Cruising the Mekong River: Vietnam and Cambodia
2022-10-17 | MA
Explore the wonders of tropical Indochina on our luxurious tour of Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Mekong River. Begin with two nights in Ho Chi Minh City (still known by many as Saigon), a busy and dynamic metropolis that exudes energy and buzzes with activity. Then embark on a seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the beautiful Mekong Princess, an exclusive riverboat with only 14 suites, elegant French colonial appointments, an ultra-shallow draft that allows us to access the nooks and crannies of the river, and all the modern comforts.
As you cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, visit magnificent Buddhist and Hindu temples, observe floating markets bursting with colorful produce, and delve into the everyday lives of those who call the Mekong River home. Enjoy an enriching series of presentations and discussions by the accompanying AIA lecturer and host. Conclude with two glorious days to explore Angkor’s world-famous Khmer temples, the largest religious monument in the world. Limited to 24 participants.

Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean & Classical Greece
2022-10-21 - 2022-10-31 | MA
Join us to explore storied Athens and its celebrated ancient monuments before flying to legendary Crete, Greece’s largest island and the place that gave rise to Europe’s first advanced civilization. After visiting fascinating sites and museums in and around Heraklion, we will embark the lovely Callisto, which is akin to a private yacht rather than a cruise ship and accommodates only 34 guests.
Cruise to several of the most beautiful and historically important Greek islands. Some of the islands we will explore, such as Santorini, are well known, while others, such as Amorgos and Sifnos, are less known and yet considered to be the gems of the Greek archipelago. Beyond the bounds of mass tourism, they remain unspoiled, retaining their original character, and their ancient sites are devoid of large groups of visitors. A special feature of the cruise is the inclusion of the small, uninhabited, and seldom-visited islet
of Despotiko, which was an important sanctuary of Apollo in antiquity. Ongoing excavations under Greek archaeologist Yannos Kourayos have revealed major structures, including the Temple of Apollo, now partially restored.
Your engaging AIA expert, Professor Shelmerdine, will offer a series of onboard lectures and informal discussions, and local guides will illuminate the sites on every excursion ashore. Our custom-designed itinerary, the small size of the ship, and the planned activities combine to make for a truly memorable travel-learning experience.

IAD in the UNESCO Global Geopark Bohemian Paradise 2022
2022-10-23 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Prague) | The Bohemian Paradise House of Nature / Dům přírody Českého ráje, Dolánky u Turnova 9, Turnov, Liberecký kraj, 511 01, Czechia
The Center for Ecological Education of the Liberec Region, The Bohemian Paradise House of Nature, together with other partners, invite you to an archeological excursion to one of the most naturally valuable and attractive localities of the Český Ráj PLA – to the settlement and hillfort “Hrada and Klamorna na Mužském”. The heritage-protected area is one of the most important archaeological sites in Bohemia with abundant evidence of settlement during the last ten thousand years. Through the guided tour, we will get a glimpse into another of the stories of the landscape of sandstone rocks.
The prehistoric highland settlement of Hrada and Klamorna, on whose edge rock blocks were built in the High Middle Ages two fortified guard castles, originally formed a single unit with an area of ​​19 hectares. The site was visited by people as early as the end of the hunter-gatherer period, it was continuously inhabited from the end of the 6th millennium BC by Neolithic farmers, then by the carriers of the Eneolithic cultures and later in the Bronze Age, when the area was most likely first fortified by people of the Lusatian culture. Hrada and Klamorna was repopulated in the late Hallstatt period, in the Latenian period and then by the Slavs in the early Middle Ages with the restoration of the fort approximately between 800 and 950. The tour with the archaeologist will also be devoted to settlement and farming on the rocks in the modern age, historical paths in the sandstone bedrock and history of mining sandstone.
Meeting place (and parking): Dneboh – Kavčina, 50.5289000N, 15.0289133E
Route length 3.5 km, medium difficulty.
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJVwiBzBsjtPt8dsHhKZR-iXU4v54VZoiQgP5My1rFE3pK2A/viewform

Egypt Revisited
2023-01-13 - 2023-01-29 | MA
You are invited to return to Egypt to experience this 17-day, custom-designed itinerary in the engaging company of Egyptologist Stephen Harvey plus an expert local Egyptology guide and a professional tour manager. This trio has been receiving accolades for many years.
Highlights are many and varied:
Spend two full days visiting museums in Cairo (the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the historic Egyptian Museum) or two full days exploring Giza’s Grand Egyptian Museum if it is open.
Gain inside access to the Red Pyramid at Dahshur, enter the burial chamber of the collapsed pyramid at Meidum, and visit two mud-brick pyramids at the Fayoum Oasis.
Go behind-the-scenes at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara to see some of the new and remarkable excavations that are not open to the public, including (pending final confirmation) special access to the newly-discovered, 5th-dynasty Tomb of Wah Ti.
Explore the necropoli of Beni Hasan, known for its 39 rock-cut tombs with well-preserved paintings of dancing, acrobatics, juggling, fishing, hunting, and weaving; and Tuna el-Gebel, with huge catacombs for thousands of mummified ibises and baboons, and much more.
Visit Tell el-Amarna, which replaced Thebes (modern Luxor) as capital of Egypt under the heretic, 18th-dynasty Pharaoh Akhenaton and was significant for its monotheism and distinctive artistic style.
Enjoy two in-depth visits to Abydos, where Stephen Harvey has worked since 1993, including visits to the spectacular Temple of Seti I, with its invaluable “Abydos King List” and chapels with exquisite reliefs; and special access to the subterranean Osireion (symbolic tomb of Osiris), centered around a burial chamber that was once surrounded by water.
Discover two interesting and lesser-visited sites near Luxor: the Temple of Montu (the falcon-headed god of war) at El-Tod, and the tomb of Ankhtifi, a provincial governor and warlord, at El-Mo’alla.
Enjoy luxurious or best available accommodations throughout, with two or three nights at each property.
Enhance your adventure with a nine-day, pre-tour extension in Sudan (January 6-14, 2023) land of the Nubian pharaohs, replete with ancient pyramids and temples.

Jungle Kingdoms of the Ancient Maya
2023-01-14 - 2023-01-27 | MA
This tropical adventure provides the best-paced itinerary available to thoroughly explore ancient Maya sites in the lush jungles of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Maya art and architecture will “come alive” as you encounter enormous stelae (carved monoliths), painted frescoes, stucco friezes, carved lintels, and huge temple-pyramids that soar above the rainforest. Explore, in-depth, the sites of Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilán, Tikal, Yaxhá, Copán, and Quiriguá (four are UNESCO World Heritage Sites);
with free time to go bird watching or simply relax, reflect, and enjoy our comfortable hotels and remote jungle lodges. Maximum of just 12 guests.

Egypt Through The Ages
2023-01-17 - 2023-02-02 | MA
This unique trip combines the very best of the ancient pharaonic sites with later Coptic (early Christian) and medieval Islamic sites. This is a luxurious, in-depth, small-group, all-inclusive, well-paced, 17-day trip.
Learn with a distinguished and engaging Egyptian scholar plus one of Egypt’s most experienced tour manager/guides.
Travel with a maximum of just 16 guests plus your two leaders. Enjoy the best accommodations, including 10 nights at luxurious, 5-star hotels in Giza, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan; a three-night Nile cruise aboard a comfortable, eight-cabin dahabiya (traditional Nile sailboat); and two nights in the center of Medieval Cairo at a boutique, 17-suite hotel.
Highlights include:
Touring the amazing Giza pyramids and Sphinx as well as Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser and newly-discovered, closed-to-the-public, Tomb of Wah Ti.
Exploring spectacular museum collections in Cairo: the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, the Museum of Islamic Art, and either the historic Egyptian Museum OR, if it is open, the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
Discovering with your experts one of the world’s greatest cities—Cairo, the “City of 1,000 Minarets.” See magnificent Islamic architecture spanning the Fatimid, Mameluke, Circassian, Ayyubid, and Ottoman periods.
Exploring the astounding temple complex of Karnak as well as Luxor Temple, plus spectacular royal mortuary temples and tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, such as those of Seti I and Nefertari.
Cruising the Nile from Esna to Aswan aboard an eight-cabin sail boat, away from the convoys of large riverboats, so that we visit remarkable temples without the typical crowds. From the spacious top deck, observe timeless pastoral scenes of feluccas, farmers, herders, and village life during a visit to a farming community.
Flying to Abu Simbel to visit the stunning and enormous rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari.
The option to extend your trip with the seven-day, post-tour extension to the Siwa Oasis and Alexandria.

Absolute Egypt
2023-01-31 - 2023-02-17 | MA
This itinerary is carefully crafted to provide the discerning traveler with the finest Egypt tour available. It combines all the best attributes of an in-depth, small-group, all-inclusive, well-paced, luxury trip.
Highlights:
Learn with a distinguished and engaging American scholar plus a wonderful local Egyptologist and an excellent tour manager. This trio has been receiving accolades for many years.
Travel with a maximum of just 16 guests plus your trio of leaders.
Enjoy the best accommodations, including 12 nights at luxurious, 5-star hotels in Giza, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan; one night at the best-available hotel in Abydos; and a three-night Nile cruise aboard a comfortable, eight-cabin dahabiya (traditional Nile sail boat).
Meet with excavators and conservators, including behind-the-scenes visits, when possible.
Discover the preeminent sites of the pharaohs from Cairo to Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel:
If it is open, spend two full days exploring the Grand Egyptian Museum that is scheduled to open in late 2022.
Tour the amazing Giza pyramids and Sphinx as well as Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser and newly-discovered, closed-to-the-public, Tomb of Wah Ti.
Explore the astounding temple complex of Karnak as well as Luxor Temple, plus spectacular royal mortuary temples and tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, such as those of Seti I and Nefertari.
Visit the remarkable Temple of Hathor at Dendara as well as Abydos, one of the oldest and most important cities in ancient Egypt, where Steve Harvey, your AIA lecturer, has been working since 1993.
Cruise the Nile from Esna to Aswan aboard an eight-cabin sail boat, away from the convoys of large riverboats, so that we visit remarkable temples without the typical crowds. From the spacious top deck, observe timeless pastoral scenes of feluccas, farmers, herders, and village life.
Fly to Abu Simbel to visit the stunning and enormous rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari.
An optional, seven-day, post-tour extension to the Siwa Oasis and Alexandria

Israel: Treasures of the Holy Land
2023-03-10 - 2023-03-20 | MA
Tour Highlights include:
• Iconic ancient and religious sites, including five that are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list: the spectacular, tragic fortress of King Herod at Masada; the Biblical Tel (settlement mound) of Megiddo; a view of Haifa’s Bahá’í Gardens from Mt. Carmel; the Jewish necropolis of Beit Shearim; and Bethlehem, with its 4th-century Church of the Nativity.
• Five nights based in Jerusalem, exploring in-depth its archaeological sites, outstanding museums, and major Christian, Jewish, and Islamic holy places.
• The impressive ancient trading port of Caesarea Maritima; and Qumran, overlooking the Dead Sea, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for nearly 2,000 years.
• Limited to a maximum of just 16 guests!

Decorated Caves of the Pyrenees & the Rhone Valley
2023-04-13 - 2023-04-24 | MA
Discover a collection of magnificent but largely unheralded examples of Ice Age art while in the company of acclaimed paleoanthropologist and popular trip leader Ian Tattersall. Admire unusual, elegant bas-relief animal images in Basque caves, a profusion of hand prints at Gargas, and the famous panels of line-drawn and subtly shaded bison, horse, and ibex at Niaux. The trip concludes with a visit to the spectacular Chauvet cave replica at Vallon-Pontd’Arc, which expertly re-creates the earliest, and perhaps most impressive, of the many masterpieces of Ice Age art dated to some 35,000 years ago. Enjoy fine food and delightful accommodations while an expert tour manager handles all the logistics.

Antiquities of the Southern Mediterranean: Malta, Tunisia, Sicily, Calabria
2023-05-10 - 2023-05-18 | MA
Join our engaging AIA lecturer and host Lisa C. Pieraccini for this luxurious small-ship voyage circumnavigating Sicily that includes Tunisia, beginning and ending in Malta. Sicily offers a unique cultural experience in which Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Christian, Jewish, Byzantine, and Muslim influences intermingle-a true crossroads of civilizations. Amidst spring wildflowers and citrus groves discover splendid ancient Greek temples and medieval sites. See five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Sicily’s Monreale, Mt. Etna, Syracuse and Agrigento, plus Carthage in Tunisia. Join the pre-trip extension to Malta to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Valetta and Malta’s Prehistoric megalithic temples.

Iran: The Ancient Land Of Persia
2023-05-18 - 2023-06-02 | MA
Travel and learn with AIA study leader Alexander Nagel, an expert in the archaeology of Iran. This well paced 14-night itinerary brings you to to twelve UNESCO World Heritage sites including two visits (afternoon and morning) to Persepolis, one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites; Pasargadae, the location of the first Achaemenid capital, with the tomb of Cyrus II and the ruins of gardens, palaces, and altars; Tehran’s lavish, 18th-century Golestan Palace; Soltaniye’s 14th-century mausoleum of Mongol Sultan Oljeitu Khodabande; The Sassanian religious center of Takht-e Soleiman (Solomon’s Throne); Bisotun, with a 6th-century bas-relief surrounded by over a thousand lines of inscriptions in Elamite, Babylonian, and Old Persian; Susa’s Ardeshir’s Palace and archaeological mounds, whose layers date from the 5th millennium B.C. to the 13th century A.D.; Choga Zanbil, a 13th-century B.C. Elamite complex with a ziggurat; Yazd’s historic center and its traditional, underground irrigation channels (qanats).
Isfahan’s immense Meidan Emam (Royal Square) and Masjed-e Jame, one of the world’s greatest mosques. Two full days in the capital city of Tehran for an introduction to the archaeology, culture, and history of the country with visits to several excellent museums and monuments. Na’in, renowned for its carpet-making and fine early mosque; and Ardestan, home to a large, 10th-century Seljuk mosque. Two full days in Isfahan, perhaps Iran’s most splendid city, with glittering, tiled domes that tower above wide, shaded avenues and terraced gardens. Staying in the finest available accommodations, with all meals included. Maximum of 16 participants.

Morocco: From the Desert to the Sea
2023-05-23 - 2023-06-06 | MA
Join us for a unique look at the history, architecture, archaeology, and art of Morocco in the company of Professor Emeritus Trevor Marchand and a professional national guide/tour manager. Explore the magnificent landscapes that helped form the country’s ancient and modern cultures, from the wild Atlantic coast to the High Atlas Mountains, dense cedar forests,
and vast Sahara Desert. It is a land of extraordinary contrasts, and on this custom-designed itinerary you will visit all of the country’s best-known historic sites, including six that are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, as well as bustling casbahs, medinas, and souks.

Cruising Scotland to the Faroe Islands and Iceland-Pre & Post-tour options available!
2023-05-26 - 2023-06-04 | MA
Travel with archaeologist Mary MacLeod Rivett and discover the myths and stories of the Nordic Vikings and the Gaels of Scotland, from the misty peaks of Scotland to the rarely visited Faroe Islands and on through the “fire and ice” of Iceland. Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean from Glasgow, Scotland, to the remote Faroe Islands and then to Reykjavík, Iceland, you will enjoy the luxuries of the exclusively chartered, five star Le Bellot small ship. On this new specially curated 10-day Cruising Scotland to the Faroe Islands and Iceland cruise you will explore the mighty Norse-Gael kingdom’s legendary impact on Scotland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Main tour highlights include:
• Cruising to the Isle of Iona the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, and stroll through the serene, restored abbey and see the churchyard’s intricate Celtic crosses.
• An excursion to the 5,000-year-old Neolithic ruins of the Standing Stones of Callanish.
• Visiting the village of Sumba and the Akraberg lighthouse to look for puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, and migrating warblers.
• Embarking on especially designed boats for a private cruise and the chance to touch ice blocks broken from Breidamerkurjőkull, one of Vatnajőkoll’s glacier outlets.

From Stonehenge to Carnac: Megaliths, Monuments & Tombs of Wessex & Brittany
2023-05-30 - 2023-06-10 | MA
Explore the extraordinary prehistoric sites of Wessex, England, and Brittany, France with AIA lecturer and host Dr. Ian Tattersall. Amidst beautiful landscapes see world renowned, as well as lesser known, Neolithic and Bronze Age megaliths and monuments such as enigmatic rings of giant standing stones and remarkable chambered tombs.
Highlights Include:
• Stonehenge, the world’s most famous megalithic site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Avebury, a unique Neolithic henge that includes Europe’s largest prehistoric stone circle.
• Enigmatic chambered tombs such as West Kennet Long Barrow.
• Carnac, with more than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones, the world’s largest collection of megalithic monuments.
• The uninhabited island of Gavrinis, with a magnificent passage tomb that is lined with elaborately engraved, vertical stones.
• Several outstanding museum collections including prehistoric necklaces, pendants, polished stone axes, and more.
• The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont-Saint-Michel, an imposing abbey built on a tidal island.
• Charming villages, medieval churches, and beautiful landscapes of coastlines and rolling hills.
• The tour begins in London and ends in Paris! Arrive early and/or stay longer to explore these cities independently.

Scottish Isles & Norwegian Fjords with Pre & Post Tour Options
2023-06-09 - 2023-06-17 | MA
Join AIA lecturer and host Colleen Batey on this magnificent cruise from Scotland to Norway visiting remote destinations forever linked by Viking heritage. Embark on the 5-star ship the Le Dumont-D’Urville as you cruise to these spectacular sites and attend a series of lectures given by Dr. Batey and a team of onboard experts. There is also a pre-tour option to Edinburgh and Glasgow and a post-tour option to Norway.

Hiking Scotland's North Highlands & Isle of Lewis
2023-07-17 - 2023-07-28 | MA
Join archaeologist Mary MacLeod Rivett and a small group of like-minded travelers on this 12-day tour of Scotland’s remote north Highlands and the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Mostly we will explore off the well-beaten Highland tourist trail, and along the way we will be treated to an abundance of archaeological and historical sites, striking scenery – including high cliffs, sea lochs, sandy and rocky bays, mountains, and glens – and, of course, excellent hiking. Scotland’s long and varied history stretches back many thousands of years, and archaeological remains ranging from Neolithic cairns and stone circles to Iron Age brochs (ancient dry stone buildings unique to Scotland), medieval castles, and deserted clearance villages cover these landscapes. Seven of our touring days involve hikes of 4.5 to 6 miles per day, and we will rest and reflect in comfortable hotels that extend Highland warmth and hospitality.

Hiking Scotland's Orkney & Shetland Islands
2023-07-31 - 2023-08-10 | MA
This is the perfect opportunity to explore all that Scotland’s Northern Isles have to offer: prehistoric stone circles, burial chambers, and settlements; quaint villages; huge seabird colonies; and remarkable plant life—all amidst dramatic landscapes. This will be Scotland seen slowly, with time for in-depth exploration at each site. The Orkney and Shetland islands have an amazing wealth of archaeological sites dating back 5,000 years. Together the islands have more than 18,000 known sites, with new discoveries being made every year. This archaeological saga is worth the telling, and nowhere else can the evidence be seen in more glorious a setting.

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
2023-09-03 - 2023-09-16 | MA
This journey takes you through the archaeology, history, and landscapes of Ireland’s “Wild Atlantic Way,” from south to north hugging the west coast of Ireland. Explore the breathtaking land and seascapes of the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, visiting off-the-beaten-track monuments from all periods of Irish history. Traveling northwards into the incredible karst limestone region of the Burren, County Clare, you will enjoy stunning cliff-top views out to the Atlantic and visit intriguing sites set in a unique geological and ecological landscape. We visit the largest of the remote Aran Islands, to explore the most extraordinary 3,000-year-old promontory fort of Dún Aonghasa and continue north to the dramatic landscape of the Connemara mountains. From here we head to County Sligo and Yeats Country, where you will explore the lives and monuments of the first farmers in Ireland and walk in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims, who in turn respected the traditions of even more ancient peoples. Travel in a small group and enjoy
the personal attention and service of a highly respected Irish academic lecturer/host and a charming tour manager, plus several specialist guest guides.

France: The Reach of the Romans from Turin, Italy to Nice, France
2023-09-16 - 2023-09-27 | MA
Join archaeologist Patrick Hunt on this exciting itinerary from Turin to Nice and discover how the ancient Gauls and Romans interacted with the landscapes and shaped the history and cultures of northern Italy and southern France. Together we will
cross the Alps by high-speed train, from Turin to Lyon.

Prehistoric Cave Art of Spain & France
2023-09-20 - 2023-10-02 | MA
Travel with world-renowned archaeological author Paul Bahn, a gifted and popular lecturer who regularly leads tours to study the prehistory of Spain and France, including this program. Dr. Bahn will enhance your understanding of the sites with lectures and informal discussions. Investigate southwestern Europe’s most extraordinary prehistoric caves, including Lascaux IV, a new, exact reproduction of one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites ever discovered; Altamira II, a precise replica of the original that is often called the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art”; Atapuerca, the most significant early human site in western Europe; Las Monedas Cave and Cueva del Castillo, where 455 animal likenesses were painted and engraved some 22,000-14,000 years ago, but other motifs such as hand stencils and red dots have been dated to more than 40,000 years ago, meaning that they may well have been made by Neanderthals; Cougnac, which features paintings of extinct megaloceros and mammoth; Pech Merle, known for its “negative handprints”; and others.

Minoan Crete & the Cycladic Islands
2023-09-24 - 2023-10-08 | MA
Step back in time to explore the island of Crete, center of the Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age, as well as the nearby Cycladic Islands of Santorini, Mykonos, and Delos. Marvel at the physical evidence of this first advanced civilization in Europe, which created palace complexes, stunning works of art, a unique writing system called Linear A, and an extensive trade network. You will stay in comfortable, five-star hotels, perfect for exploring or just relaxing, with nine nights on Crete in the capital city of Heraklion and in the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos; plus two nights on whitewashed Santorini and two nights on chic Mykonos.

Vietnam & Cambodia: Cruising the Mekong River
2023-10-02 - 2023-10-15 | MA
Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Joyce C. White will share insights with you throughout this journey. Dr. White has worked in Southeast Asian archaeology since the mid-1970s and currently directs a field-based archaeological research program in Laos that focuses on the history and prehistory of the Mekong Basin. She is co-director of the Middle Mekong Archaeological Project (MMAP) and Director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum’s Ban Chiang Project. Since 1987 Dr.
White has been a researcher and associate curator at the Penn Museum, and she is now adjunct Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2013 she founded the Institute for Southeast Asian Archaeology (ISEAA), where she is currently its Executive Director. Dr. White has been a lecturer on seven previous tours to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, including four times with the AIA on this very Mekong Princess program since 2016. During our trip, she will discuss the culture, history, and prehistory of the Mekong River Basin, the world’s twelfth longest river, and the main artery for mainland Southeast Asia for communication, trade, and population movements for thousands of years. She will also discuss the ancient and historic trade networks that linked Southeast Asia to the rest of the Old World, and the origins of Southeast Asian civilizations, with a particular focus on the Khmer Empire. Her most popular lectures are about current archaeological research at Angkor, and about her experience as an expert witness for a US Justice Department case on smuggling of Asian antiquities. Highlights include, spending seven nights aboard the elegant MEKONG PRINCESS; Taking two full days to explore awe-inspiring ANGKOR, including the mighty Angkor Wat; Attending a performance of APSARA, a classical Khmer dance; Catching glimpses of the region’s unique RIVER VILLAGE lifestyle and Enjoying rides on local SAMPANS, CYCLOS, and TUK TUKS

Island Life in Ancient Greece and Turkey
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-11 | MA
Journey with Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and congenial host Michael Hoff, a classical archaeologist, on this voyage in Greece and Turkey, exploring the preserved treasures and mythical landscapes of the ancient Greco-Roman world. Cruise among fabled islands aboard the exclusively chartered, five-star Le Bougainville. This elite small ship has only 92 suites and staterooms, each with a private balcony, and is able to moor in small ports of call inaccessible to larger vessels. Our epic program calls on Delos, Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini-ancient destinations steeped in mythology and history. Cruise to Turkey’s sun-drenched coast to visit Ephesus, the most spectacularly preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. On Greece’s mainland, tour the scenic wonder of Meteora, where 14th-and 15th-century Orthodox monasteries crown soaring sandstone cliffs.

Sicily: Archaeology, Art & Cuisine with extended tour in Malta
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-15 | MA
Travel with archaeologist Jenifer Neils and discover several of most impressive Greek archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, such as Agrigento, Selinunte, Segesta, Morgantina, and Syracuse. Admire spectacular, sunlit landscapes of undulating vineyards and Mediterranean Sea vistas. See two of the finest examples of Norman architecture: Monreale Cathedral and the Royal Palace of Palermo (Palazzo dei Normanni). View extensive archaeological collections at several excellent museums. Choose to extend your trip for four nights to discover the renowned and extraordinary prehistoric monuments on the island of Malta, October 14-18, 2023.

Cruising the Adriatic: The Best of Slovenia & Croatia
2023-10-07 - 2023-10-18 | MA
I invite you to join Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Ivancica (Vanca) Schrunk aboard a modern, 18-cabin yacht for an early autumn cruise along the spectacular coast of Croatia. Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, and Austrians have vied for control of this strategic coastline that is dotted with over 1,000 islands. In a region well worth exploring for its natural beauty alone, you will visit spellbinding archaeological sites, impressive cathedrals, dramatic palaces, and ancient city centers. Begin the program in Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana, a city with roots back to Roman times. Discover magical Lake Bled, monumental karst caves, and mountain aeries before continuing to Pula, Croatia, to begin your seven-night Adriatic cruise from the Istrian Peninsula to Dubrovnik, visiting Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Šibenik, Krka National Park, Split, Hvar, and Korcula along the way. A leisurely pace allows for free time in town to sample local cuisine and mingle with locals.

Spokane Archaeology Day
2023-10-07 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 West First Avenue, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
The Spokane Society will have a table at Spokane Archeology Day, along with other local organizations and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. We will talk with visitors, advertise the AIA, promote the field of archaeology, and the like.

The Best of Ancient Peru
2023-10-09 - 2023-10-24 | MA
Travel and learn with AIA lecturer/host Gabriela Cervantes-Quequezana plus a professional tour manager and local guides. Your AIA lecturer will provide insights to spectacular archaeological sites from Peru’s many layers of ancient civilizations, plus anthropological insights to the country’s diverse cultural traditions and ecosystems. This custom-designed, 15-night itinerary is carefully paced with three nights each in Cuzco, Chiclayo, and Urubamba’s Sacred Valley; plus two nights each in Machu Picchu Pueblo, Lima, and Trujillo. Four of your six hotels are luxurious and the other two offer generous comfort.
Enjoy in-depth explorations of many of the greatest archaeological sites in Peru: pyramids, temples, royal tombs, and colonial churches; plus splendid museum collections. Peruvian cuisine is world renowned, and you will enjoy many special meals. Our group is limited to a maximum of 15 guests.

Peru: Ancient Cultures of the Coast & Andes
2023-10-10 | MA
Join AIA Lectuer and Host Dr. Gabriela Cervantes-Quequezana who is a Peruvian anthropological archaeologist. She has done extensive field research through survey and excavations in several regions of Peru, including the north, south, coast,
and highlands. Gabriela is the director of the Chira Archaeological Project, which investigates local north coast societies like Tallán and the impact that expanding states such as Sicán and empires such as Chimú had on local communities. She researches ancient demographic patterns, monumental and domestic architecture, craft production of ceramics and metals, gender dynamics and women in ancient societies, economic inequality in the archaeological record, and more. Gabriela led this AIA tour of Peru in 2023, and looks forward to doing so again in 2024. Through illustrated lectures and informal discussions, she will provide an understanding of the numerous ancient Peruvian societies whose sites we visit, and the complex processes of adaption they each made in the many different ecological regions of Peru. This is sure to be an exciting and educational experience.
Highlights include:
– Your AIA lecturer will provide insights to spectacular archaeological sites from Peru’s many layers of ancient civilizations, plus anthropological insights to the country’s diverse cultural traditions and ecosystems.
– This custom-designed, 15-night itinerary is carefully paced with three nights each in Cuzco, Chiclayo, and Urubamba’s Sacred Valley; plus two nights each in Machu Picchu Pueblo, Lima, and Trujillo.
– Four of your six hotels are luxurious and the other two offer generous comfort  Enjoy in-depth explorations of many of the greatest archaeological sites in Peru: pyramids, temples, royal tombs, and colonial churches; plus splendid museum collections.
– Peruvian cuisine is world renowned, and you will enjoy many special meals .

The Legacy of the Etruscans: Latium, Umbria & Tuscany
2023-10-11 - 2023-10-22 | MA
Discover the world of the ancient Etruscans, a pre-Roman civilization that flourished in the area between Rome and Florence from at least the 7th century B.C. until they were conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century B.C. The extent of the impact that the Etruscans’ legacy had on the Greeks and Romans, through to our contemporary world, is still coming to light. Join Dr. Pieraccini and a small group of like-minded fellow travelers to explore and further understand the realm of the Etruscans.

Origins of Humans & Wine: Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
2023-10-12 - 2023-10-27 | MA
Join us for an exciting trip back in time to explore early humankind and the ‘cradle of wine’ in the southern Caucasus. Learn about ancient winemaking techniques and sample the bounty of the region’s vineyards. Explore medieval towns and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including prehistoric through early Christian complexes. Enjoy Georgia’s famed hospitality, wherein a ‘visitor is considered a gift from God.’ This is a region of extraordinary contrasts, deep history, and cultural diversity.
