History’s Greatest Civilisations: Andante Travels launches ‘Meet the past’

The ancient Egyptians assembled the pyramids; the ancient Greeks introduced the original form of democracy ; the Romans conquered nearly 3km2 of land; Machu Picchu was the handiwork of the Incas and without the Vikings, we wouldn’t get ‘angry’, go ‘berserk’ or be ‘dirty’ – these are prime examples of just some of the legacies and achievements of history’s greatest civilisations…

This July, specialist archaeological travel company Andante Travels is launching a brand new type of tour: 'Meet the past' Vibrant, fresh and comprehensive, the ten new tours will allow guests the chance to get under the skin of each civilisation, from the foundation of their being to their final dying lament.

The 15 new tours, running from 2014 and featuring guides who are some of the top academics from the archaeological world, include: The Romans, The Ancient Egyptians, The People of Pompeii, The Citizens of Constantinople, The Ancient Greeks, The Ice Age Artists of the Dordogne, The Western Front, The Vikings and The Nazca and the Inca.
 

Each tour has been carefully constructed to introduce each civilisation in its entirety, with a specially selected itinerary to include sites and monuments which best narrate the story. The need for any prior knowledge of the history is negated - each day, a new part of this story will unfold. All that is required is an enquiring mind and the thirst to know more about how these civilisations shaped our world.

Deputy Director Denise Allen commented: “We have designed these tours to encompass the whole life-cycle of a civilisation: birth, flourishing, peak, decline and fall. Each tells a story that is comprehensive and intimate: covering the grand sweep of empires, as well as the poignant everyday revelations about real people.”
 

‘Meet the Past’ tours may have stepped away slightly from the more archaeologically demanding tours the company have operated in the past, but still offer all the quality and integrity of a usual Andante tour. The new tours are led by the most respected and exciting archaeologists and academics in Britain today. No other company has a more specialised or highly qualified team and lecturers include Dr Neil Faulkner FSA and leading academic Paul Bahn in the mix.

Ian Finlay, CEO explained: “We are aiming to provide the same excellent standard of tour we have for 28 years. We have guide lecturers at the top of their field to provide structured academic content, use experienced tour managers, choose hand-picked hotels and can guarantee like-minded guests with whom to share the experiences. The difference between the ‘Meet the Past’ tours and our standard ‘Travels in Archaeology’ is the emphasis on the thorough introduction - or to put it another way, complete overview - to the period in question; a truly comprehensive way of meeting the people and places from our history, yet still in Andante’s friendly and relaxed fashion.”

Tour Dates: Meet The Romans with Gillian Shepherd, John Shepherd, Dr Neil Faulkner, 13 - 21 January; 13-21 April; 6 - 14 October 2014. The 9 day (8 nights) tour starts from £2,375 per person including scheduled flights, accommodation in 2 stylish hotels in Rome and Naples, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals except two lunches plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £2,165.
Meet The Ancient Egyptians with Lucia Gahlin, 8 - 17 February; 18 - 27 October 2014 The 10 day (9 nights) tour starts from £2,995 per person including scheduled and domestic flights, accommodation in 2 excellent hotels in Giza and Luxor, private local transfers, deluxe cruise boat trip, Guide lecturer, all meals plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £2,445.

Meet The People of Pompeii with Alan French, Dr Neil Faulkner, Alastair Small, John Shepherd, Tony O’Connor, Tony Wilmott, Valerie Higgins & Eireann Marshall, 10 - 17 March; 21 - 28 April; 5-12 May; 1 - 8 September; 15-22 September; 6-13 October; 20-27 October; 17 - 24 November 2014 .The 8 day (7 nights) tour starts from £1,750 per person including scheduled flights, accommodation in a 4* Hotel above the bay of Naples, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals except lunch in Pompei plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £1,600.

Meet The Citizens of Constantinople with Terry Richardson, Julian Bennett, 11 - 17 March; 17 - 23 November; 22 - 28 December 2014 The 7 day (6 nights) tour starts from £1,950 per person including scheduled flights, accommodation in a 4* Hotel in Old Istanbul, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals except on two occasions plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £1,730.

The Ancient Greeks with Sandy MacGillivray, 21 - 29 April; 22 - 30 September 2014 The 9 day (8 nights) tour starts from £2,350 per person including scheduled flights, accommodation in excellent hotels in Napflion and historic Athens, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £2,080.

Meet the Ice Age Artists of the Dordogne with Paul Bahn, 12 - 19 May 2014 The 8 day (7 nights) tour starts from £2,295 per person including Return Eurostar, accommodation in two charming hotels in Les Eyzies and Poitiers, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals except three lunches plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £2,075.

The Western Front with Martin Brown, 5 - 11 June 2014 The 7 day (6 nights) tour starts from £1,975 per person including coach travel, accommodation in two historic hotels in Ypres and Arras, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals plus entry to sites and tips.

Meet The Vikings with Brian Ayers, 12 - 24 July 2014 The 13 days (12 nights) tour starts from £3,850 per person including scheduled flights, accommodation in excellent hotels in York, Denmark and Sweden, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £3,700.

The Nazca and Inca with David Drew, 24 September – 14 October 2014 The 21 days (20 nights) tour starts from £4,995 per person including scheduled flights, accommodation in a range of traditional and modern hotels, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £4.095.

The People of Petra with Nick Jackson, 7 - 16 October The 10 day (9 nights) tour starts from £2,450 per person including scheduled flights, accommodation in two 5* hotels: one in Amman, and one close to Petra, private local transfers, Guide lecturer, all meals plus entry to sites and tips. Land only arrangements start from £2,070.

For more information, visit meetingthepast.co.uk.