About Us
Enriched travel
At Andante, we believe travel should do more than take you somewhere; it should transform how you see it.
Every journey is thoughtfully designed around insight and access. From private moments in world-renowned museums to behind-the-scenes experiences at working archaeological sites, our tours open doors that remain closed to most. You might find yourself handling ancient artefacts, standing before masterpieces in quiet galleries, or meeting the minds shaping contemporary culture through intimate, hands-on encounters.
Led by renowned archaeologists, historians and experts, our tours connect the past to the present by layering context, storytelling and meaning into every moment.
Expertly crafted. Effortlessly enjoyed
While our knowledge runs deep, the experience feels seamless.
From carefully selected accommodation and exceptional regional dining to expert-led guiding and dedicated tour management, every detail is considered. Flights, entries and tips are taken care of, so you can fully immerse yourself in the journey ahead.
Because this is more than a tour. It’s your holiday, elevated.
Why Choose Andante?
The original
Often imitated, never matched. As the UK’s first specialist in archaeological travel, Andante continues to set the standard, offering a real depth of experience.
40 Years of deeper discovery
Our longevity brings more than experience. We know these destinations intimately, and our long-standing relationships built over the years allow us access to exclusive locations. This unlocks a sense of perspective, as we uncover the past from multiple angles. We reveal places and perspectives others simply can’t, adding depth and authenticity to every journey.
Time to truly see
We don’t rush. Our itineraries are designed to give you the time to truly absorb each place, just as an independent traveller would, but with far greater insight, allowing a space for curiosity, reflection and genuine discovery.
A richer understanding
With both a dedicated Tour Manager and an expert Guide Lecturer, every detail is handled while every story is brought to life. Our lecturers don’t just guide, they illuminate, framing each site within a wider historical and cultural narrative that turns moments into meaning.
Purposeful journeys
Each itinerary is shaped around a theme, a story or a civilisation and carefully curated to ensure every excursion adds something new.
Exceptional value, thoughtful inclusions
With flights, accommodation, meals, expert guiding, entries and even wine with dinner included, everything is considered, meaning you can focus on the experience.
Support, every step of the way
From the moment you book to the moment you return home, we’re with you. With dedicated support in the UK and on the ground, you can travel with complete confidence.
So much more to come
As we celebrate 40 years, we remain as curious as ever. Still seeking out new stories, new perspectives, and new ways to connect you with the past. For those who travel with us, it’s never just about where you go. It’s about how deeply you experience it.
Testimonials
Your words, not ours
In the Andante office, we make a point of reading every comment sent to us by returning guests and always take your feedback into consideration. Below you will find a selection of recent reviews from travellers who we have taken to sites all over the ancient world, from remote rock art hotspots in Portugal to the legendary remains in Egypt and beyond.
Nice group, extremely well organized, brilliant guide (Nick Jackson), and excellent support from Anna Vigetti and local guide Jemail. Conducted at an intellectually stimulating level. Guest, Jordan – Petra and the Desert Fortresses, March 2023
Very good; I really enjoyed every single one of the seven days in Santorini and Crete. The entire tour was extremely well organised and guides were excellent. Guest, Crete & Santorini – Rise & Fall of Minoan Civilisation, May 2023
Wonderful from start to finish. We were so well looked after, I’ve never been on a trip like this before but I will certainly be going on more after this! Guest, Pompeii, Herculaneum & Classical Campania, March 2023
A truly remarkable and exciting trip that just kept on giving; I didn’t realise that so much of Roman Rome was indeed ‘Hidden’! S. Thomas, Hidden Rome, April 2023
“It was an excellent and full experience: Tony O’Connor’s accounts of the sites were very accessible and informative, Mary Reynolds’ care of everyone in the group was second to none, and the friendliness of Sami (our local guide) completed a highly satisfactory trip.” Mrs Coulson, Tunisia – North & South, Feb 2023
“Most enjoyable – our first tour with Andante, and the best experience with a tour company we’ve had so far. Good company, great hotel, brilliant lecturer, and delightful tour guide who could not have done more for us. We particularly liked the fact that so much was included, including wine with dinner!” Guest, Romans on the Bay of Naples, Mar 2023
Our Awards and Accolades
The past year has been a tremendous one for us here at Andante. Not only did we win a Feefo 2023 Gold Trusted Service Award for excellence in customer service, but we also brought home two prizes at this year’s British Travel Awards. We won Gold for Best Travel Company for Special Interest Holidays and we also won Silver for Best Travel Company to Southern Europe/Canaries. Historically, we have also seen our tours included in National Geographic’s ‘Trips of a Lifetime’ feature and we won a Wanderlust World Guide Awards prize in 2019. Here’s to another successful year, watch this space for your chance to vote and support us, it’s almost time!
Solo Travel
With us, travel solo but not alone
Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things. It constantly challenges us, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences. It can be daunting when travelling alone but with Andante Travels, you are never alone unless you choose to be.
A COMPANIONABLE EXPERIENCE
Our tours are inclusive, informal and fun and Andante guests are some of the most interesting people you could care to meet. Travelling in a party of people who share your interests is an enriching experience. Friendships are quickly formed – and some last for decades with guests meeting up long after their tour has returned and arranging to travel together on future adventures.
As part of an Andante escorted tour, you will have the reassurance that our tour staff are very much part of the group. Unlike some guides who only engage when leading and make themselves scarce as soon as the opportunity arises, Andante staff are with you every step of the way, sharing the same experiences, enjoying the same meals (and often the same tipple at the bar), and laughing at the same absurdities that can happen on tour (a tortoise holding up the bus springs to mind!). Mealtimes are therefore never solitary, evenings are never dull and our tours are delightfully companionable. Regardless of whether you are travelling with friends, with a partner or solo, rest assured you’ll be at the heart of it all with Andante.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL
We may travel as a group but we always respect the individual. There is no badge-wearing, roll-calling, umbrella-waving or whistle-blowing on Andante tours. And, wherever possible, we build time into our site visits to allow our guests the freedom to explore and make discoveries of their own. So, if you want to spend some time sketching, writing, mediating on a mosaic or settling down for a chat and a coffee with new friends, we are the travel company for you.
Choose to explore incredible sites in the company of our expert guides and you’ll see that our tours are well suited to solos – not only are they inclusive, informal and fun, but your likeminded travellers are likely to be among some of the most interesting people you’ll meet.
