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For people fascinated by archaeology, there are several holiday destinations that are a no-brainer such as Egypt and Italy. However, if you prefer to think a little outside of the box, there are a selection of other locations well worth a visit on your next archaeological adventure. With lesser-explored sites and incredible stories to be found among them, why not take a trip to one of the following places with us in 2021.
5 Overlooked Countries For Your Archaeological Bucket List
31 July 2020
Bulgaria
Following a golden age for Bulgarian archaeology, this country is now one of the culturally richest countries in Europe. Hidden in the hills and forests are some of the oldest Neolithic settlements, Thracian tombs, and exuberantly painted medieval churches out there. This sought-after land was invaded from all sides – Philip of Macedon and Roman Emperor Trajan came up from the west and founded cities here, and the East sent armies of Byzantine traders and Ottoman raiders, each leaving their unmistakable marks. On our tour, you will discover the Neolithic houses of Stara Zagora, the sites in Roman Plovdiv and the exuberantly painted churches high in the Rila mountains. You'll gaze upon the Madara Horseman rock relief, visit the huge settlement mound of Karanovo and spend time at the superb Archaeological Museum in Varna.
Click here to see the full tour, which departs 17th April 2021.
Armenia
Paired on our archaeological tour with Georgia, these warm, hospitable countries are but little known to western travellers, yet their names conjure up images of trade and hospitality, the Greek myths of Prometheus, Medea and the Golden Fleece. On our tour, you will begin in Yerevan, Armenia's capital, a base from where you'll explore the striking ruins of Zvartnots, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, you will discover the fortress and summer palace of Garni with its Graeco-Roman temple, the settlement of Shengavit that spans the Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age – the 5th millennium to the 3rd millennium BC, and also Areni Cave, a fascinating archaeological site that has preserved organic materials from the 5th millennium BC, including an ancient winery and the world’s oldest shoe.
Click here to see the full tour, which departs on 3rd June and 7th October.
Saudi Arabia
Associated more with oil than history, Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world and it should be on every archaeology fan's travel bucket list. There's nothing more fascinating than having a chance to explore this country's incredible history from the ancient petroglyphs at Al-‘Ula to the Nabatean Rock cut tombs at Hegra, and even the historic Roshan in Jeddah. Alongside its stories, you can also experience some truly spectacular desert environments. On our tour, discover the extraordinary UNESCO rock art at Jubbah that dates back as early as the 10th millennium, you'll meet with Dr. Samer from the Antiquities Department at King Saud University who will speak about recent excavations, and you will travel in a fleet of 4x4s to Shuwaymis, where the rock art was produced by pastoralists from the Neolithic period onwards.
Click here to see the full tour, which departs on 13th January.
Albania
Still very much an unknown and even hidden country unlike any other in Europe and still considered somewhat off the mainstream tourist trail, Albania is home to pristine ruins, a rich archaeological story and fantastic museums. In Classical times, the Greeks and Romans built cities overlooking the sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea. Centuries later, Byzantines and Ottoman Turks fought over dramatic mountain strongholds. Famously visited by Lord Byron, and painted by Edward Lear, Albania is a country which has transformed itself into a modern European state from the secretive and backward Stalinist land of 30 years ago, with its archaeology and history at the forefront of its heritage. We have two tours to Albania on offer. The first, Land of the Eagles, visits the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, the church of Saint Mary in Apollonia and Apollonia Archaeological Park. On our Via Egnatia tour, explore the thundering waterfalls in Edessa, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ohrid and the palace complex of Galerius.
Click here to view our Land of the Eagles tour or here for our Via Egnatia tour.
Algeria
Algeria is still one of the least-visited countries in the world, but access to its ruinous Classical cities is now easier than it has been for some years. The sites are a palimpsest of Numidian, Roman and Byzantine remains, and include probably the best-preserved colonia anywhere in the Empire – Timgad. Our tour departs three times throughout 2021 and it visits the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Roman Djémila, the evocative ruins of Hippo Regius and the beautifully situated ruined city of Tiddis. There will also be time to discover Timgad – the text-book Roman town. The entire layout survives, retaining its playing-card shape and strict grid of streets. The World Heritage list of sites describes it as "an excellent example of Roman town planning". Trajan ordered its construction in AD 100 for veterans of the Third Legion Augusta.
Click here for the full tour, which departs on 14th March, 3rd October and 21st November.
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5 Overlooked Countries For Your Archaeological Bucket List was published on 31 July 2020
