b'THE GOLDEN JOURNEYMACEDON TO SAMARKAND Scan hereTHE KINGDOM OF PHILIP II AND ALEXANDER THE GREAT Scan here for the fullfor the full itinerary itineraryTHE SILK ROADS OF UZBEKISTAN 815 May 2025 Historical Background8 days Macedon was a land of gold and timber, of wide plains and rugged uplands, 1930 September 2025 Historical Background Expert Historian: of hard drinking noble horsemen, who lived by the heroic values of the poetry of Homer and loved the plays of Euripides. Their kings, emersed in 11 days The Silk Road was a series of trade routes that stretched from China to theDr Harry Sidebottom blood feud and treachery, lived and died by the sword. Although in the eyes Expert Historian: Mediterranean, established during the Han dynasty. Not only were theseActivity Level: 2 of the Classical Greeks to the south they were no better than barbarians, routes crucial to the trade of goods including textiles, spices and, of course,the Macedonians created, not only an empire, but some of the finest art and Dr Mehreen Chida-Razvi silk, arguably its most important export was culture. Religion, language, architecture surviving from the ancient world.Activity Level: 2 philosophy and technology all travelled with the merchants and wereIn this wide-ranging expert-led tour we introduced to societies all over the civilised world. The Silk Road was closedWhen Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, came to the throne in off in the mid-fifteenth century by the Ottoman Empire, which wasntexplore the culture and history of Macedon,359BC the kingdom of Macedon was surrounded and on the verge of Uzbekistan is the very epitome of intriguea setback, as traders were forced out to sea, giving birth to the age offocusing especially on the reign of Philipextinction. In the West Philip`s elder brother and thousands of his best and historical captivation. It is a cradlediscovery. Uzbekistan played an important role on the route and flourished.II and the early years of Alexander thewarriors had been killed by Illyrian tribesmen. In the South the Greek city of culture from where a mesmerisingAfter a turbulent past in which it has been conquered by Alexander theGreat (359-334BC); the crucial years whenof Athens was poised to invade, as were the Thracians to the East, and the collection of sapphire and gold buildings,Great, Genghis Khan, Imperial Russia as well as a period of oppressiveMacedon was transformed from a backwaterPaeonians in the North. To make matters yet worse there were numerous monuments and magnificent cities haveSoviet regime, it has been left with a particularly beguiling history. into the centre of the Classical world. We willpretenders to the throne. Twenty-three years later, Philip had reduced all arisen reflecting the influence of a varietywalk in the footsteps of the young Alexanderhis former enemies to subjects by a combination of diplomacy and warfare, of cultures that have passed along the Silkand his tutor Aristotle at Mieza, stroll throughas well as piety and treachery. Macedon was transformed into the richest Road. Some of the oldest settlements in thethe extraordinarily well-preserved streetsand most powerful state ever seen in Europe. Philip stood ready to begin world conjure up images of sandy-colouredof the city of Olynthus, and retrace the finalthe conquest of the mighty Persian empire. Then, at the height of his power, buildings adorned with turquoise domes,journey of Philip, standing on the spot wherehe was struck down by a spurned lover in the theatre at Vergina. Civil war intricate wall tiles in magnificent rich colourshe was assassinated, before entering histhreatened, all the subject peoples rose in revolt. The new king was only that fill entire rooms, and bustling bazaarsworld famous tomb. twenty years old. But the new king was Alexander the Great. complete with patterned carpets and the smell of spices swirling through the air, all of which will transport you back to a time when these places were the centre of world trade. Situated in the heart of the Eurasian Steppe, the country boasts a dramatic geography of unforgiving deserts, sumptuous oases and fertile valleys watered by the Amu Darya, the ancient River Oxus. From its exhilarating capital Tashkent to the small oasis town ofDay 0 Fly overnight to Tashkent via Istanbul or make your own arrangementsKhiva, a trip to Uzbekistan offers a truly onceto join the tour at the hotel. in a lifetime opportunity. Day 1 . Arrive early morning and check-in to hotel for one night. Afternoon -National Museum of History. (L,D)Day 2. Tashkentincl. Hast Imam Square, mosques of Tellya Sheik and HazratiIman. Afternoon fly to Urgench. Drive to Khiva - three nights. (B,L,D)Day 3. Explore Khiva on foot, incl. Ichan Kala, Kunya Ark, Khans fortress, KaltaMinor Tower, Djuma Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud. (B, L, D).Day 4. Khorezm Oasis. Day trip to incl. Ayaz Kala, Kyzyl Kala, Janbas Kala andToprak Kala. Return to Khiva - further exploration. (B,L,D)Day 5. By vehicle across Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara. Afternoon in Bukharaincl. Samani and Chashma Ayub mausoleums and Bolo Khauz Mosque.Bukhara hotel for two nights. (B,L,D) Day 1 Fly London to Thessaloniki or make your own arrangements toDay 6 Full day in Bukhara incl. Po-i-Kalyan complex and Ark fortress. (B,L,D) join the tour at the hotel. National Museum of Thessaloniki.Day 7 . Drive to the Palace of the Moon-like Stars. Late afternoon high-speed Hotel Thessaloniki7 nights. (D)train to Samarkand. Hotel for three nights. (B,L,D) Day 2 Pella & Edessa. (B,D)Day 8 Samarkand: Ulugbek Observatory, Regional Studies museum, Day 3 Veroia, Mieza & Nymphaeum. (B,D)Tilla-Kori Madrasah, Ulugbeg Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah. (B,L,D) Day 4 Dion. (B,D)ESSENTIALS Day 9 Samarkand: Afrosiab museum, Bibi Khoym, Gur Emir mausoleum. (B,L,D) ESSENTIALS Day 5 Olynthus. (B)4-star or best available hotels, mealsDay 10 . Shakhrisabz, Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-us-Saodat Burial Complex. 4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 6 . Amphipolis. (B,D)as indicated, drinks with dinner, allTashkent (overnight) (B,L,D) drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 7 Vergina. (B,D)entrance fees, tour manager and expertDay 11 Leave tour/flight to London. (B) tour manager and expert historian Day 12 . Morning return flight to London via Istanbul or perhaps extend your stay Day 8 . Fly Thessaloniki to London or perhaps extend yourhistorian throughout, all internal travel,in Uzbekistan. (B) throughout, all internal travel, stay in Greece. (B)optional travel from UK. optional travel from UK.20 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 21'