Bare Bones 2019 - A selection of short breaks to the most spectacular historical cities & sites by Specialist Journeys

bare bones 2019 A selection of short breaks to the most spectacular historical cities & sites *Prices From Just ÂŁ499* All departures guaranteed

local guides | hotels in the heart of the city | more free time & flexibility

Welcome to Bare Bones! These trips visit the same cities and sites in the company of knowledgeable local expert guides who not only know the sites like the backs of their hands, but have great insider tips that they will gladly share. Better still is that all of these tours will depart whether they have 1 or 20 people on them, giving you unrivalled confidence in your holiday planning - something not provided by any other specialist travel company. Bare Bones tours include centrallylocated hotels, breakfasts, site visits as per the itinerary and the services of an expert local guide. We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t included flights as you may want to extend your stay or travel in luxury, but let us know as we can arrange your flights, upgrade your room and offer dinner packages in most locations.

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01722 569511 www.andantetravels.co.uk tours@andantetravels.co.uk The Rialto Bridge, Venice

bare bones tours Essential tours are perfect for first-time visitors, introducing the iconic attractions of a city or historic site in the company of a knowledgeable local guide lecturer. Insiders’ tours, as the name suggests, focus more on the hidden secrets, taking you ‘behind the scenes’ of your chosen destination - a fully immersive experience.

Essential Rome..................................................... 6 Insiders’ Rome....................................................... 8 Essential Pompeii............................................. 10 Essential Venice................................................. 12 Essential Minoan Crete................................ 14 Essential Berlin................................................... 16 Insiders’ Berlin..................................................... 18

Piazza Navona, Rome

Essential Athens............................................... 20 Essential Petra................................................... 22 Essential Istanbul............................................. 24 Insiders’ Istanbul.............................................. 26 Essential Carthage........................................ 28 Essential Cairo.................................................. 30 Essential Luxor................................................... 32

Old house in Tunisia

guaranteed departures All Bare Bones tours featured in this brochure are led by an expert local guide and are guaranteed to run, regardless of how many people book places. Your tour could depart with just you as the guest, or there could be a total of 20 travellers - either way, it’s guaranteed.

unparalleled flexibility to combine & tailor make tours Our Bare Bones tours are carefully designed to offer maximum flexibility & the ability to create your perfect travel experience.

Flights & Transfers

Hotel Upgrades

Your Bare Bones Tour

Combine Essential & Insidersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tours

Combine Multiple Tours

Extend your Tour

Meals Package

Your tour, your choice. Use your own air miles, arrange flights independently, or book them with us; dine independently or book a dinner package with us; upgrade your hotel room.

Bare Bones tours, as priced in this brochure, include centrally-located premium stay hotels (on a B&B basis), all excursions and visits as described and the services of an expert local guide lecturer.

The departure dates of Bare Bones tours are designed to allow you to easily combine the essential and insiders tours for the greatest insight into your chosen destination.

Furthermore, you can combine all of our Italy departures, an unrivalled overview of the myriad treasures of Rome, Pompeii and Venice.

Add extra hotel nights at the beginning or end of your tour for sublime relaxation or independent exploration, and book flights accordingly.

Bare Bones ‘at a glance’ »» Guaranteed to run »» Shorter duration: 5-7 days, rather than ‘full’ Andante 7-16 day tours »» 3.5-4* centrally-located hotels: for the freedom to explore and dine independently »» Single centre: inviting a greater understanding and appreciation of your destination »» Dining flexibility: breakfast is included and an optional dinner package can be added in most destinations, but we do not include lunches and dinners as standard. Your local guide will be able to provide you with top suggestions and recommendations »» Flying flexibility: flights are not included in the tour as there are multiple options to extend or combine tours, but we can quote and book flights for you. »» Expert knowledge: all our tours are led by local guides, who offer the level of insight and expertise you can expect from a ‘full’ Andante tour »» Free time and flexibility: generally one free afternoon plus evenings at leisure, along with the opportunity to tailor your holiday with optional packages and upgrades, and easily combine tours »» Travel like a local »» Pre- and post- tour extensions: we are happy to provide you with extra options, to extend and to upgrade »» Welcome meeting

The historical neighbourhood of Plaka, Athens

For full terms & conditions of our Bare Bones tours visit our website: andantetravels.com/barebones

essential rome

tour highlights »» Visit the Mithraeum under the Circus Maximus, an atmospheric underground temple accessed by appointment only »» Explore San Clemente, where we see hidden Roman houses »» Walk through Trajan’s markets, a Roman shopping centre

dates & prices £549 | single supplement £130 5th - 9th January 2nd - 6th March (+£150) 23rd - 27th November (+£150)

Led by an expert local guide, who not only knows the sites, but the best places to eat and relax too!

The Roman Forum

The shaping of Rome has taken millennia, and to understand it in its entirety needs several lifetimes. We offer you the best of the Eternal City, for a full and fascinating introduction with an expert local guide. This brilliantly comprehensive tour features guided walks, some private transport and guided visits to a range of sites, from world-renowned monuments like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, to more enigmatic ones, like the Mithraea beneath the Circus Maximus and San Clemente. We are offering you the highlights of archaeological Rome in just five days and hope you will want to return to experience more.

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day by day

On arrival in Rome, you will meet the local guide at your hotel. We then embark on a guided walk of the Campus Martius, an area of Rome shaped by successive emperors. Starting at the unique Pantheon, so influential to Renaissance architects, we stroll to the Temple of Hadrian, which still survives despite being pillaged for centuries, and finally to Piazza Navona, once Domitian’s stadium, by way of Marcus Aurelius’ column. The evening is yours to choose a delicious dinner in one of Rome’s many restaurants.

After breakfast, private taxis transport us to the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built. Here we enjoy its impressive interiors, which are thought to have held audiences of up to 50,000 spectators for gladiatorial combats. On to the neighbouring Arch of Constantine, a wonderful collage of artwork from previous imperial monuments. In the afternoon, we explore the nearby Roman Forum – the heart of Rome where so much history was shaped. We then climb the neighbouring Palatine Hill, once covered by

imperial palaces. Walking back to our hotel, we see the Imperial Fora, built by many of Rome’s emperors.

Another taxi ride this morning, this time through the Forum Boarium to the Circus Maximus, where 150,000 Romans would cheer on their favourite charioteers. After walking through the ancient racetrack, we head underneath it to visit the Mithraeum, a cavernous temple to a Persian god whose cult took the Roman empire by storm. In the afternoon, our local guide will bring antiquity to life by exploring Santa Maria in Cosmedin – where the ancient dole was distributed, the largely intact republican temples of Portunus and Hercules Victor, and finally the Theatre of Marcellus, Augustus’ nephew.

This morning starts at Trajan’s Forum and, in particular, the breathtaking Column, which depicts the Emperor’s Dacian campaigns. We also see the markets, built for Trajan by the groundbreaking architect Apollodorus of Damascus in order to give Roman citizens

a grander shopping area from which to buy goods all over the empire. Our morning ends at the Capitoline Museum, one of the oldest known museums in the world and home to the Capitoline Wolf and Dying Gaul. The afternoon is yours to shape as you want. Why not walk down to the Baths of Caracalla or the Ara Pacis, or take a stroll through the city to explore its secrets?

Our final morning is spent exploring the awesome Basilica of San Clemente, a medieval church whose foundations were excavated by the Irish Dominican priest, Fr. Joseph Mullooly, revealing two different layers of history – namely a medieval church and a Roman Mithraeum. Our tour ends this afternoon, so you can either choose to extend your stay or fly back home.

hotels & extras Albergo Santa Chiara Hotel Optional extras »» Transfer package

Combine this tour with Insiders’ Rome, p8, for a full historical experience of the city.

The Trevi Fountain

The famous Colosseum

insiders’ rome

tour highlights »» Unlock secret, rarely-visited sites and enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums »» Walk down the Appian Way as the Romans once did »» Enjoy a private visit to the majestic Porta Asinaria

dates & prices £699 | single supplement £130 9th - 13th January 6th - 10th March (+£100) 27th November - 1st December (+£100)

Led by an expert local guide, who will provide you with a real insiders’ view, including top tips on the best places to eat and drink.

St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City

How well do you know the wondrous sights of Rome? Away from the crowds of the Colosseum, leaving the coach-loads of tourists behind, one can discover a city of secret places, submerged sites and captivating stories. You just need to know where to look. Join us to view a side of Rome that most travellers – and even most Romans – rarely see: underground elite homes and a basilica that has been hidden from human eyes for almost two millennia, formerly bustling guardrooms in ancient city walls, and catacombs that have housed saints and pagans alike. With a local guide to shine a light on Rome’s little-known past, you will discover the gems of the Vatican, the delights of the Appian Way and recently excavated buildings. You will also enjoy free time for your own personal adventures – whether that be further sightseeing, time perusing the capital’s boutiques, or just a well-deserved break to savour a glass of regional wine as the world goes by.

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day by day

After checking into our hotel, we have a late afternoon walk around the Campus Martius, taking in monuments from the Republican era. We explore the 4th to 2nd century BC temples in the Largo di Torre Argentina, standing close to the spot where Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March. We then stroll through the Campo de’ Fiori, which, in the Renaissance, was home to merchants and inns, including one owned by Vannozza dei Cattanei, the mother of Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia. Here, in these winding streets, we will find the remains of Pompey’s theatre and stand where Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake. The evening is yours for you to enjoy Rome’s culinary treasures.

Take taxis to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where we have an appointment to explore a plethora of ancient remains buried under the Papal basilica, including dwellings, defensive works and a Constantinian church. We then have another private visit to a nearby site, namely the Porta Asinaria, an imposing 3rd century

gateway with massive ballista towers and guardrooms. This afternoon, we explore the Porta Maggiore – a monumentalised section of two aqueducts built by Emperor Claudius, which affords far and away the best understanding of aqueducts in the city. We turn the corner to view the wonderfully pompous tomb of Eurysaces the baker, a former slave who made the most of his new found wealth.

Prepare for an extraordinary morning at the Vatican City, as our guide leads us through its staggering collection of artworks. The tour culminates in an in-depth exploration of the Sistine Chapel. The afternoon is then entirely free for you to spend at leisure. Perhaps see Emperor Hadrian’s mighty fortress, Castel Sant’Angelo – another papal highlight – or take a tranquil stroll along the River Tiber.

After breakfast this morning, we head to the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, famed not only for Christian burials but also for 2nd century pagan tombs, some of which are painted. Continue along the

Appian Way, one of the earliest strategic roads leading out of the city, to the Circus of Maxentius, the most intact hippodrome in Rome and one of the few in existence with surviving starting gates. Not far from the circus, we admire the tomb of Caecilia Metella, the most impressive mausoleum on the Appian Way, built to honour the daughter-in-law of Marcus Licinius Crassus, the triumvir. Finally, we stroll down the ancient road to the Villa di Capo di Bove, once owned by Herodes Atticus.

We end this fantastic tour on a high point, with a visit to the Palazzo Valentini, whose foundations beneath hide senatorial houses and a gigantic collapsed column that once belonged to the long lost Temple of Trajan. Later on this afternoon, you can either choose to fly home or extend your stay in this memorable city.

hotels & extras Albergo Santa Chiara Hotel Optional extras »» Transfer package

Combine this tour with Essential Rome, p6, for a full historical experience of the city. 9

Castel Sant’Angelo

essential pompeii

tour highlights »» An insightful tour of ancient Pompeii and its haunting remains »» Experience Herculaneum, with its staggeringly preserved glimpses of everyday life »» Visit the incomparable Naples Museum, home to paintings and mosaics of the Vesuvian towns

dates & prices £499 | single supplement £130 14th - 18th January 11th - 15th March (+£100) 6th - 10th April (+£100) 2nd - 6th December (+£100)

Ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii

This tour will be led by our experienced local guide, Daniella. She will join us at all sites, ensuring that they are brought to life as we wander the ancient ruins and museums.

Pompeii has so much to offer the intrepid traveller – and even more when explored with someone who knows the area well. Our five-day tour of the sites around Vesuvius offers you just that: the insightful company and real-life stories of our knowledgeable local guides. Ongoing discoveries in Pompeii mean there has never been a better time to visit this extraordinary Roman town, which was tragically buried – and almost impeccably preserved – by volcanic ash and pumice in AD79. A plethora of other remarkable Roman site visits will help you to build a full and compelling picture of ancient life as it was when Vesuvius left its irrevocable mark. Visit Herculaneum, where the tall houses of noblemen were buried to their rooftops. Travel to Naples, for a close look at the area’s most celebrated artefacts, and enter the luxurious world of Roman coastal villas at Oplontis. You will also have plenty of free time to get to know the region at your own pace – with opportunities to climb the mighty volcano yourself, or sit back with a delicious glass of Aglianico wine in the shade of Italian pines. 10

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day by day

After settling in to the hotel, our group comes together this afternoon for a gentle walk through today’s Pompeii — including its famous modern cathedral — a good start to the trip and an early chance to get to know both our guide and fellow travellers.

Today we enjoy a full day among the ruins of ancient Pompeii with our local guide. Beginning at the town’s majestic amphitheatre — the oldest Roman amphitheatre in existence — we take in a range of key sights, including bars, brothels and public squares preserved by the deadly lava flow of Vesuvius. We also delve into several lesser-known (but no less fascinating) areas of Pompeii, including villas that have only recently reopened to the public. Your guide will be able to point out a range of fine details that most visitors miss, including scurrilous graffiti and the wheel ruts of ancient journeys past.

A local train ride brings us to Naples this morning for an illuminating tour of the city’s superb Archaeological Museum. Don’t miss the famous collection of Farnese marble, extensive stone engravings from the finest Roman mosaics, frescoes and also famous bronzes. This afternoon, we are invited to explore the secrets of ancient Naples and we walk down the ancient Decumanus Maximus to the underground Roman market, buried beneath the church of San Lorenzo.

of Herculaneum, you can almost feel the presence of the ancient inhabitants and the horror they went through on that fateful day.

After breakfast, you can either continue your trip with a previously extended stay or make your way home.

We visit Herculaneum, once an upmarket coastal city buried beneath 23 metres of volcanic material, which hermetically sealed the site. Here, quite unlike Pompeii, even fragile items such as wooden partitions, beds and shutters have been perfectly preserved. Also unlike Pompeii, many of the everyday items have been left in place. Walking down Cardo IV or the Decumanus Maximus

Hotels & Extras The Hotel Palma Optional extras »» Hotel dinner package »» Transfer package

Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples

Ancient frescoes at Herculaneum

essential venice

tour highlights »» Private visits to the magnificent Doge’s Palace as well as the Basilica of San Marco »» Travel to Murano island to visit the historic Glass Museum »» Explore the darker side of Venetian history with a visit to the first Ghetto »» Take a private water taxi ride down the Grand Canal

dates & prices £949 | single supplement from £350 15th - 19th March 6th - 10th December (+£50)

Our expert local guide will help us navigate the waterways, provide inside information on the sites and highlight any restaurants that are tucked away off one of the side streets.

The iconic Grand Canal

Venice’s maritime republic, which spanned almost 1,000 years, has given us a staggering collection of art, architecture and history in a truly evocative setting. On this five-day tour, we travel on foot and by boat to the city’s best destinations, many of them world-renowned and others lesser known – from the evocative streets of Europe’s oldest Jewish ghetto to a private evening tour of the Basilica of San Marco in the company of your local guide. We also pay a visit to the Arsenale Shipyard and can explore Murano’s unique glass tradition. This trip also offers daily opportunities to wander the city unguided, with plenty of time free to follow your curiosity wherever it may lead.

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day by day

After settling into our hotel, we have an afternoon exploration with our local guide of the Piazza San Marco, which Napoleon famously dubbed the Drawing Room of Europe. We admire the façade of the famous Basilica of San Marco, as well as the procuratie lining the sides of the piazza.

This is a very special day, with several private visits and boat rides. We start at the Doge’s Palace, a Venetian Gothic marvel, which has a stunning collection of paintings that celebrate Venetian victories and rulers. We enjoy a private tour of the main political chambers, as well as a tour of the darker side of the palace, namely the prison and torture chamber. Following this, we walk to the Arsenale, which, for centuries, was the largest industrial complex in the world. Visit the nearby Naval Historical Museum to learn more about Venice’s place in maritime history and then take a ride down the Grand Canal in private taxis before finishing our day with an extraordinary private evening visit at the mosaic-laden Basilica of San Marco.

Today we travel like locals and take a vaporetto to one of Venice’s finest churches, the Franciscan Basilica of Santa Maria Gloria dei Frari. We admire two famous Titians, as well as the great master’s tomb. After lunch, we walk around the corner to Venice’s most famous confraternity – the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, often seen as Tintoretto’s masterpiece. Journeying across the Rialto Bridge, we find the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, the final resting place for no less than 25 doges. We end the guided section of our day at the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, whose extraordinary marble exterior was recently rescued by ‘Save Venice’.

The island of Murano awaits today, which has been the centre of Venetian glass production since 1291, when the city forbade glass-making in Venice for fear of conflagrations. We have a visit to one of the many glass foundries to admire the work of a modern glass maestro. We also visit the Glass Museum that underscores

the incredible quality of Murano glass over the centuries. The afternoon is free for you to explore Venice, whether that means a walk along the quieter streets of Castello or Cannaregio, or a visit to one of the city’s wonderful museums, such as the amazing Accademia or the cultural Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

In the morning, we visit the most famous Gothic palazzo on the Grand Canal, the Ca’ d’Oro – once named because it gleamed with gold. In addition to admiring the Franchetti collection of art, which includes important works by Mantegna and Carpaccio, we explore the courtyard and loggia over the Grand Canal to get an incomparable glimpse into Venetian palazzi. Our tour comes to an end this afternoon.

hotels & extras The Saturnia & International Optional extras »» Half board package »» Transfer package »» Room upgrade

The glass ‘blue star’ on Murano island

Piazza San Marco

tour highlights »» Visit the newly refurbished Heraklion Archaeological Museum with its unique Minoan collection »» Explore the Palace of Knossos, Greece’s largest Bronze Age complex »» Special site tour of Sissi to view the ongoing excavations

dates & prices £799 | single supplement £175 7th - 11th May 4th - 8th June

essential minoan crete

Let our local leader, Sandy MacGiillivray, bring the island to life with top tips on where to spend your down time.

The frescoes on display at Knossos Palace

As a seafaring and trading culture, the Minoans had a significant input into the evolution of our Western European civilisation. They developed unique art and architecture, building large palace structures that incorporated administrative, trading and religious facilities. The sophistication of the Minoan culture is passed down to us not only through its writing system, but also by its artistic expression, for instance the most vibrant of fresco scenes. So great a culture was it, that in its day legends were told, like the one of Theseus defeating the terrifying Minotaur. Join us on a tour through the most fascinating and famous sites of Minoan Crete – from the world famous Palace of Knossos and Vathypetro’s country house with a shrine and well-preserved wine press, to the halls of the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, which is home to the most important excavated finds from the island.

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day by day

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After arriving in Crete, we settle into our centrally located hotel in Heraklion.

Today we start with an orientation walk of the area, stopping at Heraklion Archaeological Museum to set the scene for our exploration of Minoan Crete. Here, we will see the most important finds of the island, including the Phaistos Disc and the famous Minoan frescoes from palace sites. In the afternoon, we head out to Knossos to explore the famous palace complex, a multi-storeyed residential building shrouded in myths and legends.

We begin our day with a drive out to the Palace of Phaistos on Kastri Hill. This site has a long history with first evidence of occupation going back as far as 4000 BC. It became the Minoans’ second largest city and we explore the remains of the palace. Our second visit of the morning will be to Vathypetro, a Minoan country house, contrasting with the palatial complexes seen before. This site is known for its elaborate shrine and an incredibly well-preserved wine press, one of the oldest

in the world. We return to Heraklion in time for an independent lunch and free afternoon - your chance to sample the Cretan cuisine and explore at leisure.

The morning starts with a trip out to Malia, the third- largest Minoan palace complex known on Crete. Admire the site’s vast courtyard, the Royal quarters and its well-preserved magazines. Later, head to the Late Minoan town of Gournia to wander the cobbled streets among the ruins of some 50 houses and its palace. The early afternoon is spent at leisure in Agios Nikolaos, a lovely town on the shores of Mirabello Bay. We return to Heraklion with plenty of time to unwind and enjoy our final free evening in Crete.

Before our tour ends there is still time for one last Minoan encounter – a visit to the ongoing excavations at Sissi. Here, we have the privilege to receive a tour of the site, which is led by a team member of the project who will tell us all about the latest discoveries.

Guests at Vathypetro

hotel & extras The Lato Hotel, Mirabello Bay Optional Extras »» Half board package »» Transfer package »» Room upgrade

Ancient Minoan Palace of Phaistos

View over Agios Nikolaos

essential berlin

tour highlights »» Unmissable sites in Berlin and nearby Potsdam, including Frederick the Great’s Summer Palace, Sanssouci and Museum Island »» An unusual tour of hidden escape tunnels beneath the Berlin Wall

dates & prices £679 | single supplement £160 16th - 20th May 22nd - 26th August (+£20) 5th - 9th December

Let Nick Jackson, a Berlin resident, give you the best possible insight in to the city and its charms.

NEW TOUR

Sanssouci Palace

Berlin has been the nexus for so many pivotal moments in European history, and bears traces of those times to whoever is willing to see them. With an engaging local guide on hand to show you the way, you will find the legacy of its history endlessly intriguing. Our five-day tour offers a fascinating flavour of the region’s past and present – from its Royal Prussian palaces to its place in Nazi fantasies, and its role as a hub of both socialist cultures and radical counter-cultures. From the Ishtar Gate and world-changing treaties, to secret escape tunnels and the vibrant city that it is today, this is just a taster of what we have in store. We will introduce you to this multi-faceted culture while allowing you to experience one of Europe’s most dynamic cities.

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day by day

We settle into our central hotel in Germany’s capital and enjoy an afternoon orientation walk with our local guide. Following this, the evening is free – our first opportunity of four to explore the city’s culinary delights.

This morning, we stroll to Museum Island to admire the treasures on display here. At the Pergamon Museum, we wander through the reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate and part of the Processional Way from ancient Babylon. We will come face to face with Nefertiti, Egyptian queen and wife of Akhenaton, as we stand before her famous bust in the Neues Museum. After exploring the highlights here in the company of our local guide, you are free to shape the afternoon as you wish. Why not continue to view some of the other exceptional collections in other buildings or explore other parts of Berlin?

Today we take a trip to Potsdam where we will visit Sanssouci, the majestic Rococo summer palace with park and lavish waterworks of Frederick the Great.

This residence, known as the Versailles of Berlin, became the ruler’s refuge especially in difficult times where he could wander the gardens in the company of his dogs. We continue in the afternoon with a visit to Cecilienhof, a former royal palace of the Hohenzollern. It was here in the late summer of 1945 where the historic Potsdam Conference took place, laying the groundwork of a new order in Germany and Europe after World War II.

We begin today at Tempelhof Airport. Once the largest building in the world, it was created by the Nazis in 1934 and became a famous gateway to Berlin. It is now a museum, while its runways form part of a popular park. We continue to former East Berlin to the Nikolaiviertel, the oldest residential district of Berlin. After extensive wartime bombing, it was reconstructed in 1987 as the heart of the communist East German capital. This afternoon, we gain an alternative insight into Cold War life with a tour “Under the Berlin Wall”, exploring a series of tunnels dug by citizens in order to escape to the West.

The discoveries continue on our final morning. In the company of our local guide, we embark upon an enlightening walking tour of Prenzlauerberg and Kreuzberg. Formerly split between east and west, these areas contain a wealth of notable attractions, including the quarters of the East German counter-culture movement and the Volkspark, which has a hill created by the destruction of a wartime anti-aircraft tower. We make our departures later this afternoon.

hotel & extras Hotel Augustinenhof Optional extras: »» Transfer package

Combine this tour with Insiders’ Berlin, p18, for a full historical experience of the city.

Cecilienhof Palace

Volkspark Friedrichshain

insiders’ berlin

tour highlights »» A comprehensive tour of Berlin with a unique, alternative flavour »» Discover historical Lutherstadt Wittenberg »» See important sites of Cold War Berlin

dates & prices £579 | single supplement £160 20th - 24th May 26th - 30th August (+£20) 9th - 13th December

Delve deeper into Berlin’s history with out expert guide, Nick Jackson. Uncover the delights that are only known to the city’s inhabitants.

NEW TOUR

The 19th century New Synagogue

Germany’s capital is an eclectic blend of cultures, timelines and world-changing events. Join forces with our local guide to uncover Berlin’s lesser well-known, yet nonetheless important sites from its turbulent history. In this thought-provoking five-day encounter, we cross both centuries and disbanded borders with a variety of guided experiences, including a stimulating walk along the Berlin Wall, encounters with the Renaissance and Reformation in Wittemberg, and an unforgettable street tour of Jewish Berlin. As with all of the holidays in our Bare Bones collection, we will also enjoy extended periods of free time to go it alone and discover the city’s delights at a pace that suits us best.

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day by day

After checking into our central hotel, our trip begins this afternoon with an orientation walk - a chance to get to know the area in the company of our local guide and fellow travellers. We view the heart of Prussian Berlin as well as the Book Burning Memorial at Bebelplatz, commemorating the 22,000 books burned by the Nazis on 10th May 1933.

This morning, we start with another walking tour of Berlin’s historic places. Our guide will lead the way through the capital, filling us in on many details - the great, the small, and the compelling. We wander along Karl-Marx-Allee, lined with monumental, socialist classicism buildings. We continue to the Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse to view the last standing piece of the Berlin Wall in its original setting. In the afternoon, we encounter another tragic site of German history, the Platform 17 Memorial, which commemorates the deportation of Jewish citizens. Our last visit of the day will be to Glienicke Brücke. Spanning the Havel River, the socalled Bridge of Spies was the setting for numerous exchanges of agents between Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc.

During today’s walking tour in central Berlin, we pass by the Reichstag, wander through the Tiergarten – the city’s most popular and oldest park – and stroll across Potsdamer Platz towards Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. In the afternoon, you are free to explore Berlin at leisure. Why not explore the city further on foot or visit the collections housed within Museum Island.

We make our way to Wittenberg this morning to take in the famous home town of Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation. Included on our day’s programme are visits to the Lutherhaus, his former residence for most of his adult life, and the Castle Church, where he allegedly nailed his 95 theses to the door. We also explore the residence and workshop of the German Renaissance painter, Lucas Cranach the Elder.

For our final morning, we embark upon a walking tour of Jewish Berlin, starting with the New Synagogue – a 19th century monument built in a Moorish style. Formerly the biggest synagogue in

Germany, it was saved from destruction during Kristallnacht by a local police officer who saw off Nazi mobsters. We continue on to the Jewish Museum, the largest of its kind in Europe, and well-known for its excellent displays covering some 2,000 years of German-Jewish history.

hotels & extras Hotel Augustinenhof Optional extras: »» Transfer package

Combine this tour with Essential Belin, p16, for a full historical experience of the city.

Glienicke Brücke

Museum island on Spree river

essential athens

tour highlights »» Explore both the Athenian Agora and the Roman Agora »» Wander the citadel of the Acropolis, offering stunning views over the city of Athens »» Tour mysterious Eleusis and view ancient artefacts at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens

dates & prices £599 | single supplement £130 7th - 11th January 18th - 22nd February 11th - 15th November (+£100) 16th - 20th December (+£100)

Explore not only this city and its iconic ruins, but get value from our local expert on the best places to enjoy a coffee, or to have dinner with a view of the Acropolis. Parthenon Temple

Athens - the cradle of western civilisation - where democracy, theatre, history and philosophy were born and spread around the world. Here is an essential introduction to Classical Athens, exploring monuments that shed light on this most seminal of cities. On this fascinating five-day encounter, we are based in the heart of the action, easy walks away from sites such as the Parthenon, Pnyx Hill, and the Athenian Agora. Take time to absorb the city at your leisure and make site visits with your local guide, enjoying in-depth forays in the National Museum and an excursion to the mysterious spiritual centre of Eleusis. The ancient world has never felt more present and immediate. 20

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day by day

We arrive in Athens, settle in to our central hotel and begin the discoveries with an afternoon orientation walk – an early chance to get to know the city.

Our first full day in Athens begins with a walk to Pnyx Hill. From this rocky natural platform, famed orators such as Pericles held forth to the people under the silent gaze of the Acropolis. From here, we continue to the Athenian Agora and take in sights such as the Hephaesteum, a well-preserved temple that was inaugurated almost 2,500 years ago. After a break for an independent lunch, we come back together for an afternoon visit to the Roman Agora, the construction of which was funded by Caesar and Augustus in the 1st Century BC. Discover the octagonal Tower of the Winds, the Palace of the Giants, and the columned Library of Hadrian.

We spend the morning in the thrall of the National Archaeological Museum.

Engaged by the knowledge of our local guide, we explore its unique collections including the golden Mask of Agamemnon, a priceless relic of the Bronze Age. Following this, the rest of our day is free to wander and relax at our own pace.

rites of the cults of Demeter and Kore (Persephone) were so ardently protected that to reveal their secrets meant an early grave. From Eleusis, we make our way to the airport (transfer included).

We begin our fourth day on the Acropolis, where astounding city views combine with some of the world’s best known ancient Greek architecture. Together we explore these stunning remains, including the expansive theatres of Dionysius and Herodes Atticus, and, of course, the most iconic site of all Athens: the Parthenon Temple. A break for lunch is followed by an enlightening visit to the Acropolis Museum, where many an excavated treasure awaits.

hotels & extras Herodion Hotel Optional extras : »» Half board package »» Transfer package »» Room upgrade

This may be our final morning, but the explorations are not over yet. Following breakfast, we take a short drive out to the great shrines of Eleusis, where the mystery

Typical restaurant in Athens

Roman forum, Agora of Athens

essential petra

tour highlights »» E xplore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra »» Tour Beidha, the Neolithic site referred to as “Little Petra” »» See Feinan, one of Jordan’s most important Neolithic sites »» Adventurous 4x4 excursion to Wadi Rum, a river valley with ancient rock art

dates & prices £899 | single supplement £225 3rd - 9th February 3rd - 9th March (+£100) 20th - 26th October (+£100) 17th - 23rd November (+£100)

All departures are led by an expert local guide, who not only knows the sites, but will be able to provide you with the best suggestions of where to have your lunch and dinner. The Treasury at Petra

Explore Petra – the “Rose City” and ancient capital of the Nabateans with our local guide on this seven-day tour to Jordan. Walking through the Siq, the famous entrance ravine to the site, is a truly unforgettable experience. View the fascinating façades, such as the world-renowned “Treasury” carved into the rose-red rock, and wander the colonnaded streets. Most visitors to the city will spend just a few hours here as they charge their way through the Middle East, but to do so is to miss out on some unique gems. After all, the archaeological park itself covers an area of more than 200 square kilometres. Besides Petra, our tour includes visits to sites such as Little Petra, the crusader castle of Kerak, the Madaba map and the copper mines of Feinan, and it also features a 4x4 tour through Wadi Rum.

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day by day

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Upon arrival in Amman, we settle in to our hotel located in the Jordanian capital for the first night. This morning we will start our journey towards Petra. Our first stop en route will be at the Church of St. George in Mabada to view the famous mosaic floor that depicts the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land with Jerusalem at the centre from the late 6th century. From here, we continue to Kerak, one of the largest crusader castles in the Levantine region, built in 1132 by Pagan the Butler, who made this fortress his headquarters. We then continue our journey to our main destination, Petra, where we can settle in the hotel.

A full day exploring Petra on foot is ours to savour, beginning with a walk through the stunning siq into the site. The Nabateans, though essentially a desert people, developed a sophisticated water technology – remains of which we will see here. Continuing, we take in some of the ancient city’s most renowned and significant features such as Al Khazneh,

“The Treasury”, the theatre, the great Temple and Qasr al Bint, and the “street of façades”. After breaking for an independent lunch, we reconvene for further exploration, which includes a climb to the famous “Monastery”.

We re-enter Petra again this morning, but this time at your own pace to explore the Royal tombs or the Byzantine churches, or to climb to the high place of sacrifice. After an independent lunch, explore further and visit Petra Museum.

Following our in-depth exploration of Petra, today’s excursion will be to a site known as Little Petra, also known as Siq al-Barid, probably a business district. Likewise, we will see building façades carved into the rock. A highlight here is the Painted House – recently restored – and Symposium rooms. This afternoon is free for us to spend at leisure. Continue with solo explorations of Petra, or join an optional 4x4 excursion to Wadi Rum – Valley of the Moon – to marvel at the incredible rock formations and petroglyphs.

After checking out of our hotel in Petra, our journey back towards Amman begins. We head to Wadi Feinan for a Bedouin 4x4 excursion through the fascinating valley, which boasts remains from the early Neolithic to the Islamic period. Copper was the resource here – supplying King Solomon and later the Romans. After this adventure, we journey back to Amman for our final night.

This morning we make our way to the airport for our flights back home.

hotels & extras The Petra Palace Hotel Transfers included on arrival/departure Optional Extras: »» Half Board package

Guests at Siq al-Barid ‘Little Petra’

Medieval Crusaders Castle in Al Karak

essential istanbul

tour highlights »» Visit all of Istanbul’s major historical sites, including Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia »» Explore the Golden Horn waterfront area and pay a visit to a traditional spice market »» Enjoy a wonderful two-hour cruise along the Bosphorus Strait

dates & prices £795 | single supplement £350 13th - 18th March 8th - 13th May (+£100) 5th - 10th June (+£100) 9th - 14th October (+£100)

Experience excellent guidance through the sites, as well as top tips for where to spend your free time from our local expert. NEW TOUR

The Hagia Sophia

Istanbul is truly a transcontinental city – its European and Asian elements fuse with remarkable results. Following many incarnations – as the Greek colony, Byzantium; the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople; and Der Sadet, the Ottoman “gate to prosperity” – the city now boasts some of the most unusual and stunning architectural blends one can see in the modern world. Basing ourselves in the city’s historic heart, travel like locals to discover the real Istanbul thanks to the insightful knowledge of our local guide. As well as encountering highlights such as the astounding Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia, we also enjoy free time to discover the Istanbul we have been longing for – whether that means lounging in opulent Turkish baths, filling our noses with the scent of fresh spices, or revelling in the buzz of its celebrated nightlife.

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day by day

After settling in to our central hotel, we come together for a relaxed welcome this evening – an early opportunity to meet our local guide and fellow travellers.

Our discoveries begin with a visit to the late Roman Hippodrome, once the social and sporting centre of Constantinople. From here, we enjoy a short walk to the 6th-Century Basilica Cistern, an enormous underground construction with a capacity of 80,000 metres cubed. Its size and splendour are breathtaking. The same can be said for our next destination – the inimitable Hagia Sophia, former principal mosque of Istanbul and justifiably famed for both its huge dome and fine interiors. After breaking for an independent lunch at Divan Yolu – a vibrant thoroughfare teeming with eateries – two nearby museums are set to enthral us: the Mosaic Museum, with its in-situ Byzantine mosaics, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, a former palace filled with treasures.

We walk to Süleymaniye Mosque this morning, where we can admire its vast and striking mix of Byzantine and Islamic elements. From here, we continue to the

Spice Bazaar – a colourful and highly sensory experience within one of the city’s largest covered bazaars. Before pausing for lunch, there is also a chance to explore the regenerated Golden Horn waterfront area, stopping at the 16th-Century Rüstem Pasha Mosque as we go. Our treat for this afternoon is an enchanting cruise up the Bosphorus on a public ferry, a mode of transport cherished by the locals. Prepare for charming views and photo opportunities aplenty.

Following breakfast, we walk as a group to Hagia Eirene, one of the few Greek Orthodox Churches in the city that was not converted to a mosque. Eirene has undergone several restorations over the centuries due to fire and earthquake damage. We continue on to visit the splendid Topkapı Palace, a magnificent legacy of the Ottoman sultans. Highlights here include the Imperial Harem and an excellent collection of historic artefacts, which include weapons and clothing. Our afternoon is entirely free to spend however we wish – a chance to let off steam in a Turkish bath or enter the wonderful world of the Grand Bazaar, perhaps?

Today we cross the Golden Horn and enter Beyoğlu, or Pera, a district on the European side of Istanbul. Taking a nostalgic tram ride up the renowned “Grand Rue de Pera”, we stop at Taksim Square, the contemporary heart of Istanbul. On our gentle walk back down the pedestrianised road, we marvel at elegant arcades and 19th century buildings, stopping at the Museum of Innocence, a thought-provoking collection of Turkish objects from the 1970s and 80s. The museum is a creation of author Orhan Pamuk, and was inspired by one of his novels. This afternoon we enter Pera Museum, viewing brilliant collections that include Orientalist art and Ottoman tiles. Keep an eye out for the Pera Palace Hotel before leaving the area – it is a lavish former haunt of Agatha Christie, among others.

Enjoy your final morning in Istanbul. Perhaps choose to rise early and stroll through the centre one last time, or reward yourself with a long lie-in before checking out of the hotel and travelling home.

hotel & extras Eresin Crown Hotel Optional Extras: »» Half board package »» Transfer package

Combine with oue Insiders’ Istanbul tour, p26, for a full historical experience of this amazing city. Collection of Turkish ceramics on sale at the Grand Baazar

insiders’ istanbul

tour highlights »» Enjoy two unique guided walks along the city’s ancient walls »» Admire sites such as the Yedikule Fortress, the Galata Tower and the hilltop Mihrimah Sultan Mosque »» All sites accessible on foot or on diverse modes of public transport, including trams and funiculars

dates & prices £895 | single supplement £350 18th - 23rd March 13th - 18th May (+£100) 10th - 15th June (+£100) 14th - 19th October (+£100)

Delve deeper into Istanbul’s history with out expert guide and learn more about its residents from your local guide. NEW TOUR

Mosque of Selimiye

Get under the skin of Istanbul with this in-depth trip through its many diverse ages and civilisations. The remnants of the Byzantines, the power of the East Roman Empire, the mysticism of the Sufis and the treasures of the Orthodox Church – Istanbul is home to them all and more, with each element forming a highlight on our tour. Along with abundant opportunities to travel and dine like a local, this stimulating introduction includes two days following the perimeter of Constantinople’s ancient walls – mighty constructions that kept the city safe for 1,000 years. All the while, our local guide will be at your side to share the best of Istanbul’s stirring stories. We also have plenty of free time for more personal Turkish encounters, allowing us to delve into other parts of the city at our own pace.

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day by day

Our insider adventure begins this afternoon. After settling in to our city hotel, we come together for an informative introduction with our group and local guide. Following this, our time is free to enjoy Istanbul’s evening attractions – its fresh cuisine being a highlight.

This morning we discover the metro system, making our way to Kazlıçeşme in the European quarter. Here begins our first enjoyable walk near the Sea of Marmara, following the line of the city’s Theodosian Walls. Along the way, stop to admire sights such as the Yedikule Fortress, a former Ottoman stronghold, and the imposing Silivri Gate. In the afternoon, we visit the church of Zoodochos Pege, a sacred site for Greek Orthodox pilgrims. We also enter the Panorama 1453 Museum, an innovative 3D attraction that aims to bring the Ottoman conquest to life. A scenic tram ride takes us back to the area near our hotel.

By tram and funicular we visit Galata, a neighbourhood on the shores of the Golden Horn waterway. Here we find the Tower – a medieval Genoese construction with panoramic views across the city. Our next stop is the Whirling Dervish Lodge, a unique museum of Ottoman Sufism that tells all about the order and its ecstatic religious dances. To end the morning, we also stop at the Crimea Memorial Church, a building commissioned in honour of the British dead in Crimea. The rest of the day is free for us to spend however we wish: unwind in a Turkish bath, stroll through the glorious bustle of the Grand Bazaar, or perhaps tour the city’s Archaeological Museums, which house over 1 million artefacts between them.

We take the tram to Laleli and see the ruined ancient church of St Polyeuctus. Here we also find the historic complex of Faith Mosque and the former Byzantine Aspar cistern. The Imperial Mosque of Selimiye is our last morning stop. Later on, we visit Mary of the Mongols, the only Byzantine church of Constantinople not converted to a mosque, despite repeated efforts from the sultans. Our next stop is the Fener Patriarchate, headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox Church since 1586. We finish at St Stephen’s, a Bulgarian church famed for its cast iron features.

For our final full day in Istanbul, we return to the Theodosian Walls. Here, explorations of a different section lead us to the mighty Topkapı Gate, the hilltop Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, and the medieval Church of St. Saviour in Chora, where some of the city’s oldest and finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes can be seen. We break for an independent lunch in this historic area, then return to the city walls, where we view the façade of the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus, the city’s best-preserved Byzantine palace. We end the guided part of our day at the nearby Ottoman tombs.

Depending on your flight time, spend the morning as you wish – lie in, enjoy a last Turkish breakfast, or head out on a final stroll through the neighbourhood. We make our return journeys home in the early afternoon.

hotels & extras Eresin Crown Hotel Optional Extras: »» Room upgrade »» Half board package »» Transfer package

Combine with our Essential Istanbul tour, p24, for a full historical experience of this vibrant city.

Interior of the Faith Mosque

essential carthage

tour highlights »» E xplore the remains of Punic Carthage, including Byrsa Hill and the Salammbo Tophet »» Visit the Bardo Museum, home to one of the finest collections of mosaics in the world »» A full day exploring the exceptional UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dougga

dates & prices £499 | single supplement £100 11th - 16th January 8th - 13th March (+£100) 11th - 16th October (+£100) 13th - 18th December (+£100)

Led by an expert local guide, discover the hidden depths of Carthage and unearth the secrets only a local knows. View over the ancient remains of Carthage from Byrsa Hill

Carthage, the ancient foe of Rome, was once the master of the Western Mediterranean, until Rome conquered it during the Punic Wars, culminating in the flattening of the Phoenician city in 146 BC. Like a phoenix, Carthage rose from the ashes of destruction to become the second largest city in the Roman empire by the end of the 1st century AD, with a population of 500,000. Carthage, along with the rest of the province of Africa, became the breadbasket of Rome, bringing the region enormous wealth. We see the eerie remains of Punic housing, Tophet, the children’s cemetery. We will also explore the remains of Roman Carthage, including the Antonine Baths and La Malga Cisterns, as well as the amphitheatre, which saw the martyrdom of Saints Felicity and Perpetua.

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day by day

We arrive in Tunis and settle in to our hotel. Later we enjoy a relaxed evening stroll around the city’s historic centre, for a chance to get to know our local guide, group and surroundings.

After breakfast, our Carthaginian discoveries begin with a ride out to Byrsa Hill, traditionally where Carthage was founded. Though Byrsa was destroyed during the Third Punic War (circa 146 BC), traces of its residential quarter remain for us to explore together with the neighbouring Carthage Museum, which is home to collections that include exquisite Punic-era sarcophagi. We break for lunch, then head to the Salammbo Tophet, where children were buried, possibly after being sacrificed for the good of the city. A walk to the harbour and its ancient inner port rounds off this fascinating afternoon.

A real treat awaits us this morning, as we enjoy a guided tour of the Bardo National Museum. Housed in a sumptuous beylical palace, the Bardo houses one of the best collections of Roman mosaics in the world. We admire famous works of art from the height of the Roman Empire,

including the Virgil Mosaic and the Odysseus mosaic from Dougga, as well as paleochristian baptismal fonts. The afternoon is yours to explore the wonderful city of Tunis at your own pace. Wander through the historic souk or drink mint tea on the Boulevard Habib Bourguiba.

Today we explore Roman Carthage and witness the opulence accrued in the Roman period. We start with the Antonine Baths, which were one of the largest bath complexes in the whole of the Roman empire. We move on to explore a collection of Roman villas, where we marvel at some in situ mosaics. In the afternoon, we travel by coach to the amphitheatre and nearby La Malga Cisterns, which are among the largest and best preserved Roman cisterns in the world, holding approximately 50,000 cubic metres of water.

Prepare for a spectacular day in Dougga, hailed by UNESCO as ‘the best preserved example of an AfricoRoman town in North Africa’. Surrounded by countryside, and thought to have been founded in the 6th century BC by

Numidians, Dougga’s ruins are beautifully preserved and brimming with fine details, which – with the aid of your local guide - bring the ancient settlement to life. Don’t miss the nearly intact theatre and Capitolium, as well as the Licinian Baths and the Libyo-Punic tomb of Ateban, built to honour the Numidian elite in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC.

Depending on your return flight time, enjoy some free time to discover more of Tunis at your own pace.

hotel information Hotel Mouradi Africa, Tunis (January) Tunisia Palace, Tunis (All other dates) Optional Extras: »» Transfer package

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dougga

Earthenware and carpets in Tunisian market

essential cairo

tour highlights »» Visit the Great Pyramid – one of the ancient world wonders »» Tour Cairo’s Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, home to the largest collection of Egyptian artefacts »» Stand before the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara

dates & prices £649 | single supplement £175 14th - 19th April 17th - 22nd November (+£50)

Led by our expert and local Egyptologist, uncover the wonders of the sites in this incredible city.

The Great Sphinx and Pyramid of Giza

The area around Cairo, just before the Nile branches into many streams in the Nile Delta, bears some of the most fascinating sites of Pharaonic Egypt. On this six-day trip based in the heart of the capital, we will explore both its modern buzz and ancient glory by visiting the most important sites of this region. In Cairo, wander the halls of the Egyptian Museum, which houses the most fascinating Pharaonic artefacts worldwide – including the iconic golden mask of Tutankhamun. Later, on a walking tour, we explore the famous Saladin Citadel. On our excursions to Saqqara, Memphis, Dashur and Giza, our local guide will introduce you to the compelling history of the country, which has been carefully pieced back together by Egyptologists for over a hundred years.

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day by day

We arrive in bustling Cairo and transfer to our centrally located hotel for a night to unwind and adjust before the discoveries begin the next morning.

Our introduction to the capital of Egypt starts with an orientation walk around the city. This includes a visit to Cairo’s medieval Saladin Citadel with its great monuments. We also pay a visit to the fairly recently reopened Museum of Islamic Art, the largest specialised museum of its kind in the world. After an independent lunch, we gather again and tour the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, where we view its vast collection of various artefacts and set the background for the days of exploration to come. Following a guided tour, the rest of the afternoon will be spent at leisure. Browse further the galleries or venture back into the city to experience all it has to offer.

We journey out to Saqqara to see the vast necropolis to the Old Kingdom capital Memphis, started during the Early Dynastic period and used over thousands of years. Our guide will introduce us to the

Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Mastaba of Mereuka and the Pyramid of Unas. In the Imhotep Museum, the masterpieces of the area are on display for us to discover. In the afternoon, we visit the open-air museum of Memphis and view the ruins of the ancient city. On returning to Cairo, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or continue sightseeing at your own leisure.

This morning we make our way to the Royal necropolis of Dashur, south of Cairo. Here, we visit what are widely considered to be the oldest pyramids of Egypt, including the aptly named Bent Pyramid, built by Pharao Sneferu during the Old Kingdom. After lunch, we make our way to the Giza plateau, home to the last still standing official Wonder of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramid. We also visit the enigmatic Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum, where a preserved ship, discovered in 1954, can be observed. We end the day at the Great Pyramid of Khufu and wander its passageways into the Royal chambers and grand gallery.

Our last full day in Cairo starts at the Coptic Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Christian artefacts from Egypt, which display the influences of Pharaonic, Graeco-Roman and Islamic cultures on the Coptic. We then take in the sights, smells and sounds of the Khan el Khalili bazaar, a historic spot brimming with merchants and various goods. On breaking for lunch, the choice of what to do next is yours. Order a delicious Arabic coffee, barter for souvenirs or lose yourself in the splendours of the city.

This morning, we say our goodbyes to Cairo and begin our journey home.

hotel & extras Steigenberger El Tahrir Optional Extras: »» Half board package »» Room upgrade »» Transfer package

Entrance to the Egyptian Museum

Hypostyle Hall in Saqqara

essential luxor

tour highlights »» E xplore Luxor Temple with its famous avenue of sphinxes »» Discover the Valley of the Kings, resting place of royals and nobility for almost 500 years »» Wander around the ruins of Karnak Temple, the second largest religious site worldwide after Angkor Wat

dates & prices £599 | single supplement £150 18th - 24th February 8th - 14th April (+£50) 11th - 17th November (+£50)

NEW TOUR

Explore this fascinating city in the company of an expert local guide and gain top tips on the best places to enjoy a cup of coffee, or to simply relax and take in the sites.

Valley of the Kings

In Upper Egypt, this tour in Luxor and its surroundings will bring you to some of the most famous sites of the Land of the Pharaohs, accompanied by our local guide who will share unique insights into the fascinating world of Egyptology. Besides the world-famous temples of Luxor and Karnak, this trip includes an excursion to the legendary Valley of the Kings, where wellknown archaeologists have excavated since the end of the 18th century, unveiling the past of a country shrouded in mystery. Explore with us the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, built by the second known female Pharaoh to rule over this vast land, and travel to Abydos, one of the holiest sites of ancient Egypt, to wander the remarkable Temple of Seti I. 32

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day by day

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After landing in Luxor, make your way to our central hotel for a chance to settle in and unwind.

Howard Carter famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun after his painstaking years-long search.

The explorations begin this morning with a guided walk around the city’s East Bank, beside the River Nile. Before lunch, we pay a visit to Luxor Museum to marvel at finds from the tomb of Tutankhamun and come face to face with the mummies of two pharaohs, 18th dynasty’s Ahmose I and Ramesses I, founder of the 19th dynasty. This afternoon we reunite for a walk to Luxor Temple, a breathtaking complex guarded by huge statues of Rameses II. The rest of the day is free for us to explore at leisure.

Today we cross the river to visit the West Bank of the Nile. This trip will take us first to the Colossi of Memnon. These two 18-metre high statues originally guarded the entrance to the memorial temple of Amenhotep III, of which little else survived. We continue on to the impressive Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, skilfully restored to its former glory. The Punt Colonnade bears visual witness to her glorious trading expedition to the “land of the gods”. After lunch, we enter the Valley of the Kings, burial place of pharaohs and nobles during the New Kingdom. It was here that, in 1922,

We journey out to Abydos in the morning to visit one of ancient Egypt’s oldest cities, its origins going as far back as the Predynastic period. Resting place of the Pharaohs of the 1st dynasty, this site is most famous for its Temple of Seti I and the subterranean, megalithic Osireion. On returning to Luxor, the rest of our day is at leisure. Roam the bustling open-air market, or visit Luxor Temple after dark, when careful lighting adds an ethereal glow. This morning we return to the West Bank of the Nile and head out to Deir el Medina, the village of the workers who constructed and decorated the tombs in the nearby Valley of the Kings. Though substantially better off than the average, this settlement provides a compelling glimpse of the ancient working class. Next, we visit the Temple at Medinet Habu, dedicated to the glory of Remesses III, bearing reliefs relating to the Sea People. This afternoon we enter the Ramesseum, memorial temple of Ramesses the Great, which was identified by Champollion in 1829. Upon our return to Luxor in the late

afternoon, there will be some free time to spend as you wish. Our last day in Egypt begins at the vast temple complex at Karnak, begun during the Middle Kingdom and extended by many rulers of ancient Egypt over centuries. Here we will wander down the famous avenue of sphinxes and through the First Pylon to view the Hypostyle Hall with its massive 134 columns, as well as other elements of the sacred site dedicated to the Thebian triad of Amun-Re, Mut and Montu. The afternoon is free for a final opportunity to explore the city at your own pace and enjoy some of the local cuisine. After checking out of our hotel, the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.

hotel & extras Eatabe Hotel Optional Extras: »» Half board package »» Transfer package »» Room upgrade

Temples of Karnak

Painted reliefs at Medinet Habu Temple

private departures If you have a hankering to explore a particular region, wish to plan a trip for your group or society, or want to arrange a special celebration, we would be delighted to discuss a bespoke private tour. Every year, we organise unique tours, all over the world, tailored to groups of many shapes and sizes.

»» From a party of two to a celebration with fifty, we’ll find the hand-picked hotels that offer a perfect fit »» Access to expert guides to enhance your experience and for all or some of your travel »» Off the shelf itineraries or add on bespoke elements to your tours, tailor your trip to accommodate your needs

For more information on private departures contact us today

01722 569511 tours@andantetravels.co.uk

The city of Naples and Mount Vesuvius

archaeological tours

Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours

To find out more about any of our companies contact us today 01722 569511 | www.specialistjourneys.com

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