Unbound 4

Unbound Cambridge Alumni Travel Programme

Alumni Relations Office

Edition 4 / 2014

alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

“I came on the tour with the idea of doing something completely different... All praise to those who brought it alive for me! I am so glad I went on this one�

Pompeii & Herculaneum Andante, 2012

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Unbound Cambridge Alumni Travel Programme presents the new issue of Unbound, featuring trips for 2014.

See the world with expert eyes and journey to fascinating far-flung places with the Alumni Travel Programme. Whether you seek the adventure of a lifetime or a perfectly-proportioned educational break, the tours offered here encompass a wide variety of destinations and topics designed to suit anyone with an enquiring mind.

Accompanied by an academic trip scholar, every trip is an opportunity to broaden your horizons and explore subjects old and new in captivating surroundings with like-minded travellers. Whether it’s trekking in the Himalayan mountains, viewing Ice Age art up-close in the Dordogne or marvelling at the Northern Lights on a polar expedition, the itineraries offered by the Alumni Travel programme are meticulously planned by our trusted tour operators, their subjects specially tailored with groups of Cambridge alumni and their guests in mind. The reputation of our scholars and standing of their research can often provide exclusive access to places most tourists will never see; the expertise of our operators and the knowledge of their local guides provide a depth of understanding that travelling alone never could.

Destinations for 2014 include Japan, Sicily, Mustang, Madagascar, Norway, Venice and the Adriatic Sea - to name just a few. Every booking made directly supports the work of the University and to date the Cambridge Alumni Travel Programme has generated over £1m through donations received from our tour operators - a hugely significant contribution and our grateful thanks go to all travellers who have helped in this way.

Cambridge showed you the world once; with the Alumni Travel Programme it can do so again.

Europe 6 – 7 Pompeii & Herculaneum – the Lives of the Romans Ice Age Art in the Dordogne Inside Istanbul On foot Sicilia Antiqua Europe 8 – 9 Art Treasures of St Petersburg Eastern Turkey Medieval Alsace-Lorraine Jewels of the Dodecanese “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” Europe 10 Minoan Crete and Santorini “Those Who Seek Paradise on Earth Should See Dubrovnik” Africa 11 – 12 Ultimate Nile In Livingstone’s Footsteps Magical Madagascar Wine, Whales and Wildflowers Ancient Ethiopia Asia 13 – 14 The Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang Along the Golden Road from Samarkand Ancient Japan South America 15 The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador Voyage of a lifetime by private train 16 – 17 A Caspian Odyssey

Full details of how to contact the operators, find out more about the trips and to book can be found on P22

Key D Date

Europe 4 – 5 Polar Nights and Mystical Northern Lights Voyage North – Heritage of the Vikings Shropshire Country Houses Munich Opera Festival

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Front cover image: Madagascar

Inside back cover image: Northern Lights

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Unbound / Edition 4 / 2014

Europe

Polar Nights and Mystical Northern Lights

Voyage North – Heritage of the Vikings

Jointly with University of Oxford

Jointly with University of Oxford

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26 – 30 January 2014 MS Polarlys 9 – 13 March 2014 MS Nordkapp

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Hurtigruten / hurtigruten.co.uk / +44 (0)20 8846 2633

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From £1,429 per person for inside twin cabin, includes return flights to UK

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Professor Roger Davies, Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford (26-30 January); Dr Carolin Crawford (9-13 March), Professor of Astronomy, Gresham College and Outreach Officer for the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge.

P From £2,199 per person for inside twin cabin, includes return flights to UK. From £1,424 for 6 nights only (excluding flights and any land arrangements)

Our universe abounds with objects of spectacular natural beauty, some of which can be seen on this trip. Starting with a discussion of the aurorae and the other effects the sun can have on the earth, we will take a whistle-stop tour of the universe and explore the night sky, as well as looking at the effects of climate change on the landscape closer by. We hope to spend at least one session on deck at night exploring the heavens.

The trip begins in Tromsø, then journeys to the North Cape and Kirkenes, before heading back south to Tromsø. The voyage includes full board, a one night stay in Tromsø, excursion to the North Cape, Honningsvåg, drinks reception on the first night on board and welcome and farewell group dinners, along with the services of a dedicated tour manager.

Hurtigruten’s working ships have been part of daily life on the Norwegian coast for more than 120 years, offering voyages that go far beyond the realms of conventional cruises.

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3 – 11 September 2014 MS Trollfjord Hurtigruten / hurtigruten.co.uk / +44 (0)20 8846 2633

Dr Elizabeth Ashman Rowe, Lecturer in Scandinavian History of the Medieval Period at Cambridge and Fellow of Clare Hall.

This six night voyage onboard MS Trollfjord is focused on the heritage of the fascinating Norwegian coastline with a look at the Vikings; their way of life and their legacy. Sailing from UNESCO-listed Bergen in the south, we will be taking a voyage north to the Norwegian/Russian frontier town of Kirkenes. En route, we will be offering a series of Viking-based excursions and lectures with UK and Norwegian experts. There will be the opportunity to take part in a traditional Viking feast in the beautiful Lofoten Islands, a diversion into the breath-taking Hjørundfjord and a two night post-voyage stopover in Oslo to explore the city and visit the Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy before returning to the UK.

The seven-day Voyage North calls at 34 ports, large and small, from the old Viking capital, Trondheim to the tiny northern ports of the Arctic Circle. Meals on board are made from the only the freshest local produce (much of it sourced at ports en route), a drinks reception on the first night is also included along with the services of a dedicated tour manager and as with all Hurtigruten ships, the highest levels of comfort and relaxation are offered, leaving you to enjoy the ever-changing vistas of this iconic coastline.

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Shropshire Country Houses

Munich Opera Festival

Exclusive access to the county’s hidden gems

World-class opera, chamber music and song recitals

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7 – 12 July 2014

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ACE Cultural Tours / aceculturaltours.co.uk / +44 (0)1223 841 055

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£1,195 per person to include breakfast, four lunches and all dinners and visits. Single supplement £120

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Roger White (Christ’s 1969), architectural historian and former Secretary of the Georgian Group and Garden History Society.

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£2,790 including flights from London. Single supplement £190.

Price includes breakfast, four dinners, one lunch, seven performances and visits

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Professor John Deathridge, King Edward Professor of Music at King’s College London.

The glorious countryside around Ludlow is the setting for the splendid country houses that are the main focus of this tour.

The emphasis will be on private houses that are not generally open to the public, and highlights include Acton Round, a delectable Queen Anne doll’s-house of a building; Mawley Hall, with one of the finest baroque interiors in England; Oakly Park and Millichope Park, both with notable Greek Revival interiors; and High Victorian Stokesay Court, the largest country house in the county, where we will have dinner.

We venture into Herefordshire to see Berrington Hall, with its exquisite neoclassical interiors, together with a private visit to the remarkable modern folly garden at Elton Hall. Ludlow itself, which John Betjeman described as ‘probably the loveliest town in England’, will be seen on a walking tour, during which Sir Keith Thomas (former President of Corpus Christi, Oxford) and Lady Thomas will show the party their fascinating house over the town’s medieval Broad Gate.

We will stay at Ludlow’s Clive Hotel and enjoy some refreshments and meals as guests of the owners of the private houses we visit.

21 – 27 July 2014 ACE Cultural Tours / aceculturaltours.co.uk / +44 (0)1223 841 055

Every July since 1875 Munich’s finest theatres are filled with dynamic opera performances, song recitals and evocative chamber music concerts. We will see the Bavarian State Opera and Orchestra performing Mozart’s Figaro with Gerald Finley in the title role as well as two comedic operas by Richard Strauss in his 150th anniversary year: Ariadne auf Naxos and Der Rosenkavalier.

In the luxurious surroundings of the Rococo Cuvilliés Theatre, where Mozart’s Idomeneo was first performed, we will enjoy chamber music by Isang Yun and Mozart, and in the Prince Regent’s Theatre, originally built as a festival hall for Richard Wagner, we will hear pieces by Bellini, Verdi and Wagner as well as the voice of the renowned German bass René Pape.

Our musical tour is embellished with visits including Baroque Nymphenburg Palace, where Mozart performed his first public recital, and Schloss Herrenchiemsee, designed by Wagner’s great admirer, King Ludwig II.

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Europe

Pompeii & Herculaneum – the Lives of the Romans

Ice Age Art in the Dordogne

Two ordinary Roman towns, caught in a moment of extraordinary disaster

Travel to one of the most beautiful areas of France and explore original engravings, sculptures and paintings, created between 35,000-10,000BC

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22 – 26 January 2014

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Andante Travels / andantetravels.com/ +44 (0)1722 713 800

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£1,450, including flights from London

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£2,200, including flights from London

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Dr Gillian Shepherd (Trinity 1988) is Director of the Trendall Centre for Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe, Australia.

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Dr Paul Bahn (Caius 1971) is a renowned world expert on prehistoric art.

An intimate introduction to the lives of ordinary people caught in an extraordinary disaster. Before the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii was a flourishing town of around 12,000 people.The catastrophic events of AD79 brought life to an abrupt halt, with houses, private possessions and mortal remains frozen in situ. In some cases, we even know the names and occupations of the individuals who walked these ancient streets, two millennia ago.

Pompeii in January is haunting (with any luck) bathed in bright winter sunshine. We approach the sites at the best time and by the best routes to avoid the crowds, and are often able to secure private access within Pompeii and Herculaneum. We also visit some of the region’s lesser-known (but equally worthwhile) sites – telling the whole story of Roman life and death in the Bay of Naples.

23 – 30 June 2014 Andante Travels / andantetravels.com / +44 (0)1722 713 800

Journey through the lush landscapes and limestone plateaux of the Dordogne Valley, viewing original examples of rock engraving, sculpture and painting made over a period of 20,000 years.

Little is known about the people who created these images, except that they must have been an advanced society of hunting and gathering humans, sufficiently well established to combat the rigours of the final extreme cold phase of the Ice Age. From the fierce debate which raged during the 19th century about the age and authenticity of decorated caves, to the most recent scientific research, the Dordogne has been at the centre of prehistoric studies for many years. The art in question belongs to the period approximately between 35,000 BC and 10,000 BC and represents the first sustained outpouring of artistic expression in the western world a profound and fascinating stage of human development.

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alumni.cam.ac.uk/travel

Inside Istanbul On Foot

Sicilia Antiqua

Escape the crowds and explore the hidden corners of one of the world’s great historic capitals

The multicultural nucleus of the ancient Western world

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21 – 27 April 2014

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Andante Travels / andantetravels.com / +44 (0)1722 713 800

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£1,950, including flights from London

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£2,600, including flights from London

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Terry Richardson is author of the Rough Guides for Turkey and Istanbul. He lives and works in Turkey.

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To be announced.

A chance to escape the crowds around Istanbul’s major monuments and get to know the hidden corners and vibrant street life of this great city, whose history is so tightly bound-up with the development of both Eastern and Western civilisation.

For two days, we walk in the shadow of the great Theodosian Walls.

Our route takes us through back streets and alleyways; past hidden mosques and churches, thriving market gardens and local bazaars. Further days are spent meandering along the hilltops of the old city’s northwest quarter and, on the ‘European side’, the old Genoese colony of Galata.

Trip Scholar and Rough Guide author Terry Richardson has been an aficionado of the city for almost 30-years and wrote the Rough Guide to Istanbul. An intimate introduction to one of the world’s great historic capitals, taking you far beyond the familiar monuments of old Sultanahmet.

October 2014 Andante Travels / andantetravels.com / +44 (0)1722 713 800

A classicist’s paradise – from the sea battle in the harbour at Syracuse in 413BC, immortalised and described in graphic detail by Thucydides; to the giant one-eyed Cyclops, who traditionally lived on the slopes of Mount Etna, and the inventive mathematical genius Archimedes of Syracuse.

When Greek colonists first arrived in Sicily during the eighth century BC they found a fertile and beautiful land with natural harbours, and a flourishing native culture with a fine artistic tradition. Over the centuries, not only Greeks but also Phoenicians, Romans, Normans and Arabs all dropped anchor in the island’s beautiful bays, each leaving their mark on Sicily’s art, archaeology and architecture.

A wonderful tour which will leave memories of ruinous ancient cities; Doric temples, exquisite Roman and Norman mosaic.

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Europe

Art Treasures of St Petersburg

Eastern Turkey

Medieval Alsace-Lorraine

Lost Empires & Forgotten Kingdoms

A hotel barge cruise along two historic canals

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20 – 25 February 2014

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24 June – 4 July 2014

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Distant Horizons / distanthorizons.co.uk +44 (0)151 625 3425

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Temple World / templeworld.com +44 (0)208 940 4114

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£2,060 from London, can be joined without flight

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Professor Alexei Leporc, Curator of Western European Art at the Hermitage.

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£2,895 per person sharing, not including flight to and from Turkey. Optional flights from London from £300 including taxes

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£2,550 per person sharing, not including transport to and from Strasbourg. Optional train from London from £180

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Dr Peter Sarris, Lecturer in Roman, Medieval and Byzantine History, University of Cambridge.

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Dr Rowena Archer, Lecturer in Medieval History, University of Oxford.

The beautiful city of St Petersburg, often known as the ‘Venice of the North’, was founded by Peter the Great to demonstrate his wish that Russia was a major power with its roots firmly fixed in Europe. This visit has been specially planned for February when the snow makes everything picturesque and the city looks magnificent. The theatres are open, the vodka and furs are out and it’s cosy and warm inside the buildings. Enjoy the city’s wonderful architecture and superb museums without the crowds later in the year.

There will be two visits to the Hermitage, an excursion to the Tsarkoye Selo, the spectacular town of Imperial Palaces just outside St Petersburg, the Peter and Paul Fortress and Yusupov Palace - at least as spectacular in its way as the Hermitage but on a smaller scale. For those who wish, the journey can be extended to include a four day visit to Russia’s traditional ‘Holy Mother’ – Moscow.

Explore dramatic eastern Anatolia with its fertile plateaux, stunning lakes and mountains, and the architectural legacy of the Urartian, Armenian, Seljukian and Ottoman empires. Beginning in Trabzon on the Black Sea, visit St Sophia with its extraordinary Byzantine frescoes and the 4th century Orthodox Monastery of Sumela.

We travel through Erzurum, Turkey’s highest city and on to Kars to explore the lost medieval city of Ani. Continue along the Silk Road to the romantic semi-ruined Ishak Pasa Palace, with wonderful views of Mount Ararat. Descending to Lake Van at Tatvan, we explore Seljukian tombs at Ahlat and visit picturesque Akdamar Island with its exquisite tenth century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross. The tour finishes with visits to the ancient Urartian fortress at Cavustepe and (if open) the imposing Kurdish castle of Hosap in Guzelsu, once a frontier town of the Ottoman Empire.

20 – 26 June 2014 Temple World / templeworld.com +44 (0)208 940 4114

Travel by hotel barge through the heart of Alsace-Lorraine, where French and German culture entwine to create one of France’s most enchanting regions. The experience is a relaxing mix of local wines, French cuisine and escorted visits to medieval sites. Our privately chartered barge, Jeanine, has just 11 cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms and large windows. She has just had a stylish re-fit throughout. For the energetic, there are opportunities to cycle along the tow path. In the Rhine Valley we visit 15th-century Riquewihr for a tasting of local Alsace wines and Colmar with its maze of medieval streets, Renaissance buildings and waterside ‘Little Venice’ area. In Strasbourg, we shall visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Musee d’Art Moderne and the medieval riverside district of ‘Petite France’. In Lorraine the barge is lifted 45m at the inclined plane of Arzwiller, and we visit Sarrebourg to see the stained glass window created by Marc Chagall.

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Jewels of the Dodecanese

“Great is Diana of the Ephesians”

Cruising the Greek Isles by classic gulet

Classical sites of Ionia and Caria by land and sea

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21 – 28 June 2014

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7 – 21 June 2014

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Temple World / templeworld.com / +44 (0)208 940 4114

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Temple World / templeworld.com / +44 (0)208 940 4114

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£2,295 per person sharing, not including flights to and from Turkey.

Optional flights from London from £300 including taxes

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£2,650 per person sharing, not including flights to and from Turkey.

Optional flights from London from £300 including taxes

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Professor Geoff Horrocks, Professor of Comparative Philology, St John’s College, Cambridge.

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Dr Jeremy Paterson, Lecturer in Ancient History, Newcastle University (retired).

The islands of the Dodecanese run like a necklace around the Aegean coast of Asia Minor, from Patmos in the north west to Rhodes in the south east. Their proximity to the Ottoman coast of mainland Turkey allowed them to become tax-exempt in the 16th century, the time of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, hence they became known as the “Privileged Islands”.

And privileged they are indeed today, isles of great beauty set in the balmy climate of the eastern Mediterranean. Their history goes back beyond the Classical world, and one can imagine Homeric heroes and Odyssean mariners charting these lovely waters. Our journey will doubtless be considerably more comfortable, however, as we travel on a superior classic gulet fitted with all mod cons, and in cabins with ensuite bathrooms and proper beds. Travel from Kos, famed island of Hippocrates, to Niseros, the volcano said to house the legendary giant Polivotis. From here cruise to the delightful and unspoiled island of Tilos which was once home to the pygmy elephant, and on to Symi with its spectacular Cycladic houses rising up around its beautiful harbour, one of the loveliest in Greece. Finally we reach the wealthy Island of Rhodes, haunt of the Crusader Knights of St John.

This cruise coordinates with our “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” tour from 7-21 June.

The Aegean coast of ancient Caria and Ionia provides the setting for some of the best preserved sites of classical times. From Smyrna and Pergamon, which once had a library to rival Alexandria’s, we visit Sardis then explore the iconic hot springs of Pamukkale, at which the Romans built the spa town of Hieropolis. We spend time in the Meander Valley visiting the beautiful city of Aphrodisias, which has a superb Museum of Roman Sculptures. A highlight of our exploration will be Ephesus, whose commerce at the time of Hadrian rivalled Rome itself. The site is still magnificent, with its marble streets and wealthy villas and a theatre which sat 28,000. Having reached the coast we continue as the ancients did – by sea. The Ceramic Gulf is still one of the least spoiled areas of the Turkish Coast – no holiday villages, few hotels, no fish farms, only hundreds of uninhabited tiny bays in some of the most sheltered waters in the Mediterranean. In our classic Turkish gulet, built to a traditional design yet with modern comforts such as cabins with proper beds and ensuite bathrooms, we shall cruise from bay to bay, weighing anchor to visit romantic ruins and magnificent remains such as the Carian cities of Euromos and Labranda, little visited by tourists yet beautifully situated. With Turkish rural villages and plenty of chances to swim in the water wonderland created by the coves and small islands, this is possibly our best Turkish itinerary yet.

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Europe

Minoan Crete and Santorini

“Those Who Seek Paradise on Earth Should See Dubrovnik”

“Out in the dark blue sea there lies an island called Crete, a rich and lovely land.”

Adriatic Cruise from Venice to Athens

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24 September – 2 October 2014

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11 – 23 August 2014

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Temple World / templeworld.com / +44 (0)208 940 4114

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Voyagestoantiquity.com / + 44 (0)845 437 9737

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£2,195 per person sharing, not including flight to and from Crete.

Optional flights from London from £280 including taxes. Single supplement £350

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£2,295 per person including flights from London. Cruise-only prices available on request. 15% single supplement

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Professor Robin Cormack teaches Greek, Roman and Byzantine art history in the Classics Faculty at the University of Cambridge and recently curated the major Byzantium 330-1453 exhibition at the Royal Academy.

S Dr Lisa Bendall, Lecturer in Aegean Prehistory, Keble College, Oxford.

Island of myth and legend, Crete can claim to be home to the oldest civilization in Europe with the Bronze Age Minoans who left their legacy here more than 4000 years ago. Their sophisticated and highly artistic civilization came to an end around 1400BC, leaving fascinating remains including figurines and frescoes, whilst subsequent invaders from the Mycenaeans, Dorians and Romans to the more recent Arabs and Venetians have also left a wonderful architectural legacy on this beautiful island.

We stay at Chania, with its lovely Venetian harbour and lighthouse, and Heraklion with its medieval city centre. The impressive palaces of Knossos (now reconstructed) and Malia show the Minoan’s building ingenuity, and even simpler Minoan dwellings on the island show evidence of sewage systems, running water and even central heating. To complete the Minoan picture we shall visit the stunning island of Santorini, with its iconic white cubist houses and blue church domes. Here, recent excavations have unearthed the buried Minoan village of Akrotiri under layers of ash.

The dramatic beauty of the Adriatic coast has long inspired writers, poets and artists. Indeed, cruising the Kornati Islands and the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro allows guests to see two of the most memorable landscapes to be found anywhere in the world.

As well as providing natural beauty, this cruise with just 350 passengers also offers you the opportunity to visit the remarkable archaeological and historical sites on route. From the Byzantine splendour of St Mark’s and the tranquil beauty of the Venetian canals to the classical elegance of Epidaurus and the magnificent Roman Palace of Diocletian in Split.

As you leave Dalmatia behind and continue your voyage to Athens, the ship will call at the island of Corfu and the post of Katakolon for a tour of the site of Ancient Olympia. Then, Aegean Odyssey will call at Nauplia where you will have the opportunity to see Epidaurus and Mycenae. Finally, you arrive at the Athenian port of Piraeus and enjoy a tour of the magnificent sites of the “Golden Age” of Athens including the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum en route to a two-night hotel stay.

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Africa

Ultimate Nile

In Livingstone’s Footsteps

Magical Madagascar

Epic Cruise from Cairo to Aswan

Exclusive Safari to Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Okavango Delta

Evolution and the Zoology of a Gondwanaland Island D

17 – 30 August 2014 (including flying days)

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14 – 26 April 2014

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Temple World / templeworld.com +44 (0)208 940 4114

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Temple World / templeworld.com +44 (0)208 940 4114

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Temple World / templeworld.com +44 (0)208 940 4114

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£4,390 per person sharing, not including flights to Egypt. Optional flights from London from £490 including taxes

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£3,350 per person sharing, not including flights to Africa. Optional flights from London from £1,345 per person including taxes

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£3,190 per person sharing, not including flights to and from Madagascar. Optional flights from London from £750 including taxes

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Professor Mark J Smith, Professor of Egyptology, University College Oxford.

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Grant Truthe, naturalist and Botswana expert, born and raised in Botswana.

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Dr Matt Friedman, lecturer in Palaeobiology, University of Oxford.

This rarely available journey along the Nile allows a comprehensive exploration of the wonders of Upper Egypt in supreme comfort aboard the sumptuous Sun Boat III, with excellent food and superb guides. During our epic 11 night journey south from Cairo we visit normally remote Nile Valley sites such as Beni Hassan and Tel Amarna. We shall also see the early Coptic monasteries at Sohag, as well as the often overlooked temple of Osiris at Abydos and the temple of Hathor at Denderah, with its blue astronomical ceiling.

Journeying to Luxor, we shall explore the incredible sites of the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, then continue to the renowned temples at Karnak, Edfu and Kom Ombo before reaching Aswan and the romantic Philae Temple. Sun Boat III is arguably the finest small ship on the Nile, taking just 36 guests in opulent cabins and offering the discreet, elegant ambiance of an exclusive club. She is one of the only ships on the Nile able to operate this normally impassable route.

8 – 18 March 2014 (including flying days)

This special safari starts in Zambia then crosses into Botswana, following the missionary Dr David Livingstone’s footsteps. One of the natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is a spectacular sight.

Explore the area with walking tours and cruise the mighty Zambezi looking for crocodiles, hippo and elephants. Spend two nights in Chobe National Park, host to unique birdlife and game viewing.

Navigating the waterways by boat, we look for birds such as night herons, African skimmers and pygmy geese and large herds of elephant, hippo and buffalo. A scenic flight over the Chobe brings us to the Okavango Delta, where travellers are poled through tranquil reeds in a traditional canoe or explore in an open-sided 4x4. The Moremi Reserve is one of Africa’s finest game-viewing areas, offering sanctuary to abundant herds of elephant, sable, giraffe, tsessebe, lechwe, wildebeest, impala and waterbuck. Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena are also resident and the birdlife is superb.

Uninhabited by man until just 2,000 years ago, 80% of Madagascar’s species are endemic, making it possible to witness what happens when a large isolated island is left to evolve without big predators for 165 million years. A host of protected reserves and rainforests contain amazingly diverse wildlife, from impish ringtailed lemurs and ‘dancing’ sifakas to brightly coloured chameleons, frogs and butterflies. Madagascar is one of the world’s ten biodiversity hotspots and six of the world’s eight species of Baobab tree (Adansonia) are endemic to the island. It’s also a treasure trove for palaeontologists, with a remarkable fossil record creating a ‘time capsule’ for today’s scientists to examine the island’s role in the plate tectonic history of the Southern Hemisphere. Bird lovers will find a superb array in each new habitat, with six endemic families of birds and more than 70 species of singing birds and parrots. Beach extensions available.

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Africa

Wine, Whales and Wildflowers

Ancient Ethiopia

Cape & Garden Route in springtime D

23 August – 6 September 2014

The Empire of Aksum, the Rock-cut Churches of Lalibela and the Meskel Festival

D 25 September – 7 October 2014

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Temple World / templeworld.com / +44 208 940 4114

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Temple World / templeworld.com / +44 (0)208 940 4114

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£3,195 per person sharing, not including flights to and from South Africa. Optional flights from London from £1,050 including taxes

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£2,895 per person sharing, not including flights to and from Ethiopia. Optional flights from London from £550 including taxes

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Professor John Parker, former Director of Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

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Dr Jacke Phillips, Department of Art History and Archaeology, SOAS. Assistant Director of the Aksum Archaeological Project.

We are delighted to include the Garden Route in this new version of our perennially popular itinerary. The Cape of Good Hope is the Mediterranean of the southern Hemisphere – balmy weather, blue seas, fine wines and spectacular scenery. Cape Town is Africa’s jewel and, as well as Table Mountain and Robben Island, we visit the Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, famous for native plants, and Boulders Beach with its colonies of Jackass penguins. We also explore the Cederberg Mountains and the world famous Fynbos Biome from luxurious Bushman’s Kloof, home to a profusion of flowering plants including the King Protea. We learn about the Cape’s world-class wines with a two night stay in the Cape’s historic wine region, now almost as well known for its gastronomy, and stay in Oudshoorn in the Klein Karoo, once the epicentre of a Victorian ostrich feather empire. We descend to the coast and pretty Knysna enroute to Plettenberg Bay, jewel of the Garden Route. See Tsitsikamma where the temperate high forest and fynbos roll down to the sea in an unspoilt verdant carpet, and go in search of Southern Right Whales and bottlenose dolphins as they breed in the waters off this stunning coast. Bird-watchers will also find this tour a delight, as the Garden Route offers a diverse range of habitats and is home to approximately 300 species of birds with close to 30 species endemic to the Southern Cape.

The fascination of Ethiopia lies in its ancient monasteries, rock-hewn churches and dramatic mountain scenery. Aksum was the seat of an empire that reached across the Red Sea to Arabia, traded with India and China, had its own alphabet and was one of the four great powers of the ancient world.

It is also claimed to be the home of the Ark of the Covenant, according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Travellers will visit Gondar’s fascinating castles and the unique church of Debre Berhane Selassie. Go in search of gelada baboon in the stunning Simyen Mountains before visiting the legendary sources of the Blue Nile. Conclude in Lalibela where, wreathed in mystery, the rock-cut churches of Ethiopia’s ‘New Jerusalem’ have been welcoming pilgrims for almost 1,000 years. The tour is timed to coincide with Meskel, a vibrant 1600 year old festival commemorating the discovery of the true cross, a piece of which is believed to be kept in Ethiopia. It’s a wonderful opportunity to witness an unusual, ancient ritual, as huge bonfires are lit, topped with yellow Meskel daisies, and magnificently robed priests carrying silver Coptic crosses dance with their followers around the fires, singing, chanting and carrying flaming torches.

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Asia

The Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang

Along the Golden Road from Samarkand A Journey through Central Asia

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1 – 16 April 2014

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1 – 15 April 2014

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Distant Horizons / distanthorizons.co.uk / +44 (0)151 625 3425

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Distant Horizons / distanthorizons.co.uk / +44 (0)151 625 3425

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£3,140 from London, can be joined without flight

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£3,120 from London, can be joined without flight

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Dr Charles Ramble is a former lecturer in Himalayan Studies at the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford.

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Dr Iain Shearer, an Islamic scholar currently on secondment at the V&A.

Locked away in the wilderness of the Himalayas, on the very edge of the Tibetan plateau, lies the secret, ancient kingdom of Mustang, known to its inhabitants as the land of Lo. After decades of isolation its borders are now open but little has changed in Mustang and for many this is a kingdom more Tibetan than Tibet. It is a spectacular land whose history and culture are steeped in ancient customs and traditions. The 8 day trek does not require special technical abilities and will involve about five – eight hours of walking per day. Accommodation is in very simple mountain lodges.

After two nights in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara, fly to Jomsom on a spectacular flight path that loops around the Annapurna range. Enter Mustang through the expansive Kali Gandaki gorge, one of the deepest in the world. From here begin a trek across some of Asia’s most spectacular landscapes to Lo Manthang, the kingdom’s capital and the repository not only of art treasures, but also of centuries of beliefs. The trek passes through open valleys, deep ravines, desert canyons, grasslands with white-walled villages and ancient cave homes all set against the magnificent backdrop of the soaring snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Enjoy spectacular dawns and sunsets on an endless sea of mountains and discover a world that lives in another time, a world of silence, shadows and spirits.

Few landmarks have tantalised the minds of travellers and artists more than the legendary cities of Central Asia. Originally caravanserais on the Golden Trade route across Central Asia, they developed into thriving centres of inimitable culture and splendour. Dr Shearer will explain how the region’s magnificent civilizations have produced some of Asia’s most beautiful art and architecture.

The journey begins in Samarkand whose main square, the Registan was described by Lord Curzon as ‘the noblest square in the world’. Continue on to ‘Divine Bukhara’, a town of hundreds of mosques, madrassas and minarets all linked by crooked alleys.

Across the Oxus River in Turkmenistan, lies Merv and Kunye Urgench which between the 11th and 14th centuries were the most important cities in the Islamic world. The journey finishes in the magical city of Khiva where, without modern intrusions, it is still possible to experience the timelessness of a Central Asian Caravan town.

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Asia

Ancient Japan Flame pots and northern capitals: among the Ainu and their ancestors Jointly with University of Oxford D

6 – 23 May 2014

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Andante Travels / andantetravels.com +44 (0)1722 713800

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£6,095, including flights from London

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Dr Simon Kaner, Deputy Director of the Centre for Japanese Studies at the University of East Anglia.

On the far side of the world from us, the closed society of pre-19th century Japan was one of the last major civilisations to engage with the rest of the world. Nevertheless, its culture and history have had an extraordinary influence on the progress of other modern cultures.

Despite the country’s iconic status, the archaeology and past of Japan, from the remarkable fiery ceramics of the Jomon Neolithic, through later periods dominated by medieval castles. This is an unusual tour, exploring the rich archaeology of the highlands of Honshu; the less-visited western shore, and the little-known cultural history of Japan’s indigenous people – the Ainu – on the northernmost island of Hokkaido.

We are very lucky to have Simon Kaner, deputy director for the Centre for Japanese Studies at the University of East Anglia as scholar for this tour. Dr Kaner is a passionate advocate of Japanese culture and heritage and has unrivalled contacts among archaeologists in Japan and we hope to arrange a number of special behind-thescenes visits.

The ambitious itinerary looks at the very origins of Japanese civilisation, as well as touching upon almost the entire scope of Japanese history to the post-Imperial era. We hope to give guests a real hands-on introduction to the archaeology of this extraordinary country, whose history and culture has so profoundly shaped the modern world.

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South America

The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador

Last few cabins now available on 10 – 21 October 2013 departure, accompanied by Professor John Parker, botanist and expert on Darwin and Henslow. £4,400 per person sharing, ground only. Optional flights from London approximately £900 including taxes.

The zoology, ecology and ornithology of the Pacific D

2 – 13 October 2014

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Temple World / templeworld.com +44 (0)208 940 4114

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£4,850 per person sharing, not including flights to and from Ecuador. Optional flights from London from £900 per person including taxes

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Professor Chris Perrins, Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow, Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, University of Oxford.

Experience first-hand the astonishing ecology which contributed to Charles Darwin’s pivotal theory of evolution. The tour begins in colonial Quito, the first city to receive World Heritage status. Visit Quito’s Old City and Otavalo’s famous market, known for its colourful handmade textiles. In the Galapagos, board CORAL I, a cruiser with just 18 fully air-conditioned outside cabins, all with private facilities for a week-long private cruise exclusively for Cambridge and Oxford alumni. Visiting a cross-section of islands in the Galapagos, we will encounter its harsh and dynamic volcanic landscape and its fascinating flora. 500 species of “higher” plants are endemic and these together with endemic mosses, lichens and

liverworts give the Galapagos its complex ecosystem. Living in this unique environment are an astonishing array of birds including all 15 species of the famous Darwin’s finches, animals such as sea lions, iguanas and giant tortoises and colourful marine life including rays and reef sharks. There may also be the a chance to swim with sea lions, playful penguins or even dolphins, many of whom are completely unafraid of humans. An Amazon pre tour and Peru post-tour to see Cusco, the Sacred Valley and magnificent Machu Picchu are also available for travellers who wish to extend their trip.

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A voyage of a lifetime by private train

A Caspian Odyssey A unique 15-day journey by private train with the world’s leading operator of luxury rail cruises, travelling from the southern Caucasus across the Caspian Sea to the ancient trading posts of the Silk Road Jointly with University of Oxford D

15 – 30 October 2014

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Golden Eagle Luxury Trains goldeneagleluxurytrains.com +44 (0)161 928 9410

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From £13,695 per person, including flights

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To be announced

Your 5-star hotel on wheels and home for this 15 day journey of discovery is The Golden Eagle, the only fully en-suite train operating in the former Soviet Union. Launched in 2007, The Golden Eagle’s rail cruises allow you to travel in splendour in elegant surroundings across remote lands and through centuries of rich history.  The luxurious cabins of the Golden Eagle are amongst the most spacious available in rail accommodation anywhere in the world. Silver and Gold class cabins and the Imperial suite offer superb accommodation, and carefully planned lunch and dinner menus include a generous drinks allowance, showcasing the best of Russian and International cuisine. Your Caspian Odyssey starts in the 8000 year old Armenian capital Yerevan,

where the skyline is dominated by Mount Ararat in nearby Turkey, with its snow covered peak towering in the distance.

Heading towards the historic Georgian capital of Tbilisi, and our journey takes in the birthplace of one of Russia’s more infamous characters, Joseph Stalin and such wonders as the ancient cave-city of Uplistsikhe, one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia, combining the rock cultures of Anatolia and Iran.

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, offers the juxtaposition of the UNESCO walled city set against the spectacularly contemporary architecture afforded by the mineral wealth of this former Soviet republic and is the departure port for our journey east across the Caspian Sea

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Highlights include

Yerevan

Lake Sevan

Gori

where the enigmatic state of Turkmenistan and the capital Ashgabat awaits us - a bizarre marble and gold clad city set amongst the Kara Kum desert and Kopet Dag Mountains. Omnipresent golden effigies of former president for life Saparmurat Niyazov and ornate fountains, golden domes and marble sidewalks appear strangely incongruous in this desert setting.

From here, we head into the heart of the Kara Kum desert to visit the ‘Burning Sands’; a gas crater fire still burning bright after 40 years, continuing east through some of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand; a truly magnificent sight to behold with its superb Islamic architecture rising from the desert, dating back to the 14th century.

Tbilisi

Telavi

Mtskheta

Baku

Khiva

Bukhara

Samarkand

All Included in the price: Return flights from London

Fine wine with lunch and dinner

Transfers to/from airport

Tea, coffee, mineral water throughout

5 star pre/post-tour accommodation

En-suite accommodation

All gratuities

Professional train management team

Welcome & farewell dinners

Two elegant restaurants and lounge with bar

All meals on board and lunch during land tours

A comprehensive excursion program with qualified local guides

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Trip scholars 2014 Dr Rowena Archer Lecturer in Medieval History, University of Oxford

Professor John Parker Former Director of Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Dr Elizabeth Ashman-Rowe Lecturer in Scandinavian History of the Medieval Period, Fellow of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge

Dr Jeremy Paterson Lecturer in Ancient History, Newcastle University (retired)

Dr Paul Bahn World expert on prehistoric art Dr Lisa Bendall Lecturer in Aegean Prehistory, Keble College, University of Oxford Professor Robin Cormack Lecturer in Greek, Roman and Byzantine Art History, Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge Dr Carolin Crawford Professor of Astronomy, Gresham College and Outreach Officer for the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge

Professor Chris Perrin Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow, Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, University of Oxford Dr Jacke Phillips Department of Art History and Archaeology, SOAS. Assistant Director of Aksum Archaeological Project Dr Charles Ramble Former lecturer in Himalayan Studies at the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford Terry Richardson Author of the Rough Guides for Turkey and Istanbul

Professor Roger Davies Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford

Dr Peter Sarris Lecturer in Roman, Medieval and Byzantine History, University of Cambridge

Professor John Deathridge King Edward Professor of Music at King’s College London

Dr Iain Shearer Islamic scholar currently on secondment at the V&A

Dr Matt Friedman Lecturer in Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

Dr Gillian Shepherd Director for the Trendall Centre for Ancient Mediterraean Studies, La Trobe, Australia

Professor Geoff Horrocks Professor of Comparative Philology, University of Cambridge Dr Simon Kaner Deputy Director of the Centre for Japanese Studies, University of East Anglia Professor Alexei Leporc Curator of Western European Art at the Hermitage

Professor Mark J Smith Professor of Egyptology, University College, University of Oxford Grant Truthe Naturalist and Botswana expert, born and raised in Botswana Roger White Architectural historian and former Secretary of the Georgian Group and Garden History Society

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Travel diary 2014

22 – 26 January Pompeii & Herculaneum — the Lives of the Romans

P6

26 – 30 January Polar Nights and Mystical Northern Lights

P4

20 – 25 February Art Treasures of St Petersburg

P8

8 – 18 March In Livingstone’s Footsteps

P11

23 – 30 June Ice Age Art in the Dordogne

P6

24 June – 4 July Eastern Turkey

P8

7 – 12 July Shropshire Country Houses

P5

21 – 27 July Munich Opera Festival

P5

11 – 23 August “Those Who Seek Paradise on Earth Should See Dubrovnik”

P10

P13

17 – 30 August Magical Madagascar

P11

1 – 16 April Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang

P13

24 August – 6 September Wine, Whales and Wildflowers

P12

14 – 26 April Ultimate Nile cruise from Cairo to Aswan

P11

3 – 11 September Voyage North – Heritage of the Vikings

9 – 13 March Polar Nights and Mystical Northern Lights

P4

1 – 15 April Along the Golden Road from Samarkand

21 – 27 April Inside Istanbul on Foot 6 – 23 May Ancient Japan

P4

P7

24 September – 2 October Minoan Crete and Santorini

P10

P14

25 September – 7 October Ancient Ethiopia

P12 P15

7 – 21 June “Great is Diana of the Ephesians”

P9

2 – 13 October The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador

20 – 26 June Medieval Alsace-Lorraine

P8

15 – 30 October A Caspian Odyssey

21 – 28 June Jewels of the Dodecanese

P9

October Sicilia Antiqua

P16 – 17 P7

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For further information and to book

ACE Cultural Tours

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains

To find out more about a trip that interests you or to book, please contact the individual operator, either by email or phone. All the operator contact details are listed opposite, and they are all more than happy to provide further information to help you make your booking decision and to discuss whether a trip is right for you.

More information about the Cambridge Alumni Travel Programme can be found at www.alumni. cam.ac.uk/travel, where you can search for a trip by destination, date or favourite trip scholar.

The Granary, Bury Farm, Stapleford Cambridge CB22 5BP

Denzell House, Denzell Gardens, Dunham Road Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4QF

T +44 (0)1223 841055 E ace@aceculturaltours.co.uk W aceculturaltours.co.uk

T +44 (0)161 928 9410 E mail@goldeneagleluxurytrains.com W goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

Important Note

Andante Travels

Hurtigruten Ltd

All the trips in this brochure are run by tried and tested travel operator partners. The operators have sole responsibility for the trips and the University has no control over or responsibility for the operation of the tours. All queries about individual trips should be addressed to the operator concerned. The information provided in this brochure is for general information only; if you are interested in making a booking, please contact the travel operator directly.

The Old Barn, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, SP5 3AR

Bedford House 69 – 79 Fulham High Street London SW6 3JW

T +44 (0)1722 713800 E tours@andantetravels.co.uk W andantetravels.com/cambridge

T +44 (0)208 846 2633 E uk.groups@hurtigruten.com W hurtigruten.co.uk

Distant Horizons

Temple World

13 Melloncroft Drive, Caldy Wirral CH48 2JA

13 The Avenue, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2AL

What is it like to travel with us?

“I have nothing but praise for every aspect of the trip... The cities we visited were utterly fascinating, allowing us to understand much about the history of the region and to appreciate many features of its architecture. Dr Iain Shearer ... was absolutely indispensable in enhancing our experience. His combination of impressive erudition with a light touch and a warm sense of humour created a most congenial atmosphere and established a context for our experiences that was deeply enriching.

This was our first taste of the Alumni Travel Programme, and it has certainly encouraged us to consider taking part in another trip.”

Central Asia Distant Horizons, 2013

T +44 (0)151 6253425 E info@distanthorizons.co.uk W distanthorizons.co.uk

(incorporating IMA Travel)

T +44 (0)208 940 4114 E info@templeworld.com W templeworld.com

Voyages to Antiquity 8 South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JL T +44 (0)845 437 9737 E reservations@voyagestoantiquity.com W voyagestoantiquity.com

“It was wonderful. Manifestly Hurtigruten is a company of the highest standards… The various excursions were imaginative and rewarding… The countryside was magnificent in its beauty. That of course was God’s business and not Hurtigruten’s but Hurtigruten let us see it in all its loveliness.”

Classic Norwegian Round Voyage, Hurtigruten 2012

Cambridge Alumni Relations Office University of Cambridge 1 Quayside Bridge Street Cambridge CB5 8AB

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+44 (0)1223 332288

E contact@alumni.cam.ac.uk

facebook.com/cambridgealumni

@CARO1209 / #camtravel