The 10 best trips for lovers of TV’s Civilisations
MANKIND may be good at destruction but we’ve also created extraordinary works of art, too. The BBC series Civilisations featured about 500 examples in more than 31 countries – and you can see your favourites on one of these brilliant cultural trips. Most prices include meals, accommodation and guides.
1 JORDAN
One of the world’s most spectacular sights, ancient Petra is carved out of rock and came to prominence in about 300 BC. An eight-night escorted tour, Jordan: Land Of The Nabateans, includes a candlelit visit to the unforgettable Rose Red City. From £2,299pp, departing October 26 (toursprestigeholidays.co.uk, 01425 480600)
2 EGYPT
The Colossi of Memnon are among the wealth of unforgettable treasures you’ll enjoy on a ten-night Classic Egypt tour. The trip includes a Nile cruise and three nights in Cairo with visits to the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum.
From £1,216pp (discoveregypt.co.uk, 020 7407 2111)
3 EASTER ISLAND A highlight of a 16-day Chile And Easter Island holiday, departing November 12, will be standing in front of the monolithic figures called moai, carved by the Rapa Nui between 1250 and 1500. From £6,995pp (andantetravels.co.uk, 01722 713800)
4 ITALY
A five-day tour, Rome: The Art And Architecture Of Power, departing September 5, takes in everything from the Forum to the Capitoline Hill, plus treasures such as Nero’s Golden House. Cambridge lecturer Dr Nigel Spivey will join the trip. From £1,795pp (coxandkings.co.uk, 020 3642 0861)
5 CHINA
Meet the incredible Terracotta Warriors, inset above, and one of the farmers who found the buried army in 1974 on a 12-day Highlights Of China trip. You will also visit the Great Wall and Beijing. From £2,795pp (bambootravel.co.uk, 020 7720 9285)
6 GREECE
Archaeologists Heinrich Hall and Dr Maria Girtzi lead a 14-night Exploring The Peloponnese trip, departing May 2 and October 10. Highlights include Olympia and the extraordinary Hermes of Praxiteles. From £4,425pp (petersommer. com, 01600 888220)
7 NAMIBIA
See exquisite rock paintings, some more than 4,000 years old, in Namibia’s Brandberg, Spitzkoppe and Erongo mountains. The 11-night holiday
is led by guide Bruno Nebe. From £3,189pp (expertafrica.com, 020 3405 6666)
8 INDIA
Historian Asoka Pugal leads a 14-day Essential India trip, departing February 23, 2019. It includes three nights at Khajuraho to see the famously spectacular temples. From £5,780pp (martinrandall.com, 020 8742 3355)
9 ITALY
Head to the beautiful Tuscan city of Florence for three nights for some sightseeing, which can include a private tour of the art treasures of the Accademia Gallery, with Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of David. From £768pp (kirkerholidays.com, 020 7593 2283)
10 MEXICO
Follow the Aztecs, Zapotecs and Maya on a fascinating adventure through Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras on a 21-night Mysteries Of The Maya & Aztecs escorted tour. From £3,095pp (vjv.com, 020 3553 3722)