Omega Breaks - Eclipse Tours by justgoholidays

ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE TOURS 2020 - 2024

ARGENTINA • ANTARCTICA • AUSTRALIA • TEXAS GUIDED BY EXPERT ASTRONOMERS

EXPERIENCE THE WONDER Welcome to our exciting new collection of Eclipse Experience Tours! For anyone looking for an adventure of a lifetime, our unique tours provide the perfect opportunity to witness the breathtaking event of a solar eclipse in spectacular locations around the world. In ancient times, solar eclipses were regarded as phenomena to be feared, but witnessing this natural wonder is now high on anyone’s bucket list. It’s hard to beat the astonishing majesty of totality – the excitement and anticipation beforehand followed by the spine-tingling awe that an eclipse provides will stay with you forever. Make 2020 a year to remember and head to vibrant Argentina, where we marvel at the stunning Iguazu Falls before taking in the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in the spectacular landscape of Bahía Creek. Follow in the footsteps of explorer Ernest Shackleton to the Weddell Sea region of Antarctica in 2021 for an extraordinary cruise to witness this incredible phenomenon in the stunning white continent, looking out for unique wildlife and soaring ice-clad mountains along the way. In 2023, experience the special hybrid solar eclipse in Western Australia after discovering some of the country’s most iconic sights, from the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock to the Blue Mountains and Bondi Beach. Or for an authentic taste of the ‘Lone Star State’, embark on an unforgettable adventure in Texas to enjoy this must-see natural wonder in 2024. Whichever tour you choose, you can be sure you are getting the best and most informed experience when you travel with us. All of these carefully-planned tours are joined by expert astronomer and BBC The Sky at Night presenter Pete Lawrence, and are designed to provide you with an exciting holiday alongside the thrilling event of the total solar eclipse. The result is a never-to-be-repeated trip packed full of fascinating experiences and unique memories to last a lifetime.

Luis Luis Arteaga Chairman & CEO

WHY CHOOSE OMEGA BREAKS? YEARS OF EXPERIENCE We have been organising astronomy-based tours for over 20 years, starting with our exclusive Northern Lights flights which featured the legendary Sir Patrick Moore as our expert astronomer. In addition to this we have also organised several Eclipse Experience Tours including the 2017 eclipse in the USA and the 2019 eclipse in Chile.

GUIDED BY EXPERTS All of our Eclipse Experience Tours will be joined by an expert astronomer to ensure you get the most out of your tour as possible. Our main guest astronomer will be BBC The Sky at Nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pete Lawrence who will be on hand to provide his expert knowledge and guidance to guests during the eclipse (see page 4 for more information about Pete).

EXCITING ITINERARIES While the eclipse is the main highlight of our Eclipse Experience Tours, we have worked hard to ensure that our itineraries are full of exciting excursions, making sure you have the best experience possible and create special memories along the way.

EVERYTHING TAKEN CARE OF All your transport, accommodation and excursions as detailed in each itinerary are organised by us and are included in the price, meaning you can simply relax and enjoy this incredible phenomenon. Additional optional excursions are available on selected tours at an extra cost.

Complete Financial Protection The combination of travel services offered to you is a package within the meaning of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Therefore, you will benefit from all EU rights applying to packages. Just Go! Holidays Limited trading as Omgea Breaks will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package as a whole. Additionally, as required by law, Just Go! Holidays Limited trading as Omega Breaks has protection in place to refund your payments and, where transport is included in the package, to ensure your repatriation in the event that it becomes insolvent. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays we offer are financially protected by the ATOL scheme (ATOL No. 10889). When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. Clients are recommended to inspect the current ATOL certificate at our registered office or alternatively go to www.caa.co.uk to confirm the current licence. Details of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2018/9780111168479/contents. Credit: Will Gater

YOUR EXPERT ASTRONOMER | PETE LAWRENCE A MESSAGE FROM PETE

Pete Lawrence has had a life-long interest in astronomy. As well as having several decades experience as an astronomical observer, Pete also holds an honours degree in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Leicester. He has presented an observing section on the long running BBC The Sky at Night television programme since 2004 and also compiles, writes and illustrates the 16-page monthly Sky Guide for the Sky at Night Magazine. He has written this guide for every issue of the magazine since it began in 2005. He also writes a Night Sky column for The Daily Telegraph and supplies The Times with their monthly night sky chart. Other media duties include consulting for the BBC on astronomical subjects, working both behind and in-front of camera on programmes such as Stargazing Live, Horizon and Forces of Nature. Pete is highly regarded in the world of astrophotography, specialising in capturing time-specific events such as eclipses, aurora and meteor showers. Many of his images have been published in books, magazines and online across the world. In 2014 he was awarded the Davies Medal for a significant contribution in the digital field of imaging science by the Royal Photographic Society. Pete also acts as an expert guide on specialist astronomical-themed tours. Here his roles typically include selecting suitable viewing locations, providing advice on timings and delivering contextually-relevant presentations during the tour. To date Pete has fronted many trips on land, by air and onboard cruise ships to see such phenomena as the Aurora Borealis and total solar eclipses.

I have worked with Omega Breaks on five eclipse tours and can happily report that a 100% viewing success rate has been achieved on all of them. A lot of behind the scenes effort has gone into each trip. Where possible, pre-visits are made to selected viewing locations to ensure everything is as good as we can achieve for our passengers. Extensive analysis of weather statistics is carried out which includes interviews with locals. The information gleaned is then used to pick the final eclipse viewing site. Of the five eclipses I’ve worked on, two were especially difficult to deliver. For 2009 we were in China where, thanks to our high-altitude reservoir site, we got to see the longest period of totality for the 21st century. Much of the Chinese portion of the eclipse path was completely clouded out. Then in 2015 we found ourselves aboard the Boudicca in the middle of the Norwegian Sea, with an estimated probability of cloud in the 90% range. However, with good communication between ourselves and the Fred Olsen crew, together with constant monitoring of the prevailing weather patterns, we beat the odds and saw the whole of totality under clear skies. The 2020 eclipse returns us to South America, further to the south of the path for our successful 2019 eclipse trip. The 2020 event runs across Chile and Argentina, requiring careful attention to be made in respect of the Andes. For this eclipse we have chosen a location in Argentina where the cloud projections are at their lowest and there’s no danger of being caught by a weather system which has stalled as it hits the Andean range. See page 6 In 2021 we head even further south to view the spectacle of a total solar eclipse from a state-of-the-art cruise ship on a unique Antarctic voyage. This is sure to be a popular trip, ticking many bucket list entries. See page 10 For 2023 we will be located in northwest Australia to witness the total portion of a special type of event known as a hybrid solar eclipse. In a hybrid, the appearance of the eclipse depends on where you are along the eclipse track. At the start and end of the track, the positioning of the Moon relative to the Sun is insufficient to fully cover the Sun’s disc. This leads to an annular eclipse where, from the right location, the Moon appears to fit completely inside the Sun’s outline. From locations more centrally located along the track, the relative position of the Moon and Sun is such that the Moon is able to fully cover the Sun’s disc, resulting in a fully-fledged total solar eclipse. This is what we will see from our location. See page 16 2024 brings us back to the USA. Following a very successful eclipse trip in 2017, where we viewed the event under the clear blue skies of Idaho, the 2024 eclipse will be viewed from Texas. This will be a popular eclipse due to the relatively long period of totality which will be in excess of four minutes. See pages 20, 22 & 26

Credit Will Gater

EXPERIENCE A ONCE IN A LIFETIME ADVENTURE... ...where will you go next? Our Eclipse Experience Tours visit some of the most fascinating and beautiful parts of the world.

Eclipse 2020 | Argentina Pages 6 - 9

Eclipse 2021 | Antarctica

Eclipse 2023 | Australia

Pages 10 - 15

Pages 16 - 19

GET IN TOUCH Give our friendly reservations team a call on

0330 013 0071 or visit our website

omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours Eclipse 2024 | Texas, USA

JGTravelGroup

Pages 20 - 29

CLUB CLASS HOME COLLECTION SERVICE Door to Door Service from just Â£99 per person Take advantage of our stress-free departure option of Club Class Home Collection Service. With this luxury service, a uniformed chauffeur will collect you from home and transfer you to the airport in top specification cars or MPVs, then at the end of your holiday they will be waiting to whisk you home again. Turn to page 30 or visit omegabreaks.com/clubclass for full details.

11 DAYS FROM

£4,950 PER PERSON Single supplement £600

Iguazu Falls

ECLIPSE 2020 | ARGENTINA & THE IGUAZU FALLS 11 DAYS | DEPARTING MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2020 Join us on the adventure of a lifetime to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in Argentina, which promises to be a truly special experience. This unique tour will be accompanied by astronomer, astrophotographer and The Sky at Night TV presenter Pete Lawrence. Of course the main event and focus of this trip is the magnificent solar eclipse and on the day of this phenomenon, with Pete’s expert advice, we are taken into the path of ‘totality’, close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track. This will be at a location chosen to give us a good chance of clear skies. Pete will give various presentations and advice during the trip too. During this wonderful tour we also explore Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital of Buenos Aires, take a trip to the magnificent Iguazu Falls, and enjoy a spot of whale watching from the shores of the Valdés Peninsula, one of the world’s greatest wildlife and marine reserves.

IGUAZU FALLS

BUENOS AIRES

ARGENTINA LAS GRUTAS BAHĺA CREEK VALDÉS PENINSULA TRELEW

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ITINERARY Monday 7th & Tuesday 8th December: Flight to Argentina & Buenos Aires Check in for our flight to Argentina, landing in Buenos Aires the following day where we are met by our local guide and transfer to our overnight hotel in the city. This evening we enjoy an interesting presentation with Pete Lawrence at the hotel. There’s also the option to enjoy dinner with a live tango show. The Argentine Tango originated in Buenos Aires and the music and dance style is still very prominent today. Meals: None Wednesday 9th December: Buenos Aires & Flight to Iguazu We start the day with a half-day city tour of Buenos Aires. Known as the ‘Paris of South America’ with its wide boulevards, cafés and shops, the capital of Argentina is a lively city that boasts beautiful architecture, colourful murals, a fascinating culture and rich history. This afternoon we board our flight to Iguazu. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in the town where we stay for the next three nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Meals: Breakfast

Buenos Aires

Thursday 10th December: Iguazu Falls (Argentinian side)

Friday 11th December: Iguazu Falls (Brazilian side)

We head out to spend the day at the Iguazu Falls. Lying on the border between Argentina and Brazil and standing at 82m in height, these majestic falls are one of South America’s most iconic natural wonders and are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Argentinian side offers views from the top of the falls. From the boardwalk, we can watch in wonder as millions of litres of water plunges into the abyss. Navigation at the foot of the waterfalls is also included and there’s a network of hiking trails to enjoy. Nature lovers can see orchids, toucans and thousands of varieties of butterflies.

To experience the Iguazu Falls to the full, we spend half a day on the Brazilian side of the falls. This side offers the classic panoramic vista and a boardwalk leading into the heart of Devil’s Throat, the tallest of Iguazu’s 275 waterfalls, where we can walk out into the midst of the spray. There are also plenty of viewing platforms across the park to take photographs. The rest of the day is spent at leisure back at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Buenos Aires

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Valdés Peninsula

Bahía Creek

Valdés Peninsula

Iguazu Falls

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Saturday 12th December: Flight to Trelew We transfer to Iguazu airport for our flight to Trelew, via Jorge Newbery. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Madryn where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis. Meals: Breakfast Sunday 13th December: Valdés Peninsula & Las Grutas Checking out of the hotel we head first to the Valdés Peninsula, one of the best places in Patagonia to see whales. Here, southern right whales glide along just metres from the shoreline. For a closer view of these gentle giants, optional boat rides are available out into the bay. Afterwards, we continue on to our hotel in the small town of Las Grutas, our base for the next two nights. This evening we enjoy a pre-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence who gives advice, information and guidance on the forthcoming eclipse.

Tuesday 15th December: Flight to Buenos Aires & post-eclipse presentation We transfer to Trelew airport and board our flight back to Buenos Aires, transferring to our overnight hotel in the city.

Hotels We’ll stay at a selection of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels such as the 725 Continental Hotel in Buenos Aires, the Amérian Hotel in Iguazu, the Hotel Las Maras in Puerto Madryn and the Hotel Terramar in Las Grutas.

This evening we enjoy an entertaining post-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence which also gives us a chance to share our eclipse experiences with our fellow travellers. Meals: Breakfast Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th December: Departure After our last breakfast at the hotel, we enjoy some time at leisure before we transfer to Buenos Aires airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK the following day. Meals: Breakfast (Wednesday) Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change.

Valdés Peninsula

Meals: Breakfast Monday 14th December: Eclipse Day (Bahía Creek) This morning we travel to the eclipse site in the Bahía Creek area and close to the centre line. There’s plenty of time to find your own space and set up any equipment ready to take in the wonder of the eclipse. Once we have witnessed the eclipse, we head back to our hotel in Las Grutas. Meals: Breakfast, Snack Lunch

Buenos Aires

WHAT’S INCLUDED • Return flights to Buenos Aires

• Pre & post-eclipse presentations with Pete Lawrence

• Domestic return flights from Buenos Aires to Iguazu and from Iguazu to Trelew

• Tour accompanied throughout by astronomer Pete Lawrence

• Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in

• English speaking guides on all excursions

hold luggage per person)

• Airport transfers in Argentina • 8 nights at selected 3, 4 and 5-star hotels in Argentina with breakfast • 1 lunch & 1 snack lunch • Excursions to the Iguazu Falls (Argentinian side with navigation & Brazilian side) & Valdés Peninsula (whale watching from the beach)

Optional dinner with tango show (£60pp) Please note: no transfers are included between the hotel and the restaurant as the Teatro Piazzola is located only 300m from the hotel.

Optional whale watching boat ride in the bay of Puerto Piramides (£70pp) Please note: this optional excursion is subject to availability. Please also be aware that we are visiting wild animals in their natural environment and therefore have no control over the animals’ appearance or behaviour.

• Excursion to Bahía Creek for the eclipse (includes safety viewing glasses)

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20 DAYS FROM

£14,999 PER PERSON Single rooms/cabins on request

Antarctica © Lauren Bath Services

ECLIPSE 2021 | SOLAR ECLIPSE CRUISE IN ANTARCTICA 20 DAYS | DEPARTING SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2021 Join us on a thrilling adventure to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in the Weddell Sea region, offering a rare and historic opportunity to witness this remarkable spectacle in Antarctic waters. On this unforgettable cruise on board Aurora Expeditions’ brand-new ship, the Sylvia Earle, we experience the incredible white continent, where stunning waterways, soaring ice-clad mountains and islands alive with wildlife await. This unique cruise will be accompanied by astronomer, astrophotographer and The Sky at Night TV presenter Pete Lawrence. Of course the main event and focus of this trip is the magnificent solar eclipse and on the day of this phenomenon, with Pete’s expert advice, we are taken into the path of ‘totality’, close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track. Pete will give various presentations and advice during the cruise too and we also enjoy educational lectures from the knowledgeable expedition team.

TO BUENOS AIRES

USHUAIA

DRAKE PASSAGE SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

We also discover Argentina’s lively capital of Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, regarded as the world’s southernmost city, to complement our fantastic cruise. 10

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ITINERARY Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd November: Flight to Argentina & Buenos Aires Check in for our flight to Argentina, landing in Buenos Aires the following day and transferring to our overnight hotel. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided city tour of Buenos Aires. Known as the ‘Paris of South America’ with its wide boulevards, cafés and shops, the capital of Argentina is a lively city that boasts beautiful architecture, colourful murals, a fascinating culture and rich history.

Buenos Aires

Meals: None Tuesday 23rd November: Flight to Ushuaia After breakfast at the hotel we head to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia, regarded as the world’s southernmost city and the capital of Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago at the tip of South American mainland. Upon arrival we meet our Aurora Expeditions representative and transfer to our overnight hotel. Weddell Sea

Meals: Breakfast Wednesday 24th November: Ushuaia & Cruise Embarkation

the hotel lobby in the early afternoon for our tour of Ushuaia.

This morning, your luggage is collected from the hotel and transferred to the Sylvia Earle ahead of embarkation. We then have free time at leisure before meeting back in

Ushuaia is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel and is surrounded by the Martial Mountains, providing a unique landscape which combines mountains, sea, glaciers and forests.

On our guided tour we visit La Mision neighbourhood, the old Government House and the upper area of the city, which offers beautiful panoramic views of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel. We also see the historic houses that belonged to the first families settled in Ushuaia. Our tour ends with a visit to the Old Prison Museum before transferring to the pier for embarkation. After embarkation, there’s time to settle into your cabin before our mandatory briefings. As the Sylvia Earle pulls away from port, we gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Thursday 25th November: Drake Passage crossing

Ushuaia

As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the

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Beagle Channel

Chinstrap penguin

Humpback whale

motions of the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures, and start our lecture programme to learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment. Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following in our wake. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Friday 26th November: Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands As we near the spectacular South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks, watching for our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and surrounded by the surreal presence of 12

Drake Passage

floating ice sculptures. Weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Saturday 27th November - Thursday 2nd December: Antarctic Peninsula It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore. Because we are so far south, we experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. Your experienced expedition team use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing

weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. We generally make landings or enjoy excursions with Zodiac boats twice a day, along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiac boats also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula. While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you have the chance to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters – conditions permitting! In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may cruise

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some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge and marvel at this incredible white continent. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th December: South Orkney Islands & Solar Eclipse We continue to the South Orkney Islands, a group of islands lying between the Scotia Sea to the north and the Weddell Sea to the south. Be spoiled for wildlife encounters as the Weddell boasts a large Adélie penguin colony just outside of the Antarctic Sound, some of which breed on the rocky slopes of a small volcanic island. On thrilling Zodiac cruises or slicing a path through the maze of sea ice in your kayak, keep watch for chinstrap and gentoo penguins in and out of the water, where you may spot humpback, minke and orca whales. With good ice and plenty of luck, you may even get close to a well-known emperor penguin colony.

having a well-deserved reputation as being an iceberg alley, many large tabular bergs escape the Weddell Sea through the Antarctic Sound, often making navigation difficult, but the rewards can be great. Historically, early December would be considered too early to visit South Orkney Islands because of extensive sea ice. However, conditions have been changing every year and it may be possible to get into the South Orkneys on 4th December 2021 for the eclipse – the unknown is part of what makes the experience even more thrilling.

there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is also time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego, weather and time permitting. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Wednesday 8th December: Disembarkation & flight to Buenos Aires

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Monday 6th & Tuesday 7th December: Drake Passage crossing Our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience,

During the early morning we cruise up the Beagle Channel before docking in Ushuaia, where we disembark. We enjoy some free time here before transferring to the airport for our flight back to Buenos Aires, where we stay overnight. Meals: Breakfast

The full glory of this eclipse is only visible in Antarctica and the optimum position to experience the solar eclipse is well into the Weddell Sea. We try and get as close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track as possible, where we can enjoy the total solar eclipse for the maximum duration. Central to the story of where Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, became trapped in formidable sea ice, the Weddell Sea certainly is high on the list for most polar adventurers. With this area

South Shetland Islands

South Orkney Islands

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Antarctic Peninsula

Thursday 9th & Friday 10th December: Departure After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Buenos Aires airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK the following day. Meals: Breakfast (Thursday) Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change. Changes may also occur while on the cruise due to unpredictable sea and weather conditions.

Hotels At the beginning and end of our tour, we’ll stay at selected 3 or 4-star hotels in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. Gentoo penguin

WHAT’S INCLUDED • Return flights to Buenos Aires

• A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket

• Return domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

• Complimentary use of muck boots during the cruise

• Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in

• Witness the solar eclipse in Antarctica (includes safety

hold luggage per person)

viewing glasses)

• Airport transfers in Argentina

• Pre & post-eclipse presentations with Pete Lawrence

• 2 nights at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel in Buenos Aires with breakfast

• Tour accompanied throughout by astronomer Pete Lawrence

• Overnight stay at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel in Ushuaia with breakfast • Guided tours of Buenos Aires & Ushuaia • 14 nights on-board the Sylvia Earle with daily cabin service • Luggage transfer from your hotel in Ushuaia to the ship • All meals, snacks, tea & coffee during the cruise • Beer, house wine & soft drinks with dinner during the cruise • Captain’s Welcome & Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine & non-alcoholic beverages • Shore excursions & Zodiac cruises

Optional snowshoeing (approx $370/£300pp), kayaking (approx $1,260/£1,000pp) & camping (approx $150/£120pp). These optional excursions must be booked in advance before leaving the UK and are subject to availability and relevant experience.

On-board Wi-Fi is available at a cost of approximately $250 per cabin for the voyage. Please note: the onboard currency is US dollars. A $15 per person, per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your on-board account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or increase/decrease the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.

• Educational lectures & guiding services from the expedition team

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SHIP INFORMATION – SYLVIA EARLE Our Antarctica cruise will be on board the brand-new Sylvia Earle, Aurora Expeditions’ second purpose-built vessel which honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer Sylvia Earle. The ship features a revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW design, which splits wave energy for comfortable, faster travel and reduced emissions. The relaxed staterooms are all en-suite and the vessel also offers a distinctive glass Atrium Lounge with stunning views, indoor and outdoor panoramic observation areas, a restaurant and bar, a lecture theatre and lounge and an activity preparation area and mudroom. Leisure facilities include a gym, sauna, heated outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi where you can admire the impressive scenery. The Sylvia Earle Deck Plan

SYLVIA EARLE DECK PLAN Deck 8

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7 DeckDeck 5

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407 Cabin Category 409 Aurora Stateroom Triple 302 411 7 23 Aurora Stateroom Twin 304 415

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407 Cabin Category 409 23 Aurora Stateroom Triple 302 411 420 Twin 419 Aurora Stateroom 304 415 Aurora Stateroom Superior 422 306 421 618 617 6

Aurora Twin 410Stateroom 407 412Stateroom 409 Aurora Superior 414 411 Balcony Stateroom - C 416 415 Balcony Stateroom - B

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Balcony Stateroom - C 620 619 424 308 Balcony Stateroom -B 622 621

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303 Junior Suite Captain’s Suite

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8 423 Ship Features 6 21 426 310 42523 410 407 624 623 Balcony Stateroom -A Change room / mudroom 7 1 Cabin Category 7 427 412 409 23 23 626 625 Balcony Stateroom Superior 2 Zodiac-loading platforms 8 Aurora Stateroom Triple 302 301Balcony 414 411 19 628 627 formerly Suite) ( 419 428 420 Twin Activity launching platform9 3 20 Aurora Stateroom 401 20 629 629 304 630 303Suite 429 416 415 Junior 430 4 Lecture theatre & lounge 10 Aurora Stateroom Superior 403 422 306421 Captain’s Suite 432 4315 Assembly station 6Balcony Stateroom - C 11 424 308423 618 405 617 4336 Reception Ship Features Cabin Category 21 434 Cabin Category Ship Features 12 Balcony Stateroom - B 426 310425 23 620 407 619 8 Change room / mudroom 13 7 1 Aurora Stateroom Triple Ship shop Balcony Stateroom -A 427 23 622 409 621 Zodiac-loading platforms 8 2 Aurora Stateroom Twin 14 Dining room 2 Balcony Stateroom Superior 302 301 411 419 (formerly Balcony428 Suite) 420 624 623 Activity launching platform 9 Library 3 Aurora Stateroom Superior 15 304 303 429 415 Junior Suite 430 626 625Stateroom - C 4 Lecture theatre & lounge 10 Balcony Gym 16 422 306 421 4315 Assembly station Captain’s Suite432 628 6Balcony 627Stateroom - B 11 Wellness centre / sauna 17 424 308 423 4336 Reception 21 434 12 630 629 629 Balcony Stateroom - A 18 Seating area Features 426 310Ship 425 23 8 13 7 Ship shop Balcony Stateroom Superior 1 Change room / mudroom 19 Observation lounge 427 23 (formerly Balcony Suite) 8

Dining room 2

2 Top deck restaurant

Balcony S

Balcony Stateroom - C

Balcony S

Balcony Stateroom - B

Balcony S (formerly B

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Balcony Stateroom Superior (formerly Balcony Suite) Junior Suite

Change r

302 Suite 301 Captain’s 304 303

Zodiac-lo

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Balcony Stateroom Superior 301 23 Suite) (formerly Balcony 303 419 420Suite Junior

308 room / mudroom Change 21 23 310 Zodiac-loading platforms

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Observat

Swimmin

Zodiac-loading platforms 428 429 430launching Activity platform 432 431 Lecture theatre & lounge 434 433 Assembly station Reception

Dining room

Library

Gym

Wellness centre / sauna

12 2 Seating

area

Ship shop

Observation1lounge

Dining room

Top deck restaurant

Library

Bars

Gym

Upper glass atrium lounge

Wellness centre / sauna

Lower glass atrium lounge

Seating area

Observation decks

Observation lounge 2 Top deck restaurant

Swimming pool and sun deck

Jacuzzis / plunge pools

Medical clinic

Upper glass atrium lounge

Bridge

Lower glass atrium lounge

Elevator

1 Bars

Observation decks

Jacuzzis /

Medical c

Bridge

Elevator

n Connecting sta

Deck plan is subje

n Connecting staterooms and suites

Swimming pool and sun deckDeck plan is subject to change. 3 Jacuzzis / plunge pools

Zodiac-loading platforms 2 302 419 301Suite 428 Junior 1 Bars 9 Library 15 21 Activity launching platform 3 Medical clinic 304 Captain’s 429 303 Suite 430 10orGym Book now 0330 013 0071 for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours 16 4 on Upper glass atrium lounge Lecture theatre & lounge 22 Bridge 422 306 421 432 431 11 Wellness centre / sauna 17 5 Ship Features Lower glass atrium lounge 23 Elevator Assembly station 424 308 423 434 433

420

Captain’s

Ship Featu

Balcony Stateroom - A

422 Suite 421 Captain’s 424 423 21 Ship Features 425 23 426 Change room / mudroom 1 427

Balcony Stateroom Superior2

301 (formerly Balcony Suite)

Balcony S

Aurora Stateroom Superior

15 DAYS

17 DAYS

FROM

£5,999

£6,299

PER PERSON

Single supplement £700

Single supplement £900

Sydney

ECLIPSE 2023 | THE WONDERS OF AUSTRALIA 15 DAYS | DEPARTING SUNDAY 9TH APRIL 2023 17 DAYS | DEPARTING FRIDAY 7TH APRIL 2023 Join us on an unforgettable adventure to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in Western Australia, which promises to be a truly special experience. This unique tour will be accompanied in Australia by astronomer, astrophotographer and The Sky at Night TV presenter Pete Lawrence. Of course the main event and focus of this trip is the magnificent solar eclipse and on the day of this phenomenon, with Pete’s expert advice, we are taken into the path of ‘totality’, close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track. This will be at a location chosen to give us a good chance of clear skies. Pete will give various presentations and advice during the trip too. With a stopover in Singapore* to explore this vibrant city state, the rest of this wonderful tour is spent discovering some of Australia’s most iconic sights as we travel across this beautiful country of contrasts. From snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and enjoying a special sunrise tour of Uluru, to admiring Sydney’s famous landmarks and dolphin watching in Rockingham, this adventure of a lifetime won’t disappoint. 16

CAPE TRIBULATION & DAINTREE CAIRNS GREAT BARRIER REEF

EXMOUTH

AUSTRALIA AYERS ROCK

BLUE MOUNTAINS PERTH

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SYDNEY

17 DAY ITINERARY Friday 7th & Saturday 8th April: Flight to Singapore* Check in for our flight to Singapore, landing the following day. Upon arrival we are met by our local representative and transfer to our hotel, where we stay for two nights. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city or relax in the hotel. Founded as a trading post for the British Empire, Singapore is currently the only city-island-nation in the world and offers a wealth of exciting and new experiences. Meals: None

Ayers Rock

Later, we enjoy a welcome meeting at the hotel with our tour manager and Pete Lawrence. Meals: Breakfast

Sunday 9th April: Singapore* Tuesday 11th April: Great Barrier Reef After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a day of sightseeing in vibrant Singapore where there is plenty to see and do. Take a trip to the fascinating ArtScience Museum located in the famous Marina Bay Sands, visit the iconic Gardens by the Bay or enjoy a ride on the Singapore Flyer, a huge observation wheel offering incredible views of the city. Meals: Breakfast Monday 10th April: Flight to Australia & Cairns Check in for our flight to Cairns, where we are met by our tour manager on arrival and transfer to the Pacific Hotel, our base for the next three nights. We have the afternoon at leisure to explore the diverse city of Cairns, known as the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north.

We meet our guide in the hotel lobby and walk to Cairns marina. From here we board our cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef complex and a World Heritage listed natural wonder. Our day includes a marine biologist presentation, morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, semi-submersible tour and glass bottom boat tour. Snorkelling equipment is also available for those who would like to experience the Great Barrier Reef underwater. Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch Wednesday 12th April: Cape Tribulation & Daintree This morning we depart for our private tour, which includes a Daintree River ferry to Cape Tribulation, often

described as a little slice of tropical paradise where stunning beaches meet dense rainforest. We enjoy a guided rainforest walk, scenic drive past Thornton Beach and lunch at the Rainforest Café as well as free time in Cape Tribulation and the magnificent Alexandra Lookout. We also venture into the heart of the oldest rainforest in the world in search of saltwater crocodiles during our Cooper Creek cruise. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Thursday 13th April: Ayers Rock We have an early start today to catch our flight to Ayers Rock. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and then spend the day embracing the area’s culture, geology and environment. We begin with a drive around the base of Ayers Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known by its Aboriginal name of Uluru, followed by a short walk into the natural wonder of the Mutitjulu Waterhole. We then visit rock art sites and the local waterhole to learn about Uluru’s significance to the Anangu (local Aboriginal people). Next we drive around the rest of the base and experience the Mala walk, which follows the north-west side of Uluru, before transferring to the Voyages Ayers Rock Resort for check in. This evening we enjoy a special sunset tour of Uluru, which includes sparkling wine and nibbles. We stay until after dark for a unique experience – star gazing with the imposing Ulhuru in the background. Meals: Packed Breakfast Friday 14th April: Ayers Rock & Flight to Sydney

Great Barrier Reef

This morning we are picked up early for a sunrise tour at Uluru, where we watch the desert come to life as the first rays of sunshine hit Australia’s best-known natural landmark.

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the Eaglehawk lookout before riding on the scenic cableway, railway and skyway or wind your way through the rainforest on the elevated boardwalk. Afterwards we head back to the hotel and enjoy an informative presentation with Pete Lawrence in the evening. Meals: Breakfast Monday 17th April: The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour & Captain Cook Cruise

Alexandra Lookout

We return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast before departing for a visit to the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) to view the spectacular rock formations and be dwarfed by these huge, mysterious red domes, with the tallest of them around 546 metres high. After our tour, we transfer to the airport and catch our flight to Sydney.

choose to join a guided walk from Bondi to Bronte. Next we are dropped off at the bustling Circular Quay for time at leisure and a chance to have lunch (not included) before walking to the Sydney Opera House, where we enjoy a private tour.

Upon arrival in Sydney we meet our local guide and transfer to the Metro Marlow Sydney Central Hotel where we stay for the next four nights.

Sunday 16th April: Blue Mountains

Meals: Breakfast Saturday 15th April: Sydney & Bondi Beach A tour of Sydney’s highlights awaits us today, including St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, as well as the suburbs of The Rocks, Paddington, Kings Cross and Chinatown. Later we visit the famous Bondi Beach, where there is free time to relax or you can

Meals: Breakfast

Following breakfast we meet our guide for a full-day tour of the spectacular Blue Mountains, named after the delicate azure haze that lingers in the region. On the way, we visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park to get up close to Australian native animals before continuing to the Blue Mountains’ Echo Point Lookout to admire the famous Three Sisters, an iconic rock formation. We then have time for lunch (not included) before heading to Scenic World, where we enjoy a unique nature-based experience. With an unlimited pass on all attractions, take in the views at

We start the day with a visit to The Rocks, a historic area of Sydney’s city centre. Here we join The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour and journey into the culture of Aboriginal people with our guide. Next we head to King Street Wharf to board the famous Captain Cook Cruise and depart on a seafood buffet lunch cruise around Darling Harbour. This afternoon we enjoy time at leisure in Darling Harbour where there is plenty to see, from the Chinese Garden to the Australian National Maritime Museum (entrance not included). Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch Tuesday 18th April: Flight to Perth & Scitech Today we fly to Perth and meet our local guide at the airport. We then transfer to the Quality Hotel Ambassador and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening we head to Scitech, an interactive and engaging science museum located in the heart of Perth, for a private function, which includes access to the largest planetarium in the Southern Hemisphere. Once inside, experience the wonders of the Universe during one of the internationally-renowned shows. Meals: Breakfast Wednesday 19th April: Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Adventure Cruise

Cottesloe Beach

We head to the lovely city of Rockingham and depart on our Dolphin, Penguin and Sea Lion Adventure Cruise through the spectacular Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, where dolphins are the star attraction! Look out for them leaping from the wake of our boat or mothers with their new born calves. We then return through the wildlife sanctuary zone to visit the sea lions at Seal Island and to watch out for pelicans, Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

ospreys, cormorants, terns and more. The cruise concludes on Penguin Island to see the penguin feeding, and we then enjoy free time on the island before heading back to the hotel. Please be aware that we are visiting wild animals in their natural environment and therefore have no control over the animals’ appearance or behaviour.

This evening we enjoy a pre-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence who gives advice, information and guidance on the forthcoming eclipse. Meals: Breakfast

Kings Park

Thursday 20th April: Eclipse Day & Exmouth

species of the state’s unique flora. During our time here we enjoy a guided walk over the famous glass bridge and visit the war memorial, set against the stunning backdrop of the Swan River and Perth’s skyline.

Hotel, just across the road from our hotel, which also gives us a chance to share our eclipse experiences with our fellow travellers.

Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd April: Departure

Friday 21st April: Perth

Next we stop for a photo at Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach before arriving in Fremantle, the historic port of Western Australia known for its Victorian architecture and maritime heritage. We drive through the city, passing the Cappuccino Strip, Fishing Boat Harbour and Monument Hill, before stopping at Little Creatures brewery for lunch (not included). Our coach then takes us to the B Shed Jetty, where we depart on a cruise along the Swan River back to Perth. We enjoy complimentary wine tasting and take in famous sights such as the Yacht Club, the magnificent Mansions and Swan Brewery, complete with commentary from our captain. We disembark at Elizabeth Quay and from here our guide accompanies us on the short walk back to the hotel.

On our last full day we head to Kings Park, the world’s largest inner city park which displays over 3,000

This evening we gather for a post-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence at the Goodearth

This morning we take a packed breakfast and transfer to Perth airport to catch our flight to Exmouth, located on the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia. Upon arrival we board our coach and are taken close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track, where we can enjoy the total solar eclipse for the maximum duration. There’s plenty of time to find your own space and set up any equipment ready to take in the wonder of the eclipse. In the afternoon we visit the beautiful city of Exmouth where we enjoy some free time. Take the chance to explore the city, do some souvenir shopping or simply relax with a cup of coffee. After a few hours we fly back to Perth and are transferred to our hotel. Meals: Packed Breakfast, In-Flight Snack

Meals: Breakfast

After our last breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Perth airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK the following day. Meals: Breakfast (Saturday) Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change.

Hotels We spend two nights at a selected 4-star hotel in Singapore.* In Australia we’ll stay at a selection of 4-star hotels in Cairns, Yulara (near Uluru), Sydney and Perth. *Only available on the 17 day option.

WHAT’S INCLUDED • Flight to Cairns (stopover in Singapore*) and return from Perth

• Outer Great Barrier Reef, Darling Harbour, Rockingham Wildlife & Swan River cruises (includes buffet lunch on Great

• Domestic flights from Cairns to Ayers Rock, Ayers Rock to Sydney and Sydney to Perth

• Private Cape Tribulation & Daintree tour

• Return charter flight from Perth to Exmouth • Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)

Barrier Reef & Darling Harbour cruises)

• Uluru sunset tour with sparkling wine & nibbles and sunrise tour • Private tour of Sydney Opera House

• Airport transfers in Singapore* & Australia

• The Rocks Dreaming Heritage walking tour

• 2 nights at a selected 4-star hotel in Singapore* with breakfast

• Private function at Scitech

• 12 nights at selected 4-star hotels in Australia with breakfast

• Pre & post-eclipse presentations with Pete Lawrence

• 1 lunch

• Tour accompanied in Australia by astronomer Pete Lawrence

• Excursions to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Blue Mountains, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Exmouth & Fremantle • Excursion to a carefully-selected location for the eclipse (includes safety viewing glasses)

• Guided tours of Sydney & Perth

• Local guides on excursions • Services of a tour manager

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

6 DAYS FROM

£2,499 PER PERSON Single supplement £250

Houston

ECLIPSE 2024 | TEXAS, USA 6 DAYS | DEPARTING FRIDAY 5TH APRIL 2024 Join us to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in the southern state of Texas, USA which promises to be a truly special experience. This unique tour will be accompanied by an expert astronomer and we’ll also be joined by astronomer, astrophotographer and The Sky at Night TV presenter Pete Lawrence for the latter part of the tour. Of course the main event and focus of this trip is the magnificent solar eclipse and on the day of this phenomenon, with Pete’s expert advice, we are taken into the path of ‘totality’, close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track. This will be at a location chosen to give us a good chance of clear skies. Pete will give various presentations and advice too.

DALLAS

WAXAHACHIE & ENNIS

TEXAS HOUSTON & SPACE CENTER

During this wonderful tour we also visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to learn more about space exploration.

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

ITINERARY Friday 5th April: Flight to Houston Check in for our flight to Houston, Texas. On arrival, we are met by our local representative and transfer to the Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel, our base for the next two nights.

Sunday 7th April: Houston to Waxahachie Checking out of our Houston hotel, we head to Waxahachie. On arrival, we check in to the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Dallas Waxahachie where we stay for the last two nights of our tour.

Meals: None Saturday 6th April: Space Center Houston After breakfast we enjoy a welcome presentation by our expert astronomer at the hotel. We then spend the day at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, one of Houston’s top attractions, which boasts many interactive displays with everything from space artefacts to a full-size rocket and space shuttle. Here we can learn about space exploration from fascinating hands-on exhibits. Later, enjoy dinner (not included) in the collection of historic Houston neighbourhoods known as the Heights, an area dotted with independent shops and trendy restaurants.

This evening, we enjoy a pre-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence at the Waxahachie Civic Center, located next to the hotel. Meals: Breakfast Monday 8th April: Solar Eclipse in Ennis Following breakfast at the hotel, we head to Ennis. Here we can enjoy the total solar eclipse for the maximum duration, scheduled to start around 12.22pm. There’s plenty of time to find your own space and set up any equipment ready to take in the wonder of the eclipse. Later we return to our Waxahachie hotel.

Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th April: Post-eclipse presentation & overnight flight home After breakfast we return to the Waxahachie Civic Center for a post-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence which also gives us a chance to share our eclipse experiences with our fellow travellers. Afterwards, we transfer to Dallas airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK the following day. Meals: Breakfast (Tuesday) Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change.

Hotels We’ll stay at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel and the 3-star Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Dallas Waxahachie.

Meals: Breakfast

Houston

Space Center Houston © Alex Ruddick [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

WHAT’S INCLUDED • Flight to Houston and return from Dallas

• Admission to the Space Center Houston

• Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in

• Excursion to Ennis for the eclipse (includes safety

hold luggage per person)

• Airport transfers in Texas • 2 nights at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel with breakfast • 2 nights at the 3-star Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Dallas Waxahachie with breakfast

viewing glasses)

• Pre & post-eclipse presentations at the Waxahachie Civic Center with Pete Lawrence • Tour accompanied throughout by an expert astronomer • Part of the tour accompanied by astronomer Pete Lawrence • Local guides on excursions

• Porterage at the Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

9 DAYS FROM

£3,299 PER PERSON Single supplement £550

The Alamo

ECLIPSE 2024 | THE BEST OF TEXAS 9 DAYS | DEPARTING TUESDAY 2ND APRIL 2024 Join us to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in the southern state of Texas, USA which promises to be a truly special experience. This unique tour will be accompanied by an expert astronomer and we’ll also be joined by astronomer, astrophotographer and The Sky at Night TV presenter Pete Lawrence for the latter part of the tour. Of course the main event and focus of this trip is the magnificent solar eclipse and on the day of this phenomenon, with Pete’s expert advice, we are taken into the path of ‘totality’, close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track. This will be at a location chosen to give us a good chance of clear skies. Pete will give various presentations and advice too. During this wonderful tour we also visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, discover the vibrant cities of San Antonio, Austin and Dallas, visit the famous Alamo and enjoy a cattle drive and championship rodeo for an authentic taste of the ‘Lone Star State’.

FORT WORTH

DALLAS

WAXAHACHIE & ENNIS

TEXAS AUSTIN

SAN ANTONIO & THE ALAMO

HOUSTON & SPACE CENTER

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

ITINERARY Tuesday 2nd April: Flight to Houston Check in for our flight to Houston, Texas. On arrival, we are met by our local representative and transfer to the Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel, our base for the next two nights. Meals: None Wednesday 3rd April: Space Center Houston After breakfast we enjoy a welcome presentation by our expert astronomer at the hotel. We then spend the day at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, one of Houston’s top attractions, which boasts many interactive displays with everything from space artefacts to a full-size rocket and space shuttle. Here we can learn about space exploration from fascinating hands-on exhibits. Later, enjoy dinner (not included) in the collection of historic Houston neighbourhoods known as the Heights, an area dotted with independent shops and trendy restaurants. Meals: Breakfast

Fort Worth Stockyards

Antonio River Walk (not included). This afternoon we board our boat for a relaxing river cruise along the San Antonio River. The boat’s captain shares fascinating stories about the city’s culture, history and architecture during this 35-minute cruise. Later we transfer to the Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk where we stay overnight. This evening we enjoy a presentation with an expert astronomer at the San Antonio Meeting Center. Meals: Breakfast

Thursday 4th April: San Antonio & River Cruise

Friday 5th April: The Alamo & Austin

Checking out of our Houston hotel this morning, we travel to San Antonio. On arrival there’s the chance to enjoy lunch along the San

After checking out of our hotel this morning we visit the Alamo, site of the famous, pivotal battle in the Texas Revolution in 1836. Next, we depart

for Austin, the capital of Texas, where we stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake. This afternoon we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Austin with a local guide. Known as the Live-Music Capital, the city has managed to retain a smalltown charm and is home to unique attractions, a vibrant arts scene and beautiful outdoor spaces, from the shores of Lady Bird Lake to the city’s highest vantage point on Mount Bonnell. In the evening there’s the option to visit the Continental Club, a retro Austin venue that opened in 1957 and is a mecca for roots, rockabilly, country and swing music. Meals: Breakfast

Austin

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

Dealey Plaza, Dallas

Austin

Space Center Houston

San Antonio

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

Saturday 6th April: Fort Worth Stockyards, Championship Rodeo & Waxahachie

find your own space and set up any equipment ready to take in the wonder of the eclipse.

We check out of our Austin hotel and head to Fort Worth, arriving at Fort Worth Stockyards in time to watch the late afternoon cattle drive. There’s then time for dinner (not included) before gathering to attend the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum.

Later we head back to our Waxahachie hotel.

Afterwards you may choose to cap off the night at Billy Bob’s for a drink, listening to country music and dancing the Texas Two-Step, or try riding a mechanical bull! Later we transfer to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Waxahachie where we stay for the remainder of the tour.

Meals: Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th April: Post-eclipse presentation & overnight flight home

Meals: Breakfast (Tuesday)

Sunday 7th April: Dallas This morning we enjoy an orientation tour of Dallas, a city that offers a unique blend of South-western warmth, cosmopolitan flair, old west charm and modern sophistication. We then visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. The museum, located within the former Texas School Book Depository building, chronicles the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change.

Hotels We’ll stay at a selection of 3 or 4-star hotels in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Waxahachie.

Dallas

San Antonio

WHAT’S INCLUDED • Flight to Houston and return from Dallas • Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)

• Admission to the Space Center Houston & the Stockyards Championship Rodeo • San Antonio River Cruise

• Airport transfers in Texas

• Visits to the Alamo & the Dallas Sixth Floor Museum

• 2 nights at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel with breakfast

• Guided tours of Austin & Dallas

• 1 night at the 3-star Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk with breakfast

• Excursion to Ennis for the eclipse (includes safety

• 1 night at the 3-star Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake with breakfast

• Pre & post-eclipse presentations at the Waxahachie Civic Center with Pete Lawrence

• 3 nights at the 3-star Hampton Inn & Suites Waxahachie with breakfast

• Tour accompanied throughout by an expert astronomer

• Porterage at the hotels (except the Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake)

• Watch the cattle drive at Fort Worth Stockyards viewing glasses)

• Part of the tour accompanied by astronomer Pete Lawrence • Local guides on excursions

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

14 DAYS FROM

£3,999 PER PERSON Single supplement £850

Austin

ECLIPSE 2024 | A TEXAN ADVENTURE 14 DAYS | DEPARTING THURSDAY 28TH MARCH 2024 Join us to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse in the southern state of Texas, USA which promises to be a truly special experience. This unique tour will be accompanied by astronomer, astrophotographer and The Sky at Night TV presenter Pete Lawrence. Of course the main event and focus of this trip is the magnificent solar eclipse and on the day of this phenomenon, with Pete’s expert advice, we are taken into the path of ‘totality’, close to the centre line of the eclipse shadow track. This will be at a location chosen to give us a good chance of clear skies. Pete will give various presentations and advice during the trip too. During this wonderful tour we also visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, discover the vibrant cities of San Antonio, Austin and Dallas, visit the famous Alamo and fascinating McDonald Observatory as well as enjoy a cattle drive and championship rodeo for an authentic taste of the ‘Lone Star State’.

TEXAS FORT WORTH

DALLAS

ABILENE WAXAHACHIE & ENNIS PECOS

SAN ANGELO & PAINT ROCK

McDONALD OBSERVATORY FREDERICKSBURG SAN ANTONIO & THE ALAMO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON & SPACE CENTER

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

ITINERARY Thursday 28th March: Flight to Houston Check in for our flight to Houston, Texas. On arrival, we are met by our local representative and transfer to the Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks Hotel, our base for the next two nights.

This afternoon, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Austin with a local guide. Known as the Live-Music Capital, the city has managed to retain a small-town charm and is home to unique attractions, a vibrant arts scene and beautiful outdoor spaces, from the shores of Lady Bird Lake to the city’s highest vantage point on Mount Bonnell.

Meals: None Friday 29th March: Space Center Houston After breakfast we enjoy a welcome presentation at the hotel. We then spend the day at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, one of Houston’s top attractions, which boasts many interactive displays with everything from space artefacts to a full-size rocket and space shuttle. Here we can learn about space exploration from fascinating hands-on exhibits. Later, enjoy dinner (not included) in the collection of historic Houston neighbourhoods known as the Heights, an area dotted with independent shops and trendy restaurants. Meals: Breakfast Saturday 30th March: San Antonio & River Cruise

In the evening there’s the option to visit the Continental Club, a retro Austin venue that opened in 1957 and is a mecca for roots, rockabilly, country and swing music. Meals: Breakfast Monday 1st April: Austin & ACL Live at the Moody Theater We begin the day with an orientation tour of downtown Austin to see such sites as the University of Texas, the Capitol Building and 360 Bridge. You may then wish to stop for lunch at one of Austin’s famous Food Trucks. This afternoon, we enjoy a tour of ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the permanent home of Austin City Limits, the longest running music series in American television history. There’s also time to visit SoCo, a vibrant neighbourhood that oozes homespun character and boasts the story of Austin’s yesteryear with its

boutiques, eateries, galleries and music venues. In the evening we enjoy a presentation with Pete Lawrence at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast Tuesday 2nd April: Fredericksburg & San Angelo We check out of our Austin hotel and head to San Angelo, driving through the hill country and stopping en-route in Fredericksburg, a charming town that proudly embraces its extensive German heritage. Walk the town’s streets and pass Gothic-style churches with pointed archways and vaulted ceilings. Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants serving savoury schnitzels and tall pints of dunkelweizen. Continuing on to San Angelo we check in to the Pearl on the Concho Hotel where we stay overnight. There’s time to explore the historic downtown, where a mix of modern art and Western heritage create a unique experience. We enjoy another interesting presentation with Pete Lawrence at the hotel this evening. Meals: Breakfast

Checking out of our Houston hotel this morning, we travel to San Antonio. On arrival there’s the chance to enjoy lunch along the San Antonio River Walk (not included). This afternoon we board our boat for a relaxing river cruise along the San Antonio River. The boat’s captain shares fascinating stories about the city’s culture, history and architecture during this 35-minute cruise. Later we transfer to the Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk where we stay overnight. Meals: Breakfast Sunday 31st March: The Alamo & Austin After checking out of our hotel this morning we visit the Alamo, site of the famous, pivotal battle in the Texas Revolution in 1836. Next, we depart for Austin, the capital of Texas, where we stay at the Holiday Inn AustinTown Lake for two nights. Dallas

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

Wednesday 3rd April: Paint Rock & Pecos Before departing for Pecos, we visit Paint Rock. Texas hosts a number of premier rock art sites, shelters and rock faces painted by history’s Native Americans as well as the prehistoric peoples who came before them. The pictographs reveal clues about the inhabitants who occupied the country up to the arrival of Europeans. The Paint Rock site is considered one of the state’s major pictograph collections.

Texas. Visit the exhibit gallery inside the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center, the Solar Viewing Program in the theatre, and tour the 433-inch Hobby-Eberly Telescope. We also take a private viewing tour of the research area. Meals: Breakfast Friday 5th April: Abilene Leaving Pecos, we head to Abilene and check in to the Courtyard by Marriott Southwest/Abilene Mall South where we stay overnight.

included) before gathering to attend the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum. Afterwards you may choose to cap off the night at Billy Bob’s for a drink, listening to country music and dancing the Texas Two-Step, or try riding a mechanical bull! Later we transfer to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Waxahachie where we stay for the remainder of the tour. Meals: Breakfast Sunday 7th April: Dallas

We continue to Pecos and check in to Best Western Swiss Clock Inn, our base for the next two nights.

This evening we enjoy a presentation with Pete Lawrence at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast Thursday 4 April: McDonald Observatory

Saturday 6th April: Fort Worth Stockyards, Championship Rodeo & Waxahachie

Today we travel to the McDonald Observatory, an astronomical observatory that is part of the University of Texas, located on Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains of West

We check out of our Abilene hotel and head to Fort Worth, arriving at Fort Worth Stockyards in time to watch the late afternoon cattle drive. There’s then time for dinner (not

Paint Rock

Fredericksburg

McDonald Observatory

This morning we enjoy an orientation tour of Dallas, a city that offers a unique blend of South-western warmth, cosmopolitan flair, old west charm and modern sophistication. We then visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. The museum, located within the former Texas School Book Depository building, chronicles the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

In the evening, we enjoy a pre-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence at the Waxahachie Civic Center. Meals: Breakfast Monday 8th April: Solar Eclipse in Ennis Following breakfast at the hotel, we head to Ennis. Here we can enjoy the total solar eclipse for the maximum duration, scheduled to start around 12.22pm. There’s plenty of time to find your own space and set up any equipment ready to take in the wonder of the eclipse. Later we head back to our Waxahachie hotel. Meals: Breakfast Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th April: Post-eclipse presentation & overnight flight home

San Antonio

After breakfast we return to the Waxahachie Civic Center for a post-eclipse presentation with Pete Lawrence which also gives us a chance to share our eclipse experiences with our fellow travellers. Afterwards, we transfer to Dallas airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK the following day. Meals: Breakfast (Tuesday) Please note: as the tour has been planned far in advance, the itinerary and price are subject to change.

Hotels We’ll stay at a selection of 2, 3 or 4-star hotels in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, San Angelo, Pecos, Abilene and Waxahachie.

Waxahachie

WHAT’S INCLUDED • Flight to Houston and return from Dallas

• Guided tours of Austin & Dallas

• Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in

• Watch the cattle drive at Fort Worth Stockyards

hold luggage per person)

• Airport transfers in Texas

• Excursion to Ennis for the eclipse (includes safety viewing glasses)

• 12 nights at selected 2, 3 or 4-star hotels in Texas with breakfast

• Pre & post-eclipse presentations at the Waxahachie Civic Center with Pete Lawrence

• Porterage at hotels in Houston, San Antonio, San Angelo & Waxahachie ONLY

• Tour accompanied throughout by astronomer Pete Lawrence

• Admission to the Space Center Houston & the Stockyards Championship Rodeo

• Local guides on excursions • Services of a tour manager

• San Antonio River Cruise • Visits to the Alamo, Dallas Sixth Floor Museum, Paint Rock & McDonald Observatory

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

DATES | PRICES ECLIPSE 2020 | ARGENTINA & THE IGUAZU FALLS Mon 7 to Thu 17 Dec

11 DAYS

£4,950

London Heathrow

Deposit £2,500 Single supplement £600

ECLIPSE 2021 | SOLAR ECLIPSE CRUISE IN ANTARCTICA

20 DAYS

Sun 21 Nov to Fri 10 Dec

£14,999

London Heathrow

Deposit £3,500 Single rooms/cabins on request

ECLIPSE 2023 | THE WONDERS OF AUSTRALIA

15 DAYS

Sun 9 to Sun 23 Apr

£5,999

London Heathrow

Deposit £50 Single supplement £700

ECLIPSE 2023 | THE WONDERS OF AUSTRALIA (WITH STOPOVER IN SINGAPORE)

17 DAYS

Fri 7 to Sun 23 Apr

£6,299

London Heathrow

Deposit £50 Single supplement £900

ECLIPSE 2024 | TEXAS, USA Fri 5 to Wed 10 Apr

6 DAYS

£2,499

London Heathrow

Deposit £50 Single supplement £250

ECLIPSE 2024 | THE BEST OF TEXAS Tue 2 to Wed 10 Apr

9 DAYS

£3,299

London Heathrow

Deposit £50 Single supplement £550

ECLIPSE 2024 | A TEXAN ADVENTURE

14 DAYS

Thu 28 Mar to Wed 10 Apr

£3,999

London Heathrow

Deposit £50 Single supplement £850

Regional flights and first class upgrades on request, subject to availability.

CLUB CLASS | HOME COLLECTION SERVICE Take advantage of our stress-free departure option of Club Class Home Collection Service. With this luxury service, a uniformed chauffeur will collect you from home and transfer you to the airport in top specification cars or MPVs, then at the end of your holiday they will be waiting to whisk you home again. The round trip mileage is calculated from your home postcode to the airport postcode and back again using Google maps most direct routing. On some journeys we may collect other customers en-route who are travelling on the same holiday as yourself. The maximum number of pickups would be yours plus two more with a maximum of six people in the vehicle. Journeys over 2.5 hours will include comfort breaks and complimentary bottled water is provided. All vehicles are fitted with satellite navigation and tracking devices. Service available from addresses in mainland England only, one pickup per booking. Service operated in partnership with Club Class Chauffeurs.

ROUND TRIP MILEAGE

PRICE (PER PERSON)

Up to 100 miles

£99

101-150 miles

£135

151-200 miles

£175

201-250 miles

£225

251-300 miles

£250

301-350 miles

£280

Single Traveller supplement

75%

Please note: for return journeys over 350 miles, please call for a quote.

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

SOLAR ECLIPSE | SAFETY ADVICE Never stare directly at the Sun without the use of a solar safety filter certified for visual use. The only exception to this rule is during the totality phase of a total solar eclipse when none of the Sun’s surface is visible. At this time it is possible to look at the totally eclipsed Sun without the use of a filter. Even with a solar safety filter, it is recommended that direct views of the Sun are kept to a minimum with plenty of breaks. Even the thin crescent Sun either side of totality is dangerous. The period of safety is from the end of the first diamond ring effect to the start of the second one. Should the second diamond ring effect be weak or difficult to determine, do not hesitate and look away from the Sun as soon as the edge of the Moon starts to brighten dramatically. It is imperative not to look at the Sun with the naked eye when any of the solar disc is visible. This includes the view when the Sun is a very thin crescent. Never look at the Sun through a telescope, binoculars or a camera viewfinder without applying a safety filter. Viewing through any optical device which allows direct, unfiltered sunlight through, may result in permanent eye damage or blindness. Always check filters before using them by holding them up to the Sun and giving them a quick visual inspection. Filters with holes or rips should be discarded and replaced. It is inadvisable to point an unfiltered camera at the Sun as damage may occur to the lens aperture blades, camera shutter or the camera sensor. It is necessary to remove the filter from a camera in order to photograph a total eclipse of the Sun during the totality phase. The safest way to do this is to remove the filter at the first diamond

ring effect and replace it at the second. If the second diamond ring is difficult to determine, fit the filter as soon as the edge of the Moon starts to brighten dramatically. It is possible to work slightly outside of this range – removing the filter as the last part of the crescent Sun disappears, a second or so before the first diamond ring effect appears, and a second or so after the second diamond ring effect appears. You are responsible for your own equipment and any damage that results in removing the filter too early or replacing it too late is your own responsibility. The period leading up to, and down from, totality can be frenetic and it’s easy to make mistakes. Never look through the viewfinder of a camera to see what the camera can see. Review any shots on the rear LCD screen. A dark cloth over your head will help you see the screen better. Also pay particular attention to replacing the safety filter or moving the camera so it’s no longer looking directly at the Sun at the end of totality. If the view has been good, it’s easy to fall into the trap of celebrating with your fellow eclipse chasers while your camera is slowly cooking under the direct sunlight! Telescopes or binoculars should be properly filtered. A commonly used material for this purpose is Baader Astrosolar Film which is available from many astronomical stockists in A4 sheets for around £20-£25, or larger 1.0mx0.5m rolls for around the £70-80 mark. A bit of DIY is required to put together a filter which can be slipped over the front of a lens or telescope, but this is generally fairly easy to construct (see: http://www. bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014hpkh or http://astrosolar.com/en/). Please note that there are two types of Astrosolar Film available. One is called ND5.0 (ND = Neutral Density) and is suitable for visual use and photographic use, although it’s stated that it’s not for use with short focal length lenses. The other is ND3.8 and is designed for photographic use only. ND3.8

Astrosolar Film isn’t suitable for visual observing of the Sun. The safest type to get and the most commonly used, is ND5.0. If using a telescope, remember to remove, cap or filter any finders which are attached to it. These are like small telescopes in their own right and pointing them directly at the Sun may damage them (the crosshairs burn out) and can present a fire risk. It is very important that a telescope or camera, which is to be used to photograph the Sun with a filter, is initially pointed away from the Sun before the filter is fitted. Once the filter is in place and secure, then the instrument can be pointed at the Sun. Also remember that you should point the telescope away from the Sun before removing the filter! Line any properly filtered camera or telescope up with the Sun by observing its shadow on the ground. When the shadow is minimised, the instrument will be more-or-less pointing in the correct direction. Resist the temptation to line an instrument up with the Sun by squinting along it, directly at the Sun. Doing so runs the risk of damage to your eyesight or permanent blindness. Never leave any optical instrument which is pointed directly at the Sun in an unattended state. The period around totality should be a personal experience. Avoid distracting anyone who is using an optical instrument to either view or photograph the eclipse. They will require total concentration!

Terms & conditions Air package holiday prices are correct at the time of publication but are subject to fluctuation and availability. The final price will depend on your chosen airport, airline and flight time. Terms and conditions apply. Errors and omissions excepted. Operated by Just Go! Holidays Ltd trading as Omega Breaks, ATOL No.10889. Please visit our website for details. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room/cabin. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. On the cruise featured in this brochure, the booking conditions of Omega Breaks/Aurora Expeditions apply; a copy of these is available upon request before booking. A full copy of the relevant terms and conditions will be sent to you with your booking confirmation.

Passport & visa information A full UK passport is required with at least 6 months validity from your return date. Argentina: British citizens do not require a visa to enter Argentina as a tourist. Antarctica: British citizens on a pre-organised expedition cruise do not require an individual visitor permit to enter Antarctica. Australia: British Citizens need a visa to enter Australia. You can apply at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651#Overview USA: British citizens will need to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You can apply at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ For further advice on travel and current information, please refer to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Hotel accessibility information If anyone in your party has mobility issues, please inform us at the time of booking. It is a minimum requirement that you are able to climb the steps onto a coach unaided. Please read the tour itinerary carefully to make sure it is appropriate for your mobility level. We also hold accessibility information for each hotel featured on our holidays, and are able to advise if lifts and/or ground floor rooms are available. If you have any queries on hotel facilities in relation to mobility, please contact us immediately.

Book now on 0330 013 0071 or for more information visit omegabreaks.com/eclipse-tours

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