Thursday 11 November 2010

The English Heritage Travel Collection - 2011 Ancient Wessex Tour

The English Heritage Travel Collection - 2011 Ancient Wessex Tour
Dates: May 6–8, 2011
Erected between 3000 and 1600 BC, Stonehenge is the most eloquent testimony to the once dominant civilisations of the Stone and Bronze Ages. And what better way to unravel the mysteries of Stonehenge’s innermost circle than on a private tour in the company of an expert from English Heritage?

Stonehenge inner circle tour

Working in partnership with English Heritage, ACE has developed an exclusive portfolio of historical tours and cruises in Great Britain and Europe. Each tour offers a unique blend of cultural sight-seeing and explanatory talks, all under the guidance of an expert and experienced course director.




As well as inspecting Stonehenge's antique trilithons at close hand, our early morning visit will reveal how recent excavations have radically altered interpretations about this most monumental of temples.

The ceremonial landscape that lies around Stonehenge is richly suggestive of Wessex’s ancient patrimony: we will explore the Great Cursus, the henges of Durrington Wall and Woodhenge, and a handful of the great Bronze Age barrows that bestride the surrounding hills.

The majestic façade of West Kennet chambered long barrow, framed by two enormous quarry ditches, was constructed around 3650 BC – some four centuries before the first stones were raised at Stonehenge. Immediately to the west lies Avebury, the world’s largest pre-historic stone circle, further graphic confirmation of the outstanding engineering skills of our megalithic ancestors.

We stay in Salisbury at the 17th century three-star White Hart Hotel overlooking the famous mediaeval cathedral.

Itinerary

Day 1 Course assembles 1600 for two nights at Mercure White Hart Hotel, Salisbury. Evening: sherry reception followed by course introduction.
Day 2 Early morning privileged visit to Stonehenge (inner circle) followed by Neolithic henge monuments of Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, Stonehenge Cursus, King Barrows (unexplored Bronze Age barrows), Stonehenge Avenue (ceremonial approach). Evening talk.
Day 3 Avebury Henge (huge earthwork enclosing three stone circles), Silbury Hill (largest man-made mound in Europe), West Kennet long barrow (early Neolithic chambered tomb). Course disperses 1700 at hotel.

Cost
Cost of £490 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, drinks reception, breakfast, two packed lunches & two dinners, special entry to Stonehenge, excursions & admissions (except English Heritage properties for non-members).

Click here for further details and to make a reservation:







For other similar tours you could try The Stonehenge Tour Company or for private guided tours you could try HisTOURies UK based in Salisbury and Bath.  For more information on Stonehenge try The Stonehenge Stone Circle Website


Stonehenge Tour Guide

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Countdown to doomsday. Stonehenge Winter Solstice 2012

Countdown To Doomsday 2012


Why would eclipses have been so important to the ancient people of Stonehenge? Perhaps they considered the darkening of the Sun or the Moon a fearsome event -- a celestial omen of doom or disaster. Many cultures have interpreted eclipses this way. But the sophistication of the astronomy of Stonehenge suggests that the builders had something different in mind. Their understanding of the solar and lunar cycles must have led to a high regard for the cosmic order.

For most parts of the year, the sunrise can't even be seen from the center of the monument. But on the longest day of the year, the June 21st summer solstice, the rising sun appears behind the Heel Stone, creating the illusion that it is balancing on the stone. The Heel Stone sits along the Avenue, that extends from the northeast corner of the main monument. The rising sun creeps up the length of the rock, creating a shadow that extends deep into the heart of five pairs of stone trilithons - two pillar stones with one laid across the top in the shape of a horseshoe that opens up towards the rising sun.
Just as the Sun clears the horizon, it appears to hover momentarily on the tip of the Heel Stone. A few days later, on midsummer's day, the sun will appear once again, but this time, it will begin to move to the right of the heel stone. The countdown to doomsday has begun. The same phenomenon happens again during the winter solstice, only it's in the opposite direction and at sunset.

In just 2 years (2012) due to the wobble of the earth on its axis and certain other important alignments, the giant Heelstone will no longer cast its shadow within the circle of stones. It will mean that time has run out.


Here is another video that was recently sent to me by a reader. I am posting it as is and leaving his comments below for you to read before you view this Mayan Calendar doomsday Video but I will say that I think his statement at the opening that this is a Definitive Doomsday link to Mayan prophecy (the Mayan Calendar, 2012 end of the world prophecy – that the world will end on December 21, 2012) is a little strong. nothing is definitive in this area in my opinion. Also The Mayan Calendar ending is a fact, Stonehenge is fact (it exists) even UFO's are a fact (The fact is that UFO's are sited every year. We don't know if they are extra terrestrials or not but they are by definition unidentified flying objects) But Sumerians are someones theory just as planet x is. Not saying they are good or bad theories or ideas. just pointing out the mixing of fact and non fact in this piece


Here is his write up on the video:


Definitive Doomsday link to Mayan prophecy found during expedition to date some of the Stonehenge carvings using Carbon Dating. Some visible to the naked eye and some very worn, requiring laser scanning to enhance their images. The Mayan calander, the Sumerians, and Stonehenge, among others, all predict the End of Days, or Doomsday on December 21, 2021. They all date back to a specific point in time. Stonehenge has been dated back to having been built 3100 BC, The Mayan Calander has been dated back to 3100 BC, and the Sumerian written language has been dated as first appearing in the year 3100 BC. Now all three support the end on December 21, 2012


December 21, 2012 represents the date of the end of the original use of Stonehenge as a timing device. The exact date of the last Winter solstice that will reflect light into stonehenge. One more piece to the doomsday puzzle has been presented with scientific based evidence. Whether the world is doomed to come to an end or not, I do not have the answer, but one thing is for certain, something is going to happen.

The Stonehenge connection to the Maya Civilization and Sumerians is too strong to ignore. Stonehenge is a sophisticated astronomical observatory, which can predict with pinpoint accuracy, the alignments of the stars as well as solar and lunar eclipses. The recent archeological findings of Sumerian numerals carved into the stones and Radio Carbon dated to 3100 BC are a definitive link to both the Sumerians as well as the Mayans.

Maya Civilization was involved in research that predicted a return date of Nibiru passing Earth coinciding with the Winter Solstice of 2012; specifically at 11.11 UT, 21st December 21, 2012

The term "Nibiru" comes from the Sumerian cuneiform tablets and writings dating 5,000 years old. The term Nibiru means "Planet of the crossing", and it's cuneiform sign was often a cross, or various winged disc. Some authors believe that the observations of ancient astronomers provide proof that Nibiru is an actual planet or brown dwarf in our solar system. These claims are for the most part dismissed as fringe science or pseudoscience by the mainstream scientific communities of archaeology and astronomy. According to theories of Sumerian cosmology, Nibiru was the twelfth member in the solar system family of planets (which includes 10 planets, the Sun, and the Moon). It was the home of a technologically advanced human-like alien race, the Anunnaki of Sumerian myth who survived and later came to Earth, subsequently genetically engineered our species. Their travelling to earth was the result of their failing atmosphere.



More links:
http://www.the2012discovery.com/
http://www.2012-doomsday-predictions.com/
http://www.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/
http://www.stonehengetours.com/html/stonehenge-winter-solstice-tour.htm

The Worlds gone mad................................
Stonehenge Tourist Guide

Thursday 4 November 2010

Stonehenge Inner Circle Tours. The best way to experience Stonehenge!

Stonehenge Access Tours - A unique opportunity!
2013 Stonehenge Private Access Dates released.If you are planning to visit Stonehenge Stone Circle in 2013 then plan ahead and book a special 'inner circle' access tour

Book an exclusive private viewing of Stonehenge. Stepping inside the "inner circle of stones" is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Tickets are limited and each group consists of 26 (morning) or 40 (afternoon) with your own guide. With a choice of sunrise or sunset viewings, and private access to the inner circle of stones, your visit to Stonehenge is sure to be a memory you'll cherish. As an added bonus, you'll avoid the huge crowds.


Private Viewing of Stonehenge - Click here to book

Most visitors to Stonehenge are not allowed direct access to the stones. On this special day trip from London, you'll be invited to enter the stone circle itself, and stand beside the mysterious rocks towering above you. Your guide will unlock the secrets of this ancient UNESCO World Heritage Listed monument. Enjoy the peace, away from the crowds, as you experience Stonehenge at its atmospheric best at sunrise or sunset. Availability is strictly limited so book early, as private viewings regularly sell out and operate on selected days in 2012/2013 only.

Lacock
Lacock is one of England's most picturesque villages, dating back to the Saxon era. The village has provided the setting for many movies and television dramas, including Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Take a walk before enjoying an early evening meal (or breakfast for sunrise departures) in the George, a vintage English pub built in 1361. Note, meals are at your own expense.

Bath
Bath is beautiful Georgian city, and also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its most celebrated resident is Jane Austin, and Bath was her birthplace and inspiration for several novels. You'll have time to visit Bath Abbey and the magnificent Roman Baths, or simply shop and explore. You also have the option of taking a walking tour to see where Charles Dickens lived and worked as a young man, and to sample fresh cheeses from the local dairy







If you prefer not to travel as part of a group you could always organise a private tour that include access into Stonehenge inner circle - ideal for families and small groups.   The 'Stonehenge Tour Company' have an excellent record with many years experience - click here


Stonehenge Tourist Guide