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The history of science

A range of tours that cover the historical development of scientific thought and practice from the 16th Century onwards whilst visiting some of the most stimulating European cities and worldwide sites.

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Tour

CERN and Mont Blanc: Dark and Frozen Matter: Switzerland and France - 1 place remaining

Visit the particle-smashing Large Hadron Collider near Geneva and delve into physics and this lakeside city's history before exploring glaciers in the Alps.

5 May and 8 October 2024

6

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Tour

Renaissance astronomy in Kepler's Prague: Czech Republic

Discover the secrets of Renaissance period astronomers Kepler and Brahe in Prague, the stunning city of a hundred spires, and stargaze at the Stefanik Observatory.

15 September 2024

6

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Tour

The science of the Renaissance: Italy

Uncover the scientific wonders of Renaissance cities Florence, Pisa and Bologna, guided through the era's great discoveries and minds by our experts.

25 November 2024

8

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Tour

Megalithic Malta: Temples, fortifications and archaeology

Discover 7000 years of history including exceptional archaeological sites, mysterious temples, beautiful coastlines, fishing villages and architecture. 

11 November 2024

6

Bright colourful traditional buildings in the old town of Stockholm, Sweden

Tour

Nobel's Stockholm: Celebrating science through space and time: Sweden

Discover the city of Stockholm's past and present, and learn about Alfred Nobel, the prizes named after him, and Sweden’s vast contributions to science. 

28 September 2024

6

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Tour

The birth of modern medicine: Paris and Montpellier: France

Discover the foundations of the modern science of medicine in two French cities: Paris, where the ‘Paris School’ of hygiene and hospital teaching flourished and Montpellier, home to the world’s oldest university medical faculty.

9 September 2024

7

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Cruise

In the wake of Alfred Wallace cruise: Indonesia

Explore islands, rainforests and the rare species of the Malay Archipelago on a traditional yet luxurious boat, in the company of nature and history experts.

22 January 2025

13

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Tour

Machu Picchu and the science of the Inca: Peru

Immerse yourself in the Inca civilisation’s science, history and most important archaeological sites, including Machu Picchu. Accompanied by anthropologist and Emmy award-winning director and producer, Peter Getzels and Professor of Anthropology, Dr Jean-Jacques Decoster.

17 September 2024

10

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Short Break

The science history of Scotland: The enlightenment and beyond

Discover Edinburgh and Glasgow's most famous scientific thinkers, visit key sites from the Enlightenment and enjoy seminars, walks and museums.

5 September 2024

5

High definition shot of red rocks of Monument Valley, Arizona, United States

Tour

A desert adventure: Landscapes and cultures: Utah, US

Southeastern Utah is a breathtaking wonderland of un-tamed landscapes cut by canyons deeper in places than mountains are tall: learn the secrets of this Canyon Country from the ‘deep time’ of earth history through to prehistoric Native Americans, early explorers, miners and outlaws, Mormons and later settlers.

25 September 2024

7

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Short Break

Human origins in prehistoric south-west England

A walking tour to immerse yourself in Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age Wiltshire and Dorset, including Cerne Abbas, Avebury and Stonehenge.

15 July 2024

5

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Tour

The archaeological wonders of Jordan

Explore archaeological sites from many different periods including the amazing Petra. Plus geology in Wadi Rum and float in the Dead Sea.

30 September 2024

8

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Short Break

Freud’s Vienna: Psychoanalysis and the Viennese schools: Austria

Gain insight into the mind of Sigmund Freud in the city in which he spent most of his life. Uncover how he explored the subconscious and became known as the founder of psychoanalysis.

25 November 2024

5

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, built by Thomas Telford, and a World Heritage Site, reflecting in the River Dee, with people walking across, near Llangollen, County Borough of Wrexham, Wales, UK

Tour

The science of the waterways: England and Wales

Explore the science of the waterways of England and Wales while visiting six of the seven wonders of the UK's waterways.

6 July 2024

7

Llanberis, Snowdonia, Wales

Tour

Retracing Charles Darwin’s travels across North Wales

Immerse yourself in the life of Charles Darwin, seeing the areas of Wales he visited before embarking on his famous journey to the Galapagos Islands. Discover the fascinating geology of Wales on a small group tour with Darwin expert Michael Roberts.

13 May and 23 September 2024

6

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Tour

Niels Bohr's Copenhagen: Physics past and future: Denmark

Discover Copenhagen's rich science heritage, including Niels Bohr, Tycho Brahe and Ole Rømer, see observatories and delve into Denmark’s Viking past.

3 July 2024

6

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