Award-winning special interest tour operator Andante Travels (www.andantetravels.co.uk, 01722 237094) has added three brand new cruises to its growing portfolio for 2023, one of which explores Corsica, another which centres around Sicily, Malta and the Aeolian Archipelago, and the third discovers sites in Egypt, including highly anticipated new Grand Egyptian Museum.

Andante Travels hasn't visited Corsica for many years, so this new addition is particularly exciting especially considering that Corsica is small and typically difficult to get around on a coach. The other new European cruise explores Malta, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. While the latter are completely new to the brand, Sicily is a familiar destination and Andante's new cruise offers a chance to visit different parts of the island, which are more accessible travelling via a cruise ship.

The two new European cruises will be led by Dr Eireann Marshall, one of Andante's most popular Guide Lecturers, who won Wanderlust magazine's Top History & Culture guide prize at the 2019 Wanderlust World Guide Awards.

There is also a new Egypt cruise, which travels between Aswan and Cairo and includes a visit to the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum. Should the museum's opening be delayed, the cruise will instead visit the Museum of Antiquities in Tahrir Square, Cairo. Dr Elizabeth Bloxam is the expert Guide Lecturer and the cruise travels aboard a very good 3* Nile cruiser.

Prices for all Andante Travels cruises for 2023 include return flights from London, an expert Guide Lecturer and tour manager, all visits as per the itinerary, taxes and tips throughout, meals and drinks as per the itinerary, field notes mailed out ahead of departure, accommodation and local travel.

If guests book their place on any of the below cruises by 31st October and pay in full at the time of booking, they will take advantage of a fantastic special offer that could save them hundreds.

Cruising the Extraordinary Island of Corsica - NEW
Highlights on this nine-day cruise include a visit to Nice, where we explore the Terra Amata archaeological site, one of the most important Lower Palaeolithic sites in Europe; Filitosa, which is set gloriously within an olive grove, where we discover its spectacular Bronze Age torri and anthropomorphic menhirs; and the Bronze Age site of Cucuruzzu, which is off the beaten track and encompasses a Bronze Age fortified village dating to the 12th century BC.
Departs 7th September, 9 days from £4,495pp

Cruising the Islands of Malta, Sicily & the Aeolian Archipelago – NEW
This 10-day cruise begins in Malta and swiftly visits Gozo with its Victoria Gozo Archaeological Museum. From here, it's onto Syracuse where guests explore the Temple of Apollo and Temple of Athena. This tour also visits the Aeolian Islands, which no other Andante tours include, and there is a lot of fascinating archaeology and geology there. Highlights include Lipari with its Regional Aeolian Archaeological Museum, Archaeological Park and the Co-Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew, and then Vulcano, one of the other Aeolian islands that still has active volcanoes. Here, guests explore the island with a professional volcanologist. Elsewhere on this cruise, guests tour Valletta in Malta and Taormina in Sicily with its famous Greco-Roman theatre.   
Departs 24th June, 10 days from £5,895pp

Cruising the Nile – Aswan to Cairo – NEW
Andante's second new Egypt cruise travels aboard the very good 3* MS Nile Monarch and offers an all-encompassing exploration of this country's ancient delights. Highlights on this 17-day cruise include visits to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel, a selection of Tell el-Armana's tombs and Seti I's temple at Abydos.
Departs 30th April, 17 days from £6,495pp

Exploring the Archaeology of the Rhone
This cruise examines the role the river played in the ancient world as a channel of trade and culture, and showcases France's most important archaeological and historical sites. Visits include the exceptional amphitheatre and archaeological museum at Arles, the Palais des Papes in Avignon and the iconic Pont du Gard aqueduct. Guests also examine the important site of Glanum with its famous Triumphal Arch and mausoleum.
Departs 30th May, 9 days from £3,915pp

The Wealth & Wonders of the Hanseatic Cities
Cruise down the Elbe to the heart of the Hanseatic League, the confederation of Northern cities that dominated maritime trade in the North and Baltic seas in the medieval period. Highlights on this eight-day tour include three days exploring the delights of Berlin, a chance to discover the charms of Lueneburg and a visit to Luebeck, with its well-preserved medieval city centre and Gothic buildings.
Departs 5th July, 8 days from £3,295pp

Moorish Wonders of the Guadalquivir & Guadiana
Over the course of eight days, guests will admire the Alhambra, explore the oldest Roman city outside of Italy – Italica – and examine the historic remains of Cadiz. There will also be a visit to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, a colourful blend of Islamic and Renaissance architecture.
Departs 22nd June, 8 days from £3,295pp

Ancient & Medieval Gems of the Adriatic
This cruise meanders down the scenic Illyrian coast, exploring historical gems from the charming island of Corfu to the well-preserved archaeological sites found in enigmatic Albania. Guests will discover Dubrovnik's incredible monuments, examine the important and UNESCO-listed site of Butrint, tour the medieval city of Budva with its Roman bath complex, and spend time at the archaeological museum and Venetian fortress in Corfu.
Departs 11th July, 9 days from £3,645pp

Cruising Ancient Dalmatia
Journey along the Dalmatian coast and explore its historical and cultural jewels. Visit islands and cities that have been shaped since antiquity, including the atmospheric Hvar and also Korcula. Guests will explore Diocletian's extraordinary palace in Split, tour the improbably beautiful Dubrovnik and examine the best-preserved medieval city of Kotor.
Departs 21st June, 8 days from £3,395pp

Egypt – Highlights & Discoveries
This land-based tour includes a partial cruise within its itinerary, which sees guests spend four nights aboard the MS Tulip, a spacious and luxuriously furnished Nile cruiser. Highlights range from access to the grand gallery and royal burial chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu to the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, and also Abu Simbel.
Departs 21st February, 28th February, 17th October & 7th November, 12 days from £6,695pp

Golden Age of Travel: Egypt
This exclusive and indulgent Egypt tour also includes a partial Nile cruise, this time aboard the MS Misr, a 5* luxury steamer with 16 cabins and eight suites, each with private balconies. This very special tour, in addition to including accommodation throughout at hotels such as the famous Old Cataract and Mena House, offers chances to visit Tutankhamun's tomb, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel.
Departs 6th December, 12 days from £10,495pp

View the full cruise brochure here: https://issuu.com/specialistjourneys/docs/atl-196_cs_cruise_supplement_-_uk_version_web

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For further media information, please contact Martha Bernardo: martha@specialistjourneys.com.

Andante Travels – Notes to Editors: Founded in 1985, Andante Travels – part of the Specialist Journeys group – has grown to become one of the UK's leading specialist tour operators. The company has won a number of British Travel Awards over the years, including Best Small Holiday Company for Customer Service, Best Special Interest Holiday Company and Best Holiday Company to the Italian Peninsula & Malta, and it was recently shortlisted for the Best Cultural Tour Operator at the Silver Travel Awards. In 2019, one of its expert Guide Lecturers won Wanderlust magazine's World Guide Awards Top History & Culture Guide prize and Andante's tours have been named 'Trips of a Lifetime' by the National Geographic Traveler on five occasions. In 2018, it appointed Jackie Willis as its new CEO, who brought with her over 35 years of touring and travel experience. Over the years, the company has introduced thousands of people to the wonders of the ancient world on tours that are both designed and led by renowned experts.