Ancient Wonders in Greece

Ancient Wonders Revealed on  of Greece

Ancient Wonders in Greece

Greece, the mysterious island of the ancients, is on the list of desired guided tours of many seasoned travelers.  There
are scores of archeological sites to visit in Greece and extended guided tours will take you out to one or more of Greece’s
several Mediterranean islands.  So sign up for a tour and enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Most guided tours of Greece will begin in Athens, the capital city of Greece and a nice city to fly into.  You’ll often
stay in Athens for a few days and take day trips in and around this fabulous city.  Within the city itself, there is much
to see, including the famous Acropolis and a tour of the magnificent Athens museum.  Visitors can spend all day wandering
the halls of this lovely museum, taking in the many artifacts from ancient Greece that are housed there.
Travel from Athens and visit the famed Theatre of Epidaurus, known for its amazing acoustics.  Guided tours of the area may
then take you to the town of Nauplion and on to Mycenae, where you’ll see some important archeology and visit the tomb of
Agamemnon.  After seeing these wonderful archeological sites, you’ll travel on to Olympia, passing through the towns of
Tripolis and Megalopolis.  Practically everywhere you look, there will be archeological ruins and something to see.
In Olympia, guided tours of the area will take you to the site of the original Olympic Games in ancient times.  You can put
your feet into the same toeholds that ancient athletes used for sprinting.   You’ll see the ancient Olympic stadium and the
Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus along with an informative archeological museum, where you can learn about the early Olympic Games. 
After taking in all of the Olympic ruins, guided tours will often drive you through the plains of Eliad and Achaia and
through the awesome bridge crossing the Corinthian Bay.  Eventually, you will arrive at the ancient and famous city of
Delphi. Most guided tours will have you stay overnight in the city of Delphi.  
In Delphi, guided tours of the area will give you a chance to visit the archeological site located there as well as the
Museum of Delphi.  From there, you will travel on to the village of Kalambaka, the site of some gigantic rocks known as
the Meteora.   Nearby, you can visit age old monasteries, complete with pieces of ancient Byzantine artwork.  Afterward,
you will likely head back to Athens for another adventure—that of the islands near Greece.
In Athens, guided tours of the islands around Greece will allow you to get onto a lovely cruise ship, where your first
stop will likely be Mykonos.  A pearl in the Mediterranean Sea, Mykonos is known for being the vacation site for
international jet-setters who enjoy its sandy beaches and memorable nightlife. 
Perhaps the next port of call on many guided tours of this area is the Turkish port of Kusadasi. You can visit one of the
most complete ancient cities ever to be excavated, the city of Ephessos, where St. Paul was first arrested and then banished.
Later, you will arrive in Patmos, another terrific spot for archeological and Biblical spots.
Other spectacular islands many guided tours of this area will take you are the islands of Crete and Santorini, believed by
some to be the lost continent of Atlantis.  Enjoy the spectacular views and the ocean sunshine for, before long, you’ll be
sailing back to Athens and to your home port of call. 
   

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Guided Tours of Wondrous Egypt

Guided Tours of Wondrous Egypt

Guided Tours of Wondrous Egypt

Who hasn’t wanted to see the wondrous archeological sites and amazing artifacts to be found in Egypt—a land perfectly laid
out for archeology buffs?  Now, guided tours of Egypt and all its splendor are available for travelers from all over the
world to visit and explore.  Let’s take a look at what many guided tours have to offer.
Most guided tours of Egypt begin in Cairo, where Egypt’s largest airport and biggest city are waiting to greet you.  While
in Egypt, your guide may take you to the famous Egyptian Museum, where the treasures of Tutankhamen and other ancient
artifacts are available for viewing.  You may take a drive to Old Cairo, the area where ancient Christians and Jews lived
within the city.  Have fun shopping at the colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar and don’t forget to bargain.
One of the most beautiful sites on guided tours of Egypt is a visit to the pyramids and the great Sphinx of Giza, a five
thousand year-old monument.  After taking as many pictures as you can, visit the nearby Solar Boat Museum and continue on
to the ancient city of Memphis, the first capital city of United Upper and Lower Egypt, and see Sakkara, the site of the
Step Pyramid of Zoser.
Longer guided tours of Egypt will fly you out of the area to Sharm El Sheikh, a city on the sea with lovely beaches, pure
white sands and a chance to go diving in the Ras Mohammed Underwater Nature Reserve.  Another option is a walking tour to
visit a Bedouin camp in the desert.  Other visits include the St. Catherine Monastery or night tours of Mount Sinai, where
you can watch a gorgeous sunrise and visit the monastery located there. 
Next, some guided tours will take you on a flight to Luxor where you’ll take a fabulous cruise ship for an unforgettable
experience on the Nile River. Cruise trips typically last five days and four nights.  You’ll visit the Luxor Temple that
was originally dedicated to the God Amon-Ra. Karnak Temple is nearby as well.
Guided tours of the area will have you continue on your cruise ship and will take you to the famous Valley of the Kings and
Queens, where you can see the Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and numerous other archeological findings.  The cruise
ship will be sailing upstream and will take you up to Edfu where you can visit the Edfu Temple, a famous part of Egyptian
architecture.
Still on the cruise ship the next day, guided tours of the Nile will stop off at the Temple of Kom Ombo, another Egyptian
archeological find and to the Nilometer, an amazing site built by the pharaohs of Egypt that was built to measure the height
of the waters of the Nile River.
Next, guided tours along the Nile River will show you the amazing and famous Aswan High Dam, as well as the Philae Temple
and the huge unfinished obelisk in the nearby granite quarry.  At this point, your cruise ship adventure is complete and
you’ll fly back to the city of Cairo. 
Guided tours of Egypt, especially if they are comprehensive, will show you dozens of amazing archeological sites and will
teach you the history of this fascinating part of the world.  You’ll see hundreds of ancient Egyptian artifacts and you’ll
come away with a new appreciation of how the Ancient Egyptians lived and built their monuments. 

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Asian Delight with Guided Tours of Japan

Asian Delight with Guided Tours of Japan

Asian Delight with Guided Tours of Japan

Japan has easily become synonymous with the “Land of Enchantment” and, while it’s a modern and technologically-savvy
society, it isn’t without its culture, beauty and history.  That’s why guided tours of Japan are so popular for couples and
families alike.
Almost all guided tours of Japan begin by flying into the Tokyo Narita Airport.  Many tours allow you a night’s rest before
heading out to see the sights in Tokyo, a large city of more than eight million people.  You’ll visit the Meiji
Shrine—a fantastic Shinto monument erected within a man-made forest.  After that, you’ll likely travel to the Imperial
Palace Plaza where you’ll see the Imperial Palace of the Emperor of Japan.  Most of the palace is off limits but it has a
lovely East Gardens for visitors to stroll in.
Many guided tours in Tokyo will take you to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the nearby Nakamise Shopping Arcade, where visitors
can shop at their leisure for souvenirs or other items.  Later that night, walk the streets of Tokyo with your tour director
to take in the dazzling lights of this lovely city.  The following day, you can take an excursion to Kamakura, which is the
home of the Great Buddha—a shrine that is 750 years old.
After seeing the Great Buddha, may guided tours of the area will take you on a scenic drive to Hakone so you can take a cable
car ride and get the very best views of Mount Fuji, if the weather cooperates.  Guests can opt for a thrilling ride on the
bullet train back to Tokyo.
After you’ve seen much of Tokyo and surrounding area, most guided tours of Japan will take you up to Matsumoto, considered
the gateway to the Japanese Alps. There you will visit the Matsumoto Castle—a fortress dating back to 1593.  Nearby is the
Japan Folklore Museum and a nice way to see artifacts from Japan in their natural setting.
Later, most guided tours of Japan will take you to Takayama where you can visit the local farmer’s market and travel to the
San Machi Suji historic district, famous for distilleries that make Japanese sake.  Nearby are lovely lacquerware shops
that make items perfect for souvenir shopping.  Also nearby is the Kusakabe Heritage House, a lovely place to see traditional
Japanese architecture from the late 19th Century.
The next stop on many guided tours of Japan is the Hida Minzoku-Mura folk village—a large collection of traditional Japanese
buildings, including farmhouses.  There, you can enjoy demonstrations of craft-making, such as lacquer making, silk dying,
basket weaving and wood carving. 
Most guided tours of Japan will take you through the mountainous areas, including the Shokawa Valley and onto the village
of Shirakawa.  This is a remote region of Japan that is home to many world heritage sites.  Enjoy traditional Japanese food
with your tour mates.
The next stop on most guided tours of Japan is Kyoto, a lovely city and home to the fascinating Nijo Castle, built as the
official residence of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603.  Nearby is Kinkakuji, the temple of the Gold Pavilion and several
shrines and gardens.  Kyoto is home to numerous temples, shrines and palaces and is a place you’ll want to spend a couple
of days visiting.
As you’ve traveled so far north, most guided tours will then take you to Osaka and to the Kansai Airport for your departure
home.  Hopefully, you’ve taken in plenty of Japanese food and culture, and you’ve enjoyed their unique food.

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Relaxing Guided Tours of Ireland

Relaxing Guided Tours of Ireland

Relaxing Guided Tours of Ireland

For families interested in traveling to Europe, consider one of the guided tours offered by several outfits that will take
you and show you the best sights and sounds of Ireland.  Such vacations are often not very expensive when compared to the
rest of Europe and family members of all ages will enjoy the scenery and attractions.
Most guided tours of Ireland will have you fly into Shannon.  This is a small airport on the western side of the island and
it’s close to many attractions you’ll see.  Your first stop will be to the village of Adare, famous for its thatched roof
cottages and quaint charm.  This is your first stop along the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland’s most beautiful natural area. 
You’ll see dramatic mountains, green fields and many archeological sites.
As for your next stop, guided tours of Ireland may take you to some of the sites or to a pub in the Dingle Peninsula.  You
may choose to go dolphin-watching at specified places along the Peninsula road.  Soak up the beautiful scenery and eat some
of the hearty local dishes.  After that, you’ll travel to Killarney and visit the Gap of Dunloe, a four mile gulch carved
out by glaciers. 
Guided tours of Ireland would be remiss if they didn’t take you to the infamous Blarney Castle.  While much of the castle
is in ruins and it doesn’t have a roof, visitors will be amazed by the ancient architecture and will be given a chance to
kiss the Blarney Stone—a feat which is done while lying on your back.  Afterward, you’ll likely go to the picturesque town
of Kinsdale, within County Cork.  Visit one of their gourmet restaurants and walk along the cobblestone streets.
The next logical stop for guided tours of Ireland is the town of Cobh, the departure point for many emigrants to the US and
the last port of call for the Titanic.  Visit the local graveyard where many of the Titanic’s passengers are buried. From
there, travel to the medieval town of Kilkenny, famous for its cathedrals and its history of witchcraft. 
Often, guided tours of Ireland will then bring you into Dublin where there are numerous sites to see, including the site of
Ireland’s first Parliament and the famous Guinness Brewery.  Taste some of Ireland’s finest beer and stay at the Cabra
Castle, complete with a golf course, gardens and beautiful walking paths. 
To get the most out of guided tours of Ireland, you’ll continue on to visit Carrick-on-Shannon, a scenic boating haven and
Boyle, the site of some lovely abbey ruins.  After touring this area, you’ll likely move on to the County Mayo. In Mayo,
you’ll walk the streets of Westport and see its seashore, dotted with a number of tiny islands.  Shop along the traditional
Irish shops and take in the quaint nature of this lovely town. 
Guided tours of Ireland rarely miss Galway, the cultural capital of Ireland.  Take in some traditional Irish music by
visiting one of the town’s several pubs.  After that, you’ll visit the Aran Islands, the place where the famous Irish Aran
sweaters originally came from.  These islands will take you back in time as little has changed over the years.
Most guided tours of Ireland will let you see and taste and listen to Ireland at every possible chance.  It’s a beautiful
country with lovely people and it will be an experience you’ll never forget.

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Exploring Nostalgic Guided Tours of Germany

 Exploring Nostalgic Guided Tours of Germany

 Exploring Nostalgic Guided Tours of Germany

There are numerous guided tours available for singles, couples or families that will take you through the most quaint and
nostalgic parts of Germany.  You can choose a trip that covers the northern part of the country, the southern part of the
country or take a sampling of both if you don’t mind spending a few hours on an air-conditioned tour bus.  The best times
to see Germany are from March through July and in the autumn. Many places are closed in August so that may not be the best
time for a tour.

A good example of one of the guided tours of Germany that give you a sampling of the entire country would begin in Frankfurt,
Germany, where they have a large airport.  You can visit the Old Town area that make you feel like you’ve gone back in time
to several hundred years ago.  The architecture is quaint and well preserved.

Many guided tours of Germany can take you to Cologne, called Kِln in German. Cologne is the fourth largest city in Germany
and lies along the Rhine River.  One of the sites you wouldn’t want to miss is the beautiful Cologne Cathedral, which is
especially striking at night.

For a special treat, a few guided tours of Germany take you on a day-long river boat ride down the famous Rhine River with
stops at Bonn or at several of the smaller towns along the river, ending in Koblenz.  Have your camera ready as the scenery
is thrilling and you’ll see numerous castle ruins high along the banks as the boat travels down the calm and lovely river.
You’ll likely spend some time on one or more of the towns along the Danube River, which originated in the Black Forest and
flows mainly east.  In German, the Danube River is called the Donau River.  Along the Main River, many guided tours of
Germany will take you to Würzburg, where you can see the famous Fortress Marienberg. a castle on a hill across the Old Main
Bridge from the city or the  lovely 18th Century Würzburg Residenz.

If you like castles, take one of the guided tours where the bus driver takes you on a stop at the magnificent Neuschwanstein
Castle, built as a shrine to Richard Wagner by Ludwig II, the craziest King of Bavaria that ever lived.  He also built two
other castles nearby worth looking at.  The Castle Linderhof is beautifully maintained inside and out, and contains a grotto
that was also based on the works of Richard Wagner.  The Castle Herrenscheimsee is sixty kilometers south of Munich.  Any
one of these castles is picture perfect and all of them are delightful stops on your tour.

Speaking of Munich, not one guided tour of Munich would be complete without a stop in this fantastic Bavarian city, famous
for its beer, its music and for Oktoberfest.  Visitors can shop inside the city and can take a rest at Munich’s most famous
beer establishment, the Hofbrauhaus.  Having seats for nearly a thousand people on several levels, woman rush by in
traditional Bavarian dress with mugs of beer big enough to satisfy the thirstiest of travelers.  It’s just one of those
places that you need to say you’ve “been there”.

There are hundreds of different places that guided tours of Germany can take you.  The example above is just one of the
wonderful tours and places this quaint country has to offer.

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Thrilling Guided Tours on Bicycle of South New Zealand

Thrilling Guided Tours on Bicycle of South New Zealand


There are few things as breathtaking and exhilarating as traveling with one of several outstanding guided tours on bicycle of
New Zealand.  New Zealand is comprised of two major islands, the North Island and the South Island.  Of the two, the South
Island offers a more rustic look at the countryside as it rushes beneath your feet on a bicycle.  This type of guided tour
is not for the casual cyclist. Hills and mountains are part of the landscape and, while you can walk these areas, it’s better if you’ve worked out on a
bicycle a little bit beforehand.

One of the nicest guided tours of the South Island of New Zealand begins when you land in Christchurch.  This large city is
the take off point for many who are going to Antarctica, so if you have time between flights, take a tour of the Antarctic
Centre, just a couple of blocks from the airport.  It’s a museum of sorts about exploration in Antarctica.

Most likely, guided tours of the South Island won’t actually start in Christchurch and you’ll be taking a propeller
plane (yes, a propeller plane) over the vast and enormous mountain range that runs down the middle of the island and you’ll
arrive at a spit of an airport in a village like Hokitika, where the bicycling really begins. 

Some may ask why there are guided tours of this part of New Zealand at all because there is really only one main road
traveling south along the shoreline of the rustic and wild Tasman Sea.  You can’t get lost.  Even so, the tour guides will
carry extra food and will probably have a bike trailer to pick up the bikes of stragglers that can’t finish the day’s ride.
The riders take off in the direction of the guide and move along at their own pace.

It’s very easy to see why there are guided tours of this part of the country.  The mountains are ever-present on your left,
there are beautiful, unspoiled forests and the rivers run clear and are of a striking aqua color due to the mineral content
of the water coming off the mountains.  Remember, though, they drive on the opposite side of the road as in the US so you
have to train your mind to watch for any traffic accordingly.

In truth, there is very little traffic and bicycles own the road on most guided tours of the South Island.  One can bicycle
three full days without ever seeing even a small village.  Instead, there are bed and breakfast inns or small motels along
the way and many meals can be made by the tour guide.

If you’re on one of these guided tours of New Zealand, you’ll not only see Mount Hercules but you’ll feel like Hercules
(or very tired) after climbing the impressive mountain.  And don’t forget the exhilaration of riding back down.  One of
the other highlights of your tour will be the Franz Josef Glacier, south of Whataroa.  It’s a gigantic dirty piece of ice
dangling in the crevice between two mountains. Still, it’s an impressive site to see.

Most guided tours of this type will allow you to travel 500 km (300 miles) in about a week.  You’ll be on the bicycle much
of the time but viewing this magnificent scenery from this vantage point can’t be beat.  At the end of your tour, you can
fly home via Queensland, in the southern part of the island.

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Wild Guided Tours on Bicycle of Germany’s Black Forest

Wild Guided Tours on Bicycle of Germany’s Black Forest

There are many ways to visit Germany and it’s an oft visited country when people travel to Europe.  But have you
considered the guided tours on bicycle of the famous and beautiful Black Forest of Germany’s Bavarian region.  Bicycling
only gets you so far in one day but it allows you to see a side of the old time Germany that few people get a glimpse of.

Perhaps the best news about taking one of the guided tours of Germany on a bicycle is that you don’t need to be a world
class cyclist to do this tour.  The tours generally start at a village at the top of one of the Black Forest’s mountains and
the ride is all downhill from there.  You needn’t take your bicycle or even a helmet. The tour guides have all of that for
you, although you are welcome to bring some of your own gear.  Bringing your bicycle, however, would be a challenge, as
you’ll soon see.

You won’t likely be flying directly into the Black Forest as it’s relatively isolated from that sort of travel.  Instead,
most guided tours of the Black Forest will have you fly into Frankfurt Airport, take the subway to the train station and
hop on the nearest train headed south.  As you can see, hauling your bike just this far is a little bit cumbersome, don’t
you think?  Other guided tours will fly you into Strasbourg, just across the border in France.

Your train ride either way will likely lead you to Offenburg, the nearest big town to where you’ll begin your ride. 
Some guided tours of the Black Forest will pick you up there while others will have you take a taxi or smaller train to a
village like Lossburg.  Lossburg is truly a representative sample of small town Germany, with Bavarian style homes, some
of which are bed and breakfast homes that you’ll stay in.

Most guided tours really get started after a healthy, filling breakfast in your home-style dwelling.  Don’t count on your
hosts to speak English so a little German learned beforehand will come in handy.  Your tour guide will bring the bikes and
helmets and, while some will bike with you, others will just give you a map—all in German.  Either way, soon you’ll be
sailing along a paved or dirt-packed trail, deep within the magnificent forest.

Perhaps you’ll be on one of the guided tours of the Neckar Valley or one of several other valleys in the great, untouched
forest.  Every few hours or so, you’ll reach a little village that will make you feel you’ve gone back in time.  Your
luggage will be transported to your next overnight location so you can enjoy the monasteries, breweries and little shops
with souvenirs you can pack in your backpack.  There’s at least one small, hometown restaurant in every village where the
food is cheap and authentically Bavarian. 

Back on your bikes, you can’t get lost because, if you’re not going downhill,you’re headed in the wrong direction.
Over a four to five day period of time, you’ll find yourself back in Offenburg where you’ll give up your bikes and perhaps
take a train ride over to Strasbourg for some French cuisine and more

The guided tours of the Black Forest often offer such a trip as a nice way to round out your tour.  In the end, you’ll have
seen a rare gem in the Black Forest of Germany and you’ll be more physically fit in the process.  

   

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