Andante Travels Offers Privileged Access to the Great Sites of the Ancient World
From Michelangelo’s stunning and revered Sistine Chapel to the magnificent storerooms in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage museum, from Cambodia’s Angkor Wat to the Great Pyramid of Giza some of the world’s most revered sites are often the most crowded…until now…
Specialist archaeological tour operator, Andante Travels gets behind the scenes and offers guests a privileged view and private access to some of the truly great sites, monuments and museums in the world. Guests are invited to join experts in archaeology, history and art for the rare opportunity to explore and contemplate some of the world’s most fascinating and often, the most congested iconic sites, without the throngs of tourists.
Beginning in 2015, these 10 tours offer privileged access to special sites that are virtually impossible to gain entrance exclusively as an independent traveller. Guests can join Andante for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime view of the past, enhanced by the wisdom and knowledge of an on-hand expert.
Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome with Dr Eireann Marshall and Professor Alastair Small. Fall in love with one of the most charismatic cities of the world—from the grand monuments to the more intimate historic center to Michelangelo’s soaring masterpiece, viewed without the usual accompaniment of heaving crowds. On this holiday, private access has been arranged for an exclusive evening visit to the Sistine Chapel. 9 – 14 March and 19 – 24 October. This 6 day (5 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel and airport transfers, select meals with wine, entries and tips, field notes, and 5 nights in a charming hotel housed in a Patrician building and run by the same family since 1898. Land only arrangements available.
The Great Pyramid and Cairo Museum at Giza with Lucia Gahlin and Dr. Angus Graham. Experience special access inside the Great Pyramid and out of hours at Cairo Museum, making this a very privileged introduction to the long vanished Kingdoms along the Nile. 23 January – 7 February and 25 September – 10 October. This 16 day (15 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, meals, entries & tips, and hand-picked 4 & 5* hotels. Land only arrangements available.
The British School at Knossos, Crete with Sandy MacGillivray and Dr. Christina Hatzimichael Whitley. Beginning on the island of Santorini, trace the story of the Minoans back to the British School at Knossos in Crete, and discover how their writing, organisation and ambition had a profound influence on the development of ancient Greece, and thus the western world. 21 – 28 April, 19 – 26 May, 15 – 22 September, and 13 – 20 October. This 8 day (7 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel including boats and catamarans, all meals, entries and tips, field notes, and hand-picked 4* hotels. Land only arrangements available.
Stonehenge and Avebury, The Story of Wessex with Julian Richards and Mark Corney. Walk inside the great stone settings and enjoy a privileged encounter with this iconic monument, which has graced the British landscape for over 4000 years. 22 – 24 May and 11 – 13 September. This 3 day (2 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, all meals and wine with dinner, entries and tips, field notes, and 2 nights in the simple but charming accommodation in Sarum College, located in Salisbury’s historic Cathedral Close.
Venice at New Year – St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with Dr. Jane Stevens Crawshaw. From Venice’s great churches, to palaces and museums, to the lesser-known archaeological remains that are still being uncovered, this exclusive tour offers rare insight into one of Italy’s most splendid cities. 28 December 2014 – 2 January 2015. This 7 day (6 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, all meals and wine with dinner, entries and tips, field notes, and 6 nights in a comfortable 4* hotel in the heart of historic Venice. Land only arrangements available.
The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg with John Oxley. Explore the legacy of St. Petersburg—a baroque fantasy of palaces and cathedrals, characterised by its elegant and extravagant architecture. 25 September – 1 October. This 7 day (6 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, meals, entries & tips, and 6 nights in a grand, historic hotel in the centre of St. Petersburg. Land only arrangements available
Dordogne Caves, Prehistoric Cave Art with Dr. Paul Bahn and Dr. Iain Morley. Narrated by experts in rock art and Paleolithic archaeology, this tour offers special entry to some of the world-famous rock-art sites—taking guests as close as it is possible to get to the lives of our remotest Ice Age ancestors. 11 – 18 May and 7 – 14 September. This 8 day (7 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, meals and wine with dinner, entries & tips, and hand-picked 4* hotels. Land only arrangements available.
Roman Butrint in Albania with Oliver Gilkes. Visit sites from throughout Albania’s history, travelling from the shores of the Adriatic to high up in the mountains, tracing the many civilisations who have made their mark on these lands. 17 – 25 April and 9 – 17 October. This 9 day (8 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, meals and wine with dinner, entries & tips, and hand-picked 4* hotels. Land only arrangements available.
Galisteo Basin – Native American Pueblos with Dr. Stephen Lekson. Explore the remains of an ancestral civilisation—one that flourished between AD 600 and 1300, and continues today in the Pueblos of New Mexico and Arizona. 19 – 31 October. This 13 day (12 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, meals, entries & tips, and hand-picked 4* hotels. Land only arrangements available.
Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Vietnam with Dr. Peter Sharrock and Dr. Damian Evans. Explore the heartlands of each country, enjoying the lavish monuments, imperial cities and trading ports of the central coast of Vietnam, followed by six nights in Siem Reap to allow a thorough exploration of the extensive ruins. 30 October – 11 November. This 13 day (12 night) tour includes a professional tour manager, local travel, meals, entries & tips, and hand-picked 4* hotels. Land only arrangements available.
Visit: www.andantetravels.co.uk, or call +44 (0) 1722 713800 for more information.
