Peter Sommer – New Gaelic Mythology Tours

From Roman relics to Gaelic mythology tours – Peter Sommer Travels announces eight new trips, including in England and Ireland for the very first time

Cultural and archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels has, for the first time, introduced tours in England and Ireland in its newly-released 2017 brochure, plus brand-new itineraries in Croatia, Italy and Greece.

Guests can now explore the old Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and magnificent castles of England, as well as the fascinating layers of Ireland’s heritage, traditions and culture, all in the company of expert historians and archaeologists. Three new tours (two in England and one in Ireland) are the first that Peter Sommer Travels has offered outside the Mediterranean and provide the same successful combination of academic guides, small groups of up to 18 people (often less), enthralling ancient history, superb local scenery and delicious cuisine.

Four new Mediterranean gulet cruises have also been added to the 2017 range of trips, including a family adventure in the Aegean and a distinctively intimate and off-the-beaten-track experience travelling the coast of Dalmatia, following the successful debut of the Croatia tours in 2016. Each gulet is handcrafted to an excellent standard and offers private ensuite facilities, good sound proofing and air conditioning for high levels of comfort. Exploring can be hungry work, of course, and all itineraries include delicious home-cooked meals, washed down with fine local wines.

Peter Sommer Travels’ expert guides are true specialists, each with an impressive academic background in history, art and/or archaeology and, importantly, huge enthusiasm to share what they know, ensuring that each trip is unforgettable. These experienced guides have a vast store of knowledge, local stories and interesting anecdotes that will enthral guests of all ages.

What’s NEW for 2017?

England and Ireland – land-based explorations staying in four and five-star accommodation

Exploring Wessex: From Neolithic Avebury to Georgian Bath – a seven-day tour exploring World Heritage sites and great landmarks of the old Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, staying firstly in a beautiful Italianate-style Victorian country house in Wiltshire, then an elegant mansion house in Bath. Led by expert guides Paul Beston and Dr Michael Metcalfe, discover the awe-inspiring stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury, the remarkable mosaics at the Roman Villa of Chedworth, the delicate beauty of Salisbury Cathedral, the picturesque ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and the Georgian grandeur and Roman legacy of Bath.

Departing 2 July 2017, the price is from £2,645 pp (two sharing), including six nights’ four and five-star hotel accommodation, all breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners, all entrance fees & expert-led excursions and minibus travel.

Exploring Hadrian’s Wall: Romans, Reivers and Romantics – a seven-day tour which delves into England’s richly-layered history while staying in magnificent 14th century Langley Castle. Led by tour specialists Paul Beston and Peter Sommer himself, follow the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s monumental fortifications across the frontier lands of northern England to discover stern traces of Roman power, explore medieval market towns and learn about a region which has drawn conquerors and settlers from the Romans through Anglo-Saxons and Vikings to medieval warlords, border raiders and the Victorian romantics.

Departing 8 July 2017, the price is from £2,495 pp (two sharing), including six nights’ accommodation in Langley Castle, all breakfasts, four lunches, five dinners, all entrance fees & expert-led excursions and minibus travel.

Exploring Ireland: The Heart of the Emerald Isle – an 11-day trip which delves into Ireland’s heritage, tradition and culture while staying in a range of renovated castles, manors and town houses. Escorted by experts Heinrich Hall and Dr Siobhán Hargis, this exceptional tour combines wonderful off-the-beaten-track locations – featuring windswept tower houses and mysterious ‘royal’ sites of Gaelic mythology – with must-see places, including the Megalithic tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, the magnificent ‘Celtic’ cliff-side fort at Dun Aonghasa and the dazzling heart of Dublin, with its array of excellent museums.

Departing 17 July 2017, the price is from £4,295 pp (two sharing), including ten nights’ four and five-star hotel accommodation, all breakfasts, eight lunches, seven dinners, entrance fees & expert-led excursions, minibus travel and airport transfers. Flights extra.

Greece, Italy and Croatia – cruises aboard traditional hand-built gulets

Cruising the Aegean: From Kos to Patmos – an eight-day cruise around the Dodecanese islands in the glittering Aegean Sea, featuring awe-inspiring vistas of picturesque villages, soaring cliffs and volcanic cones. Led by expert guides Professor Tony Spawforth and Nota Karamaouna, trace the intricate history behind famed locations, including the healing shrine of the god Asklepios on Kos, Crusader castles built by the Knights of St John, and Patmos, a UNESCO World Heritage site crowned by an extraordinary Byzantine monastery. Anchoring in beautiful coves and harbours, savour freshly prepared meals on board and in specially-selected tavernas on the islands themselves.

Departing 27 May 2017, the price is from £2,525 pp (or 16 September 2017 from £2,575 pp), for two sharing, including seven nights’ full-board accommodation, all crew services, expert-led excursions and entrance fees, on-board Wi-Fi and airport transfers. Flights extra.

Cruising the Aeolian Islands – an eight-day cruise exploring the remarkable volcanic archipelago of the Aeolian Islands, just off the north coast of Sicily. Led by historian and archaeologist Dr Michael Metcalfe, discover the vibrant identities of each island, from verdant Salina with its spectacular foods and wines, to majestic Stromboli with its smoking craters, lovely hiking trails and ever-present promise of fiery lava flows reaching the sea. Sparsely-populated Filicudi has a beautiful Bronze-age village and gorgeous Panarea an unexpectedly renowned night-life. Each island has a distinctive experience to offer, brought together with exceptional meals, local wine, swimming and cruising throughout.

Departing 24 June or 1 July 2017, the price is from £3,975 pp (two sharing), including seven nights’ full-board accommodation, all crew services, expert-led excursions and airport transfers. Flights extra.

Cruising the Aegean: A Family Adventure – an eight-day family cruise in Greece which invites children and adults alike to sail the seas like Captain Jack Sparrow and discover archaeological gems just like Indiana Jones. Discover the mysteries of ancient Gods and tales of giants and monsters as expert guides Dr Helena Tomas and Dr Maria Girtzi bring the region’s vibrant past back to life. Tuck into fresh meals prepared on board, snorkel in the warm waters or simply relax on deck; the perfect family holiday. Departing 22 July 2017, the price is from £2,695 pp (children up to 12: £2,550 pp), including seven nights’ full-board accommodation, all crew services, expert-led excursions and airport transfers. Flights extra.

Cruising the Dalmatian Coast: from Šibenik to Zadar – an eight-day voyage offering 10 guests an intimate and off-the-beaten-track tour of one of Croatia’s most diverse coastal regions, rich in verdant landscapes, sparkling seascapes and impressive architecture. Led by archaeologist Dr Helena Tomas, discover a wealth of historical and natural wonders, from Šibenik’s cathedral and hilltop fortresses to the tiny rock islets that form the Kornati archipelago, and from Trogir’s preserved medieval cityscape to the incredible waterfalls in the Krka Valley. Other highlights include the tiny island of Nin, one of Croatia’s medieval capitals, and delicious Croatian cuisine, on board and ashore.

Departing 16 September 2017, the price is from £3,395 pp (two sharing), including seven nights’ full board accommodation, all crew services, expert-led excursions and entrance fees and transfers. Flights extra.

Walking and Cruising Southern Dalmatia – an eight-day trip introducing Peter Sommer Travels’ first ever Croatian ‘Walking and Cruising’ itinerary – an enticing combination of a gulet cruise with escorted walks exploring ancient forts, beautiful towns and magnificent castles, brought to life by expert guide Dr Helena Tomas. Walk atop the 5km wall at Ston, admire the ever-changing set of vistas on Mljet and discover the Stari Grad Plain on Hvar, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a living archaeological landscape. Excursions are complemented by a cornucopia of delicious local produce: fresh seafood, fine wines and superb meat and cheese dishes, served onboard and ashore.

Departing 30 September 2017, the price is from £3,395 pp (two sharing), including seven nights’ full-board accommodation, all crew services, expert-led excursions and entrance fees and transfers. Flights extra.

For further information and to talk to experts on all of the specialist company’s wide range of trips, with 30 trips planned for 2017 including food tours, walking holidays and family adventures, call Peter Sommer Travels on 01600 888 220 (www.petersommer.com).