Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East Tours Led by Harvard Students
2025-02-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-27 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.

Aegean Sea Odyssey: Cruise the Greek Isles & Historic Türkiye
2025-04-07 - 2025-04-15
Join Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Joanne Murphy, a classical archaeologist and an engaging professor, on a captivating journey cruising the Aegean Sea among the cultural coastal gems of Greece and Türkiye. Set out from Athens’ port of Piraeus for the sacred, uninhabited island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise into the iconic caldera of Santorini and visit the island’s haunting site of Akrotiri, which was buried yet preserved by a volcanic eruption around 1600 B.C. Wander through the medieval town of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and perhaps take an optional excursion to the Acropolis at Lindos with its 4th-century B.C. temple; and then hop over to nearby Kuşadasi, Türkiye, for a visit to the vast Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our last port of call is Çanakkale, for an excursion to legendary Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before we disembark in deeply historical Istanbul. Optional pre- and post- cruise extensions in Athens and Istanbul are available. Aboard ship a team of experts, including AIA lecturer/host Joanne Murphy, will share their knowledge through a series of enriching lectures and informal discussions. Our luxury vessel, Le Dumont-d’Urville, which has only 92 staterooms and suites, will be a floating sanctuary of sophistication and comfort, where you will indulge in gourmet dining, unwind in spacious staterooms, and savor panoramic views throughout the vessel.

Türkiye: Ancient Splendors of the Aegean & Mediterranean
2025-04-13 - 2025-04-26
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 four UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
1. Historic Areas of Istanbul, including the 6th-century Byzantine church-turned-mosque of Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans.
2. 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.
3. Aphrodisias, whose Temple of Aphrodite, tetrapylon, large stadium, and baths of Hadrian are unforgettable.
4. Hierapolis-Pamukkale, where we see the ruins of the baths and temples of a famous 2nd-century B.C. thermal spa.
• Marvel at a variety of Greco-Roman sites, including:
1. Sardis, former capital of the Lydian Empire and King Croesus, who was defeated by Persian king Cyrus the Great in 546 B.C.
2. 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.
3. Magnesia on the Meander, renowned for its Artemis cult, which has the ruins of a well-preserved theater and a stadium that could seat 30,000 spectators.
4. Kibyra, with its magnificent stadium, odeon covered with a Medusa mosaic, late Roman bath, and underground tombs.
5. Sagalassos, a rarely visited and recently excavated site at an elevation of 5,000 feet, with breathtaking views.
6. 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 several fine museum collections, including Istanbul’s Archaeological Museum, Denizli Atatürk House and Ethnographic Museum, Burdur’s Archaeological 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.

Hiking Southern Italy: Archaeology, Volcanoes & Cuisine
2025-05-11 - 2025-05-22
Welcome to an extraordinary springtime journey through the rich ancient history, breathtaking volcanic landscapes, and legendary food and wine culture of southern Italy and Sicily. Travel and hike with archaeologist Cris Corrado and local guides among active and dormant volcanoes, delight in picturesque landscapes and sea views, and explore fascinating archaeological sites. Italy is home to mainland Europe’s only active volcanoes—Mount Vesuvius, Stromboli, and Mount Etna—and on this tour you will hike on all three of them. On this well-paced tour you will rest at distinctive, four-star hotels, spending four nights in Naples, one on a comfortable ferry from Naples to Lipari, three on the Aeolian island of Panarea, and two in the heart of Mount Etna Park, Sicily. An expert tour manager handles all of the logistics, so you can relax, enjoy, and learn. On all but one of the seven hikes, an extra guide will allow us to split into two groups, so that you may choose either a longer or shorter excursion.
Highlights include:
1. Pompeii, one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites, destroyed (but also preserved!) by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79
2. Hiking the trail of Vesuvius National Park to the crater, with amazing views over the whole Gulf of Naples
3. A breathtaking hike along the “Path of the Gods,” on the Sorrento Peninsula, with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea
4. A ferry ride to the fabled island of Capri to hike along fragrant trails to Roman Emperor Tiberius’ Villa Jovis
5. A visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of Greco-Roman art and artifacts
6. A private boat ride to Stromboli, the most active volcano in Europe, erupting at intervals of approximately 15 minutes
7. A hike up Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, with panoramic views of Sicily’s eastern coast
8. Wine tastings at vineyards on Mt. Vesuvius, Salina, and Mt. Etna
This tour requires an elevated level of fitness.

Roman Britain: Romans at the Edge of Empire
2025-06-20 - 2025-07-02
Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans in Britain as you venture north from Chester, England, to Edinburgh, Scotland, with a foray along Hadrian’s Wall, which was famously constructed ca. A.D. 122 along the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. Experience a world at the edge of the Empire and amidst the natural beauty of old medieval towns, verdant countryside, and the scenic Lake District, discovering for yourself the remains of formerly vibrant Roman forts and towns, museum collections of fascinating Roman artifacts, and Rome’s influence on the Britain of today.
Highlights:
•Visit two sites that comprise the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Frontiers of the Roman Empire”: Vindolanda, not only one of Europe’s most important Roman sites but also where your AIA lecturer/host has been doing fieldwork since 2002; and Arbeia Roman Fort, which was a key supply base to Hadrian’s Wall.
•Take a walking tour of the 1st-century A.D. Roman fortress-town of Chester, home to the most complete ancient city walls in Britain as well as Britain’s largest Roman amphitheater.
•Explore the bustling lanes of York, which was established as a Roman garrison town in A.D. 71 and went on to be a Viking stronghold and prosperous medieval city.
•Drive though the breathtaking English Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including a cruise excursion on Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake; and a stop at Castlerigg Stone Circle, which is one of the earliest Neolithic stone circles in Britain.
•Walk the streets of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, including the historic Royal Mile and Calton Hill, which was considered Edinburgh’s version of Athens’ Acropolis in the 19th century, and are altogether a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
•Marvel at museum collections showcasing spectacular Roman finds and more, including the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens; Great North Museum: Hancock, whose collections include carved and inscribed stones from Hadrian’s Wall, among many other treasures; Vindolanda’s nearby Roman Army Museum; and Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland.

Hiking Scotland's Orkney & Shetland Islands
2025-06-30 - 2025-07-10
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.
Highlights:
1. A private virtual tour of the Ness of Brodgar excavations and access to some of the finds. This ceremonial site in the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” was in use for around 1,000 years and a 20-year excavation project was completed in 2024. 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.
2. “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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

From Berlin to Berkeley: The History of the Edward Gans Collection of Seals and Its Hidden Gems – a Ellen and Charles S. La Follette Lecture
2025-10-29 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures currently houses the Edward Gans Collection of Seals, comprising almost seven hundred seals and seal-related objects from a variety of periods, extending from the Neolithic Middle East to Post-classical Mesoamerica. Since 2023, a new team of Berkeley scholars has been working on the collection to prepare it for digital publication, and this talk arises from the provenance research undertaken as part of that project. This talk will highlight the fascinating story of how the Gans Collection came to be and the legacy of Nazi persecution that shaped the collection’s history, while also featuring several Sasanian seals in the collection of particular significance. This is one of the annual Ellen and Charles S. La Follette Lectures.

AIA Northern Italy: Archaeology, Culture & Cuisine tour
2026-09-06 - 2026-10-17
Traverse northern Italy, with the grand Italian Alps as your backdrop, enjoying the depths of its history and the great diversity of architecture, traditions, and gastronomy found in three
distinct regions: Lombardy, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. On this west-east journey from Milan to Trieste you will explore classic old towns and discover off-the-beaten-track sites, including a stop at the site of Hannibal’s first major victory in Italy; and visits to Roman villas and temples at Sirmione, Desenzano, and Brescia. Visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Valcamonica’s famous prehistoric petroglyphs, Roman and early Christian Aquileia, the well-preserved city of Verona, landmarks of Lombard Italy in Cividale del Friuli, and an example of prehistoric pile dwellings at Lucone di Polpenazze. Along the way, you will be treated to insightful discussions with your AIA lecturer/host and a variety of striking vistas: plains, lakes, mountains, and the Adriatic Sea; plus enjoy delicious cuisine and an ideal touring pace (including two hotel nights in Milan, five on Lake Garda, and three in Trieste).

AIA UNESCO Treasures of Ancient Greece Circumnavigating the Peloponnese by Private Luxury Yacht + pre & post-tour options
2026-09-17 - 2026-09-26
On this special circumnavigation of Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula in the company of two special AIA lecturers and hosts, archaeologists Jack Davis and Shari Stocker. You will spend a night in Athens and then cruise around the Peloponnese aboard the luxurious, 50-cabin Emerald Azzurra for seven nights. Along the way, Jack and Shari will be part of a team of onboard experts who together will offer a series of lectures and informal discussions. This cruise, aboard this ship, with these experts, is an unmatched way to experience a beautiful and deeply historical part of Greece that is filled with archaeological delights. Your adventure begins with a night in the heart of historic Athens and a private visit to either the Goulandris Museum
of Cycladic Art or the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. Then you will embark Emerald Azzurra, whose sleek design grants access to hidden harbors and a rare, full circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula. Along the way, visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mycenae, the fabled Bronze Age citadel; Epidaurus, known for its perfectly preserved ancient theater; Mystras, a remarkable Byzantine city; Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games; and Delphi, once home to the most influential
oracle in the ancient world. Perhaps the highlight of the program will be our special access — thanks to Jack and Shari — at Nestor’s Palace at Pylos, one of Greece’s best-preserved Mycenaean palaces. Between guided visits, explore coastal towns such as Nafplion, Gythio, and Pylos, each with deep historical roots. Conclude the voyage with a spectacular passage through the Corinth Canal before returning to Athens. Also available are a two-night, pre-tour extension in Athens and a four-night,
post-tour extension cruise in the Aegean.
Highlights include:
-Visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites with expert local guides: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Mystras, Olympia, and Delphi.
-Transit the Corinth Canal, whose history extends back into classical times, including an unsuccessful attempt to build it in the 1st century A.D.
-Cruise for seven nights aboard the luxurious Emerald Azzurra, a state-of-the-art mega-yacht privately chartered and expertly staffed for unparalleled comfort and service.
-Gain special access to one of the most important Mycenaean sites in Greece, Nestor’s Palace at Pylos, where our AIA lecturers have done extensive fieldwork and made extraordinary finds.
-Wander through charming seaside towns like Nafplion, Gythio, and Pylos, where cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, and vibrant harbors create picturesque settings perfect for exploration.
OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION: TUESDAY–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15–18 , 2026 (Athens Greece)
Depart home on an overnight flight to Athens, Greece. Arrive Wednesday, September 16, and transfer to the centrally located Athens Capital Hotel—MGallery Collection. Experience the treasures our AIA study leaders who will enrich your visit with their expertise. Explore ancient landmarks from the bustling Agora and lively Plaka to the iconic Acropolis and its acclaimed museum. Savor authentic Greek meals, visit the National Archaeological Museum, and enjoy time to discover this vibrant city at your own pace.
OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION: SATURDAY-WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 -30, 2026 (Athens, Cape Sounion, Delos, Mykonos, KuŞadasi Turkiye, Herakalion, Crete, Greece and Knossos)
LIMITED AVAILABILITY Remain in your cabin for an additional four-night cruise through the Aegean Sea, exploring the region’s most iconic ancient sites with expert local guides. This extension must be booked with the main program to ensure the same
cabin throughout.

AIA Romans & Moors in Morocco & Spain tour
2026-09-18 - 2026-09-29
Trace the layered history of the western Mediterranean on a journey through Morocco and Spain, where Roman, Islamic, and Christian civilizations shaped enduring cultural landscapes. From Morocco’s Roman ruins and imperial cities to Andalusia’s Moorish masterpieces and Spain’s great art collections, this thoughtfully paced itinerary weaves together archaeology, architecture, and living traditions. Along the way, you will be treated to insightful discussions with your AIA lecturer/host, Patrick Hunt, whose deep field experience and engaging lectures will bring these countries’ histories vividly to life.
Tour highlights:
• Explore Morocco’s imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, and Fes, including the medieval medinas of Fes el-Bali (“Old Fes”)
• Walk through layers of history at Rabat’s Chellah Fortress, where Phoenician, Roman, and Islamic remains converge
• Experience Andalusia’s cultural crossroads in Seville, Córdoba, and Granada, featuring palaces, mosques, cathedrals, and historic quarters
• Visit exceptional Roman sites including Volubilis, Italica, and the soaring Roman aqueduct of Segovia
• Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Alhambra, Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Royal Alcázar of Seville, and historic city centers
• Delve into Spain’s artistic legacy with a guided visit of Madrid’s Prado Museum
• Savor regional cuisine through welcome and farewell dinners, select hosted meals, and opportunities to dine independently
• Stay in well-located 4- and 5-star hotels chosen for their quality, comfort, and proximity to key sites
This exclusive, small-group tour is limited to just 16 participants.

AIA Essential Greece by Land & Sea tour with a 4-Night Aegean Cruise & Optional post-tour extension: Peloponnese Discovery
2026-09-22 - 2026-09-30
JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF CLASSICAL GREECE AND THE AEGEAN WORLD on this marvelous exploration of Athens, several Greek islands, and the vast Greco-Roman site of Ephesus, Türkiye. Begin with three nights in Athens, staying near lively Syntagma Square. Explore with expert local guides Athens’ iconic ancient landmark, the Parthenon, plus the exceptional Acropolis Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art. Also take a full-day excursion to the stunning sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, once considered the spiritual center of the ancient world.
Highlights include:
-Visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites with expert local guides: Athens’ Acropolis, the island of Delos, Ephesus in Türkiye, and Crete’s Minoan Palace at Knossos.
-Delight in the antiquities and iconic sites in Athens such as climbing the Acropolis and visiting the Acropolis Museum while accompanied by expert guides.
-Cruise with AIA study leaders for four nights aboard the luxurious Emerald Azzurra, a privately chartered mega-yacht built, appointed, and staffed at the highest levels of comfort and service.
-Swim in azure waters surrounding the beautiful island of Mykonos and explore its beautiful cobblestone streets.
-Venture to Türkiye to walk the ancient streets of Ephesus, where the Greco-Roman world comes alive at one of the most complete classical cities in the Mediterranean.
-Wander the impressive ruins at Knossos in Crete, a spectacular Bronze Age site known as Europe’s oldest city.
OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXTENSION: 9/30 to 10/3, 2026
Peloponnese Discovery Continue your journey with three nights in Greece’s Peloponnese, a region where layers of history unfold amid striking landscapes. Explore the ruins of Corinth, stand before the legendary citadel of Mycenae, and marvel
at the ancient theater of Epidaurus, celebrated for its remarkable acoustics. Balance these encounters with time to unwind in the seaside beauty of Nafplion. Conclude your travels in Athens with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient art.

AIA Prehistoric Cave Art of Spain & France tour
2026-09-23 - 2026-10-05
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:
• Enjoy excellent accommodations in fine hotels and charming inns, as well as fine wine and cuisine.
• 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.
• 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 Sebastián.

AIA Crete & the Cycladic Islands: Archaeological Gems of the Aegean tour
2026-09-27 - 2026-10-11
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, four- and five-star hotels, perfect for exploring or just relaxing, with nine nights on Crete in the capital city of Heraklion and in the lovely coastal towns of Agios Nikolaos and Rethymnon, plus two nights on whitewashed Santorini and two nights on chic Mykonos.
Highlights include:
• Four of the six sites on Crete that comprise the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Minoan Palatial Centers”: Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, and Zominthos.
• Santorini’s ancient Minoan town of Akrotiri, which was well-preserved for millennia under volcanic ash and today paints a picture of life before the island’s 2nd-millennium B.C. eruption.
• The island of Delos, most sacred of the islands in the ancient Aegean, which grew from a sanctuary of Apollo into a major hub of commerce.
• Crete’s nearby islands of Mochlos, with a long archaeological past including a Minoan town; and Spinalonga, a former leper colony with a 16th-century Venetian fortress.
• A variety of Minoan villas, houses, and towns, including the “royal villa” of Agia Triada, the houses at Tylissos, and the vast town of Gournia.
• The Venetian port towns of Chania and Rethymnon, with their charming old towns, and Rethymnon’s 16th-century Fortezza, a grand fortress built to defend the city against the Ottomans.
• Several excellent museums, including the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, housing the world’s finest collection of Minoan art and artifacts; and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, with a stunning collection of artifacts and wall paintings from the ancient site of Akrotiri.
• The beauty of the cliffside, whitewashed town of Fira, Santorini; and the chic shops and narrow lanes of Chora, Mykonos.
• In addition to your knowledgeable and congenial AIA study leader, you will be accompanied by local guides and a professional tour manager who will handle all of the logistics so you can relax, enjoy, and learn.

AIA Tunisia: Phoenicians to Romans, Mosaics to Mosques tour
2026-10-01 - 2026-10-14
Join us for a comprehensive, expert-led exploration of Tunisia, a country whose layered history has shaped the Mediterranean world for more than three millennia. Traveling with archaeologist and AIA study leader Nejib ben Lazreg, we will experience all seven of Tunisia’s cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, explore fabled cities of the Phoenicians, Romans, and early Islamic dynasties, and enjoy the comfort of exceptional accommodations throughout. From four nights along the Tunis coast to immersive visits in Dougga, Bulla Regia, Kairouan, El Djem, and Sousse, this itinerary offers an ideal balance of archaeological discovery, cultural enrichment, and thoughtful pacing. Along the way, we will benefit from Nejib ben Lazreg’s deep expertise, gaining context and insight that bring Tunisia’s monumental past vividly to life.
Highlights include:
• Travel and learn with study leader/guide and archaeologist Nejib ben Lazreg and up to 16 guests.
• Visit all seven of Tunisia’s cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Explore fabled Carthage, including the Antonine Baths and the cisterns.
• Spend three full days in and around Tunis, including a visit to the Bardo Museum, featuring exquisite exhibits of Roman and Byzantine mosaics.
• See the beautiful Cape Bon coast and the Punic site of Kerkouane.
• Marvel at Bulla Regia, a well-preserved site featuring underground Roman villas, a museum, a Temple of Apollo, and a 2nd-century theater.
• Tour Dougga, established prior to the Romans, with its 3,500 seat theater; Temples of Saturn, Augustan Piety, and Mercury; and Capitol.
• Discover Kairouan, the fourth holiest city in the Muslim world, founded in A.D. 670, with its carpet, leather, brass, and spice vendors; and its Great
Mosque with a three-tiered minaret.
• Visit El Djem, one of Tunisia’s most extraordinary sites, with a marvelous, 30,000-seat, ancient amphitheater and a museum that houses
lovely mosaics.
• Visit the Roman city of Sbeitla (Sufetula), one of North Africa’s best-preserved Roman cities, including several stunning 2nd-century A.D. temples and mosaic-covered Byzantine baptisteries.
• Wander through Thuburbo Majus, a sprawling site occupied in turn by Berbers, Phoenicians, and Romans. The imperial remains include the Forum, Temple of Mercury, and sunken winter baths.

AIA Coastal Peru: Cradle of Civilization in the Americas tour
2026-10-08 - 2026-10-19
We invite you to join us on an in-depth archaeological journey with anthropological archaeologist Gabriela Cervantes-Quequezana, Ph.D., whose extensive fieldwork brings depth and perspective to the societies we explore along Peru’s dynamic northern coast. Discover the ancient cultural centers of coastal Peru, home to some of the earliest and most influential civilizations in the Americas. From the remains of monumental pyramids at Caral-Supe to the richly decorated temples of the Moche and Chimú, this journey reveals more than five millennia of innovation, artistry, and ritual practice.
Highlights include:
•The Americas’ earliest urban centers: Explore the UNESCO-listed Caral-Supe and visit the early coastal sites of Bandurria and Vichama, featuring sunken plazas, stepped pyramids, and striking friezes
•Major ceremonial sites: Experience Pachacamac, tour Sechín with its carved warrior bas-reliefs, and see Chankillo (UNESCO), one of the world’s earliest solar observatories
•Moche and Chimú achievements: Visit Huaca de la Luna and the vast adobe capital of Chan Chan (UNESCO), masterpieces of coastal architecture and artistic expression
•Royal tombs and elite burials: Study iconic discoveries at El Brujo, Batán Grande, and the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum
•Exceptional museum access: Enjoy an in-depth visit to Lima’s renowned Larco Museum, with a private curator discussion (pending confirmation)
•Expert leadership: Gain insight through lectures and discussions with Dr. Cervantes-Quequezana, whose research focuses on political integration, architecture, craft production, and social dynamics in ancient Peru
•Traveling with a small group: Limited to just 16 participants
•An optional, 6-day, post-tour extension to Cusco (UNESCO) and Machu Picchu (UNESCO) is available

AIA Türkiye: From Göbekli Tepe to Mount Nemrut & the Tigris River tour
2026-10-09 - 2026-10-21
Travel with us beyond classical Türkiye, with its monumental, Greco-Roman ruins and Aegean sea backdrops. Find more history–and prehistory–amid the beauty of southeastern Türkiye, on a route less traveled, between Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, and Diyarbakır, set along the banks of the famous Tigris River that helped form the cradle of civilization. Along the way you will see the world’s earliest monumental temples, dating back over 10,000 years; explore excellent archaeological and mosaic museums; and enjoy diverse architecture, from beehive-style mud houses to rock tombs, and early monasteries to mosques. Enjoy local cuisine, perhaps especially during our two-night stay in Gaziantep, a city famous across Türkiye for its cuisine; and explore bazaars and workshops with local artisans and craftspeople. Our AIA lecturer is intimately familiar with this region’s deep history and diverse cultures.
Highlights include:
– Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, two prehistoric sites dating back to 9500-8000 B.C., suggesting that complex societies and monumental architecture existed well before the advent of agriculture
– The world-famous, 19-foot-tall statues and burial sanctuary of King Nimrod (Antiochus I Theos), at more than 7,000 feet above sea level in Mount Nemrut National Park
– Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park, Türkiye’s first open-air museum, with well-preserved Hittite ruins and statues dating from the 8th century B.C.
– Dara, one of the most important trade centers of ancient Mesopotamia, featuring rock tombs dating back to the 5th century A.D.
– The flooded ancient city of Hasankeyf (flooded in 2020 for dam construction), whose artifacts were removed to the Batman Archaeological Museum that we will visit, and some of whose important structures we will visit at a new, nearby location
– Diyarbakır’s city walls, the second-longest on Earth (after China’s Great Wall), which contain a castle and a medieval church
– Fascinating museums, such as the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the world’s largest mosaic museum, with exquisite Hellenistic Greek and Roman mosaics; and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, a domed structure protecting a Roman villa complex that was saved from a 2006 urban construction project
– An optional, post-tour extension to Lake Van, including visits to Van (Tushpa) Castle, center of the Kingdom of Urartu in the 9th to 6th centuries B.C., and the ruins of the Urartian fortress of Sarduri-Hinili at Çavuştepe

AIA The Legacy of the Etruscans: Latium, Umbria & Tuscany tour
2026-10-12 - 2026-10-23
Discover the world of the ancient Etruscans, a pre-Roman civilization that flourished between the Tiber and Arno Rivers in what is now Tuscany during the first millennium B.C. (1000-100 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 Volterra, which also boasts a charming historical center; and Orvieto, with its striking Etruscan acropolis
•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; fine cuisine and wine; plus a special home-hosted dinner in Florence

AIA Life, Luxury & Leisure in Ancient Rome tour
2026-10-14 - 2026-10-25
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.
Highlights include:
• A custom-designed itinerary with five nights in central Rome, two nights in Naples, and three nights in Sorrento
• Visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
o 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
o 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
o 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
• The collections of Rome’s Capitoline Museums, with magnificent Classical and Renaissance art; the awe-inspiring Pantheon; and the superb Naples Archaeological Museum
• Carefully selected, 4- and 5-star hotels
• Our group size is limited to 16, and you will also be accompanied by a professional tour manager, and expert local guides, who will handle the details so you can relax, experience, and learn.
