Archaeology & History Tours 2021

Fascinating journeys into history, prehistory and the ancient world Welcome...

The year 2020 put everyone’s travel plans on hold, so I open this welcome message Wonderful Holidays, with a most heartfelt “thank you” to all of our customers for the loyalty and trust you have given us, from rescheduling your booking to simply sending kind and thoughtful Historic Wonders messages. And a huge thank you also to our brilliant expert tour directors, whose online ‘Armchair Archaeology Tours’ have kept us all engaged in the fascinating world of archaeological Created and led by archaeologists, travel without any of us leaving home. historians and expert guides History is hidden everywhere, underlying the character and identity of places and peoples, and forming the story of humankind, with a universal relevance for us all. This is why archaeological travel is so fascinating and why, at Hidden History, we remain dedicated to providing superb tours exploring the world’s ancient and historic sites.

Throughout history, the nature of travel has continually changed, and now more acutely than ever we must all adapt to an evolving future of responsible, safe, worthwhile travel. The past is a foreign country: At Hidden History we are constantly creating new tours and new ways of enjoying them, whilst ensuring we maintain the excellent quality, value for money and personal service they do things differently there we have become known for.

The immortal first line to L. P. Hartley’s ‘The Go-Between’ (1953) I hope you will enjoy looking through our 2021 brochure, whether you are itching to get wistfully condenses the nature of history, travel and the away soon or just thinking about the future. Whenever you are ready, I look forward to welcoming you to an enriching travel experience, a journey through time as well as place. accord between the two.

Dr Simon Butler, Director of Hidden History Travel

Welcome image: Carcassonne p.10 Cover Image: Midwinter in The Mendips, & Bath p.40 Contents  2021 Tour Dates

Your Friendly Specialists ...... 6 Pompeii & Campania ...... 24 JANUARY JUNE SEPTEMBER

What to Expect ...... 8 Sicilian Civilisations ...... 26 Midwinter in Hellfire Corner Andorra & the Mendips 8 days; 2 - 9 June Occitania Andorra & Occitania ...... 10 ’s Millennia ...... 28 5 days; 11 - 15 January 9 days; 6 - 14 September Romney Marsh: The Makings of ...... 12 Éire’s Land of Heart’s Desire ...... 30 APRIL Fifth Continent Minoan & 5 days; 21 - 25 June 9 days; 9 - 17 September Bulgaria: Old Europe ...... 14 Romney Marsh: Fifth Continent ...... 32 Aphrodite’s : North & South Andorra & of the Ridgeway 8 days; 7 - 14 April Essence of Greece ...... 16 East Anglia: Origins of ...... 34 Occitania 4 days; 15 - 18 September 9 days; 21 - 29 June

Glories of Greece ...... 18 Hillforts of the Ridgeway ...... 36 Pompeii & Campania Bulgaria: Old Europe 8 days; 9 - 16 April Eire’s Land of 12 days; 18 - 29 September Minoan Crete & Santorini ...... 20 Hellfire Corner ...... 38 Heart’s Desire Sicilian Civilisations 8 days; 24 Jun - 1 July Pompeii & Campania Aphrodite’s Cyprus: North & South ...... 22 Midwinter in the Mendips ...... 40 12 days; 19 - 30 April 8 days; 18 - 25 September How to Book ...... 42 JULY Malta’s Millennia Glories of 8 days; 22 - 29 April Eire’s Land of Greece Heart’s Desire 12 days; 20 September - MAY 8 days; 1 - 8 July 1 October Minoan Crete & Santorini East Anglia: 9 days; 6 - 14 May Malta’s Millennia United Origins of England 8 days; 23 - 30 September p.30 6 days; 18 - 23 July  Kingdom Bulgaria: Old Europe 6 days; 25 - 30 July Ireland p.34 12 days; 8 - 19 May Makings of Asturias p.36  8 days; 24 September - p.40  Romney Marsh: Netherlands Poland Hillforts of the Ridgeway 1 October  p.32 p.38 Fifth Continent  4 days; 12 - 15 May  Germany 5 days; 26 - 30 July Belgium OCTOBER Czech Essence of Greece Sicilian Civilisations Republic 8 days; 17 - 24 May AUGUST Slovakia 12 days; 5 - 16 October Moldova Romney Marsh: Austria Makings of Asturias Fifth Continent Hungary Aphrodite’s Cyprus: Romania 8 days; 21 - 28 May 5 days; 23-27 August France North & South Croatia 8 days; 6 - 13 October p.14 p.12 Serbia  DECEMBER p.10 Bulgaria  Italy Midwinter in Andorra Turkey the Mendips p.24  5 days; 6 - 10 December Greece p.16  p.18 p.22 p.26  p.20 Cyprus p.28  Malta Crete

4 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 5 Your Friendly Specialists

We have a passion for archaeology, history and travel, and we want to share it with you. As a specialist tour operator, we focus on content and quality, achieved by thorough research and a personal, flexible service. Hidden History Travel first appeared in 1998 when its founder, Dr Simon Butler (pictured below), began leading tours to places of archaeological interest in Britain.

Dr Simon Butler Martin Adams Simon’s career began in field Martin is a core archaeology and academic member of the Emeritus Professor Dr Sandy MacGillivray Dr Christopher Cole research, and he holds a team, helping in Gary Lock Sandy is a field archaeologist Chris holds a Masters degree PhD in archaeology from the all aspects of the who currently lives in Greece from Cambridge University and University of Sheffield. His business. Gary is Emeritus Professor of and specialises in Greek a PhD from York. interests in heritage tourism Archaeology at the University of He is very much archaeology, especially the developed from his travels as Oxford, and an acknowledged He runs a field excavation in tune with Minoans. an archaeologist and guide, authority on hillforts. service and a field school in Hidden History’s and he has gained a wealth His excavations and published England, as well as leading ethos, and brings He has directed projects and of experience in many destinations. Hidden History Travel research have included tours in the Mediterranean and a wealth of relevant experience from over a led tours in many parts of has correspondingly grown into a network of longstanding in Crete, Delos in the in his home county of Kent. decade working for a number of specialist tour Europe, and co-directed the colleagues in travel, archaeology and history, who are now Cycladic Islands, and Sparta in operators in both the UK and the USA. recent ‘Atlas of Hillforts of Your tour leader for: all contributing to our unique brand of enriching travel Britain and Ireland’ project. the Peloponnese. He has led experiences. As its director, Simon still loves to lead as many He has a languages degree from the University many tours in Greece. Pompeii & Campania Your tour leader for: tours as his business commitments allow. of Exeter, has travelled widely and loves the Your tour leader for: Romney Marsh: The Fifth sense of discovery it brings. The Makings of Asturias Your tour leader for: Aphrodite’s Cyprus, Malta’s Millennia Continent Glories of Greece Living with the White Horse: Hellfire Corner: England’s Hillforts of the Ridgeway Essence of Greece Front Line Meet some of our tour directors Minoan Crete & Santorini

Dr Martin Locker Michael Sibly Dr Nikola Dr Eireann Marshall Tony O’Connor FSA Mark Corney Adrian O’Neill Martin holds a PhD Mike graduated in Theodossiev Eireann is an Associate Tony studied Mark was a Senior Landscape Adrian is a passionate and from University College history from Cambridge Dr Nicola Theodossiev is a Researcher and Lecturer and Archaeology at the Investigator for the Royal energetic historian and guide London and specialises University and became senior assistant professor with the Open University. University of Manchester. His Commission on the Historic who studied Archaeology and in medieval archaeology. Deputy Registrar at subsequent career in field Monuments of England for 20 Classical Studies at the National in the Department of She has published widely He has worked on Oxford University, where excavation and museum years. University of Ireland, Galway Archaeology at Sofia on ancient civilisations archaeological projects he is now an Emeritus management has earned him (NUIG). University in Bulgaria. and led numerous tours He has also lectured at the throughout Europe, and Fellow of St Anne’s Fellowship of the Society of He has directed a number to Italy and North Africa. University of Bristol, been a He has a strong interest not currently lives in Andorra College. He specialises Antiquaries of London. He of excavations in Bulgaria, regular contributor to television only in classical civilisation but where his research in medieval history, She was awarded ‘Top is particularly interested in written numerous documentaries, and has led also in Irish history and folklore, focuses on the cultural especially the Crusades, History & Culture Guide’ in the , and has publications on ancient numerous archaeology tours. especially around his home history of the Pyrenees and he has walked the Wanderlust’s 2019 World wide experience of leading Thrace, and led many town of Sligo. pilgrim route to Santiago Guide Awards. archaeology tours. Your tour leader for: Your tour leader for: tours through his country. de Compostela. Your tour leader for: Your tour leader for: Your tour leader for: Midwinter in The Mendips, Andorra & Occitania Your tour leader for: Avebury & Bath Éire’s Land of Heart’s Desire Your tour leader for: Sicilian Civilisations Sicilian Civilisations East Anglia: Origins of Bulgaria: Old Europe The Makings of Asturias England Éire’s Land of Heart’s Desire

6 7  Our Groups & Guides What to Expect We have always kept our group sizes small, generally What our clients say between 8 and 18 people. Small groups are the  Our Itineraries responsible, safer way to travel, and have many advantages, including more personal space, better I liked all the sites we visited and It’s very easy to deal with Hidden The emphasis is on both the cultural interest and communication, and a more relaxed experience. No have come home feeling invigorated and History - you get a truly personalised the nature of the experience. This means that our prior knowledge is required, and we supply you with refreshed carefully planned itineraries aim at a satisfying balance tour notes, lectures, expert guides and tour directors. service; it’s never one size fits all. of enrichment and leisure—‘seeing it all’ balanced These all add context and insight to your tour, and Mrs Varley-Tipton Mrs Lyon with time to absorb it all, relax and enjoy it. They are help bring it all together. It is very informal and Andorra & Occitania, September 2019 Malta April 2019 focused without being too intensive or rushed, and everyone is welcome, whether travelling singly or with we like to get off the beaten track too, often arranging a partner. People’s diverse backgrounds and different special access to hidden away gems. ages all add to the interest—some people travel half way round the world to join a tour! Tour leader and guides Very enjoyable trip, Communication was were very knowledgeable faultless administration and excellent. Booking easy.  Accommodation & Meals  Private Tours and helpful. We were treated a good itinerary conducted Tour notes were very We use hotels of 4-star or good 3-star standard, and like VIPs. We felt the cost at just the right pace. You detailed and helpful, we look for local character and charm in locations All our tours have appropriate safety measures in which are well integrated into their surroundings. place, but for added peace of mind and flexibility you was excellent value for the won’t remain ‘hidden’ greatly enhancing the We normally include at least some evening meals or can now also ‘Book Your Bubble’ and take a private service we received among my friends and experience lunches, which can make life easier on a tour, but we tour with friends and family. We can customize a tour Mr & Mrs Musgrave contacts! Mr Pegram know that freedom to explore local restaurants is all entirely for you! See page 42 for more details Minoan Crete & Santorini, Asturias, June 2019 part of the experience. Mr Rowley September 2019 Romney Marsh, August 2017  Fitness Levels  What’s Included? Our tours are not especially challenging but all require We bring you high standards at reasonable prices, and a reasonable of mobility and independence. Everything was perfectly with so much included there are few additional costs. There is plenty of walking and standing, often over organised…We were like uneven ground with some inclines and steps. The Each itinerary is unique but always includes: high one happy family pace is gentle and stops are frequent, often only a standard hotel accommodation with breakfasts; few minutes apart. However, some sites require more Mr & Mrs Taylor a number of evening meals or lunches; a full walking than others so we have added a ‘Fitness Level’ Pompeii, September 2019 programme of excursions with comfortable transport, to each tour. entrance fees and knowledgeable guides; an expert tour director; airport and hotel transfers abroad; TTA Level 1 indicates that all sites are very easy, with financial protection (see below). mostly level ground and short distances, while Level 3 warns that some sites have longer or Brochure prices are correct at time of print, steeper walks, perhaps uphill for some 30 and early booking is recommended to minutes over rough ground. secure these (see page 42). Feel free to call us for a chat; individual solutions can usually be found for specific  Flights & sites. Extended Stays For flexibility we add flights on  Financial Protection a personal basis, rather than Hidden History Travel is a member of the Travel booking the group onto one Trust Association. This means that we provide you particular flight. This gives you the with the strongest consumer protection available freedom to choose when and how you travel; in the travel industry. Any payments you make are your preferred local airport, flight times, length 100% protected by the association of stay, airfares etc. to pay for your holiday or to We can quote you a personalised airfare and reimburse you if we fail to provide it. will be pleased to book the flights for you, and We also pride ourselves on our any extended stays, or you can book your flexibility and fairness so you can own if you prefer. reserve your place without worrying All flights booked through if unforeseen circumstances For bookings, please call us are ATOL protected. should affect your travel 0121 444 1854 plans. or visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk 8 9 Revised Itinerary for 2021  Itinerary - Andorra & Occitania Day 1: Arrival in southern France You are met on arrival at Toulouse airport and transferred to your hotel, an elegant French chateau in the charming village of Couiza. Day 2: Carcassonne Begin with a guided tour of the history and architecture of Carcassonne, the capital of the Aude region. This was a Cathar stronghold and is now a World Heritage site, with medieval and atmospheric cobbled streets that are second to none. Day 3: Termes and Lagrasse Explore the countryside of the Corbieres region, where the soils and sunshine have produced quality Andorra & since ancient times. Visit the magnificent Cathar at Termes, and the picturesque village of Lagrasse, whose Benedictine Abbey was founded by King Charlemagne. Day 4: To Andorra via Puilaurens Occitania Visit one of the most spectacular and best-preserved Cathar in the Aude; Puilaurens, with superb views of the region. Continue to Andorra, a hidden gem of Pyrenean culture nestling among some of the most impressive peaks in the Pyrenees. A uniquely enchanting journey through the rugged landscapes of the Languedoc and the hidden valleys and glistening peaks of the Pyrenees. Deep history, rural Day 5: Casa Rull, Ordino and Santa Coloma traditions and natural wonders abound in this pastoral, romantic and remote Discover Andorra’s traditional way of life in two fine examples of 17th century Pyrenean houses and Led by continue through majestic scenery to the charming villages of Ordino and Santa Coloma, where a visit to the part of Europe. Dr Martin Romanesque Interpretation Centre reveals the Carolingian heritage of Andorra. Locker Day 6: La Vella & the Romanesque Churches 21 - 29 June from £1875 pp Fitness Enjoy a walking tour of La Vella, capital of Andorra, with a visit to the home of the Andorran government. In  9 Days    the afternoon we explore a series of beautiful villages and Romanesque churches, the Principality’s most 6 - 14 Sept Single supplement £360 Level 3 (see p.8) treasured national monuments. Day 7: To Foix via the Cave of Niaux Tour Overview Visit the Grotte de Niaux to see some of the finest Palaeolithic cave art  Highlights in Europe, a fascinating glimpse into the world of our hunter-gather The Occitan and Catalan lands of southern France and ancestors. Continue to the charming medieval walled town of Foix, and Ê to our hotel with its delightful lakeside setting. the Pyrenees have long held a wild mystique and a The spectacular mountain scenery of the Pyrenees proudly distinct identity. They have been a borderland Day 8: Montségur Castle and Mirepoix between nations, a place of refuge and a stronghold of Ê The atmospheric castles of the For a fitting finale we visit the legendary of Montségur, the Cathar Knights traditions and legends reaching deep into prehistory. quintessential symbol of the Cathars, popularly linked with the legend of Ê The rural charm and Romanesque the Holy Grail. Nearby, the colourful small town of Mirepoix is the perfect Among the ancient vineyards of the Languedoc are some of heritage of Andorra place to enjoy our final afternoon before celebrating over our farewell Europe’s most dramatically-sited castles and best preserved dinner this evening. Ê The Palaeolithic cave paintings of medieval towns, romantic reminders of a time that spawned Carcassonne the Grotte de Niaux Departures the spirituality of the Cathar knights, the literature of the Day 9: Ê The historic towns and countryside You will be transferred from your hotel to Toulouse airport for your flight Troubadours and the exploits of the Albigensian Crusaders. of the Languedoc home. Or why not stay longer and enjoy more of the cultural and natural The villages of Andorra are said to have been founded by splendors of southern France? Charlemagne himself, and retain Romanesque churches in abundance, while the remote, mountainous landscapes of the  What’s Included? “It was a fascinating tour and we learned a great deal. Pyrenees contain Europe’s oldest prehistoric art. Eight nights hotel accommodation Our expectations were fully met. We realized the central Led by Dr Martin Locker, a specialist in Pyrenean history (see (3 in Couiza, 3 in Andorra, 2 in Foix) motif was faith, as shown in the Paleolithic artists/ page 6), our 9 day tour begins with a three night stay near All breakfasts and six evening meals Carcassonne, ideally placed for exploring Occitania’s beautiful shamans, the Romanesque churches, and the Cathars, Daily excursions with all transport, Puilaurens countryside and medieval heritage. Our next three nights entrances and guiding and even in the faith of the Andorran people that they are based in the remote Pyrenean Principality of Andorra, Expert tour director supported by could survive winter. Mr & Mrs Dellenbaugh, September 2019 surrounded by majestic mountains and traditional villages. local guides We return to Occitania for our final two nights near Foix,

concluding with a visit to the fabled Montségur. Airport transfers in France A very enjoyable trip, with enough variation generally to interest most, and a knowledgeable guide in Martin Mr Cushion, September 2019 10 11  Itinerary - The Makings of Asturias Day 1: Arrival in Asturias, Spain You are met on arrival at airport and transferred to your hotel in Navia (45 minutes). Your four night stay here includes two evening meals in typical local restaurants. Day 2: Castro de Coaña and Castro de Pendia Begin with a visit to Navia’s main archaeological site, Castro de Coana, which has long been at the heart of archaeological research in the region. Then follow the valley of the River Navia upstream, through mountains cloaked in forests, to the remote Castro de Pendia, with its intriguing ‘saunas’. Day 3: Castro de Chao San Martín, and Os Castro Head into the wild interior of Asturias, where the landscapes of the Cantabrian Mountains offer spectacular The Makings views, traditional villages and a host of myths and legends. Explore two fascinating and beautiful castro sites, and follow the scenic Navia valley back to our hotel. Day 4: Castro de Cabo Blanco, Ribadeo, Cathedral’s Beach & Castro de Mohías of Asturias Follow the beautiful Asturian coastline, with its Atlantic cliffs and coves, to the impressive maritime Castro de Cabo Blanco and the dramatic Cathedral’s Beach, with its huge rock arches. Visit the lively port town of Ribadeo, Iron Age archaeology, early Medieval history, a rugged coast and spectacular with its host of welcoming lunch restaurants and tapas bars, and see the last of our before returning to Navia. mountains combine as two academics from Oxford University guide you through Celtic castros and pre-Romanesque architecture in this hidden gem Day 5: To Oviedo via Santianes de , Santo Adriano and Santa Cristina de Led by of northern Spain. Gary Lock & Lena Mike Sibly Transferring to Oviedo, capital of the post-Visigothic kingdom, we begin our exploration of the region’s important pre-Romanesque heritage with visits to three splendid churches, including the World Heritage site of Santa 21 - 28 May from £1795 pp Fitness Cristina de Lena. Arriving in Oviedo, we settle in to our well-appointed city centre hotel where dinner is included  8 Days    this evening. 24 Sept - 1 Oct Single supplement £190 Level 2 (see p.8)

Tour Overview  Highlights The Principality of Asturias in north-west Spain has a rich and intriguing heritage, as well as spectacular Ê The beautiful scenery of north- mountain and coastal scenery. As the tribal homeland western Spain of the Celtic , this was the last region of Hispania Ê The impressive ‘castro’ strongholds Oviedo Asturias Castro de Coana to be conquered by Rome, and the first part to be of the reconquered in the Middle Ages from the Moors, when Ê Unparalleled post-Visigothic the heirs of the Visigoths established the Kingdom of remains; the finest in Europe Day 6: Oviedo Asturias. Ê Get off the beaten track into the Enjoy the medieval atmosphere and rich architectural history of Oviedo. Our tour includes the palace buildings of the Asturian kings, the attractive Old Quarter, and the Cathedral whose treasured relics have long been an Our two-centred tour has two clear archaeological themes, hidden history and culture of Spain important stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. each led by an Oxford specialist. The first half is based for four nights in the attractive coastal town of Navia, where Professor  What’s Included? Day 7: San Julian de los Prados and Gary and Mike are both very Gary Lock (see page 7) focuses on the ‘Castro Culture’ of the Salvador de Valdedios knowledgeable, shared their expertise, Seven nights hotel accommodation Celtic and Roman periods. The castros were remarkable stone- Continuing our exploration of Oviedo, we see a and were very sociable and entertaining. built settlements with impressive fortifications, whose often All breakfasts and four evening remarkable set of early 9th century murals and visit Their introductory lectures provided remote locations also get us off the beaten track into the wilder meals an attractively-sited little church before a relaxed mountain and coastal landscapes of the region. an excellent context for visits, and Daily excursions with all transport, final afternoon and an included farewell dinner in one of Oviedo’s typical cider houses. The second half of our tour is based in Oviedo, capital of the entrances and guiding the background tour notes were very good. Pace was good, itinerary not early medieval post-Visigothic kingdom, where Mike Sibly (see Not one but two expert tour Day 8: Departures page 6) focuses on the highly accomplished pre-Romanesque directors supported by a local guide You will be transferred from your hotel to Oviedo overcrowded. Castros and Visigoths both Christian art and architecture that arose from here, along with Airport transfers in Asturias airport for your flight home. Or why not stay longer of interest - not covered by other tours the reconquista of Spain from the Moors, the pilgrimage to and enjoy more of the cultural and natural splendors Santiago, and the ultimate origins of the Spanish nation. of northern Spain? Dr & Mrs O’Laighin, June 2019

12 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 13  Itinerary - Bulgaria: Old Europe Day 1: Arrivals at Sofia Airport You are met on arrival at Sofia Airport and transferred to your city centre hotel for two nights’ accommodation with dinner included this evening. Day 2: Sofia for2 nights Our tour of Bulgaria’s modern capital takes in all the main sights, including visits to the National Archaeological Museum and the Roman remains of ancient Serdica. We also return to Sofia for our last day, when there will be a further opportunity to see the sights. Day 3: To Plovdiv via Rila Monastery The World Heritage site of Rila is Bulgaria’s most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery and the spiritual cradle of the country. It has beautiful architecture and a dramatic setting amid forested mountains. Lunch is included. Day 4: Plovdiv for 2 nights Bulgaria: Old Europe Plovdiv is a fine historic city known for its vibrant cultural and artistic life, and in 2019 it is also the European Capital of Culture. Enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of its narrow, paved streets as we explore its numerous monuments and historic buildings. The world’s oldest gold, unique Thracian tombs, thriving Roman cities, Byzantine gems and the legacy of the Bulgar Khans. Travel from capital to coast and Day 5: Hissar and the Valley of the Thracian Kings discover Bulgaria’s wealth of ancient treasures and unspoiled landscapes, hidden Hissar preserves some of the best Roman fortifications in Europe and is also the gateway to the Led by archaeologically rich Valley of the Thracian Kings. Here we find the largest concentration of Thracian burial for decades behind the Iron Curtain. Dr Nikola tombs in the country, and the spectacular gold and silver treasures they contained. Theodossiev Day 6: Stara Zagora for 2 nights 8 - 19 May from £1875 pp Fitness The small town of Stara Zagora contains a surprising archaeological asset; one of Europe’s oldest and  12 Days    best preserved houses, over 7000 years old. We also explore the Roman town and the nearby Single supplement Level 2 (see p.8) 18 - 29 Sept £210 Alexandrovo tomb, with its colourful 4th century BC Thracian frescoes. Day 7: Karanovo and Nessebar Tour Overview Heading for the Black Sea coast, we stop at two fantastic archaeological sites; the Karanovo Tell, where the  Highlights deep stratigraphy is a rare sequence of value to the whole prehistory of ‘Old Europe’; and Nessebar, one of the Bulgarian archaeology has surprised the West since largest ancient cities of the Black Sea, with multi-period remains and a notable set of Byzantine churches. Ê the fall of the Iron Curtain. A wealth of internationally Significant World Heritage from Day 8: Varna for 2 nights prehistoric to medieval times important and remarkably in-tact finds have come to Varna is a popular but it is the city’s prehistoric gold that has captured the light, and there has never been a better time to see this Ê Spectacular gold and silver world’s archaeological interest. Thousands of gold artefacts attest to the sophistication country’s outstanding cultural and natural heritage. treasures of ‘Old Europe’ some 6500 years ago, and are the oldest gold treasure in the world. From prehistory is found some of the earliest evidence for Ê Impressive ancient cities and quiet Day 9: Madara, Pliska and Preslav farming in Europe, the longest stratigraphic sequences, the historic towns Today we explore the centre of the First Bulgarian Empire which flourished from earliest , the first elite burials and the world’s the 7th to 11th centuries AD. We see the imperial palaces of the Bulgar Khans at Ê Unspoiled landscapes from Balkan oldest gold artefacts. This was ‘Old Europe’, the sophisticated both the original capital at Pliska and nearby successor capital at Preslav, and we visit mainspring of European culture, a cosmopolitan gateway mountains to Black Sea coast Madara, their most sacred place before conversion to Christianity in 864 AD. between Europe, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. Day 10: Veliko Tarnovo for 2 nights This flourish continued with the Thracians, who took Bulgaria  What’s Included? Enjoy the medieval streets of Veliko Tarnovo, capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire from into the historic period through contact with , Persians the 12th to 14th centuries. We also visit the nearby excavations at Nicopolis ad Istrum, an important element Eleven nights 4-star hotel and Romans. Roman Thracia, behind its Danube frontier, in Rome’s Danube frontier, and the village of Arbanasi, known for its historic churches. became peaceful and prosperous, leaving many impressive accommodation night) Roman remains to see. Competing Byzantine and Bulgar All breakfasts, six evening meals Day 11: Sofia (1 empires then bequeathed a sparkling array of orthodox Returning to Sofia, this afternoon is an opportunity to see more of the modern capital, and we celebrate with and three lunches churches and fine medieval towns. an included farewell dinner in a city centre restaurant. Daily excursions with all transport, We travel from capital to coast through the country’s Departures entrances and guiding Day 12: impressive ancient sites, historic towns and unspoilt Balkan You will be transferred to Sofia airport for your return flight home, or why not stay longer in Eastern Europe? landscapes. For your convenience we have included evening Expert tour director supported by a meals on the first night at each hotel, and also three lunches in local guide the remoter areas. This was one of the best…I loved it. Tried to list the highlights, expecting Airport transfers in Bulgaria to identify 5 or 6. Got to 25 and ran out of space Mrs Downie, September 2019 14 15 new for 2021  Itinerary - Essence of Greece Day 1: Arrival in for 2 nights You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in central Athens. Your tour director can help you get acquainted with your surroundings. Day 2: Athens A day wandering through the pedestrianised streets of ancient Athens, exploring the iconic architecture of the Parthenon, the rise of democracy in the Agora, and masterpieces of art in the Museum. We include dinner in a traditional Greek taverna. Day 3: To Nafplion via National Archaeological Museum & Ancient Corinth We conclude our exploration of Athens this morning with a city coach tour and a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, before heading for the Argolid. Crossing the Corinth Canal we arrive at ancient Corinth, one of the foremost city states of ancient Greece, and one of St Paul’s preaching stops. We then settle into our hotel in Nafplion for 5 nights. Essence of Greece Day 4: Tyrins, Dendra & Epidaurus We start today with a visit to the Nafplion archaeological museum, which provides an excellent introduction Encapsulate the essence of ancient Greece by focusing on its core region, to the archaeology of the Argolid. We continue with visits to two nearby Mycenaean sites; the imposing of Tyrins, and the rich cemetery at Dendra. We conclude the day at the peaceful sanctuary of Epidaurus, an and enjoy a perfect balance of famous and lesser-known sites, all within easy Led by important centre of ancient medicine with a superbly preserved theatre. reach of an ideal hotel base. Dr Sandy MacGillivray Day 5: Mycenae and Nemea Let myth and reality converge as you explore the land of gods and heroes, and the story of the Trojan War. We from £1995 pp Fitness visit Mycenae, home of King Agamemnon, and Nemea, where Herakles slayed the lion and, to add to the fun, we  8 Days  17 - 24 May   Single supplement £385 Level 2 (see p.8) include lunch in a local winery.

Tour Overview  Highlights Greece possesses such a wealth of archaeology that it can leave one wondering what to prioritise for a Ê The heartland of the Mycenaeans, the single trip. In this 8 day tour we focus on the core first Greeks region of the Argolid, Sparta and Athens, an area Ê Myth and reality converge in Epidavros Erectheon Mycenae which embodies the epic story of ancient Greece and paradigmatic archaeology provides a great balance of famous and lesser-known Ê Athens and Sparta, the two great powers Sparta & Mistras sites, all within easy reach. Ê Lesser-known gems of the Argolid and Day 6: Greece is the cradle of western civilisation, and the Argolid Arcadia Among the city states of ancient Greece, Sparta is well known as the great rival of Athens. Today we focus on the city and the mystique surrounding it, exploring the archaeological remains and ancient sources as we examine is the cradle of Greece. A scenic sweep of mountains and Ê Based in the charming historic town of valleys carpeted with olive and citrus groves, and bordered Nafplion the Peloponnesian Wars and the highly distinctive Spartan way of life. We include a visit to Mistras, a UNESCO by the sparkling Aegean Sea, this is the original land of World Heritage site very close to Sparta. In the 14th century AD this was the centre of Byzantine power in gods and heroes. It was the heartland of the Mycenaean southern Greece, and is today a breath-taking set of medieval ruins standing in a beautiful landscape. civilisation of the late —the time of the Trojan  What’s Included? War and the origin of Greek identity and culture. It is the Lerna, Tegea & the Argive Heraion Seven nights hotel accommodation (2 in Day 7: setting for much of the mythology that came to define Athens, 5 in Nafplion) Today is especially off the beaten track. We begin on the shores of the Bay of Nafplion at Lerna, an unassuming Classical ideals, and a treasure trove of the archaeology that prehistoric site but actually one of the most important in Greece. Occupied in Neolithic and Bronze Age times, it continues to unite myth and reality. Centrally placed between All breakfasts, two evening taverna meals and two local winery lunches passed into mythology as an entrance to the underworld guarded by the Hydra, the many-headed water snake Athens and Sparta, the Argolid features strongly throughout slain by Herakles. We then take a spectacular drive into the mountains of Arcadia, part of old, rural Greece. We Greek history, and also allows us to get off the beaten track Daily excursions with all transport, stop at Tegea, one of the oldest and most powerful cities of Arcadia, and we include lunch in a local winery before into the old, rural Greece. Its charming historic town of entrances and guiding concluding our tour at the Argolid’s most sacred site; of Hera, patron goddess of the city-state of Nafplion, with cobbled streets and picturesque waterfront, Expert tour director supported by a local forms the perfect base for our tour. It was the first capital of guide Argos. an independent Greece in the 19th century, so with Athens, Airport transfers in Greece Sparta and Mycenae, we can say this tour features all the Day 8: Departure capitals of Greece through the ages. You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home. Or why not stay longer?

16 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 17 Revised Itinerary for 2021  Itinerary - Glories of Greece Day 1: Arrival in Athens You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in central Athens. Your tour director can help you get acquainted with your surroundings. Day 2: Athens A day wandering through the streets of ancient Athens, now largely pedestrianised, allows us to explore the iconic architecture of the Parthenon, democratic and philosophical debate in the Agora, and masterpieces of art in the Acropolis Museum. We include dinner in a traditional Greek taverna. Day 3: Athens We continue our exploration of Athens with a city coach tour and visits to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Kerameikos district, the Pnyx hill and the National Archaeological Museum to see its glorious collections from all over Greece. Day 4: To Nafplion via Corinth & Epidaurus Glories of Greece Crossing the Corinth Canal we arrive at ancient Corinth, one of the foremost city states of Greece, continue along the Peloponnesian coast to Epidaurus, famous for its superbly preserved theatre, and Enjoy a panoply of eminent archaeology and fabulous scenery on this profoundly arrive in Nafplion, our base for the next three nights. satisfying odyssey, enlightened with Delphic wisdom, Olympian mythology and Led by Day 5: Nafplion, Tyrins and Dendra iconic art and architecture. Dr Sandy MacGillivray We enjoy the charming historic town of Nafplion, with its cobbled streets, picturesque waterfront, impressive fortress, Athens and interesting archaeological museum. We also visit two nearby from £2795 pp Fitness  12 Days  20 Sept - 1 Oct   Mycenaean sites; Tyrins and Dendra. Single supplement £445 Level 2 (see p.8) Day 6: Mycenae and Nemea Let myth and reality converge as you explore a land of gods and heroes. We Tour Overview visit Mycenae, home of King Agamemnon of the Trojan War, and Nemea, where  Highlights Hercules slayed the lion, and we include lunch in a local winery. As the cradle of western civilisation, ancient Greece still resonates with unrivalled cultural significance. There is Ê Epic myth, lyric beauty and Classical Day 7: To Olympia via Bassae and Megalopolis profound satisfaction in exploring this heart of the ancient archaeology combine Get off the beaten track on a spectacular journey through the mountainous world, where myth and history converge in famous sites, Ê Iconic ancient sites such as Athens, countryside of Arcadia, part of old, rural Greece. Visit Megalopolis and Bassae, Olympia names and events that have shaped our world. Delphi and Olympia both rare treats missed by most travellers, before settling into your hotel in Olympia for the next two nights. Our 12 day odyssey treats you to a thorough panoply of the Ê Hidden gems such as Tyrins, glories of ancient Greece, far more than most Classical tours. We Bassae and Megalopolis Day 8: Olympia explore all the iconic sites such as the Acropolis, Delphi, Olympia Ê Get off the beaten track into old, A whole day devoted to Olympia with ample time to explore the origin of the Olympic Games through and Mycenae, and we also get off the beaten track to experience rural Greece extensive archaeology and wonderful museum treasures. the old, unspoiled Greece, and discover lesser-known gems such Ê Well-paced, engaging itinerary at as Tyrins, Bassae and Megalopolis. Delphi the heart of the ancient world Day 9: Starting in Athens for the first three nights, we enjoy the glorious A very scenic coastal drive brings you to Delphi, famed for the wisdom of its oracle. We stay overnight here to truly experience this profoundly beautiful place. heritage of this cultural capital in preparation for our journey into  the wider world of ancient Greece. We move on to the charming What’s Included? Day 10: To Attica via Marathon historic town of Nafplion for the next three nights, an ideal base Eleven nights hotel accommodation for exploring the Argolid, famous as the land of Agamemnon After concluding at Delphi this morning, we head for the coast of Attica for our final two nights. We stop at

and the heroes of the Trojan War. We then head across the All breakfasts, seven evening meals Marathon to see the site of one of the most famous battles in history, and the origin of the long distance race. and one lunch Peloponnese, over the mountains of Arcadia and old, rural Greece Day 11: Vavrona and Cape Sounion to Olympia, home of the original games. Next comes Delphi, the Daily excursions with all transport, We conclude our tour with two beautiful ancient sites along this stretch of the Aegean coast; the sanctuary of most famous oracle of ancient times, harmoniously sited between entrances and guiding Artemis at Vavrona, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. earth and the heavens. For our final two nights we return to Expert tour director supported by a the Athens region and to the coast near Marathon, where the local guide Day 12: Departure famous Greek victory over the Persians heralded the golden age Airport transfers in Greece You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home. Or why not stay longer? of Athens.

18 19  Itinerary - Minoan Crete & Santorini Day 1: Arrival in Crete You are met on arrival at Heraklion airport and transferred to your nearby hotel (30 mins). Your tour director can help with any questions. Day 2: Heraklion and National Archaeology Museum An introductory lecture from your tour director to help you get acquainted with Cycladic archaeology before we head to the National Archaeology Museum to see the world’s finest collection of Minoan art and artefacts. Your guided tour will also show you the city of Heraklion, present capital of Crete. Day 3: Knossos and Mount Juktas Knossos is the most famous, puzzling and controversial of the Minoan palaces. It is here that Englishman Sir discovered the civilisation he called Minoan, associating it with King Minos and the Minotaur. We also explore the palace’s peak sanctuary, Mount Juktas, with special access to the temple of , Minoan Crete where human sacrifice is evidenced, and to the cemetery of Phourni, with its impressive Minoan tombs. Lunch is included in the traditional village of . Day 4: Gournia and Spinalonga & Santorini Gournia is an unassuming, under-visited site but is, in fact, a whole Minoan townscape that gives a rare insight into the basic fabric of Minoan society. Relax over lunch in the small port town of Elounda, and enjoy a boat Stunning landscapes and superb archaeology create an unforgettable experience ride and tour of Spinalonga Island, which was a Venetian fortress and then the leper colony of Victoria Hislop’s Discover the Minoans, named after legendary King Minos, and marvel at the novel ‘The Island’. Led by views from Santorini, one of the world’s most amazing places Dr Sandy Day 5: Santorini MacGillivray A 2-hour sailing to the volcanic island of Santorini, one of the most beautiful and spectacular islands of the Mediterranean with one of the best preserved archaeological sites – Akrotiri, the Bronze Age ‘Pompeii’ of 6 - 14 May from £1785 pp Fitness Greece. Our day on the island also includes a visit to the Thira  9 Days    Prehistoric Museum to see the famous Akrotiri frescoes, and free 9 - 17 Sept Single supplement Level 2 (see p.8) £290 time in Thira to enjoy lunch and the fabulous views of the caldera. Day 6: Malia Tour Overview A half-day excursion to Malia, the third largest Minoan palace with  Highlights interesting recent excavations of early period buildings, allows a The Minoans are seen as Europe’s first midday return to the hotel and an afternoon free to relax. civilisation, emerging around 2000 BC and Ê Santorini’s Bronze Age ‘Pompeii’ of the Aegean Day 7: Phaistos, Gortyn and Masala producing a vibrant culture with a talent for Ê Spectacular Mediterranean scenery art and architecture. A day exploring southern Crete, filling-out our picture of the Cretan Ê Special access visits to hidden sites landscape and visiting Phaistos, the second largest of the Minoan Minoan civilisation flourished in a dynamic Bronze Ê A clear focus on Minoan archaeology palaces. After time for lunch in the attractive seaside town of Matala, we Age east Mediterranean world, and left a profound visit the ruins at Gortyn, Crete’s Roman and early Christian capital. Ê legacy to Classical Greece and Rome, and hence the A charming hotel by the sea entire western world. It was remembered in a deep rooted mythology which includes the birth of Zeus,  What’s Included? the Minotaur and Atlantis. Eight nights hotel accommodation Based for eight nights in a lovely hotel by the sea, our itinerary is perfectly designed to explore Minoan All breakfasts, all evening meals and two archaeology’s fascinating array of Bronze Age sites, lunches visiting the famous palaces of Knossos and Phaistos, Daily excursions with all transport, entrances and enjoying special-access to lesser known sites and guiding Malia Santorini as we get off the beaten track into Crete’s beautiful, Expert tour director supported by a local wilder landscapes. guide The scenic highlight is the island of Santorini, with Airport transfers in Crete Day 8: The Ideon Cave stunning views of the vast volcanic crater that many Our final highlight is a visit to the Ideon Cave, the highest and most revered of all of Crete’s ancient sites. regard as the original site of Atlantis. Considered the birthplace of Zeus, it is set in majestic mountain scenery where we also include a traditional Our expectations were exceeded. We enjoyed every aspect of the holiday. We came away Cretan lunch before an early afternoon return to the hotel. with a greater understanding than we had hoped, with many good memories of a lovely Day 9: Departure You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home, or why not stay longer? holiday Mr & Mrs Cousins, Minoan Crete & Santorini, May 2018

20 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 21  Itinerary - Aphrodite’s Cyprus Day 1: Arrival in Cyprus You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in . Your tour director can help you get acquainted with your surroundings. Day 2: Khrokitia and Larnaca An introductory lecture from your tour director will get you acquainted with Cypriot archaeology before we visit 9000-year-old , one of the world’s best preserved Neolithic villages. Continuing to Larnaca, we enjoy time for lunch on the seafront and explore the ancient Phoenician remains of . Day 3: and This morning is dedicated to Kourion, one of the most impressive and extensive archaeological sites of Cyprus with an abundance of Greek and Roman remains, and a beautiful setting overlooking the sea. We include the famous Sanctuary of Apollo. After a lunch break in the old town of Limassol, we conclude with a visit to Aphrodite’s Cyprus nearby Amathus, one of the most important Iron Age kingdoms of Cyprus. Day 4: and Palaeopaphos Uniquely, this two-centred tour stays in both the Greek south and the Turkish A feast of World Heritage today at Paphos, including: magnificent Roman which rank amongst the best in the world; the elaborately sculpted Hellenistic north of Cyprus, allowing appreciation of this charming island and ‘Tombs of the Kings’; and the revered Sanctuary of Aphrodite at Palaeopaphos, the its fascinating World Heritage; 10,000 years of with ancient most significant religious site on the island. We also see the famous rock where connections to the Near East, to Greece and to the Crusades. Led by Dr legend placed the birth of goddess Aphrodite. Simon Butler Kourion

7 - 14 April from £1875 pp Fitness  8 Days    6 - 13 Oct Single supplement £190 Level 2 (see p.8)

Tour Overview  Highlights The association of Cyprus with the birth of Aphrodite was in recognition of the island’s beauty, Ê The magnificent mosaics of Paphos. fertility and early connection with civilisations of the Ê Neolithic villages, Bronze Age towns St Hilarion Paphos Near East. and Phoenician temples The island has attracted people to its shores for more than Ê Day 5: To via 10,000 years, as a stepping stone between Asia and Europe, a Sprawling Greek and Roman cities Transfer to North Cyprus, travelling via the island’s present capital of Nicosia. The city is still divided but now link amid ancient networks of seaborne trade, and as a strategic Ê The dramatic Crusader castles of more relaxed than ever. We include a tour of its historic Old Quarter, impressive Venetian walls and treasure- foothold for rival foreign powers from east and west. North Cyprus filled Archaeology Museum. Crossing the famous ‘Green Line’ we complete the short drive to our hotel in Cypriot archaeology and history are correspondingly rich and beautiful Kyrenia. Ê The beauty of Aphrodite’s island significant. By staying four nights in Limassol and three in Kyrenia, St Hilarion and Bellapais Kyrenia, this unique tour allows better appreciation of both the Day 6: Kyrenia has a delightful setting on the north coast, nestling around its old harbour and castle. We also visit two Greek south and Turkish north of the island.  What’s Included? nearby sites which epitomise the medieval heritage of Cyprus: the precariously-perched St Hilarion Castle, once With your tour director and local guides you will see one of the home to the Crusader kings of the island; and the beautiful Bellapais Abbey, a Gothic treasure in a peaceful Seven nights hotel accommodation world’s best preserved Neolithic villages, discover the copper mountain village. centre of the Bronze Age Mediterranean, stroll around the ruins (4 in Limassol, 3 in Kyrenia) Day 7: Salamis, and of once flourishing Greek and Roman cities, admire the world All breakfasts and all evening meals famous mosaics of Paphos, and follow the story of the Crusades Heading east we explore the ancient city of Salamis, founded as far back as the Trojan Wars, and one of the largest city kingdoms of ancient Cyprus. We also visit Enkomi, the principal Early Bronze Age city of Cyprus which in superbly sited castles. Daily excursions with all transport, entrances and guiding flourished with the copper trade. We conclude in Famagusta, where Venetian fortifications and Gothic churches are interwoven with present Turkish culture, a living testament to the long ‘east meets west’ heritage of Cyprus. Pace and time exploring were ideal. Expert tour director supported by Departure Everything was top class local guides Day 8: You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home, or why not stay longer? Mr & Mrs Sanders, Aphrodite’s Cyprus: North & South, 2016 Airport transfers in Cyprus 22 23  Itinerary - Pompeii & Campania Day 1: Arrival in Italy You are met at Naples airport and transferred to your hotel. Your tour director can help you get acquainted with your surroundings. Day 2: Paestum An introductory lecture by your tour director will get you acquainted with Pompeian archaeology before we head to Paestum to see how it all began. The Greek influence on early Roman culture is plain to see here in three splendidly preserved 6th and 5th BC temples, amongst the finest from the ancient world. Dinner is included in the hotel this evening. Day 3: Pompeii With the whole day at our disposal we can properly experience Pompeii. Our comprehensive guided tour will bring it vividly back to life and you will have time to explore independently, wandering through the ancient streets and soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most evocative and important Pompeii & Campania archaeological sites.

This is archaeology at its most vivid and compelling. Enjoy extraordinary insights Day 4: Naples and National Archaeological Museum into Roman life, fabulous scenery and a vibrant local culture on this wellinformed Naples is even older than Pompeii, but reached its zenith as a royal capital of Renaissance and Bourbon and well-paced tour of Pompeii, Herculaneum and other sites in the magnificent kings. It is now a fascinating, teeming metropolis where we can explore its multi-layered history and pay Led by Dr particular attention to the wonderful exhibits in the National Archaeology Museum, principal home for the Bay of Naples region. Christopher antiquities from Pompeii and the region. Cole Day 5: Herculaneum and Oplontis 9 - 16 April from pp Fitness  8 Days   £1595  Herculaneum, like Pompeii, was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and provides a similar 18 - 25 Sept Single supplement £250 Level 2 (see p.8) snapshot of life at the time. But here we experience a smaller town with a more intimate feel, a colourful, close-knit community enjoying life in a favoured seaside location. We also visit the nearby Villa Oplontis, which likely belonged to the Emperor Nero’s second wife and still retains its stunning wall frescoes. Tour Overview Free Day  Highlights Day 6: In Roman times the Bay of Naples area was known as With so many things to see, a free/optional day works very well - your tour director can help with ideas Ê Explore Pompeii as much as you Campania felix on account of its beautiful scenery, such as joining an excursion to Capri, Vesuvius or Amalfi. Or just relax and enjoy the area. want fertile soils and rich cultural heritage. Within a day’s Ê See other ‘Vesuvian’ sites, including ride of Rome, it was the favoured out-of-town retreat, Herculaneum and Oplontis the Roman Riviera—a playground for the rich and Ê Paestum’s magnificent Greek famous, studded with grand villas and fine works of art, temples and bustling with thriving towns and busy harbours. Ê Off the beaten track visits to Baiae It was also volcanic. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 and Pozzuoli AD devastated the region, burying Pompeii, Herculaneum Ê The astonishing collections of the Pompeii Paestum and large swathes of the landscape. That single, tragic event Naples Archaeological Museum created an archaeology of unparalleled value, with new discoveries of breath-taking detail still being made.  What’s Included? Day 7: Pozzuoli, Baiae and Piscini Mirabilis Our itinerary is a well thought-out balance of visits exploring Seven nights hotel accommodation In Roman times Pozzuoli was the largest town of the region and the coastline from here to Cape Misenum not only the story of Pompeii but also its wider context in All breakfasts and two evening was the most prestigious and fashionable part of the Bay of Naples. Here also was the main naval base for a landscape where nature and culture are spectacularly meals the Roman fleet, where Pliny the Younger witnessed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Pozzuoli amphitheatre interwoven into one of the world’s most stimulating Daily excursions with all transport, was one of the largest in Italy, and its underground structures reveal how the gladiatorial games were destinations for archaeological travel. entrances and guiding staged. At Baiae we explore a fabulous, opulent spa resort for the rich and famous, and we gain special There is time to do more or just relax, as you please, and Expert tour director supported by a access to the huge water cisterns that inspired Robert Harris’s novel on Pompeii. local guide the freedom to enjoy some of the famous Italian culture and Day 8: Departure cuisine. We include two evening meals and can arrange further Airport transfers in Italy You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home, or why not stay longer in Italy? meal options during the week.

24 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 25  Itinerary - Sicilian Civilisations Day 1: Arrivals at Airport You are met on your arrival at Catania and transferred to your hotel in Syracuse (45 mins) for three nights. Your tour director can help you get acquainted with your surroundings. Day 2: Syracuse for 3 nights A guided tour of Syracuse, once the most powerful of all the Greek cities of and now a beautiful, honeyhued mix of ancient and historic buildings. Day 3: and Syracuse A morning visit to the beautiful baroque town of Noto and the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del , followed by an afternoon visit to Syracuse’s excellent archaeological museum. Day 4: and Sicilian Civilisations A treat in store at the huge of Piazza Armerina, world-famous for its stunning mosaics. Nearby, the charming site of Morgantina has a fine Greek agora. Continue to your hotel in .

A wealth of ancient and historic treasures awaits you in an enchanting land of Day 5: Agrigento for 2 nights -drenched vineyards, sparkling clear seas, vibrant cities, sleepy villages and A whole day to enjoy the Valley of Temples at Agrigento, renown for its Greek temples. We include a visit to unrivalled cuisine. Famous for its colourful culture and seductive charms, Sicily Led by Tony the archaeological museum, and we get off the beaten track to some lesser-visited parts of the site. O’Connor (April) has something for everyone. & Dr Eireann Day 6: Marshall (Oct) The ancient city of Selinunte flourished in the 5th century BC and is now one of Sicily’s most impressive and extensive archaeological sites, enhanced by a wonderful coastal location. We continue along the south coast 19 - 30 April from £2455 pp Fitness  12 Days    to our hotel in /. 5 - 16 Oct Single supplement £320 Level 2 (see p.8) Day 7: Marsala/Mazara del Vallo for 2 nights We explore the charming town of Marsala, famous for its , and we visit its maritime museum which Tour Overview houses a Phoenician shipwreck. A short boat trip to the island of  Highlights provides a rare chance to see an excavated Phoenician city. This fertile island has flourished through a succession of civilisations to create a dazzling, cosmopolitan heritage Ê Superb Greek temples Day 8: and Monreale with some of the finest art and architecture in the entire Ê Outstanding Roman mosaics Moving on from Sicily’s south coast, we visit the wonderful Greek temple Mediterranean. at Segesta and the magnificent Norman Cathedral at Monreale, as we Ê Glittering Arab-Norman art head for our hotel in the centre of . Sicily’s diverse treasures include: magnificent ancient Greek Ê Rare and evocative Phoenician temples; rare Phoenician cities; stunning Roman and Byzantine Day 9: Palermo for 2 nights mosaics; multicultural Arab-Norman art and architecture; and remains A day exploring Sicily’s colourful capital, Palermo, with its splendid numerous baroque masterpieces. They all create a wonderful Ê A well-paced circuit of the Norman and Baroque heritage. archaeological and historical journey. Mediterranean’s largest island Join Tony (April) or Eireann (October) on this complete circuit Day 10: Cefalù of the Mediterranean’s largest island. We begin on the south- Heading along Sicily’s north coast we visit the picturesque seaside town Palermo  east coast at Syracuse, where we stay for three nights before What’s Included? of Cefalù, with its important Norman heritage, and travelling along the south coast, staying two nights in Agrigento continue to our hotel on the east coast Eleven nights hotel accommodation and two in the Marsala/Mazara del Vallo region. This is where Day 11: Taormina and we get to grips with ancient Sicily, with its fabulous temples All breakfasts and seven evening A relaxed day enjoying the attractive ancient towns and mosaics, and we set the scene for our next stay - Palermo, meals of Taormina and Naxos, with splendid views of Sicily’s capital since Arab-Norman times. We continue around Daily excursions with all transport, Mount Etna and Sicily’s east coast. the island for our last two nights on the east coast, close to entrances and guiding Mount Etna. Day 12: Departure Expert tour director supported by Along the way we encounter most of Sicily’s wonderful cultural You will be transferred to Catania airport for your local guides Agrigento and natural heritage at a comfortable pace without any very flight home, or why not extend your stay? long days or journeys. Airport transfers in Sicily 26 27  Itinerary - Malta’s Millennia Day 1: Arrival in Malta You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Your tour director can help you get acquainted with your surroundings. Day 2: Tarxien and Ghar Dalam An introductory lecture from your tour director will get you acquainted with Malta’s heritage before we head out to explore its exceptional prehistoric archaeology. We visit the 5000 year old stone temples at Tarxien, definitive of the Maltese Neolithic, and travel even further back in time to the Ice Ages at Ghar Dalam cave. Time for lunch is made on the attractive harbour front at Marsaxlokk. Day 3: Valletta A day in the islands capital, a World Heritage site with beautifully coherent architecture. Our walking tour includes the Cathedral with its famous , the Grand Master’s Palace and National Archaeological Museum. Malta’s Millennia We also enjoy fantastic views of the famous Grand Harbour, which featured prominently in both World Wars. Lunch is included in a city restaurant Get to know Malta, a sunny, friendly place with an eventful past and variety of today. interest from history and prehistory alike. Enjoy a balance of leisure and interest Day 4: Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Clapham Junction on this tiny Mediterranean island and explore its surprising amount of World A day enjoying the archaeology and scenery of the southern coast. We Heritage, from Neolithic temples to the Knights of St John and a celebrated visit the megalithic structures at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, and get off the wartime role. Led by Dr beaten track to examine Malta’s greatest, unsolved mystery, the cart ruts at Simon Butler ‘Clapham Junction’. During our lunch break there will be time for a short boat ride to the famous Blue Grotto to see the dazzling, clear blue . Three Cities 22 - 29 April from £1595 pp Fitness  8 Days    23 - 30 Sept Single supplement £290 Level 1 (see p.8)

Tour Overview  Highlights For thousands of years, seafarers, traders and imperialists have been attracted to Malta’s central Ê Stone temples older than and the Pyramids Mediterranean location and magnificent harbours, resulting in a multi-cultural heritage. The Islands Ê Prehistoric mysteries of the Hypogeum Ggantija Valletta are most readily associated with the Knights and the cart ruts of the Order of St John, who valiantly defended Ê The medieval gems of and the Christendom from here in the 16th century and who Three Cities Day 5: built Valletta, one of the grandest cities of the early Ê The beautiful city of Valletta and its The island of Gozo has a character and beauty all of its own, and a day spent enjoying its quiet charms is baroque. magnificent Grand Harbour always fondly remembered. We visit its lovely coastal bays, its fine citadel in Victoria, and its Neolithic But Malta’s deeper heritage includes a remarkable Ê A day on Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister temples at Gigantija, whose massive stone monoliths are older even than Stonehenge. Lunch is included prehistoric fluorescence—the megalithic temple culture of island today. around 3000 BC, whose startling art and architecture give Day 6: The Hypogeum, Three Cities and Malta at War Museum us fascinating insights into a distant Neolithic world. Over  What’s Included? A morning’s walking tour of the ‘Three Cities’, exploring the historic streets clustered around Galley Creek, the millennia there have been Phoenician, Roman, Arab, where the Knights of St John built their first base in Malta. We include a visit to the Malta at War Museum

Norman and Spanish influences and, finally, as a British Seven nights 4-star hotel accommodation and then visit the nearby underground complex known as the Hypogeum, one of Malta’s most important Crown Colony, Malta’s famous Grand Harbour was home All breakfasts and six evening meals Neolithic sites. to the Mediterranean Fleet and played a vital role in both Daily excursions with all transport, World Wars. Day 7: Mdina entrances and guiding A half day enjoying Mdina, Malta’s medieval gem and a tiny city of winding alleys and noble palaces. Its The small size of Malta allows for easy travelling to all the Expert tour director supported by a local remains date back to Roman times, as you’ll discover in our visits to an excavated Roman house and the sites from our perfectly located 4-star hotel. Relax and guide early Christian Catacombs of Saint Paul. enjoy an unhurried programme of interesting excursions Airport transfers in Malta and lectures revealing Malta’s unique cultural and natural Day 8: Departure heritage from prehistory onwards. You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight home, or why not stay longer in Malta?

28 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 29 new for 2021  Itinerary - Éire’s Land of Heart’s Desire Day 1: Arrival in Dublin for 2 nights You are met at Dublin airport or seaport, depending on how you travel, and transferred to your hotel in Dublin city centre. Meet your tour director for a welcome talk followed by an included evening meal. Day 2: Dublin City A guided walking tour of Ireland’s capital, Dublin, is a great way to brush up on Irish history. Take in all the main sights, including the National Archaeological Museum and the famous Book of Kells. Day 3: To Sligo via and Tara Head west across Ireland to County Sligo, stopping in the Boyne Valley to visit two national treasures. At Brú na Bóinne the impressive Neolithic tombs of Newgrange and Knowth are a World Heritage site, pre-dating Éire’s Land of Stonehenge and the Pyramids and producing the greatest concentration of Megalithic art in Western Europe. At the nearby Hill of Tara we find Ireland’s ancient capital, the sacred site of inauguration of the High Kings of Ireland during the Middle Ages. Heart’s Desire Day 4: Sligo, & Knocknarea A walking tour this morning will acquaint you with the colourful character and heritage of Sligo, a vibrant county town with a rich history. In the afternoon we explore the Cúil Iorra peninsula on the southern side of A fascinating journey across Ireland, from Dublin to the wild Atlantic west. the town, home to the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, one of Ireland’s most significant Neolithic sites. Its County Sligo is Ireland’s undiscovered hidden gem, with breath-taking scenery, a numerous stone circles and passage tombs are watched over by the hill of Knocknarea, upon which stands a rich cultural heritage, and the greatest concentration of prehistoric sites in the particularly striking Neolithic cairn, visible from miles around. Led by Tony country. O’Connor & Adrian O’Neill

24 June – 1 July from £1595 pp Fitness  8 Days    1 – 8 July Single supplement £245 Level 2 (see p.8)

Maximum of 12 participants. Early booking recommended  Highlights Wild Atlantic Way Newgrange Tour Overview Ê The magnificent, unspoilt landscapes of north-west Ireland Céad míle fáilte—a hundred thousand welcomes. The Emerald Isle’s warm hospitality, well of culture, and Ê An outstanding collection of prehistoric Day 5: South along the Wild Atlantic Way poetic natural beauty never fail to fill one’s heart. sites Follow the rugged and spectacular Wild Atlantic Way southwards to the Céide Fields. Dated to over 5500 years ago, these are the oldest known field systems in the world and the most extensive Neolithic site in Ireland. We Indeed, the Nobel Prize winning poet William Butler Ê Expert guiding from Tony O’Connor and include lunch at Aughris Head in a truly traditional Irish pub, with the Atlantic waves rolling in outside the front Yeats was so inspired by County Sligo that he called it Adrian O’Neill “The Land of Heart’s Desire”. door, and finish the day at the Magheraghanrush court tomb with fine views over Lough Gill. Ê Get off the beaten track on the Wild Tony O’Connor and Adrian O’Neill take you on a fascinating Day 6: North along the Wild Atlantic Way Atlantic Way journey across a swathe of the country from Dublin’s A short way north of Sligo, and nestling below Ben Bulben mountain, we find W.B. Yeats’s grave at Drumcliff ancient east to Sligo’s wild west, revealing dramatic Ê Three nights in the Irish capital, Dublin church, and a little further on stands the Baronet of Sligo’s Country House, Lissadel, where Yeats was a histories, hidden gems and majestic landscapes. This is regular guest. Further up the coast we find Creevykeel, one of a chain of megalithic buildings along this ancient routeway. The nearby seaside village of Mullaghmore is associated with Lord Palmerston and the old Ireland, imbued with deep history and tradition, and  steeped in myths and legends since humanity first arrived. What’s Included? Mountbatten family. Circumstances permitting, we can take a boat trip from here to Inishmurray island or, alternatively, enjoy the scenic splendour of the Gleniff Horseshoe. Sligo is one of the most picturesque places in all of Ireland, Seven nights hotel accommodation (3 in and yet remains relatively unknown. Facing the expanse of Dublin, 4 in Sligo) Day 7: To Dublin via Rathcroghan and Trim the Atlantic Ocean, its coastline is shaped by colossal forces Heading back to Dublin, we stop at Rathcroghan, where a large mound is the nucleus of a landscape of All breakfasts, three evening meals and which seem also to feed the spirits of creative souls. We numerous monuments spanning millennia. The site is imbued with a wealth of , and is known one lunch explore this “Wild Atlantic Way” and discover an amazingly as the sacred capital of Connacht, and tribal royal seat of western Ireland. We also stop at Trim to visit the significant archaeology. Whole landscapes of prehistory Daily excursions with all transport, largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, and conclude with a farewell dinner in Dublin. are preserved, giving unrivalled insights into the Neolithic entrances and expert guiding world, and forming the backdrop to millennia of fascinating Day 8: Departure from Dublin and colourful Irish history, mythology and culture, all Not one but two tour expert directors Check out after a leisurely breakfast and make your way home. eloquently captured in the poetry of W.B. Yeats. Airport/seaport transfers in Dublin 30 31  Itinerary - Romney Marsh: The Fifth Continent Day 1: Arrival in Make your way to the charming small town of Rye, on England’s south coast. Check-in at the Mermaid Inn and meet your tour director, Dr Christopher Cole, for an early evening walking tour of Rye, followed by a 3-course evening meal. Day 2: The Eastern Marsh Get a feel for the landscape and heritage of Romney Marsh with a drive across its length to explore the eastern half. In the tiny hamlet of Burmarsh the church of All Saints was commissioned by William the Romney Marsh: Conqueror’s half- brother in the 12th century. At Eastbridge we discover our first lost village of the Marsh, and at Newchurch we find a peaceful village green, a leaning church tower and an important RAF history. Stop for lunch in St Mary-in-the-Marsh, and conclude the day with a visit to the colourful seaside village of Dymchurch, with its glorious sandy beach, rich history and tales of smuggling remembered in the Dr Syn stories of local The Fifth Continent author Russell Thorndyke. Across the Marsh “The world, according to the best geographers, is divided Day 3: At Fairfield we find the most iconic of Romney Marsh’s hidden churches, standing alone in a field and sole into Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Romney Marsh” survivor of the lost village it once served. Nearby in the quiet village of Brookland, the Church of St Augustine offers a unique octagonal, wooden bell tower, and a splendid local pub. In the afternoon we explore the (The Ingoldsby Legends by Richard Harris Barham). market town of Hythe, one of the jewels of the Kentish coast with its historic centre and Victorian seafront Led by Dr Hidden churches and lost villages in a landscape coloured by the sea. Christopher promenade. Of particular interest is the Church of St Leonard’s, famous for its crypt housing thousands of Cole human bones and skulls, the largest collection in Britain and said to be men killed at the Battle of Hastings.

 5 Days  from £875 pp - Single supplement £90  Fitness Level 1

 21 - 25 June | 26 - 30 July | 23 - 27 August

Maximum of 15 participants  Low Single Supplement

Tour Overview  Highlights Fairfield Military Canal New Romney Situated in the south-east corner of England, Romney Ê A unique and intriguing part of Marsh is one of England’s most intriguing regions, England Day 4: The Western Marsh renowned for its rugged beauty, diverse wildlife and a Ê A special group of Norman and The landscape history of the Marsh is a dramatic story of interaction between people and the sea. The town of rich history filled with famous names, fascinating stories Medieval churches Lydd was once an island and its impressive church is one of the longest and tallest in Kent. But it’s in the small and strange mysteries since the times of . Ê A rich and distinguished history village of Ivychurch that we find the so-called ‘Cathedral of Romney Marsh’. Finally, we explore Old and New Romney and the lost village of Hope that lies between them. Romney harbour disappeared virtually overnight This 5-day tour, based in the historic Mermaid Inn in Rye, has Ê A host of famous names and in the Great Storm of 1287, and the Church of St Nicholas still has mooring rings in its walls where ships were been created by local resident and professional archaeologist Dr colourful characters once tied up. Founded in 1066, it is one of the oldest Norman structures in England and may have been the Christopher Cole (see page 7), who will also be your guide. His final resting place of King Harold, after his death in the Battle of Hastings. passion and knowledge of the Marsh, its people and its history  What’s Included? Day 5: Departure give the tour an especially intimate insight. Four nights at the historic Mermaid Check-out after a leisurely breakfast and make your way home. Or why not stay longer You will discover lost villages and ancient ports, and a unique Inn, Rye group of Norman and Medieval churches, each with their own All breakfasts and one evening meal Chris is an excellent guide with the right level of knowledge and anecdotes, fascinating story to tell. Learn about the Marsh’s prominent role Daily excursions with all transport, in the defence of England since Roman times, and hear about entrances and guiding he knows the area and the churches like the back of his hand. His work on the a host of colourful characters, from notorious smugglers to Expert tour director marsh meant he was able to give us information that is still unpublished inspired authors. Mr Williamson, Romney Marsh: Fifth Continent, August 2018

32 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 33  Itinerary - East Anglia: Origins Of England Day 1: Arrival in Norwich Make your way to the fine historic city of Norwich, capital of Norfolk. Check-in to your city centre hotel and meet your tour leader for an introductory lecture and an included 3-course evening meal. Day 2: Sutton Hoo and Orford Today is focused on England’s most important Anglo-Saxon site - Sutton Hoo, the richest burial ever found in northern Europe. Dating from the 7th century AD it is the ancestral burial ground of the warrior-kings who forged the kingdom of England. Enjoy a private guided walk around the burial mounds and see the excavated treasures in an award-winning exhibition, including a full-size reconstruction of the main ship burial and its glittering crown jewels. We round off the day at nearby Orford, an attractive seaside town with an important castle. Day 3: Norwich Norwich was one of medieval England’s most important cities and is now one of its best preserved. Discover East Anglia: it on a guided walking tour through its winding, cobbled streets with visits to its magnificent Norman cathedral and castle. Day 4: Walsingham and Castle Acre Origins Of England Two visits today explore the manors and monasteries that dominated everyday life in medieval England. Since 1061 Walsingham has been one of the holiest places in England; one of the four great shrines of Explore the rich lands of Suffolk and Norfolk, an area steeped in the tribal origins medieval Christendom and a place of pilgrimage to this day. At Castle Acre the impressive motte-and- Led by castle, extensive priory ruins and pretty walled town constitute one of the best examples of a Norman of England and brimming with an unmatched medieval heritage. Dr Martin settlement in the whole country. Locker

18 - 23 July from pp Fitness  6 Days   £975  25 - 30 July Single supplement £195 Level 1 (see p.8)

Tour Overview  Highlights As the easternmost region of England, East Anglia Ê Sutton Hoo, England’s ‘Valley of the Kings’ Castle Acre Snettisham Torc has close connections to Europe and has been central to the creation of England’s multi-cultural Ê West Stow, a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon identity. It was one of the most powerful of the village Day 5: Castle Rising and King’s Lynn The lovely old village of Castle Rising was mentioned in the Domesday Book Anglo-Saxon kingdoms which, in the 10th century, Ê Walsingham, England’s greatest shrine of of 1066 and is now part of the Queen’s Sandringham estate. The magnificent medieval Christendom unified to form the single kingdom of England. By remains of its 12th century castle include one of the finest and most Norman and medieval times it was a powerhouse of Ê The fine Norman heritage of Norwich, elaborately decorated castle of Norman England. King’s Lynn is one of trade, and a heartland of agricultural and religious Castle Acre & Castle Rising England’s relatively undiscovered historic gems. It was one of the country’s foremost ports as early as the 12th century, and has a proud maritime activity. Ê Norfolk’s historic towns and classic history associated with the Hanseatic League and George Vancouver. Its Today, East Anglia’s winding lanes, rolling fields, timbered English countryside attractive harbour and historic buildings hold much of interest, and its villages, market towns, medieval churches and historic museum houses Norfolk’s famous prehistoric Seahenge. houses present a classic representation of the English  What’s Included? Day 6: West Stow and Departure countryside, and contain a vital social and cultural history The final morning is an opportunity to see a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon of England. It could be described as the quintessence of Five nights at the St Giles House Hotel, village at West Stow. Rebuilt on the site of their excavation this collection of historic England. Norwich timber buildings is a vivid illustration of the period and an important centre for experimental archaeology. Return to Norwich by early afternoon and Join Dr Martin Locker as he uncovers the origins of All breakfasts and two evening meals Sutton Hoo make your way home. England, Anglo-Saxon kingships, Norman lordships and Daily excursions with all transport, the lives of Christian saints and pilgrims. This tour will entrances and guiding reward you with some of the finest medieval architecture A thoroughly enjoyable holiday. The itinerary was well organised and executed Expert tour director supported by site and greatest historical interest from anywhere in England. Miss Ingham, East Anglia: Origins of England, July 2018 guides

34 35  Itinerary - Living with the White Horse Day 1: Arrivals Make your way to the historic town of Abingdon, near Oxford. Check-in at The Cosener’s House Hotel and meet your tour director, Professor Gary Lock, for an introductory lecture followed by an included 3-course evening meal.

Day 2: Cherbury, Segsbury and Uffington Castles We begin our exploration of the Vale of the White Horse with Cherbury Camp, on the northern edge of the Vale. We have special access to this hidden gem which is normally closed to the public and is off the beaten track. A short drive then takes us up onto the Ridgeway and, first, to Segsbury Camp, where excavations by your tour leader revealed evidence for a substantial Iron Age settlement and communal centre. Living with the White Horse: Then enjoy the afternoon walking on White Horse Hill in the company of your tour leader, who excavated here. Explore the famous chalk-cut Hillforts of the Ridgeway figure, the Dragon Hill and the summit known as Uffington Castle, with great views in all A professor from Oxford University guides you through the latest research and excavation in directions. one of England’s most significant ancient landscapes, where history and prehistory are etched Led by Emeritus To end the day we have arranged special access into the soft, green downland of a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. Professor to the local museum in Uffington, which is housed Gary Lock in the schoolroom of the book ‘Tom Brown’s School Days’ by Thomas Hughes, who was from 12 - 15 May from £765 pp Fitness the village.  4 Days    Barbury Castle 15 - 18 Sept Single supplement £150 Level 3 (see p.8)

Tour Overview  Highlights

“Of all the earthworks that are such a notable feature Ê The White Horse, one of England’s of the landscape in England and Wales, few are more iconic ancient landmarks prominent or more striking than the hillforts built during Ê The spectacular earthworks and the centuries before the Roman conquest.” hidden history of the Ridgeway hillforts Abingdon White Horse Hill James Forde-Johnson, archaeologist, 1976 Ê Inside information and perspectives from Professor Lock This tour focuses on the Iron Age hillforts associated with one of England’s most famous landmarks, the Uffington White Horse in Ê Stay in the picturesque Thames-side town of Abingdon, near Oxford Alfred’s Castle, Liddington Castle and Barbury Camp Oxfordshire. This striking figure of a horse was cut into a chalk Day 3: hillside thousands of years ago and was a prominent feature Ê Get off the beaten track into an Area Just off the Ridgeway, on lower ground, Alfred’s Castle is a small enclosure where excavations by your tour in the Iron Age landscape. It is still visible from miles away and of Outstanding Natural Beauty leader showed intensive Iron Age occupation, and re-use in Romano-British times as a farm-villa. There is has become a symbol of England’s heritage. The hillfort above also evidence for Saxon period activity and, indeed, King Alfred is thought to have defeated the Danes in battle near here, hence the castle’s name. it, known as Uffington Castle, was one of a number of hillforts  What’s Included? quite regularly spaced along one of the oldest trackways in Liddington Castle is perched on some of the highest ground on the Ridgeway, with extensive views across Three nights hotel accommodation at the Thames Valley and the Marlborough Downs. It is often regarded as the site of the Battle of Mount Europe – the Ridgeway. Enjoy panoramic views and a strong the Cosener’s House Hotel, Abingdon sense of England’s past in a landscape of monuments which Badon, c.500 AD, where the Saxons were defeated by the Britons, possibly led by King Arthur. All breakfasts and a 3-course evening have ancient Celtic, Romano-British and Saxon histories, and meal on the first night Our final visit is to Barbury Castle, undoubtedly one of the most impressive hillforts with its double ring of have retained significance ever since. Your tour leader, Gary ditches and ramparts and spectacular setting on the Ridgeway. Lock, is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University Daily excursions with all transport, of Oxford and an expert on the Iron Age. He has directed entrances and guiding excavations at three of the hillforts you visit on the tour, so this Expert tour director supported by a Day 4: Abingdon and Departures is a unique opportunity to gain inside information on these local guide To complete your tour we include a final morning’s guided walk around the historic Thames-side town of spectacular and enigmatic monuments spanning England’s Abingdon, discovering its delightful architecture and many centuries of intriguing history before dispersing transition from prehistory to history. for home.

36 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 37  Itinerary - Hellfire Corner: England’s Front Line Day 1: Arrival in Hythe, Kent Make your way to your hotel in the attractive seaside town of Hythe, and meet your tour director for a welcome talk and included 3-course evening meal. Day 2: Spitfire and Hurricane Museum and Richborough Roman Fort In the area around Ramsgate, an important harbour in the Dunkirk evacuations, we find the likely landing sites for both the Roman and Anglo-Saxon invasions of England. We visit Richborough, where the Claudian invasion is thought to have landed and which also boasts one of England’s rare Saxon Shore Forts. Nearby we find RAF Manston, an important airfield in both the First and Second World Wars, which now houses a fabulous collection of the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes and many other exhibits. Day 3: Dover Castle & Wartime Tunnels As the ‘key to England’ Dover has been fortified since Iron Age times. Its medieval castle is one of the largest in the country and has a labyrinth of wartime tunnels below, cut into the famous White Cliffs of Dover. It Hellfire Corner: was from here that Vice Admiral Ramsay planned the Dunkirk evacuations. Our full day visit gives you time to thoroughly explore this most distinguished frontline fortress with its excellent exhibitions and England’s Front Line panoramic views of the Dover Strait. Day 4: Battle of Britain Museum, National Memorial and Cemetery The heroes of the Battle of Britain are commemorated at the National Cemetery and the National Memorial “Never in the field of human conflict has so much to the Few, a peaceful spot atop the White Cliffs. The Scramble Experience gives you a feel for what it was Led by Dr been owed by so many to so few” like for the airmen of the battle. Stop for lunch at the historic Jackdaw Inn which was a filming location for Winston Churchill, 1940 Christopher the star-studded 1969 film ‘Battle of Britain’. At nearby Hawkinge we see the world’s largest collection of Cole Battle of Britain memorabilia and full-sized aircraft. Folkestone and Hythe from £1145 pp Fitness Day 5:  8 Days 2 - 9 June Folkestone’s Memorial Arch and Road of    (see p.8) Single supplement £260 Level 2 Remembrance honour the millions of First World War troops who embarked from here for the Western Front. At Shorncliffe Camp we discover a Maximum of 15 participants major component of England’s frontline for over 200 years, and at Hythe we learn about the military  Highlights history of this Cinque Port town since medieval Tour Overview times, including a stroll along the Royal Military With only 21 miles separating England from France, the Ê Dover Castle’s Wartime Tunnels Canal, constructed to stop Napoleon. Richborough south-east corner of England has always been the nation’s Ê The Battle of Britain Museums at Day 6: Lympne, Stutfall Roman Fort front line of defence. Hawkinge and Manston and Romney Marsh’s ALGs The Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Normans all landed here to Ê The National Memorial to the Stutfall is a rare example of a shore fort, built to begin their conquests, and since then this stretch of coast defend Roman Britain from Saxon invasions. RAF has successfully defended the realm. It has also pioneered Few and the Scramble Experience Lympne featured in both World Wars and was developments in the armed forces, first as the cradle of the Royal Ê Richborough Roman fort involved in a daring plot to kidnap Adolf Hitler. Navy, and then in aviation as the front line in the skies during Continuing onto Romney Marsh we visit two small both World Wars. This was the scene of the Battle of Britain, Ê Cinque Ports and Romney Marsh airstrips, known as Advanced Landing Grounds where Spitfire dogfights raged overhead, it was Doodlebug (ALGs), which were built to provide air cover for Alley where thousands of flying bombs fell, and it was Hellfire the D-Day landings. At Newchurch we also see a Corner where massive guns fired at each other across the English  What’s Included? Hurricane fighter pilot’s grave, and at Brenzett we Dover Castle Channel. visit a unique aeronautical museum. Seven nights hotel Our tour explores 2000 years of military history and heroism, accommodation Day 7: Lydd, Dungeness and visiting the defences, airfields, museums and memorials of both Dymchurch the First and Second World Wars, the preparations for attack by All breakfasts and two evening Romney Marsh’s accessible beaches and flat hinterland have put it on the front line whenever invasion Napoleon, the Cinque Ports of Norman times, and some of the meals. Additional meal options has threatened. We explore its fascinating military heritage, from Napoleonic Martello Towers to anti- rarest types of Roman remains in the world. available doodlebug batteries, Operation PLUTO, sound mirrors and a range of beach defences designed to oppose The tour is based for the week in the attractive Kentish coastal Hitler’s planned invasion, Operation Sealion. We even learn about German spies, an unfortunate Luftwaffe

town of Hythe. Your tour leader is archaeologist Dr Christopher Daily excursions with all pilot, and the mystery surrounding a Romanov Princess. Cole, who has lived in this area all his life and has an unrivalled transport, entrances and guiding knowledge and passion for it. Day 8: Departure Expert tour director Check-out after a leisurely breakfast and make your way home. 38 39 new for 2021  Itinerary - Midwinter in The Mendips, Avebury & Bath

Day 1: Arrivals Make your way to the beautiful, historic city of Bath. Check-in at the Abbey Hotel and meet your tour director, Mark Corney, for a welcome talk followed by an included 3-course evening meal. Day 2: Bath City Tour Home to Britain’s only natural hot springs, Bath has been a spa town since Roman times. The Roman Midwinter in baths are remarkably well preserved and still flow today with the natural spring water. They became very fashionable in Georgian times, making the city popular with 18th century high society and famed in literature and art. This is when Palladian architects transformed Bath into one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with elegant, neo-classical buildings in the honey coloured Bath stone. The Mendips, The compact nature of the historic centre allows us to see it all on a walking tour in which your tour director will show you the some of the lesser-known Roman and Medieval remains, as well as the famous Avebury & Bath Georgian crescents and squares. We include entrance to the Roman Baths and the Medieval Abbey, and you might like time to relax in the modern thermal spa or in one of the city’s Regency tea rooms. Enjoy a pre- or post-Christmas break in the beautiful historic city of Bath, and Avebury World Heritage and the get off the beaten track into the magical prehistoric landscapes of Avebury, the Day 3: Bath Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels. Led by Mark Museum Corney A short drive from Bath brings us to Avebury, an archaeological area which shares World Heritage status with Stonehenge some 20 miles to its south. Both Stonehenge and Avebury were in use at the same 11 - 15 Jan from £895 pp Fitness  5 Days    time, and each was at the centre of its own ceremonial landscape 6 - 10 Dec Single supplement £185 Level 1 (see p.8) of monuments. Avebury’s is, in fact, much larger than Stonehenge and is Europe’s largest Neolithic stone circle, large enough to contain today’s village within it. Tour Overview Dawson and Mark Corney guide us through Avebury’s West Kennet Avenue  Highlights fascinating landscape of monuments, exploring the Sanctuary, West The city of Bath is the UK’s only UNESCO World Heritage Kennet Avenue, and Silbury Hill, as well as Ê Two UNESCO World Heritage city, and an iconic destination on the Great West Way, a the main circle. We also visit the site museum, and you might like to take a stroll along the Avenue. wide strand of southern England full of history, hidden sites; Bath and Avebury gems and Englishness. Our tour stays in the centre of Bath Ê Expert guiding from Mark Corney We finish with a short drive to the historic market town of Devizes, where we visit the Wiltshire Museum. and also takes you into the surrounding countryside, and David Dawson Wiltshire is one of England’s richest counties for archaeology, and the museum’s director, David Dawson, gives us a private tour of the collections followed by a private dinner in the museum. getting off the beaten track to delve deep into the ancient Ê A private tour and dinner at the past of Wiltshire and Somerset. Wiltshire Museum in Devizes Day 4: The Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels Bath was built for pleasure and relaxation, and its historic streets Ê A rare archaeological tour of A short distance from Bath and the Great West Way lie the Mendip Hills, one of England’s most attractive are full of interest. It is famous for its excellently preserved Roman the Mendip Hills and Somerset landscapes. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is characterised by spectacular gorges, Baths, elegant Georgian architecture and as the home of Jane Levels rich grasslands, and hundreds of ancient monuments. Local archaeologist Mark Corney will take you on Austen. Stay in the heart of the city at the 4-star Abbey Hotel, a Ê The historic charms of a fascinating scenic drive across the Mendips and down Cheddar . This is the largest gorge in the charming boutique hotel with the city’s many attractions on its Glastonbury and Wells UK, over 400 feet deep and three miles long. The caves here contain evidence of Palaeolithic occupation, doorstep. including Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton. Your tour director, Mark Corney, is a well-known British  What’s Included? The gorge brings us down onto the flat Somerset Levels, a wetland area that has produced one of England’s archaeologist who lives locally. He will guide you around Bath and best preserved prehistoric villages, and the world’s oldest timber trackway. We stop in Glastonbury, a town is joined on the next day by David Dawson, the director of the Four nights hotel steeped in history and myth and brimming with midwinter magic. For long associated with the Isle of Wiltshire Museum, to guide you around the ancient monuments accommodation at the 4-star Avalon and the legend of the Holy Grail, this small town is also reputed to be the cradle of Christianity in and ceremonial landscape of the Avebury World Heritage site. Abbey Hotel, Bath England and the burial place of fabled King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. We make a final stop at nearby David also gives you a private tour of the Wiltshire Museum, All breakfasts and two evening Wells, England’s smallest city. Its charming medieval streets include the splendid Gothic cathedral, one of finishing with a private dinner in the museum itself. meals the architectural highlights of Britain, and the fortified Bishop’s Palace, which has been home to the Bishops The following day Mark will conduct a rare archaeological tour of Daily excursions with all of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. the Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels, exploring the spectacular transport, entrances and expert Cheddar Gorge, mysterious Glastonbury, and England’s smallest guiding Day 5: Departures cathedral city at Wells. Check out after a leisurely breakfast and make your way home.

40 Please visit www.hiddenhistory.co.uk for booking details, travel and accommodation information, and much more! 41 How to Book  Early Reservation  Travel Extras Tours have minimum and maximum numbers of We will be pleased to help with travel plans participants, and places can quickly become limited surrounding your tour, such as extra nights, by our small group size policy and hotel room further travel, airport hotels and parking. And don’t availability. The earlier you reserve your place(s), the forget your travel insurance – we can recommend earlier we can confirm your tour and your place on it. companies to you. You will also benefit from lower early booking prices and wider choice of accommodation, extended stays,  Private Tours, Groups & Our name, Hidden History Travel, reflects the hidden nature of the past, and flights and airfares. Societies how travel can help us discover its many meanings, mysteries and insights  Payments Book Your Bubble: In addition to our small group departures, we can arrange a private version of our You can make a provisional reservation without tours exclusively for your own bubble of friends payment, but places and prices are guaranteed only and family. These can be customized to your exact with a deposit (normally £100 for UK tours, £250 requirements, allowing you to make use of our for non-UK tours). We will refund your deposit if we expertise and contacts in the world of archaeological cannot confirm your tour whenever you ask us to travel. It’s your adventure, make it fit you perfectly - do so. Full payment is usually required about three and safely. months ahead of the tour. Payment can be made by telephone with credit/debit card, or by online or bank Tailor-Made Tours: We also plan and organise transfer, or by posting a cheque. private tours for clubs and societies. Just let us know your interests and requirements and we’ll be happy  Flexibility & Financial to help. Speakers: Whether you are travelling with us or Follow us for updates and tour news!  hiddenhistorytravel Protection not, our tour lecturers can share their knowledge Hidden History Travel is a member of the Travel Trust and enthusiasm for archaeology and travel through Subscribe to our free email newsletter from our website  @hiddenhistory1 Association. This means that we provide you with talks to clubs and societies. These can also stimulate the strongest consumer protection available in the interest in private group tours, and are great for pre- travel industry. Any payments you make are 100% tour introductions and get-togethers. protected by the association to pay for your holiday or to reimburse you if we fail to provide it. We also pride ourselves on our flexibility and fairness so you can reserve your place without worrying if unforeseen circumstances should affect your travel plans.

Reserve your place(s) at www.hiddenhistory.co.uk or by calling 0121 444 1854 or via email at [email protected] We will then check availability and discuss your requirements.

Tour prices in this brochure may be subject to change. Current prices and full terms and conditions are available on our website or by request.

42 43 Hidden History

103 Addison Road, Birmingham, B14 7EP Email: [email protected] Telephone: (UK) 0121 444 1854

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www.hiddenhistory.co.uk

 hiddenhistorytravel  @hiddenhistory1