Our Journeys || Distant Horizons

Exploring Romania; Wooden Villages, Painted Churches and Saxon Citadels

02 October - 10 October, 2024

Alina Cambir will show that the cultural heritage of the three former principalities of Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia that make up the modem state of Romania is composed of elements derived from numerous outside influences.

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The Splendours of South India and Sri Lanka

7 - 23 November, 2024

Discover the diverse and fascinating cultures of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in South India and explore the serene and splendid island of Sri Lanka with its .its ruined cities, magnificent palaces and wonderful gardens. The journey has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to the Alumni of Oxford University and family and friends.

Trip Leader: Professor Julius Lipner

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The 60th Venice Art Biennale

11 November - 15 November, 2024

The Biennale is the world’s largest and best-known international exhibition of contemporary art. As always, the Biennale 2024 promises to be an exciting and enlightening experience, an invitation to reflect on our understanding of art, culture and identity in a confusing world, both increasingly alienated and interconnected. Accompanied by art historian, Nirvana Romell, explore the many pavilions of this festival of contemporary art in a city which itself boasts one of the most impressive accumulations of artistic and architectural masterpieces in the world. The visit is open to Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester.

Trip Leader: Mrs Nirvana Romell

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A Journey through Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

6 - 25 January, 2025

Explore the magnificent ancient civilisations of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, accompanied by Dr Peter D. Sharrock and the SOAS Alphawood alumni who are now restoring temples, curating museum collections and writing joint museum catalogues with SOAS. The journey is open to SOAS University of London Alumni and friends and family. Prices and dates are to be confirmed shortly.

Trip Leader: Dr Peter Sharrock

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Exploring Indochina: A Journey through Vietnam and Cambodia

10 January - 27 January, 2025

Vietnam and Cambodia share rich cultural tapestries, spectacular landscapes, delicious cuisine and some of Asia’s most wonderful art and architecture. This journey has been specially planned for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to the Alumni of Oxford University and their family and friends.

Trip Leader: Ms Miranda Bruce-Mitford

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Along the Golden Road from Samarkand. A Journey through Central Asia’

18 April - 2 May, 2025

Few landmarks have tantalised the minds of poets, artists and historians more than the legendary cities of Central Asia. The journey through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Alumni of Oxford University and their friends and family.

Trip Leader: Professor Charles Melville

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The Art and Culture of the Meseta: Toledo and Madrid

24 April - 30 April, 2025

This is a journey through Toledo and Madrid exploring Spain rich tapestry of art and culture. Begin in Toledo, the "City of Three Cultures," where medieval streets reveal Gothic cathedrals, Mudéjar architecture, and El Greco’s masterpieces. Then, venture to Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital, home to some of the finest traditional and contemporary museums and galleries in all Europe.

Trip Leader: Mrs Nirvana Romell

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Istanbul: At the Crossroads of Civilizations

10 May - 18 May, 2025

This specially planned visit by Chiara de Nicolais (convenor of the SOAS Arts of the Islamic World module) will take a chronological approach to the historical, cultural and artistic development of Istanbul, a city straddling two continents that has long been a cultural and artistic hub, embodying the confluence of Eastern and Western influences. The journey is open to Alumni of SOAS University, London.

Trip Leader: Ms Chiara De Nicolais

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‘Lost Empires of the Balkans; Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia’

16 - 27 May, 2025

Although Kosovo and North Macedonia are Europe’s ‘youngest’ states, they abound with old-world culture, superb art, fascinating archaeology, and stunning landscapes of wild mountains. The journey through the two countries and Albania has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Alumni of Oxford University and their friends and family.

Trip Leader: Mrs Nirvana Romell

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Romania: Walks in the Enchanted Land

2 - 13 June, 2025

Through a series of walks, discover one of Europe’s most beautiful countries with its dazzling collections of cultural and artistic treasures, signs of a medieval past long since lost elsewhere. The journey has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Alumni of Oxford University and their family and friends.

Trip Leader: Dr Alex Koller

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Ancient Routes of the Caucasus: Georgia and Armenia

13 - 27 September, 2025

From the legend of the Golden Fleece to the stories of ancient Ararat; Georgia, and Armenia, share turbulent histories, extraordinary cultural traditions and quite beautiful landscapes. The journey has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Oxford University Alumni and family and friends of Alumni.

Trip Leader: Dr Alex Koller

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The Lands of the Savoys: Turin, the Aosta Valley and Lake Orta

14 - 23 September 2025

Explore the history, lands and culture of the Savoy dynasty, a diplomatic powerhouse positioned for centuries between the powers of France and the Holy Roman Empire. The trip has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Alumni of Oxford University and their family and friends.

Trip Leader: Mrs Nirvana Romell

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Pathways of the Gods: Walks on the Amalfi Coast

22 September - 1 October, 2025

As well as being one of Europe's most breath-taking and beautiful regions, the Amalfi coast is an area of outstanding cultural and historical interest. For many this is a walker’s paradise. The journey has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to Alumni of Oxford University family and friends.

Trip Leader: Ms Lucia Ferrara

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‘Across the Bridge of Dreams: The History and Culture of Japan’

24 September - 8 October 2025

Examine the fascinating art, culture and history of Japan, from its beginnings during the Nara period, through the rise and fall of the Shoguns into an era of modernisation and economic power. The journey has been organised for the Alumni of Cambridge University and is also open the Alumni of Oxford University and family and friends.

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Tribal and Sacred China: A Journey through Laos, Yunnan and Tibet

8 - 29 October, 2025

There can be few journeys more awe inspiring than ascending from the jungle lowlands of Laos through Yunnan Province (literally translated as South of the Clouds) with its stunning variations in flora, fauna and ethnicity to the spectacular mountains of Tibet dotted with wonderful palaces and ancient monasteries. The journey has been planned for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to the Alumni of Oxford University and family and friends of Alumni.

Trip Leader: Professor Charles Ramble

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Iconic Treasures of Japan: Art, Culture and Heritage

September/October, 2025

This journey has been designed to examine the fascinating art and culture of Japan, from its beginnings during the Nara period, through the rise and fall of the Shoguns into an era of modernisation and economic power. Explore the country's cultural heritage as it is reflected in the tranquillity of the Shinto, the great castles of the Samurai culture, the distinct architecture of the Edo period and today's modern way of life that exists in the skyscrapers of Shinjuku. The journey is open to the Alumni of SOAS University of London and friends and family of Alumni. Prices and dates are to be confirmed shortly.

Trip Leader: Dr Monika Hinkel

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Exploring Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon

24 October - 8 November, 2025

Isolated by formidable mountain barriers, the tiny kingdom of Bhutan is a beautiful land of strange legends, ancient monastery fortresses and a strong cultural identity. This itinerary is designed to explore the much less visited eastern region of the country. The journey has been planned for the Alumni of Cambridge University and is also open to Alumni of Oxford University and their family and friends.

Trip Leader: Mrs Zara Fleming

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Empires of Indochina: Vietnam and Cambodia

16 January - 2 February, 2026

Vietnam and Cambodia share rich cultural tapestries, spectacular landscapes, delicious cuisine and some of Asia’s most wonderful art and architecture. This journey has been specially planned for the Alumni of Cambridge University but is also open to the Alumni of Oxford University and their family and friends.

Trip Leader: Ms Miranda Bruce-Mitford

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