Destination Unknown

Destination Unknown: Uncovering the Culturally Cryptic and Eclectic

The Traveller, the UK’s leading specialist in archaeological, historical and cultural tours, has launched its 2008 brochure with more original itineraries and unusual destinations than ever.
Well known for its groundbreaking tours, the company has, and is still, re-drawing the world’s tourist map, unveiling previously shrouded places, and introducing people to the totally unknown.

Vecchia Romagna – Empire, Gastronomy and Art

Straddled around the ancient via Emilia’s route across the Italian Peninsula’s fertile flatlands, the modern province of Emilia Romagna has a vital artisitic heritage that includes Byzantine mosaics and Romanesque cathedrals.

Sons of the region emerged as outstanding sculptors in the shape of Wiligelmo of Modena, Master Nicholas of Ferrara and Benedetto Antelami of Parma. It is also the home of Parmesan cheese, the finest prosciutto ham, marvellous pasta dishes and Bolognese cuisine.

The attractive town of Ravenna was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and exercised considerable influence over northern Italy and beyond.

During this period civil and ecclesiastical buildings were constructed whose richness of decoration are quite remarkable.

Explore the rich treasures of the region and in essence, view of some of the finest Byzantine and medieval monuments in Italy.

Dates

5th – 12th May 2008 (8 days)

Price

£1950 (single room supplement £190)

Inclusive of
Flights, all taxes, tour lecturer/manager, 2-4 star accommodation, half board plus one lunch, and gratuities.

Not included
Insurance (£30), and Porterage.

Flight File
London Gatwick / Bologna – BA 2562, 1455 / 1800
Bologna / London Gatwick – BA 2563, 1845 / 1955

Visit www.the-traveller.co.uk

Mauritania – A Desert Odyssey

Mauritania boasts an enormous variety of desert landscapes and a feast of colours – spectacular dunes, rocky uplands, towering mesas as well as a coast rich in fish and wildlife.

But oil has recently been discovered and a traditional way of life is now under threat.

On this tour to Mauritania the emphasis is as much on the history, society, traditions and way of life of those who inhabit this sparsely populated country, as it is on the breathtaking desert vistas and the unparalleled pleasure of sleeping under an unpolluted desert sky.

The terrain is often tough, the camping simple and the climate challenging but the tour will hold an appeal to those who want to get well away from the tourist trail and gain a rare insight of a country still unspoilt and where the traditional fabric of society is largely intact.

Travel is by 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Dates
6th – 22nd Nov 2008 (17 days)

Price
£2875 (single room supplement £95)

Inclusive of
Flights, all taxes, tour lecturer/manager, camping and simple auberge or guesthouse accommodation, full board and gratuities.

Not included
Insurance (£67), visa (£25), and visa procurement fee (£45).

Flight File
London Heathrow / Casablanca / Nouakchott – AT 801 / 513, 1710 / 0235*
Nouakchott / Casablanca / London Heathrow – AT 512 / 800, 0335 / 1550*
* next day

Visit www.the-traveller.co.uk

Ladakh – In The Web of the Gods (Palanquin Traveller)

High in northwest India lies a region of extreme harshness and beauty. Ladakh, serrated by four mountain ranges – Himalaya, Zanska, Ladakh and Karakoram – whose catchments spill into the great river Indus and its tributaries.

For thousands of years nomadic tribesmen roamed the region, Tibetan Changpa, Indian Mon, Aryan Dard and Mongol.
Leh and Shey, have been capitals of historic kingdoms encompassing vast areas of Tibet, attracting trade, prosperity and new faiths.

Walking the Indus valley and the ancient kingdom of Sham brings a fresh perspective on the great monasteries in their strategic settings.

Many are accessible by road (and for anyone unable to trek, a jeep journey can be arranged) – but to approach a monastery on foot across a pass is to share the anticipation of generations of travellers.

This is a moderate trek and the path does not rise above 4500m. The trail crosses numerous villages where the people maintain their Tibetan ways and customs. Palanquin Leader.

Dates
17th May – 1st June
8th – 23rd June
22nd Aug – 6th Sept
(16 days)

Price
£1880 (single supplement £315)

Included
Flights, airport taxes, 5 guesthouse nights with breakfast, 9 camping nights with all meals and camp equipment on trek; support crew, drivers and vehicles, area permits and entrance fees at monuments.

Not included
Visa and procurement (£30/£28), personal travel and medical insurance, and camera fees if levied at gompas.

Flight File
London Heathrow / Delhi – 9W121, 2045 / 1000*
2 Domestic flights – Delhi-Leh-Delhi
Delhi / London Heathrow – 9W122, 1255 / 1705
* next day

Please note the Ladakh Tour is through The Traveller's sister company Palanquin Traveller, visit www.palanquin.co.uk for more information.