Türkiye: Ancient Splendors
2024-04-14 - 2024-04-27
Many of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient Greek and Roman sites are found along Türkiye’s beautiful Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Visit world-famous, plus little-visited yet spectacular, Greco-Roman sites, Byzantine churches, Crusader castles, and Ottoman palaces. Your engaging AIA lecturer/host, Yaşar Ersoy, teaches classical art and archaeology and has been doing fieldwork in Türkiye since 1980. Throughout the program he will offer illustrated talks and informal discussions about the sites you are visiting and their places within the larger ancient Mediterranean world. Along the way, you will enjoy delicious cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and the company of a small group of like-minded fellow travelers. An expert tour manager/local guide will handle logistics and smooth the way.
Highlights:
•Visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Historic Areas of Istanbul, including the 6th-century Byzantine church-turned-mosque of Hagia Sophia; Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans; and the 17th-century Blue Mosque, with thousands of dazzling Iznik tiles; Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, whose treasures include ancient villas with splendid frescoes and mosaics, and the 2nd-century A.D. Library of Celsus; Aphrodisias, whose Temple of Aphrodite, tetrapylon, and baths of Hadrian are unforgettable.
•Marvel at a variety of Greco-Roman sites, including: Didyma’s 7th-century B.C. Temple of Apollo, one of the leading oracles in the ancient world; and the 4th-century B.C. Temple of Athena at Priene, which became the classical model of Greek city planning;
Kibyra, with its magnificent stadium, odeon covered with a Medusa mosaic, late Roman bath, and underground tombs; Sagalassos, a rarely visited and recently excavated site at an elevation of 5,000 feet, with breathtaking views; Aspendos, with one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world, renowned for its acoustics; and Perge, with its splendid theater, stadium, and enormous Hellenistic and Roman gates.
•Explore spectacular museum collections, including Istanbul’s Archaeological Museum and Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art; Bodrum’s Underwater Archaeology Museum; and the Antalya Archaeological Museum.
•An optional extension to central Türkiye is also available, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Hattusha: the Hittite Capital, and the Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük; Ankara, with its superb Museum of Anatolian Civilizations; and Konya, the famous center of Sufi mystic Rumi and his followers.

Decorated Caves of the Pyrenees & the Rhone Valley
2024-04-18 - 2024-04-29
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. Visit the recently opened Cosquer Méditerranée, a replica of a heavily decorated, now submerged, prehistoric cave that was discovered in 1985. The trip concludes with a visit to the spectacular Chauvet Cave replica at Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, which expertly recreates 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.

Morocco: From the Desert to the Sea
2024-04-20 - 2024-05-04
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.
Highlights include:
• The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Aït ben Haddou casbah, with its tall adobe forts; all four of Morocco’s Imperial Cities: the vibrant medinas of 9thcentury Fes and 11th-century Marrakech, the historic city of Meknes, and the stately modern capital
and historic city of Rabat; plus the ruins of Volubilis, Rome’s regional commercial hub until the 3rd century A.D.
• Architectural gems such as Salé, a traditional Moroccan residential city untouched by mass tourism, including its restored, 14th-century medersa
• The former caravan center of Sijilmassa, Africa’s second largest city until the 14th century; and Aghmat, the recently uncovered first capital of the 11th-century Almoravid Dynasty, which is still being excavated and is closed to the public
• Several fascinating museums, including Rabat’s archaeological museum, the only one of its kind in the country; and Fes’s exquisite Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in the 17th-century Nejjarine caravansary
• Scenic excursions into the mountains and the desert, including a drive across the Atlas ranges from Fes to the edge of the Sahara, taking four-wheel-drive vehicles to the great Erg Chebbi Dunes, and a drive over the spectacular Tizi-n-Tichka Pass
• Delicious Moroccan and Continental food, with opportunities to dine independently in Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, and Marrakech; as well as carefully-chosen hotels in each location
• An excellent touring pace, with 12 nights at 4-and 5-star hotels, and one night in Merzouga at the Desert Luxury Camp in deluxe tents.
• A small group of no more than twelve guests!

Israel Revisited
2024-05-04 - 2024-05-17
Join acclaimed AIA lecturer and archaeologist Jodi Magness and revisit Israel on this active, small-group adventure to explore ancient and natural sites, many of which are off the beaten path. This is a more strenuous itinerary than our other Israel tour, Treasures of the Holy Land, as it includes several hikes in nature reserves to see wildlife and geological wonders in addition to visiting a variety of archaeological and cultural sites. Estimated distances and difficulty of the hikes are indicated in red in the itinerary’s daily headings, but every day with group activities will involve walking, whether around archaeological sites or through towns and cities. End most days at a 5-star hotel/resort, where you can rest your weary but fulfilled traveler’s head and perhaps refresh yourself in their luxury pools or spas.
Highlights include:
• Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
o Tel Hazor National Park with the ancient city of Hazor which, twice in its history, was the largest fortified city in the area
o Ein Avdat, a vast canyon with caves where monks once resided, part of the “Incense Route – Desert Cities in the Negev”
• Walks and hikes in several nature reserves and national parks:
o Tel Dan Nature Reserve, with the ruins of a 5,000-year-old city and the world’s oldest-known gated archway
o Gamla Nature Reserve, home to Israel’s highest cascade (the 170-foot Gamla Waterfall), the remains of the ancient city of Gamla, and a Bronze Age field with 716 dolmens (megalithic structures of smaller vertical stones with one or more capstones)
o Banias Nature Reserve, where we find Israel’s largest waterfall and the ruins of a palace complex built by Agrippa II
o A walk on Mount Scopus, where we will visit the burial cave of Nicanor
o The lush oasis of Ein Gedi National Park, with a hike along sparkling David’s Stream and the ruins of an excavated ancient synagogue with a perfectly preserved mosaic floor
• Wadi Qelt’s monastery of St. George of Choziba, a breathtaking complex perched on the side of the valley’s walls
• A well-paced itinerary with four nights at our hotel in Tiberias, on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, including a boat ride; and four nights in Jerusalem, with visits to the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum, the and the excavations on the southwest
side of Temple Mount
• The desert town of Nitzana, with ancient petroglyphs and the remains of a Byzantine church, plus a chance to enjoy the hospitality of the Negev Bedouins.

From Stonehenge to Carnac: Megaliths, Monuments & Tombs of Wessex & Brittany
2024-05-28 - 2024-06-08
Explore the extraordinary prehistoric sites of Wessex, England, and Brittany, France. 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. Travel and learn with Peter Bogucki (Ph.D., Harvard University) studies the prehistoric societies of Europe and has a particular interest in the spread of farming and its consequences. In addition to many visits
to sites and museums throughout Europe, Dr. Bogucki has conducted excavations at Neolithic sites in Poland and participated in research that identified the earliest evidence for cheese production.
Highlights:
• 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.

Cruising the Adriatic by Luxury Yacht: Dubrovnik to Venice with optional post-tour extension in Venice
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-22
We invite you to join Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Ivančica (Vanča) Dvoržak Schrunk aboard the Emerald Sakara, a luxury 50-cabin yacht, for a summer cruise along the spectacular Adriatic coast. Through the centuries, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, and Austrians have vied for control of this strategic coastline dotted with over 1,000 islands. In a region well worth exploring for its natural beauty alone, visit impressive archaeological sites, dramatic cathedrals and palaces, and ancient city centers that illuminate the layered history of the Dalmatian Coast. Engage with expert study leaders throughout this unique educational program, and gain a better appreciation of the region’s historical and cultural significance. Born in Zagreb, Croatia, AIA lecturer and host Vanča Schrunk will be joined onboard by historic preservation expert John Meffert and historian and archaeologist Michael McCormick to enrich your travel experience through an onboard series of stimulating lectures as well
as informal discussions. In addition, excellent local guides will accompany you on excursions throughout the program.
Highlights include:
• Delve into the historic grandeur of the fortified city of Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
• Marvel at Split’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, and explore the city’s historic Jewish neighborhood.
• Tour the first-century Roman amphitheater at Pula.
• Discover Hvar, where chapels and palaces are embellished with intricately carved Venetian architecture.
• Explore Šibenik’s 15th /16th-century Cathedral of St. James, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; as well as its St. Nicholas Fortress.
Optional post-tour extension to Venice is June 22 – 24, 2024

Sicily Circumnavigation: Sailing around Sicily and Malta with optional pre-trip extension to Malta
2024-06-15 - 2024-06-24
Join Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Laetitia La Follette, Professor of Greek and Roman Art and Architecture, on a summertime cruise circumnavigating Sicily aboard the luxurious, 47-cabin, three-masted barque Sea Cloud II. Begin and end on the island of Malta which, together with Sicily, has witnessed and bears the stamps of all the major civilizations that the Mediterranean cradled: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Christians, Jews, Byzantines, and Muslims. Each civilization left important stylistic traces in major architectural, urban, and artistic monuments.
Classical temples, open-air theaters, villas adorned with mosaics and frescoes, magnificently adorned churches and chapels, Islamic cloisters, and Baroque cathedrals are all found here in abundance. Begin in Valletta, the vibrant capital city of the island nation of Malta and one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Then embark Sea Cloud II for a splendid, seven-night cruise circumnavigating Sicily. Explore the island’s treasures with stops in Trapani (with options to visit Segesta, Erice, or Marsala), Palermo, Giardini Naxos (for Taormina or Mt. Etna), and Syracuse. This itinerary also includes a day in the Aeolian Islands, one of seven UNESCO sites visited during this cruise, as well as a specially-timed sailing to enjoy up-close views of the still-active Stromboli volcano. Also available is an optional, pre-trip extension on Malta and Gozo, with visits to remarkable Neolithic and medieval sites.
Your host vessel, the Sea Cloud II, offers excellent cruise accommodations while capturing the timeless elegance of sailing. To be on deck when the sails are fully extended is an unforgettable experience. Thus, this itinerary is planned to ensure ample sailing time to enjoy the majesty of this vessel and the thrill of sailing.
A robust educational program rounds out this outstanding journey. AIA lecturer and host Laetitia La Follette, an archaeologist and Immediate Past President of the AIA; Elihu Rubin, an expert on architecture and urbanism; and Wendy Heller, a leading scholar in the field of Baroque music, will offer a series of illustrated lectures and informal discussions along the way. This cruise is being co-sponsored by other organizations so, with only 47 cabins aboard ship, I encourage you to reserve your preferred cabin today by contacting AIA Tours at aia@studytours.org or (800) 748-6262.

Hiking Scotland’s Orkney & Shetland Islands
2024-07-29 - 2024-08-08
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. Travel and learn with AIA lecturer and host Dr. Val Turner.
Highlights:
• A private tour of the active Ness of Brodgar excavations, a ceremonial site in the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” that was in use for around 1,000 years. 2024 is the last year that excavations will be active.The site is within the UNESCO World Heritage Site on
Orkney, which also includes the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, estimated to have been constructed around 2700 B.C.; the Stones of Stenness; the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar, one of Europe’s finest Neolithic monuments; Skara Brae settlement; and associated funerary monuments and stone settings. These are unquestionably among the most important Neolithic sites in Western Europe.
• “The Crucible of Iron Age Shetland”—including Mousa Broch, the best-preserved known broch in the world, Old Scatness, and Jarlshof—where the lack of intensive modern farming means that the preservation of these sites and their landscapes is exceptional.
• The Isles are a birdwatcher’s paradise, and one of the major seabird breeding and feeding areas in the North Atlantic. More than a million birds breed in very large colonies.
• All meals are included, and you will enjoy comfortable accommodations: four nights at the elegant Lynnfield Hotel, a comfortable overnight ferry from Orkney to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, and three nights at the remote and charming
Busta House Hotel.

Ireland’s Southern Coast
2024-09-03 - 2024-09-16
This journey takes you through the archaeology, history, and landscapes of Ireland’s southern coast, from east to west. Starting and ending in Dublin, this tour has been designed to give you a deep understanding of the multitude of landscapes and the rich heritage of Ireland, as well as the striking difference between Ireland’s fertile east coast compared to its dramatic and breathtaking southwest. After a gentle start in Dublin, we will head to the sunny southeast and the scene of the Anglo- Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169. There is no better place to understand the impact of this invasion on the existing Irish and Norse populations, and the shifting of political and military power over the following centuries, than here where it all played out. We will then will make our way along the south coast, stopping in Waterford, Cork, and West Cork, with an overnight in Killarney before heading back to Dublin. We will explore hidden archaeological sites from earliest prehistory to the Iron Age (Celtic Period), through early Christian sites to the later medieval period and Ireland’s more recent history, all in the company of highly respected academics, engaging guides, and a tour manager. Travel in a small group and enjoy the personal attention and service of a highly respected Irish academic lecturer/host Dr. Stephen Mandal, who is both a geologist and archaeologist.
Highlights include:
– Visits in Dublin to the National Museum of Ireland and The Irish Emigration Museum.
– Exploring the Hook Peninsula, starting with a visit to Hook Head, home to the world’s oldest operational, fully intact lighthouse (at over 800 years old), set in a dramatic landscape. Afterwards, we drive the short distance
to Tintern Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded ca. 1200, where several important ruins survive, including parts of the nave, chancel, tower, chapel, and cloister. Enjoy lunch, tour the ruins, and walk in the beautiful Victorian
gardens.
– A guided tour of the Dunbrody Famine Ship an authentic reproduction of an 1840s emigrant vessel that provides a world-class interpretation of the famine emigrant experience.
– Visit the spectacular Charles Fort, a wonderful example of a star-shaped, 17th-century fort. As one of the largest military installations in the country, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous
events in Irish history, the most significant of which were the Williamite Wars (1689-91) and the Civil War (1922-23).
– Seeing the Bronze Age Drombeg Stone Circle. Drombeg is probably Ireland’s most famous stone circle, consisting of 17 pillar stones that are graded from the two large portal stones, each nearly seven feet high, at the
northeast towards the recumbent stone to the southeast.
The pace of this tour is MODERATE: Must be able to walk one to three miles per day on mostly flat, but often uneven, terrain. For further details and questions, please see the “What to Expect” section of the brochure.

Peru: Ancient Cultures of the Coast & Andes
2024-09-09 - 2024-09-24
Travel and learn with anthropological archaeologist Dr. Gabriela Cervantes- Quequezana. She has done extensive field research through survey and excavations in several regions of Peru, including the north, south, coast, and highlands. 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 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.
Highlights include:
– Gabriela Cervantes-Quequezana plus a professional tour manager and local guides 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.
– 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.
THIS TOUR IS ACTIVE and requires an elevated level of fitness: Must be able to walk three or more miles per day on mostly uneven terrain, and up and down inclines and steps. Please see the “What to Expect” section of the brochure for more details.

Prehistoric Cave Art of Spain & France
2024-09-18 - 2024-09-30
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.
Highlights include:
– 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.
– Enjoy excellent accommodations in fine hotels and charming inns, as well as fine wine and cuisine.
– Tour archaeological and ethnographic museums with superb exhibits of prehistoric artifacts, including the Museum of Human Evolution in Burgos, Altamira Museum, Museum of Les Eyzies, and the Museé d’Aquitaine; plus
the modern art collections of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum.
– Explore charming villages and cities, including Santillana del Mar and San Sebastian.

"France: The Reach of the Romans"
2024-09-21 - 2024-10-02
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.
Highlights:
• Travel with award-winning archaeologist and author Patrick Hunt, who has been doing fieldwork in the Alps since 1994.
• Visit several outstanding museums, including the Egyptian Museum in Turin, the only museum outside of Cairo solely dedicated to Egyptian art and culture; and the new Musée de l’Arles Antique, housing the world’s second finest collection of sarcophagi
after the Vatican’s.
• Marvel at six UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Roman and Romanesque monuments of Arles, the Roman theater and Arc de Triomphe of Orange, the Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, the historic center of Avignon, the historic city of Lyon, and the
Residences of the Royal House of Savoy in Turin.
• Explore the archaeological site of Saint-Romain-en-Gal, also called “little Pompeii,” and take a guided tour of its museum with the curator in charge of the mosaic restoration.
• See the village of Vaison la Romaine, the largest archaeological site in France; and take a behind-the-scenes tour inside the aqueduct at Pont du Gard (pending confirmation).
• You will be accompanied by excellent local guides plus an expert tour manager who will handle all of the logistics so you can relax, enjoy, and learn.
• Savor fine cuisine at carefully-chosen restaurants for included lunches and dinners, and enjoy the flexibility of independent meals as well. Your tour manager can assist you with restaurant recommendations and reservations.

Athens to Rome: Cruising the Mediterranean
2024-09-26 - 2024-10-05
We invite you to join Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Laetitia La Follette, Professor of Greek and Roman Art and Architecture, aboard the luxury 50-cabin yacht, Emerald Sakara, for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise. This unique educational program highlights archaeological sites that are remnants of the grand civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome.
Highlights include:
– MARVEL at major historical sites of ancient Greece in Athens, Delphi, and Olympia.
– DELVE into ancient Greek and Roman history on the Mediterranean island of Sicily.
– EXPLORE the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites of Greek Paestum and Roman Pompeii as you cruise north toward Rome.
Optional pre-tour extension in Athens
September 24 – 27, 2024
Optional post-tour extension in Rome
October 5 – 7, 2024

Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East Tours Led by Harvard Students
2024-10-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-10-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-10-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-10-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-24 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, 6 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Available during the Harvard academic year Sundays at 1:00 pm, October 6, 2024–April 27, 2025. See blackout dates.*
*Blackout dates: December 1, 2024–January 26, 2025; and March 16–23, 2025.
This free tour, led by Harvard students, explores the Mediterranean Marketplaces: Connecting the Ancient World exhibition and how the movement of goods, peoples, and ideas around the ancient Mediterranean transformed the lives and livelihoods of people at all levels of society. Touch replicas and smell “ancient” scents as the students bring the past alive.
Visitors may drop in at the scheduled times. No reservation is required. Tours meet in the lobby and last approximately 45 minutes.
Tours for groups of ten or more may be scheduled at other times. Tours may be available by advance request in these languages: Hindi, Bengali, and Mandarin.

Sicily: Archaeology, Art & Cuisine with post-tour option to Malta
2024-10-12 - 2024-10-24
Travel and learn with our engaging archaeologist and professor of ancient history Dr. Jenifer Neils on this fascinating tour to Sicily. Jennifer is an expert on the ancient Mediterranean. Recently she served as the first woman Director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Previously she held the Elsie B. Smith Chair of Classics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and regularly taught courses on the art and archaeology of the ancient world from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity.
Highlights include:
• Discover several of the most impressive Greek archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, such as Agrigento, Selinunte, Segesta,Morgantina, and Syracuse.
• Travel and learn with our engaging archaeologist, Jenifer Neils.
• 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.
• Savor fine cuisine, with wine included at group dinners.
• Feel pampered with five nights at a 5-star hotel and six nights at 4-star hotels, all chosen for their generous comfort and prime locations.
• Relax and enjoy traveling with a maximum of just 16 guests plus your expert lecturer, tour manager, and local guides.
Optional post-tour extension to Malta is October 24 – 28, 2024

Life, Luxury & Leisure in Ancient Rome
2024-10-13 - 2024-10-24
Immerse yourself in the opulence and grandeur of ancient Rome while uncovering the secrets of daily life, the indulgence of luxury, and the pursuit of leisure that helped to define one of the most influential civilizations in history. Our adventure begins in Rome, heart of the Roman Empire, where we witness the architectural marvels that stand as a testament to Rome’s engineering prowess. At the Baths of Caracalla, learn about the interesting Roman bathing culture and the significance of these communal spaces in Roman society. Delve into the world of luxury in ancient Rome with visits to the opulent villa in Tivoli and the well-preserved remains of ancient cities frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Learn about the daily lives and customs of the Romans through beautifully preserved frescoes and artifacts, as well as the exquisite art, landscaping, and leisure pursuits enjoyed by the Roman elite. Throughout the tour, archaeologist and professor Crispin Corrado will guide the group at many sites, offer several lectures, and be available to engage in discussions. Whether you are an avid archaeology or history enthusiast, or simply curious about one of history’s greatest civilizations, this journey will provide a deep understanding and appreciation of ancient Rome’s enduring legacy.
Some highlights Include:
• Visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
• Spend a full day exploring Rome’s ancient monuments, including the Roman Forum, the House of Augustus on the Palatine Hill, the Domus Aurea, and the Colosseum
• Enjoy a day trip to Tivoli for visits to Hadrian’s Villa, a 2nd-century A.D. complex; and the Villa d’Este, a Renaissance masterpiece of garden and villa architecture
• Explore Pompeii and Herculaneum, both of which were buried (and preserved) by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79; as well as Villa Poppea (Oplontis), an ancient villa with incredible wall paintings
• Take an excursion to Paestum, with its three magnificent, ancient Greek temples
• See the collections of Rome’s Capitoline Museums, with magnificent Classical and Renaissance art; the awe-inspiring Pantheon; and the superb Naples Archaeological Museum
• Exploring the Vatican City, with entry to the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms; plus St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world

The Legacy of the Etruscans: Latium, Umbria & Tuscany
2024-10-14 - 2024-10-25
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.
Highlights include:
• The marvelous cities of Rome and Florence, plus journeys through spectacular countryside to lesser-visited medieval and Renaissance towns.
• Outstanding Etruscan necropolises with brightly-painted scenes of feasting and dancing covering the walls of rock-cut chamber tombs, monumental tumuli, and house tombs. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Cerveteri and Tarquinia,
as well as Sovana with its Tomba Ildebranda.
• Important Etruscan towns, including Veii with its impressive, 6th-century B.C. “Portonaccio Temple”; Volterra, which also boasts a charming historical center; Orvieto, with its striking Etruscan acropolis; and Vulci, whose tombs contain original Etruscan
inscriptions.
• Many splendid museums with unparalleled collections of Etruscan artifacts, such as Etruscan bronze sculptures, plus Phoenician gold and Greek vases obtained through extensive trade networks. These include the National Etruscan Museum of Villa
Giulia and Vatican City’s Gregorian Etruscan Museum.
• Lectures, discussions, and the company of our expert AIA lecturer/host, Lisa Pieraccini.
• Generous comfort at well-located, 4-star hotels, plus fine cuisine and wine. A couple of special events are a home-hosted dinner in Florence, and lunch at a winery in Orvieto.

Origins of Humans & Wine: Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
2024-10-14 - 2024-10-29
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. Travel and learn with AIA tours popular paleoanthropologist Dr. Ian Tattersall.

Kenya & Tanzania: Wildlife & Human Origins in East Africa
2025-01-07 - 2025-01-21
Join us on this East African adventure as we drive among the wildlife and landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania. We will make special stops along the way, such as to visit Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge, the site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s famous, mid-20th-century paleoanthropological discoveries that indicated that hominins had evolved in Africa. Journeying through the impressive wildlife, beauty, and diversity of this African terrain highlights the privilege of exploring and learning from the world around us. Throughout our adventure you will enjoy generous comfort and exceptional service at charming resorts and lodges, plus two nights at a memorable safari camp. All of our game drives, led by expert driver-guides, will use 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs and have no more than six guests per vehicle. Your tour leader is William Harcourt-Smith a paleoanthropologist based at the American Museum of Natural History and the City University of New York.
Highlights:
1. Explore four national parks: Kenya’s Nairobi National Park, Hells Gate National Park, and Amboseli National Park; and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Enjoy a combined eight days of safari drives in Kenya and Tanzania, searching for Africa’s big five mammals—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo—as well as a variety of other mammals and hundreds of species of birds.
3. Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Naivasha, spotting birds, hippo, and thousands of flamingo.
4. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ngorongoro Crater, home to 26,000 big mammals and 500 species of birds.

Archaeology In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
2025-01-07 - 2025-01-23
Join archaeologist Barbara A. Porter and a small group of fellow travelers for this in-depth travel experience in Saudi Arabia. This will be Dr. Porter’s fourth tour of the country, and you will also be accompanied by local guides and a tour manager.
This tour opportunity allows us to see, experience, and learn about Saudi Arabia’s long history and rich culture, and how both were influenced by its dramatic geography; and to become familiar with some of the archaeological research and sites that are being uncovered and shared with the world. Following historic trade and pilgrimage routes, we will cross vast deserts, see irrigated lands teeming with agriculture, and enjoy scenic views with striking mountains and landscapes along the way.
Highlights:
1. Visit four of the country’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the spectacular petroglyphs at Jubbah; the stunning, carved stone, Nabataean tombs at Hegra (Madain Saleh); Al Balad, the historic center of the city of Jeddah; and the Al Turaif
District of Diriyah, whose restored citadel and palaces are now an open-air museum.
2. Marvel at the 6,000-year-old Rajajil Standing Stones; the Sakaka Rock Carvings, which were just discovered in 2018; and the necropolis of Mughair Shuwayb at Madyan, which was built into the hillside by the ancient Nabataeans.
3. Wander the alleys and streets of Ushaiger Heritage Village, with Ushaiger itself being one of the oldest settlements in the region and often considered Saudi Arabia’s most beautiful village.
4. Stroll through Al Ula’s Old Town, whose town walls encircle some 900 mudbrick homes, 400 shops, a restored Friday Mosque, and the 10th-century Musa bin Nusayr Castle.
5. Experience the holy city of Medina, a major Islamic pilgrimage site; and marvel at the capital city of Riyadh, which transformed from a mud-walled town to a metropolis of 7+ million people in the span of a century.
6. Explore bustling markets such as the Unayzah Market; Buraydah’s camel market, perhaps the largest camel market in the world; and Riyadh’s Dira Souq, where we learn about traditional Saudi clothing.

Egypt Revisited
2025-01-09 - 2025-01-25
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:
1. 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 (GEM) if it is open.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Enjoy luxurious or best-available accommodations throughout, with two or three nights at each property.

Maya Pyramids & Temples Of Yucatan
2025-01-18 - 2025-01-26
This exciting, nine-day holiday provides the best-paced itinerary available to see the sun-drenched Yucatan peninsula’s ancient sites, traditional Maya villages, and colonial architecture. Maya art and architecture abound, with visits to Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam, Uxmal, Dzibilchaltun, and more: iconic as well as off-the-beaten-path sites with soaring pyramids, distinctive temple complexes, and wonderful sculpture. There is free time to bird watch, shop for crafts, or relax, reflect, and enjoy our excellent accommodations. Enjoy two luxurious nights at the Mayaland Hotel (next to Chichén Itzá) and three at the Hacienda Uxmal (next to Uxmal). Maximum of just 12 guests.

Absolute Egypt
2025-01-28 - 2025-02-14
This itinerary is carefully crafted to provide discerning travelers with the finest Egypt tour available. Our 18-day program is the most in-depth exploration of ancient Egypt’s greatest sites, combining all the best attributes of a small-group, all-inclusive, well-paced, luxury trip.
Highlights:
1. 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.
2. Enjoy the best accommodations, including 13 nights at luxurious, 5-star hotels in Giza, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan; and a three-night Nile cruise aboard a comfortable, eight-cabin dahabiya (traditional Nile sail boat).
3. Meet with excavators and conservators, including behind-the-scenes visits, when possible.
4. 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 2024.
-See the amazing Giza pyramids and Sphinx as well as Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser and recently 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.
In short, this is the most exclusive, enjoyable, and fascinating introduction to Egypt available. It is limited to just 16 guests
