Archaeological Tours | TravelHistory.com

"Archaeological Tours"

Archeology Vacation Tours are specialized guided tours focused on unique international archeological sites. Each tour is led by a carefully selected recognized expert in their field who will captivate you with their astounding and in depth knowledge. The tour destinations include Mexico, Italy, France, Ireland, Guatemala, Jordan, Iran, Syria and more. Each tour is unique and covers a specialized archeological theme while exploring the wider history and culture of the region. For an armchair archeologist or a dedicated student of the subject, these tours will leave you with a deep appreciation and understanding of the local customs and archeological history of your tour destination. Every tour is focused on fine hospitality, first class comfort as well as a unique learning experience. Our archeological tours are very popular so be sure to plan ahead.

Speak directly to a guide and learn more about an Archeological Travel Vacation that will be a truly memorable vacation experience.

Here are our current listings for Archaeological

	Tour Name: The Archaeology of Ireland Country: Ireland Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Ireland is a country of striking contrasts. It is English speaking and yet not English. It is Catholic, yet a strong residue of paganism lies just beneath a thin veneer of Christianity. This country has the greatest surviving concentration of field monuments to be seen anywhere in Europe. And each megalithic tomb, early Christian site or medieval castle has been invested by succeeding generations with a rich encrustation of myth and folklore. We proudly presents a 15-day exploration of Ireland that offers a rare chance to see historic and archaeological sites that few visitors manage to find. We will visit prehistoric stone circles, passage tombs and forts, explore the remains of lovely abbeys and monasteries built hundreds of years ago, examine exquisite High Crosses, and walk the battlements of castles where history was made.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: An Archaeological Pub Crawl of Great Britain Country: United Kingdom Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Of course one could travel about Britain and maintain an absolutely solemn view of the country's great treasures of ancient architecture, but how much fun would that be, and how much of a real picture of the place would it provide? Precious little, say we. To understand the British spirit one must understand British spirits, which is to say Beer. From the rich mixture of civilizations that has flourished in this land has emerged the true essence of English life: the village pub, where ales, bitters, porters, stouts, and other hop-and-barley concoctions abound in such profusion as to daunt even the hardiest tippler. Long the bastion of all that is good and true in British culture, the pub occupies the place today that it has held for many centuries, as the spot where society is daily glued together through the medium of beer. To appreciate Britain's heritage to the fullest one must therefore go afoot, or in the later hours of the day aknee, among the pubs, the true heart of the country's cultural identity. In recognition of this, we propose to put Britain's past in proper -- if occasionally somewhat blurred -- perspective by interspersing visits to extraordinary ancient sites with stops at as many noteworthy pubs as prudence and capacity will allow. We would not venture to suggest that you will find the present more engaging than the past, but we do forewarn you that walking about in historic architectural glories can produce an ever-increasing thirst that water alone will not quench. FAR HORIZONS proudly presents a cultural pub-crawl through southern Scotland and England that offers a rare chance to see, when we are not within the confines of a public house, a great many historic and archaeological sites that few visitors manage to find. We will visit prehistoric stone circles and chambered tombs, walk (or stagger) in the footsteps of Roman armies along Hadrian's Wall, and savor the view from battlements of medieval castles in remote and beautiful areas of Britain -- and rarely if ever will we be far distant from a source of liquid replenishment. We have carefully chosen a route that travels past pub after pub (with stops as circumstances require) on minor roads and country lanes through some of the most picturesque rural countryside and best beer in the British Isles. As we journey from the harsh mountains and strong bitters of the northwest to the soft rolling hills and gentle ales of the southeast, we will come to understand how the history of the country has shaped the landscape, and how the perception of both history and the landscape has been shaped by a daily few pints . All meals and overnights will be in carefully chosen traditional and unspoilt pubs and inns, where you will be able to touch pint mugs with the local people while you savor delicious regional delicacies, washed down with the region's best representatives of the British brewer's art. Come along with us, and shed your sober outlook on the world!
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Undiscovered Burgundy Country: France Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Today, Burgundy is probably best known for its superb cuisine, extraordinary wines and luscious cheeses, but this region in central France has a long and dramatic history—it is truly a crossroads of civilization. We know little about the earliest inhabitants of Burgundy, although they left their marks upon the landscape in the form of standing stones. The Celtic people who arrived in the region during the first millennium BC were ferocious warriors whose priestly class, the Druids, were believed by the Romans to have access to mystical truth; the Gaulish Celts left no written record of their civilization, but the remarkable gold and silver artifacts recovered from Celtic tombs provide a glimpse into a sophisticated and complex society. The Burgundian town of Alesia was the site of the final showdown between the independent Celtic tribes under Vercingetorix and the might of Rome, under Julius Caesar. After the fall of Rome the area was invaded by another warlike people - the Germanic Burgonds who gave their name to the region. During the Middle Ages, Burgundy witnessed the preaching of Crusades, the construction of great cathedrals, and the birth of a new monastic order under the Cistercian Bernard of Clairvaux. By the fifteenth century, the region was one of the power centers of Europe, virtually independent from the French crown under the rule of the four Great Dukes of Burgundy, and locked in a struggle to the death with the king of France. It is sobering to reflect that had the last Duke of Burgundy survived this conflict, the map of Europe today would be a very different shape. Far Horizon’s Undiscovered France: A Leisurely Walk Through Burgundy will explore many little known aspects of this fascinating region. We will walk several sections of the ancient track that linked the Celtic city of Bibracte with Alesia, site of the Celts’ final defeat. Along the way, we will visit some of the most famous monuments of Roman and Medieval Burgundy—the Roman Ruins at Autun, the Abbey of Fontenay, a UNESCO World Heritage site—but also standing stones, holy wells and country chapels. Our itinerary will include memorable meals; the Romans appreciated Burgundian wine, the Neolithic inhabitants of Burgundy are known to have eaten escargots, and we will follow in their footsteps by sampling local specialties such as oeufs en meurette (eggs poached in red wine) and epoisses d’Epoisses, one of the world’s great cheeses.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Lost Cities of The Maya Country: Guatemala Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Journey with us on a ten-day exploration through Central America to explore some of the most remote and powerful cities of the ancient Maya. More than archaeology awaits us as we travel through dense rainforest teeming with unusual wildlife, and lush with verdant ferns, bromeliads, and orchids. Our itinerary begins in Quiriguá, a breathtaking site that has attracted explorers and scientists for more than 150 years, and Cancuen and Dos Pilas where our study leader will give us an insider’s view of the latest excavations. The road to Ceibal and Aguateca is the Río Pasión, or Passion River. Travel by river to these splendid sites that have stood silently in the jungle for over 1,000 years, and see carved monuments proclaiming the strength of Our final stop will be the enormous Maya center of Tikal, the largest and most spectacular of the Maya capitals. Here, walk through the myriad of trails that lace the park, and view magnificent temple roof combs towering high above the jungle canopy, and families of monkeys as they swing through the tangled treetops.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: The Capital Cities of the Ancient Maya Country: Yucatan, Mexico Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Journey with us on a ten-day exploration through Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula to explore the capital cities of the ancient Maya. More than archaeology awaits us as we encounter dense rainforest teeming with wildlife, ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. Our itinerary begins in Copán and Quiriguá, two breathtaking sites that have attracted explorers and scientists for 150 years. Continue to the enormous Maya center of Tikal where we will walk through the myriad of canopy-shadowed trails that lace the park. From here we fly to Palenque, perhaps the most beautiful of the ancient Mesoamerican cities. Many scholars believe that the height of Maya artistic achievement occurred at Palenque, and certainly, the remains of magnificent painted frescoes and sculptured stucco friezes decorating its buildings show brilliant artistry. The trip will end with a journey in the lush Lakandon rainforest to see two of the most spectacular and remote of the Maya cities - Bonampak with its fabulous painted murals and Yaxchilán where carved limestone lintels tell stories of intrigue and power.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Day of the Dead in Oaxaca Country: Mexico Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: We are pleased to announce our annual trip to Oaxaca, El Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca. Our trip is timed to coincide with the magical celebrations that take place each year as families prepare to welcome the spirits of the departed during their annual visit home. Once again, we have included private demonstrations by renowned artists and collectors in Oaxaca, Arrazola, San Bartolo Coyotepec and Teotitlán del Valle, and excursions to Zapotec and Mixtec archaeological sites, some rarely visited by tourists. And again this year, we will participate in the true meaning of the holiday by creating our own altar to honor the lives and memories of departed loved ones. We will join Oaxacans at local markets to view and purchase the wonderful breads and colorful candies unique to this holiday. At the cemetery of Xoxocotlán, we will stroll among the vividly decorated gravesites dramatically illuminated by hundreds of candles. Throughout the night, the aromas of copal incense and pungent marigolds mingle with the fragrance of freshly-ground chocolate, baked bread and sweets as children play and families remember. Join us once again as we celebrate life with the people of Oaxaca.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Christmas in Oaxaca Country: Mexico Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Mexicans often say, “Somos muy fiesteros,” we love a good celebration! Nowhere else like in Oaxaca does this statement ring true. Throughout December, city streets come alive with color and pageantry as citizens commemorate everything from their patron saint’s day to the artistry of the lowly radish. Christmas preparations and celebrations take place almost daily from mid-month until the end of the year, and nightly posadas accompanied by music and song recall the Holy Family’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. We have designed a very special trip that includes leisurely visits to archaeological sites, private visits to the studios and workshops of well-known artists and craftspeople, and dining on memorable food of the region. We will visit recently renovated Colonial churches built in the 15th and 16th some of which contain exquisite, hand-made and recently restored pipe organs from the same time. We have arranged private talks and demonstrations by renowned collectors and artists in Arrazola, Santo Tomás Jalieza, Ocotlán, and Teotitlán del Valle. As an added treat, we will dine on delicious regional cuisine in several of the city’s most outstanding restaurants. Join us on this very special nine-day Christmas trip to Oaxaca that highlights the colorful celebrations of the season and the unique folk art of the neighboring villages.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Hidden Mayan Cities of the Yucatan Country: Yucatan, Mexico Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: 11 day trip to Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. You will visit the well-known ancient cities of Chichen Itza, Palenque and Uxmal, but the itinerary has been planned to highlight seldom-seen sites in remote areas. Nestled within the Pu’uc hills are regal palaces and ceremonial buildings covered with intricate mosaic patterns. In beautiful condition, these edifices display a lovely harmony as light and shadow move across their facades. Ornate, rococo architecture is the special feature of the Rio Beck centers of Becan, Chicanna, Xpujil and Kohunlich. To enter these well-preserved buildings, you walk through the open mouths of huge earth monsters, symbolizing the entrance to Xibalba – the underworld in the Maya cosmology.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Day of the Dead Festivities in Guatemala Country: Guatemala Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Journey on a very special ten-day trip as we follow the TRAIL OF THE SHAMAN through the world of the Guatemalan Highland Maya. We will learn the history of pre-Columbian civilizations and how the Spanish conquest affected these peoples. We will explore the preclassic site of Abaj Takalik, where incised monuments echo themes found throughout Maya history, and visit Iximché, the still living Kaqchikel capital when the Spanish arrived. This fortified city and its people were not easily defeated, and as we climb over the ravines and moats protecting it we will begin to understand why. As we behold the majestic ruins of Colonial New Spain in the extraordinary city of Antigua, we will contemplate how the architecture of Christian conversion was adapted to Maya belief as surely as the Maya adapted to their conquerors. Today’s Highland Maya practice religious rituals based on ceremonies with roots in the world of their ancient forebears and in the world of Medieval and Renaissance Spain. We will have the opportunity to witness some of these rites during visits to churches where Maya presently worship, to holy sites that are open to foreigners, and to Quemaderos (sacred shrines) that are hidden places where shaman come to worship in secret. And we will clearly see the blending of these beliefs as we observe the veneration of three different Maximones, cigar smoking, whisky drinking statues that are worshiped as living gods. This wonderful trip is scheduled to include day of the dead festivities held in Santiago Sacatepequez where huge, beautiful kites are flown to raise the souls of the dead to heaven and to turn away evil spirits. The inhabitants of this area believe that on November 1st they can communicate with their dead by flying these colorful kites high in the air with messages of happiness.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: The World of the Ancient Olmecs Country: Mexico Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: With Dr. Christopher A. Pool We proudly present a very special journey to the World of the Ancient Olmecs. Much of the imagery still present in modern Maya iconography had its genesis in Olmec art. We will visit the birthplaces of that art where the colossal heads and finely carved sculptures emblematic of the Olmec style were found. We will see these famous figures on display in some of Mexico’s finest museums and in small regional museums seldom visited by tourists. This extraordinary expedition will take us into truly remote areas to explore some of the more elusive Olmec sites and to their small, regional museums. See the remote sites of La Venta, San Lorenzo, Potrero Nuevo, Loma Del Zapote, and Tres Zapotes where our study leader works and where the first of the Olmec colossal heads was found in 1862. Climb the spectacular cleft volcanic mountain to see the beautifully inscribed boulders at remote Chalcatzingo. And explore Teopantecuanitlan, a major Olmec center first discovered in 1985 that has pushed the Olmec chronology back to 1500BC. The tour will also include visits to museums housing major collections of Mesoamerican art and artifacts. Visit three extraordinary museums renowned for Olmec art – the vast open-air museum of Parque-Museo La Venta, the Jalapa Museum, not only filled with exquisite works of art but one of the loveliest edifices in Mexico, and the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Hike the Inka Trail Country: Peru Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Under the great emperors Pachacuti Inka Yupanqui and his son, Topa Inka Yupanqui, the Inka controlled almost one third of South America. Ruled from the capital city of Cuzco, these Quechua speaking people created a road system that extended 12,000 miles, through what is now central Chile northward into Ecuador. This intricate system was the crucial transportation link within the empire and was larger than that of the Romans. With its carefully constructed stone staircases and tunnels, it was designed for efficient foot travel, and today reflects the great precision of the ancient engineers. Join us on a 14-day journey that includes a four-day trek through the towering mountains along the road connecting the royal capital of Cuzco with the hidden city of Machu Picchu. In 1981, the Peruvian government acknowledged the road’s uniqueness by including it within a huge national park, the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. Along with only eleven others, and a Peruvian specialist, trek through the lush cloud forest and deep canyons, across three monumental mountain passes, and through tunnels carved out of the living rock. And while enjoying the breathtaking scenery along the trail, stop to explore several extraordinary archaeological complexes with still-standing stone houses, intricate irrigation canals, and still flowing, ritual fountains.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: The Archaeology of Peru Country: Peru Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: The fabled cities of the Inka are ingrained in our consciousness with images of towering stonewalls and glittering golden armor. But the Inka were only the last in a long line of rich and fascinating cultures - the Moche, the Wari, and the Chimor - that peopled the high Andes and coastal areas of South America. Our journey begins along the north coast to see magnificent ChanChan, one of the largest pre-Columbian cities of the New World, and Sipán where archaeologists have uncovered one of the richest tombs ever discovered. We will visit working archaeological projects hosted by project directors at both San José de Moro and Huaca del Luna. We then return to the modern city of Lima - the Colonial capital and one of the richest cities of Spain’s New World Empire – where we will visit two fabulous museums - the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum and the Archaeological Museum for an overview of the multitude of cultures that have passed through this part of the world. And we will explore two nearby sites, the oracle center of Pachacamac and Cajamarquilla, a vast adobe pre-Inka city. The descendants of the ancient highland cultures still live in the mountains in much the same way as their ancestors. Their colorful weavings echo the fabrics of earlier times, and their faces mirror those of their predecessors. We will visit their charming towns and colorful markets, and hear the Quechua language still spoken here, along with the strains of traditional flute music.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: The Archaeology of Bolivia Country: Bolivia Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Bolivia has been inhabited for thousands of years, and many cultures have crossed back and forth over the mountains and the rich, cultivable land. However, the Pre-Columbian history of Bolivia has been shaped by two imperial empires – the Tiwanaku and the Inkas. Join us on an extraordinary 16-day journey through Bolivia that includes stunning archaeological sites. Visit Tiwanaku, one of the most spectacular sites in the Andes, and Inkallajta, a stunning example of Inka architectural ingenuity. Examine several remote sites including Chiripa, an early village, and Lukurmata. And on Lake Titicaca, explore the sacred Island of the Sun where the Inka believed the Sun, gods, and civilization were born, and experience spectacular sunsets over these crystal waters two miles above sea level. But more than high altitude archaeology is featured in this trip. From is trickling origin 17,000 feet high in the Andes to its 150-mile wide mouth 4,000 miles away the Amazon River is the world’s greatest waterway. We will explore the “headwaters” region of the Amazon in northeastern Bolivia, 2,000 miles from both the river’s source high in the Andes and its mouth in Brazil. The Mamoré River is the biggest tributary of the Amazon in Bolivia, and offers optimal conditions for our remote ecological cruise and for wildlife observation. The forests, savannas, and wetlands are the richest and most diverse ecosystems on earth, and we will have the opportunity to swim with pink dolphins, view flocks of colorful parrots, visit some of the largest pre-Columbian sites in Amazonia, and explore native villages. While in the lowlands, we will travel by a comfortable riverboat through this natural wonder - a humbling and invigorating experience.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: EASTER ISLAND With archaeologist, Dr. Georgia Lee Country: Easter Island Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: At the southeastern tip of the Polynesian triangle lies windswept Easter Island, one of the most remote spots on the planet. Surrounded by an endless ocean as blue as the sky and located 2,300 miles west of Santiago, Chile, this tiny dot of land is sixty-six square miles of rocky grasslands, extinct volcanic cones, and steep ocean cliffs. Called Rapa Nui by the Polynesian people who live here, this island is a unique open-air archaeological mu-seum. Nearly a thousand immense stone statues, called moai, gaze with brooding eyes over the gently rolling hills, hundreds of perplexing petroglyphs stand out from rock surfaces, and colorful cave paintings depict brightly painted birds in flight.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: EASTER ISLAND & THE TAPATI FESTIVAL Country: Easter Island Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: At the southeastern tip of the Polynesian triangle lies windswept Easter Island, one of the most remote spots on the planet. Surrounded by an endless ocean as blue as the sky and located 2,300 miles west of Santiago, Chile, this tiny dot of land is sixty square miles of rocky grasslands, extinct volcanic cones, and steep ocean cliffs. Called Rapa Nui by the Polynesian people who live here, this island is a unique open-air archaeological museum. Nearly a thousand immense stone statues, called moai, gaze with brooding eyes over the gently rolling hills, hundreds of perplexing petroglyphs stand out from rock surfaces, and colorful cave paintings depict brightly painted birds in flight.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: THE GRANDEUR OF PETRA, THE SPLENDORS OF JORDAN Country: Jordan Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: The Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a charming land that has preserved a remarkable character unlike any other in the Near East. Ruled by the recently enthroned King Abdullah (H.E.), (His brother, Prince Feisal, graduated from Brown in 1985) the people have an unparalleled reputation for hospitality, from the office worker in the city to the Bedouin in his desert camp. Parts of the country are so rich in archaeology that it is literally impossible not to step tens of thousands of years back into time. The unique majesty of Petra, the Roman splendor of Jerash, and the elegant Omayyad fortress-palaces scattered in the eastern desert are only a few of the major attractions. And in addition to a splendid wealth of ancient cities, castles, Christian churches, and mosaic masterpieces, the landscape offers some of the most breathtaking vistas to be had anywhere on earth. This 14 day trip has been designed to provide you with the resources and the time to gain an understanding and appreciation of the country and its compelling history. The itinerary includes several highlights, including private tours of the archaeological site at Petra, the marvelous repository of Nabataean culture, and ACOR, the American Center of Oriental Research. Here we will enjoy a private tour of collections, including the intriguing Petra Scrolls, guided by Center Director Pierre Bikai.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: IRAN: EMPIRES OF EVERLASTING FIRES Country: Iran Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: To many Westerners the word “Persia” evokes a distant land remote in time, the home of ancient monuments and beautiful works of art-carpets, tiles, fine ceramics, miniatures and metal work. Indeed, Iran, or ancient Persia, is a world both ancient and contemporary, linking the heartland of Asia and the cradle of Western civilization, a bridge between East and West. The prehistoric past of Iran is far older than the earliest Iranian dynasty, the Achaemenid. There is evidence of human habitation in Iran as long ago as the ninth millennium B.C. During the third and second millennia B.C., western Iran was ruled by the Elamite dynasties from the great capital cities of Susa and Anshan. It was the kings of the Achaemenid dynasty, founded by Cyrus the Great, that brought all of Iran under a single ruler for the first time. Following the Achaemenids, the Parthians and Sasanians ruled over the Iranian plateau until the conquest by Arabs bringing Islam in the seventh century. Waves of invaders throughout the country's long history-the Greeks accompanying Alexander, Arab armies, the Turkish tribes that forced their way westward from Central Asia, and finally the Mongols, all left their mark upon the people of Persia. Iran's history remains visible in the country's many exciting archaeological sites, its ancient and historical monuments, and its glorious cities, which possess some of the world's most magnificent examples of Islamic art and architecture.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: THE HIDDEN SPLENDORS OF SYRIA: A Forgotten Land Country: Syria Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: At the crossroads of the Middle East, Syria’s colorful history dates back to primeval times. Yet, Syria remains a land to be discovered. This fascinating country, stretching from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to beyond the Euphrates River, is extraordinarily rich in historical sites. And these ancient sites are refreshingly free of commercial ventures with an atmosphere of uncluttered authenticity no longer present at more well-trodden historical locations. Stately Roman ruins, ornately-painted Byzantine basilicas, awe-inspiring fortress-castles built by the Crusaders, and elegant Ottoman turbas (tombs) - all and more abound in this ancient land. On this 16-day trip we will wonder at Krak de Chevaliers, probably the greatest castle in the world; see the magical ruins of Palmyra as they rise suddenly out of the infinite desert; visit Bosra, the southern capital of Roman Syria; and explore the more than eight kilometers of Aleppo’s fabulous covered bazaar. As we walk through these fascinating sites unfettered by swarming crowds, we will appreciate the hospitality of Syria’s warm and friendly people. A six-day extension to Ba’albek in Lebanon and Petra in Jordan may be added to the trip.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Turkish Treasures with Umit Izin. Country: Turkey Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Stereotypical images of Turkey recall bazaar stalls filled with vibrant silks and flashy jewels...or perhaps sumptuous palaces filled with veiled belly dancers, accompanied by insistent, hypnotic music. A treasure house of history, culture and food (Turkish cuisine is considered one of the world's greatest), Turkey offers much, much more. A country that can truly lay claim to the title "Crossroads of Civilization," it has seen the footprints of nine major civilizations - Hittite, Urartian, Phrygian, Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Turk - and each has bequeathed a magnificent legacy. Turkey is a varied land with seaside towns, forested mountains and fertile plains bathed in almost constant sunshine. We are offering 12 participants only a personal view of Turkey's archaeology, history and culture. Explore well-known and seldom-visited ancient cities and meet with archaeologists and other specialists for private lectures about their projects. Highlights include an elegant feast in Bodrum's Crusader Castle as guests of the staff archaeologists, and specially arranged meetings with a member of the excavation staff of several archaeological projects – Ephesus, Aphrodesias, Çatal Hüyük, and Hattusas. In keeping with the historic theme of the trip, hotels are chosen to depict the charm characterizing the Turkish culture.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: ELEGANT TURKEY (including 1 week on a yacht) Country: Turkey Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Stereotypical images of Turkey are usually of bazaar stalls filled with brightly colored cloth and flashy jewels...or perhaps of harems in sumptuous palaces filled with veiled belly dancers, accompanied by insistent, hypnotic music. Turkey offers much, much more. This country can truly lay claim to the title "Crossroads of Civilization," as nine major ones (Hittite, Urartian, Phrygian, Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Turk) have passed through. From each of these cultures, magnificent ancient sites remain. This trip was personally designed by the director of Far Horizons who has had contacts with Turkey since 1951. During the trip we will gain an intimate view of the culture, archaeology and history of Turkey and the Turkish people, and explore both well-known and seldom-visited ancient cities, frequently escorted by the directors of the archaeological projects. A highlight will be six days onboard an 85-foot “gulet” (a Turkish wooden yacht) exploring the remote Lycian coast. In keeping with the historic theme of the trip, hotels are chosen to depict the charm characterizing the Turkish culture.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: SAIL THE SAPPHIRE SEAS OF TURKEY Country: Turkey Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Today, as in antiquity, the ancient cities along the Turkish Caria and Lycia coasts are most accessible to the outside world from the sea. We proudly presents a 16-day trip to western Turkey that includes nine days onboard a traditional wooden gulet, or motorsailer. The itinerary has been specially designed to offer an in-depth view of Turkey's history, culture, archaeology and maritime trade. Join only thirteen other participants, classics professor, Dr. Jeremy McInerney, and Medievalist, Dr. Maud McInerney, to wander along these remote southern waters, while living onboard a comfortable yacht. The trip includes many special highlights. While in Ephesus, we meet with one of the archaeological staff to gain an insider's view of the excavations. In Bodrum, we visit the Underwater Archaeology Museum, recently honored as one of Europe's most innovative museums; be treated to a private lecture on Turkish Maritime trade; and visit a Turkish shipyard to learn how the ancient vessels were made. And we go to the Institute of Nautical Archaeology for a tour of their new facilities and a lecture on underwater archaeology. And at Patara, we gain an insider's view of the work being done there as we walk through the ruins with a member of the archaeological staff. Each day will present a new discovery as we explore the dazzling ruins of Lycian cities, fascinating crusader's castles, and remote fishing villages along the shore. There will be leisure time each day to hike to unexplored ruins, swim in the crystal clear water of the Eastern Mediterranean, or simply snooze on deck. And each day, we will enjoy informal lectures on the culture, archaeology, and history of Turkey.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

	Tour Name: Astronomy, History and Italy. Country: Italy Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: The world’s oldest constellation globe, Galileo’s telescope, and cathedrals that doubled as solar observatories all tell us Italy has energized the development of astronomy for more than two thousand years. This rich celestial heritage is showcased in an itinerary of monuments and museums in Rome, Marino, Nemi, Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, Cumae, Caprarola, Florence, Pisa, and Bologne. The sky’s impact on culture, from ancient Mithraic belief to Dante’s Divine Comedy, is featured along with the astronomy’s history under Italian skies. Highlights of the tour’s evocative and compelling attractions include the Forum—the center of the Roman Empire, the monumental remains of the giant sundial Augustus Caesar built in Campus Martius, the astronomically symbolic Mithraic sanctuaries in Rome, Marino, and Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the miraculously preserved towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum—both devasted by volcanic eruption, the Temple of Diana at Nemi, the elegant temples dedicated to Olympian gods at Paestum, the oracular seat of the Sibyl of Cumae, Galileo’s telescope and all of the other wonders of Florence, museum collections enriched with celestially-tempered artifacts from antiquity to the Renaissance, and inscribed floor meridians that brought high-precision astronomy into the church.
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	Tour Name: SENSATIONAL SICILY: Art and Archaeology Country: Italy Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: We proudly present a journey to the Classical World of Sicily. Here, monumental evidence of waves of conquering armies covers the landscape. Successive groups including the Greeks, Romans, Spaniards, Arabs, British, and finally the advancing U.S. forces in World War II used the strategic island as a launching place for aspirations of empire. Join Far Horizons on an incredible 15-day journey to Sicily. As we circle this lovely isle, we will view marvels from the past and the beauties of the present. We will spend three days in Syracuse and visit the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum and the 4th-century catacombs. We will explore Agrigento, one of the most impressive classical sites in Italy. We will see the perfect temple at Segesta, the magnificent Norman Cathedral at Cefalù, and Taormina’s magnificent Roman amphitheater. And we will visit Palermo and the lovely medieval town of Erice.
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	Tour Name: THE RICHES OF SCOTLAND Country: Scotland Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Scotland contains some of the last great open space of Europe, famed for its moody highland mountains, mist shrouded glens, dazzling lochs, wild coastlines, and lush, verdant forests. It is a nation of astounding contrasts. The sweeping landscapes possess a dreamlike quality, whether seen cloaked in mist or rising regally above the mirror of a lake. And scattered throughout this spectacular scenery are romantic castles, magnificent country manor houses, engaging fishing ports, and quaint characteristic villages. Brave, proud and fiercely independent, the Scots have been fighting to maintain their freedom since their earliest history. The Romans tried to occupy the country for years, never fully succeeding, and England spent centuries trying to annex it until eventually they had to accept a Scottish king on their throne. Today’s Scotland is noted for its haunting bagpipes, tartan and tweed, curious food (haggis, made of spiced sheep's innards and oatmeal is considered the national dish), and, of course, the malt whiskey that is one of the world’s most prestigious drinks.
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	Tour Name: ETHIOPIA: The Wonders of the Horn of Africa Country: Ethiopia Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Ethiopia, formerly called Abyssinia, is one of the oldest countries in the world. Perched atop Africa’s highest plateau, the country is protected by forbidding deserts and tropical lowlands. In this mountainous isolation Ethiopians developed a written language and a sophisticated culture based on a deep love of religion. Ethiopia's Orthodox Church predates the Vatican and is one of the oldest continuously Christian churches in the world. The very first Muslims, facing persecution in Mecca, were granted refuge in Ethiopia and established places of worship before Islam triumphed in its birth place in the Arabian peninsula. Ethiopia has a fascinating and rich history. Ethiopian legends claim that the Axumite Kingdom dates back to when the Queen of Sheba ruled the land, and that Ethiopia’s first king, Menelik I, was the son of this queen and King Solomon of Israel. We proudly presents a 17-day trip to one of the world’s most remote and fascinating countries. The trip is planned around the Easter celebrations in Axum where priests dressed in sparkling white robes lead the faithful in prayers and chants. The exciting itinerary includes spectacular scenery, visits to fabulous ancient ruins, and the opportunity to mingle with the many different indigenous groups of the area.
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	Tour Name: THE MAJESTY OF EGYPT Country: Egypt Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Herodotus said it 2,500 years ago: "Egypt is the gift of the Nile" - and what a gift it is - a narrow strip of cultivatable land teased from barren expanse of desert that is home of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known. The Nile, from the Sudan to the Mediterranean, was the life-blood of this remarkable culture that flourished for over 3,000 years.
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	Tour Name: Angkor Wat and Laos Country: Cambodia/Laos Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Located in what is now Cambodia, Angkor Thom, capital of the flourishing Khmer empire in the 11th century, once was one of the world’s most densely populated cities. An incredible mass of dazzling pagodas grew up around Angkor Thom, culminating in the glory of the magnificent temple complex at Angkor Wat. With the fall of the Khmers, the temples were slowly recaptured by the lush forest and remained a hidden legend until 1861 when they were re-discovered and introduced to the western world. Join us for an exciting 19-day trip to Cambodia and Laos that includes six days exploring the great Khmer city of Angkor Thom, including glorious Banteay Srei and remote Beng Mealea. While in Cambodia, we will visit the nation’s capital of Phnom Penh. Here we will see the National Museum filled with Khmer treasures, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda, home of a priceless emerald Buddha. And out of the capital, we will travel to the out-of-the-way and splendid complex of Sambor Prei Kuk. From Cambodia we will cross the border into Laos where we will board the riverboat Vat Phou, and lazily float down the Mekong River in the remote southern part of the countyr. For centuries, the Mekong River was a major artery of the Khmer Empire, and the spectacular temple ruins along the water’s edge proclaim this civilization’s greatness. And while in Laos, we will explore the capital city of Vientiane, discover the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, and spend time in the Tad Fane Resort, on the edge of the extensive jungle of Dong Hua Sao, one of the eighteen National Biodiversity Conservation Areas in the country.
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	Tour Name: Timeless Thailand Country: Thailand Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: Steeped in millenniums of tradition, Thailand is a graceful melding of past and present, old and new. Its rich history dates back five thousand years and forms the foundation upon which a unique and proud nation has emerged. Travel with us on a memorable 17-day journey through Thailand. During the trip we will visit two beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the historic towns of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. In the north we will walk through the beautiful moated and walled city of Chiang Mai, and journey into the northwest to visit colorful tribal villages. In the far eastern part of the country we will explore exquisite Khmer complexes. And in modern Bangkok, where piercing spires of 12th century wats, or Buddhist monasteries, punctuate the neon skyline, we will see striking monuments located within the old city and travel by boat through the khlongs, or canals, that served as the transportation arteries of Thailand.
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	Tour Name: THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANCIENT INDIA Country: India Departures:Multiple Departures - Please Enquire
	Tour Overview: India is a country that creates sensory overload with its copious smells of incense, cacophony of extraordinary sounds, appetizing cuisine and drinks, and visual wealth of ancient architecture. The colorful and varied costumes, the cornucopia of varied scenery, and convoluted cosmologies makes this country one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth. Home to one sixth of the world's population and the world's largest democracy, India presents a full and diverse culture, and an intoxicatingly rich history. India is a juxtaposition of old and new with centuries of history - from the pre-historic Indus civilization to the British Raj – and all rub shoulders with the computer age and Bollywood, where a profusion of films are made each year. India's history goes back five thousand years to when Hinduism was first founded. Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Judaism. Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam all exist peacefully within this huge country today. Join Dr. Daniel Ehnbom, renowned specialist on India, and only 14 others for a 19-day tour of this remarkable country.
	Tour Price US$: Pricing Available on Request (Double) Single Supplement US$: Pricing Available on Request	Full Itinerary

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from around the world.