Megalithic Magnificence

Tour Hosts Review By Patrick Leigh Posted on History

 Thousands of years of history and hundreds of millions of man hours went into the preparation of this issue. Well, not the issue precisely, but its theme: the incredible megalithic statues and structures that the articles in this issue describe.From the first urban settlement at Turkey’s Catalhoyuk and the standing stones scattered throughout Great Britain, to Malta’s carved structures and the Incan wonders of Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuaman, we trace Neolithic mankind’s ever-more sophisticated use of stone as a building material. Using tools made from rock and wood, the designers of these structures created some of the most enduring monuments to man’s ingenuity and determination.

This month's tour hosts review:Asia Minor Travel & Tours

Specialty: Small group tours of Turkey with a strong archaeological and cultural focus. 
Why We Like Them: Sixteen years of experience, American and Turkish offices, and a dedication to preserving the environment. The company arranges both independent and group departures. Group size is limited to 22 persons to insure ease of movement and ability to comfortably visit more inaccessible areas and promote personal encounters with the Turkish people and their everyday culture. In addition to its scheduled “Classic“ tours, Asia Minor also offers two special-interest options: archeological and biblical trips.
Article: Turkey's Neolithic Structures 

The OTS Foundation
Specialty: Education, Research and Conservation: Prehistoric Culture of Malta and Gozo. 

Why We Like Them: Offering educational trips focusing on the prehistoric culture of Malta, OTS appeals to educated travelers seeking both to understand Malta’s past and to help sustain the legacies of that past for future generations. In addition to arranging tours to Malta, the foundation funds research, conservation and educational materials for Maltese teachers to underscore the importance to Malta’s future generations of the great heritage they have to protect. 
Article: Malta's Monolithic Temples 
Lancaster Authentic
Specialty: Walking and small group tours in Northwestern England, Scotland and Wales
Why We Like Them: Lancaster focuses on a very select area has a great depth of knowledge of local festivals and events that are of interest to travelers looking to get a real feel for rural life. Heritage and history are important elements of LancasterAuthentic’s programs and its tours include plenty of under-appreciated and little-known treats and secrets. 
Article: Mysteries of the Megaliths 

Adventure Canada
Specialty: Environmental Discovery Voyages to the “blank spaces.”
Why We Like Them: By bringing travelers to areas where the simple fact of their remoteness makes them special, travelers on Adventure Canada cruises can better experience the cultures and the natural beauty of these locations. The company’s sustainable tourism philosophy assures that the areas visited by its clients are not endangered by their usage. Adventure Canada also encourages cultural interaction with the native peoples of the areas it visits.
Article: Stone Age Monuments and Neolithic Structures in Ireland and Scotland 
 

Pantiacoll

Specialty: Ecotourism and education in Manu National Park, Peru.
Why We Like Them: A determination to save the Andean rainforest, specifically the Manu Biosphere. Pantiacolla offers camping and lodge-based trips within the park and is helping the native Yine Indians of this region develop a self-sustaining eco-lodge and retain their unique cultural heritage in the face of modern destruction of their lands. 
Article: Sacsayhuaman, Peru – Fortress of the Incas 
 

Caravan-Serai, Inc
Specialty: Cultural and educational tours throughout the Middle East and North Africa
Why We Like Them: Caravan-Serai knows its destinations and is proud to introduce the Middle East and North Africa to travelers looking for a deeper understanding of the cultures and countries that make up these two regions. The company goes out of its way to educate and inform clients on travel in these areas. Tours cover some great Neo and megalithic monuments, from the standing stones of Armenia, to Jordan’s Petra and its Neolithic neighbor Bedia, and Egypt’s epic pyramids, temples, and massive Sphinx, Caravan-Serai can assist in planning a independent trip or you can join one of its many small group departures.