Andante Travels - 2027 Worldwide Collection - 1st Edition UK by Specialist Journeys

2027 Worldwide Collection

Expert-led archaeological & historical tours

Small Group Tours | Guided by experts

Welcome

Travel deeper into the past

For over 40 years, Andante, part of Specialist Journeys, has been has been creating journeys for those who want to understand the world, not simply see it.

Our tours are shaped by a belief that travel is at its most rewarding when it is informed, thoughtful and experienced with others who share your curiosity. From world-famous sites to places rarely visited, we explore the layers of history that have shaped the story of humanity – guided by experts who bridge the gap between the past and the present.

Whether standing in the shadow of iconic temples, tracing the rise and fall of empires or uncovering the context behind fascinating treasures in a museum, our aim is simple: to help you see more, understand more and return home with a deeper perspective.

Through expert storytelling, new discoveries and unique access, an Andante tour is as close to time travelling as you can get. Depart in 2027, but let us take you on a journey through millennia.

Get in touch with an expert

If you are interested in joining one of our tours and want to know more, please give our Specialist Travel Executives a call today. They are ready to help with all of your questions.

Thoughtfully designed, expertly led

Our customers have a genuine curiosity about the past and a desire to understand the stories, people and places that have shaped it. Travelling with Andante is deliberately informal and thoughtfully designed to feel collaborative rather than prescriptive. There is no hierarchy, no sense of being ushered from one stop to the next. Instead, you’ll find yourself among like minded people, exploring together at a natural pace, asking questions, exchanging ideas and sharing discoveries along the way.

This balance between expert guidance and relaxed exploration creates an easy, open atmosphere where conversation flows naturally. With groups of no more than 18 travellers, we can spend the right amount

of time at each site, explore more thoughtfully and access places often beyond the reach of larger groups – creating deeper insight and a more personal connection to each destination.

Travelling solo? Our tours are built with you in mind, shaped around community and connection, and so perfect for those travelling alone or in small groups exploring together. Each journey is thoughtfully designed to feel welcoming and inclusive, where shared experiences turn strangers into companions. What’s more, we offer double/twin rooms (for sole use) as standard, so you’ll enjoy a spacious area. As you look through, you’ll find over 200 no-single-supplement places, ready and waiting in this brochure.

Travel with greater flexibility

The freedom to extend your stay or fly from your local airport

Next year, we’re giving Andante guests even more choice: book your tour either with or without international flights. New for 2027 –our tour-only package offers greater flexibility to select the flight and local airport of your choice, and the opportunity to extend your stay before or after the tour. Simply meet your specialist Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at the hotel on day one. Alternatively, you can opt for our international flights-inclusive option. It’s travel, designed your way. On the tour pages, you’ll see prices for both options:

Tour only For greater freedom and flexibility

With flights International flights organised by Andante

Where can we take you?

For 2027 we have organised our journeys chronologically - inviting you to travel not just across the world, but through time itself.

Holiday styles to suit you

are

in a range of travel styles, each thoughtfully designed around different paces, levels of flexibility and ways of travelling.

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Reasons to book with Andante

Every Andante tour is meticulously designed, combining academic insight with real-world experience to create journeys that are both enriching and deeply rewarding

The Andante Difference

Expertly led, thoughtfully designed

Every Andante journey is shaped by specialists with a deep knowledge of the history, archaeology and cultures we explore. Carefully paced itineraries, small groups and expert Guide Lecturers create experiences that offer genuine insight and a deeper connection to each destination.

Book early with confidence

Our prices are designed to reward those who plan ahead, with many tours offering the best value when booked early. You can be confident that once you’ve booked no additional surcharges will be added.

Complete financial protection

All Andante holidays are fully financially protected through ATOL or ABTOT, giving you complete peace of mind from the moment you book.

Here's what to expect from an Andante tour...

Travel with the best

Our Guide Lecturers are specialists in archaeology, Egyptology and history. With 40+ years’ experience, we know who to lead you and where true insight, and stories lie.

Small groups

With a maximum group size of 18, you'll go where bigger groups can't and there is time and space to ask questions and explore without compromise.

Designed for deeper discovery

Unhurried journeys. Behind-the-scenes access. Meaningful conversations. Every journey is a story well-told.

Seamless, truly personal travel

From perfectly located hotels to getting around on tour – your transport, meals, gratuities and wine with dinner on most tours are taken care of. With dedicated support throughout you can focus entirely on your experience.

A pace & level of activity that suits you

best

All Andante tours involve a degree of walking, often on uneven terrain, inclines and steps. We travel at a measured pace, with time to pause and reflect, but a reasonable level of mobility is important to enjoy the experience in full.

Physical demands vary between tours, from relaxed museum visits to more challenging historic sites and landscapes. To help you choose, each tour is graded according to activity level to ensure you select the journey that best suits your preferences and comfort.

Level 1 | Easy

Suitable for most people in good health, with walking on well-maintained paths at low altitude. Expect some inclines, steps and shorter travel distances.

Level 2 | Moderate

Suitable for those with a reasonable level of fitness, including walking on varied terrain with some steep inclines and potentially longer days.

Level 3 | Active

Suitable for those with a good level of fitness, with walks potentially involving difficult terrain, high altitudes and long days.

Guided by those who know it best

At

the heart of every Andante journey is your expert Guide Lecturer

A travelling companion who not only understands the subject in depth but knows how to bring it vividly to life. Through their knowledge, the past becomes something tangible: a story that unfolds around you rather than something confined to a page. They are there throughout your journey, to explain, discuss, answer questions and often to share perspectives that go beyond the expected.

It is this level of insight that transforms a visit into an experience and a place into a fascinating story. You’ll also be accompanied by a Tour Manager to make sure everything is taken care of and often a Local Specialised Guide too.

Dr Jamie Sewell

Dr Jamie Sewell has fifteen years’ experience supervising excavations in Britain, Germany, Romania and Italy, including Pompeii. He has authored books and articles on the archaeology of towns in Hellenistic Italy and in the broader Mediterranean region. His ongoing research is focussed on how and why larger settlements in Italy transformed as a result of the Roman conquest of the peninsula. Jamie has lectured at Durham University in the UK, Humboldt University in Berlin, and has more than a decade’s worth of experience working as a guide.

John Shepherd

A specialist in the study of ancient glass, John has worked extensively in the field in Europe as an archaeologist, including France, Italy and Bulgaria. Much of John's career has been focused upon Roman provincial archaeology, working at the Museum of London for over 20 years. He published Professor W F Grimes's post war excavations on the London Temple of Mithras and the Cripplegate Roman Fort and also established the Museum's Archaeological Archive and Research Centre. He left the Museum in 2004 to work more closely with developing the use of museum archaeological collections in universities and schools, as well as teaching at the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institute on various aspects of European archaeology.

Dr Eireann Marshall

Dr Eireann Marshall is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She has published a number of articles on Ancient North Africa, and co-edited volumes on Death and Disease in the Ancient City and Women’s influence on Classical Civilisation. Eireann has celebrated reaching 30 years leading tours for Andante, something we are very proud of, and is bilingual in English and Italian.

The archaeological world is waiting New tours for 2027

2025 saw the first pharaonic tomb discovered since Tutankhamun's – in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. A Dionysian frieze was unearthed at Pompeii. A Neolithic amphitheatre emerged at Karahantepe in southern Türkiye. The ancient world has never felt more alive – and our 2027 programme places you at the heart of it. Our new tours are thoughtfully planned to make the most of recent archaeological discoveries, allowing you to be among the first to visit these sites.

Alongside our returning favourites, we are pleased to present a selection of brand-new journeys. Whether your interests lie in Portuguese rock art, awe-inspiring gems of Bohemia, the glory days of the Roman Empire (and its crumbling downfall) or Neolithic sites on sun-soaked islands, these new tours set out to capture the imagination – providing the context in which fascinating treasures sit and why they matter. Those seeking far-flung adventure won’t be disappointed with our Japanese and Chilean offerings, while there are several tours with a Roman and Egyptian focus in celebration of the enduring legacies of these great civilisations. Here is a focus on just some of our new tours for 2027. You will find all our new tours on pages 12 to 27.

Milan & Pavia

Mighty Milan was, for a crucial century, the true seat of imperial power, the place where emperors chose to govern, build and ultimately be buried, as the eternal city itself became too distant to hold the reins of a crumbling world. On this tour, we trace the extraordinary legacy of that late imperial moment and continue the story in Pavia, once the seat of a Germanic dynasty that had swept away the last vestiges of Roman rule in the north. See page 14 for more details.

In the news

Archaeologists recently uncovered a 2,000-year-old Roman funerary monument near the Appian Way, reanimating debate over elite identity in late imperial culture – precisely the world this tour inhabits.

Turkey: From the Black Sea to Mesopotamia

This off-the-beaten- track exploration takes us from the Black Sea coast deep into the Armenian Highlands, crossing high mountain passes and following stretches of the ancient Silk Road. Eastern Turkey receives a fraction of the attention lavished on the classical sites of the Aegean coast, yet its historical significance is just as important. For those with a serious interest in history, architecture and the layered complexity of human civilisation, it offers an experience that is, quite simply, without parallel. See page 16 for more details.

In the news

A 10,000-year-old Epipaleolithic site was announced in southeastern Türkiye in 2026, offering fresh evidence of the deep human story this tour traces across two coasts and a river valley.

Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs

In a country where adjectives are insufficient to describe its monuments and experiences, there is no substitute for witnessing the glittering treasures of Tutankhamun's tomb, the quiet intrigue of the hypostyle hall at Karnak, the beautiful setting of the Temple of Isis at Philae or standing over-awed at the feet of the colossal statues of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel first-hand. This epic tour encompasses all of these iconic sites, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum and so much more. See page 20 for more details.

In the news

The tomb of Thutmose II – the first royal tomb discovered at the Valley of the Kings since Tutankhamun's in 1922 – was announced in 2025. Egypt's royal story is being rewritten in real time. In the news

Essential Pompeii

Because of Andante’s longstanding relationships, we are able to provide access and a depth of knowledge that no other operator can. We have been taking guests to Pompeii for decades, yet there is arguably no better time to visit than now – thanks to its new discoveries and recently opened sites. This tour sets out to explore that fascinating world in depth and in context, providing expert guidance with a well-thought-out itinerary which includes free afternoons for independent exploration. See page 26 for more details.

In the news

A spectacular Dionysian frieze – depicting secret mystery cult rituals – was revealed in 2025, underscoring that Pompeii still yields major discoveries. Excavations continue to surprise even the most seasoned scholars.

Bohemian Treasures of the Czech Republic

The lands of Bohemia have always occupied an ambiguous and fertile position in European history, neither quite Western nor Eastern, neither Germanic nor Slavic, yet profoundly shaped by all of these worlds. Our journey moves through this landscape, beginning in Prague, travelling south and east into Moravia to Telč and finally descending into Southern Bohemia and Český Krumlov, a town coiled within a great bend of the Vltava.

TOUR

Explore Kutná Hora, a medieval silver-mining capital crowned by one of Central Europe's great Gothic cathedrals

Discover Telč and its fine Renaissance market square, a revelation to even seasoned travellers

Admire the extraordinary baroque theatre at Český Krumlov, with its original sets and stage machinery intact

Day One | UK - Prague

Arrive into Prague and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Prague

We begin at St Nicholas Church, the supreme achievement of Bohemian baroque, and the nearby Carmelite Church of Our Lady Victorious. Next, we visit Strahov Monastery and Loreta, the exquisite pilgrimage complex. This afternoon, we explore Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and The Old Royal Palace. We also see the Basilica of St George, one of the oldest surviving churches in Bohemia.

Day Three | Prague Old Town

Today, we explore the Old Town below the castle. We move into the Jewish Quarter and then to Wenceslas Square and the National Museum

Day Four | Prague - Kutná Hora - Telč

We leave Prague this morning and drive southeast to Kutná Hora. Here we visit St Barbara's Cathedral, one of the masterpieces of Central European Gothic. We then visit the Sedlec Ossuary, a small, quietly extraordinary chapel on the town's edge

Day Five | Telč

In the morning, we visit Telč Castle, which preserves some of the finest Renaissance interiors in Central

Europe. We then explore the town itself, starting at the Church of St John the Baptist, before we descend into Underground Telč

Day Six | Telč - Slavonice -Třeboň - Český Krumlov

This morning, we drive to Slavonice at the very edge of what was once the Bohemian-Austrian frontier, before we explore the ruins of Landštejn Castle We pause at Třeboň, a handsome spa town set among an extraordinary network of medieval fishponds.

Day Seven | Český Krumlov

We explore Český Krumlov Castle this morning, a rambling accumulation of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture that charts the ambitions of the great Bohemian noble families who held it across the centuries. The Church of St Vitus completes our morning in the upper town. This afternoon is left free to explore at leisure.

Day Eight | Český Krumlov - HolašovicePrague - UK

We start our journey home this morning, stopping en route at Holašovice. After lunch, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Tom Abbott

An art and architecture historian whose expertise is wide ranging, from the Baroque and Rococo, to modern and contemporary.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at Prague, 2 nights at Telč & 2 nights at Český Krumlov

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

2 - 9 Jun Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £3,710 £530 WITH FLIGHTS £3,990 £530

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

The Glory of Aquileia

At the head of the Adriatic, where the rivers of the Alps fan out across a wide plain and drain into lagoon and sea, lies one of the most richly layered landscapes in all of Italy. From our base in the lagoon town of Grado, join us as we explore Aquileia, once one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire, and make daily forays into the Fruili-Venezia Giulia region beyond.

Discover the Tempietto Longobardo with its rare, expressive 8th-century frescoes

Admire the great mosaic floor of Aquileia Basilica, which extends across 750m in an extraordinary blaze of imagery

Walk the ancient quayside of the porto fluviale, where Baltic amber and Eastern silks once changed hands

View the Tiepolo in Udine, a reminder of the long artistic flowering that this exceptional region helped to inspire

Day One | UK - Venice

Arrive into Venice and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Aquileia

We begin with the Basilica, one of the most important early Christian monuments in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, we see the Domus of Titus Macro, its rooms preserving traces of the painted decoration and domestic life that lay behind the public grandeur. After lunch, we explore the National Archaeological Museum, which holds some of the finest Roman material in northern Italy.

Day Three | Cividale del Friuli

We travel to Cividale del Friuli today, the former capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy. We visit the Tempietto Longobardo, a small 8th-century oratory, whose stucco figures of female saints represent the high point of Lombard sculptural achievement. Next, we see the Christian Museum and the Baptistery of Callisto, whose columns and carved elements evoke the world of the very first Christian communities in Friuli. In the afternoon, we visit the Archaeological Museum of Cividale

Day Four | Grado & Concordia Sagittaria

This morning, we explore Grado's early Christian monuments: the Cathedral of Sant'Eufemia and the nearby Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. We then drive west along the Adriatic coastal plain to Portogruaro, where we visit the Museo Nazionale Concordiese. Here we view material excavated from the ancient Roman town of Concordia Sagittaria before driving the distance to Concordia Sagittaria itself.

Day Five | Udine

Our final full day takes us to Udine, the historic capital of Friuli. We explore the Old Town and the Castello, the medieval and Renaissance castle that crowns Udine's central hill. Within its walls, the Civic Museums house one of the finest collections in the region. After lunch, we visit Udine Cathedral, a Gothic and Baroque building of considerable grandeur.

Day Six | Grado - Venice - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Eireann Marshall

Dr Eireann Marshall is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She has published a number of articles on Ancient North Africa and has co-edited multiple volumes.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 5 nights in Grado Culinary inclusions

• 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

31 Mar - 5 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £2 ,720 £330 £0 WITH FLIGHTS £2 ,890 £330 £0

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

Milan & Pavia

The end of the Empire

Known to the ancient world as Mediolanum, the great northern city of Milan was, for a crucial century, the true seat of imperial power, the place where emperors chose to govern, build and ultimately be buried, as the eternal city itself became too distant and too vulnerable to hold the reins of a crumbling world. Yet the story does not belong to Milan alone. For nearly two hundred years, Pavia served as the capital of the Lombard kingdom, the seat of a Germanic dynasty that had swept away the last vestiges of Roman rule in the north.

View one of the earliest and most beautiful mosaic ceilings in northern Italy at the Sacello di San Vittore

Explore the Certosa di Pavia, a vast and dazzling Carthusian 13th-century monastery

Discover Roman Milan, from the columns of San Lorenzo to the remains of Maximian's imperial palace

Admire the collaboration between artist and painter in the colourful Renaissance frescoes at the Portinari Chapel

Day One | UK - Milan

Arrive into Milan and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Milan

Our first site visit today is to the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, rebuilt in its present magnificent Romanesque form in the 11th century and attached is the Sacello di San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro. We see the Pusterla di Sant'Ambrogio before arriving at the Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore, one of Milan's most remarkable buildings, along with the Colonne di San Lorenzo. Within the basilica, the Cappella di Sant'Aquilino preserves breathtaking 4th-century mosaics. After lunch, the afternoon is devoted to the Castello Sforzesco

Day Three | Milan

This morning, we visit Sant'Eustorgio, an ancient basilica whose origins reach back to the 4th century. Its Portinari Chapel is a Renaissance jewel. Next, we visit the Archaeological Museum, the Roman Circus and the visible remains of the Palace of Maximian. After lunch, the afternoon offers a change of register with a visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan's great civic art gallery.

Day Four | Milan

Today begins at the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, a beautiful late 15th-century Dominican church. Adjoining the church, in what was once the monastery's refectory, Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is displayed. Our last site visit of the morning is the Chiesa di San Simpliciano. This afternoon, we explore the tiny Chiesa di Santa Maria Presso San Satiro and the Duomo di Milano and visit both the Duomo Museum and the Archaeological Area beneath the piazza. The day concludes with a stroll through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and a view of the Teatro alla Scala

Day Five | Pavia

This morning, we travel south to Pavia, ancient capital of the Lombard kingdom. Our morning is devoted to the Certosa di Pavia before we continue to the Chiesa di San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro and then visit Castello Visconteo. The day ends at the Basilica di San Michele Maggiore, where Frederick Barbarossa was crowned King of Italy in 1155.

Day Six | Milan - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Eireann Marshall

Dr Eireann Marshall is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She has published a number of articles on Ancient North Africa and has co-edited multiple volumes.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 5 nights in Milan

Culinary inclusions

• 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

19 - 24 May Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £4,710 £925 WITH FLIGHTS £4,990 £925

27 Sep - 2 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY £4,710 £925 WITH FLIGHTS £4,990 £925

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

Image: Basilica of San Lorenzo

RelaxedLYCIA

Jewel of the Turquoise Coast

Tucked into the southwestern corner of Turkey, where the Taurus Mountains tumble down to meet the impossibly blue waters of the Mediterranean, lies ancient Lycia. Based in the charming harbour town of Kaș, this tour is for those who like relaxed exploration, where ancient theatres frame views of the sea, where you might have a site almost to yourself and where the journey between ruins is as pleasurable as the ruins themselves.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Xanthos and Letoon, ancient capital of the Lycian League and its federal sanctuary

Discover the hilltop city of Arykanda, where an exceptional ensemble of civic monuments cling to a series of steep natural terraces

Travel by boat to the partially submerged ruins of Teimussa, where Lycian sarcophagi stand halfdrowned at the water's edge

Day One | UK - Kaş

Arrive into Dalaman and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Xanthos & Patara

Our first site visit of the morning is to Xanthos, a major centre for culture and commerce for the ancient Lycians, referenced in Homer’s Iliad. The site shares UNESCO World Heritage status with nearby Letoon, which we visit next. Next, we see ancient Pydnai and Patara, situated at the end of a beautiful 12km-long beach.

Day Three | Dereağız & Arykanda

We begin the day with a visit to Dereağız Church, a Byzantine structure that serves as a reminder of Lycia's considerable importance in the early Christian period. From here, we continue to Arykanda, our principal destination of the day. This is an unusual site, remote from the coast and terraced across a series of steep natural platforms on the southern slopes of the Akdağ range.

Day Four | Tlos & Pinara

Today we visit two of the most ancient and visually compelling cities of the Lycian League, starting with Tlos, one of the oldest continuously inhabited

settlements in the region. In the afternoon, we visit Pinara, an enormous circular rock pinnacle honeycombed with hundreds of rock-cut shaft tombs, which dominate the site.

Day Five | Kaş

A free day to enjoy at your own leisure | explore Kaş itself, visit the small museum, browse the market or simply sit with a glass of çay watching the boats in the harbour.

Day Six | Myra

This morning, we visit Myra, a site dominated by two outstanding ensembles | a large and wellpreserved Roman theatre of the 2nd century AD and an extensive cliff-face necropolis of Lycian rock-cut tombs. Next, we descend to the ancient harbour of Andriake, where a granary constructed under Hadrian in the early 2nd century AD survives to an exceptional height and completeness. In the afternoon, we drive to Üçagiz, ancient Teimussa, a small Lycian and Hellenistic site, then continue to the island settlement of Simena

Day Seven | Kaş - UK Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Terry Richardson

Terry Richardson has a university background in Ancient History and Classical Civilisation. He first travelled to Turkey as an undergraduate in 1977 and has been back countless times since. He also lived in southwest Turkey for some 13 years.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 6 nights in Kaş

Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

12 - 18 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY £4,090 £385 £0 WITH FLIGHTS £4,390 £385 £0

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

Turkey: From the Black Sea to Mesopotamia

A journey through the Highlands of Eastern Turkey

Join us on an exceptionally beautiful journey into a part of Turkey seldom penetrated by mainstream tourism. Our exploration takes us from the Black Sea coast deep into the Armenian Highlands, crossing high mountain passes and following stretches of the ancient Silk Road. This is not an easy region to visit, and that is part of its reward. Eastern Turkey receives a fraction of the attention lavished on the classical sites of the Aegean coast, yet its historical significance is just as important. For those with a serious interest in history, architecture and the layered complexity of human civilisation, it offers an experience that is, quite simply, without parallel.

Explore the remote kingdom of Urartu and the ruined medieval Armenian city of Ani

Discover the Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery, built into the side of a sheer cliff in a remote mountain valley

Admire spectacular scenery – a tour to this part of the world is picturesque and surprising in equal parts

Day One | UK - Trabzon

Arrive into Mardin and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Trabzon & Pontic Alps

Today, we explore Trabzon, one of the most historically layered cities on the Black Sea coast, founded by Greek colonists around the 8th century BCE. From Trabzon, we climb into the Pontic Alps to visit the cliff-hugging Sumela Monastery

Day Three | Trabzon - Erzurum

This morning, we travel inland, crossing the dramatic Zigana Pass and following the old Silk Road to Erzurum, the highest city in the country. We visit the commanding Çifte Minare Medrese, whose twin minarets of intricately worked brick have defined the city's skyline since the 13th century, and admire the glazed tilework of Yakutiye Medrese. We also see the Ulu Cami, the great Friday Mosque.

Day Four | Erzurum - Kars

We continue our journey, heading south to Kars, which takes us through some of the most remote and elemental landscapes in the country, where rivers have spent millennia carving deep gorges through the volcanic highlands.

Day Five | Kars - Ani - Doğubayazıt

This morning, we head to the medieval ‘ghost’ town of Ani and spend time among its extraordinary remains and admire the frescoes within the Church of St Gregory the Illuminator. In the afternoon, we continue through rugged mountains and over the flank of Mount Ararat to Doğubayazıt.

Day Six | Doğubayazıt - Van

We drive over the nearly 10,000 feet high Tendurek Pass, past frozen lava flows, and get our first tantalising glimpses of Lake Van, a startlingly blue

Image: Sumela Monastery

high-altitude lake seven times larger than Lake Geneva. This afternoon, we visit the Archaeological Museum in Van.

Day Seven | Hosap, Çavuştepe & Van

This morning, we drive south into the heart of the mountains to visit the fairytale fortress of Hoşap, which was built by a Kurdish chieftain in the 17th century, and then continue to Çavuştepe. Later, we explore the mighty Rock of Van

Day Eight | Van - Akdamar - Tatvan

We depart Van for Tatvan this morning, following the beautiful southern shores of Lake Van. On the way, we make a diversion to the offshore island of Akdamar, which is reached by a short 20-minute boat ride. Later, we return to the mainland and visit Nemrut Dağı

Day Nine | Por - Bitlis - Diyarbakır

Travelling south this morning, our first stop is at the village of Por before we continue to Bitlis, which was for centuries a significant stop on the caravan routes linking Persia and the Arab world with Anatolia. After lunch, we continue west to Diyarbakır.

Day Ten | Diyarbakır - Mardin

We begin the day with an exploration of Diyarbakır, the great city on the Tigris and the

historic heart of Kurdish culture in Turkey. We see the Ulu Cami, converted from a Byzantine church in the late 11th century and the multi-arched Dicle bridge.

Day Eleven | Deir az-Zaferan & Mardin

This morning, we visit the monastery of Deir az-Zaferan. Founded in the 5th century on the site of a much older pagan sanctuary, it served for over a millennium as the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate and retains a living monastic community to this day. We return to Mardin in the afternoon to explore the city itself, its honeycoloured stone arcades, Artukid-era mosques and madrasas and its ancient Syriac Christian churches

Day Twelve | Tor Abdin

Today, we explore the Tor Abdin, a limestone plateau southeast of Mardin that has been continuously inhabited by Christian communities for millennia. This region preserves a remarkable concentration of early churches and monasteries, whose architecture, liturgy and language (a form of Aramaic) connect the present directly to the very origins of Christianity.

Day Thirteen | Mardin - Istanbul - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Terry Richardson

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at Trabzon, 1 night at Erzurum, 1 night at Kars, 1 night at Doğubayazıt, 2 nights at Van, 1 night at Tatvan, 1 night at Diyarbakır & 3 nights at Mardin

Culinary inclusions

• 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 12 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

27 Sep - 9 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

Image: Lake Van

RelaxedRHODES

Explore the island's extraordinary succession of civilisations

Poised at the southeastern edge of the Aegean, where Greek, Anatolian and Levantine worlds have long converged, the sun-warmed island of Rhodes has been a stage for some of antiquity's most compelling dramas. Over six nights, we move thoughtfully through the island's extraordinary succession of civilisations, exploring what each layer reveals about the people who shaped this place and the wider ancient world they inhabited.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Admire the fabulous collection of statuary at Rhodes Archaeological Museum

Soak up the stunning views at Lindos, stretching across the Aegean towards the Anatolian coast

Discover ancient Kameiros with its visible street plan of an entire Hellenistic and Roman city, terraced into a quiet hillside

Day One | UK - Rhodes

Arrive into Rhodes and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Rhodes

We begin with a walking tour of the old city of Rhodes and a visit to the Archaeological Museum, housed in the magnificent 15th-century Hospital of the Knights and featuring collections from the Geometric period through the classical and Hellenistic ages. After lunch, we visit the Palace of the Grand Masters, the administrative centre of the Order of the Knights of St John.

Day Three | Lindos, Apollona & Phountoukli

This morning, we drive to Lindos, with its acropolis among the most dramatically sited sanctuaries in the entire Greek world. The stunning views from the top are worth the 250 steps to reach it and here we see Temple of Athena lodged within the runs of a medieval castle. Next, we travel inland to the village of Apollona and visit its small medieval church, and after lunch, visit the 15th-century church of Saint Nikolas at Phountoukli

Day Four | Rhodes

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. The narrow lanes of the old city repay a second look and the modern

town has good bookshops and markets. Those drawn to the sea can find appealing beaches within easy reach or there's the option to take a ferry trip to nearby Simi.

Day Five | Kameiros & Kalavrada

We drive west and south today, passing olive groves and limestone hills to Ancient Kameiros. This was one of the three ancient Rhodian city-states and the terraced hillside preserves the layout of a working Hellenistic and Roman city, with a colonnaded stoa above and below. After lunch, we take a short drive to the Bee Museum, learning about Rhodes’ long beekeeping tradition.

Day Six | Rhodes & Ialyssos

This morning, we visit the acropolis of ancient Rhodes, founded by Hippodamus of Miletus and one of the most admired cities of the Hellenistic age. We continue to Ialyssos, the third of the ancient Rhodian city-states with Mycenaean remains. The afternoon is free for a last wander in the old city, a return to the museum or simply for sitting in the sun with a glass of local wine.

Day Seven | Rhodes - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Rita Roussos

Dr Rita Roussos is a native Athenian, who grew up in California, and taught archaeology and art history at the American University of Athens. Her undergraduate degree is in Classical Languages from the University of California, Berkeley.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 6 nights in Rhodes

Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

5 - 11 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £3,100 £365 WITH FLIGHTS £3,490 £365

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

RelaxedKALAMATA

Exploring the southern Peloponnese

8 DAYS FROM £3,570pp

Tucked into the southwestern folds of the Peloponnese, the region of Messenia rewards those who seek it out with a richness of history that few parts of Greece can match. With relaxed pacing and time to soak up the rhythms of modern Greek life, this tour offers a richly layered introduction to a lesser-visited corner of the Peloponnese. Combining archaeological insight, literary connections and striking coastal landscapes, it promises an immersive and deeply rewarding experience for travellers eager to explore Greece beyond the familiar.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Admire the splendid Mycenaean Palace belonging to Nestor, the wise King described by Homer

Explore Messene, one of the most complete and legible Hellenistic cities anywhere in the Greek world

Discover the untamed, rugged landscape and fierce, independent history of the Mani

Visit the magnificent Venetian sea fortress at Methoni and a key piece in Venice's network of maritime fortifications

Day One | UK - Kalamata

Arrive into Kalamata and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Kalamata

We begin with Messenia Archaeological Museum, an indispensable introduction to the region's rich archaeological record, followed by Kalamata Castle, the Byzantine and Frankish fortification that occupies a commanding hillside position. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, offering an opportunity to explore Kalamata's Old Town, its covered market and to sample the celebrated olive oil and Kalamata olives.

Day Three | The Mani

This morning, we enjoy the scenic drive south along the coast of the Messenian Gulf to Kardamyli, one of the principal settlements of the Exo Mani. Here we discover the house of Patrick Leigh Fermor and his wife Joan, built on a rocky promontory above a secluded bay to the south of the village. Next, we make our way to the Mourtzinos Tower, a fine example of the Maniot tower house tradition. We enjoy lunch at a local taverna before returning to Kalamata in the late afternoon.

Day Four | Messene

We drive to ancient Messene. Founded by Epaminondas in 369 BCE, the remains visible today

include substantial sections of the city's defensive circuit, monumental gateways and a sophisticated system of posterns and sally ports. We also visit the excellent on-site Messene Museum

Day Five | Kalamata

Today is entirely at your own disposal, offering an opportunity to revisit sites seen earlier in the tour, explore aspects of Kalamata and its surroundings or simply to rest and reflect.

Day Six | Palace of Nestor

& Methoni

This morning, we drive west to visit the Palace of Nestor, the best-preserved Mycenaean palace on the Greek mainland and one of the most significant Bronze Age sites in the Aegean world. In the afternoon, we drive to the coastal town of Methoni to visit its magnificent Venetian fortress.

Day Seven | Sparta & Mystras

Today we visit the late Byzantine city of Mystras Churches, monasteries and houses line the winding streets, and the summit is topped by an impregnable fortress. After lunch, we continue south to nearby Sparta, featuring a whole host of remains.

Day Eight | Kalamata - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Rita Roussos

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights in Kalamata Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

25 May - 1 Jun Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY £3,570 £7 75 WITH FLIGHTS £3,890 £7 75

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

Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs

From the Delta to the first Cataract

Howard Carter’s description of his first sight into Tutankhamun tomb is also a fitting description of Andante’s exploration of the archaeology of this amazing country. Egypt is indeed a land of ‘wonderful things’, a country where adjectives are insufficient to describe the monuments and experiences which are not to be found anywhere else in the world. This epic tour encompasses all of these iconic sites and so much more, as we take a journey of a lifetime through Upper and Lower Egypt, travelling through the millennia.

View extraordinary artefacts at the long-awaited and much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza

Discover the abandoned capital of the 'heretic' pharaoh Akhenaten, built around 1346 BCE

Explore the Temple of Abydos and the atmospheric subterranean Osireion

Visit Medinet Habu, arguably the best-preserved mortuary temple in Egypt

Day One | UK - Cairo

Arrive into Cairo and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel. Day Two | Saqqara

We dedicate today to one of the sprawling necropolis of Saqqara, discovering the 3rd Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser’s distinctive Step Pyramid complex and the Pyramid of Unas as well as the Imhotep Museum. After lunch, we return to our hotel.

Image: Pyramids in Giza

Day Three | Giza

This morning, we visit the best preserved of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), also discovering the Pyramids of Khafre as well as the enigmatic Sphinx. In the afternoon, we visit the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, bursting with treasures.

Day Four | Cairo - Beni Hassan - Minya

We set off early for Beni Hassan, breathtaking rock-cut tombs with fabulous views. We overnight in Minya, now a small city mostly overlooked by tourists but once a powerful regional capital within Egypt.

Day Five | Tell El-Amarna

Today we visit Tell el-Amarna, where we visit the tombs of important priests Meryre and Panehesy as well as the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, Nefertiti’s Palace and the Temple of Aten.

Day Six | Minya - Tuna El-Gebel - Abydos

Our day starts at the rich archaeological site of Tuna el-Gebel, which functioned as the necropolis for the ancient town of Khemnu/ Hermopolis. In the afternoon, we continue our drive south to Abydos.

Day Seven | Abydos - Dendera - Luxor

This morning, we visit Abydos, the burial place of Osiris, where our main focus is the important cult Temple of Seti I. After a picnic lunch, we continue to Dendera, the burial site of sacred animals.

Day

Eight | West Bank

Our first stop on the west bank is the famous Colossi of Memnon, followed by the Valley of the Kings. We enter a selection of tombs, including the elaborately decorated Tomb of Seti I, before spending our afternoon at the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri

Day

Nine | East Bank

Our first site visit of the day is to Karnak, where we explore the largest temple complex in Egypt. After lunch, we visit Luxor Museum, where we see a masterfully arranged collection of archaeological artefacts and celebrated works of art.

Day Ten | West Bank

Medinet Habu awaits, arguably the best-preserved temple of the New Kingdom, the Ramesseum and Deir el-Medina – here we come closest to the daily lives of a group of individuals living in ancient Egypt. Later, we embark our Nile cruise boat.

Day Eleven | Luxor - Edfu

Before we set sail today, we visit Luxor Temple, linked to the Karnak complex by an avenue of sphinxes. After lunch on board, we start our journey to Aswan, sailing up the Nile towards Edfu.

Day Twelve | Edfu - Kom Ombo – Aswan

Today we discover the temples of the gods of Upper Egypt, starting with the Temple of Horus at Edfu, followed by the Temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder at Kom Ombo and the site’s Crocodile Museum.

Day Thirteen | Aswan

We spend the day in Aswan, visiting the Ptolemaic Temple of Isis, a labyrinthine complex of chapels and shrines. After a stop at the High Dam, we continue to the Quarries at Aswan, see the Unfinished Obelisk, and later visit Elephantine Island

Day Fourteen | Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan

Today we disembark from our Nile cruise and fly from Aswan to the world-renowned Nubian site at Abu Simbel, two massive rock temples of Ramesses II and his favourite queen, Nefertari. Later today, we fly back to Cairo.

Lucia Gahlin

Lucia Gahlin is an Egyptologist based in the UK. She is an Honorary Research Associate at University College London’s Institute of Archaeology, lectures widely and gives guided tours of museums with Egyptian collections.

Day Fifteen | Cairo - UK

Before returning to London, we visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, which displays the richness of Egyptian civilisation throughout the ages. Then, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at Cairo, 2 nights at Minya, 1 night at Abydos, 3 nights at Luxor & a 4-night cruise

Culinary inclusions

• 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches & 13 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

16 Feb - 2 Mar Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

The Archaeology of Corsica

From the Neolithic to Napoleon

Corsica, the l'Île de Beauté, is an island accustomed to being passed over in the archaeological imagination, overshadowed by its grander neighbours to the south and east. This tour explores the full sweep of the island's past: from the extraordinary megalithic monuments of the Neolithic and Bronze Age, through the Phoenician and Greek trading world that touched these shores, to the Roman colony of Aleria, whose excavations have yielded one of the finest collections of Etruscan, Greek and Campanian pottery in France.

Stand among the warrior-menhirs of Filitosa, Bronze Age figures carved in granite, gazing across the Taravo valley for 3,000 years

Explore the megalithic plateau of Cauriam stone alignments, standing menhirs and chambered tomb set in open, fragrant maquis

Uncover Corsica's classical past at Aléria – Etruscan bronzes, Greek red-figure pottery and Roman sculpture from the island's great colonial capital

Walk the Bronze Age fortress trail at Cucuruzzu, linking two remarkable castellu settlements unique to Corsica

Day One | UK - Figari - Sartène

Arrive into Figari and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Cauria

We explore the Cauria plateau, visiting three sites. At Stantari, we see menhirs, some carved with faces, belts and dagger hilts. At Renaghju, we find 40 stones, their purpose still debated and end at Funtanaccia. Back in Sartène, we have lunch and visit the Musée Départemental de la Préhistoire

Day Three | Alta Rocca

Today, we explore Alta Rocca, Corsica's striking interior, where chestnut forests meet surreal granite outcrops. Here, we visit Cucuruzzu and Capula, connected by a two-mile circular walk. Cucuruzzu is a Bronze Age castellu, unique to Corsica. Capula features a medieval castle atop a Bronze Age settlement. Next, we head to the Musée de l'Alta Rocca, showcasing archaeological finds from the region and adding context to the morning's sites.

Day Four | Sartène -

Filitosa - Ajaccio1

This morning, we visit the prehistoric site of Filitosa, in the Taravo river valley, known for statue-menhirs with detailed carved faces. Then, we head north along the west coast to Ajaccio to see the Cathédrale Sainte-Marie, where Napoleon Bonaparte was baptised.

Day Five | Ajaccio - Corte

This morning, we explore Ajaccio's cultural gems linked to the Bonaparte family. The Palais Fesch boasts a major collection of Italian Old Masters, including Titian and Botticelli. Then, we visit Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon's birthplace. In the afternoon, we head to Corte to climb to the Musée de la Corse

Day Six | Corte - Aléria - Bastia

We visit the Tavignano gorge and the Plaine Orientale, a unique coastal plain. At its centre is Aléria, founded by Phocaean Greeks in 565 BCE and later inhabited by Etruscans, Carthaginians and Romans. After lunch, we head north to Bastia, stopping at Murato to see the 12th-century Church of San Michele

Day Seven | Bastia

We explore Bastia, starting at the Citadel with the Governors' Palace and Musée de Bastia, then Cathédrale Sainte-Marie and the nearby Oratoire Sainte-Croix. The afternoon is spent at leisure exploring the Vieux Port, Bastia's most charming area.

Day Eight | Bastia - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Eireann Marshall

Dr Eireann Marshall is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She has published a number of articles on Ancient North Africa and has co-edited multiple volumes.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at Sartène, 1 night at Ajaccio, 1 night at Corte & 2 nights at Bastia Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person 12 - 16 Jun Twin/Dbl Share

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

The Heritage of Alsace & Lorraine

Explore the complex heritage of these border regions

8 DAYS FROM £4,650pp Moderate

The border regions of Alsace and Lorraine occupy a distinctive place in the cultural and political history of Europe. For centuries, these territories lay between the spheres of France and the German-speaking world, their shifting allegiances leaving a rich legacy in art, architecture and urban form. Our tour explores that complex heritage, beginning in Nancy, onto Metz and then crossing into Alsace, where we explore the enchanting cities of Strasbourg and Colmar.

TOUR

Admire the UNESCO-listed Place Stanislas and explore the stunning Art Nouveau works of the École de Nancy

Discover the medieval charm of Metz and the breathtaking stained glass of Metz Cathedral

Wander the Gothic splendour of Strasbourg Cathedral and the canals and halftimbered streets of La Petite France

View Colmar’s Renaissance masterpiece, the extraordinary Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum

Day One | UK – Nancy

Travelling by Eurostar and TGV via Paris, we arrive in the ducal city of Nancy, once the capital of the independent Duchy of Lorraine.

Day Two | Nancy

We begin with a guided tour of Place Stanislas, a baroque gem from the 1750s, then continue to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy to see five centuries of European art. After lunch, we tour the elegant Château Harroué, a lived-in 18th-century home with formal grounds.

Day Three | Nancy

Today, we delve into Nancy's medieval heritage. Highlights include the Basilique Saint-Epvre, a 19th-century Gothic Revival church with stained glass and sculptures from European monarchs, the striking Porte de la Craffe, a remnant of medieval fortifications and the Église des Cordeliers, part of the Musée Lorraine.

Day Four | Metz

A short drive takes us to Metz, a city with roots in the Roman settlement of Divodurum Mediomatricorum. We start at the Musée de la Cour d’Or, showcasing archaeology and architectural remains. Next, we visit the Gothic Metz Cathedral, known for its vast stained glass collection spanning centuries. We return to Nancy in the afternoon.

Day Five | Nancy - Strasbourg

Around 1900, Nancy flourished culturally with the École de Nancy, a group of artists, architects and designers blending art and industry through natureinspired decorative styles. At the Musée de l’École de Nancy, we see graphic arts by key figures of the movement. Nearby is the Villa Majorelle, a 1901 Art Nouveau masterpiece. In the afternoon, we leave Lorraine for Strasbourg.

Day Six | Strasbourg

We begin at the iconic Strasbourg Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece featuring an astronomical clock and medieval sculptures. Next, we visit La Petite France, which has canals and half-timbered houses. In the afternoon, we visit the 18th-century Palais Rohan, once home to prince-bishops and the Musée de l'Œuvre-Notre-Dame.

Day Seven | Colmar

We head south to Colmar, known for its medieval and Renaissance trading prosperity. The highlight is the Unterlinden Museum, featuring medieval and Renaissance art. After lunch, we stroll through Colmar’s historic streets before returning to Strasbourg.

Day Eight | Strasbourg - UK

This morning, we depart Strasbourg by TGV to Paris, transferring to the Eurostar for the return journey to London.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Tom Abbott

An art and architecture historian whose expertise is wide ranging, from the Baroque and Rococo, to modern and contemporary.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• Return train travel from London St Pancras

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights in Nancy & 3 nights in Strasbourg

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

Twin/Dbl Share SS

12 - 19 Jul £4,650 £800

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

16 DAYS FROM £10,970pp Moderate

Behind the neon shimmer of Tokyo and the gilded pavilions of Kyoto lies a civilisation of extraordinary depth, one that stretches back more than fourteen thousand years to the Jōmon people, among the earliest pottery-makers the world has ever known. Join us as we discover Japan’s extraordinary history alongside its modern story, uncovering the Japan that existed long before the first emperor, long before Buddhism arrived from the Korean peninsula, long before anyone had thought to write anything down at all. From the reconstructed longhouses at Sannai Maruyama and the enigmatic stone circles at Oyu to the temples of Kyoto and the sacred island of Miyajima, this unique itinerary takes us on an archaeological and cultural odyssey the length of the Japanese archipelago.

Explore the remarkable Jōmon settlement of Sannai Maruyama

Discover the vast Oyu Stone Circles, designed to align with the midsummer sunset

See Tōdaiji's colossal bronze Buddha, the ancient Kasuga shrine deep in its cedar forest

Admire the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic 'floating' gate on Miyajima Island

Day One | UK - Tokyo

Fly overnight or meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at the hotel on the morning of day 2.

Day Two | Tokyo

Enjoy some free time, then in the late afternoon, we take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of Asakusa, before arriving at the magnificent Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most celebrated shrine.

Day Three | Tokyo

We explore more of Tokyo today, starting with a visit to the Fukagawa Downtown Museum, which offers an intriguing glimpse of life in the late Edo period. From here, we make our way to the grand Edo-Tokyo Museum, whose exhibitions trace the remarkable transformation of this city, from feudal capital to modern megalopolis. Excavations here yielded fascinating archaeological evidence of that pioneering era and the Old Shimbashi Depot Museum interprets these finds with care.

Day Four | Tokyo – Aomori

We leave Tokyo today, taking the bullet train north from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori. A short transfer brings us to the remarkable Sannai-Maruyama site, where we spend our afternoon.

Day Five | Aomori - Hachinohe - Akita

Today we travel to Hachinohe to visit Korekawa Archaeological Museum, then continue by road to the Oyu Stone Circles, one of the most enigmatic prehistoric monuments in Japan.

Day Six | Akita - Nagaoka

We take another bullet train today and travel to Niigata along one of Japan's most quietly spectacular coastal routes. Later, we enjoy an afternoon visit to the Niigata Prefectural Museum of History, then make our way to Nagaoka and our overnight hotel.

Image: Sensoji Temple

Day Seven | Nagaoka - Obuse - Suwa

Our first site visit of the day is to Umataka Jōmon Museum, where we see particularly fine examples of flame pottery. Next, we drive through the mountains, wooded ridges and river valleys towards Najomon. Here we explore the Najomon Experimental Jōmon Museum and its reconstructed dwellings, with hands-on demonstrations.

Day Eight | Suwa

We start at Togariishi Jōmon Site, where we explore the reconstructed pit dwellings and excellent on-site museum before we continue to the Suwa Grand Shrine Complex. After lunch, we drive to the Shakado Jōmon Museum, where we see one of the largest collections of Jōmon clay figurines in Japan.

Day Nine | Suwa - Nara

We spend the heart of our day at Nara Park, where a guided walk takes us to Shinyakushiji Temple, guarded by a circle of clay guardian figures, and the splendid Todaiji Temple, the biggest wooden building in the world and home to the famous Great Buddha. A short walk away is the Kohfukuji temple, famous for its five-storied pagoda and its National Treasure Museum, which houses sublime 8th-century Buddhist art.

Day Ten | Nara - Osaka - Kyoto

This morning, we visit the City Hall Observatory to take in a perspective that is genuinely difficult to absorb from ground level. Spread across the plain below lies the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a vast necropolis of

we visit Osaka Castle

Day Eleven | Kyoto & Arashiyama

We begin the morning with a tea ceremony before we continue to Arashiyama. Our walk takes us to the garden of Tenryuji and then on to Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Day Twelve | Kyoto

Today, we explore Nijō Castle, the magnificent 17thcentury residence built for Tokugawa Shoguns on visits to the imperial capital.

Day Thirteen | Kyoto - Miyajima IslandHiroshima

We visit Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before a drive to Himeji Station. In the afternoon, we board the ferry to Miyajima Island

Day Fourteen | Yoshinogari - KyushuNagasaki

We take the train to Hakata in northern Kyushu to visit Yoshinogari Historical Park, where we discover extensive and evocative remains of the Yayoi period. From here, we continue to the Kyushu Ceramics Museum in Arita, where we are introduced to Japan’s history of porcelain production.

Day Fifteen | Nagasaki - Dejima - Tokyo

This morning, we visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and later Dejima, a small artificial island in Nagasaki harbour.

Day Sixteen | Tokyo - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Ilona Bausch

A lecturer in East Asian archaeology at Leiden University in the Netherlands, Ilona also speaks fluent Japanese.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach Accommodation

• 2 nights at Tokyo, 1 night at Aomori, 1 night at Akita, 1 night at Nagaoka, 2 nights at Suwa, 1 night at Nara, 3 nights at Kyoto, 1 night at Hiroshima, 1 night at Nagasaki & 1 night at Tokyo

Culinary inclusions

• 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches & 14 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person

ancient burial mounds. Next, we visit the Sakai City Museum, and after lunch,

EssentialPOMPEII

The Archaeology of the Bay of Naples

Few moments in the ancient world are as vividly documented as the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. We know, with a specificity that no other lost city can match, what Pompeii looked like on the day it was destroyed. This tour sets out to explore that world in depth and in context, providing expert guidance with a well-thought-out itinerary, which includes free afternoons for independent exploration.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Admire spectacular Roman wall paintings at the Villa of Poppaea at Oplontis

Discover Herculaneum, remarkable for its intact wooden structures, second-storey houses and even carbonised food!

Spend a full day in Pompeii, exploring its streets and monuments, including newly excavated areas

View the fabulous collections of the National Archaeological Museum in Naples

Day One | UK - Naples

Arrive into Naples and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Pompeii

When Vesuvius erupted in AD79, it buried the ancient city of Pompeii beneath a cascade of pumice, ash and pyroclastic surge that ultimately reached several metres in depth, a catastrophe for its inhabitants, but an extraordinary gift to posterity. What survived was not a monument or a carefully curated showpiece, but a city preserved in extraordinary detail| streets, shops, bakeries, brothels, gardens and grand townhouses all survive, along with haunting plaster casts of those who did not escape. We devote our day to the site, orientating ourselves among its streets where we begin to understand the rhythms of a prosperous Roman city caught, quite literally, in mid-stride. No two visits to this sprawling site are ever the same, thanks to the constant discoveries being made and new houses that are regularly opening to the public.

Day Three | Naples

This morning, we visit Naples Archaeological Museum, packed with the best wall paintings and delicate artefacts from everyday life. Exquisite metalwork which would normally have been melted and recycled; marble statues which would have been broken up to make lime; wall paintings which would have been decayed or plastered over

– all these would have been lost had Vesuvius not buried them all. The museum has now expanded, recently opening its western wing after a decadelong renovation project. The afternoon is free for you to explore Naples at your own pace or visit another ancient site.

Day Four | Oplontis & Stabiae

At Oplontis, we discover the sumptuous Villa of Poppaea, believed to have belonged to the second wife of the emperor Nero. Its painted rooms are among the finest examples of Roman wall painting in existence, their illusionistic architectural vistas still vivid after nearly two thousand years. In the afternoon, we move on to Stabiae on the slopes above Castellammare di Stabia, where a series of large aristocratic villas commands sweeping views across the bay, villas whose owners were almost certainly present when Vesuvius erupted and whose fate Pliny the Elder shared when he sailed across the bay on a rescue mission that proved fatal.

Day Five | Herculaneum

Herculaneum, which perfectly complements a visit to Pompeii, is our last port of call. This seaside city was buried to a significantly greater depth than Pompeii – under 23 metres of pyroclastic to be exact – perfectly preserving every-day objects as well as houses up to their rooftops. Herculaneum is a much more compact site and has fewer visitors, but it is certainly no less fascinating than Pompeii. In addition to the site, we explore the

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Farès K Moussa

Specialising in religious art and artistic practice, Farès has both written and researched on Romans and Phoenicians in Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and Sardinia, as well as on the subject of prehistoric rock art.

Antiquarium, newly opened after 44 years, which houses precious articles found along Herculaneum’s seafront, including a well-preserved boat.

Day Six | Naples - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 5 nights in Pompei

Culinary inclusions

• 5 breakfasts & 2 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

11 - 16 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY £1,780 £220 WITH FLIGHTS £1,990 £220

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

EssentialCAIRO

Ancient wonders renewed

Egypt has always rewarded return; right now, it positively demands it. For those visiting Egypt for the first time, the city offers an incomparable initiation into the ancient world: to look out across the Giza plateau is to encounter something that no amount of prior familiarity with images can fully prepare you for. For returning travellers, this city is equally compelling, with the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum simply unmissable.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Stand before the last surviving wonder of the ancient world and experience the moment that no image, however familiar, can quite prepare you for

Discover the complete treasure of Tutankhamun, displayed in its full glory for the first time at the Great Egyptian Museum

Come face to face with Egypt's greatest pharaohs, displayed with exceptional care at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation

Day One | UK - Cairo

Arrive into Cairo and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Saqqara - Giza

Today takes you to the very origins of monumental Egypt with a morning visit to Saqqara. At its heart stands Djoser's Step Pyramid designed, c2650 BCE by the brilliant architect and physician Imhotep. We also visit the newly renovated Imhotep Museum, which displays extraordinary finds from Saqqara. In the afternoon, we explore Giza, where we find the three great pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx. However many times one has seen them in images, the reality is something altogether different.

Day Three | Grand Egyptian Museum

This morning is devoted to the Grand Egyptian Museum (‘the GEM’), which is situated on the plateau at Giza within sight of the pyramids themselves. Here we find the greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts ever assembled under one roof. Its centrepiece is the complete treasure of Tutankhamun, including objects never before

displayed publicly. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish – explore further sites in and around Cairo, remain for further discoveries at the GEM or return to the hotel to relax.

Day Four | National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation

Today we visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC), which traces the full arc of Egyptian culture. The museum's crown jewel is the Royal Mummies Hall, where 22 royal mummies (among them Ramesses II, Seti I and Hatshepsut) are displayed with exceptional dignity and scholarly care. The remainder of the afternoon is free, and the return to your Zamalek hotel offers a final chance to absorb the city at your own rhythm.

Day Five | Egyptian Museum - Cairo - UK

On our final morning in Cairo, we pay a visit to the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, the grand rosepink building which has presided over the heart of the city since 1902. Here we find unparalleled Old Kingdom Art and collections, which include the Fayoum portraits and the Narmer Palette. Later, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Elizabeth Bloxam

Elizabeth is Visiting Professor of Egyptology at North East Normal University, China.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights in Cairo

Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

11 - 14 Nov Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

The earliest traces of human life Prehistory

Long before settled societies, humans left traces that shaped the world as we know it, illuminating our understanding of the past through astonishing monuments, remains, art and tools rather than the written word. These journeys explore the earliest chapters of human life where evidence is fragmentary yet fascinating, interpretations continue to evolve and each discovery offers a deeper perspective on how we first lived.

At locations pivotal to understanding the origins of human culture and behaviour, our expert Guide Lecturers will lead you through key milestones of our evolution, unravelling the secrets of early peoples and the development of societies. Whether you're walking in the footsteps of hunter-gatherers, marvelling at mysterious monuments or learning about the tools that shaped human progress, each moment is designed to deepen your appreciation for the ingenuity and resilience of our ancestors.

Discover evidence of early humans at remarkable rock art sites, enjoy the privilege of viewing masterpieces in situ, standing or crouching exactly as the original artists once did. Explore an extraordinary prehistoric culture whose stone monuments and rock-cut tombs predate the pyramids by over 1,000 years. See some of the world’s most important Neolithic sites on storied islands, marking the shift from nomadic existences to settled communities. Whichever tour you’re drawn to, the mysteries of humanity’s earliest days and a deeper connection to the human story await in 2027.

“ It was excellent in every way! Our expert guide was brilliant - the pace, the content, the enthusiasm for his subject could not have been better. The hotel, our coach and driver everyone involved including my fellow travellers, made it a brilliant experience! ”

Andante Travels Guest

Rock Art & Human Origins

Northern Spain and the Pyrenees

10 DAYS FROM £5,160pp Moderate

The rock art of northern Spain and the Pyrenees offers a fascinating look into early human life, with sites like Altamira, El Castillo and Ekain reveal the cognitive, spiritual and cultural development of our ancestors. We also visit caves in southwest France, including Grotte de Bédeilhac, Grottes de Gargas, Mas d’Azil and Niaux, where prehistoric echoes remain. Led by expert guides, we enjoy privileged access to key caves for a truly memorable experience.

Visit the spectacular cave at Tito Bustillo and admire its images, both painted and engraved

Examine the contrast between ancient art seen in the caves themselves and the modern art on display at the world-renowned Guggenheim in vibrant Bilbao

Pay a memorable visit to the extraordinary facsimile of Altamira Cave, widely regarded as the Sistine Chapel of cave art

Day One | UK - Bilbao

Arrive into Bilbao and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Bilbao - Atapuerca

This morning, we drive to Atapuerca, where we find a rich fossil record of the earliest human beings in Europe. We continue to the Museo de Human Evolution, home to items unearthed at the Sierra de Atapuerca. Later, there’s an opportunity to visit the Guggenheim Museum before dinner.

Day Three | Bilbao - Santander

We check out and travel to Santander’s Museum of Prehistory before heading to the cave of El Pendo, full of painted animals. Our next base is in charming Santillana del Mar

Day Four | Santillana del Mar - Altamira

We drive to Ribadesella to visit the Cueva de Tito Bustillo, where the main panel is a masterpiece of Ice Age art. After lunch, we continue to Altamira, an astonishing facsimile of the original cave.

Day Five | Santillana del Mar – San Sebastiàn

This morning, we visit the Puenta Viesgo Rock Art Centre, highlighting caves that feature important examples of Cantabrian cave art. Among these, the UNESCO-listed Cueva de las Monedas and Cueva de El Castillo stand out. Later, we continue to San Sebastiàn.

Day Six | San Sebastián - Zestoa

We travel to Zestoa and the nearby facsimile of Ekain, which expertly depicts the lifelike horses and bison of the original cave. Later, spend some free time in San Sebastián

Day Seven | San Sebastián – St Girons

Enjoy the scenic drive to Pau, where we have lunch, before continuing to Grotte de Gargas, with cave art of two different elements – both created in the Upper Palaeolithic period. Our next base is St Girons

Day Eight | St Girons - Niaux

Today, we visit two remarkable prehistoric caves, beginning with the Grotte de la Vache, dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic period, followed by the famous painted cave, Grotte de Niaux

Day Nine | St Girons - Bédeilhac

The iconic Grotte du Mas D’Azil awaits, a key location for the Azilian culture, before we journey to Bédeilhac. Later we spend discover the Museum of Prehistory and the Grotte de Bédeilhac, offering fascinating glimpses into prehistoric societies.

Day Ten | St Girons - Toulouse - UK

We spend the morning at the Musee de l’aurignacien, dedicated to the Aurignacian culture, before departing for the airport or continuing your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Paul Bahn

Dr. Paul Bahn is an archaeologist, author, and leading world expert on prehistoric art, particularly Ice Age cave art and Easter Island. He led the 2003 discovery of Britain’s first Ice Age cave art at Creswell Crags.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Hotel Abando, Bilboa, 2 nights at the Hotel Colonial de Santillana, Santillana del Mar, 2 nights at Hotel Zenit Convento San Martín and 3 nights at the Hôtel La Cachette de Nina, St. Girons Culinary inclusions

• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person 10 - 19 May Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY £5,160 £1,090

Cave Art of the Dordogne

The beauty of the Dordogne is undisputed – lush walnut groves and mellow limestone, dramatic chateaux and sinuous rivers blend harmoniously in one of France’s best-loved regions. For Andante guests, however, its greatest beauty lies in the greatest concentration of decorated caves in Europe.

Day One - UK - Paris - Poitiers | Day Two - Roc de Sers & La Chaire a Calvin - Les Eyzies | Day Three - Cap Blanc & Font de Gaume Day Four - Le Thot & Lascaux IV centre and Lascaux II cave | Day Five - Grotte de Rouffignac & Abri du Poisson | Day Six - Cougnac & Pech Merle | Day Seven - Les Eyzies - Paris - UK

Cave visits may vary according to seasonal opening hours.

Discover images from the world-famous painted cave of Lascaux at the Interpretation Centre, Lascaux IV

Enjoy an extended itinerary taking in verdant landscapes and limestone plateaux of the Dordogne

Gain insights from experts in rock art and the archaeology of the last Ice Age

Chauvet & Cosquer

An in-depth analysis of two of palaeontology’s greatest finds

Palaeolithic cave paintings and engravings are mankind’s first recognisable artistic expression, but they mean more. They show creatures extant during the Ice Age, shed light on huntergatherer culture thousands of years old and many archaeologists believe the art expresses complex beliefs about the supernatural world. The story of mankind changes as new discoveries and scientific dating methods redefine evidence. Join our expert on rock art for indepth analysis of two palaeontology’s greatest finds.

Day One - UK - Marseille - Avignon | Day Two - Chauvet & Cite de la Prehistoire | Day Three - Cosquer Day Four - Avignon - Marseille - UK

An in-depth analysis of two of palaeontology’s greatest finds in the company of an expert

Visit to the Caverne du Pont d’Arc to explore this unique facility

See the state-of-the-art facsimile of La Grotte Cosquer

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Dr Paul Bahn

Join Paul on our April departure.

Dr Rob Dinnis

Join Val on our October departure.

•

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• Return train travel from London St. Pancras & all local transport aboard a private

Accommodation

• 1 night at the Best Western Plus Poitiers Centre Le Grand Hôtel and 5 nights at the Hotel du Centenaire

Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners

•

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Rob Dinnis

An expert on the Palaeolithic and archaeology of the last Ice Age, Rob has published many papers on how people lived.

•

• 3 nights at the Avignon Grand Hotel, Avignon Culinary inclusions

•

Image:: Cave of Lascaux

Image: Grotte Chauvet II

Brittany - Carnac & Beyond

Encounter the world’s largest assemblage of megalithic sites

Brittany offers a prehistoric landscape filled with some of the world’s best megalithic monuments, from standing stones to chambered tombs. A whole day is rightly dedicated to Carnac, where stone rows stud the heather-clad countryside, and we explore passage graves with depictions of weaponry that mark the resting places of a selected few of the wider Neolithic population.

Come face-to-face with a selection of fascinating passage graves, chambered tombs and polished axes

Devote an entire day to the stunning monuments of historic Carnac Take a ferry to the island of Gavrinis to visit its famous and elaborately decorated passage tomb

Images: Stones in Carnac

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Nick Thorpe

A lecturer in Archaeology, Nick has published books and articles on prehistoric Wessex, Britain and Europe, on burial practices, and on the origins of agriculture and the archaeological fringe.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field notes and all taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• Return train travel from London St. Pancras & all local transport

Accommodation

• 6 nights at the Thalazur Carnac Hotel, Carnac Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

Twin/Dbl Share SS

6 - 12 Sep £4,170 £610

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

Rock Art of the Foz Côa

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Paul Bahn

As an immense open-air gallery, the Côa Valley is blessed with more than a thousand rock art depictions, identified in more than 80 different sites, with predominance of Palaeolithic engravings executed around 30,000 years ago. This is a rare opportunity to visit rock art away from the beaten tourist trail, across the Spanish/Portuguese border region in unspoilt countryside.

do Inferno - Fariseu Day Four - Ribeira de Piscos - Penascosa | Day Five - Siege Verde & Castello Rodrigo Day Six - Mazouco - Porto | Day Seven - Porto - UK 7 DAYS FROM £3,710pp

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

• 6 nights in Porto & Foz Côa Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners

•

The Island of Sardinia

and Punic mysteries of this Mediterranean island

9 DAYS FROM £5,290pp Moderate

Sardinia offers one of the richest and most fascinating standing archaeological repertoires in Europe. Known to the Greeks as Sandaliotis (“Sandal”, due to its shape), or Ichnoussa (“Stepping stone”), the island has seen Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs and Catalonians come and go. Before them, the mysterious Nuraghi people left an astonishing plethora of wonderful archaeology.

Visit the highest Bronze Age structure in the Mediterranean at the Nuragic site of Su Nuraxi at Barumini

Travel in 4x4s to visit off-the-beaten-track sites such as the megalithic chamber tomb at S’Ena e Thomes and the Nuragic complex of Sa Sedda ‘e Sos Carros

Examine the island’s Phoenician past at Tharros and Sulcis, including mysterious tophets, children’s cemeteries

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Farès K Moussa

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT

GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Carlos V & Spa, Alghero, 2 nights at the Su Gologone Experience Hotel, Oliena, 1 night at the Mistral2 Hotel, Oristano and 3 nights at the Hotel Baia di Nora

Culinary inclusions

• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

21 - 29 Sep Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £5,290 £670 WITH FLIGHTS £5,490 £670

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

Prehistoric

Italy Ötzi and the Alpine Valleys of Val Camonica

Throughout history, the fertile (and beautiful) Val Camonica valleys were an important route through the Italian Alps connecting northern and southern Europe. Prehistorians have theorised that the continuing movement of peoples and goods, especially during the Bronze and Iron Ages, gave rise to a dynamic prehistoric society – the history of which is packed into this ice-scoured landscape of lakes and mountains.

Day One - UK - Verona - Boario Terme | Day Two - Naquane Park & Massi Cemno | Day Three - SeradinaBedolini & Foppe di Nadro | Day Four - Boario Terme - Lake Ledro - Trento | Day Five - Bolzano & Trento Day Six - Trento - Verona - UK

Discover Ötzi, the Ice Man, the most complete ambassador from the Copper Age, with all that he was wearing and carrying

Enjoy a morning in Ledro on the scenic shores of the mountain lake as we study the well-preserved remains of a Bronze Age village

Explore the prehistoric gallery of

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at the Hotel Brescia, Boario and 2 nights at Hotel America, Trento

Culinary inclusions

• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person

May - 3 Jun

Image: Trento

Image: Domus de Janas necropolis Ludurru

Prehistoric Malta & Gozo

Malta’s first inhabitants

7 DAYS FROM £3,890pp Moderate

Enduring occupation from the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Hospitallers, French and British, Malta has a complex heritage. We focus on its most extraordinary occupation when, some 5,000 years ago, this tiny archipelago was home to an astonishing culture which created elaborate stone temples and rock-cut tombs. Join us as we explore some of the island’s most extraordinary archaeology of a sophistication unparalleled elsewhere.

Discover the extraordinary prehistoric culture, whose stone monuments predate the pyramids by over 1,000 years

Explore the cave and associated museum at Ghar Dalam Cave, the lowest layers of which are over 500,000 years old

Enjoy the timeless atmosphere of Valletta, Malta’s charming UNESCO World Heritage capital city

Orkney & Shetland From standing stones to chambered cairns

The islands beyond the northernmost tip of Scotland glory in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the world. For more than 5,000 years they have been home to farmers and fishermen, who left monuments so impressive that this has been called an archaeologists’ paradise.

Please note: the order of site visits may change due to tidal and weather conditions.

Visit sites at the cutting edge of archaeological research which is shedding light on every aspect of Stone Age life

Discover five World Heritage sites at Old Scatness, Mousa Broch, Skara Brae, Jarlshof and the Ring of Brodgar

Enjoy the stunning landscapes of the most northerly and remote outposts of the

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Jeremy Bennett

A British archaeologist, Jeremy was awarded his PhD at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 6 nights at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valetta Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

5 - 11 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY: £3,890 £660 WITH FLIGHTS: £4,290 £660

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Peter Yeoman

Until recently, Peter was Head of Cultural Heritage and then Principal Heritage Researcher at Historic Scotland.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at The Lerwick Hotel, Shetland and 4 nights at the Kirkwall Hotel, Orkney Culinary inclusions

• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person Twin/Dbl Share SS 10 - 20 Jul £4,770 £660

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

Image: Valletta

Highlights of Orkney

Ancient legends and storied monuments await

5 DAYS FROM £2,450pp Moderate

Surrounded by an endless sky and a powerful sea, the ancient farming communities on the Orkney Islands constructed huge monuments over the centuries, which now litter the landscape. We discover the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the giant chambered grave of Maeshowe and the atmospheric Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle. We also visit the Ness of Brodgar, with a virtual tour led by Nick Card, the Director.

• Day One - Kirkwall | Day Two - Skara Brae - Gurness Broch | Day Three - Churchill's Barriers - Orkney Museum | Day Four - Maeshowe - Ness of Brodgar | Day Five - Kirkwall

Admire the megalithic Standing Stones of Stenness and discover the enigmatic Ring of Brodgar

Explore the Stone Age mausoleum of Maeshowe, whose internal walls were later graffitied by Vikings

Visit the Neolithic site of the Ness of Brodgar and enjoy a virtual tour by Nick Card, the Director, as the excavations have now finished

Highlights of Shetland

Explore the UK’s most northerly islands

We visit the internationally important sites at Mousa, Scatness and Jarlshof and take the ferry to the most northerly island in Britain, Unst, thought to be the first footfall of the Vikings. Nowhere is farther than three miles from the sea and the beauty of the landscape – deserted sandy beaches, jagged coastline, heather-clad hills and mirror-like lochs – will stay with you long after you return home.

Day One - Brae | Day Two - Unst | Day Three - Mousa Broch - Scatness & Jarlshof | Day Four - Shetland Museum - Staneydale Temple & Scord of Brouster | Day Five - Shetland

Climb to the top of Mousa Broch, the tallest of this unique Iron Age structure, with spectacular sea views

Discover Scatness, an extensive settlement site with prehistoric, Viking and Pictish remains built and rebuilt over thousands of years

Explore Jarlshof, constructed by Neolithic farmers c2400 BCE and occupied, though not continuously, for over 4,000 years

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Peter Yeoman

Until recently, Peter was Head of Cultural Heritage and then Principal Heritage Researcher at Historic Scotland.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach Accommodation

• 4 nights at a hotel in Kirkwall

Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

Twin/Dbl Share SS

12 - 16 Aug £2 ,450 £430

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Peter Yeoman

Join Peter on our July departure.

Dr Val Turner

Join Val on our September departure.

Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Brae Hotel, Shetland Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

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

Image: Skara Brae

Image: Mousa Broch

Prehistoric Ireland

Newgrange, Knowth and Inis Mor

8 DAYS FROM £3,690pp Easy

Experience the fascinating prehistory of Ireland on a tour which links two equally important regions of Ireland. From the Neolithic monuments in the fertile land of the Boyne Valley, we cross the island westwards to the wild landscapes of the Atlantic Coast and Galway.

Take a boat trip to the island of Inis Mor and visit Dun Aengus

View an an Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel

Admire the collection of prehistoric artefacts at the National Museum of Dublin

Visit the Hill of Tara with over 30 visible monuments, including the Stone of Destiny

Day One | UK - Dublin

Arrive into Dublin and transfer to Fourknocks, home to a remarkable example of a passage tomb. Afterwards, we continue to our hotel in Dublin for one night.

Day Two | Dublin - Drogheda

We begin at the Old Library of Trinity College, Ireland's largest library and then onto the 12thcentury St Patrick’s Cathedral. Leaving Dublin, we head to Balriggan for lunch. After lunch we visit the National Museum of Ireland before driving to Drogheda.

Day Three | Newgrange & Knowth

After breakfast, we visit Newgrange, a Neolithic burial mound older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. Next is Knowth, featuring two passage graves and finally, we explore the Hill of Tara, historic seat of Ireland’s High Kings, with its Iron Age enclosure and Stone of Destiny Day Four | Drogheda - Sligo

We start our day at the passage grave cemetery of Loughcrew, also called Slieve na Callighe or Hill of the Witch, home to some of Ireland's oldest monuments. Next, we visit Sligo at the mouth of the Garavogue River. Its name, meaning ‘Shelly River’ in Gaelic, highlights its history. After lunch, we explore the impressive Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel.

Day Five | Carrowmore & Carrowkeel

Today’s highlight is our visit to Carrowmore, the oldest prehistoric cemetery in Ireland. The majority of its monuments are clustered around Listoghil, a great chamber and the only tomb in the site to contain inhumations rather than cremations. After lunch, we stop to view the Drumanone dolmen before continuing to the Carrowkeel megalithic complex. Reaching this atmospheric site requires a scenic one-mile walk through beautiful countryside. Like Carrowmore, Carrowkeel is a megalithic hilltop passage tomb cemetery, locally known as ‘the Pinnacles.’

Day Six | Sligo - Rathcrogan - Galway

We journey to Galway, situated at the mouth of the River Corrib at the head of Galway Bay. En route, we stop at Rathcroghan before arriving in Galway, where we visit the Galway City Museum to see its prehistoric collection.

Day Seven | Inis Mor

On our last day, we take a ferry to Inis Mor, one of the Aran Islands. Its highlight is Dun Aengus, a stunning cliffside fort with a 100-metre drop to the sea.

Day Eight | Galway - Shannon - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Jeremy Bennett

A British archaeologist, Jeremy was awarded his PhD at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 1 night at The Trinity City Hotel, Dublin, 2 nights at the Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Drogheda, 2 nights at the Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo and 2 nights at The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Galway

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person 31 Jul - 7 Aug Twin/Dbl Share SS

Images: Carrowmore

The Archaeology of Anglesey

Druids, Romans and English Conquest

Anglesey, or Ynys Môn as it is known in Welsh, holds a significant position in the archaeological and historical narrative of Britain. Separated from mainland Wales by the narrow Menai Strait, this tiny island off the northwest coast boats significant concentrations of Neolithic burial chambers, Bronze Age standing stones and Iron Age hillforts. It was also at the centre of the dramatic encounter between Celtic druids and Roman legions that Tacitus so vividly recorded.

Discover Bryn Celli Ddu, an impressive Neolithic chamber tomb aligned with the sun on the longest day of the year

Visit Caernarfon Castle, one of Europe’s great medieval fortresses on the banks of the River Seiont

Explore Segontium the Roman fort founded by Agricola which controlled access to Anglesey

Day One | Bangor

Arrive into Bangor and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Anglesey

This morning, we drive across the Menai Bridge onto Anglesey and visit Bryn Celli Ddu. This impressive Neolithic passage grave continues to fascinate archaeologists because it is actually two monuments, one built on top of an earlier henge. Next, we have arranged access to Barclodiad y Gawres, a decorated chambered tomb. Its location in Anglesey makes it very unusual – tombs of this type are usually only found in Ireland. We continue to Ty Mawr, stopping en route to view Llyn Cerrig Bach, an area of marshland (once a natural lake) and the location of the largest Iron Age hoard discovered to date in Wales. At Ty Mawr, we see the remains of about 20 or so round stone houses, stores and workshops. After lunch, we drive to Caer Gybi and view the remains of a small Roman fort.

Day Three | Caernarfon

We visit some interesting fortifications today, starting with Dinas Dinlle Hillfort, an Iron Age

prehistoric coastal fort. The constantly eroding soft cliffs have long made it a challenging site to excavate, but a monumental stone-built roundhouse was discovered here a few metres from the cliff edge. Next, we visit Segontium Roman Fort, which once formed a critical part of Roman control over the newly conquered Welsh tribes. In the afternoon, we explore magnificent Caernarfon Castle, one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages.

Day Four | Anglesey

We return to Anglesey this morning to visit Beaumaris Castle, the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I. We visit Penmon Priory, founded in the 6th century by St Seiriol. The day ends at Din Lligwy, a well-preserved fortified hut group from the late Roman era.

Day Five | Bangor

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Please note: the order of site visits may change due to prevailing weather conditions

Ken Murphy

Ken Murphy is a field archaeologist with over 45 years of experience.

He has worked on numerous field and desk-based projects since 1979, including large-scale excavation of prehistoric and later sites, topographic survey of sites of all periods and landscape analysis of large parts of southwest Wales.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

• 4 nights at The Management Centre Hotel, Bangor

Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Chile & Easter Island

Geoglyphs, petroglyphs and the Moai

16 DAYS FROM £11,050pp Moderate

This is an adventure indeed – travelling across the globe with an international expert to see some of the most enigmatic rock art in the world, situated in vast and often remote landscapes. Doing so involves travelling down the coast of northern Chile and into the Atacama desert, before flying over the Pacific to a tiny speck of land – the iconic Easter Island. We discover places seldom visited, which our ancestors chose to decorate with huge earth pictures and complex rock art. Some of the sites we see are simply extraordinary – their gigantic scale makes us ask why and for whom such things were created.

Discover extraordinary geoglyphs and petroglyphs amid unforgettable lunar-like landscapes

Explore Easter Island, the most remote piece of land inhabited on the planet, and visit a range of sites where the enigmatic moai can be seen in situ

Visit a range of fascinating regional museums, which include exhibits on shrinking heads, wooden carvings and the famous Chinchorro mummies, in a variety of locations

Traverse the striking Atacama Desert, declared the world’s driest by NASA after a series of in-depth studies

Easter Island

San Pedro de Atacama

Arica Santiago Iquique

Day One | UK - Santiago

Fly overnight or meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at the hotel on the morning of day 2.

Day Two | Santiago

After some time for rest, we regroup for lunch and an afternoon visit to the Museo de Arte Precolombino, which houses a world-class collection of Latin American antiquities.

Day Three | Santiago – Arica

We make our way over to Vina del Mar to visit the Museo de Arquelogia e Historia Francisco Fonck and later enjoy a walking tour of the quirky town of Valparaiso. After dinner tonight, we take the late flight to Arica and transfer to our hotel.

Day Four | Arica – Azapa Valley

We visit Colon 10, a burial ground of the Chinchorro, and visit the San Miguel Archaeological Museum, home to the famous Chinchorro Mummies, preserved for several millennia. Later, we cross the stark oasis of the Azapa Valley to view the spectacular rock art still visible on the hillsides.

Day Five | Arica - Iquique

Our journey takes us through the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world according to studies by NASA. We stop at Tiliviche and Chiza to see the sprawling human and llama geoglyphs here, and before arriving at our hotel, explore the El Gigante del Atacama, the world’s largest prehistoric depiction of a human.

Day Six | Iquique

Today includes a boat trip into the Pacific from Iquique harbour and an atmospheric tour of the ‘ghost town’ of Humberstone, a former saltpetre mining town.

Day Seven | Iquique – San Pedro de Atacama

After breakfast, we drive to Cerros Pintados to view the geoglyphs scattered for miles along the hillsides. Next is Quillagua and its small museum, then San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis village surrounded by spectacular volcanic scenery.

Day Eight | Yerbas Buenas - Salar de Atacama

Today we drive to the Yerbas Buenas, where we see petroglyphs carved by the Atacameño people in an area important to herders, traders and travellers for millennia. The afternoon is free to spend how you wish.

Day Nine | San Pedro de Atacama - Santiago

This morning, we spend some time among the amazing lunar landscapes of the Valle de la Luna After lunch, we return to the airport for our late afternoon flight to Santiago. We overnight close to the airport tonight.

Day Ten | Santiago – Easter Island

We fly across the ocean to enigmatic Easter Island

Our explorations start with a preliminary walk around Hanga Roa, the island’s capital and harbour.

Day Eleven | Easter Island

Our first full day on Easter Island begins with a trip to our first moai at Ahu Tahai and the nearby Museo Antropologico Sebastian Englert

We then explore sites on the southern coast: Ahu Vaihu, Akahanga, and Hanga Tetenga

Day Twelve | Rano Raraku & Papa Vaka

Today we journey to the quarry at Rano Raraku, where many unfinished moai are still standing in situ, visit the line of standing statues at Tongariki and view the rock carvings at Papa Vaka.

Day Thirteen | Rano Kau, Vinapu & Puna Pau

Today’s sights include the restored moai in the harbour of Hanga Piko, Ana Kai Tangata and the wide volcano of Rano Kau with Orongo ceremonial village perched magnificently on the crater’s edge and boasting views to the islet of Motu Nui. Next is the ruined platforms of Vinapu, the lava cave at Te Pahu, the seven identical statues of Ahu Akivi, Ahu Huri a Urenga and the quarry at Puna Pau

Day Fourteen | Easter Island – Santiago

Today we visit Te Pito te Kura, the site of a bizarre magnetic stone, as well as the largest moai to be transported from Rano Raraku and, lastly, detailed carved figures of the royal platform of Ahu Nau Nau. After lunch, we transfer to the airport and catch our return flight to Santiago.

Dr Paul Bahn

Day Fifteen | Santiago - UK

We make the most of our last day and take a trip out of the city to the Santa Rita Vineyard for a tour, wine tasting and visit to the on-site museum. Later this afternoon, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Day Sixteen | Santiago - UK Arrive in London.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 1 night at the Hotel Magnolia, Santiago, 2 nights at the Antay Hotel & Spa, Arica, 2 nights at the Gavina Costa Mar Hotel, Iquique, 2 nights at Our Habitas Atacama, 2 nights at Holiday Inn Santiago Airport, 4 nights at the Hotel Altiplanico (or similar) on Easter Island

Culinary inclusions

• 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 13 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person 17 Nov - 2 Dec Twin/Dbl Share SS

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

The first great societies Early Civilisations

Across river valleys and fertile plains, the earliest civilisations thrived through remarkable advancements and laid the foundations of organised life – agriculture, belief systems, trade and governance. Travelling through these landscapes, you’ll encounter the remains of societies that transformed how people lived, worked and understood the world around them.

On each tour in this section, walk where humanity took its first steps towards building societies, cultures and innovations that shaped the course of history. Learn about the legacies that continue to inspire us today, perhaps none more so than the Egyptians. From towering pyramids and mighty temples to lesser-known gems, they left behind such a rich cultural heritage that means no two visits here are the same. The addition of the longawaited Grand Egyptian Museum further enriches any journey here – 20 years in the making and now the biggest museum in the world.

Elsewhere, uncover stories of our ancestors in Bulgaria, full of treasures following its golden age of archaeological discoveries, explore Thrace, a region steeped in myth and legend, or marvel at the groundbreaking site of Göbekli Tepe, which challenges our understanding of early human civilisation. Each destination offers a unique window into the ingenuity, artistry and spiritual beliefs of ancient societies: the result is an enriched understanding of humanity’s shared heritage and the milestones that paved the way for our global civilisation.

“ We booked to find our more about Minoans and Myceneans following our Peloponnese Tour with Christina last autumn. We got that in spades but as usual, many other periods were covered. Christina and Miranda were brilliant - as well as all the arrangements, Miranda's botanical knowledge was very helpful. ”

Andante Travels Guest | Crete - Introducing the Minoans | April 2026

Egypt - New Museums & Discoveries

Recently excavated tombs and new museums in Cairo and Alexandria

7 DAYS FROM £4,530pp Easy

Archaeology in Egypt is seeing another Golden Age, this time led by local Egyptians themselves. This tour focuses on these new discoveries, from the recently excavated tombs in Saqqara to the newly renovated Greco Romano Museum in Alexandria and the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza. Returning to these sites in the engaging company of our experienced excavators and Egyptologists is a treat not to be missed.

Visit the long-awaited and much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza In expert company, explore the Imhotep Museum at Saqqara and Greco Roman Museum in Alexandria, both recently opened

New tomb discoveries in Saqqara including the Tomb of Mehu and the Tomb of Maia

Spend two days in Alexandria, the capital of the Ptolemies, one of the greatest cities of the Hellenistic and Roman world

Day One | UK - Cairo

Arrive into Cairo and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Saqqara

We dedicate today to the sprawling necropolis of Saqqara Here we see the Tombs of Maya and Horemheb and the recently opened Old Kingdom Tomb of Mehu, subject of the excellent 2020 documentary, The Secrets of Saqqara. In the afternoon, we explore the Imhotep Museum, which has re-opened following renovation. Our day at Saqqara completes with the Tomb of Maia, who was wet-nurse to Tutankhamun, and the Tomb of Nemtymes, both re-opened to the public in the last decade.

Day Three | Giza & Alexandria

Our day starts at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation. The museum’s exceptional collection includes the royal mummies, which are exhibited in a new interactive display using 21st-century cuttingedge technology to go beneath the wrappings and reveal their secrets. After lunch, we leave Cairo on the desert road and travel to Alexandria.

Day Four | Alexandria

Our focus this morning is the fabulous GraecoRoman Museum Among the thousands of artefacts on display are several discovered

during underwater excavations in the sunken cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus as well as in the ancient Portus Magnus of Alexandria. In the afternoon, we visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Here we see superb mosaics recovered from the royal palace of the Ptolemies and the excellent Manuscripts Museum.

Day Five | Alexandria - Abu Sir - Cairo

We drive to Abu Sir, ancient Tapaposiris, where the Ptolemaic temple and a funerary monument modelled on the Pharos were built on a ridge between Lake Mareotis and the Mediterranean. Recently, there has been much speculation that it may contain Cleopatra’s tomb which as yet, remains undiscovered. After lunch, we return south to Cairo.

Day Six | Giza

We spend a full day devoted to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the biggest museum in the world. For the first time, almost all of the 5,000 objects discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb are on display here. Costing nearly a billion dollars in its creation, the artefacts are fascinating, offering the perfect end to our tour.

Day Seven | Cairo - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Specialising in ancient Egyptian archaeology, Lucia worked at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology and is an Honorary Research Associate at UCL’s Institute of Archaeology. Join Lucia on our January departure.

Dr Elizabeth Bloxam

Elizabeth is Visiting Professor of Egyptology at North East Normal University, China. Join Elizabeth on our March & October departures.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah, Cairo, and 2 Rixos Montaza Hotel, Alexandria (or similar)

Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners (plus 1 snack at hotel room if arriving late evening)

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

& prices per person

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Lucia Gahlin

Egypt - Highlights & Discoveries

Cairo, Luxor, a Nile cruise to Aswan, Abu Simbel and more

12 DAYS FROM £6,950pp Moderate

The archaeology of ancient Egypt is one of the most instantly recognisable of all the great civilisations. This is a narrative of power, vision and ambition. While certain images of Egypt have become familiar, there is no substitute for witnessing at first hand the treasures of Tutankhamun, the timeless pyramids, the quiet intrigue of the hypostyle hall at the Temple of Karnak, the beautiful setting of the Temple of Isis at Philae or the mighty colossi at Abu Simbel. And the monuments of Egypt are much more than dry and dusty stones – through the expertise of our Guide Lecturers, we ‘meet’ the real ancient Egyptians, from legendary pharaohs to the humble workers who built their tombs and palaces.

Enjoy access to both the grand gallery and royal burial chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu

Discover the impressive temple site of Abu Simbel, a real highlight of our tour

Experience the delights of cruising the Nile while pausing to visit the beautifully preserved temples of Upper Egypt

Day One | UK - Cairo

Arrive into Cairo and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Cairo

The majority of our day is devoted to the necropolis of Saqqara. We discover the 3rd Dynasty Pharoah Djoser’s distinctive Step Pyramid complex, the Pyramid of Unas, the Mastaba of Mereruka and also explore the Imhotep Museum

Day Three | Cairo - Luxor

We visit the pyramid complexes on the Giza Plateau, including the Great Pyramid, explore the Valley Temple of Khafra and the enigmatic Great Sphinx, then the rest of our day is devoted to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum. Afterwards, we head to Luxor.

Day Four | West Bank

Today we visit the Colossi of Memnon, the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri and the Valley of the Kings, including the elaborately decorated tomb of Seti I

Day Five | Karnak

Today’s sites include the captivating complex of Karnak, the Valley of the Queens plus the ‘Tombs of the Nobles, the vibrantly painted burial chamber of Sennefer and the intricately decorated funerary chapel of Rekhmire

Day Six | West Bank

Today we discover the Ramesseum, with its fallen colossus of Ramesses II. Next is Medinet Habu,

arguably the best-preserved temple of the New Kingdom, Deir El Medina and the fantastic Luxor Museum

Day Seven | Luxor

We explore Luxor Temple, with its avenue of sphinxes, military reliefs and gorgeous papyrus columns, and later start our journey up the Nile to Aswan.

Day Eight | Edfu - Kom Ombo

Today we see the Temple of Horus at Edfu, then explore the Temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder at Kom Ombo and the site’s Crocodile Museum

Day Nine | Aswan

Arriving in Aswan, we make our way to the impressive Temple of Isis, make a stop at Aswan (High) Dam, visit the ancient Quarries and see the spectacular Unfinished Obelisk

Day Ten | Abu Simbel - Cairo

We disembark MS Amwaj, transfer to Aswan Airport and fly to remarkable Abu Simbel. Later, we visit Elephantine Island before our return flight to Cairo.

Day Eleven | Cairo

We spend our day at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation and the Egyptian Museum before flying to Luxor.

Day Twelve | Cairo - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Lucia Gahlin

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Sofitel El Gezirah Hotel, Cairo, 3 nights at the Steigenberger Achti Resort Hotel, Luxor, 4 nights on MS Amwaj & 2 nights at the Hotel Meridien, Cairo

Culinary inclusions

• 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 10 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

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

The Archaeology of Upper Egypt

The Land of Ta Shemau

This specialised journey through Upper Egypt combines some of these most celebrated monuments with less common archaeological treasures, offering perspectives beyond the typical tourist route. Travelling between Esna and Aswan in a traditional dahabiya, we are able to access several sites which are inaccessible by bigger boats and enjoy the slow pace and wonderful scenes of life on the river at close hand.

Discover the ‘Valley of the Monkeys’ and the Tomb of Ay, noted for its scenes of hunting in the marshes

Enjoy special access to the Tomb of Amenhotep III, a huge tomb in a secluded part of the Valley of the Kings

Explore Sehel Island, where we find some of the earliest and best-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian writing

Travel in a traditional dahabiya, much as Victorian explorers did over a century ago

Day One | UK - Luxor

Arrive into Luxor and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Luxor

Karnak awaits, the largest temple complex in Egypt and a dazzling maze of monumental gateways, obelisks, pillared halls and subsidiary shrines. After lunch, we visit Luxor Museum

Day Three | Luxor

Our focus today is the Valley of the Kings, visiting the famous Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Tomb of Seti I and the rarely visited Tomb of Ay We have also obtained a special permit to enter the Tomb of Amenhotep III

Day Four | Luxor

Today we explore the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, arguably the best-preserved temple of the New Kingdom, and nearby Qasr El Aguz. After lunch, we visit the Ramesseum and the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous statues of 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Day Five | Luxor - Esna

We spend time at the Temple of Esna, one of the few major surviving temples of the Graeco-Roman Period, before embarking on our Dahabiya private charter.

Day Six | Esna - El Kab - Edfu

Taking advantage of our flat-bottomed Dahabiya, we moor at El Kab and make our way up to the row of tombs which line the ridge above the village.

We continue to Edfu, a beautiful Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Horus.

Day Seven | Edfu - Aswan

We sail to Aswan, stopping at Gebel el-Silsila, with its rock-cut temple known as the ‘Speos of Horemheb’, and the partially restored remains of Kom Ombo’s Ptolemaic temple

Day Eight | Abu Simbel

An early start this morning as we fly to Abu Simbel, miraculously rescued from Lake Nasser’s rising waters after the creation of the High Dam.

Day Nine | Aswan

Today’s sights include the Quarries at Aswan, the Unfinished Obelisk, the ruins of Philae and the High Dam

Day Ten | Aswan - Cairo

We climb the stairway to the Necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa to discover various tombs before continuing to Sehel Island and then Elephantine Island. Later, we take an evening flight to Cairo.

Day Eleven | Cairo

Our last day is spent at the Grand Egyptian Museum, 20 years in the making with thousands upon thousands of artefacts, and the Egyptian Museum in Tharir Square, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East.

Day Twelve | Cairo - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Professor Paul Nicholson

A Professor Emeritus of Egyptian Archaeology at Cardiff University with many years of field experience having directed excavations in Egypt at sites such as Tell el-Amarna, Memphis, and Saqqara, as well as working with colleagues at sites such as Hatnub and Berenike.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Steigenberger Resort, Achti, 5 nights on a private Dahabiya boat charter & 2 nights at the Le Meridien, Cairo Airport

Culinary inclusions

• 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 11 dinners

• At hotels: water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

• On the Dahabiya: water, soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee served throughout the day

Dates & prices per person

15 -26 Nov Twin/Dbl

Crete & Santorini

Rise and fall of the Minoan civilisation

The Minoans are known for their incredible labyrinthine palaces - the greatest of which is at Knossos, where Theseus defeated the Minotaur. Our journey across these two beautiful islands showcases the architectural and artistic skills of this Bronze Age civilisation, whose writing, ambition and organisation profoundly influenced ancient Greece’s development.

Day One - UK - Santorini | Day Two - Fira & Akrotiri | Day Three - Thera - Heraklion

Day Four - Palace of Knossos - Archanes | Day Five - Palace of Phaistos - Gortyn Day Six - Palace of Malia - Gournia | Day Seven - Mochlos | Day Eight - Sissi - Heraklion - UK

Tick the mighty Palace of Knossos off your archaeological wish-list

Explore the city of Akrotiri - the “Pompeii of the Aegean” - and admire the fascinating frescoes on display in the museum

Visit the vast Archaeological Museum in Heraklion and view its fascinating collections

Crete - Introducing the Minoans

An expert-led tour that traverses Crete from East to West

8 DAYS FROM

Crete became a dominant power in the Mediterranean in the 3rd millennium BCE when the people we refer to as Minoans constructed palaces on a scale not known in Europe at the time. This tour which traverses Crete from East to West has it all: stunning archaeology, beautiful coastal villages and towns and dramatic landscapes accompanied by the island’s wonderful cuisine.

Discover the lesser-known archaeological remains of Ayia Triada and Mochlos as well as the famous Minoan Palaces

Explore Aptera, the mythological setting for the battle between the Sirens and the Muses

in the

of Chania with

Dr Christina Hatzimichael-Whitley

A tutor in Greek archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning, Christina specialises in Minoan Crete and is Co-Director of the Praisos Survey.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at The Majestic Hotel Santorini, 3 nights at the Olive Green Hotel, Heraklion and 2 nights at the Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel, Eloundas

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

21 - 28 Sep Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £3,560 £800 WITH FLIGHTS £3,990 £800

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

YOUR

EXPERT

Dr Rita Roussos

GUIDE LECTURER

A native Athenian, Rita taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens. She is particularly interested in the place of women in ancient Greece and Rome.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach Accommodation

• 3 nights at the Porto Veneziano Hotel, Chania and 4 nights at the Lato Boutique Hotel, Heraklion Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

6 - 13 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £3,375 £590 WITH FLIGHTS £3,700 £590

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

Image: Palace of Knossos

Image: Chania

Turkey: from Çatal Hüyük to Göbekli Tepe

A journey through Cappadocia and south east Turkey

DAYS - SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS Moderate

Join us on a kaleidoscopic journey through the heartlands of Turkey, as we discover the otherworldly geology of Cappadocia, a bizarrely beautiful landscape matched by its unique archaeology. We travel through the Fertile Crescent, arcing around the flatlands of Mesopotamia, and see Roman mosaics in Gaziantep. Our journey includes an astonishing array of UNESCO-listed sites, as we chart the civilisations which rose and fell over the millennia.

View the extraordinary volcanic landscapes underground cities and rock-cut churches in Cappadocia

Discover one of the oldest settlements in the world at Çatal Hüyük

Visit the excavations at Göbekli Tepe, with megaliths pre-dating Stonehenge by an impressive 7,500 years

Day One | UK - Istanbul - Konya

Arrive into Konya and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Çatal Hüyük & Binbir Kilise

We begin with one of the oldest settlements anywhere in the world, Çatal Hoyük, followed by the early Byzantine site of Binbir Kilise

Day Three | Konya

Before leaving Konya, we visit the Mevlana Museum, former tekke (dervish hall) and mausoleum of the famous Sufi mystic Rumi, the Karatay Madrasa. Next is the Alaeddin Mosque

Day Four | Göreme & Sarı Han Caravansary

We visit a co-operative which produces Anatolian rugs before heading to the Sarıhan Caravansary Next is Göreme Open Air Museum, full of midByzantine rock-cut churches.

Day Five | Ilhara Valley & Aşıklı Hüyük

Our explorations of Cappadocia begins with a visit to the Ihlara Valley, exploring ancient churches before moving on to impressive Aşıklı Höyük

Day Six | Göreme - Derinkuyu - Adana

We head south to Adana, stopping en route at the extraordinary underground city of Derinkuyu, one of the largest and most accessible of many such Byzantine settlements.

Day Seven | Adana - Karatepe - Gaziantep

We visit Adana Archaeology Museum, which houses a fine collection of Hittite artefacts, and the 8th-century BCE fortress palace of Karatepe

Day Eight | Gaziantep

Our main focus is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which contains fine Roman mosaics from Zeugma. We also visit famous Halfeti and the largely medieval fortress of Rumkale

Day Nine | Gaziantep - Adiyaman

We enjoy a walk around historic Gaziantep, exploring the citadel and bazaars before taking the scenic road north to Adiyaman.

Day Ten | Mount Nemrut & Adiyaman

We spend the day with the rulers and monuments of the Commagenian kingdom – beginning at the Roman bridge at Cendere and the Karakuş (Black Bird) Tumulus before continuing to the remote hilltop site of Nemrut Dag

Day Eleven | Adiyaman - Sayburc

We drive south to the newly excavated site of Neolithic Sayburc.

Day Twelve | Göbekli Tepe & Karahan Tepe

Today is dedicated to the excavations at Gobekli Tepe, the spectacular early Neolithic complex, and the remote site of Karahantepe

Day Thirteen | Urfa

Today we explore more of Şanlıurfa, viewing the Pools of Abraham and more.

Day Fourteen | Şanlıurfa - Istanbul - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Terry Richardson

Terry Richardson has a university background in ancient history and classical civilisation. Terry is the author of numerous renowned guide books on the country, including Rough Guide Istanbul, Pocket Rough Guide Istanbul and Rough Guide Turkey.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Dedeman Konya Hotel & Convention Center, Konya, 3 nights at the Utopia Cave Cappadocia Hotel, Ürgüp, 1 night at the Divan Adana Hotel, Adana, 2 nights at the Divan Gaziantep Hotel, Gaziantep, 2 nights at the Park Dedeman Adıyaman, and 3 nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton Şanliurfa

Culinary inclusions

• 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 13 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

11 - 24 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY See website for details WITH FLIGHTS See website for details

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

Wild Thrace

Discover ancient kingdoms across this region

9 DAYS FROM £4,130pp Moderate

East of Thessaloniki lie the mountains and plains of Thrace, where ancient kingdoms once fought and allied with Persians, Greeks and Macedonians. Discover Philippi, Mesembria with Romano-Thracian burials, and Amphipolis - cities shaped by conquerors. Thrace’s archaeological sites and monuments reveal its rich heritage and coexistence of Christian and Muslim traditions.

Day One - UK - Thessaloniki - Kavala | Day Two - Kavala - Philippi | Day Three - Thasos Day Four - Abdera, Xanthi & Komotini | Day Five - Kavala - Samothrace | Day Six - SamothraceAlexandroupoli | Day Seven - Mesembria & Maroneia | Day Eight - Didymoteicho & Evros Delta Day Nine - Alexandroupoli - Thessaloniki - UK

Discover the traces of Roman, medieval and Ottoman history which remain across the region

Take a short trip across the Thracian sea to the lovely unspoilt islands of Thasos and Samothrace

Explore the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, built to honour fertility deities around 1000 BCE

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Christina Hatzimichael-Whitley

A tutor in Greek archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning, Christina specialises in Minoan Crete and is Co-Director of the Praisos Survey..

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 night’s at the Egnatia City Hotel & Spa, Kavala, 4 nights at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Thraki, Alexandroupoli and 1 night at the Aiolos Hotel, Samothrace

Culinary inclusions

• 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

7 - 15 Sep Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £4,130 £580 WITH FLIGHTS £4,480 £580

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

Bulgaria

Thracian treasures and mountain monasteries 12 DAYS FROM £4,400pp

Following a golden age for archaeological discoveries, Bulgaria is now one of the culturally richest countries in Europe, featuring Neolithic settlements, Thracian tombs and exuberantly painted medieval churches. The quality and selection of sites here are outstanding and our tour also introduces the complicated history and cultures of the mosaic of peoples who have occupied the fertile plains bordering the River Danube.

Discover spectacularly varied history and landscapes, introduced by an archaeologist who has excavated all over this country

Visit no fewer than six fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Sites

From the Neolithic houses of Stara Zagora and Roman Plovdiv to the exuberantly painted churches in the Rila Mountains – we explore it all

Dr Katya Melamed

Dr Katya Melamed is a Bulgarian archaeologist who enjoys an enviable reputation for her research and excavation work.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at the Hotel Anel, Sofia, 2 nights at the Ramada by Wyndham Plovdiv Trimontium, Plovdiv, 2 nights at the Park Hotel Stara Zagora, 2 nights at the Modus Hotel, Varna and 2 nights at the Meridian Hotel Bolyarski, Veliko Tarnovo Culinary inclusions

• 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 11 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

21 Sep - 2 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

Image: Thassos

Image: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia

Ideas that shaped the world Ancient & Classical World

The ancient and classical worlds produced some of history’s most enduring ideas –in politics, philosophy, art and architecture. From the Mediterranean to the wider ancient world, these tours explore cultures whose influence continues to resonate, offering an extensive understanding of the societies that still inform our own.

From the philosophical brilliance of ancient Athens to the innovative engineering of the Romans, each destination tells a story of innovation, culture and power. And our experienced Guide Lecturers bring these tales vividly to life, providing unique insights into the people, its warriors, athletes, creatives and politicians, places and events that defined these extraordinary eras.

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of antiquity in a range of locations, choosing from the Greeks’ classical world and the Romans’ far-reaching influence, from Britain and Croatia to Tunisia, Algeria and beyond. Of course, there is no better time to visit Pompeii, thanks to the constant discoveries being made and new houses that are regularly opening to the public. Any visit here provides what no other lost metropolis can match –what an ancient city looked like on the day it was buried – a world interrupted rather than simply destroyed.

Browse through these captivating tours and join us to explore iconic landmarks, understand their context and gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring influence of ancient civilisations on modern society.

“ Outstanding trip with an expert (Eireann) who truly brought the sites to life-engaging, dynamic and full of details. Fascinating connections between civilisations and their roles in shaping the history of Rome and Italy. ”

Andante Travels Guest - Archaeology in the Heart of Italy - April 2026

Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania

Learn more about Pompeii at the recently excavated villas

Nowhere in the world could give a deeper insight into Roman life than the dramatic seaside towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Before the eruption of Vesuvius, these were thriving, lively seaside towns – Pompeii, a trading town equipped with many bars, shops and brothels, while Herculaneum was an affluent elegant town. All this came to an abrupt halt, however, one autumnal day in AD 79 when Vesuvius, which had done little more than rumble for years, erupted with cataclysmic force. Two thousand years later, the sites of the Bay of Naples confront the modern visitor with a vivid, haunting immediacy like nothing else in the ancient world. In some cases, we even know the names, professions and personal histories of the people who owned the villas and shops we visit, with our expert guide lecturer illuminating the ordinary people of Pompeii, Herculaneum and beyond. This is an exciting time for visitors to these Vesuvian towns, as new discoveries are constantly being made and new houses constantly opened up. Lose yourself in the past, walking the ancient streets in the footsteps of gladiators, slaves, senators and citizens.

Enjoy visits to off-the-beaten-track villas at Stabiae

Private access to the Cave of Sejanus (Grotta di Seiano) and the adjoining Villa of Pausilypon with its dramatic coastal views

Visit newly excavated houses in Pompeii

Day One | UK - Naples

Arrive into Naples and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel in Pompeii.

Day Two | Paestum

Our day begins with a visit to the fascinating site at Paestum, ancient Poseidonia. Long before the Romans came, this was a thriving Greek city that

Oplontis

Vesuvius Naples Pompeii

Stabiae Herculaneum

Cava de' Tirreni

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

was part of greater Greece from the 6th century BCE. We discover glorious Greek temples here and after lunch, we visit Paestum Museum, famed for its archaic metopes and painted tombs, including the wonderful Tomb of the Diver, dating to c480 BCE.

Day Three | Pompeii

We devote a whole day to Pompeii. No other site can compare in revealing details of everyday life in a Roman town. We visit some of the most well-preserved buildings, including its amphitheatre, theatre, forum, bath houses, bars and brothels. Fountains are worn from use, wheel ruts are carved into the street and the walls are adorned with graffiti and paintings. Travelling by the best routes to avoid crowds, we also visit several houses that have only recently reopened to the public.

Day Four | Naples - Pozzuoli

Our first visit of the day is to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Highlights include the famous Alexander Mosaic, the Bronze Runners and the Farnese Bull, carved from a single block of marble and the largest ancient sculpture ever recovered. After lunch, we move on to Pozzuoli, where we explore the Flavian amphitheatre, one of Italy's largest Roman arenas. Later, we have arranged private access to the Cave of Sejanus, a monumental tunnel dating to the age of Augustus, which gives access to the lovely seaside villa of Pausilypon (which means ‘respite from worry’) in Greek), the summer house of an elite Roman, Publius Vedius Pollio.

Day Five | Stabiae

Go off the beaten track to the villas of Stabiae, an exclusive Roman resort for the very wealthy. The vast Villa San Marco, with its swimming pool and bath complex, is one of the most opulent along this coast and it remains very impressive in its scale. We also visit the Villa Arianna, with its wonderful frescoes and fabulous views over the Bay of Naples. After lunch, we visit the Archaeological Museum of Castellammare di Stabia Libero D’Orsi. There are a large number of finds on display, some never before exhibited in Italy, including frescoes, inlaid floors,

stuccoes, sculptures, terracottas, tableware, objects made of iron and bronze.

Day Six | Herculaneum

This morning, we head to Herculaneum, buried to a significantly greater depth than Pompeii – under 23 metres of pyroclastic to be exact – perfectly preserving everyday objects as well as houses up to their rooftops. In addition to the site, we explore the Antiquarium, newly opened after 44 years, which houses precious articles found along Herculaneum’s seafront. After lunch, we visit Boscoreale, which in antiquity was an area full of villas and farms dedicated to the cultivation of vines, olive trees and cereals. Here we explore Villa Regina, a modest small holding, providing us with evidence of how ordinary people lived. We also visit the nearby Antiquarium of Boscoreale, with its collections of local fauna and flora, agricultural tools and food such as carbonised loaves of bread, cosmetics and medicines.

Day Seven | Vesuvius - Oplontis

Today, we ascend to the great volcanic crater of Vesuvius. The majority of our journey is by bus, but the final part requires a walk of around 30-40 minutes, which is well worth the effort. The walk starts at Monte Somma, the crater of the AD 79 eruption, where we grasp the scale of it. After the ascent and peering into the crater being forged since the ancient eruption, we see fumaroles and the layers of previous eruptions, while walking around the perimeter of the crater affords magnificent views over the Bay of Naples. After lunch, we continue to the impressive villa at Oplontis, which boasts sumptuous frescoes, a bath complex, an enormous swimming pool and interesting slave quarters. This villa was supposedly owned by Emperor Nero.

Day Eight | Naples - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Please note: the order of site visits may change due to changes in opening hours.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Hotel Forum, Pompeii ( Feb) or Hotel Scapolatiello, Cava De' Tirreni (Mar-Oct)

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Capri & Romans on the Bay of Naples

New discoveries and highlights in the shadow of Vesuvius

8 DAYS FROM £3,230pp Moderate £0 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT PLACES AVAILABLE

Roman sites in the Bay of Naples have seen remarkable regeneration recently. This coastal area, once developed by Roman elites for leisure, now has newly opened sites and active archaeology. While Pompeii’s new excavations attract attention, new sections of Herculaneum, sites in Positano and Boscoreale, and Terzigno’s excavations are also noteworthy. Including Capri, this tour offers a fresh perspective on Romans in the Bay of Naples and is an ideal time to visit these towns near Vesuvius, with fewer crowds.

Visit the newly opened Museum at Terzigno, which houses incredible remains of newly excavated villas

Explore the newly opened Roman Villa at Positano, with its wonderful frescoes

Examine the newly opened Regio V in Pompeii

Image: Monte Solaro

Beyond Pompeii, the Land of the Sibyl Unmissable ancient sites in Northern Campania

On this tour, we go beyond the sites of the regular tourist trail and discover more. We explore the hinterland of Vesuvius, a land of myth and legend, and, paradoxically, a land of luxury and wealth dotted with the vast villas of senators where the city of Pozzuoli was a ‘second Rome’ in the summer season. We are based for a whole week in just one comfortable hotel in Naples, the living embodiment of a classical city.

Explore the playground of the Roman elite, buildings created at the height of Imperial indulgence and excess

Descend underground into the catacombs and remnants of the ancient city below the streets of Naples

Discover

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Tony Wilmott

Join Tony on our May departure

Dr Simon Elliott

Join Simon on our September departure

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Hotel Scapolatiello, Cava De' Tirreni

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

John Shepherd Winner of the Wanderlust World Guide Award - History & Culture 2023, John has worked extensively in the field in Europe as an archaeologist, including France, Italy and Bulgaria.

COMPREHENSIVE

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Decumani Hotel De Charme, Naples Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person 20 - 27 Sep Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

EssentialETRUSCANS

The Etruscans are one of the great forgotten civilisations. Conquest by the Romans meant that the Etruscans only appeared as incidental participants in early histories, but they had in fact flourished throughout the first millennium BCE in a group of prosperous city states which were sophisticated, cosmopolitan and influential. Their settlements, their artefacts and even their cemeteries testify to this and as we travel through the lovely countryside of Tuscany and northern Lazio, the Etruscans are abundantly on show, if you know where to look.

Day One - UK - Rome | Day Two - Orvieto | Day Three - Bolzarno & Chiusi | Day Four - Orvieto

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the beautifully painted tombs of Tarquinia, with scenes of dancers, musicians and fabulous beasts

Admire the remarkable Etruscan collections of the Villa Giulia Museum

Explore the atmospheric Banditaccia cemetery, a real ‘city of the dead’ with tombs like terraced houses Visit Chiusi, famous in antiquity as the city of Lars Porsenna, the Etruscan King who almost captured Rome

Archaeology in the Heart of Italy

Etruscans, Romans and cultural transformation in Umbria and Lazio

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Oliver Gilkes

One of our longest-standing Guide Lecturers, Oliver has worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Albania and Italy. Oliver is considered one of just a handful of experts on Albanian archaeology in the UK.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini, Orvieto & 2 nights at Hotel Villa Terreno, Rufina

Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

7 - 13 Mar Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Eireann Marshall

Dr Eireann Marshall is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She has published a number of articles on Ancient North Africa and has co-edited multiple volumes.

On this tour, we explore the ancient wonders of Umbria and Lazio, in Italy’s geographical and historical heart. Based in one hotel, in the beautiful city of Viterbo, we discover famous sites, as well as those with are less known and off the beaten track. In this epicentre of Italy, we examine the different peoples who lived here and how they were transformed first by Etruscans and later by Romans.

Explore the well-preserved site of Vulci, with its Etruscan tombs, Roman monuments and medieval abbey

Examine Sutri with its amphitheatre, unique mithraeum and medieval Templar church, built amidst the ruins of the ancient city

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Best Western Hotel, Viterbo Culinary inclusions

Consider the important Etruscan remains in the beautiful city of Orvieto with its precious medieval cathedral

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person 24 - 31 May Twin/Dbl Share SS

Image: Orvieto

7 DAYS FROM £3,940pp Easy

Rome is one of the most charismatic and engaging of the great cities of the world and this tour is the perfect introduction to the ‘Eternal City’ in the company of archaeologist and historians who will bring to life the triumphs, tragedies and political intrigue that characterised the Roman Empire. We stay at the privately owned Albergo Santa Chiara in the very heart of the ancient city, the perfect base for exploring Rome.

Day One - UK - Rome | Day Two - Forum - Colosseum | Day Three - The Appian Way

Day Four - Domus Aurea - Celian Hill | Day Five - Tivoli | Day Six | Pantheon - Field of Mars - Ara Pacis

Day Seven - Ostia - UK

Explore the underground ruins of Nero’s infamous Golden House, a revolution in architecture and luxurious design

Walk along the Appian Way, visiting the Villa of the Quintili and the Circus of Maxentius

Discover two important sites outside the city centre - the port of Ostia and Hadrian’s Palace at Tivoli

Image: Colosseum

EssentialROME

Caesars, citizens, senators and slaves

Rome was once the most powerful city in the Mediterranean, sending out soldiers, administrators and traders to order the affairs of provinces as far apart as Britain and Mesopotamia. On this tour, archaeologist and Italiophile, Oliver Gilkes, is on hand to help us unravel this complex web of history. Exploring with Oliver, we meet the Romans at every level of society, from the senatorial grandeur of the forum to sailors and merchants at the oncebustling harbour at Ostia.

Oliver Gilkes - 27 February

Dr Jamie Sewell - 23 October

Dr Simon Elliott - 30 October

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Admire the unique Pantheon, so influential to Renaissance architects in later millennia

Explore the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built

Discover two sites extraordinary sites outside the city – Tivoli and Ostia Antica

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach Accommodation

• 6 nights at the Albergo Santa Chiara, Rome Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

- 29

30 Oct - 5 Nov Twin/Dbl Share

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Oliver Gilkes

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Albergo Santa Chiara, Rome Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts & 2 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

29 Nov - 3 Dec Twin/Dbl Share SS

Classical Greece - Homer's Heroes

From Bronze Age to Byzantine

11 DAYS FROM £5,100pp

Embark on a modern-day odyssey to pivotal archaeological sites as we trace the story of Ancient Greece, from the Bronze Age to classical glory. This is a tour for anyone who has ever dreamed of standing at the starting line of the ancient Olympics, debating with Socrates or following in the footsteps of Hercules. It is also the perfect opportunity to revisit the stories of The Iliad and Odyssey and marry them with the impressive material remains of the people who inspired, composed and believed in them.

Discover the site of ancient Thebes, the mythical home of Oedipus

Consult the oracle at the Panhellenic Sanctuary at Delphi in its wonderfully dramatic mountain setting

Explore the famous citadel of Mycenae and see the Lion Gate, the grave circles and the Treasure of Atreus

Day One | UK - Athens

Arrive into Athens and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Acropolis & Acropolis Museum

We spend an entire day exploring ancient Athens on foot. We walk past the Theatre of Dionysus and continue up to the Acropolis. Here stands the Parthenon, ‘Chamber of the Maidens’, built in the 5th century BCE. We then visit the Acropolis Museum

Day Three | National Archaeological Museum & Agora Day

This morning, we explore the National Archaeological Museum, and later we walk through the Agora, the political and commercial heart of ancient Athens.

Day Four | Athens - Thebes - Delphi

This morning, we drive north to the site of ancient Thebes. The ancient city holds a central place in ancient Greek mythology as the setting for many prominent myths and legends, including the stories of Oedipus and Antigone. Here we visit the Archaeological Museum

Day Five | Delphi - Olympia

Our morning is devoted to the Panhellenic Sanctuary at Delphi, and its on-site museum

Day

Six | Olympia - Nafplion

This morning, we explore Olympia, home of the first and greatest Panhellenic Games and the most important religious centre in the 8th century BCE.

Day Seven | Nafplion & Epidaurus

Our first visit today is to the excellent Archaeological Museum, located in the main square of Nafplion. After lunch, we drive east to the ancient site of Epidaurus, a celebrated centre of healing in the ancient world.

Day Eight | Corinth

Today, we drive west to Corinth and visit the Sanctuary of Poseidon at Isthmia before visiting Corinth itself, one of the great cities of Classical Greece.

Day Nine | Mycenae

We explore the great Bronze Age hilltop site of Mycenae, walk to Lion Gate and view the archaeological remains of the Acropolis, including the palace and the grave circles. We then explore Tiryns, a Mycenaean hillfort.

Day Ten | Mystras - Sparta - Kalamata

We head south to Mystras on the slopes of the hill of Mezythra, then continue south to nearby Sparta Day Eleven | Kalamata - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Rita Roussos

A native Athenian, Rita taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens. She is particularly interested in the place of women in ancient Greece and Rome.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at the Herodion Hotel, Athens, 1 night at the V Hotel Delphi, 1 night at the Hotel Europa, Olympia, 4 nights at the Nafsimedon Hotel, Nafplion & 1 night at the Grand Hotel, Kalamata Culinary inclusions

• 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

20 - 30 Sep Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £5,100 £990 WITH FLIGHTS £5,450 £990

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

This meticulously curated tour takes us on an immersive journey through the heart of ancient Greece, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore Athens's rich historical and cultural heritage and surrounding areas. From the iconic Acropolis and the bustling Agora to the serene island of Aegina and the ancient sanctuary of Eleusis, each day is filled with fascinating discoveries and unforgettable experiences.

Day One - UK - Athens | Day Two - Hill of Ares - Propylaea & Acropolis Museum | Day Three - National Archaeological Museum, Agora and Agora Museum | Day Four - Aegina Island | Day Five - Kerameikos, Piraeus & Eleusis | Day Six - Amphiaraeion of Oropos & Cycladic Museum | Day Seven - Sanctuary of Brauron - Thorikos & Sounion | Day Eight - Athens - UK

Enjoy the richest collections of artefacts from Greek antiquity ever assembled at three world-class museums

Explore the wonderful island of Aegina, situated in the Saronic Gulf

Discover two fabulous sites which are rarely visited - the Amphiaraeion of Oropos and the Sanctuary of Brauron

This tour of Northern Greece reveals fantastic archaeological sites shaped by Macedonians, Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Ottomans. We journey through landscapes marked by canyons, lakes, waterfalls and rivers, rich in history.

Day One - UK - Thessaloniki - Kastoria | Day Two - Kastoria - Propylaea & Acropolis Museum Day Three - Kastoria - Edessa | Day Four - Edessa - Aigai - Thessaloniki | Day Five - Pella - Thessaloniki Day Six - Dion | Day Seven - Thessaloniki | Day Eight - Thessaloniki - UK

Dr Rita Roussos

A native Athenian, Rita taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Acropolian Spirit Boutique Hotel, Athens

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

29 Mar - 5 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £3,470 £690 WITH FLIGHTS £3,770 £690

18 -25 Oct Twin/Dbl

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Dr Christina Hatmichael-Whitley - 13 April Oliver Gilkes - 16 September

Admire the remarkable frescos which decorate the Byzantine churches of Kastoria

Discover the waterfalls at Edessa, a city defined by water

Enjoy the richest ancient burial ever found in Europe - the tomb of Philip II - and its extraordinary museum

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Orologopoulos Mansion Hotel, Kastoria, 1 night at the Varosi 4 Seasons, Edessa and 4 nights at the Vanoro, Thessaloniki

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

13 - 20 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR

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

Image: Stele, Kerameikos

Classical Turkey: the Aegean Coast

Powerful city states of ancient history

11 DAYS FROM £5,230pp Moderate

The Greek and Roman cities of Turkey’s Aegean coast were once some of the most powerful in the ancient world, from - if Homer is to be believed - the site of the legendary conflict between Greeks and Trojans, to the World Heritage Site of Hierapolis. The remains of these splendid cities are set in a breathtaking landscape of rugged limestone peaks, plunging valleys, olive groves, pine forests and flower-dotted meadows, with the glittering blue waters of the Aegean Sea highlighting the distance.

Explore Troy, one of archaeology’s most debated and fascinating sites which is still yielding new discoveries

Admire Pergamon, the dramatic hilltop acropolis of the Attalid kings with its vertiginous Hellenistic architecture

Discover Priene, an often-overlooked Hellenistic city and an excellent model of urban planning

Day One | UK -

Istanbul

Arrive into Istanbul and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel in the historic district of Sultanhamet.

Day Two | Istanbul

We explore the magnificent Agia Sophia and descend into the Yerebatan Sarnici before we see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk of Theodosius We end the day at the Blue Mosque

Day Three | Istanbul - Assos

We take the ferry across the Dardanelles and continue to Troy where we spend the remainder of the day.

Day Four | Assos - Avaylik

This morning, we drive to the site of Assos, with the Doric Temple of Athena situated on the east side of the acropolis. We visit Antandros and later arrive in Ayvalik.

Day Five | Ayvalık - Pergamon - Izmir

We spend the day at the great Hellenistic city of Pergamon, one of the greatest ancient cities in Turkey. After lunch, we visit the Pergamon Museum and the Aesclepium

Day Six | Izmir - Pamukkale

Our first visit of the day is to the Agora of Smyrna, located in the Mezarlikbasi neighbourhood of Izmir. We continue inland to Sardis, a city that has always

acted as a centre of power. We see the finely preserved Temple of Artemis and then Pamukkale.

Day Seven | Hierapolis - Laodicea

Today, we explore ancient Hierapolis, which benefited hugely from the nearby thermal springs, with its extensive tombs and the oracular Temple of Apollo. In the afternoon, we visit Laodicea

Day Eight | Aphrodisias - Kusudasi

We travel east up the long valley of the Menderes River to Aphrodisias. The river appears in Homer’s Iliad and was noted in antiquity for the winding course it struck through the hills.

Day Nine | Priene - Didyma

We spend the morning at Priene, then follow in the footsteps of the Greeks to Didyma and end the day at Miletus

Day Ten | Ephesus

Our tour culminates at Ephesus, one of western Turkey’s highlights. Probably originally a Hittite city, it was colonised by Attic and Ionian Greeks. We then visit the Basilica of St John at Selçuk

Day Eleven | Izmir - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Isabella Sjöström

An archaeologist who has excavated in the UK, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Libya, Isabella works as a pottery specialist with the Sudan Archaeological Research Society.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Istanbul, 1 night at the Kervanseray Hotel, Pamukkale, 1 night at the Hotel Bacacan, Ayvalık, 1 night at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Izmir, 2 nights at the Heiropark Hotel, Pamukkale & 3 nights at the Hotel Korumar, Kusadası Culinary inclusions

• 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

28 Oct - 7 Nov Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £5,230 £900 WITH

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

A Grand Tour of Sicily

Rich archaeological sites and impressive artistic achievements

12 DAYS FROM £6,500pp Moderate

The varied landscape reflects Sicily's tempestuous past, ranging from gently beautiful hillsides to shimmering salt plains and dramatic and rugged coastlines. On this sun-soaked island, we find wonderfully preserved Greek temples, Roman villas and Norman cathedrals filled with stunning mosaics. This tour showcases the wonderful monuments from all the cultures which found their homes on Sicily.

Armerina - Organtina | Day Nine - Syracuse | Day Ten - Ortygia & Noto | Day Eleven - Catania -

Taormina Day Twelve - Catania - London

Admire truly exceptional mosaics at the Villa Romana, Piazza Armerina

Discover the unique landscape around Marsala

Discover the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

Enjoy a special access evening visit to view the stunning mosaics at Cappella Palatina

Image: Segesta

RelaxedSYRACUSE

The ancient heart of southern Sicily

8 DAYS FROM £4,440pp

With a history stretching back almost 3,000 years, the city of Syracuse has the rare accolade of being classed as a World Heritage Site in its entirety. Founded in 734 BCE, it became the most powerful Greek polis in the western Mediterranean. We follow in the footsteps of past civilizations to explore Ortygia, Euryalus Castle, Tellaro Villa and the Pantalica hills.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Oliver Gilkes - 12 May

Dr Jamie Sewell - 5 October

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Hotel Palermo Quattro, 1 night at the Baitan Hotel, Marsala, 2 nights at the Hotel Costazzurra Museum & Spa, Agrigento, 3 nights at the Grand Hotel Villa Politi, Syracuse and 1 night at the Hellenia Yachting Hotel Giardini Naxos

Culinary inclusions

• 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

12 - 23 May Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £6,500 £980 WITH FLIGHTS £6,880 £980

5 - 16 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £6,500 £980 WITH FLIGHTS £6,880 £980

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

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore from our base in historic Ortygia with its glorious piazzas and sea views

Discover Pantalica, beautifully alive with native bird and plant life

Admire the exceptionally fine mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale

Dr Doru Bogdan

A researcher and lecturer at the University of Alba Iulia in Romania, Doru is a specialist in Roman archaeology and has also supervised an array of fascinating excavations.

COMPREHENSIVE

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights in Ortygia

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

4 - 11 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR

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

Carthage to the Sands of the Sahara

Travel in the north and south of Tunisia

15 DAYS FROM £5,330pp Moderate

Tunisia has some of the finest and best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Many retain the romance of ruins in the countryside, unnoticed and unspoiled by mass tourism. Starting with Carthage and the early Punic colonies, we travel south through ruined towns of the high Roman Empire, where impressive public monuments and houses decorated with brightly coloured mosaics bear witness to the wealth once enjoyed here.

Enjoy a thorough exploration of Tunisia’s historical sites from ancient Carthage and Rome to fortified Berber villages

Traverse the salt plains of the chotts - the visual effect of this vivid white landscape is dazzling, with the salt blown into unusual shapes by the desert wind

Explore the mosques and medinas of Kairouan’s rich architectural and heritage

Carthage & Roman Tunisia

Stand before the mighty ancient amphitheatre of El Djem

A land where dramatic events shaped ancient history – the superpowers of Carthage and Rome clashed in three Punic Wars, which determined the course of Western history. Lasting over 100 years, this conflict destroyed Carthage and assured Roman ascendancy. Superb sites and changing landscapes, from rolling hills and olive groves to sparkling sea, make this an excellent tour.

Visit the incredible El Djem amphitheatre, Africa’s largest and best preserved Gaze upon some of the world’s most impressive mosaics at the Bardo, Sousse and El Djem museums Tour a selection of little-known sites, including Mustis and Ain Tounga as well as the Bulla Regia

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Jamie Sewell

Jamie has 15 years’ worth of experience supervising excavations in Britain, Germany, Italy and Romania.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach Accommodation

• 4 nights at The Residence Tunis, 2 nights at the Hôtel Thugga, Teboursouk, 2 nights at the Hotel La Kasbah Kairouan, 2 nights at the Dar Horchani, Tozeur, 1 night at the The Residence Douz By Cenizaro, Douz, 1 night at the Les Oliviers Palace, Sfax, and 2 nights at The Sinbad Hotel, Hammamet

Culinary inclusions

• 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 14 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

15 - 29 Nov Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Tony O’Connor - 25 March Dr Farès K Moussa - 14 October

COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at Hotel Residence, Tunis, 2 nights at Hotel Thugga, Teboursouk, 2 nights at the Hotel Kasbah, Kairouan & 2 nights at the Sindbad Hotel, Hammamet (or similar)

Culinary inclusions

• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

25 Mar - 3 Apr

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

Image:: Cave of Lascaux

Image: El Djem

Morocco: Tangier to Marrakesh

Imperial cities and Lords of the Atlas

10 DAYS FROM £4,720pp Moderate

Morocco is known as the ‘Maghreb el-Aqsa’ the land of the further west, encircled by three great seas and tucked in at the corner of Africa. This tour programme focuses on the legacy of the medieval dynasties of Morocco and its Imperial Cities on a journey which extends from the northern tip of the country at Tangiers to the borders of the desert at Marrakesh in the south.

Explore the remarkable Roman site of Volubilis, ancient capital of Mauretania Tingitania

Enjoy the sensation of time travel in one of the world’s most complete medieval cities – Fez

Discover Marrakesh and its famous Jamaa el Fena Square with its storytellers, jugglers, musicians and snake charmers

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Eireann Marshall

An Honorary Research Fellow for the Open University, Eireann has led many Andante tours. She won the Top History and Culture Guide prize at Wanderlust magazine’s 2019 World Guide Awards.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at The Marina Bay City Center Hotel, Tangier, 3 nights at the Hotel Les Merinides, Fez, 2 nights at the NJ Hôtel Rabat and 2 nights at the Kenzi Rose Garden, Marrakech

Culinary inclusions

• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

4 - 13 Dec Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £4,720 £580 WITH FLIGHTS £5,120 £580

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

The Romans in Algeria

From Algiers to Timgad

Algeria is still one of the least-visited countries in the world, but access to its ruinous Classical cities is now easier than it has been for some years. The sites are a palimpsest of Numidian, Roman and Byzantine remains, and include probably the best-preserved colonia anywhere in the Empire – Timgad.

Wander the perfectly preserved streets at the UNESCO-listed sites of Roman Djémila and Timgad

In Sétif, gaze upon one of the most exquisite mosaics in all the Roman world – the fantastic Triumph of Dionysus

Explore the Roman ‘City of Bridges’ – Constantine – and visit the evocative ruins of Hippo Regius

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Lamaraz Hotels, Algiers, 1 night at the Sheraton Annaba Hotel, Annaba, 2 nights at a hotel at Constantine, 1 night at the Park Mall Hotel & Conference Center, Setif, 1 night at the Trajan Hotel, Batna & 1 night at the Vescera Hotel, Biskra Culinary inclusions

• 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person

19 - 29 Mar Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £4,930

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

Image: City of Constantine

9 DAYS FROM £3,160pp Moderate

Geographically, and for 50 years culturally isolated during the post-war Stalinist regime, Albania is unlike any other country in Europe. Homeric landscapes, for the most part undisturbed by modern life, hold ruinous Classical cities which once vied in splendour with their neighbours in Greece and Italy. Greek coastal colonisation provided new stimulus to the native population, and recent excavations of their Illyrian hilltop cities such as Byllis, have revealed the successful absorption of Hellenistic architectural ideas in their planned layout.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Uncover a story of the discovery of 2,000 years of untouched archaeological heritage

Spend a full day at the World Heritage Site of Butrint

Enjoy fantastic scenery, mountains, valleys and the dramatic Albanian Riviera

Day One | UK - Tirana

Arrive into Tirana and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Tirana

We spend the morning in Albania’s capital, Tirana, a microcosm of Albania’s modern history. We visit the Ethen Bay Mosque and the National Historical Museum, which contains a large section on prehistory. In the afternoon, we head to Bunkart 1, intended as a nuclear shelter and now converted into a museum and art centre.

Day Three | Tirana - Apollonia - Saranda

Today we drive to Apollonia Archaeological Park, site of the colony founded by the Corinthians in 588 BCE, featuring a Byzantine monastery-turnedmuseum. This afternoon, we drive along the ‘Mountains of Thunder’ down the beautiful Ionian coast, stopping for lunch in Vlora. We arrive in Saranda early this evening.

Day Four | Butrint

Our day is spent at world-famous Butrint. The site is one of the most striking in the Mediterranean and our guide lecturer Oliver Gilkes has directed excavations here for many years. After a picnic lunch at Butrint Castle, we visit the museum before walking down to catch the ferry across the Vivari Channel. Here we explore the Venetian Triangular Fortress

Day Five | Saranda - Gjirokastra

Today we leave the Ionian and cross the mountains to arrive in the Ottoman city of Gjirokastra, visiting the Gjirokastra Museum, the medieval Fortress and the National Museum of Arms. This afternoon, we discover the late Ottoman mansion, Zekate House.

Day Six | Gjirokaster - Byllis - Berat

We head northwards to the ruins of Byllis, including a Hellenistic-era stadium, theatre and fortifications as well as numerous later Roman churches. After lunch, we visit the excavated Byllis Cathedral before continuing onwards to Berat.

Day Seven | Berat - Kruja

Today we shift from classical to medieval times and focus on the attractive town of Berat, which is brimming with traditional architecture, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques.

Day Eight | Durres

We visit Durres, Albania’s chief port and the starting point of the Via Egnatia. Here we visit the 2ndcentury amphitheatre, the largest in the Balkans, as well as sections of the mighty walls. After lunch, we continue to Kruja and the Skanderbeg Museum

Day Nine | Kruja - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Oliver Gilkes

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Hotel Opera, Tirana, 2 nights at the Hotel Brilant, Saranda, 1 night at the Hotel Fantasy, Gjirokaster, 1 night at the Hotel Mangalemi, Berat & 2 nights at the Hotel Panorama, Krujë

Culinary inclusions

• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

17 - 25 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £3,160 £390 WITH FLIGHTS £3,580 £390

9 - 17 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £3,160 £410 WITH FLIGHTS £3,580 £410

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

Image: Gjirokastra

The Archaeology of Roman Istria

Exploring idyllic Croatia

5 DAYS FROM £2,450pp Moderate

The idyllic peninsula of Istria, with its staggeringly beautiful coastline, has a rich history linking it to the Veneti and is now famed for its wonderful ancient ruins as well as its beautiful Venetian cities. This tour brings different layers of history to life, for a memorable journey through Istria’s captivating past.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Eireann Marshall

An Honorary Research Fellow for the Open University, Eireann has led many Andante tours. She won the Top History and Culture Guide prize at Wanderlust magazine’s 2019 World Guide Awards.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Park Plaza Histria Pula and 2 nights at the Hotel Continentale, Trieste

Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners

View the Roman ruins in the elegant city of Trieste, including a stunning theatre and the remains of a forum

Visit Pula with its staggering collection of Roman ruins, including its impressive amphitheatre and stunning Temple of Augustus

Examine the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, a stunning early Byzantine church with a magnificent array of shimmering mosaics

Serbia

Land of the Iron Emperors

The vast lands of the Danube were home to two great European peoples, the Illyrians and the Serbs. This tour takes us off the beaten track, uncovering a wealth of iconic archaeological sites - from remote prehistory until the birth of modern Europe - they are not to be missed! Explore Vinča, the Danube-side cradle of Neolithic civilisation

Visit extraordinary Gamzigrad, Emperor Galerius’ retirement home

Visit Golubac and other fortresses on the banks of the mighty Danube

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

4 - 8 Sep Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £2 ,450 £450 WITH FLIGHTS £2 ,950 £450

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

Oliver Gilkes

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Lumiere Hotel, Belgrade, 1 night at the Hotel Aquastar Danube, Kladovo and 2 nights at the New City Hotel, Nis

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person 18 - 25 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

Image: Pula amphitheatre

RelaxedTRIER

Archaeology on the Moselle

Nestled in the picturesque Moselle Valley, Trier was an important provincial capital in Roman times, known as Augusta Treverorum; it was the residence of emperors, a centre of trade and the largest market in an ancient wine-growing area. Today, still surrounded by vineyards, this ancient city boasts an extraordinary concentration of remarkably preserved Roman monuments, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Tony Wilmott

Senior Archaeologist with Historic England, Tony has directed many excavations, and published several books and many articles in archaeological journals. He specialises in the Roman periods, with a particular interest in the Roman military. Day One - UK - Luxembourg - Trier | Day Two - Trier | Day Three - Trier | Day Four - Nennig & Borg Day Five - Trier | Day Six - Otzenhausen - Otrang | Day Seven - Trier - Luxembourg - UK

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the extraordinary Aula Palatina and Porta Nigra, late antique sites which are largely intact

Admire the gladiator mosaic at the Villa Nennig, which depicts bloody scenes from the arena

Discover the region’s Celtic origins at Otzenhausen, one of the largest Celtic hillforts in the world

RelaxedSPLIT

Diocletian’s legacy

Split is one of the Mediterranean’s most remarkable coastal cities. At its core sits Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that isn’t merely a ruin but a vibrant, inhabited city within ancient walls. Wandering its serpentine streets, discovering Roman, medieval and Renaissance architecture offers a uniquely immersive historical experience unlike anywhere else.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the immense palace of the Emperor Diocletian - one of the best preserved anywhere in the Empire Discover Klis fortress, dramatically perched on a rocky eminence between the Kozjak and Mosor mountains

Relax with plenty of free time and enjoy a blend of rich history, stunning coastal scenery and an excellent local food scene

YOUR

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 6 nights at the Hotel Park Plaza Trier

Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 5 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

7 - 12 Jul Twin/Dbl Share SS

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

John Shepherd Winner of the Wanderlust World Guide Award - History & Culture 2023, John has worked extensively in the field in Europe.

•

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Hotel Park Split Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

10 - 17 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY £4,210 £720 WITH FLIGHTS

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

Image: Liebfrauenkirche

Roman Provence

Amongst diverse landscapes discover some of Europe’s

7 DAYS FROM £3,560pp Easy

finest Roman remains

Prof. Tony King

Join Tony on our October departure

Tony O’Connor

Join Tony on our May departure

Provincial Romana was founded in France at the end of the 2nd century BCE, as the Romans grew their Empire across Europe and an extensive building programme of grand amphitheatres, baths and aqueducts emerged with it, built in the days of the high empire to impress and subdue the native Gallic tribes. The idyllic landscapes of Provence are therefore home to some of Europe’s finest Roman remains.

Discover the charming town of St. Remy, a haven for artists, writers and musicians and our base for this tour

Explore the World Heritage sites at Orange, Arles and the Pont du Gard in the company of a Roman expert

Visit the Oppidum at Entremont and learn about the extraordinary cult of the severed head

A Grand Tour of Roman Britain

From conquest to culture

Roman Britain offers a fascinating window into nearly four centuries of history, from the Claudian invasion of 43 AD to the gradual withdrawal of Roman administration in the early 5th century. This unique tour visits major sites and museums along the length and breadth of the country to explore the process of Romanisation – how Celtic Britain adapted to Roman rule through military presence, urban development and cultural exchange, while local traditions continued to flourish alongside imperial customs.

Admire two fabulous villa complexes at Bignor Roman Villa and Fishbourne Palace

Discover Maiden Castle where after more than 2,000 years, the earthworks still impress

Visit Caerleon, one of only three permanent Roman legionary fortresses in Roman Britain

Explore sites along the Antonine Wall, the defensive turf and earth barrier north of Hadrian’s Wall

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• Return train travel from London St. Pancras & all local transport

Accommodation

• 6 nights at the Hôtel Gounod, St. Remy

Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person Twin/Dbl

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Tony Wilmott

Senior Archaeologist with Historic England, Tony has directed many excavations, and published several books and many articles in archaeological journals.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach Accommodation

• 1 night at a hotel at each of the following locations: London, Chichester, Blandford Forum, Bath and Chester, 3 nights at a hotel at Carlisle, and 3 nights at a hotel at Edinburgh

Culinary inclusions

• 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 11 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person Twin/Dbl Share SS 20 Sep - 1 Oct £5,980 £995

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

Image: Pont du Gard

Jordan - Petra & the Desert Fortresses

Spend two days in the evocative rock-cut city of Petra

DAYS FROM £4,270pp Moderate

Throughout the recorded past, Jordan shook to the often heavy footfalls of conquerors and felt the sweeping movements of peoples and customs, of prophets and kings. On this extensive tour, we see how Petra’s tombs and temples are only a fraction of Jordan’s story. We explore traces of biblical tribes, Roman legions, Christian crusaders and Islamic caliphates in this promised land of archaeology and fascinating history.

Visit Jerash, the best-preserved (and Jordan’s largest) Roman town in the east, a site that is home to the Oval Plaza and the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis

Spend two days in the evocative rock-cut city of Petra, an iconic and instantly recognisable site that needs no introduction

Admire the almost lunar-like desert scenery of Wadi Rum, which was immortalised on screen in Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars: Rogue One, aboard a fleet of offroad vehicles

Day One | UK - Amman

Arrive into Amman and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Wadi Seer - Dead Sea - Amman

Today, we visit Wadi Seer to explore the remains of Qasr-al-Abd, before heading to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and the saltiest hypersaline lake, where floating is a unique experience.

Day Three | Gadara - Jerash

We explore two Roman Decapolis cities, starting with the ancient city of Gadara. After lunch, we continue to Jerash for the afternoon, which is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the east. The architecture is particularly fine and includes the impressive 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch, the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis and the Oval Plaza

Day Four | Amman

We spend the morning in Amman, visiting the Archaeological Museum, home to artefacts like the Dead Sea bronze scroll and the citadel, featuring ruins of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the palace of the Omayyad Caliphs. Next, we visit the early Byzantine Church of St George in Madaba and spend time in the Madaba Archaeological Park before heading back to our hotel.

Day Five | Umm al-Jimal

Today, we head into the eastern desert to explore the dramatic basalt city at Umm al-Jimal. After lunch, we travel on to the desert castles, Qasr

Azraq, Amra and al-Kharanah, with far-reaching views over the surrounding landscape.

Day Six | Umm al-Rasas - Kerak

We visit the church and the spectacular mosaics at Umm al-Rasas. Before lunch, we stop at a viewpoint at Wadi Mujib and then head to the castle of Kerak, one of the largest in the Levantine region.

Day Seven & Eight | Petra

We spend two days in Petra, exploring its vast 200-square-kilometre archaeological park. This ancient Nabatean Arab capital is carved into sandstone cliffs, earning the name 'Rose City' for its red, white and pink hues. Our expert guide offers optional climbs to the Nabatean Monastery and High Place

Day Eight | Petra

Further exploration of Petra’s extraordinary monuments and landscapes.

Day Nine | Little Petra - Wadi Rum

Our first visit is the Neolithic site of Beidha and the painted tomb at Little Petra. We then drive to Wadi Rum, home to the empire's largest Roman copper mine and explore its stunning scenery and rock art sites via 4x4s. Finally, we return to Amman for a farewell dinner.

Day Ten | Amman - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Nick Jackson

A graduate of the Institute of Archaeology at UCL, Nick is an archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of excavation experience.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 6 nights at the AlQasr Metropole Hotel, Amman, and 3 nights at the Petra Moon Hotel, Petra Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Oman

On the frankincense trail

Oman has been a crossroads of commerce for millennia. Its archaeology includes a rich prehistory of Bronze Age tombs and Iron Age fortresses as well as Classical trading settlements, mosques and emporia of the Islamic Age. Travelling from the mountains of Muscat to the beaches of Salalah, we explore the hub of Classical Arabia Felix and the great incense city of Sumhuram with a drive though the Empty Quarter to the lost city of Ubar.

Follow in the footsteps of the ancient caravans as we explore rock art and a range of sites

Explore the striking Bronze Age tombs at Bat, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Enjoy beautiful contrasting landscapes from the red gold dunes of the Wahabi desert to craggy mountains and the glittering blue Arabian Sea

Day One | UK - Muscat

Arrive into Muscat and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Muscat

We spend the day in Muscat, an ancient trading city once part of the Sassanid Persian Empire. In the morning, we explore Muttrah Souq, followed by Al Alam Palace and the National Museum of Oman.

Day Three | Muscat - Nizwa

Today, we switch to 4x4s for our inland journey. In Muscat, we visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman's largest. Then, we explore Al Hazm fort, Al Ayn and the UNESCO-listed Bat with its Bronze Age beehive tombs. We end in the historic town of Nizwa

Day Four | Al Hamra, Wadi Ghul, Wadi Nakhar & Misfah

We drive to Al Hamra and we continue to Wadi Ghul and then to Wadi Nakher. Our next stop is Misfah for a picnic lunch. Afterwards, we explore the Falaj irrigation system.

Day Five | Wadi Tanuf, Nizwa, Jabrin & Salut

Today, we visit Wadi Tanuf and then Nizwa, an ancient trade hub and birthplace of Islam. After lunch, we head to Jabrin, a 17th-century fortified palace built by Bil’arub bin Sultan. We end our day at Salut, near Bisyah, an archaeological site showcasing ruins and fortifications from the Bronze and Iron ages.

Day Six | Nizwa - Lizq - Wahiba Sands

The archaeological site of Lizq in Ash Sharqiyah is our first visit today. Discovered in 1979, the hill fort here has pottery similar to Early Iron Age sites. We continue to Wahiba Sands and spend the night at a desert camp.

Day Seven | Wahiba Sands - Muscat - Salalah

This morning, we leave the desert and drive to Muscat, where we catch our flight to Salalah, the historic centre of Dhofar and source of the frankincense trade.

Day Eight | Sumhuram, Wadi Darbat & Mirbat

Today begins at Khor Rori Creek and the ruins of Sumhuram. Next, we head to Wadi Darbat for lunch and then Mirbat. On the way back, we stop at Bin Ali’s Tomb, a stunning example of medieval architecture.

Day Nine | Hanum, Empty Quarter & Ubar

We begin at Hanun, a depot on the frankincense routes and explore nearby 5th-century BCE triliths. Next, we head into Rub Al Khali to the legendary city of Ubar. Back in Salalah, we visit a Frankincense tree plantation.

Day Ten | Al Balid & Nabi Ayoub

Today, we explore Al Balid and Nabi Ayoub before flying back to Muscat this afternoon.

Day Eleven | Muscat - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Nick Jackson

A graduate of the Institute of Archaeology at UCL, Nick is an archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of excavation experience.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Radisson Blu, Muscat, 3 nights at the The View, Nizwa, 1 night at the Safari Desert Camp & 3 nights at the Juweira Boutique Hotel, Salalah Culinary inclusions

• 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 9 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person

29 Jan - 8 Feb Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

RelaxedKYRENIA

Traders to Crusaders

Beautiful Cyprus, traditionally the birthplace of the Goddess of love, Aphrodite, has attracted many unwanted suitors over the years. With the lovely harbour of Kyrenia serving as our base, we enjoy a leisurely tour of the archaeological sites of the north of the island, from the ancient port city of Soli with its impressive Roman mosaics to the medieval fortress of St Hilarion, perched dramatically on the Kyrenia mountain range. The landscape itself tells the story of successive civilisations all set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean's azure waters and the rugged beauty of the northern Cypriot coast.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the castles of the Templars who sought refuge in the Kingdom of Cyprus in 1291 after the fall of Acre

Visit the lovely village of Bellapais, where Lawrence Durrell once lived and wrote

Enjoy the wonderful Greco-Roman remains of Salamis, situated on the coast

Discover Famagusta with its medieval churches and the ghost town of Varosha, abandoned since the 1970s

Day One | UK - Larnaca - Kyrenia

Arrive into Kyrenia and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Kyrenia

Kyrenia Harbour, a well-preserved medieval port with a Roman-era horseshoe-shaped basin fortified by the Lusignans, awaits our morning stroll. We'll visit the imposing Kyrenia Castle, a stronghold that served various rulers over centuries. Inside, the Shipwreck Museum displays a remarkable 4th-century BCE Greek trading vessel found in 1967, likely sunk by pirates. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing or exploratory afternoon.

Day Three | Bellapais Abbey & Castle of St. Hilarion

This morning, we head south to Bellapais, the village Lawrence Durrell described in his book Bitter Lemons. We explore Bellapais Abbey, a stunning Gothic masterpiece reflecting enhancements by Lusignan kings in the 13th century. Highlights include the refectory and arcaded cloisters. In the afternoon, we visit the Castle of St. Hilarion, the best-preserved of the three Lusignan strongholds in the Kyrenia mountains. Originally a monastery, it was fortified by the Byzantines in the 11th century to defend against Arabian pirates.

Day Four | Soli & Vouni

Today we head west to Soli, one of Cyprus's ancient city-kingdoms. Highlights include a Roman theatre,

an early Christian basilica and remains of temples to deities such as Aphrodite and Isis. Next, we visit the cliff-top 5th-century palace complex at Vouni, perched 200m above the sea. Before returning to Kyrenia, we stop at the excellent Güzelyurt Museum of Archaeology and Natural History

Day Five | Kyrenia

We enjoy a day of leisure today. Relax at the hotel or stroll to the Ethnographic Museum on the harbour or take a boat trip along the coast. We meet again this evening for dinner together.

Day Six | Salamis & Famagusta

This morning, we drive east to ancient Salamis, once the leading city on the island for over 1,500 years. Founded after the Bronze Age collapse, legend credits its founding to Teucer, a Trojan War hero. The sprawling Graeco-Roman site includes substantial remains. Next, we visit Famagusta, a major Christian trade hub after the fall of the last Crusader stronghold in the Levant. By the 14th century, it was among the world's wealthiest cities, with a cosmopolitan society and dozens of churches within its strong circuit walls.

Day Seven | Nicosia – Larnaca - UK

We check out of our hotel today and drive to Nicosia, where we visit the Cyprus Museum, which documents over 6,000 years of the island’s history. After lunch, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Terry Richardson

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 6 nights at the Arkin Colony Hotel, Kyrenia Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

5 - 11 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £4,040 £540 WITH FLIGHTS £4,390

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

£540

Moderate 7 DAYS FROM £4,040pp

A changing world emerges Middle Ages & Beyond

From the fall of empires to the rise of kingdoms, the medieval period was one of transformation, adaptation and renewal. Imposing castles, crumbling cathedrals, serene monasteries, storied battlefields and evolving landscapes reveal a world in transition – where faith, power and daily life intertwined, shaping the foundations of the modern age.

These meticulously curated tours transport you to an era of ruthless monarchs, knights, seafarers, raiders and traders, where history comes alive before your very eyes. In the company of an expert, learn of ancient myths, uncover the secrets of centuries-old traditions and see how manufacturing and maritime legacies have left an architectural footprint still visible today.

Whether you're intrigued by the grandeur of medieval architecture, the artistry of illuminated manuscripts or the dramatic battles that shaped nations, each site visit offers a step closer to understanding the roots of our shared history. There is much to discover: famous Viking longships, Sutton Hoo’s royal burial grounds, medieval marketplaces of great Italian cities, remnants of the Teutonic Order in Poland and more await. But whichever tour you choose, you’ll discover the stories and figures who shaped the medieval world and influenced modernity, learning about the architectural ingenuity, cultural richness and dayto-day life of this fascinating era.

“ We had a lovely time. The rest of the group were great fun and company...Fabulous sites to visit with good food and comfortable hotels. Excellent Expert guide in Tony O’Connor. Our tour manager Sirah was a delight to be with and kept everything running smoothly. ”

Andante Travels Guest - Imperial Majesty in Ravenna & Venice - 2025

Viking Homelands

Germany, Denmark and Sweden

11 DAYS FROM £7,740pp

The Vikings were the greatest seafarers, raiders and traders of the Early Middle Ages. Far from being a race of unwashed barbarians, they presided over a trading network which extended from Greenland to Baghdad. Following in the Vikings’ footsteps, we make our own epic voyage, starting in Germany, travelling across Denmark and culminating in Sweden.

Enjoy the Viking Festival at Trelleborg with its craft workshops, re-enactors and Viking battles

View the famous Viking longships at Roskilde, the best-preserved collection in Scandinavia

Explore Gamla Uppsala with its three huge royal burial mounds that legend attributes to kings Aun, Egil and Adlis

Discover the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Birka, just a boat ride away from vibrant Stockholm

Day One | UK - Hamburg - Aarhus

Arrive into Aarhus, stopping en route to your hotel to explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hedeby and Danevirke

Day Two | Ribe, Jelling & Ravning Enge

Our first visit this morning is to Ribe, another flourishing Viking settlement and Denmark’s oldest town and continue to Baekka. We then visit Jelling, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kongernes Jelling Visitor Centre and Ravning Enge

Day Three | Fyrkat & Lindenhoje

This morning, we visit Fyrkat Fort, then drive to Lindholm Hoje, an expansive Viking and Iron Age grave site which contains nearly 700 graves.

Day Four | Aarhus - Ladby - Copenhagen

We travel west to visit the famous Ladby ship burial, which has been preserved in situ beneath a reconstructed mound. We visit the Ladby Museum before crossing the Great Belt Bridge to Zeeland and our site visit at Trelleborg

Day Five | Gammel Lejre & Roskilde

This morning, we visit Gammel Lejre, the site of a prosperous manor owned by the Danish crown in the Middle Ages and continue to Roskilde, where the Viking Ship Museum displays one of the bestpreserved groups of Viking period ships.

Day Six | Copenhagen

On our last morning in Denmark, we visit the excellent National Museum in Copenhagen with prehistoric and Viking artefacts.

Day Seven | Copenhagen - Stockholm

We leave Copenhagen this morning and take the train to Stockholm over the impressive Øresund Bridge.

Day Eight | Anundshög & Uppsala

We head to Anundshög, then move to Gamla Uppsala to view three huge royal burial mounds. Later, we visit tinghög (parliament hill) and the Gamla Uppsala Historical Centre

Day Nine | Sigtuna & Stockholm

Today, we drive to the shores of Lake Mälaren, where we visit the old Swedish capital of Sigtuna before we explore the Historik Museum

Day Ten | Birka

We take a boat to the island of Björkö (meaning ‘Birch Island’) to explore the UNESCO-listed Viking town of Birka

Day Eleven | Stockholm - UK

We visit the amazingly complex Vasa warship before taking a walk around Gamla Stan, the Old Town. Later, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR

Dr Brian Ayers

GUIDE LECTURER

An expert in medieval urban archaeology, Brian is Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia. He is interested in the origins and the development of towns on both sites of the North Sea during the early medieval period.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at the Comwell Aarhus, Aarhus, 3 nights at the Copenhagen Strand, Copenhagen and 4 nights at the Hotel Kung Carl, Stockholm

Culinary inclusions

• 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 10 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

13 - 23 Jul

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

Images: Roskilde Viking Ship Museum

The Archaeology & Wildlife of East Anglia

From the Broads to Sutton Hoo

The distinctive character of East Anglia can be attributed to it geography – to the north lies the sea, to the west, a vast wetland and to the south, the forests which once occupied northern Essex. Famous for its vast flatlands punctuated by the occasional spire or windmill, its sweeping views, long beaches and abundant wildlife, we discover some of the area’s many delights, from the watery Broads to the royal burial grounds at Sutton Hoo.

Explore Sutton Hoo, one of Britain’s richest archaeological finds

Enjoy the unique flora and fauna of Europe’s most important wetlands

Investigate Binham Priory, a hidden gem in a quiet corner of North Norfolk

Discover the remarkable flint mines at Grime’s Graves, recently re-opened to the public after conservation work

Ravenna

Rome and her heirs

In AD 42, the Roman court moved to Ravenna, making it a late Western Empire capital. A remarkable flowering of art followed, seen in churches, palaces and mausolea adorned with luminous mosaics. Their Romanesque and Byzantine forms, glowing with colour and gold, create awe, celebrating faith and artistic brilliance enduring.

Day One - UK - Bologna - Ravenna | Day Two - Ravenna | Day Three - Ravenna Day Four - Ravenna | Day Five - Pomposa & Ravenna | Day Six - Ravenna - Bologna - UK

Enjoy a special out-of-hours visit to the Basilica of San Vitale with time and space to contemplate its fabulous interior

Admire the extraordinary mosaics at the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra (the House of the Stone Carpets)

Discover the ancient port of Classe, once the biggest naval base of the Adriatic, home to a fleet of 250 ships

Oliver Gilkes

One of our longest-standing Guide Lecturers, Oliver has worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Albania and Italy. Oliver is still involved in projects in Albania and is considered one of just a handful of experts on Albanian archaeology in the UK.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at The Maids Head Hotel, Norwich Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

15 - 22 Jun Twin/Dbl Share SS £3,290 £500

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

Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 5 nights at the NH Hotel Ravenna, Ravenna Culinary inclusions

• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Image: Basilica di San Marco

Image: Binham Priory

Cities on the Po

8 DAYS FROM £4,160pp Moderate

Embark on a journey through history along the mighty Po River, Italy's longest waterway which meanders across the country from the Cottian Alps to the sparkling Adriatic. Once playing a significant role in the development of Italy's economy and culture, its banks have witnessed the rise and fall of many different civilisations and therefore offers a real treasure chest of ancient relics. Learn about cities such as Spina that went undiscovered for thousands of years, uncover stories of power, including the Este family who dominated much of the region for centuries, and admire a range of fascinating items in a range of famous museums and sites.

Uncover the remnants of Spina, once the most important port of the Adriatic which went undiscovered for centuries

Glimpse into the rich history and power of the Este family at Palazzo Schifanoia, home to some of Italy's most important 15th-century frescoes

Learn more about the crossroads of the ancient world at the Museum of the Ancient Delta, featuring a well-preserved Roman shipwreck

Admire the panoramic views from Ghirlandina Tower, adjacent to the Romanesque masterpiece of Modena Cathedral

Day One | UK - Bologna

Arrive into Bologna and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Bologna

The delights of Bologna await, beginning with the Archaeological Museum, housed in the 15thcentury Palazzo Galvani, and the multimedia library of Salaborsa, where the ancient excavations lie beneath the transparent floor. In the afternoon we visit Basilica San Petronio before continuing to Santuario Santo Stefano.

Day Three | Ferrara

After breakfast we drive to pretty Ferrara, where highlights include the medieval moated fortress of Castello Estense, the stunning 12thcentury Cattedrale San Giorgio, the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara and the Renaissance Palazzo Schifanoia

Day Four | Comacchio

Today we head to Comacchio in the Emilia Romagna region, known as ‘Little Venice’. After a walk in the historic centre we visit the Museum of the Ancient Delta, with its well-preserved Roman shipwreck En-route back to Bologna, we stop at Pomposa Abbey, a Benedictine monastery famous for its Carolingian manuscripts and stunning Romanesque architecture.

Day Five | Modena

The lovely city of Modena is the focus today. We visit the impressive cathedral, Ghirlandina Tower (well worth the climb to see the panoramic views!) and the Baroque Ducal Palace, finishing at the Mutina Archaeological Park

Day Six | Parma

This morning we visit Parma, where we see the Teatro Farnese, the stunning Baptistery, the adjacent cathedral and the National Archaeological Museum, established in 1760 and featuring an extensive collection that now spans several millennia.

Day Seven | Villanova - Montale

After breakfast, we drive to the Museum of Villanovan Civilisation, located in the town of Castenaso, and journey back to the early Iron Age. Our second stop of the day is in Marzabotto, known for the ancient city of Kainua. Located on this site is the Pompeo Aria National Etruscan Museum, and a visit here offers a captivating glimpse into the life of Etruscans through its displays of unique artefacts and burial objects found in the necropolis, as well as ruins of temples, houses and streets. We drive to Montale after lunch and visit the Bronze Age site of Terramare di Montale, a wonderful place to learn about Terramare culture.

Day Eight | Bologna - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Tony O’Connor

A specialist in the Roman Empire, Tony has excavated widely across Britain, Europe and North Africa. He first led a tour for Andante over 10 years ago and he just gets better.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Hotel Porta San Mammolo, Bologna Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

12 - 19 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £4,160 £540 WITH FLIGHTS

For

Lake Garda & the Cities of Veneto

Romans to the Renaissance

8 DAYS FROM £3,560pp Moderate

£0 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT PLACES AVAILABLE

From Roman province to Doge Republic, the Veneto has a long, remarkable history. We explore Lake Garda’s fascinating area, discovering archaeology, art, and architecture - from a prehistoric cave beside a 15th-century ‘Roman’ villa to a medieval monastery near an ancient theatre. In quieter spring and autumn months, enjoy vineyards, olive groves, lively piazzas, and tangled streets of Verona, Vicenza, Mantua, and Padua.

Discover the extraordinary cave site of Fumane, one of the major prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe

Enjoy the picture-perfect setting and cobalt blue waters of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake

Explore the beautiful cities of Verona and Vicenza, Padua and Mantua and their plethora of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Day One | UK - Verona - Sirmione

Arrive into Sirmione and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Desenzano

In the morning, we travel to the Desenzano Roman Villa, featuring a rich group of coloured figurative mosaic floors depicting various scenes of cupids, maenads and satyrs, wild beasts and images of the four seasons. We return to Sirmione by ferry and after lunch, take the small train up the hill to the Villa Catullus, the largest and most complete Roman villa in northern Italy.

Day Three | Verona

Today is devoted to Verona, a city immortalised by Shakespeare. We explore the core of the Roman town, its city gate, Porta Borsari, the Arco dei Gavi and the Roman theatre and also view the amphitheatre from the outside. Lastly, we visit the Archaeological Museum, housed in a deconsecrated monastery which was built on top of the Roman theatre.

Day Four | Mantua

We spend our day today in Mantua, a gem of Italian art and architecture. It is full of Renaissance wonders and contains the Palazzo Ducale, the largest residence in Italy after the Vatican. Our last site visit of the day is to Palazzo Te, a masterpiece

of Mannerism built by Giulio Romano in the 16th century.

Day Five | Fumane & Villa della Torre

We take a step further back into the past this morning at the cave site of Fumane, which contains traces of Neanderthal man and evidence of habitation by modern Homo sapiens. Afterwards, we visit nearby Villa della Torre, where we enjoy a wine-tasting and lunch before returning to Sirmione for some free time.

Day Six | Vicenza

We spend our day in Vicenza: a UNESCO World Heritage site and almost archetypical ideal of the Renaissance and Baroque era. This jewel of a place is full of galleries, palaces and churches and is noted for the works of the great architect Andrea Palladio. We visit his amazing villa at La Rotunda

Day Seven | Padua

Our final visit of the tour is to Padua, with highlights including the Scrovegni chapel, with its priceless frescoes by Giotto, the Civic Museum, located in the cloister of the former Eremitani monastery and the Palazza del Bo.

Day Eight | Sirmione - Verona - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Join Tony on our April departure

Join Eireann on our October departure

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 7 nights at the Hotel Continental Thermae & Spa, Sirmione

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

27 Apr - 4 May Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY £3,670

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS

Tony O’Connor

Dr Eireann Marshall

Puglia & Basilicata

Discover the extraordinary Sassi di Matera

9 DAYS FROM £4,610pp Moderate

Both geographically and culturally, the southernmost ‘heel’ of Italy offers a diversity unmatched elsewhere in the south. This sunny, dry region, dotted with dazzling white villages, was once fought over by the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Swabians and Angevins, all of whom lived and prospered here and left the marks of their passing upon the landscape forever.

Discover the charming white-washed trulli houses of Alberobello

Explore ancient Matera, which was crowned the 2019 European Capital of Culture and was the setting for Mel Gibson's blockbuster, Passion of the Christ

Experience the wonderful Baroque city of Lecce and its many historic sights

Pay a visit to Castel del Monte, the most spectacular castle in all of southern Italy

Day One | UK - Lecce

Arrive into Lecce and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Lecce - Otranto

In Lecce, we see many examples of the ‘Lecce Baroque’ style, including the Basilica di Santa Croce, view the amphitheatre and enjoy a private visit to the Roca Vecchia Archaeological Park, a major Bronze Age fortified settlement. In the afternoon we explore Otranto, where the magnificent cathedral contains a vast 12th-century floor mosaic. Our site visits conclude with the Byzantine Church of San Pietro

Day Three | Egnazia

& Alberobello

We head to Egnazia, a key staging post on the Via Traiana and containing the remains of a forum, basilica, amphitheatre and a section of the original Roman road. In the afternoon we explore Alberobello, the UNESCO World Heritage capital of the trulli.

Day Four | Matera

We spend all day in Matera, discovering the extraordinary network of rock-cut cave dwellings, the ancient cisterns and water channels that made the city self-sufficient plus the frescoed Byzantine churches. In the afternoon, we have some free time.

Day Five | Massafra & Taranto

We visit Massafra, a town dramatically split by a deep ravine, and the National Archaeological Museum at Taranto, arguably the finest repository of Magna Graecia artefacts in Italy.

Day Six | Gioia del Colle - Canosa di Puglia

This morning, we visit Metapontum, boasting striking ruins of the Temple of Hera. From here, we drive to Gioia del Colle and the magnificent Castle of Frederick II, which houses the National Archaeological Museum

Day Seven | Castel del Monte - Trani

We start with a visit to Castel del Monte to see the spectacular 13th-century hunting lodge of the Emperor Frederick II. The afternoon is left free in the port town of Trani

Day Eight | Venosa - Melfi

Our final full day takes us into the upland heart of Basilicata to Venosa. We visit the 12th-century Abbey of the Holy Trinity before exploring Melfi, a hilltop town dominated by its powerful Norman castle, now the National Archaeological Museum of Melfi. Highlights include the stunning Bronze Age bronze statuette and the sarcophagus of Rapolla, a 2nd-century AD Roman sarcophagus depicting the myth of Hippolytus.

Day Nine | Bari - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Jamie Sewell

An author of books and articles on the archaeology of towns in Hellenistic Italy, Jamie has 15 years’ worth of experience supervising excavations in Britain, Germany, Italy and Romania.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 2 nights at the Le Club Boutique Hotel, Lecce, 3 nights at the Hotel San Domenico al Piano, Matera and 3 nights at the Hotel Excelsior Bari Culinary inclusions

• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

21 - 29 Oct Twin/Dbl Share SS

TOUR ONLY £4,610 £650 WITH FLIGHTS £4,930 £650

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

Imperial Majesty in Ravenna & Venice

Last bastions of the Byzantine Empire in northern Italy

8 DAYS FROM £3,700pp Moderate

The last capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna flourished as an imperial city. It was adorned with churches decorated by Byzantine artists, including the Basilica of San Vitale, which contains some of the finest mosaics outside Constantinople. Venice grew wealthy from its eastern connections and absorbed Byzantine culture. The Basilica of San Marco, modeled on the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, displays a superb array of Byzantine art.

Enjoy an exclusive evening visit to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna

An exclusive private visit to the Biblioteca Marciana, famed for its collection of Byzantine manuscripts

Explore the unique Basilicas of Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello and Santa Maria e Donato in Murano

Byzantium & Ottoman Istanbul

A glittering jewel on the Bosphorus

7 DAYS FROM £4,190pp Moderate

Founded as Byzantium, famed as Constantinople, Istanbul straddles two continents and has played a pivotal role in world history. One of the world’s most delightful and complex cities, we explore major monuments and take a Bosphorus boat ride affording views of its skyline broken by hundreds of slender minarets. The bustle, hustle, scents and sounds are unforgettable.

Day One - UK - Istanbul | Day Two | Hagia Sophia & Spice Bazaar | Day Three - Taksim Square & Galata Day Four - Walls of Theodosius & Palace of Porphyrogenitus | Day Five - Hagia Eirene & Bosphorus Day Six - Topkapi Palace & Blue Mosque | Day Seven - Istanbul - UK

Explore the vast and rambling Topkapi Palace, a palace like none you will ever have seen

Enjoy an afternoon on the waters of the Bosphorus to put the city in its geographical context

Soak up stunning panoramic views from the viewing platform of the Galata Tower

Tony O’Connor

Join Tony on our March departure

Oliver Gilkes

Join Oliver on our October departure

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Hotel Bisanzio, Ravenna and 3 nights at the Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia, Venice

Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person 10 - 17 Mar Twin/Dbl Share SS

27 Oct - 3 Nov Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

Terry Richardson Terry Richardson has a university background in ancient history and classical civilisation. Terry is the author of numerous renowned guide books on the country, including Rough Guide Istanbul, Pocket Rough Guide Istanbul and Rough Guide Turkey.

COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 6 nights at the Hotel Eresin Sultanhamet, Istanbul Culinary inclusions

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner

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

Image: Galata Bridge

Image: Basilica of San Marco

Frontier Lands of Romania

From the Dacians to Dracula

Romania offers a fascinating and under-explored historical narrative which is uncovered by its photogenic and diverse remains. Colonised in the Greek period and famously conquered in the Roman era under Trajan when it became the province of Dacia, Romania has retained a sense of its classical identity. However, it is also a land of mysteries and legends, played out against a backdrop of Gothic castles and medieval cities.

Adventure off road into the Transylvanian Mountains to the UNESCO sites of Sarmizegetusa Regia and Costesti

Investigate the ruins at Histria, ancient Milesian trading colony on the shores of the Black Sea

Discover the 15th-century Gothic magnificence of Corvin Castle at Hunedoara

Day One | UK - Bucharest - Constanta

Arrive into Constanta and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Constanta

We explore Constanta, the ancient city of Tomis, situated on the western coast of the Black Sea. After lunch, we drive to Histria, which was founded in the 7th century BCE by Milesians and is now one of the largest excavation sites in Romania.

Day Three | Mangalia - Adamclisi

This morning, we visit Mangalia, a former Greek colony known as Callatis, founded by Heraclea Pontica, where we see impressive archaic fortifications. After lunch, we drive to Adamclisi to see the Tropaeum Traiani and we visit the Adamclisi Museum

Day Four | Constanta - Bran Castle - Brasov

Today, we make the scenic journey across the country to Brașov. On our way, we stop to visit Bran Castle, situated on the borders of Wallachia.

Day Five | Brasov

We start this morning with a walking tour of Brașov and visit the Brașov County Museum of History and the Black Church, one of the largest Gothic churches east of Vienna.

Day Six | Sarmizegetusa - Costesti - Orastie

Today, we take off-road vehicles from Orastie and venture into the Transylvanian mountains to Sarmizegetusa Regia, capital of the Dacian kingdom. After a picnic lunch, we visit nearby Costesti, and then the Museum of Ethnography and Folk Art

Day Seven | Hunedoara - Sibiu

Our morning is spent at the striking 15th-century Gothic Corvin Castle at Hunedoara, one of the largest castles in Europe. Before lunch, we pay a brief visit to Densus Church, the oldest orthodox stone church in Romania. In the afternoon, we visit Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana

Day Eight | Sibiu - Bucharest

We spend the morning in the citadel city of Sibiu, where we explore the Old Town and visit Bruckenthal Palace, home to one of Romania’s oldest museums.

Day Nine | Bucharest

Today is devoted to Bucharest and first we visit the National Museum of Romanian History We proceed to the Old Town and later transfer to the northern part of Bucharest to visit the Village Museum of Romanian Ethnography.

Day Ten | Bucharest - UK

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Doru Bogdan

A researcher and lecturer at the University of Alba Iulia in Romania, Doru is a specialist in Roman archaeology and has also supervised an array of fascinating excavations..

Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 9 nights at Constanta, Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu & Hunedoara

Culinary inclusions

• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners

• Water with all

wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Warsaw to Danzig

Palaces, Museums and Teutonic Knights

Discover Warsaw, a city where historical charm and cutting edge design converge Malbork Castle, the enormous structure built by the Teutonic Knights

Explore the extensive Maritime Museum in Gdansk on Otowianka Island

Day One | UK - Warsaw

Arrive into Warsaw and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Day Two | Warsaw Old Town - Royal Castle Museum

Day Five | Malbork Castle

- Gdańsk

In Warsaw, we start with a walking tour of the charming Old Town, a UNESCO site with colourful townhouses and cobbled streets. Highlights include the Market Square and Royal Square, showcasing grand architecture and historic landmarks. Later, we visit the Royal Castle Museum, former home of Polish monarchs, to admire its lavish interiors and artworks. We also explore St. John’s Archcathedral, a Gothic gem with historic royal tombs.

Day Three | National Museum - Jewish Museum

Day two in Warsaw explores its rich culture and history. The morning begins at the National Museum, showcasing Polish and European art, from medieval works to modern pieces like the Battle of Grunwald. In the afternoon, the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews highlights Jewish history in Poland, celebrating their cultural contributions and resilience.

Day Four | Scenic Drive to Toruń - Toruń Old Town

After breakfast, we leave Warsaw for Toruń, known for its medieval charm and Gothic architecture. In the Old Town, we explore landmarks like the 13thcentury Teutonic Castle, the Old Town Hall with Gothic design and great views, and the Town Hall Art Museum. The Cathedral of St John the Baptist and Church of St Mary provide serene spots for reflection.

Today, we explore Malbork Castle, a fortress built by the Teutonic Knights, revealing its strategic significance and historical role. The museum showcases medieval artefacts, offering a glimpse into the k nights lives. In the afternoon, we drive to Gdańsk, our base for the next three nights.

Day Six | Guided Walking Tour of GdańskMaritime & World War 2 Museum

Tom Abbott

An art and architecture historian whose expertise is wide ranging, from the Baroque and Rococo, to modern and contemporary.

Join us on an escorted tour across Poland, from Warsaw to Danzig (Gdansk), exploring palaces, museums and the legacy of the Teutonic Knights. We start in Warsaw with a tour of the Old Town and key museums, then visit the medieval city of Toruń. In Gdansk, we discover Malbork Castle and the city’s rich history before enjoying Oliwa’s Basilica and its museums. A perfect blend of culture, history and stunning architecture awaits you on this unforgettable journey. YOUR COMPREHENSIVE

Our day in Gdańsk begins with a guided walk, exploring the historic Golden Gate and Long Lane. We visit the Artus Court Museum, reflecting Gdansk’s trading past, and the awe-inspiring St. Mary’s Basilica with its intricate interiors. The Uphagen House Museum offers a glimpse into 18th-century Gdansk. In the afternoon, we explore the Historic Crane and cross the river to the Maritime Museum, diving into the city’s maritime heritage. Our final stop is the World War Two Museum, offering a comprehensive account of Gdansk’s role during the war.

Day Seven | Solidarity Museum - Basilica Oliwa

We visit the Solidarity Museum, dedicated to the Solidarity movement, offering insights into the fight for freedom in Poland. Later, we travel to Oliwa to visit the Basilica Oliwa, renowned for its Gothic architecture and serene setting.

Day Eight | Amber Museum - UK

After breakfast, we visit the Amber Museum. Later, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure. 8 DAYS FROM £3,670pp Easy

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 3 nights at the Sofitel Victoria Warsaw, 1 night at the Hotel 1231, Toruń and 3 nights at the Hotel Gdańsk Boutique, Gdańsk Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

23 - 30 Aug Twin/Dbl Share SS

FLIGHTS £4,170

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

Richard III - Hero or Villain?

Discover one of English history’s most tragic, bloody and colourful epochs

The dramatic discovery of the skeleton of Richard III beneath a Leicester car park in 2012 was an archaeological find that made news all around the world. It also reignited the great debate about Richard’s personal character - was he a hero or a villain?

• Day One - Warwick Castle | Day Two - Stony Stratford & Fotheringhay | Day Three - Bosworth & King Richard III Visitor Centre | Day Four - Warwick

Visit stunning Warwick castle, home of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known to posterity as ‘the Kingmaker

Journey to Fotheringhay Church and the remains of the castle where Richard III was born in 1452

Explore the King Richard III Visitor Centre and Bosworth Battlefield

The Isle of Wight

From Vectiraptors to the Victorians

5 DAYS FROM £2,300pp Moderate

The Isle of Wight, separated from the Hampshire coast by the narrow waters of the Solent, offers a remarkably concentrated journey through millennia of human history and diverse cultural landscapes. Our tour, led by expert archaeologist and Isle of Wight native, Dr Jamie Sewell, explores the island's strategic maritime importance, evident in its coastal defences, and reveals how its relative isolation has preserved not only prehistoric burial chambers and fossilrich coastlines, but also a particular character of English life that developed somewhat apart from mainland pressures.

Day One - Southampton - Ventnor | Day Two - Brading Roman Villa & Compton Bay | Day Three - The Needles Battery & Appuldurcombe House | Day Four - Faringford House & Osborne House Day Five - Ventnor - Southampton

Admire the mosaics at Brading Roman villa which depict Orpheus, Bacchus and the goddess Ceres Hunt for Cretaceous fossils amongst soft cliffs and walk where dinosaurs once foraged

Explore the fully restored Grade 1 Farringdon house which once belonged to Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Dr Michael Jones

Author and presenter Dr Michael Jones is a leading military historian with special interests in Richard III.

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport Accommodation

• 3 nights at The Warwick Arms Hotel, Warwick Culinary inclusions

• 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

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

YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER

Dr Jamie Sewell

An author of books and articles on the archaeology of towns in Hellenistic Italy, Jamie has 15 years’ worth of experience supervising excavations in Britain, Germany, Italy and Romania.

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport Accommodation

• 4 nights at The Royal Hotel, Ventnor Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person Twin/Dbl Share SS

12 - 16 Jul £2 ,300 £590

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

Images : Warwick Castle & Richard III portrait

Amsterdam, Haarlem & The Hague

From the medieval to the contemporary

Delve into the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands, where our visits offer a comprehensive overview of the artistic achievements of this prolific period. Across the South Holland province, look forward to discovering some of the most iconic museums in the world and getting up close to masterpieces such as The Girl with the Pearl Earring and Sunflowers

Tom Abbott

An art and architecture historian whose expertise is wide ranging, from the Baroque and Rococo, to modern and contemporary.

Admire the iconic masterpiece, the Girl with a Pearl Earring, up close at Mauritshuis

Step back in time at the spectacular Mesdag Panorama, the largest circular canvas in Europe

Learn more about one of the world's most famous painters at Rembrandt's House

Berlin - Beyond the Wall

The highs and lows of a city divided and reunited

Enjoy the rich flavour of the region’s past and present, from its royal Prussian palaces to its place in Nazi fantasies, and explore its role as a hub of both socialist cultures and radical counter cultures. Berlin has been the nexus for so many pivotal moments in European history and its stories are simply fascinating. Join our expert Guide Lecturer on visits to the city’s most significant and historic sites and museums.

Explore the city with a long-term resident and experienced archaeologist

Pay a visit to Sanssouci, Frederick the Great’s Rococo summer palace

See Berlin’s iconic sites, including as the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie

•

• Return

travel from London St. Pancras & all local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte Culinary inclusions

• 5 nights at the Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

& prices per person

8 - 13 Apr

Nick Jackson

A graduate of the Institute of Archaeology at UCL, Nick is an archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of experience.

• Expert Guide

•

• All local transport aboard a

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners

• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

26 - 30 Aug Twin/Dbl Share

Image: Amsterdam

Uzbekistan - Great Cities of the Silk Road

Visit the UNESCO-listed sites of Bukhara and Samarkand

Follow in the footsteps of history as we explore the sites and cities of the Silk Road, which once ran from China to Europe, with Uzbekistan right as its heart. The steppes, deserts, mountains and blue-tiled cities all tell stories of trade and conquest, and this is a journey across the country that traces the paths of those who’ve passed by for thousands of years.

Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisyabz

See the many ornate palaces in the city of Khiva

Observe avant-garde art at the renowned Savitsky Art Museum

Enter the magnificent Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Day One | UK - Tashkent

Fly overnight or meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at the hotel on the morning of day 2.

Day Two | Tashkent

The morning is left free. In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan. We also take a walk in Independence Square and view the Monument of Courage.

Day Three | Tashkent - ShahrukhiyahTashkent

We drive to the ancient settlement of Shahrukhiyah, the first large city of the Tashkent oases, situated on the Great Silk Road through

Yaksart but now hidden beneath a verdant mound. We visit Chorsu Bazaar, the spiritual heart of Tashkent, and Hast Imam Square, which includes the Tellya Sheikh Mosque

Day Four | Tashkent - Nukus

This morning, we fly west to Nukus, located in the Karakalpakstan Republic. On arrival, we make our way to Gyaur Kala, the ‘Fortress of Infidels’, a settlement established at the time of the First Persian Empire. After lunch, we continue to the medieval city of Mizdakhan, site of Uzbekistan’s oldest necropolis.

Day Five | Nukus - Khiva

Our day starts at the world-renowned Savitsky Art Museum, which hosts the world’s second-

largest collection of Russian avant-garde art. Next, we travel to the remote ruined tepe of Chilpik Dakhma, a Zoroastrian ‘Tower of Silence’ used in funerary sky burial rituals. Our final stop for the day is Khiva, an important Silk Road city.

Day Six | Ayaz Kale - Toprak Kala

We begin with an excursion to the mighty fortresses of Ayaz Kala, dramatically situated on a hilltop overlooking the Kyzylkum Desert. We continue to the abandoned city of Toprak Kala, a complex built by the slave-owning Khorezm.

Day Seven | Khiva

Today we step into a world of Arabian Nights, spending a whole day exploring Khiva on foot to enjoy its narrow alleys, graceful minarets and thriving markets.

Day Eight | Khiva - Bukhara

We drive through the vast Karakum Desert, a rugged plain of sand ridges and dunes connected with salt marshes and takyrs. We arrive at Bukhara in the mid-afternoon, allowing time to visit the Chashma Ayub mausoleums and the Bolo Khauz Mosque 14 DAYS FROM £4,920pp Moderate £0 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Image: Registan Square

Dr Peter Brown

Dr Peter J Brown is an archaeologist specialising in the medieval world across Europe and Eurasia. Join Peter on our March departure.

Dr Katie Campbell

Katie has worked as an archaeologist for the past decade throughout Central Asia and the Middle East. Join Katie on our September departure.

Please note: if we are delayed en route and arrive in Bukhara later than expected, we will visit these sites instead on day 10 after our visit to Paykent.

Day Nine | Bukhara

Today is dedicated to Bukhara, the great oasis city of central Asia. As part of our tour, we visit the Poi-Kalyan religious complex, an impressive collection of sacred buildings, so transcendent that not even Genghis Khan could not bring himself to destroy it.

Day Ten | Bukhara - Poykent

We visit the site at one of Bukhara’s predecessors today, the ruined city of Poykent, which lies away from civilisation in a seemingly deserted region around 60km southeast of Bukhara. We also visit the beautifully located Mausoleum of Ismail Samani

Day Eleven | Bukhara - Samarkand

Today, we follow the Silk Road route to Samarkand, an extended drive east across the scenic plains of central Uzbekistan. We visit Rabat-i Malik, an 11th-century caravanserai of epic proportions with an intricate Persian façade matching those found on palace walls at Persepolis, and Gijduvan, a small town where we have lunch and visit a pottery workshop.

Day Twelve | Samarkand

We spend the day discovering Samarkand, a city associated with so many tales of the past. Among today’s many highlights is the Ulugh Beg Observatory, a 15th-century marvel and the stunning necropolis at Shah-i-Zinda, which is a series of grand palatial tombs. We also admire Registan Square and walk into the remains of the old Afrasiab that sits in a corner of the modern Samarkand, seemingly lifeless and often unnoticed by visitors.

Day Thirteen | Samarkand

We begin our last full day by exploring more of central Samarkand, first visiting the restored Gur-iAmir Mausoleum complex, where Tamerlane was buried. We continue to the enormous Bibi-Khanym Mosque, with its magnificent columns, portals and minarets – a grand site established during the reign of Tamerlane. After lunch, we return to Tashkent by high-speed train.

Day Fourteen | Samarkand - Tashkent - UK Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

• Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager

• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary

• Andante Field Notes

• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)

• All local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach

Accommodation

• 4 nights at the Wyndham Tashkent, 1 night at the Pana Hotel, Nukus, 3 nights at the Hotel Asia Khiva, 3 nights at the Sahid Zarafshan Hotel, Bukhara and 2 nights at the East Star Hotel, Samarkand Culinary inclusions

• 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 12 dinners

• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person

27 Mar - 9 Apr Twin/Dbl Share SS TOUR ONLY

10 - 23 Sep Twin/Dbl Share SS

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

Frequently asked questions

WILL I RECEIVE FINANCIAL PROTECTION WHEN I BOOK?

Yes, for all UK residents. All of our tours are fully bonded and protected via the Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL scheme (flight-based holidays for UK residents) or through ABTOT (for holidays that don't include flights). Our ATOL number is 3552 and we are members of ABTOT. You can verify both at www.caa.co.uk and www.abtot.com.

ARE YOUR TOURS SUSTAINABLE?

We work hard to ensure that our visits have a positive and respectful impact on the ancient places we go to. Our brochures and packing materials are made from recycled and sustainable sources, and we're always striving to improve on this where we can. We always buy local for treats and picnic lunches, and do our best to avoid single-use plastics on our tours where possible.

NEW FOR 2027 – CAN I BOOK WITH OR WITHOUT FLIGHTS?

Yes! For 2027 we're giving you even more choice. You can book your tour either with or without international flights. Our tour-only option offers greater flexibility to select the flight and local airport of your choice, and the opportunity to extend your stay before or after the tour — simply meet your expert Guide Lecturer, Tour Manager and fellow travellers at the hotel. Alternatively, you can choose our international flights-inclusive option. It's travel, designed your way. You'll find prices listed for both options on every tour page.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR?

We include as much as possible, from all sites listed in the itinerary, tips to local staff, and breakfast, lunch and dinner (more often than not with wine at dinner). We like to think of everything - you shouldn't need much spending money other than for souvenirs, drinks at the bar and the occasional independent meal.

WHAT LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE DO I NEED TO ENJOY A TOUR?

All you need is a passion for travel and a curiosity for the past. Our itineraries are designed to be enjoyed and are accessible for all interest levels.

DO YOU ACCEPT LATE BOOKINGS?

We always recommend booking as early as possible, as many departures do sell out however. we do understand that sometimes the spirit of adventure is too strong to ignore and we often do take late bookings. Our Specialist Travel Executives are happy to help check availability.

CAN I TAILOR MY TOUR?

Sometimes our guests want to add little extras to their tours to make their tiome away a bit more special. If you wish to stay for extra days before the start or after the end of your tour, just call us to discuss.

WILL THERE BE SUPPORT WHILST ON TOUR?

When you travel with us, you are looked after round the clock at all times. In the event of an emergency, your Tour Manager is on the ground and will be able to support you locally.

HOW ACTIVE ARE THE TOURS?

We have a simple 3-tier grading system in place to help you decide whether a tour is suitable for you, which is summarised on page 7 and featured on each tour page. If you would like more information about a particular itinerary, please visit our website. We also have three styles of travel to suit a range of pace; our Classic Collection, Essential Tours, and Relaxed Breaks, more information can be found on page 7.

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Yes, it is a condition of booking that you must ensure you are covered for any necessary medical issues or repatriation needs, as we will not be able to cover these costs or access your personal funds. Your insurance should also cover you in the event that you need to cancel your trip. Please ensure your policy is in place at the time of booking.

WHAT ARE YOUR BOOKING AND CANCELLATION CONDITIONS?

Full booking terms and conditions can be found at https://www.andantetravels.co.uk/booking-conditions, and we'd encourage you to read these carefully before booking. In summary: a deposit secures your place, with the balance due no later than 14 weeks before departure. Should you need to cancel, charges apply on a sliding scale depending on how close to departure the cancellation is made — these are detailed in full in our Booking Conditions. We recommend ensuring your travel insurance covers cancellation for peace of mind.

NEW IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TRAVEL TO EUROPE: EES & ETIAS

If you are travelling to Europe, new mandatory border checks (EES) and travel authorisation requirements (ETIAS) are likely to be in effect. Please read the information in our booking conditions carefully to understand how this may affect your journey and what pretravel requirements you will need to make. Further details can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/pub

Expertly led, thoughtfully designed

Book early with confidence

Our prices are designed to reward those who plan ahead, with many tours offering the best value when booked early. You can be confident that once you’ve booked no additional surcharges will be added.

Complete financial protection

All Andante holidays are fully financially protected through ATOL or ABTOT, giving you complete peace of mind from the moment you book.