15 NEW TOURS
Your
Where stories begin
Thank you for voting for us
You’re in the safest of hands A s you look forward to rediscovering the joys
of travel, and our wonderful world once again opens up to those seeking new discoveries and adventures, new joys and experiences, so more than ever you will seek the reassurance that wherever you choose to explore, you will be doing so with a company that in addition to providing the most memorable holidays, places your safety and well-being above all else. For nearly 40 years, including the late summer of 2020, multi-award-winning Newmarket Holidays has provided high-quality, tremendous value and, above all, hugely enjoyable escorted tours, all characterised by unfailing attention to detail and the highest standards of customer care.
Travel means something different to each of us. For some, it’s the thrill of discovering somewhere new; for others, the chance to rest, relax and, perhaps literally, following the events of last year, to leave it all behind. For most, it’s a little of all these reasons, with memorable sights, new peoples, cultures, tastes and travelling companions all added into the exciting mix. Perhaps you travel to learn more about yourself, to learn from others, or to have confirmed the inalienable truth that ours is a wonderful world indeed. Whatever travel means to you, and for whichever reason or wherever you choose to join us, you can rest assured that with Newmarket Holidays, you are in the safest of hands.
Where stories begin again... The best travel stories – yours – will begin again, when you choose Newmarket Holidays
Fishermen, Mekong River Vietnam
Your Holidays & INTRODUCTION Introduction Upgrade your flight Wish-list tours New tours
6 10 12 14
THE UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND
Welcome
Scottish Highland Railways Loch Lomond & the Edinburgh Tattoo The Best of the Scottish Highlands Edinburgh – Highland Safari, Loch Lomond & Whisky Trails Hebridean Island Adventure Scenic North Wales & Chester Liverpool – The Beatles & Merseybeat Historic Railways of the Isle of Man Belfast & the Titanic Experience Donegal & the Giant’s Causeway Dublin & Ireland’s Ancient East The Ring of Kerry & Wonderful Western Ireland Ireland’s Beautiful South West Galway, Connemara & Ireland’s Stunning West Jersey – The Sun‑Kissed Channel Isle
16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 28 29 30 31 32 33
As we collectively enjoy some much-needed brighter skies and clearer waters, it gives me great pleasure to present you this collection of holidays & tours for 2021–23. Throughout all the uncertainty and challenges posed by the events of the past two years, our collective love of travel remained a reassuring constant, and is perhaps even stronger than ever! Over the following pages you’ll find a selection of holidays and tours, to destinations near and far, including some wonderful festive trips and new tours. Recent events have taught us that there really is no place like home, so make sure you don’t miss our new and improved UK & Ireland Collection (see page 16). You’ll also find some details on our tried-and-tested safety protocols, as well as our insurance and flexible booking policies (see pages 6 & 7), designed to give you complete peace of mind. Although places are selling fast, it’s not too late to get away this year. After all, we all need something to look forward to! We look forward to the pleasure of your company on a Newmarket holiday,
Niel Alobaidi, CEO Newmarket Holidays
How to Book Priority Booking Line
0330 160 7800 See your Local Travel Agent Opening Hours: Please see website for current opening hours
Portofino
THE ITALIAN COLLECTION Venice, Verona & the Wonders of Lake Garda Lake Garda Venice Carnival & Verona Little Trains of the Dolomites Lake Como, St Moritz & the Bernina Express Lake Como Lake Como & Alpine Railways Lake Maggiore, Piedmont & the Matterhorn Lake Maggiore Tuscany Portofino, Florence & Tuscany Florence, Rome & Castles of Italy – NEW Assisi, Umbria & the Adriatic Coast Undiscovered Southern Sardinia & the Little Green Train Rome & the Amalfi Drive – NEW Capri, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast Puglia & the South – Undiscovered Italy Calabria – Italy’s Southern Jewel Sicily – Summer Sun in Cefalu Etna, Taormina & Classic Sicily Sicily – Palermo, Agrigento & the Aeolian Islands Sardinia & Corsica
34 36 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 51 52 53 54 56 58 59 60 61 62
EUROPE & BEYOND Northern Europe Helsinki, Tallinn & Riga Tromsø – Northern Lights & Arctic Adventure Break The Beautiful Fjords of Western Norway Iceland – Reykjavík & the Northern Lights Icelandic Summer – NEW
64 65 66 68 70
Tours Collection 2021-2023 ACROSS ASIA
Western Europe Hidden Portugal Lisbon, Seville & the Glorious Algarve Pousadas of Portugal Seville, Granada & Classic Spain Barcelona, Montserrat & the Pyrenees Little Trains of the Pyrenees Historic Paradors of Hidden Spain Carcassonne, Avignon & Beautiful Provence Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields Amsterdam & Floriade Expo 2022 – NEW
72 74 75 76 78 79 80 81 82 83
Classic China & Yangtze River Cruise Japan – Land of the Rising Sun – NEW Follow the Mekong – Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam Cruise the Mekong - Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam Classic Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos Captivating Vietnam – NEW Uzbekistan & the Silk Road’s Jewels Borneo’s Orangutans & Rainforest Adventure
133 134 136 138 139 142 143 144
Central Europe Swiss Alpine Glories & the GoldenPass Train Swiss Alps Wintertime Adventure Austrian Winter Wonderland Adventure The Glorious Austrian Tyrol Moscow & St Petersburg Georgia – where Europe meets Asia The Spirit of Kraków Prague, Vienna & Budapest
84 85 86 87 88 90 91 92
Southeast Europe & Beyond Dubrovnik, Montenegro & the Dalmatian Coast Croatia’s Istrian Rivera & Lake Bled Croatian Island Cruise on board MS Mendula Lake Bled & Beautiful Slovenia Jewels of Albania & North Macedonia Greek Island-Hopping Adventure Classical Greece & the Ancient World – NEW Valletta, Mdina & the Wonders of Malta Cyprus Discovered Hidden Secrets of Northern Cyprus Jerusalem, Galilee & The Holy Land Jordan – Petra & the Dead Sea Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy
94 96 98 100 101 102 104 105 106 107 108 109 110
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
THE USA & CANADA The United States of America Washington, New York & Niagara Falls Washington, New York & Boston in the Fall Fall Colours of New England & Canada New England in the Fall New England in th Fall with Quebec City – NEW Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville Texas, Presley’s Memphis & New Orleans Deep South Rhythms, New Orleans & Caribbean Cruise America’s Golden West Hollywood, Vegas & the Grand Canyon
111 112 113 114 116 118 120 121 122 124
Canada Canada’s Maple Leaf Trail Canada – Niagara Falls to the Rockies Canada – Niagara Falls to the Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer™ The Canadian Rockies Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer™ Five-Star Alaska Cruise & the Canadian Rockies Five-Star Alaska Cruise & the Rocky Mountaineer™ A Canadian Winter Wonderland – NEW
125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132
Taj Mahal, Agra
INDIA, NEPAL & SRI LANKA Indian Rail Journeys – Amritsar, Shimla & the Taj Incredible India – NEW India – Tigers & the Taj Mahal India’s Golden Triangle & Shimla India - Tigers, the Taj & Amritsar’s Golden Temple India’s Rajasthan – Palace & Fort Stays Kerala & India’s Beautiful South Simply Kerala – ‘God’s Own Country’ India & Nepal – Tigers, Taj & Temples Extend Your Holiday Colours of Sri Lanka
146 147 148 150 152 154 156 158 159 160 161
AMAZING AFRICA On Safari in South Africa – Sebatana Reserve On Safari in South Africa – Mabula Lodge – NEW On Safari in South Africa – Kruger National Park – NEW Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safaris Classic South Africa Wonders of Namibia Under African Skies Kenya Grand Safari – Stay at Treetops Kenya – Beach & Safari On Safari in Kenya – NEW Cairo, Luxor & Nile Cruise
162 164 166 168 170 172 174 176 178 180 181
LATIN AMERICA South American Explorer – Brazil, Argentina & Peru – NEW Brazil, Argentina Peru – Land of the Incas Peru, Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands Costa Rica – Nature’s Paradise Rhythms of Cuba – NEW
182 184 186 188 190 192
FESTIVE COLLECTION Lapland Santa Experience Day Trip Traditional European Christmas Markets Christmas & New Year Stays
194 196 198
FURTHER INFORMATION Holiday Essentials Travel Insurance Important Information Booking Conditions
202 208 209 210
The same enjoyable moments, made even safer We fully understand that you are eager to reconnect with our wonderful world and make up for lost time. However, the most important thing to us is your safety and wellbeing. That’s why we only use hotels, airlines, restaurants, attractions and local representatives that follow the strictest health and safety procedures. We’ve also committed to a series of wellbeing initiatives, which we’ve outlined on the page opposite, to ensure your Newmarket holiday is not only enjoyable, but also safe. With nearly 40 years’ tour-operating experience, you can rest assured that we are well-positioned to ensure your safety and wellbeing in the new world of travel.
COVID Cover Travel Insurance by Allianz
Benefits include:
Our new COVID Cover Travel Insurance by Allianz insures you against aspects of your trip that have the potential to be disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For full details of the policy, please visit www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/travel-insurance
• Cancel your holiday with a full refund up to the day of travel if you or any of your party are diagnosed with COVID-19*
Key features of the policy include: • Cover if you have to cancel or cut your trip short in the event that the insured is quarantined before or during the tour
• Amend or cancel with a full refund of your holiday, up to the day of departure if impacted by COVID-19 through a lockdown where you are not allowed to travel outside of your area*
• Cover if you have to cancel your trip due to the serious illness of the insured, a travelling companion or close relative
• Amend or cancel with a full refund of your holiday, up to the day of departure if we are unable to fulfil your holiday for any reason
• Cover if you have to cut short your trip because you fall ill
• No administration fees applied for amends or cancellations as a result of COVID-19
• Essential emergency medical treatment if the insured becomes unwell during the trip
Flexible booking policy – amend your booking up to the day of departure When you book with Newmarket Holidays, we provide that extra peace of mind with our new COVID Protection PLUS flexible booking policy. COVID Protection PLUS gives you the flexibility to cancel or amend your holiday holiday, right up to the day of travel, with no amendment fees to altered or cancelled bookings as a result of COVID-19. When you have purchased our COVID Cover Travel Insurance by Allianz, you will also be covered by our COVID Protection PLUS flexible booking policy, which will protect you and your money, giving you that extra peace of mind.
• Compensation if your holiday itinerary is materially affected, after departure*
We are fully ABTA and ATOL protected – our membership of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, means that in the unlikely event that Newmarket Holidays was to cease trading, you would receive a full refund from one of these bodies (the CAA for flight-inclusive holidays and ABTA if your holiday does not include a flight). Where your refund is provided directly by Newmarket Holidays we will action within 14 days as per the Package Travel Regulations. * for full details of our flexible booking policy, please see www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/wellbeing
During times like these it’s important to know that your tour operator is thinking of your health, safety and wellbeing in everything they do! —Jane Via Trustpilot
6
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Confidence – Trust – Wellbeing Your wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. When the pandemic first hit in 2020, we worked almost non-stop to quickly and safely repatriate Newmarket guests across the globe. When lockdown and international restrictions were eased in late summer last year, we were delighted to be able to provide safe, secure travel arrangements for over 1,000 customers. We’re pleased to report that there has not been a single case of COVID on any of our tours. We’re very proud of this safety record, which we believe is down to our tireless efforts in planning a safe return to touring, as well as the conscientious cooperation of our customers.
Clear customer communication strategy before and during the tour A clear customer communication strategy has been implemented, with a focus on supplying the latest information and delivering new health and hygiene protocols and ensuring social distancing is maintained throughout your tour.
Local knowledge and expertise Your tour manager will have extensive local knowledge that will proactively help you to explore your chosen destination safely. This knowledge also allows for greater flexibility when it comes to knowing the best time to visit certain places to avoid crowds and suggesting the restaurants and other places to eat with the strictest hygiene practices.
Capacity adjustments and wellbeing strategy with all partners We are working with our suppliers to adjust in-tour capacity, ensuring that appropriate social distancing measures can be observed. We have also implemented a wider wellbeing strategy with our partners, for example, ensuring that all vehicles are cleaned regularly and facemasks are supplied, where applicable.
Enhanced deep-cleaning programmes
Pre-tour health declarations
We are working with all partners – airlines, coach operators, accommodation and cruise companies – to ensure that the strictest sanitisation, disinfection and other deep-cleaning practices are adhered to.
Pre-tour customer health checks may be required by local authorities in your destination. In this case, customers will be sent the relevant instructions with their Final Travel Documents.
What our customers say… Customers who have travelled with us during later summer and autumn 2020 told us that it felt great to be out and about again, and that they felt fully safe doing so. Don’t just take our word for it though. Here’s a small snippet of the positive reviews we’ve received since we returned to touring:
I have nothing but praise for Newmarket Holidays, especially during the difficult times in which we find ourselves. We have just returned from the Sicily trip and cannot fault it. —Ann Via Trustpilot
Lucky to have found a firm going the extra mile to keep foreign tours an option in these difficult times. Excellent value and service too. —Stewart Via Trustpilot
We were very happy to be back travelling again and thoroughly enjoyed our short break to Krakow. We felt safe at all times. —Rachel Via Trustpilot Call us on: 0330 160 7800
7
Your holiday, your way On a Newmarket holiday you can look forward to carefully planned and meticulously organised travel arrangements, overseen by a friendly, professional tour manager, with your safety and wellbeing the number one priority. There is also, in addition to the organised arrangements, plenty of free time to enjoy your chosen destinations under your own steam, and many opportunities to plan flexible arrangements to suit your own requirements. Whether it’s the chance to select from optional tours or excursions, to upgrade your room choice, flight arrangements, or to extend your holiday with a post-tour stay, you’ll find a host of ways to make your Newmarket holiday, your holiday.
Edinburgh
Excellent quality hand-picked hotels Whether a ‘bed for a night’, or the base for a longer stay, the accommodation featured on a Newmarket escorted tour or resort-based stay is invariably a highlight of your holiday experience. Each will have been selected for its comfort and convenience and the range of amenities provided at day’s end. Above everything, whether the property is a sleek member of an international chain or a small family-run establishment, you can expect a warm, friendly welcome and a comfortable night’s sleep. More often than not, you’ll be sorry to leave, even if the day ahead promises more exciting sights to see.
Friendly, experienced tour managers Adding immeasurably to the pleasure of every Newmarket escorted tour will be one of a team of dedicated professionals who look forward to sharing their love and knowledge of your chosen destinations with you, in a safe and responsible manner. Time and again, our customers praise the service they receive from our tour managers, without whom, it wouldn’t be an escorted tour at all.
Exciting included & optional excursions Our 2021–23 Collection features more included excursions than ever before. Fully escorted by our friendly, experienced tour managers – and sometimes accompanied by expert local guides – our included excursions lie at the heart of what makes a Newmarket escorted tour so special. In addition to enjoying all the included tours, you can complete your holiday experience by joining some very special optional excursions.
Extend your holiday Look out for a number of exciting opportunities to add to the pleasure of your escorted tour with perhaps an opportunity to rest and relax in a beach location or to journey on to another destination of interest. Many of our India tours feature opportunities to extend your holiday, perhaps with a beach stay or even a visit to neighbouring Nepal (see page 159).
Tour only – without flights On selected holidays, begin your tour at the destination airport, or in some cases at a designated hotel, choosing to travel earlier and return later, but still enjoying all the excitement of the tour or holiday. Our new collection of UK & Ireland breaks offers ‘tour only’ options on pages 16-33.
Machu Picchu
8
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Outstanding value for money
Compare our prices and inclusions! When you travel with Newmarket Holidays, you can rest assured that you have chosen an award-winning company that never forgets that their customers’ holiday time, and especially their holiday money, are precious. We go out of our way to provide you with unbeatable quality and value without compromising quality, whilst always putting your wellbeing first.
So much included Take a look at the highlights and inclusions that are featured in every Newmarket holiday, from travel and transfers, to carefully chosen accommodation, to a host of memorable escorted sightseeing tours and experiences.
Everything taken care of for you At the heart of Newmarket Holidays is a team committed to looking after the smallest details – we take care of the organisation and leave the pleasures of holidaymaking to you.
Crafted with care by travel experts The team of industry experts at Newmarket have hundreds of years of collective experience when it comes to arranging exceptional holidays. You can rest assured that you’re in the safest – and most experienced – of hands with us.
Your money is safe with us As you’d expect, Newmarket Holidays offers full financial protection through our membership of ABTA and our ATOL licence, giving you peace of mind when it comes to your hard earned holiday money. We’ve also added our new COVID Cover Travel Insurance by Allianz and COVID Protection PLUS flexibility booking policy. Both of these features will protect you financially against elements of your trip that have the potential to be disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic – see page 6 for more details. Saint Peter`s Basilica, Vatican City
The Newmarket Price Promise At Newmarket we back our belief in the unbeatable value of our holidays by standing behind it. We promise that if, at the time of booking, you find the same escorted tour cheaper elsewhere, we will match the price of that holiday and refund the difference!*
Quality and outstanding value since 1983 We’ve come a long, long way – and our customers have travelled many millions of miles – since our first tour, in May 1983, and we’re pleased to be offering the same quality and value to our customers today.
Award-winning, year after year Although the comments from our customers matter more to us than industry accolades, we’re pleased to have been recognised at the prestigious British Travel Awards, since these are voted for by the British public. We were especially delighted that Newmarket Holidays was voted ‘Best Escorted Tour Operator’ for the eight successive year in 2020, a difficult year for the whole industry. We would like to think that this is a reflection of our customers’ appreciation of the efforts made by the whole team at Newmarket, who have continued to work tirelessly to provide safe and secure holidays for them. With several additional awards garnered this year, our overall tally now stands at more than 50! We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us – your support is invaluable.
*Terms and conditions apply
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
9
Travel in
style – Upgrade your flight!
Add even more comfort and style to your Newmarket holiday, by choosing to upgrade to Premium Economy/Business Class or even First Class!
supplement, to upgrade your flight. Perhaps you’d like to celebrate with a glass of champagne, enjoy extra legroom or the chance to stretch out on a flat bed on an overnight flight.
On a wide selection of holidays, where indicated on the following pages, we offer the opportunity, for the appropriate
Call one of our friendly Customer Services agents to enquire about prices and availability.
Upper Class – Effortless travel, your way • Please speak to one of our travel experts for more information
Stretch out and enjoy premium service from an award winning airline. Whether it’s the extra space and enhanced dining brought to you by Premium or, if you prefer true luxury all the way, the comfort and ease of travel which Upper Class offers, just read on to be tempted.
Premium – Your time, your space • Speed through the airport thanks to special priority check‑in and boarding • Relax pre-flight with a glass of welcome bubbly and a complimentary newspaper • Recline on your wide leather seat with headrest, footrest and 38-inch seat pitch • Enjoy your choice of three delicious main dishes served on a premium table setting with specially designed stainless steel cutlery • Finish your meal with an after-dinner liqueur • Snooze or freshen up on night flights with a complimentary amenity kit • Stay connected with inseat power and on board Wi-Fi* • Help yourself to tempting snacks and soft drinks whenever you like *Available on selected flights for a fee
Singapore Airlines – Premium Economy
With Singapore Airlines - the world’s most awarded airline, expect excellent service in long-haul travel. Flying four times daily from London on the A380 and B777300ER and five times weekly from Manchester on the A350.
• Enjoy the added comforts of a 38” pitch/8” reclining seat, and be entertained on your individual 13.3” touchscreen monitor • Pre-order from the Premium Economy ‘Book the Cook’ menu and enjoy complimentary champagne throughout your flight • Enjoy a generous 35kg baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding
Air Canada – Premium Economy Fly in style on Canada’s national airline and flag carrier, one of the youngest, most efficient and environmentally friendly fleets in the world. Enjoy award winning service on board in a choice of three cabins, including Premium Economy Class.
• Dedicated cabin with a larger seat than Economy Class, adjustable headrest and a comfortable 38” seat pitch • Priority check-in, boarding and baggage delivery • Premium meals and complimentary bar service • State-of-the-art entertainment system with own personal touch-screen TV • Individual power supply and USB.
Plus, more upgrades are available on a wide selection of other airlines, including...
Fly from an airport near you! Throughout the following pages you’ll find a host of holidays that offer the added convenience of flying from your local airport, in addition to the major international gateways. Fly direct to your destination, on a variety of reputable scheduled airlines, or occasionally on special Newmarket Holidays’ chartered flights or fly from your local airport to connect with your onward flight from the international gateway.
While most long-haul flights depart from London or Manchester, some holidays include international
10
flights to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, to where we offer convenient return flights from a selection of local airports.
As well as the comfort and convenience of starting your holiday closer to home, other benefits include: • Easy car parking arrangements or public transport links • Smooth check-in procedures • Check through your luggage to your ultimate destination* *Certain restrictions apply
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Flying from 27 UK airports Aberdeen Belfast Belfast City Birmingham Bournemouth Bristol Cardiff East Midlands Edinburgh Exeter Gatwick Glasgow Heathrow Inverness
Humberside Leeds/Bradford Liverpool London City Luton Manchester Newcastle Newquay Norwich Southampton Southend Stansted Teesside
Customer reviews
When you book with Newmarket Holidays, you can rest assured that your wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We understand – especially after the events of 2020 – that your holiday time is perhaps even more important to you now. Here are a few more comments from customers who were able to join us in late summer and autumn 2020, following our recommencement of touring:
I recently did an 8-day tour of Turkey with Newmarket Holidays and it was fantastic. Our rep was James who so helpful, knowledgeable and helped to make our tour very special and put us all at ease when it came to matters such as filling out certain forms, finding our whereabouts, etc. He was great fun to be with. The tour guide was Yavuz who was very resourceful, helpful and gave us a wonderful overview of the history of places we visited. The driver also was highly professional, organised and helpful. The hotels, locations, etc. were excellent. This was my first visit to Turkey and I would definitely use and recommend Newmarket Holidays again for future travel. A special thanks to James, our rep, for all his help and to Yavuz for his knowledge and to our driver for his skills. A very big thank you! — Gillian Barker, Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy
A SOUND AND LUCKY CHOICE – Despite our concerns about flying in these COVID times, we took off in early September and had an excellent holiday in Lake Garda. This was our first trip with Newmarket Holidays and we were pleased with their organisation and administration in these difficult times. Very pleasant and polite staff. The local rep in Torbole, Lake Garda, was excellent, extremely helpful and full of good advice. She organised outings for us in the absence of the advertised ones which had had to be cancelled due to early closure of restaurants in wake of COVID. Pleasant family run hotel in Torbole providing excellent dinners and good value.We shall keep a watch on the Newmarket website for good deals! — Pamela Warry, Lake Garda
I have recently returned from the classic Sicily tour with Newmarket which was a first class experience as always. Our rep, Sandra was paramount in making this trip a phenomenal success with her great knowledge, care and humour. The second hotel near Palermo was exquisite and truly a paradise! While the tour itself had a great balance between organised outings and free time, I honestly loved every minute of it. During times like these (Covid), it’s important to know that your tour operator is thinking of your health, safety and wellbeing in everything they do, Newmarket never fail to come up top notch in my opinion! Excellent service and a great holiday! — Jane Macconnacher, Etna, Taormina & Classic Sicily
Our first tour with Newmarket and definitely not the last. At every stage from booking to travelling we were dealt with friendly and efficient staff. The tour was well organised and included many interesting places. We were made to feel very safe and comfortable in the present circumstances and it was lovely to be able to enjoy a few days holiday knowing that every precaution was being taken. We feel confident to book again and hope to be able to visit more exciting places in the future. Thank you. — Gill Clarke, Belfast Titanic Experience
We went on the beautiful Scottish Highlands Railways tour. We had a wonderful time. Our tour guide, Robert, was so good: he was knowledgeable, friendly and so interested in us, which made our tour extra special. John, our driver, was great too. We went to so many interesting places and he always made sure we were comfortable and safe. We stayed at the Carrbridge Hotel, which was very comfortable and had very friendly staff. We ate delicious meals and had a packed lunch prepared for us every day. We had one change on our tour, which didn’t matter as our guide arranged another day trip, which was wonderful. In these difficult times, we had an amazing, breath-taking, fabulous holiday! Thank you so much Newmarket Holidays – our holiday was first class! — Jan & Ken Clayden, Scottish Highland Railways Call us on: 0330 160 7800
11
Wish-list holidays & tours Throughout the following pages, you’ll find a wide selection of expertly crafted tours, from resort-based stays on the shores of Lake Como and weekend breaks to Europe’s unexplored corners, to epic discoveries of India and once-in-a-lifetime African safaris. Amongst all the variety, all our tours boast the same levels of excellent quality and value that have become the hallmarks of Newmarket Holidays over the past near-four decades, including unique, hand-picked accommodation, comfortable travel arrangements and the services of friendly, professional tour managers. There’s a whole world out there, just waiting to be discovered on a Newmarket holiday…
Discover new corners of Italy... Venice, Verona & the Wonders of Lake Garda Discover and explore an idyllic corner of the world and two of Europe’s most fascinating, enthralling and historic cities. See page 34
Portofino, Florence & Tuscany Discover and explore one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive corners, the beautiful Tuscan countryside and the stunning Cradle of the Renaissance. See page 48
Undiscovered Southern Sardinia & the Little Green Train
Florence, Italy
Combine rest and relaxation on stunning beaches, a rich history and the beautiful, unspoiled mountainous interior of Italy’s second‑largest island. See page 52
Puglia & the South Undiscovered Italy Enjoy rest and relaxation on the Adriatic shore and take in the often-overlooked delights of Italy’s sun-kissed southern ‘high heel’. See page 56
Pont d’Avignon
European Gems... Tromsø – Northern Lights & Arctic Adventure Discover pristine, captivating Northern Norway and search for the magical Aurora from one of the best places to witness their glory. See page 65
Seville, Granada & Classic Spain Join this exciting exploration of Andalucía, birthplace of Picasso, home of flamenco and cradle of the gypsy life. See page 76
Carcassonne, Avignon & Provence Journey through the rolling countryside of Provence, as its historic UNESCO-listed crowning glories are thrillingly brought to life. See page 81
Swiss Alpine Glories and the GoldenPass Train Immerse yourself in the natural glories and historic towns of the world’s most beautiful Alpine paradise, with a train journey you won’t forget.
Prague, Vienna & Budapest Explore a trio of Europe’s most vibrant and colourful cities, their scenic surroundings and the glorious ‘Blue’ Danube. See page 92
Jewels of Albania & North Macedonia Sparkling historic gems, some stunning natural wonders and the warmth of the Adriatic, discovered in its once-hidden corner. See page 101
Hidden Secrets of Northern Cyprus Savour rest and relaxation, and step back in time, as you unveil the beautiful, unspoiled north of Aphrodite’s Isle. See page 107
Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy Explore one of the world’s most exciting cities, and uncover the treasures of ancient Turkey on a truly fascinating tour. See page 110
See page 84
12
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
The Great Wall
Taj Mahal, Agra
Across Asia to India… Classic China & Yangtze River Cruise
India’s Rajasthan – Palace & Fort Stays
Experience an unforgettable journey combining ancient and ultra-modern man-made sights, and some astounding natural wonders.
Enjoy Golden Age luxury and some unforgettable experiences as the glories of Rajasthan are discovered and explored.
See page 133
See page 154
Borneo’s Orangutans & Rainforest Adventure
Kerala & India’s Beautiful South
Enjoy the delights of the glittering city-state, and discover verdant jungle landscapes, precious wildlife and idyllic, white sand beaches. Giant tortoise, Galápagos Islands
See page 144
Explore an idyllic land of ancient ports, labyrinthine backwaters and forested uplands dotted with colourful temples and tea-plantations. See page 156
India’s Golden Triangle & Shimla Explore the verdant beautiful south of India, discover great cities, go in search of tigers, and experience the ‘real India’. See page 150
African adventures... Samburu Women, Kenya
On Safari in South Africa – Sebatana Reserve
Kenya Grand Safari – Stay at Treetops
Savour South Africa’s unique wildlife on this special trip, based at either the Rhino or Elephant lodge, both within the celebrated Sebatana Reserve.
Enjoy unforgettable close-up encounters with wildlife, the scenic wonders of the forested highlands and the teeming plains of the Maasai Mara.
See page 162
See page 176
Latin American wonders... Brazil & Argentina
Peru, Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands
Experience the man-made and natural wonders of Brazil and Argentina, including the iconic Christ the Redeemer and the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls.
An eye-popping world wonder, Inca treasures, the world’s highest capital and some of Earth’s most unusual creatures, explored and encountered.
See page 184
See page 188
Rio de Janeiro
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
13
15 NEW TOURS
New tours created for you!
For 2021 and beyond, we’ve created a selection of expertly designed tours, exploring shores near and far, taking in once-in-a decade events, experiencing unforgettable wildlife, and much more.
Edinburgh
Below, you’ll find all of our new tours – each a reason to book a Newmarket holiday in its own right!
Scenic Europe Florence, Rome & Castles of Italy Enjoy a truly memorable tour, staying in three of Italy’s finest historic castles, as you discover the country’s finest cultural cities, including Rome and Florence. See page 50
Rome & the Amalfi Drive Combine Italy’s rich history with its iconic, beautiful coastline on this wonderful week-long tour. See page 53
Icelandic Summer Embrace the remarkable landscapes of the fabled ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ as you spend an unforgettable week exploring geysirs, thermal lakes and mountains.
Amsterdam & Floriade Expo 2022 Spend an unforgettable day immersed in a sea of colour as you visit the decennial Floriade International Horticultural Expo 2022 as part of this excellent value break to the Netherlands. See page 83
Classical Greece & the Ancient World Discover some of Classical Greece’s finest sites, including Mount Olympus and the Acropolis, as you travel from Thessaloniki to Delphi and then Athens, before the chance to extend your break with a week-long stay on Aegina Island.
Mount Tryfan,Snowdonia
See page 104
See page 70
Africa and Asia Japan – Land of the Rising Sun This wonderful tour is the perfect introduction to Japan, an enthralling mix of ancient shrines, modern developments, futuristic cities and stunning works of nature. See page 134
Captivating Vietnam The mesmerising sights and sounds of South East Asia’s most exciting country brought to life on a tremendous value, journey of the senses. See page 142
Incredible India This is India, done your way. Split your time between a series of exciting optional excursions, energising morning yoga sessions, lazing around by the resort’s pool and exploring the aweinspiring Taj Mahal. See page 147
On Safari in South Africa – Mabula Lodge Spend an unforgettable week on safari in South Africa at the Mabula Game Lodge, home to a sweeping reserve inhabited by the Big Five. See page 164
On Safari in South Africa – Kruger National Park This very special tour includes an all-inclusive six-night stay at a luxury tented safari camp by Kruger National Park. See page 166
On Safari in Kenya Kenya is home to vast and varied landscapes, peppered with huge herds of wildlife, including the sweeping Tsavo East National Park, the largest national park in the country. See page 180 Ruins of Angkor Wat
The Americas New England in the Fall with Québec City Witness the remarkable explosion of colour as millions of trees turn a golden blaze of red, orange, yellow during autumn, as you travel through the mountains of New England and spend two days in Québec City. See page 116
A Canadian Winter Wonderland Combine a stay in much-loved Vancouver with a magical journey through a snowy Canadian winter wonderland and into the Rockies. See page 132
South American Explorer: Brazil, Argentina & Peru Discover a trio of remarkable, contrasting countries as you gaze in awe at Iguazú’s plunging waters, take in the jaw-dropping views from Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains and spend an unforgettable day at Machu Picchu. See page 182
Rhythms of Cuba Combine the Latin rhythms and colonial splendour of historic Havana with Cuba’s scenic inland wonders and the comforts of an idyllic beach resort. See page 192
14
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Victoria Falls
Experience our Small-Group Tours Immerse yourself in the cultures and traditions of some of the world’s most fascinating places, on this selection of tours that include highlights and experiences shared with a smaller group of like-minded travellers – holidays that go beyond the well‑known sights and better-trodden paths.
Intimate These hugely enjoyable holidays, where group sizes are restricted to a maximum of 25 adults, but are usually comprised of 16-20 participants, offer the opportunity to travel in smaller vehicles, enjoying experiences and encounters, and sometimes staying in wonderful smaller accommodation, denied to larger groups.
Real Lives Whether it’s meeting a Keralan coconut farmer, South African fisherman or Andean island-dweller, or discovering a corner of the world best explored in a smaller party, such as Kenya’s Maasai Mara, these holidays will lift the veil on some fascinating peoples.
‘Home-stay’ & Heritage Hotels Led by friendly, professional tour managers and local guides, some tours also feature some very special properties where the owners are happy to share their own experiences and culture with their guests.
Less-travelled Roads Explore a corner of the world less travelled, return to a favourite destination and delve behind its monuments and natural wonders, or simply share a special experience with a smaller number of likeminded travellers, on these very special Small-Group Tours.
Small-Group Tours Historic Paradors of Hidden Spain
80
Greek Island-Hopping Adventure
102
Treasures of Thailand & Cambodia
140
Borneo’s Orangutans & Rainforest Adventure
144
Indian Rail Journeys – Amritsar, Shimla & the Taj
146
India’s Rajasthan – Palace & Fort Stays
154
Colours of Sri Lanka
161
On Safari in South Africa – Sebatana Reserve
162
On Safari in South Africa – Kruger National Park
166
The Wonders of Namibia
172
Under African Skies
174
Kenya Grand Safari – Stay at Treetops
176
On Safari in Kenya
180
Peru – Land of the Incas
186
Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
188
Costa Rica – Nature’s Paradiese
190
Newmarket Holidays, the Solo Traveller-Friendly Company We are pleased to announce that for 2021 and beyond, we’ll be operating more solo-exclusive holidays, in addition to adding more single-occupancy rooms and cabins on our standard tours and cruises, which will give even more solo travellers the opportunity to join us.
Whether you like to travel as a couple, by yourself, or in a group, you’ll feel right at home on a Newmarket holiday!
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
15
Scottish Highland Railways Experience some of the world’s most spectacular scenery as you enjoy journeys on three of Scotland’s most celebrated railways.
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Rail travel from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh – one of the ‘Great Railway Journeys of the World’ • Journey on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway • Cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct on the 42-mile journey from Fort William to Mallaig • Visit the famous Highland resort of Aviemore • Four nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation at either the three-star Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge or the three-star Highlander Hotel, Newtonmore • Return flights to Scotland • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Aug to Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £645 • Birmingham £669 • Bristol £599 • Gatwick £599 • Heathrow £625 • Luton £599 • Manchester £649 • Norwich £749 • Southampton £689 • Stansted £589
Tour Only without flights from £490 ravel at your convenience on selected dates T by making your own arrangements to meet at Edinburgh airport, Inverness airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £108
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour from Inverness airport and three hours from Edinburgh airport. Please note: It may be necessary to amend the order of excursions as detailed or the direction in which the railway journeys are taken. All train journeys with the exception of the Strathspey Steam Railway are on scheduled First ScotRail services using diesel– powered engines. In the unlikely event of a steam locomotive breaking down on the Strathspey Railway, we reserve the right to substitute the engine with a diesel locomotive.
16
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
5-day escorted holiday from £589
Scotrail 156 Sprinter Mallaig Line © www.scotphoto.com
Sit back in wonder as you enjoy the breathtaking run from
Inverness – one of Michael Palin’s ‘Great Railway Journeys’ – to Kyle of Lochalsh. The dramatic 42 miles of the famous West Highland line from Fort William to Mallaig, and the nostalgic trip on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway complete an unforgettably scenic few days in one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions.
Day One – Travel to Scotland Fly to Scotland and upon arrival meet your tour manager and board the coach for the scenic journey to your hotel. he Carrbridge Hotel is situated on the edge of the village, which offers T some lovely local walks (the hotel staff will be happy to point you in the right direction). The famous packhorse bridge, dating back to 1717 and reputed to be one of the oldest in Scotland, is opposite the hotel. he Highlander Hotel in Newtonmore is just a short walk from the highly T acclaimed Highland Folk Museum. There are two or three shops and bars at the far end of the village.
Day Two – Included Inverness to Kyle by rail Board the coach for the transfer to Inverness, to board the train for the spectacular 80-mile, 2.5hour journey west to Kyle of Lochalsh, in its idyllic setting opposite the Isle of Skye. From Inverness the line travels along the south side Beauly Firth, with views back across to the ‘Black Isle’, before turning Inverness north to the market town of Dingwall. Kyle of Loch Carron Carrbridge There it heads west once again, climbing Lochalsh Loch Ness Aviemore slowly through the remote northern Newtonmore Kingussie Mallaig Highlands, with glimpses on clear days of towering Liathach and its Torridon Fort William Glenfinnan Viaduct mountain neighbours. Probably the most spectacular part of the journey is when the line descends to the magnificent scenery of Loch Carron, and runs Edinburgh
Scotland
Glasgow
Strathspey Steam Train
View of Beinn Eighe and Liathach
© Strathspey Steam Railway
alongside the Loch past Attadale Estate and Plockton, both featured in many a TV series, and onto Kyle.
Your Hotel
n arrival there will be time to explore and perhaps have a spot of lunch, O before heading back to the hotel by coach, at the end of a wonderful day. Day Three – Included Strathspey Steam Railway ride and visit to Aviemore Today sees you head to Boat of Garten for a somewhat shorter, but no-less-special journey, on the Strathspey Steam Railway, a reminder of the golden days of steam. The nineand-a half-mile run is largely through unspoilt Highland scenery, taking you past great sweeps of the River Spey, through moorland and forest, and ending in the famous Highland resort of Aviemore. fter the opportunity to explore the famous resort town, one of A Britain’s most famous outward bound centres, there’s a chance this afternoon to enjoy a visit to Newtonmore’s fascinating Highland Folk Museum. Here, Highland life from the 18th century to the 1950s is vividly depicted, with a number of historic dwellings – some built from scratch on-site and others brought from other locations - and a vast collection of artefacts gathered together in a beautiful setting. hose not wishing to visit the museum can enjoy an afternoon T at leisure. Day Four – Included West Highland Line rail journey Fort William beckons today, as you enjoy the holiday’s final highlight – the journey on the last stretch of the famous West Highland Line to the tiny fishing village of Mallaig. Voted by readers of Wanderlust Magazine as the world’s best train journey, this is another truly spectacular route.
Depending on your departure date, you will stay at one of two carefully chosen hotels where the accent is very much on friendly service and warm Highland hospitality.
The Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge Half-Board
HHH
Situated in the North West corner of the Cairngorm National Park on the edge of Carrbridge village, the family owned and managed Carrbridge Hotel in Carrbridge dates back to 1803. It has been sympathetically extended and refurbished over the years and now offers over 100 bedrooms. Entertainment is offered five nights a week.
The Highlander Hotel, Newtonmore Half-Board
HHH
Set on the edge of the delightful village of Newtonmore amidst the splendour of the Spey Valley, the modern Highlander Hotel has been offering a warm welcome to Newmarket guests for over 20 years. The bedrooms are situated in two blocks just a short walk from the main hotel reception, restaurant and bar areas.
s the train pulls out of Fort William, look back and left to see Ben Nevis A towering above the town, before minutes later, the train crosses the Caledonian Canal – look out for ‘Neptune’s staircase’, a succession of eight locks to your right. The train then runs alongside Loch Eil before reaching the spectacular 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, famously featured in the Harry Potter movies. Other highlights of the journey include island-studded Loch Eilt, considered by many to be the prettiest along the route, Arisaig, Britain’s most-westerly railway station, and the white sands of Morar, washed by the Atlantic. allaig is a delightful, thriving place, with a working port, and is well M worth exploring. You may like to head into the hills above, where you’ll be rewarded with some wonderful views, explore the Heritage Centre or visit the Smokery where you can arrange for kippers to be sent anywhere in the world. We return to the hotel by coach. Day Five – Return to the airport and head home Bid farewell to the Highlands today and travel to the airport for your flight home.
Kyle of Lochalsh
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
17
Loch Lomond & the Edinburgh Tattoo 4-day escorted holiday from £655
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo§ Trossachs National Park
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Take your seat on the Castle Esplanade to see the famous Edinburgh Tattoo (upgrade tickets available) • Enjoy a boat trip on shimmering Loch Lomond, Queen of the Scottish Lakes • A tour of the glorious Trossachs National Park • A short guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh • Spend time exploring lively, cosmopolitan Glasgow • A visit to the iconic Falkirk Wheel (entrance payable locally) • Three nights’ carefully chosen bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation in the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock, the Fenwick Hotel, Fenwick, the Avonbridge Hotel, Hamilton or the Tontine Hotel, Greenock • Three-course evening meal at the hotel on days one and three • Return flights to Glasgow • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Aug 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £669 • Birmingham £685 • Bristol £669 • Exeter £699 • Gatwick £655 • Heathrow £669 • Luton £655 • Stansted £665
Tour Only without flights from £530 ravel at your convenience on selected dates by making your own T arrangements to Glasgow airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £72
Edinburgh Tattoo§
This is your chance to witness the excitement of the world-famous
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for yourself. Enjoy the magical blend of music, colour, dance and pageantry, massed pipes and drums and display teams, and the finale of a lone piper on the battlements. Combine time spent exploring the elegant Scottish capital with a visit to vibrant Glasgow and a tour of the glorious Trossachs, and crown a memorable four days with a cruise on the waters of Loch Lomond and a visit to the remarkable Falkirk Wheel.
Your Hotel
Depending on your departure date you will be staying at one of the four carefully chosen hotels described below. Your hotel will be confirmed at the time of booking.
The Fenwick Hotel, Fenwick Bed & Breakfast and two dinners
Access to the Tattoo: The matchless location of the Tattoo – high above the skyline of the oldest and most popular part of the city may present access difficulties for some. There is a short but steeply inclined walk of 80 metres up Castlehill, the old cobbled approach to the Esplanade. There is then a further 60 metre walk on average, followed by steps up to the spectator stands where generally, the seating is quite steeply tiered. You will have plenty of time however to make your way to and from the Esplanade and will be able to go at your own pace. Wheelchairs can be sited at ground level under the North stand at all performances and disabled toilets are available on the Esplanade. *The Avonbridge Hotel does not have a lift. Ground floor rooms are available but are accessed by three steps.
18
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
HHH
This elegant traditional style hotel, in the historic village of Fenwick, boasts just 28 comfortably furnished rooms and offers high levels of relaxed friendly service. There is a restaurant and bar, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
The Avonbridge Hotel*, Hamilton Bed & Breakfast and two dinners
HHH
This attractive, family-owned hotel is situated on the outskirts of historic Hamilton. The bedrooms are located in the main hotel building as well as in two houses, both a short walk from the main building.
The Park Hotel, Kilmarnock Bed & Breakfast and two dinners Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
§ Images © The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Enjoy the best of Scotland in four days! Visit two vibrant cities, watch the spectacular Tattoo and cruise mesmerising Loch Lomond.
HHHH
This attractive and welcoming hotel is a 10-15 minute walk from the town centre and offers an excellent standard of accommodation, complimentary use of the Club’s health suite, free Wi-Fi, a coffee shop, restaurant and bar.
The Tontine Hotel, Greenock Bed & Breakfast and two dinners
HHH
This traditional hotel is situated on a quiet square in the riverside town of Greenock. It has a comfortable lounge/bar and a stylish restaurant. Guest rooms are have free Wi-Fi, TV, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
The Best of the Scottish Highlands Escape to the Highlands – fly to Inverness and enjoy a land of big skies, rugged mountains, sparkling lochs, romantic castles, culture and history.
8-day 7-day escorted holiday from £729 £755
§ Image © VisitBritain/Joe Cornish
Strathspey Steam Railway
Glenfinnan Monument§
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A journey on the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway • A dolphin spotting cruise on the Moray Firth • Entrance and tour of Brodie Castle (entrance payable locally by non-National Trust members) • An unforgettable journey on the ‘Road to the Isles’ from Fort William to Mallaig • A tour of the Black Isle • Time to discover famous Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal • Visits to Inverness, Aviemore, Dufftown and Elgin • A tour and tasting at the Dalwhinnie whisky distillery (entrance payable locally) • Six nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation at the three-star Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge • Return flights to Inverness • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
From the famous ‘Road to the Isles’ and legendary Loch Ness, to
the mysterious Black Isle, this holiday features a host of highlights. Ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway, visit a 16th-century castle and a distillery, and enjoy a cruise on the Moray Firth, home to around 190 resident bottlenose dolphins and a wealth of birdlife. In the company of our friendly, knowledgeable tour manager, discover the beauty and variety, as well as the warmth of welcome, that this very special part of the world has to offer. From your Highland village base, the first included excursion sees you head to the rose-coloured, turreted Brodie Castle before visiting historic Elgin with its warren of alleys and awe-inspiring cathedral ruins. A morning in thriving Inverness is followed by the dolphin-spotting cruise and a visit to the beautiful Black Isle – actually a peninsular – while another included tour sees you explore Loch Ness, where highlights include Urquhart Castle’s dramatic ruins, the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre, the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre (entrances payable locally) and an abundance of birdlife, if not a monster. The holiday is completed with a ride on the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway through the Cairngorm National Park, and a final breathtaking journey on the ‘Road to the Isles’ from Fort William to Mallaig, passing the iconic Glenfinnan Monument, close to the famous viaduct.
Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jul, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £845 • Birmingham £795 • Bristol £759 • Gatwick £755 • Heathrow £775 • Luton £755 • Manchester £829
Tour Only without flights from £640 ravel at your convenience on selected dates by making your own T arrangements to Inverness airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £168 Please note: The transfer time from Inverness airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Brodie Castle is situated over 4 floors and there is limited access for those with mobility impairment. The ground floor is accessible (with ramps) for wheelchair users – and there is a stairclimber (prebookable) to the 1st floor. There is no wheelchair access to the third or fourth floors due to the turnpike stairs and layout. All the pathways in the grounds are suitable for wheelchairs (though some can become muddy).
Your Hotel
Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge Half-Board
HHH
Situated in the North West corner of the Cairngorm National Park on the edge of Carrbridge village, the family owned and managed Carrbridge Hotel in Carrbridge dates back to 1803. It has been sympathetically extended and refurbished over the years and now offers over 100 bedrooms. Entertainment is typically offered five nights a week.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
19
Edinburgh – Highland Safari, Loch Lomond & Whisky Trails Experience the vibrant colours and clear air of the great Scottish outdoors on this exceptional four or five-day break.
4- or 5-day escorted holiday from £525
Loch Tummel, Tay Forest Park
Edinburgh
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Explore Scotland from your city centre base in Edinburgh • Enjoy an exciting 4x4 Highland safari in the Perthshire Highlands • Included visit to the quintessential Scottish town of Pitlochry • Tours of two distilleries and the iconic Loch Lomond • Guided orientation walk of Edinburgh, known as the ‘Athens of the North’ • The opportunity to extend your break and enjoy a fascinating guided tour of Edinburgh’s diverse architecture • Three or four nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Grassmarket, Edinburgh • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager • Return flights to Edinburgh • Coach travel and transfer throughout
Available Sep 2021
Fly direct from these airports. *Prices from • Belfast £545 • Birmingham £525 • Bristol £565 • Gatwick £575 • Heathrow £619 • Luton £535 • Stansted £5358 • Southampton £685
Scottish Red Deer
On this tour, you’ll quite literally get off the beaten track as you
enjoy a safari through the scenic Perthshire Highlands, followed by an afternoon in picturesque Pitlochry. The next day, enjoy a visit to stunning Loch Lomond and tours of two local whisky distilleries, before an optional tour of Edinburgh’s architectural gems on the final day completes a reinvigorating break. Experience the vibrant colours and clear air of the great Scottish outdoors on this exceptional four or five-day break. You’ll stay in a four-star chic apartment hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, nestled in the shadow of the famous castle. From here, you’ll quite literally get off the beaten track as you travel to the Perthshire Highlands and enjoy a unique 4x4 Highland safari. Benefit from a totally unique perspective of your picturesque surroundings on your Highland safari. Watch out for wildlife too: depending on the season – and your luck – you may catch a glimpse of the majestic golden eagle or the elusive red deer. Following your safari, spend the afternoon in the charming town of Pitlochry, which is surrounded by beautiful scenery on the banks of the River Tummel and a great place to spend a few hours. Depending on the season, you may be able to see salmon in the river. The next day, a visit to stunning Loch Lomond, part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, an outstandingly beautiful area of mountains, lochs, rivers and woodlands, and tours of two local whisky distilleries complete a wonderful break.
Tour Only without flights from £400 ravel at your convenience on selected dates by making your own T arrangements to Edinburgh airport, or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £125
Please note: The transfer time from Edinburgh airport to your hotel is approximately 40 minutes. *Prices based on a four-day tour. We also offer a five-day tour, please see our website for further details.
20
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your Hotel
Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Grassmarket, Edinburgh Bed & Breakfast
HHHH
This upmarket apartment hotel, which offers views of Edinburgh Castle, features modern, polished studios. All studios boast smart TVs, Nespresso machines and rainfall showers. The hotel is located a 10-minute walk from the heart of the Old Town, and also features a cafe, gym and convenience store.
Hebridean Island Adventure Explore Scotland’s magical Western Isles, an unspoilt, uncrowded and timeless land of stunning scenery, ancient history and a unique culture.
6-day escorted holiday from £889
Standing Stones of Callanish
Portree, Isle of Skye
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A tour of the Isle of Skye, including visits to picturesque Portree and historic Dunvegan Castle (entrance payable locally) • Visits to the remarkable standing stones of Callanish, a Blackhouse and the Broch of Carloway (all entrances payable locally) on the Isle of Lewis • A tour of the Isle of Harris • A day exploring North and South Uist • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation at the Kings Arms Hotel on the Isle of Skye, the Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway, and the Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge • Return flights to Edinburgh or Inverness • All ferry crossings • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Oct 2021, Apr, May & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £899 • Birmingham £899 • Bristol £895 • Gatwick £889 • Heathrow £899 • Luton £889 • Southampton £955 • Stansted £889
Tour Only without flights from £750 ravel at your convenience by making your own way to T and from the airport or your hotels.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £115
With huge skies and ocean-washed sands of vast empty beaches,
mountains and moorlands rich in flora and fauna, the Hebrides are a truly breath-taking timeless land of stunning scenery, ancient history and unique culture. Visit the fabled ‘Misty Isle’ of Skye and ancient Harris and Lewis, and enjoy a wonderful journey through scenic Wester Ross. Perched on the edge of Britain, these beautiful, unspoilt islands, guardians of a rich culture with its roots in the mists of time, have been continually inhabited for over 6,000 years. Offering huge skies, vast empty beaches and a pace of life long forgotten on the mainland, a holiday to the Outer Hebrides is a truly wonderful experience. Highlights of this wonderful holiday include visits to Portree on Skye and magnificent Dunvegan Castle, the standing stones of Callanish, the imposing Broch of Carloway and reconstructed ‘Black House’ at Arnol. You’ll also discover the islands’ rare beauty and unique diversity of flora and fauna, which includes the red deer and otter, the only two land mammals native to the Outer Hebrides.
Your Hotels
Kings Arms Hotel, Isle of Skye Half-Board
2 nights
Located in Kyleakin village, the Kings Arms has wonderful panoramic views across Kyle of Lochalsh to the mainland. While it has a range of modern comforts, it still retains many traditional features, such as a big open fire, bar and dining room. Rooms offer tea/coffee-making facilities.
Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway Half-Board
2 nights
A short walk from Howard Davis Park, the hotel has an indoor pool, bar and lounge, entertainment most evenings, restaurant and free Wi-Fi. Rooms offer private facilities, TV and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge Half-Board Please note: The transfer time to your first hotel is approximately two hours from Inverness airport and five hours from Edinburgh airport. The return transfer is approximately one hour to Inverness airport and three hours to Edinburgh airport Disabled access to Dunvegan Castle is limited. There are two shallow steps into the reception area but then about 20 steps up to the main rooms. Thereafter the route is level.
1 night
Situated in the North West corner of the Cairngorm National Park on the edge of Carrbridge village, the family owned and managed Carrbridge Hotel in Carrbridge dates back to 1803. It has been sympathetically extended and refurbished over the years and now offers over 100 bedrooms.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
21
Scenic North Wales & Chester Discover the fascinating myths and legends of north Wales and recharge your batteries on this wonderfully refreshing break.
6-day 8-day escorted holiday from from £499 £
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Mount Tryfan,Snowdonia
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend five days exploring north Wales from your four-star hotel in Chester • Enjoy a fascinating full-day excursion to Anglesey and mainland Wales, taking in two UNESCO-listed castles and Plas Newydd, home of the Marquess of Anglesey • A two-hour canal cruise on the UNESCO-listed Llangollen Canal across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the largest in the UK • Included orientation walk of historic Chester • Two evening meals • Optional tour to Conwy Castle, Llandudno and Bodnant Garden • The chance to explore Chester under your own steam • Four nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the fourstar DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester • Coach travel on excursions and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Beaumaris Castle
Immerse yourself in the myths and legends of north Wales as you
recharge your batteries from your four-star hotel base, set in an 18thcentury manor house among 12 acres of gardens and grounds, on the outskirts of Chester. Get to know an area famous for its outstanding natural beauty, crumbling castles and ancient myths. Pass through some breathtaking landscapes as you travel through Snowdonia National Park to the isle of Anglesey, where you’ll discover a host of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the unfinished masterpiece that is Beaumaris Castle. The following day, you’ll enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Llangollen Canal. Sit back and relax as you drift past tranquil villages and unspoiled countryside, listening as your skipper tells you all about the area’s unique heritage and history. Your cruise reaches its climax as you pass over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Built by Thomas Telford in 1805, the aqueduct remains unsurpassed today in terms of engineering achievement. On your final day, choose between a fascinating optional trip to Conwy Castle and Bodnant Garden, or relaxing at your hotel, making use of its wonderful facilities.
Available Sep & Oct 2021
Make your own way from £499 Travel at your convenience by making your own arrangements to your 18th century Spa hotel the DoubleTree by Hilton in Chester.
Personalise your holiday • Conwy Castle, Llandudno and Bodnant Gardens (full day) – from £75
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £210
Please note: Flights are available from selected airports - please call for details. Free parking available for guest arriving by car.
22
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa, Chester Bed & Breakfast
HHHH
This four-star hotel is located in a wonderful 18thcentury manor house, set amongst 12 acres of well-manicured grounds, including a walled garden. Facilities at the hotel include a spa, a Marco Pierre White restaurant, a lounge and terrace bar. Rooms are large, well equipped and feature smart TVs and highquality, complimentary toiletries.
Liverpool – The Beatles & Merseybeat Follow in the footsteps of John, Paul, George and Ringo on this magical musical tour of Liverpool.
4- or 5-day escorted holiday from £299
Penny Lane
Albert Dock,Liverpool
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend four days in Liverpool, one of the UK’s most cultural cities • Discover a raft of historic sites associated with the Beatles • Port Sunlight Village and a trip on the Mersey Ferry • A Beatles-themed tour of Liverpool • Evening visit to the Casbah Club, with complimentary drink • Included full day excursion to the charming Roman city of Chester • Orientation walking tour of the Waterfront area • The option to extend your trip by a day, giving you the opportunity to see some of Liverpool’s art treasures and enjoy high tea at the Hard Days Night Hotel • The chance to visit the Cavern Club • Three or four nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the luxury three-star Staycity Aparthotels Liverpool Waterfront • Coach travel on excursions • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Liverpool Cathedral
Follow – or dance – in the footsteps of John, Paul, George and Ringo on this magical musical tour of Liverpool, home of the Beatles, one of the most influential bands of all time. On this tour, you’ll benefit from a more intimate experience with a maximum group size of 30, which creates the perfect environment for storytelling.
Travel back in time as your expert guide brings to life the places that inspired the Fab Four, including Strawberry Field, Penny Lane and their childhood homes. Visit the place where it all began, the legendary Casbah Club, for an unforgettable evening of live music in a venue that is quite literally decorated in history. That’s not all either: enjoy a ride on the Mersey Ferry, a fascinating full-day excursion to nearby historic Chester (with several lesser-known links to the Beatles), and the chance to visit the famed Cavern Club, where the Beatles first hit the bigtime. Extend your trip for the chance to visit the Walker Art Gallery and the World Museum, followed by high tea at the Hard Days Night Hotel!
Available Sep 2021
Make your own way from £299 Travel at your convenience by making your own way to your chic apartment hotel, located in Liverpool’s city centre.
Extend your holiday One night extension from £45 Stay an extra night in Liverpool to join an optional guided visit to the Walker Art Gallery and the World Museum, followed by high tea at the Hard Days Night Hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £108
Please note: Flights are available from selected airports - please call for details.
Your Hotel
Staycity Aparthotels Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool HHH Bed & Breakfast This chic three-star apartment hotel is set in a revered city centre building, near Liverpool’s famous Royal Albert Dock. Inside, the sleek studios feature Wi-Fi, TV and kitchenettes. James Street train station is just a 3-minute walk away, with the Beatles Story Museum just over 10 minutes on foot. Private on-site parking is also available.
*Prices based on a four-day tour. We also offer a five-day tour, please see our website for further details.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
23
Historic Railways of the Isle of Man 5-day escorted holiday from £595
Tour Highlights & Inclusions Castletown Station§
• Journey on the narrow-gauge Isle of Man Steam Railway • Board the Manx Electric Railway and travel to historic Derby Castle Station • Explore historic Laxey, where Lady Isabella is the world’s largest working waterwheel • Take the Snaefell Mountain Railway • Visit classic resort Port Erin • On a clear day, see ‘Seven Kingdoms’ from the summit station • Discover many of the island’s attractions with your included Go Explore Heritage card • Four nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Chesterhouse Hotel, Rutland Hotel, Ascot Hotel or Ellan Vannin Hotel, Douglas (upgrade hotels available for a supplement on selected departures) • Return flights to Douglas • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Join us for a marvellous short break to a corner of our island
where it seems life is lived at a slower pace – TT races aside – against a background of rolling hills and wonderful beaches blessed by clean air and unpolluted skies. Sit back and enjoy some delightful, relaxed journeys as you discover an island that is full of fascination, with its unique heritage railways offering a fantastic way to discover and explore this very special place.
Day One – Fly to the Isle of Man Upon arrival at Ronaldsway, meet your tour manager and transfer to Douglas and your hotel. Dependent upon your arrival time, get to know your surroundings and the delightful island capital, which is part traditional seaside resort, part working port and part thriving financial centre. Stroll along the promenades that fringe the bay and sandy beach, or take a more leisurely horse-drawn tram when they are operating. There are cafés and pubs in which to rest and relax, the fascinating Manx Museum (free entry) chronicling the island’s history and the Victorian curiosity of the Great Union Camera Obscura to discover during your stay, and traditional entertainment and engaging tours to enjoy at the beautifully restored Gaiety Theatre, which is also home to a resident ghost!
Available Aug to Oct 2021 & Mar to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast* £675 • Birmingham £699 • Bristol £665 • Edinburgh £635 • Gatwick £625 • Heathrow £715 • Liverpool £595 • Manchester £635 • Southampton £859
Enjoy a first dinner in the hotel. Ramsey
Tour Only without flights from £490 Travel at your convenience by making your arrangements to your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £80 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to the hotel is approximately 30 minutes. In the unlikely event of a steam locomotive breaking down and/or being unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute the engine with a diesel locomotive. *Belfast International or Belfast City depending on departure date. This will be confirmed when booking.
24
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Snaefell Peel
Isle of Man
Laxey Douglas
Port Erin Castletown
Day Two – Included journey on the Isle of Man Steam Railway to Castletown and Port Erin The first heritage journey sees you travel south from Douglas’ authentic Victorian station on the famous Steam Railway, formerly part of an extensive network that once connected most of the island, but which is now a 15.5-mile narrow-gauge run, via former island capital Castletown, to beautiful Port Erin. Alight at the former to discover impregnable Castle Rushen, one-time home to the Kings and Lords of Mann. The energetic can climb to the battlements for the spectacular view
§ Images © www.visitisleofman.com
Savour life in the slow lane as you step back in time and discover the ‘Jewel of the Irish Sea’.
Laxey Wheel
Isle of Man Steam Railway§
Snaefell Mountain Railway§
Horse-drawn tram, Douglas§
of the island’s south, and there’s a fascinating guided tour to enjoy. You’ll also visit the Old House of Keys, the restored 19th-century parliament building, with its debating chamber and interactive displays.
Your Hotel
Depending on your departure date, you will stay at one of six carefully chosen hotels where the accent is very much on friendly service and warm hospitality.
e-board the train to travel on to seaside resort Port Erin, with its R glorious beaches, views out to the offshore ‘Calf of Man’ and its engaging Railway Museum – a ‘must-see’ for enthusiasts. Enjoy free time in these wonderful surroundings, before returning to Douglas by train at your leisure – your included Go Explore Heritage card offers you freedom to travel as you wish. fter a fascinating and absorbing day, enjoy a second evening in A Douglas and your hotel. Day Three – Included visit to Peel and journey on the Manx Electric Railway Today’s journey sees you head west to ancient fishing port Peel, with its colourful marina, ruined island fortress Peel Castle, its sweeping, sandy beach, fascinating House of Manannan Celtic Heritage museum and tiny Manx Heritage Transport Museum (entrance payable locally), with its model trains, tiny P50 – the world’s smallest legal road car – and unique electric motorbike. fter the chance to explore this delightful corner of the island, from A where you might also send a gift of Manx kippers to friends across the globe, you’ll board a bus to Ramsey, the island’s second largest town and home to a bustling working harbour. Here you’ll alight the celebrated Manx Electric Railway, at 17 miles the longest in the British Isles, and which still uses original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock. Journey to historic Derby Castle Station in Douglas through some stunning countryside and coastal scenery. Day Four – Included journey on the Snaefell Mountain Railway to the summit A last day’s exploration sees you climb back aboard the MER for the journey to historic Laxey, where Lady Isabella is the world’s largest working waterwheel and the island’s most photographed attraction. Take in the sight, or perhaps visit the nearby Laxey Woollen Mills, the island’s last remaining working weaver, before climbing aboard the Snaefell Mountain Railway, a Victorian treasure that is the British Isles’ only electric mountain railway. Sit back and take in the scenery as you travel nearly five miles to the 2,000-ft high summit, from where the views on clear days stretch to the ‘Seven Kingdoms’ – of England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man… and the kingdoms of heaven and sea!
Chesterhouse Hotel, Douglas Half-Board
HHH
Set on Douglas’ seafront, this traditional hotel offers comfortable rooms with flat-screen TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and telephone. There is free Wi-Fi and a carvery restaurant. Chesterhouse Hotel, Douglas
Rutland Hotel, Douglas Half-Board
HHH
A short walk from the town centre with a view of the bay from its carvery restaurant, this hotel offers free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffeemaking facilities.
Ascot Hotel, Douglas Half-Board Rutland Hotel, Douglas
HHH
The warm and friendly Ascot is located 100 metres from the seafront and has a restaurant and inviting lobby bar with complimentary tea and coffee. Rooms offer TV, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, safe and iron.
Ellan Vannin Hotel, Douglas Half-Board
HHH
A traditional Victorian townhouse with a guest lounge and bar overlooking the seafront. Rooms have a TV, free Wi-Fi and an iron. Ascot Hotel, Douglas
Upgrade your Hotel
Mannin Hotel, Douglas Half-Board
HHHH
Price from £827
eturn to Laxey and to Douglas, where the rest of the day is free. R Enjoy a last opportunity to stroll in the town and enjoy dinner in the hotel, perhaps reliving the excitement of the last few days.
Offering well-appointed, modern bedrooms featuring free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, TV, air conditioning, room service, pillow menu, fridge, iron and safe. A stylish bar and restaurant on the ground floor.
Day Five – Fly back to your local airport Transfer back to Ronaldsway for the return flight to the mainland, at the end of a hugely enjoyable few days of ‘Manx Magic’.
Regency Hotel, Douglas Half-Board
HHHH
Price from £827
Set in a lovely Victorian building, the fourstar Regency Hotel boasts classic rooms with TV, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, iron, hairdryer and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel restaurant specialises in classic French cuisine.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
25
Belfast & the Titanic Experience
Titanic Belfast Experience§
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Visit the spectacular Titanic Belfast Experience • Enjoy a fascinating half-day guided tour of Belfast and its major landmarks • Take the opportunity to join an optional tour of the beautiful Antrim Coast and to visit the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway • Three or four nights’ carefully chosen bed and buffet breakfast accommodation at the three-star Ibis Hotel, Belfast City Centre (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Belfast • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Enjoy an included visit to what has now become one of Britain’s
‘must-see’ attractions – the glittering, futuristic, £97-million Titanic Belfast Experience – the highlight of this hugely popular three-night break that also includes a guided tour of a city bursting with history and exuding renewed civic pride. Explore the city’s trendy shops, bars and restaurants, and perhaps discover some of the British Isles’ most scenic coastal countryside.
Day One – Fly to Belfast Following your flight to Belfast, meet your tour manager and board the coach for the short transfer into the city and your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is free for you to get your bearings and to begin to soak up the atmosphere of what is truly a city fast shaking off its past reputation and embracing a new bright future reflected in its youthful outlook and vibrant redevelopments. Your friendly tour manager will be on hand to point you in the right direction throughout your stay.
Available Sep to Nov 2021 & Feb to Nov 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £375 • Bristol £375 • Cardiff £529 • Edinburgh £395 • Gatwick £365 • Glasgow £395 • Heathrow £495 • Liverpool £375 • Luton £365 • Manchester £375 • Newcastle £375 • Stansted £365 • Teesside £545
Personalise your holiday • Glens of Antrim & Giant’s Causeway (full day) Day Three – from £34
Tour Only without flights from £280 Travel at your convenience by making your own arrangements to your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £99
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Belfast International airport and 20 minutes from Belfast City airport. Prices based on a four-day tour. We also offer a five-day tour, please see our website for further details.
26
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
4 or 5-day escorted holiday from £365
Day Two – Included Titanic Belfast visit and guided city tour After breakfast you will visit the Titanic Belfast Experience, set on the site where RMS Titanic was constructed a century ago. Developed as much as a tribute to the days of shipbuilding in the city as well as in commemoration of the ill-fated liner that met her untimely Giant’s Causeway end on her Maiden Voyage in 1912, the Titanic Belfast Experience is a dramatic, innovative and exciting presentation of the real story of the famous ship. It’s housed in nine fascinating galleries in one of the most eye-catching buildings Belfast to have been built in the UK for years. Through the use of audio-visual presentation, life-size reconstructions, interactive features and even a ‘Shipyard Ride’, the ship’s conception, construction, tragic sinking and its aftermath, as well as its rediscovery in 1985, are brought vividly to life, and you’ll leave the exhibition with
Northern Ireland
Ireland
§ Photos © Titanic Belfast
Experience the story of the world’s most famous liner as it is unveiled in one of Europe’s fastest-changing, fascination-packed cities.
Giant’s Causeway
Interior, Titanic Experience§
a real sense of the enormity as well as the human cost of one of the 20th century’s most fateful episodes.
© National Museums Northern Ireland
City Hall, Belfast
Your Hotel Choices
Ibis, Belfast City Centre Bed & Breakfast
fter a fascinating morning and the opportunity to enjoy lunch A (payable locally) enjoy this afternoon’s tour of the city of Belfast, with its turbulent past, thriving present and hopes for the future, all brought to life by your guide. Highlights will include the major landmarks such as City Hall, Queen’s and Stormont Castle, seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and a stunning sight gradually revealed from the rising approach road. During the tour you’ll also see West Belfast’s celebrated Peace Wall, the political murals of the Shankhill and Falls roads, and the ultra-modern developments of the regenerated docks area, crowned by the glittering, breathtaking Titanic Quarter.
HHH Price from £365
The Ibis Belfast City Centre offers good value for money and is located close to the heart of the city and its shops, bars and restaurants and City Hall. Guest rooms are simple and modern, offering free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee-making facilities and satellite TV. Hotel amenities include a 24-hour restaurant serving hot and cold snacks and light meals, and a small bar.
Ramada by Wyndham Belfast, HHH Belfast City Centre Bed & Breakfast Price from £425
he rest of the day and evening is at leisure, perhaps to soak up the T atmosphere in one of the traditional city centre pubs. Day Three – At leisure, or visit the Giant’s Causeway on an optional excursion Today is free for you to enjoy the delights of Belfast under your own steam, although many will take the opportunity to join the optional excursion to the breathtakingly scenic Antrim Coast, with its fabled Nine Glens leading to the sea, and to the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway.
Located in the city’s cathedral quarter, this comfortable hotel is a few minutes’ walk from many of Belfast’s cultural attractions and welcoming bars. Hotel amenities include the SQ Bar and Grill, a lounge with free Wi‑Fi, 24-hour reception and lifts. Guest rooms are contemporary in style and boast a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee-making facilities and a telephone.
his astonishing collection of basalt columns, packed closely T together, and acting as stepping-stones into the Atlantic from beneath the wild, windswept cliffs is a remarkable sight. Though in fact formed 60 million years ago by a volcanic explosion, the stories of the giant Finn McCool – said variously to have built the causeway as a means to woo a female giant living on a Scottish island, or to have used it as a way of escape from a pursuing enemy – are much more interesting to non-geologists. Although there is a minibus to take visitors to the causeway from the visitor centre (payable locally), the more energetic will be rewarded by walking the mile or so across the cliff path, with its breathtaking views.
Titanic Hotel, Belfast Bed & Breakfast
HHHH Price from £463
Opened in 2017 in the heart of the Titanic Quarter in the legendary Harland & Wolff headquarters. From the stunning Drawing Bar with its three-storey high barrelvaulted ceiling, to the art deco maritime inspired décor featured throughout and memorabilia dating back to the Golden Age of Ocean Travel, the hotel offers a unique and truly unforgettable experience.
Your journey back to the hotel takes you along the Causeway Coastal Road, past more spectacular views. Highlights of the wonderfully scenic drive will include bustling Ballycastle at the entrance to the two northernmost glens - Glentaisie and Glenshesk, Carnlough with its picturesque harbour and a drive through the colour-washed village of Glenarm and stunning Glenariff – the Queen of the Glens.
Extend Your Holiday One-night extension from £80 Stay an extra night in Belfast and visit the infamous Crumlin Road Gaol on Day Four, accompanied by a Matron’s High Tea. Your final afternoon is at leisure to explore more of the city under your own steam.
he evening is once again free to enjoy Belfast’s T lively nightlife and wide range of restaurants which will appeal to every taste and pocket. Day Four – Fly back to your local airport Depending upon the time of your flight, spend a final few hours in the city before transferring to the airport at the end of a truly wonderful few days.
Crumlin Road Gaol
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
27
Donegal & the Giant’s Causeway Make your own footsteps on one of nature’s most iconic sites, and explore a wonderful corner of Ireland.
6-day 8-day escorted holiday from £675 £655
Dunluce Castle
Giant’s Causeway
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A visit to the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway with included entrance to the Visitor Centre • Time to explore bustling Donegal town • A visit to beautiful Glenveagh National Park and a guided tour of historic Glenveagh Castle • A scenic coastal drive alongside the Wild Atlantic Way • A tour of the rugged Inishowen Peninsula including a visit to the fascinating Doagh Isle Famine Village • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Irish breakfast accommodation at the three-star Station House Hotel, Letterkenny • Return flights to Belfast • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jul, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £685 • Bristol £685 • Edinburgh £735 • Gatwick £675 • Glasgow £735 • Liverpool £685 • Luton £675 • Manchester £685 • Newcastle £685 • Stansted £675
Tour Only without flights from £580 ravel at your convenience by making your own arrangements T to the airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £155
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.
28
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Glenveagh National Park
Enjoy a feast of varied sights and stunning coastal and mountain
scenery, as from your base in lively Letterkenny you visit County Antrim’s astonishing UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, take in Donegal Town, the beautiful Glenveagh National Park and its castle, and spend a day on the remote, timeless Inishowen peninsula. One of the most popular towns in Ireland’s north, bustling Letterkenny, a short distance from beautiful Lough Swilly, offers shops, restaurants, bars and cafés, and is a perfect base for the tour. The undoubted highlight will be the visit to the truly breathtaking Causeway, where extraordinary basalt columns act as stepping stones into the Atlantic waters – a simply unforgettable sight. Our visit will include entrance to the Visitor Centre. As well as enjoying the active interpretation area, you’ll be given a free audio guide to take to the stones. Although there is a minibus to take visitors to the causeway from the visitor centre (payable locally), the more energetic will be rewarded by walking across the cliff path, with its breathtaking views and invigorating sea air. Photo opportunities also abound at ruined Dunluce Castle in its cliff-top setting, and this popular break is completed with visits to lively Donegal Town with its Jacobean castle, verdant Glenveagh National Park with its rolling vistas, and unspoiled Inishowen, site of the poignant Doagh Island Famine Village. From here, you’ll travel on through the beautiful, timeless landscape, and through the remote peninsula town of Carndonagh to wild, windswept Malin, from where stupendous views can stretch to the distant west of Scotland.
Your Hotel
Station House Hotel, Letterkenny Half-Board
HHH
The welcoming Station House Hotel is conveniently situated by the banks of the tranquil River Swilly overlooking Oldtown Bridge close to the centre of this lively town, and has its own Depot Café/Bar, serving food and drinks from dawn until dusk. Guest rooms are comfortable and equipped with TV, tea/ coffee-making facilities, a safe, free Wi-Fi, telephone and private facilities with a shower. Room service is available for a charge. A complimentary guided walking tour of Letterkenny is offered by the hotel during your stay.
Dublin & Ireland’s Ancient East Enjoy an unforgettable break in Ireland’s ancient East, home to medieval treasures, cultural gems and a real taste of the Emerald Isle.
6-day 8-day escorted holiday from £859 £755
Hook Lighthouse, Wexford
Ha Penny Bridge, Dublin
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city • Tour of the Waterford Crystal centre and entrance to the Bishop’s Palace • Call at the picturesque fishing village of Dunmore East • Visit Wexford County, ancestral home of former US President John F. Kennedy, and entrance to the fascinating Dunbrody Famine Ship & Museum • Guided tour of Hook Lighthouse • Spend a day in ‘Fair City’ Dublin, including a panoramic tour and free time to explore under your own steam • Explore the medieval town of Kilkenny, including entrance to the historic castle and St Canice Cathedral • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Irish breakfast accommodation at the four-star Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy • Return flights to Dublin • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manger
Available Sep to Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Dunmore East Bay
From your comfortable base at the four-star Riverside Park Hotel,
you’ll venture to the 9th-century Viking city of Waterford, where original features including the ancient walled core and Reginald’s Tower, an impressive 11th-century fortification, remain standing. Take in the picture-perfect fishing village of Dunmore East, located on a secluded cove and popular with local artists, where you’ll spend some time exploring the quaint winding lanes and the pretty harbourside. Trace John F. Kennedy’s family history as you visit his ancestral family home at New Ross in Wexford County. He visited the town in 1963, and in 2008, his sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, unveiled a commemorative statue of him here. Continue past the Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of John F Kennedy’s great-grandfather, Patrick and to Hook Head Lighthouse. which is the second-oldest operating lighthouse in the world, after Spain’s Tower of Hercules. You’ll also learn all about the Great Famine at the Dunbrody Famine Ship & Museum, located on a replica 1840s ship modelled on vessels the Irish used to emigrate during this difficult time. Spend a day exploring ‘Fair City’ Dublin – possibly sampling a pint of the ‘black stuff’ at the famous seven-storey Guinness Storehouse and Gravity Bar, or exploring the historic College Green where Vikings founded the city, home to Trinity College, Ireland’s foremost seat of learning. The following day, a fascinating visit to medieval Kilkenny, home of the legendary, eponymous castle and a wonderful 13th-century Gothic cathedral, rounds off a wonderful trip.
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £775 • Bristol £779 • Edinburgh £799 • Gatwick £755 • Glasgow £819 • Heathrow £815 • Leeds/Bradford £779 • Liverpool £775 • Luton £755 • Manchester £775
Tour Only without flights from £660 ravel at your convenience by making your own arrangements T to the airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £140
Your Hotel
Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy Half-board
HHHH
The four-star Riverside Park Hotel, situated on the banks of the River Slaney, is just a short walk from Enniscorthy’s charming town centre, where you’ll find the 16th-century Enniscorthy Castle. The hotel has two restaurants, the Prom Bar with a veranda overlooking the river, and a leisure club with swimming pool, gym, sauna, and stream room. All rooms have recently been renovated and feature a TV, hairdryer, safe, iron and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 40 minutes.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
29
The Ring of Kerry & Wonderful Western Ireland Take this opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful corners of the Emerald Isle, including the lakes and mountains of the Ring of Kerry.
6-day escorted holiday from £789
Glengarriff Harbour
Ring of Kerry
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A tour of the Ring of Kerry, with its stunning seascapes and soaring mountains • A boat trip to Garnish Island and its famous gardens • Discover the delightful city of Cork • Visit Timoleague Abbey • A guided tour of Bantry House and time to explore its beautiful gardens • Explore the colourful and fashionable seaside resort of Kinsale • Visit the fascinating Cobh Heritage Centre (entrance payable locally) • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Irish breakfast accommodation at the four-star Westlodge Hotel, Bantry • Return flights to Cork • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jul, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £849 • Bristol £849 • Gatwick £799 • Glasgow £859 • Heathrow £859 • Luton £789 • Manchester £849 • Stansted £789
Tour Only without flights from £690 ravel at your convenience by making your own arrangements to T Cork airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £210
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
30
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Bantry House © Chris Hill Tourism Ireland
Discover and explore a stunning corner of the Emerald Isle simply
crammed with breathtaking highlights. From your comfortable hotel base, enjoy four unforgettable included excursions in the company of your friendly tour manager, including delightful Bantry House overlooking the eponymous bay, lively southwest gateway Cork and chic foodie mecca Kinsale. You’ll also enjoy a boat trip to the renowned gardens of Garnish Island, and a tour of the spectacular, not-to-be-missed Ring of Kerry. Fly to Cork and transfer to the hotel, set in 26 acres of landscaped gardens, and a perfect base in which to rest and relax at the end of each day’s touring. Head first, via pretty Clonakilty, birthplace of Irish hero Michael Collins, to delightful Timoleague, with its water’-edge abbey ruins, and to Kinsale, with its quayside cafés and celebrated eateries. The awe-inspiring beauty of the fabled Ring of Kerry is next. Sit back and enjoy the scenery of the Iveragh Peninsula and the magnificent Coomakista Pass, catch glimpses of towering Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, the Kenmare River and monastic island outpost Skellig Michael, and enjoy the chance to explore delightful places like Waterville and Cahersveen. A day in cosmopolitan Cork, with its historic maritime gateway Cobh, is full of interest, with the chance to wander the city and the quayside from which the ill-fated Titanic set sail, as well as to visit the fascinating Heritage Centre, which chronicles the story of Irish emigration. The last tour sees you take in beautiful Bantry Bay, where historic Bantry House boasts wonderful gardens, and delightful Glengariff overlooks the waters. A trip across to renowned, Gulf-Stream-bathed, garden isle Garnish completes a wonderful discovery Ireland’s glorious southwest.
Your Hotel
Westlodge Hotel, Bantry Half-Board
HHHH
In vast, landscaped gardens on the outskirts of lively Bantry, the Westlodge offers a lounge, bar and restaurant as well as a wide range of amenities, including a well-equipped leisure centre with sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, indoor pool and gym, tennis court and pitch and putt. Comfortable rooms have TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and there is free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Ireland’s Beautiful South West Discover an ever-changing panorama of land and seascapes in this breathtakingly beautiful corner of Ireland.
6-day escorted holiday from £769
Ross Castle, Killarney
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A tour of the beautiful Dingle Peninsula and entrance to the Blasket Island Heritage Centre • A horse-drawn jaunting car trip through the Killarney National Park and a cruise on Loch Leane • A visit to Adare, one of Ireland’s loveliest villages • A visit to historic Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, where Irish life a century ago is recreated • A tour round the famous Ring of Kerry with its stunning mountain and seascapes • The chance on an optional excursion to enjoy a show at the Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre (departures mid May to mid September inclusive) • A tour round the famous Ring of Kerry with its stunning mountain and seascapes • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Irish breakfast accommodation at the four-star Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee • Return flights to Cork • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Dingle Peninsula
Jaunting Car © Stephen Power
Step back in time as you take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride
and a boat trip on a visit to the spectacular lakeland scenery of the Killarney National Park; enjoy tours of the Dingle Peninsula, once cited as ‘the most beautiful place on earth’ by the National Geographic Society, and the fabled ‘Ring of Kerry’, the lakes and mountains’ paradise of the Iveragh Peninsula, and discover the spectacular medieval castle of Bunratty. Inspiration for such films as Ryan’s Daughter and Far and Away, the Dingle Peninsula offers some of the country’s most outstanding scenery. In addition, the tour includes a host of visits and highlights, including, at Slea Head, Europe’s most westerly point, the Blasket Island Heritage Centre, which provides a fascinating insight into the unique community who inhabited the off-shore islands until 1953. Slow right down on an hour-long ride through the Killarney National Park in a horse-drawn jaunting car (the area’s only permitted transport), before boarding MV Pride of the Lakes for a cruise on beautiful Lough Leane. You’ll also visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Dating from the 15th century, the castle is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland, restored to its former splendour. A visit to Adare, one of Ireland’s loveliest villages, is another highlight, before enjoying the breathtaking, 100-mile circular tour of the Ring of Kerry, with its stunning seascapes and soaring mountains, on the last included tour.
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £829 • Bristol £829 • Gatwick £785 • Glasgow £839 • Heathrow £839 • Luton £769 • Manchester £829 • Stansted £769
Personalise your holiday • Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre – from £28 (mid May to mid Sep)
Tour Only without flights from £670 ravel at your convenience by making your own arrangements T to Cork airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £168 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours and 30 minutes.
Your Hotel
Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee Half-Board
HHHH
With it’s own lovely gardens in a quiet residential area of Tralee about a kilometre from the town centre, this family owned and managed four-star hotel offers a warm welcome. Guests can enjoy free use of the pool and gym at the Tralee Leisure Centre, located 700 metres from the hotel. The hotel has a library, an inviting bar and included meals are typically served in the ballroom. Each room has air conditioning, tea/ coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, telephone and ironing facilities.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
31
Galway, Connemara & Ireland’s Stunning West Discover one of the most beautiful and unspoilt corners of Ireland, renowned for its ancient Gaelic heritage and traditional Irish hospitality.
6-day escorted holiday from £699
Poulnabrone Dolmen, The Burren
Kylemore Abbey
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A visit to vibrant, colourful Galway City • A drive along part of the Wild Atlantic Way and scenic tour of Connemara • Admission to beautiful Kylemore Abbey • Visits to the towering Cliffs of Moher and the lunar-like landscape of the Burren • Entrance and tour of historic Westport House • Sheep dog experience at Glen Keen Farm • Time to explore the celebrated town of Westport • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and Irish breakfast accommodation at the four-star McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris • Return flights to Knock • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £759 • Liverpool £735 • Luton £715 • Stansted £699
Sheep dog at Glen Keen Farm
From your delightful base in the four-star McWilliam Park Hotel,
enjoy a full and varied itinerary and make the very most of your time in this lovely part of the Emerald Isle. Highlights include time to explore historic Galway City, a visit to a sheep farm, a scenic tour of Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way, and visits to the famed Cliffs of Moher and the unique landscape of the Burren. You’ll also visit stunning Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1920. Learn about its history and the tales of romance and tragedy, explore the six-acre Victorian Walled Gardens and visit the Gothic Chapel. During the day you’ll also discover the remote beauty of Connemara, taking in some of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the world’s longest defined coastal routes. A guided tour of lively, picturesque Galway City will help you get your bearings before you enjoy the chance to explore this colourful town at leisure. The old centre surrounds ancient Lynch’s Castle and a pedestrianised thoroughfare leads down to the thriving waterfront, from which pleasure cruisers ply their trade. Immerse yourself in centuries of Irish history at Westport House, one of Ireland’s most beautiful historic homes and learn about sheep farming during a fascinating visit to Glen Keen Farm on another wonderful day. The vast lunar-like expanse of the Burren and the majestic Cliffs of Moher – towering some 200 metres above sea level, complete a wonderful few days in this very special corner of the Emerald Isle.
Tour Only without flights from £620 ravel at your convenience by making your own T arrangements to Knock airport or your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £130
Please note: The transfer time from Knock airport to your hotel is approximately 40 minutes.
32
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your Hotel
McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris Half-Board
HHHH
The four-star McWilliam Park Hotel offers spacious accommodation, a beauty studio and a leisure centre with an 18-metre swimming pool, steam-room, sauna, Jacuzzi and gym. All the en-suite bedrooms have a TV, telephone, iron, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee-making facilities. Your included meals are taken in the restaurant, and the Kavanagh Lounge and Bar offers bar food from lunchtime for an extra charge. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel and evening entertainment typically includes social dancing and live music.
Jersey – The Sun‑Kissed Channel Isle Enjoy rest, relaxation and some fascinating exploration on Britain’s famously sun-kissed southern outpost.
6-day escorted holiday from £599
La Corbière Lighthouse
Mont Orgueil Castle
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A guided Island Tour introduces Britain’s sunny southern outpost • Learn about the WWII German Occupation in the fascinating War Tunnels • Explore Jersey’s southern coast on-board the Jersey Duchess • Stay in delightful St Helier, Jersey’s charming capital • Dine in or choose from a host of excellent eateries • Five nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Merton Hotel, St Helier (alternative hotels and half-board available for a supplement) • Return flights to Jersey • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £739 • Bristol £685 • East Midlands £759 • Exeter £699 • Gatwick £625 • Glasgow £635 • Leeds/Bradford £745 • Liverpool £599 • Luton £625 • Manchester £725 • Southampton £689
Personalise your holiday • Jersey Zoo – (half day) from £35 • Guided Walk – (half day) from £25
Tour Only without flights from £520 ravel at your convenience by making your own T arrangements to your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £65
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 15 minutes.
Join us for a wonderful relaxing holiday on Jersey, the largest of the
Channel Islands, where you’ll enjoy a choice of excellent hotels, an included tour of the island and its simply stunning coastline and a visit to the fascinating War Tunnels. As well as the chance to rest and relax in your hotel and delightful St Helier, there’ll be time to explore some superb beaches and perhaps enjoy coastal walks under sunny, blue skies. The bustling island capital, with its colourful port and maritime feel, offers everything you could wish for, with cafés, bars and restaurants – where fresh fish is the order of the day – and shopping is a pleasure, thanks in part to Jersey’s ‘tax-free’ status. The included excursions will bring to life Britain’s sunny southern outpost, and there’s the chance, on an optional tour, to visit the world-renowned Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Your Hotel Choices
Merton Hotel, St Helier Bed & Breakfast or Half-Board
HHH Price from £599
A ten-minute stroll to the beach with a pool, tennis courts, fitness centre, sauna, steam room, bars, a choice of restaurants and free Wi-Fi, rooms in this hotel have a TV, telephone and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Norfolk Lodge, St Helier Bed & Breakfast or Half-Board
HHH Price from £615
The hotel has an indoor pool, bar and lounge, entertainment most evenings, restaurant and free Wi-Fi. Rooms offer private facilities, TV and tea/coffeemaking facilities.
Monterey Hotel, St Helier Bed & Breakfast or Half-Board
HHH Price from £645
Centrally located, the hotel’s facilities include an indoor heated pool, sauna, steam-room and mini-gym, restaurant, bar and lounge, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms have a telephone, TV, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Pomme D’Or Hotel, St Helier Bed & Breakfast or Half-Board
HHHH Price from £715
Overlooking Liberation Square and the Marina, boasting several restaurants – including the well-known Harbour Room – and bars. Rooms in this hotel offer TV, free Wi‑Fi, iron, hairdryer, safe, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
33
Venice, Verona & the Wonders of Lake Garda Discover and explore an idyllic corner of the world and two of Europe’s most fascinating, enthralling and historic cities.
8-day escorted holiday from £825
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week on the sun-kissed shores of glorious Lake Garda • Enjoy a full-day visit to incomparable Venice, La Serenissima • Discover the glories of Roman Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet • Journey through the majestic Dolomite mountains • Enjoy a ‘Grand Circular Tour’ of Lake Garda • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Drago Hotel, Malcesine/ Brenzone (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Italy • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Rialto Bridge, Venice
From your chosen hotel base on idyllic Lake Garda, enjoy
plenty of time for rest and relaxation in one of Italy’s favourite locations, and join your tour manager for four wonderful guided excursions. Discover the breathtaking beauty of glorious Venice, the world’s most romantic city, Verona’s ancient streets and majestic Roman arena, the craggy heights of the Dolomites, and the delights of Garda’s colourful shores, on a holiday to remember.
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from
Day One – Fly to Italy Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and board the coach for the journey to Lake Garda and your chosen hotel. Stay on the lake’s eastern shore, close to delightful Malcesine, with its quaint alleyways and narrow streets, or to sun-blessed Torbole with its vibrant café life, shops and stunning views across the lake. Settle into your surroundings, and enjoy a first evening in the hotel.
• Birmingham £1,075 • Bournemouth £1,029 • Bristol £869 • East Midlands £949 • Edinburgh £955 • Gatwick £825 • Humberside £1,155 • Leeds/Bradford £1,035 • Luton £825 • Manchester £885 • Newquay £1,029 • Norwich £1,109 • Stansted £825 • Teesside £1,185
Tour Only without flights from £680 ravel at your convenience by making your own T arrangements to the airport or your hotel on selected dates.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £28 Torbole Milan Malcesine
Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
34
eG
ard
a
Genoa Florence
Lak
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour from Verona, two hours from Bergamo and three hours from Milan Malpensa and Venice.
Day Two – Day at leisure Today is free for you to rest and relax at leisure, either enjoying the facilities of the hotel, or perhaps venturing into the centre of your chosen resort. Favourites with our clients for many years, all the resorts offer plenty of opportunities Dolomites to rest and relax, to stroll the lakeside promenade, watch the world go by Lake from a seat in a pavement café, shop, or Garda perhaps even take to the water – Garda is Venice a mecca for sailors and windsurfers who Verona revel in the breezy conditions offshore.
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Italy
Day Three – Included Grand Circular Lake Garda tour After breakfast today, board the coach for a Grand Circular tour of the beautiful lake, in the company of your tour manager. The fjord-like eastern shores and the northern, mountain backed resorts of sun-blessed Torbole and pastel-painted Riva del Garda give way to the western shoreline of citrus
Juliet's Balcony, Verona
Torbole, Lake Garda
and olive groves. On the southern shore a promontory leads to the spa resort of Sirmione, its healing waters and fairy-tale Rocca Scaligera castle, with its turrets and towers. The tour returns to the hotel via the wine-growing town of Bardolino,and the busy resort of Garda itself. Day Four – Included Dolomites scenic tour Today is spent amongst the crags and passes of the majestic Dolomites, which are set to the north of Garda, and provide some of Europe’s most dramatic mountain scenery. There’ll be plenty of stops during the tour at traditional towns and villages, enabling you to soak up the atmosphere and stunning views of this delightful region, which sits between the sun-kissed Italian plain of Emiglia-Romagna, and the Alps of the Austrian Tyrol, above the wine-growing valley of the Alto-Adige. Day Five – Day at leisure Enjoy a day of rest and relaxation and the chance to enjoy the facilities of your chosen hotel and resort. Day Six – Included Verona excursion Today you’ll visit the thoroughly charming city of Verona, on the banks of the River Adige, its historic centre and monuments fashioned in pink marble drawing visitors from all over the world. Amongst the outstanding sights is the best preserved Roman amphitheatre in Italy, famed the world over for its summertime opera festival. The sweeping Piazza Bra is crowded with folk watching the world go by from a seat in one of the numerous pavement cafés, ancient Piazza delle Erbe bustles with its colourful market, while nearby the maze of 13th-century streets is redolent with a sense of troubled history, chronicled in Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers, which was set amongst Verona’s brooding alleyways and hidden gardens. After another marvellous day you’ll return to Garda’s shores. Day Seven – Included Venice excursion This day will etch itself into the memory like few others, as you board the coach to travel to incomparable Venice, probably the world’s most romantic city. On arrival, in the company of a local guide, you will enjoy a walking tour of this simply breathtakingly beautiful place, where some hundred or so islands are linked by innumerable bridges, and where gondolas and water taxis ply their trades on the beautiful Grand Canal, past the stunning Accademia museum and the Rialto Bridge. The vast expanse of St Mark’s Square, with its sumptuous cathedral, clock tower and the Doge’s Palace – the Palazzo Ducale – is one of the world’s great sights. Close by, joining the palace to the prisons, the famous Bridge of Sighs afforded condemned men a last view of the beauty of Venice en route to the gallows. Away from St Marks and the Grand Canal, a labyrinth of narrow streets awaits more exploration, each corner turned revealing another memorable sight of this truly wonderful city. After an unforgettable day you return to Garda in time for a last dinner.
Your Hotel Choices
Drago Hotel, Malcesine/Brenzone HHH Half-Board Price from £825 This popular, stylish hotel is adjacent to the lake, about three miles south of Malcesine. There is a restaurant and bar, beautiful gardens and outdoor pool. Bedrooms offer satellite TV and a balcony.
Hotel Smeraldo, Malcesine/Brenzone HHH Half-Board Price from £881 This family-run, lakeside hotel boasts a large beach and overlooks the lake in Brenzone. The restaurant offers lake views and there is a welcoming bar. Simply furnished rooms with a small balcony offer TV, telephone, and hairdryer.
Hotel Rely, Malcesine/Brenzone HHH Half-Board Price from £892 Located 4.5 miles south of Malcesine, the hotel has a restaurant, bar, lift, outdoor pool and sun terrace. All the bedrooms have a TV, and a balcony/terrace.
Hotel Continental, Torbole Half-Board
HHHH Price from £1,035
In a quiet elevated position close to the village of Nago, with easy access into Torbole, just two miles away. A regular public bus and twice daily free hotel shuttle service operate to the lake.
Piccolo Mondo, Torbole Half-Board
HHHH Price from £1,092
Just five minutes' walk from Torbole; the hotel is managed by a family who also own an award-winning restaurant in nearby Trento and the delicious regional specialities served in the hotel are every bit as good as those served there.
For more details about the resorts & hotels, please see pages 37-39
Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Bid farewell to your hosts today, as you board the coach for the transfer back to the airport and the return flight.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
35
Lake Garda Offering a taste of the Mediterranean along its sunny shores, idyllic Garda is the perfect ‘lakes and mountains’ holiday choice.
Holiday Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy the choice of four optional excursions to glorious Venice, medieval Verona, a tour of the lake or the Dolomite mountains • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Geier, Torbole (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Italy • Airport transfers • An experienced holiday manager in resort
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £835 • Bournemouth £839 • Bristol £629 • East Midlands £729 • Edinburgh £665 • Gatwick £585 • Humberside £875 • Leeds/Bradford £815 • Luton £585 • Manchester £599 • Newquay £759 • Norwich £859 • Stansted £585 • Teesside £929
Personalise your holiday • Lake Tour (full day) – from £54 • The Dolomites (full day) – from £44 • Verona (half day) – from £34 • Venice (full day) – from £73
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £140
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour from Verona, two hours from Bergamo and three hours from Milan Malpensa and Venice. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
36
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
8-day resort-based holiday from £585
Malcesine, Lake Garda
Choose from a wide range of carefully selected hotels in a trio of
hand-picked, highly favoured locations, and enjoy a relaxed stay on the sun-blessed shores of this, Italy’s largest, most spectacular and most popular lake. With clear blue waters fringed by stylish, elegant, colourful resorts, flanked by groves of citrus trees or olives, or backed by the wooded slopes of craggy mountains, this is a perfect picturepostcard scene which has drawn visitors down the years.
Lake Garda There is a Mediterranean-like feel to holidays spent on Garda’s beautiful shores, with warm days cooled by the famous breezes, and balmy evenings often times under the stars. Throughout the day, the resorts bustle with life, with the shops and cafés, bars and restaurants all vying for business. By early evening, the streets are thronged with locals and visitors alike enjoying the passeggiata, or traditional stroll. Across the lake, the local ferries ply their way between the resorts, and colourful sailboats and windsurfers hint at more energetic pursuits. Active pursuits Lake Garda’s breezy waters are a mecca for sailors and windsurfers alike, and there are sailing schools offering lessons and craft for hire in each of our chosen resorts. Ashore too, there are plenty of opportunities to leave the sunlounger behind and enjoy some exercise. Walkers, for example, are especially at home on the lake’s eastern shore, with the footpaths and easy trails of Monte Baldo offering stunning views of the lake and the mountains beyond. Cycling too, is a hugely popular pursuit, whether on a leisurely potter in and around the resort, or more seriously for Lycra-clad titans or wannabe Giro d’Italia riders in the hills beyond. Cycles may be hired at a number of places. Rest and Relax C afé life, delicious ice cream from a host of gelaterie, plentiful shopping for handicrafts or other souvenirs, or just a seat in the sun on a lakeside promenade, or in a shoreside restaurant enjoying a long lunch, are all happy pre-occupations for those for whom rest and relaxation are the order of the day, while the facilities and amenities at some hotels will mean some won’t venture very far at all during their time here. Discovery and exploration Should you wish to explore beyond your chosen resort, some of Italy’s – and indeed Europe’s – finest cities await you, on excursions to incomparable Venice or Romeo and Juliet’s exquisite Verona.
Your resort choices
Malcesine, Torbole & Riva del Garda
Malcesine Bustling Malcesine (Mal-ches-in-ay), on the lake’s eastern shore, its colourful little port overlooked by a turreted castle, and brimming with small craft and windsurfers has been a long-time favourite of Newmarket clients over many years.
Riva del Garda The most northerly, and the largest of our selected resorts, Riva is a stylish, elegant town, which served as important port and link between north and south for centuries.
Malcesine
Torbole Sun-blessed Torbole, also on Garda’s picturesque mountain-backed north-east shore, offers a vibrant café life, a lakeside promenade and of course splendid views of the activities on the water. Torbole
Your hotel choices Hotel Geier, Torbole Bed & Breakfast
Riva del Garda
Lake Garda HHH
Price from £595
ocated right in the heart of Torbole, this well run hotel, which has L recently been renovated, enjoys a wonderful lakeside position.
Shops, bars and a very good selection of restaurants are all within the immediate area. There is a reception area, small bar, lift, breakfast room and restaurant, which is open to both guests of the hotel and to the public. This leads onto a sun terrace with its wonderful lake views.
Rooms
All double rooms have a telephone, hairdryer, safety deposit box and satellite TV. Superior rooms with a front lake view are available for a supplement.
Hotel Centrale, Riva del Garda Half-Board
HHH
Price from £756
Located in Riva del Garda’s historic centre, just 100 yards from the shores of Lake Garda.
Located in a charming building in Riva del Garda’s historic centre, just 100 yards from the shores of Lake Garda, the Hotel Centrale features a restaurant serving international and local meals. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in common areas. For trips to Malcesine and Desenzano del Garda, the ferry pier is just 350 yards away.
Rooms
Rooms at the Riva del Garda are airy and spacious. Each room features air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, TV and safe.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
37
Hotel Continental, Torbole Half-Board
HHHH
Price from £831
njoying an elevated position, close to the village of Nago, E this hotel offers spectacular countryside views.
Less than two miles from Torbole and the lake, yet with very easy access to the resort. There is an outdoor pool and garden terrace, a heated indoor pool and fitness room. Complimentary tea/coffee and cakes are served each day. There is a reception, piano bar and lounge area, two lifts and two weekly Gala dinners. A public bus service operates to the lake and the hotel offers a free twice-daily shuttle.
Rooms
All bedrooms have satellite TV, telephone, tea/coffee-making facilities, safe, hairdryer and mini-bar. Rooms with balcony are available for a supplement.
Piccolo Mondo, Torbole Half-Board
HHHH
Price from £888
his charming hotel is very well known for its high standard T of cuisine.
The family own an award-winning restaurant in nearby Trento and the delicious regional specialities served in the hotel are every bit as good as those served there. The hotel is situated five minutes’ walk from the centre of Torbole. There is a reception, cocktail bar and lounge area, TV room, excellent restaurant, lift, gym, bicycle hire and outdoor pool. The hotel also has an indoor pool and a health club (beauty treatments payable locally).
Rooms
All of the well-equipped air-conditioned rooms have a telephone, mini-bar, satellite TV and a balcony.
Hotel Smeraldo, Malcesine/Brenzone HHH Half-Board Price from £677
Hotel Rely, Malcesine/Brenzone Half-Board
This family run, lakeside hotel boasts a large beach and a warm welcome.
family-run hotel some 4.5 miles south of Malcesine, close to A Porto di Brenzone.
Overlooking the lake in Brenzone, Malcesine’s smaller resort neighbour, the Smeraldo offers its own beach and gardens with a terrace, and a restaurant with lake views, serving regional specialities and international dishes.
Located just across the road from the lake, and offering spectacular views, the Rely boasts a restaurant, comfortable bar and lounge area, reception, lift and outdoor terrace area.
A welcoming bar, snack bar and pizzeria, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout, complete the offering.
There is an outdoor pool, sunbathing area and pool snack bar. The regular public bus service that conveniently connects the hotel with Malcesine and other lakeside resorts.
Rooms
Rooms
Simply furnished rooms with tiled floors, cooling fan, TV, telephone, radio and hairdryer. There is a supplement for rooms with a balcony and lake view.
38
HHH
Price from £688
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
All bedrooms have a satellite TV, telephone and balcony/terrace. Twin rooms with a lake view are available for a supplement.
Drago Hotel, Malcesine/Brenzone Half-Board
HHH
Price from £631
hree miles south of the resort, this very popular hotel has T welcomed our guests for many years.
HHH
Price from £751
his popular hotel enjoys a wonderful lakeside position, right in the T heart of this fine resort.
Situated opposite the lake, close to the smaller neighbouring resort of Assenza di Brenzone, the stylish Drago has a fine restaurant and bar, beautiful gardens and an outdoor pool and sun terrace. Regular bus services connect the hotel with the resort centre and other places of interest around the lake.
Rooms
All the air-conditioned bedrooms (mid-Jun to mid-Sep) are located in two separate buildings and all offer satellite TV, telephone and balcony. Rooms with a lake view are available for a supplement.
Hotel Garda, Riva del Garda Half-Board
Hotel Malcesine, Malcesine Half-Board
HHHH
Price from £968
art of the family-owned Tonelli group of hotels, this bright, stylish P hotel is set just 220 yards from the lake-shore of Riva.
With shops, bars and a very good selection of restaurants all within the immediate area, the Malcesine is perfect for enjoying all the amenities of the resort. The comfortably furnished lounge/bar area leads outside onto a large sun terrace where the views over the lake are simply spectacular. The hotel also offers its guests a reception area, lift, TV room and a restaurant, where buffet breakfast and three-course evening meals are served.
Rooms
All rooms offer a telephone, hairdryer and satellite TV. Rooms with a side lake view are available for a supplement.
Savoy Palace Hotel, Riva del Garda HHHH Half-Board Price from £1,083 his popular hotel is set in a quiet area of modern Riva, some 330 T yards from the lake, and close to shops, bars and restaurants.
This hotel boasts an attractive outdoor pool and sun terrace, a modern, colourful cocktail bar and lounge, and a sky-terrace with sunbeds. The restaurant serves regional and international cuisine. For the energetic, there are bicycles available freeof-charge. Complimentary tea/coffee and cakes are served each day.
This very popular hotel boasts two pools (one heated indoor), terrace, garden, bar, lounge, reception, three lifts and a piano bar. Complimentary tea/coffee and cakes are served each day. Breakfast is hot and cold buffet-style and evening meals are waiterserved. There is live music four times per week and two Gala evenings.
Rooms
Rooms
The stylish rooms are air-conditioned, and offer a safe, hairdryer, balcony, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi.
All 170 air-conditioned (mid Jun to mid Sep) rooms offer satellite TV, telephone, safe, mini-bar, hairdryer and a balcony. Larger superior rooms, with Jacuzzi, are available for a supplement.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
39
Venice Carnival & Verona Combine a stay in the city of Romeo and Juliet with the unique experience of La Serennissima at Carnevale time.
5-day escorted holiday from £665
Juliet’s balcony, Verona
Venice
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy four nights in beautiful Verona, in an elegant hotel base • Discover the exquisite city of Romeo and Juliet • Journey by train to glorious Venice, La Serenissima, to soak up the atmosphere of Carnevale • Optional tours offer the chance of a second day in Venice and visits to restored Treviso and foodie mecca Bassano del Grappa • Four nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Leon D’Oro Hotel, Verona • Return standard-class rail travel from Verona to Venice • Return flights to Italy • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Feb 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Edinburgh £685 • Gatwick £665 • Heathrow £695 • Luton £665 • Manchester £715 • Stansted £665
Grand Canal, Venice
From your base in glorious, medieval Verona, of Shakespearian
fame, journey by comfortable train through the Veneto to discover the wonders of incomparable, extraordinary Venice as it celebrates the impending arrival of spring with its colourful parades, masked revellers, street entertainment and general merry-making. With time to savour the charms of Romeo and Juliet’s beguiling trysting-place and an optional tour to walled Treviso and riverside Bassano del Grappa, this is a wonderful winter-warming break. Spend a first, included day in Venice, one of the most beguiling, most intriguing and most romantic settings on the planet, and at Carnevale time, no better place to be. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city of innumerable bridges, where gondolas and water taxis ply their trades on the beautiful Grand Canal, past the stunning Accademia museum and the Rialto Bridge. In vast St Mark’s Square, carnival-goers gather to show off their elaborate costumes. Soak up the atmosphere, and perhaps stay into the early evening before returning to Verona. Free days bring opportunities to return to Venice under your own steam, to explore Verona, with its pink-hued, marble buildings, its romantic squares and famous Roman amphitheatre overlooking sweeping Piazza Bra, and to join the visits to delightful Treviso and foodie mecca Bassano del Grappa, with its ancient Ponte Vecchio bridge and fascinating museum tracing the history and production of the eponymous spirit.
Personalise your holiday • Treviso & Bassano del Grappa (full day) Day Four - £63
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £185
Your Hotel
Hotel Leon D’Oro, Verona Bed & Breakfast
HHHH
Wonderfully located for Verona’s exquisite heart, and a short – 900-metre – walk from the station, the imposing Leon D’Oro, with it’s striking façade, large, elegant lounges, piano bar and restaurant, is a perfect base for your stay. Large, beautifully appointed rooms offer TV, mini-bar and marbled bathrooms, and there is free Wi-Fi. Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours from Venice and 30 minutes from Verona.
40
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Little Trains of the Dolomites Discover one of Europe’s most special corners, as you journey through a picture-book land of vineyards, orchards and castles.
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend seven nights close to Molveno – ‘Italy’s most beautiful lake’ • Discover medieval Bolzano – wine-producing Dolomites gem • Enjoy the views from the Soprabolzano cable car • Ride the historic Renon narrow-gauge railway to Collabo • Take the rack railway from San Antonio Mendola to the Mendel Pass • Sample the region’s celebrated wines in Mezzocorona • Journey by rail from Mezzolombardo to Caldes through a landscape of vineyards and castles
• Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Ariston, Molveno (alternative hotel available at a supplement) • Return flights to Italy • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
8-day escorted holiday from £845
Renon railway © Tiberio Sorvillo - www.visualite.it
Molveno
Enjoy discovering the joys of life in the slow lane in the part-Italian,
part-German-speaking, sun-kissed region set beneath the craggy Dolomites. Journey from your hotel base near the shores of ‘Italy’s most beautiful lake’ on an interesting mix of rail and cableways connecting charming towns and villages that exude alpine warmth and a sense of wellbeing engendered by their idyllic surroundings, and enjoy some of Italy’s most delicious food and wine along the way. Highlights of a wonderful week, in addition to opportunities to rest and relax beside Lake Molveno, in its idyllic setting beneath the beautiful Paganella plateau, will include South Tyrol capital Bolzano with its mix of southern Mediterranean and Northern influences, historic Trento, the principal town of Italian Trentino, in its mountain-backed setting, and some of the Dolomites’ more remote settlements. Enjoyable journeys, on the Renon cable car from Bolzano to Soprabolzano, aboard the Mendola funicular from San Antonio, and on a regional train from historic Mezzolombardo to Caldes, through a landscape watched over by hilltop fortresses, add to the immense pleasure of the holiday.
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & May to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bournemouth £1,139 • East Midlands £985 • Edinburgh £985 • Gatwick £845 • Humberside £1,195 • Leeds/Bradford £985 • Luton £845 • Manchester £939 • Newquay £1,139 • Norwich £1,159 • Stansted £845 • Teesside £1,319
Personalise your holiday • Trento & Levico (full day) –from £51 • Lake Garda (full day) – from £41
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £140
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 45 mins from Verona airport and three hours from Venice and Bergamo airports. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Ariston, Molveno Half-Board
HHH Price from £845
This family-run hotel has a traditional restaurant, lounge and bar, as well as a library, roof-top terrace solarium and Jacuzzi. Spacious rooms boast a balcony with lake or mountain views, a TV, telephone, hairdryer and safe, and there is bike rental available. Lake view rooms are available for a supplement.
Hotel Des Alpes, Molveno Half-Board
HHH Price from £866
This welcoming three-star superior hotel is set against the backdrop of the Dolomite Mountains, and is within walking distance of Lake Molveno and the village centre. The hotel has a restaurant, serving local produce, that has views towards the lake, a bar, a lounge and reading room, a terrace, a garden, a lift, and a wellness centre with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and gym. Rooms have telephone, TV, safe and balcony. Lake views are available for a supplement.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
41
Lake Como, St Moritz & the Bernina Express Savour some wonderful lakes and mountain and take one of the world’s great railway journeys to Switzerland’s most celebrated hideaway.
8-day escorted holiday from £995
Lake Como
Bernina Express © swiss-image.ch St Moritz
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week on the shores of Italy’s most romantic lake • Discover idyllic Bellagio, ‘Italy’s most beautiful town’ • Enjoy a cruise on Lake Como and entrance to the gardens of a lakeside villa • Board the Bernina Express to fabled St Moritz, one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe • Enjoy some delightful optional excursions • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Lario, Mezzegra (alternative hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Milan • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun & Aug to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £995 • Bournemouth £1,279 • Bristol £1,035 • Edinburgh £1,069 • Gatwick £995 • Humberside £1,315 • Luton £995 • Manchester £1,069 • Newquay £1,189 • Norwich £1,299 • Southend £995 • Stansted £995 • Teesside £1,345
Personalise your holiday • Milan (full day) – from £54 • Lake Lugano & Lugano town (full day) – from £37 • Bergamo (full day) – from £43
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £259
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa and two hours from Bergamo. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
42
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Enjoy a week on the shores of the most picturesque of the Italian
lakes, with its elegant villas and glorious gardens – a scene which has inspired artists and writers for generations – and combine rest and relaxation with wonderful excursions, including a journey on the scenic Bernina Express Railway to chic St Moritz, and the chance to discover stylish Milan and idyllic Lugano. On the included tours, you’ll first discover stunning Bellagio, celebrated as the prettiest town in Italy, in its setting on the tip of the lake’s central promontory. Wander the streets of the ‘Pearl of the Lake’, and take a seat in a pavement café to watch the world go by. You’ll also take to the lake’s tranquil waters aboard a cruiser, to visit the stunning gardens of Villa Balbianello. Saving perhaps the best till last, you’ll board the Bernina Express to journey across spectacular bridges and through deep tunnels to sparkling St Moritz. You’ll have opportunities to join optional excursions, to the great city of Milan, with its soaring Gothic cathedral and La Scala opera house, to Lugano, one of Switzerland’s most stylish lakeside resorts, and to achingly beautiful, walled Bergamo, making this ‘lakes and mountains’ holidaymaking at its best.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Lario, Mezzegra-Tremezzina HHH Half-Board Price from £995 The hotel is within a few minutes’ walking distance of the lake shore. Amenities include an air-conditioned restaurant, pool, and 39 comfortable, air conditioned rooms offering free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a hairdryer and a small balcony or garden area.
Hotel Bazzoni, Tremezzo Half-Board
HHH Price from £1,096
This lakeside hotel offers wonderful views, a stylish bar and lounge area, reception and dining room, where a buffet dinner is served. There is an outdoor pool, sunterraces and rooms have hairdryer, fridge, TV and telephone.
Hotel Britannia Excelsior, Cadenabbia HHH All-Inclusive Price from £1,123 Set right on Como’s shore, with a floating outdoor pool (open seasonally), this hotel has a main buffet restaurant, other bars and restaurants (seasonal) and simply furnished bedrooms with a TV, fridge and hairdryer.
Lake Como Rest and relax on the elegant shores of Italy’s most picturesque body of water.
8-day resort-based holiday from £835
Villa Carlotta Gardens
Lake Como
Holiday Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy the choice of six optional excursions including to Milan, Lugano or walled Bergamo or a trip to Switzerland’s fabled St Moritz on the Bernina Express • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Lario, MezzegraTremezzina (alternative hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Milan • Airport transfers • An experienced holiday manager in resort
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun & Aug to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £835 • Bournemouth £1,129 • Bristol £875 • Edinburgh £919 • Gatwick £835 • Humberside £1,165 • Luton £835 • Manchester £919 • Newquay £1,029 • Norwich £1,149 • Southend £845 • Stansted £835 • Tesside £1,195
Personalise your holiday • Bellagio (half day) – from £28 • Lake Como Cruise & Villa Balbianello Gardens (half day) – from £53 • Milan (full day) – from £54 • Bernina Express* (full day) – from £90 • Lake Lugano & Lugano Town (full day) – from £37 • Bergamo (full day) – from £43
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £259
Discover one of Europe’s most idyllic, charming and stylish corners, as you soak up the atmosphere of the most picturesque of the Italian lakes, in its mountain-backed setting to the north of Milan. Combine leisurely days in your chosen hotel with exploration of the lake’s towns and villages, elegant villas and glorious gardens, and perhaps venture further afield on escorted excursions.
Situated on Como’s western shore, looking out to idyllic Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Tremezzo and Mezzegra-Tremezzina are delightful lakeside resorts. Friendly cafés, bars and restaurants dot lakefront promenades and picture-book streets, while on the water, steamers ply their trade to the lake’s elegant towns and villages. Open-air lidos, shore-side sun terraces, and some of Italy’s finest gardens, including those of celebrated Villa Carlotta, compete for your daytime attention, and when evening comes, an air of elegant tranquillity, except in Menaggio’s lively Piazza Garibaldi, complements the perfect days. Enjoy the amenities of your hotel, join an excursion or enjoy a leisurely lunch. Visit idyllic Bellagio, tree-shaded Varenna, lively Lecco or Como Town, most interconnected by lake steamer or regular bus service. The energetic might stroll along the promenade or hike into the hills, rent bikes or perhaps even swim in the lake, while others, quite understandably, simply sit and take in the beauty of a very special corner of the world.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Lario, Mezzegra-Tremezzina HHH Half-Board Price from £835 ffering an enchanting view of Como’s waters, this O welcoming and comfortable three-star hotel is a short distance from the lake itself.
Hotel Bazzoni, Tremezzo Half-Board
HHH Price from £946
Beside the lake, with an outdoor pool and a terrace offering spectacular views, this hotel is just 550 metres from famous Villa Carlotta. Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa and two hours from Bergamo. *The Bernina Express optional excursion must be pre-booked prior to departure. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
Hotel Britannia Excelsior, Cadenabbia HHH All-Inclusive Price from £973 ight on Como’s shore, with a seasonal outdoor Lido R pool that almost seems part of the lake, this hotel boasts stunning views towards Bellagio.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
43
Lake Como & Alpine Railways Take in Italy’s most romantic lake, some spectacular views, and an unforgettable journey to one of the world’s most famous resorts.
6-day escorted holiday from £725
Lake Como
Bernina Express Railway at Lake Bianco © photo swiss-image.ch
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy the magic of Italy’s romantic lake • Discover lakeside Como Town • Ride on the historic Como-Brunate funicular • Board the Bernina Express for a scenic journey to fabled St Moritz • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Lario, Mezzegra (alternative hotel available for a supplement) • Return flights to Milan • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Nov 2021, Feb to Apr & Nov 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £769 • Edinburgh £739 • Gatwick £725 • Luton £725 • Manchester £739 • Stansted £725
Personalise your holiday • Lugano (full day) – from £53 • Milan (full day) – from £58
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £170
Enjoy a wonderful wintertime break on Como’s picture-book shores,
including a visit to the lake’s main town and a ride on the funicular that climbs to Brunate, offering breathtaking views. Journey on the scenic Bernina Express to fabled St Moritz, one of the world’s most celebrated Alpine resorts, and as well as the chance to explore Como’s idyllic surroundings, enjoy opportunities, on optional excursions, to visit Switzerland’s beautiful Lugano and elegant, stylish Milan. Explore Como Town, where shore-side Piazza Cavour is surrounded by shops and cafés, and an old town of narrow streets lined with shops and artists’ studios, and crowned by a majestic cathedral. Board the historic funicular to mountain village Brunate, where on clear days spectacular vistas stretch to the snow-capped Alps beyond the lake. The famous Bernina Express climbs through southeast Switzerland, crossing bridges and viaducts – including Brusio’s famous spiral – and the Bernina Pass to St Moritz, with its predictably stylish shops and stores set against the scenic background of some of Switzerland’s finest scenery. With chances to visit Lugano on its eponymous lake, to take a lake cruiser to exquisite Bellagio, one of Italy’s most sparkling jewels, and to explore historic Milan, with its breathtaking Duomo cathedral, this is a wonderful break in one of Europe’s most beautiful corners.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Lario, Mezzegra-Tremezzina HHH Half-Board Price from £725 ffering an enchanting view of Como’s waters, this O welcoming and comfortable three-star hotel is a short distance from the lake itself. Amenities include a restaurant, bar, and 39 comfortable, air conditioned rooms offering free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a hairdryer.
Hotel Bazzoni, Tremezzo Half-Board Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa and two hours from Bergamo. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
44
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
HHH Price from £745
This lakeside hotel, offers wonderful views from the refurbished public areas, which include a bar and lounge area, reception and dining room. Bedrooms offer a hairdryer, fridge, satellite TV, safe, air conditioning, ceiling fan and a telephone.
Lake Maggiore, Piedmont & the Matterhorn Discover one of Europe’s most scenic corners... blue waters, vibrant gardens, and a very famous mountain.
8-day escorted holiday from £915
Cable car at Monte Mottarone
Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend seven nights on picturesque Lake Maggiore • Tour the exquisite, contrasting offshore Borromean Isles • Visit Verbania’s stunning Villa Taranto gardens • Enjoy a guided tour of Alba, a gastronomic mecca • Taste Italy’s fine red wine at Castello di Barolo • Journey into Switzerland to the foot of the iconic Matterhorn • Discover ‘princely’ Turin, capital of Piedmont on an optional excursion • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Boston, Stresa (alternative hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Milan • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun & Aug to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £915 • Bournemouth £1,109 • Bristol £955 • Edinburgh £989 • Gatwick £915 • Humberside £1,175 • Luton £915 • Manchester £989 • Newquay £1,179 • Norwich £1,159 • Southend £915 • Stansted £915 • Teesside £1,205
Personalise your holiday • Lake Como (full day) – from £54 • Turin (full day) – from £49
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £182
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 15 minutes from Milan Malpensa and two hours from Bergamo. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
From your base on the shore of picture-book Lake Maggiore, visit
idyllic offshore isles, sumptuous villas and world-class gardens, and take a journey into Piedmont, where Turin radiates sophistication and Barolo produces world-class wine to match. Head into Switzerland, to famous resort-town Zermatt and one of the world’s most iconic peaks, the towering, triangular Matterhorn. Join your tour manager and cross to the idyllic Borromean Islands – stunning Isola Bella, with its Baroque palace and water gardens and picturesque Isola dei Pescatori, still inhabited by local fishermen. Complete a perfect day with a visit to Verbania’s celebrated Villa Taranto gardens. A second included excursion takes in the UNESCO-protected, vineyardcovered hillsides of Langhe, gastronomic mecca Alba and the wine-producing Castello di Barolo. Perhaps saving the best till last, a third excursion is to Swiss jewel Zermatt, where an optional journey on the famous Gornergrat Railway can crown a wonderful day. Optional excursions, to beautiful Lake Como and stunning Bellagio, and to stately Turin, nestled at the foot of the Alps, complete a wonderful Italian holiday.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Boston, Stresa Bed & Breakfast
HHH Price from £915
This small, family managed hotel in the delightful resort of Stresa is just 500 metres from the town’s busy jetty. Several restaurants and bars can be found within walking distance. Simply and traditionally furnished, the hotel offers 40 air-conditioned rooms with a breakfast room and café, reading room and TV lounge.
SHG Hotel Villa Carlotta, Belgirate HHHH Half-Board Price from £1,062 Set in beautiful gardens overlooking the lake with an outdoor pool (open Jun to Sep), a beachfront for hardier swimmers, a restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi. Air-conditioned rooms have TV, safe, fridge, telephone and hairdryer. Refurbished Classic bedrooms can be booked for a supplement. We also offer three-star Hotel Royal in Stresa, three-star Hotel Flora, Stresa and four-star Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac, Stresa. See our website for information.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
45
Lake Maggiore Offshore islets, stunning gardens, delightful shore-side towns and truly delicious ice cream – bellissimo!
8-day resort-based holiday from £735
Stresa cable car
Lake Maggiore
Holiday Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy the choice of five optional excursions including Turin, Barolo and Switzerland’s Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Boston (alternative hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Milan • Airport transfers • An experienced holiday manager in resort
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun & Aug to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £735 • Bournemouth £939 • Bristol £775 • Edinburgh £819 • Gatwick £735 • Humberside £1,005 • Luton £735 • Manchester £819 • Newquay £939 • Norwich £989 • Southend £745 • Teesside £1,035
Personalise your holiday • Borromean Islands & Villa Taranto (full day) – from £44 • Lake Como (full day) – from £54 • Alba & Castle Barolo (full day) – from £73 • Zermatt (full day) – from £60 • Turin (full day) – from £49
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £182
Isola Bella
Join us for a memorable holiday in one of Europe’s most romantic
corners, where languid blue waters lap a verdant shoreline fringed by gentle rolling hills, and dotted with some truly elegant and serene resorts. Here rest and relaxation, coupled with gentle exploration, was surely never easier. Your holiday base is in elegant Stresa and nearby Belgirate, which exude an almost sub-tropical air, with exotic vegetation, colourful blossoms and intoxicating scents all adding to the charm. Off shore, the idyllic Borromean Islands share their charms with the day-trippers who cross to them by ferry, while the gentle contours of the hinterland hint at the towering Alps beyond. During your stay, there is so much to see and do, from relaxing strolls on the lakeside promenade, to joining an optional excursion.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Boston, Stresa Bed & Breakfast
HHH Price from £735
his hotel is located close to the lake and Stresa’s amenities, T offering traditional comforts and a warm welcome. Attic rooms with a lake view are available at a supplement.
SHG Hotel Villa Carlotta, Belgirate HHHH Half-Board Price from £895 Set in beautiful gardens overlooking the lake and boasting an outdoor pool (open Jun to Sep) and a beachfront for hardier swimmers.
Hotel Flora, Stresa Half-Board
HHH Price from £969
Close to the Monte Mottarone cable car, this hotel has an outdoor pool and garden terrace. Rooms with a side lake view are available for a supplement.
Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac, Stresa HHHH Bed & Breakfast Price from £1,099 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 15 minutes from Milan Malpensa and two hours from Bergamo. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
46
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
he hotel has an inviting restaurant with an outdoor T terrace area, two bars and use of an outdoor swimming pool at the nearby Hotel Regina Palace. We also offer the three-star Hotel Royal in Stresa. See our website for information.
Tuscany Enjoy all the pleasures of rest and relaxation in one of the most famous of all the Tuscan spa towns.
8-day resort-based holiday from £699
Tettuccio Terme, Montecatini
Montecatini Alto
Holiday Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy the choice of four optional excursions to Renaissance cradle Florence, to Pisa and Lucca, beautiful Portofino, and journey through the stunning countryside • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Belvedere, Montecatini (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Italy • Airport transfers • An experienced holiday manager in resort
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & May to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £799 • East Midlands £789 • Gatwick £699 • Glasgow £789 • Humberside £1,029 • Luton £749 • Manchester £795 • Newquay £975 • Norwich £959 • Stansted £759 • Teesside £1,065
Personalise your holiday • Portofino and the Ligurian Coast (full day) – from £58 • Pisa and Lucca (full day) – from £62 • Florence – breathtaking Renaissance jewel (full day) – from £65 • Volterra & San Gimignano (full day) – from £69
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £238
Alto Piazza, Montecatini
Celebrated for the healing properties of its thermal waters, which have long drawn visitors from across the globe, Montecatini, a ‘twin-town’ of ancient hill-top settlement and modern spa below, is a perfect choice for a truly relaxing stay in the heart of Tuscany, with a host of activities in which to pass the time, both within the resort and further afield.
As well as the famous spa baths and its many health and beauty practitioners, Montecatini boasts beautiful parks and gardens, stylish shops, countless restaurants, cafés, trattorie and gelaterie. A sightseer’s delight, highlights of the lower town include ornate fountains and grand Viale Verdi, named after the opera composer who was a frequent guest. For the energetic, there are tennis courts, bicycle hire and a fine golf course, and of course you should visit upper Montecatini Alto, reached by one of the world’s oldest funiculars. Doing absolutely nothing other than taking in the Tuscan sunshine is perfectly acceptable, although no stay in Montecatini is complete without a visit to one of the lower town’s elegant, Belle Époque spas. Beyond, hilltop settlements and Renaissance gems Lucca and Florence await discovery.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel President, Montecatini Terme HHHH Half-Board Price from £699 This lovely four-star hotel is located in the historic centre of Montecatini Terme, a Tuscan hill town famous for its natural hot water spas. Rooms are spacious and traditional, equipped with air conditioning, TV and fridge. Facilities at the hotel include a rooftop terrace, traditional Tuscan restaurant, and an outdoor pool.
Hotel Manzoni, Montecatini Half-Board
HHHH Price from £779
Close to the main baths, this completely renovated hotel boasts beautiful restaurant, outdoor pool and loungers, superb wellness centre and gym. Air-conditioned rooms boast TV, telephone, hairdryer and safe. Free Wi-Fi and bike rental is also available.
Hotel Adua, Montecatini Half-Board Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Pisa and four hours from Bergamo. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
HHHH Price from £779
his centrally located hotel offers a range of wellness T facilities, bar, piano lounge, restaurant, breakfast room, TV room, pool and garden. Stylish, air-conditioned rooms offer TV, telephone, mini-bar and safe.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
47
Portofino, Florence & Tuscany Experience one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive corners, the beautiful Tuscan countryside and the stunning Cradle of the Renaissance.
8-day escorted holiday from £899
Portofino
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a week’s stay in one of Tuscany’s most celebrated spa resorts • Discover elegant Santa Margherita Ligure’s stunning bay • Pay a visit to chic Portofino, one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive corners • Enjoy Pisa and Lucca, two Italian gems • Spend a day in breathtaking Florence, the enthralling Cradle of the Renaissance • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Belvedere, Montecatini (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Italy • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
Step into places that are the living embodiment of la dolce vita, as
from your elegant spa base, you journey to the famous Ligurian coastal resorts of Santa Margherita and ultra-chic Portofino, longtime exclusive hideaway. On a captivating tour exuding Italian charm, colour and warmth, you’ll also take in Florence, the exquisite Cradle of the Renaissance and one of Italy’s most stylish cities, as well as Pisa and Lucca, two more Tuscan gems.
Day One – Fly to Italy Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and board the coach for the transfer through the Tuscan countryside to Montecatini. Day Two – At leisure in Montecatini Today is free for you to get to know the hotel and surroundings of this historic spa resort, perhaps paying a first visit to Montecatini Alto for its stunning views, and perhaps enjoying a leisurely lunch.
Day Three – Included excursion to the Ligurian coast and Portofino Join the first of the included excursions to the beautiful Ligurian Fly direct from these airports. Prices from coast, where some of Italy’s most famous resorts are dotted along • Bristol £999 • East Midlands £989 • Gatwick £899 the shoreline, backed by wooded hills. A mecca for visitors from the • Glasgow £989 • Humberside £1,229 four corners of the globe, elegant Santa • Luton £949 • Manchester £995 Margherita Ligure overlooks a stunning bay, • Newquay £1,175 • Norwich £1,159 and lies at the eastern end of the Portofino • Stansted £959 • Teesside £1,265 headland. Spend some time exploring the resort, then board a boat for a trip along the Personalise your holiday coast to discover its ultra-chic neighbour, the • Volterra & San Gimgnano world-renowned jet-setter watering-hole of Santa Margherita (full day) Day Seven – from £69 Portofino Portofino itself, which despite the crowds, the glitz and the glamour, remains one of the Montecatini Room for Sole Use Supplement Mediterranean’s most idyllic settings. Lucca from £238 Sep to Oct 2021 & May to Oct 2022
Pisa Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Pisa and approximately four hours from Bergamo. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
48
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Florence Volterra
Italy
Day Four – Included visits to Pisa and Lucca The second included tour is to two true Italian gems. You’ll first visit the wonderful city of Pisa, where, in the company of our guide, there’ll be an opportunity to explore this mesmerising medieval treasure trove, built on the banks of the River Arno, and where the
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Florence
broad green swathe of the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) is home not only to the startling, eponymous Leaning Tower but also the huge circular Baptistery, the great marbled Duomo and the colonnaded Campo Santo cemetery. Following a fascinating visit, you’ll reboard the coach for the journey to the elegant walled city of Lucca, a simply delightful Renaissance jewel that was the birthplace of the composer Puccini. The city’s most famous son is celebrated with a museum at his home. Elsewhere, the ancient cathedral, the Torre della Ore, and the exquisite Piazza Anfiteatro, built around the Roman amphitheatre, are amongst the ‘must-sees’ in this charming city.
Your Hotel Choices
Day Five – At leisure in Montecatini Enjoy another day of gentle exploration in Montecatini, savouring the atmosphere of the spa town. Day Six – Included visit to Florence Today will be one of the undoubted highlights of the holiday, as you enjoy our included tour of truly stunning Florence, which is for many the country’s most beautiful city. Today there’s a chance to see for yourself the magnificent Florentine skyline, dominated by the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and to explore the splendour of Santa Croce and the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge, spared by the retreating Nazis because of its timeless beauty. Of course, Florence is the city of both the Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s fabled statue of David, and the Uffizi, where Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus can be admired, should you choose to visit the galleries (payable locally), and you will no doubt want to rest awhile in one of the city’s countless eateries. Day Seven – At leisure, or optional excursion to Volterra and San Gimignano Relax in the resort, or join today’s optional excursion, which heads into the Tuscan countryside to explore the exquisite hill towns of Volterra, Certaldo and UNESCO-listed medieval gem San Gimignano. Set high above the Cecina and Dell’Era valleys, Etruscan Volterra is beautifully preserved, with its ancient walls surrounding a medieval core, at the heart of which is a stunning Romanesque cathedral and the ornate Piazza del Priori, lined with beautiful palazzi. You’ll also take in the Roman amphitheatre, uncovered in 1951.
Hotel President, Montecatini Terme HHHH Half-Board Price from £899 This lovely four-star hotel is located in the historic centre of Montecatini Terme, a Tuscan hill town famous for its natural hot water spas. Rooms are spacious and traditional, equipped with air conditioning, TV and fridge. Facilities at the hotel include a rooftop terrace, traditional Tuscan restaurant, and an outdoor pool. The town square and thermal baths are a short walk away.
Hotel Adua, Montecatini Half-Board
HHHH Price from £979
This family-owned, centrally located hotel, a short walk from the resort’s amenities boasts a bar, lounge, reception, outdoor pool, dining room and lift. A wellness centre offers a full programme of beauty treatments (payable locally). Stylishly furnished rooms have hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, air conditioning, mini-bar and safe. Balcony rooms are available for a supplement.
Hotel Manzoni, Montecatini Half-Board
HHHH Price from £979
Close to the baths, this hotel offers comfort in abundance, with outdoor pool, superb wellness centre pools, whirlpool and sauna (some facilities payable locally) and gym. Elegant public rooms, free Wi-Fi, a beautiful restaurant and classically decorated rooms, with air conditioning, TV and safe complete the offering. Balcony rooms are available for a supplement.
aving the best until last, San Gimignano, with its fairy-tale towers rising S from the hill-top village, is one of the finest sights in all Italy, and a fitting crowning glory to a wonderful holiday. Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Bid farewell to your Tuscan hosts as you journey back to the airport and the return flight, at the end of a marvellous holiday.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
49
NEW for 2022
Florence, Rome & Castles of Italy Enjoy a truly unique break, based in three historic Italian castellos as you discover some of the country’s great cultural cities.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,599
Assisi, Umbria
Orsini Castle, Nerola
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend seven nights in three of Central Italy’s most spectacular castles • Discover the hill towns of Umbria, Italy’s green heart • Explore majestic Florence, cradle of the Renaissance • Enjoy a fascinating day in the Eternal City, Rome • Scenic drive along Le Marche’s stunning Conero Riviera • Free time in Rome, Florence and Perugia to explore under your own steam • Optional excursion to Tivoli and the Alban Hills • Seven nights’ carefully chosen accommodation at historic castles • Five evening meals • Return flights to Rome • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available May, Jun & Sep 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £1,619 • Birmingham £1,639 • Gatwick £1,599 • Glasgow £1,649 • Manchester £1,635
Personalise your holiday • Trivoli’s Water Garden & Lunch in Frascati (full day) – £109
Room for Sole Use Supplement £366
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Join us for a wonderful holiday as you explore the rolling green hills and medieval hill towns of Umbria and Le Marche and stay in three of the region’s finest medieval castellos (castles). Included excursions to cradle of the Renaissance, Florence, and the Eternal City, Rome, complete this marvellous break.
You’ll start in Umbria, known as Italy’s green heart, which is renowned for its walled medieval hill towns, forested rolling green hills, and delicious local cuisine. Take in Assisi, Perugia and Gubbio, before an included day trip to Florence, home to some of the world’s greatest Renaissance treasures, including Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation. The following day you’ll check out and enjoy a scenic drive along La Marche’s Conero Riviera, a stunning 12-mile stretch of coastline, lined with glorious beaches and overlooked by dramatic rocky promontories and caves. The next day is spent at leisure, before an unforgettable day in Rome, the Eternal City. Your final day brings the chance to explore Tivoli and the Alban Hills or spend a blissful day at leisure.
Your Hotels
Relais il Canalicchio, near Perugia Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 1-3
This stunning 13th-century castle enjoys a hillside location overlooking a verdant valley between Assisi and Perugia. Rooms feature great views of the valley and there are two restaurants, a library, cosy lounges, and a spa.
Castello Chiola, Loreto Aprutino Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 4-5
In an ancient castle, above the medieval town of Loreto Aprutino, this stately hotel offers rooms with sea or mountain views. The pool has excellent views over the surrounding hills and an there’s an atmospheric cellar restaurant.
Castello Orsini, Nerola Bed & Breakfast Please note: Accommodation is in medieval buildings, so no two rooms are the same in terms of shape and size. Therefore, we regrettably unable to guarantee that your room will be close to a lift. The castles in this tour can feature relatively steep gradients and stairs, and coaches can’t always stop directly outside, meaning you may have to walk the short distance from the drop-off point to the castle. Therefore, unfortunately this tour may not be suitable for those who are not independently mobile.
50
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
HHHHH nights 6-7
This five-star hotel is set in a stunning medieval castle boasting views of the Tiber Valley. Rooms are spacious and spread amongst four buildings within the castle and hamlet precincts. Facilities include an outdoor pool and an elegant restaurant.
Assisi, Umbria & the Adriatic Coast One of Italy’s less-travelled corners, the blue Adriatic and some of its greatest glories, discovered and explored.
8-day escorted holiday from £999
Perugia
San Marino
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a week in the traditional Adriatic resort of Pesaro • Explore historic hill town Urbino and its famed ducal palace • Journey through the unspoiled countryside of Le Marche • See the famed mosaics in UNESCO-listed Ravenna • Discover tiny San Marino, one of the world’s smallest republics • Wander down Perugia’s famous Corso Vanucci street • Visit exquisite Assisi, with its majestic Basilica • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Rossini, Pesaro • Return flights to Bologna • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep 2021, May, Jun & Sep 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from
Assisi
This wonderful holiday is based in the traditional Adriatic resort of
Pesaro, a lively, colourful, but low-key seaside town, where café life is centred on the elegant Piazza del Popolo. The beach awaits sunworshippers and the most energetic past time might be strolling the seafront promenade, gelato in hand, or joining the evening passeggiata. Famed as the birthplace of William Tell Overture composer Gioachino Rossini, the town pays homage to its famous son with a museum at his birthplace, and a theatre named in his honour. From this delightful base, journey through the unspoiled countryside of Le Marche region, to the exquisite university seat of Urbino and its famed UNESCO-listed Ducal Palace, home to the 15th-century court of Federico de Montefeltro, one of the great Renaissance figures. Take in Ravenna, home to some of the world’s finest Byzantine mosaics, and visit the tiny, hilltop Serene Republic of San Marino, the world’s fifth-smallest country, enjoying spectacular views from its ancient Città. The Umbrian cities of Perugia, with its elegant centre and Assisi, with its great Basilica, both surrounded by idyllic countryside, and the chance to visit pilgrimage shrine Loreto, complete the memorable tour.
• Bristol £1,079 • Gatwick £1,009 • Luton £999 • Manchester £1,069 • Stansted £1,009
Personalise your holiday • Loreto and the Conero Riviera (full day) – £47
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £245
Your Hotel Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
The Hotel Rossini, Pesaro Half-Board
HHHH
Just yards from the beach, with views of the blue Adriatic from its sun terrace, and a seven-minute stroll from Piazza del Popolo, this traditional hotel exudes Italian elegance and a warm welcome. Comfortable, wood-panelled lounges with ‘Chesterfield’ sofas, a restaurant and a bar, as well as air-conditioned rooms with TV, hairdryer and side sea view add to the pleasure of the stay. There is free Wi-Fi.
For 2021 departures, please see ‘Ravenna, Umbria & Beautiful Le Marche’ on our website
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
51
Undiscovered Southern Sardinia & the Little Green Train Combine rest and relaxation on stunning beaches, a rich history and the beautiful, mountainous interior of Italy’s largest island.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,149
Tuerredda Teulada Sardinia
Cagliari, Sardinia
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week in Sardinia’s unspoiled southwest corner • Rest and relax in your welcoming hotel • Discover some of Europe’s most stunning beaches • Perhaps see flocks of pink flamingos • Explore historic island capital Cagliari – once a Roman stronghold • Journey on the Little Green Train through the mountainous interior • Spend a day on the offshore islands of Sant’ Antioco and San Pietro • Enjoy the chance to sample distinctive Sardinian cuisine and wines with Sardinian shepherds • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the, four-star Hotel Lu’ Hotel, Porto Pino • Return flights to Cagliari • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep 2021, May, Jun & Sep 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £1,149 • Manchester £1,199
Little Green Train
A world away from the chic and glamour of the northern Costa
Smeralda, Sardinia’s southwest corner is an unspoiled region of mostly deserted beaches fringed by azure waters, watched over by fascinating island capital Cagliari, with its Roman remains and remnants of the prehistoric Nuragic civilisation. The region is also gateway to a rugged, mountainous interior through which the famous Little Green Train makes its way. Based in a newly refurbished four-star country hotel in the quiet village of Sant’Anna Arresi, just 10 minutes away by regular shuttle bus from the beautiful beach and tiny resort of Porto Pino, the holiday combines plenty of time for rest and relaxation with some fascinating included and optional excursions. Join your tour manager for a guided introduction to elegant Cagliari, a settlement since before Roman times, and which combines a sense of history with a modern charm and an air of relaxation. Explore the fortified Citadel, overlooking the scene, and stroll arcaded Via Roma and bustling Via Sardegna. An undoubted highlight will be the journey on the famous Little Green Train through forests, over ravines and through tunnels, calling at several remote villages, a world away from the beaches, towns and coast. With a last included excursion taking in the two beautiful offshore islands that grace Sardinia’s southwest corner, plenty of time to enjoy the pool, delightful Sant’Anna Arresi and Porto Pino’s beach, this is a wonderful holiday in a beautiful corner of the Mediterranean.
Personalise your holiday • Countryside tour with shepherd’s lunch (full day) – £71
Room for Sole Use Supplement £245
Your Hotel
Hotel Lu’, Porto Pino Half-Board
HHHH
Set just ten minutes by shuttle bus from the exquisite beach and tiny resort at Porto Pino, in the typically Sardinian commune of Sant’Anna Arresi, this hotel was completely refurbished to a four star level in 2020, and promises comfortable, well-appointed rooms, free WiFi, restaurant, bar, terrace and outdoor pool, as well as a regular shuttle bus to the beach and bicycle hire for the energetic. Please note: The transfer time to your hotel will be approximately one hour.
52
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
NEW for 2022
Rome & the Amalfi Drive Combine Italy’s rich history with its iconic, beautiful coastline on this wonderful week-long tour.
8-day escorted holiday from £995
Colosseum, Rome
Capri Island
Bay of Naples
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week in delightful Italy, including three nights in Rome and four nights on the stunning Amalfi Coast • The chance to explore Rome, the Eternal City, on two optional tours • Enjoy a wonderful drive on the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe’s most scenic coastal roads • The chance to visit glitzy Capri • Free time to enjoy your hotel on the Bay of Naples and its wonderful location • Return flights (outbound to Rome and returning from Naples) • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Grand Hotel Fleming, Rome and the Hotel dei Congressi, Castellammare di Stabbia • Dinner included on nights 4 to 7 • Comfortable coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by friendly, experienced manager
Available Apr to Jun & Sep to Nov 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £1,049 • Gatwick £1,015 • Manchester £1,059 • Stansted £995
Personalise your holiday • Imperial Rome (half day) – Day Two £75 • Classical Rome (half day) – Day Three £75 • Capri (full day) – Day 6 £139
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £259
Spend a blissful week in Italy, starting with three nights in the
Eternal City, Rome, where two optional excursions lift the lid on one of Europe’s most fascinating and historic cities. From here, you’ll journey to the delightful Gulf of Naples for four nights, where an included drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe’s most scenic coastal stretches, the opportunity to visit glitzy Capri and a blissful day at leisure await. This week-long Italian holiday combines the country’s fabled history and natural beauty, beginning with a three-night stay in Rome. Join two fascinating optional excursions that will lift the lid on Rome’s fascinating past, taking in must-see attractions including the Colosseum, Roman Forum and St Peter’s Basilica, or explore this beguiling city under your own steam. From Rome, you’ll head to your comfortable hotel overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, which offers absolutely everything you need for a wonderful stay. Here, you’ll enjoy an included drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast, one of Italy’s most memorable destinations. Sit back and take in the views as you travel along winding roads, where mountains lined with picturesque colourful villages plunge dramatically into the sea. A chance to visit glamorous Capri on an optional excursion completes a wonderful holiday.
Your Hotels
Grand Hotel Fleming, Rome Bed & Breakfast
Located in a quiet area of Rome, close to the city centre and next to a metro station, the Grand Hotel Fleming offers spacious, brightly coloured guestrooms. Rooms come with air conditioning, TV and mini-bar. Guests can make use of the hotel’s cosy bar and traditional Italian restaurant.
Hotel dei Congressi, Castellammare di Stabbia Half-Board
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 Minutes.
HHH nights 1-3
HHH nights 4-7
Boasting an exceptional location overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, this lovely hotel features a superb outdoor pool. Rooms are comfortable with air conditioning, TV and Balcony. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout and the hotel has a bar and restaurant too.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
53
Capri, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast Discover the charm and warm hospitality of the Neapolitan Riviera, one of the Mediterranean’s most highly favoured corners.
8-day escorted holiday from £899
Capri
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week in the blissful surroundings of the Neapolitan Riviera • Visit the extraordinary ruins of Roman city Pompeii • Discover and explore colourful, historic Naples • Journey along the famous Amalfi Drive, one of Europe’s most scenic coastal roads • Enjoy a full day on the enchanting Isle of Capri • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel delle Palme, Sant’ Agata (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Naples • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
From your base in a choice of excellent hotels close to the famous resort of Sorrento, above the blue bay of Naples, enjoy four wonderful guided excursions. Experience historic Naples and discover the ruins of Pompeii, where Roman time stands still; spend a day on the enchanting Isle of Capri, beloved haunt of artists and writers, and sit back in wonderment as you enjoy the breathtaking drive along the fabled Amalfi Coast, overlooking glorious scenes of picture-postcard perfection.
Day One – Fly to Italy Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and board the coach for the scenic journey to the Bay of Naples, and on to your chosen hotel, in or close to Sorrento. Day Two – Explore Sorrento and surroundings at your leisure Today is free for you to rest and relax, either enjoying the facilities of the hotel, or perhaps venturing into the centre of delightful Sorrento. The town, perched upon its cliff-top, seems built between the sky and the sea, and offers everything required for an enjoyable stay. Its colourful, beating heart is the Piazza Tasso, pedestrianised in the evenings, when the bars and cafés that surround it become a perfect place to watch the locals, dressed in their ‘Sunday best’, enjoying the nightly passeggiata.
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £949 • Edinburgh £999 • Gatwick £949 • Luton £899 • Manchester £949
Personalise your holiday
n the shore, two tiny ports are backed by even tinier beaches and O several boardwalks dotted with beach-huts and sun-loungers, while on the water, pleasure-craft of all shapes and sizes, as well as the occasional cruise ship, add to the colourful scene.
• Countryside Tour (three-quarter day) Day Five – from £61
Tour Only without flights from £799 ravel at your convenience by making your own T arrangements to your hotel on selected dates.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £273
Rome
Italy
Naples Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
54
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Capri
Pompeii Sorrento
Day Three – Included visits to Pompeii and Naples Today’s included excursion begins with the truly awe-inspiring ruins of Roman Pompeii, destroyed – yet miraculously preserved – by the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Buried and forgotten for hundreds of years, Pompeii was rediscovered in the 18th century, since when excavations have continued to reveal more and more of this ancient, once magnificent city, with its villas, temples and frescoed houses giving a very vivid insight into Roman life. ou’ll then journey around the bay, passing the Y brooding hulk of the famous volcano to one of
Positano
Naples Amphitheatre, Pompeii
Pompeii
Italy’s most colourful cities, the great southern Italian capital Naples. Highlights of a guided tour will include Garibaldi and Plebiscito squares, in the UNESCO-listed heart of the city, with their fine statues, San Carlo Opera House – second only in importance to Milan’s famed La Scala – and the Royal Palace. You’ll also take in the medieval, turreted Castel Nuovo, the legendary ‘Egg Castle’ and the spectacular view from Posillipo Hill, which rises up above the city, before you return to Sorrento at the end of a wonderful day. Day Four – Included journey along the Amalfi Drive One of the most scenic coastal roads in Europe forms the backdrop for today’s included excursion, as fantastically shaped rocks plunge vertically into the sea and dizzy bridges span deep gorges, while in contrast, the gently-contoured hillsides are covered in vines, fruit and olive trees. Take in the view above the town of Positano, with its Moorishstyle pink and white houses, and enjoy a visit to beautiful Amalfi, a thriving holiday resort with houses rising up the hillsides and a main square dominated by the beautiful cathedral. Your final visit will be to Ravello, with its alleys, stairways and roofed passages clinging to the mountainside, and from which vantage points the views are spectacular. Day Five – At leisure or optional countryside tour through Campania Rest and relax in Sorrento, or join today’s optional excursion, which will journey into the countryside of Campania, and will include a fascinating insight into some of the traditions and cuisine of the region. Begin with a walking tour of Sorrento’s oldest quarters, and visit a local wine cellar, an ancient olive press and a working mozzarella farm, where the famed buffalo ‘cheese’ is still hand-made. There will be opportunities to taste and purchase the regional produce, and your day will also include a scenic drive through some of the Sorrentine peninsula’s smaller towns, where spectacular views of the Due Golfi – Naples and Salerno – add to the enjoyment of the day. Day Six – Included excursion to Capri Today will prove one of the highlights of the holiday, as you embark on the 20-minute jet foil crossing from Sorrento across the Bay of Naples to the wonderful Isle of Capri, one of the Mediterranean’s treasures and a famous hideaway of poets and artists. On arrival, a mini-bus will take you to the picturesque village of Anacapri on the slopes of Mount Solaro. There will also be time for those who wish to take a chair lift ride to the summit of Solaro (payable locally). You’ll continue to the island’s main town to visit the Augustus Gardens, overlooking the Canzone del Mare, former home to the legendary Gracie Fields. Day Seven – Day at leisure Spend a last day enjoying the surroundings of the hotel, Sorrento and all its charms. Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Bid farewelll to your wonderful hosts today as you transfer to the airport for the return flight, at the end of a marvellous southern Italian holiday.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel delle Palme, Sant’ Agata HHH Half-Board Price from £899 This family-run hotel is ideally situated close to the centre of Sant’ Agata. There is a regular bus service that operates throughout the day to the centre of Sorrento from close to the hotel. A small selection of shops and bars are close by. There is an outdoor pool, restaurant and bar.
Hotel Girasole, Sorrento/Sant’ Agnello HHH Half-Board Price from £915 This delightful hotel with a stunning garden and pool, a bar, lounge and restaurant, is situated one mile from the centre of Sorrento. Tastefully furnished airconditioned rooms have a hairdryer, TV, telephone and balcony. Rooms with a garden view are available for a supplement.
Hotel Eliseo Park, Sorrento/Sant’ Agnello HHHH Half-Board Price from £976 This hotel is situated very close to the centre of Sant’ Agnello and only five minutes away from the sea. There are shops and restaurants close by and the centre of Sorrento is a 10-minute walk away. Well-appointed rooms have a hairdryer, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and satellite TV and balcony. There is an outdoor pool, restaurant, lounge and bar.
Hotel Caravel, Sorrento/Sant’ Agnello HHHH Half-Board Price from £998 Set in a charming district of Sorrento, this hotel is approximately half a mile rom the resort centre and close to the lift to Marinella Beach. Amenities include an outdoor pool and sun terrace, piano bar and roof-top terrace. All rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar and a safe. Rooms with a balcony are available for a supplement.
Hotel Carlton, Sorrento Bed & Breakfast
HHHH Price from £998
The hotel has a colourful garden, a pool, sun terrace, breakfast room, snack bar and a bar. Although the hotel does not serve evening meals, there are cafés and restaurants nearby. Rooms offer air conditioning, TV, telephone and a balcony. Rooms with a sea view are available for a supplement.
Hotel Michelangelo, Sorrento HHHH Half-Board Price from £1,345 The four-star Hotel Michelangelo is set in the centre of Sorrento and looks out over the Gulf of Naples and the nearby Sorrento Harbour. Rooms are stylish, with wooden furniture and tiled floors, together with air conditioning, TV and mini-bar. Amenities at the hotel include a lovely outdoor swimming pool and a traditional Neapolitan restaurant.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
55
Puglia & the South – Undiscovered Italy
Enjoy rest and relaxation on the Adriatic shore and take in the oftenoverlooked delights of Italy’s sun-kissed southern ‘high heel’.
8–day escorted holiday from £995
Trulli Houses, Alberobello
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
Full of included highlights, this hugely enjoyable holiday, based
• Spend seven nights beside the blue Adriatic Sea • Enjoy some relaxed days at leisure at the comfortable hotel • Witness hilltop Ostuni’s white walls gleaming in the Italian sun • See Alberobello’s traditional, conical trulli houses • Explore Baroque treasure-chest Lecce • Discover the UNESCO-listed wonders of Matera’s sassi cave dwellings • Take the chance to visit the fascinating Castellana Caves and historic, circular Locorontodo on an optional excursion • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel del Levante, Torre Canne • Return flights to Bari • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
on the shores of the Adriatic, lifts the veil on a fascinating region of Italy. Discover ancient, whitewashed, stunning hill-town Ostuni, Alberobello and its conical trulli houses, and visit the extraordinary caves at Matera. A visit to Baroque gem Lecce – the ‘Rome of the South’ – and the opportunity, on an optional excursion, to discover Castellana’s famous cave network, wine-producing Locorotondo and elegant Martina Franca complete a wonderful stay.
Day One – Fly to Italy Fly to Bari, meet your tour manager and transfer to the beachside hotel in Torre Canne, settling in to your comfortable surroundings and depending on your flight time, perhaps enjoying a refreshing drink on the terrace before dinner this evening. Day Two – Day at leisure Today is free to rest and relax in the hotel and its surroundings. Make the most of the water’s edge location, perhaps take a dip in the pool, pay a visit to the hotel’s fitness centre or simply curl up with a book on a terrace or in a lounge. The energetic might rent a bicycle from the hotel, or stroll into the nearby fishing port and small resort of Torre Canne, with its tiny harbour and working lighthouse.
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £995 • Liverpool £995 • Stansted £995
Personalise your holiday • Castellano Grotto & Locorotondo Day Seven – from £67
Italy
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £322
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
56
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Naples
Day Three – Included Apulia tour The first of the included excursions is a perfect introduction to the unique region of Apulia, or Puglia, beginning with a visit to the stunning hill-town of Ostuni, one of southern Italy’s most sparkling jewels, with its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets set on three hills. Perfect for Bari wandering, the town’s maze of alleyways Torre Canne opens out over some spectacular views, Alberobello Ostuni while the old town’s beautiful squares Matera offer several bars and cafés, from which to Lecce watch the world go by. Leaving Ostuni, travel back across a vine and olive-covered landscape, dotted with conical trulli houses, to Alberobello. Here, hundreds of these whitewashed, tapered, grey-roofed buildings cluster together to create one of Italy’s most arresting sights.
Ostuni
Hotel del Levante
Return to Torre Canne for dinner, at the end of a fascinating day. Day Four – Included Lecce city tour The Baroque treasure-chest of Lecce, with its Roman remains, is one of Southern Italy’s most appealing cities. Today’s included tour will include the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of this historic trading centre, where elegant buildings, ornate churches and marbled courtyards reflect the town’s past importance. Explore the old town, which surrounds the ruins of a great Roman amphitheatre, before returning to Torre Canne in time for dinner.
Your Hotel
Day Five – Day at leisure Today is another in which to rest and relax at the hotel, perhaps enjoying a dip in the pool or the sea, or catching some sun in the hotel’s gardens. Day Six – Included Matera cave tour Perhaps saving the best of the included excursions till last, today sees you head into the neighbouring province of Basilicata, to the enthralling town of Matera, a cultured oasis in the sparsely populated landscape, and famed for its extraordinary sassi. This maze of ancient troglodyte cave-dwellings was inhabited as recently as 40 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Arriving in time for lunch (payable locally), you’ll have the opportunity to discover the history of this fascinating place, with its chiese rupestri – churches hewn from the rocks – and wander through Matera’s ancient streets and colourful piazze. After a fascinating day you’ll head back into Puglia and return to the shores of the blue Adriatic.
Hotel del Levante, Torre Canne HHHH Half-Board Just steps from the blue Adriatic, and with its own beach in addition to pools and ample sun terraces, this hotel is a perfect base to which to return at the end of a day’s touring, with a full range of comforts and amenities. Comfortable, air-conditioned rooms offer free Wi-Fi, TV, telephone and hairdryer, and in addition to the outdoor facilities, there is a restaurant, bar and comfortable lounge. Rooms with balcony and rooms with balcony and sea view are available for a supplement.
Day Seven – At leisure, or optional tour of Castellana, Locorotondo and Martina Franca A final day brings the opportunity to rest and relax at the hotel or in Torre Canne, or to join an optional excursion, which will head back into the Apulian countryside, to first pay a visit to the extraordinary caves at Castellana, an underground network of towering stalagmites and stalactites and vast, cool caverns formed over the centuries. Wrap up warm in the cool temperatures before emerging to enjoy a visit to the majestic, whitewashed, circular hill-town of Locorotondo, with its surrounding vineyards famed for their crisp white wines. A visit is made to a local cellar for the opportunity to taste the local production, as well as some regional specialities, before an enjoyable day is completed with a short call in the historic town of Martina Franca, where an enthralling Baroque heart is hidden behind the modern buildings of the new town. Return to Torre Canne for a last evening at the hotel. Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Say goodbye to your Apulian hosts, and re-board the coach for the transfer back to Bari Airport and the return flight to the UK, at the end of a holiday in a truly magical corner of Italy.
Locorotondo
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
57
Calabria – Italy’s Southern Jewel Discover mainland Italy’s fascinating southernmost reaches, exploring the glorious Coast of the Gods, set between two seas of deepest blue.
8-day escorted holiday from £899
Scilla, Calabria
Santa Maria dell’Isola Church, Tropea
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend seven nights on the shores of the blue Tyrrhenian Sea • Discover exquisite, cliff-top Tropea, its dazzling beaches and island church • Wander down to the water’s edge in delightful Chianalea di Scilla • Visit former Ancient Greek settlement Reggio di Calabria, with its views of distant Etna • Explore pretty, fortified Gerace and Locri’s ancient ruins • Visit historic, riverside Cosenza in its mountain setting • Take the chance to cross to the off-shore Aeolian Isles on an optional excursion • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Santa Lucia, Parghelia, Tropea • Return flights to Lamezia Terme • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep 2021, May, Jun & Sep 2022
Fly direct from. Prices from • Stansted £899
Personalise your holiday • Aeolian Island Tour (full day) – £70
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £224
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
58
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Based above the blue Tyrrhenian Sea, a stone’s throw from cliff-
top Tropea, this very special holiday includes three wonderful excursions, lifting the veil on Italy’s southernmost region. Step back in time as you explore some truly unspoiled, exquisite towns and shore-side villages, and as well as savouring the chance to swim in warm waters, or cross them on an optional day-trip to the stunning Aeolian Isles. In your comfortable hotel base, enjoy the pleasures of the pool, or take the shuttle bus to the nearby private beach, or to Tropea. Fringed at its foot by golden sands and blue waters, the colourful settlement boasts a delightful old town of narrow streets, a glorious Norman cathedral and a café-lined main thoroughfare leading down to a viewpoint overlooking the azure sea. A rocky outcrop is crowned by the beautiful Santa Maria dell’Isola church and monastery, while along the idyllic strand dedicated sun-worshippers enjoy their earthly pleasures. Tropea is a perfect place in which to rest and relax, and in the early evening to take part in the traditional passeggiata centred on colourful Piazza Ercole. The guided tours are a perfect introduction to unspoiled Calabria, including the Costa degli Dei, the Coast of the Gods, ancient Scilla, set beneath imposing Castello Ruffo, and exquisite, tumbledown fishing village Chianalea di Scilla. Discover too provincial capital Reggio di Calabria, with its views across the Straits of Messina to Sicily and distant Etna, former Greek stronghold Gerace and the nearby ruins of Locri Epizefiri, and head inland to fascinating Cosenza, with its grand piazzas and labyrinthine old town. The optional day in the volcanic Aeolian Isles completes a wonderful holiday.
Your Hotel
Hotel Santa Lucia, Parghelia, Tropea Half-board
HHHH
Beautifully set above the Tyrrhenian Sea just 2 miles north of Tropea, and boasting a superb outdoor pool, terrace and tennis courts, as well as a private beach area (payable locally), restaurant and bar, this comfortable hotel also offers a regular shuttle service to the beach and into Tropea. Modern rooms offer patio or balcony, flat-screen TV, safe, hairdryer and telephone, and there is free Wi-Fi in public areas. Rooms with a sea view are available for a supplement.
Sicily, Summer Sun in Cefalu Italy’s sun-kissed southern island offers an intoxicating taste of Europe, tinged with North African spice.
8-day resort-based holiday from £779
Cefalù
Cefalù
Holiday Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy the choice of a range of four optional excursions to Palermo and Monreale, Agrigento, the Aeolian Isles and the Madonie Natural Park • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Artemis, Cefalù (alternative hotel available for a supplement) • Return flights to Palermo • Airport transfers • An experienced holiday manager in resort
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £779 • Liverpool £779 • Luton £779 • Stansted £779
Personalise your holiday • Palermo & Monreale (half day) – from £47 • Agrigento (full day) – from £54 • Aeolian Islands (full day) – from £84 • Madonie Natural Park (full day) – from £30
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £217
Though separated from the European mainland by the narrowest of
channels – space travellers would be forgiven for thinking that Italy’s stiletto-wearing foot was attached to the flattened football at its toe – Sicily is very different from its nearest neighbour, with a new surprise at every step. Stay in, or close to, the thoroughly Sicilian coastal town of Cefalù, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Set beneath the craggy heights of La Rocca and fringed by a sandy beach, Cefalù offers a wealth of history and character to savour and enjoy, a good selection of shops, many offering handcrafted Sicilian wares, and a wide number of restaurants, cafés and trattorie. Dependent upon your hotel choice, days can either be spent exploring delightful Cefalù or enjoying the facilities at the beach hotel, with opportunities to indulge in all the pleasures of a holiday in the sun, and to delve into the island’s rich history on some fascinating optional excursions. In Cefalù, keen walkers will head to La Rocca, or even hike into the Madonie Hills. At the beach hotel there are tennis courts, mini-golf and the pools, as well as ‘keep-fit’ classes for the energetic to enjoy, while for all, the simple pleasures of a sun lounger, a stroll along the beach front, or a seat in a café are yours to savour, under the reliable warmth of the Sicilian sun. Don’t miss Cefalù’s striking cathedral, with its Byzantine mosaics, overlooking bustling Piazza Duomo, the town’s beating heart and resting place after shopping or sightseeing. Beyond, the colourful island capital Palermo, Monreale’s vast monastery, Agrigento’s stunning ruins, the idyllic Aeolian Isles, and the rugged Madonie Natural Reserve, with its hill towns, can all be explored on optional excursions.
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Artemis, Cefalù Bed & Breakfast
HHHH Price from £779
stone’s throw from the beach and close to the A town centre, this modern hotel with a restaurant and roof‑top sun desk, is housed in a former convent.
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
Acacia Resort Hotel, Cefalù Half-Board
HHHH Price from £899
ome ten miles west of Cefalù, at the entrance to S the Madonie National park, this is a stylish holiday hideaway, with a host of amenities and attractions.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
59
Etna, Taormina & Classic Sicily Take a two-centre holiday that lifts the veil on Italy’s southern island outpost, its treasures and its stunning natural wonders.
8-day escorted holiday from £999
Santa Flavia
Taormina & Mount Etna
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend three nights in the foothills of Mount Etna • Discover Europe’s most celebrated active volcano • Enjoy hill-top Taormina, one of the Mediterranean’s most sparkling treasures • Visit Syracuse, one of Ancient Greece’s most important cities • Spend a day exploring the beautiful Aeolian Islands • Spend four nights in the coastal town of Santa Flavia • Discover and explore Sicily’s colourful capital Palermo • The monastery at Monreale is one of Italy’s greatest glories • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Orrizonte, Acireale and the four-star Hotel Domina Zagarella, Santa Flavia • Return flights to Catania or Palermo • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Combine a three-night stay beneath the towering cone of snow-
capped Etna, with a four-night beachside stay close to Sicily’s historic capital Palermo. The holiday includes visits to Etna’s lava-strewn slopes and nearby hilltop Taormina, a memorable day amongst the offshore Aeolian isles and the chance to experience colourful Palermo. A visit to Archimedes’ ancient Syracuse and an opportunity, on an optional excursion, to visit Segesta’s remarkable Doric Temple and mountaintop Erice, complete your enjoyment. From your first hotel base in Acireale, explore Taormina’s marbled streets and famous Greco-Roman theatre, where modern day performances compete with views of distant Etna and the sea for your attention. You’ll also take in the once impregnable city of Syracuse, with its great temples, old town and great cathedral, before heading west towards the capital, pausing to spend a day on the sun-kissed volcanic Aeolian Isles. Your second base, in coastal Santa Flavia, provides opportunities to explore Palermo, visit Segesta on an optional excursion, and the chance to rest and relax by the beach and pool.
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £999 • Luton £999 • Manchester £999
Personalise your holiday • Segesta (full day) – from £41
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £245
Your Hotels
Hotel Orrizonte, Acireale Half-Board
HHHH nights 1-3
Set amongst gardens and shaded by tall palms, this hotel, at the foot of Mount Etna, offers views of the volcano and the coastline. All air-conditioned rooms offer Wi-Fi, TV, safe, mini-bar and a hairdryer, and, in addition to an outdoor pool, the hotel boasts a restaurant, a pool bar, lounge and bar.
Hotel Domina Zagarella, Santa Flavia HHHH Half-Board nights 4-7 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes from Catania and three hours from Palermo. On departure the transfer time is approximately two hours to Catania and 30 minutes to Palermo. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
60
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Some 15 miles from Palermo, set high above a blue bay and overlooking typically Sicilian coastal town Santa Flavia, this modern hotel offers outdoor pools and terraces, a tennis court, gym, two restaurants, bars and a private beach. Bright, modern rooms offer a TV, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer and a balcony.
Sicily – Palermo, Agrigento & the Aeolian Islands Combine the relaxed pleasures of a beach holiday with exploration of Italy’s fascinating, sun-kissed southern island outpost.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,049
Ruins of Castor and Pollox, Agrigento
Cefalú
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend seven nights in a wonderful beachside resort hotel • Explore historic Palermo’s Quattro Canti • Monreale’s monastery is one of Italy’s greatest glories • Step into the ancient past at Agrigento • Medieval Piazza Armerina sits in wooded hills • Spend a day in the off-shore Aeolian Isles • Enjoy free days of rest and relaxation • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Acacia Resort Hotel, near Cefalù • Return flights to Palermo • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £1,049 • Liverpool £1,049 • Luton £1,049 • Stansted £1,049
Personalise your holiday
To holiday in Sicily might be to journey to the sun, to bathe in some
of the Mediterranean’s warmest waters and enjoy some of its best food and wine. Equally, however, it may be to take a passage through time, as you explore a land that was once the centre of the Ancient Greek world, and was temporarily ruled by Roman, Carthaginian, Norman and Spanish conquerors, all of whom have left their marks. On this wonderful escorted tour, in addition to joining some memorable excursions, you’ll have the opportunity to rest and relax in the hotel beside the Tyrrhenian Sea, and chances to venture into nearby Cefalù, the colourful resort town dominated by a mighty cathedral and the craggy outcrop of La Rocca, and fringed by a long, sandy beach. See the cathedral’s Byzantine mosaics, wander the surrounding maze of medieval cobbled streets, perhaps climb to the Temple of Diana, on the slopes of La Rocca, then reward yourself with lunch or an ice cream in one of Piazza Duomo’s many restaurants and cafés. On the included excursions, you’ll take in vibrant Sicilian capital Palermo, with its four colourful historic quarters (the Quattro Canti), and will explore nearby Monreale’s great Benedictine monastery and Norman cathedral, with its extraordinary mosaics. You’ll also journey further back in time to ancient Agrigento, with its temples, and to Casale’s Roman villa, and will enjoy a memorable day amongst the volcanic Aeolian Isles, cruising across blue waters from Milazzo.
• Madonie Natural Park & Castelbuono (full day) – £30
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £217
Your Hotel
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
Acacia Resort Hotel, Cefalù Half-Board
HHHH
Some 10 miles west of Cefalù, this stylish, modern hotel complex boasts beautifully landscaped grounds leading down to a private stretch of beach. The wide range of amenities, including a new roof-top spa and vast outdoor pool, offers you opportunities to rest and relax at your leisure or to join in with activities as you wish. Air-conditioned rooms boast a TV, hairdryer and telephone, as well as a terrace or balcony.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
61
Sardinia & Corsica Two of the Mediterranean’s most captivating islands, one Italian, one French, both blessed with blue skies, warm waters and natural beauty.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,349
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend three nights in Sardinian Olbia • Tour the glitzy ‘playground paradise’ of the sparkling Costa Smeralda • Discover ancient Alghero and its offshore ‘sleeping giant’ Capo Caccia • Cross by ferry from Sardinia to Corsica • Discover Corsica’s exquisite hilltop Bonifacio • Enjoy four nights in Napoleon’s birthplace Ajaccio • A guided tour brings Ajaccio to life • See the amazing rock formations of the Calanches de Piana • Visit idyllic sea-side Porto • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Martini in Olbia and the three-star Castel Vecchio Hotel in Ajaccio. • Dinner on nights one and four • Return ferry crossings • Return flights to Olbia • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Bonifacio port
Join us on a wonderful two-centre holiday that combines a
three-night stay close to Sardinia’s famed Costa Smeralda, one of Europe’s most celebrated watering holes, with four nights in rugged Corsica, birthplace of the Emperor Napoleon and home to one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating and diverse landscapes. With some delightful included excursions, and plenty of time in which to rest and relax, this is a perfect way to discover two island paradises in one.
Day One – Fly to Olbia Upon arrival in Sardinia’s northeast corner, meet your tour manager and make the short transfer by coach to the hotel. Day Two – Included excursion to the Costa Smeralda After a relaxed breakfast, board the coach for a leisurely introduction to the sun-kissed playground of the Costa Smeralda, a 12-mile stretch of reclaimed and tastefully developed coastline that over the last 50 years has grown to become one of the world’s most celebrated holiday playgrounds and haven to the Mediterranean’s sailing and private motor yacht community. Idyllic hidden coves, stunning beaches fringed by azure waters and backed by fragrant, herb-filled scrubland, tiny offshore islets and the ultra-chic ‘capital’ Porto Cervo, whose church and shopping arcade were both designed by the same architect, all contribute to Bonifacio the allure of this unique location. .
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May to Jul, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £1,349 • Gatwick £1,349 • Luton £1,3499 • Manchester £1,349
Co
Personalise your holiday
Alghero
Corsica Piana
Ajaccio Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel on arrival is approximately 15 minutes. On departure, the transfer time from your hotel to the airport will take approximately five hours including the ferry crossing from Corsica to Sardinia.
62
Porticcio
Bonifacio Maps not to scale
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Olbia
Capo Caccia
Sardinia Cagliari
ralda
Italy
Gu Po lf o rto f
France
Sme
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £315
sta
• Calanques Boat Cruise Day Six – £38
Day Three – Included visit to Alghero Today’s excursion sees you travel to historic Alghero, the principal town of Sardinia’s north, and a thriving fishing port since earliest times. The Old Quarter, with its 16th-century cathedral and its narrow, cobbled streets, is surrounded by
Porto Cervo
Calanches of Piana, Gulf of Porto
Statue of Napoléon Bonaparte in Ajaccio
stout battlements linking seven defensive towers. This being Italy, delicious ice cream can be sampled at any number of gelatarie. The long, sweeping promenade stretches away past magnificent beaches, and looks out across the blue waters to distant Capo Caccia, a rocky promontory that in silhouette looks for all the world like a sleeping giant. After a marvellous day you’ll return to Olbia for a last evening in the hotel.
Your Hotels
Day Four – Ferry to Bonifacio and onward travel to Ajaccio Today sees you bid farewell to your Sardinian hosts, to journey to the port at Santa Teresa di Gallura for the sailing across to Corsica, which looms large on the northern horizon. Corsican landfall is made at the exquisite natural harbour and stunning fortified town of Bonifacio, set high upon wind- and wave-weathered cliffs, and one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular locations. The tourist train will take you up to the famous haute ville to take in the stunning views. Perhaps enjoy a drink in one of the cafés that line the quayside, then re-board the coach for the onward journey north through some stunning scenery to your hotel in Ajaccio for the next four nights. Day Five – Included guided tour of Ajaccio A half-day guided excursion introduces island capital Ajaccio, birthplace in 1769 of Napoléon Bonaparte. Set on a stunning, sweeping bay, Ajaccio would be a fascinating place even without its associations with the Little Emperor, with its ancient old town, its countless restaurants and cafés and its towering citadelle, which surveys the colourful vista. After the tour, spend more time in exploration and discovery, or return to the hotel to enjoy rest and relaxation by the pool Day Six – Included west coast tour and optional cruise A last enjoyable included excursion sees you head to the scenic nature reserve overlooking the blue Gulf of Porto, where the fantastical, UNESCO-listed Calanches are a collection of towering, oddly shaped and eroded, pink granite rock formations, carved by nature over millennia into the shapes of animals and other figures. The road winds through the reserve from sleepy Piana, with its pink houses and spectacular views, then on down to exquisite Porto, a famous resort town with its tiny harbour and pebbly beach overlooked by an ancient watchtower. Spend some time enjoying the surroundings, then re-board the coach for the return journey to Ajaccio, or more likely join the optional 90-minute return boat cruise to Calanques, a beautiful journey that will afford the best views of the towering Calanches from the water.
Hotel Martini, Olbia, Sardinia Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 1-3 Close to the centre of historic Olbia, overlooking the waters of the harbour and the shore-side park, this comfortable hotel offers bright, comfortable rooms with a TV balcony or patio and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is minutes away from the stunning Costa Smeralda beaches, and also offers a restaurant, bar/lounge and sun terrace.
Castel Vecchio, Ajaccio, Corsica Bed & Breakfast
HHH nights 4-7
Overlooking the blue waters of Ajaccio’s pretty, smaller harbour and set in the heart of the town within walking distance of its shops and attractions, the Castel Vecchio, a comfortable base for your stay, boasts an outdoor pool and terrace, bar and dining room. The majority of the air-conditioned rooms offer balcony and harbour view, as well as bath or shower and TV. There is free Wi-Fi in all public areas, and in addition to the hotel’s own, there are many bars in the local area.
Day Seven – Relax in Ajaccio Spend a last free day enjoying all the pleasures of Ajaccio. The energetic might hire a bicycle from the hotel, while others explore more of Ajaccio’s delights. The choices – and the pleasures – are yours. Day Eight – Flight back to the UK Bid farewell to your hosts as you make the early scenic transfer back to Bonifacio, take the ferry back to Santa Teresa di Gallura and head back to Olbia for the return flight, at the end of a truly wonderful two-island holiday.
Port de Plaisance of Bonifacio, Corsica
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
63
Helsinki, Tallinn & Riga Experience the clear air, designer cool, vibrant café cultures and picture‑book charms of three Baltic gems and their scenic surroundings.
8-day escorted holiday from £939
Helsinki © Julia Kivelä
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Two nights in Finland’s delightful capital • Discover vibrant Helsinki on a guided tour and soak up the atmosphere and designer cool of the Finnish gem • Cross the Baltic Sea to Estonia’s picture-book Tallinn for a two-night stay • Enjoy a guided tour of Tallinn’s restored Old Town • Relax and enjoy the Estonian capital’s vibrant café life • Journey via Baltic resort Parnü to Riga, for a guided tour • Seven nights’ carefully chosen four-star bed and breakfast accommodation at the Scandic Grand Marina Hotel, Helsinki, Park Inn by Radisson Marton, Tallink Hotel, Riga • Outbound flight to Helsinki, returning from Riga • Ferry crossing from Helsinki to Tallinn • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Aberdeen* £1,109 • Birmingham* £1,019 • Bristol* £1,019 • Cardiff* £1,039 • Edinburgh* £1,059 • Gatwick £939 • Glasgow* £1,059 • Heathrow* £1,059 • Humberside* £1,039 • Leeds/Bradford* £1,019 • Manchester £979 • Teesside* £1,039
Personalise your holiday • Porvoo (half day) – from £39 • Maarjamäe Palace (half day) – from £41 • Ethnographic Open-Air Museum (half day) – from £23
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £224
Tallinn
Join us in a trio of glorious Baltic capitals, each contrasting
effervescent modernity with wonderfully preserved history, and each offering the delights of outdoor living, some of Europe’s cutting-edge cuisine and some memorable sights. Wander through compact, maritime Helsinki and after an enjoyable crossing to Estonia, discover Tallinn’s engaging charms, before heading south along the pristine coast, to complete a wonderful Baltic journey in Latvia’s colourful, cosmopolitan capital Riga. In each exciting capital, you’ll enjoy fascinating guided tours conducted by experts, who will bring to life this fascinating corner of the world, including Helsinki’s Neoclassical buildings and trendy Kallio district, Tallinn’s Toompea Castle and onion-domed cathedral, and Riga’s UNESCO-listed Quiet Zone and ultra-modern developments.
Your Hotels
Scandic Grand Marina Hotel, Helsinki Bed & Breakfast
Set on the waterfront, opposite the famous Market Hall and within walking distance of the city’s attractions, this stylish hotel, built in an old warehouse, offers a chic lobby area with a restaurant and trendy bar, a small shop, sauna, bikes for loan, and modern air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi, hairdryer, TV and safe.
Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Hotel & Spa, Tallinn Bed & Breakfast
Flights from Gatwick and Manchester are direct. *All other flights are via Amsterdam. Y ou will be required to change aircraft en-route, where there will be a short wait for your next flight. Your luggage will be thru-checked to your final destination.
64
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
HHHH nights 3-4
Conveniently located near the Old Town, this four-star hotel boasts bright, airy rooms, decorated in vibrant colours. All rooms feature modern amenities, including TV and tea/coffee-making facilities. .
Tallink Hotel, Riga Bed & Breakfast Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.
HHHH nights 1-2
HHHH nights 5-7
This modern hotel boasts an exceptional location, with Riga’s historic Old Town and the Latvian National Opera just over 500 yards away. Rooms are spacious and contemporary in style, featuring TV, mini-bar and large windows. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant and a Finnish sauna and hot tub.
Tromsø – Northern Lights & Arctic Adventure Break Discover pristine, captivating northern Norway and search for the magical Aurora from one of the best places to witness their glory.
4-day experience break from £815
Husky Safari
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend three nights in Tromsø, ’Gateway to the Arctic’ • Experience the wonders of the Arctic winter • Go in search of the Northern Lights on an included excursion to an Aurora Base Station • Visit Tromsø’s Polar Museum, and waterside Polaria complex • The futuristic Arctic Cathedral, cutting-edge Kunstforening gallery and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum modern art collection are amongst the city’s best-known attractions • Beer-lovers can visit ‘the world’s northernmost brewery’ • Enjoy Tromsø’s colourful bars, restaurants and cafés • Choose from an exciting range of optional excursions, which include husky dog-sledding, snowmobiling, a coastal Fjord and Wildlife Cruise, and the chance to meet the indigenous, Sami people • Three nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Thon Hotel, Tromsø • Return flights to Tromsø • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Representation in resort
Tromsø
Northern Lights, Tromsø
Journey 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, to northern Norway’s
compact, colourful Tromsø. Crowned by its towering cathedral, and home to welcoming bars and restaurants that warm the winter days, vibrant Tromsø is also gateway to the vast, pristine wilderness that lies beyond. Discover the city and its surroundings, and go in search of the celestial wonder of the Northern Lights, a phenomenon that often completes the delight of a visit to this fascinating corner of Europe. Explore the delights of Tromsø, where the quayside market, famous Polar Museum, paying tribute to Arctic pioneers, stunning Arctic Cathedral, Nordnorsk art museum, waterside Polaria exhibition and the Ludwig Mack Brewery are amongst the highlights. Join the included excursion to an Aurora Base Station, for the best chance of glimpsing the extraordinary celestial phenomenon that flickers in the northern skies, and perhaps take the cable car to the summit of Mount Storsteinen for unsurpassed views. A choice of wonderful optional tours, including husky and snowmobile safaris and coastal cruises, are available, adding to the excitement and enjoyment of your visit to this remarkable winter wonderland.
Available Mar 2021, Feb, Mar 2022 & Mar 2023
Fly direct from • Gatwick £815
Personalise your holiday • Snowmobile Safari (approx 7 hours) – £175 • Husky Sleigh Safari* (approx 5 hours) – £175 • Fjord and Wildlife Cruise (approx 3–4 hours) – £104 • Sami Reindeer Experience (approx 4 hours) – £135
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £153 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes. The above timings include travel to and from the excursion. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore we can not guarantee that you will be able to view them during your visit. The order of the itinerary may change in order to give you the best chance of experiencing the Northern Lights.
Your Hotel
Thon Hotel, Tromsø Bed & Breakfast
HHH
Located in central Tromsø, near the main shopping street, this modern, comfortable hotel offers accommodation in bright and stylish rooms, with lively decor, TV and mini-bar. Complimentary WiFi is included throughout the hotel and the Polar Museum is 800 yards away. The hotel also features a contemporary breakfast room.
*This excursion requires a moderate level of physical fitness as you must be able to push a sleigh uphill with no assistance.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
65
The Beautiful Fjords of Western Norway This journey to one of the world’s most delightful destinations is less a holiday and more a souvenir to be treasured for life.
Kviknes Hotel
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a stay in a wonderful fjord-side hotel • Be treated as honoured guests by the welcoming villagers • Journey by express boat from your hotel through breathtaking scenery to ‘Fjordland Capital’ Bergen • Take the fascinating ‘Fjord-Life’ tour • Explore further the pristine interior on unforgettable optional excursions • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand on Sognefjord • Return flights to Bergen • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Aug to Oct 2021, Apr to Jun & Aug to Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Aberdeen £1,229 • Birmingham £1,229 • Bristol £1,229 • Cardiff £1,229 • Edinburgh £1,229 • Gatwick* £949 • Glasgow £1,229 • Humberside £1,229 • Inverness £1,229 • Leeds/ Bradford £1,229 • London City £1,229 • Manchester £1,229 • Newcastle £1,229 • Norwich £1,229 • Teesside £1,229 • Jostedal Glacier (half day) Day Four – from £71 • Norway in a Nutshell (full day) Day Five – from £199
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £385
Experience a hugely popular holiday that is a marvellous
introduction to one of the world’s most beautiful locations, which for centuries has drawn visitors to its unique landscape of sheer mountainsides plunging into the deep, dark waters. Beyond, its unspoiled hinterland of forests, lakes and pristine glaciers is towered over by soaring peaks, the refuges of sea eagle and reindeer. Few places in the world match the spectacle of this breathtaking corner, which charms and captivates at every step.
Day One – Fly to Norway Upon arrival in Bergen, meet your tour manager and make the memorably scenic transfer by coach to the idyllic village of Balestrand, on the shores of mighty Sognefjord, and to the warm and welcoming Kviknes Hotel.
Available
Personalise your holiday
ettle in to your room and acquaint yourself with your beautiful S surroundings, before enjoying your first evening in the hotel.
Day Two – At leisure in Balestrand Today is free to get to know Balestrand and its welcoming inhabitants, all of whom are keen to act as hosts for your visit, sharing their love of their beautiful location with you. Sognefjord – at 110 miles long, one of the world’s largest and, at 4,265 feet, one of the deepest – has been welcoming guests since the late 19th century, since the first British Jostedal Glacier travellers came in search of clear Sognefjord Balestrand mountain air and stunning scenery. Gudvangen Flåm The village, with its few shops, café, Bergen bank, historic wooden English church and neat, white-painted cottages and stylish artists’ villas, is surrounded by orchards. In springtime the valleys are be-decked with blossom, while winter still reigns in the mountains. In the autumn, new snow adorns the peaks, while summer lingers by the fjord, and
Norway
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately four hours. *Flights from Gatwick are direct. All other flights are via Amsterdam.
66
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
8-day escorted holiday from £949
Sweden
Bergen
Sognefjord
Øyvind Heen - Visitnorway.com
the forests beyond the fjord-side are ablaze with vibrant colour. Whenever you visit Balestrand, the beauty of the natural setting will live long in the memory, as will the warmth of the welcome you receive virtually everywhere you go.
Your Hotel
Day Three – Included Bergen cruise excursion The first of the included excursions is an unforgettable day trip, by express boat through the stunning scenery of Western Norway, to historic Bergen, the former Hanseatic trading port that is known as the gateway to the fjords. Join us to explore this city of narrow cobbled streets and medieval houses, with its vibrant harbour area with an open-air Fish Market. Former residence of medieval kings and queens and seat of a university, Bergen was also the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, one of Norway’s most famous sons. Don’t miss the chance to stroll through the ancient Bryggen area with its beautifully preserved wooden warehouses, nor the opportunity to view the city from above, by taking the quaint Fløibanen funicular railway to the summit of ‘Mount’ Fløyen. You’ll return to Balestrand in time for dinner. Day Four – At leisure or optional Jostedal Glacier excursion Rest and relax in your idyllic surroundings, or join today’s optional tour, to the breathtaking Jostedal Glacier. This formerly impenetrable east-west barrier – mainland Europe’s largest ice-flow – is a mesmerising natural wonder dominating the northern hinterland of the fjords. A visit here is a must, as much for the sight of the glacier itself as for the informative Norwegian Glacier Museum with its fascinating exhibits. Day Five – At leisure or optional ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ excursion Enjoy another day in your beautiful surroundings, or take the famous tour, that is one of the world’s most scenic journeys, by coach, boat and train, across the most stunning parts of the region. The day includes the unforgettable experience of the world famous Flåmsbana branch line train ride from Myrdal to Flåm – a truly remarkable 50-minute, 12-mile descent of 2,952 feet down the steepsided valley – and a two-hour cruise through spectacular Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord to the tiny port of Gudvangen.
Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand Half-Board
HHHH The Kviknes Hotel, which once welcomed the Kaiser and his entourage, is a magnificent, fjord-side, Swissstyle, wooden building, with a modern addition, both set against a breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The hotel has fine public areas, including a spacious restaurant overlooking the fjord, large and comfortable lounges and a stylish bar – echoes of a bygone era! We offer a choice of three room types at Kviknes Hotel.
Choose the ‘Standard’ Room and you will be allocated a room by the hotelier on the ground floor in the modern building. For a supplement, stay in a room on a ‘Higher Floor’ with a balcony, or in a room with a balcony and truly spectacular ‘Fjord View’, both in the modern bedroom addition, which is connected to the reception area of the main building via a lift. All rooms have satellite TV and telephone.
Day Six – Included ‘Fjord-Life’ excursion Join your guide for a day spent exploring beautiful Sognefjord, including the fascinating Sognefjord Boat Museum at Kaupanger, with its fine collection of fishing and ‘ice’ boats reflecting Norway’s age-old interaction with the sea and the fjords. Day Seven – At leisure in Balestrand A final day in Balestrand is free to make the very most of the village and its surroundings, and no doubt to bid farewell to your friendly hosts, before you enjoy a final dinner in the hotel, at the end of a truly unforgettable week in one of the world’s most beautiful corners. Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Bid goodbye to Balestrand, making the scenic way back to Bergen and the return flight to the UK, armed with a treasure trove of wonderful memories.
‘Norway in a Nutshell’ excursion
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
67
Iceland – Reykjavík & the Northern Lights Discover Europe’s most surprising capital, explore the Land of Fire and Ice and search for a celestial phenomenon.
Northern Lights
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A guided tour of Reykjavík, Europe’s most northerly capital • Go in search of the Aurora Borealis – the fabled Northern Lights • The opportunity to join an excursion to view volcanoes and puffins • Four nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the Hotel Cabin, Reykjavík (upgrade hotel available for a supplement) • Return flights to Reykjavík (Keflavik) • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Enjoy a break with a difference, as you fly to the Land of Fire
and Ice to explore one of Europe’s most surprising and welcoming cities, together with its surrounding glaciated landscape of smouldering volcanoes, plunging waterfalls, bubbling thermal pools and spouting geysers. With the chance perhaps to witness the extraordinary Aurora Borealis, a sight that has captivated and bewildered generations, this is a simply irresistible few days away.
Available Nov to Dec 2021, Feb, Mar & Nov to Dec 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £699 • Heathrow £735 • Luton £669 • Manchester £735
Personalise your holiday • Blue Lagoon (half day) – from £135 • Golden Circle Tour (full day) – from £129 • Southern Shore Adventure (full day) – £139
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £176
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes. Due to extremely high demand, and in order to avoid disappointment, we strongly recommended that you pre-book your optional excursions in advance. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore we can not guarantee that you will be able to view them during your visit. The order of the itinerary may change in order to give you the best chance of experiencing the Northern Lights.
68
5-day escorted holiday from £669
Thingvellir Reykjavík Keflavik Airport
Iceland
Gullfoss Waterfall Strokkur Blue Geyser Lagoon
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Day One – Fly to Keflavik Upon arrival meet your tour manager and make the short transfer into the capital. The rest of the day is free. The fascinating city of Reykjavík, or ‘Smoky Bay’ sits on a promontory jutting into the crystal clear waters of Faxafloi Bay, and is framed by majestic Mount Ejsa. The city’s brightly painted wooden buildings stand in sharp contrast to the stunning beauty of its setting, surrounded by water, distant ice and lava fields dotted with geysers and thermal springs. With a host of restaurants, bars, cafés and shops, Reykjavík justifies its claim to be amongst Europe’s most ‘happening’ cities, despite its remote location. This evening, try any of the countless eateries in the compact centre, which range from the usual ‘fast food’ outlets to a host of restaurants serving traditional Icelandic and international cuisine. Seafood is hugely popular, and don’t miss the Icelandic lamb – said to be the best in the world. With wine notoriously expensive, beer is a refreshingly cheaper option, with the recent opening of several craft breweries adding local choice alongside the international brands. Day Two – Included Reykjavik tour and optional visit to the Blue Lagoon This morning’s included guided tour will be the ideal way to get acquainted with Reykjavík and its surroundings. Amongst the highlights will be the extraordinary ‘Pearl’, a collection of disused water tanks now crowned with a glass dome and converted into a conference centre and meeting place, and from the viewing platform of which you can look out over the city and the harbour beyond. You’ll take in the Presidential Residence in its idyllic shore-side setting at Bessastaöir, and the brightly coloured fishing town of Hafnarfjord, as well as the Houses of Parliament, the Lutheran Cathedral,
Gullfoss Falls
Reykjavík
Strokkur Geyser
the University Quarter and the towering Hallgrim’s Church, Iceland’s tallest – and most memorable – building.
Your Hotel Choices
his afternoon gives you the chance to explore Reykjavík under T your own steam, although many will want to join the optional excursion to the world-renowned ‘Blue Lagoon’ outdoor spa, whose mineral-laden waters have long been recognised for their healthgiving properties. Day Three – Optional countryside tour and included evening ‘Search for the Aurora’ Today brings the opportunity to experience ‘Iceland in a Nutshell’, on the hugely popular optional Golden Circle tour. Join our tour manager for an unforgettable day that includes visits to the extraordinary sight of Thingvellir, a great lava arena deep in the Continental Rift valley, where the world’s oldest national parliament, the Althing, was established in 930AD, and to Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest freshwater lake. You’ll also take in the active geothermal area site where the ‘original’ Geysir is now all but extinct, but where its near neighbour Strokkur spouts impressively every ten minutes or so. The fascinating tour is completed with a visit to the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, perhaps Iceland’s most beautiful natural wonder. his evening, the highlight of the break will be the included trip T out of the city in search of a sighting of the fabled Aurora Borealis, the celestial wonder caused by the interaction of solar particles with the polar atmosphere during the winter months. Truly aweinspiring, the Northern Lights, should you be lucky enough to view them, are a never-to-be-forgotten sight, and a fitting way to spend your final night.
Hotel Cabin, Reykjavík Bed & Breakfast
HH Price from £669
Set on the promenade overlooking scenic Faxafloi Bay, and a 25-minute-walk from the city centre, the Cabin is a modern, wellequipped hotel offering comfortable rooms with satellite TV, and public amenities which include a restaurant serving buffet breakfast and a lobby bar.
Hotel Klettur, Reykjavík Bed & Breakfast
HHH Price from £779 The centrally located Hotel Klettur is close to Reykjavík’s main shopping street and is also a pleasant walk to the elegant harbour and famous Hallgrímskirkja Church. The hotel offers a bar and lounge area, breakfast room and reception. The bedrooms have satellite TV, telephone, mini-fridge and tea/ coffee-making facilities.
Day Four – At leisure, or optional Southern Shore Adventure Today gives you the chance to explore Reykjavík under your own steam, although you may wish to join the Southern Shore Adventure optional excursion. Your journey into wild, rugged Iceland begins by driving over a lava plateau, descending onto the southern coastal lowlands and crossing Ölfusá, Iceland’s great river. Arrive at Eyrarbakki, a coastal village with many old wooden houses, then continue towards the Eyjafjalla and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers in Southern Iceland, to marvel at the Eyjafjallajokull volcano that famously closed down European airspace in 2010. ou continue to the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, then on to the Y ice-wall of Sólheimajökull, before reaching the village of Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland’s southernmost settlement. fter a lunch break (payable locally) you reach the volcanic black sandy A beach of Reynisfjara that is famous for its bird species, including puffins. eturn to Reykjavík to spend your last evening in the Icelandic capital, R perhaps dining out or enjoying a taste of the famous nightlife. Day Five – Fly home Transfer back to the airport for the return flight to the UK, at the end of a truly wonderful few days.
Reynisdrangar Rock Formations, Reynisfjara Beach
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
69
NEW for 2022
Icelandic Summer Make the most of the long, light days of the Icelandic summer as you enjoy an unforgettable break in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’.
7-day escorted holiday from £1,399
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend Seven fascinating days in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ • Explore welcoming Reykjavík, the world’s most northerly capital, and the dramatic Golden Circle • Enjoy a tour of Mývatn Lake, including the Goðafoss Waterfalls and nature baths • Discover Víðimýri Church, one of Iceland’s few remaining turfed churches • Learn about the famed Icelandic horse during a fascinating stable visit • Optional whale-watching tour at Hauganes and brewery tour • Six nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Skuggi Hotel, Reykjavík, and the four-star Hotel Kea, Akureyri • A three-course evening meal • Return flights to Iceland • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Goðafoss Waterfalls
Discover a dramatic land of lunar landscapes, pristine
glaciers, smouldering volcanoes and bubbling thermal pools. Your adventure begins in welcoming Reykjavík, where you’ll enjoy an illuminating tour of the area, including the fabled Golden Circle. Continue to Akureyri, on the northern coast, where you’ll explore otherworldly Mývatn, the Goðafoss Waterfalls, a turfed church and a stable, to learn about the Icelandic horse. An optional whale-watching tour and brewery visit complete a delightful break.
Day One – Fly to Iceland Upon arrival, meet your tour manager at Keflavík International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Reykjavík.
Available
Spend the rest of the day relaxing and acclimatising to your new surroundings, perhaps opting to explore the cafés and shops of Laugavegur, a short walk from your hotel. Enjoy dinner by your own arrangement as you look forward to a wonderful few days ahead.
Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick* £1,479 • Heathrow £1,529 • Luton £1,399 • Manchester £1,545
Day Two – Included Reykjavík and Golden Circle Tour This morning’s included tour will acquaint you with delightful Reykjavík, taking in the shoreside Pearl Centre, fashioned from disused water tanks, the towering Hallgrim’s Church and the Lutheran Cathedral.
Personalise your holiday • Whale-Watching & Brewery Tour (half day) Day Five – from £99
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £330
Akureyri
Iceland Reykjavík Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes. *Flights from Gatwick are direct. All other flights are via Amsterdam.
70
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Keflavik Airport
Gullfoss Waterfall Strokkur Geyser
This afternoon enjoy an included Golden Circle tour, which includes visits to the extraordinary sight of Tingvellir, a great lava arena where the world’s oldest national parliament, the Althing, was established in 930AD, and to Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest freshwater lake. You’ll also take in the Great Geysir, now all but extinct, but where its neighbour Strokkur spouts impressively every 10 minutes or so. The fascinating tour is completed with visits to the stunning Gulfoss Waterfall and the fascinating Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation centre,
Humpback whale Haugunes
Hallgrimskirkja Church Reykjavik
Icelandic horses
where organically grown vegetables are produced with the aid of geothermal heat.
Myvatn Nature Baths
Your Hotels
Return to your hotel in Reykjavík for the evening, perhaps heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.
Skuggi Hotel, Reykjavík Bed & Breakfast
Light and stylish, the Skuggi Hotel boasts a favourable location at the northern end of one of Reykjavík’s oldest streets, close to the cafés and shops of Laugavegur. Inside, rooms feature volcanic colour schemes, with prominent use of blacks and greys. Facilities at the hotel include a bar, and for the energetic, a bike hire service (payable locally).
Day Three – Scenic Transfer to Akureyri This morning you’ll depart Reykjavík and travel to your new hotel in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city. Akureyri is located on the country’s northern coast, and you’ll make several interesting stops along the way. Call first at Borgarfjörður, a picturesque area between Reykjavík and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, home to a delightful fjord, fed by trickles of water from the rolling hills and mountains that frame this wonderful scene. Your last stop will be the charming coastal town of Blönduós, before arriving at your new hotel in the late afternoon, where you’ll enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Day Four – Tour of Mývatn Join your tour manager this morning for an included excursion to the Mývatn region. Your tour begins at the Goðafoss Waterfalls (Waterfall of the Gods). According to myth, the waterfall was named in 100AD, when Icelanders accepted Christianity as their faith, symbolically throwing statues of the pagan Norse gods into the water at Goðafoss. Continue to Lake Mývatn, which is something of an ornithologist’s heaven, attracting many interesting bird species, including one of the world’s largest ducks, the common eider. You’ll also visit the nearby Mývatn Nature Baths, where you’ll have the chance to bathe in the famous natural hot springs. The tour continues to the boiling fumaroles of Námskarðar and the chain of craters at Skútustaðir, before you return to your hotel in the early evening, for an included three-course meal.
HHH nights 1-2 & 6
Hotel Kea, Akureyri Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 3-5 This four-star hotel is located on a lively pedestrian street, close to the Eyjafjördur Fjord and a five-minute walk from Akureyri Church and the botanical gardens. Rooms are bright and airy, with wooden floors and feature TVs, together with tea/coffee-making facilities. The hotel restaurant serves traditional Icelandic cuisine.
Day Five – Optional Whale-Watching and Brewery Tour Today, you can choose between joining an optional whale-watching tour at Hauganes, followed by a brewery visit, or spending the day at leisure, perhaps exploring Akuryeri. Haugunes is a small coastal village, just outside of Akureyri, on the Eyjafjördur Bay. Guests who choose the optional excursion will board a small boat to make the 15-minute journey to the centre of the bay, where whales often congregate. In the afternoon, continue to a local brewery where they brew Kaldi, a popular Icelandic beer for a tour and tasting session. However you chose to spend your day, enjoy your final evening in Akuryeri at leisure. Day Six – Transfer to Reykjavík, via Víðimýri Church Today you will transfer back to Reykjavík, calling en route at the picturesque Víðimýri Church, one of Iceland’s few remaining turfed churches. This wellpreserved church dates to the mid-19th century, when many churches and other buildings were roofed with turf to protect their inhabitants from the country’s harsh climate. Continue your journey to Reykjavík, stopping at a local stable on the way, where you’ll learn about the Icelandic horse. Enjoy a final night in the welcoming Icelandic capital, dining at your leisure, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful week. Day Seven – Return to the UK Transfer back to the airport for your return flight, after a delightful break in Iceland. Dimmuborgir Lava Fields Myvatn
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
71
Hidden Portugal Discover a delightful corner of Portugal brimming with fascination, exuding the warmest of welcomes and home to famous wines.
8-day escorted holiday from £779
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover Portugal’s vibrant second city Porto, in its splendid setting above the River Douro • Pay a visit to a port wine lodge • Journey along the scenic Costa Verde • Explore the Vinho Verde vineyards and discover historic Ponte de Lima’s ancient Roman bridge • Explore the historic fishing towns of Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde • Guided visits to Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima in the northern Minho region • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Estalagem Santo André, Póvoa de Varzim (upgrade hotel available for a supplement) • Return flights to Porto • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £795 • Herathrow £925 • Gatwick £779 • Luton £779 • Manchester £795 • Stansted £795
Personalise your holiday
ravel at your convenience by making your own T arrangements to your hotel on selected dates.
Santiago de Compostela
Viana do Castelo
Ponte de Lima Barcelos
Vila do Conde Póvoa de Varzim Porto Régua
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £147
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.
72
Verde fishing town of Póvoa de Varzim, beautifully set on the glorious Atlantic coast, this hugely popular holiday includes three guided excursions – to Porto, along the coast and into the northern Minho region – as well as opportunities, on further optional tours, to explore the vineyards of the Douro Valley, historic former capital Braga, and Spain’s stunning pilgrimage shrine at Santiago de Compostela.
Day Two – Included Porto tour Our first included excursion, taken in the company of your tour manager, is a full-day visit to Portugal’s second city, Porto. The city that gave its name to the country is ancient, time weathered, and clings haphazardly to the hillsides above the beautiful River Douro. During the day there will also be a visit to one of the city’s many famous port wine lodges, the chance perhaps to enjoy lunch in a riverside restaurant and an optional boat trip on the Douro will also be available (payable locally). You’ll return to Póvoa for dinner.
Sep, Oct 2021 & Apr to Oct 2022
Tour Only without flights from £590
Based in a choice of excellent hotels close to the historic Costa
Day One – Fly to Portugal Upon arrival in Porto, meet your tour manager and board the coach for the short transfer to your chosen hotel.
Available
• Douro Valley and Régua (full day) Day Three – from £55 • Póvoa walking tour (half day) Day Four – from £16 • Barcelos & Braga (full day) Day Five – from £24 • Santiago de Compostela (full day) Day Six – from £39
Porto
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Portugal
Spain
Day Three – Optional Douro River Valley excursion Rest and relax in Póvoa and its surroundings, or join the first of the optional excursions, a guided introduction to the beautiful, wine-producing Douro Valley, taking in the romantic Amarante area and the wonderfully scenic Mesao Frio en route to the small port of Régua, the home of port-wine. There will be a visit to a working quinta, and the opportunity to stroll through the estate’s vineyards as the history of port-wine making is explained.
Porto
Ponte de Lima
Bom Jesus shrine
Day Four – At leisure or optional walking tour of Póvoa Spend another relaxed day in the hotel and its surroundings, or join your tour manager for a leisurely guided stroll along the seafront promenade to enjoy a light hearted guided walking tour of delightful Póvoa de Varzim. Take in the beautiful beach and the Atlantic views, and discover the tiny port, where the local fishermen land their catch in traditional fashion. A selection of shops, bars, cafés and restaurants – most serving freshly caught seafood – as well as the well-known Monumental Casino ensure Póvoa’s reputation as a pleasant holiday resort, brought to life on the tour. Guests staying at the Estalagem Santo André may consider taking the public bus (payable locally) back to the hotel, or making their way back along the promenade.
Your Hotel Choices
Day Five – Optional Barcelos and Braga excursion Today’s full-day optional tour first takes in Barcelos, home to Europe’s largest open-air market – a colourful, bustling hive of activity offering a huge range of locally produced goods. From here you’ll continue to Braga, former catholic capital of Portugal, with its great cathedral, and where the fabled Bom Jesus shrine, standing over 1,310 feet above sea level, affords marvellous views. Set in the heart of the verdant Minho region in Portugal’s northwest, ancient university seat Braga is one of the country’s oldest settlements and its spiritual capital. Day Six – At leisure or optional Santiago de Compostela excursion The last of the optional excursions journeys across the border, to fabled Santiago de Compostela, one of Spain’s most historic and beautiful cities. Marvellously preserved, the Romanesque cathedral lies at the city’s heart, perhaps the firstever tourist destination for the thousands of pilgrims who, in medieval times, followed the route along the Camino to Santiago.
Estalagem Santo André, Póvoa de Varzim Half-Board
HHH Price from £779
The family-run Santo André, which in our opinion is of a superior three-star standard, is situated beside a long, sandy beach. The centre of Póvoa can be reached on foot along a newly opened two-mile seaside path, or by regular public bus service. All bedrooms have been refurbished and have air conditioning, mini-bar and satellite TV. The public rooms include a restaurant offering panoramic views, a reception with free Wi-Fi, bar and lounge area and outdoor swimming pool.
Axis Vermar Beach Hotel, Póvoa de Varzim Half-Board
HHHH Price from £829
The well-appointed Axis Vermar Beach Hotel is located next to the beach in the centre of Póvoa de Varzim, and offers an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and table tennis for the energetic, a comfortable bar and lounge areas, a reception and restaurant with glorious sea views. There is also a wellness centre. Air-conditioned rooms offer a hairdryer, a mini-bar and a satellite TV.
Day Seven – Included tour of the Minho region The included tour today takes in the beautiful coastal region of the Minho region, including the typical seaside town of Viana do Castelo, situated on the estuary of the River Lima, and further inland the market town of Ponte de Lima. One of the highlights in Viana do Castelo is the Basilica de Santa Lucia, with wonderful views over the surrounding area. Continue through the Vinho Verde vineyards, to the historic market town of Ponte de Lima, famous for its 18th-century fountain and ancient Roman bridge.
Porto
Day Eight – Fly home to the UK Bid farewell to this delightful region of Portugal, transferring back to the airport and the return flight home, at the end of a hugely enjoyable stay.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
73
Lisbon, Seville & the Glorious Algarve Explore two great Iberian cities, and enjoy the warm and welcoming Portuguese holiday haven.
8-day escorted holiday from £649
Albufeira
Lisbon
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a warming stay in Portugal’s sun-kissed holiday haven • Discover and explore the historic Portuguese capital • Visit the stunning City of Flamenco, breathtaking Seville • Rest and relax in your chosen hotel, and join optional excursions that will bring to life the colour and charm of the Algarve • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Auramar Beach Resort, Albufeira (upgrade hotel available for a supplement) • Return flights to Faro • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Nov, Dec 2021, Feb to May & Oct to Dec 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £799 • Bournemouth £759 • Bristol £699 • East Midlands £1,079 • Edinburgh £699 • Gatwick £649 • Glasgow £759 • Leeds/Bradford £869 • Liverpool £715 • Luton £659 • Manchester £799 • Newcastle £1,079 • Stansted £659
Personalise your holiday • Silves & Caldas de Monchique – from £33 • Lagos, Sagres & Cape St Vincent – from £35 • Olhão, Faro & Tavira – from £39
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £140
Seville
Join us in the heart of Portugal’s celebrated southern coast, a perfect place in which to rest and relax, and in addition to enjoying the warmth and colour of this ever-popular corner of the world, join our friendly tour manager to discover and explore two fascinating cities – one the historic Portuguese capital, and the other the stunning backdrop to Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Some enjoyable optional excursions complete the week-long stay.
Journey north to explore the wonderful Portuguese capital of Lisbon, where highlights include the ornate architecture of the Belém quarter, the Baixa’s grid of wide tree-lined avenues, and the narrow streets of the Alfama district. A second included excursion takes in Seville, the great City of Flamenco and one of Spain’s greatest treasures. Stunning buildings, beautiful parks, grand boulevards and atmospheric Old Quarters, a magnificent Cathedral, Spain’s oldest bullring and a Moorish Alcazar leading through to the historic Jewish Quarter all add to the atmosphere of this special place. Optional excursions to the wooded hinterland, to the rugged, windswept western peninsula, and to the colourful coastal towns and villages of the eastern Algarve, complete a marvellous holiday.
Your Hotel Choices
Auramar Beach Resort, Albufeira HHH Half-Board Price from £649 Set a few metres from its beach of golden sand, the Auramar is a welcoming resort hotel boasting superb sea views from its pools, terraces and gardens, two tennis courts (small charge) and a host of activities and diversions for the energetic. Bright, air-conditioned rooms have a balcony, satellite TV and mini-bar, and the hotel boasts the Panorama restaurant and lobby bar, and there is free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa, Albufeira* HHHH Half-Board Price from £825
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes. *Due to the location of the hotel Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa, it may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties.
74
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Located in the heart of Albufeira, and just a few minutes walk from Fisherman’s Beach, the well appointed Vila Gale Cerro offers a health club, an indoor swimming pool, two outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant, café bar, and British style pub. All of the bedrooms are air-conditioned with a hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, safe, mini-bar, and Wi-Fi.
Pousadas of Portugal Savour the very best of Portugal with stays in three historic, charming and unique pousada hotels along the way.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,275
Óbidos
Porto
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Stay in three of Portugal’s famed pousada hotels • Discover historic capital Lisbon • Visit UNESCO-listed Royal Sintra • Enjoy chic Cascais and elegant Estoril • Admire Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point • Journey to medieval Óbidos and Coimbra – the ‘Oxford of Portugal’ • Taste regional wines, bread and cheeses • See Aveiro’s Venetian-like lagoon and canals • Visit beguiling Porto – historic second city • Discover the Douro Valley of the ‘Golden River’ • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the Pousada de Queluz, near Lisbon, the Pousada de Viseu, and the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares • Four evening meals • Outbound flight to Lisbon, returning from Porto • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Oct 2021, May, Jun & Aug to Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £1,299 • Edinburgh £1,319 • Gatwick £1,289 • Luton £1,275 • Manchester £1,289 • Stansted £1,275
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £231
Pousada Mosteiro de Amares
Enjoy luxurious accommodation in a trio of fabled pousada hotels
offering traditional hospitality in remarkable settings, and discover some of Portugal’s most delightful locations as you travel through the heart of the country. Explore colourful capital Lisbon, elegant Estoril and glorious Sintra, head north via hilltop Óbidos and ‘Portuguese Oxford’ Coimbra, and savour wine-producing Viseu, Porto and the 'Golden' River Douro as they are all brought to life on this wonderful Portuguese journey of discovery. Begin in Lisbon, where a guided tour evokes a sense of times past, when great explorers set off for the New World, and lifts the veil on the presentday vitality of the ornate Belém quarter, the Baixa’s avenues fringed with cafés and restaurants, and the narrow streets of the Alfama. Set off then on a fascinating tour crammed with colourful highlights, and at each day’s end, enjoy the comforts and unique surroundings of the pousadas – sheer delight.
Your Hotels
Pousada Palacio de Queluz, Lisbon Bed & Breakfast plus two dinners
HHHH nights 1-3
This former headquarters of the Royal Guard is set across from the Royal Palace – ‘Portugal’s Versailles’. It boasts a restaurant housed in the former kitchen, a bar and beautiful public rooms furnished in wood and marble and individually styled, beautifully finished bedrooms.
Pousada de Viseu, Viseu Bed & Breakfast plus one dinner
HHHH nights 4-5
Housed in an old hospital, adapted by a renowned architect, this landmark building, just five minutes from a beautiful park, boasts a superb wellness centre and outdoor pools, the latter with views over the town.
Pousada Mosteiro de Amares, Amares HHHH Bed & Breakfast plus one dinner nights 6-7 One of the ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’, this truly luxurious Pousada is a converted monastery. Superb amenities include an outdoor pool and tennis court. Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes on arrival and one hour and 15 minutes on departure.
Please note: In the event of higher than anticipated demand we reserve the right to use alternative Pousadas of a similar standard and appropriate location for the tour.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
75
Seville, Granada & Classic Spain Join this exciting exploration of Andalucía, birthplace of Picasso, home of flamenco and cradle of the gypsy life.
7-day escorted holiday from £675
La Alhambra, Granada
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Stay in the heart of the ‘real’ Andalucía, in the hills behind the sun-kissed Costa • Enjoy a full-day visit to Seville, the City of Flamenco and setting for Bizet’s Carmen • Journey towards the Sierra Nevada, beneath which the great Moorish city of Granada stands • Visit Granada and enjoy a visit to the world-renowned Alhambra, its exquisite gardens and stunning palaces • Visit the Andalucían city of Ronda • Six nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Las Villas de Antikaria, Antequera (upgrade hotel and board basis available for a supplement) • Return flights to Málaga • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Nov 2021 & Mar to Nov 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £835 • Bristol £735 • East Midlands £749 • Gatwick £669 • Glasgow £859 • Leeds/Bradford £875 • Liverpool £729 • Luton £685 • Manchester £735 • Newcastle £895 • Southend £685 • Stansted £675
Personalise your holiday • Cordoba (full day) Day Three – £58
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £170
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.
76
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
From your base in the quintessentially Andalusian town of
Antequera, enjoy full-day visits to Granada – with entrance to the stunning Alhambra gardens – to glorious, historic Seville, the city of Flamenco and setting for Bizet’s Carmen and to the enchanting, white-washed, hill-top town of Ronda, atop its famous gorge. There’s also the chance, on a fascinating optional excursion taken in the company of our experienced tour manager, to visit the magnificent Moorish stronghold of Cordoba, with its extraordinary Mezquita.
Day One – Fly to Spain Fly into Málaga, and board the coach for the approximately hour-long transfer into the sun-baked Andalusian hills and your hotel base in Antequera. Dependent on your arrival time, rest and relax in the hotel, and enjoy a first dinner in a wide choice of restaurants, traditional tapas bars and cafés.
Day Two – Included Seville excursion The first of the included excursions heads to historic Seville, the great City of Flamenco, setting for Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, both of which draw heavily on the city’s heady atmosphere. Seville, where every street is lined with orange trees, has a rich and colourful history, which is reflected in great buildings, beautiful parks, grand boulevards and several atmospheric Old Quarters of narrow streets, which open on to tree-lined squares. Don’t miss the magnificent Cathedral, one of the largest Cordoba Gothic churches in Christendom, with its 300-ft-high Giralda Tower and muchSeville debated ‘tomb’ of Christopher Columbus, Granada and perhaps pay a visit to the immense Antequera Plaza de Toros, Spain’s oldest bullring, Ronda Málaga where the traditions of the corrida are revered despite the controversy they engender in many. Close by, the cool courtyards of the Moorish Alcazar lead through to the Juderia, or Jewish Quarter. Wander towards sweeping Plaza de Espana which is the city’s ornate, fountain-fronted centrepiece. The River
Spain
Plaza Virgen de Los Reyes, Seville
Plaza de Espana, Seville
La Alhambra, Courtyard
Plaza de Toros de Ronda, Ronda Bullring
Guadalquivir, tidal some fifty miles inland, and up which Columbus once sailed in triumph following his discovery of the New World, still brings great ships to the city’s port, and divides Seville from Triana, the pleasant district on the opposite shore.
Your Hotel Choices
Day Three – Optional Cordoba excursion Today can be spent at leisure, perhaps exploring Antequera, a settlement since prehistoric times, and with its great Moorish fortress known as the ‘heart of Andalucía’, overlooked by the limestone crag of La Peña de Los Enamorados – or ‘Lovers’ Leap’, which is shrouded in local legend. Many however will join today’s optional excursion across the plain to the great city of Cordoba. This fabled, elegant former Moorish and Roman capital of Spain is full of fascination. At its heart is the breathtaking treasure of the Mezquita, the huge Mosque into which the Christian cathedral has been incorporated, but which retains much of its austere grandeur that reflected Cordoba’s position as the greatest Moorish city in Europe. Surrounding the Mezquita, the narrow lanes and corridors of the ancient Juderia evoke a sense that nothing has changed for a thousand years. You’ll have the chance to explore the city under your own steam, following our guided tour of the Mezquita, and return to Antequera later this evening.
Hotel Las Villas de Antikaria, Antequera Bed & Breakfast
This comfortable hotel is well located within walking distance of the centre of Antequera and all its amenities and attractions, which include a fine selection of bars, restaurants and shops. The hotel has its own restaurant, bar, cafeteria and large sun terrace. Rooms all have private facilities, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, hairdryer and telephone.
Hotel Antequera, Antequera Bed & Breakfast
HHHH
Price from £774
This elegant four-star hotel enjoys excellent facilities and high standards of accommodation. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, gym, gardens and terraces, piano bar, cafeteria, restaurant, hair salon and souvenir shop. There is also a spa, indoor swimming pool and golf-course (treatments and green fees payable locally). Bedrooms have private facilities, air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, safety deposit box and a hairdryer. Half-Board upgrade is available for a supplement.
Day Four – Included Ronda excursion Today’s included excursion is a scenic wonder, as you travel across the plain, through a countryside dotted with villages of whitewashed houses to the truly stunning town of Ronda, in the heart of the Andalusian hills. Set above the dramatic El Tajo gorge, which cuts a swathe through the sierra, this once Moorish citadel is a delight, with a maze of narrow streets, some fine Renaissance houses, its historic bullring and – across the Puente Nuevo bridge which spans the gorge – the fascinating Roman-style baths. Day Five – Included Granada excursion Board the coach this morning for the day’s unforgettable excursion, journeying north through the foothills of the Alpujarras to the great city of Granada. Set majestically atop three hills, which rise steeply from the Andalusian Plain, this former Moorish capital, with its views to the snowcapped Sierra Nevada, is one of Spain’s greatest treasures. Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, culminating with a visit to the aweinspiring Alhambra, the beautiful park and walled settlement crowned by some of the world’s finest Moorish palaces. Discover the ancient Alcazaba citadel and the Generalife, royal retreat in the heart of the complex, as well as what are some of the world’s most beautiful formal gardens, reflecting the glories of a great empire. This evening you’ll return to Antequera after a thoroughly absorbing day.
HHH
Price from £675
Ronda
Day Six – At leisure Enjoy today, your final day in Spain, at leisure. Day Seven – Fly back to the UK Say goodbye to beautiful Andalucía today, transferring back to Málaga and the flight home, after a memorable few days in a simply wonderful part of the world. Please note: on all 2021 departures, the duration of this tour will be six days (five nights) and will depart on day six.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
77
Barcelona, Montserrat & the Pyrenees Revel in the excitement of one of Europe’s ‘must-see’ cities with its Gaudí masterpieces and journey to Catalonia’s spiritual home.
6-day escorted holiday from £635
Montserrat
La Sagrada Familia
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a guided tour of wonderful Olympic city Barcelona • See Gaudí ’s monumental Sagrada Familia • Journey to the sacred mountain-top shrine at Montserrat • Enjoy a scenic journey through the Catalan Pyrenees • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Caprici Verd Hotel, Santa Susanna • Return flights to Spain • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £749 • Edinburgh £635 • Gatwick £649 • Liverpool £649 • Luton £669 • Manchester £635 • Stansted £635
Soak up the irrepressible magic of the enthralling, stylish Olympic
city of Barcelona, with its vitality and its heart-stopping sights, and climb to the sacred hill-top monastery of Montserrat, Catalonia’s spiritual symbol. A delightful scenic tour of the Catalan Pyrenees, crossing into France, and an opportunity to discover historic walled Girona on an optional excursion, complete a hugely enjoyable holiday in one of Europe’s most colourful corners. In the company of your tour manager you’ll visit the sacred hill-top monastery of Montserrat, Catalonia’s spiritual symbol, which is accessible by winding road, rack railway or cable car. A delightful leisurely escorted drive through the rolling foothills – and some higher passes – of the Catalan Pyrenees is also included. Crossing the border into France you’ll visit famously sunny Font-Romeu-Oreillo, the walled town of Villefranche de Conflent and Perpignan. There’s plenty of time to enjoy the hotel’s amenities and surroundings or take an optional excursion to discover historic walled Girona with an included guided walking tour which introduces this typically Catalan city, before some free time for exploring. Don’t miss the cathedral’s cool cloisters, the wonderfully restored Arab baths or Europe’s best-preserved Jewish quarter.
Personalise your holiday • Coastal walk and boat ride (half day) – from £24 • Girona (half day) – from £53
Room for Sole Use Supplement £125
Your Hotel
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. ntrance to La Sagrada Familia is not included within the guided E tour but can be booked online in advance. Please note free time in Barcelona city will be between the hours of 13:00hrs and 15:00hrs.
78
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Caprici Verd Hotel, Santa Susanna Half-Board
HHHH
Situated on the seafront, just 100 metres from the beach and a short stroll from the town centre, this modern hotel has 266 guestrooms, each with air conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, heating, safe, minibar, balcony and a telephone. Leisure facilities include a gym, spa pool, sauna and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The restaurant serves a varied buffet breakfast.
Little Trains of the Pyrenees Take slow journeys through the beautiful border country between Spain and France, on some wonderful mountain railway trains.
6-day escorted holiday from £739
Núria Rack Railway
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend five nights on the beautiful Costa Brava • Unspoiled Roses, your holiday base, sits on a sweeping bay • Enjoy the views on the tourist road 'train' as you climb into the wooded Cap de Creus National Park • The historic Little Yellow Train climbs into the French Pyrenees from UNESCO-listed Villefranche-de-Conflent, one of France’s prettiest towns • The Núria Rack Railway offers the only access to the yearround Spanish mountain resort, with tastings of local produce • Discover the stunning Upper Aude Valley on France’s Red Train • Three heritage train journeys and a ticket for the Roses ‘road-train’ • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Prestige Hotel Coral Platja, Roses, or the three-star Hotel Prestige Victoria including a glass of wine at dinner • Return flights to Spain • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £799 • Edinburgh £835 • Gatwick £769 • Liverpool £769 • Luton £755 • Manchester £865 • Stansted £739
Tour Only without flights from £599 Travel at your convenience by making your own arrangements to your hotel.
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £135 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes from Girona airport, and approximately two hours and 30 minutes from Barcelona airport. Your flight times and arrival airport may vary between Barcelona and Girona and will be advised at the time of booking.
Little Yellow Train
From your unspoiled Costa Brava base beside the blue
Mediterranean, journey into the heart of the stunning Pyrenean countryside aboard some delightful railways. Wind your way upwards on sometimes modern, sometimes historic rolling stock, and across some marvels of railway engineering. Based in the delightful resort of Roses, this holiday includes a ride aboard the quaint, tractor-hauled, tourist road 'train', which winds its way from the resort into the wooded Cap de Creus National Park. The historic Little Yellow Train, will take you through the sun-kissed French Pyrenees from picture-postcardperfect, UNESCO-listed, walled Villefranche-de-Conflent, across bridges and viaducts and through stunning scenery to Mont-Louis with its citadel and city walls. A 45-minute journey aboard the two-car Núria Rack Railway – through a steep, forested gorge to remote ski station and pilgrimage shrine Núria, and a final Pyrenean ride aboard the 100-year-old Red Train, travelling through the spectacular scenery of castle-dotted Cathar Country, complete a wonderful holiday.
Your Hotel
Depending on your departure date you will be staying at one of the two carefully chosen hotels described below. Your hotel will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Prestige Hotel Coral Platja, Roses Half-Board
HHH
300 metres from the centre of Roses, offering an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, bar and a buffet restaurant plus air-conditioned rooms with a TV, hairdryer, safe deposit box (extra charge), telephone and mini-fridge. Sea view rooms are available for a supplement.
Hotel Prestige Victoria, Roses Half-Board
HHH
Beside Santa Margarita Beach, approximately two kilometres from the centre of Roses. It has an outdoor pool, a spa with steam room, sauna, massages and a small indoor pool, Wi-Fi, a bar and a buffet restaurant. Rooms have a balcony, air conditioning, TV, hairdryer, safe deposit box (extra charge), telephone, and mini‑fridge. Most rooms have partial sea views.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
79
Small-Group Tour
Historic Paradors of Hidden Spain Stay in three delightful paradors and discover a spectacular backdrop of ocean and mountains in one of Spain’s most fascinating corners.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,439
Santillana del Mar, Cantabria
Santiago de Compostela
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Stay in three historic Parador hotels, all with echoes of royalty and nobility • Enjoy the delights of fashionable Santander • Visit Santillana del Mar – one of Spain’s prettiest villages • Catch a glimpse of the towering Picos de Europa mountains • Visit relaxed Gijón and historic Asturian capital Oviedo • Walk in pilgrims’ footsteps in ancient Santiago de Compostela and stunning, riverside León • Discover the fine historic port of A Coruña • Spend a day at leisure in the ducal surroundings of exquisite Lerma • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Parador de Limpias, the four-star Parador de Vilalba and the four-star Parador de Lerma • Four dinners • Return flights to Bilbao • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £1,459 • Edinburgh £1,489 • Gatwick £1,465 • Manchester £1,439
Personalise your holiday • Burgos (half day) – from £36
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £273
Parador de Lerma
Discover a fascinating region of northern Spain, where dusty plain gives way to spectacular mountains and a verdant coastline fringed by stunning beaches and fashionable resorts, and the provinces of Cantabria and Asturias, Galicia and Castilla y León exude history, culture and charm. Explore ancient cities along the fabled Camino pilgrim trail, and in addition to the comforts of the paradors, enjoy the distinctive cuisines and fine wines of this very special corner of the world.
From your first, 20th-century, riverside base, explore sophisticated beach resort Santander and picture-book Santillana del Mar. From the second beautiful Parador, in verdant, Devon-like Galicia, via Gijon and Oviedo, and, take in ancient Santiago de Compostela, fabled end of the Camino, and historic port A Coruña, before your last stay, in a splendid, 17th-century ducal palace, brings the chance to visit historic Burgos, for centuries the capital of Old Castille and home nearly a thousand years ago to the legendary warrior leader El Cid.
Your Hotels
Parador de Limpias, Limpias Bed & Breakfast plus one dinner
Set in beautiful parkland, with gardens, tennis court, indoor and outdoor seasonal pools, gym and sauna, this Parador offers comfortable rooms and garden view dining.
Parador de Vilalba, Vilalba Bed & Breakfast plus one dinner
80
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
HHHH nights 3-5
Tucked away in an old quarter, this Parador boasts tapas bar, café and more formal restaurant, quiet garden area and terrace, as well as traditional, comfortable rooms.
Parador de Lerma, Lerma Half-board
Please note: On arrival the transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. On departure the transfer time from your hotel to the airport is approximately two hours and 20 minutes.
HHHH nights 1-2
HHHH nights 6-7
This 17th-century palace, with furnishings and atmosphere to match, has a secluded inner courtyard, two restaurants, one serving delicious tapas, and rooms offering comfort and traditional style.
Carcassonne, Avignon & Beautiful Provence Journey through the rolling countryside of Provence, as its historic UNESCO-listed crowning glories are thrillingly brought to life.
6-day escorted holiday from £619
Café at The Palais des Papes
Carcassonne
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A guided walking tour of historic, walled Carcassonne • A full day visit to majestic Avignon and the stunning Roman Pont du Gard • A Canal du Midi cruise • Five nights’ carefully chosen bed and continental breakfast accommodation at the three-star Ibis Carcassonne Est, Carcassonne (alternative hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to France • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sept & Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £659 • Gatwick £625 • Heathrow £719 • Stansted £619
Personalise your holiday • Collioure (full day) – from £58
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £170
Pont d’Avignon
On this hugely popular tour to one of France’s most scenic corners, discover walled fortress-citadel Carcassonne – one of France’s greatest medieval glories – and marvel at the stunning papal city of Avignon, with its monumental Palais and fabled bridge. Take in the Roman glories of the Pont du Gard, and cruise on the treelined Canal du Midi, all against the background of a land famed for sunshine, food and light rosé wine.
Based in a choice of hotels in mesmerising Carcassonne, the holiday begins with a guided tour of the remarkably preserved, fortified upper city, its bastions enclosing its medieval heart, and overlooking the equally charming lower Ville Basse. An included tour takes in two more gems, the astonishing Roman engineering marvel of the Pont du Gard aqueduct, and historic Avignon, where highlights include the sights of the massive papal palace and the Pont d’Avignon. With a scenic canal cruise and the chance, on an optional excursion, to explore port-town Collioure and Roman stronghold Narbonne, this is a perfect French escape.
Your Hotel Choices
Ibis Carcassonne Est, Carcassonne HHH Bed & Breakfast Price from £619 Located on the outskirts of Carcassonne, a daytime bus connects the hotel to the citadel or alternatively take a 30 minute walk. The hotel has a restaurant and bar. Rooms have satellite TV, private facilities and air conditioning.
Cerise Residence, Carcassonne HHH Bed & Breakfast Price from £699 The Cerise Residence is within walking distance of the medieval city, restaurants and shops. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, a lift and reception service. Accommodation is in one-bedroom apartments.
Mercure Carcassonne, Porte de la Cité HHHH Bed & Breakfast Price from £929 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 15 minutes from Carcassonne and approximately one hour and 30 minutes from Toulouse.
Located at the foot of the city the hotel has a restaurant, bar, terrace, gardens and outdoor swimming pool. Rooms have private facilities, air conditioning, a safety deposit box, satellite TV and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
81
Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields Enjoy the best of springtime Holland’s colours and scents on this tremendous value break.
4-day escorted holiday from £559
Amsterdam
Keukenhof
Keukenhof
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Explore colourful Amsterdam on a canal cruise • Spend a day at Keukenhof, perhaps the world’s most famous flower garden • Explore the Zuiderzee fishing villages of Volendam and Zaanse Schans • Taste original Edam cheese • Enjoy an early evening visit to Amsterdam • Visit medieval gem Utrecht, with its Gothic cathedral • Three nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Ibis Hotel, Tilburg • A three-course dinner • Return flights to Amsterdam • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
Mar to May 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Aberdeen £689 • Birmingham £595 • Bristol £595 • Cardiff £625 • Edinburgh £675 • Gatwick £569 • Glasgow £675 • Heathrow £599 • Humberside £639 • Leeds/Bradford £639 • Luton £559 • Newcastle £639 • Norwich £599 • Manchester £595 • Stansted £559 • Teesside £625
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £123
Enjoy an unforgettable day in perhaps the world’s most famous
flower garden – magnificent Keukenhof. This wonderful springtime break also includes the chance to spend time in the delightful Dutch capital Amsterdam, with its canals and cobblestones, its museums, bars and cafés, and visits to the delightful villages of the reclaimed Zuiderzee and medieval gem Utrecht. From your welcoming hotel base in Tilburg, you’ll enjoy two visits to flowerdecked Amsterdam, with plenty of time to discover and explore the exciting city. An included canal cruise – one of the best ways to see the sights – will be a highlight of the first afternoon’s visit, while the second offers a late afternoon visit to enjoy dinner at your leisure. An undoubted highlight of the break is the day spent at world-renowned Keukenhof, where millions of flowers carpet the ground in a breathtaking horticultural display that attracts visitors from around the world. Complete the fun-filled few days with visits to the delightful villages of the windmill dotted landscape surrounding the reclaimed Zuiderzee, including fishing port Volendam and Zaanse Schans, with its traditional clog makers, and finally take in historic Utrecht, famed for its Gothic cathedral and Dom Tower.
Your Hotel Choices
Ibis Hotel, Tilburg Bed & Breakfast
HHH Price from £559
The modern, friendly Ibis offers comfortable accommodation close to Tilburg’s centre and its attractions. As well as comfortable, simply furnished rooms with a TV and complimentary WiFi, there is a restaurant on site, together with a bar and a garden terrace.
Mercure Hotel Tilburg Centrum HHHH Bed & Breakfast Price from £629
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. The city of Tilburg operates a tourist tax of approximately €3 per person per night which must be paid locally direct to the hotel.
82
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
This four-star hotel boasts a central location and modern, well-equipped rooms that come with minibars and satellite TVs. Other facilities at the hotel include a spa, restaurant and café.
NEW for 2022
Amsterdam & Floriade Expo 2022 Soak up the colours and scents of the decennial Floriade Horticultural Expo 2022 and Holland on this tremendous value break.
4-day escorted holiday from £615
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend an unforgettable day at the Floriade Horticultural Expo 2022 • Experience colourful Amsterdam on a canal cruise • Explore the Zuiderzee fishing villages of Volendam and Zaase Schans • Taste original Edam cheese • Enjoy an early evening visit to Amsterdam • Visit medieval gem Utrecht, with its Gothic cathedral • A three-course dinner on day two • Three nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Ibis Hotel, Tilburg or four-star Mercure Hotel Tilburg Centrum • Return flights to Amsterdam • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Apr to Sep 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Aberdeen £765 • Birmingham £669 • Bristol £669 • Cardiff £699 • Edinburgh £749 • Gatwick £619 • Glasgow £749 • Heathrow £685 • Humberside £719 • Leeds/Bradford £719 • Luton £615 • Manchester £669 • Newcastle £719 • Norwich £685 • Stansted £615 • Teesside £699
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £123
Artist impression, Floriade Expo 2022
Enjoy an unforgettable day at the vibrant Floriade Horticultural
Expo 22 on this wonderful break that also includes the chance to spend time in the delightful Dutch capital Amsterdam, with its canals and cobblestones, its museums, bars and cafés, and visits to the delightful villages of the reclaimed Zuiderzee and medieval gem Utrecht. This is the perfect break to introduce yourself to a delightful country that’s right on our doorstep. The undoubted highlight of this tour is a visit to the Floriade International Horticultural Expo 2022. This event takes place once every ten years, each time in a different location, so this experience will be very special indeed. You’ll step into a sea of scents and colours, as you enjoy the greenest day out and explore 40 inspirational country displays, a spectacular greenhouse complex, take a stunning included cable car over the Expo, and discover pavilions showcasing the latest sustainable innovations and a vibrant arts and culture programme. You’ll also take in vibrant Dutch capital Amsterdam, with its canals and medieval cobble-stone squares, and enjoy a day exploring the windmilldotted landscape and traditional villages of the Zuiderzee, before calling at Utrecht, one of Holland’s finest medieval cities, on your final day.
Your Hotel Choices
Ibis Hotel, Tilburg Bed & Breakfast
HHH Price from £615
The modern, friendly Ibis offers comfortable accommodation close to Tilburg’s centre and its attractions. As well as comfortable, simply furnished rooms with a TV and complimentary WiFi, there is a restaurant on site, together with a bar and a garden terrace.
Mercure Hotel Tilburg Centrum HHHH Bed & Breakfast Price from £685
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
This four-star hotel boasts a central location and modern, well-equipped rooms that come with minibars and satellite TVs. Other facilities at the hotel include a spa, restaurant and café.
The city of Tilburg operates a tourist tax of approximately €3 per person per night which must be paid locally direct to the hotel.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
83
Swiss Alpine Glories & the GoldenPass Train
Immerse yourself in the natural glories and historic towns of the world’s most beautiful Alpine paradise, with a train journey you won’t forget.
8-day escorted holiday from £895
Gruyères
GoldenPass Train
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week in the celebrated resort of Chateau d’Oex • Rest and relax in the idyllic surroundings of the Pays d’Enhaut (High Country) • Visit the fascinating Hot Air Balloon and Cheese museums • Visit medieval gem and cheese-making village Gruyères • Panoramic tour of the surrounding mountains and villages, including Gstaad and Les Diablerets • Ride the GoldenPass Train to/from Montreux with free time in Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Roc et Neige Hotel, Chateau d’Oex • Five dinners • Return flights to Geneva • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun & Sep to Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from
Join this wonderful – and excellent value – holiday to the beautiful,
breathtaking land of lakes and mountains scenery, clean air and enchanting settlements that is Switzerland. You’ll be based in a welcoming, internationally celebrated resort in an idyllic setting between Lake Geneva and the glorious Bernese Oberland. With a host of marvellous included and optional excursions to savour and enjoy, including a ride on the panoramic GoldenPass Train to Montreux, this tour a perfect introduction to a place that is on almost everybody’s wish-list of destinations. From your base in exquisite Chateau d’Oex, a favourite of Newmarket guests for over 30 years, and which offers a host of diversions including an outdoor pool (mid-May to early September), tennis courts, miles of walking trails marked with the famous yellow signposts, as well as a trio of fascinating museums, you’ll get to know this very special country. Included excursions take in the beautiful Bernese Oberland, including scenic Gstaad, upscale Les Diablerets and cheese-making village Gruyères, whilst an included ride on the spectacular GoldenPass Train takes you to the fashionable resort of Montreux, with free time to explore. Further optional excursions will take you to the famous resort town of Interlaken, overlooked by the snow-capped Jungfrau range, and spectacular Grindelwald, at the foot of the mighty Eiger.
• Bristol £905 • Edinburgh £895 • Gatwick £915 • Heathrow £915 • Luton £895 • Manchester £905
Personalise your holiday • Bern (full day) Day Three – from £49 • Guided Walk (half day) Day Five – from £20 • Interlaken & Grindelwald (full day) Day Seven – from £49
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £196
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.
84
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your Hotel
The Roc et Neige, Chateau d’Oex Bed & Breakfast & five dinners
HHH
In the heart of the mountain village, the traditional and welcoming Roc et Neige hotel is close to all the local amenities. There is a comfortable bar and lounge area, and a restaurant serving food made from local produce. There is also a garden and terrace with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, plus sauna and laundry room. Cosy bedrooms all have a TV, hairdryer and complimentary Wi-Fi is available. There is a safe deposit box at reception.
Swiss Alps Wintertime Adventure Enjoy all the comforts and amenities of a celebrated resort, including light-hearted fun in the snow on this wonderful wintertime break.
6-day escorted holiday from £865
Horse Sled Tisot Peak Walk on Glacier 3000
The Swiss Alps
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Five nights in celebrated resort Chateau d’Oex, in the winter-wonderland surroundings of the Pays d’Enhaut (High Country) • Enjoy a guided nature walk with the chance to try snow-shoeing • An exhilarating horse and carriage ride • Introduction to cross-country skiing and Glacier 3000 optional excursions • Join an atmospheric torch-lit walk, followed by a warming vin chaud • Ride the GoldenPass train to Montreux • Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in the three-star Roc et Neige Hotel, Chateau d’Oex • Return flights to Geneva • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Head to beautiful, breathtaking Switzerland for a few winter-
warming days in idyllic Chateau d’Oex, a welcoming, internationally celebrated resort set in a wide valley between Lake Geneva and the glorious Bernese Oberland. In addition to the chance to enjoy the village’s range of amenities and attractions, enjoy some marvellous wintertime activities, including snowshoe walking, a horse and carriage ride and even cross-country skiing. With the chance to ride the GoldenPass train to Montreux on an optional excursion, this is picture-postcard perfection. Famed for its annual hot air balloon festival, Chateau d’Oex is a perfect base for your stay. Rest and relax in idyllic surroundings, enjoy the resort’s wide range of amenities, which include a trio of fascinating museums, and join your guide for a winter wildlife-spotting walk through the beautiful valley. A second included excursion, brings the exhilarating experience of a horse and carriage ride on a snowy adventure, followed by a fondue lunch, plus an atmospheric torch-lit walk topped off with a warming vin chaud.
Available Jan to Apr 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £895 • Bournemouth £895 • Edinburgh £895 • Gatwick £865 • Liverpool £895 • Luton £865 • Manchester £895 • Newcastle £895 • Southend £865 • Stansted £865
Personalise your holiday • GoldenPass Train to Montreux (full day) Day Four – from £55 • Taster of Cross Country Skiing Day Five - from £99 • Glacier 3000 Day Five - from £119
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £140
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours. Winter activities are of course weather and snow-dependant. We reserve the right to provide substitute activities/transfers to alternate venues should weather conditions necessitate this.
Your Hotel
The Roc et Neige, Chateau d’Oex Half Board
HHH
In the heart of the mountain village, the traditional and welcoming Roc et Neige hotel is close to all the local amenities. There is a comfortable bar and lounge area, and a restaurant serving food made from local produce. There is also a garden and terrace with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, plus sauna and laundry room. Cosy bedrooms all have a TV, hairdryer and complimentary Wi-Fi is available. There is a safe deposit box at reception.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
85
Austrian Winter Wonderland Adventure
Picture-postcard perfection and wintertime fun in the snow, combined with a visit to the elegant ‘Sound of Music’ city.
6-day escorted holiday from £975
Salzburg Cathedral
St Wolfgang
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Five nights in beautiful St Wolfgang, in the heart of the Salzkammergut winter-wonderland • Enjoy a guided half-day nature walk • Full-day excursion in Baroque gem Salzburg, with a guided introduction to Mozart’s birthplace • Try snowshoeing through the snow on an included activity • Delight in an optional horse-drawn carriage ride through scenic St Wolfgang • Discover heart-stopping Hallstatt on an optional excursion • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Forsterhof, St Wolfgang • Return flights to Austria or Germany • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Jan to Mar 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Edinburgh £1,039 • Gatwick £999 • Luton £999 • Manchester £1,039 • Stansted £975
Hallstatt
Join us for a marvellous holiday in the heart of Austria’s stunning
Salzkammergut, a land of snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear lakes, close to the Sound of Music city of Salzburg. From your base in idyllic St Wolfgang, on the shores of lovely Wolfgangsee, enjoy some exciting included excursions and wintertime activities, and take the opportunity, on optional excursions, to discover more of the winterwarming wonders of this beautiful corner of the world. Rest and relax in St Wolfgang, and as a delightful introduction to your surroundings, join your tour manager for a guided walk through the scenic countryside, hopefully cloaked in its winter raiment, and return to a warming hot chocolate and cake. On a second included excursion, journey into nearby Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a Baroque treasure trove beneath the imposing Hohensalzburg Castle, brought to life on a guided introduction and walking tour, after which you can explore at your own pace. Enjoy the opportunity, on a last included excursion, to try the hugely enjoyable sport of ‘snowshoeing’, and perhaps join an optional horse-drawn carriage ride and torch-lit walk. Spend a last day soaking up the atmosphere of St Wolfgang or crown your visit to the Salzkammergut by joining the optional excursion to iconic, muchphotographed Hallstatt, in its peerless lakeside setting.
Personalise your holiday • Horse Drawn Carriage and torch-light walk (half day) – £35 • Hallstatt & Bad Ischl (full day) – £57
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £155
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour from Salzburg and two hours 30 minutes from Munich Winter activities are of course weather and snow-dependant. We reserve the right to provide substitute activities/transfers to alternate venues should weather conditions necessitate this.
86
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your Hotel
Hotel Forsterhof, St Wolfgang Half-Board
HHHH
Located in a quiet position on the outskirts of St Wolfgang, Hotel Forsterhof is ideally positioned, being only 550 yarrds to the lake and a 10-minute walk into the town centre. This attractive hotel is friendly and welcoming and provides an excellent base from which to enjoy your Austrian adventure. Boasting free Wi-Fi throughout, all rooms offer an Austrian twin bed and have a TV, mini-bar, and hairdryer.
The Glorious Austrian Tyrol Revel in the picture-perfect surroundings and fresh air of one of Europe’s most celebrated Alpine paradises.
8-day escorted holiday from £835
Vaduz Castle
Austrian Alps
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Stay in a delightful hotel in a Tyrolean village • Visit the pretty ski resort of St Anton • Explore idyllic Lake Constance and island-town Lindau • Discover Tyrolean capital Innsbruck • See ‘Mad’ Ludwig’s fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle • Unwind in stunning Alpine surroundings • Rest and relax, hike or cycle at your leisure • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Basur, Flirsch am Arlberg • Return flights to Zurich • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £965 • Edinburgh £965 • Gatwick £849 • Heathrow £885 • London City £965 • Luton £835 • Manchester £995 • Teeside £1,149
Savour the delights of a holiday in the wonderful surroundings
of the Tyrolean Alps, enjoying the pristine air, green pastures and snow-capped peaks of a very special corner of the world. Rest and relax in a picture-book village, where you’ll enjoy traditional, warm Tyrolean hospitality, and journey out to take in some of the region’s most sparkling jewels. Head first to nearby St Anton, with its flower-decked streets, where you’ll have time to enjoy a coffee should you wish. You’ll then journey on to beautiful Lake Constance, bordering Austria, Switzerland and Germany, and where the beautiful island town of Lindau is the gateway to Bavaria. Another day sees you take in Imperial Innsbruck, the elegant Tyrolean capital, with its old town and famous Maria-Theresien-Strasse framed against its mountain backdrop, and where a stop for coffee and cake in one of countless konditoreien (pastry shops) is a must. A last hugely enjoyable included tour heads into Bavaria to view the extraordinary turrets and towers of ‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s famous castle at Neuschwanstein (entrance payable locally). With plenty of time to enjoy the delights of Flirsch and neighbouring St Anton, and opportunities to join optional tours to the Principality of Liechtenstein, medieval Feldkirch, and to idyllic Seefeld, this is a picture‑book-perfect Alpine holiday.
Personalise your holiday • Alpine Mountains Panorama (full day) – from £51 • Liechtenstein & Medieval Feldkirch (full day) – from £41 • Seefeld (full day) – from £41
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £105
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two and a half hours.
Your Hotel
Hotel Basur, Flirsch am Arlberg Half-Board
HHH
In the heart of the delightful village, next to the pretty church, this family-run hotel exudes Tyrolean charm. A cosy bar and beautiful restaurant will delight each evening, while the well-equipped spa offers a sauna, steam bath and plunge pool. Traditionally furnished rooms have a TV, hairdryer, telephone and free Wi-Fi. A local bus to neighbouring resorts such as Landeck and St Anton stops right outside the hotel.
A room tax of approx. €3 per person per night is payable directly to the hotel on check-out.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
87
Moscow & St Petersburg
Discover two of the Northern Hemisphere’s most extraordinary, intriguing and exciting cities on this thoroughly absorbing, unforgettable tour.
7–day escorted holiday from £1,079
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the Russian capital • Take in the Kremlin, onion-domed St Basil’s and the famous Bolshoi Theatre • Spend three nights in St Petersburg and three nights in Moscow • Enjoy a fascinating introductory tour of the exquisite ‘Venice of the North’ • Visit the world-renowned Hermitage Museum • Daytime train journey from Moscow to St Petersburg • Six nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Holiday Inn Sokolniki, Moscow and the four-star Original Sokos Olympia Garden Hotel, St Petersburg • Outbound flight to Moscow, returning from St Petersburg • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Dec 2021 & Feb to Dec 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Aberdeen £1,079 • Birmingham £1,079 • Bristol £1,079 • Cardiff £1,129 • Edinburgh £1,079 • Glasgow £1,079 • Heathrow £1,109 • Humberside £1,095 • Inverness £1,079 • Leeds/Bradford £1,095 • Manchester £1,079 • Newcastle £1,079 • Norwich £1,095 • Teesside £1,095
Personalise your holiday • Kremlin & Red Square (half day) Day Two – from £54 • Highlights of Moscow (full day) Day Three – from £96 • Tsars’ Grand Palaces (full day) Day Six – from £120 • Cossack Folklore & Dinner (evening) Day Six – from £154 • Peter & Paul Fortress (half day) Day Seven – from £69
Finland
Red Square, Moscow
Combining three nights in Moscow, the beating heart
of Mother Russia, and three in elegant St Petersburg, this hugely enjoyable seven-day holiday includes fascinating guided tours and opportunities to join optional excursions in both cities. With a daytime train journey between the cities, this is a rich Russian adventure of irresistible attraction, one from which you’ll return immeasurably rewarded.
Day One – Fly to Moscow Upon arrival meet your tour manager and transfer by coach to your hotel base for the next three nights. Rest and relax after the journey, and enjoy your first evening in the city. Day Two – Included Moscow tour This morning’s included guided tour will introduce you to the fabled Kremlin and adjacent Red Square, where multi-coloured, onion-domed St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s eerie Mausoleum and the former GUM State Department Store, now a glittering shopping mall. Other highlights of the tour might include Revolution Square, the newly rebuilt Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (one of the city’s most striking landmarks), the Bolshoi Theatre and the infamous Lubyanka, former KGB headquarters. This afternoon, an optional guided walking tour will reveal some of the secrets of the Kremlin, as you pass through the turreted walls and enter a truly fascinating enclave of imposing buildings. Sobornaya Square is home to the trio of cathedrals and the magnificent Ivan the Great Belltower, the Kremlin’s tallest structure. This evening you can choose to round off a wonderful day by enjoying dinner in the city.
Russia
St Petersburg
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £199 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Optional excursions must be booked prior to departure. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Russia. Please see page 186.
88
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Moscow
Day Three – At leisure, or optional tour A further day to enjoy the city. Some will head off to explore under their own steam; many, however, will enjoy a full-day optional highlights of Moscow tour, taking in Victory Park, where the Museum of the Great Patriotic War commemorates the Soviet Union’s incalculable sacrifices in World War Two. Enjoy a visit to one of Moscow’s landmark metro stations
Grand Cascade in Peterhof
Chapel of St George, Victory Park, Moscow
Interior of the Church of the Saviour
and to the Kremlin’s Armoury Palace. Enjoy free time for shopping, and the chance of dinner and a final evening in Moscow. Day Four – Train to St Petersburg Transfer to Leningrad Station and board the train to St Petersburg, arriving later today. On arrival at St Petersburg’s Station, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel for three nights. Enjoy dinner, perhaps in the hotel or a restaurant in the city. Day Five – Included St Petersburg tour After breakfast enjoy a fascinating orientation and introductory tour of the ‘Venice of the North’, which in fact, but for its canals and innumerable bridges, is more Paris or Madrid, given the grand sweep of its squares and the opulence of its great palaces and civic buildings. Founded by Peter the Great as a westward-looking bastion, St Petersburg is a match for the finest of all European cities. Palace Square, towered over by the Alexander Column, is also home to the fabled Winter Palace of the Tsars, a Baroque masterpiece that houses part of the extraordinary Hermitage Museum. The exquisite Admiralty building is crowned by a gilded spire and topped in turn by a weathervane in the shape of a frigate, the city’s most enduring symbol. Across the Neva River lies the Peter and Paul Fortress, where the city began, and Peter and Paul Cathedral, burial place of the Romanov Tsars. This afternoon, you’ll step inside the gilded portals of the fabled Hermitage museum, to enjoy a guided tour of some of its phenomenal collection. (Entrance fees to the buildings are not included in the morning. Entrance to the Hermitage museum is included in the afternoon).
Your Hotels
Holiday Inn Sokolniki, Moscow Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 1-3
This welcoming hotel is located in the northeast of Moscow and close to Sokolniki metro station, which allows easy access to and from the city centre. The hotel houses a bar, a restaurant, a café, a spa with an indoor heated pool, a fully equipped gym and a sauna. All rooms have air conditioning, a safe, telephone, TV, Wi‑Fi, and 24-hour room service.
Original Sokos Olympia Garden Hotel, St Petersburg HHHH Bed & Breakfast nights 4-6 Close to the Tekhnologicheskiy Metro and with good transport links to Nevsky Prospekt, the Hermitage and St Isaac’s Cathedral, this comfortable hotel has a bar, a restaurant, a lift and free Wi-Fi. All the guest rooms have air conditioning, hairdryer and a safe.
Day Six – At Leisure, or optional excursion Join today’s optional excursion to the Imperial Palace at Pushkin and stunning gardens at Peterhof, both lovingly reconstructed since World War Two, and reflecting the grandeur of Imperial Court life, under Catherine the Great and the Romanovs. Entrance is included to the palace, and a visit is made to Peterhof’s garden. This evening, join the optional evening dinner excursion to the famous folklore show at the historic Nikolaevskiy Palace, to immerse yourself in the traditions of Cossack dancing and folk songs. Day Seven – At Leisure, or optional Peter and Paul Fortress visit followed by departure A last optional excursion includes entrances to, and a guided tour of, the Peter and Paul Fortress, and a visit to the sumptuous, intimate Yusupov Palace, perhaps the city’s finest Imperial residence, scene of the murder of legendary ‘monk’ Rasputin. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK at the end of a wonderful break.
The Winter Palace, St Petersburg
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
89
Georgia – where Europe meets Asia Amidst spectacular scenery, discover one of Eurasia’s most fascinating countries and some of its most welcoming people.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,419
Gergeti Church
Tbilisi
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover and explore Tbilisi – Georgia’s ancient, welcoming capital – on a guided tour • Enjoy guided tours of Gori – Stalin’s birthplace – and Uplistsikhe’s astonishing cave town • Drive to the Bodbe Monastery, burial place of St Nino, Georgia’s Patron Saint • Take in the views from pretty Sighnaghi • Learn about and taste Georgian wines – the world’s oldest – in Kakheti • Travel north, via UNESCO-listed Mtskheta’s cathedral, Jvari’s monastery and Ananuri’s castle to Kazbegi, now Stepantsminda, in the shadow of the Caucasus • Take a 4x4 vehicle to Gergeti church, on its lofty perch • Six nights carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Europe, Tbilisi and the four-star Marco Polo Hotel, Gudauri, plus one night on the aircraft • Early check-in on arrival at your hotel in Tbilisi • Three lunches and three dinners, all accompanied by wine • Return flights to Tbilisi • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep & Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham* £1,815 • Edinburgh* £1,825 • Gatwick £1,419 • Heathrow* £1,739 • Manchester* £1,815
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £390 Extend your holiday Four-night Armenia extension from £770 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 35 minutes. Flights from Gatwick are direct. *All other flights are indirect.
90
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Traditional clay oven bread-maker
At the crossroads of two vast continents, on the route of the great Silk Road, and with an ancient, fascinating history that includes some of the oldest known beginnings of wine making, Georgia, in the shadow of the Caucasus Mountains, is one of the world’s most beautiful countries. With legendary hospitality from people who believe guests are blessings, and with a burgeoning tourism infrastructure bringing 21st-century comforts to its spectacular setting, Georgia is truly one of the world’s foremost must-visit destinations.
Discover compact Tbilisi, the country’s capital for over 1,500 years, set beneath an imposing fortress. A colourful, cosmopolitan Old Town boasts a delightful maze of narrow streets lined with shops, stores, bars, cafés and restaurants. You’ll also visit Gori, birthplace of Soviet leader Josef Stalin, and take in ancient cave town Uplistsikhe, the picture book Alazani Valley and wine-producing Kakheti. Two nights in the foothills of the Caucasus, where you’ll discover former capital Mtskheta, the country’s cultural and spiritual home, and head by four-wheel-drive vehicle to the hilltop Gergeti Church, beneath the towering flanks of Mount Kazbek, crown a marvellous visit to this fascinating country.
Your Hotels
Hotel Europe, Tbilisi HHHH Bed & Breakfast and one dinner nights 2,3,4,7 In the heart of the Vera district of Tbilisi, close to Vera Park and the Tbilisi Concert Hall, Hotel Europe is well located, modern and comfortable, with an inviting restaurant and bar. Bedrooms have a flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi, telephone, hairdryer, mini-bar and safe.
Marco Polo Hotel, Gudauri Half-Board
HHHH nights 5 & 6
Located in the village of Gudauri and surrounded by the breathtaking Caucasus Mountains, Marco Polo Hotel has a warm, alpine feel to it. Bedrooms have free Wi-fi, room service, hairdryer, TV, telephone, minibar and safe. As well as the main restaurant, there are two bars in which to relax, and indoor bowling, billiards and tennis court if you’re feeling more energetic.
The Spirit of Kraków Savour the preserved medieval glories of Poland’s former Royal capital unveiled, and pay a moving visit to poignant Auschwitz.
5-day escorted holiday from £535
Auschwitz
Wawel Castle
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a guided tour of Poland’s stunning former Royal Capital • Discover the great medieval square of Rynek Glówny • Wander the market stalls and galleries of the vast Sukkennice Cloth Hall • Don’t miss the stunning Mariacki church • Take in Wawel Castle and its stunning riverside views • Visit the Kazimierz district, the former centre of Jewish culture • Enjoy Kraków’s vibrant café culture • Visit poignant, sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau • Four nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation for the three-star Q Hotel, Kraków* (upgrade hotels available at a supplement) • Return flights to Kraków • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Nov 2021, Mar to Nov 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £635 • Bournemouth £559 • Bristol £585 • East Midlands £579 • Edinburgh £629 • Gatwick £535 • Leeds/Bradford £685 • Liverpool £595 • Luton £579 • Manchester £615 • Newcastle £675 • Stansted £559
Personalise your holiday • Wieliczka Salt Mine – from £37
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £176
Mariacki Church, Kraków
Discover Kraków, one of a handful of major Central European cities
to have survived the centuries unscathed. Enjoy a walking tour in the company of your knowledgeable guide, discovering and exploring a vibrant, bustling city centred on Stare Miasto, Kraków’s mesmerising medieval heart. Here, the great square of Rynek Glówny, medieval Europe’s largest such space, is surrounded by buildings of breathtaking beauty, churches with towers and intricate spires, and crowned by the vast Sukiennice or Cloth Hall. This special break also includes a respectful visit to the preserved remains of infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau, a thought-provoking pilgrimage that will provide a very real insight into the events of recent history, and the chance, on an optional excursion, to visit the astonishing, UNESCO-listed salt mine at Wieliczka, where attractions include a life-size chapel carved entirely out of salt.
Your Hotel Choices
Q Hotel, Kraków Bed & Breakfast
Situated in the Bronowice district away from the city centre, with easy access by bus, or a 45-60 minute walk to Wawel Castle and Rynek Glówny (the main square). Facilities include a restaurant and a lounge bar. Ultramodern style rooms offer air conditioning, satellite TV, with tea/coffee-making facilities and Wi-Fi.
Q Plus Hotel, Kraków Bed & Breakfast
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes. * In the event of higher than anticipated demand, we reserve the right to use alternative hotels of a similar standard and location.
HHH Price from £535
HHHH Price from £622
Set close to the Vistula River and across the Grunwaldski Bridge from the historic Kazimierz quarter and Wawel Castle, this four-star hotel boasts comfortable lounge areas, a fine restaurant, a lobby bar and a fitness centre. Smartly decorated, air-conditioned rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
91
Prague, Vienna & Budapest Explore a trio of Europe’s most vibrant and colourful cities, their scenic surroundings and the glorious ‘Blue’ Danube.
8-day escorted holiday from £899
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy an included tour of historic Prague • See Charles’ Bridge’s blackened statues and Old Town Square’s fascinating astronomical clock • Journey through beautiful, forested Bohemia • A guided tour brings to life Imperial Vienna • See the Ringstrasse buildings and the Hofburg Palace – home to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna • Pay a visit to cosmopolitan Bratislava, en route to Hungary • Explore twin city Budapest, with its style and traditional thermal baths, on a guided tour • Enjoy a Danube river cruise in Budapest, with stunning views of the vast Gothic Parliament • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Aureli Hotel Gloria, Prague, the Novum Hotel Prinz Eugen, Vienna and the Hotel Hungaria City Center, Budapest • Outbound flight to Prague, returning from Budapest • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Tyn Cathedral & Clock Tower, Prague
Begin in the breathtaking Bohemian capital of the Czech
Republic, then take in magnificent Vienna, home to stunning palaces and the very best coffee and cake. Continue to cosmopolitan Slovakian capital Bratislava, and majestic twin-city Budapest, which sits astride the mighty River Danube. An opportunity, on an optional excursion, to discover Baroque gem Dresden, completes the wonderful tour..
Day One – Fly to Prague Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to the hotel. Dependent upon your arrival time, there may be the opportunity of a first exploration of the Czech capital. Day Two – Included Walking Tour of Prague Get to know one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals, which has miraculously survived the turbulent centuries unscathed. Join our guide for a walking tour which will introduce you to the exquisite Old Town, or Staré Mesto, the city’s heart since the 13th-century, then cross the River Vlatva by the famous cobbled Charles Bridge, with its blackened statues, into the steeply sloping left bank and the Hradčany district, dominated by the imposing mass of Prague’s ancient castle. Following the tour, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. This evening, why not join our optional river cruise with buffet dinner?
Available Sep to Nov 2021, Mar to Nov 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £939 • Edinburgh £959 • Gatwick £899 • Luton £919 • Manchester £959 • Stansted £899
Personalise your holiday • Evening Prague River Cruise Day Two – from £38 • Dresden (full day) Day Three – from £21 • Schönbrunn Palace (half day) Day Five – from £27 • Folklore Evening Budapest Day Seven – from £39
Dresden
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £301
Prague
Czech Republic Vienna
Austria Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 40 minutes.
92
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Slovakia Bratislava Budapest
Hungary
Day Three – Optional Tour of Dresden Explore the fascinating city at your leisure today, or join the optional excursion to the former Eastern Germany’s Baroque gem Dresden, with its restored glories, including the stupendous Frauenkirche, which lay in ruins from 1945 until its rebuilding following Reunification. After a fascinating day, return to spend a last evening in Prague. Day Four – Travel Through Bohemia to Vienna Take your leave of Prague to head south into a rolling, romantic region of dense forests,
Belvedere Palace, Vienna
Budapest
medieval towns and hill‑top castles. By early afternoon you will have crossed into Austria and will arrive in the great Imperial city of Vienna. Enjoy a guided introduction to the magnificent seat of the Hapsburg Empire, with its imposing Baroque palaces and cathedral. The world-famous Hofburg Palace is home to the Spanish Riding School, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, several museums and the Austrian President. Vienna is famous as the home of the kaffeehaus, and no doubt during your visit there’ll be time to sit and enjoy coffee and cake in one of several celebrated Viennese meeting places. Day Five – Optional Visit to the Schönbrunn Palace This morning, explore the city once again, or join the optional excursion to the Schönbrunn Palace, one of Austria’s greatest treasures and a magnificent building that once echoed with the music of the young Mozart. Enjoy a second evening in Vienna. Day Six – Continue to Budapest via Bratislava Bid farewell to the Austrian capital and cross into picturesque Slovakia and its wonderful capital, Bratislava, delightfully set on the River Danube close to the point where Austria and Hungary converge. A cosmopolitan mix of Central European influences, Bratislava boasts glorious Baroque palaces and some stunning churches. After a fascinating few hours in the city, re-board the coach to make the onward journey into Hungary and its glorious, Danubeside capital Budapest, for a last two‑night stay. Day Seven – Included Budapest Tour and Danube Cruise Enjoy this morning’s introductory tour of the ‘twin’ city, set astride the river. On one side sits Buda, an elegant hillside of opulent buildings, while opposite Pest is a bustling hive of museums, galleries, thermal baths, restaurants and bars. Discover the former’s castle district, with its delightful medieval houses and the fascinating Matyas Church with its medieval frescoes. In Pest, the vast riverside Gothic Parliament and the grandiose Heroes’ Square, with its imposing columns and statues, are just two of the highlights. Later this afternoon, enjoy an included river cruise, while this evening, you’ll have the chance to join an optional folklore evening of traditional Hungarian music and food.
Your Hotels
Aureli Hotel Gloria, Prague Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 1-3
In the quiet Zitkov district close to the Castle, which can be reached on foot, and just over half a mile from the city centre, with good public transport links including a tram stop just 350 yards away, this traditional hotel offers a warm welcome, reception and lobby lounge, buffet breakfast room and simply furnished, clean rooms with TV, mini-bar and safe.
Novum Hotel Prinz Eugen, Vienna Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 4-5
In a leafy diplomatic quarter of the city, close to sumptuous Belvedere Palace and within easy reach of the city centre, this traditionally furnished hotel, housed in a building formally owned by a prince, offers a lobby bar, free Wi-Fi and comfortable rooms with TV and hairdryer. As well as good public transport links, there are shops and restaurants within the immediate vicinity.
Hotel Hungaria City Center, Budapest HHHH Bed & Breakfast nights 6-7 On the bustling, Pest, side of the Danube, within walking distance of the Old Town and the cathedral, this, Hungary’s largest hotel, offers restaurant, bar, sumptuously appointed lounges, a terrace, a wellness centre with whirlpool and sauna, as well as wellappointed, air-conditioned rooms with TV, mini-bar and sound proofing. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the entire hotel. Please note: On certain dates you will be accommodated in different hotels of a similar standard.
Day Eight – Return to the UK Transfer to Budapest airport for your return flight
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
93
Dubrovnik, Montenegro & the Dalmatian Coast
On this marvellous two-centre holiday you’ll discover one of Europe’s most idyllic regions, on the shores of the Blue Adriatic.
8-day escorted holiday from £819
Dubrovnik
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
You’ll spend the first three nights of this marvellous holiday on
• Spend three nights on the beautiful Makarska Riviera • Discover and explore Roman Split, Croatia’s stunning second city • Visit walled island-city Trogir, with its Romanesque cathedral • Spend a day in the beautiful Krka National Park • Journey south via historic Mostar, with its famous bridge • Four nights are spent close to walled Dubrovnik • Explore Dubrovnik, the exquisite ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ • Spend a full day discovering idyllic Montenegro, one of ‘new Europe’s’ most sparkling jewels • See the spectacular Bay of Kotor, southern Europe’s largest ‘fjord’ • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Ivando, Drvenik and the three-star Hotel Tirena, Dubrovnik • Return flights to Dubrovnik • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
the sun-kissed reaches of the sweeping Makarska Riviera, with included visits to vibrant Split and walled, island-city Trogir. You’ll then head south, via historic Mostar and its famous bridge, for four nights close to peerless Dubrovnik, with a day in the walled city and a tour of stunning Montenegro to complete a hugely memorable time.
Day One – Fly to Dubrovnik and travel to Drvenik Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and make the scenic journey north to Drvenik and your hotel. The transfer time from the airport is approximately three hours. On arrival, get to know your surroundings and spend a first evening on the shores of the Adriatic, perhaps enjoying a nightcap under the stars. Day Two – Included Split and Trogir excursion On today’s included tour, you’ll journey first to Croatia’s historic, vibrant second city Split, where highlights include a wondrous, colourful, bustling Old Town and the crumbling ruins of the palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Available Sep & Oct 2021, Apr to Jul, Sep & Oct 2022
Croatia
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £845 • Edinburgh £899 • Gatwick £819 • Heathrow £959 • Leeds/Bradford £879 • Manchester £865 • Newcastle £899
ou’ll then discover the walled, island-town of Trogir, which with its Y Romanesque cathedral, narrow streets and its own seafront promenade, is one of the most enticing settlements on the whole Croatian coast. Cross to the island via a bridge and enter a time-warped jumble of palaces, ancient churches and hidden courtyards, today lined with dozens of restaurants, cafés and a variety of shops, but where the sense of times past is never quite overcome.
Krka National Park
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £168
Trogir
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Split
Drevnik
Mostar
Montenegro
Dubrovnik Mlini Kotor Budva Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is three hours on arrival and 30 minutes on departure.
94
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Day Three – Included Krka National Park excursion Today’s tour takes in the tumbling waterfalls, deep gorges and picturesque lakes of the beautiful Krka National Park, which stretches some 12 miles through a valley from the delightful harbour town of Skradin, with its stone-built houses and colourful waterfront. There’ll be the opportunity
Mostar Bridge
Dubrovnik
to see the parks cascades and perhaps to take a stroll through the verdant surrounding forest on prepared wooden walkways. A last dinner will be served at the hotel this evening.
Your Hotels
Day Four – Travel to Dubrovnik via Mostar Leaving Drvenik after breakfast this morning, you’ll journey south past the River Neretva delta – a wildlife paradise home to several endangered bird species – and on into Bosnia-Herzegovina and historic Mostar, with its lovingly restored bridge across the river its most famous landmark. After the opportunity to explore the colourful town, a UNESCOlisted area boasting one of Europe’s oldest continuously trading markets, you’ll then travel on to your beautifully located second hotel base close to Dubrovnik, where dinner will be served. Day Five – Included Dubrovnik guided tour As a memorable day unfolds, get to know stunning Dubrovnik, the incomparable ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, with its captivating medieval Old Town and ancient city walls, the views from which stretch out over the red-roofed buildings towards the sea beyond. Join the guided tour, which will include the medieval Old Town, its pedestrianised central street Stradun running from the Pile Gate to busy Luza Square, overlooked by the carved stone façade of the impressive Sponza Palace and the graceful Baroque St Blaise’s Church. Other highlights of the walking tour will include the Franciscan Monastery, and the Rector’s Palace, seat of the government in the former Dubrovnik Republic. The energetic can walk the entirety of the walls, while others might enjoy a seat in one of the city’s many pavement cafés, before returning to the hotel. Day Six – Included tour of Montenegro, the Bay of Kotor and Budva A last included excursion sees you drive south to the breathtakingly beautiful country of Montenegro, home to some of the Mediterranean’s most stunning beaches, luxuriant pine forests and some enchanting, preserved medieval settlements, all nestled against a backdrop of high mountains crossed by crystalclear glacial streams. See the spectacular Bay of Kotor, Southern Europe’s largest fjord, and stop to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kotor itself, with its ancient Old Town. Visit Budva, one of the oldest settlements in the Adriatic, and now a picturesque and thriving holiday resort with beautiful beaches, and perfect picture-postcard surroundings, before returning to your hotel in time for dinner.
Hotel Ivando, Drvenik Half-Board
HHHH nights 1-3 This well appointed family run hotel, in the heart of the Makarska Riviera, is situated in the small village of Drvenik, approximately 60 yards from the crystal clear blue waters and white pebble beach, beautifully shaded by pine trees and looking out over a lovely vista. The hotel comprises three buildings and has two restaurants, a bar area, reception and lift as well as comfortable, air-conditioned rooms offering Wi-Fi, satellite TV, hairdryer, mini-bar, balcony and a side sea view.
Hotel Tirena, Babin Kuk, Dubrovnik Half-Board
HHH nights 4-7
Situated in a quiet area on the Babin Kuk peninsular, only 260 yards from the sea. The old town of Dubrovnik is approximately 4 miles from the hotel, and can easily be reached by public transport. The hotel has an airconditioned restaurant serving buffet meals, a lobby bar, an outdoor swimming pool and sunbathing area, lounge area, lift, reception and a snack bar. The rooms are comfortably furnished, and all offer telephone, satellite TV, safe, Wi-Fi and hairdryer. Balcony rooms available for a supplement.
Day Seven – Day at leisure Enjoy a final day’s rest and relaxation, perhaps returning to Dubrovnik’s enthralling streets once more, or even taking to the blue waters of the Adriatic that lap the shore. Secluded rocky coves and several tiny beaches provide opportunities for swimming, while more energetic pursuits can be enjoyed on the water. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel and a last balmy Croatian evening. Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Bid farewell to Croatia, and make the short transfer to the airport for the return flight, at the end of a wonderful holiday.
Old Town, Dubrovnik
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
95
Croatia’s Istrian Rivera & Lake Bled Enjoy elegance and grandeur on the blue Adriatic, Roman glories, stunning scenery and one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes.
8-day escorted holiday from £979
Amphitheatre, Pula
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a week-long stay in elegant Opatija, former Habsburg dynasty retreat • Discover Roman Pula’s stunning amphitheatre • Visit picture-perfect Rovinj • Visit exquisite Lake Bled, Slovenia’s most charming attraction • See the stunning waterfalls and breathtaking scenery in the Plitvice National Park • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Grand Hotel Opatijska Cvijeta, Opatija • Return flights to Venice or Pula • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £1,049 • Bristol £999 • Edinburgh £1,029 • Gatwick £979 • Leeds/Bradford £1,249 • Liverpool £1,029 • Luton £979 • Manchester £1,125 • Stansted £979
Personalise your holiday
Italy
Lake Bled
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £140
Venice Rovinj Pula
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 20 minutes from Pula airport and three hours from Venice airport.
96
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
colourful resort of Opatija, former watering hole of the Viennese elite during the Hapsburg Empire, and now one of Croatia’s premier holiday havens, this wonderful holiday includes three marvellous excursions. You’ll enjoy the delights of the Istrian Riviera, journey into beautiful Slovenia to the shores of exquisite Lake Bled and spend a wonderful day in the verdant surroundings of the glorious Plitvice National Park.
Day One – Fly to Croatia or Italy Upon arrival in Venice or Pula, transfer to your hotel, travelling briefly into Slovenia then on into Croatia if transferring from Italy and arriving in Opatija, set on the Kvarner Gulf, in a sun‑kissed corner of the Adriatic Sea. Day Two – At leisure in Opatija Today is free to enjoy the facilities of the hotel, or to discover and explore the delights of Opatija, which has welcomed guests to its elegant shores for over 170 years. Exuding an air of grandeur befitting its former status as the Austro-Hungarian counterpart to the Côte d’Azur, and similarly sheltered from the north winds by a backdrop of forested hills, Opatija is one of Croatia’s favourite modern-day watering holes, with a charming marina, shore-side promenade, a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants – especially in the pretty Volosko neighbourhood – and several jetties from which swimmers might take a dip into the inviting water.
Sep & Oct 2021, Apr to Jul, Sep & Oct 2022
• Two Islands Boat Cruise (full day) Day Five – from £73 • Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle (full day) Day Seven – from £52
Based in a beautifully appointed shore-side hotel in the genteel,
Slovenia Croatia Opatija Plitvice Lakes National Park
Day Three – Included Istrian Peninsula excursion The first of the included tours, taken in the company of our friendly tour manager, takes in some of the beauty of the adjacent Istrian peninsular. Highlights will include bustling Pula, the provincial capital famed for its vast Roman amphitheatre, the immense arches of which tower over the city’s port and ancient centre. You’ll also discover the remarkable Lim Fjord, a wooded natural gash in the coastline and legendary one‑time hideaway of the pirate Captain
Rovinj
Statue in Opatija
Morgan. You’ll visit stunning Rovinj, which rises Venice-like out of the water and is topped by a beautiful Baroque church. Climb through the narrow streets, which lead ever upwards, to enjoy the tremendous view, before returning to the harbour front below, perhaps to enjoy a well-deserved ice‑cream!
Lake Bled
Gondolas on Lake Bled
Your Hotel
Grand Hotel Opatijska Cvijeta, Opatija Half-Board
This well-located hotel overlooks a harbour and seafront promenade, which takes you all the way to the centre of Opatija. It boasts a fine spa, offering a wide range of treatments (payable locally), indoor/outdoor pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. All the airconditioned rooms have satellite TV, hairdryer, internet access, fridge, safe and a telephone. Other amenities include pretty gardens, a restaurant and a bar with Wi-Fi. Sea views rooms are available for a supplement.
Day Four – Included Slovenia and Lake Bled excursion Today’s long but memorable excursion journeys north through scenic countryside into Slovenia, past the country’s capital Ljubljana, to beautiful Lake Bled. Ringed by forested hills and looking out across the usually still waters to an off-shore island crowned by its Gothic church, Bled is a wonderfully appointed resort town surrounded by the delights of nature. You’ll have views of Bled Castle, which overlooks the town from a lofty perch on the opposite shore, before spending time enjoying the lakeside resort. Enjoy a pleasant lunch (payable locally), or perhaps take a gondola across to the island with its Baroque church (payable locally). The energetic can row themselves! You’ll return to Opatija this evening in time for dinner. Day Five – At leisure, or optional Krk and Cres islands excursion Rest and relax in the hotel and its surroundings, or join today’s optional tour by boat to two contrasting islands lying off the beautiful Croatian coast. Board your vessel for the day in Opatija and head across the blue waters first to Krk, the largest of the Kvarner Gulf island group, where main Krk Town was once a Roman bastion. Across a narrow strait, slightly smaller Cres is less inhabited than its neighbour, with the fishing port and historic town Beli charmingly set on a hilltop overlooking its picturesque harbour. An enjoyable day is added to by the provision by the vessel’s crew of a traditional fish-picnic.
HHHH
Please note: Sea View rooms are available for a supplement, see website for details. Plitvice National Park
Day Six – Included Tour of Plitvice National Park The last of the included excursions heads inland to what is justifiably Croatia’s most celebrated and most visited natural attraction. Sixteen separate bodies of water are backed by breathtaking scenery, and linked by a series of rushing waterfalls and rapids, which tumble down the ancient, time-weathered terraces. Journeying through the beautiful scenery of Croatia’s interior, you’ll spend time exploring the park on foot before returning to Opatija this evening. Day Seven – At leisure, or optional Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle excursion Spend a final day in the hotel or Opatija, or join a final tour, crossing the border once again into Slovenia and the rolling Karst region, which has lent its name to anywhere in the world where underground streams and caves are found. Today you’ll visit the giant chasm at Postojna, travelling by train some two miles underground, then walking with a personal ‘audio-guide’ through a wonderfully illuminated nether world of stalactites and stalagmites, where the strange ‘human fish’ – a tiny amphibian – lives out its sightless life. After a fascinating visit you’ll journey on to historic Predjama Castle, magically built into a sheer cliff face, with its upper floor stairwells carved from the bedrock. You’ll return to enjoy dinner and your last evening in Opatija. Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK, after a wonderful stay in a delightful corner of the world.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
97
Croatian Island Cruise on board MS Mendula
Four-star Ship
Enjoy a glorious week of blue waters, hidden coves and delightful ports of call, discovered from the comforts of your ‘private yacht’.
8-day Island Cruise holiday from £1,499
MS Mendula
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Join Mendula close to Dubrovnik, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour • Cruise through the Elaphiti Isles, calling at Mljet • Entrance fees to Mljet National Park, Split’s Diocletian Palace, and the cathedral • Spend the night at verdant Korčula, thought to be the birthplace of Marco Polo • Overnight stays at remote Vis and famously chic Hvar • Enjoy a Captain’s Dinner in glorious Brač • Discover Split, Croatia’s stunning second city • Plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkelling • Spend relaxed evenings ashore or at the ship’s top-deck bar • Seven nights’ accommodation on board Mendula in a lower-deck cabin (upgrade cabins available) • Breakfast each day, five lunches and two evening meals, including a Captain’s Dinner • Return flights to Croatia, flying out to Dubrovnik and returning from Split • Return airport-to-ship transfers
Available
Cruise through the warm, blue waters of the Adriatic Sea,
gently island-hopping on board beautiful, twin-masted MS Mendula, your delightful air-conditioned ‘private yacht’. With up to just 31 passengers, Mendula, at 36 metres in length, is small enough to get into some of Croatia’s most picturesque harbours and some idyllic ‘hidden coves’.
Day One – Fly to Dubrovnik Upon arrival, transfer by coach to the quayside in picturesque Zaton’s small harbour for an afternoon embarkation aboard Mendula (transfer time is approximately 40 minutes). Enjoy dinner and your first night on board, getting to know your fellow passengers and the welcoming crew. Passengers arriving early will be taken to the picturesque resort of Cavtat to enjoy free time prior to embarkation in Zaton. Day Two – Dubrovnik city tour and on to Mljet After breakfast, sail up the coast for a tour of nearby Dubrovnik, ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, with its red-roofed buildings and encircling fortifications. A guided tour introduces one of the Mediterranean’s greatest treasures, including the medieval Old Town, its pedestrianised central street Stradun running from the Pile Gate to busy Luza Square, overlooked by the impressive Sponza Palace and graceful Baroque St Blaise’s Church. Other highlights will include the Franciscan Monastery, housing Europe’s Split oldest pharmacy, and the Rector’s Palace (entrances payable locally). Brač
Croatia
Jul to Oct 2022
Fly direct from Ad
• Belfast £1,599 • Bristol £1,549 • Gatwick £1,529 • Luton £1,499 • Manchester £1,549
ri at ic
Se
a
Hvar Korcula Mljet Dubrovnik
Italy
98
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
After the tour, you’ll sail out into the brilliant blue waters of the Adriatic, passing the tantalising Elaphiti, which lie offshore, and which, weather and time-permitting, provide an idyllic backdrop for a first dip. Each day, the captain will ensure that there’s time to
MS Mendula
Korcula
enjoy the warm sunshine for which the region is famous and the opportunity for a swim or snorkel.
Dubrovnik
The Captain and his crew
Your Cabin Choices MS Mendula
Later today, you’ll arrive at the island of Mljet, legendary hiding place of Odysseus and Calypso. Your ship will tie up at the tiny port of Pomena, and there’s the chance to enjoy dinner in this unspoiled haven. Day Three – Mljet National Park and Korčula Following breakfast, you’ll step ashore to explore the wooded Mljet National Park, home to two salt lakes and a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. After a wonderful morning spent exploring, board Mendula for a leisurely cruise up the Dalmatian Coast to Korčula. Lunch will be served on board as you float through the brilliant blue waters of the Adriatic, past pine-clad islets to verdant Korčula, settled for at least 6,000 years and birthplace, legend has it, of the explorer Marco Polo. Whether true or not, the island is worthy of any voyage of discovery. Upon arrival, join the included tour of the main town, a medieval jewel of narrow streets – built at interlocking angles to avoid the cool winter winds off the sea – and fortifications. This evening, seek out a restaurant or taverna for dinner.
The price of your holiday includes accommodation in a lower deck cabin. These cabins have a double bed, with a porthole in both the cabin and bathroom.
Your Upgrade Cabin Choices Category A Main Deck Cabin Price from £1,533
Day Four – Sail to Vis Enjoy a leisurely morning on board, including a fresh breakfast, before Mendula departs for laidback Vis. Of all Croatia’s inhabited islands, Vis is furthest from the mainland, and was closed off entirely to foreign visitors until just over 30 years ago, leaving it well preserved and undeveloped. Mendula will tie up off the coast, giving you the chance to take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water before dinner is at leisure tonight. Day Five – Free morning and on to Hvar A free morning gives you the chance to step ashore and explore Vis before you depart to Hvar, the most celebrated of Croatia’s offshore archipelago. A verdant paradise of lush vegetation, floral beauty, vineyards, lavender fields and hidden coves, Hvar is as idyllic a spot as any in the Mediterranean. After lunch on board, enjoy the included guided tour of Hvar Town, where the Venetian arsenal, tiny harbour and Cathedral are amongst the highlights, and this evening soak up the atmosphere of what is one of Croatia’s trendiest enclaves.
HHHH
This beautiful yacht, which is air-conditioned throughout, has a maximum passenger capacity of just 31, sleeping in 16 comfortable cabins, arranged in three different categories. All cabins are furnished with a dresser, chair, safe, hairdryer, closet, bedside lamp, mirrors, and private bathroom with shower and WC. The main ‘living/ breakfast room’ offers Wi-Fi and satellite TV, and there is ample space for sunbathing on the top deck, where you’ll find the friendly, welcoming bar.
These cabins have two single beds/double bed, a window in the cabin and a porthole in the bathroom.
Category A+ Upper Deck Cabin
Price from £1,687
These cabins have two single beds, a window in the cabin and a porthole in the bathroom.
Category B
Day Six – Brač and Captain’s Dinner Depart verdant Hvar this morning, stopping at picturesque Starigrad or Bol to step ashore and enjoy lunch at leisure. This afternoon, return to Mendula as she sails past steep coastal cliffs and to lively Pučišća on Brač, Croatia’s third largest island, with its stunning beaches and especially clear waters. You’ll tie up here for the evening, where you’ll have the chance to step ashore and explore before a Captain’s Dinner is served on board, under the stars. Day Seven – Cruise to Split A morning’s sailing – with a stop for a swim and lunch on board – brings you to the historic Dalmatian capital city of Split – with its wondrous UNESCO-listed Old Town and palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Officially Croatia’s second city, Split bustles with life, especially on the waterfront promenade, the Riva, and in its colourful marketplaces, which are explored on the included tour. Mendula will tie up in Split for the final night of your cruise. Day Eight – Fly back to the UK Bid Mendula farewell and transfer to the airport and the return flight, at the end of a wonderful holiday. Passengers on late afternoon flights will have the opportunity to enjoy free time Split before they depart. Please note: on some departures the itinerary will be reversed, starting in Split and ending in Dubrovnik.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
99
Lake Bled & Beautiful Slovenia Some of Europe’s most picture-perfect lakes and mountains scenery and one of its most attractive cities, discovered and explored.
6-day escorted holiday from £875
Ljubljana
Lake Bled
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend five nights in Lake Bled’s idyllic surroundings • Enjoy a boat trip on the lake and a chance to ring the wishing bell at Bled Island church • A guided tour introduces Slovenian capital Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest cities • Discover the extraordinary caves at Postojna • Predjama’s castle is built into a cliff face • Discover stunning alpine Kranjska Gora on an optional excursion • Five nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Kompas, Lake Bled • Return flights to Ljubljana or Venice • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Jan to Jun, Sep, Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £899 • Edinburgh £889 • Gatwick £875 • Heathrow £899 • Luton £875 • Manchester £889
Personalise your holiday • Kranjska Gora (full day) from £29
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £265
Predjama Castle
Based close to the shores of one of Europe’s most beautiful and
most celebrated lakes, this wonderful break, in addition to a guided introduction to Bled, includes a visit to riverside Ljubljana, one of Europe’s most delightful capitals, and a day amongst the rolling hills of the Karst region, with its caves and cliff-side castle. There’s also a chance to join a fascinating optional excursion to celebrated alpine retreat Kranjska Gora and the beautiful Triglav National Park. Set at the foot of the soaring Julian Alps, exquisite Lake Bled, surrounded by forested slopes and with its idyllic offshore island crowned by an exquisite Baroque church, is a treasure waiting to be discovered and explored. An included guided tour introduces the lake and the colourful resort that draws visitors to its shores. A second tour visits the beautiful Slovene capital, a Baroque gem straddling the River Ljubljanica, with its riverside walkways, elegant Triple Bridge and enchanting Old Town. A last included excursion crosses the verdant countryside, and visits one of the world’s most famous caves, the giant chasm at Postojna. Travel by train some two miles underground into a wonderfully illuminated nether world, and take in historic Predjama Castle, magically built into a sheer cliff face. As well as plenty of time to explore Bled’s delightful surroundings, there’s the chance to join an optional tour to the beautiful Triglav National Park and colourful resort town Kranjska Gora, one of Slovenia’s favourite watering holes, perhaps taking a cable car to the heights above for views of the surrounding Alps.
Your Hotel
Hotel Kompas, Lake Bled Half-Board
HHHH
In an elevated position in the centre of Bled, with wonderful views over the lake and to the Alps beyond, this hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, flat-screen TV, telephone, mini-bar and free Wi-Fi. Gardens, a sun terrace, an indoor pool and wellequipped fitness centre add to pleasure of your stay.
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel on arrival is approximately 40 minutes from Ljubljana and three hours from Venice.
100
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Please note: Lake View rooms are available for a supplement. see website for details.
Jewels of Albania & North Macedonia Sparkling historic gems, some stunning natural wonders and the warmth of the Adriatic, discovered in its once-hidden corner. Church of St. John at Kaneo, Ohrid
8-day escorted holiday from £959
Bazaar street in Krujë, Albania
Adriatic Sea, Vlorë coast, Albania
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Explore vibrant capital Tirana on a guided tour • Discover medieval Krujë, with its ancient Ottoman bazaar • Spend two nights in enchanting Ohrid, North Macedonia, on the shores of stunning Lake Ohrid • See Ohrid’s much-photographed cliff-top Church of St John at Kaneo • Stroll the lakeside boardwalk, with its lively cafés • Enjoy a three-night stay in port-resort Vlorë • Visit the ruins of ancient Apollonia and discover UNESCOlisted Berati’s stunning Citadel • Cruise blue waters where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea, on an optional boat trip • Seven nights’ carefully chosen four-star dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the Hotel Diplomat & Spa, Tirana, the Hotel Belvedere, Ohrid, North Macedonia and the Regina City Hotel, Vlorë • Return flights to Tirana • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep 2021, May, Jun & Sep 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £959 • Luton £999
Personalise your holiday • St Naum Monastery (half day) – £19 • Vlorë Boat Trip with lunch (full day) – £36
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £168
This wonderful tour, featuring four-star accommodation throughout,
lifts the veil on a part of Europe until relatively recently closed to all but a privileged few, but now opening its arms to curious, enthralled visitors. From vibrant Tirana and historic Krujë, to sublime Lake Ohrid, shared with neighbouring North Macedonia, to the port resort of Vlorë, gateway to Apollonia’s ruins and breathtaking Berati, this is a holiday full of fascination and interest at every turn. Begin in the lively, colourful Albanian capital, where the revolution in lifestyles in recent years has been every bit as complete as the political one, and cafés and restaurants sit alongside reminders of the turbulent past. Journey then into North Macedonia and Ohrid’s sublime shores, for a stay in the ‘Balkan Jerusalem’, with its churches and monasteries and exquisite Old Town. Returning west through scenic countryside, complete the tour in Vlorë, with its distinctly Mediterranean feel and beachfront bars and restaurants and beaches fringing the warm, blue Adriatic waters.
Your Hotels
Hotel Diplomat & Spa, Tirana, Albania HHHH Half-Board nights 1-2 In a central location, close to the city centre, this small hotel offers a restaurant, bar, lounges, reading room and lift. Air-conditioned rooms offer TV, safe, bathrobe and slippers. There is free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Belvedere, Ohrid, North Macedonia HHHH Half-Board nights 3-4 Overlooking the lake, and just four miles from the town centre, this tastefully furnished hotel offers lounges, terrace, restaurant and bar, and air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi, TV, hairdryer, mini-bar and balcony.
Regina City Hotel, Vlorë, Albania Half-Board
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes on arrival and two and a half hours on departure.
HHHH nights 5-7
Located opposite the sea, this comfortable hotel offers spacious, air-conditioned rooms with TV and a hairdryer. The hotel boasts an pool with sea views, as well as its own private section of beach, together with a bar and restaurant.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
101
Small-Group Tour
Greek Island-Hopping Adventure
Enjoy azure waters, sun-kissed days and starlit nights amongst idyllic isles, aboard your welcoming motor sailing vessel.
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week aboard traditional MS Hemera • Cruise to six idyllic islands in the sun • Anchor in tiny coves and perfect bays for swimming and snorkelling • Discover unspoiled beaches • Cruise past the final island resting place of Aristotle Onassis • Visit Ithaca, setting for the tales of Odysseus and Penelope • Explore Kefalonia, setting for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin • Enjoy dining ashore at your leisure in quayside tavernas • The top deck bar, under the stars, is open each night • Seven nights’ accommodation in a shared double cabin aboard MS Hemera • Enjoy seven breakfasts, six freshly prepared lunches and one celebratory Captain’s Dinner • Return flights to Zante • Return airport transfers • The services of the Captain and crew
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May to Jul, Sep, Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £1,629 • Birmingham £1,645 • Bristol £1,469 • East Midlands £1,699 • Gatwick £1,435 • Glasgow £1,715 • Leeds/Bradford £1,689 • Manchester £1,699 • Newcastle £1,629 • Stansted £1,699
Step aboard traditional, gulet-style MS Hemera to spend
a simple, yet delightful week of relaxed cruising through the beautiful waters of the sun-kissed Ionian Islands, an archipelago rich in legend and raw beauty. Discover stillunspoilt coves, swim or snorkel in blue waters, and enjoy the company of your fellow passengers – just 18 in total.
Day One – Fly to Zante and transfer to board MS Hemera Upon arrival, meet your host and transfer to Agios Nikolaos, in the north of the island. Stow your luggage aboard Hemera, then spend some time wandering in this delightful port, perhaps stopping at a nearby taverna for your first holiday lunch*. This afternoon, relax on board or continue exploring Agios Nikolaos. Come the evening you’ll be free to dine in a quayside taverna, before returning to Hemera and possibly enjoying a nightcap at the top-deck bar before retiring to your cosy, air‑conditioned cabin. Day Two – Kefalonia – Overnight at Agia Effimia Enjoy breakfast aboard, and perhaps take an early morning stroll before Hemera leaves Agios Nikolaos and sails to Kefalonia, calling first at Poros Bay. Moor at this charming spot, where you can take a dip in the warm waters, before continuing to picture-perfect Antisamos. One of the filming locations for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Antisamos is arguably one of Kefalonia’s best beaches. Perhaps take a dip and enjoy lunch on board as Hemera continues to Agia Effimia for the evening, a traditional fishing village with a number Lefkada of waterfront tavernas.
Greece
Nydri Meganisi Ithaca Kalamos Fiskardo Kastos Atokos Sami Kefalonia Please note: The transfer time from the airport to the port is approximately 1 hour and from Zante town to the airport it is 30 minutes.
102
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
8-day Island Cruise holiday from £1,435
Zante
Day Three – Cruise to Ithaca After breakfast, spend a relaxing morning cruising towards Ithaca, stopping off for a swim at a secluded bay, before mooring at the picturesque, sweeping Gidaki Bay for lunch on board. You’ll make Ithacan landfall at the island’s exquisite main town, Vathy, where you’ll spend the night. Take the opportunity
Fiskardo Harbour, Kefalonia
Greek taverna
MS Hemera
to head ashore and discover what is – for many – one of the Ionian isles’ most picturesque ports.
Antisamos Bay
Your Cruise
Day Four – Cruise to Meganisi via Atokos Island Spend a relaxed morning on board, enjoying breakfast before Hemera sets sail for the island of Meganisi. Along the way, you’ll pause at the uninhabited islet of Atokos, one of the Echinades Islands, accessible only by yacht or small boat. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine waters, before enjoying lunch on board. Hemera then moors at Meganisi, where several tavernas and bars await, along with another wonderful evening. Day Five – Skorpios and Fiskardo Cruise north this morning, and sail around the idyllic private island of Skorpios, before turning south, and heading to the vast, mysterious sea cave where the submarine Papanikolis was said to have hidden between attacks on Italian shipping during the Second World War. Continue to your overnight port, picture-perfect Fiskardo. Once there, spend a delightful evening exploring the town’s pretty streets lined with Venetian houses, waterfront tavernas and colourful little bars. Please note, due to its size and popularity, we may not be able to moor at Fiskardo’s harbour. In this case, you will make the short transfer to the town via dinghy.
MS Hemera A well presented twin-masted, 92-foot schooner, MS Hemera offers accommodation for 18 passengers in a combination of cosy, air-conditioned twin and double cabins, each with private facilities, and all, like the rest of the below decks quarters, finished in teak. With her classic lines and a top deck, that offers a sunbathing area, dining area and bar, Hemera provides idyllic motor crusing. Please note: On certain dates it may be necessary to use an alternative vessel of a similar standard.
Day Six – Cruise to Kefalonia After breakfast, spend the morning cruising back toward Kefalonia, stopping en route at the idyllic Myrtos Beach. Enjoy a swim, followed by a relaxed lunch on board, before you set sail for Poros, where Hemera will moor for the evening. Step ashore and explore this idyllic town for a memorable evening. Day Seven – Cruise to Zante This morning, cruise along the Kefalonian coast, stopping at Kateleios Bay, a peaceful stretch of sand, overlooked by hills dotted with private villas. Enjoy lunch on board, before setting sail for the lively holiday resort Zante Town, where you’ll moor overnight. Spend an unhurried afternoon relaxing, then crown a memorable week’s cruising with this evening’s Captain’s Dinner, served on board, and perhaps with a last nightcap under the stars. Day Eight – Disembark and return to UK Bid farewell to the captain and crew of Hemera and make the short transfer (30 minutes) to the airport to catch your flight home, at the end of a delightful island-hopping Greek adventure. Please note: The MS Hemera offers simple cruising and passengers should be aware that the emphasis aboard is on enjoying stunning surroundings in the company of a few like-minded, new found friends. Do not expect a full range of modern comforts, but instead enjoy the chance to be ‘Wi-Fi-free’ while aboard. At the captain’s discretion it may be necessary to alter the order of the itinerary on your holiday. Passages will always be made under motor engine. *Your flight arrival time will determine what time of day you will arrive on board Hemera.
Kefalonia
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
103
NEW for 2022
Classical Greece & the Ancient World A fascinating journey that brings to life the wonders of the Classical Greek civilisation and the histories of the Byzantine and Roman periods.
8-day escorted holiday from £1,199
Saint Paul cathedral, Thessaloniki
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend eight days exploring some of Classical Greece’s bestpreserved sites • Explore fabled Athens, ‘The Glorious City’ • Discover historic Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo • Enjoy a boat ride around the UNESCO-listed Mount Athos • Learn about the fascinating history of Thessaloniki on a city tour • Enjoy a visit to Mount Olympus, where Homer lived • Discover the UNESCO-listed Meteora monastery, filming location of James Bond film For Your Eyes Only • One evening meal • Seven nights’ carefully chosen four star accommodation at the Holiday Inn, Thessaloniki, and at the Hotel Amalia, Delphi and the Hotel Bomo Palace, Athens • Return flights to Thessaloniki • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available May, Jun, Sept & Oct 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £1,235 • Gatwick £1,199 • Luton £1,199 • Manchester £1,249
Extend your holiday Seven night extension from £685 Seven night Greek Island extension to Aegina staying at the 3* Hotel Danae on bed & breakfast basis. Room
for Sole Use Supplement from £448
Parthenon
Monastery Holy Trinity, Meteora
This wonderful week-long odyssey features stays in the fascinating city of Thessaloniki and the bustling metropolis of Athens. Enjoy escorted tours of some of the most fascinating and absorbing sites of Classical Greece, including the staggering Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the 5thcentury Acropolis of Athens and the monasteries at Meteora.
Begin in Thessaloniki, home to many well-preserved Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman sites. An included tour of this fascinating city includes a visit to Halkidiki for a boat tour around the UNESCO-listed Mount Athos. The following day brings the chance to visit fabled Mount Olympus, home of 12 Greek gods. Continue to the UNESCO-listed rock formations at Meteora, where six monasteries are precipitously perched on top of gigantic columns. Spend a night in Delphi, home to the Sacred Precinct, before ending your tour with two nights in Athens, where an included tour takes in this beguiling city’s most famous sights, including the astounding Acropolis. Why not take the opportunity to extend your holiday on the beautiful island of Aegina?
Your Hotels
Holiday Inn Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki HHHH Bed & Breakfast nights 1-4 Located in the heart of Thessaloniki, less than a mile from the bustling port, this well-equipped hotel features comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, together with a gym, bar and restaurant.
Hotel Amalia, Delphi Half-Board
Boasting wonderful views over a green valley and out toward the sea, this hotel features an outdoor pool, wellmanicured gardens and an inviting lounge. Rooms are light and airy, with air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel offers a restaurant and bar.
Hotel Bomo Palace, Athens Bed & Breakfast Please note: The transfer time from Thessaloniki airport to your hotel is 45 minutes upon arrival and one hour on the return to Athens Airport from your hotel in Glyfada. If you are taking the Island extension, the transfer time from your hotel in Athens to Piraeus port is 30 minutes and from Piraeus port to Athens airport is one hour.
104
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
HHHH night 5
HHHH nights 6-7
This comfortable hotel is located right on Glyfada’s waterfront, and boasts spacious, airy rooms, together with an outdoor pool, restaurant and bar. Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided throughout, and Piraeus port is close by.
Valletta, Mdina & the Wonders of Malta Discover one of the Mediterranean’s most historic and welcoming islands, together with its exquisite greener sister-isle Gozo.
8-day escorted holiday from £775
Luzzu Boats, Marsaxlokk
Valletta
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a week of rest, relaxation, exploration and Maltese hospitality • Get to know Malta’s historic capital, Valletta, one of the world’s greatest natural anchorages • Spend a day on fascinating sister island Gozo • Explore the island’s interior, including historic Mosta and ‘silent city’ Mdina • Valletta’s Three Cities, once home to the Knights of St John • Enjoy an evening in a traditional restaurant • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Santana, Qawra (upgrade hotel available for a supplement) • Return flights to Malta • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
Valletta
Take off to this famous Mediterranean isle, blessed year-round
with an agreeable climate and boasting one of the world’s most spectacular natural harbours. Delightful Malta – strategically important throughout the centuries – exudes fascination and interest, as well as a relaxed air and a genuinely warm welcome for British visitors. Our escorted tours offer you the best of the island with the chance to enjoy the charms of a highly favoured holiday haven. You’ll stay in Qawra, on the quieter side of St Paul’s Bay, and boasting fine sea-front bars and cafés and a sandy beach fringing the bay. Your first included tour explores island capital Valletta, visiting the awardwinning Malta Experience, and taking in the major sites including the Auberge de Castille and the Upper Barracca Gardens. Cross to green sister island Gozo to visit fortified capital Victoria, the ‘Inland Sea’ at Dwerja, and sandy Ramla Bay. The chance to discover Mdina, the ancient, fortified former capital with its spectacular views and its narrow streets, and a final tour to explore the area across from Valletta’s Grand Harbour, are also included.
Oct & Nov 2021, Mar to Jun, Oct, Nov 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £855 • Bournemouth £775 • Gatwick £815 • Liverpool £775 • Luton £815 • Manchester £849 • Stansted £815
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £119
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Santana, Qawra Half-Board
HHHH Price from £775
150 metres from Qawra’s seafront and offering panoramic views, the Santana is a comfortable base with an indoor pool and spa. Guest rooms have a balcony. A drinks package with dinner and superior rooms are available for a supplement.
Dolmen Resort Hotel, Qawra Half-Board*
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.
HHHH Price from £955
This recently renovated hotel has a spa/leisure centre (treatments payable locally), pools, restaurants, bar, lift, coffee shop and casino. Air-conditioned rooms have a TV, safe, hairdryer, mini-bar and balcony. Sea view rooms are available for a supplement.
*Local beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary with dinner.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
105
Cyprus Discovered Discover and explore the delights of Aphrodite’s Isle on this escorted holiday to one of the Mediterranean’s most favoured corners.
8-day escorted holiday from £655
Paphos
Aphrodite’s Rock
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend a week soaking up the year-round sunshine • Discover Pano Paphos • Enjoy a tour of the scenic Troödos Mountains • Visit Petra tou Romiou – Aphrodite’s Rock – birthplace, legend has it, of the goddess • Discover bustling Limassol, with its old port and castle • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Veronica, Paphos (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Paphos • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Loukoumi
From your base in the coastal resort of Paphos, with its UNESCO-
listed old town, enjoy three wonderful excursions in the company of your tour manager. Discover Paphos’ fascinating history, explore the snow-capped Troödos Mountains, journey to Aphrodite’s birthplace and take in bustling Limassol. With plenty of time for relaxation, and the chance to join two other optional excursions, this is a perfect way to get to know delightful Cyprus and its charms. Blessed with an equable climate, the warmest of welcomes for British visitors, and a laid-back atmosphere in its homely tavernas, bars, cafés and restaurants, Cyprus is the perfect holiday choice. In addition to enjoying the delights of Paphos, journey inland into the island’s spiritual heart, and contrast the colourful modern bustle of the towns and cities with legends of gods and goddesses.
Available Sep to Nov 2021, Mar to May 2022
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £735 • Birmingham £735 • Bristol £715 • East Midlands £735 • Edinburgh £685 • Gatwick £655 • Leeds/Bradford £735 • Liverpool £675 • Luton £655 • Manchester £675 • Newcastle £735 • Stansted £655
Personalise your holiday • Nicosia (full day) – from £69 • A taste of authentic Cyprus (full day) – from £72
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £140
Your Hotel Choices
Hotel Veronica, Paphos Half-Board
HHH Price from £655
This small and friendly hotel is situated very close to Paphos. Facilities include a pool, bar and lounge area. The rooms are simply furnished but comfortable. Each has a TV, air conditioning and a balcony.
Hotel Dionysos, Paphos Half-Board
HHH Price from £795
Close to the beach in the centre of Paphos, this popular hotel offers a pool, bar and restaurant, à la carte Italian restaurant, reception, café and a lift. Air-conditioned rooms offer TV, tea/coffee-making facilities and a balcony.
Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris, Paphos HHHH Half-Board Price from £886
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.
106
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
This beachside hotel lies four kilometres from Paphos’ centre. Facilities include outdoor and indoor pools, an extensive spa, four restaurants, bars, free Wi-Fi and lifts. Air-conditioned rooms offer satellite TV, fridge, safe and balcony.
Hidden Secrets of Northern Cyprus Savour rest and relaxation, and step back in time, as you unveil the beautiful, unspoiled north of Aphrodite’s Isle.
8-day escorted holiday from £779
Kyrenia Harbour Bellapais Abbey
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy seven nights in exquisite Kyrenia • Explore Kyrenia’s harbour and monumental castle • Visit idyllic Bellapais, beneath its Gothic abbey, and which was home to writer Lawrence Durrell • See St Hilarion’s ‘fairy-tale’ fortress, said to be inspiration for Walt Disney’s Snow White’s castle • Visit fascinating, divided Nicosia and walled Famagusta • See ‘ghost city’ Varosha, a poignant reminder of the recent past • Tour the Salamis Roman ruins - a sight to behold • Journey to the remote Karpaz peninsula, unspoiled Northern Cyprus at its best • Discover Güzelyurt – literally ‘beautiful place’ – and ancient Soli on an optional excursion • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Altinkaya Hotel, Kyrenia (upgrade hotel available for a supplement) • Return flights to Cyprus • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Dec 2021 & Jan to Jun, Sep to Dec 2022 & Jan to Mar 2023
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £925 • East Midlands £885 • Edinburgh £849 • Gatwick £779 • Glasgow £899 • Heathrow £839 • Leeds/Bradford £959 • Luton £829 • Manchester £899 • Newcastle £899 • Stansted £815
Personalise your holiday • Güzelyurt & Soli Ancient City (full day) – from £33 • Karpaz Peninsula (full day) – from £39 Room
for Sole Use Supplement from £130
Please note: The transfer time from Larnaca airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes and approximately two hours 40 minutes from Paphos airport. *For all departures before April 2022, the Ship Inn will not be available and the optional tour on day 7, to the Karpaz Peninsula, is an included excursion.
Kyrenia Harbour
Delightful Kyrenia, one of the Mediterranean’s most alluring
locations, is set against a backdrop of rugged hills and fringed by deep blue waters. Lift the veil on an historic region, dotted with the relics of the various civilisations that have graced this idyllic island in the sun. With accommodation in a choice of hotels close to the pretty port of Kyrenia, this holiday takes in the town’s natural, horseshoe-shaped harbour, flanked by shops and cafés, all watched over by an imposing medieval castle, with its fascinating shipwreck museum. You’ll also discover nearby mountain-top St Hilarion Castle and idyllic Bellapais, former home to celebrated writer Lawrence Durrell, and divided island capital Nicosia.An included tour of the island’s unspoiled east coast explores ancient St Barnabas monastery, Salamis’ extraordinary Roman ruins and Famagusta’s ruined churches. Enjoy optional excursions to the green, citrus-grove surrounded town of Guzelyurt, excavated city Soli and Green Line border town Lefkel, the unspoilt Karpaz peninsula with its beautiful beaches and dramatic coastline.
Your Hotel Choices
Altinkaya Hotel, Kyrenia Half-Board
HHHH Price from £779
Nestled amongst olive groves with two outdoor pools, a terrace restaurant and poolside bar, this family-owned hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a balcony, TV, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Ship Inn* B&B or Half-Board
HHH Price from £922
The welcoming Ship Inn boasts tennis court, pool, gym, bar and restaurant. Comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, in the gardens or main building, have TV, telephone, kettle and patio or balcony.
Pia Bella Hotel, Kyrenia Half-Board
HHHH Price from £996
This welcoming hotel, set in gardens close to Kyrenia’s harbour, boasts two outdoor pools, bars, restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and rooms offering air conditioning, tea/ coffee-making facilities, TV, hairdryer and mini-bar.
Some hotel facilities operate on a seasonal basis.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
107
Jerusalem, Galilee & The Holy Land Discover one of the World’s most extraordinary, timeless – and time‑weathered – corners, a sacred land forged over centuries.
8-day escorted holiday 8-day from £1,899
Tel Aviv Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth
Jerusalem
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover modern Tel Aviv and nearby restored Jaffa • Roman Caesarea was King Herod’s most important port‑city • Visit Haifa and take in Mount Carmel’s spectacular view • Crusader fortress-city Acre is wonderfully preserved • Spend two nights on the shores of Lake Galilee • Discover the places once trodden by Jesus • Journey past ancient Jericho • Take the cable car to legendary Masada • Enjoy the unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea • A four-night stay in Jerusalem brings the chance to discover and explore one of the world’s most fascinating places • View the city from the Mount of Olives • Walk the Way of the Cross and visit poignant Gethsemane • See the Western Wall and sacred Dome of the Rock • Visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity • Spend time at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book • Enjoy a free day for personal sightseeing in Jerusalem • Seven nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the Hotel Metropolitan, Tel Aviv, the Sea of Galilee Hotel, Migdal and the Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem • Return flights to Tel Aviv • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Nov 2021, Feb to May, Sep to Nov 2022, Mar to May 2023
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from
Begin in Mediterranean resort-city Tel Aviv then take in Roman
Caesarea and port-city Haifa, before moving inland to Crusader fortress Acre, then on to the shores of Galilee. A tour of places associated with Christ’s life and ministry is followed by a journey, via the mysterious Dead Sea and haunting Masada, up to Jerusalem, one of the most absorbing cities on Earth. A final highlight of this remarkable tour is a visit to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. Discover the modern face of Israel in glitzy, shore-side resorts, before enjoying an exploration of places that bore witness to momentous events that have shaped the course of history far beyond this ancient land. Whether it’s the Biblical echoes of the Syrian Sea, the epic tale of resistance at Masada, the strange sensation of floating in the Dead Sea’s mineral-laden waters, or the heady scents and irresistible cacophony of Jerusalem, this is a truly unforgettable tour through the enthralling past and intoxicating present.
Your Hotels
Hotel Metropolitan, Tel Aviv Half-Board
HHHH* night 1
Located in the heart of the city, the Metropolitan will provide a comfortable night’s first stay. Rooms offer telephone, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee-making facilities, TV and safe, and the hotel also boasts a lobby bar, and café restaurant.
Sea of Galilee Hotel, Migdal Half-Board
HHHH* nights 2-3
Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this beachfront hotel is a relaxing touring base. Boasting a pool, terrace, as well as views over the waters of the ‘Syrian Sea’, the hotel, some five miles from Tiberias, offers a restaurant and bar and air-conditioned rooms with a TV and free Wi-Fi.
• Heathrow £2,269 • Gatwick £1,899 • Luton £1,919 • Manchester £1,939
Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem Half-Board
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £791
The four-star Grand Court, a ten-minute stroll from the Old City, boasts a roof-top pool overlooking the city. Airconditioned rooms offer free Wi-Fi, a TV, hairdryer, and safe. Other hotel facilities include restaurants, a lobby lounge, dining room and more informal Garden Court.
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes on arrival and one hour on departure. *Hotel star-ratings are based on Newmarket’s experience as there are no official ratings.
108
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
HHHH* nights 4-7
Jordan – Petra & the Dead Sea
Gaze wide-eyed at one of the seven new world wonders, drive stunning desert highways, and experience the lowest spot on Earth.
7-day escorted holiday from £1,629
Floating in the Dead Sea
Petra
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Friendly Jordanian capital Amman is a mix of ancient and ultra-modern • Amman highlights include the hill-top citadel and preserved Roman theatre • Taste delicious street food during a guided tour • Jerash is a window on the Roman past • Drive the Desert Highway south to Wadi Rum • Enjoy a 4x4 adventure through the Wadi’s dunes and dry river beds • Walk into the past as you explore incredible Petra • Visit ‘Little Petra’ • The Byzantine mosaics in Madaba are amongst the world’s best preserved • Take in astonishing views from Mt Nebo, supposed resting place of Moses • Spend two nights beside the shores of the mysterious Dead Sea and float in the health-giving, mineralladen waters • Six nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in the four-star Amman International Hotel in Amman, the four-star Mövenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel at Wadi Musa and the five-star Mövenpick Hotel Dead Sea • Return flights to Amman
Available Nov 2021, Feb to May, Nov 2022 & Feb to Jun 2023
Fly direct. Prices from
Amman Citadel
Join this remarkable escorted tour to the friendly, welcoming
Kingdom of Jordan. Discover Amman’s mix of ancient and ultramodern, and enjoy a roll call of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from awe-inspiring sights, including Jerash’s Roman remains and astonishing, breathtaking ‘Rose City’ Petra, to some true wonders of nature, nestled amongst a pristine desert landscape. Take the fabled King’s Highway as you crown an unforgettable holiday with a stay on the shores of the mysterious Dead Sea, where warm, health-giving waters add to the enjoyment of a spectacular trip.
Your Hotels
Amman International Hotel, Amman Half-Board
HHHH nights 1-2
In a quiet location, this comfortable hotel offers lounge, bar and four restaurants, and well appointed, airconditioned rooms with TV. There is free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Mövenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel, Wadi Musa Half-Board
HHHH nights 3-4
This Arabian fortress-style hotel offers restaurant, lobby and heated indoor pool. Air-conditioned rooms boast free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee-maker and balcony or terrace.
• Heathrow £1,629
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £456
Mövenpick Hotel Dead Sea, Dead Sea Half-Board
HHHHH nights 5-6
This excellent resort boasts pools, spa (treatments payable locally), fitness centre, restaurant and bar. Airconditioned rooms have a TV, Wi-Fi and views over the sea or the grounds. Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes upon arrival, and one hour 30 minutes on departure.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
109
Istanbul, Ephesus & Troy Explore one of the world’s most exciting cities, and uncover the treasures of ancient Turkey on a truly fascinating tour.
8-day escorted holiday from £939
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Celsus Library, Ephesus
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover colourful Istanbul, straddling two continents • See the Blue Mosque and the famed Topkapi Palace • Journey south via poignant ANZAC Cove • Step back in time in ancient Troy and Pergamon • Enjoy three nights in shore-side Kuşadasi • Be amazed at the ruins of Ephesus • Discover amazing Pamukkale on an optional excursion • Seven nights’ carefully chosen four-star accommodation at the Hotel Yigitalp, Istanbul on a bed and breakfast basis, and at the Akol Hotel, Çanakkale and the Sentido Marina Suites, Kuşadasi on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis • Flights to Istanbul, returning from Izmir (via Istanbul) • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £1,039 • Edinburgh £1,039 • Gatwick £939 • Heathrow £999 • Manchester £1,039 • Stansted £959
Personalise your holiday • Kumkapi Fish Dinner (evening) Day Two – from £35 • Bosphorus River Cruise (half day) Day Three – from £17 • Pamukkale (full day) Day Six – from £76
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £266 Extend your Holiday • 2021: Three-night Beach extension at the Paloma Marina Suites Kuşadasi – from £115 • 2022: Five-night Beach extension at the Five-Star All-Inclusive Paloma Pasha Resort Hotel – from £379
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes upon arrival, and one hour on the return.
110
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Pamukkale
Soak up the colour and excitement of Istanbul, the great former
capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and one of the world’s most exciting, mystical and enthralling cities. Step back in time as you explore some of the city’s finest attractions, wandering through bustling markets and stepping inside centuries-old places of worship. With the chance to visit the travertines pools at Pamukkale, one of the Mediterranean’s most remarkable natural phenomena, together with the sunkissed warmth and welcome of Aegean shores, this is a delightful journey to savour and enjoy. You’ll also have the chance end your trip by spending five blissful nights at an all-inclusive five-star resort on the idyllic Aegean Coast.
Your Hotels
Hotel Yigitalp, Istanbul Bed & Breakfast
HHHH nights 1-3
In the heart of the city, just 15 minutes from the Grand Bazaar and close to a tram stop, this modern, well equipped hotel, in addition to its excellent location, offers a restaurant and bar, as well as a health club and wellness centre, with free Wi-Fi throughout. Air-conditioned rooms boast a TV, safe, hairdryer and mini-bar.
Akol Hotel, Çanakkale Half-Board
HHHH night 4
On the seafront overlooking a tiny harbour and the straits of the Dardanelles, and conveniently set close to a range of amenities in the heart of Çanakkale, this hotel boasts three restaurants, roof-top and lobby bars and an outdoor pool and sun terrace. Bright, modern, air-conditioned rooms offer a TV, safe, mini-bar, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.
Paloma Marina Suites, Kuşadasi Half-Board
HHHH nights 5-7
In the heart of Kuşadasi and only a short walk from the beach and the harbour, this stylish hotel offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, fitness centre, restaurant and bar. All rooms are modern and have airconditioning, free Wi-Fi, TV and mini-bar.
Washington, New York & Niagara Falls Discover three historic, enthralling American cities, and gaze in awe at one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
10-day escorted holiday from £1,659
Niagara Falls
White House, Washington DC
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Bookend the tour with stays close to extraordinary Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world • Travel south from Canada to historic Gettysburg • Visit the Gettysburg National Military Park • Spend a day in all-powerful Washington DC, home to the White House and Capitol Hill • Discover Philadelphia, historic ‘Freedom City’ where American Independence was declared • Explore New York, one of the most exciting cities on Earth, with its famous skyline • Journey through beautiful, forested, up-state New York • Enjoy a brief visit to glittering waterfront Toronto • Eight nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return scheduled flights to Toronto • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
Times Square, New York
Fly to Toronto to catch your breath at the sight of majestic Niagara
Falls, before heading south into the heart of historic America. You’ll visit the Gettysburg battlefield site and discover and explore the original capital Philadelphia, enjoy an optional guided tour of the modern seat of US power, Washington DC, and visit breathless Manhattan, before returning once more to Niagara’s plunging waters. Beginning next to Niagara’s ceaseless torrent, you then cross into the US and journey to Gettysburg, famous Civil War battleground and site of Abraham Lincoln’s seminal address. Spend a day in all-powerful Washington, with its iconic landmarks, perhaps joining an optional excursion that will bring to life the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill and of course the White House itself. The historic streets of Philadelphia, ‘City of Brotherly Love’, and where Independence was declared, are visited en route to New Jersey, from where, across the Hudson River, New York City, in all its breathless, non-stop glory, awaits excited exploration. Take in the glories of the Big Apple on a fascinating New York city tour, and soak up the atmosphere of ‘the city that never sleeps’ before journeying back across the rolling hills of New York State to Niagara, and another chance to take in one of the great wonders of the world.
Sep & Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022 May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Gatwick £1,699 • Manchester £1,659
Personalise your holiday • Washington City Tour (half day) – from £29 • Manhattan City Tour & Top of the Rock (half day) – from £53 • Niagara Falls Lunch – from £28 • Helicopter over Niagara Falls – from £89
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £479
Your Hotels
Sheraton on the Falls, Niagara Falls Sheraton on the Falls
(nights 1, 7 & 8)
Wyndham Hotel, Gettysburg (night 2) Hyatt Place, Arlington* (nights 3-4) Holiday Inn, Hasbrouck Heights* (nights 5-6)
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. There is a $6 US charge to cross the border from Canada to the USA. This is payable in cash at the border crossing and is not included in the tour price. *On some dates you will stay at the Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands on nights 5-6. On departure dates in 2021, nights 3-4 will be spent at the Doubletree by Hilton, Tysons.
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Holiday Inn
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
111
Washington, New York & Boston in the Fall Against the striking background of fall’s russet red and golden hues, discover and explore a trio of great cities and some stunning countryside.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Visit all-powerful Washington DC, home to the White House and Capitol Hill • Drive through Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park to the historic, magnolia-lined streets of Charlottesville • Explore glittering New York – the world’s most exciting city, with its famous skyline • Visit Newport, Rhode Island, with its beautiful seafront mansions • Discover elegant Boston, where the Freedom Trail takes in places associated with the American Revolution • Seven nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Flights to Washington, returning from Boston • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep & Oct 2021, Sep & Oct 2022, Sep & Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,565 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Historic Jamestowne & Colonial Williamsburg (full day) – from £64 • Washington City Tour (half day) – from £29 • Manhattan City Tour & Top of the Rock (half day) – from £53 • Cape Cod & Plimoth Plantation (full day) – from £36 • Boston City Tour (half day) – from £19
gateway to all-powerful Washington and Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, then take in the dazzling wonders of the ‘Big Apple’ – New York – and the blue-blood streets of elegant Boston, the most European of all American cities. Charlottesville’s historic streets, forested New England ablaze with colour, Newport’s studied grandeur and the opportunity, on an optional excursion, to visit Cape Cod and Plymouth, complete a wonderful autumn adventure. Begin in colonial Williamsburg, perhaps joining an optional excursion to Jamestowne, then travel into Virginia and pretty Charlottesville, before enjoying a scenic drive through the Shenandoah National Park. A day in all-powerful Washington DC offers an optional introduction to the US capital, before you journey on to New Jersey, crossing the Hudson River to explore non-stop, pulsating New York – the incomparable ‘Big Apple’. Join our optional guided tour bringing to life the world’s most exciting metropolis. Another scenic journey leads to Newport, refuge of America’s ‘first families’, and to beautiful Cape Cod, home to the Kennedys’ Hyannisport. Visit historic Plymouth, where the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ landed, on an optional tour to the fascinating Plimoth Plantation living museum. The wonderful tour is completed with a day in Boston, America’s most ‘European’ city, where a last optional tour includes the gold-domed State House and Boston Common.
Your Hotels Comfort Inn
112
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Comfort Inn Williamsburg Historic Centre (nights 1-2)
Hyatt Place, Arlington* (night 3) Holiday Inn, Hasbrouck Heights* (nights 4-5) Marriott Boston Burlington, Hull (nights 6-7)
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.
On some dates you will stay at the Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands on nights 4-5. On departure dates in 2021, night 3 will be spent at the Doubletree by Hilton, Tysons..
The Capitol Building, Washington DC
Begin with a two-night stay in historic, colonial Williamsburg,
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £351
Since the tour covers a large distance, south to north, from Virginia to Massachusetts, fall foliage colours will, of course, vary dependent upon your date of travel. On early departures, leaves are more likely to have turned in the northern areas covered, whereas on later dates, it is the more southern areas that will be most notable for their colourful foliage
9-day escorted holiday from £1,565
Holiday Inn
Fall Colours of New England & Canada Marvel at Mother Nature’s dazzling display, one of her greatest wonders and enjoy some of North America’s most exciting, enthralling cities.
15-day escorted holiday from £2,359
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend time in mesmerising New York City • Spend two nights in the shadow of Niagara Falls • Enjoy a short stay in sparkling, waterfront Toronto • Visit historic, pretty Niagara-on-the-Lake • Visit capital city Ottawa and stay in stylish Montréal • Discover historic Québec City, overlooking the mighty St Lawrence River • Enjoy a breathtaking fall foilage drive through the stunning New England countryside • Discover coastal Maine’s Portland and Kennebunkport • Explore historic, elegant Boston • Spend three nights in the seafront resort of Hull • Follow the Pilgrim’s footsteps at Plimoth Plantation and visit Cape Cod • Complete the holiday with a visit to Newport • 13 nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to New York • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
New York
Niagara Falls
This wonderful holiday showcases the sensational autumn colours
of one of the world’s most beautiful corners, the sights and sounds of some of North America’s greatest cities, and in the plunging torrents of Niagara Falls, one of its most breathtaking natural wonders. From Manhattan, to the scenic ‘Maple Leaf Trail’ from Toronto to Québec City, via Ottawa and Montréal, and from stunning Vermont and coastal Maine to elegant, ‘blue-blood’ Boston, this tour has it all. Begin in mesmerising, non-stop New York, discovering the delights of the Big Apple from your New Jersey base before heading through beautiful upper New York State, be-decked in glorious colour, to wondrous Niagara and the world-famous falls. Take an optional helicopter trip for a close-up view of the tumult, then head to sparkling Toronto, one of North America’s most cosmopolitan cities. Journey on the ‘Maple Leaf Trail’ to romantic Ottawa and French Canadian Québec, taking in stylish Montréal and historic Québec City, North America’s only walled settlement, before you head back into the US, via mountain resort Jay Peak, and a fall foliage tour that takes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and towering Mount Washington. Kennebunkport, Boston, America’s most European city, historic Plymouth, and elegant Newport, Rhode Island complete this wonderful tour’s highlights.
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Sep, Oct 2022 & Sep, Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,359 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Manhattan City Tour & Top of the Rock (half day) – from £53 • Niagara Falls Lunch – from £28 • Helicopter Flight over Niagara Falls – from £89 • Toronto City Tour (half day) – from £28 • Québec City Guided Tour – from £20 • Mount Washington Cog Railway & Scenic Byways (full day) – from £56 • Boston City Tour (half day) – from £25
Your Hotels Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
DoubleTree Fallsview
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £979
(nights 11-13)
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. There is a $6 US charge to cross the border from Canada to the USA. This is payable in cash at the border crossing and is not included in the holiday price.
Holiday Inn, Hasbrouck Heights* (nights 1-2) DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton, Niagara Falls (nights 3-4) Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto (night 5) Sheraton Centre, Montréal (nights 6-7) Stateside Hotel at Jay Peak (night 8) Grand Summit Resort, Bethel (nights 9-10) Marriott Boston Burlington, Burlington
Grand Summit Resort
*On selected dates you will stay at the Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands on nights 1-2.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
113
New England in the Fall Catch your breath at one of nature’s greatest sights, journey through some stunning countryside, and visit two wonderful cities.
9-day escorted holiday from £1,479
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Explore glittering New York – the world’s most exciting city, with its famous skyline • Visit the Yankee Flagship Store, where it’s Christmas every day • A spectacular full-day fall foliage tour includes idyllic Woodstock, Quechee Gorge and a drive on the glorious Kancamagus Highway • Visit North Conway, in the heart of the scenic White Mountains • Discover the delights of coastal Maine, including maritime Portland and Bush Family retreat Kennebunkport • Visit elegant Boston, America’s most European city, with its Freedom Trail and gold‑domed State House • Discover historic Plymouth and fashionable Newport, Rhode Island • Seven nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to New York • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
There are few more memorable sights in the world than
when the millions of trees that carpet the northeast corner of the United States signal the end of the summer and the imminent arrival of fall each year with a blaze of red, purple, brown and golden hues. Experience one of America’s greatest glories, discover pulsating, mesmerising New York and elegant, blue-blood Boston, and savour all the delights of this enchanting region.
Day One – Fly to New York Upon arrival meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel in New Jersey.
Available
Day Two – Discover Manhattan Make the short transfer across the Hudson River into the heart of New York – Midtown Manhattan – for a marvellous, memorable day in the incomparable Big Apple. Explore this breathtaking city under your own steam, or join the optional guided city tour. Marvel at the famous sights – the Empire State and bustling Times Square, the green acres of Central Park, the southern tip of Wall Street and the waterfront district, before ending your tour with a ride to the top of the Rockefeller Center. This afternoon, perhaps take in Macy’s te hi ta ME or Saks, two of the world’s most W un o Bethel celebrated shops. Return to New Portland Jersey at the end of the day. Kennebunkport VT NH Day Three – Journey through
Sep, Oct 2021 & Sep, Oct 2022, Sep, Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,479 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £464
M
in
s
• Manhattan City Tour & Top of the Rock (half day) Day Two – from £53 • Mount Washington Cog Railway and Scenic Byways (full day) Day Five – from £56 • Boston City Tour (half day) Day Seven – from £19
MA Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Since the tour covers a large distance, south to north, from New York to Maine, fall foliage colours will, of course, vary dependent upon your date of travel. On early departures, leaves are more likely to have turned in the northern areas, whereas on later dates, it is the more southern areas that will be most notable for their colourful foliage, with leaf fall possibly having already occurred further north.
114
USA
CT
Mexico
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Boston Hull Plymouth
Mt Snow
Canada
NJ
RI
Newport
h an r t ce No i c O nt tla
Hasbrouck Heights A New York/Manhattan
New England Board the coach for the journey north into the scenic highways of Upstate New York. Break the journey at the large Yankee Candle flagship store in Deerfield, where a huge range of candles, Christmas and Halloween novelties make for a fascinating diversion. You’ll then journey into the scenic Berkshire Hills for an overnight stay in Mount Snow in Vermont.
Portland, Maine
John Harvard, Cambridge
USS Constitution, Boston
Day Four – Included countryside tour Enjoy a full-day’s tour through the stunning scenery of New England at its very finest, as you soak up the beauty of this region of rolling, forested hills and picture-book villages and towns. Travel through the spectacular Quechee Gorge and along the Kancamagus Highway, enjoying the startling fall foliage displays, and pay a short visit to resort-town North Conway, in the heart of New Hampshire, where several renowned outlet malls vie for your custom, before heading into Maine for a two-night stay in the beautiful mountain village of Bethel. Day Five –Optional Mount Washington tour Today brings opportunities to rest and relax and to enjoy the delights of Bethel, although many will wish to join the optional excursion to famed Mount Washington, journeying aboard the historic Cog Railway – the only one east of the Rockies – to the summit of New England’s highest peak, at the heart of the scenic White Mountains region. The summit station can be one of the worlds windiest places – hang on to your hat! Having returned to Bethel enjoy an evening guided drive in search of moose. Day Six – Coastal Maine to Nantasket Beach Journey south to the seafaring city of Portland, with its waterfront wharves and fine seafood restaurants. Continue via the exclusive Bush Family retreat of Kennebunkport towards Boston, America’s most European city, and the resort of Nantasket Beach, south of Boston across Quincy Bay, for the last two nights of your tour.
Your Hotels
Holiday Inn, Hasbrouck Heights
nights 1-2
Across the Hudson River from New York’s Manhattan, this popular hotel features a bar and restaurant. There’s an outdoor pool, open seasonally, and comfortable rooms boast excellent facilities. Please note: On selected dates you will stay at the Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands.
Grand Summit, Mount Snow Grand Summit
night 3
A lovely mountain-side hotel surrounded by lush foliage. There’s a restaurant and pub as well as a deli with a well-stocked gift shop. The hotel has an outdoor pool, whirlpool and gym.
Jordan Grand Hotel, Bethel
nights 4-5
Nantasket Beach Resort Hotel & Spa, Hull
nights 6-7
This impressive hotel combines quality and service, with an unequalled mountainside location near the Maine village of Bethel. In addition to well-equipped guest rooms, this comfortable hotel also has restaurant, mini-market and pool area. Jordan Grand Hotel Nantasket Beach Resort
Located just under an hour’s drive from downtown Boston, on the seafront promenade with many restaurants, bars and a handful of local shops, this hotel has a restaurant and bar as well as an indoor pool.
Day Seven – A day in Boston Enjoy a memorable day in delightful Boston. Upon arrival, there’s the opportunity to enjoy a fascinating optional guided tour along the famous Freedom Trail through the heart of the compact city. Take in the green acres of Boston Common, the gold-domed State House, then perhaps visit colourful Quincy Market with its speciality stalls. The rejuvenated harbourfront area is also home to the wonderful New England Aquarium. Stroll around the Harborside parks and gardens, check out Newbury Street’s stylish boutiques or perhaps visit one of the city’s many breweries– Boston is one of North America’s craft beer capitals – and enjoy lunch in a vast choice of eateries. Perhaps cross the Charles River to famous Cambridge, home to Harvard University, before returning to Nantasket at the end of the day, perhaps to dine on traditional clam chowder or New England lobster – a final holiday treat. Day Eight – Included Plymouth and Rhode Island tour A final day sees you travel via the pilgrim city of Plymouth, where the historic streets were once trodden by the first settlers, and fashionable Newport, Rhode Island, with its ‘weekenders’ cottages to New York’s JFK Airport, for your return overnight flight. Day Nine – Land back in the UK Arrive back in the UK at the end of a wonderful holiday.
Boston
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
115
NEW for 2022
New England in the Fall with Quebec City
Savour a wonderful journey through a blaze of gold, red and purple hues as you travel through the fall landscapes of New England.
11-day escorted holiday from £2,099
Kancamagus Highway
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Experience the vibrant colours of the New England fall from the famed Kancamagus Highway • Take in the extraordinary Franconia Notch • Enjoy a day at leisure in friendly North Conway • Journey through the picturesque New Hampshire Lakes Region • Spend an unforgettable day in Boston, one of America’s most welcoming cities • Visit Newport, Rhode Island, one of New England’s most popular summer destinations • Journey along the rugged Atlantic Coast to Bethel, via Kennebunkport and Portland, and spend the night in Bethel, Maine’s most beautiful mountain village • Enjoy two nights in historic Québec City • Nine night’s carefully chosen room-only accommodation, plus one on the aircraft • Return flights to Montreal • Comfortable coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Autumn, or fall as they call it across the pond, is the perfect time to visit New England, when the millions of trees that carpet this part of the world burst into a mesmerizing golden patchwork. Combine the astonishing colours of fall with New England’s rugged mountain scenery and glorious lakes as you head to elegant Boston and seaside Newport on Rhode Island, then north along the scenic Atlantic Coast to historic Québec City.
Day One – Fly to Montreal Meet your tour manager upon arrival, then make the short transfer by coach into the US and onto Jay Peak, Vermont, for an overnight stay. Relax and unwind this evening, perhaps making use of the hotel facilities, or taking a gentle walk through the picturesque forest. Day Two – Along the Kancamagus Highway Check out this morning for the scenic journey to North Conway. Settle into your seat as you pass through Franconia Notch, a spectacular mountain pass traversed by a unique parkway which extends from Echo Lake at the north to Flume Gorge at the south. ou’ll stop for some fresh air and a photo opportunity before reboarding Y the coach and passing by a blaze of red, purple, green and golden hues as you travel along the Kancamagus Highway, renowned as one of the best fall foliage viewing areas in the entire country.
Available Sep, Oct 2022 & 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from
ontinue your scenic journey to C North Conway, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Qubéc City
• Heathrow £2,099 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details) • Boston City Tour (half day) Day Five – £25
Canada
Room for Sole Use Supplement
in
s
• Quebec City Walking Tour (half day) Day Nine – £24 USA
from £819
Mexico Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is 90 Minutes.
116
Montreal Jay Peak North Conway Burlington i t e Bethel h
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
VT
W unt o
a
M
Optional Excursions
NH
ME
Boston Hull Plymouth
MA RI
Newport
Day Three – At Leisure in North Conway Enjoy a day at leisure exploring the village of North Conway, a charming outdoorsy town that is a popular staging point for excursions into the wilderness that lies beyond, including Mount Washington. Perhaps take a gentle hike into the surrounding hills or visit the town’s famous Outlet Centre for a spot of shopping.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City
Day Four – Journey via the New Hampshire Lakes Region After breakfast this morning, check out and begin the scenic journey to Burlington, on the outskirts of Boston. Your journey will take you through the spectacular New Hampshire Lakes Region, a waterside wonderland surrounded by the White Mountains Region. The largest of the lakes is Lake Winnipesaukee, which covers 72 square miles and boasts 258 islands.
Your Hotels
Hotel Jay, Jay Peak
Hotel Jay Nantasket Beach Resort
troll around the parks and gardens, check out Newbury Street’s S stylish boutiques, or perhaps visit one of the city’s many brew houses – Boston is one of North America’s craft beer capitals – and enjoy lunch at leisure in a vast choice of eateries.
North Conway Grand Hotel, North Conway
nights 2-3
Nantasket Beach Resort Hotel & Spa, Hull
nights 4-6
Located amongst the White Mountains in the pretty town North Conway, this hotel features an indoor pool and a year-round outdoor pool, together with two saunas and a restaurant. Rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi, with refrigerator and microwave.
Located just under an hour’s drive from downtown Boston, on the seafront promenade with many restaurants, bars and a handful of local shops, this hotel has a restaurant and bar as well as an indoor pool.
Day Six – Newport, Rhode Island Today’s included tour will take you to waterside Newport, famous for its historic mansions and rich sailing heritage. Perhaps enjoy a stroll along Cliff Walk or the pretty harbour, taking in the sweeping sea views, before visiting one of Newport’s famous mansions later on. Over the years, Newport has been home to numerous celebrities and public figures, including Dwight D Eisenhower and Jay Leno.
Grand Summit Hotel, Bethel
night 7
The Grand Summit Hotel boasts a picturesque location in Bethel, and is surrounded by the White Mountains. Rooms are spacious and well equipped. Amenities at the hotel include two restaurants, a heated outdoor pool and a fitness centre.
Day Seven – Along the Atlantic Coast Check out this morning for the scenic journey north along the Atlantic Coast, via the exclusive Bush Family retreat of Kennebunkport and the prosperous, seafarers’ city of Portland, with its waterfront wharves and fine seafood restaurants. ead inland into the White Mountains, in a blaze of golden fall H colours, and up to beautiful Bethel for a one-night stay.
night 1
Rooms at the Hotel Jay feature flat-screen TVs and kitchenettes with a refrigerator and a microwave. Other facilities at the hotel include the Foundry Pub and Grille, a coffee shop and pizzeria, a gift shop, a sauna, swimming pools and hot tub, together with a seasonal indoor waterpark!
Continue to Burlington, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Day Five – Boston Spend an unforgettable day in Boston, one of America’s most welcoming, walkabout cities. You’ll have an opportunity to begin your visit with a fascinating optional guided tour that will bring to life this Cradle of the American Revolution, as you follow the famous Freedom Trail through the heart of the compact city.
Mount Washington State Park
Newport, Rhode Island
Delta Hotel, Quebec City
nights 8-9
This comfortable four-star hotel is located in the heart of Québec City, 5 minutes’ walk from the NotreDame de Québec. Rooms feature TV, fridge and complimentary Wi-Fi. There is also a restaurant at the hotel and an outdoor pool. Delta Hotel
Day Eight – On to Québec City Check out this morning for the scenic transfer across the Canadian border and to historic Québec City for a final two-night stay. Day Nine – Québec City Your last full day brings the opportunity to explore historic Québec City, one of Canada’s oldest settlements, either under your own steam or by joining an optional tour. You’ll have the chance to begin your visit with an optional city tour, and will then have free time to explore the narrow, cobbled alleyways of the lower Basse Ville and its upper Haute Ville counterpart, which together form endlessly enthralling, UNESCO-listed Vieux-Québec. t the end of a wonderful day, you’ll return to your hotel for a final relaxing A evening, no doubt reflecting on a brilliant break. Day 10 – Departure After a leisurely breakfast, check out and transfer to Montreal. En route you’ll stop at a local sugar shack, where you’ll learn how maple syrup is made. You’ll have the chance to taste some of the sweet local produce at the on-site café – and buy some to take home if you like – before continuing to Montreal for your overnight return flight to the UK. Day 11 – Arrive back in the UK Early morning arrival. Boston
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
117
Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville Journey through America’s musical heartland, from the birthplace of jazz and the cradle of rock ‘n’ roll, to the undisputed capital of country music.
9-day escorted holiday from £1,775
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Stay in Montgomery, the resting place of country legend Hank Williams • Journey through the sleepy countryside of Alabama • Spend two nights in New Orleans, the irrepressible, colourfully exuberant and laid-back Big Easy and birthplace of jazz • Take in the atmosphere of the fabled French Quarter • Visit Tupelo, Mississippi – birthplace of Elvis • Spend two nights in Memphis at the Guest HouseTM at Graceland, right next to Elvis’ famous mansion • Discover Nashville, world capital of Country Music • Seven nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to Atlanta • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Aug to Dec 2021, Jan to Jun & Aug to Dec 2022, Jan to Jun & Sep to Dec 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,775 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £536
especially the sounds of the South, this wonderful holiday begins in Georgia and sweeps through the world of WC Handy, Robert Johnson, Fats Domino, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and, of course, Elvis Presley. Crammed full of highlights, it takes in New Orleans, the laid-back Big Easy, Tupelo, the ‘King’s’ birthplace and Memphis, where he made his home, and finally heads to guitar-pickin’, banjo-playin’ songwriters’ mecca Nashville, Tennessee.
Day One – Fly to the USA Upon arrival, meet your tour manager to transfer to your overnight hotel in the Alabama state capital, Montgomery, resting place of troubled country superstar Hank Williams. Rest and relax after the journey, and enjoy your first evening in the warm and welcoming musical south. Day Two – Travel to New Orleans Today you’ll head south across Alabama, into Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast to the great city of New Orleans, the fabled Big Easy, for a two-night stay. Waste no time in soaking up the atmosphere of one of the most exuberant places on the face of the planet, perhaps joining the optional Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise. Nashville
TN Canada
USA
Memphis Tupelo
MS
Chattanooga Atlanta
AL
GA
Montgomery
Mexico
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately three hours.
118
Infused with the magic and mystique, the sights and
Mississippi R iver
• Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise – from £79 • New Orleans City Tour (half day) – from £21 • Bayou & Alligators Tour (half day) – from £25 • Memphis: Graceland & Sounds of the South (full day) – from £71 • Studio B & the Country Music Hall of Fame (half day) – from £47
Elvis Presley’s Graceland
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
New Orleans
LA
G u l f o f Me x i co
Day Three – At leisure or optional New Orleans tour and Manchac Swamp excursion This morning’s optional guided tour is the perfect introduction to New Orleans, and will include the fabled French Quarter of time-warped, iron-balconied buildings centred on Jackson Square, and the neighbouring colourful Tremé district. This afternoon, take the optional Louisiana Swampland excursion for a glimpse of the surrounding countryside and a taste of Creole life. Head back to the French Quarter
Nashville
Beale Street
tonight, to immerse yourself in the incomparable atmosphere of the place which gave the world jazz music a century ago, and where the legacies of Louis Armstrong and ‘King’ Oliver live on in innumerable bars and clubs. Day Four – From New Orleans to Tupelo and Memphis Bidding farewell to New Orleans, you’ll travel north into Mississippi, cradle of the Delta blues and home to the likes of Robert Johnson and Sonny Boy Williamson, journeying to Tupelo, home of the tiny house into which Elvis Aaron Presley was born in January 1935 (entrance payable). You’ll then continue on to Elvis’ beloved hometown Memphis, the bustling city on the bank of the ‘Big Muddy’, which as well being forever linked with ‘The King’, boasts a musical heritage to match any city in the world. This evening, soak up the atmosphere of colourful Beale Street with its endless choice of restaurants and bars, many of which offer live music. Day Five – At leisure, or optional Sun Studio and Graceland excursion Don’t miss the optional full day Memphis Sounds excursion, which will include the legendary Sun Studio, where in 1951 rock ‘n’ roll was born with the recording of Rocket 88, and history changed forever three years later with Elvis’ rendition and ‘live’ recording of Arthur Crudup’s That’s Alright, Mama. You’ll then make your way to Elvis Presley Boulevard to pay a visit to Graceland, the King’s home, last recording studio and final resting place. After a fascinating day, enjoy another evening in Memphis, perhaps sampling pork ribs – the city is known as the ‘Barbecue Capital of America’. Day Six – From Memphis, Tennessee to Nashville Enjoy today’s change of musical genres, as you journey east to Nashville – capital of country music, for a two-night stay. Home to the legendary Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry, and to scores of hugely accomplished guitar-pickers and songwriters, Nashville is every inch one of America’s foremost music cities. Tonight, perhaps catch some live music. Day Seven – At leisure, or optional Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B excursion An optional excursion will introduce you to the legendary Studio B – home to countless country hits and a galaxy of Elvis’ RCA recordings and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the musical delights of Nashville. Day Eight – From Nashville to Chattanooga and Atlanta for return flight Journey south on a scenic drive to Chattanooga of Choo-Choo fame, a quintessential southern trading town, before heading to Atlanta airport for your return overnight flight. Day Nine – Arrive back in the UK Arrive home this morning, after a wonderful journey through America’s musical heritage.
Elvis Presley, © EPE, inc.
French Quarter, New Orleans
Your Hotels
Drury Inn & Suites, Montgomery
night 1
This modern hotel has spacious, well appointed rooms with a coffee maker, microwave and fridge. Other facilities include and indoor/outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre.
Wyndham New Orleans, New Orleans Drury Inn & Suites
nights 2-3
Set in a beautifully converted warehouse, within a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter and a large shopping mall, this hotel offers a breakfast room and small outdoor pool.
Please note: On selected dates you will stay at the Hampton Inn.
The Guest HouseTM at Graceland, Memphis
nights 4-5
Clarion Hotel Stadium, Nashville
nights 6-7
See below for information.
This hotel boasts a bar, restaurant and indoor pool. Rooms have a fridge and microwave. Wyndham New Orleans
A special place to stay Enjoy your stay at The Guest HouseTM...
When Elvis Aaron Presley first set eyes on Graceland, he didn’t just see a house, he saw the beginnings of a dream. That dream has become a destination – The Guest HouseTM at Graceland welcomes you. We’re very happy to be working with this hotel which is a few steps from the gates of Graceland. From the southern colonial exterior to the guest rooms, every aspect of The Guest HouseTM reflects Elvis’ personal style and the unique character of Graceland. This full-service hotel has a restaurant, sports bar, theatre, a gift shop and a grocery store plus a seasonal outdoor pool and bar. The comfortable, contemporary rooms are all well equipped with a TV, fridge and tea/coffee-making facilities. The hotel offers a reasonably priced shuttle service to Beale Street.
Special Departures Carnival in New Orleans – 22 Feb 2022 & 14 Feb 2023 from £1659 See the city pre-Mardi Gras, when the floats are readied for the annual celebration and the atmosphere turns truly electric.
Christmas Lights in Memphis – a selection of dates in Nov & Dec 2021, 2022 & 2023 from £1,699 See Graceland lit and decorated for Christmas, ‘Elvis style’, inside and outside the mansion. Kick off the holiday season in style and perhaps do a spot of Christmas shopping Stateside too!
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
119
Texas, Presley’s Memphis & New Orleans Take an extraordinary journey through the southern states, crammed with fascinating musical highlights and interest.
14-day escorted holiday from £2,409
San Antonio River Walk Bourbon Street, French Quarter, New Orleans
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend two nights in New Orleans, the laid-back Big Easy • Take in the atmosphere of the fabled French Quarter • Visit Muscle Shoals and its world famous recording studios • Discover Nashville, world capital of country music • Spend two nights in Memphis, Tennessee, home to Elvis Presley • Entrance to Sun Studios and Elvis’ beloved Graceland • Enjoy the atmosphere on Memphis’ famous Beale Street • Enjoy two nights in ‘cowboy town’ Fort Worth • Catch a ‘cattle drive’ at the Stockyards • Explore historic Dallas and visit to the Sixth Floor Museum • San Antonio is capital of Tex-Mex culture • Relive the heroics of Davy Crockett at ‘The Alamo’ • Visit Houston, home to the NASA Space Center • 12 nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to Houston • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Nov 2021, May & Sep to Nov 2022, May & Sep to Nov 2023
Combine the magic and musical wonders of the ‘Southland’ with
the ‘Big Country’ sights and sounds of Lone Star State Texas, on this wonderful escorted tour, where each day brings a host of new delights. Take in jazz city New Orleans, Space City Houston and Tex-Mex capital San Antonio, visit colourful, Bohemian Austin, ‘cattle-town’ Forth Worth and oil-rich Dallas, and experience two of America’s greatest music cities, Elvis’ beloved Memphis and country music capital Nashville. Begin with an overnight stay in ultra-modern Houston, home to thrilling modern history at the fascinating NASA Johnson Space Center, before heading to New Orleans, the fabled Big Easy. Enjoy optional excursions that include a Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise and a guided tour of the French Quarter. Journey north through Mississippi to stay in Muscle Shoals, and visit Rick Hall’s Fame Studio, before moving on to Nashville – country music cradle Studio B and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The musical journey continues in Memphis, home to legendary Sun Studio and Elvis’ beloved Graceland. Stays in Little Rock, Arkansas, home to the Clinton Presidential Library, cattle town Fort Worth, glittering Dallas and lastly San Antonio’s famous River Walk and The Alamo complete your Texan odyssey.
Your Hotels
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,409 • Manchester £2,409 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise – from £76 • New Orleans City Tour (half day) – from £21 • Bayou & Alligator Tour – (half day) from £26 • Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame (half day) – from £45
Hyatt Place
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £1,029
Wyndham French Quarter Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is 30 minutes.
120
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Hyatt Place, Houston Galleria (night 1) Wyndham French Quarter, New Orleans (nights 2-3) Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, Florence (night 4) Clarion Hotel Stadium, Nashville (night 5) The Guest HouseTM at Graceland, Memphis (nights 6-7) Holiday Inn Conference Centre, Little Rock (night 8) Hyatt Place Historic Stockyards, Fort Worth (nights 9-10) Crockett Hotel or Menger Hotel, San Antonio (nights 11-12)
Deep South Rhythms, New Orleans & Caribbean Cruise Combine the journey through America’s musical heartland with a sun-kissed voyage through blue waters.
16-day escorted holiday from £2,749
© Elvis Presley Enterprises, inc.
MS Carnival Glory
Beale Street
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Visit Chattanooga and the famous ‘Choo-Choo’ • Discover Nashville, world capital of Country Music • Visit Memphis, Tennessee, home to the ‘King’ • Visit Tupelo, Mississippi – Elvis’ birthplace • Spend two nights in New Orleans, the Big Easy • Take in the atmosphere of the fabled French Quarter • Cruise includes three port calls with full days in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel in Mexico • Spend the last night in Montgomery, Alabama • Seven nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Seven-night full-board cruise aboard Carnival Glory, sharing a twin inside stateroom. Gratuities are included (upgrade cabins available) • Return flights to Atlanta • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager (NB: the ship’s crew will take care of you on the cruise)
Available Sep 2021, Feb to Apr, Sep to Oct 2022 April dates coincide with Jazzfest in New Orleans
Fly (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,749 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday
Enjoy a hugely popular journey through America’s musical South,
and follow a wonderful tour with rest and relaxation aboard a wellappointed ship as she sails to the blue skies and blue waters of the sun-kissed Caribbean. Savour the musical delights of country capital Nashville, rock ‘n’ roll cradle Memphis and Big Easy New Orleans, birthplace of jazz – with a visit to Elvis’ Tupelo birthplace along the way – then step aboard your Carnival Glory ship to cruise towards the sun‑kissed resorts of Mexico! Crammed with unforgettable highlights, the holiday begins in ‘guitar-pickers’ mecca’ Nashville, home to the legendary Ryman Auditorium of Grand Ole Opry fame, to the Country Music Hall of Fame and to the legendary Studio B, which you can discover on an optional excursion. A two-night stay at The Guest HouseTM at Graceland, steps from Elvis’ beloved Memphis home, follows, with the chance to visit the mansion and Sun Studios during your stay. This popular optional excursion takes you inside the King’s home, his last recording studio and final resting place. Pay homage to Elvis’ birthplace at Tupelo and enjoy two nights in Big Easy New Orleans, soaking up the atmosphere of the historic French Quarter. You’ll then board Carnival Glory for a seven-night cruise that has as its highlights calls in Jamaica’s sparkling Montego Bay, sun-kissed Grand Cayman where you can relax on the glimmering white sands at Seven Mile Beach or explore in George Town, and Mexican island resort Cozumel. A last night in the Alabama state capital, Montgomery completes this wonderful holiday.
Your Hotels & Cruise Wyndham French Quarter
• Studio B & the Country Music Hall of Fame (half day) – from £45 • Memphis: Graceland & Sounds of the South (full day) – from £69 • New Orleans City Tour (half day) – from £21 • Bayou & Alligators Tour (half day) –from £26 • Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise – from £76
Upgrade your cabin Ocean view cabin from £77* and Balcony cabin from £318*. *Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a cabin
Hampton Inn & Suites
The holiday includes carefully selected three and four star hotels and a seven-night cruise.
Holiday Inn & Suites Downtown, Chattanooga (night 1) Clarion Hotel Stadium, Nashville (night 2) The Guest HouseTM at Graceland, Memphis (nights 3-4) Hampton Inn & Suites Convention Center, New Orleans (nights 5-6) Carnival Glory (nights 7-13) Hampton Inn & Suites, Montgomery (night 14)
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your first hotel is approximately three hours.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
121
America’s Golden West Enjoy a classic introduction to the USA, taking in California, Las Vegas and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.
14-day escorted holiday from £2,295
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover and explore San Francisco, the ‘City by the Bay’ • Call at Steinbeck’s Monterey and exquisite Carmel-by-the-Sea • Journey south along the Pacific Coast Highway • Spend three nights in glittering Los Angeles • Full day tour to sun-kissed San Diego • Enjoy three nights in non-stop, 24-hour Las Vegas, the world’s most extraordinary desert ‘oasis’ • A full-day visit to the Grand Canyon, one of the most breathtaking, eye-popping sights on Earth • Visit Hollywood – film capital of the world • 12 nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Outbound flight to San Francisco, returning from Los Angeles • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Sep & Oct 2021, Mar, May, June, Sep & Oct 2022, Mar to Jun & Sep to Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,295 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • San Francisco, Sausalito & the Golden Gate Bridge (half day) Day Two – from £52 • Palm Springs & Aerial Tramway (full day) Day Six – from £41 • Helicopter Flight over the Grand Canyon Day Nine – from £215 • The Rat Pack is Back and Dinner Day 11 – from £65 • Vegas Nights Helicopter Flight Day 12 – from £96 Canada Room for Sole Use
Supplement from £823
Local laws state that at least one person in each booked room must be aged 21 years or over. Those aged under 21 years may not enter casinos, including those in hotels, unless accompanied by an adult aged 21 years or over.
122
Combine the magic of beautiful San Francisco, sparkling
LA and glittering Hollywood, with the glamour of Las Vegas, the awesome beauty of the Grand Canyon and a scenic journey along California’s wild and beautiful Pacific coast. With the sun-kissed towns and cities of California, this is an irresistible holiday full of unforgettable highlights.
Day One – Fly to the USA Transfer to your San Francisco hotel for the next three nights.
Available
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes.
Golden Gate Bridge
Day Two – At leisure, or optional San Francisco City Tour Take this morning’s optional guided tour of the city’s major landmarks, including Union Square and stylish Nob Hill, before crossing the famously photogenic Golden Gate Bridge to beautiful bayside artists’ town Sausalito. Take the Bay Ferry back to the city, with wonderful views of infamous prison island Alcatraz en route. Enjoy an evening at leisure. Day Three – Day at leisure Perhaps head for colourful Chinatown or take the cable car down to the bustle of Union Square. Day Four – Travel down the Californian Coast Journey south today, towards the fishing town of Monterey and exquisite Carmel-by-the-Sea, linked by the stunning 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy more of the Pacific coast, as you San Francisco overnight in Pismo Beach, a classic NV central Californian coastal resort. Monterey/ Carmel-by-the-Sea
USA
UT
Las Vegas Pismo Beach
USA
CA Hollywood/ Los Angeles
Mexico
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
San Diego
Grand Canyon
Laughlin
NM
Day Five – Travel via Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Continue through breathtaking coastal scenery making a stop in well-heeled Santa Barbara before heading towards glittering Los Angeles via coastal Santa Monica, for a three-night stay in Los Angeles’ suburb Buena Park..
Las Vegas strip © 2014 scottfrances.com
Bixby Bridge on 17-Mile Drive
San Francisco
Day Six – At leisure, or optional Palm Springs tour Rest and relax, or join a tour to millionaires’ playground Palm Springs, home to a host of Hollywood stars. Journey to the heights above on the world’s longest revolving cable-car and enjoy shopping in the desert-city’s shops and boutiques. Day Seven – Included San Diego tour Enjoy today’s full day excursion to sun-kissed San Diego, a laid-back Californian gem. Highlights include the historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot and the Gaslamp District. Across the Bay Bridge, Coronado Island is home to the Hotel del Coronado, where Edward first met Mrs Simpson, and Marilyn Monroe filmed Some Like it Hot. Return back to Los Angeles for a final night.
Your Hotels
Villa Florence, San Francisco
Spyglass Inn, Pismo Beach Villa Florence
Day Eight – From Los Angeles to Laughlin Cross the desert and travel to Laughlin, for a two-night stay in the resort-town set on the banks of the Colorado River. Day Nine – Included Grand Canyon day trip and optional helicopter ride Travel into the desert to the edge of the abyss that is the Grand Canyon, perhaps nature’s most startling wonder. Visit the South Rim, the most scenic point from which to view the chasm, formed over millennia by the Colorado River, which still flows a mile below. Take an optional helicopter flight for even more stupendous views, before returning for a second night in Laughlin. Day 10 – Travel to Las Vegas Today’s journey takes you to Las Vegas for a three-night stay in the ‘World’s Capital of Entertainment’. Enjoy your first experience of this extraordinary man-made entertainment mecca, where night and day are treated as one. Day 11 – At leisure, with optional Las Vegas dinner show Today is free to explore. Check out the famously gargantuan ‘megaresorts’ of the Strip and Downtown, with their gaming rooms, vast shopping malls, diverse entertainments and endless dining opportunities. Tonight, enjoy an optional dinner and entertainment from the stars of the nostalgic The Rat Pack is Back show. Day 12 – At leisure, with optional night time helicopter ride Relax by the pool, arrange to be pampered in a spa, or simply shop ‘till you drop. This evening, don’t miss the optional Vegas Nights helicopter flight over the Strip.
nights 1-3
In a very central location close to Union Square and the Powell Street cable car turnaround, this 1908 landmark is in the heart of the city’s main shopping area with many restaurants and coffee shops right outside the door. The hotel has a fitness centre and all rooms have TV, minibar, safe and iron and board. .
night 4
With a spectacular oceanfront setting overlooking the waters of the Pacific, this attractive hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and a restaurant which boasts ocean views. All rooms come equipped with air conditioning and a coffee-maker.
Holiday Inn, Buena Park
nights 5-7
Well-located for sightseeing in the LA area and close to Knott’s Berry Farm theme park, this hotel has a restaurant, bar and outdoor pool. Rooms are wellequipped with tea/coffee-making facilities.
Golden Nugget, Laughlin Spyglass Inn
nights 8-9
On the Colorado River boardwalk, with an outdoor pool, several restaurants and bars and casino floor, the hotel also boasts spacious, well-appointed rooms.
Golden Nugget, Las Vegas
nights 10-12
Stay in a Downtown Las Vegas landmark, with an award-winning casino, a host of restaurants and bars including a buffet, a show room, a spa and a stunning outdoor pool complex.
Golden Nugget, Las Vegas
Grand Canyon National Park
Day 13 – Included Hollywood tour before return flight Head back to LA and the star-studded streets of Hollywood for an included tour before you continue to Los Angeles Airport for your return overnight flight. Day 14 – Land in the UK Morning arrival home.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
123
Hollywood, Vegas & the Grand Canyon Discover two of America’s most famous cities and experience the awe-inspiring chasm that is perhaps nature’s greatest wonder.
10-day escorted holiday from £1,565
Grand Canyon
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend three nights close to glittering Los Angeles, California’s star-spangled Pacific Coast city • Visit Hollywood – film capital of the world • Full day tour to sun-kissed San Diego • The awesome Grand Canyon is one of the most breathtaking sights on Earth – we stay for the night to catch sunrise • A four-night stay in extraordinary Las Vegas – the most spectacular desert ‘oasis’ on Earth – brings opportunities to make the most of this entertainment mecca, to relax in the hotel, and to enjoy some unforgettable optional excursions • Eight nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to Los Angeles • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Nov 2021, April, May, Sep to Nov 2022 & Apr, May, Sep to Nov 2023
Las Vegas
Hollwood
This hugely popular escorted tour begins in sparkling Los Angeles,
home to star-spangled Hollywood, before journeying to the aweinspiring Grand Canyon, where you can experience the sunrise. Four nights of fun in glittering Las Vegas, and some fascinating optional excursions, complete a fun- and interest-packed tour that is a perfect introduction to the West Coast. Begin in Pacific-side Los Angeles, walking Hollywood Boulevard’s ‘street of fame’, checking out the stars’ homes in Beverly Hills or visiting some of America’s coolest bars and restaurants. An included excursion sees you travel south to sun-kissed San Diego to spend the day in the archetypal southern Californian gem. Heading east into the Nevada Desert, you’ll spend a night close to the edge of the eye-popping Grand Canyon, rising early to experience one of nature’s greatest wonders. The man-made spectacular of Las Vegas is then yours to savour, with days spent at leisure, perhaps joining some memorable optional excursions, and nights spent soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most breathtaking places, before you fly home from Los Angeles.
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,565 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Helicopter Flight over the Grand Canyon – from £215 • Vegas Nights Helicopter Flight – from £109
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £459
Your Hotels Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Holiday Inn
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Local laws state that at least one person in each booked room must be aged 21 years or over. Those aged under 21 years may not enter casinos, including those in hotels, unless accompanied by an adult aged 21 years or over.
124
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Golden Nugget Hotel
Holiday Inn, Buena Park (nights 1-3), Canyon Plaza Resort, Grand Canyon (night 4), Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas (nights 5-8)
Canada’s Maple Leaf Trail Catch your breath on a visit to Niagara, and marvel at some of Canada’s eastern cities and surrounding countryside.
10–day escorted holiday from £1,759
Toronto
Niagara Falls
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Leisurely stays in Niagara Falls, Toronto, Québec City and Montréal, in excellent hotels with plenty of time to explore • Gaze in awe at tumultuous Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world • Discover waterfront Toronto with its sky-piercing CN Tower • Travel the ‘Maple Leaf Trail’ through stunning scenery • Explore Victorian Ottawa, the elegant Canadian capital set beneath the Gatineau Hills • Journey into the French Canadian province of Québec • Stay in stylish, sophisticated Montréal • Charming, UNESCO-listed Québec City overlooks the mighty St Lawrence River • Eight nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to Toronto • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available May, Jun, Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep, Oct 2022 & May, Jun, Sept, Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,785 • Manchester £1,759 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Niagara Falls Lunch – from £40 • Helicopter Flight over Niagara Falls – from £105 • Toronto Guided City Tour (half day) – from £28 • Montréal City Tour (half day) – from £23 • Maple Delights & Dinner in Old Montréal – from £35 • Québec City Guided Tour – from £20
One of the world’s greatest natural wonders, some memorable
scenic journeys and a quartet of stunning, contrasting cities guarantee the enduring appeal of this fully escorted tour. Beginning with Niagara’s tumult, you then take in warm and welcoming waterfront Toronto with its sky-piercing CN Tower, Canada’s historic walkabout capital Ottawa, glorious Montréal, French Canada’s capital of style, and finally picturesque Québec City, North America’s only walled settlement, where the New World still resembles the Old. Beginning with two nights overlooking the ceaseless tumult of Niagara, where there’s the chance to view the Falls on an optional helicopter flight or to get close-up on a boat trip, the tour then heads, via charming Niagaraon-the-Lake, to Toronto, with its historic ‘neighbourhood’ districts, interconnected shopping malls and glittering shoreline watched over by the sky-piercing CN Tower. One of North America’s most cosmopolitan cities, Toronto is also one of its friendliest and welcoming. The ’Maple Leaf Trail’ then heads to Canada’s elegant administrative capital Ottawa, with its Victorian buildings and Rideau Canal set against the forested Gatineau Hills, then on to Québec City, North America’s only walled settlement, overlooking the mighty St Lawrence. and finally to stylish Montréal, the world’s second-largest French-speaking metropolis. Along the way, the contrasting charms of each engaging city, as well as the scenic countryside surroundings will be brought to life, with opportunities to join some enjoyable optional excursions in addition to the included tours. Please note: customers departing from Manchester Airport will have a slightly different itinerary.
Your Hotels Sheraton on the Falls
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £679
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
Château Frontenac, Québec City
Sheraton Centre
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Sheraton on the Falls, Niagara Falls (nights 1-2) Westin Harbour Castle (nights 3-4) Sheraton Ottawa, Ottawa (night 5) Québec City Marriott Downtown, Quebec City (nights 6-7) Sheraton Centre, Montréal (night 9) Please note: Manchester departure will follow a slightly different order of the itinerary.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
125
Canada – Niagara Falls to the Rockies
Journey from Niagara’s tumult and the eastern cities to the majestic Rockies and sparkling Vancouver – this is glorious Canada in a nutshell!
14-day escorted holiday from £2,655
Niagara Falls
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Free time to enjoy waterfront gem Toronto • A visit to tumultuous Niagara Falls • Enjoy an en-route visit to Ottawa, Canada’s elegant capital • Discover Québec City, North America’s only walled city • Spend two nights in Montréal, the French Canadian centre of style • Explore Rockies’ capital Banff • Journey via sparkling Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper • Stay at Rockies resort Sun Peaks • Stay in glittering Vancouver, often voted ‘best place in the world to live’ • 12 nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, 60˚N plus one night on the aircraft • Outbound flight to Toronto, returning from Vancouver, and an internal flight from Montréal to Calgary • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sept & Oct 2021 May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022, May, Jun, Sept & Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,655 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday
Capliano Suspension Bridge
Experience the very best of this vast, beautiful country, on an
escorted tour that takes in historic cities, exquisite mountain scenery, and one of Mother Nature’s greatest wonders. You’ll begin in lakeshore Toronto, from where you’ll take in the plunging Falls at Niagara, then head through picture-book Ontario via grand capital Ottawa to the contrasting French Canadian jewels of Montréal and historic, walled Québec City. You’ll then fly west, to Calgary and journey through the awe-inspiring Rockies to discover and explore delightful British Columbia and Vancouver, at the edge W of the Pacific Ocean. 45 W A first three-night stay in cosmopolitan Toronto brings60˚chances to discover the city’s glittering waterfront and sky-piercing CN Tower, explore colourful, 120˚ W contrasting historic neighbourhoods, wander the ultra-modern shopping ˚W 90 105˚ malls, enjoy a vast choice of dining opportunities, and perhaps take in a show, before an unforgettable day at wondrous Niagara, where you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to take a helicopter ride over the tumult.
Journey on the ‘Maple Leaf Trail’ along Lake Ontario’s northern shoreline, past handsome Kingston, and north to romantic capital Ottawa, then on to stylish Montréal, before a day in historic Québec City, North America’s only walled settlement, overlooking the mighty St Lawrence River. Here you’ll have the chance to discover endlessly enthralling Vieux-Québec, before flying from Montréal to Calgary. From Calgary, the onward scenic journey takes you into the heart of the Rockies and to exquisite capital Banff, for a two-night stay and the opportunity to take the cable car to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.
British Columbia Alberta Sun Peaks
Jasper Lake Louise Saskatchewan Banff Vancouver Calgary Canada Victoria Roc
Mountains
✈
USA
Canada
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £767 Please note: The transfer time from Toronto airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes and from Vancouver airport approximately 45 minutes.
126
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Québec
Ontario
✈
ky
• Toronto City Tour (half day) – from £29 • Helicopter Flight over Niagara Falls – from £90 • Niagara Falls Lunch – from £31 • Québec City Guided Tour – from £20 • Rockies Helicopter Ride – from £209 45˚N • Banff & Sulpur Mountain Gondola (half day) – from £52 • Vancouver & Capliano Suspension Bridge (full day) – from £91 • Vancouver Island Victoria & Butchart Gardens (full day) – from £139
Lake Louise
Québec City Montréal Ottawa
Toronto
USA
Lake Ontario Niagara Falls
Banff National Park
Continue to beautiful Lake Louise, where turquoise waters are set against the backdrop of Victoria Glacier, then along the renowned Icefields Parkway to the historic railroad town of Jasper, for an overnight stay. The next day your scenic adventure continues, with a drive past majestic Mount Robson – the Rockies’ highest point – to the mountain resort of Sun Peaks, where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay in yet more delightful surroundings.
Your Hotels The Westin Harbour Castle
The last leg of your journey takes you west, into British Columbia and to glittering Vancouver, where you’ll have chances to explore the city and, on a final optional excursion, cross the Georgia Strait to Vancouver Island and charming Victoria, with a visit to world-famous Butchart Gardens.
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto (nights 1-3) Sheraton Centre, Montréal (nights 4-5) Elk and Avenue Hotel, Banff* (nights 6-7) Whistler’s Inn, Jasper* (night 8) Sun Peaks Lodge, Sun Peaks (night 9) Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver* (nights 10-12)
*On certain departures you will stay at the Mount Royal Hotel on nights 6-7, the Tonquin Inn on night 8, and Holidays Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown on nights 10-12. Whistler’s Inn
Canada – Niagara Falls to the Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer Experience glorious Canada, including breathtaking Niagara and glittering Columbia, with a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train!
10-day escorted holiday from £4,199
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Ride the Rocky Mountaineer train from Jasper to Vancouver • 12 nights’ carefully chosen roomonly hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Outbound flight to Toronto, returning from Vancouver, and in internal flight from Montréal to Calgary • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022, May, Jun, Sept & Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from
Rocky Mountaineer
Begin at lakeside Toronto, then visit awe-inspiring Niagara Falls, before continuing to
romantic Ottawa, stylish Montréal, and finally, charming Québec City. You’ll then fly west to Calgary and make the scenic journey to exquisite Banff, capital of the Rockies, and then onto the historic railroad town of Jasper. Board the famous Rocky Mountaineer train for a wonderful two-day journey through the scenic wonderland of the Monashee and Caribou mountains, with an overnight stay in historic Kamloops. Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer as you continue through the magnificent Rockies to glittering Vancouver for a two-night stay – a fitting finale to a wonderful tour.
Your Hotels
• Heathrow £4,199 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your touring holiday.
The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto (nights 1-3) Sheraton Centre, Montréal (nights 4-5) Elk and Avenue Hotel, Banff (nights 6-7) Whistler’s Inn, Jasper (night 8) Various, Kamloops (night 9), Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver (nights 10-12)
Room for Sole Use Supplement
*On certain departures you will stay at the Mount Royal Hotel on nights 6-7, the Tonquin Inn on night 8, and Holidays Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown on nights 10-12.
from £1,222
Upgrade to GoldLeaf Service
Niagara Falls
Whistlers Inn
from £450 (Please call us for details)
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
127
The Canadian Rockies
Make one of the world’s famous journeys through breathtaking scenery to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia’s glittering jewels.
11-day escorted holiday from £1,899
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy two nights in Banff, the majestic Rockies’ capital • Journey to ‘Gem of the Rockies’ Jasper, via turquoise Lake Louise, on the Icefields Parkway • Discover Jasper National Park and Maligne Lake on an optional excursion • Overnight in mountain resort Sun Peaks • June and September departures include a ‘Grizzly Bear Valley’ river cruise • Spend two nights in glittering Vancouver – often voted ‘best place in the world to live’ • Cross to pretty Vancouver Island to spend two last nights in provincial capital Victoria • Nine nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Outbound flight to Calgary, returning from Vancouver • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Apr to Jun, Sep, Oct 2022, Apr to Jun, Sep & Oct 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,899 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Banff & Sulpur Mountain Gondola (half day) – from £51 • Banff Helicopter Ride – from £210 • Jasper Skytram & Sightseeing (half day) – from £44 • Jasper Harley Davidson Sidecar Tour – from £131 • Vancouver & Capilano Suspension Bridge (full day) – from £83 • Butchart Gardens (half day) – from £35 • Victoria Whale Watching (half day) – from £102
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £569
Jasper National Park
Enjoy the glories of Western Canada as you journey from ‘Stampede Town’ Calgary, via majestic Banff and its scenic heights, past sparkling Lake Louise to historic Jasper and its National Park. A stay in beautiful resort Sun Peaks – and perhaps a scenic river cruise – is followed by the journey down to glittering Vancouver and its wonders, before the holiday is completed with a stay in unashamedly ‘British’ Victoria, British Columbia’s charming capital, on delightful Vancouver Island.
After flying directly to Calgary, you’ll meet your tour manager and journey up into the mountains to spend two nights in delightful, bustling Rockies’ capital Banff, perhaps taking the opportunity to join a choice of memorable excursions to explore the majestic surroundings, before you head along the renowned Icefields Parkway, past Lake Louise’s turquoise waters and the awesome Victoria Glacier to Jasper. Rest and relax in the famous railroad town, perhaps joining an excursion to Canada’s longest cable car and spectacular Maligne Lake, and hopefully catch a glimpse of the Milky Way on a clear night – Jasper is famously a ‘dark-sky preserve’. The scenic feast continues with majestic Mount Robson, and a drive along the Yellowhead Highway to Alpine village Sun Peaks. Head through the coastal ranges on the famous Trans-Canada Highway to waterfront Vancouver, for a two-night stay. Discover and explore a city often voted ‘best place in the world to live’, before you cross the Georgia Strait to Vancouver Island, and two final nights in delightful Victoria — the final highlight of a wonderful holiday.
Your Hotels Elk and Avenue Hotel
Please note: The transfer time from Calgary airport to your hotel is one hour and 30 minutes, and four hours on your return to Vancouver. *On certain departures you will stay at the Mount Royal Hotel on nights 1-2, the Hearthstone Lodge on night 5, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown on nights 6-7 and the Coast Victoria or Delta Victoria on nights 8-9.
128
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Rosedale on Robson
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Elk and Avenue Hotel, Banff* (nights 1-2) Whistler’s Inn, Jasper (nights 3-4) Sun Peaks Lodge, Sun Peaks* (night 5) Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver* (nights 6-7) The Embassy Inn, Victoria* (nights 8-9)
Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer
Experience some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, by road and famous rail, and discover the best of glorious British Columbia and Alberta.
11-day escorted holiday from £3,335
Vancouver
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy two nights in the mountain town of Banff • Journey to ‘Gem of the Rockies’ Jasper, via turquoise Lake Louise, on the Icefields Parkway • Discover Jasper National Park and Maligne Lake on an optional excursion • Board the famous Rocky Mountaineer train for the scenic journey from Jasper, via Kamloops, to Vancouver • Spend two nights in glittering Vancouver • Cross to Vancouver Island for two nights in provincial capital Victoria • Nine nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • SilverLeaf Service travel on board Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver (upgrade to GoldLeaf Service for a supplement) • Breakfast and lunch on board Rocky Mountaineer • Flights to Calgary, returning from Vancouver • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available May, Jun, Sep, Oct 2021
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £3,335 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Banff & Sulphur Mountain Gondola (half day) – from £51 • Banff Helicopter Ride – from £195 • Jasper Skytram & Sightseeing (half day) – from £44 • Jasper Harley Davidson Sidecar Tour – from £122 • Vancouver & Capilano Suspension Bridge (full day) – from £84 • Butchart Gardens – from £35 • Victoria Whale Watching (half day) – from £102
Upgrade to GoldLeaf Service from £500 (call us for details)
Rocky Mountaineer
This journey through western Canada begins with the wild beauty
of Banff, before heading via Lake Louise’s turquoise waters to historic railroad town Jasper, at the gateway to its National Park. After the chance to explore, board the famous Rocky Mountaineer to head through yet more wonderful scenery to sparkling Vancouver, to discover one of the world’s most beautifully located cities. Complete the adventure in the somehow-familiar capital Victoria, on Vancouver Island. After flying to Calgary, enjoy Banff’s beautiful surroundings, perhaps joining optional excursions that include a cable car ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and an unforgettable helicopter ride. Travel along the renowned Icefields Parkway, via Lake Louise and its turquoise waters, to Jasper, for an opportunity to relax or to join the optional excursion to Canada’s longest cable car and spectacular Maligne Lake. Climb aboard Rocky Mountaineer for the unforgettable two-day scenic journey west on the Yellowhead Route, past towering Mount Robson, plunging Pyramid Falls, and through the Monashee and Caribou mountains. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board and overnight in a comfortable hotel, and continue down through the coastal ranges to Vancouver. A chance to discover a city often voted ‘best place in the world to live’ is followed by a final two days on Vancouver Island, exploring unashamedly ‘British’ provincial capital Victoria, and perhaps crowning your wonderful tour with a visit to world-famous Butchart Gardens.
Your Hotels Elk and Avenue Hotel
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £610
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Elk and Avenue Hotel, Banff* (nights 1-2) Whistler’s Inn, Jasper (nights 3-4) Kamloops (night 5) Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver* (nights 6-7)
Please note: The transfer time from Calgary airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes, and four hours on your return to Vancouver. *On selected departures you will stay at the Mount Royal Hotelon nights 1-2, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Vancouver Downtown on nights 6-7 and the Coast Victoria or Delta Victoria on nights 8-9.
SilverLeaf Service
The Embassy Inn, Victoria* (nights 8-9) Whistler’s Inn
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
129
Five-Star Alaska Cruise & the Canadian Rockies
Enjoy an unforgettable tour and cruise showcasing some of North America’s – and indeed the world’s – most breathtaking natural wonders.
16-day escorted holiday from £2,945
Inside Passage
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A seven-night cruise with Holland America Line exploring UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay and the scenic Inside Passage and visits to Juneau, remote Skagway and colourful Ketchikan • Explore Banff, the stunning capital of the Rockies • Scenic touring through the Rockies via sparkling Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway stopping overnight in Jasper • Discover Vancouver, often voted ‘best place in the 60˚N world to live’ • Seven nights’ carefully chosen room-only hotel accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Seven nights’ sharing a twin/double inside stateroom on board a five-star Holland America Line cruise ship on a full‑board basis (upgrade staterooms available) • Outbound flight to Calgary, returning from Vancouver • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Totem Poles
The undoubted highlight of this extraordinary holiday will be a
seven-night cruise on board a superbly appointed, five-star cruise ship of Holland America Line. Board the ship in Vancouver after a journey through the Rocky Mountains, sailing through the fabled Inside Passage to wild, remote Alaska, calling at Glacier Bay, a UNESCO-World Heritage gateway to one of North America’s 120˚ W last great wildernesses, before you complete thoroughly90˚W 1a 05˚ enthralling tour with a stay in glittering Vancouver. Fly west to oil and Stampede Calgary and journey up into the Rocky Mountains to beautiful Banff, enjoying the chance to explore this’ spectacular capital and perhaps joining exciting optional excursions that include an unforgettable helicopter ride to view the stunning mountain panorama. Head on to stunning Lake Louise, where turquoise waters are set against the backdrop of the Victoria Glacier, then along the renowned Icefields Parkway to historic railroad town Jasper, at the gateway to its national park, for an overnight stay in one of Canada’s most ‘western’ townships.
Available
The scenic journey continues past towering Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest point, and along the Yellowhead Highway to mountain resort Sun Peaks, before you arrive Fly direct (flight upgrades available). in Vancouver to board the Holland Prices from Skagway Glacier America Line ship for the cruise towards Bay • Heathrow £2,945 (UK connecting wilderness state Alaska. Sail through Juneau flights available – call us for details) the scenic Inside Passage, surrounded by a densely forested land of mountains Personalise your holiday and glaciers and dotted with remote • Banff & Sulphur Mountain Gondola (half day) – from £48 Alaska settlements, and call first at Alaskan • Rockies Helicopter Ride – from £180 capital Juneau, a surprisingly chic and Ketchikan British • Vancouver & Capilano Suspension Bridge (full day) Columbia modern gateway to the Mendenhall ice– from £86 pack, and at Skagway, still a pioneering • Vancouver Island, Victoria & The Butchart town of honky-tonk saloons and Klondike Alberta Gardens (full day) – from £126 memorabilia. A fascinating shore Room for Sole Use Supplement excursion to Klondike Gold Rush National Canada Inside Jasper Available on request Park will lift the veil on one of American Passage history’s most colourful chapters, and the Lake Sun Peaks Louise Please note: The transfer time from Calgary airport to improbable characters that wrote it. Banff your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes USA Vancouver Calgary Breathtaking, UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay Apr, May, Jun, Sep 2022, Apr, May, Jun & Sept 2023
USA
un Rocky Mo
CANADA
ta
in
s
and from Vancouver airport approximately 45 minutes. Cruising on board Holland America: Shore excursions from the cruise are bookable on board the ship. Gratuities on board Holland America ships are not included in your holiday price and are automatically charged at a cost of $12.50 per person per day.
130
45˚N
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
CANA DA USA
brings the chance to view the towering edge of the retreating Grand Pacific Glacier up close, and perhaps to witness a teeming display of wildlife on land and
Banff National Park
sea, as black and brown bears and native moose vie with hump-back whales, porpoises, seals and a whole variety of sea-birds for your attention.
Your Hotels & Cruise
Elk and Avenue Hotel, Banff
The last of the Alaskan ports of call is historic Ketchikan, with its wooden buildings, boardwalks and arts and craft stores, and the chance to take an optional float-plane excursion to the remote Misty Fjords National Park. A last day at sea sees you sail back through the Inside Passage to Vancouver, where you bid farewell to the ship and take the opportunity to explore the glittering, waterfront city often voted ‘the best place in the world to live’. An optional guided tour will include restored Gastown, hectic, colourful Chinatown, and the glass and steel wonders of the Burrard Inlet waterfront, while a second optional day heads to beautiful Vancouver Island and the unashamedly British provincial capital, Victoria, with its vast Parliament Buildings and grand old Fairmont Empress Hotel. This hugely enjoyable day also includes a visit to the world famous, 50-acre Butchart Gardens, after which you’ll return to spend a last evening in beautiful Vancouver. Ample time for some last-minute shopping, before a return overnight flight, completes a wonderful discovery of one of the world’s most beautiful corners.
nights 1-2
Surrounded by mountain scenery in the heart of downtown on Banff Avenue. Please note: On selected departures you will stay at the Mount Royal Hotel, Banff.
Whistler’s Inn, Jasper
night 3
Sun Peaks Lodge, Sun Peaks
night 4
Set in an enviable position, on the main street of this charming mountain township. Whistler’s Inn
A cosy mountain retreat in the heart of Sun Peaks, within strolling distances of a choice of bars and restaurants.
Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver
nights 12-14
In a central location, just ten minutes walk from Robson Street and 20 minutes from Canada Place.
Five-Star Alaska Cruise on board MS Koningsdam
MS Koningsdam
HHHHH nights 5-11
Luxuriously appointed, with spacious teak decks affording panoramic views of the ever‑changing scenery, and with crew‑to‑passenger ratios of nearly one-to-two. In addition to the scenic wonders, you can look forward to fine dining, first class entertainment and a host of on-board amenities.
Five-Star Alaska Cruise & the Rocky Mountaineer
16-day escorted holiday from £4,299
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Seven nights sharing a twin/double inside stateroom onboard a five-star Holland America Line cruise ship (upgrade staterooms available) • Seven nights carefully chosen roomonly hotel accommodation • SilverLeaf Service travel on board Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver • Flights to Calgary, returning from Vancouver • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available May, Sept 2022, May & Sept 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £4,299 (UK connecting flights available, call us for details)
Upgrade to GoldLeaf Service from £469 (Please call us for details)
SilverLeaf Service
Rocky Mountaineer
This very special tour combines the Five-Star Alaska Cruise & the Canadian Rockies
tour (see page 122) with the added thrill of a journey from railroad town Jasper to glittering Vancouver aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer train. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to add the pleasures of one of the world’s great rail journeys to a holiday already brimming with unforgettable sights and experiences.
Your Ship & Rail Journey Alaska Cruise HHHHH MS Koningsdam nights 8-14
Boasting beautiful public areas, a wide choice of stylish restaurants and bars, firstclass entertainment, leisure facilities including swimming pools and a spa, MS Koningsdam offers a first-class base to explore the natural wonders of Alaska.
Rocky Mountaineer
The holiday price includes a twoday daylight journey travelling in SilverLeaf Service from Jasper to Vancouver, overnighting in a comfortable hotel in Kamloops. SilverLeaf Service includes assigned seating in a single level dome coach with oversized windows. Hot gourmet breakfast and lunch are served seat-side, along with complimentary snacks and beverages including beer and wine.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
131
NEW for 2021
A Canadian Winter Wonderland Combine a stay in much-loved Vancouver with a magical journey through a snowy Canadian winter wonderland and into the Rockies.
11-day escorted holiday from £1,799
Kamloops
Banff
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Spend three nights in glittering Vancouver • Travel along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to welcoming Whistler, in the shadow of Wedge Mountain, calling at Shannon Falls on the way • Continue east toward the Rockies, staying overnight at historic Kamloops towards majestic Banff • Visit spectacular Lake Louise and the imposing Chateau Lake Louise to soak up the views • The perfect combination of free time a range of optional winter-themed tours with excursions to choose from • Nine nights’ room only accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to Canada (outbound to Vancouver and returning from Calgary) • Comfortable coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Nov, Dec 2021 & Feb to May 2022
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,799 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Vancouver City Tour & Capliano Suspension Bridge (full day) Day Two – from £47
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £580
Combine a stay in much-loved Vancouver with a magical journey
through a snowy Canadian winter wonderland and into the Rockies. Fly to glittering Vancouver, where you’ll stay for three nights before travelling along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to welcoming Whistler for a two-night stay. From here you’ll spend a night in historic Kamloops before continuing deep into the snowy Rockies, visiting the glacier-fed Lake Louise on the way to majestic Banff, where several exciting optional winter excursions complete a wonderful winter break. Enjoy with optional snow walks, cable car rides, wildlife tours, and even a mountain helicopter flight to choose from! Spend three nights in Vancouver, where you can choose between optional tours of the city and to beautiful Vancouver Island and the unashamedly ‘British’ provincial capital Victoria, or exploring under your steam. From here, you’ll travel along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which begins at sea level and runs alongside the shore of the Howe Sound, before weaving its way into the Coast Mountains and through the old-growth alpine forests to Whistler, where you’ll enjoy a two-night stay at the venue of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Continue to historic Kamloops for the night and then head further into majestic Rockies, calling at the beautiful, glacier-fed Lake Louise, where frozen turquoise waters are set against the backdrop of Victoria Glacier, en route to Banff, the Rockies’ delightful, bustling capital, for a three-night stay. Here you’ll have the choice of joining several exciting optional tours, before travelling to Calgary for your return flight.
Your Hotels Sheraton Vancouver
Your accommodation includes carefully selected fourstar standard hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Vancouver (nights 1-3)
Summit Lodge, Whistler (nights 4-5) Doubletree Hotel, Kamloops (night 6) Elk + Avenue Hotel, Banff (nights 7-9) Elk + Avenue Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.
132
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Classic China & Yangtze River Cruise Experience an unforgettable journey combining ancient and ultramodern man-made sights, and some astounding natural wonders.
16-day escorted holiday from £2,945
Yangtze River Cruise
Tiananmen Square
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover and explore Shanghai – old and sparkling new • Explore Shanghai’s Old City and Yuyuan Chinese Gardens • Entrance to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre • A guided city tour of Xi’an including the Terracotta Army • Journey to the Great Wall and see the Three Gorges Dam • Experience Beijing – including visits to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace • Journey to ancient Suzhou, and enjoy a canal cruise and visit to the old city and Silk Embroidery Institute • A high speed train journey from Chongqing to Chengdu, Chengdu to Xi’an, Xi’an to Beijing and Beijing to Suzhou • 10 nights’ carefully chosen lunch, bed and breakfast accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Dinner on eight nights including a ‘Peking Duck’ dinner • A four-night full-board five-star Yangtze cruise • Porterage included at all hotels and on the cruise • Return flights to Shanghai and all internal flights in China • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Nov 2021 & Apr to Jun, Sep & Nov 2022
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,945 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
This extraordinary tour, featuring four high-speed rail journeys,
begins and ends amidst Shanghai’s glass and steel, then cruises through the legendary landscape of the Yangtze as, arrested by the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam, the river plies its ageless course. Fast-growing Chongqing, laid-back Chengdu, home to Giant Pandas, ancient Xi’an with its eye-popping Terracotta Army, and centuries-old Beijing provide yet more unforgettable sights, before the holiday is completed with a visit to Silk City Suzhou. Fly to Shanghai to enjoy the contrasts of China’s second city, which will include the colonial Bund, the futuristic skyline and classical Chinese gardens. Fly to Yichang, to board your five-star vessel for the four-night Yangtze cruise through the timeless landscape of dramatic gorges, cliff faces and ancient cities, with plenty of time to rest and relax aboard. Disembark to explore Chongqing, then take a high-speed train to cosmopolitan Chengdu and its fascinating Giant Panda centre. Another train brings you to awe-inspiring Xi’an, where ancient, priceless, Tang Dynasty treasures and the 8,000 terracotta warriors are unforgettable sights. Yet another train brings you to Beijing, where a three-night stay is full of memorable experiences, including Tiannamen Square, the Forbidden City and the fabled Great Wall. ‘Suzhou’s waterways, gardens and silk trade associations provide the final highlights, before the tour is completed with a night back in glittering Shanghai.
Your Hotels & Cruise
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels and a five-star cruise that will add to the enjoyment of your touring holiday. For full details of the ship please see the website.
Personalise your holiday • Peking Opera – from £14 • Shanghai Nightscape Cruise – from £18
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £686
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to China. Please see page 206.
Yangtze River Cruise Ship
Yinhe Dynasty
Shanghai Ambassador Hotel, Shanghai (nights 2 & 15)
Yangtze River Cruise Ship (nights 3-6) Yinhe Dynasty, Chengdu (nights 7-8) Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel, Xi’an (nights 9-10) Beijing Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, Beijing (nights 11-13)
Hotel Soul, Suzhou (night 14) Call us on: 0330 160 7800
133
NEW for 2022
Japan – Land of the Rising Sun This tour is the perfect introduction to Japan, an enthralling mix of ancient shrines, modern developments and stunning works of nature.
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Explore Himeji, Japan’s best-preserved feudal-era fortress • Take the train to Nara, Japan’s 6th-century capital with its sacred deer • Experience bustling Osaka, ‘Japan’s Kitchen’ • Head to Kyoto and visit the famous red torii gates and Arashiyama bamboo forest • Journey to coastal Kanazawa with its famous gardens • Discover Shirakawa-Go’s traditional thatched houses and picture-perfect Takayama, gateway to the Japanese Alps • Stay in modern Nagoya, home of the Toyota Museum • Travel to Hakone National Park, where you’ll hopefully get a glimpse of fabled Mount Fuji, and enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashin • Spend two nights in futuristic capital Tokyo, with an included tour, time at leisure and a sushi-making lunch offering the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation • Return flights to Japan, outbound to Osaka and returning from Tokyo • 10 nights’ carefully chosen four & five-star bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft • 14 meals (10 breakfasts, three lunches and one evening meal) • Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
You’ll start in bustling Osaka, from where you’ll explore Himeji’s
awe-inspiring castle, Japan’s 6th-century capital Nara,and ancient, mesmerising Kyoto. Kanazawa’s gardens, Shirakawa-Go’s traditional thatched gassho-zukuri houses and picture-perfect Takayama are followed by Nagoya’s museums of the modern age, and (hopefully) some unforgettable views of majestic Mount Fuji from Fujinomiya and Hakone. Two days in Tokyo’s non-stop, neon futurescape – where gleaming modern towers and the latest technology share the landscape with temples and palaces – complete a fascinating journey.
Day One – Fly to Japan Overnight flight. Day Two – Arrival You’ll meet your tour manager when you arrive in Osaka, and transfer into the city, heading to your hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure, as you relax and unwind after the journey. Day Three – Included Himeji Castle Board the coach and head to Himeji’s extraordinary White Egret castle – perhaps Japan’s finest fortified palace and certainly the best-preserved feudal-era castle in the country. Enjoy a tour of the extraordinary 14th-century fortress and then take a relaxing stroll around the adjoining Kokoen gardens (entry included), before an included lunch and tour of a traditional sake brewery.
Feb, Mar, May, Jun & Sep to Nov 2022
Fly from • Heathrow £3,799 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Japan
Room for Sole Use Supplement
Kanazawa Takayama
from £1,400
Hiroshima Nala
134
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
13-day escorted holiday from £3,799
Kyoto Mount Fuji Osaka Nara
Tokyo
Day Four – Included Nara and Osaka sightseeing This morning you’ll board the train to Nara, Japan’s Sixth-century capital, where sights include Todai-ji temple’s Great Buddha, the sacred deer of the Nara Koen Park and Kasuga Taisha shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and famous for its traditional lanterns. Return to Osaka by train for a guided exploration of Dotonbori, known as ‘Japan’s Kitchen’, with its restaurants and street vendors. Day Five – Included Kyoto tour Head to Kyoto for a one-night stay. Discover the highlights of Japan’s former imperial capital, including Fushimi
Mount Fuji
Tokyo
Inari Taisha shrine’s red torii gates, the spectacular Kiyomizudera temple, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the famous Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. After lunch, enjoy some free time wandering the lovingly restored streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka before you head to Arashiyama’s bamboo forest.
Your Hotels
Excel Hotel Tokyu, Osaka
Day Six – Included Kanazawa sightseeing Journey to coastal Kanazawa today and visit the exquisite Kenroku-en Garden, one of the world’s great horticultural treasures. Here you’ll get a glimpse of Japan’s past at Nagamachi’s Nomura Samurai House and, if time allows, visit the Higashi Chaya-Gai geisha district, followed by a gold leaf-decorating class. Overnight in Kanazawa. Day Seven – Included Shirakawa-Go and Takayama sightseeing Board the coach for the scenic journey to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-Go, where several thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses, built to withstand the snows of winter, are beautifully preserved. You’ll visit the Wada-ke house, built by one of the region’s wealthiest families, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before journeying to the picture-perfect surroundings of Takayama, a charming, laid-back gateway to the Japanese Alps, then continue to Nagoya for an overnight stay. Day Eight – Included Nagoya and Fujinomiya sightseeing Join your guide this morning as you head to the nearby Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, which documents the fascinating history and development of Toyota, which began life as a textile machinery company in the 1920s.
Kyoto Tokyu, Kyoto
nights 5
Boasting a wonderful location in downtown Kyoto, this hotel has three restaurants, a bar and a gym. Rooms are contemporary and spacious, and come with airconditioning and tea-making facilities. Excel Hotel Tokyu
Kanazawa Tokyu, Kanazawa
night 6
This central, comfortable hotel provides guest accommodation in spacious, modern rooms with big windows. There are two restaurants, one Japanese and one French, to choose from.
Nagoya Tokyu, Nagoya
night 7
Rooms at this downtown hotel are contemporary and feature European furniture, along with airconditioning, TV and mini-bar. Facilities at the hotel include an indoor pool, a fitness centre and three restaurants. Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel
Fujisan Mishima Tokyu, Mishima
night 8
Boasting sweeping views toward Hakone National Park, this hotel is located close to the Mishima Taisha Shrine. Rooms are modern, with air conditioning and TV. Amenities at the hotel include a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring) and arestaurant.
Continue to Fujinomiya and the Mount Fuji World Heritage Centre, where you’ll visit the Fuyinomiya Sengen shrine, which sits in the centre of the town and dates back to the 10th century.
Akasaka Excel Tokyu, Tokyo
Tonight you’ll spend the night in nearby Mishima, where an included dinner and hot springs (onsen) await at your hotel. Day Nine – Hakone National Park and Tokyo Journey north today to beautiful Hakone National Park, dominated on clear days by the cone of Mount Fuji. You’ll visit the atmospheric Hakone Shrine, shrouded in dense forest, near the shore of Lake Ashin, then take a cruise on the lake and ride the cable car above the Owakudani Valley. After the tour, travel through the volcanic landscape to Tokyo for the first of two evenings in Japan’s pulsating capital.
nights 2–4
Located just 200 yards from the Namba Shrine, this hotel boasts modern spacious rooms with airconditioning and free Wi-Fi, as well as a restaurant, fitness centre and a lively bar.
Nagoya Tokyu Hotel
night 9–11
Located in central Tokyo, the Akasaka Excel is the perfect choice for visitors looking to explore the city easily. The rooms are comfortable and stylish, with air conditioning and tea-making facilities. There are two restaurants to choose from, along with a variety of shops.
Day 10 – Tokyo city tour Join your guide for a fascinating day that will include Asakusa, ancient Buddhist Senso-ji temple and nearby, traditional Nakamise shopping street. Enjoy an entertaining lunch that includes a sushi-making experience, a bird’s eye view of the city from the observation floor of Shinjuku’s government buildings, a stroll along the tree-lined avenues of Yoyogi park, the Meiji Shrine and a visit to world-famous Shibuya Crossing – a chaotic four-way sea of humanity. Day 11 – Tokyo at leisure Make the most of the final day of your tour as you enjoy vibrant, cacophonous Tokyo at your leisure. Day 12 – Departure Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight at the end of a fascinating adventure in Japan. Day 13 – Arrive back in the UK Early morning arrival. Kenrokuen Garden
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
135
Follow the Mekong – Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam Take a colourful journey of a lifetime through South East Asia’s verdant lands, experiencing unforgettable ‘must-see, must-do’ highlights.
15-day escorted holiday from £2,295
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A guided tour of the floating markets and Bangkok including the Grand Palace and the Golden Buddha • Make the scenic journey to the Cambodian border and French colonial Battambang • Cruise across Tonlé Sap – South East Asia’s largest lake • Two full days at Siem Reap include phenomenal Angkor Wat • A city tour of the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, which exudes French colonial elegance • Journey along the Mekong River by fast passenger boat • Enjoy the floating market at Cai Rang • Visit famous HCMC – the former Saigon • See the infamous Cu Chi tunnel complex, Viet Cong hideaway • 12 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft • Six lunches and dinner on eight nights • Outbound flight to Bangkok, returning from Ho Chi Minh City, via Singapore on Singapore Airlines • Coach and air-conditioned boat travel and transfers • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
This extraordinary tour begins with the excitement of the Thai
capital, a cacophonous, kaleidoscopic wonder – with the chance to visit the River Kwai – before you journey into Cambodia, visiting the Khmer citadel of Angkor Thom and the phenomenal Wat, and the capital Phnom Penh. A scenic boat journey through the Mekong Delta brings you to former South Vietnamese capital Ho Chi Minh City – still more usually called Saigon – and a fitting finale to a memorable tour.
Day One – Fly to Thailand Fly overnight on Singapore Airlines via Singapore to Bangkok. Day Two – At leisure, or optional Thai dinner and dance excursion Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel. Relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities, explore under your own steam or join this evenings optional Thai Dinner dance excursion. Day Three – Included Floating Markets and Bangkok city tour This morning enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour, first visiting the colourful floating markets at Damnoen Saduak, before a guided introduction to the Thai capital, including Royal Island, where the Grand Palace adjoins the Wat Phra Kaew temple with its Emerald Buddha, the less formal Wat Pho temple, home to the gigantic Reclining Buddha, and the five-and-a-half-ton Golden Buddha at Chinatown’s Wat Traimit.
Available Jan, Mar to May, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan, Mar to May, Sep & Nov 2023
Fly from • Heathrow £2,295 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Thailand
Personalise your holiday • Thai Dinner Dance Day Two – from £24 • River Kwai & Death Railway (full day) Day Four – from £66
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £612
Bangkok
Battambang
Siem Reap
Angkor Thom
Phnom Penh Gulf of Thailand
Please note: Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Cambodia and Vietnam. Please see page 206 for further information.
136
Cambodia
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Chau Doc
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Can Tho
Day Four – At leisure, or optional River Kwai excursion Enjoy the city, or join the optional excursion through a fascinating countryside of rice fields and sugar-cane plantations, and on into the jungle to explore the part of the world forever associated with WWII – the construction of the infamous ‘Death Railway’ and the ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’. Day Five – From Thailand to Cambodia An early start sees you journey through a stunning rural landscape barely changed in centuries, crossing into Cambodia to begin the second part of your adventure with a short onward journey to Battambang, an elegant, friendly French colonial city.
Floating Markets, Bangkok
Day Six – Battambang to Siem Reap Today you travel to Wat Ek Phnom, a pre Angkor period temple situated on the banks of the Sandker River. Later, enjoy a ride on a Bamboo Train through the Battambang countryside, before continuing to Siem Reap, gateway to the incredible complex of Angkor Thom.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Your Hotels
Golden Tulip Mandison Suites, Bangkok
Day Seven – Included cruise across Tonlé Sap This morning you’ll journey across the waters, Cambodia’s ‘Great Lake’, passing stilt villages abuzz with life. An afternoon visit to the Angkor National Museum completes a wonderful visit to Siem Reap. Day Eight – Included Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat excursion Discover the astounding Bayon temple, with its four giant heads and countless other faces carved into the rock, and visit the breathtaking ‘lost city’ of Angkor Thom, the great Khmer citadel that once ruled half of South-East Asia for nearly six centuries. Great ruins litter a vast area, the most dazzling the aweinspiring, Angkor Wat, with its five great towers and 1,000-metrelong carved bas-relief. Day Nine – From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Journey to Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, a French colonial treasure-chest on the banks of the Mekong River, which exudes dusty, faded glory, except in its stupendous Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda of priceless Buddhist artefacts. This evening, enjoy dinner at the famous riverside Foreign Correspondents’ Club.
Classy Hotel & Spa, Battambang Golden Tulip Mandison Suites
The Sun & Moon Hotel, Phnom Penh The Aviary Hotel
night 9
This modern hotel features a stunning rooftop pool with views over the city. Rooms are contemporary in style, with air conditioning and vibrant decor. Facilities at the hotel include a rooftop bar and restaurant, together with a spa and wellness centre.
Victoria Hotel, Chau Doc
night 10
Built in colonial style, this hotel is located on the banks of the Bassac River, deep in the Mekong Delta. The restaurant has outdoor seating overlooking the river and there is a bar, outdoor pool and a spa.
Victoria Hotel, Can Tho Victoria Hotel, Chau Doc
night 11
On the banks of the Hau River, amidst exotic gardens and built in colonial style, all rooms in this hotel have a balcony. Facilities include a restaurant, bar and spa.
New World Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City
nights 12-13
This modern, luxurious hotel, is very centrally located in the heart of the city and features a roof-top swimming pool, a bar and a choice of restaurants. Room are elegant, and boast a range of modern amenities.
Victoria Hotel, Can Tho
Extend Your Holiday Three-night Singapore extension from £419
Day 14 – At leisure Enjoy your final day relaxing poolside or exploring the city further before your afternoon transfer to the airport for the return overnight flight via Singapore. Day 15 – Arrive back in the UK Arrive home this morning.
nights 6-8
Located in central Siem Reap, the Aviary Hotel has a pretty outdoor swimming pool area, a restaurant, spa and bar. Rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, and boast air conditioning and TV, with decor inspired by local artists.
Day 12 – From Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City Enjoy another journey through the Mekong landscape of rice paddies, fruit trees, bougainvillea, farmers in conical hats, floating markets, and flatbottomed boats. Take a fascinating boat ride to Cai Rang’s floating market, and visit delta town Vinh Long and Cai Be’s market, before arriving this evening for two-nights in Ho Chi Minh City, where every corner brings another sensory delight. Day 13 – Included Cu Chi Tunnels excursion and Ho Chi Minh City Tour Journey to the 120-mile underground labyrinth used by the Viet Cong that is now a poignant war memorial, later enjoy a guided city tour of Ho Chi Minh City, a fascinating mix of French colonial past and modern Vietnamese life, highlights include the grand General Post Office, Reunification Hall, the Xa Loi Pagoda and – time-permitting – the War Remnants Museum. End your day with a celebratory farewell dinner.
night 5
Perfectly positioned in the heart of historical Battambang, the Classy Hotel offers a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar.
The Aviary Hotel, Siem Reap
Day 10 – Included Tuol Sleng Museum visit and Mekong boat trip to Vietnam Spend a sobering morning at the Tuol Sleng Museum, which chronicles the ‘Pol Pot’, Khmer Rouge years, then visit Wat Phnom Temple, before you board the fast boat for the thrilling journey along the Mekong River, into Vietnam. Day 11 – Included Nui Sam visit and travel to Can Tho Visit holy mountain Nui Sam, with its pagodas, temples and stunning views over the Mekong Delta, where you’ll head today, to overnight in elegant university town Can Tho, with its floating markets, bustling harbour and sacred Khmer pagoda.
nights 2-4
This stylish and modern hotel is located just off Sukhumvit Road, within walking distance of restaurants and a shopping mall. Facilities include an attractive swimming pool, fitness centre and a choice of restaurants.
Orchard Rendezvous Hotel
Extend your Asia adventure and enjoy three nights in multicultural Singapore. Your Singapore stay includes bed and breakfast accommodation at the Orchard Rendezvous Hotel and a captivating half-day city tour includes a visit to Singapore’s Botanical Gardens.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
137
Cruise the Mekong – Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam Enjoy a relaxing four-night cruise on the languid Mekong as you explore an enthralling trio of South East Asian countries.
18-day escorted holiday from £3,899
Angkor Wat
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • A guided tour of the floating markets and Bangkok, including the Grand Palace and Golden Buddha • Scenic journey to the Cambodian border and French colonial Battambang • Cruise across Tonlé Sap – South East Asia’s largest lake • Two full days in Siem Reap, including a full day in astounding Angkor • A city tour of Cambodian Capital Phnom Penh, which exudes French colonial elegance • An exceptional four-night small-ship cruise on the majestic Mekong, with included excursions and activities • Visit vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon • See the infamous Chu Chi tunnel complex, used by the Viet Cong • 15 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft • 10 lunches and 12 dinners • Outbound flight to Bangkok, returning from Ho Chi Minh City, via Singapore • Coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Grand Palace
RV Mekong Pandaw
The undoubted highlight of this captivating tour is four blissful
days spent on board your comfortable riverboat, sailing gently along the fabled Mekong from Cambodia to Vietnam. Step ashore at tiny villages, farms and orchards for a unique perspective of rural life on the Mekong Delta, which, in many places, has remained largely unchanged for centuries. This extraordinary tour begins with the excitement of the Thai capital, a cacophonous, kaleidoscopic wonder. A full-day excursion will introduce you to the colourful floating markets at nearby Damnoen Saduak, together with Bangkok’s wondrous palaces and serene temples, before the opportunity to visit the infamous River Kwai the following day. From Thailand, journey through landscapes barely changed in centuries and into Cambodia, where you’ll visit the phenomenal Khmer citadel of Angkor, where great ruins litter a vast area, and capital Phnom Penh, a French colonial treasure chest on the banks of the Mekong. Two days are spent exploring this fascinating city, before you board your spacious, comfortable riverboat for a wonderful cruise on the Mekong that will take you to Vietnam, the third and final country of your tour. Spend two nights in the vibrant former South Vietnamese capital Ho Chi Minh City, where a city tour and excursion to the infamous Cu Chi tunnels provide a fitting finale to a memorable tour.
Available Sep & Nov 2022
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £3,899 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Your Hotels & Cruise Ship
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your touring holiday.
Personalise your holiday • Thai Dinner Dance Day Two – from £24 • River Kwai & Death Railway (full day) Day Four – from £66
Cabin upgrade
Golden Tulip
Cabin upgrade from £399 per person based on sharing a twin/ double cabin. Please call us for single room and cabin availability. Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Cambodia and Vietnam. Please see page 206 for further information.
138
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
RV Mekong Pandaw
Golden Tulip Mandison Suites, Bangkok (nights 2–4), Classy Hotel & Spa, Battambang (night 5), Lotus Blanc Hotel & Resort, Siem Reap (nights 6-8), Sun & Moon Urban Hotel, Phnom Penh (nights 9-10), RV Mekong Pandaw, Mekong cruise (nights 11-14), New World Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (nights 15-17)
Classic Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos South East Asia’s most exciting countries brought to life on a mesmerising, tremendous value journey of the senses.
20-day escorted holiday from £3,095
Mekong River
Halong Bay
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover Hanoi, Vietnam’s charming capital • Spend a night on a luxury boat as you cruise stunning Halong Bay • Stay in UNESCO-listed, riverside Hoi An • Discover Imperial city Hué • Enjoy a cruise on the Perfume River • Discover pulsating Ho Chi Minh City – the former Saigon • Explore the Mekong Delta by boat and visit picturesque Ben Tré • See the infamous Cu Chi tunnel complex • Visit to Cambodian capital Phnom Penh • Entrance to the Tuoi Sleng Museum • Enjoy dinner in Phnom Penh’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club • Two full days’ sightseeing at Siem Reap including a cruise across Tonlé Sap - South East Asia’s largest lake and phenomenal Angkor Wat • Discover Laos’ magical, UNESCO-listed former royal capital Luang Prabang • Visit stunning Kuang Si falls • Enjoy a farewell dinner in Laos • 17 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft • Nine lunches and eight dinners • Return scheduled flights to Hanoi, and internal flights from Halong Bay to Da Nang, Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap to Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang to Hanoi
Discover some of the world’s most enthralling destinations on this
scintillating, near-three-week tour of three of the most colourful, mesmerising, enchanting countries on Earth. The perfect ‘grown-up gap-year’ trip for those who prefer hotels to hostels and a few of life’s comforts to privations, this is a wonderful chance to see some of the great sights, meet the friendly people, absorb the atmosphere and taste the delicious food of a truly wonderful corner of the globe. Take in Vietnamese capital Hanoi’s ancient treasures, colonial past and encroaching modernity. Cruise eye-popping ‘must-see’ Halong Bay and discover delightful Hoi An, imperial capital Hué and Ho Chi Minh City, thhe former Saigon, another place where past and colourful present collide. Cruise the Mekong Delta and, journeying into Cambodia, where you’ll explore French colonial gem Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, gateway to awe-inspiring ruins at Angkor, the great Khmer citadel that once ruled half of South East Asia. A final stay in Laos’ former royal capital Luang Prabang, with its saffroncloaked monks, and Kuang Si’s beautiful falls, complete a tour full of wish-list ‘must-see, must-dos’.
Your Hotels
Available Jan, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov 2022, Jan, Mar, Apr, Oct & Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £3,095 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £780 Indochina Junk Please note: Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Please see page 206.
Angkor Wat
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Flower Garden Hotel, Hanoi (nights 2-3), Emeraude Cruise, Halong Bay (night 4), Emm Hoi An Hotel, Da Nang (nights 5-6), Moonlight Hotel, Hue (night 7), Ho Chi Minh Bay Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (nights 8-10), Sun & Moon, Phnom Penh (nights 11-12), The Aviary, Siem Reap (nights 13-15), Victoria Xieng Thing Palace, Luang Prabang (nights 16-18) Call us on: 0330 160 7800
139
Small-Group Tour
Treasures of Cambodia & Thailand
Savour this wonderful cultural journey, as you take in the best of Cambodia and Thailand, then spend three lazy days by the beach.
16-day escorted holiday from £2,140
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Get to know Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on an included tour, with included sundowner • Pay a sobering visit to Tuol Sleng and Killing Fields • Explore the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor from your base in Siem Reap • Visits to Tonlé Sap Lake, a Cambodian Mine Action Centre museum and French colonial Battambang • Enjoy a two-night stay in glittering Thai capital Bangkok, with an included tour of its stupendous palaces and temples, plus an included dinner • Experience the extraordinary Maeklong Railway Market • Spend two nights in Kanchanaburi, with entry to the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre included • Visit Erawan National Park and poignant Hellfire Pass • Relax for three days at idyllic Hua Hin, on the Gulf of Thailand and pay a fascinating visit to the Tham Rong community • Explore coastal Hua Hin and the award-winning Monsoon Valley vineyards, with included wine tasting • 13 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft • 20 meals, including 13 breakfasts, six lunches and one dinner • Comfortable air-conditioned coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, knowledgeable tour manager
Available Nov 2021 & Jan to Apr, Sept to Nov 2022
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,140 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Biking, Cooking & Countryside (full day) Day Seven – £65 • Sam Roi Yod National Park (full day) Day 13 – £75 • Hua Hin Cha-Am Discover (half day) Day 13 – £39
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £525 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Cambodia. Please see page 206 for further information.
140
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Discover captivating Cambodia, where fascinating capital
Phnom Penh and the magnificent temples of Angkor await. Cross the border into Thailand, where you’ll stay in exemplary capital Bangkok, before paying a sobering visit to Kanchanaburi, site of the infamous Death Railway. Three nights at popular beach resort Hua Hin complete a wonderful break.
Day One – Outbound flight Overnight flight. Day Two – Arrival in Phnom Penh Transfer to your hotel. Day Three – Phnom Penh city tour and Mekong River cruise Start your tour of Phnom Penh with a visit to Phsar Thmey, an Art Deco landmark in the city centre that is home to a lively market. Continue to the sobering Tuol Sleng Museum, which chronicles the brutal Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge years, to learn more about Cambodia’s troubled – but nonetheless, important – past. This afternoon, the tour continues to the stupendous Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by a visit to the National Museum. A visit to the infamous Choeng Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, completes a fascinating, and at times, thought-provoking, tour. This evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong, perhaps with a cold beer in hand. Day Four – Travel to Siem Reap via Koh Chen and Skun Transfer to Siem Reap, stopping at the villages of Koh Chen and Skun, the latter renowned for a unique local delicacy: deep-fried tarantulas!
Thailand Kanchanaburi Banteay Srei Siem Reap Bangkok Maeklong Battambang Angkor Phnom Penh Hua Hin Gulf of Thailand
Cambodia
Vietnam
Day Five – Temples of Angkor Spend an unforgettable day in the company of a knowledgeable guide, as you discover the astounding lost city of Angkor, the great Khmer citadel that once ruled half of South East Asia. Great ruins litter a vast area, the most awe-inspiring of which is Angkor Wat, with its five great towers and huge bas relief. Day Six – Tonlé Sap lake and CMAC visit This morning, you’ll visit a Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) museum to learn about one of the devastating legacies of the Cambodian Civil War.
Royal Palace, Phnom Penh
Maeklong Railway Market
Board a boat and continue your journey to Tonlé Sap, South East Asia’s largest lake. You’ll see villages built entirely on stilts that are home to the floating communities whose livelihoods depend on the lake’s waters. Stop a nearby village for lunch with a local community, before visiting an ancient pagoda.
Your Hotels
Double Leaf Boutique Hotel
Day Eight – On to Thailand Bid farewell to Cambodia as you transfer to Bangkok.
nights 4–6
night 7
Perfectly positioned in the heart of historical Battambang, the Classy Hotel offers guests a pool, restaurant and bar, together with comfortable rooms. Classy Hotel
Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside, Bangkok nights 8–9 Boasting a fantastic location on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the five-star Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside is a great choice for travellers staying in Bangkok for a few days. Rooms are modern, with elegant furnishings. The hotel boasts six dining options and a wellness spa.
Day 10– Maeklong Railway Market and transfer to Kanchanaburi Rise and shine early this morning to visit the colourful Maeklong Railway Market, famed for its position – tightly hunched around train tracks!
Royal River Kwai Resort & Spa, Kanchanaburi nights 10–11
The tour continues to Kanchanaburi, where more than 12,000 Allied prisoners perished in World War II building the Death Railway. Ramada Plaza
This beautiful hotel is set on the banks of the River Kwai and features spacious rooms and a pretty outdoor pool. Rooms benefit from large windows and feature air conditioning. The restaurant serves meals either inside, or outside on the terrace.
Avani+ Hua Hin Resort, Hua Hin
Day 12– Transfer to Hua Hin and visit the Tham Rong community Check out this morning and transfer to your idyllic resort in Hua Hin. En route, you’ll stop in Phetchaburi to visit the Tham Rong community and toddy plantation. Day 13 – Hua Hin sightseeing and Monsoon Valley Vineyards After breakfast, set out on a sightseeing tour of Hua Hin, which includes a short climb up Monkey Mountain to see the Big Buddha and enjoy the sweeping views. Continue to Wat Huay Mongkol to see the statue of Luang Phor Thuate, Thailand’s most famous monk.
Sakmut Boutique Hotel, Siem Reap
Classy Hotel, Battambang
This evening, you’ll head to the 78th-floor Bangkok Sky Restaurant for an included dinner.
Day 11– Erawan National Park and Hellfire Pass Explore the beautiful Erawan National Park this morning, as you enjoy a gentled walk to a stunning seven-tiered waterfall. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, before the tour continues to Hellfire Pass, a pass cut out of solid rock by Allied prisoners during World War II.
nights 2–3
This five-star boutique hotel is nestled amongst a lush tropical garden, not far from the town centre of Siem Reap. Rooms are modern, sleek and boast free Wi-Fi. The hotel also has an impressive eco saltwater pool.
Day Nine – Bangkok city tour and included Sky Restaurant dinner Enjoy a full-day’s sightseeing today as you discover Bangkok’s stupendous palaces. In the morning, you’ll see the Royal Island, where the Grand Palace adjoins the Wat Phra Kaew temple with its Emerald Buddha, as well as the less formal Wat Pho temple, home to the gigantic Reclining Buddha, Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, before a gentle walking tour of Chinatown, considered the busiest area in the city and one of its culinary hotspots, home of the famous Wat Traimit, better known as the Golden Buddha.
Double Leaf Boutique Hotel, Phnom Penh
Perfectly located for exploring the city, the Double Leaf Boutique Hotel boasts well-manicured grounds and an outdoor pool. The tiled-floor rooms are comfortable and come with air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, which also has a bar and restaurant.
Day Seven – Optional cycling and cooking tour then on to Battambang This morning you can chose to join the optional countryside cycling and cookery tour, where you’ll enjoy a guided, gentle bike ride into the surrounding countryside, stopping off at a cookery class. This afternoon, transfer to Battambang, near the border with Thailand.
Hua Hin
Wat Arun, Bangkok
Avani+ Hua Hin Resort
nights 12–15
This idyllic five-star beachfront resort is the perfect place to spend a few relaxing days. Accommodation is in either rooms or villas, the latter of which are set amongst landscaped grounds. The resort is brightly decorated and features a restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, spa and gym.
This afternoon you’ll visit the award-winning Monsoon Valley Vineyards, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy a glass of local wine and a tour of the facilities. Day 14 – At leisure or optional tour to Sam Roi Yod National Park Spend today at leisure or join the optional tour to Sam Roi Yod National Park. Day 15 – Departure Transfer to Bangkok airport for your return flight. Day 16 – Arrive back in the UK Morning arrival.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
141
NEW for 2022
Captivating Vietnam The mesmerising sights and sounds of South East Asia’s most exciting country brought to life on a tremendous value, journey of the senses.
14-day escorted holiday from £1,995
Hoi An
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover and explore colonial Hanoi, Vietnam’s compact, charming capital, with included welcome dinner • Visit to the exciting food market in Thuy Bieu followed by cooking class. • Meet a veteran of the Vietnam War • Spend a night cruising stunning Ha Long Bay • Take an overnight train to Imperial city Hué • Stay in UNESCO-listed, riverside Hoi An • Learn the secrets of Kung Fu from a Grand Master • Discover pulsating Ho Chi Minh City – the former Saigon • See the infamous Cu Chi tunnel complex • Explore the Mekong Delta by boat and visit Ben Tré • 11 nights’ carefully chosen accommodation, including 1 night on the train and 1 night on the cruise, plus two nights on the aircraft • Overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Hué • Nine lunches, 1 brunch and two dinners • Return scheduled flights to Hanoi, returning from Ho Chi Minh City, and an internal flight Danang-Ho Chi Minh City • Air-conditioned coach travel throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Jan, Mar, May & Sep to Nov 2022, Jan, Mar, May & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from
Ha Long Bay
Discover enchanting Hanoi, Ha Long Bay’s eye-popping vistas,
imperial Hué and scintillating Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon. With the verdant Mekong Delta and a host of unforgettable experiences, this is a perfect introduction to one of the world’s most exciting destinations, with its stunning scenery, sparkling beaches, colourful cities that resonate with history, charm and above all an overwhelming sense of a bright future. Enjoy a wonderful introduction to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, with its colonial architecture, tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son temple. Visit a traditional Vietnamese coffee shop then head to historic Hoa Lo prison, where you will meet a Vietnam War veteran before a traditional lunch in the Old Quarter. The following day you’ll journey through the timeless paddies to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, where countless limestone pillars and coneshaped islands rise out of the water in a spectacular seascape. Continue to imperial Hué on an overnight train, where a river cruise and tour of the ancient citadel await, before you continue your journey south, calling at Hoi An to learn the secrets of Kung Fu, and ending with a three-night stay in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon.
Your Hotels
• Heathrow £1,995 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Hanoi Old Quarter Food Experience (Full Day) Day Two – from £35
Romance Hotel
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £349 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Vietnam. Please see page 206 for further information.
142
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Ben Tre village in Mekong delta
Northern Charm Hotel
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your touring holiday.
Medallion Hanoi Hotel, Hanoi (nights 2–3), Emeraude Cruise, Ha Long Bay (night 4), Violette Express (night 5), Romance Hotel, Hue (night 6), Laluna Hoi An Riverside, Hoi An (nights 8-9), Northern Charm Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (nights 10-12)
Uzbekistan & the Silk Road’s Jewels Step back in time in one of the world’s emerging ‘must-see’ destinations, discovering millennia-old cradles of civilisation and their legacies.
11-day 8-day escorted holiday from from £2,075 £859
Itchan Kala ancient town, Khiva
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Fly to Uzbek capital Tashkent and discover ancient and modern wonders • Discover mud-walled, blue-tiled Khiva, at the crossroads of the Silk Road • Cross the ‘Red Desert’ from Khiva to holy Bukhara • Savour three thousand years of history in Bukhara’s ancient streets • Learn the secrets of the national dish, Plov, at a special cookery demonstration • See the mausoleum of Muslim Saint Baha-un-Din Naqshband • Drive to Samarkand via ancient, UNESCO-listed Shakhrisabz, birthplace of warrior Tamerlane • Explore the wonders of Tamerlane’s Silk Road jewel Samarkand, a great city and seat of learning • See carpet weavers and silk paper-makers at work • Journey from Samarkand to Tashkent by high-speed train • Nine nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Five dinners • Return flights to Tashkent and internal flight from Tashkent to Urgench • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021, May, Jun, Sep & Oct 2022
Fly from these airports. Prices from • Heathrow £2,075 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Chimgan Mountains (half day) Day Three – from £88 • Folklore Show (evening) Day Seven – from £23 • Folklore Show with Dinner (evening) Day Seven – from £46 • Mountain Pass to Samarkand by 4x4 Day Eight – from £60
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £370 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 20 minutes.
Registan Square, Samarkand
Journey to a part of the world that was part of the ancient Silk Road
that carried riches to Europe, where great cities of culture, learning and trade rivalled any in history, and across which nomadic peoples, caravans and the armies of warrior Tamerlane once roamed. Conjuring romantic visions of Arabian Nights, Uzbekistan’s desert landscapes and other scenic wonders more than match the cities’ eye-popping glories. Begin in modern capital Tashkent, where 21st century meets ancient Silk Road, and cafés and designer stores sit within reach of Tamerlane’s equestrian statue. Travel on to mesmerising Khiva, with its walls and domes, and cross the ‘Red Desert’ to Bukhara, Central Asia’s most fascinating city. Journey on to Samarkand and majestic Registan Square, before an express train returns you to Tashkent to complete a wonderful adventure.
Your Hotels
City Palace Hotel,Tashkent Bed & Breakfast and one dinner nights 2, 3 & 10 Close to Amir Temur Square and a small park, City Palace Hotel has a restaurant and two bars. Rooms have a safe, hairdryer, air conditioning and satellite TV.
Malika Khiva Hotel, Khiva Bed & Breakfast and one dinner
night 4
This traditionally furnished hotel offers a spacious lobby, with Wi-Fi, and a restaurant, as well as air-conditioned, simply furnished rooms with private facilities and satellite TV.
Rangrez Hotel, Bukhara Bed & Breakfast and two dinners
nights 5-7
Hotel Registon, Samarkand Bed & Breakfast and one dinner
nights 8-9
Set at the entrance to the Old City, and blending Oriental and European styles, this hotel offers marbled lobby lounge, terrace, restaurant, coffee house and bar. Rooms are decorated in traditional style.
In the modern city centre, this three-star hotel is a 20-minute stroll to the ancient quarter, and offers a bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi in public areas and a seasonal outdoor pool. Air-conditioned rooms have Wi-Fi.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
143
Small-Group Tour
Borneo’s Orangutans & Rainforest Adventure Discover Sabah, a breath-taking land of verdant jungle landscapes, precious wildlife and idyllic, white sand beaches.
14-day escorted holiday from £2,499
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Fly to former British colonial capital Sandakan • Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre • Wildlife cruises on the Kinabatangan River and a stay in a jungle lodge • Discover beautiful Kinabalu Park and the therapeutic Poring Hot Springs • Stay at the Sabah Tea Plantation • Journey to former British colonial capital Sandakan • Look out for fireflies and pygmy elephants • Rest and relax for three days in a luxurious ocean-side spa resort • Eight nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft • Outbound flight to Sandakan via Kuala Lumpur and returning from Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available May, Jun, Sep to Nov 2022, Mar to Jun & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,499 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £649
This wonderful holiday lifts the lid on Sabah, Malaysian
Borneo’s verdant jungle paradise, which is watched over by towering Mount Kinabalu and home to the endangered orangutan and the delightful sun bear, and fringed by pristine, whitesand beaches. With a host of included tours and experiences and the chance to rest and relax after the tour in an ocean-side spa resort, this is a perfect introduction to a stunning corner of the world.
Day One – Fly to Borneo Fly overnight to Sandakan in Borneo, via Kuala Lumpur. Day Two – Arrival You’ll touch down in Sandakan around lunchtime, where you’ll meet your guide and transfer to the Sabah Hotel for a one-night stay. Beautifully set upon its bay, Sandakan is a bustling jungle gateway with beautiful Buddhist temples and some colonial remnants. Rest and relax after your journey, unwinding and settling into your spectacular new surroundings. This evenning, perhaps join in the optional night walk at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, which will give you a sense of the wonderful wildlife and spectacular scenery you’ll encounter over the next eight days.
Day Three – Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilation Centre, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and a river cruise Today an undoubted highlight awaits as you visit the world-renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, dedicated to the protection of the species Sandakan Kota Kinabalu that is closest to our own. Watch the feeding Kinabatangan of the primates and stroll through the forest Ranau River on the marked trails, before visiting the Mount equally fascinating Sun Bear Conservation Kinabalu Centre, where the smallest of the world’s ursine species live in protected open-air enclosures. Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes.
144
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
You’ll then head further into the jungle for a two-night stay on the bank of the languid Kinabatangan River, at the Borneo Natural
Sun Bear
Nexus Karambunai Resort & Spa
Pygmy Elephants
Bilit Sukau Resort, with its hardwood walkways and its picturesque riverside cabins. Enjoy lunch at the lodge, then join your guide for a sunset cruise, looking out for birds and wildlife amongst the dense vegetation, and perhaps witnessing the extraordinary phenomenon of congregating fireflies in a ‘nature’s Christmas Tree’ display.
Your Hotels
Sabah Hotel, Sandakan
After the cruise, rest and relax back at the lodge, perhaps taking a refreshing dip in the pool or wandering along the boardwalks that wind their way through the canopy, stopping to spot wildlife from the viewing platforms. Day Four – Jungle cruises from the lodge Awaken early to the sounds of the jungle as you spend another blissful day discovering its wonders. Cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake to watch pygmy elephants and monkeys at play, and enjoy a second exciting sunset cruise.
Borneo Natural Bilit Sukau Resort, Sandakan Sabah Hotel
nights 3-4
Located on the lower Kinabatangan River and an ideal base for an authentic jungle experience, this charming resort’s facilities include a restaurant. All the cottagestyle rooms boast air conditioning and a shower.
Sabah Tea Resort, Ranau
night 5
Surrounded by pristine rainforest and located within a working tea plantation, this private hideaway boasts a restaurant and café. The air-conditioned cottages come with a television, kettle and private bathrooms.
Day Five – Transfer to Ranau Transfer to the Sabah Tea Resort, in Ranau, for a one-night stay amongst gloriously pristine nature, surrounded by unspoiled forest and a picturesque working tea plantation. Day Six – Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs Enjoy a leisurely morning before the chance to explore the local tea plantation, where you’ll learn about the product of rainforest tea – and sample some, of course – before journeying into UNESCOlisted Kinabalu National Park, a forested paradise home to several unique species of orchid. Pause at the park’s headquarters, with its beautiful Mountain Garden Collection, before continuing on to the famous Poring Hot Springs.
night 2
Built in colonial style, this charming rustic hotel has pretty gardens and a popular swimming pool. There are a choice of restaurants, including a café serving a choice of international cuisine and also a Chinese restaurant.
Nexus Karambunai Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu Sabah Tea Resort
nights 6-9
Enjoying a beautiful setting on the shores of a beautiful white-sand beach, the resort offers a wide choice of amenities. Leisure facilities include three swimming pools, an 18-hole championship golf course and a whole host of water sports are from the idyllic beach (water sports payable locally). Food and beverages from around the world are available in the choice of eight restaurants and bars.
Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant, before spending an afternoon at the springs, where, in addition to the chance to take a dip in the therapeutic waters, you can also explore the jungle trail of walkways through the rainforest canopy. At the end of a wonderful day, head to the welcoming Nexus Karambunai Resort and Spa for four nights.
Nexus Karambunai Resort
Day Seven – At leisure Enjoy the first of three blissful days at leisure, perhaps spent lazing by the resort’s pools or on the idyllic beach, indulging in a spa treatment or two, enjoying the selection of water sports or perhaps even playing a round on the championship golf course (activities payable locally). Day Eight – At leisure Spend another relaxing day at leisure, with a selection of dining options and the attractions of Kota Kinabalu, half an hour away, adding to the pleasure. Day Nine – At leisure Enjoy a final day at leisure, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful break spent discovering some awe-inpsiring animals and exploring pristine landscapes. Day 10 – Return flight Transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport in the afternoon for your return flight to the UK via Kuala Lumpur. Day 11 – Arrival Early this morning, you’ll arrive back in the UK after a marvellous Asian adventure.
Gibbon, Kinabalu National Park
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
145
Small-Group Tour
Indian Rail Journeys – Amritsar, Shimla & the Taj Savour Rajasthan’s timeless glories, the Golden Temple, Ranthambore’s tigers and the Raj-era elegance of India’s most famous hill station.
15-day escorted holiday from £2,255
Golden Temple, Amristar
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Stay at some wonderful boutique ‘home-stay’ and heritage hotels • Discover Old and New Delhi and enjoy a rickshaw ride • A guided tour of Agra, ‘City of Love’ and the ‘Taj’ • Discover deserted city Fatehpur Sikri • Go in search of Ranthambore’s tigers on two safaris • Guided tour of ‘Pink City’ Jaipur • Rajasthani folk evening and Gala Dinner • Visits to Amritsar’s Golden Temple by day and night • Visits to the Jalinawaila Wala Bagh memorial park and IndoPakistani border closing ceremony • Journey by Toy Train to Shimla • Stay in Shimla’s famed, Raj-era, Oberoi Cecil Hotel • Guided visit to Tara Devi shrine and Shimla walking tour • 13 nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation and four lunches and a High Tea, plus one night on the aircraft • Return scheduled flights to Delhi and an internal flight from Delhi to Amritsar • Air-Conditioned rail travel from Delhi to Agra and Chandigarh to Delhi • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Nov 2021 & Jan to Apr Sep to Nov 2022
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from
The Kalka-Shimla Toy Train
This exciting Small-Group Tour combines the classic sights of India’s capital, ‘City of Love’ Agra and ‘Pink City’ Jaipur with the majesty of Amritsar’s gilded island temple, adds in Ranthambore’s famed tigers, and ends with a journey back in time to Shimla, the quintessential colonial haven high in the Himalayan foothills. With accommodation ranging from home-stay warmth and welcome to historic heritage hotels and five-star comforts, and with a host of additional highlights, this is a wonderful Indian adventure.
Begin in vibrant Delhi, enjoying a guided tour of some of the Indian capital’s major sights, before boarding the Gatimaan Express – India’s fastest train - to Agra, home to the exquisite Taj Mahal and majestic Agra Fort. Head, via deserted Moghul city Fatehpur Sikri, to Ranthambore National Park, to enjoy open-air vehicle safaris in search of the protected tigers, before heading to Jaipur and two nights in an elegant, historic Heritage hotel, and unforgettable sightseeing that includes the monumental Amber Fort and the exquisite Palace of the Winds. A night in a traditional Rajasthani village is followed by the flight from Delhi to awe-inspiring Amritsar and the Golden Temple’s extraordinary ceremonies. Visit the temple by day and night, experience the colourful border-closing ceremony at Wagah, before the wonderful tour is completed with the journey by historic Toy Train to colonial Shimla, in its peerless mountain setting.
Your Hotels
• Heathrow £2,255 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday
Colonel’s Retreat
• Ranthambore Fort (half day) – from £18
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £676 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India. Please see page 206.
146
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Ranthambore’s tigers
Oberoi Cecil
Your accommodation includes carefully selected heritage hotels and smaller, family-run hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Colonel’s Retreat, Delhi (nights 2-3 & 14) Coral Court, Agra (night 4) Ranthambore Regency (nights 5-6) Shahpura House, Jaipur (nights 7-8) Shahpura Haveli, Shahpura (night 9) Radisson Blu Hotel, Amritsar (nights 10-11) Oberoi Cecil, Shimla (nights 12-13)
NEW for 2022
Incredible India Enjoy this wonderful introduction to Northern India, taking in the wondrous Taj Mahal and offering a host of optional tours.
10-day escorted holiday from £1,099
Ranthambore National Park
Taj Mahal
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Gaze in awe at the resplendent Taj Mahal • Discover the 8th-century Abhaneri Stepwells • Take a camel cart ride to a traditional Rajasthani village • Pay a visit to the picturesque Bhangarh Fort • Daily morning yoga lessons at the Vanaashrya Resort • Optional tours to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Jaipur and Ranthambore National Park (overnight) • Seven nights’ carefully chosen accommodation, including one night at the five-star Sarovar Crystal Premiere, Agra, and six at the four-star Vanaashrya Resort, plus two nights on the aircraft • 23 meals, including seven breakfasts, eight lunches and eight dinners • Direct, return flights to Delhi • Comfortable, air-conditioned transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, knowledgeable tour manager
Bhangarh Fort
This great-value introduction to India gives you the unique chance to take things at your own pace, with both included and optional sightseeing, together with morning yoga, cookery classes and lazing around by the pool with two-for-one happy hour cocktails to choose from.
This is India, done your way. Adding to an already impressive portfolio of Indian tours, this unique tour takes in some of India’s most essential sights, including the majestic Taj Mahal, together with optional excursions to Ranthambore National Park and Jaipur, with ample opportunities to rest and relax. You’ll stay in two excellent hotels, the first a five-star hotel in Agra and the second a six-night stay amongst 8 acres of pristine nature, really giving you the chance to unwind and get settled. Start each day with a gentle, energising yoga class before breakfast, and the rest is up to you.
Available Feb to May & Sep 2022
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,099 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Sariska National Park (half day) Day four– from £69 • Jaipur and Amber Fort (half day) Day six– from £99 • Overnight Ranthambore National Park (half day) Day seven– from £129
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £790 All Inclusive Drinks Package from £275 For 6 nights at the Vanaashrya Resort.
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately three hours.
Your Hotels
Crystal Sarovar, Agra
night 2
This five-star, centrally located hotel is a wonderful choice for a short stay in Agra and is near the Taj Mahal. Rooms are luxuriously appointed, with complimentary Wi-Fi, TVs, tea/coffee-making facilities and air conditioning.
Vanaashrya Resort, near Sariska Tiger Reserve
nights 3-9
Located among 8 acres of well-manicured jungle grounds and with its own lake, the four-star Vanaashrya Resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind amongst nature. Accommodation is in comfortable cottages that come with air-conditioning and terraces. The resort has a bar, restaurant, outdoor pool and gym.
Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India and Nepal. Please see page 206.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
147
India – Tigers & the Taj Mahal Explore northern India’s greatest cities in this perfect introduction to one of the world’s most fascinating and alluring destinations.
10-day escorted holiday from £1,349
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover the sights of New Delhi, including the historic Red Fort and Jama Masjid Mosque, the India Gate war memorial and the ruins of the Quwwat‑ul-Islam mosque • Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi • A guided tour of Agra, the ‘City of Love’ • Marvel at the incomparable Taj Mahal • See Chand Baori, Abhaneri’s astonishing stepwell • Go in search of Ranthambore’s tigers on two included safaris • Ride up to Amber Fort for exceptional views • See Jaipur’s exquisite Palace of the Winds and enjoy dinner hosted by a local family • Stay in the beautiful resort of Vanaashrya • Enjoy an Indian cookery demonstration • Eight nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • 22 meals including eight breakfasts, six lunches and eight dinners • Return scheduled flights to Delhi • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Taj Mahal
Uncover India’s exotic wonders on a thrilling adventure. Explore the teeming, colourful, spectacular cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – the fabled, fascinating Golden Triangle that is home to such sights as the Red Fort, the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal and the Palace of the Winds. Spend two nights ‘on safari’ in Ranthambore Park, one-time hunting ground of Indian princes, and complete the holiday with a night in a luxury jungle resort.
Day One – Overnight flight to India Fly from the UK to Delhi. Day Two – Included Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque visit Upon arrival this morning, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel where you’ll spend your first night. Later, after an included lunch and time to freshen up, join your tour manager on a guided tour to visit the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and the ornate Qutb Minar tower that rises from them. Return to the hotel for dinner. Day Three – Included Delhi city tour and travel to Agra Today enjoy a guided tour, which will introduce you to the vibrant Old City. Drive by the historic Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s cremation site close to the Yamuna River, and enjoy an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the old Chandni Chowk.
Available Sep to Nov 2021, Jan to Jun, Sep to Nov 2022 & Jan to Jun, Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,349 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £304
Personalise your holiday • Ranthambore Fort (half day) Day Six – from £17
Extend your holiday See more of India from just £423. Choose from Goa, Kerala, Varanasi or Nepal. See page 160 for details. Please note: Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India. Please see page 206. The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
148
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Rajgarh Jaipur
ou’ll also take in the grandeur of New Delhi, built by the British Raj to Y reflect the glories of the Empire. Highlights will include the historic India Gate war memorial and the vast boulevard of the Rajpath. Later, journey to Agra, the fabled ‘City of Love’ and site of the exquisite, incomparable Taj Mahal. After a visit to the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of majestic Agra Fort you’ll make your first visit to the ‘Taj’, a monument to undying love, Delhi seen in all its glory at sunset. Agra
Ranthambore National Park
India
Day Four – Included excursions to the Taj Mahal, Abhaneri, and travel to Ranthambore Awaken early to pay a sunrise visit to view the Taj from across the Yamuna River, and after breakfast, journey on to the ancient village of Abhaneri, home to Chand Baori, an astonishing example of a stepwell – extraordinary
Chand Baori Stepwell
constructions unique to India and used to draw water from the ground.
Your Hotels
Sheraton New Delhi, Delhi
unch is taken in the sumptuous surroundings of the Umaid Lake L Palace, a heritage hotel and ‘organic retreat’ that grows produce for the hotel’s fine restaurant, before you journey on to beautiful Ranthambore National Park, home to conservation programme Project Tiger, for a two-night stay. nce the hunting ground of Indian princes, Ranthambore is O covered with thorn trees, scrub and grasslands, and dotted with beautiful ponds, streams and lakes – a perfect habitat for the famed, endangered Tigers of Ranthambore and other species. This evening, enjoy a ‘tiger talk’ from a local naturalist.
Trident, Agra Trident Agra
Sawai Vilas
Shahpura House
*Please note: When flying from Manchester, the itinerary content and duration remain the same but the itinerary order varies slightly.
nights 6-7
A gem in downtown Jaipur, this heritage hotel has beautiful lawns and gardens, a restaurant and a bar, an outdoor swimming pool and a gift shop. Each room has air conditioning, a mini-bar, tea/coffee-making facilities and a safe.
night 8
Set in the foothills of Aravali ranges, around a lake, the cottage accommodation provides all modern comforts including air conditioning, your own bathroom and private terrace. You’ll also find a restaurant, Cloud 9 Bar, an outdoor pool and a spa. It’s a feel of the real, rural India of the past!
Radisson Blu Plaza, Delhi Airport
night 9
Located in close proximity to Delhi International Airport, this comfortable, convenient hotel offers spacious, contemporary rooms with modern facilities. The hotel also has a large outdoor swimming pool, a spa and five dining options.
Vanaashrya
Day Nine – Included Heritage Transport Museum visit Head back towards Delhi, calling en route at the fascinating Heritage Transport Museum, with its impressive collections covering the development of India’s road, rail and air travel industries, as well as transport-related toys and memorabilia. Spend a last night close to the capital. Day 10 – Fly back to the UK This morning, depart for the airport and your return flight, arriving late this afternoon, after a wonderful ‘introduction to India’.
Shahpura House, Jaipur
Vanaashrya, Rajgarh
special dinner is taken at the Nokha House, hosted in traditional A Rajasthani style by the Rathore family. Day Eight – From Jaipur to Vanaashrya Bid farewell to Jaipur and journey across the desert plain into the Aravali Hills to the jungle resort of Vanaashyra, calling en route at the ruins of 17th-century Bhangarh fort. This afternoon, enjoy a camel-cart ride and cookery demonstration before spending the night in an air-conditioned cottage – another unforgettable highlight of your visit to this amazing corner of the world.
nights 4-5
The perfect place to enjoy the area’s wildlife to its full extent, this brand new hotel boasts extensive grounds with a large pool, steam room and spa, a fitness centre and there is a restaurant and bar. All of the spacious air-conditioned rooms have private outdoor seating and a sun deck plus tea/coffee-making facilities.
his afternoon, after lunch at the hotel, you’ll bid farewell to T Ranthambore and will make the journey to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur for a two-night stay. Day Seven – Included Amber Fort and Jaipur sightseeing After breakfast, visit former Rajput capital Amber and its vast 6thcentury hill-top fort, climbing by jeep to visit the Royal Halls and to take in the magnificent views from the ramparts. After an included lunch, tour Jaipur, including the City Palace complex with its museums and ancient astronomical observatory, and drive by the 18th-century Palace of the Winds, with its innumerable windows and screened balconies.
night 3
Close to the Taj Mahal and laid out around its swimming pool and beautifully landscaped gardens. The hotel has a bar and two restaurants, a spa and a fitness centre. Each room has air conditioning, a TV, a mini-bar, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Sawai Vilas, Ranthambore
Day Five – Included guided wildlife safaris Undoubted highlights of the holiday will be today’s two canter (open-air vehicle) safaris in the Park, taken in the company of a knowledgeable naturalist guide. With luck you may also see the tigers and other species. Day Six – From Ranthambore to Jaipur Rest and relax this morning, or join the optional excursion to the ancient Ranthambore Fort, which sits atop the 600-metre-high hill range, and offers stupendous views of the park below (there is a gradual, 273-step climb to the fort).
night 2
A beautiful hotel in central Delhi with spacious restaurant and lounge bar. There is an outdoor pool and gym and all rooms are very well appointed with TV, coffee-maker, mini-bar and fridge.
Special Departures Celebrate Diwali — India’s Festival of Lights – 7 Nov 2023 from £1,799 xperience one of the major festivals E of Hinduism, which always includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, and around temples and other buildings.
Enjoy Holi — India’s Festival of Colour & Love – 1 Mar 2022 & 28 Feb 2023 from £1,775 ssociated with Krishna, this A Hindu festival celebrates the beginning of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil. Enter the fun spirit as coloured powder is thrown!
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
149
India’s Golden Triangle & Shimla Discover the Golden Triangle of glorious cities, Ranthambore’s tigers and enjoy the Raj-era comforts of India’s most famous hill station.
14-day escorted holiday from £2,085
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover the sights of New Delhi, including the historic Red Fort and Jama Masjid Mosque, the India Gate war memorial and the ruins of the Quwwatul-Islam mosque • Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi • Journey by Toy Train to Shimla • Stay in Shimla’s famed Oberoi Cecil Hotel – an institution since the days of the Raj • See Jaipur’s Palace of the Winds and enjoy dinner hosted by a local family • Ride up to Amber Fort for exceptional views • A guided tour of Agra, ‘City of Love’ • Marvel at the incomparable Taj Mahal • See Chand Baori, Abhaneri’s astonishing stepwell • Go in search of Ranthambore’s tigers on two included safaris • Stay in the beautiful resort of Vanaashyra • Enjoy an Indian cookery demonstration • 11 nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation with 12 lunches plus two nights on the aircraft • Return scheduled flights to Delhi via Abu Dhabi and all rail travel in India • Travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Ranthambore National Park
Combine a tour of the classic sights of India’s capital and the
wonders of Rajasthan with a journey back in time to Shimla, the quintessentially colonial haven high in the Himalayan foothills. Begin in Delhi, before journeying on to Shimla, the former summer capital of the Raj. ‘Pink City’ Jaipur, with its extraordinary Fort and palaces, Agra’s majestic Fort and peerless Taj Mahal, and stays in famed Ranthambore Park and a wonderful jungle resort complete this unforgettable journey.
Day One – Fly to India Fly overnight from the UK to Delhi. Day Two – Included Delhi city tour Upon arrival this morning, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel where you’ll spend your first night. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of some of the city’s major sights, including the historic Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s cremation site, as well as the Raj-era grandeur of New Delhi. Complete the day with an exhilarating rickshaw ride, before dinner at the hotel.
Available
Day Three – Travel into the Himalayas Transfer by rail this morning to Chandigarh. On arrival journey up to Kandaghat to board Lord Curzon’s famous 1903 Toy Train, the narrow gauge that winds its scenic way up to Shimla where the magnificent Oberoi Cecil Hotel waits to welcome you for a two-night stay.
Sep to Nov 2021, Jan to May, Sep to Nov 2022 & Jan to May, Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,085 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £656
Personalise your holiday • Elefantastic (half day) Day Six – from £59 • Ranthambore Fort (half day) Day 11 – from £18
Extend your holiday See more of India from just £599. Choose from Goa, Kerala, Varanasi or Nepal. See page 160 for details. Please note: Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India. Please see page 206. The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
150
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Chandigarh Rajgarh Jaipur
Shimla Delhi Agra Ranthambore National Park
India
Day Four – Included Shimla hill-station tour This morning we’ll rejoin the Toy Train for a short journey through the mountains to Tara Devi’s Hindu Temple. Enjoy lunch at Clark’s hotel, before this afternoon’s guided tour, which will include the Viceregal Lodge, former British summer retreat, and where the map of Indian Partition was drawn up among its teakpanelled rooms. Other highlights will include the high, open space of the Ridge, dwarfed by the Gothic spires of the very English Christ Church and offering superb views of the distant peaks, and the shops of Mall Road. Return along the Ridge, past the colonial Gaiety Theatre, to join the throng at Scandal Point, traditional meeting place.
Taj Mahal
Red Fort, Agra
Day Five – From Shimla to Delhi Bidding farewell to Shimla, journey back down to Chandigarh for the return rail journey to Delhi.
Your Hotels
Sheraton New Delhi, Delhi
Day Six – Drive to Jaipur and optional Elefantastic visit After a morning drive to Jaipur with lunch on arrival the afternoon is free or, perhaps, join the optional excursion to Elefantastic, a conservation sanctuary for some of the world’s most extraordinary animals, where you will enjoy the chance to get up ‘close and personal’ with some of the rescued creatures. Day Seven – Included Jaipur city tour After breakfast, visit former Rajput capital Amber and its vast fort, climbing by jeep to visit the Royal Halls and take in the magnificent views from the ramparts. After lunch enjoy a guided tour of Jaipur including the City Palace complex with its museums and ancient astronomical observatory and drive past the 18th-century Palace of the Winds with its numerous windows and screened balconies.
Oberoi Cecil, Shimla Oberoi Cecil
Crowne Plaza
Trident, Jaipur
nights 6-7
Radisson Hotel, Agra Trident Jaipur
Sawai Vilas
night 8
All rooms have views of the Taj Mahal. Close to the Taj Mahal and laid out around its swimming pool and beautifully landscaped garden. The hotel has a restaurant plus a rooftop bar, spa and pool, also with Taj views! Each room has air conditioning, TV, a minibar, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Sawai Vilas, Ranthambore
nights 9-10
The perfect place to enjoy the area’s wildlife to its full extent, this brand new hotel boasts extensive grounds with a large pool, steam room and spa, a fitness centre and there is a restaurant and bar. All of the spacious air conditioned rooms have private outdoor seating and a sun deck plus tea/coffee-making facilities.
Vanaashrya, Rajgarh
nights 11-12
et in the foothills of the Aravali ranges, around S a lake, the cottage accommodation provides all modern comforts including air conditioning, your own bathroom and private terrace. You’ll also find a restaurant, Cloud 9 Bar, an outdoor pool and a spa. It’s a feel of the real, rural India of the past!
ater, journey into the Aravali Hills and the jungle resort of L Vanaashyra, calling en route at the ruins of 17th-century Bhangarh fort. Day 12 – Day at leisure Rest and relax at Vanaashyra, then this afternoon, enjoy a camel-cart ride and cookery demonstration before a farewell dinner at the resort. Day 13 – Fly back to the UK After a leisurely morning you’ll depart after lunch for the journey back to Delhi and your return evening flight to the UK via Abu Dhabi.
night 5
This striking hotel offers spacious, contemporary rooms, all well equipped with modern facilities. There is a large outdoor pool, two restaurants, a bar and spa. With stunning views over Mansagar Lake and Jal Mahal. There is a nice bar and restaurant, all set with views of the pool and its terraces. Airy rooms have modern amenities including an intimate jharokha window, at the end of each room is perfect to take in the views of the gardens.
Day 10 – Included Ranthambore wildlife safaris Undoubted highlights of the holiday will be today’s two canter (openair vehicle) safaris in the Park, taken in the company of a knowledgeable naturalist guide. With luck you may also see the tigers and other species in their natural environment. Day 11 – At leisure, or optional Ranthambore Fort tour before travel to Vanaashyra Rest and relax this morning, or join the optional excursion to Ranthambore Fort, with its stupendous views (there is a gradual, 273-step climb to the fort).
nights 3-4
An institution since the days of the Raj, majestically set in the heart of Shimla, but offering every modern convenience including a magnificent spa and a temperature controlled indoor pool, the Cecil exudes colonial charm and elegance from every pore. With wooden floors and rich upholstery in the comfortable rooms, which also offer every modern convenience, and a grand main dining room, bars and lounges, the Cecil is a perfect base for your stay.
Crowne Plaza, Gurugram
Day Nine – Travel from Agra to Ranthambore National Park Awaken early to pay a sunrise visit to view the Taj from across the Yamuna River, and after breakfast, journey on to Abhaneri and the astonishing Chand Baori stepwell. fter lunch at the sumptuous Umaid Lake Palace heritage hotel, A journey on to Ranthambore National Park, home to the ‘Tigers of Ranthambore’ and other species, for a two-night stay. This evening, enjoy a ‘tiger talk’ with a local naturalist.
night 2
A beautiful hotel in central Delhi with spacious restaurant and lounge bar. There is an outdoor pool and gym and all rooms are very well appointed with TV, coffee maker, mini-bar and fridge.
This evening a special dinner is taken at the historic Nokha House, hosted in traditional Rajasthani style by the Rathore family. Day Eight – Travel to Agra for an included Taj Mahal visit After breakfast, bid farewell to Jaipur and journey to Agra, the fabled ‘City of Love’. After a visit to the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of majestic Agra Fort you’ll make your first visit to the incomparable Taj Mahal, a monument to undying love, seen in all its glory at sunset.
Toy Train to Shimla
Viceregal Lodge, Shimla
Vanaashrya
Day 14 – Land in the UK Arrive back in the UK this morning.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
151
India – Tigers, the Taj & Amritsar’s Golden Temple Experience a journey of the senses, taking in the Golden Triangle, sacred sites and some of northern India’s most alluring countryside.
15-day escorted holiday from £1,935
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • An included guided tour of the sights of New Delhi • Enjoy a traditional rickshaw ride through Old Delhi • Climb to Amber Fort by Jeep • View Jaipur’s Palace of the Winds • A stay in Ranthambore National Park includes two safaris • Stay overnight in a pool villa in Dholpur • Enjoy an Indian cookery demonstration • Included guided tour of Agra, ‘City of Love’ • A visit to the immortal Taj Mahal • Explore ‘Heritage Village’ Pragpur • A tour of the glorious Himalayan foothills • Visits to Amritsar’s Golden Temple by day and night • Witness the Palki ceremony at Amritsar’s Golden Temple • A visit to the Jallianwala Bagh memorial park and IndoPakistani border closing ceremony at Wagah • 12 nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation with seven included lunches, plus one night on the aircraft • Return scheduled flights to Delhi, an internal flight between Amritsar and Delhi, and 1st class rail travel between Delhi and Jalandhar • Travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Amritsar’s Golden Temple
This truly wonderful, enthralling escorted tour of northern
India combines all the highlights of our hugely popular ‘Tigers and the Taj Mahal’ holiday – detailed in full on page 274 – with a five-day journey into the prosperous province of Punjab and the beautiful Himalayan hill state Himachal Pradesh. Other highlights include tiger-spotting in Ranthambore, a colourful border ceremony, exquisite Tibetan-influenced Dharamsala and a journey on the Shatabdi Express.
Day One - Fly to India Fly overnight from the UK to Delhi. Day Two - Included Delhi sightseeing Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel. Later, after an included lunch, join your tour manager on a guided tour taking in the ruins of the Quwwat‑ul‑Islam mosque and the ornate Qutb Minar tower that rises from them. Later return back to the hotel for dinner.
Available Oct to Nov 2021, Jan to May, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan to May & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,935 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £480 Personalise your holiday • Ranthambore Fort (half day) Day Five – from £17
Extend your holiday See more of India from just £485. Choose from Goa, Kerala, or Varanasi. See page 160 for details.
Please note: Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India. Please see page 206. The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
152
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Amritsar
✈
Day Three – Included Delhi city tour and travel to Jaipur Today’s explorations begin with a guided tour of the Old City, and an exciting rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk. Afterwards, you’ll explore New Delhi, with its echoes of the British Raj, and visit the impressive Agrasen ki Baoli stepwell. This afternoon, you’ll travel to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur for a two-night stay.
Pragpur Delhi
Jaipur
Agra Dholpur Ranthambore National Park
India
Day Four – Included Amber Fort and Jaipur sightseeing Visit Amber’s extraordinary hill-top fort by Jeep, to explore the Royal Halls and enjoy the magnificent views. This afternoon, discover Jaipur’s stunning City Palace museum, the famous astronomical observatory and drive by the 18th-century ‘Palace of the Winds’. Dinner tonight is taken with a local Rajasthani family. Day Five – From Jaipur to Ranthambhore Journey to beautiful Ranthambhore National Park for a two-night stay, during which you’ll hope to catch a glimpse of the legendary ‘Tigers of Ranthambhore’.
Amber Fort
Taj Mahal
Ranthambore Fort
Relax in the hotel or join this afternoon’s optional excursion to Ranthambhore Fort. Enjoy this evening’s ‘tiger talk’ with a local naturalist.
Sheraton New Delhi
Day Six – Guided wildlife safaris in Ranthambhore National Park Enjoy today’s two canter (open-air vehicle) safaris in the company of a knowledgeable naturalist guide. Lunch is included. Day Seven – From Ranthambhore to Dholpur Journey on to Dholpur for the night, enjoying an evening cookery demonstration before dinner in the splendid heritage hotel. Day Eight – Included river cruise, travel to Agra for included sightseeing An early morning cruise (dependent on river water levels) on the Chambal river offers the opportunity to spot crocodiles, turtles and birdlife. Travel to ‘City of Love’ Agra, home to the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. Visit majestic Agra Fort before your first sight of the ‘Taj’, seen in all its glory at sunset.
Shahpura House, Jaipur Sawai Vilas
Day 11 – Included tour of the Himalayan foothills Call at former British hill station, Dharamsala and its upper town McLeod Ganj – a Tibetan refuge and home-in-exile to the Dalai Lama that draws visitors from across the globe to its glorious setting. Visit Kangra Fort where a late lunch is included, before returning to Pragpur.
ou’ll also visit the poignant Jallianwala Bagh memorial park, which Y commemorates one of the bloodiest days in Indian history, and this evening, make the journey to the Indo-Pakistani border crossing at Wagah to witness the colourful border-closing ceremony. Day 14 – Fly back to the UK Today, depart for the airport and your return flight to Delhi.
nights 5-6
The perfect place to enjoy the area’s wildlife, this brand new hotel boasts extensive grounds with a large pool, steam room and spa and there is a restaurant and bar. All of the spacious air conditioned rooms have private outdoor seating and a sun deck plus tea/coffee-making facilities. Raj Niwas Palace
Raj Niwas Palace, Dholpur
night 7
Look out for peacocks in the grounds as you explore the original red sandstone palace, now home to the coffee shop, restaurant and bedrooms. Your pool villa cottage has a TV, minibar, air conditioning and a private plunge pool.
Trident, Agra
Trident
Day 12 – From the Himalayas to Amritsar Journey to Amritsar for a two-night stay. Join the throng for the extraordinary Palki ceremony at the breathtaking Golden Temple, stunning by night and Sikhism’s holiest shrine, towering over the narrow streets of Amritsar’s Old Town. See the copper-plated Harimandir, from which a covered causeway, lined by devotees each evening for the procession of the Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s Holy Book, leads from the temple over the waters of the sacred lake. Day 13 – Included Golden Temple tour Today brings another opportunity to visit the Golden Temple, which in the traditions of Sikhism, provides welcome and shelter for pilgrims from across the globe. The jewel-encrusted, golden-domed main temple, the vast dining hall and the Central Sikh Museum are all highlights of a fascinating day.
nights 3-4
A gem in downtown Jaipur, this heritage hotel has beautiful lawns and gardens, a restaurant and bar, an outdoor pool and a gift shop. Each room has air conditioning, a mini-bar, tea/coffee-making facilities and safe.
Sawai Vilas, Ranthambore
Day Nine – Included Taj Mahal sunrise visit Pay an early morning visit to view the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River. Bid farewell to Agra and return to Delhi, spending the night in the capital. Day 10 – Train travel to Jalandhar, then by coach to Pragpur This morning board the air-conditioned Shatabdi Express train and journey north to Jalandhar. Travel is in first class and includes breakfast on board. After lunch, cross the Punjabi plain and continue to exquisite ‘Heritage Village’ Pragpur, India’s first ‘Heritage Village’, for a two-night stay. Enjoy the hill station’s delightful surroundings, with its 19th-century artificial Taal pond, several colourful temples and a collection of traditional artisans’ shops. There will also be an included cookery demonstration at the hotel.
nights 2 & 9
A beautiful hotel in central Delhi with spacious restaurant and lounge bar. There is an outdoor pool and gym and all rooms are very well appointed with TV, coffee-maker, mini-bar and fridge.
night 8
Close to the Taj Mahal and laid out around its pool and gardens, the hotel has a bar and two restaurants and a spa and fitness centre. Each room has air conditioning, TV, mini-bar, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
The Judge’s Court, Pragpur
nights 10-11
A fine, relaxing country hotel, in the Himalayan foothills. Rooms are in various buildings and are all individual by size and décor. Enjoy the parkland or take a dip in the plunge pool.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amritsar
Judge’s Court
nights 12-13
Close to all of the city’s main sights, this welcoming hotel offers a large buffet restaurant and a bar. There is a gym and a refreshing outdoor pool. All well-equipped rooms have tea/ coffee-making facilities and TV.
Special Departures Enjoy Holi — India’s Festival of Colour & Love – 3 Mar 2022 & 2 Mar 2023 from £2,229
Celebrate Diwali — India’s Festival of Lights – 28 Oct 2021, 20 Oct 2022 & 9 Nov 2023 from £2,169
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
153
Small-Group Tour
India’s Rajasthan – Palace & Fort Stays Enjoy Golden Age luxury and some unforgettable experiences as the glories of Rajasthan are discovered and explored.
16-day escorted holiday from £2,095
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Take an exotic journey from Delhi and Agra, then on through the heart of glorious Rajasthan • Stay in some truly spectacular heritage hotels, enjoying sumptuous surroundings, exceptional dining and Golden Age service • Discover the sights of Old Delhi by rickshaw and Agra’s Fort and peerless Taj Mahal • Explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort, famous Observatory and City Palace • Tour exquisite Udaipur and cruise on Lake Pichola • Stay at rural retreat Rohet Garh, gateway to ‘Blue City’ Jodhpur • See Jodhpur’s stupendous Meherengarh Fort • Experience an ‘Arabian Nights’ adventure under Bikaner’s desert sky • Overnight at sumptuous Alsisar, at the heart of the haweli‑dotted Shekhawati region • Stay in the luxury resort of Vanaashyra, in the foothills of the Aravali • 14 nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Four lunches • Return scheduled flights to Delhi • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Jaswant Thada memorial & Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
This extraordinary Small-Group Tour includes stays in some
of Northern India’s finest heritage hotels, and is crammed with memorable experiences, as first Delhi, then Agra, then Rajasthan’s glorious past and rich traditions, stupendous palaces, great forts and decorated hawelis, are brought thrillingly to life. With included safaris by boat and jeep, fine dining in some astonishing settings, and a host of tours and excursions, this is India at its finest.
Day One – Travel to India Fly overnight to Delhi. Day Two – Included Delhi sightseeing Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to Delhi’s iconic, historic Maidens Hotel, a haven of old-world elegance and modern comforts. Join your tour manager for a guided tour of the Old City, before dinner at the hotel. Day Three – Gatimaan Express to Agra and travel to Dholpur Early this morning board the train for Agra, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of majestic Agra Fort and take in the immortal Taj Mahal.
Available Feb, Mar, May, Sept & Nov 2022
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from
fter an unforgettable few hours, board your private vehicle for the short A journey to Dholpur and the Ras Niwas Palace, where accommodation is in beautifully appointed rooms within the grounds. Perhaps enjoy a ‘sundowner’ overlooking the lawns before dinner.
• Heathrow £2,095 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £554 Extend your holiday See more of India from just £739. Choose from Goa, Kerala, Varanasi, or Nepal. See page 160 for details. Please note: *Departures from Manchester fly with Virgin Atlantic, and arrive in Delhi in the early hours of Day Two. Please note that the order of the itinerary varies slightly. See website for more details.
Alsisar Bikaner Jodhpur Udaipur
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India. Please see page 206.
154
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Delhi Agra Dholpur
Rajgarh Jaipur Deogarh
India
Day Four – Included Chambal River Cruise Rest and relax this morning in the hotel, and after lunch, enjoy a cruise on the Chambal River, with its birdlife, crocodiles and endangered gharials. At day’s end, enjoy another splendid dinner at the hotel. Day Five – Travel to Jaipur Journey today to the ‘Pink City’ for a two-night stay in a beautiful heritage hotel, a quiet oasis of calm close to the old city. Enjoy the hotel’s facilities, which include a garden terrace, pool and spa, before dinner. Day Six – Included visits to Amber Fort and the City Palace, with special lunch Journey, by jeep, to towering Amber Fort with its Royal Halls, gardens, courtyards and stupendous views. See the fabled Palace of the Winds and after lunch at the historic Samode Haveli, former home of maharajas, visit the City
India, Nepal & Sri Lanka
Alsisar Mahal
Jodhpur
Palace complex, with its museum, gardens, temple and ancient astronomical observatory. This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Your Hotels
Maidens Hotel, Delhi
Day Seven – Travel to Deogarh Cross Rajasthan, the ‘Land of Kings’ dotted with historic palaces and havelis, and arrive this afternoon at the Deogarh Mahal Heritage Hotel. Upon arrival, join a local guide for a jeep ‘safari’ through the surrounding countryside and walk through the local village, before dinner at the hotel. Day Eight – Travel to Udaipur Make the short journey this morning to sublime ‘City of Lakes’ and a two-night stay overlooking Pichola lake. Explore the ‘Venice of the East’, with its exquisite marble palaces on famed Lake Pichola, and enjoy the hotel’s surroundings before dinner.
Day 11 – Included Jodhpur sightseeing Explore the extraordinary, desert-fringed ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, with its monumental Meherangarh Fort, towering over the city from its sandstone butte. Discover the fort’s ornate palaces, courtyards and fascinating museum and visit the marbled Jaswant Thanda memorial, the vast Umaid Bhawan palace museum and enjoy an evening jeep safari to a Bishnoi village inhabited by perhaps the world’s first eco-warriors.
Raj Niwas Palace, Dholpur
Maidens
Day 16 – Travel back to the UK Make an early start – a packed breakfast will be provided – and journey to Delhi Airport for the return flight to the UK, arriving this evening.
nights 5-6
Stay in a beautiful former private haveli, close to the bustle of the old city, but serving as a quiet oasis of calm. Facilities include a pool and spa.
Deogarh Mahal, Deogarh
night 7
This sumptuous heritage hotel and former home to Mewar rulers has spacious outdoor terraces and gardens, as well as a pool. Alsisar Haveli
Trident Hotel, Udaipur
nights 8-9
This stunning hotel offers a beautiful décor and has spacious outdoor lawns leading down to Lake Pichola. The hotel has an attractive outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar.
Rohet Garh, Jodhpur
Deogarh Mahal
nights 10-11
This heritage hotel is surrounded by lawns and manicured gardens, which invite a multitude of birds and dancing peacocks. Relax on the veranda or terrace and enjoy the views of the pool.
Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner
night 12
A stunning property which retells the story of the last reigning Maharaja of Bikaner. Unconventionally curated, it is composed of memories from travels near and far. The eclectic rooms are colourful and elaborate. There is a pool, bar and restaurant plus plenty of galleries.
Alsisar Mahal, Alsisar Narendra Bhawan
night 13
The 17th-century battle-hardened fort stands tall with its fabulous grandeur and now you’ll find grand courtyards and stunning dining rooms.
Vanaashrya, Rajgarh
nights 14-15
Set in the foothills of Aravali ranges, around a lake, the cottage accommodation provides all modern comforts including air conditioning, your own bathroom and a private terrace. You’ll also find a restaurant, bar, outdoor pool and spa.
Day 14 – Stay in a jungle resort A last journey through Rajasthan’s exotic landscape returns you to the Aravali Hills, for a two-night stay in the luxury resort of Vanaashrya. Day 15 – Visit Bhangarh Fort and included camel cart ride A wonderful holiday is completed by a final relaxing day in Vanaashrya, with a visit to the ruins of ‘haunted’ Bhangarh Fort and a camel cart ride to the nearby village. A last evening includes a cookery demonstration and a final dinner.
nights 3-4
Look out for peacocks in the 13 acres of grounds as you explore the original red sandstone palace. The restaurant, splendid bar and guest rooms are located in separate buildings in the grounds.
Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur
Day 12 – Included visit to Bikaner and dinner under the stars Drive into the sands of the Great Indian Desert to remote Bikaner, with its labyrinthine old city and ornate Junagarh Fort. Tour the fort and visit the fascinating, camel-breeding farm, before enjoying an evening amongst the dunes, with dinner in a desert camp and the opportunity to take a camel cart ride under the starlit sky. Day 13 – Travel to the Shekhawati region Journey along an ancient desert trading route into a region where small market towns are dwarfed by richly decorated havelis, and where you’ll overnight in the sumptuous Alsisar Mahal heritage hotel, enjoying a talk from a local historian who will bring to life the grandeur of the Shekhawati havelis, over a glass of champagne.
night 2
This iconic Delhi landmark offers old-world elegance, traditional service and every modern comfort, including a famously deep pool.
Day Nine – Guided tour of Udaipur Highlights today include the majestic City Palace and beautiful ‘gardens of the Royal ladies’. After a free afternoon, complete a wonderful day with an evening lake cruise. Day 10 – See the Jain temples at Ranakphur en route to Jodhpur Head through the scenic Aravali Hills, pausing at the astonishing Jain temples at Ranakphur, before arriving by late afternoon for a two-night stay in yet another beautiful heritage hotel. Rest and relax before dinner, perhaps taken under the stars.
Taj Mahal
Alsisar Haveli
Alsisar Mahal
Special Departures Holi — India’s Festival of Colour & Love – 14 Mar 2022 from £2,479 Call us on: 0330 160 7800
155
Kerala & India’s Beautiful South Explore an idyllic land of ancient ports, labyrinthine backwaters and forested uplands dotted with colourful temples and tea-plantations.
18-day escorted holiday from £1,955
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Fly into modern Bangalore, India’s ‘Garden City’ • Cross the Mysore Plateau and visit ancient battle-site Srirangapatna • See Mysore’s beautifully illuminated Maharaja’s Palace • Journey through the idyllic foothills of the Western Ghats • Ride from hill-station ‘Ooty’ through stunning scenery on the Toy Train and visit a tea plantation with lunch en route • Journey to Keralan Kochi by Express Train • See Kochi’s famous Chinese fishing nets • Idyllic Periyar boasts a famous Wildlife Sanctuary • Colourful, unforgettable temple-town Madurai • Enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride to Madurai’s colourful markets • Discover French colonial gem Pondicherry • Rest and relax in elegant seaside resort Mahabalipuram • Enjoy a panoramic tour of Chennai, the former Madras • 14 nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast hotel accommodation, one night’s full-board accommodation on a traditional Keralan houseboat, plus two nights on the aircraft • Return scheduled flights via Dubai • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Pancha Pandava rathas
This extraordinary Small-Group Tour includes stays in some
of Northern India’s finest Heritage hotels, and is crammed with memorable experiences, as first Delhi, then Agra, then Rajasthan’s glorious past and rich traditions, stupendous palaces, great forts and decorated hawelis, are brought thrillingly to life. With included safaris by boat and jeep, fine dining in some astonishing settings, and a host of tours and excursions, this is India at its finest.
Day One – Fly to India Fly overnight to Bangalore. Day Two – Travel to your hotel in Bangalore Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to your welcoming hotel in the thriving city of Bangalore. Enjoy the chance to rest and relax, and a first dinner at the hotel. Day Three – Explore Bangalore and travel to Mysore Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bangalore, where highlights will include the 16th-century Bull Temple, with its massive, granite Nandi bull, and the Summer Palace of British military adversary Tipu Sultan. You’ll then journey across the plain to charming Mysore, where you’ll enjoy an evening at leisure.
Available Sep to Nov 2021 & Jan to May, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan to May & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Gatwick £1,955 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £750 Personalise your holiday
India Bangalore
• Periyar Guided Trek Day 11 – from £11
Mysore
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India. Please see page 206.
Ooty
New local laws prohibit some hotels in Kerala from selling alcohol.
156
Day Four – Explore the sights of Mysore Take in Mysore’s spectacular, domed, Maharaja’s Palace, then visit the Railway Museum. This afternoon, head to Somnathpur, to see the wonderful Keshava Vishnu temple. Return to Mysore to enjoy the extraordinary sight of the illuminated Maharaja’s Palace – a tour highlight.
Chennai Mahabalipuram Pondicherry
Coimbatore Periyar Kochi
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Madurai
Day Five – Travel to Ooty Board the coach for the scenic journey into the foothills of the Western Ghat mountains. En route, travel past the forests of the Bandipur National Park and by afternoon you will arrive in famed ‘Ooty’ (a shortened version of its less pronounceable name Udhagamandalam). Day Six – Ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway Board the historic, narrow-gauge Nilgiri Blue Mountain Railway to journey down through the spectacular hills, to plantation town Coonoor for lunch. Tour a tea factory, before an onward, steam-hauled journey brings you to Mettupalayam, from where you’ll transfer to your overnight hotel in nearby Coimbatore.
India, Nepal & Sri Lanka Backwaters of Kerala
Tea Plantations, Kerala
Day Seven – Rail travel to Kochi Transfer to Coimbatore Station to board the Ernakulam Express, which will speed you in airconditioned comfort into Keralai. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Kochi, where dinner will be served this evening. Day Eight – Included tour of Kochi Today, you’ll enjoy an included guided tour of historic Kochi, including ‘Dutch’ Mattancherry Palace and enchanting Fort Kochi, where the famous Chinese fishing nets are one of India’s most-photographed sights. This evening, experience a traditional Kathakali dance performance, a colourful spectacle combining elaborate costumes with literature, music and dance.
Your Hotels
Radisson Blu Atria, Bangalore
ITC WelcomeHotel
Fotune Resort
night 6
Lovely new rooms with coffee maker, TV and minibar while the hotel also has colourful restaurant with extensive buffet and a welcoming bar. There is also an outdoor pool, gym and spa.
Trident Hotel, Kochi Trident Hotel
nights 7-8
Set around a central courtyard with spacious grounds and a pool, the hotel offers a restaurant, bar and Ayurvedic Therapy Centre. Rooms here are light and airy.
Keralan Houseboat
night 9
This traditional thatched houseboat offers an authentic way of experiencing relaxing and mesmerising Kerala. Houseboats are simple, but comfortable, and offer two or three cabins with private facilities with three crew members including a chef. Keralan Houseboat
Greenwoods, Periyar
nights 10-11
Close to the wildlife park, this hotel offers a restaurant, bar, pool and spa, as well as a tree-house coffee-shop. Well-appointed rooms are in small blocks in the grounds.
Courtyard by Marriott, Madurai Greenwoods
nights 12-13
This modern hotel has a restaurant, lounge and bar. There is a gym and outdoor pool and all rooms are well finished with modern facilities.
Atithi TGI Grand, Pondicherry
night 14
The hotel has a restaurant and bar as well as a spa and a rooftop pool. Rooms are well equipped with modern facilities.
Day 17 – Explore Chennai before flying home Bid farewell to your hosts and transfer to Chennai, where highlights include the Fort Museum and the famous Chepauk Cricket Stadium. After the tour, transfer to the airport for the return overnight flight. Day 18 – Arrive home Arrive back in the UK, at the end of a colourful, enthralling journey.
Surrounded by green lawns and a pretty garden, this hotel has a restaurant and, in colonial style, a charming bar. All comfortable rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and safe.
ITC WelcomHotel, Coimbatore
Day 15 – Explore Pondicherry and travel to MahabalipuramThis morning, pay a visit to the Pondicherry Museum, with its outstanding collection, before you journey north to elegant coastal resort Mahabalipuram for a last two-night stay. Day 16 – Sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram A morning sightseeing tour includes a visit to the extraordinary, 8th-century Shore Temple. This afternoon, rest and relax on the beach for a few hours, before enjoying a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
nights 3-4
Fortune Resort Sullivan Court, Ooty night 5
Day 13 – Explore Madurai A guided sightseeing tour introduces the Old City, where the ornately carved façade, shrines and quartet of towering gopurams of the temple are the breathtaking highlight. This evening, journey by cycle-rickshaw from the hotel to discover the city’s narrow, bustling streets and colourful market. Day 14 – Journey to French-speaking Pondicherry A scenic journey takes you to Pondicherry, a decidedly Gallic-influenced town that boasts an authentic Hôtel de Ville, where French is still widely spoken. Enjoy an overnight stay in a place that formed a backdrop to Yann Martel’s seminal novel Life of Pi.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Mysore
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Chamundi Hills, the spacious hotel in the heart of the city has a restaurant, gym and outdoor pool. The rooms are contemporary and all have a TV, a mini-bar and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Day 11 – See Periyar’s wildlife on an optional excursion This morning, rest and relax or join the optional excursion into the Wildlife Sanctuary. This afternoon, complete your visit to enchanting Periyar with a boat ride on serene Periyar Lake. Day 12 – Travel to Madurai Journey east into Tamil Nadu, where you’ll spend the next two nights in Madurai, one of Asia’s oldest cities. Soak up the atmosphere of this unforgettable metropolis, dominated by the vast, colourful Meenakshi temple.
night 2
Located in the heart of the city and close to the greenery of Cubbon Park as well as a shopping mall, this hotel has a nice restaurant and coffee shop and the bar, The ‘Tea & Wine Lounge’. There is a pool and all of the comfortable rooms are well-equipped with TV, tea/coffee-making facilities and a safe.
Day Nine – Cruise on a traditional houseboat Travel to Alleppey to board a traditional, thatched-roofed kettuvallam houseboat to lazily cruise the labyrinth of waterways, lined by coconut groves and dotted with temples. This evening, enjoy a guided walk through a traditional Keralan village. Day 10 – Travel to Periyar and visit a spice plantation Journey up into a lush, rolling landscape to Periyar for a two-night stay. After check-in, join the guide to explore the spice plantation, then enjoy dinner and a cooking demonstration at the hotel.
Kerala Houseboat
Fishing nets, Cochin
Grand Bay Resort & Spa, Mahabalipuram Courtyard by Marriott
nights 15-16
Set right by the beach and a great place to relax on the lawn or by the pool at the end of the tour. Rooms have a TV, mini-bar, tea/coffee-making facilities and a safe.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
157
Simply Kerala – ‘God’s Own Country’ Discover an idyllic land of ancient ports, plantations, labyrinthine backwaters and tropical beaches.
11-day escorted holiday from £1,785
Periyar
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Fly to Kochi, legendary Old Cochin • Enjoy an included tour of the cosmopolitan city • See Kochi’s famous Chinese fishing nets • Enjoy a traditional kathakali dance performance • Visit a traditional Keralan crafts village • Cookery lesson and dinner with a Keralan family • Spend a night on a traditional kettuvallam houseboat • Cruise through the languid backwaters, through coconut groves and rice fields • Spend a night in lakeside birdwatchers’ paradise Kumarakom • Idyllic Periyar with its spice plantation and wildlife sanctuary • Hear about the history of Indian spice production • Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Periyar, looking out for elephants and other species • Scenic tea-producing hill station Munnar. • Visit the famous Tata Tea Museum and learn about tea cultivation • Farewell cookery lesson and dinner with a Keralan family • Two relaxing full days at a beach-front hotel on the Indian Ocean • Eight nights’ carefully chosen half-board accommodation, plus one night’s full-board accommodation on a traditional Keralan houseboat, plus one night on the aircraft • Return scheduled flights to Kochi, via Muscat • Comfortable coach travel and all transfers • Fully escorted by a friendly, professional tour manager
Available
Houseboat
This wonderful escorted journey to India’s far southwest starts with a stay in Kochi, an ancient, cosmopolitan trading gateway fusing Indian, Chinese and European cultures in a captivating mix. Sail through verdant backwaters on a traditional houseboat, then head into the misty mountains beyond, where the spices and wildlife of Lake Periyar, and colonial hill-station Munnar’s tea plantations are memorable highlights. End your stay with a relaxing few days In a Keralan beach front cottage.
Begin in old Cochin – where sights include the much-photographed Chinese fishing nets and the very English St Francis Church before heading to quintessential Raj-era Munnar, where you’ll enjoy a tour of a working tea plantation and a visit to the Tata Tea Museum. Then journey up into the lush, rolling landscape of remote Periyar, one of India’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries. Enjoy a spice plantation tour and cruise on Periyar Lake at the sanctuary’s heart. Next is an overnight stay and cruise through a labyrinth of canals and waterways aboard a traditional, thatched-roofed kettuvallam. You’ll enjoy a colourful Kathakali dance performance and a cooking demonstration and dinner hosted in the home of a welcoming Keralan family before heading to the tropical Indian Ocean shores to relax, beachfront, for a final few days.
Your Hotels & Houseboat
Your accommodation includes carefully selected three and four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your touring holiday.
Jan to Apr & Sep to Nov 2022, Jan to Apr & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,785 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Keralan Houseboat
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £531 Visa information: Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India. Please see page 206. Please note: Most hotels in Kerala are unable to sell alcohol. It can be purchased from shops and consumed in your room. The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
158
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Backwaters in Alleppey
Elephant Court
Trident Hotel, Kochi (nights 2-3) The Leaf, Munnar (night 4) Elephant Court, Periyar (night 5-6) Keralan Houseboat (night 7) Abad Turtle Beach Resort (nights 8-10)
India & Nepal – Tigers, Taj & Temples Discover the glorious Golden Triangle cities, Ranthambore’s protected tigers, and the ancient land in the shadow of the mighty Himalayas.
18-day escorted holiday from £2,895
Palace of the Winds
Nepal
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover and explore Old and New Delhi • Journey to ‘City of Love’ Agra, with its fabled Taj Mahal • Search for Ranthambore’s tigers on two included safaris • Spend two nights in ‘Pink City’ Jaipur and visit the Amber Fort • Stay in the jungle resort of Vanaashrya • Fly to Nepalese capital Kathmandu • Enjoy a dinner in climbers’ restaurant Rum Doodle • Journey to Pokhara, Himalayan idyll • See the sun rise over the Annapurna range • Spend two nights in Chitwan National Park • Enjoy a canoe trip and jeep safari • 15 nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft • 10 lunches • Return scheduled flights to Delhi via Dubai, returning from Kathmandu via Dubai, and between Delhi and Kathmandu • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Oct 2021, Jan to May, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan to May & Sep to Nov 2023
Begin your wonderful adventure in Delhi, India’s pulsating capital, before visits to Agra – home to the peerless Taj Mahal – to tiger refuge Ranthambore National Park and Jaipur, with its majestic Amber Fort, are followed by a stay in a jungle resort. You’ll then fly to Nepal, the beautiful Himalayan former kingdom, where ancient, fabled Kathmandu, magical Pokhara, at the foot of the Annapurna mountain range, and UNESCO-listed Chitwan National Park are unforgettable highlights.
This tour offers a delightful combination of the traditional Golden Triangle tours of both India and Nepal. Spend a day exploring Old and New Delhi before heading on a six-day loop encompassing the ‘City of Love’ Agra, Ranthambore National Park and ‘Pink City’ Jaipur. We fly to Kathmandu on day ten and spend the next seven days in the beautiful mountain kingdom, Nepal. Enjoy colourful temples, views of the Himalayas and a visit to the glorious Chitwan National Park, home to elephants, crocodiles and onehorned rhinoceros!
Your Hotels Sawai Vilas
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from
Sheraton New Delhi, Delhi (night 2) Trident, Agra (night 3) Sawai Vilas, Ranthambore (nights 4-5) Shahpura House, Jaipur (nights 6-7) Vanaashrya, Rajgarh (night 8) Radisson Blu Plaza, Delhi Airport (night 9) Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu (nights 10-11 & 16) Temple Tree Resort, Pokhara (nights 12-13) Jungle Villa Resort, Chitwan (nights 14-15)
• Heathrow £2,895 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Ranthambore Fort (half day)– from £17
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £795
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to India and Nepal. Please see page 206.
Your accommodation includes carefully selected four and five-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Jungle Villa Resort
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
159
See more of India... ...extend your holiday!
We offer five wonderful opportunities to make even more of your time away. On all these extensions, at the end of your tour you will be escorted to the airport for your onward flight and met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation. Our local staff will take care of you and professional guides will meet you for all sightseeing excursions. Each extension lists the holidays on which it is available.
A Taste of Kerala - tour and houseboat stay
Five-nights’ from £859
An interesting overview of God’s Own Country! See Kochi’s famous Chinese fishing nets and enjoy a spice plantation visit as well as a houseboat cruise on the backwaters. You’ll also visit Periyar National Park for a chance to see the wildlife.
• Fly to Kochi and transfer to Trident Kochi Hotel for a two night stay • Kochi sightseeing - Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue & Chinese Fishing nets • Evening Kathakali dance performance • Morning wildlife cruise • One-night stay in Greenwoods Hotel, Periyar with spice garden tour on arrival • Two-night stay in Lake Canopy Resort, Alleppey • Houseboat cruise with lunch • Dinner, bed and breakfast throughout • Services of our local staff at your destination
Available on these tours: • India – Tigers & the Taj Mahal • India’s Golden Triangle & Shiml • A Journey through India – Grand Palace & Historic Fort Stays
Varanasi & the Ganges
Goa
Three-nights’ from £699
Four-nights’ from £829 or seven nights’ from £1,099
Sacred Varanasi is a 3,000 year old city on the the sacred Ganges to which Hindu pilgrims make their way to bathe in the holy waters. View the ghats from a river boat at dawn and journey to Sarnath, one of Buddhism’s holiest sights.
India’s west coast paradise, with white sand beaches backed by swaying palms, is a perfect ending to your holiday. It’s a charming blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures, laid-back, green and generally untouched by mass tourism. Perhaps take a trip into colonial old Goa and enjoy local seafood after a visit to the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
• Fly to Varanasi and transfer to the Taj Gateway, Varanasi for a two-night stay • One night at the Holiday Inn Aerocity, Delhi • Evening aarti ceremony at the ghats • Dawn cruise on the Ganges followed by a city tour • Visit to the museum and ruins of Sarnath • Dinner, bed and breakfast throughout • Services of our local staff at your destination
Available on these tours: • India – Tigers & the Taj Mahal • India’s Golden Triangle & Shiml • A Journey through India – Grand Palace & Historic Fort Stays
• Fly to Goa and transfer to the The Zuri White Sands, South Goa – right on the beach – for a four or seven-night stay • Dinner, bed and breakfast throughout • Services of our local staff at your destination
Available on these tours: • India – Tigers & the Taj Mahal • India’s Golden Triangle & Shiml • A Journey through India – Grand Palaces & Historic Forts
Nepal
Marari Beach, Kerala
Four-nights’ from £999
Three-nights’ from £569
Extend your holiday by discovering this beautiful Himalayan former kingdom, spending a night in hilltop Nagarkot, with its astonishing Himalayan vistas, and three nights in ancient, fabled capital Kathmandu. Guided sightseeing tours will bring to life the city’s colourful temples and squares.
Relax on palm fringed sands, explore the local countryside – the hotel has bikes – or perhaps visit the local school! The hotel has a lovely pool, giving you the opportunity to unwind under the blue Keralan skies.
• Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to Nagarkot on arrival for a one night stay at Mystic Mountain Resort • Guided visits to Bhaktapur, Nepal’s cultural gem, the Buddhist stupa of Boubhnath and Kathmandu’s Durbar Square • Stay three nights in Kathmandu • Dinner bed and breakfast throughout your stay • Services of local staff at your destination
160
• Fly to Kochi and transfer to El Oceano Beach Villa for a four-night stay • Dinner, bed and breakfast throughout • Services of our local staff at your destination
Available on these tours: Available on these tours: • India - Tigers & the Taj Mahal • India’s Golden Triangle & Shimla • A Journey through India – Grand Palace & Historic Fort Stays
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
• India – Tigers & the Taj Mahal • India’s Golden Triangle & Shimla • A Journey through India – Grand Palace & Historic Fort Stay
Go on... treat yourself!
Small-Group Tour
Colours of Sri Lanka Explore one of the world’s most enthralling island paradises on a tour combining scenic journeys, a wildlife safari and an ocean-side stay.
12-day escorted holiday from £2,065
Tea Plantation, Nuwara Eliya
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Explore colourful Colombo, with lunch at the Cricket Club Café • Marvel at Dambulla’s stunning Royal Rock Temple • Discover UNESCO-listed Polonnaruwa, the 10th- century capital • Climb the Lion Rock to the Fortress of Sigiriya • A visit to a spice garden and tea plantation • Time to enjoy lakeside Kandy and a visit to the Temple of the Tooth • Enjoy an unforgettable journey to Nuwara Eliya - ‘Little England’ and Sri Lanka’s ‘Tea Capital’ • Relax and enjoy a safari at Yala National Park – home to elephants, buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer and crocodiles • Enjoy elephant feeding time in Udawalawe • Relax after the tour at the Indian Ocean resort town Beruwela and watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean • 10 nights’ carefully chosen dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Return flights to Colombo • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Traditional Fishermen
Begin this exciting tour in colourful capital Colombo then head,
via Dambulla’s Golden Temple, to ancient Polonnaruwa, then take in Sigiriya’s Lion Rock buttress towering above the jungle. Enjoy a journey into verdant Hill Country, and tea capital Nuwara Eliya and a safari in Yala National Park, before a visit to colourful Galle and a stay in an Indian Ocean beach resort complete a wonderful holiday.
There’ll be a chance to explore in the capital Colombo and to take in a first Indian Ocean sunset, before the tour heads, via Dambulla’s Golden Temple, to ancient Polonnaruwa, the UNESCO-listed former Sri Lankan capital. It also takes in Sigiriya’s amazing Lion Rock buttress towering above the jungle and visible for miles around. You’ll then journey into verdant Hill Country, where a visit to a spice garden offers a taste of the country’s exotic flavours, a cooking demonstration, and an evening of traditional dance and drumming in the gorgeous city of Kandy brings to life Sri Lankan culture. A visit to an elephant orphanage and a safari in the Yala National Park bring yet more highlights, before a visit to colourful, Dutch colonial gem Galle and a stay in an Indian Ocean beach resort complete a wonderful holiday.
Available Oct, Nov 2021, Jan, Mar, May, Oct, Nov 2022, Jan, Mar, May, Oct & Nov 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,065 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Your Hotels
Personalise your holiday • Yala Afternoon Jeep Safari (half day) – from £75
Vivanta
Extend Your Holiday Four-night Beruwela extension from £219
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £500 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Sri Lanka. Please see page 206.
Eden Resort and Spa
Your accommodation includes carefully selected four-star hotels that will add to the enjoyment of your holiday.
Vivanta Colombo Airport Garden Hotel, Katunayake (night 2) Paradise Resort and Spa, Dambulla (nights 3-4) Ozo Hotel, Kandy (night 5) The Grand, Nuwara Eliya (night 6) Mandara Rosen, Yala National Park (nights 7-8) Eden Resort and Spa, Beruwela (nights 9-11) Call us on: 0330 160 7800
161
On Safari in South Africa – Sebatana Reserve
Small-Group Tour
Savour South Africa’s unique wildlife on this special trip, based at either the Rhino or Elephant lodge, both within the celebrated Sebatana Reserve.
10-day escorted holiday from £1,699
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • The opportunity to spot the fabled Big Five • Four game drives in the Sebatana Private Reserve • One game drive in the Welgevonden Reserve • Fascinating guided bush walk • Traditional African champagne brunch • Sundowner at Sunset Rock • Wildlife talk • Wine-tasting • Johannesburg and Soweto tour, including a visit to the Apartheid Museum • Welcome drink • Optional game drives at Welgevonden Reserve and Pilanesberg National Park • Optional night safari and tribal evening cultural experience • Return flights to Johannesburg • Seven nights’ carefully chosen full-board accommodation at either the Sebatana Rhino Lodge or the Sebatana Elephant Lodge, Lephalale, plus two nights on the aircraft • All-inclusive upgrade available in the resort • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager and wildlife specialist in the resort
White Rhino
On this unique Small-Group Tour, you’ll get the chance to really
settle into your breathtaking surroundings as you spend a week at South Africa’s distinguished Sebatana Rhino Lodge or Sebatana Elephant Lodge. Set amongst the malaria-free UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere, the Sebatana Private Reserve covers almost 100,000 acres and is home to over 75 mammals, 300 species of bird and hundreds of different flowers and trees – the perfect place to connect with South Africa’s wildlife!
Day One – Fly to Johannesburg Overnight direct flight to Johannesburg. Day Two – Arrival Meet your local tour manager at Johannesburg airport for the scenic transfer to your selected lodge, where lunch will be served. Afterwards, rest, relax and settle into your new surroundings, perhaps by taking a refreshing dip in the one of the pools. This evening, enjoy an included welcome drink, followed by dinner and a short briefing about the week ahead. Day Three – Sebatana Private Reserve introduction, including game drive After breakfast, venture out in 4x4s into the reserve with your guides, who will tell you about the fascinating different animals and plants that inhabit the area.
Available Jan to Mar, May, June, Sept to Dec 2022, Jan to Jun, Aug to Dec 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from
This afternoon, head out on a wildlife-spotting game drive. All game drives at Sebatana are done in open-air vehicles for maximum visibility. Head to Christina’s Wallow, a hide with wonderful views of the surrounding bush, including a waterhole. For a truly authentic wildlife-spotting experience, you’ll complete the journey on foot. Keep an Sebatana eye out – and have your camera at the ready Private Reserve – for zebras, meerkats, giraffes, wildebeest Pilanesberg and impalas! National Park Johannesburg
• Heathrow £1,699 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Pilanesberg National Park (full day) – from £130 • Night Safari (two hours) – from £70 • Tribal Evening (two hours) – from £55 • Welgevonden Reserve (half day) – from £125
Room for Sole Use Supplement
Botswana Namibia
Soweto
from £599
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately three hours. Optional excursion are not pre-bookable and can only be purchased locally.
Lesotho South Africa
All-Inclusive upgrade available upon arrival at the lodge.
162
Swaziland
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
After a wonderful day, return to the lodge to enjoy a complimentary wine-tasting before dinner.
Day Four – Included Big Five game drive and optional night safari After breakfast, venture out into the Welgevonden Reserve on a game drive in search of the fabled Big Five – the lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant.
Pilanesberg National Park
Leopard
Access to the reserve is subject to extensive restrictions, so it’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself!
Your Hotels
Sebatana Rhino Lodge, Lephalale
At dusk, you could join the optional night safari, giving you the unique opportunity to witness how the bush changes as the sun goes down, and a different animal kingdom emerges. Keep an eye out for caracals, bush babies, porcupines and ant bears! Day Five – Included bush walk, game drive and optional tribal evening This morning, join your guide for a gentle included bush walk into the Sebatana Private Reserve. Listen intently as your guide points out animal breeding areas and local plant life. After the walk, return to the lodge for some well-earned lunch.
HHHHH
Set in a sweeping private game reserve, and with just 12 bungalows, the locally rated five-star Sebatana Rhino Lodge offers a completely unique – and intimate – South African experience. Each detached bungalow features a balcony, air conditioning, tea/coffee-making facilities, a safe and a mini-bar. Facilities include Wi-Fi, a restaurant, bar (with daily happy hour), outdoor pools, Jacuzzi and a traditional African boma. Sebatana Rhino Lodge
After lunch, set out on your second game drive into the Sebatana Private Reserve for the chance to spot some spectacular wildlife, armed with the knowledge gained this morning.
Sebatana Elephant Lodge, Lephalale HHHH Boasting just 10 rooms, all of which come with air conditioning, tea/coffee-making facilities, a safe and a mini-bar, the locally rated four-star Elephant Lodge is the perfect place to relax and unwind in the African bush. Other facilities at the Elephant Lodge include Wi-Fi, a pool, restaurant and bar.
This evening, you have the option to join the tribal evening to learn more about South Africa’s indigenous cultures. Day Six – Optional Pilanesberg National Park excursion Today you have the choice of joining the optional excursion to Pilanesberg National Park, the third-largest of its kind in South Africa. The park covers over 135,000 acres and presents further opportunities to spot the Big Five as well as the endangered white rhino, giraffes and hippopotami.
Impala
Bush Baby
Sebatana Elephant Lodge
Dinner will be served back at Sebatana, with a complimentary wine tasting beforehand. Day Seven – Game drive with included champagne brunch Rise and shine early this morning for a very special game drive, and the chance to spot herds of antelopes moving in the open. Antelopes and other prey animals tend to move around in the morning, to find the best protection from predators. Around mid-morning, you’ll stop at Kudu Rock for a magnificent, traditional African brunch with champagne. Return to the lodge to rest and relax. If you want to carry on exploring, the guides will point out some gentle trails through the reserve. This evening, enjoy a complimentary wine-tasting before dinner. Day Eight – Optional Big Five game drive with included Sunset Rock safari This morning, you’ll have the chance to join one last Big Five game drive. Later, in the mid-afternoon, enjoy a fitting finale to your South African adventure, as you join the included safari to Sunset Rock. Sip champagne from this magnificent vantage point, looking out over the Waterberg Mountains as the sky turns a cascade of red and orange. Return to the lodge for a farewell feast, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful break in the African wilderness. Day Nine – Johannesburg and Soweto tour, followed by departure Say goodbye to your wonderful hosts as you depart for an included tour of Johannesburg and Soweto. Visit Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum, which documents South Africa’s troubled past and racial segregation, before exploring fascinating Soweto, home to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Winne Mandela. After the tour, continue to Johannesburg airport for your overnight flight. Day 10 – Arrive in the UK Arrive early in the morning after an amazing wishlist adventure. Please note: The order of your itinerary will depend on the lodge you choose to stay in.
Giraffe, Sebatana Private Reserve
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
163
On Safari in South Africa – Mabula Lodge
NEW for 2022
Spend an unforgettable week on safari in South Africa at the Mabula Game Lodge, home to a sweeping reserve inhabited by the Big Five.
White Rhino
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Go in search of the Big Five on six included safaris into the Mabula Private Game Reserve • Enjoy an expert-led wildlife talk and fascinating bush walk • Pay a visit to the award-winning Hornbill Project • Spend a night stargazing under the starry South African night sky • Six safaris into the Mabula Private Game Reserve, plus a wildlife talk, bush walk, visit to the Hornbill Project, a bush lunch, stargazing and a sundowner in the bush • Return flights to Johannesburg • 7 nights’ full-board accommodation at the Mabula Game Lodge and 2 night on board the aircraft • Comfortable, air-conditioned transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager and wildlife specialist
Apr to Dec 2022 & Jan to Dec 2023
to really settle into your breathtaking surroundings as you spend a blissful week at the Mabula Game Lodge. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Waterberg Mountains, the Mabula Private Game Reserve boasts diverse landscapes and habitats, perfect for the free-roaming Big Five and other wonderful creatures, making this a perfect family friendly holiday that you’ll never forget!
Day One – Fly to South Africa Fly overnight to Johannesburg. Day Two – Arrival Meet your guide at the airport for your transfer to Mabula Game Lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge, unwind and settle in, perhaps making use of the wellness and spa facilities.
Day Three – Safari and wildlife talk Rise and shine early this morning, grab a tea or coffee and perhaps some rusks then head out into the Mabula Private Game Reserve on the first of many wonderful safaris. All safari drives are in open-air 4x4 vehicles for maximum visibility. Keep your eyes open for the fabled Big Five, hyena, jackal, antelope, the elusive cheetah and adorable honey badger. Upon your return to the lodge, enjoy a well-earned, leisurely breakfast.
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,899 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
All-inclusive Supplement from £175pp Room for Sole Use Supplement from £625
Botswana Namibia
This afternoon, you’ll enjoy a fascinating wildlife talk. Delivered by the resident ecologist and reserve manager, the talk will introduce you to some of the 60 mammals and the 300-plus species of birds Mabula Private and reptiles that inhabit the reserve, arming Reserve you with some interesting knowledge for forthcoming week. Johannesburg
Swaziland Lesotho
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours and thirty minutes.
South Africa
Some activities are weather dependent and may need to be moved around.
164
On this immersive, family friendly tour, you’ll get the chance
This evening, dinner is served at the lodge, as you enjoy a first night under the starry African sky, looking forward to a wonderful break ahead.
Available
The itinerary above is only a suggestion. At the tour manager’s discretion, activities can be moved about to different days.
10-day escorted holiday from £1,889
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
This evening, after your first full day in your wonderful new surroundings, enjoy dinner at the lodge. Day Four – Hornbill Project and safari This morning you’ll visit the Hornbill Project, located within the boundaries of the reserve. Founded in 1999, the award-winning Hornbill Project aims to change the fortunes of
Mabula Lodge Safari
Antelope
this iconic, endangered species through a number of different evidence-based conservation techniques. The southern hornbill is a focal point in South African culture, and you’ll learn all about them this morning.
Ground Nornbill
Mabula Game Lodge Exterior
Your Hotel
HHHH
This wonderful, luxury family friendly lodge is set amongst a sweeping 30,000 acre-private game reserve to a picturesque backdrop. Accommodation is in plush lodges, which feature air conditioning, TV and tea/coffee-making facilities. Traditional and international dishes are served at the hotel restaurant. Other facilities include an outdoor pool, spa and wellness centre, tennis court and childrens’ area called Cubz Club.
This afternoon, you’ll head out into the reserve on a safari, equipped with the knowledge from this morning’s visit and yesterday’s wildlife talk, before dinner is served under the stars at the lodge this evening. Day Five – Morning safari Rise and shine early this morning for an included morning safari, giving you the chance to spot herds of antelopes and other pretty moving in the open as they tend to move around more early in the day, to find the best protection from predators.
Mabula Game Lodge, Mabula
Mabula Game Lodge
Return to the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps making use of the wellness and spa facilities or the leisure area, including tennis and cricket, before dinner is served at the lodge this evening. Day Six – Bush walk, safari and sundowner After breakfast, join your guide for a gentle guided bush walk into the reserve. Enjoying the fresh air as you stretch your legs, giving you a different more intimate perspective of the reserve. Being closer to the ground also allows you to track the paths of animals including kudu, zebra and maybe even lions that have followed the same path just a few hours before you. This afternoon, embark on another open-air safari into the reserve, keeping your eyes open for the Big Five. After the safari, you’ll stop a picturesque spot to enjoy a refreshing sundowner and some snacks as the sun slips behind the horizon and the sky turns a vibrant patchwork of red, purple, orange and yellow – a fitting end to a wonderful day. Day Seven – Safari and stargazing Rise and shine early this morning as you head out into the reserve on your penultimate safari, hopefully spotting something new to tick off your list. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge upon your return. This evening, you’ll spend an unforgettable night stargazing. As the sun goes down, thousands of twinkling stars, including the Milky Way, reveal themselves to you, completely free of any light pollution. Your guide will point out the different constellations visible as you spend a wonderful evening beneath the starry South African night sky, topped off by dinner at the lodge. Day Eight – Safari and bush lunch Today, your last full day at the lodge, bring the chance to take one last safari out into the Mabula Private Game Reserve, giving you a final opportunity to tick animals off your list. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning before setting off into the reserve . After the safari you’ll stop at a scenic spot in the bush to enjoy a delicious traditional lunch – a fitting finale to an exceptional week on safari. Day Nine – Departure After breakfast, it’s time to say your goodbyes to the lodge and its staff. You’ll be transferred to Johannesburg airport for your return flight, bringing a wonderful week to an end. Day 10 – Arrive in the UK After an wonderful South African experience.
Cheetah
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
165
On Safari in South Africa – Kruger National Park
NEW Small-Group Tour
This very special tour includes an all-inclusive six-night stay at a luxury tented safari camp by Kruger National Park.
9-day escorted holiday from £1,899
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Go in search of the Big Five as you take three safaris in the famous Kruger National Park • Fully family friendly tour • Engaging full-day tour at a local wildlife rehabilitation centre • Picturesque panoramic tour, taking in some of the Lowveld and the Blyde River Canyon’s best sights • Gentle guided nature walk at Camp Bethel • Fascinating Nyani cultural village tour • Traditional South African braai (barbeque) on your last night • Nature walk at the African Pride Irene Country Lodge • Several exciting optional tours to choose from, including a night safari and boat cruise on the Blyde River • Six nights’ carefully chosen all-inclusive accommodation, one night full board plus two on the aircraft • 21 meals, including seven breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners • Included water, coffee, tea and juice, together with local beers and wines during your 6 nights stay at Camp Bethel • Return flights to Johannesburg • Fully escorted by a friendly, knowledgeable tour manager and wildlife specialist
Leopard
From your authentic safari base, you’ll head out into Kruger
National Park on three fantastic open-air safaris, visit a nearby animal rehabilitation centre, enjoy a wonderful panoramic tour, which takes in some of South Africa’s most dramatic scenery, and much more! Camp Bethel is an intimate, family run – and family friendly – safari camp, with just six canvas-style luxury tents on elevated platforms amongst the pristine African bush – an essential part of the African safari experience!
Day One – Fly to Johannesburg Overnight flight. Day Two – Arrival Upon arrival, meet your tour guide and transfer to your five-star lodge near Pretoria. Enjoy lunch, then perhaps join your guide for a brief tour of the sumptuous lodge grounds, before an included dinner. Day Three – Transfer to Camp Bethel and optional night safari Make the scenic transfer to Camp Bethel, your home for the next six nights. When you arrive, you’ll have the chance to freshen up, followed by a late lunch and brief camp orientation.
Available
At dusk, why not join the optional night safari, giving you the unique opportunity to witness how the bush changes as the sun goes down, and a different animal kingdom emerges? Keep an eye out for caracals, bush babies, porcupines and ant bears!
Jan to Dec 2022 & Jan to Dec 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,899 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Enjoy a first night in the African bush, perhaps with a sundowner in hand, as the sunset turns the sky a vibrant patchwork of red, orange and yellow.
Personalise your holiday
Botswana
• Night Safari Day Three – from £100 • Sunset Cruise and Blyde Dam Day Six – from £60
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £333
Namibia
Pilanesberg National Park Soweto
South Africa
Some activities are weather dependent and may need to be moved around.
166
Johannesburg
Swaziland
Lesotho
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour. The itinerary above is only a suggestion. At the tour manager’s discretion, activities can be moved about to different days.
Sebatana Private Reserve
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Day Four – Included full-day Kruger National Park safari Rise and shine early this morning, for the short journey to Kruger National Park, home to some truly majestic animals, including the iconic Big Five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo – together with birdlife such as vultures and eagles. Today you’ll explore the southern part of Kruger, which covers almost 2 million hectares of unspoilt terrain overall. The south of the park is lush and green, with plenty of knob thorn and bush willow trees, whereas
Kruger National Park
Merrkats
the north is arid and sparse. We’ll stop to enjoy lunch at a rest camp, where you can choose from a delicious variety of meals.
Kruger National Park
Hippo
Your Hotels
African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Pretoria
After a full day’s exploring, you might fancy an early night. A relaxing dinner will be served to an atmospheric campfire backdrop. Day Five – Included wildlife rehabilitation tour and nature walk Head out to a local wildlife rehabilitation centre where they take care of injured and poisoned animals that, sadly, will not be released back into the wild. Watch a film presentation before you head out into the centre’s grounds on a two-hour tour, where you will have the chance to get up close and personal with animals including cheetahs, African wild dogs and vultures.
African Pride
Camp Bethel, near Kruger National Park
nights 3-8
This family friendly, intimate tented safari camp features just six canvas-style tents and is located amongst the pristine African bush. From your spacious, well-equipped safari-style tents with private viewing decks, you’ll be surrounded by South Africa’s most astonishing nature and wildlife – it’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself! Your stay at the Camp Bethel will be all-inclusive, which covers all meals as well as water, tea, coffee, soft drinks and local beer and wines.
Later this afternoon, join your guide for a fascinating nature walk around the camp, which sits on its own private reserve. Keep an eye out for wonderful creatures such as zebras, kudu, nyala and warthog that frequently wander through the camp. Day Six – Included morning safari to Kruger National Park and optional Blyde River Canyon boat cruise Rise and shine early once again, as you head back to Kruger National Park for a wonderful morning safari. Keep your eyes peeled for buffaloes and elephants, as your guide shares their expert wildlife knowledge. After an exciting morning, a well-deserved lunch will be served in a dry riverbed back at camp.
night 2
This charming, five-star lodge is set amongst sweeping, private grounds and even has its own lake. Rooms are decorated in English country style, with wooden furnishings emphasising the lodge’s connection with nature, together with a private terrace and TV. The lodge also boasts an outdoor pool, hot tub and restaurant..
Camp Bethal
This afternoon, you’ll have the chance to join the optional boat cruise, which will take in some of the Blyde River Canyon’s most picturesque sights, including the ‘living’ Kadishi Tufa Waterfall. Snacks and refreshing soft drinks will be available on the tour, adding to the enjoyment of a wonderful afternoon. Day Seven – Included panoramic mountain tour After a sumptuous breakfast, set out on a stunning panoramic mountain tour of the Drakensberg Mountain Range, taking in the Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window, named for its sweeping panoramic views of the Lowveld and lush forest-clad ravines below. We’ll make a lunch stop at Graskop, a small town known for pancakes and curio shops, before starting our scenic journey back to camp. Day Eight – Included morning safari to Greater Kruger National Park and Nyani cultural village tour, followed by farewell dinner This morning, enjoy a final included safari into a private game reserve that forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park as you savour every second spent in this unique natural paradise. This afternoon, head to the Nyani cultural village on a fascinating excursion, where you’ll learn about the local culture as you watch a performance, featuring music and dance from local tribes. Return to the camp for your final night in the African bush, where you will feast on a braai later – a traditional South African barbecque. Day Nine –Departure Bid farewell to the wonderful staff at Camp Bethel as you transfer to Johannesburg airport for your return flight. Day 10 – Arrive in the UK Arrive early in the morning after an unforgetable wildlife adventure.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
167
Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safaris Experience one of the world’s most beautiful cities, some startling scenery, and the giants of the animal kingdom.
12-day escorted holiday from £2,395
Elephants outside the Garden Route Game Lodge
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Four game drives in search of the Big Five • Ride Table Mountain’s rotating cable car • Spend two nights in the privately owned Garden Route Game Lodge • Tour the beautiful Cape Peninsula • Visit the whale-watching town of Hermanus • Discover South Africa’s Cape Winelands and beautiful Western Cape • Wine-tasting on a Franschhoek wine estate • See the extraordinary Cango Caves and visit an ostrich farm • Journey to Knysna, on the beautiful Garden Route • Take a cruise on Knysna Lagoon • Tour of Stellenbosch with included bubbly and nougat experience • Nine nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Cape Town, plus two nights on the aircraft • Three lunches and four dinners • A spectacular whale-watching cruise (September to November departures only) • Return flights to Cape Town via Johannesburg • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep to Nov 2021, Jan, Feb, Apr, May, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan to Jun & Sept to Nov 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,395 (UK connecting flights available, call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £450 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
168
Enjoy a perfect introduction to South Africa, one of the world’s
most beautiful countries, on an extraordinary value tour crammed with unforgettable highlights throughout. Discover and explore spectacular Cape Town in its glorious setting beneath Table Mountain, see rugged Indian Ocean-washed shores, cross the arid plain of the Little Karoo, enjoy the sight of Big Five game in a private reserve, and take in the sun-kissed landscape of some of the world’s finest vineyards.
Day One – Fly to Cape Town Overnight flight via Johannesburg. Day Two – Free day at leisure Today you’re free to relax in one of the world’s most stunningly located cities. Why not take a stroll along the redeveloped Victoria and Alfred waterfront or catch a boat to infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned? Day Three – Included Cape Town city tour Meet your tour manager for an orientation tour of the city. You’ll see historical landmarks like the Castle of Good Hope, the House of Parliament, and the leafy Company’s Gardens. You’ll also enjoy a stroll past the colourful Bo Kapp colonial district before lunch is served at your hotel. Day Four – Included Cape Peninsula tour and Table Mountain cablecar ride Enjoy a fascinating full-day tour on which you’ll visit treacherous Cape Point, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, Kirstenbosch, famous for its Botanical Gardens and Hout Bay, and – weather-permitting – breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive. This afternoon, ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car that offers a 360-degree panorama as it climbs to the 1000-metre high summit. Day Five – Included Winelands tour and visit to Franschhoek Head east into the verdant Cape Winelands region and to wine-producing Franschhoek for lunch and a wine tasting in the fabled Franschhoek Wine Valley, before continuing to Stellenbosch, deep in the heart of this scenic landscape.
South Africa WINELANDS Cape Town Stellenbosch Hermanus
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Knysna Albertinia
Mossel Bay
Enjoy a guided introduction of Stellenbosch, followed by a glass of bubbly and some local nougat. With its oak trees and picturesque, European-style Cape Dutch houses, Stellenbosch is a delightful place to spend a night.
Cape Town
Day Six – Included visit to the Cango Caves and the Little Karoo Travel on to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World, in the heart of the Little Karoo plain. The world’s strangest, largest and often most-valuable bird has been farmed here for 130 years – first for its plumage, and more recently for its high-protein, lowcholesterol meat. Enjoy a taste at your barbecue lunch, before visiting the world-renowned Cango Caves, with their caverns of stalactites and stalagmites.
Your Hotels
Bantry Bay Suite Hotel, Cape Town
Please note: On selected departures you will stay in the Park Inn Foreshore.
Later, you’ll continue to the coastal Garden Route resort of Mossel Bay for a two-night stay. Day Seven – Knysna Lagoon and the Garden of Eden This morning, you’ll travel to coastal Knysna for a cruise on the beautiful lagoon, which hugs the edge of the fascinating Featherbed Nature Reserve. After the cruise, you’ll travel in a 4x4 up to the headland for some spectacular views, listening as your expert guide tells you about the local history, flora and fauna. A buffet lunch will be served at an outdoor restaurant under a picturesque canopy of milkwood trees.
De Zalze Lodge Hotel, Stellenbosch Bantry Bay Suite Hotel
Ilita Lodge, Mossel Bay
nights 6-7
Offers panoramic Southern Ocean views on a hill overlooking Great Brak River. A sun terrace with sunloungers surrounds the pool. Air-conditioned rooms feature private balconies with sea views, seating area with satellite TV. Each has a mini-bar. Ilita Lodge, Mossel Bay
Garden Route Game Lodge, Albertinia
nights 8-9
Here you’ll find a host of wildlife including the Big Five at this private game reserve. There is a restaurant, bar, pool and spa. Rooms are air-conditioned and have a balcony or patio, tea/coffee-making facilities, fridge and a microwave.
Marine Hotel, Hermanus
This afternoon, enjoy your first game drive, then perhaps enjoy a sun-downer beside the authentic boma (camp fire) before dinner. Day Nine – Two included game drives A second day at the lodge begins with a pre-breakfast game drive. Enjoy some free time before setting off on the evening game drive and enjoying another memorable dinner under the stars.
night 5
This Dutch vernacular style lodge is opposite the golf course. There is a pool and restaurant, a bar and all ensuite rooms have TV and tea/coffee-making facilities. Please note: On selected departures you will stay at the Stellenbosch Hotel.
After some free time to explore Knysna’s charming waterfront, enjoy a guided walk around the Garden of Eden in the Harkerville Forest, before returning to Mossel Bay for a traditional South African barbecue. Day Eight – Included game drive Journey via the historic, sleepy harbour town of Mossel Bay to the Garden Route Game Lodge, in the heart of a privately operated reserve where you’ll spend the next two days. During your stay here, you’ll go in search of the Big Five (lions, rhino, elephants, leopards and buffalo) while staying in comfortable lodges and enjoying typical African dinners looking out over the reserve.
nights 2-4
The boutique hotel is situated in a prime seafront location. The hotel boasts a choice of two restaurants and spacious suite accommodation that come with kitchenette facilities.
night 10
Perched on top of the cliffs overlooking Hermanus’s Walker Bay, the rooms are stylishly decorated and have magnificent views of the sea, and mountains or the beautiful courtyard and gardens. Please note: On selected departures you will stay at the Windsor Hotel in Hermanus. Garden Route Game Lodge
Day 10 – Travel to Hermanus After a final early morning game drive, you’ll journey west to Hermanus, a famous whale-watching centre from July to November and a year-round seaside resort. Departures between September and November will include a whalewatching cruise. Later, enjoy a fantastic seafood dinner surrounded by the roar and spray of the ocean at Bietangs Cave.
Stellenbosch
Day 11 – Travel to the Cape and return flight Begin your last scenic day of touring as you make the dramatic descent from Sir Lowry’s Pass onto the Cape Flats. Take in the spectacular views of distant Table Mountai, before returning to Cape Town airport, via Stony Point Nature reserve to see the penguin colony, for your overnight flight home via Johannesburg. Day 12 – Arrive in the UK Arrive early in the morning after your unforgettable Big Five experience. Please note: The order of the itinerary may sometimes vary but the overall content and tour duration in South Africa will always be maintained. In 2023 the itinerary will operate in reverse.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
169
Classic South Africa
Uncover the whole world in one country – stunning sights, Big Five game, the Garden Route, the Winelands and beautiful Cape Town.
17-day escorted holiday from £2,499
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Experience the colourful traditions of the Lesedi Cultural Village • Visit the Apartheid Museum • Enjoy a full day’s Game Drive in the Kruger National Park • Discover stunning scenery on the panoramic route including famous God’s Window • Visit tiny Swaziland • Learn about the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift • Fly from Johannesburg to ‘Friendly City’ Port Elizabeth • Journey on the beautiful Garden Route to Mossel Bay • See the extraordinary Cango Caves and visit an Ostrich Farm • Stay in the heart of the scenic Winelands • Enjoy a wine-tasting tour • Journey through the Cape to enjoy three days in Cape Town • 14 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft • Two lunches and five dinners • Outbound flight to Johannesburg, an internal flight between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, and returning from Cape Town via Johannesburg • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Experience the wonders of extraordinary and totally absorbing
South Africa. Discover some truly awe-inspiring scenery en route to the famous Kruger National Park, then visit tiny Swaziland and the Zulu War battlegrounds. Fly to friendly Port Elizabeth and head along the exquisite Garden Route, before the verdant Winelands and glorious Cape Town complete an unforgettable holiday.
Day One – Fly overnight to South Africa Fly south to Johannesburg. Day Two – Arrival and cultural evening Upon arrival meet your tour manager and transfer to the Lesedi Cultural Village, for a two-night stay. Enjoy a cultural evening tonight, and dinner and under the African sky, . Day Three – Johannesburg – historic Lilliesleaf and the Apartheid Museum The Lilliesleaf farmstead served as the headquarters of the African National Congress until a security police raid in 1963, which led to imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. Visits to the award-winning site and Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum will provide the historical background to today’s democratic South Africa.
Available
Day Four – Transfer to Mpumalanga Following an early breakfast, bid farewell to Lesedi and journey into Mpumalanga, bordered by the vast Kruger National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Sep to Nov 2021, Jan to Jun, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan to Jun & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from
Namibia
Personalise your holiday
Paulpietersburg
South Africa Winelands
• Room for Sole Use Supplement from £518
170
Johannesburg Hectorspruit Hazyview Newcastle
Swaziland
• Afternoon safari from – from £125 • Morning Nature Walk from – from £45 • Featherbed Eco Experince with lunch – from £79 • Robben Island – from £69
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour
Kruger National Park Blyde River Canyon
Stellenbosch Cape Town
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Hermanus
Lesotho
✈
• Heathrow £2,499 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Botswana
Oudtshoorn
Knysna
Port Elizabeth Mossel Bay
Day Five – Scenic drive along the Panorama Route Make sure you take your camera as you head out for a scenic day’s drive on the famous Panorama Route. with sweeping views over the Blyde River Canyon! Proceed to either Hannah Game Lodge or Casa do Sol where the rest of the day is at your leisure. Day Six – In search of the Big Five in the Kruger National Park Begin the day early and drive to Africa’s oldest wildlife conservation area to enjoy a full-day game drive. With luck you might encounter impala, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra, and the Big Five of lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo.
Lesedi Cultural Village
Cape Winelands
Giraffe
Day Seven – Swaziland Today you’ll cross the border into the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British protectorate still boasting a colonial feel, and into Kwazulu-Natal and an overnight stay at a wonderful hot springs resort. Day Eight – Zululand battlegrounds Join a specialist battlefields guide who will introduce you to the tumultuous history of the Zulu Wars, and to the battlefield at Rorke’s Drift, immortalised in the 1964 movie Zulu. Day Nine – Fly to Port Elizabeth An early start this morning sees you return to Johannesburg airport to fly to bustling, friendly Port Elizabeth. Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to your overnight hotel. Day 10 – Along the Garden Route Begin your journey along the famously scenic Garden Route to Mossel Bay, pausing at the Storms River Bridge, overlooking the verdant Tsitsikamma forest, and perhaps dipping your toes in the Indian Ocean at colourful Plettenberg Bay.
Your Hotels
Lesedi Cultural Village, near Johannesburg
Hannah Game Lodge, Limpopo Lesedi Cultural Village
Day 13 – Through the Winelands to Cape Town Enjoy today’s tour of the Winelands, taking in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the culinary capital of the Western Cape, before continuing to Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautifully located cities, for a three-night stay. Day 14 – Tour the scenic Cape Point Peninsula On a last touring day, weather permitting, take the Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the world’s most thrilling coastal roads, into the Cape Point Peninsula. See treacherous Cape Point, in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and after a lunch stop in Simon’s Town, make the journey back into Cape Town for a second evening. Day 15 – At leisure Today is free to rest and relax and enjoy the city, perhaps by wandering through the historic Bo-Kaap district of Dutch colonial houses, or catching a catamaran to infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once incarcerated.
night 4
This gem of a property, 25 minutes from the Kruger, offers a pool, lush, tropical gardens and a popular, Spanish-style restaurant. Please note: On selected departures you will stay at the Casa do Sol.
Boulders Safari Lodge, Malelane nights 5–6 Close to Kruger, this lodge offers air-conditioned chalet accommodation, a pool, lounge, dining room and traditional boma firepit. Casa do Sol
Day 11 – The Cango Caves and an ostrich farm This morning, visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, with their stalactites and stalagmites, and Oudtshoorn, the ‘Ostrich Capital of the World’. Enjoy an included lunch, after which you’ll return to Mossel Bay for a second evening. Day 12 – Via Hermanus and Stony Point’s penguins to the Winelands Bid farewell to Mossel Bay and head along the Garden Route to the Atlantic coast town of Hermanus, a famed whalewatching centre from July to November. Pause at Stony Point for a glimpse of its penguin colony, before heading into the beautiful, verdant Cape Winelands region.
nights 2-3
In the heart of the bushveld, the village offers a restaurant and bar and beautifully decorated rooms in separate buildings.
Goodersons Spa, KwaZulu-Natal
night 7
In a bush setting with beautiful Bivane River views, the hotel offers two restaurants, bars and a pool.
Grey Goose Lodge, Newcastle
night 8
This family owned lodge, close to the city centre, boasts beautiful gardens, a pool, bar and a restaurant.
Kelway Hotel, Port Elizabeth Kelway Hotel
night 9
Just a short distance from the beach, this hotel has a restaurant, rail-themed bar and an outdoor pool.
Ilita Lodge, Mossel Bay
nights 10–11
Offering Southern Ocean views from its hill-top setting, the lodge offers air-conditioned rooms with private balconies, seating area with TV and minibar. Please note: On selected departures you will stay at the Premier Resort, The Moorings. Ilita Lodge
De Zalze Lodge, Stellenbosch
night 12
This Dutch-style lodge is surrounded by greenery and vineyards and is opposite the golf course. There are a pool and restaurant – both with stunning views.
Aha Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites, Cape Town nights 13–15
Aha Harbour Bridge Hotel
Close to the famed Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, this canal-side hotel boasts modern rooms and easy access to downtown’s attractions, as well as a rooftop pool with spectacular views, restaurant and bar. Please note: On selected departures you will stay at the Commodore Hotel.
Enjoy a last evening in Cape Town. Day 16 – Afternoon transfer to the airport Make the most of your last day in Cape Town, before transferring this afternoon to the airport and the return overnight flight. Day 17 – Arrive in the UK Arrival back in the UK, at the end of a truly wonderful South African experience. Please note: The order of the itinerary may sometimes vary but the overall content and tour duration in South Africa will always be maintained.
Extend Your Holiday Three-night Victoria Falls/Livingstone extension from £1,529 Fly to Livingstone, close to wondrous Victoria Falls, staying at the David Livingstone Hotel & Spa. enjoy an included tour for your first sight of one of the seven natural wonders of the world – Victoria Falls. Enjoy a lazy sunset cruise along the languid Zambezi, sipping a cocktail on deck as the light fades into the African night,.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
171
Small-Group Tour
Wonders of Namibia
This is Africa, but not as you know it. Characterised by ethereal red dunes and wondrous wildlife, Namibia has to be seen to be believed.
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
Sossusvlei Salt Pan
• Discover a completely different side of Africa • Explore the vast Kalahari Desert on a bushman walk • Full-day tour taking in the surreal landscapes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei • Discover the fascinating colonial city of Swakopmund • Entry to the unique Damara Living Museum • A guided tour of Twyfelfontein’s ancient rocking carvings and stunning Burnt Mountain • Visit the famous Petrified Forest • Enjoy a full-day safari into Etosha National Park, Namibia’s largest • Optional seal and dolphin-spotting boat trip and half-day Etosha safari • 24 meals, including 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 11 evening meals • 11 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft • Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout • Return flights to Windhoek • Fully escorted by a friendly, knowledgeable tour manager
R esembling scenes from Salvador Dalí paintings, Namibia’s wide-
open spaces and otherworldly landscapes are a photographer’s dream, so be sure to pack your camera for this extraordinary journey. Travel through the vast Kalahari Desert to ethereal Sossusvlei and colonial Swakopmund, then head into Damaraland to discover ancient cultures and a petrified forest. A visit to pristine Etosha, Namibia’s largest national park, completes a wonderful adventure.
Day One – Fly to Namibia Overnight flight from the UK to Namibia. Day Two – Arrival Meet your guide at Windhoek airport for the scenic transfer to the Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge, your home for the next two nights, stopping for lunch en route. Upon arrival at the lodge, rest, relax and settle into your new surroundings. Day Three – Bushman walk Join your tour manager for a gentle walk into the surrounding bush, as you learn about Namibian hunter-gatherers. Day Four – Transfer to We Kebi Safari Lodge Make the scenic transfer to the We Kebi Safari Lodge located in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Day Five – Sossusvlei and Deadvlei tour Join your tour manager for an included excursion to striking Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, two of Namibia’s most iconic sights. Sossusvlei is a sweeping salt plan, characterised by large red sand dunes, whilst Deadvlei provides one of Namibia’s most enduring images: the dark silhouettes of trees rising from the white the salt pans, framed by the red dunes.
Available Jan to June, Sept to Nov 2022, Jan to June & Sept to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £3,155 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Dolphin and Seal Cruise (half day) – from £65 • Mornign game drive in Etosha NP (half day) – from £89 • Sundowner Drive (two hours) – from £32 • Sunrise Walk (two hours) – from £29
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £481 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is three hours.
172
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
14-day escorted holiday from £3,155
Etosha National Park Twyfelfontein
Okahandja Mbangura
Swakopmund Deadvlei Sossusvlei
Namibia
Day Six – Transfer to Swakopmund Check out this morning and transfer to Swakopmund, stopping at remote Solitaire en route. Pass the Tropic of Cancer, marked by a simple road sign near Solitaire, which is home to the last petrol station and shop between Sossusvlei and Walvis Bay, a distance of nearly 150 miles! The moon-like landscape around Solitaire is dotted with welwitschia, a huge plant endemic to the area that can live over 1,000 years.
Cheetah, Namib Desert
Namib Desert
Upon arrival in coastal Swakopmund, check in at the Desert Breeze Lodge for a two-night stay, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Oryx
Your Hotels
Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge*, Hoachanas
Day Seven – Guided tour of Swakopmund and optional boat trip Established by German colonists in the late-19th century, Swakopmund is a fascinating seaside city, with a collection of halftimbered German houses and fortified sea walls. The tour will take in the city’s landmarks, including the lighthouse and centre. This afternoon, why not join the optional boat trip from Walvis Bay? With luck, you’ll see some seals and dolphins, whilst enjoying fresh oysters and champagne!
*On selected departures you will stay at Zebra Kalahari Lodge. Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge
We Kebi Safari Lodge
nights 6–7
Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp, Twyfelfontein Desert Breeze Lodge
night 8
Nestled amongst a collection of scenic boulders, the Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is conveniently located around 10 minutes’ drive from Twyfelfontein’s famous rock carvings. Accommodation is in tented structures, and guests can make use of complimentary Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a bar.
Okutala Etosha Lodge, Outjo nights 9–11 This stylish, intimate lodge is located just south of Etosha National Park. Keep an eye out for giraffes, peacocks and ostriches, all of which live around the camp. Accommodation is provided in thatched lodges, and the lodge features a hide overlooking a waterhole, together with a restaurant and bar. Okutala Etosha Lodge
*On selected departures you will stay at Etosha Village Lodge.
Midgard Country Estate, Okahandja
night 12
This comfortable, four-star hotel is based in an old farmstead amongst well-kept gardens, located at the foot of the Otjihavera Mountains. Rooms are spacious and well appointed, boasting satellite TV and tea/ coffee-making facilities. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant, or enjoy a barbecue dinner around the traditional fire pit.
This evening, reflect on a fascinating break as you enjoy an included farewell dinner. Day 14 – Arrival in the UK Arrive early in the morning after an wonderous wildlife experience.
Desert Breeze Lodge, Swakopmund
Located a short drive from colonial Swakopmund, on the banks of the Swakop River, the Desert Breeze Lodge offers accommodation in bright, spacious lodges, equipped with Wi-Fi and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Day 12 – Okahandja Mbangura craft market Check out and transfer to the four-star Midgard Country Estate for your final evening in Namibia. En route, call at the Okahandja Mbangura woodcarving and craft market, where local artisans will share a unique insight into their profession.
Day 13 – Departure Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
nights 4–5
*On selected departures you will stay at Le Mirage Resort and Spa or Desert Hills Lodge.
Day 10 – Etosha National Park safari Join your tour manager for an undoubted highlight of the tour today, a full-day safari in Etosha National Park, Namibia’s largest wildlife sanctuary. Lions, giraffes, elephants and many other animals roam the magnificent park freely, along with over 340 species of bird. Enjoy an included picnic lunch in the park, before continuing your safari this afternoon. Day 11 – At leisure or optional game drive Enjoy a day at leisure today or join the optional game drive into Etosha National Park.
We Kebi Safari Lodge, Sesriem
Boasting panoramic views of some stunning scenery, the We Kebi Lodge provides accommodation in thatched-roof chalets, with private pavilions. Guests at the lodge can enjoy the on-site restaurant, outdoor pools and bar/ lounge area.
Continue to the Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp for an overnight stay, calling at the Damara Living Museum en route, which showcases the culture of the Damara people, one of the oldest groups living in Namibia. Day Nine – Petrified Forest Journey to Etosha today, stopping en route at the stunning Petrified Forest, a collection of 280-millionyear-old petrified tree trunks. Scientists believe these trunks were iwashed down a river from further up the continent when one of the Ice Ages ended, causing a huge flood. After the tour, continue to the Okutala Etosha Lodge, your home for the next three nights.
nights 2–3
Rooms at this small lodge come with thatched roofs and rustic décor. The lodge has a restaurant, bar and outdoor pool, and boasts excellent views of the Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve. Guests can enjoy dinner under the stars on one of the nearby dunes.
Day Eight – Twyfelfontein rock carvings, Burnt Mountain and the Damara Living Museum Check out this morning and transfer to Twyfelfontien, home to a stunning collection of over 2,500 UNESCO-protected ancient rock engravings thought to be the largest on the African continent. A guided tour will bring these fascinating engravings to life. The tour continues to Burnt Mountain, a 7-mile ridge formed 80 million years ago by a volcanic eruption. Coloured a wonderful patchwork of red, brown and purple, Burnt Mountain is a striking contrast to the surrounding hills. The tour continues to the nearby Organ Pipes, a rock formation of vertical basalt columns that were formed around 150 million years ago.
Etosha National Park
Midgard Country Estate
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
173
Small-Group Tour
Under African Skies
From the tumult of Victoria Falls and the serenity of Lake Kariba, to the landscapes of the Winelands, this is southern Africa at its finest.
14-day escorted holiday from £3,359
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Two game drives in Hwange National Park, famous for its elephant and African painted dog populations • Three-night cruise on Lake Kariba, with a range of daily activities, including water safaris and birdwatching • Guided tour of the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls • Walking tour of Franschhoek and Franschhoek Wine Tram Experience, with wine-tasting on board and a visit to Rickety Bridge Wine Estate, with included two-course lunch • Tour of Cape Town and cable car ride to Table Mountain • Cape Peninsula tour, including the penguin colony at Boulders Beach • Free time to explore Victoria Falls and Franschhoek • 11 nights’ carefully chosen bed and bed breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft • 24 meals, including 11 breakfasts, five lunches and eight evening meals, including a farewell dinner at the renowned Quay Four Restaurant • Flights from London via Nairobi to Victoria Falls, returning from Cape Town via Nairobi, plus an internal flight • Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Victoria Falls
Take in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, renowned for its
elephant and African painted dog populations, then enjoy a blissful three-night cruise on Lake Kariba, with its striking red sunsets. Marvel at the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, before you fly to South Africa for a two-night stay in culinary Franschhoek, followed by two nights in Cape Town, where a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain provides a fitting finale to a wonderful adventure.
Day One – Fly to Victoria Falls Fly overnight to Victoria Falls via Nairobi. Day Two – Arrival Meet your guide and make the scenic transfer to the Hwange National Park, and your four-star tented safari camp. This afternoon, lunch and an included game drive will whet your appetite for a fantastic adventure ahead. Day Three – Hwange National Park Join your guide for a full-day excursion into the park, with included picnic lunch. Hwange is Zimbabwe’s biggest national park, and home to over 100 species of mammals, including the Big Five, African painted dogs and 45,000 elephants.
Available Jan to Jun, Sept to Nov 2022, Jan to Jun, Sept to Nov 2023
Day Four – Travel to Lake Kariba Hit the road early this morning for the scenic transfer to Binga, the embarkation point for your three-night cruise. Lake Kariba was created by damming the Zambezi River to flood the Kariba Gorge, and is the largest manmade lake in the world!
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £3,359 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Victoria Falls
Personalise your holidays • Bushtrack Express with dinner (three hours) from £209 • Zambesi Sundowner cruise (two hours) - from £57 • Zipline on Vic Falls - from £99 • Helicoter Ride over the Falls - from £199 • Cape Malay Cooking Safari with early dinner (half day) - from £69 • Paddle with Penguins (one hour) - from £35 • Cape town Helicopter Ride (12 minutes flight, total activity one hour 30 minutes) - from £99
174
Zimbabwe Botswana
✈
Namibia
South Africa
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £507 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is two hours and thirty minutes.
Lake Kariba
Hwange National Park
Winelands Cape Town
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Franschhoek
Settle into your cabin before lunch is served onboard. This evening, board smaller boats to experience the famous Kariba sunset, as the sky transforms into a vibrant cascade of red and orange. Day Five – Lake Kariba After breakfast, choose from a series of exciting wildlifethemed activities. Smaller boats can take you close to the shore, where you may spot the diminutive klipspringer antelope, along with elephants. Alternatively, you could go birdwatching in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the black eagle, or you may choose to go fishing.
Table Mountain
Lake Kariba
However you spend your day, finish it under a patchwork of vibrant colours with a sundowner in hand, as the sun gently fades away.
Franschhoek
Penguin
Your Hotels
Elephant’s Eye tented camp, Hwange National Park
Day Six – Lake Kariba and Elephant Bay Make the most of your last morning on the lake as you choose from a similar set of wonderful wildlife-themed activities to yesterday. This afternoon, cruise gently toward Elephant Bay, home to a remote Tongan fishing community. Head ashore for an unforgettable view of the sunset, before a farewell dinner is served back on the boat. Day Seven – Travel to Victoria Falls Disembark and transfer to the town of Victoria Falls. Check-in at your boutique hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure, or choose from several optional activities available locally, including a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls, ziplining, or an extravagant dinner on the Bushtrack Express train. Day Eight – Victoria Falls Today an undoubted highlight of your tour awaits: a visit to Victoria Falls. Wander the jungle-clad walkways to make the most of the different viewpoints. Explorer David Livingstone rightly said of the falls: “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England.”
Zambezi Cruise Boat
A stylish, small boat featuring just 10 air-conditioned cabins, with a large dining area, boasting panoramic views. The boat also has an air-conditioned lounge and a pool.
Bayete Guest Lodge, or similar Bayete Collection, Victoria Falls nights 7–8 Bayete Guest Lodge
Day Nine – Fly to South Africa Rise and shine early this morning to catch your flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to Franschhoek, the culinary capital of South Africa.
Protea Hotel
This centrally located four-star hotel overlooks the majestic mountains and picturesque vineyards of Franschhoek. Rooms are tastefully furnished and feature free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Facilities at the hotel include an outdoor pool, bar and a New Yorkstyle restaurant.
Cape Town Hollow Boutique Hotel, Cape Town nights 11–12
This evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure in Franschhoek.
Day 12 – Cape Peninsula tour Join your tour manager for an included tour of the Cape Peninsula. Call at the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, where you can paddle with these wonderful animals, then make a photo stop at Llandudno lookout point, before (weather-permitting) continuing to Chapman’s Peak, on one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives.
This family-run lodge offers just 30 rooms, set in lush gardens gathered around an outdoor pool. Rooms are well equipped and feature free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Facilities at the hotel include a bar, restaurant, outdoor pool and sun terrace.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek, Franschhoek nights 9–10
Unpack and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 11 – Cape Town and Table Mountain Transfer to Cape Town, where an included orientation tour will bring this fascinating city to life, followed by a cable car ride to Table Mountain, for a simply unforgettable view. After the tour, check-in at your new hotel. You can spend the afternoon at leisure, or perhaps join the optional Cape Malay cooking experience in vibrant Bo Kaap.
*on certain departures you may stay at either the Iganyana Tented Camp or Nantwitch Lodge, both of which are in close proximity Hwange National Park
Zambezi Cruise Safari Houseboat, Lake Kariba nights 4–6
Return to town for lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure.
Day 10 – Franschhoek Wine Tram Experience Enjoy a guided walk of the town, before you board the Franschhoek Wine Tram. This open-air tram will take you through the rolling patchwork of vineyards that is the Franschhoek Valley, stopping at some of South Africa’s most distinguished wineries, including the Rickety Bridge Wine Estate, with wine-tasting and a two-course lunch.
nights 2–3
Bordering Hwange National Park, this four-star luxury eco-lodge offers guest accommodation in eight stilted chalets, all of which look out over a nearby waterhole. Facilities include a pool, spa and traditional African boma.
The four-star Cape Town Hollow Boutique Hotel is located in the city’s historical centre, nestled in the shadow of Table Mountain. There are just 56 stylish, well-appointed rooms, in addition to a restaurant, which looks out toward iconic Table Mountain Hollow Boutique Hotel
This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner at the renowned Quay Four Restaurant on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront – the perfect way to round off a marvellous adventure! Day 13 – Departure Enjoy a day at leisure, or join the optional helicopter flight over Cape Town, before your overnight return flight, via Nairobi. Day 14 – Arrive in the UK Arrive early in the morning after a stunning South African holiday.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
175
Small-Group Tour
Kenya Grand Safari – Stay at Treetops Enjoy unforgettable close-up encounters with wildlife, the scenic wonders of the forested highlands and the teeming plains of the Maasai Mara.
9-day escorted holiday from £2,599
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • In the company of like-minded people, enjoy a perfect introduction to one of the world’s most fascinating countries • Stay in famous Treetops game lodge • Enjoy three game drives in the Samburu National Reserve • Visit historic Nyahururu – formerly ‘Thompson Falls’ • Journey through the Rift Valley to renowned Lake Nakuru National Park – giraffe and rhino sanctuary • Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha • Spend two nights – and enjoy three game drives – in the famed Maasai Mara National Reserve, home to the Big Five • Visit to a Maasai village • Overnight in Nairobi – Kenya’s engaging capital • Seven nights’ carefully chosen accommodation, in game lodges on safari, with full-board arrangements on safari, bed and breakfast plus a farewell dinner in Nairobi, plus a night on the aircraft • Return flights to Nairobi • Travel and transfers by 4x4 safari vehicles throughout • Fully escorted by friendly, experienced drivers and safari guides
Discover for yourself perhaps East Africa’s great natural
wonderland, with visits to a quartet of protected national parks and reserves. You’ll stay overnight in famous Treetops and will have opportunities on a succession of unforgettable game drives to view some of the most extraordinary wildlife species on earth, and chances to meet some of its most fascinating peoples – as you journey through striking and dramatic scenery.
Day One – Travel to Kenya Fly overnight from the UK to Nairobi. Day Two – Travel to Treetops lodge in Aberdare National Park Upon arrival, meet your driver/guide and head north in your safari vehicle, passing Thika, with its acres of ripening pineapples, and climb through the forested hills and on to the eastern fringes of the Aberdare National Park. Enjoy lunch and an overnight stay in famous Treetops, where the future Queen Elizabeth II learned of her father’s passing in 1952. Relax and unwind this afternoon at this unique place and enjoy the magical sight of the animals that come to the floodlit waterhole each night.
Available Sep to Nov 2021, Jan, Mar, May to Jul, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan, Mar, May to Jul & Sep to Nov 2023
Kenya
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from
Samburu National Reserve
• Heathrow £2,599 (UK connecting flights available, call us for details)
Lake Nakuru National Park
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £147
Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Kenya. Please see page 190 of the brochure for further information.
176
Aberdare National Park
Lake Naivasha
Maasai Mara National Reserve Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes.
Day Three – Journey to Samburu National Reserve After breakfast, bid farewell to Treetops and drive to Samburu National Reserve, perhaps catching a glimpse of Mount Kenya, often shrouded in cloud. Journey into the high plain, with its grasslands dotted with market towns, cross the equator and take in the panorama of the Laikipia plateau, before dropping down onto the arid lowlands for a two-night stay in the Samburu National Reserve.
Tanzania
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Nairobi
n the banks of the Ewaso Ny’iro River, rugged O Samburu is one of Kenya’s most peaceful and beautiful locations, home to elephant, cheetah, leopard, crocodile, reticulated giraffe, the longeared Grevy’s zebra, blue-legged Somali ostrich and the ‘giraffe-necked’ gerenuk gazelle. fter lunch, join your driver/guide for the first A included game drive. Return to the lodge for, no doubt, a ‘sun-downer’, followed by dinner. Day Four – Enjoy game drives in Samburu Today is spent in the reserve. Choose morning and afternoon drives, returning for lunch, or spend
Further Afield
the full day out, taking a packed lunch, before enjoying a second evening at Samburu.
Your Hotels
Treetops, Aberdare National Park
Day Five – Travel through the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park Journey, via Kenya’s highest town Nyahururu (formerly Thompson’s Falls, named for the nearby waterfall), and enjoy lunch at the Thomson Falls Lodge before descending into the Rift Valley. njoy an afternoon game drive en-route to Lake Nakuru National E Park, a popular grazing ground for black and white rhino, Rothschild giraffe, buffalo, several gazelles and leopards. The lake is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with flamingos and pelicans, as well as fish eagles and herons amongst countless others.
Treetops
y early afternoon you will have entered the Maasai Mara, perhaps B the world’s most famous protected game reserve, scene each year of the annual wildebeest migration and, thanks to a rigid conservation programme, a place where game might be seen in numbers little diminished from the pre-hunting days of the 19th and early 20th centuries. For viewing giraffe, zebra, hippo, buffalo, elephant, ostrich, as well as lion, cheetah and leopard, the ‘Mara’ is an unparalleled corner of Africa, and your two-night stay here should provide indelible memories.
Samburu Lodge
Day Eight – Travel back to Nairobi Make the journey up out of the Rift Valley back to Nairobi for a short visit to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, an engaging Giraffe Centre, with rare and protected Rothschild giraffes. Your last night’s stay in Kenya is in the sumptuous five-star surroundings of the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, an historic Nairobi hotel where you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner. Day Nine – Travel back to the UK After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight, arriving late this afternoon.
nights 3-4
Lake Nakuru Lodge, Lake Nakuru National Park
night 5
With comfortable accommodation in shaded garden lodges offering unforgettable views over the reserve, the lodge offers an outdoor pool, a cocktail bar and evening entertainment.
Keekorok Lodge, Maasai Mara National Reserve
nights 6-7
In the heart of the reserve, with accommodation in authentically styled bungalows within the grounds, facilities include a pool and ‘Hippo Bar’ overlooking a watering hole. Lake Nakuru Lodge
Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi
night 8
This secluded, five-star resort hotel, is set in a quiet location, perfect for unwinding after your safaris. The Fairmont offers pretty gardens, a pool, two restaurants, a bar and tea room.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to your lodge. Day Seven – Game drives in the Maasai Mara Enjoy a last full day of game drives, whether you choose morning and afternoon safaris or spend all day in the reserve. During the day, you’ll visit a Maasai village, and will have the opportunity not only to buy a locally produced souvenir of your stay, but perhaps also to engage in conversation with the villagers. Enjoy a last dinner at the lodge.
Samburu Lodge, Samburu National Reserve
Set in the heart of pristine forest, next to the Ewaso Nyiro River with its wildlife viewing, the lodge offers two bars and a restaurant, an outdoor pool and rooms with balcony.
Enjoy dinner and overnight in the Lake Nakuru Lodge. Day Six – Continue through the Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara Continue south, pausing at spectacular, freshwater Lake Naivasha, one-time home of Born Free author Joy Adamson. Board a boat to cruise on the lake’s waters, home to wallowing hippos, and spot countless bird species as well as giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and wildebeest along the shore.
night 2
Built on stilts overlooking a watering hole, floodlit at night, Treetops is one of the world’s most celebrated game-viewing locations. For the die-hard wild-life enthusiasts, staff can set up intercom buzzer alerts during the night whenever a wildlife spectacle is unfolding. Facilities include a restaurant and bar.
Lake Nakuru Fairmont Norfolk Lodge Hotel
Special Departures The Great Migration – Sep 2021 & Jul, Sep 2022 Why not coincide your safari with the annual Great Migration which sees the largest mass movement of mammals on Earth, travel from Tanzania over the border into Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and back again? Witness over one million stampeding wildebeest and other wild animals take the journey which usually can be seen in the Maasai Mara from July to September.
Extend Your Holiday Four-night Mombasa beach extension from £669 Seven-night Mombasa beach extension from £683 omplete your Kenyan adventure with a relaxing, all-inclusive C stay at the popular, beachfront Voyager Resort hotel in North Mombasa. Set right on the edge of the Indian Ocean, with an infinity pool overlooking blue waters, three restaurants and bars, and the opportunity to indulge in water sports at an extra charge.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
177
Kenya – Beach & Safari Combine the joys of a stay on the Indian Ocean’s shore with the exciting wildlife spotting in East Africa’s famous reserves.
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
Bookended by stays in a Mombasa beach resort hotel, this great
• Punctuate a week’s rest and relaxation on an idyllic beach hotel with a four-night safari • Enjoy blue waters and even bluer skies • Stay in a Taita Hills private game reserve • View the animals from your elevated hotel • Discover vast Tsavo West National Park, with its Savannah and scrubland, on included game drives • Experience a bush breakfast • Stay in a safari camp and enjoy three game drives in historic Tsavo East National Park, home to herds of African elephants • Seven nights’ carefully chosen all-inclusive hotel accommodation at a beach resort in Mombasa and four nights’ full-board accommodation in game lodges on safari, plus two nights on the aircraft • Return flights to Mombasa, via Doha • Travel by 4x4 safari vehicles, with airport-hotel coach transfers • Fully escorted by friendly, experienced drivers and safari guides
value African experience also includes a four-night safari, during which you’ll enjoy a night in a stilt-hotel overlooking a waterhole, and game drives through two of Kenya’s most famous and exciting game reserves. In the company of ranger guides, discover the wonders of safari, spotting protected wildlife in their natural habitat, enjoying a bush breakfast in the wild and nights under star-washed African skies.
Day One – Fly to Kenya Fly overnight from the UK to Mombasa, via Doha. Day Two – Arrive in Mombasa Upon arrival in East Africa, meet your tour manager and transfer to the wonderful, all-inclusive Voyager Beach Resort, your Indian Ocean-side base for the beginning and end of your Kenyan stay. Settle into your surroundings and switch into relaxation mode as you enjoy the pools, restaurants and colourful cocktail bars, as well as the comforts of your nautical-themed room and the pleasures of the nearby beach. Enjoy the first of several balmy evenings under the Kenyan sky. Days Three and Four – At leisure by the ocean Enjoy lazy days and warm nights as you soak up the pleasures of life by the ocean. The energetic might try their hand at water sports, others may take a stroll along the shoreline, while others simply curl up with a book. At day’s end, ‘sun-downer’ in hand, do nothing more than gaze out across the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, at the hotel’s doorstep.
Available Sep, Oct 2021, Jan, Mar, May to Jul, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan, Mar, May to Jul & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,605 (UK connecting flights available, call us for details)
Kenya
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £398
Taita Hills
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 45 minutes. Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Kenya. Please see page 190 of the brochure for further information.
178
14-day escorted holiday from £2,605
Tanzania
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Tsavo East National Park Tsavo West National Park Mombasa
Day Five – Begin your safari experience at an elevated, five-star lodge This morning, meet your driver/guide and board your 4x4 safari vehicle for the drive away from the coast to the private Taita Hills Sanctuary, set amongst a dramatic, verdant landscape, and which is home to colourful birdlife and some large mammals, including lions and elephants. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through the sanctuary and arrive at the five-star-rated Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge, an imaginative collection of buildings set on stilts above a series of waterholes – floodlit at night – to which wildlife come to quench their thirst. Settle into the comforts of your well-equipped room, enjoy a candle-lit dinner in the panoramic dining
Warrior, Mombasa Beach
Mombasa Beach
room and the chance to watch for game from your lofty viewpoint. Hot and cold drinks are available all night. Day Six – Tsavo West National Park After breakfast at your ‘lodge in the sky’, re-board the safari vehicle for the short journey into the renowned Tsavo West National Park, a vast, protected area that features savannah grasslands, semi-desert scrubland, rocky ridges and extensive plains dotted with volcanic cones and low hills, and which supports an equally diverse variety of game and birdlife. Drive to the sumptuous Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge and, after lunch, enjoy a game drive. Later, as you enjoy dinner in the traditionally thatched restaurant, or a drink in the bar, watch the animals arrive at the lodge watering hole – always a stirring sight. Day Seven – Bush breakfast and Tsavo East National Park Experience the excitement of an early morning game drive and the exhilaration of a bush breakfast – coffee and rolls in the wild – before you return to the lodge. Bid farewell to Kilaguni and head towards the adjoining Tsavo East National Park, enjoying a picnic lunch and crossing the highway and the railway line and heading into the vast plain, upon which a variety of species can be spotted. Enjoy some spectacular scenery, including towering Mudanda Rock, beneath which elephants can often be seen, and the vast Yatta Plateau, one of the world’s largest lava flows.
Your Hotels
Voyager Beach Resort, Mombasa
Voyager Beach Resort
Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge, Taita Hills
night 5
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Tsavo West National Park
night 6
Located in the heart of the private Taita Hills Sanctuary, which borders Tsavo West National Park, the unique and special lodge overlooks a series of waterholes. Built on stilts, with several buildings, including an elevated bar and restaurant, connected by suspended walkways, this is a magical lodge from which to see wildlife.
Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge
ead for a two-night stay in the Ashnil Aruba Lodge, overlooking H the dam from which it takes its name. The lake formed by the dam is a magnet for wildlife in an otherwise dry arid landscape. Enjoy dinner and a first night at the camp.
Perfectly positioned in the wilderness of Tsavo West and blessed with views of Mount Kilamanjaro, this lodge offers optimum opportunities for game-viewing. The classic stone lodge overlooks its own waterhole and boasts a pool, a restaurant, and a bar that looks directly over the waterhole.
Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Tsavo East National Park
Day Eight – Full day in the bush Enjoy all the wonders of safari, as you take early morning and afternoon game drives in search of wildlife that might include plains animals such as elephant, buffalo, cheetah, lion, leopard and countless birds. Return to the lodge for a last evening under the bush stars. Day Nine – Return to the beach Bid farewell to the lodge and make your way out of the national park, enjoying a packed lunch and perhaps a last glimpse of game, before arriving back this afternoon at the Voyager Beach Resort, for a last four-night stay.
nights 2-4 & 9-12
This popular all-inclusive beachfront hotel is set right on the edge of the Indian Ocean. There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied including an infinity pool, and a choice of two other pools and a watersports centre (water sports payable locally) .You certainly won’t go hungry, with three restaurants and four bars from which to choose.
Ashnil Aruba Lodge
nights 7-8
Across from the famous Aruba Dam, a magnet for wildlife, in particular birdlife, the lodge also affords close-up encounters of wildlife from its own waterholes. Facilities within this newly renovated lodge include a pool, a bar and a restaurant, which serves a choice of local and international cuisine.
Days 10 to 12 – At leisure Enjoy welcome rest and relaxation on the ocean shores, with all the amenities of the hotel and the pleasures of the beach to savour. You might wish to explore colourful Mombasa, a 20-minute drive away, with its Old Town and historic Fort Jesus, or to head north to some of the remoter beaches that dot the beautiful coast. The choices – and pleasures – are yours. Day 13 – Overnight flight home After breakfast in the hotel, bid farewell and head to Mombasa airport, to begin the return overnight journey via Doha. Day 14 – Arrive in the UK Arrive back in the UK this morning, at the end of your wonderful East African adventure.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
179
NEW Small-Group Tour
On Safari in Kenya Discover Kenya’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes as you spend six nights near the sprawling Tsavo East National Park.
11-day escorted holiday from £2,245
Tsavo East National Park
Cheetah Family
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Fly to Nairobi and spend the night there, before transferring to Tsavo East National Park for a six-night all-inclusive stay • Spend a day at the Kenya Wildlife Service Education Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, with a fascinating included talk by a qualified park ranger • Enjoy seven included safaris in four-wheel-drive vehicles into Tsavo East National Park, led by wildlife experts • Explore the spectacular Lugard Falls and Crocodile Point • Enjoy a range of included activites at the lodge, including a welcome cocktail, film screenings, a cookery class and a tree-planting session • Pay a visit to a local primary school in Voi and the Commonwealth War Cemetery then catch the train back to Nairobi • Return flights to Nairobi • 19 meals, including seven breakfasts, six lunches and six evening meals, including a farewell dinner • Eight nights’ carefully chosen accommodation, including two at the Eka Hotel, Nairobi, and six nights full-board at the Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Tsavo, plus two nights on the aircraft • Comfortable, air-conditioned coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager and wildlife specialist
Available
K enya is home to vast and varied landscapes, peppered with huge
herds of wildlife, including the sweeping Tsavo East National Park, the largest national park in the country. You’ll really get to know your surroundings as you spend six nights on an full-board basis at the Ashnil Aruba Lodge, close to the park. With luck, on this extraordinary tour, you’ll get a glimpse of the fabled Big Five of lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes and elephants. Fly overnight to Kenya’s capital Nairobi, where you’ll stay the night before transferring in four-wheel-drive vehciles to Tsavo East National Park and your lodge, where you’ll stay for six wonderful nights. Spend a fascinating day at the Kenya Wildlife Service Education Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where park guides and wildlife experts will deliver some fascinating talks, before exploring Lugard Falls and Crocodile Point the following day. The next few days bring several spectacular safaris into Tsavo East National Park, one of the world’s oldest game reserves. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot the Big Five and many other wonderful animals, including buzzards, giraffes, ostriches, African wild dogs, cheetahs and many many more. You’ll also enjoy a range of included activities, including a welcome cocktail, wildlife film screenings on selected afternoons, a cookery class at the lodge, and a treeplanting session. After a wonderful stay at the Ashnil Aruba Lodge, you’ll return to Nairobi via train for an overnight stay before your return flight in the morning, calling at a local primary school and Voi’s Commonwealth War Cemetery en route to the Kenyan capital.
Your Hotel
Jan to Jun & Sept to Dec 2022, Jan to Jun & Sept to Dec 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,245 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £150
Crocodile Point
Eka Hotel
Eka Hotel, Nairobi
nights 2 & 9
This four-star hotel boasts spacious, comfortable rooms with TV and air conditioning. Hotel facilities include an outdoor pool and fitness centre, together with a breakfast buffet and restaurant that serves traditional African dishes.
Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Tsavo
nights 3-8
Located just outside Tsavo East National Park, Ashnil Aruba Lodge provides well-equipped rooms with seating areas, wardrobes and en-suite bathrooms. Amenities include an outdoor pool, sundeck, bar and restaurant. Queen Room Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is 1 hour
180
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Cairo, Luxor & Nile Cruise Discover and explore, in comfort and style, the mysteries of antiquity and the eye-popping, jaw-dropping riches of the pharoahs.
11-day escorted holiday from £1,879
Abu Simbel
Great Sphinx and The Pyramids of Giza
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover the sights of Cairo and visit the astonishing Egyptian Museum, with its relics of Tutankhamun • Gaze in awe at Giza’s fabled Pyramids and Sphinx • Join the optional excursion to ancient Alexandria • Fly to Luxor to board HS Radamis for a seven-night Nile cruise • See the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, visit the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Horus temple at Edfu, as well as the ‘twin’ temple at Kom Ombo • Visit the Aswan High Dam • Sail on a felucca round Kitchener Island • Take an optional excursion by coach to Abu Simbel’s great rock temples • Three nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation in the five-star Cairo Pyramids Hotel, Cairo, plus one lunch • Seven nights’ full-board accommodation aboard five-star rated HS Radamis • Outbound flight to Cairo, returning from Luxor, via Cairo and internal flights from Cairo to Luxor • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
Feluccas at sunset
Catch your breath as you encounter the wondrous Pyramids at
Giza and marvel at the collections of Cairo’s stunning Egyptian Museum, then gaze in awe as you cruise along the tranquil Nile, past riverbank scenes unchanged in centuries, visiting some of the most important relics of Ancient Egypt, as well as the truly phenomenal High Dam at Aswan. Opportunities to visit Alexandria and Abu Simbel on optional excursions complete the extraordinary, unforgettable experience. Begin in the colourful Egyptian capital with an unforgettable full-day tour taking in the awe-inspiring Pyramids, survivors of the original Seven Wonders of the World, and watched over by the mysterious Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum, where Boy King Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures are just part of a truly spectacular collection. Explore Cairo at your leisure, perhaps visiting wondrous Alexandria on an optional excursion, before flying south to Luxor to start your cruise. Crammed with highlights, including beautiful Luxor Temple, the staggering Temple of Karnak, the awe-inspiring Valley of the Kings, where Howard Carter and Lord Caernarvon uncovered Tutankhamun’s tomb and treasures, and the stunning Temple of Horus, the voyage also includes a visit to the engineering marvel of the Aswan High Dam. With the optional opportunity to discover Abu Simbel’s extraordinary relics, this is a wonderful voyage back across the centuries, taken in comfort and great style.
Sep, Oct 2021, Feb, Mar, Sep to Nov 2022
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £1,879 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Personalise your holiday
Your Hotel & Cruise Cairo Pyramids Hotel
• Sound & Light Show – from £68 • Alexandria (full day) – from £133 • Abu Simbel by Road (full day) – from £113
Cairo Pyramids Hotel, Cairo (nights 1-3) Five-Star Cruise on board HS Radamis
Upgrade your cabin Upgrade to a cabin on a higher deck – from £79
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £380 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
The holiday includes three nights’ carefully chosen hotel accommodation and a seven-night cruise.
HS Radamis
(nights 4-10) This traditional Nile ship offers a pool, complete with a sun deck and ample space to relax. Amenities include a restaurant which serves a range of international cuisine, a billiards room and a bazaar. Air-conditioned cabins have a large panoramic window, a TV, mini-bar and safe.
Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to Egypt. Please see page 190.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
181
South American Explorer – Brazil, Argentina & Peru Experience a trio of enthralling South American countries on a holiday packed with man-made and natural wonders.
NEW for 2022
22-day escorted holiday from £3,899
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Take in the views from Sugarloaf Mountain and discover the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the New World • Explore both the Brazlian and Argentinian sides of the UNESCO-listed Iguazú Falls National Park • Enjoy three nights at four-star hotel in Buenos Aires, with an included city tour and an included farewell dinner and Tango show on your last night in Argentina • Spend 11 nights in Peru, including a magical day at UNESCOlisted treasure Machu Picchu • Guided tours of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Lima, Cusco, Arequipa • A cruise on Lake Titicaca and a day in the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon • 11 included tours: Rio (two), Iguazú Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon • 19 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft • 26 meals, including 19 breakfasts, four lunches and three evening meals • Return flights, outbound to Rio de Janeiro and returning from Lima • Comfortable coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Iguazú Falls
Discover a trio of remarkable, contrasting countries as you gaze
in awe at Iguazú’s plunging waters, take in the jaw-dropping views from Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains and spend an unforgettable day at Machu Picchu. You’ll start in Brazil, staying opposite the lively Copacabana Beach, then head west to Iguazú Falls and Buenos Aires, Argentina’s vibrant capital. From here, you’ll travel to Lima and spend 11 wonderful days exploring Peru, with its fascinating Inca treasures and colonial cities.
Day One – Fly to Brazil Fly overnight, via São Paulo, to Rio de Janeiro. Day Two – Arrive in Rio Transfer to your hotel in Rio, then rest and relax with an included welcome drink this evening. Day Three – Sugarloaf Mountain Begin your South American adventure with a half-day included tour that includes a cable-car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain and a drink at a local carioca bar. Day Four – Christ the Redeemer Continue your exploration of Rio with an excursion to a wonder of the world – the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain. This evening, enjoy your final evening in Rio with an included dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Available Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £3,899
✈
Lima
Cusco Colca Arequipa Puno
Rio de Janeiro
✈
Iguazú Falls
Argentina
from £945
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
✈
Room for Sole Use Supplement
182
Brazil
Peru
Personalise your holiday • Ginga Tropical Samba Show – Day Three – from £125 • Estancia Ranch Tour – (full day) Day Nine – from £169
Day Five – Fly to Iguazú Falls Transfer to the airport, for your flight to Iguazú Falls.
✈
Feb, Mar, May, Sept to Nov 2022, Feb, Mar, May & Sep to Nov 2023
Buenos Aires
Day Six – Included tour of Iguazú Falls National Park Start your exploration of Iguazú on the Brazilan side, where a series of pathways leads through the lush foliage, then head to the Argentinian side, a stunning jungle refuge. Day Seven – Fly to Buenos Aires Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Buenos Aires, where you’ll meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel. Day Eight – Included Buenos Aires city tour Today you’ll enjoy a guided introduction to Buenos Aires, including the tango district of San Telmo and the famously colourful La Boca district.
Rio De Janeiro
Machu Picchu
Day Nine – Optional gaucho culture tour Discover more of enthralling Buenos Aires under your own steam, today, or join an exciting optional excursion into the pampas grassland, to a typical estancia ranch, learning about the gaucho culture and enjoying a traditional asado barbecue.
Your Hotels
Hilton Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro nights 2-4 Perfectly located opposite the blue waters and golden sand of Copacabana Beach, this comfortable five-star is a brilliant choice for guests staying in Rio. Rooms are bright, with air conditioning and mini-bar.
Day 10 – Fly to Lima Enjoy a day at leisure in Buenos Aires, before transferring to the airport for your evening flight to Lima, which will arrive after 11pm. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Day 11 – Lima city tour A guided tour brings to life the Peruvian capital, a thriving city that boasts a number of UNESCO-listed historic treasures, legacies of Spanish colonialism. Day 12 – Fly to Cusco and the Sacred Valley Today you’ll fly east from Lima to the Inca stronghold of Cusco and travel by coach into the fabled Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Recanto Cataratas, Iguazú Falls
Later, travel to Cusco via Aguas Calientes for a two-night stay.
Hilton Copacabana
Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima City, Lima nights 10-11 & 20 Located in the financial and commercial area of the city, this hotel offers a magnificent, year-round outdoor pool on the top floor, a restaurant and bar, a fitness centre and spa facilities.
Wyndham Costa del Sol
nights 12-13
This charming hotel is set in landscaped gardens, 10 minutes’ drive from Urubamba city and 15 minutes’ drive from Ollantaytambo (train station to Machu Picchu).
This rustic hotel has a restaurant and cabin-style guest accommodation. Each room has private facilities and a shower. The nearby town of Chivay is within strolling distance.
Hotel Royal Inn Puno, Puno Casa Andina Cusco
nights 16-17
Located in downtown Puno, the Royal Inn offers colourful suites with free Wi-Fi, one block from Plaza de Armas central square. Facilities include a restaurant and lively bar.
Casa Andina Standard Colca, Colca
nights 18
Hotel Conquistador, Arequipa
nights 19
The Casa Andina Standard Colca is located in Chivay, at the edge of the Colca Valley. This secluded hotel offers guest accommodation in traditional stone houses.
Day 19 – The Colca Canyon You’ll have an early start today as you head to the spectacular viewpoint at Cruz del Condor. With luck, you’ll catch sight of the majestic condors that make the Colca Canyon their home, gliding on the swirling winds and thermals.
Set in an 18th-century building, this hotel features colonial architecture. It offers a café and restaurant. The rooms offer TV with cable channels and free Wi-Fi.
After the tour, transfer to Arequipa for one-night stay. Day 20 – Arequipa city tour Today you’ll enjoy a tour of the White City, Arequipa, with its elegant main square Plaza de Armas, surrounded by buildings constructed of white volcanic stone.
Hotel Hacienda del Valle, Sacred Valley
Casa Andina Cusco Standard Plaza, Cusco nights 14-15
Day 16 – On to Puno You’ll have a very early start, this morning, as you board your well-appointed coach (train upgrade available) for the journey through the high Andean plains to Puno.
Day 18 – On to Colca Board the coach early this morning and journey towards the startling landscape of the Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
Novotel Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires nights 7-9 Located on Corrientes Avenue, the four-star Novotel Buenos Aires offers spacious, well-equipped rooms with air-conditioning, mini-bars and TVs.
Day 15 – Cusco city tour The Incas called Cusco the ‘Navel of the World’ and today it remains one of the world’s most enthralling settlements. Today’s guided tour will bring to life the city’s fascinating history and most important landmarks.
Day 17 – Included Lake Titicaca cruise Enjoy a cruise on Lake Titicaca today, the highest navigable lake in the world and the birthplace in myth of the Inca civilisation
night 5-6
This four-star resort boasts a waterpark, thermal pools, games rooms and a bowling alley. Rooms are spacious, with each featuring air conditioning, mini-bar and desk.
Day 13 – Inca treasures of the Sacred Valley Continue your exploration of the Sacred Valley, today. Visit Pisac, with its substantial Inca ruins and colourful market, and Ollantaytambo, home to the remains of a monumental Inca fortress. Day 14 – Magical Machu Picchu Today is sure to be a highlight of your holiday as you zig-zag your way up through the jungle to Machu Picchu, the breath-taking Lost City of the Incas, a truly unforgettable place and one of the world’s must-see wonders.
Main Square, Lima
Colca Canyon
Hotel Conquistador
After the tour, fly to Lima for a last night in the capital. Day 21 – Return flight Enjoy a final few hours at leisure in Lima, before transferring to the airport for your overnight return flight. Day 22 – Arrive back in the UK Early morning arrival.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
183
Brazil & Argentina Experience the man-made and natural wonders of Brazil and Argentina, including the iconic Christ the Redeemer and the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls.
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
• Spend three nights at five-star hotel on lively Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro • Take in the views from Sugarloaf Mountain • Discover the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the New World • Immerse yourself in the local culture with an included drink at a traditional carioca bar • Spend two nights at a four-star resort at Iguazú Falls • Explore both the Brazlian and Argentinian sides of the UNESCO-listed Iguazú Falls National Park • Enjoy three nights at four-star hotel in Buenos Aires, with an included city tour and a farewell dinner and Tango show • The chance to join an optional Gaucho excursion into the pampas grassland surrounding Buenos Aires • Eight nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two on the aircraft • 11 meals, including eight breakfasts and three evening meals • Return flights, outbound to Rio de Janeiro and return from Buenos Aires • Comfortable coach transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Discover a duo of remarkable, contrasting cities on included
tours, gaze in awe at Iguazú’s plunging waters and take in the jawdropping views from Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains as you savour some of the continent’s finest wines, taste fine food and stay in a selection of four and five-star hotels. Spend time surrounded by astonishing new sights, unforgettable wonders and the verve and vibrancy of two of the world’s most colourful nations.
Day One – Fly to Brazil Fly overnight, via São Paulo, to Rio de Janeiro. Day Two – Arrive in Rio Meet your tour manager when you arrive in Rio and transfer to your hotel. Rest and relax, enjoying an included welcome drink at the hotel this evening. Dinner is at leisure tonight. Day Three – Sugarloaf Mountain Begin your South American adventure with a half-day included tour that, as well as introducing downtown Rio, includes a cable-car ride along Olympic Boulevard, with its colourful murals, then up Sugarloaf Mountain. The spectacular 360-degree views from atop the mountain are unforgettable. This evening, enjoy an included drink at a local carioca bar close to your hotel, before the chance to take in an optional Samba show in town. Dinner is at leisure tonight.
Available Feb, Mar, May, Sept to Nov 2022, Feb, Mar, May & Sep to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,489
Brazil
Argentina Mendoza Valparaiso Santiago
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £569
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
184
✈
Iguazú Falls
✈
• Ginga Tropical Samba Show – Day Three – from £125 • Estancia Ranch Tour – (full day) Day Nine – from £169
Rio de Janeiro
Atacama Desert
Personalise your holiday
Chile
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
11-day escorted holiday from £2,489
✈
Buenos Aires
Day Four – Christ the Redeemer Continue your exploration of Rio today with an excursion to a wonder of the world – the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain. Drive through lush suburbs to the Cosmo Velho cog-railway station, and journey up to the giant figure, then take the lift or escalator – or brave the stairs – up to the viewpoint. Return to Rio via the famous beach districts of Ipanema and Leblon. This evening, enjoy your final evening in Rio with an included dinner at the nearby Martinez Restaurant.
Iguazú Falls
Tango
Day Five – Fly to Iguazú Falls Early this morning transfer to the airport, for your flight to Iguazú Falls, the world-famous cascades at the meeting point of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Travel by coach through the lush foliage, and enjoy a two-night stay at your resort hotel on the Brazilian side of the Falls. Dinner is included tonight.
Copacabana beach,Rio de Janeiro
La Boca, Buenos Aires
Your Hotels
Day Six – Included tour of Iguazú Falls National Park You’ll start your exploration of Iguazú on the Brazilan side of the Falls, where a series of pathways leads through the lush foliage of the UNESCO-listed Iguazú National Park, which is nurtured by the constant moisture from the astonishing waterfalls. Walk out over the footbridge, and ride the panoramic lift, to enjoy the sweeping views across Iguazú’s 275 plunging cataracts, before transferring to the Argentinian side for a fresh perspective. Still within the boundaries of the Iguazú National Park, the Argentinian side is a stunning jungle refuge for big cats, monkeys, tapirs and countless colourful bird species. Here you’ll enjoy a choice of fascinating guided walks, accompanied by a park ranger, as well as a 25-minute train ride to see the most spectacular of the torrents – the famous Devil’s Throat – from a series of walkways and footbridges. Dinner is at leisure tonight.
nights 2-4
Recanto Cataratas, Iguazú Falls
nights 5-6
Novotel Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
nights 7-9
Perfectly located opposite the blue waters and golden sand of Copacabana Beach, this comfortable five-star is a brilliant choice for guests staying in Rio. Rooms are bright, with air conditioning and mini-bar. The hotel also boasts a rooftop pool with sweeping ocean views, together with a spa, restaurant and indoor pool. Hilton Copacabana
This four-star resort boasts a waterpark, thermal pools, games rooms and a bowling alley. Rooms are spacious, with each featuring air conditioning, mini-bar and desk. Guests can choose to dine at the bar, which serves American snacks and light meals, or at one of the two on-site restaurants, which serve traditional Brazilian dishes. Recanto Cataratas
Day Seven – Fly to Buenos Aires Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, meet your Argentinian tour manager and transfer to your hotel. Dinner is at leisure tonight. Day Eight – Included Buenos Aires city tour Today you’ll enjoy a guided introduction to Buenos Aires. See Plaza de Mayo’s parliament buildings, the tango district of San Telmo, the famously colourful La Boca district, the chic Puerto Madero riverside area and La Recoleta – the Argentinian capital’s most elegant neighbourhood.
Hilton Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Located on Corrientes Avenue, the four-star Novotel Buenos Aires offers spacious, well-equipped rooms with air-conditioning, mini-bars and TVs. Amenities at this comfortable hotel an outdoor pool, hammamstyle Turkish bath, fitness centre and Mediterranean restaurant with terrace.
Novotel Buenos Aires
eturn to the hotel at the end of a wonderful day, perhaps joining in R the optional dinner at the nearby Revire Restaurant. Day Nine – Optional Gaucho culture tour Discover more of enthralling Buenos Aires under your own steam, today, or join an exciting optional excursion into the pampas grassland, to a typical estancia ranch, learning about the gaucho culture of the plains ranchers and enjoying a traditional asado barbecue. his evening, crown your South American adventure with a farewell T dinner and a tango show at Tango Porteño – one of the city’s renowned centres of traditional music and dance. Day 10 – Departure Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight, bringing a wonderful break to an end. Day 11 – Arrive back in the UK Arrive early in the morning to finish off a truly awe-inspiring and memorable holiday.
Caption
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
185
Small-Group Tour
Peru – Land of the Incas South America’s most fascinating, colourful and cosmopolitan country, and the treasures of the Incas – discovered and explored.
14-day escorted holiday from £2,545
Machu Picchu
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Uncover the secrets of one of the world’s most colourful countries • Tour Lima, the ‘City of Kings’ Fly to Cusco and the fabled Sacred Valley • Narrow- gauge Vistadome train ride, to Machu Picchu – the lost city of the Incas • Visit Cusco – the remarkable Inca citadel • Enjoy a Titicaca cruise to the Uros Islands and Taquile • Journey through the snow-capped altiplano Andean highlands • Discover awe-inspiring Colca Canyon • Search the skies for the fabled condor • Visit the extraordinary Monasterio Santa Catalina in Arequipa • Spend a last night back in Lima • The chance to journey through the Peruvian Andes on the 1920s-style PeruRail Titicaca train to lakeside Puno • 11 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus two nights on the aircraft • Three lunches • Return scheduled flights to Lima and internal flights from Lima to Cusco and from Arequipa to Lima • Coach and rail travel and transfers throughout • The services of a tour manager and local guides in Peru
This exciting Small Group Tour begins and ends in colonial
Lima, Peru’s cultural, culinary and colourfully modern capital, before flying to Cusco, capital of the Inca civilisation, gateway to the Sacred Valley and fabled ‘lost city’ Machu Picchu. After exploring Cusco’s wonders, you’ll journey to lakeside Puno where you’ll discover Lake Titicaca’s offshore islands and wondrous wildlife. The high Andean plains, with their canyons, volcanoes, condors and alpacas, and dazzling ‘white city’ Arequipa, complete the wonderful Peruvian adventure.
Day One -Fly overnight to Peru Fly to Lima Day Two – Arrival and transfer Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Day Three– Lima guided city tour A guided sightseeing tour brings to life the Peruvian capital, with its UNESCO-listed Spanish gems like the vast Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Armas, its Baroque cathedral and gleaming modern districts. This evening, enjoy the chance to dine in one of South America’s culinary meccas. Day Four – Fly to Cusco and the Sacred Valley Fly east to Inca stronghold Cusco, heading into the fabled Sacred Valley of the Incas, where highlights will include a visit to tiny Ccaccaccollo, where the ancient Incan art of weaving and fabric dyeing techniques live on, and you’ll enjoy a demonstration, before an overnight stay in the valley.
Available Nov 2021, Feb to Mar, May, Sep to Nov 2022, Feb to Mar, May & Sept to Nov 2023
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,545 (UK connecting flights available, call us for details)
Peru Machu
Lima
Cusco
✈
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £385
✈Picchu
Sacred Valley
Aguada Blanca National Reserve Arequipa
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
186
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Puno
Lake Titicaca
Day Five - Inca treasures of the Sacred Valley Continue your exploration of the Sacred Valley, taking in Pisac, with its Inca ruins and colourful market, and the monumental fortress at Ollantaytambo. Highlights of the day will be visits to an indigenous community ‘Potato Park’ and a traditional lunch. You’ll stay a second night in the valley, anticipating tomorrow’s extraordinary day. Day Six – The magic of Machu Picchu Journey to the fabled ‘Lost City of the Incas’, travelling to
Floating Islands of Uros
Peruvian Weaver
spa town Aguas Calientes by narrow-gauge railway, then by bus to breathtaking Machu Picchu. On arrival, your guide will introduce the citadel, after which you are free to wander around the extraordinary site, one of the modern ‘Seven Wonders of the World’.
Colca Canyon
Your Hotels
Day Seven – Cusco city tour Enjoy a guided introduction to the palaces, temples and Spanish colonial remnants of one of the world’s most enthralling settlements, where highlights include Santo Domingo monastery on the site of the Inca ‘Temple of the Sun’, the Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas and the colourful San Pedro market. Spend a second evening in colourful Cusco.
Day Nine– Lake Titicaca’s floating islands Discover and explore the waters of Titicaca, travelling by boat to the floating-island homes of the Uros people, stepping ‘aboard’ their man-made islands to learn about their traditional way of life. Cruise to Taquile Island, where a fairly strenuous walk inland is rewarded with a visit to local craft shops and a traditional taquile lunch, before cruising back to Puno for the evening.
Wyndham Costa Del Sol
nights 2–3 & 12
Hotel Hacienda del Valle, Sacred Valley
nights 4–5
This charming hotel is set in landscaped gardens, 10 minutes’ drive from Urubamba city and 15 minutes’ drive from Ollantaytambo (train station to Machu Picchu). All bungalows have a terrace and panoramic views of Valle Sagrado de los Incas hill. The rooms offer satellite TV.
Casa Andina, Cusco Plaza
night 6–7
This rustic hotel has a restaurant and cabin-style guest accommodation. Each room has private facilities and a shower. The nearby town of Chivay is within strolling distance.
Hotel Royal Inn, Puno
Hotel Hacienda del Valle
Day 10 – Across the Puna Board the coach to journey west towards the scenic Aguada Blanca National Reserve, with its herds of vicuñas and alpacas, farmed for their fine wool, and the ancient Inca terraces, framed by volcanoes and towering peaks. Enjoy lunch and the opportunity to visit a natural hot spring, famed for its curative powers, before spending the night in Chivay, gateway to the stunning Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest. Day 11 – Condors and the Colca Canyon This morning, drive to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where high above you may be lucky to catch sight of the world’s largest birds in flight. Take a short, guided hike, and visit the villages of Pinchollo, Maca, and Yanque, with its Baroque church. This afternoon, you’ll arrive in the beautiful city of Arequipa, in its dramatic setting.
Wyndham Costa Del Sol, Lima City
Located in the financial and commercial area of the city, this hotel offers a magnificent, year-round outdoor pool on the top floor, a restaurant and bar, a fitness centre and spa facilities. Rooms are all tastefully decorated and offer TV with cable channels, air conditioning and a mini-bar.
At day’s end, journey back via Aguas Calientes for two nights in South American archaeological capital Cusco.
Day Eight – Travel to Puno Early this morning board the Ruta del Sol bus for the journey to Puno. Alternatively, you can make the journey on the 1920s-style PeruRail Titicaca (must be pre-booked). However you decide to travel, you’ll pass through startling landscapes toward Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water, arriving in lakeside Puno late this afternoon, for a two-night stay.
Machu Picchu
nights 8–9
Located in downtown Puno, the Royal Inn offers colourful suites with free Wi-Fi, one block from Plaza de Armas central square. Facilities include a restaurant and lively bar..
Casa Andina Standard, Colca
night 10
The Casa Andina Standard is located in Chivay, at the edge of the Colca Valley. This secluded hotel offers guest accommodation in traditional stone houses. The hotel restaurant serves a variety of Peruvian dishes, using vegetables grown in the garden.
Hotel el Conquistador, Arequipa
night 11
Set in an 18th-century building, this hotel features colonial architecture. It offers a café and restaurant. With warm touches of colour, the rooms display lively canvas or wall paintings signed by local artists. The rooms offer TV with cable channels and free Wi-Fi. La Casa de Mamayacchi
Day 12 – Arequipa city tour and fly back to Lima Enjoy this morning’s tour of ‘White City’ Arequipa, with its elegant Plaza de Armas, great cathedral, and 19th-century volcanic, white-stone buildings. You’ll also visit the narrow streets, cloisters and hidden quarters of the Monasterio Santa Catalina and the stunning Jesuit La Compañía church. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and a last night in the capital.
Extend Your Holiday Four-night Amazon extension from £1,045
Day 13 – Free time and overnight return flight Enjoy a last few hours in Lima, perhaps enjoying lunch, before transferring to the airport and your return overnight flight. Day 14 – Arrival home Arrive home today after a truly absorbing, thoroughly enjoyable Peruvian adventure. Hotel Refugio Amazonas
Stay at the five-star Inkaterra Hacienda Conception, surrounded by lush foresh and accesible only via boat. This unforgettable extension is a truly wonderful ‘at-one-with-nature’ experience. The price includes internal flights and all transfers, meals on a full-board basis and daily guided activities with the hotel’s guides sharing their exceptional local knowledge of the wildlife and flora.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
187
Small-Group Tour
Peru, Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands An eye-popping World Wonder, Inca treasures, the world’s highest capital and some of Earth’s most unusual creatures, explored and encountered
17-day escorted holiday from £4,319
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Enjoy a fascinating South American adventure in the company of like-minded travellers • Fly to Lima and Peru’s fabled Sacred Valley • Gaze in awe at ‘Lost City’ Machu Picchu • Explore stunning Inca capital Cusco, Peruvian capital Lima, and lofty Quito, the world’s highest capital • Experience Otavalo’s colourful market – South America’s largest • Spend five days in the wondrous Galápagos • Close-up encounters with sea lions, marine iguanas, giant tortoises and a host of extraordinary creatures • Visit the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Centre • Enjoy a bay cruise with opportunities for swimming • 14 nights’ carefully chosen accommodation, plus two on the aircraft • Breakfast each day, four lunches and one dinner • Return scheduled flights to Lima, vía Bogotá, returning from Quito via Bogotá • Internal flights from Cusco to Lima, from Lima to Quito, Quito to San Cristobal and from Baltra to Quito • Air-conditioned coach and boat travel and transfers • Entrances and Galapagos National Park fees included • Fully escorted by a friendly, knowledgeable tour manager
Available Sep, Oct 2021 & Jan to Mar, May, Jun to Jun, Sep to Nov 2022, Jan to Jun & Sept to Nov 2023
Giant tortoise, Galápagos Islands
Beginning with the fabled Sacred Valley of the Inca civilisation
and magical ‘Lost City’ Machu Picchu, this wonderful Small Group Tour also unveils colourful colonial gem Cusco and Peru’s cosmopolitan capital Lima. You’ll then fly to lofty Quito, to explore the Ecuadorian capital in its spectacular Andean setting. Four nights in the remote Galápagos Islands, where encounters with fearless, extraordinary creatures will provide indelible memories, ensure a wonder-filled conclusion to a very special tour.
Day One – Fly to Peru Fly overnight, vía Colombian capital Bogotá, to Lima. Day Two – Arrival in Lima Upon arrival in the Peruvian capital, transfer to your hotel to rest and relax. Day Three – Tour of Lima Enjoy today’s guided tour of Lima, where Spanish colonial influences abound, especially in the central Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Armas. Day Four – Cusco and the Sacred Valley Fly to Cusco and transfer into the fabled Sacred Valley of the Incas for two-night stay.
✈ Galápagos Islands
Ecuador
Fly from (flight upgrades available). Prices from
• Sunrise Machu Picchu visit Day Five – £120
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £714
✈
• Heathrow £4,319 (UK connecting flights available, call us for details)
Personalise your holiday
Isla Santiago Isla Baltra Fernandina Isla Santa Cruz Isla Isabela
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
188
Day Five – The Sacred Valley Continue your discovery of the Sacred Valley, taking in the Inca ruins at Pisac, as well as the fortress at Ollantaytambo. Visit a ‘Potato Park’ where you’ll learn about the importance of the tuber to the valley’s indigenous community.
Quito
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Peru Machu Picchu
Isla de San Cristóbal Lima
✈Cusco
Day Six – Magical Machu Picchu Journey, today, to the fabled ‘Lost City of the Incas’, travelling by narrowgauge railway and bus to breathtaking Machu Picchu. On arrival, your guide will introduce the layout of the original citadel, after which you are free to explore the site – an experience you’ll never forget.
Machu Picchu
Blue-footed Booby, Galápagos Islands
Day Seven – Optional sunrise visit to the citadel and return to Cusco A second day’s optional visit to Machu Picchu begins with the unforgettable sight of sunrise over the citadel and the opportunity to explore the site before the bulk of visitors arrive.
Equator line, Ecuador
Your Hotels
Located in the financial and commercial area of the city, this hotel offers a magnificent, yearround outdoor pool on the top floor, a restaurant and bar, a fitness centre and spa facilities. Rooms are all tastefully decorated and offer TV with cable channels, air conditioning and a mini-bar.
Day Eight – Cusco included tour Join your guide for an introduction to one of the Americas’ most compelling and enthralling cities, with its ancient palaces and temples, and its roll call of colonial remnants. Day Nine – Fly to Quito Bid farewell to Cusco as you fly into the high Andes, and the extraordinary Ecuadorian city of Quito. Day 10 – Quitzalo Solar Clock, ‘Middle of the World’ and Otavalo market This morning, pay a visit to the ‘Middle of the World’, where the equator is marked with a monument and visitor centre, before continuing to the highland town of Otavalo, probably the most famous of all South America’s colourful, indigenous markets, before returning to Quito via Cotacachi and Peguche.
Hotel Agustos, Urubamba Hotel Agustos
Casa Andina Machu Picchu
Day 14 – Isla Lobos After breakfast, transfer to the dock to board a boat for the short trip, accompanied by your certified Galápagos National Park guide, to tiny Isla Lobos, where you will not only see the resident sea lions, but colonies of frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. A swim in the calm, clear waters, or a stroll along the white sand beach brings yet more sightings and close-up views of marine life. This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner.
night 6
This modern hotel is located right beside the train station and local markets. It has a restaurant and a bar, and each of the guest rooms has TV and free Wi-Fi.Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in a conveniently located, alternative hotel of a similar standard.
Costa del Sol Ramada, Cusco
Day 12 – Santa Cruz island and Academy Bay tour Enjoy an unforgettable cruise across the pristine waters of Academy Bay, stopping to enjoy opportunities for snorkelling or swimming amongst a colourful array of marine species, including turtles and curious sea lions. Ashore, there are marine iguanas to encounter, and an astonishing collection of cacti and red volcanic rocks, at which to marvel. Day 13 – Charles Darwin Research Centre This morning you’ll call at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you’ll enjoy a fascinating visit to the centre and learn about vital conservation work across the Galápagos. You’ll also have the chance to meet several subspecies of giant tortoise, many of which are at ease with human contact. After the tour, catch the boat to San Cristóbal island for a two-night stay in delightful Puerto Moreno.
nights 4-5
Located in the centre of Urubamba, the Hotel Augustos provides guest accommodation in spacious, comfortable rooms, along with a restaurant, a bar and a garden. Rooms are well equipped, and feature air conditioning and terraces.
Casa Andina Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes
Day 11 – Fly to the Galápagos Islands Bid farewell to Quito and fly to the remote, volcanic Pacific Galápagos archipelago, arriving at the island of Baltra and then transferring to Santa Cruz by boat, home of the giant tortoise for which the Galápagos are famed for. Enjoy lunch at a local ranch before the chance to go in search of the famous giant tortoise on a gentle guided walk around the island’s volcanic interior. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.
Wyndham Costa del Sol, Lima nights 2-3
nights 7-8
Set in a 17th-century colonial-style mansion located in Cusco’s centre, a few steps away from the Main Square and La Merced Church, the hotel offers the Paprika Cusco Restaurant serving international and Peruvian dishes. There is free Wi-Fi and the well-appointed rooms feature 24-hour room service. Costa del Sol Ramada
Swissotel Quito, Quito
nights 9-10 & 15
Offering elegant accommodation, the hotel boasts pools, tennis and squash courts and spa, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms with cable TV, mini-bar and safe.
Hotel Fiesta, Santa Cruz
nights 11-12
This hotel, close to Tortuga Bay and dive centres, offers a restaurant, bar, snack bar, games room, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms with balcony and room service. Swissotel Quito
Day 15 – Fly to Quito Fly back to Quito, then transfer to your hotel for the final night of your tour. Day 16 – City tour and return flight Join your tour manager for a guided introduction to the Ecuadorian capital, including the historic centre, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casa Opuntia, San Cristóbal nights 13-14 This hotel is close to the seafront promenade and features an outdoor pool, together with spacious air-conditioned rooms with garden views, mini-bar and cable TV.
After the tour transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight. Day 17 – Arrival home Early morning arrival at the end of a once-in-alifetime adventure.
Hotel Fiesta
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
189
Small-Group Tour
Costa Rica – Nature’s Paradise Experience eco-friendly wildlife encounters and some of the world’s most colourful birdlife, on a journey beyond the senses.
9-day escorted holiday from £2,549
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Fly to cosmopolitan San José, the Costa Rican capital • Journey through rainforest by boat to Tortuguero National Park • Encounter Tortuguero’s wildlife from Mawamba Lodge • Late-summer visitors might see Green Turtles nesting • Enjoy dinner on a floating restaurant • Journey back through the jungle to La Fortuna, close to Arenal’s ‘perfect’ volcano • Visit Eco Termales hot springs • Enjoy a Rainforest Chocolate tour • Journey along the ‘Highway to Heaven’ to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve • Seven nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Four lunches and three dinners including the floating restaurant dinner in Tortuguero • Return scheduled flights to San José • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available Sep, Nov 2021, Jan, Mar & Nov 2022
Fly direct from (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Gatwick £2,549 (UK connecting flights available, call us for details)
Personalise your holiday • Tortuguero Canal Boat Tour Day Three – from £37 • Forest Canopy Zipline Day Seven – from £62
Room for Sole Use Supplement
natural treasure troves, in its setting between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Encounter spectacular birdlife, including the vibrant quetzal, as well as three-toed sloths, monkeys and caimans, and in addition to a stay in the heart of a national park, take in the famous Arenal volcano and explore the canopy of the majestic cloud forest, on what is less a tour, and more a truly unforgettable experience.
Day One – Fly to Costa Rica Fly from the UK to San José, the friendly, cosmopolitan capital of Costa Rica. Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Day Two – Travel from San Jose to Tortuguero Make a very early start, boarding the coach to head east through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park, towards the Caribbean Sea. After an en-route stop for breakfast you’ll arrive at the pier in Caño Blanco or Pavona, to board a canal boat for the last part of the journey to the very edge of the Caribbean Sea. Here you’ll spend two nights in the fiercely protected Tortuguero National Park, a ribbon of thick rainforest criss-crossed by canals and waterways, and home to an amazing diversity of bird and wildlife. You’ll spend the next two nights in the heart of this exotic paradise, in the Mawamba Lodge. Settle into your surroundings, which include colourful butterfly gardens, frog and iguana gardens, Tortuguero walking trails and a swimming pool.
La Fortuna Arenal Volcano Monteverde San José
from £539
Special Departure Experience Turtle Hatching Time – 11 Sep 2021 from £2,389 Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.
190
Discover and explore one of the world’s most breathtaking
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Costa Rica Panama
Day Three – Included and optional Tortuguero wildlife tours Wake early to enjoy an optional morning boat tour to witness the beauty of the park as the wildlife comes alive as a new day begins. Your tour, accompanied by an expert guide, will take you through the backwater canals offering great opportunities for wildlife sightings. After breakfast enjoy
Arenal Volcano Zip-line
Selvatura hanging bridges
an included full day tour of the park, by land and canal boat tour where you might be lucky enough to see land turtles, monkeys and languid manatees, as well as sloths, caimans and crocodiles, some 375 bird species and countless tree and plant species – Tortuguero is a natural wonderland. Complete your stay in this amazing place with dinner on the lodge’s floating restaurant this evening. Day Four – Included hot springs visit Bidding farewell to Tortuguero, journey back to the dock through the rainforest, then continue by coach across the Costa Rican lowlands and on to La Fortuna, in the shadow of the picture-book cone of the volcano that erupted spectacularly in 1968 and continued unabated for the next 40 years. Enjoy all the benefits of being in a region famed for its hot springs and thermal baths – with a visit to the Eco Termales springs this evening. Day Five – Included chocolate tour and gentle hike This morning brings the opportunity for the sweet-toothed to learn about the secrets of chocolate production, from cacao pod to ceremonial drink and confectionery bars, on a fascinating Rainforest Chocolate tour. By contrast, this afternoon, the energetic can join a gentle hike to the El Silencio look-out point, walking through the forest to be rewarded with spectacular views of the volcano, before returning for a second night at the hotel. Day Six – Scenic journey to Monteverde Today you’ll drive round the northern tip of the Tilarán cordillera on the stunning ‘Highway to Heaven’, to spend two nights in idyllic Monteverde, set amongst the lush, dense forests that are home to an incredible diversity of birds, including the exotically coloured resplendent quetzal, as well as to some rare species, including jaguars and pumas. This afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, so called because of the fine mist that shrouds the area.
Your Hotels
Holiday Inn Aurola, San José
night 1
This modern, centrally located, air-conditioned hotel has three restaurants, including the 17th-floor Mirador, with views out over the city, a bar, indoor pool, gym and spa facilities, and well-appointed rooms with TV and coffee‑making facilities.
Mawamba Lodge, Tortuguero
nights 2-3
Magic Mountain Hotel, La Fortuna
nights 4-5
In the exotic Caribbean rainforest in a car-free location, the lodge is the perfect base from which to explore Tortuguero’s wonders. Facilities include an outdoor pool, a café with Wi-Fi access, private trails, wildlife gardens and a unique floating restaurant. Garden view rooms have a ceiling fan and safe.
Mawamba Lodge
Set just 2 miles from downtown, with spectacular views of the volcano’s perfect cone, this hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a TV, coffee-maker and has a restaurant, bar, pool, whirlpool and small spa.
Please note: For 2021 departures you will stay at the Volcano Lodge & Spring. Magic Mountain Hotel
El Establo Mountain Hotel, Monteverde
nights 6-7
Affording a breathtaking setting in Monteverde’s Cloud Forest, the hotel is surrounded by acres of rolling hills and pretty gardens. The hotel has a whole host of leisure amenities and two indoor swimming pools. Other activities available include star gazing and hiking trails. There is a choice of two restaurants including a fine dining restaurant which affords stunning views across the resort.
Rest and relax at the hotel this evening. Day Seven – Included Selvatura Monteverde Cloud Forest tour Enjoy this morning’s excursion under the lush canopy of Selvatura, an area of incredible biodiversity, where a 1-mile trail over eight bridges leads through the rainforest, with the chance of encountering yet more of Costa Rica’s native species. Visit the Hummingbird Garden, which brings you into contact with the fascinating creatures, while the adjacent Butterfly Garden provides yet more wonders. Enjoy lunch during the visit, and the energetic – and brave – can take the optional opportunity to experience Selvatura Park’s famous zip-line across the park canopy.
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Extend Your Holiday Four-night beach extension from £5892 Seven-night beach extension from £1,103 omplete your Costa Rican experience by C adding a beach resort stay at the El Parador Hotel in Manuel Antonio to the end of your tour. Relax on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in this luxurious hotel and enjoy the stunning surroundings and the hotel’s fine facilities, which include two infinity pools and a spa. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis, giving you the opportunity to dine in the hotel or in the neighbouring fishing village of Quepos.
Return to the hotel for a last evening. Day Eight – Transfer to San José and return flight After breakfast transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight. Day Nine – Arrive home Arrive back in the UK, at the end of an extraordinary glimpse of nature’s wonders, and a thoroughly enjoyable stay in a truly stunning corner of the world. El Parador
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
191
NEW for 2022
Rhythms of Cuba
Combine the latin rhythms and colonial splendour of historic Havana with Cuba’s scenic inland wonders and the comforts of an idyllic beach resort.
12-day escorted holiday from £2,259
Gran Teatro, Havana
Tour Highlights & Inclusions • Discover Old and New Havana, Cuba’s beguiling capital, on included tours that offer cooking & cocktail lessons and Cuban dance lessons • Head inland to the stunning Viñales Valley • Spend a day at the Bay of Pigs, site of the failed US-backed 1960 invasion • Discover UNESCO-listed colonial Trinidad on walking tour • Take in elegant Cienfuegos and historic Santa Clara • Spend four blissful nights relaxing at a five-star all-inclusive beachfront resort on idyllic Cayo Santa Maria • The chance to take in a Buena Vista Social Club show • Immerse yourself in Cuban culture with cookery, cocktailmaking and Cuban dance lessons to choose from • Seven tours and excursions • Return flights to Havana • 30 meals, including 10 breakfast, 10 lunches and 10 dinners, including all drinks at the resort on Cayo Santa Maria • Ten nights’ carefully chosen full-board accommodation, plus one night on the aircraft • Comfortable, air-conditioned transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Available
Discover Old Havana, as lovingly preserved as the classic
American cars that act as taxis, then head inland to the Viñales Valley and its prehistoric rock formations. A visit to the Bay of the Pigs is followed by a stay at coastal Cienfuegos – all elegance and colour – and calls at colonial UNESCO-listed Trinidad and historic Santa Clara, site of the Cuban Revolution’s decisive battle, before four nights’ blissful relaxation at an idyllic beach resort.
Day One – Fly to Cuba Upon arrival meet your guide and transfer to your hotel in Havana. Settle in and unwind before an included welcome dinner with live Cuban music at a local restaurant this evening. Day Two – Havana city walking tour Join your guide this morning for an included walking tour of Old and New Havana. You’ll start in the heart of Old Havana, at the Four Squares around which the city formed. Call at the Museum of the City of Havana, housed in the former residence of the governors, and then continue to the nearby Rum Museum before taking a cooking class. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant before the tour continues to Obispo Street, Parque Central, the Capitol and Paseo del Prado. his evening, enjoy an included dinner at the famous Floridita T Restaurant, birthplace of the daiquiri. Later on, visit La Cabaña Fortress and enjoy the Nine Canyon Ceremony before the chance to take in the Buena Vista Social Club show.
Mar to Jul, Sept to Dec 2022, Jan to Jun & Sept to Dec 2023
Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from • Heathrow £2,259 (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)
Room for Sole Use Supplement from £285
Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is 45 Minutes.
192
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Havana Cienfuegos
Cayo Santa Maria Santa Clara
Cuba
Day Three – Viñales Valley Today’s included tour, which will be long but rewarding, will take in the stunning UNESCO-listed Viñales Valley, an area scattered with underground rivers, caves and prehistoric mogotes – isolated, steep hills – that form a spectacular landscape. Call at a colourful local mural, take a boat ride to a cave and then visit a tobacco plantation. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant, then visit a local cigar factory before returning to Havana.
Viñales Valley
Cienfuegos Cuba
his evening, whet your whistle with a cocktail lesson before T dinner. Later, you’ll have the chance to take in a Tropicana show. Day Four – Cienfuegos via the Bay of Pigs Transfer to the Bay of Pigs, scene of the 1960 disastrous US-backed invasion of Cuba. Today, the Bay of Pigs is a place of natural beauty, popular with divers and snorkelers, thanks to its underwater caves and offshore wreck. Visit the Playa Giron Museum, which tells the story of the ill-fated invasion attempt, before lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time to relax at the beach, with the possibility of snorkelling in the clear Caribbean water, before continuing to Cienfuegos.
Your Hotels
Habana Riviera by iberostar, Havana
nights 1-3 & 10
This historic hotel is located on Havana’s Malecón waterfront boulevard. Rooms are stylish and spacious, with air conditioning. Amenities at the hotel include several dining options and an outdoor pool.
Meliá San Carlos Hotel
Day Five – Trinidad walking tour Join your tour manager for an included walking tour of UNESCO-listed colonial Trinidad. Enjoy a wonderful morning spent wandering the city’s atmospheric, historical streets as you visit the Romantic Museum, set in the 18th- century former palace of Count Brunet, then continue to Bar La Canchanchara, for an included cocktail, before lunch at a local restaurant. his afternoon, enjoy a Cuban music lesson and visits to the T Santander Fine Art Family House and the historic sugarcane plantation at Manaca Iznaga before returning to Cienfuegos, where the evening is at leisure.
Trinidad Cuba
Bay of Pigs
Meliá San Carlos Hotel, Cienfuegos
nights 4-5
Meliá Las Dunas, Cayo Santa Maria
nights 6-9
Located in the historic heart of Cienfuegos, the Meliá San Carlos offers wonderful views of the city and bay, which can be enjoyed from the hotel roof garden. Rooms are modern and come with air conditioning. The hotel boasts several dining options, together with a pool.
Boasting a wonderful beachfront location, the five-star all-inclusive Meliá Las Dunas provides accommodation in spacious well-equipped bungalows set amongst well-manicured gardens. Facilities at the resort include several restaurants, a Meli Meliá Las DUnas Hotel
Day Six – Cienfuegos and Santa Clara After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Cienfuegos, one of Cuba’s most important sea ports. The tour will take in the 19th-century Tomás Terry Theatre, with its marble embellishments, ceiling frescoes and hand-carved Cuban hardwood, before visiting Cienfuegos’ famous boulevard with its statue of Benny Moré, one of Cuba’s most revered musicians. he tour continues to Santa Clara, where the final and decisive battle of T the Cuban Revolution was fought. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant and then have a look around the city, taking in the Che Guevara Revolution Square and the mausoleum where his remains are kept, before transferring to idyllic Cayo Santa Maria for an all-inclusive four-night stay. Day Seven – At leisure Enjoy the first of three blissful days at leisure on Cayo Santa Maria, perhaps making use of the resort’s facilities, or taking a stroll on the idyllic whitesand beach. Day Eight – At leisure Spend another blissful day at leisure, enjoying the delights of Cayo Santa Maria today. Day Nine – At leisure Enjoy a final day relaxing in your idyllic surroundings. Day 10 – Transfer to Havana After a leisurely breakfast and morning, transfer to Havana this afternoon for a final one-night stay. This evening, an included farewell dinner adds to the pleasures of a marvellous tour. Day 11 – New Havana and departure Check out this morning and enjoy a final tour of Havana, which includes a one-hour ride in a vintage American car and sweeping views of the Miramar and Vedado neighbourhoods, before calling at Revolution Square and Finca Vigía (former residence of Ernest Hemingway), located in the traditional Cojímar district. An included lunch is followed by some free time to shop at a local craft market before you transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight. Day 12 – Arrival Early morning arrival to end a colourful latin adventure.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
193
Lapland Santa Experience Day Trip Join us for one amazing day, full of laughter and fun, a few tears of joy... and some precious family memories to cherish forever.
Santa
Experience Day Break Inclusions:
• Enjoy an a magical walk through the lantern-lit forest to find Santa • A once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Santa with just your family • Experience an exhilarating snowmobile adventure through a winter wonderland • Enjoy a traditional reindeer sleigh ride and an exciting husky dog experience • Choose from a range of winter activities including tobogganing, ‘snowballing’ and snowman-making • Comfortable thermal clothing will be provided upon arrival • Three meals, including a lunch in Lapland and dinner upon return • Return flights to Pajala in Swedish Lapland, North of the Arctic Circle • Return airport transfers to Santa’s Village vailable A Dec 2021 & Dec 2022 ly direct from F •Belfast £585 • Bournemouth £575 • Cardiff £575 • East Midlands £665 • Exeter £559 • Glasgow £635 • Humberside £665 • Leeds/Bradford £585 • Liverpool £665 • Gatwick £665 • Norwich £665 • Teesside £665 xclusive to Newmarket Holidays E Your specially chartered flight will be the only ‘Santa’ flight to Pajala on this day, and numbers are strictly limited so that you have time to appreciate every magical moment.
Join Newmarket Holidays for the most exciting, most
magical and without doubt most unforgettable day ever. Fly direct from your local airport to a still, white wilderness high above the Arctic Circle, where amongst the snowy forests, in a land inhabited by the ancient Sami people, with their husky dogs and reindeer, as children of all ages know, there also lives, hidden from view, a very special person.
reat your family to the most exciting, magical and unforgettable day T ever. Fly to a still, white wilderness high above the Arctic Circle where, amongst the snowy forests in a land inhabited by the ancient Sami people and their husky dogs and herds of reindeer, as children of all ages know, there lives a very special person. ull of activity from beginning to end, your Lapland experience is an F opportunity to enjoy a day like no other, full of wonder for children of all ages, played out in a truly authentic setting, as the friendly Lappish hosts welcome you to their pristine homeland, and you discover an entirely different snow-white world. Journey back to nature as you take part in a host of wonderful adventures that will provide indelible, life-long memories. Enjoy a ride on a sleigh drawn by reindeer. Drive a snowmobile on prepared tracks through the snow. Experience the thrill of a husky-drawn sledge ‘safari’. And, of course, the highlight of the Pajala day – journey on a ‘secret path’ to the isolated house that is home to Arctic Circle Santa Claus himself!
Sweden
Stockholm
194
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Escorted day break from £559 Adult (Ages 2-15) £489 Child
Finland
he friendly Lapps go out of their T way to preserve the authentic, magical nature of their beautiful corner of the world on this exclusive tour.
Santa’s Grotto
Husky Dogsled
A Perfect Family Memory – A Private Meeting with a Very Special Person our day begins with your exclusively chartered direct flight north Y to Newmarket’s dedicated Lapland airport in Pajala, 50 miles beyond the Arctic Circle and gateway to the heart of Swedish Lapland. Your flight will be the only ‘Santa’ flight to Pajala on this day, and on arrival you’ll be met by your Lappish hosts dressed in traditional Sami costume and will board a coach to make the very short journey to Pajala’s purpose-built ‘Santa’s Home’, tucked away in the forest and a place of magic and wonder for everyone. rapped up against the Arctic chill in the thermal garments that W are supplied on arrival, in no time at all you’ll be heading out into the snow to start your adventures. ll the activities take place at points a short distance from the A central log cabin that house the restaurant, each separated from the others to ensure that each new thrill comes as a surprise to children and adults alike. As your day unfolds you’ll participate in each of the different, fun-filled activities; will have the chance to enjoy warming drinks at each activity ‘station’, and no doubt between activities; will have ‘fun in the snow’, with toboggan rides, snowball fights and the chance to build a snowman. he highlight of the day will come as you venture through the T forest on a ‘secret’ path lit with twinkling lights to the hut where Santa himself is waiting to greet each child personally. It’s the most magical moment of all, as wide-eyed children’s dreams come true, and a smile – or a tear – is guaranteed on every adult’s face.
Your once in a lifetime experiences here’s little doubt that your Lapland Santa Day Break will be T unforgettable from beginning to end, full of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that children and adults alike will treasure forever! Our Lappish hosts will go out of their way to ensure that each wonderful activity you take part in during the day will be equally enjoyable for every member of your family and party, with plenty of unexpected surprises to go with your Arctic adventures. With numbers strictly limited there’ll be time to experience all that the Pajala centre has to offer during your exclusive visit. There will also be plenty of time, though, to catch your breath and to enjoy a warming drink or two between each thrilling experience, and of course opportunities to take photographs of your stay and to visit the souvenir store to ensure that you have plenty of mementoes to treasure from your day.
A Magical Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Reindeer sleigh ride Taken by Liam Bennett
I f anything sums up the magic and wonder of your Lapland Day Break, then it’s the journey on a traditional sleigh pulled by some of Santa’s reindeer – though possibly not Rudolf and his friends, since flying sleighs aren’t approved by Lapland Elf and Safety! Sit back beneath a warm blanket and enjoy the moment as you “jingle all the way” through the forest – another highlight of a wonderful day!
Husky Experience
Husky Dog Experience
ery much the ‘work-horses’ of the Sami V people before the ‘skidoo’ came along, the teams of hardy, sure-footed huskies were vital for man’s survival in the inhospitable Arctic for centuries. Learn all about this wonderful breed and the ‘art’ of mushing, and enjoy an exhilarating ride over the frozen ground in a traditional sleigh drawn by the willing dogs.
Fun in the Snow!
Taken by Monica Wells, Photographer for Newmarket Holidays
ake time to enjoy the family-fun of being T in the snow for a day, perhaps helping to build a snowman, throwing a few well-aimed snowballs or enjoying a toboggan ride. Everyone’s a child for the memory-filled day at Pajala.
A Thrilling Snowmobile Ride
Taken by Dean Stilwell, Product Manager at Newmarket Holidays
njoy the thrill of being at the helm of a highE powered snowmobile – on a specially prepared ‘circuit’ marked out in the snow close to the Activity Centre. Holders of full driving licences can take the controls, while for children under 15 there will be the chance to be pulled along in a sleigh. The snowmobile has revolutionised transportation in Lapland, and is a thrilling experience to boot!
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
195
Traditional European Christmas Markets
Discover the festive spirit here are few better ways to get in to the festive spirit than by visiting a T traditional Christmas market in one of Europe’s finest cities. Picture yourself browsing stalls offering artisan goods, perhaps to the backdrop of a medieval castle, with the warming scent of gingerbread and mulled wine in the air – then make it a reality with Newmarket Holidays!
4-day escorted holiday from £325
Edinburgh Christmas Market Enjoy a festive break in one of Britain’s most beguiling cities, transformed into a winter wonderland by twinkling lights and colouful christmas markets.
Join us in the ‘Athens of the North’, where,
beneath the great castle, the city sparkles with Christmas cheer, its markets full of seasonal gifts and delicious treats. From your central hotel, you’ll have ample opportunities to soak up the festive atmosphere and the chance to visit Loch Lomond. Edinburgh Christmas Market
Available 30 Nov, 7 & 14 Dec 2021
Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £325 • Birmingham £335 • Bristol £335 • Gatwick £329 • Heathrow £375 • Luton £325 • Stansted £329
Personalise your holiday • Loch Lomond & a Taste of Scotland Day Three – £39
Tour
Highlights & Inclusions
• Enjoy three nights in the Scottish capital • Take in glorious Edinburgh, ‘Athens of the North’, on a guided tour • Free time to explore the city and its Christmas markets at your leisure • Optional tour of stunning Loch Lomond • Three nights’ bed and breakfast accomodation at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre, Edinburgh • Return flights to Edinburgh • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Room for sole use Supplement from £156 Edinburgh Christmas Market
5-day escorted holiday from £675
Italian Dolomites Christmas Markets Discover this unique corner of alpine Europe, where Austrian and Italian traditions combine, with visits to several delightful Christmas markets. vailable 29 Nov, 6 & 13 Dec 2021 A Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £685 • Edinburgh £695 • Gatwick £675 • Heathrow £725 • Luton £675 • Manchester £695 • Stansted £695
Personalise your holiday • Innsbruck Day Five – £49 Room for sole use Supplement from £96
4-day escorted holiday from £459
Berlin Christmas Markets The festive charms, stunning sights and vibrant nightlife of the great German capital, discovered and explored. Available 29 Nov, 3, 10 & 17 Dec 2021 ly direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £529 • East Midlands £545 • Edinburgh £545 F • Gatwick £459 • Luton £469 • Manchester £529 • Stansted £489
Personalise your holiday • Sachsenhausen Day Three – £49 Room for sole use Supplement from £126
196
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
4-day escorted holiday from £429
Swiss Christmas Markets In the shadow of snow-capped peaks, on the shores of Lake Geneva, celebrate the season in style. vailable 26, 29 Nov, 2, 5 & 8 Dec 2021 A Fly direct from these airports. Prices from Bristol £449 • Edinburgh £485 • Gatwick £429 • Luton £439 • Manchester £459
Personalise your holiday • Bern (full day) Day Three – £45 Room for sole use Supplement from £84
4-day escorted holiday from £439
Prague Christmas Markets The fairy-tale capital of the Czech Republic – home to ‘Good King’ Wenceslas – is an irresistable Bohemian masterpiece.
vailable 26, 29 Nov, 2, 5 & 8 Dec 2021 A Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £575 • Bristol £449
• East Midlands £575 • Gatwick £439 • Glasgow £599 • Leeds/Bradford £599 • Luton £449 • Manchester £485 • Newcastle £555
Personalise your holiday • River Cruise Day Two – £34 • Dresden Market Day Three – £44 Room for sole use Supplement from £141
4-day escorted holiday from £395
Kraków Christmas Markets Poland’s ancient Royal City is a perfect choice for a traditional festive break with a difference – a magical delight.
Available 29 Nov, 3, 10 & 17 Dec 2021 ly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £495 • Bournemouth £485 F • Bristol £485 • Edinburgh £499 • Gatwick £425 • Glasgow £485 • Leeds/Bradford £495 • Luton £395 • Manchester £485 • Newcastle £495 • Stansted £395
Personalise your holiday • Wieliczka Day Two – £42 • Auschwitz-Birkenau Day Three – £55 Room for sole use Supplement from £108
4-day escorted holiday from £499
Vienna Christmas Markets The elegant Austrian capital provides a wonderful backdrop, and some truly memorable coffee and cake! vailable 26, 30 Nov, 3 & 7 Dec 2021 A Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £519 • Bristol £559
• Edinburgh £559 • Gatwick £499 • Heathrow £519 • Luton £499 • Manchester £539 • Stansted £519
Personalise your holiday • Bratislava Day Three – £49 Room for sole use Supplement from £126
4-day escorted holiday from £585
Zagreb & Ljubljana Christmas Markets Dicover two of Europe’s most welcoming, vibrant capitals, where colourful festive markets brim with advent magic and wonder. vailable 3, 7 & 10 Dec 2021 A Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £585 • Heathrow £599 Room for sole use Supplement from £180
4-day escorted holiday from £389
Riga Christmas Markets One of Europe’s most picturesque markets, and traditional celebrations in Latvia’s charming capital – where Christmas trees were first decorated. vailable 2, 5, 9 & 16 Dec 2021 A Fly direct from these airports. Prices from • Gatwick £435 • Leeds/Bradford £439 • Luton £419 • Manchester £425 • Stansted £389
Personalise your holiday • Gauja National Park Day Three – £45 • Folklore Evening Day Three – £59 Room for sole use Supplement from £100 Call us on: 0330 160 7800
197
Celebrate Christmas & New Year, your way! Join us for a celebration to remember
his year why not choose a wonderful, winter-warming destination, leaving all T the arrangements – and the washing-up – to us. Our Christmas and New Year holidays offer all you could wish for, including accommodation in welcoming hotels, special festive meals and entertainment, and the chance to join some fun and interest-packed included and optional excursions.
6-day escorted holiday from £869
Extend your stay from the Christmas departure to the end of the New Year break to make the most of the festive season. You’ll enjoy even more time to relax and explore your chosen destination. Check our website for full details.
Festive warmth and the elegant charms of Italy’s most picture-perfect lake, dressed in its wintertime cloak. surroundings of a welcoming hotel set on the shore of delightful Lake Como, across the water from beautiful Bellagio. Enjoy half-board accommodation, a splendid sixcourse Christmas Day lunch, and discover one of Europe’s most scenic corners on some wonderful excursions. Available 22 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £899 • Edinburgh £919
• Gatwick £869 • Luton £869 • Manchester £889 • Stansted £879 Room
for sole use Supplement from £175
Tremezzo
Tour
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY STAY FOR NEW YEAR
Highlights & Inclusions
• Spend time on the shores of Italy’s most romantic lake • Discover idyllic Bellagio • Como Town Christmas Market and Magic Light Festival • A Lake Como cruise on Christmas Day • Five nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast accomodation at the three star Lario or three-star Hotel Bazzoni • A six-course Christmas Day turkey lunch • Return flights to Milan • Coach travel and transfers throughout • One piece of hold luggage per person • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Christmas in Andalucia
Christmas in Budapest
Festive warmth and welcome in the ‘real’ Spain, and visits to two of Europe’s most alluring cities.
Join us for a wonderful Christmas in the heart of Hungary’s beautiful capital, full of festive cheer.
6-days from £899
5-days from £859
Available 23 Dec 2021
Available 23 Dec 2021
Christmas in Cyprus
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY STAY FOR NEW YEAR
Christmas in Jersey
Spend the festive season enjoying the friendly welcome and some of the unique traditions of Aphrodite’s sun-kissed isle.
Celebrate the festive season in charming Jersey – Britain’s southernmost outpost.
8-days from £819
5-days from £799
Available 22 Dec 2021
Available 23 Dec 2021
Christmas in Malta
198
You can combine a Christmas Break and a New Year getaway on holidays where you see ‘EXTEND YOUR STAY’.
Christmas on Lake Como
Celebrate the season in the comfortable
Bellagio
EXTEND YOUR STAY COMBINE TWO HOLIDAYS
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY STAY FOR NEW YEAR
Christmas in Moscow
Enjoy the festive season on the friendly Mediterranean island with the warmest of welcomes for British visitors.
Wrapped up against winter’s crisp chill, experience the Russian capital’s festive colour and sparkling illuminations.
8-days from £999
5-days from £949
Available 22 Dec 2021
Available 23 Dec 2021
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
5-day escorted holiday from £779
Christmas in the Scottish Highlands Spend the festivities in a warm and welcoming hotel in the heart of the Highlands, enjoying rest, relaxation, fun and exploration.
Celebrate Christmas in one of Britain’s most
Glenfinnan Monument, Loch Setil
scenic corners. As well as enjoying a full programme of festive meals and entertainment at your welcoming highland hotel, take the 42mile journey along the dramatic WestHighland line from Fort William t Mallaig – crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct – and perhaps take an optional Boxing Day Mystery excursion to a nearby place of interest. Available 23 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from • Belfast £829 • Birmingham £829 • East Midlands £829 • Gatwick £779 • Heathrow £815 • Luton £779 • Manchester £815 • Southampton £849 • Stansted £779
Tour only without flights from £660
Tour
Highlights & Inclusions
• Take the famous West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig on Christmas Eve • Enjoy a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings at your hotel • Rest and relax in comfort or join an optional Boxing Day Mystery Tour • Seasonal entertainment at your hotel • Four nights’ dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation at the Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge • Return flights to Scotland • Coach travel and transfers throughout • One piece of hold luggage per person • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Ben Nevis & Fort William
Future of the Fjords – All Images © Flåm AS
6-day escorted holiday from £899
Christmas in the Norwegian Fjords
Christmas in Prague
Stay in Norway’s winter-wonderland, cruise the still waters, and journey on a famous mountain railway.
Spend an unforgettable Christmas in the fairy-tale city of Prague, home to some of Europe’s best Christmas markets.
6-days from £1,299
5-days from £759
Available 22 Dec 2021
Available 23 Dec 2021
Christmastime in the Austrian Tyrol
Christmas in Kraków
All the traditions, charms and festive delights of an alpine paradise are yours to savour and enjoy.
The medieval city of Kraków – Poland’s ancient capital – provides the perfect setting for a very special Christmas break.
6-days from £975
5-days from £719
Available 22 Dec 2021
Available 23 Dec 2021
Christmas on Lake Bled A picture-perfect setting and the festive delights of one of Europe’s most idyllic locations.
Spend a memorable Christmas in the
delightful surroundings of Slovenia’s lakes and mountains. In addition to the warmest of welcomes at a comfortable hotel, you’ll enjoy a unique festive light show on the beautiful lake, and the chance to soak up the atmosphere of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s exquisite riverside capital. Lake Bled
Available 22 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £939 • Gatwick £899
• Manchester £939 • Stansted £939 oom for R from £260
sole use Supplement
Tour
Highlights & Inclusions
• Soak up the festive atmosphere • Visit Ljubljana, and browse the Christmas market • View the Legend of the Sunken Bell light show • Five nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Kompas, Bled • Christmas day lunch at the hotel • Traditional cake and tea on Christmas Eve after Midnight Mass • A full day excursion to Ljubljana • Return flights to Ljubljana or Venice • Coach travel and transfers throughout
Pletna on Lake Bled
• Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager Call us on: 0330 160 7800
199
Christmas in the Italian Dolomites
6-day escorted holiday from £959
Festive warmth and the elegant charms of Italy’s most picture-postcard-perfect lake, dressed in its wintertime cloak.
Spend a magical Christmas in the heart of the Alto-Adige, Italy’s scenic, German-speaking part of the South Tyrol. Stay in a delightful hotel surrounded by the majestic Brenta Dolomite mountain range. Enjoy a Gala Christmas Eve dinner, explore the stunning Alpine scenery around you, and perhaps visit the fascinating city of Innsbruck on an optional excursion.
Trento
Available 22 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from Gatwick £1,069 • Heathrow £1,179
• Luton £959 • Manchester £989 • Stansted £1,069
Room
for sole use Supplement from £120
The Dolomites
Tour
Highlights & Inclusions
• Spend a wonderful Christmas in the Italian Dolomites • Included excursion to Trento and Riva del Garda • Christmas Eve visit to Merano and Bolzano, followed by a special dinner at the hotel • Christmas Day tour of the Dolomites, with Christmas lunch and afternoon tea • An opportunity to visit Austrian Innsbruck • Five nights’ half-board accommodation at the four-star Hotel Ancora, Molina di Fiemme • One piece of hold luggage per person • Return flights to Italy • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Christmas in Vienna
Christmas on Lake Garda
Austria’s elegant capital is a wonderful place for seasonal celebrations and some truly unforgettable coffee and cake!
Celebrate the festive season in style on the shores of Italy’s most elegant lake.
5-days from £939
Available 22 Dec 2021
6-days from £949
Available 23 Dec 2021
Fairy-tale Christmas in Bavaria
Christmas in Spain
Magical castles, snow-capped montains and all the festive warmth of a traditional Bavarian welcome.
Enjoy the festivities of colourful Barcelona and the winter-warming charms of the Costa Maresme.
6-days from £1,019
5-days from £745
Available 22 Dec 2021
Available 23 Dec 2021
8-day escorted holiday from £999
All Inclusive – Christmas in Northern Cyprus
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY STAY FOR NEW YEAR
Head to beautiful Northern Cyprus to enjoy a warm festive welcome and to celebrate the season in traditional style.
Based close to fascinating Famagusta, where
Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque, Famagusta
a very merry, very relaxing Christmas is all-but guaranteed, this wonderful week-long holiday features a mix of included highlights and optional tours, in addition to sparkling celebrations. Available 22 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £999 • Edinburgh £1,125
• Gatwick £1,029 • Heathrow £1,165 • Luton £1,075 • Manchester £1,159 • Stansted £1,189 Room
for sole use Supplement from £231
Karpaz
200
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Tour
Highlights & Inclusions
• Explore Famagusta, Ancient Salamis and its Roman ruins • An optional excursion to Hilarion’s fairytale fortress and idyllic Bellapais • The chance to soak up Kyrenia’s seasonal cheer on an optional tour • Explore historic Kantara Castle and Nicosia • A festive Christmas Day dinner • Seven nights’ all-inclusive accommodation at the Salamis Bay Conti Resort • Return flights to Larnaca or Paphos • Coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
New Year in Cyprus
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY COME FOR CHRISTMAS
New Year on Lake Como
Head to Northern Cyprus to ring in the new year in style and enjoy some traditional celebrations. 8-day escorted holiday from £835
See in the new year from Lake Como’s elegant shores, with festivities and a spectacular firework display. 7-day escorted holiday from £1,039
Paphos
Lake Como
Celebrate the arrival of 2022 on Aphrodite’s sun-kissed isle, where you can expect the warmest of welcomes and a memorable stay. Based in a choice of hotels in – or close to – the historic resort town of Paphos, this is the chance to enjoy a little winter sunshine, some fascinating included and optional tours, and a memorable New Year’s Eve with new-found friends in your chosen hotel. Available 29 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from Bristol £889 • Edinburgh £979 • Gatwick £899 • Luton £869 • Manchester £945 • Stansted £835 Room
for sole use Supplement from £140
All Inclusive – New Year in Northern Cyprus
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY COME FOR CHRISTMAS
Join us, and welcome 2022 on Lake Como’s elegant shores, as you
enjoy a special feast and watch a spectacular firework display over the lake. Spend six nights in a comfortable hotel, visit beautiful Bellagio and Como Town’s brilliant Light Festival, celebrate New Year’s Eve and enjoy some marvellous optional excursions. Available 27 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £1,075 • Edinburgh £1,089 • Gatwick £1,039 • Luton £1,039 • Manchester £1,059 • Stansted £1,049 Room
8-day escorted holiday from £999
Kantara Castle
See in 2022 in historic Famagusta and its surroundings,
celebrating in style at your welcoming hotel. Based close to fascinating Famagusta, where seasonal cheer is guaranteed, this wonderful week-long holiday features a wonderful mix of included highlights and optional tours, in addition to sparkling celebrations. Available 29 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from • Bristol £999 • Edinburgh £1,089 • Gatwick £999
• Heathrow £999 • Luton £999 • Manchester £1,089 • Stansted £1,119
for sole use Supplement from £231
for sole use Supplement from £210
New Year in Malta
See in 2022 in historic Famagusta and its surroundings, celebrating in style at your welcoming hotel.
Room
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY COME FOR CHRISTMAS
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY COME FOR CHRISTMAS
Ring in 2022 in the surroundings of the fascinating, historic island at the heart of the blue Mediterranean. 8-day escorted holiday from £1,139
Valletta
Celebrate in style, as you fly south to historic Malta to enjoy the
charms of a place famed for its warm welcome for British Visitors. Full of fascination and interest, the island puts on an especially glittering cloak at this special time of year. Available 29 Dec 2021 Fly
direct from these airports. Prices from • Birmingham £1,199 • Gatwick £1,139 • Heathrow £1,199 • Manchester £1,199 Room
for sole use Supplement from £154
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
201
Your Holiday Essentials If you’ve booked a holiday with us, or you are trying to decide where in the world to visit next, we’ve put together some essential information to help you before you travel, tips to help your journey run smoothly and some notes, so you know what to expect from your holiday.
Our experienced team of experts have put together all the practical information you need to make your holiday as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
Essential Information for customers travelling within Europe
Before you go
which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note both EHIC and GHIC are only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Passports & Visas
You will need a full 10-Year British Passport with at least six months validity outstanding and have been issued less than 9 years and 6-months ago on the day of departing for your holiday. This applies to all European holidays including air or sea travel. This is for all travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and will come into effect from 12 May 2021. This excludes Ireland where current conditions apply and your passport is valid for its full term. Children require their own passport. The Passport Office may be contacted on 0300 222 0000. British Citizens do not require visas to enter Europe (except the countries listed below). Citizens of other countries should contact the embassy of the country they are travelling to for clarification. Newmarket cannot accept responsibility for entry or travel being refused due to the failure on the part of any customer to produce correct documentation. We also encourage you to ensure you have adequate medical cover within your insurance policy, as your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will not be valid after December 31, 2020. For the latest information, please visit www.gov.uk/visiteurope-1-january-2021
Russia A visa is required for entry into Russia and you must appear in person at the Russian Embassy in either Edinburgh, Manchester or London as part of the process. The cost is approximately £110 if obtained directly and more information can be found online at: ru.vfsglobal.co.uk
Turkey British Citizens require a visa for entry into Turkey. You must obtain an e-Visa online prior to travel. The cost is $20 – please visit www.evisa.gov.tr to apply for an e-Visa (this can be done up to 3 months in advance). Please note you can no longer obtain a visa upon arrival - you must apply for an e-Visa
202
Money matters Credit cards and debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere, but don’t forget to inform your bank if you intend to use ‘cash-point’ machines while away. Take some cash for use on arrival – we normally find the best rates are available at the Post Office, supermarkets and online. We also recommend a Pre-paid Money Travel Card - a cheap and safe way to spend money abroad.
before you travel. For further details please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ turkey/entry-requirements
Health & holiday insurance Following the United Kingdom’s full departure from the European Union on December 31, 2020 we encourage you to ensure you have adequate medical cover within your insurance policy, as your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will not be valid after December 31, 2020. For the latest information, please visit www.gov. uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021 If you have any concerns, or if you have suffered from a serious medical condition recently, it is suggested that you consult your GP about your fitness to travel about 12 weeks prior to your holiday departure date. We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. The current European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) remains valid although when this expires you will need to apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC)
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Your journey Your flight & airline UK & Irish Holidays Your airline requires valid photo identification which must be either a valid passport or a valid European Economic Area (EEA) driving licence with photo presented by an EEA national.Children under 16 require their own passport unless they are included on the passport of the parent with whom they are travelling.
Flights with Ryanair Please note that some of the holidays offered in this brochure use the services of Ryanair, who only accept a valid UK passport as ID for use when checking in. They will not accept a driving licence as ID on any of their flights, including to/from the UK and Ireland. For more information please visit www.ryanair.com Newmarket cannot be held responsible if you fail to meet the airline’s ID requirements. You will be notified of your airline at the time of booking.
Flight & Rail Seats We always endeavour to book seats located together on flights and rail journeys but this cannot be guaranteed.
Essential Information for customers travelling within Europe continued
Luggage You are permitted to check into the aircraft hold one suitcase per person. Weight and dimension limits will apply, and vary between airlines. We will send you up to date information about your hold and hand baggage allowance just prior to your departure. Keep your passport, important documents and medication in your hand luggage.
Your holida y Service with a smile
Our friendly, experienced tour managers are on hand to ensure you make the very most of your time away. They will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport and show you to your transport. They will usually accompany you to your hotel. All our tour managers have a passion for the country you are visiting and will have good knowledge of the local language and be able to assist with any questions you may have.
too that some facilities advertised at the hotels may not be available at certain times. Outdoor swimming pools are subject to weather conditions and it will be the decision of each individual hotelier as to when these facilities are available.
Meals Unless otherwise stated, breakfast is provided on all our European escorted tours. Usually this is a continental buffetstyle breakfast to get you ready to start a busy day of touring and exploration. On tours where other meals are not included, you can always rely on your tour manager to point you in the direction of a suitable restaurant. If you are on an included or optional excursion over lunch time, we will always try to make an appropriate stop.
Tipping A gratuity is an accepted form of appreciation and works differently from country to country. At the end of the day, do use your own discretion to tip for good service and do rely on the tour manager for advice. It’s also customary to tip your tour manager if service is good!
Smoking As is the case at home, smoking in public spaces is pretty much outlawed across Europe. Regular stops will be made for your comfort en route. The vast majority of hotels now have no or very few smoking rooms. In general, smoking outside is acceptable.
Tuscany
Hotels We’re proud of the hotels used throughout our tours, all of which are carefully selected. You will find a description on each holiday page. All our hotels will either have their own restaurant or be near to a choice of places to eat out. If you need any advice on where to eat out for the best value, or most authentic experience, the tour manager will be able to point you in the right direction. If you are travelling on one of our resort-based holidays, our hotels are handpicked to offer you a choice of budget and taste – whether you prefer to be in the heart of the action or enjoy some ‘R & R’ in a quieter part of town. On occasions, for operational reasons we have to use alternative properties, which will always be of at least the same standard and in similar locations. Please let us know of any special requests, such as adjoining rooms, high or low floor, at the time of booking; we’ll do our best to oblige but no guarantee can be made. Note
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
203
Essential Information for customers travelling to the USA & Canada
Manhattan
Before you go Passports & Visas
An electronic passport with embedded chip, valid until your return to the UK, is required by all British citizens. If you are unsure please check with our Customer Services Department on 0330 160 7766. The Passport Office may be contacted on 0300 222 0000. British CITIZENS do not generally require a visa to enter the USA or Canada. Some conditions, such as having a criminal record, or if you have ever been arrested, or if you are a dual national of or have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011 should be checked with the relevant embassy well in advance of travel as a visa may be required. British SUBJECTS and citizens of other countries should contact the US or Canadian embassy for clarification. BRITISH SUBJECTS WILL REQUIRE A VISA. Newmarket cannot accept responsibility for entry or travel being refused due to the failure on the part of the passenger to produce correct documentation.
Entry into the USA & Canada When travelling to both the USA & Canada action is required prior to travel! For travel to the USA, British Citizens (and those from countries eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program) MUST, as soon as you can, and at least 72 hours prior to travel, go to the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) website at www.cbp.dhs.gov/ esta. This service costs $14 per person payable online, and is valid for any number of visits to the USA within two years of its issue as long as the passport remains valid. Enter some basic information about your visit. This electronic information is then transmitted automatically to the authorities and is used as part of the entry procedure once you arrive in the USA. Canada follow a similar process, the eTA (Electronic Travel Authority) and you should apply at www.canada.ca/eta This service costs $7 per person, and is valid for any number of visits to Canada within five years of issue as long as the passport remains valid. On arrival your photograph will be taken and your fingerprints scanned. Please Note: If you are travelling on a tour which includes both Canada and the USA different rules apply.
204
If your tour flies first to the USA you should apply for the US ESTA only – and not the Canadian eTA. If your tour flies into Canada you should apply for the Canadian eTA - and not the US ESTA. When entering the USA by land, formalities will take place at the border where a fee of $6 (USD) is also payable (cash only). Passengers travelling on cruises which involve a combination of USA and Canadian ports may be required to apply for both the US ESTA and Canadian eTA. This will be advised prior to travel.
Your journey
Health & holiday insurance If you have any concerns, or if you have suffered from a serious medical condition recently, it is suggested that you consult your GP about your fitness to travel about 12 weeks prior to your holiday departure date. We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. No inoculations are required. Health care is very good, but expensive, in North America so please make sure you have very good, comprehensive insurance cover as detailed at the back of this brochure.
Money matters Credit cards and debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere, but don’t forget to inform your bank if you intend to use ‘cashpoint’ machines while away. Take some cash for use on arrival – we normally find the best rates are available at the Post Office, supermarkets and online. In the US be careful – all American notes are very similar at first glance! We also recommend a Pre-paid Money Travel Card - a cheap and safe way to spend money abroad.
Flexible arrangements On some tours we’re able to offer upgrades and flexible flight arrangements should you wish to stay on for a few days relaxation after your tour or maybe visit friends and family. Let us know what your plans are and we’d be happy to quote. Alternatively some holidays can be arranged without flights provided you join and leave the tour at a pre-agreed point, usually the first and last hotels, and within the time restraints of the main group. We’re unable to tailor make other land arrangements before and after the tour for you. Our tour arrangements are made well in advance and in rare circumstances,
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
contractual reasons or simple demand means we may have to make changes or even cancel specific departure dates. We cannot be responsible for costs for any additional items like flights or hotels you may have booked yourself in conjunction with the tour.
Your flight & airline
The holiday includes flights as detailed in economy class. All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land back into the UK the next day. As a very general guide, flights to the East Coast take around eight hours and to the West between nine and 11 hours. Meals will be served with, usually, lunch and a snack on outward flights and dinner and breakfast on the return. Some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks. Your seats on the flight will usually be allocated by the airline who will make every effort to ensure you are seated with your travelling companions. Some airlines now charge for allocated seating in economy class and, as you’re travelling on a group booking, this cannot be actioned more than three weeks prior to travel. Where available, details explaining how to book your seating directly with the airline will be sent with your final paperwork. All airlines are now required by laws introduced in the US and other countries to give border-control agencies access to passenger data. Accordingly, any information we hold about you and your travel arrangements may be disclosed to the customs and immigration authorities of any country in your itinerary. From time to time an advertised airline may be changed due to reasons beyond our control. Airbus, Boeing and Embraer aircraft types are used for the vast majority of tours.
Essential Information for customers travelling to the USA & Canada continued Luggage You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft which should not exceed 23kgs per piece on flights to the USA and Canada. For your own comfort, hand luggage should fit in the overhead locker on the aircraft. Keep your passport, important documents and medication in your hand luggage. We will send you up-to-date information about your luggage allowance and what you can and can’t carry in it just prior to departure.
Avoiding jet lag Importantly, drink plenty of water prior to and during your flight – if necessary buy it after airport security and take it with you. We’d also recommend a good night’s sleep prior to your flight! On board, avoid too much alcohol and caffeine and do try to rest. We recommend taking an easy walk or a swim on arrival and avoiding sleep prior to night time in the country you’ve arrived in. The next morning, do your best to rise at a time appropriate to the locality. On the return, with a morning arrival, we recommend a short sleep but do then get up and try to remain awake until your normal bed time. By the following morning it’s likely you will be back in your own time zone!
Your holida y Service with a smile
The majority of our friendly tour managers are local to the USA and Canada and will ensure you make the very most of your time away. They will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport and show you to your transport. All our tour managers have a genuine interest in the country they are showing you and will be able to assist you with any questions you have.
Hotels We’re proud of the hotels used throughout our tours which are carefully selected, and usually meet a standard typical of a good three-star level in Europe. Rooms are generally larger than in Europe and each has, at least, private bathroom, a telephone and TV, while the vast majority also have tea/ coffee-making facilities. There will always be a bar or restaurant on site or nearby. Rooms have two double beds or one king-size bed and, should you wish for three or four people to occupy a room, this will usually be within
the existing two beds – rooms with three separate beds cannot be provided in North America! It is usual for rooms to be vacated by 12 noon. Where your departure is later, it may be possible to keep the room longer but this has to be at the hotel’s discretion. Let us know of any special requests, such as adjoining rooms, high or low floor, at the time of booking; we’ll do our best to oblige, although no guarantee can be made. Also note that some facilities advertised at the hotels may not be available at certain times. Outdoor swimming pools are subject to weather conditions and it will be the decision of each individual hotelier as to when these facilities are available. On some occasions, for operational reasons we have to use alternative properties, where possible of the very same standard and in similar, convenient locations.
Meals The tours in this brochure do not generally include meals, as is the usual practice on North American escorted tours. Many people use hotel restaurants for breakfast, while others may use nearby diners. The same goes for dinner, especially when in cities where the choices can be endless. In more rural areas, hotels always have their own restaurant and will often offer a special or soup and sandwich menu for Newmarket guests, should you simply not feel like a full meal every night. At lunch time we will always try to make an appropriate stop – and your tour manager will always help with choices for you.
Tipping Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person’s earnings – to the extent that an assumed amount of income tax is paid. That aside tips will also ensure excellent service! Customary gratuity to a coach driver or tour manager is about $5 per person per day; in a taxi or a restaurant leave 12-15% of the bill and, in the bar, a dollar or so per drink as long as a service charge has not already been added to the bill.
Smoking As is the case at home, smoking is pretty much outlawed in any public areas or on transport, including all flights. Regular stops will be made for your comfort en route. The vast majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout too, including all bedrooms. Hotels will charge for cleaning a room in which a guest has smoked and this will be charged back for payment. In general, smoking outside is acceptable.
Helicopter flights Sightseeing flights by helicopter are weight controlled and balanced. If your weight exceeds 300lbs you must advise us. As a seat may have to be left empty, some companies may charge a premium.
Whistler’s Inn, Jasper, Canada
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
205
Essential Information for customers travelling Worldwide
Before you go Passports & Visas
Visas are required by British Citizens travelling to the following countries and must be applied for prior to departure. The charges shown below are current costs for British Citizens and can change at any time. Citizens of other countries must also check for up to date requirements and costs may vary. We will send you details of how to apply for your visa about eight weeks prior to travel. If you prefer to use the services of a visa agency, who will help you complete forms and deal directly with the embassies for you, we can recommend CIBT. Note that they will make additional charges for their services dependent on the country and type of visa required. Look online at www.cibtvisas.co.uk/newmarketholidays Newmarket cannot accept responsibility for entry or travel being refused due to the failure on the part of the passenger to produce correct documentation.
Cambodia The current cost is £30. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date to the UK and contain one blank page for the visa. British Citizens travelling in this region do not require a visa for Thailand.
China The current cost is £151. Passports must be valid for six months from the date of application and contain two blank pages for the visa. As part of the China visa process you must appear in person at one of the China visa centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh as part of the process.
Egypt The current cost is US$25 (approx £19). You can obtain your visa on arrival and should make payment in Sterling, US Dollars or Euros. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date to the UK and contain one blank page for the visa.
India The current cost of an e-Visa, valid for 30 days from issue, varies between $10 and $25 (approx £7.50 to £19) dependent on the time of travel. Passports must be valid for 180 days beyond the date of the return flight and contain two blank pages for the visa.
206
Newmarket staff photo taken on Classic South Africa Tour May 2017
Kenya
Zambia
The current cost is US$59 (approx. £47). Passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of the return flight and contain two blank pages for the visa.
The current cost is £35. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry into Zambia and contain two blank pages for the visa.
Laos The current cost is US$35 and you can obtain your visa on arrival and should make payment in US Dollars or Thai Baht. You will also need to bring one passport photo.Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date to the UK.
Malaysia A visa is not required but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to Malaysia and have one blank visa page.
Namibia A visa is not required but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to Namibia and have one blank visa page.
Nepal The current cost is £20. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to Nepal and contain one blank page for the visa.
South Africa & Swaziland A visa is not required but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to South Africa and have three blank pages. Special entry rules apply for children under 18 years which are shown at www.southafricahouseuk.com
Sri Lanka The current cost is US$35. British Citizens use an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country which should be applied for online before travel, visit www.eta.gov.lk. Your ETA is valid for 30 days from your date of entry and your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the date of the return flight with one blank page for the visa.
Vietnam Single entry visits to Vietnam may require a visa; this requirement was previously waived and, at the time of writing, no further definite information was available. If you are entering Vietnam more than once during your tour a visa is required. The current cost of a visa is £104 and your passport must be valid for one month beyond the visa expiry date.
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Please note: If you are applying for any of the above visas an additional charge will apply if you use the services of a courier agency.
Health & holiday insurance Your doctor will advise you on appropriate precautions and any recommended vaccinations. It is suggested that you consult your GP about 12 weeks prior to travel. Sensible prevention measures, such as highfactor sun protection, insect-repellent sprays and drinking bottled mineral water are also advised. We recommend leaving contact lenses at home and using glasses due to increased dust in the air in some areas, and on flights.
Money Matters All required currency can be readily purchased at UK banks and airports, with the exception of the Chinese Yuan, Indian Rupee and Cambodian Riel which should be purchased upon arrival at your destination. Hotels and airports all generally have exchange facilities. Some people ask how much currency they’ll need. That depends on you! How much do you eat and where do you want to eat; how many souvenirs or presents do you wish to bring back? Our suggestion is to change a little at a time. You can use cash machines and banks to withdraw cash now generally anywhere in the world although our experience says this is more likely to work in larger cities! Credit cards too are widely accepted, again in the major cities.
Flexible arrangements On some tours we’re able to offer upgrades and flexible flight arrangements should you wish to stay on for a few days of relaxation after your tour or maybe visit friends and family. Let us know what your plans are and we’d be happy to quote. Alternatively some holidays can be arranged without flights provided you join and leave the tour at a pre-agreed point, usually the first and last hotels, and within the time restraints of the main group. We’re unable to tailor make other land arrangements before and after the tour for you. Our tour arrangements are made well in advance and in rare circumstances, contractual reasons or simple demand means we may have to make changes or even cancel specific departure dates. We cannot be responsible for costs for any additional items like flights or hotels you may have booked yourself in conjunction with the tour.
Essential Information for customers travelling Worldwide continued...
Your journey Your flight & airline
Our flights are with some of the world’s most reputable airlines and all flights include spacious, ergonomic seating in the economy cabin, usually two complimentary meals en route and appropriate to the time of day as well as soft and alcoholic drinks throughout the flight. You’ll find seatback video with a choice of films, TV and music channels to help keep you entertained throughout the flight.
in. The next morning, do your best to rise at a time appropriate to the locality. Avoid sleeping in as it will take your body longer to adjust to the difference in time. On the return, it is generally easier to adjust as you will be naturally tired by the reverse time difference. Try to sleep at normal UK bed time and by the following morning it’s likely you will be back in your own time zone.
Your holida y
Your seats on the flight will usually be allocated by the airline who will make every effort to ensure you are seated with your travelling companions. Some airlines now charge for allocated seating in economy class and, as you’re travelling on a group booking, this cannot be actioned more than three weeks prior to travel. Where available, details explaining how to book your seating directly with the airline will be sent with your final paperwork.
Internal & regional flights Internal and regional flights in India, Africa, South Africa, China and Latin America which, on the tours shown in this brochure, are operated by state regulated private airlines. The on-board service is similar to European short-haul flights and all airlines operate modern, western type aircraft usually built by Airbus, Embraer or Boeing. Airports throughout India and China are usually modern with all of the usual facilities.
Luggage We ask that you do not exceed one suitcase per person (with a maximum weight of 20kgs) as space on the coach when you arrive at your destination will be limited. Keep your passport, important documents and any important medication in your hand luggage and, for your own comfort, do try to minimise the amount you take into the aircraft cabin. We will send you up to date information about your luggage allowance and what you can and can’t carry in it just prior to departure.
Avoiding jet lag Importantly, drink plenty of water prior to and during your flight. If necessary buy it after airport security and take it with you. We’d also recommend a good night’s sleep prior to your flight! On board, avoid too much alcohol and caffeine and do try to rest. We recommend taking an easy walk or a swim on arrival and avoiding sleep prior to night time in the country you’ve arrived
Service with a smile
The majority of our friendly, experienced tour managers are local to the destination and are on hand to ensure you make the very best of your time away. They will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport and show you to your transport. All our tour managers have a genuine interest in the country they are showing you and will be able to assist you with any questions you have.
Enjoying your stay When travelling overseas it’s always wise to take simple and sensible precautions. Never drink water that is not bottled. Even then, make sure the seal is intact. Try to always eat cooked food, served hot and avoid salad or cold food. Eat fruit which has to be peeled first. Take a hand sanitiser to use frequently and before you eat. Take sun block if you’re travelling to a hot destination. Mosquito bites are common, especially after dark and can make a trip miserable. Cover up and use a readily available repellent spray or cream. Also, we recommend you take your favourite brands of medication for general ailments such as headache, stomach upset etc and some sticking plasters just in case. After all, holiday time is precious!
Meals On tours where all meals are not included you can always rely on your tour manager to point you in the direction of a suitable restaurant.
Hotels There is no doubt, especially on holiday that involves travelling and sightseeing, that a good quality hotel is important, which is why we spend so much time carefully selecting the places you’ll stay – even if it’s only for one night! Chosen for a combination of location, welcome, comfort and the opportunity to rest and relax, our city-based hotels and touring and resort‑based hotels are of an excellent standard and offer a range of modern conveniences and usually a choice of regional and international cuisine. Please let us know of any special requests, such as adjoining rooms, high or low floor, at time of booking, and we’ll do our best to oblige, although no guarantee can be made. Note too that some facilities advertised at the hotels may not be available at certain times. Sometimes local conditions or volume of tours means that we may have to use alternative properties, where possible of the very same standard and in similar, convenient locations.
Tipping A gratuity is an accepted form of appreciation and works differently from country to country. At the end of the day do use your own discretion to tip for good service and do rely on the tour manager for advice. It’s also customary to tip your tour manager and drivers if service is good! In China and India we now include some tips to cover the services of railway station, airport, restaurant and hotel bell staff. In South Africa and Costa Rica it is customary to tip around 10% when paying in restaurants and do check as, in some cases, it may have been added to the bill already!
Smoking As is the case at home, smoking is pretty much outlawed in any public areas or on transport, including all flights. Regular stops will be made for your comfort en route. The vast majority of hotels now have no or very few smoking rooms. In general, smoking outside is acceptable. Please note that e-cigarettes cannot be purchased in or taken into India.
Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
207
Travel Insurance Peace of Mind Travel insurance can play an essential part in ensuring you are able to enjoy every moment of your time on holiday, without worrying what might happen should bad luck befall you. Hence, we suggest that everyone travelling abroad with Newmarket has travel insurance. This must be either the Newmarket Travel Insurance policy underwritten by AWP P&C SA and administered in the UK by Allianz Global Assistance, or an alternative travel insurance policy. The Newmarket travel insurance policy is only available to UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man residents and English law will apply.
The Cover – Main Features; Limits/Excesses applicable The policy provides cover for: • Overseas Emergency Medical and Associated Expenses – up to £5 million (less £70 excess) where applicable • Personal Accident – up to £15,000
The Policy Document
• Cancellation or Curtailment Charges – up to the cost of the holiday (less maximum excess of £70)
This will be sent to you with your confirmation of reservation. It is the full terms and conditions of the policy.
• Abandonment of the holiday – up to the cost of the holiday (less £70 excess)
Excess Waiver Insurance If an excess applies, you can avoid this being deducted from a successful claim by taking out optional Excess Waiver Insurance in addition to the policy.
• Personal Possessions – up to £1,000 in total (less £70 excess) including up to £500 for valuables • Delayed Personal Possessions – up to £75
The Premium
• Personal Money – up to £250 (less £70 excess) • Loss of Passport – up to £250 • Missed Departure – up to £800 • Personal Liability – up to £1 million • Legal Expenses – up to £10,000
The Cover – Significant Health Exclusions; Health Declaration The policy does not cover any claim arising from a medical condition for which, at the time of taking out the policy, an insured person: • Is being prescribed regular medication; or • Has received treatment for or had a consultation with a doctor or hospital specialist in the past 12 months; or • Is being referred to, treated by or under the care of a doctor or a hospital specialist; or
The cost of our travel insurance policy is slightly higher for customers aged 70-79, and for those over 80. Please see online or call us for exact prices.
Cancellation Rights
• Is awaiting treatment or the results of any tests or investigations; or • Has been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the last 5 years unless the condition(s) has (have) been declared, and accepted in writing.
If your cover does not meet your requirements, please return the documentation within 14 days of receipt and your premium will be refunded in full unless you have travelled made a claim or intend to make a claim.
Making a complaint
Please call the confidential medical line on 0330 123 3702 if you need to declare a medical condition, if you develop a medical condition after the policy was issued, if your existing medical condition changes after the policy was issued or if you are unsure whether a medical condition needs to be declared or not. This helpline will be able to tell you whether or not cover can be provided for your medical condition(s). You do not have to declare minor ailments e.g. hay fever, colds/flu, ear infections, dental treatment if you have had no further problems since or if you have been advised by your doctor that it is safe to travel. An additional premium may be payable.
The cost of the policy is £10 for adults (2-3 days) £12 (4-9 days) for UK & NORTHERN IRELAND breaks; £26 (5-9 days), £32 (10-15 days), £51 (16-29 days) for EUROPEAN BREAKS; £75 (1-8 days), £98 (9-21 days) for USA, CANADA & WORLDWIDE BREAKS. The cost of Excess Waiver Insurance is £10.00 for each person aged 2 or over at the date of travel. All premiums are inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax at the current rate. You must pay all applicable premiums at the time of booking and cover starts from the moment we receive these monies.
The policy contains a complaints procedure which tells you what steps you can take if you wish to make a complaint.
Government advice is to be adequately covered According to a poll gathered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 24% of travellers are still going abroad without suitable travel insurance, risking thousands of pounds of expenses, 48% of people don’t realise that without travel insurance they’d be liable to pay for their own medical bills abroad.
Stay protected when
you travel!
Newmarket Holidays Limited are Appointed Representatives of Leisureworld (GB) Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register No. 749920) Newmarket Holidays Limited are registered in England & Wales No. 02238316. Registered office: Cantium House, Railway Approach, Wallington, SM6 0BP Leisureworld (GB) Ltd are registered in England & Wales No. 02663024. Registered office: 1422/24 London Road, Leigh On Sea, Essex, SS9 2UL.
Our Privacy Promise We understand that making purchases online or over the telephone involves a great deal of trust on your part. We take this trust very seriously, and make ensuring the security and confidentiality of the Personal Data you provide one of our highest priorities.
We Promise:
1. To collect, use, share and store your Personal Data safely and securely. 2. To make sure that any supplier we share your Personal Data with will be just as careful with it as we are. 3. That we will never share your Personal Data with an un‑named third party for marketing purposes.
To find out more about how we use and protect your Personal Data, log on to www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/privacy
208
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
Important Information Your Newmarket Holiday Your Holiday has been arranged by Newmarket Air Holidays. Part of the Newmarket Group, founded in 1983, the company has carried countless happy customers to many beautiful parts of the world. Of course, as well as our commitment to quality, you are assured of the full financial protection of our ATOL bond lodged with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Brochure Details All information in this brochure was correct at time of going to print and any errors are unintentional. The availability of some services, facilities and attractions may vary due to circumstances out of our control such as poor weather conditions, lack of demand and breakdowns. We cannot predict these things in advance, and do not accept liability if things are not open or available, although we will do our best to provide alternatives.
Booking It is extremely important that you provide clear, correct information when booking, for it is from this information that we make your reservation and our contract with you. The person to whom all correspondence, invoic es and joining instructions are to be sent, should be entered as the first name. It is also their address and telephone number(s) that should be given. Other names are required by airlines, insurance companies, hotel iers etc., so please be accurate. For foreign holidays it is essential that these names match those on the passports. If any member of your party e.g. newly weds, changes their name between booking this holiday and travelling, it is important to provide us with these details so that we can issue the tickets in the new name. If there is not time to amend the passport the marriage certif icate should be carried in the passport. We need to know the number of children under 2, and those between the ages of 2 and 16 who may qualify for a 10% discount if they are sharing a room with 2 adults where a specific child price is not shown. We do not accept bookings from any unaccompanied passengers under the age of 18.
Your Financial Protection The air holiday packages in this brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2325. Please see our Booking Conditions for further information.
Your Itinerary You will receive your final Itinerary and final Travel Documents ten to fourteen days prior to departure, provided all payments have been made. We endeavour to operate the itinerary advertised in this brochure although there are occasions when due to circumstances out of our control, we may have to change the order in which the itinerary is operated, or our day by day activities. On the rare occasion this happens our tour managers will keep you fully informed, and where possible provide suitable alternatives.
Accommodation Should you have special requests such as adjoining rooms, or high or low floors, make your request at the time of booking. The hotel cannot guarantee to meet all requests but will at all times do their best to oblige. Please note that at the beginning and at the end of the summer season, certain facilities advertised
at hotels may not be available. Items such as outdoor swimming pools, for example, are subject to weather conditions and it will be the decision of each individual hotelier as to when these facilities are available.
we will inform you. Final timings will otherwise be reconfirmed with your tickets and Joining Instructions, approximately ten days before departure. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Airport Development Charge
Special Note on Rail Breaks
An Airport Development charge has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay a charge per passenger over 16 years old at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Durham Tees Valley, Knock and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport’s website for further information.
Unless a train journey is specifically described as being steam hauled, all rail journeys are on scheduled services using diesel powered engines. Where a steam hauled rail journey is included, we reserve the right to replace the steam engine with a diesel locomotive in the unlikely event of the former breaking down.
Hotel Room Tax
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please tell us any special information and this will be acknowledged on your Confirmation of Reservation. If you have suffered from a serious medical condition recently, then you should consult with your Doctor about your fitness to travel.
Some regions of Italy, Austria and the Netherlands have introduced a room tax of between €1.00 - €4.00 per person per night, payable directly by the guest to the hotel on check-out. You will be advised by your tour manager in resort if your particular hotel(s) is implementing this charge.
Special Requests There are of course only a limited number of front seats on coaches, low floor rooms in hotels etc. Should you have special requests such as adjoining rooms, or for a high or low floor, make your request at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee to meet all requests but will do our best to oblige.
Delays In the event of your outbound flight being cancelled by the airline, we will try to rebook to you onto an alternative flight departing the same day from the same departure airport. If this is not possible we will endeavour to offer you an alternative flight departing the following day, which you may accept with a proportionate refund, or cancel with a full refund. Occasionally flights and coaches may be delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases we will do our utmost to help you and keep you fully informed. In the event of extended overnight delays, depending upon circumstances, we will endeavour to provide accommodation. In the case of a major delay to your homeward journey, we shall endeavour to delay the departure from your hotel.
Optional Excursions Some optional excursions are subject to a minimum number of participants. In the unlikely event that minimum numbers are not reached and the tour is cancelled, your payment will be returned in full. Cancellation often takes place whilst you are already on your holiday. This is because some people like to wait until they are in resort before booking their excursions and this often increases the numbers. If minimum numbers are still not met, your tour manager will inform you as soon as possible.
Flight Information All prices in this brochure are based on air travel in economy class. We reserve the right to substitute an alternative airline or aircraft type if required to do so for reasons beyond our control.
Important Note about Flight Timings The flight information given is based upon schedules that were known at the time of printing, or upon expected airline schedules. Please note that timings may become subject to change at the airline’s discretion, and should any such alteration be significant,
Fitness to Travel
UK, Irish & European holidays Unless otherwise stated the price of the holiday applies to each of 2 people sharing a room. The majority of rooms are twinbedded. Double beds can be requested but are not guaranteed. Most hotels have single rooms and a supplement is usually charged. The third and fourth bed in triple and four bedded rooms are usually only suitable for children. It is standard practice for rooms to be vacated by 12 noon. Where your departure is later, it may be possible to keep the room longer - your tour manager will give you assistance and advise of any extra charge that would be made. Breakfast is included on most holidays - details are in the brochure. Continental style invariably means rolls/croissants, jam, tea or coffee. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know at the time of booking. Not all hotel rooms especially in overseas hotels have tea/coffeemaking facilities – seasoned travellers take travel kettles with them.
America, Canada & Further Afield holidays The majority of the rooms will have two double beds or one king-size bed. It is standard practice for rooms to be vacated by 12 noon. Where your departure is later, it may be possible to keep the room longer but this is at the hotel’s discretion.
Costing of Holidays The costs of your holiday have been converted into GBP using these exchange rates: EUR 1.04; USD 1.2586; CAD 1.6646; NOK 10.9345; INR 89.6192
Holiday extras not booked with Newmarket We cannot be held responsible for compensation in respect of any extras which are booked (eg travel insurance, currency, theatre tickets) with a third party, if we subsequently cancel your holiday for whatever reason. If you book your travel insurance with us, you would receive a full refund in this circumstance.
Call costs All calls to our 0330 telephone numbers are charged at the standard local rate. Call us on: 0330 160 7800
209
Newmarket Holidays Booking Conditions Please read carefully
We want you to enjoy every minute of your break or longer holiday with us, and we’ll do our very best to try to ensure that it lives up to your expectations of it. We believe that our more than 35 years of tour operating experience, together with the reputation we have for quality and value, should give you the confidence to book with us. To give you further peace of mind, we accept your booking on the basis of our Terms and Conditions, which are designed to clarify the contractual obligations between us. Please spend some time reading them carefully, and please feel free to contact us should anything be unclear.
Your contract with us 1 Your Booking
Your booking, once accepted and confirmed in writing to you, represents a contract between all persons named on the Booking, and/or on the Personal Details booking page, and/or on the Confirmation of Reservation, and Newmarket Holidays Limited (The Company). When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these booking conditions. The contract is based on the information given in the brochure and the terms laid out in the following Booking Conditions. This agreement is governed by English Law and jurisdiction is conferred on 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 claim governed by the law of Scotland/Northern Ireland as applicable (but if you do not so choose, English law will apply). We do not accept bookings from any unaccompanied passengers under the age of 18.
2 Your Payment
Your Confirmation of Reservation includes an invoice showing the deposit paid and the final balance due. The outstanding amount must be paid by the due date. Should we not receive payment by this date we shall cancel your travel arrangements, in which case you could be liable to pay cancellation charges according to the scale set out in section 4 below. N.B. 1: The person making the booking with us does so in accordance with these Terms and Conditions and with the understanding that the information they provide is a requirement of the contract between us. He/she becomes directly responsible to the Company for the payment of the total holiday price and if applicable, and where appropriate, for the cancellation charges and disbursements of any funds. The person making the booking does so on behalf of all persons named on it, and is responsible for ensuring that all the Personal Data provided is accurate and for ensuring that all persons named on the booking are aware of these Terms and Conditions and that they consent to the person making the booking acting on their behalf in relation to this booking.
3 Your Alterations
If you want to change any of the details of your booking, we will always do our best to help. We will however make amendment charges as follows: Change of name - £50 per person plus supplier costs Transfer to another departure date or package prior to balance due date - £75 per person Transfer to another departure date or package after balance due date - Cancellation charges will apply Part cancellations follow the standard Cancellation charges. See Your Cancellations section, below, for details. All amendments must be notified to us in writing, by telephone or by email to info@newmarketholidays.co.uk, by the person who made the original booking. N.B. 2: If an amendment involves a change of name, insurance premiums are not transferable. Where any change is made to a booking involving travel by air, we reserve the right to make additional charges to cover in full any costs charged to us by our suppliers.
4 Your Cancellation
You may cancel your booking or part of it once it has been confirmed but the cancellation will only be valid if made in writing direct to the Company or by telephone to our Customer Service team and having answered the security questions. If the cancellation results in a person travelling alone, a single room supplement is payable. The amount payable on cancellation depends upon when we receive your instructions - the more notice you give, the less we will charge. The different periods before departure date within which instructions are received by the Company and the amounts of cancellation charge (shown as a percentage of the total holiday price excluding insurance premium which is not refundable) are as follows: Charge prior to Balance Due date* Deposit and any amendment fees incurred Balance Due date - 49 days 50% or deposit if greater 48 - 35 days 75% or deposit if greater 34 - 16 days 90% or deposit if greater 15 - 0 days before departure 100% NB 3: If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of an insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. *See Your Payment section.
210
To book please see your Local Travel Agent
5 Your Complaints
In the unlikely event that you have problems whilst on holiday, you MUST report the matter to the hotel or our representative IMMEDIATELY during your holiday. If the matter is not then satisfactorily resolved, you must complete a written report (form available from our representative). You must then follow up any complaint in writing within twenty-eight days of your return, including a copy of the original report form. We operate a strict code of conduct which also conforms to European regulations on package travel and take any complaints received seriously. If you fail to follow the requirement to report your complaint in resort we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify it and this may affect your rights under this contract.
6 Your Travelling Conditions
Where as part of the holiday you have booked your travel by air, land or sea, such travel will be subject to the terms and conditions of carriage of the airline, shipping, rail or coach company providing the transport. In most cases, the conditions will limit the carrier’s liability to you in accordance with international law. Should anyone be refused admission to the coach, ferry or flight, or to the destination country by the transport or government authority, then we are powerless to assist and cannot be held responsible. This includes any passenger who fails to advise us of any medical condition or disability. If you are prevented from travelling as a result, our responsibility for your holiday thereupon ceases. Full cancellation charges will apply and we will be under no obligation whatsoever for any refund, compensation or loss you may incur.
Our contract with you 1 Our Confirmation of Reservation
When we have received your booking and deposit we will send you a Confirmation of Reservation which details exactly what is booked for you. From this moment Newmarket Holidays has accepted your booking on the terms set out in this Contract.
2 The Price of Your Holiday
Once you have booked, we guarantee to not change the price of your holiday with us. System Errors We try hard to ensure that advertised prices are up to date, and reflect the price you will pay when you book. However, prices can change and errors can occasionally occur. We reserve the right to change and correct advertised prices at any time before your booking is confirmed. In the event of your Confirmation of Reservation showing an incorrect price for your holiday, the price that will prevail is the price shown in our offline reservation system. Accordingly you may not seek to rely on system errors with a view to obtaining a holiday at less than the correct price, and any contract entered into upon a mistake, such as wrong pricing due to system errors, is not valid or binding.
3 Data Protection
In order to confirm and process your booking, we need to collect Personal Data for all the people named on the booking. We reserve the right to process, store and share any and all of the information we collect with our suppliers as we deem necessary to fulfil the contract between us and to comply with national and international law. To find out more about how we use and protect your Personal Data, log on to www.newmarketholidays. co.uk/privacy
4 Our Alterations
It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your holiday but we do plan your holiday arrangements many months in advance. Occasionally changes may be made, which we reserve the right to do at any time. Most of these changes are insignificant and we will advise you at the earliest possible date. Examples of insignificant changes include: alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, a change of UK departure airport between Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, London City and Southend; between Birmingham and East Midlands; between Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle; and between Edinburgh and Glasgow; or between the original airport and any other alternative UK airport within a 70-mile radius, changes of carriers, change of accommodation/cabin to another of the same or higher standard, cancellation of an optional excursion. A significant change is one that we make to your holiday arrangements before departure that involves, for example, changing your resort area, or time of departure or return by more than twelve hours, or offering accommodation with a lower official classification than that advertised (except the latter in the case of en route tour hotels). If a significant change becomes necessary we will inform you as soon as is reasonably possible if there is time before your departure. When a significant change occurs you will have the choice of either accepting the change of arrangements, purchasing another available holiday from us (we will refund any price difference if alternative is of lower value), or cancelling your holiday and receiving a full refund of all monies paid (we will also provide a full refund of your travel insurance premiums if you purchased insurance from us). When a significant change occurs, provided it does not arise from circumstances amounting to force majeure (see below), we will pay compensation as detailed below, based on how far ahead of departure the change is advised:
Charge 28 - 15 days £10 14 - 0 days £25 N.B. 4: We will not pay you compensation where the significant change is due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. These can include, for example, war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandemics, unavoidable technical problems with transport.
5 Our Cancellations
We reserve the right in any circumstances (including failure to reach sufficient numbers) to cancel your holiday and in this event we will offer you an alternative available holiday to purchase of comparable standard, or ask that you reclaim the cost of your holiday from your travel insurance, or if you are uninsured, return to you all money you have paid to us. In no case, except for reasons of war, pandemic, or UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice etc, (see NB 4 above) will your holiday be cancelled after the date when your final balance becomes due.
6 Our Complaints Procedure
Newmarket Holidays Ltd is a Member of ABTA with membership number V7812. 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. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. We can normally agree an amicable settlement of the few complaints we receive. However, if we cannot agree, disputes arising out of, or in connection with this Contract may (if the customer so wishes) be referred to ABTA. Go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com. You can also access the European Commission Online Dispute (ODR) Resolution platform at http:// ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/. This ODR platform is a means of notifying us of your complaint; it will not determine how your complaint should be resolved. Redress under this Scheme requires written notice requesting arbitration to be made within nine months of scheduled date of return from the holiday. Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your travel arrangements. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to a) The contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that make up your package. These terms are incorporated into this booking; and b) Any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of and conditions under which compensation can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of the extent of or the conditions under which compensation is to be paid under these or any conventions. Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details will be publicised at EU airports and available from airlines. However reimbursement in such cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in these booking conditions. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline or any other service provider will be deducted. If it is impossible to ensure your return as scheduled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, we will bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible of equivalent category, for a maximum of three nights. The limit doesn’t apply to persons with reduced mobility and any person accompanying them, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, or persons in need of specific medical assistance, provided that you notified us of these needs at least 48 hours before the start of your holiday. N.B. 5: This entire clause does not apply to any separate contracts that you may enter into for excursions or activities whilst on holiday.
Our Responsibility for Your Holiday 1 Overseas Holidays
(a) A lthough we have no direct control over services provided to you by independent suppliers we accept responsibility for the reasonable standard of the holiday which you book. If any part is not provided as promised, we will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your holiday, except where the failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable. (b) We accept responsibility if you or any person named on the booking suffers bodily injury, illness or death due to the negligent acts and/ or omissions of: (i) our employees or agents; or (ii) our suppliers or subcontractors, servants or agents whilst acting within the scope or in the course of their employment to provide any service or arrangement forming part of the holiday that you have booked with us save that we do not accept responsibility for any air or sea carriers whose liabilities are limited by the relevant International Conventions. Any such claims will be subject to and dealt with in accordance with English Law, and will be subject to the jurisdiction of 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 claim governed by the law of Scotland/Northern Ireland as applicable (but if you do not so choose, English law will apply). (c) We shall give you assistance in the event that you suffer illness, personal injury or death during the period of your holiday overseas arising out of an activity which does not form part either of the holiday arrangement with us or an excursion offered through us. This assistance will include advice and guidance and, at our discretion and where appropriate, financial assistance subject to our spending a maximum amount in this regard on behalf of yourself and any other person named on the booking of £5,000 in total. (d) In the event of a claim under this clause against us by you or any person named on the booking we reserve the right to claim in your place against the person or corporation responsible for the act, default or omission giving rise to the claim and you hereby agree to assign to us all your rights under this clause and we will be subrogated to those rights and you hereby agree to assist us fully in the event that we enforce the rights which have been assigned to us or to which we are subrogated. (e) W e take the safety and security of our clients extremely seriously. If the Foreign Office advises that people should not visit a particular country, then we would act on this. However, we are sure you appreciate from press and television coverage that the political, economic and social conditions in many countries are not as stable as we are used to. Sadly crimes against both people and their property are a fact of life the world over, and when in a foreign country it is very important to be extra vigilant and avoid drawing attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewellery, carrying expensive camera equipment etc. Travellers have the same responsibility for their personal safety and that of their possessions, as they do at home. As situations in countries can change rapidly, we would suggest you may wish to visit the Foreign Office Travel Advice website at www.gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice for up to date information and advice regarding safety BEFORE BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY. Newmarket Holidays operate to many parts of the world, some of which do not conform to British health and safety standards. We request that all our hotels comply with the local regulations applicable in their country for health and safety but we cannot guarantee that these meet British standards.
2 UK Holidays
We accept responsibility for ensuring that all component parts of this inclusive holiday are supplied to you as described in this brochure and to a reasonable standard. If any such part is not provided in the advertised manner, we will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected your enjoyment of your holiday.
3 Travel Insurance
Because of the importance of having adequate insurance cover we make it a condition of booking on all foreign holidays that you are covered by an insurance policy. If you elect not to take our insurance, you agree to indemnify Newmarket Holidays for any costs that arise which would otherwise have been met had Newmarket Holidays insurance been taken. Please note, if you take out our insurance, certain claims will be subject to an excess charge and that your insurance premium will be dependent on your date of birth. We have no liability for any loss or damage to luggage inflight or in transit. Any claims of this nature should be referred directly to your insurer.
4 Financial Protection & Repatriation
Newmarket Holidays Ltd’s ATOL number is 2325. When you buy an ATOL protected flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists the flight, accommodation, car hire and/or other services that are financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or to your credit card issuer where applicable).
5 Passport, Visa and Immigration Requirements
Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements.
Please note: All information in this brochure was correct at time of going to print on 4th December 2020 and any errors are unintentional.
Call us on: 0330 160 7800
211
Newmarket Holidays Where stories begin
Also available from Newmarket Holidays
To request a free brochure or to book, please see your local Travel Agent
C136500
Newmarket Holidays | Cantium House | Railway Approach | Wallington SM6 0BP
TA - 2nd Edition - June 2021
Solo Traveller Collection Fred. Olsen Cruise Collection European River Cruising Lapland Santa Experience