2020 TOUR PROGRAMME FeaturinG A previEw of our 2021 tours come and see us There are many ways you can communicate with The Cultural Experience. You can call us on 0345 475 1815 or email [email protected]. However, if you would like to talk to a member of our team face to face, then why not come along to one of the events listed below and meet our dedicated experts? Destinations Holiday & Travel Show Thursday 16th - Sunday 19th January 2020 Event City, Phoenix Way, Off Barton Dock Road, Manchester, M41 7TB Destinations Holiday & Travel Show Thursday 30th January - Sunday 2nd February 2020 Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX Current Archaeology Live Friday 28th & Saturday 29th February 2020 University of London’s Senate House, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU Salute 2020 Saturday 18th April 2020 Excel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, E16 1XL TankFest Friday 26th June - Sunday 28th June 2020 The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG Battle of Britain airshow Saturday 19th September & Sunday 20th September 2020 IWM Duxford, Duxford, Cambridge, CB22 4QR welcome Inside this mini-brochure we present a synopsis of our confirmed 2020 tour programme and an insight into our planning for 2021. The front half of the brochure is dedicated to our 2020 programme, some of which may be sold out or nearing capacity. More information on each tour can be found on our award-winning website www. theculturalexperience.com The second half of this brochure looks towards 2021. Whilst we don’t have precise dates and may not have identified all of our expert historians, it is our intention to confirm our programme by summer 2020. Please share your thoughts with us about this programme and let us know which of these tours appeal to you. In return we will let Alan Rooney you have pre-publication notice of those tours and first refusal to book Director, them. Many of our 2020 tours were over 50% booked before a tour was The Cultural Experience announced and we encourage you to add your details, so you don’t miss out. Don’t forget that you can find a wealth of tour reviews, pictures and diaries on both our website and Facebook page. To keep up to date with the latest historical news, events and, of course, our new tours, ensure that you sign up to receive our e-newsletter. Thank you for travelling with The Cultural Experience in 2019. I hope that we shall see you again very shortly. For more information on any of tours or to book your trip: Call 0345 475 1815 USA (Toll-free) 1-877-381-2914 Visit www.theculturalexperience.com Email [email protected] @CultExp /historicaltours /thecultural_experience WHAT TO EXPECT Expert Historians Your historians are all experts in their own field – chosen on the basis of their ability to bring history to life in an interesting, enthusiastic and, where appropriate, humorous way. They will act as your host throughout the holiday and be available to answer your questions whilst conducting tours during the day or when socialising in the evenings. On larger tours they will also be accompanied by a tour manager who will take care of all administrative matters. Your Fellow Guests Your Fellow Guests will typically be a refreshing and diverse group of individuals and couples from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. No special prior knowledge is assumed or required – just a general interest in the subject. Whilst respecting individual privacy, we work hard to make everyone feel welcome – and normally find the group quickly comes together in a very informal and inclusive way. For this reason, we typically restrict the size of our groups to between 6 - 22 people – which also means we have more flexibility in finding good accommodation and restaurants for you. Food & Accommodation Most of our tours are on a half-board basis i.e. the tour price includes a good breakfast before setting out each day and in the evenings we all get together in our hotel or local restaurant for a three-course cooked meal (usually based on regional specialities) with coffee and wine included and will be hosted by your tour manager and historian. You will be accommodated in the best hotels available, and wherever possible hotels which have a historic connection to the heritage and events we are covering, and/or which are representative of the style and culture of the region will be used. Single travellers will be accommodated in a double room for sole occupancy. 4 Visit www.theculturalexperience.com Call 0345 475 1815 WHAT TO EXPECT Your Transportation We use modern, comfortable and spacious air-conditioned coaches. We make regular stops during the day to view the ground, walk to our various stands, grab a coffee/beer and of course for lunch. All rail journeys are either Standard Premier (Eurostar) or First Class (TGV). Unless otherwise stated all flights are from London Heathrow. What’s Included We provide a complete package in additional to food and accommodation, the tour price includes flights, trains, coaches and entrance fees to sites and attractions as detailed in each itinerary. You will also receive a welcome drink, pre tour booklet, leather luggage label, access to our new mobile app and a dedicated Tour Manager. Subject to availability we can lengthen your holiday, or combine it with another, by extending your flight dates, booking the extra accommodation and making other ground arrangements. We can arrange pre and post tour hotels and regional flights to the tour departure airport. Short-haul flights can usually be upgraded to business class and long-haul to either first or business class. Often it is possible to provide connecting flights from Manchester and other regional airports to worldwide destinations. Please enquire when you book. Your Financial Security The Cultural Experience takes your financial protection very seriously. We are bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT 5390) and hold an ATOL licence (10153), so you are always financially protected. USA (Toll-free) 1-877-381-2914 Email [email protected] 5 early periods The Archaeology of the Bay of Naples 30 March – 5 April 2020 with historian Dr Andy Fear 26 October – 1 November 2020 with archaeologist Amanda Pavlick This comprehensive archaeological tour of the Bay of Naples and the events of AD79 includes the well-known and impressive remains of Pompeii, the superbly preserved Herculaneum, Paestum, Stabiae and of course, Vesuvius. from £2,145 The Roman Empire’s Western Extremity 6 – 13 April 2020 with historian Dr Andy Fear This archaeological tour explores how the Romans are reflected in Lusitania through the magnificent monuments left for us to admire across the province, led by renowned Roman historian Dr Andy Fear who will provide insight, analysis and inspiring narrative. from £2,495 The Lost World of the Minoans 17 – 24 May 2020 with historian Dr Rita Roussos Our tour takes us to Santorini, where we visit the impressive remains of ancient Akrotiri and Thira. Our adventure continues as we travel by catamaran to Crete, famous for being home to the Minoans, the world’s first advanced civilisation. from £2,475 6 Visit www.theculturalexperience.com Call 0345 475 1815 early periods Hadrian & The Roman Army in The North 5 - 10 July 2020 with historian Dr Andy Fear Guided by Dr Andy Fear, we examine the role and organisation of the largest professional army until the modern era, placing it in context as we explore the remains and reconstructions of fortifications, houses and barrack blocks. from £1,975 The Silk Roads in China 14 - 27 September 2020 with historian Dr James Greenbaum This 14-day tour follows the ancient Silk Road trade routes from the metropolis of Beijing, beyond the Great Wall to the ancient streets of Kashgar. You will discover how the Silk Roads influenced the development and culture of the Chinese frontier cities of Turpan and Dunhuang. from £5,750 USA (Toll-free) 1-877-381-2914 Email [email protected] 7 17th & 18th Century Sold Out The American War of Independence 3 – 14 June 2020 with historian & author Dr Stephen Brumwell This superb 11 day tour will immerse you in 18th century colonial America during its struggle for freedom from the clutches of British rule. Starting in historic Boston, we travel through magnificent Eastern USA countryside to explore the pivotal battlefields. from £5,395 The English Civil War 29 June - 4 July 2020 with author and historian Col Nick Lipscombe Despite the encroachment of major roads, the battlefields that we visit are virtually as they were over 370 years ago allowing us to get off the beaten track and wander down country lanes, trails and bridle paths to gain superb views over delightful English rolling countryside. from £1,945 8 Visit www.theculturalexperience.com Call 0345 475 1815 17th & 18th Century Jacobites & Bravehearts 5 - 14 September 2020 with author and historian Dr John Sadler During this fabulous 10-day tour, at carefully selected locations we will discuss the facts, fiction and myths that all contribute to Scotland’s legendary quixotic history and explore the sites where those dramatic events, whether they be actual, alleged or fictional, took place. from £2,995 Frederick the Great in Silesia 29th September – 3rd October 2020 with Maj Gen John Drewienkiewicz On this 8-day tour we follow Frederick the Great’s campaigns throughout German Silesia, from his early battles in Wroclaw where he honed his military strategy to his Summer Palace at Sans Souci, where we pay our respects at his grave. from £2,595 USA (Toll-free) 1-877-381-2914 Email [email protected] 9 NapoleoNic Austerlitz: Napoleon’s Masterpiece 3 - 6 December 2020 with historian Alan Rooney A fascinating long weekend exploring the battlefield and intermingling with the numerous participants preparing for the spectacular anniversary re-enactment.