde cookery class with lunch to follow • All excursions and tastings as included in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com 184 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Price Includes • Return flights from London • Four nights at a central hotel • One lunch and two dinners at high quality local restaurants
• Paella cookery class with lunch to follow • All excursions and tastings as included in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com Images left to right: Olive oil tasting & traditional Spanish paella
PROVENCE
THESSALONIKI
One of the great regions of Europe for the gourmet traveller, Provence’s highlights makes for a memorable food tours. Go off the beaten track to Cavaillon – famed for its melons – and enjoy a selection of other celebrated Provençal tastes.
Second city perhaps in terms of its population, but first for its gastronomic credentials – Thessaloniki is a gourmand’s dream. Here, we learn the secrets of saffron, sample some of the best olive oil and taste wines that put Greece on the map.
Day One | London - Marseilles - Cavaillon Fly from London to Marseilles and transfer to our hotel in Cavaillon, the ‘melon capital’ of France. Dinner is provided later this evening.
Day One | London - Thessaloniki Fly from London to Thessaloniki, arriving early afternoon. Our first visit is to Yanni’s, which specialises in early-harvest extra virgin olive oil. Later, we check in to our hotel and dine at a local restaurant.
Lavender, goat’s cheese and Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Day Two | Cavaillon Provence Gourmet, in the town of Aix-en-Provence, is famed for its cookery class and we take part in one this morning, where we learn the secrets of hearty Provençal cuisine. In the afternoon, we visit the Musée Calissons, dedicated to this confection. Tonight, we dine independently at restaurants of our choosing. Day Three | Cavaillon One of the great names in French wine-making is Châteauneuf-duPape, an AOC-accredited region of exceptional quality vineyards. We stop at Château Fines Roches for a taste of this sublime wine produced at the neighbouring Domaine Mousset. We return to Cavaillon mid-afternoon and then free time follows. Day Four | Cavaillon Few sights and scents define Provence as evocatively as lavender. Though the mauve carpets will have been harvested in July and August, there is still much to appreciate at the Lavender Museum, which is housed in a traditional Provençal stone house. A few minutes up the road is Beaumettes, home to Confiserie St. Denis, producer of the highest quality candied fruits and chocolate. We enjoy a tasting and then visit Loumarin ‑ considered one of France’s most pretty villages – for some free time. En route back to Cavaillon, we stop at Ferme du Bregalon to taste its fresh goat’s cheese. Day Five | Cavaillon - Marseilles - London A further morning at leisure invites a little shopping for Provençal treats to take home. After an independent lunch, we fly to London. Dates & prices per person
Saffron secrets and sublime seafood in Greece’s second city
Day Two | Thessaloniki A walk around the historic food market of Modiano awaits this morning and then we are treated to a cookery class at LaChef Levi, Greece’s first private chef school. Lunch is included here. In the afternoon, we have a walking tour of the city to discover more about its rich history and culinary heritage. Free time then follows. Day Three | Thessaloniki Greek saffron is considered the best in the world thanks to its aroma, flavour and colour, and we visit a saffron farm to learn more about this expensive ingredient. We have lunch at Restaurant Naoumidis in Kozani and then, in the afternoon, we visit a fascinating Florina pepper farm. Here, we see how these versatile fruits are transformed into a number of products, from spreads to pickles. Day Four | Thessaloniki This morning we head to the Gerovassiliou estate for a tasting of its fabulous wines. A fine museum in the grounds traces the history of wine back to Roman times and it also boasts a collection of over 2,000 corkscrews. We return to Thessaloniki for some free time – why not sample some of the city’s incredible street food for lunch? In the evening, we reconvene for a special seafood dinner at a local restaurant – the freshest fish caught locally is presented to us. Day Five | Thessaloniki - London After a further morning at leisure to shop for souvenirs, we transfer to the airport and catch our flight back home to London.
Dates & prices per person
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
19th - 23rd Oct 2020
£1,375
£130
2nd - 6th Nov 2020
£995
£110
Price Includes • • • •
Return flights from London Return transfers Four nights at a central hotel One lunch and two dinners at
high quality local restaurants • Provence Gourmet cookery class with lunch to follow • All excursions and tastings as included in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com Images left to right: French goat’s cheese & saffron spice
Price Includes • Return flights from London • Four nights at a central hotel • One lunch and two dinners at a high quality local restaurant
• LaChef Levi cookery class with lunch to follow • All excursions and tastings as included in the itinerary
For full details of this tour visit authenticadventures.com 01772 650 051 185
MEET OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS When you choose Andante, you're choosing experience, quality and passion. Our guides range from leading archaeologists and local experts to knowledgable historians, and while leading our tours, they put sites into cultural context as well as open up the ancient world. For more information, visit andantetravels.co.uk/guides
Mohammad Alnabi Salarna
Salah Abu Naffa
Living in Amman, Mohammad has been an English speaking guide in Jordan for the past 10 years. He has a passion for photography and is excited to share his passion for his country.
Working as a professional tour guide since 2018, Salah is very proud of his cultutal heritage and relishes the opportunity to share this with his groups.
Join Mohammad on our Cultural Journeys tour to Jordan pg.144
Join Salah on our Cultural Journeys tour to Jordan pg.144
Eugenia Alexiou
Ashraf Al Hanini
Dr Craig Alexander A graduate of Cambridge and MIT, Craig developed a 3D scanner for rock art, which was tested and refined at sites in Val Camonica. Join Craig on Oberammergau & Archaeology of Northern Italy pg.23 • Roman Provence pg.44 • Val Camonica pg.68
Dr Denise Allen
Born in Athens, Eugenia studied Art History and Archaeology at the National University of Athens, and has a Master’s degree in Byzantine Art. Her passion is for the Aegean civilisations.
Ashraf has led tours across Jordan for a number of specialist tour operators over the last 10 years. His extensive experience ensures that his tours are executed efficiently.
A specialist in Roman glass, Denise began her archaeological career as a digger working on sites all over the UK. She joined Andante in 1999 and is now one of our most popular guide lecturers.
Join Eugenia on our Classical Highlights of Greece ocean cruise pg.172
Join Ashraf on our Cultural Journeys tour to Jordan pg.144
Join Denise on Britannia Prima pg.29 • Falco’s Britannia with Lindsey Davis pg.30
Brian Ayers Previously County Archaeologist for Norfolk, Brian is a medieval archaeology expert and is Senior Lecturer at UEA. He’s interested in the origins of towns on both sides of the North Sea during the early medieval period. Join Brian on Denmark pg.69
Dr Tertia Barnett An Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Tertia also works for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. She is particularly interested in the rock art of Britain and North Africa. Join Tertia on our Sardinia tour pg.52
186 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Dr Paul Bahn The UK's leading expert on prehistoric rock art, Paul led the team that discovered Britain’s first Ice Age cave art back in 2003. Join Paul on Dordogne Cave Art pg.43 • Pyrenees Rock Art pg.47 • Rock Art of Altamira pg.49 • Chile & Easter Island pg.138
Jeremy Bennett
Bipin Chandra Banepal Over 12 years of leading groups on tour has enabled Bipin to share his love for Nepal and to introduce its unique culture to them. He is interested in ancient Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Join Bipin on our Cultural Journeys tour to Nepal pg.148
Eyrún Björnsdóttir
A British archaeologist, Jeremy is currently studying for his PhD at Magdalene College, Cambridge. His reseach focuses on the development of the agrarian landscapes of Malta & Gozo.
A member of the Icelandic Search and Rescue team and a Wilderness First Responder, Eyrún has a passion for her country and shares knowledge on nature, geology and folklore on her tours.
Join Jeremy on Explore Northern Ireland pg.40 • Prehistoric Ireland pg.41
Join Eyrún on our Cultural Journeys tour to Greenland & Iceland pg.158
Diana Blumberg An archaeological scientist specialising in the analysis of archaeological materials, Diana has worked at field schools in Pompeii and Portus, and is working on a new project in Pompeii at Casa della Regina Carolina. Join Diana on Pompeii pg.58 • Latium pg.64
Dr Doru Bogdan
With over two decades of tourleading experience, Shakeel has a Master’s in History and was brought up in the city of the Taj Mahal. He is a real people person and enjoys sharing stories.
Join Doru on Romans, Visigoths & Viziers pg.51 • Classical Sicily pg.54
Join Shakeel on our Cultural Journeys tour to India pg.146
Dr Mehreen Chida-Razvi
Dr Agata Chrzanowska
A Research Associate in the department of History of Art & Archaeology at SOAS, Mehreen is also Assistant Editor for the International Journal of Islamic Architecture. She is widely published on a number of subjects.
An art historian specialising in Early Modern painting and photography studies, Agata earned her PhD at Durham. She is interested in the study of images in dialogue with religion, devotion and power.
Join Mehreen on our North India tour pg.112
Join Agata on Bare Bones Florence pg.176
Ian Colvin
Prof. Nilan Cooray
A researcher and historian at the University of Cambridge, Ian specialises in the late Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions. He has also excavated at the site of Nokalakevi in West Georgia.
Prof. Cooray has over 25 years of extensive work experience in design and supervision of architectural conservation work, trained to Doctorate level. He is also an international conservation specialist.
Join Ian on Armenia & Georgia pg.96
Join Nilan on Sri Lanka pg.110
Dr Paul Croft
Shakeel Chauhan
A researcher and lecturer at the University of Alba Iulia, Doru specialises in Roman archaeology and has supervised excavations in Birdoswald, Pompeii and at Carnuntum in Austria.
Francois Desset
A British archaeozoologist and field archaeologist, Paul is the manager of the Lemba Archaeological Research Centre and a resident of Cyprus. He has analysed site materials from Ayios Dhimitrios, Kalavassos and Kissonerga.
A French archaeologist specialising in Near Eastern archaeology, Francois obtained his PhD from the Sorbonne. He works at Tehran University on Bronze Age Iran and as of yet undeciphered Iranian writing systems.
Join Paul on our South Cyprus tour pg.87
Join Francois on our Uzbekistan tour pg.108
Ariel Cao Leading tours of China for several years, Ariel’s experience along with the knowledge and passion she has for her country make her an ideal tour host. She guides with humour and enthusiasm. Join Ariel on our Cultural Journeys tour to China pg.150
Mark Corney A contributor to ‘Time Team’ on Channel 4, Mark has spent years recording the field archaeology of Wessex. He specialises in Roman archaeology. Join Mark on Journey Through Wessex pg.28 • Pompeii pg.58 • Pompeii & Naples at New Year pg.60 • Relaxed Split pg.76
Dr Rob Dinnis An expert on the Palaeolithic and archaeology of the last Ice Age, Rob has published on human dispersals, Palaeolithic material culture and Ice Age environments in which people lived. Join Robert on Dordogne Cave Art pg.43 • Rock Art of Altamira pg.49
David Drew An archaeologist, writer and broadcaster, David Drew studied at Oxford and UCL. He excavated in Peru for years and works with Andean farming communities to improve their agriculture through restoring ancient systems. Join David on Mexico pg.128 • Peru pg.136
Xavier Droux Dr Xavier Droux completed his Ph.D at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. His research focuses on predynastic Egypt and the role and significance that animals held for the Egyptians at the time. Join Xavier on our Egypt tour pg.118
Dr Simon Elliott An award-winning and best-selling author, historian and broadcaster, Simon is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent. He is also a Trustee for the Council of British Archaeology. Join Simon on Romans in the North pg.37 • Pompeii p.58 • Rome p.61
Images left to right: Monreale Cathedral & the ancient city of Timgad
01772 650 051 187
Dr Neil Faulkner Involved in fieldwork projects in Jordan and Slovenia, Neil is a Research Fellow at Bristol University and a specialist in Roman, Anglo-Saxon and WWI archaeology. Join Neil on Classical Sicily pg.54 • Jordan pg.104
Andrew Foxon With a background in archaeology, prehistoric technology and interpretation, Andrew has many years of experience in the museum sector. He also worked as Head of Professional Services for Manx National Heritage. Join Andrew on our Isle of Man tour pg.33
Oliver Gilkes
Join Ffiona on Syracuse & Ortygia pg.53 • Croatia pg.72
Dr Lisa-Marie Graham A ceramics expert and archaeologist specialising in the prehistory of Cyprus, Lisa earned her PhD at the University of Edinburgh. She is also the Field Director of the PraistoMesorotsos Archaeological Expedition. Join Lisa on our Croatia tour pg.72
Matthias Grebien
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Marcella has led many groups on tours around Brazil. For more than 20 years, her role has enabled her to share her passion for the country’s culture and history.
A Magister of Archaeology since 2014, Matthias is close to submitting his dissertation for his PhD at Karl Franzens University in Graz, Austria. He has excavated extensively in Europe.
Join Marcella on our Cultural Journeys tour to Brazil pg.154
Join Matthias on Cruising the Danube at Christmas pg.164
Professor in the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University, John is a specialist in the archaeology of the medieval period. He is particularly interested in the continued legacy of Viking literature in Iceland. Join John on our Poland tour pg.70
188 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Join Lucia on our Egypt tour pg.116 • Egypt Cruise pg.120
Having written her thesis on the early church at Porec, Ffiona is well travelled along the Adriatic littoral. She is co-author of ‘Retrieving the Record: A Century of Archaeology at Porec’.
Join Oliver on Archaeology & Ghosts of East Anglia pg.32 • Classical Sicily pg.54 • Hidden Rome pg.62 • The Etruscans pg.65 • Ravenna & Aquileia pg.66 • Serbia pg.75 • Albania pg.76 • Albania & Macedonia pg.78 • Epirus & Macedonia pg.80
Prof. John Hines
Specialising in ancient Egyptian archaeology, Lucia worked at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology and is an Honorary Research Associate at UCL’s Institute of Archaeology.
Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves
One of Andante's longeststanding Guide Lecturers, Oliver has also worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Albania and Italy. He has worked at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, as well as in the medieval city of Gjirokastra. Oliver is still involved in a number of projects in Albania and is one of a handful of experts on Albanian archaeology in the United Kingdom.
Marcella Granatiere
Lucia Gahlin
Dr Kim Hunter-Gordon A former journalist, Kim earned his PhD at Royal Holloway. He is a historian of late imperial and modern China with an expertise in traditional Chinese theatre. He lives in Suzhou and sings and translates the arias of kunqu. Join Kim on our China tour pg.114
Dr Christina Hatzimchael Whitley A tutor in Greek archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning, Christina specialises in Minoan Crete and is co-director of the Praisos survey. Join Christina on Epirus & Macedonia pg.80 • Crete & Santorini pg.84
Heidi Immerman Born in South Africa, Heidi has lived in Brazil for almost 30 years. A tour leader for almost two decades, her dynamic style offers insight into local culture, music and regional foods. Join Heidi on our Cultural Journeys tour to Brazil pg.154
Nick Jackson A graduate of the Institute of Archaeology at UCL, Nick is an archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of excavation experience. Join Nick on Israel & Palestine pg.102 • Jordan pg.104 • Oman pg.106 • Bare Bones Berlin pg.175
Dr Nicholas James The author of ‘Aztecs & Maya’, he graduated from Oxford and now teaches at Cambridge. He has worked on the history, archaeology and anthropology of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Join Nicholas on our Guatemala & Belize tour pg.130
Ben Kane Born in Kenya, Irish by blood and currently residing in the UK, Ben’s passion for history saw him change career from veterinary medicine to writing, and he is now a best-selling author with books published in 12 languages. Join Ben on Pompeii pg.58
Prof. Tony King Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Winchester, Tony has excavated in Britain and abroad. He is also a specialist in Roman archaeology and an expert in animal bone analysis. Join Tony on Latium pg.64 • The Etruscans pg.65 • Ravenna & Aquileia pg.66 •
Amy Lee A professional guide for over 25 years, Amy is knowledgeable in all aspects of China’s history, archaeology and culture. She builds an excellent rapport with everyone who tours with her. Join Amy on our Cultural Journeys tour to China pg.150
Prof. Alexei Leporc After studying at St. Petersburg State University and at the University of Vienna, Alexei worked as an Assistant Professor and then as the curator of 19th and 20th century prints at the Hermitage Museum. Join Alexei on our Russia tour pg.98
Dr Sandy MacGillivray An archaeologist specialising in the Aegean Bronze Age, Sandy has excavated at Sparta and Knossos. He is interested in the relationship between Greece, the Cyclades and Crete. Join Sandy on Crete & Santorini pg.84 • Crete Revisited pg.86
Daniela Mantice After gaining her laurea at the University of Frederick II in Naples for Art History, Daniela obtained her guiding qualification. She is an awardwinning poet, worked as a journalist and has also undertaken archival research. Join Daniela on Bare Bones Pompeii pg.177
Nikolaos Mastochristos Born in Rhodes, Nikoalaos earned his MA in Byzantine Archaeology and Art History. He worked as an archaeologist in Greece for 10 years and holds a PhD on the Church of St. Nicholas at Fountoukli, Rhodes. Join Nikolaos on Bare Bones Rhodes pg.178
Dr Eireann Marshall
Ajaya Manandhar
An Honorary Research Fellow for the Open University, Eireann is bilingual (Italian and English), and she has led many Andante tours. Recently, Eireann won the Top History and Culture Guide prize at the 2019 World Guide Awards, hosted by Wanderlust magazine. Eireann has also published a variety of articles on Roman North Africa.
Ajaya’s studies in Nepalese history, culture and archaeology, combined with his passion for both trekking and photography, have helped him to become an insightful and skilled tour guide.
Join Eireann on Syracuse & Ortygia pg.53 • Classical Sicily pg.54 • Puglia & Basilicata pg.56 • Hidden Rome pg.62 • Falco's Rome with Lindsey Davis pg.63 • The Etruscans pg.65 • Ravenna & Aquileia pg.66 • Venice at New Year pg.67 • Relaxed Split pg.74 • Algeria pg.122 • Tunisia pg.124 • Cruising the Rhône pg.161 • Bare Bones Venice pg.175
An expert in the archaeology of standing buildings, Pamela’s interests range from the Classical to the Renaissance, but she specialises in the medieval period. She has led numerous archaeological and historical tours.
Giles MacDonogh An academically trained historian and the author of 15 books, Giles is also an authority on wine and former journalist. He frequently contributes to documentaries on TV and radio alike. Join Giles on Oberammergau Dream Castles of Bavaria pg. 19
Images left to right: Capuchin monkey, the Popes Palace in Avignon & one of the Great Pyramids of Giza
Join Ajaya on our Cultural Journeys tour to Nepal pg.148
Dr Pamela Marshall
Join Pamela on our Languedoc tour pg.46
Farès Moussa Specialising in religious art and artistic practice, Farès has both written and researched on Romans and Phoenicians in Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and Sardinia, as well as on prehistoric rock art. Join Farès on Sardinia pg.52 • Tunisia pg.124 01772 650 051 189
Manish Nagar A graduate from the University of Delhi, Manish has been leading groups for over 10 years. He has worked closely with arts, culture and nature tours in the past, and has travelled extensively. Join Manish on our Cultural Journeys tour to India pg.146
John Oxley Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, John specialises in heritage management, urbanism in both Rome and post-Roman Europe, and world heritage studies. Join John on Archaeology of London pg.31 • The Golden Age of Northumbria pg.36
Kate Parkinson
Prof. Bilinda Devage Nandadeva Professor Nandadeva taught Art History and Historic Preservation at the University of Kelaniya. He is widely experienced in the field of Sri Lankan art and architecture. Join Bilinda on Sri Lanka pg.108
Dr Angelos Papadopoulos An archaeologist and resident of Athens, Angelos’ interests focus on the Bronze Age societies of the Aegean, Cyprus and the Levant. He has been involved in archaeological projects and excavations in Greece and Cyprus.
Join Kate on Bare Bones Rome pg.176
Join Jacke on Ethiopia pg.126
Join Barnaby on Oberammergau, Munich & Salzburg pg.20
Professor John Rick Professor John Rick is Associate Professor and Chair of Anthropological Sciences at Stanford University, Curator of Anthropological Collections, and past Director of Stanford’s Archaeology Center.
Join Tony on Lebanon pg.100 • Lebanon at New Year pg.100 • Pompeii pg.58 • Tunisia pg.124
Dr Jacke Phillips Jacke is a specialist in the archaeology of Ethiopia from prehistory to the medieval period. She is currently a Research and Teaching Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
Born in Hampshire, Barnaby studied German at Bristol University. He has been a freelance music critic since 2010 and he currently works at the Royal Albert Hall.
A specialist in the Roman Empire, Tony has excavated widely across Britain, Europe and North Africa. Having excavated in Libya, he is particularly passionate about Roman North Africa. He is also deeply interested in the study of Romn coinage, and in numismatics more widely, and he is able to use his skills in coin analysis in his current role as a museum archaeologist. He first led a tour for Andante over 10 years ago and he just gets better and better! Tony is one of our top rated Guide Lecturers.
Join Angelos on The Peloponnese pg.82
Since moving to Europe 20 years ago, Kate has studied art history and is currently working towards a Master’s in Art History with Monash University. She holds two prestigious Province of Rome guiding qualifications.
Barnaby Rayfield
Tony O’Connor
Terry Richardson Terry has a university background in Ancient History and Classical Civilisations. He first travelled to Turkey as an undergraduate in 1997 and he has been back countless times since. He is the author of 'Rough Guide Istambul', 'Pocket Rough Guide Tstanbul', and is also the main author of 'Rough Guide Turkey'. Terry has also worked on many other guides and has written about Turkey and Istanbul for publications as varied as Wanderlust, the Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. Join Terry on North Cyprus pg.88 • Byzantium pg.89 • Aegean Coast of Turkey pg.90 • South East Turkey pg.92 • North East Turkey pg.94
Join John on Northern Peru pg.132
Steve Roskhams Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of York, Steve has a background in rescue archaeology having worked for the Museum of London. He has also directed a number of excavations in the city. Join Steve on Algeria pg.122
Karim Ruiz Rosell
Dr Rita Roussos A native Athenian, Rita taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens. She is particularly interested in the place of women in ancient Greece and Rome. Join Rita on The Peloponnese pg.82 • Crete & Santorini pg.84
Bulent Sahan
Dr David Rudling Academic Director of the Sussex School of Archaeology, David’s current duties include directing the ongoing excavations at Plumpton Roman Villa. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. Join David on Pompeii pg.58
Dr Jamie Sewell
With specialisms that include preColumbian art, archaeology and history, Karim has led a number of tours in Peru. He has experience in archaeological curatorships, research and more.
Having studied Linguistics and Sociology at the University of Hacettepe in Ankara, Bulent has been guiding tours based around art history and archaeology for almost 10 years.
An author of books and articles on the archaeology of towns in Hellenistic Italy, Jamie has 15 years worth of experience supervising excavations in Britain, Germany, Italy and Romania.
Join Karim on our Cultural Journeys tour to Peru pg.156
Join Bulent on Bare Bones Istanbul pg.179 • Bare Bones Troy pg.179
Join Jamie on Classical Sicily pg.54 • Pompeii pg.58 • Cruising the Rhine at Christmas pg.165
190 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Dr Gillian Shepherd Director of the Trendall Centre for Ancient Mediterranean Studies at La Trobe in Australia, Gillian specialises in the Greek colonisation of Italy and Sicily. She has also published a number of books. Join Gillian on Classical Sicily pg.54 • Pompeii pg.58
Miranda Spitha An official registered Greek guide, Miranda has accompanied many of our Greek tours in the past. She speaks fluent English, German and Italian, and studied archaeology while in Italy. Join Miranda on Bare Bones Greece pg.177 • Bare Bones Minoans pg.178
Dr Andy Souter
John Shepherd An archaeologist who has worked extensively in the field throughout Europe, John is a specialist in the study of ancient glass. Join John on Hidden Rome pg.62 • Dalmatian Island Medley pg.168 • Historical Highlights of Dalmatia pg.170
Dr Nick Thorpe Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Winchester, Nick has published books and articles on prehistoric Wessex, Britain and Europe; on burial practices; and on the origins of agriculture and the archaeological fringe. Join Nick on Brittany pg.42
Esther Unterweger
Currently working for the University of Reading, Andy is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has worked on fieldwork projects at Felix Romuliana and Portus.
Born in Austria, Esther studied Provincial Archaeology and Art History at the University of Graze. Her interests include 20th century Vienna and the Viennese Secession.
Join Andrew on Ancient Catalonia pg.48 • Roman Lusitania pg.50 • Rome pg.61
Join Esther on Cruising the Danube pg.162 • Cruising the Danube at Christmas pg.164
Johnny Villalobos Winner of Wanderlust’s Top Conservation Guide 2019, Johnny grew up in Guapiles, a small community on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. A tour guide since 1995, his specialist subjects are natural history, naturlism, archaeology, anthropology and history. An important professional and personal accomplishment is his participation in social and environmental projects. Join Johnny on our Costa Rica tour pg.152
Isabella Sjöström An archaeologist with a particular interest in Anatolia and North Africa, Isabella works as a pottery specialist with the Sudan Archaeological Research Society. She has excavated in the UK, Italy, Libya, Greece and Turkey. Join Isabella on Aegean Coast of Turkey pg.90
Dr Paul Tubb A landscape archaeologist and Mountain Leader, Paul has been studying the prehistory of southern Britain for 40 years. He has also spent a lot of time fossil-hunting in Lyme Bay. Join Paul on Mary Anning & Augustis Pitt Rivers pg. 26
Kattia Valverde Having been a naturalist guide for over 25 years, Kattia relays the passion she has for Costa Rica when leading groups through its cities, while sharing its history and also showcasing its nature, local culture and people. Join Kattia on our Costa Rica tour pg.152
Tony Wilmott Senior Archaeologist with Historic England, Tony has directed many excavations, including 23 seasons of work at Hadrian’s Wall, the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. He has also excavated at Whitby Abbey, Richborough Roman fort, and on the amphitheatre at Chester. Tony has published several books and many articles in archaeological journals and conference proceedings. He specialises in the Roman periods, with particlar interest in the Roman military. Join Tony on Oberammergau & the Southern Limes pg.22 • Highlights of Hadrian’s Wall pg.34 • Walking Hadrian’s Wall pg.35 • Pompeii pg.58
Francis Yang
Peter Yeoman
Yonatan Zilbersheid
A tour leader for more than 20 years, Francis loves to share his invaluable knowledge and life experience on the tours he leads. Anyone travelling in Francis’ company has a memorable time.
Until recently, Peter was Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland. He wrote official guidebooks for Iona Abbey, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle.
Leading tours across all of Israel, Yonatan is knowledgeable in all aspects of the country’s history, religions, archaeology, culture, folk music, flora and fauna. He is an enthusiastic expert guide.
Join Francis on our Cultural Journeys tour to China pg.150
Join Peter on Discover the Picts pg.38 • Orkney & Shetland pg.39
Join Yonatan on our Cultural Journeys tour to Israel pg.142
For more information about our guides visit: andantetravels.com/guides or call a member of our team today: 01772 650 051
Images left to right: the iconic Colosseum in Rome & traditional fishermen in Sri Lanka
01772 650 051 191
Calendar May 3rd - 9th Journey through Wessex with Mark Corney.............................. pg 28 3rd - 10th Dalmatian Island Medley with John Shepherd........................ pg 168 6th - 11th Bare Bones Istanbul with Bulent Sahan............................pg 179 8th - 16th Albania | Land of the Eagles with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 76 8th - 16th Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik with Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves........... pg 72
March 3rd - 11th Tunisia | The Punic Wars with Tony O’Connor......................... pg 124
17th - 22nd Rome | The Heart of the Empire with Dr Simon Elliott..........................pg 61
11th - 17th Brittany | Carnac & Beyond with Dr Nick Thorpe........................... pg 42
19th - 23rd Britannia Prima with Dr Denise Allen.......................... pg 29
12th - 19th Crete & Santorini with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley .pg 84
16th - 20th Bare Bones Pompeii with Daniela Mantice........................pg 177
20th - 27th Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Tony O’Connor........................... pg 58
14th - 24th May Classical Sicily with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 54
19th - 29th Classical Sicily with Dr Neil Faulkner......................... pg 54
20th - 27th Ravenna & Aquileia with Prof. Tony King........................... pg 66
20th - 26th Hidden Rome with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 62
21st - 28th Crete & Santorini with Dr Sandy MacGillivray.............. pg 84
24th March - 2nd April Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses with Nick Jackson............................ pg 104
25th April - 2nd May Relaxed Split with Dr Eireann Marshall...................pg 74
28th March - 5th April Puglia & Basilicata with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 56
25th April - 5th May Aegean Coast of Turkey with Terry Richardson....................... pg 90
April
26th April - 3rd May Lebanon with Tony O’Connor......................... pg 100
25th May - 1st June Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Diana Blumberg......................... pg 58
26th April - 3rd May The Etruscans with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 65
25th May - 1st June Ravenna & Aquileia with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 66
27th April - 4th May Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Ben Kane.................................... pg 58
26th - 31st Bare Bones Minoans with Miranda Spitha.........................pg 178
14th - 30th Chile & Easter Island with Dr Paul Bahn............................ pg 138
1st - 12th South East Turkey with Terry Richardson....................... pg 92 6th - 15th Epirus & Macedonia with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 80 7th - 15th Tunisia | The Punic Wars with Farès Moussa........................... pg 124 14th - 19th Syracuse & Ortygia with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 53 14th - 21st North Cyprus with Terry Richardson....................... pg 88
192 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
27th April - 4th May Romans, Visigoths & Viziers with Dr Doru Bogdan..........................pg 51 29th April - 16th May Peru | The Incas & their Ancestors with David Drew............................... pg 136
14th - 30th May China | Beyond the Great Wall with Dr Kim Hunter-Gordon............pg 114 15th - 20th Bare Bones Rhodes with Nikolaos Mastrochristos.........pg 178 15th - 23rd Sardinia | Warriors & Traders with Farès Moussa............................. pg 52 17th - 24th Latium | The Roman Rich with Diana Blumberg......................... pg 64
26th May - 3rd June Albania & Macedonia | The Via Egnatia with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 78 27th May - 1st June Bare Bones Troy with Bulent Sahan............................pg 179 27th May - 6th June North East Turkey with Terry Richardson....................... pg 94
30th May - 4th June Val Camonica with Dr Craig Alexander.................... pg 68
17th - 26th Denmark | Not Only Vikings with Brian Ayers................................. pg 69
30th May - 8th June Poland | Slavs, Celts & Goths with Prof. John Hines........................ pg 70
19th - 24th Bare Bones Greece with Miranda Spitha.........................pg 177
June
21st June - 1st July Peru | A Cultural Journey with Karim Ruiz Rosell.................... pg 156
1st - 5th The Archaeology of London with John Oxley...................................pg 31 1st - 8th Ancient Catalonia with Dr Andy Souter.......................... pg 48 1st - 12th The Peloponnese with Dr Angelos Papadopoulos........ pg 82 2nd - 7th Dordogne Cave Art with Dr Paul Bahn.............................. pg 43 4th - 6th Oberammergau & the Dream Castles of Bavaria with an expert guide lecturer...........pg 19 4th - 18th Armenia & Georgia with Ian Colvin................................... pg 96 8th - 14th Romans in the North with Dr Simon Elliott......................... pg 37 13th - 19th Oberammergau & the Archaeology of Northern Italy with Dr Craig Alexander.................... pg 23 15th - 22nd Rock Art of Altamira with Dr Paul Bahn.............................. pg 49 17th - 19th Short Break in Oberammergau with an expert tour manager............pg 18
22nd - 27th The Archaeology of the Isle of Man with Andrew Foxon............................ pg 33 28th June - 5th July Prehistoric Ireland with Jeremy Bennett..........................pg 41 29th June - 4th July Oberammergau, Munich & Salzburg with Barnaby Rayfield....................... pg 20
July 4th - 14th Costa Rica | A Cultural Journey with Kattia Valverde.........................pg 152 7th - 12th Mary Anning & General Pitt Rivers with Dr Paul Tubb............................... pg 26 11th - 16th Oberammergau, Munich & Salzburg with Barnaby Rayfield....................... pg 20 13th - 18th Falco’s Britannia with Lindsey Davis with Dr Denise Allen.......................... pg 30 13th - 23rd Orkney & Shetland with Peter Yeoman............................. pg 39 25th - 27th Short Break in Oberammergau with an expert tour manager............pg 18
August 2nd - 9th Prehistoric Ireland with Jeremy Bennett..........................pg 41 10th - 15th Explore Northern Ireland with Jeremy Bennett......................... pg 40 12th - 25th Brazil | A Cultural Journey with Heidi Immerman...................... pg 154 24th - 31st Rock Art of Altamira with Dr Rob Dinnis............................. pg 49 25th August - 2nd September Oberammergau & the Southern Limes with Tony Wilmott.............................. pg 22 27th - 31st Bare Bones Berlin with Nick Jackson.............................pg 175
Images left to right: Polnabrone Dolmen in Burren, the Grand Mosque Gate in Oman & the Great Wall of China
30th August - 6th September Cruising the Danube | Romans, Amber & Habsburg Splendour with Esther Unterweger................. pg 162 31st August - 16th September Egypt | Pharaohs & Pyramids with Dr Luigi Prada...........................pg 118
September 1st - 8th Crete & Santorini with Dr Rita Roussos......................... pg 84 2nd - 11th Denmark | Not Only Vikings with Brian Ayers................................. pg 69 4th - 9th Bare Bones Greece with Miranda Spitha.........................pg 177 4th - 12th Puglia & Basilicata with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 56 6th - 12th Discover the Picts with Peter Yeoman............................. pg 38 7th - 12th The Archaeology of the Isle of Man Andrew Foxon..................................... pg 33 01772 650 051 193
14th - 21st Romans, Visigoths & Viziers with Dr Doru Bogdan..........................pg 51 14th - 23rd Epirus & Macedonia
with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley .pg 80
15th - 18th Parma with an expert tour manager......... pg 182 15th - 20th Dordogne Cave Art with Dr Rob Dinnis............................. pg 43 15th - 20th Falco’s Rome with Lindsey Davis with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 63 15th - 23rd Roman Provence with Dr Craig Alexander.................... pg 44 17th - 27th Classical Sicily with Dr Gillian Shepherd................... pg 54 18th September - 2nd October Uzbekistan with Francois Desset....................... pg 108 20th - 24th Palermo with an expert tour manager......... pg 182 20th - 25th Highlights of Hadrian’s Wall with Tony Wilmott.............................. pg 34 20th - 27th Roman Lusitania with Dr Andy Souter.......................... pg 50
7th - 13th Brittany | Carnac & Beyond with Dr Nick Thorpe........................... pg 42
10th - 14th Bare Bones Florence with Dr Agata Chrzanowska............pg 176
7th - 14th Languedoc | Cathars & Crusaders with Dr Pamela Marshall.................. pg 46
10th - 20th Classical Sicily with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 54
7th - 14th Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with John Shepherd.......................... pg 58
11th - 16th Bare Bones Rhodes with Nikolaos Mastrochristos.........pg 178
7th - 15th Walking Hadrian’s Wall with Tony Wilmott.............................. pg 35 8th - 13th Dordogne Cave Art with Dr Rob Dinnis............................. pg 43 8th - 15th Crete & Santorini with Dr Rita Roussos......................... pg 84 9th - 17th Croatia | Dalmatia & Dubrovnik with Dr Lisa-Maria Graham.............. pg 72
194 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
11th - 20th Jordan | A Cultural Journey with Mohammad Abdulnabi............ pg 144 11th - 22nd Greenland & Iceland | A Cultural Journey with Eyrún Björnsdóttir.................. pg 158 14th - 19th The Golden Age of Northumbria with John Oxley.................................. pg 36 14th - 21st Crete Revisited with Dr Sandy MacGillivray.............. pg 86 14th - 21st Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Dr Jamie Sewell......................... pg 58
20th - 27th The Etruscans with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 65 21st - 27th Romans in the North with Dr Simon Elliott......................... pg 37 21st September - 2nd October The Peloponnese with Dr Rita Roussos......................... pg 82 22nd - 27th Bare Bones Minoans with Miranda Spitha.........................pg 178 22nd - 30th Sardinia | Warriors & Traders with Dr Tertia Barnett....................... pg 52 23rd - 30th South Cyprus with Dr Paul Croft.............................. pg 87 23rd September - 3rd October Peru | A Cultural Journey with Karim Ruiz Rosell.................... pg 156 23rd September - 10th October Peru | The Incas & their Ancestors with David Drew............................... pg 136 24th - 28th
Bare Bones Berlin with Nick Jackson.............................pg 175 24th September - 1st October Serbia | Land of the Iron Emperors with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 75 26th September - 7th October South East Turkey with Terry Richardson....................... pg 92 27th September - 1st October Catania with an expert tour manager......... pg 183 27th September - 9th October Russia with Prof. Alexei Leporc.................... pg 98 28th September - 5th October Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Dr Gillian Shepherd................... pg 58 29th September - 6th October Crete & Santorini
with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley .pg 84
29th September - 8th October Algeria | Roman Mauretania with Dr Eireann Marshall................ pg 122
with Dr Jamie Sewell......................... pg 54 9th - 17th Albania | Land of the Eagles with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 76 11th - 15th Tuscany with an expert tour manager......... pg 184 11th - 18th Latium | The Roman Rich with Prof. Tony King........................... pg 64 12th - 17th Falco’s Britannia with Lindsey Davis with Dr Denise Allen.......................... pg 30 12th - 19th Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Tony Wilmott.............................. pg 58 12th - 27th China | A Cultural Journey with Francis Yang............................. pg 150 13th - 20th Crete & Santorini with Dr Sandy MacGillivray.............. pg 84
October
13th - 23rd India | A Cultural Journey with Manish Nagar........................... pg 146
1st - 11th Classical Sicily with Dr Doru Bogdan......................... pg 54
15th - 22nd North Cyprus with Terry Richardson....................... pg 94
1st - 15th Armenia & Georgia with Ian Colvin................................... pg 96
14th - 27th Brazil | A Cultural Journey with Marcelle Granatiere................ pg 154
3rd - 10th Relaxed Split with Mark Corney...............................pg 74
17th - 24th Historical Highlights of Dalmatia with John Shepherd.........................pg 170
18th - 25th Cruising the Danube | Romans, Amber & Habsburg Splendour with Matthias Grebien.................... pg 162 19th - 23rd Provence with an expert tour manager......... pg 185 19th - 23rd The Archaeology of London with John Oxley...................................pg 31 19th - 24th Pyrenees Rock Art with Dr Paul Bahn.............................. pg 47 19th - 26th Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Dr Simon Elliott......................... pg 58 19th - 26th Romans, Visigoths & Viziers with Dr Doru Bogdan..........................pg 51 19th - 27th Albania & Macedonia | The Via Egnatia with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 78 20th - 25th Syracuse & Ortygia with Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves........... pg 53 20th - 30th Israel & Palestine with Nick Jackson............................ pg 102 21st - 26th Bare Bones Istanbul with Bulent Sahan............................pg 179 21st - 30th Classical Highlights of Greece with an expert guide lecturer.........pg 172
3rd - 13th Aegean Coast of Turkey with Terry Richardson....................... pg 90 4th - 8th Seville with an expert tour manager......... pg 184 5th - 8th Archaeology & Ghosts of East Anglia with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 32 5th - 12th Ancient Catalonia with Dr Andy Souter.......................... pg 48 5th - 12th Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Tony Wilmott.............................. pg 58 6th - 9th Bologna with an expert tour manager......... pg 183 6th - 15th Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses with Nick Jackson............................ pg 104 8th - 18th Classical Sicily Images left to right: Ancient monastery in Armenia & the Tomb of Giulano de Medici in Florence
01772 650 051 195
2nd - 17th Mexico | The Maya with David Drew............................... pg 128 3rd - 11th Tunisia | The Punic Wars with Dr Eireann Marshall................ pg 124 3rd - 14th Egypt | Highlights & Discoveries with an expert guide lecturer.........pg 116 6th - 16th Oman with Nick Jackson............................ pg 106 6th - 20th Sri Lanka with Prof. Bilinda Devage Nandadeva & Prof. Nilan Cooray.............................pg 110 7th - 11th Bare Bones Rome with Kate Parkinson.........................pg 176 7th - 23rd Chile & Easter Island with Dr Paul Bahn............................ pg 138 9th - 16th Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Mark Corney.............................. pg 58 10th - 20th India | A Cultural Journey with Shakeel Chauhan..................... pg 146 22nd October - 2nd November Nepal | A Cultural Journey with Ajay Manandhar....................... pg 148
28th October - 6th November Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses with Dr Neil Faulkner....................... pg 104
23rd - 29th Hidden Rome with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 62
29th October - 3rd November Cruising the Rhône | Archaeological Highlights with Dr Eireann Marshall.................pg 161
23rd October - 1st November Jordan | A Cultural Journey with Mohammad Abdulnabi............ pg 144 25th - 30th Cruising the Danube | Palaces, Castles & Capitals with Ester Unterweger................... pg 162 25th October - 1st November Lebanon with Tony O’Connor......................... pg 100 25th October - 1st November The Etruscans with Prof. Tony King........................... pg 65 26th October - 4th November Epirus & Macedonia with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley .pg 80 26th October - 8th November Ethiopia | The African Empire with Dr Jacke Phillips...................... pg 126 28th October - 2nd November Bare Bones Troy with Bulent Sahan............................pg 179
196 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
30th October - 5th November Hidden Rome with John Shepherd.......................... pg 62 31st October - 15th November Egypt | Pharaohs & Pyramids with Dr Xavier Droux........................pg 118
November 1st - 10th November Algeria | Roman Mauretania with Steve Roskams........................ pg 122 2nd - 6th Thessaloniki with an expert tour manager......... pg 185 2nd - 9th Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with David Rudling............................. pg 58 2nd - 9th Ravenna & Aquileia with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 66 2nd - 15th Northern Peru | Land of the Cloud Warriors with Prof. John Rick......................... pg 132
11th - 19th Tunisia | The Punic Wars with Dr Eireann Marshall................ pg 124 15th - 21st Peru | Essence of the Andes with a local guide............................. pg 134 16th - 20th Bare Bones Pompeii with Daniela Mantice........................pg 177 16th - 22nd Byzantium with Terry Richardson....................... pg 89 16th - 25th Israel | A Cultural Journey with Yonatan Zilbersheid................ pg 142 19th - 23rd Bare Bones Florence with Dr Agata Chrzanowska............pg 176 22nd - 29th Lebanon with Tony O’Connor......................... pg 100 24th November - 4th December Israel & Palestine with Nick Jackson............................ pg 102 24th November - 5th December Nepal | A Cultural Journey with Bipin Banepali.......................... pg 148 26th - 30th Bare Bones Venice with Dr Eireann Marshall.................pg 175
December 1st - 14th Guatemala & Belize with Dr Nicholas James.................. pg 130 1st - 18th North India with Dr Mehreen Chida-Razvi.........pg 112 4th - 9th Rome | The Heart of the Empire with Dr Andy Souter...........................pg 61 11th - 21st Costa Rica | A Cultural Journey with Kattia Valverde.........................pg 152 14th - 17th Archaeology & the Ghosts of East Anglia with Oliver Gilkes............................... pg 32 14th - 21st Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania with Tony Wilmott.............................. pg 58 20th - 27th Tunisia | The Punic Wars with Dr Eireann Marshall................ pg 124 23rd - 27th Cruising the Danube | Christmas Markets & Festivities with Matthis Grebien...................... pg 164 23rd - 27th Cruising the Rhine | Medieval Cathedrals at Christmas with Dr Jamie Sewell....................... pg 165 27th December 2020 - 3rd January 2021 Lebanon at New Year with Tony O’Connor......................... pg 100 28th December 2020 - 2nd January 2021 Venice at New Year with Dr Eireann Marshall.................. pg 67 28th December 2020 - 3rd January 2021 Pompeii & Naples at New Year with Mark Corney.............................. pg 60
2021 Departures 17th February - 2nd March Brazil | A Cultural Journey with Heidi Immerman...................... pg 154
3rd - 14th April Nepal | A Cultural Journey with Ajay Manandhar....................... pg 148
10th - 20th March Costa Rica | A Cultural Journey with Johnny Villalobos.....................pg 152
7th - 21st May Sri Lanka with Prof. Bilinda Devage Nandadeva & Prof. Nilan Cooray.............................pg 110
15th - 24th March Israel | A Cultural Journey with Yonatan Zilbershied................ pg 142
10th - 25th May China | A Cultural Journey with Amy Lee.................................... pg 150
15th - 24th March Jordan | A Cultural Journey with Salah Abu Naffa....................... pg 144
14th - 26th May Russia with Prof. Alexei Leporc.................... pg 98
25th March - 4th April India | A Cultural Journey with Manish Nagar........................... pg 146
26th May - 5th June Peru | A Cultural Journey with Karim Ruiz Rosell.................... pg 156
2nd - 11th April Jordan | A Cultural Journey with Ashraf Al Hanini....................... pg 144
8th - 23rd September China | A Cultural Journey with Ariel Cao................................... pg 150
Images left to right: Hoffmann sloth in Costa Rica & the Franciscan Monastery in Croatia
01772 650 051 197
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS Your package holiday booking is with Andante Travels, The Clock Tower, 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HT. Telephone: 01722 713800 email: tours@andantetravels.com. Arblaster & Clarke, Historical trips and Authentic Adventures are trading names of Andante Travels Ltd These Booking Conditions set out the terms on which you contract with us and this contract is made on the terms of these booking conditions, which are governed by English Law, and the jurisdiction of the English Courts. If you reside in Scotland or Northern Ireland you may choose the applicable law and jurisdiction if you wish to do so. In these booking conditions, “you” and “your” includes all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date). “We”, “us” and “our” means Andante Travels. Andante Travels is a subsidiary of Specialist Tours Limited (company number 08395250). Except where otherwise stated, these booking conditions only apply to holiday arrangements which you book with us and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions to “holiday”, “booking”, “contract” or “arrangements” mean such holiday arrangements unless otherwise stated.
KEY POINTS You enter into a booking with us when we issue our booking confirmation/invoice. If you then cancel, there will be cancellation charges. Initially as a minimum this may only be a deposit, but can go up to 100%. You can make changes to your booking in certain circumstances. We make a charge for this. We can change and cancel your booking. We’ll pay you compensation in certain circumstances It is a condition of booking that all travellers are covered by comprehensive travel insurance. We are responsible to you for providing your holiday but there are legal limits. ANDANTE TRAVELS is a member of AITO and holds ATOL number 3552 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.
1. BOOKING All information provided in the brochure/website is, to the best of our knowledge or belief, correct at the time of publication. We will advise you of any changes that are fundamental to the contract, or which we believe will affect your enjoyment of the holiday. Please advise us if there is any requirement, which you believe is fundamental to your holiday so that we can give you the latest information at time of booking. When you ask us to proceed with a booking you will be required to make a (minimum) deposit payment which will vary dependent on the specific holiday you are booking. This will be advised at the time of booking and confirmed in your booking confirmation. It may also be necessary to collect payment at the time of booking for other (non-refundable) costs e.g. flight tickets, transfers etc. In the case of bookings made after the balance due date, we will require full payment for the holiday. You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking and you guarantee that you have the authority to accept, and do accept, these terms and conditions for all members of the party (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date), and in particular payment for all the persons on the booking. We reserve the right in our absolute discretion to refuse to accept any booking without necessarily specifying a reason. A contract is made when we accept your booking and issue our written booking confirmation/invoice. If we cannot accept or confirm the booking, any money paid will be promptly refunded. On receipt of the booking confirmation/invoice it is important to check the details and if there is any inaccuracy this must be notified to us immediately. It may not be possible to make changes or corrections later, or additional costs may be incurred which we will have to pass on to you. Many of our holidays are based on specially negotiated airfares booked in a specific airline booking class. At the time of booking if these fares are not available, we will endeavour to secure an alternative air fare and advise you of any additional cost. Please note that most special air fares are non-refundable and non- changeable.
2. PAYMENT We hold your deposit (and any additional payment required at the time of booking) towards the full cost of the holiday. The balance must be received by us no later than the final payment due date shown on your booking confirmation/invoice, as appropriate to your holiday. If you do not pay the full cost within the time specified we may treat your holiday as cancelled by you in which case the cancellation charges shown in point 4 - Cancellation by You, will apply.
Deposit Payments: UK Guests: Deposits: £500 | Bare Bones Tours: £250 US Guests: $250 for tours costing up to $1500 $750 for tours costing between $1500 and $4500 $1250 for tours costing over $4500 Ways to Pay - we accept payment by Visa, MasterCard, (American Express in the US only), cheque or bank transfer for which no levy is charged by us. Your bank or credit card provider may charge an additional financial processing charge and we cannot be responsible for any such charges. Please Note: if you are paying from an overseas bank account we will charge an additional £10 for overseas bank charges incurred by us. A surcharge of 2.5% will be applied for card payments made with cards registered outside the EEA and USA.
3. YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE a) Prior to booking you will receive a verbal quote based on your specific holiday requirements and travel dates. b) We reserve the right to notify you of any alteration in the advertised or quoted price and any changes in holiday arrangements before accepting your booking. NB: We make every effort to ensure that the most up to date and correct prices are shown on our website. We operate a pricing policy which means that the earlier you book the cheaper the holiday will be. Our very best prices are reserved for those who book early. We also commit that we will not offer the same holiday at a lower price to anyone that has booked after you (or we will refund you the difference between your price and the price they pay). If you do not wish to accept the corrected and actual price of the holiday, we will cancel the booking and provide a full refund of any monies you have already paid. Alternatively you may amend your booking or select an alternative holiday at the applicable and correct price. c) Subject to these conditions, once we have confirmed your booking, the price is fully guaranteed and will not be subject to any additional ‘surcharges’, which means any increase due to changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties, including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at port and airports or exchange rates. d) Prices in our brochures and/or on our website are calculated on rates of exchange linked to those available to us; either based on rates previously secured or our view of currency exchange rates applicable at the time payments are due.
Single, Double, Twin Bedded Rooms Single supplements are payable for sole occupancy of a room. A single room does not guarantee the provision of a double or twin room, and in some instances may be smaller. A ‘double’ bed is often two single beds pushed together, sometimes with double bed base linen (although it is not unusual for single duvets to be provided in some hotels for doubles).
Whats Included • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer Tour Manager (with all groups of 15+) 3-5* Accommodation Dinners including tea/coffee after dinners Field notes, tips, entrance to all sites in the program
4. CANCELLATION & VARIATION BY YOU Cancellation by You If you or any member of your party wish to cancel your holiday, or if you fail to pay the full cost of the holiday within the specified time, you will be liable as a minimum, to pay the charges detailed below up to the point of cancellation, in addition to any non-refundable items*. Or in the case of failure to pay, at the date that we deem your booking to have been cancelled. Written notification from the person who made the booking must be received at our offices. The cancellation charge will be calculated according to the date this is received, or the date upon which your cancellation is treated as occurring because of non-payment. *Non-refundable holiday costs charged for at the time of booking, including upgraded air tickets, hotel upgrades, extensions, extra overnight stays, transfers etc., will be charged at 100% and the charges shown below will then apply to the remainder of the holiday cost and any amendment charges are not refundable. Additional accommodation costs for reduced occupancy or other components, may be payable in the event that one or more passengers cancels but where remaining passengers still wish to travel.
198 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
Group Bookings - cancellation charges will apply to any guests of group who may wish to cancel in the unlikely event of cancellation by the lead passenger. Note: If your cancellation falls within the provisions of your travel insurance policy you may be able to make a claim which must be made direct to your insurance company. Up to 84 days: deposit | 83-68 days:35% | 67-56 days:55% | 55-35 days:75% | From 34 days to departure:0% We will observe travel advice provided by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Should circumstances dictate, you can cancel your booking without paying cancellation charges if the performance of your holiday, or the carriage of passengers to your destination, is significantly affected by unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. In such circumstances, we will arrange for your booking to be cancelled and for you to receive a full refund.
Variation by You Booking alterations: If, after our booking confirmation/invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes (subject to agreement by our suppliers) but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be made in writing from the person who made the booking. You will be asked to pay an administration charge starting from £40 per person in addition to any additional booking costs as a result of the changes made, including any changed occupancy or flight costs following a cancellation (see point 4 - Cancellation by You). You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Additional fees may be charged, depending on the cost and work caused to us by the requested change. Booking transfer: You can transfer your existing booking to another person suggested by you (subject to agreement by our suppliers)*, by giving us notice in writing at least 15 days before departure. The replacement traveller must satisfy and fulfil any conditions that apply to the holiday, and all costs of the original booking, and both you and the new traveller are responsible for paying all costs we incur before the transfer can be made by us. The cost of the transfer will consist of both an administration charge of £50 and any costs which our suppliers impose. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be transferrable after a reservation has been made, for example, some airlines may require payment of 100% cancellation charges and the cost of a new ticket for ANY variation that is made, and changes to other arrangements may incur a cancellation charge of up to 100%. * If you are unable to travel, you may wish to check whether cover is provided for your cancellation within the terms of your travel insurance policy as this may incur less cost to you. While on holiday: If you decide to cut short your holiday for your own reasons, or not stay at accommodation that has been booked for you, take any pre-booked meals, excursions or other holiday components, then we are unable to offer you any refund or cover any costs. Depending on the circumstances, your travel insurance may offer cover for such curtailment, so we suggest that you check the conditions and requirements of your policy.
5. CANCELLATION & VARIATION BY US We start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed or cancel confirmed bookings, events or activities. Holidays to remote and in some cases, underdeveloped parts of the world carry the risk that parts of the holiday may be subject to alterations beyond our control, sometimes at short notice. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so.
Cancellation by Us: We reserve the right to cancel your booking. We will not cancel your confirmed booking after the final ‘balance due’ payment date, except for unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (see point 6) or failure by you to pay the final balance of your holiday. Minimum Numbers - some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to enable us to operate them. If the minimum number of bookings required for a particular holiday or flight have not been received, we are entitled to cancel it and will notify you prior to the final ‘balance due’ payment date. Please note that in such cases we are not able to accept responsibility for any costs you may have incurred, including costs of other travel arrangements made in association with the cancelled holiday, unless booked through Andante Travels. We are happy to give you an indication at any time of the current number of passengers booked on a trip, but this should not be taken as any guarantee whether the tour will or will not go ahead as booking numbers can fluctuate. There may be certain circumstances when a tour may operate with less than the minimum number than the advertised group size. If your holiday is cancelled you can either have a refund of all monies paid or accept an alternative holiday of comparable standard from us if we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). In the event a refund is paid to you, we will pay compensation as detailed below, as a minimum, except where the significant change is due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Variation by Us: It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include a change of airline or aircraft type, alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, change of airports and/or local connecting transport and changes to supplementary arrangements such as site visit, or change of accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. Occasionally, we may have to make a significant change. If we are constrained by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characterises of the travel services that make up your package, you will have rights set out below. • We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of lower value) or purchase an alternative holiday subject to availability and applicable cost. We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given, your booking may be cancelled. • If you choose to accept a refund, we will: a) pay compensation as detailed below, as a minimum, except where the significant change is due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Period before departure when a significant change or cancellation is notified to you (compensation per person): More than 60 days before departure:Nil | 60-22 days:£20 | 21-15 days:£30 | 14-8 days:£40 | 7-0 days:£50 Very rarely, we may be forced by ‘circumstances beyond our control’ (see point 6) to change or terminate your holiday after departure but before the scheduled end of your time away. This is extremely unlikely but if this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain these from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result. We do not control the day to day management of your accommodation, and in exceptional cases it is possible that we may be advised that the reserved accommodation has been overbooked. If this happens before your departure or on arrival in a location, we will endeavour to provide accommodation of at least the same standard in the same area. If only accommodation of a lower standard is available we will refund the difference of the holiday price between the accommodation booked and that available, and will pay up to £50 per person for any inconvenience.
6. CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation, reimburse expenses, or cover losses where the performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of ‘circumstances beyond our control’. In these booking conditions, ‘circumstances beyond our control’ means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include actual or threatened war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity and its consequences (including suspected terrorist activity and all action taken during any “terror alert”), industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandemics, unavoidable technical problems with transport, airport or airspace closures, as well as other air traffic management decisions (that may result in long or overnight delays or cancellations), fire, concert/event changes or cancellation and all similar events outside our control. This list is not exhaustive. BREXIT – at this current time and until negotiations are completed and full details known, it is not possible to foresee any impact, changes or restrictions there may be on flight operations between the EU and the UK or the effect this may have on booked holiday arrangements. Group based holidays and activities - Worldwide weather patterns are becoming ever more erratic and unpredictable. If it is not possible to operate certain excursions for this reason, we will endeavour to offer alternatives if this is possible. Such circumstances are totally beyond our control and you therefore should proceed with your booking on this basis. Public Holidays, Sporting & Local Events - in addition to public holidays, many countries host other national or international events or there may be local festivals, which may impact on local/tourist services or travel arrangements, including the reduction or closure of facilities, route diversions etc. during your visit. We have no control over these events, and as dates and details of arrangements are often changeable year on year, it is not possible for us to guarantee to forewarn you of specific details that may be relevant to your holiday, or accept any responsibility for disruption that may be caused. During public holidays, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions may also be closed. Third-Party Information & Websites - your booking is based on the information supplied to you by Andante Travels. We understand you may conduct additional research into your holiday through other third parties and associated websites, but as we have no control over such information this does not form any basis of our contract with you. WiFi - where the provision of Wi-Fi may be indicated in a property description, no guarantee is given or implied that it will be operative during your holiday and its availability is outside our control. Some properties may charge for this service and the areas where it is available may be limited and not necessarily available in guest rooms. In all cases, no compensation or refund will be paid in the event that it is not available for whatever reason. Dietary Requests & Allergies - even nowadays, in some destinations, basic well-known dietary requirements (such as vegetarian, gluten free etc.) are often misunderstood and seldom catered for adequately, despite the best intentions and assurances from hoteliers and restaurateurs. We cannot accept detailed lists of specific dietary or food preparation requests and are unable to accept any other requests (eg. personal preferences) that are not for medical or religious reasons. While we are happy to pass on any such requests, we cannot guarantee choice or availability - especially with any airline meal options. NOTE: It is your responsibility to double check and reconfirm any allergy or dietary requirements directly with the various holiday suppliers. Other Hotel Guests - it is not unusual for hotels or other accommodation to receive group bookings (sometimes with large numbers) from guests participating in conventions and conferences or other gatherings. At certain times of the year, there may be an influx of groups such as students on organised educational visits (popular during school holidays), associations or clubs. This may result in hotel facilities being much busier than usual or additional demands on hotel staff and services, but we are unable to accept any responsibility for any inconvenience caused by such groups or their activities. Guides - we reserve the right to substitute any named guide, guest lecturer or other escort with an alternative qualified person and this will not be deemed as any significant change to your arrangements.
01772 650 051 199
7. FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH TRAVEL ADVICE, HEALTH, VISAS & DOCUMENTS a) Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements including, inoculations and health certificates are your responsibility and you should confirm these for all countries to, or through which you are intending to travel and cover all costs for this. Requirements should be checked well in advance of travel and we do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements. b) Essential information for British citizens (only), including health, passport and visa requirements along with up-to-date Foreign Office travel, safety and security advice can be obtained from https:// www.gov.uk/travelaware. We also strongly recommend that you sign up for the latest email updates as travel and safety information can change at any point without notice. c) If you or any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non-British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country or countries to, or through which, you are intending to travel and consult the relevant authority for the latest travel and safety advice for the destinations you are visiting. d) We recommend that you consult your doctor well in advance of travel for the latest advice on inoculations and health certificates. You can also obtain the latest health information ahead of travel by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNac) website https://www.travelhealthpro.org.uk.
8. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Our tours are not designed for party members to undertake special projects or research whether in connection with study, employment or otherwise. We cannot accept any liability for any losses or damages arising out of such use or planned use nor for any loss or damage which has special financial consequences. Please note if you do intend to use one of our tours for such purposes you should obtain adequate insurance in respect of it and any special equipment you decide to bring with you on such tours.
9. HOLIDAY PARTICIPATION It is a condition of participation in one of our holidays that you agree to accept the authority and decisions of our employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on holiday with us. If in the opinion of such a person your health or conduct at any time, before or after departure, appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a holiday, you may be excluded from all or part of the tour and/ or we may terminate your holiday, and any additional costs incurred by you as a result of such exclusion will be your responsibility. In the case of ill health we may make such arrangements as we see fit and recover any resulting costs from you.
10. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU We make every effort to ensure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to provide as part of our contract with you are delivered with reasonable skill and care. It is the laws and regulations of the country in which the services are actually provided which apply to your holiday arrangements and not those of the UK or your home country and any resulting complaint or claim will be judged on this basis. If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as being properly provided. Please note, it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care have not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). Also bear in mind that standards of, for example, safety, hygiene, and quality may vary and services and transport your tour involves may differ to the stringent standards we are accustomed to in the UK or your home country. Including for example, the absence of seatbelts on coaches contracted outside the UK as this is not always a legal requirement elsewhere. Certain holidays involve risks and hazards of travel to and in remote and/or uninhabited areas where injury, illness, death, delay, or unanticipated events may occur as a result of forces of nature, wildlife and adverse weather conditions. Medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible in some parts, and the medical facilities that do exist could be of inferior quality compared to what is available at home. In remote regions risks may include but are not limited to: mechanical breakdown of expedition vehicle(s); becoming stranded in remote and/or uninhabited areas; being subjected to rugged terrain and a harsh climate; encounters with wild animals, insects and pests, and the possibility of illness, injury or death therefrom; the uncontrollable and unpredictable behaviour of wild animals in their natural habitat; the possibility of not seeing certain animals; and dangerous weather and climate conditions. You must inform us without undue delay of any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services included in this package. If any of the travel services included in your package are not performed in accordance with the contract, or improperly performed, by us or the travel service suppliers, and this has affected the enjoyment of your travel arrangements, you may be entitled to an appropriate price reduction or compensation or both. We will not be liable where any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services is due to: you or another member of your party; or a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel services in the package and is unforeseeable or unavoidable Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your travel arrangements (excluding amendment charges). Our liability (if we are found liable to you on any basis) will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: a) The contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that made up your package. These terms are incorporated into this booking contract; and b) Any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of and conditions under which compensation can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage (there are strict Conditions of Carriage obligations for making claims for missing or damaged baggage that must be followed). We are regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of the extent of or the conditions under which compensation is to be paid under these or any conventions. You can ask for copies of the travel service contractual terms, or the international conventions from Andante Travels. Where a carrier or hotelier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable international convention or regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights – see point 11 below. If it is impossible to ensure your return as scheduled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, we will bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible of equivalent category, for a maximum of three nights if this is not provided by your airline, in accordance with Regulation 261/2004. The limit doesn’t apply to persons with reduced mobility and any person accompanying them, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, or persons in need of specific medical assistance, provided that you notified us of these needs at least 48 hours before the start of your holiday. NB: this entire clause does not apply to any services which do not form part of your contract with us ie. ‘OWN ARRANGEMENTS’. This includes for example, any additional services, including excursions, that you organise independently, or services which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where these are not organised by us as part of our contract with you. We recommend that sufficient and appropriate insurance is taken out. In addition, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees, or where we are responsible for them, our suppliers or (3) arises out of use of our services for special projects or research whether in connection with study, employment or otherwise or (4) is connected with any business. We further advise you, and you agree that in the event of any claim against us, that such claim shall be governed by English Law and Jurisdiction shall lie in any Court of Competent Jurisdiction in the United Kingdom and you further acknowledge these requirements and waive any objection(s) thereto.
11. TRAVEL DELAYS & CARRIAGE BY AIR Should delays due to weather conditions disrupt your itinerary, additional costs may be incurred and these would be the responsibility of you, the client. You will be assisted by the airlines in accordance with the airlines’ policy on delay. We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in point 6 of these booking conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on the flight who, for example, fails to check in or board a flight on time). Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However reimbursement in such cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in these booking conditions. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline will be deducted from this amount. You are required to make any claim under this regulation directly with the airline, but if your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Civil Aviation Authority on 0207 453 6424 https://www.caa.co.uk. Where long flight delays result in lost holiday time, we are unable to offer any refunds for unused accommodation or other services as reimbursement will not be made by our suppliers in these circumstances, and hotel rooms are held for delayed arrivals and not re-let. We strongly recommend you have adequate insurance provisions in place to fully cover such eventualities. We are unable to guarantee that all parties will be seated together. With some airlines it is possible to request, or in some cases, reserve certain preferred seats on the aircraft (most airlines will make an additional charge for this). We are happy to assist with this but this is an additional service over and above your contractual arrangement for ‘carriage by air’ with the airline. Airlines reserve the right to make changes to any specific seat numbers for operational or safety reasons either before, or on the day of departure and you will be notified of any such change upon check-in. Where applicable, any additional charge made for pre-booking specific seats, will be refunded. In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005 Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a “Community list” which contains details of air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The Community list is available for inspection at https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air- ban_en In accordance with EU Regulations we are required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. If the carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we/the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative, the provisions of point 5, “Cancellation and Variation by us” will apply. We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm the flight timings, which will be used in connection with your flight. The flight timings shown in our brochure, on our website and/or detailed on your booking confirmation/invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. Flight timings are outside our control. They are set by airlines and are subject to various factors including air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, potential technical problems and the ability of passengers to check in on time. Specific instructions relating to departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your air or other travel tickets approximately 2 weeks before departure. You must check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct and up to date flight times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. Any change in the identity of the carrier,
200 | andantetravels.com | 01772 650 051
flight timings, and/or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges except where specified in these conditions. In accordance with EU legislation, we are required to draw your attention to restrictions concerning the import of food items which cannot be brought into the EU (including the UK), from outside the EU. For details please see http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/food/personal-imports/ or contact this office.
12. INSURANCE It is a condition of booking with us that you and all members of your party obtain travel insurance and that you do not travel against medical advice. The cost of repatriation, medical and other treatment overseas can be high and we are unable to assist in meeting those costs. You should organise it immediately when you book so as to be covered in the case of ill health. We do not check insurance policies however we request written details (insurer’s name, policy number and the insurer’s emergency contact number) no later than 6 weeks prior to departure.
13. SPECIAL REQUESTS & MEDICAL CONDITIONS / DISABILITIES If you or any member of your party have any special requests, you must advise us at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your booking confirmation/invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. For your own protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing that a special request will be provided (where it is possible to give this) where it is important to you. We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as “standard” bookings subject to the above provisions on special requests. If you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements as a result of any medical condition or disability (including any which affect the booking process), you must tell us before you confirm your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or making the booking. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking and whenever any change in the condition or disability occurs. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops or worsens after your booking has been confirmed.
14. CLIENT BEHAVIOUR When you book a holiday with ANDANTE TRAVELS you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of your party. ANDANTE TRAVELS reserves the right in its reasonable discretion to terminate the holiday of any member of your party whose conduct is disruptive or detrimental to the enjoyment of other clients, or whose conduct may prejudice the reputation of ANDANTE TRAVELS with our suppliers or hotel owners. In that situation ANDANTE TRAVELS shall have no further responsibility or liability to you. The departure of a coach, ship or train will be not be delayed for passengers who are not on board by the stated departure time.
15. COMPLAINTS & ASSISTANCE ON HOLIDAY If you have any reason to be unhappy with any element of your holiday, we would ask you first to bring this to the attention of the person in charge of the relevant service, on the spot. If this is not possible please either contact our local representative or our UK office, using the number provided with your travel documents. It is essential that you do this to enable us to try and put matters right where possible. If a problem remains unresolved during your holiday you should make a complaint in writing to Andante Travels within 28 days of the completion of your holiday giving your booking reference and all other relevant information. We will reply to you within 28 days of receipt of your letter. Please keep your letter concise and to the point. If you fail to follow the requirement to report your complaint while on holiday we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify it and this may affect your rights under this booking. If you’re in difficulty whilst on holiday and ask us to help, we will provide appropriate assistance, in particular by providing information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance; and helping you to find alternative arrangements and any necessary phone calls/emails. You must pay any costs we incur, if the difficulty is your fault. The terms of this contract are exclusively governed by English Law and the jurisdiction of the English Courts.
16. PROTECTING YOUR MONEY We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. 1.
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 Travels Ltd 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. 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.
1.
Tours without flights arranged by us: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Andante Travels Ltd, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: a) non-flight packages and b) flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the EU, which are sold to customers outside of the EU.
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are abroad. Please note that bookings made outside the EU are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Andante Travels Ltd. In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company. You can access the The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2018/9780111168479/contents
17. AITO QUALITY CHARTER Andante Travels Ltd 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 Ltd abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.com. Visit our website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.
18. DATA PROTECTION To process your booking and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we need to use the information you provide (such as name, address, passport information, email address, mobile number any special needs/dietary requirements, etc.). Any such personal data that you provide will be held securely and for the purpose you have provided it, in accordance with both the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information. We must pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements such as airlines, hotels, transport companies, etc. We will not however, pass any information on to any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. In making a booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons only. We may need to disclose personal data to a third party within countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for the purpose of providing your holiday. Controls on data protection in your destination may not be as stringent as in the UK. In addition, your data may be disclosed to regulatory bodies or public authorities such as customs or immigration for the purposes of monitoring and/or enforcing compliance with any regulatory rules/codes. We will only send you information about special offers, brochures, new holidays and competitions if you have ‘opted in’ to receive news from Andante Travels Ltd. If you do not wish to receive this information, you can use the ‘unsubscribe’ function at the bottom of any email communication or just let us know. For full details of how we may use your personal information and your rights in relation to your personal information, please see our Privacy Policy on our website: https://andantetravels.com/privacy By booking online, or over the phone, you are stating that you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. A copy of which can be found here: https://andantetravels.com/privacy We are ANDANTE TRAVELS LTD, registered limited company no. 1969761. Registered offices: The Clock Tower, Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HT. New York Office: 271 Madison Avenue, Suite 904, New York, NY 10016.
The Clock Tower, Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HT Tel: 0 1722 713800 | Email: tours@andantetravels.com www.andantetravels.com
5009
01772 650 051 201
Quality Gardens and Scentic Scottish Holidays NEW HOLIDAYS JUST LAUNCHED Garden Cruises
Fully Independent Travel
Our River Cruise collection is based on European rivers and waterways, and visits some of the great gardens of the continent
Self-drive departures for those who wish travel independently – every package is tailored to individual requirements
RHS Workshops
Solo Travel
Theoretical and practical gardening lessons provided by the Royal Horticultural Society, complemented with visits to fine gardens
A range of holidays designed for the solo traveller, with no single supplement
Flower Festivals World-renowned flower festivals in India, Singapore and Amsterdam
For more information, visit our website brightwaterholidays.com or call a member of our team today 01334 208252 202
JANUARY BOOKING OFFERS Pay in full at the same time of booking and recieve 5% off or Low Deposit from £50pp
203
SPECIALIST Journeys A collection of some of the world’s finest special interest tour operators, Specialist Journeys offers expert-led archaeological adventures, culinary discoveries, glorious garden tours, and even scenic Scottish breaks. From far-flung holidays to short-haul escapes – and visiting every corner of the world, both ancient and modern – an experience with us is always memorable.
Join one of the Specialist Journeys tours today with an award winning operator Call a member of our team today 01722 569 415 or visit our website www.specialistjourneys.com
archaeological tours