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| Spiekermann
Scheduled Tours... |
 | Eastern Turkey
September 24 to October 11, 2008
Tour Escort: Professor Norman Jones
History Department Chair and Director of
Religious Studies, Utah State University
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The prodigious ruins of some of the civilizations who ruled the Ancient Near
East: the Hittites, Neo-Hittites and Urartians lie in Turkey’s Eastern regions
bordering Georgia, Armenia, Iran and Syria. This seldom-visited region offers
travelers the most stupendous sights of the Middle East. Travel with Professor
Norman Jones to experience first hand the colossal stone heads atop Mt.
Nemrut, the ghostly ruined cathedrals and churches of Ani, the stunningly
situated Isak Pasha Palace, and the magnificent carvings on the Armenian
Church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van. See the Biblical connections with Urfa
and Harran (where Abraham lived), not to mention Mt. Ararat claimed by Genesis
to be the final resting place of Noah’s Ark.
per person in Double: $4995.00 |
About your lecturer – Professor Norman Jones is Chair of the Department of
History and Director of Religious Studies at Utah State University. Holding a
doctorate from Cambridge University, he specializes in the interplay of
religion and culture. He has taught the history of Christianity for thirty
years, and his publications, focusing on the early modern world, include work
on the relations between Christianity and Islam
Tour Includes:
Superior four-star accommodations as well as some special category (Boutique)
hotels
English-speaking private guide throughout
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Airport transfers (if arriving/departing on scheduled flights) and travel by
modern, air-conditioned motor coach throughout
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
Round trip airfare New York City/Istanbul and domestic air within country
Ferry from Istanbul to Eskihisar and from Bursa to Istanbul
Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, restaurant and hotel staff
Bottled water on the bus daily (one per person)
Not Included:
Travel Insurance
Visa for Turkey ($20 at time of printing – obtainable on arrival at Istanbul
airport)
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights or transfers in Istanbul if necessary or
Tiblisi if extending to Armenia/Iran
Fuel surcharges, airport taxes and security charges (approximately $322.00)
Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with meals, telephone, email,
laundry bills, etc.
Round trip airfare between your hometown and NYC
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $440.00
Minimum 8 participants and Maximum of 14 participants
If number of participants is less than 8, trip may still depart with payment
of Small Group Surcharge
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
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 | Ancient Kingdoms of
ARMENIA and PERSIA
** 2 spaces left **
October 10 to November 02, 2008
Tour Escort: Dr. Gregory E. Areshian
Professor at the Cotsen Institute of
Archaeology at UCLA
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Journey through more than five millennia of the history of the Armenian
Highland, the legendary landing place of Noah’s Ark, where you will learn
about one of the earliest civilizations in the world. Ancient Persia has been
the cradle of many civilizations and endless contributions in poetry, art,
architecture, science and history. Traverse part of the ancient Silk Road as
you explore ancient ruins, colorful cities, and exotic medieval bazaars that
seem like they were stuck in time centuries ago. Come and join Dr. Gregory E.
Areshian on this incredibly unique and educational journey
$6,475.00 Per person in double (from JFK) |
Dr. Gregory E. Areshian is a distinguished scholar in the fields of Near
Eastern and Eurasian archaeology and ancient history. He published more than
130 works devoted to the study of antiquities of Armenia, Turkey, Syria,
Georgia, and elsewhere, and directed or participated in many excavations
conducted in Armenia, Syria, and on the coast of the Black Sea. He also
traveled extensively in the Near East and Central Asia. He was a professor at
the universities of Yerevan, Chicago, and Wisconsin, and currently holds an
appointment with the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of
California at Los Angeles where he teaches courses on the Ancient Near East as
well as the interactions of nomadic and sedentary civilizations in Central
Asia. The numerous special talks which he will give on a wide spectrum of
subjects will add a unique flavor to your program and give you unique insights
that will enhance your enjoyment and education.
Tour Includes:
• International airfare from JFK to Yerevan/Tehran (based on Air France
schedule)
• Deluxe and First class hotel accommodations
• Meals as specified in the itinerary: B-breakfast, L-lunch and D-dinner
• All tours as per itinerary including entrance fees
• Tipping to drivers, porters, hotel and restaurant staff
• Transfers/transportation by vehicle during tour
• All local taxes and service charges on included items
Not Included:
• Airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges (estimated at $335)
• Items of a personal nature (camera fees at sites, laundry, phone
calls, emails, excess luggage, etc.)
• Meals not listed and beverages with all meals
• Tipping to main guides
• Travel protection insurance
• Airfare from cities other than New York City
• Transfers if not arriving/departing on scheduled flights/tour dates
• Dayroom or overnights necessitated by changes in airline schedules
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $775.00
Group Size minimum is 8 participants, maximum is 16 participants
* The other air option besides Air France is British Airways and it entails
leaving the USA on Oct. 11th and arriving Yerevan late night the 12th (no
credit for the missed night as the cost for BA is higher than AF)
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
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 | Sudan ... Ancient Nubia
February 20 - March 07, 2009
(Combinable with pre or post tour to EGYPT)
Tour Escort: Accompanied By Lou Werner, Journalist and
Travel Writer
Zaki, President of Spiekermann Travel
Service
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Sudan, Africa’s largest country, has more than 500 tribes, each with its own
dialect, traditions, and dance making it the most diverse nation on the
continent. The Nile flowing north from Khartoum towards Egypt is the link that
runs through Sudan, influencing the lives of its people. Along the banks of
the river and in the valley of the Sahara Desert are many interesting
archaeological sites from the Egyptian and Meroitic civilizations that have
seldom been seen by the public, including more pyramids than in Egypt! Come
and explore magnificent monuments, tombs and temples set in a landscape of
impressive natural wonders of as you travel through the desert and along the
Nile of Sudan’s mysterious north. An ancient land once known as Nubia.
You can combine this tour with a pre-trip to Egypt’s Nubian Treasures and Lake
Nasser Cruise (January 30-February 8) or a post-tour from February 21st to
March 8th called Hidden Sites of Egypt, concentrating on the off-the-beaten
track sites of Egypt
Cost per person in Double: $6,795.00
Including air from NYC |
About your host/lecturer...Louis Werner is a French and Arabic speaking
journalist (for Archaeology and Saudi Aramco World magazines), documentary
filmmaker (for BBC-TV and PBS), and communications consultant (for USAID and
international NGOs) working in the Middle East and North Africa. He first
visited Sudan twenty five years ago, and has written about Sudanese camel
herders for Smithsonian Magazine (May 1987), Nubian doorways for Saudi Aramco
World (July 2006), and made a documentary film (Voice of the Whip, BBC-TV,
1989) about the Sudan-to-Egypt camel trade. During travels in some fifteen
countries in the region, his most notable interviews have been with desert
librarians in Mauritania, tile mosaicists in Morocco, Tuareg elephant wardens
in Mali, archaeologists in Libya and Saudi Arabia, dhow captains in Eritrea,
souk sellers in Aleppo, brass smiths in the southern Caucasus, and his
favorite, the Sultan of Agadez in Niger.
Tour Includes:
Superior four-star accommodations, rest house (4 nts), permanent tented camp*
(3 nts) and mobile camp* (3 nts)
English-speaking private guide throughout
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Airport transfers (if arriving/departing on scheduled flights) by private
motor coach
Transport with 4x4 (Toyota Land Cruiser or Hi-Lux Double Cabin throughout the
tour)
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
including tour in Cairo
Round trip airfare New York City/Khartoum (International Air credit $950.00)
Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, restaurant and hotel staff
Bottled water on the bus daily (one per person) – and with all meals (bottles
for the table – not applicable Khartoum)
Cairo city orientation and dinner on the way to Khartoum
Not Included:
Travel Insurance
Visa for Sudan ($125 USD)- Currently and subject to change
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights or transfers in Khartoum if necessary (day
in Cairo and last day of tour are included in cost)
Fuel surcharges, airport taxes and security charges (approximately $255.00),
Airport departure Tax ($20 USD approx)
Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with meals, telephone, email,
laundry bills, camera fees, etc.
Round trip airfare between your hometown and NYC (Call us for special ad-on
fares)
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $800.00
Minimum 10 participants and Maximum of 14 participants. If number of
participants is less than 10, trip may still depart with Small Group Surcharge
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – Visas for this tour must be obtained 6 months prior to
travel. YOU MUST SIGN UP BY AUGUST 1st, 2008. Even though we’ll most likely
get the visas approved, there are no guarantees that the government of Sudan
will issue the visas. Please understand this is beyond our control.
Flights are available to Khartoum on KLM through Amsterdam departing on
January 31 for an additional cost of $200 to $500 depending on availability of
seats at time of purchase. Early planning is crucial.
Your passport must not have any Israeli stamps in it.
We reserve the right to change the order of activities or places visited due
to unforeseen schedule conflicts or in order to make the itinerary run
smoothly.
*About your tented accommodations: Some of the sites visited are remote and
tourist accommodations do not exist in the area. In order to visit them,
spartan, but comfortable camps are utilized. The preset camps in the Nubian
Desert are prepared one day in advance of the group arrival and are located
among the sand dunes in the Tombos area. Big Igloo tents (see photo above) are
appointed with camp beds, foam mattresses, sheets, wool covers, a small table
and two folding chairs. A large tent with tables and chairs serves as a
restaurant and two showers and two toilets (one for men and one for women)
complete the compound. The Meroe tented Camp is located in Bagarwyia,
overlooking the pyramids of the Royal Necropolis of Meroe. Accommodation
consists of 10 twin-bedded luxury and tastefully furnished tents and 10
bathroom huts with toilet and shower. Each tent is equipped with a veranda
with two comfortable chairs and electricity produced by a generator.
Single rooms or tents are very limited so first come first served otherwise
must share.
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
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 | Ethiopia…Land of Mystery
Historic Route and Hidar Tsion Festival
November 22-December 07, 2008
Tour Escort: Native Expert Guide Mr. Asrat Kahsay
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Ethiopia is culturally one of the richest countries in Africa and home to some
remarkable architectural gems. A journey on the Historic Route provides a
glimpse of life from the past that is still relevant. It is a country where
religion plays a prominent role and the celebration of holy days is a way of
life. The Virgin Mary is one of the most venerated of all religious figures in
Ethiopia. The Feast of Hidar Tsion is associated with the presence of the Ark
of the Covenant in Axum and the belief that the Ark itself is a symbol of her
womb. This festival is attended by tens of thousands of people from all over
Ethiopia, making it one of the most joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum,
the "sacred city of the Ethiopians." You will be an observer at this
remarkable event marked by processions of chanting priests and parishioners
dressed in colorful robes with the ubiquitous umbrellas.
Air and land from Washington DC: $5,500.00
Per person sharing in double occupancy |
About your guide – Asrat Kahsay was born in the rural town of Adwa, in Tigray
province in northern Ethiopia near the border with Eritrea. He spent his
childhood in an agricultural setting: collecting firewood, fetching water,
tending herds, animal feed collection, plowing, sowing seed, weeding and
harvesting crops. He attended the local elementary and junior high schools and
completed three years of high school before moving to eastern Ethiopia for his
final year, a move necessitated by the border war with Eritrea. He studied at
the Maichew Technical College before deciding to pursue a degree/career in
tourism. He served an apprenticeship with one of the more reputable Ethiopian
tour operators, spending time both in the office and in the field and working
with some of the better-known tourism companies around the world. He is
extremely knowledgeable about the history, culture, religions, fauna and flora
of his country making him one of the most sought after guides in the country.
His attention to detail and ability to converse in several of the local
dialects (as well as English, French and German) contribute to the enjoyment
of your tour.
Tour Includes:
Roundtrip International air from Dulles to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airline
(air credit if not using Ethiopian Airline is $1000)
All internal flights within Ethiopia
Accommodations in Deluxe, Superior first class or best available hotels
All transfers with assistance and porterage
All included sightseeing with entrance fees to visited sites
Fully escorted by an English speaking, native historian/guide
All meals as specified
Private motor coach for city tours and transfers and 4x4 for the rest of the
trip based on 3 people per vehicle
A bottle of water each day
A soft drink or sparkling water with lunch and dinner
Gratuities to guide, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff and porters
Not Included:
Airline taxes and security charges (Currently estimated at $290)
Departure taxes from Addis and on all internal flights (when applicable)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Meals not mentioned
Items of a personal nature: beverages, laundry, phone calls, email, souvenirs,
camera fees at sites, etc.
Visa for Ethiopia (Currently $70 from their DC consulate – Subject to change)
Air from your home city to Dulles
Dayroom or hotel overnights if necessary due to airline schedule changes
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Possible Omo Valley Extension which returns to the US Dec. 13
Single Supplement: $800.00
Price based on a group size of 4 - 12 participants
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
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 | Experience Ethiopia
Historic Route and Timket Festival
(Omo Valley Extension available)
January 12-28, 2009
Tour Escort: Native Expert Guide Mr. Asrat Kahsay
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Ethiopia is truly a land of contrasts and extremes, a land of remote and wild
places. Here you will find the jaggedly carved Simien Mountains (UNESCO World
Heritage Site) and the exquisitely carved rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. It
is a land in which ancient, historical traditions and rituals have been
preserved. One of these ceremonies is Timket, or the feast of the Epiphany,
arguably the most colorful festival in Africa. Come along as an observer at
this remarkable event marked by processions and chanting and find yourself
transported back in time. Travel throughout northern Ethiopia to Gondar in the
foothills of the Simien Mountains; to Bahir Dar and Lake Tana the source of
the Blue Nile; to Axum the “home” of the Arc of the Covenant and to Lalibela
to explore the famous churches carved out of rock. Come and Experience
Ethiopia!
Air and land from Washington DC: $5,495.00
Per person sharing in double occupancy |
Asrat Kahsay was born in the rural town of Adwa, in Tigray province in
northern Ethiopia near the border with Eritrea. He spent his childhood in an
agricultural setting: collecting firewood, fetching water, tending herds,
animal feed collection, plowing, sowing seed, weeding and harvesting crops. He
attended the local elementary and junior high schools and completed three
years of high school before moving to eastern Ethiopia for his final year, a
move necessitated by the border war with Eritrea. He studied at the Maichew
Technical College before deciding to pursue a degree/career in tourism. He
served an apprenticeship with one of the more reputable Ethiopian tour
operators, spending time both in the office and in the field and working with
some of the better-known tourism companies around the world. He is extremely
knowledgeable about the history, culture, religions, fauna and flora of his
country making him one of the most sought after guides in the country. His
attention to detail and ability to converse in several of the local dialects
(as well as English, French and German) contribute to the enjoyment of your
tour.
Tour Includes:
Roundtrip International air from Dulles to Addis Ababa and all internal
flights within Ethiopia (air credit if not using Ethiopian Airline is $1000)
Accommodations in Deluxe, Superior first class or best available hotels
All transfers with assistance and porterage
All included sightseeing with entrance fees to visited sites
Fully escorted by an English speaking, native historian/guide
All meals as specified
Private motor coach for city tours and in Historic north and transfers while 4
X 4 vehicles for touring Bishangari
A bottle of water each day and a soft drink or sparkling water with lunch and
dinner
Gratuities to guide, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff and porters
Not Included:
Airline taxes and Security charges (Currently estimated at $290) and Departure
taxes from Addis and on all internal flights (when applicable)
Meals not mentioned
Items of a personal nature: beverages, laundry, phone calls, email, souvenirs,
camera fees at sites, etc.
Visa for Ethiopia (Currently $70, subject to change)
Air from your home city to Dulles
Dayroom or hotel overnights if necessary due to airline schedule changes
Any other service/s not specified above
Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Tour Notes:
Optional extension to Omo Valley returns back to the US February 4th, 2009
Single Supplement: $885.00
Price based on a group size of 8 min. and 14 max. participants
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
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 | Sands of Time...LIBYA
October 12-26 2008
Provided the visa issue is resolved!
Tour Escort: Roman Historian/guide Mohamed Halouani
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Libya is a country of stark contrasts, which offers visitors an opportunity to
view not only some of the greatest Roman and Greek cities in the world, but
also the magnificent views of the Sahara desert. On the Western part of the
Mediterranean coast of Libya stand the breathtaking Roman cities of Sabratha
and Leptis Magna, while further east, in the beautiful area of ancient
Cyrenaica and the Green Mountain are the wonderfully preserved Greek remains
of Cyrene, Ptolemais and Apollonia.
$5,995.00 from NYC per person in double
occupancy |
About your lecturer host...Mr. Mohamed Halouani Tunisian native, transformed
his profound passion for travel and history into a creative and diversified
educational career, designing and carrying out multiple archaeological and
cultural trips for diverse institutions, such as The Detroit Institute of Art,
The Textile Museum, The American Museum of Natural History, Archaeological
Tours Inc. N.Y.C., Cross Cultural Adventurers and many more organizations.
After having received his degrees in English and Spanish, Mohamed Halouani
completed his European Master’s in linguistics and Hispanic studies at the
Sorbonne University in Paris. He has extensive knowledge on Islamic and
secular architecture and Eastern decorative elements. A renowned expert on the
Roman sites of North Africa, he has been leading over 10 tours a year to
Libya. A skilled multilingual interpreter, Mohamed has served as the Head Tour
Guide in Tunisia. He now resides in Paris and will lead our special tour
through the marvels of Libya. Most of our travelers have labeled him as “The
best guide in North Africa”
Tour Includes:
Accommodations in Deluxe & Superior First Class hotels
English speaking guide/lecturer throughout
Meals as described in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Airport transfers (if arriving/departing on scheduled flights) and travel by
modern large air-conditioned motor coach throughout
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
All porterage at hotels
Round trip airfare from New York City to Tripoli
Libyan Visa approval
Gratuities to guide, driver and hotel staff
One bottle of mineral water on the bus daily
Not Included:
Travel Insurance
Cost of visa from the consulate in DC (approx. $130)
Airport taxes and security charges (estimated at $320)
Expenses of a personal nature: beverages with meals (alcohol not available),
camera fees, phone calls, emails, laundry bills, etc.
Round trip airfare from your home to JFK or from other gateways
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights if necessary
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $955.00
Minimum 8 participants and Maximum of 14 participants
If number of participants is less than 8 trip may still depart with payment of
Small Group Surcharge
** The visa will be applied for at the Libyan Consulate in DC. STS cannot be
responsible in case of denial or rejection or for any additional expenses if
necessitated to acquire the visa at the last minute. We REQUIRE at the time of
booking a very clear copy of your passport's main page.
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
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 | Central Asia…The Borderland of Civilization
November 01-23, 2008
Tour Escort: Professor Denise Schmandt-Besserat
University of Texas at Austin
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The western region of Central Asia presents a colorful melting pot of peoples
and cultures. Since the end of the 2nd millennium nomads from the north have
periodically occupied these regions, settling and mingling with the local
population to create new cultures and civilizations. From the middle of the
1st millennium BC until the 10th century AD the territories of modern
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan were integrated into Ancient Iran and
later the Silk Road connecting China with Europe was established through this
region. Central Asia was a major center of three great religions:
Zoroastrianism. Buddhism, and Islam. Mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and
traditional souks offer a glimpse of times past.
per person in Double: $5,995.00 |
About your host/lecturer - Denise Schmandt-Besserat is professor emerita of
Art History and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. A
graduate of L’Ecole du Louvre in Paris, she is a renowned Near Eastern
archaeologist. She has worked on archaeological collections in all the major
museums of the Middle East, Europe and the USA. She is the author of When
Writing Met Art (2007), Before Writing (1992) and How Writing Came About
(1996), which was selected by American Scientist magazine as “one of the 100
books hat shaped science in the 20th century”. Her work on the origins of
writing and mathematics has been covered by Scientific American, Time, Life,
the New York Times, and the Washington Post. She has appeared in television
programs such as Out of the Past (Discovery Channel), the Nature of Things
(CBC), Search for Solutions (PBS) and Tell the Truth (NBC). Professor Schmandt-
Besserat led our tours to Turkey for many years. Her lectures on various
subjects will add a lot of insights into your visit of that beautiful country.
Tour Includes:
Superior, first class, four-star or best available accommodations
English-speaking private guide throughout
Meals as specified in the itinerary (some lunches are picnic style, light
fares)
Airport transfers and travel by modern, air-conditioned motor coach throughout
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
unless listed as optional
Round trip airfare from New York City on Turkish Airlines (STS reserves the
right to change airlines)
Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, restaurant and hotel staff
Bottled water on the bus daily (one per person)
Day use room in Istanbul hotel on day 2
Not Included:
Visas to all countries visited (approximately $260 at time of printing)
Travel Insurance
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights if necessary (excluding arrival into
Istanbul on day 2)
Fuel surcharges, border departure taxes, airport taxes and security charges
(approximately $300.00)
Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with meals, telephone, email,
laundry bills, camera fees, etc.
Round trip airfare from other cities or gateways besides NYC
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $755.00
Minimum 8 participants and Maximum of 16 participants
If number of participants is less than 8, trip may still depart with payment
of Small Group Surcharge
We reserve the right to change the order of activities or places visited due
to unforeseen schedule conflicts or in order to make the itinerary run smoothly
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
|
 | YEMEN (2009)
Land of Frankincense and Myrrh
March 02 - 20, 2009
(Dates are tentative pending air schedule
confirmation)
Tour Escort: Prof. Denise Schmandt-Besserat
The University of Texas, Austin
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Arabia Felix or Arabia the Blessed as Yemen was know in ancient times, was a
name bestowed on the region by the Romans. It merited the name due to its
fertile lands, distinguishing it from the barren north, the so-called Arabia
Deserta. This enabled the people to prosper and grow into a dominant force
that controlled trade between the east and west. Yemen has been at the
crossroads of the Middle East, Asia and Africa for thousands of years thanks
to its position on the spice routes. Living at the height of the area’s
dominance were the Sabaeans, subjects of the Kingdom of Sheba. Little remains
of this ancient civilization but traces of this enterprising people and their
culture can be seen in the descendents who populate this rich historical land
$5,885.00 in double occupancy with air
from NYC. |
About your lecturer host
Denise Schmandt-Besserat is professor emerita of Art History and Middle
Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. A graduate of L’Ecole du
Louvre in Paris, she is a renowned Near Eastern archaeologist. She has worked
on archaeological collections in all the major museums of the Middle East,
Europe and the USA. She is the author of When Writing Met Art (2007), Before
Writing (1992) and How Writing Came About (1996), which was selected by
American Scientist magazine as “one of the 100 books hat shaped science in the
20th century”. Her work on the origins of writing and mathematics has been
covered by Scientific American, Time, Life, the New York Times, and the
Washington Post. She has appeared in television programs such as Out of the
Past (Discovery Channel), the Nature of Things (CBC), Search for Solutions
(PBS) and Tell the Truth (NBC). Professor Schmandt-Besserat led our inaugural
tour to Yemen in the fall of 2006. Her lectures on various subjects will add a
lot of insights into your visit of that beautiful country.
Tour Includes:
Five star, four-star and three-star accommodations or best available
English-speaking private guide throughout & Bedouin guide in the desert
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Airport transfers if arriving and departing on scheduled flights
Travel by modern, air-conditioned motor coach in Sana’a & in 4WD vehicles
elsewhere
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
All porterage at hotels and the borders
Round trip airfare from New York City plus flights within Yemen
Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, restaurant and hotel staff
Bottled water in the vehicle daily (one per person)
Visa to Yemen (Currently obtainable on arrival and costing $60)
Not Included:
Travel Insurance
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights if necessary
Airport transfers if not arriving/departing on scheduled group flights
Fuel surcharges, border departure taxes, airport taxes and security charges
(approximately $325)
Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with meals, telephone, email,
laundry bills, etc.
Round trip airfare from your hometown to/from NYC
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $445.00
Minimum 6 participants and Maximum of 14 participants
Air allowance ($1,000.00) will be made for those choosing not to use our air
arrangements.
Trip Grade - Moderately Vigorous Touring
You will be covering a lot during this journey. Travelers should be prepared
for high altitudes (at times over 7,000 ft), some long though spectacular
drives, and early mornings starts. The day-by-day itineraries are subject to
change according to local conditions. The sequential order of the day-by-day
itineraries may also change to avoid congestion at certain sites. The roads
are fairly good and the vehicles comfortable. Some driving days are long but
there will be several restroom stops along the way, some will be in open
air/behind bushes and some in not-so-clean bathrooms. It is important to
recognize the exhausting nature of some of the long sightseeing days as well
as some of the site visits where you may have to climb on uneven terrain,
steps, rocks and sand as well as up inclines and stairs. Make sure you have
comfortable shoes and please advise us if you have any medical condition that
we need to know about.
In signing up for this trip, you acknowledge the potential risk that touring
Yemen presents and in no way hold Spiekermann Travel Services or its
employees, responsible for occurrences beyond our control
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
|
 | Ancient Echoes of EGYPT – A Field Trip
February 14 to 28, 2009
Tour Escort: Native guide/archaeologist: Mr. Wahid Gad
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No tour of Egypt would be complete without a stop at some of the oldest
attractions in the world, the colossal pyramids of Giza. Visit all of the
sites that one expects to see in an overview of the history of the region: the
mysterious Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara, Dahshur, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Aswan along
with Dendara, Abydos and Meidum Witness everyday life along the banks of the
mighty Nile River and in the markets as you mingle with locals bargaining for
goods. Explore impressive ancient wonders, magnificent monuments, tombs and
temples as you travel through the fertile Nile Valley
Cost per person in Double: $4750.00 from
NYC. |
Egyptologist Mr. Wahid Gad… Obtained his bachelor degree in Egyptology from
Cairo University in 1986, and his high studies diploma in Islamic archeology,
in 1988. Pursued higher education in prehistory at the Egyptology department
at Cairo University where he acquired a special diploma in 1990. Attended a
course in the US for museum management in 1989. Mr. Gad participated in many
excavations in Egypt between 1986 and 1994 and also taught “excavation
methods” at Cairo University. He has led since 1994 hundreds of American
groups and he was mentioned in International Travel News as one of the best
guides in Egypt. Mr. Gad is also a desert lover and a fanatic admirer of
nature.
Tour Includes:
Superior five-star and deluxe accommodations
English-speaking private guide throughout
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Airport transfers (if arriving/departing on scheduled flights) and travel by
modern, air-conditioned motor coach throughout
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
Round trip airfare on Egyptair from New York City/Cairo and domestic air
within country (International Air credit $650.00)
Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, restaurant, cruise and hotel staff
Bottled water on the bus daily (one per person) – not applicable while on the
cruise
Not Included:
Travel Insurance
Visa for Egypt ($20 at time of printing – obtainable on arrival at Cairo
airport)
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights or transfers in Cairo if necessary
Fuel surcharges, airport taxes and security charges (approximately $255.00)
Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with meals, telephone, email,
laundry bills, camera fees, camel ride, Sound & Light Show, etc.
Round trip airfare between your hometown and NYC (Call us for special ad-on
fares)
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $620.00
Add on airfare from Chicago is estimated at $200 (plus taxes)
Minimum 10 participants and Maximum of 14 participants
If number of participants is less than 10, trip may still depart with payment
of Small Group Surcharge
We reserve the right to change the order of activities or places visited due
to unforeseen schedule conflicts or in order to make the itinerary run smoothly
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
|
 | Egypt’s Secret Sites and Hidden Treasures
February 20 to March 08, 2009
Tour Escort: Dr. Thomas F. Mudloff, Egyptologist
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Professor Mudloff has designed this trip for the repeat traveler to Egypt. His
program offers a more in-depth exploration of the Egyptian Nile than virtually
any Egypt itinerary in operation. It is an adventure to seldom-visited places,
some of them well off the beaten path. As mentioned, some of the areas are not
usually included even though they are well known (Armana) as they are
difficult to get to. Other sites require special permission to enter and our
operator in Egypt is busy trying to secure permission from Dr. Zahi Hawas,
Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities to visit some of the
sites that are currently closed to the public. Some of these include Behbeit
El-Hagar the Sanctuary of Isis, Khatana the capital city of the Hyksos, the
Pyramid of Djedefre at Abu Rawash, the Tombs of Horemheb, Amenhotep III and
Seti I in the Valley of the Kings, Heraconpolis in Nekheb, Tell El-Farain, an
important area dating back to pre-dynastic times and El-Badari where some of
the earliest evidence of Egyptian civilization has been recovered. Of course,
you will tour the National Museum for a comprehensive overview of its vast
collections and leisure time has been included for those wishing to revisit an
old favorite – the pyramids? Karnak Complex?
Per person in double: $5,595.00 from
NYC. |
About your lecturer host... Thomas F. Mudloff, Ph.D. is an
Egyptologist/archaeologist who received his degree from the University of
Chicago’s Department of Near Eastern Civilizations and currently teaches
Anthropology, Middle and Near Eastern Archaeology at Alder Planetarium, the
Field Museum and Northwestern University in Chicago. He regularly lectures at
various institutions throughout the Midwest and conducts courses on a wide
range of topics. He has had two books published and is working on a third,
Sacred Things and Secret Places. He also has an award winning video DVD that
has appeared on TV several times. He has been working in the Middle East for
over 20 years and has excavated extensively in the area. He regularly conducts
small group tours to the region where his background in Biblical Studies and
Egyptology along with the many contacts he has cultivated will be great assets
as he leads your trip through Egypt. Visit him online at
www.magicofancientegypt.com
Tour Includes:
Accommodation in superior 1st class hotels and deluxe in main cities and
tourist class (best available) in smaller towns.
Round trip airfare from New York to Cairo (On Egyptair) and flights within
Egypt – Luxor/Cairo – (air credit $750.00)
Egyptian visa
Full escort and English speaking guide service throughout
Meals as specified in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, Box-L=Box Lunch,
D=Dinner)
Airport transfers if arriving/departing on scheduled group flights and Travel
by modern, air-conditioned motor coach throughout
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
(unless otherwise specified)
Gratuities to guide, drivers, waiters, hotel staff and other persons providing
group services and all porterage at hotels
One bottle of water per day per person
Not Included:
Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Airport taxes and security charges
Expenses of a personal nature such as beverages with meals, telephone, emails,
laundry bills, etc.
Round trip transportation from your home to New York (add-on airfares
available from other cities)
Transfers in Cairo if not arriving/departing on scheduled group flights
Any other service/s, tours or visits not specified above or listed as optional
Dayrooms if necessitated by airline schedule changes
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement $780.00
Minimum 8 participants and Maximum 14 participants
Any additional fees to enter some of sites that are closed to the public
(amounts cannot yet be specified - $100 per person per site)
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
|
 | An Exploration of the Levant...Syria,
Lebanon & Jordan
October 03-18, 2008
Tour Escort: Dr. Thomas F. Mudloff - Biblical
Archaeologist, Lecturer and Instructor,
Field Museum, Chicago, IL
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Known as the Levant: Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are a well-traveled bridge
between East and West, sea and desert that is dense with history. Above the
layers of antiquity lies a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrast from the
rose colored desert surrounding Petra to the green meadows near the castle of
Krak des-Chevaliers. Experience the warmth of the people, the tastes of the
cuisine, the aromas of the souks, the majesty of the past and explore some of
the best-preserved Roman cities in the Near East as well as Byzantine gems and
Islamic jewels!
$4,785.00 Per person in double occupancy
(from JFK) |
Thomas F. Mudloff, Ph.D. is an archaeologist who received his degree from the
University of Chicago’s Department of Near Eastern Civilizations and currently
teaches Anthropology, Middle and Near Eastern Archaeology at Alder
Planetarium, the Field Museum and Northwestern University in Chicago. He
regularly lectures at various institutions throughout the Midwest and conducts
courses on a wide range of topics. He has had two books published and is
working on a third, Sacred Things and Secret Places. He also has an award
winning video DVD that has appeared on TV several times. He has been working
in the Middle East for over 20 years and has excavated extensively in the
area, including Syria. He regularly conducts small group tours to the region
where his background in Biblical Studies and Near Eastern Languages and
Civilizations and many contacts he has cultivated will be great assets as he
leads your tour through Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
Tour Includes:
• International airfare from JFK to Damascus/Amman (based on the Royal
Jordanian Air schedule)
• Deluxe and First class hotel accommodations
• Meals as specified in the itinerary: B-breakfast, L-lunch and D-dinner
• All tours as per itinerary including entrance fees
• Tipping to drivers, porters, hotel and restaurant staff
• Visas to the three countries
• All local taxes and service charges on included items
• Mineral bottled water every day on the bus while touring
• Transfers/transportation by vehicle during tour
Not Included:
• Airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges (estimated at $335)
• Items of a personal nature (camera fees at sites,laundry, phone calls,
emails, excess luggage, etc.)
• Meals not listed and beverages with all meals
• Tipping to main guides
• Travel protection insurance
• Airfare from cities other than New York City
• Transfers if not arriving/departing on scheduled flights/tour dates
• Dayroom or overnights necessitated by changes in airline schedules
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $775.00
Group Size minimum is 8 participants, maximum is 16 participants
Airfare credit in case of not using Royal Jordanian from JFK is $950.00
** Passport MUST not include any Israeli stamps or visas to be allowed to
enter Syria
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
|
 | A Taste of Egypt
November 15 to 29, 2008
Tour Escort: Local native guide
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No tour of Egypt would be complete without a stop at some of the oldest
attractions in the world, the colossal pyramids of Giza. This itinerary will
take you to the Giza Plateau to see these ancient wonders along with the
mysterious Sphinx. Some of the most identifiable sites will be included such
as the east and west banks of Luxor, Thebes of antiquity, Abydos and Dendara,
and Alexandria, the city of Alexander the Great and Queen Cleopatra. But it
will also dig deeper with visits to many places that few tourists include when
touring: the Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert that shares its border with
Libya, Tell el Armana, the site of King Akenaten's royal city, and the newly
dedicated National Park of Wadi Al Hitan or Place of the Whales. You will also
spend a day exploring the streets, alleyways and souqs of Islamic Cairo, a
memorable part of your journey through this ancient land.
$4995.00 per person in double occupancy
with air from NYC. |
Tour Includes:
Superior five-star and deluxe accommodations
English-speaking private guide throughout
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Airport transfers (if arriving/departing on scheduled flights) and travel by
modern, A/C motor coach throughout
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
Round trip airfare on Egyptair from NYC/Cairo and domestic air within country
(International Air credit $650.00)
Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, restaurant, cruise and hotel staff
Bottled water on the bus daily (one per person)
Not Included:
Travel Insurance
Visa for Egypt ($20 at time of printing – obtainable on arrival at Cairo
airport)
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights or transfers in Cairo if necessary
Fuel surcharges, airport taxes and security charges (approximately $255.00)
Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with meals, telephone, email,
laundry bills, camera fees, etc.
Round trip airfare between your hometown and NYC (Call us for special ad-on
fares)
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $660.00
Minimum 4 participants and Maximum of 12 participants
If number of participants is less than 4, trip may still depart with payment
of Small Group Surcharge
We reserve the right to change the order of activities or places visited due
to unforeseen schedule conflicts or in order to make the itinerary run
smoothly.
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
|
| EGYPT – Land of the Pharaohs
December 20, 2008 - January 3, 2009
Tour Escort: Professor Denise Schmandt-Besserat
Professor Emerita of Art and Middle Eastern
Studies, University of Texas at Austin
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What can be more thrilling than celebrating Christmas and New Year in some far
away exotic and warm place! No tour of Egypt would be complete without a stop
at some of the oldest attractions in the world, the colossal pyramids of Giza
and the mysterious Sphinx. Visit all of the sites that one expects to see in
an overview of the history of the region: Memphis, Sakkara, Dahshur, Abu
Simbel, Luxor and Aswan along with Dendara, Abydos and Meidum. Witness
everyday life along the banks of the mighty Nile River from your cruise ship
and in the markets as you mingle with the locals bargaining for goods. Come
along and explore impressive ancient wonders, magnificent monuments, tombs and
temples as you travel through the fertile Nile Valley
Per person in Double: $5,995.00 from NYC. |
About your lecturer – Professor Denise Schmandt-Besserat. is professor emerita
of Art History and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at
Austin. A graduate of L’Ecole du Louvre in Paris, she is a renowned Near
Eastern archaeologist. She has worked on archaeological collections in all the
major museums of the Middle East, Europe and the USA. She is the author of
When Writing Met Art (2007), Before Writing (1992) and How Writing Came About
(1996), which was selected by American Scientist magazine as “one of the 100
books hat shaped science in the 20th century”. Her work on the origins of
writing and mathematics has been covered by Scientific American, Time, Life,
the New York Times, and the Washington Post. She has appeared in television
programs such as Out of the Past (Discovery Channel), the Nature of Things
(CBC), Search for Solutions (PBS) and Tell the Truth (NBC). Professor Schmandt-
Besserat led our tours to Egypt for many years. Her lectures on various
subjects will add a lot of insights into your visit of the country
Tour Includes:
Superior four-star and deluxe accommodations
English-speaking private guide throughout
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Airport transfers (if arriving/departing on scheduled flights) and travel by
modern, air-conditioned motor coach throughout
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned
Round trip airfare New York City/Cairo and domestic air within country
(International Air credit $950.00)
5 day/4 night Nile Cruise
Gratuities to guides (excluding main guide), drivers, porters, restaurant,
cruise and hotel staff
Bottled water on the bus daily (one per person) – not applicable while on the
cruise
Not Included:
Travel Insurance
Visa for Egypt ($20 at time of printing – obtainable on arrival at Cairo
airport)
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Tips to main guide (suggestion $7-10 per person daily)
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights or transfers in Cairo if necessary
Fuel surcharges, airport taxes and security charges (approximately $255.00)
Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with meals, telephone, email,
laundry bills, camera fees, etc.
Round trip airfare between your hometown and NYC (Call us for special ad-on
fares)
Any other service/s not specified above
Tour Notes:
Single Supplement: $1270.00 Extension Cost: $450.00
Minimum 8 participants and Maximum of 14 participants
If number of participants is less than 8, trip may still depart with payment
of Small Group Surcharge
Extension to Sinai,
Jan 03 Depart early. Pass the Suez Canal to Abu Zniema. Change to 4X4
vehicles to visit the Temple of Isis at Sarabit El Khadem -with Bedouin
guide. Light Lunch included. Return to Abu Zniema and continue driving to St
Catherine. Dinner and overnight at your hotel at the foot of Mt. Sinai. (B,L,D)
Jan 04 Depart at 2.30AM to climb Mt Sinai (3000 steps-3 hrs each way).
Afterwards visit St Catherine Monastery, built by Empress Helena in the 4th
Century AD and which houses a very important library of manuscripts . Back to
Cairo to your airport hotel. (B)
Jan 05 Transfer after breakfast to Cairo International airport for final
departure on your flight to JFK arriving same day (B)
View Itinerary
Pricing and Itineraries may change. For more information please
contact us or fill out our literature request form.
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