entertainment. But the volcanic nature of the territory
Starting your trip in Phuket, head north and into
Thailand the protected waters of Phang-Nga National Park
A G O L D E N TO U R Koh Panyi, where fishermen live beneath the sheer
to visit the fascinating floating Muslim village of
limestone cliffs in houses on stilts.
8.24˚ N / 98.59˚ E
Italy
SUBMERGED ANCIENT CITY
Today, you can pull on a snorkel, mask and a pair of
watery window into the past thanks to the Archaeology
Diving
the Ban-Bor Thor village. From here you can jump
in a kayak to explore the 10 historical cave painting
has slipped into the sea in a slow vertical movement.
fins to explore the beautifully preserved sights of this
40.82° N / 14.07° E
In Krabi Province, drop anchor and head ashore to
WHEN TO GO: NOVEMBER TO APRIL
meant that, over the centuries, much of this ancient city
Tours
project.
Experienced
underwater
guides will lead you on a customised tour down the
WHEN TO GO: MAY TO SEPTEMBER
sites, passing through mangroves and limestone sea
submerged ancient streets, taking in the once buzzing
thermal baths, the villas of celebrated wealthy families,
caves along the way. There are hundreds of separate
the sacred nymphaeums (shrines dedicated to nymphs
paintings in the caves depicting everyday life, including
that were important to the Romans), and the port with
human figures, birds, lobsters and
its warehouses storing goods for trading.
crocodiles. They are thought to have
been created by the Sea Peoples, The Gulf of Naples is well known for the historical
who still live on the small islands of eruption of Mount Vesuvius and resulting destruction
the Andaman Sea. of the city of Pompeii. But few are aware of the
mysterious wonders that lie under the water’s surface
While in Krabi, the energetic across the Gulf from the site of Pompeii, at a completely
among your group can make their unique site like no other in the world.
way up to the Tiger Cave Temple.
With its large golden Buddha The Underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae, also
statue at the summit of a staircase known as the Submerged Baia Park, is a protected
with 1,237 steps, a panoramic area in the Phlegraean Fields to the west of the city of
view of the lush tropical rainforest Naples that was once a favoured residential settlement
surroundings and coastline awaits. for the aristocracy of the Roman Empire, having been
For those who would rather take founded by the Greeks in the eighth century BC due
things easily, the lower foothills to its central location in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Emperors
area is inhabited by local Buddhist and noble families built grand and luxurious seaside
monks as well as a network of villas along this picturesque stretch of water and the
caves that have been transformed Phlegrean Coast became a hotspot for high society,
into shrines. politics, finance and trading, not to mention culture and
Everyday details of the ancient civilisation will come to
life before your eyes, with colourful mosaics, flooring
and columns from opulent villas next to restored or
replica statues discovered by archaeologists. Highlights
of the tours include a stop at the famous nymphaeum of
Emperor Claudius and the Villa dei Pisoni, a renowned
Roman family that plotted against Emperor Nerone.
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