SAGA Escorted Tours by Travel Designers

Escorted Tours Featuring an inspiring collection of incredible journeys, small ship cruises and fascinating tours

LOW DEPOSIT OF

Â£10

WHEN YOU PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT

September 2019-November 2020

VIP door-to-door travel service included on all worldwide tours

Start a new adventure on an escorted tour Authentic experiences… the chance to discover something completely new… holidays designed by our experts who share your passion for travel… if you’re curious about the world, take a look at our collection of escorted tours. From small-ship cruises around the Croatia coast and a fascinating tour of Uzbekistan and the Silk Route, to African safaris and scenic rail journeys through Canada… The world really is waiting to meet you. To see our full range of escorted tours, visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAGA’S BREXIT PROMISE At the time of going to press it is not clear what the final outcomes of the government’s Brexit negotiations will be, however the UK and EU parliament have assured all flights between the UK and Europe will be unaffected regardless of a deal or not. This is our promise to you … • Book any holiday by August 31, 2019 and we guarantee the price today will be the price you pay when you go on holiday • Should Brexit affect prices later, they will not be passed on to you • Plus, your booking is protected by ATOL and ABTA • Our prices include optional travel insurance§ as standard See page 234 for more details. Rest assured you will not be impacted by Brexit … WE GUARANTEE IT 2

Cover: Uzbekistan – see page 86 Main picture: Machu Picchu – see page 160

7-NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE SMALL-SHIP CRUISE OF CROATIA FROM

Â£999

- SEE PAGE 18

Enjoy a small-ship cruise around the Croatian coast, page 18

Explore India by rail, see page 96

Discover the highlights of Vietnam, see page 210

Travel insurance is included with all of our overseas holidays, so you’re ready for whatever is on the horizon Whatever you’ve got in mind for your holiday you can enjoy it all the more knowing you’ve got Saga Holidays Travel Insurance at the ready. The optional travel insurance includes: Cover for over 400 pre-existing medical conditions Cover with no upper-age limit Fixed cost insurance – the price we advertise is the price you pay All our included and optional activities are covered Medical emergency cover of up to £5 million Baggage cover up to £1,500 Curtailment cover up to £7,500 Additional cancellation rights See page 235 for more details.

Beautiful Santorini, page 32

To avoid disappointment, it’s always best to book early because holidays can sell out fast and prices sometimes increase. Prices were correct at time of going to print in June 2019 and should be used as a guide. 4

SAVE UP TO

Unbeatable value with more included than anyone else

£600

ON THE WORLD IN ONE COUNTRY TOUR – SEE PAGE 118

VIP door-to-door travel service included on all long-haul holidays – see page 10

Included travel insurance§

on all holidays, including cover for over 400 pre-existing medical conditions

Saga Tour Manager

available throughout your holiday – see page 6 for details

Minimum of 20kg checked luggage All tour departures are 100% guaranteed Visas included on the majority tours Fly from your local airport

with a choice of flights from up to 26 local airports with 34 different airlines

Excursions included on every holiday

Spread the cost of your holiday and pay by direct debit – please see page 12

Optional travel insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, or a reduction if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. Cover will be subject to some medical questions. See page 235 for more details.

Introducing our Saga Tour Managers They’re the font of knowledge during your adventure, and when we ask our customers about their holiday, we’re always delighted to hear what a difference our expert Tour Managers make.

Local expertise whenever you need it

All tour departures are 100% guaranteed

We want you to get the most out of the places you visit, enjoy an authentic experience and perhaps discover something new. This is why our tours come with the added bonus of a knowledgeable Tour Manager who will accompany you throughout your trip. Don’t worry, they’re not there to herd you around, but to make sure everything runs smoothly and that you make the most of your adventure.

Thanks to our Guaranteed Departures, you can book with confidence that every tour date we advertise is 100% guaranteed to depart regardless of how many people have booked. If fewer people book than we expect, you will have the option to join a different departure date if you wish.

Excursions and visits included

We’ve built long-lasting relationships with the people in the countries we visit, and work with them to create holidays that inspire you. Our Tour Managers not only know the places you’re visiting like the back of their hand, they’re there to help you with any problems or emergencies that may occur. They are fully supported by our UK team who are on call 24 hours a day. It’s also reassuring to know that your holiday will be fully protected by ABTA or ATOL, so you can relax knowing your money is protected.

Every itinerary has been carefully planned by our Holiday Creators who have a passion for the destinations you visit. They love to mix excursions to famous sites with visits to lesser-known gems they’ve encountered during their travels, so you can discover something new during your holiday. There’s a choice of included and optional excursions available with every itinerary so you can tailor your adventure to your interests.

Assurance and peace of mind

Included meals As well as all-inclusive tours, where all meals are included, some of our tours give you the opportunity to dine out and sample the local cuisine for yourself. On these tours you’ll find a good selection of restaurants available close to the hotel you are staying at, and your Tour Manager will be able to give you great recommendations.

I had a wonderful 10 days which I’ll never forget. Saga looked after us from the beginning to the end and couldn’t have done more. The tour manager was fantastic and gave us lots of information not only about the tour but India itself. He also went out of his way if anyone had any problems” Diana from Daventry on The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail

The world is waiting to meet you INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

ADRIATIC 16 Croatia 26 Albania 28 Greece 34 Corsica & Sardinia 36 Italy 38 Italy and Sicily 40 Sicily 42 Malta

SPA IN & PORTUGAL 46 Spain 52 Canary Islands 54 Madeira & Porto Santo Island 56 Azores

REST OF EUROPE 60 Switzerland 62 Austria

90 India 106 India & Nepal 108 Nepal 111 Sri Lan ka

AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN

116 South Africa 126 Zim bab we, Botswana & South Africa 128 Kenya, Zam bia & South Africa 130 Botswana & Zim bab we 132 Zim bab we 134 Nam ibia 136 Tanzania & Kenya 138 Kenya 140 Uganda 142 Eth iopia

64 Russia 66 Norway

67 Jersey & Guernsey

EA STERN MED & NORTH AFRICA 70 Cyprus 71 Turkey

144 Madagascar 146 Mauritius 147 Seychelles

72 Egypt

MIDDLE EA ST & CENTRA L ASIA

155 Mexico 160 Peru, Bolivia, Argentina & Brazil

83 Oman 84 Georgia & Arm enia 86 Uzbekistan

PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE

230 232 234 235

170 Canada & USA 174 Canada 182 USA

FAR EA ST 190 Russia, Mongolia & China 192 Mongolia 194 Japan 199 South Korea & Japan 200 China 204 Vietna m, Cam bodia and Laos 206 Vietna m & Cam bodia 210 Vietna m 211 Thailand 214 Malaysia 216 Borneo

AUSTRA LA SIA 220 Australia 226 New Zealand

LATIN AMERICA 150 Cuba 154 Caribbean 156 Costa Rica

80 Jordan 82 Israel

CANADA & USA

160 Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos 162 Peru 164 Brazil

165 Brazil & Argentina 166 Patagonia

EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY FLIGHT UPGRADES ESSENTIAL INFORMATION A FEW OTHER DETAILS 7

Explore Uzbekistan, see page 86

Discover the tour to suit you Relaxed tours

Activity level

On these tours you’ll stay in no more than three hotels, which means less packing and unpacking, and more time to really immerse yourself in the local area. You’ll be able to visit key sites on a variety of included and optional excursions, as well as discover your own hidden gems thanks to free time that you can spend any way you want.

We’ve rated each holiday based on how active it is, so you can choose a level that feels right for you: 1. Any walking will be at a leisurely pace for no more than a few hours. Travel between hotels will be limited to shorter journeys. 2. There may be a greater degree of walking on these tours, and sometimes the terrain is a little more challenging. These itineraries pack plenty into each day, which may mean a brisk pace and longer journeys. 3. These tours require a higher level of fitness and mobility as they’ll often involve a lot of walking over difficult terrain, sometimes at altitude. Long journeys may be necessary and you may be required to access different modes of transport, such as 4x4s and boats.

Active tours There are some places in the world you simply can’t see or experience without heading off the well-beaten tourist trail, and these adventures will take you there. Our Active Tours involve lengthy hiking, some of which will be over challenging terrain. Your expert guide will be with you throughout your journey, and you’ll need to keep up with the rest of the group, but with rewards such as wild encounters, and incredible mountain vistas – the effort is truly worth it.

Small group travel Our tour group size rarely exceeds 45 passengers on tours, but if you’d prefer a more intimate experience, our Small Group tours – where there are no more than 25 guests – are a great choice. Some of our more adventurous tours feature travel with no more than 20 fellow adventure-seekers.

This trip to Uzbekistan was brilliant – so much to see. This is an up and coming venue and would highly recommend anyone to travel to Uzbekistan. Our tour guide was fabulous, full of information and extremely helpful.” Ann, Buckinghamshire. Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Route, see page 86

Small-ship cruises Sometimes the best way to see some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery is from the sea, which is why we created our exclusive small-ship cruises. Carrying no more than 40 passengers these handpicked small ships provide a sociable atmosphere as they hug the coast, exploring tiny islets and harbours you’d otherwise miss.

Special Interest tours Whether you want to indulge a life-long passion, or discover a new-found hobby, our Special Interest holidays are a great choice. Each holiday includes excursions and visits, as well as an expert host who’ll share their insight to bring your interest to life in a fun, informative and sociable way. For more information visit saga.co.uk/special-interests

Travel solo with us… and you’ll be in good company More than a fifth of our customers travel solo with us, which is why we offer sole occupancy rooms on all tours departures, some at no extra cost, as well as departures reserved exclusively for solo travellers. Our range is wider than ever, and with over 60 years’ experience and a fifth of our customers travelling alone, we have certainly had both the time and experience to fine tune our holidays. We pride ourselves on looking after our solo travellers and we often get great feedback from our customers, many of whom holiday with us year after year. To many people travelling alone is preferable as you can enjoy greater independence, be impulsive and try new things, without having to compromise, and also take time out to indulge yourself. All of our solo holidays are accompanied by solo hosts or tour managers who promote a sociable atmosphere and are experts at introducing people, or knowing when to step back if you want to be alone. Be sure to book these holidays early so you can enjoy the best choice of departures. Our New Exclusive for Solos brochure will be out soon, request a brochure by calling FREE on 0800 096 0071 or by visiting saga.co.uk/solos

In our eyes you’re a VIP Enjoy a hassle-free start and end to your holiday with our VIP door-to-door travel service – included on long-haul holidays.

Our chauffeur service We’ll arrange for an experienced chauffeur to pick you up from your home, or a family or friend’s house if you prefer, so you can enjoy a carefree journey to your chosen airport. Your chauffeur will call you to confirm a collection time and any local directions if necessary, and when they arrive, they’ll load your luggage into the vehicle. You’ll reach the airport with plenty of time to check-in, and when you return to the airport after your holiday, your chauffeur will be there to greet you ready for your journey home.

Explore scenic Japan

page 194

Alternatively, you can travel by rail

For European holidays and holidays to Egypt…

We can organise standard class rail travel from your local station to your departure airport. Just leave it to us and we’ll sort out all the timings and arrangements.

You can add our chauffeur service to your package for £1.85 per mile. For a supplement we can also arrange rail travel or airport parking. To find out more, call FREE on 0800 300 600.

Complimentary airport parking If you prefer to drive yourself, we can arrange complimentary parking at the airport.

Terms and conditions apply. Find out more at saga.co.uk/vip Please note: you could be sharing your journey with up to three (or very occasionally five) other Saga guests in one of our larger MPVs.

You can now pay by direct debit It’s now much easier to budget for your holiday as you can pay by direct debit. Pay for your holiday by direct debit and you can take advantage of… Initial low deposit of £10 per person Monthly instalments Final payment made 10 weeks prior to departure Choose a payment date to suit you No need to contact us to make payments as they will come out automatically Interest free All direct debits are covered by the direct debitguarantee – meaning we’ll only ever take the amount agreed on the agreed date For more information visit saga.co.uk/direct-debit

See amazing sea life in Australia

–

see page 220

Spread the cost of your holiday

LOW DEPOSIT OF £99PP WHEN YOU BOOK BY AUGUST 31, 2019 OR JUST

£10

WHEN YOU PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT

Dalmatian Island Explorer 7 nights for £999pp based on April 2, 2020 departure Deposit: £10pp 6 monthly payments of £165pp

Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail 10 nights for £1599pp based on May 11, 2020 departure Deposit: £10pp 7 monthly payments of £227pp

Best of South Africa 15 nights for £2599pp based on May 12, 2020 departure Deposit: £10pp 7 monthly payments of £370pp

Please note: Monthly payments shown here are based on bookings made in July 2019. 13

Discover Croatia, page 18

Croatia’s small-ship cruises

Croatia’s coast encompasses over a tho usand small islands, eac h with their own character, and so what better way to discover its many hidden gems than by ship? We have carefully chosen small shi ps that are ideal for reaching the smaller islands, and travelling thi s way means you’ll see much more of this beautiful cou ntry inc luding forest- covered Mljet.

The world is waiting to meet you 14

THE ADRIATIC Enjoy a small-ship cruise around Croatia’s pretty islands and tiny islets, explore the sights of ancient Greece, discover the incredible scenery of Italy and Sicily…

Historic Malta Despite Malta’s small size it has a rich heritage, which dates back to pre- history and includes the artistic and archaeological legacy of the Knights of St John. It also boasts some incredible sights such as the Ggantija Megalithic Temples, the oldest man - made structure in the world, and the Xwejni salt pans, which date back to Roman times. Plus, you can enjoy a stay on the nearby island of Gozo, which is only a 30- minute boat trip from Malta.

Explore Malta, page 42

Try delicious cuisine in Albania Freshly caught shrimp, filo pastry, salty cheeses, lamb, mint and spices… Albanian cuisine is delicious and incredibly tasty. During your time here you can enjoy a specially prepared Albanian dinner by a famous local chef. Try burek – a salty filo pie, tavë kosi – a lamb quiche, kaçkavall cheese and qofte meatballs.

Try Albanian cuisine, page 26

CROATIA

Jewels of Croatia

RELAXED

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £999^ Including optional travel insurance or from £945^ without insurance§ See some of Croatia's highlights on this all-inclusive three-centre holiday, which combines a relaxing stay on Brac with stays on the Dalmatian Coast. You can discover more of this beautiful country on a range of excursions, taking you to charming historic towns, exploring spectacular scenery and offering an insight into the unique culture of Croatia.

The enchanting waterfront of historic Split ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Solin. Fly to Split and travel to historic Solin near Split, where you spend four nights at the locally rated 5-star Hotel President . This family-run hotel has a stunning setting in the centre of Solin on the banks of the River Jadro. D Days 2-4: Solin. During your time on the Dalmatian Coast you can join a range of excursions. A half-day excursion visits Salona, the fourth-largest city of the Roman empire which was once home to 60,000 people, while on another day, you can enjoy a half-day tour of historical Trogir. You could also take an optional half-day trip to Krka National Park with its roaring cataracts and tumbling cascades which are framed by rich green forests and tranquil lakes, then visit the historic harbour town of Sibenik and see the impressive Cathedral of St Jacob, one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Croatia. B, L, D

Solin

Croatia

nights in hotel

Split Omis

BRAC

Makarska

Please quote SMT19

Tucepi

Day 5: Solin-Brac. Visit the UNESCO-listed city of Split with its magnificent Diocletian's Palace. This white-stone Roman palace comprises 220 buildings, and today its arcades and arches are filled with shops, restaurants and houses. Afterwards, continue to Brac, taking a 50-minute scenic ferry trip across the cobalt blue waters for a seven-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Waterman Resorts Island of Brac. During your stay, take advantage of the Saga lounge. B, L, D Days 6-11: Brac. Although the third largest island in the Adriatic, Brac has remained a sleepy haven of traditional villages, olive trees, fragrant pine forests and rugged cliffs with peaceful bays. It is known for its virgin olive oil and culinary traditions. An included tour takes you around the island, then you have the rest of the week at leisure. Optional excursions include a tour of Brac's villages, and wine tasting in the traditional village of Bol. B, L, D Day 12: Brac-Tucepi. Today, leave Brac and travel to Split, from where you drive south along the coast to the fishing village of Tucepi situated on the Makarska Riviera. The stunning coastline here is protected by the impressive backdrop of Biokovo Mountain. Stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Bluesun Hotel Alga . B, L, D Days 13-14: Tucepi. During your stay you can join an optional excursion exploring the walled coastal town of Omis at the mouth of the emerald green Cetina River, or perhaps visit

Dubrovnik on an optional full-day excursion. Dubrovnik was described by Byron as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and it is not difficult to see why. Enclosed within 13th-century walls, discover the sights of the old city, including the 16th-century Rector’s Palace, the Onophrian Fountains, Sponza Palace and baroque St Blaise’s Church. B, L, D Day 15: Tucepi-UK. Travel to Split airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: The free bar, open from 11am to 11pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

“Jewels of Croatia is one of the best holidays we have had. Our tour manager was absolutely fantastic. All accommodation was clean, comfortable with excellent staff for which nothing was too much trouble. I can’t recommend this holiday enough!” Sheila, Manchester

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/jewel-croatia

Best seller Saga Lounge

at selected hotels

Exclusive Manchester departures

Your tour includes 14 nights in hotels 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners Free bar open 12 hours a day Tea, coffee and water included with meals at the Hotel Alga and the Waterman Resorts

The picturesque island of Brac

Explore the historic streets of Zadar

Excursions and visits Tour of the ruins of Salona Guided tour of UNESCO-listed Trogir UNESCO-listed city of Split guided walk Scenic ferry crossing Island tour of Brac Use of audio headsets on selected guided tours l

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Welcome drink reception Porterage at all hotels. l

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

Brac Island

SAVE up to £300 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: London Gatwick Manchester † Sep 16, 2019 Sold out 1799 1599 Sep 23† Limited availability 1699 1499 Sep 30† 1699 1399 Oct 7 1699 1399 Oct 14 1499 1199 Apr 6, 2020 1299 999 Apr 13* 1319 1049 Apr 20* 1349 1099 Apr 27* 1349 1149 May 4* 1369 1199 May 11* 1399 1249 May 18 1399 1299 1499 1399 May 25 1449 1349 1549 1449 Jun 1 1499 1399 1599 1499 Jun 8 1549 1449 1649 1549 Aug 31 1549 1449 Sep 7 1549 1449 1699 1599 Sep 14 1499 1399 1649 1549 Sep 21 1479 1379 1599 1499 Sep 28* 1469 1299 Oct 12 1399 1199 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1069

Diocletians Palace, Split Imagine living inside a ruin… the people of Split are very happy to! The old town occupies the remnants of the vast Imperial Palace built between AD 295 and AD 305 as a retirement home for the Emperor Diocletian. By the 7th century the abandoned palace had become a small town. Inside the fortified perimeter walls former corridors had become streets and alleys crammed with homes and businesses. Despite this, much of the Roman structure survives, including the Mausoleum of Diocletian – the original Temple of Jupiter, now the cathedral, the Northern Gate – and the Peristyle – a central courtyard surrounded by columns. Incredibly, around 3000 people still live and work within the complex.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Jewels of Croatia. Holiday code: CT061/CT61R. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include saving as advertised and are subject to availability. †These departures operate a reverse itinerary. *These departures operate both a standard and a reverse itinerary. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on easyJet or Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick or Thomas Cook Airlines from Manchester dependent on date of departure.

Please quote SMT19

CROATIA

Dalmatian Island Explorer SMALL SHIP Aboard MV Emanuel , MV Fantazija , MV Nautilus + or MV Maritimo +

Voyage aboard a vintage-style ship reserved exclusively for Saga guests. It's a wonderful way to appreciate the natural beauty and rich history of the lovely islands and tiny islets that grace Croatia's Adriatic Sea.

Croatia’s island gem, Hvar ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Dubrovnik-Sipan. Fly to the historic city of Dubrovnik and embark your ship. In the afternoon, your voyage begins as you sail north along the stunning coast of the Dubrovnik Riviera to the peaceful island of Sipan, part of the famous Elafiti Islands. You moor in Sipanska Luka overnight (cruises aboard MV Nautilus moor in nearby Slano on the mainland). D Day 2: Sipan-Korcula. This morning, cruise past the Peljesac Peninsula where you can view hilltops clad with vineyards and fruit trees as you journey to the island of Korcula. Berth overnight in the main town, also called Korcula, which is believed to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. B, L, D Day 3: Korcula-Makarska-Pucisca. Your cruise continues north to Makarska, then sails to Pucisca on the island of Brac, the third-largest island on the Adriatic Coast.

Croatia Split Brac

Pucisca Makarska

Hvar Peljesac Peninsula

Korcula

nights on ship

Mljet

Please quote SMT19

Sipan Dubrovnik

Pucisca is famed for its stone and masonry. The stone has been used for centuries in the building of palaces and cathedrals across Dalmatia and overseas too. B, L, D Day 4: Pucisca-Split. Continue your voyage north to Split, Croatia's second-biggest city which boasts a charming old town that contains the majestic Diocletian's Palace. Admire this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive Roman ruins in existence during a guided walking tour of Split. B, L, D Day 5: Split-Hvar. Cruise south today, crossing the Hvar Channel and sailing through the narrow passage that separates the islands of Brac and Solta. You can appreciate stunning panoramas of the two islands from your ship before docking in Hvar town where you can enjoy a brief walking tour. B, L, D Day 6: Hvar-Mljet. Today you cruise from Hvar and further south along the Adriatic coast to Mljet for a guided visit. Much of the island is carpeted by forest and the rest is sprinkled with fields, vineyards and small villages. The western part is a national park featuring Aleppo pine and holm oak. Within the park are two saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero. B, L, D Day 7: Mljet-Dubrovnik. In the morning set sail for your final port of call, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik, passing the Elafiti Islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan en route. Moor within sight of the impressive medieval

walls that enclose this magnificent city before enjoying a guided walking tour around its historic streets. B, L, D Day 8: Dubrovnik-UK. Disembark and travel to the airport for your flight to the UK. B Please note: The on-board free bar, open 11 hours daily from 11am-10pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. A reasonable level of fitness is needed on this tour: excursions may involve walking on uneven ground and when ships berth side by side, you may need to cross between them and negotiate ladders. The Captain reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary if weather conditions are bad or if ports are very busy.

Extend your holiday Dubrovnik Riviera (for cruises aboard MV Emanuel, MV Fantazija and MV Nautilus) 7 nights All inclusive. Enjoy the delightful Dubrovnik Riviera from the locally rated 3-star Hotel Astarea in Mlini. With great views across the Adriatic Sea, this hotel is ideal if you’re looking for relaxation – and the all-inclusive value is exclusive to Saga guests! For 2019 departures on MV Fantazija and MV Nautilus, a 7-night extension is available at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Albatros in Cavtat.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/dalmatian

Waiter service Cruising

Best seller

Exclusively for Saga guests Mijet island

Atmospheric Dubrovnik at dusk

Excursions and visits Visit Korcula – Marco Polo's birthplace Enjoy views of the Makarska Riviera Explore ancient Split Visit Hvar – Croatia's sunniest island Sail the lovely channel between Brac and Solta Mljet island visit Cruising close to the Elafiti Islands Dubrovnik city tour l

Plus all this... Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Welcome drink reception Porterage aboard ship. l

Korcula’s delightful coastline

Makarska (for cruises aboard MV Maritimo) 7 nights. All inclusive. After your cruise spend a seven nights at the locally rated 4-star Meteor Hotel, just across from the beach and close to the centre of town in Makarska. The hotel’s facilities include a buffet-style restaurant,

two bars, indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, gym, whirlpool and sauna. The hotel has 278 bedrooms and rooms reserved for Saga guests have a balcony with partial sea views. Please note, there are no included on extensions. Please call lfor details.

Dubrovnik City Join an included tour of the magnificent city of Dubrovnik, a remarkably well-preserved example of a late-medieval walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city walls, 1,490-metres long and up to 40 metres high, were built between the 8th and 16th centuries. They surround the Old Town, an area covering barely a square kilometre, with a regular street layout and outstanding medieval, Renaissance and baroque buildings. Although badly damaged during the civil war, Dubrovnik been restored to its former glory. It's easy to explore the Old Town on foot and your guide will point out the many sights of interest, including St Blaise’s (Dubrovnik's patron saint) Church, the Onofrian Fountains and Sponza Palace – the old Mint and Custom House.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

For a different view of this stunning area … See these beautiful islands and islets, cities and coastlines from a different perspective as you sail aboard elegant MV Maritimo, calling at the same ports but in a different order. You’ll start from Split – home to the extraordinary Diocletian’s Palace, built for an Emperor and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here MV Maritimo will sail to Hvar island, renowned for its fields of scented lavender and countryside dotted with vineyards and olive groves. Next, it’s onto Mljet and then medieval Dubrovnik for a memorable walking tour. As your ship continues to Sipan, Korcula, Makarska and Pucisca, look forward to mooring at the Elafati Islands, cruising past the mountain peak of the Peljesca Peninsula and discovering an enchanting cove on Brac Island before returning to historic Split, where your small ship experience draws to a close. Holiday code: CR012

For ship details please see overleaf

Please quote SMT19

MV Emanuel hhh

7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £999^ Including optional travel insurance or from £979^ without insurance§ MV Emanuel offers a relaxed and intimate style of cruising where you are assured of a warm welcome from the staff. Reserved exclusively for Saga guests MV Emanuel's amenities include a restaurant and a sun deck. The free bar, open 11 hours a day from 11am-10pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Cabins The compact cabins are located on the main and lower deck and have an en suite bathroom with a shower cubicle, WC and a wash basin. All are air conditioned and have a safe. Factfile: Length: 37.6 metres • Breadth: 7 metres • Maiden voyage: 2006 Passenger capacity: 30 • Officers and crew: 7 • Passenger decks: 4 Approximate cabin size: 10 square metres

SAVE up to £150 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Apr 2, 2020 Apr 9 Apr 16 Apr 23 Apr 30 May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28 Jun 4 1149 1179 1199 1229 1249 1229 1249 1279 1299 1329 Twin - Lower 999 1029 1049 1079 1099 1129 1149 1179 1199 1229 Sole occ 1449 1479 1499 1529 1549 1529 1549 1579 1599 1629 1299 1329 1349 1379 1399 1429 1449 1479 1499 1529 - Lower Twin/Double 1249 1279 1299 1329 1349 1329 1349 1379 1399 1429 1099 1129 1149 1179 1199 1229 1249 1279 1299 1329 - Main Dalmatian Island Explorer – MV Emanuel. Holiday code: CR008.

Jun 11 Jun 18 Sep 3, 10, 17 1349 1379 1349 1249 1279 1299 1649 1679 1649 1549 1579 1599 1449 1479 1449 1349 1379 1399

Sep 24 1329 1279 1629 1579 1429 1379

Oct 1 1299 1249 1599 1549 1399 1349

Oct 8 1299 1199 1599 1499 1399 1299

MV Fantazija hhhh

7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1099^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1079^ without insurance§ Built in 2015, this luxurious ship offers a stylish way to discover Croatia's breathtaking scenery. It offers a relaxed and intimate atmosphere on board where you can easily meet and mingle with fellow cruisegoers. Reserved exclusively for Saga guests… Amenities include an outdoor eating area, indoor open-plan dining room, bar, top deck jacuzzi and several seating areas. The free bar, open 11 hours a day from 11am-10pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Cabins… All modern air-conditioned cabins are located on the upper, main and lower decks and have a safe, hairdryer and en suite bathroom with a shower cubicle, WC and a wash basin. Factfile: Length: 42.8 metres • Breadth: 8.8 metres • Maiden Voyage: 2015 • Passenger capacity: 32 • Officers and Crew: 7 • Approximate cabin size: 15-21 square metres

SAVE up to £400 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Oct 2, Oct 9, Apr 15, Apr Apr May 2019 16 2020 22 29 6, 13 Twin Sold 1499 1399 1449 1479 1529 out 1099 1199 1249 1279 1329 - Lower Sole occ Sold Sold 1699 1749 1779 1829 out out 1499 1549 1579 1629 - Lower Double 1449 1799 1499 1549 1579 1629 1399 1399 1299 1349 1379 1429 - Main Twin/Double 1549 1899 1599 1649 1679 1729 1499 1499 1399 1449 1479 1529 - Upper Dalmatian Island Explorer – MV Fantazija. Holiday code: CR071. Prices from:

May 20 1549 1349 1849 1649 1649 1449 1749 1549

May 27 1579 1379 1879 1679 1679 1479 1779 1579

Jun 3 1599 1399 1899 1699 1699 1499 1799 1599

Jun 10 1629 1429 1929 1729 1729 1529 1829 1629

Jun Aug 26, 17 Sep 2, 9 1649 1699 1449 1499 1949 1999 1749 1799 1749 1799 1549 1599 1849 1899 1649 1699

Sep 16 1579 1479 1879 1779 1679 1579 1779 1679

Sep 23 1549 1449 1849 1749 1649 1549 1749 1649

Sep 30 1549 1399 1849 1699 1649 1499 1749 1599

Oct 7 1499 1349 1799 1649 1599 1449 1699 1549

Oct 14 1499 1299 1799 1599 1599 1399 1699 1499

All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing with flights from Gatwick to Dubrovnik on the scheduled services of British Airways, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. Departures aboard MV Maritimo follow a slightly different itinerary with flights from Gatwick to Split with Croatia Airlines.

Please quote SMT19

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

MV Nautilus hhhh+

7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1149^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1129^ without insurance§ Brand new for 2019, MV Nautilus is a sophisticated and intimate vessel, and Saga guests will be the first to sail on her! Reserved exclusively for Saga guests… Amenities include dining room, bar, a sun deck and hot tub plus a bathing platform. The free bar, open 11 hours a day from 11am-10pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Cabins… All modern air-conditioned cabins are located on the lower, main and upper decks and have a safe, hairdryer and en suite bathroom with a shower cubicle, WC and a wash basin. Factfile: Length: 49 metres • Breadth: 8.8 metres • Maiden voyage: 2019 Passenger capacity: 34 • Officers and crew: 7 • Passenger decks: 3 Approximate cabin size: 16 square metres Please note: This information is based on architectural plans and may have changed by completion.

SAVE up to £600 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Oct 7, 2019 Oct 14 Apr 20, 2020 Apr 27 May 4 May 11 May 18 May 25 Twin/Double 1699 1749 1449 1499 1549 1599 1649 1679 1249 1149 1249 1299 1349 1399 1449 1479 - Lower Sole Occ 2149 2049 1749 1799 1849 1899 1949 1979 1549 1449 1549 1599 1649 1699 1749 1779 - Lower Twin/Double 1949 1849 1549 1599 1649 1699 1749 1779 1349 1249 1349 1399 1449 1499 1549 1579 - Main Twin/Double 1649 1699 1749 1799 1849 1879 Sold out Sold out 1449 1499 1549 1599 1649 1679 - Upper Dalmatian Island Explorer – MV Nautilus. Holiday code: CR010.

Jun 1 1699 1499 1999 1799 1799 1599 1899 1699

Jun 8 Jun 15, 22 1679 1699 1529 1549 1979 1999 1829 1849 1779 1799 1629 1649 1879 1899 1729 1749

Aug 31 1629 1479 1929 1779 1729 1579 1829 1679

Sep 7 1699 1549 1999 1849 1799 1649 1899 1749

Sep 14 1679 1549 1979 1849 1779 1649 1879 1749

Sep 21 Sep 28 Oct 5 1649 1599 1579 1499 1449 1429 1949 1899 1879 1799 1749 1729 1749 1699 1679 1599 1549 1529 1849 1799 1779 1699 1649 1629

Oct 12 1549 1349 1849 1649 1649 1449 1749 1549

MV Maritimo hhhh+

7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1249^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1229^ without insurance§ Built in 2017, MV Maritimo is a sophisticated and intimate vessel. Reserved exclusively for Saga guests Amenities include dining room, bar, a sun deck and hot tub plus a bathing platform. The free bar, open 11 hours a day from 11am-10pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Cabins All modern air-conditioned cabins are located on the upper or main decks and have a safe, hairdryer and en suite bathroom with a shower cubicle, WC and a wash basin. Factfile: Length: 48 metres • Breadth: 8.6 metres • Maiden voyage: 2017 Passenger capacity: 36 • Officers and crew: 7 • Passenger decks: 3 Approximate cabin size: 16 square metres

SAVE up to £220 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices Oct 14, Apr 20, Apr May May May May Jun 2019# 2020 27 4 11 18 25 1 from: Twin/ 1399 1449 1499 1549 1599 1649 1679 1699 Double 1299 1249 1299 1349 1399 1449 1479 1499 - Lower Sole Occ 1599 1749 1799 1849 1899 1949 1979 1999 1499 1549 1599 1649 1699 1749 1779 1799 - Lower Twin/ Sold 1549 1599 1649 1699 1749 1779 1799 Double out 1349 1399 1449 1499 1549 1579 1599 - Main Dalmatian Island Explorer- MV Maritimo. Holiday code: CR012/CR044#.

Jun 8

Jun 15

Aug 24

Aug 31

Sep 7

Sep 14

Sep 21

Sep 28

Oct 5

Oct 12

1679 1529

1699 1549

1699 1479

1699 1499

1769 1599

1749 1529

1719 1499

1669 1449

1649 1429

1549 1349

1979 1829

1999 1849

1999 1779

1999 1799

2069 1899

2049 1829

2019 1799

1969 1749

1949 1729

1849 1649

1779 1629

1799 1649

1799 1579

1799 1599

1869 1699

1849 1629

1819 1599

1769 1549

1749 1529

1649 1449

§ Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Please quote SMT19

CROATIA

Adriatic Coastal Explorer SMALL SHIP

Aboard MV Amorena

7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1099^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1079^ without insurance§ Cruise along the Croatian coast to view the region's stunning scenery and architecture, including the town of Trogir. This ‘floating town’ boasts masterful architecture dating back more than 2,000 years. You will also cruise the Split Riviera and visit the historic Diocletian's Palace in Split.

Sail aboard MV Amorena ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Split-Trogir. Fly to Split and transfer by coach to Trogir where you board MV Amorena and moor overnight. You may like to explore the many bars or cafes which line the seaside promenade, admire the Romanesque and Renaissance architecture or simply enjoy a stroll through Trogir's labyrinth of cobbled streets. D Day 2: Trogir-Skradin and Krka National Park. Sail to Skradin and discover the spectacular falls of Krka National Park before mooring overnight in Skradin. B, L, D

Zadar Sali

Croatia nights on ship

Vodice

Zlarin

Krka Skradin Sibenik Primosten Trogir

Split

Day 3: Sibenik and Skradin-Zadar. This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of historic Sibenik where you can see the UNESCO-listed St Jacob's Cathedral. Afterwards, sail through a dense area of islands en route to Zadar where you moor overnight. B, L, D Day 4: Zadar-Sali. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Zadar. The city has a rich heritage and on today’s tour you will walk past the Roman forum and the Church of St Donatus. Cruise on to Sali where you moor overnight. B, L, D Day 5: Sali-Vodice-Zlarin. Enjoy a leisurely day cruising through the Kornati National Park archipelago. Afterwards, step ashore briefly at Vodice, before mooring overnight in Zlarin. B, L, D Day 6: Zlarin-Primosten-Split. Cruise past one of the most picturesque small towns on the Adriatic, Primosten, before continuing to Split for a guided walking tour. Your ship will moor in Split overnight. B, L, D Day 7: Split-Trogir. Depart Split and return to the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir which you can explore on a guided tour today. Moor overnight in Trogir. B, L, D Day 8: Trogir-UK. Disembark MV Amorena and travel to the airport for your flight back to the UK. B

Extend your holiday Makarska 7 nights all inclusive. After your cruise stay at the locally rated 4-star Meteor Hotel. Please call lfor details. MV Amorena Reserved exclusively for Saga guests Catering for just 32 passengers, MV Amorena offers a relaxed and intimate style of cruising, where you can easily meet new people and make friends, and are assured of a warm welcome from the friendly staff. Amenities include a small reception, an open-plan restaurant with seating and bar area, and a sun deck that’s ideal for admiring the views. The ship’s free bar is open for 11 hours daily, from 11am-10pm, and serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Cabins are located on the Main and Lower Deck, with windows on the Main Deck cabins and port holes on Lower Deck cabins (windows and port holes are placed high in the cabin). These compact cabins range from 12.5-14.5 square metres and are equipped with air conditioning, a shower cubicle and WC, and a safety deposit box.

Please note: A reasonable level of fitness is needed on this tour, excursions may involve walking on uneven ground and when ships berth side by side, you may need to cross between them and negotiate ladders. The Captain reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary if weather conditions are bad or if ports are very busy.

Please quote SMT19

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/adriatic-coast

Waiter service

Local flights

Best seller

Cruising

Exclusively for Saga guests

Your tour includes • 7 nights on board a ship reserved exclusively for Saga guests • 20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners • Free bar open 11 hours a day • Local wines, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner Excursions and visits Krka National Park visit Sibenik city tour Zadar walking tour Split guided walk Trogir old town tour Use of audio headsets on selected guided tours

Pretty Primosten

Plus all this... Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Welcome drinks reception Porterage aboard ship. l

Trogir Waterfront

MV Amorena’s interior double cabin

SAVE up to £300

per person on selected departures and cabin grades when you book by Aug 9, 2019 ^

Twin/ DoubleMain Apr 10, 2020 1399 1099 1699 1399 1499 1199 Apr 17 1449 1149 1749 1449 1549 1249 Apr 24, May 1 1549 1249 1849 1549 1649 1349 May 8, 15 1599 1299 1899 1599 1699 1399 May 22, 29 1649 1349 1949 1649 1749 1449 Jun 5 1599 1399 1899 1699 1699 1499 Jun 12 1649 1449 1949 1749 1749 1549 Jun 19 1799 1499 2099 1799 1899 1599 Aug 21 1749 1449 2049 1749 1849 1549 Aug 28 1629 1479 1929 1779 1729 1579 Sep 4 1649 1549 Sold out 1749 1649 Sep 11 1629 1479 1929 1779 1729 1579 Sep 18 1599 1449 1899 1749 1699 1549 Sep 25 1599 1399 1899 1699 1699 1499 Oct 2 1499 1299 1799 1599 1599 1399 Oct 9 1449 1249 1749 1549 1549 1349 Adriatic Coastal Explorer. Holiday code: CR041. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. Prices from:

Krka Waterfalls Visit Croatia’s Krka Waterfalls in the Krka National Park, where rich green forests and tranquil lakes frame the whole spectacle of roaring cataracts and tumbling cascades. There are seven beautiful waterfalls in total, ranging from the stunning Skrandinski waterfall some 800 metres long, to the picturesque Roški slap, known locally as ‘the necklace’. Here you can see the amazing natural phenomenon created by water seeping through highly porous limestone or 'karst'. You have time to walk by the falls and take photos as you soak up the fairy-tale setting of these natural wonders.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

DoubleLower

Sole OccLower

Getting You There Prices are based on Croatia Airlines from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options.

Please quote SMT19

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/croatian-voyage

CROATIA

Voyage along the Croatian Coast SMALL SHIP MV My Way

From the white cliffs of Telascica to the waterfalls of Krka, this small-ship cruise takes you past some of Dalmatia’s most awe-inspiring scenery and calls at beautiful and historic towns during daily moorings...

Waiter service

Best seller

Cruising

Exclusively for Saga guests

7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1099^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1079^ without insurance§

Local flights

Your tour includes • 7 nights on board the ship reserved exclusively for Saga guests • 20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners • Free bar open 11 hours a day • Local wines, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner throughout the cruise Excursions and visits Guided tour of Zadar Guided walk in Telascica National Park Scenic cruise through Kornati National Park See the waterfalls of Krka National Park Guided tour of Sibenik Guided tour of Trogir Tour of Split and the Diocletian’s Palace ●

●

Moor in the resort of Vodice Zadar Sali Telascica Kornati

Trogir by sunset

Plus all this... Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights Saga tour manager Welcome drink reception Porterage aboard ship.

Croatia

●

nights on ship

Vodice

Zlarin Rogoznica

●

Krka Skradin

●

Sibenik

●

Trogir Split

MV My Way

Day 1: UK-Split-Rogoznica (or Primosten). Fly to Split and transfer to the port to embark your ship. Sail to Rogoznica or Primosten (depending on the port conditions). D Day 2: Rogoznica (or Primosten)-Vodice-Zadar. Explore the typical Dalmatian town of Vodice this morning before cruising to Zadar for a guided tour. See the Roman forum, the medieval basilica and mighty city walls. Later enjoy an optional tasting of cherry brandy and look forward to live entertainment with dinner. B, L, D Day 3: Zadar-Sali-Telascica. Set sail for the island of Dugi Otok and spend the morning in Sali, the main town. Cruise to the protected bay of Telascica, and enjoy a guided walk through the national park to see the island’s incredible white cliffs, that rise 200 metres above the sea, and hear a talk from a local expert. Moor in the bay until morning. B, L, D Day 4: Telascica-Kornati-Zlarin. Today enjoy a scenic cruise through Kornati National Park, where more than 100 islands are divided by narrow channels and serene bays. Keep an eye out for Roman ruins and old fortresses that crown the hilltops, as well as the razor-sharp cliffs that plunge deep into the sea. Sail to the island of Zlarin and the village of the same name, where you moor overnight. B, L, D Day 5: Zlarin-Skradin. Explore Krka National Park and see the gorgeous waterfalls, surrounded by flourishing forest. This afternoon perhaps join an optional winetasting in the village of Plastovo – taste some of Dalmatia’s best wines and enjoy a light tapas dinner at the Bibich winery. B, L, D

Please quote SMT19

Day 6: Skradin-Sibenik-Trogir. See the palaces and churches of Sibenik on a guided walk this morning before cruising to Trogir. A guided tour will reveal its Venetian elegance, with it’s charming waterways and eye-catching red-roofed buildings. B, L, D Day 7: Trogir-Split. Take time for a swim off the coast of Ciovo Island before cruising back to Split. Discover the city’s rich Roman heritage during an included tour, which will show you the amazing Diocletian’s Palace, a vast UNESCO-listed complex that encompasses much of the city’s old town. B, L, D Day 8: Split-UK. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight to UK. B Please note: A reasonable level of fitness is needed on this tour, excursions may involve walking on uneven ground and when ships berth side by side, you may need to cross between them and negotiate ladders. The Captain reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary depending on weather conditions or if ports are very busy.

Makarska 7 nights. All inclusive. After your cruise stay seven nights at the locally rated 4-star Meteor Hotel, please call for details. MV My Way

Reserved exclusively for Saga guests The ship features a sun deck, hot tub and a bathing platform for swimming. All cabins are en suite. The on-board free bar is open 11 hours daily from 11am-10pm, serving local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

SAVE up to £600 ^per person on

selected departures and cabin grades when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Twin/ Sole Twin/ Sole Twin/ Double Occ - Double Occ Double - Lower Lower - Main - Main - Upper Oct 11, Sold 1699 Sold 1799 Sold out 1099 out 1199 out 2019 Apr 17, 1599 1399 1699 1499 1899 1199 1499 1299 1699 1399 2020 1649 1449 1749 1549 1949 Apr 24 1249 1549 1349 1749 1449 1699 1499 1799 1599 1999 May 1 1329 1629 1429 1829 1529 1749 1549 1849 1649 2049 May 8 1399 1699 1499 1899 1599 1799 1599 1899 1699 2099 May 15 1399 1699 1499 1899 1599 1849 1649 1949 1749 2149 May 22, 29 1499 1799 1599 1999 1699 1919 1719 2019 1819 2219 Jun 5, 12, 19 1549 1849 1649 2049 1749 1899 1699 1999 1799 2199 Sep 11 1599 1899 1699 2099 1799 1899 1699 1999 1799 2199 Sep 18 1549 1849 1649 2049 1749 1749 1549 1849 1649 2049 Oct 2 1379 1679 1479 1879 1579 Voyage along the Croatian Coast. Holiday code: CR076. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. Prices from:

Getting You There Prices are based on Croatia Airlines from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airlines.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/croatia-explorer

CROATIA

Croatia Island Explorer SMALL SHIP

MV Dalmatia hhh

7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1069^

Local flights

Cruising

Best seller

Exclusively for Saga guests

Including optional travel insurance or from £1049^ without insurance§ Discover the lovely year-round climate, breathtaking natural beauty and historic heritage of four fascinating islands – Krk, Rab, Losinj and Cres – and the attractive riviera resort of Opatija.

Waiter service

Your tour includes • 7 nights on board a ship reserved exclusively for Saga guests • 20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners • Free bar open 11 hours a day • Local wines, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner Excursions and visits Krk old town guided walk Vrbnik winery tour Goli Otok island visit Rab old town guided walk Mali Losinj town guided walk Cres island visit and guided walk Opatija guided walk Use of audio headsets on selected guided tours l

Swim in beautiful bays from the MV Dalmatia

Opatija

Croatia

Rabac Port

Krk Cres

Pula

St Grgur

Goli Otok Rab Town Mali Losinj

nights on ship

Susak

The beautiful architecture of Rab

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Pula-Rabac-Island of Cres. Fly to Pula, transfer to your ship and embark MV Dalmatia. Depart for Cres, which was formerly part of Mali Losinj until the Romans dug a channel to separate them! Visit the harbour and Roman ruins of the town on an included walking tour. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner. D Day 2: Cres-Mali Losinj. Sail on to the island of Mali Losinj to enjoy a guided walking tour of Mali Losinj town and visit to the Garden of Fine Scents. B, L, D Day 3: Mali Losinj-Rab. Cruise to Susak, a small island famous for its yellow sandy beaches, and on to the lush island of Ilovik, known as the ‘island of flowers’. Cruise to Rab late afternoon. B, L, D Day 4: Rab. Join a walking tour and admire the Venetian architecture, a reminder that the island was sold to Venice in 1409. Also visit a local shop where you can buy Croatian shortbread. After lunch, an optional island sightseeing tour reveals this unique and beautiful island. B, L, D Day 5: Rab-St Grgur-Krk. Your cruise continues with lunch on board at St Grgur before a short visit here (due to limited docking we may stop at Lopar on island of Rab) and a brief visit to Goli Otok island. Continue to Krk. B, L, D

Day 6: Krk-Opatija. Join an included walking tour of the old town of Krk. Afterwards transfer by coach to Vrbnik to tour a family-run winery and taste the local wine. Cruise to the Opatija Riviera on the mainland which is lined with luxurious villas and beautiful parks and join a guided walking tour. B, L, D Day 7: Opatija-Rabac. This morning perhaps take an optional bus tour to the Istrian Peninsula and a boat trip to visit the National Park Brijuni Islands. Return to the ship for the Captain’s farewell dinner. Your ship moors overnight in Rabac. B, L, D Day 8: Rabac-Pula-UK. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. B Please note: A reasonable level of fitness is needed on this tour: excursions may involve walking on uneven ground and when ships berth side by side, you may need to cross between them and negotiate ladders. The Captain reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary if weather conditions are bad or if ports are very busy.

MV Dalmatia hhh Reserved exclusively for Saga guests MV Dalmatia caters for just 32 passengers and features a sun deck, large restaurant and a free bar from 11am to 10pm daily serving local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The 19 compact air-conditioned cabins have en suite bathrooms.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £250 ^per person on

selected departures and cabin grades when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Twin Sole occ Twin - Lower - Lower - Main Apr 21, 2020 1269 1069 1569 1369 1369 1169 Apr 28 1279 1079 1579 1379 1379 1179 May 5 1299 1099 1599 1399 1399 1199 May 12 1329 1149 1629 1449 1429 1249 May 19 Sole out Sold out 1479 1299 May 26 1379 1199 1679 1499 1479 1299 Jun 2 Sold out 1699 1549 1499 1349 Jun 9 1429 1279 1729 1579 1529 1379 Jun 16 1449 1329 1749 1629 1549 1429 Aug 25 1499 1249 1799 1549 1599 1349 Sep 1, 8 1379 1349 1679 1649 1479 1449 Sep 15 1349 1299 1649 1599 1449 1399 Sep 22 1329 1229 1629 1529 1429 1329 Sep 29 1379 1179 1679 1479 1479 1279 Oct 6 1299 1099 1599 1399 1399 1199 Croatia Island Explorer. Holiday code: CR042. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. Prices from:

Getting You There Prices are based on easyJet from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airlines.

Please quote SMT19

ALBANIA

Land of the Eagle 11 nights from £999 Including optional travel insurance or from £945 without insurance§ Experience the Mediterranean’s best kept secret on this exciting tour discovering the unspoilt natural beauty, ancient cities and historic sights of Albania from the Ionian coast to the Cika Mountains, with a chance to spend a day in Macedonia.

Holy Trinity Church in Berat ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Golem Beach, Durres. Fly to Tirana. Transfer to Durrës and spend four nights at the locally rated 4-star Sandy Beach Resort, Golem. Enjoy dinner and a welcome drink. D Day 2: Golem Beach, Durres . Join a scenic coach tour of Tirana to see its jigsaw of contrasting architectural styles. Then explore the Block area independently, once a haven for Head of State Enver Hoxha and the communist elite but now the nucleus of Tirana’s trendy cafe culture. Visit Tirana’s cultural hub, Block’ Art 1 and drop in on Albania’s most famous living artist for tea before enjoying an Albanian dinner at a traditional restaurant. B, D

Kruja Durrës nights in hotel

Tirana

Macedonia Ohrid Lakes

Elbasan

Pogradec

Berat Vlore

Albania

Llogara National Park

Gjirokastër Butrint

Saranda

Please quote SMT19

Day 3: Golem Beach, Durres . At leisure. Relax by the hotel pool or enjoy a day on the private beach, with cooling dips in the inviting Adriatic. Alternatively, join an optional tour of the historic sites of Durrës with wine and produce tasting at the oldest winery in Albania. Perhaps take advantage of the option to upgrade to an all-inclusive board basis. B Day 4: Golem Beach, Durres . At leisure. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, set out on an optional excursion to see the little-viewed historical sites of Kruja, including Kruja Castle and bazaar, then enjoy Albania’s first ‘slow food’ experience with lunch on a local farm. B Day 5: Golem Beach, Durres to Gjirokastër to Saranda. Today you transfer to the locally rated 5-star Hotel Santa Quaranta, in Saranda, stopping en-route in World Heritage listed Gjirokastër, birthplace of the former communist dictator, Enver Hoxha. Enjoy its perfectly preserved Ottoman old town, Castel of Argjiro, an authentic Greek coffee in the bazaar and the military museum in the Fortress of Gjirokastër. Pause at the Blue Eye natural springs on the way to your hotel in Saranda, for a three-night stay. B Day 6: Saranda. After breakfast set out on an adventure tour of Butrint, where Albania’s most important archaeological site is found. Outstanding ruins include a Greek theatre and paleo-Christian baptistry, featuring a beautifully preserved Roman mosaic floor. Enjoy a traditional lunch on a farm before returning to Saranda and your hotel. B

Day 7: Saranda. At leisure. Enjoy free time in the comfortable surroundings of your hotel, with its pool and private beach on the Ionian Sea. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to see the historical sights of Mesopotam and tour Saranda city centre. In the evening everyone can enjoy dinner and ‘isopolifonia’ serenade in a castle above Saranda, accompanied by a Mediterranean sunset and panoramic views of the city and Corfu in the near distance. B, D Day 8: Saranda to Berat. After breakfast, wind your way along Albania’s southern coast towards Berat, stopping to admire seaside beauty spots where the petticoats of the Çika Mountain range meet the Ionian Sea. Perhaps treat yourself to lunch at a restaurant in the Llogara National Park, then drive to the harbour city of Vlore, where Albanian independence was declared in 1912. Travel on to the locally rated 4-star Hotel Grand White City in Berat, for an overnight stay. B Day 9: Berat to Pogradec. After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of Berat, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, where glistening white Ottoman dwellings have earned it the moniker of ‘city of a thousand windows’. Discover umpteen buildings of architectural and historical importance and slip into Onufri Museum to find spectacular 16th-century paintings and faded frescos. Stop for a traditional lunch at an Albanian home then continue to Pogradec and locally rated 3-star Hotel Pogradec, for two nights. B, L

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/landoftheeagle

Ancient sites

Your tour includes • 11 nights in hotels • 15 meals: 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners Excursions and visits City tour of Tirana, including a visit to Bunk’ Art I Sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Gjirokastra Explore UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint Visit Llogara National Park Dinner in a restaurant overlooking the city of Sarande Sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Berat - ‘city of a thousandwindows’ Tour of Elbasan l

Overview of Kruja

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Welcome drink Porterage at all hotels. l

The Palace of Culture, Tirana

The resort city of Saranda on the Ionian Sea

Day 10:Pogradec. At leisure. Enjoy the hotel facilities or relax on the lake beach. Alternatively, we recommend joining an optional tour to Macedonia, stopping in Sveti Naum to discover a 1st-century lakeside monastery, and the ancient town of Ohrid to explore its Roman and medieval relics. Here, visit the artisan workshop of a paper maker and finish off your adventure with a sundowner in Struga. B Day: 11:Pogradec to Tirana. After breakfast, depart on a scenic drive back to Tirana, stopping en-route for a sightseeing tour of Elbasan, including a chance to explore the remains of the Sultan’s castle with its exotic mix of eastern and medieval architecture. There’s time to have lunch (at your own

arrangement and expense) within the old city walls before continuing to Tirana and the locally rated 4-star Hotel Colosseo. An optional excursion takes you for an exclusive Albanian culinary experience to wine and dine with one of Albania’s most esteemed chefs. B Day 12: Tirana-UK. After a free morning travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £200 on selected departures

Exclusively for solo travellers 11 nights departing October 14, 2019. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF363. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

UNESCO-listed Butrint Butrint, in southwest Albania on the Straits of Corfu and linked to the Mediterranean, became one of the major maritime centres along the merchant trade routes of the Ancient World. This fascinating archaeological site, inhabited since prehistoric times, later became a Greek and then a Roman colony. It was also occupied by Byzantines and Venetians before being abandoned in the late Middle Ages. The site was recognised as a site of national importance by UNESCO in 1992 as there are ruins here – including the city walls, baptistry, basilica and well-preserved theatre – representing each period in the city’s development.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 2, 9, 2019 1269 1149 Sep 23 1149 Oct 7 1049 999 Apr 20, 2020 1149 999 May 4 1159 1029 May 18 1169 1049 Jun 8 1199 1099 Jun 22 1229 1129 Sep 7 1249 1149 Sep 21 1229 1099 Oct 5 1199 999 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1199 Land of the Eagle. Holiday Code: CT410. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class.

Please quote SMT19

GREECE AND HER ISLANDS

Ionian Island Hopping RELAXED 14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1399 Including optional travel insurance or from £1345 without insurance§ Discover the quiet life of the Greek Ionian islands as you hop between Kefalonia, Lefkada and Zakynthos on scheduled ferries, staying in hand-picked hotels.

Shipwreck Beach, Zakynthos ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Zakynthos-Kefalonia. Fly to Zakynthos, transfer to the port and take a ferry to Kefalonia. Check into the locally rated 5-star Apostolata Island Resort & Spa, for a five-night all-inclusive stay. The hotel runs a complimentary shuttlebus to the sand-and-shingle beach and the town of Skala, four kilometres away, and into Poros once per day. D Day 2: Kefalonia. Today is at leisure. Perhaps take the complimentary bus service and explore nearby resorts independently. B, L, D Day 3: Kefalonia. Enjoy another day at leisure. One of the highlights you might like to explore independently is the Cave of Melissani. Piloted rowboats take visitors onto the underground lake into which legend says the nymph Melissanthi threw herself. B, L, D

LEFKADA

MEGANISI KALAMOS

Vassiliki

Greece

ITHAKI

Vathy

Cave of Melissani

KEFALONIA

nights in hotel

Poros

Elios Proni

Smugglers Cove

ZAKYNTHOS

Zakynthos

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Day 4: Kefalonia. Join an included full-day trip to the unspoiled island of Ithaki by boat, including lunch at a local restaurant. The lush green island was where Homer’s hero Odysseus lived. There are ancient ruins, great walking trails and the island’s quaint capital, Vathy, to explore. B, L, D Day 5: Kefalonia. Day at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore further independently. B, L, D Day 6: Kefalonia-Lefkada. Take the public ferry to Lefkada, a quiet island in a cluster of tiny islets. Check into the family run, locally rated 4-star Enodia Hotel for a four-night, all-inclusive stay. The hotel is in the idyllic fishing village of Vassiliki, overlooking Vassiliki Bay, one of the best windsurfing spots in the world. B, L, D Day 7: Lefkada. Enjoy a day at leisure. Head to the beach, stroll on the promenade at Vassiliki, or rent a bike at the hotel and explore the local area. B, L, D Day 8: Lefkada. Today, join a included full-day small island-hopping tour by boat, visiting Kalamos and Meganisi. Take in views of the private island of Skorpios, which was owned by Aristotle Onassis and where he married Jackie Kennedy, and enjoy a barbecue lunch. B, L, D Day 9: Lefkada. Day at leisure. Lefkada is the only Ionian island connected to the mainland yet its traditional villages, laid-back main town and timeless, green interior remain relatively unspoilt. Perhaps explore the quaint villages or stroll through Lefkada Town. B, L, D

Day 10: Lefkada-Zakynthos. Board a ferry to the island of Zakynthos (may be indirect service). Check into the locally rated 5-star Mabely Grand Hotel for a five-night stay (holidays departing on October 7, 2019 stay at the locally rated 4-star Keri Village). The hotel has a picturesque, hillside location, one kilometre from the village of Kampi, and 29 kilometres from Zakynthos Town. B, L, D Day 11: Zakynthos. Enjoy a day at leisure There are wonderful walks into the surrounding countryside, and the hotel offers complimentary shuttle busses to a selection of local beaches. B, L, D Day 12: Zakynthos. Today, enjoy an included guided boat trip to the famous beached Panagiotis shipwreck and Smugglers Cove. Pass the Blue Caves en route then enjoy a swim or stretch out in the sun at Smugglers Cove. B, L, D Day 13: Zakynthos. Enjoy a full-day island tour of Zakynthos. B, L, D Day 14: Zakynthos. At leisure. Perhaps take a trip out to the Keri Lighthouse, perched 300 metres above sea, head into the interior or visit the rugged west coast. B, L, D Day 15: Zakynthos-UK. After breakfast, travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: A reasonable level of fitness is needed on this tour: excursions may involve walking on uneven ground and you will be required to carry your own luggage at the ferry ports, so you may prefer to bring a suitcase on wheels.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/ionianhopping

Island hopping Best seller

Local flights

Your tour includes 14 nights in hotels 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunch and 14 dinners Free bar open 11 hours a day

Excursions and visits Day trip to Ithaki island Small island hopping from Lefkada Boat trip to Shipwreck Beach Island tour of Zakynthos l

Plus all this... Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers All transfers and ferry tickets Saga tour manager Welcome drink reception Porterage of luggage at hotels. l

The pretty port of Ithaki

Myzithres

Mount Ainos, Kefalonia

“It’s fun, lots to do. The islands are verdant and geologically special, we saw dolphins, huge turtles, and amazing fish! We felt we had been away for longer than two weeks.” Katherine-Marie, Chester

SAVE up to £100

on selected departures Prices from: Apr 26, 2020 1499 1399 May 4 1549 1499 May 11 1549 May 18 1599 Jun 1 1599 Jun 8 1629 Jun 15 1649 Jun 22 1699 Aug 31 1699 Sep 7 1699 Sep 14 1679 Sep 21 1649 Sep 28 1649 1599 Oct 5 1599 1549 Single Supplement: From £1599.

Island hopping from Lefkada During your stay on the island of Lefkada you can look forward to boarding a boat to spend a day touring some of the smaller islands in the region. You visit the island of Kalamos, the forested peak of a vast underwater mountain with lost white sand beaches. At Meganisi, discover the deserted coastline and picturesque village of Vathy. Enjoy views of the private island of Skorpios, once owned by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis and the setting for his marriage to Jackie Kennedy in October 1968. The island is now leased to a Russian heiress.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Ionian Island Hopping. Holiday Code: CT461. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. We are unable to include the Greek Tourist Tax, this has to be paid locally by all guests.

Getting You There Prices are based on Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights.

Please quote SMT19

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/island-sporades

GREECE & HER ISLANDS

Greek Island Adventure ACTIVE 14 nights from £1699^ Including optional travel insurance or or from £1645^ without insurance§ Venture off the beaten track to explore three exceptionally beautiful islands from the lesser-known Sporades archipelago. Here Greek island life remains true to its cultural origins. Swim, follow hiking trails through idyllic countryside, and hop on a boat to see Europe’s largest marine park. You’ll soon see why the makers of the film Mamma Mia! choose the area as a location!

Local flights

Island hopping

Small group: 24 or less

Hiking

Your tour includes • 14 nights in hotels • 30 meals: 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 14 dinners Excursions and visits Skiathos countryside walk Kalamaki Peninsula walk Boat trip to the National Marine Park of Alonissos Alonissos nature trail Mountains to sea walk on Skopelos Scenic inter-island ferry crossings ●

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A view from the island of Skiathos

Exploring Skopelos

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Skiathos Aghia Paraskevi Skopelos

Alonissos

Patitiri marina on the island of Alonissos ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Skiathos. Fly to Skiathos and stay five nights at the locally rated 5-star Skiathos Princess, superbly located on a beach on the island’s south coast. D Day 2: Skiathos. Join an included walk around the wooded Kalamaki peninsula. For a different view of the island, why not continue by water taxi to Skiathos town where you can explore its cobbled streets. B, L, D Day 3: Skiathos. Perhaps visit Evangelistria Monastery, where the first Greek flag was woven and blessed in 1807, on an optional excursion. B, D Day 4: Skiathos. This morning join your tour manager for a walk through the countryside into the island’s wooded interior and pass orchards of pomegranate, pistachio, fig and quince trees. The afternoon is at leisure. B, D Day 5: Skiathos. Relax by the pool or go exploring independently. B, D Day 6: Skiathos-Alonissos. Travel by ferry to the tranquil and unspoilt island of Alonissos, for a five-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Marpunta Village Club. Perhaps pop to the quiet, pine-fringed beach for a stroll or a swim before dinner. B, D Day 7: Alonissos. Hop on a boat for an included full-day excursion to the Marine Park of Alonissos, the largest protected marine area in Europe. You’ll stop off at various islands with the opportunity to swim, plus you’ll enjoy a photo stop at the Blue Cave. On the island of Kyra Panagia, you may spot dolphins before you climb 52 steep steps for a guided tour of the monastery. B, D Day 8: Alonissos. You might like to join an optional beach safari and go snorkelling off three beaches only

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accessible by boat, while this evening you can join an optional guided tour of the beautiful restored Old Town, the original capital of Alonissos. B, D Day 9: Alonissos. Join your tour manager on a nature walk to see some of the local flora , such as Jerusalem sage, rock rose, the strawberry tree and squirting cucumber – which ejaculates its seeds with some ferocity! B, D Day 10: Alonissos. At leisure. Perhaps walk to the island’s seaside capital, Patitiri to explore, go hiking, or have lunch. B, D Day 11: Alonissos-Skopelos. Travel by ferry to Skopelos to spend four nights at the locally rated 4-star Adrina Beach. Skopelos is the largest island of the Sporades, and so pretty it was selected as the location for the film Mamma Mia! B, D Day 12: Skopelos. See the beauty of the island on an included walk from the mountain village of Pirgos, via the remote church of Panagitsa and onto the beaches of Panormos. Enjoy a dip before lunch in a local restaurant. B, L, D Days 13-14: Skopelos. Spend the next two days at leisure. If you’re exploring independently you might like to see Ayios Ioannis, the church used in the film Mamma Mia! Perhaps climb the steps to enjoy the view from the top. On day 14 an optional evening excursion reveals some of the island’s isolated monasteries. B, D Day 15: SkopelosSkiathos-UK. After breakfast, travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: You will need to carry your own luggage at the ferry ports, so you may like to take a suitcase on wheels. A reasonable level of fitness is needed on this tour as excursions will involve walking, sometimes over uneven ground, steep hills and steps.

“We enjoyed this holiday a lot! Nice company and good activities.” Hilary, Hythe

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £200

^ per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: May 3, 2020 1799 1599 May 10 1849 1699 May 17 1899 1799 May 31 2099 1899 Jun 7 2149 1999 Sep 13 2199 2099 Sep 20 2149 2049 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1647 Greek Island Adventure. Holiday code: CT372. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include saving as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. We are unable to include Greek Tourist Tax, this has to be paid locally by all guests.

Getting You There Prices are based on Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/island-aegean

GREECE & HER ISLANDS

Jewels of the Aegean RELAXED

Local flights

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1579^

Best seller

Including optional travel insurance or from £1679^ without insurance§ On this all-inclusive tour you'll visit Rhodes – the largest and most famous of the Dodecanese islands. You'll also discover the beautiful island of Leros and UNESCO-listed Symi.

Island hopping

Your tour includes • 14 nights in hotels • 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners • Free bar at each hotel open from 10 to 12 hours a day Excursions and visits Rhodes town visit Leros island tour Symi island tour Rhodes panoramic tour Scenic inter-island crossings l

The pretty island of Symi

One of many windmills on Leros

Leros

Symi

Bay of St George Ialyssos

Dodecanese Islands nights in hotel

Rhodes

Lindos Aegean Sea

Lindos, Rhodes

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Rhodes. Fly to the island of Rhodes and stay four nights at the locally rated 4-star Sun Beach Resort with a superb location directly on the beach of Ialyssos, just eight kilometres from Rhodes Town. D Day 2: Rhodes Town. Rhodes Town was founded in 408 BC and has a fascinating history, which you can discover on an included excursion today. B, L, D Day 3: Lindos. An optional excursion heads along the coast to the picturesque ancient village of Lindos. B, L, D Day 4: Rural villages. An optional trip ventures into the heart of Rhodes to reveal traditional village life. B, L, D Day 5: Rhodes-Leros. After breakfast travel by catamaran across the Aegean Sea to the unspoilt island of Leros, where you spend the next three nights at the locally rated 4-star Crithoni's Paradise . Facilities include a restaurant, bar, gym and sauna. B, L, D Day 6: Leros island tour. The unspoilt island of Leros is characterised by an indented coastline, lush landscapes and protected harbours. A full-day included tour highlights some of its historic sights including the Franco Byzantine Fort and Byzantine Castle on Mount Kasteli. B, L, D Day 7: Leros. Spend the day at leisure amid your tranquil surroundings. B, L, D

Day 8: Leros to Symi. This morning you'll travel to Symi, where you spend the next four nights at the locally rated 3-star Pedi Beach Hotel which overlooks tranquil Pedi Bay. B, L, D Day 9: Symi island tour. Today's included boat trip uncovers Symi's heritage which has barely been touched by modernisation. B, L, D Days 10-11: Symi. Spend the next two days at leisure. Perhaps explore Yialos Harbour with its varied range of cafes and restaurants. B, L, D Day 12: Symi-Rhodes. Sail back to Rhodes by catamaran where you spend your final three nights back at the locally rated 4-star Sun Beach Resort . B, L, D Day 13: Rhodes panoramic tour. Visit Mandraki Harbour during an included scenic tour of the island. You’ll also see the spa area of Kalithea. Alternatively, perhaps join an optional walking tour of medieval Rhodes, illuminated by lanterns, including dinner B, L, D Day 14: Rhodes. Today you can explore the medieval Old Town independently or perhaps join an optional excursion to Butterfly Valley, Filérimos and Kemeriros. A farewell dinner is included this evening. B, L, D Day 15: Rhodes-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

“Excellent holiday. Rhodes is a very interesting Island, Leros is both beautiful and interesting, Symi is possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been.” Malcolm, Knaresborough

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £220 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Sep 4, 11, 2019 1899 Sep 18 1949 1899 Oct 2 1699 May 6, 2020 1799 1579 May 20 1849 1699 Jun 3 1899 1749 Sep 9 1949 1799 Sep 23 1899 1729 Sep 30 1799 1579 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1679 Jewels of the Aegean. Holiday code: CT294. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options.

Please quote SMT19

GREECE & HER ISLANDS

A Taste of the Greek Islands RELAXED 14 nights from £1399^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1345^ without insurance§ Join this fascinating island tour, where modern and ancient history combine, for a truly memorable and unique experience. Enjoy breathtaking scenery and discover 5,000 years of history and culture while staying at small and friendly, traditional Greek hotels.

Beautiful Santorini ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Santorini. Fly to Santorini and spend three nights at the friendly, locally rated 3-star Makarios Hotel, in the resort of Kamari. D Day 2: Santorini. Spend today at leisure. An optional excursion visits the village of Pyrgos for a sunset wine-tasting session. B, L Day 3: Santorini. A full-day included excursion shows you the magnificent Santorini landscape whose deep lagoon and unusual cliffs were the result of a volcanic eruption around 1500 BC. Visit one of the most photographed villages in Greece, Oia, where whitewashed houses and bright-blue domed churches cling to the steep hillside. B, D

Athens

Delos

Mykonos

Cyclades Paros

Day 4: Santorini-Paros. Travel by ferry to Paros for a four-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Narges, near the centre of Aliki, a typically unspoilt Greek fishing village. B Day 5: Paros. Join an optional excursion to see the whitewashed houses, windmills and chapels of Mykonos and explore the historic ruins of neighbouring Delos. B Day 6: Paros. An included half-day tour reveals Parikia, the capital of Paros. Visit the Byzantine church of Panagia Ekatontapilianí that dates back to 326AD before heading north to the traditional fishing village of Náoussa. B Day 7: Paros. Spend today at leisure or you may like to join an optional excursion encompassing the scenic south of Paros and Antiparos, where time and life seems to have stood still. B Day 8: Paros-Naxos. Travel by ferry to Naxos, and stay three nights on half board at the locally rated 4-star Naxos Palace Hotel which is within walking distance of the small village of Stelida. B, D

Day 9: Naxos. Enjoy an included half-day tour of Naxos Town. B, D Day 10: Naxos. Perhaps explore Naxos’ old town and its charming harbour. An optional excursion highlights the island’s traditional produce of oranges and olives. B, D Day 11: Naxos-Santorini. Return to Santorini with the rest of the day at leisure, and stay a further four nights at the locally rated 3-star Makarios Hotel. B, D Day 12: Santorini. Spend today at leisure or join an optional excursion to the ruins of the Bronze age settlement of Akrotiri. B, D Day 13: Santorini. Optional visit to the caldera of the volcano that shaped the island. B, D Day 14: Santorini. Enjoy your last day at leisure. B, D Day 15: Santorini-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight back to the UK. B

Naxos

Aegean Sea nights in hotel

Santorini

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Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/taste-greece

Island hopping Best seller

Local flights

Your tour includes • 14 nights in hotels • 24 meals: 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 9 dinners Excursions and visits Santorini island tour Oia village visit Museum of Prehistoric Thira A visit to Paros island's capital Tour Naxos old town Scenic inter-island ferry crossings l

Stark whitewashed Greek houses on the coast of Paros

Mykonos at dusk

“Real value for money, good accommodation, great excursions, travel arrangements worked well, and our tour guide was excellent. Would recommend the optional excursions.” Glynis, Warwick Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £230 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: May 5, 2020 1599 1399 May 12 1629 1479 May 19 1619 1499 May 26 1729 1579 Jun 2 1759 1679 Jun 9 1799 1699 Jun 16, Sep 1 1829 1729 Sep 8 1799 1729 Sep 15 1749 1649 Sep 22 1719 1549 Sep 29 1709 1449 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1599

Hotel Makarios, Santorini The locally rated 3-star Hotel Makarios is a modern hotel offering traditional Greek hospitality and an excellent choice of facilities. Set in a peaceful area of the seaside resort of Kamari, the hotel is a short stroll from the beach and local shops. Hotel Narges , Paros The locally rated 4-star Hotel Narges, is a family-run hotel that offers a traditional Greek welcome and friendly service. The hotel is a 50-metre walk from the heart of Aliki, an unspoilt Greek fishing village with tavernas and traditional bars. Naxos Palace Hotel , Naxos The locally rated 4-star Naxos Palace Hotel is a village-style complex offering modern comforts. This friendly hotel enjoys a secluded location within walking distance of the small village of Stelida.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

A Taste of the Greek Islands. Holiday code: CT267. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. We are unable to include the Greek Tourist tax, this has to be paid locally by all guests.

Getting You There Prices are based on Thomas Cook Airlines or easyJet from Gatwick dependent on date of departure. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options.

Please quote SMT19

CORSICA & SARDINIA

Corsica and Sardinia 11 nights from £1349^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1295^ without insurance§ Experience the contrasting and unique identities of two of Europe's most unspoilt islands, Corsica and Sardinia. You can discover both their natural rugged beauty and fascinating cultures on this exceptional tour.

Bonifacio’s harbour ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Cagliari-Alghero. Fly to Cagliari, Sardinia and transfer to the locally rated 4-star Horse Country Resort in Arborea for an overnight stay, stopping for lunch (not included) at Santa Giusta, near Oristano en route. The hotel has a tranquil countryside setting, with a private beach. D Day 2: Alghero. This morning an included excursion reveals the spectacular cliffs of Capo Caccia. Later, arrive in Alghero and transfer to the locally rated 4-star Hotel Catalunya in Alghero, where you'll stay for two nights. This afternoon enjoy a pleasant stroll through the medieval centre of Alghero, within easy reach of your hotel. B

L’Île-Rousse

Calvi

Corte

Corsica Bonifacio Santa Teresa Alghero Capo Caccia

Baia Sardinia Porto Cervo

Aggius Torralba

Sardinia

Oristano

nights in hotel

Mediterranean

Day 3: Alghero. Perhaps join an optional excursion to Torralba to see the famous UNESCO-listed stone ruins known as 'nuraghi.' Also visit the Church of the Santissima Trinita, with the only existing 13th-century frescoes on the island. B, D Day 4: Alghero-Calvi. Contrast the scenery of the two islands today as you transfer from Alghero to Calvi, Corsica, by coach and ferry. Stay for the next four nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel L'Abbaye in Calvi. Dinner is included this evening and on your final evening. B, D Day 5: Calvi. After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy an included orientation tour of Calvi with its huge medieval citadel and lovely beaches. The afternoon is free to relax and explore your surroundings. B Day 6: Calvi. Today you'll take a scenic drive to the island's interior and visit the charming historical village of Corte, set high in the mountains. B Day 7: Calvi. An optional excursion visits Ile Rousse, named after the islets that blush a deep russet red in the sunset. This laid back seaside town has beaches of white sand, and a bustling marketplace with cafes in the village square. The nearby Parc de Saleccia is a landscaped botanic garden set in the heart of the Corsican Maquis. B, D

Day 8: Calvi-Arzachena. Today travel to spectacular Arzachena back in Sardinia where you spend the next three nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Airone. B, D Day 9: Emerald Coast. This morning there is an included excursion that visits exclusive resorts along the Emerald Coast including Baia Sardinia. This afternoon is at leisure. B, D Day 10: Arzachena. Today a full-day optional excursion heads to Aggius, a picturesque village of granite stone, home to a rich tradition of weaving and hand-loom carpet making. In the company of a local guide, visit the village and its museums of daily life and history of banditry, and enjoy a spot of wine tasting before heading back to the hotel. B, D Day 11: Arzachena to Cagliari. Travel to Cagliari, stopping en route for lunch (not included), and stay one last night at the locally rated 4-star T-Hotel. This ultra-modern hotel is located opposite the stylish brand new 'Music Plaza.' B, D Day 12: Cagliari-UK. Travel to Cagliari airport for your return flight home. B

Cagliari

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Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/corsica-sardinia

Best seller

Your tour includes • 11 nights in hotels • 19 meals: 11 breakfasts and 8 dinners Excursions and visits See the spectacular cliffs of Capo Caccia Explore the beautiful medieval city of Alghero Inter-island ferry crossing Calvi tour and Corte mountain village Panoramic tour of the Emerald Coast l

Bonifacio

The Emerald Coast of Sardinia

Try local dishes

“A really enjoyable holiday to Corsica and Sardinia with a brilliant tour manager and, as always with Saga, great fellow travellers. The itinerary, and variety and quality of the accommodation was excellent” Margaret, Mirfield

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £170 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Torralba and Church of SS Trinità di Saccargia Discover Sardinia’s fascinating prehistoric and Romanesque heritage on an optional excursion. Set in a valley in the mountains, Torralba is the home of the Nuraghic Palace of Santu Antine, with its surrounding 'village' – archaeological remains of these extraordinary buildings. Nuraghi are conical stone-built towers dating roughly to between 1500-800 BC and are unique to Sardinia (another site on the island has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The main palace building is 17 metres high and lies at the centre of the site, which is also home to a museum. You’ll also visit the famous Romanesque church of SS Trinità di Saccargia, situated on the Logudoro hills and built by Camaldolite monks in the 12th century. The influence of Sardinia's historic Pisan overlords can clearly be seen in its distinctive striped exterior, and wonderful interior fresco to the apse dating to the late 12th century.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Oct 3, 2019 1519 1349 May 28, 2020 1649 1549 Jun 4 1699 1599 Jun 11 1749 1649 Sep 10 1759 1649 Sep 24 1649 1549 Oct 1 1599 1499 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1530 Corsica and Sardinia. Holiday code: IT7G6. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class

Please quote SMT19

ITALY

Reflections of the Italian Lakes 13 nights from £1199^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1145^ without insurance.§ For astounding scenery, northern Italy’s lake district is hard to beat. This tour contrasts some of the famous with the lesser-known lakes, where landscapes are painted in a variety of vibrant hues, and unique cultures have shaped the region. From sublime Lake Garda and Maggiore, to hidden alpine tarns, this tour is a feast for the senses.

Views across Lake Garda ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Milan-Lake Orta. Fly to Milan and transfer to Lake Orta. Stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel L’Approdo, which sits lakeside in Pettenasco, an area so beautiful it inspired Browning, Balzac and Nietzsche. D Day 2: Lake Orta. Explore this delightful lake by public boat, visiting the charming town of Orta and the island of San Giulio. Spend this afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 3: Lake Orta. Look forward to a relaxing day in the lake town of Arona where you can visit the quaint Umbrella Museum for a glimpse of a bygone era. B, D Day 4: Lake Orta-Lake Maggiore. Travel to Baveno, a typically Italian town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, where you'll spend the next three nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Simplon. In the afternoon take

Switzerland Lake Maggiore Pettenasco Lake Orta

Bolzano Molveno

Locarno

Baveno

Como

Arco Lake Garda Bardolino

Milan nights in hotel

Trento

Lake Como

Italy

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a short drive to the market town of Omegna and explore the small shops and pretty lakeside promenade. Later you'll stop to explore Stresa, one of Italy's oldest tourist hotspots with a beautiful setting overlooking the historic Borromean Islands. B, D Day 5: Locarno. Cross the border into Switzerland on an included full-day excursion to the resort town of Locarno. From here you'll enjoy an included trip on the Centovalli Scenic Railway, stopping at Domodossola. B, D Day 6: Lake Maggiore. This morning you head to Villa Taranto to stroll through its immaculate gardens. In the afternoon you can join an optional excursion to the stunning garden island of Isola Bella, that rises from Lake Maggiore. B, D Day 7: Lake Maggiore-Lake Garda. This morning transfer to Lake Garda where you spend the next three nights at the locally rated 4-star Palace Hotel Cittá in Arco, two kilometres from the lake. En route, you'll stop to explore the town of Como, whose history of silk production goes back over 4000 years, with fashion houses in Milan and New York still being supplied with Como silk today. B, D Day 8: Lake Garda. You might like to join an optional scenic drive to two medieval towns; Riva del Garda and Malcesine. If weather permits, you can travel up Monte Baldo by cable car for more heavenly panoramic views (extra charge). B, D

Day 9: Lake Garda. Today an included excursion visits the pretty, lakeside town of Bardolino. Take time to explore independently before taking a scenic boat trip to the historic peninsula town of Sirmione. B, D Day 10: Lake Garda-Molveno. Travel to Molveno, pausing en route in the town of Trento. Continue for a four-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Du Lac or locally rated 3-star Hotel Ariston, dependent on date of departure. This is a seasonal resort and may be quieter during early spring and late autumn. B, D Day 11: Molveno. Soak up the culture of medieval Bolzano on an optional full-day excursion that includes entrance to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to Ötzi the Iceman. B, D Day 12: Molveno. Join an optional full-day excursion through the picturesque Val Gardena to the mountain village of Ortisei. Known for its woodcarvings, Ortisei has some interesting shops and cafes to explore. B, D Day 13: Three lakes tour. Enjoy an included excursion to the smaller mountain lakes of Tenno, Ledro and Toblino where there will be time to stroll around each and take in the stupendous views. B, D Day 14: Molveno-Milan-UK. Transfer to Milan for your flight to the UK. B Please note: October 7, 2019 departures stay at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Dino on day 4. If you're departing from Manchester your 14-night itinerary includes an extra night in Molveno.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/reflection

Exclusive Manchester departures

Your tour includes • 13 nights in hotels • 26 meals: 13 breakfasts and 13 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Lakes Tenno, Ledro and Toblino Visit the island of San Guilio, Lake Orta Explore the gardens of Villa Taranto Visit the lakeside towns of Bardolino and Sirmione Discover the heart of Trento – a medieval city Visit to Locarno in Switzerland and a scenic train ride l

Gardens and sculptures decorate Isola Bella

Lake Orta is easily explored by public boat

The medieval town of Riva del Garda

“Had a great time in Northern Italy with some wonderful food, superb wines, stunning scenery and places to visit.” Andy, London Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £300 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Sep 2, 2019 1629 1399 Sep 9 1699 Sep 16 1749 1649 Sep 30 - Manchester 1599 14949 Oct 7 1499 1199 May 11, 2020 - Manchester 1679 1549 May 18 1699 1499 Jun 1 1749 1549 Jun 15 1799 1649 Sep 7 1749 1649 Sep 21 1699 1599 Sep 28 - Manchester 1799 1599 Oct 5 1649 1349 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1289

Bolzano Visit the fascinating town of Bolzano, situated between the Italian-speaking Trentino region, and the German-speaking Alto Adige. This meeting of two cultures has given the town a unique identity. Known as Bozen in German, the town has a strong German character and is also the capital of a mainly German-speaking province, yet three-quarters of its inhabitants speak Italian! Bolzano is nicknamed the 'gateway to the Dolomites', and this lively town, surrounded by vineyards and mountains, is well-known for its excellent food and popular festivals. On this optional excursion there will be time to explore the town and see some of its sights, including the 15th-century Gothic cathedral which features an intricate spire. You’ll also visit the museum housing the well-preserved 5,300-year-old body of ‘Ötzi the Ice Man’, found in 1991 in the nearby mountains.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Reflections of the Italian Lakes. Holiday code: CT328. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick(2020) or Heathrow(2019). #Prices are based on easyJet from Manchester. Please enquire for regional flights • Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class

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ITALY & SICILY

Southern Italian and Sicilian Adventure 10 nights from £1299^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1245 without insurance§ The secrets of unspoilt Italy are revealed on this enchanting tour. Discover the rustic charm and unique culture of the country’s ‘heel’, then journey through remote Calabria, pausing in a European Capital of Culture for 2019 – Matera, before enjoying the classic beauty of Sicily.

Mount Etna dominates Taormina in Sicily ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Naples-Caserta. Fly to Naples then transfer to Caserta, staying overnight at the locally rated 4-star Hotel dei Cavalieri. Located in the heart of the town, the hotel overlooks the Piazza Luigi Vanvitelli and is a short distance from the Royal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. D Day 2: Alberobello. After visiting the medieval town of Trani in Puglia – the ‘heel’ of Italy – with its castle, cathedral and old town, stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Grand Hotel La Chiusa di Chietri. On the outskirts of Alberobello, the hotel is set in its own grounds which were part of the original farm or 'chiusa', from which the hotel takes its name. The hotel features a wellness centre, an outdoor pool (seasonal) and a spa offering a variety of treatments (additional cost). B, D

Trani Bari Alberobello Matera Ostuni Naples Lecce Martina Franca Altomonte Rossano

Caserta

Italy

Tyrrhenian Sea Mount Etna

Sicily Catania

nights in hotel

Day 3: Alberobello, Martina Franca and Ostuni. An included guided tour takes in charming Alberobello – famed for its unique 'trulli' houses. You'll also visit Martina Franca, with its particularly beutiful old town, and the 'white city' of Ostuni, where whitewashed buildings set on a hillside overlook the sea. B, D Day 4: Alberobello. Join a full day included excursion to Lecce, the stunning baroque city known as the ‘Florence of the south’, which includes the opportunity to see inside a prestigious 'Palazzo Nobiliare' house and enjoy an aperitif as guests of the family. B, D Day 5: Altomonte. Travel to Altomonte in Calabria, via Matera – a European capital of Culture for 2019 – where you'll see the intriguing houses and churches carved out of rock and known as ‘i sassi’. Stay at the family-run 4-star Hotel Barbieri for three nights. B, D Day 6: Altomonte. Today enjoy a full-day included excursion to Rossano, a charming town known for its liquorice production. Visit the 11th-century Santa Maria del Patire monastery and see the Codex Purpureo, the oldest illustrated Gospel book, before exploring the ancient archaeological site of Sibari. B, D

Day 7: Altomonte. Enjoy a half-day orientation tour of Altomonte to explore its historical treasures. B, D Day 8: Giardini Naxos, Sicily. Drive south to Reggio Calabria, and pause at the National Archaeological Museum to see its famous Riace warriors. Board the ferry across the straits of Messina, a sea crossing of about 25 minutes. On arrival in Sicily, enjoy a scenic drive to Giardini Naxos, a seaside resort at the foot of Taormina, where you'll stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Caesar Palace. B, D Day 9: Giardini Naxos, Sicily. An optional excursion takes you to one of Sicily's oldest tourist destinations, picturesque Taormina with its ancient Greek theatre and dramatic backdrop. You then continue to Mount Etna. B, D Day 10: Giardini Naxos, Sicily. On your last day in Sicily you can either relax in the sun or join a final optional trip to Syracuse, a city founded nearly 3,000 years ago. B, D Day 11: Catania-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight. B Please note: Holidays departing in 2019 are 12-night duration and follow a slightly different itinerary.

Reggio di Calabria Taormina Giardini Naxos Syracuse

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Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/italy-sicily

Ancient sites

Best seller

Solo departures Exclusive Manchester departures

The small city of Ostuni

Your tour includes • 10 nights in hotels • 20 meals: 10 breakfasts and 10 dinners Excursions and visits Visit the medieval seaport of Trani Guided tour of Alberobello, Martina Franca and Ostuni Visit to Rossano and Greek archaeological site at Sibari Visit to the cave dwellings at Matera Altomonte orientation tour Visit to Archaeology Museum in Reggio Calabria to Riace warriors Use of audio headsets on guided tours l

See the conical ‘trulli’ houses in Alberobello

Discover Ortygia

See the remains of a Roman amphitheatre in Lecce

Italian Splendours and Sicilian Adventure 23 nights from £2599. Combine this tour with Italian Splendours. SAVE up to £100 on the combined individual prices when you book Italian Splendours and Southern Italian and Sicilian Adventure.

Available on 2019 departures only. Holiday code: IT800. To find out more visit saga.co.uk/italysplendour

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £350^ on selected departures

Prices from: Sep 17 1649 1399 Sep 24 1649 1299 Oct 1 1649 1299 Apr 17, 2020 1499 1299 May 8 1579 1429 May 15 1599 1449 May 29 1629 1479 Jun 5 1649 1499 Jun 26 1679 1529 Sep 4 1649 1549 Sep 11 1629 1529 Sep 18 1599 1499 Sep 25 1579 1429 Oct 2 1549 1399 Oct 9 1449 1299 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1299

Calabrian cuisine You can enjoy a real taste of Calabria during your stay at the Hotel Barbieri, which has its own cantina – a traditional bar and restaurant – in the old town of Altomonte. You can also sample regional dishes from across Italy as the cantina is part of ‘Buon Ricordo’, an organisation that unites the country's traditional eateries. For a well-rounded experience, be sure to sample some Calabrian red wine!

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Southern Italian and Sicilian Adventure. Holiday code: CT008 / AF592 Solos. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class

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SICILY

Seriously Sicily 9 nights from £1099^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1045^ without insurance§ As the largest island in the Mediterranean just over ten nautical miles from mainland Italy, Sicily has been a crossroad of civilisation throughout the ages. It’s a melting pot of culture, with a fascinating history to match, as you’ll discover on this comprehensive tour.

Rooftops of Ragusa in Sicily ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Caltagirone. Fly to Catania and transfer to Caltagirone where you will stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star NH Hotel Caltagirone Villa San Mauro. D Day 2: Ragusa and Modica. Today you can look forward to a full day excursion and take a scenic drive to delve further into the stunning baroque south-east of the island, visiting baroque Modica and the hilltop town of Ragusa. B, D Day 3: Syracuse. On another included full-day excursion you will head to Syracuse. Visit the Greek Theatre and the island of Ortygia which is home to the Temple of Apollo and the Cathedral. B, D

Tyrrhenian Sea Palermo Cefalu

Italy

Giardini Naxos

Sicily

Mount Etna Catania Caltagirone

Ragusa

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Syracuse Noto

Day 4: Caltagirone to Piazza Armerina to Palermo. Check out of your hotel and head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Piazza Armerina, famous for its huge, well preserved Roman mosaics. Continue to Palermo, on the northern coast, pausing en route for lunch in Tenuta Geracello. Spend three nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Garibaldi. B, L, D Day 5: Palermo. This morning, join a guided walking tour of the exotic capital, whose history is reflected in its varied architecture of Arabic, baroque and art nouveau styles. See the Cathedral, Piazza Pretoria and Cappella Palatina before heading to a 15th-century palace, still inhabited, where you can sample local pastries and the ubiquitous limoncello. Later continue to Monreale to see its cathedral, one of the great sights of Norman Sicily. B Day 6: Palermo. Spend the day at leisure or perhaps take the chance to join an optional half-day excursion which visits Monte Pellegrino, which looms over the city boasting superb panoramic views, and the charming coastal resort of Mondello, known for its golden sands, pier and range of gourmet eateries along the beach. B Day 7: Palermo to Giardini Naxos. Travel via Cefalu to see its striking cathedral en route to Giardini Naxos, which is set on a bay backed by Mount Etna. Spend your final three nights at the locally rated 4-star Hellenia Yachting Hotel. B, D Day 8: Giardini Naxos. Spend the day at leisure, or you may like to join an optional

half-day tour to Catania, an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast which sits at the foot of Mount Etna. The city's central square, Piazza del Duomo is know for its Fontana dell'Elefante statue and the ornate Catania Cathedral. B, D Day 9: Giardini Naxos. This morning join an excursion that visits Mount Etna and takes you to the Silvestri Craters. Later enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful resort town of Taormina where you will visit a Greek Theatre and take a stroll through Corso Umberto. B, D Day 10: Giardini Naxos-UK. Travel to Catania airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: holidays departing in 2019 follow a 12-night itinerary and stay at the locally rated 4-star Poggio Del Sole Resort in Ragusa on days 1-3 and at the locally rated 4-star Mahara Hotel in Mazara del Vallo on days 7-9, continuing to Giardini Naxos for days 10-12. Excursions also differ.

Extend your holiday Giardini Naxos 4 nights Half Board. Following your tour, enjoy a further four nights at the Hellenia Yachting Hotel. 2 nights for Manchester departures. Please call for details. Indulge your passion Archaeology 12 nights from £1899 departing October 3 (£1899), 2019. Holiday code: AV170. This holiday follows a different itinerary – please call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/seriously

Best seller

Ancient sites

Your tour includes • 9 nights in hotels • 17 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 7 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Syracuse and the Island of Ortygia Visit to the Cappella Palatina in Palermo Tour of the Roman Mosaics of Piazza Armerina Ragusa guided walk Visit to Monreale Cathedral Visit to Mount Etna Use of audio headsets on guided tours l

Pretty Palermo

Beautiful Mount Etna

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £350 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Aug 28, 2019# 1749 1399 Sep 5 1749 Sep 12 1749 1399 Sep 26 1679 1629 Oct 10 1599 1349 Apr 16, 2020 1409 1189 Apr 30 1449 1229 May 14 1449 1249 May 28 1479 1279 Jun 4 1509 1329 Jun 18 1559 1379 Sep 10 1609 1429 Sep 24 1529 1349 Oct 1 1499 1299 Oct 8 1449 1249 Oct 29 1399 1099 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1198.

Out of the earth… Found by accident by a local farmer, the Villa Romana del Casale offers some of the finest Roman mosaics on display in the world today. The origins of this aristocratic villa can be traced to the beginning of the 4th century AD and was in use for over eight hundred years until completely covered by a landslide. The excavation of the villa has led to a greater understanding of the daily lifestyle of a Roman family. One of the most intriguing mosaic’s uncovered has been called “Chamber of the Ten Maidens and features young women performing sports.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Seriously Sicily. Holiday code: CT323. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on easyJet from Gatwick. #Prices are based on easyJet from Manchester.

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MALTA & HER ISLANDS

Islands of Antiquity RELAXED 10 nights from £999^ Including optional travel insurance or from £945^ without insurance§ Discover the rich and turbulent history of Malta and Gozo, which together have the greatest density of historic sites of any country on earth. Our island-hopping tour will reveal 5,000-year-old Neolithic temples, dramatic natural wonders, the architectural splendours of the Knights of St John and heroic tales from World War II.

Explore the island’s rugged coast ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Sliema. Fly to Malta and travel to Sliema for five nights, on half-board basis, at the locally rated 4-star Diplomat Hotel. D Day 2: Tarxien and Ghar Dalam. An included tour of the UNESCO-listed Tarxien Temples and the prehistoric site of Ghar Dalam awaits you this afternoon. B, D Day 3: Valletta. This morning, look forward to a full-day tour of historic Valletta. Walk in the footsteps of the Knights of St John with a visit to the impressive Co-Cathedral and Archaeology Museum. Pause for lunch at a restaurant of your choice then visit the Lascaris War Rooms and The Malta Experience, where you'll learn about the island's long and turbulent history. B, D

Ta’Pinu Victoria

GOZO

Marsalforn nights in hotel

COMINO

Mdina Mosta

Malta

Sliema Valletta Luqa

Hagar Qim Blue Grotto

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Tarxien Temples Ghar Dalam

Day 4: Sliema. Today you may be able to join an optional excursion to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, where colourful boats bob in the harbour and fishermen still mend their own nets. Afterwards, sit back and relax during a leisurely cruise around Valletta's harbour and see the fascinating sights and vibrant atmosphere of this beautiful city. Alternatively, you may like to simply relax at your hotel and enjoy a stroll along the seafront promenade. B, D Day 5: Sliema. Spend the day at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion to explore the megalithic temple complex of Hagar Qim or you may like to take a stroll along the promenade to St Julian's, with its pretty bay, sandy beach and choice of bars and restaurants. B, D Day 6: Malta-Gozo. After a relaxing morning at leisure catch the ferry to Gozo this afternoon. Spend the next five nights on a half-board basis at the 4-star Calypso Hotel. Situated at the water's edge overlooking Marsalforn Bay, the hotel is a stone's throw from the shores of the Mediterranean. B, D Day 7: Gozo. On your first full day in Gozo you can look forward to an included excursion to the capital, Victoria. Here you'll visit the historic Citadel whose hilltop position affords stunning views of the lush countryside and the Gordan Lighthouse. You'll also be able to visit the cathedral, and Period House which is found inside one the finest surviving houses

in the Citadel. There will be free time for you to have lunch wherever you please (at your own cost). Afterwards, enjoy an included visit to the majestic Rotunda Church in Xewkija before returning to Marsalforn for a guided walk along the coastal salt pans. Dating from 1740, they are still in use today, producing several tons of sea salt every year. B, D Day 8: Gozo. Spend the day at leisure relaxing by the hotel’s lovely rooftop swimming pool, or for something a little more energetic you could take a hike through the countryside. B, D Day 9: Gozo. Spend the day at leisure or you may have the chance to join an optional full-day excursion which travels by ferry to Malta to explore Mosta and the beautiful city of Mdina. B, D Day 10: Gozo. After your action-packed few days, you'll have a final day to spend as you please. B, D Day 11: Gozo-Malta-UK. Travel by ferry to Malta and transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the UK. B Please note: 2019 departures are 10-nights staying at 3 hotels, and follow a slightly different itinerary.

Extend your holiday Malta. 7 nights. All inclusive. Continue your holiday with a stay at the locally rated 4-star Seashells Resort at Suncrest in St Paul’s Bay. Please call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/antiquity

Solo departures

Local flights

Island hopping

Ancient sites

Your tour includes l

10 nights in hotels 20 meals: 10 breakfasts and 10 dinners

Excursions and visits Guided tours of UNESCO-listed Tarxien Temples and Ghar Dalam Valletta walking tour and visit to St John’s Co-Cathedral National Museum of Archaeology and the Armoury, Valletta The Lascaris War Rooms in Valletta Guided tour of Victoria and visit to the cathedral and Period House Guided walk along coastal salt pans Visit to Ta'Pinu sanctuary Visit the remains of the Azure Window Ggantija Temples visit Use of audio headsets on selected guided tours l

The Cathedral of St Paul in Mdina

The ornate interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta

Colourful Maltese fishing boats

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £150 ^on selected

departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Diplomat Hotel, Sliema , Malta This locally rated 4-star family-run hotel sits by a roadside promenade overlooking a rocky beach in the heart of Sliema, and it's just 100 metres to the nearest shops. All bedrooms have air-conditioning, and French doors. Regular buses depart from central Sliema to nearby St Julian's and to Valletta.

Hotel Calypso, Marsalforn, Gozo The locally rated 4-star Hotel Calypso is situated at the water's edge overlooking Marsalforn Bay, and the hotel prides itself on serving food made from only fresh, local ingredients. All air-conditioned bedrooms have a balcony or terrace. The hotel offers a range of activities, including sea kayaking, diving and horse riding (extra charge).

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 5, 2019 1359 Sep 26 1329 1299 Oct 3 1279 1249 Oct 17 1299 1199 Nov 7 1149 999 Feb 6, 2020 1199 1049 Mar 19 1299 1149 May 28 1449 1299 Jun 11 1499 1349 Sep 3 1499 1349 Sep 24 1449 1299 Oct 1 1419 1269 Sole occupancy rooms from £1049 Islands of Antiquity. Holiday code: CT351. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. We are unable to include the environmental contribution tax for Malta: this has to be paid by guests.

Getting You There Prices are based on Air Malta from Gatwick.

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Santiago de Compostella The jewel in Galicia’s crown, Santiago is a tapestry of architectural styles spanning the ages and its mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and neoclassical architecture attests to its significant role as an international pilgrimage centre. Look forward to a guided tour of the cathedral, which is set in the heart of the UNESCO-listed old town, and receive your certificate, or ‘Compostela’ , as proof of your own week-long pilgrimage.

Go on pilgrim to Santigao, page 48

Go whale watching on the Azores The Azores is one of the world’s premier whale and dolphin - watching sites, where 25 species of cetaceans either inhabit or pass through these waters on their great migration. Spot these beautiful creatures with an expert, and enjoy their in - depth insights, as you try to spot big whales like fin, sei, brydes, humpbacked and blue whales, as well as common, bottlenosed and Atlantic spotted dolphins.

See whales, page 56

The world is waiting to meet you 44

SPAIN, MADEIRA AND THE AZORES Discover the treasures of Spain and her beautiful islands, explore beautiful Madeira or go island-hopping in the tranquil Azores…

Walk Madeira’s levadas

Madeira is criss - crossed wit h not only ancient pathways but a u niq ue network of disused irrigation channe ls known as levadas. Enjoy a variety of picturesq ue walks either with a local guide or independently. These trails are a great way to really discover the island and there are so many great tra ils to choose from aro und the coast and further inland.

Enjoy scenic walks, page 54

SPAIN

Little Boats of the Mediterranean RELAXED 7 nights from £899^ Including optional travel insurance or from £879^ without insurance§ On this new holiday in Catalonia you’ll enjoy four very different boat trips, including a coastal cruise to Cadaqués and a cruise on the Canal du Midi in France. Back in Catalonia you’ll sail on the Lake of Banyoles and cruise the harbour waters of vibrant Barcelona. Between boat trips enjoy a seven-night stay at your comfortable hotel in Roses…

The charming medieval town of Besalu ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Barcelona-Roses. Fly to Barcelona and transfer to the town of Roses where you will stay for the next seven nights at the locally rated 3-star Prestige Hotel Coral Platja. It is situated on the seafront, next to Santa Margarida Beach and just 350 yards from the town centre. D Day 2: Cadaques. After a short walk to Port Castell Santa Margarida, 1.7 kilometres away, set off by boat this morning to the village of Cadques. Join an included guided tour of its enchanting old town and beautiful landscape which led to it being popular with artists including Picasso and Salvador Dali, who stayed here as a child. After some free time to explore further, board your boat and return to Roses, with the afternoon at leisure. B, D

France

Besalu

Spain

Banyoles

Beziers

Cadaques Roses

nights in hotel

Barcelona

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Day 3: Beziers, France. Take a coach to Beziers in France this morning in the company of your guide. Board your boat for a cruise along the Canal du Midi with lunch included. See the famous ‘staircase’ locks of Fonserances, the 17th-century Malpas tunnel and more as you discover part of this 150-mile long canal constructed in the 17th century. Afterwards, return to your hotel by coach. B, L, D Day 4: Roses, Spain. Enjoy today at leisure. Perhaps relax at your hotel, visit the beach or explore the town of Roses with its shops and restaurants, around 350 yards away. B, D Day 5: Banyoles and Besalu. Travel to the town of Banyoles by coach, where a 40-minute boat trip on the Lake of Banyoles awaits you. This large natural lake with its mountain backdrop to the north is the largest in Catalonia. Afterwards, join your guide for an afternoon tour of the medieval town of Besalu with its cobbled streets lined with early houses, 12th-century fortified bridge, churches and more. B, D Day 6: Barcelona. This morning, take the two-hour drive to the city of Barcelona. This famous city has a host of attractions ranging from the architect Anton Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia and Park Güell,

to the tree-lined La Rambla with its cafes and shops, and the old Gothic quarter. Look forward to an hour-and-half boat trip exploring the harbour of Barcelona from the water, learn about the history and importance of the port, and see highlights including the Maremagnum, the Sagrada Familia, the Olympic Port, the Hotel Arts and Mapfre Tower. Afterwards, enjoy some time to explore the city independently. B, D Day 7: Roses. Today is at leisure to relax or explore independently. B, D Day 8: Barcelona-UK. Travel by coach to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B

Extend your holiday Costa Brava 7 nights all inclusive. Before or after your main holiday, spend a week at the locally rated 4-star Ilunion Caleta Park , in the small town of S’Agaro overlooking Sant Pol beach. Saga are the exclusive UK tour operator for this hotel which features a Saga lounge. Single rooms are at no extra cost, subject to availability. Please call lfor details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/littleboats

Local flights

Cruising

Best seller

Your tour includes 7 nights in a hotel 15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 7 dinners Excursions and visits Boat trip from Roses to Cadaqués Guided tour of Cadaqués Boat cruise along the Canal du Midi from Beziers, France Boat trip on the Lake of Banyoles Guided tour of Besalú Boat trip around Barcelona harbour l

Sun-soaked Cadaques

The Prestige Hotel Coral Platja

Cruise unspoilt waterways

“Being able to explore Catalonia in this unique way was amazing, even better knowing I didn’t have to live out of my suitcase. A real highlight was being able to cruise the Canal du Midi with a glass of wine and watch the world go by, having lunch onboard was an added bonus” Michael Fleetwood, Expert Holiday Creator

SAVE £100 ^on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

The Canal of Two Seas The idea of building a canal to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean dates back to the time of the Romans, but it wasn't until the 17th century that this feat was finally achieved. Its purpose was to avoid the month-long voyage around Spain, which, at the time, could be hostile with Barbary pirates. The Canal Du Midi, sometimes known as the 'Canal of Two Seas' took 12,000 labourers (1,000 of which were women) nearly 30 years to complete, and stretches for 150 miles, passing nearly 100 locks. On an included excursion, join a cruise along a section of the canal, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Embark your canal boat in Beziers, and enjoy a scenic cruise taking in the famous ‘staircase’ locks of Fonserances, the 17th-century Malpas tunnel and much more.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Oct 9, 2019 Apr 22, 2020 May 6 May 13 May 20 Jun 3 Jun 10 Jun 17 Sep 2, 9 Sep 16 Sep 30 Oct 7 Oct 14 Single Supplement: From £1069

1249 999 899 1049 949 1099 999 1129 1029 1149 1049 1179 1079 1199 1099 1199 1099 1149 1049 1099 999 1079 979 1029 929

Little Boats of the Mediterranean. Holiday code: CT611. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on easyJet from from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights.

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To find out more visit saga.co.uk/santiagotrail

SPAIN

Walking the Santiago Trail

Small group: 23 or less

ACTIVE

7 nights from £899^

Hiking

Including optional travel insurance or from £879^ without insurance§

Your tour includes

Walk the legendary ‘Way of St James’ from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, on this special Saga walking tour following the final, scenic leg through Galicia.

7 nights in hotels 14 meals: 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners ●

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Wine and water with dinner Official 'Camino' walking guide for the duration of the tour Official guided tour of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Porterage at all hotels. ●

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Scallop shells signpost ‘The Way’

Santiago de Compostela

Amenal Arzúa

Palas de Rei Portomarin

Melide

Spain

Sarria

nights in hotel

Santiago de Compostela ACTIVITY LEVEL

“We loved the walking and our guide was excellent. It was relaxing and the pace was up to the individual. We would recommend it to anyone.” Sally, Norwich

Follow the final, scenic 120-kilometre stretch of the 'Way of St James' through Galicia, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, entirely on foot. On this rewarding seven-night walking tour you’ll be free to set your own pace each day and will be accompanied by a local Camino expert. Day 1: UK to Santiago to Sarria. Fly to Santiago de Compostela. Stay overnight at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Alfonso IX. D Day 2: Sarria to Portomarin. 22 kilometres. Set off on your journey from medieval Sarria following paved tracks and rural bridleways. Stay overnight at the locally rated 3-star Pousada de Portomarin. B, D Day 3: Portomarin to Palas de Rei. 25 kilometres. Walk in sight of Mount Ligonde and ascend Mount San Antonio before following paths passing Romanesque churches and the ancient pilgrimage hospital of San Salvador. Stay overnight at the locally rated 3-star Complejo La Cabana. B, D Day 4: Palas de Rei to Arzua. 30 kilometres. Leave Palas de Rei by the Campo dos Romeiros, a traditional meeting place for pilgrims to enter the medieval village of Lebroreiro and embark on the longest walk of your holiday. Pass through woodland, pausing

in Melide which marks the halfway point. Stay overnight at the locally rated 2-star Hotel Vila Peregrina. B, D Day 5: Arzua to Amenal. 22 kilometres. Your walk continues through O Pino, with the opportunity to pause either at the medieval shrine of Santa Irene or the town of O Pedrouzo. Stay overnight at the locally rated 1-star Hotel Bello. B, D Day 6: Amenal to Santiago de Compostela. 22 kilometres. Continue through pine forests, descending to Santiago, passing Monte do Gozo. Stay two nights at the locally rated 3-star Hotel Gelmirez. B, D Day 7: Santiago de Compostela. Today, enjoy a guided tour of the cathedral, set in the heart of the UNESCO-listed old town, and receive the final stamp at the cathedral’s Pilgrim’s Office and your certificate, or ‘Compostela’. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant in the old town. B, D Day 8: Santiago to UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: walks each day will range between 20 and 30 kilometres over varied terrain with some steep up or downhill sections, therefore a good level of fitness is essential.

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £300 on all advertised departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019. ‚ Prices from: Sep 4, 2019 1229 1099 Sep 18 1199 1049 Oct 2 1129 1099 Apr 1, 2020 1199 899 Apr 22 1199 999 Apr 29 1199 1049 May 13 1229 1079 Jun 3 1249 1149 Sep 2 1249 1149 Sep 16 1249 1129 Sep 23 1219 1099 Sep 30 1229 1079 Oct 7 1219 1049 Sole occupancy room from £1399 Walking the Santiago Trail. Holiday code: CT686. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on easyJet from Gatwick.

Please quote SMT19

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/magic-andalus

SPAIN

The Magic of Andalusia 9 nights from £999^

Local flights

Including optional travel insurance or from £945^ without insurance§

Your tour includes

Discover the magnificent scenery and Moorish architecture of this multi-faceted region of Spain, with visits to Malaga, Granada, Seville and Córdoba.

9 nights in hotels 14 meals: 9 breakfasts and 5 dinners Excursions and visits Guided visit to the Alhambra Palace Malaga Picasso Museum Granada's old town Guided visit to the Alhambra Tour UNESCO-listed Baeza Olive oil museum in Hacienda La Laguna Córdoba guided walking tour and the Great Mosque, plus in 2020 the Jewish synagogue Seville city tour Use of audio headsets on selected guided tours ●

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Spain’s magnificent Alhambra Palace

Cazorla National Park

ANDALUSIA Córdoba

nights in hotel

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Baeza

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Seville Granada Jerez El Puerto de Santa Maria

Sierra Nevada Alhambra Palace

Cádiz Bay of Cadiz

Malaga

Festival horses dressed in bells and pompoms

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Malaga. Fly to Malaga and transfer to the locally rated 4-star Sercotel Malaga Hotel and stay one night. D Day 2: Malaga-Granada. Enjoy an included visit to the Picasso Museum where the artist was born. Later, travel to Granada, the city immortalised in the work of poet Federico Garcia Lorca. Stay two nights at the locally rated 4-star Gran Hotel Luna. This evening enjoy an orientation walk around the city’s old town. B, D Day 3: Granada. Join an included visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Alhambra, an ornate 14th-century palace built by the Moors, and the pretty Generalife gardens which are believed to be the oldest surviving Moorish gardens. This evening you're free to dine out before visiting the Gypsy Quarter of Sacromonte for a flamenco show. B Day 4: Granada to Ubeda and Baeza. Today travel to the remote town of Baeza, located in the hills of the 'Comarca de la Loma', between the Guadalquivir and Guadalimar valleys. Baeza, together with neighbouring Ubeda, is home to an array of Renaissance-style palaces and churches and you can enjoy an included tour of both these UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Stay two nights at the locally rated 3-star Hotel TRH Baeza. B, D Day 5: Baeza. Perhaps join an optional excursion to Cazorla National Park this morning. The limestone mountains and pine forests are home to deer, ibex and 130 species of birds including golden eagles, lammergeiers and griffon vultures. B Day 6: Baeza-Córdoba. Pause at an olive oil museum en route to Córdoba. The city is famous for its historic mosque, the spiritual

heart of the Islamic kingdom of Al-Andalus. Your hotel for the next two nights will be the locally rated 4-star Hotel Hesperia Córdoba which is set on the La Arruzafa hillside. B Day 7: Córdoba city tour. Join a walking tour of Córdoba, explore the narrow streets of the old quarter and enjoy a guided tour of the Great Mosque and Jewish synagogue. Spend the afternoon at leisure. B Day 8: Córdoba to Jerez de la Frontera via Seville. Travel to Seville where you will enjoy a panoramic coach tour of the city. Then visit Seville cathedral and the royal palace before spending a little free time exploring the city at leisure. Your tour continues to Jerez de la Frontera where you spend your final two nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Soho Boutique Jerez. B, D Day 9:Jerez. An optional excursion visits the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. No visit to Jerez would be complete without touring one of its sherry bodegas, ending of course with a tasting session! Enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel tonight. B, D Day 10: Malaga-UK. Travel to Malaga airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: holidays departing in 2019 stay at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Carmen on days 2-3, at the locally rated 4-star Ayre Hotel Córdoba on days 6-7 and at the locally rated 4-star Sherry Park Hotel on days 8-9, and include an extra dinner on day 7. Departures in 2019 may also follow a different itinerary and have different inclusions.

Extend your holiday Bay of Cadiz 6 nights all inclusive. Please call lfor details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

“This was an excellent tour which provided ‘a taste’ of Andalusia. The Alhambra was magnificent, the mosque in Córdoba awe inspiring, and the Royal Equestrian School truly amazing.” Ruth, Rutland

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £300 ^on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Sep 3, 2019 1399 1099 Sep 17 1349 Oct 1 1299 Mar 3, 2020 1299 999 Apr 21 1349 1099 May 12 1349 1149 Jun 9 1399 1199 Sep 8 1399 1199 Sep 22 1329 1129 Oct 6 1329 1099 Sole occupancy rooms from £1314 The Magic of Andalusia. Holiday code: CT299. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights. · Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class

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SPAIN

Jewels of Spain

RELAXED

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1099 Including optional travel insurance or from £1045 without insurance§

From the sparkling beaches of Valencia to the iconic sights and sounds of Andalusia, this great-value all-inclusive tour reveals the varied attractions that make Spain one of the world’s best travel destinations. Explore Costa Blanca towns, Águilas on the Costa Calida and delve into the Moorish legacy of Murcia before finishing off with a relaxing break near Salobreña.

Beautiful beaches grace Murcia’s coastline ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Alicante-Gandía. Fly to Alicante and travel to the locally rated 4-star Villa Luz for a four-night stay in Gandía on Spain’s sunny Costa Blanca. A light and spacious hotel with a Spanish ambience, it’s in a peaceful urban setting approximately 150 metres from a vast, sandy beach and close to Gandía’s old town, approximately three kilometres away. D Days 2-4: Gandia. During your stay on the Costa Blanca, join an included half-day walking tour of Valencia’s attractive old quarter to see trendy Barrio del Carmen, the 15th-century La Lonja silk exchange and the famous cathedral. This is followed by lunch

Gandia Guadalest

Spain

Alicante

Caravaca de la Cruz

Murcia

Lorca Lecrin Valley Malaga

Sorbas

Águilas Mojacar

Salobreña

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nights in hotel

and a walk through Turia Park. An optional half-day guided tour reveals the town of Gandía, and the 14th-century Ducal Palace, once home to the Royal Dukes of Gandía, and later the notorious Borgias. Another included excursion explores the tiny historic village of Guadalest. B, L, D Day 5: Gandia-Murcia-Águilas. Head off the beaten track on a visit to Murcia which was founded by the Moors in AD 825. Enjoy a walking tour around its delightful old quarter and take a peek inside its beautiful cathedral. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Águilas for a six-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel which is set right on the waterfront and boasts views across to the marina. B, L, D Days 6-10: Águilas. Tucked away in the southern corner of the Costa Calida, an 18th-century castle guards the town of Águilas which has an intriguing British legacy that will be highlighted during an orientation tour. Look forward to an included visit to the old-frontier town of Lorca, which features a Spanish Renaissance-style church and is crowned by a hilltop castle. Another included excursion visits the historic town of Caravaca de la Cruz, filled to bursting with convents and Catholic churches. Pay a visit to the town’s baroque and Basilica de la Vera Cruz, which houses a holy cross with many miracles associated with it, and the Calasparra Sanctuary, a church built into a cave. During a day at leisure, you can join a fascinating optional excursion that visits the

ancient military port of Cartagena, where the Spanish Navy is based and a magnificent Roman amphitheatre was unearthed in 1988. B, L, D Day 11: Águilas-Salobreña. Discover two beautiful whitewashed Andalusian towns en route to Almeria – coastal Mojacar and hilltop Sorbas – where you can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, continue to Salobreña for a four-night stay at the locally rated 3-star Best Western Hotel Salobreña, which is set on a hilltop overlooking the ocean. B, L, D Days 12-14: Salobreña. Enjoy some time at leisure as well as included excurasions. Join an orientation walk around Salobreña, approximately three kilometres away. It’s dominated by an impressive Moorish castle, and its whitewashed houses give it a typically Andalusian appearance. Visit Lecrin Valley’s rural villages on an included excursion to this area of outstanding natural beauty in Andalusia. Maybe discover such charming towns as Nerja or Frigiliana, or the elegant provincial capital of Malaga on a choice of optional excursions. B, L, D Day 15: Salobreña-Malaga-UK. Travel to Malaga airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: holidays departing in 2020 will follow a different itinerary. Please call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/jewelsofspain

Local flights

Best seller

Your tour includes 14 nights in hotels 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners Free bar open up to 12 hours a day

Valencia’s time-honoured customs

Cartagena’s Roman Amphitheatre

Excursions and visits Visit to historic Guadalest Walking tour of Valencia’s Old Quarter Murcia walking tour and cathedral visit Águilas orientation walk Sightseeing tour of Lorca A day exploring Caravaca Visit to Mojacar and Sorbas Tour of Lecrin Valley Use of audio headsets on selected guided tours. l

Plaza de la Virgen is one of Valencia’s oldest squares

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £150 on selected

departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019.

Vibrant Valencia Spain’s third largest city has a historic old quarter, a wealth of avant garde architecture, and is the home of the famous rice dish, paella. On an included walking tour of the city, explore the atmospheric old town, including the maze of narrow medieval streets in the bohemian Barrio del Carmen quarter. Here amongst the little bars and restaurants are a couple of good museums and the Torres de Serranos – imposing gates which once formed part of the old city walls. Valencia Cathedral dates from 1262 and, lying to the right of the main entrance, in the flamboyant Gothic-style Capilla del Santo Cáliz, is what is claimed to be the Holy Grail, the chalice from which Jesus sipped during the Last Supper. You’ll also visit the UNESCO-listed La Lonja, a former silk exchange building dating back to the 15th century and built in flamboyant Gothic style with a striking colonnaded hall, before completing your tour with a walk through the lush gardens of Turia Park.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 12, 2019 1499 Sep 19 1449 1299 Sep 26 1449 1349 Oct 3 1249 1199 Mar 3, 2020 1199 1099 Apr 28 1349 1249 Jun 9 1449 1349 Sept 8 1499 1399 Sept 15 1449 1349 Oct 6 1329 1229 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1169 Jewels of Spain. Holiday code: CT365. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick or Heathrow dependent on date of travel. Please enquire for regional flights. Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class l

Please quote SMT19

CANARY ISLANDS

Canary Island Hopping RELAXED 14 nights from £1399^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1345^ without insurance§ See the Canary Islands from a fresh perspective on this island-hopping adventure, which includes stays on two of the archipelago's lesser-known retreats, La Palma and La Gomera, as well as Tenerife.

Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK to Tenerife. Fly to Tenerife and settle into the locally rated 4-star Gran Hotel Turquesa Playa in Puerto de la Cruz, where you spend four nights on an all-inclusive basis. L, D Day 2: Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. An included full-day tour visits Taganana, Mercedes Forest and Santa Cruz, Tenerife’s bustling capital. B, L, D Day 3: Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. Make the most of the hotel's facilities and location during this day at leisure. B, L, D Day 4: Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. Relax at the hotel or perhaps join an optional full-day trip to Tenerife's iconic National Park and Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain. B, L, D

LA PALMA nights in hotel

Los Tilos forest San Andrés

Mercedes Forest

Santa Cruz de la Palma Taburiente National Parks Garajonay National Park

Taganana

Santa Cruz Puerto de la Cruz Mount Teide

Valle Gran Rey San Sebastian

TENERIFE

Tenerife South Los Cristianos

LA GOMERA

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Day 5: Tenerife to La Palma. Spend your final morning on Tenerife at leisure. Then, after an included lunch at the hotel, travel by ferry to La Palma where you spend five nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Taburiente Playa. B, L, D Day 6: La Palma North Island tour. Discover the island’s verdant north on an included tour that takes you to La Palma’s north coast, Los Tilos forest and San Andrés, with its 17th-century church, cobbled streets and old houses. B, D Day 7: La Palma. Spend today at your hotel or join an optional excursion that involves a gentle walk through the attractive pine forests of La Caldera de Taburiente. B, D Day 8: La Palma. You may spend your day in La Palma, or choose to see more of the island on an optional full-day tour, where the most picturesque villages of La Isla Bonita can be found. B, D Day 9: La Palma. Spend the day at leisure or perhaps head off on an optional half-day trip that reveals one of Europe's largest telescopes, the Observatorio de Astrofisica, and visits the crater of Roque de los Muchachos. B, D Day 10: La Palma to La Gomera. Enjoy a ferry crossing from Santa Cruz de La Palma to San Sebastian on La Gomera (lunch included on board). You spend the next five nights at the locally rated 3-star Hotel Gran Rey, a peaceful beachfront retreat. B, L, D

Day 11: Garajonay National Park. Today’s half-day included excursion takes you to see the stunning laurel forests and colourful wild flowers at Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. B, D Day 12: La Gomera. Relax by the pool at your hotel or work up an appetite for dinner by joining an optional rainforest excursion. B, D Day 13: La Gomera. Perhaps enjoy an optional full-day tour of La Gomera's natural splendours, including scenic Vallehermoso with its plantations and vineyards. B, D Day 14: La Gomera. The day is free for you to spend as you please, and you'll no doubt enjoy the included farewell lunch we've arranged at a traditional Gomeran restaurant. B, L, D Day 15: La Gomera to Tenerife to the UK. You make an early start this morning due to the limited ferry services connecting with your flights. Back on Tenerife, you travel by coach to the airport for your flight home. B

Extend your holiday Tenerife 4 nights. All Inclusive or half board. Enjoy a four-night stay at the Iberostar Bouganville Playa after your tour. The locally rated 4-star hotel enjoys an ideal location right on the seafront promenade. Please call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/canary-hop

Island hopping Fly from up to 3 regional airports All inclusive at the Gran Hotel Turquesa Playa

Your tour includes • 14 nights in hotels • 35 meals: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 14 dinners • Free Bar open 12 hours a day at the Gran Hotel Turquesa Playa Excursions and visits Visit to Santa Cruz, Taganana and Mercedes Forest Scenic inter-island ferry crossings Comprehensive tour of northern La Palma Panoramic tour of Garajonay National Park Farewell meal at a traditional restaurant. l

Explore San Sebastian in La Gomera

Stargazing in La Palma

Mount Teide

Gran Hotel Turquesa Playa, Tenerife The locally rated 4-star All Inclusive Gran Hotel Turquesa Playa is ideally located close to the beach of Playa Jardin in Puerto de la Cruz. The hotel has great range of facilities for you to enjoy and is also close to the popular animal park, Loro Parque.

Hotel Taburiente Playa, La Palma The locally rated 4-star Hotel Taburiente Playa is located on the rocky waterfront of Las Cancajos, surrounded by pretty landscapes. All bedrooms have a balcony and either sea or pool views. It's also just a bus ride from La Palma's beautiful capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma.

Hotel Gran Rey, La Gomera Set amid the beautiful Valley of Gran Rey, this beachfront locally rated 3-star hotel has a striking location and offers a peaceful retreat. Gran Rey is a lively fishing village with a small selection of shops, bars and cafes, offering great opportunities for coastal and inland strolls.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £300 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Nov 15, 2019 1699 1599 Nov 29 1699 1399 Jan 10, 2020 1749 1599 Jan 17 1749 1699 Feb 21 1729 1629 Mar 6 1749 1599 Apr 24 1649 1449 May 8 1499 Sep 11 1699 1599 Oct 2 1749 1599 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1586 Canary Island Hopping. Holiday code: TF001. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways or Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick dependent on departure. Please enquire for regional flights. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class

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MADEIRA & PORTO SANTO

Madeira and Porto Santo Island Hopping RELAXED 14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1399^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1345 without insurance§ Set off on this island-hopping adventure to discover two small Portuguese island’s with big personalities: Madeira, and the lesser-visited sister isle, Porto Santo. Madeira is famed for its profusion of colourful subtropical flora and mountain’s clad in UNESCO-listed forests while in contrast, Porto Santo boasts dramatic desert-like landscapes, rock formations and an immense sandy beach along its southern edge.

Levada trails lead through some of Madeira’s most striking scenery ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK to Madeira. Fly to Madeira and transfer to the locally rated 4-star Hotel Monte Mar Palace, set in Ponta Delgada, for a four-night stay. D Day 2: Scenic north coast and gardens. Drive along the dramatic coastal road toward the pretty village of Boaventura on this half-day excursion. Continue to Arco de Sao Jorge to visit the Quinta do Arco Rose Garden. B, L, D Day 3: Ponta Delgada. Enjoy an optional excursion to the west coast or a day at leisure. B, L, D Day 4: Levada walk. On this half-day excursion in the company of an expert local guide, head towards Chãos dos Louros to join the island's largest path, Levada do Norte, which passes through the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest. B, L, D

Porto Santo Pico do Castelo Vila Baleira Ponta de Calheta

nights in hotel

Madeira Chãos dos Louros

Ponta Delgada Arco de Sao Jorge Boaventura Monte Funchal

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Pico Branco Portelo

Day 5: Madeira to Porto Santo. Travel to Funchal to catch a modern ferry to Porto Santo where you will spend the next seven nights. The island is sparsely populated, and surprisingly different in its terrain, with one side defined by volcanic folds and the other by sprawling beaches. It even has its own desert complete with petrified flora. The journey will take approximately two-and-a-half hours. On arrival, transfer to the locally rated 4-star Vila Baleira Resort, a 256-room resort with an enviable setting on a splendid nine-kilometre-long sandy beach. B, L, D Day 6: Vila Baleira. Enjoy a day at leisure and perhaps stroll along the beach into sleepy Vila Baleira, the island's main hub which is just four kilometres away. B, L, D Day 7: Porto Santo island tour. Set off on a half-day tour to discover the key sights, beginning with a visit to the often-deserted Ponta de Calheta. Continue to Picos de Ana Ferreira to ponder slender rock columns known locally as ‘the Piano’. Afterwards visit the ruined Pico do Castelo, a 16th-century fort, and Camacha's Museum of Cardina which is full of island curiosities and where you enjoy a wine tasting. Round off the trip with a visit to the Portelo viewpoint where you can admire three traditional windmills and panoramic views of the south coast of the island. B, L, D

Day 8: Vila Baleira. Enjoy another relaxing day at leisure where you’re free to take advantage of the hotel’s excellent facilities, which include two restaurants, a bar, in-house animation team, plus discounted golf rates, bike hire and two free circuits in the spa centre. You also have the opportunity to join an optional boat ride. B, L, D Day 9: Pico Branco hike. Join a half-day excursion which will reveal the natural plant life that once clad Porto Santo. Begin by following the walking trail which starts at Serra de Dentro, observing the mountain scenery en route. The Pico Branco, so called for the columns of white stone, is the second highest peak on the island at 450 meters above sea level. It's clad in Aleppo pine, cedar and echium nervosum, a woody flowering shrub endemic to the islands. B, L, D Days 10-11. Vila Baleira. Enjoy two days at leisure. B, L, D Day 12: Porto Santo to Madeira. Return to Funchal by ferry for a three-night stay at the locally rated 5-star Hotel Enotel Lido which, as its name suggests, is set right on Funchal's promenade. B, L, D Day 13: Monte and Botanical Gardens tour. Today's half-day excursion will reveal panoramic views of Funchal's stunning setting in a natural ‘amphitheatre’ between the sea and the mountains during a cable-car ride to pretty Monte and Madeira's famed botanical gardens. B, L, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/madeira-portosanto

Local flights

Island hopping

Best seller No single supplement

on selected dates, subject to availability

Your tour includes • 14 nights in hotels • 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners • Free bar open 12 hours a day at all hotels Excursions and visits Scenic north coast of Madeira and visit to Quinta do Arco rose garden Scenic Levada walk amid UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest. Island tour of beautiful Porto Santo Scenic hike to Pico Branco, Porto Santo Cable-car ride to visit Monte and the Botanical Gardens in Madeira l

See Porto Santo’s traditional-style windmills

Plus all this… • Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Welcome drink reception Porterage at all hotels. l

Delicious fruit in a Funchal food market

Day 14: Funchal. Enjoy a day free to explore Madeira's capital at leisure. Alternatively, you can join an optional Madeiran wine tour. B, L, D Day 15: Funchal to UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: The free bar, open from 11am to 11pm, serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. On day 12, the transfer from Porto Santo to Madeira may be replaced with an internal flight depending on the ferry schedule – please call for details.

You may see wild canary songbirds

Extend your holiday Madeira. 7 nights All Inclusive. Spend longer on the island of Madeira and enjoy an extra week at the locally rated 5-star Hotel Enotel Lido. Please call lfor details.

SAVE up to £150 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Porto Santo island Located 27 miles off the north-east coast of Madeira, Porto Santo has been described as Madeira’s sandy little sister, thanks to its gorgeous, five-mile beach. This pint-sized island, 12 kilometres long by six kilometres across, is also renowned for its striking and varied volcanic landscapes, and offers a glimpse into unhurried Portuguese life. The Pico de Ana Ferreira rock formations and spectacular hidden cove of Zimbralinho are scenic highlights. You will find just a handful of hotels and restaurants and an intriguing touch of history too, as Porto Santo's capital, Vila Baleira was once home to none other than Christopher Columbus.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 26, 2019 1699 1599 Nov 4 1549 1399 Jan 13, 2020 1649 1499 Feb 24 1579 1499 Mar 9 1679 1579 Apr 20 1749 1649 May 7 1799 1699 May 21 1879 1779 Jun 4 1899 1799 Jun 18 1899 1799 Sep 17 1899 1799 Oct 1 1849 1749 Oct 8 1749 1649 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1399 Madeira and Porto Santo Island Hopping. Holiday code: CT386. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on easyJet from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights.

Please quote SMT19

AZORES

Azores Island Hopping 14 nights from £2099^ Including optional travel insurance or from £2045^ without insurance§ The unspoilt islands of the Azores are famed for their stunning natural beauty of rugged cliffs, volcanic craters, towering peaks and bubbling hot springs. This tour gives a flavour of three of these islands, which are scattered like jewels in the Atlantic Ocean.

Pretty Ponta Delgada ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-São Miguel. Depart the UK for your flight to Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. Continue to the locally rated 4-star Hotel Marina Atlantico for a four-night stay. D Day 2: Sete Cidades. An included half-day tour takes you to the Sete Cidades crater lakes. The Sete Cidades is an extinct volcano that rises approximately 580 metres above sea level. From the edge of the massive crater there's a magnificent view of the two lakes below, one blue and the other green. B, D Day 3: São Miguel. An optional full-day excursion takes you to the village of Furnas and Nordeste. B, D Day 4: São Miguel. This morning, enjoy an included half-day excursion to Ponta Delgada, capital of São Miguel. Once just a tiny fishing village, it is now the largest town in the Azores, with its

TERCEIRA

FAIAL

The Azores

Angra do Heroismo

Horta nights in hotel

Ponta Delgada

SÃO MIGUEL

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Portuguese-influenced architecture evident in its white houses, impressive churches and convents. Particular highlights include the 16th-century St Sebastião and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperanca. This afternoon, an optional excursion to go whale and dolphin watching is available. B, D Day 5: São Miguel-Faial. Today, travel to the airport for your flight to Faial. Continue to Horta where you stay four nights at the locally rated 4-star Hotel do Canal. B, D Day 6: Faial. Enjoy a day at leisure. B, D Day 7: Island tour. Today’s included full-day tour visits the Capelinhos Museological Nucleus, where you can learn about the dramatic eruption of the Capelinhos volcano in 1957, and the huge crater, or caldeira. The area surrounding the crater is protected and depending on the season, you may see colourful displays of agapanthus lilies or other flowers in bloom. B, L, D Day 8: Horta. A full-day optional excursion uncovers the sublime beauty of Faial’s neighbouring island. B, D Day 9: Faial-Terceira. Travel to the airport and fly to Angra do Heroismo, where you stay four nights at the locally rated 4-star Terceira Mar Hotel. B, D Day 10: Terceira tour. Today you can enjoy a full-day included excursion, exploring both the east and west coasts, and the summit of the Serra de Cume with panoramic vistas over Terceira. B, L, D

Day 11: Terceira. This morning, an included guided walking tour will reveal the 16th-century town of Angra do Heroísmo, whose highlights include the cathedral, city hall and General Captain's Palace. This afternoon, you could join an optional excursion to West Terceira and Algar do Carvão cave. B, D Day 12: Terceira. Enjoy a day at leisure to go exploring or to relax at your hotel. B, D Day 13: Terceira-São Miguel. Today you'll have some time at leisure before flying to São Miguel, where you stay a further two nights at the Hotel Marina Atlantico. B, D Day 14: São Miguel. Enjoy a day of leisure. Alternatively, an optional excursion visits Ribeira Grande, the oldest and largest town on São Miguel's north coast. Enjoy a guided walk here before continuing along the mountain roads for breathtaking views of Fire Lake, formed by a volcanic eruption. B, D Day 15: São Miguel-UK. Travel to the airport for your flight back to the UK. B

Indulge your passion Azores Whale Watching 14 nights from £2699 departing May 16, 2020. Includes three whale watching trips and three full day tours. Holiday code: AWI25. Visit saga.co.uk/azores-whale

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/azores-hop

Single rooms at no extra cost

on selected dates, subject to availability

Island hopping

Your tour includes 14 nights in hotels 30 meals: 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 14 dinners

Excursions and visits See Sete Cidades crater lakes Ponta Delgada island capital visit Visit Capelinhos Museological Nucleus and Capelinhos volcano Tour the island of Terceira Angra do Heroísmo town walking tour l

The town of Horta on Faial island

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Welcome drink reception Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels. l

Picturesque Ponta Delgada

Magnificent views of Sete Cidades

“Each island had a different character, they were all so green, lush, and just got better and better, the last optional excursion to Fire Lake on Sao Miguel was up there with the best!” John, Herefordshire

SAVE up to £300 ^on selected

departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Whale watching The Azores are currently one of the world’s largest whale sanctuaries, and here more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be spotted in the surrounding ocean. Cruise the clear waters off the coast of São Miguel on this optional excursion to look for whales and dolphins. Visit the feeding grounds of humpback, sei, fin, pilot, sperm and blue whale, the largest mammal on earth. You'll travel on a boat that carries approximately 65 passengers and the species you might see depends on the season. For example, it's only possible to see blue whales in the spring when they are migrating to Newfoundland, whereas orcas, sperm whales and pilot whales can potentially be seen all year round, so have your binoculars ready!

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 14, 2019 2449 2349 Sep 28 2349 2139 May 2, 2020 2399 2099 May 16 2799 2699 Wildlife Jun 6 2549 2299 Jun 27 2599 2399 Sep 12 2599 2399 Sep 26 2499 2199 Sole occupancy rooms from £2099 Azores Island Hopping. Holiday code: CT235/ AWI25 Wildlife. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on Azores Airlines from Gatwick.

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Northern Lights safari Take a thrilling safari that will lead you across the Norwegian tundra to trace the Northern Lights across the night sky. You’ll travel to a private Aurora Base Station where you can sit around a campfire on benches and listen to stories from the local hosts or head into one of the shelters to warm up. You’ll be given everything you need, including thermal suits and cameras, so just sit back and enjoy.

See the northern lights, page 66

Schilthorn gondola ride Take an exciting trip to the 2970- metre- high summit of Schilthorn in the Bernese Alps. Journey up to Piz Gloria where scenes from the 1969 film ‘On her Majesty’s Secret Service’ were filmed, and stop at Birg, where you can step out onto the transparent viewing platform to admire the panoramic views.

Enjoy a thrilling cable car ride, page 60

The world is waiting to meet you 58

THE REST OF EUROPE This part of world has so much to offer from the stunning Norwegian Fords and the alpine scenery of Switzerland and Austria to the elegant cities of Russia.

Iconic Moscow

Moscow has played such a pivotal role in the history of Russia that its iconic buildings seem so familiar. Standing and gazing up at the colourful twisting spires of Saint Basils Cathedral, seeing the frescoes in the Metro or strolling through Gorky Park is sure to be a highlight of your holiday.

Explore Moscow, page 64

SWITZERLAND

The Grand Tour of Switzerland 8 nights from £1899 Including optional travel insurance or from £1845 without insurance§ Follow in the footsteps of 19th-century travellers and discover Switzerland's breathtaking timeless beauty. On this exhilarating tour you'll see Alpine villages, sparkling glacial lakes, historic cities, wildflower meadows and snow-topped mountains. Rediscover the joy of travel with spectacular journeys by rail, cable car, boat and bus on an über-efficient transport system.

The beautiful Bernese Alps ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Zurich-Davos. Fly to Zurich and travel by train to Davos for a two-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Sunstar Davos. D Day 2: Davos. Breathe deep, enjoy the crystal clear air – at 1,560 metres Davos is the highest town in the Alps – and use your complimentary Davos travel card to explore the resort by local train, bus and cable car. Enjoy an included excursion to the stylish resort of St Moritz to experience the dry sparkling ‘champagne climate’ – the sun shines for 322 days a year on average. Take in superb views of the upper Engadine Valley, browse the designer shops and enjoy the high life. B, D Day 3: Davos-Tirano-Bellinzona. Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express for one of Switzerland’s most scenic railway journeys. Pass snow-covered mountains and glaciers,

Zürich

Luzern Bern

Flüelen

Interlaken Schilthorn

St Moritz

Switzerland nights in hotel

Davos

Wengen

Locarno

Bellinzona

Lugano

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Tirano

Italy

cross the 2,253-metre high Bernina Pass, snake through tunnels and pass over circular viaducts to reach Tirano in Italy. Explore the old town, then take the bus along the shores of Lake Como to Lugano. Hop aboard a train for the short journey to Bellinzona and a two-night stay at the locally rated 3-star Hotel Internazionale. B, D Day 4: Bellinzona. This historic gateway to Italy is home to three breathtaking, UNESCO-listed medieval castles that loom over its ancient heart and are strikingly Italianate in feel. Perhaps join an optional train excursion to Locarno on Lake Maggiore and explore the narrow lanes on a two-hour walking tour to see the vast Piazza Grande at its heart. The pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso commands fabulous views of the town, lake and mountains. B Day 5: Bellinzona-Lucerne-InterlakenWengen. Follow the William Tell Express route for a journey across Central Switzerland, through lovely fertile valleys and past snow-topped mountains. At Flüelen you’ll transfer to the William Tell ferry and glide across the lake to Lucerne for a guided tour of this historic city. From here take the train to the Swiss resort of Interlaken, which lies prettily between Lakes Thun and Brienz. Continue to the charming village resort of Wengen where you’ll stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Sunstar Wengen or similar. B, D Day 6: Schilthorn. Today you can look forward to an exhilarating cable car ride to

the 2,970-metre high summit of Schilthorn. In the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant where, famously, scenes from the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service were filmed, you can enjoy views of over 200 mountain peaks. B Day 7: Wengen. The village of Wengen lies at 1,300 metres in the heart of the Bernese Oberland and boasts superb mountain views. From here you can take the cable car into the mountains and perhaps enjoy a walk through pretty countryside along a marked trail. An optional excursion takes you up and through the soaring heights of Jungfraujoch, which at 3,454 metres is home to Europe’s highest railway station – a marvel of engineering. When the weather is clear there are panoramic views of neighbouring France, Germany and Italy, as well as all manner of wintery attractions. B, D Day 8: Wengen-Interlaken-Bern. Travel to Bern for your final night, staying at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Allegro Bern. Learn more about this beautifully preserved historic city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a fascinating guided tour before returning for a farewell drink and dinner at the hotel. B, D Day 9: Bern-Zurich-UK. Travel to Zurich airport for your return flight to the UK. B Exclusively for solo travellers 8 nights departing September 14, 2019. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF800. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/grand-tour

Rail journey

Your tour includes • 8 nights in hotels • 14 meals: 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners Excursions and visits A cable car ride to the top of Schilthorn Cross Lake Lucerne A guided walking tour of historic Lucerne Journey aboard the Bernina Express Cruise Lake Thun from Interlaken Bern city tour Visit to St Moritz Use of audio headsets on selected guided tours l

Schilthorn in the Bernese Alps

Ride the Schilthorn gondola

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Luggage transfer service Welcome drink reception Porterage at all hotels. l

Lucerne’s pretty waterside

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE £50^

per person on Jun 13, 2020 departure when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Aug 17, 2019 Limited Availability Aug 31 1899 Sep 7 1949 Jun 13, 2020 1949 1899 Aug 29 1949 Sep 5 1949 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2098

The Bernina Express One of the most spectacular ways to cross the Alps, the Bernina Express winds through splendid scenery on its way from Davos to Tirano. The train negotiates 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and steep inclines with ease. Travelling 2,253 metres above sea level, the Bernina Express climbs to the highest parts of the Alps reachable by train, before descending to the palms of Italy far below. One of the highlights is the panoramic journey along the Bernina line of the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, an engineering marvel that has stood the test of time.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

The Grand Tour of Switzerland. Holiday code: CT300. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and include savings as advertised. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class

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AUSTRIA

Austria by Rail 9 nights from £1349^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1295^ without insurance§ Acclaimed for its wonderful Alpine scenery of towering peaks, sparkling mountain lakes and Imperial cities locked in time, Austria is a dream to behold. Discover three of its most endearing imperial cities – Vienna, Graz and Salzburg – on this revelatory tour which links them by rail to also showcase the country's outstanding natural beauty.

Hallstatt’s UNESCO-listed setting in the Austrian Alps ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK to Vienna. Fly to Vienna and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city which will reveal the landmark Romanesque and Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the famous late 19th-century Ringstrasse. Spend the next three nights at the locally rated 4-star Derag Livinghotel Kaiser Franz Josef. This evening, enjoy a stroll through the Viennese district of Grinzing before reaching the traditional heurigen (wine pub) where you’ll have dinner. D Day 2: Vienna. Explore Vienna on a walking tour through its historic centre where you can see such sights as the imperial Hofburg complex, built by Emperor Franz Josef, the famous Spanish Riding School and the imperial crypt. Your tour culminates with a visit to the stunning gardens at Schönbrunn

Munich Salzburg

Austria

Vienna

Lake St Wolfgang Hallstatt

Dachstein Mountains nights in hotel

Lipizzaner Stud Farm Piber

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Graz

Palace which have been opened to the public since 1779. If you prefer, there will be time instead to see inside the lavish interior (entrance not included). B Day 3: Vienna. There’s no shortage of things to see and do during a day at leisure in Vienna. Of special note is Vienna’s Prater which is set in the former hunting grounds of the Habsburgs and where you’ll find the city’s giant Ferris wheel and the neighbouring ‘Green Prater’. This enormous parkland of forests and water meadows is dissected by a four-and-a-half long pedestrianised avenue lined with 2,500 mature trees! Alternatively, take the opportunity to skip across the border with Slovakia on an optional excursion to Bratislava. This evening, look forward to dinner is at a local, traditional Schnitzel restaurant. B, D Day 4: Vienna to Graz. Travel to the train station this morning to board your high-speed railjet train to Graz, Austria’s second city which is set in the south eastern state of Styria. The journey encompasses the famous Semmering railway, a feat of mid 19th-century engineering. You’ll arrive in Graz around lunchtime where an included half-day sightseeing and walking tour will reveal a harmonious blend of architectural styles that date back to the Middle Ages. Stay three nights at the locally rated 3-star Hotel Restaurant Gollner, a family-run hotel which is set 30 kilometres outside the city centre in Lebring. B, D

Day 5: Lipizzaner Stud Farm Piber. Travel into the unspoilt Austrian countryside to visit the country’s only federal stud farm, the visitor centre of which is housed in a majestic baroque mansion. The farm has been breeding world-famous Lipizzaner stallions, Europe’s oldest thoroughbred horse, since 1920. After a tour of the farm, discover Styria’s other claim to fame, pumpkin seed oil which is produced the old-fashioned way in artisanal mills. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a tasting of Austria’s nutty-flavoured ‘black gold’ during a guided tour. B Day 6: Graz. Enjoy a day at leisure to experience the city’s sights and sounds at your own pace. Attractions here include the forested public park and hilltop park, Schlossberg, which rears above the historic streets, to more modern attractions, such as the island in the river and the Kunsthaus Graz, the modern art museum. Alternatively, tick a third country off during your tour on an optional excursion through the ‘Austrian Tuscany’ wine-growing region to Maribor in Slovenia. B, D Day 7: Graz to Salzburg. After some free time at the hotel this morning, travel to the main train station in Graz for your half-day train journey to Salzburg. This scenic Alpine route crosses the Dachstein Mountains, passing by such idyllic towns as Schladming, Radstadt and Bischofshofen. Arrive in the afternoon for a three-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Amadeo Hotel Schaffenrath. B, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/austria-by-rail

Rail journey

Local flights

Your tour includes • 9 nights in hotels • 15 meals: 9 breakfasts and 6 dinners Excursions and visits Walk through Vienna’s Grinzing district for a Heurigen evening with dinner and music Vienna city tour with visit to Schönbrunn gardens Graz city tour Lipizzaner Stud Farm Piber tour Tour and tasting session at an artisanal pumpkin seed mill Salzburg sightseeing and walking tour Boat ride across Lake St Wolfgang Visits to Hallstatt and Bad Ischl l

Vienna’s grand Schönbrunn Palace

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels. l

Tram’s crossing Graz’s main square

Travel across Austria by train

Day 8: Salzburg. A baroque masterpiece, Salzburg’s remarkably well-preserved old town – Alstadt – is on UNESCO’s list and looks much as it did during Mozart’s day. Take to the streets on a guided walking tour of the city which, among the key sights, will point out the Getreidegasse where you can see Mozart’s house and indulge in some window shopping. B Day 9: Lake St Wolfgang and Hallstatt. Travel to the quaint village of St Gilgen for a magical boat ride on lake St Wolfgang,

a beautiful body of water fringed by mountains. Afterwards, continue to the Alpine town of Hallstatt, which boasts a stunning setting on the edge of Lake Hallstatt and is built into the side of the towering Dachstein Mountains. Return to Salzburg, pausing en route in the handsome spa town of Bad Ischl. B, D Day 10: Salzburg to Munich. Travel by train to Munich airport for your return flight to the UK. B

Hit the right note What better way to indulge your passion for music than by taking a special themed version of this holiday. You can enjoy concerts in Vienna and Salzburg, plus take a behind the scenes tour of the world famous Vienna State Opera House, dating back to 1869. You’ll head for the elegant Wiener Kursalon, where Johann Strauss performed and conducted, to enjoy a performance by the Salonorchestra Alt Wien, including works by Strauss himself. The second concert will take place in the ‘Golden Hall’ of Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress with a programme sure to include works by the city’s most famous son, Mozart. Music 9 nights departing Oct 22, 2019 and Oct 20, 2020. Holiday code: AN607. Please call for details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £100^

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Sep 17, 2019 1469 Oct 1 1419 1349 Oct 22 - Music 1529 1479 May 5, 2020 1499 1449 Jun 9 1549 Sep 15 1549 1449 Oct 20 - Music 1599 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1668 Austria by Rail. Holiday code: CT706 / AN607 Music. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow or easyJet from Manchester. Please enquire for regional flights. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Business Class

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RUSSIA

Moscow to St Petersburg by Rail 6 nights from £1499^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1479^ without insurance § Discover the decadence of the Tsars on this highlight-packed, introductory tour of Russia's grandest cities. Prepare to be amazed by the riches of the Russian royalty at the Kremlin, admire exquisite works of art at the Tretyakov Gallery and Hermitage Museum, and marvel at the opulence of Catherine Palace…

Views of Moscow’s Red Square ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Moscow. Fly to Moscow and transfer to the locally rated 4-star Holiday Inn Tagansky or similar locally rated 4-star hotel for your first three nights in this bustling city. Moscow is a city of enormous opulence where historic, iconic and cultural monuments mingle with modern businesses and bustling boulevards linked by a veritable spider's web of Metro lines and monorails. D Day 2: Moscow. Today you will explore the Moscow Kremlin and tour the city, seeing Red Square and iconic St Basil's Cathedral with its highly decorative 'onion' domes. This evening you may have the chance to attend a national folklore show – a music, drama and dance extravaganza (mid June to mid September). B, D

St. Petersburg

Russia nights in hotel

Day 3: Moscow. This morning you'll visit the Tretyakov Gallery, home to an important collection of pre-revolutionary Russian art. An optional excursion visits the opulent stations of the Moscow Metro. B, D Day 4: Moscow-St Petersburg. Take a high-speed Sapsan train journey through the scenic Russian countryside this afternoon to St Petersburg, the 'Venice of the North'. When Peter the Great founded the city – named not in vanity but after his patron saint – in 1703, he wanted it to be European in style as a 'window to the west'. As a result it is quite unlike other Russian cities, especially Moscow, as you'll discover during your three-night stay here at the locally rated 4-star Sokos Olympia Garden or similar hotel. B, D Day 5: St Petersburg. Today you will visit the Hermitage Museum – a combination of four interconnecting palaces with around 365 rooms of exhibits! Also enjoy a tour of the city with a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress where historic buildings jostle around the magnificent Peter and Paul Cathedral with its towering yellow spire. Later there may be the chance to see a folklore show (mid Sept-mid June) or perhaps a ballet (selected departures only). B, D

Day 6: St Petersburg. Head to the imperial estate of Pushkin, originally known as Tsarskoe Selo. In the 18th century two huge, ornate palaces were built with landscaped gardens created around them. One is the eye-wateringly opulent Catherine Palace, a gift to Catherine I. Tour the grounds and interior with a fascinating room-by-room headset commentary. The highlight is bound to be the famous Amber Room, decorated with engraved amber panels, jewelled mosaics and gilded wooden carvings. B, D Day 7: St Petersburg-UK. This morning you are free to do as you please in this magical city, or you might like to join an optional trip to Peterhof Palace and Gardens. Known as the 'Russian Versailles', it features exquisite palaces set among landscaped gardens dotted with more than 175 fountains. Later transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B Please note: The itinerary running order may differ and optional excursions must be booked in advance. Our Travel Consultants will confirm which excursions are available when you call to book.

Moscow

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Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/russianrail

Rail journey

Your tour includes • 6 nights in hotels • 12 meals: 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of the Moscow Kremlin Moscow city tour Visit to Tretyakov Gallery St Petersburg city tour Visit to the Hermitage Museum Tour of Catherine Palace Use of audio headsets on all guided tours l

Catharine’s Palace in St Petersburg

St Petersburg’s Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Solo travellers... 6 nights departing September 20, 2019. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF353. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Cross the Russian countryside at high speed

Extend your holiday St Petersburg 2 nights including breakfasts and the services of your Tour Manager. See more of the city at the end of your tour. Please call for details.

“This holiday surpassed my high expectations. Moscow sights and tours to Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral and The Kremlin were marvellous.” Charlotte, Scotland

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE £50^ per person on selected

departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: May 8, 2020 1599 1549 Jun 19 1649 Aug 28 1549 1499 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1728

Moscow’s Metro Discover a world of glorious architecture hidden beneath the streets of the city, on an optional walking tour of the Moscow Metro system. Opened in 1935 with one 11-kilometre line and 13 stations, it was the first underground rail system in the Soviet Union. The architects and artists worked to design a structure that embodied ‘svetloe budushchee’ – a radiant future – using high ceilings, marble walls and majestic chandeliers. During the tour you'll see Novoslobodskaya station with its colourful stained-glass panels, the art-deco arches of Mayakovskaya station and the bronze sculptures of Ploshchad Revolyutsii before returning to the hotel by Metro train.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Moscow to St Petersburg by Rail. Holiday code: CT353 All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on Lufthansa from Heathrow. ·A sk about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class

Please quote SMT19

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/norwaylights

NORWAY

In Search of Norway’s Northern Lights

Your tour includes • 5 nights in a hotel • 11 meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 5 dinners

5 nights from £1749^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1729^ without insurance§ Watch for the Northern Lights on this half-board visit to the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, Tromsø in Norway. Enjoy two included Northern Light excursions, plus an included Sami cultural visit with reindeer sled ride, and an included cable-car ride.

Excursions and visits Northern Lights cruise Northern Lights safari Sami Cultural Village and reindeer sled ride Fjellheisen cable-car ride ●

●

Plus all this… • Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ • Return flights and transfers • Saga tour manager • Porterage at your hotel.

The otherworldly Northern Lights

Sami Cultural Village Tromsø

Norway

Breivikeidet Valley Aurora Base Station Fjellheisen cable-car ride

nights in hotel

A husky-sled ride ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Tromsø. Fly to Tromsø, the gateway to Norway's Arctic wilderness. Transfer to the locally rated 4-star Scandic Ishavshotel – set on Tromsø’s waterfront overlooking the quay – for a five-night stay on a half-board basis. D Day 2: Northern Lights cruise.Those eager to explore the spectacular coastal scenery can join an optional morning safari that will reveal Tromsø’s magnificent mountains, fjords and islands. This evening, look forward to your first included excursion chasing the Northern Lights. Sail away from any light pollution on this boat voyage from downtown Tromsø and scan the skies from the viewing platform for traces of the ethereal ribbons of light. Later, warm up in the lounge and perhaps have a bite to eat from the on-board kiosk. A knowledgeable guide will provide a fascinating insight into the Northern Lights and the places visited on this memorable cruise. B, D Day 3: Northern Lights safari. This morning you can head out across the hinterland on an optional husky-sledge ride. After nightfall, join your second included Northern Lights excursion, this time on a safari that will lead you across the tundra to trace the Northern Lights across the night sky. You’ll travel to a private Aurora Base Station where you can sit around a campfire and listen to stories from the local hosts or head into one of the shelters to warm up. There are five stations and the excursion will move on if the weather changes and your odds of sighting the Northern Lights are better at a different one. During your

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excursion, you’ll be provided with a thermal suit. Tripods will also be available and you’ll be given advice on the best camera settings to use for photographing this event. B, D Day 4: Panoramic Tromsø. For 360-degree views of Tromsø, join an included Fjellheisen cable-car ride, which will whisk you 421 metres above sea level in just four minutes. At the top, enjoy overlooking Tromsø so you can appreciate its coastal setting. Lunch is included at the mountaintop restaurant. Afterwards, catch the cable car back down and return to your hotel via the bridge that spans the Tromsø Strait. B, L, D Day 5: Reindeer sledding and Sami Culture. Look forward to an included visit to the Sami Cultural Village for a day to experience the north’s indigenous culture firsthand. Enjoy tasting some typical food, learn about their artefacts, and listen to storytelling and ‘joik’, traditional Sami song. A highlight will be joining a ‘raid’, the oldest known form of transport in the north and central regions of the Sami culture, where the reindeer and sleds are bound together in a long line headed by the lead reindeer. This afternoon, you may like to join an optional fjord cruise. B, D Day 6: Tromso-Oslo-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B Please note: Tromsø has short daylight hours between January and March, and is one of the best times of year to observe the Northern Lights although sightings cannot be guaranteed. At this time of year, the temperature is typically below freezing and can fall to -10°C so Arctic clothing is essential.

“A great holiday. Very well organised, the trips were very interesting and timing of the visits was just right. And we saw the Northern Lights twice!” Alan, a guest on this tour

SAVE up to £100^

on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Jan 27, 2020 1849 1749 Feb 3 1899 1849 Mar 2 1799 1749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1998 In Search of Norway’s Northern Lights. Holiday code: CT812. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on Norwegian from Gatwick.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/channelisland

JERSEY AND GUERNSEY

A Channel Island Sojourn 7 nights from £799 Including optional travel insurance or from £779 without insurance§ Discover a unique combination of British and French traditions on this escorted tour, which includes visits to idyllic Sark and Guernsey.

Ferry or flights included

Your tour includes All breakfasts and dinners Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return ferry journey and transfers Saga Host Welcome drink reception Porterage in all hotels l

Excursions and visits La Mare Vineyard (half day) St Malo in Brittany (full day) Sark (full day). l

Discover the beautiful island of Sark St Peter Port

Guernsey

Sark

Jersey St Helier

nights in hotel

France St Malo

St Peter Port

Day 1: UK to Jersey. Travel to Jersey where you will spend four nights at the 3-star resort-style Merton Hotel in St Helier. D Day 2: La Mare Wine Estate, Jersey. After a morning at leisure, enjoy an included visit to La Mare Wine Estate in St Mary to sample local food and drink and enjoy stunning scenery. The working estate offers tours and tastings of hand made wines, spirits, preserves and more. B, D Day 3: St Malo. Today a full-day excursion takes you by ferry to St Malo in Brittany, once a fortified island now joined to the French mainland by a large promenade. After a short walk to the centre you can explore narrow cobbled streets packed with shops and restaurants. B, D Day 4: St Helier. You may like to explore independently this morning. The famous Howard Davis Park, the beach and the centre of St Helier are close by. Alternatively, join an optional trip to Jersey's lavender farm. B, D Day 5: Jersey to Guernsey. Take the ferry to Guernsey where you will stay for three nights at the 3-star Les Rocquettes Hotel, a former country mansion on the outskirts of St Peter Port. B, D Day 6: Sark Island. Visit the tranquil traffic-free island island of Sark during a full-day included excursion. A tractor-drawn trailer will take you up the steep incline of Harbour Hill, from where you can discover the natural beauty for yourself. Explore on foot, or you may like to hire a horse and cart (at your own expense). B, D

Day 7: At leisure. Today enjoy an optional half-day coach tour around the island of Guernsey, including Little Chapel, the headland Pleinmont Point, the West Coast and L'Ancresse bay. B, D Day 8: Guernsey to UK. Return to the UK. B

“This holiday was brilliant and exceeded expectations. The Saga rep Sonja was superb and the accommodation and transport provided was very good. We would certainly recommend this trip to others.” Joan, KapitiCoast, NZ

SAVE up to £70 Stunning Sark Sark is said by many to be the crown jewel of the Channel Islands, nestled in between Guernsey and Jersey. The island is blessed with spectacular scenery, bays, coastal paths and cliff top views and the fact it is car-free means it is a world away from the rest of modern day Britain. A horse and carriage ride is the perfect way to explore the island. Sark is known for its seafood and its wide range of flora and fauna, while if you head to L’eperquerie, on the northern tip of the island,you’ll discover a granite rock overlooking the islands of Guernsey, Jethou and Herm which was carved with a mantra by a visiting Buddhist monk from Tibet. Sark has miles of breath-taking coastline and plenty of sandy bays and pebbly coves to explore, though many of them involve a combination of steps and paths which can be fairly steep.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

per person on selected departures Prices from: Ferry Flight Sep 7, 2019 959 929 1109 1079 Sep 21 919 849 1069 999 Oct 12 849 799 989 939 Jun 20, 2020 949 1099 Jul 25 999 1199 Sep 05 999 1149 Oct 10 799 949 Rooms for sole occupancy from £799 A Channel Island Sojourn. Holiday code: TB090. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £20 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices based on travel by Condor Fast Ferry from Poole, as a foot passenger. To take your car on the ferry, this option is available for an extra supplement, subject to availability. Please note you may not return into the same port of departure. Alternatively, fly from Southampton, subject to availability.

Please quote SMT19

Discover ancient Egypt, page 76

Valley of the Kings

Travel to Egypt and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll not want to miss one the most fam ous sights in Egypt and the wor ld, the incredible Valley of the Kin gs. Situated on the west bank of the Nile, this is the site tha t boasts 63 royal tom bs and cha mbers, and its highlights include the fam ous tom b of Tutankham un. Explor e the impressive Colossi of Mem non and vast Hatshepsut Tem ple.

The world is waiting to meet you 68

EASTERN M EDITERRANEAN AND NORTH AFRICA Whether you want to explore the archaeological treasures of Egypt, the rural landscapes of Cyprus or the ancient temples of Turkey, these holidays offer a host of fascinating experiences.

Historic Antalya Known as the ‘Pearl City’ and the gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is the fourth most visited city in the world. It is a fascinating place to visit with its quaint old town, Kaleiça complete with Ottoman architecture and narrow streets, and beautiful marina surrounded by clear turquoise waters.

Explore Antalya, page 71

Traditional Cyprus The Troodos Mountain range stretches across the centre of Cyprus, and it is here you’ll find the traditional heart of the island. Discover Byzantine monasteries and churches set on remote mountain peaks, terraced hills, orchards and vineyards, and ancient villages with cobbled streets.

Enjoy scenic Cyprus, page 70

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/jewel-cyprus

CYPRUS

Jewels of Cyprus RELAXED

Saga Plus Lounge at the Blue Ivy Hotel

12 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1099^

Ancient sites

Including optional travel insurance or from £1045^ without insurance§ This three-centre holiday combines relaxing stays in coastal resorts with two nights in the mountainous interior, allowing you to discover the island’s archaeological treasures, traditional villages and Blue Flag beaches.

Your tour includes • 12 nights in hotels • 35 meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 12 dinners • Free bar open up to 14 hours a day Excursions and visits City tour of Larnaca Troodos Mountains and Kykoss Monastery Walk to Millomeris or Caledonia Waterfalls Ancient Paphos l

Take a boat trip to the beautiful Blue Lagoon

nights in hotel

Cyprus

Troodos Mountains Kykoss Monastery Paphos

Nicosia Agros

Protaras

Larnaca

Millomeris Waterfall Limassol

Troodos Mountains ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Larnaca-Protaras. Fly to Larnaca and travel to the locally rated 4-star Blue Ivy Hotel where you spend your first six nights. Located in the heart of the seaside resort of Protaras it’s an easy walk from some of the best beaches in Cyprus. The free bar, open between 10am-11.30pm, serves local drinks. D Days 2-6: Protaras. You can get your bearings on an included half-day tour of some of Larnaca's key attractions such as the Church of St Lazarus, the palm-fringed promenade and the salt lake which is home to around 85 different bird species. You’re free to relax or explore further on one of our optional trips, perhaps visiting Cyherbia Botanical Park, venturing across the border in to North Cyprus or discovering the traditions of Cyprus on a visit to the Bee and Embroidery Museum and the lace-making village of Lefkara. B, L, D Days 7-8: Protaras-Troodos Mountains. Head inland and ascend the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains, pausing en route at Kykkos Monastery and the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III. After a picnic lunch you continue to Agros, where you stay for two nights at the locally rated 3-star Rodon Hotel. It has a lounge, two restaurants, a cafe, piano bar, two swimming pools, a fitness centre and spa. There are 154 bedrooms with balconies overlooking the garden and equipped with satellite television, telephone, mini-fridge, hairdryer, safe and free Wi-Fi.

Please quote SMT19

The free bar, open from 5pm-10pm, serves local drinks. The following day perhaps join your tour manager for a walk to either Millomeris or Caledonia waterfalls – two of the island’s highest – followed by lunch in a village restaurant. B, L, D Days 9-12: Troodos Mountains-Paphos. Travel to the south-west corner of the island, enjoying lunch en route and an included visit to Tsiakkas Winery. Continue to the outskirts of Paphos for a four-night stay at the locally rated 5-star King Evelthon Beach Hotel, set in landscaped gardens beside the golden sands of Chlorakas Bay. The hotel’s free bar is open from 10am-midnight serving local drinks. During your stay you’ll enjoy an included tour of Paphos to see the Tombs of the Kings, the Pillar of St Paul and the harbour where you may wish to visit the House of Dionysus. On optional excursions you’ll also have the chance to visit the Baths of Aphrodite and the Blue Lagoon (summer only) or you could join a chocolate-making workshop (winter only). B, L, D Day 13: Paphos-Larnaca-UK. Travel to Larnaca airport for your return flight to the UK. B

Extend your holiday Paphos. 3 nights. All inclusive. After your tour, stay a further three nights at either the King Evelthon Beach Hotel or the Alexander the Great Beach Hotel. Please call for details.

“The beauty of this holiday is the way it gives customers the opportunity to explore historic sights, enjoy natural wonders, and of course, spend plenty of time on the golden sands for which Paphos is renowned...” Simon Edwards, Expert Holiday Creator

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £200 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Sep 12, 2019 1649 1549 Oct 31 1549 1349 Nov 21 1279 1099 Mar 12, 2020 1479 1349 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1268. Jewels of Cyprus. Holiday code: CT368. All prices are £s per person based on two people, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. *Based on room upgrade. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Club Europe or Business Class.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/jewelsofturkey

TURKEY

Jewels of Turkey

Local flights

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1249 Including optional travel insurance or from £1195 without insurance§ Explore Antalya and the Turquoise Coast on this exclusive all-inclusive tour that reveals ancient cities and temples, including Ephesus and Myra necropolis, as well as the natural sights of Olympos Natural Park, Saklikent Gorge and Pamukkale.

Ancient sites

Your tour includes ●

●

14 nights in hotels 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners Free bar open up to 24 hours a day

Excursions and visits Visit to cosmopolitan Kemer Olympos National Park visit See Demra’s St Nicholas Church Explore the Lycian ruins of Myra and Xanthos Walk through the beautiful Saklikent Gorge See the ruined Apollo Temple of Didyma Tour UNESCO-listed Ephesus, including the House of the Virgin Mary Visit the travertine terraces at Pamukkale and Roman spa town of Hierapolis Side to Manavgat Waterfall walk Visit to Antalya’s old town Explore the ruined city of Perge ●

●

The Library of Celsus at Ephesus

Antalya’s old town

●

Ephesus Kusadasi

Hierapolis

Turkey

Pamukkale

nights in hotel

●

Perge Temple of Apollo

Olympos National Park Fethiye Saklikent Gorge Xanthos

●

Antalya

Side Kemer Ulupinar Myra Demra Kas

●

The Turquoise Coast

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Antalya. Fly to Antalya and stay at the locally rated 5-star Paloma Foresta for four nights. D Day 2: Kemer. Enjoy a couple of hours looking around the boutiques, bazaars and marina on a morning visit to Kemer. This afternoon, an optional excursion visits the ancient Lycian city of Phaselis. B, L, D Day 3: Olympos National Park. Travel to the village of Ulupinar and perhaps join a three-hour hike through the pine forests of Olympos National Park to the beach village of Cirali. A light lunch box will be provided. B, L, D Day 4: Antalya. At leisure. B, L, D Day 5: Antalya-Fethiye. Set off for Demra to visit the Byzantine St Nicholas Church. Continue to Myra, an ancient Lycian city buried by an earthquake in AD 141. Pause in Kas for lunch at a restaurant en route to Xanthos, the old Lycian capital. Continue to Fethiye for a three-night stay at the locally rated 3-star Harman Hotel. B, L, D Day 6: Saklikent Gorge. Walk along a suspended walkway into Turkey’s deepest gorge, an 18 kilometre-long ravine with 300 metre-high rock walls on this morning’s visit. Afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 7: Fethiye. At leisure. B, L, D Day 8: Fethiye-Kusadasi. Walk around the Ionic columns that remain from one of the ancient world’s most famous sites, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma. Continue to Kusadasi for a three-night stay at the locally rated 5-star Paloma Pasha. Lunch at a local restaurant. B, L, D Day 9: Ephesus. Explore the UNESCO-listed ensemble of Ephesus on a morning guided tour. Next discover the largest collection of Greek and Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Highlights include the

great Library of Celsus, the amphitheatre and the single remaining pillar of the original Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. B, L, D Day 10: Kusadasi. At leisure. B, L, D Day 11: Kusadasi-Side. Depart early for Side, pausing en route to visit the limestone terraces of Pamukkale. Continue to Hierapolis to see a Roman spa city. Travel to Side for a four-night stay at the locally rated 5-star Sentido Perissa. Lunch at a local restaurant. B, L, D Day 12: Side. At leisure. B, L, D Day 13: Antalya. Set off on an hour-long walk around Side and on to Manavgat River. Continue by road to Antalya for lunch at a restaurant and afterwards, spend an hour exploring its old town, Kaleici, independently. Next visit the archaeological site of Perge, founded in 1500 BC. B, L, D Day 14: Side. Perhaps venture into the ancient port city of Side with its wealth of Roman ruins, just three kilometres away. B, L, D Day 15: Side-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight. B Please note: September 18, 2019 departure follows a 10-night itinerary with a day less in each hotel, please call for details. Local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available from the free bar which is open between 11am to midnight at the Club Tuana or the Harman Hotel in Fethiye, and 24 hours a day at all other hotels. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Extend your holiday Side 4 nights. Following your tour, enjoy a further four nights at the locally rated 5-star Sentido Perissa. Please call lfor details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £150

per person on selected departures

Prices from: Sep 18, 2019 1439 Feb 28, 2020 1399 1249 Mar 6 1399 1299 Apr 24 1599 May 8 1749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1529 Jewels of Turkey. Holiday code: CT373. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £54 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights

Getting You There Prices are based on Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options.

Please quote SMT19

EGYPT

Magic of the Nile

aboard MS Amwaj Livingstone hhhhh

10 nights ALL INCLUSIVE ON BOARD from £1479^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1408^ without insurance§ Along the banks of the Nile lie some of the finest archaeological sites in the world. Marvel at Egypt's ancient treasures, including the Valley of the Kings, on this rewarding stay and journey aboard a luxury river cruise ship.

The MS Amwaj Livingstone ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Luxor. Fly to Luxor and transfer to the locally rated 5-star Sonesta St George, for a three-night stay on a full-board basis. D Day 2: Luxor. Explore independently or simply relax at your hotel. An optional excursion is available to explore Luxor by horse-drawn carriage, and visit the traditional market in Old Market Street. B, L, D Day 3: Luxor. Today is at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore independently. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Denderah and the temple of Hathor, built in the 1st century BC. The temple has the only intact original ceiling of all the Egyptian temples, adorned with images of the zodiac, deities and phases of the moon and sun. B, L, D Day 4: Luxor. Travel to the port and embark your all-inclusive Nile cruise ship, Livingstone. You’ll remain moored here overnight so you

Cairo

Egypt

River Nile

Valleys of the Kings and Queens Edfu Edfu Temple

nights in hotel

Luxor Esna

Kom Ombo Kom Ombo Temple Aswan Aswan High Dam Lake Nasser Abu Simbel

Please quote SMT19

can enjoy an included excursion to Luxor’s Ancient Egyptian temple complex and perhaps, an optional excursion to Luxor’s West Bank. B, L, D Day 5: Luxor-Edfu. Tour the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, where 62 rock-cut tombs of the Pharaohs have been unearthed, including that of Ramses VI. Next, visit Hatshepsut Temple, the two Colossi of Memnon and Tutankhamun’s Tomb. Later sail to Edfu and moor overnight. B, L, D Day 6: Edfu-Kom Ombo-Aswan. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit Kom Ombo Temple, built on a high dune overlooking the Nile. Continue to Aswan where you moor overnight. B, L, D Day 7: Aswan. Discover the Aswan High Dam, then travel by boat to Agilka Island where one of the most beautiful temples, the Temple of Philae was relocated. You’ll also visit the fascinating Nubian Museum. Perhaps enjoy an optional sound and light show at Philae Temple this evening. B, L, D Day 8: Aswan. Enjoy the morning at leisure in this enchanting riverside city, or perhaps join an optional excursion to Abu Simbel. This afternoon, an included excursion takes you by felucca to the botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island, a peaceful paradise of exotic birds and colourful flowers. Remain moored in Aswan overnight. B, L, D Day 9: Aswan-Luxor. Enjoy a leisurely day cruising back to Luxor where you will moor overnight. B, L, D

Day 10: Luxor. View the temples of Karnak on an included excursion. The site is a vast complex with three main temples and seven smaller ones, which are thought to cover the entire site of the ancient city of Thebes. Perhaps join an optional excursion to a Sound and Light show. B, L, D Day 11: Luxor-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Please note: The order of included excursions may differ to that detailed. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Solo travellers... Departing May 11 and June 15, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF546. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details. Extend your holiday Cairo. 2 nights including breakfasts. Before your tour stay two nights at locally rated 5-star Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa in Cairo, which has an enviable setting within its own private gardens, less than one kilometre from the Sphinx and the Giza Pyramids. Luxor. 4 nights Half board. After your tour return to the locally rated 5-star Sonesta St George situated on the east bank of the Nile River in the centre of Luxor’s shopping district. Luxor Temple, Karnak and the Luxor Museum are around five minutes away. Please call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/magic-nile

Cabins for sole occupancy

at no extra charge, subject to availability

Cruising

Ancient sites

Best seller

Your tour includes • 7 nights on board cruise ship, 3 nights at hotel • 29 meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners Free bar open 11 hours a day on board ship • Two local drinks with lunch and with dinner during hotel stay • Local wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board ship l

Excursions and visits… The Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamun's Tomb Tomb of Ramses VI Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon Temples of Karnak and Luxor Kom Ombo Temple ruins Visiting the Aswan High Dam Nubian Museum visit Temple of Philae visit Traditional Felucca cruise to the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island l

The Tomb of Ramses II

A tranquil Nile scene

Marvel at the mighty Karnak Temple

VIP extras… On board Livingstone there will be bathrobes and slippers, fruit and water on arrival, and tea and coffee-making facilities replenished daily in your cabin. Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

Cruise aboard MS Amwaj Livingstone hhhhh Exclusive to Saga in the UK market Be among the only the only UK passengers to experience the comfort and style of this luxury vessel. The free bar serves local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. All 62 cabins have bathrooms and panoramic windows. Limited free Wi-Fi is available.

Sonesta St George The Sonesta St George Hotel is in the centre of Luxor’s shopping district close to the main sights. There are four restaurants, a fitness centre, (extra charge). 322 contemporary guest rooms, most with a balcony offering views of the Nile.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £200^

per person on selected departures and cabin grades when you Saga code:

STN (M) STN (3) JUS (JS) Twin/Single Top deck Twin/Single Prices from: outside- Twin/Double outside-Main Upper outside Sep 30, 2019 1719 1569 1779 1609 Sold out Oct 7 1819 1699 1879 1739 Sold out Oct 14, 21 1769 1879 2039 Nov 11 1629 1679 1779 Nov 18 1599 1529 1649 1579 1749 1679 Nov 25 1549 1479 1599 1529 1699 1629 Dec 2 1499 1549 1649 Jan 6, 2020 1699 1569 1749 1619 Sold out Jan 13 1729 1569 1779 1619 1879 1719 Jan 20 1749 1619 1799 1669 1899 1769 Jan 27 1799 1619 1849 1669 1949 1769 Feb 3 1849 1699 1899 1749 2019 1869 Feb 10 1879 1699 1929 1749 2049 1869 Feb 17 1879 1729 1929 1779 2049 1899 Feb 24 1849 1699 1899 1749 2019 1869 Mar 2, 9 1799 1649 1849 1699 1969 1819 Mar 16 1849 1699 1919 1749 Sold out Mar 23 1929 1779 1999 1829 2149 1949 Mar 30 1999 1849 2069 1899 2219 2019 Apr 20 1899 1749 1969 1799 2119 1919 May 4 1799 1649 1869 1699 1999 1799 Magic of the Nile. Holiday code: RL001. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. Other departures available Jun-Oct, 2020. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on Egypt Air from Heathrow.

Please quote SMT19

EGYPT

From the Nile to the Red Sea

aboard MS Amwaj Livingstone

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1579^ Including optional travel insurance provided or from £1508^ without insurance§ Enjoy a relaxing stay in the Red Sea resort of Quseir coupled with an unforgettable seven-night cruise taking you to some of the most significant archaeological sites along the Nile.

The Temple of Luxor in ancient Thebes ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Hurghada. Fly to Hurghada where you are met and taken to the Radisson Blu Resort in Quseir for a two-night stay. The free bar, open from 12 noon to 11pm, serves a selection of local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. D Day 2: Quseir. Spend some time relaxing on the beach and enjoying the hotel’s facilities. An included half-day tour of Quseir today will show you the 13th-century mosque, the Italian church and the famous fortress of Quseir, to which admission is included too. B, L, D

Day 3: Quseir-Luxor. Travel to Luxor where you board your river cruise ship, Livingstone, for a seven-night, all-inclusive cruise along the Nile. Perhaps join an optional horse-drawn carriage tour. B, L, D

Hurghada

Egypt

Karnak Luxor

Valleys of the Kings and Queens Esna Edfu Edfu Temple nights in hotel nights on ship

Red Sea

River Nile

Aswan High Dam

Quseir

Kom Ombo Kom Ombo Temple Aswan

Lake Nasser

Day 4: Luxor-Edfu. Tour the West Bank and the tombs of the famous Valley of the Kings. You will then visit Tutankhamun’s Tomb and can also explore the Two Colossi of Memnon and Hatshepsut Temple. Later, cruise to Edfu where you moor overnight. B, L, D Day 5: Edfu to Kom Ombo to Aswan. Cruise to Kom Ombo to see one of the country’s most spectacular temples. The temple is unusual as it is dedicated to two gods, Haroeris and Sobek. Moor in Aswan for the next three nights. B, L, D Day 6:Aswan. Visit the the Aswan High Dam then travel by boat to Agilka Island where the Temple of Philae was relocated. This afternoon, visit the Nubian Museum. Optional evening excursion to the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple. B, L, D Day 7: Aswan. Day at leisure, or optional visit to the famous Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. The four, 21-metre high seated figures of Ramses II guard the temple’s facade and this ancient rock-hewn temple is one of the most impressive monuments in Nubia. This afternoon sail across the Nile by traditional felucca to the beautiful botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island. B, L, D Day 8: Aswan to Luxor. Enjoy the day sailing back to Luxor. B, L, D Day 9: Luxor. On an included excursion you can explore the ancient Temples of Karnak and Luxor. B, L, D

Day 10: Luxor to Quseir. Disembark your ship. Travel back to Quseir for a further five nights at the Radisson Blu Resort. B, L, D Days 11-14: Quseir. Make the most of the hotel’s excellent facilities, explore Quseir independently or take advantage of the hotel’s fabulous setting on the Red Sea, which is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling. B, L, D. Day 15: Quseir to Hurghada to the UK. Travel to Hurghada for your return flight. B Please note: **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details. The order of included/optional excursions may differ to that detailed. June to October 2019 departures are with a 3 night hotel stay in Quseir before cruise and 4 night hotel stay in Quseir after cruise.

Solo travellers... 14 nights All Inclusive. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF575. Visit saga. co.uk/solos or call for details. Extend your holiday Quseir 7 nights. All inclusive. After your cruise stay at the Radisson Blu Resort which enjoys a scenic setting beside a man-made lagoon near Quseir. Please call lfor details.

Abu Simbel

Please quote SMT19

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/nile-redsea

Local flights

Solos departures

Ancient sites Cabins for sole occupancy

at no extra cost, subject to availability

Your tour includes 7 nights in hotels and 7 on board cruise ship 41 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners Free bar open 11 hours a day at the Radisson Blu Resort Free bar open 11 hours a day on board Livingstone • Wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner Excursions and visits… Quseir city tour The Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamun's Tomb Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon Temples of Karnak and Luxor Visit the Nubian Museum Visiting the Aswan High Dam Temple of Philae Felucca ride to Kitchener's Island to visit the botanical gardens Kom Ombo Temple Watch a desert sunset l

The MS Amwaj Livingstone

VIP extras… On board Livingstone, there will be bathrobes and slippers, fruit and water on arrival, and tea and coffee-making facilities replenished daily in your cabin. l

A spacious twin cabin

Butterfly fish

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £200^ per person on

selected departures and cabin grades when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Saga code:

Abu Simbel A 30-minute flight from Aswan takes you to Abu Simbel, from where a short bus ride takes you to the temples. On this optional excursion a local guide will take you around the monuments, a magnificent complex of rock-cut temples dedicated to Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. The great temple has four giant statues of Ramses II guarding its entrance, each 20 metres tall, and are a spectacular example of ancient Egyptian art. There are also beautiful carvings inside the temple. The smaller temple of Hathor, the goddess of happiness and love, has six large statues on its facade and a central chamber divided by six columns. On some departures this excursion may also be available by coach when an early start is required.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

STN (M) STN (3) JUS (JS) Twin/Single Twin/Single Twin/Double Prices from: outsideoutside outside-Top Main -Upper Sep 30, 2019 1809 1729 1889 1769 2029 1849 Oct 7 1859 1779 1939 1819 Sold out Oct 14 1859 1969 2129 Oct 21 1869 1979 2139 Nov 12 1729 1779 1879 Nov 19 1699 1629 1749 1679 1849 1779 Nov 26 1649 1579 1699 1629 1799 1729 Dec 3 1599 1649 1749 Jan 7, 2020 1799 1669 1849 1719 Sold out Jan 14 1829 1669 1879 1719 1979 1819 Jan 21 1849 1719 1899 1769 1999 1869 Jan 28 1899 1719 1949 1769 2049 1869 Feb 4 1949 1799 1999 1849 2119 1969 Feb 11 1979 1799 2029 1849 2149 1969 Feb 18 1979 1829 2029 1879 2149 1999 Feb 25 1949 1799 1999 1849 2119 1969 Mar 3, 10 1899 1749 1949 1799 2069 1919 Mar 17 1949 1799 2019 1849 Sold out Mar 24 2029 1879 2099 1929 2249 2049 Mar 31 2099 1949 2169 1999 2319 2119 Apr 21 1999 1849 2069 1899 2219 2019 May 4 1899 1749 1969 1799 2099 1899 From the Nile to the Red Sea. Holiday code: EY008. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and are subject to availability. Other departures available Jun-Oct, 2020. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Getting You There Prices are based on Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airlines.

Please quote SMT19

EGYPT

Land of the Pharaohs

aboard MS Nile Odyssey

12 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £1729 Including optional travel insurance or from £1658 without insurance§ Unravel the legacies of ancient Egypt and the 5,000-year-old culture of the pharaohs on this fascinating tour, which visits famous historical sites and includes an unforgettable cruise along the legendary Nile.

Enjoy views of Aswan as you cruise the Nile ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Cairo. Fly to Cairo and stay three nights at the locally rated 5-star Pyramisa Hotel. Set in the heart of Cairo, overlooking the Nile, this 377-room hotel is close to a downtown shopping area. D Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Cairo. An included tour of Egypt’s compelling capital visits the Citadel and Mohammed Ali mosque. This afternoon, an included excursion visits the world-famous Egyptian Museum, which houses artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb. B, L, D Day 3: Cairo. Optional morning tour of Memphis and Sakkara. An optional afternoon trip visits the Pyramids and Sphinx. B, L, D

Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx

Cairo

SINAI

River Nile

Luxor

Valleys of the Kings and Queens

Egypt

Edfu Philae Temple

Abu Simbel

Kom Ombo Temple Aswan Lake Nasser

Please quote SMT19

Day 4: Cairo-Aswan. Fly to Aswan for three nights at the 450-room, locally rated 5-star Pyramisa Island Hotel. B, L, D Day 5: At leisure. Enjoy some free time in Aswan, which occupies a beautiful setting on the Nile, or choose from our optional excursions: one visits a nearby Botanical Garden, another explores a Nubian Village. B, L, D Day 6: Aswan High Dam. Included trip to Aswan High Dam and the Philae Temple complex. B, L, D Day 7: Embark your cruise ship. Travel to Luxor, where you’ll board your Presidential Nile ship ( ) for a six-night Nile cruise. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit Karnak and Luxor Temple on an optional excursion. B, L, D Day 8: Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Visit the City of the Dead in Thebes where you can walk through the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Set sail this afternoon and stay overnight in port in Edfu B, L, D Day 9: Kom Ombo. Spend the morning at leisure before cruising to Kom Ombo. Here, an included excursion explores the ruins of a temple from the Graeco-Roman period. Continue sailing to Aswan, where your ship moors for two nights. B, L, D

Day 10: Optional excursion to Abu Simbel. Today you have the chance to set off early on an optional half-day excursion to the complex of rock-cut temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. In the afternoon take an included trip on a traditional felucca. B, L, D Day 11: At leisure. Relax on board your ship as you sail along the Nile to Edfu, on the west bank of the river. B, L, D Day 12: Luxor. Enjoy a relaxing day aboard your ship. This evening you can join an optional Sound and Light show. B, L, D Day 13: Luxor-UK. Disembark your ship after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B **Tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Solo travellers... 12 nights. All Inclusive. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF569. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details. Extend your holiday Luxor 4 nights. Full board. You can extend your holiday in Luxor. Please call lfor details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/pharaoh

Ancient sites

Cruising

Your tour includes • 6 nights in hotels and 6 on board cruise ship • 35 meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 12 dinners • Free bar open up to 12 hours a day serving local drinks throughout the tour Excursions and visits Cairo tour and Egyptian Museum visit Aswan High Dam visit Temple of Philae visit Trip on a Felucca - traditional sailing ship The Valleys of the Kings and Queens visit l

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local wines, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner throughout the tour Saga tour manager Welcome drink reception Porterage at your hotel and on the ship Tourist visa**.

Mohammed Ali Mosque

A Presidential Nile cruise ship

Indulge your passion Archaeology 12 nights departing Oct 16, Nov 6, 2019, Jan 22 and Oct 14, 2020. Holiday code: AV035. Please call for details or visit saga.co.uk/egypt-revealed

Egyptian Museum

Cruise aboard MS Nile Odyssey hhhh Look forward to a memorable cruise along the Nile aboard a Presidential Nile ship. The ship features a small pool and sun deck, a lounge, restaurant (buffet-style meals), bar and gift shop. All 28 cabins have a private shower and wc. These ships do not have lifts.

Pyramids of Giza From Cairo perhaps join an optional excursion to the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, still as impressive as when they were first built 5,000 years ago. Located on a desert plateau on the outskirts of Cairo, this complex includes three main pyramids along with the iconic Sphinx. One of the pyramids, the 'Great' Pyramid of Cheops, is the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built as tombs to protect the mummies of the pharaohs and their treasures taken to the afterlife, the pyramids have now become a symbol of Egypt. Entrance into the Great Pyramid is not included (and is at times prohibited). The pyramids can be closed at times for restoration work, and entrance to the interior may be prohibited.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 300 500 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

“Excellent value and content of the holiday. Nice friendly group. Our tour manager and guide were first rate.” Helen, Halesowen

SAVE up to £150

per person on selected departures Prices from: Oct 9, 2019 1959 1899 Oct 16 - Archaeology 2199 Nov 6 - Archaeology 2129 Nov 13 1899 1799 Jan 22, 2020 - Archaeology 2049 Jan 29 1879 1729 Feb 26 1949 1899 Mar 25 1929 1849 Apr 22 1779 1749 Oct 7 1949 Oct 14 - Archaeology 2199 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1729 Land of the Pharaohs. Holiday code: EP8H1 / AV035 Archaeology. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights

Getting You There Prices are based on Egypt Air from Heathrow.

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Uzbekistan’s treasures Set in the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan has an intriguing and romantic history. Here you’ll find some of the most intricate examples of Islamic architecture – dripping with cobalt blue and turquoise tile work. Explore the ancient cities of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent, and discover the mosques, minarets and mausoleums which were once desert hotels for the passing animals and people.

Beautiful architecture, page 86

Oman’s souks The frenetic atmosphere of Muttrah Souq is the first thing that hits you. After that, you’ll be mesmerised by the sheer variety of textiles, spices, oils and antiques for sale at one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world. Remember, if you want to make a purchase, bartering for the best price is expected.

Visit the souks, page 83

The world is waiting to meet you 78

MID DLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA The famous archaeological sites of Petra, the ancient city of Nazareth, the UNESCO-protected churches of Armenia, what will you discover?

Ancient Petra

It’s not often you have the chance to get close to one of UNE SCO’s most important sites. Visit the ancient city of Petra and you won’t be disappointed. The ‘red rose city’ was car ved into vast sandstone cliffs aro und 300 BC by the Nabataeans. Discover the car ved palaces, tem ples and tom bs, and exp lore the riddle of passages and gor ges.

Explore Petra, page 80

JORDAN

Ancient Petra and Arabian Deserts 8 nights from £1799 Including optional travel insurance or from £1772 without insurance§ Discover Jordan, a beautiful land steeped in four millennia of history. Visit the hidden city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world. Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia in the dramatic Wadi Rum desert. Explore UNESCO-listed Bethany, the site of Jesus’ baptism, and float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.

The ornate Al Khazneh, ‘the Treasury’ ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Amman. Fly to Amman, arriving in the evening for a three-night stay. Day 2: Jerash. This afternoon’s included tour of Amman introduces the capital’s highlights. Start at Citadel Hill, which towers over the city. Herod the Great built a temple to Hercules here in 30 BC, and some Roman ruins still survive, including a theatre that could seat 6,000 spectators. Afterwards, drive to Jerash, which in Roman times was one of the ten leading cities in the region. The well-preserved ruins include a Roman Forum, two theatres, a hippodrome and the 600-metre colonnaded ‘Street of Columns’, where you can still see ruts in the paving stones made by chariot wheels! Lunch is in a Jerash restaurant. B, L Day 3: Desert Castles. After breakfast, head out to explore Jordan’s Desert castles. This array of 7th and 8th century buildings in the desert plains of eastern Jordan – including small palaces, bath houses or caravanserai – are variously thought to have been built

Mount Nebo Bethany Dead Sea

Israel

Jerash Amman Desert Castles Madaba Shobak

Petra

Jordan

Wadi Rum

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nights in hotel

for Umayyad princes as desert retreats, traders’ rest stops or even agricultural sites. Visit the best-preserved castles of Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qasr al Kharrana and Qasr al Azraq. B Day 4: Mount Nebo-Madaba-Shobak-Petra. Check out and travel to Mount Nebo, the site from which Moses was allowed to see the Holy Land. Thought to be the site of his tomb, various temples and churches have been built here. Mosaics from an early Christian monastery are preserved in the Franciscan church. Continue to Madaba, an ancient, rambling town mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Numbers, and known as the ‘City of Mosaics’. Admire Madaba’s masterpiece – a 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, believed to be the earliest created. At Shobak, see the mountaintop Crusader castle, built in the early 12th-century to protect the trade route between Damascus and Egypt. Continue to Petra, where you’ll stay for two nights. B, D Day 5: Petra. Enjoy a full-day walking tour around Petra, known as the ‘rose-red city half as old as time’. Petra was built from 800 BC to 100 AD by Nabatean Arabs in a canyon, with the only entrance being through a narrow gorge. Many of its buildings were carved out of the rock, and this vast archaeological site is one of the wonders of the world. Walk back to your hotel for dinner. B, D Day 6: Petra-Wadi-Rum-Dead Sea. Check out and take a coach drive to Wadi Rum. The largest, most magnificent valley in the south of Jordan, its name means

‘Moon Valley’– you’ll see why – and there remain many traces of early civilisations. Enjoy lunch in a dome-shaped restaurant in Sun City Camp. Afterwards, continue to the Dead Sea or a three-night stay. You’ll have time to take a dip before you check in. B, L Day 7: Bethany. Visit Bethany, one of the most sacred Christian places in the world, on an included half-day tour. The Bible records that Jesus was baptised here by John the Baptist who lived and preached in this village on the south bank of Wadi Kharrar. Return to your hotel for the afternoon. B Day 8: Dead Sea. Today is at leisure to enjoy the Dead Sea. At 400 metres below sea level it is the earth’s lowest point on dry land. Because of its high concentration of salts, even a non-swimmer can float quite safely! The dark mud on the shore has been used for for therapeutic purposes for more than 2000 years. B Day 9: Dead Sea-Amman-UK. Travel to Amman airport for your return flight to the UK. B Accommodation… AlQasr Metropole Hotel (4*), Amman • Movenpick Petra Resort Hotel (5*) • Movenpick Dead Sea Resort and Spa (5*). **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Exclusively for solo travellers 8 nights departing March 4, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF105. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 300 600 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/ancient-petra

Ancient sites

Your tour includes VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details 8 nights in hotels • 12 meals: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners l

The colonnaded street in Jerash

Excursions and visits Tour of Amman highlights Visit to Jurash Tour three of the desert castles Visit Mount Nebo, Madaba and Shobak castle Guided full-day tour of Petra Visit to Wadi Rum Visit to Jesus’ baptism site, Bethany l

The Dead Sea

The view from Mount Nebo Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels Tourist visa**. l

Wadi Rum

Jordan’s Ancient Treasures Discover some of Jordan’s archaeological ‘treasures’ on a special interest version of this holiday. In addition to visiting some of the country’s best-known sites, you will be joined by an expert historian tour manager. You will spend a day at Petra, visit the protected area of Wadi Rum and stay overnight in a ‘martian’ tent. See the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba, the ‘City of Mosaics’, and visit the site where archaeologists believe Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. During your tour provides you will stay at three different hotels in the capital of Amman, Petra, and on the shores of the Dead Sea, plus spend a night in the state-of-the-art ‘martian’ tents in the extraordinary desert landscape of Wadi Rum. Archaeology 8 nights departing October 21, 2020. Holiday code: AV179.

The rose-red city A day in Petra is undoubtedly the highlight of any trip to Jordan. Known as the ‘rose-red city half as old as time’, it was founded around the 6th century BC, by the nomadic Nabataean Arabs who settled here and established trade links for silk from China and spices from India, from their hidden city. Around 100AD Petra fell to the Romans who later abandoned it. It was known only to local people until 1812 when it was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer. Access is via the Siq – a narrow gorge – and your first glimpse of Petra will be the the vast, carved facade of the Treasury at the end. Inside, discover rock-cut tombs, colonnaded streets, temples, a 3000-seat theatre and the Deir or Monastery, a huge 1st-century AD tomb, later used as a Christian church, reached by 900 steps!

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Oct 16 - Archaeology 2199 Feb 26, 2020 1799 Mar 11 1999 Apr 15 2049 Sep 23 2049 Oct 7 1999 Oct 21 - Archaeology 2199 Nov 4 1949 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2198 Ancient Petra and Arabian Deserts. Holiday code: JD100 / AV179 Archaeology. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. Oct 21, 2020 Archaeology Special interest departure follows a slightly different itinerary. Please call for details. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £27 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Royal Jordanian from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·F ly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/israel-tour

ISRAEL

A Journey into Israel 7 nights from £1549

Ancient sites

Your tour includes

Including optional travel insurance or from £1522 without insurance§ This revelatory tour of Israel begins in the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv with its delightful setting on the Mediterranean coast. Your journey continues to the ancient cities of Nazareth, birthplace of Christianity, and 3,000-year-old Jerusalem, leading you through fertile landscapes steeped in stories from the Bible.

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 7 nights in hotels • 14 meals: 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners Excursions and visits Tel Aviv city tour Caesarea ruins and Crusader castle tour Mosaics of Tzipori visit Visit the modern Church of the Annunciation and Mary's Well in Nazareth Boat trip on the Sea of Galilee Visit to ancient Capernaum Kibbutz visit Visit the Dead Sea and Qumram Masada by cable car Jerusalem New City tour The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Jerusalem Old City tour l

King Herod’s Masada

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at your hotels.

Katzrin Tiberias Sea of Galilee Tzipori Nazareth Caesarea

Tel Aviv Jerusalem

Qumran Bethlehem Dead Sea Masada

Jerusalem’s iconic sights

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1 UK-Tel Aviv. Fly to Tel Aviv for a two-night stay in ‘The City that Never Sleeps’. D Day 2: Tel Aviv. Join a half-day tour of Tel Aviv, visiting the 4,000-year-old port city of Jaffa, open-air Carmel Market, and the artist's quarter of Neve Tzedek where you can admire beautifully-restored houses. Also see the UNESCO-listed White City with its stark Bauhaus buildings. B, D Day 3: Tel Aviv-Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) via Caesarea, Tzipori and Nazareth. Travel to ancient Caesarea to see its Roman aqueduct and amphitheatre, as well as a ruined Crusader city. Continue to hilltop Tzipori, best known for its third-century ‘Mona Lisa of Galilee’ mosaic, and Nazareth to visit the modern Church of the Annunciation and Mary's Well, where according to tradition, Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel. Continue to Galilee for a two-night stay. B, D Day 4: Sea of Galilee. Take a short boat trip to Capernaum to visit the ruins of a second-century synagogue. Also visit Mount of the Beatitudes en route to Israeli-occupied Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers and visit the town of Katzrin. Afterwards, tour a Golan winery and perhaps taste the locally-produced wine. B, D Day 5: The Sea of Galilee-Jerusalem via the Dead Sea, Qumran and Masada. Visit a modern-day kibbutz, and Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Catch a cable car to visit the UNESCO-listed ruins of the palace complex Masada, built by Herod the

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Great. Then drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea where you can float in the therapeutic waters before continuing to Jerusalem for a three-night stay. B, D Day 6: Jerusalem New City and Bethlehem Walk along the Avenue of the Righteous to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Other visits today include the Israel Museum and the bustling souk of Machne Yehuda Market, before visiting Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. B, D Day 7: Jerusalem Old City Venture up the Mount of Olives, see the Church of Dominus Flevit and stroll through the Garden of Gethsemane. Enter the Old City whose highlights include Temple Mount crowned by the golden-roofed Dome of the Rock, the sacred ‘Wailing Wall’ and the restored Jewish Quarter which has numerous sites associated with Jesus and the Crucifixion. This evening, perhaps attend an optional sound and light show at the Tower of David. B, D

Day 8: Jerusalem to Tel Aviv-UK Enjoy the morning at leisure before travelling to Tel Aviv for your flight back to the UK. B Accommodation… Prima City Hotel (4*), Tel Aviv • Prima Galil Hotel (4*), Galilee • Prima Park Hotel (3*+), Jerusalem.

SAVE £50 per person on Jan 19, 2020 departure

Prices from: Jan 19, 2020 1599 1549 Mar 8 1699 May 10 1899 Oct 18 1849 Nov 1 1749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1948 A Journey into Israel. Holiday code: IS111. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £27 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on El Al from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·F ly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/omanadventure

OMAN

Oman: Arabian Adventure

Ancient sites

7 nights from £1899 Including optional travel insurance or from £1872 without insurance

Uncover the intriguing mix of rich heritage and modern day living, from bustling souqs to contemporary architecture, as you journey through Oman’s ancient cities, vast deserts and dramatic mountain ranges.

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 6 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 17 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners Excursions and visits Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque visit Meet a Bedouin family Souq visits Sunset dune walk Explore Nakhal Fort and hot springs Stay at Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve Wadi Bani Khalid pools ●

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Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels Tourist visa**.

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The impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

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Seeb Nakhal Fort Muscat Al Hamra Bahla Fort Jabreen Castle Birkat Al Mouz Nizwa Wadi Bani Khalid

Oman

Wahiba Sands

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Wadi Shab Sur Ras Al Jinz

nights in hotel

The turquoise pools of Wadi Shab. ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1. UK-Muscat, Oman. Fly overnight to Muscat. Day 2. Muscat. Arrive in Muscat early in the morning for a two-night stay. Sitting on the Gulf of Oman, Muscat is a beautifully preserved port city that contrasts historic character with contemporary architecture. D Day 3. Muscat. After breakfast set off on an included city tour, the highlight of which will be the Grand Mosque, a modern architectural wonder built for Sultan Qaboos to mark his 30th year of reign. From here visit the Bait Al Zubair museum, the Al Alam Palace, and the Muttrah Souq – one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world. B, D Day 4. Muscat-Nizwa. Begin your journey to the historic town of Nizwa. En route stop at the Seeb fish market and visit an Amouage perfumery. Next stop at the Nakhal Fort. After climbing the sand coloured walls, take in the panoramic views and then head down to the Nakhal hot springs for a relaxing soak. Arrive in Nizwa for a two-night stay. B, L, D Day 5. Nizwa. Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing, first visiting Bahla Fort, the only fort in the world to be granted UNESCO-listing, and then explore Jabreen Castle, admiring the impressive Omani woodcarvings. Travel north to the village of Al Hamra to see the wonderfully preserved mudbrick houses, and the ruined village of Tanuf. B, L, D Day 6. Nizwa-Wahiba Sands. Today visit Nizwa Fort and explore the bustling Nizwa Souq, selling a myriad of goods, including silverware for which the city is famed. Drive to the Wahiba Sands, pausing at Birkat Al Mouz, two ruined towns surrounded by banana plantations. Spend the evening with a Bedouin family, learning about their nomadic lifestyle, before a sunset dune walk. Stay overnight

in a luxury authentic Bedouin tent. B, L, D Day 7. Wahiba Sands-Ras Al Jinz. Set off for the east coast, stopping at Wadi Bani Khalid, a picturesque valley with turquoise pools. Continue on to the Ras Al Jinz, a world renowned nesting location for the endangered green turtle, where you’ll stay overnight. Take a guided walk to the beach to see where the females return to the beach to lay their eggs. B, L, D Please note: The peak season for turtle nesting is May to September, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Day 8. Ras Al Jinz-Muscat-UK. Depart this morning for Sur. Stop at the local market to watch the fisherman unload the catch of the day, and then explore the Dhow shipyard where authentic wooden ships are still built. Continue to Wadi Shab, a popular valley where locals come to swim in the fresh water pools. Transfer to Muscat this afternoon for your return flight to the UK. B, L. Accommodation… Al Falaj Hotel (4*), Muscat • Falaj Daris Hotel (3*), Nizwa • 1000 Nights Camp (3*), Wahiba Sands • Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve (3*). **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Extend your holiday Salalah 3 nights.. After your tour extend your holiday with a three-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Hilton Salalah Resort. Please call for details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

“This is the Middle East’s best kept secret. Expect to camp under the stars, wander amongst the evocative aromas of a bazaar and learn how to make coffee, Bedouin style.” Ellis, Expert Holiday Creator

SAVE up to £100

per person on selected departures Prices from: Sep 17, 2019 1949 1899 Oct 8 2049 1999 Jan 21, 2020 1949 1899 Mar 24 2049 Oct 13 2049 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2248 Oman: Arabian Adventure. Holiday code: OMN01. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and may only be available for a limited number of bookings. Prices may change and current prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £27 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Oman Air from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

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GEORGIA AND ARMENIA

Caucasus Calling! 13 nights from £2299 Including optional travel insurance or from £2228 without insurance§ Explore the Caucasus countries of Georgia and Armenia. Contrast their capitals – Tbilisi and Yerevan – and perhaps be surprised by their ancient historic sites and dramatic landscapes…

Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Tbilisi, Georgia. Fly to Tbilisi for a two-night stay. D Day 2: Tbilisi. Take the morning to acclimatise and after lunch join a walking tour of Tbilisi, visiting 13th-century Metekhi church, Sulphur Baths, and a reconstruction of the 4th-century Narikala fortress. B, D Day 3: Kazbegi. After breakfast travel to Mtskheta, the old capital of the Kingdom of Iberia. Explore the 6th-century Jvari monastery, Svetitskhoveli cathedral and Samtavro convent. Take the Georgian Military Road into the Caucasus Mountains, which connects south Caucasus with Russia and visit the castles and churches of the Ananuri fortress complex. After lunch continue to Kazbegi for a two-night stay. B, L, D Day 4: Kazbegi. Mount 4x4s to ascend to 14th-century Gergeti Trinity church for amazing views of Mount Kazbeg. Descend Kazbegi

Dariali Canyon Ananuri

Tevali

Chardakhi Mtskheta

Tsinandali Signagi

Georgia

Tbilisi Akhtala

Haghpat

nights in hotel

Odzun

Armenia

Dilijan

Yerevan Echmiadzin

Garni

Sevanavank Noraduz

Selim Areni

Lake Sevan Jermuk

Amaghu

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Karahunge Tatev Monastery

to the village of Kazbegi for a cookery demonstration and lunch with a local family before driving to the Dariali Canyon and walking to the Gweleti waterfalls. B, L, D Day 5: Tbilisi. Travel to the village of Chardakhi and visit a Qvevri winery. Help make a nut and grape juice delicacy and enjoy a typical Georgian lunch. Return to your Tblisi hotel. B, L Day 6: Tbilisi. Your full-day tour starts in the Kakheti wine region visiting the Shuamta Monastery complex and 11th-century Alaverdi cathedral, followed by wine tasting and lunch. Continue to the Tsinandali estate to explore a wine-related archaeological site, then visit Signagi and its grand defence wall. Finally, enjoy dinner and wine at the ‘Pheasant’s Tears’ winery, accompanied by Georgian folk singing. B, L, D Day 7: Haghpat. Explore Tbilisi and enjoy lunch in a restaurant before departing for the Georgian-Armenian border. Stop at the 10th-century Akhtala Monastery, famous for its beautiful Byzantine frescoes and rumoured to have housed the cross of John the Baptist. Continue to Haghpat for an overnight stay. B, L, D Day 8: Dilijan. Enjoy a day of sightseeing beginning in the UNESCO-listed Haghpat Monastery. Continue to the Armenian basilica in Odzun before having lunch with local beekeepers. In the afternoon take a walk through a Molokan village and experience afternoon tea with locals. Stay overnight in Dilijan. B, L, D

Day 9: Jermuk. Travel to Lake Sevan, the highest natural reservoir in the Caucasus and visit Sevanavank monastery on its shores. Continue to the Noraduz cemetery to see its famous carved headstones, then visit the Caravanserai of Selim before lunch in the town of Yeghegnadzor. Proceed to Jermuk for a two-night stay. B, L, D Day 10: Jermuk. Today’s tour starts at Karahunge, a 7,500 year-old stone circle thought to be an ancient observatory, then continues to Tatev Monastery, an influential medieval religious, scientific and educational centre. Reach it via the world’s longest cable car route measuring six kilometres and after lunch return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. B, L Day 11: Yerevan. Depart for Areni and visit a 6,100 year-old archaeological excavation of a winery. Continue to the secluded 13th-century Noravank monastery then visit the Khor Virap Monastery complex, pivotal in Armenia’s conversion to Christianity! Continue to Yerevan for a three-night stay. B, L, D Day 12: Yerevan, Echmiadzin, Zvartnots. Visit Echmiadzin, with its outstanding cathedral and continue on to the UNESCO-listed Zvartnots Cathedral. Return to Yerevan for an ancient recipe demonstration and lunch in the Megerian Carpet Museum. Tour Yerevan visiting Republic Square, the Cascade staircase and the historic buildings of Abovyan Street. Visit the Ararat Brandy Factory and the Armenian genocide memorial. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight. B, L, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/caucasus

Best seller

Your tour includes • UK door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 13 nights in hotels • 33 meals: 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of eastern Georgia wine regions Visit Signagi Jvari monastery, Svetitskhoveli cathedral and Samtavro convent. Georgian Military Road and Ananuri fortress 4x4 drive Gergeti Trinity church Mokhevian cookery demonstration and lunch Hike to the Gweleti waterfalls Chardakhi winery tour and lunch Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi UNESCO-listed Haghpat Monastery Lake Sevan and Sevanavank monastery Khachkars at Noraduz cemetery Caravanserai of Selim on the Silk Road Karahunge stone circle observatory Tatev Monastery by world’s longest cable car ride Excavation of 6100 years old Areni winery Noravank monastery Khor Virap Monastery near Mount Ararat Echmiadzin the world’s oldest cathedral Zvartnots Cathedral ruins Cookery masterclass and traditional lunch Tour of Yerevan The pagan Temple of Garni Garni Gorge ‘Symphony of Stones’ Cooking traditional lunch with a family Visit to Ararat Brandy Factory l

The Temple of Zvartnots in front of Mount Ararat

Narilka Fortress, Tblisi

Day 13: Yerevan. Visit Matenadaran, a repository of ancient manuscripts, followed by the Geghard Monastery complex and an a cappella concert of holy music. Continue to Garni and its pagan temple and enjoy traditional flute music before boarding 4X4s and driving into the Garni Gorge. Return to Garni for lunch in a family home and make Armenian bread in an underground oven. Return to Yerevan and enjoy farewell drinks. B, L,

Haghpat Monastery

Day 14: Yerevan-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Rooms Tbilisi (4*) • Rooms Kazbegi Hotel (4*) or Hotel Porta Caucasia Kazbegi (4*) • Mercure Tbilisi Hotel (4*) or the Museum Hotel (4*), Tbilisi • Qefo Hotel (3*), Haghpat • Best Western Paradise Hotel (4*), Dilijan • Grand Resort Jermuk (4*) • DoubleTree by Hilton (4*) or Grand Hotel Golden Tulip (5*), Yerevan.

A spiritual journey In 301AD Armenia adopted Christianity as its official religion, perhaps surprisingly the first country to do so! The Khor Virap Monastery complex, where Noah's Ark was said to have beached after the great flood, is where it all started. A Christian called Grigor was buried in a rock pit here for 13 years, surviving ‘miraculously’ because he was fed in secret by Christian women. When he cured the King of an illness the King, and his country, converted to Christianity. The man went on to become Saint Gregory the Illuminator, buried in the cathedral named after him in Yerevan. The church is also the cornerstone of life in Georgia despite centuries of upheaval, and altogether you’ll discover 14 important and fascinating churches and monasteries during your tour.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Plus all this… • Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Drink reception Porterage at all hotels. l

SAVE £50 per person on Sep 29, 2019 departure

Prices from: Sep 29, 2019 2349 2299 Oct 6 2549 Apr 5 2299 May 3 2399 May 31 2449 Jun 14 2449 Aug 23 2449 Sep 6 2449 Oct 4 2399 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2748 Caucasus Calling! Holiday code: AG100. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. Oct 6, 2019 departure has limited availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Ukraine International Airlines from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·F ly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Route 10 nights from £1999 Including optional travel insurance or from £1928 without insurance§ Embark on an eastern adventure to the exotic cities of Uzbekistan, an historic crossroads on the Great Silk Route's path across Central Asia. Travel across a landscape little changed since the days of Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great.

Venture behind Khiva’s historic city walls ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Tashkent. Fly overnight to Tashkent. Day 2: Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva. After a late breakfast fly to Urgench and transfer to Khiva for two nights. Once the last staging post for merchants preparing to tackle the desert sands en route to Persia, Khiva’s inner fortress, Itchan Kala, was an important stop on the Silk Route. (The number of nights spent in Tashkent and Khiva may vary.) B, D Day 3: Khiva. Today’s walking tour reveals Khiva’s Itchan Kala, an architectural treasure trove of restored mud-walled monuments. Highlights include the Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, the 16th-century Kunya-Ark Castle and 19th-century Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah. Lunch is at a restaurant, with dinner and a folk show at the 19th-century Kibla Tozabog, summer residence of the Khiva Khans. (Between November and March this will be at an alternative venue.) B, L, D

Uzbekistan Urgench Tashkent

Khiva

Bukhara nights in hotel

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Samarkand Shakhrisabz

Day 4: Bukhara. A long day’s journey takes you across the Kyzyl-Kum or Red Desert, which once took laden camel caravans a month! After a packed lunch continue to Bukhara for a three-night stay. B, L, D Day 5: Bukhara. A centre of trade and education for more than 2,000 years, Bukhara was a major city on the Great Silk Route and played a significant role in the ancient Islamic world’s quest for knowledge. It is the best example of a medieval city in Central Asia. See its key sights on a walking tour of the old town, and the 10th-century Samanids Mausoleum. Later, perhaps browse the 15th to 16th-century bazaars. Dinner, with a Bukharian cookery class, is at a guest house. B, D Day 6: Bukhara. Visit the magnificent 16th to 19th-century Naqshbandi Mausoleum, built for the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order. Beautiful blue-glazed tiles adorn the facade of this domed, multi-arched masterpiece. Also visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, a reminder of Uzbekistan’s era of Russian rule. After an embroidery masterclass, stroll through atmospheric Bukhara to a restaurant for dinner and a folk and fashion show tonight. B, D Day 7: Samarkand. Relax on a journey to Samarkand, where you stay for two nights. Visit the Afrosiyab Museum, with dinner at a restaurant. B, D Day 8: Samarkand. Admire the colourful mosaics, blue domes and lofty arches of Registan Square on today’s tour. This grand

plaza is bordered on three sides by splendid structures built by the Timurid dynasty. Also visit the exquisitely beautiful Shakhi-Zinda Guri Emir Mausoleum, a breathtaking street of ornate blue-tiled mausolea, the final resting place of the country’s great and good for over 800 years. B, D Day 9: Shakhrisabz-Tashkent. Travel through the Tahta-karacha Pass to Shakhrisabz to discover 14th to 15th-century Timurid mosques, mausoleums and the ruined gateway of Ak-Saray Palace. After lunch, return to Samarkand for the two-hour Afrosiab high-speed train journey to Tashkent. Stay two nights. B, L, D Day 10: Tashkent. Explore modern Tashkent and visit the Museum of History, the Museum of Applied Art and the Khast-Imam complex. This evening, take a tour of the opera and ballet theatre before a farewell dinner. B, D Day 11: Tashkent-UK. After a morning at leisure take your return flight to the UK. B Accommodation… stay in the following or similar hotels: Asia Khiva (3*) • Asia Bukhara (4*) • Grand Samarkand (4*) • Lotte City Palace (4*), Tashkent. Please note: **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details. On Day 2: some departures will stay overnight in Tashkent, with just one night in Khiva. Departures on a Friday: will have an additional night in Tashkent before the tour.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/silk-route

Best seller Rail journey

Small group option

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 23 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 9 dinners Excursions and visits Walking tour of historic Khiva Medieval Bukhara guided tour Baha-ud-Din Naqshband's mausoleum visit Visit Samarkand's Museum of Afrosiyab See Timirelane's tomb in Samarkand Visit to the ancient Timurid centre of Shakhrisabz Sightseeing tour of Tashkent l

Discover Bukhara’s colourful mosaics

Colours of Uzbekistan’s cultural attire

Views of Bukhara’s Mir-i Arab Madrasah

Solo travelers … 10 nights departing November 12, 2019, and March 24, April 14, May 5 and 19, August 25, October 13 and November 10, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF700. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Extend your holiday Fergana Valley 4 nights. Half board. After your tour, travel into the Fergana Valley to explore charming Kokand and the historic Silk Road city of Margilan.

The archaeology of Uzbekistan… Step into another world as you uncover the past of this fascinating country on a special archaeology departure. In the company of your guide explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. See the ancient fortresses of Ayzkala, the early settlements of Kasbi and Bazda and the ruins of the town of Kesh that date back to 800 BC. You’ll also visit the museum of Afrosiyab and the sites of Kafyr-kala and Jartepa, plus there will be talks from a local academic – the perfect introduction to the archaeology and ancient culture of Uzbekistan. History and Archaeology 10 nights departing October 29, 2019 and October 27, 2020. Holiday code: AV178. Visit saga.co.uk/uzbek-arch Please note: On Day 2, some departures will stay overnight in Tashkent, with just one night in Khiva.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE £50 per person on Oct 11, 2019 departure

Prices from: Oct 11#, 2019 2149 2099 Oct 29 - Archaeology 2099 Nov 5 2149 Apr 7, 2020 2049 Apr 21 - Small Group 2299 Apr 28 2099 May 12 2149 May 26 2149 Sep 1 2149 Sep 15 2149 Sep 29 - Small Group 2299 Oct 6 2099 Oct 27 - Archaeology 2099 Nov 3 1999 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2198 Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Route. Holiday code: UZ001 / AV178 Archaeology. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. #Oct 11, 2019 follows an 11 night itinerary § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Uzbekistan Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

Beautiful architecture, page 92

Regal Rajasthan

Ruled for centuries by the elite mah arajas and warrior Rajput s, the desert state of Rajast han is blessed with national par ks, bustling cities, palaces, tem ples and medieval forts. Discov er a land steep in history that takes its place as the jewel in India’s crown. Visit the restored palaces in Udaipur’s historic heart, Jodhpur, colourful Jaipur and Agra where you can see the Taj Mah al.

The world is waiting to meet you 88

INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT Visit India or Nepal and you can visit some of the world’s most sacred and iconic sites. Immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the spirit of these two beautiful countries.

Delicious Indian cuisine Indian cuisine, which varies from region to region, is delightfully diverse and full of spices and delicious flavours. Try chaats, a popular street food, which originates in northern India, enjoy spicy alu gobi, made from aloo (potatoes) and gobi (cauliflower) seasoned with turmeric, ginger, garlic, coriander and cumin, and savour an authentic rogan josh, a staple of Kashmiri cuisine.

Enjoy traditional Indian cuisine

Kathmandu The gateway to the Himalayas, Kathmandu is a fascinating place to visit with a unique atmosphere, Newari architecture and ancient Hindu and Buddhist sites. Visit the Site of Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred shrine, and Boudhanath Stupa, a haven for Nepal’s local and exiled Tibetan Buddhists. You can also visit Durbar Square which has more than 80 temples and monuments.

Explore Kathmandu, page 106

INDIA

The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail 10 nights from £1599 Including optional travel insurance or from £1528 without insurance§ Unveil the highlights of India’s famed Golden Triangle – colourful Delhi, regal Jaipur and romantic Agra – and maybe even spot the elusive tiger on safari in Ranthambore…

The iconic Taj Mahal ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi. Day 2: Delhi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Relax after your journey, with a welcome reception this evening. D Day 3: Delhi. Discover the street life, beautiful parks and architectural styles of this ancient city. In Old Delhi, you’ll visit the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque. In New Delhi you’ll see the India Gate war memorial, visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun and the Sikh temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. B, D Day 4: Jaipur. Visit Delhi’s 12th-century Qutub Minar minaret – at 71-metres high, it is the tallest in the world – and surrounding historical monuments. Later, view rural India as you make the drive for a three-night stay in Jaipur, which may take in excess of six hours, depending on the traffic. B, D Day 5: Jaipur. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing starting at Amber Fort, a romantic

Delhi Raj Ghat Jama Masjid

India

Agra Taj Mahal Agra Fort

Amber Fort Jaipur Palace of the Winds Sawai Madhopur nights in hotel

Bharatpur Fatehpur Sikri Ranthambore Ranthambore National Park

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Rajasthani Fort Palace. Here, contrast stark early palaces with those built after the Rajput court adopted Mughal influences. Then visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, still partly used by Jaipur’s Royal family. Later visit the Jantar Mantar – the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. You’ll drive past Hawa Mahal, ‘the Palace of the Winds’. The five-storey building has 953 sandstone windows from which royal ladies could see out without being seen… B, D Day 6: Jaipur. At leisure. Or, join an optional morning visit to Jaigarh Fort, one of the most spectacular and intact forts in India and connected to Amber Fort by ‘secret’ passages. This evening there’s the option to see the Aarti ceremony at the white marble Birla Temple, where idols of Lord Ram and Sita are greeted with holy chanting. B, D Day 7: Ranthambore. Travel to Ranthambore where you’ll stay on the edge of Ranthambore National Park for two nights. B, D Day 8: Ranthambore. This morning, visit the largest wildlife reserve in Northern India, Ranthambore National Park – Rajasthan’s first tiger reserve – for a safari by open-topped bus. The park is home to sambar, the largest species of Asiatic deer, a wealth of birds, crocodiles and, of course, tigers. After lunch, enjoy another safari. Relax at your hotel tonight. B, L, D Day 9: Agra. Early this morning travel to Sawai Madhopur railway station to board the train for Bharatpur. On arrival you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of

Fatehpur Sikri. Built in 1571 of red sandstone, it was the Mughal capital for just 14 years, before it was abandoned. Your journey continues to Agra where you stay for two nights. B, D Day 10: Agra. The Taj Mahal in Agra is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and beauty. Built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz, as a place to enshrine her remains it took 22 years and over 20,000 craftsmen to complete! Join an excursion to see this fabulous building bathed in early morning light. After breakfast at the hotel visit the 16th-century Agra Fort, near the Taj Mahal. This walled city of red sandstone encompasses many fairy-tale palaces and two beautiful mosques. The afternoon is at leisure. B, D Day 11: Delhi-UK. Return to Delhi for your daytime return flight to the UK, arriving in the afternoon. B Accommodation… Hyatt Regency, New Delhi (5*) • Lalit Jaipur (5*) • Ranthambore Regency Hotel (4*) • Mansion Grand Agra (5*). **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Solo travellers … 10 nights departing October 24, 2019, January 20, February 17, March 9, April 13, September 24, October 8 and November 5, 2020 Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF405. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/tigertrail

Best seller

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 19 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 9 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Old and New Delhi Visit to the Amber Fort Maharaja's City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory Two safaris in Ranthambore National Park Tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri Visit the Taj Mahal around sunrise Agra Fort visit l

Jaipur’s intricate Palace of the Winds

The gardens of Amber Fort

Soak up the fascinating culture

NEW DATES ADDED due to popular demand

SAVE up to £150

per person on selected departures Extend your holiday Goa. 5 nights. Half board. After the main tour, stay four nights at the locally rated 4-star Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort and Casino. Stay in Delhi overnight on Day 5 and fly home next day.

Kerala Tour Extension 5 nights. Enjoy a 5-night half-board Kerala extension to your holiday. Stay one night in the ancient port town of Cochin, before moving on to Kumarakom for a two-night stay. Then experience a cruise and overnight stay on a houseboat in Alleppey. You end your holiday extension back in Cochin and fly home the following day. Please call for further details.

Ranthambore National Park Ranthambore National Park was Rajasthan’s first tiger reserve and is one of the largest national parks in northern India. Although home to a host of wildlife including leopards, hyenas, deer, crocodiles and more, it is most famous for its tiger population. Until the 1950s the area was a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, which meant that it was protected at a time when other forested areas were being destroyed. As a result, together with the work of ‘Project Tiger’ in the 1970s, the park’s famous and majestic tigers were able to survive.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 30, 2019 1899 Oct 28, 2099 1999 Nov 7 2099 Nov 14, 18 2099 1999 Jan 13, 2020 1949 Jan 16, 27 1999 1899 Feb 3 1949 Feb 13 1999 1899 Feb 24 1949 Mar 2 1949 Mar 12, 23 1999 1899 Mar 30 1999 1849 Apr 20 1799 May 4 1699 1649 May 11 1699 1599 Sep 14 1799 Oct 5 1949 Oct 15 1999 Nov 2, 9 1999 Rooms for sole occupancy from £1848 The Golden Triangle and Tiger Trail. Holiday code: IN200. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

INDIA

Rajasthan: The Princely State 15 nights from £2099 Including optional travel insurance or from £2028 without insurance§ Discover the palaces, temples and hilltop forts of the desert state of Rajasthan and experience the luxurious Rajasthani lifestyle with stays in a trio of historic hotels.

Mehrangarh Fort looms over the Blue City of Jodhpur ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi. Day 2: Delhi. Travel to New Delhi for a two-night stay. D Day 3: Delhi. Discover Old and New Delhi on an included full-day tour, including the sights of Raj Ghat, the Jama Masjid mosque, bustling Chandni Chowk, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara mosque and the famous Red Fort. B, D Day 4: Delhi-Agra. Transfer to Agra where you spend two nights. Visit Mentab Bagh – the Moonlight Gardens – from where you can view the Taj Mahal. B, D

India

Chand Baori Stairwell Amber Fort

Khimsar Dechu

Jaipur

Delhi Taj Mahal Agra Fatehpur Sikri

Jodhpur Kumbhalgarh Fort

nights in hotel

Udaipur Lake Pichola

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Day 5: Agra. This morning visit the Taj Mahal to watch the sun rise over its iconic form. Built in the 17th-century by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his late wife, it is regarded as one of the seven new wonders of the world and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, visit Agra Fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and once the city of the Mughal rulers, with its wealth of palaces and mosques enclosed within walls. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 6: Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Jaipur. Travel to Jaipur where you stay for two nights. En route visit the small and beautiful historic city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built between 1571-1573 it served as the capital of the Mughal empire for just 14 years and features a host of striking red sandstone structures. You’ll also pause to visit the remarkable 9th century Chand Baori Stepwell – one of the most impressive in Rajasthan. B, L, D Day 7: Jaipur. Visit the walled 16th-century Amber Fort with its palace and temples and enjoy a city tour of Jaipur. See the City Palace and admire the exterior of the famous Palace of the Winds. B, D Day 8: Jaipur-Khimsar. Travel into the desert to Khimsar where you will stay overnight at a former historic fort, now a hotel. B, D Day 9: Khimsar-Dechu. Drive through the desert to Dechu, where you stay two nights at an oasis in the Thar Desert.. Later enjoy an included off-road desert drive. B, D Day 10: Dechu. At leisure. This evening enjoy an included camel safari through the sands. B, L, D

Day 11: Dechu-Jodhpur. Travel to the city of Jodhpur, once capital of the Marwar kingdom, where you stay two nights. Jodhpur lies at the base of a sandstone ridge on the edge of the desert, enclosed by a nine-kilometre long wall. You’ll pass through eight gates to enter this small city, seven of which represent victories in battle. Enjoy a brief guided orientation walk. B, L, D Day 12: Jodhpur. Visit the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, its formidable exterior concealing three beautiful palaces graced with carved decoration and wall paintings. You’ll also see the royal cenotaphs of Jaswant Thada. B, D Day 13: Jodhpur-Udaipur. Drive south to Udaipur known as the ‘City of Lakes’, where you spend two nights. En route visit Kumbhalgarh hill-top fort –a 15th-century Mewar fortress, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. The wall of the fort (the second largest in India) is claimed to be the second-longest continuous wall after the Great Wall of China! B, D Day 14: Udaipur. Enjoy an included city tour of Udaipur, a graceful city of palaces, ghats and temples founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559. Discover the City Palace, and visit ornate Jagdish Temple and Sahelion Ki Bari gardens, with their lotus pools and marble pavillions. Enjoy a scenic drive around Fatehsagar Lake and a cruise across Lake Pichola (subject to water levels). B, L D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/rajasthan

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 31 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 13 dinners Excursions and visits Delhi city tour Tour of Udaipur's palaces and temples Boat trip on Lake Pichola Guided tour of Jodhpur Explore the Thar Desert Visit to the Amber Fort Tour of the Pink City of Jaipur Ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri Visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh l

Venture into the Thar Desert on a camel safari

Locals near Jaisalmer head to the well

Day 15: Udaipur-Delhi. Fly to Delhi where you stay overnight. B Day 16: Agra-Delhi-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. B Please note: Departures in 2019 follow a different itinerary, and hotels may differ. Please call for details. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Jaipur’s striking Amber Fort

Holi – Festival of Colour Be part of one of the world’s most colourful celebrations on an optional excursion to the Holi Festival in Jaipur. Available on 4 March, 2020 departure. Please call for details. Extend your holiday Goa. 5 nights Half board. After your tour, stay four nights at the locally rated 4-star Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort and Casino. Stay in Delhi overnight on Day 5 and fly home next day.

Rajasthan Discover Rajasthan – a land steeped in history with a landscape that ranges from desert to national parks and bustling cities. Today, Rajasthan is one state, having been composed of 18 princely states that finally merged in 1950. Explore the palaces of Udaipur and Jodhpur – a reminder of the region’s regal history. Cross the Thar Desert and see the Jain Temples of Jaisalmer, and Bikaner’s mighty Junagarh Fort. No visit to Rajasthan is complete without a visit to the vibrant ‘pink’ city of Jaipur – immortalised in the film ‘The Best Marigold Hotel’ and home to a host of historic and beautiful buildings.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £450 per person on selected departures

Prices from: Oct 2, 2019 2649 2199 Nov 6 2699 Jan 8, 2020 2299 2099 Feb 5 2299 2199 Mar 4 2299 2149 Sep 23 2299 2149 Oct 21 2399 2199 Nov 4 2449 2249 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2598. Rajasthan: The Princely State. Holiday code: IN514. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Upgrade to Premium Economy from £449 return

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INDIA

Mystical India 15 nights from £2499 Including optional travel insurance or from £2428 without insurance§ On this new tour of northern India, visit destinations including Varanasi, Delhi, Jaipur and Bhopal. See the iconic Taj Mahal, the mighty Amber Fort, the Sanchi Buddhist sanctuary and more as you unlock some of the mysteries, architectural and archaeological marvels, and cities of the region.

NEW

Sunrise over the Ganges River ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi. Day 2: Delhi. Transfer to your hotel, with a welcome dinner and briefing this evening. D Day 3: Delhi. Set off on a morning walking tour of Old Delhi, taking in Dariba Kalan – the ‘silver street’, Kinari bazaar and the bustling market of Chandni Chowk. Pass the 17th century Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque, and Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib – a Sikh place of worship. Later, join your coach for a drive past some of the highlights of New Delhi including India Gate, Parliament Buildings, and the President’s residence, concluding with a visit to the 13th century Qutub Minar minaret. B, D Day 4: Delhi-Varanasi. Fly to the ancient holy city of Varanasi, situated along the River Ganges and a place of Hindu pilgrimage. With its wealth of temples, 88 riverside ghats where steps lead down to the river for bathing and ceremonies, and more, it

Delhi

Jaipur

Agra Dholpur

India

Gwalior Jhansi Khajuraho

Varanasi

nights in hotel

Bhopal

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is regarded as the cultural capital of India. Enjoy an evening Aarti ceremony at the Ghats, with a traditional Litti-Choka meal at a private Haveli. B, D Day 5: Varanasi. Before breakfast, cruise past the ghats with their worshippers and pilgrims, plus the burning ghats where cremations take place. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, or perhaps join an optional excursion to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon. B, D Day 6: Varanasi-Jaipur. Fly to the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur, capital of the Rajasthan region, where you stay for two nights. Perhaps join an optional visit to Choti Choper. B, D Day 7: Jaipur. Visit the magnificent Amber Fort, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Step into another world as you discover its courtyards, chambers, hallways and palaces with their stunning decoration and peaceful gardens. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, or join an optional tour of Jaipur. B, D Day 8: Jaipur-Agra. En route to Agra, pause to visit the 9th century stepwell of Chand Baori in Abhaneri, one of the largest and finest in the world. Continue to Agra where you stay for the next two nights. Optional trip to a show this evening. B, D Day 9: Agra. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites today, starting with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, regarded as one of the seven new wonders of the world. Constructed in white marble, this stunning 17th century building took around 22 years and over

20,000 workers and craftsmen to complete. Later, visit the Agra Fort, whose towering walls and interior resemble a city in itself. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or an optional excursion to see the ‘Baby Taj’. B,D Day 10: Agra-Bhopal. Travel to Bhopal by train, where you’ll stay for two nights. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the city, taking in the north with its mosques and bazaars, as well as the modern south. You’ll also visit Taj-ul-Majid, one of Asia’s largest mosques, the smaller Jama Masjid, and the performing arts centre of Bharat Bhawan. This evening enjoy an authentic Bhopal dinner, with an opportunity to discuss the cuisine with a local host. B, D Day 11: Bhopal. Travel first to the Buddhist monuments at Sanchi to see the 1st-2nd century BC stupa, temples, palaces, monasteries and pillars. Next, continue to Bhimbetka at the foot of the Vindhyan Mountains, home to rock shelters decorated with Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic) and later rock art paintings. En route back to Bhopal, you’ll also visit the monolithic, unfinished 11th-century temple of Bhojpur. B, D Day 12: Bhopal-Khajuraho. Travel by express train to Khajuraho, where you stay for two nights. This afternoon there’s a guided visit to the city’s renowned Western Group of Temples, built between 950 and 1050 AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The multitude of carvings that decorate these temples are regarded as some of the great masterpieces of Indian Art and range from

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/mystical-india

Rail journeys

Ancient sites

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels, 1 in flight • 28 meals: 14 breakfasts and 14 dinners Excursions and visits • Walking tour of Old Delhi • Coach tour of New Delhi • Attend an Aarti Ceremony • Dine at a private Haveli • Morning cruise past Varanasi’s ghats • Visit the Amber Fort • Visit to the stepwell of Chand Baori • See the Taj Mahal at sunrise • Visit to Agra Fort • Four train journeys • City tour of Bhopal • Visit to the Buddhist monuments of Sanchi • Visit to the archaeological site of Bhimbetka • See the Western Group of temples at Khajuraho • Visit the medieval town of Orchha • An hour-long boat safari in the National Chambal Sanctuary • Visit Gwalior Fort • Visit seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Jaipur’s Amber Fort

Be bowled over by Khajuraho

dancers and figures carrying out everyday actions, to animals, deities and the erotic. B, D. Day 13: Khajuraho-Dholpur. Head for Dholpur, pausing to visit the medieval town of Orchha en route. At Jhansi, board the Taj Express to Dholpur, where you’ll stay for two nights. B, D Day 14: Dholpur. This morning look forward to an hour-long boat safari in the National Chambal Sanctuary, a protected area home to endangered species including the Gharial crocodile, plus some 300 species of birds. Later, perhaps join an optional jeep safari. B, D Day 15: Dholpur-Gwalior-Delhi Travel to Gwalior and visit the magnificent hilltop

The magnificent hilltop Gwalior Fort

Gwalior fort, with its citadel of palaces, temples and gateways. Afterwards, transfer by express train to Delhi, where you stay overnight. B, D Day 16: Delhi-UK After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home. B Accommodation…. Suryaa Hotel (5*), Delhi • Radisson Blu (4*), Varanasi, Sarovar Premiere (4*), Jaipur • Taj Gateway Hotel (4*), Agra • Jehan Numa Palace Hotel (5*), Bhopal • Raj Niwas Palace (3*), Dholpur • Pride Plaza Delhi (5*), Delhi **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Sanchi and Bhimbetka The city of Bhopal is home to the one of the country’s largest mosques – the Taj-ul-Majid, and the monolithic 11th century temple of Bhojpur. It’s also a starting point for visiting two stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites… The Buddhist monuments at Sanchi comprise the world’s oldest Buddhist sanctuary. Constructed between 100-200 BC, its sacred spaces include a breathtaking Stupa, sublime carvings, temples and the remains of a monastery. At Bhimbetka at the foot of the Vindhyan Mountains, step back even further in time to the Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic). Here rock shelters – undiscovered until 1957 – are home to one of India’s largest centres of prehistoric art, with paintings depicting animals, riders and hunters, offering a unique picture of the past.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Plus all this… • Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ • Return flights and transfers • Saga tour manager • Porterage at all hotels • Tourist visa**.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

Prices from: Feb 5, 2020 2649 Oct 7 2599 2499 Nov 18 2599 2499 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3148 Mystical India. Holiday code: IN523. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19

INDIA

The Great Indian Rail Journey 15 nights from £2249 Including optional travel insurance or from £2178 without insurance§ Explore northern India by train on six memorable rail journeys as you discover India’s ‘Golden Triangle’, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Shimla on this exciting 14-night tour.

The breathtaking Taj Majal ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi. Day 2: Delhi. Stay two nights in Delhi, with a welcome briefing and refreshments this evening. D Day 3: Delhi. Discover Old and New Delhi on a tour including Old Delhi Market, Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque, the Mausoleum of Humayan, Raj Ghat – the resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar, India Gate and a drive past the Red Fort. B, L, D Day 4: Jaipur. Set off early for your first train ride from Delhi to Jaipur, where you stay for two nights. Perhaps join an optional evening excursion to Choti Choper Bazaar. B, L Day 5: Jaipur See the famous Amber Fort, once the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire, with its Mughal-influenced palaces. Next, visit the Maharaja’s City Palace with its museum and armoury, followed by the Jantar

Wagah

Amritsar Shimla Kalka Chandigarh

India

Delhi

nights in hotel

Agra Bharatpur

Jaipur Sawai Madhopur

Ranthambore

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Mantar Observatory home to a collection of over 20 masonry or metal instruments. You’ll also drive past the Palace of the Winds with its 953 windows. B, L Day 6: Ranthambore. Travel by train to Sawai Modhopur then transfer to Ranthambore for two nights. Perhaps join an optional nature walk or visit a self-sustaining village. B, L, D Day 7: Ranthambore. Enjoy a morning and afternoon safari by Canter – an open-topped safari bus – in Ranthambore National Park, watching out for tigers, although sightings of these big cats cannot be guaranteed. B, L, D Day 8: Agra. Travel by train to Bharatpur, then continue to Agra where you stay overnight. After a special Thali lunch, visit Agra Fort – a 16th century Mughal fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site with its palaces and halls, as well as the ‘Baby Taj’, the tomb of I’tim d-ud Daulah and reminiscent of the Taj Mahal in miniature. This evening perhaps join an optional excursion to a dance and drama show. B L Day 9: Delhi. See the stunning Taj Mahal in the early morning sun before transferring to Delhi for an overnight stay. B, L, D Day 10: Amritsar. Take the early morning train to Amritsar for a two-night stay. Perhaps join an optional excursion to a Palki ceremony at the Golden Temple, or visit the Partition Museum. B, D Day 11: Amritsar. A sightseeing tour of Amritsar visits Jallianwalah Bagh, the Durgiana Hindu temple and a local bazaar.

You’ll also visit the famous Golden Temple and the community kitchen which feeds thousands of pilgrims daily for free. Later travel to Wagah on the border to see the changing of the guard ceremony – a military ceremony involving troops from India and Pakistan which has taken place every evening at sunset since 1959. B, L, D Day 12: Chandigarh. Drive to Chandigarh and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the High Court and driving past the Punjab University, Governor’s Residence, Sukhna Lake and the commercial district. Stay overnight. B, D Day 13: Shimla. Drive to Kalka, and board the famous ‘Toy Train’, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mountain Railways of India. Travel from Chandigrah to the hill station of Shimla on this famous 19th-century railway, just 2 feet 6 inches wide, passing forest-clad mountains, and beautiful valleys. Stay two nights at a heritage hotel. B, D Day 14: Shimla. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Shimla, when you’ll see the Sankat Mochan Temple, the ancient Jakhu Temple and the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies on Observatory Hill, which was the summer home of the British Viceroy in India and the base from which the British Raj was ruled. B, L Day 15: Delhi. Drive from Shimla to Chandigarh, then travel by train to Delhi where you’ll stay overnight. B, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/indiarail

Best seller

Rail journey

Small group 25 or less

India Gate in New Delhi

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 32 meals: 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Old and New Delhi Visit to the Amber Fort Maharaja's City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory Two safaris in Ranthambore National Park Tour of Agra including Agra Fort and the Baby Taj Visit the Taj Mahal around sunrise Tour of Amritsar including the famous Golden Temple and the Wagah Border Tour of Chandigarh Tour of Shimla Six train journeys l

Mausoleum of Humayan

Discover Indian culture

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Welcome briefing with refreshments Porterage at all hotels Tourist visa** l

Discover a taste of India

Watch for tigers in Ranthambore

Day 16: Delhi-UK. Transfer from your hotel to Delhi airport for your return flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Vivanta by Taj Dwarka (5*), Delhi • LaLit Jaipur Hotel (5*) • Hotel Jungle Vilas (5*), Ranthambore • Hotel Mansion Grand Agra (4*) • Hyatt Amritsar (5*) • Taj Chandigarh (5*) or the JW Marriott Hotel (5*), Chandigarh • Clarkes Hotel (4*), Shimla • Novotel Hotel (5*), Delhi. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Please note: this tour involves some long journeys by rail and road. Hotels for departures in 2019 may differ.

Solo travelers … 15 nights departing September 21, 2020. … Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF521. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Toy Train to Shimla The three mountain railways of India are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of which is the Kalka Shimla Railway or ‘Toy Train’. Built in the mid-19th century, the railway earned its charming nickname by virtue of the trains that use it being a mere 2 feet 6ins wide. Covering 96 kilometres, the railway passes through stunning scenery of mountains and valleys as well as through some 100 tunnels and over 800 bridges and is not only a fine example of engineering, but was intended to provide a way of opening up access for the mountain populations.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

NEW DATES ADDED due to popular demand

SAVE up to £250

per person on selected dates Prices from: Nov 28, 2019 2599 Feb 17, 24, 2020 2499 Mar 12 2499 Mar 16 2499 Mar 23 2349 Mar 26 2499 2299 Apr 2 2499 2249 Apr 6 2499 2299 Apr 13 2499 Apr 20 2449 2249 Apr 27 2449 2399 Oct 5, 8 2499 2299 Oct 19 2449 Nov 2, 16, 19 2499 2399 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2798 The Great Indian Rail Journey. Holiday code: IN521. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19

INDIA

Himalayan Heritage Trail 13 nights from £1999 including optional travel insurance or from £1928 without insurance§ Awaken your senses on this incredible journey through Northern India. Experience the hustle and bustle of Amritsar, marvel at the beauty of Shimla, see the glorious Taj Mahal and more, as you explore this fascinating country and its culture.

Views of Shimla ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi. Day 2: Delhi. Arrive in Delhi where you transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy lunch and the chance to relax, before dinner at your hotel. L, D Day 3 Delhi-Amritsar. Fly to Amritsar, where you stay for two nights. Perhaps join an optional excursion to a Palki ceremony at the famous Golden Temple. B, D

Amritsar Shimla Chandigarh

India nights in hotel

Delhi Jaipur

Agra

Please quote SMT19

Day 4 Amritsar. This morning, a sightseeing tour visits Jallianwalah Bagh, the scene of a notorious massacre in 1919. Visit the Durgiana or ‘silver’ Hindu temple, and the Golden Temple – the Sikh's most sacred monument – and the community kitchen nearby which provides free meals for up to 10,000 pilgrims and visitors every day! This afternoon, travel to the border town of Wagah to see the famous spectacle of the changing of the guard ceremony. B, D Day 5: Amritsar-Chandigarh. A long but rewarding journey takes you to Chandigarh – the hub of northern India, where you stay overnight. Discover some of the highlights of this carefully-planned, modern city featuring French Colonial-influenced architecture, as you enjoy some sightseeing this afternoon. B, D Day 6: Chandigarh-Shimla. Travel to Shimla– dubbed the 'Queen of the Hills' set amid the foothills of the Himalayas. Once the summer capital of the British in India, its ties with the British Raj left a legacy of splendid colonial edifices and quaint cottages. Spend the next four nights at a Heritage grand hotel. B, D

Day 7: Shimla sightseeing. A morning sightseeing tour visits the Mall – Shimla's bustling commercial area, and onto Observatory Hill to see the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, the summer home of the British Viceroy in India. The British Raj was ruled from here and the Partition Agreement negotiated. You'll also see Scandal Point, before enjoying a free afternoon to explore independently. B, D Day 8: Himalayan Queen Express. Step aboard the Himalayan Queen Express for an unforgettable train journey along the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla railway. You'll travel through spectacular scenery as this narrow gauge train winds its way through the lower Himalayas, before continuing by road up to the Tara Devi temple with its panoramic views. B, D Day 9: Shimla. Enjoy a day at leisure, or join an exhilarating five kilometre guided walking tour up to Jakhoo temple. B, D Day 10: Shimla-Delhi. Leave Shimla and travel to Kalka Railway station to board the Shatabdi Express for the four-hour journey to Delhi, where you’ll spend the next two nights. B, D Day 11: Delhi. An included sightseeing tour explores the highlights of Old and New Delhi including Raj Ghat, and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. See bustling Chandni Chowk market, visit the 12th-century Qutab Minar, the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, and drive past the India Gate, as well as other important highlights. B, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/heritagetrail

Small group 25 or less Rail journey

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 25 meals: 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 12 dinners Excursions and visits Sightseeing tour of Amritsar Military ceremony in Wagah Guided tour of Shimla Journey along the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla railway Guided walk up Jakhoo Peak Delhi city tour Agra Fort The Taj Mahal at sunrise l

See the Golden Temple of Amritsar

Kalka-Shimla railway

Day 12: Agra. Travel by train from Delhi to Agra where you stay overnight. Enjoy a visit to Agra Fort, a walled city of red sandstone encompassing royal pavilions, mosques and buildings. You’ll also see the Itimad-ud-Daulah tomb – often referred to as the ‘Baby Taj’. Later, see the famous Taj Mahal at sunset, built in 1560 and celebrated for its beauty and magnificence. B, D Day 13: Delhi. Travel back to Delhi where you will stay overnight. B, D Day 14: Delhi-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight and included UK door-to-door travel service home. B

Part of the Qutub Minar in New Delhi

Accommodation… Novotel New Delhi Aerocity (5*) • Hyatt Hotel (5*), Amritsar • LaLiT Chandigarh (5*) • Clarkes Hotel (4*), Shimla • The Suryaa hotel (5*), New Delhi • Courtyard by Marriott (4*), Agra • **Tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details. Please note: Hotels differ on selected departure dates in 2019.

NOW INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL NIGHT IN DELHI

SAVE up to £150

per person on selected departures Prices from: Nov 3, 2019 2449 2349 Jan 12, 2020 2199 2049 Mar 8 2199 2099 Apr 5 2099 1999 Oct 4 2199 2099 Nov 1 2299 2199 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2398.

Changing the Guard at Amritsar The vibrant city of Amritsar lies some 30 kilometres from the town of Wagah, which is situated close to the border of India and Pakistan. Every day – since 1959 – after four o’clock the colourful and spectacular changing of the guard takes place. Crowds line the streets on both sides of the border as each contingent of guards acts out the changing ceremony. With their impressive uniforms, acts of mock aggression and simultaneous lowering of flags amidst the enthusiastic support of spectators, this is a ceremony to remember.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Himalayan Heritage Trail. Holiday code: All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/tajandtigersl

INDIA

Taj, Tigers and Kerala Backwaters 14 nights from £2299 Including optional travel insurance or from £2228 without insurance§ From India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra and the elusive tigers of Ranthambore National Park, to the enigmatic backwaters and rolling tea estates of Kerala, explore India from north to south on this new and exciting tour

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels, 1 onboard houseboat, and 1 in flight • 29 meals: 13 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Old and New Delhi Visit to the Amber Fort Maharaja's City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory Chand Baori Stepwell Two safaris in Ranthambore National Park Tour of Agra Visit the Taj Mahal around sunrise Agra Fort visit Tour of Cochin Visit to a tea museum with tea planting and plantation walk One-night houseboat cruise l

The iconic Taj Mahal

Ranthambore

Jaipur

Delhi Agra Ranthambore

India

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Tea or coffee on arrival Porterage at all hotels Tourist visa**. l

nights in hotel nights on houseboat

Cochin

Munnar Kerala Backwaters

Explore by houseboat ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi. Day 2: Delhi. Transfer to your Delhi hotel for a two-night stay. D Day 3: Delhi. In bustling Old Delhi explore the Chandni Chowk Market, see the 17th-century mosque of Jama Masjid, drive past the Red Fort. In New Delhi, visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, the 12th-century Qutub Minar minaret and Mausoleum of Humanyu. Drive past India Gate war memorial and the Presidential Palace. Optional excursion to a Gungroo – a dinner and dance theatre. B, L Day 4: Delhi-Jaipur. Drive to Jaipur for a two-night stay. Optional evening visit to the Choti Choper Bazaar. B, L Day 5: Jaipur. A full day of sightseeing includes a visit to the Amber Fort and photo stop at the ‘Palace of the Winds’. Visit the Maharaja's City Palace and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. Optional evening visit to an Aarti ceremony at Birla Temple. B, D Day 6: Sawai MadhopurRanthambore. Travel to Ranthambore, via Sawai Madhopur. En route, visit the maze-like 9th-century Chand Baori Stepwell. Stay two nights at Ranthambore close to the National Park. B, L, D Day 7: Ranthambore. Visit Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan's first tiger reserve. Join morning and late afternoon Canter (open-sided safari bus) safaris. B, L, D Day 8: Agra. Early this morning travel by train to Bharatpur, then drive to Agra. Join an afternoon tour of the city, visiting the I’timad-ud-Daulah (the ‘Baby Taj’). Stay overnight in Agra. Optional evening show. B, L

100 Please quote SMT19

Day 9: Agra-Delhi. Agra’s Taj Mahal is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and beauty. An excursion visits this fabulous building at sunrise. Later, visit the nearby UNESCO-listed,16th-century Agra Fort complex. Drive to Delhi and stay overnight. B, L Day 10: Cochin. Fly to Cochin and stay for two nights. Tour the highlights of Cochin city taking in St Francis Church, the Basilica of Santa Cruz, Fort Kochi, the Dutch Palace and the extraordinary Chinese fishing nets on the north-eastern shore of Fort Kochi. B, D Day 11: Munnar. Drive east to Munnar, within India’s largest tea-growing area, for a two-night stay. B, L Day 12: Munnar. Visit a tea museum and enjoy a tasting. B, L Day 13: Alleppey. Head to Alleppey, gateway to Kerala's lagoons, and board a Spice Routes houseboat for an overnight cruise through the Kerala backwaters. B, L, D Day 14: Cochin. Travel to Cochin and stay overnight. Optional excursion to a Kathakali dance performance. B, D Day 15: Cochin-UK. Travel to the airport for your flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Vivanta by Taj (5*), New Delhi • Crowne Plaza (4*) • Jungle Vilas (3*), Ranthambore • Courtyard by Marriott (5*), Agra • Novotel New Delhi (5*) • Crown Plaza Cochin (4*) • Fragrant Nature Munnar (5*) • Spice Routes Houseboat (4*), Alleppey. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

“This is a great holiday, so many lovely places to see, and opportunities to observe life in India as it really is” Alison, Norwich

SAVE up to £500

per person on selected departures Prices from: Oct 12, 2019 2799 2299 Nov 9 2849 2649 Jan 11, 2020 2449 2399 Feb 22 2449 2349 Oct 24 2449 2349 Nov 21 2449 2349 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2898 Taj, Tigers and Kerala Backwaters Holiday code: IN500. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Emirates from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/wildindia

INDIA

Wild About India

Small group 20 or less

13 nights from £2599

Safari

Including optional travel insurance or from £2528 without insurance§

Your tour includes

Embark on an unforgettable expedition into the heart of India’s wildlife-rich jungles where the Royal Bengal tiger is king. Explore the acclaimed national parks of Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh on 9 included 4x4 safaris for the best chance of sighting this majestic yet famously elusive big cat, along with such other exotic wildlife as gaur, hyenas and eagles.

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 32 meals: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 12 dinners Excursions and visits Elephanta Island UNESCO-listed rock caves Kanha village walk Tour of the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho Western Temples tours 9 included 4x4 safaris l

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Sundowner drink in memorable location Porterage at all hotels Tourist visa**. l

Thrilling wildlife safaris by 4x4

Madhya Pradesh

Delhi

India nights in hotel

Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha Pench National Park Nagpur

Mumbai

Be bowled over by Khajuraho

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Mumbai. Fly overnight to Mumbai. Day 2: Mumbai. Stay two nights in the heart of Mumbai. D Day 3: Elephanta Island. Set off across the Sea of Oman on an hour-long boat ride to visit Elephanta Island and its rock-carved caves. B, D Day 4: Nagpur-Pench. Fly to Nagpur and continue by road to Pench for a two-night stay in the national park’s outer edge. B, L, D Day 5: Pench National Park. Travel into the forests of Madhya Pradesh that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ on your first two safaris by 4x4. B, L, D Day 6: Kanha. Return to the heart of Pench National Park for your third 4x4 safari before travelling to Kanha for three nights. B, L, D Day 7: Kanha. Explore the vast bamboo and sal forests of Kanha National Park, punctuated by the occasional white kulu ‘ghost’ tree. B, L, D Day 8: Kanha. After a morning safari drive and village tour, visit the Manegaon Tribal Village to experience the culture of tribal life. B, L, D Day 9: Bandhavgarh. Travel to Bandhavgarh for a three-night stay. B, L, D Days 10-11: Bandhavgarh. Embark on a morning and afternoon safari in what was once the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, known for its higher than average number of Bengal tigers. B, L, D

Day 12: Khajuraho. Stay overnight in Khajuraho close to an area rich in Hindu and Jain temples, including the Western Group of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. B, D Day 13: Delhi. Visit the western group of the temples in Khajuraho, regarded as some of the most architecturally important in India. Fly to Delhi this afternoon and stay overnight. B, D Day 14: Delhi-UK. Depart early for the airport and your flight home to the UK. B. Accommodation… Trident Nariman Point Hotel (5*), Mumbai • Tuli Corridor (3*) or Pench Jungle Camp (4*), Pench • Tuli Tiger Resort (4*), Kanha • King’s Lodge (3*), Bandhavgarth • Radisson Hotel (4*), Khajuraho • Novotel Aerocity (5*), Delhi. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details. Please note: hotels for departures in 2019 may differ.

Extend your holiday Big Cats of Gujarat. 4 nights. Including 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners. After an overnight stay in Mumbai before your tour, fly to Gujarat. Spend three nights at the locally rated 4-star Lion Safari Camp in Gir National Park, the last refuge of the Asiatic lion and where you can enjoy four included 4x4 safaris. Please call lfor details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

“If you wish to see a Bengal Tiger, Leopard or other Indian wildlife - this is the holiday for you. It has 9 included safaris giving you every chance to see these animals - we saw 5 Tigers at 2 reserves.” Lynne, Nottingham

SAVE up to £200

per person on selected departures Prices from: Oct 15, 2019 3099 2899 Feb 11, 2020 2749 Mar 10 2749 Apr 7 2599 Oct 27 2749 Nov 3 2799 2749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3248 Wild About India. Holiday code: IN004. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 101

INDIA

South India: A Grand Tour 22 nights from £2599 Including optional travel insurance or from £2444 without insurance§ Experience the sensual delights of southern India touring from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. Head into the highlands of the Western Ghats, cruise the Keralan backwaters and see wild elephants in the Cardamom Hills. Explore ancient temples and opulent palaces, and relish the contrast of bustling cities and the calm of an ashram.

Bas-relief at Mahabalipuram ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Chennai. Fly overnight to Chennai. Day 2: Chennai. Transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. The city, formerly known as Madras lies on the Bay of Bengal and is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. At leisure. D Day 3: Mahabalipuram. See the highlights of Chennai on a city tour. The oldest buildings date back to the 7th century, but there are numerous old colonial buildings that reflect the influence of the British until 1947. Transfer to the ancient town of Mahabalipuram for a three-night stay. B, D Day 4: Mahabalipuram. Enjoy your first taste of southern India as you visit this small town, famous for its early temples, cave sanctuaries and outstanding bas-reliefs. B, D Day 5: Mahabalipuram. At leisure. Optional excursion to Kanchipuram, otherwise known as Silk City, to see where this sumptuous yarn is handwoven. B, D Day 6: Puducherry. Travel to the fascinating

India Bengaluru

Chennai

Mysore Coimbatore

Mahabalipuram Ooty

Tamil Nadu

Puducherry Thanjavur

Kochi Kumarakom

Madurai

Periyar

102 Please quote SMT19

nights in hotel

former French colony of Puducherry, aka Pondicherry, for a two-night stay. Stop en route at the harmonious Auroville Ashram to see this experiment in human unity. B, D Day 7: Puducherry. Annexed by the French East India Company Puducherry was largely a French settlement until 1962. Enjoy an included tour and a rickshaw ride through the French and Indian Quarters, stopping to admire colonial buildings and boulevards. B, D Day 8: Thanjavur. Travel to Thanjavur, home to the Chola dynasty from the 9th-14th centuries. See the towering Brihadeeswarar Temple which is over a thousand years old. Stay overnight. B, D Day 9: Madurai. En route to Madurai, drive past the mighty Rock Fort at Trichy and visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, India’s largest Hindu Temple at 72 metres tall. Stay two nights. B, L, D Day 10: Madurai. Thrill your senses with an early morning visit to Madurai’s fragrant flower market. Later visit the Great Meenaskhi Temple and the Tirumala Nayak Palace, encompassing both Dravidian and Rajput architecture. B, D Day 11: Periyar. Take a scenic drive to Periyar and stay two nights in rustic thatched cottages. B, D Day 12: Periyar. Take a walk through the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to see herds of elephants and bison. Later visit a spice garden. B, D Day 13: Kumarakom. Journey to Kumarakom for a three-night stay on the shores of beautiful Vembanad lake. The area is chequered with paddy fields, providing the perfect habitat for all kinds of native and migratory birds. B, D

Day 14: Kumarakom. Board a houseboat for a relaxing afternoon cruise around the magical Keralan backwaters, stopping at villages to explore. B, L, D Day 15: Kumarakom. Visit Kumarakom village to see the paddy fields and coconut groves and meet fishermen and weavers. B, D Day 16: Kochi. Depart for Kochi on the Arabian Sea for a two-night stay. Tonight you’ll be treated to a traditional Kathakali dance performance. B, D Day 17: Kochi. This centuries-old cosmopolitan city attracted Arab, Phoenician and Chinese spice traders, and later the Dutch and British established colonies here. See the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Quarter and Chinese fishing nets, strung out along the peninsula. B, D Day 18: Coimbatore-Ooty. Board a train for Coimbatore, then drive to the hill station of Ooty in the Nilgiri Hills for a two-night stay. B, L, D Day 19: Ooty. These cooler subtropical highlands, were a favoured British retreat. Take a toy train down to Coonoor to visit a working tea plantation. Later you’ll have free time to explore Ooty, perhaps visit the Botanical Gardens or the curiously diverting Wax World, or go boating on the lake. B, D Day 20: Mysore. Head north for a two-night stay in Mysore, via Madhumalai National Park where you might glimpse elephant, sambar, and barking deer. B, D Day 21: Mysore. Dubbed ‘Sandalwood City’ for its production of incense, Mysore is home to palatial buildings and beautiful gardens. Visit the Devaraja flower and veg market – a quintessentially Indian experience – and Chamundi Hill,

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/grand-india

Small group 25 or less Rail journey

Best seller

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 21 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 45 meals: 21 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 21 dinners The charming Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Kathakali dancer

Excursions and visits City tour of Chennai Explore the monuments of Mahabalipuram Visit Auroville Ashram Tour historic Puducherry Sightseeing in Thanjavur Visit Madurai's flower market and temple Walk in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and a spice garden Cruise the Keralan backwaters by houseboat Visit a Keralan village A live Kathakali dance performance Explore Cochin's Old City A toy train through a tea plantation in the Nilgiri Hills Time in Madhumalai National Park See Mysore's palaces and temples Visit Siriangapatna Fort l

Fishing nets at sunset in Kerala

where pilgrims climb 1,000 steps to reach the temple of Chamudeshwari. See the Nandi Bull and the magnificent Mysore Palace. B, D Day 22: Bengaluru. Transfer for an overnight stay in Bengaluru – aka Bangalore – stopping en route to visit Srirangapatnam Fort, on an island in the River Kaveri. B, D Day 23: Bengaluru-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Mumbai. B Accommodation… Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels (4*) • Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay (4*), Mahabalipuram • Accord, Puducherry (5*) • Sangam Hotel (3*), Thanjavur • Courtyard by Marriott Madurai (4*) • Spice Village (3*), Periyar • Coconut Lagoon (4*), Kumarakom • Crowne Plaza Kochi Hotel (4*) • Fortune Resort Sullivan Court (3*), Ooty • Grand Mercure Mysore Hotel (5*) • Le Meridien (4*), Bengaluru.

**Tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details. Please note: hotels for departures in 2019 may differ.

Exclusively for solo travellers 22 nights departing April 6, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF801. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details. Extend your holiday Goa. 5 nights. Half board. After the main tour fly to Goa and stay five nights at the locally rated 5-star Zuri White Sands, Goa Resort and Casino. Relax in this lovely beach-side hotel, then fly home via Mumbai.

Hindu Temples and culture Hinduism is regarded as the oldest religion in the world and India is home to some two million Hindu temples! This tour reveals the 7th-century group of Temples at Mahabalipuram, the Meenakshi Temple at the heart of the ancient city of Madurai, and the towering Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. These astonishing sacred buildings and spaces offer insight into the beliefs and practices of Hinduism, estimated to have around one billion followers worldwide.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £350

per person on selected departures Prices from: Oct 14, 2019 3249 2899 Nov 18 3199 2999 Jan 6, 2020 2929 Feb 17 2999 Mar 9 2999 2949 Apr 20 2699 Sep 14 2699 2599 Oct 19 2999 2899 Nov 2, 16 2999 2899 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3298 South India: A Grand Tour. Holiday code: IN800 All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £155 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Emirates from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 103

INDIA

Soul of Kerala 13 nights from £2399 Including optional travel insurance or from £2328 without insurance§ Step back in time on this exciting tour of Kerala which will reveal the enduring allure of its enchanting backwaters, wildlife-rich forests and verdant tea and spice plantations, and conclude on the tropical Malabar Coast.

The Kerala backwaters ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Cochin. Fly overnight to Cochin. Day 2: Cochin. Cochin has been a cosmopolitan city throughout the ages: Arab, Phoenician and Chinese traders first sought Indian spices here, followed by the Dutch and British, and now travellers keen to discover both India's colonial heritage and traditional way of life. You’ll stay overnight in Cochin and this evening enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance. D Day 3: Kumarakom. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour this morning. Visit Fort Cochin,. See Santa Cruz Basilica and St Francis Church – the oldest European-built church in India – the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue and elaborate Chinese fishing nets, strung out on bamboo poles. This afternoon transfer to Kumarakom for two nights. B, D

Cochin

Munnar

India

Mararikullam Vembanad Lake

Kumarakom

Alleppey

Periyar Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary nights in hotel nights on houseboat

104 Please quote SMT19

Day 4: Kumarakon. This morning, join an included guided tour of the village of Kumarakom, where you'll learn more about the locals and their rural way of life. You may get to see how the natural fibre, coir, is extracted from coconut husks or how the fish karimeen is processed using traditional methods. B, D Day 5: Alleppey. Head to Alleppey, the gateway to Kerala's lagoons, where you'll step aboard the Spice Route houseboat. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Vembanad Lake at the heart of the Keralan backwaters. B, L, D Day 6: Keralan backwaters. The house boat heads for Nedumudi, Champakulam where you may see the famous 'snake boats' which take part in the area's popular annual races, and have time to explore the village, its market and 19th century church. Later cruise through fascinating countryside to Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, before docking overnight, with dinner on board. B, L, D Day 7: Periyar. Disembark the houseboat after breakfast and travel high into the Western Ghats for a two-night stay. This is a region of immense wild beauty synonymous with elephants, rolling hills and spice plantations. B, D

Day 8: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. On this morning's included excursion into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary you can look forward to a guided nature walk led by a trained tribal guide. The sanctuary is reputed to be India's best for spotting wildlife such as elephants, leopards and the elusive tiger. This afternoon, travel deeper into hill country where the air is scented by the seemingly endless spice plantations and visit a spice garden. B, D Day 9: Munnar. Travel across the Western Ghat mountains for a two-night stay in Munnar, an historic hill station famous for its tea plantations. View rolling emerald hills as far as the eye can see as you reach the cooler climes of this tea-growing region. B, D Day 10: Munnar. Enjoy an included guided visit to Munnar's Tea Museum and tour a tea plantation, where leaves are still plucked by hand, to produce some of the world's best tea. B, D Day 11: Mararikullam. Head back towards the Malabar coast for your final three nights at a picturesque resort set on an idyllic beach. Marari Beach is known for its palm-lined beaches and blue waters – ideal for relaxing and enjoying a well-deserved break. B, D Days 12-13: Mararikullam. Spend two days at leisure enjoying the facilities of your resort. Head to the beach, wander through the hotel's beautiful grounds or take a stroll down to the local fisherman's village. B, D Day 14: Mararikullam-Cochin-UK. Travel to the airport for your daytime flight to the UK, arriving in the evening. B

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/kerala

Small group 14 or less

Cruising

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 10 nights in hotels, 2 aboard a houseboat and 1 in flight • 26 meals: 12 breakfasts, 2 lunch and 12 dinners Excursions and visits Sightseeing tour of Cochin Watching a Kathakali dance performance Two-night Kerala houseboat stay Guided nature walk in one of India's premier wildlife sanctuaries Tea Museum visit and tour of a tea plantation l

Chinese fishing nets at Cochin

The art of tea picking

Indian elephants in Periyar

“A good overview of how people live in Kerala. Loads of information and exposure to the culture.” Ann, Wareham

Accommodation… Marriott Hotel (5*), Cochin • Coconut Lagoon Resort (4*), Kumarakom • Spice Village (3*), Periyar • Fragrant Nature (5*), Munnar • Marari Beach Resort (4*), Mararikullam. **Tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Extend your holiday Mararikullam, Malabar Coast. 3 nights Half board. After your tour, stay three further nights at the locally rated 4-star Marari Beach Resort. Please call lfor details.

NEW DATES ADDED due to popular demand

SAVE up to £400 per person on selected departures

Prices from: Oct 17, 2019 2899 2599 Nov 18 2899 2499 Jan 23, 2020 2549 2399 Feb 13, 17, 20 2549 Mar 9 2549 2499 Oct 15 2549 Nov 12 2549 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3198

Spice Routes Houseboats Reserved exclusively for Saga passengers Step aboard your Spice Route houseboat in Alleppey and discover Kerala's romantic hidden waterways, described as the ‘Venice of the East’. Your luxury floating mini ‘hotel’ is fitted with state of the art amenities and decorated using tasteful traditional materials. Each spacious cabin has a double bed and en suite bathroom. Watch from the airy lounge as the riot of Keralan river life and unspoilt natural wonders slip by. Feast on delicious, freshly-prepared meals in the delightful dining room and enjoy the sights of an Indian way of life few have seen, from the sun deck. This really is an enchanting Indian holiday experience…

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Soul of Kerala. Holiday code: IN513. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19 105

INDIA AND NEPAL

The Wonders of India and Nepal 17 nights from £2699 Including optional travel insurance or from £2544 without insurance§ From the bustling streets of Delhi to the striking mountain scenery of Pohkara, the serene beauty of the Taj Mahal and medieval Kathmandu, experience the highlights of India and Nepal. You’ll also discover the natural world with visits to India’s Ranthambore National Park, and UNESCO-listed Chitwan National Park in Nepal, both havens for wildlife including the elusive Bengal Tiger.

The iconic Taj Mahal ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Delhi. Fly overnight to Delhi. Day 2: Delhi. Transfer to New Delhi where you stay for two nights. Enjoy an evening introductory talk on Indian history. D Day 3: Delhi. Explore Old and New Delhi on an included tour, taking in highlights including the Raj Ghat memorial to Gandhi. Drive past Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque – and India Gate, and visit the Lotus Temple dedicated to the Baha’i faith.. B, D Day 4: Delhi-Jaipur. Travel to Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan. Stay for two nights. B,D. Day 5: Jaipur. Visit the mighty Amber Fort with its ornate halls, palaces and gardens, and the Maharaja's City Palace. You’ll also see the historic observatory of Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a collection of early 18th century astronomical instruments on a large scale. B,D.

India Jaipur

Delhi Amber Fort

Ranthambore

Nepal Pokhara

Himalayas

Nargakot Taj Mahal Kathmandu Agra Gundu Valley

Bharatpur

106 Please quote SMT19

nights in hotel

Day 6: Jaipur-Ranthambore. Travel to Ranthambore where you will stay for two nights. Visit Ranthambore National Park, known for its tigers and once the hunting grounds of Maharajas, now a major reserve and haven. B,D. Day 7: Ranthambore. Head to the national park for an early morning safari watching for wildlife including sambar – the largest species of Asiatic deer, a wealth of water birds, crocodiles and the tigers for which the park is famous. This afternoon there's another included safari. B,L,D Day 8: Ranthambore-Bharatpur-Agra. Travel by train to Bharatpur and on to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, once a Mughal capital, for an included tour. Constructed from red sandstone, this beautiful city was abandoned after just 14 years but retains such highlights as its huge gateway, an audience hall and more. Continue to Agra, where you stay two nights. B,D Day 9: The Taj Mahal. See the Taj Mahal in Agra in the early morning sun. Commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz, this architectural masterpiece is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon visit the Agra Fort – another stunning example of Mughal building – with its complex of beautiful buildings including palaces and courtyards. B,D

Day 10: Agra-Kathmandu-Nargakot. Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to Nargakot where you stay for one night. Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel this evening. B,D Day 11: Kathmandu. Travel to Bhaktapur – part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a city tour taking in such highlights as Durbar Square, enjoy lunch with a local family, then walk through the village of Gundu. Transfer to Kathmandu for a two-night stay. B,L Day 12: Kathmandu. Discover the city of Kathmandu as a morning tour reveals the famous Durbar Square at the heart of this ancient city. You’ll also see Boudhanath Stupa with its domed, white and gold exterior, a symbol of enlightenment and flanked by monasteries. B. Day 13: Kathmandu-Pokhara. Transfer to Pokhara where you will stay for the next three nights. B. Day 14: Pokhara. Visit the Gurkha Museum this morning, whose displays look at the lives of Gurkha soliders and their involvement in past conflicts. There will also be an opportunity to meet a Gurkha veteran who will offer insights into life as Gurkha. Afternoon at leisure. B. Day 15: Pokhara. Travel to Kalabang where you can watch the sunrise over the Himalayas. Enjoy a village hike and visit to a coffee plantation. B. Day 16: Pokhara-Kathmandu. Drive back to Kathmandu where you stay for two nights. B,D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/temples

Safari

Rail journey

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 16 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 30 meals: 16 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 10 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Old and New Delhi Visit to the Amber Fort Tour of Jaipur Ranthambore National Park Tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri Visit the Taj Mahal around sunrise Tour of Kathmandu l

Durbar Square in Bhaktapur

Seek out Bengal tigers

See the colours of Phewa Lake in Pokhara

Day 17: Kathmandu At leisure, with a farewell meal this evening. B, D Day 18: Kathmandu-UK Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B.

Please note: Oct 1, 2019 departure follows a different itinerary and is 1 night shorter. Hotels for departures in 2019 may differ. Please call for details

Accommodation… Holiday Inn New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida (4*) • Crowne Plaza, Jaipur (4*) • The Pugmark Hotel, Ranthambore (3*) • Jaypee Palace Hotel, Agra (4*) • Mystic Mountain, Nargarcot • Malla Hotel Kathmandu (4*) • Waterfront Resort Pokhara (3*)

Extend your holiday Pokhara. 3 nights After your holiday enjoy three additional nights, when you can take in mountain views, embark on birdwatching or cultural walks in local villages and forests near your lodge, and enjoy one complimentary transfer into Pokhara. Return to Kathmandu for one night before your return flight to the UK.

**Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Nepalese culture and Kathmandu The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home not only to the capital of Kathmandu, but to ancient cities, Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples. Within the capital of Kathmandu lie the early buildings, royal palace and temples of famous Durbar Square, including the Kumari Bahal – home of the ‘living goddess’. Beyond this historic heart lie bustling streets, markets and the narrow alleys of Thamel.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £150

per person on selected departures Prices from: Oct 1, 2019* 2799 Jan 14, 2020 2899 2749 Mar 10 2799 2699 Oct 13 2849 2749 Nov 10 2849 2749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3198 The Wonders of India and Nepal. Holiday code: INP05 All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and may only be available for a limited number of bookings. Prices may change and current prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. *2019 departures are 16 nights. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £155 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Turkish Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style - ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

107

NEPAL

In the Shadow of the Himalayas 13 nights from £2799 Including optional travel insurance or from £2728 without insurance§ Journey in the shadow of the snow-capped Himalayas, glimpse the mighty Annapurna, explore exotic bazaars and head into the jungle on safari as you try to catch sight of the rare Royal Bengal tiger and one-horned rhino. Stay in authentic lodge in Chitwan and Pokhara on this exciting and unforgettable small-group tour, full of magical experiences…

Magnificent views over Phewa Lake ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Kathmandu. Fly overnight to Kathmandu. Day 2: Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the your hotel for a three-night stay. D Please note: Breakfast will be included this morning on departures arriving on an early morning flight. Day 3: Kathmandu. Enjoy the morning at leisure. This afternoon, visit the domed gilt and white Boudhanath Stupa flanked by monasteries, plus an opportunity to visit one of the monasteries for a blessing from a Lama. You’ll also visit Kathmandu’s famous Durbar Square – the city’s ancient heart, containing more than 80 elaborate temples and monuments including the Kumari Bahal. B

Nepal Himalayas Phewa Lake

Pokhara

Chitwan National Park

Kathmandu nights in hotel

108 Please quote SMT19

Day 4: Patan. This morning visit the ancient city of Patan and its breathtaking Durbar Square, which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Kathmandu Valley. See fine examples of Newari architecture, temples, courtyards of the royal palace, and visit the Patan Museum with its exhibitions of Nepalese sacred art, housed in a royal palace. B Day 5: Chitwan National Park. Travel to Chitwan National Park, renowned for its wildlife, and whose most famous resident is the solitary Royal Bengal tiger. Watch too for leopard, deer, sloth bear and the Asian one-horned rhinoceros. Stay for three nights on full board at a jungle lodge, enjoying jungle activities at your resort this afternoon. B, L, D Day 6: Chitwan National Park. With over 525 different species of bird and 100 species of butterfly, choose from included activities such as birdwatching, tribal dancing display or a jungle safari. B, L, D Day 7: Chitwan National Park. Join an included activity such as a jungle walk or river safari, or relax at your hotel. B, L, D Day 8: Chitwan-Pokhara. Enjoy a scenic drive to Pokhara where you stay two nights, taking in views of famous Annapurna 1, and the mountains of Dhaulagiri, Manasulu, and Fishtail. B Day 9: Pokhara. Visit the Gurkha Museum, revealing the lives of Gurkha soldiers and the role they played in past conflicts, plus the chance to meet a Gurkha veteran who will offer insights into his experiences as a

Gurkha. You’ll also drive to see the serene Phewa Lake in Pokhara, one of Nepal’s largest lakes. B Day 10: Pokhara mountainside. Perhaps join a pre-breakfast birdwatching walk before transferring to your second accommodation in Pokhara, situated outside the city on a ridge offering fine views of the Himalayas. B, L, D

Day 11: Pokhara at leisure. Enjoy today at leisure, Later, walk to a neighbouring village or perhaps enjoy an activity at your hotel. B, L, D Day 12: Pokhara-Kathmandu. Travel to Kathmandu where you’ll stay a further two nights. B Day 13: Kathmandu. Visit the city of Bhaktapur, home to buildings including the 55 Window Palace housing the National Art Gallery, and the Golden Gate. Enjoy lunch prepared by a local family in their home before setting off for a light walk through the village of Gundu to see the work of the local farmers. Return to Kathmandu for a cultural dance show and farewell dinner this evening. B, L, D

Day 14: Kathmandu-UK. Travel to the airport for your return daytime flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Malla Hotel (4*), Kathmandu • Barahi Jungle Lodge (4*), Tharus • Atithi Resort & Spa (3*), Pokhara • Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge (4*).

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/himalayas

Small group 20 or less Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 7 nights in hotels, 5 in lodges and 1 in flight • 25 meals: 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Boudhanath Stupa and a Lama Blessing City tour of Kathmandu including Durbar Square City tour of Patan Durbar Squara Visit to the Ghurka Mamorial Museum Boat cruise on Phewa Lake Village walk in Pokhara area Cultural dance show and dinner Guided nature walk l

Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local expert guide Sundowner drink in a memorable location Porterage at all hotels and lodges Tourist visa**. l

Durbar Square, Bhaktapur

Exclusively for solo travellers 13 nights departing April 8, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF890. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

See colourful prayer flags in Kathmandu

Extend your holiday Pokhara 3 nights. Enjoy three additional nights at the Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge from day 12 of the main tour. Your stay is on a full-board basis and includes birdwatching or cultural walks in the local villages and forests around the lodge, and one complimentary transfer into Pokhara. Return to Kathmandu for two nights at the Malla Hotel before your flight back to the UK.

SAVE up to £200

per person on selected departures Prices from: Oct 16, 2019 2999 Feb 12, 2020 2999 2799 Oct 14 2999 2799 Nov 11 3049 2849 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3298.

Chitwan National Park Lying at the base of the Himalayas, Chitwan National Park is renowned as the home not only of the endangered Bengal Tiger, but also the Asian one-horned rhinoceros. Its wealth of flora, bird life and wildlife ranges from over 500 bird species to mammals including leopard, deer, bear and langur monkeys. The park was established in 1973 and made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, recognising that it is the ‘last surviving example of the natural ecosystems of the ‘Terai’ region.’

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

In the Shadows of the Himalayas. Holiday code: NP089. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Turkish Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 109

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/trekking-himalaya

NEPAL

Trekking in the Himalayas ACTIVE 13 nights from £2699

Small group 14 or less

Hiking

Including optional travel insurance or from £2628 without insurance§

Your tour includes

Trek through the beautiful valleys of the Annapurnas with experienced guides and sherpas on this small group tour which also includes time in the ancient city of Kathmandu.

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 7 nights in hotels, 5 nights in lodges and 1 in flight • 23 meals: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners Excursions and visits Guided tour of Kathmandu A tour of the ancient city of Patan Six guided treks Pokhara’s Ghurka Museum Boat trip across Fewa Lake l

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local expert guide Experienced Sherpas to accompany you during your treks Sundowner drink at a memorable location Porterage at all hotels and lodges Tourist visa**. l

Enjoy awesome views of the Annapurnas…

Himalayas

Nepal Birethanti

Ghandruk Landruk Majgaun Pokhara

Dhampus

Kathmandu Patan

nights in hotel

Colourful prayer flags ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1-2: UK-Kathmandu. Fly overnight to Kathmandu for a three-night stay. D Day 3: Kathmandu. Explore Kathmandu on a tour that takes in Durbar Square, and a visit to the vast Boudhanath Stupa where you’ll receive a Lama blessing. B Day 4: Kathmandu. Join a heritage walk through the ancient city of Patan, visiting Patan Durbar Square and the courtyards of the Royal Palace. An optional tour visits Bhaktapur Durbar Square. B Day 5: Pokhara. Set off on a long but rewarding drive to the lakeside city of Pokhara for an overnight stay. B Day 6: Birethanti. Drive to the start of your first trek, and walk along the lower foothills. This afternoon explore the village. B, L, D Day 7: Ghandruk. Follow the Modi River Valley up into the mountains for a hike of steep uphill stretches, up more than 1,000 terraced steps to charming hamlets, paddy fields and forests. Stay overnight. B, L, D Day 8: Landruk. Set off through stunning countryside for an overnight stay at the village of Landruk, passing cliffs where you may see honey-hunters at work. Enjoy a guided amble through the village. B, L, D Day 9: Majgaun. Trace the contours of the hills and pass through remote villages to reach your overnight base. After lunch, perhaps visit nearby villages with your guide. B, L, D Day 10: Dhampus. Trek through forests filled with rhododendron and orchids, pausing at the village of Pothana. An optional afternoon walk explores the village of Dhampus. B, L, D Day 11: Pokhara. Hike along a mountain ridge and down to the valley floor.

110 Please quote SMT19

Drive back to Pokhara for a further two nights. B Day 12: Pokhara. Enjoy a visit to the Gurkha Museum and a boat trip on Fewa Lake. Perhaps take the opportunity to go mountain biking. B Day 13: Kathmandu. Return to Kathmandu by road and stay overnight. B Day 14: Kathmandu-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK, arriving in the evening. B Accommodation… Malla Hotel (4*), Kathmandu • Atithi Resort (3*), Pokhara • Sanctuary Lodge (4*), Birethanti • Himalaya Lodge (3*), Ghandruk • La Bee Lodge (3*), Landruk • Gurung Lodge (4*), Majgaun • Basanta Lodge (4*), Dhampus. Please note: **Tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

Trekking accommodation All of the traditional, remote mountain lodges have electricity and running water.

What to expect on your trek Trekking will be at a leisurely pace for an average of six-and-a-half to 13 kilometres a day and the highest altitude will be 2,000 metres. You’ll be led by a local expert guide and there’s usually one porter for every two guests. You only need to carry a small backpack, and most walks are in the morning.

SAVE up to £200

per person on selected departures Prices from: Feb 12, 2020 2899 2699 Oct 14 2899 2699 Nov 11 2949 2749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3198 Trekking in the Himalayas. Holiday code: NP100. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Jet Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/wildsl

SRI LANKA

Wild about Sri Lanka

Safari

12 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2599

Rail journey

Including optional travel insurance or from £2528 without insurance.§ Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia to go wildlife watching! Spot elephants, leopards, and endangered sloth bears, see monkeys haunting the ruins of ancient cities and sacred temples, and hear exotic birdcall.

Small group 20 or less

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 11 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 32 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners • Free bar open 10am to 10pm on the tour Excursions and visits Botanist guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya A Thevava ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth Tour a tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya Scenic local train journey to a hill station Visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe Game drive in Udawalawe National Park Dawn and dusk game drives in Yala National Park Guided walking tour of Galle Cookery demonstration Talk on Sri Lankan culture l

A Sri Lankan elephant in Udawalawe National Park

Wilpattu National Wildlife Park

Sri Lanka Horthapola Estate Seeduwa Colombo

Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya nights in hotel

Kandy Nuwara Eliya Nanu Oya Ella Horton Plains Udawalawe National Park Udawalawe Yala National Park

Galle

Yala Bundala National Park

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Welcome drink Sundowner drink in memorable location Use of audio headsets on all guided tours Porterage at all hotels. l

Trundle through hill country by train

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Day 1: UK-Colombo, Sri Lanka. Fly overnight to Colombo. Day 2: Colombo-Chilaw. Head to Chilaw for an overnight stay. D Day 3: Kandy. Visit a local Negombo fish market then drive to historic Kandy for a two-night stay. This evening enjoy a walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya guided by a botanist. B, L, D Day 4: Kandy. Learn about traditional Kandyan dancing before an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps wander down to Kandy Lake. Later visit the Temple of the Tooth to see the Thevava ceremony. B, L, D Day 5: Nuwara Eliya. Learn about Sri-Lankan gem production, then head into the beautiful hill country, stopping at one of the great tea plantations. Stay two nights in Nuwara Eliya. B, L, D Day 6: Nuwara Eliya. Explore as you please. Alternatively, join either an optional early-morning trekking expedition to Horton Plains National Park or a colonial architecture tour. Later learn about the life of tea pickers. B, L, D Day 7: Ella-Udawalawe. Take a scenic train ride to Ella, then continue past the tea plantations, to Udawalawe for two nights. B, L, D Day 8: Udawalawe. See orphaned elephants being fed at the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe. Look forward to your first game drive this evening. B, L, D Day 9: Yala. Head for one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest National Parks. Enjoy a game drive in Yala, which boasts one of the world’s highest density of leopards. Stay three nights, either in a jungle chalet, or sleeping under canvas at a camp. B, L, D Day 10: Yala. Go on an early-morning jeep safari in wildlife-rich Yala to try to spot

elephants, water-buffalo, monkeys, and even crocodiles. B, L, D Day 11: Yala. Spend the day as you please. Bird lovers might like to join an optional excursion to Bundala National Park, and an optional evening game drive is available. B, L, D Day 12: Galle. Head for Galle for an in-depth tour of this atmospheric UNESCO-listed city. Stay overnight at a luxurious heritage hotel. B, L, D Day 13: Colombo-UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Anantaya Spa Resort (5*), Chilaw • Cinnamon Citadel Hotel (4*), Kandy • The Grand Hotel (4*), Nuwara Eliya • Grand Udawalawe (4*) • Cinnamon Wild Yala (4*) or Kulu Safari Camp, Yala (3*) • Tamarind Hill (5*), Galle. Please note: This tour involves some long but rewarding journeys.

Extend your holiday Sri-Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. 3 nights half board.Galle post-extension. 2 nights half board. Dubai. 3 nights including breakfasts. Please call for details.

For the full safari experience… In Yala you can opt to spend three nights in comfortable ensuite tents in the National Park. This stay at Kulu Safaris is available for a supplement.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £500 per person on selected departures

Prices from: Standard Tented Camp Sep 7, 2019 2599 3049 Oct 5 2799 2299 3149 2649 Nov 9 - Whale watching 3199 3099 3799 3699 Jan 18, 2020 3099 3419 Feb 8 3199 3499 Sep 5 2999 3369 Oct 10 3099 3469 Nov 7 - Whale watching 3099 3749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3228. Wild about Sri Lanka. Holiday code: SRI82 / AW082 Whale watching. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow in 2019 and on Emirates from Gatwick in 2020. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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SRI LANKA

Sri Lankan Adventure 13 nights from £2249 Including optional travel insurance or from £2178 without insurance§ Let Sri Lanka envelop you in her warm, perfumed embrace on this exciting tour that takes you to sacred stupas and temples, through bazaars piled high with spices and lotus blooms to ancient cities and into the hills where tea is cultivated.

Elephants go paddling ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Colombo, Sri Lanka. Fly overnight to Colombo. Day 2: Colombo. Receive a garlanded welcome then head to your hotel for an overnight stay. D Day 3: Habarana. Get a panoramic taste of Colombo city with its tuk-tuks and mopeds on a tour that takes you past stupas and the bustling bazaar. Then escape the chaos of the city and follow a scenic route past pineapple farms and paddy fields to Habarana for a two-night stay. You can learn about the delights of Sri Lankan cuisine in a cookery demonstration at your hotel that will tantalise your taste buds. B, D Day 4: Sigiriya or Polonnaruwa. Make a choice between two amazing optional excursions: go to towering Sigirya Rock Fortress – aka Lion Rock – and ascend the heights to see the remains of the 5th-century palace that once topped this 180-metre granite rock. Alternatively explore the ancient citadel of Polonnaruwa to wonder at the

Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura

Habarana nights in hotel

Kandy

Colombo

Polonnaruwa Minneriya National Park Dambulla Cave Temple Temple of the Tooth Relic Nuwara Eliya

Beruwala Galle

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Yala National Park Yala

exquisite craftsmanship that created this once-great city. B, L, D Day 5: Dambulla-Matale-Kandy. Head for the hill country and cooler temperatures, stopping to explore UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple. Join white-robed pilgrims visiting this venerable cave complex that is packed with murals and figures of Buddha, and other gods and goddesses. Keep an eye out for monkeys that snatch and grab floral temple offerings. Stop at a spice garden in Matale to learn more about the cultivation, trade, and uses of local spice. Follow the snaking road to the historic former kingdom of Kandy for a two-night stay. Tonight take in a riotously colourful and athletic performance of traditional dance. B, L, D Day 6: Kandy. Explore the Royal Palace and the ornate golden-roofed Temple of the Tooth, home to a sacred tooth relic of Buddah that attracts thousands of pilgrims. By way of contrast visit the Royal Botanic Garden of Peradeniya and admire its orchid collection and towering exotic trees. You’ll also visit a gem lapidary, and take a shopping tour in Kandy. B, L, D Day 7: Nuwara Eliya. Head high into the beautiful hill country, stopping to visit one of the great tea plantations. Learn all about tea cultivation, the finer points of production, and have a cuppa of the local leaf. Stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya, a former colonial retreat with strong echoes of British rule. B, D Day 8: Udawalawe-Yala. See orphaned

elephants being fed at the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe. Then head for the grasslands, and mangrove forests of the south coast for a three-night stay in Yala. B, D Day 9: Yala National Park and Kataragama. Go on a jeep safari in wildlife-rich Yala National Park with a knowledgeable local guide to see elephants, water-buffalo, monkeys, crocodile, all manner of exotic bird life, and perhaps even a leopard. In the evening visit the holy town of Kataragama, one of the 16 places consecrated by Buddha. Here visit the Shrine of Lord Skanda and the Buddhist temple of Kiri Vehera that dates back to the 3rd century. B, L, D Day 10: Yala. Live the high life and enjoy a champagne breakfast while wildlife watching from the hotel’s observation deck. B, D Day 11: Bundala-Galle-Beruwala. Look for spoonbill and pelican at the Bundala Bird Sanctuary, then head for the former Dutch-colonial trading port of Galle for a tour of this atmospheric UNESCO-listed city. Continue to Beruwala for a three-night stay beside a golden beach. B, D Day 12: Beruwala. Perhaps join an optional river safari excursion to look for water monitors, bats and bee catchers including a visit to a cinnamon plantation and moonstone mine, or alternatively visit a turtle hatchery. B, L, D Day 13: Beruwala.At leisure. B, L, D Day 14: Beruwala-UK. Transfer to Colombo Airport for your return flight to the UK. B

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/sladventure

Safari

Best seller

Small group option

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 30 meals: 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 12 dinners • Free bar open 12 hours on three nights of the tour Excursions and visits Colombo city tour Dambulla Cave Temple and Matale spice garden Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home City tour of Kandy Royal Botanical Garden and tea estate Game drive in Yala National Park Evening visit to the shrine of Lord Skanda and Temple of Kiri Vehera Bundala Bird Sanctuary Guided tour of Galle Cookery demonstration Cultural dance performance l

Temple of the Tooth

Colourfully robed Buddhist monks

Look out for leopards

Accommodation… Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo (4*) • Cinnamon Lodge (5*) • Cinnamon Citadel Hotel (4*), Kandy • The Grand Hotel (4*), Nuwara Eliya • Cinnamon Wild Yala (4*) • Cinnamon Bey (4*), Beruwala. Please note: This tour involves some long but rewarding journeys. If in any doubt as to its suitability, please speak to our Travel Consultants. If Yala National Park is closed due to drought visit Udawalawe National Park instead.

Exclusively for solo travellers 13 nights departing October 23, 2019, March 11 and October 21,2020. Follow the same

itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF250. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE £250 per person on Oct 9, 2019 departure

Extend your holiday Sri Lanka’s ‘Gold Coast’. 4 nights All inclusive. Extend your stay at the Cinnamon Bey. Dubai. 3 nights Including breakfasts. Before your tour, stay at the locally rated 4-star Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa in the heart of Dubai (available only when flying with Emirates). Single room supplement, per person, per night, applicable. Upgrade to the locally rated 4-star JA Ocean View Hotel for a supplement.

Sri Lankan East Coast Extend your holiday getting it off to a great start by visiting Sri Lanka’s east coast. After an included excursion to Wilpattu National Park for a wildlife safari, watching for sloth bears, leopards and elephants, spend two nights at Ulagalla Resort in a private chalet. Next head for the beachfront hotel of Uga Bay in Passikudah, from where you can explore Trincomalee with its famous natural harbour and other attractions. Finally, relax at Passikudah Bay, where the unspoilt beach and warm shallows are protected by coral reefs. Perhaps treat yourself to an excursion to Pigeon Island, one of the two marine national parks of Sri Lanka, before joining your main tour in Habanara on Day 3. Single supplement applies.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 4, 2019 2449 Oct 9 2549 2299 Nov 6 2699 Jan 8, 2020 2699 Jan 22 2749 Feb 5 2799 Feb 19 2799 Mar 4 2699 Mar 18 2699 May 6 - Small Group 2299 Jun 3 2249 Sep 9 2449 Oct 7 2499 Nov 4 2599 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2948 Sri Lankan Adventure. Holiday code: SRI70. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

113

Magical Madagascar Home to an extraordinary variety of unique flora and fauna, Madagascar is best known for its playful ringtailed lemurs, but its varied terrain means you can venture from rainforest into desert, and explore French - colonial towns before relaxing on idyllic beaches, all on one remarkable little island that surprises you every day.

Enjoy watching ring-tailed lemurs, page 144

Kruger National Park Kruger National Park is an enormous game reserve in the north - east of the country. If you have never experienced a guided game drive this vast South African wilderness is the place to get closer to wildlife and see the Big Five – lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants and rhinos – as well as hundreds of species of birds, mammals, fish and amphibians. So step aboard a 4x4 and enjoy a classic safari experience.

Go on safari

The world is waiting to meet you 114

AFRICA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN From the tranquil landscape of the African savannah, to the cosmopolitan cities of South Africa and the beautiful islands of the Indian Ocean… what will you discover?

An island paradise

Powder- white beaches, clear turquoise waters, tropical gardens, colourful wildlife, a fascinating his tory and quiet fishing villages, the Seyche lles really are the epitom e of a paradise. Enjoy a relaxing tour where you can snorkel, cru ise to the different islands, enj oy traditional cuisine and a warm and fri endly welcom e.

Explore the Seychelles, page 147

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SOUTH AFRICA

Best of South Africa 15 nights from £2599 Including optional travel insurance or from £2528 without insurance§ Look through God’s Window on South Africa’s legendary Panorama Route, go game viewing in Kruger National Park, cruise Knysna’s lagoon, hope to watch whales at Hermanus, take a tram tour through the Cape Winelands then discover all vibrant Cape Town has to offer…

Travel through the Mpumalanga highlands ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg. Day 2: Dullstroom Arrive and transfer to Dullstroom where you’ll stay overnight. L, D Day 3: Kruger National Park. Travel to Kruger National Park, where you’ll stay for three nights in a stylish lodge, 100 metres from the Paul Kruger Gate to the Park B, D Day 4: Kruger National Park. Join a full-day Panorama Route tour. Travel through the Mpumalanga highlands of the Drakensberg escarpment to Blyde River Canyon. Stops at viewpoints, including God’s Window, see the three round, domed mountains – the Three Rondavels – and visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, deep holes in the rock caused by water erosion. Visit the historic gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. B, L, D

Dullstroom Johannesburg

South Africa nights in hotel

Cape Town

Franschhoek Hermanus

116

Knysna

Port Elizabeth

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Kruger National Park

Day 5: Kruger National Park. Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Kruger National Park, one of the biggest and oldest game parks. You may be lucky enough to see some of the ‘big five’ of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, as well as cheetah, giraffe and hippopotamus. B, D Day 6: Port Elizabeth. After an early start, transfer to Johannesburg by road (a journey of approximately six hours) for your onward flight to Port Elizabeth, where you stay overnight, overlooking the Indian Ocean. B Day 7: Knysna. Depart on a scenic drive along the Garden Route to Knysna. En route visit Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. Walk out onto the suspension bridge for outstanding views. Continue to Knysna and stay for two nights. B, D Day 8: Knysna. Set on a beautiful lagoon in a natural amphitheatre of hills, Knysna is a popular resort. Enjoy an included cruise on Knysna Lagoon aboard the paddle steamer MV John Benn, passing islands and saltwater marshes, with lunch on board. B, L, D Day 9: Hermanus. Depart Knysna travelling along the scenic Garden Route to Hermanus for a two-night stay. Hermanus offers the best shore-based whale watching in the world when, around July, Southern Right Whales arrive in Walker Bay for breeding. The scenic coast road is a good place from which to spot many whale species between July and November. B, D Day 10: Hermanus. Today is at leisure to explore the shops and craft markets of the

village, stroll on the promenade or take a walk along the cliff top path for fabulous views over Walker Bay. Alternatively, head to the peaceful Voelklip Beach for a dip. B Day 11: Franschhoek. Depart Hermanus on a scenic drive into the Cape Winelands and Franschhoek, in a valley between the Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains. Founded by French Huguenots in 1688 the town still retains a distinctly Gallic charm and is known as the gourmet capital of South Africa. You’ll stay here for two nights. B . Day 12: Franschhoek. Enjoy a day to explore the winelands independently. You’ll receive a day ticket for the Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour through some of the most prestigious wine estates. Enjoy the commentary and hop off as and when you please for cellar tours, wine tastings and lunch (all at extra charge), or just to stroll in the vineyards. B Day 13: Cape Town. This morning travel to Cape Town for a two-night stay. Join an included trip up Table Mountain via cable car, weather permitting, otherwise, you’ll travel by coach up Signal Hill. Dinner is at a nearby restaurant. B, D Day 14: Cape Town. Join a full-day tour of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, including Cape Point. Stop en route at Boulders Beach to see the African penguins. You'll also visit Simons Town, the home of the South African Navy. Dinner is included at a restaurant close to your hotel. B, L D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/best-southafrica

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 13 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 26 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 9 dinners Excursions and visits Full-day Panorama Route tour with Blyde River Canyon and Pilgrim’s Rest Full day of game viewing in Kruger National Park Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River Cruise on Knysna Lagoon Ticket for Franschoek Wine Tram Tour Trip up Table Mountain Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach Simon’s Town visit l

Look out for rhino

A humpback breaches the water

Explore the winelands at Franschhoek

Days 15-16: Cape Town-UK. Enjoy free time for exploring Cape Town further before you transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Critchley Hackle Lodge Dullstroom (3*) • Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate , Kruger (4*) • The Boardwalk Hotel & Spa Port Elizabeth (5*) • The Rex Hotel Knysna (4*) • Misty Waves Boutique Hotel, Hermanus (4*) • Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa (5*) • Southern Sun, The Cullinan (4*) or Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5*).

Extend your holiday Cape Town 3 nights Half board. Extend your tour with a further three-night stay at the locally rated 4-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan Hotel. Alternatively, upgrade to the elegant locally rated 5-star Table Bay for a supplement (including breakfasts only). Victoria Falls 3 nights Half board. Before your tour, stay in Zimbabwe at the locally rated 4-star Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Kruger National Park This famous park covers some 20,000 square kilometres and is one of the country’s most important. Established in 1898 and made a National Park in 1926, it is home to a staggering 850 species of animals, birds, reptiles, fish and more. Here you may be lucky enough to see some of Africa’s magnificent wild animals in their native habitat such as the ‘big five’ of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, as well as cheetah, giraffe and hippopotamus. You’ll travel in an open-sided four-wheel-drive vehicle with an expert guide and, while you may have seen African animals in zoos, little can prepare you for the thrill of seeing wild animals up close in their natural environment.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £300 on selected departures

Prices from: Oct 8, 2019 2999 Oct 29 2999 2799 Nov 12 2899 2699 Jan 7, 2020 3099 2799 Feb 4 3149 2899 Mar 3 3149 2899 Apr 7 3049 2799 May 12 2849 2599 Sep 8 3049 2899 Oct 6 3049 2899 Nov 17 3149 2999 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3048. Best of South Africa. Holiday code: ZA801. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on South African Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·F ly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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SOUTH AFRICA

A World in One Country 20 nights from £2999 Including optional travel insurance or from £2844 without insurance§ So diverse is South Africa that it is almost ‘a world in one country’! Discover the incredible wildlife of Kruger National Park, the scenic Garden and Wine Routes and magnificent Cape Coast.

Iconic Table Mountain ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg. Day 2: Pretoria. Arrive and enjoy a tour of Pretoria, an attractive city with an air of history to much of its centre. Continue for an overnight stay at a lodge bordering a game reserve where abundant wildlife roams. D Day 3: Kruger National Park. Journey to Kruger, with lunch in Dullstroom en route. Stay three nights close to Africa's largest National Park. B, L, D Day 4: Kruger National Park. Enjoy a full-day game viewing in one of the largest and oldest National Parks, where you may be lucky enough to see Africa’s ‘big five’ – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – in their native habitat. B, D Day 5: Highlights of the Panorama Route and visit to Drakensburg Escarpment Viewpoint. Your tour explores Limpopo Province. See some of the highlights of the Panorama Route including scenic Blyde River Canyon and the ‘Three Rondavels’, visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Pretoria

Kruger National Park

Johannesburg

South Africa

Pilrims Rest

Sani Pass Drakensberg Mountains Cape Town

Arniston

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Knysna

Port Elizabeth

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Ezulwini Mkuze Shakaland Durban

and God’s Window, for superb views across the lowveld. Lunch is included at the old gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. B, L, D Day 6: Ezulwini. Travel to picturesque Ezulwini Valley for an overnight stay and discover why the mountainous kingdom of Swaziland is known as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’. B, L, D Day 7: Mkuze. Continue to the heart of the Zulu Kingdom and stay two nights in Mkuze, close to the Umbombo Mountain nature reserve. Enjoy lunch on arrival. B, L, D Day 8: Jozini. Take a tranquil morning cruise on Lake Jozini, home to over 350 different species of bird. This afternoon there’s an optional game drive in Mkuze. B, D Day 9: Shakaland. Board a St Lucia boat for a cruise – with a light lunch included on board – to Shakaland where you’ll enjoy a lively Zulu cultural show at and stay overnight in traditional beehive-shaped huts. B, L, D Day 10: Sani Pass. Depart today for the Sani Pass pausing en route at the impressive waterfall of Howick Falls, whose waters tumble more than 300 feet. Late this afternoon arrive at the locally rated 3-star Sani Pass Hotel where you stay for the next two nights. B, D Day 11: Sani Pass. Enjoy a full day tour into the Sani Pass which rises to some 9,400 feet, and onto Lesotho. Travelling by 4-4 vehicle, look forward to visiting a village and enjoying lunch at the highest pub in Africa! B, L, D Day 12: Durban. Depart for Durban, where you’ll visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens and enjoy tea and scones. Continue to the upmarket Durban suburb of Umhlanga, where

you’ll stay overnight. B, L, D Day 13: Knysna. Fly to Port Elizabeth early this morning. Visit Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park en route to Knysna, a town on a beautiful lagoon and a highlight of the Garden Route, where you stay for two nights. B, D Day 14: Knysna. Enjoy free time today and an included cruise on Knysna ‘s lagoon, to the two sandstone ‘Heads’, that protect it from the Indian Ocean,.. B, D Day 15: Arniston via Oudtshoorn. Drive the scenic Garden Route to the seaside town of Arniston. Along the way you’ll stop at an ostrich farm at Oudtshoorn for a tour and lunch. Stay two nights in Arniston, close to an old fishing village, pristine beaches and nature reserves. B, L, D Day 16: Arniston. This morning you visit Cape Aghulas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide and the coast is littered with wrecks! Stroll along the beach or explore the nature reserves. Afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 17: Cape Town. This morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Franschoek, where you’ll have an included lunch at Rickety Bridge Winery and a walk in the town. Visit a vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting before continuing to Cape Town for a three-night stay. B, L Day 18: Cape Town. See the city’s highlights – the cobbled streets, mosques and the pastel homes of Bo Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, and take a thrilling cable car ride up Table Mountain – on a morning tour. B, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/onecountrysouth

Best seller

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 18 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 43 meals: 18 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 16 dinners Excursions and visits Pretoria city tour Safari in Kruger National Park Highlights of the Panorama Route and Drakensburg Escarpment Lake Jozini boat cruise Shakaland cultural village Visit to Tsitsikamma National Park Knysna Lagoon cruise Outeniqua tour Tour around Cape Aghulas Wine tasting in the Cape Winelands Cape Town city tour and Table Mountain. l

Look out for the elusive leopard

Try to snap the Big 5

Day 19: Cape Town. Explore independently or join an optional excursion to the Cape Peninsula, Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach with its penguin colony. B Days 20-21: Cape Town-UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight, arriving the following morning. B Please note: Departures in 2019 follow a 17-night itinerary and do not include days 9-11. Please call for details.

Accommodation… Zebra Country Lodge, Pretoria (4*) • Protea Kruger Gate Hotel (4*) • Royal Swazi Spa (4*), Ezulwini • Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkuze (4*) • Shakaland • Sani Pass Hotel (3*) • Protea Hotel by Marriott Umhlanga, Durban (3*) • The Rex

Experience Zulu culture

Hotel, Knysna (4*) • Arniston Spa Hotel (4*) • Commodore Hotel (4*), Cape Town. Extend your holiday Victoria Falls. 3 nights half board. Before your tour stay at the locally rated 4-star Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Cape Town. 3 nights half board. After your tour, stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Commodore Hotel. Alternatively, upgrade to the elegant locally rated 5-star Table Bay Hotel, set in the heart of Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, for a supplement (including breakfasts only). Single room supplement (per person, per night) applies.

Discover the land of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ With 11 official languages, diverse cultures, plateaus, mountains and a staggering range of bird, animal and plant species, it’s no wonder South Africa is sometimes called the ‘Rainbow Nation’. It’s home to a wealth of sights, sounds and experiences that range from seeing the point where oceans collide to the taste of the country’s wine. From the breathtaking view from God’s Window on the famous Panorama Route, to Knysna Lagoon with its sublime blue waters, the thrill of perhaps spotting the ‘Big Five’ on safari and the vibrant city life of Cape Town, South Africa really can be said to be a ‘World in One Country’. Rovos Rail After your tour, evoke a bygone era with a journey on Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa vintage train from Cape Town to Pretoria. The train uses authentic, historic rolling-stock, with interiors tastefully decorated to reflect the opulence of the 1920s. 2 nights full board, including local beverages and two excursions from £1299. Single room supplement applies. Please call for details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £600

per person on selected departures Prices from: Sep 7, 2019 3599 2999 Sep 14 3599 3199 Oct 5 3599 3199 Oct 12 3549 3299 Nov 2 3599 Jan 18, 2020 3949 Jan 25 3999 3699 Feb 1 3999 3799 Mar 7 3999 3849 Apr 4 3899 3749 May 9 3699 3549 Sep 5 3899 3749 Oct 3 3999 3849 Nov 7 3999 3849 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3448. A World in One Country. Holiday code: ZA088. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £155 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on South African Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades •· Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

119

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/cape-winelands

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape, Winelands and Big Five 9 nights from £2199

Safari

Including optional travel insurance or from £2128 without insurance.§

Your tour includes

Discover South Africa, including Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula and South Africa’s winelands then search for the Big Five at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, on this great value introduction to the country’s key attractions…

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 7 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 17 meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners Excursions and visits Cape Peninsula tour Seal Island boat trip Cape Town tour and Table Mountain cable car ride Green Line tram tour of the Franschhoek winelands Four game drives in the Pilanesberg National Park l

A bird’s-eye view of Cape Town

South Africa

Pilanesberg National Park

nights in hotel

Johannesburg

Cape Town Hout Bay Simon’s Town

Franschhoek Somerset West Seal Island

Go on safari in Pilanesberg ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Cape Town. Fly overnight to Cape Town. Day 2: Cape Town-Simon’s town. Continue to Simon’s Town on the Cape Peninsula. Stay three nights in Simon’s Town or in Fish Hoek, dependent upon date of departure. If you are lucky you might see whales from shore of False Bay, while nearby Boulders Beach is home to an African penguin colony. B, D Day 3: Simon’s Town. Enjoy a half-day tour of Cape Peninsular with an exhilarating 3-minute funicular ride to a decommissioned lighthouse, and time to explore the Cape of Good Hope. Visit Hout Bay for lunch via Chapman’s Peak Drive, and a boat ride to Seal Island, looking out for dolphin, orca and whales. B, L Day 4: Simon’s Town. At leisure to explore Simon’s Town. An important naval port since 1680, discover its history at the Naval and Submarine Museum. Look out for the statue of ‘Just Nuisance’, the only canine member of the Royal Navy. B Day 5: Cape Town-Somerset West. Drive to Cape Town, enjoy a city tour including a cable car ride (weather permitting) up Table Mountain and some free time to explore the waterfront independently. Continue to Somerset West, in the winelands, where you spend two nights. B, D Day 6: Somerset West. Explore the Cape Winelands, situated between the Helderberg Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Discover local wine farms aboard the Green Line hop-on-hop-off tram. B, D

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Day 7: Pilanesberg. Fly to Johannesburg, transfer to a lodge in Pilanesberg National Park for a two-night stay. Set out on the first of four game drives, in search of the ‘Big Five’. The park is one of the largest in South Africa, spanning a zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld. B, D Day 8: Pilanesberg. Embark on a day in the bush, including two game drives and a bush experience. You’ll travel through the park in an open, 4x4 safari vehicle and experience encounters with some of the park’s 7,000 animals. B, L, D Days 9-10: Pilanesberg-Johannesburg-UK. Enjoy a game drive before breakfast. Mornings are the perfect time for spotting the wildlife of the Pilanesberg National Park, with large predators choosing the cooler hours to hunt. After lunch, travel to Johannesburg airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving next day. B, L Accommodation… Quayside Hotel (4*), Simon’s Town • NH The Lord Charles (4*), Somerset West or Calders Hotel & Conference Centre (4*), Fish Hoek • Ivory Tree Lodge (5*), Pilanesberg.

Extend your holiday Cape Town. 2 nights. Half Board. An upgrade is available. Blue Marlin. 7 nights. All inclusive. Single room supplements (per person, per night) apply.

“There’s no better place than Simon’s Town to spot humpback and Bryde’s whales from the shore of False Bay, they are incredibly active between the months of June and November. All you need is a pair of binoculars!” Kathy Vigolo, Expert Holiday Creator

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

Prices from: Oct 7, 2019 2299 2199 Jan 20, 2020 2299 2249 Mar 9 2299 2249 Sep 7 2299 2249 Oct 5 2299 2249 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2498 Cape, Winelands and Big Five. Holiday code: ZA099. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on South African Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/oceansmeet

SOUTH AFRICA

Where Oceans Meet

Small group option

13 nights from £2799 Including optional travel insurance or from £2728 without insurance.§

Your tour includes

South Africa’s Garden Route is an area of outstanding beauty. This tour explores the best of the Western Cape with its golden beaches, rugged coastlines, and historic seaside towns.

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 13 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 32 meals: 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 13 dinners Excursions and visits Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach Simons Town and the Naval Museum Wine tasting in Stellenbosch The Cango caves and ostrich farm Keurbooms River cruise Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River Game drive in Albertinia Visit to a reptile centre Cape Agulhas and the Shipwreck Museum Visit Hermanus ●

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Travel along the scenic Garden Route

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South Africa Stellenbosch Oudtshoorn Cape Town

Albertinia

Somerset West Hermanus

nights in hotel

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Knysna

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Keurbooms River

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Arniston Cape Agulhas

Plettenberg Bay

Look out for Africa’s majestic wildlife ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Cape Town. Fly overnight to Cape Town. Day 2: Cape Town. Arrive at Cape Town where you stay for three nights. D Day 3: Cape Town. Tour the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Visit Boulders Beach where 2,500 African penguins await, and historic Simons Town. B, L, D Day 4: Cape Town. Explore independently or, join an optional half-day tour that includes a cable-car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting). B, D Day 5: Somerset West. Continue to Somerset West, gateway to the winelands, for a two-night stay. You’ll also visit Stellenbosch, second oldest town in South Africa. B, D Day 6: Stellenbosch. Travel into the winelands for a tasting at the Neetlingshoff wine estate. You'll also visit Franschhoek, South Africa’s ‘wine and food capital’. B, L, D Day 7: Albertinia. Depart on Route 62 taking in wineland scenery, followed by an afternoon game drive. Stay overnight at a lodge in Albertinia. B, L, D Day 8: Oudtshoorn. Perhaps join an optional game drive, before continuing on Route 62 to the ‘ostrich capital’ of Oudsthoorn for a two-night stay. B, D Day 9: Oudtshoorn. Visit the Cango Ostrich Farm and explore the caverns of Cango Caves, on a fairly strenuous excursion. B, L, D Day 10: Plettenberg Bay. Stop for a cruise on Keurbooms River with a picnic lunch,

taking in the nature reserve known for its bird life. Continue to Plettenberg Bay for two nights. B, L, D Day 11: Tsitsikamma. Visit Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. B, L, D . Day 12: Arniston. Stop to explore the scenic town of Knynsa, then continue to the seaside resort of Arniston and stay three nights. B, D Day 13: Cape Agulhas and Bredarsdorp. Tour Cape Agulhas – where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet and many ships have been wrecked. Find out more at the Shipwreck Museum in Bredarsdorp. B, D Day 14: Arniston Bay. At leisure. B, D Days 15-16: Cape Town-UK. Return to Cape Town, then head to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day. B Accommodation… Sun Square Cape Town City Bowl Hotel (4*) • NH The Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West (4*) • Garden Route Game Lodge, Albertinia (3*) • Queens Hotel, Oudtshoorn (4*) • Whalesong Hotel and Spa, Plettenberg Bay (4*) • The Arniston Spa Hotel (4*). Please note: In 2020 this tour is 13 nights, not 15. You stay only two nights in Cape Town at an alternative locally rated 4-star hotel, and two nights in Plettenberg Bay.

Extend your holiday You can extend your holiday in Cape Town or at the Blue Marlin on the shores of the Indian Ocean Please call lfor details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £400

per person on selected departures Prices from: Sep 5, 2019* 2849 2599 Oct 3* 2899 2699 Oct 10* - Small Group 3099 2699 Oct 24* 2899 2599 Jan 17, 2020 2999 2799 Feb 7 2999 2899 Mar 6 2899 2799 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3118 Where Oceans Meet. Holiday code: ZA206 All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. *2019 departures are 15 nights. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19

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Shongololo – The Good Hope Train 18 nights from £5999 Including optional travel insurance or from £5884 without insurance.§ Discover South Africa on this outstanding, excursion-packed train journey that will take you from Pretoria to the shores of vibrant Cape Town…

Camdeboo National Park surrounds Graaff-Reinet ACTIVITY LEVEL Experience South Africa from a different perspective aboard Shongololo’s Good Hope train. Look forward to dining in the period-style dining cars, relaxing in the bar car or watching the country pass by from the observation car and balcony. At the end of each day, the train will stop, although this will only be possible if it is running on time! Relax in your ‘Gold’ category en suite double or twin cabin, equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe, and hairdryer. To complete your adventure, you’ll also spend one night in hotels at the start and conclusion of your journey. Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg. Day 2: Johannesburg. On arrival transfer to your hotel where you stay overnight. D Day 3: Pretoria. Transfer to Pretoria railway station and check in for the Shongololo Express. Enjoy a full-day tour of Pretoria and the township of Soweto, before boarding your

Kruger National Park Pretoria Nelspruit Johannesburg Mpaka Mbabane Simangaliso Bloemfontein Hluhluwe Wetland Park Kimberley Durban

nights in hotel nights on train

Ashton

Cape Town

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Ladysmith Graaf Reinet Oudtshoorn Kynsna

South Africa

Please quote SMT19

train. Relax as you set off for Nelspruit, where the train will stop overnight. B, D Day 4: Nelspruit ( for Drakensburg). A full-day tour takes you into the district of Mpumalanga, stopping at God’s Window,on the Drakensberg Escarpment, the rock formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the ‘ghost village’ of Pilgrim’s Rest. Rejoin your train and continue to Malelane. B, D Day 5: Malelane (for Kruger National Park). Enjoy a full-day of game viewing in South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park, and watch for wildlife including the famous ‘big five’. Rejoin your train and stop overnight at Mpaka in Swaziland. B, D Day 6: Mpaka (for Mbabane). Visit Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland, the city of Manzini, and a glass workshop. Return to your train and travel to Hluhluwe in South Africa. B, D Day 7: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park-Empangeni. Enjoy two game drives in one of South Africa’s oldest game reserves. Return to your train and continue to Empangeni. B, D Day 8: Empangeni (for iSmangaliso Wetland Park). Tour this protected wetland park and UNESCO World Heritage Site – formerly the Greater St Lucia Wetlands – home to hippos, crocodiles and more. Return to your train and depart for Durban. B, D Day 9: Durban. Visit the Phezulu Cultural Village and meet members of the Zulu people. Afterwards, continue to uShaka Marine World and then by train to Ladysmith. B, D

Day 10: Ladysmith. A battlefields tour reveals the history of the area. Visit the Siege Museum relating to the Siege of Ladysmith and the Anglo Boer War, plus Wagon Hill. Afterwards, your train departs for Bloemfontein. B, L, D Day 11: Bloemfontein. Tour Bloemfontein, and learn about the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 at the Anglo Boer Museum. Continue by train to Kimberley. B, D Day 12: Kimberley. Visit the Kimberley Mining Museum, housing the world’s largest uncut diamond, an open-air museum, and the ‘Big Hole’ – the world’s biggest hand-dug excavation. Afterwards, visit the William Humphrey Art Gallery and the McGregor Museum. Depart for Graaff Reinet, travelling through the beautiful Karoo region. B, D Day 13: Graaf Reinet. Enjoy a walking tour of Graaf Reinet with its wealth of historic buildings. Next your train travels to Oudtshoorn. B, L, D Day 14: Oudtshoorn. Visit an ostrich farm at Oudtshoorn – the ‘ostrich capital’ – and the Cango Caves with their vast caverns and stalactites. Drive through the Outeniqua Pass to rejoin your train in George, with dinner at the Fancourt Golf Estate tonight. B, D. Day 15: George (for Knysna). Drive to Knysna, situated on a lagoon, and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Alternatively, enjoy some shopping. Rejoin your train and depart for Ashton. B, L, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/shongololohope

Small group 18 or less Rail journey

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 2 nights in hotels, 14 on board the Good Hope Train, 2 nights in flight • 34 meals: 16 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 15 dinners Excursions and visits Full-day tour of Pretoria and Soweto Full-day tour of Pilgrim’s Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window Full-day game viewing in Kruger National Park Visit to Ngwenya Glass, Mbabane and Manzini Two game drives in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Tour of iSimangaliso Wetland Park Visit to PheZulu Safari Village and uShaka Marine world Battlefields tour including Wagon Hill and Siege Museum Kimberley Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole Guided walking tour of Graaff Reinet Visit to Cango Caves and an ostrich farm Visit to Knysna l

The Shongololo Express

Hippo in Kruger

A Kruger leopard

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local expert guide Porterage at all hotels and on the train. l

Day 16: Ashton (for Hermanus). A scenic drive takes you to Hermanus, a coastal village known for its whale-watching opportunities. Return to your train at Worcester where you stop overnight and enjoy a farewell dinner. B, D. Day 17: Worcester (for Cape Town). Arrive at Cape Town station and disembark. Enjoy a tour of some of the city’s highlights, before transferring to your hotel where you stay overnight. B. Days 18-19: Cape Town-UK. Overnight flight from Cape Town to the UK, arriving the following day. B

Accommodation… Maslow Hotel, Johannesburg (4*) • Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town (5*)

Please note: On some departure dates this southbound journey runs in reverse.

Extend your holiday Cape Town 2 nights including breakfasts on September 29, 2020, or 3 nights including breakfasts on March 15, 2020. Stay for longer at Table Bay Hotel.

The Dune Express 15 nights from £5499 departing May 26, 2020. After an overnight hotel stay in Swakopmund, step aboard the Shongololo Express at Walvis Bay for a spellbinding train journey through the deserts and parks of Namibia, to some fascinating – but lesser known – destinations around Pretoria. Stay overnight in a lodge in Etosha National Park and enjoy two game drives. Explore Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, see the extraordinary Namib-Naukluft Park, red sand dunes, Sossusvlei’s salt pans and towering Sesriem Canyon, staying overnight in a lodge. Drive across the Great Escarpment to the Quiver Tree forest, visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop and see Fish River Canyon and the ‘Big Hole’ at Kimberley. Disembark at Pretoria and relax in a Johannesburg hotel before flying home…Holiday code: ZA255. To find out more visit saga.co.uk/shongololodune

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures

Good Hope 18 nights Mar 15*, 2020 6099 5999 Sep 29 6099 5999 Rooms for sole occupancy from £8198. Prices from:

Shongololo - The Good Hope. Holiday code: ZA094. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. *March 15, 2020 departure operates on the Northbound itinerary. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £155 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on South African Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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SOUTH AFRICA

Into the Heart of Kruger 13 nights from £3499 Including optional travel insurance or from £3428 without insurance§ The Kruger National Park is home to a staggering 850 species of animals, birds, and more. This is a park of dreams, where the ‘big Five’ roam, and where safaris and safari lodges promise a true African experience. On this new tour look forward to staying in African lodges – one set within Kruger National Park itself, where daily game drives, magnificent wildlife, sundowner drinks, and dinner under African skies await you.

Spot elephants in the national park ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Johannesburg. Fly overnight to Johannesburg. Day 2: Johannesburg-Malelane. Upon arrival transfer by short internal flight to Nelspruit, and onto Malelane which lies to the south of Kruger National Park. Arrive at your lodge situated on the banks of the Crocodile River, at the south of Kruger National Park, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. From your lodge, look forward to watching wildlife drawn by the river. D. Day 3: Malelane. Look forward to a game drive into the southern area of Kruger National Park in the company of your experienced guide. Explore the landscape and watch for wildlife such as zebra, cheetah and wild dog, which are more prevalent here due to the low numbers of lions in this area. Enjoy dinner at your lodge this evening. B, L, D

Makalali Private Game Reserve nights in hotel

Dullstroom

Johannesburg

Nelspruit

South Africa

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Kruger National Park Mhoholo Malelane

Day 4: Malelane. Enjoy another game drive into Kruger, with the rest of the day to relax at your lodge. B, L, D Day 5: Malelane-Makalali.Transfer to Makalali, travelling via part of South Africa’s famous Panorama Route, taking in the sights of Gods Window, Bourke’s Luck Pot Holes, and the three rondavels. Spend the next three nights at your private game lodge, set with the Makalali Private Game Reserve just west of the mighty Kruger National Park. Covering nearly 85 square miles, it’s home to more than 1,000 animals including the ‘Big Five’. Look forward to an evening game drive, dining under African skies and watching for visiting wildlife from your viewing deck. B, L, D Day 6: Makalali Game Reserve. Embark on two game drives today, travelling in open topped vehicles in the company of your expert guide. The Big Five can be found here, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, kudu and more, with the opportunity to get close up and see some of Africa’s stunning wildlife in its natural habitat. Relax at your lodge this evening. B, L, D Day 7: Makalali Game Reserve. Look forward to two more game drives today before watching for the wildlife from your lodge as the sun goes down. B, L, D Day 8: Makalali Game Reserve-Kruger National Park. Depart for Kruger National park, visiting the Mhoholo Rehabilitation Centre en route. Started in 1991 the centre cares for orphaned and injured animals and their rehabilitation as well as running

research and breeding programmes. Learn about this important work and enjoy a light lunch, before continuing to Kruger National Park. At the park, meet your guides and set off for your first game drive in this magnificent park, concluding at your luxury lodge on the banks of the Nwatswitswonto River, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Relax this evening as you watch for wildlife that gather at the nearby Imbali waterhole, which may include elephants, buffalo, rhino, antelope, giraffe, lions and the elusive leopard. B, L, D Day 9: Kruger National Park. Set off early into the bush on your first safari of the day, watching for elephants, zebra, wildebeest and more. There will be a second safari later when you may be fortunate to spot predators such as lion or leopard, as well as other of Africa’s Big Five. B, L, D Day 10: Kruger National Park. Enjoy two more safaris into Kruger National Park. With its wealth of wildlife including 147 mammal species and some 507 species of bird, there’s lots to watch for, under the expert guidance of your ranger. B, L, D Day 11: Kruger National Park-Dullstroom. Transfer to the village of Dullstroom, the highest in South Africa, in the highlands of Mpumalanga. Enjoy a stroll around the village before transferring to your boutique-style lodge, where you stay for two nights. Enjoy views of the lake and surrounding countryside as you dine this evening. B, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/heartofkruger

Small group 19 or less

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 11 nights in lodges and 2 in flight • 30 meals: 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 11 dinners Excursions and visits Five game drives in a private game reserve Seven game drives in Kruger National Park Visit to Mhoholo Rehabilitation Centre Drive part of the Panorama Route l

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local expert guide Welcome drink Porterage at all hotels. l

Kruger National Park is a haven for wildlife

Watch for the elusive leopard

Day 12: Dullstroom. Enjoy today at leisure. B, D Days 13-14: Dullstroom-Johannesburg-UK. After a leisurely morning, transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK . B Accommodation… Makalali Private Game Lodge (4*), Hoedspruit • Imbali Safari Lodge (5*), Kruger • Buhala Lodge (4*), Malelane • Critchely Hackle Lodge (4*), Dullstroom Please note: Departures on May 9, Jun 6, and Oct 3, 2020, visit the same areas and lodges but in the following order: UK • Nelspruit • Makalali Private Game Reserve • Malelane (for Kruger National Park south) • Kruger National Park • Dullstroom • UK

See native wildlife from the lodge

Extend your holiday Cape Town. 4 nights. Bed and breakfast. Before your tour, stay four nights at the elegant, locally rated 5-star Table Bay Hotel set in the heart of Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Blue Marlin. 7 nights. All inclusive. After your tour stay seven relaxing nights at the locally rated 4-star Blue Marlin, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, with two half-day excursions included.

Departures on Jan 14 and Apr 10, 2020, also visit the same areas and lodges but in the following order: UK • Nelspruit • Kruger National Park • Malelane (for Kruger National Park south • Makalali Private Game Reserve • Dullstroom • UK

The Big Five Africa’s ‘Big Five’ comprises the rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and of course the majestic lion. But did you know there is also a ‘Little Five’? When you’re not scanning the horizon for a Big Five sighting, look down and see if you can spot … the elephant shrew, the ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and the leopard tortoise!

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

“We entered the Makalali Reserve as the sun was setting. As we slowly made our way to the lodge, a leopard appeared from the side of the road and graciously led the way for a good ten minutes of our drive. This tour is a truly breathtaking adventure for the wildlife passionate – just make sure your camera is ready at all times!” Kathy Vigolo, Expert Holiday Creator

SAVE £100 per person on all departures Prices from: Jan 14, 2020 3799 3699 Feb 20 3799 3699 Apr 10 3599 3499 Sep 5 3799 3699 Oct 3 3799 3699 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4298 Into the Heart of Kruger. Holiday code: ZA068. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on South African Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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ZIMBABWE, BOTSWANA & SOUTH AFRICA

The Pride of Africa 16 nights from £4799 Including optional travel insurance or from £4644 without insurance.§ Discover Chobe National Park, which has one of the largest concentrations of game on the continent; journey across the Tropic of Cancer aboard Rovos Rail’s luxurious vintage train; admire spectacular Victoria Falls; and explore the Zulu battlefields before arriving in Cape Town.

Victoria Falls ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Johannesburg-Victoria Falls. Fly overnight to Victoria Falls via Johannesburg. Day 2: Victoria Falls. Look forward to a two-night stay in Victoria Falls. ‘Discovered’ by Doctor Livingstone on November 16, 1855, the Falls are nearly two kilometres wide, 91 metres deep and around 440 thousand litres of water cascades into the narrow chasm below every second! D Day 3: Victoria Falls. This morning an included tour reveals the splendour of Victoria Falls. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore independently – perhaps walk across Knife-edge Bridge to admire one of the world's largest waterfalls. Later you may glimpse hippos, crocodiles and elephants drinking at the water’s edge on an included sundowner cruise on the Zambezi. B, D

Zambia Kasane Chobe National Park

Victoria Falls

Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe

Botswana nights in hotel nights on train

Nylstroom Pyramid Sandton

South Africa

Warmbaths Pretoria Isandlwana Durban

Cape Town

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Day 4: Kasane.Travel into Botswana and on to Kasane for a three-night stay at the gateway to Chobe National Park. This afternoon you may like to explore your surroundings or join one of the many optional excursions available, such as game drives, photo safaris and scenic flights. B, L, D Day 5: Chobe National Park. This morning go in search of some of Africa's incredible wildlife with a game drive through Chobe National Park. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, monkeys, lions and more. This evening relax on board a river boat during an included sundowner cruise, where you may spot hippos, elephant and buffalo. B, L, D Day 6: Chobe National Park. Look out for the 'big five' on an exciting included safari. B, L, D Day 7: Rovos Rail. Return to Victoria Falls where you step aboard Rovos Rail's luxurious train, an exquisitely rebuilt vintage train that embodies the age of classic rail travel. You can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and first-class accommodation during your three-night, all-inclusive journey through glorious landscapes to Zimbabwe's largest reserve, Hwange National Park. B, D Day 8: Rovos Rail. Disembark for an included game drive in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest reserve. Later you can enjoy the changing vistas as you continue your train journey. B, L, D Day 9: Rovos Rail. A scenic journey across the border to South Africa takes you over the Tropic of Capricorn towards Marmbaths and Nylstroom. Stay overnight at Pyramid. B, L, D

Day 10: Rovos Rail-Pretoria. Arrive in Pretoria where you can enjoy a city tour this afternoon. Travel to Johannesburg for an overnight stay. B, D Day 11: Isandlwana. Today, transfer to Isandlwana where you’ll stay for two nights. This picturesque area of sweeping hills and rolling plains was the site of several historical battles that shaped the history of both South Africa and Britain. B, D Day 12: Isandlwana. Look forward to a full-day Battlefields tour. You’ll visit Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, as featured in the film Zulu to see the remains of stone forts, graves and memorials from these two deadly battles. B, L, D Day 13:Durban.Travel to Durban today, where you will stay overnight. South Africa's third-largest city, on the east coast, is home to a blend of colonial and art-nouveau architecture and a cosmopolitan beachfront. B, L, D Day 14: Cape Town. Enjoy a tour of Durban to see the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the Indian Market and Juna Mosque, one of the oldest and largest in the southern hemisphere. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cape Town, for a two-night stay. B Day 15: Cape Of Good Hope. Enjoy a full-day tour of Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Stop at Boulders Beach to see the African penguins, and visit historic Simons Town. B, L

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/pride

Small group 20 or less

Best seller

Rail journey

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 11 nights in hotels or lodges, 3 nights aboard Rovos Rail and 2 in flight • 32 meals: 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 12 dinners with all drinks on board the train Excursions and visits A tour of Victoria Falls Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi river Two game drives in Chobe National Park Sundowner cruise on the Chobe river Three nights aboard Rovos Rail's vintage train Game drive in Hwange National Park Full-day tour of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift Durban city sightseeing tour Visit to Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point Cape Town tour and Table Mountain l

Elephants at the waterhole

Lion cubs in Chobe National Park

Spot wildlife

Days 16-17: Cape Town-UK. Join a tour of Cape Town this morning to see some of the many highlights including Table Mountain and the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. Later, travel to the airport for your return overnight flight, arriving the next day. B Accommodation… Victoria Falls Safari Lodge(4*) • Chobe Safari Lodge (4*) or at Chobe Bush Lodge (4*) • Rovos Rail train • Maslow Hotel (4*), Johannesburg

• Islandwana Lodge (4*) • Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel (4*), Durban • Table Bay Hotel (5*), Cape Town.

Extend your holiday Cape Town. 3 nights. Breakfasts included. Extend your tour with a further three nights at the locally rated 5-star Table Bay Hotel. Please call lfor details.

Rovos Rail's luxurious train Experience luxury rail travel from a by-gone age as you journey from Victoria Falls to Pretoria on Rovos Rail. This lovingly restored vintage train features a sumptuous Edwardian-style dinning cart, an observation car with open-air balcony and luxurious Pullman and Deluxe suites, all elegantly furnished to recall the heyday of railways. As one of only 72 passengers you have the space to relax and fully enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of Africa beyond your carriage window. Your journey includes a stop in the Hwange National Park, home to one of the world’s largest populations of elephants and takes you over the Tropic of Capricorn to Warmbaths, which in the 19th century was believed to be the source of the Nile. You can upgrade to a Deluxe Suite for more space and a fixed bed from £399 per person. Relax and enjoy Africa in luxury aboard Rovos Rail.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £200 per person on selected departures

Prices from: Oct 21, 2019 5299 5099 Jan 6, 2020 5199 Mar 23 5299 May 4 4999 Jun 22 4899 4799 Aug 31 5199 4999 Sep 14 5399 5299 Oct 12 5399 5299 Nov 9 5299 Rooms for sole occupancy from £5998. The Pride of Africa. Holiday code: BZ002. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £155 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on South African Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

127

KENYA, ZAMBIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Icons of Africa 13 nights from £3199 Including optional travel insurance or from £3128 without insurance§ Track big cats in Kenya’s Masai Mara, get drenched in the rainbow-tinted mist of Victoria Falls in Zambia, sample a fine tipple in the Cape winelands in the vineyards of Franschhoek and drink in views over Cape Town from iconic Table Mountain. This tour will tick these bucket list ambitions…

Victoria Falls ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Nairobi. Fly overnight to Nairobi. Day 2: Nairobi-Masai Mara Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Reserve offers plenty to see throughout the year, including elephant, lion, cheetah, baboon, giraffe, gazelle, jackal, hyena, Cape buffalo, ostrich and several species of antelope, in one of the most impressive natural backdrops in Africa. You stay three nights in a game camp. Late this afternoon head out on a game drive in the Masai Mara. L D Day 3: Masai Mara. Rise early for a game drive, returning to the camp for breakfast and a morning at leisure. You can join in activities such as guided bird walks, visits to the Masai Manyatta homestead and safari walks around the lodge, organised by the camp. An extra charge will apply to these activities. Enjoy an afternoon game drive. B, L, D

Kenya

Masai Mara

Nairobi

Zambia Livingstone

South Africa Cape Town

Franschhoek

128 Please quote SMT19

nights in hotel

Day 4: Masai Mara. Most of today is given over to further wildlife-viewing opportunities, including early morning and late afternoon game drives here in one of the key game viewing destinations. B, L, D Day 5: Nairobi. After breakfast, take a scenic 260 kilometre drive back to Nairobi (with comfort stops). After a light lunch transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay with dinner included. B, L, D Day 6: Livingstone, Zambia. After breakfast, travel to the airport for your flight to Livingstone in Zambia. Transfer to your hotel set close to Victoria Falls for a two-night stay. This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, watching for wildlife. B Day 7: Livingstone. Join an included walking tour on the Zambia side of the Falls. ‘Discovered’ by Dr David Livingstone in 1855, they were named in honour of Queen Victoria. They are nearly two kilometres wide and 91 metres deep. An optional excursion visits Zimbabwe to view the Falls from the other side (dry season departures only). You’ll need to have bought a KAZI visa on arrival in Livingstone that allows you to pass from Zambia to Zimbabwe, if you intend to take this excursion. Alternatively enjoy lunch on Livingstone Island in Zambia, on the edge of the Falls. An optional dinner on the Royal Livingstone Express train may be available. (Please note: for departures in September, October and November the walking tour will be on the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls). B

Day 8:Cape Town-Franschhoek, South Africa. After breakfast, fly to Cape Town. Drive out to the Cape Winelands for a two-night stay near the town of Franschhoek. B, D Day 9: Franschhoek. Enjoy a full day exploring the winelands. Visit a vineyard for a tasting, then travel into Franschhoek for free time to explore the ‘culinary capital of South Africa’. Buy yourself lunch then travel to Stellenbosch. Founded in 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, it is the second oldest town in South Africa. Discover its history during a visit to the museum. B Day 10: Cape Town. Depart for Cape Town for a three-night stay on the V & A waterfront. In 1652 Jan van Riebeeck sailed into Table Bay and laid the foundations of South Africa's oldest city. To this day, Cape Town has maintained a reputation for friendly hospitality. B Day 11: Cape Town. Enjoy a day at leisure to explore this vibrant city. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront has revitalised the working harbour and has an array of restaurants, bars and shops as well as the Two Oceans Aquarium and the South African Maritime Museum. Or go exploring further afield, perhaps visit the Kirstenbosch botanical garden. An optional excursion visits a township. B Day 12: Cape Town. Join a full-day tour of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, including Cape Point. You'll also visit historic Simons Town, built around a natural harbour in False Bay and home to the

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/icons-africa

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 11 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 21 meals: 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners Excursions and visits Four game drives in Masai Mara Game Reserve Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River Victoria Falls walking tour Francshhoek vineyard tour and wine tasting Visit to Stellenbosch and the museum Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach Visit to Simon’s Town l

Table Mountain

A Masai warrior

South African Navy. En route back to your hotel you’ll stop at Boulders Beach to see the resident colony of African penguins. B, L Days 13-14: Cape Town. Enjoy free time for exploring Cape Town further before you transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Sarova Mara Game Camp (4*), Masai Mara • Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (4*) • Avani Victoria Falls Resort (4*) or upgrade to the Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel (5*), Livingstone for a supplement • Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa (5*) • The Commodore Hotel (4*), Cape Town.

Cheetahs in Masai Mara

Extend your holiday Lake Naivisha, Kenya 2 nights full board. Before your tour, extend with a two-night stay at locally rated 3-star Lake Naivisha Sopa Lodge. Cape Town 3 nights including breakfasts. After your tour, stay three further nights at the Commodore Hotel in Cape Town.

UPGRADE to the Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel This locally rated 5-star hotel occupies a prime spot on the Zambian side of the Zambezi, just a a 15-minute walk from Victoria Falls. Relax on a veranda or on the deck with a sundowner and observe zebra, giraffe and monkeys wandering the hotel lawns. The restaurant, bar and and lounge of this beautifully furnished, colonial-style hotel overlook the river and you can see the mist from the Falls too. There is an outdoor pool and sun terrace, a spa and gym. All 173 rooms have a private veranda. Upgrade for an extra supplement, please call for details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £500 per person on selected departures

Prices from: Sep 10, 2019 3799 3299 Nov 5 3599 3399 Jan 14, 2020 3599 3499 Feb 25 3599 3499 Jun 9 3199 Sep 22 3899 Nov 10 3699 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3648 Icons of Africa. Holiday code: ZA093. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Kenya Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style - ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 129

BOTSWANA & ZIMBABWE

In the Footsteps of Livingstone RELAXED 12 nights from £3099 Including optional travel insurance or from £3028 without insurance§ Embrace the 'real Africa' as you follow in the footsteps of Doctor David Livingstone. This exhilarating tour combines a stay near spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with seven nights in Botswana's magnificent Chobe National Park where you can join included safaris and take to the skies for an unforgettable light aircraft flight.

Victoria Falls ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Victoria Falls. Fly overnight to Victoria Falls. Day 2: Victoria Falls. Stay three nights at Victoria Falls, just four kilometres from the greatest mass of falling water in the world. D Day 3: Victoria Falls. Join an included guided walk beside the Falls. You'll go along the Zimbabwe side, stopping at different vantage points along the way through the mist created by the sheer force of the Zambezi hitting the rocks below. This evening there is an included sundowner cruise. Above the turbulence of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi river is calm and still and during your trip you may catch glimpses of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and giraffes drinking at the water’s edge. B, D

Zambia Namibia

Kasane Chobe National Park

Okavango Delta

Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe

Botswana nights in hotel

130 Please quote SMT19

Day 4: Mpisi Village. Enjoy a tour of Mpisi Village to glimpse how people have lived for generations and learn about their traditional customs. Later perhaps take an optional thrilling helicopter flight over the Falls. B, D Day 5: Kasane. Cross the border into Botswana and travel to Kasane for a seven night stay on the banks of the Chobe River at the edge of Chobe National Park. It’s Botswana’s foremost game reserve. The nearby river serves as a permanent watering-hole and so attracts both mammals and birds. Enjoy a real close-to-nature experience – you may spot crocodiles, hippos, monkeys and countless species of birds just moments away from your accommodation – the park is not fenced, so you can observe the wildlife wandering freely. B, D Day 6: Chobe National Park. Enjoy your first included game drive through Chobe National Park, where you may encounter large herds of elephants, lions, Cape buffalo, and many species of antelope. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities at your lodge. B, D Day 7: Chobe River cruise. You'll have the chance to spot wildlife from a different angle today as you enjoy a morning cruise on the river. Look out for pods of hippos and crocodiles basking on the shore. The river is also a natural spot for bird-watching and you may well be able to see heron, stork, jacana and colonies of bee-eaters going swiftly about their business. B, D

Day 8: Flightseeing tour. Today’s included light aircraft flight follows the course of the Zambezi River to the point at which Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana meet, and returns over the stunning landscapes of Chobe National Park. B, D Day 9: Chobe National Park. Enjoy a further day viewing game on an included river cruise and game drive which will take you deeper into the park. B, D Day 10: Chobe National Park Perhaps join a thrilling optional excursion to the Kalahari desert and view the wildlife from a traditional-style ‘mokoro’ canoe. Fly to one of the remotest parts of Africa, the Okavango Delta. One of the world's largest inland water systems, it’s a unique oasis in the centre of the desert. There are two distinct areas – the permanent swamp and the seasonal swamp that dries gradually with the onset of summer in October. You may see a rich variety of species here, including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and antelope. B, D Day 11: Chobe National Park. An included early morning game drive takes you through Chobe. Later, perhaps join an optional boat cruise or fishing trip. B, D Days 12-13: Victoria Falls-UK. Travel to the airport this morning for your return overnight flight, arriving the following morning. B Accommodation… Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (4*) • Chobe Safari Lodge (4*).

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/livingstone

Small group 20 or less Best Seller

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 3 nights in a hotel, 7 nights in a lodge and 2 in flight • 20 meals: 10 breakfasts and 10 dinners Lions in Chobe National Park

Carmine Bee-Eaters

Excursions and visits Victoria Falls Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi Visit to a traditional village Light aircraft flight over the Zambezi and Chobe National Park Three game drives River cruise safari l

Cruise the Chobe River

Extend your holiday Cape Town. 3 nights half board. Before your tour, stay three nights at the contemporary, locally rated 4-star Sun Square Cape Town City Bowl Hotel. In 2020 you’ll stay instead at the 4-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan hotel. Alternatively, upgrade to the elegant, locally rated 5-star Table Bay Hotel, set in the heart of Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (including breakfasts only). Please call for details.Please call lfor details.

Hwange. 4 nights all inclusive. Spend one night at Gorges Lodge in Victoria Falls, before transferring by road to the Camelthorn Lodge at Hwange for a three night stay.

SAVE up to £200

per person on selected departures

The Okavango Delta To the west of Chobe National Park lies the extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Okavango Delta. This stunning oasis in the heart of the Kalahari desert is one of the world’s largest inland water systems, made up of marshlands and plains that regularly flood. The plants and animals here have adapted their own biology to time with the flood season, when the Delta is transformed into a landscape bursting with wildlife. During your holiday, there will be an opportunity to treat yourself to an optional flight over this great wetland wilderness, when you can see for yourself the wildlife and landscape once described to the great explorer Dr Livingstone as ‘…full of rivers, so many, no one can tell their number’.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Oct 4, 2019 3499 Oct 18 3399 3199 Jan 17, 2020 3099 Mar 6 3299 Apr 10 3399 May 15 3549 3499 Jun 19 3649 Aug 21 3649 Sep 4 3699 Oct 2 3599 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3399 In the Footsteps of Livingstone. Holiday code: BZ001. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

131

ZIMBABWE

Charting The Mighty Zambezi 14 nights from £4099 Including optional travel insurance or from £4028 without insurance§ Experience Zimbabwe on this extraordinary 12-day safari by road and vessel, ply the length of Lake Kariba aboard a 4-star cruiser, and visit wildlife reserves and National Parks on the continent of Africa in 4x4s.

Zebra and Impala graze on the shores of Lake Kariba ACTIVITY LEVEL Days 1-2: UK-Harare, Zimbabwe. Fly overnight to Harare. Transfer to your lodge on the Serui River for a two-night stay. Relax or enjoy a range of activities before a ‘Welcome to Africa’ barbecue and traditional dance performance. D Day 3: Pamuzinda. Canoe the Serui River or go out game spotting in the Pamuzinda Game Reserve on foot, in 4x4s or on horseback. Set out on a late afternoon game drive to see plains game. Enjoy sunset drinks at ‘Ayres Rock’. B, L, D Day 4: Mana Pools National Park. Drive to Zimbabwe’s Chinhoyi Caves, and explore the Wonder Hole and Sleeping Pool. After lunch in Chirundu, take a 90-minute boat ride into Mana National Park, watching for wildlife. Late afternoon arrive at the your safari lodge, for a three-night stay. Enjoy a sundowner on the banks of the Zambezi before dinner. B, L, D

Matusandona National Park

Zambia

Zambezi River Greater Mana Pools

Kariba

Lake Kariba Binga Pamuzinda Victoria Falls

Chinhoyi Caves Harare

Zimbabwe

nights in hotel nights on ship

132

Please quote SMT19

Day 5: Mana Pools National Park. Relax in camp or head out on fishing and walking excursions, boat trips or guided game drives around one of Africa’s most remote and unspoilt parks. After lunch, board safari 4x4s and head out in search of the wildlife of this Mana Pools concession, including plains game, elephant, crocodile, hippo and lion. Night-time wildlife drives are also available. B, L, D Day 6: Mana Pools National Park. Board tender boats and cruise the Zambezi River to meet 4x4 safari vehicles for a full day of game and bird spotting in the Mana Pools National Park, plus a picnic in the bush. Return to camp on a tranquil river cruise. B, L, D Day 7: Kariba Town. Return by boat to Chirundu for a two-hour drive through the Zambezi Escarpments to Kariba for an overnight stay. Enjoy lunch overlooking Lake Kariba, then tour Kariba, visiting the 128-metre high dam and Santa Barbara church. B, L, D Days 8: Three Finger Bay. Board a 4-star cruiser and sail along Lake Kariba to a secluded inlet in Three Finger Bay. Set out to discover the wildlife and submerged forests of Lake Kariba and the Matusadona National Park. Enjoy sunset drinks before dinner on board. B, L, D Day 9: Crocodile Creek. Transfer by tender boats to the mainland for a combined walk and drive safari around the private concession and the Matusadona National Park with its petrified trees. After lunch sail on to Crocodile Creek. B, L, D

Day 10: The Sengwa River. Leave before dawn for a 13-hour voyage, cruising into the Sengwa Basin, through the Kota Kota Narrows. Once at the Sengwa River system, board tender boats to explore the remote wilderness, with its bird life and stunning scenery. B, L, D Day 11: Binga. Continental breakfast is served on tender boats as you navigate the Sengwa river in search of hippo and crocodiles. Back on the cruiser, voyage to Binga, the heart of Tonga tribal land. Check into your lodge for one night, then discover Binga town with its quaint Tonga tribe museum, hot springs and geyser, and school (during term time). Relax after lunch. B, L, D Day 12: Victoria Falls. Embark on a drive through the wilds of Matabeleland, passing the Gwaai and Kamativi river gorges. Stay two nights at your resort, perched on a bluff upstream from Victoria Falls. (Please note: wine is not included in the free bar at your resort.) B, L, D Day 13: Victoria Falls. Join a guided walk of Victoria Falls, in all its beauty. Watch for hippo and wildlife on a sundowner cruise before dinner. B, L, D Days 14-15: Victoria Falls to UK. Transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the following day. B Accommodation… Pamuzinda Safari Lodge (3*) • Mana Pools Safari Lodge (4*) • Kariba Lodge (3*) • Kariba cruiser (4*) • Masumu River Lodge, Binga (3*) • Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Falls (4*).

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/charting-zambezi

Small group 17 or less Cruising

Safari

The Umbhoza

Your tour includes

Elephants cool off in the waters of Lake Kariba

Cruise Lake Kariba

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in lodges, tented camps and on a 4-star Cruiser, 2 in flight • 34 meals: 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 12 dinners • Free bar on the Lake Kariba cruise and at Elephant Hills Resort Excursions and visits Traditional dance performance Pamuzinda safari Visit to Chinhoyi Caves, including the Wonder Hole and Sleeping Pool Game drives in the Zambezi Valley Four-night cruise of Lake Kariba Game spotting on the banks of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River Game drives in Greater Mana Pools Visit Kariba Dam, the Church of Santa Barbara on Kariba Heights and the Flea market in Mahombekombe Matusadona National Park combined walk and drive game safari Tender boat exploration of Sengwa Basin Binga town excursion, including Tonga tribe museum, hot springs and geyser and school (during term time) Matabeleland North road trip Guided walk of Victoria Falls Victoria Falls sundowner cruise l

Victoria Falls

A hamerkop perched on a hippo

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local expert guide Sundowner drinks at a memorable location Porterage at all accommodation. l

Ethiopia. 4 nights. Before your tour stay in Addis Ababa and Lalibela to discover the fascinating Churches of Lalibela. Chobe National Park, Botswana. 3 nights Full board. After your tour, stay at the locally rated

4-star Chobe Safari Lodge. Hwange. 4 nights All inclusive. After your tour, stay one night at Gorges Lodge, Victoria Falls and three nights at Camelthorn Lodge, Hwange.

SAVE £50

per person on selected departures Prices from: May 13, 2020 4099 Jun 10 4199 Sep 2 4449 4399 Oct 7 4449 4399 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4898 Charting the Mighty Zambezi. Holiday code: KAB06 . All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Cruise Lake Kariba Experience a unique African safari adventure as you ply the length of Lake Kariba on a 4-star cruiser. The cruiser has a spacious lounge and dining area, plus an open viewing deck to observe Africa’s native animals. En-suite cabins provide ever-changing views as you cruise between Kariba Town and Binga. Enjoy sundowners and see the half-submerged petrified forests as the birdlife settles for the night. This is perhaps the most intimate and relaxing way to experience the natural wonders of the African continent.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Please quote SMT19

133

NAMIBIA

Where Deserts Meet 15 nights from £3449 Including optional travel insurance or from £3378 without insurance§ Namibia is a land of staggering diversity where two great deserts meet, from the surreal beauty of the Namib Desert to the sandy peaks and valleys of the Kalahari.

Namibia’s sand dunes ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Windhoek. Fly overnight to Windhoek. Day 2: Windhoek. Stay overnight and enjoy a welcome dinner. D Day 3: Kalahari Desert. Enjoy a morning tour featuring the State House and the Christuskirche, built for the German Evangelical Lutheran settlers in 1907. Travel to visit the Rehoboth Museum before heading to your lodge for the next two nights. B, D Day 4: Kalahari Desert Walk in the Kalahari with a bushman tracker to learn his desert survival secrets and hear the history of the ancient San people. Afterwards,enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional game drive through the Kalahari Private Game Reserve. B, D

Etosha Damaraland

Etosha National Park

Twyfelfontein Skeleton Coast Park Swakopmund

nights in hotel

Sesriem Namib Desert

Luderitz

134 Please quote SMT19

Namibia Midgard Windhoek Kalahari Kalahari Desert Fish River Canyon

Day 5: Kalahari Desert-Fish River Canyon Set off towards the second largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon. Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia, but its flow is now a small trickle compared with the immense waters that once flowed here. Take in the dramatic landscape of the canyon, which is 550 metres deep and up to 27 kilometres wide. Later, arrive at your lodge perched directly on the rim of the Canyon with breathtaking views, where you stay for the next two nights. B, L, D Day 6: Fish River Canyon. This morning look forward to a Canyon Rim Walk in the company of a guide, when you can discover more about this extraordinary landscape. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 7: Fish River Canyon-Sesriem. Travel through dramatic scenery to Sesriem, a small settlement in the Namib Desert. Arrive at your lodge for a two-night stay. B, L, D Day 8: Sesriem. This morning enjoy a guided visit to Sesriem, as well as famous Sossusvlei and Sesreim Canyon. Drive through Namib Naukluft Park before transferring to a 4x4 vehicle which will take you to see the famous dunes of Sossusvlei – some up to 250 metres high! Afterwards head back, viewing Sesriem Canyon en route, followed by the afternoon at leisure. B, D Day 9: Namib Desert-Swakopmund. Drive towards the coast. En route visit the canyons and surreal lunar-like landscapes of Namib Naukluft Park, home to the endemic welwitschia mirabilis plant which can live for

over a thousand years. This afternoon enjoy a city tour of Swakopmund with its distinctly German influence, where you’ll spend the next two nights. B, D Day 10: Swakopmund. Enjoy a morning cruise around Walvis Bay – with sparkling wine and fresh oysters included! From your vantage point on deck, look out for seals, dolphins and sea birds including pelicans and cormorants. This afternoon is at leisure. B, D Day 11: Cape Cross Seal Reserve and Damaraland. This morning head for Damaraland, a huge, untamed, ruggedly beautiful region of Namibia. Stop en route for an included trip to Cape Cross to visit the seal reserve, where seals thrive on the abundant fish and undisturbed surroundings. The fur seals found here differ from other species, distinguished by their little external ears. Afterwards, continue to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rock engravings and paintings, where you’ll stay overnight at your lodge. B, L, D Day 12: Etosha. Depart this morning and head towards Etosha National Park, visiting the Twyfelfontein rock paintings en route – the richest archaeological site in Namibia with approximately 2,500 rock engravings and paintings. Afterwards, continue to your lodge situated on a hilltop location in Epacha Wildlife Reserve, where you stay for the next two nights. Day 13: Etosha. Visit Etosha National Park, the third largest game park in Africa. The

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/deserts

Small group 19 or less

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 3 nights in hotels, 10 in lodges and 2 in flight • 30 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 13 dinners Excursions and visits City tour of Windhoek Rehoboth Museum Kalahari game drive Visit the Fish River Canyon area Scenic drive through Namib Naukluft Park Sossusvlei dunes Sunset drive through the desert Cape Cross Seal Reserve Walvis Bay cruise l

Waterholes are a great place to spot wildlife

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local expert guide Sundowner drink at a memorable location Porterage at all hotels and lodges. l

The expanse of Fish River Canyon

Mischievous meerkats

park supports up to 114 different mammal species, including the endangered black rhinoceros, as well as some 300 different bird species. The Etosha Salt Pan (roughly 130 kilometres long) dominates the park and fills with water briefly in the summer, attracting pelicans and flamingos. B, L D Day 14: Etosha to Midgard. Enjoy a game drive before travelling to Midgard where you stay overnight at a lodge on a private nature reserve at the foot of the Otjihavera mountain range. B, D. Days 15-16: Midgard-Windhoek-UK. Drive to Windhoek for your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day. B Accommodation… Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino (4*) • Lapa Lange Lodge (3*), Kalahari Desert • Fish River Lodge (3+*)

• Sossusvlei Lodge (4*), Sesriem • Zum Kaiser Hotel (3*), Swakopmund • Damara Mopane Lodge (3*), Damaraland • Epacha Game Lodge (3+*), Etosha National Park • Midgard Country Lodge (4*). Please note: Departures in 2019 follow a 16-night itinerary and include a night in Luderitz after departing Fish River Canyon. The January 14, 2020, departure stays at Gondwana Canyon Lodge instead of Fish River Canyon Lodge.

Solo travelers … 15 nights departing November 16, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF808. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

A true taste of Africa On this fascinating holiday you can explore the many faces of Namibia – a land of contrast and beauty. When you’re not out exploring, experience another facet of Namibia as you stay in a series of lodges during your tour. At Lapa Lange Lodge on the edge of the Kalahari, stay beside a waterhole on semi-desert savannah. Fish River Lodge sits perched on the rim of breathtaking Fish River Canyon, while Damara Mopane Lodge is reminiscent of an African village. You’ll stay in six lodges (plus two hotels) during your tour, each offering its own unique African experience and hospitality.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE £100

per person on Apr 7, 2020 departure Prices from: Nov 5, 2019 4099 Jan 14, 2020 3449 Apr 7 3899 3799 May 12 3999 Sep 8 3999 Oct 6 3999 Nov 3 3799 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3928. Where Deserts Meet. Holiday code: NB005. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 (for 2020 or £155 for 2019) applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on South African Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 135

TANZANIA & KENYA

The Land of Kilimanjaro 9 nights from £3299 Including optional travel insurance or from £3228 without insurance§ Join this tour of Kenya and Tanzania to discover its wildlife and natural wonders including Mount Kilimanjaro. See the elephants of Amboseli, visit Lake Manyara, enjoy thrilling safari drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and meet Maasai villagers…

A elephants grazes in the shadow of Kilimanjaro ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Nairobi. Fly overnight to Nairobi. Day 2: UK-Nairobi. Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to Amboseli National Park where you’ll stay for two nights at an intimate lodge. With majestic herds of elephants drifting through Acacia trees and sparse bush against a backdrop of by the 19,341-foot-high Kilimanjaro – the Roof of Africa – Amboseli provides a gentle introduction to your African adventure. Spend the afternoon relaxing or join an optional safari drive (extra charge). L, D Day 3: Amboseli. Today look forward to an early morning and afternoon safari drive in Amboseli National Park. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the park’s unique ecosystem of dry lake beds and swamps supports an enviable collection

Nairobi

Kenya nights in hotel

Serengeti Game Reserve Olduvai Gorge and Museum Ngorongoro Lake Manyara Tarangire

Amboseli National Park Mount Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro Arusha

Tanzania

136 Please quote SMT19

of animals, including over 400 species of birds, Cape buffalo, impala, East African lion, cheetah, spotted hyena and Maasai giraffes as well as the free-roaming herds of elephant for which the park has become famous. B, L, D Day 4: Tarangire. After breakfast drive south to the Tanzanian border, meet your Tanzanian driver and guide and proceed to Arusha, for lunch at a restaurant. This dusty East African city, at the base of Mount Meru, is the gateway to the Serengeti. Head into Tarangire and a tented lodge for an overnight stay. Located near Lake Manyara it’s an ideal base from which to spot wildlife. Perhaps join optional walking safari’s via its private access to the southern shores of the lake, where the shallows welcome flamingos and you might spot hippo wallowing in the cool waters. B, L, D Day 5: Serengeti. After breakfast set off for the Serengeti Game Reserve with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife on the way. You’ll stay in a lodge in the park, for two nights, giving you unrivalled access to the Serengeti and the seasonal flow of the Great Migration. After lunch head out on an afternoon safari drive into what is arguably Tanzania’s best park. June and July provide peak viewing while the wilderbeest calving season plays out in February. Sightings of big cats are common in the sparse scrub and herds of buffalo, elephant, giraffe, eland, topi, kongoni, impala and gazelle are year-round residents of the park. B, L, D

Day 6: Serengeti. Set off on a game drive before breakfast to catch a glimpse of the park at its most active, with big cats on the prowl for a kill. Return to the camp to relax before a late afternoon game drive. Safari vehicles here are small, taking a maximum of seven passengers so with the agreement of your fellow passengers and driver you can tailor the experience to suit you. B, L, D Day 7: Ngorongoro. Today drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop briefly at Olduvai Gorge and Museum, to see artefacts from Olduvai Gorge, including skeletons and casts of footprint trails of 3 to 4 million-year-old ancestors of modern man. Later, drive on to your mountain lodge set on high ground overlooking Oldeani Mountain and the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. Spend the afternoon at leisure admiring views of the surrounding wilderness. B, L, D Day 8: Ngorongoro. After breakfast, drive to the Crater Floor for a full-morning game drive. This volcanic caldera, with its glistening lake and low bush, provides a unique ecosystem rich in wildlife that has been protected from hunting since 1928. This afternoon you’ll visit a Maasai village, where proud Maasai dressed in brightly coloured robes and jewellery will welcome you with a traditional dance – a truly memorable experience. B, L, D Days 9-10: Ngorongoro. Drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport, pausing en route at the Arusha Coffee Lodge for lunch. Take your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next morning. B, L

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/kilimanjaro

Small group 18 or less

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 7 nights in hotels or lodges and 2 in flight • 22 meals: 7 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners

Giraffe

Zebras frolic by a flamingo-filled Lake Manyara

Visit the Serengeti

Excursions and visits • Morning and evening safari drive in Amboseli National Park • See the flamingos and hippo of Lake Manyara • Serengeti National Park game drives • Visit Olduvai Gorge and Museum • Ngorongoro Conservation Area • Visit a Maasai village • Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ • Return flights and transfers • Local expert guide • Sundowner drink in a memorable location • Porterage at all hotels.

Cheetahs take up a vantage point

Accommodation… Oltukai Lodge (4*), Amboseli National Park • Maramboi Tented Lodge (3*), Tarangire • Serengeti Sopa Lodge (4*) • Oldeani Mountain Lodge (5*). Please note: Regional departures with KLM arrive on Day 1 and stay overnight in Nairobi then join the rest of the tour group on Day 2.

Extend your holiday Zanzibar. 4 or 7 nights. Half board. Stay at the locally rated 4-star Sultan Sands Island Resort. Single room supplement (per person, per night) applies. Only available when flying with Ethiopian Airlines.

SAVE up to £400 per person on selected departures

Walk with a Maasai guide along Lake Manyara On your exhilarating adventure through Kenya and Tanzania you’ll spend a night in the beautiful Maramboi Tented Lodge, in Tarangire, where you have unrivalled private access to the shores of Lake Manyara. With a backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, the lake, which Hemingway described as “the loveliest in Africa”, is home to a plethora of flora and fauna including baboons, hippo, elephant, wildebeest and giraffes. From afar it shimmers pink with elegant flocks of migrating flamingo. You might also see long-crested eagle and kingfisher, among the 300 migratory bird species that visit the lake. On your visit you have the opportunity to join an included excursion to walk along the shores of the lake in the company of a local Maasai guide. These proud and welcoming indigenous people will share their local knowledge of this unique ecosystem and its inhabitants.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 9, 2019 3999 3599 Nov 11 3599 3399 Jan 13, 2020 3999 Mar 9 3799 May 11 3299 Sep 7 4099 Oct 12 3999 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3398. The Land of Kilimanjaro. Holiday code: TA100. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19

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KENYA

Kenyan Safari 8 nights from £2349 Including optional travel insurance or from £2322 without insurance§ Discover Kenya – original home of the safari – during stays in lodges and tented camps within a Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara Game Reserve, where the scenery is awesome and the wildlife abundant…

Enjoy game drives ACTIVITY LEVEL Kenya – the home of ‘Born Free’ where Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lion. It is the land of the elegant Maasai people resplendent in red, and of famous Lake Nakuru, whose waters are rendered pink by the reflection of thousands of flamingoes that flock here. With its outstanding wildlife, stunning scenery including the Kenya lake system in the Rift Valley – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and a rich cultural heritage, it is a location that will linger in the memory of all who visit. Day 1: UK-Nairobi. Fly to Nairobi where you’ll stay overnight. Day 2: Ol Pejeta Conservancy. After breakfast, you’ll travel to the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Mount Kenya

nights in hotel

Kenya

Lake Nakuru

Nairobi Masai Mara

138 Please quote SMT19

where you’ll experience the first of your game drives. You’ll stay overnight in a tented camp, set within the conservancy which is dedicated to breeding and protecting the Eastern black rhino – especially from poachers – plus other endangered species. You’ll visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary here, and meet Baraka, a blind rhino, before a late afternoon game drive. B, L, D Day 3: Lake Nakuru. Depart for your lengthy but incredibly scenic drive to Lake Nakuru this morning, past Mount Kenya and into the jaw-dropping East African Rift. Spend two nights at your lodge, overlooking the lake from a hilltop in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park. Although established to protect the lesser flamingo, other animals here include both black and white rhino, baboons, warthogs and giraffe. Look forward to a game drive later this afternoon. B, L, D Day 4: Lake Nakuru. Rise at dawn for an early morning game drive in the reserve – one of the best times for viewing wildlife. Relax at the lodge before a second game drive late this afternoon. B, L, D Day 5: Masai Mara. Depart after breakfast for the five-hour scenic drive to the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, where you’ll spend three nights at a game camp adjoining a Masai village. Late this afternoon enjoy a game drive. here. The great diversity of wildlife has helped to make the Masai Mara one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations with plenty to see throughout the year, including elephant, lion,

cheetah, baboon, giraffe and Cape buffalo. The camp sits close to the path of the Great Migration, when vast herds of wildebeest and zebra make the return journey from Tanzania, into the Masai Mara in search of food and water. B, L, D Day 6: Masai Mara. The Masai Mara Game Reserve is famous for its vistas of rolling grasslands, red earth and distant hills. Enjoy a pre-breakfast game drive, with another game drive later this afternoon. You have an excellent chance of seeing the Big Five, particularly big cats, as the Mara has the largest number of lions in Kenya. B, L, D Day 7: Masai Mara. Depart before breakfast on a game drive. The rest of the day is at leisure before a late afternoon game drive. You may have the chance to take an optional walking safari accompanied by a Masai spotter who will be on the lookout for predators and a knowledgeable Masai guide who will provide commentary on the sightings. B, L, D Days 8-9: Masai Mara-Nairobi Travel to Nairobi after lunch at the camp and arrive at the Somak Lounge where you can freshen up and enjoy a light dinner. Transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next morning. B, L, D Accommodation… Tamarind Tree Hotel, Nairobi (3*) • Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy (4*) • Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru (4*) • Sarova Mara Game Camp, Masai Mara (4*).

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/out-of-africa

Small group 18 or less

Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 7 nights in a hotel/lodge/tented camp and 1 in flight • 21 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners Excursions and visits Visit the Ol Pejeta Chimpanzee Sanctuary Meet Baraka, the blind rhino Two game drives in Ol Pejeta Conservancy Three game drives at Lake Nakuru National Park Five game drives in the Masai Mara Game Reserve l

Lions at Masai Mara

A rescued chimpanzee

Extend your holiday Zanzibar. 4 nights Half board. After your safari enjoy four nights at the locally rated 4-star Sultan Sands Island Resort in Kiwengwa, on the Zanzibar archipelago. The resort has a blend of Swahili and Arab architecture, an idyllic beach location and choice of leisure and dining options.

Serengeti National Park

Mombasa. 4 nights Half board. After your safari enjoy a relaxing stay at the locally rated 4-star Sarova White Sands Beach Resort and Spa, set beside 300 metres of beautiful white sandy beach. Please call lfor details.

SAVE up to £200

per person on selected departures

The Great Migration Set in one of the most impressive natural backdrops in the whole of Africa, the great diversity of wildlife here has helped to make the Masai Mara one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. It offers plenty to see throughout the year, but the Camp sits close to the path of the Great Migration, a spectacle to witness! This natural phenomenon occurs between June and October when vast herds of wildebeest and zebra make the return journey from Tanzania, across the Serengeti Plains and into the Masai Mara, as seasonal rain fills the water holes and prompts the growth of the grass they need to survive. Needless to say, not all make it as they are ruthlessly stalked by predators during the journey…

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Oct 17, 2019 3099 2899 Nov 14 2699 2499 Jan 16, 2020 2699 2649 May 14 2399 2349 Sep 10 3099 3049 Oct 15 2899 2849 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2349 Kenyan Safari. Holiday code: KN003. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £27 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19 139

UGANDA

Gorillas of Uganda ACTIVE 11 nights from £4099 Including optional travel insurance or from £4028 without insurance§ Enjoy a 9-night tour of Uganda, including gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking; hike in the Rwenzori mountains; cruise the Kazinga Channel and explore Mburo National Park.

Uganda’s endangered gorillas ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Entebbe, Uganda. Fly overnight to Uganda. Day 2: Entebbe. Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to your guest house, set in tropical gardens. Explore the city at leisure – once the country’s colonial capital, it boasts a relaxed tempo and urban oases of green. D Day 3: Kibale National Park. This morning travel to the Kibale National Park where you’ll spend the next two nights at a hotel. Transfers on the tour are long but incredibly scenic, making ‘getting there’ half the fun. En route today you’ll pass through Uganda’s tea-growing area with the opportunity to explore a plantation. This afternoon, you have free time to explore the landscaped gardens or take the 10-minute walk into the friendly town of Fort Portal. B, L, D

Uganda nights in hotel

Kibale National Park Kasese Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha sector

Bigodi Entebbe Lake Mburu National Park

Bwindi National Park

140 Please quote SMT19

Days 4: Kibale National Park. Kibale Forest is home to the largest population of endangered chimpanzees in Uganda and has the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa. This morning, trek through the forest in search of chimpanzees and rare birds. Enjoy a traditional lunch at Tinka’s Homestead before a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a terrific experience for birders. Later, you might like to visit a local school. B, L, D Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park. This morning, enjoy a guided hike on Mount Rwenzori’s diamond trail. Accompanied by an experienced guide explore the forests of the foothills, spotting primates and birds with fleeting glimpses of the Mountains of the Moon through the canopy. The 10-kilometre hike takes around four hours. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park and enjoy a safari drive. Stay two nights in a safari lodge on the Kazinga Channel. B, L, D Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park. This morning, set out on a game drive through the National Park. The park’s diverse biospheres support over 100 species of mammal including colobus, chimpanzee, red tailed monkey and olive baboon. This afternoon, visit a local fishing village and meet the boatmen. Cruise along the Kazinga Channel and hopefully see hippos and monstrous Nile crocodiles. B, L, D Day 7: Bwindi National Park. Depart for Bwindi National Park, home of the mountain gorilla. On the way enjoy a game drive through the Ishasha sector, home of the

rare tree-climbing lion. Continue to Bwindi National Park and check into a lodge for a three-night stay. B, L, D Days 8: Bwindi National Park. Trek through Bwindi National Park in the company of personal porters and an experienced guide. Discover the diverse plants and wildlife of the tropical rainforest and get close to family groups of mountain gorillas. There are 700 of these peaceful and highly-intelligent creatures in the park and the groups you will visit are accustomed to the presence of tourists. This evening, enjoy a lecture on the gorillas from an eminent primatologist. (Please note: due to the limited availability of permits, your trek may take place on day 9 instead.) B, L, D Day 9: Bwindi National Park. Relax at the hotel or join one of the many optional excursions on offer. These include a second distinct gorilla trek, a community walk to meet a traditional healer, local beer maker and Batwa Pygmies, or a Bwindi forest walk exploring the magical cloud forest. B, L, D Day 10: Lake Mburu National Park. Enjoy a six-hour scenic drive to Lake Mburu National Park. As you enter the park, a patchwork of savannah, forest, swamp and isolated rocks, you’re treated to a game drive, with the chance to spot herds of impala and zebra among other wild creatures. Check into your lodge, from where you can spot buffalo, eland, impala and zebra in the valley below. Later, visit cattle herders to learn about their lives and work. B, L, D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/uganda-gorillas

Small group 14 or less Safari

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 9 nights in lodges and 2 in flight • 27 meals: 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners Excursions and visits Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp walk Day hike on Mount Rwenzori Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park Kazinga Channel boat ride Game drive in Ishasha Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park with personal porter Visit Lake Mburo National Park Nature walk in Mburo National Park l

Rare tree lion

Kibale National Park

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Local expert guide Tourist visa Porterage at all hotels and lodges. l

Visit Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest National Park

Days 11-12: Entebbe-UK. Set out on an early morning guided nature walk to witness one of the most active times in the park’s daily cycle, returning to the lodge for breakfast. Depart for Entebbe, enjoying a farewell game drive on the way to the airport. Fly overnight to the UK, arriving the next morning. B, L Accommodation… Boma Guest House (3*), Entebbe • Mountains of the Moon Hotel (3*), Kibale National Park • Mweya Safari Lodge (3*), Queen Elizabeth National Park • Silverback Lodge (3*), Bwindi National Park • Mihingo Lodge (3*), Lake Mburu National Park.

Please note: departures on January 25, 2020 will stay at the Lake Heights Entebbe hotel on day 2, and departures on June 13, 2020 will stay at the Mantana Tented Camp on day 10.

Extend your holiday Murchison Falls National Park. 2 nights. Full board. Before your main tour enjoy two nights at the locally rated 3-star Paraa Safari Lodge, in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park. This is Uganda’s largest national park and one of the best in which to spot wildlife, including four of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo – and Uganda’s only wild rhinos.

Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Uganda is renowned for its diverse primate population, with Africa’s highest density of ape and monkey living in the evergreen rainforests of Kibale National Park. In the company of an experienced guide you’ll trek through this dense, noisy tangle of vegetation in search of Uganda’s largest population of endangered chimpanzees. Although protected these chimps are still killed for bush meat or captured for the pet trade and continued encroachment on their habitat means their existence in the wild remains precarious. In Bwindi National Park you’ll track a family of mountain gorillas assisted by personal porters and guided by experienced rangers. Park rules suggest that you remain seven metres from these supremely intelligent creatures but don’t be surprised if they approach you to see what a being that shares 98% of their DNA looks like up close. There are an estimated 700 individuals in the park, up from a dismal 300 in 1991.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £200

per person on selected departures Prices from: Sep 14, 2019 4299 4099 Oct 12 4199 4099 Jan 11, 2020 4399 Jan 25 4399 4299 Mar 7 4199 Jun 13 4399 Sep 12 4299 Oct 10 4199 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4648 Gorillas of Uganda. Holiday code: UG001. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing and including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19

141

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia: An Antique Land 12 nights from £2799 Including optional travel insurance or from £2728 without insurance§ Unravel the timeless mysteries of Ethiopia on this enthralling tour that explores the unique cultural heritage, ancient ruins and unrivalled natural beauty of this warm and friendly country that must be seen to be believed.

Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Addis Ababa. Fly overnight to Addis Ababa. Day 2: Addis Ababa. Before checking in to your hotel for a two-night stay, enjoy an afternoon tour of Ethiopia's capital. You'll visit Holy Trinity Cathedral and the National Museum, home to the famous three-millionyear-old skeleton known as 'Lucy'. L, D Day 3: The Blue Nile Gorge area. Spectacular scenery awaits on an included visit to the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge area. En route you'll visit the ancient monastery of Debre Libanos. B, L, D Day 4: Bahir Dar. Take a morning flight to the lakeside city of Bahir Dar where an afternoon tour reveals a colourful market with stalls selling coffee beans, local handicrafts and fragrant spices. Stay two nights at your hotel B, L, D

Axum

Gondar Lake Tana

Bahir Dar

Ethiopia nights in hotel

Simien Mountains Lalibela Blue Nile Falls Debre Libanos Addis Ababa

Rift Valley

142 Please quote SMT19

Bale Mountains

Day 5: Bahir Dar. This morning you'll discover the Blue Nile Falls, nicknamed 'smoking water', on an included excursion. Later you have the chance to explore some of the local villages on an excursion or perhaps relax beside the lake. B, L, D Day 6: Gondar. Take a morning boat cruise on Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, looking out for a variety of birdlife. You'll leave from Bahir Dar and visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam. After lunch at Bahir Dar, drive to Gondar for a three-night hotel stay, visiting local villages en route. B, L, D Day 7: Gondar. Enjoy a leisurely sightseeing tour of Gondar and the fortress-city of Fasil Ghebbi, where ancient palaces, churches and monasteries are encircled by a vast, crumbling wall. B, L, D Day 8: Simien Mountains. Today an included full-day excursion visits the spectacular UNESCO-listed Simien Mountains National Park, where you may be lucky enough to spot the extremely rare Gelada baboon and Walia ibex, a goat found nowhere else on earth! B, L, D Day 9: Axum. Fly to Axum, where an included tour reveals the 20th-century Church of St Mary of Zion and the 17th-century church of the same name, next door to which is the chapel that supposedly houses the Ark of the Covenant. Later explore the Stelae Field with its huge granite obelisks before heading to your hotel for an overnight stay. B, L, D

Day 10: Lalibela. Fly to Lalibela for a two-night hotel stay. An included afternoon tour visits one of Africa's most important religious and historic sites, the medieval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela including the cross-shaped church of Bete Giyorgis (St George). B, L, D Day 11: Lalibela. Today you visit more of Lalibela's monolithic cave churches. This afternoon you'll experience traditional Ethiopian hospitality and cuisine during an included visit to a guest house. B, L, D Day 12: Addis Ababa. This morning, fly back to the capital for an overnight stay. Explore the vibrant open-air market of Merkato, one of the largest in Africa then spend the rest of the day at leisure. B, L, D Day 13: Addis Ababa-UK. Travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Capital Hotel and Spa (5*) or Golden Tulip (4*), Addis Ababa • Avanti Blue Nile Resort (4*) or the Kuriftu Resort and Spa (4*), Bahir Dar • Goha Hotel (4*) or Mayleko Lodge (4*), Gondar • Sabean Hotel (4*) or Yared Zema Hotel (4*), Axum • Maribela Hotel (3*) or at the Mountain View Hotel (2*), Lalibela • Capital Hotel and Spa (5*) or Golden Tulip (4*).

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/antiqueland

Small group 16 or less

Your tour includes l

VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details 11 nights in hotels and 1 in flight 33 meals: 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners

Excursions and visits City tour of Addis Ababa The Blue Nile Gorge area Tour of Bahir Dar Boat trip on Lake Tana Gondar and Fasil Ghebbi Simien Mountains National Park Tour Axum and its Stelae Field The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela Visit a local guest house in Lalibela Addis Ababa market l

Baboons in the Simien Mountains

Debre Libanos Monastery

Priests celebrating ‘Timkat’

Please note: At most of the sites visited – and around some accommodation – the ground is generally rocky and uneven, and there will be a few challenging walks. Tourism in Ethiopia is still in its infancy and accommodation outside of Addis Ababa is comfortable but can be fairly basic.

Ethiopia is a deeply spiritual country

Extend your holiday The Rift Valley and Bale Mountains. 5 nights . Full board. Before your tour, travel from Addis Ababa via the Rift Valley to Langano, staying at Lake Langanom, Bale Mountains National Park and Awassa, before commencing your main tour. Single room supplement (per person, per tour) applies. Please call lfor details.

SAVE up to £500 per person on selected departures

Lalibela’s medieval rock-hewn churches The cross-shaped church of Bete Giyorgis (St George) is just one of 11 monolithic cave churches, they have been cut out of the rock so their roofs are at ground level. How were they carved using basic tools? How long did it take? What happened to the rock that was removed? Legend has it that angels assisted in the building! Still visited by pilgrims, it is possible to venture inside some of them, though only by lots of uneven steps. Obviously they are dark inside, but some feature internal wall paintings and mosaics and they all have a resident monk!

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Oct 30, 2019 3299 2799 Nov 13 3199 3099 Feb 12 3499 Mar 18 3299 Oct 7 3299 Nov 4 3199 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3098. Ethiopia: An Antique Land. Holiday code: ETA10. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Ethiopian Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost! l

Please quote SMT19 143

MADAGASCAR

Madagascar: The Lost Continent 14 nights from £2999 Including optional travel insurance or from £2928 without insurance§ There is no place on Earth like Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island and home to an incredible array of flora and fauna evolved from 80 million years of isolation in the Indian Ocean. Nowhere else will you find such weird and wonderful wildlife, or the 2,000-year-old Malagasy culture, steeped in taboo and magic.

Ring-tailed Lemurs ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK- Madagascar. Fly overnight to Madagascar. Day 2: Antananarivo. Arrive in the capital of Madagascar for an overnight stay. Relax after your journey, with dinner at the hotel tonight. D Day 3: Antsirabe. Enjoy a city tour of Tana – the local name of Antananarivo – taking in the upper town, Independence Avenue, Anosy Lake and the flower market. Afterwards, take a scenic drive south to Antsirabe, where you’ll stay for two nights. En route stop for lunch in Ambatolampy, the town known as the ‘capital of aluminium’ and see the processes involved in making pots and pans. Continue to Antsirabe, where you’ll visit workshops to see the production of jewellery, boiled sweets and decorative artefacts created from animal horns. B, L, D

Antananarivo

Madagascar

Andasibe National Park Peyrieras Reptile Reserve Ambatolampy Antsirabe Ambositra

Ranomfana National Park Sahambavy Anja Reserve Ranohira (for Isalo)

nights in hotel

Day 4: Antsirabe. Discover daily life in rural Antsirabe on a walking tour with a local guide, where you’ll meet local people going about their work at home or in the rice fields. Stroll on the lake shore to meet the traders and browse their offerings of handicrafts and gem stones. The afternoon is at leisure. B, L, D Day 5: Sahambavy. Continue your journey south towards Sahambavy, through changing landscapes. Pause in Ambositra, a centre of woodcarving, for lunch. You’ll stay near Fianarantsoa for two nights, in stilted houses set in Sahambavy Lake, surrounded by a tea plantation. Close to the hotel is the railway station, where you may see local traders meeting the train with food or handicrafts for sale. B, L, D Day 6: Ranomafana. Visit Ranomfana National Park for a walking tour through the forest trails. The local guides will head off track if necessary to show you the flora or fauna, including golden bambu lemurs which are endemic to this Park. B, L, D Day 7: Ranohira (for Isalo). Continue south towards Ranohira, the gateway to Isalo National Park, through sapphire mining villages and the Ambalavao rice-growing region. Stop for lunch then visit a women’s paper-making workshop. Call in at the Anja Reserve, managed by the Betsileo people as a conservation site for ring-tailed lemurs, chameleons and a host of birds and plants. Arrive in Isalo for two-night stay. B, L, D

Day 8: Isalo National Park. Isalo National Park is a vast sandstone massif, divided by a canyon and eroded into distinctive strata and weird formations by wind and rain. The Bara tribe here regard the mountain as sacred as they bury their ancestors’ bones in the highest rock clefts they can climb to. Bara people farm local cows, called zibus, and such is their value that cattle rustling is common. Explore the Park with a guide, keeping a lookout for an array of birds, reptiles, frogs and the Verreaux’s sifaka or ‘dancing lemur’! B, L, D Day 9: Ifaty. Head south, passing through the dry Spiny Land to the former fishing villages of Ifaty and Mangily, on the south west coast of the island. Stay two nights at a beach-side hotel. B, L, D Day 10: Ifaty. Visit Reniala Private Reserve, to see plants used for medicinal purposes and statuesque baobab trees, one of which is 1200 years old! You’ll be amazed by the variety of birds you’ll spot here, along with chameleons, geckos and insects. B, L, D Day 11: Andasibe. After breakfast, fly back to the island’s capital, Antananarivo. After lunch, drive to the centre of the island and Andasibe National Park where you will stay for two nights in Lodge bungalows. B, L, D

Ifaty

144 Please quote SMT19

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/madagascar

Small group 18 or less

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 34 meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 12 dinners Excursions and visits Tour of Antananarivo Visit to Ambatolampy aluminium workshop Horn workshop, jewellery store and sweet shop Ranomafama National Park Ambalavao hand-made paper factory Isalo National Park and the Canyon des Makis Reniala National Park Andasibe National Park Peyrieras Reptile Reserve l

Traditional Malagasy face paint

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels. l

Panther Chameleon

Day 12: Andasibe National Park. Explore the Analamazaotra Reserve, to see palm trees, tree-ferns, vivid lichens, air plants and hundreds of orchid species. A large percentage of the many birds, amphibians and animals you will see are unique to Madagascar, including the tree-dwelling lemur, Indri Indri. After lunch head out to the Vakona Pivate Reserve for the chance to see more species. B, L, D Day 13: Antananarivo. Drive back to the island’s capital for an overnight stay. You’ll stop en route at Peyrieras Reptile Reserve

The Giraffe Weevil

to view crocodiles, geckos and chameleons, including the colourful Panther chameleon. B, L, D Days 14-15: Antanarivo-UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, via Addis Ababa, arriving in the UK on day 15. B Accommodation… Hotel Carlton, Antananarivo (5*) • Le Royal Palace Hotel (3*+) • Le Lac Hotel (3*), Fianarantsoa • Le Relais de la Reine (3*+), Isalo • Les Dunes d’Ifaty (3*) • Vakona Forest Lodge (3*), Andasibe • Hotel Carlton, Antananarivo (5*).

The eighth continent Madagascar has been isolated from other lands for 88 million years, and as a result around 90 per cent of the animals and plants found here are endemic – they exist nowhere else on Earth. Hence the fact some ecologists refer to it as the eighth continent. It is the absence of monkeys on the island that allowed the lemur to thrive and diversify, although loss of habitat has caused some to become endangered or even extinct. Some species are endemic to only particular areas – Ranomafana National Park is one of the only places where you’ll find the Golden Bamboo lemur.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Oct 25, 2019 3299 Nov 15 3299 Mar 13, 2020 2999 Apr 10 3099 Jun 12 3199 Sep 4 3299 Oct 23 3299 Nov 13 3199 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3498 Madagascar: The Lost Continent. Holiday code: MG12A. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Ethiopian Airways from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 145

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/enchanting

MAURITIUS

Enchanting Mauritius: An Island Discovery RELAXED

Best seller Small group 20 or less

16 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £3399 Including optional travel insurance or from £3244 without insurance§ Explore and relax on this idyllic Indian Ocean island tour. You’ll experience the cultural, historical and contrasting natural highlights of Mauritius while staying in three stylish, all-inclusive resorts.

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 42 meals: 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners • Free bar open for a minimum of 12-and-a-half hours at each hotel Excursions and visits Visit the Lake of Grand Bassin Mahebourg Naval Museum Visit to a colonial house, tea plantation and rum distillery Tour of historic Souillac Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens Sugar Adventure Museum Visit to Cap Malheureux and the Historic Marine model ship factory Guided walk through La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve ●

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Mauritius

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Mauritius Turtle Bay Port Louis

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Moka

Belle Mare

Telfair Garden

La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve

Casela Bird Park Plaine Champagne Bel Ombre

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Malheureux Pamplemousses Garden La Nicolière

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Mahebourg Souillac Gris Gris

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nights in hotel

Colourful island culture

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ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Mauritius. Fly overnight to Mauritius. Day 2: Bel Ombre. Transfer to your hotel in Bel Ombre where you stay for five nights. L, D Day 3: South Mauritius. Visit the sacred Lake of Grand Bassin, surrounded by temples and sacrificial sites. Continue through the tropical rainforest of Plaine Champagne to Chamarel Waterfalls. Next stop is the rum distillery in Chamarel – enjoy a tour and tasting. B, L, D Day 4: Mahebourg. Drive to Mahebourg to visit the Naval Museum, located in a beautiful 18th-century Creole mansion. Another highlight is the colonial Notre Dame Des Anges church. Afterwards, visit the Biscuterie Rault Factory. An optional excursion visits Trou aux Cerfs volcano. B, L, D Day 5: The tea route. Join a half-day tour delving into the island's tea history! Explore Domaine des Aubineaux before continuing to Bois-Cheri. Enjoy a guided tour of the Tea Museum then visit the St Aubin sugar plantation house. B, L, D Day 6: Bel Ombre. Enjoy a day at leisure or perhaps go on an optional dolphin-watching trip or to Casela Nature Park. B, L, D Day 7: Souillac-Turtle Bay. Visit the historic village of Souillac and a garden developed by the Irish botanist Charles Telfair. Travel north to your hotel in Balaclava where you spend the next five nights. B, L, D Day 8: Turtle Bay. Perhaps join an optional cruise along the north shores of the island or venture on an optional underwater safari. B, L, D

146 Please quote SMT19

Day 9: Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens. Admire the flora at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Pamplemousse, then visit the Sugar Adventure Museum, housed in an old sugar factory. The afternoon is at leisure. B, L, D Day 10: Cap Malheureux. Visit dramatic Cap Malheureux and the Historic Marine model ship factory. B, L, D Day 11: Turtle Bay. Perhaps join an optional half-day tour of the capital, Port Louis. B, L, D Day 12: Belle Mare. Travel to Belle Mare for your final four nights. B, L, D Day 13: Belle Mare. Relax at your hotel, or explore independently. B, L, D Day 14: Belle Mare. Perhaps join an optional catamaran cruise along the island’s east coast. B, L, D Day 15: La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve. Enjoy a walk through La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve, before visiting a coffee museum. B, L, D Days 16-17: Mauritius-UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight home. B Accommodation… Tamassa, An All Inclusive Resort (4*), Bel Ombre • InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort (5*), Balaclava • Solana Beach, Belle Mare (4*). Extend your holiday Belle Mare. 3 nights All inclusive. Spend more time at the locally rated 4-star Solana Beach. Please call lfor details.

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected dates

Prices from: Jan 13, 2020 3699 3649 Feb 10 3699 3599 Mar 9 3749 3699 May 11 3549 3499 Jun 8 3399 Sep 7 3399 Oct 5 3699 Nov 2 3699 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4298 Enchanting Mauritius: An Island Discovery. Holiday code: MS3T1. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £155 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. · Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades · Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/seychelles-explorer

SEYCHELLES

Seychelles Island Explorer 10 nights from £3799

Small group 14 or less

Cruising

Including optional travel insurance or from £3728 without insurance§

Your tour includes

Discover the beautiful Seychelles as you cruise from one ‘paradise’ island to the next in search of the Seychelles' fascinating flora and fauna.

•V IP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 2 nights in a hotel, 7 nights aboard M/Y Pegasus and 1 in flight • 24 meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 9 dinners • Free drinks with lunch and dinner aboard M/Y Pegasus • Unlimited tea, coffee and mineral water aboard M/Y Pegasus Excursions and visits Swimming and snorkelling from your motor yacht Nature walk on Curieuse Discover the beautiful beach of Anse Lazio on Praslin Explore the uninhabited island of Felicite Sightseeing in Victoria A short guided tour around Moyenne Island l

The paradise isle of La Digue

PRASLIN Aride

Felicite Curieuse To Moyenne La Digue St Pierre Seychelles Baie St. Anne Anse Lazio St Anne Moyenne Cousin From St Anne

Victoria

Mahé

nights in hotel nights on ship

MAHÉ

Pointe Au Sel

M/Y Pegasus ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Dubai-Seychelles. Fly overnight to the Seychelles via Dubai. Day 2: Mahé. Arrive on the island of Mahé, where your hotel for the next two nights is situated beside beautiful Pointe Au Sel beach. D Day 3: Mahé. Relax today or perhaps join an optional excursion to the south of the island. B, D Day 4: St Anne Island. After a sightseeing tour to the island's capital, Victoria, embark M/Y Pegasus and cruise to nearby St Anne Island, where you'll moor overnight. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner. B, D Day 5: Curieuse. Cruise to Curieuse Island, where your ship will remain overnight. Now a protected part of the Marine Park, the island is home to a wild population of giant tortoises. Explore the old turtle farm and mangrove forests in the company of a park guide, enjoy a barbecue and time at leisure. B, L, D Day 6: Cousin Island-Anse Lazio, Praslin. Sail to Cousin Island and visit the bird sanctuary. The island has helped conserve two endangered species and is an important breeding site for Hawksbill turtles. This afternoon, head to Anse Lazio on the island of Praslin – regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – where M/Y Pegasus will drop anchor for the night. B, L, D Day 7: Aride-St Pierre-Baie St Anne, Praslin. Cruise to Aride, a dedicated nature reserve with one of the Indian Ocean’s most important sea bird populations. Leaving Aride, pause at St Pierre before continuing to Baie St Anne on the island of Praslin enjoying a Creole night on board this evening. B, L, D Day 8: Felicite-La Digue. Enjoy a morning at leisure, or perhaps join an optional excursion to the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve. Later M/Y Pegasus sails

to the uninhabited island of Felicite. Enjoy the chance to snorkel before sailing to La Digue, where you moor overnight. B, L, D Day 9: Moyenne Island. Relax or perhaps join an optional excursion in La Digue visiting the L’Union Estate and the beach of Anse Source D’Argent. Later, sail to Moyenne Island where you anchor overnight. B, L, D Day 10: Mahé. Enjoy a short guided island tour, some free time for swimming and a beach barbeque before sailing back to Mahé's Victoria port, with live music on board this evening during the Captain's farewell dinner. B, L, D Day 11: Mahé-Dubai-UK. Disembark and travel to the airport for your return flight via Dubai. B Accommodation… Crown Beach Hotel , Mahé (4*). Extend your holiday Seychelles. 3 or 5 nights. Half board. After your cruise, relax on the coast of Pointe Au Sel. Dubai. 3 nights. Breakfast included. Before your holiday, contrast the Seychelles with Dubai. Upgrades available. Please call for details

M/Y Pegasus hhhh Carrying a maximum of 44 passengers, this comfortable 45-metre motor yacht has an informal atmosphere. Facilities include an elegant lounge on the Upper Deck, a dining room, bar and deck. There are 21 air-conditioned cabins. Please note: you'll often travel by Zodiac or tender from the ship to the shore for 'beach' landings.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Sun/Main Upper/Main Deck B Deck A Feb 19, 2020 3799 Sold out Sold out Mar 4 Sold out 3999 4299 Jun 10 Sold out Sold out 3749 Sep 9 3399 3499 3749 Oct 21 3799 3999 4299 Seychelles Island Explorer. Holiday code: SC001. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details. Prices from:

Sun Deck C

Getting You There Prices are based on Emirates from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·F ly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

147

Cuba’s classic cars Part of Cuba’s unique aesthetic are the numerous brightly- coloured, vintage American cars which cruise the streets honking their horns. Old Buicks and Chryslers, Fords and Chevrolets transport you to 1950s glamour and they are as much a part of Cuba as Che Guevara and mojito cocktails. Ever since the 1960s embargo, Cubans have modified these vintage vehicles putting in new engines and parts to make them road worthy even today.

Explore Havana, page 150

Into the rainforest Travel to Costa Rica and you’re in for a real treat as there are so many fantastic National Parks and reserves to see sloths, iguanas, monkeys and anteaters, as well as some of the world’s most awe-inspiring scenery. Enjoy walks in the rainforest and jungle, visit Carara National Park and take boat trips to spot crocodiles and rare birds.

Discover wild Costa Rica, page 156

The world is waiting to meet you 148

THE CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AM ERICA From spirited Cuba with its zest for life, to the ancient and mysterious sights of Peru and the colourful wildlife of CostaÂ Rica, what will you discover?

Machu Picchu

One of the most beautiful and mysterious ancient sites in the world, Machu Picchu is a mus t see for any visitor to Peru. Shr ouded in myth and legend, this imp ressive site rem ained undiscovered to conquering Spaniards and lay alm ost forgotten until the 20th cen tury. Discover it for yourself on a thrilling tour of South Ame rica.

Discover mysterious Machu Picchu, page 160

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CUBA

Viva Cuba 15 nights from £2349^ Including optional travel insurance or from £2239^ without insurance§ This exciting tour introduces you to Cuba's highlights, from the spiritual home of Cuban dance and music in the south east, Santiago de Cuba, to the vibrant capital in the north, Havana.

Cuba is famed for its classic cars ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Havana. Fly to Havana and stay three nights. D Day 2: Havana. Explore Old Havana’s narrow cobbled streets, framed by old, colonial-style buildings with wrought-iron balconies and huge wooden doors, with the baroque cathedral at its centre. Contrast the broad avenues of modern Havana, where you'll visit Revolution Square. You can also enjoy a Cuban cocktail lesson and dinner at a local restaurant. Tonight, an optional excursion visits the spectacular open-air Tropicana Nightclub, where Cubans have enjoyed cabaret for 70 years. B, L, D Day 3: Havana. Explore the faded pastel grandeur of extraordinary old Havana independently. See palatial but crumbling baroque homes, refurb’ed 1950s American cars and friendly, smartly-dressed locals smoking massive cigars – even the women! Alternatively, a full-day optional excursion visits the scenic Viñales Valley. B, L, D

Havana Cayo Santa Maria Viñales Valley

Camaguey Trinidad

Cuba

Guardalavaca

Sancti Spiritus Bayamo

nights in hotel

Santiago de Cuba

150 Please quote SMT19

Day 4: Cayo Santa Maria. Depart for this small island off Cuba’s north coast where you spend the next two nights. En route, visit the picturesque town of Santa Clara, the final resting place of Che Guevara, having been liberated by him in 1958. B, L, D Day 5: Cayo Santa Maria. Enjoy the hotel facilities, water sports and white sand beaches. Alternatively, explore the Wildlife Refuge with its abundant birds, on an optional excursion. B, L, D Day 6: Sancti Spiritus. Visit the lovely Spanish colonial town of Trinidad, where sugar fortunes paid for brightly-painted mansions in the 1800s. Enjoy stunning views from the tower of Palace Cantero Museum and call in at the famous La Canchanchara Bar for a Cuba Libre. Stay overnight on the outskirts of Sancti Spiritus. B, L, D Day 7: Camaguey. Explore Spanish colonial Sancti Spiritus, the oldest European settlement on Cuba, then travel to Camaguey, where large rain-collecting urns decorate every street corner and the town plan was designed to trap raiding pirates! Stay overnight. B, L, D Day 8: Bayamo-Santiago de Cuba. Visit tranquil Bayamo, credited as the birthplace of Cuban independence and where horse and cart is the favoured mode of transport. Here, visit a Casa de Trova (community centre) where locals enjoy music and dancing. Continue to Santiago de Cuba for a three-night stay. B, L, D

Day 9: Santiago de Cuba. Enjoy a tour of the nation’s second city, including a visit to Moncada Baracks and the Museum of the 26th July, commemorating Castro’s failed attack in 1953. B, L, D Day 10: Santiago de Cuba. Today is at leisure. An optional harbour cruise provides a different view of the city or you could watch the Changing of the Guard at Santiago Cementario, built for the victims of the War of Independence. B, L, D Day 11: Guardalavaca. After visiting the famous pilgrimage church of Our Lady of Charity outside the city, travel to Guardalavaca for a two-night stay. B, L, D Day 12: Guardalavaca. An optional excursion visits the Chorro de Maita Museum, protecting an excavated indigenous Indian village. B, L, D Day 13: Camaguey. Enjoy the hotel facilities and white sand beaches before travelling to Camaguey after lunch for an overnight stay. B, L, D Day 14: Havana. Travel back to Havana, stopping for lunch in Santa Clara, home to the Che Guevara Mausoleum. Stay overnight in Havana. B, L, D Day 15: Havana-UK. An optional excursion traces Ernest Hemingway’s life in Cuba, from his country retreat, to the fishing village that inspired The Old Man and the Sea to one of his favourite watering holes. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK. B, L Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/vivacuba

Best seller

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 42 meals: 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners • Free bar open 12 hours daily in Cayo Santa Maria and 24 hours in Guardalavaca Excursions and visits Tour of old and new Havana Visit Santa Clara and the Che Guevara mausoleum Guided tour of Trinidad Sightseeing tour of Sancti Spiritus City tour of Camaguey Visit to Bayamo l

Spend time in atmospheric Havana

SAVE up to £150^ per person on Accommodation… Melia Habana Hotel, Havana (5*) • Melia Cayo Santa Maria (5*) • Villa Rancho Hatuey, Sancti Spiritus (2*) • Hotel Colon, Camaguey (2*+) • Melia Santiago de Cuba Hotel (5*) • Sol Rio Luna y Mares, Guardalavaca (4*). Please note: Cuba is a unique and highly rewarding destination, but the tourism infrastructure and local cuisine can sometimes be quite basic. This tour explores much of the island and involves a few long journeys. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details.

selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Extend your holiday Jibacoa 7 nights All inclusive. After your tour spend seven nights at the locally rated 4-star Memories Jibacoa. Excursions are not included. For more information visit saga.co.uk/memories

Cuban culture The culture of Cuba is a heady cocktail of African, European and Indigenous American influences: African drums beat in time with European strings and provide the joyful rhythm for life on this Caribbean paradise. On the streets of Havana crumbling colonial-style villas and Latin America’s best Baroque cathedral stand shoulder to shoulder with brutalist structures embellished with the heroic realist imagery of the Cuban revolution. The overwhelming vibe that one gets in Cuba is one of Caribbean contentment and joie de vivre. And why not? The sun shines, the environment is beautiful, and the pulse of the rumba and salsa is ever present…

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Prices from: Sep 12, 2019 2549 2399 Oct 17 2699 2549 Nov 7 2899 Nov 21 2849 Jan 9, 2020 2899 Jan 23 2999 Feb 6, 20 2999 Mar 5 2949 Apr 2 2799 May 7 2599 2499 Jun 11 2499 2349 Oct 15 2699 Nov 5, 19 2949 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2768 Viva Cuba. Holiday code: CU06B. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·F ly in style - ask about our great value cabin upgrades ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Upgrade to Premium Economy from £599 return

Please quote SMT19

151

CUBA

Cuba Libre 12 nights from £2099^ Including optional travel insurance or from £1989^ without insurance§ Discover Cuba's unique and colourful culture, unspoilt countryside and remarkable diversity, on this tour that takes in colonial cities, lush valleys and idyllic coastal resorts…

Head into the lush Viñales Valley ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Havana. Depart in the morning for your daytime flight to Havana where you stay two nights. D Day 2: Havana. Discover old and new Havana on an included tour, ranging from the cobbled streets, Cuban baroque cathedral and faded pastel mansions of Old Havana – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Revolutionary Square, Havana University and Las Rampas, the cultural heart of Havana’s high-rise metropolis. Enjoy lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. B, L, D Day 3: Havana-Viñales Valley. Travel first to Las Terrazas Nature Reserve, where you can explore and enjoy an included lunch. Afterwards, continue to Viñales where you stay two nights. B, L, D

Cuba

Havana

Varadero

Bay of Pigs Viñales Valley

Santa Clara Cienfuegos Trinidad nights in hotel

152

Please quote SMT19

Day 4: Viñales Valley. The valley is famous for its limestone formations known as 'mogotes' – isolated rocky formations with flat tops. After viewing these Jurassic limestone formations, explore underground caves on an included boat trip, then visit a Cigar Factory in Pinar del Rio, before an afternoon at leisure. B, L, D Day 5: Viñales Valley-Havana. Return to Havana for a further night. This afternoon join an included excursion which takes you on the trail of the author and Nobel prize winner Ernest Hemingway who made Havana his home for nearly 20 years. B, L, D Day 6: Cienfuegos and the Bay of Pigs. En route to Cienfuegos where you stay for three nights, pause at the Bay of Pigs – famous for the unsuccessful 1961 attempt to overthrow Castro’s government, when about 1,500 exiles, partially backed by the USA, landed here but were stopped by Castro’s troops. Visit the Playa Giron Museum, which tells the story of the 1961 attempt. B, L, D Day 7: Cienfuegos. Enjoy an included tour of the UNESCO-listed seaside town of Cienfuegos with its peninsula occupied by 1920’s mansions, and beautifully-preserved French colonial heart. You can aslo look forward to a boat trip, before lunch in a local restaurant. B, L, D

Day 8: Cienfuegos to Trinidad to Cienfuegos. Visit the historic town of Trinidad in central Cuba. Trinidad forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to cobbled streets lined with pastel-coloured villas, a 19th-century cathedral and a museum. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. B, L, D Day 9: Cienfuegos-Santa Clara-Varadero. Head to Varadero, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and stop en route at the final resting place of Che Guevara. Spend three nights on an all-inclusive basis at the seaside resort of Varadero . B, L, D Days 10-11: Varadero. Spend the rest of your holiday at leisure or enjoying optional excursions including a catamaran cruise to the northern cays. B, L, D Day 12: Varadero-Havana-UK. Travel to Havana airport for your overnight flight. B, L Day 13: UK. Arrive in the morning for your included UK door-to-door travel service home. Accommodation… Melia Habana, Havana (5*) • Los Jazmines, Viñales (3*) • Jagua Hotel, Cienfuegos (4*) • Melia Varadero Hotel (5*). Please note: Cuba is a unique and highly rewarding destination, but you will find that the tourism infrastructure and local cuisine can sometimes be quite basic. This tour explores much of the island and does involve a few long journeys. **Tourist visa for full British citizens resident in the UK. See the Essential Information for details. In 2019 this tour follows a different 15-night itinerary.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/cubalibre

Best seller

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 11 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 30 meals: 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners Excursions and visits City tour of Havana Visit to Las Terrazas Nature Reserve Viñales Valley boat trip and Indian cave Cienfuegos tour and boat trip in Cienfuegos Bay Guided tour of Trinidad Visit to Che Guevara mausoleum l

Explore the enchanting streets of Havana

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Welcome drink reception on arrival at each hotel Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels Tourist visa** l

Relax on the tropical shores of Cuba

Views over Trinidad

SAVE up to £400^ per person on Exclusively for solo travellers 12 nights departing May 10, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: CS010. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Extend your holiday Jibacoa. 7 nights. All inclusive. After your tour, spend seven nights at the locally rated 4-star+ Memories Jibacoa, set in a tranquil, unspoilt location between the mountains and golden sandy beach of Arroyo Bermejo on the north coast of Cuba. Please call lfor details.

Havana Havana is described by UNESCO as “one of the best preserved colonial cities in Latin America”, its 16th-century colonial skeleton pocked with the brutalist architecture of the Cuban revolution. For an overview of the city take a stroll along the Malecon esplanade and spot cobbled-together, pre-revolution jalopies. Sights not to be missed include Plaza Vieja, where you can get a unique view of its pastel facades through a camera obscura and Plaza de la Revolución – the revolutions ‘parade ground’ – with its towering monument to Jose Marti and reliefs of revolutionary icons. Find out more about the country and those that have shaped it at Museo De La Revolución and see the revered yacht Granma which brought Castro and his revolution to the island from Mexico. To complete your experience, order a Cuba Libre at the Bodeguita del Medio, a favourite watering hole of émigré Ernest Hemingway.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Oct 6, 2019 2699 2299 Oct 20 - Small Group 2849 Nov 17 2949 Jan 5, 2020 2699 2599 Jan 19 2699 2649 Feb 2 2749 Mar 1 2699 Apr 19 2549 2499 Jun 7 2299 2099 Oct 18 2399 Nov 8 2649 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2478 Cuba Libre. Holiday code: CU012. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Upgrade to Premium Economy from £599 return

Please quote SMT19 153

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/jewels-caribbean

CARIBBEAN

Jewels of the Caribbean RELAXED

Solos departures

14 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £3299^

Island hopping

Including optional travel insurance or from £3189^ without insurance§ Three of the most dazzling of the Caribbean islands are revealed on this laid-back tour from St Lucia to Grenada to Barbados. Discover their diverse charms and soak up the sunshine on some pristine beaches…

Small group 22 or less

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 39 meals: 13 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners • Free bar open up to 15 hours daily Excursions and visits Sundowner cruise with Pitons views Visit to Mamiku Gardens Guided walking tour of St George's Guided walk and picnic at Grand Etang lake West coast tour of Barbados Arlington House Museum in Speightstown Visit to St Nicholas Abbey and Rum and Sugar Museum ●

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View the Pitons on a sunset cruise

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Saint Lucia

Castries

Speightstown

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Barbados Bridgetown

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Grenada

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Saint George's

●

nights in hotel

Colourful Caribbean dancers ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-St Lucia. Take your daytime flight to St Lucia, where you’ll spend your first four nights. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner. D Day 2: St Lucia. Relax by the pool or explore the lush gardens. This evening enjoy a sundowner cruise to view the famous Pitons. Return to the hotel for dinner. B, L, D Day 3: St Lucia. Perhaps take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus to the beach or choose from a range of optional excursions that may be available during your stay – your tour manager can advise. B, L, D Day 4: St Lucia. Visit Mamiku Botanical Gardens, set in twelve acres of woodland gardens around the ruins of an 18th-century estate. B, L, D Day 5: Grenada. Take the short flight to the 'Spice Island' of Grenada. Stay five nights at a small-and-friendly resort, which has a quiet, unspoilt location beside the beautiful and world-famous Grand Anse beach. B, L, D Day 6: Grenada. Enjoy a guided afternoon walk through the island's capital, St George’s. Visit the museum that’s part of the Fort George complex and Fort Royal. Also visit the privately-owned Sunnyside Gardens and admire views from Fort Frederick. Return to the hotel via Morne Jaloux and Gran Anse Valley. B, L, D Day 7: Grenada. Stretch out on the fabulous beach. Alternatively, see the island’s highlights on an optional tour visiting a spice estate, the town of Sauteurs and Carib's Leap, Belmont Estate, a 17th-century plantation and a local rum distillery. B, L, D Day 8: Grenada. Head to Grand Etang Lake for a walk around this volcanic crater lake and a picnic lunch. B, L, D

154 Please quote SMT19

Day 9: Grenada. Enjoy a day at leisure. B, L, D Day 10: Barbados. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the short flight to Barbados where you’ll stay for four nights at an adults-only hotel in lush gardens on the north-west coast of the island. A complimentary shuttle bus runs several times a day to Speightstown and the beach. B, L, D Day 11: Barbados. Discover more of Barbados on drive along the west coast to the city of Speightstown. Visit the Arlington House Museum and tour the Jacobean plantation mansion, St Nicholas Abbey. Also visit the Rum and Sugar Museum and a steam mill and rum distillery to discover how St Nicholas Abbey Rum is produced and sample some rum punch. B, L, D Day 12: Barbados. Enjoy the beach and hotel facilities. Or head out on an optional excursion – your tour manager can advise what is available. B, L, D Day 13: Barbados. At leisure. B, L, D Days 14-15: Barbados-UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, arriving next day. B Accommodation… Bel Jou, St Lucia (3*+) • Coyaba Beach Resort, Grenada (4*) • Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa, Barbados (3*+).

You can extend your holiday in St Lucia. or Barbados. Please call lfor details.

SAVE up to £100^

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Oct 15, 2019 3349 3299 Jan 7, 2020 3949 3899 Feb 4 3999 Mar 24 3799 3699 May 5 3499 May 12 3499 3399 Oct 13 3499 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3768 Jewels of the Caribbean. Holiday code: CR051. . All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick to St Lucia. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/treasuresyucatan

MEXICO

Treasures of the Yucatán 13 nights from £2399

Ancient sites

Including optional travel insurance or from £2328 without insurance§

Your tour includes

Travel through the Yucatán and Chiapas in search of ancient pre-Columbian ruins, colonial towns and sites of outstanding natural beauty.

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 22 meals: 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 8 dinners Excursions and visits Sunrise tour of Chichen Itza Watch henequen fibre being made at a working hacienda Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Uxmal City tour of colonial Campeche Lago de Terminos boat trip and dolphin spotting Tour the Mayan ruins of Palenque Explore the unique ruins of Kohunlich l

The pyramid of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza Chichén Itzá Izamal

nights in hotel

Tecoh Valladolid Celestún Biosphere Reserve Uxmal Campeche Laguna de Términos

Cancun

Tulúm

Champotón Chicanna

Villahermosa

Bacalar lagoon Chetumal Kohunlich

Mexico

Palenque

Sunlight enters an underground sinkhole ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Mexico. Fly to Cancun, Mexico and transfer by coach to your hotel in Chichén for a two-night stay. D Day 2: Chichén Itzá. Explore your hotel, a grand colonial farmhouse, or discover the village of Valladolid and Cenote Hubikú. B Day 3: Chichén Itzá-Tecoh. Watch the sun rise over Chichén Itzá before the crowds arrive. Head to Tecoh for a two-night stay. B, D Day 4: Tecoh Relax at your hotel or join an optional boat tour of the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, where you can spot over 300 species of bird. B, D Day 5: Tecoh-Champotón. Tecoh is in the heart of Yucatan’s henequén plantation zone. Learn about the making of henequén fibre on a guided tour of the hotel’s working farm. Proceed to Uxmal, considered the most important site in Mayan culture. Stay two nights in Champotón. B, D Day 6: Champotón. Perhaps join an optional tour of Edzna, the most important Mayan complex in Campeche. Later, explore the city of Campeche and pick a restaurant for dinner. B Day 7: Champotón-Villahermosa. Drive to Villahermosa, stopping en route at Laguna de Terminos for a boat trip on the largest tidal lagoon of the Gulf of Mexico. Stay overnight in Villahermosa. B, D Day 8: Villahermosa-Palenque via La Venta. Visit Parque-Museo la Venta to investigate the collection of Olmec artefacts. Spend the next two nights in Palenque. B, D Day 9: Palenque. Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palenque. At the museum view a reconstruction of the tomb of K’inich Janaab Pakala, the Mayan

ruler responsible for much of Palenque’s architecture. B, L Day 10: Palenque-Kohunlich via Chicanna. Depart for your two-night stay at Kohunlich, pausing to explore the ruins of Chicanna. B, D Day 11: Kohunlich. Brave dense sub-tropical jungle to explore the Mayan site of Kohunlich. B, L, D Day 12: Kohunlich-Cancun. Visit Bacalar Lagoon before enjoying a guided tour of Tulum, a Mayan port ruin on the Caribbean. Continue to Cancun where you stay overnight. B Days 13-14: Cancun to UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Hacienda Chichén (4*) • Hacienda Sotuta de Peon (4*+), Tecoh • Tucan Siho (4*), Champotón • Marriott (4*+), Villahermosa • Villa Mercedes (4*), Palenque • Explorean Kohunlich (4*+), Chetumal • Presidente Intercontinental Cancun (4*+). Exclusively for solo travellers 13 nights departing February 17, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF690. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details. You can extend your holiday on the Riviera Maya. Please call for details. Special interest holiday Archaeology. 13 nights departing Oct 19, 2020.Holiday code: AV113. Please call for details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

New Archaeology departure for 2020

SAVE up to £250

per person on selected departures Prices from: Sep 16, 2019 2649 2399 Nov 11 2849 Jan 13, 2020 2899 Mar 2 2849 May 11 2749 Oct 19 - Archaeology 2899 2799 Nov 9 2849 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2978 Treasures of the Yucatan. Holiday code: MX101 / AV113. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on British Airways from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·A sk about our great value upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 155

COSTA RICA

The Jewel of Central America RELAXED 15 nights ALL INCLUSIVE from £2699 Including optional travel insurance or from £2628 without insurance§ Unravel Costa Rica's secrets on this exciting, all-inclusive tour. This country offers a diverse ecosystem, from lush jungles inhabited by sloths and tropical birdlife to the sombre beauty of its active volcanoes.

See Arenal Volcano ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-San José. Depart in the morning for your daytime flight to San José and two night stay. D Day 2: San José. Perhaps join an optional visit to Irazu Volcano and Orosi Valley, or enjoy the day at leisure. B, L, D Day 3: Tárcoles. A morning tour of the capital visits the National Museum and the National Theatre. Travel to Tárcoles for four nights in a private reserve on the River Tarcolitos, staying in basic, bungalow-style lodges. B, L, D Day 4: Tárcoles. An optional excursion visits one of Costa Rica's most beautiful reserves where turquoise waters lap white beaches fringed by lush rainforest. You may see sloths, iguanas, howler and white-faced monkeys. B, L, D Day 5: Carara National Park. Look out for scarlet macaws and flycatchers on an included excursion to one of the finest birdwatching sites in Costa Rica. There's also an optional aerial tram ride in the afternoon. B, L, D Tilajari

Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano

San José Puntarenas Tárcoles

Manuel Antonio National Park

nights in hotel

156 Please quote SMT19

Day 6: Tárcoles. Enjoy today at leisure, or visit Turtle Island on an optional excursion. B, L, D Day 7: Muelle de San Carlos. You can join an optional boat ride this morning, venturing onto the river in search of crocodiles. You leave Tarcoles later today and travel to Muelle de San Carlos for a seven-night stay. B, L, D Day 8: Muelle de San Carlos. Spend today at leisure, either relaxing at your hotel or exploring your surroundings. B, L, D Day 9: Rainforest walk. Discover the foliage, flora and wildlife of the rainforest on a half-day guided walk, with a further optional guided walk of the lava trails. B, L, D Day 10: Muelle de San Carlos. Enjoy the next four days at leisure to take advantage of the hotel's facilities, with a choice of optional excursions. Today's optional excursion is a boat ride down the Peñas Blancas River, with unrivalled opportunities to spot hummingbirds, monkeys, sloths, anteaters and rare butterflies. B, L, D Day 11: Muelle de San Carlos. Today you could join a thrilling optional excursion to the rainforest where you’ll cross bridges and walkways suspended high above the ground in the canopy. Alternatively, indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to a chocolate plantation. B, L, D Day 12: Muelle de San Carlos. An optional excursion visits the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge for a two-and-a-half-hour floating safari. At dusk there's an optional excursion to a hot springs complex in the middle of the rainforest. Take a dip in the pools, naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano, stand under a cascading waterfall and enjoy a drink at the bar. B, L, D

Day 13: Muelle de San Carlos. See how a Costa Rican family grows pineapples, papayas and medicinal plants on this optional excursion. Enjoy a farewell dinner and live marimba music this evening. B, L, D Day 14: San José. Return to San José for an overnight stay. En route there will be an included tour of La Paz waterfall gardens. B, L, D Days 15-16: San José-UK. Travel to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day. B Accommodation… Barceló San José (4*) • Hotel Villa Lapas, Tárcoles (3*+) • Tilajari Resort Hotel, Muelle de San Carlos (4*).

Solo travellers… 14 nights departing January 1, February 25 and September 30, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF248. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Extend your holiday Guanacaste. 7 nights All inclusive. On day 14 of the main tour, following the included excursion to La Paz waterfall gardens, head to Guanacaste to relax at the locally rated 4-star Hotel Bosque del Mar for seven nights. Spend your final night at the locally rated 4-star Barceló San José in San José. For more information visit saga.co.uk/jewel

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/jewel

Best seller Small group option

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 42 meals: 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners • Free bar open up to 16 hours a day serving local drinks throughout the tour Excursions and visits San José city tour A wildlife tour in Carara National Park Rainforest walk La Paz waterfall gardens l

Walk through the treetops in Arenal Volcano National Park

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga Tour Manager Sundowner drink at a memorable location Porterage at all hotels. l

Explore the tropical rainforest of Arenal Volcano National Park

An endearing sloth

SAVE up to £100 per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Sep 18, 2019 2699 Nov 5 2899 Jan 9, 2020 3199 Jan 14 3199 3149 Jan 23 3199 Jan 30 - Small Group 3299 Feb 6 3199 3149 Mar 5 3199 Mar 12 3149 3049 Apr 22 2899 May 13 2849 2749 Jun 10 2699 Sep 2 - Small Group 2749 Sep 16 2699 Nov 3 2899 Nov 17 2899 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2948.

Costa Rica Wildlife Costa Rica forms a bridge between North and South America and as such is a melting pot for the flora and fauna of both continents. It is among the top 20 countries in the world with the highest biodiversity, boasting over 400,000 different species, which equates to nearly 4% of the world’s total. You will be living among this great wealth of wildlife in cosy hotels hidden on private reserves. You will visit incredible national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including Carara National Park and enjoy an eye-opening rainforest walk through Muelle de San Carlos. Explore Carara, one of the last unspoiled wet and dry forests that supports over 350 species of tropical bird, including the scarlet macaw. Or drift down the San Peñas Blancas River in a flat-bottom boat, giving you unrivalled viewing of rainforest animals, including monkeys, sloths, iguana and crocodile. Keep your eyes peeled and you could just see one of the hundreds of creatures of Costa Rica that exist nowhere else…

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

The Jewel of Central America. Holiday code: UH010.All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, include savings as advertised and may only be available for a limited number of bookings. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices on this tour are based on British Airways from Gatwick. Please enquire for regional departures and alternative airline options. • Ask about our great value upgrade options to Premium Economy or Business Class. • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP car service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

157

PERU, BOLIVIA, ARGENTINA, BRAZIL

Grand Tour of South America 19 nights from £4199^ Including optional travel insurance or from £4044^ without insurance§ South America is a colourful, extraordinary continent where adventure and discovery lie around every corner. This new tour reveals some of the highlights of Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Lima, Peru. Fly overnight from the UK to Lima, Peru. Day 2: Lima, Peru. Arrive in Peru’s capital Lima this morning and stay for the next two nights. D Day 3: Lima, Peru. A city tour reveals the old and modern parts of the city, including the colonial buildings of Plaza de Armas, the monastery of San Francisco and the museum of Larco Herrera with its outstanding pre-Columbian collections. B Day 4: Cusco, Sacred Valley. It’s an early start as you fly to Cusco in the Sacred Valley at the foot of Machu Picchu. Meet the Chinchero community, continue to Moray with its Inca terraces, and Maras, home to fascinating salt mines. You’ll also visit what is regarded as Peru’s last Inca village at Ollantaytambo. Spend two nights in Yucay in the Sacred Valley. B, L

Machu Picchu Lima

Peru

nights in hotel

Sacred Valley

Cusco Puno

Brazil

La Paz

Bolivia

Rio de Janeiro

Foz do Iguaçu

Argentina

158 Please quote SMT19

Iguaçu Falls Puerto Iguaçu

Buenos Aires

Day 5: Machu Picchu. After visiting the ruins of Ollantaytambo and the last Inca village, travel by train through the Sacred Valley, then onto Machu Picchu, the enigmatic ‘lost city of the Incas’ and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. B, L Day 6: Cusco. Visit the Fortress and Temple of Sacsayhuaman, followed by a walking tour of Cusco city where highlights include the Temple of the Sun and cathedral. Stay overnight in Cusco. B, D Day 7: Puno. Travel to Puno for a two-night stay, taking in Andahuaylillas Church – the ‘Sistine Chapel’ of the Andes, the sprawling ruins of Raqchi, and Pucara, known for its pottery and archaeological ruins. B, L Day 8: Puno. Puno city lies on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, from where you’ll sail to the Uros – floating islands made of reeds. Afterwards, sail to Amantani Island whose local community are known for their ceramics and textiles. B, L Day 9: La Paz. Head for the Bolivian border. Visit the Shrine of the Black Virgin and cruise to Sun Island to see the Inca ‘Grand Stairs’ and the Sacred Fountain. After lunch, see the Sun Virgins Temple on Moon Island, then cruise to Cocotini. Drive to Huatajata, visit Andean Roots Eco Village and the Altiplano Museum. Continue to La Paz, where you spend the next two nights. B, L Day 10: La Paz. Tour the city of La Paz, which sits 3,500 metres above sea level. See highlights including the handicraft and witchdoctors’ markets, San Francisco Church and the cathedral. Continue to ‘Moon Valley’

and take a ride on the city’s cable car system. Dine in a local restaurant accompanied by a folklore show. B, D Day 11: Buenos Aires. Fly to Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital Buenos Aires, where you spend the next three nights. Enjoy the day at leisure in the city – birthplace of the tango and home of Pope Francis. B Day 12: Buenos Aires. A city tour of Buenos Aires reveals highlights including the Metropolitan Cathedral, historic San Telmo area with its famous market, La Boca and the Caminito ‘street museum,’ and Recoleta with its famous cemetery. Tonight enjoy an Argentinean culinary experience complete with history classes and tastings. B, D Day 13: Buenos Aires. Enjoy today at leisure, or explore independently. Alternatively, join an optional half-day Tigre and Delta excursion, a full-day at the Estancia Santa Susana ranch or a dinner and Tango Show. B Day 14: Puerto Iguaçu. Fly to Puerto Iguaçu, then onto Foz do Iguaçu bordering the mighty Iguaçu Falls. Stay for two nights B, D Day 15: Foz do Iguaçu. Visit the Brazilian Falls then head for the Argentinian Iguazú National Park and take the Ecological Jungle Train to ‘The Devil’s Throat’ observation point. B Day 16: Rio de Janeiro. Fly to Rio De Janeiro for a three-night stay. With its world-class museums, stunning botanical gardens and sprawling favelas the city has much to explore. B Day 17: Rio de Janeiro. Explore Rio’s new Port Zone and the Olympic Boulevard with murals

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/toursouthamerica

Best seller

Ancient sites

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 17 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 28 meals: 17 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners Excursions and visits… City tour of colonial Lima Visit to San Francisco Monastery and Larco Herrera Museum Visit to Chinchero and Maras and Moray Salt Mines Tour of Ollantaytambo fortress and a typical house Trip to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu ruins Archaeological park of the Fortress-temple of Sacsayhuaman Walking tour of Cusco city See the church of Andahuaylillas and visit the Inca ruins of Raqchi Boat trip to the floating islands of Uros and Amantani Island The religious town of Copacabana and hydrofoil cruise to Sun Island City tour of La Paz with cable car ride over the city City tour of Buenos Aires Tour of the Falls in Iguaçu National Park in Brazil Trip to the Corcovado Mountain and Statue of Christ the Redeemer Tour the Olympic Boulevard and museum visit in Rio De Janeiro l

Awesome Machu Picchu

Discover colourful Buenos Aires

See Peruvian handicrafts

representing countries that took part in the 2016 Olympics. Visit the Museum of Art of Rio de Janeiro and the Museum of Tomorrow – regarded as one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings. B Day 18: Rio de Janeiro. Ride the cog-wheel train up Corcovado Mountain through the Tijuca forest, continuing to the mountain top where the iconic Statue of Christ the Redeemer looks out over the city. Alternatively, discover more of the city on an optional excursion. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B, D Day 19-20: Rio de Janeiro-UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK. B Accommodation… Hotel Jose Antonio Lima (3*+) • Hotel Sonesta Posada Del Inca Yucay, Sacred Valley (4*) • Hotel Abittare, Cusco (3*)

• Hotel Jose Antonio Puno (3*+) • Hotel Europa, La Paz (4*) • Hotel Panamericano, Buenos Aires (4*) • Hotel Wish Resort Golf Foz Do Iguaçu (4*+) • Hilton Copacabana, Rio De Janeiro (5*). Please note: departures in 2019 follow a different itinerary, enjoying an extra night in Cuzco staying at a different hotel, and two nights (instead of three) in Buenos Aires.

Extend your holiday Rio de Janeiro. 2 nights post-extension Half board. Paracas. 3 nights. Including three breakfasts, one dinner. Before your tour, stay one night in Lima and two in Paracas in Peru, visiting the Paracas National Reserve, the Ballestas Islands, and flying over the famous Nazca Lines. Please call for details.

Magnificent Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world, but what sets it apart from rival man-made marvels is its location, nestled 2,430 metres above sea-level in the saddle of two Andean peaks bound by tropical forests. Undiscovered by the Spanish conquistadors, it remained hidden until 1911, with its true purpose, population and reason for its desertion in the 16th century remaining a mystery. To walk among this cloud city’s 200 buildings, constructed with such precision that it is impossible to slide a knife between their blocks, is an experience not to be missed…

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £400^

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Sep 13, 2019 4599 4199 Oct 11 4649 4449 Jan 11, 2020 4649 Feb 22 4699 4549 Mar 21 4699 4549 May 16 4649 4599 Sep 26 4699 Nov 7 4649 Rooms for sole occupancy from £5148 Grand Tour of South America. Holiday code: SA101. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £155 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details

Getting You There Prices are based on LATAM Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 159

PERU, ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS

Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands 13 nights from £4999 Including optional travel insurance or from £4928 without insurance§ Embark on the trip of a lifetime on this thrilling tour and cruise adventure taking in two of the most famous must-visit destinations in the world – the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ in Peru and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

Galapagos marine iguana ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Lima. Fly overnight to Lima. Day 2: Lima. Arrive in the morning and perhaps enjoy an optional tour of the 'City of Kings', Peru's capital, taking in the historical, architectural, cultural and scenic highlights. Stay overnight. Day 3: Sacred Valley. Fly from Lima to Cuzco and transfer to the Sacred Valley, then descend into the colourful market town of Pisac for an included lunch, time to explore the colourful Indian market and the charming village of Ollantaytambo. Stay overnight nearby. B, L Day 4: Machu Picchu. Embark on an included narrow-gauge railway journey along the Sacred Valley. Then catch a bus to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu which remained hidden in the Andean mountain-tops until 1911 when it was ‘rediscovered’ by Hiram Bingham. Stay overnight nearby, with dinner at a local restaurant. B, L, D

Quito

Ecuador

Santa Cruz

Galapagos Islands

nights in hotel

Peru Lima

160 Please quote SMT19

nights on ship

Machu Picchu Sacred Valley Cuzco

Day 5: Cuzco. Morning at leisure to explore the town or take an optional excursion for a return visit to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. Travel to Cuzco this afternoon for a two-night stay. B Day 6: Cuzco. At 3,400 metres above sea level, Cuzco is one of the highest cities in the world. This morning join an included tour of the city's splendid Spanish colonial architecture and Sacsayhuaman's walls and spend the afternoon at leisure. B Day 7: Cuzco-Lima-Quito. Fly to Ecuador’s capital city Quito via Lima. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Equatorial Line Monument, or set off on one of the world’s highest cable car rides with an optional trip on the Teleferiqo cable car. Stay two nights in Quito. B Day 8: Quito. Visit the Otavalo Indian Market where you can watch locals bartering in time-honoured fashion, and you may like to browse the stalls of clothing produced by traditionally-dressed Otavaleno weavers. B, L Day 9: Galapagos Islands-Embark MV Galapagos Legend. Fly to the Galapagos Islands and board MV Galapagos Legend for a three-night full-board cruise around the archipelago, staying in a standard plus cabin. These islands' unique flora and fauna inspired Charles Darwin to form his theory on evolution. Cruise to Santa Cruz Island and visit the Pit Craters, and the Highlands – home to lush forests and giant tortoises. B, L, D

Day 10: Genovesa Island. Visit Prince Philip’s Steps and marvel at the sea and bird life that call the island’s lava cliffs home — and keep an eye out for seals. In the afternoon visit Darwin Bay and follow a scenic trail to see a host of rare bird species, including famous Red-footed Boobies. B, L, D Day 11: Santa Cruz island and Santa Fe Island. Visit Dragon Hill with its population of Galapagos land iguanas. Afterwards visit Santa Fe Island with white sand beaches, sea lion colonies and a cactus forest, home to the largest iguanas in the islands. B, L, D Day 12: Santa Cruz Island to Quito. Visit Bachas, and beaches on the north of the island which are home to flamingos and the main nesting sites for sea turtles. Disembark your cruise and fly to Quito for an overnight stay. B D Day 13: Quito-UK. Enjoy an included guided city tour of Quito’s Spanish colonial buildings. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport in Quito for your overnight flight to the UK, via Bogota. B, L Accommodation… José Antonio Lima (3*+) • Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay Hotel, Sacred Valley (4*) • Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (4*) • José Antonio Cuzco (3*+) • Hilton Colon Hotel, Quito (4*). Please note: The Directorate of the Galapagos National Park constantly monitor and control visitor sites and numbers. As such, part of the tour may be subject to change.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/machupicchu

Small group 22 or less

Cruising

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 8 nights in hotels, 3 aboard MV Galapagos Legend and 2 in flight • 23 meals: 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners Excursions and visits A tour of Ollantaytambo village Rail journey through the Sacred Valley Guided tour of Machu Picchu Cuzco city tour and Sacsayhuaman Fortress Quito city tour Otavalo Indian market Visit to Mosquera Islet Highlands Tortoise Reserve on Santa Cruz Island Wildlife viewing on Sante Fe island l

Stunning vistas of the Galapagos Islands

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour managers Welcome drink reception Porterage at all hotels l

Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu

The exotic frigatebird

Galapagos Sea Lions

SAVE £100

per person on Mar 8, 2020 departure when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Nov 3, 2019 Limited availability Jan 26, 2020 4999 Mar 8 5099 4999 Apr 19 5199 May 17 5199 Sep 20 5099 Oct 4 5099 Rooms for sole occupancy on request, subject to availability

MV Galapagos Legend Cruise See the Galapagos archipelago in luxury aboard the expedition ship MV Galapagos Legend. Graced with the amenities of a cruise ship, but small enough to cruise to the magical secret spots of the Galapagos, the MV Galapagos Legend is the best way to explore one of the most important and notorious ecosystems on the planet. Discover the giant tortoises of the Santa Cruz highlands, after whom the archipelago is named; see yellow-crowned night heron and colonies of fur seals frolicking in the clear waters of the Pacific and perhaps even swim with Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and whitetip reef sharks. As you cruise between islands enjoy panoramic views from the ship’s public areas, learn about this unique ecosphere from your onboard Naturalist guides or relax in the pool, spa and boutique. There is no better way to discover the islands that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Junior suite upgrades are available from £169 per person, please call for details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Holiday code: SA189. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Avianca from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. ·A sk about our great value upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class ·R emember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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PERU

Highlights of Peru 14 nights from £2899 Including optional travel insurance or from £2828 without insurance§ Allow the rich culture of one of the most historic countries on earth to stimulate your senses on an epic journey that takes you back in time more than 1,000 years. Discover the highlights – visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, take to the waters of Lake Titicaca, go in search of Andean condors and visit Inca ruins in the colonial cities of Cuzco and Lima…

See the colours of Cuzco - the Incan imperial capital ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Lima. Fly overnight to South America. Day 2: Lima. Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel where you stay overnight. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. D. Day 3: Cuzco-Sacred Valley. Fly to Cuzco in Peru. Transfer to the Sacred Valley for a two-night stay. B . Day 4: Sacred Valley. Join an included full-day excursion to the town of Pisaq, where you can peruse the market, then visit the impressive ruins of the Incan town of Ollantaytambo. B, L Day 5: Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu.Take a train into the mountains to the ruins of Machu Picchu and tour this mysterious ancient site. Stay overnight in a nearby hotel in Aguas Calientes. B, L,D Day 6: Machu Picchu-Cuzco. Enjoy a morning at leisure, perhaps returning to atmospheric Machu Picchu. This afternoon, travel to Cuzco for a two-night stay. B

Peru Lima Macchu Picchu Sacred Valley

Colca

Cuzco Andahuaylillas Raqchi Lake Titicaca Puno Arequipa

162 Please quote SMT19

Day 7: Cuzco. Today is at leisure in Cuzco, the imperial capital of the Inca Empire. An optional tour visits some remnants of that era, including a temple dedicated to the Inca sun god, Inti, and the incredible fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built from stones of mind-boggling size. Another optional tour allows you to trek from the fortres back to the city. Look forward to a dinner show at a restaurant. B, D Day 8: Puno. The long coach journey to Puno is punctuated by visits to the Church of St Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas – known as the Sisitine Chapel of the Andes! – and the impressive Incan temple remains of Raqchi. Stay two nights in Puno. Alternatively, you can journey from Cuzco to Puno by luxury train for an additional charge, though this journey will not visit Andahuaylillas and Raqchi. B, L Day 9: Lake Titicaca. On today’s memorable excursion you’ll head out on the waters of Lake Titicaca to visit the Uros community, whose homes are on floating ‘islands’ made of reeds. Also visit Taquile Island, where a community lives simply on the ancient Incan terraces, and have lunch in a local home. B, L Day 10: Colca. Enjoy a scenic drive to the stunning Colca Valley and stay overnight. B, L, D

Day 11: Arequipa. This morning, scale the slopes of Colca Canyon to Condor’s Cross where you can see majestic Andean condors – the world’s largest flying bird – soaring overhead. Continue to Arequipa for a two-night stay. B, L

Day 12: Arequipa. An included half-day city tour also takes in Santa Catalina, a huge convent with brightly painted walls. originally built in 1579 and enlarged in the following century to more than 20,000 square metres. Some 20 nuns still reside in the northern corner of the complex. B Day 13: Lima. Transfer to Lima for an an afternoon at leisure and overnight stay. Enjoy a memorable farewell dinner at a restaurant which overlooks the illuminated ruins of Huaca Pucllana, a vast 5th-century pyramid built from millions of clay bricks. B, D Days 14-15: Lima. An optional tour of the city reveals its colonial elegance. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, arriving the next day. B . Accommodation… Sonesta Posada del Inca (4*), Sacred Valley • Tierra Viva Hotel (3*+), Aguas Calientes • Jose Antonio Cuzco (3*+) • Jose Antonio Puno (4*) • Casa Andina Classic Colca (3*), Chivay • Casa Andina Select Arequipa (4*) • Jose Antonio Lima (3*+). Exclusively for solo travellers 14 nights departing March 11 and November 18, 2020. Follow the same itinerary and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF406. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/highlights-peru

Ancient Sites

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 23 meals: 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners Excursions and visits Sacred Valley tour including visit to Pisaq Market and the Ollantaytambo ruins Vistadome train to Machu Picchu Dinner show in Cuzco Visit the Church of St Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas and the Incan remains of the Temple of Viracocha Lake Titicaca, and the islands of Uros and Taquile Andean condor spotting in Colca Canyon Arequipa city tour with visit to Santa Catalina l

Marvel at Machu Picchu

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Welcome dinner Farewell dinner Bottled water during excursions Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels. l

See Peruvian traditions at first hand

A majestic Andean Condor in flight

Add a luxury train journey Upgrade and travel by luxury train from Cuzco to Puno, with lunch included. From £239pp. Please call for details.

Lima/Maldonado, Peru 4 nights pre-extension. Including 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners. Enjoy a night at the Jose Antonio in Lima with breakfast included before transferring to spend three nights in the Amazon with a full-board stay at the Hacienda Conception.

Paracas, Peru 2 nights post-extension. Including 2 breakfasts. Enjoy two nights at the locally rated 4-star Hacienda Paracas on Peru’s west coast, renowned for its beaches. Enjoy an included trip to the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, pelicans and Humboldt penguins, and a flight over the famous Nazca Lines.

‘Walk the walk’ … Put on your walking shoes and step into the breathtaking world of the Andes on our special walking departure. Look forward to enjoying walks through unique scenery, including a hike to the ancient and enigmatic salt flats of Salineras in the Sacred Valley. Walk to Machu Picchu along part of the Inca Trail, trekking 12 kilometres via the Inca ruin at Winaywayna with its extraordinary buildings perched on the terraced hillside, as you ascend to some 2,000 feet! There will be some shorter walks too, as well as the same thrilling destinations to visit and explore, as you step out in the ‘land of the Condor’. Walking in the Andes. 13 nights departing May 14, 2020. Holiday code: AK161.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £100

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Apr 22 2899 May 13 - Walking 3399 3299 Jun 10 2999 Sep 9 2999 Oct 21 2949 Rooms for sole occupancy from £3128 Highlights of Peru Holiday code: SA401 / AK161 Walking. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on LATAM from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 163

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/wildbrazil

BRAZIL

Wildlife and Waterfalls of Brazil 13 nights from £3349

Safari

Including optional travel insurance from £3278 without insurance§

Your tour includes

Explore the amazing Pantanal wetland, as you go in search of birds, mammals and aquatic life, spend three nights on Rio’s energetic Copacabana, then enjoy a three-night stay in Iguassu National Park, just steps from the thundering falls.

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 11 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 22 meals: 11 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners Excursions and visits Two boat or 4x4 safaris in the Pantanal A boat or 4x4 safari by night Nature walk and Mutum River cruise The villages of Cuiaba Mirim and Capoeirinha Horseback riding safari Cruise on Sia Mariana Bay and piranha fishing Canoeing by sunrise Cogwheel train to Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Iguassu Falls Ecological Jungle Train to the Argentinian falls l

Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas enviable setting

Cuiaba Cuiaba Mirim

nights in hotel

Pantanal Capoeirinha

Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels l

Rio de Janeiro

Sao Paulo

Iguazu Falls

Catch sight of capybara

Foz do Iguassu

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Sao Paulo. Fly overnight to Sao Paulo. Day 2: Sao Paulo-Cuiaba. Arrive in the morning and travel to the city’s domestic airport for your flight to Cuiaba where you stay overnight. Day 3: Pantanal. Travel to the Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland on the planet, for four nights at a lodge. The landscape of the Pantanal changes dramatically depending on the season and these varying habitats are the perfect home for a variety of wildlife, from puma and caimans to jaguar and capybara. Enjoy a presentation on the region and a short walk to observe the various species at the lodge. This evening, sample piranha broth before dinner. B, L, D Day 4: Pantanal. This morning take a guided walk in search of birds, mammals and reptiles, and learn about the fascinating ecosystem. After lunch take a cruise on the Mutum river. Look forward to a night safari by boat or 4x4. B, L, D Day 5: Pantanal. Visit the village of Cuiaba Mirim by boat to meet with the inhabitants and learn about life in the Pantanal, then travel overland to the village of Capoeirinha. B, L, D Day 6: Pantanal. Enjoy a spot of horseback riding this morning, keeping an eye out for more wildlife on a hack through the countryside. Later on enjoy a cruise on Sia Mariana Bay. Watch the sunset and enjoy sundowner drinks before returning to the lodge for your final night in the Pantanal. B, L, D Day 7: Cuiaba-Rio de Janeiro. An early morning canoeing trip will allow you to watch the sunrise over the wetland before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Transfer to Cuiaba and fly to Rio de Janeiro, where you spend the

164 Please quote SMT19

next three nights. B Day 8: Rio de Janeiro. See this amazing city from a unique perspective today as you ride the cog-wheel train to the summit of Corcovado Mountain. This will also put you at the foot of Christ the Redeemer which, at almost 100 feet tall, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This evening is at leisure. B Day 9: Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy a free day in the city. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Favelas, visit the botanical gardens or head to the unique town of Petropolis. B Day 10: Rio de Janeiro-Iguassu Falls. Transfer to the airport and fly to Iguassu Falls, where you spend the next three nights just moments from Iguassu Falls. Take a walk along the catwalks that edge the falls, taking you close to the bottom of Devil’s Throat – the largest of the cascade. B, L Day 11: Iguassu Falls. Today you cross the border to see the falls from the Argentinian side, which includes a ride aboard the Ecological Jungle Train. B, L Day 12: Iguassu Falls. Spend the day at leisure within the National Park. B, D Day 13: Sao Paulo-UK. Fly to Sao Paulo for your return overnight flight to the UK. B Day 14: UK. Arrive in the UK. Accommodation… Hotel Deville Prime Cuiaba (3*) • Pousada Do Rio Mutum Eco Lodge, Pantanal (4*) • Hilton Hotel Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro (5*) • Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas, Iguassu National Park (5*). Please note: Some activities, especially those within the Pantanal, are dependent on the weather and therefore subject to change. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

SAVE £50 per person on Jun 20, 2020 departure

Prices from: Sep 21, 2019 3599 Mar 14, 2020 3349 Jun 20 3499 3449 Sep 19 3499 Oct 17 3399 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4048 Wildlife and Waterfalls of Brazil. Holiday code: SA400. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on LATAM Airlines from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Ask about our great value upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/best-brazil

BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA

The Best of Brazil and Argentina

Your tour includes

10 nights from £2449^

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 8 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 9 meals: 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners

Including optional travel insurance or from £2378^ without insurance§ Discover the iconic attractions of Brazil’s ‘Marvellous City’ during a three-night stay in Rio de Janeiro. Then head to the magnificent Iguassu Falls for a further two nights in the city of Foz do Iguacu. Conclude in Argentina with a three-night stay in Buenos Aires.

Excursions and visits Trip to the Corcovado Mountain and Statue of Christ the Redeemer Tour to the Olympic Boulevard and museum visit in Rio de Janeiro Visit Brazil’s beautiful Iguassu Falls and ride aboard the Ecological Jungle Train in Argentina’s Iguazú National Park Tour of Buenos Aires with dinner at a restaurant and a tango performance ●

●

Views across Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

●

Rio de Janeiro

Foz do Iguacu

Argentina nights in hotel

Buenos Aires

Iguassu Falls

ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fly overnight to Rio de Janeiro, . Day 2: Rio de Janeiro.Transfer to your hotel for the next three nights. With its famous carnival and wonderful museums, stunning botanical gardens, sprawling favelas and iconic Christ the Redeemer, the vibrant city of Rio offers much to discover. Day 3: Corcovado Mountain. This morning you’ll enjoy spectacular views as you ascend the Corcovado Mountain via a cogwheel train. At the summit you can stand beside Rio de Janeiro’s iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer which overlooks the bay. Next you’ll be taken to view some of the city’s most beautiful beaches. This afternoon perhaps join an optional half-day excursion to Sugar Loaf Mountain, another of Rio de Janeiro’s great symbols. B Day 4: Rio’s Olympic Boulevard. Prior to hosting the 2016 Olympic games, Rio underwent considerable revitalisation which you’ll see for yourself as you visit the new Port Zone for a stroll along the Olympic Boulevard. You’ll also visit the Museum of Art of Rio de Janeiro and the Museum of Tomorrow – a science and experimental museum, regarded as one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings. B, D Day 5: Foz do Iguacu. Fly to Foz do Iguacu for a two-night stay. The city of Foz do Iguacu sits near the beautiful Iguassu Falls which span both the borders of Brazil and Argentina, making it one of the world’s widest waterfalls. B Day 6: Foz do Iguacu. Visit the Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side, walking beside the

cascades. Next you’ll head to Argentina’s Iguazú National Park where you’ll be able to see more of the falls and take the Ecological Jungle Train to the Fall’s Observation point known as ‘The Devil’s Throat’. B Day 7: Buenos Aires. Transfer to the airport and fly to Buenos Aires where you spend the next three nights. B Day 8: City tour. A tour of the city heads to San Telmo (the capital’s oldest district), the colourful La Boca region and the Recoleta area with its elegant boutiques and restaurants. Look forward to dinner and a performance of the sultry Tango at a local restaurant. B, D Day 9: Buenos Aires. Spend the day as you choose, perhaps revisit the affluent Recoleta area with its fascinating cemetery where national icons such as Eva Perón rest in extravagant tombs. B Day 10: Buenos Aires -UK. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK. B Day 11: Buenos Aires-UK. Arrive in the UK this morning. Accommodation… Arena Copacabana Hotel (4*), Rio de Janeiro • Recanto Cataratas Hotel (4*), Foz do Iguacu • Hotel Kenton Palace Buenos Aires (4*). Extend your holiday Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2 nights. Including breakfasts and dinner on final night. Buenos Aires, Argentina 2 nights. Including breakfasts.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £150^

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Sep 22, 2019 2599 Oct 20 2599 2449 Feb 16, 2020 2799 2649 Apr 5 2649 Oct 4 2599 Nov 1 2649 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2898 The Best of Brazil and Argentina. Holiday code: SA197. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on LATAM Airlines from Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro via Sao Paulo. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19 165

ARGENTINA AND CHILE

Patagonia: A Tour to the Ends of The Earth ACTIVE 14 nights from £4399^ Including optional travel insurance or from £4328^ without insurance§ Using Buenos Aires as your launch pad, explore the gateway to Tierra del Fuego, Calafate, and the majestic panoramas of Torres Del Paine and the Perito Moreno glacier…

The head wall of Perito Moreno ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Buenos Aires. Fly overnight to Buenos Aires. Day 2: Buenos Aires. Arrive in Buenos Aires for a two-night stay. Flourishing on the shores of the world’s widest river, Rio de la Plata, the city is an intoxicating cocktail of colonial grandeur and Latin effervescence. Transfer to your centrally-located hotel, not far from the Museum of Fine Arts and a short walk from Recoleta Cemetery, it is the perfect place from which to explore the city. D Day 3: Buenos Aires. A guided tour threads you into the warp and weft of the streets of Buenos Aires, including Plaza de Mayo, the barrio of San Telmo, La Boca and Calle Caminito and the cemetery of Recoleta, arguably the world’s most ostentatious! Perhaps join an optional excursion to a Tango show this evening. B, L

Chile Argentina

Buenos Aires

nights in hotel

El Calafate Torres del Paine Puerto Natales Ushuaia

Beagle Channel

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Day 4: Ushuaia. Fly to Ushuaia for a two-night stay amid a deciduous forest with staggering views of the Beagle Channel and Andes mountains. B Day 5: Ushuaia. Embark on a half-day cruise of the Beagle Channel, named after Charles Darwin’s ship that carried him on a five-year voyage around the tip of Southern America. Look out for the abundant wildlife and the ‘Lighthouse at the End of the World’, the most photographed landmark of the archipelago. In the afternoon, join an included tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park, where around 70,000 hectares of Patagonian forests are preserved. B Day 6: El Calafate. Fly to El Calafate, an oasis of civility in the wilderness of Patagonia. You stay for two nights in the charming village of El Calafate, close to Argentina’s third largest lake, the wildlife-rich Laguna Nimez Reserve, Anfiteatro Del Bosque and the Argentinian Museum of Toys. B, D Day 7: El Calafate. Join a full-day excursion to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, travelling through the Patagonia steppe and Andean forests before disembarking at the start of Perito Moreno glacier’s raised walkways. This network of walkways gives you incredible access to this majestic ice flow. Later, travel to Bajo de las Sombras bay and enjoy a cruise on Lake Rico. B, L Day 8: Torres del Paine. Transfer to Cerro Castillo where you change vehicle and continue to Torres del Paine for an all-inclusive three-night stay. The hotel is on

the doorstep of the Torres del Paine National Park and provides incredible views. B, L, D Days 9-10: Torres del Paine. Torres del Paine, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has 1810 square kilometres of glacial lakes, thundering rivers, arid steppes and granite heights to explore. During your stay you can choose from a variety of included half and full-day excursions in the park, including trekking, horse riding and boat trips. B, L, D Day 11: Puerto Natales. Transfer to Puerto Natales for a two-night stay. Your hotel is set on the shores of the Fjord of Last Hope and boasts panoramic views of the Patagonian Andes. B Day 12: Puerto Natales. Embark on a full-day cruise to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers inside Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Cruise the Última Esperanza fjord, an area of outstanding natural beauty that few have visited, and spot seals, birdlife and perhaps even whales. The weather in Patagonia is unpredictable so this and other excursions are weather dependent. B, L Day 13: Buenos Aires. Transfer to the airport and fly back to Buenos Aires for an overnight stay. B Days 14-15: Buenos Aires-UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the following day. B Please note: on certain dates the tour will be 15 nights, with an extra day in Buenos Aires.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/patagonia

Small group 20 or less

Hiking

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 12 nights in hotels and 2 in flight • 23 meals: 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners

Buenos Aires is the capital of tango

Excursions and visits Guided tour of Buenos Aires Tierra del Fuego National Park excursion Perito Moreno National Park visit Lake Rico cruise Trekking in Torres del Paine National Park (choose from up to two excursions daily) Cruise to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers l

The puma is Patagonia’s iconic big cat

Lake Pehoe and the peaks of Torres del Paine

An Imperial cormorant colony in Tierra del Fuego

Accommodation… Intersur Hotel, Buenos Aires (4*) • Los Acebos Hotel, Ushuaia (4*) • Posada Los Alamos Hotel, El Calafate (4*) • Rio Serrano Hotel, Torres del Paine (4*) • Costaustralis Hotel, Puerto Natales (3*+).

Extend your holiday Buenos Aires. 2 nights. Including breakfasts. Before the main tour stay two nights in Buenos Aires at the locally rated 4-star Intersur Hotel. On the 15-night tour this will be a 3-night stay.

Fjords of Tierra del Fuego. 4 nights. Full board. On day 13 of your main tour transfer to the pier in Punta Arenas to start your cruise. Sail aboard the luxurious MV Ventus Australis followed by a night in Buenos Aires. Available on January 27, 2020 departure only. Passengers on the 15-night tour taking this extension will stay overnight in Punta Arenas on day 13, then take the 4-night cruise followed by a 2-night stay in Buenos Aires. Available on September 28, 2019 and September 26, 2020 departures only. Please call for details.

Torres del Paine The National Park of Torres del Paine was declared a UNESCO Biosphere in 1978 and is famed for its extraordinary scenery and beauty. From dramatic mountain-like rocks and crags to waterfalls and lakes, the park covers nearly 900 square miles and is flanked by the Andes and the Chilean Pagagonian steppe. It’s home to 106 species of birds, plus 24 species of mammal including the elusive puma, a resident of the park’s woodland. With so much natural beauty it is hardly surprising it was declared as an eighth wonder of the world in 2013.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

SAVE up to £100^ per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Sep 28, 2019* 4499 Oct 28 4699 Jan 27, 2020 4899 4799 Mar 28* 4499 4399 Sep 26* 4549 Oct 26 4749 4649 Rooms for sole occupancy from £5548 A Tour to the Ends of the Earth. Holiday code: SA196. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. *Sep 28, 2019, Mar 28 and Sep 26, 2020 departures follow a 15 night itinerary. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £71 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details

Getting You There Prices are based on Norwegian Airlines from Gatwick to Buenos Aires. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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See Canada’s awe-inspiring scenery – see page 170

Rocky Mountaineer

Soaring peaks encircled by eagles, scenic valleys sce nted with pine forests, towering waterfalls and cold rivers full of salmon … the Canadi an Rockies offer unparalleled natural beauty. Take a once-in - a-lifetime trip abo ard Rocky Mou ntaineer and sit back and relax as you gaze out of the large wrap - aro und window s as spectacular scenery unf olds aro und you.

The world is waiting to meet you 168

CANADA AND THE USA A luxurious train journey to the Rocky Mountains, a trip to experience America’s Deep South, a tour to the magnificent Grand Canyon… what will you choose?

Mardi Gras New Orleans’ decadent festival, Mardi Gras, dates back thousands of years and, like Christmas, is a season and not just one day. There are many Mardis Gras traditions in New Orleans and some may seem bizarre, but they all have their roots in the history of the carnival. The colours of Mardis Gras are purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power and were the colours of Grand Duke Alexis’s royal house.

Experience Mardi Gras, page 184

New England in the Fall Time your visit to New England right, and you’ll be rewarded with the stunning beauty of New England during the Fall. Attracting visitors from around the world, the vivid hues of amber, gold and red will certainly keep your camera busy.

The Colours of New England, page 183

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CANADA & USA

Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Adventure 15 nights from £3999^ Including optional travel insurance or from £3889^ without insurance§ Discover the natural beauty of Canada and Alaska and admire the breathtaking scenery of the Rockies as you journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train. Explore the vibrant city of Vancouver, then enjoy a seven-night cruise along the Alaskan coastline aboard Holland America's ‘Koningsdam.

The Athabasca River in Jasper National Park ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Calgary. Fly to Calgary where you stay overnight. Day 2: Banff. Travel to Banff for a two-night stay. Enjoy a brief tour and a cable-car ride that will hoist you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views over Banff and a sweeping panorama of mountains and valleys. Sulphur Mountain got its name because of the sulphurous hot springs at the Park’s Cave and Basin Spring. B, D Day 3: Banff. This morning enjoy an included scenic drive around Banff National Park. You may have the chance to take an optional helicopter flight over the Rocky Mountains. B

Glacier Bay

Skagway Juneau

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Canada

Ketchikan Rocky Mountains nights in hotel nights on ship

Vancouver Island

ALBERTA

Jasper Kamloops Vancouver

170 Please quote SMT19

Icefield Parkway Banff Calgary

Day 4: Jasper. En route to Jasper, where you’ll stay for two nights, pause at jade-coloured Lake Louise, ‘Jewel of the Rockies’. Continue along the Icefields Parkway, perhaps the most exciting stretch of highway in Canada, running from Lake Louise to Jasper through the heart of the Rockies. A thrilling Ice Explorer ride over the ice and snow of Athabasca Glacier is included. B, D Day 5: Jasper. At leisure. There will be a choice of optional excursions available on this day, including a ‘river float’. B Day 6: Jasper-Kamloops. Join the Rocky Mountaineer for a thrilling rail journey through spectacular scenery. Stay overnight at a locally rated 3-star hotel selected by Rocky Mountaineer. B, L Day 7: Vancouver. Enjoy breakfast on board Rocky Mountaineer, while continuing your rail adventure through breathtaking scenery as you journey to Vancouver, where you stay overnight. B,L Day 8: Embark The Koningsdam. Enjoy an included city tour of Vancouver, whose highlights include Stanley Park, the First Nations totem poles at Brockton Point, Gastown and Chinatown, before embarking Holland America's Koningsdam for your seven-night full-board cruise along the Alaskan Coast. B, L, D Day 9: Inside Passage. Cruise past fjords, forested islands and snow-capped mountains. B, L, D

Day 10: Juneau. Spend this morning cruising Travy Arm fjord. Arrive this afternoon in the Alaskan capital of Juneau, which nestles between towering mountains and forested hills. Perhaps visit the Red Dog Saloon, pan for gold or visit the mighty Medenhall Glacier. B, L, D Day 11: Skagway. Visit Skagway where you can discover buildings that date from the gold rush era. B, L, D Day 12: Glacier Bay National Park. An undoubted highlight of your cruise will be Glacier Bay National Park, where you’ll have a front-row view of the incredible spires and pinnacles of ice. B, L, D Day 13: Ketchikan. Step ashore on Revillagigedo Island. Ketchikan is situated in steep hills in the Tongass National Forest. B, L, D Day 14: Inside Passage. Sail back through the Inside Passage, one of Canada’s most scenic marine voyages. B, L, D Day 15: Vancouver. Disembark in Vancouver and enjoy some free time before your return flight to the UK. B Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK this morning. Accommodation… International Hotel Suites Calgary (3*) • Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge (4*) • Sawridge Inn, Jasper (3*) • Kamloops hotel (3*) • Georgian Court Hotel, Vancouver (4*).

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/rockymountains

Best seller

Rail journey

Cruising

Enjoy outstanding service

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 7 nights in hotels, 7 on board ship and 1 in flight • 32 meals: 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners Excursions and visits Banff National Park and Sulphur Mountain cable-car ride Photostop at Lake Louise Ice Explorer ride over the Athabasca Glacier Two days on the Rocky Mountaineer train Cruise the Inside Passage aboard Koningsdam Time in Alaska's capital, Juneau Visit to gold rush-era Skagway Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park l

Stunning Lake Louise

Banff National Park

You may glimpse humpback whales

Upgrade to GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer from £399 per person. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

Calgary 3 nights including breakfasts Before your tour stay three nights at the locally rated 3-star International Suites Calgary. Vancouver 3 nights including breakfasts After your tour stay three nights at the boutique-style locally rated 4-star Georgian Court Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

SAVE up to £400*^ Victoria 3 nights including breakfasts After your tour stay three nights on Vancouver Island at the locally rated 4-star Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and Suites Victoria.

Koningsdam Step aboard Holland America’s Koningsdam for a voyage along the Alaskan coast and the ‘Inside Passage’, visiting the capital of Juneau, passing Glacier Bay National Park and sailing through the maze of channels and protected waters of the ‘Inside Passage’. Onboard your mid-sized ship – inspired by music, and combining 21st-century elegance with nautical tradition – enjoy a choice of restaurants, bars, a cafe, as well as a fitness centre, two swimming pools, a hydro pool and spa, plus a dazzling two-storey World Stage, as well as a wide range of en suite staterooms from which to choose.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

per person on selected cabins and departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 J C VD Inside Outside Verandah Apr 25, 2020 4199 3999 4629 4379 4839 4539 May 2 4449 4299 4879 4679 5089 4839 May 16 4599 4549 5239 5139 5449 5299 May 30 4749 4649 5389 5239 5709 5509 Jun 6 4849 4799 5489 5389 5809 5659 Jun 13 4949 4899 5479 5379 5799 5649 July 11 5049 4949 5579 5429 5899 5699 Aug 8 5099 4999 5739 5589 6059 5859 Aug 22 4999 4899 5639 5489 5849 5649 Aug 29 4899 4799 5539 5389 5749 5549 Sep 5 4799 4649 5439 5239 5649 5399 Sep 12 4749 4599 5279 5079 5499 5249 Rocky Mountains and Alaskan Adventure. Holiday code: USC15. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. Other cabin types and solo occupancy cabins are also available. *Maximum saving is based on SA grade Verandah suite cabin on April 25, 2020 departure. Please call for details. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details Prices from

Getting You There Prices are based on Air Canada from Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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CANADA AND USA

Road to the Rockies and Alaskan Explorer 14 nights from £3249^ Including optional travel insurance or from £3139^ without insurance§ Explore the spectacular Rockies on this scenic journey amid the mountain peaks and forests of western Canada. A leisurely road trip will lead you to Vancouver, from where you travel on to the glistening Alaskan waters for a week-long cruise through the breathtaking Inside Passage.

Enjoy spectacular vistas in Jasper National Park ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Banff. Fy to Calgary then transfer to Banff for a two-night stay. Day 2: Banff. Enjoy an included gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for stunning views at the summit, then take a guided tour of beautiful Banff National Park. This alpine resort boasts fine mountain scenery, dense forests, clear lakes and rivers, as well as impressive glaciers. B, D Day 3: Jasper. Head to Jasper, pausing admire the jade-coloured waters of Lake Louise, then enjoy an ‘Ice Explorer’ ride over part of the Athabasca Glacier. Snow and ice surround you, enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape. Arrive at Jasper for a two-night stay. B, D Day 4: Jasper. Jasper is the starting point for many scenic hiking trails, so you may like to pack a picnic and set off into the mountains! Alternatively, you could join an optional

Skagway Juneau

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BRITISH COLUMBIA Ketchikan

ALBERTA

Rocky Mountains Jasper Icefield Parkway Banff

Canada

Kamloops Calgary Vancouver Island

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excursion to Maligne Lake – a sight that epitomises the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies – for a scenic cruise. B Day 5: Kamloops. Travel to Kamloops and explore the natural surroundings of this beautiful region, famous for its large cattle ranches and copper mines, on organised walks arranged at your overnight accommodation. Its name derives from the native Canadian word for 'the meeting of the waters'. B, D Day 6: Vancouver. Continue to Vancouver where you can explore independently during your overnight stay. Set beside the Pacific Ocean and the majestic peaks of the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is renowned for being a modern and friendly city, home to a unique mix of cultures. B Day 7: Embark Volendam. There will be time for an included city tour encompassing Stanley Park, historic Gastown and Chinatown before you board Holland America Line’s Volendam for your seven-night, full-board cruise along the Alaskan coast. B, D Day 8: Inside Passage. Sail through the Inside Passage. With ribbon-like fjords scattered with islets, verdant forests and snow-capped mountains, it's considered the most scenic sea-lane in the world. You may catch a glimpse of a sea lion, whale or eagle… B, L, D Day 9: Juneau. Cruise the narrow Tracy Arm Fjord to the Alaskan capital of Juneau. It was here in 1880 that Joe Juneau and a fellow prospector first struck gold, later becoming the world's largest low-grade gold mine. B, L, D

Day 10: Skagway. Skagway,one of the smallest outposts in Alaska, retains its 'gold rush' atmosphere, with many original buildings dating back to the days of the early prospectors of the Klondike gold rush era. B, L, D Day 11: Glacier Bay National Park. Cruise through magnificent Glacier Bay and see some of the highest and whitest mountains of the glacier area. Admire the mighty ice spires as an on-board naturalist explains the phenomena of glaciers as you savour this unique spectacle. B, L, D Day 12: Ketchikan. Visit Ketchikan, built into steep hills with some of its buildings propped-up on wooden stilts, in the Tongass National Forest. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Misty Fjords National Monument by float-plane. B, L, D Day 13: Inside Passage. The Inside Passage is the stretch of coast between Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and Prince Rupert on the British Columbia mainland. Admire the amazing scenery once more as you cruise south to Vancouver. B, L, D Day 14: Vancouver-UK. Disembark Volendam and travel to the airport for your overnight flight. B Day 15: UK. Arrive in the UK this morning. Accommodation… Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge (4*) • Chateau Jasper (3*) • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels, Kamloops (3*) • Georgian Court Hotel, Vancouver (4*).

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/roadtorockies

Best seller

Cruising

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 6 nights in hotels, 7 on board ship and 1 in flight • 30 meals: 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 10 dinners Excursions and visits Sulphur Mountain cable-car ride Banff National Park tour Photo stop at Lake Louise Ice Explorer ride over Athabasca Glacier City tour of Vancouver Cruise the Inside Passage aboard Volendam Visit to the gold rush town of Skagway Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park l

Vancouver’s glittering skyline

Perhaps see Grizzly Bears

Extend your holiday The Calgary Stampede. 3 nights. Including breakfasts. This annual ten-day event is one of the world's largest and most exciting rodeos. Our July 9, 2020 departure with Calgary pre-extension, coincides with the Stampede, and admission is included! Stay at the locally rated 3-star International Suites Calgary.

MS Volendam

Vancouver. 3 nights. Including breakfasts. After your tour stay three nights at the boutique-style locally rated 4-star Georgian Court Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Victoria. 3 nights. Including breakfasts. After your tour stay three nights at the Inn at Laurel Point at the edge of Victoria’s inner harbour. These extensions are available for an additional cost – please call for details. Please call lfor details.

Discover Banff Banff National Park was created in 1885 and was the Canada’s first national park. It’s also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast and unspoilt alpine landscape includes soaring mountain peaks, dense forests, clear lakes, rivers and impressive glaciers. A gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain reveals a stunning mountain panorama from the summit, while within the park keep watch for local wildlife which includes the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and the charming golden mantled ground squirrel with chipmunk-like stripes along its back!

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £300^ per person on

selected cabins on advertised departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 B Verandah Suite May 7, 2020 3299 3249 3599 3499 4259 4109 Jun 4 3599 3499 3849 3749 4849 4649 Jul 9 3799 3699 4099 3949 4949 4749 Sep 3 3549 3399 3849 3649 4509 4259 Sep 10 3499 3299 3799 3549 4459 4159 Road to the Rockies and Alaskan Explorer. Holiday code: USC29. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing a stateroom cabin, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. Other cabin types and solo occupancy cabins are also available. Please call for details. §Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights. – see page 235 for details Price from

L Inside

E Outside

Please quote SMT19

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To find out more visit saga.co.uk/vancouver

CANADA

Vancouver and the Rockies 15 nights from £3299 Including optional travel insurance or from £3189 without insurance§ The glacial wilderness and spectacular mountain landscapes of the Canadian Rockies are sure to leave you breathless with wonder, and this scenic journey ensures you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 17 meals: 14 breakfasts and 3 dinners Excursions and visits Sightseeing in Vancouver and Victoria Visit to Butchart Gardens Whistler tour and cable-car ride, or Banff Gondola ride Visit Hat Creek Ranch Tour of Jasper and Maligne Canyon Icefields Parkway scenic drive and Ice Explorer ride over Athabasca Glacier Lake Louise photo stop Tour of the alpine resort of Banff ●

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Vibrant Vancouver

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Rocky Mountains Columbia Mountains

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Jasper

ALBERTA Banff Kananaskis Lake Louise Calgary Glacier National Park

Sun Peaks Whistler

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Vancouver Victoria

nights in hotel

Charming Victoria on Vancouver Island ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Vancouver. Fly to Vancouver where you stay for three nights. Day 2: Vancouver. An included sightseeing trip this morning visits some of the city's attractions including the famous totem poles of Stanley Park. Afternoon at leisure. B Day 3: Vancouver. At leisure. B Day 4: Vancouver-Victoria. Transfer to Victoria by coach and ferry with a visit to the beautiful Butchart Gardens. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of the city. Stay two nights in Victoria. B Day 5: Victoria. Perhaps join an optional whale-watching excursion. B Day 6: Victoria-Whistler. Return to the mainland and continue to the resort of Whistler where you stay for two nights. Enjoy an included tour of the town and gondola trip up Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. B Day 7: Whistler. At leisure. B Day 8: Whistler-Sun Peaks.Travel through the lush Fraser Valley, learn about the Gold Rush, the life of a prospector, and the Shuswap First Nation on a visit to Hat Creek Ranch. Stay overnight at Sun Peaks. B, D Day 9: Sun Peaks-Jasper. Head east along the Yellowhead Highway to Jasper in Alberta, where you spend the next two nights. B, D Day 10: Jasper. Enjoy an included tour of Jasper and its surroundings, including Maligne Canyon. See Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake on an optional trip. B Day 11: Jasper-Banff. Drive along the famous Icefields Parkway en route to Banff, including

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a stop at the Athabasca Glacier for a ride on the Ice Explorer. Stay two nights in Banff, the highest town in Canada, surrounded by a national park. B Day 12: Banff. Enjoy an included tour of Banff and its surroundings, including lake Louise. B Day 13: Banff-Kananaskis. Travel to the mountain resort of Kananaskis, where you stay for two nights. From here you can explore the Alberta Rocky Mountains, visit Barrier Lake, or perhaps enjoy one of the paved trails and view points. B Day 14: Kananaskis. Today explore this picturesque resort at your leisure. Later today, travel to Boundary Ranch for an included farewell ranch barbecue. B, D Day 15: Kananaskis-UK. Early afternoon travel to Calgary for your overnight flight. B Day 16: UK. Arrive in the UK the following morning. Accommodation… Sheraton Wall Center, Vancouver (4*) • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels (4*), Victoria • Listel Hotel Whistler (3*) • Sun Peaks Grand (4*) • Crimson Hotel, Jasper (3*) • Banff Park Lodge (4*) • Mount Kidd Manor (3*) Please note: On 7 May, 2020 departure you will not be able to ride the gondola in Whistler on day 6 due to seasonal operating schedules. Instead, there will be an included Sulphur Mountain gondola ride on day 13. Departures in 2019 will follow a different itinerary on days 13-14.

You can extend your holiday in Vancouver Please call lfor details.

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £300

per person on selected departures Sep 5, 2019 3749 3499 Sep 12 3599 3299 May 7, 2020 3399 Jun 4 3749 Sep 3 3749 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4498 Vancouver and the Rockies. Holiday code: USC19. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/clouds

CANADA

Journey through the Clouds 10 nights from £3499^

Rail journey

Including optional travel insurance or from £3389^ without insurance§

Your tour includes

The awe-inspiring scenery of Canada’s Rocky Mountains awaits on this tour. Journey through stunning landscapes on the Rocky Mountaineer and explore the breathtaking Banff National Park, with time in Vancouver and Calgary.

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 14 meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners Excursions and visits Sightseeing tour of Vancouver Two-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train Scenic drive through Jasper National Park An Ice Explorer ride over the Athabasca Glacier Tour of Banff National Park Cable-car ride up Sulphur Mountain City tour of Calgary. ●

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Enjoy a memorable trip aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

Canada

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Jasper

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BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver Island

Banff National Park Banff

Kamloops

Vancouver

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Admire the architecture of Banff Avenue ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Vancouver. Fly to Vancouver where you’ll stay for three nights. Day 2: Vancouver. An included half-day sightseeing tour will take you through the historic Gastown district, to the modern waterfront development of Canada Place, into bustling China Town and finally to Stanley Park. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps seek out one of the many attractions including the Planetarium, Anthropology Museum or the Maritime Museum. B, D Day 3: Vancouver. Enjoy exploring further or join an optional excursion to Victoria on Vancouver Island for a tour of the capital city, commonly known as the 'Garden City'. The highlights include the impressive Parliament buildings and the immaculate Butchart Gardens. B Day 4: Kamloops. Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a breathtaking two-day journey through the Rockies. En route you’ll see dramatic changes in landscape and a highlight will be seeing Hell’s Gate Rapids in Fraser Canyon. The train stops for the night at Kamploops, where you’ll disembark and stay at a 3-star hotel selected by Rocky Mountaineer. B, L Day 5: Jasper. Reboard the Rocky Mountaineer and travel eastwards, again following the Thompson River, to the mighty wilderness of the Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Arrive in the former fur-trading post of Jasper where you stay for two nights. B, L Day 6: Jasper. Enjoy a day at leisure, exploring the attractions of quiet little Jasper, the starting point for many scenic hiking trails and bicycle routes. Alternatively, join one of the optional excursions to Medicine and

Maligne Lakes in Jasper National Park. B Day 7: Icefields Parkway-Banff. Travel along the Icefields Parkway, regarded as one of the world's most scenic highways. Take a ride on the mighty Athabasca Glacier aboard the Ice Explorer, then enjoy a picnic lunch. Continue to Banff for a three-night stay. B, L Day 8: Banff National Park. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Banff National Park on a short tour and, weather permitting, take a memorable gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. B Day 9: Banff. Enjoy a relaxing day in this delightful mountain resort or perhaps join an optional excursion to Yoho National Park. B, D Day 10: Banff-Calgary-UK. Spend the morning at leisure and then continue onto Calgary, a cosmopolitan city in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. An included orientation tour will show you the rodeo and stampede grounds that give Calgary its ‘Wild West’ feel. Afterwards, travel to the airport for your return overnight flight. B Day 11: UK. Arrive in the UK this morning. Accommodation… Georgian Court Hotel (4*), Vancouver • Kamloops Hotel (3*) • Chateau Jasper (3*) • Banff Park Lodge (3*). Extend your holiday Extend your holiday with a three-night stay in Vancouver before your tour, or with a further two nights in Calgary at the end. The June 23, 2020 departure coincides with the Calgary Stampede. Please call lfor details.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE £100^

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 May 5, 2020 3599 3499 May 26 3749 3649 Jun 23 3999 Sep 8 3849 Sep 15 3849 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4148 Upgrade to GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer from £449 per person Journey through the Clouds. Holiday code: US10S. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Please quote SMT19

175

CANADA

The Best of Canada’s East and West 15 nights from £3849^ Including optional travel insurance or from £3739^ without insurance § Discover East and West Canada on this new tour that starts from Montreal, taking in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and more revealing magnificent scenery, vibrant cities and visiting famous Niagara Falls

Stunning Banff National Park ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Montreal. Fly to Montreal where you stay for two nights. Day 2: Montreal. Enjoy today at leisure in Montreal to explore independently, or perhaps join an optional excursion to the city of Quebec. B Day 3: Montreal-Ottawa. See the highlights of Montreal on a city tour this morning, taking in the exterior of Notre Dame basilica and the preserved district of Old Montreal. Afterwards, travel to the capital of Ottawa where you’ll spend the next two nights. B Day 4: Ottawa. Enjoy a tour of Ottawa city this morning, taking in some of the highlights including the parliamentary building and peace tower. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, or explore independently. B

Jasper

Banff National Park Banff

Canada Montréal

Calgary Kamloops Vancouver

USA

Toronto Niagara Falls

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Ottawa

Day 5: Ottawa-Toronto. Travel to Toronto where you stay for two nights. Stop en route along the shores of Lake Ontario for an included cruise to see the Thousand Islands of the St Lawrence River, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. B Day 6: Toronto. Head for the mighty Niagara Falls – one of Canada’s most famous attractions, where over two million litres of water per second thunder over the 167-foot drop! Explore independently, or perhaps treat yourself to a choice of optional excursions. B Day 7: Toronto-Calgary. After an included city tour taking in the harbour front and landmarks such as the CN Tower and Yorkville, travel to the airport for your flight to Calgary, where you stay overnight. B Day 8: Calgary-Banff. Your tour continues to Banff – the highest town in Canada. Look forward to enjoying a tour of this mountain resort overlooked by Sulphur Mountain and set within the Banff National Park. Spend two nights here. B Day 9: Calgary-Banff. Banff lies within the Banff National Park, which forms part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain UNESCO World Heritage site. Relax or explore independently today, perhaps treating yourself to a trip up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff gondola cableway. B Day 10: Banff to Jasper. Depart for Jasper, pausing at Lake Louise to take in spectacular mountain views, before continuing past the impressive scenery of the Icefields Parkway. Take an unforgettable Ice Explorer ride to

the Athabasca Glacier fed by the mighty Colombia icefield in the Rocky Mountains, before arriving at your hotel where you will stay for two nights. B Day 11: Jasper. Relax today in this small mountain town in the Athabasca Valley or perhaps do some independent exploring. B Day 12: Jasper to Kamloops. En route to Kamloops, pause for a safari on the Blue River watching for wildlife including bears, amidst stunning mountain scenery. Stay overnight in Kamloops. B Day 13: Kamloops to Vancouver. Continue to the bustling coastal city of Vancouver, where you’ll stay for two nights. Enjoy a sightseeing tour taking in the city’s main sights and attractions and its mountain backdrop. B Days 14: Vancouver Enjoy today at leisure in Vancouver, perhaps visiting one of the city’s museums and art galleries, or explore the cobbled old town district of Gastown. Alternatively, join an optional excursion which may include whale watching, a day trip to Victoria, a sea plane tour, and more. B Days 15-16: Vancouver to the UK. Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the following morning. B Accommodation… Marriott Chateau Champlain (4*), Montreal • Delta Ottawa Hotel (4*) • Chelsea Hotel (4*), Toronto • Residence Inn Downtown, Calgary (4*) • Banff Park Lodge (3*) • Chateau Jasper (3*) • DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Kamloops (3*) • Listel Hotel, Vancouver (4*)

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/eastandwest

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 14 nights in hotels, and 1 in flight • 14 meals: 14 breakfasts Excursions and visits • Sightseeing tour of Montreal • Tour of Ottowa • Cruise around the Thousand Islands • Toronto city tour • Banff National Park tour • Photo stop at Lake Louise • Blue River Safari boat trip • Visit Niagara Falls • City tour of Vancouver Plus all this… Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels. l

Breathtaking Niagara Falls

Vancouver skyline

Extend your holiday Cruise along the Alaskan coast. 7 nights full board. After your main holiday, step aboard Holland America Line’s Volendam for a seven night cruise along the Alaskan coast, sailing through the Inside Passage, visiting the Alaskan capital of Juneau, Skagway, and more, before returning to Vancouver and your return flight home.

Ottawa’s Library of Parliament

Vancouver After your tour, stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Listel Hotel in Vancouver on a room only basis, just 10 minutes walk from Stanley Park. Please call for details.

“Experience both sides of Canada, from the mighty Niagara Falls and vibrant cultural cities in the East to the dramatic scenery of the Rockies in the West. Canada has so much to offer and this tour provides a great insight into the country.” Ellis Manning, Expert Holiday Creator

SAVE £150^

per person on Jun 17 and Sep 9, 2020 departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Jun 17, 2020 3999 3849 Sep 9 3999 3849 Rooms for sole occupancy from £4948

Athabasca Icefield

Montreal Old Town

Canada – a land for all seasons Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Canada is a country packed with culture, scenic wonders and buzzing cities. Step into the world of the awesome Rocky Mountains, a land of towering peaks and glaciers where bears roam and mountain resorts beckon. Parle français in cosmopolitan and enchanting Montreal – home to the world’s largest French speaking population after Paris, and get ready to marvel at the mighty Niagara Falls where two million litres of water tumble over the 167-foot drop every second! From east to west, there’s so much to discover in this beautiful and diverse country – no wonder it’s nicknamed the ‘Great White North’!

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

The Best of Canada’s East and West. Holiday code: USC20. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Air Canada from London Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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CANADA

The Great Canadian Train Journey 18 nights from £4699^ Including optional travel insurance or from £4509^ without insurance § Embark on a four-day train journey crossing five provinces, from Montreal on the Atlantic, all they way to the Pacific. Ride the 'Canadian' sleeper train through this vast country, finishing your journey in beautiful Vancouver…

The Glacier Skywalk ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Montreal. Fly to Montreal for a three-night stay. Day 2: Montreal. Join an included city tour and discover Montreal's intoxicating mix of history and innovation, including the exterior of the Notre Dame basilica, and Old Montreal - a beautifully preserved district, home to Place Jacques Cartier and Maison Calvert. B, D Day 3: Quebec City. Travel to Quebec City for an included sightseeing tour. Discover the 17th and 18th-century buildings in historic Place Royale, visit the Petit Champlain Quarter, see the Citadel and famous Château Frontenac Hotel. Return to Montreal. B, L Day 4: Montreal-Ottawa. Travel to Ottawa for a two-night stay. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of Canada’s national capital, home to the parliamentary building with its peace tower. B

Canada Jasper Ottawa

Banff Vancouver

USA

Québec Toronto

Niagara Falls

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Day 5: Ottawa. At leisure. Perhaps explore one of the city’s museums or visit the Bytown Museum in the city's oldest stone building. Perhaps join an optional historic river cruise excursion. B Day 6: Ottawa-Toronto. Travel to the shores of Lake Ontario for an included cruise around the Thousand Islands of the St Lawrence River, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Continue to Toronto where you stay for three nights. Optional dinner cruise. B, L Day 7: Toronto. Cosmopolitan Toronto is the largest urban centre in Canada. This morning's sightseeing tour reveals the contrasting cityscapes including the stunning waterfront and landmark CN Tower. Choice of optional excursions. B Day 8: Niagara Falls. Travel to Niagara by coach on this full-day excursion and enjoy a cruise to the foot of Horseshoe Falls, weather permitting. Hooded raincoats are supplied! In the event of adverse weather or low water levels, Journey Behind the Falls may replace the cruise. Return to your hotel in Toronto. B Day 9: Train across the Canadian Shield. Transfer from your hotel to the VIA Railway station where you’ll board the ‘Canadian’. Settle into your cabin as you begin your three-night journey to the West Coast. B, L, D Day 10: Crossing the Canadian Shield. Spend the day crossing the ‘Canadian Shield’, made up of igneous rock, over 570 million years old and some of the oldest rock on the planet. The Shield stretches north from the Great Lakes in the USA to the Arctic Ocean,

and is smothered by vast stretches of forest. Spend tonight on the train. B, L, D Day 11: The Prairies to the Rockies Your train journey continues today as you head towards the West Coast, crossing the Prairies and on to the foothills of the Rockies. Enjoy your third night on board the train. B, L, D Day 12: Jasper-Banff. Disembark your train early this morning in the town of Jasper. Transfer to the mountain resort of Banff where you’ll stay for the next two nights. B Day 13: Banff. Enjoy today at leisure to explore Banff. Perhaps join an optional excursion, taking a helicopter ride over the mountains, or a cable-car ride up Sulphur Mountain for breathtaking views. B Day 14: Jasper. Today, drive along the famous Icefields Parkway and stop at the Athabasca Glacier for a ride on the Ice Explorer. Later visit the Glacier Skywalk, a towering glass viewpoint. Afterwards, continue on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, where you stay for the next two nights. B Day 15: Jasper. Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of Jasper this morning, followed by the rest of the day leisure, when you can explore independently, or perhaps join an optional excursion. B Day 16: The Rockies to the Pacific. This morning, re-board the train in Jasper and head towards the Pacific coast. Wonder at the breathtaking scenery as you travel out of the Rockies. Enjoy dinner on board the train tonight. B,L,D

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/greatcanada

Rail journey

Your tour includes • VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 13 nights in hotels, 4 nights on the train, and 1 in flight • 29 meals: 17 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners Excursions and visits Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa city sightseeing Niagara Falls trip and cruise to the foot of Horseshoe Falls 4 nights in a private cabin on the 'Canadian' train Ice Explorer ride across Athabasca Glacier Glacier Skywalk Sightseeing tour of Jasper Sightseeing tour of Vancouver l

The Canadian

Vancouver

Niagara Falls

Day 17: Vancouver. Disembark the train in Vancouver and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. See the city sights on an included tour, taking you through Gastown, Canada Place, China Town and Stanley Park. B, D Day 18: Vancouver-UK. Morning at leisure, then transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK. B Day 19: UK. Arrive in the UK. Accommodation… Meridian Chateau Versailles (4*), Montreal • Delta Ottawa Hotel (4*) • Chelsea Hotel (4*), Toronto • Banff Ptarmigan Inn (3*) • Sawridge Inn (4*) or Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (4*) or The Crimson (3*), Jasper • Georgian Court Hotel (4*), Vancouver.

Please note:This tour involves long but rewarding journeys and train journeys may be subject to lengthy delays.

Extend your holiday Montreal Before your tour, stay three nights at the Marriott Chateau Champlain, where you stay on days 1-3 of the main tour. Vancouver After your tour, stay three nights at the Georgian Court Hotel where you stay on the final days of the main tour. Victoria. After your tour, stay three nights at the locally rated 4-star Coast Victoria Hotel and Marina in Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Please call for details.

The Great Canadian Train Journey Travel 2,792 miles across Canada passing through four time zones aboard the sleek VIA Rail sleeper, The Canadian. Relax in your comfortable, self-contained single or double cabin with bunks, each with a vanity basin, toilet and comfy seating that converts into overnight beds. Enjoy meals in the elegant restaurant car, breakfasts in the lounge and drinks in the bar. You can also watch the changing scenery from the viewing floor. There’s surely no better way to traverse this vast country…

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £250 ^per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019

Prices from: Sep 24, 2019 4999 4749 Apr 28, 2020 4799 4699 Sep 22 4999 Rooms for sole occupancy from £5548 The Great Canadian Train Journey. Holiday code: USC52. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £190 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

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CANADA

Highlights of Eastern Canada 10 nights from £2199^ Including optional travel insurance or from £2089^ without insurance§ This memorable tour contrasts the cities of eastern Canada, from historic Ottawa to ultra-modern Toronto and sophisticated Montreal. Marvel too at the breathtaking natural splendour of the Thousand Islands and awe-inspiring Niagara Falls.

Mighty Niagara Falls ACTIVITY LEVEL Day 1: UK-Toronto. Fly to Toronto where you stay for two nights. Day 2: Toronto. On this morning’s included city tour see the magnificent skyline for which Toronto is famed, as well as the harbour front and landmarks such as the CN Tower and Yorkville. Your afternoon is at leisure – perhaps enjoy shopping in the downtown area. B Day 3: Toronto-Montreal. Head east out of Toronto, along the shores of Lake Ontario to Kingston for an included cruise to see the Thousand Islands of the St Lawrence River, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Stay two nights in vibrant and cosmopolitan Montreal. B, L Day 4: Montreal. Today is at leisure to continue exploring Montreal. B

Canada Algonquin Park

Québec Ottawa

Huntsville St Jacobs

Kingston (1000 Islands) Lake Ontario Niagara Falls

Toronto

USA

nights in hotel

180 Please quote SMT19

Montréal

Day 5: Montreal-Ottawa. See the highlights of Montreal on this morning’s included tour that takes in the Old Quarter, Notre-Dame-deBon-Secours (admission not included), Place Jacques Cartier, Chinatown and Maison Calvet, a beautifully preserved ancestral home. Then travel to Canada’s capital city of Ottawa where you stay for two nights. B, L Day 6: Ottawa. Join an included sightseeing tour of Ottawa, which will visit Parliament Hill, a high point of the city and home to the Parliament Buildings, Canada’s seat of government, as well as the National Arts Centre and Byward Market. B Day 7: Ottawa-Huntsville. Head west into the Canadian wilderness to see deep forests, sparkling lakes and traditional Canadian settlements. Drive through beautiful Algonquin Park, home to moose, wolves and shy black bears, with a stop at the visitors centre. Stay overnight in Huntsville, a pretty town on the edge of the Algonquin Park. B Day 8: Huntsville-Niagara Falls. Travel along the Niagara escarpment towards one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Stay two nights overlooking the Canadian Falls. B Day 9: Niagara Falls. Ride the Hornblower Niagara cruise to the foot of the falls, weather permitting, on an included excursion. If the weather is bad, take a ‘Journey Behind the Falls’. This evening, savour panoramic views of the illuminated falls during your final dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. B, D Day 10: Niagara Falls-Toronto-UK. Enjoy the morning at Niagara-on-the-Lake, reputed to

be one of the prettiest towns in Canada. This charming town at the northern end of the Niagara river on the shores of Lake Ontario, has period houses, a museum, fort and marina. In the afternoon, return to Toronto for your overnight flight to the UK. B Day 11: UK. Arrive in the UK the following morning for your included door-to-door travel service home. Accommodation… Chelsea Hotel, Toronto (4*) • Novotel Montreal Centre (4*) • Delta Ottawa City Centre Hotel (4*) • Hidden Valley Resort, Huntsville (3*) • Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, Niagara Falls (4*). Please note: Departures in 2019 will spend one night in Ottawa and two nights in Huntsville.

Exclusively for solo travellers 10 nights departing September 26, 2019. Follow a slightly different itinerary, spending one night in Ottawa and two nights in Huntsville, and enjoy the company of other solo travellers. Holiday code: AF756. Visit saga.co.uk/solos or call for details. Extend your holiday Toronto. Before or after your tour, why not extend your holiday with a two-night stay at the Chelsea Hotel where you stay on Days 1 and 2 of the main tour.

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking

To find out more visit saga.co.uk/highlights

Best sller

Your tour includes

See Ottawa’s Parliament Building

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 9 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 12 meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner Excursions and visits Cruise around the Thousand Islands Toronto city tour Sightseeing tours of Montreal Niagara Falls boat trip A morning in pretty Niagara-on-the-Lake l

Downtown Montreal

The iconic CN Tower in Toronto

Explore beautiful Quebec City

Selected optional excursions now available to book in advance

SAVE up to £100^

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Sep 5, 2019 2549 2499 Oct 10 2449 May 6, 2020 2299 2199 May 27 2399 Jun 10 2499 Sep 9 2449 Sep 16 2449 Oct 7 2299 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2768 Highlights of Eastern Canada. Holiday code: US756. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Niagara Falls The mighty Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls – the Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls. Collectively some 3,160 tons of water thunders over the 167-foot high rim every second and by 1895 it was the site of the world’s first hydroelectric generating station. Look forward to visiting this great natural wonder and either the chance to see it from the water – weather permitting – or walk behind the Falls through a network of tunnels that lie near the base, offering a unique insight into the power and beauty of some of the world’s most famous water falls.

To book see page 235 and call FREE on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/tours

Getting You There Prices are based on Air Transat from Gatwick to Toronto. In 2020 flights are with Air Canada from London Heathrow. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Please quote SMT19

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To find out more visit saga.co.uk/uscities-niagara

CANADA AND USA

Niagara, New York and Washington DC

Rail journey

Your tour includes

9 nights from £2299^ Including optional travel insurance or from £2189^ without insurance§ An 8-night tour that starts in Canada and continues in the United States of America, reveals their most iconic attractions. You’ll stay beside Niagara Falls, then close to Times Square in New York City and finally in the capital, Washington DC…

• VIP door-to-door travel service – please call for details • 8 nights in hotels and 1 in flight • 5 meals: 5 breakfasts Excursions and visits Niagara Falls lake cruise Sightseeing tour of New York Visit Corning Museum of Glass in New York Sightseeing tour of Washington DC ●

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Plus all this... VIP door-to-door travel service Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required§ Return flights and transfers Saga tour manager Porterage at all hotels. ●

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Cruise into the mist of Horseshoe Falls

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Canada nights in hotel

Toronto Niagara Falls

USA New York

Washington, D.C.

Stay within walking distance of Times Square

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Rita from Norwich

Day 1: UK-Toronto. Fly to Toronto and transfer to Niagara Falls for a two-night stay. You’ll be close enough to the Falls to experience their roar. Day 2: Niagara Falls. Today you cruise the Niagara River to the foot of the Falls. The cruise takes you past the base of the America Falls and then into the plunge pool of the most powerful waterfall of the trio, Horseshoe Falls. Return to land and explore the city of Niagara Falls independently. For a bird’s-eye view perhaps treat yourself to a helicopter ride. As darkness descends this evening a light show paints the falls with a myriad of colours, so have your camera at hand. B Day 3: New York. The scenic drive of around seven-and-a-half hours to New York State will be broken up by rest stops. On arrival in New York State you’ll visit the Corning Glass Museum to see some of the 45,000 glass objects that cover 3,500 years of glassmaking. You can also watch master craftsmen create new glass objects. Later, check into your hotel in the heart of the ‘Big Apple’ for a three-night stay. Day 4: New York. This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide. Your tour bus will cruise by all the major sights, including Times Square, Wall Street, Central Park and the Empire State Building. This afternoon and evening are at leisure. B

182 Please quote SMT19

“Best bit of the tour was Niagara falls - out of this world!”

Day 5: New York. Today is at leisure. Perhaps visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Statue of Liberty, join the throng in Chinatown or go window shopping in the Time Warner Center. Day 6: Washington DC. This morning, look forward to a journey aboard an Amtrak train. Embark at NYC Penn Station and travel to Washington DC Union Station. Drinks and meals (not included) and free Wi-Fi are available during your three-and-a-half hour journey. On arrival in Washington DC transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Day 7: Washington DC. Set out on a morning sightseeing tour of the city in the company of a local guide and view the White House, US Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Kennedy Centre and many more monuments and memorials. In the afternoon you can explore the capital independently. B Day 8: Washington DC. Enjoy a day at leisure, exploring Washington DC at your own pace. B Days 9-10: Washington DC-UK. Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK. Arrive the following day. B Accommodation… The Radisson on the Falls (4*), Niagara • Holiday Inn NYC Times Square (4*) • Omni Shoreham Hotel (4*), Washington DC.

SAVE £100^

per person on selected departures when you book by Aug 9, 2019 Prices from: Sep 9, 2019 2599 2499 Oct 7 2449 2349 Apr 27, 2020 2399 2299 Sep 7 2549 Oct 12 2399 Rooms for sole occupancy from £2948 Niagara, New York and Washington DC. Holiday code: US026. All prices are £s per person based on two people sharing, including savings as advertised and are subject to availability. § Optional travel insurance: A reduction of £110 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights – see page 235 for details.

Getting You There Prices are based on Air Canada from Heathrow and returning with United Airlines and in 2020 return flights with Air Canada. Please enquire for regional flights and alternative airline options. • Fly in style – ask about our great value cabin upgrades • Remember, wherever you are in the UK, our VIP travel service means we will get you to the airport for no extra cost!

Questions on an existing booking? Call FREE on 0800 504 555 or visit saga.co.uk/managemybooking