Led by Experts. Crafted for Explorers.
Expert-led archaeological & historical tours
September - December 2026
Small groups
Guided by experts
SAVE up to $569pp $0 single supplements places
Rated EXCEPTIONAL with over 2,000 reviews
“ Really good tour with excellent guides and like minded fellow travellers.”
Athens - Jane Cable - December 2025
It gives me great pleasure to present our Autumn/Winter 2026 programme, a collection of departures that we believe captures everything Andante does best: the breadth, the depth, and the sheer exhilaration of exploring the human past in remarkable company.
The range of this season’s tours is, we think, exceptional. At one end of the compass, you will find us tracing the ancient landscapes of the British Isles, from the prehistoric monuments of Orkney and the ceremonial heartland of Salisbury Plain to the Romano-British towns and Iron Age hill forts that punctuate our own countryside. At the other, we venture to the far reaches of the ancient world into the storied interior of China, where millennia of dynastic history are written in stone and silk. Between these poles sit itineraries that take in the Levant, the Nile Valley, North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula and beyond — a true survey of the ancient world’s extraordinary reach.
The remarkable thematic diversity is no less. Our tours encompass the full spectrum of human endeavour: Bronze Age citadels, Hellenistic temples, Roman amphitheatres, Byzantine churches, Crusader castles, Islamic palaces, and the layered, endlessly surprising archaeology of cities that have been continuously inhabited for three thousand years or more. Whether your passion is epigraphy or military history, sacred architecture or the everyday lives of ordinary people in antiquity, you will find a departure this autumn that speaks to it.
Mary Reynolds Head of Product
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.
up to $569pp if paying in full PLUS $0 Single Supplement places on selected tours, last places available
Unearth history's treasures with Andante, the pioneering British specialist on in-depth archaeological travels. Venturing beyond mere cultural excursions, we craft extraordinary journeys, granting you access to the world's most significant historical sites. With 24-hour support from our dedicated team and meticulously planned itineraries, rely on Andante for an unparalleled odyssey into antiquity.
Small groups with big insight - travel in a group of no more than 18, giving you deeper access to sites, stories and experts
Experience matters - with over 40 years of curating and innovating truly exceptional tours, you can be certain your experience will be something extraordinary
We uncover history, layer by layer - we make sure you're not rushed and have plenty of time at each site
Led by experts - guided by archaeologists, Egyptologists and historians, all specialists in their field
Tour Managers accompany most tours - allowing our Guide Lecturers to concentrate on what matters most... delivering extraordinary, expert-led discovery
Tours everyone can enjoy - all you need is enthusiasm and an enquiring mind
Every itinerary tells a story - our tours are carefully curated to follow an archaeological theme, designed by experts to bring deeper meaning and context to every site you visit
Expert travel with exceptional value - all local transport, meals and gratuities are taken care ofeven wine with dinner on most tours
Because you matter - we never treat you like a number. No name badges, no umbrellas in the air - just genuine connection and intelligent conversation
Expert service - our team are on hand to support, before, during and after your tour
Trusted by guests, recognised for excellence - we have been rated ‘Exceptional’ with over 2,100 reviews and are winners of Feefo’s 2026 Platinum Trusted Service Award
Our tours are inclusive, informal and fun and Andante Travels guests are some of the most interesting people you could care to meet. Travelling in a party of people who share your interests is an enriching experience. Friendships are quickly formed - and some last for decades with guests meeting up long after their tour has returned and arranging to travel together on future adventures.
We may travel as a group but we always respect the individual. There is no badge-wearing, roll-calling, umbrella-waving or whistle-blowing on Andante Travels tours. And, wherever possible, we build time into our site visits to allow our guests the freedom to explore and make discoveries of their own. So, if you want to spend some time sketching, writing, meditating on a mosaic or settling down for a chat and a coffee with new friends, we are the travel company for you. Choose to explore incredible sites in the company of our expert guides and you’ll see that our tours are well suited to solo travellers.
Journey into the past and let our Guide Lecturers bring history to life
Experience matters. Our Guides are all experienced experts in their field and pass on their knowledge from start to finish.
What makes an Andante Travels tour a cut above the rest? One of the main reasons is our expert Guide Lecturers. They are not just guest speakers who rely on local guides to point the way. Our outstanding team of engaging presenters will lead you through the sites you see, focusing on the detailed indicators of the past, explaining how things work and what a miracle of human ingenuity they represent. They are your travelling companion, part of the group, there at all times to join in the laughter and chat, as well as your on-hand expert to converse with and put those all-important questions to. Guests who travel with us frequently tell us that it is not only the high quality of guiding they receive but also the informality and ease of travelling with an Andante Lecturer which keeps them coming back.
“ This was my first Andante tour, taken following a recommendation, and it proved to be the perfect introduction. I wanted a deeper understanding beyond the typical tourist experience, and the tour delivered on every level. Our Tour Manager and Guide Lecturer were outstanding, and Oliver’s encyclopaedic knowledge brought each site to life. The tour was well paced, with excellent restaurants throughout. ”
Andante
Travels guest on Rome - December 2025
Oliver is an archaeologist of eclectic experience. Currently he works as a freelance consulting archaeologist, and provides advice for Andante Travels on designing as well as leading a number of tour groups. Oliver began as a commercial archaeologist and museum curator in the UK. Join Oliver on the following tours, Essential Rome pg 14, Imperial Majesty in Ravenna & Venice pg 17, Macedonia pg 21 and Albania, Macedonia & Northern Greece pg 23.
Terry has a background in Ancient History and Classical Civilisations, is the author of several Rough Guide publications and has also written about Turkey and Istanbul for Wanderlust, the Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. Join him on our Relaxed Kyrenia tour pg 24, Byzantium & Ottoman Island pg 24, Turkey: from Çatal Hüyük to Göbekli Tepe pg 25.
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. Join Puglia & Basilicata pg 15, Carthage to the Sands of the Sahara pg 28.
Tony O’Connor graduated from Manchester University, specialising in the Roman Empire and the Phoenicians. Leading tours for Andante for over 20 years to Syria, Northern Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Italy, Pompeii, Algeria & Provence, his experience is extensive, and he is one of our most experienced and popular Guide Lecturers. Join Tony on Albania pg 22, Carthage & Roman Tunisia pg 29 and Morocco: Tangier to Marrakech pg 30.
Dr Eireann Marshall is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. Eireann has led tours for Andante for many years, including Ravenna, Venice, Pompeii, Sicily, Morocco and Tunisia and is bilingual in English and Italian. Join Eireann on Etruscan Italy pg 14 and The Romans in Algeria pg 30.
Dr Iain Shearer is an archaeologist working across the Middle East, Northern Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus, China, India, Pakistan, USA, Balkans, Europe and UK. With degrees from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, he worked on excavations before becoming Sackler Scholar for Afghanistan and Iran at The British Museum in 2010. Join Iain on China pg 34.
Dr Christina Hatzimichael-Whitley is a lecturer at Cardiff University, where she teaches Greek art and archaeology. Join Christina on Wild Thrace pg 20.
Tony Wilmott specialises in the Roman and Late Antique periods, with particular interests in the Roman military and frontiers, in Roman religion, and also in the late and post-Roman transition. Join Tony on A Grand tour of Roman Britain pg 6, Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania pg 12 and Frontier Lands of Romania pg 32.
Diana Blumberg is an archaeological scientist at Newcastle University, specialising in the analysis of archaeological materials. She has worked on archaeological field schools in both Pompeii and Portus (the latter being one of the harbours of ancient Rome). Join Diana on Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania pg 12.
FROM $7,685pp Moderate
Roman Britain offers a fascinating window into nearly four centuries of history, from the Claudian invasion of 43 CE to the gradual withdrawal of Roman administration in the early fifth century. This unique tour visits major sites and museums along the length and breadth of the country to explore the process of Romanization—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 2000 years, the earthworks still impress
Visit Caerleon, one of only three permanent Roman legionary fortresses in Roman Britain
We gather at our hotel in London this afternoon to begin our journey. First, we visit the British Museum to explore the Roman Britain galleries. Highlights include the Vindolanda tablets, offering a glimpse into life in a Roman auxiliary fort, and the exquisite Bacchic silver platter from the Mildenhall treasure hoard.
Day Two | London - Chichester
Today, we visit two splendid Roman residences. Starting at Bignor Roman Villa, we explore its well-preserved rooms and bathhouse, showcasing England’s finest Roman mosaics. In the afternoon, we head to Fishbourne Roman Palace, a vast complex with mosaic floors, hypocaust heating, and formal gardens, likely owned by Tiberius Claudius Togidubnus, a pro-Roman British king.
Day Three | Chichester - Blandford Forum
Heading west, we visit Portchester Castle, a key Saxon Shore fort built in the 3rd century AD. Next, we explore Maiden Castle, a monumental Iron Age hill fort with immense earthworks. Our day ends at Dorset Museum, showcasing finds from Sir Mortimer Wheeler’s 1930s excavations.
Day Four | Blandford Forum - Bath
We visit Hod Hill, an Iron Age hill fort adapted by the Romans during Vespasian’s invasion. Continuing north, we reach Bath to explore the Roman Baths, built around natural hot springs revered by the Durotriges tribe long before Roman arrival.
Day Five | Bath - Caerleon - Chester
Crossing into Wales, we visit Caerleon, one of three permanent Roman legionary fortresses in Britain. In the afternoon, we drive to Wroxeter, exploring
the remains of Viriconium, one of Roman Britain’s largest cities.
Day Six | Chester - Carlisle
In Chester, we visit Deva Victrix, a vital Roman fortress and base for the Twentieth Legion. Highlights include the amphitheatre and Grosvenor Museum. Later, we head north, stopping at Ribchester Roman Museum in the Ribble Valley.
Day Seven | Vindolanda & Corbridge
We explore the Stanegate frontier, visiting Vindolanda, renowned for its preserved wooden writing tablets, and the nearby Roman site of Corbridge, with its fascinating museum.
Day Eight | Houseteads & Chesters
Today, we explore Hadrian’s Wall. Starting at Housesteads Roman Fort, we walk to Milecastle 37 before visiting the Temple of Mithras at Carrawburgh and Chesters, the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain.
Day Nine | Carlisle - Edinburgh
Crossing into Scotland, we stop at Trimontium Museum, showcasing finds from Trimontium, a major Roman frontier post. Arriving in Edinburgh, we visit the National Museum of Scotland
Day Ten | Cramond & Edinburgh
We visit Cramond, a Roman frontier fort and later chapel site, before returning to Edinburgh for a free afternoon to relax or explore its historical landmarks.
Day Eleven | Antonine Wall
We explore the Antonine Wall, visiting Callander Park, Kinneil, Rough Castle with its unique lilia pits, and Bar Hill, the highest fort on the wall.
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 Twelve | Edinburgh - London
Our tour concludes as we transfer to the station for a high-speed train back to London.
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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 1 night at a hotel in each of the following locations: London, Chichester, Blandford Forum, Bath and Chester, 3 nights’ at a hotel in Carlisle, and 3 nights’ at a hotel in Edinburgh
Culinary inclusions
• 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 11 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 7th - 18th Sep $7,685 $1,390
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/agrb
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 | Day Two - Stony Stratford & Fotheringhay | Day Three - Leicester 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 islands beyond the northernmost tip of Scotland glory in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the world. For more than five thousand years they have been home to farmers and fishermen, who left monuments so impressive that this has been called an archaeologists’ paradise.
Day One - Lerwick |
Barriers & Maeshowe | Day Nine - Kirkwall
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
Dr Michael Jones
Author and presenter Dr Michael Jones is a leading military historian with special interests in Richard III.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 3 nights’ in The Warwick Arms Hotel, Warwick
Culinary inclusions
• 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
29th Sep - 2nd Oct $1,880 $230
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/arhv
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
Dr Val Turner
Dr Val Turner has been Shetland’s Regional Archaeologist since 1986.
An expert in Prehistoric and Viking Field Systems, she loves surprising visitors with Shetland’s wealth of archaeology and she has been guiding walks and tours in both Orkney and Shetland for over 20 years. She lives in Shetland on a small croft with her husband. 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in The Lerwick Hotel, Shetland and 4 nights’ in 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
Date
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/asao
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.
Day One - Carnac | Day Two - Locmariaquer - Table des Marchands | Day Three - Gavrinis - Carnac | Day Four - Plouharnel - Erdeven - Quiberon | Day Five - Carnac - Geant du Manio | Day Six - Le Rocher - Petit Mont Cairn | Day Seven - Carnac
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
Discover the greatest concentration of decorated caves in Europe
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.
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 - Paris - Poitiers | Day Two - Poitiers - 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 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
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport Accommodation
• 6 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
7th - 13th Sep $5,150 $780
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/abri
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER
Dr Elodie-Laure Jimenez
Elodie-Laure is an archaeologist specialising in the Ice Age, with over 15 years’ experience at prehistoric sites across Europe. Her work integrates archaeology and environmental studies with past fauna to explore how early humans lived and adapted.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 1 night in the Best Western Plus Poitiers Centre Le Grand Hôtel and 5 nights’ in the Hotel L'Abbaye, Saint-Cyprien
Culinary inclusions
• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 8th - 14th Sep $4,590 $400
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/adgn
Amongst diverse landscapes discover some of Europe’s finest Roman remains
7 DAYS FROM $4,490pp Easy
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.
• Day One - Paris - St. Remy | Day Two - Nimes | Day Three - Glanum & Pont du Gard | Day Four - Orange Day Five - Arles | Day Six - Aix en Provence | Day Seven - St. Remy - Avignon
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
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.
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.
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
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 6 nights' in 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
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/arpv
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 and all taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in the art'otel Berlin Mitte
Culinary inclusions
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 3rd - 7th Dec $3,590 $410
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/asbb
Exploring Andalucía and the Algarve on a cruise
8 DAYS FROM $5,675pp Easy
Called the Baetis in the Roman period, the Guadalquivir is the most important river in Spain, not just because it is the country’s only navigable river but because it flows through Andalucía, the heartbeat of Iberian history. The Guadiana, in turn, meets the Guadalquivir at the Gulf of Cadiz, thereby linking the historically rich Andalucía with the Algarve.
We start our tour by flying from London Gatwick to Seville and, time permitting, visit the Metropol Parasol in the city. Afterwards, we join our ship, the MS Belle de Cadiz, in Seville.
We wake up in Seville, the capital of Andalucía, which was once the ancient city of Hispalis and later became enormously wealthy for its crucial role in the Transatlantic trade.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today, we explore Córdoba, a medieval European cultural hub and capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. We begin with the Mezquita, or Cathedral Mosque, built in the 8th century, retaining its Islamic essence despite later Catholic modifications. Next, the Jewish Quarter highlights the city’s multicultural past, linked to Maimonides and Averroes. Finally, we visit the Medina Azahara, a 10th-century palace-city.
We depart Seville this afternoon for the Isla Minima, set in the Marshlands of the Guadalquivir. Here we have a tour of an Andalucían hacienda before we sail to Puerto de Santa Maria.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today, we visit two UNESCO sites in Seville: the Real Alcazar, a 14th-century palace fortress showcasing mudejar architecture, and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, built to highlight the city’s significance after the Reconquista.
Day Four | Cadiz
This morning, we take a short drive to Cadiz, the important port which lays claim to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Located on a spit of land surrounded by sea, Cadiz retains an old quarter which bears the remains of its ancient past.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today, we explore the important city of Cadiz, founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BCE. We start with the archaeological museum , which contains an important collection of artefacts from the city’s vast history, before proceeding to the Roman theatre, built in the 1st century BCE and once one of the largest theatres in the empire. We end the morning with a visit to the cathedral, built in the city’s heyday when the city was enriched by the Transatlantic trade. After lunch, we go back in time and visit the archaeological site, which contains the remains of the Phoenician settlement of Gadir, where we see remains of houses as well as a later Roman fish processing plant.
Day Five | Bay of Cadiz
We spend the day relaxing on board cruising on the Gulf of Cádiz towards Huelva.
Day Six | Huelva - Seville
We awake in Huelva, situated in the scenic Algarve, where we spend the day before sailing back to Seville.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Called on’u ba by the Phoenicians who settled here and later renamed Onoba by the Greeks, Huelva was an important Phoenician trading post, exchanging precious metals and fish with cities throughout the Mediterranean. This morning, we explore this city’s important past at the important Huelva Archaeological Museum
Day Seven | Granada
We depart Seville this morning to take an excursion to Granada. This 9th-century fortress, later transformed into a 14th-century palace by the Emir of Granada, symbolises Andalucía’s rich Muslim heritage and cosmopolitan culture.
Explore Italica, the oldest Roman city outside of Italy, and home to stunningly preserved remains unencumbered by later periods
Examine the historic remains of Cádiz, including its extraordinary Phoenician and Roman remains
Visit unique Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, a colourful blend of Islamic and Renaissance architecture
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..
Exclusive Andante Excursion: After lunch, we explore the Archaeological Museum of Granada, which sheds light on the city and on Andalucían history.
Day Eight | Seville
After disembarking the ship, we end our tour by visiting one of the most important Roman sites in Spain, Italica. The ancient city, founded in the 3rd century BC, is one of the best preserved in Spain and includes an amphitheatre, a number of elite houses, as well as a Traianeum, a shrine to the important emperor who was born there. The visible remains today derive from the Hadrianic period, when the city was enlarged and given the status of colonia. In the afternoon, we take our return flights to London Gatwick.
• Expert Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager
• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
• Exclusive Andante excursions with entry to all sites as stated in the itinerary
• An excursion to the Alhambra with Croisi Europe, shared with other passengers
• Andante Field notes and all taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)
Included travel
• Return flights from London Gatwick, private group transfers to/from the airport and hotel and all local transport aboard a private air-conditioned coach Accommodation
• 7 nights’ aboard the MS La Belle de Cadix
Culinary inclusions
• 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners
• MS La Belle de Cadix: welcome cocktail and all on board drinks*, served in the restaurant and in the bar to include tea, coffee, soft drinks, beers, and a selection of wines, cocktails and long drinks.
*Premium branded drinks at own cost
Dates & prices per person
3rd - 10th Sep
For full details of this tour
Malta’s first inhabitants
7 DAYS FROM $5,910pp Moderate
The island of Malta might be small but it packs a punch in historical terms. In the struggle for Mediterranean dominion, it played a key role in centuries of sparring between east and west. Occupied by Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Hospitallers, French, and British, it has a colourful, complex heritage. Our focus is on its earliest and most extraordinary occupation, around 5000 years ago, when this archipelago was home to a culture that created elaborate stone temples and rock-cut tombs.
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
Day One | Valetta
Meet the group at our hotel in Valetta for our first dinner this evening.
Day Two | Mġarr & Mdina
Beginning in the town of Mġarr, we visit the two conjoined temples of Ta’ Haġrat and Mġarr. We continue to the village site of Skorba, which has significantly contributed to our understanding of early Maltese prehistory. We spend the afternoon in Mdina – The Silent City – which served as the island capital from antiquity through to the Medieval period.
Day Three | Valletta
A day spent exploring Valetta on foot. We begin with the exceptional array of artefacts from Malta’s unique prehistoric periods in the Archaeological Museum from man’s first arrival on the island, up to the end of the Bronze Age. We also visit St. John’s Cathedral and the Grand Master’s Palace with facades of some of the many Auberges of the Knights.
Day Four | Haġar-Qim, Mnajdra & Tarxien
Today we visit the magnificent temple sites at Haġar-Qim and Mnajdra. These megalithic structures sit clustered close together at the top of a promontory with superb views over the sea. The internal arrangement of Haġar Qim is highly complex involving what are probably many building and reconstruction phases and the lower temple at Mnajdra is astronomically aligned.
In the afternoon, access permitting, we explore the
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, we will visit Tarxien megalithic site, one of the most elaborate of all the Megalithic temples on the island which has undergone extensive excavation and restoration.
Day Five | Għar Dalam & Xemxija Heritage Trail
This morning, we visit Għar Dalam, the oldest of Malta’s monuments. This water-worn tunnel is approximately 15.5m above sea level, 45m deep, and accessible for about 80m on foot. Here, large quantities of Pleistocene faunal remains (including dwarf hippos and elephants) were found, together with evidence for the earliest known human activity on the island. In the afternoon, we will explore Xemxija. Here, we will also see the Romano Punic apiaries built into a natural cave recess. The honeycombs would have hung in vertical panels in their small chambers within easy reach of the beekeepers.
Six |
We take the short crossing by ferry to Gozo, associated by locals with Homer as the island home of Calypso, Odysseus’ temptress and captor. The pace of life is slower here and the landscape is greener. We spend all day on the island where we see Gġantija, a prehistoric megalithic complex of exceptional grandeur; the Xagħra Stone Circle a significant funerary complex and the ruins Santa Verna, a megalithic site left to the ravages of time. We will also visit the town of Victoria and the Archaeology Museum which provides a small but important window into the earliest cultures of
Dr Jeremy Bennett
A British archaeologist, Jeremy was awarded his PhD at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Gozo up to the arrival of the Knights of St. John. Day Seven | Valletta
After breakfast we transfer to the airport to make our independent onward journeys.
• 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) Included travel
• All local transport Accommodation
• 6 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 5th - 11th
For full details of
andantetravels.com/amal
Nowhere in the world gives deeper insight into Roman life than the dramatic seaside towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Before the cataclysmic eruption of Vesuvius, these were thriving, lively seaside towns. Pompeii was a trading town, equipped with bars, shops and brothels, while neighbouring Herculaneum was an affluent and elegant town. All this came to an abrupt halt, one autumnal day in AD 79, when Mount Vesuvius - which had done little more than rumble for years - erupted with incredible force.
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
• Day One | Naples or Cava de’ Tirreni
Visit newly excavated houses in Pompeii
Meet the group at Naples airport or at our hotel in Cava de’ Tirreni.
Day Two | Cava de’ Tirreni - Paestum
Our journey begins with a visit to the captivating site at Paestum, once known as Poseidonia. Before the Romans, this was a bustling Greek city, part of greater Greece since the 6th century BCE. Postlunch, we explore the Paestum Museum, renowned for its archaic metopes and painted tombs, and also gain access to the magnificent Store Rooms of Paestum.
Day Three | Pompeii
We dedicate an entire day to Pompeii, unmatched in revealing Roman daily life. We explore some of the best-preserved structures including an amphitheatre, theatre, forum, bath-houses, bars, and brothels. Street fountains show wear from countless hands, and Roman graffiti remains visible on the walls. We take the optimal routes to avoid crowds and visit houses newly reopened to the public.
Day Four | Naples - Pozzuoli
Our day commences at the exceptional National Archaeological Museum in Naples, showcasing outstanding artefact collections. After lunch, we proceed to Pozzuoli to explore one of the world's most impressive amphitheatres. We later gain private access to the Cave of Sejanus, a tunnel from Augustus's era leading to Pausilypon's seaside villa, featuring a theatre and odeon built later.
We venture off the beaten path to the villas of Stabiae, a luxurious Roman resort. Villa San Marco, with its swimming pool and bath complex, is
notably opulent. If renovations allow, we hope to visit Villa Arianna, admired for its frescoes and stunning Bay of Naples views. Post-lunch, we visit the Archaeological Museum of Castellammare di Stabia Libero D’Orsi, opened in September 2020 to exhibit significant finds from Stabia, including frescoes, inlaid floors, stuccoes, sculptures, and tableware, many never before displayed in Italy.
We head to Herculaneum, a perfect complement to Pompeii. This seaside city was buried under 23 metres of pyroclastic material, preserving objects and houses up to their rooftops. We explore the newly opened Antiquarium, housing precious finds from Herculaneum’s seafront, including a wellpreserved boat. After lunch, we visit Boscoreale's Villa Regina, discovered during council housing foundation digs, offering insight into ordinary life. Boscoreale, north of Pompeii, sits on Vesuvius's slopes, possibly identified with Pagus Augustus Felix Suburbanus. The Great Pompeii inauguration in October 2023 saw Boscoreale's Antiquarium reopen with a room dedicated to Civita Giuliana's suburban villa excavations, showcasing the ceremonial chariot found in 2021.
We ascend to Vesuvius's volcanic crater, mostly by bus, with a rewarding final walk starting at Monte Somma, the AD 79 eruption crater. We grasp its scale, peer into the crater formed since the ancient eruption, and observe fumaroles and layers of past eruptions. Walking the crater's perimeter offers magnificent Bay of Naples views, and on clear days, Pompeii is visible. Post-lunch, we visit Oplontis's impressive villa, featuring sumptuous frescoes, a bath complex, an enormous swimming pool, and
Dr Gillian Shepherd
Director of the Trendall Center for Ancient Mediterranean Studies at La Trobe in Australia, Gillian specialises in the Greek colonisation of Italy and Sicily. Join Gillian on our 7th September departure.
Diana Blumberg
Diana Blumberg is an archaeological scientist who specialises in the analysis of archaeological materials. Join Diana on our 28th September departure.
John Shepherd
WJohn has worked extensively in the field in Europe as an archaeologist, including France, Italy and Bulgaria. Join John on our 5th October departure.
Tony Wilmott
Senior Archaeologist with Historic England, Tony has directed many excavations, and published several books and many articles in archaeological journals. Join Tony on our 19th October departure.
Dr Simon Elliott
An award-winning and best-selling author, historian and broadcaster, Simon is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent. He is also a Trustee for the Council of British Archaeology. Join Simon on our 26th October departure.
intriguing slave quarters, supposedly owned by Emperor Nero, preserved by Vesuvius’s eruption. Day Eight | Cava de' Tirreni - Naples
After breakfast we transfer to Naples airport to make our independent onward journeys.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 7 nights' in the Hotel Scapolatiello
Culinary inclusions
• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person Date
- 14th
- 12th
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/apom
7 DAYS FROM $5,540pp Easy $0
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.
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
Meet the group at our hotel in Rome in the heart of the city..
This morning, we start at the Imperial Fora with the famous monument of Trajan’s Column and proceed through the Forum Romanun, the political heart of the city and empire, a site of profound historical events. We continue to the Palatine to visit the ruins of the Imperial palaces and in the afternoon, we explore the Colosseum, the iconic Flavian Amphitheatre – the largest of its type ever constructed. We end the day at the adjacent decorative Arch of Constantine
Today we drive to the Appian Way and visit some of the villas of the senatorial aristocracy found there. Here we see the vast suburban estate of the Quintili, so sumptuous that the emperor Commodus executed its owners and confiscated it. We proceed to the equally extensive Villa of the Emperor Maxentius, built as a dynastic centre for his family. Our last visit is another huge imperial project, the Baths of Caracalla, capable of accommodating thousands at a time.
This morning we visit the legendary Golden House, which Emperor Nero built after the great
fire of Rome. Next is the extraordinary church of San Clemente to discover its underground surprises and the Domus Romane Del Celio, Roman houses which date from the 2nd century. Later, we also discover the treasures of Parco Archeologico del Celio
We make the short drive to Tivoli, where the Emperor Hadrian chose to build his palace, Hadrian’s Villa, which sprawls across the rolling countryside at the foot of the hills below the town. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to the great 16th-century Villa D’Este, built by Cardinal Ippolito D’Este, the son of Lucrezia Borgia.
This morning we take a walk through part of the Field of Mars, originally an open area lying just outside Rome’s earliest defences. Later we visit the Ara Pacis, an altar commissioned by the Roman Senate to honour the return of Augustus after his campaigns in Gaul. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish.
On our final day, we leave Rome and travel to the ancient harbour city of Ostia Antica, originally Rome’s first colony which became a thriving port. From Ostia, we continue to make our independent onward journeys.
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURERS
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.
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 6 nights’ in the Albergo Santa Chiara
Culinary inclusions
• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/arme
Citizens, Senators & 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 Britian and Mesopotamia. On this tour archaeologist and Italiophile, Oliver Gilkes, is on hand to help you 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 once bustling harbour at Ostia.
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER
Oliver Gilkes
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)
Included travel
• All local transport Accommodation
• 5 nights' in the Albergo Santa Chiara Culinary inclusions
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. Day One - Rome | Day Two - Rome | Day Three - Tivoli | Day Four - Rome | Day Five - Rome Day Six - Rome - Ostia Antica
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
Discovering the ancient people of Etruria
8 DAYS FROM $5,130pp Moderate
At the height of their power and prosperity in the 6th century BCE, the Etruscans possessed a civilisation to rival Greeks and Phoenicians, with whom they traded extensively. This tour connects us with what we know: the hill sites chosen for their cities, beautiful objects used and taken to their graves, and tombs they decorated. Sculpture and frescoes show music, sport, dancing, banqueting.
Day One - Colle di Val d’Elsa | Day Two - Volterra | Day Three - Florence Day Four - Chiusi - Sarteano - Orvieto | Day Five - Orvieto | Day Six - Tarquinia - Sutri - Rome | Day Seven - Banditaccia Necropolis & Villa Giulia Museum | Day Eight - Rome
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
• 5 breakfasts & 2 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
30th Nov - 5th Dec $2,545 $650 $0
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aero
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.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 3 nights’ in the Hotel Palazzo Pacini, Colle di Val D' Elsa, 2 nights’ in the Emme Palace Hotel & Spa, Orvieto and 2 nights’ in the TH Roma - Carpegna Palace Hotel, Rome
Culinary inclusions
• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl
SS 21st - 28th Sep $5,130 $830
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aetr
8 DAYS FROM $4,220pp
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.
Day One - Naples-Cava de Tirreni | Day Two - Positano & Amalfi | Day Three - Pompeii | Day FourNaples | Day Five - Baia & Pozzuoli | Day Six - Herculaneum, Boscoreale & Terzigno | Day Seven - Capri | Day Eight - Cava de Tirreni - Naples
Examine newly opened houses in Pompeii
Explore the Roman Villa at Positano, with its wonderful fresçoes
Visit the newly opened Museum at Terzigno, which houses incredible remains of newly excavated villas
Monte Solaro
Dr Simon Elliott
An award-winning and best-selling author, historian and broadcaster, Simon is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent. He is also a Trustee for the Council of British Archaeology.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 7 nights’ in the Hotel Scapolatiello
Culinary inclusions
• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person
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 lives and prospered here and left the marks of their passing upon the landscape forever.
Day One - Puglia - Lecce | Day Two - Lecce - Otranto | Day Three - Egnatia - Alberobello Day Four - Matera | Day Five - Massafra - Taranto | Day Six - Metapontum - Gioia del Colle Day Seven - Castel del Monte - Bari | Day Eight - Venosa & Melfi | Day Nine - Bari - Puglia
Discover the charming white-washed trulli of UNESCO-listed Alberobello Tour ancient Matera, the setting for Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ and 2019’s European Capital of Culture
Experience the wonderful Baroque city of Lecce and its many historic sites
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.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Le Club Boutique Hotel, Lecce, 3 nights’ in the Hotel San Domenico al Piano, Matera and 3 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl
- 30th Sep
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/abap
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
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.
Day One | Alghero
Meet the group in the wonderful Catalan city of Alghero, colonised in antiquity by Phoenicians who grew wealthy from trade with Etruscans. In the modern period, Alghero was ruled by the Genoese before being taken over by the Aragonese. After settling down in the hotel, if there is time, we will have an orientation walk around the city before dinner.
Day Two | Monte d’Accoddi & Palmavera
This morning we make our way to one of the oldest and most interesting sites in our tour, the pyramid complex at Monte d’Accoddi. After lunch, we explore Palmavera, the first of our Nuragic sites built by a culture which thrived in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
We leave Alghero this morning and head east towards Oliena, stopping during the morning at Santu Antine. We proceed off the beaten track to Romanzesu-Poddi Arvu, another Bronze Age Nuragic site which is notable for its hundredodd huts and public structures and includes a mysterious labyrinthine edifice and temples. For our last site of the day, we explore the littleknown National Archaeological Museum Giorgio Asprone in Nuoro.
Day Four | Su Gologone
Today we venture off the beaten track in 4x4s to visit breathtaking sites which shed insights into the extraordinary Sardinian Bronze Age. Including the monumental Giants’ graves of S’Ena e Thomes, Su Tempiesu and Sa Sedda ‘e Sos Carros where we see well-preserved stone huts and workshops, as well as a circular sanctuary. After an adventurous day, we return to our picturesque hotel.
Day Five | Su Gologone - Oristano
This morning we travel west to the 4th millennium necropolis at Sas Concas where we see a cluster of twenty Domus de janas, or “fairies’ houses” –tombs carved out of the rock to resemble their houses. We proceed to the Bronze Age Nuragic complex of Tamuli and then end the day at another tantalizing religious site, the sacred well at Santa Cristina, which is very well preserved with staggeringly precise ashlar masonry walls leading to a subterranean chamber with a corbelled roof which contained water, seemingly used for religious rites.
Day Six | Oristano
Traversing the enchanting Sardinian landscape, we make our way south to Tharros, where we explore the Tophet and consider whether Phoenicians these necropoleis only included children’s burials because children were seen differently, or whether children were sacrificed. This discussion will continue with our visit to the Civic Archaeological Museum “Giovanni Marongiu” of Cabras, where we see artefacts from Tharros. We end the day with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum at Cagliari.
Day Seven | Nora
Waking up in delightful Nora, we spend the morning exploring the archaeological site of Nora where we see well-preserved remains of buildings we would typically see in a town from the Roman period, including a bath complex, a theatre and macellum. In the afternoon, we have free time in Nora to unwind on the beach or relax in the hotel.
Day Eight | Sulcis & Sant’Antioco
Our final full day is dedicated to Phoenician sites near Nora, starting with the
ancient necropolis at Monte Sirai. In the afternoon, we visit the Phoenician/Roman site of Sulky or Sulcis on the beautiful island of Sant’Antioco, founded in the 8th century, where we explore the remains of housing and a republican Roman temple with an attractive opus signinum floor, as well as a series of rock-cut tombs, some of which are painted. We close the day with a visit to the Ferruccio Barreca Archaeological Museum which sheds light on this important site, including its delicate jewellery and pottery. On our last night, we will have a celebratory dinner at our lovely hotel.
Day Nine | Nora - Cagliari
Time permitting, we may have a final walk along the beach before we return home, setting off from Nora to Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari,
• 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) Included travel
• All local transport Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Carlos V & Spa, Alghero, 2 nights’ in the Su Gologone Experience Hotel, Oliena, 1 night in the Mistral2 Hotel, Oristano and 3 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
22nd
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/asdn
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
Day One | Bologna or Ravenna
Meet the group at Bologna airport or at our hotel in Ravenna, where we will have an orientation walk, time permitting.
Day Two | Ravenna
Today we start our exploration of Ravenna with a series of incredible monuments, including the Arian Baptistery, constructed by the Ostrogoth Theodoric and the Neonian Baptistery, the 5th-century baptistery converted from a Roman bath. We continue to the Ravenna Cathedral, and to the Archbishop’s Palace with its museum and private chapel of Saint Andrew. In the afternoon we visit the 4th-century Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, first founded by Galla Placidia in the 4th century.
Day Three | Ravenna
We start the day with the so-called Theodoric’s Palace and proceed to the adjacent Basilica di Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, Theodoric’s palatine chapel. A short walk away, we continue to the Basilica di San Francesco, the parish church of Dante who is buried there. In the afternoon we explore the late antique house, the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, replete with mosaics. We end the day at the National Museum, with its important collection of archaeological material from Ravenna and its environs. This evening we plan to have our exclusive private visit to the Basilica di San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Day Four | Ravenna
We drive a little outside the city to visit the extraordinary Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Ostrogothic King who ruled from Ravenna after the
collapse of the Western Roman Empire. This is followed by an exploration of the archaeological site of Classe, Ravenna’s ancient port, which was the base of Rome’s fleet. In the afternoon, we continue to the Basilica di Sant’ Apollinare in Classe with its stunning apse depicting the Transfiguration.
Today we travel by coach by the lagoon city, Venice, which was immersed in Byzantine culture long after the Exarchate of Ravenna collapsed because of the special trading rights it was given by Constantinople, making it the gateway of the east. Venice also gave refuge to emigres escaping Constantinople after its fall in 1453. In the afternoon, we explore hidden gems in the extraordinary Piazza San Marco, dubbed the drawing room of Europe by Napoleon and is dominated by the very Eastern looking Basilica di San Marco. We end our day with a comprehensive visit to this iconic masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.
Today we explore the beginnings of Venice in the Northern Lagoon, starting with island of Torcello, where the earliest settlers from the terra firma found their homes after escaping Hunnic raids in the 5th century. Here we see the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta with its stunning Byzantine mosaics. After lunch, we pay a short visit to Burano from whence some might also choose to venture to the adjacent island of Mazzorbo. We end the day with a visit to Murano, famed for its glass making and also for its Byzantine Basilica di Santa Maria e Donato
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.
Today we explore Venice’s Byzantine past starting with an exclusive, private visit to the Biblioteca Marciana, established in the 15th century in order to house the Classical manuscripts collected by Cardinal Bessarion after the fall of Constantinople. We continue to the Greek Orthodox Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Greci, erected by emigres from Constantinople and its adjoining Icon Museum After lunch, we have a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace followed by a private tour of the Secret Itineraries of the Palace.
This morning we make our way to Venice Airport by water taxi, bidding farewell to the lagoon and its Byzantine heritage.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in the Hotel Bisanzio, Ravenna and 3 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
28th Oct - 4th Nov $5,300 $780
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/arvv
6 DAYS FROM $3,510pp Moderate
In AD 42 the Roman Imperial court fled from Rome to Ravenna and for a period it was the political centre of what remained of the Western Empire. The result was an astonishing flowering of art and architecture created in the dying days of the Empire. To this day, the city’s numerous churches, palaces and mausolea, resplendent with shimmering mosaics expressing the majesty and mystery of God never fail to achieve the awe-inspiring impact which their patrons, designers and makers intended.
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
Day One | Bologna or Ravenna
Meet the group at the airport in Bologna or at our hotel in Ravenna.
Day Two | Ravenna
Today we start our exploration of Ravenna with a series of incredible monuments, beginning with the Arian Baptistery. Inside, spread across its cupola, is the famous mosaic of the Baptism of Christ, immersed in the water of the River Jordan. The same iconographic design is featured in the nearby Neonian Baptistery, which we visit next. The mosaics here are so astonishing that Carl Jung described his visit as a wonderful hallucination. We end the morning at the Archiepiscopal Museum, home to the pulpit of Maximian, one of the most famous ivory works made by Byzantine artists in the 6th century. After lunch, we explore Ravenna Cathedral or Basilica Ursiana as it was originally known. Our final visit of the day is to San Giovanni Evangelista, a 5th-century church built as an ex voto by Galla Placidia when she escaped from potential shipwreck.
We start our visits today with Basilica di Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, Theodoric’s palatine chapel. Though simple on the outside, its interior evokes an atmosphere of solemnity and contemplation. A short walk away, we find the Basilica di San Francesco, the parish church of Dante who is buried there. Later, we also visit the National Museum, which displays important archaeological finds, such as sepulchral slabs, Byzantine sculptures and
prestigious objects connected with the monuments of Ravenna plus a wide collection of applied arts. This evening is our special visit to the Church of San Vitale, where we admire the glorious mosaics, the best-preserved outside of Constantinople. The journey to Ravenna would be worthwhile to see these alone, with those decorating the apse reveal the pomp and majesty of the Byzantine court. We also visit the smaller Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, constructed in the shape of a cross.
Day Four | Ravenna
We start with a visit to the so called ‘Palace of Theodoric’, a building associated with the Ostrogothic King who ruled from Ravenna after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Next, we visit the extraordinary Domus of the Stone Carpets, located in the basement of the latebaroque Church of Sant’Eufemia. Excavations here revealed an elaborate palatial house of the 6th century, perhaps owned by a high court official. The entire complex is decorated with marble inlays and mosaics. This afternoon, we drive just south of Ravenna to visit Classe. The topography of the area has changed so much with the land gaining on the sea, so it is difficult to envisage that Classe was once the biggest naval base of the Adriatic, home to a fleet of 250 ships. Here we visit the Basilica di San Apollinare, with its stunning apse depicting the Transfiguration and Classe Archaeological Museum, which explores Ravenna’s ancient port and the base of Rome’s fleet.
Nick Jackson
A graduate of the Institute of Archaeology at UCL, Nick is an archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of excavation experience.
Day Five | Pomposa & Ravenna
We take a beautiful drive out this morning to the Abbey of Pomposa, founded in the 7th century in marshes and lagoons with an arm of the River Po running on each side. It has a fine 12th century mosaic floor and frescoes and is claimed to be the place where modern musical notation was invented. Returning to Ravenna in the afternoon, we visit Theodoric’s Mausoleum, situated in the north-east of the city on the old Roman road the Via Popilia. This is one of the most impressive late Roman buildings left to us in all Italy.
Day Six | Ravenna - Bologna
We transfer to Bologna Airport to make our independent onward journeys.
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
• 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) Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 5 nights’ in the Hotel NH Ravenna Culinary inclusions
• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 8th - 13th Oct $3,510 $360
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/arav
Enjoy an informed visit to this wonderful ancient capital. In winter, the city belongs to the locals, the queues for the Parthenon melt away and there is space to absorb the beauty of its museum treasures. Wrap up warm and explore the city where democracy, architecture, classical art and literature germinated and flourished.
Ascend the Acropolis to the Parthenon, the universal symbol of the classical world and the quintessential classical ruin
Explore two fabulous world-class museums, housing between them some of the greatest collections of antiquities in the world
Soak up the atmosphere of ancient Athens, exploring the quieter corners and monuments which have survived here for 2,500 years
Image: Acropolis, Athens ©Anna Szabo
See another side of Rhodes and Kos and rediscover their ancient origins. Long beloved by British travellers, there is more here than beaches. In the south-eastern Aegean, these islands lay on a crucial ancient sea lane. From Hellenistic sanctuaries, Roman villas and Crusader fortresses to Byzantine churches and Italian-era buildings, elements of both worlds abound. Inland, the landscape shifts from towns to juniper- and thyme-clad hills.
Day One - Rhodes | Day Two - Rhodes | Day Three - Lindos & Kalavarda | Day Four - Kamiros & Ialyssos | Day Five - Rhodes-Kos | Day Six - Asklepion & Antimachia | Day Seven - Kalymnos Day Eight - Kos | Day Nine - Kos
Enjoy a day spent on the lovely island of Kalymnos, where we discover the Castle of Chrysocheria
Admire the fabulous collection of statuary at Rhodes Archaeological Museum
Soak up the stunning views at Lindos and Kalavarda
Discover the Asklepieion, one of the pre-eminent healing centres in the ancient world
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.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 3 nights' in the Herodion Hotel
Culinary inclusions
• 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 20th - 23rd Nov $2,400 $300
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/asat
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.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in the Rhodos Horizon City, Rhodes and 4 nights’ in the Kos Akti Beach Club, Kos
Culinary inclusions
• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 6th - 14th Oct $5,720 $690
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/adod
East of Thessaloniki are the mountains and plains of Thrace. Its ancient kingdoms were alternately at war and allied with Persians, Greeks and Macedonians. Discover the strategic cities that grew up in the wake of passing conquerors of Phillipi, explore Mesembria with its Romano-Thracian chariot burials and catch a glimpse of the city of Amphipolis. Thrace’s landmark archaeological sites and Byzantine, medieval and Ottoman monuments add to its rich cultural heritage. This wild land is notable for the peaceful coexistence of Christian and Muslim traditions.
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
Day One | Thessaloniki – Kavala
Meet the group at Thessaloniki airport to transfer to Kavala visiting, en route, the great Athenian colony of Amphipolis, site of a battle between Athens and Sparta during the Peloponnesian war where we explore remains of a necropolis, a gymnasium as well as houses dating from the Roman period.
Day Two | Kavala – Philippi
Today we explore the Archaeological Museum in Kavala, which houses remains from Amphipolis and other ancient sites found nearby. We visit the UNESCO-listed Macedonian and Roman colony of Philippi and explore the forum and wellpreserved theatre. Later, we return to Kavala, where we see the Byzantine Castle
Day Three | Thasos
We make our way to Keramoti port and continue by ferry to the Island of Thasos, the most northerly of all Greek islands surrounded by the crystalclear waters of the Aegean Sea. We spend the day exploring the excavated remains of the classical city which once lay under modern-day Limenas and visit the Limenas Museum
Day Four | Abdera, Xanthi & Komotini
Take the day to explore the site of ancient Abdera, with links to Phoenicians and important scholars, including the Sophist Protagoras
and historian Hecataeus. We continue to Xanthi, known for its distinctive period architecture and then end the day with a visit to Komotini
Day Five | Kavala – Samothrace
On the island of Samothrace, we drive up to the Chora set high up on Mount Saos and visit its citadel built by the Galluzi family in the 14th century when Venice controlled large parts of the Aegean. After lunch, we check into our hotel with some free time to relax after our early start or you may wish to join an optional walk in Fonias Gorge.
Day Six | Samothrace – Alexandroupoli
We explore the famous classical ‘Sanctuary of the Gods,’ one of the most important religious complexes in Greece, set up in honour of the ‘Great Gods’. We visit the small site museum which presents exhibits from the Sanctuary.
Day Seven | Mesembria & Maroneia
Uncover the ruins at Mesembria, situated on the coast near the mouth of the stream Shabla Dere, now identified as the ancient Greek polis of Zoni Later, visit the Archaeological Museum containing more than 1,000 ancient objects excavated from the archaeological sites around Alexandroupoli, Evros and the wider region of Thrace.
Day Eight | Didymoteicho & Evros Delta
We travel north to Didymoteicho and explore some of the fortifications and remains of Byzantine
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.
houses as well as the small church of St Catherine. In the afternoon we take a boat trip on the Evros, a river associated with a number of Greek myths.
Day Nine | Alexandroupoli - Thessaloniki
Our tour comes to an end, and we return to Thessaloniki airport to make our independent onward journeys.
• 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) Included travel
• All local transport Accommodation
• 3 night’s in the Egnatia City Hotel & Spa, Kavala, 4 nights’ in the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Thraki, Alexandroupoli and 1 night in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
2nd - 10th Sep $5,690 $740
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/athr
8 DAYS FROM $5,280pp Moderate
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. Discover sanctuaries, monuments, palaces, painted tombs, and pebble mosaics at Verghina and Pella. Highlights include Kastoria, a beautiful lakeside town off the tourist trail, and Thessaloniki, a city with historical importance rivaling Constantinople.
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
Meet the group at either Thessaloniki airport or in Kastoria, a beautiful lakeside town situated on a rocky isthmus on the shores of Lake Orestiada.
Aside from its picturesque charms, Kastoria boasts more than 70 Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches dating from the 9th to the 16th centuries scattered around the town. Many are sadly in a poor state of repair but distinguished by the frescoes which decorate them. The quality of the artwork is astonishing and we visit a small selection at Agios Stephanos, Taxiarchis Oikonomou and Archangel Michael, each concealing something unique behind their intricate brickwork. Later, we explore Dispilio, the site of a large Neolithic settlement that once stood on stilts in the lake
Day Three | Kastoria - Edessa
Before we leave the region, we visit the Aigos Orestiko Archaeological Museum, which displays important finds from excavations in the region. Afterwards, we continue to Edessa, a city defined by the water which flows into it from the Pindus Mountains to the west. The waterfalls of Edessa are a striking natural wonder noted from the Roman Empire to the travel writing of Edward Lear. We admire their thundering beauty before we follow the road over the Ottoman bridge that carried the Via Egnatia across the river and explore the remnants of the ancient city. Later, we continue to Mezia and visit the Nymphaeum where Aristotle instructed the pupils of the Macedonian elite, Alexander the Great among them, in political discourse and philosophy.
Day Four | Edessa - Aigai - Thessaloniki
Today is dedicated to Verghina (ancient Aigai), the capital of the Macedonian kingdom before
its move to Pella in the 4th century BCE. We see the remarkable painted tombs, displayed in the excellent site Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, under the recreated mound which originally covered the burials. We also visit the newly opened Palace of Aigai, once one of the largest buildings in Classical Greece, as well as the new Polycentric Museum of Aigai. After our site visit, we continue to Thessaloniki for our first night in this fascinating city.
Day Five | Pella - Thessaloniki
Our first visit today is to Pella, where we explore Macedonia’s administrative capital and the birthplace of both Philip II and Alexander the Great. We see the monumental agora, houses and the exceptional mosaics made from carefully selected natural pebbles, now on display in the museum. These extraordinary mosaics were made mostly of carefully selected natural pebbles with occasional use of artificial tesserae, terracotta and strips of lead; the eyes were inlaid with precious stones that have not survived. In the afternoon, we return to Thessaloniki to visit the Archaeological Museum with extraordinary finds from the city and its region, including the stunning Derveni bronze crater.
We travel south following the curve of the coastline to Dion at the foot of Mount Olympus, the religious capital of Macedonia. An evocative site with a magical setting, surrounded by trees in which nightingales sing and crisscrossed with a labyrinth of springs and streams. It is here that both Philip II and Alexander used to celebrate their victories by holding Olympic Games and magnificent receptions and where Alexander conducted sacrifices before his campaign into Asia in 334 BCE. We also visit the nearby small Archaeological Museum.
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.
Today is devoted to Thessaloniki, founded by King Cassander as a new capital city. We explore the city on foot, taking in the Agora and Roman forum before heading to the Late Roman palace complex of Galerius to view the Rotunda and the Triumphal Arch of the emperor. We take a short walk along the promenade to see the White Tower, before stopping for lunch nearby. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to two of the city’s oldest churches, Aghios Dimitrios and Aghia Sophia, before we head to the Byzantine, UNESCO World Heritage-listed, Walls of Thessaloniki, or Kastra as they are known to those that live in the city. Over half of these fortifications, which once protected the city, are still standing today. Afterwards, a visit to the adjacent and equally superb Byzantine Museum completes our survey of the region's archaeology.
We transfer to the airport for our independent onward journeys.
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Orologopoulos Mansion Hotel, Kastoria, 1 night in the Varosi 4 Seasons, Edessa and 4 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 8th - 15th Sep $5,280 $970
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/amcd
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 - 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
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
9 DAYS FROM $4,050pp 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.
Day One - Tirana | Day Two - Tirana | Day Three - Tirana - Appollonia - Saranda | Day Four - Butrint Day Five - Saranda - Gjirokastra | Day Six - Gjirokastra - Byllis - Berat | Day Seven - Berat - Kruja Day Eight - Durres | Day Nine - Kruja
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.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in The Majestic Hotel Santorini, 3 nights’ in the Olive Green Hotel, Heraklion and 2 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
22nd - 29th Sep $6,120 $1,110
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/acre
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 and better!.
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
• 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) Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Hotel Opera, Tirana, 2 nights’ in the Hotel Brilant, Saranda, 1 night in the Hotel Kalemi, Gjirokastër, 1 night in the Hotel Onufri, Berat and 2 nights’ in the Hotel Panorama, Kruje
Culinary inclusions
• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 5th - 13th Sep $4,050 $500
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aala
The Via Egnatia
Join us as we explore the dramatic landscapes of Albania, Macedonia and Northern Greece - a vast patchwork of cultures and civilisations along the route of the Via Egnatia. Our tour takes in the magnificent tomb and treasures of Philip of Macedon, the late Imperial glories of Thessaloniki and the beautiful Medieval churches on the shores of stunning Lake Ohrid.
Explore the ancient ruins of Apollonia, one of the starting points of the Via Egnatia
View the thundering waterfalls in Edessa and discover the palace complex of Galerius
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ohrid, the ‘city of light’ on one of the oldest lakes in Europe
Day One | Tirana or Durrës
Meet the group at Tirana Airport or at our hotel in Durrës.
Once a major Roman city, Durrës serves as the western terminus of the Via Egnatia. We explore the city's grand structures, including the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans and the Forum of Anastasius. Our journey continues south to Apollonia, a prominent Corinthian Greek colony pivotal in the Roman conquest of the Balkans. Here, we visit the museum and reflect on Octavian's early education in rhetoric before he became Augustus.
Day Three | Durrës - Tirana - Ohrid
Today, we venture into Tirana, Albania's capital, blending Ottoman, fascist, communist, and modern influences. A visit to the National Historical Museum offers insights into Albanian history. We proceed to Elbasan, ancient Scampis, tracing the Via Egnatia through its historic walls. Continuing through the Shkumbini River gorge, we cross into Macedonia, arriving at the scenic city of Ohrid.
Day Four | Ohrid
We spend the day in the captivating city of Ohrid, founded by Philip II of Macedon. Exploring its Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman past, we visit ancient theatres and stunning Byzantine churches like Mary Peribletos/St. Clement’s, adorned with exquisite 13th-century frescoes. Our journey includes St. Panteleimon and the Cathedral of St. Sofia.
Day Five | Ohrid – Bitola
We drive along Lake Ohrid's shores to the 'Bay of Bones', exploring prehistoric lakeshore villages. Our journey takes us to St. Naum, a monastery dedicated to spreading Christianity among Slavic peoples. Continuing over the mountains, we reach Bitola, rejoining the Via Egnatia.
Day Six | Bitola - Edessa
Bitola, with its rich history, hosts the ancient city of Heraklea Lyncestis, founded by Philip II. We explore its theatre and early Christian sites. The bustling markets and mosques reflect its historical significance. Our journey continues into Greece, stopping at Edessa, where impressive waterfalls and a charming town await.
Day Seven | Edessa - Agai - Thessaloniki
We explore ancient Edessa and take a detour to Aigai, the site of the Macedonian royal tombs, including Philip II's. The Museum of the Royal Tombs and Palace of Aigai reveal rich historical treasures. We continue to Thessaloniki, a city of immense historical importance.
Day Eight | Thessaloniki
In Thessaloniki, we visit the Agora and Forum, exploring the city's Roman and Byzantine heritage. The St. Demetrius church and the palace complex of Galerius, including the Rotonda, showcase the city's rich history. The afternoon is dedicated to the Archaeological and Byzantine Museums
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.
Day Nine | Thessaloniki
This morning we make our way to Thessaloniki Airport from where we make our independent onward journeys.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Hotel Arvi, Durres, 2 nights’ in the City Palace Hotel, Ohrid, 1 night in the Hotel Kapri, Bitola, 1 night in the hotel Aigai, Edessa, and 2 nights’ in the Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki
Culinary inclusions
• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
11th - 19th
For
Traders to Crusaders
Beautiful Cyprus, legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, has attracted many suitors over the years. Based at Kyrenia’s harbour, explore the north’s archaeological sites, from the ancient port city of Soli with Roman mosaics to St. Hilarion fortress on the mountain range. The landscape tells of successive civilizations, set against Mediterranean waters and the rugged northern Cypriot coast.
Day One - Larnaca - Kyrenia | Day Two - Kyrenia | Day Three - Bellapais Abbey & Castle of St. Hilarion Day
Four - Soli & Vouni | Day Five - Kyrenia | Day Six - Salamis & Famagusta Day Seven - Nicosia - Larnaca
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
A glittering jewel on the Bosphorus
7 DAYS FROM $5,900pp 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 - 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
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
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER
Terry Richardson
Terry Richardson has a university background in ancient history and classical civilisation.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 6 nights’ at The Colony Hotel Arkin or similar
Culinary inclusions
• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 4th - 10th Oct $5,225 $690
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/arky
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 and all taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 6 nights’ in the Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Istanbul
Culinary inclusions
• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners
• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person Date
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aboi
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.
Day One - Istanbul | Day Two - Istanbul | Day Three - Istanbul - Assos | Day Four - Assos - Avaylik Day Five - Ayvalık - Pergamon - Izmir | Day Six - Izmir - Sardis - Pamukkale | Day Seven - Hierapolis & Laodicea | Day Eight - Pamukkale - Kusadasi | Day Nine - Priene & Didyma | Day Ten - Ephesus Day Eleven - Kusadasi - Izmir
Gaze upon the mighty walls of Troy as everyone from Achilles to Alexander the Great has desired to do
Enjoy special access to the Roman-era houses of Ephesus
Explore remarkably well-preserved classical cities such as Pergamon, Miletus and Aphrodisias, and discover a range of evocative lesser-known ruins
Isabella Sjöström
An archaeologist who has excavated in the UK, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Libya.
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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Hotel Yasmak Sultan, Istanbul, 1 night in the Hotel Kervansaray, Assos, 1 night in a hotel in Ayvalik, 1 night in the DoubleTree by Hilton Izmir, 2 nights’ in the Hierapark Thermal & Spa Hotel Deluxe, Pamukkale and 3 nights’ in the KoruMar Hotel de Luxe, Kusadasi
Culinary inclusions
• 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners
• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
28th Oct - 7th Nov $6,860 $1,160
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aaeg
A journey through Cappadocia and south east Turkey
14 DAYS FROM $10,530pp
Explore Turkey’s heartlands from Çatal Höyük, one of the earliest cities, to Göbekli Tepe, an extraordinary Neolithic site. Discover Cappadocia’s unique geology, underground cities, frescoed churches and ancient ritual sites. Journey through The Fertile Crescent, birthplace of agriculture and domestication and marvel at Gaziantep’s Roman mosaics, saved from the Euphrates dam waters.
Day One - Istanbul - Konya | Day Two - Catal Höyuk – Binbir Kilise | Day Three - Konya Day Four - Göreme & Sarı Han Caravansary | Day Five - Ilhara Valley & Aşıklı Höyük | Day Six - GöremeDerinkuyu - Adana | Day Seven - Adana - Karatepe - Gaziantep | Day Eight - Gaziantep Day Nine - Gaziantep - Adiyaman | Day Ten - Mount Nemrut & Adiyaman | Day Eleven - SayburÇ - Şanlıurfa Day Twelve - Göbekli Tepe & Karahan Tepe | Day Thirteen - Şanlıurfa | Day Fourteen | Şanlıurfa
View the extraordinary volcanic landscapes underground cities and rock cut churches in Cappadocia
Discover one of the oldest settlements in the world at Çatal Höyük
Visit the excavations at Göbekli Tepe, with megaliths pre-dating Stonehenge by an impressive 7,500 years
Terry Richardson Terry Richardson has a university background in ancient history and classical civilisation.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Dedeman Konya Hotel & Convention Center, Konya, 3 nights’ in the Utopia Cave Cappadocia Hotel, Ürgüp, 1 night in the Divan Adana Hotel, Adana, 2 nights’ in the Divan Gaziantep Hotel, Gaziantep, 2 nights’ in the Park Dedeman Adıyaman, and 3 nights’ in 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
Date
The ancient heart of southern Sicily
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.
Day One - Catania - Syracuse | Day Two - Ortygia | Day Three - Ortygia & Noto | Day Four - Pantalica & Euryalus Castle | Day Five - Ortygia | Day Six - Syracuse | Day Seven - Villa Romana del Casale Day Eight - Syracuse - Catania
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
Explore the site of Nokalakevi with Ian Colvin
15 DAYS FROM $8,650pp Moderate
Between Europe and Asia, the Caspian and the Black Sea, and on the ancient Silk Roads and the Scythian invasion routes stand the republicas - ancient kingdoms - of Armenia and Georgia. Their location between great civilisations guaranteed them a pivotal role in world history. Yet, their varied landscapes are reason enough to visit.
Day One - Yerevan | Day Two - Yerevan | Day Three - Yerevan | Day Four - Yerevan Day Five - Yerevan - Dilijan | Day Six - Dilijan - Tbilisi | Day Seven - Tbilisi | Day Eight - Tbilisi Day Nine - Tbilisi | Day Ten - Tbilisi - Borjomi | Day Eleven - Borjomi | Day Twelve - Borjomi - Kutaisi Day Thirteen - Kutaisi - Batumi | Day Fourteen - Batumi | Day Fifteen | Batumi
See exquisite metalwork and jewellery from the Bronze Age
Enjoy the country’s dramatic landscapes, from its lush sub-tropics to the semidesert steppes
View fortresses, Hellenistic temples and Art Nouveau palaces
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.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 7 nights’ in the Hotel Palazzo Cavalieri
Culinary inclusions
• 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/arsi
Ian Colvin
Ian is a researcher and historian who specialises in the Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in the Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel, 1 night in the Best Western Plus Paradise Hotel Dilijan, 4 nights’ in the Mercure Tbilisi Old Town, 2 nights’ in the Crowne Plaza Borjomi by IHG, 1 night in the Best Western Kutaisi City Center and 2 nights’ in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi
Culinary inclusions
• 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 13 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date
For
andantetravels.com/agaa
Recently excavated tombs and new museums in Cairo and Alexandria
7 DAYS FROM $6,120pp 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, much anticipated brand new 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
Meet the group at our hotel in Cairo – this buzzing, energetic metropolis that is Egypt’s extraordinary capital.
Today, we embark on a journey to Saqqara, a necropolis of immense archaeological significance in Egypt. Our exploration includes the Tombs of Maya and Horemheb, alongside the newly accessible Old Kingdom Tomb of Mehu, featured in the 2020 documentary The Secrets of Saqqara The afternoon leads us to the Imhotep Museum, freshly reopened after extensive renovations. We conclude our Saqqara adventure with visits to the Tomb of Maia, wet-nurse to Tutankhamun, and the Tomb of Nemtymes, both recently reopened to the public.
Our day commences at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC), inaugurated in 2017 as the first institution showcasing the breadth of Egyptian civilisation from prehistoric times to the present. Post-lunch, we depart Cairo via the desert road, heading towards Alexandria.
Our morning is dedicated to the splendid GraecoRoman Museum, reopened in 2023 after 18 years of renovation. It exhibits thousands of items,
including those discovered during underwater excavations in the submerged cities of ThonisHeracleion and Canopus, and the ancient Portus Magnus of Alexandria. In the afternoon, we explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, where exquisite mosaics from the Ptolemies’ royal palace and the exceptional Manuscripts Museum await us, offering far more than most anticipate.
Departing Alexandria’s centre, we journey to Abu Sir, ancient Tapaposiris, home to a Ptolemaic temple and a funerary monument inspired by the Pharos, perched on a ridge between Lake Mareotis and the Mediterranean. Recent speculations suggest it might house Cleopatra’s elusive tomb. After lunch, we travel back south to Cairo.
We devote the entire day to the Great Egyptian Museum (GEM), located on the Giza plateau with pyramids in view. Initiated over two decades ago, the museum spans 750,000 sqm, featuring 12 exhibition halls and innumerable artefacts. Two halls are dedicated solely to Tutankhamun, displaying nearly all 5,000 objects from his tomb for the first time.
We return to Cairo Airport to make our independent onward journeys.
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 & 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in the Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah, Cairo, and 2 nights’ in the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Hotel or similar
Culinary inclusions
• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners (plus 1 snack in hotel room if arriving late evening)
• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
12th - 18th Oct $6,120 $830
19th - 25th Oct $6,120 $830
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aenm
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.
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
Dr Elizabeth Bloxam
Elizabeth is Visiting Professor of Egyptology at North East Normal University, China.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in the Pavillon Winter Luxor, 5 nights’ on a private Dahabiya boat charter and 2 nights’ in Le Méridien Cairo Airport
Culinary inclusions
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aaue Day One - Luxor | Day Two - Karnak & Luxor Museum | Day Three - Valley of the Kings | Day FourHatshepsut - Medinet Habu | Day Five - Luxor - Esna | Day Six - Esna - El Kab - Edfu | Day Seven - Gebel el Silsila - Kom Ombo | Day Eight - Abu Simbel | Day Nine - Philae | Day Ten - Sehel - Elephantine Islands Day Eleven - Aswan - Cairo | Day Twelve - Cairo
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
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.
Day One - Tunis | Day Two - Carthage | Day Three - Tunis - Teboursouk Day Four - Terbourso - Bulla Regia | Day Five - Makhtar - Kairouan | Day Six - Kairouan Day Seven - Kairouan - Tozeur | Day Eight - Tozeur | Day Nine - Tozeur - Douz | Day Ten - Douz - Sfax Day Eleven - El Djem - Sousse | Day Twelve - Kerkouane - Nabeul | Day Thirteen - Oudna - Thuburbo Majus | Day Fourteen Carthage - Tunis | Day Fifteen - Tunis
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
• 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 16th - 27th Nov Twin/Dbl Share SS Outside Cabin - Twin/Dbl $11,390 $1,590 Suite - Double $11,810 $1,590
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER
Dr Jamie Sewell
Jamie has 15 years’ worth of experience supervising excavations in Britain, Germany, Italy and Romania.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights' in The Residence Tunis, 2 nights' in the Hôtel Thugga, Teboursouk, 2 nights' in the Hotel
La Kasbah Kairouan, 2 nights' in the Dar Horchani, Tozeur, 1 night in the The Residence Douz By Cenizaro, Douz, 1 night in the Les Oliviers Palace, Sfax, and 2 nights' in The Sinbad Hotel, Hammamet
Culinary inclusions
• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date
For
Stand before the mighty ancient amphitheatre of El Djem
10 DAYS FROM $4,970pp Moderate
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
Day One | Tunis
Meet the group at our hotel in Tunis.
Day Two | Carthage
Today is devoted to Carthage, now a wealthy suburb of Tunis, but scattered with the remains of this once great Phoenician city. We start our day at Byrsa Hill, once the citadel and a central feature of the Punic settlement. Next, we continue to Salambo Tophet and Cothon, or harbour, a testament to Carthage’s famous maritime might, the Roman Antonine Baths
Day Three | Tunis
We visit the renowned Bardo Museum, housed in a historic Beylical palace. It features one of the world’s top mosaic collections, including the Virgil and Odysseus mosaics. Later, we head south of Tunis to examine a section of the Carthage aqueduct at Jebel Oust, then explore Oudna, a city founded by Emperor Augustus.
Day Four | Dougga
We drive west to Dougga stopping at Testour, a 17th-century town established by Jewish and Muslim people fleeing the Inquisition. After lunch, we explore Dougga, its bathhouses, sanctuaries, theatre and temples.
Day Five | Chemtou & Bulla Regia
We drive to Chemtou in the Tunisian hills where we see the quarries which produced famous Numidian marble. Next we visit nearby Bulla Regia and its well-preserved subterranean houses.
We head southwest to the charming site of Thuburbo Majus, originally Punic and later a Roman veteran colony. Highlights include the forum with the Capitolium, Winter and Summer Baths, the Palaestra of Petronius and a notable latrine. We also visit Punic-flavoured temples: the Temple of Baalit and the Temple of Caelestis. In the afternoon, we travel to Kairouan, Tunisia’s key religious city, founded by the Umayyads in the 7th century AD.
Day Seven | El Djem
Heading southeast to El Djem, originally the Numidian city Thysdrus, we find a wealthy olive oil hub in the 2nd century AD. Next, we visit the Museum of El Djem, showcasing Tunisia’s finest mosaics and Roman townhouse foundations in its gardens. Returning to Kairouan, we explore the Great Mosque and wander through the Medina’s winding streets, shops and courtyard houses.
Day Eight | Kairouan - Hammamet
We start in Kairouan at the viewpoint over the Aghlabid pools, 9th-century reservoirs once praised by Arab geographers for their grandeur. Next, we visit the Barber Mosque, the burial site of Abu Zama El Belaoui. In the afternoon, we head north to Sousse. The Sousse Museum showcases exceptional mosaics, especially from the Roman period when Hadrumetum thrived through trade. We then continue north to Hammamet.
Day Nine | Kerkouane
We travel along the Cap Bon coastline to Kerkouane, a UNESCO-listed site from the 7th to 3rd century BCE, abandoned after the First Punic War. We visit the site museum with remains from
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER
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 and better!.
the necropolis. After lunch, we head to Nabeul to visit its small museum before returning to the hotel Day Ten | Hammamet - Tunis
We transfer to Tunis Airport for our independent onwards travel.
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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 3 nights' in The Residence Tunis, 2 nights' in the Hôtel Thugga, Teboursouk, 2 nights' in the Hotel La Kasbah Kairouan, and 2 nights' in The Sinbad Hotel, Hammamet
Culinary inclusions
• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
22nd - 31st Oct $4,970 $670
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/acrt
10 DAYS FROM $6,150pp 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.
Day One - Tangier | Day Two - Lixus & Tangier | Day Three - Tangier - Chefchaouan - Fez Day Four - Fez | Day Five - Volubilis | Day Six - Meknès - Rabat | Day Seven - Rabat | Day Eight - RabatMarrakesh | Day Nine - Marrakesh | Day Ten - Marrakesh
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
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.
Day One - Algiers | Day Two - Algiers | Day Three - Cherchell & Tipasa | Day Four - Algiers - Annaba | Day Five - Annaba - Constantine | Day Six - Tiddis & Constantine | Day Seven - Constantine - Djémila - Setif | Day Eight - Setif - Batna | Day Nine - Batna - Timgad - Biskra | Day Ten - Biskara Day ElevenAlgiers
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
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.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in The Marina Bay City Center Hotel, Tangier, 3 nights’ in the Hotel Les Merinides, Fez, 2 nights’ in the NJ Hôtel Rabat and 2 nights’ in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
4th - 13th Dec $6,150 $740
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/amor
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 and all taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)
Included travel
• All local transport Accommodation
• 2 nights’ in the Protea Hotel Constantine, 1 night in the Sheraton Annaba Hotel, Annaba, 2 nights' at a hotel in Constantine, 1 night in the Park Mall Hotel & Conference Center, Setif, 1 night in the Trajan Hotel, Batna, and 1 night in 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
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
1st - 11th Nov $7,110
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aage
Nothing can prepare you for Petra - the scale, the colours and the grandeur. Lively, cosmopolitan and rich, with goods from every corner of the world, ancient Petra was an extraordinary city. Its streets were swathed in a fusion of Nabataean and Classical architectureelaborate tombs, colonnaded roads and temples carved into the rose-red rock.
Nick Jackson
A graduate of the Institute of Archaeology at UCL, Nick is an archaeologist and historian with over 20 years of excavation experience.
Admire the almost lunar-like desert scenery of Wadi Rum
Discover the mighty crusader castle at Kerak, built in the 12th century
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
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 6 nights’ in the AlQasr Metropole Hotel, Amman, and 3 nights’ in the Petra Moon Hotel, Petra
Culinary inclusions
• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners (plus 1 snack in hotel room if arriving late evening)
• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Dates & prices per person
- 28th Oct $5,970 $1,130
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ajor
Image: Petra
Oman has been a crossroads of commerce for millennia and its archaeology has only recently begun to be understood. During this tour we travel from the mountains of Muscat to the beaches of Salalah, we explore the hub of Classical Arabia Felix, the great incense city of Sumhuram, with a special drive out into the Empty Quarter to take us to the site of the lost city of Ubar, entrepot of the Frankincense trade.
Day One - Amman | Day Two - Wadi Seer - Dead Sea - Amman | Day Three - Gadara - Jerash Day Four - Amman | Day Five - Umm al-Jima | Day Six - Umm al-Rasas - Kerak | Days Seven & Eight - Petra Day Nine - Little Petra - Wadi Rum | Day Ten - Amman Day One - Muscat | Day Two - Muscat | Day Three - Muscat - Nizwa | Day Four - Al Hamra - Wadi Ghul - Wadi Nakher - Misfah | Day Five - Wadi Tanuf - Nizwa - Jabrin - Salut | Day Six - Lizq - Wahiba Sands | Day Seven - Muscat - Salalah | Day Eight - Sumhuram - Wadi Darbat - Mirbat | Day Nine - Hanun - Empty
- Ubar | Day Ten - Al-Balid - Nabi Ayoub - Muscat Day Eleven - Muscat
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
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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 2 nights’ at the Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat, 3 nights’ in the The View, Al Hamra, 1 night at the Arabian Oryx Camp, Al Sharqiyah Sands (Wahiba), and 4 nights’ in the Juweira Boutique Hotel, Salalah
Culinary inclusions
• 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners
• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 13th - 23rd Nov $9,140 $1,380
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/aomn
In AD 9, the largest army of the Roman Empire suffered unprecedented defeat at the Teutoburg Forest where Publius Quinctilius Varus famously lost 3 legions along with accompanying auxiliary troops. This episode – long remembered in Rome and etched in Augustus’ memory –brought about a change in Roman strategies in Germany.
Day One - Düsseldorf - Cologne | Day Two - Cologne | Day Three - Xanten
Day Four - Cologne - Boppard - Braubach | Day Five - Zugmantel, Saalburg & Feldburg
Day Six - Braubach - Mainz - Trier | Day Seven - Trier | Day Eight - Porta Nigra & Villa Borg Day Nine - Trier - Aachen | Day Ten - Aachen - Dusseldorf
Explore the remains of the fort and reconstructed watchtower at the UNESCO site of Saalburg
Admire the richly illustrated gladiatorial mosaic at the Villa Nennig, one of the most important Roman artefacts north of the Alps
Explore the Roman remains of the UNESCO listed Trier, including the Porta Nigra
From the Dacians to Dracula
Romania reveals an under-explored historical narrative with diverse remains. This tour visits Greek colonies, notably ancient Tomis on the Black Sea, Roman ruins including Adamclisi’s victory monument, and Bran Castle, home of Vlad Dracul. Expert guide Dr Doru Bogdan offers in-depth knowledge.
Day One - Bucharest - Constanta | Day Two - Constanta | Day Three - Histria
Day Four - Constanta - Adamclisi - Brasov | Day Five - Brasov - Bran - Hunedoara | Day SixSarmizegetusa, Costesti & Orastie | Day Seven - Hunedoara - Corvin - Sarmisegetuza - Sibiu | Day Eight - Sibiu - Bucharest | Day Nine - Bucharest | Day Ten - Bucharest
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
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.
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 3 nights’ in the Eden Hotel Früh Am Dom, Cologne, 2 nights’ in the Zum Weißen Schwanen, Braubach, 3 night’s in the Hotel Park Plaza, Trier and 1 night in the Parkhotel Quellenhof, Aachen
Culinary inclusions
• 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 9 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
27th Sep - 6th Oct $7,980 $920
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ager
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 and all taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 3 nights’ in the Hotel Continental Forum Constanta, 1 night in the Kronwell Braşov Hotel, 2 nights’ in the Hotel Astoria Hunedoara, 1 night in the Continental Forum, Sibiu and 2 nights’ in the Novotel Bucharest City Centre
Culinary inclusions
• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 9 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person Date Twin/Dbl
6 DAYS FROM $5,270pp Easy
From its ancient origins as a castrum and canaba in the Roman period, Vienna grew to dizzying heights after becoming the capital of the Holy Roman Empire in the 15th century, developing into one of the most important imperial centres of Europe.
Explore the many artistic masterpieces in the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Gaze at Klimt’s The Kiss and his other works of art in the stupendous Schloss
Belvedere Palace
Examine the treasures excavated in Ephesus, including the Parthian Monument
View the fabulous collection of paintings and drawings in the Albertina Museum
Image: Rathaus and Christmas market
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
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 and all taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 5 nights’ in the Hotel Regina
Culinary inclusions
• 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, & 5 dinners
• Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 2nd - 7th Dec $5,270 $1,250
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/avna
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE LECTURER
Dr Peter J Brown
Dr Peter J Brown is a medieval archaeologist whose fieldwork spans the Middle East, Central Asia, China and Europe, with research on water, trade, and cities.
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE EXPERT GUIDED TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
• Expert Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager
• Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
• Andante Field notes
Kazakhstan presents a majestic landscape - high mountains, green valleys, lake-dotted steppe, western deserts, remote underground mosques and affluent cities. Join us on a varied and unique journey - passing through the lands of the ancient residents of Kazakhstan, and tour wild steppes where nomads lived in harmony with nature.
Day One - Almaty | Day Two - Altyn-Emel & Tamgaly-Tas | Day Three - Chimbulak Day Four - Almaty - Tamgaly - Taraz | Day Five - Akyrtas & Taraz | Day Six - Taraz - Shymkent Day Seven - Shymkent - Otrar - Turkistan | Day Eight - Turkistan | Day Nine - Turkistan - SauranKyzylorda | Day Ten - Kyzylorda - Astana | Day Eleven - Astana | Day Twelve - Astana
Discover the blue-tiled wonder of the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
View the thousands of petroglyphs decorating the rocks at Tamgaly from the Bronze and Iron Ages
Explore the dead city of Sauran, a former hub of the Silk Road which now stands alone amidst the Kazakh Steppe
• All taxes & gratuities to local staff (drivers, waiters, site custodians)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ in the Hotel Kazzhol Park Almaty, 2 nights’ in the Shahristan Hotel, Taraz, 1 night in the Aidana Plaza Hotel, Shymkent, 2 nights’ in the Hotel Khanaka, Turkistan, 1 night in the Hotel Sultan Plaza, Kyzylorda and 2 nights’ in the Wyndham Garden Astana
Culinary inclusions
• 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 11 dinners
• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
27th Sep - 8th Oct $6,520 $700
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/akaz
From Buddhist temples to the gargantuan monuments of imperial ambition, to lesser-known prehistoric settlements, this tour is the story of not one but many Chinas through the ages. Over 17 days, we put the great sites we see into their historical context starting in Beijing, China’s capital. We see the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and Ming Tombs not just as grand relics, but as products of the time, people and places that led to their creation.
We meet as a group for lunch, and then in the afternoon we visit the Forbidden City, or Palace Museum. Built between 1406 and 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, this vast imperial palace complex served as the home of Chinese emperors and the ceremonial and political centre of the Chinese government for almost 500 years, and we will explore its succession of halls and courtyards and admire an extraordinary collection of artwork and artifacts from China's imperial past.
This morning, we visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolic core of China and the site of many significant historical events. We reflect on pivotal moments that have shaped the nation's path before moving to the National Museum, housing artifacts from Yuanmou Man, a fossil from 1.7 million years ago, to the last imperial dynasty, the Qing. After lunch, we explore the Temple of Heaven, a vast
Taoist site built by the Yongle Emperor, serving as a sacred venue for Ming and Qing emperors' rituals.
We venture northwest of the city centre to visit the Summer Palace, originally built in 1750 during the Qing Dynasty by Emperor Qianlong as a gift for his mother. The palace spans about 3 km², featuring architecturally distinct buildings, bridges, gardens, and Kunming Lake, popular for boating. Later, we visit Fahai Temple at Cuiwei Mountain, known for its well-preserved Ming Dynasty frescoes.
We journey to Tianshou Mountain's slopes to visit the Ming Dynasty Tombs, the resting place of thirteen emperors. Three tombs are accessible, and we will explore these and The Sacred Way, flanked by carved stone sculptures depicting imperial guards, officials, and mythical animals. In the afternoon, we visit the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section, known for its watchtowers and terrain.
We take our first high-speed train through the Wei Valley's fertile plains and hills, arriving in Luoyang in the afternoon. After lunch, we visit the Longmen Caves, carved into Yi River cliffs from 494 AD through seven dynasties, featuring over 1,300 caves and 100,000 Buddha statues.
Day Six | Longmen Caves & Shaolin Temple
We drive to Dengfeng, the cradle of Chinese Kung Fu, visiting the Pagoda Forest and Shaolin Temple, famous for its warrior monks and martial prowess. We will watch Kung Fu performances.
Day Seven | Luoyang – Xi’an
Before departing Luoyang, we visit the Ancient Tombs Museum. We then take the train to Xi’an, the Silk Road's starting point. After lunch, we explore landmarks including the Drum Tower, Goose Pagodas, Muslim Quarter, and the City Wall.
Discover China’s remarkable prehistoric archaeology at sites such as Jinsha and Banpo, which tell the story of ordinary people in ancient China
Admire the underground army of the life-sized Terracotta Warriors - one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world
Explore Luoyang - the cradle of Chinese civilisation - home to Buddhist temples from the 1st century at the outstanding Longmen Grottoes
YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
Dr Iain Shearer
Iain is an archaeologist who works across the Middle East, Northern Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus, China, India, Pakistan, USA, Balkans, Europe and the UK.
Day Eight | Xi’an
We spend the morning with Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, crafted for Emperor Qin Shi Huang to guard his tomb. After lunch, we visit Banpo Neolithic Village, where a 6,500-year-old settlement was unearthed.
Day Nine | Xi’an
We visit the Han Jingdi Tomb, Emperor Jingdi's resting place, notable for its miniature terracotta figures. In the afternoon, we visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum to view Tang Dynasty exhibits.
Day Ten | Xi’an - Chengdu
We travel by high-speed train to Chengdu, Sichuan Province's capital. After lunch, we visit Jinsha, an ancient Shu civilization site.
Day Eleven | Chengdu
We start at Sanxingdui, with artifacts from 1700-1150 BCE. After lunch, we visit Qingyang Palace, one of the oldest Taoist temples.
Day Twelve | Chengdu – Wuxin - Suzhou
We fly to Wuxin and transfer to Suzhou, famous for its silk and stunning gardens. We visit The Garden of the Humble Administrator, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day Thirteen | Suzhou
We visit Suzhou Museum, showcasing 2,500 years of local history. In the afternoon, we visit Shi Zi Lin, or Lion Grove Garden.
Day Fourteen | Suzhou - Shanghai
We drive to Shanghai, exploring its contrasts with a boat trip along the Huangpu River.
Day Fifteen | Shanghai
We visit Shanghai Museum, renowned for its ancient art collection, followed by a tour of the French Concession
Day Sixteen | Shanghai
Our tour ends today, and we make our independent onward journeys.
• 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)
Included travel
• All local transport
Accommodation
• 4 nights’ at a hotel in Beijing, 2 nights’ at a hotel in Luoyang, 3 nights at a hotel in Xian, 2 nights’ at a hotel in Chengdu, 2 nights at a hotel in Suzhou, and 2 nights’ at a hotel in Shanghai
Culinary inclusions
• 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 15 dinners
• Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS
3rd - 18th Sep $8,590 $1,130
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/acan
No one does archaeological holidays quite like Andante, the first specialist UK operator to go beyond the surface of cultural travel, to dig deeper into the past and create unique explorations of some of the world’s most important sites. From the relationships we have with local custodians to the way travelling with an expert enhances the experience, and from 24-hour support from our team while you’re on tour to the careful thought that goes into each itinerary, trust Andante for your next ancient world adventure and travel with the best.
With maximum numbers of 18 on every tour, you can enjoy the sociability of travelling with people who share your interest but in a group small enough to allow for ease of access and quality time with your Guide Lecturer. We can travel with more flexibility and enjoy more of those spontaneous encounters which are simply not available to travellers on a typical group tour of 40 or more. Regardless of whether you are travelling with friends, with a partner or solo, rest assured you’ll find a happy, informal ambience on our tours.
The price you pay for your Andante Travels tour represents excellent value for money. With most aspects of your tour included, from entry to all sites as per the itinerary, from tips to treats and - more often than not - wine with dinner. There is very little you will need to budget for on holiday except souvenirs and drinks at the bar.
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.
