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D O D N EP AL O L SIT 20 O 17 F TO JU U ST RS £ ... 30 0
Journ e ys into the
An c ient World 2017 preview
arranged by andante travels
expert-led archaeological and cultural tours since 1985
ED
O FF ER
6, 1 20 R W O F NO LY E K AC IC L U 7P Q 1 T 20 U O UR LD YO SO VE AN SER IR RE
Our most popular tour of 2016... Discover ancient Persian majesty at Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rustam and Pasargadae
Iran: Kings, Shahs and Gardens Dates throughout 2017 — see page 48 for full details
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Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
WELCOME
Discover the best of the ancient world in 2017 Dear Traveller, The wait is over! It is with great pleasure that I introduce our complete, new 2017 tour programme. Many regular customers have been asking for hints of what 2017 might contain, so it is something of a relief to finally have the whole thing committed to paper. As we do each year, we asked you – our travellers – to vote on ideas for new trips in 2017. I have to confess, it came as something of a surprise to me to see Kazakhstan at the top of the poll, but that was before I saw Dr Jorayev’s itinerary, packed with warring Medieval dynasties, the rolling steppe, tiled cities and the almost otherworldly blue of Almaty lake (see p. 72). The fantastic archaeology of Central Asia is very much on display in 2017 – as Iran (opposite), Uzbekistan and Armenia all take their rightful place amongst our tours. In the West, we might think of these countries as far-flung, but of course, the Silk Road was once the meeting point of the civilised world. It is a phenomenal region to explore, where the great sweep of history is visible everywhere from Genghis Khan, to Tamerlane; Samarkand to Armenia’s mountain-top churches. Adventure, discovery and illumination are the hallmarks of all our trips. Whether it’s Pompeii or Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China or the Paleolithic caves of Southern France, our aim is always to bring you closer to the past. I do hope you enjoy the brochure, and it only remains for me to wish you happy travels this year and next.
Ian Finlay, Director Andante Travels
EARLY BIRD OFFER book now on any tour in 2017 and we’ll fix your deposit at £300! You can hold your place on any of our 2017 tours with a fully refundable deposit of just £300pp. Book before 17th June 2016 and that’s all the deposit you’ll ever have to pay - we won’t ask for a top-up regardless of the final price of the tour. Remember, you can view full itineraries for all 2017 tours on our website: www.andantetravels.com
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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new for 2017 We’ve added an exciting mix of brand new tours to our 2017 programme... As we do every year, we asked you to whittle down our list of potential new tours for 2017. Well, you didn’t let us down! Your chosen tours have helped us to create an eclectic new programme, featuring gulet cruises, central Asian breaks alongside some new Relaxed Breaks and Hidden Cities...
“E
very day brought something new and extraordinary.” Guest, 2015 - The Peloponnese
Take a look at nine of the highest rated new tours - as voted by you - that can be enjoyed with Andante Travels in 2017. Although we’re sure these great tours will inspire you to travel with us, they aren’t all we have to offer; there are even more brand new tours and a full selection of our tried and tested tours to tempt you in 2017...
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kazakhstan
Join us on a varied and unique journey through Kazakhstan from the blue tiled wonder of the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, to the fascinating dead city of Sauran and beyond...
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phoenicians in spain
Tour the scenic coastal landscape of Andalucia, immortalised in 19th century art and prized in the ancient world as a strategic gem. Explore strongholds and necropolises, and discover a different side to Ibiza...
See it on page 72
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apulia | food & archaeology
A winning mix of archaeological interest and gastronomic delight. Explore the little-visited heel of Italy - filled with Roman battlefields, dramatic rock-cut churches and magnificent castles and cathedrals. See it on page 55
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See it on page 80
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tanzania & zanzibar
Return to the “Cradle of Mankind”at Olduvai, a steep-sided gorge which carves through the grasslands of the Serengeti; and discover 3.6 million year old human footprints in Laetoli. See it on page 83
over the sea to skye
With sparkling lochs and mistcloaked hills, Skye has more than earned its reputation for dramatic beauty. Discover majestic stone carvings, and castles built by clan chiefs across the enigmatic island.
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the romans on the rhône & saône Explore the region where the Rhône meets the Saône. Strolling the cobbled Medieval streets, we discover glorious Gallo-Roman antiquity and important Western churches of the Middle Ages.
See it on page 87
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central america | grand tour
Central America is the epicentre of discovery - from magnificent Maya ruins to colonial architecture. Stratovolcanoes to heavenly cloud forests, and ancient sites set on the jungle-rich slopes. See it on page 75
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See it on page 33
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the road to salamis
Northern Cyprus is an unspoiled archaeological delight. Explore the meandering site of Roman Salamis; and visit Kition, an important ancient city and former trading centre of the eastern Mediterranean. See it on page 26
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
New additions to our Relaxed Breaks and Hidden Cities tours... relaxed capri
hidden amsterdam
See it on page 56
See it on page 47
Discover how Capri has charmed the world for centuries - ascend the summit of Monte Solaro to enjoy amazing panoramic views; and take a boat trip to the incredible volcanic Isola d’ Ischia.
Discover Amsterdam - a city made for exploration. Visit lesser known delights, including a hidden church inside a 17th-century canal house; and tour the most renowned museums of the Netherlands.
relaxed tuscany
hidden florence & siena
See it on page 57
See it on page 62
A wealth of archaeological sites are hidden amongst the rolling hills and golden landscapes of Tuscany. Join us for a stroll through the breathtaking Boboli Gardens; and explore the Medici fortress at Poggibonsi.
Experience the ultimate Tuscan tour. Prepare yourself for archaeological splendours, including: the recently discovered Tomb of the Infernal Chariot at Sarteano; and privileged access to the Opificio delle Pietre.
THE CYCLADES|GULET TOUR
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Set sail on the Aegean and explore the beautiful islands of the Cyclades on-board a luxury vessel...
Shrouded in myth and legend, Cycladic archaeology stretches back to prehistory... See a different side to the islands during our first ever gulet tour. This is anything but your typical cruise. These traditional small sailing ships are designed with full comfort and total relaxation in mind. Travel with small groups, sample delicious food, and enjoy leisurely dips in the azure Aegean waters. The sacred island of Delos – the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis – is just one highlight of our very special tour. Discover Minoan Bronze Age settlements and dedications to Apollo, explore mysterious ancient castles; and enjoy dinner overlooking illuminated temples. Discover more about this brand new tour on page 44
Remember, if you book your place on a 2016 tour before 17 June 2016 you only pay £300pp deposit. Please get in touch by phone or email for more information, and to secure your place.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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on tour experiences We are always here to tell you more about our tours, but who could be a better judge of the on-tour experience than our guests themselves. We ask travellers to rate all our tours - feedback helps us refine and improve our programmes year after year.
“T
he visit to Penascosa by night was magical. Seeing the rock art by torchlight, the nightingales and frogs by the river and the starlit night.”
“O
ur Guide was not only knowledgeable, he seemed to have excavated the entire island”
Foz Côa | Rock Art of Portugal - p. 77
Cyprus | The South - p. 25
“T
he tour provided a glimpse into another world”
Uzbekistan: The Silk Road - p. 91
“I
cannot think of a single thing I didn’t enjoy about this tour!” Languedoc - Cathars & Crusaders - p. 34
“W
hat an extraordinary privilege, being able to lie down in the Sistine chapel to view the roof.” Rome, with the Sistine Chapel - p. 60
“E
veryday brought something new and extrodinary” The Peloponnese - p. 50
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Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
“T “L
avish attentions of the hotel, knowledgeable, friendly and engaged Lecturer, excellent food, a tireless Tour Manager and, of course, the archaeological sites themselves...” Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania - p. 50
he scenery was a stunning backdrop to fascinating glimpse of archaeology.” Classical Sicily - p. 58
Our Guide Lecturers received an impressive average score of 9.4 out of 10 in 2015. They are too modest to tell you their individual scores, but here are a few of the stars of 2015: Tony O’Connor “The best guide I have ever come across in 55 years of international travel.”
“H
uge number of sites visited - packed days and an amusing, knowledgeable expert” Meet the Vikings - p. 82
“D
elos had to be the highlight and it was wonderful to be with someone who had worked there and knew everything about this huge and very complex site.” Islands of the Cyclades - p. 41
Highly Recommended
Tony will lead Vintage Provence (p. 27), Relaxed Capri (p. 56), Sicily Wine of the Gods (p. 67) and Festive Food Bologna (p. 70)
John Shepherd “The sights were amazing, of course, but the whole thing was brought to life by John.” Hidden Paris (p. 32), Via Julia (p. 49), Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania (p. 50) and Roman Britons & Gallo-Romans (p. 86)
“A
wonderful way to spend our first Christmas abroad” Festive Food in Bologna - p. 70
Dr Sandy MacGillivray “Sandy was a treasure-trove of information.” Sandy will lead Crete & Santorini (p. 36), Athens & the Glories of Pericles (p. 38), Crete Revisited (p. 42) and the Cyclades Gulet Tour (p. 44)
Dr Paul Bahn “The expert knowledge and enthusiasm of Paul Bahn contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the tour.” Paul will lead Dordogne Cave Art (p. 31), Namibian Rock Art (p. 74) and Foz Côa Rock Art (p. 77)and Festive Food Bologna (p. 70)
Oliver Gilkes “With Oliver as our Guide, each site came to life as he shared his knowledge with us”. Land of the Eagles (p. 18), Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo (p. 19), Ancient Wonders of Sicily (p. 52), Hidden Rome (p. 54) and Renaissance Villas (p. 60)
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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travelling with Andante putting archaeology first
Founded and run by archaeologists, Andante Travels is one of the UK’s leading specialist tour operators. We are proud to say that we work with the CBA (Council for British Archaeology), CWA (Current World Archaeology) and each year award our own Andante Archaeology Award to deserving projects.
expert guides
small groups
Andante Travellers are interesting, intelligent people leading all manner of different lives - we aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere. Our maximum group size ranges from 14-25 guests, with the average group size currently 18.
value for money
Our tours are conceived, planned and led by articulate experts: archaeologists, historians, writers and broadcasters. Drawing on the ancient sites we visit, our Guide Lecturers are able to build up a vivid picture of life in the past with knowledge, good humour and skill.
Unless otherwise stated all our tours include: flights, Guide Lecturer, Tour Manager, all meals, hotel, wine, local travel, entry to all sites, field notes and tips. We also guarantee not to pass on any currency surcharges - the price of your tour will stay the same, no matter what the price of the pound, dollar or euro.
professional tour managers
great hotels & fabulous food
Our tours are also accompanied by a professional Tour Manager. Efficient and charming, our Tour Managers ensure that all the practical details of your holiday are taken care of. They are also excellent company and include linguists, writers, ornithologists, botanists and fellow travel enthusiasts.
exclusive special access
Ever wanted to explore the Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous sites of Rome, but without the usual crowds? Visit the trenches of a working excavation, or stand amongst the very stones of Stonehenge? Each of our tours features exclusive access to some of the greatest sites, monuments and museums in the world.
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We hand-pick the hotels you stay in. The vast majority are 4*, but the occasional excellent 3* or 5* could appear along the way. Over and above the star-rating, we endeavour to offer guests an authentic hotel of character. Some of our choices are amongst the best in the world, whilst some are simple, but ideally located for visiting the sites. Most of our tours include all meals, and we have some spectacular ‘special meals’, from dinner on the roof of the Reichstag, to picnics in the flower-strewn hills of Sicily.
holidays everyone can enjoy
Our groups include people of all ages and from all walks of life. Some travel solo, some as couples or
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
why you should book early... Make sure you don’t miss your spot on our most popular tours New tours, trips with favourite Guide Lecturers and to popular destinations do tend to fill early. We have already had numerous enquiries about the our ‘Top Ten Tours’ from loyal guests - so book now to avoid disappointment. You can change your mind at any time! You can reserve your place on any of the tours in this brochure with a £300 deposit. As this brochure is unpriced you can amend or cancel your booking at any time up until the 17th June 2016. So if you wake up one morning with a burning desire to visit Sicily rather than Pompeii just drop us a line - we’ll be more than happy to oblige. £300 total deposit - no top ups If you book before 17th June we will hold your deposit at just £300, regardless of the final price of the tour.
groups of friends. All you need is enthusiasm and an enquiring mind. We have had wonderful tours, travelling with engaged guests of all ages. Please note that all our tours are moderately active and involve walking so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
peace of mind
When you travel with us, you will be looked after around the clock. In the unlikely event of an emergency, Andante staff will be on hand to help you both on tour and from the UK. We are experts in dealing with the unexpected. We have a 24-hour emergency number and you will be accompanied by Andante staff throughout.
Full itineraries available online You will find full itineraries for all our New, Hidden and Relaxed tours in this brochure. Detailed day by day programmes for all our other 2017 tours can be found on our website at www.andantravels.com. If you don’t have access to the web and would like more detail on any tour, get in touch and we will be happy to put a copy in the post to you.
full financial protection
All our holidays are fully bonded and protected. The air holiday packages in this brochure are ATOL Protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3552. ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services in this brochure. Holidays without flights are protected by ABTOT. This means that in the unlikely event of our insolvency, your holiday would be completed or refunded.
for further advice, information and to book, ask our in-house experts
01722 713800
tours@andantetravels.com USA: 1-888-331-3476 Australia: 02 9191 2623
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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EXPERT Guide Lecturers Archaeologists, writers, broadcasters and historians, a constellation of expert guides able to bring the past to life. Our Guide Lecturers accompany you from morning until night. These are the people who make our tours unique...
e have seen many guides in many different parts of the world and none have been in the same league.”
dr denise allen
dr michael brown
brian ayers
ian colvin
dr paul bahn
dr jon coulston
is an experienced archaeologist and a specialist in Roman glass. She has excavated all over the UK, including at Stonehenge, and overseas.
is an archaeologist and Honorary Lecturer at the University of East Anglia. He specialises in Viking towns on the North Sea and has excavated widely.
is an expert in prehistoric rock art. He has authored many books and discovered the UK’s only confirmed example of Palaeolithic cave art.
dr tertia barnett
is an Honorary Fellow at Edinburgh University and specialist in rock art. She has immense passion for her subject and has worked in Europe, Africa and the UK.
is a highly experienced archaeologist and regular broadcaster. He previously worked in the management of the MOD’s historic landscapes.
Has been researching Georgian history and archaeology since 1992, and has directed excavations in Georgia since 1998 at the ancient city of Nokalakevi.
is Lecturer in Archaeology and Ancient History at St Andrews University. He is a Roman specialist with a particular interest in the City of Rome.
dr paul croft
is an expert in Cypriot prehistory who lives and works on the island, managing the Lemba Archaeological Centre. He has many contacts with local archaeologists.
peter berridge
francois desset
dr edward bispham
dr sophy downes
diana blumberg
david drew
david brotherson
dr mark driessen
is a research and museum archaeologist. He has a wealth of experience, from major research at Stonehenge to being Head of Colchester Museums’ Service.
is a Classical historian and Associate Professor in Ancient History at Oxford University. His research crosses the divide between archaeology and history.
is an archaeological scientist specialising in the analysis of materials. She has worked on field schools in Pompeii and Portus and has excavated in the UK.
has been conducting research in Cambodia since 2009. Along with fellow guide Dr Damian Evans, he is a member of the international Greater Angkor Project.
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“W
is an archaeologist specialising in Near Eastern Archaeology. He obtained his PhD from the Sorbonne, and currently works on Bronze Age Iran at Tehran University.
is a teaching fellow in Classical Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, having previously lectured in the Department of Archaeology at UCL.
is a writer, archaeologist and broadcaster specialising in ancient Latin America. He studied at Oxford and UCL and has led numerous tours to Mexico and Peru.
is an archaeology lecturer and researcher at Leiden University. His expertise spans from Roman provincial archaeology to ancient logistics and trade.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
dr neil faulkner
dr gai jorayev
dr andy fear
dr veronica kalas
rosetta ferrari
prof tony king
oliver gilkes
prof. steve lekson
dr jamie hampson
fernando lópez sánchez
dr christina hatzimichael whitley
dr john mcnabb
prof. valerie higgins
dr sandy macgillivray
deborah hodson
dr mary macleod rivett
nick jackson
dr kelli ann malone
is a researcher at the Archaeological Institute, UCL. He is Deputy Director of the Ancient Merv project, investigating every aspect of this great silk road city.
is a Research Fellow at Bristol University. A specialist in military history and Roman archaeology, he is the author of works including Rome - Empire of the Eagles.
is an art historian and archaeologist with expertise in the ancient through Byzantine periods. She has taught courses on topics from ancient Rome to Medieval art.
is a lecturer in Classics at the University of Manchester. He specialises in Roman and Early Christian Spain, and also has a sneaking interest in the Peninsular Wars...
lectures in archaeology at the University of Winchester, specialising in animal remains. He has excavated extensively in Britain and abroad, including in Italy.
lived in Italy for many years and speaks Italian. She has a great interest in food and culture and is a member of the exclusive Italian Society of Cheese Tasters.
is one of the UK’s foremost experts on Albanian archaeology. A true Renaissance man, he also worked at the British School at Rome for many years.
is an archaeologist working in the U.S. Southwest, and Curator of Anthropology at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History.
is a University of York research fellow, specialising in rock art and indigenous studies. He works in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and India.
received his Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Zaragoza before going on to conduct post-doctoral research at Wolfson College, Oxford.
is a tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning. She specialises in Minoan Crete, and is co-director of the Praisos Excavation Project in Crete.
has been a Senior Lecturer in Palaeolithic Archaeology at Southampton University since 2010. He has researched widely within South Africa.
is currently Chair of Arts and Humanities at The American University of Rome, where she teaches archaeology. She specialises in the study of human remains.
is a specialist in Minoan Crete. He worked at Knossos for over 20 years and now lives just outside Athens. He has excavated at Sparta, Paros, Kythno as well as on Crete.
is Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of the Highlands and Islands. She is a Viking and Norse Period specialist, and lives in the Hebrides.
is currently Head of Engagement and Learning at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, having previously studied the archaeology of the Roman Empire.
is an archaeologist with several strings to his bow: he is a specialist in both the history of Berlin (where he lives) and the archaeology of the Middle East.
dr nicolas james
has worked on the archaeology of indigenous American cultures for more than 35 years, and is currently based at the University of Cambridge.
is an archaeologist and lecturer in Irish History and Archaeology. She has over 20 years experience in the heritage and tourism industry.
“W
e had amazing guides providing the historic details and context for what we were seeing.”
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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EXPERT Guide Lecturers oren margolis
claudia pinci
dr eireann marshall
terry richardson
dr katya melamed
julian richards
prof John Mitchell
prof michael roaf
dr iain morley
dr rita roussos
dr hassan fazeli nashli
dr mûge şevketoğlu
tony o’connor
dr gillian shepherd
jayson orton
john shepherd
carolyn perry
dr nick slope
is a lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Oxford and a fellow of Somerville College. His research focuses mainly on Renaissance humanism.
was raised in a 15th century villa in Vicenza, so was born to history! She lectures and researches in Classical Civilisation in Italy and North Africa.
works at the Bulgarian National Institute of Archaeology and has directed many excavations, especially at Bulgaria’s many fascinating ‘lost’ Medieval churches.
is Professor of the History of Art at UEA. He specialises in Italian history, archaeology, religious architecture and iconography, and epigraphy.
is a lecturer of Paleoanthropology and Human Sciences and a fellow of St Hugh’s College, Oxford. He has worked as a field archaeologist all over the world.
is currently a lecturer at the University of Reading, having worked for 20 years in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Tehran.
has excavated widely in Britain, Italy and Africa, and is now a museum archaeologist. He is one of our most popular guides to Pompeii and Tunisia.
is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Cape Town. He has also engaged in academic research with a focus on Later Stone Age archaeology.
is an archaeologist with extensive experience in the Mediterranean. She is currently a lecturer in Greek History and Mythology at University of London.
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is a lecturer and Roman archaeologist. She has done field work in Italy, at Pompeii and beyond, and has worked for a series of archaeological companies in Britain.
has a background in Ancient History and Classical Civilisation and lived in Turkey. He is the author of the Rough Guides to Turkey and Istanbul.
is a Wessex-based archaeologist and broadcaster with a passion for Stonehenge. He was the presenter of the long-running BBC2 series ‘Meet the Ancestors’.
is a leading specialist in the archaeology of Iran, Iraq, and the Middle East. He is now retired from a professorship at the University of Munich.
taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens. She has worked on many archaeological projects in Greece.
is an archaeologist and is Director of the Centre for Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Conservation at International Cyprus University.
is Director of the Trendall Centre for Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe, Australia. She returns as often as she can to Italy, where her research is based.
is an archaeologist who has excavated all over Europe and the UK. He was a curator at the Museum of London for many years, setting up their Roman galleries.
is an archaeologist with an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge, from prehistory in the Near East, to uncovering remains of Nelson’s sailors in Egypt...
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
dr nick thorpe
dr nicholas vella
paul tubb
dr keith wilkinson
dr val turner
tony wilmott
dr robyn veal
paul wordsworth
is a senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Winchester. He has published books and articles on prehistoric Wessex, Britain, and Europe.
is a tutor in the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Bristol, and has been a field archaeologist for 30 years.
Dr Val Turner has been Shetland’s Regional Archaeologist since the post was created in 1986. She has project managed large-scale excavations across Scotland.
is a research fellow at University of Cambridge. She has excavated and advised on environmental archaeology all over Italy, including Pompeii and Sicily.
is Head of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta. He is the author of many works and papers on the archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean.
is an archaeologist specialising in the Southern Caucasus and the Mediterranean. He has led survey and excavation projects in Greece, Corsica and Spain.
is a Senior Archaeologist with English Heritage. He has directed numerous excavations and was Current Archaeology Archaeologist of the Year in 2012.
is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. His research interests include early Islamic and landscape archaeology.
different ways to explore There’s more than one way to enjoy the ancient world. Everyone is different that’s why we offer three different ways to travel: TRAVELS IN ARCHAEOLOGY Our classic tours. Take your pick from more than 100 all-inclusive journeys into the Ancient World, and join us as we push the boundaries of cultural travel, visiting sites often out of reach of mainstream tourism. Each of our tours is accompanied by an Expert Guide, and features special access across the ancient world.
HIDDEN CITIES Unique, intimate and very privileged introductions to the secret history of Europe’s great cities. Travel in small groups (max 16 guests), visit exclusive sites, enjoy Michelin-starred meals, and stay in luxurious hotels. Experience a perfect mix of luxury and culture, and include special access to fascinating and often overlooked sites...
RELAXED Very civilised explorations of the ancient world — free time, one hotel, and all meals included. Our Relaxed Breaks are real holidays, introduced by Expert Guides, with more time for you to digest the sites and stories — between discovering historic treasures, why not take in some local culture or spectacular landscapes?
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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tours by country ALBANIA
CHINA
Land of the Eagles........................... 18
Beyond the Great Wall.................... 24
Hidden Paris.................................32
Via Egnatia....................................... 18
CROATIA
Romans on the Rhône & Saône.33
Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo.19
ARMENIA Bastion of the Caucasus.............. 20
AUSTRIA & HUNGARY The Danube.................................. 21
Brittany Carnac & Beyond.............31
Relaxed Split................................. 24
Corsica..............................................35
Dalmatia & Dubrovnik................... 25
Languedoc........................................34
CYPRUS
GERMANY
The South......................................... 25
Roman Germany.............................34
The North: Road to Salamis....... 26
Hidden Berlin...............................35
BULGARIA
FRANCE
GREECE
Thracians & Churches.................... 22
Côte d’Azur | Via Julia................... 27
Crete & Santorini............................. 36
CAMBODIA & LAOS
Vintage Provence.............................27
Athens & the Glories of Pericles.38
Relaxed Provence.........................28
Thessaloniki..................................... 39
Corsica..............................................29
The Peloponnese.............................. 39
Pyrenees Rock Art...........................29
Wild Thrace...................................... 40
Dordogne Prehistoric Cave Art....32
Meet the Greeks............................... 40
Brittany to Dordogne...................31
Islands of the Cyclades................... 41
Cambodia & Laos........................ 23
CENTRAL AMERICA Nicaragua & Costa Rica.............. 75
CHILE Chile & Easter Island...................... 22 14
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Crete Revisited............................. 42
Hidden Rome............................... 54
Apulia............................................... 67
Athens to Istanbul....................... 43
Apulia|Food & Archaeology.... 55
Sicily|The Wine of the Gods......... 67
The Cyclades Gulet Tour............ 44
Relaxed Capri............................ 56
Umbria.............................................. 68
Relaxed Tuscany....................... 57
Sicily Revisited................................. 68
Guatemala, Belize & Honduras.... 46
Classical Sicily.................................. 58
Ravenna & Aquileia........................ 69
HOLLAND
Rome with the Sistine Chapel....... 60
Turin Festive Food........................... 69
Amsterdam at Christmas............... 46
Renaissance Villas........................... 60
Ravenna at Christmas..................... 70
Hidden Amsterdam................. 47
Latium | The Roman Rich............. 61
Festive Food in Bologna................. 70
Samnites | Enemies of Rome........ 61
Venice at New Year......................... 71
GUATEMALA
IRAN Iran|Kings, Shahs & Gardens....... 48
Hidden Florence & Siena............ 62
ISRAEL & PALESTINE
The Ice Man & His World.............. 63
Israel & Palestine............................. 49
Basilicata & Calabria....................... 63
ITALY
Pompeii & Amalfi............................ 64
Pompeii & Herculaneum................ 50
The Etruscans................................... 64
Ancient Wonders of Sicily.......... 52
Meet The Romans............................ 65
Hidden Venice.............................. 53
Relaxed Siracusa.......................... 66
new for 2017 hidden cities relaxed breaks
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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tours by country JORDAN
SOUTH AFRICA
TURKEY
Petra & Desert Fortresses............... 71
South Africa..................................... 77
The Aegean Coast of Turkey.......... 84
The Western Cape........................ 78
Central Anatolia & Cappadocia.... 84
KAZAKHSTAN
SPAIN & PORTUGAL
Walking Istanbul............................. 85
MALTA
Foz C么a|Rock Art of Portugal...... 77
UK
Malta & Gozo................................... 73
Romans, Visigoths & Viziers......... 79
Wessex Weekend............................ 85
MEXICO
Rock Art of Altamira...................... 79
Romans in London & Paris........ 86
Mexico Revisited............................. 73
Phoenicians in Spain................... 80
Over the Sea to Skye................... 87
Mexico - The Maya.......................... 74
Barcelona at New Year.................... 81
Duns, Dolmen, & Castles........... 88
NAMIBIA
Roman Province of Lusitania........ 81
Kingdom of the Picts.................. 89
Rock Art in the Namibian Wild.... 74
SWEDEN
Orkney & Shetland......................... 90
PERU
Meet the Vikings............................. 82
USA
Northern Peru.................................. 76
Sweden & Norway|Rock Art........ 82
Native American Pueblos.............. 90
Peru & the Nazca Lines.................. 76
TANZANIA
UZBEKISTAN
Kazakhstan................................... 72
Tanzania & Zanzibar................... 83
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The Silk Road.................................. 91
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using this brochure A guide to the signs & symbols you’ll see on the following pages...
practicalities special access Exclusive sites, monuments & museums are highlighted in green on every tour page. SMALL GROUP Tours limited to a maximum of 16 or 18 guests. NEW Tours that have never run before, brand new for 2017
you can book on any tour in this brochure... ... without commitment You can ring, email or book online on any of the tours in this brochure. All we need is ÂŁ300 to confirm your place. If you change your mind when our priced brochure is published we will happily refund your deposit or transfer you to another tour. More details on how to book, insurance and our financial security can be found on pages 96-97. You can also call the office - we are open 9-5 Monday to Friday and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
01722 713800
tours@andantetravels.com USA: 1-888-331-3476 Australia: 02 9191 2623
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ALBANIA | LAND OF THE EAGLES with Guide Lecturer: Oliver Gilkes Albania is a country like no other in Europe; a place where pristine ruins stand in splendid isolation. In Classical times, the Greeks and Romans built cities overlooking the sparkling Ionian Sea. Centuries later, Byzantine Christians and Ottoman Turks fought over dramatic mountain strongholds. Oliver Gilkes has directed excavations in Albania for over 20 years. He offers his encyclopaedic knowledge of Highlights Albanian archaeology and culture - and is able to secure • Two thousand years of privileged access to sites. untouched archaeological Discover Albania’s past and heritage present, from Greek sites to • Durres - Albania’s chief communist bunkers. port and the starting point of the Via Egnatia We visit these key sites: • Includes a full day at the Apollonia, Gjirokastra and World Heritage Site of Byllis. Butrint
Special Access Enjoy a private tour of the Archaeological Museum in Tirana, home to a vast collection; and special access to the late Ottoman mansion of Zekate House.
Fri 21st - Sat 29th April 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ALBANIA & MACEDONIA | VIA EGNATIA with Guide Lecturer: Oliver Gilkes A journey across the dramatic landscapes of southeast Europe. Albania, Macedonia and the Balkans represent a vast patchwork of cultures. We take in the tombs and treasures of Philip of Macedon and Medieval churches on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Divided by mountains, the Balkans are united by roads which kept the disparate states and Empires in contact, and Highlights conflict. The greatest of these was the Via Egnatia, initially a • The remarkable World series of traditional tracks used Heritage Site of Lake Ohrid by the Romans to speed their • View the tomb and golden conquests, and formalised as treasures of King Philip the great highway crossing of Macedon, the father of mountain, river and marsh. Alexander the Great We visit these key sites: Tirana, Elbasan, and Bitola.
Special Access We have special permission to enter the circular Forum of Anastasius where the northern branch of the Via Egnatia began.
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• Trace the great road from its starting point in the circular Forum at Durres
Tue 10th - Wed 18th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
NEW
Highlights • Travel alongside an expert of Albanian archaeology • Explore the excavations of the Roman city of Ulpiana • Discover the towering mountains of northern Albania and Montenegro • Visit the former stronghold of the Bushatli Pashas – Shkodra • Admire the beautiful Adriatic coast and the sublime Bay of Kotor • Enjoy a spectacular voyage along the valley of the Black Drin
Special Access
ALBANIA, MONTENEGRO & KOSOVO with Guide Lecturer: Oliver Gilkes
Travel from the shores of the Adriatic high up into the Albanian mountains, and into Montenegro, ‘the pearl of the Mediterranean’. This is a tour that veers very much away from the mainstream tourist trail. There is a wonderful sense of discovery about Albanian archaeology: pristine ruins stand untouched amid beautiful and dramatic landscapes. Journey through the ancient coastal cities, visit attractive Medieval towns, and discover Ottoman mosques jostling for space along narrow streets. Join us as we trace the many civilisations who have left their mark on these lands: Greeks, Romans, Bulgars, Byzantines, Ottomans and more.
Itinerary Day One Upon arrival in Tirana, we transfer to our hotel in Shkodra.
Kosovo Border this morning. We continue to Deçan, and visit the Serbian Orthodox monastery Peja Patriarchate.
Day Two We explore Shkodra, one of Europe’s oldest cities. We visit one of Albania’s largest castles, the Rozafa Castle. From its imposing position upon a rocky hill, we are treated to stunning views.
Day Six We make our way to Prishtina Museum this morning. We also visit the Novo Berde fortress, and the Tomb of Sultan Murad in Ulpiana.
Day Three Today, we cross the border to visit the ruined Roman town of Doclea. We continue to Cetinje - a site with numerous points of interest, including the Cetinje Monastery and Vlaška church.
Thu 28th Sept - Sun 8th Oct, 2017 Oliver Gilkes is an eclectic archaeologist. He currently works for Andante Travels in the archaeology department, designing new tours. He previously worked at the World Heritage Site of Butrint.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
During our tour we will be joined by a local archaeologist who will provide us with insights into Albanian archaeology. They will present a special talk which will further unravel the mysteries of this beautiful and endlessly fascinating land.
Day Four We enjoy a day of exploration in Budva. The coastal area around the town is known for its well preserved medieval walled city. Day Five We travel from Kotor to the
Day Seven We travel to Prizren, stopping at the fortress, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city below. We continue to Korisha la fortress. Day Eight We explore Shiroka and its many tumulus. We make our way to Fieza to catch the Black Drin ferry. We travel along the Black Drin river, back towards Shkodra. Day Nine We visit Lezhë, a former ancient Greek colony, this morning. We return home this afternoon.
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NEW
Highlights • Explore the temple of the Sun God Mihr at Garni built by King Tridates • Discover fortified medieval monasteries - Khor Virap and Tatev - perched on their mountain seats • Enter the spiritual centre of the Armenian world, Echmiadzin cathedral • Visit Areni cave and one of the oldest excavated wine production facilities in the world dating to 6000 BC • Travel through an unforgettable landscape
Special Access
ARMENIA | BASTION OF THE CAUCASUS with Guide Lecturer: Ian Colvin
Explore the ancient lands of Armenia. A mythical land even in ancient times, this is where Prometheus was said to be bound in perpetual torture and Jason and the Argonauts quested for the Golden Fleece. Over the centuries harsher reality struck the region in the form of innumerable invasions, each leaving their mark on the landscapes, culture and archaeology of the Caucaus. Join us as we unravel the myths woven into the dramatic landscape. The rugged mountainous terrain features high passes, upland plains, and broad lakes. All are dwarfed by the titanic bulk of Mount Ararat, which provides a spectacular backdrop to our tour...
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Yerevan and transfer to our hotel. Day Two We visit the Holy City of Echmiadzin; and the spiritual centre of the Armenian world, Echmiadzin cathedral. We return to Yerevan to visit the Archaeological Museum. Day Three Our day begins at Metsamor Fortress, where we are joined by Professor Pilipossyan. We explore Yerevan Shengavit’s Bronze Age sites; and visit the Urartian site of Erebuni.
Tue 6th - Wed 14th June 2017 Ian Colvin is a historian and archaeologist who specialises in the Late Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions. He studied classical and modern Georgian, as well as the Byzantine World. 20
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Discover more about the important recent research which has been undertaken at Erebuni. Renowned Local archaeologist Professor Pilipossyan will present a specialtalk on the Urartian Bronze Age Kingdom.
Day Four We travel to the monastery complex of Geghard. We return to Yerevan, where we discover the Illuminated Manuscript Museum of Matenaderan. We also visit the Graeco-Roman site of Garni. Day Five We travel to Khor Virap and
stop at the monastery at the foot of Mount Ararat. We continue to Areni Cave, the world’s oldest winery c. 6000 BC with a local archaeologist. Day Six We discover the Tatev Monastery on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River. The Tatev plateau which it stands on, has been in use since the pre-Christian era, and originally hosted a pagan temple. Day Seven We journey over the Selim Pass to Noratus katchkar field, this morning. We end the day at Sevanavank Monastery. Day Eight We discover Amberd Fortress complex at the foot of Mount Aragats; and the 13th-century Armenian monastic complex Saghmosavank. Day Nine We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
NEW
Highlights • Take a boat ride along the Danube from Budapest to Vienna. • Visit castles nestled within stunning riverside scenery. • Discover astounding reconstructions of Neolithic and Bronze Age houses at Százhalombatta Archaeological Park • Examine the impressive ruins of Carnuntum’s Roman military camp • Explore Buda Castle, which has transformed many times over the centuries
Special Access
AUSTRIA & HUNGARY | THE DANUBE with Guide Lecturer: Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Known as the lifeblood of Europe, the Danube basin was the site of some of the earliest human cultures – including the Vinča and Vučedol. The mighty river rises in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany and flows through to the Black Sea – passing through ten countries on its way. Travel with us from Budapest to Vienna, and explore what was once described by Napoleon as ‘the king of Europe’s rivers. Discover the Danube of Prehistory, Roman Occupation, Early Christian era and The Ottoman Empire at an unforgettable array of sites. From marvellous old-world capitals, to ornate cathedrals and picturesque villages...
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Budapest and transfer to our hotel. Day Two Receive an introduction to the Danube at the Hungarian National Museum. Walking along the Danube, we explore the oldest parts of Budapest, including Buda Castle. Day Three We travel to Százhalombatta Archaeological Park this morning. After lunch at Ebatta Restaurant, we continue to Matrica Museum. We go behind-the-scenes at the museum, and receive a specially arranged talk from the director, Magdi Vizce.
Mon 18th - Mon 25th Sep, 2017 Dr Kelli Ann Malone is an anthropologist with interests in transitional phases between the Neolithic and Bronze Age. She also works in the field of heritage site interpretation and tourism.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Receive special access to Matrica Museum and the adjoining Archeological Park - which features burial mounds raised in the early Iron-age and authentically reconstructed Bronze and Iron Age settlements. We will also enjoy a special talk from Magdi Vizce, the museum’s director.
Day Four We discover the Danube of Roman Occupation today. We begin at the ruined ancient city of Aquincum. We explore the little town of Szentendre this afternoon - stopping at the open-air Szentendre Skanzan Folklore Museum.
Day Five Our day begins in Pecs, at the ornately decorated tombs of Sopianae Cemetery. We view the remains of the Ottoman Empire at Jakawali Hassan Mosque and the Mosque of Pasha Gazi Kassim. Day Six We travel by boat from Budapest to Vienna today. Day Seven We enjoy a tour of the Wien Museum this morning. We continue to the excellent Carnuntum Archaeological Park this afternoon. Day Eight We visit the former imperial summer residence of Schloss Schönbrunn and Melk Abbey. Enjoy some free time during your final afternoon on tour. Day Nine We pay a final visit to the Imperial Palace. We return home this afternoon.
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BULGARIA | THRACIANS & CHURCHES with Guide Lecturer: Dr Katya Melamed Bulgaria is one of the richest countries in Europe for archaeology, possessing some spectacular sites and finds of international importance - priceless both in the literal sense, and in helping to shed light on Bulgaria’s expansive history. Its long tradition of religious art is evident wherever you go, with timeless icons appearing in numerous churches, monasteries and museums. The glorious rural landscape Highlights has changed little over the centuries; many sites remain • Varied history and remarkably intact. Discover landscapes introduced by a wild, wooded ranges, remote Bulgarian archaeologist villages, and sandy beaches • Visits to 6 UNESCO World hugging the Black Sea coast. Heritage Sites We visit these key sites: Stara Zagora, Plodiv and Veliko Tarnavo.
Special Access We have special permission to enter the Thracian Kazanlak tomb, which is decorated with beautiful frescos. The vaultedbrickwork “beehive” tomb is part of a large necropolis.
SMALL GROUP
• Thracian tombs of Kazanlak and Sveshtari with beautiful 4th century BC frescoes and reliefs
Sat 7th - Wed 18th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
CHILE & EASTER ISLAND with Guide Lecturer: Dr Paul Bahn This is an adventure indeed - travel across the globe with an international expert to see some of the strangest rock art in the world in vast and remote landscapes. We journey down the coast of northern Chile, into the Atacama desert, and fly over the Pacific to the tiny archaeological jewel that is Easter Island. We discover places seldom visited, which our ancestors chose to decorate with huge earth pictures and complex rock art. Highlights Some of the sites we see are • The giant imposing, simply extraordinary - their enigmatic Moai statues on gigantic scale makes us ask Easter Island why and for whom such things were created...
• Extraordinary rock art amid the Atacama Desert
We visit these key sites: Azapa Valley, Rano Raraku, Tongariki and Easter Island.
• Thrilling introduction to some of the world’s most remote and spectacular ancient sites
Special Access Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
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Mon 13th - Thurs 30th Nov 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
NEW
Highlights • Discover Angkor Wat – the great legacy of the Khmer kings of Angkor • Explore Beng Melea – a 12th century temple that has been reclaimed by the Cambodian jungle • Tour Ta Prohm – an atmospheric 13th century temple-monastery • View the mysterious Plain of Jars that litter the landscape in Laos • Visit rural Cambodian villages, dotted with sugar palm trees
Special Access
CAMBODIA & LAOS with Guide Lecturers: David Brotherson & Dr Damian Evans
Forbidden cities, deep forests, colonial grandeur... We find perfect balance of this in Cambodia, home of the vast and magnificent temple complex of Angkor Wat. We are very privileged to have secured a special guided visit with Dr Damian Evans, Director of the Great Angkor Project. Laos is the perfect tour companion to Cambodia. Rolling mountains, remote villages, and saffron-robed monks await you, but there’s so much more to see. Discover authentic Asia at its best; and enjoy an unforgettable adventure in one incomparable itinerary, beginning in Laos and continuing in Cambodia...
Itinerary Day One/Two We leave the UK on Day One; arriving in Laos on Day Two. Day Three We tour Vientiane, stopping at Wat Si Muang. We also visit Lao National Museum. Day Four We explore the Tham Sang Triangle - four interesting caves near Vang Vieng. Day Five We travel to Hmong Village. We continue to Muang Khoun for Wat Phiawat. Day Six We discover the mysterious Plain of Jars in Phonsavan.
Tue 14th - Sun 26th Feb 2017 Tue 7th - Sun 19th Nov 2017 David Brotherson has been conducting research in Cambodia since 2009. He and Dr Damian Evans are members of the international Greater Angkor Project.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Receive a privileged introduction to Angkor Wat - the largest religious monument in the world - from the Director of the Greater Angkor Project, Dr Damian Evans. We have also arranged special access to the conservation stores at the French Institute.
Day Seven We make our way to Luang Prabang, where we visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. Day Eight We walk through the Old Town of Luang Prabang.
Day Nine We begin the Cambodia portion of our tour, arriving in Banteay Srei today. Day Ten We spend the day travelling to Phnom Penh - the sites we see along the way are simply breath-taking. Day Eleven We visit the Loli, Preah Ko and Bakong temples today. Day Twelve We explore the 10th century Khmer city in Koh Ker; and Beng Melea temple. Day Thirteen We travel to Siem Reap and discover the magnificent Angkor Wat. Day Fourteen Following our special tour of the French Institute, we visit Angkor Thom. Day Fifteen We fly home today.
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CHINA | BEYOND THE GREAT WALL Guide Lecturer to be confirmed, see our website for latest updates China has a remarkable history, spanning back over 10,000 years. Remnants of its glorious past can be seen at every turn as we journey through vast and varied landscapes. From Buddhist temples, to the gargantuan monuments of imperial ambition, to prehistoric settlements, this is the story of China through the ages. We are delighted to have Malcolm McNeill, an expert on Chinese art and archaeology, Highlights leading our tour. We see the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors • Observe the Terracotta and Ming Tombs not just as Warriors from the lower grand relics, but as products viewing platform of the time, people and places • Visit the Shaolin Temple, that led to their creation. a monastery dating back We visit these key sites: Xi’an, the Great Wall and Jinsa.
Special Access Receive a privileged viewing of the Terracotta Warriors and special access to Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre’s collection of communist artefacts.
SMALL GROUP
1,500 years
• Step into the Forbidden City, China’s political centre from 1420 — 1912
Thurs 14th - Sat 30th Sept 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
CROATIA | RELAXED SPLIT with Guide Lecturer: John Shepherd Discover 2,000 years of history - ordinary and extraordinary - in this lovely corner of the Mediterranean. Join us ‘underground and overground’, as we explore Europe’s most complete Roman palace. We descend below the modern city, and it is incredible to see just how much of the medieval and modern town is supported by Roman foundations – a testament Highlights to the genius of Roman engineering – still standing • Trace the walls of the strong after 2000 years! Our immense palace of Emperor Diocletian tour also includes trips along the coast to the Island of Hvar • Glimpse into the lives of and Trogir, glorious examples ordinary Romans at Split of Renaissance and Medieval Archaeological Museum architecture on the limpid • Explore Trogir, a jewel of a shores of the Adriatic. medieval and Renaissance town
Special Access Enjoy a special dinner and tasting of local wines – which have been produced in southern Croatia for over 2500 years.
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Sat 6 - Sat 13 May 2017 & Sat 14 - Sat 21 Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
CROATIA | DALMATIA & DUBROVNIK with Guide Lecturer: John Shepherd Explore the spectacular archaeology of Croatia. Against the backdrop of the Adriatic and its islands, we visit villas, temples, churches and palaces. Part of the Illyrian kingdom, the region succumbed to Roman rule around 32 BC. ‘Dalmatia’ acquired the trappings of a Roman province: military camps, towns and roads. The province even furnished Rome with an Emperor, Diocletian, who returned Highlights in retirement and built a magnificent palace at Split. • Travel through Croatia, Travel with expert guide John viewing Roman cities and Shepherd, a Roman specialist. walled Medieval towns Let him take you on a leisurely • Explore Diocletian’s tour through 2,000 years of Imperial Palace in Split fascinating Croatian history. • Spend two days in Dubrovnik exploring the We visit these key sites: Zadar, walled city Split and Dubrovnik.
Special Access We experience a special tour of Zagreb Archaeological Museum which is followed by a talk from the museum’s curator.
Wed 24th May - Fri 2nd Jun 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
CYPRUS | THE SOUTH with Guide Lecturer: Dr Paul Croft Travel with us on a beautiful journey through Cyprus, the land famed as the birthplace of Aphrodite. Dr Paul Croft will accompany you throughout your tour, and has devoted his career to the study of Cypriot archaeology. Discover mountain churches, and Prehistoric and Classical sites, overlooking the serenely clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. Highlights From Bronze Age olive oil factories, to Roman tombs, • Receive special access to and vineyards once tended sites, introduced by local archaeologists by crusaders - the remains of ancient Cyprus each tell a • Discover fantastic, diverse fascinating story. archaeology from Neolithic houses to fabulous mosaics at Paphos We visit these key sites: Amathus, Khirokitia, and • Journey into the unspoilt Paphos. Troodos Mountains
Special Access We have special access to the Lemba Archaeological Research Project. Your guide lecturer, Dr Paul Croft is the manager of the project, and is perfectly placed to introduce it.
Thurs 20th - 27th April 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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NEW
Highlights • Explore vast archaeological sites of once mighty classical cities - with a mammoth Gymnasium complex, Roman baths and a partially restored theatre • Discover the meandering site of Salamis, an ancient Roman city, and the former capital of the island • Visit Kition, one of the most important ancient cities and trading centre of the eastern Mediterranean • Enjoy scenic tours through an unspoiled natural landscape
Special Access
NORTH CYPRUS | ROAD TO SALAMIS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Müge Şevketoğlu
Northern Cyprus offers a beautiful setting for archaeological discovery. Amidst the unspoiled natural landscape of this sun-blanched land, we find an array of Medieval castles, expansive classical sites, and gentle villages. Meet with local archaeologists who offer real insight into the ongoing excavations on the island. Salamis is, of course, the true highlight of our tour. The ancient Roman city covers a small stretch of land along the Cyprus shore, and is easily the country’s best archaeological site. Discover the fully restored Roman amphitheatre, a gymnasium with marble baths, and a fascinating collection of mosaics.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Larnaca and explore ancient Kition enroute to our hotel. Day Two We spend the day strolling through Kyrenia - the ancient town of Girne. We also stop at the Folk Art Museum and Shipwreck Museum; and take a guided tour of the impressive Kyrenia Castle. Day Three Today begins at the Neolithic settlement of Akanthou, where we have special access to ongoing excavations. We continue to the eco-village of Buyukkonuk, to see traditional methods of olive oil production.
Thu 27th Apr - Fri 5th May 2017 Dr Müge Şevketoğlu is an archaeologist and director of the Centre for Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Conservation at International Cyprus University.
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What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
We meet with local experts and directors to discover more about the ongoing excavations across the island. They will be on hand to deliver unmatched insights into the area’s local archaeology, at a number of projects and museums.
morning. We visit the late Bronze Age site of Myrtou Pighades, the classical city of Soli, and the 5th century BC palace at Vouni. Day Six We discover the magnificent St. Hilarion Castle and Buffavento Castle in the Kyrenia mountains today. Day Seven We travel to Karpaz to visit the site of Ayios Philon and Trias, historic churches built on much older Phoenician settlements. We also enjoy a walking tour of Medieval Famagusta.
Day Four We travel to Nicosia to visit the Archaeological Museum and ancient Idalion. We also travel to Nicosia’s old town.
Day Eight We enjoy a full day at the ancient site of Salamis. We view the archaic period “Royal Tombs” and Cellarka cemetery. We also have special access to the Bronze Age city of Enkomi.
Day Five We travel to Güzelyurt this
Day Nine We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
FRANCE | CÔTE D’AZUR - VIA JULIA with Guide Lecturer: John Shepherd Discover the Roman sites and cities along the great route of the Via Julia Augusta, beginning in golden Arles, one of the foremost Roman provincial cities, and travelling south across France and Italy. Our journey includes mighty works of Roman engineering, and the sites of earlier Greek settlers and Iron Age tribes. We offer a panoramic exploration of Roman and Gaulish life in the Côte d’Azur, a Highlights hotbed of archaeology. April, when spring hovers in the • Explore the beautiful warm air, is the perfect time to marble Roman bath complexes of Nice explore the South of France. We visit these key sites: Tropaeum Alpium and Menton, the ‘pearl of France’.
Special Access Local archaeologists introduce you to the the Roman sites of Albintimilium, on the Italian border, and Fréjus, one of Julius Caesar’s colonies.
• See France and Italy in the natural splendour of stunning early spring • Visit the ancient harbour of Massilia, now Marseilles
Sat 1st - Sat 8th April 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
FRANCE | VINTAGE PROVENCE with Guide Lecturer: Tony O’Connor Andante Travels have joined forces with Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours to offer Wine & Archaeology tours... One of the joys of travelling to Provence is soaking up the variety of landscapes: ancient olive groves, and maquis-cloaked hills. This idyllic landscape is home to some to Roman remains and equally historic vineyards – this is one of the oldest wine Highlights producing regions in France and the only place in France • Explore beautiful towns to specialise in rosé. Embrace along the Mediterranean the Provencal way of life: • Discover remarkably extraordinary archaeology, complete monuments, gorgeous surroundings, and including the amazing Pont delicious wines. du Gard aqueduct We visit these key sites: Arles, Orange and Pont du Gard.
• Meet members of the winemaking teams at each of our visits and tastings
Special Access
Sun 28th May - Sat 3rd Jun 2017
Enjoy exclusive access to the beautiful Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct crossing the River Gardon. The bridge is part of the Nîmes aqueduct, built in the first century AD.
Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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SMALL GROUP
Highlights • Small group sizes and one charmingly individual hotel in beautiful St Rémy • See the beautiful Pont du Gard, a remarkable feat of Roman engineering, with an optional swim beneath the famous arches • Free time to absorb the atmosphere and epicurean lifestyle of the area at your own pace • Enjoy the Roman architecture of Nîmes, including the white marble baths and the perfectly preserved Maison Carée
Special Access
FRANCE | RELAXED PROVENCE
Enjoy an exclusive private wine tasting and lunch at the renowned Vergers des Papes at Châteauneuf du Pape restaurant.
with Guide Lecturer: Dr Denise Allen
The idyllic landscapes of Provence are home to some of Europe’s finest Roman remains. Arches, amphitheatres and aqueducts — simultaneously feats of engineering and a marble message of power to native tribes. Hannibal marched his troops across these Provençal hills en-route to cross the Alps, a century and a half before Julius Caesar made his name conquering the region. Our tour is a little less action-packed — as always on our Relaxed Breaks, there is plenty of free time to unwind, explore or revisit sites. You might wish to visit St Paul de Mausole, or the spectacular defended hilltop at Les Baux.
Mon 15th - Sun 21st May; Mon 18th - Sun 24th Sep & Mon 25th Sep - Sun 1st Oct 2017 Dr Denise Allen is an archaeologist and specialist in Roman glass. She has worked on sites and in museums across the UK and abroad and 28
Itinerary Day One Fly to Marseille and transfer to our hotel in St. Rémy. Day Two We begin in Nîmes, once a thriving Roman town with a population of c. 60,000. Nîmes was ‘gifted’ numerous monuments under Roman rule, many still surviving today. Visits include the arena and the Maison Carée, the best preserved Roman temple anywhere in the empire. Day Three Enjoy a free morning in St Rémy, Van Gogh’s chosen home. In the afternoon, we drive to the dramatic ruins of Roman Glanum - an abandoned town set in a cleft in the rocks of Les Alpilles.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
free time to digest and relax in the afternoon. Day Five Marvel at the remarkably complete Roman monuments of golden Arles, including amphitheatre, theatre, and underground passageways. We return in the afternoon via the extraordinary Roman Mills at Barbegal. Day Six We visit the spectacular Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, where those who wish have a chance to swim beneath its serene yet magnificent arches. Day Seven Transfer to airport for flights home or onward journeys.
Day Four Morning visit to Orange to see its famous theatre and triumphal Roman arch. We have a private wine tasting at the Vergers des Papes (Châtennauf du Pape) before
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
CORSICA | NEOLITHIC TO NAPOLEON with Guide Lecturer: Dr Keith Wilkinson The rugged heights of Corsica cloak a long history, from the Neolithic through colonisation by Etruscans, Carthaginians and Romans, while the island’s later history is dominated by the struggle for control between Italy, France and Spain. Led by an archaeologist, our tour allows this little-visited island to take its rightful place alongside Sicily and Sardinia in Mediterranean Highlights history. Highlights include Carthaginian and Roman • Special access to the Museé cities, anthropomorphic statue Jérôme Carcopino in the ancient town of Aleria. menhirs, and the largest collection of carved standing• Explore the prehistoric stones in the Mediterranean. sites of Filitosa, U Palatinu and I Calanchi We visit these key sites: Taravu • Discover the Medieval city Valley, Bonifacio and Corte. of Bonifacio, precariously balanced on towering cliffs
Special Access We experience a special tour of the Musée Jérôme Carcopino, introduced by local archaeologists, with finds from extensive excavations of Aleria.
Sun 28th May - Sun 4th Jun 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
SMALL GROUP
FRANCE | PYRENEES ROCK ART with Guide Lecturer: Dr Jamie Hampson & Dr Paul Bahn Created by our ancestors around 10-35,000 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. Our guides Highlights are able to arrange superb access to the caves hidden • Experience the best possible access to caves and in these rugged mountain rock shelters landscapes, where we delve into the artistic minds of our distant European ancestors.
We visit these key sites: Mas d’Azil, Gargas and Bédeilhac.
Special Access Enjoy privileged access to cave sites usually closed to the public, in the company of a worldwide authority on prehistoric rock art.
• Traverse a rugged landscape rich in Palaeolithic art • Travel alongside an expert with extensive knowledge of the sites we explore
Mon 24th - Sun 30th Apr & Mon 29th May - Sun 4th June 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Enjoy the newly-appointed Cro-Magnon museum, with interactive exhibits providing an insight into everyday prehistoric life • Explore the picturesque towns of Poitiers and Vannes, filled with Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque architecture • Languish in the bucolic landscapes of Dordogne, where the famous river feeds verdant fields and forests • Come face-to-face with prehistoric man at Bernifal
Special Access
FRANCE | BRITTANY TO DORDOGNE
Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
With Guide Lecturer: Dr Jamie Hampson
Allow yourself to be taken back to humankind’s prehistoric beginnings with an in-depth look at its early artistic expression. Paintings and megaliths remain intriguing clues to the hopes, fears, and realities of early man, and there is no shortage of them on this fascinating tour. The natural shelter of Cap Blanc, the Rouffignac Cave—home to over 250 paintings and engravings—and Lascaux II, to name but a few. Between our forays into early art, we explore fantastic museums, meant to aid our understanding of the humans who preceded us. All this, supplemented by visits to charming towns and villages and glorious landscapes, make for a truly unique tour.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Carnac. Day Two We begin our tour with a visit to Locmariaquer. We also take in Lud and the Table des Marchands. Day Three We visit Plouharnel and Erdeven before driving to Vannes for a visit to the Archaeological Museum. Day Four We take a guided tour of Carnac and continue to Le Menec megalthic stones. After lunch we visit Carnac Museum of Prehistory.
Mon 29th May - Thu 8th June 2017 Dr Jamie Hampson is a University of York research fellow, specialising in rock art and indigenous studies. He works in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and India.
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What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Five We travel to Poitiers and visit Poitiers Museum. Day Six We visit an array of dolmen and menhir standing stones north of Poitiers in the morning. Afternoon, we visit Le Grand Pressigny Museum.
Day Seven We begin the day with a visit to Bougon Tumulus Museum. We continue to Le Chaire a Calvin and then on to Les Eyzies. Day Eight We visit the natural rock shelter of Cap Blanc, and explore the rock art. After lunch we visit Rouffignac Cave, home to over 250 paintings and engravings. Days Nine and Ten Over the two days we visit a selection of impressive prehistoric cave art sites, including Pech Merle, Lascaux II, Cougnac, Les Eyzies and the Cro-Magnon Museum. Day Eleven Our tour culminates with a visit to Bernifal Cave before we depart for home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
FRANCE | DORDOGNE CAVE ART with Guide Lecturers: Dr Paul Bahn & Dr Iain Morley The caves of the Dordogne Valley are home to one of the earliest displays of human creativity. Daubed in ochre and etched on cave walls are wild animals and human figures up to 35,000 years old. Dr Paul Bahn tells the story of the art, its discovery and what is known of the people who created it — the first true ‘old masters’, caught in the extreme cold of the last Ice Age. We have organised special entry Highlights to some of the world-famous rock-art sites - taking you as • Small group tours led by close as it is possible to get to an expert in rock art and the lives of our remotest Icethe archaeology of the last Ice Age - Dr Paul Bahn Age ancestors. We visit these key sites: Pech Merle, Bernifal Cave, and Abri du Poisson.
Special Access Enjoy the opportunity to handle replica Palaeolithic objects during special access to the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies.
• Visit a stunning range of prehistoric cave sites • Extended itinerary taking in both Dordogne and the sites around Poitiers
Mon 5th - Mon 12th June & Mon 18th - Mon 25th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
BRITTANY | CARNAC & BEYOND with Guide Lecturer: Dr Nick Thorpe Brittany is home to some of the greatest prehistoric monuments set across a landscape of dramatic coastline, medieval towns and thick forests. Our tour encompasses an array of megalithic monuments and offers a memorable insight into the rites and rituals of our Stone Age ancestors. As we tour the dramatic landscape, Dr Nick Thorpe traces the elusive nature of the Highlights Neolithic. Was this a classless • One of the richest utopia, or a strict hierarchy prehistoric landscapes where the great and the good were rewarded with opulent • Includes a whole day at burials? Carnac, where 10,000 stone ‘Menhirs’ have stood for over 4,000 years We visit these key sites: Carnac, Rondossec and • Locmariaquer, a Er-Lannic. picturesque fishing village surrounded by monuments
Special Access Enjoy a private boat excursion to the island of Gavrinis in the Gulf of Morbihan, with a large and important passage grave constructed around 3500 BC.
Mon 28th Aug - Sun 3rd Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Go beyond the Parisian boulevards to the hidden medieval streets and secret sites closed to the public • Dine in the Michelinstarred Tour d’Argent, believed to be the oldest restaurant in Paris overlooking the Seine and Notre-Dame • Spend six nights in a faultless luxury hotel in one of the most exclusive areas of historic Paris
Special Access Enjoy unrivalled special access to the Roman baths that lurk below the Medieval wonders of the Musée de Clun. We also enjoy a specially arranged visit to St-Denis Archaeological Unit - which carries out carries out ‘rescue archaeology operations’ each year, within the town’s boundaries.
FRANCE | HIDDEN PARIS Guide Lecturer: John Shepherd
Paris is elegant, ageless - the ultimate architectural triumph of grace and refinement. But beyond the manicured lawns and Bourbon palaces lies a deeper, more complex and darker history of the city of light. Leave the tourist trail to explore the turbulent history behind the beautiful façades and discover some of the great forgotten Parisian gems. We visit the great crypt of St-Denis, where monarchs rest beneath the earth, the network of subterranean catacombs, and the Roman arena secreted within lush parkland. Let Andante throw back the veil and give you a private introduction to the French capital, with fine dining, elegant wines and one flawless hotel.
Mon 2nd - Sun 8th Oct 2017 John Shepherd is an archaeologist with field experience in France, Italy and the UK. Much of his career has focused upon Roman provincial archaeology.
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What’s Included Eurostar, luxury hotel, all dinners (with wine), exclusive site permits, guide lecturer and tour manager.
Itinerary Day One Arrival in Paris. Relaxed visit the Marias district, preferred postcode of Parisian nobility over the centuries. Day Two We begin the day at the great Notre-Dame, with a visit to the archaeological excavations and hidden underground crypt. We visit Sainte Chappelle before heading to the Louvre where we tour the Department of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities. Enjoy free time at the gallery. Day Three Today we visit the Égouts de Paris - the arteries of the old subterranean sewer system, some of which date back to the medieval period. This afternoon we leave Paris briefly for the Archaeological Museum at St-Germain-enLaye. Day Four We take a special tour of the
St-Denis Archaeological Unit and enjoy an exclusive finds handling session before moving on to the Church and Archaeological Crypt of St Denis. Our dinner this evening is at the Michelinstarred Tour d’Argent. Day Five We view the Montmartre Cemetery and the snow-white confection of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, including the crypt with relics and tombs. In the afternoon we visit the Montmartre Museum before an evening tour of historic Paris. Day Six We visit the Arènes de Lutèce and take a stroll to the old city wall on Rue Clovis. After lunch, we have special access to the Roman baths hidden below the Musée de Cluny, a museum of the Middle Ages. Day Seven We take the Eurostar back to London.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Discover more about Alesia: the site of the climactic battle of the Roman conquest of Gaul • Explore beautiful Lyon and the wonderful collections of the Musee Gallo-Romain • View the temple of Augustus and Livia at Vienne: the best preserved Roman temple in France • Visit Cluny: The greatest abbey of Western Europe • Enjoy scenic routes through the beautiful heartland of Burgundy
Special Access
FRANCE | ROMANS ON THE RHÔNE with Guide Lecturer: Professor Tony King
Realising the importance of the Rhône in their ambitions for Gaul, the Romans conquered the Rhône valley in 121 BC. Join us in Burgundy, the gorgeous French region served by the conjoining Rhône and Saône. Amidst its mustard field dotted rolling green hills, we find cobbled Medieval streets, glorious Gallo-Roman and Celtic antiquity and some of the most important Western churches and monasteries of the Middle Ages. Aside from its historical pedigree, this is a region where two great French passions collide: wine and food. Examine Burgundy’s centuries-old history of viticulture during a relaxed vineyard visit and tasting session.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Lyon and transfer to our hotel in Dijon. Day Two We visit Chatillon in Vix this morning. We continue to Alesia, site of Caesar’s final Gallic victory, and its museum. We also view the Vercingetorix statue. Day Three We stop at a number of sites this morning, including: Autun museum, the nearby theatre and gate, and the Temple of Janus. We continue to Bibracte, one of the most important hillforts in Gaul, this afternoon.
Mon 12th - Mon 19th Jun 2017 Professor Tony King is a professor of archaeology at the University of Winchester and a specialist in Roman archaeology. He has excavated extensively in Britain and abroad.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Gain new understanding of the siege of Alesia - one of the most important battles during Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. We will enjoy a special presentation from a renowned local archaeologist during our tour.
Day Four We begin the day at Dijon Museum, housed in the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. We also visit Nuits St Georges Museum and temple site.
explore Chalon sur Saone this afternoon. This was once a busy port, acting as a distribution point for local wines which were sent up and down the Saône river. Day Six We enjoy an entire day dedicated to Lyon. Discover a fascinating range of theatres, museums, cathedrals and more Day Seven We spend the morning at the Lyon aqueducts, on the slopes of Mont Pilat. We continue to the Temple d’Auguste et de Livie in Vienne, and the St Romain en Gal Roman houses. Day Eight After an early visit to Anse Roman walls, we transfer to the airport to return home.
Day Five We travel to Lyon and
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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LANGUEDOC | CATHARS & CRUSADERS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Nick Slope Amid a landscape of hills and forests lies Languedoc, once a thriving kingdom and home of Catharism – an ascetic Christian sect that eschewed the power of Rome. In 1209 Pope Innocent III launched the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate the ‘heretics’ of Languedoc. Twenty years of fighting followed, fundamentally altering the religious landscapes of Medieval Europe. We visit castles built high on rocky ridges and hills, a promontory Highlights defended on three sides by • Stay within the walls of deep ravines and fortified Carcassonne citadels build to withstand • Heretics and Holy War, sieges - a dramatic landscape the struggle for hearts and manipulated to defend the minds in Medieval France power of Languedoc. • Ruined castles and deserted villages atop We visit these key sites: Albi, craggy hills Béziers and Carcassonne.
Special Access Enjoy special access to both parts of the Abbey at Lagrasse; experience privileged visits to areas not usually open to the public.
Mon 4th - Sun 10th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ROMAN GERMANY with Guide Lecturer: Tony Wilmott In 9 AD the largest army of the Roman Empire amassed along the Rhine frontier, preparing to march into what Tacitus described as ‘the bristling forests’ of Germany — and suffered an unprecedented defeat. In response, they constructed the Limes - a defence system of fortifications built along the Danube and Rhine borders. Safe behind this frontier, Roman cities Highlights prospered. Our tour explores that which time has left behind: • See the remarkable and prolific remains of Roman grand villas, Roman towns and Cologne the remains of a once imposing frontier in a beautiful, unspoilt part of Europe.
• Step beneath a Roman amphitheatre at Trier
We visit these key sites: Cologne, Mainz, Zugmantel.
• Walk into a reconstructed Roman town, ‘Colonia Ulpia Triana’, at Xanten Archaeological Park
Special Access Enjoy a special tour of the exciting Schiffarts Museum by Dr. Anna Kibburg. The shipping museum is part of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Scientific Community. 34
Sun 28th May - Tue 6th Jun 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SMALL GROUP
Highlights • Go behind the scenes at Berlin’s most celebrated museums • Uncover sites behind Berlin’s imperial facade, such as Tempelhof airport • Enjoy a special evening meal on top of the Reichstag building • Stay in a 5* hotel in central Berlin • Enjoy excellent food paired with classical music in the unique setting of Berlin’s historic Charlottenburg Palace Orangery
Special Access Enjoy a private tour of Stasi Headquarters. Get involved with a special finds handling session with museum curators at the State Archaeological Museum. The curator of Brandenburg State Museum will also present a special talk during our tour.
GERMANY | HIDDEN BERLIN with Guide Lecturer: Nick Jackson
Home to stunning monuments, architecture and museums, Berlin is an icon of 20th century history. Yet beyond the tourist hotspots, there is an even more intriguing Berlin to explore. Join us in uncovering a lesser known past: visit the underground Stasi headquarters; enjoy a special talk from the curator of Brandenburg State Museum. Archaeologist and Berlin resident, Nick Jackson, leads this exclusive tour as we explore the highs and lows of a city torn apart... and pieced back together again. This tour is a must for those wishing to get at the heart of Berlin’s dynamic and hidden history as well as its finest gastronomic delights.
Mon 5th - Sat 10th Jun 2017 & Mon 28th Aug - Sat 2nd Sep 2017 Nick Jackson is an archaeologist specialising in the Bronze Age. He lives in Berlin, and has supervised excavations in Jordan, Syria and Turkey.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Berlin and enjoy an orientation tour of the city. Day Two We explore the beginnings of Berlin and its fascination with the ancient as we visit Museum Island, visiting the Altes and Bode museums. In the afternoon we enjoy a lecture from our Guide. Day Three A day in Brandenburg. We visit the State Archaeological Museum, and have a special finds handling session with the museum curators. After lunch we trace the history of early Prussia, including visits to Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, and St Catherine’s Church.
What’s Included Flights, luxury hotel, all dinners (with wine), exclusive site permits, guide lecturer and tour manager.
Day Four We look behind the wall and explore the site of the old GDR, beginning at Tempelhof, Berlin’s oldest airport, redesigned into a gateway to Hitler’s ‘World
Capital’. After lunch we visit Hohenschönhausen Jail and experience a private tour around the Stasi Headquarters. Day Five We explore Berlin’s most recent history with a walk of the Berlin Wall. In the afternoon we experience a specially arranged Under the Berlin Wall tour, where we discover stories of hope a betrayal and an attempt to tunnel to freedom with reconstructed escape tunnels. We transfer to the airport and depart for home. Day Six We take a walking tour of World War II Berlin and make our way to the German Resistance Memorial Centre, where resistance fighters were executed in 1944.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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GREECE | CRETE & SANTORINI with Guide Lecturers: Dr Sandy MacGillivray and Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley
The Minoans are best known for their labyrinthine ‘palaces’ - the greatest of which, 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. Begin on the beautiful island of Santorini, buried suddenly during the cataclysmic eruption of Thera - which signalled the ‘beginning of the end’ of Minoan civilization. In Crete we continue to trace the story of the Minoans, whose writing, organization and ambition had a profound influence on the development of ancient Greece, and thus the western world.
What’s Included • rem quiae ma ea alitias • alignatest quas • fvlnsggno sfbkvns skjlns 36
Itinerary
Day One We arrive in Santorini. Day Two We begin our first day with a visit to the Prehistoric Museum in Fira. We then continue to Akrotiri. Destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1,500 BC, it is often described as the Aegean’s answer to Pompeii and Herculaneum; with houses preserved up to three storeys high in some cases. Day Three We visit the ancient city of Thera, which has been under archaeological investigation since 1904. Findings from the city have been invaluable contributions to our understanding of Minoan culture and history. Late in the afternoon, we have an exciting journey by catamaran to Heraklion on Crete, arriving in time for dinner.
Day Four We visit the Bronze Age palace site of Knossos. The Curator provides a privileged introduction to the British School of Athens’ Knossos study centre. In the afternoon we continue to the Minoan house at Vathypetro and then return to Heraklion for a visit to the Heraklion Museum. Day Five We enjoy a morning at the Graeco-Roman site of Gortyn, best known for its important collection of 5th century inscribed stone blocks. We travel to the elegant ‘palace’ at Phaistos and continue to Ayai Triadha, a grand but ruinous Bronze Age villa. Day Six We visit the ruins of the Minoan town of Gournia on the northern coast. The remains are clustered around the sides of a hill, just feet from the splashing waves of the Aegean. We also visit Lato, a Doric city
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • The re-opened city of Akrotiri, the ‘Pompeii of the Aegean’ buried and preserved by the eruption of 1500 BC • Elegant sites, wildflowers, expert guides and the warm waters of the Mediterranean
Special Access Special Access Cuptur? Ihiciducimi, con es dolorepe nobit quisquas de et qui nita vitaest quiasp Itis mos estist ommo eumqu aspero quis de rem fugit labo. Faccullant pedion.
defensively situated between two peaks. Afternoon option of a boat trip to picturesque Spinalonga, the site of a former leper colony, just off the northern tip of the Kolokytha Peninsula. Day Seven We travel by fishing boat to the tiny island of Mochlos, once a peninsula, on which stood an important Minoan town. We walk up to the beautifully situated ruins of Chamaizi, most famous for a Middle Minoan building located on the summit of the hill. We enjoy lunch in a seaside taverna before returning to our hotel. Day Eight Our final visit is to the palace of Malia, a huge Minoan complex, before our return flight from Heraklion.
Enjoy special access to the British School at Athens’ study centre at Knossos. The curator will discuss the work of the School and give a tour of the study centre.
What’s Included
Guide Lecturer
• Flights - London to Santorini; Heraklion to London
Dr Sandy MacGillivray is an archaeologist specializing in the civilizations of Crete, the Cyclades and mainland Greece during the Aegean Bronze Age. He has excavated widely, including at Knossos in Crete.
• Guide Lecturer • Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach & catamaran • Meals - All meals included - dinners with wine
Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley is Tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning (LEARN). She specializes in Minoan Crete, and is co-director of the Praisos survey and excavation Project (Crete).
• Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips • Field Notes
Dates
Crete & Santorini in 2016
Tue 14th - Tue 21st Mar 2017
If you can’t wait until 2017 to discover Crete & Santorini, join us in 2016 instead.
Tue 18th - Tue 25th Apr 2017
We still have a number of spaces remaining on our May, September and October tours in 2016. Please visit our website for full details.
Tue 12th - Tue 19th Sep 2017 Tue 26th Sep - Tue 3rd Oct 2017 Tue 10th Oct - Tue 17th Oct 2017
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Visit the Parthenon, built on the acropolis of Athens and dedicated to the goddess of Athena. • Discover Delphi, an important ancient Greek religious sanctuary sacred to the god Apollo • Explore Eleusis, where the cult of the goddess Demeter existed for centuries and the Eleusinian mysteries were held • Tour Kerameikos Cemetery, Athens’s most famous cemetery
Special Access
ATHENS & THE GLORIES OF PERICLES with Guide Lecturer: Dr Sandy MacGillivray & Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley
Pericles was Greece’s most prominent and influential Greek statesman and orator. Join us and explore Athens as he knew it - during the Golden Age. Athens is often referred to as the world’s ancient capital - Iconic monuments lie moments away from fascinating museums, and endless ancient landmarks. The centre of Athens is, in itself an open-air museum. From the magnificent Acropolis, you can glimpse Athens’ modern face - the sprawling modern metropolis which sits below. Join us at the Acropolis and the Agora - where merchants haggled and great philosophers came to debate; then journey, just as the ancients did, to seek the advice of the great oracle at Delphi.
Wed 26th Apr - Wed 3rd May 2017 with Dr Sandy MacGillivray Mon 18th Sep - Mon 25th Sep 2017 with Dr Christina Hatzimichael-Whitely
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What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Receive special access to the Lascaridis Foundation Historic Library. Following a private tour of the library, we enjoy exclusive access to ancient and historic documents, and take part in a handling session of some of the artefacts in their private collections.
Itinerary Day One Upon arriving in Athens, enjoy a free afternoon to get to know the city. Day Two Our first full day will be dedicated to Athens and its rich history. We will spend all day here, visiting the splendid Acropolis Museum to set the archaeological background for our tour. Afterwards, we continue our exploration with a walk around town. Day Three We enjoy a pleasant journey out to Delphi, located on the spur of Mount Parnassus. We view the extensive archaeological remains of the impressive classical site, famous for its oracle at the Sanctuary of Apollo. Day Four We return to Athens where we continue our exploration of the Acropolis. We visit the Temple of Olympean Zeus, Roman Forum and Hadrian’s
Library. After a lunch, we travel to Philopappos Hill, home to the Church of St. Dimitrios Loumbardiaris with its fine frescoes, and the tomb of Philipappos, an ancient mausoleum dedicated to the prominent Roman consul and administrator. Day Five We spend the morning at Eleusis, best known for the Eleusinian Mysteries, one of the most famous religious events of ancient Greece. The on-site museum contains superb examples of Greek statues and artefacts from the area. We return to Athens this afternoon, and the fantastic Cycladic Art Museum. Its notable collection of artefacts, from the mainland and Greek islands, includes the marvellous figurines of the Cyclades and some cruciform figurines from Cyprus. Day Six We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
GREECE | THESSALONIKI with Guide Lecturer: Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley Founded in 315 BC, Thessaloniki is a city whose historical importance and legacy can be said to rival that of Athens. The streets of Thessaloniki are rich in the monuments of its illustrious past; the palace and mausoleum of Emperor Galerius, Byzantine walls, ancient Orthodox churches, and Ottoman mosques. Venture beyond the city walls to ancient Dion and the Enipeas Ravine, at the foot of Highlights Mount Olympus. This is a city where ancient and modern • Discover a selection of worlds happily coexist: the vibrant Byzantine churches Arch of Galerius, overlooking and a historic old town busy boutiques; the famous • Enjoy many archaeological White Tower, anchoring a highlights - including the waterfront of inviting cafés. Imperial Roman Palace We visit these key sites: Pella, the Hagia Sophia and Dion.
Special Access Visit the Church of St Nicholas Orfanos and enjoy special access to the beautiful frescoes that adorn the inside of the building.
• Enjoy six nights in one of the best hotels in the city perfect for exploring
Tue 4th - Mon 10th Apr 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
GREECE | THE PELOPONNESE with Guide Lecturer: Dr Rita Roussos An odyssey through the great sites of Ancient Greece: monuments from every period, and significant archaeological sites set across the backdrop of a rich and varied natural landscape. We traverse the region, accompanied by archaeologist and early Greek specialist Dr Rita Roussos, and explore sites straight out of myth and legend. Rita Highlights unpicks myth from reality as we trace the development of • The land of Homer’s heroes ancient Greece from its earliest and the great citadels from which they came prehistoric origins to Classical glory and beyond on our tour • A full day exploring the of the Peloponnesian region. archaeological splendours of ancient Argos We visit these key sites: Argos, • The impressive Bronze Age Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia tholos tomb of Atreus on and Aigosthena. Panagista Hill
Special Access Experience a special visit to the Museum at Corinth where we enjoy a specially arranged talk by the Museum Curator.
Mon 3rd - Fri 14th Apr & Mon 4th - Fri 15th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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GREECE| WILD THRACE with Guide Lecturer: Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley East of Thessaloniki are the mountains and plains of ancient Thrace, birthplace of Phillip II and Alexander the Great. Thrace was a land alternately at war with and allied to Persians, Greeks and Macedonians. Discover the strategic cities that grew up in the wake of passing conquerors; Phillipi, an important Christian centre, and Mesembria with its chariot burials. Among mountain landscapes, expanses Highlights of wildness, and plains of sunflowers, we find Thrace’s • Discover traces of Roman, stunning archaeological sites Medieval and Ottoman - from the grand Tomb of history Amphipolis to Didymoteicho, • Explore the costal ruins birthplace of Byzantine of Mesembria, the ancient Emperors. Greek polis of Zone We visit these key sites: Kavala, Samothrace, and Komontini.
Special Access We have special access to the decorated tombs of Mikri Doxipara Zoni tumuli - a series of burials dating to the Roman period but in the native Thracian style.
• Visit the famous Classical sanctuary of the Great Gods in Samothrace
Tue 16th - Wed 24rd May 2017 & Tue 5th - Wed 13th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
GREECE| MEET THE GREEKS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Rita Roussos Gods, heroes, monsters and kings - the stories and legends, customs and politics of the Greek world continue to echo through the ages. From Achilles’ heel to Herculean struggles, election voting to frequenting the theatre. How did a group of rival kingdoms dominate the ancient Aegean for so many centuries? We begin in the Peloponnesian hills, where Highlights King Agamemnon set out to rescue Helen and capture Troy. • From the heroic exploits Continue to Classical Athens of Hercules, to the Golden age of Classical Athens a city whose Golden Age led to astonishing advances in • Receive a special talk from art, philosophy, science and the director at Eleusis politics. • The perfect introduction to the people who dominated We visit these key sites: 2,000 years of Western Athens, Mycenae and Delphi. civilisation
Special Access Travel to the site of ancient Corinth and receive a special talk from an archaeologist who previously worked here. The ancient city was one of the largest in ancient Greece. 40
Wed 17th - Wed 24th May 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
GREECE | THE CYCLADES (LAND TOUR) with Guide Lecturer: Dr Rita Roussos Of all the thousands of Greek Islands that are scattered over the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades have the most evocative mythology. The archipelago is named for its encircling of the sacred isle of Delos, the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Its surrounding islands are no less fascinating - from Tinos, with its temple dedicated to Poseidon, to Naxos with its spectacular unfinished kouroi (male Highlights statues). We explore the cool depths of prehistoric tombs • Discover the Agora of and spectacular temples Athens, the ancient centre dedicated to ancient gods of Athenian life If you would rather cruise • Explore Naxos, forever along the Aegean, discover our associated with Dionysus new Cyclades gulet tour (p. 44). and Ariadne We visit these key sites: Tinos, Kastro Apalirou and Naxos.
• Visit the sacred island of Delos, with the impressive atmospheric ruins
Special Access
Thurs 21st Sep - Sun 1st Oct 2017
Experience exclusive access to the largest Mycenean tholos tomb in the Cyclades excavated in 1991 - situated on a hill at Angelika.
Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2017? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2016 Spaces have been filling fast on our 2016 tours, with many tours now sold out. The usual suspects, such as Pompeii and Sicily, have been tempting travellers once again, but our Hidden Cities tours have proven popular too. We wouldn’t want anyone to miss out, so we have added a number of new departures to our programme, including: Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania new May & September departures Sicilia Antiqua new October departure Malta & Gozo new October departure Hidden Rome new November departure Hidden Venice new November departure Book your place on any of our 2016 tours by calling, emailing or visiting us online.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Explore the beautiful Mediterranean island of Crete and its lesser known archaeological remains • Wander through Armeni, where 200 chamber tombs have been discovered • Discover the once powerful ancient city-state of Aptera • Feel inspired in Apollonia, the birthplace of philosopher Diogenes and the tragic poet Ametor • Enjoy scenic routes through traditional Cretan villages
Special Access Discover more about the important recent research which has been undertaken in Western Crete, during special talks from local archaeologists during our tour.
GREECE | CRETE REVISITED with Guide Lecturer: Dr Sandy MacGillivray
The largest and most populous of the Greek islands, Crete is a well trodden destination... but it still has secrets and surprises waiting to be uncovered. Join us as we explore the famous Minoan “Palaces” and settlements; trace the fortunes of the island through the Classical Greek and Roman periods; and gain a deeper understanding of the glorious west of the island. As we journey through the Cretan landscape, we watch witness it unfold in an undeniably artistic way: a magical tapestry of beaches, ancient treasures, vibrant cities and enigmatic villages. The natural beauty we find, is surpassed only by the richness of its history.
Itinerary Day One We fly to Chania and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon we enjoy our first lecture from our expert guide. Day Two We spend the morning discovering the Chania Archaeological Museum, and ancient Kydonia. In the afternoon we enjoy a walking tour of Chania’s historic centre. Day Three We begin the day at Kissamos Museum. We explore the ancient city of Polyrhenia and the Hellenistic town of Phalasarna, with its harbour.
Tue 17th - Tue 24th October 2017 Dr Sandy MacGillivray is an archaeologist specialising in the Aegean Bronze Age and the civilizations of Crete. He has excavated at Sparta, Paros and Kythnos, in Greece, and at Knossos in Crete. 42
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Four We travel to Elyros, an important Doric and Roman town with two harbours. We continue to Sougia for lunch and then take a boat to Lissos, an ancient city famous for its Temple of Asklepios. We return to Chania in the afternoon.
Day Five On our journey to Rethymnon we visit Aptera and a Mycenaean cemetery at Armeni. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the sites of Rethymnon. Day Six Discover the archaeological site and museum at Eleutherna which reveals finds from the Neolithic period through to the Byzantine. After lunch we visit Arkadi Monastery. Day Seven This morning we explore Rethymnon Archaeological Museum. Afternoon, we visit a late Minoan villa at Amnisos and take a walking tour of historic Rethymnon. Day Eight We return to Chania and transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Experience the very best of two superpowers of the ancient world • Glide along the mighty Bosphorous on a relaxed river cruise • Take in the sublime views over Attica from the high plateaus of Delphi • See the merging of two major world religions at former Christian basilica the Hagia Sofia • Enjoy an al fresco lunch at one of Greek history’s most important battle sites
Special Access We have the privilege of a special talk from local archaeologists, and of an out-of-hours visit to Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sofia.
ATHENS TO ISTANBUL with Guide Lecturers: Dr Veronica Kalas & Terry Richardson
The ancient cities of Athens and Istanbul have existed in many incarnations — as continental gateways, centres of culture, and theatres of war. In the present, wonders of the ancient world have lost none of their awe-inspiring power, and this tour is dotted with sites bound to spark your curiosity and wonder: the emblematic Parthenon and Hagia Sofia, the once-buzzing Hippodrome of Constantinople, and the legendladen sanctuary of Delphi. Our journey sees us retrace an ancient path from West to East, re-imagining a historic clash of empires all the way through to the fraught relations of the 20th century.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Athens. Day Two We explore ancient Athens on foot, visiting the Theatre of Dionysus and Kerameikos cemetery.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Nine We discover the site of Philippoi and the Kasta tumulus in Amphipolis.
Day Three Our day begins at the Agora of Athens, the best-known example in ancient Greece.
Day Ten We explore the Sanctuaries of Apollo and Demeter in the Zoni-Mesimvria.
Day Four We travel to the sanctuary of Eleusis, thought to have been in use for over 2,000 years.
Day Eleven We fly to Istanbul. After visits to the Haghia Sophia, and Blue Mosque, we enjoy a Bosphorus Cruise.
Day Five We discover the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi.
Thu 9th - Wed 22nd Nov 2017 Dr Veronika Kalas is an art historian and archaeologist who specialises in the ancient through to Byzantine periods. Terry Richardson is author of the ‘Rough Guide: Turkey’, and co-author/ photographer of ‘The Lycian Way’.
Day Eight We enjoy a walking tour of Thessaloniki.
Day Six We visit the Castle of Lamia and the town of Phthiotis. Day Seven We travel to Thessaloniki, stopping at the Acropolis of Pyrasos en route.
Day Twelve We visit Topkapi Palace and Hagia Iriene today. Day Thirteen We explore the Sulemaniye Mosque complex, walk to Eminonu waterfront and Rustem Pasa Mosque. Day Fourteen We return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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SMALL GROUP
GREECE | THE CYCLADES BY GULET with Guide Lecturers: Dr Sandy MacGillivray & Dr Rita Roussos
Join us as we take a meandering route around the Cyclades island by gulet. Discover atmospheric archaeological sites, amidst rugged, sun-drenched outcrops of rock, which stand within sparkling azure seas. Travel to the sacred island of Delos - mythical birthplace of twins Apollo and Artemis. Standing amongst this sprawling ruin, we can easily imagine the magnificent city that once was. Santorini’s multicoloured cliffs are certain to capture your imagination, as will the fascinating Minoan site of Akrotiri. Aside from our archaeological pursuits, we make sure to reserve time for a swim in the beautiful turquoise waters and island grottoes.
Itinerary
Day One We arrive in Santorini. Day Two Our day begins with breakfast overlooking the Caldera. We visit the ancient city of Thera, a site under excavation since 1904. We continue to Akrotiri: destroyed by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in 1,500 BC. After lunch, you can enjoy a free afternoon in Santorini or join your guide for a walking excursion tour. Day Three We spend the day at the hilly island of Ios. We visit the Roman Aqueduct, Homer’s tomb and the on-site Archaeological Museum. We sail to Koufonisia for a late afternoon swim in the beautiful turquoise waters and grottos of the islands. Day Four We enjoy a full day in Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades. We visit interesting Archaeological Site of
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Grotta, before continuing to the Mycenean Tholos tomb at Koronida. We also examine the two giant unfinished Kouroi lying near quarries close to the villages of Melanes and Apollonas. Day Five We continue exploring Naxos today. A number of ancient sanctuaries still survive here, including: the Sanctuaries of Dionysus and Demeter. We continue to the never finished Temple of Apollo, erected by the tyrant Lygdamis in the 6th century Days Six & Seven We spend two full days in the temples, houses, agorae and oracular sancturies of Delos. The lovely island where Leto purportedly gave birth to Apollo and his twin Artemis. Day Eight We visit Syros - one of the smallest islands of the Cyclades - and discover its archaeological reserve and
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Sailing with Andante Travels Gulet cruising allows you to experience a completely different side to the Cyclades Islands. Enjoy a friendly and informal atmosphere on board - as each tour is limited to a maximum of 18 guests.
The Boat Gulet tours are unlike any other cruise experiences. The vessels are designed to offer total relaxation; making them the perfect partner to an Andante Travels tour. Enjoy beautiful food, and plenty of swimming opportunities, alongside our fascinating archaeological excursions.
Highlights • Discover the most wellknown Minoan Bronze Age settlement in the world - Santorini • Explore the Terrace of the Lions, dedicated to Apollo • Visit the ancient and Mysterious Castles of Andros • Enjoy dinner overlooking the illuminated temples of Cape Sounion
Enjoy single sittings during on-board dinners; ample space for sunbathing on deck, and plenty of shaded areas to relax in too. The comfort extends to your cabin too: all are air conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms. Historically, gulets were used as transport and fishing vessels along the southern coasts of Turkey. Today they are designed with full comfort and not trade in mind which you will see as soon as you come aboard...
What’s Included • Return Flights • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach, boat & catamaran • Meals - All meals included - dinners with wine
early cemetery site. We sail to Andros via Gyaros, where we view the deserted prison buildings. Day Nine We explore Andros and enjoy a refreshing morning trailhike to the archaeological site of Zagora. We continue to Palaiopolis. The ceramic findings gathered from the area date back to the Mycenean period. We enjoy a walking tour of Chora and the Castle of Pano Kastro before dinner in the evening. Day Ten We enjoy a final day in Kea. The charming island is characterised by its rocky spires, verdant orchard filled valleys, olive groves and excellent walking trails. We sail to Cape Sounion for dinner overlooking the Illuminated Temples.
• Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme; tips included • Field Notes
Guide Lecturers
Dates
Dr Sandy MacGillivray is an archaeologist specializing in the Aegean Bronze Age, and the civilizations of Crete, the Cyclades and mainland Greece during this period. He has excavated at Sparta, Paros and Kythnos, in Greece, and at Knossos in Crete, and he co-directed excavations at Palaikastro.
Sat 30th Sep - Tue 10th Oct 2017 with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Dr Rita Roussos is a native Athenian and taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens. She has worked on archaeological projects at Isthmia, Kato Lossous and Mantinea. Rita’s research interests include the place of women in ancient Greece and Rome as well as fourth century sculpture from Greece.
Wed 11th - Sun 22nd Oct 2017 with Dr Rita Roussos
Please note that whilst both tour will visit all of the same sites, they will visit them in a different order. The second date of our tour begins in Kea and ends in Santorini.
Day Eleven We return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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GUATEMALA, BELIZE & HONDURAS with Guide Lecturer: David Drew Meet the Maya, a people of both cultural sophistication and extreme brutality, in the same breathtaking surroundings where they made their home. As we traverse the dense jungle that still covers much of Guatemala and Belize, and dine with the calls of the howler monkeys and brilliant macaws in the branches above, it becomes ever easier to imagine the lives of those who worked, fought, and lived there. This, Highlights coupled with beautifullypreserved metropolises and • Get incomparable insight soaring temples, blue-green into ancient Mayan life lakes and emerald forests, with fantastic museums make for a truly incomparable and sites insight into this enigmatic • Experience a sense of civilisation. adventure with jungle We visit these key sites: Copàn, Quirigua, Tikal
Special Access Enjoy a special talk on the archaeology of the Copan area at the site, presented by a colleague of David Drew.
treks to remote sites
• Experience a sense of adventure with jungle
Tue 14th - Tue 28 Feb 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
AMSTERDAM AT CHRISTMAS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Mark Driessen Amsterdam is a city like no other. Once the northernmost reach of Rome’s continental empire, it later became known for its 17th century Golden Age. Amsterdam offers the perfect combination of historical atmosphere and an intimate, welcoming character. The city really comes alive at Christmas—with markets, parades, and performances making it the perfect time for visiting. Highlights Explore the city’s Roman influence at Forum Hadriani, • Experience a festive experience Christmas Vespers Amsterdam tradition—a performance of the World at the Basilica of St Nicholas, Christmas Circus and marvel at the Illuminated Christmas Canal Parade.
We visit these key sites: De Nieuwe Kerk, Forum Hadriani, Nijmegen
Special Access Experience the Illuminated Christmas Canal Parade on Christmas Eve, and enjoy a performance of Wereldkerstcircus at Carré Theatre on Christmas Day. 46
• Discover the history of Forum Hadriani and the nearby Roman harbour • Explore the ruins of the Roman town of Nijmegen
Wed 20th - Tue 26th Dec 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Discover “Our Lord in the Attic”, a Catholic church hidden inside a 17thcentury canal house • Visit one of the most renowned museums in the Netherlands—the formidable Rijksmuseum • Amsterdam as a real culinary hotspot - enjoy an unforgettable Michelinstarred meal on tour • A sumptuous luxury hotel makes the perfect base from which to discover this inscrutable city
Special Access We are able to take advantage of special access at a number of museums on this tour—we have a behind-the-scenes visit and a curator-led talk at the Allard Pierson Museum, and after hours access to the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden and DOMunder Utrecht
HIDDEN AMSTERDAM with Guide Lecturer: Dr Mark Driessen
The city reclaimed from the sea... Amsterdam is more easily experienced than defined. It’s a uniquely intimate setting where time seems to stop. The city was made to be explored, littered as it is with atmospheric lanes and quarters, and probably accompanied by a canal. Join us as we wander through historic towns, decorated with monumental medieval architecture. Wherever you find yourself, a masterpiece will be within reach. The Van Gogh Museum holds the world’s largest collection of its native son; whilst the Rijksmuseum is brimming with Vermeers, Rembrandts and so many more Golden Age wonders.
Tue 11th - Wed 17th May 2017 Dr Mark Driessen is a lecturer and researcher at Leiden University. His expertise spans across topics of Roman Provincial Archaeology and the archaeology of the Netherlands and Jordan.
Itinerary Day One After arriving in Amsterdam, our first visit is to the Museum Amstelkring, and the Church of Our Lord in the Attic concealed inside the Museum’s roof. This afternoon, we take in the classical stylings of the Amsterdam Royal Palace, followed by the striking 15th century Nieuwe Kerk. Day Two We visit the Allard Pierson Museum, where we enjoy behind-the-scenes access and a special talk by one of the museum’s curators. After lunch, we visit Forum Hadriani, before returning to Amsterdam for a talk by our guide lecturer.
What’s Included Flights, luxury hotel, all dinners (with wine), exclusive site permits, guide lecturer and tour manager.
Day Three This morning we tour the Roman fortress of Castellum and its Museum Hoge Woerd. After lunch, we continue to Muider to see a beautifullypreserved medieval castle.
Day Four We drive to Nijmegen to tour the Museum Het Valkhof. Later, upon returning to Amsterdam, we visit the Van Gogh Museum. Day Five We drive to Leiden’s Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, where we have special access. We continue to historical Oudewater and Haastrecht, then depart for Utrecht. Here, we discover 2,000 years of history hidden underground at DOMunder Utrecht, where we also have special access after hours. Day Six We spend all day at the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, the architecturally eclectic home of works by Dutch masters Rembrandt and Vermeer. Day Seven We return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Visit ancient Persian majesty at Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rustam, and Pasargadae, and trace the mysterious Zoroastrians • Uncover old-style Iranian hammams, stunning architecture, and the finest example of a Persian Garden in the world • Spend time in Iran’s busiest, biggest, and best bazaars and shop for exceptional local crafts • Encounter overwhelming hospitality and taste delicious Iranian cuisine
Special Access
IRAN | KINGS, SHAHS AND GARDENS
Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
with Guide Lecturers: Francois Desset, Prof Michael Roaf, Hassan Nashli & Carolyn Perry A land of mystery, and unparalleled hospitality, Iran is rich in antiquities, its intricately decorated monumental legacy bearing witness to the sweep of its epic history. We will explore the Persian Kingdom - one of the greatest powers of the ancient world, and walk in the footsteps of Cyrus the Great, Darius, and Xerxes at their palaces. We visit monumental citadels at the circular city of Firuzabad and discover the mysteries of the Zoroastrians. Visit the Islamic splendours of Safavid and Qajar Persia in the beautiful cities of Shiraz and Esfahan, and wonder at the legacy of the Pahlavi monarchs in Tehran. This tour sold out fast in 2016 - don’t miss your chance to see this great land.
Itinerary Day One Fly from London to Shiraz. Transfer by coach to our hotel. Day Two Arrive early morning. Stroll around Shiraz after lunch, visiting Karim Khan Castle and Eram Garden. Day Three Drive to Firuzabad to visit Qaleh-i-Dukhtar Palace. Day Four Full day at Nagsh-e Rostam, Takht-e Jamshid, and Naghsh-e-Rajab. Return to Shiraz.
Thurs 6th - Sun 23rd Apr 2017 Thurs 14th - Sat 30th Sep 2017 Thurs 21st Sep - Sat 7th Oct 2017 Thurs 12th - Sat 28th Oct 2017 with Guide Lecturers: Francois Desset, Hassan Nashli, Prof Michael Roaf & Carolyn Perry 48
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Five All day in Shiraz. Morning visit to the tombs of Hafez and Saadi. Explore Naranjestan Palace, Nasir-olMolk Mosque and the city’s traditional bazaar. Day Six Drive to Kerman via Pasargadae, capital of the Achaemenian Empire
Day Seven All day in Kerman, exploring the 17th century Ganjali Khan complex and Shazde Garden. Days Eight & Nine Explore the desert city of Yazd, centre of Zoroastrian culture. Days Ten to Thirteen Visit Esfahan via Na’in. Explore stunning Islamic architecture, the second largest square in the world, and some glorious churches. Day Fourteen Depart Esfahan for Tehran, Iran’s cosmopolitan capital, via Kashan, famous for its Fin Garden. Days Fifteen & Sixteen Visit Tehran’s museums and palaces. Day Seventeen Transfer to airport for flight home via Istanbul.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE with Guide Lecturer: Dr Nick Slope There are few places on earth that can boast such a rich and varied archaeological heritage as Israel and Palestine. Over the millennia, this ancient land has felt the tread of conquerors and settlers: Canaanites, Israelites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans, and Imperial Britons. Dr Nick Slope has excavated all over the Holy Land, and will Highlights introduce you to his colleagues who have directed excavations • Walk the streets of one of here. Discover the archaeology the world’s oldest cities, of that most holy of cities, inhabited for 10,000 years Jerusalem and visit one of • A plethora of iconic ancient the oldest cities in the world, sites, including the tragic Jericho. fortress at Masada We visit these key sites: Tel Dan, Masada and Qumran.
Special Access We visit the Armenian Museum, opened specially for our group. We are also introduced to Dr Slope’s team at the Tel Jezreel excavation site.
• Three days in Jerusalem, including special access to excavations and museums
Tue 31st Oct - Fri 10th Nov 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2017? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2016 Spaces have been filling fast on our 2016 tours, with many tours now sold out. The usual suspects, such as Pompeii and Sicily, have been tempting travellers once again, but our Hidden Cities tours have proven popular too. We wouldn’t want anyone to miss out, so we have added a number of new departures to our programme, including: Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania new May & September departures Sicilia Antiqua new October departure Malta & Gozo new October departure Hidden Rome new November departure Hidden Venice new November departure Book your place on any of our 2016 tours by calling, emailing or visiting us online.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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POMPEII, HERCULANEUM & CLASSICAL CAMPANIA Uncover everyday life in a Roman town...
Nowhere in the world could give a deeper insight into Roman life than the dramatic seaside towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Before the eruption of Vesuvius these were thriving, lively seaside towns. Bars, shops and brothels did a roaring trade and Pompeii was well-equipped to entertain the passing traveller with amphitheatre, baths and theatre. All this came to an abrupt halt, however, one August day in AD 79 - when Vesuvius erupted with cataclysmic force. Lose yourself in the past, walking the ancient streets in the footsteps of gladiators, slaves, senators and citizens...
Itinerary
Day One Fly to Naples and transfer to our 4* hotel. Day Two Beginning our story before the arrival of the Romans, we visit Paestum, home to glorious Greek temples and a museum which houses the painted “Tomb of the Diver”, dated to around 480 BC. Day Three Spend the whole day at Pompeii, the world’s greatest archaeological site. No other site can compare in revealing the scale and proportions of a Roman town, and we visit some of its best-preserved structures, including an ampitheatre, theatre, forum, bathhouses, bars, and brothels. Many of our lecturers have excavated at Pompeii and will introduce the very latest research on this site, shedding light on this extraordinary town.
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Day Four We view the treasures of Naples’ National Archaeological Museum, collected over 200 years of excavation. After lunch, we spend the afternoon at Pozzuoli, home to one of the best-preserved ampitheatres in the world. Later, we discover Piscina Mirabilis, the largest freshwater Roman cistern still in existence. Day Five We leave the beaten track to explore the exclusive Roman resort of Stabiae, where we find two stunning villas. These are the vast Villa San Marco, and the little-visited Villa Ariadne, which offers wonderful views over the Bay of Naples. We enjoy free time in the afternoon to return to Pompeii or relax. Day Six Today we complement our earlier visit to Pompeii with an excursion to Herculaneum, buried to a much greater
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • With over thirty years experience of leading tours to Pompeii nobody knows it better than Andante • Access to rarely-visited villas in Pompeii only recently opened • Whole day exploring the wonders of Pompeii • Led by expert guides – all specialists in Roman Archaeology or Ancient History
Special Access Enjoy private access to the cavernous Piscina Mirabilis at Misenum, usually closed to the public. This giant cistern stored water for the Roman fleet and fed the towns of the Bay of Naples.
depth, and equally fascinating. After lunch, we visit another hidden gem: a farmhouse at Boscoreale. The modest dwelling has been named the Villa Regina, and now has a fine small museum on site. Day Seven On our final full day, a morning climb is rewarded with spectacular views across the Bay of Naples from the crater of Vesuvius. After lunch, we spend the afternoon at a villa fit for the wife of an emperor at Oplontis. Buried and preserved, the villa is thought to have been the home of Poppea, wife of Nero. It is grander even than those at Stabaie and makes a fitting and regal end to our tour. Day Eight We return to Naples for our flight home.
What’s Included • Flights - Scheduled flights London to Naples • Guide Lecturer • Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach • Meals - All meals included with wine at dinner, except lunch at Pompeii • Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips • Field Notes • Hotel - a lovely familyrun hotel in the tiny village of Corpo di Cava. The hotel opened in 1821 and has been passed through generations of the same family ever since. Set in beautiful gardens, it has fabulous views out over the hills, and sits just above a rock-cut monastery.
Guide Lecturers and Dates Dr Eireann Marshall: 6th- 13th Mar Dr Eireann Marshall is an Open University Research Associate and Honorary Research Fellow at Exeter University.
Dr Sophy Downes: 18th - 25th Sep Dr Sophy Downes is a teaching fellow in classical archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, having previously taught at UCL.
Prof. Tony King: 3rd - 10th Apr Prof. Tony King is an archaeology lecturer at the University of Winchester and an expert in Roman archaeology.
Dr Denise Allen: 2nd - 9th Oct Dr Denise Allen began her career as a full-time digger and was director of archaeology at Andante for over twenty years.
John Shepherd: 17th - 24th Apr | 11th - 18th Sep John Shepherd is an archaeologist wih field experience in Bulgaria, France, Italy, and the UK, specialising in the Roman period.
Dr Robyn Veal: 9th - 16th Oct Dr Robyn Veal is a research fellow at the University of Cambridge who has excavated and advised on environmental archaeology.
Tony Wilmott: 15th - 22nd May | 25th Sep - 2nd Oct Tony Wilmott is an archaeologist specialising in the Roman and medieval period, with interests in frontiers and military architecture. Oliver Gilkes: 22nd - 29th May Oliver Gilkes has worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Italy, Albania, and Libya.
Dr Neil Faulkner: 16th - 23rd Oct Dr is a Research Fellow at Bristol University and a specialist in Roman archaeology. He is a regular contributor to TV documentaries in the UK.
2016 Dates: If you can’t wait until 2017 to discover Pompeii, join us in 2016 instead. There are still have a number of spaces remaining on our 2016 tours. Please visit our website for full details.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Visit a landscape of ancient civilisations; from Greek temples to Roman villas, Norman cathedrals to the ruins of age-old fortresses • Visit the remains of ancient Syracuse, the greatest Greek city in the western Mediterranean • Enjoy Piazza Armerina, the villa of a Late Roman aristocrat with a taste for expensive mosaics • Visit some of Italy’s most striking landscapes, from mountainous Etna to the azure Mediterranean sea
Special Access
ITALY | ANCIENT WONDERS OF SICILY
On this tour, we have special access to one of Palermo’s many fine aristocratic palaces and a guided tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Park. We also take a boat trip from the Grand Harbour of Ortygia.
with Guide Lecturers: Dr Denise Allen & Oliver Gilkes
Let us introduce you to Sicily: seductively beautiful and perfectly placed in the heart of the Mediterranean. Discover an epicentre of philosophy, art and learning; and the prize of countless cultures, including the Phoenicians, Romans and Greeks. The island is home to wonderfully-preserved Greek temples, Roman villas and Norman cathedrals - many filled with glorious mosaics. Its sea, volcano and mountain scenery the once the site of many ancient battles; the city of Piazza Armerina, boasts a plethora of monuments that tell of its glorious past. For a more in-depth experience, you may wish to consider our comprehensive 11 day Classical Sicily tour (p.58).
Itinerary Day One Arrive in Palermo, enjoying an introductory lunch in Syracuse.
Piazza Armerina, a town developed during the Norman domination of Sicily. Later, we drive to Syracuse.
Day Two On our first full day, we visit the Norman cathedral of Monreale before spending the early afternoon at leisure. Afterwards, we visit the Cappella Palatina and one of the town’s numerous and dazzling palazzi.
Day Six This morning we enjoy a guided tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse, before being drawn in by the exhibits of the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. After lunch, we see the ruined Greek fortress of Castello Eurialo.
Day Three Our morning is spent discovering the temple and theatre of ancient Segesta, before travelling to Selinunte in the afternoon, and, finally, departing for Agrigento.
Wed 15th - Wed 22nd Mar 2017 with Denise Allen Wed 13th - Wed 20th Sep 2017 with Oliver Gilkes
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What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Four We spend a full day exploring Agrigento—first its excellent museum, then its splendid temples.
Day Seven We tour Ortygia, taking in the Piazza del Duomo, the Grand Harbour and the Fountain of Arethusa, before taking an idyllic boat trip from the harbour. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish: at leisure, or in exploration. Day Eight We fly home from Catania.
Day Five We spend our day first travelling to, then discovering
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SMALL GROUP
Highlights • Private evening visit to the great Byzantine church, St Mark’s Basilica • Explore the byways of one of Europe’s most evocative cities • Take a vaporetto ride across the lagoon • Dine at Michelin starred restaurant with unforgettable views of Venice • Stay in a 14th century palazzo, right on the waterfront of Riva delgi Schiavoni
Special Access
ITALY | HIDDEN VENICE with Guide Lecturers: Dr Eireann Marshall & Prof. John Mitchell
Kissed by the waters of the northern Adriatic, the city of Venice is a jigsaw of low islands, grand canals, and labyrinthine streets. Travelling in a small group of just sixteen, we view the great and the lesser-known facets of the city. Our tour includes special access to St Mark’s Basilica, the greatest Byzantine church in the West, and the formidable Doge’s Palace. Escaping the labyrinthine streets of the city, we take vaporetto rides to Torcello, across the lagoon, to explore this first settlement of Venice and the 7th century cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Mon 20th - Sat 25th Mar with Dr Eireann Marshall Mon 30th Oct - Sat 4th Nov with Prof. John Mitchell Mon 6th - Sat 11th Nov 2017 with Dr Eireann Marshall
What’s Included Flights, luxury hotel, all dinners (with wine), exclusive site permits, guide lecturer and tour manager.
We take a “secret itinerary” of the Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale, which winds us through private back rooms, closed-off prisons, and hidden offices of state. We later enjoy an evening visit to St Mark’s Basilica, also known by the nickname Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold).
Itinerary Day One We arrive. We visit Altinum, a small Roman city destroyed by Atilla the Hun, before continuing to Venice. Day Two We take a vaporetto to the island of Torcello and explore the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Archaeological Museum. We continue to Murano Island, home to the Venetian glass trade, where we have a special tour of the glass factory. Day Three Today we explore St Mark’s Square, taking in the facades, colonnades and arcades. The seemingly endless arcades hide a plethora of secrets. We visit the seat of power of the Venetian Republic at Doge’s Palace, and take a ‘secret itinerary’, which winds us through the back rooms of the Palace. We visit the Archaeological Museum before an evening visit to St Mark’s Basilica.
Day Four We tour Venice on foot and by vaporetto, exploring the grand church of San Giorgio Maggiore where we ascend the campanile and savour a panoramic view. We also visit the frescoed Church of San Zan Degola. This evening we enjoy a splendid evening meal in a Michelin-starred eatery in St Mark’s Square. Day Five We take a walking tour of the city, considering its principal bridges - including the Rialto Bridge — the oldest bridge over the Grand Canal. We explore the Castello zone and wind our way through the Venetian calle to a former cathedral of the city, San Pietro di Castello. We end the day with a boat trip along the Grand Canal. Day Six We transfer to the airport and return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Prestigious 5* hotel minutes away from Piazza Navona, where the lobby is almost a museum in itself • Dinner at the only restaurant in Rome with the honour of three Michelin stars • An insider’s guide to ancient Rome, with outof-hours museum tours and access to ongoing excavations and hidden sites • Out of hours access to the world-famous Capitoline Museum
Special Access
ITALY | HIDDEN ROME
with Guide Lecturers: Oliver Gilkes, Dr Jonathan Coulston, Dr Eireann Marshall and Dr Gillian Shepherd
Rome is much more than you see on the surface. Behind the grand Renaissance architecture, the city is laid out on ancient Roman lines. To truly appreciate this legacy, you have to delve beyond the usual marble monuments and beneath the modern streets . In our exclusive tour, we explore a hidden world of buried houses, underground temples, and secret catacombs usually only accessible to specialists. A truly exclusive break, Hidden Rome also takes care of all your needs; enjoy a 5* hotel in the heart of the ancient city, and a spectacular Michelinstarred meal overlooking the dome of St Peter’s Basilica.
Mon 6th - Sat 11th Feb Mon 13th - Sat 18th Mar Mon 24th - Sat 29th Apr & Mon 18th - Sat 23rd Sep 2017 with Oliver Gilkes, Dr Jonathan Coulston, Dr Eireann Marshall and Dr Gillian Shepherd
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What’s Included Flights, luxury hotel, all dinners (with wine), exclusive site permits, guide lecturer and tour manager.
We are granted access to the Secret Archives of the Vatican, usually only permitted to officials and scholars. We also have special access to the underground Mithraeum of the Circus Maximus and permit-only sites, including the tombs of the Scipios and of Pomponius Hylas.
Itinerary Day One Arrival in Rome. Day Two We stroll up the Aventine Hill for churches, castles, myths and legends, before our special access visit to the underground Mithraeum of the Circus Maximus. After lunch, we visit the titanic Baths of Caracalla before ending the day at the Tomb of Pomponius Hylas and the Tomb of the Scipios, both usually closed to the public. Day Three We travel out of the city to the Via Nomentana, one of Rome’s ancient roads. We visit Santa Constanza, the circular mausoleum of Constantine the Great’s daughter, before continuing to the Appian Way to see ancient villas, including the villa of the senatorial Quintilli. After dinner, we enjoy a private visit to the Capitoline Museum, one of the world’s greatest museums.
Day Four We step into the secret Roman temple and altar hidden beneath the lavishly frescoed church of San Clemente before visiting Palazzo Valentini. Dinner tonight is at La Pergola, Rome’s only three Michelin-starred restaurant. Day Five We visit the Cripta Balbi museum and excavations before Palazzo Spada and Borromini Gallery, one of Rome’s great Renaissance palaces. In the afternoon, we pay our respects at St Peter’s Tomb before our special access visit to the Secret Archives of the Vatican, where we discover kings’ letters and papal decrees, and enjoy a rare view of Rome from the Tower of the Winds. Day Six We wave farewell to Rome from Monte Testaccio, a hill of fifteen million olive oil amphorae, before flying home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • The little-visited heel of Italy: discover Roman battlefields, dramatic rock-cut churches and magnificent castles and cathedrals • Enjoy a spectacular combination of gastronomic delights and archaeological treasures, in a region famed for both • Learn the techniques behind traditional Italian recipes, from orecchiette pasta to mozzarella, olive oil to Italian bread
Special Access
ITALY | APULIA - FOOD & ARCHAEOLOGY with Guide Lecturers: Deborah Hodson & Rosetta Ferrari
Following on from our much-loved Bologna tour, we present Apulia: Food & Archaeology. The fascinating area is quite unlike the rest of Italy; characterised by wild rocky plateau, dramatic coastline, and vast flat plains dotted with olive trees. Apulia has played host to many successive peoples and cultures - each leaving their own unique archaeological trace on the landscape; from rock-cut cities and churches to conical trulli. This is also a region of rich food heritage. Join us for an authentic, multi-sensory Italian experience, featuring: hands on cookery classes, mozzarella making, visits to durum wheat farms, and DOC wine tasting sessions.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Bari, and transfer to our hotel in Trani. Day Two We enjoy a morning exploring the archaeological delights of Trani. This afternoon we learn how to make orecchiette, a pasta shape native to Apulia. Day Three We begin the morning with a mozzarella making class and enjoy visits to Il Parco and Manfredonia Museum before a traditional Manfredonian fish lunch. We finish the day at Monte Sant’Angelo, site of one of the most ancient Christian shrines in Italy.
Sun 23rd Apr - Mon 1st May & Sun 1st - Mon 9th Oct 2017 with Guide Lecturers: Deborah Hodson & Rosetta Ferrari
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
We have exclusive access to the prestigious Santomasi Foundation in Gravina, where amazing finds discovered from extensive excavations in and around the city are housed. We also have a private visit and wine tasting at the Ceci Estate.
Day Four After a visit to a Modesti farmhouse, we devote the morning to culinary delights learning about durum wheat at Murgini and visiting Altmura for a traditional bread making class. This afternoon we explore Gravina.
Day Five On to Ascoli Satriano this morning, for a special opening of Polo Museum and a visit to Faragola Villa where we enjoy a Roman themed lunch. This afternoon we experience a private visit and wine tasting at the Ceci Estate. Day Six Today we visit Caseificio and Castel Del Monte. This afternoon we explore Andria Vecchia and visit the Museo del Confetto. Day Seven We enjoy a morning exploring Canosa’s archaeological sites: a Roman bridge, acropolis and Basilica di San Pietro. This afternoon we experience an olive oil tasting in Cerignola. Day Eight Our final morning is spent exploring Bari - including a visit to San Nicola Cathedral. We return home this afternoon.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Stroll through the most magnificent and best conserved of all island residences, Villa Jovis • Spend some time in the fantastic setting of the splendid Villa San Michele and it’s gardens in Anacapri • Enjoy the stunning panoramic view from the summit of Monte Solaro • Relax during a boat trip to the volcanic Isola d’ Ischia, where we visit the Area Archeologica di Santa Restituta
Special Access Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
ITALY | RELAXED CAPRI with Guide Lecturer: Tony O’Connor
Beguiling Capri has charmed Roman emperors, Russian revolutionaries and Hollywood stars alike. The legendary idyll presents the perfect microcosm of Mediterranean appeal. Inhabited from the Palaeolithic period, Capri was briefly occupied by the Greeks, before it became the private playground of Emperor Augustus and retirement home of Tiberius. Exploring beyond the tourist-filled cafés and designer boutiques, we find a Capri of unspoilt charm. A rugged landscape, peppered with relaxing beaches and picturesque villages overlook the deep blue waters that lap into secluded coves and mysterious grottoes...
Mon 24th - Sat 29th Apr 2017 Mon 23rd - Sat 28th Oct 2017 Tony O’Connor is a Museum Curator and a specialist on the Roman Empire. He has excavated widely across Britain, Italy and Africa.
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What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Itinerary Day One Arrive in Naples for a beautiful hour’s drive to Sorrento, where we take a short ferry over the Tyrrhenian Sea to Capri.
just an hour away. We visit the Archaeological Museum and the Area Archaeologica di Santa Restituta before stepping into the medieval Castello Aragonese.
Day Two We visit the Museum of Villa San Michele and wander through the stunning historic centre of Anacapri. This afternoon, we move on to Villa Damecuta, followed by Grotta Azzuro, a short boat trip away.
Day Five An imperial morning — we visit Villa Jovis, palace of Tiberius, second emperor of Rome, along with the nearby Tiberian baths. This afternoon we walk along Pizzolungo.
Day Three Drive south to Marina Piccola, where we visit the lovely Augustus Gardens and St. Giacomo’s Charterhouse before lunch at Marina Piccola, with view of Faraglioni. The afternoon is free for you to explore Marina Grande, perhaps taking a boat to Palazzo a Mare or Piazetta. Day Four Another beautiful little boat trip — this time to Ischia,
Day Six We travel to Mount Solaro, called ‘Acchiappanuvole’ (cloud-catcher) by locals for its misty morning crown. We ascend in chairlifts to Barbarossa Castle, passing over lush green pathways on a beautiful journey uphill. This afternoon we visit Punta Carena, Italy’s second tallest lighthouse. Day Seven We transfer to the airport and return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SMALL GROUP
NEW
Highlights • Explore the newly restored chapel of the Legends of the True Cross • Discover the breath-taking Boboli Gardens • Explore the Medici fortress at Poggibonsi, a stronghold of the Florentine Empire under Cosimo Medici • Journey through the rolling countryside of Tuscany, punctuated with villas and avenues of Cypress trees • Visit fascinating stores and restoration laboratories in Florence
Special Access Enjoy a specially organised visit to the Tomba della Montagnala, the famous Etruscan tholos tomb. We also enjoy special entry to the spectacular Etruscan tomb of the Infernal Chariot at Sarteano.
ITALY | RELAXED TUSCANY with Guide Lecturer: Oren Margolis
A wealth of archaeological sites are hidden amongst the rolling hills and golden landscapes of Tuscany. The region has seduced countless civilisations for centuries. It all began with the Etruscans, but the Romans, medieval Christians, British aristocrats, and plundering Napoleon all share a space in the region’s fascinating history. Our visually stimulating tour is set in set in the rolling Tuscan countryside - a gorgeous land of villas and vineyards. Traverse a landscape of streets, squares, palaces and churches in Florence, the epicentre of the Renaissance. As the sun sets, steal yourself away to gaze upon the River Arno as it turns pink.
Mon 11th - Sat 16th May 2017 Oren Margolis is a lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Oxford and a fellow of Somerville College. His research focuses mainly on Renaissance humanism.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Florence. Day Two We explore Siena this morning, the last town to hold out against the rise of the Medici. The Republic invested heavily in its wondrous Duomo which we visit. Enjoy plenty of time to explore the marvellous Palazzo Comunale, and perhaps ascend its bell tower for the exceptional view. Free time this afternoon. Day Three We travel to Arezzo, another proud city state. We explore the life and work of Giorgio Vasari, court architect to Cosimo I and biographer of the great artists, and the Duomo. You can enjoy some free time this morning, or visit the Archaeological Museum alongside your guide lecturer. We enjoy the culinary delights of Tuscany tonight, at one of the region’s fabulous Michelin-starred restaurants.
Day Four Enjoy a day in Cortona. Seated on the skirts of the mountains, this is almost the archetypal medieval Italian city. We discover the Accademia Etrusca, an 18th century esoteric society and its fine museum, and the Diocesan Museum with works by Fra Angelico. Day Five We visit the Boboli Gardens this morning. They are home to a wonderful collection of sculptures and Roman antiquities. Enjoy some free time this afternoon, or enjoy an optional visit to the Uffizi Gallery with your Guide Lecturer, Oren Margolis. Day Six We enjoy a final visit to the great Medici fortress at Poggibonsi, relied upon by the Florentine Empire of Cosimo Medici. We transfer to the airport for our return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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ITALY | CLASSICAL SICILY The whole story of Sicilia Antiqua...
The meeting point between Africa and Europe, East and West - there’s so much more to the Sicily you think you know. The classically beautiful heart of the Mediterranean has been praised by poets and became the prize of countless cultures – Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks and more. The sun-soaked island is home to wonderfully preserved Greek temples, Roman villas and Norman cathedrals - many filled with glorious mosaics. Its beautiful sea, volcano and mountain scenery was once the site of fierce ancient battles; but was also a creative centre of philosophy, art and learning.
Itinerary
Day One We arrive in Palermo. Day Two We begin at the famous unfinished Doric temple at Segesta, set amongst rolling hills. There is also a fine theatre on the hilltop above. We continue to the magnificent Norman cathedral and abbey founded by William II in 1174 at Monreale. Day Three We spend all day in Palermo, where we see the Church of La Martorana, and the Duomo. We have a specially arranged evening visit to the Cappella Palatina of Roger II, a glittering jewel of Norman architecture. Day Four Today we take a boat across the shallow salt lagoon to the Phoenician island stronghold of Motya. We continue to the important port town of Marsala, ancient Lilybaeum.
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Day Five In Marsala we see the remains of a Punic warship, sunk on its maiden voyage during the First Punic War. We continue on to the ancient quarries at Cave di Cusa, from which came the stone for the temples at Selinunte. We head to the site of Selinunte, dramatically situated overlooking the sea and strewn with wild flowers. Day Six All day among the magnificent Greek temples of Agrigento, imposingly ranked along the southern ridge of the ancient city built to impress all those approaching. Day Seven We start the day in opulent Roman style, at the palatial Roman villa with exceptionally fine mosaics at Piazza Armerina. Continue to the ancient settlement of Morgantina.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • Exclusive out-of-hours tour of the spectacular mosaic filled rooms of the Piazza Armerina Roman villa • The beautiful Greek city of Heraclea Minoa with its impressive theatre set against the sparkling Mediterranean sea • Special access to the spectacular frescoes still surviving in the Grotto of the Sibyl of Lilybaeum
Special Access Enjoy a specially arranged early evening visit to the Cappella Palatina of Roger II, a glittering jewel of Norman architecture, with cosmatesque inlays in the lower walls, goldin-glass mosaics above, and an exquisite stalactite ceiling of wood.
Day Eight We spend all day discovering the ancient city of Syracuse. We see the huge Altar of Hieron II, Greek theatre, the ancient quarries and the exquisite artefacts in the Archaeological Museum. Day Nine Free time to explore lovely Baroque Ortygia, then drive north to the Graeco-Roman theatre at Taormina, with its amazing scenic backdrop which includes a view of Mount Etna. Day Ten Our final day is spent at Euryalus fort, constructed at the beginning of the 4th century BC by Dionysius the Elder. We then drive right out of the city to the unspoilt interior of the island. We explore the prehistoric tombs at Pantalica with stunning views over the hills. Day Eleven We return home.
What’s Included • Flights - scheduled flights London to Palermo, Catania to London • Guide Lecturer • Tour Manager • Local Travel - Private a/c coach • Meals - All meals included - dinners with wine • Entries & Tips - Entry to all sites in programme & tips • Field Notes
Dates Thu 30th Mar - Sun 9th Apr 2017 Thu 20th - Sun 30th Apr 2017 Thu 11th - Sun 21st May 2017 Thu 14th - Sun 24th Sep 2017 Thu 28th Sep - Sun 8th Oct 2017 Thu 5th - Sun 15th Oct 2017
Guide Lecturer Dr Denise Allen is a specialist in the Roman and Classical World. She began her archaeology career as a full-time digger, working on sites all over the UK. She received her PhD on Roman glass from Cardiff University.
Dr Eireann Marshall is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University as well as an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter. She specialises in Classical Civilisation in Italy.
Oliver Gilkes is a leading expert on the archaeology of Albania. He has excavated extensively in Albania, directing research at both Butrint and Gjirokastra. He also works in Andante’s archaeology department, planning tours.
Tony O’Connor is a specialist in the Roman Empire, who has excavated widely across Britain, Europe and North Africa. Tony is deeply interested in the study of Roman coinage, and in numismatics.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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ITALY | ROME WITH SISTINE CHAPEL with Guide Lecturer: Claudia Pinci & Diana Blumberg The once fearsome hub of the Roman Empire, Rome is an exhilarating and intimate destination... Rome is, in many ways, the superlative classical city, home to ancient heavy-weight icons including the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Ancient treasures have been brought here from every corner of the globe to enrich world-class museums, art-soaked churches and medieval piazzas. The Highlights exquisite Sistine Chapel is a tourist favourite, but you can • On foot through the glories escape the crowds and enjoy of the Eternal City from a serene private viewing of Trajan’s column to the Michelangelo’s masterpiece in Colosseum peace and quiet. • Private evening visit to the Sistine Chapel We visit these key sites: the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica • Based in one charming hotel, centrally located near and Villa Borghese Museum. the Pantheon
Special Access Visit the Vatican Museum and enjoy a private viewing of the spectacular Raphael rooms and the famously beautiful Sistine Chapel itself.
Mon 8th - Sat 13th May 2017 & Mon 25th - Sat 30th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | RENAISSANCE VILLAS with Guide Lecturer: Oliver Gilkes Fantastically elaborate, brimming with sculpture and symbolism, the villas of central Italy embody the high art and low political intrigues of the Renaissance. Built for popes and princes, these villas hark back to a much older tradition, when Roman Emperors would retreat to their palaces in the Sabine hills. We explore the villa in its many and various forms, from Highlights the rustic farms of antiquity, beloved of Roman poets, to the • Spectacular villas built by classical and Renaissance vast complexes of later eras, grandees with their when villas reflected their elaborate gardens owners’ wealth and status. • Be astonished by the unique Mannerist We visit these key sites: Lake sculptures of the Gardens Nemi, Villa Aldobrandini, of Bomarzo, colloquially Farfa Abbey and the Villa of known as the ‘Park of the Horace. Monsters’
Special Access We have special access to enoy the magnificent Barberini Gardens, summer residence of the Pope, laid out over the remains of an Imperial Roman villa. 60
Mon 15th - Sun 21st May 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ITALY | LATIUM - THE ROMAN RICH with Guide Lecturer: Prof. Tony King The picturesque Sabine Hills 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, its sheer opulence making it one of the blockbuster sites of this tour. While guests often come to see the justly famous Roman ruins at Ostia and Tivoli, it is Highlights often the smaller, lesser-known places which enchant them, • Opulent Imperial villas, such as the acres of landscaped secluded hills, and an botanical gardens at Ninfa, and ancient superhighway Alba Fucens, a hidden gem in • Sprawling and extravagant the Appenine mountains. villas at Tivoli and Sperlonga We visit these key sites: • Rome’s fertile hinterland, Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli, from the coast to the Sperlonga, Minturnae foothills of the Apennines
Special Access Experience special access to the famous Gardens of Ninfa, built on the ruins of a medieval town and internationally recognised as some of Europe’s best landscape gardens.
Sun 21st - Sun 28th May 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | SAMNITES - ENEMIES OF ROME with Guide Lecturer: Oliver Gilkes The fierce Samnite tribes of beautiful south-central Italy were some of the last to hold out against the Roman republic, and when they were finally vanquished, Strabo wrote that ‘the towns of Samnium have become villages, and most have vanished altogether.’ Yet this was not quite true; the spinal Apennine Mountains play host to the sanctuaries and fortresses Highlights shaped by their unique culture. Visit crag-clinging • Visit L’Aquila, the Roman castles, follow winding river city interspersed with bold new architecture paths and delve into unspoilt valleys on the trail of some of • See a selection of Rome’s most implacable foes. wonderful churches in the tiny village of Bominaco We visit these key sites: • Follow the winding path L’Aquila, Saepinum and of the Volturno River to Rocca Scalegna. Venafro
Special Access A major earthquake severely damaged the Roman city of L’Aquila in 2009. We have special access to see the restoration work in progress.
Mon 22nd - Sun 28th May 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • The wonderful collection of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany in Florence’s Archaeological Museum • The recently discovered Tomb of the Infernal Chariot at Sarteano • Privileged access to the National Archaeology Museum, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, and the Tomba della Montagnala • Stay at 5* hotels and enjoy exquisite food at the 3* Michelin Enoteca Pinchiorri restaurant
Special Access
ITALY | HIDDEN FLORENCE & SIENA with Guide Lecturer: Oren Margolis
Enjoy the ultimate Tuscan experience, across a lyrical landscape of world-class art and cucina contadina (the farmer’s kitchen). Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance - a magnetic, romantic city. A feast of world-class art is woven within its urban fabric; a thousand tales are waiting to be told within its narrow streets. Siena is a Gothic open-air museum - replete with spiritual and secular medieval monuments. On this exclusive tour we will discover hidden corners of this centre of culture, including the resting place of Renaissance heroes and the recently uncovered Tomb of the Infernal Chariot. All perfectly complemented by a number of gastronomic delights.
Sun 3 - Sun 9th April 2017 Oren Margolis is a lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Oxford and a fellow of Somerville College. His research focuses mainly on Renaissance humanism.
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What’s Included Flights, luxury hotel, all dinners (with wine), exclusive site permits, guide lecturer and tour manager.
On this tour, we are able to go behind the scenes at the National Archaeological Museum in Florence, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, and the spectacular Etruscan Tomb of the Infernal Chariot. We also enjoy a specially organised visit to the Tomba della Montagnala.
Itinerary Day One Arrive in Florence Day Two We visit the National Archaeological Museum to see the remarkable RomanoEtruscan Orator and Chimera of Arezzo. After lunch, we visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, burial place of Renaissance heroes including Michelangelo and Galileo, and decorated with frescoes by Giotto. Day Three This morning, we discover the famous Duomo di Firenze, and the buried Crypt of Santa Reparata, as well as the site’s new museum. This afternoon, we pay a visit to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, complete with an exclusive tour of their labs to see restoration in progress. Day Four Today, we visit the Etruscan Tomba della Montagnola
before exploring the Medici Villas of Villa Corsini and Poggio a Caiano. Later, we drive to Siena. Day Five This morning is spent exploring the Palazzo Pubblico, particularly its bell tower and political frescoes. Later, we marvel at the spectacular architecture of the Duomo di Siena and the artworks of the Museo delle Opere. Day Six We drive to Sarteano to see the stunning Tomb of the Infernal Chariot, and to visit the town’s museum and formidable castle. Later, we visit Monte Oliveto Abbey for a wine tasting before returning to Siena. Day Seven We enjoy a free morning in Siena before driving to Florence for our flight home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SMALL GROUP
ITALY | THE ICE MAN AND HIS WORLD with Guide Lecturer: Dr Tertia Barnett The Alpine valleys of Val Camonica hold one of the largest collections of prehistoric rock art in the world. Italy’s first World Heritage Site, the images depict every facet of life from the Neolithic through to Roman times. Not only will we experience the artistic endeavours of these early people, we will also gain a better understanding of how they lived day to day, with a visit to the reconstructed houses Highlights at Foppe di Nadro. Finally, having explored the region, • Marvel at the rock art sites we venture further into the of Naquane Park, a 74km mountains to visit the ice-man, long valley holding around “Otzi”, a truly remarkable 300,000 Prehistoric images emissary from 5000 years ago. • Experience everyday Prehistoric life at the We visit these key sites: houses of Foppa di Nadro Naquane Park, Serdina• Relax on the scenic shores Bedolini and Bolzano Musem. of a mountain lake at Ledro
Special Access We visit the Bolzano Museum, the home of Otzi the Ice Man nestled in the Alps. We have special access to the museum, which is introduced to us by scientists and archaeologists.
Sat 3rd- Thur 8th Jun 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | BASILICATA & CALABRIA with Guide Lecturer: Dr Ed Bispham A wonderful introduction to the unspoilt mountains and hills of the “toe and instep” of southern Italy, much favoured by ancient colonists though little-visited by tourists today. Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Norman and Spanish invaders not only came, saw and conquered, but stayed, building cities, castles and churches. The abundance of sites includes some real treasures: Highlights the Codex Purpureus at Rossano, the Byzantine church • Italy beyond the tourist trail, with some spectacular at Stilo, and the 5th century unspoilt scenery BC Greek bronze warriors rescued from the sea at Riace. We visit these key sites: Matera, Venosa, Gerace, Crotone and Le Castella.
Special Access Our trip culminates with special access to the famous Riace Bronzes, wonderfully restored at Reggio di Calabria after having been rescued from the seabed.
• The World Heritage Site of Matera; a maze of rock-cut cave dwellings • Visit many unexpected treasures including the Byzantine church at Stilo
Sat 23rd Sep - Sun 1st Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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POMPEII & AMALFI - WINE & ARCHAEOLOGY with Guide Lecturer: John Shepherd Andante Travels have joined forces with Arblaster & Clarke to offer combined Wine & Archaeology tours. Southern Italy is an incredibly rich region, its abundant archaeology perfectly complemented by its 4,000-year wine legacy. We explore rock-cut abbeys, remnants of ancient towns and cities devastated by Vesuvius. Wine is the lifeblood of the regionclassically known as Highlights Campania and named “land of wine” by the Greeks. Bold, • An irresistible combination full-bodied and supremely of archaeological sites and satisfying, these wines were mouth-watering wines adored by the Romans and it’s • Full day to walk along the not hard to see why. well-preserved streets of Pompeii. We visit these key sites: • Wine tastings in local Paestum, Pompeii, and family-run vineyards Herculaneum.
Special Access Stopping en route to the Cilento coast at Corpo di Cava dei Tirreni, we can take advantage of special access at the abbey’s library and rich public and private archives.
Sat 23th - Sat 30th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | THE ETRUSCANS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Robyn Veal Before the rise of Rome, the Etruscans dominated much of Italy. At the height of their power and prosperity during the 6th century BC, Etruscan influence and ambition rivalled that of the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians. In their homeland in the Tuscan hills, they built cities, vast cemeteries, monumental tombs, and a startling abundance of finely crafted objects. In this beautiful part of Highlights rural Italy, we stay in just two • Special access to the hotels: a converted convent exquisite Tomb of the Lion and Pellegrina Tomb and a 17th century palazzo, the perfect bases from which • Explore every aspect of to explore hilltop cities and Etruscan life and culture, spectacular finds. from great cities to everyday objects We visit these key sites: • The beautiful scenery of Volterra, Vulci and Chiusi. the rolling Tuscan hills
Special Access We have special access to some of the characteristic Etruscan painted tombs, including the Tomb of the Lion and the Pellegrina Tomb at Chiusi, both exquisitely decorated. 64
Sun 24th Sep - Sun 1st Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
Highlights • View the glorious Imperial monuments of Rome - the Colosseum, Pantheon, Forum and so much more! • Discover the extraordinary, haunting cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum an unbeatable introduction to ordinary Roman life • Visit the remains of the ornately decorated Baths of Emperor Caracalla • Explore the sprawling villa of the Emperor Hadrian at Tivoli, and discover a blend of ancient architectural styles
Special Access We enjoy special access to the cavernous Piscina Mirabilis at Misenum - a gigantic cistern - usually closed to the public. We also enjoy an exclusive evening visit to the Capitoline Hill Museum, which houses an exquisite collection of classical sculpture and an impressive picture gallery.
ITALY | MEET THE ROMANS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Neil Faulkner
Bloodthirsty imperialists, or the greatest empire the world has ever known? At its peak, the Roman Empire covered a vast territory, ruled by powerful, often capricious Emperors, whose names remain familiar today. In this tour we contrast the grand marble monuments of Rome with the humbler cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Led by passionate Roman specialists, we follow the path of the Roman elite, travelling between two great ancient cities. In Rome, we get a feel for life in an Imperial capital; before we take the holiday route of wealthy Romans to the ordinary seaside Roman town of Pompeii.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Rome. Day Two We visit the Church of San Clemente and the infamous Colosseum. We spend the afternoon seeing the many temples of the Roman Forum — the city’s ancient heart. Day Three Following a day of visits to the Piazza Navona and Pantheon, we enjoy a special access evening visit to the worldfamous Capitoline Museum.
Mon 3rd - Fri 14th April 2017 Dr Neil Faulkner is a Research Fellow at Bristol University. A specialist in Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and First World War archaeology, he also works as a historian.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Seven We travel to Naples, stopping at the Villa of Quintilli en route before an afternoon visit to Naples Museum. Day Eight We devote a whole day to Pompeii, caught in time. Few other sites compare in revealing the true scale and proportions of a Roman town. Day Nine We explore the temples, site and museum at Paestum and the Heraion of River Sele.
Day Four We travel to the enormous ruin of the Baths of Caracalla before visiting the wellpreserved Ostia Antica.
Day Ten We view the amphitheatres at Pozzuoli; and also enjoy special access to the Piscina Mirablis at the gulf of Naples.
Day Five This morning we explore the sprawling Vatican City Museums. Free afternoon.
Day Eleven This morning, we visit Herculaneum before spending the afternoon at the wellpreserved villa at Oplontis.
Day Six We visit the vast complex of Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli.
Day Twelve We return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Historic Ortygia, with its glorious piazzas and sea views • Verdant Pantalica, wonderfully alive with native bird and plant life • A relaxed approach to discovering Syracuse, with ample time to explore • All based in a charming hotel in Ortygia - a beautifully restored and chic area of Siracusa, across a causeway from the main part of the city
Special Access Enjoy specially arranged access to the sprawling Catacombs of San Giovanni – truly a necropolis (‘city of the dead’), where whole streets of tombs run off below the city. In the main gallery, we see evidence that portions of the catacombs originally followed the route of a disused Greek aqueduct.
ITALY | RELAXED SIRACUSA Guide Lecturer: John Shepherd
With a history stretching back almost 3,000 years, the city of Syracuse has the rare accolade of being classed in its entirety as a World Heritage Site. At the heart of the ancient city is Ortygia, painstakingly and dazzlingly restored. We follow in the footsteps of the Greeks, Romans, and much later civilisations who landed upon these shores. Based in one hotel on the seafront, with a balance of free time and guided visits, this tour provides ample leisure time — perhaps take a boat trip from the Great Harbour, or explore Syracuse’s imposing Castello Maniace.
Mon 9th - Sun 15th Oct 2017 John Shepherd is an archaeologist who has excavated all over Europe and the UK. He was a curator at the Museum of London for many years, setting up their Roman galleries.
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What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Itinerary
Day One We fly to Catania and drive to our hotel in Ortygia, Siracusa. Day Two We spend the morning exploring historic Ortygia on foot. We see the Temple of Athena, assimilated within the fabric of the Cathedral. We also see the Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Arethusa and the Great Harbour. After lunch in one of the many chic restaurants in Ortygia, the rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the piazzas, cafés and sea views.
with more than fifty rooms showcasing exceptionally fine mosaics depicting vivid scenes from mythology and real life. Day Five We further explore the city of Siracusa, crossing to the mainland to visit the very fine Paolo Orsi Museum, and also the archaeological area surrounding the theatre, the amphitheatre and the Altar of Zeus. After lunch we have special access to the Catacombs of San Giovanni.
Day Three Free morning to either explore the markets and sites of Ortygia, or perhaps take a leisurely boat journey. After lunch we drive south out of the city to visit the hilltop city of Noto, famous for its Baroque architecture.
Day Six We drive inland to the hills of Pantalica, honeycombed with ancient Sikel tombs and alive with wonderful plant and bird life - an opportunity to appreciate Sicily’s wild side. We enjoy a local agriturismo lunch in the town of Belvedere before visit to the ancient Greek castle of Euryalus.
Day Four Drive to the palatial Roman villa at Piazza Armerina,
Day Seven Transfer and flight home from Catania.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ITALY | APULIA with Guide Lecturer: Claudia Pinci Apulia is a fascinating area quite unlike the rest of Italy, characterised by high plateaux, coastal lagoons, and seaside towns. This remarkable region has been home to many successive peoples, who have each left their own unique trace on the landscape, producing rock-cut cities and churches, and conical trulli. Apulia was a cross-cultural bridge between east and west, attracting new Highlights settlers whose influence was absorbed and adapted. • Discover often-overlooked We explore the treasures archaeological gems in the of Apulia, from beautiful little-visited heel of Italy Byzantine frescoes to grand • Otranto’s Norman Norman architecture. cathedral, famous for a We visit these key sites: Trani, Cannae and Lecce.
Special Access Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
medieval mosaic depicting mosaic scenes
• The famous pepper-pot trulli at Alberobello
Mon 2nd - Mon 9th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | SICILY - WINE OF THE GODS Guide Lecturer to be confirmed, see our website for latest updates Wine of the Gods is one of our combined wine & archaeology tours, developed in conjunction with Arblaster & Clarke. The beautiful oceanic and volcanic scenery of Sicily has formed the backdrop of many ancient battles, yet the island was also a hub of ancient philosophy and art, and wine has been made here for millenia. Join us for an allencompassing tour of classical Highlights temples, elegant vineyards, vintage wine cellars, museums, • Visit Punic War Ship & Museum, installed in a cathedrals and even Punic traditional wine factory war ships, interspersed with relaxed wine tastings.
We visit these key sites: Tasca D’Almerita winery, Segesta and the Valley of the Temples.
Special Access Enjoy tastings and tours at some of Sicily’s leading wineries, from historic Marsala cellars to cutting-edge producers in Menfi.
• Introductory wine tasting with our wine guide • Step into Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, the largest archaeological site in the world.
Sat 14th - Sat 21st Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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ITALY | UMBRIA Guide Lecturer: Peter Berridge The name Umbria comes from the Umbri, a Bronze and Iron Age people who founded hundreds of cities between the 9th and 4th centuries BC. On tour, we visit beautiful Assisi, historic Perugia, and fairytale-pretty Todi, all built on Umbri sites and all under Roman rule as early as 260 BC. We unravel the long and complex history of Umbria’s charming hilltowns, from Roman cities Highlights strung out along the mighty Via Flaminia to the defensive • Over 2,000 years of history, from the Iron Age onwards medieval fortifications of central Italy. • Based in just one hotel, an We visit these key sites: Perugia Archaeological Museum, Rocca Maggiore, and Carsulae Archaeological Park.
Special Access We have privileged access to several well-excavated underground streets and houses hidden beneath the streets and buildings of modern Assisi.
attractively renovated 15th century house on the plain of Assisi
• Includes a full day in Assisi revealing hidden monuments
Mon 16th - Mon 23rd Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | SICILY REVISITED with Guide Lecturer: Dr Sophy Downes Sicily, the beautiful heart of the Mediterranean, has been praised by poets and prized by countless cultures – Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks and more. It’s the meeting point between Africa and Europe, East and West — but there’s so much more to the Sicily you think you know. Go far beyond the ordinary; visit archaeological parks on coastal capes, discover temples Highlights hidden beneath castles and even spend a day on the island • A day trip to Tyndari, of Pantelleria, legendary following the region’s picturesque coastline home of the goddess Calypso. Our expert guide helps you • Discover some lesseruncover the other Sicily. visited Greek sanctuaries in beautiful Agrigento We visit these key sites: ancient • Become immersed in myth Eryx, the island of Pantelleria at the legendary sanctuary and the Grotto of the Sibyl. of Demeter
Special Access We enjoy a special, private visit to the palatial Roman villa at Piazza Armerina, characterised by its fifty rooms of stunning mosaics.
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Thu 19th - Thu 26th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ITALY | RAVENNA & AQUILEIA with Guide Lecturer: Prof. Tony King In AD 402, the Roman Imperial court fled from Rome to northern Italy. For a time, this became the political centre of what remained of the Western Empire. The result? An astonishing flowering of art and architecture, blooming in the dying days of the Empire. Our tour of Rome’s heirs begins in Aquileia, one of the great cities of the late empire, beautifully Highlights set between mountains and lagoon, and moves on to the • Discover the glorious final days of the Roman Empire must-see mosaics of Ravenna, where we explore the stories • View some of the finest behind their glittering tiles. late-Roman mosaics found anywhere in Europe We visit these key sites: • Enjoy special out of hours Concordia Sagittaria, Dante’s access to the Church of San Tomb, and San Vitale. Vitale
Special Access We enjoy special out-of-hours access to the Church of San Vitale, with a private evening viewing of the magnificent mosaics housed there.
Sun 22nd - Sun 29th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | TURIN FESTIVE FOOD with Guide Lecturer: Rosetta Ferrari & Prof. Valerie Higgins Nestled on three sides by the towering Alpine and Apennine mountains, Piedmont is a province as famous for its gourmet delicacies as its feuding fiefdoms. Home to the Savoy dynasty and battlefield of many wars, Piedmont’s vibrant history, archaeology, and architecture define the region. Join us as we visit sites that really bring history to life. Explore the wine cellars of Canelli and descend beneath Highlights Alba to the Roman city below. Take a tour of the local food • Discover a Roman colony through the winding streets hidden beneath the streets of modern day Alba of Turin, sampling traditional Gramolino cake as well as the • Enjoy a visit to Porta region’s famous white truffles. Palatina, followed by a We visit these key sites: Porta Palatina, Galliate, and Lucedio.
Special Access We receive special access to the 15th –16th century fresco cycle at the remains of the Abbey of San Sileno.
traditional Christmas lunch
• Wander the winding streets of Turin, tasting local delicacies as you go
Wed 20th - Tue 26th Dec 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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ITALY | RAVENNA AT CHRISTMAS with Guide Lecturer: Prof. Tony King What filled the gap between the Roman Empire and the rise of the Middle Ages? It was Ravenna. This is a must-see archaeological city, replete with unparalleled mosaics. While the rest of Italy struggle at the hands of barbarian invaders, the city of Ravenna enjoyed a golden age of creation. Marvel at the artistry and explore the stories behind the shimmering tiles. On Christmas Eve you’ll Highlights find a fireworks display, set to classical music, taking place • Discover the glorious in the Town Square; we follow final days of the Roman this with Midnight Mass, an Empire... incredibly important part of • Heaven for mosaic lovers Italian Christmas tradition. home to some of the finest late-Roman mosaics We visit these key sites: • Enjoy a private viewing of Concordia Sagittaria, Dante’s the Church of San Vitale’s Tomb, and San Vitale. magnificent mosaics
Special Access We enjoy special out-of-hours access to the Church of San Vitale, with a private evening viewing of the magnificent mosaics housed there.
Thur 21st - Thur 28th Dec 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ITALY | FESTIVE FOOD IN BOLOGNA with Guide Lecturer: Rosetta Ferrari & Tony O’Connor The Etruscans, who ruled Bologna from the 7th century BC, were seen by the Romans as being obsessed with drinking and feasting. Archaeological evidence shows that the Mediterranean diet was later altered by northern influences, leading to the heartier cuisine typical today — including Italy’s most famous products, such as Parmesan cheese and Parma ham. When Highlights better to taste the fruits of • The glories of “La Grassa”, millennia of culinary evolution the Fat City of Italy— than at Christmas, between beautiful architecture and visits to medieval castles, the best of Italian cuisine archaeological museums and Renaissance frescoes?
We visit these key sites: Este Castle, Bologna and Modena.
Special Access We enjoy a number of special culinary experiences, including: a visit to a Parmesan cheese producer, and a traditional truffle hunt.
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• Enjoy some of the best museums in Italy • Hunt for truffles, make your own fresh pasta, and see how Parmesan is made
Thur 28th Dec 2017 - Thur 4th Jan 2018 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
ITALY | VENICE AT NEW YEAR with Guide Lecturer: Dr Eireann Marshall At the head of the Adriatic, floating on the ephemeral islets of the lagoon, lies the city of Venice. We explore great churches, palaces and museums, and archaeological remains still being uncovered. We visit the islands of Torcello and Murano, where underwater investigation has revealed much about the glass trade that fuelled Venice’s rise to greatness. We have privileged access to the Doge’s palace, Highlights where we visit the cells and historic state offices, and a • New Year fireworks at St. private evening visit to the Mark’s Square Venetian Patriarch’s ‘Church of • Sail to Murano, home of Gold’ — St Mark’s Basilica. the ancient Murano glass trade We visit these key sites: the • Walk over the iconic Rialto Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Bridge, which has defied Square and Murano Island. engineers and architects since the Renaissance
Special Access Enjoy private evening access to the iconic St Mark’s Basilica and see the hidden rooms of the Doge’s Palace.
Thu 28th Dec - 3rd Wed Jan 2018 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
JORDAN | PETRA & DESERT FORTRESSES with Guide Lecturer: Nick Jackson Nothing can prepare you for Petra: only by standing in its streets can you appreciate its scale, its colours and its grandeur. Lively, cosmopolitan and rich, with goods from every corner of the known world, Ancient Petra was an extradordinary city/ Its streets were swathed in a fusion of Nabatean, Arab and classical architecture — elaborate tombs, colonnaded streets, and temples carved into rose-red rock — Highlights yet Petra’s tombs and temples are only a fraction of Jordan’s • Visit Jerash, set in the pine story. We explore traces of valleys of the biblical land of Gilead, one of the best biblical tribes, Roman legions, preserved Roman cities in Christian crusaders and Islamic the East caliphates in this promised land of archaeology.
We visit these key sites: Petra, Wadi Rum and Amman.
Special Access Special tour of Petra, ‘the Rose City’, by night, when the city is lit by lanterns and flickering candles — a rare treat under the stars.
• Ride 4x4s through Wadi Rum’s spectacular desert, made famous by the film “Lawrence of Arabia”
Tue 28th Mar - Thurs 6th Apr & Tue 10th - Thurs 19th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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NEW
Highlights • Discover the blue tiled wonder of the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi • View the thousands of petroglyphs decorating the rocks at Tamgaly from the Bronze and Iron Ages • Explore the dead city of Sauran, a former hub of the Silk Road which now stands alone amidst the Kazakh Steppe • Stand before the sombre remains of the Aral Sea • Enjoy a truly varied and unique tour
Special Access Receive a special tour and enjoy exclusive access at Otrar. This is your Guide Lecturer, Dr Gai Jorayev’s current research project. He is perfectly placed to enlighten us on the work currently being carried out at the archaeological site.
KAZAKHSTAN with Guide Lecturer: Dr Gai Jorayev
Kazakhstan was the land of the Saka - scene of many bloody, and devastating wars. By the early Middle Ages, horticulture and brisk trade with neighbouring countries gained prominence; and by the 15th century the first khanates appeared, hinting at the single political entity that the country would become. Kazakhstan presents an interesting landscape - high mountains, green valleys, lake-dotted steppe, western deserts and remote underground mosques... and affluent cities. Join us on a varied and unique journey - passing through the lands of the ancient residents of Kazakh, and tour wild steppes where nomads lived in harmony with nature...
Itinerary Days One & Two Depart from London. Arrive in Almaty and tour the city. Day Three Morning at Tamgaly-Tas rock art and Altyn-Emel National Park to see the Sakae tumuli. Afternoon at Almaty Panfilov to see the WWII memorial and Zenkov Cathedral. Day Four Morning at Tamgaly World Heritage Site Rock Art. Afternoon in Almaty. Day Five We visit the Necropolis of Boralday then continue up to Almaty Lake. Late afternoon departure to Taraz.
Thu 11th - Wed 24th May & Sat 23rd Sep - Fri 6th Oct 2017 Dr Gai Jorayev lives in London and works at University College London. He regularly participates in archaeological expeditions to Central Asia.
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What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Six Today we visit 2,000 year old Taraz and the reconstructed caravanserai. Afternoon at City Museum. Day Seven Visit Akyrtas Karluk followed by Aysha-Bibi mausoleum.
Day Eight Begin at Shymkent museum followed by a visit to the medieval complex of Otrar. Day Nine All day in Turkistan city. Day Ten Into the vast steppe to the remains of Sauran Medieval cities. Afternoon at Sygnak settlement. Day Eleven Monuments of Dzhetyasar Oasis. On to Baikonur City. Day Twelve Exploration of the history of the Soviet space programme. Days Thirteen & Fourteen Travel to Astana, where we spend a full day exploring. Days Fifteen & Sixteen Sightseeing in Astana before flight home. We arrive in London the next day.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
MALTA & GOZO with Guide Lecturer: Dr Nicholas Vella At 5,500 years old, the megalithic temples of Malta and Gozo are among the oldest ritual structures in the world, decorated with some of the most extraordinary art found anywhere in the Mediterranean. We explore the many ages of Malta, from those ancient temples through Roman rule and into the Medieval period. We also spend a day in Valletta, a World Heritage Site built by the crusading Knights Hospitaller. We will also sail Highlights out to see this elegant city from • Visit Ggantija, the earliest its surrounding waters. Our megalithic temple complex tour is led by an archaeologist in Gozo and so large that specialising in Maltese history local folklore whispers it and archaeology. was built by giants We visit these key sites: Ghar Dalam Cave, Ta’ Ħaġrat and Mġarr and Tarxien Temple.
Special Access Special access to Ta’ Cenc prehistoric temple with dolmens and passage graves, set against the dramatic coastal cliffs of Sannat
• Morning harbour cruise to view the port of Valletta, besieged by the Ottomans in the sixteenth century
Mon 17th - Sun 23rd April 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
MEXICO REVISITED|OAXACA & BEYOND with Guide Lecturer: David Drew The varied landscapes of Mexico were the homelands of many fascinating cultures. Journeying from Mexico City to the Oaxaca highlands, we explore the legacy not only of the Aztec and Maya, but myriad other peoples: the Totonacs, Toltecs, the Cholulans, the Zapotecs and Mixtecs. Sometimes allies, sometimes enemies and sometimes rivals, they shared Highlights the same calendar systems and worshipped the same • Beyond the Aztecs - a gods. Yet they produced a fascinating and unique journey discovering the vivacious array of strikingly numerous peoples of individualistic styles of art and ancient Mexico architecture. We visit these key sites: Costa Esmerelda, Monte Alban and Teotihuacan
• From the Veracruz jungles to the uplands of Oaxaca - visit superb indigenous sites and museums
Special Access
Mon 16th - Tue 31st October 2017
Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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MEXICO | THE MAYA with Guide Lecturer: David Drew For a long time the jungle-clad ruins of the Maya remained shrouded in mystery, but no longer. We explore the imposing citadels decorated with hieroglyphics and symbolic carvings that remain, discovering the people behind the pyramids. This is one of Andante’s most adventurous trips, starting with the superb Mexico City museums, then travelling via the uplands of Chiapas, into the jungle and Highlights the great river Usumacinta, before driving up the Yucatan • Adventurous journey by peninsula. A thrilling journey motor launch along the through the rich and colourful wide Usumacinta River to landscapes of Mexico to see the jungle site of Yaxchilán some of the greatest of the • Explore vast Chichén Itzá, Maya cities. the most famous of all We visit these key sites: Uxmal, Cobá and Toniná Pyramid.
Special Access Special access to Aztec Templo Mayor, dedicated to two gods — Huitzilopochtli, god of war, and Tlaloc, god of rain and agriculture.
SMALL GROUP
Maya sites, with its striking images of sacrifice and feathered serpents
Mon 13th - Tues 28th Nov 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
ROCK ART IN THE NAMIBIAN WILDS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Paul Bahn The rock art of the Khoisan people is a tradition which has continued over thousands of years. This aspect of an ancient culture is brought to life by the stunning scenery, almost unchanged by humanity and still populated by the same wild creatures depicted in the earliest art. With us are Dr Paul Bahn, the authority on rock art, and Namibian guides who Highlights know the landscape and the game. Desert excursions, sea • Opportunity to spot trips, plentiful game viewing elephants, zebra and giraffe in Etosha National Park and optional flights over the famous dunes make this the • See vivid art in the caves trip of a lifetime. and shelters of the Erongo Mountains We visit these key sites: • Experience world-famous Okonjima, Twyfelfontein and rock art in the photogenic the Spitzkoppe Mountains. Brandberg Range
Special Access Enjoy exclusive visits to remote sites that are unaccessible to the general public, where we see spectacular examples of Khoisan rock art.
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Sun 15th - Mon 30th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
NEW
Highlights • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Joya de Cerén in El-Salvador • Discover the Ancient footprints of Acahualinca in Nicaragua • Travel to the ceremonial centre of the ancient Chorotega people, Zapatera • Explore Guayabo de Turrialba set on the jungle-rich slopes of the Turrialba Volcano • View the best natural reserves of the region
Special Access
NICARAGUA & COSTA RICA | GRAND TOUR
Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
with Guide Lecturer: Dr Nicholas James
Turquoise seas, magnificent Maya ruins, bustling markets and coffee farms, stratovolcanoes and heavenly cloud forests... Central America is an epicentre of discovery. A tapestry of cultures have left their mark on this fascinating land. Join us as we travel across three exciting regions. In Central America’s most underrated country, El Salvador, we find coffee plantations clinging to volcanoes, colourful Spanish colonial towns, and sublime national parks. In Nicaragua we are greeted by colonial architecture, and pristine forests that are at worst breathtaking. Finally, in Costa Rica we discover ancient pre-Columbian sites set on the jungle-rich slopes.
Itinerary Days One and Two We arrive in San Salvador. We explore the cathedral, Iglesia El Rosario, Museo Nacional Antropologia, and the Palacio Nacional. Your guide lecturer will present a lecture tonight. Day Three Drive to Cihuatan en route to Joya de Ceren and San Andres. Continue to Santa Ana, stopping in Parque Nacional Los Volcanes and Lago Coatepeque. Days Four and Five Visit Chalchuapa and Casa Blanca. On day five we fly to Managua and tour the city.
Mon 13th - Wed 29th 2017 Nicholas James graduated from Oxford before teaching at Cambridge. He is now a consultant in management of historical resources, and a veteran leader of Latin American tours.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Days Six and Seven Visit the Huellas de Acahualinca and the ruins of León Viejo en route to Leon. On day seven, we have free time in Granada, a picturesque colonial town. Days Eight and Nine Travel to Parque Nacional Archipelago Zapatera and
enjoy a boat tour Las Isletas. Days Ten and Eleven We drive to Monteverde in Costa Rica, home of the Arenal Volcano. In the afternoon, relax or take an optional nature excursion. Day Twelve Drive to San Jose to visit the Jade and Gold Museums. Days Thirteen and Fourteen Visit Poas Volcano crater lake and Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo. We travel to the Orosi Valley and Las Ruinas de Ujarrás before an afternoon visit to the ruins of Cartago. Day Fifteen Visit Las Mercedes archaeological site and the Guayabo National Monument. Days Sixteen and Seventeen We visit San Jose PreColumbian Museum before returning home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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NORTHERN PERU with Guide Lecturer: David Drew Travel through spectacular Peruvian mountain scenery, entering a lost world of Andean cultures on the trail of the Chachapoya, ‘the people of the cloud forest’ - warriors and traders who initially resisted Inca conquest, and whose city of Kuelap rests magnificently above the Utcubamba Valley. Led by David Drew, this unique tour showcases the glories of Peru beyond Machu Picchu. See Highlights sarcophagi, temples, pyramids and abandoned clay cities • Drive into the mountains of as we step into a lost world the Chachapoyas region – of Andean archaeology and ‘land of the Cloud People’ architecture - little-seen and • Full day in Lima, still being uncovered. including the National Archaeological Museum We visit these key sites: the • See beautiful views from Tucume Pyramids, Huaca del Kuelap Fortress, a citadel Dragon and Kuelap Fortress in the mountains
Special Access Meet the ‘mummies of Leymebamba’, 200 wellpreserved Chachapoya mummies found at the Lake of the Condors. The museum’s founder tells us their story.
Mon 8th - Thurs 25th May 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
PERU & THE NAZCA LINES with Guide Lecturer: David Drew With access to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the enormous, enigmatic Nazca Lines, this is our classic tour of Peru and Bolivia. Explore the breathtaking sites of the Incas as well as the intriguing remains of their lesser-known predecessors as we climb into the highlands, to the ancient heartland of the Inca empire, which once covered over two million sq Highlights km. Explore remote sites, royal estates, the temples of • Optional flight over the Tiwanaku and Lake Titicaca, mysterious and unique Nazca Lines and breathtaking golden artefacts from the earliest • Visit iconic Machu Picchu, Andean civilisations to the with majestic views down coming of the Conquistadors. into the Cuzco valleys We visit these key sites: Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Tiwanaku
• Visit the Inca temples on the Islands of the Moon and Sun in Lake Titicaca
Special Access
Wed 6th - Tue 26th Sep 2017
Enjoy special visits in Ollantaytambo, where we are introduced to introduce to a variety of reviving local crafts.
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Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SMALL GROUP
FOZ CÔA | ROCK ART OF PORTUGAL with Guide Lecturer: Dr Paul Bahn This is a rare opportunity to visit open-air rock art sites in the unspoilt countryside of the Spanish-Portuguese border region. The Foz Côa Valley engravings were only discovered 20 years ago, when they were about to be drowned as part of a huge dam project, but an international outcry saved the rock art for posterity. This is not only the largest outdoor collection of Palaeolithic images, but Highlights also the only known place showcasing rock art from • See a gallery of rock art the Upper Palaeolithic (c. over thousands of years, 24,000 BC) through to recent spread over 17 km of river centuries, uniting artists across valleys history. • Take a beautiful train journey along the Douro We visit these key sites: Canada • Visit the beautiful Fôz Coa do Inferno, Siega Verde and Museum and learn about Riberia de Piscos the fight to preserve the art
Special Access Enjoy special lectures by archaeologists, conservators and researchers, who will give unique insights into their work to protect local heritage.
Mon 11th - Sun 17th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
SMALL GROUP
SOUTH AFRICA with Guide Lecturer: Dr John McNabb South Africa’s vast expanses hide a wealth of archaeology. There are thousands of Stone Age sites in the wilderness — caves and rock shelters, inland and along the coast. John McNabb uncovers all, from the earliest evidence of our human ancestors, who left behind stone tools and skeletons, to the vestiges of kingdoms who traded gold and ivory past China. This tour is a true adventure, providing a Highlights unique opportunity to explore the depths of humanity’s past, • Visit Makapansgat, an revelling in landscapes and important Palaeolithic site wildlife that retain primeval strewn with caves splendour even today. • Safari in Kruger National Park, with the chance to see We visit these key sites: the African lions, elephants, Cradle of Humankind and buffalo, leopards and rhino Kruger National Park • Step into the Cradle of Humankind itself
Special Access Behind the scenes access to the excavator’s warehouse at Sterkfontein Caves, findspot of the two million year old Australopithecus skull now nicknamed Mrs Ples.
Sat 25th Mar - Wed 5th Apr 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Explore South Africa’s Western Cape’s glorious golden coast • Visit inviting vineyards of the winelands • Discover the rich history of the Mother City - from prehistoric rock art to the early colonisation • Tour Langebaan, home of Eve’s footprints, left behind by an anatomically-modern female 117 000 years ago • Viewan array of indigenous rock art depictions in the Cederberg Mountains
Special Access
SOUTH AFRICA | THE WESTERN CAPE with Guide Lecturer: Jayson Orton
Discover South Africa’s deepest origins, with access to the fossilised remains of animals who roamed the land 5 million years ago, at West Coast Fossil Park. View an array of rock art, depictions that have been created by the indigenous people of this land for thousands of years in Clanwilliam’s Cederberg Mountains. Alongside enigmatic archaeology, we also enounter South Africa’s darker history at Robben Island - used for the segregation of political prisoners and outcasts, notably Nelson Mandela. Explore a land of splendours: breath-taking mountains, world-class vineyards, and a history filled by a melting pot of cultures.
Itinerary Day One & Two Fly overnight from London to Cape Town, arriving on Day Two. Arrive and transfer to Langebaan. Free time this afternoon to relax or explore the lagoon. Day Three This morning we will visit the West Coast Fossil Park before returning to Langebaan for a boat trip around the West Coast Nature Reserve. Day Four We begin the day with a visit to Clanwilliam to the Sevilla bushman rock art trail. The 4km trail is home to ten fascinating sites.
Tue 28th - Thu 7th Dec 2017 Jayson Orton studied at Oxford University and now runs his own heritage consultancy that operates throughout western South Africa. He specialises in the Later Stone Age in the region. 78
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Enjoy a specially arranged visit to the Heritage Museum, located on the Solms-Delta Wine Estate. The fascinating excavated site has revealed an original farm complex dating to 1690. Less than a metre away laid trenches containing small stone tools, giving us a wealth of information about foraging culture in the area.
Day Five We take a drive along the coast this morning to Cape Town. We visit Iziko museum to view the pre-colonial and colonial collections there. Day Six Today we visit Fish Hoek Valley Museum, which
houses 15,000 year old Palaeolithic remains. We walk to Peer’s cave where Palaeolithic finds were discovered. We have special access to Solms-Delta Wine Estate, the site of extensive excavations. Day Seven We enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain National Park, followed by a visit to Cape Point. Day Eight Today we visit the Castle of Good Hope built by the Dutch East India Company, followed by visits to the Military Museum and the Slave Lodge. Day Nine We visit the UNESCO site of Robben Island this morning. After lunch we will visit Chavonnes Battery Museum. Day Ten We return home today.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPAIN | ROMANS, VISIGOTHS & VIZIERS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Andy Fear Mountainous southern Spain, rich in silver, gold, wine and olive oil, has attracted the attention of many would-be conquerors over the centuries — Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and the Ummayad Caliphate. As Europe entered ‘the Dark Ages’, Al-Andalus flourished under Islamic viziers who fashioned palaces with art, arches and grand gardens that still grace Highlights Córdoba and Granada. From • The Golden Triangle of prehistory to Christopher southern Spain – vibrant Columbus, our tour progresses Seville, Moorish Cordoba through the many ages of and Granada, home of the this vibrant, beautiful region, Alhambra taking in the cave systems and • Follow the scenic route of archaeological parks. the Via Augusta over the Viadela Plata, discovering We visit these key sites: the little-known remote sites Alhambra and the Mezquita along the way.
Special Access We enjoy a private visit to El Palacio de Lebrija, a sixteenth century palace known for its stunning collection of Roman mosaics that pave the entire ground floor.
Sun 2nd - Sun 9th April 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
SMALL GROUP
SPAIN | ROCK ART OF ALTAMIRA with Guide Lecturer: Dr Paul Bahn Decorated 10 - 40,000 years ago, the caves of Altamira still display some of humankind’s first great artistic achievements. This is a unique chance to view the vivid images of bison, horse and deer that have come to epitomise Palaeolithic art. We stay in the historic towns in the hills of Northern Spain, with special access to numerous sites. A visit to an Ice Age cave really Highlights is a tremendous privilege; where else could you approach • Visit the huge and famous original masterpieces of such cave of Tito Bustillo, only discovered in 1968 by a immense antiquity, standing group of young cavers exactly where the original artists did?
We visit these key sites: the Guggenheim Museum, El Pindal sea cave and Santillana
• Step into El Castillo, which recently produced some of the earliest dates for cave art in the world — more than 40,000 years old.
Special Access
Mon 15th - Mon 22nd May 2017
Go behind the scenes at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The spectacular museum is made of titanium, glass, and limestone.
Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Explore Cartagena, Carthaginians in 223BC • Discover Carteia, a Phoenician and Roman town, originally founded as a trading settlement • View the biggest and best conserved necropolis of the Phoenician-Punic culture at El Puig des Molins • Journey through the scenic coastal landscape of Andalucia • Cruise to the foremost natural island of the Balearics, Formentera
Special Access We enjoy special access at a number of archaeological projects during our tour. Receive a special talk by the museum director at El Castillo de Doña. Tour the necropolis of El Puig des Molins with a local guide who knows the site, and receive behind the scenes access to the grave material recovered.
PHOENICIANS IN SPAIN with Guide Lecturer: Fernando López Sánchez
Join us as we tour the scenic coastal landscape of southern Spain, Andalucia. It may already be familiar to you, immortalised in operas and 19th-century artworks. It’s almost a synonym for ancient Spain as a whole. We also explore ancient Cartagena, former capital of the general Hannibal, before the Romans had their way. Explore the Phoenician and Roman town, of K’rt - its strategic location, was utilised by Carthaginian admirals during the Punic Wars. Discover the Bronze Age at Los Cipreses reconstructed ancient village; and see another side of Ibiza - home of the best conserved necropolis of the Phoenician-Punic culture...
Itinerary Day One Arrive in Seville this evening. Day Two Today we visit El Castillo de Doña, where we receive a special talk from the Museum Director, and San Fernando. Day Three We explore the Bay of Cadiz, including a visit to the Sanctuary of Astarte. We also explore the Castle of San Sebastián and Cadiz Archaeological Museum. Day Four We travel to Malaga, via La Silla de Papa and the PunicRoman city of Carteia.
Mon 22nd May - Thu 1st June & Mon 2nd - Thu 12th Oct 2017 Fernando López Sánchez received his Bachelor in history from the University of Zaragoza. The main focus of his research is on d the Roman Empire from Numidia to Scandinavia; and the Hellenistic aspects of warfare. 80
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Five We visit the Phoenician sites of Cerro del Mar, Los Toscanos and Cerro de Villar. Day Six We visit Morro de Mezquitilla and the necropolis of Trayamar. Afternoon, we explore Sexi
Day Seven We explore archaeological parks from the Bronze Age: La Bastida and Los Cipreses. Day Eight We enjoy a full day in beautiful Cartegena, exploring a wealth of history. Day Nine We travel to Denia, enjoying a visit to the Mazarrón Phoenician Boat Interpretation Centre. We also visit Mucia Archaeological Museum and the site of La Fonteta en-route. Day Ten We enjoy special access to El Puig des Molins necropolis and visit the Punic site of Sa Caleta. We also visit the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza. Day Eleven We enjoy a free morning in the Citadel of Eivissa and return home this evening.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SPAIN | BARCELONA AT NEW YEAR with Guide Lecturer: Fernando López Sánchez Barcelona sits at the heart of Catalonian culture, possessing a captivating mix of ancient and modern architecture, from ancient Greek archaeology through to modern art and architecture. Our tour examines the rich heritage that Barcelona and the surrounding area have to offer, set against the backdrop of the New Year festivities. The city’s origins date back to the Roman occupation of the 1st Highlights century BC, but the region is also home to archaeological • Discover the historical sites from a range of other heart of Barcelona during cultures, including the Greeks a walking tour of the Old and Iberians, along with more City recent Gaudi architecture. • See in the New Year with a gala dinner and Barcelona’s We visit these key sites: Les light show and firework Ferreres Aqueduct, Empuries display at the Magic and the Sagrada Família Fountain of Montjuic
Special Access On New Year’s Eve we enjoy a special gala dinner, followed— optionally—by Barcelonastyle New Year’s celebrations including a light show and firework display.
28th Dec - 2nd Jan 2017 & 28th Dec - 2nd Jan 2018 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
SPAIN & PORTUGAL | ROMAN LUSITANIA with Guide Lecturer: Dr Andy Fear Mérida, the capital of Roman Lusitania, was founded in 25BC by the victorious army of the emperor Augustus. During its imperial glory days, a plethora of Roman monuments were erected; many, including the Forum, triumphal arch and amphitheatre, dominate the town to this day. Whilst the superb evidence of Romanisation here is the focus of our programme, Highlights it is enhanced by some • Glorious Roman spectacular prehistoric and monuments and feats of medieval sites along the way. engineering in Spain and Our journey takes us from the Portugal Lisbon coast through beautiful • A unique programme, we countryside to prehistoric also take in prehistoric tombs, Roman towns, and even and medieval sites from sites of the Peninsular War. the coast at Lisbon into Spanish Extremadura We visit these key sites: Los Milagros, Pisões and Mérida.
Special Access Specially arranged visit to the palatial remains at the major Roman Villa of Pisões, which is usually closed to the public.
Sun 16th - Sun 23rd Apr & Sun 3rd - Sun 10th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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SWEDEN, GERMANY, DENMARK & UK | MEET THE VIKINGS with Guide Lecturer: Brian Ayers The Vikings were great seafarers, raiders and traders of the Early Middle Ages. Far from being a race of barbarians, they presided over an extensive trading network. They fought with swords of Afghan steel, imported silk from China, and reached the coast of North America. Following in the Vikings’ footsteps, we make our own epic voyage across Europe. Beginning in York, we continue to Germany, Denmark and Sweden. We seek out Highlights trading towns, treasure, kings • Explore the Viking and longships. Trace the rise homelands of Sweden and of this great civilisation whose Denmark ruthless skill and inspired • Discover a great Viking awe and terror throughout trading port at Birka, Northern Europe and beyond. Sweden We visit these key sites: Ystad, Hedeby and Gammel Lejre.
Special Access Enjoy special access to Roskilde Ship Museum where we have the chance to row and sail a replica Viking longship.
SMALL GROUP
• Visit runestones, kingly burials and great trading ports
Sun 9th - Fri 21st July 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
SWEDEN & NORWAY | ROCK ART with Guide Lecturer: Dr Tertia Barnett Rock art dating from the Neolithic through to the Iron Age is scattered throughout the Scandinavian landscape. Our journey through Sweden and Norway takes us to the best of these enigmatic depictions — scenes of fighting, sun worship, chariots and boats that shed light on the everyday life and beliefs of the people inhabiting these dramatic landscapes over 3,500 Highlights years ago. Expert Dr Tertia Barnett unfolds a Scandinavia • Visit the impressive Oslo that you never knew existed Viking Ship Museum stone circles, cairns and carved • Glide along the Alta boulders hidden within varied River to see some of the and dramatic landscapes. spectacular scenery We visit these key sites: Alta Rock Art Museum and the Hjemmeluft panel.
Special Access A special evening visit in Tanum led by the museum’s curator, where we see the area’s carvings in torchlight, offering a completely different perspective. 82
• The rock art at Hjemmeluft, including a huge panel with over 1500 mythical figures
Sat 15th - Sat 22nd July 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SMALL GROUP
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Highlights • Discover the legacy of Persian princes and Omani sultans in Zanzibar • Visit Laetoli to see 3.6 million year old human footprints • Explore Olduvai Gorge – home of the oldest humans • Watch lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffes and zebras on safari in Ruaha National Park • Enjoy stunning coastal views and exotic experiences in Zanzibar
Special Access Enjoy a specially arranged visit to Olduvai Gorge. This is one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world; it has proven invaluable in furthering understanding of early human evolution.
TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR with Guide Lecturer: Jayson Orton
Often called the “Cradle of Mankind”, Olduvai Gorge is a spectacular steep-sided canyon carved by the passage of water in Tanzania that has revealed many fossils of our ancient ancestors. Join us as we journey through centuries of Tanzania and Zanzibar’s history – to ancient Persia, where tales of Shirazi merchants inspired Sinbad the Sailor, and to the courts of Swahili princes and Omani sultans. Immerse yourself in an exotic natural landscape during a satisfying safari experience in Laetoli and enjoy a quintessential Indian Ocean experience, where pastel sunsets and languid coastal rhythms provide the perfect holiday backdrop.
Itinerary Days One & Two Fly to Dar Es Salaam, where we enjoy a walking tour and visit the National Museum.
Day Eight We drive to Dodoma and visit the Gadaffi Mosque and the Museum of Geoscience.
Day Three We visit Kaole Ruins, with the 13th century mosque at the centre, the Village Museum and Carvers Market.
Day Nine Drive to Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings and view the cave series. Continue to Karatu.
Day Four Morning ferry to Zanzibar. We explore the historic Stone Town, with its Old Fort. Day Five Free day to explore the island including Darajani Bazaar.
Mon11th - Mon 25th Sep 2017 Jayson Orton is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Cape Town. He has also engaged in academic research with a focus on Later Stone Age archaeology.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Six We ferry back to Dar Es Salaam and visit the Azania Front Lutheran Church. Afternoon flight to Iringa. Day Seven Visit to Isimila Site and Museum followed by a safari at Ruaha National Park.
Day Ten We spend the day at Olduvai Gorge along with its museum. Day Eleven Today we visit the bushmen tribes from Lake Eyasi. Day Twelve We visit Engaruka ruins, followed by wildlife watching. Day Thirteen Morning visit to the Laetoli footprints. Free afternoon. Day Fourteen Fly home from Arusha via Dar es Salaam arriving back in London on Day Fifteen.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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THE AEGEAN COAST OF TURKEY with Guide Lecturer: Terry Richardson The ruined cities of the Aegean coast were once some of the most powerful city-states of the ancient world. We start at Troy, site of the legendary conflict between Greeks and Trojans - if Homer is to be believed. This is one of our best-established tours, which we have now revised to include the upper Maeander Valley, the World Heritage Site of Hierapolis with its white limestone formations, hot Highlights pools, and Pluto’s Gate. We also visit the beautiful site of • Great and famous Classical Aphrodisias, famous for the cities - Ephesus, Pergamon, sculptors who exploited the Miletus, Aphrodisias - as local white marble to splendid well as evocative lesserknown ruins. architectural effect. We visit these key sites: Troy, Pergamon, Miletus and Ephesus.
Special Access We have special access to the Roman terraced houses of Ephesus, with painted walls and mosaics now beautifully restored, with a talk from the curator.
• Beautiful landscapes of the Aegean Coast: blue sea, rugged hills and traditional villages
Sat 8th - Tue 18th April 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
TURKEY | ANATOLIA & CAPPADOCIA with Guide Lecturer: Dr Michael Brown Highly recommended: a kaleidoscopic journey through the heartlands of Turkey, beginning in Çatal Höyük, arguably the earliest city in the world, to Hittite Hattusas and the Phrygian capital of King Midas. Central Anatolia was part of the beautiful Fertile Crescent, where early farmers settled down to build permanent occupation sites and temples to their gods. Highlights The otherworldly geology of Cappadocia is matched • Extraordinary volcanic by the unique archaeology: landscapes: whole underground cities and underground cities and vividly rock-cut monasteries in the frescoed churches carved high pinnacles of tufa. in the rocks. We visit these key sites: Çatal Höyük and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.
Special Access We enjoy a special lecture on Anatolian Archaeology, presented by a colleague of Dr Michael Brown.
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• Full day exploring the utterly spectacular mountain city of Kerkenes Dag
Fri 6th - Mon 16th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
SMALL GROUP
TURKEY | WALKING ISTANBUL with Guide Lecturer: Terry Richardson Escape the crowds around Istanbul’s major monuments and discover the hidden corners of this great city, in the company of a man who knows Istanbul inside out. Walk in the shadow of the fifth-century Theodosian Walls, past mosques, churches, market gardens and local bazaars. The streets are bustling with culture at every turn, but along the Theodosian Walls we find surprisingly quiet and beautiful Highlights areas of market gardens, cemeteries and parks. Join us • Visit the newly restored and escape the tourist traps, Mihrimah Sultan Camii, and go off the beaten track. the most prominent landmark in Istanbul We visit these key sites: Hagia • Choose between a Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the short cruise on the Mevlana Gate and walks along Bosphorus and a visit to the Theodosian walls the marvellous Istanbul Archaeological Museum
Special Access Enjoy special access to the church of Mary of the Mongols - the only Byzantine church of Constantinople that has never been converted to a mosque.
Mon 2nd - Sun 8th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
UK | WESSEX WEEKEND with Guide Lecturer: Paul Tubb The chalk downs of the ancient kingdom of Wessex have been a focus for monumental building and funerary ritual over more than five millennia. Henges, burial mounds of all shapes and sizes, causewayed camps, early field systems and ‘cursus’ monuments are scattered everywhere, forming a landscape full of clues and interest. This very privileged tour includes private access inside the stones Highlights at Stonehenge in the early • Enjoy a visit to the henge morning, whose monumental of Avebury, so large that the modern day village lies bluestones have graced the within, with its intact ditch landscape for thousands of and bank fortifications years. We visit these key sites: Stonehenge and the henge of Avebury.
Special Access Private access inside the stones at Stonehenge in the early morning, a special tour of Wiltshire Heritage Museum and a private demonstration of flint-knapping.
• Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes, which houses gold work from around Stonehenge
Fri 12th - Sun 14th May & Fri 15th - Sun 17th Sep 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Visit the sublime Canterbury Cathedral, Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion • Immerse yourself in the exhibits of the majestic Louvre, one of the world’s largest museums and a historic Parisian monument • Experience the best of both worlds—the architectural interest of London and Paris meets the surprising greenery of their surrounding towns
Special Access
UK | THE ROMANS IN LONDON & PARIS with Guide Lecturer: John Shepherd
Almost two millennia after the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire, the remnants of extravagant villas, cemeteries, and theatres leave clues to its influence in two of its greatest strongholds: present-day Britain and France. Our journey takes us to the vital centres of London and Paris, taking in Roman ruins and spectacular cathedrals in Canterbury and St Albans along the way. This is truly a tour for the curious—spanning two countries, world class museums, and the breadth of wisdom from one of our expert guide lecturers, prepare to get to know the Romans of Britain and France better than you ever thought possible.
Itinerary Day One We meet in London and visit the Sir John Soanes museum. We enjoy free time before a lecture from our expert guide. Day Two We visit Mortimer Wheeler House and visit the Roman Britain gallery at the British Museum. Day Three We discover the best of Roman London on foot, heading underground to discover the hidden city beneath.
Wed 20th Sep - Sun 1st Oct 2017 John Shepherd is an archaeologist with field experience in Bulgaria, France, Italy and the UK. He specialises in the Roman period. Much of his career has been focused upon Roman provincial archaeology. 86
Day Four We spend the day exploring opulent Roman villas in the surrounding area.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
As part of our Roman Britain orientation day, we enjoy special access at Mortimer Wheeler House, a division of the Museum of London. Mortimer Wheeler house is home to the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre, where we will be able to handle some of the collection.
Cathedral and Richborough Roman Fort. We travel to Paris by Eurostar. Day Seven We enjoy a Roman Gaul Orientation Day and visit the St Germain en Laye Museum. Day Eight Today we explore the Île de la Cité and sites such as the Notre Dame. Day Nine We visit the Musée de Cluny and the remains of a Roman amphitheatre. Day Ten We travel to nearby Evreux and explore the region.
We travel to St Albans, and explore the Roman ruins.
Day Eleven We spend the day discovering the Louvre. The Roman Greek - Etruscan gallery is guided by our Guide Lecturer.
Day Six We visit Canterbury
Day Twelve We return home.
Day Five
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Explore Duarte Castle, the historic seat of the chiefs of the Maclean Clan • Discover Glenfinnan Monument, built in remembrance of the final Jacobite Rising in 1745 • Tour the Kilmartin museum, located within the prehistoric site, with its well preserved cairns • Experience the spectacular landscape - wild coastlines, and medieval castles • Observe puffins in their natural habitat
Special Access We visit the excavation at Kildavie on Mull. The excavations in 2014 and 2015 helped to uncover excellent dating evidence for the site, as well as providing a good indication into how the buildings were constructed and how the villagers would have lived.
UK | OVER THE SEA TO SKYE with Guide Lecturer: Dr Mary MacLeod Rivett
Explore the Isle of Skye, a patchwork land of velvet moors, jagged mountains, sparkling lochs, and towering sea cliffs. The isle takes it name from the old Norse word sky-a. Meaning “cloud island”, it seems incredibly apt to describe the oftenmist-covered Cuillin Hills. Discover majestic stone carvings and crosses, and castles built by various clan chiefs studded across the island. Beyond Skye, we also visit Islay — home of some of the world’s greatest and peatiest whiskies; Mull, with the wonderfully rugged ridges of Ben More and the black basalt crags of Burg; and the peaceful waterfront town of Oban, set on a beautiful bay.
Mon 28th Aug - Wed 6th Sep 2017 Dr Mary MacLeod Rivett is a lecturer in archaeology at the University of the Highlands and Islands. She is a specialist in the Viking, Norse and Mediaeval archaeology.
Itinerary Day One We meet in Glasgow today and catch the train to Fort William. On arrival we will visit Old Inverlochy Castle. We pass by Kyle Lochalsh, and stop to visit Eilean Donan Castle. From here, we travel by coach to Skye. Day Two Today we visit sites around Loch Eyre including Carn Liath. We continue to Kilvaxter Souterrain, followed by the Skye Museum of Island life and Duntulum Castle. Day Three Today we explore two iron age brochs, Dun Borrafiach and Dun Fiadhairt. Afternoon visit to Dunvegan Castle.
What’s Included Flights, hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecturer, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Four We leave Skye today and head to Oban, visiting Dunscaith Castle and Clan Donald Skye Visitor Centre en route. We continue to Oban, a resort town within Argyll and Bute.
Day Five Today we catch the ferry to the Isle of Mull. On arrival we visit the remains of 13th century Pennygown Chapel, the ruins of Aros Castle, and Baliscate Chapel. This afternoon we visit the Museum of Mull, Dun Ara Castle, and Glengorm Castle. Day Six This morning we visit Torosay Castle, Duarte Castle and Moy Castle, then sail to the holy island of Iona. Day Seven We visit the many monuments of Kilmartin Glen on our way to Tarbert today. Day Eight We catch a morning ferry to the Isle of Islay where we visit Kildalton Cross, Dunyvaig Castle, and Cultoon Stone Circle. Afternoon visit to the Museum of Islay Life. Day Nine We return to Glasgow.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Discover Newgrange, the impressive Neolithic monument older than the pyramids of Egypt • Experience day-to-day Iron Age life at the Scottish Crannog Centre • Traverse varied landscapes—from the wild beauty of rural Ireland and Scotland to the of their urban centres • Explore Doune Castle, medieval stronghold and filming location for Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Special Access Enjoy a privileged talk by the curator of The Scottish Crannog Centre. Experience special access to significant prehistoric megalithic sites in Boyne Valley: Fourknocks passage tomb, decorated with intricate engravings, and Loughcrew cemetery, home to around 30 passage tombs.
IRELAND & SCOTLAND with Guide Lecturer: Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Alternately rugged and forgiving, wild and cosmopolitan, the varying landscapes of Ireland and Scotland have nurtured human civilisation from prehistory to the present. Taking in the span of this human story, we visit Neolithic dwellings and well-preserved medieval friaries, experience daily Iron Age life at the Scottish Crannog Centre, and walk the streets of urban centres Dublin and Glasgow. As well as some remarkable sites—including places of rest, protection, and worship—we visit fantastic museums intended to better our understanding of our own history, all the while accompanied by an expert guide lecturer.
Itinerary Day One We arrive in Galway and visit Carrowmore, Carrowkeel Cemetery and the Grave of Yeats. Day Two We take the ferry to Inis Mor and spend a day exploring the archaeological remains on its rugged shores. Day Three We visit Clonmacnoise as we travel to Dublin. We view the Book of Kells in the National Museum of Ireland.
Tue 30th May - Sun 11th Jun 2017 Dr Kelli Ann Malone is an anthropologist with interests in transitional phases between the Neolithic and Bronze Age. She also works in the field of heritage site interpretation and tourism. 88
Days Four & Five We spend two days exploring prehistoric marvels of nearby Boyne Valley, including Newgrange, Fourknocks and Loughcrew.
What’s Included Hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecture, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
Day Six We visit the monastic site of Glendalough before visiting St Patrick’s Cathedral. Day Seven We travel to Glasgow,
exploring the Cathedral District and Necropolis. Day Eight In the morning we vist Doune Castle. Afternoon at The Scottish Crannog Centre, for a talk by the curator. Day Nine We spend the day viewing fortifications, such as Gask Ridge and Scone Palace. Day Ten We visit St Andrews in the morning, then travel to Edinburgh for a city tour. Day Eleven We explore the city of Stirling and the National Wallace Monument. Day Twelve We spend the day in Edinburgh, taking in the castle and the National Museum. Day Thirteen We return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Highlights • Enjoy a full day in Stirling with its castle, and the King’s park with its prehistoric carvings • See the chief Pictish standing stones, some are still located in their original landscape • Meet “Pictoria”, the digital reconstruction of a Pictish woman in the McMannus Galleries, Dundee • Experience the spectacular landscape of the highlands • Explore the historical city of Edinburgh
Special Access
UK | KINGDOM OF THE PICTS with Guide Lecturer: Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Living beyond the Roman Empire, the historical Picts emerged as a people in the late 3rd century AD and disappeared in around 900 AD. An enduringly mysterious people, they are best known today for their artistic legacy of carved stone monuments, although the exact meaning of their unique symbols still eludes us. We explore the key places where recent archaeological work sheds new light on northern Pictish society and how it developed through time. From the 8th Century at Portmahomack to the massive coastal stronghold at Burghead — expect to change your perceptions but lose none of your wonder!
Itinerary Day One We meet at the National Museum in Edinburgh and explore East Lothian. We begin the afternoon with a visit to St Andrews’ Cathedral Museum. We head out of the city, stopping at a round fort at Abernethy and Dupplin Cross on our way to Perth. Day Two We visit the McManus Galleries in Dundee, home to Pictish artefacts and a digital reconstruction of ‘Pictoria’. Afternoon visit to Meigle Museum before an evening tour of The Howff.
Mon 19th - Wed 28th Jun 2017 Dr Kelli Ann Malone is an anthropologist with interests in transitional phases between the Neolithic and Bronze Age. She also works in the field of heritage site interpretation and tourism.
What’s Included Hand-picked hotels, expert guide lecture, tour manager, all meals, local transport and site entry and tips.
We visit the Howff burial ground after hours. Established in 1564, it has one of the most important collections of tombstones in Scotland. Enjoy a guided tour by torch light. We also receive special talks from renowned local archaeologists.
Day Three We travel to Angus and explore the historic centre. We also visit the Meffan Institute Museum. We continue to the Pictavia Visitor Centre and St. Vigean’s Stone Museum. We end the day viewing the Pictish Aldbar Cross-Slab and Eassie Cross Slab.
Day Four We make our way to Perth. We enjoy an informative walking tour of the historic city centre before lunch. We continue on to Inverness, travelling through Aviemore, where we stop at the Highland Folk Museum. Day Five Today we view an array of Pictish stones. Afternoon, we travel to Rosemarkie and visit Groam House Museum. Day Six We visit Nairn and Sueno’s Stone in the morning, and Burghead Well and Fort and Elgin Museum in the afternoon. Day Seven In the morning we visit Loch Ness and then head on to Urghart Castle. Afternoon, we visit Whitebridge Cemetery. Day Eight We return home.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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UK | ORKNEY & SHETLAND with Guide Lecturer: Val Turner The islands beyond the northernmost tip of Scotland glory in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the world. For more than five thousand years they have been home to farmers and fishermen, who left monuments so impressive that they have been called an archaeologists’ paradise. During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, the people of Orkney and Shetland were among Highlights the first in Britain to begin building impressive megalithic • The World Heritage Sites chamber tombs and later henge of Skara Brae, Maes Howe monuments. With several and the Ring of Brodgar UNESCO World Heritage sites uniquely rich and evocative ancient sites. to explore, our tour takes you on a journey through the ages. • Visit sites at the cutting We visit these key sites: Skara Brae, Unst and Rousay.
Special Access Special access to excavations at the Ness of Brodgar - where archaeologists are uncovering a Neolithic settlement in exraordinary detail.
edge of archaeological research, where new discoveries are being made
Thurs 20th - Sun 30th Jul 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
USA | NATIVE AMERICAN PUEBLOS with Guide Lecturer: Prof. Steve Lekson The ancestral Pueblos of the American Southwest left us an extraordinary archaeological legacy in their magnificent dwellings, cliff palaces, towers, shrines and petroglyph panels. These sites were already abandoned when the Navajo peoples moved in after 1300, and so they simply described them as the ‘ancient ones’ or Anasazi, and left the deserted ruins Highlights well alone. Their civilisation • Extraordinary rock art and continues today in the Indian architecture of the Anasazi Pueblos of New Mexico and Arizona, stretching across the ‘corner states’, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.
• Led by Prof Steve Lekson, with special access to sites and excavations
We visit these key sites: Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde
• Magnificent, sweeping landscapes of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.
Special Access Enjoy special access to the reserve collections at Maxwell Museum; special access to the settlements and rock art sites of the Gallisto Basin.
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Mon 16th - Sat 28th Oct 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
UZBEKISTAN with Guide Lecturer: Paul Wordsworth The great cities of Uzbekistan were once thronging with people plying their trade on one of the world’s greatest exchange networks — the Silk Road from China to Europe. The elegant domes of mosques and mausoleums are an awe-inspiring testament to the wealth of past traders who once lived here. This is a unique tour, visiting both the great cities of the Silk Road, and the ‘lost cities’ Highlights of Mizdakan and Benaket. A glimpse into the rise and • A glimpse into the rise and fall of mighty civilisations fall of civilisations from from Alexander the Great to Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan Genghis Kahn. We visit these key sites: Savitsky Museum, Ayaz Kala, Samarkand and the Mausoleum of Tamerlane.
Special Access The ruined city of Paykent is notoriously difficult to travel to independently. Join us at the site, which was once a rival to Bukhara, only to become deserted in the Middle Ages.
• Spend a day in vibrant, majestic Khiva • Tashkent, a great city destroyed by the Mongols and restored by Tamerlane
Mon 10th - Mon 24th Apr 2017 Call, email, or visit us online to reserve your space on this tour with a fully refundable £300 deposit.
CAN’T WAIT FOR 2017? TRAVEL WITH US IN 2016 Spaces have been filling fast on our 2016 tours, with many tours now sold out. The usual suspects, such as Pompeii and Sicily, have been tempting travellers once again, but our Hidden Cities tours have proven popular too. We wouldn’t want anyone to miss out, so we have added a number of new departures to our programme, including: Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania new May & September departures Sicilia Antiqua new October departure Malta & Gozo new October departure Hidden Rome new November departure Hidden Venice new November departure Book your place on any of our 2016 tours by calling, emailing or visiting us online.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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2017 Calendar
The Peloponnese Mon 3 - Fri 14 with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
39
Meet the Romans Mon 3 - Fri 14 with Dr Neil Faulkner
Italy
65
Thessaloniki Tue 4 - Mon 10 with Dr Christina Hatzimichael-Whitley
Greece
39
Iran | Great Shahs, Kings & Gardens Thu 6 - Sun 23 with Prof Michael Roaf
Iran
48
Aegean Coast of Turkey Sat 8 - Tue 18 with Terry Richardson
Turkey
84
Uzbekistan Mon 10 - Mon 24 with Paul Wordsworth
Uzbekistan 91
Roman Province of Lusitania Sun 16 - Sun 23 with Dr Andy Fear
Spain
81
Malta
73
54
Malta & Gozo Mon 17 - Sun 23 with Prof Nicholas Vella Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 17 - Mon 24 with John Shepherd
Italy
50
february
Hidden Rome Mon 6 - Sat 11 with Dr Gillian Shepherd
Italy
54
Cambodia & Laos | NEW Tue 14 - Sun 26 with David Brotherson & Dr Damian Evans
Cambodia & Laos
23
Guatemala, Belize & Honduras Tue 14 - Tue 28 with David Drew
Guatemala, 46 Belize & Honduras
march Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 6 - Mon 13 with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
50
Hidden Rome Mon 13 - Sat 18 with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
Central America | Grand Tour | NEW Mon 13 - Wed 29 with Nicholas James
Central America
75
Crete & Santorini Tue 14 - Tue 21 with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Greece
36
Crete and Santorini Tue 18 - Tue 25 with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Greece
36
Ancient Wonders of Sicily | NEW Wed 15 - Wed 22 with Dr Denise Allen
Italy
52
Cyprus - The South Thu 20 - Thu 27 with Paul Croft
Cyprus
25
Hidden Venice Mon 20 - Sat 25 with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
53
Classical Sicily Thu 20 - Sun 30 with Dr Veronica Kalas
Italy
58
South Africa Sat 25 - Wed 5 Apr with Dr John McNabb
South Africa
77
Albania | Land of the Eagles Fri 21 - Sat 29 with Oliver Gilkes
Albania
18
Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses Tue 28 - Thu 6 Apr with Nicholas Jackson
Jordan
71
Apulia | Food & Archaeology | NEW Sun 23 - Mon 1 May with Deborah Hodson & Rosetta Ferrari
Italy
55
Classical Sicily Thu 30 - Sun 9 Apr with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
58
Relaxed Capri | NEW Mon 24 - Sat 29 with Tony O’Connor
Italy
56
Hidden Rome Mon 24 - Sat 29 with Jonathan Coulston
Italy
54
France
29
27
Cave Art in the Pyrenees Mon 24 - Sun 30 with Dr Jamie Hampson
Greece
38
79
Athens & the Glories of Pericles | NEW Wed 26 - Wed 3 May with Dr Sandy MacGillivray North Cyprus: Road to Salamis | NEW Thu 27 - Fri 5 May with Dr Müge Şevketoğlu
Cyprus
26
april The Via Julia Sat 1 - Sat 8 with John Shepherd
France
Romans, Visigoths and Viziers Sun 2 - Sun 9 with Dr Andy Fear
Spain
Hidden Florence & Siena | NEW Mon 3 - Sun 9 with Oren Margolis
Italy
62
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 3 - Mon 10 with Professor Tony King
Italy
50
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hidden cities relaxed breaks
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
may
Corsica | Neolithic to Napoleon Sun 28 - Sun 4 June with Dr Keith Wilkinson
France
29
Roman Germany Sun 28 - Tue 6 June with Tony Wilmott
Germany
34
Cave Art in the Pyrenees Mon 29 - Sun 4 June with Dr Paul Bahn
France
29
Brittany & Dordogne | NEW Mon 29 - Thu 8 Jun with Dr Jamie Hampson
France
30
Ireland & Scotland | NEW Wed 30 - Sun 11 Jun with Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Ireland & UK
88
Relaxed Split Sat 6 - Sat 13 with John Shepherd
Croatia
24
Rome with the Sistine Chapel Mon 8 - Sat 13 with Claudia Pinci
Italy
60
Northern Peru Mon 8 - Thu 25 with David Drew
Peru
76
Hidden Amsterdam | NEW Thu 11 - Wed 17 with Mark Driessen
Netherlands
47
Classical Sicily Thu 11 - Sun 21 Guide Lecturer to be confirmed, see our website for latest updates
Italy
58
Kazakhstan | NEW Thu 11 - Wed 24 with Dr Gai Jorayev
Kazakhstan
72
The Ice Man and his World Sat 3 - Thu 8 with Dr Tertia Barnett
Italy
63
Wessex Weekend Fri 12 - Sun 14 with Paul Tubb
UK
85
Hidden Berlin Mon 5 - Sat 10 with Nick Jackson
Germany
35
Renaissance Villas Mon 15 - Sun 21 with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
50
Dordogne | Prehistoric Cave Art Mon 5 - Mon 12 with Dr Paul Bahn
France
31
Relaxed Provence Mon 15 - Sun 21 with Dr Denise Allen
France
28
Armenia | Bastion of the Caucasus | NEW Tue 6 - Wed 14 with Ian Colvin
Armenia
20
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 15 - Mon 22 with Tony Wilmott
Italy
60
Romans on the Rhône & Saône | NEW Mon 12 - Mon 19 with Prof Tony King
France
33
Rock Art of Altamira Mon 15 - Mon 22 with Dr Paul Bahn
Spain
79
The Kingdom of the Picts | NEW Mon 19 - Wed 28 with Dr Kelli Ann Malone
UK
89
Wild Thrace Tue 16 - Wed 24 with Dr Christina Hatzimichael-Whitley
Greece
40
Meet the Greeks Wed 17 - Wed 24 with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
40
Meet the Vikings Sun 9 - Fri 21 with Brian Ayers
UK, Denmark & Sweden
82
Latium | The Roman Rich Sun 21 - Sun 28 with Prof Tony King
Italy
61
Sweden & Norway Rock Art Sat 15 - Sat 22 with Dr Tertia Barnett
Sweden & Norway
82
Samnites | Enemies of Rome Mon 22 - Sun 28 with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
61
Orkney & Shetland Thu 20 - Sun 30 with Dr Val Turner
UK
90
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 22 - Mon 29 with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
50
Phoenicians in Spain | NEW Mon 22 - Thu 1 June with Fernando Lopez Sanchez
Spain
80
Hidden Berlin Mon 28 - Sat 2 Sep with Nick Jackson
Germany
35
Dalmatia & Dubrovnik Wed 24 - Fri 2 June with John Shepherd
Croatia
25
Brittany | Carnac & Beyond Mon 28 - Sun 3 Sep with Dr Nick Thorpe
France
31
Vintage Provence Sun 28 - Sat 3 June with Tony O’Connor
France
27
Over the Sea to Skye | NEW Mon 28 - Wed 6 Sep with Dr Mary MacLeod Rivett
UK
87
june
july
august
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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september
september continued
Roman Province of Lusitania Sun 3 - Sun 10 with Dr Andy Fear
Spain
81
Languedoc | Cathars & Crusaders Mon 4 - Sun 10 with Dr Nick Slope
France
34
Greece | The Peloponnese Mon 4 - Fri 15 with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
Wild Thrace Tue 5 - Wed 13 with Dr Christina Hatzmichael Whitley
The Danube | The Lost World of Old Europe | NEW Mon 18 - Mon 25 with Dr Kelli Ann Malone
Austria & Hungary
21
Dordogne | Prehistoric Cave Art Mon 18 - Mon 25 with Dr Iain Morley
France
31
39
Athens & the Glories of Pericles | NEW Mon 18 - Mon 25 with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley
Greece
38
Greece
40
Italy
50
Peru & the Nazca Lines Wed 6 - Tue 26 with David Drew
Peru
76
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 18 - Mon 25 with Dr Sophy Downes
UK & France
86
Relaxed Tuscany | NEW Mon 11 - Sat 16 with Oren Margolis
Italy
57
Romans in London & Paris | NEW Wed 20 - Sun 1 Oct with John Shepherd Islands of the Cyclades | Land Tour Thu 21 - Sun 1 Oct with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
41
Foz Côa | Rock Art Mon 11 - Sun 17 with Dr Paul Bahn
Italy
77
Iran | Kings, Shahs & Gardens | NEW Thu 21 - Sat 7 Oct with Hassan Nashli
Iran
48 64
Italy
50
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Amalfi | Wine & Archaeology in Southern Italy Sat 23 - Sat 30 with John Shepherd
Italy
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 11 - Mon 18 with John Shepherd
63
Tanzania
83
Basilicata & Calabria Sat 23 - Sun 1 Oct with Dr Ed Bispham
Italy
Tanzania & Zanzibar | NEW Mon 11 - Mon 25 with Jayson Orton
72
Greece
36
Kazakhstan | NEW Sat 23 - Fri 6 Oct with Dr Gai Jorayev
Kazakhstan
Crete & Santorini Tue 12 - Tue 19 with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Italy
64
Ancient Wonders of Sicily | NEW Wed 13 - Wed 20 with Oliver Gilkes
Italy
52
The Etruscans Sun 24 - Sun 1 Oct with Dr Robyn Veal
Italy
60
Classical Sicily Thu 14 - Sun 24 with Dr Denise Allen
Italy
58
Rome with Sistine Chapel Mon 25 - Sat 30 with Diana Blumberg
France
28
China | Beyond the Great Wall Thu 14 - Sat 30 Guide Lecturer to be confirmed, see our website for latest updates
China
24
Relaxed Provence Mon 25 - Sun 1 Oct Guide Lecturer to be confirmed
Italy
50
Iran | Kings, Shahs & Gardens Thu 14 - Sat 30 with Francois Desset
Iran
48
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 25 - Mon 2 Oct with Tony Wilmott
Greece
36
Wessex Weekend Fri 15 - Sun 17 with Julian Richards
UK
85
Crete & Santorini Tue 26 - Tue 3 Oct with Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley
Hidden Rome Mon 18 - Sat 23 with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
54
Albania, Montenegro & Kosovo | NEW Thu 28 - Sun 8 Oct with Oliver Gilkes
Albania, 19 Montenegro & Kosovo
Classical Sicily Thu 28 - Sun 8 Oct with Tony O’Connor
Italy
58
Relaxed Provence Mon 18 - Sun 24 Guide Lecturer to be confirmed
France
The Cyclades | Gulet Tour | NEW Sat 30 - Wed 11 Oct with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Greece
44
94
28
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
october Apulia | Food & Archaeology | NEW Sun 1 - Mon 9 with Deborah Hodson & Rosetta Ferrari
Italy
55
Hidden Paris Mon 2 - Sun 8 with John Shepherd
France
Walking Istanbul Mon 2 - Sun 8 with Dr Rita Roussos
Crete Revisited | NEW Tue 17 - Tue 24 with Dr Sandy MacGillivray
Greece
42
32
Sicily Revisited Thu 19 - Thu 26 with Dr Sophy Downes
Italy
68
Turkey
85
Ravenna & Aquileia | Rome & her Heirs Sun 22 - Sun 29 with Prof Tony King
Italy
69
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 2 -Mon 9 with Dr Denise Allen
Italy
50
Relaxed Capri | NEW Mon 23 - Sat 28 with Veronica Kalas
Italy
56
Italy
53
Apulia | Caves, Castles & Cathedrals Mon 2 - Mon 9 with Claudia Pinci
Italy
67
Hidden Venice Mon 30 - Sat 4 Nov with John Mitchell
Spain
80
Israel & Palestine
49
Phoenicians in Spain | NEW Mon 2 - Thu 12 with Fernando L贸pez S谩nchez
Israel & Palestine Tue 31 - Fri 10 Nov with Dr Nick Slope
Classical Sicily Thu 5 - Sun 15 with Eireann Marshall
Italy
58
Central Turkey | Anatolia & Cappadocia Fri 6 - Mon 16 with Dr Michael Brown
Turkey
84
Bulgaria | Thracian Treasures Sat 7 - Wed 18 with Dr Katya Melamed
Bulgaria
22
november Hidden Venice Mon 6 - Sat 11 with Dr Eireann Marshall
Italy
53
Cambodia & Laos | NEW Tue 7 - Sun 19 with David Brotherson
Cambodia & Laos
23
Mexico | The Maya Mon 13 - Tue 28 with David Drew
Mexico
74
22
Relaxed Siracusa Italy Mon 9 - Sun 15 Guide Lecturer to be confirmed
66
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 9 - Mon 16 Guide Lecturer to be confirmed, see our website for latest updates
Italy
50
Athens to Istanbul | NEW Mon 9 - Sun 22 with Veronica Kalas & Terry Richardson
Greece & Turkey
43
Chile & Easter Island Mon 13 - Thu 30 with Dr Paul Bahn
Chile
Crete & Santorini Tue 10 - Tue 17 with Dr Christina Hatzmichael Whitley
Greece
36
South Africa | The Western Cape | NEW Tue 28 - Thu 7 Dec with Jayson Orton
South Africa 78
Via Egnatia | Albania & Macedonia Tue 10 - Wed 18 with Oliver Gilkes
Albania, Macedonia & Greece
18
Jordan | Petra & the Desert Fortresses Tue 10 - Thu 19 with Nick Jackson
Jordan
71
The Cyclades | Gulet Tour | NEW Wed 11 - Sun 22 with Dr Rita Roussos
Greece
44
Iran | Kings, Shahs & Gardens Thu 12 - Sat 28 with Carolyn Perry
Iran
48
Relaxed Split Sat 14 - Sat 21with John Shepherd
Croatia
24
Sicily | Wine of the Gods Sat 14 - Sat 21with TBC
Italy
67
Rock Art in the Namibian Wild Sun 15 - Mon 30 with Dr Paul Bahn
Namibia
74
Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania Mon 16 - Mon 23 with Dr Neil Faulkner
Italy
Umbria Mon 16 - Mon 23 with Peter Berridge
december Amsterdam at Christmas Wed 20 - Tue 26 with Dr Mark Driessen
Netherlands
46
Turin Festive Food Wed 20 - Tue 26 with Prof Valerie Higgins & Rosetta Ferrari
Italy
69
Ravenna at Christmas Thu 21 - Thu 28 with Prof Tony King
Italy
70
Spain
81
50
Barcelona at New Year Thu 28 - Tue 2 Jan with Fernando L贸pez S谩nchez
Italy
71
Italy
68
Venice at New Year Thu 28 - Wed 3 Jan with Dr Eireann Marshall
Native American Pueblos Mon 16 - Sat 28 with Prof Steve Lekson
United States
90
Bologna Festive Food Thu 28 - Thu 4 Jan with Rosetta Ferrari
Italy
70
Mexico | Oaxaca & Beyond Mon 16 - Tue 31 with David Drew
Mexico
73
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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ESSENTIAL booking information Unpriced Tours Booking Information
2016 Priced Tours Booking Information
book now on any 2017 tour
Useful information to guide you through the booking process. Please note that bookings with Andante Travels Ltd are accepted only in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in our full booking conditions, which can be found on our website or are available on request.
You can book now on any of the tours listed in this brochure. Our 2017 tours are still provisional and unpriced, so if you change your mind when our next brochure with full programme and prices is published we will happily refund your deposit or transfer you to another tour.
fixed deposits of £300
The deposits in this brochure are fixed at £300 per person, per tour for every 2017 tour booked before 17th June 2016. So book early and we will fix your deposit no top ups.
changes and amendments
Please note that planning for some of these tours is still in progress and some details (e.g. sites, hotels, dates) may change over the coming months. We work hard with our expert guides to create the best possible archaeological tours, and will always consider including a site at a later date if we think it will improve or add greater insight to our journeys.
book by phone, email or online A booking can be held for 7 days without commitment after which a deposit is required. For bookings made by telephone or email, payment can be made by card or cheque (payable to Andante Travels Ltd). You can pay securely online, via our website, in either sterling or dollars. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Visa Debit cards. For payments in sterling by credit card or overseas debit card there is a charge of 2.5% of the transaction amount. Please note we do not accept postdated cheques, nor do we retain your card details.
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insurance
We strongly recommend that all travellers are covered by comprehensive travel insurance and do not travel against medical advice. You should organise it immediately when you book, to ensure you have cover against possible cancellation charges, medical treatment and repatriation. We will need to know the details of your policy 4 weeks before departure at the very latest.
deposits and final payment
£300 for tours costing up to £2000 | £400 for tours costing between £2001 and £3000 | £450 for tours costing between £3001 and £4000 | £500 for tours costing over £4000
balance payment
Balance payments will be requested 2 months before you depart for all tours and we will then send you practical information regarding the tour, flights, hotel and joining instructions.
cancellation by you
Cancellation charges payable to Andante Travels are calculated on time prior to departure as follows: Up to 56 days: Deposit* / 55 - 41 days: 35% of tour cost / 40 - 29 days: 55% of tour cost / 28 - 8 days: 75% of tour cost / 7 days to date of departure: 100% of tour cost | *plus any invoiced flight costs.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
cancellation by us
If we have to cancel your holiday before the date of departure, you will have the choice of taking an alternative holiday (and paying or receiving a refund/credit in respect of any price difference) or accepting a full refund of all monies paid.
financial protection
- Flight inclusive tours: we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the CAA (ATOL No. 3552) which provides for your protection in the event of Andante’s insolvency. The price of your air holiday packages includes the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme as explained below. - Tours without flights arranged by us: as a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), Andante Travels has provided a bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. In the event of insolvency, protection is provided for non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK and other non-flight packages excluding pre-arranged travel to and from your destination. Please note that packages booked outside the UK are only protected when purchased directly with Andante Travels. In the above circumstances, if you have not yet travelled you may claim a refund, or if you have already travelled, you may claim repatriation to the starting point of your non-flight package.
aito quality charter
Andante Travels is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. Andante Travels abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito. com. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.
what’s included
We include as much as possible in the tour price: Expert Guide Lecturer Tour Manager (with all groups of 15+) Scheduled flights unless otherwise stated Accommodation Meals with water, and wine where stated; meals are not provided on travelling days Field notes, tips, entrance to all sites in the programme
committed to sustainable tourism
We work hard to ensure our visits have a positive impact on the ancient places we go to and have been awarded the top 5 star rating by AITO in recognition of our excellence when it comes to sustainable travel. We are ANDANTE TRAVELS LTD, registered limited company no. 1969761. Registered offices: The Clock Tower, Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Wiltshire SP5 3HT. The information listed in this brochure is correct as of March 2016.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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The Best of All Possible Worlds...
Andante Travels and Arblaster & Clarke are pleased to announce that we will be teaming up to bring you a selection of tours combining our two specialities respectively archaeology and wine.
What better combination could you ask for than a glorious European location, fascinating archaeological sites and some of the world’s best wines. We have three enticing tours to offer this year, each taking a look at the speciality wines of the region as well as gaining an understanding of the areas historical story with visits to some of the most spectacular ruins, towns and museums. In 2016 we will be accompanying you to three European locations which we believe have these criteria in abundance: Provence, Amalfi and Sicily.
Wine Tours
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HIGHLIGHTS ◊◊ The best of both worlds: an irresistible combination of world-famous archaeological sites and mouth-watering wines. ◊◊ Led throughout by not one but two specialist guides – a classical archaeology scholar and an expert wine guide. ◊◊ Enjoy tastings and tours at some of Europe’s leading wineries, historic cellars, cuttingedge producers and family-run vineyards. ◊◊ A plethora of archaeological gems from: Greek temples amid flower-strewn hills; to the glittering Medieval churches; and evocative ancient sites including the iconic Pompeii. ◊◊ These are ‘real holidays’ with time to explore independently and cultural excursions including cookery demonstrations and gallery visits.
Arblaster & Clarke was founded in 1987 and has since turned into the world’s leading wine tours operator. Their aim is to provide wine holiday experiences that go beyond the ordinary - with visits, tastings, lunches and dinners at rising star wineries and famous châteaux.
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
The classically beautiful heart of the Mediterranean has been praised by poets and became the prize of countless cultures – Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks and more.
THE WINE OF THE GODS
The sun-soaked island is home to wonderfully preserved Greek temples, Roman villas and Norman cathedrals, many filled with glorious mosaics. This is a wine-lover’s paradise, with local vineyards producing excellent, complex varieties. Come and taste the ‘wine of the Gods’ in an exceptionally beautiful setting. £2,725| 17th – 24th Sep 2016 with Tony O’Connor & Monica Murphy. Also runs October 2017.
CLASSICAL TEMPLES & WINE IN SICILY
Southern Italy is an incredibly rich region – its abundant archaeology perfectly complemented by its equally historic 4000-year-old wine legacy.
POMPEII AND AMALFI
Explore rock-cut abbeys, fascinating museums, and the astonishing remnants of ancient towns devastated by Vesuvius. Wine is the lifeblood of the region, named “land of wine,” by the Greeks. Bold and supremely satisfying, these wines were adored by the Romans, and it’s certainly not difficult to see why. £2,750 |23rd – 30th Oct 2016 with John Shepherd & Lys Hall. Also runs September 2017.
WINE & ARCHAEOLOGY IN SOUTHERN ITALY
One of the joys of travelling to Provence is soaking up the stunning landscapes: fields of lavender, ancient olive groves, cliff-top roads, and maquis-cloaked hills… This idyllic landscape is home to some of Europe’s finest Roman remains - arches, amphitheatres, aqueducts and more - many remarkably complete. With vineyards dating back 2600 years, this is one of the oldest wine producing regions in France and the only one specialising in Rosé. Embrace the Provençal way of life...
VINTAGE PROVENCE You can reserve a place on any of the tours now by contacting either the Arblaster & Clarke or Andante office.
Call: 01722 713800 Email: tours@andantetravels.com Visit: www.andantetravels.com
£2,635 | 5th - 11th June 2016 with Dr Denise Allen & Monica Murphy. Also runs May 2017.
Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk
Call: 01722 713800 | email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
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Spend Christmas and New Year 2016
in the ancient world... Who says you have to stay at home for Christmas? This year, why not escape the often uninspiring British weather for a festive adventure? We have an impeccable range of adventurous, expert-led holidays still available for the end of 2016. Fascinating ancient sites, alongside delicious local cuisine and like-minded fellow travellers... what could be merrier?
Festive Food in Bologna
Wine, truffles and history — could there be any better time to taste the fruits of a millennia of culinary evolution than Christmas?
Thessaloniki at Xmas
Admire Byzantine frescoes, visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great and wander beautiful Greek ravines this Christmas.
Turin Food Festival
Nestled between towering Alpine and Apennine mountains, Piedmont is as famous for its gourmet delicacies as its fiefdoms.
Venice at New Year
Enjoy the wonderful festive atmosphere of Italian New Year’s Eve with fireworks over St Mark’s Square.
Amsterdam at Xmas
Museums, festivals, markets — and the ruins of a town that once stood at the snowy northern edge of Rome’s empire...
Barcelona at New Year
An architectural pastiche of passing empires, Barcelona invites you to ring in the New Year with fireworks at the Magic Fountain.
If you are interested in exploring the Ancient World during Christmas and New Year 2016, please get in touch with us. Full details for all of the tours can be found on our website - alternatively, please call or email us. Tel: 01722 713 800 | tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.com
The Clock Tower, 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HT