Cox and Kings European Journeys 2012

EUROPEAN JOURNEYS

G R O U P T O U R S • T A I L O R - M A D E T R AV E L • C I T Y B R E A K S

2012

OVER 250 YEARS OF DISCOVERY Cox & Kings, the longest established travel company in the world, marked its 250th anniversary in 2008.

The company’s history stretches back to 25 May 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed as regimental agent to the Foot Guards by his mentor, Lord Ligonier, the commander-in-chief of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

The role of agent included the arrangement of payment of officers and men, the provision of clothing, acting as a go-between for the buying and selling of officers’ commissions, and acting upon any special requests from the regimental adjutant.

Regimental agents did not have a very good reputation before Cox, but such was his honesty, reliability and organisational ability that he made it a respectable business and Cox & Co soon became the agent for the majority of British regiments. By the end of the 18th century the company served 14 cavalry, 64 infantry and 17 militia regiments.The company’s business grew hand in hand with the British empire, becoming involved in banking and shipping in addition to its other agency activities.

Henry S King & Co, a rival bank and shipping agency, was started by Henry Samuel King in 1868 and subsequently run for more than 45 years by his son, Henry Seymour King, an MP and renowned mountaineer. The company had particularly strong links with India. After the first world war, the two companies merged as Cox’s & King’s and moved into grand premises on Pall Mall (now the site of the Sofitel St James Hotel). In 1923, the business was sold to Lloyds Bank and, while the banking arm stayed with Lloyds (becoming the Cox & Kings branch, as it is still known), the shipping agency became a separate company, running tours and organising the passage of people and their belongings around the world, notably to Egypt, India and south Asia.

In 1970, Cox & Kings Agency was bought by Grindlays Bank as part of a deal with the then Indian prime minister, Indira Gandhi, to develop tourism into the country; and so the modern history of the company began.

Cox & Kings has built on the tradition of high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox more than 250 years ago and it now provides travel arrangements of the highest calibre in many of the most culturally and naturally fascinating parts of the world.The company has extended its expertise to cover Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Indian Ocean, the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East and New Zealand.

european journeys MAP

Design & Production: Cox & Kings Travel Ltd. Printing: Linney Group Ltd Photography: 4Corners Images, Alamy, Cox & Kings Travel Ltd, Getty Images, photolibrary.com, istockphoto.com, bigstockphoto.com

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Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

contents European journeys

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 6

The Cox & Kings Benefits

8

Cox & Kings Holidays Explained

EASTERN EUROPE Russia – Escorted Group Tours, Private Journeys & Short Breaks 12 Classic Russia

Northern Cyprus – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 52 Highlights of Northern Cyprus Greece – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 60 Journey through Ancient Greece Balkans – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 56 Balkans Explorer Albania – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 58 Albania: Land of the Eagle

14

Volga Russian Cruise

16

Imperial Waterways of Russia

18

The Trans-Siberian Railway

Croatia – Private Journey & Short Breaks 60 Highlights of Croatia

19

St Petersburg Short Breaks

61

Dubrovnik & Split Short Breaks

Ukraine – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 20 Treasures of Ukraine

Malta – Private Journey & Short Breaks Splendours of Malta 62

Romania – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 22 Timeless Romania

63

Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 24 Journey through the Baltic States

65 Highlights of Castilla / The Pilgrims Road to Santiago 66

Madrid & Barcelona Short Breaks

Poland – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 26 Splendours of Poland

67

Seville & Paradors Short Breaks

68

Cordoba & Granada Short Breaks

Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria & Turkey – Private Journey 28 The Danube Express

Portugal – Short Breaks 69 Portugal Short Breaks

ESTERN & MEDITERRanean W EUROPE Italy – Escorted Group Tour, Private Journeys, Short Breaks & Tailor-Made Travel 30 Classic Sicily 32

The Heel of Italy / Sicilian Highlights

33 Tuscan Explorer / Rome, Naples & Sorrento 34

Venice Short Breaks

35

Florence Short Breaks

36 Rome Short Breaks 37

Campania Short Breaks

38

Sicily Short Breaks

39

Tuscany Short Breaks

40

Italy Tailor-Made

Turkey – Escorted Group Tours, Private Journey & Short Breaks

Malta Short Breaks

Spain – Private Journeys & Short Breaks 64 Navarra & La Rioja / Andalucía Explorer

Germany – Escorted Group Tour & Private Journey 70 Germany Group Tour Germany & Hungary – Short Breaks 72 Berlin & Budapest Short Breaks Cyprus – Short Breaks 73 Cyprus Short Breaks

SCANDINAVIA Norway – Private Journeys 74 Norwegian Highlights / The Fjord Explorer 75 Norway & Hurtigruten: The Classic Round Voyage

INFORMATION 76

Booking Conditions

78 Regional Weather 80

Travel in Europe

Classical Turkey

81

Travel Insurance

44

Ancient Wonders of Southern Turkey

82 Reservation Form

46

Treasures of Eastern Turkey

83

48

Grand Tour of Turkey

42

49 Istanbul & Cappadocia / Istanbul & Gallipoli 50

Turkey Gulet Cruise

51

Istanbul Short Breaks

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Documents & Health

MORE SHORT BREAKS Cox & Kings has a much wider selection of short breaks and holiday ideas online. Please visit coxandkings.co.uk or call a consultant for details.

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5

European journeys the cox & kings benefits

THE COX & KINGS BENEFITS Cox & Kings is an independent tour operator, organising holidays to some of the most fascinating parts of the world. To do justice to these regions, we publish separate specialist brochures and have separate specialist teams of experts. Here are just some of the benefits of choosing to travel to Europe with Cox & Kings:

EXPERTISE More than 250 years of discovery: Our history gives us unrivalled experience at organising seamless travel arrangements.

Dedicated team of Europe experts: Cox & Kings Europe tour consultants have all travelled extensively in the region and offer you a vast collective bank of expert knowledge.

Whether you are planning to join a brochure tour or design a private tailor-made journey, you can travel with the reassurance that your itinerary will have been fully considered by a regional specialist.

The best representatives throughout Europe: Over the years, Cox & Kings has sought out and developed working relationships with the very finest specialist local agents in Europe. These are all companies that have a detailed knowledge of their own

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country, a comprehensive network of local representatives, an understanding of the requirements of Cox & Kings and, not least, an appreciation of the expectations of those who travel with us.

EXCELLENT VALUE Low price policy: Cox & Kings does not believe that you should pay a premium for excellent service and outstanding holidays.

It is our policy to keep our prices as low as possible and, thereby, to make our holidays available to as many people as possible.

Buying power: The Cox & Kings low price policy is made possible through buying power established over many years and long-standing relationships in the travel industry generated by the network of associated Cox & Kings companies worldwide. As a result, Cox & Kings is able to contract flights, hotels and ground services at highly competitive rates.

Comparing like with like: By its nature, high quality long-haul travel is not cheap and, when looking at the various holidays on the market, it can seem as if there is a big difference in price between what on the surface are similar holidays. Therefore, when weighing up holiday options it is important to compare like with like and we are confident that our tours

represent excellent value for money when the standard of accommodation, airline and other services are taken into account.

HIGH QUALITY SERVICE Services of the London office: In addition to the expertise of your personal tour consultant, Cox & Kings aims to provide the highest levels of customer care, from your initial enquiry, through to the detailed itineraries and tour notes sent to you prior to departure and, finally, answering any queries you may have when you return from your travels.

Personal service in Europe: Whether you are part of an Escorted Group Tour or travelling on a Private Journey, you will be met at each airport, train station or quay along the way, transferred to and from your hotel, and have the details of your itinerary explained to you.

Almost all Cox & Kings groups also benefit from the services of a local English-speaking tour manager who accompanies the group throughout their stay in Europe. All Cox & Kings travellers are in the capable hands of people who can inform and, if necessary, smooth any wrinkles along the way.

Expert local guides: Cox & Kings uses the services of specially chosen local guides who really know their subject and can bring

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

THE COX & KINGS BENEFITS EUROPEAN JOURNEYS

Venice, Italy

places to life. In addition to providing relevant background information, as detailed or general as you like, they can also explain the local way of life, customs and issues in a way that guidebooks never can.

RESPONSIBILITY Atol protection: Cox & Kings is a fully bonded and licensed tour operator and the air holidays in this brochure are Atol protected by the bonding scheme administered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Our Atol number is 2815. For more information about the protection offered by the CAA, please visit www.caa.co.uk.

Abta: Cox & Kings is a member of Abta, the Association of British Travel Agents. For more information about Abta and its members, please visit www.abta.com.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice: Cox & Kings receives a great deal of information about conditions on the ground from its local representatives. However, when deciding whether particular countries or regions are safe for travel, the final decision is dependent on the guidance of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). If you would like to know the current travel advice for any

country you can visit www.fco.gov.uk or call 0870 606 0290.

Sustainable Tourism: Cox & Kings has been awarded a 5-star rating by Aito, its highest Sustainable Tourism (ST) rating. This means that Cox & Kings has successfully implemented and continually improved an ST policy and supports a specific project that contributes to the economy, culture or environment of a destination. For details of Cox & Kings’ full ST policy, please visit coxandkings.co.uk.

Cool Earth: Cox & Kings is supporting the charity Cool Earth, which partners indigenous communities to keep Amazon endangered rainforest standing. You too can help and every time you travel with Cox & Kings you will be given the option of protecting a plot of rainforest and saving it from destruction. Just £60 safeguards a whole acre (4,000 sq metres) of Amazon rainforest in the Ashaninka region of Peru. For more information or to donate, please visit www.coolearth.org/coxandkings.

Aito: Cox & Kings is also a member of Aito, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, assuring you of Cox & Kings’ commitment to high quality

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5035

service and ethical business practices. For more information about Aito and its aims, please visit www.aito.co.uk.

The Aito Quality Charter Aito is an association of independently minded companies specialising in particular areas or types of holiday and sharing a common dedication to high standards of quality and personal service. Aito defines ‘quality’ as “providing a level of satisfaction which, based upon the holiday information provided by the tour operator, aims to meet or exceed a customer’s reasonable satisfaction, regardless of the type of holiday sold or the price paid”.

Accurate brochures: Aito members ensure that their brochures clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

Product improvements: Aito members listen to their customers and welcome suggestions for improving standards. All customers receive a post-holiday questionnaire.

Professional service: Aito members are committed to

high standards of personal service, maintained by the thorough training of employees.

Financial security: Aito takes care to ensure that all members comply with current UK government regulations regarding the protection of clients’ money.

Exclusive membership: Aito has strict membership criteria that must be satisfied before new companies are allowed to join. All members must adhere to a rigorous code of business practice that governs their operational conduct.

Environmental issues: Aito is committed to raising the level of environmental awareness within the industry.

In the unlikely event that a dispute between an Aito member and customer cannot be resolved amicably, either side may call upon Aito’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

European Journeys

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EUROPEan journeys holidays explained

COX & KINGS HOLIDAYS EXPLAINED There are four different types of Cox & Kings holidays: Escorted Group Tours, Private Journeys, Tailor-Made and Relax & Explore.

Below, we differentiate between the four; however, please bear in mind that almost all Escorted Group Tour itineraries may also be taken as Private Journeys and the prices for this option are shown in the bottom sections of the price tables. If you are unsure about which category a particular holiday fits into, please refer to the special features section just below the title – if it states ‘Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey’ then the tour may be taken as either; however, if it simply states ‘Private Journey’ there are no set group departures for this tour. In a few cases, an Escorted Group Tour may not be exclusive to Cox & Kings’ clients and in such cases the term ‘NonExclusive Escorted Group’ will be indicated.

with Escorted Group Tours, Private Journeys offer the following benefits: Support on the ground: On arrival in most European destinations and at each new place on your journey, you will be met at the airport, quay or railway station by a Cox & Kings representative. This representative will accompany you to your hotel. You will be given the contact numbers of all the relevant Cox & Kings local representatives, so assistance is only ever a phone call away.

Transfers by car: For almost all road journeys you will have your own car and driver. This allows you to travel in comfort and stop off along the way if you see something of interest, want to take a photograph or have a break.

Most cars used on Cox & Kings Private Journeys are air conditioned, but you will be told in advance if air-conditioned cars are not available for any section of your journey.

ESCORTED GROUP TOURS Tour manager: Cox & Kings tour managers are carefully selected for their travel experience and organisational abilities. Your tour manager will meet your group on arrival in Europe and will escort you throughout your journey (unless otherwise specified).

Expert local guides: On some tours, in addition to the services of the tour manager, Cox & Kings Escorted Group Tours also benefit from the knowledge of local guides who accompany each excursion. In some cases, where appropriate, the tour manager will also act as the local guide.

Where possible, your entrance fees are included in the holiday price.

Airport representatives: For group departures from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, a Cox & Kings representative is available during the peak check-in period to assist with checkin and any seat requests that you may have.

This service is only available when six or more passengers are departing from the same airport.

Flights: Cox & Kings only uses the services of scheduled airlines for international and most internal flights. All prices are based on Economy Class flights; however; Cox & Kings offers excellent upgrade rates on international sectors and regional connections, if required, and details of these are shown on the tour pages. Flight schedules to, from and within Europe mean that some early morning departures or arrivals may be unavoidable.

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Domes of St Peter’s Palace, St Petersburg, Russia

Comfortable land travel: For road journeys, Cox & Kings uses air-conditioned buses of a size appropriate to the size of the group (subject to availability).

First class accommodation: The standard and style of accommodation varies from place to place and tour to tour, however, Cox & Kings generally uses first class 4- or 5-star hotels, or the best available, on all its tours. Information about all the hotels used in this brochure can be found on our website, coxandkings.co.uk.

Small group sizes: To enhance your enjoyment of the tour, we like to keep our groups small and manageable. Therefore, numbers are normally restricted to a maximum of 25 people.

PRIVATE JOURNEYS Some Escorted Group Tours may be taken as Private Journeys and some of the tours in this brochure are only available as Private Journeys.

Private Journeys are taken by one or more passengers on the date of their choosing, subject to schedules and availability*. These tours operate exactly as per Escorted Group Tours except that there is no airport representation in the UK. Depending on the destination, travellers may be accompanied throughout by a guide or locally escorted in each city / destination. In addition to the services they have in common

Private guides: All sightseeing excursions are accompanied by your own private Englishspeaking local guide. This means that you can ask as many or as few questions as you like and take sightseeing trips at your own pace, with the emphasis on your own particular interests.

Accommodation flexibility: If you would like to stay in any hotels other than those featured in the tour itinerary or if you would like to upgrade the standard of your room, this can easily be arranged and you will be informed of the difference in price.

Travel at your own pace: Private Journeys are very flexible, allowing you to start road journeys or sightseeing when you choose – within reason. * Availability: Cox & Kings cannot hold allocations for all Private Journey services all year round and, as a result, all the services are subject to availability. If any element of a Private Journey is not available at the time of booking, Cox & Kings will suggest the most comparable available alternative.

TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL For those who prefer to travel at their own pace or to explore places not included in the brochure itineraries, Cox & Kings has years’ of experience at organising tailor-made holidays to Europe. Our expert tour consultants will be pleased to suggest ideas to complement your

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

holidays explained EUROPEan journeys

own and to organise the most appropriate programme to suit your interests, time and budget. Tailor-made journeys operate on exactly the same basis as Private Journeys.

RELAX & EXPLORE Relax & Explore is a collection of tailor-made travel ideas for those seeking to combine the thrill of discovery with the simple pleasure of relaxing in stylish surroundings. Based in just one or sometimes two places, each of the featured escapes offers a selection of experience options, whether cultural or natural, active or sedate.

The separate Cox & Kings Relax & Explore brochure provides a selection of inspiring holiday ideas for both Europe and the world at large. Request your copy on 0844 576 5518 or at coxandkings.co.uk.

‘LUXURY’ & ‘DISCOVERY’ TOURS Most Cox & Kings tours are based on 4- or 5-star accommodation, or the best available.

Where a holiday differs from that standard significantly, either because it is particularly luxurious or more adventurous in emphasis, we have highlighted this fact by applying the terms Luxury Tour and Discovery Tour immediately above the tour title. A Luxury Tour will usually feature 5-star de luxe accommodation throughout, while a Discovery Tour would be better suited to the more adventurous traveller as it will typically include some quite basic accommodation, possibly longer and rougher road journeys and, in some cases, more adventurous activities, such as trekking.

On some tours we have designated particular departure dates as Luxury Departures. This means that on those departures we have upgraded the accommodation to the standard you would expect of a Luxury Tour. These tours include the phrase ‘Luxury Departures Available’ immediately above the tour title. Please refer to coxandkings.co.uk for more information about the standards and facilities offered by the hotels featured in this brochure.

and rainfall in the various regions. These climate charts are based on historic data and, in a world of increasingly extreme weather, they should be regarded as indicative of typical conditions rather than guarantees of what you should expect at particular times of year. Europe is also well known for its cultural festivals.

Some Cox & Kings holidays have special festival departures and these are highlighted on the tour page. If you are interested in visiting a particular celebration, please contact a Cox & Kings tour consultant for dates.

COMBINING MULTIPLE REGIONS Should you wish to combine multiple regions of the world in a single journey, Cox & Kings has a great deal of experience at tailoring such travel plans, including arranging round-the-world flights. Please contact us for details of the various options and a price quotation.

ACCOMMODATION There is not room to describe all the hotels in this brochure; however, many of the best properties are described and depicted in the hotel brochure pages and the facilities of almost all the hotels are listed in the hotel guide on our website, coxandkings.co.uk.

REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIONS & FLIGHT UPGRADES Most Cox & Kings holidays are based on flights out of London Heathrow or Gatwick airports. In most cases, it is possible to connect with those flights from regional British airports for a small supplement. In addition, Cox & Kings offers very favourable prices for upgrading to Business Class.

For many holidays, this supplement information is included on the tour page. Where space does not allow for this, you can refer to another tour that features the same international airline to find the applicable supplement prices.

SINGLE & SOLE SUPPLEMENTS Most hotels around the world charge more per person for a single-occupancy room than for a shared twin room, because the cost of maintaining a room for one person can be almost as high as it is for two. In addition, many single-occupancy rooms are of the same specification as twin / double rooms.

Most of the price tables in this brochure indicate supplementary charges for single or sole passengers. The difference in definition between the two supplements is that a ‘Single’ traveller is someone occupying a single room when travelling with one or more other people, while a ‘Sole’ traveller, is someone travelling entirely on their own. If you are planning to travel on a group tour as a single traveller you should look at the ‘Single Supplement’ price. However, if you are planning to add an extension to that tour, you should read down the ‘Sole Supplement’ column. These prices take into account the fact that you are ‘sole’ only on the extension section.

ENSURING YOUR ENJOYMENT When making a booking, if you feel that there is anything Cox & Kings should know about that is essential to your enjoyment of the holiday, please ensure that we have been made aware of this in writing at the time of booking, preferably using the reservation form itself (see page 82).

HOLIDAY EXTENSIONS Cox & Kings is happy to arrange for you to extend your stay in Europe. We have suggested possible extension options for most of the tours in this brochure. However, our specialist consultants would also be delighted to design a tailor-made extension, either pre- or post-tour, to fit in with your particular interests. Please note that tour extensions are operated on the same basis as Private Journeys unless other members of the main tour group choose to take the same extensions, in which case the relevant services may be shared.

WHEN TO TRAVEL The changing climate can have a major impact on the timing of trips to Europe and pages 7879 feature detailed charts showing temperature Temple of Segesta, Sicily

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European Journeys

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XXXXX XXXXX COX & KINGS MORE HOLIDAY OPTIONS

Ang Thong National Marine Park, Ko Samui, Thailand

Relax & Explore

BY COX & KINGS

Sometimes you want to do everything. See beyond every hill.

Investigate every bend in the road.

Other times, you simply want to slow down, relax and be pampered.

Enjoy a massage in the spa, dine in the gourmet restaurant or stretch out on the beach. And, if you’re travelling with a companion, maybe they enjoy doing all the same things as you and maybe they like to unwind at a different pace. We believe that freedom is the greatest luxury of all and that everyone should choose to do what they want, when they want.

The hotels featured in Relax & Explore are generally independently owned, often boutique properties, which offer superb service, supreme attention to detail and an exceptional location.

Relax & Explore destinations include • The Caribbean – NEW • Mediterranean Europe • The Indian Subcontinent • The Indian Ocean • The Far East • Africa • Latin America • The Middle East & North Africa

Relax & Explore is a collection of luxury tailor-made travel ideas from Cox & Kings. These are not touring holidays. Instead they are based in one or two carefully selected hotels with stunning surroundings in which to unwind and a range of activity options on the doorstep. Created using our long-established expertise, these holidays are designed for those who seek to combine authentic travel experiences in fascinating corners of the world, with the simple pleasure of relaxation in stylish settings. Relax & Explore is perfect for honeymoons, special occasions and well-earned luxury escapes.

We publish a dedicated Relax & Explore brochure, however, to see the complete range of options, including any current special offers, we recommend visiting the website: relaxandexplore.co.uk

Unwind in the most fascinating places on earth 10

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Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX MORE HOLIDAY OPTIONS COX &XXXXX KINGS

HONEYMOON SERVICE Cox & Kings has pooled together the best of its luxury Relax & Explore collection with an array of other romantic escape options to create a complete honeymoon range.

Featuring destinations from around the world, the collection includes ideas to suit most tastes, all seasons, and a range of budgets. In each destination Cox & Kings has cherry-picked the finest hotel options from first class resorts, to boutique properties and ultra luxurious hideaways.

As an added benefit, Cox & Kings is the exclusive honeymoon provider to the John Lewis Gift List service, allowing you to add your honeymoon to your wedding gift list and ask your friends and family to contribute towards it as a wedding present. For more information, please visit your local John Lewis store or go to www.johnlewisgiftlist.com.

Mauritius

Details of Cox & Kings’ honeymoon ideas can be found at: coxandkings.co.uk/honeymoons.

ART TOURS WORLDWIDE ox & Kings is delighted to have been appointed C as the travel partner for the Royal Academy of Arts (RA). This programme has been specially created on behalf of the Friends of the Royal Academy, however it is open to anyone with a passion for the world’s greatest artistic, architectural and archaeological wonders.

It is the expert lecturers who make this collection of tours so rewarding for art enthusiasts and experts alike. All of great academic repute and lecturing experience, they are integral to the planning of the itineraries and, in many cases, they are able to open doors that would be closed to members of the general public.

Cox & Kings pays a fee to the RA for every booking on this programme in support of the work of the RA’s education department.

For full details, please call a Cox & Kings tour consultant on 020 7873 5013 or visit coxandkings.co.uk/ra.

Statue of Virtue, Celsus Library, Turkey

To request a brochure, call 0844 576 5518 or visit coxandkings.co.uk/brochure.

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Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel Moscow St Basil’s Cathedral,

tour russia

LUXURY DEPARTURES AVAILABLE

classic russia

St Petersburg

RUSSIA

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 Nights from £1,295 Sergiev Posad Moscow

✈

SPECIAL FEATURES • 5-star centrally located hotels • Moscow & St Petersburg • Pushkin • Hermitage • Kremlin • Peterhof

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Extensions: Pre- and post-tour extensions are available in Moscow and St Petersburg, and include 2 nights accommodation with arrival or departure transfers.

Russia’s two greatest cities provide an ideal base from which to explore the country’s rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage. Moscow is now the epicentre of the ‘new Russia’, while St Petersburg is renowned for its magnificent palaces, world class museums, elegant canals and grand architecture.

Accessibility: This tour is locally escorted in Moscow and in St Petersburg. You will be assisted with boarding the train in Moscow and met on the platform on arrival in St Petersburg.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Moscow: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Moscow with British Airways. Transfer to the Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel / Ritz Carlton* for 3 nights.

The Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel and Ritz Carlton are located in the centre of Moscow, just a few minutes walk from Red Square and the Kremlin. (N) Day 2 – Moscow: Morning tour of Moscow, including Red Square, Moscow State University, Novodevichy Convent, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and St Basil’s Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure or optional visit to the Tretyakov Gallery. (B) Day 3 – Moscow: Day at leisure or optional visit to Sergiev Posad. Built around the Trinity Monastery of St Sergius, one of Russia’s most important religious and historical landmarks. (B) Day 4 – To St Petersburg: Morning visit to the Kremlin, including the Patriarch’s Palace, Cathedral Square and the Armoury Museum.

Take a late afternoon train to St Petersburg (four hours). On arrival, transfer to the Renaissance St Petersburg Baltic Hotel / Grand Hotel Europe by Orient Express Hotels* (see page 19). (B)

Peterhof Palace, St Petersburg

Day 6 – St Petersburg: Full-day visit to the Hermitage, with its unrivalled collection of European masterpieces. (B)

* Luxury departures: The asterisk denotes the Luxury Tour hotel option. Luxury departure dates are also indicated with an asterisk in the price table. Please see page 9 for more details about Luxury Tours.

Festival departures: Departures on 8 and 22 June coincide with St Petersburg’s White Nights festival, a month-long cultural celebration.

Day 7 – St Petersburg: Morning tour of Catherine’s Palace at Pushkin, including the Amber Room. Afternoon visit to Peterhof to view the exterior of Peter the Great’s Summer Palace and gardens. (B) Day 8 – To London: Morning visit to St Isaac’s Cathedral. Transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

Theatre: Opera or ballet performances in Moscow or St Petersburg can be pre-booked.

Please contact Cox & Kings for details.

Private Journeys: This itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Classic Russia tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

RUS

Tour

7

1,345

1,395

1,475

1,525

1,475

1,455

1,475

1,295

310

RUL

Tour (Luxury)

7

•

•

•

1,995

1,975

•

1,995

•

885

•

RUSMOW

Ext: Moscow

2

480

480

480

480

480

480

480

480

145

200

2

270

270

515

515

270

270

270

270

165

190

No of 23 Mar 13 Apr to 11 May to 08 Jun to 06 Jul to 10 Aug to 07 Sep to 26 Oct to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 12 27 Apr 12 25 May 12 22 Jun 12 20 Jul 12 24 Aug 12 12 Oct 12 30 Nov 12 from from

•

RUSLED

Ext: St Petersburg

Code

Private Journey

RUI

Private tour

7

2,045

2,140

2,140

2,515

2,140

2,140

2,045

2,045

535

610

RUX

Private tour (Luxury)

7

2,815

3,195

3,195

3,915

3,915

2,815

2,815

2,705

785

1,575

No of 01 Jan to 01 May to 14 May to 01 Jun to 02 Jul to 16 Jul to 01 Oct to 16 Oct to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 30 Apr 12 13 May 12 31 May 12 01 Jul 12 15 Jul 12 30 Sep 12 15 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. Extension prices are based on two or more people taking the same extension. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result of any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates * Luxury departures † White Nights festival departures

Day 5 – St Petersburg: Morning tour of St Petersburg, including Nevsky Prospekt and Vasilevsky Island, and the entrances to the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood and the Peter and Paul Fortress. Optional afternoon visit to the Yusupov Palace and its Rasputin exhibition. (B)

Out (Fri)

23 Mar 13 Apr 27 Apr 11 May 18 May 25 May

Rtn (Fri)

30 Mar 20 Apr 04 May 18 May 25 May 01 Jun

Out (Fri)

08 Jun 08 Jun 22 Jun 06 Jul 06 Jul 13 Jul

Rtn (Fri)

15 Jun† 15 Jun*† 29 Jun† 13 Jul 13 Jul* 20 Jul

Out (Fri)

20 Jul 10 Aug 17 Aug 24 Aug 07 Sep 07 Sep

Rtn (Fri)

27 Jul 17 Aug 24 Aug 31 Aug 14 Sep 14 Sep*

Out (Fri)

14 Sep 28 Sep 12 Oct 26 Oct 16 Nov 30 Nov

Rtn (Fri)

21 Sep 05 Oct 19 Oct 02 Nov 23 Nov 07 Dec

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £540* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

13

russia tour

volga russian cruise

Kizhi St Petersburg

R USSIA

Yaroslavl

Non-Exclusive Escorted Group Tour • 12 Days / 11 Nights from £2,375

Uglich Moscow

SPECIAL FEATURES • Moscow • St Petersburg • Golden Ring villages • Kizhi Island • Icons • 5-star hotels This cruise travels along the scenic rivers, lakes and canals that connect Russia’s two greatest cities. Explore the hauntingly beautiful upper Volga region and see the splendid medieval cities of Russia’s Golden Ring, the mystical Kizhi Island and the magnificent sights of Moscow and St Petersburg.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Moscow: Fly from London Heathrow to Moscow with British Airways. Transfer to the Marriott Royal Aurora for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Moscow: Morning tour of Moscow, including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, Novodevichy Cemetery and the renowned Metro. Afternoon visit to the Tretyakov Gallery, which houses the largest collection of Russian art in the world. Optional evening performance at the Bolshoi Theatre. (B, L) Day 3 – Moscow: Morning visit to the Kremlin.

The tour includes Cathedral Square and the Armoury Museum, which houses an opulent collection of treasures collected by the Russian state and church. Afternoon at leisure or optional tour to the New Tretyakov Picture Gallery. Board the Volga Dream for a 6-night cruise. (B, L, D) Day 4 – Uglich: Walking tour of Uglich, including the Chapel of Dmitry and Church of Transfiguration. (B, L, D) Day 5 – Yaroslavl: Explore the oldest city on the Volga and visit the Saviour Transfiguration Monastery and the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which has intricate frescoes. (B, L, D) Day 6 – Goritsy: Visit the Kirillov Belozersky Monastery to see its magnificent frescoes.

(B, L, D) Day 7 – Kizhi: Explore the Unesco world heritage site of Kizhi Island. Visit the open-air museum of history and architecture, including the Transfiguration Cathedral. Featuring 22

14

COX & KINGS

carved domes, it is made entirely from wood, without a single nail. (B, L, D)

✈

lock passage. Some departures operate in reverse order. Cox & Kings is acting as an agent on behalf of Volga Dream Cruises and its cancellation conditions will apply. Please contact Cox & Kings for details.

Day 8 – Mandrogi: Explore the local craft centres and ethnic village. (B, L, D) Day 9 – To St Petersburg: Disembarkation from the Volga Dream and transfer to the Angleterre Hotel for 3 nights. Morning tour of St Petersburg to view the Peter and Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt Afternoon visit to the Hermitage with its unrivalled collection of European masterpieces. Optional evening visit to the Mariinsky or Mikhailovskiy theatres. (B, L)

Other cruise options: Volga Dream Cruises also operates specialist cruises, which include musical departures and a Moscow to Astrakhan cruise, which features visits to the Russian cities of Kazan, Samara and Volgograd.

Day 10 – St Petersburg: Morning visit to Peterhof to view the exterior of Peter the Great’s Summer Palace and gardens. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursion to the Yusupov Palace. (B, L)

Volga Dream

Day 11 – St Petersburg: Morning tour of Catherine’s Palace at Pushkin, including the Amber Room. Optional tours to either St Isaac’s Cathedral or the Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood. (B, L)

Volga Dream is the most prestigious cruise vessel operating on the Russian waterways. The ship has 56 superbly appointed guest cabins, each with air conditioning, a flat screen TV, safe and minibar. The ship is equipped with stylish teak deck furniture and a fitness centre with sauna. All cabins have outside views. Panoramic windows are in all cabins except on the Cabin deck, which features portholes. Double beds are only available for the Promenade and Sun decks. All meals are included on the cruise (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner) with house wine, draught beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner. Daily lectures on Russian cuisine, politics and lifestyles are available to guests on board as well as classical film performances and language classes.

Day 12 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London Heathrow. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Non-Exclusive Group Tour: This tour is not exclusive to Cox & Kings clients and the cruise itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, varying water levels and

Volga Russian Cruise tour prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

Low season

Middle season

High season

Single Supp from

Sole Supp from

VDS

Tour (Cabin deck twin stateroom)

11

2,375

2,545

2,735

1,200

•

VSP

Tour (Standard single Promeande deck)

11

3,595

3,795

4,035

•

•

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. Extension prices are based on two or more people taking the same extension. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result of any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Upgraded cabin supplements per person: Main deck Superior stateroom £420, Deluxe staterooms on Promenade and Sun decks £720, Junior suite on Promenade and Sun decks £1,320, Deluxe Junior suite on Sun deck £1,870, the Owner’s suite on Promenade deck £2,760. Single supplements: Deluxe single on Sun deck £400.

2012 departure dates * St Petersburg to Moscow routing. Please speak to a Cox & Kings consultant for itinerary details.

Low Season Out

18 May 24 Jul 29 Jul 11 Aug

Rtn

29 May 04 Aug 09 Aug* 22 Aug*

Middle Season Out

04 Jun 03 Jul 16 Jul 06 Aug

Rtn

15 Jun* 14 Jul* 27 Jul* 17 Aug

High Season Out

30 May 20 Jun 28 Jun 11 Jul

Rtn

10 Jun 01 Jul* 09 Jul 22 Jul

High Season Out

05 Sep

Rtn

16 Sep

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £540* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

15

Transfiguration Cathedral, Kizhi Island

russia tour

THE IMPERIAL WATERWAYS OF RUSSIA

Kizhi St Petersburg RUSSIA

Yaroslavl Uglich

Non-Exclusive Escorted Group Tour • 12 Days / 11 Nights from £2,910

Moscow

SPECIAL FEATURES • Moscow • St Petersburg • Golden Ring villages • Kizhi Island • Balcony cabins The Volga river is the longest river in Europe and is often seen as the heart of Russia. From its beginnings in the far north of the country to the shores of the Caspian Sea, travelling on this river is considered to be one of the best ways of viewing rural and traditional Russia. This 12day cruise on the AmaKatarina offers a glimpse into present day and historical Russia by staying in Moscow and St Petersburg while visiting the various villages that lie between them, which have been called open-air museums.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Moscow: Fly from London Heathrow to Moscow with British Airways. Transfer to the MS AmaKatarina for 11 nights. (D) Day 2 – Moscow: Morning tour of Moscow, including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, the GUM department store and Lubyanka Square, where the KGB had their headquarters.

Afternoon tour of the State Tretyakov Gallery, which is one of the most renowned art galleries in Europe. (B, L, D) Day 3 – Moscow: Morning visit to the Kremlin.

The tour includes the Patriarch’s Palace, Cathedral Square and the Armoury Museum, which houses an opulent collection of treasures. Afternoon tour of the best stations of the Moscow metro system and visit to the Arbat district. (B, L, D)

the Transfiguration Cathedral. Featuring 22 carved domes, it is made entirely from wood, without a single nail. (B, L, D)

✈

conditions, varying water levels and lock passage. Some departures operate in reverse order. Cox & Kings is acting as an agent on behalf of Fred. Olsen and AmaWaterways / APT and their cancellation conditions will apply.

Contact Cox & Kings for details.

Day 8 – Svirstroy: Visit this small village, popular for its handicrafts. (B, L, D) Day 9 – St Petersburg: Morning tour of St Petersburg to view Palace Square, Nevsky Prospect, St Isaac’s Cathedral and the Aurora, whose guns fired the first shots in the Russian Revolution. Afternoon visit to the Hermitage with its unrivalled collection of European masterpieces. (B, L, D)

MS AmaKatarina The MS AmaKatarina is one of the latest cruise vessels in Russia, with 2011 being its maiden year of voyage. The ship has 106 staterooms, 76 of which feature balconies. The size of the staterooms varies from 10 sq metres for a standard cabin to 40 sq metres for the Imperial suite. All cabins have outside views, with all lower category staterooms having small windows. There are two restaurants; Opera is the main dining room and Symphony is available for more intimate dining. All meals are included on the cruise (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and complimentary house wine, beer and soft drinks are served with dinner. The ship is equipped with a lift reaching all floors, a gym, sauna, gift shop and complimentary tea and coffee station.

Day 10 – St Petersburg: Morning visit of Peterhof to view Peter the Great’s Summer Palace and gardens. The lavish decor of the palace is complemented by its Grand Cascade of fountains. Afternoon at leisure. Evening visit to the Hermitage Theatre, formerly the private theatre of the Tsars for a ballet performance.

(B, L, D) Day 11 – St Petersburg: Morning tour of Catherine’s Palace at Pushkin, including the Amber Room. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D) Day 12 – To London: Morning at leisure or optional excursions. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London Heathrow. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Non-Exclusive Group Tour: This tour is not exclusive to Cox & Kings clients and the cruise itinerary is subject to change due to weather

MS AmaKatarina

Imperial Waterways of Russia tour prices for departures on or between the following dates

Day 4 – Uglich: Walking tour of Uglich, including the Chapel of Dmitry and Church of Transfiguration. (B, L, D) Day 5 – Yaroslavl: Explore the oldest city on the Volga and visit the Saviour Transfiguration Monastery and the Church of Elijah the Prophet to see its intricate frescoes. (B, L, D)

Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

Low season

Medium season

High season

Single Supp from

Sole Supp from

KOF

Tour (Standard cabin on Deck 4)

11

2,910

2,975

3,380

POA

•

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. Extension prices are based on two or more people taking the same extension. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result of any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Upgraded cabin supplements per person: Standard cabin on deck 3 £185, Superior cabin £470, Deluxe cabin with balcony on deck 3 £935, Deluxe cabin with balcony on deck 2 £1,065, Deluxe cabin with balcony on deck 1 £1195, Bolshoi suite £1,375, Mariinsky suite £1735, Hermitage suite £1860 and Imperial suite £3,305

2012 departure dates * St Petersburg to Moscow routing. Please speak to a Cox & Kings consultant for itinerary details.

Low Season Out

10 May

Rtn

21 May

Day 6 – Goritsy: Visit the Kirillov Belozersky Monastery and the Museum of Icons. (B, L, D) Day 7 – Kizhi: Explore the Unesco world heritage site of Kizhi Island. Visit the open-air museum of history and architecture, including

16

COX & KINGS

Middle Season Out

12 Jun 23 Jun 15 Jul 26 Jul 06 Aug

Rtn

23 Jun* 04 Jul 26 Jul 06 Aug* 17 Aug

Middle Season Out

17 Aug 19 Sep

Rtn

28 Aug* 30 Sep

High Season Out

21 May 01 Jun 04 Jul 28 Aug 08 Sep 30 Sep

Rtn

01 Jun* 12 Jun 15 Jul* 08 Sep 19 Sep* 11 Oct*

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £540* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

17

Kremlin of Uglich by Volga river

russia & mongolia tour

THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY Non-Exclusive Escorted Group Tour • 15 Days / 14 Nights from £8,995

SPECIAL FEATURES

Day 15 – To London: Transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

• World’s longest railway journey • Moscow • Lake Baikal • Superior train cabins

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES

Traversing the expanse of Russia, from Moscow to Vladivostok, the Trans-Siberian railway line covers 9,000km, passing through eight time zones and 80 towns and cities.

Highlights of the journey include Kazan and the Unesco-protected Kremlin, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk – the capital of Siberia – and a barbeque on the beach of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal.

Itinerary: This journey can also be taken in reverse, from Vladivostok to Moscow (westbound).

Flights: The itinerary does not include international or domestic Russian flights. Please contact Cox & Kings for prices.

Booking conditions: Cox & Kings is acting as an agent on behalf of GW Travel and its cancellation conditions will apply. Please contact Cox & Kings for details.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Moscow: Transfer to the Marriot Royal Aurora or similar for 1 night. Welcome reception and dinner. (D) Day 2 – Moscow: Full-day tour of Moscow including the Kremlin. This afternoon, board the Golden Eagle for the 12-night journey to Vladivostok. (B, L, D) Day 3 – Kazan: Morning arrival in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, and visit the Unesco-listed Kremlin. (B, L, D)

Trans-Siberian Express

Day 10 – Ulan Bator: Morning arrival in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia. Visit the National History Museum and have lunch in a ger (yurt) restaurant. Optional visit to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. (B, L, D) Day 11 – On board: At leisure. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Yekaterinburg: Cross the Europe-Asia divide and arrive in Yekaterinburg, capital of the Urals. Visits include the Romanov execution site. (B, L, D)

Day 12 – On board: At leisure. See Siberia at its most remote and beautiful as the train enters the region of permafrost. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Novosibirsk: Stop in Novosibirsk and visit the Opera House, one of the world’s biggest, and Lenin Square. (B, L, D)

Day 13 – On board: At leisure. The most easterly point of the journey is reached as the train passes through Khabarovsk. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – On board: At leisure. (B, L, D)

Day 14 – To Vladivostok: Morning arrival.

Take a tour of this once ‘closed’ Russian town and transfer to the Hotel Hyundai for 1 night.

Farewell dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Irkutsk: Morning arrival in Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’. See the major sights and museums. (B, L, D) Day 8 – Lake Baikal: Pass by Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake. Weather permitting, a stop will be made for a barbeque at one of the bays. Continue to Listvyanka, a small Baikal village. (B, L, D) Day 9 – Ulan Ude: Morning arrival in Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat republic, where there will be a tour and concert. (B, L, D)

18

COX & KINGS

Alternative journeys: GW Travel also operates rail journeys to the Naadam festival in Mongolia, along the Silk Road, to the Russian Arctic Circle, and in the Crimea. Please contact Cox & Kings for details, departures and prices or see details at coxandkings.co.uk

Golden Eagle Train Travel in comfort aboard the Golden Eagle train, which offers Gold and Silver Class cabins and, new for 2012, are Imperial suites.

Gold Class cabins are seven square metres and feature en suite bathrooms with power showers and under-floor heating, DVD / audio systems and individual climate control.

Silver Class cabins have similar facilities in a more compact space of six square metres.

The Imperial suite has a space of 11 square metres and contains a fixed double bed and lounge area with dressing table. The Golden Eagle features a lounge / bar car and a restaurant car, which serves local delicacies and international cuisine.

The Trans-Siberian Railway tour prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

TSV

Tour (Silver class cabin)

14

8,995

8,995

8,995

8,995

8,995

8,995

4,000

•

TSR

Tour (Gold class cabin)

14

11,095

11,095

11,095

11,095

11,095

11,095

4,500

•

TSQ

Tour (Imperial Suite cabin)

14

17,495

17,495

17,495

17,495

17,495

17,495

6,900

•

09 May 12

21 May 12

30 Jul 12

11 Aug 12

25 Aug 12

06 Sep 12

Single Supp Sole Supp from from

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates * denotes itinerary in reverse Out

09 May 21 May

Rtn

23 May 04 Jun*

Out

30 Jul 11 Aug

Rtn

13 Aug 25 Aug*

Out

25 Aug 06 Sep

Rtn

08 Sep 20 Sep*

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS russia

ST PETERSBURG SHORT BREAKs 5 Days / 4 Nights from £765

One of the most elegant cities in the world, St Petersburg has magnificent palaces, world class museums, languorous canals and outstanding ballet and opera. Best explored on foot, the city is enchanting at any time of year: under a blanket of snow on crisp winter days or during the balmy days and white nights of summer, when the sun hardly sets.

Peterhof Palace, St Petersburg

Rocco Forte Hotel Astoria

Hotel Angleterre

Dating back to 1912, the Hotel Astoria has been restored as part of the luxury Rocco Forte Collection. This 5-star de luxe hotel overlooks St Isaac’s Cathedral and is within easy walking distance of the Hermitage Museum and Nevsky Prospekt. Facilities include the fashionable Davidov Russian restaurant.

Overlooking St Isaac’s Cathedral, each of the hotel’s 188 bedrooms and five suites is decorated in a style that combines the classic and contemporary, blending Russian and European furniture and accessories. The hotel’s restaurant uses the finest Russian ingredients.

Code: STA / STG Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 4 for 3 4 for 3 01 Apr – 15 May 16 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Jul 4 for 3 01 Aug – 31 Aug 4 for 3 01 Sep – 30 Sep 4 for 3 01 Oct – 31 Mar 13 4 for 3

Hotel Astoria

Price Single Extra night PP Supp Double £895 £340 £160 £995 £465 £195 £1,285 £695 £290 £995 £465 £195 £895 £340 £160 £995 £465 £195 £895 £340 £160

Code: LEF / LEA Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 4 for 3* 4 for 3* 01 Apr – 15 May 16 May – 30 Jun 3† 01 Jul – 31 Jul 4 for 3† 01 Aug – 31 Aug 4 for 3† 01 Sep – 30 Sep 4 for 3† 01 Oct – 31 Mar 13 4 for 3†

Price PP £765 £845 £965 £845 £765 £845 £765

Single Extra night Supp Double £275 £115 £345 £140 £460 £180 £345 £140 £275 £115 £345 £140 £275 £115

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Hotel Angleterre in a classic double room, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. * Prices valid for Monday arrivals only. †Prices valid for Friday arrivals only. For arrivals on all other days variable supplements apply.

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Hotel Astoria in a classic double room, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily.

Hotel Angleterre

Renaissance St Petersburg Baltic Hotel With 102 rooms, the hotel has a very central location in St Petersburg and is just a short walk from St Isaac’s Cathedral and the famous boulevard, Nevsky Prospekt. Rooms have been styled with a modern and elegant feel and amenities befitting a 5-star property. Guests may dine in the hotel’s two restaurants or view the city from the sixth floor terrace bar.

Code: SRN Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3* 01 Apr – 13 May 3* 14 May – 31 May 3* 01 Jun – 01 Jul 3* 02 Jul – 30 Sep 3* 01 Oct – 31 Mar 13 3*

Price PP £775 £775 £860 £1,145 £860 £775

Grand Hotel Europe

by Orient Express Hotels

Renaissance

Single Extra night Supp Double £295 £155 £295 £135 £380 £160 £660 £265 £380 £160 £295 £135

The Grand Hotel Europe was the first 5-star hotel opened in the Soviet Union and dates back to 1824. Today, under the management of Orient-Express Hotels, it has been restored to its former glory and is among the world’s great luxury hotels, occupying a prime location in the heart of the city’s attractions. The 301 rooms and suites feature period furnishings.

Code: GHS / GHE Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 4 for 3 01 Apr – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 15 Jul 3 16 Jul – 15 Oct 3 16 Oct – 31 Mar 13 4 for 3

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Renaissance Baltic Hotel in a deluxe room, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. * Prices valid for Friday arrivals. For arrivals on all other days variable supplements apply.

Price PP £985 £1,095 £1,395 £1,095 £1,015

Single Extra night Supp Double £390 £190 £495 £220 £815 £325 £495 £220 £410 £195

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Grand Hotel Europe in a classic standard room, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily.

Grand Hotel Europe

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

19

ukraine tour

B E LA R

DISCOVERY TOUR

PO LA N

US

D IA S S IA R U SS

TREASURES OF UKRAINE

Kiev

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 Nights from £1,195 ROMA

D M O LD

UKRA K RA I N E KRA

OV A

N IA

BLACK SEA

I S S IA R U SS

century Unesco world heritage site of Kievo Simferopol Yalta PecherskayaSevastopol Lavra, an enormous ensemble of white church halls with green and gold rooftops that have come to represent the spiritual heart of the country. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Kiev

SPECIAL FEATURES • Kiev • Yalta • Balaklava • Odessa pre-tour • No visa required This tour discovers the distinctive highlights of Ukraine, one of Europe’s largest countries.

Begin in the Mediterranean climate of the Crimean peninsula and explore the legacies of fallen empires that once laid claim to this area. Travel north and finish in the capital, Kiev, with its wide leafy boulevards and ornate Orthodox churches and cathedrals.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Yalta: Fly from London Gatwick to Simferopol, via Kiev, with Ukraine International Airlines. Transfer to the Bristol Hotel in Yalta for 4 nights. (N) Day 2 – Yalta: Morning tour of Yalta, including visits to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Chekhov House-Museum and the Massandra Palace, built in 1902 as a hunting lodge for the family of Alexander III. The house contains a collection of fine arts and is surrounded by landscaped parkland with excellent views over the coast. In the afternoon, visit Livadia Palace, once Tsar Nikolai II’s summer residence, built in 1911. The white renaissance mansion, overlooking the Black Sea, is where Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt discussed the fate of the Axis powers and post-war Europe. (B) Day 3 – Balaklava & Sevastopol: Today will

20

COX & KINGS

Day 7 – Kiev: Full day at leisure or optional morning visit to the museum of Folk Architecture and Life in Pirogovo, which is set in rolling hills and includes wooden cottages, churches, farmsteads and windmills dating from between the 17th and 20th centuries that represent every traditional region of Ukraine. (B) Day 8 – To London: Morning transfer to the airport and fly to London Gatwick with Ukraine International Airlines. (B)

be spent visiting Balaklava and Sevastopol, the Russian naval port that was closed to tourists until 1996 and which today is a quiet, charming town filled with grand Russian neoclassical buildings. Visits include the Panorama monument, which depicts the siege of the city during the Crimean war, and Chersoneses, the largest ancient Greek ruins in Crimea.

Continue to Balaklava to view the valley where the Light Brigade charged and visit the former cold war submarine base and museum. (B)

EXTENSIONS Odessa + Tour 11 Days / 10 Nights from £1,570

Day 4 – Yalta: Morning visit to the Alupka Palace, built in the second half of the 19th century for Count Vorontsov, the governor general of Russian Crimea. Situated underneath the Ai-Petri mountain chain and with intriguing gardens, this ostentatious palace mixes English gothic with Indian mogul styles and has a fine interior. This will be followed by a visit to the Swallow’s Nest, a neo-Gothic castle perched on a cliff face. This afternoon, visit the Nikitsky botanical gardens, founded by a Russian botanist in 1812, which is home to more than 28,000 plant species, including 2,000 types of rose. (B)

Day 1 – To Odessa: Fly from London Gatwick to Odessa, via Kiev, with Ukraine International Airlines. Transfer to the Londonskaya Hotel for 3 nights. (N) Days 2-3 – Odessa: Full days at leisure to explore the city. See the Potemkin Stairs, made famous by Sergei Eisenstein in The Battleship Potemkin. (B) Day 4 – To Kiev: Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Kiev to join the rest of the group. (B)

Day 5 – To Kiev: Morning transfer to the airport and fly from Simferopol to Kiev for a morning tour. The old town stands on the wooded hills above the great Dnepr river and the tour includes visits to the 11th-century St Sophia Cathedral with its dazzling gold domes, the Golden Gate, St Vladimir’s Cathedral, the National Opera House and Marinsky Palace.

Afternoon at leisure. Transfer to the Riveria Hotel or similar for 3 nights. (B) Day 6 – Kiev: Morning visit to the 11th-

Often described as ‘the pearl of the Black Sea’, the city of Odessa has attracted visitors over the centuries due to its warm climate and Mediterranean-style architecture.

Tour + Kiev 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,575 This extension provides an opportunity to extend your stay in Kiev to further explore the culturally rich city.

Day 8 – Kiev: Stay an extra 2 nights at the Riveria Hotel or similar. (B) Day 9 – Kiev: Day at leisure or optional excursions. (B) Day 10 – To London: Early morning transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

COUNTRY

TITLE TO GO HERE

MAP

Escorted Group or Private Journey • XX Days / XX Nights From £XXX

SPECIAL FEATURES • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here Intro to go here. Aquaeped min experro tectem volorum nempedias ma corum nonsedi tistiis nullabore, omnimpo rioritist accaturibus debis re odi digenda dolupta volo blab ium quo cuptati dolendis dusandit la arciam que consed ellendaerem faccus, cus si te soloria quos con eati omnis vid eiusam, atus doluptatiume qui torem escit alit.

THE JOURNEY Day X - To XXXX: Nihilitat prerfero cus con rernam fuga. Itametur sime rernatur sequiam etur rem deri occumnobite

Swallow’s Nest, Yalta

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Discovery Tour: This tour involves some long drives and walking on uneven terrain.

Please see page 9 for an explanation of Discovery Tours.

Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey (subject to availability) and the prices for this option are shown in the price table. Please refer to page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Treasures of Ukraine tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

30 Apr 12

03 Sep 12

17 Sep 12

08 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

UKR

Tour

7

1,275

1,225

1,275

1,195

305

•

UKRKBP

Ext: Kiev

2

380

380

380

380

280

485

3

375

375

375

375

200

270

UKRODS

Ext: Odessa

Code

Private Journey

UKK

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 05 Jul to 01 Sep to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 May 12 31 Oct 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

7

1,895

1,975

1,895

1,895

515

1,595

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Mon)

30 Apr

Rtn (Mon)

07 May

Out (Mon)

03 Sep

Rtn (Mon)

10 Sep

Out (Mon)

17 Sep

Rtn (Mon)

24 Sep

Out (Mon)

08 Oct

Rtn (Mon)

15 Oct

Ukraine International flight upgrades ( Business Class: from £185* * Prices subject to availability

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

21

romania tour

DISCOVERY TOUR

TIMELESS ROMANIA

U K R A IN HUNG

A RY

M O LD

Gura Humorului Targu Mures

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,095

E

Sibiu ROMA

N IA

Sighisoara Brasov Sinaia

✈

SPECIAL FEATURES

With its rich folkloric heritage, picturesque villages and wonderful scenery, Romania is fascinating to explore. This tour discovers the country’s highlights, including Transylvania’s fortified Saxon churches, Bucovina’s exquisite painted monasteries, dramatic castles and palaces, medieval towns and the beautiful Carpathian mountains.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Bucharest: Fly from London Heathrow to Bucharest with British Airways and transfer to Sinaia, which sits in the Prahova valley at the foot of the fir-clad Bucegi mountains. Stay at the Hotel New Montana for 1 night. (D) Day 2 – To Brasov: Morning visit to the Palaces of PeleŞ and Pelisor, the former royal residences of King Carol I. These magnificent German Renaissance-style palaces are an assemblage of turrets rising above swathes of green meadows. Drive to the medieval town of Brasov and view Piata Sfatului, one of the finest baroque squares in the country with its 15th-century town hall. Visit the Black Church – the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, which has a collection of more than 300 Ottoman rugs; St Nicholas Church and the first Romanian school. Continue to ‘Dracula’s Castle’ at Bran. Stay overnight at the Hotel Aro Palace (renovated rooms). (B) Day 3 – To Gura Humorului: This morning, travel north from Transylvania to southern Bucovina, now part of Moldavia, via the Red Lake, the Bicaz gorges and the spectacular scenery of the eastern Carpathians. En route, visit Neamt monastery, the oldest in Romania, dating from the 14th century. Stay at the Best Western Bucovina Hotel in Gura Humorului for 2 nights. (B, D) Day 4 – Gura Humorului: Today will be spent visiting the area’s remarkable painted monasteries. Considered to be among Europe’s greatest artistic monuments, the monasteries include Sucevita, Voronet and

22

COX & KINGS

Bucharest B U LG A

• Painted monasteries • Transylvania • Fortified Saxon churches • PeleŞ Palace • Picturesque villages

OV A

BLACK SEA

R IA

Bucharest, travelling through the scenic Olt valley. Afternoon tour of Bucharest. Known as the ‘Paris of the east’ due to its Parisian-style boulevards and belle époque buildings, see the Old Princely Court, the Royal Palace and the Palace of Parliament, which is the second largest building in the world. Stay overnight at the Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton. (B)

Painted monastery

Day 9 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

Humor. These churches were painted in the 15th and 16th centuries, when Turkish invaders threatened Moldavia, and feature vivid mural frescoes, created to educate and entertain the illiterate soldiers and peasants. These monasteries have been awarded Unesco world heritage status. (B, D)

EXTENSIONS Tour + Bucharest 11 Days / 10 Nights from £1,270

Day 5 – To Sighisoara: Drive back into Transylvania to Sighisoara, travelling through stunning mountain scenery and the Borgo Pass.

Visit Bistrita en route, a small market town in the Bârgau valley in the heart of ‘Dracula land’, and Târgu Mures, a Hungarian stronghold where sights include the Orthodox cathedral, the citadel church and fortress, and the Culture Palace. Stay overnight at the Hotel Casa Wagner. (B)

Day 9 – Bucharest: Stay an extra 2 nights at the Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton. (B) Day 10 – Bucharest: Day at leisure. (B) Day 11 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

Day 6 – To Sibiu: Morning tour of the Unesco world heritage town of Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval settlement. The city walls encircle cobbled streets lined with 16thcentury colourful burgher houses. Visits include the citadel, the monastery, Church on the Hill and the Clock Tower. This afternoon, visit one of the best-preserved Gothic fortified churches at Biertan, and continue to Sibiu. Stay 2 nights at the Hilton Hotel. (B) Day 7 – Sibiu: Morning tour of Sibiu, a Saxon town that combines late Renaissance, early gothic, classical and Transylvanian baroque architecture. The tour includes the evangelic and orthodox cathedrals and the Brukenthal Art Museum. Afternoon visit to the picturesque village of Sibiel and its glass icon museum. (B, D) Day 8 – To Bucharest: Morning departure for

This extension provides an opportunity to extend your stay in Bucharest and explore this beautiful tree-lined city at a leisurely pace.

Tour + Danube Delta 12 Days / 11 Nights from £1,870 The Unesco world heritage site of the protected Danube delta biosphere is one of the world’s largest wetlands and is a migration hub for thousands of birds travelling to and from Mongolia, Siberia, India, Africa and China.

This extension allows you to explore the many waterways of the delta and take in an amazing array of birdlife and scenery.

Day 9 – To the Danube delta: Travel to Uzlina, the gateway to the Danube delta, and continue to the Hotel Cormoran, situated beside the delta. Stay for 2 nights. (B) Day 10 – Danube delta: Morning and afternoon excursions along the delta’s waterways and lakes. (B) Day 11 – To Bucharest: Morning at leisure.

Travel back to Bucharest this afternoon and stay overnight at the Hotel Athenee Palace Hilton. (B) Day 12 – To London: Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

PeleŞ Castle, Sinaia

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the best available accommodation and transport in Romania. However, outside Bucharest, the facilities should be regarded as tourist class. The tour involves some long drives and walking over uneven terrain. Please see page 9 for an explanation about Discovery Tours.

Timeless Romania tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

11 May 12

25 May 08 Jun to 12 22 Jun 12

13 Jul 12

ROA

Tour

8

1,095

1,175

1,175

1,175

1,195

1,245

1,195

345

•

ROABUH Ext: Bucharest

2

175

175

175

175

175

175

175

105

125

3

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

260

585

ROADAN Ext: Danube

Delta

Code

Private Journey

ROI

Private tour

27 Jul to 14 Sep to 05 Oct to Single Supp Sole Supp 31 Aug 12 21 Sep 12 19 Oct 12 from from

No of 03 Jan to 01 Apr to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Oct to 01 Nov to 01 Dec to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Mar 12 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 30 Sep 12 31 Oct 12 30 Nov 12 31 Dec 12 from from

8

2,175

2,175

2,175

2,175

2,175

2,175

2,175

345

1,090

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Fri)

11 May 25 May 08 Jun

Rtn (Sat)

19 May 02 Jun 16 Jun

Out (Fri)

22 Jun 13 Jul 27 Jul

Rtn (Sat)

30 Jun 21 Jul 04 Aug

Out (Fri)

17 Aug 31 Aug 14 Sep

Rtn (Sat)

25 Aug 08 Sep 22 Sep

Out (Fri)

21 Sep 05 Oct 19 Oct

Rtn (Sat)

29 Sep 13 Oct 27 Oct

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £295* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

23

baltic states tour

24

COX & KINGS

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel Tallinn, Estonia

tour estonia, latvia & lithuania

LUXURY DEPARTURES AVAILABLE

JOURNEY THROUGH THE BALTIC STATES Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,085

Tallinn E S TO N

TIC BAL E S A

Riga

SPECIAL FEATURES • Baroque & art nouveau architecture • Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius • Beautiful countryside • Luxury departures Since regaining independence in 1991 and recently joining the EU, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are flourishing. The countries’ rich and colourful history can be best appreciated in their capital cities, which have beautiful architecture, while the surrounding countryside features lakes, forests and wetlands, dotted with manor houses, medieval castles and splendid rococo churches.

1 night at the Amberton Klaipeda Hotel / Radisson Blu Klaipeda*. (B)

Klaipeda

Day 8 – Vilnius: Morning tour of Vilnius, including Cathedral Square, the Gate of Dawn, St Casimir’s Church, the Holy Spirit Church, the Tolerance Centre and Gediminas Tower.

Afternoon at leisure or Optional visit to the picturesque 14th-century Trakai Castle. (B)

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Tallinn: Late afternoon flight from London Heathrow to Tallinn, via Copenhagen, with SAS Scandinavian Airlines. Transfer to the Hotel Von Stackelberg / Telegraaf Hotel* for 3 nights. (N)

EXTENSIONS Tour + Minsk 11 Days / 10 Nights from £2,035

Day 3 – Tallinn: Full day at leisure. (B) Day 4 – To Riga: Drive to Riga, stopping en route at the 13th-century ruins of Sigulda Castle, Turaida Castle in the Gauja valley and the beachside town of Pärnu. Stay 2 nights at the Monika Centrum Hotel / Grand Palace* in Riga. (B) Day 5 – Riga: Morning tour of Riga, the Baltic’s largest and perhaps most beautiful city. The city’s rich history has left a legacy of fine architecture, including art nouveau. Visits include the Romanesque Dome Cathedral, the castle, St Peter’s Church and the House of Blackheads. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 6 – To Klaipeda: Morning journey across Latvia to Lithuania. Visit the Amber Museum and the Hill of Crosses, a place of national pilgrimage. Continue to Klaipeda and stay

L AT V IA

L IT H U

A N IA

Vilnius

Day 7 – To Vilnius: Morning tour of Klaipeda, reminiscent of provincial Germany with its half-timbered houses. Continue to Vilnius and stay 2 nights at the Artis Hotel / Radisson Blu Astorija*. (B)

Day 9 – To London: Early morning transfer to the airport and fly to London, via Copenhagen, with SAS Scandinavian Airlines. (B)

Day 2 – Tallinn: Morning walking tour of Tallinn, one of northern Europe’s best preserved medieval towns. Founded in the early 13th century, Tallinn has been influenced by periods of Danish, German, Swedish and Russian control. Highlights include the gothic town hall and square, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea Castle, seat of Estonia’s parliament.

Afternoon at leisure. (B)

IA

to the airport and fly to London, via Warsaw, with LOT Polish Airlines. (B)

Tour + Copenhagen 11 Days / 10 Nights from £1,320 Day 9 – To Copenhagen: Transfer to the airport. Fly with SAS Scandinavian Airlines to Copenhagen. Stay 2 nights at 71 Nvayn. (B) Day 10 – Copenhagen: Day at leisure. (B) Day 11 – To London: Fly to London Heathrow with SAS Scandinavian Airlines. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES * Luxury departures: The asterisk denotes the Luxury Tour hotel option. Please see page 9 for more details about Luxury Tours.

Belarus is a country with a wealth of cultural and historic sites. This extension provides an opportunity to spend 2 nights in its delightful capital, Minsk.

Day 9 – To Minsk: Drive from Vilnius to Minsk.

Stay at the Hotel Crown Plaza for 2 nights. (B) Day 10 – Minsk: Morning tour of Minsk. Visit the St Peter and Paul Church, the 17th-century St Spirits Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, the National Museum of History and Culture and the 18th-century Catholic Cathedral. (B) Day 11 – To London: Early afternoon transfer

Accessibility: Due to their layouts and narrow, often cobbled, streets, the cities of the Baltic states are best explored on foot. The tour is not recommended for those with limited mobility.

Private Journeys: This itinerary may also be taken as a Private Journey, subject to availability.

Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Journey Through The Baltic States tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

BAL

Tour

8

BAS

Tour (Luxury)

8

BALCPH

Ext: Copenhagen

No of 11 May nights 12

25 May 12

08 Jun 12

22 Jun 12

13 Jul 12

03 Aug to 14 Sep 24 Aug 12 12

05 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

1,085

1,125

1,155

1,195

1,155

1,175

1,195

1,125

285

•

•

•

1,655

•

1,695

1,755

•

670

•

2

235

235

235

235

235

235

235

235

145

145

2

950

950

950

950

950

950

950

950

225

595

•

BALBEL

Ext: Belarus

Code

Private Journey

BAI

Private tour

8

1,755

1,755

1,755

1,755

1,755

1,755

•

•

POA

1,115

BSI

Private tour (Luxury)

8

2,545

2,545

2,545

2,545

2,545

2,545

•

•

POA

1,745

No of 01 Jan to 01 Mar to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Sep to 01 Nov to • • nights 29 Feb 12 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12

Single Supp Sole Supp from from

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Fri)

11 May 25 May 08 Jun

Rtn (Sat)

19 May 02 Jun 16 Jun

Out (Fri)

22 Jun 22 Jun 13 Jul

Rtn (Sat)

30 Jun 30 Jun* 21 Jul

Out (Fri)

03 Aug 03 Aug 24 Aug

Rtn (Sat)

11 Aug* 11 Aug 01 Sep

Out (Fri)

14 Sep 14 Sep 05 Oct

Rtn (Sat)

22 Sep 22 Sep* 13 Oct

SAS Scandinavian flight upgrades ( Business Class: Prices on application

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

25

poland tour

SPLENDOURS OF POLAND

Gdansk

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,295 Poznan

POLA N D

POLA

ND

✈

Warsaw

Wroclaw

Krakow

Day 8 – To Poznan: Morning drive from Wroclaw to Poznan. Afternoon tour to view the cathedral, the old town quarter including the market square and the town hall. Stay 1 night at the NH Poznan (B, D)

Rowhouses, Old Market Square, Poznan

SPECIAL FEATURES • Warsaw • 3 nights in Krakow • Czestochowa • Torun • Wroclaw Situated in the heart of Europe, Poland has wonderful historical and cultural attractions as well as beautiful countryside, dotted with medieval towns, castles and villages. This tour includes 3 nights in Krakow’s stunning old town as well as exploring the magnificent architecture and attractions of the cities of Poznan and Wroclaw. Poignant visits are also included to the former concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to the Oskar Schindler factory in Krakow.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Warsaw: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw with LOT Polish Airlines.

Transfer to the Radisson Blu for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Warsaw: Morning tour of the old town, which was successfully rebuilt after its complete devastation during the Warsaw uprising. View the old town square, the city walls and the Cathedral of St John. Afternoon at leisure or optional tour to the 16th-century royal castle to see the ornate staterooms of the imperial residence. (B) Day 3 – To Krakow: Morning drive south from the capital into Lesser Poland, stopping to visit the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa,

26

COX & KINGS

the biggest pilgrimage site in Poland. Founded in the 14th century, visitors are attracted to the monastery to view the icon of the Black Madonna. Stay 3 nights at the Holiday Inn. (B) Day 4 – Krakow: Morning tour of the ancient capital of Poland. View Rynek Glowny, the medieval square that is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples in Europe, the Church of St Mary, the Cathedral of Saints Stanislaw and Waclaw and tour the Oskar Schindler factory. Afternoon visit to the salt mines of Wieliczka. A Unesco world heritage site, it is one of the oldest operational mines in Europe dating back more than 700 years. Inside are galleries, chambers and buildings that have been carved from salt. (B) Day 5 – Krakow: Full day at leisure to further explore the city or optional tour to the Wawel royal castle, one of the most magnificent Renaissance palaces in Europe. (B) Day 6 – To Wroclaw: Morning drive to Wroclaw, stopping en route to visit the former concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Transfer to the Radisson Blu for 2 nights. (B) Day 7 – Wroclaw: Morning walking tour of Wroclaw, which is known, as the city of 100 bridges. Visit Ostrow Tumski island, which is the oldest part of the city, and the old market square with its gothic city hall surrounded by burgher houses. Continue to the rotunda to view the Panorama of Raclawice, which depicts the 18th-century battle of Raclawice.

Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 9 – To London: Morning drive to Warsaw airport stopping en route to explore the medieval town of Torun. Founded by the Teutonic knights, it is renowned for its gothic architecture. Continue to the airport and fly to London Heathrow with LOT Polish Airlines. (B)

PRE-TOUR EXTENSIONS Gdansk + Tour 11 Days / 10 Nights from £1,590 Located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, the city of Gdansk was the catalyst of the Solidarity movement, which brought democratic change to eastern Europe in the late 1980s. Explore this medieval city and its amber collection in the Gateway Museum.

Day 1 – To Gdansk: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Gdansk, via Warsaw, with LOT Polish Airlines. Transfer to Radisson Blu for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Gdansk: Day at leisure. (B) Day 3 – To Warsaw: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Warsaw. (B)

Warsaw + Tour 11 Days / 10 Nights from £1,485 This pre-tour extension allows further time in Warsaw.

Day 1 – To Warsaw: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw with LOT Polish Airlines. Transfer to the Radisson Blu for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Warsaw: Day at leisure. (B) Day 3 – Warsaw: Day at leisure. This afternoon, the remainder of the group will arrive. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

Wawel castle, Krakow

NOTES Private Journeys: This itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Guides & accessibility: This tour is escorted by the Warsaw guide during days 1 to 3 and then during days 4 to 9 by the guide from Krakow.

The tour of the Wieliczka salt mine may not be suitable for those less mobile or prone to claustrophobia as there are 378 steps down to the mine.

Splendours of Poland tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

28 Apr 12

18 Aug 12

15 Sep 12

13 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

POL

Tour

8

1,295

1,325

1,395

1,295

425

•

POLWAW

Ext: Warsaw

2

190

190

190

190

150

170

2

295

295

295

295

150

210

POLGAN

Ext: Gdansk

Code

Private Journey

POI

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 05 Jul to 01 Sep to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 May 12 31 Aug 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

8

3,815

3,815

3,815

3,815

535

POA

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Sat)

28 Apr

Rtn (Sun)

06 May

Out (Sat)

18 Aug

Rtn (Sun)

26 Aug

Out (Sat)

15 Sep

Rtn (Sun)

23 Sep

Out (Sat)

13 Oct

Rtn (Sun)

21 Oct

LOT Polish Airlines flight upgrades ( Business Class: Prices on application

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

27

hungary, Romania, bulgaria & turkey tour

THE DANUBE EXPRESS: BUDAPEST TO ISTANBUL Non-Exclusive Escorted Group Tour • 8 Days / 7 Nights from £4,435

Parliament, Budapest, Hungary

SPECIAL FEATURES • Includes 3-night train journey • 2 nights in Budapest • Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria & Turkey • 2 nights in Istanbul Focusing on the cultural and heritage highlights of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Turkey, travel on the Danube Express train and view the region’s most important attractions include Veliko Turnovo, Bran Castle, Sighisoara and Istanbul.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Budapest: Fly from London Heathrow to Budapest with British Airways.

Transfer to the Corinthia Hotel Budapest for 2 nights. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTE

Day 5 – Veliko Turnovo & Kazanlak: Morning walking tour of Veliko Turnovo, including the medieval citadel of Tsaravets. Afternoon tour of a fourth-century Thracian tomb at Kazanlak, the Shipka Memorial church and a rose oil perfumer. (B, L, D)

Non-Exclusive Group Tour: This tour is not exclusive to Cox & Kings clients and the rail itinerary is subject to change. All excursions from your train are on a group basis. Some departures operate in reverse order. Cox & Kings is acting as an agent on behalf of Danube Express, and its cancellation conditions will apply. Please contact Cox & Kings for details.

Day 6 – To Istanbul: Morning arrival and transfer to the Pera Palace Hotel for 2 nights.

Full-day tour of Istanbul, including Agia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. (B)

Other rail options: The Danube Express also offers other rail journeys, including the 13-day Bosphrous to the Baltic from £6,685.

Day 7 – Istanbul: At leisure or optional tours. (B)

Cox & Kings will also be co-presenting a unique 10-day journey on board the Danube Express from Hungary to Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia from £3,350 departing May 18. Please contact Cox & Kings for further details.

Day 2 – Budapest: Half-day tour of Budapest including St Stephen’s Basilica, the Parliament building, City Park, Heroes’ Square, Castle Hill, the Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and the Royal Palace. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 8 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London with British Airways. (B)

Day 3 – To Kecskemet: Late morning transfer to the station and board the Danube Express for the 3-night journey to Istanbul. Travel through the northern plains region, stopping en route at the Hungarian towns of Lajosmizse for a Puszta horse show and Kecskemet. (B, L, D)

Code

Escorted Group Tour

TTO

Tour

Day 4 – Sighisoara & Brasov: Morning tour of the Unesco world heritage town of Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval town in Transylvania. The city walls encircle cobbled

28

streets lined with 16th-century colourful burgher houses. Visits include the citadel, Church on the Hill and the Clock Tower. In the afternoon, visit ‘Dracula’s Castle’ in Bran. (B, L, D)

COX & KINGS

The Danube Express Budapest to Istanbul tour prices for departures on or between the following dates No of 07 May to 01 Jun to 03 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 28 May 12 15 Jun 12 21 Sep 12 from from

7

4,435

4,435

4,435

1,815

•

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out

07 May 11 May 28 May

Rtn

14 May 18 May* 04 Jun

Out

01 Jun 11 Jun 15 Jun

Rtn

08 Jun* 18 Jun 22 Jun*

Out

03 Sep 07 Sep 17 Sep

Rtn

10 Sep 14 Sep* 24 Sep

Out

21 Sep

Rtn

28 Sep*

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £395* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

COUNTRY

TITLE TO GO HERE Escorted Group or Private Journey • XX Days / XX Nights From £XXX

MAP

SPECIAL FEATURES • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here Intro to go here. Aquaeped min experro tectem volorum nempedias ma corum nonsedi tistiis nullabore, omnimpo rioritist accaturibus debis re odi digenda dolupta volo blab ium quo cuptati dolendis dusandit la arciam que consed ellendaerem faccus, cus si te soloria quos con eati omnis vid eiusam, atus doluptatiume qui torem escit alit.

THE JOURNEY Day X - To XXXX: Nihilitat prerfero cus con rernam fuga. Itametur sime rernatur sequiam etur rem deri occumnobite

Istanbul, Turkey

Danube Express Travel in comfort aboard the Danube Express, which has eight cars, including four luxury sleeping cars and a maximum of 50 passengers. De luxe sleeping cars contain five compartments, each fully air conditioned, en suite bathrooms, a full-length wardrobe, two armchairs, a safe and large picture window.

Coordinated fabrics complement wood panelled walls and brass fittings. The Danube Express features a lounge / bar car and a restaurant car, which serves table d’hote set meals, including regional specialities.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

Danube Express

EUROPEan journeys

29

XXXXX XXXXX

COUNTRY

TITLE TO GO HERE Escorted Group or Private Journey • XX Days / XX Nights From £XXX

30

COX & KINGS

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Valley ofTravel Temples, Agrigento

tour italy

I TA

classic sicily

LY

Palermo

Taormina Mount Etna

S I C I LY

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,595

Catania

✈

Agrigento Syracuse

to Cefalù and the cliff-top ruins at Tyndaris.

Continue to the elegant resort town of Taormina in the foothills of Mount Etna, seeing some of Sicily’s most scenic villages en route. Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Villa Diodoro. (B) Day 9 – Taormina: Full day at leisure to explore the Villa Comunale and the Greek theatre or optional visit to Mount Etna, Sicily’s most famous natural landmark. (B)

Mount Etna

SPECIAL FEATURES • Valley of the Temples • Piazza Armenia • Palermo • Taormina • Noto Sicily is home to superb Norman architecture, exuberant Roman floor mosaics, Arab-inspired gardens, and probably the finest Greek temples to be found anywhere. Alongside this, the island has some magnificent natural scenery.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Syracuse: Fly from London Gatwick to Catania with British Airways. Transfer to the Hotel Villa Politi in Syracuse for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Syracuse: Morning tour of Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, including visits to the Greek theatre, considered to be one of the most important examples of ancient theatre architecture, the Ear of Dionysius and the Paolo Orsi museum. Afternoon visit to the island of Ortygia, the centre of the old city. (B) Day 3 – To Agrigento: Morning drive, via the town of Noto with its baroque architecture, to Piazza Armerina to view the Roman mosaics of the Unesco world heritage site of Villa Romana del Casale. Continue to the NH Dioscuri Bay Palace in Agrigento for 2 nights. (B)

Day 5 – To Palermo: Drive to Palermo, visiting two of the world’s most impressive ancient Greek sites en route – the temples at Selinunte and Segesta. In Palermo, stay 3 nights at the Centrale Palace Hotel. (B) Day 6 – Palermo: Morning visit to the magnificent Arab-Norman cathedral, the Palatine chapel, located within the Norman palace and covered in Byzantine-influenced mosaics, and the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 7 – Monreale, Solunto & Palermo: Drive to Monreale to see the Norman cathedral, founded in 1172 and considered the prime achievement of Norman-Arab art. Continue to the remains of the Hellenistic-Roman town of Solunto, located on the slopes of Mount Catalfano, before returning to Palermo for a tour of the historic old town. (B) Day 8 – To Taormina: Morning coastal drive

EXTENSION Tour + Taormina 13 Days / 12 Nights from £2,040 This extension provides an opportunity to extend your stay in Taormina and explore this beautiful coastal resort at a leisurely pace.

Day 10 – Taormina: Stay an extra 3 nights at the Hotel Villa Diodoro. (B) Days 11-12 – Taormina: Days at leisure. (B) Day 13 – To London: Late morning transfer to Catania airport and fly to London Gatwick with British Airways. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Private Journeys: This itinerary may also be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Classic Sicily tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

27 Apr 12

18 May 12

29 Jun 12

24 Aug 12

14 Sep 12

05 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

CLS

Tour

9

1,765

1,745

1,695

1,675

1,725

1,595

305

•

CLSTAO

Ext: Taormina

3

445

445

445

445

445

445

125

185

Code

Private Journey

CLP

Private tour

No of 09 Jan to 01 Feb to 16 Apr to 16 Jul to 11 Aug to 23 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Jan 12 15 Apr 12 15 Jul 12 10 Aug 12 22 Sep 12 20 Dec 12 from from

9

5,595

5,595

5,595

5,595

5,595

5,595

305

4,500

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Fri)

Day 4 – Agrigento: Morning visit to the Valley of the Temples, home to Doric temples and a museum. Afternoon visit to Eraclea Minoa, founded during the Mycenaean age. (B)

Day 10 – To London: Full day at leisure. Late evening transfer to Catania airport, and fly to London Gatwick with British Airways. (B)

27 Apr 18 May

Rtn (Sun)

06 May 27 May

Out (Fri)

29 Jun 24 Aug

Rtn (Sun)

08 Jul 02 Sep

Out (Fri)

14 Sep 05 Oct

Rtn (Sun)

23 Sep 14 Oct

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £100* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Gatwick to / from: Edinburgh, Glasgow or Manchester * Prices subject to availability

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

31

italy SELF-DRIVE Private journeys

PUGLIA: THE HEEL OF ITALY Self-Drive Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 nights from £1,085

One of the lesser-known regions of Italy, Puglia, also known as Apulia, is situated in the south, or ‘heel’. With baroque towns, white-washed trulli houses (dry stone huts with conical roofs), orchards and olive groves to visit, this 8-day self-drive itinerary explores the Unesco world heritage sites of Matera and Alberobello with the opportunity to relax on the long stretches of golden sandy beaches of the Adriatic.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Alberobello: Fly from London Gatwick to Bari with British Airways. Collect your hire car (based on Group B car rental).

Drive to the Grand Hotel Olimpo in Alberobello for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Alberobello: Full day at leisure.

Located 60km from Bari, the town of Alberobello is entirely comprised of white cylindrical trulli houses. (B)

Day 3 – To Ostuni: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon drive to Ostuni and stay at the Masseria Il Frantoio for 1 night. (B) Day 4 – To Lecce: Morning at leisure. Drive to Lecce and stay 2 nights at the Risorgimento Resort. (B) Day 5 – Lecce: Full day at leisure. Lecce is known as the ‘Florence of the South’. Visitors can explore the cobbled lanes and squares. (B) Day 6 – To Matera: At leisure. Drive to Matera and stay 2 nights at Relais La Casa di Lucio. (B) Day 7 – Matera: Full day at leisure. The ancient city of Matera dates back to the Neolithic age. Natural caves were transformed into a labyrinth of houses and Byzantine churches

Trulli houses, Puglia

so that today distinguishing the natural rock formations and the architecture created by the ancient inhabitants is often impossible. (B) Day 8 – To London: Drive to Bari and drop off your hire car. Return to London Gatwick this afternoon with British Airways. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Puglia:The Heel of Italy journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

PXX

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 28 Mar to 19 Apr to 02 May to 18 Jul to 04 Aug to 21 Aug to 15 Oct to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 27 Mar 12 18 Apr 12 01 May 12 17 Jul 12 03 Aug 12 20 Aug 12 14 Oct 12 31 Oct 12 from from

7

1,085

1,115

1,185

1,135

1,195

1,215

1,165

1,125

POA

POA

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

SUPERIOR OR LUXURY TOUR

SiCILIAN HIGHLIGHTS Self-Drive Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 nights from £995 The island of Sicily has a wealth of attractions for visitors. This 8-day self-drive itinerary starts in Palermo and visits the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina and the coastal towns of Syracuse and Taormina.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Palermo: Fly from London Gatwick to Palermo with easyJet. Collect your hire car (based on Group B car rental). Drive to the Hotel Centrale Palace / Hotel Villa Igiea* in Palermo for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Palermo: Full day at leisure. Morning visit to the magnificent Arab-Norman cathedral, the Palatine chapel, or the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti. Afternoon drive to Monreale to see the Norman cathedral. (B) Day 3 – To Agrigento: Morning drive to Agrigento visiting the temples at Selinunte and Segesta. Stay at the NH Dioscuri Bay Palace /

32

COX & KINGS

Baglio della Luna* in Agrigento for 1 night. (B) Day 4 – To Syracuse: Visit the Valley of the Temples and Piazza Armerina to see the mosaics. Stay 1 night at the Hotel Villa Politi / Grand Hotel Des Etrangers*. (B) Day 5 – To Taormina: Morning at leisure. Visit Ortygia, the centre of the old city, then drive to Taormina, visiting the town of Noto, renowned for its baroque architecture. Stay 2 nights at Villa Diodoro / Hotel San Domenico*.

Day 6 – Taormina: Full day at leisure. Visit Mount Etna or the Greek theatre in Taormina. (B) Day 7 – To Palermo: Morning drive via Randazzo, Acquedolci and Cefalu. Stay 1 night at

Temple of Concord, Selinunte

the Hotel Centrale Palace / Hotel Villa Igiea*. (B) Day 8 – To London: Drive to Palermo airport and drop off your hire car. Fly back to London Gatwick this afternoon with easyJet. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTE * Upgrade: The asterisk denotes the Luxury Tour hotel option. Please see page 9 for more details about Luxury Tours.

Sicilian Highlights journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

EUI

Private tour

7

995

220

395

EUU

Private tour (Luxury)

7

1,395

795

980

No of 01 Jan to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Dec 12 from from

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

private journeys italy

TUSCAN EXPLORER Private Journey • 6 Days / 5 Nights from £995 The towns of Florence, Lucca and Pisa, which together formed the cradle of the Renaissance movement that swept through Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries, are each home to distinct architectural styles and classical historic attractions. Using the Italian railway, you will explore some of the Tuscan region’s most iconic sites.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Florence: Morning flight from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Pisa airport.

Transfer and stay 3 nights at the Hotel Brunelleschi. (D) Days 2-3 – Florence: Full days at leisure to explore Florence, which is rightly viewed as one of Italy’s most atmospheric and beautiful cities, home to Renaissance art and architecture. (B) Day 4 – To Lucca: Morning transfer to the station for the train journey to Lucca. With complete Renaissance city walls, the city is

one of the best-preserved in Tuscany. As the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, Lucca is steeped in musical history and honours its favourite son with an annual music festival in the months of July and August at the lakeside theatre, Torre del Lago. Visitors to the city can view the elegant Piazza San Michele and the arched facade of the 12th-century Church of San Michele. Stay overnight at the San Luca Palace. (B) Day 5 – To Pisa: Morning train journey to Pisa and transfer to the NH Cavalieri for 1 night.

Afternoon at leisure to explore the Unesco world heritage site of Piazza del Duomo and the lawned square of Piazza dei Miracoli. (B) Day 6 – To London: Morning at leisure.

Florence

Afternoon transfer to Pisa airport. Fly to London Heathrow or Gatwick with British Airways. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Cox & Kings added value: Receive 4 nights for the price of 3 in Florence during stays from 1 Jan to 31 Mar and 15 Jul to 31 Aug.

Tuscan Explorer journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

FLP

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 01 Apr to 26 May to 29 Jun to 15 Jul to 30 Jul to 30 Aug to 08 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Mar 12 25 May 12 28 Jun 12 14 Jul 12 29 Jul 12 29 Aug 12 07 Sep 12 03 Nov 12 from from

5

1,025

1,140

1,170

1,170

1,020

995

1,020

1,170

225

POA

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

ROME, NAPLES & SORRENTO Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 Nights from £1,425 This tour explores the three main cities of southern Italy; Rome, Naples and Sorrento, each of which offer contrasting settings and attractions. Stay in the capital, Rome for 3 nights and then travel to the bustling port city of Naples for one night and finish in timeless Sorrento for 3 nights.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Rome: Morning flight from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Rome airport. Transfer and stay 3 nights at the Leons Place Hotel. (N) Days 2-3 – Rome: Full days at leisure. The legacies of Rome’s 3,000-year history are visible almost everywhere, from its Roman ruins to early Christian churches, medieval bell towers and Renaissance palaces. (B) Day 4 – To Naples: Morning transfer to the station for the train journey to Naples. Transfer to the Hotel Excelsior for one night. (B) Day 5 – To Sorrento: Full day at leisure to

explore the city. Naples has a wealth of historical sites and one of the world’s most important archaeological museums. Early evening drive along the Gulf of Naples to Sorrento and transfer to the Maison la Minervetta for 3 nights. (B) Days 6-7 – Sorrento: Full days at leisure to explore Sorrento or the surrounding region.

Sorrento has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and cultural sites, including the cathedral and 18th-century Palazzo Correale. Nearby highlights of the area include Pompeii, Herculaneum, the scenic Amalfi coast and island of Capri. (B) Day 8 – To London: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to Naples airport. Fly to London Gatwick with British Airways. (B)

Amalfi coast, Sorrento

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Departure day: Friday departures only, variable supplements apply to other days of departures.

The tour can also be taken in reverse.

Rome, Naples and Sorrento journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

RNS

Private tour

No of 01 Feb to 01 Mar to 27 Mar to 27 Apr to 28 Jun to 05 Sep to 11 Oct to • nights 29 Feb 12 26 Mar 12 26 Apr 12 27 Jun 12 04 Sep 12 10 Oct 12 24 Oct 12

7

1,425

1,455

1,635

1,720

1,695

1,725

1,635

•

Single Supp Sole Supp from from

570

920

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

33

italy SHORT BREAKS

venice SHORT BREAKs 4 Days / 3 Nights from £395

For centuries,Venice has inspired many of the world’s greatest artists and writers. This romantic city is a constant inspiration, with its grand palazzos, piazzas, magnificent courtyards and churches a delight to explore on foot or by boat. In all there are 117 small islands in the lagoon, but the most visited spots must be St Mark’s Square and the Rialto bridge.

Ca’ Sagredo Hotel

Hotel Danieli

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel overlooks the Grand Canal and is just a short stroll from St Mark’s Square. Dating back to the 15th century, the 42-room hotel features period furnishings and impressive art works. The 42 guestrooms are classically furnished.

A restored palace, the Hotel Danieli is just steps away from St Mark’s Square, overlooking the lagoon. Designed in the late 14th century to meet the demands of Europe’s travelling nobility, the luxurious 233-room hotel features Murano glass chandeliers, exquisite rugs and many original antique pieces.

Code: CAV Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 09 Feb 3 for 2 12 Feb – 15 Feb 3 for 2 16 Feb – 22 Feb 3 for 2* 23 Feb – 31 Mar 3 for 2 01 Apr – 30 Apr 3 for 2* 01 May – 25 May 3 for 2* 26 May – 30 Jun 3 for 2* 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 for 2* 01 Sep – 11 Sep 3 for 2* 12 Sep – 31 Oct 3 for 2* 01 Nov – 28 Dec 3 for 2

Code:VDN / VDZ Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 10 Feb 3 for 2* 11 Feb – 21 Feb 3* 22 Feb – 29 Feb 3 for 2* 01 Mar – 31 Mar 3* 01 Apr – 30 Apr 4 for 3† 01 May – 30 Jun 3* 01 Jul – 16 Jul 4 for 3† 17 Jul – 28 Aug 3 for 2* 29 Aug – 30 Sep 3* 01 Oct – 14 Oct 4 for 3† 15 Oct – 31 Oct 3 for 2*

Price Single Extra night PP Supp Twin £395 £255 £150 £395 £255 £150 £610 £465 £265 £395 £255 £150 £475 £325 £195 £610 £465 £265 £630 £465 £265 £490 £325 £195 £630 £465 £265 £610 £465 £265 £395 £255 £150

Venice

Price Single Extra night PP Supp Twin £560 POA £205 £780 POA £225 £560 POA £205 £780 POA £225 £895 POA £315 £955 POA £350 £895 POA £315 £645 POA £275 £955 POA £350 £895 POA £315 £645 POA £275

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Danieli Hotel, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. *Prices valid for arrivals between Sunday and Tuesday only. †Prices valid for arrivals on Sunday and Monday only. For arrivals between Wednesday to Saturday variable supplements apply.

Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. *Prices valid for arrivals between Sunday and Tuesday only. For arrivals Wednesday to Saturday variable supplements apply. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Ca’ Sagredo Hotel

Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal

Palazzo Stern Hotel

The Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal faces the famous Harry’s Bar, birthplace of the Bellini cocktail, and lies adjacent to St Mark’s Square, overlooking the lagoon. Its views of the church of Santa Maria della Salute and San Giorgio island form a truly romantic backdrop.

Formerly an Ottoman palace, Palazzo Stern Hotel is adorned with beautiful antiques, sculptures and Murano glass. Situated near the famous Rialto bridge and St Mark’s Square, there are 24 air-conditioned bedrooms located on five floors that feature Venetian style wall fabrics, Murano glass chandeliers and oriental carpets.

All 98 guestrooms are elegantly appointed, combining modern contemporary and classical Venetian styles. The Grand Canal restaurant is a favourite of guests and locals alike, and puts the emphasis on seafood and fresh vegetables essential for the local specialities. Dinner is also available on the terrace, beside the canal.

Code:VMG / VMT Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 09 Feb 3 for 2* 10 Feb – 16 Feb 3 for 2* 22 Feb – 29 Mar 3 for 2* 30 Mar – 05 Apr 3* 10 Apr – 19 Apr 3* 20 Apr – 30 Jun 3* 01 Jul – 12 Jul 3* 15 Jul – 30 Aug 3* 31 Aug – 01 Nov 3*

Price Single PP Supp £340 £160 £340 £160 £340 £160 £450 £205 £450 £205 £840 £220 £450 £205 £450 £205 £840 £220

Extra night Twin £120 £120 £120 £140 £140 £260 £140 £140 £260

Hotel Danieli

The hotel does not have its own restaurant, however, there is a café bar that opens on to the garden terrace by the Grand Canal and numerous other dining options are nearby.

Hotel Monaco

Code: VDN / VDZ Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 10 Feb 3 for 2* 11 Feb – 21 Feb 3* 22 Feb – 29 Feb 3 for 2* 01 Mar – 31 Mar 3* 01 Apr – 30 Apr 4 for 3† 01 May – 30 Jun 3* 01 Jul – 16 Jul 4 for 3† 17 Jul – 28 Aug 3 for 2* 29 Aug – 30 Sep 3* 01 Oct – 14 Oct 4 for 3† 15 Oct – 31 Oct 3 for 2*

Price Single PP Supp £560 POA £780 POA £560 POA £780 POA £895 POA £955 POA £895 POA £645 POA £955 POA £895 POA £645 POA

Extra night Twin £205 £225 £205 £225 £315 £350 £315 £275 £350 £315 £275

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Danieli Hotel, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. *Prices valid for arrivals between Sunday and Tuesday only. †Prices valid for arrivals on Sunday and Monday only. For arrivals between Wednesday to Saturday variable supplements apply. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Monaco & Grand Canal Hotel, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. * Prices valid for arrivals between Sunday and Tuesday only. For arrivals Wednesday to Saturday variable supplements apply. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Palazzo Stern Hotel 34

COX & KINGS

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS italy

florence SHORT BREAKs 5 Days / 4 Nights from £375

One of Italy’s most atmospheric and beautiful cities, Florence contains a spectacular array of Renaissance art and architecture within its compact and vibrant centre. Some of the sights of note include the Duomo, the bell tower, the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace and the Boboli gardens. The city also offers the finest culinary traditions of Tuscany, in particular olive oil, meat dishes and chianti wine.

Hotel Atlantic Palace

Hotel Brunelleschi

Situated in a historic 13th-century palace in the heart of old Florence, the Atlantic Palace is close to the Palazzo dei Congressi and a short walk from the Duomo and other major attractions. The 68 guestrooms feature Carrara marble flooring, Florentine antiques and beamed ceilings, and are equipped with flatscreen televisions, minibars and air conditioning. Some rooms feature view of the Duomo and San Lorenzo

Overlooking Brunelleschi’s cathedral in the historic centre of Florence and close to the magnificent Duomo and Uffizi Gallery, the Brunelleschi Hotel features an elegant blend of traditional and modern designs. The 95 air-conditioned rooms are equipped with all modern amenities, including 42in flatscreen satellite televisions. The hotel’s restaurant, Santa Elisabetta, serves fine Florentine cuisine alongside an excellent wine list.

Code: FAP / FAQ Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 18 Jan 4 for 3 21 Jan – 19 Mar 4 for 3 20 Mar – 04 Apr 3 09 Apr – 20 Apr 3 21 Apr – 07 Jul 3 08 Jul – 03 Sep 4 for 3 04 Sep – 20 Oct 3 21 Oct – 10 Nov 3

Price Single PP Supp £420 £85 £420 £85 £425 £130 £445 £130 £470 £195 £375 £80 £470 £195 £445 £130

Florence

Extra night Twin £60 £60 £100 £100 £110 £70 £110 £100

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Hotel Atlantic Palace, Flights from London Heathrow (01 Nov-31 Mar) & London Gatwick (01-30 Apr) to Pisa and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Code: HBF / HBB Nights Travel between 02 Jan – 30 Mar 4 for 3 31 Mar – 26 Apr 3 27 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 14 Jul 3 15 Jul – 07 Sep 4 for 3 08 Sep – 03 Nov 3 04 Nov – 27 dec 4 for 3

Price Single PP Supp £495 £160 £565 £315 £580 £335 £595 £335 £585 £315 £435 £160 £580 £335 £495 £160

Extra night Twin £85 £135 £145 £145 £135 £85 £145 £85

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Hotel Brunelleschi, Flights from London Heathrow (01 Nov-31 Mar) & London Gatwick (01-30 Apr) to Pisa and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Hotel Atlantic Palace

Hotel degli Orafi

Marignolle

Dating from the 13th century and formerly an Augustinian convent, this boutique hotel has a wonderful location on the banks of the Arno river, just a few steps away from the Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery.

Located in the Florentine hills and surrounded by cypress trees and the scent of lavender and rosemary, this privately owned property near the Piazzale Michelangelo features only nine rooms, all decorated in Provençal style with antique furnishings and 19th-century prints.

Each room is air conditioned and features a satellite television among other amenities.

All 42 rooms are decorated in a modern style with elegant furnishings and there is a rooftop terrace serving traditional Tuscan cuisine. The hotel was the setting for the Oscar-winning Merchant Ivory film A Room with a View.

Hotel Brunelleschi

Public facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and lounge, where guests may be served breakfast and a light lunch and offered a number of options for dinner.

The roof terrace bar benefits from views over Ponte Vecchio and the Arno river, the Palazzo Vecchio – once home to the Medici family – and the Duomo.

Code: HDD / HDQ Nights Travel between 08 Jan – 14 Mar 4 for 3 15 Mar – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 26 Apr 3 27 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 07 Jul 3 08 Jul – 02 Sep 4 for 3 03 Sep – 11 Sep 3 12 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £520 £130 £520 £130 £520 £170 £585 £190 £595 £190 £470 £130 £595 £190 £585 £190

The hotel’s friendly staff can also provide cooking lessons for guests.

Extra night Twin £100 £100 £130 £145 £145 £110 £145 £145

Hotel Degli Orafi

Tour code: FLM Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 06 Apr – 09 Apr 3 10 Apr – 20 Apr 3 21 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 11 Sep 3 12 Sep – 15 Oct 3 16 Oct – 02 Nov 3 03 Nov – 29 Dec 3

Price Single PP Supp £475 £175 £495 £240 £450 £210 £495 £240 £525 £240 £495 £240 £450 £210 £475 £175

Extra night Twin £80 £120 £100 £120 £120 £120 £100 £80

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Marignolle, Flights from London Heathrow (01 Nov-31 Mar) & London Gatwick (01-30 Apr) to Pisa and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Hotel Degli Orafi, Flights from London Heathrow (01 Nov-31 Mar) & London Gatwick (01-30 Apr) to Pisa and breakfast daily. Transfers are not included. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Marignolle Relais & Charme

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

35

italy SHORT BREAKS

rome SHORT BREAKs 5 Days / 4 Nights from £535

The legacy of Rome’s 3,000-year history is visible almost everywhere from Roman ruins and early Christian churches to medieval bell towers and Renaissance palaces. Rome is also a great place for shopping, enjoying local cuisine and people-watching in one of the many open-air cafes.

Leon’s Place

Boscolo Aleph

Opened in 2008 and located on Via Settembre XX, the hotel is conveniently situated in the centre of Rome and close to the majority of the city’s most important historical and political buildings. The 56 rooms at Leon’s Place have been designed with a focus on contemporary design.

Several feature a private balcony with views over the city. The minimalist style ensures that guests are free from clutter and can enjoy the spacious cosmopolitan design. There is a fine-dining restaurant, cocktail bar and well-being centre.

Situated close to the Via Barberini and Via Veneto, this 96 room hotel is a member of the Boscolo Hotels group. The 96 guestrooms and suites have a modern minimalist design and are a combination of 1930s and 40s Italian style. The hotel has several dining options and a rooftop bar with excellent views across the city. The hotel’s spa, which offers a number of indulgent treatments, features a sauna, Turkish bath, small gym and two swimming pools.

Code: RPP / RLP Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 29 Feb 3 01 Mar – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 25 May 3* 26 May – 30 Jun 3* 01 Jul – 31 Aug 4 for 3 01 Sep – 11 Sep 3* 12 Sep – 31 Oct 3* 01 Nov – 29 Dec 3

Price PP £515 £545 £545 £565 £535 £565 £535 £495

Single Supp £225 £230 £230 £230 £225 £230 £230 £225

Extra night Twin £125 £130 £130 £130 £125 £130 £130 £125

Colloseum, Rome

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at Leon’s Place, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways and breakfast daily. *Prices valid for Friday arrivals only. Supplements apply to other arrival days. Transfers are not included. Regional flights are available with easyJet.

Code: RAL Nights Travel between 02 Jan – 15 Mar 3 3 19 Mar – 31 Mar 01 Apr – 05 Apr 3 3 09 Apr – 27 Apr 28 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 30 Jun 3 3 01 Jul – 31 Jul 01 Aug – 06 Sep 3 3 07 Sep – 22 Sep 28 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £595 £375 £595 £375 £695 £475 £695 £475 £795 £575 £815 £575 £695 £475 £595 £375 £815 £575 £815 £575

Extra night Twin £115 £115 £150 £150 £185 £185 £150 £115 £185 £185

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hotel Aleph, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet.

Leon’s Place

The Eden

Albergo del Sole al Pantheon

The Eden is one of Rome’s greatest traditional luxury hotels, set in the heart of the city, moments from the Via Veneto, the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti. There are 121 elegant guestrooms and suites, each with classic Italian furnishings.

Rome’s oldest hotel, the Albergo del Sole, was formerly a 15th-century town house and it stands just in front of the Pantheon in the Piazza della Rotonda, within walking distance of the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

The rooftop restaurant serves traditional Italian cuisine accompanied by a connoisseur’s wine list and panoramic views of the seven historic hills of Rome. Meanwhile, Il Giardino dell’Eden, open air during the summer, serves a fine selection of Mediterranean cuisine and is the perfect setting for a cocktail. The hotel also has a fully equipped fitness centre and spa with a steam bath.

Code: RED Nights Price Travel between PP 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 for 2* £695 01 Apr – 30 Apr 3* £1,085 01 May – 25 May 3* £1,175 26 May – 30 Jun 3* £1,175 01 Jul – 15 Jul 3 for 2* £795 16 Jul – 31 Aug 3 for 2* £695 01 Sep – 06 sep 3* £950 07 Sep – 31 Oct 3* £1,175 01 Nov – 15 Nov 3* £1,085

Single Supp £250 £350 £510 £510 £230 £335 £335 £510 £350

Extra night Twin £260 £280 £335 £335 £280 £265 £265 £335 £280

Boscolo Aleph

This boutique property has only 25 guestrooms with superior rooms overlooking the Pantheon and piazza. Each is individually decorated, but all are similar in mood.

All guestrooms are equipped with a jacuzzi spa bath and satellite television among other modern amenities.

The Eden

There is a restaurant that serves breakfast, which can also be taken alfresco, and a bar offering aperitifs.

Code: RDP / RDX Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 4 for 3 01 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 15 Jul 3 16 Jul – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 15 Nov 3 16 Nov – 29 Dec 3

Price Single PP Supp £655 £200 £850 £175 £850 £175 £655 £200 £850 £175 £655 £200

Extra night Twin £135 £195 £195 £135 £195 £135

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Albergo Del Sole Al Pantheon, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet.

Per person price includes 3 nights at Eden Hotel, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, Transfers and breakfast daily. *Prices valid for Friday arrivals only.

Supplements apply to other arrival days. Regional flights are available with easyJet.

View from Albergo del Sole al Pantheon

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SHORT BREAKS italy

tuscany SHORT BREAKs 6 Days / 5 Nights from £690

From sweeping valleys, vineyards and hilltop villages to magnificent centres of art and architecture, Tuscany has a wealth of attractions. Explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside and visit the picturesque towns of Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena. There are countless delights in the region, including many glorious hotels set in historic buildings, some superb restaurants and delicious wines such as chianti and brunello.

Villa Cicolina

Relais Santa Chiara

Villa Cicolina is situated on a hill just outside the ancient town of Montepulciano amid much history and varied landscapes. Over the centuries, patrician families transformed the villa into their country residence, leaving their legacy in the frescoes, coats of arms and paintings. Situated nearby are the historic cities of Siena and Perugia and the well-known vineyards of Chianti. The hotel has large private gardens, which enclose a swimming pool and jacuzzi, and is surrounded by olive groves.

There is an extensive wine cellar where you can try wine tasting, while cooking classes are available at the hotel’s restaurant. The 11 guestrooms are located over three floors.

Located very close to the medieval hill town of San Gimignano, this elegant hotel is situated on a hill overlooking the Tuscan countryside and offers 41 air-conditioned guestrooms each with a satellite television, radio, minibar and en suite facilities. There is an attractive garden terrace, which centres on a freeform swimming pool and a separate heated mini pool.

Code:VIU Nights Travel between 04 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 10 Sep 3 11 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £595 £330 £625 £330 £595 £330

San Gimignano

Other facilities include a bar, lounge and breakfast room, while a variety of fine restaurants are located within walking distance in the San Gimignano for dinner.

Code:YUR Nights Travel between 09 Apr – 18 May 4 for 3 19 May – 25 May 3 26 May – 11 Sep 3 12 Sep – 06 Oct 3 07 Oct – 05 Nov 4 for 3

Extra night Twin £110 £110 £110

Price Single PP Supp £550 £235 £615 £285 £640 £285 £615 £285 £550 £235

Extra night Twin £90 £110 £110 £110 £90

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Relais Santa Chiara, flights London Gatwick with British Airways, breakfast daily and 4 to 5 days car hire in category B vehicle.

Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Villa Cicolina, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, breakfast daily and 4 days car hire in category B vehicle. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Villa Cicolina

Palazzo San Lorenzo

Castello del Nero

This 4-star property is set in the charming medieval village of Colle di Val D’Elsa, half way between Siena and Florence.

Castello del Nero, a 5-star luxury boutique hotel and member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, is located in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, the heart of the Chianti area. A magnificent 12th-century castle, it is a typical example of a noble residence in the Tuscan countryside.

Built in 1635 and originally used as a hospital, it was fully renovated in 2010. It has 48 rooms and suites, each with parquet flooring, air conditioning, a flatscreen television, internet access and minibar.

Relais Santa Chiara

The spa contains an indoor heated swimming pool with a sauna and Turkish bath. The restaurant, Sopra le Mura, in the old chapel of the palace, serves the best Tuscan cuisine and a selection of wines.

Code: PSL Nights Travel between 12 Jan – 31 Mar 3 for 2 01 Apr – 13 May 4 for 3 14 May – 25 May 5 for 4 26 May – 17 Jun 5 for 4 18 Jun – 30 Aug 4 for 3 01 Sep – 11 sep 5 for 4 12 sep – 13 Oct 5 for 4 14 Oct – 31 Oct 4 for 3 01 Nov – 28 Dec 3 for 2

Price PP £525 £555 £690 £710 £575 £710 £690 £555 £435

Single Supp £225 £275 £310 £310 £275 £310 £310 £275 £225

Extra night Twin £80 £90 £100 £100 £90 £100 £100 £90 £80

The 50 rooms and suites are unique and all offer the services and comforts of the most luxurious hotels. Rooms and suites have been painstakingly restored, refurbished with elegance and completed with state-of-the-art technology.

Health and well-being facilities include an ESPA spa, an outdoor heated swimming pool, two tennis courts and a gym.

Palazzo San Lorenzo

Per person price includes 3 to 5 nights at the Plazzo San Lorenzo, Flights from London Heathrow (01 Nov-31 Mar) & London Gatwick (01-30 Apr) to Pisa, breakfast daily and 4 to 6 days car hire in category B vehicle. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Code: SGY Nights Travel between 04 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 31 Jul 3 01 Aug – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 10 Sep 3 11 sep – 30 Sep 3 01 Oct – 14 Oct 3 15 Oct – 31 Dec 3

Price Single PP Supp £955 £600 £935 £600 £985 £600 £935 £600 £895 £600 £955 £600 £825 £500

Extra night Twin £230 £210 £230 £210 £210 £230 £180

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Castello del Nero, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, breakfast daily and 4 days car hire in category B vehicle. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Castello del Nero

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

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37

italy SHORT BREAKS

sicily SHORT BREAKs Taormina 5 Days / 4 Nights from £675 Located on the edge of a cliff, overlooking Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, Taormina is a wellpreserved medieval town with a wealth of cultural attractions, including Teatro Greco, a Greek amphitheatre built in the third century BC, and Villa Comunale, the city gardens with a beautiful array of Mediterranean vegetation.

View from Amphitheatre, Taormina

San Domenico Palace

Casa Turchetti

Dating from 1400 and built around a monastery, the award-winning San Domenico Palace occupies a spectacular location in Taormina. The palace is surrounded by gardens that are filled with Mediterranean flowers all year, while the views from the terrace and pool include an ancient Greek theatre and the peak of Mount Etna. The hotel’s three restaurants serve excellent cuisine, including fine Sicilian seafood.

The three-storey Casa Turchetti is a family-run hotel with just five guestrooms. The hotel is situated in one of the most beautiful buildings of the late 1800s Taorminese architectural style. It once belonged to the Opera Pia nuns and during the second world war it was used as a military post. The hotel is situated in the heart of Taormina, close to Belvedere Square.

All rooms have air conditioning, free wireless internet access and a flatscreen satellite television. The hotel features a terrace offering excellent views of the Greek theatre and Mount Etna.

Code: SDD / SDP Nights Travel between 04 Jan – 04 Apr 4 for 3 10 Apr – 27 May 3 3 28 May – 07 Sep 08 Sep – 07 Oct 3 08 Oct – 31 Oct 4 for 3 01 Nov – 27 Dec 4 for 3

Price Single PP Supp £695 £295 £850 £400 £895 £425 £890 £440 £850 £400 £695 £295

San Domenico Palace

Extra night Twin £145 £185 £205 £205 £185 £145

Code: CTR Nights Travel between 01 Apr – 25 May 4 26 May – 11 Sep 4 12 Sep – 31 Oct 4

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the San Domenico Palace in a standard twin, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways or easyJet, breakfast daily and transfers.

Casa Turchetti

Price Single PP Supp £675 £530 £730 £530 £675 £530

Extra night Twin £100 £100 £100

Per person price includes 4 nights at the Casa Turchetti, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways or easyJet, breakfast daily and transfers.

Syracuse 5 Days / 4 nights from £575

Palermo 4 Days / 3 nights from £495

Considered by Cicero to be the ancient world’s most beautiful city, Syracuse’s historic centre has retained many fascinating sights.

Sicily’s capital is known for its gastronomy, culture, art and music. Palermo’s Norman and Arabic history can be seen in the Palazzo dei Normanni fortress, the Palpatine Chapel and the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti.

Hotel des Estrangers et Miramare This 5-star hotel is located on the seafront in the historical centre of the city, Ortygia. Each of the 77 air-conditioned rooms are decorated in warm Mediterranean colours and most have sea views. Hotel facilities include a rooftop restaurant and bar offering city and harbour views. The hotel’s spa features a sauna, Turkish bath and hydro massage pool.

Code: DEM Nights Travel between 09 Jan – 31 Mar 4 for 3 01 Apr – 25 May 4 for 3 26 May – 30 Jun 4 for 3 01 Jul – 31 Jul 4 for 3 01 Aug – 11 Sep 4 for 3 12 Sep – 30 Sep 4 for 3 01 Oct – 31 Oct 4 for 3 01 Nov – 23 Dec 4 for 3

Price PP £575 £655 £710 £630 £655 £595 £655 £575

Single Supp £285 £360 £360 £285 £315 £315 £360 £285

Hotel Centrale Palace Hotel Des Estrangeres et Miramare

Extra night Twin POA POA POA POA POA POA POA POA

The Hotel Centrale Palace is a 4-star property on Via Vittorio within walking distance of the Duomo. It has 120 spacious air-conditioned rooms, all furnished in a classical style reflecting the building’s 18th-century origins. Facilities include indoor and alfresco restaurants, a solarium and fitness centre. The Al-Tetti rooftop restaurant has magnificent views of the old quarter of the city.

Code: PLM Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Des Etrangers & Miramare, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways or easyJet, breakfast daily and transfers.

Price Single PP Supp £495 £180 £535 £180 £495 £180 £535 £180

Extra night Twin £75 £90 £75 £90

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Centrale Palace, flights from London Gatwick with easyJet, breakfast daily and transfers.

Hotel Centrale Palace 38

COX & KINGS

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS italy

campania SHORT BREAKs Sorrento 4 Days / 3 Nights from £590 Set on a hillside overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and cultural sights, including the cathedral and 18th-century Palazzo Correale.

Sorrento makes an ideal base for exploring the local area, with Pompeii, Herculaneum, the scenic Amalfi coast and the islands of Capri and Ischia all within reach.

Islands of Capri

Maison La Minervetta

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

Perched on a cliff overlooking the harbour, the hotel has wonderful views from its terrace across to Sorrento and the Bay of Naples.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria comprises three different buildings constructed between 1834 and 1880. As a result of this unique layout, the hotel is able to offer a generous selection of rooms with a variety of features.

Originally built as a restaurant in the 1950s, this property has been transformed into a 4-star design hotel offering 12 bedrooms, all with sea views, a plunge pool and sun terrace. There is a lounge area and kitchen available for guests to use.

Code: SLU Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 08 Jan 3 27 Jan – 30 Mar 3 31 Mar – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 25 May 3 26 May – 11 Sep 3 12 Sep – 14 Oct 3 15 Oct – 28 Oct 3 29 Oct – 24 Dec 3

Price Single PP Supp £735 POA £590 POA £735 POA £825 POA £835 POA £825 POA £735 POA £590 POA

Maison La Minervetta

Extra night Twin £160 £110 £160 £190 £190 £190 £160 £110

There is a large swimming pool in the grounds and a private lift descends directly from the main terrace to the pier in the harbour below for guests to explore the beautiful coastline.

Code: EXV31 / EXV4 Nights Travel between 03 Jan – 31 Mar 4 for 3 01 Apr – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 25 May 3 26 May – 11 Sep 3 12 Sep – 30 Sep 3 01 Oct – 31 Oct 3

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Maison La Minervetta, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways to Naples, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet.

Price Single PP Supp £755 £460 £830 £510 £930 £515 £950 £515 £930 £515 £830 £510

Extra night Twin £170 £190 £220 £220 £220 £190

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Excelsior Vittoria, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways to Naples, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

Ravello 4 Days / 3 Nights from £670

Capri 4 Days / 3 Nights from £895

The small town of Ravello is often regarded as the one of the most attractive and picturesque destinations on the Amalfi coast, with a peaceful atmosphere and great views.

Situated in the Bay of Naples, the island of Capri, with its rich flora and fauna, serene atmosphere and breathtaking views has been a haven for travellers since Roman times.

Explore the Blue Grotto, imperial villas and Faraglione rocks.

Villa Maria Located in the historic centre between St Francis Convent and the main square, this hotel has retained the character of an ancient patrician residence with elegantly decorated guestrooms and period furniture. The hotel’s kitchen uses organic fruit and vegetables grown in the hotel’s own garden, which extends across 3,000 square metres of sloping terraces with fantastic views of the Amalfi coast.

Code: RVM Nights Travel between 04 Jan – 05 Apr 3 06 Apr – 09 Apr 3 10 Apr – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 31 Oct 3 01 Nov – 23 Dec 3 24 Dec – 31 Dec 3

Price Single PP Supp £670 £405 £745 £430 £670 £405 £745 £430 £670 £405 £745 £430

Caesar Augustus Villa Maria

Extra night Twin £120 £145 £120 £145 £120 £145

Per person price includes 3 nights at Villa Maria, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways to Naples, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

Few hotels in the world can claim to have a position as spectacular as this hotel. Situated on a cliff edge, this 5-star property looks out across the entire Gulf of Naples. The bedrooms are furnished in local fabrics and textiles with hand painted majolica tiles and wrought iron beds. The infinity pool offers some of the best views in the Mediterranean.

Code: CYH Nights Price Travel between PP 18 Apr – 17 May 4 for 3* £895 18 May – 25 May 4 for 3* £1,095 26 May – 31 Aug 3 £1,095 01 Sep – 16 Sep 4 for 3* £1,095 17 Sep – 29 Oct 4 for 3* £895

Caesar Augustus

Single Supp £650 £795 £795 £795 £650

Extra night Twin £210 £265 £265 £265 £210

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at Caesar Augustus, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways to Naples, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet. * Prices valid for Sunday arrivals only. Supplements apply to other arrival days.

EUROPEan journeys

39

italy tailor-made travel

italy tailor-made

Northern Lakes

Tuscany Rome Puglia

Cox & Kings can offer fully tailor-made tours and city breaks to Italy that allow you to create your ideal holiday, travelling at your own pace and spending time exploring the sites and cities that appeal to you. British Airways fly daily into the main cities of Milan, Rome, Bari,Venice, Pisa, Bologna, Naples and Catania in Sicily. Please contact Cox & Kings to discuss ideas with one of our experts, or refer to our website, coxandkings.co.uk, for suggested itineraries and details of our preferred hotels in Italy.

Sardinia

Amalfi Coast

Sicily

Malcesine Castle, Lake Garda

Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Statue of David, Florence

Self-Drive

Tuscany

Sardinia

Italy offers some of the most beautiful driving scenery in Europe, ranging from winding country lanes to hidden hamlets. One of the best ways of exploring the various regions is on a self-drive in a hire car over one to seven days.

From sweeping valleys, vineyards and hilltop villages to magnificent centres of art and architecture, Tuscany has a wealth of sights to explore. Using Florence or Pisa as a base, explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside and visit the picturesque towns of Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena. Another highlight is to visit one of the hillside vineyards where you can taste one of the region’s celebrated wines in the region, such as chianti and brunello.

Known for its sandy beaches, pretty harbours and forested mountains, the island of Sardinia offers wonderful opportunities to explore or simply relax. Glamorous resorts like Porto Cervo and Porto Rafael can be found alongside timeless villages and ancient Nuraghic stone settlements that offer a glimpse into the island’s pre-historic past. Sardinian cuisine also offers much to enjoy with excellent local seafood and hearty pastas.

Options include category A small standard cars, classic performance cars, such as a Ferrari or Maserati, and Mini Cooper cabriolets.

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COX & KINGS

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

tailor-made travel italy

Isola Bella, Sicily

Amalfi coast, Sorrento

Lake Como

Sicily

Northern Lakes

Sorrento & The Amalfi Coast

The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has some of Europe’s finest attractions.

From the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana and the atmospheric Valley of the Temples to magnificent natural scenery, visitors can combine excursions to medieval cities and Renaissance palaces with relaxation at luxury coastal resorts. The easiest way to combine the cities of Syracuse, Palermo and Agrigento is by hiring a car and exploring at your own pace.

The northern lakes of Garda, Como and Maggiore are among the most beautiful locations in Italy. Lake Garda occupies an idyllic setting with small picturesque towns dotted around its edge. Lake Como, meanwhile, is known for its wonderful lakeside villas. Lake Maggiore has three small islands: Isola Bella features a baroque palace, Isola Madre has botanical gardens; and Rocca Borromeo has a fortress.

Sorrento and the Amalfi coast have attracted visitors for centuries with their historic ruins such as Pompeii, the picturesque hill top towns of Positano and Ravello, and the breathtaking views across the Bay of Naples to the island of Capri. Sorrento makes a good base as it has a pretty old town, a harbour with ferry departures to Capri, Amalfi and Naples, and it is within reach of the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Puglia

Old tower, Assisi

Genoa

Puglia

Ligurian Riveria

Umbria

One of the lesser-known regions of the country, Puglia, also known as Apulia, is situated in the south, or ‘heel’, of Italy. Visit the Unesco world heritage sites of Matera, Castel del Monte and Alberobello or just relax on the long stretches of golden sandy beaches of the Adriatic. With baroque towns, white-washed trulli houses, orchards and olive groves to visit, hiring a car and exploring at your own pace is a good option.

The Ligurian riviera stretches from Ventimiglia, on the French border, to the busy seaports of Genoa and La Spezia. Featuring some of the most scenic coastline in Europe, towns hugging rugged cliff faces, charming harbours and small villages of cobbled alleys, the riviera has a wealth of areas to explore. Visit the exclusive town of Portofino, which offers great sea views, or Cinque Terre National Park, a Unesco world heritage site.

Umbria’s medieval towns, set among sweeping valleys and hills, make it an ideal region for exploring, walking and enjoying excellent Italian cuisine. The town of Assisi is home to two famous churches, the 12th-century Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. In Umbria’s capital, Perugia, a visit to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the architecturally impressive Palazzo dei Priori is very rewardingp.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

41

turkey tour

TURKEY

CLASSICAL TURKEY

Istanbul

Gallipoli

Canakkale Cappadocia

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 Nights from £1,195

Izmir

Pamukkale Ephesus Kusadasi

Day 6 – To Aphrodisias & Kusadasi: Drive to Aphrodisias, one of the most beautiful classical sites in Turkey. See the Temple of Aphrodite and the most complete stadium to have survived from the ancient world.

Continue to Kusadasi and stay 2 nights at La Vista Boutique Hotel & Spa. (B) Day 7 – Ephesus: Half-day tour of Ephesus, once the main city of the Roman province of Asia. See one of the original Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis, as well as the main site. Afternoon optional visit to the hillside town of Priene and the ancient Ionian ports of the Menderes valley. (B) Day 8 – To London: Late morning transfer to Izmir for a flight to London Heathrow, via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. (B)

EXTENSIONS Tour + Kusadasi 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,425 Celsus Library, Ephesus

SPECIAL FEATURES • Istanbul • Troy • Gallipoli • Pamukkale • Ephesus • Optional extension to Cappadocia Turkey has played a major role in the Mediterranean world and, due to its strategic location straddling two continents, it has been a crucial staging post on the trade routes between east and west. This tour combines the striking architecture of the Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul with the natural wonders of Pamukkale and the remarkable classical sites of Troy, Aphrodisias and Ephesus.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Istanbul: Fly from London Heathrow to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.

Transfer to the Barcelo Saray Hotel for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Istanbul: Morning tour of Istanbul,

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COX & KINGS

including Hagia Sofia, built as a church by Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, the Blue Mosque with its exquisite blue tiles, and the Hippodrome. Afternoon tour of Topkapi Palace and the underground cistern. (B) Day 3 – To Canakkale: Morning drive to Canakkale. Tour of the Gallipoli battlefield, scene of the aborted Allied invasion of 1915.

Visit Cape Helles, Suvla Bay and Anzac Cove.

Stay at the Kolin Hotel for 1 night. (B, D) Day 4 – To Izmir: Depart from Canakkale and drive to Izmir, stopping en route to visit the Unesco world heritage site of Troy. Continue to Pergamon for a tour of the historic town, including visits to the Acropolis, the Asclepion and the Red Basilica. Transfer to the Izmir Movenpick for 1 night. (B) Day 5 – To Pamukkale: Morning drive to the ruins of Hierapolis and the travertine terraces of precipitated calcium at Pamukkale. Continue to Laodicea, where the ruins of one of the seven biblical churches of Asia remain. Stay overnight at the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal in Pamukkale. (B, D)

This extension provides an opportunity to take more time in Kusadasi and explore the beautiful coastal resort at a leisurely pace.

Day 8 – Kusadasi: Stay an extra 2 nights at La Vista Boutique Hotel & Spa. (B) Day 9 – Kusadasi: Day at leisure or optional excursions. (B) Day 10 – To London: Late morning transfer to Izmir for a flight to London Heathrow, via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. (B)

Tour + Istanbul 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,510 Spend additional nights in Istanbul to further explore this magnificent city, staying in a converted Ottoman-style mansion in the historical centre, Sultanahmet.

Day 8 – To Istanbul: Fly to Istanbul with the group and transfer to the Ayasofya Mansions Hotel for 2 nights. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Day 9 – Istanbul: Day at leisure or optional cruise on the Bosphorus river to visit the Asian side of the city. (B) Day 10 – To London: Transfer to the airport and fly to London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines. (B)

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

tour turkey

COUNTRY

TITLE TO GO HERE Escorted Group or Private Journey • XX Days / XX Nights From £XXX

SPECIAL FEATURES • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here Intro to go here. Aquaeped min experro tectem volorum nempedias ma corum nonsedi tistiis nullabore, omnimpo rioritist accaturibus debis re odi digenda dolupta volo blab ium quo cuptati dolendis dusandit la arciam que consed ellendaerem faccus, cus si te soloria quos con eati omnis vid eiusam, atus doluptatiume qui torem escit alit.

THE JOURNEY Day X - To XXXX: Nihilitat prerfero cus con rernam fuga. Itametur sime rernatur sequiam etur rem deri occumnobite

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Tour + Cappadocia 11 Days / 10 Nights from £1,770 Alternatively, extend your visit with a stay in Cappadocia. Please refer to page 44 for details.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Classical Turkey tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

14 Apr 12

12 May 12

09 Jun 12

11 Aug 12

01 Sep 12

22 Sep 12

13 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

CLT

Tour

7

1,295

1,195

1,255

1,295

1,295

1,295

1,255

295

•

CLTKUS

Ext: Kusadasi

2

195

230

230

230

230

230

230

125

125

CLTIST

Ext: Istanbul

2

315

315

315

270

315

315

315

75

160

CLTCAP

Ext: Cappadocia

3

575

575

575

575

575

575

575

130

290

Code

Private Journey

CIT

Private tour

No of 03 Jan to 01 Mar to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Sep to 01 Nov to 01 Dec to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 29 Feb 12 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 20 Dec 12 from from

7

2,695

2,695

2,695

2,695

2,695

2,695

2,695

340

1,350

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details

NOTES Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Sat)

14 Apr 12 May

Rtn (Sat)

21 Apr 19 May

Out (Sat)

09 Jun 11 Aug

Rtn (Sat)

16 Jun 18 Aug

Out (Sat)

01 Sep 22 Sep

Rtn (Sat)

08 Sep 29 Sep

Out (Sat)

13 Oct

Rtn (Sat)

20 Oct

Turkish Airlines flight upgrades ( Business Class: Prices on application

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

43

turkey tour

DISCOVERY TOUR

ANCIENT WONDERS OF SOUTHERN TURKEY Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,495

SPECIAL FEATURES

44

COX & KINGS

Mardin

Pre-tours & EXTENSIONS Ankara + Tour 12 Days / 11 Nights from £2,080 The capital of Turkey, Ankara has a wealth of historical attractions and contains the country’s best museum, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

Day 1 – To Cappadocia: Fly from Heathrow to Kayseri, via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. Stay at the Dedeman Hotel for 2 nights. (D)

Day 5 – To Sanliurfa: Drive from Gaziantep to Sanliurfa, via Halfeti, best known for its black-coloured roses. Stay 2 nights at the Manici Hotel. (B, D)

Gaziantep Urfa

Day 10 – To London: Morning transfer to Diyarbakir for a flight to London Heathrow, via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. (B)

THE JOURNEY

Day 4 – To Gaziantep: Morning visits to the second-century Roman bridge and the six minarets of Sabanci Central mosque, the largest in Turkey. Drive from Adana to Gaziantep and visit the archaeological museum, which houses a large collection of ornate second and thirdcentury Roman mosaics, and the fortress. Stay overnight at the Dedeman Hotel. (B, D)

Diyarbakir

Day 9 – Mardin: Morning tour of the city including the Sabanci Museum, the monastery and the city museum. Afternoon at leisure or optional tour to Hasankefy, an endangered cave town. (B)

Travelling through ancient Mesopotamia, this tour incorporates Turkey’s finest natural, historic and religious monuments. The towns and villages of the region trace the history of the country from its Assyrian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman pasts to the modern day.You will see the natural splendour of Cappadocia, the imposing royal stone heads at Mount Nemrut, the birthplace of St Paul and the architectural beauty of Mardin.

Day 3 – To Adana: Drive to Adana, visiting the 10th-century Eskigumus monastery to see its frescoes and underground caves. A stop will also be made in the city of Tarsus, the scene of one of the first meetings between Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, and the birthplace of St Paul the Apostle. Visit the ruins of St Paul’s family house and its holy well. Stay 1 night at the Adana Hotel HiltonSA. (B)

Cappadocia

to Mardin and stay 2 nights at the Artuklu Kervansarayi Hotel. (B, D)

• Cappadocia • Stone heads at Mount Nemrut • Mardin • Birthplace of St Paul • Character hotels

Day 2 – Cappadocia: Full-day tour of the region, visiting the Unesco world heritage sites of Goreme National Park, with its cave churches, and Kaymakli, the underground city used as a refuge for early Christian settlers.

The spectacular landscape, with its fabled ‘fairy chimneys’ and rock formations, is renowned for its dramatic beauty. (B, D)

TURKE RKE Y R

Stone heads, Mount Nemrut

Day 6 – Harran: Formerly a large city on the eastern trade routes, Harran is now celebrated for its conical houses that resemble beehives and are still inhabited. It was also the scene of the battle of Carrhae, between the Roman and Parthian empires. View the ruins of Anatolia’s first university, the Roman city walls and the village ethnography museum. Return to Sanilurfa and visit the Pool of Abraham with its holy fish, the tomb of his birth, which is a holy site for Christians and Muslims, and the castle and mosque complex. (B) Day 7 – To Mount Nemrut: Drive from Sanilurfa to Mount Nemrut, via the Ataturk dam, a wonder of modern engineering. Late afternoon visit to the colossal statue heads of King Antiochus and the Greek gods at Mount Nemrut and see the sun set over Mesopotamia (weather and local conditions permitting). Stay overnight at the Zeus Hotel in Kahta for 1 night. (B, D) Day 8 – To Mardin: Morning drive to Mardin, via Diyarbakir. Situated close to the Tigris river, Diyarbakir is the largest city in south-east Turkey. View the second longest city walls in the world and the Grand Mosque. Continue

Day 1 – To Ankara: Morning flight to Ankara, via Istanbul. Transfer to the Radisson Blu Hotel for 2 nights. (B) Day 2 – Ankara: Full-day tour, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the citadel and the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. (B) Day 3 – To Cappadocia: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon drive to Cappadocia. This evening, the remainder of the group will arrive. (B, D)

Cappadocia + Tour 12 Days / 11 Nights from £1,680 This extension allows further time in the Cappadocia region.

Day 1 – To Cappadocia: Morning flight to Kayseri, via Istanbul. Transfer to the Dedeman Hotel for 2 nights. (B, D) Day 2 – Cappadocia: Day at leisure or optional excursions. (B, D) Day 3 – Cappadocia: Day at leisure or optional excursions. This evening, the remainder of the group will arrive. (B, D)

Tour + Istanbul 12 Days / 11 Nights from £1,810 Alternatively, extend your visit with a stay in Istanbul. Please refer to page 43 for details.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

Cappadocia

NOTES Discovery Tour: This tour involves some long drives and walking on uneven terrain. Please see page 9 for an explanation of Discovery Tours.

Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Ancient Wonders of Southern Turkey tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

19 May 12

16 Jun 12

04 Aug 12

08 Sep 12

29 Sep 12

STT

Tour

9

1,495

1,595

1,555

1,595

1,585

280

•

STTIST

Ext: Istanbul

2

315

315

270

315

315

75

155

STTCAP

Ext: Cappadocia

2

185

185

185

185

185

315

340

STTANK

Ext: Ankara

2

585

585

585

585

585

315

515

Code

Private Journey

STY

Private tour

Single Supp Sole Supp from from

No of 01 Apr to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Aug to 01 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Jul 12 31 Aug 12 15 Oct 12 from from

9

4,650

4,650

4,650

4,650

4,650

325

3,315

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Sat)

19 May 16 Jun

Rtn (Mon)

28 May 25 Jun

Out (Sat)

04 Aug 08 Sep

Rtn (Mon)

13 Aug 17 Sep

Out (Sat)

29 Sep

Rtn (Mon)

08 Oct

Turkish Airlines flight upgrades ( Business Class: Prices on application

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

45

turkey tour

DISCOVERY TOUR

TREASURES OF EASTERN TURKEY

Trabzon

Kars

Erzurum Van

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 7 Days / 6 Nights from £1,295

TURKEY U RKEY

Ishak Pasha Palace, Dogubeyazit

SPECIAL FEATURES • Ishak Pasha Palace • Ani • Akdamar island • Sumela monastery • Istanbul Over thousands of years, many civilisations have settled in eastern Turkey, including Romans, Persians and Armenians, each leaving their imprint. Explore the legacy of these civilisations on this tour, which starts at the Lake Van and travels into the eastern Anatolian heartlands, a little known part of Turkey. Explore some of the region’s greatest monuments, including the magnificent Ottoman palace of Ishak Pasha and the medieval ruined city of Ani.

Day 4 – To Kars: Morning visit to Ishak Pasha Palace. Built on the side of a mountain with views of Mount Ararat, it offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of an Ottoman governor. Drive from Dogubeyazit to Kars with a visit en route to Ani. Once a rival of Constantinople and Cairo, with a population of more than 100,000 inhabitants, Ani is now a ruined and desolate city. See the cathedral, the Church of the Holy Redeemer and the city walls. Stay at the Simer Hotel for 1 night. (B, D)

THE JOURNEY

Day 5 – To Erzurum: Morning tour of Kars Castle, the Church of the Holy Apostles and the archaeological museum. Drive to Erzurum through the region’s tea plantations.

Afternoon tour of Erzurum to view the Twin Minarets Madrasa, the Three Tombs burial site, Yakutiye Madrasa and the Grand Mosque. Stay overnight at the Dedeman Hotel. (B, D)

Day 1 – To Istanbul: Fly from London Heathrow to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.

Afternoon tour of Istanbul, including Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome.

Stay at Midtown Hotel for 1 night. (N) Day 2 – To Van: Morning transfer to the airport and fly to Van with Turkish Airlines. Afternoon visits to Van Castle, Van Evi, the archaeology and ethnography museum and the ruined Urartu fortress of Cavustepe. Stay 1 night at the Elite World Hotel. (B, D) Day 3 – To Dogubeyazit: Morning visit to

46

Akdamar, located on an island in Lake Van. Visit the 10th–century Armenian church, which has ornate carvings depicting the bible on its exterior walls. Drive to Dogubeyazit, stopping en route to view the Muradiye waterfall. Stay overnight at the Simer Hotel. (B, D)

COX & KINGS

Day 6 – To Trabzon: Drive to Trabzon, stopping at the Sumela monastery complex en route to see its frescoes. The monastery is situated on a mountain plateau and offers panoramic views of the nearby pine forests and valleys.

Afternoon visits to St Sophia Church and the

summerhouse of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish republic in Trabzon. Stay at the Zorlu Grand Hotel for 1 night. (B) Day 7 – To London: Early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to London Heathrow, via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. (B)

EXTENSIONS Tour + Istanbul 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,610 Spend additional nights in Istanbul to explore this magnificent city in more depth, staying in a converted Ottoman-style mansion in the historical centre, Sultanahmet.

Day 7 – Istanbul: Stay an extra 2 nights at the Ayasofya Mansions Hotel. (B) Day 8 – Istanbul: Day at leisure or optional excursions. (B) Day 9 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to the airport. Fly to London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines. (B)

Tour + Cappadocia 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,870 Alternatively, extend your visit with a stay in Cappadocia. Please refer to page 44 for details.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

COUNTRY

TITLE TO GO HERE Escorted Group or Private Journey • XX Days / XX Nights From £XXX

SPECIAL FEATURES • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here Intro to go here. Aquaeped min experro tectem volorum nempedias ma corum nonsedi tistiis nullabore, omnimpo rioritist accaturibus debis re odi digenda dolupta volo blab ium quo cuptati dolendis dusandit la arciam que consed ellendaerem faccus, cus si te soloria quos con eati omnis vid eiusam, atus doluptatiume qui torem escit alit.

THE JOURNEY Day X - To XXXX: Nihilitat prerfero cus con rernam fuga. Itametur sime rernatur sequiam etur rem deri occumnobite

Sumela monastery, Trabzon

NOTES Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the best available accommodation and transport.

However, outside Istanbul the services should be regarded as basic, but comfortable. The tour involves some long drives and walking over uneven terrain. Please see page 9 for an explanation about Discovery Tours.

Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Treasures of Eastern Turkey tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

27 May 12

24 Jun 12

16 Sep 12

07 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

HET

Tour

6

1,295

1,355

1,385

1,355

240

•

HETIST

Ext: Istanbul

2

315

270

315

315

75

160

3

575

575

575

575

130

290

HETCAP

Ext: Cappadocia

Code

Private Journey

HEX

Private tour

No of 01 Apr to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 15 Oct 12 from from

6

3,855

3,855

3,855

3,855

260

2,780

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Sun)

27 May

Rtn (Sat)

02 Jun

Out (Sun)

24 Jun

Rtn (Sat)

30 Jun

Out (Sun)

16 Sep

Rtn (Sat)

22 Sep

Out (Sun)

07 Oct

Rtn (Sat)

13 Oct

Turkish Airlines flight upgrades ( Business Class: Prices on application

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

47

turkey tour

discovery tour

GRAND TOUR OF TURKEY

Istanbul Canakkale Pamukkale Ephesus Kusadasi

SPECIAL FEATURES

Statue of Wisdom, Ephesus

archaeological museum. Stay overnight at the Dedeman Hotel. (B, D)

Day 1 – To Istanbul: Fly from London Heathrow to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.

Transfer to the Barcelo Saray for 2 nights. (N)

Day 12 – To Sanliurfa: Continue to Sanilurfa and stay 2 nights at the Manici Hotel. (B, D) Day 13 – Harran: Morning visit to Harran.

Afternoon city tour of Sanliurfa. (B) Day 14 – To Mount Nemrut: Visit the stone heads at Mount Nemrut. Stay overnight at the Zeus Hotel. (B, D) Day 15 – To Mardin: Travel via Diyarbakir to Mardin and view the city walls. Stay 2 nights at the Artuklu Kervansarayi Hotel. (B, D)

Day 5 – To Pamukkale: Visit the Hierapolis and travertines. Overnight at the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal. (B, D)

Day 16 – Mardin: Half-day city tour. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 6 – To Aphrodisias & Kusadasi: Visit the Temple of Aphrodite. Stay 2 nights at La Vista Boutique Hotel & Spa. (B)

Day 17 – To Van: Morning drive from Mardin to Van. Afternoon city tour. Stay 1 night at the Elite World Hotel. (B, D)

Day 7 – Ephesus: Half-day tour of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary. (B)

Day 18 – To Dogubeyazit: Visit Akdamar Island.

Drive to Dogubeyazit. Stay overnight at the Simer Hotel. (B, D)

Day 9 – Cappadocia: Full-day tour of the Unesco world heritage site. (B, D) Day 10 – To Adana: Drive to Adana with visits to the Eskigumus monastery and Tarsus. Stay 1 night at the Hotel HiltonSA. (B)

48

COX & KINGS

Day 22 – To London: Early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to London Heathrow, via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Itinerary: For further information on the dayto-day itinerary, please refer to the itineraries for the Classical Turkey, Ancient Wonders of Southern Turkey and Treasures of Eastern Turkey tours on the previous pages. It is possible to combine certain elements of these tours.

Please speak to a Europe specialist for details.

Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the best available accommodation and transport.

However, outside Istanbul the services should be regarded as tourist class. The tour involves some long drives and walking over uneven terrain. Please see page 9 for an explanation about Discovery Tours.

Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Grand tour of Turkey tour prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

TTG

Tour

Code

Private Journey

TGJ

Private tour

No of nights

12 May 12

09 Jun 12

01 Sep 12

22 Sep 12

21

3,695

3,695

3,695

3,695

Single Supp Sole Supp from from

830

•

No of 01 Apr to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 03 Oct 12 from from

21

10,675

10,675

10,675

10,675

925

7,645

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Sat)

Day 11 – To Gaziantep: Visit Gaziantep’s

Mardin

Gaziantep

Day 21 – To Trabzon: Drive to Trabzon, via the Sumela monastery complex. Afternoon tour of Trabzon. Stay at the Zorlu Grand Hotel for 1 night. (B)

THE JOURNEY

Day 8 – To Cappadocia: Fly to Cappadocia, via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. Stay 2 nights at the Dedeman Hotel. (B, D)

Adana

Day 20 – To Erzurum: Morning tour of Kars.

Drive to Erzurum and take an afternoon city tour. Stay at the Dedeman Hotel for 1 night.

(B, D)

Taking in the wonders of Istanbul, the natural treasures of Pamukkale and Cappadocia, and the historical monuments of Troy, Ephesus and Mount Nemrut, this journey encompasses Turkey’s numerous highlights. The comprehensive tour travels from the Byzantine capital, through Anatolia, to the Black Sea coast, before ending in the far eastern regions.

Day 4 – To Izmir: Continue to Izmir, stopping en route at Pergamon and Troy. Stay 1 night at the Izmir Movenpick. (B)

Van

Cappadocia

Day 19 – To Kars: Visit Ishak Pasha Palace.

Drive from Dogubeyazit to Kars with a visit en route to Ani. Stay at the Simer Hotel for 1 night. (B, D)

• Istanbul • Unesco site of Troy • Original wonder of the world at Ephesus • Cappadocia’s caves and rock formations • Stone heads of Mount Nemrut • Ottoman Ishka Pasha Palace

Day 3 – To Canakkale: Drive to Canakkale, with visits to the Gallipoli battlefields en route.

Stay 1 night at the Kolin Hotel. (B, D)

Kars

Erzurum

Izmir

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 22 Days / 21 Nights from £3,695

Day 2 – Istanbul: Full-day tour of Istanbul. (B)

Trabzon

12 May

Rtn (Sat)

02 Jun

Out (Sat)

09 Jun

Rtn (Sat)

30 Jun

Out (Sat)

01 Sep

Rtn (Sat)

22 Sep

Out (Sat)

22 Sep

Rtn (Sat)

13 Oct

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

private journeys turkey

SUPERIOR OR LUXURY TOUR

ISTANBUL & CAPPADOCIA Private Journey • 7 Days / 6 Nights from £995

Istanbul is one of the world’s most remarkable cities, full of ancient monuments, awe-inspiring religious buildings and intoxicating bazaars. The Cappadocia region was once at the heart of the Hittite empire and Goreme National Park is a Unesco world heritage site due to its spectacular landscape filled with ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Istanbul: Fly from Heathrow to Istanbul with British Airways. Transfer to the Ottoman Imperial / Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul, Sultanahmet* for 3 nights. (N) Days 2-3 – Istanbul: Full days at leisure or optional tour of Istanbul, including Agia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. (B) Day 4 – To Cappadocia: Morning transfer to the airport for a Turkish Airlines flight to

Kayseri. Transfer to the Yunak Houses Hotel / Anatolian Houses Hotel* for 3 nights. (B) Days 5-6 – Cappadocia: Days at leisure.

Alternatively, take optional excursions to the underground cities at Derinkuyu and Kaymakli or the Göreme open-air museum to see its frescoes and rock-hewn churches. (B) Day 7 – To London: Morning transfer to the airport and fly to London Heathrow with British Airways, via Istanbul. (B)

NOTES

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

* Upgrade: The asterisk denotes the Luxury Tour hotel option. Please see page 9 for more details about Luxury Tours.

Goreme, Cappdocia

Istanbul & Cappadocia journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

CJJ

Private tour

6

995

1,065

1,065

1,095

1,065

995

385

505

CJP

Private tour (Luxury)

6

1,795

1,795

2,150

2,175

2,150

1,795

1,035

1,155

No of 01 Jan to 16 Mar to 01 Apr to 26 May to 12 Sep to 16 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 15 Mar 12 31 Mar 12 25 May 12 11 Sep 12 15 Nov 12 22 Dec 12 from from

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

ISTANBUL & GALLIPOLI Private Journey • 5 Days / 4 Nights from £1,595 Turkey has played a major role in the Mediterranean world, due to its strategic location between two continents. This tour combines the striking architecture of Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul with the battlefields of the Gallipoli peninsula and the fabled archaeological site of Troy.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Istanbul: Fly from London Heathrow to Istanbul with British Airways.

Transfer to the Ottoman Imperial Hotel or similar for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Istanbul: Full-day tour of Istanbul, including Hagia Sofia, built as a church by Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. (B) Day 3 – To Canakkale: Morning drive to Canakkale. Afternoon visit to the Gallipoli battlefield, scene of the aborted Allied

invasion of 1915. Visit Kabatepe museum, Suvla battlefield, Gully beach, Gully ravine and Anzac Cove. Stay at the Gallipoli Houses Hotel for 1 night. (B, D) Day 4 – To Istanbul: Morning visits to the Lone Pine cemetery and Chunuk Bair New Zealand memorial and cemetery. Drive to Istanbul stopping en route at Troy. View the archaeological ruins of the city of Troy, mythologised for its Trojan horse. You will visit the site of the city. Stay 1 night at the Ottoman Imperial or similar. (B) Day 5 – To London: Early afternoon transfer to the airport for and fly to London Heathrow with British Airways. (B)

Hagia Sofia interior, Istanbul

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Istanbul & Gallipoli journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

CAG

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 26 May to 12 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 25 May 12 11 Sep 12 31 Sep 12 from from

4

1,595

1,655

1,595

205

1,025

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

49

turkey tailor-made travel

GULET CRUISES

TURKEY

Bodrum Kos

Marmaris

Dalyan Fethiye

Rhodes

Travelling on a fully crewed traditional Turkish fishing boat, known as a gulet, on a private basis is a superb way to see the natural and historical attractions of the Turkish riviera. Please contact Cox & Kings for further details about gulet cruises.

Turkish gulet

Turkish Riviera Also known as the turquoise coast due to the colour of the sea, the Turkish riviera is an area in the south-western part of Turkey. It is more than 1,400km long and home to many picturesque secluded bays and fine white sandy beaches, which stretch along both the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. The Taurus mountains form the backdrop to much of the coastline, with many ancient ruins and Unesco world heritage sites located among the coastal towns.

From Bodrum’s beaches and striking coastline to crusader castles and the magnificent Celsus Library in Ephesus, the idyllic Turkish coast is an ideal place to relax and unwind while cruising through one of the Mediterranean’s most picturesque areas.

Gulets The gulet is a twin- or triple-masted, traditional fishing boat found in south-west Turkey. Usually constructed of wood and equipped with an

50

COX & KINGS

engine as well as sails, they vary in length from 14 to 40 metres and have a spacious sundeck and wooden finishings of teak and mahogany.

The gulets are used mainly as tourist charter boats cruising along the coast during the day and spending the night in port, allowing passengers to sample the local cuisine and atmosphere of the towns along the coast.

Cabins are all air conditioned and feature en suite facilities and a fitted shower. All boats are fully crewed with various itinerary options and routes available.

SAMPLE ITINERARY The Lycian Cruise Full board from £3,245 Day 1 – To Gocek: Fly to Dalaman airport and transfer to the village of Gocek, a 30-minute drive away. Enjoy a welcome cocktail aboard the ship before departing for Gocek island where the boat will moor overnight.

Day 2 – Gemiler: Depart and cruise to the Oludeniz lagoon, surrounded by mountains

and golden sandy beaches. Late afternoon cruise to Gemiler island, known for its Byzantine remains, and enjoy a grill party ashore.

Day 3 – Bayindir: Early morning departure to Kas, a charming village where a number of Lycian tombs have been carved into the hillside. Stay overnight in Bayindir harbour.

Day 4 – Kas: Day in Kas, exploring the Lycian remains, also visiting Ucagiz bay and Kale village.

Day 5 – Kalkan: After breakfast sail to Kalkan, a small fishing village with a range of antique and carpet shops. Stay overnight on board the ship.

Day 6 – Fethiye: Depart from Kalkan in an air-conditioned minibus for Xanthos, the birthplace of Bishop Nicholas of Myra and then travel to Patara, home to an 11km long beach. Continue to Letoon; this ancient city has temples of Apollo, Artemis and Leto as well as ruins of a Hellenistic theatre. Meet the boat at Fethiye after lunch in Saklikent.

Day 7 – Gocek: Visit Sarsala Bay before continuing to Gocek. Last night on board.

Day 8 – To London: Leave the boat and transfer to the airport at Dalaman.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS turkey

istanbul SHORT BREAKs 4 Days / 3 Nights from £425

As capital of the Ottoman empire, Istanbul enjoyed more than four centuries of imperial patronage, which created one of the most recognisable skylines in the world in a fusion of cultures where east meets west.

Exquisite tile decoration, fine woodwork and luxurious furnishings complement its mosques and palaces.

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul

Hotel Ottoman Imperial

Located in the heart of the city, the neoclassical Four Seasons Istanbul building was once a Turkish prison. Just steps from the Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the Marmara Sea.

Located in the Sultanahmet area and within walking distance of the Hagia Sophia, the Hotel Ottoman Imperial is a 4-star hotel built in the traditional Ottoman style of the early 19th century.

With just 65 guestrooms and suites set around an open courtyard, the hotel offers an intimate atmosphere amid the bustling old town.

Code: ISF Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 3 01 Apr – 25 May 26 May – 11 Sep 3 12 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price PP £845 £1,155 £1,185 £1,155

Single Supp £525 £865 £865 £865

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

Extra night Double £180 £300 £300 £300

All rooms are furnished in a classical style and have air conditioning. The hotel’s restaurant serves traditional Turkish cuisine.

Code: IOO Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 15 Mar 3 3 16 Mar – 25 May 26 May – 11 Sep 3 12 Sep – 15 Nov 3

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Four Seasons in a Superior Room, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways and transfers. Breakfast is not included. Regional flights are available from Birmingham and Manchester with Turkish Airlines or easyJet from London Gatwick and London Luton.

Price Single PP Supp £445 £175 £515 £220 £515 £220 £515 £220

Extra night Double £50 £75 £75 £75

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Ottoman Imperial, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, breakfast daily and transfers. Regional flights are available from Birmingham and Manchester with Turkish Airlines or easyJet from London Gatwick and London Luton.

Hotel Ottoman Imperial

Barcelo Saray

Hotel Sirkeci Konak

Located opposite the Grand Bazaar, this modern 4-star hotel is within walking distance of the city’s main attractions. All 96 rooms have air conditioning, a minibar and safe. The hotel restaurant, situated on the top floor, has views over the Beyazit Mosque and serves Turkish and international cuisine. Leisure facilities include a Turkish bath, steam room and sauna.

Built in the traditional style of an Ottoman mansion, the boutique Sirkeci Konak is located in the historic centre of Istanbul. The 52 rooms combine Turkish and contemporary decor, while leisure facilities include a swimming pool.

Code: IBS Nights Travel between 03 Jan – 29 Feb 3 01 Mar – 15 Mar 3 16 Mar – 31 May 3 01 Jun – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £425 £185 £445 £190 £495 £245 £495 £230 £495 £230

Barcelo Saray

Extra night Double £45 £50 £70 £70 £70

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Barcelo Saray Hotel, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, breakfast daily and transfers. Regional flights are available from Birmingham and Manchester with Turkish Airlines or easyJet from London Gatwick and London Luton.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

Hotel Sirkeci Konak

Code: ISK Nights Travel between 04 Jan – 15 Mar 3 16 Mar – 05 Apr 3 10 Apr – 25 May 3 26 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Jul 3 3 01 Aug – 11 Sep 12 Sep – 15 Nov 3 16 Nov – 24 Dec 3 25 Dec – 03 Jan 3

Price PP £580 £615 £615 £615 £595 £615 £640 £580 £640

Single Supp £285 £300 £300 £300 £285 £300 £300 £285 £300

Extra night Double £95 £115 £115 £115 £105 £115 £115 £95 £115

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Sirkeci Konak, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, breakfast daily and transfers. Regional flights are available from Birmingham and Manchester with Turkish Airlines or easyJet from London Gatwick and London Luton.

EUROPEan journeys

51

northern cyprus tour

52

COX & KINGS

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

Salamis

tour northern cyprus

E RAN ITER A D E M SE

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

AN

Nicosia Famagusta

Kyrenia

S ✈ CYPRU Larnaca

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 7 Days / 6 Nights from £765

SPECIAL FEATURES

Afternoon flight to London Heathrow with British Airways. (B)

• Nicosia • Historic cities & castles • Beautiful scenery For centuries, Cyprus attracted the major powers of the Mediterranean, resulting in a colourful mosaic of culture and tradition.

Northern Cyprus is a quiet haven of unspoilt natural beauty and this tour explores ancient Roman cities, crusader castles, Byzantine churches and atmospheric abbeys.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Kyrenia: Fly from London Heathrow to Larnaca with British Airways.

Transfer to the Onar Village Hotel* in Kyrenia for 6 nights. (D) Day 2 – Kyrenia: Visit St Hilarion Castle, perched dramatically on a mountain top.

Continue to Bellapais, once the home of Lawrence Durrell and inspiration for his book Bitter Lemons. See the 12th-century Augustine Bellapais Abbey, set on a cliff top. Return to the picturesque harbour and see the Byzantine castle, enlarged by the Venetians, and the Shipwreck Museum. (B, L, D) Day 3 – Famagusta & Salamis: Visit Famagusta this morning and walk through the gates of the walled city to the Venetian Palace, the gothic cathedral of St Nicholas and Othello’s Tower, built by the Lusignans. Continue to the ancient Hellenistic / Roman city of Salamis, with its elegant colonnade, hypocaust, mosaics and monuments overrun with wild flowers. End the day’s sightseeing at St Barnabas Monastery.

(B, L, D) Day 4 – Nicosia: Morning drive to Nicosia and explore the old city. Visits include the Venetian Column, St Sophia Cathedral, the covered bazaar and Buyuk Khan (an Ottoman caravanserai). Continue to a traditional Ottoman town house laid out as a folk museum. (B, D) Day 5 – Kantara: Morning visit to the delightful fishing harbour of Bogaz, followed by a drive into the mountains for breathtaking views along the Karpaz peninsula. Visit the Lusignan fortified Kantara Castle, a crusader stronghold first recorded when Richard the Lionheart captured Cyprus in 1191. (B, L, D)

Tour + Kyrenia 10 Days / 9 Nights from £925 This extension provides an opportunity to extend your stay in Kyrenia and explore this beautiful coastal resort at a leisurely pace.

Kyrenia Harbour

Day 6 – Kyrenia: Full day at leisure. (B, D) Day 7 – To London: Transfer to Larnaca airport for a flight to London Heathrow with British Airways. (B)

EXTENSIONS

Day 7 – Kyrenia: Stay an extra 3 nights at the Onar Village Hotel. (B, D) Days 8-9 – Kyrenia: Days at leisure or optional excursions. (B, D) Day 10 – To London: Transfer to Larnaca airport for a flight to London Heathrow with British Airways. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Tour + Istanbul 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,035

NOTES

Istanbul, capital of the great Ottoman empire for more than four centuries, is a city rich with exquisite mosques and luxurious palaces.

Combine your tour of Northern Cyprus with a stay in the city’s historic centre.

Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Day 7 – To Istanbul: Early morning flight from Ercan airport to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.

Transfer to the Ayasofya Mansions Hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 8 – Istanbul: Optional full-day tour of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque, with its cascading domes and blue Iznik tiles, Topkapi Palace, heart of the Ottoman empire and the Grand Bazaar, a covered labyrinth of lanes with more than 4,000 shops. (B) Day 9 – To London: Morning at leisure.

* Accommodation / tours: If you would like to stay at the Onar Village Hotel with international flights and transfers, but without the included tours as per the itinerary, this can be arranged. Please contact Cox & Kings or refer to our website, coxandkings.co.uk, for more details and prices Accessibility: The excursions to St Hilarion Castle and Kantara Castle involve climbing a number of steps up to the sites.

Highlights of Northern Cyprus tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

09 Mar 12

04 May 12

15 Jun 12

07 Sep 12

21 Sep 12

05 Oct 12

NCY

Tour

6

765

865

895

865

865

795

795

65

•

NCYONR Ext: Onar Village

3

160

175

175

175

175

175

160

35

60

2

270

380

380

380

380

380

380

70

160

NCYIST

Ext: Istanbul

Code

Private Journey

NCX

Private tour

02 Nov Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

No of 03 Jan to 01 Mar to 01 Apr to 01 Jul to 01 Nov to 16 Nov to 01 Dec to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 29 Feb 12 31 Mar 12 30 Jun 12 31 Oct 12 15 Nov 12 30 Nov 12 16 Dec 12 from from

6

1,145

1,145

1,185

1,185

1,145

1,145

1,145

65

475

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Fri) Rtn (Thu)

09 Mar 04 May

15 Mar 10 May

Out (Fri) Rtn (Thu)

15 Jun 07 Sep

21 Jun 13 Sep

Out (Fri) Rtn (Thu)

21 Sep 05 Oct

27 Sep 11 Oct

Out (Fri) Rtn (Thu)

02 Nov

08 Nov

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £290* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

European journeys

53

greece tour

ALBA

BULG

NIA

JOURNEY THROUGH ANCIENT GREECE

Meteora GREE

AGEAN SEA

CE

Delphi

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 Nights from £1,155 IONIAN NI AN N SEA

✈ Olympia

SPECIAL FEATURES • Birthplace of the Olympics • Unesco site of Delphi • Meteora monasteries • Ruined city of Mycenae • Thermopylae battle site • Ancient theatre at Epidaurus Considered to be the birthplace of modern western civilisation, the influence of Greece through its architecture, science and philosophy still resonates today.

Incorporating the classic highlights of Olympia, Delphi, Mycenae and Epidaurus, this tour also explores Greece’s magnificent scenery and the man-made wonders of the Corinth canal and monasteries of Meteora.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Athens: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Athens with British Airways. Transfer to the Titania Hotel or similar for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Athens: Morning tour of Athens, including Constitution square, Hadrian’s Arch, the Presidential Palace and the Panathenaic stadium, where the first Olympic games of the modern era were held. Continue to the Acropolis to view the Parthenon and visit the Acropolis museum. Afternoon at leisure or optional tour to Cape Sounion to view the Temple of Poseidon. (B) Day 3 – To Olympia: Morning drive to the ancient theatre at Epidaurus, via a stop at the Corinth Canal. Continue to Mycenae, the seat of King Agamemnon who led the Greek armies against Troy. Considered to be one of the best archaeological sites in Greece, explore the ruined city, including visits to Lion’s Gate, the city walls and the royal tombs. Afternoon drive to Olympia, via Nauplion, to view the Palamidi Fortress. Stay 1 night at Best Western Hotel Europa. (B, D) Day 4 – To Arachova: Morning tour of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Visit the temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera, the first Olympic stadium and the archaeological museum. Continue to Arachova and stay 1 night at the Anemolia Hotel. (B, D)

Acropolis, Athens

an impressive collection of ancient Greek sculptures. Afternoon drive to Kalabaka. Stay 1 night at the Antoniades Hotel. (B, D) Day 6 – To Athens: Morning tour of Meteora and the six striking monasteries located on rock formations. Dating from the 14th century, they are a fine example of Byzantine construction. Visit two monasteries; the Big Meteoro and its museum, and Agios Stephanos.

Afternoon drive to Athens, via Thermopylae, where the 300 Spartans fought against the Persian empire of King Xerxes. Stay 2 nights at the Titania Hotel or similar. (B) Day 7 – Athens: Full day at leisure or optional excursion to the three Saronic islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina. (B) Day 8 – To London: Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

pre-tours & EXTENSIONS

Tour + Athens 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,340

54

COX & KINGS

Day 8 – Athens: Stay an extra 2 nights atE Tthe E CR Titania Hotel. (B) Day 9 – Athens: Day at leisure. (B) Day 10 – To London: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to Athens airport and fly to London Heathrow with British Airways. (B)

Hydra + Tour 11 Days / 10 Nights from £1,590 Renowned in the 1960s as a cosmopolitan destination for the European elite and filmstars, Hydra provides a peaceful and tranquil environment due to the exclusion of all motor vehicles.

Day 1 – To Hydra: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Athens with British Airways. Ferry journey to Hydra. Stay at the Hotel Orlof or similar for 3 nights. (N) Days 2-3 – Hydra: Full days at leisure. (B) Day 4 – To Athens: Morning ferry journey to Athens and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, the remainder of the group will arrive. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Private Journeys: This itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

This extension provides a chance to stay in Athens and explore at a leisurely pace.

Journey Through Ancient Greece tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

20 Apr 12

04 May 12

03 Aug 12

14 Sep 12

05 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

GRE

Tour

7

1,155

1,195

1,225

1,295

1,215

395

•

GREATH

Ext: Athens

2

185

185

145

185

185

85

130

3

435

435

460

460

435

175

175

GREHYD

Ext: Hydra

Code

Private Journey

GRR

Private tour

No of 03 Jan to 01 Feb to 16 Apr to 16 Jul to 11 Aug to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Jan 12 15 Apr 12 15 Jul 12 10 Aug 12 20 Dec 12 from from

7

2,785

2,785

2,785

2,785

2,785

395

2,270

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Fri) Rtn (Fri)

Day 5 – To Kalabaka: Morning tour of the Unesco world heritage site of Delphi.

Visit the Temple of Apollo, the treasure of the Athenians and the museum, home to

Athens

20 Apr 04 May

27 Apr 11 May

Out (Fri) Rtn (Fri)

03 Aug 14 Sep

10 Aug 21 Sep

Out (Fri) Rtn (Fri)

05 Oct

12 Oct

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £340* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

ARIA

XXXXXX XXXXX

COUNTRY

TITLE TO GO HERE Escorted Group or Private Journey • XX Days / XX Nights From £XXX

SPECIAL FEATURES • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here Intro to go here. Aquaeped min experro tectem volorum nempedias ma corum nonsedi tistiis nullabore, omnimpo rioritist accaturibus debis re odi digenda dolupta volo blab ium quo cuptati dolendis dusandit la arciam que consed ellendaerem faccus, cus si te soloria quos con eati omnis vid eiusam, atus doluptatiume qui torem escit alit.

THE JOURNEY Day X - To XXXX: Nihilitat prerfero cus con rernam fuga. Itametur sime rernatur sequiam etur rem deri occumnobite

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

European journeys

55 Delphi

CROATIA & BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA tour

56

COX & KINGS

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

Mostar

tour CROATIA AND BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINa

THE BALKANS EXPLORER

CROA

Plitvice

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,295

SPECIAL FEATURES • Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovnia • Walled city of Dubrovnik • Palace of Diocletian in Split • Restored Mostar bridge • Plitvice Lakes National Park

Day 8 – To Dubrovnik: Morning drive to Dubrovnik, stopping en route at Mostar. Visit the reconstructed 16th-century Ottoman bridge that was destroyed in 1993 during the Balkans war and which is now a Unesco world heritage site. Transfer to the Grand Hotel Park for 1 night. (B)

THE JOURNEY

Day 9 – To London: Morning transfer for a flight to Gatwick with British Airways. (B)

IA & BOSN OVINA G E Z HER

Zadar

were the only means of transportation and communication during the siege of the city. Then visit the site where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, sparking the beginning of the first world war, and the Bascarsijska district, to see its bazaars and Ottoman inspired architecture. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

This tour explores the two main countries in the Balkans, offering contrasting scenery and distinctive cultures.Visit the highlights of the region, including Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo and Split, where the influence of their European, Ottoman and Slavic histories are evident in the ornate palaces, cathedrals and mosques.

TIA

Sarajevo Split Mostar Dubrovnik

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Private Journeys: This itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Day 1 – To Dubrovnik: Fly from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik with British Airways.

Transfer to the Grand Hotel Park or similar for 2 nights. (D) Day 2 – Dubrovnik: Morning walking tour of the old town. View the Gates of Pile and Ploce, the Franciscan monastery, Church of St Blaise and the Sponza Palace. Afternoon visit to the city walls that were built between the 13th and 16th centuries, which are some of the finest in the world. (B, D) Day 3 – To Split: Morning at leisure. Afternoon drive along the Dalmatia coast to the seafront city of Split. Stay 2 nights at the Radisson Blu Resort Split. (B) Day 4 – Split: Morning walking tour of Split, which has the Palace of Diocletian at its heart. View the Golden and Silver gates, the Cathedral of St Domnius and People’s Square.

Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 5 – To Plitvice: Morning drive from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park, stopping en route at the walled port city of Zadar. Continue to Plitvice and stay 1 night at the Jezero Hotel. (B) Day 6 – To Sarajevo: Morning tour of Plitvice, a Unesco world heritage site, which is known for beautiful waterfalls and diverse landscapes.

Afternoon drive from Croatia into Bosnia & Herzegovina and transfer to the Holiday Inn Hotel for 2 nights. (B, D) Day 7 – Sarajevo: Morning tour of Sarajevo to see the Tunnel Museum. The tunnels

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia The Balkans Explorer tour prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

BKX

Tour

Code

Private Journey

BKI

Private tour

No of nights

17 May 12

21 Jun 12

13 Sep 12

11 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

8

1,295

1,325

1,395

1,325

365

•

No of 01 Jan to 01 May to 01 Aug to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 30 Apr 12 31 Jul 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

8

POA

POA

POA

POA

POA

POA

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Thu) Rtn (Fri)

17 May

25 May

Out (Thu) Rtn (Fri)

21 Jun

29 Jun

Out (Thu) Rtn (Fri)

13 Sep

21 Sep

Out (Thu) Rtn (Fri)

11 Oct

19 Oct

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £345* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Gatwick to / from: Edinburgh, Glasgow or Manchester * Prices subject to availability

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

European journeys

57

ALBANIA & MACEDONIA tour

DISCOVERY TOUR

SE

A

ALBANIA: THE LAND OF THE EAGLE

Tirana

RI AD

ALBAN

Saranda

D O N IA

Lake Ohrid

AT

IC

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,145

M AC E

✈ IA

Korca

Gjirokaster GREEC

E

theatre, bathhouses and baptistery. Stay overnight at the Hotel Butrinti. (B) Day 8 – To Vlora: Travel to Vlora, a seaport and the gateway to Italy. Stay overnight at the Hotel Vlora International. (B)

Fortress, Gjirokaster

SPECIAL FEATURES • Archaeological ruins • Orthodox icons • Four Unesco world heritage sites • Macedonia Known as the ‘Cradle of the Balkans’, Albania and Macedonia are home to a wealth of natural and historic sites, from Lake Ohrid to the important Roman ruins at Butrint and Apollonia. Travelling through spectacular mountain and coastal scenery, explore these two countries that are emerging from years of relative isolation.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Tirana: Morning flight from London Gatwick to Tirana with British Airways.

Afternoon tour of the Albanian capital, including visits to the National Museum, the mosque, the main square and its clock tower. Stay at the Theranda Hotel / Tirana International for 2 nights. (D)

58

known as the ‘Macedonian Jerusalem’ due to its large number of churches. The enormous lake is renowned for the clarity of its water. Stay at the Hotel Royal View for 2 nights. (B) Day 4 – Ohrid: Morning tour of the town.

See St Sophia Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Macedonia, the Church of St Clement at Plaoshnik, where the first university in Europe was founded, and the Gallery of Icons, which has the largest collection of icons in the world.

Afternoon visit to the Monastery of St Naum.

Its position on a rocky overhang provides excellent views across the lake. (B) Day 5 – To Korca: Cross the border back into Albania and continue south to Korca, historically an important trade town. Visit the Museum of Medieval Arts, which displays more than 150 icons and the Korca mosque. Stay at the Regency Hotel for 1 night. (B)

Day 2 – Tirana: Morning tour of Kruja and the Skanderbeg Museum. Continue to the northern town of Shkoder, located near the largest lake in the region, Lake Shkoder. Explore the fortress and museum. (B)

Day 6 – To Gjirokaster: See the Tumulus at Kamenica, where the biggest ancient burial mound to be excavated in the Balkans is located. Continue to Gjirokaster, the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the former leader of Albania.

Visit his house museum and the city’s fortress, which was formerly a political prison. Stay at the Cajupi Hotel for 1 night. (B)

Day 3 – To Lake Ohrid: Travel east to Elbasan, stopping en route at the remains of a Turkish fort. Continue into Macedonia and the town of Ohrid, situated on the east shore of Lake Ohrid. This Unesco world heritage site is

Day 7 – To Saranda: Drive through the mountains to the coastal resort of Saranda.

Morning tour of the Unesco world heritage site of Butrint. Explore the ruins of this GrecoRoman town and view the third-century BC

COX & KINGS

Day 9 – To Durres: Morning tour of the Greek and Roman ruins at Apollonia, an important trading port for the Roman empire until the third century AD. Drive to Berat and visit the Museum of Icons and the castle, which has the remains of 42 churches within its walls.

Continue to Durres and stay overnight at the Adriatik Hotel. (B) Day 10 – To London: Morning tour of Durres to explore the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

EXTENSION

Tour + Montenegro 12 Days / 11 Nights from £1,390 Situated between Croatia and Albania, Montenegro is home to some of the Adriatic’s most picturesque scenery, with coastal fjords and walled medieval towns.

Stay two nights in the coastal resort of Budva and take an optional visit to the Unescoprotected town of Kotor.

Day 10 – To Budva: Travel from Shkoder to Budva in Montenegro and stay 2 nights at the Iberostar Bellevue Becici Hotel. (B, D) Day 11 – Budva: Optional morning city tour, including the old town. Optional afternoon tour of the Unesco world heritage town of Kotor, one of the best preserved medieval cities on the Adriatic. View the ancient city walls, the Cathedral of St Tryphon and Church of St Nicholas. (B, L, D) Day 12 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to Dubrovnik airport and fly to London with British Airways. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

NOTES Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the best available accommodation and transport.

However, outside Tirana, facilities should be regarded as tourist class. The tour involves some long drives and walking over uneven terrain. Please see page 9 for more information about Discovery Tours.

Albania: Land of the Eagle tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

No of nights

08 May 12

12 Jun 12

17 Jul 12

04 Sep 12

18 Sep 12

02 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

ALE

Tour

9

1,145

1,195

1,195

1,225

1,195

1,195

205

•

ALEMON Ext: Montenegro

2

245

335

370

335

335

305

65

280

Code

Private Journey

ALL

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 01 Mar to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Sep to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 29 Feb 12 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

9

2,195

2,195

2,195

2,195

2,195

2,195

255

1,425

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Tue) Rtn (Thu)

08 May 12 Jun

17 May 21 Jun

Out (Tue) Rtn (Thu)

17 Jul 04 Sep

26 Jul 13 Sep

Out (Tue) Rtn (Thu)

18 Sep 02 Oct

27 Sep 11 Oct

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £385* * Prices subject to availability

( F rom £95 return* British Airways. London Gatwick to / from: Edinburgh, Glasgow or Manchester * Prices subject to availability

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

European journeys

59

croatia private journey

SUPERIOR OR LUXURY TOUR

HIGHLIGHTS OF CROATIA

Zagreb CROA

TIA

Private Journey • 8 Days / 7 Nights from £885 IA & SERB INA EGOV HERZ

SPECIAL FEATURES • Unesco heritage sites in Split & Dubrovnik • Hvar island • Picturesque Dalmatian coastline • Zagreb extension From Roman ruins to Renaissance palaces, this Private Journey introduces Croatia’s highlights. Starting in the bustling port city of Split, travel to one of the largest Croatian islands, Hvar, known as the island of lavender, and end your visit with a stay in the Unesco world heritage town of Dubrovnik.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Split: Morning flight from London to Split, via Zagreb, with Croatia Airlines.

Transfer to Hotel Park / Le Meridien Lav* for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Split: Day at leisure to explore this coastal town, which has the Unesco world heritage-listed Palace of Diocletian at its heart.

Built as the retirement palace for the Emperor Diocletian in 305AD, it features grand Egyptian granite columns, underground chambers and the Cathedral of St Domnius. A short drive away are the towns of Salona, capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia, and Trogir, renowned for its Venetian era architecture. (B)

short journey from Dubrovnik is the village of Cavtat, site of the ancient Greek and Roman colony of Epidauros. (B) Day 8 – To London: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London, via Zagreb, with Croatia Airlines. (B)

EXTENSION

Tour + Zagreb 10 Days / 9 Nights from £1,100 Extend your time in the Republic of Croatia with a stay in the capital, Zagreb for two nights. With its cobbled streets, old city quarter and baroque architecture, it is often reminiscent of the other great central European capitals of Budapest and Vienna.

Day 8 – To Zagreb: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Zagreb with Croatia Airlines. Transfer to the Hotel Westin for 2 nights. (B) Day 9 – Zagreb: Zagreb’s old town, which has the majority of the museums, and the lower town, with its parks and open spaces, is easily explored on foot. See the Cathedral of St

Split Hvar Dubrovnik

Stephen, the Natural History Museum and the Gallery of Old Masters, considered the finest in the Balkans. (B) Day 10 – To London: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London with Croatia Airlines. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES * Upgrade: The asterisk denotes the Luxury Tour hotel option. Please see page 9 for more details about Luxury Tours.

Excursions: Optional excursions can be pre-booked in advance for Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Please speak to a consultant for details. Alternative direct flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick and London Stansted.

Day 3 – To Hvar: Morning transfer to Split and travel by hydrofoil to Hvar island. Transfer to the 4-star Amorfa Hotel for 2 nights. (B) Day 4 – Hvar: Day at leisure to explore Hvar town, including the cathedral, the arsenal which unusually housed one of the world’s first open theatres, the ornate, but unfinished, Venetian gothic Hektorovic Palace, the Španjol Fortress and the Franciscan monastery. (B) Day 5 – To Dubrovnik: Morning transfer and travel by hydrofoil to Split. Drive along the picturesque Dalmatian coast to Dubrovnik.

Stay at the Grand Hotel Park / Grand Villa Argentina* for 3 nights. (B) Days 6-7 – Dubrovnik: Days at leisure to explore the city with its marble-paved squares, finely carved fountains and elaborate palaces.

Visit the gothic-Renaissance Ducal Palace and the 15th-century Sponza Palace. The old town includes the baroque church of St Blasius and the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. A

60

COX & KINGS

Dubrovnik Highlights of Croatia tour and extension prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

ZTT

Private tour

7

885

1,055

1,110

1,165

1,345

1,255

1,170

1,085

165

575

ZTTZAG

Ext: Zagreb

2

215

215

270

270

270

270

270

270

100

170

Code

Private Journey

ZTD

Private tour (Luxury)

No of 01 Jan to 29 Feb to 01 May to 17 May to 30 Jun to 31 Aug to 14 Sep to 12 Oct to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 28 Feb 12 30 Apr 12 16 May 12 29 Jun 12 30 Aug 12 13 Sep 12 11 Oct 12 31 Oct 12 from from

No of 01 Jan to 01 Apr to 26 Apr to 26 Jun to 01 Sep to 26 Sep to • • nights 31 Mar 12 25 Apr 12 25 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 25 Sep 12 31 Oct to

7

1,045

1,195

1,315

1,595

1,385

1,245

•

•

Single Supp Sole Supp from from

295

680

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Croatia Airlines flight upgrades ( Business Class: Prices on application

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS croatia

croatia short breaks

Hilton Dubrovnik

Grand Villa Argentina

Hilton Dubrovnik

Grand Villa Argentina

Located in beautiful gardens on the edge of the city walls, only a few minutes’ walk from the old town and the sea, the new Hilton Imperial Hotel has been created by refurbishing and combining two 19th-century hotels. The hotel retains its historic character while modern amenities provide the comfort and luxury expected of a 5-star hotel. The hotel’s location allows for easy exploration of this fascinating city on foot.

Offering stunning views over the Unesco world heritage city of Dubrovnik, the Grand Villa Argentina occupies a prime location close to the old city gates. All 166 rooms are designed in a contemporary style and the hotel facilities include a private beach, two swimming pools and three restaurants serving Croatian, Mediterranean and international cuisine.

Code: DDH Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 30 Sep 3 3 01 Oct – 31 Oct

Price Single PP Supp £435 £200 £510 £235 £725 £445 £725 £445 £510 £235

Extra night Double £75 £95 £165 £165 £95

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hilton Imperial, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Liverpool and Stansted or with Jet2 from Belfast, Leeds, Bradford and Manchester.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik 4 Days / 3 Nights from £435 Described by Byron as the “pearl of the Adriatic”, the Unesco world heritage city of Dubrovnik remains as enchanting today as it has been for centuries.

Inside the city’s ancient walls are marblepaved squares and steep cobbled streets, historic churches and modern galleries, monasteries and gardens and, most striking of all, the 14th-century ramparts and towers.

Code: DBA / DBY Nights Travel between 02 Jan – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 30 Jun 3 7 01 Jul – 31 Aug 01 Sep – 30 Sep 3 01 Oct – 31 Oct 3 01 Nov – 28 Dec 3

Price PP £440 £480 £535 £1,090 £595 £535 £440

Single Supp £215 £245 £280 £685 £330 £280 £215

Extra night Double £75 £90 £105 £110 £110 £105 £90

Per person price includes 3 or 7 nights at the Grand Villa Argentina, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Liverpool and Stansted or with Jet2 from Belfast, Leeds, Bradford and Manchester.

Le Meridien Lav

Hotel Park

Le Meridien Lav

Hotel Park

Located in Podstrana, 8km south of Split, Le Meridien Lav has an 800-metre-long beach. Set among landscaped gardens, the four interlinked buildings have 381 guestrooms and suites, all featuring contemporary Italian design. Facilities include two restaurants, three bars, a tennis court and swimming pool. The hotel is linked by a promenade to the local marina.

The Hotel Park is situated in the historical centre of Split, close to the seashore, in the beautiful Bacvice Cove. It has 54 guestrooms over three floors. All rooms have a television, balcony or terrace, minibar, shower, air conditioning, telephone and kitchenette.

Hotel amenities include a laundry service and currency exchange.

Code: SPU Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 3 01 Sep – 30 Sep 01 Oct – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £550 £215 £595 £230 £695 £320 £595 £230 £550 £215

Extra night Double £95 £120 £145 £120 £95

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Le Meridien Lav, flights with easyJet from London Gatwick or London Stansted and Jet2 from Manchester, transfers and breakfast daily.

Split

Split 4 Days / 3 Nights from £420 Renowned for its warm temperate climate, the town of Split is centred on the vast Palace of Diocletian, which is still inhabited today with houses and shops.

The second largest city in Croatia, the city is seen as the gateway to the various islands that are dotted around the country’s coastline.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

Code: LBU Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 28 Feb 3 01 Mar – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 30 Sep 3 01 Oct – 31 Oct 3 01 Nov – 31 Dec 3

Price Single PP Supp £420 £235 £530 £235 £570 £235 £530 £235 £420 £235

Extra night Double £55 £90 £105 £90 £55

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Park Hotel, flights with easyJet from London Gatwick or London Stansted and Jet2 from Manchester, transfers and breakfast daily.

European journeys

61

malta private journey

STANDARD, SUPERIOR OR LUXURY TOUR Gozo

SPLENDOURS OF MALTA

Comino

MAL

Private Journey • 6 Days / 5 Nights from £810

Mdina

TA

Valetta Rabat Hagar Qim

Senglea, which suffered heavy damage during the second world war. See the Gardjola Tower overlooking the harbour. (B) Day 3 – Tarxien, Hypogeum & Hagar Qim: Morning excursion to see the megalithic temples of Tarxien and Hagar Qim. Built between 3600 and 2500BC, these are the oldest freestanding stone structures in the world. Afternoon at leisure or optional visit to the Hypogeum, the only prehistoric underground temple in the world. All sites visited are on the Unesco world heritage list. (B) Day 4 – Mdina & Rabat: Morning tour of Mdina.

Known as the silent city, Mdina is a medieval walled citadel with magnificent views over the island. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of St Paul and the cathedral museum. Continue to Rabat, visiting St Paul’s catacombs and underground city. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 5 – Sliema / Valletta: Full day at leisure to relax or further explore the island. (B) Day 6 – To London: Late morning transfer to the airport and fly to London Heathrow with Air Malta. (B)

Valletta, Malta

SPECIAL FEATURES • The Three Cities of the Knights of St John • 7,000 years of history • Ancient temples & churches Often seen as the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, the island of Malta has a wealth of historical and cultural sites, which have attracted visitors over the centuries. This six-day tour visits the capital, Valletta, and its three surrounding cities, and then travels into the Maltese countryside to explore the towns of Mosta, Mdina and Rabat.

Day 2 – Valletta & the Three Cities: Today will be spent in Valletta and the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. In Valletta, visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Palace of the Grand Masters (tapestry chamber only), Casa Rocca Piccola and St John’s Cathedral, containing two masterpieces by Caravaggio.

During the visit to Vittoriosa, where the Knights of St John first settled, take in the Collachio, the Inquisitor’s Palace and St Laurence Church.

Explore Cospicua, the largest of the Three Cities, with its series of fortifications, and

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Accommodation: This tour is available with Standard (*), Superior (†) and Luxury (‡) hotels. See the price panel for more information. Please refer to page 63 for details on the Victoria, Palace and Phoenicia hotels.

Flights: Prices below are based on flights with Air Malta, however direct regional flights are available with easyJet from Belfast International, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, please enquire for prices.

Splendours of Malta journey prices for departures on or between the following dates

62

Private Journey

THE JOURNEY

Code

Day 1 – To Sliema / Valletta: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Malta with Air Malta. Transfer to the Victoria Hotel* (Sliema) / Palace Hotel† (Sliema) / Phoenicia‡ (Valletta) for 5 nights. (N)

MWZ

Private tour (Victoria)

5

810

810

910

835

975

1,040

1,040

1,035

125

420

MWW

Private tour (Palace)

5

860

860

965

860

1,115

1,075

1,075

1,115

170

455

MWG

Private tour (Phoenicia)

5

920

945

1,120

1,045

1,155

995

1,080

1,155

230

515

COX & KINGS

No of 04 Jan to 01 Mar to 04 Apr to 11 Apr to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Aug to 01 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 29 Feb 12 03 Apr 12 10 Apr 12 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Jul 12 31 Aug 12 31 Oct 12 from from

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

shoRT BREAKS malta

MALTA SHORT BREAKs 4 days / 3 nights from £295

Malta is characterised by beautiful landscapes and a colourful history, and is rich in archaeology, architecture and art. From its first inhabitants, who built temples almost 7,000 years ago, to the Knights of St John and the George Cross, which was awarded to the island during second world war, Malta has preserved many traces of its extraordinary past.

Sliema, Malta

Victoria Hotel, Sliema

The Palace Hotel, Sliema

This charming 4-star hotel is set in the centre of Sliema, close to the shops and restaurants.

The Palace is a boutique hotel located just a brief walk from Sliema’s numerous shops and restaurants.

The 135 guestrooms are decorated in either Mediterranean blue or Victorian mahogany.

The hotel has a bar and restaurant serving fine cuisine.

Code:VHM Nights Travel between 03 Jan – 29 Feb 3 01 Mar – 02 Apr 3 03 Apr – 10 Apr 3 11 Apr – 30 Apr 3 3 01 May – 30 Jun 01 Jul – 30 Sep 3 01 Oct – 31 Oct 3

Price PP £295 £345 £390 £345 £425 £465 £450

Single Supp £115 £115 £115 £115 £125 £125 £120

Extra night Double £35 £45 £55 £45 £70 £85 £75

Victoria Hotel

All rooms are designed in a contemporary style with modern facilities. Leisure facilities at the hotel include indoor freshwater and outdoor rooftop swimming pools, and a spa.

Code: PHM Nights Travel between 03 Jan – 02 Apr 3 03 Apr – 10 Apr 3 11 Apr – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 30 Jun 3 3 01 Jul – 30 Sep 01 Oct – 31 Oct 3

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Victoria hotel, flights from London Gatwick or London Heathrow with Air Malta, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Belfast International, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle.

The Palace Hotel

Price PP £360 £420 £360 £495 £475 £495

Single Supp £135 £140 £135 £145 £140 £145

Extra night Double £45 £65 £45 £100 £90 £100

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Palace hotel, flights from London Gatwick or London Heathrow with Air Malta, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Belfast International, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle.

Phoenicia Hotel,Valletta

Xara Palace, Mdina

Just a short walk from many of Valletta’s sights and overlooking Marsamxett harbour, the 5-star Phoenicia Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the small island of Malta. The hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool with views of the city’s 16th-century bastions and a choice of three restaurants.

Once a 17th-century palace, this Relais & Chateaux hotel is located in the historic city of Mdina. The hotel has been meticulously restored and guestrooms and suites feature period pieces as well as original paintings by Maltese and international artists. The hotel has an a la carte restaurant and cocktail bar, a small fitness centre, sauna and rooftop area with excellent views.

Code:VMP Nights Travel between 04 Jan – 29 Feb 3 01 Mar – 03 Apr 3 11 Apr – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Jul 3 01 Aug – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price PP £395 £410 £470 £535 £445 £485 £535

Single Supp £175 £175 £175 £185 £185 £185 £185

Extra night Double £60 £65 £85 £105 £75 £90 £105

Phoenicia Hotel

Code: XAR Nights Travel between 05 Jan – 20 Mar 3 23 Mar – 30 Apr 3 01 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Phoenicia hotel, flights from London Gatwick or London Heathrow with Air Malta, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Belfast International, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle.

Price Single PP Supp £595 £285 £755 £370 £725 £345 £650 £345 £725 £345

Extra night Double £125 £175 £175 £150 £175

Per person price includes 3 nights at the The Xara Palace, flights from London Gatwick or London Heathrow with Air Malta, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Belfast International, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle.

Xara Palace

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

European journeys

63

spain private journeys

NAVARRA & LA RIOJA Self-Drive Private Journey • 7 Days / 6 Nights from £795 This self-drive tour combines visits to San Sebastian, the gastronomic heart of Spain, with the vineyards of La Rioja. Travelling from the largest Basque town, Bilbao, via the chic resort of San Sebastian and Pamplona, you will finish with a stay in the centre of the winemaking capital with time to explore the various villages and wineries.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Bilbao: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Bilbao with Vueling. Stay at the Hotel Miro for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Bilbao: Full day at leisure to explore the city or optional visit to the futuristic Guggenheim Museum, which houses a collection of modern and contemporary art. (B) Day 3 – To San Sebastian: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon drive to the coastal resort of San Sebastian and stay at the Hotel Astoria 7. (B) Day 4 – To Pamplona: Morning at leisure to explore the old town or relax on the beach.

Afternoon drive to the city that is renowned for its annual bull running. Stay 1 night at the NH Iruna Park. (B) Day 5 – To Haro: Morning at leisure. Afternoon drive to the town of Haro, situated in the heart of La Rioja wine country. Stay for 2 nights at the Hotel Los Agustinos. (B) Day 6 – La Rioja: Full day to explore the vineyards. Entrances are included to the Marques de Riscal and Cellars Ysiois wineries. (B) Day 7 – To London: Morning at leisure. Early afternoon drive to Bilbao airport for the flight with Vueling to London Heathrow. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Marques de Riscal

NOTES Hotels: Upgrade on days 5 and 6 to the 5-star Hotel Marques de Riscal, the luxury Frank O’Gehry-designed hotel in the village of Elciego. Supplement from £135 per person.

Navarra & La Rioja journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

NAY

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 01 Apr to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Aug to 01 Sep to 01 Oct to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Mar 12 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 31 Aug 12 30 Sep 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

6

795

875

915

925

995

945

915

795

265

415

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

ANDALUCÍA EXPLORER Private Journey • 7 Days / 6 Nights from £845 Combining the elegant Andalucían cities of Cordoba, Seville and Granada, either using the fast and efficient AVI rail service or a selfdrive option, this journey takes in the region’s Roman, Moorish and Catholic heritage, with visits to palaces, plazas and museums.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Cordoba: Morning flight from London Gatwick or Heathrow to Madrid with British Airways. Train to Cordoba (two hours) or self-drive. Stay at the Hotel Amistad / Hospes Palacio del Bailio for 2 nights. (N) Day 2 – Cordoba: Full day at leisure to explore the mosque cathedral, Mezquita, and the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. (B) Day 3 – To Seville: Morning at leisure. Train journey to Seville (30 minutes) or self-drive.

Stay for 2 nights at the Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana Hotel / Hospes. (B) Day 4 – Seville: Visit the cathedral, Plaza de España and the Royal Alcazar. (B)

64

COX & KINGS

Day 5 – To Granada: Morning at leisure.

Train journey to Granada (three hours) or self-drive. Stay at the AC Palacio De Santa Paula Hotel / Hospes Palacio de Los Patos for 2 nights. (B) Day 6 – Granada: Full day at leisure to discover the magnificent 13th-century Alhambra Palace, the last Moorish stronghold of Spain. (B) Day 7 – To London: Morning at leisure. Transfer or self-drive to Malaga airport and fly to London Gatwick with British Airways. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Alcazar, Seville

NOTES Transfers: All airport and train station transfers are included on the Andalucía Explorer rail option.

Andalucia Explorer journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

No of nights

SBT

Private tour

6

1,275

1,275

1,395

1,395

1,275

1,395

1,275

390

960

HIU

Private tour (Hospes)

6

1,565

1,765

1,765

1,765

1,565

1,765

1,565

465

885

ADT

Private tour (Self drive)

6

845

925

1,025

930

930

1,025

845

370

515

01 Jan to 01 Mar to 01 Apr to 01 Jun to 01 Jul to 01 Sep to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp 29 Feb 12 31 Mar 12 31 May 12 30 Jun 12 31 Aug 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SELF-DRIVE private journeys spain

HIGHLIGHTS OF CASTILLA Self-Drive Private Journey • 7 Days / 6 Nights from £1,050

Visiting the Unesco world heritage sites of Avila, Salamanca and Toledo, this seven-day self-drive itinerary around Spain’s Castilla region contains a host of historical cities and attractions.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Avila: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Madrid with British Airways.

Drive to Avila, via Escorial, and view the Unesco world heritage site of El Escorial. Built

by Philip II in the 16th century, it contains the burial chambers of the Spanish monarchy from the Houses of Habsburg and Bourbon. Stay 1 night at the Hotel Palacio de Valderrabanos. (L) Day 2 – To Salamanca: Morning walking tour of Avila, including the city walls. The 2.5km-long walls contain nine gateways and have guarded the city for more than a millennium. Drive to Salamanca and stay 2 nights at the AC Palacio de San Esteban. (B) Day 3 – Salamanca: Morning walking tour of

Salamanca, including Plaza Mayor, the Roman bridge and the domed cathedral. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 4 – To Toledo: Morning drive to Toledo, which has a wealth of architectural treasures.

It is known as ‘the city of three cultures’, due to its Christian, Jewish and Arabic populations, which have all left their imprint on the city in the form of churches, palaces, mosques and synagogues. Stay 1 night at the Hotel Cigarral El Bosque. (B, L) Day 5 – To Madrid: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon drive to Madrid. Stay 2 nights at the Silken Puerta America Hotel. (B) Day 6 – Madrid: Full day at leisure. (B) Day 7 – To London: Morning at leisure. Transfer

Cathedral dome, Salamanca

to Madrid airport and fly to London Heathrow with British Airways. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Upgrade: It is possible to upgrade to the Parador Hotels in Avila, Salamanca and Toledo.

Please enquire for upgrade costs.

Highlights of Castilla journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

CAU

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 01 Mar to 01 Apr to 01 May to 01 Jul to 01 Aug to 21 Aug to 30 Aug to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 29 Feb 12 31 Mar 12 30 Apr 12 30 Jun 12 31 Jul 12 20 Aug 12 29 Aug 12 27 Oct 12 from from

6

1,050

1,075

1,175

1,225

1,195

1,225

1,165

1,225

345

425

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

THE PILGRIMS ROAD TO SANTIAGO Self-Drive Private Journey • 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,395 Follow in the footsteps of those who travelled to venerate the tomb of the Apostle St James in Santiago de Compostela. This self-drive itinerary takes you through contrasting rural landscapes, passing ancient villages, and Romanesque churches en route. One of the highlights of the journey will be stays in two of the best parador hotels in Spain, the Hostal San Marcos in Leon and the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos in Santiago de Compostela.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Bilbao: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Bilbao with Vueling / Iberia Airlines. Stay 2 nights at the Miro Hotel. (N) Day 2 – Bilbao: Full day at leisure. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts or the Guggenheim. (B) Day 3 – To Burgos: Morning drive to Burgos (two hours) via La Rioja’s capital of Logrono. Stay 2 nights at the NH Palacio de la Merced. (B) Day 4 – Burgos: Day at leisure. Explore the churches and places of worship in Burgos, with the highlight being the gothic cathedral. (B)

Day 5 – To Leon: Morning drive to Leon (two hours). Stay 2 nights at the Parador Hostal San Marcos for 2 nights. (B) Day 6 – Leon: Full day at leisure. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Regla, a fine example of the gothic architectural style. (B) Day 7 – To Santiago de Compostela: Morning drive to Santiago de Compostela (four hours).

Stay 2 nights at the Parador Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos. (B) Day 8 – Santiago de Compostela: Full day at leisure. Explore the capital of Galicia, to see the imposing twin-spire cathedral and the various other ornate churches in the city. (B) Day 9 – To London: Morning at leisure.

Afternoon drive to La Coruna airport (one

Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela

hour) and fly to London Heathrow with Vueling / Iberia Airlines. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

The Pilgrims Road to Santiago journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

PFT

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 01 Apr to 01 Jul to 01 Aug to 01 Sep to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Mar 12 30 Jun 12 31 Jul 12 31 Aug 12 31 Oct 12 30 Dec 12 from from

8

1,395

1,555

1,585

1,595

1,555

1,425

555

725

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

European journeys

65

spain SHORT BREAKS

spain short breaks

Hotel Ritz Madrid

Palacio De San Martin

Hotel Ritz Madrid

Palacio De San Martin

Owned by Orient-Express Hotels, the 5-star Ritz Madrid is the hotel of choice for visiting royalty and heads of state. Regularly voted in the world’s top 10 hotels, the Ritz is conveniently located in the centre of the city, opposite the Prado Museum.

Code: RZT Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 08 Apr 3* 09 Apr – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 15 Jul 3 3 for 2 16 Jul – 10 Sep 11 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £775 £585 £895 £695 £775 £595 £595 £415 £895 £695

Extra night Double £195 £215 £170 £165 £215

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Ritz Hotel, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. * Prices for Friday arrivals only.

Supplements apply to other arrival days. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Luton and Liverpool.

Palacio de Comunicaciones, Madrid

Madrid 4 Days / 3 Nights from £425 Spain’s vibrant capital is a cosmopolitan cultural centre, home to the Prado Museum, which has masterpieces by Velasquez, El Greco and Goya, and the Reina Sofia Museum of Modern Art. Also worth exploring is the city’s Moorish quarter. Built in the ninth century, it is a venue for open-air theatre and music performances during the summer.

Located in the heart of Madrid and built in 1883, this hotel is ideally situated close to Opera and Callao underground stations as well as the areas of Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, Plaza Mayor, and Puerta del Sol. The building served as the US embassy in Madrid during the 19th century and is protected by national heritage.

Code: PIU Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 29 Feb 3 01 Mar – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct 3

This luxury hotel, part of the Leading Hotels of the World group, occupies an early 20thcentury art nouveau building on the most prestigious boulevard in the city, Passeig de Gracia. Facilities include the well-regarded Galaxó restaurant and a rooftop swimming pool and bar with splendid views over the city.

All 105 guestrooms are elegantly furnished.

Code: BCC Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £755 £495 £795 £555 £755 £495 £795 £555

Extra night Double £175 £195 £175 £195

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Casa Fuster, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Belfast, Sheffield, Newcastle, Doncaster, Stansted, London Luton and Liverpool or with Jet2 from Glasgow and Manchester.

66

COX & KINGS

Extra night Double £65 £195 £55 £195

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Palacio De San Martin, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Luton and Liverpool.

Hotel Casa Fuster

Hotel Casa Fuster

Price Single PP Supp £475 £255 £540 £350 £425 £255 £540 £350

Hotel Casanova Parc Guell, Barcelona

Barcelona 4 Days / 3 Nights from £425 The capital of Catalunya, Barcelona is an unequivocally Mediterranean city, not simply because of its geographical location, but also due to its history, tradition and cultural influences. For art aficionados, Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral, Sagrada Familia, and the gothic quarter are must-see highlights.

It is possible to combine Barcelona with Madrid on a two-centre holiday. The high speed AVI train travels between the cities in approximately three hours. Please speak to a Europe specialist for further details.

Hotel Casanova Ideally located in the heart of Barcelona, this boutique 4-star hotel has transformed a former 18th-century residence and now houses 124 guestrooms designed in a simple modern style with pastel colours. The characterful Mexiterranée restaurant serves a selection of contemporary dishes and tapas.

Code: BCS Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 3 01 Apr – 30 Jun 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct 3 01 Nov – 15 Dec 3

Price Single PP Supp £425 £295 £475 £315 £450 £295 £475 £315 £445 £295

Extra night Double £75 £80 £75 £80 £75

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hotel Casanova, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Belfast, Sheffield, Newcastle, Doncaster, Stansted, London Luton and Liverpool or with Jet2 from Glasgow and Manchester.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS spain

spain short breaks

Hotel Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana

Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza

Hospes Las Casas Del Rey De Baeza Located in a quiet residential area, close to the Alcazar Palace and cathedral, the hotel’s 41 bedrooms and suites have been designed in a Spanish colonial style. With three central courtyards, wide-open corridors and white washed rooms, the hotel is one of the most fashionable places to stay in the city.

Code: SHE Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 29 Feb 3 01 Mar – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 15 Sep 3 16 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £550 £270 £695 £380 £550 £270 £695 £380

Extra night Double £95 £145 £95 £145

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hospes Las Casas Del Rey de Baeza, flights from London Heathrow with Vueling or easyJet from London Gatwick, transfers and breakfast daily.

Plaza de España, Seville

Seville 4 Days / 3 Nights from 475 One of the earliest sites of the Moorish conquests of Spain and the second city of Al-Andalus, Seville’s architecture still retains its Islamic influences. Highlights of the city include the cathedral, which was converted from the Almohad mosque and is today the third largest church in the world, and the Alcazar Palace, a large fortified complex, home to a number of Muslim and Christian rulers throughout the centuries.

Hotel Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana This boutique city centre hotel with only 57 rooms is a minute’s walk from the famous cathedral. The Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana occupies a three-storey building dating from the 19th century, with rooms designed using modern contemporary fabrics with an Andalucian influence.

Code: SEZ Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 15 Mar 3 16 Mar – 16 Jun 3 17 Jun – 06 Sep 3 07 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Hotel Las Arenas

Hotel Las Arenas

Set in two former palaces, the Hospes Palau de la Mar is a boutique property with 66 rooms, designed in a minimalist style with the emphasis on simple whites and pastel colours. Public facilities include an extensive spa offering numerous treatments as well as a small gym, swimming pool, sauna and steam bath. Guests may dine at the Senzone restaurant, which serves Mediterranean and classical Valencian dishes.

Price Single PP Supp £525 £280 £585 £320 £525 £280 £585 £320

Extra night Double £70 £85 £70 £85

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana, flights from London Heathrow with Vueling or easyJet from London Gatwick, transfers and breakfast daily.

Hospes Palau de la Mar

Hospes Palau de la Mar

Code:VGH Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 29 Feb 3 01 Mar – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 02 Sep 3 03 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £475 £240 £535 £295 £475 £240 £535 £295

Extra night Double £85 £105 £85 £105

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hospes Palau de la Mar, flights from London Gatwick or Bristol with easyJet to Valencia, transfers and breakfast daily.

Plaza d la Virgen, Valencia

Valencia 4 Days / 3 Nights from £525 Valencia is a vibrant city located on the Spain’s east coast. With exuberant fiestas, colourful ceramics and most attractions within walking distance, the city is a popular destination for visitors to the region. The three finest buildings in the city, the Palau de la Generalitat, the gothic hall of La Lonja and the cathedral were all built during the 14th and 15th centuries. Complementing these classical buildings are the modern Ciutat de las Artes y de les Ciencies, and the Palau de la Musica.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

The Hotel Las Arenas incorporates the only original building of the 19th century spa not destroyed during the Spanish civil war.

Redeveloped in 2002, the hotel maintains many original features, including the 1933 outdoor swimming pool. In all, there are 253 air-conditioned guestrooms and suites, while other facilities include an indoor swimming pool, spa, gym, restaurant and pool bar.

Code:VGL Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 15 Mar 3 16 Mar – 28 Jun 3 29 Jun – 02 Sep 3 03 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £580 £315 £640 £365 £695 £435 £640 £365

Extra night Double £95 £115 £135 £115

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hotel Las Arenas, flights from London Gatwick or Bristol with easyJet to Valencia, transfers and breakfast daily.

European journeys

67

spain SHORT BREAKS

spain short breaks

Hospes Palacio del Bailio

NH Amistad

Hospes Palacio del Bailio

NH Amistad

Built during the 16th century on the site of the ruins of a Roman house, this converted palace is composed of several buildings arranged around a total of five terraces. Facilities include a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, a tapas bar, an outdoor swimming pool situated in a garden of rare plants and a spa converted from its Roman original.

Located in the heart of the historic district, the NH Amistad comprises two 18th-century mansions. Careful renovation has restored the interior Mudejar-style courtyard, the ornate woodwork ceilings and neo-classical facade to their original brilliance. The 84 rooms each feature contemporary decor, air conditioning, a hairdryer, minibar and cable television.

Code: COZ Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 31 Jul 3 01 Aug – 31 Aug 3 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct

Price Single PP Supp £670 £375 £750 £445 £750 £445 £750 £465 £750 £445

Extra night Double £140 £165 £140 £140 £165

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hospes Palacio del Bailio, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways to Madrid, breakfast daily and 4 days car hire in category B vehicle. * Prices for Sunday to tuesday arrivals only. Supplements apply to other arrival days. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Luton and Liverpool.

Mezquita, Cordoba

Cordoba 4 Days / 3 Nights from £470 Steeped in history, Cordoba is a city of stunning Moorish architecture, ancient palaces, beautiful parks and gardens, monuments and flower-filled courtyards. One thousand years ago it was the capital of Muslim Spain and Europe’s largest cultural and intellectual centre. Today a Unesco world heritage site, Cordoba still retains traces of its Moorish legacy, the most spectacular of which is its grand and beautiful mosque, the Mezquita.

Code: COH Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 29 Feb 3* 01 Mar – 31 Mar 3* 01 Apr – 30 Jun 3* 01 Jul – 31 Jul 3* 3* 01 Aug – 31 Aug 01 Sep – 31 Sep 3*

Price Single PP Supp £470 £255 £550 £325 £605 £375 £550 £335 £560 £350 £735 £375

Per person price includes 3 nights at the NH Amistad, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways to Madrid, breakfast daily and 4 days car hire in category B vehicle. * Prices for Friday arrivals only. Supplements apply to other arrival days. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Luton and Liverpool.

Hospes Palacio de los Patos

Palacio de Santa Paula

Hospes Palacio de los Patos

Palacio de Santa Paula

Converted from a 19th-century palace in the heart of the city, this boutique property has 42 rooms, all designed in a simple contemporary style and combined with historic elements.

Guest amenities include the Senzone restaurant, serving excellent Andalucian cuisine, and a spa and wellness centre with a Turkish hamam, sauna and indoor pool.

Located in the centre of Granada, this 5-star hotel was carefully restored from the 14th-century Convent of Santa Paula.

Comprising three buildings around an original cloister, the rooms have a tasteful contemporary feel. The 75 guestrooms each feature air conditioning, a minibar, hairdryer and cable television. The restaurant is located in the former convent library.

Code: PHP Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 29 Feb 3* 01 Mar – 30 Jun 3* 01 Jul – 15 Sep 3* 16 Sep – 31 Oct 3*

Price Single PP Supp £895 £580 £975 £650 £895 £580 £975 £650

Extra night Double £115 £120 £115 £120

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Hospes Palacio de los Patos, flights from London Heathrow to Malaga, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2. *Prices valid for Sunday to Tuesday arrivals only. Supplements apply to other arrival days.

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Extra night Double £75 £85 £85 £75 £75 £85

COX & KINGS

Alhambra, Granada

Granada 4 Days / 3 Nights from £895 Set below the spectacular snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is home to the Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish stronghold whose Alcazaba fortress, beautiful palaces, elaborate courtyards and luxurious residences were a triumph of Islamic art and workmanship. On the hilltop facing the Alhambra is the old Arab-Jewish quarter of Albaicin – a honeycomb of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, plazas and historic buildings.

Code: SEZ Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 03 Apr 3 04 Apr – 29 May 3 30 May – 04 Sep 3 05 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £895 £635 £995 £750 £895 £635 £995 £750

Extra night Double £100 £140 £100 £140

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Palacio de Santa Paula, flights from London Heathrow to Malaga, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS portugal

portugal SHORT BREAKs Lisbon 4 Days / 3 Nights from £440 Lisbon is one of Europe’s most exciting and beautiful cities, with breathtaking architecture, world-class museums, a lively cultural scene and excellent restaurants. Small enough to be explored on foot, Lisbon offers a wonderful mix of history, culture, cuisine and nightlife.

Torre de Belim, Lisbon

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, Lisbon

Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa

Long considered the city’s finest hotel, from the top of one of Lisbon’s seven hills it affords vistas of Eduardo VII Park, St George’s Moorish castle, the old town and the Tagus river. This elegant 10-storey building offers 282 comfortable and spacious rooms. The Varanda restaurant is highly acclaimed, serving Portuguese regional specialities and fresh seafood, while the spa and fitness centre is fully equipped to offer a range of treatments and facilities. There is also an 18-metre indoor lap pool.

Occupying a great location in a vibrant part of the city, opposite the Park Eduardo II and next to the Marquis de Pombel, the Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa combines traditional Portuguese hospitality with superior standards of comfort and service.

Code: FSL Nights Travel between 02 Jan – 31 Mar 3 3 01 Apr – 30 Apr 01 May – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 18 Aug 3 01 Sep – 31 Oct 3

Price PP £870 £795 £985 £795 £985

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz

Single Extra night Supp Double £195 £215 £170 £190 £230 £250 £170 £190 £230 £250

Fine dining can be experienced at L’Appart and amenities at the nearby private health club include an indoor pool, six tennis courts, a sauna and steam bath.

Code: LPA Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 31 Mar 3 for 2* 01 Apr – 30 Jun 4 for 3* 01 Jul – 31 Aug 3 for 2* 01 Sep – 31 Oct 4 for 3*

Price Single PP Supp £440 £210 £595 £350 £440 £210 £595 £350

Extra night Double £100 £120 £100 £120

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Park Atlantic Lisboa, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. * Prices valid for Friday arrivals only. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, Liverpool and London Luton.

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, Liverpool and London Luton.

Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa

Madeira 4 Days / 3 Nights from £715

Porto 4 Days / 3 Nights from £525

Madeira’s beautiful scenery and fortunate climate make it an ideal year-round travel destination.

Portugal’s second largest city, Porto was built along the hillside overlooking the mouth of the Douro river. An outstanding urban landscape with a Unesco world heritagelisted historical centre, it has a number of monuments and museums and is small enough to explore on foot.

Reid’s Palace, Madeira Set on the cliff tops overlooking the Atlantic, the Orient-Express owned, de luxe 5-star Reid’s Palace was founded in 1891 by Scotsman William Reid. It has played host to many distinguished visitors attracted by the varied and excellent restaurants, which offer alfresco dining in the summer months, and facilities, including two heated saltwater pools, private access to the ocean via a seaside rock pool and four hectares of semi-tropical gardens. The hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World with 130 rooms are traditionally styled and comfortable.

Code: MRP Nights Travel between 03 Jan – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 30 Jun 3 01 Jul – 30 Sep 3 01 Oct – 31 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £715 POA £795 POA £850 POA £795 POA

Yeatman Hotel Reid’s Palace, Madeira

Situated on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Duoro river, close to many of the cities wine houses, the hotel enjoys panoramic views of the historic city centre. The Yeatman restaurant serves a variety of local specialties designed to complement its extensive wine selection, while the pool lounge provides a more relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy a cocktail.

Code: PYY Nights Price Single Travel between PP Supp

Extra night Double £170 £190 £210 £190

01 Jan – 29 Feb 01 Mar – 30 Apr 01 May – 30 Sep 01 Oct – 31 Oct 01 Nov – 31 Dec

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Reid’s Palace, flights from London Heathrow with TAP Air Portugal, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with Jet2 from Leeds, Bradford and Manchester and easyJet from London Gatwick and Bristol and London Stansted.

3 3 3 3 3

£525 £315 £630 £315 £695 £375 £630 £315 £525 £315

Extra night Double £70 £120 £150 £120 £70

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Yeatman Hotel, flights from London Gatwick with TAP Air Portugal or easyJet, transfers and breakfast daily.

Yeatman Hotel

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European journeys

69

cyprus SHORT BREAKS

cyprus SHORT BREAKs 8 Days / 7 Nights from £795

With varied heritage, picturesque villages and wonderful scenery, Cyprus is a fascinating country to explore and is dotted with Greek, Roman and early Christian sites of interest.

Aphrodite’s Rock, Cyprus

Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills

gardens and an elevated sundeck swimming pool. There are nine treatment rooms, a fully equipped fitness room, four hydrotherapy rooms, a tepidarium, sauna and laconium, for the ultimate relaxation.

The InterContinental Aphrodite Hills occupies 2.3 sq km spread across two mountain plateaux and has views over the Mediterranean and Troodos mountains. The hotel has 290 stylish rooms with all modern comforts, four restaurants and three bars. Leisure facilities include an 18-hole championship golf course, nine tennis courts and an extensive spa and fitness centre. Limassol, the cosmopolitan seaport, and the picturesque fishing town of Paphos are both located nearby.

Whether you are an advanced or intermediate player, the 18-hole championship course offers a perfect mix of challenging bunkers and tiered greens. Meanwhile, a three-hole fully equipped golf academy offers a variety of programmes and lessons to improve your short or long game. The hotel also features a wellbeing centre, with massage pavilions in hidden

Code: APZ Nights Travel between 04 Jan – 28 Feb 7 7 01 Mar – 31 Mar 01 Apr – 30 Apr 7 01 May – 31 May 7 01 Jun – 10 Jun 7 11 Jun – 30 Jun 7 01 Jul – 05 Aug 7 06 Aug – 25 Aug 7 26 Aug – 15 Oct 7 16 Oct – 31 Oct 7

Price PP £795 £905 £1,025 £1,205 £1,365 £1,250 £1,365 £1,425 £1,250 £1,295

Single Supp £360 £360 £450 £550 £550 £550 £550 £550 £550 £550

Extra night Double £75 £90 £110 £145 £145 £145 £145 £145 £145 £145

Per person price includes 7 nights at the Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills, flights from London Gatwick with British Airways to Paphos, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet and Jet2.

Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills

Le Meridien Limassol Spa & Resort

Japanese, Italian and traditional Cypriot cuisine.

Set in landscaped gardens overlooking the Mediterranean, 15km from the town of Limassol, Le Meridien Limassol Spa & Resort is a peaceful oasis of calm, offering luxury accommodation and world class service.

Free upgrade to half-board: For travel from 02 Jan to 31 Jul and 25 Aug to 31 Oct, when booked by 31 Mar 2012.

Facilities include four tennis courts, a fitness centre and an indoor heated pool. Le Spa is the only indoor and outdoor thalassotherapy spa in Europe and covers an area of 3,000 square metres. Dine at one of the hotel’s 15 restaurants and bars (some seasonal), which serve a combination of Mediterranean,

70

Free upgrade to half-board: For travel from 01 May to 31 Oct, when booked by 31 Mar 2012.

COX & KINGS

Le Meridien Limassol Spa & Resort

Code: LMD Nights Travel between 06 Jan – 31 Mar 7 01 Apr – 30 Apr 7 01 May – 23 Jul 7 24 Jul – 27 Aug 7 28 Aug – 31 Oct 7

Price PP £805 £1,040 £1,170 £1,340 £1,205

Single Supp £365 £365 £675 £675 £675

Extra night Double £65 £105 £125 £150 £130

Per person price includes 7 nights at the Le Meridien Limassol, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways to Larnaca, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with Jet2 from Manchester, Leeds and Bradford and easyJet from London Gatwick.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

SHORT BREAKS germany & hungary

berlin short breaks 5 Days / 4 Nights from £595

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

Having spent 40 years divided in two, Berlin’s east and west sides have swiftly reintegrated since the wall was brought down in 1989.

Known for its devotion to the arts, Berlin has more than 170 museums, including the Pergamon Museum, which full of classical antiquities, and the Schloss Charlottenburg, the former summer residence of Queen Sophie Charlotte.

The Adlon, one of Europe’s landmark hotels with a fascinating history, has a magnificent location at the junction of the Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden.

All 304 luxurious air-conditioned rooms are elegantly designed and have modern amenities.

Brandenburger Hof Hotel

Bradenburger Hof Hotel

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Brandenburger Hof is a stylish 72-room boutique property in the centre of Berlin, close to many of the city’s sights and museums. Die Quadriga, its gourmet French restaurant, is considered to be in the top five Berlin restaurants, with a prestigious Michelin star and an award-winning German wine list.

Code: BER Nights Price Single Travel between PP Supp 01 Jan – 31 Dec 4 for 3* £595 £295

The hotel has five restaurants and a spa, which includes an indoor pool, gym and sauna.

Upgrade to a Superior De Luxe room for a view of Unter den Linden. Some suites offer direct views of the Brandenburg Gate. Please enquire for prices.

Code: ADL Nights Travel between 02 Jan – 31 Mar 3 01 Apr – 30 Apr 3 3 01 May – 30 Jun 01 Jul – 30 Aug 3 01Sep – 31 Oct 3 01 Nov – 31 Dec 3

Extra night Double £125

Per person price includes 4 nights at the Brandenburger Hof Hotel, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Bristol, Glasgow, London Luton and Liverpool. * Prices valid if including a Sunday night.

Price PP £815 £835 £895 £835 £895 £835

Single Supp £490 £510 £575 £510 £575 £510

Extra night Double £175 £185 £200 £185 £200 £185

Per person price includes 3 nights at the Adlon Kempinski Berlin Hotel, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick, Glasgow, Liverpool and London Luton.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

Budapest short breaks 5 Days / 4 Nights from £540

Le Meridien

Straddling the Danube river, Budapest has a diverse history, handsome architecture and a rich cultural heritage. Buda, the older part of the city, has cobbled streets, gothic buildings and the castle district to explore, while Pest is characterised by broad avenues, leafy parks and charming coffee houses.

Housed in a striking building dating from the early 1900s, which has been restored to create a luxurious 5-star hotel, Le Meridien is located in the heart of Budapest’s shopping district, only a short walk from the old town, the city’s main sights and the Danube.

Corinthia Hotel The Corinthia Hotel opened in 2003, transforming the original Grand Hotel Royal into an elegant 5-star property. The royal spa, opened in 1886, is beautifully restored to its original splendour. The 414 rooms feature modern facilities, while the hotel’s three restaurants offer award-winning cuisine.

Code: BCR/BCF Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 05 Apr 3 for 2 06 Apr – 30 Apr 4 for 3 02 May – 21 Jun 3 22 Jun – 02 Sep 4 for 3 03 Sep – 18 Oct 3

Price Single PP Supp £425 £175 £540 £265 £625 £355 £540 £265 £625 £355

Corinthia Hotel

The 218 rooms are decorated in a traditional style with elegant furnishings and modern amenities. The hotel has a health club, an exclusive French restaurant, Le Bourbon, a lobby bar and a terrace where meals and drinks are served in the summer.

Code: LMB/BUP Nights Travel between 01 Jan – 08 Apr 3 for 2* 09 Apr – 30 Apr 3 for 2* 01 May – 06 May 3 for 2* 07 May – 28 Jun 3 for 2* 29 Jun – 02 Sep 4 for 3* 03 Sep – 25 Oct 3 for 2*

Extra night Double £85 £95 £125 £95 £125

Price PP £445 £445 £445 £490 £545 £490

Single Supp £185 £185 £185 £200 £235 £200

Extra night Double £110 £125 £125 £155 £95 £155

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Le Meridien, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. * Prices valid for Friday arrivals only. Supplements apply to other arrival days. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick and London Luton or with Jet2 from Edinburgh and Manchester.

Per person price includes 3 or 4 nights at the Corinthia Royal, flights from London Heathrow with British Airways, transfers and breakfast daily. Regional flights are available with easyJet from London Gatwick and London Luton or with Jet2 from Edinburgh and Manchester.

Le Meridien

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European journeys

71

germany tour

HEIDELBERG TO HAMBURG

Hamburg N E TH E

Escorted Group Tour or Private Journey • 9 Days / 8 Nights from £1,595

L IU B E LG

R LA N D

S

M

GER

Leipzig MANY

D

Dresden CZECH

Heidelberg L U X EM

PO LA N

Berlin

R E PU B

LI C

Nuremberg

BO U RG

E FR A N C Afternoon visit to Colditz Castle, the notorious IA A U ST R N D camp. (B) Allied prisoner ofLAwar IT Z E R SW

Day 6 – To Berlin: Morning drive to Berlin.

Afternoon city tour of the capital of Germany. View the iconic monuments of the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and the Gendarmenmarket. Stay 2 nights at the Gold Inn Hotel Angleterre. (B) Day 7 – Berlin: Full-day tour of Potsdam. Visit the enchanting palace of Sanssouci, built for Frederick the Great’s personal use and set amid glorious parkland. (B) Day 8 – To Hamburg: Morning drive from the Brandenburg region to northern Germany and the city of Hamburg. Stay overnight at the Maritim Hotel Reichshof Hamburg. (B)

Heidelberg

SPECIAL FEATURES • Heidelberg • Rothenberg ob der Tauber • Berlin • Colditz Castle • Meissen porcelain factory visit Starting in Heidelberg, the centre of the ‘Romantik’ epoch, travel through Bavaria, Saxony and Brandenburg staying in the handsome cities of Nuremburg, Dresden and Berlin, and finish in the port city of Hamburg.

This nine-day tour visits many of the most important cultural and historic attractions in Germany.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Heidelberg: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Frankfurt with British Airways. Transfer to the Heidelberg Marriott Hotel for 1 night. (N) Day 2 – To Nuremburg: Morning tour of Heidelberg, including a visit to the ruined baroque castle. Afternoon drive to Nuremburg via Rothenberg ob der Tauber for a walking tour of the 1,000-year-old medieval town.

Continue to the Bavarian city of Nuremburg and stay at Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg for 2 nights. (B)

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COX & KINGS

Day 3 – Nuremburg: Morning walking tour of Nuremburg to view the castle, city walls and old town quarter. Afternoon at leisure to further explore this Bavarian city. (B)

Day 9 – To London: Morning walking tour of Hamburg. View the highlights of this hanseatic city, including the neo-Renaissance town hall, the Rathausmakt, which is the symbol of the city, and the Alstadt, the old town quarter of the city. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London Heathrow with British Airways. (B)

Day 4 – To Dresden: Morning drive to Dresden stopping en route for a tour of Meissen and its renowned factory, which has been creating Europe’s finest porcelain since 1710. Stay 2 nights at the Westin Bellevue Hotel. (B)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Day 5 – Dresden: Morning walking tour of Dresden. Considered to be one of Germany’s most beautiful cities, view the Frauenkirche, Sachsische Staatsoper and the Zwinger.

Private Journeys: This itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability. Please see page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.

NOTES Guides: This tour is escorted by experienced local guides in each destination.

Heidelberg to Hamburg tour prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Escorted Group Tour

GER

Tour

Code

Private Journey

GYU

Private tour

No of nights

27 Apr 12

06 Jul 12

17 Aug 12

05 Oct Single Supp Sole Supp 12 from from

7

1,595

1,655

1,655

1,595

280

•

No of 09 Jan to 01 Feb to 16 Apr to 16 Jul to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Jan 12 15 Apr 12 15 Jul 12 10 Aug 12 from from

7

POA

POA

POA

POA

POA

POA

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

2012 departure dates Out (Fri) Rtn (Sat)

27 Apr

05 May

Out (Fri) Rtn (Sat)

06 Jul

14 Jul

Out (Fri) Rtn (Sat)

17 Aug

25 Aug

Out (Fri) Rtn (Sat)

05 Oct

13 Oct

British Airways flight upgrades

Regional air connections

( Club Europe: from £375* * Prices subject to availability

( From £95 return* British Airways. London Heathrow to / from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle * Prices subject to availability

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

XXXXXX XXXXX

COUNTRY

TITLE TO GO HERE Escorted Group or Private Journey • XX Days / XX Nights From £XXX

SPECIAL FEATURES • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here • USP’s to go here Intro to go here. Aquaeped min experro tectem volorum nempedias ma corum nonsedi tistiis nullabore, omnimpo rioritist accaturibus debis re odi digenda dolupta volo blab ium quo cuptati dolendis dusandit la arciam que consed ellendaerem faccus, cus si te soloria quos con eati omnis vid eiusam, atus doluptatiume qui torem escit alit.

THE JOURNEY Day X - To XXXX: Nihilitat prerfero cus con rernam fuga. Itametur sime rernatur sequiam etur rem deri occumnobite

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

73 Berlin European journeys Reichstag building at river Spree,

NORWAY private journeys

NORWEGIAN HIGHLIGHTS Private Journey • 6 Days / 5 Nights from £985 Combining some of its most beautiful natural attractions, mountains, fjords and waterfalls, this tour is a superb way of experiencing Norway. Travel on two of the world’s most picturesque railways, the Bergen and Flam, take a cruise on the Naeroyfjord and a coach tour of the Stalheimskleiva.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Oslo: Fly from London Heathrow to Oslo with SAS Scandinavian Airlines. Stay 3 nights at the Hotel Continental. (N) Days 2-3 – Oslo: Full days at leisure to explore the capital of Norway and its largest city. Visit the Maritime Museum, Munch Museum and City Hall, the home of the Nobel peace prize ceremonies. (B) Day 4 – To Bergen: Morning rail journey to Myrdal to join with the steep Flam railway for 20km of picturesque fjords, mountains and waterfalls. After the rail journey, cruise from Aurlandsfjord to the Unesco world heritage

site of Naeroyfjord, which is the narrowest fjord in Europe. Continue by coach from Gudvangen to Voss, stopping en route to view the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen. Continue by rail from Voss to Bergen. Transfer and stay 2 nights at the Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz. (B) Day 5 – Bergen: Full day at leisure to explore Bryggen Wharf, which is a Unesco world heritage site. (B) Day 6 – To London: Morning at leisure.

Transfer to the airport and fly from Bergen to London Gatwick with SAS Scandinavian Airlines. (B) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Bergen, Norway

NOTES Departure days: This tour operates on Friday departures only. Variable supplements apply to other days of departures. This tour can also be taken in reverse.

Norwegian Highlights journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

NBF

Private tour

No of 01 Jan to 01 Apr to 01 May to 01 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 31 Mar 12 30 Apr 12 31 Aug 12 28 Dec 12 from from

5

985

985

985

985

240

360

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

The Fjord Explorer Private Journey • 6 Days / 5 Nights from £885 Considered by many to be some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery, the fjords of Norway have been attracting visitors for centuries.

Travelling from the old capital of Trondheim through the fjords to the new city of Ålesund, this journey gives a glimpse into the beauty of southern Norway.

THE JOURNEY Day 1 – To Trondheim: Fly from London Heathrow to Trondheim, via Oslo, with SAS Scandinavian Airlines. Stay 2 nights at the Rica Nidelven Hotel Trondheim. (N) Day 2 – Trondheim: Full day at leisure to explore Norway’s royal city and Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia’s most impressive church. (B) Day 3 – To Andalsnes: Morning rail journey to Dombas to join with the Rauma railway. This 114km journey features magnificent views of the peaks, plateaux and crags of the Alpine massif.

Stay 1 night at the Grand Hotel Bellevue. (B) Day 4 – To Ålesund: Morning at leisure.

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COX & KINGS

Afternoon, travel by public coach to Ålesund.

Stay 2 nights at the Radisson Blu Alesund. (B) Day 5 – Ålesund: Full day at leisure. Explore one of the picturesque towns in the fjords.

The town is ideally located to take a cruise on the Geirangerfjord to view the waterfalls set against sheer mountains. (B) Day 6 – To London: Morning at leisure. Fly from Alesund to London Heathrow, via Oslo, with SAS Scandinavian Airlines. (B) Ålesund, Norway

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES Departure day: This tour operates on Friday

departures only. Variable supplements apply to other days of departures. This tour can also be taken in reverse.

The Fjord Explorer journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

No of nights

TFE

Private tour

5

01 Jan to 01 Feb to 01 Apr to 01 May to 15 May to 01 Sep to Single Supp Sole Supp 31 Jan 12 31 Mar 12 30 Apr 12 14 May 12 31 Aug 12 27 Dec 12 from from

885

930

945

945

895

945

250

250

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

private journey norway

NORWAY & HURTIGRUTEN: THE CLASSIC ROUND VOYAGE Private Journey • 13 Days / 12 Nights from £1,830

SPECIAL FEATURES • Norwegian fjords • Arctic Circle • Mountain landscapes Hurtigruten began in the 18th century, carrying passengers, mail and supplies along the Norwegian coast. Today, that tradition continues as the Classic Round Voyage visits one of the most unspoilt destinations in the world, travelling through dramatic western fjords between Bergen and Kirkenes, past mountains and glaciers.

THE JOURNEY

the Lofoten Islands and stop off at the capital, Svolvær. (B, L, D)

passing the peaks of the Seven Sisters mountain range. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – At Sea / Tromsø: Arrive at Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic, where the midnight sun is visible from the end of May to the last week in July*. Highlights include the Polar Museum and the Arctic cathedral. (B, L, D)

Day 11 – Trondheim: Early morning arrival in Trondheim. Continue past Hitra Island, making brief stops at Kristiansund and Molde, before the midnight call at Ålesund. (B, L, D) Day 12 – To Bergen: Return to Bergen and disembark the ship. Transfer to the Thon Rosenkrantz hotel for 1 night. (B)

Day 6 – Honningsvåg: After an early call at Hammerfest, arrive in Honningsvåg, the gateway to the North Cape. (B, L, D)

Day 13 – To London: Transfer to the airport for a flight to London. (B)

Day 7 – Kirkenes: Reach the end of the northbound voyage at Kirkenes. (B, L, D)

Day 1 – To Bergen: Fly to Bergen with bmi.

Transfer and embark the selected ship for an 11-night cruise. (D)

Day 8 – Tromsø: Discover Hammerfest, the world’s most northerly town. Stop at Tromsø.

(B, L, D)

Day 2 – Ålesund: Early morning visit to the art nouveau town of Ålesund. From mid April to mid September, sail into the Geirangerfjord, where waterfalls, cliffs and mountains are reflected in the still, deep water. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Svolvær: Visit the Lofoten Islands, and sail through this stunning network of inlets and isles. Subject to local conditions, visit Trollfjord, where the sheer sides of the cliffs seem close enough to touch. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Trondheim: Visit the medieval city of Trondheim, once the centre of the Viking empire.

Excursions include the gothic Nidaros Cathedral and Ringve Music Museum. At night, the ship enters the land of the midnight sun*. (B, L, D)

Day 10 – Ørnes: Cross the Arctic Circle,

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

NOTES * Midnight sun: Please note that the midnight sun is a natural occurrence that takes place between the end of May and the end of July only.

Excursions: Please note that excursions are not included in the basic package. A wide range of excursions is offered in each destination, please contact Cox & Kings for further details.

Day 4 – Svolvær: Cross the Arctic Circle as the voyage continues to Bodø. Evening arrival in

Classic Round Voyage Hurtigruten’s Classic Round Voyage has a fleet of 11 ships that travel along the Norwegian coast, each with a distinct style and character.

The newest ships in the fleet include the MS Midnatsol, MS Trollfjord and MS Finnmarken.

These ships are an average of 135 metres in length, with a capacity of 650 berths. Facilities include spacious panoramic lounges from which to watch the outstanding scenery, a restaurant serving Norwegian cuisine, a bar and two jacuzzis. Standard cabins vary in size, averaging 10 square metres, and feature twin beds, with one bed that can be turned into a sofa, and private bathrooms with a shower. Cabins on the lower decks have a porthole and those on the higher decks have a picture window.

Most suites have a double bed, sitting area, and bathroom with jacuzzi.

Hurtigruten Norway & Hurtigruten - The Classic Round Voyage journey prices for departures on or between the following dates Code

Private Journey

HCI

Private tour (Inside cabin)

No of 01 Jan to 15 Mar to 15 Apr to 01 Jun to 15 Aug to 15 Sep to 01 Nov to Single Supp Sole Supp nights 14 Mar 12 14 Apr 12 31 May 12 14 Aug 12 14 Sep 12 31 Oct 12 31 Dec 12 from from

12

1,830

2,015

2,445

2,760

2,445

2,015

1,830

245

•

Additional information Please go to coxandkings.co.uk for further information and supplement details Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices were valid at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly as a result if any additional fuel surcharges. You will be informed of such changes prior to booking. See www.coxandkings.co.uk for current prices.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

European journeys

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EUROPEAN JOURNEYS booking conditions

booking conditions Once you have decided on the holiday you require, please carefully read the following conditions, as these form the basis of your relationship with Cox & Kings Travel Limited (‘Cox & Kings’, ‘we’, ‘our’ or ‘us’) and with any supplier with whom you have a direct contract. Except where otherwise stated, these booking conditions only apply to holiday arrangements which you book with us in the UK and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you or, where we act as agent as set out below, arrange for you. All references in these booking conditions to ‘holiday’, ‘booking’, ‘contract’, ‘package’, ‘tour’ or ‘arrangements’ mean such holiday arrangements unless otherwise stated. In these booking conditions, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all persons named on the booking or any of them as applicable (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date).

1) YOUR CONTRACT (a) If you book only one type of arrangement with Cox & Kings (for example hotel(s)only or cruise-only,), Cox & Kings acts only as a booking agent for the supplier of that arrangement (for example the hotel or cruise provider). Your contract for that arrangement will be with that supplier (in these conditions referred to as the ‘Third Party Supplier’) and not Cox & Kings. The Third Party Supplier’s own terms and conditions (copies available on request) will apply to that contract in addition to the applicable parts of these conditions. (b) In all other cases your contract will be with Cox & Kings. (c) When you make a booking the person who makes the booking guarantees that they have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions.

2) BOOKING, PAYMENT AND CONFIRMATION (a) You may book by post, telephone, via our website or through one of our authorised agents. All bookings are subject to our booking conditions. Except for online bookings, the person who makes the booking must confirm acceptance of our booking conditions on behalf of all persons named on the booking by signing and returning our booking form or in writing by some other means (such as email) to us or your travel agent. We will communicate with you by email in relation to your booking (including sending you documents such as your confirmation invoice) if you book online or otherwise provide us with an email address. You must accordingly check your emails on a regular basis and should print and retain hard copies of all confirmation documents, e-tickets and other important communications. We will contact you by telephone and / or post if you do not provide us with an email address or we cannot, for whatever reason, contact you by email. Certain documents may need to be sent by post. References in these booking conditions to ‘send’ and ‘in writing’ include communication by email and via our online booking facility where applicable. You may contact us by email for any of the reasons mentioned in these booking conditions (for example, to request an amendment). All emails should be sent to sales@coxandkings.co.uk. (b) A minimum deposit of £150 per person or 15% of your total holiday cost (whichever is greater) together with any applicable insurance premium (or evidence of alternative cover) (see clause 5) and any applicable visa fees (see clause 12(a)) must be paid at the time of booking. In some cases, the deposit payable will be higher, as full or part payment for certain services, such as flights, may also be required to make a booking – details at the time of booking. On occasion, suppliers may unexpectedly require non-refundable full or part payment for their services (in addition to any deposit paid at the time of booking) in advance of balance due date in order to secure those services even though these have been previously confirmed. In this situation, we may have no choice but to ask you to pay an additional deposit to cover this payment.

If you book less than eight weeks before departure, full payment must be made at the time of booking. Where we act only as agent (see clause 1(a)), you will be advised of the applicable deposit and payment timetable at the time of booking. (c) On receipt of your completed booking form / written acceptance of our booking conditions and the applicable payment, and providing your requested holiday is available, Cox & Kings will issue a confirmation invoice. It is at this stage that a binding contract comes into existence between you and Cox & Kings or between you and the Third Party Supplier, as applicable. Please note, though, that if you book a tailor-made itinerary or an extension to a brochure tour, your accommodation, flights etc will only be requested by Cox & Kings once your booking form together with a deposit has been received.Your confirmation invoice, in this instance, will indicate your requested package cost and you will be advised of any accommodation, flights etc that are still on request and not confirmed at the time the confirmation invoice is issued. (d) Once payment has been made, any subsequent request to have that payment refunded and to pay by an alternative means may require you to pay an administration fee. (e) It is your responsibility to check the confirmation invoice and any other documents we send you carefully and to let Cox & Kings or your travel agent know immediately in the event of any error or inaccuracy, as it may not be possible to make changes later.

Where we act only as agent for a Third Party Supplier we will have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where those errors were made by ourselves. (f) The balance of the cost of your arrangements is payable not less than eight weeks prior to departure, unless you are informed otherwise. If all payments (including any surcharge where applicable) are not received on time, we (or we acting as agent for the Third Party Supplier where applicable) are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking and will retain the deposit paid. If we do not cancel straightaway because you promise to make payment but you still fail to do so, you must pay the cancellation charges shown in clause 10 depending on the date we (or we acting as agent for the Third Party Supplier where applicable) reasonably treat your booking as cancelled by you. (g) (i) Providing full payment has been received, travel documents will be sent approximately two weeks before departure (Third Party Suppliers’ policies may vary) unless your booking is made within six weeks of departure, in which case final documents will be sent as soon as possible, made available for collection or sent by courier upon the payment of a fee. Non-UK residents may incur an additional delivery charge. (ii) For some countries you will be handed your internal flight / train / hotel vouchers by your tour manager / Cox & Kings representative on arrival at your destination. (h) Cox & Kings has included in the relevant prices all government taxes in the amount applicable at the time of booking that do not have to be paid locally. Those that have to be paid locally by you are extra and are your responsibility (such as international airport departure tax).

3) SPECIAL REQUESTS / MEDICAL PROBLEMS / DISABILITIES Where special requests for flight seats, room / cabin allocation, diet considerations etc are required, Cox & Kings must be made aware of these in writing at the time of booking. While every effort will be made to pass these requests on to the suppliers concerned (or Third Party Suppliers where applicable), we cannot guarantee they will be met. Where special requests for flight seats are passed on by Cox & Kings to an airline, the confirmation of seat numbers is at the discretion of the airline.

Confirmation that a special request has been noted or passed on to the supplier / Third Party Supplier or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability.

If you have any disability or medical condition which may affect your arrangements or the booking process, please provide us with full details before booking so that we can advise as to the suitability of the chosen arrangements and / or assist you with making your booking. In any event, we must be given full details in writing at the time of booking and whenever any material change in the disability or condition occurs. You must also advise us in writing if any such disability or condition develops after your booking has been confirmed.

4) YOUR TRAVEL AGENT (a) Any travel agent through whom you make a booking will relay information from you to us and vice versa. Cox & Kings is neither responsible for any failure by your travel agent to do this properly or in good time, nor for any advice given to you by your travel agent that did not originate from Cox & Kings. (b) Any money you pay to one of our authorised travel agents for your booking will be held by the travel agent on behalf of Cox & Kings / the Third Party Supplier (as applicable) until it is paid to us.

5) INSURANCE It is a condition of booking with us that you take out insurance at the time of, or prior to, making your booking. If you do not purchase the policy we offer, you must purchase an appropriate alternative and let us have the details of this at the time of booking. If you purchase insurance through Cox & Kings you must notify us of relevant factors that may affect your particular requirements for cover such as pre-existing medical conditions / disabilities. If you do not purchase insurance through us, it is your responsibility to ensure that you purchase a policy that provides cover at least equivalent to that which we offer.

Cox & Kings cannot be held responsible if you purchase an inadequate insurance policy or if you fail to notify Cox & Kings of factors affecting your particular requirements for cover. Insurance premiums should be paid at the time of booking and are non-refundable.

Non-European Union residents should obtain equivalent insurance cover in their country of residence. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.

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COX & KINGS

It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. We do not check alternative insurance policies.

6) ALTERATION BY YOU (a) If you wish to make any amendments to your holiday after the confirmation invoice has been issued, you must inform us in writing and we will do our best to help. Please note however that if you (i) change to a different departure date, cruise or destination or (ii) change your booking less than eight weeks before departure, this will be treated as a cancellation and a new booking and you will be liable for the cancellation charges set out in clause 10 (except as set out in 6(c) below). In the event a change can be made, you must pay all costs and charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers (or Third Party Suppliers where applicable) together with an amendment fee of £35 per alteration per booking before the change can be made. (b) If you wish to change any aspect of your holiday after it has commenced, Cox & Kings and / or their agents will do their best to assist, subject to you being responsible for any cancellation charges that may be levied for the arrangements originally booked, for the cost of your new arrangements and for any costs incurred by Cox & Kings and / or their agents in attempting to secure or securing any revised arrangements. All such charges and costs are payable locally. (c) If you wish to transfer your place on your booking to another person (introduced by you), you may do so provided the reason for the transfer is personal illness, the death or serious illness of a close family member, jury service, redundancy or unavoidable work commitments.

Requests for a transfer must be made in writing at least 30 days prior to departure and must be accompanied by documentary proof of the reason for the transfer (eg a doctor’s certificate), full details of the person who will replace you, any outstanding balance due for the tour, a payment of £35 per person to cover our administration costs, plus such amount as our suppliers (or Third Party Suppliers where applicable) will require to effect the change (if the transfer can be made). Please note, in some cases suppliers such as airlines treat name changes as a cancellation, levying cancellation charges and requiring payment for a new ticket.

These charges must be paid by you before any change can be made.

7) PRE-DEPARTURE CHANGES TO, OR CANCELLATION OF,YOUR ARRANGEMENTS BY US OR YOUR THIRD PARTY SUPPLIER (a) This clause 7(a) applies only if your contract is with us.

Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors in brochure and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings, which we reserve the right to do.

Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a significant change. A ‘significant change’ is a change made before departure that, taking account of the information you give us at the time of booking and that we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we can reasonably expect to have a major affect on your holiday.

Significant changes include the following changes when made before departure; a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time or overall length of time you are away of 12 or more hours, a change of UK departure point to one that is more inconvenient for you (except between airports serving the same city) and, in the case of cruises, a radical change of itinerary.

If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options: (i) (for significant changes) accepting the changed arrangements, or (ii) purchasing an alternative holiday from us (paying or receiving a refund in respect of any price difference), or (iii) cancelling or accepting the cancellation, in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us.

Please note, the above options are not available where any change made is a minor one.

If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will, where compensation is appropriate, pay you the compensation payments set out in the table below depending on the circumstances and when the significant change or cancellation is notified to you or your travel agent subject to the following exceptions. Compensation will not be payable and no liability beyond offering the above mentioned choices can be accepted where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or where we have to cancel because the minimum number of persons required to operate your holiday has not been reached prior to the balance due date. No compensation will be payable and the above options will not be available if we cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of these booking conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying on time) or if the change made is a minor one. A ‘minor change’ is any change that does not come within the definition of a significant change set out above. Although Cox & Kings will try to notify you of minor changes, it is not obliged to do so. Minor changes include (but are not limited to) the following: (1) Changes to one or more confirmed destination(s) for your holiday, providing there are no significant changes affecting any confirmed major destination; (2) Changes in the scheduled date and time of arrival or departure provided that, where necessary, hotel accommodation and reasonable sustenance for the period in question is provided to you at no additional charge; (3) Substitution of a named Lecturer and or Leader for another knowledgeable expert in the same field.

All group holidays with Cox & Kings require a minimum number of bookings before they will operate. If an insufficient number of people have booked to make your holiday arrangements financially viable so that we have to cancel, we will inform you no later than eight weeks before your departure date. In this case, you will be offered the options set out above but no compensation will be payable.

Period before departure a significant change Compensation or cancellation is notified to you or your travel agent per person More than 56 days £10.00 43-56 days £15.00 £20.00 42-29 days 28-15 days £30.00 14-0 days £40.00 (b) This clause 7(b) applies if your contract is with a Third Party Supplier.

If the Third Party Supplier changes or cancels your booking, we will pass on the new details to you together with any compensation that the Third Party Supplier may offer.

As agent only for the Third Party Supplier we cannot accept any liability for any changes or cancellations made to these bookings.

8) POST DEPARTURE CHANGES AND CURTAILMENT Please note, clauses 8(a) and (b) only apply where your contract is with us. (a) Changes and curtailment after departure (not caused by force majeure) If, after departure, it becomes apparent that a significant proportion of the services you have booked with us cannot be provided, we will make suitable alternative arrangements at no extra cost to you. We will also, where appropriate, compensate you for any difference in value between the arrangements you should have received and the alternative arrangements made and for any disappointment or inconvenience you have reasonably suffered as a result. For example, as we neither own, manage nor control the accommodation / transportation we use, it is possible we may be advised that your reserved accommodation is not available when you arrive at your destination.

In this event, Cox & Kings will endeavour to secure accommodation of at least the same standard in that destination. If only accommodation of a lower standard is available, we will refund the difference between the prices of the accommodation booked and that received, and will pay £30 per person for any inconvenience or disappointment caused.

Any compensation or other sums due will be paid on your return from holiday.

If we are unable to make suitable alternative arrangements or you reject those offered for good reasons, we will, where your holiday includes international flights we have arranged and where appropriate, return you by equivalent transport (type and class of travel) to the departure point of your holiday or such other place as we agree as soon as we are reasonably able to do so. If your holiday does not include international flights arranged by us, we will, where appropriate in this situation, meet your reasonable costs of your return travel to your outward point of departure providing we have agreed these costs in advance of your incurring them. Where you reasonably return home early in the above circumstances, we will provide you with a refund in respect of that part of your holiday that you did not receive.

Please note, we can only accept responsibility for the sums specifically referred to in this clause 8(a). We will have no liability for making any other payments including, without limitation, the cost of any service (such as flights, other transport or accommodation) which you book with someone other than Cox & Kings or which you arrange during your holiday in place of contracted services (unless we have agreed in writing to meet the cost) or for any losses or expenses of any nature (and whether or not we could have foreseen you would incur them) which you suffer or incur as a result of, or in connection with, your original holiday booking or any changed or curtailed arrangements including, without limitation, loss of earnings, paid holiday leave, profit, business or business opportunities.

In all cases, our maximum liability is limited to a sum equivalent to the cost of the

holiday (excluding amendment charges and insurance premiums), a refund of any directly attributable, reasonably incurred expenses (providing where appropriate, any such expenses that have been agreed by us) and the daily sum of £72 per person. (b) Changes and curtailment after departure (caused by force majeure) If, after departure, it becomes apparent that a significant proportion of the services you have booked with us cannot be provided, we will make suitable alternative arrangements at no extra cost to you. If we are unable to do so, or you reject the alternative arrangements offered for good reasons, we will, where appropriate, return you by equivalent transport (type and class of travel) to the departure point of your holiday or such other place as we agree as soon as we are reasonably able to do so. We are not, however, obliged to provide you with return travel to the UK if your holiday does not include international flights. Where the contracted service that we are unable to provide is your return flight, we will arrange for you to travel on an alternative flight in the same class of travel as soon as we reasonably can. However, we will have no liability to provide, or meet any costs of, any accommodation, meals or other services (other than those that form part of your contracted arrangements) while you are awaiting the alternative flight. The airline concerned may be obliged to do so – see clause 14(c).

Please note, we can only accept responsibility for the sums specifically referred to in this clause 8(b). We will have no liability for making any other payments, including, without limitation, any compensation, refunds (unless we obtain any refunds from our suppliers), the cost of any service (such as flights, other transport or accommodation) that you book with someone other than Cox & Kings or that you arrange during your holiday in place of contracted services (unless we have agreed in writing to meet the cost) or for any losses or expenses of any nature (and whether or not we could have foreseen you would incur them) that you suffer or incur as a result of, or in connection with, your original holiday booking or any changed or curtailed arrangements, including, without limitation, loss of earnings, paid holiday leave, profit, business or business opportunities.

Very rarely, we may be forced to curtail your holiday and return you to the UK (where your holiday includes return travel) before the scheduled end of your holiday.

This is extremely unlikely, but if this situation does occur, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result. (c) Changes and curtailment after departure – contract with a Third Party Supplier As agent only for the Third Party Supplier, we cannot accept any liability for any changes to or curtailment of your arrangements made after departure.

9) FORCE MAJEURE Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, neither we nor any Third Party Supplier can accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our or the Third Party Supplier’s contractual obligations is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss (as more fully described in clause 13(a)(ii) below) as a result of force majeure. In these booking conditions, ‘force majeure’ means any event which we / the supplier of the service(s) in question / the Third Party Supplier could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, whether actual or threatened, war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, epidemics, fire and all similar events outside the control of the party concerned.

10) CANCELLATION BY YOU Should you wish to cancel your booking, the person who made the booking must notify Cox & Kings or your travel agent (as applicable) in writing. Such notification will only be deemed to have been given on receipt by us of your letter, since we can only act on receipt. Please state the reason for your cancellation as you may be covered by your insurance policy. Claims must, however, be made direct to your insurance company.

The following cancellation charges will apply. Where the cancellation charge is shown as a percentage, this is calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling, excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges. Insurance premiums and amendment charges are not refundable.

Days before departure notification received.

More than 56 days 56- 29 days 28-15 days 14-8 days 7-4 days 3 to day of departure or later

Amount of cancellation charges as a % of total tour cost Deposit(s) (inc any additional deposit 40% or deposit(s) if higher 60% or deposit(s) if higher 75% or deposit(s) if higher 90% 100%

No allowance or refund can be made for meals, rooms, excursions etc included in the price of your tour but not taken, nor can any refund be made for services that cannot be used due to lost, mislaid or destroyed travel tickets or vouchers. Part cancellation of a booking may result in increased costs for the remaining party members.

11) PRICES Prices are based upon the known costs and exchange rates of £1 to 1.60 US dollars and 1.13 euros (as quoted in the Financial Times world value of the pound table on 26 July 2011). For all exchange rates not mentioned, the rate of exchange for the US dollars applies.

Where your contract is with Cox & Kings, once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking, we will only change it in the following circumstances.

A surcharge or refund (as applicable) will be payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, in the event of any change in our transportation costs (eg fuel, scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharges which are part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator) or in the dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports or in the exchange rates that have been used to calculate the cost of your holiday.

Even in the above cases, only if the amount of the increase in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your holiday (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges) will we levy a surcharge. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost of your holiday (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges), you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us as referred to in clause 7(a). In either case there will be an administration charge of £1 per person together with an amount to cover any travel agent’s commission. Although insurance (where purchased through us) does not form part of your contract with us or of any ‘package’, we will consider an appropriate refund of any insurance premiums you have paid us if you can show you are unable to use / reuse or transfer your policy in the event of cancellation or purchase of an alternative holiday. Please note, travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place. A refund will only be payable if the decrease in our costs exceeds 2% as set out above. Where a refund is due, we will pay you the full amount of the decrease in our costs.

Where applicable, you have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel or purchase another holiday. If you do not tell us that you wish to do so within this period of time, we are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice, whichever is the later.

We promise not to levy a surcharge within 30 days of the start of your holiday. No refunds will be payable within this period either.

Where your contract is with a Third Party Supplier, as we act only as agent, we must pass on to you in full all additional costs and charges of whatever nature imposed by the Third Party Supplier in accordance with its own terms and conditions.

Please note, changes and errors occasionally occur. You must check the price of your chosen holiday at the time of booking. We reserve the right to make changes to, and correct errors in, advertised prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed.

Occasionally our holiday prices are discounted for a limited period for promotional purposes.

Discounts cannot be applied retrospectively to reduce the price of a confirmed booking.

12) YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES (a) Visas: General information concerning visa requirements applicable to British citizens is set out in our Documents & Health section. We will notify you of any changes to visa requirements applicable to British citizens who hold a full British passport that occur before your confirmation invoice is issued, but please note that further changes could take place before you travel. You must check the up-to-date requirements in good time before departure. Cox & Kings will be happy to make any necessary visa applications (on payment of the applicable charge) on behalf of British passport holders, provided applications are lodged at our offices at least six weeks prior to departure. We cannot however guarantee the granting of any visas, as this is a matter outside our control. If a visa is not granted then we cannot accept any liability for the consequences and reserve the right to pass on to you any costs incurred as a result, including cancellation charges.

Non-British citizens / holders of non-British passports should check with their nearest consulate or embassy for visa requirements.

Escor ted Group Tours • Private Journeys • Tailor-Made Travel

booking conditions European journeys

(b) Passports: British citizens require a full British passport (valid for at least six months beyond the end of your holiday) for the holidays we offer. Please see our Documents & Health section for full details or seek the advice of our travel consultants. Please note, requirements may change and you must check the up-to-date requirements in good time before departure. A full British passport presently takes approximately two to six weeks to obtain. If any member of your party is aged 16 or over and has not yet got a passport, you should apply for one at least six weeks before your holiday. The UK Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and will ask you to attend an interview in order to do this. Please also see clause (d) below. (c) Health: It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended and required vaccinations and health precautions in good time before departure. Details are available from your GP surgery and from the National Travel Health Network and Centre www.nathnac.org Recommended and mandatory inoculations for travel are set out in our Documents & Health section. We will notify you of any changes in any health requirements (such as mandatory inoculations) that must be satisfied in order to gain entry into your holiday destination of which we become aware before your confirmation invoice is issued.

However, further changes may occur at any time and you should check the up-to-date position in good time before you depart. Health requirements for your holiday destination are also outlined in the Department of Health leaflet entitled The Travellers Guide to Health (T7.1), available from Abta travel agents, most post offices, by telephone on 0870 1555 455 or via the Department of Health website, www.dh.gov.uk.

If you have any medical condition / disability that may affect your ability to enjoy and participate fully in your arrangements you must notify us in accordance with clause 3. Cox & Kings reserves the right, where appropriate, to ask you to provide written certification of your medical fitness prior to departure. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain all necessary inoculations, take all necessary medication and follow all medical advice in relation to your holiday. (d) Documents: It is the responsibility of the person who makes the booking to ensure that all members of the party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents and have all necessary vaccination certificates before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation or vaccinations / certificates must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation or have the correct vaccinations / certificates. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges, expenses or other financial penalty being imposed on, or incurred by, us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly. If you are refused a visa we cannot accept any liability. If you are unable to travel as a result, you will be liable to pay our normal cancellation charges. The person who makes the booking is also responsible for ensuring that every member of your party has adequate travel insurance (see clause 5 above). (e) Damage: When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not known at the time) must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If the actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference will be refunded. You will also be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions. You should ensure you have appropriate travel insurance to protect you if this situation arises. (f) Behaviour: We expect all clients to have consideration for others and to behave appropriately. If, in the reasonable opinion of our tour manager, agent or other employee or of any other person in authority, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, distress, upset or significant annoyance to anyone (for example, other clients or our employees, agents or suppliers) or damage to property, we are entitled, without prior notice where appropriate, to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned. We will have the same right to terminate your holiday if you are subject to arrest, or are prevented from travelling at the reasonable discretion of an airline or other transport or cruise provider, or if you are evicted from a hotel at the reasonable discretion of the hotel management or had your use of any other services terminated at the reasonable discretion of another supplier. In this situation, the person(s) concerned will be required to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s), including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination. If we incur any expense as a result of your behaviour, you will be obliged to reimburse us for that expense. (g) Travel advice: For up to date travel advice from the UK government, visit www.fco. gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.

13) OUR LIABILITY This clause 13(a) does not apply where your contract is with a Third Party Supplier (a) (i) We promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note, it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). (ii) We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (including loss of possessions or enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following: (1) the act(s) and / or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or (2) the act(s) and / or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or (3) force majeure as defined in clause 9. (iii) We cannot accept responsibility for any services that do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities that your hotel, cruise provider or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in our brochure and we have not agreed to arrange them as part of our contract, and any excursion / activities you purchase while away.

Please also see clause 17 “Excursions / Activities / Suppliers Terms and Conditions”. In addition, regardless of any wording used by us on our website, in any of our brochures or elsewhere, we only promise to use reasonable skill and care as set out above and we do not have any greater or different liability to you. (iv) The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract – and the laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or complaint occurred – will be used as the basis for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If the particular services that gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as having been properly provided.

This will be the case even if the services did not comply with the laws and regulations of the UK that would have applied had those services been provided in the UK. The exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature that might lead a reasonable holidaymaker to refuse to take the arrangements in question. Please note, however, our obligation is to exercise reasonable skill and care as referred to in clause 13(a)(i). We do not make any representation or commitment that all services will comply with applicable local laws and regulations and failure to comply does not automatically mean we have not exercised reasonable skill and care. (v) As set out in these booking conditions we limit the maximum amount we may have to pay you for certain claims you may make against us.

Where we are found liable for loss of and / or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money), the maximum amount we will have to pay you is £1,500 per person affected, unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under this clause or clause 13(a)(vi) below.

For all other claims that do not involve death or personal injury, if we are found liable to you on any basis the maximum amount we will have to pay you is a refund of the cost of the holiday (excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total, a refund of any directly attributable expenses reasonably incurred by that person (providing where appropriate, any such expenses have been agreed by us) and a daily sum of £72 per person unless a lower limitation applies to your claim under clause 13(a)(vi) below. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday. (vi) Where any claim or part of a claim (including those involving death or personal injury) concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and / or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, rail, sea or road carrier to which any international convention or EU regulation applies, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be limited. This maximum amount will be the

most the carrier concerned would have to pay under the international convention or regulation that applies to the travel arrangements (for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention for international travel by air and / or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EC Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air, the Athens Convention for international travel by sea and the Convention concerning International Travel by Rail (COTIF) as amended for travel by rail). Where a carrier would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable international convention or regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. You are not entitled to make any claim against us which concerns or is based on any travel arrangements provided by any air, rail, sea or road carrier if such a claim is not expressly permitted to be brought against the carrier by the international convention or regulation that applies to the travel arrangements in question. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money that you have received or are entitled to receive from the carrier for the complaint or claim in question. Copies of the applicable international conventions and regulations are available from us on request.

Please note, for international travel by sea, the Athens Convention limits the maximum amount the carrier has to pay if found liable in the event of death or personal injury.

The Athens Convention also limits the maximum amount the carrier has to pay if found liable in the event of loss or damage to luggage and also makes provision for valuables.

The maximum the carrier would have to pay you if found liable for any damage, delay or loss in respect of cabin luggage under the Athens Convention is currently approximately £800.00 per guest. Once on board ship, all valuable and important items should be deposited with the purser or in the mini-safe in your cabin if available. Please remember that no cabin mini-safe is totally secure and consider whether you need to bring such items on holiday with you. Placing items in a mini-safe is not depositing them with the carrier for safekeeping for the purposes of the Athens Convention. We and the carrier cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any valuable or important items which are not deposited with the purser for safekeeping. For items which are deposited with the purser for safekeeping, the maximum the carrier would have to pay you if found liable for any item(s) lost or damaged (for any reason) while deposited is the maximum which is payable under the Athens Convention in this situation (currently approximately £1,150 per guest). (vii) Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not reasonably have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers. Additionally we cannot accept liability for any expenses or losses that relate to any business (including self-employed loss of earnings). (b) Clauses 13(b) (i) and (ii) below apply only if your contract is with a Third Party Supplier. (i) As we act only as an agent for the Third Party Supplier concerned we accept no liability in relation to the arrangements provided by that Third Party Supplier or for the acts or omissions of the Third Party Supplier concerned. The terms and conditions of the Third Party Supplier will apply to your contract (copies available on request from us). (ii) However, in the event that we are found liable in respect of any Third Party Supplier arrangements on any basis whatsoever, we are entitled to rely on the limitations and exclusions of liability and defences set out in clause 13(a). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of our employees while acting in the course of their employment.

14) TRANSPORTATION (INCLUDING DELAY) (a) Air, rail, road and other departure times are supplied by the carriers.They are subject to, inter alia, air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, the need for constant maintenance and the ability of passengers to check in on time. Cox & Kings does not have any liability to you for any delays that may arise (including any at your international departure airport). We regret we cannot provide any assistance in such circumstances other than information and advice to the extent we are in a position to do so. Where applicable, the airline is responsible for providing any assistance as is legally required by the Denied Boarding Regulations (see below). Otherwise, any arrangements in the event of a delay will be at the sole discretion of the airline or other carrier involved. (b) In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a ‘Community list’ that contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the EU Community. The Community list is available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm We are also required to advise you of the carrier(s) (or, if the carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this.

Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible.

We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm flight timings. The flight timings shown in this brochure, on our website and detailed on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. The latest timings will be shown on your tickets that will be despatched to you approximately two weeks before departure. You must accordingly check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched – we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs.

Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and / or aircraft type (if given) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges except where specified in these conditions.

If the carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we / the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative, the provisions of clause 7 will apply. (c) If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline, depending on the circumstances, the airline may be required to pay you compensation, refund the cost of your flight and / or provide you with accommodation and / or refreshments under EC Regulation No 261/2004 – the Denied Boarding Regulations 2004. Where applicable, you must pursue the airline for the compensation or other payment due to you. All sums you receive or are entitled to receive from the airline concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full amount of your entitlement to compensation or any other payment arising from such cancellation, delay, downgrading or denied boarding. This includes any disappointment, distress, inconvenience or effect on any other arrangements. The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. We have no liability to make any payment to you in relation to the Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or denial of any boarding as the full amount of your entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as dealt with above) is covered by the airline’s obligations under the Denied Boarding Regulations. If, for any reason, we make any payment to you or a third party which the airline is responsible for in accordance with the Denied Boarding Regulations or otherwise, you must, when requested, make a complete assignment to us of the rights you have against the airline in relation to the claim that gives rise to that compensation payment. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the CAA on 020 7240 6061 or www.auc.org.uk.

15) COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS If you have a complaint about any of the holiday arrangements booked with or through Cox & Kings, you must tell the relevant supplier / Third Party Supplier straight away.

You must also tell Cox & Kings’ local representative or agent on site immediately (if available) or use the Cox & Kings emergency contact telephone number with which you will be supplied before your departure. That number will put you in contact with one of our employees who will take all reasonable steps to help you. It is only if you do this that Cox & Kings has the opportunity to put matters right on the spot. If you fail to do this, any right to compensation, which you may have, will be extinguished or reduced. Baggage is deemed to have been delivered undamaged to you unless Cox & Kings receives written notice in the case of apparent damage immediately upon arrival or re-delivery or within 15 days of the end of using the service in question for any loss or damage that is not apparent. If your contract is with a Third Party Supplier, as we act only as agent, we cannot accept any liability for the arrangements provided by that Third Party Supplier. Any assistance provided in resolving a complaint in relation to any booking of this type is provided on a goodwill basis and in our capacity as agent.

16) ARBITRATION If you have a complaint or claim that you wish to pursue, please write to us within 28 days of your return to the United Kingdom. Your complaint or claim will be investigated and a full reply sent to you as soon as possible. As our investigations often involve obtaining information from overseas, it may take a few weeks. In the unlikely event that we do not reach an amicable settlement, the dispute, if you so wish and subject to the

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

Note below, may be referred to arbitration under a special scheme devised by Abta, but administered quite independently. It provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on the basis of documents alone, with restricted liabilities on the customer in respect of costs. For injury and illness claims, you can request the Abta mediation procedure and we have the option to agree. Full details will be provided on request or can be obtained from the Abta website, www.abta.com.

Alternatively, Aito’s Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and amicable solution. Whichever option you choose, neither scheme applies to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person or £25,000 per booking, or to claims that are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness, or the consequences of such injury or illness.

Note: If your contract is with a Third Party Supplier and not us it may not be possible for any dispute arising out of, or in connection with, the contract to be referred to arbitration under the schemes mentioned above.

17) EXCURSIONS / ACTIVITIES / SUPPLIERS TERMS AND CONDITIONS (a) The information contained in our brochure is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of the brochure going to print. We may provide you with information (in our brochure, on our website and / or when you are on holiday) about activities and excursions which are available in the area you are visiting. We cannot guarantee accuracy at all times of information given in relation to such activities or excursions or about the area you are visiting generally or that any particular excursion or activity which does not form part of our contract will take place as these services are not under our control. We have no involvement in any such activities or excursions which are neither run, supervised, controlled nor endorsed in any way by us.They are provided by local operators or other third parties who are entirely independent of us. We have no knowledge as to whether such activities or excursions and their operators comply with local legal requirements or have any insurance. Some activities / excursions involve the risk of personal injury. They do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators / other third parties and / or assist you in booking such activities or excursions in any way. You will have a contract with the local operator or other third party whose terms and conditions will apply. We cannot accept any liability on any basis in relation to such activities or excursions and the acceptance of liability contained in clause 13(a)(i) of our booking conditions will not apply to them. We do not however exclude liability for the negligence of ourselves or our employees (while acting in the course of their employment) resulting in your death or personal injury. (b) Many of the services that make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable international conventions (see clause 13(a)(vi)). Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from ourselves or the supplier concerned.

18) FINANCIAL SECURITY We are a member of Abta (Abta number V2999). We also hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (Atol number 2815.) The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the package holidays booked from this brochure and for your repatriation in the event of our insolvency. We provide this security by way of an Atol (number 2815) administered by the Civil Aviation Authority for flight-inclusive holidays. When you buy an Atol-protected air holiday package or flight* from us you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us (or via our authorised agent through which you booked), confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Atol. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. * The air inclusive holidays and flights we arrange are Atol protected providing either the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made or the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK. For further information, visit the Atol website at www.atol.org.uk .The price of our air holiday packages includes the amount of £2.50 per person which is the Atol Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. For further information, visit the Atol website at www.atol.org.uk. If you have a contract with us for arrangements that do not include a flight(s), Abta will financially protect your holiday in the same way except where your contracted arrangements with us do not include transport to and from the UK. In this case, if already abroad, you will be returned to the point where your contracted arrangements with us commenced.

Please go to www.abta.com for information on Abta’s travel protection. Please note, our Atol and Abta membership does not protect bookings where we act only as agent.

19) LAW AND JURISDICTION Your relationship (and any contract you may have) with Cox & Kings or with any Third Party Supplier and any dispute, claim or other matters of any nature arising from it (‘claim’) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. We both agree that any claim (and whether or not involving any personal injury) that arises between us must be dealt with under the Abta or Aito arbitration schemes (if the scheme is available for the claim in question and you wish to use it – see clause 16) or by the Courts of England and Wales only unless, in the case of Court proceedings, you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In this case, proceedings must either be brought in the Courts of your home country or those of England and Wales. If proceedings are brought in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may choose to have your contract and any dispute, claim or other matter of any description that arises between us governed by the law of Scotland / Northern Ireland as applicable (but if you do not so choose, English law will apply).

DATE OF ISSUE AUGUST 2011 DATA PROTECTION PRIVACY POLICY For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, we are a data controller. The following is a summary of our full privacy policy, which sets out how we collect and use the personal information (‘personal data’) you provide us with directly or through use of our website. Our full, current privacy policy appears on our website, which you should read before providing us with any personal data.

Depending on what’s required, the personal data we collect may include names and contact details, credit / debit card or other payment information and special requirements such as those relating to any disability or medical condition that may affect holiday arrangements and any dietary restrictions that may disclose your religious beliefs (‘sensitive personal data’). All references in this privacy policy to personal data include sensitive personal data unless otherwise stated.

Appropriate personal data will be passed on to relevant suppliers / any Third Party Supplier / any other third party (including banks and / or credit card issuers) who need to know it so that your holiday can be provided, to government / public authorities (UK and overseas) such as the police, customs or immigration if required by them, to security or credit checking companies, to other companies who provide services on our behalf (such as mailing brochures and marketing material) or as required by law. We take steps to protect the personal data that is provided to any such party. In making your booking, you consent to personal data being passed on to the relevant parties.

Your personal data may be stored, used and otherwise processed within the UK and / or any other country / countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and / or outside the EEA. Data protection laws may not be as strong outside the EEA as they are in the EEA. Personal data will not be transferred to a country outside the EEA unless the conditions referred to in our full privacy statement are satisfied.

We would also like to store and use your personal data for future marketing purposes (for example, sending you a brochure or other marketing material). All personal data you give us (including sensitive personal data) will be kept, but we will use only names and contact details for marketing purposes (unless you have told us that you do not wish us to do so). If you would prefer not to receive any promotional mailings from Cox & Kings you may inform us at any time and we will remove your details from future mailing lists.

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures that are intended to prevent unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data. Our full privacy policy contains the procedure for reviewing and amending any personal data of yours we are processing.

See www.coxandkings.co.uk for details.

Abta Abta and Abta members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by Abta’s Code of Conduct.

For further information about Abta, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration service available to you if you have a complaint, contact Abta, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ or call 020 3117 0500 or www.abta.com The above applies only to services supplied by Cox & Kings Travel Limited and does not apply to services featured in this brochure that are provided by any Third Party Supplier where you enter into a contract with the Third party Supplier.

EUROPEan journeys

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european journeys regional weather

regional weather ALBANIA Albania has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The Albanian coastline benefits from moderate sea breezes in the summer, making for a very pleasant climate. The central mountains can become very cold in the winter months, particularly at night. The best time to visit Albania is either side of the summer peak.

TIRANA Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 12 5 21

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 13 14 18 21 25 28 28 25 22 16 13 6 8 11 15 19 21 21 18 14 10 7 30 24 31 13 9 1 9 11 35 41 32

ARMENIA Summer is the best time to visit Armenia, with warm temperatures, long hours of sunshine and low rainfall between June and September. Summer nights can be chilly. Winters are extremely cold and subject to heavy snowfall.

YEREVAN Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 1 -8 21

FEB MAR APR MAY 7 14 19 24 -4 1 6 10 24 32 39 43

JUN 30 14 21

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 34 34 29 21 13 3 19 19 13 7 0 -5 10 7 10 27 22 23

BALTIC STATES The Baltic states have a very similar climate to the adjacent parts of Russia, although it can be milder, mainly due to the moderating influence of the Baltic Sea, which does not freeze for prolonged periods. The Baltics are open to the weather coming in from the Atlantic as well as north-western Europe. During severe spells of winter weather, the area is dominated by cold winds from the interior of Russia.

Tallinn Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN -2 -6 42

FEB MAR APR MAY -2 2 9 15 -7 -4 0 5 32 27 25 27

JUN 19 10 44

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 21 20 15 9 3 0 12 12 8 4 -1 -4 61 59 43 49 50 41

Vilnius Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN -2 -6 33

FEB MAR APR MAY -1 3 11 18 -6 -3 2 8 29 31 28 36

JUN 20 11 49

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 22 22 16 10 3 -1 13 12 8 4 -1 -5 52 53 47 41 30 37

Riga Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN -1 -4 31

FEB MAR APR MAY -1 4 10 17 -5 -2 7 11 30 24 24 40

JUN 20 14 53

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 22 22 16 10 4 0 13 12 9 5 0 -3 58 53 49 54 44 35

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s mixed Mediterranean and central European climate gives the country warm summers and cool winters, making the months of May to October the best time to visit. Temperatures in the southern part of the country are usually warmer than those in the north.

JAN 3 -3 52

FEB MAR APR MAY 5 12 16 22 -2 2 5 9 55 37 67 69

JUN 25 12 72

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 27 28 20 18 10 4 14 14 10 8 4 -1 79 58 113 73 81 70

CROATIA The best time to visit Croatia is from April to September as, at this time of year, temperatures are warm and the skies are clear. June through to August is peak tourist season, but also provides the warmest and driest temperatures, particularly along the coastal regions. dubrovnik Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 12 7 110

FEB MAR APR MAY 13 15 17 23 7 9 12 17 88 78 85 53

JUN 27 20 31

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 29 29 25 21 17 13 22 23 19 16 12 8 24 58 80 124 153 140

CYPRUS Cyprus has a warm and sunny climate for most of the year, although the mountain region can be slightly cooler. Winters are usually mild. The seas around the island can be cold from December to late April. Rain mainly falls during the winter months.

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COX & KINGS

nicosia Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 15 6 76

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 16 19 23 29 33 37 36 32 28 22 17 6 7 11 16 20 23 22 19 16 11 7 45 36 18 22 9 1 2 10 25 33 68

GEORGIA Summers are long and hot, but subject to greater rainfall, particularly on the Black Sea coast. Georgia has dry, mild winters; however, temperatures can fall dramatically in the mountains and snowfalls are likely. tbilisi Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 6 -1 13

FEB MAR APR MAY 7 12 18 22 -1 3 8 12 18 22 34 38

JUN 27 16 50

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 31 30 26 19 12 8 20 19 15 10 5 0 15 23 18 26 18 18

GREECE Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a limited amount of rainfall. Due to the country’s geographical position, its rugged relief and distribution between the mainland and the sea, there is great variation in Greece’s climate. In summer, the dry hot days are cooled by seasonal winds called the meltemi, while mountainous regions have generally lower temperatures.

The winters are mild in lowland areas, with a minimum amount of snow and ice, yet mountains are usually snow-covered. Moreover, a common phenomenon is the occurrence of different climactic conditions during the same season (for instance, mild heat in coastal areas and cool temperatures in mountainous regions). athens Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 13 6 62

FEB MAR APR MAY 14 16 20 25 7 8 11 16 37 37 23 23

JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 30 33 33 29 24 19 15 20 23 23 19 15 12 8 14 6 7 15 51 56 71

HUNGARY Hungary has a continental climate, with extreme differences in temperature between the winter and summer months. Snowfall is frequent in winter and rain is fairly common all year round. budapest Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 2 -3 21

FEB MAR APR MAY 5 10 16 22 -2 2 6 11 16 22 36 43

JUN 25 14 39

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 27 27 22 16 8 3 16 16 12 7 2 -2 51 38 34 28 37 25

ITALY

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

sarajevo Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

This guide explains the general weather conditions for each featured country and recommends the best time of year to travel to your chosen destination. Please take into account that this data is based on historic averages and, in a world of increasingly erratic climatic conditions, the weather at any given time may vary from the norm.

Temperatures and overall conditions vary across the country. The southernmost tip of the country has the hottest and sunniest conditions in spring and summer, with autumn and winter quite mild and dry.

Mountain areas have snow during winter and rain in the summer months.

More central areas are mild throughout the year. naples Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 13 5 55

FEB MAR APR MAY 13 16 18 23 5 7 9 13 40 43 64 31

JUN 27 17 19

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 30 31 27 23 18 14 20 20 17 14 9 7 17 20 52 68 88 72

rome Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 13 4 38

FEB MAR APR MAY 14 16 18 23 4 6 8 15 37 32 52 27

JUN 26 16 17

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 29 30 26 22 17 14 18 19 16 13 9 6 12 14 41 89 63 56

MACEDONIA By day, Macedonia’s summers are hot and dry; however, temperatures drop at night. July and August are the best times to visit Macedonia in respect of the weather and are, therefore, the busiest months for tourism, although the climate is acceptable year-round. By contrast, the winters can be very cold, particularly in the mountain regions. skopje Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 4 -4 21

FEB MAR APR MAY 8 14 19 24 -2 2 6 10 18 24 34 38

JUN 28 14 32

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 31 31 26 20 11 5 16 16 12 8 2 -1 26 21 25 35 32 37

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regional weather european journeys

MALTA The weather on the island of Malta is warm all year. July, August and September are the hottest months, yet the presence of cool sea breezes provide some welcome relief. Rain, when it does fall, is often in short, sharp spells and generally only in the winter months. valletta Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 15 10 62

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 16 17 20 24 28 31 32 28 25 20 17 9 10 12 15 19 22 22 21 18 14 11 47 24 18 8 1 0 5 43 46 65 67

POLAND The summers are pleasant and warm, although rainfall is to be expected.

Winters are cold, with temperatures increasing towards the east and in the southern mountains. krakow Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 0 -5 28

FEB MAR APR MAY 2 7 13 19 -4 0 4 9 28 35 46 46

JUN 21 12 94

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 23 23 18 13 6 2 14 13 9 5 1 3 111 91 62 49 37 36

from spring to early autumn, with high temperatures occasionally cooled by the sea breezes. Northern Spain can experience frequent stormy periods. madrid Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 16 18 19 22 26 28 29 27 22 17 15 9 11 11 14 16 18 18 17 15 12 10 61 45 54 52 9 5 6 28 96 99 109

Romania has a continental climate of cold, snowy winters and warm summers. The mildest area is along the coast of the Black Sea. Temperatures in the Carpathian mountains can fall very low in winter. Winter rainfall is much higher in the mountains than the flatter plains of the south and east.

JAN 2 -4 21

FEB MAR APR MAY 5 11 18 24 -4 0 5 10 19 26 38 42

JUN 27 14 59

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 29 29 24 18 9 3 15 15 11 6 1 -3 52 35 47 43 32 30

The weather in Russia varies from cold Arctic conditions to hot desert and subtropical lands, where tea and rice are grown. Moscow and St Petersburg, in northern European Russia, have some of the country’s most variable weather, both in summer and winter. st petersburg Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN -4 -8 32

FEB MAR APR MAY -4 2 9 15 -8 -4 1 7 25 25 24 36

JUN 20 12 51

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 22 20 15 8 1 -2 15 13 8 4 -2 -6 61 59 42 44 38 31

moscow Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN -5 -8 40

FEB MAR APR MAY -4 2 11 18 -9 -5 2 8 33 27 24 39

JUN 22 12 59

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 24 22 15 8 0 -4 14 12 8 3 -3 -8 56 56 66 50 38 3

SERBIA The summer months are the best time to visit Serbia. The north benefits from hot summers in contrast to its cold winters and there are also many festivals at this time of year. The upland regions have hot dry summers and cold winters.

JAN 5 0 38

JUN 26 17 21

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 29 29 25 20 14 10 20 20 17 13 9 6 17 18 29 49 59 72

trabzon Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 11 5 61

FEB MAR APR MAY 10 12 15 19 4 6 9 13 49 49 45 37

JUN 23 17 35

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 26 27 24 20 16 12 20 21 18 14 10 7 20 40 55 89 74 62

mardin Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 11 4 35

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2 17 22 29 36 40 39 35 28 19 12 4 7 11 16 21 24 24 20 16 10 5 41 33 22 12 2 0 0 1 9 21 32

FEB MAR APR MAY 7 12 18 23 0 4 8 13 28 32 53 49

JUN 26 16 79

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 28 28 24 18 10 5 18 18 13 9 4 0 59 51 50 41 46 47

kiev Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN -1 -6 24

FEB MAR APR MAY 0 5 13 20 -6 -2 5 10 28 29 36 40

JUN 23 14 64

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 25 24 19 12 4 -1 15 14 10 5 -1 -4 50 48 42 36 35 32

yalta Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 7 2 50

FEB MAR APR MAY 7 9 14 20 2 4 8 13 46 34 25 26

JUN 24 17 28

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 28 28 23 17 12 8 20 20 16 11 7 4 18 34 31 37 47 53

Europe is renowned for its numerous festivals. Every country has many festivals, both religious and cultural. Some of the major festivals are celebrated nationwide, but many take place only in specific towns or cities.

Accommodation in the locality of the celebrations tends to get booked up many months in advance and some sites and shops may remain closed.

To enable you to experience these festivals, we have highlighted the festivals that coincide with particular departures in the relevant tour notes.

If travelling on a tailor-made holiday, a festival can often be incorporated in your itinerary. Please contact Cox & Kings for further details.

The weather of Sicily is particularly changeable in the winter months; a cloudy wet day can often quickly change to a sunny and mild one.

Summers are more settled with generally 10 hours of sunshine a day, in contrast to four or five in the winter months. The heat is at its most intense in July and August, although it can be made more bearable by the daytime sea breezes. Nights, however, can still be humid in the summer.

JAN 15 10 40

FEB MAR APR MAY 8 11 16 21 3 5 9 13 48 42 34 22

FESTIVALS IN EUROPE

SICILY

palermo Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 8 4 40

In the spring months from late April until early June, the chestnut blossom comes into bloom and Easter brings many Orthodox celebrations and rituals, making this the best time to visit Ukraine. The calm of the autumn months is equally inviting. The summer months can be quite hot and, at this time, many of the locals head for the Crimea and mountains, while some places, including most theatres, close down for the months of July and August.

RUSSIA

belgrade Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

istanbul Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

UKRAINE

ROMANIA

bucharest Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 29 32 32 27 20 14 10 16 18 18 15 10 6 3 14 9 9 17 47 39 37

Istanbul is blessed with very pleasant summer temperatures. Turkey’s Anatolian plateau and Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are hotter at this time of year, as is the south-east of Turkey. Although mild, the Black Sea region receives more rainfall throughout the year. The winter months see temperatures drop, but in Istanbul they usually remain above freezing.

The eastern mountainous region of Turkey is cooler throughout the year and particularly in the winter months, when the snow falls.

Portugal has a warm and sunny climate. Spring is the best time to visit with pleasant temperatures and less rain than in the mild winter months.

July and August can be hot when temperatures can be more than 30C, particularly in the Algarve region.

JAN 14 8 92

FEB MAR APR MAY 12 16 18 22 3 6 7 11 20 18 28 34

TURKEY

PORTUGAL

lisbon Max av temp (C) Min av temp (C) Av rain (mm)

JAN 10 2 28

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 15 17 18 22 26 29 30 27 24 20 16 10 11 13 16 20 23 24 22 19 15 12 37 28 37 19 7 2 13 41 46 68 57

SPAIN This is a country of many contrasts: the warm Mediterranean side with balmy conditions, and the Atlantic side which can be quite stormy. Rainfall eases as you travel east along the Pyrenees – this mountain region is one of the wettest parts of the country. The south, however, has hot sunny days

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

FESTIVAL

MONTH DESCRIPTION

Venice Carnival, Italy

Feb Two-week series of processions, masquerades, traditional ceremonies and music among the canals and squares.

Poets Springtime, Mar More than 5,000 events taking place in the Paris, France streets, cafes, markets and museums.

White Nights, May & Jun Music, opera and dance performances St Petersburg, Russia indoors and out.

Vienna Festival, Austria May & Jun Concerts throughout the city celebrating Mozart.

Midsummer, Scandinavia Jun Marking the longest day of the year.

Veranos de la Villa, Jul Music, dance, zarzuelas, theatre and Madrid, Spain bullfights around the city.

Ljubljana festival, Slovenia Jul & Aug Orchestras, opera and ballet.

Ohrid summer festival, Jul & Aug A festival of music and drama founded in Macedonia 1961 and lasting almost six weeks.

White Days, Nov & Dec Music, opera and dance performances.

St Petersburg, Russia Christmas markets – Dec Locally produced handicrafts sold in the Vienna, Tallinn, Lille,Vilnius, charismatic old towns.

Krakow, Bruges, Berlin, Munich, Dresden, Salzburg

EUROPEan journeys

79

european journeys travel in europe

TRAVEL IN Europe FLIGHTS

On our tours the following carriers will be used: Aeroflot, British Airways, bmi, Croatia Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Air Malta, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, Icelandair, Air Iceland, Iberia and TAP Portugal. The name of the airline is clearly listed on the tour page, together with the stop-off airport, should this apply. We do not print flight timings in our brochure; however you will find full details relating to your international flights printed on your confirmation invoice. All flight times as stated on your confirmation invoice are based on local times.

Some flight routings involve a change of plane en route to your destination and will entail a transit time in the airport terminal while waiting for your connection. Please take note of the flight details as stated on your confirmation invoice as these will show you the amount of scheduled transit time in the stop-off city. Please note that all flight timings are subject to change by the airline. It is important to note the difference between a ‘direct’ flight and a ‘non-stop’ flight. Non-stop flights do not have any scheduled touchdowns en route, while direct flights mean that there is no change of aircraft, but that stops are possible, and indeed probable, as per the airlines’ timetables. Unfortunately, airlines change their schedules regularly, and although we will advise you of any stops or plane changes at the time of booking, we cannot be held responsible for any changes after this date.

All our itineraries are based on Economy Class.

However, should you wish to upgrade to Business Class this is normally possible subject to availability.

If you would like to take this option, please contact our reservations department, who can often offer an upgrade at specially discounted prices.

Baggage allowances vary according to the destination, flight and class booked, although in the majority of cases the allowance for Economy is 20kg and Business is 30kg.

All the internal flights in this brochure use jet airliners. Occasionally, when travelling on internal flights with local carriers or on light aircraft, it may be necessary for operators to change schedules at short notice. If this should happen, everything possible will be done to minimise the inconvenience. Such a change may cause a delay to your onward travel arrangements and require an extra night’s accommodation at your board point, alternative travel by another airline or another method of transportation. Although these arrangements are at the discretion of the airline, Cox & Kings will endeavour to help in any way it can and ensure that arrangements go as smoothly as possible.

Unfortunately, due to the increase in air traffic, government restrictions and changing weather conditions, flight delays have become more commonplace. These delays can cause problems with onward connections and / or hotel and holiday arrangements, which need to be rescheduled. The airline will sometimes make alternative arrangements to get you to your next destination at no extra cost; however, additional costs may well be involved in the form of additional accommodation costs, transfers and onward tickets. It is important that your travel insurance covers you against the costs that you may incur as a result of cancellation or delay to your flight.

80

COX & KINGS

At Cox & Kings we believe that a good holiday is not luck, but judgment. We have compiled the following advice to outline the nature of travel in Europe and to help you prepare for your holiday. Even with the most meticulous planning, however, problems can occur and, while our ground staff are always on hand to rectify such occurrences, we do request that you have a patient and broadminded approach to travelling in the region and respect the local traditions.

Unfortunately, since most services are paid for in advance, any services missed due to delays are non-refundable. Please also bear in mind that many international flight tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable. The insurance policy offered by Cox & Kings (see page 81) is designed to mitigate the costs and effects of such delays in certain circumstances and we strongly advise that you are insured against such eventualities.

Most of the tours shown in this brochure use special airfares. These have certain conditions that normally restrict any change of date, route or airline. Any such change made after a ticket has been issued will normally necessitate the purchase of a new ticket at the passenger’s expense.

Cox & Kings will endeavour to request any specific meals or services, subject to availability, on the condition that we are told at the time of booking.

Specific seat requests with most major airlines can now only be requested if travelling in Business Class.

We are able to request general seating preferences for Economy Class passengers; however, please remember that all special requests are ‘requests’, and as such are at the discretion of the airline and cannot be guaranteed.

should not be compared to western European standards. For our tours we have chosen hotels primarily for their location and the facilities available. We will endeavour to supply any extra information that you may require on these hotels.

The hotels listed in the tour itineraries may occasionally be unavailable for the required dates.

In such an event, we will advise you of alternative hotels, which will, where possible, be of the same or of a higher standard than those featured in the itineraries. There are many new hotels being built in Europe and we may upgrade those featured in the brochure if better options in the same category become available.

All rooms reserved on your tour are standard; however, if you wish to upgrade your room (eg to a lake view or suite etc), please speak to your tour consultant, who will be able to advise you about the options and the applicable supplements.

For all group and individual tours, hotel check-in / check-out time is normally 12 noon, but this does vary between hotels. Early check-ins and late check-outs cannot be pre-booked, but can sometimes be negotiated on site.

International UK and foreign local departure tax is included in the cost of your holiday (unless otherwise stated) when you buy your ticket from Cox & Kings. However, in some cases additional local taxes may have to be paid locally, and you will be informed of these before you travel.

WALKING

ROAD TRAVEL

DRESS

The road conditions you will experience in Europe are generally fairly good. The majority of the roads are sealed and in reasonable condition.

Please be aware that some tours involve driving on smaller, more uneven roads, which may be uncomfortable, dusty and quite strenuous. The distance covered in some of our tours is also considerable, especially on our tours to Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Romania and regional Turkey. If you have any problems with long journeys, please discuss this with your consultant. Types of vehicles vary according to the country visited and the numbers on a tour. Generally, the following can be used as a guideline for the size of transportation provided: 2-3 passengers, saloon car; 4-6 passengers, minivan; 6-19 passengers, small bus; 20-28 passengers, medium-sized bus.

EARLY STARTS

A number of flights within Europe arrive / depart early in the morning, and while we will endeavour to schedule your tour with a flight which arrives / departs at a reasonable time, sometimes there is little or no alternative and early check-in / checkout times may be required.

BORDER CROSSINGS

Border crossing procedures can change without warning. At the time of publication (August 2011), Cox & Kings has designed all tours to coincide with the opening times of the borders, but if these change and the itinerary is disrupted, we will arrange the best possible alternative.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation standards vary dramatically throughout Europe. Hotels in eastern Europe, Albania, Macedonia and regional Turkey, generally

Many of the sites in Europe are quite spread out and our tours consequently involve a reasonable amount of walking. While the walking is normally easy going, a full day’s sightseeing can be quite tiring and sometimes strenuous.

Although tourism is not a new concept in most parts of Europe, many of the areas visited are still extremely traditional. Therefore, kindly respect local customs and dress codes.

RIVER CRUISES & TRAIN TOURS The river cruises and train tours in this brochure are offered subject to the conditions of carriage of the individual cruise / train company. Please note that in exceptional circumstances they may vary their itineraries with little or no notice, if water levels become unsafe, train lines become blocked or to avoid areas of dense traffic. Such changes are rare, but you should check the final itinerary at reception when you embark.

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) produces a wide range of material about overseas countries that may be visited by British citizens, to ensure that travellers are properly informed about any overseas destination, particularly in relation to political unrest, crime and health issues. Where the FCO considers that British citizens would face unjustifiable risks to health, it actually advises either against travelling to the country in question or against nonessential travel to that country.

Full details of all FCO advice can be obtained on the FCO website – www.fco.gov.uk/en/travellingand-living-overseas. Alternatively, you can contact the FCO: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH, or by calling 0845 850 2829 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). Calls are charged at 4p per minute by BT, other networks vary.

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travel insurance european journeys

travel insurance At Cox & Kings, we regard your safety, protection and holiday enjoyment as being of paramount importance. Therefore, travel insurance is essential whenever you travel abroad. Indeed it is a condition of booking with us that you must have adequate travel insurance.

We have arranged competitive travel insurance from specialist insurance brokers Campbell Irvine Ltd and underwritten by the International Insurance Company of Hannover Limited part of Hannover Re, one of Europe’s largest reinsurers. The 24-hour Worldwide Emergency Medical Service is provided

by Specialty Assistance Limited, experts in providing friendly and professional emergency help around the clock.

Should you decide not to purchase our insurance, you must provide us with details of your alternative insurance with your final payment.

COX & KINGS TRAVEL INSURANCE BENEFITS BENEFIT

LIMIT

A. Medical expenses £5,000,000 In patient benefit £10 per day up to £200 Criminal injuries £100 per day up to £5,000 Personal liability £2,000,000 B. Personal accident £25,000 Permanent loss of sight £25,000 Loss of limb(s) £25,000 Permanent total disablement £25,000 Death £10,000 C. Cancellation or curtailment £5,000* D. Delayed departure or arrival Either compensation up to £100 OR cancellation after 12 hours up to £1,000 Hijack of aircraft £100 per day up to £3,000 Interruption of transport £300 E. Personal effects £2,000

(Valuables limited to £350)

(Single article limit £250)

(Disc collections £200) Money £500 Tickets £1,000 Passport and visas £250 F. Legal expenses £15,000 G. Winter sports Optional

Trips over 45 days: Please contact Cox & Kings Travel direct for a quotation.

Optional extensions: Optional Winter Sports cover is available on payment of additional premium. * Top up: An additional premium is payable to increase the standard £5,000 per person cancellation sum insured.

For trips costing between £5,001 and £6,000 per insured person: For trips costing between £6,001 and £7,000 per insured person: For trips costing between £7,001 and £8,000 per insured person:

£45 £90 £160

All premiums shown are inclusive of insurance premium tax currently at 20% and valid for policies issued up to the 31st December 2012 irrespective of the booked departure date.

Family rate: For families travelling together, a special premium applies based on two times the adult rate. This provides for two adults under 66 years and up to four children aged 18 years or less.

Child reduction: Premiums are reduced by half for children aged 18 years or less at date of payment of insurance premium, if travelling with an adult insured under this scheme.

Free cover – infants under two years old: Infants aged under two years at departure can be included free of charge if travelling from the departure point with a parent insured under this scheme – provided that the insured person request that the child’s name is included on the booking invoice.

Age 66 to 70 years: For persons aged 66 to 70 years at the date of payment of the insurance premium, double the standard rates apply.

Age 71 years & over: For persons aged 71 years or more, please contact Vital Health for a quotation on 0844 826 2716

Excesses: Under most sections of your policy, claims will be subject to an excess Annual multi-trip policy: Available upon request at £120 for passengers up to of £75. This means you will be responsible for paying the first part of each claim. and including 65 years old for worldwide trips including North America.

Premiums per person Single Trip UK Europe Worldwide Worldwide Australasia Age 18-65 excluding including North North

America America Up to 4 days £12 £18 £47 £58 £42 5 to 9 days £15 £23 £55 £63 £51 10 to 17 days £19 £30 £63 £78 £59 18 to 24 days £23 £37 £69 £87 £65 25 to 32 days £30 £45 £78 £94 £72 33 to 45 days £39 £70 £110 £125 £93 Please note: Europe includes all countries west of the Ural mountains and countries bordering the Mediterranean, plus Iceland, Jordan, and Madeira, and the Canary, Azores and Mediterranean islands.

Please note: This is only a summary of cover. Full details of the cover provided are shown on your policy document which will be emailed to you upon receipt of payment of the premium. Please read it carefully to ensure you understand the cover provided which includes certain terms, conditions, exclusions and excesses as this insurance is being sold to you on a non-advised basis from a single insurer. In particular, cover is excluded for any pre-existing medical condition for which you or any person upon whom travel depends are suffering, such as a relative. If in doubt, please contact the insurers medical helpline on 0844 826 2686. Should you wish, a specimen copy will be made available prior to purchase upon request. If the insurance does not meet your requirements you may return the documentation within 14 days of the purchase or prior to travel if this is sooner and, providing no claim has been made, obtain a refund.

Cox & Kings is an Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

EUROPEan journeys

81

EE12 82 (Res Form 1st Ed):Reservation Form Landscape

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6/9/11

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Page 1

EUR OPEAN JOURNE YS RESERVATION FORM 2012

Important: If you have internet access you can complete the reservation form online. Please ask your tour consultant to email you a personalised form.

Full first name

Surname

Passport number

Nationality

PASSENGER DETAILS – AS THEY APPEAR IN YOUR PASSPORT

Date of issue DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY

5035

Date of C&K expiry insurance* DD/MM/YY Yes / No DD/MM/YY Yes / No DD/MM/YY Yes / No DD/MM/YY Yes / No

Please read the booking conditions and other information carefully before completing this form in BLOCK LETTERS and return to Cox & Kings with your remittance. It is essential that you complete the tinted sections as these include mandatory information.

Title

Date of birth DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY

* TRAVEL INSURANCE: It is required that every passenger holds adequate travel insurance cover at the time of booking.The details of the Cox & Kings travel insurance policy can be found on the reverse side of this form.

If you have existing travel insurance, please insert the details below.

Insurance company: Policy number: Emergency assistance company: Telephone no:

Postcode: Home tel:

Tour name / Tailor-made journey

Total

Postcode:

Home tel:

Travel agent’s ref:

C&K visa† / No / No / No / No

Yes Yes Yes Yes

DD/MM/YY DD/MM/YY

Date of departure

Abta number:

Travel agent’s stamp

Your booking reference number:

Your Cox & Kings tour consultant:

Designated emergency contact details (not travelling)

Name:

Relationship: Address:

Daytime tel: Tour extension

To pay by credit / debit card, please call 020 7808 5690

First Class Regional airport (specify):

TOUR DETAILS

£

Flight upgrades options (subject to availability) Premium Economy Class Business Class

No

I wish to pay by: (tick box) MasterCard‡ Visa‡ Amex‡ Delta‡ Switch‡ Cheque

‡The following processing fees will be applied to final balances paid by credit card:Visa – 1.33% MasterCard – 1.33% Amex – 2.10%.We reserve the right to change the processing fee at any time.Cheques should be made payable to‘Cox & KingsTravel Ltd’.

Tour code

† VISAS:Visas are required for some destinations. Regulations change, so please check the latest requirements before booking. Cox & Kings can only process visas for British passport holders resident in the UK. If you would like Cox & Kings to obtain your visas, there is a £35 per person fee in addition to the visa cost.

Contact details of lead passenger Name: Address: Daytime tel: Email address: Tour type GROUP TOUR INDIVIDUAL TOUR Single Triple / Family

Type of accommodation (subject to availability) Twin Double

Special requests (subject to availability) – eg airline dietary requirements (please specify):

PAYMENT DETAILS

Amount

£

£

£

£ £

DEPOSIT 15% of your total holiday cost (or £250 per person whichever is greater) If a larger deposit is required you will be informed at the time of booking

INSURANCE (payable at time of booking) maximum indemnity £4,999 per person INSURANCE TOP UP for holidays costing more than £5,000 per person

£ £

£

£ £35

COOL EARTH VOLUNTARY CHARITY DONATION

£

VISA CHARGE (cost of VISA) (payable at the time of booking) †COX & KINGS VISA HANDLING FEE (payable at time of booking)

(For charity details or to donate including gift aid, please visit www.coolearth.org/coxandkings)

TOTAL REMITTANCE ENCLOSED Cheque or credit / debit card‡

Total enclosed: £

Signature:

I hereby accept that I, on behalf of both myself and all the other persons on this booking form have read, understood and accepted the booking conditions, general information, insurance conditions (where applicable) and all other information in this brochure, and, further, that I have the authority of all the persons named on this booking form to make the booking subject to these conditions.All members of the party personally accept responsibility to be aware of, and comply with, health, passport and visa requirements. I am over 18 years of age.

Date:

Cox & Kings Travel Ltd, 6th Floor, 30 Millbank, London SW1P 4EE. Telephone: 020 7873 5000. Facsimile: 020 7630 6038. Registered office: As previous. Registered No143904 England.

DOCUMENTS & HEALTH EUROPEAN JOURNEYS

OVER 250 YEARS OF DISCOVERY Cox & Kings, the longest established travel company in the world, marked its 250th anniversary in 2008.

The company’s history stretches back to 25 May 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed as regimental agent to the Foot Guards by his mentor, Lord Ligonier, the commander-in-chief of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

The role of agent included the arrangement of payment of officers and men, the provision of clothing, acting as a go-between for the buying and selling of officers’ commissions, and acting upon any special requests from the regimental adjutant.

Regimental agents did not have a very good reputation before Cox, but such was his honesty, reliability and organisational ability that he made it a respectable business and Cox & Co soon became the agent for the majority of British regiments. By the end of the 18th century the company served 14 cavalry, 64 infantry and 17 militia regiments.The company’s business grew hand in hand with the British empire, becoming involved in banking and shipping in addition to its other agency activities.

Henry S King & Co, a rival bank and shipping agency, was started by Henry Samuel King in 1868 and subsequently run for more than 45 years by his son, Henry Seymour King, an MP and renowned mountaineer. The company had particularly strong links with India. After the first world war, the two companies merged as Cox’s & King’s and moved into grand premises on Pall Mall (now the site of the Sofitel St James Hotel). In 1923, the business was sold to Lloyds Bank and, while the banking arm stayed with Lloyds (becoming the Cox & Kings branch, as it is still known), the shipping agency became a separate company, running tours and organising the passage of people and their belongings around the world, notably to Egypt, India and south Asia.

In 1970, Cox & Kings Agency was bought by Grindlays Bank as part of a deal with the then Indian prime minister, Indira Gandhi, to develop tourism into the country; and so the modern history of the company began.

Cox & Kings has built on the tradition of high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox more than 250 years ago and it now provides travel arrangements of the highest calibre in many of the most culturally and naturally fascinating parts of the world.The company has extended its expertise to cover Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Indian Ocean, the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East and New Zealand.

DOCUMENTS & HEALTH HEALTH & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All the destinations featured in this brochure have specific entry regulations and requirements, and many have recommended health precautions. The requirements and recommendations in force at the time of publication are detailed below. If there are any changes, you will be informed when you book. However, it is your responsibility to double-check relevant requirements and recommendations before departure to ensure that you comply with them and take with you the correct documentation for the country or countries that you are visiting.

Please note that the entry requirements listed are only valid for British citizens. All other nationalities should check with Cox & Kings for advice. Regarding any inoculations or health precautions that may be needed, Cox & Kings recommends that you consult your GP or travel clinic for personal advice.

Requirements and recommendations area as follows: Albania: AC†EGKL. Armenia: ABEFGKL. ABEGKL. Belarus: Bosnia & Herzegovina: AEGKL. AEGKL. Bulgaria: Croatia: AEGIKL. AE. Cyprus: AEGIKL. Estonia: Georgia: AEFGKL. A. Germany: Greece: AE. Hungary: A. AE. Italy: Latvia: AEGIKL. AEGIKL. Lithuania: Macedonia: AEGKL. Malta: AC*L. Montenegro: AEGKL. ABEFGIKL. North Cyprus: Norway: A. Poland: AEGIKL. AEL. Portugal: Romania: AEGIKL. Russia: ABCDEGIKL. Serbia: AEGKL. Sicily: AE. AEL. Spain: Sweden: A. Turkey: ABEFGIKL. Ukraine: AEGIKL. Key to the codes: A: Full valid British passport (minimum six months validity from the intended date of return).

B: Visa required (see footnote).

C: Yellow fever precautions advised.

C*: A yellow fever certificate is required if travelling from an infected country.

C†: A yellow fever certificate is required for all travellers over the age of one year if travelling from an infected country.

D: Cholera precautions.

E: Typhoid, polio and hepatitis A precautions may be advised.

F: Malaria precautions advised.

G: Tetanus precautions advised.

H: Areas of high altitude – check with GP for confirmation that it is safe to visit.

I: Food and drink precautions advised.

J: Entry prohibited if you have an Israeli stamp, or stamps from other countries’ bordering crossing points with Israel, in your passport.

Diphtheria precautions advised.

K: L: Hepatitis B precautions advised.

Changes to requirements and recommendations: The above information is accurate at the time of publication (August 2011). Please note that Cox & Kings will advise you before accepting your booking should there be any subsequent changes to the above recommendations and requirements.

You should contact your doctor or Masta (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad), which operates a travellers’ health advice line costing £1 per minute, on telephone number 0906 822 4100. They will be able to give you professional advice and arrange any vaccinations. You can also obtain a leaflet from the Department of Health, Health Advice for Travellers (T7.1), by telephoning 0300 123 1002 and find further useful health advice for travellers at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.

GENERAL HEALTH ADVICE

In addition to the inoculation advice above, we recommend that you observe the following general health tips on your holiday: •D rink only bottled water and check the seal is secure when you receive it.

•D o not eat raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit, and raw or uncooked seafood.

• Avoid food and drink from street vendors and restaurants that might have suspect refrigeration and sanitary practices.

PASSPORTS & EMBASSIES

This advice is valid only for British citizens. Any clients that hold a non-British passport must contact the relevant embassy below. It is important that you hold a valid 10-year British passport, and we recommend that your passport is valid for six months from your date of return to the UK. Passports can be obtained from the Post Office or online at www.direct.gov.uk/ en/travelandtrasport/passports. A filled-out application form, a birth certificate and two passport photographs (one to be signed by a referee who has known you for two years) are required. The cost for postal application is £77.50 and it can take up to three weeks to obtain from the date of application.

Information on visas may be obtained from the respective embassies / high commissions at the following addresses listed below: • Albanian Embassy, 33 St. George’s Drive, London SW1V 4DG. Tel: 020 7828 8897.

• Armenian Embassy, 25a Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG. Tel: 020 7938 5435.

• E mbassy of Belarus, 6 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL. Tel: 020 7938 3677 / 5984.

• E mbassy of Bosnia & Herzegovina, 5-7 Lexham Gardens, London W8 5JJ. Tel: 020 7373 8067.

• E mbassy of Bulgaria, 186-188 Queen’s Gate London SW7 5HL. Tel: 020 7581 3144. Visa information line: 090 6550 8950 (£1 per minute from BT landlines).

•C roatian Embassy, 21 Conway Street, London W1T 6BN. Tel: 020 7387 1144.

•C ypriot High Commisson, 13 St. James Square, London SW1Y 4LB. Tel: 020 7321 4100.

• E stonian Embassy, 16 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DG. Tel: 020 7838 5388.

•G eorgian Embassy, 4 Russell Gardens, London W14 8EZ. Tel: 020 7348 1942.

•G erman Embassy, 23 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PZ. Tel: 020 7824 1465. reek Embassy, 1A Holland Park, London •G W11 3TP. Tel: 020 7313 5600.

•H ungarian Embassy, 35 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8BY. Tel: 020 7235 5218.

• I talian Consulate, 38 Eaton Place, London SW1X 8AN. Tel: 020 7235 9371.

• L atvian Embassy, 45 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5LY. Tel: 020 7312 0040.

• L ithuanian Embassy, 84 Gloucester Place, London W1U 6AU. Tel: 020 7486 6401.

•M acedonian Embassy, Suites 2.1-2.2, Buckingham Court, 75/83 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6PE. Tel: 020 7976 0535.

•M altese High Commisson, Malta House, 36-38 Piccadilly, London W1J 0LE. Tel: 020 7292 4800.

•M ontenegro Embassy, 18 Callcott Street, London W8 7SU. Tel: 020 7727 6007.

•N orthern Cyprus – see Turkish Consulate.

•R oyal Norwegian Embassy, 25 belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QD. Tel: 020 7591 5500.

•P olish Consulate, 73 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6LS. Tel: 020 7291 3900/14/34

Call 020 7873 5000 • Visit coxandkings.co.uk • Or speak to your travel agent

• Portuguese Consulate, 3 Portland Place, London W1B 1HR. Tel: 020 7291 3770.

• Romanian Consulate, MEIC House, 344 Kensington High Street, London W14 8NS. Tel: 020 7602 9833.

• The Embassy of the Russian Federation, (consular section), 5 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QS. Tel: 020 3051 1199.

• Embassy of Serbia, 28 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8BQ. Tel 020 7235 9049.

• Sicily – see Italian Consulate • Spanish Consulate, 20 Drayton Place, London SW3 2RZ. Tel 020 7589 8989.

• Swedish Embassy, 11 Montagu Place, London W1H 2AL. Tel: 020 7917 6413 / 18.

• Turkish Consulate, Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BW. Tel 020 7591 6904/5.

• Ukranian Consulate, Ground Floor, 78 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2PL. Tel: 020 7243 8923.

VISAS & CHARGES

Of the destinations covered in this brochure, only Russia, Armenia, Turkey, North Cyprus and Belarus require a visa for entry (this applies to British citizen passport holders only). Current charges and application procedures are detailed below. The prices are correct at the time of publication, however the government reserves the right to change them without prior notice. Cox & Kings will advise of any changes prior to booking. If your itinerary involves leaving Russia and re-entering at a later stage, you will need a double- or multiple-entry visa, which may cost more.

Granting visas: Cox & Kings will be happy to assist with any necessary visa applications on your behalf. We cannot, however, guarantee the granting of any visas, as this is a matter outside our control. If, through no fault of Cox & Kings, a visa is not granted, then we cannot accept any liability for the consequences and reserve the right to pass on to you any costs we incur as a result, including cancellation charges.

• Armenian tourist visa: Upon arrival in Armenia.

The current charge is US$9 / €5-6 / AMD3,000.

• Belarus visa: We recommend that you obtain your visa through ASLA Travel Visa Department. The cost for a single entry visa is £115; this includes a visa processing fee and fee for obtaining the visa authorisation letter required for your application. It is recommended that you send the application via special delivery, six to eight weeks prior to departure, to: Visa Dept, ASLA Ltd, Riverside House, 160 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambs PE29 3TF. You can contact them on telephone number 01480 433 800, by fax on 01480 433 799, or by email at visas@asla-select.co.uk.

• Russian tourist visa: It is not possible for Cox & Kings to obtain Russian visas on your behalf. We have negotiated a special rate through ASLA Travel Visa Department. The cost for a single-entry visa is £70; this is in addition to the handling fee of £35 per person. It is recommended that you send the application via special delivery six to eight weeks prior to departure, to: Visa Dept, ASLA Ltd, Riverside House, 160 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambs PE29 3TF. You can contact them on telephone number 01480 433 800, by fax on 01480 433 799, or by email at visas@asla-select.co.uk.

• Russian river cruises: The single-entry visa costs £115.

Please apply for your visa through ASLA as above. In addition, you will require a visa authorisation letter available from our visa department.

• Trans Siberian Express: Visas package costs £234.60.

• Northern Cyprus: See Turkey.

• Turkish sticker-type visa: Upon arrival in Turkey you will be given a sticker-type visa. The current charge for this is £10 per person.

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2012

UK OFFICE Cox & Kings Travel Ltd, 6th Floor, 30 Millbank, London SW1P 4EE Reservations: 020 7873 5000 • Fax: 020 7630 6038 Email: sales@coxandkings.co.uk Hours of business: Mon-Fri: 09.00-18.00 • Sat: 09.30-13.00

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