Our Holidays
Experts with a light touch
“A fabulous opportunity to travel with such a knowledgeable lecturer for whom doors are opened and who is delightful unstuffy company.”
All our tours are accompanied throughout by experts – many are among the most exciting academics around today. Between them, our team of Guide Lecturers boasts many Ph.Ds. and Professors as well as authors and working field archaeologists. Our guides have the knowledge, enthusiasm and skills to tell the “whole story” in a way that local or non-specialist guides simply cannot match.
Friendly and accessible
“Relaxed atmosphere… well organised trip, building our knowledge on a daily basis without overload. Friendly group, good food.”
Our holidays are created for intelligent, interested, but not necessarily knowledgeable people. Guests come from all walks of life – some have studied archaeology, but the majority are just curious about the ancient world. Our groups include all sorts of people, and lively discussions often ensue in the bar after dinner!
Small parties of like-minded people
“Such super travelling companions - I can honestly say we found everyone in the group sociable, friendly, well-informed and engaging dinner companions.”
The ambience is informal and easy. Some of our parties are limited to 16 or so in number. On most tours there are around 20 people, but you may well find you are part of a smaller group. Experience has shown that very small groups, contrary to what one might think, are not always as successful as a slightly larger party in which one is bound to meet kindred spirits.
Hand-picked hotels
"
The hotel was just perfect and more than fulfilled our expectations lovely public rooms with open fires…Lovely view of the dramatic mountains, service the best, food just wonderful - so good to look forward to after great days out.”
We choose our hotels carefully and try to find locally-owned hostelries which offer authenticity, cleanliness, welcome, good food and a real sense of place. Some of the places we choose offer world-class luxury. Some are simple and unpretentious. All will be clean, comfortable and ensuite.
We always prioritise archaeology and, occasionally, visiting a remote site means we have to stay in the only place available.
Ancient sites in beautiful places
“Sites with beautiful spring flowers, high up, lovely countryside, lovely views, birdsong – it is impossible to pick out one thing from the variety of memorable experiences.”
Archaeological sites are often in beautiful and remote places, and the wild flowers, local fauna and geology of the area add a special interest to our holidays. Our guests are usually people who share a curiosity about the world and at least one ornithologist or botanist seems to appear in every party!
Active, adventurous journeys
“I will never ever forget the absolute stillness and silence as the sun went down in the desert, surrounded by the bones of 40 million year old whales! What a contrast to the white knuckle ride through the desert to get there!”
All our tours are physically active and some are quite adventurous! We travel to remote archaeological sites in unusual destinations. We may venture off-road in a 4x4, or head upriver in a small motor-boat. We prefer to approach sites on foot, which occasionally involves a degree of scrambling. If you have any problems with sustained walking our holidays are very likely to be unsuitable for you. Please check with the office.
High satisfaction and value for money
We are absolutely dependent on the views and assessments of our customers in order to keep improving our holidays. Last year over 80% of our travellers returned their views to us on our questionnaires and awarded us a wonderful average score of 9 out of 10 for overall satisfaction.