Historical Tours

ur worldwide headquarters, Casterbridge Hall, is an attractive Edwardian house in the ancient English village of Templecombe, once home to the Knights Templar and close to some outstanding historic attractions in the historic South-Western Kingdom of Wessex.

With these roots, you can imagine that we have specialised for some considerable time in programmes with a historical emphasis. After more than 20 years of operation and extensive research working with schools, universities and history societies, Casterbridge today has an unrivalled range of European and Worldwide itineraries.

THE ANCIENT WORLD - Customised and thematic programmes in China, Egypt, Israel and many other destinations with ancient civilisations. (See additional information below History itineraries.)

CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS - As well as major cities like Rome and Athens, visit some of the lesser-known sites of antiquity on our programmes to Italy, Greece and Turkey.

THE MIDDLE AGES - Itinerary options range from touring the great 'Medieval Castles and Cathedrals of France' to following the path of 'The Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula.'

RENAISSANCE & REFORMATION - Trace the life of Luther in Germany or explore the history and treasures of Venice, Florence and Rome.

THE AGE OF DISCOVERY & THE NEW WORLD - Discover the earliest settlements in North or South America and the dramatic effect colonisation had on the indigenous populations.

THE MODERN ERA - Relive 'The Battlefields of World Wars I and II' or investigate firsthand the effects of Communism in China or Cuba and the Fall of the Iron Curtain in Russia and Eastern Europe.

We aim, whenever possible, to provide thematic and chronological content to each day of the tour. In Berlin, for example, thematic days dedicated to 'The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich' track the course of momentous events and can make for learning that is both fascinating and fun!

Your guides will always ensure an excellent level of historical insight and also use your theme as the ideal justification for experiencing the local culture and visiting some of the most breathtaking landscapes that our world has to offer. In this respect, we plan for a balance of in-depth historical visits, combined with cultural attractions, interspersed with free time for leisure activities.

To custom design the tour of your choice, call us free on 01935 810810 Monday - Friday 9-5.30.

SEE BELOW FOR SUGGESTED HISTORY ITINERARIES & ANCIENT HISTORY INTRODUCTION AND ITINERARIES

Outline Itineraries - History

The tours listed are just a small sample of the itineraries we can offer.
Overnights are shown in { }. (Day excursions are in parentheses.)

We will also be pleased to provide a customised itinerary to meet your particular requirements.

Call 01935 810810 for detailed day-by-day itineraries and costs for your group's proposed dates and preferred services.

CROATIA
10 Days
Zagreb {2} - Plitvice Lakes {1} - Split - Dubrovnik {3} (Korcula) - Trogir - Solaris {1} - Zadar - Island of Rab {2} - Zagreb

CUBA
11 Days
Havana {2} - Pinar del Rio - Aguas Claras {1} Viñales - Guamá {1} - Playa Girón - Guajimico {3} (Trinidad; Mal Tiempo) - Cienfuegos - Varadero {2}

EASTERN EUROPE
12 Days
Berlin {2} - Dresden - Prague {2} - Brno - Vienna {2} - Budapest {2} - Cracow {1} - Auschwitz - Warsaw {2}

GERMANY
13 Days
Berlin {3} - Potsdam - Leipzig {2} - Erfurt {2} (Eisenach) - Munich {3} (Dachau) - Nymphenburg - Heidelberg {1} - Rhine Gorge - Frankfurt {1}

ITALY
8 Days
Naples - Sorrento {4} (Paestum; Capri; Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius) - Herculaneum - Naples - Rome {3}

RUSSIA
10 Days
Moscow {3} - Zagorsk - Yaroslavl {1} - Suzdal {2} - flight via Moscow -
St. Petersburg {3}

SOUTH AFRICA
9 Days
Durban - Shakaland {1} - Fugitives Drift {5} (Isandlwana; Mangeni Falls; Rorke's Drift; Blood River)

SPAIN
8 Days
Málaga - Granada {1} - Seville {2} - Córdoba - Toledo {1} - Madrid {3}
(El Escorial, Valley of the Fallen, Segovia)

USA (CIVIL WAR, VIRGINIA)
12 Days
Manassas {1} - Winchester {2} (Harpers Ferry) - Front Royal {1} - Strasburg - New Market - Culpeper {1} - Orange - Fredericksburg {1} - Chancellorsville - Richmond {3} - Petersburg {1} - Appomattox

VIETNAM
12 Days
Hanoi - {2} (Hoa Lu) - Overnight train {1} to Hué {2} (Perfume River) - Hoi An {2} (Myson) - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City {2} (Cuchi Tunnels)

An example of a Detailed History Itinerary

American History & Heritage - It is 1607; young English adventurers begin their quest to carve a new civilisation from America's wilderness. Experience American History through the ages in its most historic state, Virginia. With little overland travel, attractions include: Jamestown, first permanent English settlement in America; Williamsburg, America's best-preserved town of the 1700s (88 original buildings); majestic plantation houses; Civil War battlefields; America's premier museum complex "The Smithsonian"; and much more.

DAY 1 DEPARTURE Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Washington Dulles Airport. Meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel in Virginia.

DAY 2 1600's JAMESTOWN
Our sightseeing begins at Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking outpost in North America and capital of Virginia from 1607 - 1699. It is where the foundations of American principles, traditions and justice were born. The museum with its wealth of artifacts will introduce us to the history of the settlement. The Powhatan Indian Village is recreated to represent Native American life in the 17th century and James Fort will give us an understanding of how the settlement was organised and administered. We can also board one of the full-sized replica ships that conveyed the settlers to the New World and imagine the harsh realities of every day life on the arduous 144-day Atlantic crossing. This evening we have dinner in Colonial Williamsburg and enjoy a 'hands-on' experience of life in an 18th century city.

DAY 3 WILLIAMSBURG - WOLSTENHOLME TOWNE
Today we tour Wolstenholme Towne, a partially reconstructed 1619 village. We will marvel at the sumptuous splendour of the stately 1754 mansion at Carter's Grove, which has quite rightly been dubbed 'the most beautiful house in America'. In complete contrast we will visit the slave area and hear from a living history speaker about the hardships that had to be endured.

DAY 4 WILLIAMSBURG
This morning we return to Colonial Williamsburg to walk in the footsteps of George Washington visiting the Royal Governor's Palace, home to seven governors. Our tour will include the political centre of Virginia - The Capitol.

DAY 5 YORKTOWN
Today's living history visit takes us to Yorktown. The year is 1781 and the British surrender to George Washington after a long and gruelling battle to thwart their bid for independence. The drama of the American Revolution is charted through the eyes of its protagonists from the beginning of unrest to the adoption of the Constitution and Bill of Rights at the Yorktown Victory Centre. As we experience life in the Continental Army Encampment we will become caught up in the fervour and struggle of the American Revolution.

DAY 6 RICHMOND
On our itinerary for today are three nearby plantations. Sherwood Forest Plantation, owned by two American Presidents, miraculously survived the American Civil War along with its luxurious furnishings, priceless heirlooms and paintings. Berkeley Plantation and its three-storey brick house is said to be the oldest in Virginia. Over the years its dining room has extended hospitality to George Washington and later to the succeeding nine Presidents of the United States. Founded in 1607, Shirley Plantation is the oldest in Virginia. The house has a famous unique flying staircase with no visible means of support, the design of which is attributed to Sir Christopher Wren.

DAY 7 RICHMOND
Virginia's capital sustained much damage during the Civil War, but there are still many elegant delights for us to see. The Museum and White House of the Confederacy concentrates on the Civil War, housing the world's largest collection of Confederate artifacts. We will stroll down Monument Avenue to see statues of Virginian heroes from General Lee to tennis star Arthur Ashe. There will also be time to visit St John's Church, location of Patrick Henry's 'Liberty or Death' speech.

DAY 8 FREDERICKSBURG
This morning we will explore Chancellorsville Battlefield, site of General Lee's greatest victory. Fredericksburg, childhood home of George Washington, is a charming 18th century town on the Rappahannock River but was the site of four battles during the American Civil War. Our tour charts this bloody conflict which raged from 1861 - 1865 and during which 100,000 men gave their lives.

DAY 9 ALEXANDRIA - WASHINGTON DC
Alexandria was established in 1749 and by careful planning has managed to preserve the appearance of another century. Our walking tour will include the Alexandria Black History Resource Center, which documents the history of African Americans in Alexandria from 1749. This afternoon we visit Mt Vernon, home of George Washington. We will learn about slavery and the 'real' George Washington from costumed characters who will bring history to life. This evening we will take an evening bus tour of one of the most important and exciting cities in the world, Washington DC. A 'custom built' capital city, attractions include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and The Capitol Building.

DAY 10 WASHINGTON DC
We have a free day to explore the Smithsonian Institute, the world's largest museum complex. Covering subjects from air and space travel to the dinosaurs it consists of 16 museums and galleries. No trip to Washington would be complete without a tour round the White House. The residence of every president except George Washington, many of the rooms are open for public viewing.

DAYS 11/12 DEPARTURE, ARRIVAL LONDON
Your enjoyable and rewarding tour ends as your guide accompanies you to the airport for the return flight home. Your flight lands early the next morning.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
(Admissions Costs Included): * Jamestown: Visitor Centre and Museum, Powhatan Indian Village, Ships: Discovery, Godspeed, Susan Constant, James Fort
Wolstenholme Towne * Carter's Grove * Colonial Williamsburg: Royal Governor's Palace, Capitol, Bruton Parish Church * Yorktown: Yorktown Victory Centre, Continental Army Encampment, 1780s Farm Site * Sherwood Forest Plantation * Berkeley Plantation * Shirley Plantation * Richmond: Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Monument Avenue, St John's Church * Chancellorsville Battlefield * Fredericksburg * Alexandria: Alexandria Black History Resource Center, Lee-Fendall House * Mt Vernon * Washington DC: City tour; Smithsonian Institute.

ANCIENT HISTORY PROGRAMMES

You can discover the origins of ancient civilisations on one of our many Ancient History tours that highlight the glories of the past. The Egyptians created a millennia long culture that had an enormous impact on the ancient Middle East. China is the oldest continuous civilisation and its ancient sculptures, murals, burial sites and temples are renowned throughout the world. To experience these first-hand brings history alive and will provide your group with a unique and unforgettable insight into the Ancient World.

The foundation for many of our modern ideas and systems of government, drama, philosophy, architecture, art and law derive from the classical civilisations of Greece and Rome. Bring the Classical World alive with a visit to the sites of antiquity in these countries.

After 22 years of operation and travel, we have researched and built up excellent contacts with many experts throughout the world. We offer the best of both worlds to Group Leaders: experienced and knowledgeable travel professionals to assist you in planning your proposed trip and experts in countries rich in archaeological sites to make special arrangements for you and even guide your group on tour.

We can also work with the curators of museums, university lecturers and noted archaeologists to custom design a private tour for your group. They're all eager to present their archaeological knowledge, whether they control a government institution or have spent years of research out in the field.

For example, we are delighted to work in association with Cambridge University lecturer Jeremy Keenan, widely acknowledged as the world's leading authority on the Central Sahara, to organise archaeological field study tours for small groups to the extraordinary Tassili region. This area undoubtedly has the world's greatest collection of prehistoric art and is rich with other archaeological attractions, predominantly from the Palaeolithic era.

We offer complete flexibility to group leaders in the planning process regarding the depth of study and the itinerary. In association with our local experts we can work with you to develop a programme targeted specifically for your group.

To custom design the tour of your choice, call us free on 01935 810810 Monday - Friday 9-5.30.

Outline Itineraries - Ancient History

Call 01935 810810 for detailed day-by-day itineraries and costs for your group's proposed dates and preferred services.

CENTRAL SAHARA
This 'Grand' Tour consists of two parts: (a) camping with day hikes Tamanrasset-Illizi; (b) camping and trekking Illizi-Djanet. If clients only have two weeks, either part could be operated, in which case the desert tour chosen would end or begin in Illizi.
Algiers {1} - Fly to Tamanrasset {1} - Assekrem {1} - Tamanrasset {1} - Ideles {1} -Tourha Mountains - Erg Tihodaine {2} - Tassili Plateau {1} - Tamdjert {1} - Afara {1} - Adrar - Illizi {1} - Oued Djerat {1} - Illizi {1} - Eherir {1} - Dider {1}- Djanet {1} - Col Tafalelet - Trek around Tassili Plateau {5} - Col d'Aroum - Djanet {1} - Fly to Algiers {1}

CHINA
14 Days
Beijing {2} - Fly to Urümqi {2} - Fly to Dunhuang {1} - Fly to Lanzhou {2} - Fly to Xi'an {2} - Fly to Hong Kong {2}

EGYPT
9 Days
Cairo {3} (Memphis, Saqqara) - Fly to Abu Simbel - Aswan {2} - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor {2} (Valley of the Kings; Karnak) - Fly to Cairo {1}

GUATEMALA
11 Days
Guatemala City - La Antigua Guatemala {4} - (Mixco Viejo; Atitlán; Abaj Takalik,
El Baul, Las Ilusiones) - Quiriguá - Fronteras {1} - Flores {3} (Tikal National Park; the Cancuen Project) - Yaxhá - Fly to Guatemala City {1}

ISRAEL
8 Days
Jerusalem {4} (Bethlehem; Old Jerusalem; Dead Sea, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada) - Jericho - Nazareth - Tiberias - Galilee {2} (River Jordan, Hazor, Safed, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Taghba) - Haifa - Mt. Carmel - Megiddo - Caesarea - Tel Aviv/Jaffa {1}

JORDAN
9 Days
Amman {4} (Iraq El-Amir, Desert Castles; Jerash, Ajlune, Um Qais; Mount Nebo, Madaba, Mukawir) - Dead Sea - Kerak - Petra {2} - Wadi Rum - Aqaba {2}

MEXICO
14 Days
Mexico City {2} (Teotihuacan) - Fly to Merida {2} - Campeche {1} - Palenque {1} - Uxmal {1} - Chichen Itza {1} - Cancun {4} (Tulum, Xel-Ha)

PERU
15 Days
Lima {3} (Pachaqamaq) - Fly to Cusco {5} - (Four seminars & field trips) - Sacred Valley of the Incas {1} - Machu Picchu {1} - Cusco {3} (Chinchero, Moray) - Fly to Lima

SICILY
10 Days
Palermo {2} (Monte Pellegrino) - Segesta - Agrigento {2} - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone {1} - Ragusa - Syracuse {2} - Catania {2} (Mount Etna, Taorima)

USA
12 days
Denver, Colorado {2} - Fort Collins - Como Bluffs - Laramie, Wyoming {1} - Flaming Gorge Recreational Park - Vernal, Utah {1} - Dinosaur National Monument - Grand Junction, Colorado {2} ("Dig" sites) - Durango - Mesa Verde {2} - (Mesa Verde Park) - Black Canyon, Gunnison National Park - Gunnison {1} - Monarch Pass - South Park - Colorado Springs {1} - Denver

An Example of a Detailed Ancient History Itinerary

Turkey - Ancient Civilisations - Turkey has been called 'the cradle of civilisation'. There is no finer destination for an Archaeological Tour as Turkey's unique location, straddling the meeting place of Europe and Asia, has led to these lands being visited by many races. As a result Turkey displays innumerable remains of the many ancient civilisations that have left an impact on its landscape.

DAY 1 DEPARTURE - Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled flight to Ankara via Istanbul. You will be met at the airport by your guide, who will accompany you to your hotel.

DAY 2 ANKARA
Our sightseeing will begin with a visit to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. Here are displayed many of the objects unearthed at the Hittite and Hattion sites we will visit tomorrow.

DAY 3 ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA
Today we will drive to Hattusas, the centre of the ancient Hittite region. Also the religious centre of the Hittites, the city boasts some remarkable sites, namely the great Temple of the Storm God Tesep and the fortress. Nearby is the most famous ancient Hittite site Yazilikaya, which means 'Inscribed Rock'. We will then proceed to Alaca Höyük, an important place of the Hittite era but previously a Hattion settlement (a Bronze Age culture)

DAY 4 CAPPADOCIA
Biblical Cappadocia is famous for its unique landscapes and underground cities carved from the region's soft volcanic rock. We will visit the unique landscape of Göreme with its rock chapel carved by early Christians and decorated with frescoes dating from the 6th century, as well as the underground city of Kaymakli. During our day we will also visit the abandoned village in Zelve Valley and the potters' village of Avanos.

DAY 5 CAPPADOCIA - KONYA
We will drive to the Neolithic site at Catal Höyük, described as the world's first urban centre, dating back to 6500 BC. The site has been widely recognised as of unique international significance and is an example of the important Anatolian contribution to the development of Mediterranean societies. We continue on to Konya, capital of the mighty Seljuk Empire from 1078 to 1307. We will visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, founder of the order of Whirling Dervishes, before we drive on to the beautiful Karatay Koran School.

DAY 6 KONYA - PAMUKKALE
Today we travel to the resort city of Pamukkale, famous for its spectacular limestone cascades formed by hot mineral springs. There will also be time to visit the vast ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis.

DAY 7 PAMUKKALE - EPHESUS - IZMIR
Today we travel across to Ephesus, home of St. Paul between 54 and 57 AD and the capital of Roman Asia Minor. We will explore the expanse of Greco-Roman and Christian remains of the huge Theatre, the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian. We will also visit the nearby Basilica of St. John, where according to legend he was buried, the House of Virgin Mary and the Ephesus Museum before continuing to Izmir, Homer's birthplace.

DAY 8 IZMIR - PERGAMUM - ALLENOI - TROY - CANAKKALE
Continuing north we visit Pergamum, one of the seven churches of the Bible. This ancient Hellenistic city has a wealth of Greco-Roman remains. We will see the monumental foundations of the Altar of Zeus, the Temple of Athena and the significant ruins of the great Library. Nearby, the latest ancient city to be discovered is Allenoi. The Director of the Pergamum Museum will guide us on a tour of the site and reveal the latest research and discoveries. We will continue to Troy to see the remains of the city immortalised in Homer's Iliad.

DAY 9 CANAKKALE - ISTANBUL
Istanbul is a city much immortalised in art and literature for its antiquity. On arrival we will visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered market places in the world. The Bazaar's labyrinth of tunnels contains over 4,000 shops where all kinds of carpets, trinkets, jewellery and clothes can be purchased.

DAY 10 ISTANBUL
Our sightseeing will begin at the Blue Mosque, which creates an impressive skyline. We then visit the Sunken Palace, a huge 6th century Byzantine cistern, before walking to Istanbul's first and greatest mosque. Hagia Sofia, originally a Christian basilica erected in 360 AD, is a thousand years older than St. Peter's in Rome. First a church, then a mosque and now a museum, it is considered to be the supreme masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. We will continue to the Topkapi Palace, an opulent preserve that was the imperial seat of the Ottoman Empire. The palace complex is surrounded by three miles of walls and is the oldest and largest palace in the world.

DAY 11 ISTANBUL
Our final day in Turkey will be spent on a tour of the Dolmabahçe Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans. This afternoon after re-visiting the Grand Bazaar we will enjoy a leisurely Cruise down the Bosphorus.

DAY 12 DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL
Your enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as your guide accompanies you to the airport for the flight home. Your flight arrives in London late afternoon the same day.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
(Admission Costs Included): * Ankara: Mausoleum of Atatürk, Museum of Anatolian Civilisations * Hittite sites: Hattusas, Yazilikaya, Alaca Höyük * Cappadocia: Göreme, Kaymakli, Zelve Valley, Avanos, Catal Höyük * Konya: Mausoleum of Mevlana, Karatay Koran School * Pamukkale: Hierapolis * Ephesus: Theatre, Library of Celsus, Gymnasium, Temple of Hadrian, Basilica of St. John, House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus Museum * Izmir * Pergamum: Altar of Zeus, Temple of Athena, Library * Allenoi: Archaeological Dig * Troy * Çanakkale * Istanbul: Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Sunken Palace, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Cruise *

Casterbridge Tours is a genuine advocate of the educational and cultural benefits of our tours and we suggest you call 01935 810810 or Register now.