Escorted Tours | 2016 - 2017

E S C O RT E D TO U R S 2016–2017

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YO U R PA S S I O N F O R T R AV E L A N D O U R E X P E RT I S E C O M B I N E D. W E L C O M E T O T H E E S C O RT E D T O U R S B RO C H U R E F O R 2 0 1 6 A N D B E YO N D.

O V E R T H E N E X T F E W PA G E S Y O U ’ L L F I N D K E Y D AT E S A N D P R E V I E W S FOR OUR FOR THCOMING E SCOR TED TOURS TO E XCEP TION A L D E S T I N AT I O N S , B O T H L O N G H A U L A N D C L O S E R T O H O M E .

From encounters with the art and incredible architecture that have shaped the modern world, to explorations of the vibrant wildlife and waterways of the natural world, we’ve sought to include something to whet the appetite of every enlightened traveller in this booklet.

We are also very pleased to announce the addition of Wild Insights Birdwatching and Wildlife tours run by Keith and Linda Offord.

You can find out more about these special tours on page 22 and comprehensive itinerary details for every listed Escorted Tour on our website.

www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk/escorted-tours

W H E T H E R YO U ’R E A N E WCO M E R TO E SCO R T E D TO U R S O R A N O L D H A N D , Y O U C A N R E S T A S S U R E D T H AT O U R C H O I C E O F D E S T I N AT I O N S , A C C O M M O D AT I O N A N D E X P E R T S S T I L L S E T S U S A PA R T F R O M T H E R E S T. M O R E O V E R W E O F F E R :

• More choice In addition to the diverse variety of destinations and focus that our regular portfolio of tours offer, our partnership with a number of leading institutions enable us to provide an even broader choice of tours.

• Inspiring itineraries Carefully planned, with the assistance of our tour leaders and/or guest lecturers, to ensure that travellers derive maximum enjoyment from their chosen destination.

• Expertise The decades of knowledge, experience and attention to detail of our Escorted Journeys ‘team’.

• Value for money Whilst our tours might appear a little costly on paper it’s because they include so much more than other comparable tours, they offer excellent value for money.

• Carefully chosen accommodation Selected on the basis of comfort, character and location, not necessarily star-rating.

• Tour Leaders & Guest Lecturers Employed predominantly to ensure the smooth running of your journey and, on occasion, to add expertise to more specialised departures, we truly believe that ours are some of the most dedicated available.

• Financial protection Through our ATOL licence and our membership of ABTA. So without further ado, let’s get on with the show, and start your journey. We do hope these pages inspire you to investigate further.

N I C K VA N G R U I S E N MANAGING DIREC TOR

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TO U R C A L E N DA R Escorted Tours 2016

Dates

Location

Page

The Natural Wonders of Costa Rica

10 Jan – 23 Jan

Costa Rica

6

Opera in Prague

14 Jan – 17 Jan

Czech Republic

6

Antarctica: Celebrating Shackleton

28 Jan – 20 Feb

Antarctica

6

St. Petersburg: Treasures of the Russian Tsars

11 Feb – 15 Feb

Russia

7

The Jewels of Sri Lanka

12 Feb – 26 Feb

Sri Lanka

7

A Journey through Rajasthan

14 Feb – 01 Mar

India

7

The Colours and Flavours of Vietnam

15 Feb – 27 Feb

Vietnam

8

Rediscovering the Raj

18 Feb – 4 Mar

India

9

Colonial Brazil

19 Feb – 3 Mar

Brazil

9

St. Petersburg: Treasures of the Russian Tsars II

24 Feb – 28 Feb

Russia

9

The Sultanate of Oman

04 Mar – 13 Mar

Oman

10

Maastricht & The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF)

12 Mar – 16 Mar

The Netherlands, Belgium & Germany

10

The Hidden Treasures of Venice

14 Mar – 18 Mar

Italy

10

Private Gardens of Andalucia

05 Apr – 10 Apr

Spain

11

The American Deep South

05 Apr – 16 Apr

North America

12

Art in Paris

14 Apr – 18 Apr

France

12

Berlin: Art & History

20 Apr – 23 Apr

Germany

12

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4

Greece: Athens & the Mani

06 May – 13 May

Greece

13

Turkey: Cappadocia & Ephesus

07 May – 14 May

Turkey

13

The Gardens of the Italian Lakes

09 May – 13 May

Italy

14

Verdun & The Somme Anniversary Tour

08 May – 13 May

France

15

Spain: Costa de Cantabria, Bilbao & San Sebastian

22 May – 26 May

Spain

15

Verona: Opera, Villas & Gardens

23 Jun – 27 Jun

Italy

15

Wild Canada

01 Sep – 13 Sep

Canada

16

Croatia: A Cruise on the MY Casablanca

11 Sep – 18 Sep

Croatia

17

Ultimate Invitation to Myanmar: The Road to Mandalay

11 Sep – 26 Sep

Myanmar

17

Myanmar: Exploring the Upper Ayeyarwady on the Orcaella

14 Sep – 27 Sep

Myanmar

17

Romania: A Journey through Transylvania

16 Sep – 22 Sep

Romania

18

The Treasures of China

16 Sep – 29 Sep

China

18

Discovering Boston

29 Sep – 04 Oct

North America

19

Flemish Art of Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent & Brussels

03 Oct – 07 Oct

Belgium

19

The Masai Mara in Depth: Kenya Wildlife Tour

05 Oct – 18 Oct

Kenya

20

Vietnam: the Red River & Halong Bay

07 Oct – 20 Oct

Vietnam

20

The Splendours of Leipzig & Berlin

17 Oct – 22 Oct

Germany

21

The Brazilian Amazon & Pantanal Wetlands

19 Oct – 02 Nov

Brazil

21

Dresden: Art, Opera & Christmas Markets

27 Nov – 30 Nov

Germany

21

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Wild Insight Tours 2016

Dates

Location

Page

The Netherlands: Geese Galore and Much More!

16 Jan – 24 Jan

The Netherlands

23

Sri Lanka: The Teardrop of India

13 Feb – 27 Feb

Sri Lanka

23

Estonia: Springtime in the Eastern Extremes

14 May – 24 May

Estonia

23

Iceland: Land of Geysers and Gyrs

24 Jun – 04 Jul; 04 Jul – 14 Jul

Iceland

24

Kruger: The Best of African Wildlife

03 Sep – 18 Sep

South Africa

24

Escorted Tours 2017

Dates

Location

Page

Durrell Expedition: Madagascar, Aldabra & the Seychelles

24 Feb – 09 Mar

Indian Ocean

27

The Ultimate Invitation: Mekong River, Saigon to Angkor

14 Mar – 27 Mar

Vietnam & Cambodia

27

Galapagos: The Enchanted Isles

29 Apr – 10 May

Galapagos

27

The Ultimate Invitation: The Northwest Passage, Arctic Ocean

11 Aug – 26 Aug

Arctic Ocean

28

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T H E N AT U R A L W O N D E R S O F C O S TA R I C A

OPER A IN PR AGUE

10 – 2 3 J A N U A R Y 2 0 16

Marie-Thérèse Hill’s annual opera tour travels to the historic city of Prague with its carefully preserved medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and treasures.

Ornithology and wildlife expert Andy Bunten returns to Costa Rica, with its spectacular and diverse scenery, providing varied habitats for an extraordinary profusion of wildlife.

14 –17 J A N U A R Y 2 0 16

A N TA R C T I C A : C E L E B R AT I N G SHACK LE TON 2 8 J A N U A R Y – 2 0 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 16

Travel in the footsteps of Shackleton with Ultimate Directors Nick and Iris Van Gruisen, Martin Thompson and explorer and Guest Lecturer Henry Worsley for the 100th anniversary of the rescue of the crew of Endurance.

• Search for hummingbirds and the resplendent quetzal in the high and humid cloud forest of Monteverde

• Indulge in a programme of back stage tours and opera performances of Aida by Giuseppe Verdi and The Cunning Little Vixen by Leoš Janáček

• See iguanas and crocodile in the coastal wetland sanctuary of the Palo Verde National Park and capuchin monkeys and three-toed sloths in the Carara National Park

• Visit the Old Town and the Mala Strana where churches, houses and palaces line pretty cobbled streets and squares, and cross the famous Charles Bridge to Wenceslas Square

• Journey by boat to the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biologically rich habitats on earth, renowned for its concentrations of wildlife

• Venture out of the city to the chateau of Nelahozeves, a beautiful Renaissance castle housing one of the Czech Republic’s most notable art collections

• Journey with the grandson of Sir James Wordie, geologist aboard Endurance, who will bring diary extracts and Shackleton memorabilia

TOUR PRICE: £4,530 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 4 9 0

T O U R P R I C E : £ 1, 5 9 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 5 0

T O U R P R I C E F R O M : £ 9, 8 76 P E R P E R S O N SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FROM: £3,495

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• Board the Polar research vessel Akademik Ioffe in Ushuaia, chartered exclusively, for an 18-night cruise • Cruise via the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Elephant Island (weather permitting) to the Antarctic Peninsular

S T. P E T E R S B U R G : T R E A S U R E S OF THE RUSSIAN TSARS 11 –15 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 16

Tania Illingworth returns once more to the winter splendour of St. Petersburg to explore the unique and unsurpassed architectural and artistic legacy of the Tsars and Tsarinas.

• See the beautifully-preserved palaces of Pavlovsk, Yussupov and the Winter Palace • Study the extraordinary treasures of the State Hermitage with curator Professor Alexei Leporc • Visit the brilliant collections of the Russian museum or enjoy a private viewing of the newly opened Fabergé Collection and attend a ballet at the fabled Mariinsky Theatre

TOUR PRICE: £2,295 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 5 0

THE JEWELS OF SRI LANK A

A JOURNEY THROUGH R AJASTHAN

12 – 2 6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 16

14 F E B U R A R Y – 1 M A R C H 2 0 16

Travel with Jax Comyn on a comprehensive discovery of the island’s geographical and architectural highlights from ancient sites to fascinating colonial buildings, local modern art and traditional cuisine.

Caroline and Peter Stanley take a captivating tour offering a comfortable and gentle, yet comprehensive introduction to Rajasthan, emulating the travelling house parties of old.

• Explore the 5th-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the impressive 1st-century Dambulla Rock Temple as well as the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist temple • Discover British built colonial buildings in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya and visit the British Garrison Cemetery, established in 1817, in Kandy

• Marvel at the magnificent Taj Mahal and the Fort in Agra and the fascinating Palace of the Winds and the Amber Fort in the ‘Rose City’ of Jaipur • Travel through rural Rajasthan to the vibrant cities of Narlai, Sardar Samand and Nagaur and stay in former Royal palaces, hunting lodges and forts

• Take a colourful train journey through tea plantations and jungles and enjoy a cookery demonstration in a spice garden

• View the shimmering Lake Palace and Lake Pichola in Udaipur and the formidable Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur with its jumble of blue and white buildings

TOUR PRICE: £4,595 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 8 2 5

T O U R P R I C E : £ 4 ,9 9 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 1, 2 7 3

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T H E C O L O U R S A N D F L AVO U R S

OF VIETNAM 15 – 2 7 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 16

Renowned photojournalist and restauranteur Chris Caldicott and his wife Carolyn sample the scenery, colours and tastes of this beguiling country with its fascinating, turbulent history and smiling people.

• Take in the bustling atmosphere of Hanoi’s Old Quarter market streets with its vestiges of the French colonial legacy • Capture the beauty of the limestone karsts and islands in the emerald waters of Halong Bay as you relax on board a traditional junk • Wander through the delightful Hoi An with its traditional merchants’ houses and ornate Japanese Covered Bridge and experience a cookery lesson

TOUR PRICE: £4,530 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 9 9 5 8

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REDISCOVERING THE R A J

COLONIAL BR A ZIL

18 F E B R U A R Y – 4 M A R C H 2 0 16

19 F E B R U A R Y – 3 M A R C H 2 0 16

Historian and Guest Lecturer Sir Roy Strong and India devotee Joanna Worsley uncover the extraordinary and prolific architectural legacy of the British in Hyderabad, Bombay, Lucknow, Delhi and Shimla.

Explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison returns to Brazil to follow the Camino Real, the ancient trail followed by mule trains taking gold from the colonial towns of Minas Gerais to the coast.

• Visit the former British Residencies in Hyderabad, Lucknow and Shimla and the Viceroy’s Palace in Delhi • See the flamboyant palaces of the Indian nobility in Hyderabad and the Indian Mutiny sites in Lucknow • Enjoy a private viewing of period footage at the Liberty Cinema in Bombay and dine at the Bombay Yacht Club

TOUR PRICE: £5,840 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 1, 3 2 0

• Stay in the charming unspoilt towns of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes, founded during the late 17th century gold rush, with their colonial mansions and fine baroque churches • Relax in the former sugar port of Paraty with its enchanting Portuguese architecture on cobbled streets washed daily by the tide and nearby glorious beaches • See the iconic sights of Rio and take a day trip to experience the prolific birds and wildlife of the REGUA Atlantic Rainforest conservation project T O U R P R I C E : £ 5 ,9 8 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 76 0

S T. P E T E R S B U R G : T R E A S U R E S OF THE RUSSIAN TSARS II 2 4 – 2 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 16

Travel with Tania Illingworth (née Tolstoy) on a second tour to St. Petersburg – the legendary city founded by Peter the Great on the Gulf of Finland in 1703.

• Explore the art treasures of the State Hermitage and the country palaces of Pavlovsk and Gatchina with Hermitage curator Professor Alexei Leporc • Enjoy private guided tours of the newly opened Fabergé Collection and the English style ‘cottage’ of Tsar Nicholas I at Peterhof Palace • Dine privately ‘a la russe’ with caviar at the elaborately decorated Turgenev Apartment overlooking the frozen Fontanka Canal TOUR PRICE: £2,495 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 5 0

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4 –13 M A R C H 2 0 16

Take a journey of adventure with Marie-Thérèse Hill to the ancient kingdom of Oman, a country of historic forts and palaces, dazzling mosques and spectacular mountains and deserts.

• Visit the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Al Alam Palace and the impressive Muttrah Souk in Muscat

MA ASTRICHT & THE EUROPEAN F I N E A R T FA I R ( T E FA F ) 12 –16 M A R C H 2 0 16

Gillian Craig, Director of BADA Fine Arts Fair, visits Maastricht for The European Fine Arts Fair (TEFAF) with Huon Mallalieu, Art Market Correspondent for Country Life Magazine.

• Gain expert knowledge as you visit TEFAF in the company of Huon Mallalieu

• Explore the desert fortresses in the ancient capital of Nizwa and the Jebel Shams ‘Grand Canyon’

• Visit privately the fine 18th-century houses Kasteel Amstenrade and Kasteel Hex set in English style landscaped gardens

• Journey south to Salalah to explore the ancient archaeological and biblical sites of the Dhofar region

• Visit the imposing Gothic Cathedral and Treasury in Aachen and the Art Deco Museum Van Buuren and the Fine Arts Museum in Brussels

TOUR PRICE: £3,860 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 8 0 0

T O U R P R I C E : £ 1, 7 9 0 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 2 6 5

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THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF VENICE 14 –18 M A R C H 2 0 16

Take an exceptional tour with Nicola Howard and Guest Lecturer Peter Lauritzen, author on and resident of Venice, to find the lesser known treasures as well as many world famous masterpieces of art and architecture.

• Visit San Marco privately by night and see the Palazzo Grimani and Scuola Grande di San Marco both newly restored and opened • Marvel at the newly installed replica of Veronese’s Louvre Miracle at Cana in the Palladian Refectory at San Giorgio and the newly restored Veronese cycle at San Sebastiano • See the newly arranged and restored Academy of Fine Arts and enjoy a reception at the Palazzo Da Silva, home of our lecturer

T O U R P R I C E : £ 2 ,14 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 6 0

Image: Salvatore Fergola, Moonlight on the Gulf of Pozzuoli

T H E S U LTA N AT E O F O M A N

P R I VAT E G A R D E N S I N A N DA L U C I A 5 – 1 0 A P R I L 2 0 16

Image: Salvatore Fergola, Moonlight on the Gulf of Pozzuoli

Harriet Landseer focusses on Andalucia’s Moorish and Castilian cultural heritage and, more importantly, the richness and individuality of its beautiful gardens – a delightful journey through horticultural history.

• Visit the Alhambra and El Generalife Gardens in Granada and the private terraced garden of Carmen de los Cipreses in the Albaicin (Moorish Quarter) • Admire the private estate gardens of El Botanico, founded in 1810 by Prime Minister Godoy • See Monte de la Torre, one of the finest examples of a Belle Epoque garden to be found in Spain

T O U R P R I C E : £ 2 ,19 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 2 0 www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk

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THE AMERICAN DEEP SOUTH

A R T I N PA R I S

BERLIN: ART & HISTORY

5 –16 A P R I L 2 0 16

14 –18 A P R I L 2 0 16

2 0 – 2 3 A P R I L 2 0 16

Antonia Lloyd Owen discovers the history, fine architecture and gardens of the Deep South of the USA, travelling from Charleston and Savannah to Natchez and New Orleans.

Join art historian Douglas Skeggs and MarieThérèse Hill on an illuminating tour to examine some of Paris’s most important masterpieces from the 1830s to the impressionist movement and beyond.

Tania Illingworth leads a fascinating tour to the former heart of the Prussian Empire, the headquarters of Nazi Germany and, in the very epicentre of the Cold War – an intriguing blend of old and new.

• Visit the studio of Jean-François Millet, founder of the Barbizon School of painting ‘en plein air’, and the Musée Rodin, housed in the finely preserved former home of the sculptor

• See the fine collections of the Gemäldegalerie and the magnificently restored galleries on Museuminsel (Museum Island)

• Journey from Charleston with its 300 year nautical heritage and wonderful houses and gardens to Beaufort with its impressive collection of antebellum architecture • Experience the beguiling old world charm of Savannah’s historic district and the antebellum cotton plantations of Natchez on the banks of the Mississippi • Walk through the historic French quarter of New Orleans and cruise up the Mississippi on a paddle steamer

TOUR PRICE: £4,885 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 8 7 5

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• Discover the fine impressionist and postimpressionist works at the Musée Marmottan and the Musée de l’Orangerie • Dine privately in a restored 18th-century hôtel with an introduction by the owner to its art collection dating from 1728 TOUR PRICE: £2,095 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 7 5

• Visit Frederick the Great’s architectural masterpiece, Schloss Sanssouci, in Potsdam and Schloss Cecilienhof where the allied leaders sealed the fate of Europe in 1945 • Take the option to see Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Julia and Bizet’s opera Carmen at the Deutsche Oper

T O U R P R I C E : £ 1, 4 9 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 2 4 5

G R E E C E : AT H E N S & T H E M A N I

T U R K E Y: C A P PA D O C I A & E P H E S U S

6 –13 M AY 2 0 16

7 –14 M AY 2 0 16

Join Andrew Cumming to discover the influence of its ancient history on modern Greece with a focus on the Mani on the southernmost tip of Greece and the experiences of former resident, adventurer and writer Patrick Leigh Fermor.

Travel with Royal Academy Docent Leslie Hummel to the surreal volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia and Pamukkale, combined with the impressive and well preserved Greco-Roman ruins on the Ionian coast.

• See the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens and take a day trip to Delphi, site of the ancient Oracle and the extraordinary Temple of Apollo

• Take an exhilarating balloon flight over the spectacular rock formations and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and visit its underground cave city

• Visit Mystras, the ancient abandoned city overlooking Sparta, and Mycenas, site of a City State opposed to Athens in 400BC

• Walk down the Arcadian Way in the great city of Ephesus, see the Sanctuary of Athena at Pergamon and visit Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite

• Explore Patrick Leigh Fermor’s Mani including the Gateway to Hades, Poseidon’s Tomb and drinks at the writer’s house in Kardamyli

TOUR PRICE TO BE ADVISED

• See the hot springs and the ‘frozen’ mineral waterfalls of Pamukkale and visit the surrounding ruins of Laodicea and Hierapolis TOUR PRICE: £2,495 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 6 9 5

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THE GARDENS OF T H E I TA L I A N L A K E S 9 – 13 M AY 2 0 16

Sir Roy Strong, historian and garden enthusiast, and Nicola Howard take a delightful tour to explore in depth, often by special arrangement, the fine gardens on the shores of the northern Italian lakes of Maggiore and Como.

• Visit the Isole Borromee on Lake Maggiore by private boat explore the landscaped gardens of Isola Madre and the majestic Italianate garden of Isola Bella • On Lake Como, visit the charming town of Bellagio and the nearby gardens of the Villa Melzi d’Eril, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello • Lunch privately and visit the imposing 16th century Tuscan style Renaissance Villa Cicogna Mozzoni in Bisuschio

T O U R P R I C E : £ 2 ,17 0 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 6 5 14

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VERDUN & THE SOMME ANNIVERSARY TOUR

S PA I N : C O S TA D E C A N TA B R I A , BILBAO & SAN SEBA S TIAN

VERONA: OPER A, VILL AS & GARDENS

8 –13 M AY 2 0 16

2 2 – 2 6 M AY 2 0 16

2 3 – 2 7 J U N E 2 0 16

Brigadier Johnny Rickett and Cicely Taylor take a fascinating tour encompassing walks on the battlefields, visits to the war memorials and an exploration of the legacy of the events of Verdun and the Somme from 1916 onwards.

Antonia Lloyd Owen takes an enchanting tour exploring the cultural heritage and culinary delights of the oft-overlooked regions Cantabria and País Vasco in northern Spain.

Travel with Susie Orso to Verona for its Opera Festival, known worldwide for the excellence of its productions, with time to explore Verona, one of the most delightful cities in Italy, and private visits to nearby villas and gardens.

• Drive along the Maginot Line with a visit to one of its principle forts and take a ride on its underground railway system • Visit the site of the longest battle of the Great War at Verdun, so sacred to the French – “Ils ne passeront pas” • Look at the Battlefield of the Somme, the so called “Big Push” to relieve the hard pressed French at Verdun, and view its bloody consequences TOUR PRICE: £2,200 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 4 5 0

• Wander through the medieval village of Santillana del Mar and see Gaudi’s El Capricho house in Comillas • Examine the outstanding architecture and art of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and visit Guernica, the inspiration for Picasso’s masterpiece • Explore the lively Basque seaside town of San Sebastian and dine in two of its Michelin star restaurants

TOUR PRICE TO BE ADVISED

• Attend premiere performances of Carmen and Aida in the stunning setting of Verona’s vast Roman Amphitheatre • Visit Isola del Garda, an extraordinary Venetian neo-Gothic style villa by Lake Garda, designed by Luigi Rovelli at the beginning of the 20th century • Visit Villa Rizzardi and garden which produces its own wine and olive oil, and Villa La Valverde, an elegant 16th century villa surrounded by beautiful gardens T O U R P R I C E : £ 1,9 9 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 4 0 0

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W I L D C A N A DA 1 –13 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 16

Join David Wickers, Director of Bridge & Wickers, on a journey to Canada’s magnificent west coast encompassing the waterfront city of Vancouver, the rugged, wildlife-rich Pacific coast and the mighty Rockies.

• Ride in Gold Leaf class aboard the scenic Rocky Mountaineer railway from Vancouver to Jasper • Travel by seaplane to the Sonora luxury resort and by RIB in search of bears, whales and eagles in the pristine environment of the Discovery Islands • Drive along the Icefield Parkway, one of the most scenic highways in North America, through the Rockies to the Emerald Lake and take a walk on a glacier at the massive Columbia Icefield

T O U R P R I C E : £ 5 ,9 9 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 1, 2 9 5 16

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C R O AT I A : A C R U I S E O N T H E MY CASABL ANCA 11 –18 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 16

Art historian Douglas Skeggs and MarieThérèse Hill take a relaxing journey on-board the newly built gullet style MY Casablanca, exploring the beautiful coastline and islands of Istria and Southern Croatia.

• Explore the historic city of Zadar, with its peninsular old town of Roman and Venetian ruins and medieval churches • Swim in the hidden coves off the craggy island of Cres and walk in the Krka National Park famous for its seven waterfalls • Visit Sibenik, the oldest native Croatian town on the eastern shores of the Adriatic, with its Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO World Heritage Site T O U R P R I C E F R O M : £ 2 ,9 9 0 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 6 5 0

U LT I M AT E I N V I TAT I O N T O M YA N M A R : T H E R O A D T O M A N D A L AY 11 – 2 6 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 16

Take a magical journey with Managing Director Nick Van Gruisen and his wife Iris together with photojournalist Chris Caldicott and his wife Carolyn on the famed Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar.

• Following a two-night stay at the Governor’s Residence in Yangon, board Belmond’s luxurious river vessel, Road to Mandalay, chartered exclusively for an 11-day cruise • Cruise through the jungle-clad gorges of the river to the town of Katha and the ancient capital of Mandalay • Watch the sunset over 3,000 temple ruins spread across the great plain of Bagan TOUR PRICE FROM: £5,220 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 9 9 5

M YA N M A R : E X P L O R I N G T H E U P P E R AY E YA R W A D Y O N T H E O R C A E L L A 14 – 2 7 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 16

Take a delightful cruise with Amelia Dalton on the Belmond river boat Orcaella, chartered exclusively, on the upper reaches of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River from the legendary city of Mandalay to Bagan.

• Visit the old market town of Katha by trishaw, made famous by George Orwell in Burmese Days, and have dinner at the writer’s house • Meet a local mahout (elephant handler) and his family near Bhamo and spend time with the elephants • Take a horse-drawn cart through the myriad of temples and pagodas of the great plain of Bagan TOUR PRICE: FROM £6,650 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: F R O M £ 1, 2 9 5

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ROMANIA: A JOURNEY T H R O U G H T R A N S Y LVA N I A 16 – 2 2 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 16

Gillian Craig takes a tour of the landscapes and legends of Romania’s most iconic region to witness the incredible restoration of medieval towns and villages and see the region’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Meet Mihai Eminescu Trust Director, Caroline Fernolend at the latest restoration project of Alma Vii village • Enjoy a private lunch at the restored 15th century princely Apafi Manor House • Visit the Saxon village of Viscri where Prince Charles owns a house and see its fine hilltop ‘white’ fortified church

TOUR PRICE: £2,395 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 2 0 0

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THE TREASURES OF CHINA 16 – 2 9 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 16

An unique tour from Beijing via Pingyao to Xian, Suzhou and Shanghai offering unparalleled access, top restaurants and specialist guided tours with local experts, led by Caroline Courthauld, Chinese expert, author and film producer.

• Gain special private access to the inner court of the Forbidden City in Beijing and the floor of Pit 1 of the Terracotta Warriors in Xian • Walk through the ancient city of Pingyao with an expert from The Global Heritage Fund and visit the Shanghai Museum with a former curator • Take tea in artist Yeh Fang’s private garden in Suzhou and have dinner in Pear Lam’s apartment in Shanghai TO U R PR I C E: £6,875 PE R PE R SO N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 1, 2 5 0

DISCOVERING BOSTON 2 9 S E P T E M B E R – 4 O C T O B E R 2 0 16

Liz Bonham, returns to her roots in the East Coast of the USA, to lead an intriguing tour to Boston and discover its architecture, history and fine art during the spectacular colours of the Fall.

• Take a walking tour exploring the architecture and history of the Back Bay area of the city, including sites associated with the Freedom Trail

FLEMISH ART OF BRUGES, A N T W E R P, G H E N T & B R U S S E L S 3 – 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 16

Based in Bruges, Susie Orso and art historian and lecturer Peter Lauritzen examine the fine art and architecture of this medieval city and that of Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels.

• Explore historic Bruges and the exceptional Flemish Primitive masterpieces in the Groeninge Museum

• Visit Cambridge for a campus tour of the famous Harvard University and visit the Blaschka Glass Flowers, the famous collection of highly realistic glass botanical models

• Visit the van Eyck Altar in Ghent, Ruben’s house and his altarpieces in the Cathedral in Antwerp, and the Gothic and Baroque Grand Place in Brussels

• Peruse the remarkable European, Asian, and American art collection housed in the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum

• Dine privately at the medieval Kasteel van Oostkerke and see its beautiful garden created by the famous Dutch garden designer Mien Ruys

TOUR PRICE: £2,695 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 5 2 0

T O U R P R I C E : £ 1,9 2 0 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 2 9 0

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THE MASAI MAR A IN DEPTH: K E N YA W I L D L I F E T O U R

VIETNAM: THE RED RIVER & H A L O N G B AY

5 –18 O C T O B E R 2 0 16

7 – 2 0 O C T O B E R 2 0 16

Experienced naturalist, wildlife tour leader and nature photographer, Mike Mockler, returns to Kenya focussing on the spectacular game-rich Masai Mara, regarded by many as the country’s finest wildlife area.

Join Ultimate director Martin Thompson on a fascinating new river expedition, cruising Northern Vietnam’s Red River and its tributaries.

From Hanoi sail off the beaten track into the Highlands and cruise on to the wonders of Halong Bay.

• Stay in intimate, comfortable tented camps in more secluded conservancies, rich in wildlife, where there are few tourist vehicles • View lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and hippopotamus in 4-wheel drive vehicles with the camps’ own Masai guides and spot some of the thousands of migrant birds • Join Mike on the optional extension to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, an important rhinoceros sanctuary in northern Kenya T O U R P R I C E F R O M : £ 6 ,9 4 5 P E R P E R S O N SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FROM: £990

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•T ravel on a journey of discovery aboard the RV Angkor Pandaw, a traditional 16 cabin river boat, chartered exclusively for a 10 night cruise •E xplore timeless villages of the ethnic minority groups of the North such as Mai Chau with its rice paddies and bamboo stilt houses •C ruise through enigmatic Halong Bay with its dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations T O U R P R I C E F R O M : £ 3 ,9 9 5 P E R P E R S O N SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FROM: £ 795

THE SPLENDOURS OF LEIPZIG & BERLIN

THE BR A ZILIAN AMA ZON & PA N TA N A L W E T L A N D S

D R E S D E N : A R T, O P E R A A N D CHRISTMAS MARKETS

18 – 2 3 O C T O B E R 2 0 16

19 O C T O B E R – 2 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16

2 7 – 3 0 N O V E M B E R 2 0 16

Explore two contrasting centres of German culture, Leipzig and Berlin, with Harriet Landseer and Tom Abbott, art historian for the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens.

Join Amelia Dalton to venture up the Rio Negro, the least inhabited river in the Amazon Basin, followed by the remarkable wetlands of Mato Grosso in the northern Pantanal.

• Follow in the footsteps of Bach, Mendelssohn and Martin Luther in the historic cities of Leipzig and Wittenberg

• Visit a rubber baron’s palace in the charming city of Manaus and enjoy a performance at the Teatro Amazonas opera house

Marie-Thérèse Hill explores the beautiful Baroque and Rococo city of Dresden with its outstanding art collections amassed by Augustus the Strong and visits the city’s Christmas markets.

• Visit the Neo-Classical palace and gardens of Worlitz and the royal palaces of Sanssouci and Charlottenburg

• Board the small and comfortable Motor Yacht Tucano, chartered exclusively, to spot toucans, river otter and pink river dolphin in this untouched Amazon rainforest

• Take a journey through the fine art of Berlin from the classic modern art in the Berggruen Museum to the treasures of Museum Island and the Old Masters of the Gemäldergalerie TOUR PRICE: £2,395 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 10

• Explore the Porcelain Gallery of the Zwinger, the Historic and New Green Vaults and the Turkish Chamber • Experience the famous Striezelmarkt, one of Germany’s oldest documented Christmas markets

• Stay at an eco-lodge on the banks of the River Mutum, a wonderful base to observe the rich biodiversity of the Pantanal including ibises, capybaras and alligators

• Visit the famous Meissen Porcelain Manufactory and attend an opera performance at the world renowned Semperoper

TOUR PRICE FROM: £6,095 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 7 9 5

T O U R P R I C E : £ 1, 7 3 0 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 2 7 0

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WILD I NSIGH TS We have recently joined forces with Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights, a family run company specialising in bird watching and wildlife safaris. Their trips are immensely popular and suitable for any level of experience with the accent on quality rather than quantity and an unhurried appreciation of the natural world.

Both zoologists, Keith and Linda’s knowledge of the destinations visited is impressive, and the fact that 95% of their business is ‘repeat’ bears testimony to the care and attention they devote to every one of their tours.

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© Keith Offord

© Keith Offord

© Keith Offord

THE NETHERL ANDS: GEESE GALORE AND MUCH MORE!

SRI LANK A: THE TEARDROP OF INDIA

ESTONIA: SPRINGTIME IN THE EASTERN EXTREMES

16 – 2 4 J A N U A R Y 2 0 16

13 – 2 7 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 16

14 – 2 4 M AY 2 0 16

Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights take you on a circular tour to the best birdwatching sites in Friesland and Flevoland, famous for the winter gatherings of wildfowl, waders and raptors.

Join Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights to enjoy the natural splendour and cultural delights of the southern half of this beautiful country.

Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights explore this small, tranquil Baltic country, enjoying the extensive bird life of its forests, bogs, lagoons and coastline.

• Circumnavigate the Ijsselmeer, spending time at selected habitats which offer some of the best birdwatching in the Netherlands, including De Putten, Lauwersmeer and Oostvaardersplassen

• Explore highlands, lowlands, plains and rainforest plus the seas off the south coast savouring the sumptuous birdlife, including up to 33 endemic species

• Witness the remaining wildfowl and waders heading north and the arrival of the summer migrants

• Explore low-lying fields where thousands of White-fronted, Barnacle and Brent Geese regularly mingle Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Goose • Visit lagoons, forest, reedbeds and heathland for waders raptors, owls and woodpeckers T O U R P R I C E : £ 1, 8 2 0 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 18 0

• Visit Minneriya, Udawalawe and Yala, home to Leopard, Indian Elephant, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Sloth Bear and Marsh Mugger Crocodiles • Admire selected ancient monuments en route and search for Blue Whales and other cetaceans out to sea TOUR PRICE: £3,890 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 6 5 0

• Search for Red-breasted Flycatchers, Hazel Grouse, Ural Owls and up to eight woodpecker species in the forests • Explore raised bogs for Lesser Spotted Eagles, Wood Sandpiper, Black Grouse and Elk

TOUR PRICE: £2,300 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 2 5 0

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© Keith Offord

ICEL AND: L AND OF GEYSERS AND GYRS

KRUGER: THE BEST OF AFRICAN WILDLIFE

2 4 J U N E – 4 J U LY 2 0 16 4 J U LY – 14 J U LY 2 0 16

3 –18 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 16

Join Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights as they explore three top areas for birds including the Snaefellsnes peninsula, Thingvellir and Lake Myvàtn.

• Marvel at the abundance of breeding waders, terns and sea-birds against a stunning backdrop of volcanic spires and pristine glaciers

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© Keith Offord

Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights take you from the north to the south of this vast national park, savouring its extensive wildlife and finishing in the nearby highveld for rainforest specialities.

• Explore open savannah, river valleys and water holes for all the African mammals, large and small including some of the more elusive such as Leopard, Caracal, Serval and Wild Dog

• Search for Iceland specialities such as Harlequin Duck, Great Northern Diver, Ptarmigan and Gyr Falcon

• Scan for raptors, turacos, hornbills, bee-eaters, francolins, owls, sunbirds, larks and a host of other bird species both outside and within the rest camps

• Take two boat trips – for sea birds around the islands of the Breiðafjorður, and for whales from Husavik

• Finish up at the delightful Mount Sheba in the Highveld where rainforest hosts a completely different range of bird species

TOUR PRICE: £3,250 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 6 0 0

TOUR PRICE: £3,850 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 5 0

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E S C O RT E D T O U R S 2 017

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DURRELL EXPEDITION: MA DAGA SC A R , A LDA BR A & T H E SE YC H E L L E S

U LT I M AT E I N V I TAT I O N : M E K O N G D E LTA , S A I G O N T O A N G K O R

G A L A PA G O S : THE ENCHANTED ISLES

14 – 2 7 M A R C H 2 0 17

2 9 A P R I L – 10 M AY 2 0 17

2 4 F E B R U A R Y – 9 M A R C H 2 0 17

Nick and Iris Van Gruisen take a cruise along the mighty Mekong River from the dynamic Vietnamese capital of Saigon to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh with an additional overland trip to the magical temples of Angkor.

Travel with Ultimate Director Rowan Paterson to the hauntingly beautiful volcanic central and southern islands of the Galapagos, a treasure trove of natural history, wildlife and ecology.

Ultimate Director Martin Thompson and Amelia Dalton embark on this fifth expedition in association with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. With lectures from Dr Lee Durrell and Dr Mark Stanley Price

• Travel on the sumptuous, small, all-suite river boat, the Mekong Princess, chartered exclusively for a 7-night cruise

• Sail aboard Isabela II, a very comfortable 40-berth vessel, combining the amenities of a small cruise ship with the relaxed intimacy of a private yacht, for an 8-night private charter

• Take a sampan through the floating markets of Can Tho, visit the eccentric Cao Dai Temple and take a cyclo through Phnom Penh

• See the iconic species of Galapagos fauna, which have little or no fear of man, in the company of experienced naturalist guides

• Land by zodiac on the empty beaches of the outer Seychelles and snorkel in the clear blue waters of the Aldabra Atoll

• Watch the sunrise over the Angkor Wat temple, see Ta Prohm, engulfed by tree roots, and ponder the enigmatic expression on the carved faces of Bayon temple

• Explore the splendid colonial centre of Quito, Ecuador’s delightful capital set against the majestic backdrop of the Andean Cordillera

TOUR PRICE FROM: £8,880 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 3 , 6 0 0

TOUR PRICE FROM: £6,095 PER PERSON S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 2 , 4 2 0

T O U R P R I C E : £ 6 ,9 9 5 P E R P E R S O N S I N G L E S U P P L E M E N T: £ 4 , 4 7 5

• Sail aboard the luxurious small expedition vessel, MS Island Sky, chartered exclusively for this expedition • Search for lemurs, chameleons and endangered tortoises in two of Madagascar’s major national parks

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T H E U LT I M AT E I N V I TAT I O N : T H E N O R T H W E S T PA S S A G E , ARCTIC OCEAN 11 – 2 6 A U G U S T 2 0 17

Join Ultimate Director Nick Van Gruisen and polar expert Dr Huw Lewis-Jones on an epic maritime voyage through the fabled Northwest Passage from Greenland’s imposing fjords to the stunning ice cliffs of Canada’s high Arctic region.

• Sail aboard the Polar research vessel Akademik Ioffe, chartered exclusively for the 12-night voyage • Meet single-tusked narwhal, walrus and polar bear, the undisputed ‘lord of the Arctic’ • Listen to an on-board team of lecturers, historians and marine specialists bring the geography, history and culture of the Arctic to fascinating life TOUR PRICE FROM: £8,840 PER PERSON SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FROM: £2,370

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FIND OUT MORE If you would like to find out more about any of the tours featured in this brochure or receive a booking form, please complete and return this postage paid card. Alternatively, telephone one of our experts direct on 020 3411 4595 or email us on enquiry@theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk

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