Archaeological Tours 2019 Second Edition

archaeological tours

2019 SECOND EDITION $750 Low deposit offer

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The world is yours...

As one year ends, another begins – and with new years, come new travel plans. That’s why, for 2019, we have revised our tours to ensure we offer you the most exciting, diverse and enchanting destinations possible. Many of the tours you’ll have seen in our previous brochure remain, but we have created a few new itineraries that will take you far-flung corners of our wonderful world.

What’s more, we have also launched a collection of Lite tours, which give you the chance to experience a destination in less time and in the company of an authentic local guide rather than an expert scholar.

LOW DEPOSIT OR DISCOUNT We’re offering you the chance to secure your place on any of our tours for a very special low deposit of just $750 per person. Alternatively, you can choose to receive $200 off any tour departing after September 1st when paying in full at the time of booking. This offer is valid if you book between January 2nd and February 2nd. There has never been a better time to book – your dream Archaeological Tour is waiting.

Buddha at the Todai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan

We have some wild and fascinating new tours on the horizon for 2019 • Discover Sudan, a little-visited destination that is rich in unique and surprising archaeology • We have launched our Lite tours, which offer the same experience but are led by a local guide, ensuring your trip is as authentic as possible • Join us in Ethiopia, a country whose history and landscape is sure to enchant and intrigue

To book your dream tour, call us on: 855-247-9276 2

www.archaeological-tours.com

Contents America

Africa

Peru: Lost Cities of the Incas.................................... pg 54

Tunisia & Morocco: From the Phoenicians to the Berbers................. pg 26

Chile Lite: Easter Island.................................................. pg 11

Egypt: Pharaohs & Pyramids...................................... pg 82

Europe Scotland & its Islands: Megaliths & Mythologies ................................ pg 62

Sudan: Kushite Kings of the Nile................................. pg 18 Ethiopia: Ancient Kingdoms & Legends........................... pg 14

Ireland: Celts, Vikings & Saints.................................... pg 50

Asia

Portugal & Spain: Iberian Empires of Antiquity............................ pg 38

Jordan Lite: Petra & Beyond.............................................. pg 12

Spain & France: In the Shadows of Ancient Artists..................... pg 58

Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan: In the Footsteps of the Traders......................... pg 34

Italy Lite: Essential Rome.............................................. pg 09

South India: Sanctuaries & spices....................................... pg 90

Sicily & Southern Italy: Classical Crossroads of the Mediterranean.......... pg 78

North India: Maharajahs & Mughals.................................... pg 94

Malta, Sardinia & Corsica: An Odyssey of Islands..................................... pg 30

Myanmar & Cambodia: Burmese Empires & Khmer Kingdoms............... pg 86

Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia: Along the Baltic Shores.................................... pg 46

Vietnam Lite: Northern & Central Cultural Delights ............... pg 13

Greece: Myths & Monuments...................................... pg 66

Western China: Relics of the Silk Road..................................... pg 42

Cyprus, Crete & Santorini: Ancient Aegean Kingdoms............................... pg 74

Japan Lite: Power & Spirituality in Nara & Kyoto....................... pg 10

Armenia & Georgia: Colors & Contrasts of the Caucasus................... pg 70

Japan: Temples, Treasures & Traditions................................ pg 22

The UNESCO-listed My Son sanctuary in Vietnam

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What does your tour include?

Expert Scholars Aside from our Lite tours, the trips we offer are all led by expert guide scholars. Their knowledge and passion will illuminate the sites visited.

Meals

Individual itineraries detail which meals are included on your tour, but where we do provide food, we showcase regional cuisine, traditional dishes and seasonal flavors.

Guests in Teotihuacan, Mexico

Local Transport

As soon as your tour begins, all local transport is included.

From internal flights that take you between cities, to on-theground coaches throughout – we’ve got you covered.

A selection of Chinese dishes

Entries & Tips

We have taken care of all of the tips and entries to various sites throughout your vacation to ensure that you can spend every minute absorbing the history and culture around you.

Flights The total cost of our tours doesn’t include flights to and from the destination, which gives you the choice to either stay longer or arrive earlier.

The majestic Taj Mahal

Hotels We carefully hand-pick every one of the hotels included in our itineraries to ensure your comfort, travel needs & high expectations are satisfied.

Hotel in Teotihuacan, Mexico

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Frequently asked questions Do you offer flight assistance?

Yes, we offer flight booking services for all of our tours for an additional fee of $25 per person.

Can we book pre- and post- nights in hotels?

Yes, we are able to assist in booking pre- and post-tour extra nights at the group hotels.

What does activity level mean?

Walking, stair-climbing, and standing for varying periods of time are unavoidable aspects of all our tours. Long days and changes of transport are also often components of exploring exciting destinations. To find the tour that is right for you, we have created a rating for the activity level: Level 1* – Limited walking and time to relax Level 2* – Moderate walking and long days Level 3* – Extensive walking, challenging environments and long days, including changes in transport

How far in advance do I have to book?

It’s our principle that the earlier you book, the lower the price you pay. It pays to book early as prices increase as the departure date approaches.

Is the deposit refundable?

No, for all of our priced tours deposits are non-refundable.

Guaranteed Departures With Archaeological Tours’ guaranteed departures, your chosen tour is certain to go ahead as scheduled.

Most travel companies reserve the right to cancel tours if a certain minimum number of guests is not reached. Based on feedback from our customers, we have taken the decision to guarantee a host of our departures and we are working to secure more tours with guaranteed departures in the future.

Guaranteed departure status is also shown in the tour details panel on our website, or you can ask one of our sales consultants about guaranteed departures at the time of booking.

How to book

There are several ways in which you can book a place on one of our tours. You can book online via our website, but if you prefer to book over the phone, our expert team is available to help whenever you’re ready to call.

If you have further questions about joining one of our tours, please don’t hesitate to call our friendly team today.

www.archaeological-tours.com

855-247-9276 info@archaeological-tours.com Siq Gorge in Petra, Jordan

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Introducing our Expert Scholars

Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

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Dr. Allen Fromherz is the director of the Middle East Studies Center and Professor of Mediterranean and Middle East History at Georgia State University. He has authored a number of books and has also held several international fellowships.

Join Allen in Tunisia & Morocco; p. 26

Dr. Caroline Hebron is an archaeologist specializing in Ancient Egypt. She received her PhD from UCL in 2005 and is particularly interested in Ancient Egyptian disease and medicine. Caroline works as a freelance archaeologist on projects throughout the Near East.

Join Caroline in Egypt; p. 82

Prof. Caroline Malone completed her PhD at Trinity Hall Cambridge, on the prehistory of Sicily & Southern Italy, and then took up the post of Curator at Avebury stone circle with English Heritage in 1985. Caroline is currently Professor of Prehistory at the Queen’s University, Belfast.

Join Caroline in Malta, Sardinia & Corsica; p. 30

Prof. Charles Doherty recently retired as a senior lecturer in Early Irish History at University College, Dublin.

Since 2009, he has been president of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. Charles has written articles on the impact of the Vikings upon Ireland and on the kingship of Tara.

Join Charles in Ireland; p. 50

Dr. Christina Hatzimichael Whitley is a Tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning (LEARN). She specializes in Minoan Crete, and is the codirector of the Praisos survey and excavation project. Christina currently lives in Cardiff with her family.

Join Christina in Cyprus, Crete & Santorini; p. 74

Prof. Craig Benjamin is a Professor of History in the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University, where he teaches courses in Central and East Asian history. Craig is also the author of numerous published articles and books.

Join Craig in Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan; p. 34 Join Craig in Western China; p. 42

Dr. Dirk Booms is curator of Roman archaeology at the British Museum, whose areas of specialty are Roman architecture, sculpture, glass and inscriptions. Dirk has most recently been involved in the excavation and partial reconstruction of Villa Magna.

Join Dirk in Sicily & Southern Italy; p. 78

Prof. Gerald Schaus is President of the Canadian Archaeological Institute in Athens and he has recently retired as Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies at Wilfred Laurier University, Canada.

Gerry has also excavated at Cyrene in Libya and at various sites in Italy and Greece.

Join Gerry in Greece; p. 66

Ian Colvin is a historian specializing in the late Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions. He studied classical and modern Georgian after receiving his MST in Byzantine studies. Ian has devoted himself to excavations at the site of Nokalakevi.

Join Ian in Georgia & Armenia; p. 70

Dr. Ilona Bausch is a Visiting Professor at Kokugakuin University, Tokyo. She specializes in the archaeology of the Japanese Jomon period, particularly with regard to early trade, social interaction, rituals and worldview among prehistoric foraging peoples.

Join Ilona in Japan; p. 22

Dr. Jacke Phillips is currently a Research and Teaching Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, where she is involved in a field project exploring the area around Lalibela. Jacke also has extensive fieldwork experience in Sudan.

Join Jacke in Ethiopia; p. 14 Join Jacke in Sudan; p. 18

Prof. John Hines is Professor in the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University, and is a specialist in the archaeology of the early medieval period. John researches the relationship between texts and objects in Viking society.

Join John in Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia; p. 46

Prof. John W. Rick has directed fieldwork at Chavín de Huántar, a monumental UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating to around 1000BC. John is currently Associate Professor and Chair of Anthropological Sciences at Stanford University, California.

Join John in Peru; p. 54

Dr. Mehreen Chida-Razvi specializes in the history of Islamic art, architecture and material culture in the early modern era, with a particular emphasis on the Persianate regions of Mughal South Asia, Central Asia and Iran.

Join Mehreen in South India; p. 90 Join Mehreen in North India; p. 94

Miranda Bruce-Mitford is a specialist in social anthropology, Burmese language and literature, Buddhist Art and Architecture of South and Southeast Asia. For years, Miranda has been a tutor for the PostGraduate Diploma in Asian Arts at SOAS. She has also lectured at the British Museum.

Join Miranda in Myanmar & Cambodia; p. 86

Prof. Ori Z. Soltes has many academic honors, including an NEH Fellowship in Syro-Palestinian Archaeology at ASOR. Ori is a Professional Lecturer at Georgetown University and has also taught in the Classics Department at John Hopkins and Cleveland State University.

Join Ori in Portugal & Spain; p. 38

Peter Yeoman was, until recently, Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland, with responsibility for the archaeology and the knowledge base for the estate of 345 properties in their care. Peter wrote the new official guidebooks for Iona Abbey, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle.

Join Peter in Scotland; p. 62

Dr. Roy Larick is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iowa.

He has worked in the Périgord region of southwest France for more than 10 years as Associate of the Direction des Antiquitiés Préhistoriques d’Aquitaine.

Join Roy in Spain & France; p. 58

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Introducing our new Lite tours Whether it’s extending an already-perfect holiday or simply an introduction to a region, our Lite tours are an excellent way to enjoy the same superb itineraries you can expect from Archaeological Tours, but in a different way...

Instead of a guide scholar, your tour will be accompanied by a local expert, whose knowledge and working experience of the destination in question will add a new level of authenticity to your overall experience there.

These shorter tours are planned to serve as the perfect extension to our regular tour-series. But for those that have less vacation time or perhaps want less of a ‘study tour’ experience, then these tours serve as fabulous standalone trips. Still receive the same highly personalized service that only a small, dedicated company like ours can provide, stay in great hotels in central locations, and travel to exotic destinations. Experience fascinating archaeology, but also the wonders of the natural world, culture, history and food. Our Lite tours bring more experiences to you in smaller and more affordable packages without compromising on the quality that you expect from Archaeological Tours.

• Local Guide / Tour Manager • Accommodation • Local Transport • Entries & Tips • Meals - as per the itinerary

Find out more at www.archaeological-tours.com The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan

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ITALY LITE Essential Rome

Stunning architecture behind Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain

5 Days | October 27 - 31 $3,449 (exc. international airfare)

Itinerary

Single Supp: $800

October 27 | Arrive Rome

Rome is an exhilarating and intimate destination where the glories of its ancient past, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon exist beside museums, art-soaked churches and medieval piazzas – evidence of Rome’s continued power when its empire was no more. This is the perfect introduction to the ‘Eternal City’, led by expert local guides who bring to life the triumphs, tragedies and political intrigue that characterized the Roman Empire. Designed as an extension to our Southern Italy – Classical Crossroads of the Mediterranean tour (page 78), this Lite tour also offers you more free time for enjoying independent Italian adventures – bellissimo!

October 28 | Rome

Tour Highlights Listening to your local guide will bring the atmosphere of Rome’s pulsating heart to life in the Roman Forum Observe the masterpieces of painting and sculpture made by the best Renaissance artists Witness the Vatican’s breath-taking masterpiece, Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel Stroll through incredibly preserved ancient streets in the porttown of Ostia, including ruins of baths, temples, shops and frescoed houses

4 nights in Rome: 4* Ludovisi Palace

Book as an extension to our Southern Italy – Classical Crossroads of the Mediterranean tour. Find on page 78

This tour has a physical rating of...

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For passengers on our Southern Italy tour, we wave goodbye to new friends and travel from Naples to Rome. This afternoon, we meet our new guide and begin our Rome discovery at the Piazza Di Spagna, Cappuccini Crypt and Trevi Fountain (throw in a coin to ensure your return to Rome!).

Breakfast included for guests linking to Classical Crossroads of the Mediterranean.

We spend this morning hearing stories spanning from the Roman period to the Renaissance, taking in the delights of the Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and Piazza Navona. This afternoon is at leisure.

Breakfast included.

October 29 | Rome Today we spend a full day sightseeing. We start at the Vatican City, taking in the extraordinary collections of art on offer, and visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. After lunch, we head to Castel Sant’Angelo, ending in the Trastevere district.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 30 | Rome We start at the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, discovering remains of temples, streetscapes and palaces. After lunch, we visit Capitoline Hill, ending our day in the Jewish Ghetto – now a charming neighborhood home to many architectural gems.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 31 | Rome We spend our final day outside of the city center at Ostia Antica. Once a flourishing Roman port, this well-preserved town has been excavated, allowing you to clearly understand its layout as you stroll through its ancient streets. We arrive back at our hotel at lunch and then it’s time to wave goodbye before your independent flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

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www.archaeological-tours.com/rox

JAPAN LITE

Guaranteed Departure

Power & Spirituality in Nara & Kyoto

The Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji

8 Days | April 06 - 13

Itinerary

$6,200 (exc. international airfare)

April 06 | Osaka – Nara

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Single Supp: $1,200

Today we visit the famous landmark of Osaka Castle, before traveling to Nara for a walking tour of the Naramachi district.

All meals included.

Nara, the first capital of Japan, remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples. While Kyoto – once the emperor’s residence – houses countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures.

Explore awe-inspiring world wonders and UNESCO sites, feel the power once wielded by Shoguns, and experience serenity at countless shrines and gardens.

April 07 | Nara

Tour Highlights Admire some of Japan’s most impressive sights, including the world’s largest Bronze Daibutsu (Buddha) and the famed Golden Pavilion Explore Japan’s first permanent capital, vibrant Nara, which houses some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples and boasts a total of eight UNESCO heritage sites Stroll among deer, which are considered messengers of the gods and are now tame due to centuries of friendly human interaction Explore the cultural delights of Kyoto, often considered the spiritual heart of Japan, and find serenity and zen among Buddhist Shrines, Japanese gardens and the Bamboo Forest

3 nights in Nara: 4* Nara Hotel 4 nights in Kyoto: 3* Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande

Book as an extension to our Japan – Temples, Treasures & Traditions tour. Find on page 22 10

This tour has a physical rating of...

We visit the delightful Nara park exploring Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Shrine, and Manyo Botanical Garden.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 08 | Nara After visiting Nara’s National Museum, we see Buddhist temples Kōfuku-ji, Tōshōdai-ji, Yakushi-ji, Hōryū-ji, and Hajo Palace.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 09 | Nara – Kyoto Today we travel to Kyoto and en route we visit ancient burial mounds for members of the ruling elite at Mozu-Fururichi.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 10 | Kyoto We begin with a visit to Nijo-jo Castle, before visiting the elegant Ginkaku-ji, Chion-in Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 11 | Kyoto Today takes us to Tenryuiji Temple, the Bamboo forest and the famed “Golden Pavilion” – one of Kyoto’s most iconic sites.

All meals included.

April 12 | Kyoto Admire artifacts at Kyoto National Museum before touring Sanjusangen-do temple, the Urasenke Tea Foundation Museum and Costume Museum, and finally Kyoto Imperial Palace.

All meals included.

April 13 | Depart Kyoto Today we depart Kyoto for home or our onward travels.

Breakfast included.

www.archaeological-tours.com/jax

CHILE LITE Easter Island

Imposing moai monoliths on Easter Island

7 Days | September 8 - 14

Itinerary

$4,180 (exc. international airfare)

September 08 | Santiago

Single Supp: $680 Explore archaeological treasures from Chile and the Americas at the Pre-Columbian Museum in Santiago before flying to Easter Island for four days of exploration. An island worldfamous for over 600 Moai that are 800-years-old, it is certainly one for the bucket list! Encounter archaeological mysteries and hear about the fascinating myths, cults and power play of the Rapa Nui.

Tour Highlights Take in Chilean archaeological artifacts as well as intriguing art at Santiago’s museums Come face-to-face with enigmatic monolithic human figures, known as ‘moai’ – the faces of deified ancestors Watch the sunset at Tahai, one of the oldest ceremonial complexes on all of Easter island Visit Ahu Tongariki, one of the most visually stunning sites on the island and also the largest reconstructed temple in all of Polynesia View hundreds of petroglyphs carved with birdman images at the site of Mata Ngrau

2 nights in Santiago: 4* Hotel Cumbres 4 nights in Easter Island: 3* Hotel Taha Tai

Book as an extension to our Peru – Lost Cities of the Incas tour. Find on page 54

This tour has a physical rating of...

*

This morning we arrive at Santiago International Airport and transfer to our hotel. Our afternoon is spent at the Pre-Columbian Museum and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in Colombo.

Dinner included.

September 09 | Santiago - Easter Island We fly to Easter Island and transfer to our hotel, then we enjoy our first encounter with a moai at Tahai on the island’s west coast.

Breakfast included.

September 10 | Easter Island Learn about the island´s colonization and the life of the first Polynesian navigators at Anakena Beach, Ahu Te Pito Kura, Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, and Ahu Akahanga. The quarry at Rano Raraku boasts 396 moai statues, including the largest ever carved.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 11 | Easter Island We learn about the last period of the moai era, during visits to Ahu Akivi, Ana Te Pahu, and Puna a Pau and the Anthropological Museum Rapa Nui. Breakfast included.

September 12 | Easter Island Discover Rapa Nui´s prehistory at Ana Kai Tangata, a cave with pictograms of the Manutara bird. We also visit Orongo and Mata Ngrau, where petroglyphs depict the cult’s birdman ceremonies, and see complex altars at Vinapu, Hanga Poukura and Hanga Te`e.

Breakfast & dinner included.

September 13 | Easter Island – Santiago After a morning at leisure, we take our return flight to Santiago.

Breakfast included.

September 14 | Depart Santiago We transfer to Santiago’s International airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

www.archaeological-tours.com/eix

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JORDAN LITE Petra & Beyond

Petra’s Ad Deir Monastery

7 Days | February 17 - 23 | November 03 - 09

Itinerary

$3,480 | $3,645 (exc. international airfare)

February 17 / November 03 | Amman

Single Supp: $880 | $1,050 The ancient rock-hewn site of Petra, once a bustling Nabataean caravan-city, is one for your bucket list. But this is only a fraction of Jordan’s story, as we will discover a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrasts. From the fertile Jordan Valley and restful hypersaline waters, to splendid desert castles and sites of outstanding ancient history.

Tour Highlights Follow the footsteps of Indiana Jones at Petra, the ancient rose-red city Stand on top of Mount Nebo, from which Moses saw the Holy Land Take-in the glory and splendor of ancient Rome in Jerash, and tales of Crusaders and caravans at Desert Castles Ride a 4x4 through the alien landscape of Wadi Rum, often considered the most beautiful desert in the world with traces of prehistoric civilizations abound Float in the hypersaline and healing waters of the Dead Sea

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2 nights in Amman: 5* Grand Hyatt Hotel

1 night in Wadi Rum: Sun City Camp Martian Tents

2 nights in Petra: 5* Mövenpick Resort

1 night in Dead Sea: 5* Mövenpick Resort & Spa

Book as an extension to our Egypt – Pharaohs and Pyramids tour. Find on page 82

This tour has a physical rating of...

**

We arrive in Jordan and transfer to our five-star hotel in the heart of the “White City”. The rest of the day is ours to relax.

Dinner included.

February 18 / November 04 | Amman We embark on a City Tour of Amman before driving to Jerash, an ancient city remarkable for its long history of occupation.

All meals included.

February 19 / November 05 | Amman - Petra Today begins with a visit to Biblically-significant Mount Nebo.

Next, we travel to Madaba, famed for its mosaics, before continuing to the imposing 12th-century stronghold, Shobak Castle.

All meals included.

February 20 / November 06 | Petra We dedicate today to the one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, the ancient city of Petra. Built by Nabatean Arabs, this caravan-city was carved out of craggy rocks surrounded by inaccessible mountains, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.

All meals included.

February 21 / November 07 | Petra – Wadi Rum This morning we explore Al Beidha, or Little Petra before driving to Wadi Rum. After exploring the desert by 4x4 we settle down for the night in our “martian” domes.

All meals included.

February 22 / November 08 | Wadi Rum – Dead Sea We depart Wadi Rum for the Dead Sea, en route visiting a Women’s Collective. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner together.

All meals included.

February 23 / November 09 | Depart Amman We transfer to Amman for our flights home on onward travel.

Breakfast included.

www.archaeological-tours.com/jox

VIETNAM LITE

Northern & Central cultural delights

Central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

7 Days | November 03 - 09

Itinerary

$3,240 (exc. international airfare)

November 03 | Hanoi

Single Supp: $1,100 Discover the highlights of Northern and Central Vietnam.

Explore Hanoi, the capital city, known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. Take an overnight cruise at Halong bay, watching the sun rise in this area of outstanding natural beauty.

Explore Hoi An’s well preserved ancient town, delving into its cultural past.

Tour Highlights Immerse yourself in Vietnamese cultural and historical heritage Take a ride by sampan boat to visit Thien Ha Cave, an enclave of early man Cruise the magical Halong Bay, watching the sun rise in the beautiful surroundings Visit My Son, regarded one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia

3 nights in Hanoi: 4* The Lapis Hotel 1 night in Halong: 4* Orchid Cruise

2 nights in Hoi An: 4* Anantara Hoi An

This tour has a physical rating of...

*

We arrive in Vietnam and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is ours to relax.

Dinner included.

November 04 | Hanoi

Today we travel to the breath-taking landscape often dubbed as “Halong Bay on Land” in Ninh Binh, visiting the ancient capital city of Hoa Lu, temples of the Dinh and Le Dynasties, and an enclave of early man at Thien Ha Cave by Sampan boat.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 05 | Hanoi We visit the UNESCO site of Thang Long, an impressive Imperial Citadel. This afternoon we visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and his former residence.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 06 | Hanoi – Halong Bay Halong bay is our destination today, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, where we embark on an overnight cruise.

All meals included.

November 07 | Halong Bay – Hoi An Early risers might want watch sunrise over the bay, while the boat weaves its way back to pier. We then transfer to Hanoi Airport and fly to Danang and Hoi An. Breakfast included.

November 08 | Hoi An We dedicate today to My Son sanctuary, a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works.

Breakfast & dinner included.

November 2019 | Depart Danang We transfer to Danang airport for our flights home on Book as an extension to our Myanmar & Cambodia – Burmese Empires & Khmer Kingdoms tour. Find on page 86 onward travel.

Breakfast included.

www.archaeological-tours.com/vix

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ETHIOPIA

Ancient Kingdoms & Legends

NEW TOUR

16 Days | October 08 - 23 $7,525 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,050

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Medieval Fasilides Castle in Gondar

Rock-hewn churches in Lalibela

ADDIS ABABA - MEKELE - WUKRO - AXUM - DEBARK - GONDAR - BAHIR DAR - LALIBELA Linked to the ancient Near East by three thousand years of recorded history, Ethiopia, the fabled Land of Punt, has fired the imagination of travelers for hundreds of years. The Kingdom of Axum, traditionally founded by descendants of King Solomon and the legendary Queen of Sheba in Yemen, where much of Ethiopia’s culture originated, was one of the oldest empires of Africa. Incense, ivory and spices were traded via the ancient port of Adulis across southern Arabia into India, Ceylon and Rome during the Classical and Early Christian periods, establishing its wealth and power as an equal to Rome and Byzantium. Later, as Axum’s power waned, a usurping dynasty was installed at Lalibela, where, in the late 12th or early 13th century, the enormous project of carving out a series of churches from the solid rock was undertaken. Finally, after several wars with Muslim states, which destroyed many of the Christian cultural monuments, descendants of the royal line recovered the kingdom and built the castles and churches of Gondar.

Untainted by colonization, a distinct form of Orthodox Christianity has been preserved in Ethiopia. We will see its extraordinary pageantry, its unique variations of church architecture as well as traditional lifestyles in the countryside, where ancient agriculture and pastoral nomadism continue. Our tour will expose us to the enigmatic remains of the region’s great historical periods as we travel through breathtakingly beautiful mountains, the lushly cultivated islands of Lake Tana and the stark desert landscapes pierced by the bright waters of the Blue Nile. This visual feast, together with the diversity of religions, languages and tribal traditions, makes Ethiopia an intriguing and exciting place to visit.

Tour highlights Follow the full arc of Ethiopia’s history, from Palaeolithic settlements, via Medieval churches, to recent colonial clashes Embark on a breathtakingly scenic drive through the peaks and gullies of the Simien Mountains National Park Explore the marvelous rock-cut churches and labyrinthine tunnels of Lalibela, carved by the kings of the Zagwe dynasty Luxuriate on Laka Tana on a half-day boat trip, visiting the Island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Awza Mariam

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/eth

Dr. Jacke Phillips is a specialist in the archaeology of Ethiopia, from prehistory to the medieval period. She is currently a Research and Teaching Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, where she is involved in a field project exploring the area around the famous rock cut churches of Lalibela.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY October 08 | Addis Ababa We arrive into Addis Ababa today and transfer to our hotel, where we will stay for the next three nights.

All meals included.

October 09| Addis Ababa After an orientation lecture by Dr. Phillips, we begin at the National Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums. After lunch, we continue to St. George Cathedral and its museum, which displays the best collection of ecclesiastical materials in the country.

All meals included.

October 10 | Addis Ababa This full day takes us south of Addis Ababa to the archaeological site at Melka Kunture, where ongoing excavations are uncovering exciting evidence of early man. In the fields outside the small village of Tiya, we find a group of menhirs (standing stones), many carved with symbols and weapons. We end the day in the capital built by Emperor Menelik II, including Entoto Hills and Menelik’s Palace.

All meals included.

October 11 |Addis Ababa – Mekele - Wukro This morning we fly to Mekele and drive to Wukro. In this region, known as Tigray, numerous rock-hewn churches were built from about the 10th to the 15th centuries. Most of these churches are hewn out of remote cliff faces in a style evolved from hermits’ caves.

Among the churches we visit is the 10th-century Abraha Atsbeha, renowned for its lovely 17th- and 18th-century murals, valuable artifacts, and the tiny Dugem Selassie nestled within a newer church.

We venture into the Danakil Desert, where we might see caravans of Afar nomads bring slabs of salt from the Danakil Depression.

All meals included.

October 12| Wukro - Axum We drive west to Axum via Adwa, site of the decisive battle that saved Ethiopia from colonization. Our home for the next four nights, the city of Axum was founded as early as the 10th century BC and reputed as the one-time home to the Queen of Sheba. The Axum Empire was one of the great civilizations of the ancient world, The Blue Nile Falls

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and contemporary of Rome and Byzantium lasting until the 7th century AD. The city is most famous for its large granite stelae, some decorated with doors, windows and beams to resemble multistoried palaces, ranking among the largest stones ever used by man in building. They marked the royal cemetery, where the tombs of the kings are still being excavated.

All meals included.

October 13, 14 & 15 | Axum These days will be spent touring Axum. We visit the Archaeological Museum, which hosts a wide range of artifacts dating to the Aksumite Empire that flourished until the 7th century AD. We also explore the Tombs of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, the Mai Shum reservoir, also known as the Queen of Sheba’s bath, and as the quarry from which the large granite stelae were carved. We discover St. Mary of Zion Cathedral, the oldest church in Africa and visit an interesting relief known as the Lion of Gobedra (actually a lioness), then continue to explore the palace complex at Dungur.

This excavated site, of 16th century AD date, was undoubtedly the semi-fortified residence of one of the great nobles of Axum, although today it is better known as the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. Our touring also includes a trip to Yeha to visit the ruins of a Sabaean city with architecture reminiscent of that seen in Yemen. The so-called temple is built of huge sandstone blocks, some of which have been reused in the nearby church and are inscribed with Sabaean inscriptions and a relief of ibexes, a sacred animal of southern Arabia.

All meals included.

October 16 | Axum - Debark Our drive through the Simien Mountains will be memorable for spectacular vistas and breathtaking landscapes. According to Homer, these mountains were so beautiful that they became the playground of the gods. We arrive at Simien Lodge in the afternoon.

All meals included.

October 17 | Debark - Gondar This morning we explore the area with an opportunity for a light hike. After lunch we depart for Gondar arriving late afternoon.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

October 18 | Gondar Gondar, formerly Ethiopia’s capital, was the site of great building projects, including several castles and churches originally constructed by the emperors of the 17th and 18th centuries. Today we will visit the imperial precinct, which contains five castles with battlements, observation towers and connecting tunnels all surrounded by high stone walls. The oldest, Castle of Fasilades was built in the mid-17th century and reflects Axumite, Portuguese and Indian influences. Touring continues at the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie, which is beautifully decorated with paintings dated to 1815–1826 by the artist Haile Meskel. This afternoon, we visit Emperor Fasilades’ Bath, used today for ceremonies and reenactments of baptism and cleansing.

All meals included.

October 19 | Gondar - Bahir Dar Today we head south to Bahir Dar, modern capital of the Amhara region of Ethiopia, stopping off in Guzara village along the way.

Bahir Dar was a focal point of the European kingdoms and Christian missionaries in the middle ages, resulting in a wide variety of archaeological sites from this pivotal period in Ethiopian history.

Bahir Dar, often described as the Ethiopian Riviera, is a lakeside city decorated with wide avenues, palm trees, and colorful flowers. It is located on the south shore of Lake Tana, which is the source of the Blue Nile.

All meals included.

October 20 | Bahir Dar This morning we venture out on a half day boat trip to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Awza Mariam. Their distinctive round churches constructed of mud, wood and reeds woven into intricate patterns are lavishly painted with biblical stories and Ethiopia’s own pantheon of saints. After lunch, we visit the impressive Blue Nile and appreciate its power and drama at Tisisat Falls. While not always in full flood, this misty deluge measuring 148 ft high and 1,312 feet wide, is a remarkable spectacle to all visitors. We also have the opportunity to view the source of the Blue Nile and a fortified stone bridge built in the seventeenth century by Portuguese adventurers. After our morning of

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adventuring, there will be time to relax and enjoy our lovely lakeside resort hotel.

All meals included.

October 21 | Bahir Dar – Lalibela An early morning flight over vast desert and mountain landscapes brings us into Lalibela, center of the Zagwe dynasty of medieval kings. Here we will spend two days exploring the unique churches that recall the ancient Axumite architectural tradition. Upon arrival we explore the Medieval cave monastery of Yimrehanne Kristos, with its preserved church and royal lodge of the 12th century.

Still maintained by monks it remains a center of worship and seasonal pilgrimage for modern Ethiopians. After lunch, we visit the new Lalibela Cultural Center with exhibits that include ancient manuscripts, cultural artifacts and archaeological finds from local sites.

All meals included.

October 22 | Lalibela Today is a full day in Lalibela spent visiting the iconic medieval rock-hewn churches and monasteries. The city is almost a work of art completely carved from the rock. The Zagwe dynasty ruled at a time when the pilgrimage to Jerusalem was impossible, so they built their own. The churches are organized in two groups- those of “Earthly Jerusalem” on the northwest side of the river Jordan, and those of “Heavenly Jerusalem” on the southeast side. These eleven monolithic structures are a testament to the skills of Ethiopia’s stone masons and were understandably declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. We visit a whole series connected by dark tunnels, wide plazas, and steep worn steps.

All meals included.

October 23 | Depart Addis Ababa Today we fly back to Addis Ababa where we have day use of our hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure to explore Addis Ababa’s galleries and famous marcato or return to the museum before we transfer to the airport for our evening or early morning flights.

Breakfast included.

Axum

Tour Information

Debark

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 3 nights in Addis Ababa: 4* Hilton Hotel

2 nights in Gondar: 3* Goha Hotel

1 night in Wukro: 3* Wukro Lodge

2 nights in Bahir Dar: 3* Kuriftu Resort

4 nights in Axum: 3* Axum Sabean

2 nights in Lalibela: 3* Zagwe Hotel

1 night in Simien: 3* Simien Lodge

Mekele

Gondar Lalibela Bahir Dar

Addis Ababa Tiya

Ethiopia

A/C Coach, regional flights: Addis Ababa - Mekele, Bahir Dar - Lalibela, Lalibela - Addis Ababa

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/eth

17

SUDAN

Kushite Kings of the Nile

NEW TOUR

15 Days | November 30 - December 14 $8,995 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,750

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Sunset over the Nile in Khartoum

Ruins of the Amun Temple in Soleb

KHARTOUM - MEROE - KARIMA - TOMBOS - MEROWE - KHARTOUM Northern Sudan is an original, mysterious and unique destination, where African and Arabic cultures meet. Its history is connected to the Ancient Egyptians; the Nile River crosses the Sahara Desert and along its valley lie archaeological sites of the Egyptian and Meroitic civilizations, most of them recognized by UNESCO. After the separation from the South, Northern Sudan is still a very large and diverse country. The astonishing landscape of the three deserts, associated to the beauty of the Nile Cataracts, the hidden Nubian villages and the welcoming people make it an unforgettable place to visit.

This exciting tour focuses on the successive cultural horizons of ancient Nubia and Sudan, revealed by visits to such storied sites as Kerma, home to a powerful Bronze Age kingdom, whose merchants traded with the Minoans; the Kushite holy mountain at Jebel Barkal and the Nubian royal city of Meroe abounding in pyramids more plentiful than those in Egypt; and the sites of Sesibi, Soleb and Tombos, erected during the time of Egypt’s Akhenaten and Tutankhamun. We will gain an appreciation of Nubian art by visits to several museums, including the National Museum in Khartoum. Sudan is rugged, and hence unspoiled so that our tented camp permits us to empathize with intrepid 18th-century explorers who appreciated the natural splendor of Nubia.

Tour highlights Journey to Khartoum, the modern capital of Sudan, to visit the Archaeological Museum, the Mahdi’s Tomb and the largest souk in Sudan in the old capital city of Omdurman Explore the area of Jebel Barkal, the capital city of the Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs, when the Nubian Kings conquered the whole of pharaonic Egypt Discover the UNESCO listed site of Meroe, where a great indigenous culture, which rivaled even with the Romans, developed and where dozens of pyramids remain scattered in the desert at the Royal Necropolis Drive through the Bayuda Desert, with its volcanic cones and nomadic settlements, to admire the intriguing archaeological sites of Soleb, Tombos, and Kerma

Dr. Jacke Philips is currently a Research and Teaching Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

She has extensive fieldwork experience in Sudan, Egypt, Greece and Qatar. She has published extensively on these subjects in national and international scholarly journals.

Experience the Bayuda Desert with its volcanic cones and nomadic settlements up to the astonishing UNESCO site of Meroe

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/sud

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY November 30 | Khartoum We arrive in the Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum where we transfer to our hotel situated at the meeting point of the Blue and White Nile and set among exquisite landscaped gardens. The remainder of the day is ours to relax in our home for the next two nights.

Dinner included.

December 01 | Khartoum Today will be a full day at leisure, so why not enjoy the facilities of our 5* hotel or explore the local surroundings in Khartoum by walking along Nile Street. Later, we reconvene as a group to enjoy a welcoming dinner with a beautiful view over Khartoum and the Nile.

All meals included.

December 02 | Khartoum - Meroe Camp This morning we journey northward passing the last stretches of Khartoum and entering into the Butana Region, a desert area characterized by granite rocky hills. We reach the Royal Necropolis of Meroe in the afternoon. Here, over 40 pyramids can be seen and each one has its own funerary chapel with the walls fully decorated with bas-reliefs that portray the King’s life and offerings to the gods.

All meals included.

December 03 | Meroe Our morning is dedicated to The Royal Necropolis of Meroe, with its clusters of pyramids. We view the burial site during the day and again at sunset. After, we visit the Tarabil school (if open), which we support as part of our responsible tourism policy and then we take a coffee break at the village of Kabushia. In the afternoon, we visit the ruins of the Kushite royal city of Meroe. The royal palace, baths and Temple of Amun stood at its center and was once surrounded by residential areas housing as many as 25,000 people. We end the day with a beautiful sunset view of the Meroe pyramids.

All meals included.

December 04 | Meroe This morning we visit the settlement of Musawwarat es Sufra, located in a valley crowned by hills. This 1st century BC temple complex is characterized by its Great Enclosure, extensive system of The Meroe Pyramids surrounded by dunes

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hafirs, or reservoirs, and the dominance of elephant imagery. Beyond the wadi, we discover the Meroitic temples of Naqa, one of the best-preserved Nubian sites in Sudan. Here, we visit the Temple of Apedemak, a Nubian lion-deity, who appears in five different forms.

Dated to the 1st century AD, its decoration also exhibits classical influences, which are more pronounced in the architectural design and decoration of the “kiosk”. This small and odd construction, a few meters away, displays a mixture of Egyptian, Roman and Greek styles. We end the day at another temple dedicated to Amun.

All meals included.

December 05 | Meroe - Karima After breakfast, we depart Meroe and follow the Nile north to the last tributary, the Atbara River, which flows from the highlands of Ethiopia. Here, we ferry across the Nile and enter the Bayuda Desert, bordered by the Nile as it forms a broad loop between the 4th and 6th Cataracts and characterized by black volcanic basalt mountains.

We reach the dusty town of Karima in the afternoon and settle into the Nubian Rest House, a comfortable hotel built in Nubian style.

All meals included.

December 06 | Karima - Tombos Leaving Karima, we travel to the medieval city of Old Dongola, which prospered from the 6th to the 14th centuries as the capital of the Christian kingdom of Makuria. We visit the Throne Hall, the Church of the Granite Columns and, if possible, the excavations of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity. Here the population lives in small villages among sand dunes and palm trees, they speak a different language than Arabic, and the Islamic religion is not as “strict” as in other regions. We then head to the 3rd Cataract, where we have set up our camp amidst the sand dunes.

All meals included.

December 07 | Tombos Today we visit Tombos, a New Kingdom Egyptian cemetery, where inscriptions left by Thutmose I to commemorate his conquest of nearby Kerma can be seen. We continue to one of the richest sites of rock art in Sudan, wadi Sebu, with prehistoric petroglyphs carved into the living rock. After, we reach the granite boulders of the

This tour has a physical rating of...

3rd Cataract, which used to be the third obstacle that the ancient Egyptians had to face when trying to sail on the Nile. Following lunch, we cross the Nile in a pontoon (local ferry boat) and find ourselves sharing space with people, donkeys, camels and goats.

Later, we explore the remains of the Temple of Soleb, built by Amenhotep III and dedicated to Amun and Nebmaatre. Soleb sits on the banks of the Nile and has a processional way leading up from the river. On the way back to the Nile we find ourselves in the New Kingdom Egyptian town of Sesibi, founded in the 18th Dynasty.

All meals included.

December 08 | Tombos This morning we head north towards the 3rd cataract and Abri, driving on the eastern side of the Nile. Upon arrival, we cross the Nile by ferry to reach Sai Island, where ancient remains dating from the Paleolithic age through the Kerma and Egyptian civilizations and up to the early Christian and Islamic periods can be found. Our return crossing will be on a fisherman boat, during which we may see Nile crocodiles on the shore of the river. Before returning to our camp, we visit the pyramidal qubba (tomb) of scholar Sheikh Idris.

All meals included.

December 09 | Tombos - Merowe After visiting the ancient quarries of Tombos, a short drive takes us to Kerma where we visit the majestic deffufa, the monument that characterizes Kerma civilization. The Western deffufa is the largest and possibly the oldest structure of its type in sub-Saharan Africa, while the Eastern Deffufa is smaller and is associated with funerary ceremonies. Next, we visit the nearby Kerma Museum and view the main highlight, seven deliberately broken black granite statues portraying the “Black Pharaohs” of Nubia.

All meals included.

December 10 | Merowe Today we visit the Jebel Barkal (holy mountain), at the foot of which stands a temple dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and their patron, Amun. Later, we cross the Nile and visit Nuri, the site of numerous royal tombs that date to the early 7th century BC. All meals included.

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December 11 | Merowe This morning we visit the Karima market and remains of the ancient town of Napata, the first capital of the Kushite empire from 800300 BC. Later, we drive to the village of El Kurru to see one of the necropolises of the ancient kingdom of Napata. Not far from here is an ancient forest of petrified wood, filled with massive trunks lying in the sand and we end our day at the burial ground of Zuma.

All meals included.

December 12 | Merowe - Khartoum A full day’s drive through the Western Desert brings us back to Khartoum. We make several stops along the way to visit with the Bisharin nomads and take a tea break in one of their simple “chai houses”. Later, we reach Omdurman, lying along the western banks of the Nile, where we can stop to visit the largest souq (market) in Sudan. In the evening, we reach Khartoum.

All meals included.

December 13 | Khartoum Our final full day begins with a beautiful boat ride on the Nile where we see the confluence between the two Niles. We find ourselves back in Omdurman, the old capital of Sudan, where we see the Mahdi’s Tomb, an important pilgrimage site for all Sudanese, and we visit the interesting Khalifa’s House, which holds a small museum about the Mahdi. In the afternoon we visit the National Museum of Sudan, which houses an exceptional collection of Sudan’s ancient and medieval artifacts. Highlights of this collection include the royal statues found at Jebel Barkal dating from around 690 BC, King Anlamani’s sarcophagus, amazing frescoes from Christian Nubia and three 18th Dynasty Egyptian temples rescued from Lake Nasser.

By sunset we arrive at the tomb of the 19th-century Sufi leader, Sheikh Hamed al-Nil. Every Friday before sunset dervishes gather here to dance and chant in ritual dhikr, a colorful and fascinating experience. This evening we gather together for our farewell dinner.

All meals included.

December 14 | Depart Khartoum Transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travels.

Breakfast included.

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available:

Sudan Tombos

2 nights in Khartoum: 5* Corinthia Hotel

3 nights in Tombos: A special pre-set camp

3 nights in Meroe: 3* Meroe Camp

3 nights in Merowe: 3* Merowe Land Resort

1 nights in Karima: 3* Nubian Rest House

2 nights in Khartoum: 5* Corinthia Hotel

Karima Marowe

Meroe El-Moswarat Andel-Naqa’a Archaeological Area Khartoum

4x4 vehicle

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/sud

21

JAPAN

Temples, Treasures & Traditions

Guaranteed Departure

16 Days | March 22 - April 06 $9,350 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,600

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Kumamoto Castle

Glover Garden, nature and city view, Nagasaki

TOKYO - FUKUOKA - BEPPU - MIYAZAKI - KAGOSHIMA - NAGASAKI - SAGA - OSAKA Still relatively little-known to Western travelers – a legacy of an isolationist society virtually closed to the outside world until the 19th century – Japan’s archaeological heritage today yields an excitingly ‘different’ perspective on the complex mosaic of mankind’s early history. The country’s many state-of-the-art museums and government-sponsored excavations (including the huge Yoshinogari site dating back over 2,000 years) are testimony to the scale and diversity of Japan’s rich cultural inheritance.

After an introductory visit to Tokyo’s world-class National Museum on Honshu island, we focus upon the archaeology of mountainous Kyushu (meaning ‘nine provinces’), most south-westerly and third largest of the country’s four main islands and the closest to continental Asia. Volcanoes, lush forests, beaches and hot springs provide a vivid backdrop to a journey of discovery, throughout which the Japanese people’s ancient origins, their flamboyant traditions and enigmatic religions are expertly interpreted for you by our specialist tour leader.

From Shinto shrines and Zen Buddhist temples to ruined castles and restored Dutch houses, serene Japanese gardens to lively moonlit night markets – this is a fulfilling itinerary, during which even the everyday can bring its own fascination and surprises. It also provides the bonus of springtime travel in perhaps the most beautiful of Japan’s seasons.

Tour highlights Visit Kyushu island’s beautiful ‘other-worldly’ forest temples and formidable medieval castles Travel back to the Japan of bygone eras at expertly preserved and reconstructed archaeological sites, such as Yoshinogari and Uenohara Savor the sounds, smells, and tastes of Fukuoka’s evening Yatai street market with its open-air food stalls and local delicacies Learn how Japan first opened up to the outside world, viewing Dutch merchants’ houses and Chinese Buddhist temples Explore the intriguing historic quarters and the authentic Samurai warriors’ houses in Kitsuki

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/jap

Expert Scholar Dr. Ilona Bausch is a Visiting Professor at Kokugakuin University, Tokyo. Ilona specializes in the archaeology of the Japanese Jomon period, particularly with regard to early trade, social interaction, rituals and worldview among prehistoric foraging peoples. Ilona is also researching the earliest use of jade in China, Korea, East Siberia and Japan, and its role in long-distance interaction between different communities.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY March 22 | Tokyo We arrive in Tokyo and transfer to our first hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax after our flight, before coming together for our welcome dinner in the evening.

Dinner included.

March 23 | Tokyo We begin our first full day of the tour with an opening lecture from our expert scholar. Following this, we head out to the National Museum, where we spend the rest of the morning viewing some of the thousands of Japanese artworks and artifacts housed on site.

After pausing for lunch, we visit the Imperial Palace East Garden, an immaculate expanse of moats, lawns, ponds and plantings that date back to the 17th century – when this spot was the site of Edo Castle.

Breakfast & lunch included.

March 24 | Tokyo - Fukuoka This morning we have a short flight to the island of Kyushu. Upon arrival, we visit the Itazuke ruins and associated museum. Here stand the remains of a settlement where rice farming in Japan started. Outside of the museum, pit dwellings of the village have been restored. After lunch, we head to the Kyushu Historical Museum, where we find numerous remains unearthed from local excavations. We round off the afternoon at the Kyushu Historical Museum, where we find numerous remains that have been unearthed from local excavations.

Breakfast & lunch included.

March 25 | Fukuoka We begin today with a visit to Oozuka Kofun, one of the finest decorative tumuli in Japan, before taking a stroll in the scenic Ohori Park and admiring the nearby ruins of Fukuoka Castle. Following lunch, we continue onto the Asian Art Museum, where innovative exhibitions showcase modern and contemporary works from a number of Asian cultures. Our final visit is to the Shōfuku-ji Zen temple, a highly significant landmark. This evening, we browse the city’s famous Yatai open-air food stalls, which sell a wide variety of traditional local delicacies.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine in Fukuoka

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March 26 | Fukuoka Our fifth day begins at Yoshinogari, a large Yayoi Period archaeological site that dates from around 300 BC to 300 AD, featuring reconstructed prehistoric dwellings. Many fascinating objects have been found here, including ancient bronze mirrors and iron weapons. After lunch, we continue to Onta, a village famed for its traditional pottery. Onta’s most famous export is still made here in the traditional fashion. Its mountainous clay is prepared by waterpowered hammers and then baked in wood-fired kilns.

Breakfast & Lunch included.

March 27 | Fukuoka - Beppu After breakfast, we drive east to Usa Jingū, a prestigious and expansive Shinto shrine surrounded by primeval forest. Founded in the 8th century, the shrine has strong imperial links and continues to attract a large number of pilgrims from all corners of the country.

We spend our afternoon touring the intriguing historic quarters of Kitsuki, a small castle town famed for its samurai districts, with authentic samurai houses still open to be explored. The town also contains a sake brewery, which dates from the Edo Period and continues to be used today.

All meals included.

March 28 | Beppu Today we embark upon a full and exciting day of temple visits, beginning with those on the Kunisaki Peninsula. As part of our tour, we visit enigmatic Futago-ji, nestling in the forested slopes of Mount Futago; elegant Fuki-ji, the oldest wooden structure in Kyushu, dating from around 718 AD, and Kumano Magaibutsu, home to the largest stone carvings of Buddha in Japan. We also enter Makioto Temple, where we view a collection of precious wooden statues rescued from the fire that ravaged the original temple building some 700 years ago.

All meals included.

March 29 | Beppu - Miyazaki We depart for Saitobaru Kofungun, a site in Saito city comprising of hundreds of tumuli (or kofun) – burial mounds for some of the area’s most prestigious figures. Thought to date from between the 4th and

This tour has a physical rating of...

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7th centuries, this is one of the largest sites of its type in Japan and is well worth a detailed visit. Later on, we continue to the city of Miyazaki, where we spend our evening pleasantly located between the mountains and the coast.

All meals included.

Glover Garden, home to Japan’s oldest extant Western-style house.

This afternoon, we enjoy some free time to spend in the city. Why not choose to explore by yourself or join an optional visit to the fascinating Atomic Bomb Museum?

Breakfast & lunch included.

March 30 | Miyazaki - Kagoshima

April 03 | Nagasaki - Saga

Today’s journey takes us east through mountain forests to Uenohara, where a series of Jōmon-era pit dwellings were discovered by construction workers in 1997. We continue to Kagoshima, a friendly seaside city overlooked by the majestic Sakurajima Volcano. Here we find Iso-teien, a formal garden originally created for Shimazu Mitsuhisa, the region’s ruler in the 17th century. Our final visit of the day is to Shoko Shudeikan, a 19th-century factoryturned-museum.

All meals included.

March 31 | Kagoshima - Nagasaki We spend our morning in Kumamoto, a city that surrounds the imposing Kumamoto-jo Castle. Both sustained damage in the earthquakes of April 2016, but the castle remains one of Japan’s largest forts and there is much to admire whilst reconstruction continues. This afternoon we take a reviving ferry ride across the Ariake Sea to Nagasaki, where our next hotel – and home for the next three nights – is located.

Breakfast & Lunch included.

April 01 | Nagasaki

Today we head to Kyushu Ceramic Museum, enabling us to get up close to some of the finest 17th century Hizen porcelain. Next, we make our way to Arita to visit the site of one of the oldest kilns in all of Japan. Moving on to Imari, we find the Okawachiyama Pottery Village, where Japanese porcelain has its earliest roots – this being an area rich in kaolin, an essential material in the porcelain-making process. We see many skilled craftsmen hard at work in the village, with over 30 traditional businesses still in operation. Tonight, we stay in Saga, a city bordering the lush Sefuri Mountains.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 04 | Saga - Fukuoka We travel to Yame for a visit to the Traditional Craftwork Center.

The attraction displays and sells traditional Yame City handicrafts, ranging from Buddhist altars to delicate paper lanterns. After lunch we explore Dazaifu Tenman-gū — a majestic Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane, a revered 10th-century poet and scholar. Our next stop is the Kanzeon-ji Temple, home to Japan’s oldest bell.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Our entire day is spent exploring the reconstructed site of Deshima Island. It was originally created in Nagasaki Bay in order to house and contain Portuguese traders. Deshima became redundant only when commercial relations with the Western world were relaxed.

Here we view an assortment of restored Dutch houses and Chinese Buddhist temples – an extraordinary window on to Japan’s isolationist past.

Breakfast & Lunch included.

April 05 | Fukuoka - Osaka

April 02 | Nagasaki

April 06 | Depart Osaka

We continue our exploration of Nagasaki today and our morning visits include the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, and

Kitakyushu’s modern Municipal Museum of Art has been home to masterpieces of Japanese art since opening its doors in 1974, displaying them alongside certain pieces from Western artists. We explore its exhibits this morning before taking the bullet train from Kokura Station. We head directly to Osaka, a city affectionately known as the “nation’s kitchen”, where we enjoy a farewell dinner.

All meals included.

We transfer to Kansai airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Tokyo

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 2 nights in Tokyo: 4* Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

3 nights in Nagasaki: 3* Ana Crowne Plaza Nagasaki Gloverhill

3 nights in Fukuoka: 4* Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk

1 night in Saga: 4* Hotel New Otani Saga

2 nights in Beppu: 4* Hotel & Resorts Beppuwan 1 night in Miyazaki: 4* Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort 1 night in Kagoshima: 4* Kagoshima Sun Royal Hotel

1 night in Fukuoka: 4* Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk

Osaka

Fukuoka

Saga

Beppu

Nagasaki

1 night in Osaka: 5* Imperial Hotel Osaka

Miyazaki Kagoshima

A/C Coach, ferry Regional flight: Tokyo - Fukuoka

Japan

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/jap

25

TUNISIA & MOROCCO

From the Phoenicians to the Berbers

Guaranteed Departure

15 Days | March 25 - April 08 $5,090 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $985

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Ruins of Carthage,Tunisia

Royal Palace in Rabat, Morocco

TUNIS - KAIROUAN - TUNIS - RABAT - FES - MARRAKECH Although near-neighbors and unmistakably North African (albeit with an occasional Mediterranean twist), when it comes to culture and character Tunisia and Morocco share as many differences as resemblances. Both, though, have intricately tangled histories of conquest and colonization – and a rich heritage forged over millennia from epic events and a heady fusion of Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Arab, Berber and European influences.

Embracing northern Tunisia’s major archaeological and historical sites and museums, our study tour includes a full day amid the splendors of ancient Carthage, founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC and today a World Heritage Site - as is the Roman city of Dougga, also visited. Other tour highlights include the desert city of Kairouan, a holy pilgrimage center renowned for its magnificent Great Mosque and bustling medina, and the National Bardo Museum, a Tunisian heritage landmark.

Bounded by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the high Atlas Mountains and vast Sahara, Morocco’s dramatic landscapes and often remote kasbahs and ksour are the preserve of a vibrant 6,000-years-old legacy derived from Berber, Arab and European dynasties and cultures. We focus on medieval Islamic Morocco’s colorful Imperial Cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech, as well as the excavations of Volubilis, the Roman Empire outpost at the heart of the ancient RomanBerber kingdom of Mauretania.

Tour highlights Travel back to the 9th century BC amid the imposing ruins of the Phoenicians’ capital city of Carthage, one of Africa’s most renowned World Heritage Sites Delve into Tunisia’s rich culture and history at the excellent National Bardo Museum, housing the country’s most important antiquities Be entertained in Marrakech by the musicians, jugglers, storytellers and snake charmers of famous Jemaa el Fna square Discover Morocco’s ancient links with Rome at the ruined site of Volubilis, a thriving city 2,000 years ago

Expert Scholar Dr. Allen Fromherz is the director of the Middle East Studies Center and Professor of Mediterranean and Middle East History at Georgia State University in Atlanta. He is also the President of the American Institute for Magreb Studies (AIMS) where he chairs the fellowship review committee.

Enjoy opportunities to trial a host of delicious North African cuisines – and for shopping for handicraft items in ancient souks

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/tum

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY March 25 | Tunis We arrive in Tunis and transfer to our first hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax after our flight, before enjoying our first group dinner together.

Dinner included.

March 26 | Tunis Our day will be spent at the site of Carthage. We start on Byrsa Hill, once the military center of ancient Carthage and later destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC. We visit its museum, home to exhibits that showcase the area’s rich history, and also the nearby Punic houses.

The day continues with the Tophet (Punic burial ground), ancient harbors, ship sheds, the Punic fortifications in the “Quartier Magon”, and the Antonine Baths. At around 35,000 square meters, it is one of the three largest bath complexes in the entire Roman world.

Breakfast & lunch included.

March 27 | Tunis We start today at the Bardo Museum, a site that contains spectacular Roman mosaics, Punic stelae and jewelry. Housed in a former palace, it was built by Mhammed Bey between 1859 and 1864 in the Italo-Tunisian style. Next, we move on to the labyrinthine center of alleys and ancient streets, the Medina of Tunis. Colorful doorways, bustling souks and vibrant culture await. After lunch, we tour the Dar Ben Abdallah Museum, where exhibits explore the public life of city inhabitants. Later, we take a stroll through stunning Sidi Bou Said.

All meals included.

March 28 | Tunis - Kairouan Passing west through the Andalusian town of Testour, we spend our day exploring the hilltop site of Dougga, which flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It also features a monumental Punic mausoleum, which dates back to the 2nd century BC. It is amazingly well-preserved and the glory of Imperial Rome is evoked by its temples, baths and arches. Once we’ve admired the many sights and structures here, our drive brings us to Kairouan, once the Muslim capital of North Africa and still a repository of Islamic culture.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Koutoubia Mosque minaret at medina quarter of Marrakesh, Morocco

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March 29 | Kairouan Today we return to Imperial Rome with a visit to El Jem (Thysdrus) to view the amphitheater, which could hold up to 35,000 spectators and is built entirely from stone blocks without foundations. Its structure is supported by a system of arches and it is free-standing.

Though smaller than the Colosseum in Rome, it is in a better state of preservation and is also the largest Colosseum in all of North Africa.

Later, we will pay a visit to the outstanding archaeological museum, which is filled with an outstanding collection of stunning mosaics.

After a stop at the colorful souks of Kairouan, we return to our hotel for dinner.

All meals included.

March 30 | Kairouan - Tunis Another morning in Kairouan awaits and this time we visit the 9th-century Sidi Okba Mosque, with its columned prayer room, and the Mosque of the Berber, whose decorative tiling and carved ceilings rival those of the Alhambra. While we’re in the area, we stop at the Aghlabid Basins, 9th century cisterns that showcase the sophistication of ancient engineering. From here, we drive to Monastir for lunch and then we tour the historic Ribat monument.

Next, we drive to Sousse and enjoy a tour of the Archaeological Museum. Impressively, this museum contains the second largest collection of mosaics in the world after the Bardo Museum.

Breakfast & lunch included.

March 31 | Tunis Today, we drive to Nabeul to visit the Archaeological Musuem, where we admire funerary furnishings, mosaic pavements and marble sculptures, among other artifacts. We also spend time at the ancient fish-processing pools at Nabeul (Neapolis) before stopping for lunch, and then it’s on to the Punic town of Kerkouane. Here, we take a walk around its archaeological museum and see collections of ceramic art and jewelry. Before our day comes to an end and we have to head back to Tunis, we visit the archaeological site, which reveals the plan of a Punic city. Houses are clearly outlined, mosaic pavements can be observed and rooms appear to have been equipped with facilities.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

April 01 | Tunis - Rabat Our day is spent traveling as we transfer to Morocco, catching a flight from Tunis to Casablanca. From here, we drive a short distance to Rabat and check in to our hotel.

Breakfast & dinner included.

April 02 | Rabat Following a free morning, which allows us to explore Morocco’s enchanting capital city of Rabat independently, we begin our touring with a captivating afternoon visit to the local archaeological museum. Opened in 1932, this museum contains a wealth of artifacts that tell the stories of Morocco’s past. From prehistoric and pre-Islamic collections, to Roman and Hellenistic exhibits, we can enjoy a range of history here. The city’s most important Islamic monuments are also ours to discover today and we see the walls and splendid gateway of Oudaias Kasbah, built in the reign of Yacoub el Mansour (1185–99), the Royal Palace (Mechouar), the Mohammed V Mausoleum, Hassan’s Tower (originally the minaret of a large mosque) and the Chellah necropolis.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 03 | Rabat - Fes En route to Meknes, we visit Moulay Idriss, perched on top of a great massif. This little holy city is venerated as the burial place of the founder of Islam in Morocco and is the fifth holiest Muslim city. Our touring here includes Bab el Mansour Gate and El Hedim Square, the gateway of Berrima. Lastly, we visit Dar Jamai, home to traditional textiles and crafts. From here, we drive to the imperial city of Fes. All meals included.

April 04 | Fes Fes, considered to be the intellectual, political and cultural center of the entire country, is where we begin. We spend the day exploring the medieval medina, with narrow streets and tiled fountains at every corner. It is divided into Fes el Bali, the original city, and Fes el Jdid, a 13th-century addition that houses the former Jewish quarter. Our touring takes us into both sections and includes Bab Bou Jeloud, the monumental gateway to the medina; the Attarine Madrassa, known for its fine tiles; the restored 18th-century

Tour Information

Fondouk Nejjarine; and Bou Inania Madrassa, built between 1350 and 1356. We also visit the Dar Batha Museums and the Roman city of Volubilis.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 05 | Fes - Marrakech Another day of traveling is on the cards today and we catch a morning flight from Fes to Marrakech. Shortly after our arrival into the city, we can take a leisurely stroll around its medina. The architecture here is simply spellbinding and examples of the keyhole arch can be seen around every corner. A truly sensory experience, wandering around the medina will introduce us to eclectic modes of transport, delicious regional produce and incredibly vibrant colors.

Breakfast included.

April 06 | Marrakech Today we tour the city’s historic sites, which offer prime examples of Moorish-Andalusian architecture. Touring includes the great Mosque of Koutoubia, which is also Marrakesh’s largest, and the tomb of the Saadian kings, one of Morocco’s best-preserved and elaborate resting places. We then visit the mysterious ruins of the once-spectacular Al-Badi Palace; the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts; the Almoravid Qubbah monument dating from the 12th century, and the prestigious Museum of Islamic Art. Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner in one of the city’s finest restaurants.

All meals included.

April 07 | Marrakech We have the entire day at leisure. Perhaps take the opportunity to see the iconic Majorelle Garden. Created by the French Oriental artist, Jacques Majorelle, this two acre botanical masterpiece is not to be missed!

Breakfast included.

April 08 | Depart Marrakech We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Morocco

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available:

3 nights in Tunis: 5* Hotel Africa

2 nights in Rabat: 4* M Gallery Hotel

2 nights in Kairouan: 5* La Kasbah

2 nights in Fes: 5* Hotel Les Merinides Hotel

2 nights in Tunis: 5* Hotel Africa

3 nights in Marrakech: 5* Sofitel Hotel

**

Meknes Rabat

Volubilis Fès

Marrakech

Tunis

Carthage

Dougga

A/C Coach Regional flights: Tunis - Rabat, Fes - Marrakech

Tunisia

Kairouan

El Djem

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/tum

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MALTA, SARDINIA & CORSICA

Guaranteed Departure

An Odyssey of Islands 15 Days | April 4 - 18

$8,350 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,200

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View on Birgu and the harbour, Malta

Grand Harbour of Valletta, Malta

VALLETTA - CAGLIARI - ORISTANO - ALGHERO - BONIFACIO - PROPRIANO - AJACCIO - NICE Though near-neighbors, this trio of sunlit central Mediterranean islands off the Italian coast are as chalk to cheese when it comes to their contrasting history, heritage and dramatic landscapes. All three share inter-connections and influences originating with the early peoples of the Aegean - yet today each has developed its own colorful and distinctive culture.

Why and how these contrasts evolved is the rich thread linking this interest-filled odyssey. Its investigative approach will reward you with a knowledge of the ancient civilizations that conquered these islands in turn - a story stretching from the seafaring Sherden and Phoenicians to Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Crusader knights and Turks and to latter-day colonization by the Spanish, Italians, French and British. You will also gain an enhanced understanding of the ways in which the occupiers left their own indelible legacy upon the great landmarks of the islands and their differing modern-day cultures.

Among the tour’s memorable archaeological locations visited will be Malta’s prehistoric megalithic temples at Ggantija (a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating from 3600 BC); examples of the unique 7,000 tower-fortress nuraghes of Sardinia (mere youngsters from the second millennium BC); and Corsica’s megalithic sites of Fontanaccia, Stantari and Renaghju –the island’s best-preserved dolmen.

Tour highlights Explore the fascinatingly contrasted archaeology, scenery and eclectic origins of the cultural and political histories of three very different islands Discover the megalithic temples of Malta, the nuraghes of Sardinia, and the open-air sanctuaries and cult sites of Corsica Travel through spectacular unspoilt scenery beneath spring skies, and enjoy delicious local cuisine and wine in the heart of the Mediterranean Visit the excellent Sartene Archaeological Museum, in the heart of Corsica’s most megalithic monument-rich region Experience the true delights that Malta has to offer, from the crystal clear waters to the welcoming charm of the locals

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/msc

Expert Scholar Prof. Caroline Malone is a professor of Prehistory at Queen’s University, Belfast and Principal Investigator of the European Research Council Advanced Research Project. Her research interests include fieldwork in mainland Italy, Malta, Sicily and Britain. Specific topics include island archaeology and cultural resource management.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY April 04 | Valletta We arrive in Valletta, the capital of Malta, and transfer to our first hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax after our flight, before enjoying our first dinner together as a group.

Dinner included.

April 05 | Valletta This full day will begin at the National Museum of Archaeology, which displays a wonderful collection of prehistoric material from the island. We then take a short walking tour in the old city, including a visit to St. John’s Cathedral, which houses Caravaggio’s The Beheading among its many other treasures. Our day concludes with a walking tour around the fortified city of Mdina. From antiquity to Medieval times, Mdina served at the island’s original capital. The historic streets and tiny plazas are now purely Maltese in character.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 06 | Valletta Our tour starts at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, a megalithic temple complex occupying a marvelous site above the sea and looking out over the islet of Fifla. These temples are unusual for their beautifully dressed stones and variety of altars. Our touring this afternoon continues at the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a vast rock-cut catacomb for multiple burials, and then the temples of Tarxien, which is a complex that is made up of four megalithic structures built at the height of the Temple Period.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 07 | Valletta We travel to the far end of the island and take a ferry to the tiny island of Gozo. Here, we will visit the prehistoric temples of Ggantija, which date from 3600 BC and are archetypal of this phase. These well-preserved temples have massive walls, some of which still rise to a height of 17 feet. They are as enigmatic today as they must have been in prehistory. From here, we pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum as well as the Citadel in the old Norman town of Victoria, before returning to Valletta for the remainder of the evening.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Ruins of Su Nuraxi, Sardinia

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April 08 | Valletta - Cagliari Today, we fly from Malta to Sardinia. We arrive in Cagliari in time for dinner as a group.

Breakfast & dinner included.

April 09 | Cagliari This morning, we discover Sardinia’s capital city, Cagliari. We then enjoy a walking tour of the old town, visiting a myriad of interesting sites, such as the impressive 13th century Romanesque Gothic Cathedral and Roman Amphitheater. There is an Italian feel to the palazzi, squares and domed churches that characterize Sardinia’s capital, which we will notice while wandering around here. This afternoon, we have free time to explore the city. Spend it shopping, enjoy some further sightseeing, or simply relax in one of the many pavement cafés.

Breakfast included.

April 10 | Cagliari Today’s itinerary takes us to a variety of Phoenician sites, beginning with a scenic coastal drive to the ancient city of Nora. This area was founded almost 3,000 years ago and had many phases of occupation, from the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians, to the Romans. We visit the city’s Punic temple along with its Roman theater and baths, and then we make our way to Monte Sirai, touring a Phoenician mining town and visiting several Nuragic towers.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 11 | Cagliari - Oristano Driving north this morning, we make our first stop at the megalithic cult center and cemetery of Pranu Muteddu, with its menhirs and tumuli. We then continue on to the largest nuraghic village in Sardinia, Su Nuraxi, which has 396 houses and a massive central structure. This is a UNESCO World Heritage and archaeological site, and the large Nuraghe here dominates the area – its purpose still widely debated by scholars. Our touring today will come to an end at the ancient Phoenician and Roman town of Tharros, which was also a former bishopric.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

April 12 | Oristano - Alghero This morning we are headed for the city of Alghero. We visit three key sites on our way – the well-preserved Middle Bronze Age Nuragic complex of Losa with its great trilobed Nuraghe; the smaller complex of Santa Cristina, whose underground well temple is in a state of remarkable preservation; and the pre-Nuragic necropolis of Sant’Andrea Priu. This includes one of the Mediterranean’s largest underground tombs, with no fewer than eighteen rock-cut chambers. We continue to Alghero, our overnight base and one of Sardinia’s most attractive little medieval harbor towns.

All meals included.

April 13 | Alghero - Arzachena This morning we visit Monte d’Accoddi, an archaeological site discovered by the Segni family in the last century. With its huge megalithic pyramid altar on a base of over 30 feet this is one of Sardinia’s most enigmatic Neolithic sites. We enjoy lunch in Sassari, home to a university, a 12th century Romanesque cathedral, spacious piazzas and a characterful historic center, before taking a short drive to the town of Arzachena, our overnight base.

All meals included.

April 14 | Arzachena - Bonifacio Before leaving Sardinia today we have an essential final island rendezvous - with nearby La Prisgiona’s Nuragic ruins, among the most extensive in this corner of the island. Of special interest are the enormous collective graves (the “giants’ tombs”) of Li Loghi and Coddu Vecchiu, dwarfing the single tombs of the 4th millennium BCE cemetery of Li Muri. After a last Italian lunch, we cross by ferry (50 minutes) to Corsica’s Bonifacio, whose medieval citadel perches on white limestone cliffs rising sheer from the sea. The rest of the day is yours to wander amid this beguiling fortress town’s atmospheric narrow lanes lined by tall houses, and to succumb to the temptations of an array of restaurants and cafés.

Breakfast & lunch included.

**

April 15| Bonifacio - Propriano This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Bonifacio, amid a baffling warren of ancient houses, towers, fortifications and churches that survive from the Pisan and Genoese periods. Next, we travel to the ancient little hill town of Sartene and enjoy a walking tour among narrow cobbled streets and lofty terracotta-roofed houses. From here we continue to Propriano, where we spend the next two nights.

All meals included.

April 16 | Propriano This morning we travel to the remote Cauria plateau, whose megalithic sites of Stantari, Renaghju and Fontanaccia are the settings of some of Corsica’s best-preserved menhir standing-stones and dolmens. We return to propriano for a an afternoon at leisure.

You may want to sample the AOC-labeled local wine over a long lunch, absorbing the colorful everyday scene.

Breakfast included.

April 17 | Propriano - Ajaccio Our final full day of touring begins with a visit to Corsica’s picturesque commune of Sainte Lucie de Tallano. This particular area is known for its olive oil and the village itself is perched high above the Rizzanese Valley in the Alta Rocca region. Then, we will continue our day with a visit to the Bronze Age settlements and archaeological sites of Cucuruzzu and Capula, before driving to Ajaccio via Zonza and Petreto-Bicchisano. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together at a restaurant located on Ajaccio Bay. All meals included.

April 18 | Depart Ajaccio via Nice This morning we fly from Ajaccio to Nice as a group and connect to our individual flights home or onward travel.

Tour Information

Ajaccio Propriano

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 4 nights in Valletta: 5* The Palace Hotel

1 night in Arzachena: 4* Hotel Club

3 nights in Cagliari: 4* T Hotel Sardinia

1 night in Bonifacio: 3* Hotel Santa Theresa

1 night in Oristano: 4* Hotel Mariano IV Palace

2 nights in Propriano: 4* Hotel Bartaccia

1 night in Alghero: 4* Hotel Punta

1 night in Ajaccio: 4* Radisson Blu Resort

Bonifacio

Malta, Sardinia & Corsica

Arzachena

Alghero

Oristano

Valletta

A/C Coach, ferry & regional flights: Valletta - Cagliari; Ajaccio - Nice

Cagliari Nora

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/msc

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TURKMENISTAN & UZBEKISTAN In the Footsteps of Traders 19 Days | April 17 - May 05 $7,095 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,090

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Abandoned ruins of Ayaz Kala fortress, Uzbekistan

Khazrati Imam Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

ASHGABAT - MARY - ASHGABAT - NUKUS - KHIVA - BUKHARA - SAMARKAND - TASHKENT The Silk Road. A fabled name whose romantic mystique evokes images of desert caravanserais and merchant camel trains laden with precious silks and spices winding their way from China to the West – a distant era that has left a lasting imprint upon the commerce, history and religions it diffused through Central Asia.

Pride of place on our exploration of this crucible of cultural and ethnic diversity goes to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, neighboring independent republics and former Khanate states whose lavish palaces and mosques were built with wealth derived from control of the treasures flowing through these lands. Today theirs is a timeless backdrop of snow-capped mountains, empty deserts, colorful markets, grazing camels and traditionally-garbed local people - in places fascinatingly juxtaposed with a 21st century veneer.

Our journey visiting no less than five UNESCO World Heritage Sites offers many inspirational rewards in the fields of archaeology and ethnography. Edged by the Caspian Sea and dominated by the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan is bestknown for its extensive archaeological ruins at Merv and Zoroastrian Gonur Tepe. Uzbekistan boasts a plethora of striking mosques, mausoleums and madrassas, the most magnificent at the Registan, a landmark of Islamic architecture in historic Samarkand – while perhaps Central Asia’s most complete example of a medieval city awaits at Bukara, long a center for Islamic theology and scholarship.

Tour highlights Discover no fewer than 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including ancient Shahr-i and the stunning historic center of Samarkand Visit the impressively excavated and restored ancient fortress town of Gonur Tepe Enjoy Turkmenistan shopping in Ashgabad’s colorful open-air bazaar where the locals sell handicrafts, vegetables, Bukhara-style rugs & traditional costumes Wander among the architectural treasures of Uzbekistan’s atmospheric and wonderfully restored walled city of Khiva Immerse yourself in the culture these fascinating countries have to offer, and revel in the opportunity to sample the local cuisine

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/tsr

Expert Scholar Prof. Craig Benjamin is an Associate Professor in the History Department at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, where he teaches courses in ancient Central and East Asian history, and on the Silk Roads. Professor Benjamin received his PhD from Macquarie University in Sydney, where he studied nomadic confederations of ancient Central Asia.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY April 17 | Ashgabat We arrive in Turkmenistan and transfer to our hotel, where we rest.

After a lecture, we tour Ashgabat. The capital is in the center of the Akhal-Teke Oasis, surrounded on one side by the Kara-Kum Desert and on the other by the Kopet-Dag Mountains. It is home to lavish marble palaces, gold domes and beautifully manicured parkland.

All meals included.

April 18 | Ashgabat Our day begins at the Kipchak Mosque, the largest in Central Asia.

We then visit the UNESCO Site of the Parthian Fortresses of Nissa, the capital of the Parthian Empire, located at important trade routes.

After lunch, we visit the National Archaeological Museum, which houses a wealth of ancient drinking vessels, known as rhytons.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 19 | Ashgabat - Mary We spend time in Ashgabat’s oriental bazaar, Altyn Asyr, which is known for being one of the largest markets in Central Asia.

There is a tall clock tower at its heart and the extensive market sells an impressive range of goods, from Turkmen carpets to local handicrafts. We continue to Anau, where traces of habitation date back to the 4th millennium BC. Later we fly to Mary where we check into our hotel before dinner.

All meals included.

April 20 | Mary This morning, we visit the archaeological site of Gonur Tepe.

Dated to 3000 BC, Gonur-Depe is one of the oldest Zoroastrian civilizations. The largest ruins in the Morghab delta region are found here, with over 150 settlements dating to the early Bronze Age. Later, in Mary, we explore exhibits at the National History and Ethnology Museum.

All meals included.

April 21 | Mary - Ashgabat Today, we explore the site of ancient Merv, an amazing historical treasure-house and capital of the Parthian province of Margiana.

Ancient city of Merv, Turkmenistan

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This is one of the most important cities along the Silk Road. Among its ruins are the tomb of Sultan Sanjar and the Erk-Kala, perhaps rebuilt by Roman prisoners taken by the Parthians at the battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. Later, we fly to Ashgabat.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 22 | Ashgabat - Nukus We fly to DaĹ&#x;oguz and tour the monument-rich town of KunyaUrgench, capital of Khorezm and a major city on the northern caravan route until 1388. We visit the remaining monuments, including Turabeg Khanym Mausoleum; Najmuddin Kubra Mausoleum, and Kutluk Timur Minaret, which, at 62 meters, is the tallest in central Asia. We then cross the border into Uzbekistan.

All meals included.

April 23 | Nukus - Khiva This morning, we discover one of the best collections of Soviet art in the world at in the Nukus Museum. After our visit, we drive along the Amu Darya river to Khiva, stopping along the way to visit Chilpik Dakhma. This Zoroastrian tower of silence is thought to be the earliest example of the traditional funerary ritual, constructed somewhere between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD. Breakfast & lunch included.

April 24 | Khiva

We start our day by exploring Old Khiva. This was the first place in Uzbekistan to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tash Khovli Palace, with its 18th-century harem, and the 9th-century Djuma Mosque, with its unusual wooden ceiling, are among the architectural treasures we see. We have the afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast & dinner included.

April 25 | Khiva - Bukhara We journey to Ayaz Kala this morning. The towering mud-brick walls of the three fortresses found here are truly a sight to behold, rising dramatically from the surrounding plains. Later, we travel by air or by train to Bukhara.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

April 26 | Bukhara This morning we tour the historic center of Bukhara, including the museums and mosques of the Ark Citadel and the Samanid Mausoleum. Our visits continue at the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum; Kalyan Minaret and Mosque; Bala-Hauz Mosque; and the Lab-i Hauz Fountain, surrounded by madrassas. We end the day leisurely by browsing through Bukhara’s famous bazaars.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 27 | Bukhara We spend the morning at the ruined town of Paykent. In its heyday, it was home to a citadel with a Zoroastrian fire temple and several residential quarters. On our return to Bukhara, we stop at the memorial complex of Chor-Bakr, a 16th-century necropolis. We will also visit the tomb of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, the 14th-century founder of the Naqshbandis, a very ancient and important Sufi order. This is a highly revered place of pilgrimage and has two lovely restored mosques as well as a simple tomb and small museum.

Breakfast & lunch included.

April 28 | Bukhara Our first stop today is the ancient city of Varaksha, one of the major towns of the Hephthalite civilization, and the final retreat for local kings when the Arab armies advanced. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to take in more of Bukhara and explore the local markets. This evening we will take in a show of ancient costumes at Nodir Devon Begi before enjoying dinner.

All meals included.

April 29 | Bukhara - Samarkand We travel to Samarkand, stopping at Shahrisabz, known as one of the most ancient cities along the trade routes of Central Asia. Here Tamerlane, who was born in a nearby village, built the famous AkSarai (White Palace) to celebrate his victory against Khorezm. At last, we arrive in Samarkand, an historic town founded in the 7th century BC and revered for its mosques and many monuments.

All meals included.

***

April 30 | Samarkand Samarkand’s city monuments await and we begin with a visit to the Afrasiab Museum. We tour the Ulugh-Beg Observatory - one of the finest in the Islamic world - and later we explore the Regional Museum of Samarkand, located in an old merchant’s house. Our day ends at Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Tamerlane’s tomb.

Breakfast & lunch included.

May 01 | Samarkand We continue our exploration of Samarkand at the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and the gorgeous lane of mosques and mausoleums known as Sha-i-Zhinda. The remainder of the day will be at leisure before an evening light show in Rajistan Square.

All meals included.

May 02 | Samarkand - Tashkent We enjoy a final morning in Samarkand and visit its main attraction: Registan Square, surrounded by Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tilla-Kori madrasahs. We travel by train to Tashkent.

All meals included.

May 03 | Tashkent A full day at your leisure to relax and unwind before tomorrow’s touring. There will be a final lecture before lunch to recap our tour.

Breakfast & lunch included.

May 04 | Tashkent We spend the day in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. We begin with a walking tour in the Old Town, including Barak Khana Madrassa, Kukeldash Madrassa, and Chorsu bazaar. Next, we visit Tashkent’s State Museum of History of Uzbekistan to its collection of archaeological material. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

All meals included.

May 05 | Depart Tashkent We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 2 nights in Ashgabat: 5* Hotel Oguzgen

2 nights in Khiva: 4* Hotel Asia Khiva

2 nights in Mary: 4* Mary Hotel

4 nights in Bukhara: 4* Hotel Asia Bukhara

1 night in Ashgabat: 5* Hotel Oguzgen

3 nights in Samarkand: 4* Grand Samarkand Hotel

1 night in Nukus: 3* Hotel Jipek Joli

3 nights in Tashkent: 5* Wyndham Tashkent Hotel

Uzbekistan

Nukus

Tashkent

Khiva

Bukhara Samarkand Ashgabat Mary

A/C coach, regional flights: Ashgabat - Mary Ashgabat - Daşoguz; Urgench - Bukhara, train: Samarkland - Tashkent

Turkmenistan

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/tsr

37

PORTUGAL & SPAIN Iberian Empires of Antiquity 17 Days | May 22 - June 07 $9,020 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,750

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Patio de Banderas and the Giralda Tower in Seville

Interior of The Cathedral and former Great Mosque of Córdoba

LISBON - ÉVORA - MÉRIDA - SEVILLE - CÓRDOBA - GRANADA - TOLEDO - MADRID The Iberian peninsula’s ancient heartlands of Portugal and Spain span a vast canvas of Western European history and cultures - on which the impact of successive eras of invasion and occupation through many centuries has imposed an enduring signature. While this eventful patrimony is readily apparent in their flamboyant architectural and artistic traditions, both countries can also boast an equally colorful spectrum of historic sites and monuments of special interest to the archaeologically-minded traveler.

First to arrive here were the Iberians - perhaps from Africa. While they and the Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians who followed each left their own individual marks, it was from conquest and centuries-long domination by the Romans and later the Moors that the impressive archaeology of Spain and Portugal derived its richest and most influential inheritance.

Our far-ranging journey from picturesque Lisbon to lively Madrid travels first to medieval Évora before entering Spain’s dazzling Andalusia. Here we take time out in the historic cities of Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba and Granada (home of the legendary Alhambra Palace) and finally Toledo in Castilla-La Mancha. Visits also featured are to major Roman sites (including Mérida, Itálica and Gadir), the ruins of a vast Moorish palace-city, megalithic complexes, several outstanding archaeological museums – and much more.

Tour highlights Enjoy a walking tour of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Portugal’s most delightful medieval towns, with many Roman sites Explore magnificent Roman ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mérida, including the Trajan Arch and the Puente Romano Discover Granada’s magical Alhambra Palace, an eternal love letter to Moorish culture Savor the exclusive world of Bodegas Lustau in Jerez de la Frontera with an afternoon sherry-tasting Wander through the monumental tombs of Carmona Necropolis, an intriguing complex of Iron Age and Roman tombs

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/spo

Expert Scholar Prof. Ori Z. Soltes is a professor at Georgetown University and has also taught in the Classics department at John Hopkins and Cleveland State Universities. Professors Soltes’ areas of specialization include Jewish, Christian and Muslim art and religions, classical philosophy, linguistics, and Indo-European philology.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY May 22 | Lisbon We arrive in Lisbon, Portugal’s historic and happening capital, and transfer directly to our hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax after our flight, before enjoying our first dinner as a group.

Dinner included.

May 23 | Lisbon We begin our journey with a walking tour of Lisbon. Our starting point is the Tower of Belém, a lasting legacy of the Portuguese age of discovery, used not only to fortify the harbor, but as a custom house for both visiting and returning vessels. We then make our way along the river to the city’s Archaeological Museum, and finally to the 15th-century Jerónimos Monastery. After lunch, we visit the Millenium bcp Foundation and Lisbon’s Roman Theater Museum, where we view the traces and artifacts that remain of this 1stcentury BC site.

Breakfast & lunch included.

May 24 | Lisbon

May 26 | Mérida We have a full day to admire the plentiful Roman sites of Mérida.

Morning visits include the amphitheater, theater and the Archaeological Museum, home to a marvelous display of paintings, tombstones and sculptures. After lunch, we enjoy a walking tour of the city, including attractions such as the Trajan Arch and the Puente Romano, the longest of all the surviving Roman bridges, still standing and frequently used to this day.

All meals included.

May 27 | Mérida - Seville We start by heading out of the city to the Dolmen of Lacara, a megalithic complex set in beautiful natural surroundings. Our next stop is the burial site of Huerta Montero Tholos, a burial site remarkable for its exact alignment with the sun at the time of the winter solstice. This afternoon, we journey to the splendid city of Seville, where we enjoy free time to stroll the Andalusian streets.

Breakfast & lunch included.

This morning we leave Lisbon and travel to Tróia, a former Roman ‘factory’ in which fish was salted and made into garum, a popular fermented sauce. This is not just any Roman ruin, but the largest known facility of its type in the Roman world. We continue to the medieval town of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While here we embark on a walking tour of the town’s many Roman sites, including the colonnaded remains of the Templo Romano de Diana and the unusual 16th-century Chapel of Bones.

Breakfast & lunch included.

May 28 | Seville

May 25 | Évora - Mérida

May 29 | Seville

We head out to the Almendres Cromlechs, a megalithic complex and the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula. We then continue our exploration of Évora with a visit to the town’s museum, which contains some 20,000 pieces.

Afterwards, we head to Elvas for a short stop at the 16th-century Amoreira Aqueduct, a marvelous construction spanning the length of the municipality. Our day ends at Mérida, a city first founded by veterans of Emperor Augustus’ army in around 25 BC. Breakfast & lunch included.

The Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral, Córdoba

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An early start takes us to Itálica, just a short drive from Seville. The remains here include elaborate mosaic floors and an amphitheater with space for up to 25,000 spectators. We return to Seville this afternoon for an excursion to the Archaeological Museum, home to the El Carambolo treasure. Later we take a leisurely walk through the park to view the Plaza de España, a magnificent landmark notable for its ceramic depiction of Spain’s various provinces.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Our first visit today is to the monumental Alcázar of Seville – a former royal palace of Moorish kings, with a rich blend of architecture that demonstrates a striking amalgamation of influences. Next, we enter Seville Cathedral. As well as being the largest Gothic building in Europe, and the third largest church in the world, the Cathedral is also famous as the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. The afternoon is free for us to spend as we please.

Breakfast included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

May 30 | Seville We make our way to Cádiz for a visit to the Archaeological Museum, where we find evidence of the city’s past as the ancient Phoenician and Punic city of Gadir – one of the most important settlements in the Western Mediterranean. Next, we head to the Gadir archaeological site, where we learn even more about the Phoenician way of life by seeing streets, homes and tools dating back to the 9th-century BC. This afternoon we head to Cádiz’s Teatro Romano, a 1st-century attraction that features in the writings of Cicero.

Breakfast & lunch included.

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is certainly set to take our breaths away. A huge complex of carved ceilings, flawless courtyards and glorious gardens, it rightly draws in visitors from all corners of the globe. Afterwards, we relax during a drive to Toledo, also known as the “City of the Three Cultures” for the cultural influences of Christians, Muslims and Jews reflected in its history.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 04 | Toledo

Today we drive east to Carmona Necropolis, an intriguing complex of Iron Age and Roman tombs that contain such amazing monuments as the Tomb of the Elephant, and the Tomb of Servilia.

Following this, our journey leads on to Córdoba, where we spend time admiring the extraordinary Cathedral.

All meals included.

After breakfast we explore Toledo on foot – a real feast for the senses. We explore the ancient mosque of Cristo de la Luz, the synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, arguably the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing, as well as the ornate synagogue of El Transito. After lunch we admire Toledo’s impressive Gothic cathedral, a 13th-century sanctuary streaming with natural light. We also enter the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco’s stupendous 1580s masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 01 | Córdoba

June 05 | Toledo - Madrid

May 31 | Seville - Córdoba

Our day starts with an excursion to Medina Azahara, the ruins of a vast Moorish palace-city which once served as the de facto capital of Muslim Spain. Returning to Córdoba, we have the afternoon free to spend as we wish. Feel the rhythms inside the Flamenco Museum, or simply watch the world go by at the Plaza de la Corredera.

Breakfast & dinner included.

This morning we have a leisurely start before heading to Madrid.

Upon arrival in the buzzing capital, we have lunch and then visit the Museo del Prado, the country’s principle museum of art.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 06 | Madrid

We journey to gorgeous Granada today, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and visit the Cartuja Granada Monastery, a charterhouse, which contains a spectacularly-decorated tabernacle.

This afternoon, we move on to view the resplendent Granada Cathedral, before taking a gentle walk around the Albaicin.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Our final full day starts with an enlightening tour of the National Archaeology Museum. Within its collections are gathered artifacts from all over the country, including the renowned Dama de Elche, the most famous piece of Iberian art in existence. The afternoon is free for us to explore Madrid at our leisure, leaving plenty of time to go wherever our curiosity takes us. We mark our last night with a delectable farewell dinner and drinks as a group.

Breakfast & dinner included.

June 03 | Granada - Toledo

June 07 | Depart Madrid

June 02 | Córdoba - Granada

We simply must devote the day to the peerless Alhambra Palace, a hilltop Moorish and Renaissance fantasy set against the backdrop of the Sierra Morena. This legendary UNESCO World Heritage site

We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 2 nights in Lisbon: 4* Bessa Hotel Liberdade

2 nights in Córdoba: 4* Parador

1 night in Évora: 4* Hotel M’ar De Ar Muralhas

1 night in Granda: 4* Hotel Vincci Albayzin

2 nights Mérida: 5* Ilunion Merida Hotel

2 nights in Toledo: 4* Pintor El Greco Hotel

4 nights in Seville: 4* Nh Plaza De Armas Hotel

2 nights in Madrid: 4* Catolonia Las Cortes

A/C Coach

Madrid Toledo Mérida

Évora Lisbon

Seville Córdoba

Granada

Portugal & Spain

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/spo

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WESTERN CHINA Relics of the Silk Road

Guaranteed Departure

19 Days | May 24 - June 11 $8,890 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,200

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The Great Wall of China

Dunhuang Mingsha Crescent Moon

BEIJING - XI’AN - JIAYUGUAN - DUNHUANG - TURPAN - URUMQI HOTAN - KASHGAR - BEIJING Over 2,000 years ago, merchants first began to use the great artery of the Silk Road for the flow of goods between China, the trading centers of Persia, the Middle East and Europe. Thus was born the legendary 4,000 mile trail that began its arduous journey through western China’s challenging terrain via the ‘caravan city’ oases of Dunhuang, Tupanm Urumqi, Hotan and Kashgar, to which increased wealth inevitably flowed.

Today’s western China remains far less developed than the east, from which it can still seem surprisingly remote, with languages and traditions of its own. It’s a land characterized by swathes of empty and breathtakingly beautiful terrain, with vistas ranging from infinite prairie pastures to formidable tracts like Xinjang’s Taklamakan desert, and the peaks of some of Asia’s highest mountains.

Our journey through these fascinating unfamiliar landscapes and cultures, offers the curious traveler insight into the region’s ancient civilizations on visits to haunting ancient ruins of sites like Jiaohe, the citadel of Gaochang, Buddhist and Confucian temples, Islamic mosques and cultural museums. All this is in contrast to a chance to enjoy Kashgar’s famously colorful Grand Sunday Bazaar, and Hotan’s night market with local Uyghur dancers.

Tour highlights Explore Bezeklik’s great Cave of 1,000 Buddhas - an amazing cave grotto complex dating from the 5th to the 14th centuries Wander the Mogao Cliff cave chapels near Dunhuang, a UNESCO world Heritage Site dating back to AD 366 Visit Jiayuguan Fort, the western starting point of the Ming Great Wall and a key pass on the ancient Silk Road Discover the archaeology among the historic ruins of Jiaohe and the citadel of Goachang near Turpan View the iconic Terracotta Warriors, a collection of sculptures depicting the armies of Qn Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/chw

Expert Scholar Prof. Craig Benjamin is an Associate Professor in the History Department at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, where he teaches courses in ancient Central and East Asian history, and on the Silk Roads. Professor Benjamin received his PhD from Macquarie University in Sydney, where he studied nomadic confederations of ancient Central Asia.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY May 24 | Beijing We arrive into the city of Beijing and transfer to our first hotel where the group will meet for the first dinner of the tour.

Dinner included.

May 25 | Beijing We start by visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Located in the heart of Beijing, here we will see various meeting rooms and walk through the Emperor’s garden to gain a greater appreciation of the nature of these structures. We have the afternoon to spend at leisure, opt to explore on your own, or to relax.

Breakfast & lunch included.

May 26 | Beijing Today we visit the iconic Great Wall of China, a sight to behold.

After lunch, we will continue to the Summer Palace of the Qing Dynasty Empress Dowager Cixi and enjoy a short cruise on Lake Kunming. We will also have the chance to see a Jade Carving Factory, offering us insight in how jade wares are created.

All meals included.

This morning, we catch a flight to Jiayuguan, known as the ‘mouth’ of China, and one of the Silk Road’s defining points. Upon our arrival we have lunch. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to the Jiayuguan fort, which was a vital area for defence along the Great Wall. There is also time to see the Gate as well as examine the exhibits housed within the nearby Great Wall Museum, which are divided into sections according to time periods and seasons.

Breakfast & lunch included.

May 30 | Jiayuguan After breakfast, we drive for around forty minutes to the fascinating Wei-Jin Tombs - often referred to as the largest subterranean art gallery in the world - and explore this site in depth. Here, we can stand before amazing murals and we will also discover artifacts at the accompanying museum. After a stop for lunch, we make our way to Yemawan Bao Yizhi, a former walled town with crumbling ruins.

Breakfast & lunch included.

May 31 | Jiayuguan - Dunhuang

This morning we fly to Xi’an, the Chinese terminus of the Silk Road.

Xi’an was the capital of China during the Han and Tang dynasties, the two ages when the world came to China. Touring in Xi’an includes a visit to the Tang Walls. Some passes of the walls were built in its early years to protect the newly-founded dynasty from hostile nomads.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Today we make our way to the city of Dunhuang, China’s front door during the period of the Silk Road. On the way, we stop to explore the Yulin Grottoes, a Buddhist cave temple site, home to 250 statues and wall paintings, dating back to the Tang Dynasty. We will also visit the ruined Tang Military Fortress. Upon arrival in Dunhuang, we visit the Shazhou night market. This is the perfect opportunity to taste some of China’s authentic delicacies, including yellow noodles, brewed bean jelly and Hu Lamb Pizza.

All meals included.

May 28 | Xi’an

June 01 | Dunhuang

May 27 | Beijing - Xi’an

We start our day with a visit to the Terracotta Reproduction Center and the famous Terracotta warriors. The statues displayed here were originally crafted to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. In the afternoon, we continue to Xi’an museum, home to an immense collection that spans over 130,000 pieces; 14,400 of which are rated at China’s highest level of cultural importance.

All meals included.

Terracotta Warriors in Xian

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May 29 | Xi’an - Jiayuguan

After a brief drive, we arrive at the Mogoa Caves - a stop that will undoubtedly be the highlight of our tour. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a complex of some 492 cave-chapels, which are home to magnificent sculptures and wall paintings. Time permitting, we will also explore the Singing Sand Dunes, where the desert meets the oasis. This area offers experiences such as Crescent Lake camel rides.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

June 02 | Dunhuang - Turpan

June 07 | Hotan - Kashgar

June 03 | Turpan

June 08 | Kashgar

This morning we visit Duhuang Museum. On display are documents, unearthed cultural relics from ancient tombs and tools. Later, we travel to Turpan and upon arrival, we have the chance to explore the excellent regional museum, and the 18th century Emin Minaret. The Minaret was built within one year and is the tallest in China.

All meals included.

Our touring today begins with a drive to Bezelik to explore the Cave of 1,000 Buddhas. Next, we visit the Flaming Cliffs and Toyuq village. After lunch, we delve into the ancient citadel of Jiaohe and explore the ruins. Finally, we travel to the ruins of Gaochang, an ancient oasis city located on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert.

All meals included.

June 04 | Turpan - Urumqi We start our day at the Turpan Karez Paradise, a museum featuring Turpan’s water management system. After, we board a train to Urumqi and upon arrival this afternoon, we tour the town and visit the Confucian Temple.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 05 | Urumqi This morning we visit Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Museum, home to a large number of cultural relics which have been discovered in the region. After pausing for lunch, we venture through Shuimogou Park home to stunning water features, and the Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar, the perfect place to pick up souvenirs.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 06 | Urumqi - Hotan A late morning flight brings us to Hotan and our stay in this oasis will be a true adventure. Touring here will include the Imam Asim Tomb, a popular pilgrimage site. If there is time this afternoon, we will also visit Rawaq Pagoda and the White Jade River. Tonight, we wander the market on the main public square.

All meals included.

**

We drive out to Melikawat ruins this morning, an archaeological site which still contains the remains of its walls, glass and pottery.

We travel back to Hotan and explore the cultural museum. We will also have the opportunity to visit either a Silk or Carpet workshop.

Tonight we take a short flight to Kashgar.

All meals included.

Today, Kashgar continues its role as a cultural crossroads, as traders still cross the borders with the former Soviet Republics and Pakistan, to trade in the local markets. We have the chance to visit the Afaq Khoja Mausoleum, one of the holiest Muslim sites in China. After, we venture through the old town of Kashgar and explore the Heytgah Mosque.

All meals included.

June 09 | Kashgar We start our day with a drive to the Three Immortals Buddhist Caves and view them from across the river. After lunch, we visit the Grand Sunday’s Bazaar, one of the largest and more colorful markets in China. We will also visit the Shipton’s Arch and then visit the livestock market. Tonight, we will have dinner as a group in the style of a banquet, bringing out the local flavor of the region.

All meals included.

June 10 | Kashgar - Bejing We leave Kashgar and catch a flight back to Beijing. The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure. Perhaps take the time to revisit your favorite sites on your own, venture to places still on your bucket list, or to just relax and unwind at the hotel. Later we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

All meals included.

June 11 | Depart Bejing We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 3 nights in Beijing: 4* Novotel Xinqiao

2 nights in Urumqi: 4* Wanda Vista Hotel

2 nights in Xi’an: 5* Swisstouches Hotel

1 night in Hotan: 4* West Lake Yin Du International

2 nights in Jiayuguan: 5* Plaza Holiday Inn Jiayuguan

3 nights in Kashgar: 5* Luxemon Qinibagh Hotel

2 nights in Dunhuang: 5* Grand Solux Hotel

1 night in Beijing: 4* Novotel Xinqiao

Urumqi Kashgar

Turpan Dunhuang Bejing

Jiayuguan Hotan Xian

2 nights in Turpan: 4* Huozhou Hotel A/C coach, train, regional flights: Xi’an - Jiayuguan, Urumqi - Hotan, Hotan - Kashgar, Kasghar - Beijing

China

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/chw

45

LITHUANIA, LATVIA & ESTONIA Along The Baltic Shores 14 Days | June 04 - 17 $5,300 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $995

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St. Nicholas’ Church, a Medieval former church in Tallinn, Estonia

Our Lady of the Sign Church in Vilnius, Lithuania

VILNIUS - PALANGA - LEIPAJA - RIGA - TALLINN A preconception that the adjoining Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are essentially similar could not be wider of the mark. While one common characteristic may be their relatively modest size, in key respects - culture, language, traditions and temperament - each has its own identity and spotting the differences can definitely add to the enjoyment of our tour.

Their three ancient coastal capitals - Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia) and Tallinn (Estonia) - are steeped in history and offer a feast of architectural appeal. Tallinn is the smallest and its picturesque Medieval Lower Town was named a UNESCO site; Riga is the largest and is notable for its array of Art Nouveau buildings; while the Baroque is pre-eminent in Vilnius, which also claims Europe’s oldest and most extensive Medieval town. In all three, labyrinths of old town lanes, cobbed stone squares and lofty church spires have been restored to new life in today’s post-Soviet era.

The Baltic States’ turbulent past of conquest and partition over the centuries is also explored on our tour through a balanced program of museum visits, ranging from Vilnius’ important Amber Museum, to the Araisi Archaeological Park in Tallinn. The Baltics also major in Medieval castles - both fairytale and ghostly - and castle connoisseurs are bound to appreciate the many examples featured throughout our vibrant and engaging itinerary.

Tour highlights Explore Lithuania’s Kernave Medieval Complex, where hillforts, settlements and burial sites show activity from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages Visit the enchanting Medieval lake castle of Trakai, whose stunning island setting hides a long and surprisingly violent history Trace the captivating story of the Amber trade, which was so important to the Baltic economies throughout the years Compare the three great cathedrals of the Baltics as we visit Vilnius, Riga and finally Tallinn

Expert Scholar Prof. John Hines is a Professor in the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University, and is a specialist in the archaeology of the early medieval period. By combining research in literature, language and archaeology, he researches the relationship between texts and objects in Viking society.

Discover Latvia’s picture-book little Medieval town of Kuldiga and its castle, and look at Grobinia Medieval castle, along with the nearby hillfort and settlement

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/bal

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY June 04 | Vilnius We arrive into Vilnius and transfer to our first hotel. We take the remainder of the day to just relax after traveling, and come together for an introductory lecture and welcome dinner later on.

Dinner included.

June 05 | Vilnius Our day begins with a walking tour of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and we make our first stop at the university campus.

From here, we go to the Amber Museum Gallery, which is a 17th century Baroque building that tells the history of the region’s amber.

At the National Museum, we view collections from Prehistoric to post-Medieval times. Next, we visit the Ducal Palace, built in the 15th century for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and we also visit several Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Breakfast & lunch included.

This morning we visit Memel Castle. Built by the Teutonic Knights, this has been the focus of extensive excavations, which may still be in progress during our visit. We also see the theater balcony where Hitler gave his famous speech in 1939 when the Memel Land was annexed to Nazi Germany. From here, we pay a visit to the Fisherman’s Ethnographic Homestead in the quaint fishing village of Nida. This village is dramatically located on the amazing sliver of white sand that marks the westernmost point of Lithuania and, while we’re here, we also tour the Neringa Museum of History and Thomas Mann’s House before returning to Palanga.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 09 | Palanga - Liepaja

This morning, we leave our hotel and drive to Trakai. Upon arrival, we visit the Karaite Ethnographic Museum, which houses an array of interesting artifacts in exhibitions that showcase the life, culture and history and the Karaite communities in the Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. Next, we walk out to the picturesque Trakai Island Castle for a tour. If the weather is kind to us, we will enjoy an optional lake cruise in the afternoon, which lasts around an hour. Afterwards, we make our return to Vilnius.

Breakfast & lunch included.

We explore the Baltic resort of Palanga this morning. Once the start of the amber trail, small pieces of this fossilized resin still regularly wash ashore here. Visit the hillfort and walk through the Botanic Garden to reach the Amber Museum, which is housed within a former palace. The museum boasts an impressive collection of amber - around 28,000 pieces - and 15,000 of these contain fragments of insects and plants. Artwork and jewelry are also on display here.

Following a stop for lunch, we cross into Latvia and spend time exploring Grobina Medieval castle, which was destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history. We also see the hillfort and the accompanying settlement area. Later on, we visit the nearby barrow cemetery.

All meals included.

June 07 | Vilnius - Palanga

June 10 | Liepaja - Riga

June 06 | Vilnius

A trip to the Kernave Medieval Complex gets our day off to a great start. Located in the valley of the River Neris, the hillforts, settlements and burial sites here show activity from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. From here, we travel on to Kaunas, a historic city located on the banks of the Nemunas River, where we explore the old town and visit the 14th century castle. The castle here was one of the first stone castles to be built in Lithuania, but it is the only one in the country with two rows of defensive walls. We continue to Palanga.

All meals included.

Riga Castle, Latvia

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June 08 | Palanga

Our day begins at the Liepaja Museum, where we admire the collections that showcase the history of this area. Archaeological artifacts and cultural objects can also be seen here. Afterwards, we drive to Kuldiga, an early member of the powerful Hanseatic League and an architectural gem whose historic buildings remain much unchanged since the 18th century. Here, we walk the narrow streets lined with well-preserved wooden buildings and visit the District Museum. In the afternoon, we journey to Riga.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

June 11 | Riga Get to know the town of Riga with an informative and scenic walking tour this morning. We view the old town, museum, cathedral and Lutheran churches in Latvia’s charming capital. The foundation stone of Riga cathedral was laid in 1211 and the tower stands at around 140 meters. Founded in 1201, the old town is a World Heritage Site. After lunch, we have the afternoon to spend how we wish. Perhaps take this opportunity to explore Riga Castle or the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, which was established in 1993.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 12 | Riga - Tallinn A fascinating morning awaits us today as we drive to the archaeological park, which is located at Araisi. Upon our arrival here, we spend some time exploring this fantastic site, which is home to an authentic replica of a 9th-10th century fortified dwelling site of the Latgallians as well as reconstructions of Stone and Bronze Age houses. We also discover the Medieval castle before making the drive to Estonia’s vibrant and surprising capital of Tallinn, which will be our next destination. This exciting European hub manages to remain peaceful, but feels lively as you wander its streets.

All meals included.

June 13 | Tallinn The chance to get better acquainted with beautiful Tallinn is ours and we begin our first full day here with a walking tour of the city.

This vibrant UNESCO World Heritage Site is a wonderfully preserved Medieval city. Today we visit St. Nicholas Church, the Town Hall, the cathedral, and also the House of the Blackheads. Later on, we take a tour of Estonia’s State Maritime Museum, which was founded in 1935 and showcases the country’s strong maritime heritage and culture.

Breakfast & lunch included.

**

trade, for example. Later, we pay a visit to Toompea Castle, a sturdy structure that sits on a hill in a central part of the city. Today, this castle houses the Parliament of Estonia and is considered the origin of the city.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 15 | Tallinn This morning we travel to Varbola, a native Estonian hillfort.

Its huge earthworks remain impressive after once defending a Prehistoric and early Medieval settlement. Next, we make our way to Koluvere Castle, a 13th century ecclesiastical fortress that was later owned by imperial Russia and built on artificial land. The checkered history of Lihula, which we visit next, involved the key players in Estonia’s history and was once a major center of the Teuonic Knight.

Breakfast & lunch included.

June 16 | Tallinn Today, we travel to the Padise Cistercian Monastery, which was founded after 1283 and whose turbulent history mirrors that of Estonia. Created after inventions by the Teutonic Knights, and encouraged by Christianising Danish kings, it survived the native revolt of St. George’s Night and became a fortified manor following the Swedish conquest. Next, it’s on to Haapsalu, here we visit its Medieval castle of the Bishopric of Osel-Wiek. Afterwards, we return to Tallinn, stopping at the atmospheric 13th century church of Ridala en route. There will be free time to pack before we enjoy our final group dinner.

All meals included.

June 17 | Depart Tallinn This morning, we transfer to the airport for our individual flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

June 14 | Tallinn In the morning, we head to the Estonia History Museum, which is housed within an old Great Guild Hall. Exhibits here share the stories of Estonia’s past and themes include wars and Medieval

Tallinn

Tour Information

Estonia

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available:

3 nights in Vilnius: 5* Radisson BLU Royal Astorija

2 nights in Riga: 4* Avalon Hotel & Conferences

2 nights in Palanga: 5* Vanagupe Hotel

5 nights in Tallinn: 4* My City Hotel

1 night in Liepaja: 5* Promenade Hotel

Araisi Liepaja Riga

Klaipeda

Palanga

Lithuania Kernave

A/C coach, lake boat

Latvia

Trakai

Vilnius

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/bal

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IRELAND

Celts, Vikings & Saints 15 Days | July 18 - August 01 $8,050 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,150

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Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin

Roundtower of Glendalough

DUBLIN - KILKENNY - KINSALE - KILLARNEY - GALWAY - SLIGO - BELFAST - DUBLIN Ireland’s serene and welcoming rural landscapes, fringed by one the most beautiful of Europe’s coastlines, are peppered with a plethora of prehistoric and historical sites, elegant country houses and unique cultural monuments.

They all fuse into a remarkably fertile and much excavated 5,000-years-old hunting-ground for the archaeologically-minded traveler looking to acquire insights into an ancient civilization of a distinctly ‘different’ kind.

Although evidence exists of earlier influences from afar (such as megalithic passage-graves that may have originated in Brittany, Portugal or Spain), until invasion and settlement by seafaring Vikings in the 9th century Ireland’s relative remoteness had largely sheltered its societies from the ceaseless turmoil previously afflicting the rest of Europe.

A major surviving legacy imprint from the long pre-Viking era is that of the Iron Age Celts, whose tradition began a thousand years earlier in central Europe and whose ancient language is still preserved here. Ireland’s other dominant cultural legacy is owed to the arrival of St Patrick and other Christian missionaries in the early 5th century - when the old indigenous pagan practices were suffused into the new religion and the rich culture of Celtic monasticism and scholarship began to blossom.

Tour highlights Follow the trail of Ireland’s past civilizations - Iron Age Celtic, Viking and early-Christian - on this all-encompassing exploration of the Emerald Isle Visit Dublin’s famous Trinity College library to admire the illuminated Book of Kells, created by Celtic monks and one of the great treasures of medieval Europe Witness breathtaking views around the Ring of Kerry, a circular tourist route located in south-west Ireland Relish in the opportunity to explore the iconic sites of Belfast, and cheers on our final night with a Guinness or two Experience the wealth of heritage and culture that Ireland has to offer on this unforgettable tour

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/ire

Expert Scholar Prof. Charles Doherty recently retired as a senior lecturer in Early Irish History at University College, Dublin.

He has written numerous articles on the cult of St. Patrick, the concept of the monastic town, the impact of Vikings upon Ireland and on the evolution of settlement in early Ireland.

Professor Doherty is looking forward to introducing us to his Ireland.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY July 18 | Dublin We arrive into Dublin and transfer to our first hotel where we will meet for dinner.

Dinner included.

July 19 | Dublin Our first morning will be dedicated to the spectacular finds exhibited in the National Museum. The museum houses artifacts from 7000 BC to the 20th century, including the largest collection of Bronze Age gold in the world. The centerpiece of the collection is the Ardagh Chalice, which dates back to 800 CE. After lunch, touring continues to some of the major monuments of the city, including Merrion Square, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the national cathedral of Ireland, and Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.

Breakfast & lunch included.

July 20 | Dublin We travel 50 miles to the green hills of County Meath and Slieve na Caillaigh, one of Ireland’s four main passage tomb sites. The impressive clusters of prehistoric cairns at this atmospheric complex are thought to date from about 3300 BC - with one of the most accessible cairns facing the rising sun at the spring and fall equinoxes, illuminating symbols carved into the back wall of the chamber. We also explore the nearby Hill of Tara, once one of early Ireland’s most venerated religious spots and the coronation place of its pre-Christian kings.

Breakfast & lunch included.

July 21 | Dublin - Kilkenny Driving south, our touring begins at Glendalough, a 6th- century monastic settlement set in a lovely glaciated valley. The monastic remains include beehive huts, grave slabs, crosses and early churches. Continuing south we stop at Old Kilkullen to view the remains of an Iron Age hill-fort, a round tower, and 9th-century crosses. At Brownshill, we find a dolmen with a capstone that is said to weigh 100 tons. If time allows, we will also see a finely sculptured 9th-century high cross and a Franciscan abbey at Castledermot.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Carrowmore megalithic cemetery near Sligo

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July 22 | Kilkenny - Cork Touring begins at the imposing Jerpoint Abbey. Built in 1160 by the King of Ossory, the ruins are renowned for the 15th-century cloister and the unique carvings in the sculptured cloister arcade.

Our next stop is the famous Cathedral known as the Rock of Cashel, stunningly situated on a 200-foot high outcrop of limestone. Once the seat of the Kings of Munster, St. Patrick visited the rock in 450 and Brian Boru was crowned the first High King of Ireland here in the 10th century. Our day ends in Cork, a historic trading port situated on the River Lee. All meals included.

July 23 | Cork - Killarney We depart for Kinsale to enjoy a morning at leisure in this Medieval town. Later, we journey to Charles Fort, a massive star-shaped structure built by Sir William Robinson in 1677, that was in continuous use until 1921. The fort was constructed on the earlier stronghold of Ringcurran Castle, whose defenses were featured during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. We then continue to the Drombeg Stone Circle, an impressive group of 14 stones dated to 100 BC and aligned to the midsummer sunset. We end our day in Killarney, which will be our home for the next two nights.

Breakfast & lunch included.

July 24 | Killarney The most famous and panoramic route in Ireland can be found exploring the Ring of Kerry. En route, take in the mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as we travel along the coastal road. During our drive, we explore Staigue Hillfort, one of the largest and finest of the stone forts in Ireland — and the Skelling Experience Heritage Center, dedicated to teaching visitors about the 6th - 12th century monastic sites and the renowned bird sanctuary which is situated on the small islands.

Breakfast & lunch included.

July 25 | Killarney - Galway Today begins with a long drive to the Clonmacnoise Monastery and upon arrival, we explore the burial place of the Kings of Connaught and Tara. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven 10th-13th

This tour has a physical rating of... century churches, two round towers and Western Europe’s largest collection of Early Christian grave slabs. Most of the ruins here have undergone comprehensive conservation works.

All meals included.

July 26 | Galway This morning we sail to the Aran Island of Inishmore, a magnificent island bearing a wealth of both pre-Christian and Christian features and monuments. Here we will visit some of the island’s spectacular sites beginning at Dun Aenghus, a dramatic dry-stone fort set on the very edge of a cliff 200 feet above the sea. Our next visit is na Seacht dTeampaill, Seven Churches complex. We have free time in Kilronan, capital of Inishmor, before boarding the ferry back to the mainland.

Breakfast & lunch included.

**

prehistory it was thought to be a place of sun worship, or the place of hibernation of Gráine, a Celtic sun-goddess. After lunch, we continue to Derry to enjoy a walking tour of one of the finest intact examples of a walled town in Europe. In AD 1613, the walls of Derry were built to protect the town from the Gaelic cheiftans in Donegal.

Rising to a height of 8m and 9m wide in some areas. Today, these walls separate two communities, the Bogside — a Catholic ghetto with its famous murals — and the Waterside, a Protestant enclave.

Breakfast included.

July 30 | Belfast

Our day will be spent at Ceide Fields, Europe’s largest Neolithic land enclosure. Bog growth has covered most of the settlement over the last 5000 years, which has helped to preserve it. Recent excavations have revealed Stone Age pottery and a well-used primitive plough.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Our day today is devoted entirely to Belfast. We will enjoy a city tour and visits include the leaning Albert Memorial Clock Tower and the Opera House, which is one of Belfast’s great landmarks.

We will also see St. Anne’s Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral; the political murals of West Belfast; and the narrow alleys known as The Entries. After lunch we will venture a few miles out of Belfast to see the last prehistoric monument of our tour, the Giant’s Ring, an impressive earthwork, 600 feet in diameter, with a megalithic chamber in the center thought to date to 3000 BC. Breakfast & lunch included.

July 28 | Sligo

July 31 | Belfast - Dublin

July 27 | Galway - Sligo

We begin our day at the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, the largest megalithic cemetery in Ireland, with over 60 passagegraves, dolmen, a large cairn and stone circles. We then continue to Drumcliff where, in addition to viewing a high cross (AD 1000) showing fine sculptures of biblical scenes, we will take a literary break to visit W.B. Yeats’s grave. Then at Creevykeel, where artifacts dated to 2500 BC have been excavated, we will see one of the finest Court Cairns in Ireland. The oldest grave dates from 3200 BC. We return to Sligo for an independent evening, perhaps wonder its natural harbor which once saw trade from Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Our last day brings us back to Dublin, with time for an afternoon at leisure. You may like to explore its great galleries, green parks or even the old Guinness factory! We enjoy our farewell dinner at one of the city’s fine restaurants.

Breakfast & dinner included.

August 01 | Depart Dublin We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

July 29 | Sligo - Belfast After breakfast, we drive to the reconstructed circular stone fort, Grianan of Aileach. Built on the site of an older hill fort, in

Tour Information

Derry Belfast

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 3 nights in Dublin: 4* The Radisson Blu Hotel

2 nights in Galway: 4* Clayton Ballybrit Hotel

1 night in Kilkenny: 4* Hibernian Hotel

2 nights in Sligo: 4* Sligo Southern Hotel

1 night in Cork: 4* Maryborough Hotel

2 nights in Belfast: 4* Maldron Hotel

2 nights in Killarney: 3* Hotel name tbc

1 night in Dublin: 4* The Gresham Hotel

Sligo

Dublin

Galway

Kilkenny Killarney

A/C Coach

Cork

Ireland

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/ire

53

PERU

Lost Cities Of The Incas 17 Days | August 23 - September 08 $7,475 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,200

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Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu

An authentic craft market in Ollantaytambo

LIMA - CHICLAYO - TRUJILLO - CASMA - YUCAY - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO - LIMA With many of its Andes peaks soaring to over 20,000ft, Peru’s spectacular rooftop world, home of the condor and llama, makes a fitting stage for a journey of discovery into this colorful South American country’s dramatic and myth-wrapped past.

Its story is an absorbing one of ancient indigenous empires, both pre-Inca (some perhaps dating back 5,000 years) and Inca, and the handful of 16th century Spanish conquistadors who vanquished them. Peru’s eventful legacy will capture the imagination of even the most seasoned traveler when confronted here with the mysteries of its wealth of archaeological and anthropological treasures – some reluctant to this day to yield the secrets of an Inca culture that had no knowledge of the wheel and left no written language or documentation.

Our tour unravels some of these enduring enigmas as we travel to excavated sites of battles, fortresses, palaces and sacred Inca temples – and, as importantly, fascinating artifact-rich museums. We travel to Peru’s colonial capital of Lima; Cusco, one-time Inca capital and oldest inhabited city in the Americas; outstanding pre-Columbian sites that include Chan Chan, Caral, Tucume, Huaca Rajada – and, of course, to iconic mountain-top Machu Picchu, the stunning Inca redoubt that remains among the greatest and most haunting archaeological discoveries of modern times.

Tour highlights Take the Vistadome train for a spectacular journey through the Urubamba River gorge to legendary Machu Picchu, discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911 Wander among the Moche pyramids, and the compounds of Chan Chan, the nearby imperial city of the Chimú, and possibly the world’s largest adobe city Explore the Incas’ Sacred Valley of the Urubamba, Pisac’s lively handicrafts market and the vast site of Pisac Discover the recently excavated city known as Caral, believed to be 5,000 years old, making it the oldest city in the Americas Visit the striking Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum near Chiclayo, amongst the largest of its kind in South America

855-247-9276| www.archaeological-tours.com/per

Expert Scholar Prof. John W.Rick is Associate Professor and Chair of Anthropological Sciences at Stanford University, Curator of Anthropological Collections, and past Director of Stanford’s Archaeology Center. His teaching concentrates on South American archaeology. For the last 13 years he has directed fieldwork at Chavín de Huántar.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY August 23 | Lima We arrive into Lima and transfer to our first hotel where we will meet for dinner.

Dinner included.

August 24 | Lima After an orientation meeting with Professor Rick, touring begins at National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru. This superb collection houses more than 100,000 artifacts spanning the entire history of human occupation in Peru. It will give us an introduction to the sites we will be visiting throughout our tour. After lunch, touring will continue to colonial Lima with visits to the area around the Plaza de Armas to see the Palacio de Gobierno, the Archbishop’s Palace and to visit the Cathedral.

Breakfast & lunch included.

August 25 | Lima - Chiclayo Our touring this morning will be to pre-Inca archaeological site and complex of Pachacamac, which was once an important ceremonial center for the Lima culture beginning at around AD 100. Here, we will examine the 1,300-year-old remains of some of the temples, pyramids and stone palaces. We will also see the reconstructed House of the Mamaconas. We then transfer to the airport for a late afternoon flight to vibrant Chiclayo, known as being one of Peru’s fastest-growing modern cities.

All meals included.

August 26 | Chiclayo Touring today will include Bosque de Pomac, a desert-thorn forest of mesquite, where excavations have revealed a fascinating sanctuary of the middle Sicán period (900-1100 AD), known as Batán Grande.

The site consists of 50 adobe pyramids, from which many of the gold objects we have seen were excavated. Archaeologists have excavated Huaca Loro, one of the five temples that form the Great Plaza.

Touring continues at Túcume, which encompasses the remains of 26 pyramids as well as many smaller structures built around 1100 AD by the Lambayeque people.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Aden Mountain at Plaza de Armas in Cusco

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August 27 | Chiclayo The day begins at the site where the Sipán tomb was discovered.

We then visit the wonderful Sicán National Museum in Ferreñafe, which documents the ancient Sicán culture. The remainder of the day will be spent at the new Royal Tombs Museum, where the fabulous artifacts from Sipán are on view.

Breakfast & lunch included.

August 28 | Chiclayo - Trujillo Our drive today takes us south along the Pan American Highway to Trujillo. We will stop en route for lunch and visits to the excavations at El Brujo, a ceremonial center for several cultures, including the Moche, and, if time allows, to Huaca Prieta, one of the oldest middens in the world.

Breakfast & lunch included.

August 29 | Trujillo Touring today will include the Moche pyramids, known as the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon, and the imperial city of the Chimú, Chan Chan. Considered to be the largest adobe city in the world, Chan Chan consists of nine compounds, each containing a platform burial mound built for the king and his treasures. They also held huge walk-in wells and rows of storerooms for the agricultural wealth of the kingdom. Within the city walls were palaces, temples, workshops, houses and gardens. Canals kept the city supplied with water. We also visit the nearby “Rainbow Temple,” known as the Huaca Dragón for its well-preserved dragon relief, and the Archaeological Museum.

Breakfast & lunch included.

August 30 | Trujillo - Casma Our scenic drive to Casma passes through the Virú Valley, famous for the 1940s Virú Valley Project, and the fishing port of Chimbote, scene of José María Arguedas’s last novel. We will visit the small Max Uhle Museum and the Initial Period site of Cerro Sechín, renowned for its unique stone carvings. Our last stop will be the early templefortress of Chankillo. We will spend the night in the village of Casma.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

August 31 | Casma - Lima This exciting day takes us to the newly excavated city known as Caral. About 120 miles north of Lima in the Supe Valley, a team headed by Peruvian archaeologist Ruth Shady Solís unearthed a city they believe to be 5,000 years old, making it the oldest city in the Americas. It would have been a thriving city at the time that Egypt’s great pyramids were being built. The archaeologists were amazed at the size and complexity of the city as they uncovered a huge staircase, pyramids, a large sunken amphitheater, residential complexes and countless artifacts. After completing our touring, we return to Lima.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 01 | Lima - Yucay After a flight to Cusco, a wonderful drive will take us into the Sacred Valley. Touring today will include the colorful Pisac market and the vast site of Pisac, which consists of three hill fortifications of exceptional masonry. It is surrounded by extensive and very well-preserved terraces.

All meals included.

September 02 | Yucay Touring today begins with Ollantaytambo, a massive Inca fortress from which the advances of Hernando Pizarro were repelled in AD 1536. It provides us with good examples of canchas, corral enclosures, and an intact irrigation system. Here too we will see how the Inca used masonry to close the valley against attack and to channel the river. Our lunch will be at the Wayra Ranch and will be accompanied by a Peruvian Paso horse show. The day ends with a visit to the Center for Traditional Textiles. This center houses a weaving cooperative, school for young girls and a shelter for women in distress.

All meals included.

September 03 | Yucay - Machi Picchu This morning we will board the Vistadome train for our spectacular journey through the Urubamba River gorge to Machu Picchu.

Unknown to all but the local villagers until 1911, Machu Picchu remains a somewhat mysterious city. Its fine stonework and extensive ornamentation suggest an important ceremonial center.

***

Why it was abandoned may never be known. Our two days here will give us ample time to explore it thoroughly from our centrally located hotel.

All meals included.

September 04 | Machi Picchu - Cusco We have the entire day at leisure to explore the wonders of Machu Picchu. The bus operates to the site at regular intervals, You may wish to spend the morning climbing the peak of Huayna Picchu. This must be booked in advance as limited number of people permitted each day. The Vistadome train departs for Cusco in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, we check in to our next hotel.

Breakfast included.

September 05 | Cusco Today we will visit the fortress or sanctuary of Sacsayhuamán, built from enormous stones fitted together with absolute precision. We continue to the ruins of Qenko, translated as “zigzag,” so named for the large rock that is completely covered with carvings and zigzag channels. Lastly, we stop at Puca Pucara (red fortress). Built from irregular shaped stoned, the site is believed to have been used as a guard post that protected access to Cusco.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 06 | Cusco We will tour the city’s highlights, including the new Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, which houses an excellent collection of material from the Larco Museum in Lima, as well as colonial paintings and wood sculpture. In the afternoon we enjoy a walking tour of the city.

Our farewell dinner will be at one of Cusco’s fine new restaurants.

All meals included.

September 07 | Cusco - Lima After a morning spent at leisure, perhaps packing or just making the most of our final full day, we fly onward to Lima.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 08 | Depart Lima We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 2 nights in Lima: 4* Jose Antonio Deluxe

2 nights in Yucay: 4* Casa Andina Premium Valle

3 nights in Chiclayo: 4* Casa Andina Select Chiclayo

1 night in Machu Picchu: 5* Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

2 nights in Trujillo: 5* Libertador Trujillo

3 nights in Cusco: 4* Casa Andina Premium Cusco

1 night in Casma: 3* El Farol Inn

1 night in Lima: 4* Jose Antonio Deluxe

Chiclayo

Trujillo

Casma

Lima Yucay

1 night in Lima: 4* Jose Antonio Deluxe A/C coach, regional flights: Lima - Chiclayo, Lima - Cusco, Cusco - Lima

Peru

Machu Pichu

Cusco

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276| www.archaeological-tours.com/per

57

SPAIN & FRANCE

In The Shadows Of Ancient Artists 15 Days | September 15 - 29 $9,940 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,750

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Incredible ancient cave art at Lascaux IV in France

Medieval stone bridge at Cahors, France

MADRID - BURGOS - SANTILLANA DEL MAR - HONDARRIBIA - PLAT GIRON - CAHORS LES EYEZIES DE TAYAC - BARJAC - MARSEILLES Memorably complemented by a trans-Pyrenean journey through the splendid scenery of northeast Spain and across southwest France, this innovative itinerary is themed around a variety of opportunities to study at first hand some of Europe’s finest cave art and, with the aid of expert interpretation, to gain a true understanding of its uniquely important cultural and historical significance.

Across their long time-span of up to some 30,000 years, these images and the methods used to create them have revealed to anthropologists many important clues into the evolution of the early human mind. The ancient subterranean caverns housing them also hold keys to other practices from an even earlier past before Neanderthals gave way to modern humans.

The Castillo cave complex in Spanish Cantabria can even boast archaeological levels 130,000 years old.

Our route through France encompasses wider time horizons on occasion as we fast-forward through encounters with eventful chapters of this region’s tumultuous history - from Viking invasions, Albigensian crusades and Santiago pilgrimages to the Hundred Years’ War and church schisms. None of these will trouble us today though, especially during a relaxing visit to the beautiful Dordogne, an area widely renowned for its outstanding cuisine and wines.

Tour highlights Discover amazing examples of the earliest forms of human creativity and expression through cave art created originating as long as 30,000 years ago View the accomplished Chauvet cave replica, the most spectacular early Homo sapiens imagery ever uncovered Explore the famous Niaux cave and the paintings of the cathedral-like Black Salon with a prehistory scholar as your guide Enjoy delicious regional cuisines and local wines - and enjoy luxurious stays in beautiful hotels See the incredible grand ceiling at the Rouffignac cave and wander the newly opened replica center, Lascaux VI

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/cav

Expert Scholar Dr. Roy Larick has worked in southwest France for more than 10 years as Associate of the Direction des Antiquités Préhistoriques d’Aquitaine.

His research has focused mainly on the role of artists during the European Upper Palaeolithic period. He is currently a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iowa.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY September 15 | Madrid We arrive into Madrid and transfer to our first hotel where we will meet for dinner.

Dinner included.

September 16 | Madrid - Burgos This morning, we enjoy a welcome lecture where our scholar introduces us to the multifaceted, millennia-old history and archaeology of this region. Afterwards, we drive to visit the ruins of Burgos Castle, the history of which stretches from Roman times to the Peninsular War. Archaeological explorations of the area around the castle have also found evidence of ancient prehistoric settlements on the hill which the ruins of the castle now sit.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome lecture, where our scholar introduces us to the multifaceted, millennia-old history and archaeology of this region.

Breakfast & dinner included.

September 17 | Burgos - Santillana Del Mar We begin at Atapuerca. The caves here hold some of the earliest evidence of Homo sapiens in Europe, with fossil and skeletal remains dating back almost one million years. A combination of archaeological excavation, DNA analysis and other scientific techniques have revealed incredible detail about the way of life of our most remote ancestors. We then head north to Cantabria, stopping for lunch at El Convento, a former Cluniac monastery.

This afternoon we visit the Monte Castillo cave complex, with archaeological levels 130,000 years old. Inside we come face-to-face with painted bison and mammoth. Our hotel for the next two nights is in the lovely town of Santillana de Mar with cobbled streets and medieval-houses aplenty.

All meals included.

September 18 | Santillana Del Mar We visit the amazing World Heritage Site of El Pindal this morning, where a beautiful horse is perfectly depicted in the cave, and both fish and mammoth representations can be seen. These are particularly notable pieces because fish are infrequently found in the Palaeolithic art of this region. From here, we continue on to Santillia Del Mar, Cantabria, Spain

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Ribadesella to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tito Bustillo, a vast alcove-rich cave and one of the most important Palaeolithic art sites in the entire world. There is also a striking new museum located in this site, which we take time to visit, too. Sealed away for millennia, ancient works of art depicting deer, moose, and horses are remarkably preserved, despite dating from up to 40,000 years ago.

All meals included.

September 19 | Santillana Del Mar - Hondarribia We enjoy a visit to the Altamira II replica cave and museum, which has excellent interpretive materials. Dating suggests that Altamira’s Great Ceiling animal assemblage was decorated 35,000 to 14,000 years ago. Farther back in deep alcoves, we see anthropomorphic masks. We then drive east along the Cantabrian coast, known for its mountain-ringed estuaries. Entering the Basque country, we visit the replica cave of Ekain. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2008, the original cave is home to engravings up to 14,000 years old. The animals depicted include horse, bison, goats and deer – often depicted in an exceptionally realistic style. We continue to our hotel, built inside a medieval fortress, which itself dates to the 10th century, complete with thick stone walls, vaulted ceilings and courtyards.

All meals included.

September 20 | Hondarribia - St. Girons We begin our ascent into the foothills of the Pyrénées, a land of cave art and striking Cathar castles. Our first stop here is Saint-Bertrand de-Comminges, which was founded on an important Gallo-Roman city of the Pyrénées. The hilltop town is best known for its Gothic cathedral, which dominates the landscape. After lunch, we continue on to the evocative Gargas cave, which is world-famous for its stenciled hand-print alcoves and fissures, drenched in red ochre. The Gargas cave has also shown evidence of occupation as bones and stone tools have been recovered there, along with the engravings of bison, ibex and aurochs.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 21 | St Girons In Niaux’s cathedral-like Black Salon, we find alcoves painted

This tour has a physical rating of... with horse, bison and ibex. Visits are conducted by flashlight, the dim light gives an even greater feeling of connection with the people who first painted these walls over 13,000 years ago and the atmosphere created will make for a memorable visit. We move onto the incomparable site of Mas-d’Azil: Carolingian abbey and crucial Protestant stronghold. As our bus tracks along the Arize River, we explore the Mas-d’Azil cave. We return to St Girons have free time to explore this charming town on the Sarlat river.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 22 | St Girons - Cahors We head northward across the Garonne Valley to Quercy – the land of spectacular caves. In Cahors, the Pont Valentré is a pilgrimage route and engineering marvel; the bridge was built in the 14th century and has no fewer than six gothic arches and three fortified towers. After lunch, we explore the immense, flowstone-laden galleries and famous decorated alcoves of Peche Merle, including the Spotted Horses and evocative human hand-prints. Described by Teyssédou as “an art gallery in a palace of nature,” Peche Merle was lost until 1922, when it was discovered (and explored in some detail) by two local teenage boys, aided and abetted by the local priestcome-archaeologist, Father Amedee Lemozi. This particular cave has been open to the public since 1926, but groups that enter have to be limited in size so as not to endanger the precious artworks with carbon dioxide produced by breathing, heat or humidity.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 23 | Cahors - Les Eyzies De Tayac We continue northward to the Santiago pilgrimage way-stop of Rocamadour. Here, cliffside chapels preserve Cluniac frescoes and the village itself can only be described as a balancing act. It is noted for its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which attracts religious visitors. In Souillac, the Byzantine Romanesque Eglise St. Marie has a rare Cluniac sculpture of Isaiah. In Cougnac, we find a small gallery boasting alcoves painted with Irish elk. We end the day at Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac, our base for the next four nights. Perched on the Vézère River cliffs, this market town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1979 and lies at the Périgord region’s center.

Breakfast & lunch

***

September 24, 25 & 26 | Les Eyzies De Tayac The following three days focus mainly on Paleolithic caves, important medieval fortifications and, of course, the most beautiful countryside. Our program includes Abri Cro-Magnon, discovered in 1868 by Louis Lartet, where famous burial finds date back some 27,000 years. We also spend time at the Upper Paleolithic rock shelter at Abri Pataud, where human remains and stone tools were recovered, and archaeologists’ techniques can be explored. During these three days, we will pay a visit to the rock shelters at La RoqueSaint Christophe, France’s most amazing example of a medieval stronghold. We enjoy a miniature train ride to view drawings of mammoth and rhino, as well as admire the incomparable Grand Ceiling at Rouffignac Cave. We also get close to Neanderthal skeletons and grave goods at the incredible National Museum of Prehistory and most excitingly, we will have an opportunity to visit the exciting new Lascaux IV replica.

Breakfast & lunch included, and dinner on 26th.

September 27 | Les Eyzies De Tayac - Barjac We leave Dordogne for a long but scenic drive east, through central France to Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. The Pont d’Arc is a natural stone arch or bridge, crossing the river Ardéche. It stands over 50m high and the river is also a very popular location among the locals for canoeing and kayaking. We make several stops en route at Figeac, Severac-leChateau, and Gorge du Tarn.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 28 | Barjac - Marseilles Our tour concludes with a visit to the Chauvet replica cave and museum. Chauvet revealed the most spectacular Paleolithic imagery, hundreds of animals of at least 13 different species including lions and hyenas. The paintings are at least 25,000 years old. After this wonderful visit, we drive to Marseilles to enjoy some free time relaxing and reminiscing about our experiences on the tour.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 29 | Depart Marseilles We transfer to the airport for our individual flights back home.

Breakfast included.

Spain & France

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 1 night in Madrid: 4* Hotel Catalonia Gran Via

1 night in Cahors: 4* Chateau Mercues

1 night in Burgos: 4* Hotel Abba Burgos

4 nights in Les Eyzies: 3* Hotel le Cetenaire

2 nights in Santillana del Mar: 3* Parador Santillana de Mar

1 night in Barjac: 4* Hotel le Mas du Terme

1 night in Hondarribia: 4* Parador Hondarribia

Les Eyzies

Barjac

Cahors Santillana del Mar

Hondarribia

St Girons

Marseille

Burgos

1 night in Marseilles: 4* Hotel La Residence Vieux Port

2 nights in St Girons: 3* Hotel Eychenne

Madrid

A/C Coach

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/cav

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SCOTLAND & ITS ISLANDS Megaliths & Mythologies 17 Days | September 23 - October 09 $8,065 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $970

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The Callanish Standing Stones during sunrise

Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeen

STORNAWAY - SKYE - OBAN - EDINBURGH - ABERDEEN - INVERNESS KIRKWALL - LERWICK - GLASGOW Amid Scotland’s highlands and islands, framed by dramatic settings of blue-hazed mountains, emerald green valleys and rugged shores, some of Europe’s most ancient standing stones, dating from the Neolithic New Stone Age and Bronze Age, continue to broadcast their voiceless message from millennia long past. One Ancient Greek philosopher even claimed they were the work of a race of giants living on the northern edge of the world. Their purpose (religious or ceremonial perhaps?) largely remains a mystery on which archaeologists can only speculate.

Our wide-ranging tour guides us through the glorious scenery of the Scottish mainland and beyond to the islands of the Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetlands in pursuit of a deeper insight into the origins and purpose of these monumental prehistoric landmarks and their historical context. We’ll encounter stone circles and megalithic tombs; remote and intricately decorated Pictish stelae; towering brochs; stone-built villages; and wild landscapes of peat-covered moors and swift-flowing burns. Equally intriguing are Iron Age remains whose warrior-like creators might feature in later Celtic mythology.

We’ll also visit excellent museums showcasing artifacts of these ancient cultures and those of the Picts, Romans and Vikings, as well as learning about Scotland’s early church and the eventful story of its clans.

Tour highlights Marvel at the impressive site of Skara Brae’s excavated stone-age village where artifacts 5,000 years old have been uncovered Pay an indulgent visit to a great Oban distillery, where we can learn how single malt whisky is produced - and, of course, we can sample a dram or two Sail the ferry to the legendary Isle of Skye, one of the most scenic and romantic of the Hebridean Islands Visit the fabled Iona island and its abbey, which is thought to be the first Christian site in all of Scotland

Expert Scholar Peter Yeoman was the Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland, with responsibility for the archaeology and the knowledge base for the estate of 345 properties in their care. He has written guidebooks for Iona Abbey, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle, and contributed to Lonely Planet’s guide to Scotland.

Take the short boat trip to the Shetlands’ Mousa Island to see the most complete of Scotland’s 500 ancient drystone roundhouses, known as brochs

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/sco

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY September 23 | Stornaway We arrive in Stornaway, on the Isle of Lewis, and transfer to our first hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax, before coming together for an introductory lecture and a welcome dinner as a group.

Dinner included.

September 24 | Stornaway Our stay here gives us an opportunity to explore some of the heather-covered moors and brightly painted villages. However, we have traveled this distance primarily to see the Stones of Callanish, which are among the most important megalithic monuments of the British Isles. The site dates from the Late Stone Age and Early Bronze Age (3000-1500 BC) and has a central cairn, which was a later addition. We will also visit Dun Carloway Broch, the Museum Nan Eilean, and other ancient and historic monuments.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 25 | Stornaway - Skye Today we take a leisurely drive to the Isle of Harris, unique in its unspoilt atmosphere and an unusual lunar landscape indented with hundreds of tiny lochs. Here, we visit St. Clement’s Church before boarding our ferry from Tarbert to Uig, located on one of the most scenic islands in the Hebrides – the Isle of Skye.

All meals included.

September 26 | Skye - Oban Our visits today include the brochs of Dun Telve and Dun Troddan.

Dun Telve, at 10 meters, and Dun Troddan are two of the bestpreserved and informative brochs in Scotland. Built by the Picts 2000 years ago, they demonstrate the defensive nature of these structures. We then travel through a landscape of craggy hills and glacial lochs on a trip considered to be one of the most scenic journeys in Scotland. We cross the Skye Bridge and continue our touring with a visit to the local Oban Distillery. Here we will learn how single malt is made and taste their smoky, peaty whiskey.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 27 | Oban We begin with a ferry from Oban via the Island of Mull to the View of Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye

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historically important Island of Iona, where St. Columba exiled from Ireland, established a monastic community in AD 563. The Columban Church had a key role in the establishment of Christianity in Scotland until Viking raids caused most of the community to move to Kells, in Ireland. We will visit the Early Christian remains and the medieval abbey and nunnery before returning to Oban.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 28 | Oban - Edinburgh An early morning drive brings us to Cairnpapple Hill. Here five phases of occupation can be seen, the earliest of the Late Neolithic period, a large burial cairn from the Bronze Age and lastly, four graves probably of the Early Iron Age. We will then visit two forts along the Roman Antonine Wall: the well-preserved Rough Castle and Kinneil, a fortlet that has been excavated and partially reconstructed. We then continue to Edinburgh for two nights at our centrally located hotel.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 29 | Edinburgh After a morning lecture, our city tour begins with Edinburgh Castle and a walk down the Royal Mile past wonderfully restored 15thand 17th-century buildings, such as the John Knox House, St. Giles’ Cathedral, and the Holyrood Abbey and Palace, official residence of the Queen when she is in town. These sites are imbued with the spirit of Mary Queen of Scots and brings the history of that period to life. We continues at the National Museum of Scotland, where we will see the fine archaeological collection, illustrating Scottish life and culture. The rest of the day will be at leisure to visit the city’s landmarks.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 30 | Edinburgh - Aberdeen Driving north, we enter the center of the Pictish kingdoms, haunted by hill forts and mysterious stone circles. Our first stop is Dunning Church, one of Scotland’s earliest surviving churches, where we see the Dupplin Cross, a 9th century monument dedicated to King Constantine found at Forteviot, a Pictish royal site and prehistoric ritual center. En route to Aberlemno, we see four Pictish stones.

This tour has a physical rating of...

At Meigle, burial place of faithless Guinevere, we see a collection of early Christian monuments. Our last stop is Dunnottar Castle, steeped in history including William Wallace and the battle against Cromwell’s army that saved the Scottish Crown Jewels and the honor of Scotland.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 01 | Aberdeen - Inverness We travel through the land of Buchan, stopping to inspect the Maiden Stone en route. At Rhynie, we see the Craw Stane as well as three other Pictish symbol stones. We continue to Inverness, stopping to visit Burghead, a Pictish fort and well with bull carvings, and at Sueno’s Stone, which is covered with mysterious symbols. Our final visit will be at Clava Cairns, built between 2500 and 2000 BC. Breakfast & lunch included.

October 02 | Inverness - Kirkwall We drive north along the coast to the ferry at Scrabster, visiting prehistoric sites en route, including the Trabat Discovery Center, a series of Pictish cross slabs at Hilton and Shandwick, The Hill o’Many Stanes - often compared to Brittany’s Carnac - and the Grey Cairns of Camster. An overnight ferry brings us over to the Orkney Islands and its quiet capital, Kirkwall, one of the earliest Norse trading centers.

All meals included.

October 03 | Kirkwall Touring continues today with the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of War during WWII. We will also visit Scapa Flow, and Iron Age Gurness, strikingly positioned beside Eynhallow Sound with views across to the island of Rousay.

Breakfast & lunch included.

**

October 05 | Kirkwall - Sea Ferry This morning we explore excavations at the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stennes, and Barnhouse. We then continue to the Stone Age settlement of Skara Brae, where excavations revealed houses with stone furnishings, tools and implements after 5,000 years of burial. Overnight, a ferry takes us to the Shetland Islands.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 06 | Sea Ferry - Lerwick Upon arrival on the Shetland Islands, we see Old Scatness, an Early Iron Age broch and village built between 400 and 200 BC. Next, we visit Jarlshof and its museum, which has a small collection of finds from the site. Later, a short boat trip brings us to the uninhabited and atmospheric island of Mousa, where we see the most complete of Scotland’s more than 500 brochs.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 07 | Lerwick Morning visits include Clickimin Broch and the prehistoric sites of Staneydale “Neolithic temple” and nearby standing stones (weather permitting). The Shetland Museum completes our touring.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 08 | Glasgow Today we fly to Glasgow where we have time at leisure to explore the city on our own. This evening we gather for our farewell dinner.

Breakfast & dinner included.

October 09 | Depart Glasgow We transfer to the Airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

October 04 | Kirkwall In Brough of Birsay, we see the remains of Pictish and Norse settlements, where Norse longhouses give a picture of early 12th-century life on the islands. We visit the Kirkwall museum before an afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast included.

Scotland

Tour Information

Lerwick

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 2 nights in Stornaway: 2* Caladh Inn

1 night in Inverness: 4* Kingsmills Hotel

1 night in Sleat: 3* Hotel Eilean Iarmain

3 nights in Kirkwall: 3* Ayre Hotel

2 nights in Oban: 3* Royal Hotel

1 night on the Sea Ferry

2 nights in Edinburgh: 4* The Principal Edinburgh George Street 1 night in Aberdeen: 4* Hilton Garden Inn

Kirkwall

Stornoway

Skye Inverness

2 nights in Lerwick: 3* Queens Hotel 1 night in Glasgow: 4* Grand Central Hotel

A/C coach, ferry Regional flight: Lerwick - Glasgow

Aberdeen Oban

Glasgow

Edinburgh

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/sco

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GREECE

Myths & Monuments

Guaranteed Departure

15 Days | September 23 - October 07 $6,090 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,300

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Misty Meteora

Ancient theater of Epidaurus, Peloponnese

ATHENS - NAFPLIO - KALAMATA - OLYMPIA - DELPHI - KALAMBAKA - THESSALONIKI In perhaps no other nation of the world does the heritage of history confront the traveler as powerfully as in Greece.

Itself heir to the great achievements of the Minoan and Mycenaean peoples of the Aegean Bronze Age, the Classical Greece of 2,500 years ago is acknowledged as the birthplace of modern Western civilization - its cultural legacy still resonant today in the fields of architecture, philosophy, science and government.

The magnificent span of its archaeology, architecture, art and antiquities is the unifying theme of this invitation to our far-ranging and insightful journey into Greece’s ancient roots.

From the iconic Acropolis, eternal symbol of Classical Athens, we travel via Corinth into the Peloponnese to the great healing center and theater at Epidaurus, dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. We explore the Bronze Age sites of fabled Mycenae and Tiryns with their echoes of Greece’s epic ‘heroic age’. At medieval Mystras we view the remains of resplendent Byzantine churches and Frankish castles and, a ‘modern’ contrast with the awesome Panhellenic sanctuaries of Olympia and Delphi to follow. We also have the incredible opportunity to learn about of Alexander the Great’s impact on the eastern Mediterranean at Pella, Vergina and Aigai, while Thessaloniki traces the fascinating transition from the pagan late-Roman era to the world of Byzantium. Rest assured, this 15-day tour will be one to remember.

Tour highlights Explore Epidaurus, home to the original Olympic Games of the Ancient World, as well as its stadium, gymnasium, wrestling school, temples and hippodrome Marvel at monasteries built atop huge columns of ancient rock pinnacles: Meteora is one of Greece’s most extraordinary sights Enjoy the many flavors of authentic traditional Greek cuisine – try rich and hearty moussaka or fragrant grilled lamb with tzatziki yoghurt sauce Discover the mountainous Peloponnese, Greece’s great southern peninsula, and land of Homer’s heroes and the great Bronze Age citadels from which they came Gaze upon the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/gre

Expert Scholar Prof. Gerald Schaus is a retired professor of archaeology and classical studies from Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada. He has a MA from Dalhousie University in Halifax, and a PhD in classical archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania, with a dissertation on the Archaic pottery from Cyrene, Libya. Prof.

Schaus has lectured for Archaeological tours in Algeria, Sicily and Greece since 2005.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY September 23 | Athens We arrive in Athens and transfer to our first hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax after our flight, before enjoying our first dinner as a group.

Dinner included.

September 24 | Athens The Acropolis is the lasting symbol of classical Athens and the Age of Pericles. Our all-day exploration of this famous site will include the Theater of Dionysus on the south slope, the Acropolis proper, with its Propylaia, Temple of the Wingless Victory, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Acropolis Museum. After a break for a typical Greek lunch, touring continues at the Areopagus and concludes with the Agora, containing the Theseion and Stoa of Attalos.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 25 | Athens Our art history lessons continue with a full morning in the National Archaeological Museum, with its unsurpassed collection of marbles and its unrivaled Mycenaean collection, including the “Gold of Mycenae,” discovered by Heinrich Schliemann. After lunch, we will tour the Kerameikos Cemetery. Of particular interest here is the Street of Tombs, begun in 394 BC and evidencing the various styles of funerary monuments used in the 4th century. Lastly, we will complete our city tour the Temple of Zeus, Arch of Hadrian and the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 26 | Athens - Nafplio We begin our tour of the Peloponnese, stopping first at Corinth, an important Greek and Roman mercantile center. This nearly impregnable acropolis is strategically situated at the crossroads that linked the ancient sea and land routes. The afternoon will be spent at Epidaurus, one of ancient Greece’s most renowned medical centers.

Its theater, which seats 14,000 spectators, is considered the best preserved in the Greek world. Our next two nights are in the seaside town of Nafplio, selected as the first capital of modern Greece.

Breakfast & lunch included.

View of Acropolis from the Areopagus Hill in Athens

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September 27 | Nafplio Today’s visits begin at the Mycenaean citadel of Tiryns, where we will explore its interesting system of fortification walls. We continue to fabled Mycenae, home of Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks against Troy, and his treacherous wife Clytemnestra. It was in the royal tombs near its famous Lion Gate that Schliemann found the treasure trove that we saw in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. This afternoon we will have leisure time to explore Nafplio’s lovely squares, or perhaps take the time to relax at a seaside café.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 28 | Nafplio - Kalamata We continue to ancient Lerna, the scene for one of the “Labors of Hercules.” Our visit will be to the “House of Tiles,” which dates from about 2200 BC. We then stop at Tegea to see its very interesting museum close to the 4th century temple of Athena Alea and continue to Mystras, a medieval city rising up along the slopes of Mt. Taygetos. We will begin our visit from the top of the mountain, stopping at the remains of Frankish castles and lavishly decorated Byzantine churches. As we stroll slowly along a lovely windings paths we will discover wonderful views at every turn.

Breakfast & lunch included.

September 29 | Kalamata - Olympia Today we tour Sparta, where finally freed from their Spartan masters, the ancient Messenians constructed a magnificent city in the 4th century BC, which has now been impressively restored by archaeologists with a well-preserved theater, grand city fountain, market area, Sanctuary of Asclepius and stadium/gymnasium. After a leisurely tour, we continue to Olympia.

All meals included.

September 30 | Olympia - Delphi Today’s touring is devoted to the Panhellenic sanctuary of Olympia, where every four years from 776 BC to 393 CE Greeks from the world over came to participate in the Olympic Games. We will visit the entire site, including the workshop of Pheidias, in which he created the Zeus, numbered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We conclude with a visit to the museum. Among its

This tour has a physical rating of... wonderful treasures is the famous Hermes by Praxiteles and the magnificent sculptures from the Temple of Zeus. Late in the day we will cross the Gulf of Corinth and continue to Delphi.

Breakfast & dinner included.

October 01 | Delphi This wonderful day will be spent exploring Delphi, the “center” of the Greek world. The ancient sanctuary is divided into three sections: Marmaria, at the lowest level, site of an iconic marble round building (Tholos), the oracular sanctuary of Apollo proper on the slopes of Mt. Parnassos and the stadium on the heights above.

After visiting each in turn, we study the rich collection of art from the site in the museum, including the renowned bronze Charioteer of Delphi and a life-size silver image of a bull.

All meals included.

October 02 | Delphi - Kalambaka A lovely mountain drive brings us to Kalambaka, from which we will visit Meteora. Its spectacular monasteries are perched precariously atop huge columns of conglomerate rock. Although hermits have occupied the caves of Meteora since the 11th century, it wasn’t until Serbs invaded in the 14th century that the first monastery was built,

by St. Athanasius. Of the twenty-four known monasteries, only four are in use today and alternate their access to tourists.

All meals included.

October 03 | Kalambaka - Thessaloniki We drive north, through the Vale of Tempe, a renowned ancient beauty spot, stopping en route at the foot of Mount Olympus to visit the ancient city of Dion and its museum. Here, Philip II celebrated his triumph after the capture of Olynthos, and Alexander made a sacrifice at the great temple before invading Persia. We then continue to Thessaloniki, Macedonia’s most important port in ancient times. Strategically located on the Via Egnatia, Thessaloniki was one of four capital cities of the late Roman Empire, and site of Galerius’ planned tomb building, the Rotunda. The re-built 20th century city now has a modern European layout.

Breakfast & lunch included.

***

October 04 | Thessaloniki This morning we proceed to the ancient city of Philippi, a mainland colony of Thassos occupied by Philip II in 356 BC. Here we shall walk on the ancient Via Egnatia, one of the great highways of the Roman Empire. It was here at Philippi that the apostle Paul founded Europe’s first Christian group and spent a tumultuous night in the city’s prison. Afterwards, we will tour the quaint Old Town of Kavala, with its Ottoman houses, ramparts and aqueducts built in the 16th century under Suleiman the Magnificent. After visiting the museum, we return to Thessaloniki with a stop at the great Lion of Amphipolis, a 4th century tomb sculpture.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 05 | Thessaloniki Today is devoted to Alexander the Great and his father, Philip. We begin by visiting the museum and site of Pella, where large pebble mosaics decorated houses. We will see floor mosaics that once embellished a spacious Hellenistic house a short distance from the royal residence of Philip of Macedon. It was here in the still inaccessible palace, where Alexander was born, that the conquest of Asia was conceived. We then continue to Vergina to visit the royal tombs of the Macedonians and their magnificent treasures displayed at the museum.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 06 | Thessaloniki Our last morning of touring begins with a leisurely visit to the city’s Archaeological Museum, which numbers among its many treasures an array of luxury vessels in precious metals, including the unparalleled Dherveni Krater. After visiting the Church of Saint Demetrius, a landmark in Byzantine art, the breath-taking Rotunda of Galerius, once a church of Ayios Georgios, and a stroll to the magnificent Roman forum area, the remainder of the day will be at leisure. This evening we will gather for our farewell dinner.

Breakfast & dinner included.

October 07 | Depart Thessaloniki We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Tour Information

Thessaloniki

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 3 nights in Athens: 4* Athenaeum Palace

2 nights in Delphi: 4* Apollonia

2 nights in Nafplio: 4* Grande Bretagne

1 night in Kalambaka: 4* Amalia Kalambaka

1 night in Kalamata: 4* Hotel Filoxenia

4 nights in Thessaloniki: 4* The Modernist

Kalamaka

Delphi Athens

1 night in Olympia: 4* Amalia Olympia

Olympia

Nafplio Mystras Sparta

A/C Coach

Greece

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/gre

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ARMENIA & GEORGIA

Colors & Contrasts Of The Caucasus 15 Days | September 30 - October 14 $4,995 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $950

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The Hellenic Temple of Garni, Armenia

The Old Quarter in Tbilisi, Georgia

YEREVAN - DILIJAN - TBILISI - BORJOMI - KUTAISI - BATUMI Suspended between the Black and Caspian Seas, where Europe meets Asia, are the spectacular mountain and steppe landscapes of the South Causcasus, home to Georgia and land-locked Armenia. From the towering snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat in Armenia to Georgia’s lush valley lowlands carpeted with ancient vineyards, their scenery alone presents drama and contrasts enough to justify a first visit to this ancient, but largely still-to-be discovered realm of the Silk Road.

For the traveler with a keen interest in antiquity and archaeology, there are even more compelling reasons to be tempted by the cultural and historical treasures offered by both countries — especially their exquisitely beautiful monasteries, cathedrals and churches. Armenia formerly adopted Christianity as the state religion in 301 (earlier than even Rome) and preserves countless monuments and masterpieces of its ancient religions past. Our tour also visits a number of the region’s most notable archaeological locations, and museums, as well as several religious UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Appealing interludes of a different kind will be offered on this tour as we visit vineyards in Georgia, one of the world’s oldest wine-making regions, and we will have the opportunity to sample their produce.

Tour highlights Admire Armenia’s delicate Graeco-Roman Temple of Garni, a unique masterpiece that is nearly 2,000 years old Enjoy the pleasure and friendly mood of Tbilisi - Georgia’s ‘city of light’ and capital, with a lively café culture Marvel at the extensive ancient rock-carved settlement of Uplistsikhe, uncovered by archaeologists and once a town of cave-houses, churches and pagan sacrifices Venture down the quaint cobbled streets of Kutaisi and explore the medieval complex of Gelati

Expert Scholar Ian Colvin is a historian and researcher at the University of Cambridge, working on the South Caucasus, Byzantium and Sasanian Iran. Alongside work for the School Classics Project, Ian is the Director of the Anglo-Georgian Archaeological Expedition, to the important site of Nokalakevi in Samegrelo.

Spend an afternoon free in the relaxing resort town of Batumi, located beside the pebbled beaches of the Black Sea

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/gaa

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY September 30 | Yerevan Upon arrival in Yerevan, we transfer to our hotel in the midst of the busting city and have time to relax after our flight. This evening we have a welcome dinner.

Dinner included.

October 01 | Yerevan This morning we take a short drive west to Echmiadzin, otherwise known as the country’s spiritual capital. Here we find the ruins of Zvarnots Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed during the Byzantine era. On site is a romantic assortment of columns and elaborate carvings, as well as remnants of structures dating back to the 7th century BC. Our next stop is Echmiadzin Cathedral, thought to have been built in AD 300 by Armenia’s patron saint, Gregory the Illuminator. The well-preserved interiors have endured a colorful, and sometimes turbulent past. Following lunch, we return to Yerevan and visit the Matenadaran, a magnificent building housing thousands of priceless books and manuscripts.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 02 | Yerevan Our first destination this morning is Geghard, a fairytale monastery rising out of the Azat River Gorge. It is home to a fascinating reliquary, within which is the spear allegedly used to wound Christ within his crucifixion. Next, we proceed down the river to the Temple of Garni. Constructed in the 1st century AD, it is believed that the temple was later converted to a summer house, only to be destroyed by an earthquake some centuries later. This afternoon we explore Yerevan’s History Museum, a national treasure boasting a vast collection of archaeological and ethnographic artifacts.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 03 | Yerevan We begin at Shengavit, an enigmatic archaeological site near Lake Yerevan. We continue on to the hilltop ruins of Erebuni Fortress, home to a long line of Urartian kings, and an important stronghold against the northern territories. Returning to Yerevan, we have free time to explore the city, or join the optional excursion to the very The Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi, Georgia

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moving Genocide Museum, which has been open since 1995.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 04 | Yerevan - Dilijan We make our way to Khor Virap this morning, a 7th century monastery stunningly located on the open plains near Mount Ararat.

Khor Virap, began life as a prison and is now used for religious ceremonies. Our next stop is Areni Cave, an early Bronze Age site beside the Arpa River, at which the oldest shoe, earliest winery, and even the oldest brain tissue have so far been discovered. After lunch, our journey takes us to Noravank. This 13th century monastery contains the ornately-carved tomb of Prince Tarsayich Orbelian.

Later today we arrive in Dilijan, an alpine spa town known to the locals as ‘Little Switzerland’.

All meals included.

October 05 | Dilijan - Tbilisi After breakfast we set out to discover Haghartsin, a complex of 10th - 13th century churches. This afternoon we visit the monasteries of Sanahin and Hagpat, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both cherished as important centers for religious learning. Traveling across the border, we end our day in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.

All meals included.

October 06 | Tbilisi Our seventh day is devoted to the sights of Tbilisi, beginning at the heights of Metekhi Church, which looms over the city from the cliffs. We continue to Sioni Cathedral, a Georgian Orthodox building dating back as far as the 5th century, with exceptionally rich medieval frescoes and interiors. The Great Synagogue welcomes us next, a 19th century building designed by Georgian Jewish migrants.

We round off the morning at Anchiskhati Basilica, the oldest extant church in the city, beloved for its weathered interiors and antique naves. We pause for lunch at a local restaurant before entering the Georgian National Museum, home to many archaeological delights.

Breakfast & lunch included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

October 07 | Tbilisi We drive north to Ikalto Monastery, a complex of monastic buildings founded in the late 6th century, including churches, living quarters and the 12th century academy. We take our lunch at a winery east of Tbilisi, for a chance to sample local vintages from one of the oldest wine-making regions in the world.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 08 | Tbilisi We start our day with a visit to the Open Air Museum of Ethnology, which will provide us with an introduction to the country’s ethnic diversity. After, we make our way to the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the country’s foremost galleries. Here we will admire works dating from the Bronze Age to the present day. This is a spectacular encounter with the skills of the Georgian masters, as well as the finds from nearby ancient burial grounds. Following lunch, we have the afternoon to spend at leisure.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 09 | Tbilisi - Borjomi This morning we discover the regal Iberian remains at ArmaztsikheBagineti, as well as an array of important religious buildings, including the hilltop Jvari Monastery. We also take in the impressive Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a site famed as the burial place of Christ’s mantle. Next, we journey to the incredible rock-carved settlement of Uplishtsikhe, a unique, expansive town of abandoned cave-houses.

Rising to prominence as a home of Kartlian kings after the Arab conquest, much of Uplishtsikhe was destroyed by Mongol invaders.

All meals included.

October 10 | Borjomi Today we visit Vardzia, an unusual cave monastery on the banks of the Kura River, within which we find a set of wall paintings dating back to the Christian Orient. In use during the Bronze Age, the caves are thought to have been abandoned during the 16th century.

Next, we journey to Rabati Castle, a fortress located in Akhaltsikhe.

All meals included.

**

October 11 | Borjomi - Kutaisi This morning we drive to Kutaisi, a city located in west Georgia and is home to the Bagrati Cathedral. Upon our arrival, we visit the medieval monastic complex of Gelati, a relic of Georgia’s Golden Age, and one of the first monasteries to be built in the country. In its heydey, Gelati was a celebrated center of learning and today, dazzling frescoes grab our full attention, as does the tomb of King David himself. Later, we explore Prometheus Cave. Discovered in 1984, this neon-lit cave boast a wonderful array of stalactites, stalagmites, petrified waterfalls, underground rivers and lakes.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 12 | Kutaisi - Batumi We begin with a drive east to Nokalakevi, where we spend the morning exploring this active archaeological site and its fortifications. Excavations here have so far revealed extensive walls and towers, burial grounds, jewelry and weapons, indicating evidence of human habitation as long ago as the 8th century. Next, we travel along the Black Sea coast to the resort town of Batumi, one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations, and our base for the last section of our trip.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 13 | Batumi The final full day of our holidays gets going at a leisurely pace, as we take in the Roman fort of Gonio-Apsaros, an archaeological site on the Chorokhi River, just north of the Turkish border. The earliest mention of Gonio comes from the writings of Pliny the Elder, and excavations continue to unearth traces if its prosperous past. We return to Batumi and have the afternoon to explore as we wish.

Tonight, we come back together as a group for our last dinner - the perfect chance to toast the success of our adventures.

All meals included.

October 14 | Depart Batumi We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available:

Kutaisi Borjomi

4 nights in Yerevan: 4* Historic hotel Yerevan by Tufenkyan 1 night in Dilijan: 4* Best western Paradise hotel Dilijan 4 nights in Tbilisi: 4* Mercure A/C coach, 4x4 vehicle

2 nights in Borjomi: 5* Borjomi Likani

Batumi

Tbilisi

1 night in Kutaisi: 3* Best Western 2 nights in Batumi: 4* World Palace

Dilijan

Yerevan

Armenia & Georgia

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/gaa

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CYPRUS, CRETE & SANTORINI Ancient Aegean Kingdoms 15 Days | October 07 - 21 $7,090 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,400

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Oia Village in Santorini

Knossos Palace in Crete

LARNACA - PAPHOS - HERAKLION - FIRA The sparkling Mediterranean waters of the Aegean, dividing mainland Greece from Turkey, were the genesis for the evolution of ancient maritime civilizations whose questing seafarers first linked ancient Greek and Roman cultures with the eastern civilizations of Anatolia and Levantine centers in Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Spending 6, 5 and 3 nights in Cyprus, Crete and Santorini respectively, our three-island odyssey unravels the complex story of these historic Aegean Kingdoms – a narrative telling of 9,000 years of history, from Neolithic villages to the Bronze Age cultures of the Minoans, Mycenaeans and Cypriotes, then on to Classical, Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras.

It’s a journey embracing a sequence of exceptional archaeological sites and museums, eloquently illuminating the enigmas and myths of these long-lost worlds. Of special note will be a trio of ancient Cypriote city-kingdoms (Kition, Amathous and Kourion), the Painted Churches in the Troödos Mountains Region (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) – and Knossos, setting of Crete’s greatest archaeological excavations and the ruins of a huge Minoan palace, possible inspiration for the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. We end on the picturesque Cyclades island of Santorini, with time to relax between visits to classical Thera and Akrotiri, the ‘Minoan Pompeii’ still emerging from its ashes.

Tour highlights Discover Gortyn and its famous 5th century stone blocks, inscribed with the laws of Classical Greece Separate history from mythology as we explore the fascinating Minoan palace complexes of Knossos and Malia Wander amid Cyprus’s Tombs of Kings at Paphos, a grand necropolis carved from the solid rock Explore Heraklion Archaeological Museum, housing the world’s greatest exhibition of Minoan artifacts - and also Nicosia’s Cyprus Museum Enjoy the Mediterranean’s friendly skies, inviting beaches and delicious local cuisines – all will enhance our quest for the secrets of these ancient civilizations

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/ccs

Expert Scholar Dr. Christina Hatzimichael Whitley is a Tutor in Greek Archaeology at the Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning.

Christina specializes in Minoan Crete and is also the co-director of the Praisos survey and excavation Project (Crete). She was born in Greece but currently lives with her family in Cardiff, and is also fluent in English.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY October 07 | Larnaca We arrive in Larnaca and transfer to our first hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax after our flight, before enjoying dinner as a group.

Dinner included.

October 08 | Larnaca After an opening lecture, we begin at the site of Kition. Originating in the Mycenaean period, Kition became a place of commercial importance for its rich metal trade. In about 900 BC, the Phoenicians established a colony here, and it later became a way station for pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. Touring includes the mosque of Umm Haram, tomb of the maternal aunt of the Prophet Muhammad, one of the holiest shrines of Islam, the superb Byzantine mosaics in Kiti Church, St. Lazarus Church and Pierides Museum.

All meals included.

October 09 | Larnaca All day is spent in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. A settlement since the Bronze Age, the city has been continuously inhabited for almost 5,000 years. Here, we visit the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, which houses the world’s most extensive collections of Cypriot archaeology. This afternoon we have free time to walk around the old town, including the well-preserved Venetian walls, built in an attempt to defend the city from Ottoman invasion.

All meals included.

October 10 | Larnaca - Paphos We begin our tour at the site of Khirokitia, an exceptionally preserved Neolithic walled village with over 60 stone roundhouses.

Afterwards, we visit Amathous’s celebrated classical city. During its long history, it served as a harbor to the Phoenicians, while under the Romans it was the capital of one of the four districts of the island. This afternoon, we drive to Kourion, one of the most important ancient sites in Cyprus. The sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, theater and baths of the acropolis command a spectacular panoramic sea view from its heights. We continue on to Petra tou Romiou, legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, before a visit to Kouklia with its famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite.

All meals included.

Mosque of Umm Haram, Cyprus

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October 11 | Paphos We drive into the beautiful Troodos Mountains to visit a wonderful series of frescoed Byzantine churches including Agios Ioannis Lampadistis, which houses a fine Pantokrator in the dome, and Panagia tou Moutoulla, one of the oldest of the Troodos churches (AD 1279). Here we will see rare frescoes of St. George and St. Christopher, both dressed in Byzantine armor.

All meals included.

October 12 | Paphos Our visit today is to the World Heritage Site of Paphos. We explore the elaborate rock-cut, so-called ‘Tombs of the Kings’ which dates from the 3rd century BC. We spend lunch within Paphos Harbor before continuing to the Archaeological Park to see the well-preserved mosaics of mythological subjects at Villa of Theseus and the nearby Roman remains of the House of Dionysos.

All meals included.

October 13 | Paphos - Heraklion After a morning at leisure, we depart for our flight to Crete.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 14 | Heraklion Our full morning will be spent at the Heraklion Museum, which houses the world’s greatest collection of Minoan artifacts from the island’s palaces, towns and villas. The rest of the day will be at leisure to explore Heraklion on our own.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 15 | Heraklion Touring begins with a trip to the world-renowned Palace of Knossos, a majestic complex erected in Greece’s Bronze Age era, and the largest Bronze Age site in the country. The intricate, multi-storeyed layout of the palace has led to its connection with numerous myths and legends, including that of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. We take in the royal quarters, with their decorated Throne Room, as well as noting the axe stands within the House of the High Priest.

We continue on to the Minoan manor house and outbuildings of Vathypetro, the surviving remnants of a settlement that stretched

This tour has a physical rating of... across three hills. Here we observe an elaborate shrine as well as a wonderfully preserved wine press – one of the oldest in the world.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Cyclades. Our two nights here offer time to explore the maze of picturesque narrow streets.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 16 | Heraklion

October 19 | Fira

We enjoy a morning at the important Greco-Roman site of Gortyn in the verdant Messara Valley, a gem of the archaeological world since its discovery in 1884. Thought to have once been populated by over 300,000 people, the site is best-known for its collection of 5th century stone blocks, inscribed with the law codes of classical Greece – the oldest and most complete example of coded ancient Greek laws ever found. We resume our adventures with the Minoans at the magnificent Palace of Phaistos. Famous finds here include thousands of documents, some inscribed with the earliest known occurrence of the still undeciphered writing of the Minoans – a script also known as ‘Linear A’. We leave the columns and courtyards of Phaistos to visit Ayia Triada, a grand but ruinous Bronze Age villa that has yielded more examples of Linear A tablets than any other site of its kind.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 17 | Heraklion Our day starts with a trip to the Palace of Malia, a huge Minoan complex just north of the Lasithi Mountains, significant not only for its size, but also its strategic port, skylights and grand facades. We then proceed to the well-preserved late Minoan town of Gournia, one of the few sites in the region to have been fully excavated. The remains of Gournia cluster around cobbled streets on the side of a hill and are crowned by the now-ruined palace. Traces of some 50 houses are in evidence here, as well as a court and cemetery. This afternoon we are treated to the picturesque ruins of Chamaizi, best known for the unique oval-shaped Middle Minoan building which is located on the summit of the hill here – the only one of its type discovered to date. The evening is free to spend at leisure, perhaps take a walk around the harbor and check out one of the local restaurants.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 18 | Heraklion - Fira

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After breakfast, we journey up winding roads to the ancient city of Thera, located on a ridge of Messavouno Mountain, some 360 meters above sea level. The site has been under excavation since 1904, and findings from the city have contributed immensely to our understanding of Minoan culture and history. We imagine the people whose lives were centered around Thera’s 800-meter long main street; who attended performances in the city’s enormous theater; and who worshipped Hermes and Heracles within the walls of the sacred grotto. We spend the afternoon in the new Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the old Archaeological Museum of Thera.

Both house a selection of dazzling wall paintings from the Minoan buildings at Akrotiri, as well as a large number of artifacts found in various island excavations. Don’t miss jugs depicting elegant birds, dating from the Middle Cycladic period of 1800 to 2000 BC, and the statue of the golden goat, discovered in Akrotiri in 1999.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 20 | Fira This morning is consumed by a visit to Akrotiri. Destroyed by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in around 1500 BC and buried in ash, the city is reminiscent of Pompeii, and has retained some impressively well-preserved houses. The drainage systems, complex buildings, and magnificent wall paintings still in place indicate a once prosperous society, with many successful trade links. We admire the delightful ‘Fresco of the Monkeys’ and the ‘House of the Ladies’, with its striking central light well. This evening we gather for a special farewell dinner as a group.

All meals included.

October 21 | Depart Fira We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

A ferry brings us to Santorini, the southernmost island of the

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available:

Santorini Cyprus

Fira Santorini

3 nights in Larnaca: 4* Lordos Beach

Paphos

3 nights in Paphos: 4* Capitol Coast Resort

Larnaca

5 nights in Herakloin: 4* Atlantic 3 nights in Fira: 5* Splendor Hotel A/C coach, ferry Flight: Paphos - Heraklion via Athens

Heraklion

Crete

Gortyn

Gournia

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/ccs

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SICILY & SOUTHERN ITALY

Classical Crossroads Of The Mediterranean 15 Days | October 13 - 27 $7,820 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,650

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Greek Theater of Taormina

Mount Vesuvius through the ruins of Pompeii

PALERMO - MARSALA - AGRIGENTO - SYRACUSE - TAORMINA - PAESTUM - NAPLES Between them, the island of Sicily, just 190 miles north of Africa, and mainland Southern Italy are home to some of the Old World’s grandest, most beautiful and certainly best-preserved Classical archaeological sites. Their wealth of historic monuments, many built on a colossal scale, commemorate the turbulent sequences of discovery, conquest, colonization and decline that successive invaders brought to an area that is today one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating cultural melting-pots.

Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens and Normans each left their mark in turn amid a legacy of columned temples, villas, aqueducts, theaters, castles and cathedrals. To this unique heritage later periods of French, Spanish and Austrian control have each added cultural influences of their own.

Under the guidance of our specialist leader the many world-class sites we will explore on our tour span Agrigento’s Greek temples, the Roman amphitheater at Syracuse, Casale’s late-Roman mosaics and (on the mainland) Paestum’s Doric temples, the especially compelling ruins of Pompeii – and many more. Our journey adds the enjoyment of travel through sunlit Mediterranean landscapes where vines and olives flourish, and enriched by the many pleasures of today’s Italy, its welcoming lifestyle and irresistible cuisine.

Tour highlights Gain intriguing insights into some of the Mediterranean’s most imposing Classical archaeological sites as well as others lesser-known but no less memorable Wander the haunting ruins of Pompeii & Herculaneum – destroyed by Mount Vesuvius 2,000 years ago and still eerily intact Relax amid the beautiful waterside settings of medieval Taormina and charming Cefalù Marvel at Reggio Calabria’s Riace Warriors – iconic life-sized Greek bronze statues rescued from the sea Enjoy scenic drives through some of Sicily’s most spectacular hill and massif scenery

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/sic

Expert Scholar Dr. Dirk Booms is curator of Roman archaeology at the British Museum. He has excavated for years across the Roman world, from Belgium to Tunisia. Dirk has most recently been involved in the excavation and reconstruction of Villa Magna, the luxurious villa retreat of emperor Marcus Aurelius. Dirk also curated the major Sicily: Culture and Conquest exhibition at the British Museum.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY October 13 | Palermo Upon arrival in beautiful Palermo, we will be greeted at the airport and transferred on to our hotel. This evening, we can enjoy our first dinner together as a group.

Dinner included.

October 14 | Palermo After a stop to see a Phoenician necropolis, we continue to picturesque Cefalù to visit its Cathedral and to stroll around its charming town before sitting down to a seaside lunch. The full afternoon is spent in Monreale, where we visit the single most important Norman monument on the island, the Cathedral and its cloisters. We then make our return to Palermo for dinner on our own in one of the city’s fantastic trattorias.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 15 | Palermo

October 17 | Marsala - Agrigento Our first stop today is the Museo del Satiro in the church of Sant’Egidio. Here we view the bronze statue known as the Dancing Satyr of Mazara del Vallo. Although it is thought to date to the 3rd or 2nd century BC, many attribute it to Praxiteles. Our touring then continues at Cusa, site of stone quarries used in the construction of the temples of Selinunte. We next visit Selinunte, the westernmost of the Hellenic colonies and a bitter rival of Segesta. It was sacked by the Carthaginians and then completely destroyed by earthquakes.

Nevertheless, the temples of Selinunte are quite magnificent. After lunch, we complete our touring at the Western Acropolis and drive on to Agrigento (ancient Akragas), founded by colonists from nearby Gela in 581 BC. All meals included.

October 18 | Agrigento

This morning, our visits begin at La Zisa, a Norman-Arab mansion housing the Museum of Islamic Art. We then continue to view Palermo Cathedral before sitting down to eat and rest at a local restaurant. After lunch, we view the magnificent Byzantine mosaics in the Cappella Palatina, one of the oldest Palermitan churches and a wonderful example of Norman-Saracenic art. Lastly, we visit the Archaeological Museum, where the Salone di Selinunte contains a fantastic array of architectural sculpture from the Greek temples of the Archaic period.

Breakfast & lunch included.

This wonderful day begins at the National Museum, with its reconstruction of the Atlas-like Telamones and outstanding collection of vases. We continue to the Oratory of Phalaris and the Hellenistic and Roman Quarters. Next we visit the temples of Akragas, a designated and deserving UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We begin with Hercules, the oldest and one of the most beautifully preserved temples of Concordia and Hera, which is dramatically set on the edge of the ridge. Crossing into the western zone of the site, we will view the remains of the largest known Doric temple, the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 16 | Palermo - Marsala

October 19 | Agrigento - Syracuse

A lovely drive through the countryside brings us to Segesta, where a pretty Doric temple and Greek theater are nestled between the mountains. Although unfinished, this temple’s 36 columns, entablature and pediment are all intact. In the afternoon, we visit the island of San Pantaleo to tour the Phoenician site of Motya. The museum houses an outstanding statue in charioteer dress dating to the 5th century BC. The day ends at the Marsala Museum, renowned for its reconstructed Phoenician ship.

All meals included.

Cappella Palatina in Palermo, Sicily

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Our day begins with a lovely drive into Sicily’s hilly interior to the Greek city of Morgantina, which was excavated by Princeton University. After lunch, we drive to the restored Roman Villa Imperiale at Casale, where fine mosaics of the Roman-African school date from the 4th century. This fabulous villa was the summer home of an important person, possibly Maximianus Herculeus, co-emperor with Diocletian. The many rooms of exquisite mosaic floors include a famous hunt scene; a scene of ten maidens in bikinis participating in gymnastics, and an array of mythological scenes. We then continue to Syracuse, settled by Corinthians in 733 BC. It was the island’s

This tour has a physical rating of...

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most powerful city for two hundred years until defeated by the Romans in 215 BC. All meals included.

extensive forest of pine, evergreen, oak and beech, which brings us to our hotel in Paestum.

Breakfast & dinner included.

October 20 | Syracuse

October 24 | Paestum - Naples

Touring this morning begins with a visit to the fine collection of Greek marbles at the Regional Museum. Afterwards, we will explore the Neapolis Archaeological Park, with its wealth of remains, including a Roman amphitheater, an enormous altar of the 3rd century BC known as the Altar of Hieron II, the “Ear of Dionysius” quarry, and a Greek theater, which once held around 15,000 people and is carved out of the living rock. Our touring continues with a walking tour in the Old City, visiting the temple of Athena, now incorporated into the Cathedral, and the Fountain of Arethuse, famed in Greek poetry.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 21 | Syracuse - Taormina We explore the Euryalus Castle, the largest military construction in the Greek world. One could imagine Archimedes standing here with one of his fabulous devices defending the fort. After our visit, we drive along the coast to the charming medieval town of Taormina, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon we will visit Taormina’s famous Greek theater. The panoramic views of the coastline and snow-capped Mt. Etna are magnificent from this beautiful 3rd century BC theater.

All meals included.

October 22 | Taormina Today will be completely at leisure to take an excursion to Mt. Etna, relax at the beach or explore this beautiful resort town.

Breakfast included.

October 23 | Taormina - Paestum We depart early for the Messina ferry to Reggio Calabria. A high point of the tour is our visit to the National Museum to view the spectacular “Riace Warriors,” found in the Ionian Sea and considered the finest bronze statues from the Greek world. We then begin a spectacular drive through the Sila Massif, covered with Italy’s most

This morning we drive to ancient Paestum to tour its well-preserved Doric temples and extensive ruins of the ancient city. We will also visit the excellent site museum, which displays an important group of tomb paintings, including the mural paintings from the “Tomb of the Diver.” This afternoon we continue north to visit Herculaneum, sister city to Pompeii, also buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

Herculaneum was a small residential town; its villas and shops are better preserved than those at Pompeii. We will then make the short drive to Naples and our well-situated hotel.

Breakfast & lunch included.

October 25 | Naples We spend today touring Pompeii, an ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD79. Over two thousand years later, the remarkably preserved villas and wall paintings are the most renowned to have survived from the Roman period. This evening we will gather for our farewell dinner.

Breakfast & dinner included.

October 26 | Naples The tour ends with a visit to the National Museum. This excellent museum is home to the Farnes collection of antiquities including the imperial-era Farnese Bull; the Farnese Hercules from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome; and a collection of remarkably preserved mosaics.

We will see the wonderful wall paintings and mosaics from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Although one could spend the whole day here, we have planned for a full afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast included.

October 27 | Depart Naples We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travel Breakfast included.

Tour Information Naples

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 3 nights in Palermo: 4* Hotel Piazza Borsa 1 night in Marsala: 5* Grand Hotel Palace 2 nights in Agrigento: 4* Hotel Kore 2 nights in Syracuse: 4* Algila’ Ortigia Charme Hotel

Pompeii Paestum

2 nights in Taormina: 4* Hotel Excelsior Palace 1 night in Paestum: 4* Hotel Savoy Beach 3 nights in Naples: 4* Hotel Renaissance

Palermo Taormina

Marsala Arigento

A/C coach, ferry

Italy

Syracuse

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/

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EGYPT

Pharaohs & Pyramids 16 Days | November 09 - 24 $6,750 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,050

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The Temple of Horus, Edfu

The river Nile near Aswan

CAIRO - LUXOR - NILE CRUISE - ASWAN - CAIRO Few of life’s great travel experiences surpass the sense of awe inspired by a first encounter with Egypt’s legendary ancient monuments and archaeological sites. No preconceptions can quite prepare the first-time visitor for their scale and grandeur, nor match the enduring impact of the story they unfold.

On our rewarding tour, discover more than ancient Egyptian images, pyramids and mummies. It will especially appeal to the traveler in search of a true understanding of a civilization whose culture and heritage had such a profound influence on the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as our own modern world. Unhurried yet comprehensive, our itinerary offers an exceptional opportunity to enjoy a memorable journey through 3,000 years of history – with your knowledgeable tour leader on hand to share their insights into the discoveries that each new day brings.

Traveling the Nile on land, water and in the air from Cairo to Abu Simbel, and visiting Egypt’s most spectacular temple and pyramid complexes, both world-famous and lesser-known, our tour also features a 5-day cruise aboard a beautifullyappointed Nile cruiser; modern and luxurious, journeying along the life-giving waters of the Nile.

Tour highlights Explore the seldom-visited pyramid complexes at Dahshur and Abusir, where the 5th-Dynasty Pharaohs built their pyramids Visit Aswan’s beautiful Philae Temple and High Dam - and the great rock temples of Abu Simbel Travel to the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Sphinx and also the fascinating Solar Boat Museum Cruise in comfort along the Nile, visiting sites that include Kom Ombo’s rare double temple

Expert Scholar Dr. Caroline Hebron is an archaeologist specializing in Ancient Egypt. She received her PhD from UCL in 2005 and is interested in Ancient Egyptian disease and medicine. Caroline works as a freelance archaeologist on projects throughout the Near East including excavations in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey.

Wander through Karnak, whose vast and sprawling complex is largely dedicated to the god, Amun

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/egy

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY November 09 | Cairo We arrive into Cairo on Saturday and transfer to our first hotel, where we will meet for dinner.

Dinner included.

November 10 | Cairo After an introductory lecture, we begin touring at Memphis, the first capital of a united Egypt, and Sakkara, its necropolis. At Sakkara, we visit the museum and tour the Step Pyramid complex of Djoser, which pre-dates the Giza pyramids and is the world’s first monumental building constructed entirely from stone. We also tour the smaller Pyramid of Teti, built for a Sixth Dynasty king, whose burial chamber is covered with pyramid texts to ensure the survival of his soul, and the mastaba tombs of the Nobles Ti and Ptahhotep.

All meals included.

November 11 | Cairo Touring begins at the only surviving representatives of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

We will also stop at the museum, where the remarkably preserved remains of the Solar Boat of Cheops are displayed.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 12 | Cairo We will spend the full morning at the Egyptian Museum, where we view the highlights of its huge collection, including the mummy room and objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun. After lunch, our first stop will be the Citadel, famed as the stronghold of Salah el-Din. The day continues with a stroll through Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of the largest souks in the Middle East, and ends with a walk through the warren of streets lined with fascinating architecture.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 13 | Cairo Today, we will trace the rapid development of the pyramids following their creation at Sakkara. At Dahshur, Snefru completed the Bent Pyramid using the lessons learned at Meydum. In the Red Pyramid, he perfected this architectural form. After lunch, we have been Sunset at Karnak Temple, Luxor

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granted a special permit to visit the site of Abusir, where most of the 5th-Dynasty Pharaohs built their pyramids.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 14 | Cairo - Luxor This morning, we fly to Luxor and transfer to our hotel, selected for its excellent location on the Corniche and within walking distance of the market, museum and some of the sites. The ancient city was built on the east bank of the Nile, while the west bank was the city of the dead, mostly reserved for tombs and funerary monuments.

We will begin our exploration with a full afternoon of touring at the magnificent sanctuary of Amun-Re at Karnak. This fascinating temple’s maze of monumental gateways, obelisks, pillared halls and subsidiary shrines is reached via an avenue lined with fantastic beasts. In the late afternoon we will visit the Luxor Museum.

All meals included.

November 15 | Luxor This morning, we will cross the Nile to visit the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. The tombs to be visited are those of Tutankhamun and others selected from the tombs open to the public today. We will also visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, at Deir el-Bahri, one of Egypt’s most spectacular monuments.

Breakfast & dinner included.

November 16 | Luxor We will return to the west bank of the Nile to visit some of the hundreds of tombs of the Nobles, spread over two square miles.

These tombs are of special interest for their naturalistic murals, which give us an intimate view of life in ancient Egypt. We will also visit the ancient village of the artisans, Deir el-Medina, one of the best-preserved town sites in Egypt. In the late afternoon, we will have a specially arranged tour of the Oriental Institute’s Chicago House, where a member of the staff will tell us about their Epigraphic Survey. Since 1924, the survey has both photographed and made line drawings of the inscriptions and reliefs at major temples and tombs at Luxor.

All meals included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

November 17 | Luxor Driving north through villages of baked-mud houses and lush cultivated lands bordering the Nile, we arrive in Dendera and visit the Temple of Hathor, goddess of love, music and wine. Although this temple was largely built in the first century BC, it occupies the site of a much older building. On the roof of the temple is a plaster cast of the famous Zodiac of Dendera (original in Paris), one of the three circular representations of the heavens found in Egypt. We continue to Luxor for an afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 18 | Luxor

dedicated equally to two gods, Horus the Elder and the crocodile god Sobek. After completing our visit, we sail on to Aswan.

All meals included.

November 21 | Aswan Our touring begins at the Quarries, where an unfinished obelisk remains embedded in its native stone. Our next visits are the High Dam and Philae, the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Isis, an incredible complex of chapels and shrines as well as the last bastion of paganism in the Byzantine Empire.

All meals included.

Our last visit to the west bank will include the Colossi of Memnon and the temples and chapels of Medinet Habu, the largest built

by Ramesses III. We will explore the Ramesseum, where the fallen statue of Ramesses II inspired Percy Bysshe Shelley’s famous poem “Ozymandias.” The morning is concluded with the rarely visited tombs of Kheruef and Ankh-Hor. Returning to the East Bank, we board a deluxe Nile Cruiser, our floating hotel for the next four nights. In the late afternoon, we will explore the Temple of Luxor, including the procession of the Opet Festival and scenes of the divine conception of Amenhotep III. All meals included.

November 22 | Aswan

November 19 | Luxor - Edfu

November 23 | Aswan - Cairo

This morning will be completely at leisure. We will have time to do some more touring, explore the local souk, hire a felucca to sail on the Nile or just relax at the pool. We have lunch on the Nile Cruiser and we sail to Edfu to dock for the night..

All meals included.

November 20 | Edfu - Aswan We begin at the Temple of Edfu this morning, a completely preserved Ptolemaic temple of the falcon god Horus. We then have several hours to enjoy the sundeck and pool, as well as the everchanging panorama of life along the Nile. In the late afternoon we arrive at Kom Ombo, often called the Acropolis of Egypt for its spectacular site overlooking the Nile. It is also unusual in being

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This morning we will disembark and transfer to our hotel. Touring begins at the Kalabsha Temple, built in the reign of Augustus on the site of an earlier sanctuary founded by Amenhotep II. The temple, which was later converted to a church, was dedicated to the Nubian god Mandulis, who was associated with Isis. In the same antiquities park, we will visit the relocated Graeco-Roman kiosk of Qertassi and the shrine of Ramesses II, from Beit el-Wali. Lastly, we visit the Nubia Museum. We transfer to our hotel and this evening we will meet for our farewell dinner.

Breakfast & dinner included.

A memorable day! We fly to Abu Simbel, where the rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and his favorite queen, Nefertari, have been saved from the rising waters of the Nile resulting from the Aswan High Dam. The temples were built to honor the deified royal pair and to awe the Nubians. That awesome feeling exists today no less than it did 3,200 years ago. An afternoon flight brings us back to Cairo.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Novevber 24 | Depart Cairo We transfer to the airport for our flights home or onward travels Breakfast included.

Tour Information Giza

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 5 nights in Cairo: 5* Marriott Mena House hotel

1 night in Aswan: 5* Movenpick hotel

4 nights in Luxor: 5* Sonesta St. George hotel

1 night in Cairo: 5* Le Meridien

Cairo

4 nights on Nile Cruiser: Deluxe

Luxor Nile Cruise Edfu

A/C coach, Nile cruiser, regional flights: Cairo - Luxor, Aswan - Abu Simbel - Cairo

EGYPT

Kom Ombo Aswan

Abu Simbel

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/egy

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MYANMAR & CAMBODIA

Burmese Empires & Khmer Kingdoms 16 Days | November 09 - 24 $7,695 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,450

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Sightseeing at the Daw Gyan pagoda complex, Myanmar

Ancient Ta Prohm Khmer Buddhist temple, Cambodia

YANGON - MANDALAY - BAGAN - INLE LAKE - PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP Myanmar and Cambodia, the former kingdoms of Mon and Khmer, embody two of South East Asia’s most ancient and intriguing cultures. Throughout their long histories, Buddhism has been a major creative source of artistic and intellectual inspiration - and still finds powerful expression today in a wealth of exotic architecture, iconography and rituals.

Our interest-filled tour focuses on the cultures that laid the early building blocks of Burmese civilization and the core role of Buddhism here in historic lands newly engaging with the outside world.

Former capital Yangon (Rangoon of old) offers a lively introduction to Myanmar’s many colors and contrasts to come in a dazzling spectrum of saffron-robed monks, resplendent pagodas, golden temples and ancient royal sites as we visit Bagan, capital of the first Burmese kingdom, and Mandalay, the last royal capital - and explore beautiful Inle Lake with its traditional stilt-houses and temples rising from the water.

Equally striking contrasts are the keynote in Cambodia en route to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap through scenes of active Buddhist monasteries, vibrant markets and spectacular palaces - culminating in the Khmer temple complex at Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. As we travel there’s every opportunity to enjoy traditional music and dance, and to discover local cuisines and unique handicrafts.

Tour highlights Uncover the historical, ethnographic and religious influences that have shaped the history of these ancient lands Marvel at the ethereal beauty of Yangon’s glorious Shwedagon Pagoda, the most important religious building in Myanmar Take a horse and cart across verdant rice fields at the deserted royal city of Ava to visit a traditional wooden monastery Spend an afternoon on Inle Lake observing the famous Intha ‘leg rowers’ and floating gardens bursting with vegetables and flowers Enjoy two wonderful days of in-depth exploration amid the huge Angkor temple and sanctuary complex

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/khm

Expert Scholar Miranda Bruce-Mitford specializes in social anthropology, Burmese language and literature, Buddhist Art and Architecture of South and Southeast Asia, and Oriental religious studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University. Miranda has lectured and given gallery talks at the British Museum, Sotheby’s and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY November 09 | Yangon We arrive in Yangon and transfer to our first hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax after our flight, before enjoying our first group dinner.

Dinner included.

November 10 | Yangon We begin our touring of Yangon, viewing the colonial buildings, and a stop at the golden chedi at Sule Pagoda. We also experience the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the glorious Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most important religious building. After lunch, choose to have free time or to join an optional walking tour of the city streets.

All meals included.

November 11 | Yangon - Mandalay A morning flight brings us to Mandalay. We begin with a comprehensive tour of the city, which includes the Mahamuni Pagoda and the Shwe-im-bin, a wooden monastery known for its lovely carving. This afternoon, we visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, where a large Buddha statue has been carved out of a single block of local marble. Next, we visit Shwenandaw Monastery, the only Royal Palace building to survive a WWII bombing, and finally Mandalay Hill.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 12 | Mandalay

November 14 | Mingun - Sagaing - Yandabo During our cruise downstream, we admire the natural beauty of the river and the life of its banks. After breakfast, those who wish to go to Sagaing can go ashore. In the afternoon, we stop at Yandabo, a village specializing in pottery making, and where the peace treaty of the First-Anglo Burmese war was signed in 1826.

All meals included.

November 15 | Bagan We enjoy the sunrise near Bagan before disembarking at Ye Kin jetty this morning. Today we visit a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples in Bagan. There include the Shewzigon Pagoda, a huge gilded temple built by King Anawrata in the early 11th century, and Gubyaukhyi, a 13th century temple with exquisite murals of the “Jataka Tales’. This afternoon, we visit four very different 11th century Mon-style temples: Nanpaya, Manuha, Nagayon and Abeyadana, with its beautifully restored Mahayana wall paintings.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 16 | Bagan

We drive south towards the former royal capital of Innwa and take a local ferry across the river to Ava, where a horse cart and driver await. Pass through the ancient city walls to visit the monastery of Maha Aungmye Bonzan and the impressive wooden monastery of Bagaya Kyaung. We spend the afternoon visiting Mandalay Palace and then Shwe Kywe Kyin Monastery in time to witness the evening prayer.

All meals included.

After an early morning carriage ride to one of the pagodas where we witness the sunrise. We then depart for Myinkaba, a village that pre-dates the founding of Bagan. Here we visit the first of two transitional temples, the Gubyaukgyi Myinkaba Temple, built in traditional Indian style, and then the Ananda Temple, famous for its 3,000 images. We stop to see the lacquer-ware being made and engraved by four different processes. Lastly, we visit the Archaeological Museum.

All meals included.

November 13 | Mandalay - Mingun

November 17 | Bagan - Inle Lake

Today we embark on a cruise on the Irrawaddy to Bagan. We stop in Mingun to visit the impressive unfinished pagoda, and the largest working bell in the world. This afternoon, we stop in a typical river Traditional fishermen at Inle Lake, Myanmar

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village before returning to the ship for dinner.

All meals included.

Driving north through villages of baked-mud houses and lush cultivated lands bordering the Nile, we arrive in Dendera and visit the Temple of Hathor, goddess of love, music and wine. Although

This tour has a physical rating of...

**

this temple was largely built in the first century BC, it occupies the site of a much older building. On the roof of the temple is a plaster cast of the famous Zodiac of Dendera (original in Paris), one of the three circular representations of the heavens found in Egypt. We continue to Luxor for an afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Siem Reap and transfer to our well- located hotel for the next four nights. Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial town of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the ancient temple ruins of the Khmer Empire.

Breakfast included.

November 18 | Inle Lake

We have ample time to allow us an in-depth exploration of the extraordinary Angkor Complex. We spend our first day touring the older temples of the Roluos Group. We will visit the city of Angkor Thom, with the many-towered Bayon Temple at its center; the adjacent city square and elephant terrace; the cremation platform; and the royal palace compound. We will also visit Prasat Kravan, with unique brick sculptures, and Eastern Mebon, guarded by elephants.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Our touring continues by boat to Nyaung Shwe, where we proceed by bus through pine forests to the former hill station and capital of Southern Shan State, Taunggyi. En route we will visit Shweyanpyay Monastery and Sulamani Pagoda before continuing (providing the road is passable) to the ancient ruins of Kak Ku Pagoda, completely surrounded by dozens of small pagodas. Later, we visit the Aythaya Estate Wine Garden. When we arrive, we have the chance to enjoy a wine-tasting with food.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 19 | Inle Lake - Phnom Penh We fly from Heho to Yangon. Upon arrival, we leave the airport for a rejuvenating lunch. Later, we transfer back to Yangon International Airport for our evening flight to Phnom Penh.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 20 | Phnom Penh This morning we take an intriguing tour of Phnom Penh’s must-see sites, beginning with a visit to The Royal Palace. This structure was constructed on the site of the Banteay Kev, a citadel built in 1813.

We venture inside the Palace’s Silver Pagoda and its surrounding compound. We continue to visit the Russian Market, also known as Psah Tuol Tom Pong. The market is very popular with the locals and has stalls selling drinks and cooked food as well as everyday household goods. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Breakfast included.

November 21 | Phnom Penh - Siem Reap A full morning will be spent at the National Museum, of Khmer Art and Archaeology, otherwise known as ‘Musee des Beaux-Arts’ or ‘Musee Albert Sarraut’. This museum is considered to be one of the finest museums of classical Cambodian art. After lunch we will fly to

November 22 | Siem Reap

November 23 | Siem Reap We start our day at Banteay Srei temple, regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. In the afternoon, we visit the most famous of all temples on the plain of Angor ­— Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks — the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world, and the surrounding moat — the ocean beyond.

All meals included.

November 24 | Depart Siem Reap This morning we visit Ta Prohm, a beautiful temple that appears to have been claimed by nature thanks to the strangler figs and kapok trees that have entwined themselves around the ruins.

Next, we head out to explore the ruins of Preah Khan, before visiting the Angkor National Museum this afternoon. We end our day by transferring to the airport for our evening flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Mandalay

Tour Information

Bagan Inle Lake

We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 2 nights in Yangon: 5* Yangon Excelsior Hotel

2 nights in Inle Lake: 4* Sanctum Inle

2 nights in Mandalay: 4* Mercure Mandalay Hill

2 nights in Phnom Penh: 4* Palace Gate Hotel

2 nights on board the Irrawaddy Cruiser: 4*

3 nights in Siem Reap: 4* Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa

2 nights in Bagan: 4* Aye Yar River View Resort

A/C coach, Aywerwaddy cruiser Flights: Yangon - Mandalay, Heho - Bagan, Heho - Yangon - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Yangon

Myanmar & Cambodia

Siem Reap

Phnom Penh

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/khm

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SOUTH INDIA Sanctuaries & Spices 20 Days | November 09 - 28 $8,295 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,880

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Stone chariot at the Vittala Temple

Traditional fishing nets in Fort Kochi, Kerala

MUMBAI - AURANGABAD - CHENNAI - TANJORE - MADURAI - PERIYA - KOCHI - MYSORE CHIKMAGALUR - HAMPI - BADAMI - BENGALURU Spanning 2,000 miles from top to bottom, Asia’s second-largest nation does nothing by halves, whether it be the colorful contrasts of its landscapes and lifestyles or the countless treasures of its historical, cultural and architectural heritage.

To travel through the south of the country is to find yourself caught in the embrace of India at its most dazzlingly exotic: a tropical India of fertile green coastlands, the craggy Deccan plateau and its rolling hills, serene coconut groves and spice plantations, lush forests and cool backwaters - and game reserves that are a haven for elephant and tiger.

Our journey explores an India enriched by the unique cultural fusion of the different dynasties, faiths and civilisations that have made their home here over two millennia. Today’s inhabitants are largely descended from indigenous Dravidians driven south by Aryan invaders of old. To them especially, beguiling South India now owes much of its flamboyant flavor – and a spectacular array of centuries-old Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Jain temple complexes, rock sculptures, monuments and haunting ruins.

To all these our tour will add opportunities to savor South India’s speciality regional cuisines, enjoy classical dance performances and discover something of the exuberant mood of modern India in the cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Mysore.

Tour highlights Explore the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site at Ellora, where over 30 ancient cave temples are carved out of solid rock Spend a relaxing afternoon at peaceful Periyar National Park – a superb spot for viewing elephants up close Go behind the scenes at a private Kathakali dance performance, one of the major forms of Indian classical dance Enjoy a day admiring the world-famous rock-cut shrines and shore temples of Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Stand before the world’s largest monolithic statue at the ancient Jain pilgrimage site of Sravanabelagola

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/ins

Expert Scholar Dr. Mehreen Chida-Razvi completed her PhD in the History of Art & Archaeology at SOAS, University of London.

Her primary research examines the history of architecture and the built environment, and she has carried out extensive fieldwork in Pakistan & India.

Mehreen also specializes in the history of Islamic art, architecture and material culture.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY November 09 | Mumbai We arrive in Mumbai and transfer directly to our hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax, before enjoying our first dinner as a group.

Dinner included.

November 10 | Mumbai - Aurangabad We spend our morning visiting the Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum and Dhobi Ghat. This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to Aurangabad, a city founded in 1610 by the popular prime minister Malik Ambar. We check in to our hotel and prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 11 | Aurangabad Today we drive to Ellora, a famed UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we find some 34 cave temples carved out of solid rock, dating from between the 5th and 13th centuries. Created by monks chiseling out over 3 million cubic feet of stone, and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, Kailasa is the world’s largest single monolithic rock excavation. We have the afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast included.

November 12 | Aurangabad - Chennai This morning we visit the Ajanta Caves. There are thirty caves, including some unfinished ones. Of the Ajanta caves, five are prayer halls and the rest are monasteries. The paintings within the cave delineate the life and teachings of Buddha, his early life as a prince surrounded by women, and the splendor of court life. In the late afternoon we fly to Mumbai and then on to Chennai.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 13 | Chennai We enjoy a morning at leisure and continue touring in the afternoon with a visit to the Government Museum, a site rich in archaeological material including the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside of Europe. We also visit Fort St George and St Mary’s Church, the oldest British building in India.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Ancient cave with animal columns in Mamallapuram

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November 14 | Chennai We drive south to Mahabalipuram, the second capital of the Pallava Kings. We spend the day visiting Pancha Rathas, a World Heritage site of rock-cut shrines and shore temples. Afterwards, we return back to our hotel in Chennai.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 15 | Chennai - Tanjore A morning flight takes us down to Tiruchirappalli. Once the seat of power in southern India, Tiruchirappalli’s recorded history goes back as far as the 3rd century BC when it was ruled by the culture-rich Chola dynasty. After lunch, we proceed to tour Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort and Srirangam temple. Even after many invasions by Mughal Kings, this temple still stands without losing its beauty and fame.

We will then continue our drive to Tanjore and check into our hotel.

All meals included.

November 16 | Tanjore - Madurai Today we visit the famous Brihadeeswarar Temple. Completed in 1010 AD, it is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture.

It is one of the largest temples in the country and is distinguished by its truly immense stone-carved tower. We will also visit the Raja Museum & Art Gallery, where we see its excellent collection of Chola bronzes. After lunch, we drive to Madurai where we visit the Meenakshi Temple to witness the nightly prayer ceremony.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 17 | Madurai Our day starts with a visit to Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a visual feast of column-flanked courtyards, cloistered archways and tranquil gardens. We then have the opportunity to revisit Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi. We have a free afternoon and then enjoy a Bharat Natyam dance performance this evening.

Breakfast included.

November 18 | Madurai - Periyar We drive to Periyar where we experience a boat ride on the Periyar Lake. The cool surroundings and panorama of tropical jungles spread

This tour has a physical rating of... across an area of 777 Sq. This wildlife sanctuary lies at an elevation of 914 to 1828 meters above sea level in the hills of Western Ghats.

Breakfast & dinner included.

November 19 | Periyar - Kochi After breakfast we continue our journey with a visit to the spice gardens around Periyar Lake – a chance to learn more about the area’s indigenous plants. We embark on a house boat for a cruise with lunch. Here we will be awed at the vast expanse of the paddy fields that surround these beautiful backwaters. After we disembark at Alleppey we drive to Kochi and check in to our hotel.

All meals included.

November 20 | Kochi We tour Kochi this morning, getting to know the country’s first ever European settlement. As part of our tour we visit Mattancherry Palace and St Francis Church. We are on our own for an afternoon at leisure, before regrouping to watch a Kathakali dance performance.

Kathakali is the second major dance form originated in Kerala and is exclusively danced by men.

Breakfast included.

November 21 | Kochi - Mysore We fly to Bengaluru and drive to Mysore, stopping at Somnathpur to visit a 13th century Hoysala temple. The exterior walls of the temple are frescoed with iconography of Hinduism and display extensive friezes of Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Purana. We continue to Mysore, the cultural capital of the state of Karnataka.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 22 | Mysore We start the day by visiting the Srirangapatnam Fort, former summer palace of Tipu Sultan. After lunch we continue to the Maharajah’s Palace, one of the largest and most splendid royal residences in India. We also visit Chamundi Hills, which houses a temple to Durga.

Breakfast & lunch included.

**

November 23 | Mysore - Chikmagalur This morning we head towards Shravanabelagola, one of the most important Jain pilgrimage centers in India. After lunch, we explore Belur, Chennakshava Temple and then continue to Halebid to visit the Hoysaleswara Temple. We end the day at Chikmagalur.

All meals included.

November 24 | Chikmagalur - Hampi Our journey take us further north to the temple town of Hampi, our base for exploring the extraordinary Vijayanagara ruins. We enjoy a free afternoon after checking in to our hotel.

All meals included.

November 25 | Hampi We continue to tour the sites of Hampi throughout the day – seeing all that we can of this treasure trove of handsome temples, majestic artwork and stunning Medieval architecture – before returning to our comfortable hotel.

All meals included.

November 26 | Hampi We proceed with a visit to the richly decorated Aihole Hindu Temples. We also visit the archaeologically significant Temples of Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is also protected under Indian law, and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. We check in to our hotel and enjoy our final afternoon at leisure. Tonight, we reunite for an unforgettable farewell dinner.

All meals included.

November 27 | Hampi - Bengaluru We end our tour with a drive to Bengaluru. Here we spend the night at an airport hotel.

Breakfast & lunch included.

November 28 | Depart Bengaluru Today we transfer to the airport for our individual flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast included.

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 1 night in Mumbai: 4* Taj Mahal Tower Wing

2 nights in Kochi: 4* Fragrant Nature

2 nights in Aurangabad: 4* Vivanta By Taj

2 nights in Mysore: 4* Radisson Blu Plaza

3 nights in Chennai: 5* Taj Coromandel 1 night in Tanjore: 4* Svatma Hotel 2 nights in Madurai: 4* The Gateway Hotel Madurai

Aurangabad Mumbai

1 night in Chikmagalur: 4* Taj Gateway

Chennai

3 nights in Hampi: 4* Nivasa Luxury Suites

Hampi Chikmagalur

1 night in Bengaluru: 4* The Windflower Prakruthi

1 night in Periyar: 4* Spice Village A/C coach, backwater cruise, regional flights: Mumbai -Aurangabad - Mumbai - Chennai Tanjore, Kochi - Bengaluru, Hubli - Bengaluru

Mysore

Bengaluru Thanjavur Madurai

Kochi

India

Periyar

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/ins

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NORTH INDIA

Maharajahs & Mughals 18 Days | December 06 - 23 $6,795 (exc. international airfare) Single Supp: $1,600

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The City Palace in Udaipur

Taj Mahal, Agra

DELHI - VARANASI - KHAJURAHO - ORCHHA - GWALIOR - AGRA - JAIPUR JODHPUR - UDAIPUR - DELHI How to encompass in one journey the complexities of the turbulent history and spectacular cultural heritage of a sub-continent’s whose exotic traditions, architecture and art all have an immensity of appeal that could justify a lifetime’s exploration?

Impossible, of course – but by its structured focus on the ancient cultures and divisions of northern India’s tumultuous past, our tour will build for you a clear picture of the infinitely diverse strands that have shaped the exotic fabric of this vast country. Carefully planned visits to many world-famous sites, monuments and leading museums bring a comprehensive understanding of the intricate cultural synthesis that has evolved between the country’s primary religious civilizations - Jain, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim.

Highlights as we travel from Delhi through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Agra and Rajasthan’s ‘Land of Kings’ include Sanchi’s fabulous stupa, the monastic excavations at Sarnath and the elaborately carved temples at Ranakpur - all illustrating the vigor of Buddhist and Jain offshoots from early Hinduism. Fascinating facets of later Hindu civilization are on display amid Khajuraho’s elaborate temples, the teeming pilgrimage center at Varanasi and, most beautiful of all, the Rajput’s fortified palaces of Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur, in striking counterpoint to Agra’s legendary Mughal masterpiece, the Taj Mahal.

Tour highlights Discover no fewer than 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the majestic Taj Mahal and Jaipur’s Amber Palace Enjoy an early morning boat trip along the sacred ‘ghats’ of the Ganges at Varanasi Explore the great palaces and fortresses of the ancient Rajasthani cities of Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur View Khajuraho’s amazing sculptures and some of the world’s finest temple carvings, known for portraying women Stay at the magical Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur, originally built as the pleasure palace of Maharajah Jagat Singh II

855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/inn

Expert Scholar Dr. Mehreen Chida-Razvi completed her PhD in the History of Art & Archaeology at SOAS, University of London.

Her primary research examines the history of architecture and the built environment, and she has carried out extensive fieldwork in Pakistan & India.

Mehreen also specializes in the history of Islamic art, architecture and material culture.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH ANTIQUITY December 06 | Delhi We arrive in Delhi and transfer to our hotel. We take the rest of the day to relax, before enjoying our first dinner as a group.

Dinner included.

December 07 | Delhi After a relaxing morning to recover from our flight, we will begin our touring with Delhi’s major Mughal sites including the exquisitely carved minaret of Qutb Minar, built by Aibak in 1199 and Humayun’s Tomb, the first tomb of the great Mughals.

Breakfast included.

December 08 | Delhi Today’s touring continues at the lovely Jama-i Masjid, decorated with polychrome stonework, and the recently restored water system, as well as the grand Lal Qila, known as the Red Fort, and Birla House, a museum dedicated to Gandi. We will spend the afternoon at the National Museum. Rich with archaeological artifacts and art from the last 5,000 years, the museum also houses Sir Aurel Stein’s collection from his travels along the Silk Road.

Breakfast & lunch included.

We continue our touring to the Eastern Temple group, including the architectural masterpiece Parsvanatha Jain temple. Its charming sculptures include a scene of a woman applying eye makeup and another removing a thorn from her foot, giving us the sense of being present at an intimate moment in their lives. After visiting the Western Temple Group, we will have an afternoon at leisure to revisit our favorite sites or relax at the swimming pool.

Breakfast & dinner included.

December 12 | Khajuraho - Orchha This morning we make our way to Orchha, which was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela king, Rudhra Pratap. This medieval city is frozen in time and space, existing even today as it must have done in the 16th and 17th centuries when it was built. In the afternoon, we visit the Jehangir Mahal, the most grandiose structure in Orchha; the Raja Mahal, another monument of historical importance and the Rai Praveen Mahal.

Breakfast & dinner included.

December 13 | Orchha - Gwalior

We fly to Varanasi and begin our touring at the remains of the monastic center at Sarnath. It was here, around 528 BC, that Buddha preached his first sermon after he had received enlightenment. We will also explore the site and its small museum, which houses India’s official symbol, the Ashoka pillar, carved with back-to-back lions.

Breakfast included.

After breakfast, we head to Gwalior, visiting Bir Singh Palace in Datia en route. This palace is one of the finest examples of domestic architecture in India. The summit is ornamented by numerous chhatris crowned with ribbed domes, while many of the ceilings are finely carved. We continue to Gwalior, established in the 8th century and named after Saint Gwalipa. Formally the capital of Madhya Bharat it was ruled by Tomar kings, the Mughals and the Marathas.

Breakfast & dinner included.

December 10 | Varanasi - Khajuraho

December 14 | Gwalior - Agra

December 09 | Delhi - Varanasi

Our day begins with a morning boat trip on the Ganges as Hindu pilgrims flock to the ghats to perform their ablutions. Next we fly to Khajuraho, where the temples of this region celebrate the joy of life and love, portraying women in all their sensuality and are considered to be the epitome of Hindu sculpture. We will also spend time at the Southern Temple Group and the Archaeological Museum.

Breakfast & dinner included.

Lahore Gate of Red Fort in Old Delhi

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December 11 | Khajuraho

We proceed with a city tour of Gwalior. The city is dominated by its hill-top fort, one of the most redoubtable in the world. After lunch we board a train to Agra, the quintessence of the grand Mughal era.

Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal, but this royal Mughal city has many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture.

Breakfast & lunch included.

This tour has a physical rating of...

December 15 | Agra

December 19 | Jodhpur

December 16 | Agra - Jaipur

December 20 | Jodhpur - Udaipur

Referred to as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is the epitome of tourism in India and is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. A symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. There are tombs of Mumtaz and Shahjahan within the mausoleum. Today’s visits also includes a visit to the Red Fort, the elegant garden mausoleum of Itimad-ud-Daulah as well as other buildings of interest for their Mughal architecture.

Breakfast included.

This morning we journey to Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state and home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. En route, we stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital in the late 16th century to commemorate the birth of his son. After using 10,000 artisans to create this Hindu-Persian masterpiece, Akbar utilized the city as his principal capital for only 15 years and eventually moved to Lahore.

Breakfast & lunch included.

December 17 | Jaipur A short drive brings us to Amber and the magnificent fort-palace that nestles on the rocky hill rising above Maota Lake. We then return to Jaipur. Our touring begins with the intricately carved marble Old City Palace built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1728, now home to the Textiles and Costumes Museum We will also visit the Jantar Mantar, and the Palace of the Winds, renowned for its delicate lattice screens.

Breakfast & lunch included.

December 18 | Jaipur - Jodhpur We drive to Jodhpur, a sandy, colorful town lying at the edge of the Thar Desert. Jodhpur is known as the “Blue City” due to the vivid blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The old city circles the fort and is bounded by a wall with several gates, however, the city has expanded greatly over the past several decades. This evening we enjoy a walking tour of the bustling market of Old Jodhpur.

Breakfast included.

**

Today we will explore some of the very colorful villages inhabited by the Bishnoi people. These interesting people are potters and weavers and are followers of a 15th-century sage whose creed focused on protecting every living thing. After lunch, we proceed with a city tour visiting Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. Mehrangarh Fort, is set on a sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. From the top of the fort, one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city to the Jaswant Thada.

Breakfast & lunch included.

A fascinating drive brings us to the exquisite temples of Ranakpur, which lie buried in a shady glen and cover a vast area. The central temple is called Chaumukha (four-faced) and is the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India. Its 29 halls are supported by 1,444 pillars, none of which are alike. Subsidiary shrines in the shape of side altars throng around in all directions, including a temple dedicated to the Sun God which displays erotic carvings.

We continue to the romantic city of Udaipur for a two-night stay.

Breakfast & lunch included.

December 21 | Udaipur We complete our touring this morning with an excursion to Nagda to visit the exquisitely carved 10th-century Hindu temples and Eklingji, a complex of 108 living temples dedicated to Shiva, patron deity of the Udaipur royal house. We then return to Udaipur to visit the palace of the Maharana Udai Singh, Jagdish Temple, heavily carved with figures of Vishnu. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. This evening we will meet for our farewell dinner.

All meals included

December 22 - 23 | Udaipur - Depart Delhi We enjoy our final morning at leisure, and later we fly to Delhi. After dinner we embark on our late night or early morning flights home or onward travel.

Breakfast & dinner included on December 22.

Tour Information We stay in selection of hotels, hand-picked by our experts, ensuring they are the best available: 3 nights in Delhi: 5* Le Meridien

2 nights in Agra: 4* Taj Gateway

1 night in Varnasi: 4* The Gateway

2 nights in Jaipur: 4* Jaipur Marriott

2 nights in Khajuraho: 4* Radisson Jass

2 nights in Jodhpur: 4* Vivanta By Taj Hari Mahal

1 night in Orchha: 4* Orchha Palace

2 nights in Udaipur: 5* Taj Lake Palace

1 night in Gwalior: 4* Taj Usha Kiran Palace A/C coach, domestic flights: Delhi - Varanasi Khajuraho, Udaipur - Delhi

Delhi Jaipur Jodhpur

Agra Gwalior Varanasi

Orchha Udaipur

Khajuraho

India

If you have any questions about this tour, please contact a member of our team today: 855-247-9276 | www.archaeological-tours.com/egy

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Your Holiday Contract

When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions. A contract will exist as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice.

Once you have received your confirmation invoice, it is your responsibility to check that the information and booking details, including the spelling of all passenger names, as stated on your invoice are correct and match the passport details. If any of the details on the confirmation invoice are incorrect, you must notify us immediately. We will pass on any additional charges incurred as a result of these details not being correct. We reserve the right to refuse to accept and/or not proceed with any booking at any time at our sole discretion. In accepting bookings for the tour, Archaeological Tours clearly stipulates that it is not liable for the faults or defaults of other companies and persons that may be used in the carrying out of the tour services; also for accidents, baggage losses, delays, strikes, political unrest, riots and acts of God and war.

How to Book

You can book now on any of the tours listed on our website or in our brochure, after enquiring either by telephone (866-740-5130) or email (info@archaeological-tours.com). We are happy to hold bookings on our tours without commitment for seven days. After this, we require a deposit to confirm your place. Payment can be made by card, bank transfer, or check (payable to Archaeological Tours). We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. There is no credit card fee for guests. We do not accept post-dated checks, nor do we keep your card details. For overseas bank transfers, all fees must be paid by the guest(s).

Deposits & Payments

A non-refundable deposit of $1,250 is required to reserve your place on tour (the amount is subject to change during periods when promotional offers are in place). Final payment for all tours is due 12 weeks prior to departure.

Not Included in the Tour Rate • International airfare and airport taxes • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond tour completion and/ or visa fees • Travel insurance • Personal expenses such as room service, meals not specified in the itinerary, beverages not on menus or not indicated by tour staff, room service, excess baggage charges, and other optional incidentals • Extra hotel nights pre- and/or post-tour • Guide Lecturer and Tour Manager gratuities are not included and should only be extended on a voluntary, individual basis.

Our Price Promise

Single Rooms

Program changes

Data Protection

It is our principle that the earlier you book, the lower the price you pay.

When we launch our new tours, our lowest prices are made available to give you the very best value for money; prices can increase as the departure date approaches.

For the majority of our tours, the program will remain exactly as described in the brochure. Occasionally we do make changes to the order or number of visits or to hotels. If we do have to make alterations, we will do our utmost to ensure that these are for the benefit of our guests. We will inform guests in advance of any changes.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that all travelers are covered by comprehensive travel insurance and do not travel against medical advice. You should organize insurance immediately when you book, to ensure you have coverage against possible cancellation charges, medical treatment and repatriation.

Cancellation by you

In the event you must cancel a tour, we must receive your intent in writing, either by email or letter. The amount retained by Archaeological Tours will vary dependent on the amount of time between Archaeological Tours receiving your notice and the beginning of the tour, as detailed here.

Retained by Archeological Tours:

• • • • • •

Up to 84 days before: Deposit amount 83–63 days before: 35% of tour cost 62–42 days before: 55% of tour cost 41–21 days before: 75% of tour cost • 20 days or fewer before: 100% of tour cost.

Penalties are also levied on the single supplement. Insurance is strongly recommended.

Cancellation by us

In the event that we cancel your tour prior to the date of departure, occurring either due to low passenger numbers or major logistical barriers to operation, you will have the option to transfer to an alternative tour (and pay/receive a refund/credit in respect of any price difference) or accept a full refund of all monies paid.

The Tour Rate Includes • • • •

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airport and first and last group hotels 4*–5* accommodation or best available Meals as specified in the itinerary Entrances to all sites listed Recommended reading list, study book, participant list, hotel list, country information, joining instructions, luggage labels, baggage straps • One checked suitcase and one carry-on bag that will fit under your seat. Size and weight allowances can vary dependent on destination • All appropriate gratuities to site guides, drivers, waiters and porters • • • •

Expert Guide Lecturer Tour Manager Transportation as indicated in the itinerary.

Arrival and departure transfers between the nearest international

For those traveling alone but who prefer to share with another, we will endeavor to work out congenial rooming arrangements. If a single room must be assigned due to the roommate’s canceling or incompatibility, or for any other reason, even if at the last moment or while on tour, the single supplement or prorate thereof must be collected.

To process your booking and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we need to use the information you provide (such as name, address, passport information, email address, mobile number any special needs/dietary requirements, etc.).

Any such personal data that you provide will be held securely and for the purpose you have provided it, in accordance with both the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679.

We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information. We must pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements such as airlines, hotels, transport companies, etc. We will not however, pass any information on to any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. In making a booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons only.

We may need to disclose personal data to a third party within countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for the purpose of providing your holiday. Controls on data protection in your destination may not be as stringent as in the UK. In addition, your data may be disclosed to regulatory bodies or public authorities such as customs or immigration for the purposes of monitoring and/or enforcing compliance with any regulatory rules/codes.

We will only send you information about special offers, brochures, new holidays and competitions if you have ‘opted in’ to receive news from Archaeological Tours. If you do not wish to receive this information, you can use the ‘unsubscribe’ function at the bottom of any email communication or just let us know.

For full details of how we may use your personal information and your rights in relation to your personal information, please see our see our Privacy Policy on our website: https://www.archaeological-tours.com/privacy/ By booking online, or over the phone, you are stating that you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. A copy of which can be found here: https://www.archaeological-tours.com/privacy/ A copy can also be requested and supplied via email during the booking process.

We are Archaeological Tours, 271 Madison Avenue, Suite 904, New York, NY 10016.

Full Booking Conditions are available on our website: www.archaeological-tours.com/booking-conditions/ or call our Sales team: 855-247-9276

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archaeological tours

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Browse our full range of 2019 departures here Japan: Temples, Treasures & Traditions

March 22 - April 06

Scotland: Megaliths & Mythologies September 23 - October 09

Tunisia & Morocco: From the Phoenicians to the Berbers

Armenia & Georgia: Colors & Contrasts of the Caucasus

March 25 - April 08

September 30 - October 14

Malta, Sardinia & Corsica: An Odyssey of Islands

Cyprus, Crete & Santorini: Ancient Aegean Kingdoms October 07 - 21

Japan ‘Lite’: Power & Spirituality in Nara & Kyoto

Ethiopia: Ancient Kingdoms & Legends October 08 - 23

April 04 - 18 April 06 - 13

Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan: In the Footsteps of

Traders

April 17 - May 05

Sicily & Southern Italy: Classical Crossroads of the

Mediterranean

October 13 - 27

Portugal & Spain: Iberian Empires of Antiquity May 22 - June 07

Italy ‘Lite’: Essential Rome October 27 - 31

Western China: Relics of the Silk Route May 24 - June 11

Jordan ‘Lite’: Jordan & Beyond November 03 - 09

Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia: Along the Baltic Shores June 04 - 17

Vietnam ‘Lite’: Northern and Central Cultural Delights November 03 - 09

Ireland: Celts, Vikings & Saints July 18 - August 01

Egypt: Pharaohs & Pyramids November 09 - 24

Peru: Lost Cities of the Incas August 23 - September 08

Myanmar & Cambodia: Burmese Empires & Khmer

Chile ‘Lite’: Easter Island September 08 - 14 Spain & France: In the Shadows of Ancient Artists September 15 - 29 Greece: Myths & Monuments September 23 - October 07

Kingdoms

November 09 - 24 Southern India: Sanctuaries & Spices November 09 - 28 Sudan: Kushite Kings of the Nile November 30 - December 14 Northern India: Maharajahs & Mughals December 06 - 23

JOIN US IN 2020 IN CENTRAL MEXICO Mesoamerican mysteries await from vibrant Mexico City to the archaeologically rich ancient city of Teotihuacan, and from the UNESCO-listed destination of Oaxaca to Poza Rica.Journey back through the ages with us in Central Mexico from January 11th - 24th, 2020.

To secure your place on this exciting departure or to find out more about the tour, call our friendly team today on: 100

855-247-9276