Roman Ruins

Tour Hosts Review  by Sheri Leigh

If all roads led to Rome, they also led out from her. The ruins that were once the glories of the Roman Empire are spread over thousands of miles in all directions from the stone in the Roman Forum that marked the empire's ground zero. This issue’s focus is on Rome's African and Middle Eastern remains, most of them built during the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D., at her height.  

The Jordanian city of Jerash, Syria’s Palmyra and this month’s World Heritage Site, Lebanon’s Baalbek, are all world-class examples of Rome’s grandeur during the heights of the empire. Spiekermann Travel Service, Inc. offers exceptional tours originating in the U.S. and accompanied by escorts/lecturers who are professionals in their fields: archaeologists, professors and museum curators. A 15-day Syria, Jordan and Lebanon trip, which include the above-mentioned sites, is led by Barbara A. Porter, who has led trips for both the Smithsonian and Metropolitan Museums. Steeped in history, these trips are educational and informational, with targeted lectures and highly specialized itineraries. Spiekermann also offers a variety of short multi-day, land-only, scheduled departures in association with local companies. These trips can be combined to form a longer personalized adventure of a general nature. Spiekermann’s fantastic lecturers, itineraries and wide selection of ready-made tours, make it a natural for this month’s “Pick of the Month.”

North Africa is filled with the Roman sites. Morocco’s seldom-visited ruins at Volubilis has mosaics still clearly visible in the remains of houses, and Tunisia’s Bardo Museum is home to some of the best preserved mosaics from Rome’s occupation. Until recently, Libya’s Roman past was off limits to U.S. visitors. This month we feature a story of this beautiful, if mostly desolate, country. Bestway Tours and Safaris  is one of the first companies in recent memory to offer Libya as a tourist destination. Teeming with Roman and Phoenician sites, including a number of World Heritage Sites, this country will become a popular destination over the next few years. For a fascinating description of the history of it, read this month’s "Little Known Libya Shelters Some of the Best Roman Ruins."  Bestway has both group departures and locally arranged land options, and prides itself on arranging specialized trips for any number of travelers.

Asia Minor was the eastern edge of the empire. Ephesus, the capital during the Roman period, is home to the ruins of The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Asia Minor Travel & Tours offers a number of fantastic trips throughout Turkey, including a few trips that focus specifically on the archaeology of the region. Glimpse into the wonders this unique country in this month’s "Turkey's Abundant Roman Cities Make a Great Open-Air Museum."  

For private touring at its best, Ancient Adventures Travel offer a wide selection of pre-set itineraries, all with private driver/guides (most guides hold advanced degrees in history or archaeology). The flexibility of a private tour allows you to linger or change direction at will. All accommodations are luxurious and historic, creating a true flavor of the grandeur of times past. Ancient Adventures offers more than 30 different itinerary ideas. and will design a trip especially suited to your desires. A private guide is an ideal way to see some of the most remote and ancient treasures these lands offer.

From my memories of travel in Morocco and Egypt, I can say that having the flexibility to reach some of the less assessable sites, while it might require hiring a private driver, is well worth the price. While taxies may be available, if you want to visit Volubilis or other sites distant from a major city center, your best bet is always to have your hotel arrange a driver for you and set the rate in advance. This is a reasonable and hassle-free way to travel independently while getting the benefit of a local guide.

If you’d like to mix and match short trips with independent time for a more personalized trip, Caravan-Serai Inc. offers many land-only packages operated by local companies. Chances are you will join a small group with travelers from almost anywhere. This is a great mid-point between an organized group and a private tour, and you generally meet fascinating people with a whole different perspective on the history and sites you visit. Trips offered range from a few days to multiple weeks throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

There is a wealth of history and beauty in these lands. Everyone should experience the great civilizations of the past that make us who we are today.