Western China 2015: Along the Silk Road
Tour Leader: Ben Churcher In May 2015 17 NEAF members retraced the ancient Silk Road across China from Xi’an in the Chinese heartland to Kashgar in far western China. The Silk Road in China is a defined path linking oasis towns separated by inhospitable desert. On our journey we appreciated that it was not only …
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan 2014
Tour Leader: Ben Churcher NEAF and Academy Travel’s May 2014 tour Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan: A Journey through Central Asia has successfully concluded with 16 NEAF members enjoying warm but fine spring weather throughout Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The tour focussed on the major sites in these countries including the living Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, as …
Turkey & Iran 2014: In the Footsteps of Alexander
Tour Leader: John Tidmarsh During late September and early October 2014 twenty NEAF members traced part of the route traversed by Alexander the Great through Turkey and Iran during his great eastern conquests between 334 – 323 BCE. In Turkey we explored many of the cities conquered by Alexander (often only after a prolonged siege) …
Mexico 2012
Tour Leader: Ben Churcher NEAF’s 2012 Mexico tour was a repeat of its successful 2004 tour – and like in 2004, the recent trip was a great success for the 13 participants who joined Ben Churcher in visiting some of the great sites of Mesoamerica. This comprehensive tour visited areas once dominated by the Olmecs, …
Syria and Jordan 2010
Tour Leader: Dr John Tidmarsh For thousands of years, Syria and Jordan controlled the inland caravan routes along which goods were transported from the Orient to the Mediterranean. From the Nabataeans in their stronghold at the ‘rose-red city’ of Petra to the merchants in the bustling markets of Aleppo, the region has a rich and …
Iran 2009
Tour Leader: Ben Churcher NEAF’s 2009 tour to Iran has just returned after a very successful visit to one of the world’s great travel destinations. Contrary to popular worries, the group encountered no political issues during their visit but, instead, were able to freely enjoy the many delights Iran has to offer. Whether it is …
Syria & Jordan 2009
In April 2009, 21 travellers accompanied John Tidmarsh for a three week journey through Jordan and Syria. This is now the fifth time that NEAF has run a tour to the Levant and the popularity of this region (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon) for NEAF tourists shows no sign of waning. On this tour visits to the …
Tunisia and Libya 2010
Tour Leader Dr. Stephen Bourke and a group of NEAF travellers have just returned from visiting the homeland of Hannibal and along the way saw some haunting desertscapes and oases, pre-Carthaginian stone-age remains, Graeco-Roman and Byzantine-Christian city ruins, Islamic medinas and villages, Medieval fortresses and a fascinating mosaic of vibrant cultures – past and present.
Syria 2008
This was the 4th time that NEAF has run a tour to Syria, and this year’s version: “Syria: A Levantine Wonder”, went very well – as always in Syria. The tour is certainly one of historical extremes. From the magnificent early sites along the Euphrates and Mediterranean coast to the jostle of the Aleppo souk, …
Oman 2008
This was the first time that NEAF had run a tour to Oman (“Oman: Travels in Old Arabia”) and, in view of the country’s wonderful natural attractions and excellent tourist facilities, it is unlikely to be the last. In November, 10 NEAF members travelled with John Tidmarsh, the tour leader, through the length of Oman …