AITO Inspiration – Fascinating historical forays with AITO's expert holiday companies

Are you a history buff or perhaps a discerning traveller keen to learn more about a city or region's fascinating past? Choose from a range of historical-themed holidays available with members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO, www.aito.com), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

NEW - Road cycling through the Inner Hebrides – Scotland from £1,495 pp with Wilderness Scotland

Join a brand new small group island-hopping adventure to the Inner Hebrides on two wheels taking in the tranquil island of Iona which was a centre of Irish monasticism for centuries and where, to this day, a deeply religious community exists. Explore its breath-taking ancient Abbey, which is the most elaborate and best-preserved ecclesiastical building from the Middle Ages in the Western Isles, where cyclists are given the option to attend a Christian workshop. Later, visit the ancient burial ground, home to a number of medieval graves, with records citing the burial of Scottish, Irish, Norse and French Kings. One of Wilderness Scotland's more leisurely road cycling breaks, there are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and relaxing on white-sand beaches. Departing 30 July and 27 August, the trip costs £1,495pp (two sharing), including six nights' B&B accommodation, some meals, full guiding, ride support, activities and entry fees, and luggage transfers. Call Wilderness Scotland on 01479 420020 (www.wildernessscotland.com).

Recreate the Roaring Twenties by rail – Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from £2,789 pp with Kirker Holidays

For authentic Art Deco indulgence, the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express should be on every discerning traveller's wish list. Whether celebrating a special birthday or anniversary, or simply for a sublime short break, this world-famous luxury train promises timeless elegance and superb service: feast on gastronomic cuisine and sip cocktails in the piano bar before retiring to your immaculate private cabin. Departing 26 June, 3 July, 1, 14 & 20 August and 12 October, a four-night holiday costs from £2,789 pp (two sharing), including flights (Gatwick) to Venice, water taxi transfers, three nights' B&B at the five-star superior Luna Baglioni (Venice's oldest and most historic hotel), tickets to the Doge's Palace, Guggenheim or Accademia, one night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with all meals included (not drinks), and Kirker Guide Notes & Concierge Service. Call Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2283 (www.kirkerholidays.com).

Where Time Stands Still – Rural Romania from £1,955 pp with Ffestiniog Travel

Experience traditional Romanian rural life from a bygone era - where horses still work the fields, haystacks are a common sight and home-grown produce is part of the daily diet - on a 12-day escorted tour that includes family-run 'homestays' and lunches with local villagers. You'll visit the famous painted monasteries of Bucovina, the medieval citadel of Sighisoara and Maramures' famous Merry Cemetery, and ride on three narrow gauge steam railways (two privately chartered), one of which is the last forestry railway in Europe. Departing 25 September 2016 & 3 September 2017, 'Rural Romania – Where Time Stands Still' costs from £1,955 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), rail and mini-coach travel, hotel and homestay accommodation, most meals, excursions, the services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour, plus a local Romanian guide. Call Ffestiniog Travel on 01766 772 030 (www.ffestiniogtravel.com).

Men only! Stay in a Mount Athos monastery – Halkidiki from £742 pp with Sunvil
You do not have to be of the Orthodox (or indeed any) faith to visit Mount Athos and stay for a few nights in the monasteries - but you do need to be male! Mount Athos is a remote state within a state, far removed from the 21st century. Here, men can step back in time and experience the humble life of the monks for a couple of nights, where not much has changed since the Middle Ages. A seven-night stay in Olymbiada costs from £742 pp (two sharing), including return flights (Gatwick), seven nights' half board at the Liotopi Hotel, airport transfers and two nights in two monasteries (dormitory-style accommodation). Sunvil requires three months' notice to obtain a permit (35 euros, payable locally). Call Sunvil on 020 8758 4758 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

The Road to Jordan – from £1,199 pp with On the Go Tours

Explorers can travel back in time with the historical 'Road to Jordan' tour which captures the history of the country in a 15-day guided tour. First stop: Cairo, which includes a visit to the Great Pyramid of Giza and a felucca cruise down the Nile.  Then on to discover the holy land of Madaba, with trips to its Christian market town and the Church of St George, which is home to some of the oldest Byzantine mosaics (on the church floor). This 15-day guided tour from Cairo to Amman costs from £1,199 pp (two sharing), including 11 nights' B&B in 3* to 5* accommodation (one night deluxe desert camp, two nights on a felucca and one overnight train), two lunches, three dinners, a tour guide in every city and location visited (Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea), a Red Sea swim at Hurghada, Wadi Rum desert safari and airport arrival and departure transfers. Call On The Go Tours on 020 7371 1113 (www.onthegotours.com).

Along the Silk Road – Uzbekistan from £2,590 pp with Kudu Travel

For any traveller, Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva evoke the romance of the Silk Road and the long and complex history of Central Asia. Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Zoroastrianism, Scythian and Mongol horsemen, Russian Imperialism and the Great Game are just some of the threads that weave an extraordinarily rich and fascinating history. This two-week tour visits the main Silk Route cities of Uzbekistan and also includes a day's walking in the Chatkal Mountains northeast of Tashkent, an excursion into the Kyzylkum desert to see impressive forts dating back to the 4C BC, and a visit to the fertile Fergana Valley, filled with pomegranate and apricot orchards and famed for its ceramics and silks. Departing 1 October, this two-week tour costs from £2,590 pp (two sharing) including 13 nights' B&B in 3* to 5* accommodation, full board with wine/beer, all transfers (incl. one internal flight and a train journey), all entries and specialist guiding. Flights extra (with Uzbek Airlines from Heathrow to Tashkent). Call Kudu Travel on 01225 436 115 (www.kudutravel.com).   

Step back in time through Årrenjarka – Swedish Lapland from £855 pp with Simply Sweden

The history of Årrenjarka in Swedish Lapland dates back thousands of years. With a Sámi culture and archaeology excursion, visitors can experience the history of the Sámi people, the indigenous population. Your Sámi guide and archaeologist starts with a walk around Årrenjarka. Discover different ancient remains - old hearths, cooking pits and hunting pits - some dating from the Stone Age. Coffee is served around an open fire with traditional Sámi bread, and the storytelling continues inside the lávvu. Your guide will also perform joiks (traditional Sámi songs). This seven-night tour costs from £855 pp (for four people) and includes accommodation in a self-catering cabin, flights from London and a rental car. Available 15 June to 27 September. Call Simply Sweden on 01427 700115 (www.simplysweden.co.uk).

Ends – 27 MAY 2016

Note to Editors: 

AITO (established in 1976, 40 years ago in 2016) is an alliance of over 120 specialist holiday companies, all of which offer full financial protection to their clients and all of which are proud of their expertise and knowledge, the quality of service offered and the emphasis which they place on Sustainable Tourism.  AITO members together offer holidays and travel arrangements around the globe, with a huge array of niche holiday ideas that simply can't be found elsewhere.  Visit www.aito.com for a full list of members and the destinations which they serve.

Press: For more information about AITO (www.aito.com) please contact Sue Ockwell or Rebecca Milne at Travel PR (020 8891 4440, s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk or r.milne@travelpr.co.uk).