09 Oct 2019
Tags: pompeii, Troy, Rhodes, Greece, ancient history, group tours, Andante Travels, Knossos, Crete, archaeology, budget travel, Guided Tours, Short Breaks, ancient world, Berlin, Florence, Italy, British Museum
Leading archaeological holidays company Andante Travels (www.andantetravels.co.uk, 01722 713 800) has unveiled a new collection of Bare Bones tours, which are more affordably priced than its fuller-bodied trips, but still include return flights from London as well as hand-picked hotels throughout, daily breakfasts, all visits as per the itineraries, and finally the services of an excellent local guide to ensure the expert insight on offer to interested guests is as in-depth and rich as possible. These are archaeological short breaks with more flexibility – perfect for the modern traveller as well as for those who would prefer more independence than an escorted group tour typically offers.
Starting from just £735pp, these tours will take guests to destinations all over the ancient world, from Istanbul to the site of Pompeii and from vibrant Berlin to the iconic city of Rome. There are four new itineraries on offer for 2020, which visit Florence, Greece, Rhodes and Troy, and hotels for each tour will be centrally located to ensure the guest can make the best use of their time for independent exploration as well as have access to the best variety of local restaurants for all non-included meals.
Numerous tour operators have recently reported a rising trend in the popularity of historical or archaeological tours, but often these come with a hefty price tag. Andante's Bare Bones range offers these shorter breaks at accessible prices, but they retain the expert guide element in the form of an experienced local, who knows the sites and stories inside and out.
A beautiful city that both gave rise to and defines the Renaissance, Florence is an exciting new destination on offer for 2020. One for art lovers and culture vultures alike, guests will explore the collections housed within the Galleria dell'Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery. Other highlights include the Pitti Palace, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Museum of the Cathedral, and the Medici Chapel with its tombs produced by none other than Michelangelo. Dr Agata Chrzanowska, an art historian and scholar, will lead this awe-inspiring tour.
5 days from £945pp. 10th – 14th September and 19th – 23rd November, 2020.
The personable and knowledgeable Miranda Spitha will lead this new Bare Bones tour of Greece. Starting out in ancient Athens, guests will climb the Acropolis to the Parthenon, where they'll visit the Acropolis Museum and enjoy views over the city as it stands today. Continuing on with a journey into the Peloponnese, there will be stops in Corinth and the reputed birthplace of Hercules, Tiryns. In Mycenae, we visit the Argive Heraion where the sanctuary of Hera was built on three gigantic terraces carved into the hillside and in Epidaurus, guests will admire its 14th and 15th century architecture. Nafplio's archaeological Museum is also on the itinerary, rounding off an insightful week in this amazing country.
6 days from £1,195pp. 19th – 24th June and 4th – 9th September, 2020.
Experience the beauty and stories of an island ruled by Greeks, Crusaders, Ottomans and Italians on this six-day archaeological and historical tour. Visits include the well-preserved Hellenistic city of Kamiros, the Acropolis of Ialyssos, the Temple of Athena at Lindos, Rhodes' Acropolis, and the fabulous Archaeological Museum. Guests will also tour the Palace of the Grand Master as well as a host of churches6 days from £1,045pp. 15th – 20th May and 11th – 16th September, 2020.
About to be the focus of a brand new exhibition opening at London's British Museum, Troy is a bucket-list destination for many fans of archaeology and history. Experienced local guide Bulent Sahan will lead this trip, taking guests on a tour around Hisarlik, the site believed to be Troy. Other visits include the Temple of Athena at Assos, the Pergamon, the ancient agora of Smyrna, and the incredible ancient Greek site of Ephesus.
6 days from £1,295pp. 27th May – 1st June and 28th October – 2nd November, 2020.
Other tours available under the Bare Bones range include Berlin, Venice, Rome, Pompeii, the Minoans, and Istanbul. Flights and transfers are included with all tours, but if guests want to extend their tours on either side, the Andante team can help make arrangements at an additional cost. To view the Bare Bones brochure, click below.
Digital brochure link: https://issuu.com/specialistjourneys/docs/andante_travels_-_bare_bones_2020
All Bare Bones tours can be seen and booked here: https://www.andantetravels.co.uk/tours/all/48/0/Bare-Bones/departure-date.htm
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For more information, call Andante Travels on 01722 713800 or visit https://www.andantetravels.co.uk/
For further media information, contact: Martha Whatley, Content Marketing and PR Executive, martha@specialistjourneys.com
Notes to editors
Founded in 1985, Andante Travels – part of the Specialist Journeys group – has grown to become one of the UK's leading specialist tour operators. This year, Andante won Best Specialist Tour Operator and Best Escorted Tour Operator at Luxury Lifestyle Magazine's Readers' Travel Awards, it was a finalist for the Marketing Excellence prize at the South Wilts Business of the Year Awards, and Andante guide Dr. Eireann Marshall won the Top History & Culture Guide honour at Wanderlust magazine's World Guide Awards. Andante is once again nominated in both the Best Special Interest Holiday Company and Best Holiday Company to the Italian Peninsula & Malta categories at the 2019 British Travel Awards.
Andante's tours have been named 'Trips of a Lifetime' by the National Geographic Traveler on five occasions and in 2018 it appointed Jackie Willis as its new CEO, who brought with her over 35 years of touring and travel experience. Over the years, the company has introduced thousands of people to the wonders of the ancient world. Its tours are all designed and led by renowned experts, who bring a unique, special insight to each site visited in every corner of the globe, and every one of its itineraries boasts exclusive access to either a museum or venue, a specific archaeological site or to a workshop. Andante's tours are peppered with hands-on, immersive experiences that offer an authentic taste of each destination and leave guests with memories that will linger long after they return home.
