Escape Routes

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Introducing Iceland & Croatia ↘ WHAT’S NEW

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve expanded our European portfolio. We’ve added both Croatia, with its complicated history, wine, and sunny islands, as well as Iceland, where you can see volcanoes, glaciers, and otherworldly landscapes. You might sample rare (and hard-to-pronounce) wines on Hvar, go kayaking on the crystal-blue Adriatic off Split, or take a tour of Dubrovnik with someone who worked on Game of Thrones. In Iceland, you can snorkel between two tectonic plates, sample ‘Viking sushi’ just hauled from the North Atlantic, or even get lowered into the heart of a volcano.

For more information, please contact our Croatia specialists on 1-855-558-8530 or our Iceland specialists on 1-855-505-0475.

Where to go in…

3 MONTHS CROATIA

FLIGHT DECK The latest flight news

Beginning on December 22nd 2019, Delta has launched a service connecting New York (JFK) with Mumbai, India. Delta is operating the route with a newly renovated Boeing 777-200LR. This aircraft features several seating options including the Delta One Suite, Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin.

American Airlines has announced its first ever destination in AfricaCasablanca in Morocco. The carrier will operate seasonal service from Philadelphia beginning in June 2020.

Qantas will begin flying to Brisbane from both Chicago and San Francisco in April 2020. This news comes after Qantas received US approval for a joint venture with American Airlines. The Chicago-Brisbane route will be the world’s fourth longest flight at a distance of 8,916 miles each way.

With warm, mild weather and sunny skies, visitors can enjoy all Croatia has to offer, from kayaking to vineyard tastings. The Krka and Plitvice national parks are in full spring bloom, great for hikes to waterfalls or boat rides on turquoise-blue lakes. Additionally, the islands are awake after a sleepy winter, but you won’t find the same cruise-ship crowds of summer. For more information, contact our Croatia specialists on 1-855-558-8530.

5 MONTHS ARGENTINA'S VINEYARDS

Buenos Aires and Mendoza’s vineyards are year-round destinations, but the start of the Argentinian winter can be a rewarding time to explore them. The temperatures are cooler but not unpleasantly so, and the crowds are dwindling. Meanwhile, you might see southern right whales in the waters around the Peninsula Valdes; June marks the start of their mating season. For more information, contact our Argentina specialists on 1-855-310-7387.

7 MONTHS JAPAN

All eyes are on Japan this year as it hosts the Olympics and Paralympics. If the lead-up to the games has inspired you to visit, consider traveling in late August. You’ll experience the post-sporting buzz without the crowds, and visitors seeking autumnal colors won’t have arrived yet. But if you do want to see autumn’s first blush, visit Hokkaido island, where trees redden earlier. For more information, contact our Japan specialists on 1-855-604-2198.

Two years on the A-List

We at Audley know that our specialists are a big part of what differentiates us from other travel companies. That’s why we’re so thrilled to announce that two of our specialists – Japan specialist Tesia Smith and Southeast Asia specialist Jack Tydeman – have been honored by Travel+Leisure with a place on its prestigious A-List, a ranking of the best travel consultants in the country. Both are being recognized for their service and expertise for the second year in a row.

CHECK IN The most exciting new stays

Casacau, Rome, Italy Combining vintage-inspired design and an enviable location near the Trevi Fountain, these stylish boutique apartments make a good base for your Roman holiday. The vibrant kitchenettes are stocked with essentials like eggs, milk and pasta so you can live like a local.

Bullo River Station, the Kimberley, Australia This working cattle station has had a facelift, with a new pool and minimalist, spotless guestrooms. Staff are extremely hospitable, but there are no airs and graces. Wi-Fi codes are kept in a locked box; the onus is on cattle mustering and exploring the Outback.

Sonop, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia This luxurious, 1920s-style camp (pictured), set in the southern Namib Desert, has ten tents and a heated infinity pool. Staying here, you’ll be treated to butler service, five-course dinners and activities including nature drives, horseback rides, desert yoga and night walks.

The Rosewood Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) We were so excited about the Rosewood Yangon’s opening that some of our specialists previewed the epic restoration work on this former colonial courthouse while it was in progress. It’s now welcoming guests as Yangon’s most luxurious heritage hotel, with riverside views from the rooftop pool.

Hit the road in Florence, Italy

You can now explore Italy from behind the wheel in Tuscany. Brandon from our Italy team recently took to the road and found the country both remarkably beautiful and convenient to get around by car. He says, “It’s a great place for a road trip because you get the change to see more local, traditional areas away from the tourists and set your own pace, all while keeping costs down. For more information, contact our Italy specialists on 1-855-811-2112.

New spa-hotel to open in Israel

We’re excited to announce a new offering in the decadent Six Senses family of spa-hotels, scheduled to open this spring. Located in Israel’s Arava Valley, it’s designed to blend with the rugged, arid setting. The exterior is built of local stone while the restful interiors provide a soothing backdrop for the sweeping desert views. It offers a new level of luxury for visitors to Israel. For more information, contact our specialists on 1-855-629-9266.

Our responsible approach: child welfare

We’ve been continuing our efforts to ensure your trip has a positive impact on the communities you visit. We reviewed our child welfare policy recently, and we've completed a thorough audit of the experiences we offer, under a simple rule: ‘If you wouldn’t do it here, then don’t do it there.’ As a result, we’ve been working with our country specialists, guides, and partners across the globe to no longer offer school visits, which disrupt lessons and impact child development.

What to READ

In Beyond A Thousand Hills, photographer and former Audley staff member Cate Gunn and her brother John capture Rwanda's developments in off-grid eco-tourism, entrepreneurship and daily life. Proceeds go to the Kigali-based African Entrepreneur Collective. Out now.

What to LISTEN TO

Explore the world through its music on BBC Radio 3’s Music Planet: Road Trip podcast. From India to Panama, each episode focuses on the musical culture of a different country. Browse the listings before you travel to find one that fits your trip. Available on most podcast apps.

Introducing County Donegal

Ireland’s northernmost county is a place of wild, raw landscapes, with sweeping beaches, heatherclad mountains, and towering sea cliffs. Since it’s so rugged and remote, it remains a bastion of traditional culture – a third of the county speaks Irish and traditional music and dance remain a vital part of everyday life. Few visitors make it this far north, but we’re thrilled to announce that we can now arrange trips to explore the region.

For more information, contact our Ireland specialists on 1-855-704-7257.

What to SEE

The National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC is hosting 'We Return Fighting'. Part of the Smithsonian collection, the mixed media exhibit spans 26 themes, highlighting the African American experience during World War I. Open until June 14th.

What to DOWNLOAD

Packing can be stressful. With PackPoint, you’re given a list of essentials to add to your suitcase. Simply input your destination, length of stay and purpose, and the app tailors your list, taking into account the type of clothing to include based on the forecast. Available on Android and iOS.

Souped up Serve this smoky soup with a side of rye and a dollop of sour cream to beat the winter cold

↘ RECIPE Solyanka By Lucy Halvorson, Russia specialist

This recipe isn’t widely known outside of the Slavic states, which is a shame. For me, it’s real middle-of-winter comfort food; I order it as soon as I set foot in Russia. Don’t be put off by all the sour-tasting ingredients – the result is a deep, rich, orange-colored soup with a smokiness and a zing to it (it’s especially great when you’ve got a cold). Russians typically serve it with some dense rye bread and a dollop of sour cream. Buy smoked chicken if you can find it, but it’s not essential, as long as you use smoked sausage.

INGREDIENTS 3 pork or beef sausages, cubed 3 cooked smoked sausages, cubed 3 tablespoons of olive oil 1 large onion, diced 3 tablespoons of tomato purée 8.5 cups chicken stock A handful of chopped pickles 4 cooked smoked chicken legs, meat removed and shredded 2 tablespoons capers ¾ cups brine from a jar of pickles Salt and pepper 3 tablespoons of parsley, chopped

TO GARNISH: slices of lemon, a handful of black olives, extra chopped pickles, a pinch of chopped dill, a dollop of sour cream.

METHOD 1. Cook the sausage slowly until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain on a paper towel. 2. Heat the olive oil, add the diced onion and sauté for five minutes, before adding the tomato purée. Cook until the onion is softened. 3. Bring the chicken stock to a boil, stirring in the sausage and the pickles. 4. Cook for five minutes before adding the rest of the meat, plus the capers, onion mix, and brine. Cook for a further five minutes then season to taste. 5. Take the soup off the heat and toss the chopped parsley over the liquid. Serve immediately, scattering lemon slices, black olives, extra pickles and dill over each bowl.

TRAVEL CLOSER TO HOME HAWAII & CANADA OUR NEWEST DESTINATIONS

We’ve picked some of our favorite experiences in Hawaii and Canada that you can look forward to.

HAWAII Night Snorkeling with manta rays By Katherine Manning The shores of Hawaii’s Big Island are frequented by the ethereal presence of manta rays, which feed on plankton after dark. Departing at dusk by boat, you have the chance to see these creatures in their natural habitat.

After donning your snorkel gear, you enter the water and hold on to a raft fitted with diving lights that attract the plankton. Once your face is submerged, you’ll see manta rays swimming gracefully below as they feed, oblivious to your proximity.

Join a traditional Hawaiian luau For centuries, special occasions in Hawaii have been celebrated with feasts, once known as ahaaina, and more recently, luaus. You can join one hosted by Nutridge, a peaceful estate set in the green hills above Honolulu.

As well as dining on traditional dishes like kālua pua’a (pork slow-roasted underground) and pūlehu (grilled) chicken, you can play Hawaiian games and try hula dancing. For more information, call our Hawaii specialists on 1-855-753-9514.

CANADA Go on the mail run… by seaplane By Sian Bernard For some of western Canada’s more remote communities, mail is delivered by seaplane. Reserve a seat aboard the mail run plane, alongside local commuters, for an insight into everyday life for these isolated residents.

You’ll soar over tiny islands, before stopping at the coastal village of Ganges on Salt

Spring Island, where you have time to explore.

Returning to Vancouver, you’ll have views across the city skyline and surrounding peaks. Tour Old Montréal on foot Steeped in French-colonial history, Montréal’s oldest district has many original buildings, which you can explore with a local guide. As you walk through the maze-like streets, your guide will point out sights such as the Notre-Dame Basilica, the city’s three courthouses, the Château Ramezay, and the old Bonsecours Market.

You’ll also see works of art and monuments in the Place d’Armes, Place Royale, and Place Jacques-Cartier public squares, where many events have taken place.

For more information, call one of our Canada specialists on 1-855-649-2025.