2016 Relaxed Breaks | UK Edition

Relaxed Breaksin the ancient world 2016

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new & improved for 2016 all-inclusive, expert-led, tours. discover the past at your own pace.

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WELCOMETo our relaxed tours of the ancient world

Dear Traveller,

I am delighted to introduce our new programme of Relaxed Breaks for 2016.

These tours offer a very civilised exploration of the ancient world... Stay in one lovely hotel with plenty of free time and don’t worry about finding somewhere to eat, all of your meals are included too.

These are ‘real holidays’ with time to digest the sites. The Expert Guides will take you on an extra special tour through history, with wonderful cultural ‘asides’ along the way. From excursions to wineries, to serene boat trips and special access to private areas.

We have three brand new tours on offer this year: discover Cyprus’s unique archaeological story; explore historic villas and theatres in Lake Garda; or receive a relaxed introduction to the lives of the Mycenaeans in the Argolid.

You can book any holiday in this brochure either online or over the phone. Any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Dr Denise Allen, Director of ArchaeologyAndante Travels

CONTENTSIntroducing Relaxed Breaks ........................................ 4-5

Relaxed Lake Garda .............................Italy | 6-7

Relaxed Argolid ............................... Greece | 8-9

Relaxed Cyprus .......................... Cyprus | 10-11

Relaxed Split ............................................Croatia | 12-13

Relaxed Provence ....................................... France | 14-15

Relaxed Ortygia ............................................Sicily | 16-17

Relaxed Seville ............................................. Spain | 18-19

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Free time, one lovely hotel, a Tour Manager to take care of the practicalities and all meals included. Our Relaxed Breaks are real holidays, with time to

digest the sites and stories introduced by our Expert-Guide Lecturers. Very civilised explorations of the ancient world.

Ancient stories, stunning sites, wonderful scenery and unrivalled expertise. Now with all meals and professional Tour Manager included.

Introducing Relaxed Breaks


Relaxed Breaks combine the conviviality and convenience of our all inclusive tours with time to revisit sites or simply soak up the atmosphere...

Toll Free Australia: 02 9191 2623Toll Free USA: [email protected]

UK: 01722 713800

If you have any questions about our Relaxed Tours please do get in touch. Our office is staffed 9-5, Mon-Fri, by our expert Customer Care Team. Joe, Sofia and Sarah will be happy to advise on any aspect of our tours – from flight requests to which wild-flowers grow in Sicily in Springtime…

Book Now on Any Tour in this Brochure

“This was a very enjoyable week combining some lovely sites, good company, and one week at the same hotel. In short, it added up to its description as relaxed .”

“We enjoyed the mix of free time and archaeology that was the essence of this relaxing trip to Split, and also getting to know the town of Split itself.”

“The combination of guided tours with time to ourselves worked well for us, especially in such pleasant surroundings.”

“Staying in one well-located hotel. Time to relax, swimming in the sea, an excellent lecturer. A perfect balance between serious archaeology & self-indulgent relaxation.”

Expert Guide Lecturer - All our tours are conceived, planned and led by experts: archaeologists, academics, writers and broadcasters with unrivalled knowledge in their fields, and enthusiasm to match!

Tour Manager - Since 2015 all of our Relaxed Breaks include a professional Tour Manager - helpful, charming, unobtrusive and practical.

Small Groups (max 18 guests) - We aim to create an easy, informal atmosphere. Such small parties allow firm friendships to develop, with previous guests describing our tours as ‘like travelling with old friends’.

Free Time and Cultural Excursions - All our Relaxed Breaks include free time to relax, swim, re-visit sites or explore the area. We also include private boat trips, wine-tastings, special meals and other excursions.

One Hotel - A single base for the whole of the tour, with spa or pool. We hand-pick our hotels, choosing characterful and charming places to stay.

All Meals Included - Sample local specialities, from sizzling Turkish köfte to Sicilian swordfish. We choose the best local restaurants, and include wine on all our European tours.


HOTEL

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EXPERT GUIDE

Tony O’Connor excavated in Britain, Italy and Libya before embarking on a career in Museum Archaeology. He specialises in the Roman world and numismatics.

Eireann Marshall is an Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She is bilingual in English and Italian and has published a number of articles on the Classical World.

August - Located on the shore of Lake Garda, this spa hotel is situated in the town of Rivoltella. With indoor and outdoor pools, spa facilities and a private beach - you’ll have plenty of chances to relax.

October - Stay on the shoreline of Sirmione, away from the very centre of town, but within walking distance of restaurants and shops. There are spa facilities to unwind in, and you can still enjoy the outdoor pools at this time of year. All rooms have a terrace or balcony to relax on too!

The extra virgin olive oil here is renowned for its lightness and delicacy. You’ll find it used in most dishes, but it accompanies freshwater fish from the lake and traditional meat and polenta dishes perfectly. The citrus fruits of Lake Garda are also an important ingredient. The excellent wine produced in the Garda vineyards will make a delightful accompaniment to any meal.

Lake Garda is a new area of archaeology for Andante Travels. It’s an intriguing place - eclectic, encompassing prehistoric and Celtic sites, the remains of Roman colonisation and the great cities and villas of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

We’re sure this tour - offering a truly unique mix of archaeology and art - will hold your imagination too. Discover Fumane Cave where stone tools and animal bones dating back to the Paleolithic era, some 35,000 years ago, have been uncovered. Visit Villa Serego Alighieri, the famous wine villas of the Valpolicella, noted for their products and histories. Explore Vicenza, and the villa of La Rotonda designed by the master Andrea Palladio. It’s exquisiteness moved Goethe to write: “Maybe never has architectural art reached such a level of magnificence”. No other villa that we visit will be quite as beautifully placed as the Villa of Catulus at Sirmione. Dramatically situated on a promontory thrusting out into the Lake, this massive imperial Roman villa was reputedly owned by the poet Catullus.

Learn more about the captivating lake, which has drawn so many - poets and politicans, dictators and divas - to its shores. Travelling alongside Expert Guides Tony O’Connor and Eireann Marshall you’ll receive access to their unmatched knowledge and experience. Tony has led many tours for Andante and has excavated across Italy during his archaeological career; Eireann is on home turf for our second tour of the year - she was raised in a 15th-century villa in Vicenza.

Unwind against the sparkling backdrop of the tranquil lake.

Blessed with a comfortable climate and diverse landscape...

The largest lake in Italy, tranquil Lake Garda is surrounded by mountains and linked to beautiful historic towns by waterways and canals.

Relaxed Lake Garda


DAY BY DAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Guide Lecturer - Dr Eireann Marshall (Aug); Tony O’Connor (Oct)

• Professional Tour Manager

• Flights - Return flights London to Verona

• All Meals Included - dinners with wine

• Hotel - 6 nights in a lakeside hotel

• Local Travel - a/c coach and on foot

• Entry to all sites in programme, field notes, porterage and tips included

(sgl. £275; no flights £2,245)7 Days | £2,495Mon 10th - Sun 16th Oct 2016Mon 22nd - Sun 28th Aug 2016

“The lake lies dim and milky, the mountains are dark blue at the back, while over them the sky gushes and glistens with light.” D H Lawrence

Day 1: We arrive in Verona.

Day 2: Morning – Visit the Archaeological Museum and amphitheatre in Verona. During the Middle Ages it was one of the principal cities of northern Italy caught up in the struggle for power between Venice and Milan. Free Afternoon –Take some time to explore Verona independently.

Day 3: All Day – Explore Mantua, an important Roman city and home to many literary figures of the Augustan age. Full of Renaissance wonders, the city boasts the Palazzo Te, designed by Giulio Romano.

Day 4: Morning – We begin at Fumane Cave, continue to Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella - Church of S. Giorgio and the Ethnographic Museum. Afternoon – We visit Desenzano Roman Villa and the Villa of Catullus.

Day 5: All Day – Vicenza: an almost archetypical ideal city of the Rennaisance and Baroque eras, this jewel of a place is full of galleries, palaces, and noted for the works of the great Andrea Palladio. We visit his villa at La Rotonda.

Day 6: Morning – We stop at the Venetian-style Villa della Torre and the earlier Villa Serego Alighieri, where we enjoy a wine-tasting and lunch. Free Afternoon – Spend some time relaxing on your final afternoon.

Day 7: Morning – We return home today.

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EXPERT GUIDESandy MacGillivray is an archaeologist specialising in the Aegean Bronze Age, and the civilizations of Crete, the Cyclades and mainland Greece.

He has excavated in Greece since 1978, and is co-director of the British excavations at Palaikastro, Crete. He has authored numerous works including ‘Minotaur, Arthur Evans and the Archaeology of the Minoan Myth’, and frequently appears in TV documentaries.

May - Just outside Nafplion, the hotel is built in a neo-classical style. It has extensive grounds and a large pool to unwind in.

October - Stay in a simple neo-classical 19th century mansion, in Nafplion. It has been fully renovated to combine the traditional with modern amenities.

Meze is popular throughout Greece - dishes include olives, tzatziki (garlic cucumber dip) and souvlaki. Honey, nuts and filo pastry feature in many Greek desserts, including traditional baklava. There will be a chance to sample all sorts of Greek delights during stops at traditional tavernas and restaurants during our tour; we also enjoy a number of wine tastings at a winery and vineyard, as well as picnics amidst beautiful scenery.

Enjoy a more relaxed pace than other Andante Travels tours to Greece. Join us to explore the tremendous sites of the eastern Peloponnese. The region is a veritable treasure trove for archaeology enthusiasts, and was once the seat of power of the Mycenaean empire that ruled Greece from 1600 to 1100 BC.

Greece is so embedded in Classical myth and legend... the theme follows us throughout our tour. Discover Lerna, where Hercules slew the Hydra, and where in a sacred grove of plane trees the Lernean mysteries were celebrated in honour of Demeter. Explore Mycenae, the centre of the mighty Late Helladic Bronze Age civilisation of Greece, and according to legend, the capital of King Agamemnon. Wandering through the beautiful Argive Heraion site, it is easy to imagine the religious processions described by ancient authors travelling through the vast tracts of surrounding countryside. What trip to Greece could possibly be complete without a trip to the (reputed) birthplace of Hercules, the ‘high-walled Tiryns’.

Expert Guide Sandy MacGillivray will make the perfect travel companion to the tour. He previously worked as a Classical Archaeologist at the British School at Athens and has excavated in Greece for many years. Aside from archaeology, there are wonderful cultural excursions to enjoy too. From wine tastings at award winning vineyards, to a leisurely boat trip and picnic at The Heraion.

Enjoy an ancient Greek adventure...

Meet the gods and heroes who populated the Greek world...

A relaxed introduction to the lives of the Mycenaeans - a Bronze Age civilization whose warrior kings were immortalised in Greek myth, and the epics of Homer…

Relaxed Argolid


DAY BY DAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

(sgl. £180; no flights £2,025)7 Days | £2,285Mon 24th - Sun 30th Oct 2016Mon 9th - Sun 15th May 2016

• Guide Lecturer - Sandy MacGillivray


• Flights - Return flights London to Athens


• Hotel - 6 nights in a 4* seaside hotel

• Local Travel - a/c coach, boat, and on foot


“The ancient Greeks have a knack of wrapping truths in myths.”

George LloydDay 1: Arrive in Athens and drive to our hotel in the old city of Nafplion.

Day 2: Morning – We visit Epidavros, famed throughout the ancient world for its sanctuary to Asklepios, the god of healing. Free Afternoon – Relax or further explore the ancient city.

Day 3: Morning – We explore Lerna, where excavations have revealed an important Mycenaean site. Free Afternoon – Take some free time after a special lunch and wine-tasting.

Day 4: Morning – Mycenae: we explore the Tholos tombs, and the Treasury of Atreus. Afternoon – Enjoy a talk and tasting at the award-winning Nemea Vineyard.

Day 5: Morning – We visit Midea, one of the largest and best-preserved Bronze Age fortresses. We also explore the Argive Heraion, a beautiful and evocative site. Free Afternoon – Relax after a picnic at Heraion, during your free afternoon.

Day 6: Morning – We begin at the museum in Nafplion; then move on to the ‘high-walled Tiryns’, one of the most notable fortresses of Mycenaean Greece. Afternoon – We stop for a swim, after a picnic lunch by the sea.

Day 7: Morning – We spend a final morning in Nemea where Hercules began his twelve labours. We enjoy a short boat trip around the Corinth Canal. Afternoon – Transfer to the airport for flights home or onward journeys.

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EXPERT GUIDEDr Paul Croft is a British prehistoric archaeologist who has long been resident in Cyprus.

Apart from reconstructing ancient buildings, he excavates, and is a specialist in zoo-archaeology. He manages the University of Edinburgh’s Lemba Archaeological Research Centre and also designed and built the reconstructed Neolithic houses at Lemba. He is involved in numerous projects in Cyprus and the Near East.

Stay in a wonderful beach-front 5* hotel. Very close to the archaeological site in Paphos - it provides guests with the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring. Enjoy the gardens, take a dip in the pool or unwind at the spa.

Food here is similar to Greek food… but proud Cypriots will insist that their cuisine is far superior. Halloumi is one of Cyprus’s most famous products – the cheese is delicious when fried or grilled. Cyprus has a long and proud history of wine-making - we’ll stop at a local winery to try some during our tour. If you fancy something a little stronger, you could always try an ice cold Zivania aperitif instead.

Cyprus is an intriguing island, exotic yet culturally familiar, due in part to Britain’s historic involvement. Join us for a more relaxed version of our popular tour to the island. Staying in just one hotel, we concentrate on the south-west corner of Cyprus. Aside from being a lovely holiday destination, there is a wealth of rich archaeology within easy reach.

The ‘Island of Aphrodite’ was an important area for copper working in prehistory. Not just rich in metal resources; amazing Roman sites and mosaics; and much natural beauty characterise the island. Enjoy an ‘insider’s view’ alongside Guide Lecturer Dr Paul Croft. He has devoted much of his working life to excavating and researching here and will introduce us to the ‘dig house’ at the Lemba project and the finds being studied there.

We also spend a day in the beautiful, unspoilt Akamas Peninsula National Park. Set in the Avakas Gorge, there is so much to explore: cliffs, caves and great undeveloped beaches, including a Turtle Research station and hatchery. A true highlight of the trip will be a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aphrodite’s Sanctuary in Kouklia. We also visit her baths; the natural spring is found in a cavern surrounded by ferns where Aphrodite is said to have met her great love, Adonis. The waters here are said to hold special rejuvenating powers.

When we aren’t exploring, there’ll be time to relax in our wonderful 5* beach-front hotel. There will also be plenty of opportunities to try traditional Cypriot cuisine; and some of the island’s finest wines, during an afternoon tasting session. Cyprus is much more than a beach resort.

Explore the island of Aphrodite at your own pace.

Become acquainted with Cyprus’s unique archaeological story at World Heritage sites, prehistoric settlements and current excavations.

Relaxed Cyprus


DAY BY DAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Sat 24th - Fri 30th Sep 2016(sgl. £195; no flights £1,995)7 Days | £2,375

Sat 7th - Fri 13th May 2016

• Guide Lecturer - Dr Paul Croft


• Flights - Return flights London to Paphos





“Nobody can speak about prehistory without mentioning Cyprus. It took technology from the Middle East and redistributed it to the western world.”Maria-Rosaria Belgiorno

Day 1: Arrive in Paphos.

Day 2: Morning – We begin at the amazing World Heritage site at Paphos; and continue for a special visit to the Lemba Archaeological Research Centre. Free Afternoon – Spend some time relaxing in your lovely resort hotel.

Day 3: Morning – Explore the Akamas Peninsula National Park, in Avakas Gorge. Afternoon – We meet an ecologist to discuss the flora and fauna here.

Day 4: All Day – Our second day in ancient Paphos is spent exploring the important Ptolemaic colony, visiting Roman remains and the Archaeological Museum.

Day 5: Morning – We travel east, past the beach where Aphrodite is said to have emerged from the waves, to the ancient city of Kourion. Afternoon – Enjoy a tasting session at a Cypriot winery.

Day 6: Morning – We explore Kissonerga-Mylouthkia, where the earliest (Neolithic) wells in the world have been found; and visit Maa, a late Bronze Age site in a beautiful setting. Free Afternoon – Explore further or simply relax and unwind.

Day 7: Morning – We meet Aphrodite once more in her sanctuary in Kouklia, a large conical stone has been identified as an early representation of her. Afternoon – Transfer to the airport for flights home or onward journeys.

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EXPERT GUIDEJohn Shepherd is an archaeologist with field experience in Bulgaria, France, Italy and the UK. He specialises in the Roman period and has a passion for the study of Roman glass.

Much of John’s career has been focused upon Roman provincial archaeology, working at the Museum of London for over 20 years. He established the Museum’s Archaeological Archive and Research Centre.

The cuisine in coastal regions of Croatia is influenced by numerous cultures including Greek, Turkish and Italian, particularly Venetian food. You can expect plenty of beautiful, freshly caught seafood in Split including squid and cuttlefish but also some more hearty meat dishes such as tender beef stew with a flavoursome sauce accompanied by gnocchi.

Our hotel is located near the coast of Split, with wonderful views over the coast and opportunities for swimming. The hotel has all the amenities of a modern hotel, a large outside pool, outside space and spa facilities; there is plenty of room for relaxation.

The answer, in the case of Emperor Diocletian, was to retire to his boyhood home on the idyllic Croatian coast. Here, in 305AD, the erstwhile autocrat built a vast palace befitting his status and achievements. Part fortress, part villa, the palace is thought to have originally housed around 9,000 people. Its peristyles, vaulted marble, temples and façades are remarkably complete and still form the heart of the city of Split.

Roman specialist and former Museum of London Curator John Shepherd, leads guests ‘underground and overground’ exploring Europe’s most complete Roman palace. We descend below the modern city, and it is incredible to see just how much of the medieval and modern town is supported by Roman foundations – a testament to the genius of Roman engineering – still standing strong after 2000 years!

Our tour also includes trips along the coast to the Island of Hvar and Trogir, glorious examples of Renaissance and Medieval architecture on the limpid shores of the Adriatic. We have also arranged a special dinner and tasting of local wines – which have been produced in southern Croatia for over 2,500 years.

From Roman opulence, to picnicking amid the unspoilt ruins in the Croatian hills, to contemplating the bare cells of a seafront Franciscan monastery. 2,000 years of history - ordinary and extraordinary - in this lovely corner of the Mediterranean.

What does one of history’s greatest Emperors do next?

Having purged your enemies, secured peace throughout the Empire and fundamentally re-shaped the structure of Roman taxation, politics and society...

Relaxed Split


DAY BY DAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

(sgl. £495; no flights £2,375)8 Days | £2,695Sat 15th - Sat 22nd Oct 2016Sat 4th - Sat 11th Jun 2016

• Guide Lecturer - John Shepherd


• Flights - Scheduled flights London to Split



• Local Travel - a/c coach, boat and on foot


“Now we have the pleasure to look at a map of the world on which, at long last, we can see no foreign land.” Emperor Diocletian, 298AD

Day 1: Arrive in Split and transfer to our hotel near the Croatian coast.

Day 2: Morning – Day exploring Split, we trace the walls and monuments of the immense palace of Emperor Diocletian interwoven with later medieval houses. Afternoon – Visit the cathedral, where we view Diocletian’s mausoleum.

Day 3: Morning – Continue to explore Split, including descending underground to view the Roman foundations that still support much of the modern city. Free Afternoon – Relax or you could visit the lovely forested Majan Peninsula.

Day 4: All Day – By private boat to Island of Hvar, coveted for its fine harbour. Visits today include the seafront Franciscan monastery, fortress, and cathedral.

Day 5: Morning – Glimpse into the lives of ordinary Romans at Split Archaeological Museum. We then head into the hills to Salona for a picnic, site and museum.Afternoon – Visit Manastirine church and cemetery. Wine tasting this evening.

Day 6: Free Day – Revisit sites in your own time, take a boat to the many islands that dot the coast, or visit nearby Omis, with charming old mills and boat trips.

Day 7: All Day – Drive to Trogir - a jewel of a medieval and Renaissance town.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport for flight home or onward journeys.


HOTEL

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EXPERT GUIDES

Tony Wilmott FSA is Senior Archaeologist for English Heritage, specialising in the Roman and medieval periods with interests in frontiers and military architecture.

John Shepherd is an archaeologist with field experience in Bulgaria, France, Italy and the UK. He specialises in the Roman period and has a passion for Roman glass.

Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves studied archaeology at Cambridge and specialises in Late Antiquity and the early church. She has lead tours all over the Mediterranean.

Today, many of these monuments remain remarkably complete - from the magnificent amphitheatre at Arles to the ruins of Glanum - an abandoned Roman town dramatically sited in a cleft in the hills.

Expert Romanists and archaeologists Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves, John Shepherd and Tony Wilmott tell the story of the Romans in Provence. Along the way, we trace the famous figures - the ‘heroes and villains’ who made their mark. Hannibal marched his troops across the Provençal hills en route to cross the Alps; Augustus embellished the province with fine buildings...

We are based in a characterful hotel in the lovely town of St Rémy, which epitomises the Provençal way of life - local markets, good simple food, shady terraces and a gentle pace of life. As always on our Relaxed Breaks there is free time to explore or revisit sites. You might wish to visit St Paul de Mausole, the cloistered hospital where Van Gogh spent a year, or the spectacular defended hilltop at Les Baux.

All meals are included, and we have a wine tasting and lunch at the Vergers des Papes (Châteauneuf du Pape), which has been much enjoyed by previous guests. Thankfully the days when Roman Emperor Domitian banned the planting of vineyards in Provence are long gone!

All in all this is a wonderful tour – introducing the very latest archaeological findings of this extraordinary region, while leaving space to absorb the atmosphere of this beautiful part of the world and its epicurean lifestyle.

Provence has a fair share of dishes to its name, as you can imagine it is an excellent place to sample some delicious food. The famous fish stew - bouillabaisse, ratatouille, tapenade, aioli and niçoise salad are all attributable to this region and are just some of the flavoursome dishes that are in store.

A charming hotel, in the typical market town of St Rémy, located within walking distance of a variety of local shops, bars and restaurants. Rooms are individually decorated in a striking mixture of antique and modern styles. Delightful gardens with an outdoor pool.

The might of the Romans, rendered in marble and stone.

The idyllic landscapes of Provence are home to some of Europe’s finest Roman remains. Arches, amphitheatres and aqueducts - feats of engineering and a clear message to the native tribes..

Relaxed Provence


DAY BY DAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Day 1: Fly to Marseille and transfer to our hotel in St Rémy.

Day 2: All Day – We begin in Nîmes, once a thriving Roman town with a population of c.60,000. Nîmes was ‘gifted’ numerous monuments under Roman rule, many still surviving. Visits include the arena and the Maison Carée - one of Europe’s best preserved Roman temples.

Day 3: Free Morning – Enjoy a free morning in St Rémy - chosen by Van Gogh as his home. Afternoon – Drive to the dramatic ruins of Roman Glanum - an abandoned town set in a cleft in the rocks of Les Alpilles.

Day 4: Morning – Visit Orange for its famous theatre and triumphal Roman arch. Free Afternoon - Private wine tasting and lunch at the Vergers des Papes (Châteauneuf du Pape) before free time (to digest and recover!) this afternoon.

Day 5: All Day – Marvel at the remarkably complete Roman monuments of Arles, including amphitheatre, theatre, and underground passageways. We return this afternoon via the extraordinary Roman Mills at Barbegal.

Day 6: Morning – Visit the spectacular aqueduct at Pont du Gard. A remarkable feat of Roman engineering and even a chance to swim under the arches. Free Afternoon - We have lunch beside the aqueduct before a free afternoon.

Day 7: Transfer to airport for flights home or onward journeys. (sgl. £315; no flights £2,080)7 Days | £2,245Wed 28th Sep - Tue 4th Oct 2016Tue 16th - Mon 22nd Aug 2016Mon 16th - Sun 22nd May 2016

• Guide Lecturers - Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves (May); John Shepherd (Aug); Tony Wilmott (Sep)


• Flights - London to Marseille


• Hotel - 6 nights in a fine boutique hotel



“I would rather be first in a small village in Gaul than second in command in Rome” Julius Caesar


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EXPERT GUIDEDr Jennifer Wexler is an independent researcher and consultant in field and museum archaeology in the UK, Italy, Egypt, and the USA.

She specialises in archaeological landscapes, and prehistoric and ancient archaeology of the Mediterranean and western Europe. She has worked on projects in Sicily, and has previously led tours there for Andante, although she is relatively new to us.

A superbly situated hotel on the seafront close to the cathedral at Ortygia. With comfortable, elegantly styled rooms and some wonderful views out to sea. It is ideally located with bars, shops and cafes within walking distance. The perfect spot from which to explore this ancient city.

Sicilian food is grounded in Italian tradition, but also has influences from the mix of cultures who have passed through or settled here: Greek, Arab and Spanish. Fish is abundant and pasta is common, usually served as the ‘primo’ (first) course. We eat in local restaurants and sample local wines throughout our tour. A typical menu might include grilled aubergine, fresh ricotta, swordfish and plenty of fresh tomatoes and olive oil!

With a history stretching back almost 3,000 years, the city of Syracuse has the rare accolade of being classed as a World Heritage Site in its entirety. At the heart of the ancient city is Ortygia, which has been painstakingly and dazzlingly restored.

We follow in the footsteps of the Greeks, Romans and much later civilisations who landed upon these shores. Perhaps the most famous incursion was during the Peloponnesian Wars, when, in 413BC, the full force of the Athenian fleet was dispatched in a (doomed) attempt to crush the city of Syracuse in battle. More than two thousand years later, we can still gaze out over the same harbour and imagine the cool blue waters heaving with triremes, Athenian arrows singing through the air.

The story is told by Dr Jennifer Wexler, a specialist in the ancient Mediterranean who has excavated extensively in Sicily. Jennifer will introduce not only Ortygia, but also the surrounding sites including the Greek Castle of Euryalus, the Roman Villa at Tellaro and the lovely Pantalica hills, honeycombed with ancient tombs.

The tour is based in one hotel on the seafront, with a balance of free time and guided visits. So, if you wish to strike out and take a boat trip over the Great Harbour or explore Syracuse’s imposing Castello Maniace there is ample time to do so. Over seven days we revel in the ambition of the Greeks, the might of the Romans, the artistry of the Normans and the flamboyance of the baroque in this lovely corner of Sicily.

The most astonishing Greek sites, if you know where to look...

The ancient heart of southern Sicily, this beautiful island is home to a riot of extravagant baroque architecture. But the elegant piazzas are only the tip of the iceberg, lurking beneath are...

Relaxed Ortygia


DAY BY DAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

(sgl. £190; no flights £1,845)7 Days | £2,195Mon 17th - Sun 23rd Oct 2016

• Guide Lecturer - Dr Jennifer Wexler


• Flights - London to Catania return


• Hotel - 6 nights in a lovely seafront hotel in the heart of Ortygia



“…the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all.”

CiceroDay 1: Arrive in Catania and transfer to our hotel in Ortygia.

Day 2: Morning – Explore historic Ortygia on foot: visiting the Temple of Athena, Temple of Apollo, the Fountain of Arethusa, and the Great Harbour. Free Afternoon – Enjoy the piazzas, cafés and sea views; or visit the Church of Sta Lucia or the museum devoted to Archimides.

Day 3: Free Morning – Wander through the markets and sites of Ortygia or take a boat journey and sail out of the Great Harbour. Afternoon – Visit the hilltop city of Noto, a World Heritage Site famous for its baroque architecture.

Day 4: All Day – Spend the day at the palatial Roman villa at Piazza Armerina, viewing its exceptionally fine mosaics.

Day 5: Morning – Further explore Siracusa: we cross the mainland to visit Paolo Orsi Museum, the theatre, the amphitheatre and the Altar of Zeus. Afternoon – After lunch, we have special access to the Catacombs of San Giovanni.

Day 6: Morning – We travel inland to the hills of Pantalica, honeycombed with ancient Sikel tombs. Afternoon – After lunch in Belvedere, we visit the ancient castle of Euryalus.

Day 7: Transfer to airport for flights home or onward journeys.


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EXPERT GUIDEDr Andrew Fear is lecturer in Classics at the University of Manchester and author of many books on Roman Spain.

He has a great interest in epigraphy, and his on the spot translations of inscriptions, and their sometimes amusing contents, have enlivened many visits. Andy has led many tours for Andante including several in Spain. A little closer to home, Andy has authored books on the Roman archaeology of Cheshire and Staffordshire.

In Roman times, the region was famous as the centre of production of garum – the fish sauce ubiquitous through the Empire. Foods such as chilled gazpacho soup and sweet syrup-dredged pastries, still fried-up on street corners, have been served for hundreds (if not thousands) of years. Eating in local restaurants we sample fresh fish, excellent cured ham and local olives. We also try local wines and sherries, for which the region is famous.

A delightful hotel in the heart of Seville, full of charm and character. A most unique building consisting of 27 converted houses in the Old Jewish quarter of the city, connected by quaint passageways, courtyards with fountains and stairways. With spa, Andalusian patios and classic décor, the hotel is ideally situated only ten minutes’ walk from the cathedral.

A city founded in the 8th century BC by the Tartessians – an Iberian tribe blessed with rich resources. Myth and legend seem to coalesce around Seville... perhaps it is because Seville has had so many different cultures pass through: Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, Castillians, Napoleon’s forces, Socialists and Fascists.

The art, architecture and archaeology of the city reflect its constant reshaping. On foot in Seville, you have the impression that each new ruler was vying for new heights of architectural glory: from the Moorish-style royal palace, the Reales Alcazares, still used by Spanish royalty, to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

Each morning, we set out from our hotel in the Old Jewish Quarter to seek out the soul of the city and its surroundings. Dr Andy Fear introduces the Romans at Itálica – birthplace of Emperor Trajan and home to a magnificent amphitheatre.

In keeping with the nature of Relaxed Tours we have cultural excursions including a lunch and sherry tasting near Jerez (sweet and fortified wines have been made in the region since Phoenician times). There are also free afternoons giving you the choice of revisiting sites or simply sitting in a shady café enjoying the vibrant life of the city.

A wonderful introduction to this region from prehistory to Caesar to Columbus…

Archaeologists tell a rather different story...

According to legend, the city of Seville was founded by Hercules, who sailed through the straits of Gibraltar and up the mighty Guadalquivir to claim the city.

Relaxed Seville


DAY BY DAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

(sgl. £315; no flights £2,095)7 Days | £2,295Fri 25th - Thu 31st Mar 2016

• Guide Lecturer - Dr Andrew Fear


• Flights - Scheduled London to Malaga


• Hotel - 6 nights in a lovely hotel in old Seville



“Raised by Hercules, Julius Caesar fortified me, with high walls and towers, I was conquered for the king of heaven by Garcí Pérez de Vargas” Anon

Day 1: Arrive in Malaga and transfer to the hotel in Seville.

Day 2: Morning – Huelva: we have special access to the museum here, and also visit the passage tombs of Dolmen de Soto and Dólmenes de los Gabrieles. Free Afternoon – Back in Seville, you could visit the Archive of the Indies, home to over 40,000 records charting Spanish history in the Americas.

Day 3: Morning – Free morning in Seville to explore the fascinating Palacio de Lebrija. Afternoon – To Itálica, birthplace of Roman Emperor Trajan, and home to many Roman remains, including one of the largest amphitheatres in the Empire. Day 4: All Day – We explore the Roman town of Baelo Claudia. Free Afternoon – On to Jerez, for lunch and a traditional sherry tasting.

Day 5: Morning – Drive to nearby Carmona. Originally an Iberian settlement, excavations have revealed much here, including an extensive necropolis. Free Afternoon – You could take a boat along the River Guadalquivir, a very pleasant way to view landmarks such as the Tower of Gold and Giralda Tower.

Day 6: Morning – Final day in Seville, we visit the Antiquarium and Alcázar Palace.Free Afternoon – For souvenir shopping and a final wander in the old town.

Day 7: Continue to Málaga for flights home or onward journeys.

andante travels - the clock tower, unit 4 oakridge office park,southampton road, whaddon, salisbury, sp5 3htCall 01722 713800 - [email protected] - www.andantetravels.com

Documents

2016 Relaxed Breaks | UK Edition