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Fascinating new tours • Superb new cruises • No surcharges guaranteed

2017 ESCORTED TOURS FOR THE DISCERNING TRAVELLER

Fascinating new tours • Hand-picked highlights • No surcharges guaranteed

New experiences to even more destinationsWe have introduced three new tours, including two to the Mediterranean’s most beautiful islands –Madeira the pearl of the Atlantic (pg 64) and intriguing Northern Cyprus, blessed with the best of Turkish and Greek cultures (pg 145).

Or go further afield to one of Africa’s most stunning countries, Namibia, where the awe-inspiring landscapes are filled with natural wonders (pg 159). For the most luxurious way to see India, board the superb Deccan Odyssey for one of the world’s greatest train journeys from Delhi to Mumbai (pg 240).

See more of the world this year with memorable escorted toursthat cost less than you think.

W E L C OM E TO OU R E N H A NC E D

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Eye-opening insights by expertsWe are partnering with several experts to ensure that you get the most from your tour, helping you to see the real destination, not just what’s on the tourist trail.

Andrew Graham-DixonLeading art critic

Especially for solo travellersTravelling on your own doesn’t have to mean travelling alone. Several of our escorted tours are available for groups of solo travellers – look out for the SOLO icon on the tour pages. For more information, visit our website or call us to request our brochure dedicated to solo travellers.

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A Riviera Travel hallmark is that we continually evolve our holidays to enhance your experience of the world’s most fascinating destinations, really getting

under their skin to ensure your trip is as special as it possibly can be.

S PE C I A L TOU C H E S TO E N R IC H YOU R HOL I DAY

Hand-picked for youOver the years we have been asked if we can arrange more personalised experiences on our tours. The good news is, now we can. Enjoy a night at the ballet in St Petersburg, learn to make your own pasta, or take off in a hot air balloon through South Africa’s magnificent Kruger National Park as the dawn chorus breaks.

Drive around Berlin’s historic sites in an iconic communist-era Trabant. For the more active, we have added alpine walks with naturalist guides in Italy, France and Austria on a selection of holidays as well. For music lovers, there is the chance to enjoy a classical concert in Salzburg and Vienna, or a spectacular night at the opera in Verona’s majestic ancient amphitheatre.

A choice of new included highlights We have refreshed many of our best-loved tours with exciting new discoveries, such as Rome’s recently opened ‘underground’ Colosseum seeing where the gladiators sharpened their swords. We have also included a visit to the Ferrari museum on our Bologna tour, as well as a fascinating behind-the-scenes guest visit to Vienna’s exquisite Spanish Riding School.

For experienced travellers who have already visited classic destinations and seen their most renowned sites, we offer a choice to discover something different. For example, on our holidays in Sorrento whilst you can still visit historic Pompeii, you can also visit Herculaneum.

Want to personalise your trip without losing any of its fascination? In both Verona and Venice, you can select your preferred type of guided tour – the ‘classic’ version or an ‘undiscovered’ one for equally illuminating yet lesser-known insights into each city.

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H A N D - P IC K E D FOR YOU

To make your trip as special as it can be, we now offer additional unique experiences, hand-picked for you. Personalise and pre-book these optional excursions today.

ARTS AND CULTURE TRAVEL WITH A TWIST

A night at the ballet in Russia Follow in the footsteps of Catherine the Great and enjoy a sophisticated evening of world-class performances in Moscow synonymous with outstanding classical ballet.See pg 135 for our escorted tour of Moscow & St Petersburg.

The Verona Opera FestivalThis summer, attend the world’s oldest open-air opera festival in an atmospheric Roman amphitheatre. When the lights dim, the magic begins and the most ethereal voices fill the dusky air.See pg 16 for our escorted tour of Lake Garda, Venice & Verona.

The ‘Sound of Music’ in Salzburg Enjoy a classical performance by the renowned Salzburger Schlosskonzerte in the world-famous and historically significant Mirabell Palace, where several scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed.See pg 116 for our escorted tour of the Lakes & Mountains of Austria.

A classical concert in Vienna Listen to some of the world’s most recognisable music performed by the world-class Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra in the beautiful Palace Orangery, where Mozart himself played in 1786.See pg 122 for our escorted tour of Prague, Vienna, Bohemia & the Danube Valley.

FOOD AND DRINK Food tour in Rome Indulge in over 10 tastings at some of Rome’s foodie favourites. On this 4-hour tour, sample everything from the finest cheeses, the freshest pasta, wines in a cellar older than the Colosseum, and much more.See pg 46 for our escorted tour of Rome – Ancient & Baroque.See pg 30 for our escorted tour of Classical Italy.

To pre-book, please call

01283 742 300

Helicopter flights over the AlpsEnjoy the dramatic view of magnificent Mont Blanc, one of the most awe-inspiring displays of Mother Nature’s treasures.See pg 76 for our escorted tour of Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva & Annecy.

Trabi safari in BerlinTake a ride back in time behind the wheel of the Trabant, the official car of the DDR, known by locals as a Trabi. See pg 106 for our escorted tour of Berlin, Dresden, Meissen & Colditz.

Tour Florence in a Fiat 500 Explore the winding streets and magnificent sights of Florence, steered by a local guide in a truly classic car and Italian favourite.See pg 27 for our escorted tour of Florence & Tuscany.

Barcelona and Tuscany in a hot air balloonTake to the skies for an early morning flight over the spectacular Tuscan countryside or the lush hills of the Montseny National Park. See pg 27 for our escorted tour of Florence & Tuscany. See pg 58 for our escorted tour of Barcelona & the highlights of Catalonia.

Venetian rowing lessonsLearn voga, the unique style of rowing a gondola and see how it is an integral part of Venetian heritage.See pg 48 for our escorted tour of Venice.

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N E W I N C LU DE D H IG H L IG H T S

We have added more excursions to enhance your experience. See what’s newly included with many of our tours.

ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY

FOOD AND DRINK

Ferrari Factory & Museum in Maranello“Live the dream” – visit the workshops, see the Enzo, have your photo taken in a Ferrari and more.See pg 50 for our escorted tour of Bologna, Parma & Ravenna.

Cable Car & Homeland Museum in DubrovnikRide the cable car to the top of Mount Srd, then visit the Homeland War Museum.See pg 70 for our escorted tour of Dubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast & Montenegro.

Pasta-making demonstration in ApuliaSee an expert at work in the capital of pasta making, then enjoy a light lunch at a rustic osteria.See pg 40 for our escorted tour of Apulia, Lecce & Vieste.

An evening of tapas in SevilleEnjoy this intrinsically Spanish tradition of savouring an assortment of delicious appetisers.See pg 52 for our escorted tour of Classical Spain.

Russian Vodka Museum in MoscowLearn about the history and traditions of vodka-drinking, plus taste the tipple integral to Russian life.See pg 135 for our escorted tour of Moscow & St Petersburg.

Carmelite Priory tour in MaltaEnjoy a guided tour of the Carmelite Priory in Mdina with someone who knows it best, a resident monk.See pg 140 for our escorted tour of Malta.

See Classic or Undiscovered Venice and VeronaChoose to tour ‘classic’ Venice and Verona, or the ‘undiscovered’ version for equally illuminating insights.See pg 16 for our escorted tour of Lake Garda, Venice & Verona.

Colosseum Underground Tour in RomeFor the first time, explore the underground level of the Colosseum where few tourists have been.See pg 30 for our escorted tour of Classical Italy.

Grotta Mangiapane cave dwelling in TrapaniSee the amazing archaeological site with artefacts and cave paintings preserved for over 20,000 years.See pg 33 for our escorted tour of Western Sicily, Palermo & the Aeolian Islands.

Learn to yodel in the AlpsHave fun learning this ancient form of communication and gain a diploma for your efforts.See pg 116 for our escorted tour of the Lakes & Mountains of Austria.

Spanish Riding School in ViennaTake a behind-the-scenes guided tour and see the world’s oldest riding school.See pg 122 for our escorted tour of Prague, Vienna, Bohemia & the Danube Valley.

Wine tasting in TuscanyVisit a typical cantina in renowned Chianti for a tour of the cellars and a taste of the exquisite wines. See pg 27 for our escorted tour of Florence & Tuscany.

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Our collection of holidays has been carefully crafted by travel specialists dedicated to seeking the best value, from high hotel standards to the exclusive services of experienced tour managers and

local guides. Compare our prices and inclusions, and we think you will be pleasantly surprised.

W H AT ’ S I NC LU DE D W I T H E V E RY TOU R

Convenient return journeysEnjoy the convenience of a departure from your choice of airport or train station. Personally escorted transfersA Riviera Travel representative will always be there to escort you on both arrival and departure transfers. Experienced tour managersAn outstanding tour manager can really enhance a trip. Ours were specially selected for their expertise and experience – many have looked after our customers for over 10 years. Hand-picked hotelsTo ensure they meet your high standards, our specialists personally choose all accommodation for the best blend of facilities, quality and of course, location. Wonderful excursionsOur itineraries are thoughtfully balanced with more excursions and highlights than ever before, whilst still giving you ample time to explore at leisure.

Knowledgeable local guides The places we visit are brought to life by our experienced guides, passionate about sharing their local knowledge. Exclusive extrasNever one to rest on our laurels, we have listened to your feedback and updated many of our tours with added excursions, both included and optional. Attentive customer careExpect personal care and attention from the moment you make a booking and throughout your entire journey. Full financial protectionRiviera Travel is a fully bonded member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL). This means you are assured of full financial protection when you book with us.

ABTA Number V4744

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E XC E P T IONA L E X PE R I E NC E S G UA R A N T E E D

Designed just for youEach tour is designed to delight our discerning customers, which is why every detail has been personally considered by our travel specialists – from our choice of destinations and the many eye-opening excursions we include, to the hand-picked accommodation and exclusive extras we offer, and even the convenience of a departure that is local to you.

Our tours take you to the most intriguing destinations, and our guides help you get under the skin of these incredible places.

Exceptional valueMaking your holiday a priceless experience means giving you the best value for your money. We select the best hotels and partner only with specialists who share our passion for customers. We know your time with us is precious, so we include as much as we can with every tour.

Fair pricingEverything you need is included in our prices, including all return flights or train travel, transfers and excursions, plus we never charge you extra for things you might not want. We guarantee there are no hidden costs or surcharges, inflated prices or artificial discounts, so anytime is the best time to book with us. Award-winning reputationSince our inception in 1984, we have consistently won awards for outstanding service, industry-beating quality and exceptional value, including Which? magazine’s Recommended Provider status for four consecutive years. Genuine care for customersWhilst we have come a long way from being a small tour provider, we still treat our customers with the same personal care and attention. Many of you have travelled with us repeatedly over the years – in fact, 97% of our customers have said they would travel with us again, according to Reevoo, an independent provider of verified reviews.

The essence of any Riviera Travel tour or cruise begins with your experience, which our team strives to ensure is nothing less than extraordinary. It is a promise we have kept

for 33 years and what sets us apart from our competitors.

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Nice, Monaco & the Côte d'Azur ................................................................................88...plus picturesque Antibes, perfumeries of Grasse, Gorges du Loup and the artists paradise St Paul de Vence

Paris by Eurostar ..............................................................................................................94Tours by day and night plus Versailles and Montmartre

Rouen, Honfleur & the highlights of Normandy ..................................................92 ...plus the historic Bayeux Tapestry, the Benedictine Palace, Arromanches and one of the WWII D-Day beaches

Undiscovered Provence .................................................................................................82Including Arles, the Camargue, the Luberon and Aix-en-Provence

GERMANYBerlin, Dresden, Meissen & Colditz ........................................................................106 The fascinating cities of Berlin and Dresden, the heart of Saxony

Heidelberg, Main Valley & The Romantic Road ..................................108 Bavaria’s medieval cities & Speyer’s Romanesque cathedral

Cochem, Luxembourg & the Moselle Valley........................................ 101 …historic Aachen, mighty Trier and a taste of the Moselle’s finest wine and beer

Romantic Rhine, Black Forest & Alsace ................................................................103 Follow the mighty Rhine from Cologne to Rüdesheim, explore Baroque Heidelberg, medieval Freiberg, the stunning Black Forest

GREECEClassic Greece ................................................................................................................ 142 Athens, Mycenae, Olympia and Delphi

IRELANDCork, Kilkenny & the Ring of Kerry ............................................................98

Experience the dramatic Atlantic coast, the famous Blarney Castle and a host of wonderful towns

ITALYApulia, Lecce & Vieste ...................................................................................................40 ... the undiscovered heel of Italy

Bologna, Parma & Ravenna ..........................................................................................50 ... the world’s finest mosaics, amazing Byzantine art and Italy’s culinary capital

AUSTRIALakes & Mountains of Austria ...................................................................................116 Salzburg, the beautiful Austrian Lake District and the waterfalls of Krimml

Austrian Tyrol & Innsbruck ........................................................................................119 ... with Aachensee steam train, Stams Cistercian monastery, Italy’s Bolzano and Merano and Bavaria’s Neuschwanstein

BELGIUMBruges by Eurostar ..........................................................................................................96Tour the city and the First World War battlefields

CROATIADubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast & Montenegro .................................................70Split, Diocletian’s Palace, Mostar and the Krka National Park

CYPRUSDiscover Northern Cyprus ......................................................................... 145

Ancient ruins of Soli, Vouni Palace and Salamis; modern remains of Famagusta; St Hilarion castle

CZECH REPUBLICPrague, Vienna, Bohemia & the Danube Valley ................................................. 122 plus Melk, Cesky Krumlov & the stunning Wachau valley

FRANCEBurgundy, Dijon and the Rhône Valley .....................................................85

... plus medieval Beaune, Roman Vienne and Fontenay Abbey

Dordogne, Albi & Carcassonne ...................................................................................79 Sarlat, Rocamadour and the world of Toulouse Lautrec

Monet’s Garden, the Loire Valley & Fontainebleau .............................................90 French provincial life at its best, with visits to Fontevraud Abbey, Tours and Chenonceau

Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva & Annecy .........................................................................76Spectacular mountain scenery, Aiguille du midi cable car, Montenvers train and Italy’s Aosta Valley

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HOW TO B O OKPlease contact your preferred travel agent to book.

For more information, visit www.rivieratravel.co.ukor call 01283 744 390 for trips to Canada and cruises or 01283 744 370 for all other holidays.

Call us from Monday to Friday (9am to 7pm) and on the weekend (10am to 4pm).Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

ABTA Number V4744

For your protection, we are a fully bonded member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) number V4744 and hold an Air Tours Organisers’ Licence (ATOL) 3430. This ensures the highest level of legal compliance and financial standing.

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1SP

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Classical Italy ....................................................................................................................30 Florence, Siena, Assisi and Rome

Florence & Tuscany .........................................................................................................27 San Gimignano, Siena and the Chianti countryside

Lake Como, St Moritz & the Bernina Express.........................................................20 ... plus Bergamo, Lake Maggiore and Lugano

Lake Garda, Venice & Verona ......................................................................................16 ...plus the dramatic Dolomites

Lake Maggiore, Orta & the Matterhorn ..................................................................24 Enchanting Isola Bella, Lake Como and the Centovalli railway

Pisa, the Cinque Terre & Portofino ............................................................................43 ... some undiscovered Tuscan villages, amazing scenery, Lucca – Puccini’s birthplace, Portvenere and some of Europe’s finest coastlines

Pompeii, Capri & the Bay of Naples ..........................................................................12 Stay in Sorrento and explore the beautiful Amalfi Coast

Rome - Ancient & Baroque...........................................................................................46 Superb tours of the city and a visit to the Villa Borghese

Sicily .....................................................................................................................................36 Visit Mount Etna, Taormina, Siracusa and “Valley of the Temples”

Western Sicily, Palermo and the Aeolian Islands .................................................33 Marsala’s wines, ancient Segesta and medieval Erice

Venice ..................................................................................................................................48 Classic and Undiscovered

MALTAUndiscovered Malta .....................................................................................................140 Valletta, Gozo, Mdina and Marsaxlokk

POLANDKrakow .............................................................................................................................138 Includes tours of the old-town, Castle District and a moving visit to Auschwitz

PORTUGALLisbon, Oporto & the Douro Valley ..........................................................................67 ... plus Coimbra university, Sintra Palace and Jeronimos monastery

Madeira the Pearl of the Atlantic ...............................................................64 Diverse stunning coastlines, beautiful gardens, breathtaking mountain views, taste Madeiran wines

RUSSIAMoscow & St Petersburg ........................................................................................... 135 The Kremlin, Red square and the city of the Tsars

SCANDINAVIAHelsinki, Tallin and Riga.............................................................................................. 132Capital cities of three of the most intriguing nations on the Baltic Sea

Iceland ..............................................................................................................................130Land of volcanoes, geysers and glaciers, probably Europe’s most unique scenery, plus Whale watching and so much more

Norway ............................................................................................................................ 125Oslo, Bergen and Voss, plus Viking Museum, Telemark tour, Bergen railway, Flam railway, Voringfoss waterfall and fjord cruises

Stockholm & Copenhagen ........................................................................................128Capitals of two of Europe’s greatest medieval powers, plus home of the Vikings

SLOVENIASlovenia & Lake Bled .......................................................................................73

A revelation of spectacular diversity, from dramatic alpine peaks to storybook scenery and a surprising Mediterranean coastline

SPAINBarcelona & the highlights of Catalonia .................................................................58 ...plus Montserrat and Girona

Classical Spain ..................................................................................................................52 Seville, Cordoba and Granada

Madrid, Salamanca & Toledo.......................................................................................55 With visits to Segovia and Aranjuez

Santiago, Bilbao & the highlights of Castile & León ...........................................61 …Burgos, Rioja’s fabulous wine and the Guggenheim Museum

SWITZERLANDSwitzerland’s Bernese Oberland ..............................................................................113 Interlaken, Lucerne, Grindelwald, Meiringen, Brienz, Emmental, all on the amazing Swiss railways

Switzerland, the Matterhorn & the Glacier Express ........................................110 ...plus Lake Maggiore, the Bernina Express, Montreux and Locarno

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New Zealand ..................................................................................................................230 Auckland, Wellington, helicopter over Franz Joseph glacier, Mount Cook, Bay of Islands, whale watching, iconic scenery, Milford Sound and Marlborough’s wines

Peru with Amazon ........................................................................................................163 Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca & Uros islands, Cuzco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, plus jungle lodge

Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal & Amritsar’s Golden Temple ..................................190 ...plus Jaipur, Jodhpur, Pushkar and Udaipur

South Africa .................................................................................................................... 151 Kruger National Park, Swaziland, the Zulu battlefields, Garden Route, Winelands and Cape Town

Southern India & the backwaters of Kerala ........................................................201 Chennai, Kochin, the temple cities of Tanjore and Madurai, the wildlife reserve and spice plantations of Periyar, the outstanding mansions of Chettinadu, the French colony of Pondicherry and the lush backwaters of Kerala by houseboat

Sri Lanka ...........................................................................................................................205 Kandy, Galle, Dambulla, the hill country, Leopards of Yala and beach stay

Thailand & Laos ............................................................................................................223 Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Golden Triangle, River Kwai, beach stay

Victoria Falls, Botswana Safari & Cape Town .................................................... 155 Africa’s greatest natural wonder, a safari by land and water in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, plus Cape Town

Vietnam & Cambodia ................................................................................................. 219 Hanoi, Halong Bay, the ancient capital of Hue, Saigon, the Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh and the temples of Angkor

Washington DC, New York City & Niagara Falls by train .............................. 187 Travel by Amtrak trains between two of America’s greatest cities & the natural wonder of Niagara Falls

Western Wonders ........................................................................................................ 179 The finest National Parks with North America’s most extraordinary scenery and the fascinating Old West

The Heart of India by Luxury Train..........................................................240 A luxurious way to discover India, from Delhi to Mumbai. Highlights include the Taj, Udaipur and the tigers at Ranthambore

WOR L DW I DEA Grand Tour of China .................................................................................................211 Beijing, Great Wall, Terracotta Army, Li River, Longshen rice terraces, Pandas, Yangtze cruise and Shanghai

Australia ..........................................................................................................................235 Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Adelaide, Alice Spring & Uluru, Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney, plus top end extensions

Burma & Irrawaddy River Cruise.............................................................................208 Rangoon, Mandalay, Irrawaddy cruise and Bagan’s temples

California & the Golden West .................................................................................. 175 Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and San Francisco, plus the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and Yosemite

Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Cruise .................................................. 171 Banff, Vancouver and the lakes, glaciers and wildlife of the Rockies, plus a luxury cruise with Holland America Line

Costa Rica ........................................................................................................................ 167 Volcanoes, tropical rainforests, rivers and Pacific Ocean beaches coupled with some of the most extraordinary wildlife on earth

Deep South USA, plus Texas .....................................................................................183 Nashville, Memphis and Elvis’ Graceland, Amtrak train to New Orleans, plus Houston’s NASA Space centre, the Alamo in San Antonio and Dallas

India ...................................................................................................................................193 Delhi, the Taj Mahal, the tigers of Ranthambore, Jaipur, a stay at a Heritage hotel plus the magnificent Oberoi Cecil hotel in Shimla

India & Nepal ................................................................................................................. 197 Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho, the Ganges at Varanasi, Kathmandu, Mt. Everest scenic flight, elephant-back safari in Chitwan National Park, the Annapurna range from Pokhara

Japan ................................................................................................................................. 215 Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, bullet trains & Mt. Fuji

Jerusalem, Galilee & the Dead Sea ......................................................................... 149 Caesarea, Roman capital of Judea and Acre, Crusader city of Richard the Lionheart, Masada, Nazareth and Bethlehem

Malaysia, Borneo & Singapore .................................................................................227 Colonial George Town and Malacca, the gleaming twin towers of Kuala Lumpur combined with the Orang Utans and the tropical charms of mystical Borneo, plus Singapore

Namibia ............................................................................................................ 159 The awe-inspiring red sand dunes of the Namib, Etosha National Park safari and fascinating tribal culture

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8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£779

Probably nowhere else is there such a blend of outstanding historic heritage, sublime natural beauty, astonishing coastlines and typical Italian ‘Dolce Vita’

P OM PE I I , C A PR I & T H E BAY OF NA PL E S

• Return flights• Seven nights in Sorrento in a choice of accommodation, rated three to five stars, with breakfast and dinner. Stays at the Hotel Mediterraneo are on a bed-and-breakfast basis• Walking tour of Sorrento, one of Italy’s most charming towns• Cruise to the stunning island of Capri home to three Roman Emperors, DH Lawrence and Graham Greene• Guided tour of the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum

• Guided tour of Naples Archaeological Museum, displaying some of the ancient world’s finest exhibits• Guided tour of astonishingly preserved Pompeii, a city frozen in time• Tour of the astonishing Amalfi coast, one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines• Visit to charming, hill-top Ravello with its incredible panoramic views and the setting for Wagner’s opera Parsifal• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Amalfi Coast

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Managing to retain its roots and traditions better than probably any other modern nation, Italy is a superb destination for a holiday. With its stunning blend of

excellent food and wine, gorgeous scenery, together with an enviable climate and a phenomenal cultural legacy, plus of course the Italians themselves with their legendary love of life, you have all the ingredients for a wonderful stay.

For gourmets Italy is a delight, its food and wine being amongst the best in the world and as you would expect in the area we are visiting, seafood is everywhere. Clams, mussels, sea bass, swordfish – the list is endless – as are the methods of cooking them. The pasta is mouth-watering and the wine is really good quality.

The Sorrento peninsula and the Bay of Naples is simply one of the most beautiful corners of Europe, attracting visitors for centuries in search of its outstanding scenery, tranquillity and some of the most wondrous ‘sights’ from throughout history. Indeed in the immediate area we have a selection of places to see and visit which stand comparison with almost anywhere in the world.

It has a long and violent history, and invasions by the Greeks, Phoenicians and Saracens have all left their mark – but none more so than the Romans. Even 2000 years ago the attributes of the region were well known with the Emperors Tiberius and Augustus, together with countless members of the ruling elite, having villas here.

Sorrento came to real fame during the late 18th century when many of Europe’s aristocracy came to spend their winters here, attracted by its mild climate and outstanding natural beauty. Sumptuous houses and grandiose hotels were built along the cliff-tops and today Sorrento is everything you expect an Italian town to be: tiny cobbled streets and quaint squares with flowers decorating almost every building, tubs of geraniums, dark blue clematis climbing up pastel coloured, almost crumbling walls, with pink hydrangeas and roses in almost every open space, with lofty palm trees offering welcome shade. Mouth-watering aromas drift from the numerous restaurants and bistros, some humble and homely, some grand and ostentatious with pavement cafés serving fine cappuccino on seemingly every street corner.

Explore the legendary Amalfi coast, with every guidebook proclaiming Europe’s most beautiful, and when you see it, you cannot disagree! Deep red mountains covered with pine forests plunge dramatically into the calm blue Mediterranean. Next it’s Capri, which possesses a deserved reputation as a veritable Garden of Eden – it is no surprise why so many celebrities live here.

The Bay of Naples' skyline is dominated by the majestic and still active volcano Vesuvius, rising loftily to over 4000 feet and it has erupted in spectacular fashion several times in its history.The most famous of course, was in 79AD when Roman Pompeii, together with many of its inhabitants, were entombed and whose state of preservation today is little short of remarkable.

All in all there can be few places you will find which combine together so much of interest in an area of such outstanding natural beauty as the Bay of Naples.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN SORRENTOYou fly to Naples. On arrival a coach takes us to Sorrento, a lovely base for our holiday.

You have a choice of carefully selected hotels, all well managed and of a very good quality within their category with good restaurants where we dine.

DAY 2 - WALKING TOUR OF SORRENTOSorrento has been a resort for centuries and has developed with great style, so today we have a rather lazy day commencing with a short walking tour. The Romans were aware of Sorrento’s attributes and the area is dotted with the remains of their opulent villas. During the 18th century it became part of the Grand Tour for Europe’s aristocracy with classic hotels being built around the old cliff-top town. Today, spared the excesses of modern development, Sorrento is delightful and so typical of the south of Italy. Tiny winding streets lined with tall, seemingly crumbling buildings complete with their faded façades of ochre, yellow and magenta are now home to superb shops and cosy restaurants. The stylish young astride their Vespas, and on every bench sit splendidly turned out senior citizens, superbly dressed no matter how hot the weather – all having time to pass a few words in the street.

DAY 3 - NAPLES & POMPEIIToday, we take the drive north around the bay to the cosmopolitan city of Naples where we have a guided tour of the Archaeological Museum which is one of the finest of its kind. When the excavations commenced in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum, the best of the finds were brought here and displayed to an eager public. There is a very extensive display of remarkably preserved mosaics giving a superb insight into the way of life and even sense of humour of the ordinary Roman. Other sections include murals, figures, fine pottery, ropes and even preserved food. One of the central displays is of some of the largest classical sculpture ever found and the museum as a whole complements your visit to Pompeii admirably.

We all know the story of Pompeii, however, it is more than a series of ruins: the state of preservation is astonishing and even if you are not interested in history you cannot fail to be moved by the scale of the city, the construction of which appears to put our modern structures to shame, especially when you consider machines were unavailable. Much of our knowledge about the way of life of the ordinary Romans, their habits, social structure, class systems and domestic arrangements has come from here. Some of the baths are virtually complete as are various murals and mosaics, with some buildings having graffiti describing political events, romantic entanglements and gossip of the time! You can even see the traffic calming measures, how the one-way system operated and appreciate the very high standard of living evident in Roman Pompeii. The atmosphere is eerie, as preserved for all time are the pained facial expressions of the victims of Vesuvius. We will have a guided tour of this fascinating city, before returning to our hotel.

DAY 4 - FREE DAY Today you have a free day in Sorrento to spend as you wish. You could take a boat trip, shop in the high class boutiques, have a lazy lunch or simply catch up

on some reading – the choice is yours.

DAY 5 - CAPRI Capri is renowned the world over

for its outstanding natural beauty and today we take the

short boat ride to the island. It has long been the most sought-after part of the Bay of Naples: not only attracting three Roman emperors, but also writers such as D.H. Lawrence and George Amalfi Coast

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Bernard Shaw who sought inspiration here. Famous names such as Gracie Fields and Graham Greene, amongst many others, have made it their home. It is easy to see why it is so adored: as we approach the island you can see small fishing boats rising and falling with the gentle waves, with pretty shops and restaurants lining the busy quayside.

The picturesque main town is perched on the hill looking down on the quaint harbour below. You may wish to visit to the famous Blue Grotto – the large cavern which can only be reached by boat and by a freak of nature is bathed in incandescent blue light, hence its name. Yes, Capri really does deserve its reputation as a Garden of Eden. We then take the boat to the mainland and return to our hotel.

DAY 6 - HERCULANEUM This morning we visit Herculaneum, known locally as Ercolano, located in the shadow of the mightyMount Vesuvius. This ancient Roman town was destroyed in AD 79 by the famous eruption ofMount Vesuvius, one of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in European history. Very muchlike Pompeii, the town of Herculaneum was buried under volcanic mud and ash, which smotheredeverything from household objects to metals and textiles, sealing it all in an airtight tomb, untilexcavation of the site commenced in 1738 using underground tunnels that revealed the hiddensecrets of this fascinating place. Our local guide will bring the history of the town to life and as youwalk amongst this fantastically preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will have an understanding of the vast amount of volcanic waste that had to be excavated and the enormity of the task to uncover what we can see today. Herculaneum is less well known than Pompeii, but the state of preservation of the buildings is generally far superior, so it’s most certainly worth the visit.

DAY 7 - AMALFI COAST We think you will agree the Amalfi coastline is, as it claims to be, Europe’s most beautiful. Today we explore the coast winding around towering cliffs, dipping almost sheer to the beautiful blue sea with birds soaring above and the air heavy with the typically Mediterranean scent of pine forest and wild flowers. We arrive above the exclusive resort

of Positano clinging to the cliff-face, giving a view, which has inspired countless artists and today is the haunt of celebrities. Next it’s Amalfi, a picturesque village in a gorgeous setting, possessing charm in abundance and perhaps the highlight of the coast.

Just inland is the stunning village of Ravello, with its unrivalled location perched like an eagle’s nest on a shelf above Amalfi, affording some amazing views. It has an ambience of its own and a wonderful main square surrounded by delightful small cafés and the Villa Rufolo – once the headquarters of a city-state, now a charming collection of medieval buildings, statues, tasteful walled gardens and the setting for Wagner’s opera Parsifal.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today we return to Naples airport, at the appropriate time, after a really memorable and unique tour.

WE STAY IN SORRENTO AND HAVE A CHOICE OF HOTELSThe Villa Maria is a fine example of a three-star hotel that provides all the comforts of a modern, purpose built property. The bedrooms are tastefully decorated and have TV and air conditioning. It is in an excellent central location next to the maze-like Old Town and only 500m from Piazza Tasso, the lovely main square in central Sorrento. The Corso Italia, the avenue of the town, is just around the corner and is lined with tasteful shops that are so typical of Italy. The hotel has a good quality restaurant and an extensive bar and lounge furnished with pastel coloured fabrics, which create a relaxing atmosphere and the perfect place to unwind after a hard day sightseeing. The swimming pool and adjacent sun terrace is the ideal spot to soak up the sun. There is a second sun terrace, which is surrounded by potted shrubs where you can enjoy superb views of the town, sea, Mount Vesuvius and on a clear day, Naples.

The three-star rated La Badia is a sympathetic conversion of a 16th century abbey, retaining much of the original stonework and giving a superb ambience to this small family-run hotel. All rooms are tastefully furnished with private bathroom, TV and air-conditioning. The hotel has been in the same

family for many years and guests are made to feel extremely welcome. The reception and entrance hall boasting many antiques, adds to the overall homely atmosphere. Its location is wonderful too, just behind Sorrento with amazing views of the sea, Sorrento itself, Vesuvius and Naples on a clear day. It is set amongst four acres of its own lovely gardens and fragrant lemon and orange groves. By road it is approximately two miles from Sorrento. There is also a more direct 400 metre pathway, which is steep and narrow but illuminated at night. Should you not wish to use this you can either use the free pre-bookable taxi service, or the local bus which stops just outside. The hotel has a swimming pool with gorgeous views so typical of the area and is ideal for a refreshing dip. The hotel restaurant serves good quality local cuisine and weather permitting, you may dine on the terrace overlooking the bay. There is also a comfortable bar to relax in.

The four-star rated Hotel Vue D’Or, ‘view of gold’, is a superbly apt name for a really lovely hotel. Built in a style typical of the region, it has benefited from a most sympathetic renovation programme by the professional family owners, with the result an absolute delight and in exceptional taste. The lounge, bar and public rooms are very comfortable using traditional tiled floors, wrought iron staircases and chandeliers with original, exposed stonework adding to the relaxed charm which permeates the entire property. The restaurant is very good quality and the rooms themselves are extremely comfortable making use of the cool pastel colours throughout with lovely bathrooms, air-conditioning and balconies. The outdoor pool and terrace is the ideal place to enjoy a drink after the day’s sightseeing. Set in its own grounds and adorned by a wealth of terracotta potted flowering shrubs, what really sets the hotel in a class of its own is its lovely location; set behind the town of Sorrento, on a hillside surrounded by beautiful undulating countryside, with the most amazing views of Naples, together with the Bay, Vesuvius and Sorrento itself. Set less than four miles from the town centre, should you wish to visit the town you can use the hotel’s shuttle service or there is a local bus which stops just outside the hotel.

The beautiful four-star superior, Aminta is one of the finest hotels in Sorrento. Located on a hilltop, just above the town and 3km from the

View from Ravello

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centre, the Hotel Aminta has been built, highlighting to superb effect, its wonderful position, and the breathtaking panorama of the Sorrentine Peninsula, Mount Vesuvius and the deep blue Bay of Naples. The elegant pastel décor has been carefully chosen to sympathetically reflect the natural beauty of its surroundings. Spacious public areas create an aura of relaxation and the hotel boasts a welcoming pool, whilst the terrace and its adjacent lounge offer you a seat in the “living-room of the world”. The chef prides himself on preparing and serving traditional cuisine. The bedrooms are comfortable and furnished tastefully. All rooms offer direct-dial telephone, fridge, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe, wi-fi and air-conditioning. The hotel offers a courtesy shuttle bus service to Sorrento town throughout the day and evening.

The four-star, family-owned Michelangelo is well located in the heart of Sorrento, nestled in a leafy setting away from the main thoroughfare yet mere minutes from Piazza Tasso, the hub of local life with easy access to the shops, cafés and restaurants. Originally structured around a 7th-century stone tower, the property has a unique heritage whilst the rooms themselves are modern and simply furnished using dark woods, local terracotta tiles and warm colourful fabrics, providing a comfortable and relaxed stay. The hotel also has a small swimming pool and sun terrace, bedecked with colourful flowering plants. At the end of a busy day’s sightseeing, unwind with a drink in the welcoming lounge.

The centrally-located four-star superior Grand Europa Palace enjoys one of Sorrento's most breathtaking vantage points, directly on the cliff-top with uninterrupted sea views across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius. Once private villas, some of Sorrento's oldest and most classic buildings were wonderfully converted to a hotel during the 19th century, set in lush landscaped gardens whilst in the spacious public areas, design has opted to retain the elegance and charm associated with the splendour of the Grand Tour. Lavish Venetian glass chandeliers grace the 'coved' ceilings, fine art adorns the walls, seating is on tasteful high backed chairs and sofas, high windows are dressed with flowing pastel-coloured curtains whilst wide corridors are lined with bronze and marble sculptures.

The hotel consists of two restored 19th Century former villa’s, one of which hosts the exceptionally

opulent reception area and restaurant. Standard rooms are located in both the main building and the Villino Maria, across a pathway opposite. Sea view rooms are in the main building only. All rooms are air conditioned with mini bar, safe and satellite tv.

Take a lift down to the hotel's private pool, surrounded by Roman columns and enjoy a well deserved relaxing moment on the private lido just steps from the sea and the poolside bar is at hand to serve you a chilled cocktail after sightseeing.

Sat on the regal terrace, drink in hand and soaking up the stupendous views you can be forgiven for thinking life does not get much better.

The four-star Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto is extremely well located in Sorrento’s centre providing a superb base for exploration of the Neapolitain Riviera and the resort itself. Only steps away from Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia, Sorrento’s main square and shopping street, the Cesare Augusto could not be in a better position plus offers spacious bedrooms, tastefully decorated with the traditional ceramic tiles so typical of Sorrento with generous use of polished hardwoods. All bedrooms offer mini-bar, air-conditioning, telephone, hair-dryer, safe, satellite TV and free wi-fi.

The hotel restaurant serves a range of traditional Sorrentine and Mediterranean cuisine. The hotel roof-top offers spectacular views across Sorrento and is also the setting for a small swimming pool and bar.

Public areas provide a spacious and relaxed environment although due to the Hotel’s superb location you will probably find yourself spending most of your time visiting the picturesque alleys and shopping areas lined with fashion boutiques and coffee shops so typical of Italian life.

The Hotel is partially surrounded by its own landscaped gardens with towering pine trees providing welcome shade.

Spectacularly and peacefully located on the cliff-top overlooking the Bay of Naples is the five-star Parco Dei Principi. In addition to its unrivalled views, it’s also superbly hidden away in 5 acres of walled private mature grounds of extensive manicured gardens with rare flora and a maze of secluded romantic corners in which to relax. These are Sorrento’s largest gardens, once owned by Jesuits, then the King of Naples and finally in 1792 a sumptuous villa was built – the opulent summerhouse of the Czars of Russia no less!

Created in the 1960s, designed by one of Italy’s premier architects featuring superbly original and contemporary décor, the hotel predominately reflects a modern retro style featuring high quality modern art, ceramics, flora and natural light throughout. The lounge and American bar displays beautiful individually handmade wall tiles with spacious rooms befitting its 5-star rating, finely decorated in the same superb style with minimalist tasteful furnishings in cool relaxing tones. Classic park view rooms offer views to the gardens.

The light airy dining room with its ceiling to floor windows offers truly spectacular views overlooking the Bay of Sorrento and a private lift leads to the private beach, lido, decking and a specialist seafood restaurant. Of course there is an extensive terrace with bar and attractive pool surrounded by rare plants, within the hotel grounds too.

The four-star Hotel Mediterraneo - following an extremely comprehensive and far-sighted restoration programme, the superbly located Hotel Mediterraneo, once a private villa, built in 1912 with a frontage overlooking the stunning Bay of Naples has been transformed into a luxurious traditional hotel oozing with turn of the century ambience. The elegant tall white building has a bright, airy feel with marble flooring in the sleek lobby which leads through to the stylish bar with an outside terrace overlooking the sea.

This hotel is offered on a bed and breakfast basis, so you have the opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine, a lovely selection of traditional Italian restaurants, trattorias and fine dining are within easy reach of the hotel.

On the top floor of the hotel is the Vesuvio restaurant offering stunning views over the bay and Vesuvius. The restaurant has an excellent À La Carte menu offering traditional recipes made from local fresh produce, it is best to book in advance as it is very popular. The roof top Sky Bar is quite spectacular and the perfect spot to soak up the atmosphere and quietly absorb views bathed in the warm evening air as Naples softly twinkles beyond.

To the rear, surrounding the pool, there are extensive mature gardens with palm trees and fragrant flora and a bar. Alternatively there is a privately owned beach opposite the hotel, accessible by the hotel’s private lift that provides access.

Pompeii and Vesuvius

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your tickets for the Verona Opera Festival

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£629

An astonishing blend of spectacular alpine scenery reflected in tranquil lakes, Verona’s Roman remains and the medieval world’s richest city - remarkably unique Venice

L A K E G A R DA ,V E N IC E & V E RONA

• Return flights• Seven nights in a choice of accommodation rated three to four-star superior, with breakfast and dinner• Tour of beautiful Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake spectacularly surrounded by mountains and charming lakeside villages

• Guided sightseeing tour of medieval Verona• Tour of the Dolomites• Guided sightseeing tour of Venice • Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 5 & 7 SELECT A ‘CLASSIC’ OR ‘UNDISCOVERED’ TOUR OF VENICE AND VERONA

Limone sul Garda

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For centuries, Italy has drawn visitors in search of culture and romance, with few countries comparing with its enormous classical origins, its art, architecture, music,

design, scenery, food and wine. Italy’s contribution to European painting and sculpture surpasses that of any other nation. Blend this with the magnificent scenery of its lakes, one of the world’s great cuisines and the Italian attitude of living life to the absolute maximum, and you have a superb destination for a tour.

Italy is blessed with some fantastic scenery and some of the finest is to be found as you approach the Alps around Lake Garda where images of the abundant flowers and trees which cover the banks, are reflected in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colour. The picturesque lake with gentle waves lapping slowly onto the shingle shoreline, the stunning snow-capped Alps in the background and a scattering of picturesque villages, all fit together in a beautifully balanced mosaic of harmony.

Further north, we see the Dolomite Mountains - some of the most spectacular alpine scenery on earth. It is only in the past 150 years that Italy has come to exist as a nation state formed from a collection of largely independent cities, often separated by almost impenetrable marshes or mountain ranges. They then evolved totally independently and on this tour we shall visit two of them - the very different but very classic cities of Verona and Venice.

Verona is without doubt one of the most attractive cities you will ever see and appropriately well known as the setting for the legendary story of Romeo and Juliet. It has been important since ancient times and in fact has more ancient remains than any city in Italy except Rome itself. Its most striking monument is the arena – the third largest ever built – where a range of entertainments were presented, including gladiatorial combat. Enclosed by massive and extremely well preserved ramparts, the city has a lovely medieval feel to it with pink-hued buildings, lovingly restored, lining the streets.

All the photographs and pictures you have seen of St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal have simply been telling the extraordinary truth: that Venice is a stunning city. You cannot walk for more than a few minutes without stopping to see something which demands admiration.

One of the greatest joys of visiting Italy is, of course, being amongst the Italians themselves. Stylish, always ready to help and, if there is a single national characteristic, it is living life to the full, which creates a fantastic atmosphere so much in evidence everywhere – so come with us and see.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN LAKE GARDA On arrival a coach will take you to the delightful lakeside resorts of either Malcesine or Riva del Garda, both beautifully surrounded by lofty peaks, situated at the more scenic north end of the lake.

DAY 2 - TOUR OF LAKE GARDA Lake Garda first came to fame in the latter days of the 19th century when visitors came to the clean mountain air and it has been famous as an area of outstanding natural beauty ever since. Today we will have a tour of the lake, passing through some lovely, typically Italian villages complete with tiny harbours clinging to the shoreline with the mountains behind.

We call at Salò, famous as Mussolini’s last Republic after he had been captured by Italian partisans. However, we live in more peaceful times now, and there are some 15th century buildings and an art-

rich cathedral to see before we continue our journey to the delightful Sirmione at the lake’s southern tip. Today we also see lush groves of olives, citrus trees

and of course vines used for making the famous Bardolino wines. Scenically the shore varies

from the rich vegetation of the middle reaches, to the more rugged north covered with pine trees whose unmistakable scent hangs heavy

in the air.

DAY 3 - THE DOLOMITES Today we head north to the stunning

Dolomite Mountains the result of geological activity some 230 million years ago, giving them a gorgeous pink and lime-green hue. The foothills are strikingly green pastures studded with the occasional small shepherd’s house, a few sheep and goats here and there with pine forests stretching into the distance. Autonomous since the 12th century, today you would believe you were in another country. The houses in the picturesque tiny hamlets resemble Swiss or Austrian style chalets, low with gently sloping roofs and enormous window boxes crammed with flowers of every imaginable colour. The people are different too, taller than Italians and speaking a dialect of German! We have plenty of stops today as well as the opportunity to ascend on a cable car (subject to seasonal operation) to enjoy panoramic views of the whole area. There are not enough words to describe the awesome splendour of this rugged landscape and its clean, crisp and invigorating mountain air – it really will take your breath away. Due to its remote situation, it is home to a huge amount of rare and unique wildlife, so if you are lucky you could see chamois, ibex and golden eagles and various deer.

DAY 4 - FREE DAY Today is a free day to explore at you leisure. Riva del Garda has been welcoming visitors since the 19th century and today the old town is a collection of typically Italian buildings painted the enticing pastel shades of cream, peach, magenta and ochre so reminiscent of Mediterranean countries. It has several harbours with boats rising and falling with the gentle waves and is dominated by a medieval fortress. Nearby is a most attractive square, beautifully lined with pavement cafés which all blends together to make Riva one of the most attractive towns on the lake.

DAY 5 - VENICE, CLASSIC OR UNDISCOVERED After an early breakfast we take the drive to Venice, unique, caught in a time warp and as culturally rich as any city can be. We will take a walking tour during which we will see St Mark’s Square and its Basilica, the Campanile, Doge’s Palace together with countless other places of interest.

Venice first came to prominence in the 10th century and grew in wealth and power on gaining its independence from Byzantium, reaching its zenith during the 15th century. It was then that many of the fantastic buildings you see today were built. Venice at the time was the greatest power in the Mediterranean with an empire encompassing Crete, parts of Turkey and a huge portion of Northern Italy and it soon created a capital to match. Situated between east and west, trading quickly grew and innumerable merchants made fortunes manifesting this new found wealth, just as people do today, in the arts and property, private and municipal. St.

Mark’s Basilica is a must: built to house the relics of St. Mark himself, it is Europe’s most

exotic cathedral with the decoration inside certainly being very

opulent. The statistics are staggering – there are over

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40,000 square feet of detailed mosaics of every colour of the rainbow covering the entire interior. The blend of coloured marble columns, gold and red painting, and bas-reliefs combine to create one of the world’s most beautiful buildings.

Adjacent is the Doge’s Palace, home of the most powerful man in Venice who, incidentally, was elected for life. The Palace was also the seat of government councils and courts, as well as the prisons. Obviously the government of a great power had to be accommodated appropriately and so, as a visit will reveal, it houses the most amazing wood carvings and one room alone has four Tintorettos in it. The floor is a revelation too, inlaid with exotic woods from all over the known world from as far afield as Japan. The walls and ceilings are exquisitely decorated with paintings, frescoes and gold leaf.

St. Mark’s Square is a must too, and the focal point of the city since its foundation. Today though, visitors have replaced merchants, and to sip a coffee in one of the pavement cafés and absorb the beauty around you must rank as one of life’s great pleasures.

To see it all at once, why not take a trip up the Campanile, the imposing tower, originally built as a lighthouse and where Galileo demonstrated his telescope to a sceptical public. For art lovers there is Accademia, housing one of the finest collections in the world with superb examples of Renaissance work, or there is the Guggenheim with exhibits by Miro, Picasso, Chagall and Léger among others. One thing that really strikes you about Venice is that it is not nearly as expensive as you might believe. Away from St. Mark’s Square, small restaurants offer three course meals at reasonable prices. But Venice is not just art and monuments – fantastic though they are the city really needs to be seen from the water too, and what better than by taking a trip on a gondola. These beautifully made boats are crafted from 300 individual pieces of wood. A short ride on one of them is a lovely and peaceful way to explore the backwaters of the city. You will have sore feet when you return to the hotel but everyone at least once in their lives should visit this wondrous city.

If you’ve been to Venice before and are looking to discover something new, perhaps take our tour into the Jewish Quarter. Away from the bustle of the main tourist sights lies an atmospheric corner, where washing is stretched across narrow canals between picturesque old buildings, locals chat in characterful bars, and local shops are tucked away down tiny streets. You’ll see the original ‘ghetto’, now wonderfully restored, the house of Tintoretto and where Marco Polo used to live, plus much more. Your guide will enhance the tour with anecdotes and stories about this humbler side of Venetian life before ending at the traditional Rialto market.

DAY 6 - FREE DAY Today you are free to explore as you wish. So what is it to be? A stroll around the port, a little shopping, a boat cruise on the lake? For the more energetic you could walk along the lakeside or simply catch up on some reading.

DAY 7 - VERONA, CLASSIC OR UNDISCOVERED Verona is one of the most beautiful and pleasant cities in Italy and today we have a guided walking tour in order to appreciate it at its best, discovering its hidden side too. We approach through the centuries-old city walls – when you enter the old town you cannot help but admire!

Medieval pink-hued buildings complete with contrasting frescoes underneath archways unchanged for centuries. Typical pavement cafés abound, some with violinists serenading their clients whilst they take a refreshing drink, enjoying the shade from the warm sunshine. It has tiny narrow streets, complete with the tasteful shops, so typical of Italy, and then there is the market place dating from Roman times, with interesting reminders of the city’s past.

The tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona and when you experience the atmosphere here you can see why. The two great lovers from rival families have inspired countless films, poems and dramas. You can actually see the balcony where the immortal words “O Romeo, Romeo” were reputedly spoken. The Roman arena is awe inspiring but there are also countless medieval and Renaissance squares and courtyards to explore, as well as a superb 12th century cathedral which houses a work by Titian. The Roman Theatre is a must too, as is one of the Renaissance’s finest gardens with clipped box hedges and a dazzling display of colour. Another interesting site is San Zeno – arguably the finest Romanesque church in northern Italy. One of the most delightful things about Verona is that although being close to Venice it receives fewer visitors. This afternoon is free so you can explore as you wish, or you could go shopping. Italy is inextricably linked with fashion, style and chic, and Verona has some lovely shops with prices not nearly as expensive as you may imagine, with leatherware being particularly good value.

For those who have already seen the famous sights, join us on a tour of Verona's hidden gems. We start at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, once an Austrian fortress and a tragic place for many Italians imprisoned there during the war. Set high on a hillside, we enjoy stunning panoramas of the city and the surroundings. We visit the monastery of San

Francesco al Corso, the only Franciscan monastery outside the walls. In a dark crypt under the church lies an open sarcophagus made of red Verona marble, said to be the final resting place of Juliet. There is also a museum with some stunning ancient frescoes. Heading back, we visit the Roman Theatre, built in the 1st century BC and in its day must have been a breathtaking sight. We ascend to one of the balconies for views over the river Adige, and glimpses of the city’s best preserved alleys. See churches where it is said Mozart played as a young boy, and marvel at one of the best preserved ancient gates of the city.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today the coach will return us to the airport at the appropriate time, to take our return flight home after a really memorable tour. WE HAVE A CHOICE OF HOTELS IN MALCESINE OR RIVA DEL GARDAYou have a choice of hotels, where we stay seven nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Malcesine is one of the most delightful villages on the lake, with the tall, pastel coloured buildings, so typically Italian, lining the narrow cobbled streets as they sweep down to the picturesque old port and cathedral. There is a lovely 15th century palace to see and for probably the best panorama of the whole lake you can take the cable car to the top of Monte Baldo, which dominates the whole area.

In Malcesine we stay at the modern, purpose built three-star Hotel Cristallo. This small and friendly family-run hotel, set in a beautiful location right opposite the lake itself, has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, pleasant bar and lounge area, restaurant serving local specialities and typical Italian cuisine, sun terrace and outdoor swimming pool overlooking the lake. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities, satellite TV and safe. Just steps away, is the lakeside path leading into the centre of Malcesine, perfect for a relaxing stroll in the evenings. Outdoor pools are open Summer months, weather permitting.

Or you can stay in Riva del Garda, situated beautifully at the top of the lake surrounded by lofty, pine-swathed peaks rising dramatically to 12,000 feet from the lake below. The delightful old-town is a myriad of twisting streets to wander through, full of typically Italian shops. Old, pastel coloured houses form an attractive backdrop to the port, where small boats rise and fall with the gentle lapping of the waves.

Here you can choose from five hotels: the three-star Hotel Brione, centrally located and very well managed by its family owners, provides all the comforts of a modern, purpose built property with tastefully decorated rooms with private bathroom,

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TV and air-conditioning, spacious restaurant and pleasant bar, lounge and terrace. Cross the road outside to the lakeside where you can enjoy a walk through tranquil, shaded gardens and take in the view. In the quiet landscaped grounds to the rear of the hotel is the swimming pool, the ideal spot in which to relax after a hard day’s sightseeing. Outdoor pools are open Summer months, weather permitting.

Overlooking the picturesque old port is the four-star Hotel Europa. Truly a wonderful and intimate hotel, in an outstanding spot on the lakefront right in the centre of Riva del Garda, with unrivalled views of the historic port. It has a modern lobby and comfortable lounge to relax in after a day of sightseeing. Best of all though is the superb terrace overlooking the harbour and colourful main piazza, with probably the best views in the whole of Riva. Here you can take breakfast or perhaps enjoy a relaxing drink whilst absorbing the stunning view. In the evenings you will dine in the hotel’s panoramic restaurant serving local specialities and typical Italian dishes. The air-conditioned rooms are very well appointed with private facilities, satellite TV, phone and safe, and have been recently renovated. There is a small roof top swimming pool and sun terrace with great views over the sparkling waters of the lake. Outdoor pools are open Summer months, weather permitting.

The four-star superior Hotel Savoy Palace, is one of the best hotels in Riva and positively exudes elegance and refinement. Set approximately 200 metres from the lakeside, allowing easy access to explore the lakeside itself, take in the stunning alpine vistas and stroll along the adjacent pathway to the harbour and old town. The lounge and bar make extensive use of comfortable soft furniture, glass, marble and interior plants, creating a superb relaxing ambience where you can enjoy a drink. There is a small indoor swimming pool and in the grounds, an extensive heated pool and hydro-massage baths surrounded by an attractive sun terrace. The restaurant, which has an excellent reputation, serves both regional and international menus and prides itself on its level of service. The rooms are spacious, have a balcony, are extremely well-appointed and furnished in typical, tasteful Italian style. The hotel is

fully air-conditioned and is extremely professionally managed by its third generation family owners: all in all, ideal for a comfortable stay. Outdoor pools are open summer months, weather permitting.

The four-star superior boutique Hotel Kristal is arguably one of the lake’s finest hotels and is extremely proud of its many accreditations. Just 200 metres from the lake, it is set in small and immaculately maintained grounds and on arriving you will instantly recognise everything about this luxurious property exudes comfort and the utmost good taste in a modern style. The lobby makes extensive use of warm pastel-coloured marble, leather settees and tinted glass whilst fine art adorns the walls. The rooms themselves are a real quality statement featuring hardwoods, marble, superb fabrics, the finest bed linen and leather headboards. The bathrooms feature the most contemporary fittings, powerful invigorating showers and quality bathroom cosmetics.

Food is a real passion here and in the restaurant, with views into the kitchen, talented chefs will truly exceed your expectations. Imaginative fine dining and fresh seasonal produce is the theme with classic Italian cuisine presented with a modern twist to really excite your palate. The atmosphere is enhanced by exquisite glass and tableware, fresh flowers, even the bread is baked on site, the whole concept is a quality restaurant in its own right and an unobtrusive pianist completes the atmosphere. On the roof is a real gem, the heated swimming pool surrounded by a roof terrace with sun-loungers, affording an amazing 360 deg panorama of the stunning lake surrounded by its majestic mountains. Weather permitting you can enjoy breakfast here, plus there is a bar which is a wonderful place to unwind after a day’s sightseeing whilst enjoying

the view. Outdoor pools are open Summer months, weather permitting.

The four-star Hotel Portici is beautifully located in the old town, just 30 metres from Riva’s main square and close to the lake itself. It was once a historic manor house and thus boasts a wealth of period features, stonework and vaulted ceilings creating a wonderful genteel ambience throughout the hotel. The air conditioned rooms themselves are thoroughly contemporary in the true tradition of imaginative Italian design, plus there is a convivial bar and atmospheric restaurant featuring traditional local cuisine. Guests are most welcome to use the swimming pool, sun terrace, bar and lounge area in the Portici’s sister hotel, the Europa just 100 metres away. Surrounded by Riva’s atmospheric twisting streets lined with tasteful boutiques, you will find the Portici; traditional, convenient and very comfortable.

Set in a really lovely location, the four star Hotel Borgo Antico is in Riva del Garda’s atmospheric historic centre on a pedestrianised cobbled street lined with tasteful boutiques and tiny restaurants, yet less than five minutes’ walk from the lake itself. A really lovely conversion from two townhouses it emanates old-world ambience and recently renovated to a very high standard, the spacious welcoming reception and bar area offers comfortable seating and just off this is the restaurant.

The rooms are modern with simple yet imaginative decoration. The roof top terrace offers really spectacular views across terracotta roof tops and the church spire over the lake to the mountains beyond and with no modern development to ‘blot’ the view, this is picture postcard standard. Coach access is difficult of course due to the historic situation, so a five minute walk is necessary from the collection point, but luggage is transferred for you.

The Grand Canal

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Whether you’re an opera aficionado or not, a trip to the oldest open-air opera festival could not be a better addition to your stay. Held in a Roman amphitheatre, the summer performances are truly something special – when the floodlights go down on the 15,000 spectators, the cacophony diminishes to hushed whispers, before the magic begins and the beautiful voices fill the air.

DATE TITLE OF PERFORMANCE TOUR DEPARTURE DATEJun 23 Nabucco Jun 19Jun 29 Nabucco Jun 26Jul 7 Nabucco Jul 3Jul 13 Madam Butterfly Jul 10Jul 20 Aida Jul 17Jul 27 Rigoletto Jul 24Aug 3 Aida (1913 historical stage design) Jul 31Aug 10 Tosca Aug 7Aug 17 Tosca Aug 14Aug 24 Aida (1913 historical stage design) Aug 21

Please visit www.rivieratravel.co.uk for more information. To book this optional experience, call 01283 742300.

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£849

Described by Wordsworth as ‘a treasure the world keeps to itself’ - no truer words spoken!

L A K E C OMO, S T MOR I T Z &

T H E B E R N I NA E X PR E S S

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner• Visit chic St Moritz in the heart of the Swiss Alps• Travel on the stunning Bernina Express, one of the world’s most spectacular alpine railway journeys• Visit to Lake Maggiore with its Mediterranean ambience, azure-blue waters, spectacularly surrounded by green hills and exotic colourful flora

• Guided tour of Bergamo, northern Italy’s most enchanting medieval town • Visit to Switzerland’s Lugano, stylish, alluring and elegant• Lake cruise to stunning Bellagio, acknowledged as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages • Private visit to the enchanting Villa del Balbianello and its inspirational gardens• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Bellagio

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dominates the Lombardian plain below. Surrounded by huge ramparts and within, its wealth of renaissance buildings and centuries old squares, lined by traditional cafes and restaurants selling fantastic Italian food, it’s a delight to explore. Art lovers will really appreciate the Galleria dell’Accademia, a major art gallery with superb works by Titian, Raphael, Canaletto and many more. One of the most charming attributes of this lovely atmospheric city is that it really is an undiscovered gem, being almost totally devoid of tourists.

In designing this tour we really feel we have selected the very best of this wonderful area for you to savour at your leisure.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL ON LAKE COMO You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Milan from where you will be taken to your choice of four-star hotel.

DAY 2 - LAKE COMO & BELLAGIO Lake Como, one of the deepest in Europe, has been beloved of romantics since the famous Roman chronicler Pliny wrote of its luxuriant beauty and it has inspired some of the best works by greats such as Verdi and Rossini. A favourite of Shelley and Wordsworth, the delights of Lake Como are many and varied and this morning you can enjoy one of its many highlights, a private boat and tour of the beautiful, 18th century Villa del Balbianello, one of the finest villas surrounding the lake. Originally built for a cardinal, it features a renowned collection of art and historic furniture, ironically much of it English, including an oak bureau from Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory. The gardens are equally stunning, being a series of manicured terraces full of fragrant roses and colourful borders, dominated by a classic three arched ‘loggia’, and all creatively planted using the rugged topography to great effect.

The boat then takes us to the elegant and exclusive resort of Bellagio which, with its idyllic location on a promontory on the lake, is often described as the most beautiful town in Italy, and when you see it you will almost certainly agree! Once the haunt of European monarchs, today the attractive, pastel-coloured buildings, faded by decades of sunshine, line the lake shore and narrow cobbled streets and lanes climb their way to the hilly centre. Awash with colourful flowers Bellagio cannot be bettered for a long lazy lunch in one of the many lakeside restaurants, followed by a stroll perhaps amongst the many typically formal Italian gardens so beloved of romantics over the centuries, sprinkled as they are with fine, 18th century sculpture. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace before returning to your resort by boat when you wish. (Subject to the available boat timetables)

DAY 3 - THE BERNINA EXPRESS Today, we enjoy a contrasting day of spectacular scenery and extraordinary Swiss engineering. Firstly we ascend up the Valtellina, a classic alpine valley with soaring peaks rising steeply on both sides to Tirano, where we board the famous Bernina Express. One of the slowest ‘express’ trains in the world, this remarkable Swiss train twists upwards in an amazing sequence of spirals, loops and tunnels to the summit at Ospizio Bernina, the highest through station in Europe. Here, you are surrounded by stunning vistas over snow-clad peaks and ice-cold glacial lakes which strikingly mark the watershed between

Mediterranean and Black Sea river systems. We descend sinuously through pretty pastures and dense pine forests to the ostentatiously chic resort of St Moritz, home of the infamous Cresta Run toboggan track, where there’s time for a spot of window shopping or perhaps afternoon tea and cake. Listen carefully and you may notice

There is no one thing or region that defines Italy. Seemingly blessed with the ideal combination of almost every desirable attribute a country could wish

for: straddling almost the entire width of the Mediterranean, to the south Sicily approaches Africa whilst in the north, its lakes reflect the magnificent Alps. Between these two extremes lies a great diversity of people; of food and wines; iconic architecture; footprints of ancient and medieval civilisations and a huge variety of scenery ranging from almost desert to lofty mountains so high they appear to puncture the sky!

On this wonderfully varied tour we explore Lake Como, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, plus some stunning icons of northern Italy and Switzerland. Described by Wordsworth as ‘a treasure the earth keeps to itself’, visitors have been attracted to the lake for centuries in search of relaxation, culture and inspiration. Both Verdi and Rossini worked in lakeside villas here, together with countless poets. Its atmosphere is one of an eerie, near-silence, broken only by the rhythmic lapping of gentle waves on the lake shore whilst above, birds of prey soar on the numerous thermals generated by the gentle mountain breezes. The scenery is just awesome with the mirror-like, deep blue waters reflecting the surrounding hills and snow-capped peaks dotted with tall, typically Italian, ochre and magenta coloured buildings and opulent villas lining the lakeside itself. Majestic mountains rise almost vertically towards the deep blue sky with the lower slopes covered in lush vegetation, adding an invigorating aromatic backdrop to a most harmonious scene.

For a contrast we visit nearby Lake Maggiore too, almost Mediterranean in character and lined by verbena, palm and orange trees, and a string of 19th century picturesque towns creating a true ‘belle époque’ atmosphere. Then just to the north is of course Switzerland with the most dramatic alpine scenery on the planet, and at its heart, chic St Moritz. We explore this too, also taking a trip on the nearby iconic Bernina Express, one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys through the gorgeous Poschiavo Valley.

Next it’s Bergamo, a classic hilltop city so reminiscent of this part of Europe, it has one of the most charming hearts of any medieval city in northern Italy and

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a rather unusual tongue: here, in this tiny corner of Switzerland, the locals speak Romansch, an ancient and little known Latin language. We return through yet more spectacular scenery to Lake Como for dinner.

DAY 4 - BERGAMO After breakfast we visit the historic town of Bergamo, said by many to be the most beautiful town in all of northern Italy! We agree – it’s enchanting. The old town, strikingly crowning a hill, was ruled for centuries by Venice, one of the world’s great Renaissance powers, when much of the graceful city we admire today was built.

Centred round the Piazza Vecchia, its harmonious main square is a wonderful collection of medieval and Renaissance buildings being acclaimed as some of the finest in Italy, ranging from a palace to wrought-iron balconied grand houses. From the top of the 12th century tower, you can enjoy splendid views over the jumble of ancient roofs to the lush plain below, and the myriad of lanes and alleys reveal fascinating cameos at every turn.

The cobbled streets are lined by a wealth of thriving traditional shops, plus bakers and butchers displaying, as the Italians do so well, a mouth-watering range of cakes, salamis, hams and a host of other delicacies - ideal ‘goodies’ for friends at home. Browse around the antique shops, ascend the city walls and just absorb the atmosphere of yesteryear. This morning you will enjoy a guided tour of the old town followed by some free time to explore as you wish. For art lovers, a short distance from the old town, you may wish to visit the highly acclaimed Galleria dell’Accademia, displaying masterpieces by Canaletto, Holbien, Velázquez and Botticelli. All in all, Bergamo is a superb spot just

to watch the Italians going about their daily business: friends exchanging a few words in the street, food shopping for another mouth-watering meal or trying in vain to calm over-exuberant children. This is real Italy and you will love it!

DAY 5 - LAKE MAGGIORE & STRESAToday we visit nearby Lake Maggiore and its most attractive lakeside town, Stresa, which owes its origin to the days of the ‘Grand Tour’ when Europe’s 19th century aristocracy, having crossed the border from Switzerland, experienced their first taste of Italy! Unmistakably Mediterranean in character, its shores, lined with oleanders and palms, backed by classic belle époque hotels create an ambience of classic gentility. Take a stroll along its impressive palm-lined promenade and enjoy the fine views across the shimmering lake to the Borromean Islands just offshore. You can also take the short boat trip to Isola Bella, an island transformed by a 17th century count, from a barren rock into an amazing terraced garden. This stunning display has long been visited by the famous, amongst them Queen Caroline of England, wife of George IV, plus Napoleon and Josephine. For the literary enthusiasts, you can relax at the bar of the Grand Hotel, featured

in Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’ and also frequented by the likes of George Bernard Shaw and Charlie Chaplin.

DAY 6 - LUGANO This morning we travel to Lugano, capital of the Italian speaking canton of Ticino which was seized by the Swiss in 1512 and has steadfastly refused any opportunity to revert to Italy ever since! It is absolutely fascinating, an eclectic mix of traditional Swiss values and the more laid-back Latin influences from across the border. The trains run on time and shops are just as chic, but there’s a distinctive Mediterranean feel unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere in Switzerland. Tiny alleyways lead to unmistakably Italian piazzas, where you can relax over a typically Italian lunch, but like everywhere else in Switzerland, the traffic laws are obeyed without question - it really is a quirky blend! The town is a delight to explore being centred round the café-lined main square, ideal to people-watch whilst enjoying a superb coffee. Alternatively, you can explore the myriad of twisting lanes of the old town or the dense network of shops with their displays probably unmatched anywhere in the world. Lugano

is a lovely place to idly wander, before we enjoy yet more outstanding scenery on our return journey to our hotel for dinner.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY Today you are free to explore as you wish. Enjoy a delicious Italian coffee in one of the pleasant cafés. Alternatively you may decide to take the boat to the lakeside town of Como or visit the gardens of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHTWe return to the airport at the appropriate time for our return flight after a memorable and varied tour.

Borromean Islands

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Lugano

BergamoHOTELSThe four-star Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, in the delightful and typically Italian town of Cadenabbia, enjoys prime position on the lakeside. The hotel dates back to 1820 and has long welcomed the rich and famous, including Queen Victoria. It exudes historic charm and elegance with ‘classic’ public rooms featuring high ceilings, columns and intricate plasterwork. All rooms have air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar, hairdryer and safe plus the hotel boasts a swimming pool too. The restaurant has stunning panoramic views over the crystal-clear lake with an al fresco terrace where you can savour typical Italian cuisine in a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.

The four-star Hotel Regina Olga is in the charming lakeside resort of Cernobbio and is located on the southern shores on undoubtedly one of the most picturesque parts of the lake with glorious views across the shimmering waters to Como; this is a classical Italian traditionally styled hotel facing the lake and has a delightful outside terrace, swimming pool, private gardens, restaurant and bar. All the elegant and comfortable air-conditioned rooms are well appointed with phone, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe and hairdryer.

The four-star Grand Hotel Imperiale is set in the beautiful sleepy lakeside village of Moltrasio. This late Art Nouveau-style property, set in its own landscaped gardens, enjoys a stunning lakeside location. It features a lakeside pool, and rooms decorated in a comfortable modern style. The hotel is a mixture of modern elegance and period features including an impressive bar area with beautifully

intricate tiled floor and sparkling crystal chandeliers where you can relax in peaceful surroundings. All the rooms have air-conditioning, telephone, satellite TV, mini-bar, safe and hairdryer.

The four-star Grand Hotel Menaggio, is set right on the lakefront in the delightful town of Menaggio. This well renowned hotel is located a short stroll from the resort centre and is classically designed with a lovely relaxing lounge and bar area opening out onto the heated lakeside swimming pool and sun terrace. The hotel also has two restaurants and the menu features many local specialities. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities, safe

and satellite TV. Some have lake views with Juliette or full balcony overlooking the shimmering waters of the lake.

The four-star Grand Hotel Victoria enjoys an enviable location overlooking Lake Como in the charming town of Menaggio, just a few moments from the main piazza. The majestic art nouveau style 19th century building is set in its own gardens and surrounded by centuries-old trees. The décor harks back to a golden age of grandeur with ornate chandeliers, intricate cornicing and elegant furniture. A highlight is the glass-fronted restaurant terrace where you will enjoy views across the lake to Bellagio as you dine. The fully air-conditioned rooms are classic in style with safe, satellite TV and minibar.

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Torno

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8 DAYS

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£899

Italy’s most sophisticated lake. Its fin de siècle ambience combined with the iconic Matterhorn have for centuries inspired poets and composers like Verdi and Rossini

L A K E M AG G IOR E , ORTA & T H E M AT T E R HOR N

• Return flights• Seven nights four-star accommodation, plus breakfast and dinner• Visit to the enchanting Isola Bella, with a guided tour of the 17th-century baroque villa and time to explore the stunning formal gardens• Visit to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps seeing the Matterhorn• Visit to Lake Como, described by Wordsworth as ‘a treasure the world keeps to itself’

• Travel on the famous Centovalli railway famous for its spectacular alpine views• Cruise on Lake Maggiore to the charming village of Cannobio• Visit to enchanting Lake Orta and the delightful 14th-century medieval village Orta San Giulio • Option to join a complimentary guided walk• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Just as our desire to explore and experience new lands is timeless, so too is the beauty of the

Italian Lakes, unfailingly delighting visitors for centuries. Indeed it was the influx of the pioneering British during the days of the Grand Tour, who first brought fame to the majestic Lake Maggiore and helped to create the sophisticated lakeside villages, nestling like pearls on a string, along its picturesque, verbena-clad shores. This wonderful combination of truly awesome Swiss mountain scenery and the tranquillity of the crystal clear Italian Lakes in a montage of splendour, cries out to be explored.

It is very difficult to describe the sheer stunning beauty of the Italian Lakes and it is hardly surprising that so many composers like Verdi and Rossini, plus countless poets and writers have sought peace and inspiration here. Its heady mix of serene, deep waters, fragrant orange blossom and verbena lend their delicate scents to the warm air whilst forest-clad hillsides, typical Italian medieval villages, mouth-watering fresh food and an effervescent people unique on the planet make it hard to beat.

Lake Maggiore itself straddles both Italy and Switzerland, and we stay in Stresa, a very stylish typical Italian town and once a favourite haunt of Hemingway, Chaplin and many others. We explore not only Lake Maggiore, but the equally beautiful Lake Como as well, plus the hidden gem that is Lake Orta, probably one of the most entrancing places you will ever visit. With the arc of the majestic Alps stretching out along the horizon you will enjoy probably the finest mountain scenery in the world during your visits to Switzerland, chic Locarno and dramatic Zermatt, nestling famously at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn, the world’s most charismatic peak. Then there are the delightful lost valleys, tumbling glacier streams and classic chalet scenes all blended together to offer a truly inspirational tour.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN STRESA You should arrive at the airport to take your flight and on arrival you transfer to the delightful town of Stresa on the peaceful shores of charming Lake Maggiore. We stay at the four-star Hotel Astoria, superbly located in its own landscaped gardens on the lakeside promenade and just a short stroll from the heart of the typically Italian old town. The hotel, family run for three generations is extremely tastefully furnished, featuring spacious lounges, a rooftop terrace with fine views across the lake and surrounding mountains. A pool and terrace are set in lush gardens and a restaurant with panoramic windows beautifully displays the shades of the tranquil lake from jade green to deep blue, plus Switzerland beyond, to great effect.

Or you can stay at the superb four-star superior Hotel Regina Palace, one of the best properties on the lake. Dating from the turn of the last century this recently restored classic hotel, truly reflects the ‘belle époque’ era having the high ceilings, carved plasterwork, crystal chandeliers, brass and wrought iron fittings so typical of this period. The hotel faces the lake and is set in extensive landscaped gardens to the front and rear with terraces, tennis court and swimming pool. In addition there is an indoor pool in the relaxing spa and you dine in the hotel’s elegant restaurant.

The superb four-star Hotel Bristol is magnificently set amidst beautiful manicured gardens overlooking the Borromean islands on the lakeside promenade. The elegant marbled lobby and chic lounge area features Bohemian glass chandeliers and fine frescos, leading through to the

atmospheric hotel bar and winter garden overlooking the gardens themselves all reflecting its 19th century pedigree to great effect. All rooms have been decorated with great finesse, in a style that is reminiscent of the ancient noble house from which is the hotel originates, with classic wood panelling and fine fabrics, wooden floors with mosaic works in the bathrooms. All rooms benefit from air conditioning, flat screen TV and a mini bar. The large outdoor swimming pool is set amongst the gardens plus there is also an indoor pool.

Outdoor pools are open summer months, weather permitting.

DAY 2 - LAKE MAGGIORE & BORROMEAN ISLANDS Unmistakably Mediterranean in character, Maggiore’s shores are lined with oleanders, palms and deeply aromatic verbena with the still waters reflecting the azure blue sky above.

Just offshore is one of the real gems of northern Italy, the stunning Borromean Islands, once owned by a Milanese Count

who, in the 17th century, created the most amazing ‘belle époque’ villa here of which we

have a guided tour this morning. Isola Bella, as it is called, is a stunning achievement, with its staterooms crammed with fine furniture, sculpture and art with intricate parquet flooring and elegant pastel-coloured plasterwork and frescoes adorning the high ceilings, it’s simply stunning. Even more impressive though, are the astonishing grounds, featuring ten interlocking terraces imaginatively planted with orange and lemon trees, plus

magnolias and a host of other fragrant and colourful shrubs and plants. Marble statues and unique, white peacocks add the final touches to this dramatic display. Previous distinguished visitors include Queen Caroline of England, wife of George IV, plus Napoleon and Josephine. In complete contrast, the narrow cobbled streets, picturesque harbour and charming buildings of the fascinating Isola dei Pescatori, the second island we visit, reflect its 10th century origins and centuries old fishing tradition after which it is named. This is the perfect place for a relaxing lunch in one of the excellent lakeside restaurants - many with enchanting secluded terraces – before we cruise back to Stresa during the afternoon.

DAY 3 - CENTOVALLI RAILWAY Long and relatively narrow, Lake Maggiore beautifully straddles the Swiss-Italian border and this morning you enjoy a totally different view of the lake as we take a private boat to Cannobio, where you

will have some free time before joining the coach to continue into Switzerland, to the chic resort of Locarno, nestling below the towering peaks

of the Alps.

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During our journey you will see ever-grander snow-capped mountains, their colours

gently changing from pinks to greens and blues, as the sun, arcing across the sky, casts its ever-changing shadows.

You snatch tantalising glimpses of lakeside life with the locals going about their daily lives, whilst birds of prey soar on the numerous thermals and colourful wildfowl rise and fall as the boat’s wake radiates from the stern. Locarno is staunchly Swiss, but the twisting lanes and alleys of the historic centre bear more resemblance to Tuscany than Zurich, lending it a real charm enhanced by a fascinating history encapsulated in the mighty castle dominating from above. After some free time we board the narrow gauge Centovalli train for a spectacularly scenic ride as it winds its way through wild, romantic landscapes, pure mountain cascades, vines, chestnut woods and villages clinging to the mountainsides. Named after the so called ‘hundred valleys’ through which it passes, the train features specially designed panoramic carriages so you can sit back, enjoying the scenery in all its glory as it winds its seemingly impossible way around the valley sides. From Domodossola we return by coach to Stresa. DAY 4 - LAKE COMO This morning we explore another of Northern Italy’s most famous lakes and one of its most attractive too. Described by Wordsworth as ‘a treasure the earth keeps to itself’, a favourite of Shelley, Lake Como has attracted visitors for centuries in search of relaxation, culture and inspiration. The famous ancient Roman, Pliny wrote of its luxuriant beauty and it has inspired some of the best works of greats such as Verdi and Rossini to name but two. Como town is renowned for its lakeside parks and grand hotels and the Villa Olmo which has been home to many eminent Europeans including Napoleon, Archduke Ferdinand and Garibaldi, the ‘father of modern Italy’. During your free time, you could take a relaxing boat trip across the shimmering waters to elegant and exclusive Bellagio which, with its idyllic location on a promontory on the lake, is often described as Italy’s most beautiful town, and when you see it you will almost certainly agree! The shore lake is lined by attractive, pastel-coloured buildings, faded by decades of sunshine with narrow cobbled streets and lanes climbing their way to the hilly centre, awash with dazzling flowers of every colour. Then perhaps a stroll amongst the typically formal Italian gardens so beloved of romantics over the centuries, interspaced as they are with fine, 18th century sculpture.

DAY 5 - FREE DAY Today you can choose to relax in the hotel, perhaps take a swim in the pool or explore Stresa’s many delights. The lakeside exudes an ambience of classic ‘belle époque’ gentility, owing its origin to the days of the ‘Grand Tour’ when Europe’s 19th century aristocracy, having crossed the border from Switzerland, experienced their first taste of Italy. Literary aficionados may like to take a drink at the bar of the Grand Hotel featured in Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’, and frequented by the likes of George Bernard Shaw and Charlie Chaplin.

DAY 6 - ZERMATT & THE MATTERHORN Today the views will take your breath away. We firstly climb the foothills of the Alps then cross the Swiss frontier and head into the high Alps themselves. We take the Simplon Pass, once used by the Romans to control their northern provinces with the first actual road constructed by Napoleon. Continuing, the scenery becomes ever more spectacular, with lush, wild flower-covered meadows studded with tiny shepherds’ shelters sweeping through the dense forests, crowned by snow-capped mountains glistening in the sun. You could be lucky and catch a glimpse of the elusive ibex, chamois or even a golden eagle soaring high above. Marvelling at the engineering feats, the road traverses towering viaducts and jaw dropping precipices, we pass countless torrential mountain streams tumbling waterfalls before arriving at the legendary village of Zermatt, nestling at the foot of the mighty, instantly recognisable Matterhorn. Zermatt is iconically Swiss, a car-free jumble of chalets and ancient wooden farm huts strewn along the valley floor, towards pastures alive with the sound of cowbells and dramatic cable cars and soaring footpaths weave ever upwards to the majestic amphitheatre of the surrounding lofty summits.

The ultimate alpine peak, the Matterhorn is strangely shy until you reach the end of the village, turn a corner, and the Swiss national symbol is revealed in its unrivalled glory - truly, one of life’s ‘wow’ moments! For an even better view take the cog railway to reach 3000 metres and the absolutely awe-inspiring mountain wonderland of glaciers and summits. Alternatively you can relax in one of the many delightful cafés or take a gentle ride in a horse drawn carriage as you wish.

DAY 7 - LAKE ORTA Our final day, and we experience one of the real highlights of the entire holiday. Orta is probably the prettiest of the Italian lakes, yet surprisingly one of the least known. What Orta does have is an exceptional dose of charm!

Surrounded on three sides by the deep blue water, the delightful lakeside village of Orta San Giulio is a haven from mass tourism and the only ‘must see’ sight is the village itself. The pebble studded lanes and stepped alleys, lined with a myriad of traditional food shops selling the gorgeous fresh produce for which Italy is so justifiably respected, lead down to the lakeshore and romantic main square.

Buildings with exposed 14th century half-timbers and shuttered windows wear the pastel ochre, magenta and pale blues so typically Italian, in a kaleidoscope of colour. Linger a while, watch the locals going about their daily lives chatting with acquaintances as they go. You cannot fail to be captivated by its perfectly medieval charms. San Giulio’s basilica on the island is incredible; the inside entirely covered with spellbindingly preserved 14th century biblical frescoes and in places you can even see the earlier 12th century works underneath.

Before we return to our hotel we visit the monumental statue of San Carlo Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan and the only cardinal ever to refuse the offer of the papacy. This enormous 17th century bronze statue stands 114 feet high, was for centuries the tallest statue in the world and crowns a hill commanding wonderful views across Lake Maggiore and the surrounding countryside.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT After breakfast we transfer to the airport for your flight home. COMPLIMENTARY GUIDED WALKAn increasing number of you want to stretch your legs whilst away so you may want to join a complimentary walk today. It’s not arduous, it’s best to have light walking shoes or good ‘trainers’ though.Firstly we take the 8 minute local train to the tiny hamlet of Verbania Pallanza with our final destination being the village of Mergozzo wonderfully nestling on one of Italy’s most gorgeous yet unknown lakes, Lake Mergozzo. We follow a delightful track through an unspoilt oak forest teeming with wildlife with our naturalist guide describing the flora and fauna we encounter. It’s always fascinating getting so far off the beaten track and after time for a coffee in tiny lakeside Mergozzo, we return to Stresa by train. It’s a superb leisurely trip but places are strictly limited so please advise at time of booking if you wish to participate. Please note that walks take place on a free day of the tour itinerary and are subject to weather conditions. Only available May-Sept.

Piazza Motta

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8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£849

Italy’s artistic contribution surpasses that of any other nation, whilst Tuscany’s bucolic scenery is home to more historical monuments than any other entire country on earth

F LOR E NC E & T U S C A N Y

• Return flights • Seven nights in four-star and three-star superior accommodation, with breakfast and four dinners• Stay in central Florence and enchanting Tuscany• Guided tour of Florence – pearl of the Renaissance• Reserved, timed visit to the Uffizi, quite simply one of the world’s finest art collections • Visit to San Gimignano, one of Italy’s most beautiful hill-top villages

• Guided tour of Siena, one of the finest medieval cities• Visit to Pisa, home of the Leaning Tower and its amazing cathedral, some of Italy’s finest Renaissance buildings• Experience the hauntingly beautiful Tuscan countryside• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 4 SAMPLE EXQUISITE WINES AT A TYPICAL CANTINA IN TUSCANY

View from Piazza Michelangelo

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU

Call us to pre-book your tour of Florence in a

Fiat 500 or your Tuscan hot air

balloon ride.

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Tuscany and its classic countryside is the very essence of Italy. Gently undulating, biscuit coloured hillsides often covered with vineyards flow and disappear into the distance. Punctuated by isolated farmhouses, unchanged for centuries and studded by tall cypress trees, these wonderful landscapes yield a rich harvest of superb food and wine. Tuscan cuisine is simple, using the finest ingredients such as grilled succulent meats, fresh vegetables, the unique pecorino cheese, thick wholesome soups, a hint of olive oil and garlic, creating tasty, healthy menus. In Tuscany you have some of the world’s finest wines too, such as Brunello, Montepulciano and of course Chianti. Tuscany embodies the true characteristics of Italy and the Italians themselves. Stylish, always ready to help, justifiably proud of their heritage, vibrant, expressive and just – different!

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE You should arrive at the airport to take your flight. On arrival, a coach will take you to Florence and our hotel where we stay for three nights on a bed and breakfast basis, at either the three-star superior rated Hotel Corona D’Italia, ideally located in the San Lorenzo district of the city, ten minutes walk from the Cathedral. All the rooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, mini-bar, hairdryer, television and telephone. The hotel has a bar and breakfast room.

Or there is the four-star rated Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. This hotel enjoys an enviable position on the banks of the River Arno, close to the Piazza Santa Croce and well located for easy access into the historical centre. All the rooms have air-conditioning, mini-bar, satellite television, safe and hairdryer. The hotel has a choice of restaurants, offering international and Italian cuisine, plus a lounge, American bar and terrace (summer only).

DAY 2 - FLORENCE & THE UFFIZI GALLERY After breakfast you have a guided walking tour of Florence, “pearl of the Renaissance”, a superb and beautiful city and deservedly on the traveller’s map since the days of the Grand Tour.

The sights are legendary and you see some of the best of them: the Cathedral – which can house a congregation of thousands and the Baptistry – the oldest building in the city. You will also see the Ponte Vecchio – the superb bridge over the river Arno, lined with goldsmiths and a symbol of the city itself.

During the afternoon you have a reserved visit to the Uffizi art gallery where superlatives are the

For centuries Italy has attracted visitors in search of culture and romance and there are few countries that can rival its renowned Classical origins, its art, music, architecture,

scenery, food and wine. As home to the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican, its contribution to the arts surpasses that of any other nation.

Tuscany embodies much that Italy is famous for, possessing more historical monuments than any other country, let alone province, on earth. Its cities, Florence, Siena and Pisa, together with smaller towns and medieval villages like Lucca and San Gimignano, house some of the world’s finest artistic treasures. Combine this with the haunting beauty of the local countryside, an enviable climate, one of the world’s great cuisines, and you have all the ingredients for a superb holiday.

Florence defies description, arguably the finest city of the Renaissance and often described as the most beautiful city in Italy. Browning sighed over its idyllic charms and E.M. Forster described it in “A Room with a View” as the perfect antidote to Anglo- Saxon life. It owes its wealth to the commercial explosion that emerged after the Dark Ages when wool and other textile industries, backed by some of the very first international banks, turned Florence into one of the world’s richest cities.

Political power was in the hands of just a few families, in particular, the Medici, who married into most European royal families, including our own. Florence thus became the cultural and intellectual heart of the continent: architects, artists and sculptors flocked here and once engaged by the nouveau riche, were soon busy filling the churches and palaces to bursting point with some of the world’s most outstanding works. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian plus countless others, created many of the masterpieces now on display in the Uffizi, one of the world’s greatest galleries. Then there is the city of Pisa, famous for its leaning tower, situated in a complex of ecclesiastical buildings, as remarkable today as they must have seemed to the medieval pilgrims on their way to Rome.

Next we visit San Gimignano one of the best preserved medieval villages you will find anywhere in Europe, famous for its immense stone towers, dramatically rising upwards, creating its unique skyline. Siena is the other great Tuscan city enclosed behind vast defensive walls, dominating the surrounding countryside like the fortress it is. The city is quite outstanding and has arguably the most gracious square, the Campo, in the world.

minimum expressions you can use to describe its phenomenal collection.

Built up over three hundred years, this originally private collection belonging to the all-powerful Medici family, and subsequently bequeathed to the people of Florence, contains masterpieces by some of the greatest artists who have ever lived: Botticelli; Leonardo da Vinci; Michelangelo; Titian; Rembrandt and Van Dyck. There are many more too, literally room upon room of them which will amaze you!

DAY 3 - LUCCA & PISA After breakfast you leave for Lucca, birthplace of the great composer Puccini, a delightful city where you can wander amongst the medieval streets, tiny piazzas and along the ramparts circling the city. Its cathedral is outstanding and famous as one of the most intricate in Tuscany. Then you take the short drive to Pisa where nothing can prepare the visitor for the almost shock-like impact of its bizarre leaning tower! Famous since the dawn of tourism, it has tilted since it was built over six hundred years ago and today still remains one of the great must-see buildings on earth. We then return to our hotel.

DAY 4 - FREE MORNING & WINE TASTINGFlorence will amaze you and there is so much to see, yet being medieval it is also so compact. Today you are free to explore this wonderful city of the Renaissance. There is the Accademia, the oldest art school in the world which houses Michelangelo’s David, one of the world’s finest sculptures; the Archaeological museum containing an outstanding collection of exhibits from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt; the Science museum which contains many of Galileo’s telescopes together with the world’s first adding machine. Situated in the medieval heart of the city is the magnificent cathedral, dominating the skyline, some of which dates from the 4th century. Built from white, green and pink marble it glows in the sunshine and the richness of the interior is remarkable with beautiful frescoes and an amazingly intricate marble pavement. However, Florence is much more than a city caught in the past, it has an ambience you will love, packed with cosy restaurants and street cafés where you can simply watch the world go by, the very essence of Italy and the Mediterranean lifestyle.

No visit to Tuscany is complete without a visit to a typical cantina for a tour of the cellars and a taste of some of the most well-known wines in the world. We visit the world renowned Chianti area to visit the Foresteria Villa Cerna, one of the Cecchi family’s estates. For more than a century, the family

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Tour Florence in a Fiat 500For an authentic slice of la dolce vita, explore the ancient winding streets and magnificent sights of historic Florence, whilst being driven by a knowledgeable local guide in a vintage Fiat 500, a truly classic car and Italian favourite for over 50 years. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

Tuscany in a hot air balloon Take to the skies in a magnificent hot air balloon for a flight over the spectacular Tuscan countryside. This is certainly a very special and memorable way to experience the most amazing panoramic views of this scenic region. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

was one of the area’s biggest and most important producers. After a tour and insights into the history and philosophy behind the brand, we sample some of their exquisite wines, and some typical Tuscan snacks.

At the end of the day you drive to one of our carefully selected four star rated hotels in Tuscany for the next four nights on half board. The Park Hotel Le Fonti, partly converted from an old farm, is set on the edge of the old town of Volterra with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside, and has a bar, good quality restaurant and panoramic terrace.

The Palazzo San Lorenzo is set right in the heart of the town of Colle di Val d’Elsa, known as the ‘City of Crystal’. Converted from an old hospital the hotel offers thoroughly modern comforts, a beautiful winter garden housing the bar and breakfast room, outside terrace and a restaurant serving delicious local specialities.

Hotel Il Piccolo Castello is situated in its own grounds close to the walled hilltop town of Monteriggioni. Built on one level around a central garden the hotel is decorated with traditional frescoes and is a lovely relaxing base, with spacious lounge and manicured gardens, bar and restaurant serving delicious Tuscan food. Rooms in all hotels are air conditioned with private facilities, mini bar, safe, television and telephone. In short your comfort is assured whichever hotel you stay in.

DAY 5 - SAN GIMIGNANO & VOLTERRAAfter breakfast you start to explore the rural Tuscany of undulating hillsides, isolated farmhouses surrounded by tall cypress trees, biscuit and ochre coloured valleys, made famous by Renaissance paintings and countless travel posters. You soon arrive in one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, San Gimignano, with its stunning skyline of thirteen towers, built by rival nobles during the 13th century, it evokes images of medieval Tuscany perhaps better than any anywhere else in the province. This wondrous village is delightfully rural and it is lovely to just wander through its cobbled streets, take in the view and simply absorb its atmosphere. Volterra, is a typical Tuscan town, dramatically situated high on a hill, commanding dramatic views of the countryside and surrounded by immense stone ramparts.

The small historic centre is a maze of narrow cobbled streets surrounded by the high buildings so typical of Italy. Street life revolves around the main Piazza, one of the finest and best preserved in Tuscany, and beautifully atmospheric, especially during the evening when the locals, often entire families, meet and seemingly argue about the day’s events. What could be finer than to sip a glass of wine as the sun goes down and absorb this wonderful ambience. Founded by the Etruscans, easily defended, Volterra grew prosperous during medieval times mining alabaster, used to carve intricate artefacts, which decorate the innumerable churches and cathedrals of Tuscany and beyond. The craft is still carried on today and you will have the opportunity to visit the many artisan outlets. It also has one of the best archaeological museums in Italy, which is well worth a visit.

DAY 6 - SIENA After breakfast we take the short drive to Siena, one of the finest medieval cities in the world which was, during the 12th and 13th centuries one of its richest and a similar size to Paris! An unrivalled period of building took place and the palaces, grandiose townhouses and spacious piazzas you see today, were created. The main square, the Campo, is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s finest! Unusually formed in a half-moon shape, the square is surrounded by tall and centuries old buildings, all very different and yet also harmonious. With its

abundance of pavement cafés, just enjoy a coffee and reflect on all the visitors who preceded you.

Perhaps the finest place to visit in Siena is its outstanding cathedral, one of Italy’s greatest. Built from black and white marble it has some of the most intricate carvings imaginable, some of which are by

the great master himself, Michelangelo. The floor is a revelation, laid with countless thousands of interlocking stones, creating a unique inlaid surface at which, one can only marvel at the sheer skill of its creators. Impressive as it is

today, had a planned additional nave been completed during the 14th century, it would have

created the largest church in Christendom. The Black Death halted construction as two thirds of the population perished and the city fell into

rapid decline. Little else was built but fortunately even less demolished, thus accounting for Siena’s remarkable preservation. We will have a guided tour of the city and during the afternoon you are free to explore as you wish.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY Today we have a free day to explore as you wish. So what is it to be? A stroll around the village, a coffee in the

main square watching the world go by, a dip in the hotel pool or

just catch up on some reading - the choice is yours.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT The coach will return us to the airport at the appropriate time to take our return flight.

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8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£849

The Colosseum

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your food tour in Rome

Few places can compare with Italy’s art, architecture, music, design, scenery food or wine, Tuscany’s striking countryside, the influence of the Renaissance

and the world’s greatest ancient civilisation

C L A S S IC A L I TA LY F L OR E N C E , S I E N A , A S S I S I , ROM E

• Return flights • Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and four dinners• Guided tour of historic Rome, home to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps - discover 2,500 years of history• Guided tour of Siena, one of Europe’s finest medieval cities

• Guided tour of Florence, pearl of the Renaissance with a timed visit to the Uffizi, one of the world’s finest art galleries• Guided tour of Arezzo – one of Tuscany’s most stunningly unspoilt medieval cities, noted for its exquisite tapestries • Visit to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis• Discover Tuscany’s stunning countryside• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 6 ENJOY A TOUR OF THE ‘UNDERGROUND’ LEVEL OF THE COLOSSEUM

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vegetables and salads, combined with succulent meats, seafood, a hint of garlic and the finest olive oil create simple, tasty, and healthy menus.

One of the greatest joys of visiting Italy is of course, being amongst the Italians themselves. Stylish, always ready to help and, if there is a single national characteristic – it is living life to the full, which creates the fantastic atmosphere so much in evidence.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ROME You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Rome. On arrival, a coach will take you to delightful Arezzo in the heart of Tuscany and an ideal base for

our series of visits during the next few days. We stay four nights on half-board at the four-star

Hotel Minerva, located about half a mile from the medieval city walls. The hotel was started as a restaurant fifty years ago by the present family owners which specialises in traditional Tuscan cuisine.

DAY 2 - SIENA After breakfast, we drive to lovely medieval

Siena which was, during the 12th and 13th centuries, one of the world’s largest and richest cities and a similar size to Paris! An unrivalled period of building took place and the range of palaces, grandiose townhouses and piazzas were built. Without doubt the main square, the Campo is one of the most beautiful you will ever see. Unusually half-moon shaped and surrounded by tall, centuries-old buildings, they are all different embracing an overall harmonious and beautiful style. Just to sit here, enjoy a drink and reflect on lives gone by is a real pleasure. Siena’s cathedral is absolutely outstanding, one of Italy’s greatest, built from black and white marble with the most intricate carvings imaginable some of which are by the great master himself, Michelangelo. The floor is a revelation with countless thousands of pieces of stone creating a unique inlaid pavement. It is impressive enough now but had a planned nave been completed during the 14th century, it would have created Christendom’s largest church. The city fell into rapid decline after the Black Death, accounting for the city’s astonishing preservation. During the journey to and from Siena we shall see some of the famous Tuscan countryside: this truly a wonderful scenic area.

DAY 3 - FLORENCE & THE UFFIZI GALLERY Today we visit Florence, pearl of the Renaissance, a superb and beautiful city and deservedly on the map of the traveller since the days of the Grand Tour. During our guided tour you will see the principle monuments such as the Cathedral – which can house a congregation of 10,000 and the Baptistry – the oldest building in the city. This afternoon we enjoy a reserved visit to the Uffizi gallery, quite simply one of the world’s most monumental art collections. It contains work by Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, Michelangelo – the list is endless. Florence is not just about art though, it is a delightful place in its own right. Full of shops and colourful markets which delightfully complement the city’s artistic treasures.

DAY 4 - AREZZO Arezzo is a wonderful medieval town nestling behind its imposing stone walls as it has for centuries. This morning, we have a walking tour during which we learn about the town’s illustrious past and there is a host of things to see. The city flourished in medieval times, coming under the rule of the Medicis in the 15th century and today the town is a complete kaleidoscope of architectural styles which somehow blend together harmoniously, with such charm. There are Romanesque churches

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For centuries Italy has drawn visitors in search of culture and romance with few countries comparing with its enormous Classical origins: its art, architecture, music, design, scenery,

food or wine. Its contribution to art far surpasses that of any other nation being home to the most extensive ancient civilisation, the Renaissance, the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican. Blend this with the striking natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside, the vitality of Rome, the effervescence inside every Italian and you have unbeatable ingredients for a tour.

Firstly we visit Tuscany and its great cities of Florence, Siena and Arezzo, then Umbria and Assisi and finally, the Eternal City of Rome. Birthplace of Dante and the Renaissance, Florence has been described, since its ‘rediscovery’ early in the last century, as the most beautiful city in Italy. It owes its wealth to the explosion of commerce during the Middle Ages. Principally wool and other textile industries, backed by powerful banks turned Florence into one of the world’s richest cities. Political control moved to the nobility, especially the Medici who then married into the leading royal families of Europe. The city became the cultural and intellectual heart of Europe for 300 years. Artists and sculptors flocked to the city diverting some of this new wealth in their own direction by filling the palaces and churches to bursting point with some of the world’s most outstanding works. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian amongst others, created many of the masterpieces now on display in the Uffizi gallery, an absolute must. Another struggling but brilliant thinker found finance here too: Galileo, inventor of the telescope who, on discovering the first four moons of Jupiter named one of them Medici in honour of his patron.

We also visit Siena, the other great city of Tuscany. Beautifully medieval and enclosed behind vast defensive walls, it has rural parts even within the city creating a unique atmosphere. Indeed it is more a collection of cities being split into a series of parishes whose rivalries are still in evidence during the twice yearly Palio, the famous horse race where anything goes. However the city is quite outstanding and has arguably the most gracious square in the world, the Campo, and to be fair, when you see it, backed by the soaring Campanile, it is hard to disagree.

Assisi is principally famous as the city of Francis, Patron Saint of animals and one of the most famous figures in Christian history. Every house seems to be adorned with window boxes crammed with geraniums adding a splash of colour to the centuries-old walls. The basilica of St. Francis is, as you would expect, outstanding in all its breathtaking detail. Of all Italy’s historic cities, it is perhaps Rome which exerts the most compelling fascination. There is probably more to see here than in any other city on earth. Upwards of 2000 years of civilisation has given it a unique atmosphere. The grandeur of the Colosseum, scene of some of the cruellest acts ever committed, the Appian Way where Spartacus was crucified, the magnificence of St. Peter’s, the grandeur of the Vatican, the sheer brilliance of the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain and Baroque churches – the list is endless. Boasting one of the world’s great cuisines, far from being pizza and pasta, one of the first things which strikes you about visiting a restaurant, is how deeply embedded in the culture, food and drink really is. Fresh

juxtaposed with timber-beamed medieval shops, separated by intimate cobbled squares. Arezzo’s main square is nothing short of a masterpiece and without doubt must be one of Europe’s most stunning. This afternoon you are free to explore this lovely town as you wish, absorbing its astonishing charm. The city’s second claim to fame is its superb frescoes housed in the Basilica di San Francesco, some of the world’s most detailed and most well preserved. Arezzo is also noted for its extremely skilled jewellery industry. In countless traditional workshops, skilled artisans create the highly original pieces on display fashioned from gold, silver and every dazzlingly precious stone known to man. You could do worse though, than enjoy a sumptuous lunch overlooking the main square and reflect on times long ago, when it would have been full of robed bishops and merchants hurrying along to their next appointment. There is an unmistakable ambience throughout Italy and it is hard to put your finger on what makes it so special, but here in Arezzo it is very much in evidence.

DAY 5 - ASSISI Today we leave Tuscany after breakfast driving firstly to Assisi. This delightful medieval town, with its flower-hung streets, lovely views over the Umbrian countryside and fountain-splashed piazzas is famous for a single event – the birth of Francis, the most revered saint in Italy. The man himself was one of the most extraordinary figures the Italian church has ever produced. He had a privileged upbringing, leading a very un-Christian lifestyle, but whilst imprisoned, God appeared to him. After release, he renounced his inheritance, living the life of a beggar, and mixed with lepers, but ultimately found his vocation founding the order of monks which bears his name, the Franciscans. Two years after his death, the basilica was built, financed by donations from all over Europe creating one of the most beautiful shrines in the Christian world adorned by arguably its greatest art collection outside an actual gallery. The building today is actually two churches, one on top of the other with St. Francis himself lying under the floor in the crypt. The mood inside is most respectful, being in tune with Franciscan principles - silence being the rule, quite plain around the tomb itself and accompanied by brown robed monks. We have ample time to visit the basilica together with the town, arriving in Rome early evening.

Our hotel is the four-star Grand Hotel Beverly Hills, located in the prestigious Parioli residential

district, a short walk away from the Villa Borghese gardens and gallery. The hotel is around 15 minutes walk from the nearest metro stop, a direct tram is available just a few steps from the hotel to the Colosseum and there are various buses to connect with major attractions across the city. The hotel has a spacious lobby with lots of space to relax on the comfortable leather sofas after a hard days sightseeing. The hotel is decorated in a classic style and features extensive wood panelling in the public areas and is air conditioned throughout. All rooms are comfortably furnished with private facilities with bath or shower, mini bar, safe, hairdryer, air conditioning and flat screen satellite tv.

DAY 6 - ROME & THE COLOSSEUM Rome is, without doubt, one of the most captivating cities in the world, where ancient and modern blend perfectly. This morning, we have a sightseeing tour during which you will see many of the principle sights and monuments such as St. Peter’s, the Colosseum, Circo Massimo, Victor Emmanuel memorial, the Vatican, Palatine Hill, River Tiber, the list is endless. Probably nowhere else on earth is there so much history in such a small area. It owes its grandeur obviously to the Roman Empire which held sway over much of the globe for nearly 500 years and then to the Papacy which for a large part of its existence, commanded as much political influence as religious. But it’s more than buildings and galleries, there are quiet areas, tiny little piazzas, lovely bars, cosy restaurants where the waiters will talk all day if you let them. All this combined gives you the uniqueness that is Rome. We also have a fascinating tour that allows us to descend into the underground level of the Colosseum, the world’s most visited monument. Explore the hypogeum where few tourists have been, journeying through the tunnels where gladiators once sharpened their swords. Marvel at the ancient machines centuries ahead of their time, capable of special effects that added to the spectacle. Visit the highest ‘third tier’ where you can enjoy remarkable panoramas of the amphitheatre, nearby Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Many of these sights are only available with a guided tour.

This afternoon you are free to explore as you desire although you may wish to visit the Vatican Museums (entrance fee not included), the only part of the Palace you can visit independently. This is the

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Our guided 4-hour walking food tour explores the delicious highlights of this ancient neighbourhood, indulging in over 10 food and wine tastings at some of Rome’s most historic and locally loved places. Taste everything from the finest cheeses and the freshest homemade pasta to the most delicious street food and possibly the world’s tastiest ice-cream. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

largest, richest and most compelling such complex on earth which contains so many artefacts from the city’s history. Many of the finest artists of the Renaissance worked for a variety of Popes but there are other displays too: Egyptian antiquities, furniture, sculpture, silverware and of course, Michelangelo’s wondrous masterpiece of the Sistine Chapel which really has to be seen to be believed.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY IN ROME Today you have a free day to explore this amazingly interesting city as you wish, so what is it to be? Perhaps some of the ancient ruins: the atmosphere of history is inescapable as you view the magnificence of the heart of the Roman Empire. Looking at the Forum, Colosseum, the Pantheon to name but a few, it is easy to let your mind wander and imagine who has preceded you: Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, St. Paul, Nero, St. Peter and when you see how compact everything is the atmosphere is quite eerie. Take a stroll around the Piazza Navona, Rome’s most picturesque square, lined with luxurious cafés, where the present day Romans come to see and be seen with the superb baroque fountains lending a cooling sensation to the whole scene. Walk down the Spanish steps like countless visitors before you since the 18th century. Take a coffee in the famous Caffe Greco, once the haunt of Keats, Byron and Wagner. You could window shop along the Via Condotti for some of the finest clothes you will find anywhere. Perhaps the most satisfying activity though is simply to wander where your feet take you stopping off where you wish – its serenity will captivate you.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today the coach will take you to Rome airport, at the appropriate time, after a really memorable tour.

Carthaginian Trapani contrasts with Greek Segesta, discover atmospheric Palermo then, completely off the tourist map and little changed from Roman times, the unique volcanic Aeolian Islands

W E S T E R N S IC I LY, PA L E R MO &

T H E A E OL I A N I SL A N D S

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner• Stay three nights in undiscovered Trapani, once Phoenician, now a beautifully atmospheric ancient walled port• Visit Marsala famous for its outstanding desert wine, touring a winery with tastings• Guided tour of the medieval hilltop village Erice, once a capital now frozen in time with its incredible churches and Monasteries• Visit to Segesta, one of the ancient world’s most perfectly preserved Greek temples

• Tour of Palermo, gorgeously medieval and baroque, plus its stunning Norman Palace• Visit to Monreale’s cathedral displaying the world’s finest medieval mosaics• Stay four nights in charming Cefalu, once Arabic, now one of Sicily’s most attractive coastal villages• Scenic drive through the mountainous and completely unspoilt Madonie National Park, studded with remote hilltop villages• Visit stunning Lipari the most attractive of the beautiful Aeolian islands• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£999

NEW INCLUSION DAY 2 VISIT THE AMAZING GROTTA MANGIAPANE CAVE DWELLING IN TRAPANI

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Like so many other potential visitors, you could be forgiven for ignoring Sicily, yet here lies some of Italy’s and indeed Europe’s most fascinating historic towns, most beautiful

and unspoilt scenery, most delightful people, plus some of its finest food and wine. Ruled by every Mediterranean power since records began, the Phoenicians were probably the first visitors. Next came the Carthaginians, followed by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, the Moors, Normans, the Spanish, Bourbons and eventually the Italians.

Lack of large scale modern development and a mild climate has maintained what can only be described as one of Europe’s most staggering cultural legacies but which remarkably is still largely off the tourist map. This astonishing blend, probably unmatched anywhere is truly fascinating, with every day of the tour revealing more wonders. In architectural style, the towns and villages are revelations. From the almost souk-like markets to church spires displaying distinct signs of classic Moorish arches and calligraphy, the variety of influences are written in the very fabric of the buildings, some featuring Norman gold leaf mosaics yet carrying unmistakeably Byzantine inscriptions. Amazingly preserved classical Greco-Roman architectural styles and flamboyant baroque churches are all to be discovered in this plethora of historic monuments. Equally sumptuous mixes of culinary traditions abound, from classic Mediterranean staples like grilled fish, to cous-cous betraying Sicily’s proximity to Europe’s southernmost edge.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN TRAPANI Fly to Palermo. On arrival you will be transferred to the four star hotel Crystal for three nights, fully air-conditioned, modern in character and ideally situated on the edge of Trapani’s historic centre allowing easy exploration of this truly atmospheric town on foot.

DAY 2 - ERICE & GROTTA MANGIAPANE Western Sicily has always been more African than European and the first known settlers were the Elymians, probably Trojan refugees, about whom little is known. Trapani was the port for their capital, Erice, which today is a simply stunning spot crying out for exploration and a true microcosm of the entire island. Firstly it is renowned for its magnificent location, towering 750m above the nearby coast and offering astonishing views of the fertile valleys below, with rocky headlands stretching beyond and onwards out to the deep blue sea. Unmistakably medieval, and home to a collection of some of the most fascinating and beautifully decorated churches, monasteries and abbeys you will ever find in one tiny place. Varying from Byzantine to Baroque, these edifices range from the simple to the elaborate, some swathed in rich frescoes with extensive intricately carved marble and alabaster, whilst others display unmistakable Moorish influences too. The whole village is dominated by its Norman castle plus the original temple is still in evidence, so after our guided tour you can explore where you wish.

After lunch, we visit Grotta Mangiapane, an unusual archaeological site, first discovered in 1870 by Marquis Guido Dalla Rosa when investigating the area’s potential for economic contribution to the Kingdom of Italy. The most incredible cave dwellings were discovered, with artefacts and cave paintings preserved for over 20,000 years. Incredibly, a whole series of dwellings was found – five two-storey houses, two warehouses and stables, literally built within the walls of the caves. Now the site is often used as a film set, and still very much an undiscovered gem, unspoiled by mass tourism. We later return to Trapani with the remainder of the day

unscripted. Eating is a Sicilian passion, so for the next two evenings, dinner is at two different yet equally excellent restaurants serving superb local cuisine.

DAY 3 - SEGESTA & MARSALA This morning, we take the short drive to Segesta, an outstanding archaeological site with a similar hilltop setting to Erice, dating from much the same era. Repeatedly fought over by Sicily’s numerous invaders before finally being abandoned during the Middle Ages, today its magnificent remains are so wonderfully peaceful compared with equivalent other European sites, lending a magical quality and allowing a more intimate perspective on its ancient inhabitants. It’s staggeringly important too, still largely unexcavated with its highlights including one of Europe’s finest preserved ancient Greek Doric Temples – virtually complete except for its roof and an amphitheatre with outstanding views over the valleys below.

This afternoon in Marsala, we discover another Sicilian masterpiece, learning all about the creation of the delectable dessert wine which bears the town’s name and is enjoyed throughout the world. We are guests of one of Marsala’s finest producers and after the visit enjoy a tasting. There is an immensely attractive seascape to be enjoyed here, but the sea endows another gift to mankind; the extraction of salt by evaporation, exploited since Phoenician times. Using windmills for power and an ingenious system of connecting reservoirs, today, salt is staggeringly still harvested largely by hand. At a wonderful family-run museum, we learn about this ancient craft and the proprietor, whose family has been engaged in the trade for generations, explains this arduous lifestyle and occasionally breaks into traditional songs! This evening we enjoy yet another dinner in an excellent local restaurant gaining another view of Sicilian cuisine. Afterwards why not join the locals as everyone, of all ages and dressed as only the Italians know how, wanders arm-in-arm, slowly around the streets, watching everyone else do the same. The passeggiata – it’s a wonderful Italian tradition.

DAY 4 - PALERMO & MONREALEDriving eastwards our scenic coastal journey offers tantalising views of bright blue waters and pleasant vistas of Sicily’s mountainous interior, en-route to the capital, Palermo. We have a guided tour during which you will unravel the past’s mysteries gaining a real understanding of what makes this fascinating island actually ‘tick’. There are some incredible monuments here, most dating from before 1861 when Sicily was an independent Kingdom. You will love some of Italy’s most brilliantly decorated churches, plus tiny, almost timeless piazzas but most outstanding of them all, the Norman Palace. Once the seat of Kings, now occupied by the Sicilian government, in the Middle Ages it was Europe’s most decorated royal court. During our visit you will see the huge Carthaginian foundations, whilst

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upstairs is the royal church, literally covered in some of the finest gold medieval mosaics in existence and without doubt Palermo’s undisputed artistic gem.

This afternoon we visit the nearby hillside town of Monreale and you have the opportunity to visit another of Sicily’s secrets - the superb abbey cathedral, where the Normans reached their magnificent architectural zenith. Outwardly simple, its interior is stunningly rich in its decoration but you cannot fail to marvel at the magnificent glass mosaics displaying bible stories covering the entire interior as you wonder at the sheer skill of the craftsmen involved.

We stay in the charming coastal town of Cefalù, providing the perfect location for your four remaining nights and the series of visits.

The four-star Alberi del Paradiso set just behind Cefalù on small hill affording wonderful views of the town and sea beyond, with the beach and historic centre just a mile away. The well appointed rooms have the facilities that you would expect of this standard, but to make your stay more comfortable, why not upgrade to a superior sea facing room with a balcony? There is a spa and pool for relaxation, whilst for the energetic there is also a tennis court. The superbly comfortable lounge built in Sicilian style with exposed stonework, is the perfect spot to relax, whilst the restaurant presents local and international cuisine to a high standard. After dining you may wish to visit the bar terrace with extensive panoramic views and live background music several times weekly. A shuttle bus operates to Cefalu’s centre and beach.

DAY 5 - CEFALU Cefalù’s atmospheric medieval centre clings around the base of a huge rocky outcrop called la Rocca which dominates the terracotta coloured roofs below and at whose summit is a temple dedicated to the goddess Diana. This morning you will have a short orientation walk, with the rest of the day yours to enjoy. The jewel in Cefalù’s crown is its splendid Cathedral, another majestic Norman edifice held to be the zenith of Sicilian Romanesque architecture and containing mosaics, which though smaller, like those at Monreale, are exquisite. You will love Cefalù’s gentle pace - protected by the huge Saracen ramparts, the quaint

fishing port is lined by picturesque bars and excellent fish restaurants. You can soak up the unique ambience, amid hardly any other nationality but Italians, enjoying the maze of picturesque medieval streets, the splendid selection of shops, cafes and bars. Perhaps though, a lazy afternoon on or by the splendid sandy beach is a temptation? Whatever your choice, you are assured an idyllic day in this wonderful spot before dining in the hotel’s restaurant.

DAY 6 - THE AEOLIAN ISLANDSThis morning’s drive takes us along the scenic coast road, then we cruise across the astonishing Aeolian Islands. Firstly as we pass Vulcano, you may get a hint of the characteristic aroma from this island’s sulphurous hot springs – then we land at another of Sicily’s secrets, Lipari. These islands are almost unknown outside Italy, except perhaps for Stromboli, Europe’s most active volcano. Still surrounded by its historic walls, Lipari has been the chief amongst these islands since Neolithic times and remains the most populous, so there is plenty to see. Firstly on arriving at its picturesque fishing port is the staggering realisation that such a beautiful mooring and its delightful waterfront is still used for its original purpose and has not been taken over by mega-yachts. Perhaps you’ll take a long fish lunch with a crisp white wine in one of the delightful restaurants here, but you should not miss the astonishing archaeological museum tracing the islands’ history. Lipari is but a small village yet displays extensive remains from the Stone Age and every era since. The harbour and necropolis have

yielded the contents of several wrecked ships from antiquity and implements for the afterlife of Greek and Roman origin. Not short of staggering they would not be out of place in any major world-class museum. The superb ceramics, jewellery, amphorae, coins and all sorts of everyday objects are incredible in their detail and quantity. But there are so many ambiences here in Lipari, just amble where your feet take you and discover a true Shangri-la in a busy continent.

All too soon it’s time to leave this fascinating spot and return to your hotel for dinner.

DAY 7 - MADONIE NATURAL PARK & CASTELBUONO In Cefalù’s lofty hinterland is the Madonie Natural Park, a wild and rugged mountain range, high enough to ski in winter, with its crags and forests home to wolves, eagles and wildcats, making it the islands most important natural habitat. After enjoying this wonderful topography with just the occasional shepherd tending their flocks for company, tucked away in this marvellously unspoilt corner, is the stunning hilltop village of Castelbuono. Dominating the medieval village is a 14th century castle, fascinating for its melange of Arabic, Germanic and Norman architectural styles. Inside, the Cappella Palatina chapel is sumptuously decorated with precious marble and friezes as befits the home of the holy skull allegedly of Saint Anne - mother of the Madonna, and reputedly stolen from France 300 years ago!

Castelbuono is the perfect place to end your tour of Sicilian secrets with its restaurants featuring super Sicilian food and the host of excellent food shops offers the full range of island specialities at their very best, ensuring you won’t return home empty handed! Descending to the coast, tantalising glimpses of the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea herald our return to delightful Cefalù for a final dinner and a chance to compare notes with your fellow travellers of which was your favourite experience of this outstanding tour.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Marsala Wine Cellar

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Piazza Armerina is home to one of the archaeological gems of the ancient world. ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£869

The Mediterranean’s largest island, scenically stunning, at the centre of civilisation from the dawn of time, with an amazing historical legacy

S IC I LY

• Return flights • Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner• Guided tour of Agrigento’s ancient Greek, Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites• Visit to Palermo, Sicily’s capital with its gorgeous medieval and baroque centre, Italy’s finest outside Rome• Visit stunning Taormina - one of Italy’s most beautiful and stylish hilltop towns

• Guided tour of Piazza Armerina’s Roman villa, once completely buried, now remarkably preserved with stunning frescoes and ancient mosaics• Visit to Mount Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano• Guided tour of Monreale’s medieval cathedral with the world’s finest medieval mosaics• Visit to Siracusa – one of the Ancient Greek Empire’s richest cities and home of Archimedes • Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Taormina and Etna

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Sicily – the beautiful island off the southernmost tip of Italy is one of the few places in Europe that genuinely can be called unspoilt!

Its scenery possesses a natural and varied beauty that is truly breathtaking. Rugged, sometimes snow-capped mountains reaching for the sky are interspaced with rich meadows, adorned with wild flowers: during spring and autumn, spectacularly green and lush, yet during the sun-scorched summer, transformed into pastel shades of greens, yellows and browns.

Citrus and olive groves stretch into the distance and abundant pine forests lend the air that unmistakable Mediterranean aroma. Punctuated by the occasional farmhouse and Tuscan-like hilltop village the countryside is remarkably empty. The island has a spectacularly indented coastline, with sweeping bays and blood-red volcanic rocks plunging into the deep blue sea, and snow-capped Mount Etna providing a magnificent backdrop.

Although very much Italian today, Sicily has been at the crossroads of almost every Mediterranean civilisation for thousands of years and still retains traces of them all. Founded by the Phoenicians, home to the richest cities in the Greek Empire, Sicily was then over the centuries conquered by the Romans, the Moors, Normans, Spanish, French and finally the Italians. Their magnificent relics include temples, ancient amphitheatres, churches, monasteries, villas and atmospheric old towns, with many being the most outstanding of their type in the world and, due to the climate, in a truly remarkable state of preservation.

In character, Sicilians are noticeably different from the rest of Italy with their Sicilian language still in evidence. The food is wonderful but, again, sometimes a little different from the rest of the country, with nearby African influences present in dishes like couscous. Fish is obviously abundant: especially sea bass, swordfish and tuna, often combined with delicious fresh pasta. Plump and ripe Mediterranean vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, courgettes and aubergines complete mouth-watering menus.

Our tour visits the finest this remarkable island has to offer. We start in Agrigento, founded by the ancient Greeks, and famous for its remarkable Valley of the Temples – nine of them, some in phenomenal condition and all the more impressive when you consider they are almost 2,500 years old. It never ceases to amaze us – our present day civilisation believes it is so sophisticated and supposedly at the cutting edge of technology, but we wonder how many of our buildings will last as long!

Next we visit Palermo, chaotic and vibrant capital of the island, and in a beautiful setting with an atmosphere of both Europe and the Orient. The architecture ranges in style from Arabic to Norman, Baroque to Art Nouveau.

The pretty little town of Piazza Armerina possesses one of the true archaeological gems of the ancient world: the Casale villa dating from Roman times, covering a huge area, decorated with the largest expanse of ancient mosaics ever discovered and, having been covered by a mud slide many centuries ago, their condition belies their age. We also visit Taormina, one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns. Select and tasteful, Taormina retains its medieval charm, with its main street a lovely collection of 15th to 19th century townhouses, small

and intimate piazzas and twisting alleyways. D.H. Lawrence was aware of its charms, making his home here for several years. Taormina’s greatest claim

to fame is its Greek theatre dating from the 3rd century BC, with its breathtaking views of the bay and Mount Etna.

Italians are famous for being a friendly and accommodating race and Sicilians especially so, so there is no doubt you will be made welcome on this beautiful island.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN SICILY You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Catania. On arrival a coach will take us to our four star hotel where we stay for three nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis. The Hotel Kaos, located approximately three miles from Agrigento, is situated in a quiet area with extensive views over the surrounding countryside and sea. There is a pretty courtyard where you can enjoy a refreshing drink in this hotel’s calm and tranquil ambience. The hotel is set in its own extensive landscaped

gardens, has its own tennis courts and a large swimming pool. The Hotel Baia di Ulisse

is set inside a beautiful pine forest which runs down to the hotels private beach San Leone, just

a few miles from Agrigento. This stylish and tasteful hotel is lovingly cared for by its owner with his own antique furniture, fine paintings and exquisite ornaments displayed throughout. The hotel boasts a outdoor swimming pool, bar and elegant restaurant. There are several relaxing lounges with a variety of seating from carved hardwood chairs to soft leather sofa’s plus an outside terrace with spectacular views across the bay. The Mediterranean style air-conditioned rooms all featuring a balcony with either a garden or a terrace view. This privately owned hotel is the owners life work and it really shows. It is beautifully designed and such a refreshing change from the standard ‘chain’ hotels so prevalent is many parts of Europe.

The Dioscuri Bay Palace is situated overlooking the picturesque harbour in San Leone, just eight kilometres from Agrigento, right on the coast. Set on the seafront the hotel boasts a beautiful pool and expansive terrace looking out over the sparkling sea, American bar and lounge and restaurant. All rooms boast either a balcony or terrace, are air conditioned and have safe, minibar and satellite TV.

Pools are open summer months, weather permitting.

DAY 2 - VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES This morning we visit what can truly be described as one of the wonders of the ancient world: the

amazing Greek remains in the Valley of the Temples. There are six of them in total, situated largely on a ridge looking out to sea. Visible for miles and standing proud as they do, they must

have made a statement of sheer absolute power and confidence to any passing mariner or shepherd, leaving none in doubt as to who were the masters. The

best of them, Concordia, similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens,

is almost perfectly preserved, with just the roof missing.

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explains its size and richness of decoration. Buried for centuries, you can still see the remains of pastel-coloured frescoes on the walls, but the mosaics, showing animals and hunting scenes, are simply the finest we have from Roman antiquity. This palatial building, complete with its baths, illustrates with great clarity the evident high standard of living of the Roman elite. We have a guided tour of the villa before continuing our drive to Taormina.

Taormina is one of the most beautiful towns on the island towering 250 metres above the sweeping coastline below, where we have a choice of three hotels in three different locations, staying for four nights with dinner, bed and breakfast.

Neighbouring Taormina is Giardini Naxos, a charming typically Sicilian town with a seashore lined by seafood restaurants and fishing boats drawn up onto the beach and the beautiful family run four-star Hotel Sant’Alphio Garden, situated just a few minutes’ walk from the sea itself. This hotel sits in a very picturesque spot with views of nearby Taormina and Mount Etna. It has a host of fantastic facilities including a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, bar, outdoor pool surrounded by shady palm trees and beautiful bougainvillaea with poolside bar where you can relax and soak up the sun after a hard day’s sightseeing. The hotel also boasts a private beach just a short walk away and spa with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and gym. Rooms are modern, air-conditioned and equipped with private facilities, mini-bar, safe and all have a terrace or balcony affording views over the surrounding area.

In Taormina itself, you can choose the four-star Hotel Excelsior Palace, a classic building, over a hundred years old, which during its long history has welcomed guests as diverse as the King of Italy to Antonio Banderas! It is superbly situated on a promontory with panoramic views of the sea to one side and Mount Etna on the other, set in its own lush, extensive landscape gardens and yet centrally located in the old town. The restaurant focuses on local cuisine and the sophisticated bar/terrace enjoys amazing views of Etna. The large swimming pool, set in the terraced gardens on the end of the promontory, enjoys the same breathtaking views

With its wonderful tapering columns and beautiful light golden colour it is absolutely captivating. One can only wonder as to what was going through the builders’ minds thousands of years ago, toiling under a hot sun whilst creating a masterpiece. We enjoy a guided tour of the site and you may also visit the excellent museum, displaying finds from both the temples and surrounding area, including a unique collection of vases. We also visit Agrigento itself, awash with medieval atmosphere, swimming in tiny stepped streets and quiet shady piazzas overlooking the blue Mediterranean in the distance. We return to our hotel during the afternoon to relax.

DAY 3 - MONREALE & PALERMO Today we visit the north coast of the island and during our journey we will experience some wonderful scenery. A rugged wild landscape, scorched by the sun and remarkably empty of both man and beast. Firstly we visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey at Monreale, founded in the 12th century. Still used today, it boasts outstanding medieval mosaics covering almost the entire interior, depicting stories from the Old Testament. If you can manage the steps to the roof you will have a superb panoramic view of Palermo below, the surrounding countryside and onwards to the sea. The cloisters are another highlight, surrounded by columns, no two of which are alike, almost Moorish in appearance.

During the afternoon we visit Sicily’s capital, Palermo, which under Saracen and Norman rule became one of the most important cities in Europe, famous for the wealth of its court and as a great centre of learning. Today it has more of a 17th century appearance and during our visit we will pass the Norman Palace, a gorgeous former Royal residence, now the seat of the regional government and see the Cathedral dating from the 10th century. We return to our hotel for dinner.

DAY 4 - PIAZZA ARMERINA & TAORMINAWe leave Agrigento and take the drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made: a 4th century Roman villa, possibly owned by one of the joint Emperors, which

as the hotel itself and has its own bar. All rooms are air-conditioned, elegantly styled, in keeping with the rest of the hotel and very tastefully decorated.

Finally, just eight kilometres north of Taormina, built in Sicilian style and set into the coastal cliff itself, overlooking the stunning Bay of Taormina, is the luxurious, four-star Hotel Baia Taormina. It is a member of ‘Charming Hotels – Independent Luxury Hotels of the World’ one of the world’s most stylish hotel chains. This superb hotel with its stone-faced walls, terracotta tiles and wide arches has a wonderful welcoming atmosphere. There are two swimming pools, an excellent restaurant specialising in local cuisine with a stylish and romantic ambience (there may also be the opportunity to take dinner on the terrace during your stay); a relaxing bar and lounge and a coffee shop, all set into the hillside making excellent use of the topography. The rooms themselves are extremely well-appointed, tastefully decorated and all face the sea. Should you wish to visit Taormina, there is a free shuttle bus and to avoid the walk, you can take this to the beach too, which takes approximately two minutes. In short, your comfort is assured whichever hotel you choose.

Outdoor pools are open summer months, weather permitting.

DAY 5 - FREE DAY This morning we are free in Taormina, one of the smartest and most exclusive small towns in Italy – it has everything!

Retaining much of its medieval charm, wonderfully situated on a high balcony, facing Etna and overlooking the sea, it is renowned for its beautiful gardens and charming atmosphere. Today, its main street is lined by smart, designer boutiques and exclusive jewellers, with the tiny side streets, some of which are so narrow you can touch both sides at once, leading to intimate piazzas, lined with atmospheric family-run restaurants. As you would expect in a country so famous for its cuisine, speciality food shops are everywhere, selling fresh pasta, olives, Sicilian wine and the local Marsala. Street stalls groan under the weight of ripe Mediterranean vegetables, tomatoes, courgettes, peppers and aubergines, with flowers and window

Ortygia Island

38

boxes everywhere, adding a splash of colour, with the stylish locals stopping to exchange a few words in the streets completing the picture. Taormina’s greatest claim to fame is its amazing theatre, a legacy of the ancient Greeks and still in use today. Wonderfully preserved with its panoramic view of Etna in the background; to attend one of the occasional classical music concerts in this most special of venues must rank as one of life’s more pleasurable moments. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish.

DAY 6 - SIRACUSA Today we take the drive to Siracusa, once one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the ancient world, even rivalling Athens. Its most famous resident was Archimedes, that genius of a man who, whilst in the bath discovered the principle of displacement, ran through the streets naked, exclaiming “Eureka” (I’ve found it!) in a story that has entered folklore. Today the city is one of Sicily’s most attractive, a wonderful collection of limestone buildings, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is an extraordinary Baroque Cathedral incorporating an ancient temple, with a lovely interior, and just opposite is the Bosco Palace. The old port area is extremely attractive and very traditional, full of small fishing boats unloading their catch. You will be free to explore the old town at the eastern end of the city, called Ortygia; actually an island, connected to mainland by three bridges. You will have the option to take a boat trip around the bay before returning to the hotel.

DAY 7 - MOUNT ETNA Dominating eastern Sicily is Europe’s highest volcano, Etna, and this morning we take the drive to as near to the snow-capped summit as possible. Ascending the winding road, the landscape becomes increasingly eerie and alien, with razor sharp black rocks in contorted formations, and some areas devoid of almost all vegetation. As we near the cable car station itself you can enjoy extensive views over the whole area. Subject to certain regulations you will have the opportunity to take the cable car, jeep and guide to explore even higher levels. We return to our hotel during the afternoon.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT At the appropriate time a coach will return us to the airport to take our return flight home after a very varied tour.

Taormina

Inside Palermo Cathedral

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The cathedrals of Lecce are beautifully ornate and a sight to behold. ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£879

Wonderfully empty and a different Italy, but with some of its most unique towns, stunning scenery and remarkable historic legacies

A P U L I A , L E C C E & V I E S T E

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner• A journey discovering a fascinating and unspoilt collection of cultural and scenic gems• Guided tour of Lecce, one of Italy’s finest baroque towns - often compared to Florence• Visit to Alberobello, home to the unique ‘trulli’ houses, set amid stunning, Tuscan-like countryside• Guided tour of Matera, the amazing medieval cave village and UNESCO world heritage site• Guided tour of Bari’s old town, once home to ancient Greeks, Saracens and Normans, with an amazing

Romanesque cathedral, final resting place of St Nicholas – Father Christmas!• Stay in ancient Vieste’s delightful old town, beautifully situated on one of Italy’s most inspiring coastlines• Drive along the Gargano coast, one of Europe’s most stunning seascapes• Tour the beautiful national park and Crusader church of Monte St Angelo, where the Archangel St Michael appeared and one of Europe’s most important medieval pilgrimages• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 7 ENJOY A PASTA-MAKING DEMONSTRATION AND LIGHT LUNCH IN APULIA

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There are some impressive statistics on Apulia: it is one of the most fertile regions of Italy producing more olive oil than the rest of the country combined, most

of its fish, 80% of Europe’s pasta and more wine than the whole of Germany. We mention this because this very fertility and resultant wealth has attracted attention from a host of envious invaders from throughout history, with all leaving remarkably evident footprints and it is this which makes Apulia delightfully different. Colonised by the ancient Greeks in the 8th century BC; then came the Romans, Byzantines followed by the Saracens, Normans, Spanish and Bourbons before finally becoming Italian in 1861. As you may know, in Italy, ‘dialect’ – almost entirely different languages are still in everyday use and here in Apulia the language is full of Greek expressions. During our tour of Bari, the tall narrow streets, lined by a host of traders whose wares spill onto the ancient cobbles, carry a huge Moorish influence.

In Lecce an imperial column marks the end of the Appian Way, one of the greatest of Roman roads and at nearby Cannae the empire suffered its greatest ever defeat, courtesy of Hannibal and his Carthaginians. Every town seems to boast a Norman cathedral, and they are some of the most beautifully ornate you will ever see, decorated with intricate stonework, colourful medieval frescos and fine art. Huge Spanish-built castles dominate the rolling countryside whilst picturesque, now peaceful fishing ports once hummed with activity as devout Crusaders embarked for the Holy Land. Lecce, a gem of a baroque city, boasts 100 churches ranging from Romanesque and Gothic to Rococo. Its centre is a labyrinth of tiny alleys where Romans, rich medieval merchants and finely clad bishops once roamed.

Today despite its stunning classical architecture, staggeringly the city remains almost devoid of tourists. Around Alberobello is a huge number of Trulli - unique houses whose instantly recognisable shape has become Apulia’s unofficial symbol. Moving on, we visit Matera where an entire medieval town was hewn from solid rock and remains inhabited to this day. Wander round Bari’s old town and you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Moorish times, so intense is the sense of history. As we explore Apulia, it is evident this is not the Italy of the north, the tiny villages studding the olive tree carpeted countryside are flat roofed and white, resembling Greece or Crete from where the first settlers of this biscuit coloured land once came. All this makes an eclectic mix, but Apulia is not just about the past; the Gargano peninsula provides one of Europe’s most unforgettable seascapes, standing comparison with the Amalfi coast and the sheer natural beauty of its forest equally so.

Here in the deep, south-east of Italy, nature and history are powerful influences, the locals still wink cheekily at authority and the relaxed and communal way of life is in harmony with the sunny dry climate. There remains a deep rooted and historic suspicion of rule from afar, engendering a relaxed atmosphere perfect for ‘getting away from it all’ so why not join us and explore this hidden gem, just in case the masses do discover it!

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN LECCE You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Bari. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the four-star Hilton Garden Inn in Lecce for two nights. This fine hotel is very modern in style, with the normal facilities you would expect of such a property, plus roof-top swimming pool and is just a short walk from the old town. Some dates will stay at the Grand Hotel Tiziano. Located just a short walk from the old town, modern and purpose built with an atrium restaurant and outdoor swimming pool (open June to Sept) with seasonal bar service,

surrounded by a tasteful patio and sun loungers, the ideal spot to relax after sightseeing. The rooms are superior category and your comfort is assured.

DAY 2 - TOUR OF LECCE Lecce dates from ancient Greek times, flourished under the Romans and boasts an amphitheatre which once held 20,000 people. The Normans built a castle here, but Lecce entered a Golden Age during the 16th century when it was embellished with a host of splendid Renaissance and Baroque churches, monuments and one of Europe’s highest bell towers completes a kaleidoscope of cultural wonders. Today Lecce is referred to as the ‘Florence of the South’ and with good reason as its architecture is outstanding and around every corner is a photo opportunity of real beauty. During our guided tour this morning you will see the pinnacle of this remarkable example of man’s creativity at the Santa Croce basilica. Its stunningly crafted detailed interior decoration and multi-coloured, marble columns are outstanding, as is its facade of highly intricate, carved stonework.This afternoon, you are free to explore as you wish. You will love just wandering where your feet take you. Along this theme, this evening we dine in an excellent restaurant, once an ancient Roman granary, serving superb local food in the true tradition of regional Italian cuisine.

DAY 3 - MATERADuring our drive this morning, the view to the horizon is a carpet of olive trees studded with the occasional white-washed village underlining Apulia’s historic connections with Greece and North Africa. Arriving in Matera where we have a guided tour of this remarkable ancient town thought to be one of the first inhabited places in Italy. Originating as a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, astonishingly, even today people live in the same cave houses that their ancestors probably occupied thousands of years ago. An entire town is here, with churches, shops, workshops, all hewn from rock. Is there anywhere else where you can walk along a street which is the roof of the house below?

We stay two nights with breakfast and dinner at the nearby four-star Hilton Garden Inn Matera. This contemporary hotel is set in landscaped gardens with a lovely pool benefiting from panoramic views over the rolling countryside. All in all a very tranquil and relaxing setting. Outdoor pools generally open for use June – Sept, weather permitting.

DAY 4 - ALBEROBELLOThis morning we visit the unique village of Alberobello, famous for its Trulli buildings. As we travel, the countryside becomes more undulating and open with patches of oak forest, bisected by dry-stone walls, incredibly scenic it is rather reminiscent of Tuscany.

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You’ll begin to notice the distinctive whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs dotted across this bucolic landscape; these are Trulli, traditional local houses unique to Apulia.

Extraordinarily Alberobello, is completely comprised of Trulli and we explore this fascinating townscape, learning all about their construction and intriguing history. Many are adorned with large symbols, some religious, some pagan and some celestial: you really are stepping back in time.

We return to our hotel this afternoon to relax or you may wish to re-visit the ancient town of Matera. This evening we will dine in a local restaurant in the historic old town of Matera where we will sample the local cuisine.

DAY 5 - BARIThis morning we have a guided tour of Bari’s old town, nestling beautifully on the Adriatic, a thriving walled port even before the Romans, capital of Byzantine Italy and as important as Venice during Norman times. There is much to see: an imposing medieval fortress dominates the old town and the massive Romanesque cathedral has some stunning 11th century frescos. Bari’s highlight is the Basilica di San Nicola, whose beautiful 900 year old vaulted crypt is the final resting place of Saint Nicholas – Patron Saint of Russia but better known to us as Father Christmas!

Leaving Matera we call at delightful Trani, an important port during medieval times with extensive trading networks and some lovely Romanesque architecture but most of all is today a picturesque fishing port.

The countryside changes as we climb the deserted yet spectacular Gargano peninsular coastal road. The warm air is heavy with that unmistakable Mediterranean aroma of pine and wild flowers and we soon arrive in charming Vieste staying three nights with breakfast and dinner, at either the Palace Hotel Vieste or Hotel Degli Aranci, both ideally situated about 250 metres from the beach next to the atmospheric old town.

The Palace Hotel is the tasteful conversion of a 15th century noble’s house into a lovely classic hotel. All rooms are individually decorated, spacious and of course air-conditioned. There is a bar and restaurant, plus free use of the private beach with two sun beds and an umbrella (June to Sept) per room.

The Hotel Degli Aranci is again four-star rated and has been the lifelong project of its professional owners and whilst a modern hotel, it generates a very homely feel due to the genuine warmth of its staff. The rooms are very nicely appointed, well maintained and air conditioned. Again there is free use of the hotel’s private beach plus two sun beds and an umbrella (June to Sept) per room.

DAY 6 - FREE DAY Vieste, almost an apparition, is a beautiful village of white flat-roofed low buildings, dominated by its simple 13th century cathedral. Originally Phoenician, but as you amble through its hap-hazard, maze of alleyways, surrounded by hallmarks of Apulia’s historical pedigree, you are hard pushed to decide where in the world you are; it really is a uniquely fascinating place.

Today is a free day to just relax, bury your head in a good book, perhaps enjoy a leisurely lunch of succulent local seafood or just wander through one of Italy’s most attractive coastal towns.

DAY 7 - MONTE SANT ANGELO This morning we arrive at Monte Sant Angelo, a gorgeous hill-top village with superb 360 degree vistas of the surrounding forest. Here, the Archangel Michael appeared and in the 8th century an outstanding abbey was built. What appears to be medieval on the surface, as we descend, you notice the air cools and in the magnificent crypt below is an astonishing display of marble carvings and multi-coloured frescoes from the past 1,200 years. This was one of the most important of medieval pilgrimages visited by Popes, Monarchs and especially the Crusaders many of whom scratched messages of hope on the walls which can still be seen.

Our journey continues driving inland into the mysterious Foresta Umbra, a “Dark Forest” and natural wonderland of ancient trees and one of Europe’s finest orchid habitats. The road soars, twists and turns, as slivers of bright sunshine pierce the dense canopy, casting intriguing shadows on the forest floor below. We then head to the coastal town of Peschici, renowned all over Apulia as the pasta-making capital. Here we see an expert at work in a short demonstration of this ancient tradition, before we enjoy a light lunch to sample some of the local specialities at a rustic osteria. After, we return to

Vieste along the Gargano Peninsula, much of which is a National Park, a green carpet of aromatic pine and oak forest shielding a kaleidoscope of colourful wild flowers. Arriving back in Vieste with time to relax before dinner.

This evening we dine in a local restaurant, set in a renovated natural cave located directly under the Duomo in the heart of Vieste, ran by a local family serving traditional dishes of this region of Apulia.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT At the appropriate time you will be transferred to Bari airport for your flight home – don’t tell too many friends or the magic will be gone!

Trulli Houses

Vieste

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8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,129

Tuscany with everything that single word evokes within us, the ‘Cinque Terre’ probably Europe’s most astonishing coastline and its ultimate gem, embarrassingly beautiful

Portofino captured on countless travel posters

P I SA , T H E C I NQU E T E R R E & P ORTOF I NO

• Return flights• Four nights in four-star and three nights in four-star superior accommodation, with breakfast and dinner• Stay in medieval Lucca and the stunningly beautiful Santa Margherita on Italy’s famed ‘Riviera’• Guided tour of Lucca, birthplace of Puccini• Guided tour of Pisa including entrance to the Cathedral, Italy’s finest Romanesque building and beautiful marble Baptistery• Tour of the rolling Tuscan countryside and its undiscovered medieval villages

• Visit to a working vineyard in one of Tuscany’s finest wine producing regions and the enchanting Tuscan villages of Campiglia Marittima and Castagneto Carducci• Private boat visit to the Cinque Terre villages nestling on one of Europe’s most outstandingly beautiful coastlines, described by Lord Byron as ‘Paradise on Earth’• Visit by boat to stunning Portofino, Italy’s most exclusive town with its extraordinarily picturesque waterfront • Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Manarola

43

region’s major sights, although in true Italian style they have even been used for racing cars!

This afternoon you can explore more of Lucca’s sights, wander its charming cobbled streets shady promenades or dally in the elegant piazzas. Enjoy a divine Italian coffee or a light lunch in the cafes surrounding the unmistakable oval-shaped, former Roman Amphitheatre. Lucca is Puccini’s birthplace and with numerous concerts celebrating his outstanding works you can often hear talented vocalists at rehearsal adding a wonderful acoustic dimension to your enjoyment of this beautiful spot.

DAY 3 - TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE Today we discover some of Tuscany’s best secrets where amidst its typical rolling landscape studded with classic finger-like Cypress trees, olive groves and traditional farmsteads displaying their unmistakable terracotta roofs, hilltop villages appear to sprout almost magically. We visit two of them, really quite unknown, wonderfully unspoilt and utterly charming for no other reason than that. You probably won’t find the historic medieval village of Campiglia Marittima in a guide book, but it is marvellous to stroll in solitude around its maze of ancient alleys - squares nestling below, the castle tower dominating above and gazing over timeless countryside.

You will of course be well aware vineyards abound here, producing the excellent wines Tuscany is justifiably famous for, with the small village of Bolgheri producing an outstandingly rich style. It would be a veritable travesty to pass by without stopping for a tasting – so of course we do. Next we call at Castagneto Carducci, before returning to Lucca.

DAY 4 - PISA After a leisurely breakfast, it’s just a short drive to Pisa for our guided tour, the historic heart centred on its aptly named Piazza dei Miracoli - the Square of Miracles.

During the 11th century extensive trading links were forged with Spain and North Africa, bringing Moorish scientific expertise and vast wealth. Pisa became one of Europe’s richest cities leading to an explosion of magnificent building projects, the results of which are delightfully visible today. The great “Leaning Tower” is one of the world’s most instantly recognisable icons and the centre of a stunning array of perfectly harmonious buildings unmatched anywhere. The richness of decoration in the cathedral is just astonishing; breathtakingly detailed sculpture, fine art, a medley of graceful arches and inspired use of colourful marble. The huge bronze doors and the amazing carved wooden roof are truly remarkable. Indeed it was in this cathedral’s massive nave that Galileo is said to have formulated his pendulum theory when observing the incense burner swinging from the highly decorated ceiling.

This fascinating tour explores two of Italy’s most desirable regions, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera, delightfully different from each other yet fascinating and evocatively

scenic in their own way. Firstly we visit Tuscany, always a favourite destination for art, architecture and stunning countryside. Staying in Pisa, home to the apparently gravity-defying tower - Italy’s unofficial trade mark - yet the city offers much more! Its breathtaking Cathedral and Baptistery for majesty and beauty alone rival the world’s finest, but wander from here and you soon lose the crowds, discovering that Pisa is a true medieval gem. Its maze of characteristically tiny streets and intimate piazzas lined with traditional food shops and atmospheric family-run restaurants will delight you. Plus the university, where Galileo once taught, is one of the Europe’s oldest. Nestling inside its outstandingly preserved renaissance walls, seductive Lucca, birthplace of Puccini is one of Tuscany’s most graceful towns. Once Roman, it has welcomed visitors to its picturesque historic quarter for centuries. Yet despite its popularity, Tuscany safeguards some magnificent scenic surprises, just waiting for the discerning traveller. We explore wonderful, almost secret villages unchanged for centuries where medieval streets tumble down the hillside, plus taste Bolgheri’s stupendous wines - in short, a real undiscovered Tuscany.

Northward lies the gorgeous, rugged western coastline of Italy, where the word beautiful just does not suffice! A favourite amongst Italians, and largely kept to themselves, you don’t meet too many other tourists in delightful Portovenere, the Cinque Terre’s charming unspoilt villages with their riot of pastel colours, or Portofino’s exclusive and stunningly beautiful harbour favoured by Europe’s elite. The natural beauty here is astonishing - umbrella pines protrude horizontally from sheer cliffs interspersed by calm bays, and rugged headlands protrude into the glass-like, azure Mediterranean.

What better way to explore how these elements come together and create one of the world’s most irresistible natural spectacles than by boat? Especially suited to the Cinque Terre’s car free villages, we explore these picturesque hideaways, navigating the spectacular coast.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN LUCCA On arrival you will transfer to Lucca and your hotel, the four-star Grand Hotel Guinigi for four nights. Situated in a leafy area of Lucca and a twenty-five minute stroll from the famed city walls, the hotel offers a wonderfully tranquil base. There is a welcoming bar and lobby area on the ground floor. All rooms are furnished in soothing pastel shades with satellite TV and are fully air-conditioned.

DAY 2 - LUCCA After breakfast enjoy our guided tour of Lucca, famed for its wonderfully preserved Renaissance city walls.

Founded by the Etruscans, as we explore the historic centre on our tour you will instantly notice the rectangular grid pattern and amphitheatre preserved from Roman times. It is not difficult to imagine the place buzzing with rumour and intrigue when Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus established the infamous First Triumvirate here, a secret political alliance carving up the Roman Empire henceforth, until it fell 400 years later, ruled by dictatorial Emperors - some benevolent but some notorious! Growing prosperous on the silk trade from medieval times onwards, Lucca once rivalled Byzantium and was Italy’s second largest city-state after Venice before eventually being conquered by Napoleon. The superb city walls, with each of their four sides lined with trees of a different species, remain beautifully intact, cementing their place as one of the Tuscan

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Next you are sure to be impressed by the enormity of the 12th century Baptistery, a superb example of the transition from Romanesque in the lower levels to Gothic styles in the upper registers. Constructed entirely of marble, and being on the same unstable ground as the tower, it also leans - but only slightly! Inside, the acoustics are nothing short of dramatic with noises seeming to echo endlessly – often demonstrated by the staff! Last but not least of the wonders here is the Camposanto, the monumental cemetery said to contain soil from Golgotha – site of the crucifixion - so Pisa’s great and good could be laid to rest in Holy soil! It consists of an incredible Gothic cloister lined by sarcophagi and huge frescoes gradually being restored to their former glory.

This afternoon we return to Lucca for a leisurely afternoon or perhaps another visit in to the old walled centre of Lucca, before our final evening and dinner.

DAY 5 - SANTA MARGHERITA This morning we drive north past Carrara’s enormous gleaming quarries, source of the finest marble, much prized by sculptors from Michelangelo to Henry Moore and used since Roman times to build the great monuments now stretched across the Italian nation and beyond.

We commence our exploration of the extraordinarily naturally beautiful coast of Liguria, studded with some of the world’s most attractive small villages with rugged mountains dropping sheer into the Mediterranean. Firstly we see the “Gulf of Poets” a favourite haunt of Byron, Shelley and DH Lawrence amongst others, then the stunningly picturesque village of Portovenere, its massive fortress high on the hillside towering over a jumble of pastel houses lining the harbour. Wander gently along the promenade, explore the fascinating network of narrow medieval lanes leading to the church and castle behind - it’s just a hint of what follows.

We stay three nights in the outstanding four-star superior Grand Hotel Miramare, Santa Margherita, this classic fin-de-siècle building dating from 1906 faces the sea to the front and extensive mature landscaped gardens to the rear. The public rooms are extremely tasteful, elegantly decorated featuring antiques and contemporary furnishings of

the highest quality. Hardwood floors and intricate plaster coving emphasise the hotel’s heritage creating a wonderful yet understated ambience. The bar and restaurant continue this theme while the owners reside in the hotel and consider it their home - and it shows. The rooms are equally tasteful, oozing charm and sophistication; the whole hotel boasts every modern facility yet retains its essential character of period elegance.

Elegant Santa Margherita is ideal for our stay; charmingly chic and quintessentially Italian, the lovely palm-fringed coast and green-carpeted mountains form a wonderful backdrop. Full of smart shops and pavement cafés a sophisticated atmosphere pervades the narrow streets beyond, and is just three miles from Portofino.

DAY 6 - CINQUE TERRE A leisurely breakfast, perhaps on the hotel terrace overlooking the deep azure blue of the Mediterranean glinting and sparkling in the morning sun, precedes two days exploring the splendours of the surrounding coastline in the manner to which local peoples have been accustomed for millennia; by boat.

Today we cruise by private charter to the extraordinary Cinque Terre (“The Five Lands”), five villages cut off from the landward side by a rugged terrain and steep coastline, almost unreachable by car. We will visit a selection of the villages, the individual names, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, mean little and are almost unknown but as the Cinque Terre they are celebrated as a region completely unspoilt by modern development.

Their dramatic position makes this one of Europe’s principal scenic highlights and when you see the sheer variety of colours, topography and timeless beauty of the villages themselves you will fully appreciate their reputation. Seafood dominates menus here - anchovies being a local speciality - while the steeply terraced hillsides produce fine olives and pesto. Being Italy, there is also much locally produced wine and it is fascinating to see how the local growers have adapted to the steep terrain with precarious-looking monorail mechanisms used to ferry themselves and their produce, some of which has to be harvested by boat! There is a refreshing lack of souvenir shops so you can truly immerse yourself in surroundings and a lifestyle that has changed very little over time.

DAY 7 - PORTOFINO Today we admire yet more stunning scenery with fine watercraft quietly going about their business on the shimmering waters as we sail to Portofino. Arriving here by boat gives you the true sense of the way in which this historic fishing village nestles around its own superb natural harbour, set amongst cypress trees and olive groves with the realisation that all you have heard about the stunning beauty here is not hype! Superlatives just roll off the tongue. Traditionally this incredibly pretty village with its jumble of colour-washed houses stretching up the hillside from the water’s edge earned its living from the fruits of the sea, and its many superb restaurants still do. Mentioned by the great Roman writer Pliny the Elder, as early as the 1950s it was a favourite of Bacall, Bogart, Burton and Taylor. Indeed celebrity spotting whilst whiling away an hour over a drink is a common pastime of residents and visitors alike. However you may prefer to explore the quieter backstreets, seek out a “locals” bar for more authentic Portofino life or take a walk to the headland where the scent of wild thyme, pine and wild flowers hangs heavy in the air plus a stupendous view.

Returning this afternoon, you can explore lovely Santa Margherita itself; perhaps seek out a bargain or two in the smart shops, wander amongst the many parks and gardens with their abundant semi-tropical plants, then sip a cool aperitif as the sun sinks slowly over the sea.

It’s time for our final dinner in the hotel’s classic dining room overlooking the warm waters of the Med, and as the waterfront lights twinkle on the gentle waves, take a moment to reflect on the splendours of this wonderful region.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT After breakfast, bid farewell to the Ligurian coast and transfer back to Pisa Airport for your return flight. IMPORTANT NOTE For safety reasons visiting the Cinque Terre and Portofino by boat is subject to weather conditions. If we are prevented from sailing to the Cinque Terre we will travel by rail visiting the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza and Manarola. If we are prevented from sailing to Portofino we will travel by local bus. Should these circumstances occur, the Captain’s decision is final; please consider this when booking this holiday.

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your food tour in Rome

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Rome was, is and probably always will be one of the world’s most compelling cities, with more to discover here than any other capital on earth

ROM E A N C I E N T & B A RO Q U E

• Return flights • Four nights in centrally located four-star accommodation with breakfast• Guided tour of Baroque Rome – flamboyant and elegant, the city of the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps

• Guided tour of Ancient Rome – home to the Colosseum, the Forum, Pantheon and capital of the ancient world’s mightiest Empire• Timed visit to the Villa Borghese, housing some of the city’s finest museums, with artefacts from throughout Rome’s history, plus one of the world’s finest fine art collections • Escorted by our experienced tour manager

St Peter’s Basilica

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Rome was, is, and probably always will be, one of the world’s most compelling cities with probably more to see here than in any other capital on earth. Boasting an uninterrupted

recorded history for upwards of 2,500 years, nowhere else seems to have managed to combine, and with such finesse, a heritage of classical antiquities, and medieval buildings from Renaissance palaces to intricate Baroque piazzas. From the grandeur of the Colosseum, scene of some of the most cruel acts ever committed, the Appian Way where Spartacus was crucified, the magnificence of St. Peter’s, the grandeur of the Vatican, the sheer brilliance of the Sistine Chapel, to the Trevi Fountain and flamboyant Baroque buildings – the list is endless. But Rome is much more than monuments, incredible though they are!

Italy also boasts one of the world’s greatest cuisines. Far from being pizza and pasta, one of the first things that really strikes you about visiting a restaurant here, is how deeply embedded in the culture food and drink really is.

The best way to explore this wonderful city is to wander where your feet take you, through its beautiful piazzas lined with layers of history, where the smell of fresh coffee drifts from the numerous cafés. Admire its monuments, meet its people, sample its food and let your mind be carried away into the magnificent past of what has always been, and always will be, one of the world’s most truly beautiful and historic cities.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ROME You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Rome. On arrival a coach will take you to your hotel, the four-star Hotel President situated right in the heart of the Eternal City within walking distance of the main Termini station, providing superb transport links via metro and bus to all areas of the city and the main sights.

The hotel offers stylish, modern accommodation, spacious reception areas, comfortable seating, breakfast room serving a full continental buffet breakfast, restaurant and bar. All rooms are tastefully decorated in a modern style and have private facilities, air conditioning, mini-bar and satellite TV.

DAY 2 - ROME After breakfast, we get to know this fabulous city in earnest, taking a sightseeing tour. The monuments are legendary: there is the Trevi fountain, a huge gush of water, streaming from a natural spring over immense rocks, built onto the side of a Renaissance palace. Legend has it you must toss a coin into it, thus ensuring you make a return visit to this most beguiling of cities.

Then there is the Piazza Navona, Rome’s most famous square, as picturesque as any in Italy, lined by cafés and restaurants. You must stroll down the instantly recognisable, 18th century Spanish Steps; in the past, the haunt of artists’ models and now simply the place to be seen. At the bottom is the Piazza di Spagna, home to the poet Keats and visited by Milton, Byron and Shelley – all drawing inspiration from the uniqueness which is Rome. The afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish but whilst you are in Rome, you must visit one of the highlights, the Vatican, the independent state and of course home to the Pope and the largest church in the world, St Peter’s.

Inside, the Sistine Chapel is one of Art’s greatest masterpieces and the largest painting ever created by one man, the genius Michelangelo! This is quite simply the largest, richest and most compelling such museum complex on earth, containing so many artefacts from the city’s history. Many of the finest artists of the Renaissance worked for a variety of Popes but there are other displays too: Egyptian antiquities, furniture, sculpture and silverware.

DAY 3 - ANCIENT ROME & COLOSSEUM Holding sway over much of the ancient world for 500 years, Rome was the greatest empire of its time. Legend has it that the city was founded by Romulus and Remus on seven hills. After subduing the neighbouring tribes and the Carthaginians by the second century BC, it became the dominant power in the Mediterranean. Ruled firstly by a series of consuls, then subsequently probably the most famous Roman of all, Julius Caesar, followed by a series of Emperors, each wanted their place in history. Between them they created a unique legacy, the remains of which we see today: the forum, the house of the Vestal Virgins,

temples to all the gods, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and even ‘foreign’ ones too like Isis and Diana. Then

there are the law courts and the Podium where news of military conquests was announced to an eager public. Then on the nearby Palatine Hill are the remains of the opulent villas of the elite, including the Emperor. Next to this are the immense Caracalla Baths, a veritable Roman

leisure centre, plus two of the most famous centres of ‘entertainment’ the world has ever known: the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum. Ancient Rome was a truly remarkable place! This morning we see all of this and more on our fascinating guided tour, with the remainder of the day free for you to explore at your leisure.

DAY 4 - VILLA BORGHESE

This morning we visit the Villa Borghese, a truly remarkable collection of museums set in a tranquil series of gardens which form the city’s largest park. Most famously it houses one of the world’s greatest collections of fine art including outstanding works by Raphael, with another pavilion housing the national modern art museum. The outstanding Villa Giulia is home

to the world’s most outstanding collection of Etruscan and ancient Roman artefacts. Its other ceramic and glass items, in almost perfect condition, are displayed next to stunning gold jewellery studded with precious stones, crafted in the most skilful manner.

Then there are everyday items too: agricultural implements and cooking utensils, coins, brooches, remains of

clothing, leather-wear – even portable wash stands. In fact many are remarkably similar to household items used today. This is a wonderful museum where you can truly lose yourself, but above all it is a poignant reminder that no matter how grand a civilisation is and however sophisticated a race believe themselves to be, in reality we are all very similar and throughout history we have all wanted the same things. This afternoon is at leisure in this truly entrancing city.

DAY 5 - RETURN FLIGHTToday the coach will take you to Rome airport, at the appropriate time, to take your return flight St Peter’s Basilica home, after a really memorable tour.

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Our guided 4-hour walking tour explores the delicious highlights of this ancient neighbourhood, indulging in over 10 food and wine tastings at some of Rome’s most historic and locally loved places. Taste everything from the finest cheeses and the freshest homemade pasta to the tastiest street food and possibly the world’s tastiest ice-cream. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your gondola-rowing lesson

Venice offers some of the

finest art treasures ever

created ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON

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Every painting, TV programme or photograph you have ever seen of this wonderful place is telling this simple truth: Venice really is one of the world’s most alluring cities

V E N IC E T H E WOR L D’ S MO S T U N IQ U E C I T Y

• Return flights• Four nights in four-star accommodation situated on the Grand Canal, with breakfast• Walking tour of Venice - probably the world’s most enchanting city • Visit to St Mark’s Basilica - with 40,000 square feet of mosaics covering the entire interior - probably the world's most opulent cathedral • Visit to the glorious Doge's Palace, the customary ruler of the city

• Walking tour of undiscovered Venice, the old Jewish quarter and Venice of the Venetians, almost entirely overlooked by the crowds• Visit to picturesque Murano in the Venice lagoon - an island caught in time famous for its exquisite glassware• Demonstration of Murano glass manufacture• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

The Grand Canal

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Venice really is one of the few cities on earth that genuinely can be called unique and when you arrive you

will be staggered that every painting, TV programme or photograph you have ever seen of this wonderful place is telling the simple truth: Venice is one of the most beautiful cities on earth!

You cannot walk for more than a few minutes without admiring an amazing church, museum, swish restaurant or just a stunning view that can only be this wondrous city. It has a unique atmosphere too - from the bustle of St Mark’s Square, home to arguably the world’s most beautiful basilica to the quieter areas where time has stood still and you can enjoy an unhurried coffee in this most Italian of cities. It has an amazing history, steeped in violence, intrigue and politics. The first settlers were 5th century refugees fleeing Attila the Hun followed by domination by the Byzantine Empire. If a single act though was to define Venice as an independent state, it was the 9th century theft of the body of St Mark from Alexandria. Less than 100 years later the Venetian Empire, made immensely rich by its monopoly of trading networks with the Orient, dominated the eastern Mediterranean. With an unbroken series of ports stretching to the Black Sea, ship loads of wealth tumbled into the city with the silks, spices, porcelain and other exotic cargoes Europe’s aristocracy craved. Fortunes were made and Venice became the world’s wealthiest city for the next five hundred years with its rich merchants finding expression in the huge array of palaces, aristocratic mansions, churches and galleries you see today. The world’s finest artists and sculptors descended en masse, keen to divert some of this new wealth in their own direction, filling the city to bursting point with some of the finest art treasures ever created. Today the number of ‘must see’ churches alone is over fifty, whilst the Academia, full of Venetian Art contains nothing but masterpieces. Indeed Venice is almost Canaletto’s personal trademark whilst the San Rocco and San Giorgio degli Schiavoni are full of Tintoretto’s, Carpaccio’s and other priceless renaissance works. Venice today however, is so much more than art, monuments and buildings. It has a quieter side too; wander where your feet take you and lose yourself in the tangle of alleys within the delightful smaller parishes, discovering another Venice – that of the Venetians. Here are the traditional shops heaving with colourful fresh vegetables, children playing in the streets and the locals stopping to pass a few words in the street. This unique city awaits you.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN VENICE You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Venice or Treviso. On arrival you will transfer to the central four-star Hotel Principe staying four nights with breakfast. The hotel is a tasteful conversion of three 16th century merchants’ houses situated on the Grand Canal. You enter into the classically designed lobby, featuring wood panelling and comfortable leather armchairs and continue through to the very good and typically Venetian restaurant. The bar is superb, with a wonderful terrace directly onto the canal, lined with flower-filled terracotta pots and is the ideal spot to rest your undoubtedly sore feet after the day’s sightseeing! The rooms themselves feature many antiques plus the amenities you would expect from a four-star hotel and of course everything is air-conditioned.

DAY 2 - WALKING TOUR/ST MARK'S BASILICA Venice, La Serenissima, really is unique in the truest sense of the word and this morning’s guided walking tour reveals many of the city’s most famous sights

including the glorious Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s with its magnificently decorated Basilica and grandiose square, the legendary Bridge of Sighs plus a host of fascinating features. Next we visit the incredible St Mark’s Basilica, final resting place of St Mark the Apostle with its interior for which there are not enough superlatives! Firstly the floor is made of beautifully coloured 12th century marble whilst the walls and vaulted ceiling are completely covered with an amazingly intricate 4,000 square metres of 13th century coloured mosaics. There is also superbly crafted treasure and artefacts you can visit too at a small extra charge. This is probably the world’s most opulent cathedral! Finally we have a visit to the Doge’s Palace, traditional home of Venice’s most important citizen the Doge, also effectively the city’s seat of government and crammed with yet more art treasures.

DAY 3 - JEWISH QUARTER Away from the bustle though, is another equally fascinating Venice - endless quiet corners waiting to be discovered, washing stretched high across narrow canals between picturesque yet crumbling buildings, locals chatting in tiny bars and local shops dotted here and there. It is remarkable how close these wonderful quarters of the city are to the classic ‘sights’. This morning we take a tour of the city’s undiscovered face. We see the old Jewish quarter – the original ‘ghetto’ now wonderfully restored, the house of Tintoretto and where Marco Polo used to live, plus much more. Your guide will enhance the tour with anecdotes and stories bringing the city of the more humble Venetians to life before ending at the traditional Rialto market. You could round the morning off with a leisurely lunch in one of the charming cafés and restaurants of all styles – perhaps al fresco in one of the delightful piazzas to be found everywhere in this fascinating city – the choice is yours.

DAY 4 - MURANO This morning commences with a boat ride across the lagoon to the smaller island of Murano, famed across the world for its exquisite coloured glass, produced here for centuries. The glassblower’s skill is just mesmerising and we see a demonstration of this ancient art. Each artisan has their own individual style with some making jewellery, others vases, bowls and some even complete chandeliers. The beautiful colours, intricate and imaginative design is quite outstanding. After this captivating display you are free to explore the rest of the island as you please. Murano is far quieter than Venice itself and is representative of how the city was decades ago, or should you wish you can return to Venice.

DAY 5 - RETURN FLIGHT Today at the appropriate time, you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Every afternoon of this holiday is at leisure to explore as you wish, perhaps starting with a peaceful jaunt in a Venetian gondola on Venice’s backwaters or take the iconic Vaporetto water bus along the Grand Canal which teems with vessels of all sorts just as it has for centuries. For art lovers, visit Accademia, with its world-class masterpieces, or the Guggenheim for modern art. The view from the top of the Campanile bell tower is unrivalled probably anywhere in the world or enjoy the resonating melodies at one of the numerous classical music concerts taking place throughout the city.

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Learn voga, the unique style of rowing a gondola standing up, native to Venice and made famous by the gondoliers. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

Piazza Maggiore

‘La Dotta, La Rossa, La Grassa’, the learned – home of Europe’s oldest university; the red after its medieval bricks and terracotta townscapes and the fat

– the capital of Italy’s revered culinary heritage!

B OLO G NA , PA R M A & R AV E N NA

• Return flights• Four nights in centrally located four-star accommodation with breakfast• Sightseeing tour of historic Bologna, Italy’s gastronomic capital, exploring its stunning medieval centre and unique portico lined streets• See Ravenna’s unmissable 6th century mosaics, the pinnacle of Byzantine art

• Guided tour of Parma, seeing its cathedral with Correggio’s fine fresco• Experience how deliciously sweet Prosciutto (Parma Ham) is cured by a family producer• Discover how a true artisan makes Modena’s famed balsamic vinegar• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

5 DAYS

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£639

NEW INCLUSION DAY 2 VISIT THE FERRARI FACTORY & MUSEUM IN MARANELLO

The 6th-century mosaics in Ravenna are the pinnacle of Byzantine art.ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON

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Italy stretches from the lofty Alps almost to Africa and nestling pretty much in its heart, sandwiched between the two cultural gems of Venice and Florence, is the Emilia-Romagna region. Our base

for this fascinating short break is the understated yet truly historic city of Bologna, known in Italy as “La Dotta, La Rossa, La Grassa”: The Learned – home of Europe’s oldest university, The Red – after its deep-red medieval bricks and roofs, and The Fat – being at the centre of a rich agricultural region since Etruscan times and evolving into the capital of Italy’s revered culinary heritage.

Nearby, lovely Modena with its 12th century cathedral - one of Italy's finest Romanesque buildings - imposing and austere, its frescoes and artwork covering the entire interior leaving a lasting impression. Then Parma, with its sublime cathedral home to the famed Palazzo della Pilotta, a huge complex of brick buildings housing works by Correggio among others. Finally, Ravenna is nothing short of a masterpiece! After ancient Rome fell, Ravenna became capital of what remained of the Western Roman Empire. There are a staggering eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites here and as you explore building after building, their detail, colour and sheer beauty will astound you.

Naturally, food and wine is revered throughout Italy but here it takes on an almost religious fervour, producing some of the world’s most iconic culinary delights. Home to the magnificent sweet prosciutto hams from around Parma, you’ll visit a traditional family producer learning how the legendary taste is imparted. We also sample Modena’s exquisite balsamic vinegars visiting another traditional artisan.

Blended together, this recipe for a stunning platter of delights is yours to sample and enjoy on this easy-paced and relaxing tour.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BOLOGNA OR VENICE You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Bologna or Venice where you will be met and transferred to the excellent quality four-star Hotel Internazionale, for four nights with breakfast. The hotel is centrally located on one of Bologna’s main shopping streets at the edge of its medieval centre, approximately a 15 minute walk away. The rooms themselves are modern, but with homely touches utilising tasteful fabrics, wood and marble, with all of the facilities you would expect including TV, air conditioning, safe and minibar. Bologna really is a food paradise so we have designed this holiday as bed and breakfast, leaving you free to enjoy a lovely evening meal in one of the many excellent restaurants – you will truly be spoilt for choice!

DAY 2 - BOLOGNA & FERRARI MUSEUM This morning we have a sightseeing tour of Bologna where you will come to fully admire this wonderfully attractive city. Beautifully maintained over the centuries, its original Roman street plan is still discernible. Twelve medieval gates encircled the historic centre and at Bologna’s heart is the majestic main square - the Piazza Maggiore. Surrounded by splendid Renaissance “palaces” and home to the enormous San Petronio, the world’s fifth largest Basilica, yet unfinished, its sponsors never achieving their ambitious goal of exceeding that of Rome’s St Peter’s! Adjacent is another beautiful square, Piazza del Nettuno, with a splendid statue and fountain dedicated to Neptune and surrounded by grandiose medieval civic buildings. One of Bologna’s many surprises is that it can ‘outdo’ Pisa, boasting not one but two medieval “leaning towers”! Of course one of Bologna’s ‘must sees’ is Europe’s oldest University - founded in 1068 its illustrious alumni include Dante, Copernicus and Marconi. Perched on a hilltop with splendid views across the city and the surrounding region, Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is

renowned for its extraordinary claim to fame, the world’s longest portico supported by no less than 666 arches leading to the edge of the historic city itself!

After the tour why not explore the maze of tiny alleys and streets lined by atmospheric food shops of every description, joining locals in sampling the world’s finest produce and soaking up some of the ambience yourself. Remember you are off the tourist trail here, so this enthusiasm is heartfelt and refreshing in its authenticity. This afternoon, you can choose to explore Bologna further or to visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, dedicated to the brand synonymous with luxury, glamour and speed. ‘Live the dream’ and discover the extraordinary story of founder Enzo Ferrari, the history of legendary F1 cars, and some of the most coveted supercars today. See the limited edition Enzo car, have your photo taken in a Ferrari, and try out a semi-professional F1 simulator (pre-booking advised) or attempt a real tyre change!

DAY 3 - PARMA After breakfast we visit another of Emilia-Romagna’s underrated and enticing cities: Parma, a name synonymous the world over with wonderful prosciutto hams and parmigiano reggiano (parmesan) cheese, yet a city almost untouched by tourism despite its immense charms. We enjoy a guided tour after which you can truly appreciate Parma’s historic buildings plus its culinary heritage. Pride of place is the impressive 12th century cathedral one of Italy’s finest Romanesque buildings – a wonder in its own right with stunning frescoes. This afternoon we take the short drive into the Apennine foothills where in bucolic villages set in rolling countryside, the ancient art of preparing the finest prosciutto (Parma ham) is practised. Our destination is Langhirano, “capital of prosciutto”, visiting the Lanfranchi family who have been meticulously and lovingly preparing and maturing their hams for three generations – it’s a truly fascinating experience, after which we sample their handiwork of course! Another treat awaits just outside Modena at the Acetaia Villa San Donnino, where the art of producing traditional balsamic vinegar, a craft as scientific as winemaking and noted across the globe, is still undertaken by local artisans. Here too, the passion of present day masters displaying great pride in upholding this magnificent tradition is enthralling and a tasting of the vinegar at the end of the visit is without doubt superb!

DAY 4 - RAVENNA Today we take the short drive, almost to the Adriatic coast, exploring little visited yet amazingly historic Ravenna – city of mosaics. An important Roman settlement, Julius Caesar gathered his forces here before famously “crossing the Rubicon” and in 402AD, after Rome’s fall it became the last capital of the Western Roman Empire then capital of Ostrogothic and Byzantine Italy. Thus by 700AD Ravenna became one of Europe’s most important cities of the era.

Despite its turbulent history, Ravenna’s compact centre retains unique buildings spanning a period of 1500 years with no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. To understand what makes Ravenna so special, we have a guided walking tour bringing these amazing buildings, their stunning mosaics and stories to life.

Elsewhere in Europe similar quality art was created about 1,000 years later, so these wondrous treasures are all the more astonishing. After immersing yourself in the glories in this historic past, we return to Bologna for some free time and this evening choose a venue for your final dinner, when you can ponder the feast of delights sampled in this almost undiscovered region of Italy.

DAY 5 - RETURN FLIGHTToday at the appropriate time you will be

transferred to the airport for your return flight. Piazza Maggiore

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The Alhambra

The grand Mezquita in Cordoba is one of the most beautiful Moorish mosques. ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON

7 DAYS

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Sun-kissed countryside, once the powerhouse of the Spanish empire, immortalised by Hemingway and Orson Welles, the home of Carmen and Figaro

plus the unbelievable Moorish and medieval heritage

C L A S S IC A L S PA I N S E V I L L E , C OR D OB A & G R A N A DA

• Return flights • Six nights in centrally located, excellent accommodation rated three-star superior to four stars, with breakfast• Experience unspoiled Andalucía, home of Flamenco and perhaps the most traditionally Spanish of regions • Guided tour of Seville – city of the Conquistadors, with an amazing cathedral – burial place of Christopher Columbus

• Guided tour of Granada’s stunning Alhambra, one of Europe’s most sensual and romantic palace and fortresses• Visit to Cordoba with guided tour of the Mezquita, probably the most beautiful Mosque ever constructed• Visit to medieval Ronda - one of Spain’s most spectacularly situated cities • Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 4 ENJOY AN EVENING OF DELICIOUS TAPAS IN SEVILLE

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drama and is widely acknowledged as one of the most spectacularly located

cities in Spain. It is built on a ridge and is split by a most impressive gorge below, and

because of its almost impregnable position Ronda was one of the last Moorish bastions of

power, only falling to the Christians in 1485. The two halves of the town are joined by a massive eighteenth century stone bridge. In the town itself, there is a palace to see which was once home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella – paymasters of Columbus. With lots of good restaurants and tapas bars it is a splendid spot to spend a few hours exploring its classic Moorish maze of cobbled alleys, window grilles and dazzling whitewashed houses. Much of Ronda’s appeal lies in its spectacular views and clear, mountain air – Andalucia at its simple best. We continue our drive and see some very scenic countryside which really is quite isolated, so much so it is not unusual to see eagles, vultures and ibex roaming the mountains.

We then arrive in Seville and our hotel, the three-star superior Don Paco where we stay for the next three nights. It is very well situated on the edge of the Old Town in one of Seville’s many squares, is fully air-conditioned and has a rooftop swimming pool.

DAY 3 - SEVILLE Seville is a city which defies words. It is simply one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with a history spanning the centuries and a wealth of monuments and buildings coupled with extensive peaceful parks, with the serene River Guadalquivir flowing through the centre.

It has its origins in Roman times: the Emperor Hadrian, builder of the famous wall came from here. During the 8th Century that most fascinating of peoples, the Moors arrived, stayed for 500 years and left a unique legacy still in evidence today. However, if one event changed Seville, it was the discovery of the New World. Indeed Christopher Columbus is fittingly buried in the imposing cathedral. Immense wealth poured in from the Empire and catapulted Seville into one of the largest, and certainly richest cities in Europe. Much of Seville was built during this time and it seems to have changed little in the last five hundred years, with tiny winding streets, and cool hidden squares where the locals hide from the midday sun in high summer. Today though, it possesses a spirit which is very special.

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Andalucia is simply one of the most beautiful corners of Europe and is, as yet, undiscovered by the majority. It’s a land where the excesses of the twentieth

century seem not to have taken root and where travellers are genuinely welcomed.

A land immortalised by the writings of Ernest Hemingway and beloved by Orson Welles, where stunningly beautiful, sun-kissed countryside, covered by green olive groves stretch off into the distance under a perpetual azure blue sky. With biscuit coloured plains, untamed rivers, deep gorges and the spectacular snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, providing the backdrop, there can be few places on earth which can boast such a wealth of natural wonders in such a small area.

Tiny whitewashed villages perch on the hilltops, with narrow winding streets where every house has window boxes crammed with flowers of every colour, adding a touch of vitality to these sleepy hamlets, little changed since Columbus’ days.

Andalucia has a long and violent past stretching from the dawn of civilisation. The Phoenicians and ancient Greeks traded, whereas Julius Caesar fought here, as did Hannibal. The region is crammed with legacies from throughout the centuries from a variety of civilisations. Without doubt, the jewels in Andalucia’s crown are the fantastic cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, which have some of the most important monuments anywhere on earth, many of which are designated as Heritage Sites by the United Nations and protected accordingly. Seville, home of Carmen and Figaro, boasts the world’s largest gothic cathedral. It was from here the conquistadors set sail to explore and plunder the New World and from the sixteenth century unimaginable wealth poured in, building the city we see today. Cordoba has a sixteen arched bridge spanning the river, built by the Romans and amazingly still in use and the Mezquita, built by the Moors is so beautiful and thought-provoking it is beyond words. Granada has the Alhambra, the Moorish King’s Palace so richly decorated, it shames almost anything we can conceive today.

Nowadays though, despite its pedigree, or because of it, Andalucia is perhaps the most Spanish region in the country, indeed, the popular image of ‘real Spain’ of ruined castles, sherry and bullfights has its roots here. The food is a delight, with the area noted for its seafood and its famous drink, the fortified wine from Jerez we call sherry. Try a glass of ‘fino’ - a very dry yet refreshing sherry whilst nibbling ‘tapas’ - that great Spanish titbit invention.

The people are charming – always ready to help and with an attitude towards their fellow man and a love of life so typical of Mediterranean people.

So, for a unique blend of superb countryside, famous and stunningly beautiful monuments and cities, wonderful art, all set in a country which welcomes tourists as honoured guests – come with us and see.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN MALAGA You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Malaga. On arrival a coach will take you to your hotel. The four-star Puerta del Sol hotel is ideally situated in undulating countryside near the village of Mijas, has a swimming pool (open during summer months weather permitting) and is set in its own grounds.

DAY 2 - RONDA This morning after breakfast we take the drive into the beautiful hills which form the stunning backdrop to the coast and then arrive in Ronda, which enjoys a setting which could be in a fairytale, full of natural

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Cordoba’s Roman Bridge

The city of Figaro, the setting for the classic opera Carmen, is here. It’s the home of Flamenco too, the origins of which are lost in the eons of time. In short this is real Spain at its unspoilt best.

This morning, after breakfast we have a tour of this fascinating city, during which we will see the gothic cathedral, the world’s largest, the fantastic Alcazar – the fortified palace of the Moors with a richness of decoration which will astound you, the Tower of Gold, so named as it was used to store the plunder from the Americas, plus much more. During the afternoon you are free to explore Seville at your leisure, and if you wish, you could take a cruise on one of the many river boats.

DAY 4 - FREE DAY & TAPAS EVENING Today we have a free day. There are the ‘musts’ such as the Alcazar and the cathedral but take time to wander around the Barrio Santa Cruz – the medieval Jewish quarter and the smart pedestrianised Sierpes full of beautiful shops selling high quality leather goods. The Maria Luisa Park is a beautiful display of colour where you can watch the locals relaxing.

This evening, we enjoy an evening of delicious tapas. It is said tapas dishes were originally slices of bread or meat used by sherry drinkers in Andalusian taverns to cover their glasses and keep fruit flies away. The meat was often salty, encouraging thirst and alcohol sales. Restaurant owners began to create their own snacks to serve with sherry, and tapas eventually became as important as the drink! Over the centuries with the introduction of olives, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, tapas dishes gradually evolved into a most delightful tradition.

DAY 5 - CORDOBA After breakfast we leave Seville and head east to another of Andalucia’s classic cities, arriving in Cordoba for our guided tour. Cordoba was the ancient capital of

the Moors and is principally famous for a single building – The Mezquita – the grandest and most beautiful mosque ever constructed in the Moorish World. It stands in the centre of the old town which was once the home of a thriving Jewish community. It is a building of extraordinary power and mystery. One can only wonder at the architectural brilliance of the builders all those hundreds of years ago, whilst northern Europe was immersed in the depths of the Dark Ages.

Another feature of Cordoba is the immense, well preserved Roman bridge. Cordoba is a delightful place full of patios drenched in the colour of thousands of flowers, the Spanish people seem to take so much pride decorating the sleepy whitewashed houses. We then continue our journey to arrive in the greatest city in Andalucia, Granada, capital of the Sultans during the middle ages and home to what can only be described as one of the world’s greatest buildings – the Alhambra. As we approach Granada, there can be no more proof of the diversity of this corner of southern Europe. We pass through some very arid countryside with a landscape of dried river beds, giving way to rolling olive groves. In the distance is the spectacular Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in Spain -snow-capped throughout the year, it provides a quite spectacular backdrop. The landscape then becomes

more fertile and picturesque with ancient olive trees stretching off into the distance.

Our hotel for the next two nights is either the centrally located four-star Hotel Corona, in the heart of the city and within easy walking distance of the principal areas of interest or the four-star Hotel Alixares, also well located and actually opposite the Alhambra – both fully air-conditioned and ideal for a comfortable stay.

DAY 6 - GRANADA & THE ALHAMBRA Granada itself has one of the world’s most naturally dramatic locations, nestling below the snow-capped mountains soaring majestically to a height of 11,000 feet. It is the perfect setting for a perfect monument – the extraordinary Alhambra. So individual in its setting, so rich in its history and so perfect in its design, this was the high point in Moorish culture. It is not just a palace though, some of it is a fortress, and much is given over to some exquisite formal gardens full of roses and fountains, giving an incredible impression of peace and tranquillity.

Today we will have a guided tour of this classic building which for many people will be the highlight of the holiday, and you will have time to explore the city as you wish. There is a myriad of twisting streets, the old Moorish quarter and the gypsy

area. Full of tiny unique shops, with seemingly every balcony sprouting flowers in a profusion of colour adding a finishing touch to the whole scene. There can be nothing better than taking a stroll through these streets, unchanged for centuries some of them so small, they were designed for mules with the pavements made of pebbles set into mortar. Granada also boasts some of the most distinctive old bars in Spain, many of them lined with antique tiles where taking a drink and a few tapas can be an excuse for a unique experience.

DAY 7 - RETURN FLIGHT Today the coach will take us to Malaga airport at the appropriate time, to take our return flight home after a really memorable tour.

Ronda

7 DAYS

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These cities astonish discerning travellers with their art; 2,000 years of history; unique architecture and their mouth-watering cuisine.

Sample delectable chorizo, suckling pig and serrano hams

M A DR I D, SA L A M A NC A & TOL E D O

• Return flights • Six nights in excellent accommodation rated three- star superior to four stars, with breakfast and four dinners (one dinner when staying at the Catalonia Gran Via Hotel)• Guided tour of Toledo, immortalised by El Greco and Spain’s former capital• Sightseeing tour of Madrid

• Walking tour of Salamanca, home to one of the world’s oldest universities, the ‘Inquisition’, Spain’s most attractive main square and two cathedrals• Visit to Aranjuez, the former Palace and luxuriant gardens of the Spanish Royal Family • Visit to Segovia, seeing its spectacular ancient Roman aqueduct and castle• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Segovia's Alcazar

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It seems incredible that despite Spain being one of the most visited countries on earth, so much of it still remains unknown! However, during the past few years the historic cities of inland Spain,

its stunning countryside and unique monuments have been brought to the attention of the discerning traveller, so we have created this tour to see some of the best it has to offer.

Spain is one of the largest and most diverse countries in Europe, rich with the legacies of the Romans and Moors. In Segovia, capital of the old kingdom of Castile, you have the most perfectly preserved Roman aqueduct in existence, some 2,000 years after it was first used. In Toledo, capital of Spain until the 16th century, you will find evidence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish civilisations. Salamanca, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, boasts a wealth of lovely buildings and a highly ornate style of architecture known as Plateresque. The capital Madrid is a great European city where you can visit the Prado museum, home to one of the world’s greatest art collections, including many works by the famous master, Goya; or see arguably Picasso’s best work, Guernica, in the Reina Sofia museum nearby. Make sure you take time to just simply sit and watch the world go by from the tranquillity of a pavement café in the Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s most beautiful square. During the evening, Spain really comes to life and nowhere more so than in Madrid. Lively as can be, the main squares are full of street entertainers and musicians; you might even catch a spontaneous performance of Flamenco. The Spanish countryside is lovely, remarkably empty of people, and as varied as you can possibly imagine, from the snow-capped mountains of the high Sierras to the splendid aridity of the plateaux and the lush meadows of the river valleys. You can see innumerable tiny villages perched on hilltops, little changed since Columbus set sail for the Americas over 500 years ago. Much of Spain remains unchanged by the passing centuries; combine this with nearly forty years of isolationism during the Franco era and you have a state of preservation that adds greatly to its charm.

Spanish food and drink are varied and can be superb. Dishes such as paella and gazpacho and of course the excellent Rioja and Cava wines are well-known, but there is so much more to discover. Try the excellent Serrano hams, chorizo, roast suckling pig or Spain’s seafood which is amongst the finest you will ever find. One of the country’s greatest gifts to the world though, is the wonderful invention of tapas: available in bars these are the tasty tit-bits that allow you to experiment with the local specialities over a glass of wine! In this tour we feel we have succeeded in conveying our love for

this fantastic and unique country, its people and culture in a manner which you will

appreciate, so come with us and see for yourself.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN SALAMANCA You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Madrid. On arrival a coach will take you to Salamanca, taking approximately two and a half hours, where we stay for the next two nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Your hotel is the three-star superior San Polo located on the edge of the old town very near the cathedrals. The hotel is modern, charming and very unusual in that part of it is built on the site of an 11th century church, the remains of which have been incorporated into the design of the hotel and terrace. It has a restaurant or you

may choose to eat in one of Salamanca’s many and varied ones.

DAY 2 - SALAMANCA Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage site,

is acknowledged by many Spaniards as one of the country’s most beautiful cities and when you see it, it really is difficult to disagree. Built virtually entirely of the local sandstone which gives it a gorgeous rose-coloured hue,

it seems almost to glow, especially during the sunset. The beautiful setting, perched on a small hill on a bend in the serene River Tormes, is a picture of tranquillity despite the city’s violent

heritage. Founded by the Romans, who built the 400 yard long bridge which is still in use, it was repeatedly fought over by Hannibal, the Moors

and finally, the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon.Today, the city is dominated by its two

cathedrals and university, the oldest in Spain founded in 1215 and for four centuries one of the

most important seats of study in the civilised world. The records of the Spanish Inquisition are still kept here, it made major contributions to international law and, as early, as the

sixteenth century boasted some twelve thousand students. You can see all the beautifully preserved lecture halls with vaulted ceilings and the library where you can imagine the moment Christopher Columbus came to address the most learned men of the day.

So, after breakfast, we have a guided tour of Salamanca during which you will see all this and more, with the remainder of the day free to explore as you wish. You must visit the two cathedrals – the more recent dates from the 16th century! Whilst the buildings themselves dominate the skyline, their internal decoration is just as breathtaking. Salamanca is a wonderful place to just wander: tiny streets, medieval squares, traditional shops, gardens, market places all add to its atmosphere. The main square, the Plaza Mayor, is widely acknowledged as the finest in the country and the hub of Salamantine life. With plenty of cafés and places to sit and watch the locals go by, it is the perfect venue to soak up the lovely atmosphere. For one of the most memorable views, simply cross the river and look back at the Roman bridge and the rose red city rising in the distance -perfection indeed!

DAY 3 - SEGOVIA After breakfast we say goodbye to Salamanca, soon arriving in Segovia, capital of the old Kingdom of Castile and another lovely city. Dating back to Roman times, today it proudly boasts one of the most finely preserved Roman aqueducts in the world. Being over half a mile long and 100 feet high, this relic of the ancient world is all the more remarkable when you realise not a drop of mortar or cement has been used in its construction.

It was also the home of Queen Isabella who commissioned Christopher Columbus to discover the New World. There are some superb Renaissance paintings in the cathedral but the fairytale Alcazar, or castle, dominates the superb old city and should be visited if only for the fantastic panoramic views over the whole area. Segovia, though, like the other

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old cities of Spain, is untouched by the excesses of modern tourism and nothing could be better than watching the locals going about their everyday business, shopping in the market, exchanging a few words with friends in the street or enjoying that most traditional of pastimes, sampling a few tapas in a local bar. It is this blend of olde-worlde charm and modern-day reality which makes Segovia such a joy in which to pass a few hours.

We then continue our journey to Madrid and our hotel for the next four nights, the four-star Catalonia Gran Vía, on bed and breakfast basis with one evening meal included at a typical restaurant. Situated in the centre of Madrid on a thoroughfare showcasing early 20th century architecture and one of the city’s most important shopping areas, between Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Cibeles. Located in a charming building dating back to 1917, it offers a seasonal rooftop pool, a bar and restaurant. The rooms are decorated in neutral tones and are air-conditioned. Some dates stay at the four-star Novotel, where we stay on a half-board basis, with one evening meal out at a typical restaurant. This hotel is well located in Madrid just outside the city centre, with easy local transport access to Puerta del Sol, the geographical centre of the city, set in its own gardens complete with swimming pool and terrace (open subject to weather conditions), and is fully air-conditioned.

DAY 4 - MADRID This morning after breakfast, we will have a sightseeing tour of Madrid, during which we will see some of the sights for which this capital city is most famous: the beautiful Plaza Mayor, the vast square in the heart of old Madrid; the Prado Museum with one of the world’s finest art collections, housing many great works by artists such as Goya and Dali; the Royal Palace, former official residence of the Royal Family; the Plaza De España home to a statue of the legendary Don Quixote; the Puerta del Sol, the point from which all distances in Spain are measured and marks the official centre of the country, plus much more. During the afternoon you are free to explore as you wish.

DAY 5 - ARANJUEZ & CHINCHON Today we take the short drive out of Madrid to Aranjuez, home to the former summer palace and gardens of the Spanish Royal Family. Located at the confluence of two rivers, which makes the town admirably green, Aranjuez has a rather regal air, similar to Windsor, but it is the gardens for which it is most famous. A thick forest on the riverbanks has been creatively transformed into lovely gardens, where the air is heavy with the scent of magnolia and jacaranda. Successive monarchs have since modified the layout: the Hapsburgs ordered Flemish-style gardens with twisting lanes whereas the Bourbon dynasty built more in the ‘planned’, French style with hedges, lakes, extremely ornate fountains and fine sculpture. The Palace itself has been sympathetically restored and features beautifully displayed antiques, fabrics and exquisite furniture together with some outstanding works of art,

glassware and porcelain. We visit the Palace after which you have free time to explore the gardens and town as you wish before returning to the hotel mid-afternoon.

This evening we do not eat in the hotel but take the short drive to Chinchón, a beautiful, provincial village full of the atmosphere of rural Spain, famous for its pretty town square and locally produced aniseed liqueur. We arrive after siesta, when the town comes to life, and have a little time to wander and absorb its ambience before visiting a lovely restaurant, converted from a former olive mill, where you will be served specialities of the region.

DAY 6 - TOLEDO This morning we have a guided tour of the

beautiful city of Toledo, standing out against the often luminously blue Castilian sky; a golden biscuit coloured city rising from the plain and circled by a steep ravine filled by the turbulent waters of the river. It is as spectacularly rich in history, buildings and art as any city in the world can be and we spend most of the day here. Being at the crossroads of several cultures during its long and often violent past, it takes its influences from Jewish, Christian and Moorish civilisations. It was Philip II, builder of the Spanish Armada who moved the capital from Toledo to nearby Madrid, thus ensuring Toledo would survive in its totally unspoiled form. Nowadays it is most well known for its majestic Alcazar Palace perching on the top of the hill, its fantastic cathedral, richly adorned with treasures plundered from the New World, and its wealth of other buildings. Indeed El Greco lived here and you can visit his house where some of his paintings are displayed. The most lethal weapon of the 16th century world, the rapier, was invented here, and the city is still renowned today for its high quality metalwork. We leave Toledo late afternoon and return to our hotel.

DAY 7 - RETURN FLIGHT Today, at the appropriate time, the coach will take us to Madrid airport to take our return flight home.

Spanish Wine

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your hot air balloon ride in Barcelona

7 DAYS

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£649

Fiercely independent Catalonia, home of Miro, Dali and Gaudi. Enjoy great ‘tapas’ and cava, discover ancient monasteries and amazing Roman, Moorish and Aragonese legacies

BA RC E LONA & T H E H IG H L IG H T S OF C ATA L ON I A

• Return flights• Six nights in centrally located, excellent four-star accommodation, with daily breakfast and dinner on the first evening• Two dinners in local restaurants highlighting Catalonia’s truly original cuisine• Guided tour of Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital and city of art, music and Gaudi• Timed and guided tour of Gaudi’s masterpiece, the basilica of Sagrada Familia, symbol of the city and quite frankly one of the world’s greatest, original and most enthralling buildings• Visit to the beautiful medieval city of Girona, an overwhelmingly beautiful medieval city with an undeniable Moorish centre

• Walking tour of Tarragona, ancient capital of Roman Iberia’ with a host of monuments to match• Visit to Montserrat’s world famous Benedictine monastery, spectacularly crowning scissor-like mountains and home to the Black Madonna, one of Spain’s most renowned pilgrimages• Visit to Cava vineyard, discovering the ancient art of wine making• Tour of Poblet, an amazingly preserved Cistercian monastery, final resting place of the Aragonese Royals, family of Henry VIII’s first wife• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Park Güell

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in the street or enjoying that most traditional of pastimes, sampling a few tapas in a local bar. Then we drive inland to the superb medieval town of Montblanc which is surprisingly beautiful and yet, outside the local area, very undiscovered. The ancient walls are astonishingly well preserved, enclose 75% of the town and look as though they have come straight from the film set of El Cid! Montblanc is not particularly famous for anything, although there are a few museums here, the monument is simply the town itself. We have time to explore its centre and its very attractive main square. This is provincial Spain at its simple best.Set in beautiful rolling countryside and surrounded by rich vineyards is Poblet’s amazing monastery which we tour next, and is contracted on a massive scale. During the Middle Ages it was probably Spain’s most influential such institution becoming immensely wealthy on almost corrupt royal patronage. Hated by the local peasantry for its excesses, it is today one of Spain’s finest and most stunningly preserved medieval buildings, with amazing cloisters and crenelated walls, and is the final resting place of the Aragonese royal family. This evening we dine in a local restaurant highlighting some of the best traditional dishes for which Catalonia is justifiably noted.

DAY 3 - MONTSERRAT This morning we visit the famous Monastery of Montserrat – with a location which can only be described as some of Spain’s most spectacular scenery! Montserrat means ‘serrated mountain’ and describes the site perfectly, perched on a mountain top with sheer drops below. Montserrat has been one of the most famous pilgrimages in Spain for over 1,000 years as its Black Madonna is said to have been given by St. Peter. The Renaissance basilica is quite outstanding with amazingly intricate mosaics and is decorated with gold and silver artefacts made by the most skilled artisans. The art collection is also well worth a visit and displays many works by Picasso, Monet, Degas and Caravaggio amongst others. Spain is well noted for producing wine and Cava, so this afternoon we visit a producer for a guided tour of the cellars. The setting is particularly attractive in rolling vine-covered countryside, and we learn the ins and outs of the making of Cava, which incidentally is the same process as that used for Champagne in France, and then have a tasting of the finished product. This evening you can explore the many different restaurants in the centre of Tarragona.

DAY 4 - GIRONA After breakfast we leave Tarragona for the small town of Girona, serene and bisected by the River Onyar, giving an appearance rather similar to

For many centuries Spain did not really exist as a nation state, being more a collection of countries such as Aragon, Castille, Cantabria and of course, Catalonia. Often separated by

high mountain ranges, they evolved independently, becoming strikingly different with even their own languages.

These differences were ruthlessly suppressed during the Franco years but have since blossomed and today Catalonia retains a distinct regional identity borrowing little from the rest of Spain.

Set on a plain rising from the clear blue Mediterranean through a range of wooded hills then to a superb backdrop of high mountains, the scenery is astonishing. It is as diverse as any area can be, from tiny medieval villages to one of the world’s most vibrant cities –and from classical Renaissance art to Salvador Dali’s avant garde; the list is endless and on this tour we see the best it can offer.

In Roman times Tarragona was one of the Empire’s largest cities with a population of 250,000 and a wealth of buildings to match, many of which are still in evidence today. The delightful city of Girona has been fought by Romans, Charlemagne, the Moors and the French all having left their mark, but is now famous as having Europe’s most outstanding Jewish Quarter. Ancient monasteries abound and include some of the most sophisticated ever constructed with many still in use. Lush vineyards sweep off to the horizon and producing sparkling Cava.

Barcelona, the self confident and progressive capital is a tremendous place to visit. Spain’s most prosperous city, it oozes sophistication and a cultural dynamism which is so strong you can feel it just walking around. Boasting the superb contrast between its lovely Gothic centre with its mazelike tiny streets and its modernista (art nouveau) buildings of which there are more here than anywhere else in the world, there is a wealth of things to do and see. There are some superb museums, most notably those dedicated to Picasso who spent his formative years here, and Miró and the striking new contemporary art museum. Barcelona has also evolved a highly individual cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed by the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. But it’s more than that, it’s the confidence of the street theatre and mime artists of the Ramblas –the most famous thoroughfare in the city where the game is to see and be seen, the sheer class of the shops and the obvious sophistication of the Barcelonians themselves.

Catalonia also boasts the best food in Spain, but that is what the Catalans themselves tell you and to be fair they perhaps have a point, but the only real test is to come with us and see for yourself.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA Fly to Barcelona then transfer to delightful Tarragona, an ideal base for our visits during the next few days. The hotel, four-star rated, is the Ciutat de Tarragona, centrally located and near the old town where we dine this evening.

DAY 2 - TARRAGONA & POBLET Tarragona is majestically sited on a rocky hill above the sea and it was used as the base for the Roman conquest of Spain and wars against Hannibal. It then became an imperial resort and the most cultured city of Roman Spain. A lovely medieval hill-top town, you can see what attracted the emperors here. The heart of the city today is the medieval old town, with its intricate streets and its focal point, the cathedral. Today on our tour we see the delightful principal points which has an atmosphere so typical of Spain. Tarragona is untouched by the excesses of modern tourism and nothing could be better than watching the locals go about their everyday business, shopping in the market, exchanging a few words with friends

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Florence, the banks being lined with tall biscuit and ochre coloured buildings. A real pleasure of this lovely old town is simply to wander among the narrow shady streets, old stone buildings, stairways and fine old plazas. There is a superb cathedral with Europe’s widest nave and intricate stained glass. The old Jewish Quarter, Europe’s largest, has now been restored and is a delight to explore. We then take the short drive to Barcelona. Our hotel for the next three nights is the four-star Hotel Catalonia, centrally located and near a metro (underground station) allowing you to explore the city with ease.

DAY 5 - THE SAGRADA FAMILIA & BARCELONA After breakfast we will have a guided tour of this fascinating city which more than most, can genuinely be called unique. We will see the old town, or gothic quarter which contains the cathedral – one of Spain’s most outstanding buildings, the district of Ribera – a remarkable concentration of 14th century mansions some of which house the Picasso museum, plus much more. But Barcelona is more famous for its monuments and style unique to the city. During the 19th century a new style of art and architecture emerged, Modernism. Essentially it combined bare undecorated materials – wood, rough-hewn stone, rubble and brickwork with meticulous craftsmanship in wrought iron and stained glass often covered

with mosaics of uneven tiles. There are over fifty examples of these buildings and we shall see many of them on our tour. The greatest exponent of this style is of course Antoni Gaudí, and his creations symbolise Barcelona. There are countless museums, two of which are dedicated to Picasso and Joan Miró, both of which are well worth a visit.

Without doubt, highlight of the tour, and for many probably of your entire year is our timed and guided tour of Sagrada Familia, finest example of Gaudi’s genius and one of the world’s great buildings. Without exaggeration – it really is that good despite the fact it is not due to be finally finished until 2026! Outside eight huge towers puncture 100 metres upwards and inside the stunning yet harmonious colours of granite and marble blend harmoniously with intricate stained glass. Columns branch upwards representing trees, their ever-changing surfaces are evolving various geometric forms. The simplest is a square base morphing into an octagon, then a sixteen-sided form, and eventually to a circle at the summit. Incredibly none of the interior surfaces are flat; with comprehensive and rich decoration with abstract shapes combining smooth curves and jagged points. Even detail-level work such as the iron railings for balconies and stairways are full of curvaceous elaboration. The exterior is equally enthralling but all this combined will leave you truly spellbound.

Barcelona, is obviously very cosmopolitan city and thus has attracted world class shops, so to

visit the shopping areas is a must. Mercifully chain stores do not dominate here, so you find establishments specialising in traditional craft items and handmade goods too. The old port area is a must too, once thought rather seedy, it’s now totally renovated – full of bars, trendy shops and restaurants giving an atmosphere rather like Covent Garden in London.

During the evening there is only one place to head for, Las Ramblas the most famous and happening street

Girona

Poblet

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Escape the hustle and bustle of this vibrant city for a peaceful hot air balloon ride over the lush green hills of the Montseny National Park. Admire breathtaking vistas over the coast and the expanse of azure-blue Mediterranean, and of stunning Barcelona itself. Lush vineyards blend seamlessly into vast plains, pockmarked by volcanic peaks, whilst a truly rich and varied landscape unfurls below as we sail gracefully to where the wind takes us. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

in Barcelona and indeed, probably in Spain too! Lively beyond belief at all hours of the day and night, lined with bars and restaurants with newsstands, flower stalls, tarot readers, musicians and mime artists thronging the central tree-lined walkway. If you do nothing else all holiday, you must not miss this.

DAY 6 - FREE DAY IN BARCELONA Today is a free day to explore as you wish but there is hardly enough time to see it all. There are the musts, or you could do something simple and relaxing such as explore the Ciutadella Park, complete with orange trees and native parrots to see the locals spending their free time – real Spain at its best. Depending on taste – literally, is a browse around La Boqueria, Barcelona’s traditional food market for centuries - groaning with superbly fresh vegetables, wonderful fish, and fragrant hams – this is some of the world’s finest produce. Make time for lunch at one of the street restaurants here – superb, traditional food at its best, but do not try to rush things – eating is a serious business in Spain.

This evening we enjoy our final meal together in an excellent local restaurant which offers creative cuisine with a Mediterranean flavour.

DAY 7 - RETURN FLIGHT Today the coach will take us to Barcelona airport, at the appropriate time, to take your flight home, after a really memorable tour.

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£849

‘Mariners returning from the New World glimpsed ‘Picos de Europa’ – ‘Europe’s peaks’ and knew they were home! Discover its amazing cities, wonderful Riojas,

outstanding art, unique cuisine and you will appreciate why

SA N T I AG O, B I L BAO & T H E H IG H L IG H T S OF C A S T I L E & L E ÓN

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners, plus two dinners in excellent local restaurants• Visit to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum• Tour of one of Rioja’s most famous vineyards• Guided tour of Burgos and visit to the outstanding Gothic Cathedral

• Tour of León, with some of Europe’s earliest Romanesque buildings• Picos de Europa, a splendid national park with some of Europe’s most breathtaking alpine scenery• Guided tour of the medieval gem of Santiago de Compostela• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Santiago Cathedral

To the discerning traveller, Spain is one of Europe’s most varied countries bursting with wonderful historic buildings, fascinating cultural icons, rugged mountain massifs

and huge expanses of astonishing natural beauty. Different from much of modern Europe, tradition and regional identity is still the norm here, so discover the fascination of some of Spain’s truly haunting interior and the splendours of the iconic Basque, Castile and León regions.

We start with the striking monument to modernist architecture, the shimmering swirl of titanium that is Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum crammed with some of the world’s finest modern art. From bustling Bilbao we’ll climb up onto Spain’s high, arid plateau, the Meseta, onto wondrous Rioja, where some of the world’s finest wines are lovingly crafted.

Our next port of call is historic Burgos, home of the legendary medieval warrior El Cid, famed for his exploits against the Moors and renowned for its truly majestic Cathedral. Still off the beaten track for many tourists, when you wander round its twisting alleys, unchanged for centuries, lined with atmospheric tapas bars you cannot on earth fathom why.

Beyond here the plains give way to one of Europe’s least known yet most impressive mountain ranges, the Picos de Europa, covering a relatively small area of Cantabria but none the less dramatic as they tumble along the Bay of Biscay in a series of magnificent limestone peaks and deep rocky gorges. Our tour through this marvellous mountain landscape ends in León, the provincial capital and once the front line as the Spanish fought off the invading Moors.

The final stage of our journey takes you to Santiago de Compostela, in the heart of Spain’s “Celtic corner”, the province of Galicia whose heritage has more in common with Cornwall than Catalonia. The legend of St James ensures the Cathedral, one of Spain’s most outstanding buildings, is a magnet for world-wide travellers.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BILBAO You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Santander or Bilbao. On arrival a coach will then take you to Bilbao, capital of the fiercely independent Basque region and frequent visitors to Spain will immediately notice many differences with the rest of the country. Firstly the language is part of a rare linguistic group quite unlike other Western European languages, full of Zs and Xs. Plus its flag – the Ikurrina – displayed everywhere may seem oddly familiar as it is a green, white and red version of the Union Jack. We stay overnight at the centrally located, four-star Hotel Hesperia Bilbao.

DAY 2 - BILBAO Previously little known outside its own country, Bilbao exploded onto the cultural map with the opening of the magnificent Guggenheim Museum with its striking exterior titanium cladding, nestling on the banks of the River Nervión and we enjoy a visit this morning.

Leaving Bilbao and the Atlantic, the road climbs quickly, becoming noticeably warmer and more arid. Then crossing the watershed of the mighty River Ebro we are soon surrounded by vineyards of the legendary Rioja wine region. We have a guided tour of one of Rioja’s oldest and most revered bodegas (wineries), Bodegas Bilbaínas, learning how their precious grapes are crafted into the noble drink. Established by viticulteurs from Bordeaux in the nineteenth century, Bilbaínas rapidly grew to legendary status even supplying the Spanish Royal family. Naturally, the tour ends with a tasting!

Driving past seemingly endless vineyards studded with sleepy villages, we soon arrive at

Burgos one of Spain’s most historic cities staying two nights at the modern, four star Abba Hotel set in its own gardens, with indoor pool and superbly located in the city’s

old quarter just 400 metres from the astonishingly preserved cathedral. We

dine here this evening.

DAY 3 - BURGOS After breakfast we tour Burgos which began

as a 9th century fortress between the Moors to the south and the Kingdom of Navarre, with the surrounding villages or “burgos”, eventually forming the present day city. It grew to prominence as a significant stop on the pilgrim route to Santiago, became the capital of Castile for five centuries and famous as the home of the legendary knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar - the almost mythical ‘El Cid’. Today Burgos is an incredible revelation, the twisting streets of its old quarter dominated by fine religious buildings, including the huge and imposing Cathedral, a true Gothic masterpiece. Your tour includes an audio guide, allowing you to explore the wonders of this superb building at your own pace. Look out for the magnificent façade in the style of Paris’s Notre Dame and the tomb of the legendary El Cid himself. Most fascinating of all is the Papamoscas (the Flycatcher), an unusual statue which opens its mouth as the cathedral bells sound the hour!

You’ll learn about Burgos’s volatile history too; it was fought over throughout the Middle Ages, was the scene of Wellington’s withdrawal during the Peninsular War and a base for General Franco’s Government during the Spanish Civil War.

This afternoon, you are free to explore. This evening we visit a fine restaurant specialising in Castilian dishes.

DAY 4 - PICOS DE EUROPA Today we experience a spectacular scenic drive through the heart of one of Europe’s smallest, yet most spectacular mountain ranges; the alpine masterpiece of Picos de Europa is a stunning extension of the Pyrenees. Leaving Burgos and travelling across the wide Castilian plateau, passing through ancient whitewashed villages, gradually a hazy mountain horizon appears. Drawing closer, the ascent begins almost instantly, soaring to nearly 8,000 feet the magnificent mountain panorama opens before your eyes. Striking limestone summits with their verdant green valley’s surround you, with long views stretching towards the Bay of Biscay. Almost unbelievably, you are actually on an old Roman road – imagine the hardships endured by the marching legionnaires during the harsh winters!

This wild and rugged beauty is home to many rare species of fauna including bears,

wolves and vultures.

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63

Embalse de Riaño

Founded by the Romans, Leon was once capital of Christian Spain and during the 10th century spearheaded the country’s re-conquest from the Moors, reaching its zenith 200 years later. Today legacies of this period and medieval times abound. Firstly its Cathedral, whether bathed by tasteful spotlights by night, or almost glowing in bright sunshine, this amazing honey-coloured masterpiece is one of Spain greatest monuments and especially noted for some of Europe’s finest stained glass. Adjacent is a spiders-web like maze of alleys and narrow streets lined by traditional shops and tall ochre-coloured houses. Our hotel for this evening is the modern, centrally located and extremely comfortable, four-star AC Leon, a member of one of Spain’s most respected hotel companies. This evening is unplanned so you are free to dine in one of Leon’s many restaurants.

DAY 5 - LEON This morning we include a guided sightseeing tour of the city known by many as the “Cradle of Parliamentarism” because it was here in 1188 that King Alfonso IX held what some describe as Europe’s first Parliament - Icelanders, and those of you from the Isle of Man will disagree! Due to the city’s strategic location on the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route, León is incredibly well-endowed with fine religious buildings including its superb Cathedral. But León is not all churches and you will also see the flamboyant Casa Botines – one of only three Gaudi creations outside Catalonia, and the modernist Museum of Contemporary Art, plus the classic Plaza Mayor main square.

This afternoon we drive through increasingly hilly topography before arriving in one of Spain’s most beautiful cities, Santiago de Compostela late afternoon. Our hotel for the next three nights is either the four-star superior AC Palacio del Carmen Autograph

Collection or the NH Collection Santiago depending on your selected date. Both are well located just a short walk to the old town centre set in their own grounds. We dine in the hotel this evening.

DAY 6 - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA There is no doubt that Santiago de Compostela, as the final destination of one of the world’s best known and most iconic of journeys, has a very special place in the history of tourism. Indeed, it was one of the world’s first “tourist” destinations, hosting more than 2 million pilgrims annually during medieval times, surpassed only by Rome and Jerusalem. It has to be said though, the actual legend of the burial place of St James the Apostle here really is on shaky ground as you will discover on our guided tour. Miraculously discovered a remarkable eight centuries after his death, St James’ relics have been lost and found several times since, but one thing is for sure, Santiago itself is stunning! On emerging into the central square, you witness the sheer majesty of the great cathedral in all its glory - one of the world’s great buildings, its many extraordinary features include towering Baroque spires and the great statue of St James himself. The fascinating “Door of Glory” is a 12th century masterpiece, whose central pillar is worn smooth by generations who touched it as a sign of reaching their journey’s end then bumping heads with the

image of the master craftsman Matteo, carved thereon in an attempt to absorb some of his genius! Also still used is the huge incense burner swinging in a 25 metre arc and operated by eight priests, originally disguising the smell of pilgrims! Also situated around the Plaza is one of the world’s oldest “hotels” the splendid Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, the impressive Town Hall and the College of San Jerónimo. Surrounding the Cathedral, the rest of the historic quarter is a maze of narrow streets and medieval squares with many a tale to tell. The Pazo de Xelmírez is perhaps Spain’s finest example of Romanesque civic architecture and the nearby Praza das Praterías (Silversmith’s Square) is surrounded by arcades where silver is still traded.

The rest of today is free for you to explore more of the delightful city centre at your leisure. Return to the Cathedral or perhaps while away the afternoon with a local Galician cider in one of the many cafés. The evening is unplanned, leaving you to choose your own particular favourite from the wide range of restaurants on offer.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY Enjoy a full day exploring more of Santiago. Perhaps visit one of the museums dedicated to various aspects of the Galician culture, with a strong Celtic heritage. You may well stumble across the skirl of

the local distinctive bagpipes and dancers dressed in traditional lace costume, and you should listen to the local language, Galego, which perhaps unsurprisingly bears a strong resemblance to Portuguese.

This evening we have arranged an included dinner in one of the excellent local restaurants where you can enjoy the famed Galician hospitality, exchanging memories and impressions of this fascinating corner of Spain with your fellow travellers.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today you will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight.

Camino de Santiago

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£799

The Pearl of the Atlantic may be tiny but offers diverse untamed beauty –along stunning coastlines, in vertiginous valleys hidden by jagged peaks,

and throughout the lush blankets of gardens and forests

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M A DE I R A T H E PE A R L OF T H E AT L A N T IC

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner• Guided walking tour of the old town of picturesque Funchal, often called ‘Little Lisbon’• Sample the delicious Madeiran wines for which the island is so famous• Visit the beautiful Palheiro Gardens, featured in The Gardener’s Garden showcasing a collection of inspirational gardens• Visit the stunning Curral das Freiras or Valley of the Nuns, and see why this was the ideal sanctuary for a convent of nuns

• Visit Câmara de Lobos, the inspiration for some of Sir Winston Churchill’s paintings• Guided visit of superb Monte Palace Tropical Gardens• Discover the eastern coast, seeing the easternmost point; Santana with its famous A-framed houses; the UNESCO-listed Ribeiro Frio forest park; and Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third highest peak with astonishing views• Explore the western area of the island, including Cabo Girão, Europe’s highest cape at 580m; Porto Moniz with its natural rock pools; and the Bridal Veil, one of Madeira’s most famous waterfalls• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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The subtropical paradise of Madeira is often called the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’, having captured the hearts of famous figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, who tried to

recreate its rugged beauty in his oil paintings. This spectacular archipelago holds a seemingly impossible range of landscapes within a tiny surface area, just 35 miles long and 13 miles wide. Intense volcanic activity dating back millions of years has unleashed a unique topography of stunning extremes – a mountainous backbone and vast plateau run along the centre, interrupted by steep valleys verdant with abundant flora. Even the miles of coastline differ – the south is where the sunniest beaches can be found, whilst jagged peaks in the north provide a dramatic backdrop overlooking jaw-dropping cliffs.

Madeira is a veritable gardener’s paradise with fertile volcanic soil that sets the perfect foundation for a staggeringly diverse variety of plants – from endemic orchids and exotic birds of paradise, to the ancient laurisilva forest with massive trees – creating vibrant explosions of colour all across the island. Some of the most striking imports include purple-blossomed jacaranda trees, Brazilian coral trees, Lady’s slipper orchids, and cymbidium orchids from Southeast Asia. So much flourishes here thanks to its enviably mild climate all year round, making this ‘island of eternal spring’ a superb destination through autumn and winter.

The island is thought to be one of the Isles of the Blessed, a winterless earthly paradise inhabited by heroes of Greek mythology. Centuries later, serendipity played a role in leading the Portuguese to this lush haven. In 1418, the sea captain João Gonçalves Zarco, sent by Prince Henry the Navigator to explore the African coast, was blown off course, leading to the discovery of the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. A year later Zarco returned to the area and sightings of mist-shrouded land on the horizon encouraged the captain to forge ahead. What he found was a heavily forested island, which was claimed for Portugal and named madeira after the Portuguese word for ‘wood’.

The islanders were delighted to find a great number of crops could be cultivated on Madeiran soil including bananas, grapes and sugar cane, producing sugar or ‘white gold’ that fuelled the Portuguese economy. Today, these remain some of the island's top exports and virtually any spare patch of land is used, resulting in the terraced fields and levadas or irrigation channels that still cling to the hillsides.

Unsurprisingly, the island is also known for its abundance of fresh fish, including the black scabbardfish and varieties of tuna, marlin and albacore. One of the most popular dishes is espetada, a hearty meal of beef marinated for hours in Madeiran wine, then grilled over smouldering wood chips. Traditional pastries here usually make the most of local ingredients, such as bolo de mel or honey cake, which should be separated into pieces by hand and never cut with a knife. Lovely malasadas or fried dough balls are traditionally enjoyed on Mardi Gras.

Our tour begins in the picturesque capital city, Funchal, in the sunny south of the island amidst banana plantations and colourful gardens that bloom all year round. The wonderfully green city faces the sparkling cerulean waters of the Atlantic and enjoys shelter from the astonishing mountains behind. We discover many of Madeira’s gems, including some of the world’s most beautiful gardens, the hidden Valley of the Nuns, and one of the island’s highest peaks. Enjoy scenic drives along much of the coastline to see how the landscapes differ within a short distance from the south to the north, and the east to the west. You will see for yourself why Madeira was a favourite retreat for Churchill.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN FUNCHAL You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to the capital town, Funchal, where you will be escorted to the 4-star Enotel Quinta do Sol, your hotel for the next seven nights. Centrally located between the old town and the Lido promenade, it is also conveniently located right next to the sprawling public gardens, the Quinta Magnolia. The hotel offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and wellness area, plus a restaurant and bar. All rooms are well-appointed with a French balcony, complimentary Wi-Fi, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, cable television, telephone, minibar and safe. Upgrades to sea view rooms with a full balcony are available at a supplement (subject to availability).

DAY 2 - FUNCHALThis morning, we take a walking tour of the historic centre of Funchal, often called ‘little Lisbon’ as it overlooks a spectacular harbour and boasts grand 18th-century buildings with shaded courtyards. Narrow cobbled streets wind through the town, broadening out onto lively, attractive squares and walkways lined with trees.

There are many sights to see including the 15th-century cathedral, Sé, one of the few buildings to have survived unscathed since the island was colonised; the Igreja do Colégio with a plain exterior that belies its stunning Baroque interiors and a sumptuously decorated high altar; and the bustling Mercado dos Lavradores or farmers’ market. Keep an eye out for the patterned pavements, typically Portuguese and painstakingly pieced by hand, and for the colourful and creative street art on the doors of buildings we pass.

We enjoy a tasting of possibly Madeira’s most well-known export, its deliciously sweet wines that stem from a winemaking culture dating back to the 16th century. The discovery that adding spirit to the originally unfortified wine would improve its taste was entirely accidental. Nowadays the island is famous for the unique process of heating the wine, making it a wonderfully robust wine that won’t lose its flavour even after being opened. The four main types are dry Sercial, medium-sweet Bual, lusciously sweet Malmsey, and medium Verdelho, the variety to be paired with a slice of Madeira cake, not to be confused with the traditional honey cake.

In the afternoon, we visit the astonishing Palheiro Gardens, the island’s excellent collection of plants and a true paradise for gardeners, famous for the tremendous variety of flora and the immense beauty of its setting in the hills overlooking Funchal. Featured in Phaidon’s The Gardener’s Garden compendium, Palheiro was first laid out in the 18th century by a French landscape architect for the fabulously wealthy Count of Carvalhal, before it was acquired by the famous wine-producing Blandy family. Numerous species of exotic plants were introduced from around the world to create a truly unique garden.

DAY 3 - CURRAL DAS FREIRAS (VALLEY OF THE NUNS) & CÂMARA DE LOBOS

Our morning begins with a short drive north to Curral das Freiras or the Valley of the Nuns, nestled in peaceful isolation within

a stunning natural cauldron, guarded all around by jagged peaks and cliffs.

You will quickly understand why this was the ideal hiding place

of a convent of nuns during terrible pirate raids – the

area is almost completely hidden and would

have been nearly inaccessible in the 16th century. Today the Valley

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Curral das Freiras

of the Nuns offers amazing views and shelters a charming village known for its sweet chestnuts that you can sample there for yourself. There is an annual festival celebrating this versatile produce, used in a variety of delicious products from cake and bread to liqueur.

This afternoon, we head back south towards the coast to Câmara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village and one of the prettiest you will see. Sir Winston Churchill was so inspired by the landscapes here that he tried to capture them in several paintings. The village is believed to be the first part of Madeira settled by Zarco, who discovered in the sheltered natural harbour a large colony of sea lions or lobos. It is also the home of poncha, a delectable elixir of sugar cane spirit, honey and lemon juice, said to cure the common cold.

DAY 4 - MONTEThis morning, a short drive east takes us to lovely hilltop Monte with spectacular views of Funchal and the southern coast. This idyllic town has long been a favourite retreat for wealthy families, and you will find there is no shortage of refreshing green spaces and charming buildings. Possibly the town’s most distinctive landmark is the 18th-century church with its black-and-white façade and twin towers, the most important pilgrimage site in Madeira. Buried here is Charles I of Austria, the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

You can choose to wander at leisure or enjoy a guided visit to the superb Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. The oriental gardens are absolutely exquisite, complete with Asian-style bridges, unique arches and a pond filled with highly prized koi carp. It might surprise you to discover that the gardens also house one of Portugal’s most important tile collections, originating from palaces, churches and private residences, depicting cultural, religious and social events throughout the centuries.

Later you can choose to return to Funchal by coach or the more leisurely cable car offering fantastic panoramas. If you are feeling adventurous, why not take the famous Monte Toboggan ride? This involves descending in a cushioned wicker basket mounted on wooden runners, steered by skilled drivers from the rear – author Ernest Hemingway once described the experience as ‘exhilarating’. You have the afternoon free to do as you wish.

DAY 5 - EASTERN MADEIRA Today we explore the eastern part of this idyllic island by taking a scenic drive along coastal roads, passing an eclectic mix of landscapes from rugged coastline to ancient forests. Our first stop at Ponta do Rosto is the easternmost point on the narrow sliver of land that juts out into the turquoise Atlantic, affording the most spectacular panoramas – look in one direction and the northern coast spreads out before you, turn the other way and the southern coast stretches for miles back to Funchal and beyond. On sunny days, the nearby island of Porto Santo can be glimpsed.

Following the northern coastline, we see the sleepy parish of Porto da Cruz, guarded by the sheer-sided hill of Eagle Rock and known for its old sugar cane factory and also its dry red wine made from the americana grape. Passing terraced hillsides, we arrive in Santana, famous for its distinctive houses with A-shaped thatched roofs, and brightly painted doors and windows.

We head inland towards the mountainous interior to Ribeiro Frio with its outstanding UNESCO-listed forest park, the largest surviving area of ancient laurisilva or laurel forest, home to many endemic species, such as the trocaz pigeon. The temperature dips and the humidity rises as we ascend through the forest, enjoying dramatic mountain scenery with hillsides cloaked in fragrant eucalyptus and swirling mists until we emerge above the tree line at Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third highest peak at 1,810 metres. The views are absolutely jaw-dropping – knife-edged peaks cut through swirling clouds over the deepest and greenest of valleys including the Valley of Nuns. On clear days, you can see most of Madeira in its splendid glory as well as its highest mountain, Pico Ruivo.

DAY 6 - FREE DAYYou have an entire day at leisure. Why not explore Funchal? Sé, the unmissable cathedral in the old town centre, is the main religious building of the island and features one of Portugal’s most beautiful ceilings, made with local wood. Its 16th-century altar piece is the only one of its kind from the Manueline period that remains in its original place.

For art lovers, we highly recommend the Sacred Art Museum, located in the 17th-century former bishop’s palace. It houses one of the finest collections of sacred art in the world, commissioned for their local churches by wealthy Madeiran

merchants seeking salvation. Amongst the works are some masterpieces by important Flemish artists of the 15th and 16th centuries. According to legend, European bishops paid for their art with Madeiran wine.

If you didn’t take the cable car at Monte, why not give it a try today? Take a relaxing stroll along the palm-lined Lido promenade and enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the many excellent restaurants. You could also visit the lovely botanical gardens boasting more than 2,000 plants.

DAY 7 - WESTERN MADEIRA Today we enjoy a scenic drive exploring the western side of the island, first stopping at Cabo Girão, the island’s highest sea cliff at 580 metres. Take in panoramic views made even more exhilarating with its skywalk, a transparent viewing platform extending over the edge of the cliff. Nearby is charming Ribeira Brava, a small town flanked by steep valleys and one of the first to be settled by the Portuguese. Further along the coast we see Ponta do Sol, named for its delightful position at the sunniest point of the island, and then Madalena do Mar, a traditional fishing village that is also home to the island’s biggest banana plantations. We head inland across the boggy Paúl da Serra plateau, the flattest area in all of Madeira and reminiscent of the Dartmoor or North York Moors, all the way to Porto Moniz at the northwestern tip. A highlight of this picturesque village is its striking rugged coast and series of natural volcano pools, caressed by the gentle spray from waves breaking against the nearby rocks.

We return via the northern coastal route, stopping at the village of Seixal to see one of Madeira’s most famous waterfalls, the Bridal Veil, cascading from the mountaintop into the sea. A short drive away is São Vicente, where right at the edge of the village lies a great basalt boulder with a 17th-century chapel built into it. According to local lore, Saint Vincent, the patron saint of Lisbon, was said to have appeared in this very spot.

After a fantastic day of sightseeing, we head back to the hotel.

DAY 8 - HOME Today you take your flight home after a truly memorable tour.

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£849

The best of what was once the world’s richest country; its monasteries, cathedrals, wonderful undiscovered Lisbon. Experience the unique ‘Fado’,

amazing wines and sublime natural beauty

L I SB ON , OP ORTO & T H E D OU RO VA L L E Y

• Return flights• Seven nights in four and five-star accommodation, including a famously luxurious Pousada, with breakfast and four dinners• Guided tour of Lisbon – with its magnificent squares, Baixa and Moorish quarters, cathedral and castle• Visit to Sintra and its Royal Palace – summer residence of the Portuguese monarchy• Visit the astounding Monastery of Jeronimos with its outstanding 16th century stonework• See the holy shrine of Fatima - famous for its apparitions and one of Catholicism’s most renowned pilgrimages

• Tour Coimbra University, one of Europe’s oldest seats of learning with its astonishing gilded Baroque library of 300,000 medieval volumes• Guided tour of Oporto, centre of the port wine trade, with a visit to Taylor’s wine lodge• Tour the Douro, one of Europe’s most dramatically beautiful river valleys• Visit the 13th century walled city of Obidos, with its cobbled streets and lofty medieval fortifications• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Oporto

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its wide tree-lined boulevards, the characteristic architectural style of the splendidly graceful 17th

century Baixa quarter, the majestic castle and Sé - the 12th century Romanesque

cathedral. Plus Alfama, the Moorish quarter of timeless narrow cobbled streets and the wonderful belvedere at

São Pedro da Alcântara with its expansive views across the rooftops to the broad River

Tagus beyond. We will stop at the famous riverside Monument to Discoveries then visit the superb 16th century Jeronimos Monastery with its astonishing wood and

stonework wonderfully preserved. Founded by Henry the Navigator, fittingly it contains the tomb of Vasco da Gama, one of the finest ever maritime explorers. Today’s enormous edifice in classic Portuguese Gothic style looks

like a giant wedding cake with its white stone facades reflecting the

bright sunlight.Lisbon’s eclectic charm is its mix of

ancient, modern, bustling and peaceful, so this afternoon is free to explore, discovering

this delightful contrast for yourself. You might be tempted by the chic shops of the Baixa. You might

want to seek out a tiny café and enjoy a “bica” - a strong espresso often taken with a “nata”, the city’s famous, monumentally delicious and dangerously moreish custard tart. For the culturally-minded, discover the incredible Gulbenkian Foundation founded by an Armenian oil magnate who famously bought art from St Petersburg’s Hermitage after the Russian Revolution for bargain prices. This truly world-class but surprisingly little known institution displays extensive exhibits from Ancient Egypt and Rome, Mesopotamia, Chinese porcelain, fine art from throughout the ages, priceless furniture and the finest antiques. But an absolute must is a ride on one of the city’s clanging, rattling, yellow trams, seemingly well past their sell-by date, they’re still the best to negotiate the sharp bends of the delightful historic quarter. DAY 3 - SINTRA We take a short drive to the lovely town of Sintra. Perched on a spectacular hillside with panoramic views towards the nearby Atlantic coast, where Henry the Navigator grew up and doubtless gazed out to sea not knowing where his destiny was eventually to lead him. Famous for its Royal Palace, once the residences of the Portuguese monarchy, today it’s a wonderful museum with grand rooms, priceless collections including portraits of Charles II of England, and reflections of its Moorish ancestry plus more modern styles. You can also see the 19th century romantic Pena Palace, built as a summer residence, is a living fairy tale. Its turrets, ramparts, gargoyles and domes are a mystical mix of styles, while the interior is extravagantly decorated with a superb ballroom and a magnificent Arab Room. The surrounding park displays exotic plants from the

former Portuguese colonies.Returning to Lisbon late

in the afternoon, you have time at your leisure to explore this fascinating

city. Lisbon has an amazing old quarter; still following the centuries old Phoenician street grid, so spend this evening wandering through its charmingly tangled, cobbled lanes,

You’ll discover the real Portugal on this tour – a rich and varied country with a proud history that’s admirably reflected in the many fascinating places we visit. Inland

Portugal, long overlooked on European itineraries, has only recently being brought to the discerning traveller’s attention. It’s one of the world’s oldest countries, Britain’s longest ally and has been ruled by the Romans, Visigoths, by the remarkable Moors and almost every other race of invaders ever since, with all leaving their legacies.

Without doubt the country’s most defining period was the Middle Ages. A succession of maritime explorers pioneered by Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India, thus passing the Ottoman Empire. They created hugely profitable links with today’s Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and even Japan – then the most closed of societies. Returning with gold, silks, spices, fine furniture and exquisite porcelain, selling it to Europe’s aristocracy for a fortune they created the world’s richest country.

With the discovery of yet more gold in Brazil, huge newfound wealth financed the building of palaces, fine monasteries and cathedrals - many of which we visit on this thought provoking tour. This Golden Age lasted until its eclipse by greater powers during the late 17th century, at which point Portugal slipped into centuries of relative obscurity as the world’s political centre moved first to northern Europe and then to other continents.

Portugal today is a country of great contrasts; it’s modern in many ways, yet still has one foot very firmly set in its traditional past. Full of history and appeal, and spared from large-scale industrialisation or re-development, its remarkably well preserved medieval towns with their tiny cobbled streets are truly delightful.

Set on the very edge of Europe, its scenery is just as stunning and dramatic. You’ll experience it in full - from its coastal forests, wild seascapes, fertile fields and dramatic valleys to sweeping biscuit-coloured hillsides covered with olive trees, fragrant pine forests and lush meadows.

The Portuguese themselves are a wonderfully well-mannered people. They love to socialise, especially at the table and with family and in common with most southern European people, they’re so full of warmth and charm.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN LISBON Fly to Lisbon, then transfer to your outstandingly located central four-star superior hotel for a three night stay with breakfast. Some dates stay at the fine Lisboa Plaza Hotel, a member of the well-regarded family-owned Heritage chain of properties. Crammed with beautiful antique furniture, it resembles an aristocrat’s town residence from yesteryear. A wonderfully tranquil ambience pervades its marble public areas, enhanced by a traditional concierge in reception, atmospheric bar full of 19th century character and wood panelled restaurant. The rooms are extremely comfortable and have all the facilities you would expect of such a rating. DAY 2 - TOUR OF LISBON After a leisurely breakfast, we start with a fascinating tour taking in Lisbon’s magnificent sights such as the impressive Terreiro do Paco,

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lined with ancient bars and tiny restaurants. Many will be buzzing with the sound of ‘fado’ - a unique and infectious musical mix evolved from traditional folk, colonial African and Brazilian styles. Don’t leave Lisbon without experiencing this.

DAY 4 - COIMBRA UNIVERSITY This morning we drive north through olive groves and wheat fields to Fatima, once an unremarkable small town, until three children experienced an apparition of the Virgin Mary, it suddenly became one of the most important of Catholic pilgrimages and a national shrine. Whatever your religious views, the extraordinary sanctuary complex is certainly impressive and well worth the visit.

Continuing north, we reach Coimbra, renowned for its impressive Roman aqueduct striding across the city. But it’s most famous for its historic university, one of Europe’s oldest along with Salamanca, Bologna and the Sorbonne. Once Portugal’s capital, Coimbra became a major cultural centre in the Middle Ages with the university at its heart and it’s not hard to imagine the cloak-clad learned of the age wandering its tiny medieval streets little changed since that time. With its charming Moorish quarter and pleasant squares, Coimbra is a lovely place in which to immerse yourself in the old city’s labyrinth-like lanes. This afternoon we’re privileged to enjoy a visit of the university - a wonderful seat of learning. The huge walls of its superb library, rich in baroque gilt work and exotic woods are lined with a staggering 300,000 leather-bound, centuries-old volumes. Gaze up at the amazing gold leaf ceiling, then wonder at the contrast between the prison and the chapel - so exquisitely decorated that it could count as a cathedral in most places. Situated on a hill, the views are stunning.

We stay three nights with dinner in Oporto at a five-star hotel – either the Sheraton or the Porto Palácio, both located just two miles from the historic centre. The Sheraton is set in its own landscaped gardens and has an impressive marble reception, whilst the Porto Palácio features a rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the city and the Douro. Both hotels offer superbly appointed rooms and the facilities you would expect of a prestigious five-star hotel.

DAY 5 - OPORTO Set on the Douro estuary and once Roman, Oporto’s wealth derived from its knowledge of the sea routes to India. Spices, silks and other fine goods made the fortunes used to build today’s city – Portugal’s second largest. Our tour unveils its surprising, as well as the major sights. You’ll experience the splendid Praca da Ribeira square, with its characteristic tiled town houses and fine views to the wine lodges across the river. You’ll see the imposing Dom Luis Bridge and the tangled lanes of the medieval quarter. You’ll gaze up at the city’s imposing fortress, its fine cathedral and baroque Clerigos Tower. One of the six bridges over the river was designed by Gustav Eiffel - and you can immediately see the connection with his more famous Parisian creation! Free of the chain shops dominating other countries, you’ll enjoy the tiny antiquated shops specialising in fine art, antiques, ceramics and some of the most wonderful cakes you’ll ever taste.

But no visit to Oporto is complete without seeing one of the city’s world famous port wine lodges. So we are guests of Taylor’s - perhaps the greatest of all them all. You’ll learn the fascinating history of port wine, and its close British connections. Taking its name from the city through which it’s shipped, this fortified wine, is made with grapes from the terraced vineyards along the Douro valley which are still staggeringly trod by foot! The wine is lovingly tended and matured, sometimes for decades, before you can enjoy its subtle flavours. Of course you’ll get the chance at the end of a fascinating visit to sample this wonderful drink - on the lodge’s terrace, set among lovely gardens, and with magnificent views across the river.

You're free to spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure.

DAY 6 - THE DOURO VALLEY Today we explore the sinuous and scenic River Douro – the river of gold, spending a leisurely day exploring its delightfully peaceful villages and intricately terraced valley sides. After leaving the Atlantic’s influence behind, the climate becomes noticeably warmer and dryer, and the landscape changes from verdant greens to Mediterranean sun-kissed ochre. The route is nothing short of spectacular! The winding road, sometimes almost in the water, sometimes hugging the lofty valley sides, gives us

wonderful views of the shimmering ribbon of the river and its classic vine-clad terraces.

At Peso da Regua, you’ll have time to wander along the quayside, watching the occasional river traffic or enjoying a refreshing glass in one of the many cafés. The overwhelming feeling here is one of wonderful isolation in one of Europe’s most scenic and as yet undiscovered valleys. Winding our way round the twisting roads, every bend gives us another stunning view. Just a few kilometres further upstream is the delightful small town of Pinhao, the heart of the port wine producing region. Port truly dominates the life here, with even the station tiles depicting the wine harvest. We also visit one of the local Quinta's and sample some of the wines that are produced in this region.

DAY 7 - OBIDOS & CASCAIS Leaving Oporto, we head south, past olive groves to remarkable Obidos, a fortified town surrounded by imposing medieval walls encompassing a maze of narrow streets and alleys. With its whitewashed houses, abundant flowers and splashes of bright paint, this is a delightful place to just lose yourself. Feel yourself stepping back in time - to the days of the Moorish Arabs who once ruled from the town’s castle. If you’re feeling brave, take the somewhat daring walk around the fortifications themselves. But do try the town’s own special way of serving southern Portugal’s favourite cherry liqueur Ginjinha – in an edible chocolate cup.

Continuing to Cascais a chic coastal town near to Lisbon, for our final night stay with dinner, at the five-star “Pousada”, one of Portugal’s classic hotels. Converted from historic buildings (similar to Spain’s Paradores) the hotel is set within the impressive walls of a 16th century coastal citadel overlooking the famous marina. Some buildings were actually a royal residence and a stylishly sympathetic restoration of centuries-old buildings and stone work - completed at a cost of 18 million Euros in 2013 - combines historical legacy with modern comfort, art and stunning style. The public rooms are very stylish, the rooms contemporary and there is a pool too.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today you join your transfer in time for your return flight back home.

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Byron christened it, ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’, George Bernard Shaw ‘Paradise on Earth’, to us it’s simply idyllic. Naturally beautiful,

historically fascinating and feels wonderfully Mediterranean

DU B ROV N I K , T H E DA L M AT I A N C OA S T

& MON T E N E G RO

• Return flights• Seven nights' three and four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner • Tour of Dubrovnik, with its medieval and baroque centre almost untouched by the 21st century - ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ • Visit to Krka National Park and its series of stunning waterfalls and lakes• Tour the Dalmatian coastlines one of Europe’s most dramatic, studded with Venetian influenced, perfectly preserved villages

• Visit to Mostar, setting of an iconic bridge, once Europe’s border with the Ottoman Empire• Tour of Montenegro one of the most beautiful and unspoilt Mediterranean countries, including visits to the unspoilt towns of Perast and Kotor both UNESCO World Heritage sights• Visit to Split and tour Emperor Diocletian’s monumental palace, one of the greatest of ancient Roman structures, home to 3,000 people • Visit to medieval Trogir, one of Dalmatia’s most seductive old ports • Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 5 ENJOY A CABLE CAR RIDE AND A VISIT TO THE HOMELAND MUSEUM IN DUBROVNIK

The Old Town of Dubrovnik

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Croatia is simply one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, with a recent past unique in European history. Within just five years it experienced the

fall of communism, a war and then full independence. Today however, with the scars very much healed, this matchless blend of history, Mediterranean ambience and truly stunning natural beauty is, and rightly so, on the discerning traveller’s map once again.

Ruled for 2,000 years by some of the greatest powers of their time: the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and the Hapsburgs amongst others, have all left their mark both architecturally and culturally. There are Roman palaces, amphitheatres, baroque churches, imposing civic buildings and even mosques. Dubrovnik in particular is a delight, almost a living museum, medieval in character with a heavy influence of the baroque period in the numerous churches and where life spills spontaneously onto its pedestrianised marble streets. Once the centre of a thriving commercial empire, Lord Byron christened it ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, whilst George Bernard Shaw thought it simply ‘Paradise on Earth’. In our view - it is simply idyllic!

The Dalmatian coastline is legendary: one of the most dramatic in Europe, extending for hundreds of miles, where steep limestone cliffs plunge into sapphire-blue waters. Just offshore the mirror-like Adriatic is studded with countless islands, some tiny, some large, some inhabited, some not, but giving scenery almost reminiscent of a series of huge intertwining lakes. The hillsides are clad in a green carpet of lush pine-forests giving that instantly recognisable Mediterranean aroma to the air. Clinging to the coast or nestling in picturesque coves are medieval fishing villages, with tiny shops, refreshingly free from tasteless development, where the alleyways are simply pebbles set into the earth and overhead shutters precariously sway and squeak in the warm, gentle breezes. Life continues much as it has for centuries with the elderly still clad in black, so typical of southern Europe.

Whilst this is a unique country, the Croatians appear very much Mediterranean in character: effervescent, friendly and open. The cuisine really is superb too! Heavily influenced by nearby Greece and Italy, everywhere you find exquisite fish like sea bass, tuna and bream fresh from the sea and cooked in a variety of ways, but best simply grilled. Excellent meats abound too and fresh colourful Mediterranean vegetables such as peppers, aubergines and courgettes, combined with olive oil, create tasty, healthy menus.

Then we visit Montenegro, one of the world’s newest countries and if you can imagine what the Mediterranean was like thirty years ago then this is probably it! A stunning coastline with centuries old fishing villages, full of tiny streets where the eaves almost touch, interspaced by market squares with stalls creaking from the weight of colourful local produce and dotted with intricately decorated Byzantine churches. Everywhere we visit on this tour is still so wonderfully beautiful. It cries out to be explored and offers the privileged visitor a remarkable blend of wonderful scenery and fascinating places to visit; it truly is a journey back in time.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN CROATIA You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Dubrovnik or Split. On arrival, you will be taken to one of our carefully chosen four-star hotels for three nights with dinner, which will vary according to the date and flight you select. Please see enclosed departure booklet for details.

The Hotel Plaza in located in Omis, a lovely little village, dominated by two medieval fortresses with remnants of the old city walls still intact.

The hotel is shaded by aromatic pine forests and is set in a cove on a stretch of beautiful coastline. The sea is invitingly crystal-clear and there is a welcome lack of development. The hotel is

approximately a ten-minute stroll from the centre, is extremely comfortable and has direct access to the beach. It has a wellness centre, restaurant and bar with a delightful

terrace overlooking the beach. The modern rooms are well appointed all with private facilities,

air-conditioning, mini-bar, safe and hairdryer.North of Split, on the Sibenik Riviera in the resort

of Vodice is the Hotel Olympia. This traditional coastal village is surrounded by the sea, islands and rivers. The Olympia is situated a short walk from the harbour, and has indoor and outdoor bars, restaurant, wellness centre and outdoor pool. It offers access to a pebble beach. All rooms are air-conditioned with balcony, mini-bar, safe, private facilities and hairdryer.

All hotels provide a perfect base for our programme of visits over the next few days. Swimming pools are open summer months, weather permitting.

DAY 2 - KRKA VALLEY After breakfast we take the drive inland to the Krka Valley where the River Krka flows through a series of gorges, lakes and rapids before meeting the sea. The

whole valley has been awarded national park status and today we will visit part of this stunning area. It is home to an eye-catching series of lakes where water cascades from one to the next in an extensive series of interlocking, dramatic waterfalls and cataracts. Due to minerals dissolved in the water, the colours change from turquoise to azure-blue and vibrant green to steel-like greys. With reflections of the surrounding majestic peaks and luxuriant forests dancing on the mirror-like lakes, it is impossible not to be awe-struck. We will see one of the most dramatic stretches of the river where several tiers of waterfall tumble magnificently into a broad, shallow pool. We will spend some time taking in the beautiful surroundings before returning to our hotel during the afternoon.

DAY 3 - SPLIT & TROGIR Today we drive north along the stunning coastline before arriving at Split, principally famous for a single building, in fact one of the greatest structures of the Roman Empire – the huge palace of the Emperor Diocletian. No expense was spared in its construction, marble came from Italy and columns and sphinxes came from Egypt. What makes the palace so special is that during medieval times it was fully integrated into the fabric of the town with a jumble of buildings grafted onto it.

This meant for example the temple of Jupiter became a baptistry. All the more fascinating is that today 3,000 people still live within its walls.

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Split

You will find surprises at every turn: there are tall medieval buildings lining the streets but buttressed by unmistakable roman columns! This morning we will have a guided walking tour of this fascinating complex.

This afternoon we visit the nearby medieval citadel of Trogir, one of the most charming little ports in Dalmatia. The old-town is actually an island and a wealth of Renaissance and Romanesque buildings line a veritable maze of delightfully chaotic lanes, nestling behind its seemingly impregnable ramparts. At the centre is the exquisitely decorated 13th century cathedral, but the real monument is the town itself. Just to wander where your feet take you, cast an eye over one of the antique shops or just enjoy a coffee in a pavement café is a real pleasure before returning to our hotel in time for dinner.

DAY 4 - MOSTAR This morning we head south, our journey hugging the beautiful coastline. We then traverse the river Neretva delta, a veritable haven for birdlife before arriving at the ancient town of Mostar perched on lofty cliffs overlooking the turbulent river below. Once a provincial capital of the Ottoman Empire then annexed by the Austro- Hungarians, Mostar has changed little over the years and its appearance reflects this multitude of influences. There are 16th century mosques, Turkish houses and the fine 19th century town hall which could have been transplanted from central Europe! You can still see and hear skilled artisans making all sorts of metal goods in their tiny workshops as they must have done for hundreds of years. Mostar’s principal claim to fame is its amazing bridge linking the two halves of the old town. Constructed of stone centuries ago, it was damaged during the 1990s but has been totally reconstructed as a symbol of reconciliation. We then continue to Dubrovnik staying for four nights half-board.

Our hotel is the four-star Hotel Argosy, a superb contemporary hotel and well managed. Situated on a rocky promontory into the Adriatic. All rooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, mini-bar, safe and hairdryer. This hotels provide us with an excellent relaxing base for continuing our tour.

DAY 5 - DUBROVNIK Dubrovnik, an independent city-state for much of its history, has evolved differently to the rest of Croatia. The city threw off its Venetian masters in medieval times and founded a commercial empire trading with the eastern Mediterranean, France, Spain and later the Ottoman Empire. As so often happens, the city started to reflect its resultant wealth. Today this wonderfully beautiful baroque city nestles behind its huge imposing ramparts in a situation of outstanding natural beauty.

The main avenue, lined by unspoilt intimate cafés, is completely paved with marble, which dazzlingly reflects the midday sun, giving credence to its description ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. Throughout the city you will find a wonderful array of monasteries, beautifully decorated churches and civic buildings dating from the 14th century, reflecting Dubrovnik’s outstanding artistic heritage. This morning we have a guided walking tour seeing all this and more.

In the afternoon, you are free to explore or take a short cable car ride to the top of Mount Srd, to an altitude of about 400 metres, where you can enjoy excellent panoramic views stretching across the city’s rooftops and into the horizon. We visit the fascinating Homeland War Museum, housed in the historic Fort Imperial, part of the first line of defence of Dubrovnik during the war. Original documents, art and documentary photographs are displayed in a moving exhibition, alongside armaments, mines, explosives and other artefacts from this tragic period

of Croatia’s history, still very much within our recent memory. You can ascend to the roof for even more spectacular views before we return to the hotel.

DAY 6 - PERAST & KOTOR, MONTENEGRO Today we take the short drive south to one of Europe’s newest countries, the outstandingly beautiful Montenegro. We cross the border, still following the sapphire-blue coastline and prepare to be truly amazed by the views we take in en route! Our journey takes us around the Bay of Kotor, a huge inland sea, which resembles a lake with the topography rather reminiscent of Switzerland. Reflections of the surrounding mountains dance on the water whilst sleepy, picturesque and beautifully timeless fishing villages line the shoreline.

Our first stop is the picturesque small town of Perast which overlooks the famous jewel in the bay, the island Church of “Our Lady of The Rocks” . Our second visit is the medieval town of Kotor, nestling below a mountainside, in probably Montenegro’s most dramatic setting. Walled, with a labyrinth of cobbled streets surrounding its Orthodox Cathedral that radiate to quiet intimate squares, it really is a delight to explore. Its bustling market really is from yesteryear, with individual stalls selling local homemade cheese, cured hams, honey and Mediterranean vegetables of every colour, shape and size in a refreshingly eclectic manner! You can

try some of the local wine too, which, despite its lack of international exposure, really is rather good – and exceptional value. Afterwards we cross the inland sea at its narrowest point by ferry returning to Dubrovnik at the end of the afternoon.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY IN DUBROVNIK Today you have a free day, so what is it to be? Enjoy a coffee on the main square, watching the world go by, take a relaxing cruise around the picturesque harbour crammed with luxurious looking yachts, take a stroll around the city walls, soak up the sunshine, enjoy a leisurely lunch or perhaps simply catch up on some reading. The choice is yours.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today a coach will return us to the airport at the appropriate time.

Our Lady of the Rocks

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6 DAYS

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A spectacular revelation of breathtaking diversity, from dramatic alpine peaksand lush lowlands, to storybook scenery and a surprising Mediterranean coastline,

plus an ancient wine-making tradition

SLOV E N I A & L A K E B L E D

• Return flights to Ljubljana (or Zagreb from Heathrow)• Five nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast, in central Ljubljana• Guided walking tour of Ljubljana, plus free time to discover the capital at leisure• Visit the enchanting Roman town of Ptuj, said to be the oldest in the country• Guided tour of the historic town centre of Maribor, famous for the world’s oldest vine

• Sample Slovene wines in one of the oldest and largest wine cellars in Europe• See the Italian influences in the coastal town of Piran• Visit the Lipica Stud Farm to learn about the prestigious Lipizzaner horses and see them in action• Experience the beauty of Lake Bled and its fairy-tale island topped with a charming spired church• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Enjoying a unique location linking Central Europe with the Mediterranean, an astounding variety of stunning landscapes is packed into Slovenia’s small area of 7,827sq mi, nearly the

size of Wales. Its north-west border with Austria and Italy is dominated by magnificent mountain ranges, notably the snow-capped Karavanke and Julian Alps, where Mt Triglav towers at 2,864m. The limestone Karst highlands in the west hides one of the world’s largest subterranean cave systems, carved from centuries of underground rivers. To the east, the Pannonian plain that sprawls across to Hungary and Croatia is a fertile agricultural area. Then there’s the delightfully surprising 29-mi Adriatic coastline, reminiscent of Italy, where lovely seaside towns with scenic palm-lined promenades bask in a Mediterranean climate, and gentle hills thrive with vineyards and olive trees. What comes as another surprise is the fact that Slovenia has been quietly making wines for over two millennia.

Just as intriguing is its history of a greatly resilient people, persistently caught between more powerful nations. The first settlers lived in pile dwellings dating from 4,000 BC, found in the Ljubljana Marshes. In AD 15, the Romans founded two prominent cities, Emona and Poetovio, now known as Ljubljana and Ptuj. For centuries, society was controlled by land-owning dynasties, such as the Habsburgs, who constructed castles all over the country. The 16th-century Counter-Reformation saw a wave of architects influenced by the Italian Baroque style, giving rise to marvellous masterpieces. Post-World War I, the country merged with its neighbours to form the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After years of being overshadowed, Slovenia won its hard-earned independence in 1991, and joined the European Union in 2004.

Our insightful tour starts in its beautiful capital, Ljubljana, situated on the bend of the willow-lined Ljubljanica river that divides the city into the historic Old Town and the New Town. Looming above on a cone-shaped wooded hill is the city’s most recognisable landmark, Ljubljana Castle, offering unrivalled views – you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a petite version of Prague. Wearing its green credentials with pride, this European Green Capital of 2016 has dedicated car-free zones, so pedestrians can safely explore its maze of cobbled streets.

We then head north-east to the riverside towns of Ptuj and Maribor located along the Drava. Rising above a wide valley over a sonata of terracotta roofs is Ptuj, living up to its reputation as the country’s prettiest town. Founded as a self-governing city state, it was once the largest Roman settlement with 40,000 residents. Delightful Maribor, the second largest city, stretches gracefully beneath the verdant Pohorje mountain range, exuding a confident allure with its impressive collection of Baroque buildings, its very own 15th-century castle, and the world’s oldest living vine.

Next, we visit Slovenia’s superb sliver of coastline and the captivating seaside town of Piran, almost within touching distance of Italy, to which it belonged till 1954. If you’ve been to Venice, you may experience déjà vu in its main square when you glimpse the bell tower of St George’s Cathedral, clearly inspired by the Campanile of San Marco. We briefly cross the Italian border before re-entering Slovenia to the small village of Lipica, where we tour the Lipica Stud Farm and enjoy a performance by the aristocratic Lipizzaner horses that have been bred here since 1580.

Finally, we fall under the spell of Slovenia’s most visited attraction and its most iconic image, enchanting Lake Bled, and it’s every bit a fairy tale come to life. A pretty church sits on an islet surrounded by a pristine lake, whilst a medieval castle looms in the distance atop a rocky cliff, overlooking forested hills, all against a backdrop of

white-topped mountains. Join us on this memorable journey of one remarkable revelation after another.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN LJUBLJANAYou should fly to Ljubljana, or to Zagreb in neighbouring Croatia if you fly from Heathrow. You’ll be taken to your four-star hotel in the city centre for your entire stay – at either the Hotel Slon - Elephant or the Hotel Lev, both equipped with all the modern comforts you’d expect, such as tea and coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, safe and air-conditioning.

The Hotel Slon - Elephant is mere steps from the Old Town. It earned the name ‘Elephant’ because in 1552, Emperor Maximilian II allegedly stayed at an inn on this site with the great beast in tow, a rarely seen animal then. Today, this superior hotel features contemporary rooms. With a reputation for excellent cuisine, its Restaurant Slon 1552 serves modern Slovene, Mediterranean, and international dishes, whilst the recently modernised breakfast room is light and airy. Guests may wish to

visit the bar, spa and fitness centre.The Hotel Lev is a few minutes’ walk

from the Old Town, close to the major sights. The spacious lobby leads to the hotel bar, breakfast room and the à la carte Pri Levu restaurant, serving contemporary cuisine with a Mediterranean touch. The modern executive rooms are tastefully decorated in a neutral palette.

DAY 2 - LJUBLJANAThis morning, we enjoy a walking tour of this picturesque capital with a local guide, who will share the highlights of its fascinating history and the stories behind the main sights – spot Prešernov Square, where poet and national icon, France Prešeren, is immortalised as a bronze statue; plus the salmon-hued Franciscan Church, the city’s most attractive Baroque church. Crossing the Triple Bridge, designed by local architect Jože Plecnik, who greatly influenced the city’s identity with his work, we’ll enter the pedestrianised Old Town, where a distinct Italian flavour prevails with its many Baroque buildings, fountain-studded piazzas and

narrow cobbled alleys. Within the lattice of red-roofed buildings are the splendid Renaissance Town Hall and the glorious Cathedral of St Nicholas, towering over the sprawling Market Square with stalls sell a variety of tempting goods, from souvenirs to local produce, such as cheese, fresh seafood, and chocolates in unusual flavours – who knew that the marriage of fig and prosciutto would work so well with cocoa?

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You’ll have free time this afternoon to explore the city’s past and present. Traces of Ancient Roman Emona can be found all around and in the City Museum. Or ride the metal-and-glass funicular up the hill to Ljubljana Castle, first built in the 11th century as the home of several powerful families, before becoming a barracks, a refuge for the poor, and then a prison – the views are spectacular. For a more relaxing way to see the city, take a boat cruise along the river, or stroll along the leafy banks, transformed in the summer into a bustling hive by cafés offering alfresco dining.

DAY 3 - PTUJ & MARIBORWe head north-east this morning to picture-postcard Ptuj, said to be the oldest town in Slovenia. After a brief orientation, you’re free to uncover its gems, all within walking distance. Start at the Main Square, where you can join the locals for a coffee and admire the pastel buildings – the grandest is the Germanic Neo-Gothic Town Hall. Nearby is the Church of St George, a fusion of Romanesque and Neo-Gothic architecture, its tower keeping a watchful eye – look out for the 14th-century statue of its patron saint slaying the dragon. Beside the church is the Orpheus Monument, a Roman tombstone carved from white Pohorje marble. Walk towards the Drava river and see the 13th-century Minorite Monastery with the country’s oldest Baroque façade. A short but steep walk uphill takes you to the 12th-century Ptuj Castle with fantastic views. The Castle houses a collection of period furnishings and paintings, including a rare Roman flute and the world’s largest turquerie collection, harking back to when Europe was fixated with Turkish art and culture. See the display of intimidating sheepskin costumes from Kurentovanje, Slovenia’s biggest pagan carnival that celebrates a century-old ritual and rite of spring – touching the Kurenti figures is believed to boost fertility.

Next, we follow the Drava to charming Maribor, where we enjoy a walking tour with a local guide who, through riveting stories, will bring to life the city’s highlights, such as the 13th-century rectangular Main Square, with its ornate Baroque Plague Column honouring victims. Off the square is the grand Town Hall with an onion-domed clock tower and Renaissance courtyard. In the bustling riverside Lent quarter, the oldest part of Maribor, are the city’s most attractive Baroque buildings, now housing art galleries and lively cafés, as well as the

historical Jewish Quarter. Facing the river is the revered Old Vine, aged 400 and still going strong. You’ll have free time for lunch or perhaps a visit to remarkable Maribor Castle, built in 1478 to protect the city from Ottoman attacks. Today it’s home to the Regional Museum, featuring displays of folk costumes, period furniture, plus Gothic and religious art. Nearby is the hard-to-miss Franciscan Church with its arresting red-brick façade and striking twin towers.

After lunch, we sample Slovene wines at Vinag, one of the oldest and largest classic wine cellars in Europe. With a 2,000-year-old history of wine-making, it’s amazing that Slovene wines are relatively unknown – more surprisingly, they’re very good and well-priced. Vinag boasts 1.5 mi of underground tunnels filled with wooden barrels, concrete cisterns, and an archive of over 250,000 bottles of the best vintages.

DAY 4 - PIRAN & LIPICAThis morning, we head to the stunning Adriatic coast, stopping at coastal Piran, which seems to mirror Venice across the Gulf of Trieste. The Italian influence is evident in Piran’s medieval maze of cobbled walkways leading to unexpected squares. The Old Town is centred on the oval-shaped Tartini Square, named after local composer, Giuseppe Tartini, whose statue stands proudly as the focal point. You’ll have free time to explore Piran and its gems of Venetian-Gothic architecture, such as the outstanding Veneziana House and its red façade, richly decorated with stone reliefs of lion heads. Take an easy climb up to prominent St George’s Cathedral, whose 46.5-m bell tower echoes Venice’s Campanile, and see the masterpieces of Venetian Baroque painters. Or head east for a stroll along the 200-m Town Wall, built in 1470, where exceptional views await – Piran is a sea of pastel-coloured buildings crowned with terracotta roofs, packed on a modest peninsula. Or why not enjoy a delicious meal of the freshest seafood at one of the many excellent restaurants lining the promenade?

After lunch, a short drive takes us to the 771-acre Lipica Stud Farm, where the famed Lipizzaner horses have been bred here for over 400 years. We enjoy a delightful presentation by the Classical Riding School, starring the highly-trained horses performing complex routines. A guided tour gives us insights into the history of this noble breed, and how they endured relocations during several wars. Interestingly, Lipizzans are born with a dark

coat that lightens each year, with the process being complete at six to 10 years of age.

DAY 5 - LAKE BLEDToday we enjoy a scenic drive through undulating forested hills, scattered with spired churches, before arriving in entrancing Lake Bled. You may have seen it in pictures, but they pale drastically in comparison to what you’re about to see in person. The first thing that hits you is the dazzling waters of the lake, over a mile in both length and width, on which demurely sits a hummock-shaped island – Slovenia’s only – topped with its very own fairy-tale church. Your eyes are then drawn to the surrounding forested hills, where a medieval castle stands guard atop a craggy cliff. If that hasn’t taken your breath away, the majesty of the snow-capped Alps in the distance will.

A relaxing ride on a Pletna, or traditional canopied row boat, takes us to the island, where according to legend, a shrine for pagan Slavs once stood, inspiring a famous part of France Prešeren’s epic poem, in which Prince Crtomir falls desperately in love with beautiful Bogomila, the daughter of the shrine’s guardian. It’s easy to see why the Gothic church is still a popular wedding venue – tradition has grooms carrying their bride up the 99 steps to the top. Follow in their footsteps and admire the 15th-century frescoes inside, or follow the path around the island and take in the storybook scenery at leisure.

Back on shore, the rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure. Visit fabulous Vila Bled, once the home of Yugoslavian President Tito and now a luxury hotel. Satisfy your sweet tooth at a café and try a kremšnita, a local cake of Chantilly cream and custard that’s almost as divine as the ambience. You have the option of visiting atmospheric Bled Castle, the oldest in Slovenia, initially intended as a fortress rather than a residence. The most distinctive feature is its double structure – the fortified centre for its feudal lords is guarded by a second wall protecting the servants’ dwellings. Brazenly dramatic, the Castle is perched close to the edge of a jagged cliff facing a 100m-plunge into the lake. Those who venture here are rewarded with the most captivating views of this extraordinarily enchanting scene.

DAY 6 - RETURN FLIGHTToday, you will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time for your flight home, after a truly memorable tour.

Lake Bled

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your helicopter flight over the Alps

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Every day a different ambience, from alpine France to sophisticated Switzerland and historic Italy. The raw beauty of Mont Blanc with its immense glaciers,

serene Lake Geneva and medieval Annecy are inspirational

MON T B L A NC , L A K E G E N E VA & A N N E C Y

• Return scheduled flights or standard class Eurostar and TGV (French high speed train) • Seven nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast• Two dinners in your selected hotel plus two dinners at carefully selected, excellent quality restaurants showcasing local cuisine• Take the iconic Montenvers cog railway to the 7km long, Mer de Glace, France’s longest glacier• Guided walk of medieval Annecy – the ‘Venice of Savoie’, resplendent in one of the Alps most remarkable landscapes plus enjoy a cruise of Europe’s purest lake• Experience Europe’s highest cable car 3,788 metres (12,312 feet) to the astonishing Aiguille du Midi, the jagged peak opposite Mont Blanc itself dominating

an eerie landscape of astonishing barren peaks and glaciers with utterly spectacular views of France, Italy and Switzerland• Visit ‘belle époque’ Evian, famous for its waters and medieval Yvoire nestling on Lake Geneva• Take the Mont Blanc Tunnel under the Alps to Italy, for a guided walk of Aosta’s remarkable Roman legacy• Take the stunning passes Col des Montets and Col de la Forclaz into Switzerland• Visit the superbly preserved castle, Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland’s most visited monument• Relax in lakeside Lausanne at the heart of the Swiss Riviera• Option to join complimentary walk • Escorted by an experienced Tour Manager

Lake Annecy

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Rising in a great wall of granite and schist between France, Switzerland and Italy, the glorious, awe inspiring beauty of the Alps attracted Europe’s first “tourists” almost

three centuries ago. Chamonix nestles amongst the sweet scented

pine forests at the foot of mighty Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak. From here you will discover a perfectly blended, unrivalled variety of landscapes, historic towns, stunning ice blue lakes and twisting mountain roads with amazing views of some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. You will be awestruck by the sheer scale of immense glaciers. Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to stunning Aosta boasting some of northern Italy’s finest Roman remains. Stroll around photogenic Annecy, famed for its lovely medieval castle and picturesque canals. Lake Geneva’s shoreline is studded with elegant “Belle Epoque” towns like Evian, haunt of the rich and famous and source of the eponymous water, and Yvoire, the quintessential medieval lakeside village. The finale of this excellent tour takes us over the mountains from Chamonix to Lake Geneva’s stunning Swiss Riviera, scaling seemingly impossible mountain roads with extraordinary panoramic views, to gorgeous Lausanne. Not forgetting the wonderful medieval castle of Chateau Chillon, immortalized by Byron and resplendent on its lakeside outcrop just crying out to be explored.

Chamonix retains a delightful alpine atmosphere, full of tiny bistro’s offering the wholesome regional specialities that have fueled the hardy locals for centuries. Visitors here are guests in a natural theatre, with countless simple pleasures to savour. Take a walk or cable car for outstanding views as the sun slowly sinks. As the light fades with shadows climbing the mountainside you are treated to one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. The gradual tinting of the peaks in the wonderful rose coloured hue of the sunset is a magical natural light show to behold.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN CHAMONIXFly to Geneva or take the Eurostar and TGV High Speed Train to Annecy then transfer to the iconic mountain town of Chamonix. Arrival is a feast for the eyes - awe inspiringly above is the snow-capped, glacier strewn father of them all - Mont Blanc, at 4,810 metres (15,780 feet) Europe’s highest peak. Even before you set foot in your hotel, there’s nothing quite like that first gulp of the crisp, fresh alpine air telling you, you’ve arrived! We stay seven nights at either the hotel Le Refuge des Aiglons or Mercure, both four-star and centrally located with breakfast, two dinners in your hotel and two in carefully selected local restaurants.

The four-star rated Mercure is in two facing buildings, reflecting Alpine style featuring extensive use of local wood thoughout. Outside there is a gorgeous terrace with views of Mont Blanc where it’s ideal to relax with a drink after sightseeing. The spacious rooms have balconies and all the features you would expect of a four star rating plus with breakfast being a lavish affair with numerous hot and cold options plus a cooking station for omelettes and crepes made fresh to order. The restaurant serves good quality local dishes with international favourites in a contemporary setting and the excellent facilities of this well-managed hotel are completed by a relaxing bar. Or stay in the four-star Le Refuge des Aiglons, next to the Aguille du Midi cable car with its superb wonderful terrace, outdoor pool and amazing Mont Blanc views. The contemporary lounge and very good quality restaurant both feature alpine views from panoramic windows. The rooms themselves are exceptionally comfortable, with balconies. Both hotels have extremely pleasant staff and are privately owned.

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DAY 2 - MONT BLANCThose wonderfully buttery croissants and rich steaming coffees are always something to look forward to in France, so thus fortified, we commence our exploration of this astonishingly beautiful region.

Firstly we join the narrow gauge “rack” railway grinding its way nearly 900 metres (3000 feet) from the valley floor to Montenver’s alpine meadows. Tortuously climbing through the gorgeously pine scented forests, across viaducts, over plunging meltwater streams and through cavernous tunnels, an amazing sense of anticipation mounts throughout the journey. Astonishingly, the magnificent snout of Europe’s longest glacier, the ‘Mer de Glace’ majestically appears. 7km of Mont Blanc’s ice and

snow converge here forming the ‘Sea of Ice’ you amazingly see before you. Then transfer to a

cable car for the spectacular ride towards the glacier surface. A cave is carved into the ice and on touching the sides you really understand why glaciers

promote so much erosion. The adjacient Glaciorum is a fascinating exhibition

where glaciation is explained in detail. Also in this alpine paradise look out for Nutcrackers and Black Woodpeckers, deer, mountain goats and perhaps the Ibex.

This afternoon is free to explore Chamonix.

DAY 3 - ANNECYEnjoy yet more glorious views as we drive to medieval Annecy, firstly having a guided walk discovering the fascinating history and culture of this utterly charming lakeside town. For a real sense of ‘getting away from it all’, stroll amongst its pastel coloured, flower bedecked houses, through twisting streets and alleys along its narrow peaceful canals. Dominating the scene are the magnificent turrets and towers of its 12th century, classic medieval castle once the Counts of Geneva’s court and contains fascinating Alpine art and period furniture. Annecy has no shortage of welcoming cafes and restaurants but for lunch perhaps picnic on local cheeses and hams by the impossibly turquoise waters of the lake. Indeed it is to the water that our attention turns next, taking a scenic cruise on what is said to be Europe’s purest lake. Journeying home, keep an eye out for the many red and white Savoyard Cross flags and “Savoie Libre” painted on the rocky valley sides – a reminder that this passionately independent region only became French in 1860, retaining a strong Savoyard identity to this day!

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DAY 4 - CABLE CAR TO AIGUILLE DU MIDIToday epitomises Chamonix’s raison d’être! Heading high – and then even higher - soaring up the valley to the very top of the peaks above – to a land of blindingly white, snowcapped summits with jagged, iron red pinnacles. We are on a cable car whisking you over 3,842 metres (12,568 feet) to the top of the Aiguille du Midi, towering far above almost every other surrounding mountain. The upper section spans almost a vertical mile above the tumbling ice of the Pelerins glacier and the steep upper rock face of the Aiguille itself – note the climbers making the ascent the hard way! This is Europe’s highest point without climbing yourself!

Nature at its most awe-inspiring, the views are just breathtaking. Marvel at the snowclad slopes of adjacent Mont Blanc, the surrounding French, Swiss, Italian Alps and on a clear day the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa 80 kilometres away. You can take lunch at Europe’s highest restaurant too, but there is one surprise left of this incredible engineering feat -“step into the void”. A walk onto a clear glass floor hanging high above the steep rock for a truly dramatic perspective!

Eventually it’s time to drag yourself away from all the drama of the high mountains, rediscovering the reality of “normal” life back in the valley and some free time to explore as you wish.

DAY 5 - YVOIRE & EVIAN LES BAINSA change of style today on the shores of the tranquil Lake Geneva, firstly discovering wonderfully picturesque, 14th century Yvoire, one of the “most beautiful villages in France”. A lovely tangle of alleys lined with superb balconied medieval houses with billowing displays of wisteria dominated by a turreted castle and onion shaped church steeple. There are a splendid array of family restaurants plus a host of tasteful art galleries in which to linger.. The former kitchen garden of Yvore’s castle is now the evocative Garden of the Five Senses. Nearby is the opulent spa town of Evian Les Bains, where in the 19th century its waters were held to be a ‘cure all’ for kidneys, and taking into account the French fascination with wine and cognac – this was big news! These newly discovered medicinal qualities promoted rapid transformation becoming one of the ‘Belle Epoque’ periods most fashionable destinations, enhanced by regular visits from socialites and royalty including Marcel Proust, the Aga Khan and George V. The world first film makers, the Lumiere brothers

built a classic example of grandiose spa architecture here, now hosting outstanding cultural exhibitions, but the jewel in Evian’s crown is its art nouveau masterpiece Promenade. Take a stroll along here then take the water, filtered through the Alps for 15 years, at the Source Cachat.

DAY 6 - AOSTA Today we encounter yet another engineering masterpiece, 11km of Europe’s longest tunnel under Mont Blanc itself, emerging in Italy. It’s astonishing that such a short journey reveals such change in architectural style, people and climate, let alone the language and overall culture. We soon arrive at an undiscovered gem, Aosta, a remarkable mix of ancient culture and yet more spectacular scenery. Its very name evolving from Augustus Praetoria to Aosta betrays its Roman origins and we have a guided walk of their extensive legacies. Once the towns entrance, an incredible arch still retains some of its original marble facing which in all our thirty plus years of tour operating to similar sites, we have not come across elsewhere. There is an amphitheatre too, a still in use bridge, series of archways, plus much more. Its medieval heritage is evident too with a lovely cathedral and convent to see. Most enjoyable though, is to simply wander absorbing the ambience of typical Italian street life and during the short journey back to France, just contemplate how all this variety can be so readily adjacent.

DAY 7 - CHÂTEAU DE CHILLON & MONTREUX Today we drive through the spectacular Mont Blanc range and over the Col des Montets and Col de la Forclaz, winding down the many twisting hairpins to the fledgling River Rhône. Crossing into Switzerland on stunning Lake Geneva is the medieval Château de Chillon, inspiration for Byron’s “Prisoner of Chillon”. Almost perfectly preserved, it’s Switzerland’s most visited monument with a host of original features including coats of arms, iron fireplaces and lots of the original wooden structure, indeed it’s almost a village with walls. Above there are intricately painted ceilings, original leaded windows with wall murals and tile work still in place. There is even a medieval clock, and this being Switzerland – it still works!

Driving though pretty Montreux, we call at stately Lausanne in its glorious setting with stunning views across the shimmering lake to the towering Alps opposite. Historic lake paddle-steamer ships plod across the serene waters with giant Swiss flags billowing from the stern– this really is the material of countless travel posters! Wander along the scenic

promenade, take in the atmosphere watching the world go by from a fin de siècle cafe or perhaps visit the outstanding Museum of the Olympics before we return to Chamonix.

DAY 8 - RETURN JOURNEY Today at the appropriate time you will returned to Geneva for your homeward journey. COMPLIMENTARY GUIDED WALKAn increasing number of you want to stretch your legs whilst away so you may want to join our complimentary walk. Places are limited so please advise at time of booking. Starting in the charming town of Chamonix we begin our stunning walk through some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in the world. Our most scenic route takes us along the Petit Balcon Sud to the picturesque village of Las Gallands whilst our expert guide shares with us some of the tales that make this glorious area so special and alluring to its visitors. We arrive at our final destination and take in the simply magnificent views of the Aiguilles de Chamonix one of the most famous alpine landscapes in the world. You will have time to soak up this awe-inspiring scenery whilst reflecting on your journey with newly made friends. Approximately 4 miles. 3 hrs/ trip duration approx. 4 hours. ALTITUDE NOTE At the top of the Aiguille du Midi you are 3,842 metres (12,568 feet) above sea level so if you have any potential health problems, please consult your doctor before travelling. The rest of the itinerary poses no such problems.

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Soar like an eagle in the only vehicle capable of affording you the stunning bird’s eye vista of the Mont Blanc Massif – a state-of-the-art helicopter. One of the world’s most famous mountain ranges, it is magnificent enough when seen from the ground, but from the air, it is truly one of the most awe-inspiring displays of Mother Nature's treasures which you will ever behold. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

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Immersed in France’s bucolic rural heart, see its charming honey-coloured rural villages, sophisticated pre-historic art, gorgeous gardens and timeless

medieval towns bursting with market-day life

D OR D O G N E , A L B I & C A RC A S S ON N E

• Return flights or return standard class Eurostar and Intercités train• Seven nights in four and three-star superior accommodation with breakfast and five dinners• Walking tour of delightfully medieval Sarlat• Tour of the meticulously reproduced prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux depicting fauna from the Stone Age• Travel by traditional flat-bottomed boat through the river Dordogne valley

• Visits to some of France’s most attractive medieval villages: Domme, Rocamadour and Roque-Gageac• Stroll around the typically formal gardens at Marqueyssac• See Cahors’ fine examples of medieval military architecture• Visit Albi with its remarkable Gothic cathedral, home town of Toulouse-Lautrec• Walking tour of the dramatic 13th century fortress city of Carcassonne• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Castelnaud in Dordogne valley

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Far removed from the noise and pace of modern life, on this fascinating tour you can completely immerse yourself in deepest France.

Here is a hauntingly beautiful, undulating rural landscape covered with a verdant carpet of dense oak, walnut and chestnut forests slashed by deep, twisting gorges lined by craggy cliffs filled with sparklingly pure, trout-filled rivers. It’s bisected by dry-stone walls, studded with isolated farm houses and wonderfully medieval, honey-coloured stone villages which spring into vibrant life on market days just as they have always done. Unchanged for centuries and blessed with a wonderfully benign climate, its magnificence will take your breath away.

From the very dawn of European art and civilisation come the remarkable stone-age cave paintings of Lascaux. The sheer intricacy of this work and the skill and imagination used is beyond belief. There are troglodytic villages set into huge cliffs which remarkably are still inhabited.

The Romans ruled here for 400 years introducing the vine which of course was immediately adopted with gusto! Then came the Cathars and the Wars of Religion, after which France became, more or less a united country. During medieval times, after the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to our own Henry II, the fate of England and France became very much intertwined. With future succession disputed, the Hundred Years’ War commenced and legacies of this violent period abound throughout the region.

Today these splendid walled towns and hill-top castles are a delight to explore and it is difficult to imagine this wonderfully quiet and peaceful scene was once so violent. This history culminates as you gaze in wonder at the turrets and ramparts of the extraordinary walled city of 13th century Carcassonne. Art and culture are an ever present theme too, from the many craftsmen and artisans that have embraced the peaceful villages as their ideal home, to the extensive religious works in Albi’s remarkable Cathedral. Beautifully brick-built, Albi nestles serenely on the banks of the majestic River Tarn and was home to Toulouse- Lautrec, one of the world’s great artists and you can see a superb exhibition of his finest work.

There is so much to experience on this tour but the memory which will probably last longest is the stunning beauty of the countryside, the charm and allure of the enchanting villages and the seemingly idyllic lifestyle of the French themselves.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN SARLAT You should arrive at the airport to take your flights to Toulouse or Carcassonne or you can travel by train via Paris to Souillac. On arrival you will be taken to the three-star superior hotel Relais de la Moussidiere for four nights with dinner on the edge of delightful Sarlat, probably the most picturesque town in the Dordogne. The hotel is beautifully situated in 15 acres of rolling countryside with two lakes teeming with birdlife and deer - the ideal spot to take a pre-dinner stroll. The property dates from a 17th century farmhouse and has been converted to an extremely tasteful hotel in complete harmony with its rural surroundings. Constructed from local honey-coloured stone, exposed beams, antique furniture and terracotta tiles are evident throughout and there is even a wine press outside giving a wonderful rural French ambience. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool, open during summer months, weather permitting.

DAY 2 - SARLAT The timeless market town of Sarlat dates from Charlemagne’s time. Today it’s an architectural jewel constructed from the local luminous golden stone with 13th century buildings lining its narrow twisting alleys. Such is its striking state of preservation, Sarlat has been the setting for a host of films, including Les Misérables and Joan of Arc. The street life is wonderful - watch the locals tasting the produce on offer: pungent cheeses, fine charcuterie and the market stalls positively groan under the weight of colourful ripe vegetables. Watch friends meet in the street, kiss on both cheeks then immediately proceed to catch up on the local gossip! This is quintessential provincial France in its purest form.

Unusually for this part of France, Sarlat was only under English rule for around ten years and during our morning guided tour, as we amble through the atmospheric cobbled streets, we learn how the area has stood the test of time after a long and troubled thousand year history.

This afternoon we travel through the mists of time at the famous caves of nearby Lascaux. Here, 17,000 years ago, at the very dawn of European human habitation, our pre-historic ancestors established the continent’s earliest known sacred human site and we have a staggering glimpse back into their thoughts as we discover their amazing cave art. The original cave, was closed in the 1960s because of damage caused by CO2 exhalation from

visitors, so what you are viewing is actually a copy. However, do not think the visit is any less fascinating for this as the entire site has been perfectly reproduced using original techniques, which is a stunning achievement in itself. This meticulous replication took six years and has been achieved to a tolerance of just 3mm! If rock has fallen from the roof revealing a cavity and different colours – the resulting changes have been reproduced! The staggering 2,000 figures, galloping herds of horses, groups of grazing deer and even a 5 metre long bull, make use of ‘perspective’ and illusionary ‘3D’ techniques to create a scene of remarkable beauty. If created today the works would not be out of place in the world’s great galleries, but more than that, recent research suggests that the positioning of the various animals reflects the celestial location of various constellations at the winter solstice.

The secrets of Lascaux are still being unravelled but this incredible sophistication proves these prehistoric artists were far from primitive!

DAY 3 - ROCAMADOUR Today we follow the extraordinarily picturesque river Dordogne to one of France’s most instantly recognisable sights – the remarkable village and monastery of Rocamadour. As we round the twisting ever-ascending lanes, the view of this eclectic, almost vertical village assaults you. Hewn from the rock itself, dominating the riverbed below, its contours and overall beauty are highlighted by the bright sunlight. Following the discovery of St Amadour’s perfectly preserved body, Rocamadour became a pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages,the ‘Lourdes of its time’, famed for its healing powers and visited by numerous monarchs. The monument is the village itself so there’s time to explore under your own steam.

In complete contrast, this afternoon, we take a delightful trip on a restored vintage train through the heart of the scenic valley, twisting around cliffs affording yet more stunning views.

DAY 4 - BEYNAC & ROQUE-GAGEAC Within a couple of lazy meanders of the graceful River Dordogne, is a remarkable collection of places embodying the fascinating melange of dramatic natural features, centuries of history and varied cultural delights which make the Dordogne one of the most special parts of France. Firstly we see the great fortress of Beynac, captured by Richard the Lionheart towering above the river. The views are amazing and the maze of narrow alleys and cobbled squares in the village below are recognised as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’. Next we visit the unusual ‘Overhanging Gardens’ of Marqueyssac. This beautiful formal display took 30 years to create and the superbly relaxing path through clipped box hedges and indigenous trees, plus one of the best panoramic views in the Dordogne, puts these gardens in a class apart.

Nestling next to the river with its creamy-coloured stone houses, Roque-Gageac is almost too perfect and is often winner of France’s ‘Prettiest Village’ contest. Here we board a traditional ‘gabare’- boats once used for transporting wine amongst other things, for a sense of the way of life that once dominated the region. This afternoon we visit Domme, a magnificent walled town with several fortified gates, yet more stunning views, an array of fine medieval dwellings plus goldsmiths’ houses and a delightful covered market.

DAY 5 - CAHORS This morning we bid farewell to the Dordogne travelling south to delightful Cahors, with its splendid 14th century fortified Valentré bridge majestically spanning the River Lot. Continuing, the countryside gradually changes from rolling wooded slopes of lush green to the more pale yellows, ochres and endless fields of the instantly recognisable sunflowers so typical of southern France.

You stay three nights with breakfast and one dinner in Carcassonne. We use two hotels, both owned by the same family who are third-generation hoteliers and very professional in their approach. The four-star Mercure is set at the medieval gates of the old-city thus making exploration very easy with contemporary rooms in pastel colours and of very good quality. The restaurant looks out onto the tasteful terrace from where you can enjoy views of the old city over a refreshing drink. Actually within the old city itself, is the three-star superior hotel Le Donjon which consists of three separate medieval houses. This has been a superb restoration programme with each room being different thus reflecting the 15th century features of each wonderful building. The quality is extremely good with traditional terracotta tiles, exposed wood beams and stonework, all combined with the features of a modern hotel. Some dates will stay in Albi at the four-star hotel Saint-Antoine. This comfortable hotel is centrally located just a few minutes’ walk from the sights and has a quality restaurant. The rooms are very well appointed as you would expect, with many furnished with tasteful antiques. Ideal to relax in after some sightseeing are the peaceful, flower adorned gardens at the rear. (Please note that for tours staying in Albi, Days 6 & 7 will be operated in reverse order.)

DAY 6 - CARCASSONNE There are many historic ‘old towns’ in France but none quite compares to Carcassonne with its magnificent medieval citadel, its fairytale-like, cone-topped turrets and serrated cream-coloured battlements. You will have a guided tour during which you will experience a wonderful sense of timelessness, wandering ancient cobbled lanes founded by Romans and trodden over the centuries by Visigoths, Saracens and rich medieval merchants. The citadel remains a living village and this afternoon you will have time to discover its more peaceful corners, absorbing the unique atmosphere of this truly special place.

DAY 7 - ALBI Albi came to prominence as a centre of Catharism, an unusual Christian sect but with some rather ‘strange’ views including the worship of two gods with the Pope being the representative of neither, all men being equal – as wealth itself should be and all should have a vote - including women. Obviously this was pretty radical stuff for the 12th century! The Pope declared them heretics and initiated a crusade against them. Today, on approaching Albi, you will see the stunning brick built city, dominated by one of the finest gothic cathedrals you will ever see crowning the opposite bank highlighted against the sky. The overall ambience here is different from the Dordogne, more Mediterranean in character and during our guided tour we will learn all about this once independent state featuring a visit to the cathedral, arguably the largest brick building in the world. Its sumptuous interior is breathtaking in its detail and boasts one of Europe’s most important medieval

works, an enormous mural of the Last Judgement. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish. The renowned artist Toulouse-Lautrec was born here and a museum houses a rich collection of his most famous works. It is just lovely though to amble around Albi’s old town, one of France’s largest conservation areas.

DAY 8 - RETURN JOURNEY You will be transferred to the airport or station for your return journey at the appropriate time.

Cave paintings at Lascaux

Beynac

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8 DAYS

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Striking natural beauty, immortalised by Van Gogh and Cezanne, home of the Papacy and capital of Roman Gaul. Provence evokes an ambience of provincial France at its finest

U N DI S C OV E R E D PROV E NC E

• Return scheduled flights or standard class reserved seat on Eurostar and TGV (French high-speed train) from London St. Pancras• Seven nights in a choice of accommodation rated three-star superior to five stars, with breakfast and two dinners, plus two dinners in excellent restaurants serving fine Provençale cuisine• Tour of colourful Cassis and a boat trip to see the stunning Calanques• Guided walking tour of Aix-en-Provence, Provence’s stylish capital• Visit to Avignon – home of the Pope’s Palace and almost mythical bridge

• Walking tour of Arles, capital of Roman Gaul, with an iconic amphitheatre and immortalised by Van Gogh• Tour of the Camargue, one of France’s finest nature reserves, famous for its black bulls, white horses and pink flamingos• Tour of the Luberon Hills and it’s timeless Provencal villages so vividly described in Peter Mayle’s book ‘A Year in Provence’• Visit to the Pont du Gard, one of the ancient Romans’ largest aqueducts• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Typical provincial landscape

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Of all the regions of France, Provence is the most irresistible. The borders are defined by nature: to the west, the River Rhone; the south, the Mediterranean;

the east, the Alps; and to the north, where the olive trees end.

It is a land of striking natural beauty and great diversity - from sun baked plains with fields of lavender, interspaced with vineyards and olive groves, crowned in the distance by the hills of the Luberon and the azure blue sky. The deep valleys are the home of vast oak and pine forests giving that unmistakable Mediterranean aroma to the air.

Historically the Greeks visited, the Phonecians traded, the Saracens looted, but most of all the Romans settled. All have left their legacies but the Romans loved Provence so much that there are more remains of their remarkable civilisation here than anywhere else outside Italy.

The desolate wilderness of the Camargue is fascinating, with its white horses galloping across flat wetlands, herds of black bulls and striking flocks of pink flamingos, which appear to fly and land in perfect formation!

The towns are a delight and so distinctive - perhaps the most famous being Aix en Provence – its old quarter is street upon colourful street of traditional shops with quiet and hidden squares, complete with the soft murmur of ancient fountains giving an atmosphere of cool tranquillity. It has vibrant, colourful markets and crowded café terraces nestling under the shade of countless plane trees. The majestic Mont St. Victoire, so immortalised by Cézanne, towers over all: Paris-like in stature and style, yet village like in gentility, pace and ambience. This is the real France so beloved by Van Gogh, Renoir and countless other artists who worked here, finding inspiration in the fullness of colour and luminosity of light. All the fragrances and colours of this sunburnt land are concentrated in its cuisine. No place for boredom here: a hint of garlic and olive oil combined with seafood and fresh Mediterranean vegetables, blended with fragrant herbs. Succulent lamb is a speciality, simply roasted over grape vines, all washed down with a glass of the local Châteauneuf-du-Pape, some of the finest wine in the world – what could be better?

So, for a unique blend of interesting and superb monuments, fine food, culture and most of all, some outstanding scenery, come with us and see . . .

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN AIX-EN-PROVENCEFly to Nice, Marseille or Montpellier, or you can travel by Eurostar and TGV to Aix-en- Provence. You have a choice of hotels where we stay for seven nights including bed and breakfast, two dinners in your chosen hotel and two dinners in excellent quality restaurants giving you a real taste of the local cuisine, and an authentic insight into French life.

DAY 2 - TOUR OF AIX-EN-PROVENCE Aix en Provence is a stunningly beautiful place, originally a spa town founded by the Romans. It is a labyrinth of tiny alleyways and squares and is known as the ‘city of a thousand fountains’. This is provincial France at its best.

Paul Cézanne was the city’s favourite son and he painted 300 paintings here and in the surrounding area, with his workshop preserved exactly how it was when he died in 1906. This morning, you have tour of the city after which you may explore as you wish.

DAY 3 - THE CAMARGUE After breakfast you leave Aix and head for the nearby coast and the delta of the great River Rhone -

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the Camargue – now designated a National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty famed for its iconic black bulls, white horses and pink

flamingos.Next you arrive in Arles, the ‘Pearl of

Provence’. Although not very large today, in Roman times it was the imposing capital of Gaul, Britain and Spain with a range of monuments to match. Its preservation has been remarkable and on go on a fascinating walking tour you will see the forum, theatre

and incredible amphitheatre plus much more of this superb city. Van Gogh lived here for two years and,

inspired by the Provençal countryside, produced 200 paintings and 100 drawings including such famous

works as ‘Sunflowers’, ‘Café de Nuit’, ‘The Red Vines’ and ‘The Sower’. After some free time,

you are then free to return to your hotel.

DAY 4 - LUBERON MOUNTAINS This morning you head inland to the stunning scenery of the Luberon mountains. It was here that Peter Mayle found inspiration for his book, A Year in Provence. First of all, you cross the fertile plains adorned with olive and peach groves which change to rich vineyards on the lower slopes. Then as you climb, there is row upon row of fragrant lavender, together with the mimosa and pine trees, that give the unmistakable aroma which is one of Provence’s hallmarks. Once famous as the haunt of highwaymen, with the castle of the Marquis de Sade, it is now a much prized nature reserve.

DAY 5 - AVIGNON Today you visit nearby Avignon, one of Europe’s most historic cities. Its destiny changed early in the 14th century with the exile of the Pope’s court from Rome. Vast wealth poured in to build churches, convents and elegant townhouses, but most of all the incredible Papal Palace. You have time to visit this imposing building which from the outside resembles a citadel rising from living rock flanked by turrets more than 150 feet high.

Alternatively, there is the Petit Palais museum which houses an excellent collection of more than 1,000 paintings. You also visit the Pont du Gard, an amazing Roman aqueduct, wider than the Thames in London and one of the wonders of the ancient world. You then return to your hotel in Aix.

DAY 6 - FREE DAY Today have a free day to spend as you wish. Perhaps sample some local produce at one of the many markets to be found every morning tucked away on a pretty square, perhaps visit the brilliant Musee Granet with a gallery entirely devoted to Cezanne, plus works by Degas, Picasso, Renoir, Monet and host of others or the fascinating Museum of Natural History, exhibiting a collection of dinosaur eggs from the slopes of the nearby Mont Ste-Victoire.

Typical provincial landscape

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Probably best though is just wander through Aix’s maze of ancient street lined by its 17th and 18th century mansions, admire the graceful charm of its fountains, the majesty of its avenues, the intimacy of its cafes absorbing the entire inimitable atmosphere. Perhaps though, just relax with a book, the choice is yours!

DAY 7 - CASSIS Today we head just south to the rugged Mediterranean Coast to visit probably Provence’s most alluring port, Cassis, an utterly charming little spot with its myriad of fishing boats riding at anchor, overlooked by a mighty medieval fortress. This gorgeous bay has drawn many famous visitors over the years including Virginia Woolfe and Sir Winston Churchill, who took painting lessons here in the 1920s. Explore the sights or taste some delicious local seafood before, for the finest possible vistas, we explore by boat the stunning Massif des Calanques’s dazzling white cliffs and pinnacles erupting from the sea.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today you return to the airport or railway station at the appropriate time to return home.

HOTELSSituated on the outskirts of the city, the three-star superior rated Novotel Aix Beaumanoir is purpose built property with comfortable rooms with air conditioning, satellite TV, safe and private facilities. Set in its own garden the hotel has a pleasant bar and restaurant, outside terrace and

heated swimming pool open all year round and staff are extremely friendly and welcoming.

The four-star rated Aquabella Hotel and Spa is located right on the edge of the old town and is a veritable oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of the historic centre. Set in a large private garden featuring its own olive grove, the stunning heated swimming pool is flanked by one of the only remaining parts of medieval walls of the city. Simply unique. It's light filled restaurant overlooks the gardens, serves an extensive buffet breakfast, and evening meals feature many local specialities.

The hotel boasts both internal and external bars making great use of the beautiful tranquil outdoor space, and affords direct access to the Sensory

Spa with Hammam, sauna, fitness room, large Jacuzzi and Feng Sui relaxation room with moving water wall. Rooms are extremely comfortable and tastefully decorated using warm Mediterranean colours, air conditioned with safe satellite TV, minibar and private facilities.

The four-star superior MGallery Roi Renné, one of Aix’s finest hotels, is stunningly chic offering a truly stylish atmosphere coupled with attentive and friendly service just steps away from the Cours Mirabeau the city’s principal and most atmospheric avenue. Light and airy rooms feature fine quality fittings and all the modern comforts you would expect. The hotel is air conditioned throughout and centred round an internal courtyard with plenty of comfortable seating and a beautifully inviting heated pool, the intimate bar and restaurant are the perfect

place to relax.Opened in 2014 the purpose built five-star

Renaissance is set just a short walk from the historic centre in a new and exciting cultural area. Pale marble is coupled with rustic oak flooring, contemporary yet comfortable furniture and many modern art installations adorn the public spaces. The hotel exudes class: from the light filled spacious lobby, to the beautiful indoor pool, immaculately manicured large garden and bistro restaurant. Rooms are extremely spacious, bright, airy and beautifully decorated.

You comfort is assured with the finest modern fittings and a true attention to every detail. A simply stunning sanctuary.

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8 DAYS

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Scenic sun-soaked countryside dotted with illustrious wine villagesand flourishing vineyards, plus vibrant cities rich in history,

culture and gastronomic delights

B U RG U N DY, DI JON & T H E R HÔN E VA L L E Y

• Return flights or standard class reserved seats on Eurostar and TGV (French high-speed train) from London St. Pancras• Seven nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast and two dinners • Tour of Lyon, the second city of France and its gastronomic capital• Visit to charming Vienne, once a major centre of the Roman empire• Visit to Cluny, once home to Europe’s most powerful monastery• Guided visit to Château de Cormartin

• Guided walking tour of medieval Beaune, Burgundy’s wine capital, plus a tour and tasting at a local winemaker’s• Visit to Fontenay Abbey, the world’s oldest Cistercian abbey• Visit to Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, named one of France’s most beautiful villages • Guided walking tour of Dijon, capital city of Burgundy, famed for its mustard• Drive through the Route des Grands Crus, the region’s most famous wine road• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Beautiful Burgundy is synonymous with world-class wine and landscapes reminiscent of Tuscany, with sun-kissed vineyards, rolling verdant hills, and

some of the most picturesque villages in France. Lush expanses of unspoilt countryside are criss-crossed by meandering streams and rivers, from the Loire to the Yonne, linking the multitude of towns that are treasure troves waiting to be discovered. All along the animated Saône river are towns tracing their origins to Gallo-Roman ports that continued to thrive during the Middle Ages. Many of the towns and villages dotting the region simply ooze medieval charm – it’s a trip back in time seeing timber-framed houses in a maze of cobbled alleys and arcades.

Both vines and cultures have prospered in this outstanding region. There are numerous archaeological sites and museums bearing witness to mankind’s existence throughout time, from Palaeolithic hunters and ancient Celts, to Vercingétorix and Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. The region is home to no less than four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the 11th century Fontenay Abbey that we’ll visit. Today it is still a land of creativity, where artistic innovation flourishes in pottery and ceramics, painting and sculpture.

Our thoughtfully-balanced tour takes you through some of France’s most breathtaking countryside and exciting cities, from lively Lyon in the neighbouring Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, to the wine capital of Beaune, the picture-postcard village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, and the handsome Burgundian capital, Dijon. We’ll follow the famous Route des Grands Crus, along which lie some of the most illustrious vineyards, and we’ll visit historical wonders including a fabulously ostentatious 17th century chateau. In 2015, Burgundy's vineyards were granted UNESCO World Heritage status for a centuries-old history of viticulture, and the astounding diversity of its wine-growing terroir.

A tour of the region would not be complete without the second of France’s great passions – delicious food. The locals are as passionate about their food as their wine, and the fact that boeuf bourguinon and coq au vin are two of their most famous regional dishes, speaks volumes about the influence of Burgundian cuisine in kitchens the world over. Other enticing exports include mustard from Dijon, and cassis, the blackcurrant liqueur used in the popular French cocktail Kir. In Burgundy alone, there are dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants, so wherever we go, you’re sure to find something that suits your palate.

The locals have much to savour, from the rich offerings of the earth and the sensual, varied landscapes, to the lively music that lures visitors to the heart of towns. Here in the medieval villages, where time appears to have stopped and life moves at a slower pace, we are reminded of how wonderful it can be to stop and smell the roses. This relaxed approach is reflected in the friendly demeanour of the lovely Burgundians, who will make you feel welcome with a big smile and a cheerful ‘Bonjour!’ Indeed, Burgundy is a land of cultural and gastronomic marvels as you’ll discover throughout our journey. We guarantee you’ll fall in love, but don’t just take our word for it – come and experience it for yourself. DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN LYONYou should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Lyon, or you can travel by Eurostar to Paris then by TGV to Lyon. We stay for three nights at the four-star Mercure Lyon Centre Saxe Lafayette. This includes daily breakfast and dinner on a night of your choice, subject to the hotel restaurant’s availability, whilst on other nights you are free to sample the gastronomic delights at the city’s many high-quality restaurants.

The hotel is centrally located and offers spacious and contemporary rooms with free WiFi, LCD satellite TV, refrigerator, tea and coffee-making facilities, safe, air-conditioning, radio and hair dryer.

Regional cuisine using seasonal ingredients is served at the Le Garage restaurant, where

the head sommelier can recommend the perfect wine to complement each dish. A small indoor

pool and a bar for refreshments are also available.

DAY 2 - LYONAfter breakfast, we enjoy a walking tour of Lyon, France’s second city. Since ancient times, the Rhône valley has been the route of choice for invading armies and peaceful traders, and nestling at the confluence of two great rivers, the Rhône and the Saône, the area cried out to be fortified. It was founded by the Gauls before Julius Caesar made it his capital, and the Emperor Claudius, conqueror of Britain, was born here. The city came to prominence from the Middle Ages, prospering from the production of silk. Wealth poured in, funding many Renaissance buildings, grand churches and the splendid town square, the Place Bellecour, which today adds greatly to the city’s character. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is crammed with atmospheric antique shops and intriguing traboules, narrow passageways that enabled merchants to easily transport their wares to the river, and are today just as delightful to amble through.

Lyon is often referred to as the gastronomic capital of France – if you ask a local, that means it’s the food capital of the world as well! Nouvelle cuisine was invented close by, and there are more amazing food shops and restaurants per capita than anywhere else, including over a dozen Michelin-starred restaurants. Don’t leave without sampling Lyonnais specialties in a quintessential bouchon, a kind of restaurant typical of the area, serving heartier dishes in a cosy atmosphere.

In the afternoon, you have time to explore at your leisure. Wander around the charming old town full of interesting shops, or visit the many outstanding museums, such as the Musée des Confluences, a science centre and anthropology museum. Take the funicular to the Notre Dame de Fourvière, a marvel of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. Or you could choose to enjoy a river cruise to see the city from a different perspective. DAY 3 - VIENNE This morning, we visit the ancient stronghold of Vienne, situated on the banks of the Rhône. Established under Caesar, it was a major centre of

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the Roman empire and now a gold mine of historic remains. After a short orientation with the tour manager, you have free time to explore on your own. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and try to spot traces of ancient legacy. The ancient Roman Theatre was built in the first century and said to have been, at one time, amongst the largest in Gaul with an impressive capacity of 13,000. At its peak, the theatre would’ve hosted a range of social events, from games to public meetings. Today, it’s a popular venue for musical events. Just a short walk away is the well-preserved Temple of Augustus and Livia, whilst further towards the river is the beautiful Romanesque church of St. Peter, one of France’s oldest Christian buildings dating from the 5th century. Wherever you wander, there are many places to sit and watch the world go by. We return to Lyon after lunch, when you’ll have more free time to explore or relax. DAY 4 - CLUNY, CHÂTEAU DE CORMATIN & BEAUNEWe depart Lyon and cross into the Burgundy region, stopping at modest Cluny, surrounded by scenic countryside peppered with sleepy villages and Romanesque churches. Time really seems to stand still in the Grosne valley, and you can see why artists, writers and poets were drawn here. The town’s history is intertwined with that of Medieval Europe. Its famous 10th century Benedictine Abbey was once the greatest European power, controlling more than 10,000 monks from Scotland to Poland, and up till the 12th century, the town was a spiritual, intellectual, artistic and political centre. Another highlight is the National Stud Farm for thoroughbred stallions, established in 1806 to meet the demand from Napoleon’s armies, but today is where these pedigree horses are bred for racing. Peruse the local shops or treat yourself to a delicious pastry at the many inviting patisseries – there is no shortage of places to eat.

After lunch, we take a short drive to Château de Cormartin and enjoy a guided visit of this sumptuous 17th century icon. Originally a medieval fortress controlling the road to the Cluny Abbey, a lavish château eventually took its place to showcase the great success and wealth of nobleman Antoine du Blé. Complete with moat and formal gardens, the château consists of three residential wings arranged in a horseshoe, with a monumental entrance and drawbridge on the fourth side. The most extravagant Louis XIII apartments in France can be found here, and wondrously its interiors have remained intact. Fireplaces, ceilings and panelling were decorated with exceptional exuberance, whilst numerous paintings, tapestries and furniture so chic to the period add to the overwhelming air of aristocracy.

We then continue on to Beaune, where we stay for the next four nights at the well-located four-star Mercure Beaune Centre hotel. Recently renovated, the contemporary hotel is equipped with all the facilities you would expect, including air-conditioning, TV, radio, free WiFi, and hair dryer. There is an outdoor swimming pool with bar service, subject to seasonal openings. Dinner is included for one evening on your choice of day at the hotel restaurant serving regional dishes – places are limited so please book in advance. For other evening meals, the town centre, only a short walk away, is filled with high-quality restaurants.

DAY 5 - BEAUNE & WINE-TASTINGAfter breakfast, we begin the day with a guided walking tour of vibrant Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, dedicated to wine and the crafts of the vine. The neighbouring villages boast some of the most famous vineyards in the Côte-d’Or area, enough to bring a twinkle to any wine lover’s eyes. A real standout is the stunning Hospices de Beaune, also known as the Hôtel Dieu, originally built in the 15th century as a hospital for the poor. A jewel of High Gothic architecture, its instantly recognisable polychrome roof is in the unique, multi-coloured style characteristic of traditional local architecture – glazed flat tiles form interesting patterns. The passion for wine is so deeply rooted here that one of the city’s most prominent events is the annual Beaune Wine Festival, where a prestigious wine auction organised by Christie’s takes place, raising a considerable amount for charity.

You have free time to explore this charming medieval town and the many gems it has to offer. There are lots of small shops offering local specialities, such as earthy truffles and Burgundy’s gourmet trilogy of blackcurrant, gingerbread and mustard. Of course, a visit to the wine capital would not be complete without sampling Burgundy’s renowned wine, so in the afternoon, we visit the cellars of one of the most traditional of winemakers for an exclusive tour and tasting. DAY 6 - FONTENAY ABBEY & FLAVIGNY-SUR-OZERAINThis morning, we visit the exceptional Fontenay Abbey, the world’s oldest preserved Cistercian abbey and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in 1098, the abbey took off after the arrival of French abbot Saint Bernard and his companions, and became the cradle of Cistercian order. Beautifully preserved, you really get a sense of the monastic life, moving through the cloisters, chapter houses, forge and dormitory, all set in a picturesque landscape surrounded by forest.

Next, we visit Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, named one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France – “The Most Beautiful Villages of France”. Perched on a hilltop

60 km from Dijon, it affords awe-inspiring views of the rolling hills in the surrounding area. The village was built around a Benedictine abbey founded in the 8th century, and as you wander through the narrow streets, traces of the Middle Ages can be seen. Large sections of a great medieval wall still surround the village today, including the Porte du Val or the gate to the city. Observe the village’s cobbled streets and beautiful houses with flowery façades - it’s no surprise this charming village was the chosen location for the 2000 box office hit Chocolat. When the wind is in the west, follow your nose and the aroma of aniseed all the way to the former abbey, where the local speciality, Anis de Flavigny or aniseed-flavoured sweets, is still made by the artisans who still live here. After, we return to Beaune for the evening. DAY 7 - DIJON This morning, we have a guided tour of the city of Dijon, which has been the capital of Burgundy since the 5th century. Once the former home of the Burgundian Dukes, the city is rich with plenty of well-preserved monuments in the town centre, which deserves it place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Spot the many different architectural styles – fine stone façades interspersed with half-timbered medieval buildings add charm and character. We’ll see the Gothic masterpiece that is the Church of Notre-Dame and the grand Ducal Palace, overlooked by the Philippe le Bon tower. Piercing the skyline is the spire of the beautiful Dijon Cathedral, another Gothic chef-d'oeuvre and a national monument of France, recognised for its heritage.

You are then free to explore this marvellously rich city. Visit the Dijon Archaeological Museum and see its collection of over 1,500 votive offerings, recovered at a sanctuary dedicated to Sequana, the Gallo-Roman goddess of the Seine. Or follow the Owl’s Trail, a 22-stage heritage trail through the historic centre, designed to transport you back in time. Perhaps pick up a souvenir or two whilst you browse the shops, such as some mustard, for which the city is famous.

We later return to Beaune via the scenic Grands Crus Route, the region’s most famous wine road. Watch out for spectacular countryside views of vineyards producing some of the world’s finest wines, spread between stone-built villages and churches topped with steeples – sights you’ll remember for many years to come. DAY 8 - RETURN EUROSTAR / FLIGHTToday we transfer to either Lyon for your return flight, or to Dijon for your Eurostar train journey back home.

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The Cote d’Azur’s ambiance and unique blend of natural beauty, hilltop medieval villages and sophisticated resorts will set your imagination on fire

N IC E , MONAC O & T H E C OT E D’A Z U R

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star or four-star superior accommodation with breakfast• Two dinners in carefully selected local restaurants• Guided walk of Nice with: its fine art; Italianate, fin de siècle buildings and rabbit warren of atmospheric medieval streets and alleys• Visit and tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo• Tour of some of France’s most outstanding mountain scenery, the remote Gorges du Loup• Visit to the spectacular Villa Ephrussi, once home to the Rothschild banking dynasty, crammed with amazing art works and surrounded by nine pristine gardens

• Tour of Menton, with its honey-coloured shuttered buildings, Cocteau museum and grave of William Webb Ellis – the ‘inventor’ of Rugby• Tour the traditional perfumeries in Grasse discovering how some of the world’s finest fragrances are blended• Visit the delightful medieval harbour town of Antibes, once home to Picasso• Visit to the charming artists village of St Paul de Vence, final resting place of Marc Chagall• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Nice Flower Market

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No French region fires the imagination like the Cote d’Azur, with its unique blend of natural beauty, hilltop medieval villages and sophisticated resorts.

It became a retreat for 19th century European aristocracy and royalty and attracted many leading composers and artists of the era. Renoir lived in Cagnes; Cocteau in Menton; Chagall and Matisse in Nice; Picasso moved to Antibes. Today, only Paris has more museums than the Côte d’Azur.

Follow in some famous footsteps on the Promenade des Anglais, after which all the world’s ‘promenades’ are named, lined by iconic fin de siècle and art-deco buildings.

The cuisine is legendary and the surrounding area is almost overloaded with fascinating places to visit: regal palaces and Monaco’s impossible opulence and its legendary F1 race circuit, quirky villas like the fabulous Villa Ephrussi housing eclectic collections; ancient towns like Antibes and Vence, fortified bastide villages, gorgeous gardens, perfumeries, marinas and the haunts of the rich and famous.

Our tour allows you to enjoy selected highlights of the area and plenty of time to explore as you wish. Whether you’re passionate about art, food, perfumes, gardens or simply enjoy the good life, join us in lifting the lid on one of the world’s foremost holiday destinations.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN NICE Fly to Nice, ‘capital’ of the Côte d’Azur. You will be met and transferred to your selected hotel, either the four-star Mercure Notre Dame, or the four-star superior Le Meridien, both centrally located, for seven nights. Dinner is included for two nights in specially selected local restaurants.

DAY 2 - NICE & VILLA EPHRUSSI This morning we discover Nice on a guided tour. Named after their goddess of victory, Nike, it was originally an ancient Greek settlement, then Roman and extensive remains are still visible. Famously arcing its way around the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels) is the iconic palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, backed by fine buildings. One of the highlights is the legendary flower market and its stalls laden with Provençal delicacies. The Place Massena is the heart of old Nice and lined by Venetian-style arches highlighting the city’s Italian heritage.

This afternoon we visit the region's finest gardens and art collection, the extraordinary Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. It boasts a stupendous yet eclectic mix including medieval and Renaissance works of art, Sèvres porcelain, Fragonard drawings and exceptional carpets and tapestries plus exquisite pieces from the Far East with everything world-class standard.

DAY 3 - MONACO Today we visit incomparable Monaco, home to many of the world’s rich and famous, but there’s so much more to it than that. We call at Eze, an ancient village perched precariously atop a limestone outcrop, high above the clear blue waters. Monaco comes into view, its juxtaposition of elegant palace buildings, Belle Epoque finery, rooftop pools and modern concrete structures hemmed between the sharp blue waters and the dusky green and white of the mountainside. Our guided tour gives you a real insight into its history, the story of its royal family – the Grimaldis – and the key features of its unrivalled Grand Prix circuit. We tour the old town – Monaco Ville – a rocky promontory dominated by the

magnificent Renaissance-style Royal Palace, which regularly hosted Napoleon. The old

town is like an openair museum with picturesque squares and

the impressive St. Nicholas cathedral where royalty including Prince Rainier and

his wife Grace Kelly are laid to rest. Leaving its royal quarter your tour continues into Monte Carlo, with a drive around the dazzling marina.

DAY 4 - FREE DAY Today is a free day to enjoy as you wish. Visit a museum,

explore the flower market, have a leisurely lunch. Outdoor pool

generally open May - October subject to weather conditions.

DAY 5 - GORGES DU LOUP & GRASSE This morning we head inland to delightful Vence, another fortified hilltop settlement, offering astonishing views of the surrounding countryside. Next we explore the spectacular mountain scenery of the ‘Gorges du Loup’, a series of gorges full of cascading rivers, stunning waterfalls and rapids twists from a high mountain plateau to the plains below.

Finally, we make our way towards Grasse, the ‘Perfume Capital of the World’. We are guests of the historic Fragonard perfumery where we learn about this fascinating traditional art and its history. Heading back to Nice, we pass fields of violets, roses, lavender and a host of other aromatic flowers, the raw materials for the perfumes we have just experienced.

DAY 6 - ANTIBES & ST PAUL DE VENCEThis morning we take the short drive to another of the region’s delightful and historic coastal towns, Antibes, the former Greek Antipolis. Seafaring has always been a tradition here ever since ancient galleys sought refuge from the Ligurian hordes and Crusaders left for the Holy Land. There’s plenty more to interest the visitor here, especially inside the ancient walls of the Old Town, where Graham Greene once walked along the narrow cobbled lanes.

This afternoon brings us to St Paul de Vence, a fortified medieval hilltop village where Chagall is buried. It has an artists’ community and a restaurant displaying works of art offered in payment by the then impoverished Picasso and Matisse amongst others. Further up the hillside, beyond the village is the Maeght Foundation, displaying sublime modern art by Miro, Chagall and Leger under natural Mediterranean light.

DAY 7- MENTONToday you’ll discover one of the Riviera’s most delightful towns, a place where wonderful gardens abound amongst elegant boulevards and shambling medieval cottages. The journey is a scenic delight, showcasing magnificent Menton, nestling between the sheltering slopes of the Alpes Maritimes and the warming sea, half way between Paris and Rome. It is also blessed with one of Europe’s mildest climates. Its restorative effect seemingly worked miracles in the 19th century.

At lunchtime, enjoy superb fresh fish by the quayside, on the elegant arches of Quai Bonaparte, or perhaps dine al fresco in the cool of a shady square. The medieval town stands sentinel over the bay, centred on the baroque St Michel Basilica with its fine campanile towering above the terracotta roofs. See the old cemetery, visited not just for its superb views but for the fascinating, mainly English and Russian graves.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today, at the appropriate time you will be taken to the airport for your return flight.

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The chateaux, once the epitome of aristocratic excess but architectural gems in their own right, combined with the inspirational natural beauty

of Monet’s garden and rural France in its purest form

MON E T ’ S G A R DE N , T H E LOI R E VA L L E Y & FON TA I N E B L E AU

• Return rail connections available on selected dates from over fifty regional stations• Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras International. Upgrades available at a supplement• Six nights in excellent three-star accommodation, with breakfast and three dinners• Visit impressionist artist, Claude Monet’s home and garden – see the ‘Water-Lily’ pond and ‘Japanese Bridge’• Visit the most beautiful valley in France

• Explore the finest of France’s stunning châteaux; Chinon, Chenonceau, Villandry and Fontainebleau• Visit to Chartres and its stunning gothic cathedral displaying Europe’s finest stained glass• Visit medieval Tours, royal Amboise and Leonardo da Vinci’s house• Guided tour of Fontevraud Abbey, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site • Visit to Saumur and the Ackermann wine cellars• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Amboise

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If you are looking to visit one of the most beautiful regions of France, then our tour of the Loire Valley is ideal – indeed the very name conjures up wonderful images in the mind. The châteaux, the

translation of ‘castles’ does not do them justice, are magnificent, and you have the opportunity to sample the best of them: Chenonceau, Villandry, Chinon and Amboise. The scenery is stunning too; in fact the valley is also known as The Garden of France and you can see why. Furthermore the harvest here is very rich: plums, apples and grapes – the area is renowned of course for its fine wines, namely Muscadet, Rosé d’Anjou, Sauvignon, Vouvray and many more; and the gentle landscapes are warmed by the rich golden colours of the ripening fruit. You can sample the local produce at the Ackerman Wine Cellars, during a tasting of some of their award-winning Samur wines.

History abounds here. Every time you turn a corner you see a reminder of Richard the Lionheart, the Hundred Years’ War or Joan of Arc. Visiting the Loire Valley is like stepping back in time; the sleepy towns are a delight to explore and the local people seem to have time on their hands, stopping to chat to each other or drinking endless coffees in the nearby bars and cafés.

You visit the Château of Fontainebleau, set in a vast forest just outside Paris, and famous as the place where Napoleon commenced his journey into exile and Fontevraud Abbey, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, arguably the greatest monastic establishment left standing in France. You also visit the house, and most importantly the garden of one of France’s most famous sons – Impressionist artist Claude Monet. All this, but there is much, much more so for a unique combination of culture, wine, superb and interesting monuments, châteaux, beautiful scenery and French provincial life at its best, come with us and see.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN VERNONTravel by Eurostar from London St Pancras International (exact time of travel will be indicated on travel documents, arriving at Paris Gard du Nord approximately 2hrs 15 mins later). A coach will take you to Vernon near Claude Monet’s house and garden, where you stay on half-board at the three-star Hotel Normandy.

DAY 2 - MONET'S HOUSEToday you visit Monet’s house and garden. You have all seen Monet’s paintings reproduced in calendars and birthday cards, but to be here, in this spectacular display of colour, is simply an unforgettable experience. In the Japanese inspired water garden, shaded by a great willow tree and surrounded by bamboo trees, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond, where the famous Les Nymphéas or Water Lilies were painted. Inside the house is also outstanding.

Your journey continues to Chartres, where the cathedral is arguably the most magnificent in France with perhaps the most intricate 13th-century stained glass in Europe eventually arriving in the picturesque city of Tours, where you will be staying for four nights’ bed and breakfast at either the Kyriad Hotel, Alliance or Mercure Hotel, all centrally located on the edge of the Old Town.

DAY 3 - TOURS & CHATEAU OF VILLANDRYAfter breakfast we enjoy a guided tour of the wonderfully preserved historic centre of Tours. The city’s rich and varied history stretches back as far as the Gallo -Roman period, later becoming the medieval capital of France and seat of the French Monarchy. This afternoon we make our way down the beautiful Loire Valley to the Chateau Villandry, famous for its unique gardens, consisting largely of colourful vegetables.

DAY 4 - FONTEVRAUD ABBEY, SAUMUR AND CHINONThis morning we visit the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fontevraud Abbey, for a guided tour. Arguably the greatest monastic establishment left standing in France, the Abbey was once one of the most rich and powerful royal retreats in the. Later we head to Saumur, described as the ‘pearl of Anjou’, the town is a delightful spot to stop for lunch and wander amongst its magnificent architectural heritage. No visit here would be complete without sampling some of this famous produce, so this afternoon we visit the Ackermann wine cellars for a tasting of some of their award-winning Saumur wines. Next we visit the charming town of Chinon, medieval in character dominated by the imposing castle where Joan of Arc first met the Dauphin. You have time to explore this lovely town. This evening you dine in a charming restaurant, full of atmosphere so unique to France.

DAY 5 - AMBOISEThis morning you visit Amboise, a delightful little town nestling on the banks of the river where a royal castle sits, as does Leonardo da Vinci’s house, which has been restored with many models of his inventions on display. You then visit Chenonceau, home of Mary Queen of Scots and probably the most stately of the Loire châteaux, majestically hovering on the waters of the River Cher, before returning to your hotel.

DAY 6 - FONTAINEBLEAUAfter breakfast you depart Tours for a morning’s drive to visit the beautiful Château of Fontainebleau, just south of Paris, where Napoleon departed to his exile on the island of Elba. It is decorated in fantastic style, with intricate frescoes and parquet floors inlaid with exotic woods. Most impressive is the vast display of exquisite furniture and the

formally designed, extensive grounds. Fontainebleau encompasses everything you imagine about a French château: style, opulence, grandeur – even outrageousness. This evening, you stay at the nearby four-star Hotel Mercure Paris Sud Parc du Coudray, plus also have dinner. Some departures stay at the Novotel Fontainebleau Ury.

DAY 7 - RETURN EUROSTARAt the appropriate time, the coach will return you to Paris to take the Eurostar service (exact time will be indicated on travel documents) to London St Pancras International.

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ROU E N , HON F L E U R & T H E H IG H L IG H T S OF N OR M A N DY

• Return rail connections available on selected dates from over fifty regional stations• Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St. Pancras. Upgrades available at a supplement• Four nights in well-located four-star superior or four-star accommodation. Breakfast is included• Visit to the historic Bayeux Tapestry

• Guided historic walk of Rouen, one of France’s most perfectly preserved medieval city’s• Visit to Benedictine Palace – home of the famous liqueur• Visit to the picturesque port of Honfleur• Visit to Arromanches and WWII D-Day beaches• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Honfleur

William the Conqueror, D-Day, atmospheric Honfleur, medieval Rouen immortalised by Monet plus delightful Bayeux. This fascinating region, a microcosm of France, is just delightful

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DAY 3 - BAYEUX Today we have a full day out visiting places for which Normandy is perhaps more famous. We first of all visit Bayeux, which as its name suggests is home to the world famous tapestry depicting the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 which subsequently led to the Battle of Hastings and the firm establishment of William as, not only Duke of Normandy, but as King of England too. The embroidery is extremely delicate and indeed this is arguably the most perfect relic we have of the Middle Ages.

After lunch we visit nearby Gold Beach, made so famous on 6th June 1944 – D-Day, the landing of the Allied Armies which led to the final liberation of Europe during the Second World War. We have the opportunity to visit perhaps the best museum in the area, at Arromanches, where the remnants of the Mulberry Harbour can be seen. We then return to our hotel. Whilst the excursions are included in your holiday, they are not compulsory so if you do not wish to take any of them, you can have more time to explore Rouen. Its attractions are numerous: it boasts the largest ceramic art museum in Europe, an excellent Fine Arts museum, including works by Monet, Renoir, Boudin and Delacroix, a superb shopping area, the fantastic cathedral, together with some of the most beautiful “olde worlde” streets you will find anywhere.

DAY 4 - HONFLEUR Today we take the drive to perhaps the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast – delightful Honfleur. Beautifully preserved, its old harbour, complete with both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is surrounded by a perfect waterfront of tall, pastel coloured 18th century houses, many of which have been converted to restaurants specialising in seafood. Along the waterfront, watch the talented artists at work, capturing the delightful view for eternity whilst the intricate maze of streets behind are worthy of some exploration. The eaves of the tall, half-timbered buildings almost touch and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling all sorts of items such as antiques, books and fine foods.

The locals stop to exchange a few words, kiss each other on both cheeks and continue on their way: everything here blends together so effortlessly to create a most charming example of a French provincial town. Honfleur was the birthplace of Eugene Boudin, the forerunner of Impressionism whose most famous pupil was a certain Claude Monet. There is a museum, which is well worth a visit, housing a number of his works together with those of other artists including Monet himself (please note opening hours vary according to season). We return to the hotel late afternoon.

DAY 5 - RETURN EUROSTAR At the appropriate time, the coach will return you to Paris to take an afternoon Eurostar service (exact time will be indicated on travel documents) to London St Pancras International.

For a short break with a difference, Normandy is hard to beat – it really is one of the truly unspoilt corners of Europe. The region is lush and green, with its patchwork of tiny fields and

half-timbered buildings and if the beautiful landscapes alone were not enticing enough, Normandy is also known as ‘Cider and Cream Country’ which requires no further explanation!

The history of Normandy is so intertwined with our own. You will see echoes of Joan of Arc, the D-Day landings, Richard the Lionheart and of course the most famous of all, William, the “Conqueror” of England. Everything in Normandy seems vaguely familiar, yet foreign, it’s hard to put your finger on it exactly. This is hardly surprising really as not only is so much of our heritage shared – the same Vikings who visited Normandy also visited Britain. In fact the present day Normans seem to have more in common with us, than they do with the rest of the French! So there is no doubt you will be made to feel at home. Rouen, Bayeux, Honfleur, Fécamp, Arromanches – some of the names you’ll know and some of them you won’t but that’s the beauty of Normandy, it’s sheer variety, so come with us and see.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ROUEN We take the Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris (exact time will be indicated on travel documents), arriving at Paris, Gare du Nord approximately 2 hours 15 minutes later. A coach will then take you to your hotel, either the four-star Hotel Litteraire Gustave Flaubert or four-star Mercure Champs de Mars in Rouen. Both hotels are in a superb situation, centrally located, a short walk from the old town. Rouen itself is a delight, still retaining its medieval charm, with many streets beautifully preserved and pedestrianised.

DAY 2 - WALKING TOUR OF ROUEN Rouen really does defy description – it is one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns in Europe despite its often turbulent past. This morning we will have a walking tour around the centre of this superb city and although it is not very long in distance, in time however, history will come alive. In the cathedral, immortalised by Claude Monet, you can see the tombs of Richard the Lionheart and William the Conqueror’s grandfather.

During the afternoon we take a short drive to Fécamp, home of the famous liqueur Bénédictine. It was originally distilled in an old monastery from a blend of 27 plants and herbs. Today the Bénédictine Palace itself is a treasure house of artefacts. You can see beautifully delicate alabaster and ivory carvings, old chests with a fantastic number of locks, gold and silver chalices all dating from the Middle Ages, plus a fantastic collection of 19th century ironware and Flemish paintings together with a host of other interesting exhibits. After our visit and tasting we drive through beautiful pastoral countryside, so beloved by the Impressionist artists who lived throughout the region during the last century, on our journey back to Rouen.

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Paris was, is and always will be something truly remarkable. Brilliantly inexhaustible, irrespective of how often you have visited, there is always more!

PA R I S BY E U RO S TA R

• Return rail connections available on selected dates from over fifty regional stations• Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St. Pancras. Upgrades available at a supplement• Return transfers to your hotel• Three nights in excellent accommodation rated four or three stars, located about two miles from Notre Dame, the geographic centre of Paris. Breakfast is included

• Comprehensive sightseeing tour of Paris, one of the world’s most beautiful cities• Paris ‘By Night’ tour experiencing some of the world’s most tastefully illuminated buildings• Visit to Versailles, with its astonishing Château, grandiose home of the French monarchy• Visit to the artists’ quarter - atmospheric Montmartre• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Paris

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lace. The tour does not take up the whole evening so you also have time to perhaps sample some of the

famous Parisian nightlife.

DAY 3 - MONTMARTRE This morning, after breakfast the coach will then take you to one of the most picturesque and atmospheric quarter of

Paris, Montmartre, home of the artists and street entertainers, with of course the whole

area dominated by the white domed basilica of the Sacré-Coeur. You will have time to wander

and see such sights as the Moulin Rouge, where Toulouse-Lautrec found most of his models; Vincent Van Gogh’s and Renoir’s houses; the famous club of the Lapin Agile; the oldest vineyard in Paris and many other interesting sights.

This afternoon you are free to sightsee in this beautiful city as you wish, so what is it to be? Perhaps a trip up the Eiffel Tower, a cruise on the Seine, a browse amongst the antique shops, a wander around the picturesque gardens, window shopping or take your time to visit Paris’ incredible range of attractions. This evening you have the opportunity to visit one of the best cabarets in the city, the stunning Paradis Latin (full details of this excursion will be sent with your confirmation).

DAY 4 - RETURN EUROSTAR After a leisurely start to the day, the coach will return you to the Gare du Nord station to take an early afternoon Eurostar service, (exact time will be given on travel documents), arriving at London St Pancras International approximately 2 hours 15 minutes later.

HOTELSAll our carefully selected hotels are ideal for a comfortable stay in this, perhaps the most beautiful city in the world.

The four-star Mercure Paris Boulogne was fully refurbished in 2016. Modern and comfortable, it has a spacious bar and restaurant (open daily between May and October). Between May and October Guests are welcome to use the rooftop pool. As you would expect of a hotel of this quality, all rooms have direct-dial telephone, Wi-Fi ,mini bar, and flat screen TV. All bathrooms have walk in showers. For your additional comfort, all rooms are fully air conditioned. The hotel itself is beautifully designed and is well situated, approximately two miles from the Eiffel Tower to the west of central Paris, near the river Seine. Located in a quiet residential/business area and yet only 5 minutes from the nearest metro station which is on a direct line to the Champs-Élysées enabling you to explore the city with ease.

The three-star Hotel Ibis Bercy Village is modern and comfortable. It has a bar and restaurant which serves set price menus and à la carte. Bedrooms have en-suite facilities together with telephone, air conditioning, alarm and TV. The hotel is situated approximately two miles from the Arc de Triomphe or Notre Dame, the geographical centre of the city, in a pleasant area and near a metro station, enabling you to explore Paris with ease.

Timhotel Paris XVII Bd Berthier is a modern, comfortable, three-star hotel in the north-west of Paris. It has a small bar and a popular buffet

restaurant, with an outdoor terrace. The rooms are air-conditioned with flat-screen TV and tea-making facilities. There are safes in the rooms, along with an alarm and radio. The metro station is right outside the hotel, with

direct access to the Champs Élysées. The Hotel is roughly two miles from the Arc de Triomphe.

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Paris was, is and always will be, something rather special. So if you have an anniversary to celebrate, a family get together, want to say a thank you, or sorry to a loved one

or maybe take a short break to recharge your batteries – why not take a few days with us in Paris. This inexhaustible city has something to offer everyone, whatever you are looking for.

Sightseeing? The list is endless. Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Champs Élysées, Sacré-Coeur, Eiffel Tower and much, much more. During the day you can visit fine shops such as the Galeries Lafayette and the smart arcaded Rue de Rivoli. Here you are only a short walk from the Louvre – home of the most well-known painting in the world, the Mona Lisa. The grandiose Place de la Concorde, largest square in the city, shows off 18th Century French architecture at its best and just over on the left bank you’ll find the Musée d’Orsay, home of the world’s finest Impressionist art collection. The eccentrically modern and yet stylish Pompidou Centre famous for, not only its exhibits, but street entertainment of the area too. The islands in the middle of the River Seine, dominated by the cathedral of Notre Dame and the delicate spire of the sublime Ste. Chapelle. Take a stroll through the famous Tuileries Gardens, especially spectacular during the spring. But to see everything at once, why not try a trip up the Eiffel Tower?

To get the feel of Paris you will visit old Montmartre, for this is the home of the artists and street entertainers. Picturesque squares where the eaves of the houses almost touch and the unmistakable smell of fresh coffee and croissants drifts from the numerous brasseries. Paris really comes into its own at night. Quite apart from the famous hot spots like Le Moulin Rouge, Lido and Paradis Latin there are quieter and more romantic areas. If you visit the Latin Quarter, one of the oldest areas of the city, there are hundreds of restaurants and competition ensures keen prices, together with very good quality. There is so much to see and do, you will leave Paris with sore feet, but once having had a taste you will always want to come back for more. It is everything you imagine it to be, romantic, inspiring, vibrant even outrageous, but best of all Paris is unique – come with us and see.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN PARIS You take the Eurostar service from London St Pancras International to Paris, (exact time will be indicated on travel documents), arriving at Paris, Gare du Nord approximately 2 hours 15 minutes later. Eurostar takes you to the heart of the city, a coach will then take you to your hotel.

DAY 2 - GUIDED TOUR After breakfast, the coach will take you on a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city, during which you will see L’Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysées, River Seine, the Louvre, in fact almost every famous landmark you will have ever heard of. You then leave Paris to take the short drive to Versailles where you can visit the majestic palace home of Louis XIV and the typically provincial French market town of Versailles itself. This visit will end mid afternoon after which the coach will take you back to Paris so you can spend the remainder of the afternoon as you wish, either shopping or more sightseeing.

During the evening, the coach will take you on a tour of Paris ‘By Night’. The whole city’s a work of art with monuments and buildings illuminated in the most tasteful manner, their reflections dancing on the River Seine with the majestic Eiffel Tower dominating the skyline: it looks so delicate it could almost be made of

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Bruges has outstanding art, twisting medieval streets, traditional bars, outstanding cuisine but when the unique charms of the carillon sound

from the iconic belfry its ambience is complete

B RU G E S BY E U RO S TA R

• Return rail connections available on selected dates from over fifty regional stations• Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St. Pancras International. Upgrades available at a supplement• Return coach transfer to your hotel • Three nights in a choice of accommodation rated three to four-star superior in the heart of the old town. Breakfast is included

• Guided walking tour of historic Bruges, arguably Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval town • Visit to a traditional chocolatier creating exquisite Belgian chocolates, probably the world’s finest• Visit to Ypres and a thought-provoking tour of the First World War battlefields• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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the country. One of the features of brewing in Belgium is the great variety of types of beer and ingredients used, even things as diverse as cherries and oats! So a tour to Bruges would not be complete without a visit to a brewery! Some of you may choose to take the short walk to the “Halve Maan” brewery museum to learn the ins and outs of brewing in this quaint and very traditional establishment and then unwind with a tasting.

DAY 3 - TYNE COT CEMETERY After breakfast we will arrange an optional tour by boat of some of Bruges’ canals, which gives an interesting view of the town (subject to seasonal operation). Late morning, for those who are interested, the coach will leave Bruges for a tour of some of the places made famous during the First World War. However, the excursion is

not compulsory so should you choose to have free time in Bruges, perhaps ride in a horse drawn carriage, or visit one of the many other

attractions, this afternoon is the ideal opportunity to do so.

Your main visit is to Ypres, the centre of British activity in Belgium and although the town was

flattened, it has been restored to its original appearance. Ypres is the home of the Menin Gate, the memorial to the missing where the last post is played every evening at 8 o’clock.

You also visit Passchendaele Memorial Museum to see a fascinating recreation of life in the trenches, perhaps the most moving part of the afternoon is the visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery – all in all a fascinating and poignant afternoon.

DAY 4 - RETURN EUROSTAR Bruges chocolates are known throughout the world and so this morning you visit one of the few establishments which still makes chocolates by traditional methods. They are only made from the finest ingredients and during the demonstration you learn all about this delicious craft. A coach will later return you to nearby Lille to take an afternoon Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International.

We offer a choice of hotels as follows (relevant hotel will be indicated on departure details): Three-star superior Martin’s Brugge - Ideally located opposite the belfry in the historic centre. With its stylish and modern interior, the hotel has a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, it also has a tranquil private garden and bar offering a host of local beers. With easy reach of numerous restaurants and cafes and bars, everything is on the hotel's doorstep.

Three-star Golden Tree - A former 19th century railway tycoon’s house just a short stroll from the market square has been recently converted into a beautiful boutique property. Features include a

stunning breakfast room with frescoed ceilings and an area in which to relax in.

Four-star Academie - Built around a pleasant courtyard garden, this centrally

located hotel is a superb place to relax after a hard day’s sightseeing. Recently renovated it offers excellent facilities and comfortable, stylish accommodation, bar and winter garden.

Four-star Grand Hotel Casselbergh - This hotel was created from three historic residences, owned and inhabited for centuries by local aristocracy, centrally located, it combines elegant modern comfort with 18th

century charm. Facilities include a bar and breakfast room, and a wellness centre in

the cellars which date back to the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. This superb property rightly deserves its four-star superior rating.

There can be few places left where you can totally switch off for a few days from the pressures of modern day living so completely as Bruges. Its beauty and

tranquillity are outstanding, as befits the most perfectly preserved medieval town in Europe and its atmosphere is totally unique. Whether it’s a stroll by one of the canals, indeed Bruges is also known as ‘Venice of the North’, sipping a coffee in the Old Market Square with the 13th Century Flemish chimes ringing out from the belfry in the background, or perhaps a gentle trip around the town by horse and carriage, its serenity will captivate you and it has something for all tastes.

For art lovers, Bruges is a must – Jan Van Eyck being the city’s most famous resident. There are three excellent museums housing many fine works by Dutch and Flemish artists including Van Eyck himself, Rembrandt, and many more. In the church of Our Lady you can see the carving of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, perhaps the greatest sculptor of them all. In the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a phial, said to contain Jesus’ blood, which was brought back from the Holy Land after one of the crusades. The richness of the interior decoration will amaze you.

Bruges is also very famous for its chocolates, some of which are still hand made from the finest ingredients including cream, strawberries, nougat and nuts. The results are absolutely mouth watering. They do not do very much for your waistline but they do for your taste buds! The food in Belgium, and Bruges in particular, combines the best in cuisine: French quality and flair, with German sized portions. The speciality is mussels; there are forty ways of cooking them, and of course Belgian chips topped with mayonnaise are recognised the world over as the best there are. But there is no one thing you can put your finger on which makes Bruges such an attractive place to stay for a few days. It is a combination of old world charm, the friendliness of the people (indeed it is difficult to find anyone who doesn’t speak fluent English), culture and perhaps its sheer tranquillity. So come with us and see.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BRUGES You take a late morning/early afternoon Eurostar service from London St. Pancras International to Lille (exact time will be indicated on travel documents), arriving approximately 1 hour 30 minutes later. A coach will then take you to your hotel in the heart of Bruges old town, transfer time approximately one hour.

DAY 2 - WALKING TOUR After breakfast you have a guided walk of this beautiful town which really does show off its charm perfectly. The whole atmosphere of Bruges is pure romance and really reflects the true spirit of medieval Flanders. Its streets are crammed with fascination and yet it is so compact that the walking tour emphasises the main sights and attractions perfectly. Bruges has so much to offer and is centred around the main square, dominated by the Belfry and when the unique old Flemish chimes are heard, the atmosphere is perfect. You can climb this tower, if you can face the 366 steps: the view is breathtaking. You will also see the City Hall, the old Law Courts and the ‘Basilica of the Holy Blood’ in which is housed some of Jesus’ blood. Another must is the Notre Dame Church which houses Michelangelo’s beautiful Madonna and Child, carved in pure white marble.

Belgium, and Flanders in particular, is very famous for brewing beer, indeed there are over 500 varieties throughout

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There’s much more to Ireland besides tourist hotspot Dublin, as you’ll discover on this tour of the southern region of the Emerald Isle

C OR K , K I L K E N N Y & T H E R I NG OF K E R RY

• Return flights• Four nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and three dinners• Explore the medieval city of Kilkenny, with entrance to its carefully restored 12th-century castle• Take a tour of the Jameson whiskey distillery in Old Midleton, Co Cork, with a sample to enjoy• Spend an evening in Cork centre, home of the heritage pub trail with traditional music and theatrical performances

• Visit Blarney Castle where you’ll have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and discover the castle’s collection of beautiful gardens• Spend an afternoon browsing the craft shops and historical buildings in charming Killarney, the gateway town to the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park• Experience the incredible changing landscape of the famous Ring of Kerry, as we pass quaint towns and villages, wild countryside, mesmerising viewpoints and the dramatic Atlantic coast• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

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invader Richard Strongbow, who built the first fort to sit where Kilkenny Castle stands today. Kilkenny is also well known for its varied cultural programme of arts, crafts and theatre events, and the locals, known as ‘cats’ thanks to the limerick which starts ‘There once were two cats from Kilkenny’, are a friendly bunch who delight in sharing the rich heritage of their city with visitors, despite the phrase ‘Kilkenny cat’ being used to describe someone as being rather ferocious.

Crossing the country towards the west coast and to County Kerry and the Iveragh Peninsular that juts out into the ocean, we discover an unbeatable example of why Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle. The countryside landscape that covers the peninsular is nothing short of mesmerising, with vast stretches of pastoral green broken only by shimmering lakes, soaring mountains and thick forests, until it reaches the brooding cliffs and sandy swathes that face the island-strewn waters of the Atlantic. The scenic route that follows the coastline here is known as the Ring of Kerry, and is world famous for being one of the most dramatically beautiful trails.

At the inland edge of the peninsular, the lakeside town of Killarney is used as a perfect jumping off point into the area’s spectacular countryside. Known as ‘the town in the park’ for its position as the gateway to the bucolic Killarney National Park, which is a natural wonderland in its own right, it’s also the most popular place to start and end a drive along the Ring of Kerry loop.

Colourful both literally and in terms of its character, Killarney town centre is just one of the several towns and villages that add an extra dimension of interest to the picturesque trail – each having its own individual charm and identity. From shopping for local souvenirs in vibrant Killarney to walking in Charlie Chaplin’s footsteps in seaside sanctuary Waterville, every stop and sight along the way adds up to a unique experience of Ireland, from city, to countryside, to coast.

You’ll feel bestowed with all the luck of the Irish on this tour of some of Ireland’s southern gems, as you discover a rich tapestry of traditional cities, medieval towns and towering castles scattered across an unapologetically wild and windswept rural landscape.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN CORK & COBHYou should arrive at your chosen airport for your flight to Cork. On arrival you’ll be transferred to the colourful seaside town of Cobh where you will have time to soak up the atmosphere, admire the first of many amazing vistas and perhaps indulge in some traditional Irish delicacies. Later we head to the four-star Imperial Hotel, which is ideally located in the centre of Cork. As the first hotel in the city, your elegant accommodation boasts over 200 years of history and character, which shows in everything from the opulent marble lobby to the individually designed bedrooms that have all the facilities you could need for a comfortable stay. You’ll be in good company as a guest of this historic hotel – it’s been visited by everyone from acclaimed authors Sir Walter Scott and Charles Dickens to footballer George Best and starlet Maureen O’Hara – and you’re sure to enjoy this evening’s dinner at the Imperial’s fine restaurant. DAY 2 - KILKENNY & JAMESON DISTILLERYAfter breakfast we drive north to Kilkenny, an Irish city that feels more like a town in both size and atmosphere. Its medieval roots are still evident in the historic buildings – the most prominent of these being the 12th-century castle that sits at its heart. Built by Norman occupiers and later owned for centuries by the powerful Butler family, before being sold to the people of Kilkenny in 1967 for the token sum of just £50, this riverside fortress is now a fascinating place to visit, with a carefully

There’s much more to Ireland besides tourist hotspot Dublin, as you’ll discover on this tour of the southern region of the Emerald Isle, including its so called second city, Cork,

the atmospheric medieval city of Kilkenny, the ruggedly beautiful Ring of Kerry trail and its gateway town, Killarney.

As a lively University city, Cork offers all the craic that Ireland is famous for, but is sure to stick steadfastly to its traditional roots, with locals openly declaring it the ‘real capital’ of this tiny country floating in the North Atlantic. And the pride that locals feel for their city is evident in the traditional music that wafts out of independent pubs, and the local produce on restaurant menus and displayed for sale under the arched ceiling of the 18th-century English market. The city centre is compact and easily walkable, which adds to its friendly feel, with key sights like the spiky spired gothic cathedral, the riverside Georgian-style City Hall and towering St Anne’s church all within strolling distance of central St Patrick’s Street. Slightly further along the River Lee you have pretty Fitzgerald Park, with the Cork City Gaol on one side and the magnificent campus buildings of prestigious University College Cork on the other.

Just outside of the city lie two of the highlights of this tour, Blarney Castle, home to the notorious Blarney Stone, and the Jameson whiskey distillery in Old Midleton. The castle that stands beside the River Martin in Blarney today is actually the third to do so – the first being a wooden structure erected in the 10th century before being replaced by a sturdier stone building in 1210. The oldest parts of the most recent incarnation of Blarney Castle were built in the 15th century by Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster, with some historians believing that the stone was gifted to the King by Robert the Bruce as thanks for supplementing his army at the battle of Bannockburn – although it was Queen Elizabeth who later equated ‘Blarney’ with a persuasive ‘gift of the gab’, laying the foundations for the famous legend of this surprisingly ordinary looking stone.

It could be argued that Irish whiskey may also have the power to instil the gift of the gab, and Jameson is one of the most popular brands coming from the Emerald Isle. Having outgrown its Dublin distillery, Jameson relocated its casks to the greener surroundings of Old Midleton in County Cork, just 15 minutes west of Cork city centre. A guided tour of the distillery will walk you through a production process that involves triple-distillation and aging for a minimum of four years – and you’ll also have the opportunity to sample the smooth and spicy result, of course.

Travelling north east of Cork you come to the city of Kilkenny, small in size for a city and with strong medieval roots evident in the Medieval Mile that runs through its centre, starting at a cluster of riverside castle buildings and ending at the city’s 13th-century cathedral and its round tower, one of only two such towers in Ireland that can be climbed to the top. The atmospheric landmarks represent Kilkenny’s interesting history perfectly – it was one of the locations conquered by legendary Norman

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restored interior and immaculate surrounding gardens. Entrance to the castle is included in this tour, giving you access to rooms such as the elegant Withdrawing Room, where ladies withdrew from the dining room to leave the men to their port and cigars, the mahogany bookcase-lined Library, and the large Tapestry Room in the North Tower. There’s plenty of 19th century splendour on display here, as well as modern recreations that are virtually impossible to identify as imposters.

There’s also free time to explore Kilkenny at leisure, and a wander of the Medieval Mile that runs from the castle to St Canice’s Cathedral is a must. This stretch of narrow streets is a unique discovery trail of Kilkenny’s aged landmarks, made all the more interesting for the lively mix of street artists and musicians who ensure visitors are kept entertained on their way. Tick off one of the few remaining Tudor Alms houses in Ireland, the ‘Hole in the Wall’ 16th-century tavern, Kilkenny Courthouse, the Bishop’s Palace, the Black Abbey, St Mary’s Cathedral and the Rothe House and Garden museum before reaching St Canice’s Cathedral and its 9th-century round tower, which you can climb for fantastic views along this interactive passageway to the past. You’ve also got an exciting blend of the old and the new in evidence at the Butler Gallery, a contemporary art space housed in the castle’s old kitchens, and the National Craft Gallery, a leading centre for contemporary craft and design, located in the Castle Yard building.

Arts and crafts are a big part of Kilkenny’s identity, with workshops and studios displaying everything from candles and ceramics to soft leather bags and jewellery, all made by local craftsmen and women. This makes Kilkenny an ideal place to pick up a unique souvenir or gift from your holiday.

Our next stop also presents an ideal opportunity to treat yourself to something locally made, as we head to the Jameson whiskey distillery in Old Midleton. As part of our guided tour, which takes in the interior and exterior of the distillery grounds, you’ll explore warehouses that have matured whiskey for two centuries, see the thousands of casks housing the aging liquor, and, of course, sample a Jameson’s drink for yourself. This is sure to be a perfect warming prelude to an evening spent in Cork, where the quality restaurants, snug pubs and bars of St Patrick’s Street, and the grids of narrow streets either side of it, guarantee a good night. The chances of happening upon live music or literary and theatre performances in Cork is high, wherever your evening takes you, but for traditional music try Sin É on Coburg Street, a meeting place for the city’s musicians, or the Craft Lane Theatre – both are part of Cork’s heritage pubs trail.

DAY 3 - BLARNEY CASTLE & KILLARNEYThis morning we travel the short distance to Blarney Castle, just outside Cork, which is best known for being the home of the famous Blarney Stone, but has plenty more to discover besides. The castle that stands on the site today boasts a keep dating back to 1446, and towers high above extensive green gardens and the River Martin that flows beside it. There’s a magical quality about the collection of castle gardens, which include a Poison Garden, where some of the plants are so toxic they’re required to be kept in cages, an Ice House, which would have been used in Victorian times as an outdoor fridge, and an atmospheric Bog Garden, with two tinkling waterfalls and fern-green waters. Hidden away in the woods you’ll also find an Irish Garden designed to educate visitors about the folklore surrounding native plants, and the crowning glory of these gorgeous gardens, Rock Close, a romantic spot complete with wishing steps and ‘fairy glade’.

While these enchanting green spaces could fill the pages of a fairy story, the best known legend of the castle is of course that of the Blarney Stone, which is said to bestow all who kiss it with the gift of great eloquence – or the gift of the gab. If you’re feeling especially energetic you can climb the 127 twisting steps to see the stone, as well as incredible views over the castle grounds – and the most flexible of the group might even want to brave the backwards bend to test the myth for themselves!

After lunch we travel an hour north west into County Kerry where the cheerful town of Killarney awaits. Its position as the start and end point of the circular Ring of Kerry scenic trail, and as the gateway to the vast Killarney National Park, means that it’s a town that’s well used to welcoming visitors. Its centre is a quaint jumble of colourful buildings, with plenty of olde worlde shop fronts adding to the charm of the area. Lively Main Street and High Street, and the narrow lanes that branch off either side, are lined with shops, pubs and restaurants to peruse at your leisure – go to Quills Woollen Market or the Aran Sweater Market to pick up genuine Aran knitwear, or browse one of the many craft and gift shops or galleries. Perhaps you’ll catch your breath in a cosy snug in one of the town’s tiny Irish pubs – if you’re lucky your refreshment will be accompanied by a spontaneous set of traditional music!

Killarney town is rich with historical treasures like stone-built St. Mary’s Cathedral with its especially impressive arched interior, and the newly restored Killarney House and Gardens, within strolling distance. However, you might choose to save your legs and get your bearings on a jaunting car, or pony and trap, tour. The drivers guarantee a fun journey with their local anecdotes and perhaps even the occasional burst of song, and it’s a great way to see some of Killarney’s more spread out attractions.

Following an afternoon of exploring you’ll be transferred to the Lake Hotel, which occupies an incredibly serene spot on the shore of Loch Lein, surrounded by the rolling green countryside, thick forests, hills and mountains of the National Park. While the rooms are elegantly decorated with all the facilities you’d expect, the real joy of this hotel lies in its idyllic setting, which is also home to abundant roaming wildlife – it’s common to spot red deer wandering by as you linger over morning coffee on the terrace! After enjoying this evening’s dinner in the hotel’s two AA Rosette restaurant, why not make the most of the views with a drink on the terrace? DAY 4 - RING OF KERRYToday we drive the world famous Ring of Kerry, a circular route which begins on our hotel doorstep at Killarney and loops its way along the coast of the Kerry Peninsular. This famous scenic trail is a real treat for the eyes, transporting you through an ever-changing landscape, from white sand beaches flanked by craggy cliffs, to glassy mountain-backed lakes and dense, dark forests.

As well as offering up endless undulating countryside and dramatic views of the Atlantic and the numerous islands breaking its surface, the Ring of Kerry is dotted with picturesque towns, tiny villages and places of interest along the way – and you can expect to see a variety of wildlife, from sheep and goats grazing on impossibly steep hillsides, to horses galloping across the windswept beaches. Kenmare is known as the jewel of the Ring of Kerry, with its row of brightly-coloured buildings leading down to a pretty parish and the rise of the forested hills beyond, while Waterville is the perfect example of a small coastal village, still determinedly clinging onto a quieter, more peaceful time. It’s known for being a preferred holiday spot of Charlie Chaplin in the 60s, and a bronze statue of the actor takes pride of place on the seafront, with his back to the grey waters of the ocean. Taking in the spectacular vistas at Ladies’ View, where Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting are said to have admired the valleys and lakes spread out beneath them, is one highlight among many as we complete our Ring of Kerry loop. Rest assured that several stops will be made to give you the opportunity to capture the beauty of this wonderfully unspoilt part of Ireland.

We spend the final evening of our tour enjoying another delicious dinner in the restaurant of the Lake Hotel, no doubt reflecting on the experiences of the previous days, before retiring for a comfortable night’s sleep. DAY 5 - RETURN FLIGHTToday you’ll be transferred to Cork airport for your return flight home.

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Cochem

Vine covered hillsides slope down to a serene river, punctuated by traditional half-timbered towns and dominated by half-ruined castles above.

A true picture-postcard scene come true

C O C H E M , LU X E M B OU RG & T H E MO S E L L E VA L L E Y

• Return rail connections available on selected dates from over fifty regional stations• Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras. Upgrades available at a supplement• Six nights in excellently located three-star and three- star superior accommodation, with breakfast and four dinners• Guided tour of Aachen, capital of Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire• Stay in the heart of picture-perfect Cochem with the Moselle to the front and the medieval old town to the rear

• Guided orientation tour of Cochem and visit to mighty Reichsburg Castle• Visit to Koblenz, majestically situated at the confluence of both the Moselle and Rhine rivers• Visit Luxembourg’s fortified capital city, perched atop sheer cliffs• Guided tour of Bitburger Brewery, one of the Moselle’s best regarded exports• Visit to Bernkastel, probably the valley’s most picturesque town• Visit Trier, Germany’s oldest city, with the finest Roman monuments north of the Alps• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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DAY 3 - COCHEM & REICHSBURG CASTLE Cochem is one of the largest towns in the area and for many years has been one of the commercial centres of the Moselle wine trade. We have an orientation walk to see close up some of the narrow streets reminiscent of Venice. We venture up to the lofty perch occupied by Reichsburg Castle to discover the history of this millennium-old site. No visit here would be complete without a cruise on the river – there is the opportunity to make the journey from Cochem to Beilstein on one of the famous cruisers, serene and offering views hitherto unseen. You are free tonight to head out and dine at the many restaurants offering classic local cuisine.

DAY 4 - LUXEMBOURG & BITBURGERToday we cross the border into enigmatic Luxembourg, a beautiful country that few know much about and fewer have had the pleasure of visiting. Our visit centres on its capital city, split across two levels: an upper town built on a sheer cliff and the riverside lower town below. Luxembourg City boasts one of the highest standards of living in Europe, so any visit here will also be a pleasure. The Grand Ducal Palace, the main seat of power here, is a domineering yet elegant centrepiece of the old town and one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city. Twisting cobbled streets leading to bustling open squares characterise the quaint town centre. There is ample time to explore at leisure and enjoy lunch before we return to Germany and the town of Bitburg, where Bitburger beer is one of the country’s most popular and a real signature of the Moselle area. Savour the chance to learn more about this German classic on our guided tour, and sample some in the vast tasting room at the end. Tonight we return to Cochem in time for dinner.

DAY 5 - KOBLENZ This morning we visit charming Koblenz, whose name derives from the Latin for confluence. Indeed it sits strategically where both the Moselle and the Rhine rivers meet. The majestic fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, one of the largest in the world, dominates the town from the opposite riverbank. Although much of the city was destroyed during World War II, a large part of the old town has been sympathetically restored. We enjoy a short walking tour where we see the Deutsches Eck with a gigantic statue of Wilhelm, now a symbol of the reunification of Germany, plus some lovely Romanesque churches and Renaissance buildings. You have free time to explore – as attractive squares with fountains, amusing sculptures and pavement cafes abound, why not stop to enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by?

DAY 6 - TRIER After breakfast we take the short journey to historical Trier, the oldest city in Germany, originally Roman, once the home of Karl Marx. We will see the stunning Baroque church of St Paulin, the Baths, the Basilica and most striking of them all, the magnificent Porta Nigra, or Black Gate, the largest and best preserved building of its kind. Why not visit the perfectly preserved Roman Amphitheatre? This afternoon we journey along the river, passing famous wine villages, such as Piesport, to Bernkastel for some free time. This serene town is dominated by the Landshut Castle, perched high on the valley sides. Bernkastel is very famous for its wine and possesses the largest single vineyard in Germany. We return to Cochem for dinner in our hotel.

DAY 7 - RETURN EUROSTAR We take a drive over the picturesque Ardennes hills to Brussels for a Eurostar service back to London St Pancras International.

Our tour to the Moselle Valley is rather special, visiting places you may have heard of and those you may have not, covering a wide variety of interests.

We see the medieval olde worlde charm of Aachen, birthplace of Charlemagne, ruler of the Frankish Empire, and now an impressive city in its own right. Then there’s Trier, Germany’s oldest city dating from Roman times, capital of their Western Empire with the best preserved remains from Classical antiquity in northern Europe. We visit Luxembourg, a tiny country with an immense history. Its capital city of the same name occupies a dramatic position high on a cliff overlooking the lower town, a melting pot of European influences, as Germanic and Latin legacies have left their mark on its people and culture.

Then there is the Moselle Valley itself – gentle vine-covered slopes with imposing half-ruined castles seem to crown every summit, picturesque villages with half-timbered houses and picture-postcard, medieval towns such as our base, Cochem, nestle on every sweeping bend of the majestic Moselle River. The extensive vineyards yield a rich harvest, producing some of the world’s finest wines, such as Piesporter and Wehlener Sonnenuhr. The people are open, friendly and you may catch sight of a typical brass band that nearly every town has – a real spectacle of noise, colour and fun. For a relaxing holiday, come and see some of the most interesting sights and beautiful scenery in Europe.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN AACHENWe take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Brussels. A coach takes us over the German border to picturesque Aachen and our centrally located hotel, the three-star Ibis, where we also take dinner.

DAY 2 - AACHEN & COCHEMAachen was already famous when the Celts arrived because of the hot springs transformed to thermal baths by the Romans, who made the city their administrative centre. It further came to prominence when the first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, made it his capital, and a feat of building lasting several hundred years commenced, the remains of which can still be seen. There is a superb cathedral, parts of which date from 800AD, built in the Byzantine style similar to what is found in Istanbul today. Other highlights include Charlemagne’s treasure, ancient bibles and relics from the Middle Ages. This morning, we have a walking tour of this fascinating city, and in the afternoon we take a scenic drive to Cochem, where we stay at either three-star superior hotel – Hotel Muller or its sister property nearby, Hotel Cochemer Jung, both situated opposite the Moselle and near the medieval old town. The rooms are tastefully furnished, featuring complimentary Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, telephones, en-suite bathrooms and hairdryers. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at the hotel.

ROM A N T IC R H I N E , B L AC K FOR E S T

& A L SAC E

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Witness Germany’s landscape at its most wondrous through the Rhine Valley,spanning charming medieval towns, fairy tale castles, a scenic wine region

and the fantastic Black Forest

ROM A N T IC R H I N E , B L AC K FOR E S T

& A L SAC E

• Return rail connections available on selected dates from over 50 regional stations • Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar and TGV (French high-speed train) from London St Pancras• Seven nights in excellent quality four-star accommodation, with breakfast and three dinners• Guided tour of medieval Cologne with its Gothic cathedral, often voted Germany’s most popular attraction• Tour the wonderfully scenic Rhine Valley• Guided tour of spa town Wiesbaden, known as the ‘Nice of the North’• Visit wine-making Rüdesheim and a visit to Kloster Eberbach monastery, featured in the film adaptation of The Name of the Rose

• Visit to Worms, once the capital of the Burgundian Kingdom; baroque Heidelberg; and the spa town of Baden-Baden• Tour of the medieval university city of Freiburg, plus a complimentary tourist Welcome Card that includes three days’ travel on public transport and travel on the Schauinsland cable car • Visit to Colmar, one of France’s most perfectly preserved medieval towns• Tour of Alsace’s scenic wine route• Visit to the timeless Black Forest, inspiration for some of the most beloved fairy tales• Visit to the mountain town of Triberg, famed for its cuckoo clocks and the Black Forest gateau• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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DAY 3 - WIESBADEN, RÜDESHEIM & KLOSTER EBERBACHThis morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Wiesbaden both by coach and on foot. One of Europe’s oldest

spa towns, it’s known as the ‘Nice of the North’ because of its many natural hot springs that attracted much of the area’s elite. See the town’s Art Nouveau buildings, the old town hall, and the magnificent Kurhaus that houses an elegant casino.

This afternoon, we take a drive through the scenic wine region of Rheingau to the idyllic wine-making town of Rüdesheim am Rhine. Here, we visit the Drosselgasse, a narrow lane measuring a mere 144 metres long, lined with traditional taverns and intimate courtyards, bustling with live music and dancing. You may wish to take the cable car ride up to the Germania monument for

awe-inspiring views of the attractive town and the shimmering Rhine.

Next is the extraordinary Kloster Eberbach, a 12th century former monastery with the largest

vineyards in medieval Europe, where monks made their own wine. Its remarkable Romanesque and early Gothic buildings make it one of Hesse’s most prominent architectural sites. Film enthusiasts may recognise its interiors from the film adaptation of Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose. DAY 4 - WORMS, HEIDELBERG & BADEN-BADEN Our morning starts with a visit to ancient Worms, once a free imperial city and the short-lived capital of the Burgundian Kingdom. It was immortalised in the 12th century epic poem, the Nibelungenlied, and inextricably linked to the Reformation when Martin Luther refused to recant his writings at the Diet of Worms. 2017 happens to mark the 500th anniversary of Luther nailing his theses to the door of the Castle Church. See the Luther monument, the largest Reformation tribute in the world. Or visit St. Peter’s Cathedral nearby, the most important building of the Romanesque style in Worms.

Next is a visit to Heidelberg, nestled by the picturesque river Neckar in a valley dominated by its imposing castle, high on a wooded hillside. The town is a maze of historic, baroque and gabled buildings lining the river with its romantic old town behind. Its 14th century university, one of the most prestigious in Europe, lends a genteel atmosphere similar to that of Oxford or Cambridge. In the 19th century it was the centre of Germany’s Romantic Movement, on the route of ‘The Grand Tour’ and visited, amongst many others, by the artist Turner who captured its splendours for eternity.

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The majestic Rhine cuts through magnificent mountains, meandering past charming medieval towns, fairy-tale castles, the steep terraced vineyards of Alsace, and

the wooded slopes of the Black Forest. Witness Germany’s landscape at its most dramatic, a fitting backdrop for a magical journey of discovery and unforgettable experiences. DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN COLOGNE We take the Eurostar from London St. Pancras (exact time stated on travel documents), arriving in Brussels about 2 hours later. A coach takes us over the German border to Cologne, staying one night in the four-star Novotel Koeln City. Dinner is included tonight. DAY 2 - COLOGNE & THE RHINE GORGE We begin the day with a guided tour of medieval Cologne, founded by the Romans. Walking along cobbled streets, surrounded by an ancient Roman wall, it’s easy to imagine you’ve been transported back in time. The historic centre features the Alter Markt town square, the old town hall, and its beloved star – The Dom, the famous 13th century cathedral dominating the skyline with its impressive twin spires. Truly a staggering masterpiece of Gothic architecture, it took over 600 years to build and boasts the most intricate stained glass art in Europe. Rising up behind the high altar is the gilded Shrine of the Three Kings, the largest reliquary in the western world and the high point of Mosan art.

This afternoon we enter the ruggedly scenic Rhine gorge, so beautifully depicted on countless travel posters. We weave along the valley through fairy tale villages, overlooked by arresting castles crowning the hillsides. We see the Lorelei Rock, from which according to legend, mermaids lured unsuspecting sailors to their deaths with their enchanting song. The vine-covered slopes plunge into swirling waters below, which combined with the craggy shoreline, creates the river of so many poets’ dreams. We continue to sophisticated Wiesbaden and our hotel for two nights, the modern four-star superior Dorint Pallas Hotel, where dinner is included for the first night.

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This afternoon we visit Baden-Baden, a famous spa resort town since Roman times, frequented by Europe’s aristocracy of the day. Today it still has a regency feel, rather like Bath or Cheltenham. We then continue our journey to Freiburg, where you’ll stay for the next four nights at the modern four-star Hotel Stadt Freiburg, in a quiet yet convenient location with easy access to heart of the city. Freiburg abounds with quality restaurants so we’ve included dinner on the first evening only. DAY 5 - FREIBURG IM BREISGAU This morning we enjoy a tour of picturesque Freiburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and university city with a vibrant historic centre, set against the dramatic mountains of the Black Forest. The car-free streets allow us to explore the town’s highlights, such as the late Gothic bourgeois Haus Zum Walfisch (Whale House), the 500-year old university, the Gothic Munster Cathedral, and its cobbled square Munsterplatz. Possibly the sunniest city in Germany, it’s not unheard of for locals to bask in the sunshine whilst neighbouring villages are still shovelling snow.

This afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. In the charming old town are plenty of local restaurants and cafés serving traditional food. For spectacular scenes from great heights, catch a cable car up the Schauinsland mountain (ticket included in your complimentary travel pass) – a comfortable 20-minute ride takes you up 1,200 metres, where breath-taking views of Freiburg and the Rhine Valley await. DAY 6 - COLMAR & THE ALSACE WINE ROUTE Just west of Freiburg lies a picturesque wine route, an open-air museum of romantic medieval villages, cobbled

streets and Renaissance chateaux, with rolling hills providing the perfect backdrop. We enjoy a scenic drive and taste some of Alsace’s fine wines, soon arriving in Colmar, the best preserved city in eastern France. Bisected by canals, it is a maze of former merchants’ houses, antique shops, and a monastery.

The former wine exchange and the cathedral quarter are surrounded by pastel half-timbered houses, displaying intricate wrought iron signs typical of this area.

DAY 7 - BLACK FOREST, LAKE TITISEE & TRIBERG This morning a scenic drive takes us past towering Feldberg, the highest mountain in Germany outside the Alps, to picture-postcard Lake Titisee, the largest natural lake in the Black Forest, formed during the last ice age. Surrounding the serene waters are rolling forests and pretty villages with traditional Black Forest houses, characterised by long, sloping roofs. Enjoy a leisurely stroll or take a boat trip out on the lake.

After a short drive, we reach Donaueschingen, where the Schwarzwaldbahn train takes us to the mountain town of Triberg. The 30-minute ride goes through forested valleys, rustic farms and quaint towns as we ascend through tunnels, each scene more dramatic than the last. Triberg is home to Germany’s highest waterfall, which

foams and thunders as it plunges 163 metres down the Gutach river. Those with a penchant for pastries will be pleased to know the original 1915 recipe for the Black Forest gâteau made its way to Triberg, where it’s still used today. See the traditional cuckoo clocks, for which the area is famed, and how they’re made. DAY 8 - RETURN EUROSTARThis morning we cross the border into France and on to Strasbourg, where at the appropriate time we take the TGV (France’s famous high-speed train) to Lille, connecting with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. Your tour manager will accompany you to ensure you catch the right trains.

Freiburg

Cologne

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Berlin and Dresden have both endured violent violent interludes to a glittering cultural history, now returned to their former glory, continuing an incredibly thought-provoking journey

B E R L I N , DR E S DE N ,M E I S S E N & C OL DI T Z

• Return flights• Four nights in four-star superior accommodation with breakfast• Guided tour of Berlin, probably the 20th century’s most tumultuous city, now home to Norman Foster’s Reichstag, ‘Check Point Charlie’, the DDR (former East Germany) Museum, some of the world’s finest archaeological and fine art museums plus an eclectic ambience

• Walking tour of Dresden, ‘Florence of the Elbe’, home to one of the world’s greatest art collections, the astonishingly decorated Frauenkirche, majestic Semper Opera House, – a justifiable capital for the Kings of Saxony immortalised so often by Canaletto• Visit and tour of Europe’s oldest porcelain studio at Meissen • Visit to Colditz Castle of Second World War prisoner of war fame• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Dresden

Olympiastadion stadium or you may wish to take a short train ride to Potsdam, and the Sanssouci Palace, home of the famous Prussian king, Frederick the Great.

DAY 3 - COLDITZ & MEISSENAfter breakfast we drive through gentle rolling woodland and fields into Saxony, crossing the mighty River Elbe en route to somewhere synonymous with the heroic art of escape – Colditz, towering above the town atop a river cliff and seemingly impregnable! Our guided tour and the related exhibition offer a truly fascinating insight into the lives of both inmates and guards, and we see escape tunnels, a home-made radio, false uniforms and other escape equipment ingeniously created from whatever materials were to hand. Much was secreted about the buildings and, like the ‘radio room’, were discovered by maintenance workers after the war. Some of the most moving exhibits are postcards sent by prisoners to their children who they never saw for many years.

For a complete contrast, next we visit nearby Meissen, famous of course for its exquisite porcelain, the first to be made outside China, in 1708. We have a remarkable tour discovering how highly skilled artisans create these fascinating works of art many of which take weeks, sometimes months to finish, after which there is a stunning museum displaying pieces from throughout the company’s existence.

We soon arrive in Dresden for two nights, at the centrally located, four-star superior Hotel Steigenberger. Beautifully designed, this modern and well managed property throughout; the rooms are superbly decorated and have all the facilities you would expect of a hotel of this quality. Some dates will stay at the four-star superior Maritim Hotel, situated on the banks of the River Elbe and just a few minutes’ walk to the historic city centre. Both properties have a very good restaurant, a comfortable bar, and at both international standard hotels – your comfort is assured.

DAY 4 - DRESDEN Dating from the 12th century, Dresden is a stunningly beautiful place, sitting majestically astride the stately waters of the River Elbe. It rose to artistic prominence during the early 18th century when August the Strong, ruler of Poland and Saxony, gathered many of the Europe’s best musicians, architects and artists to his capital. Its pre-eminence as a centre for art, classical music, culture and science saw the emergence of fine Renaissance, Baroque and Classical buildings, the majority of which – though destroyed by the allied bombings of 1945 – have been wonderfully restored in recent years, returning Dresden to its stunning former glory in probably the world’s most remarkable such project ever. This morning we have a walking tour around this stunning array of revitalised architectural gems. A lovely ambience pervades through the city with tasteful shops, cobbled streets and cosy restaurants and with numerous talented street musicians keeping Dresden’s musical heritage alive. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish.

DAY 5 - RETURN FLIGHTAfter breakfast a coach will return you to Berlin airport at the appropriate time for your return flight.

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On this intriguingly varied tour, we visit two of Europe’s great cultural cities, Berlin and Dresden, both having endured violent interludes in an otherwise glittering

history and now returned to their former glory at the heart of the new Europe of the 21st century. The outpouring of joy and energy that accompanied the fall of the Berlin Wall now staggeringly over twenty years ago, has rekindled Berlin’s legendary vibrancy and the city throbs with new life whilst doffing its cap respectfully to the lessons of the past. Here iconic locations abound from the spy stories of checkpoint Charlie to the magnificent avenue of Unter den Linden with its thriving cafés and magnificent museums, the great monuments of the Brandenburg Gate and the instantly recognisable Reichstag – symbol of the new Germany. Dresden is perhaps more sedate yet equally revelling in its renewed splendour, its architecture, opera and museums a cultural jewel reborn as a beacon for hope and peace. Before the last war it was Germany’s most beautiful city due to its amazing art treasures and imposing baroque buildings. After huge bomb damage, it has now been almost completely restored after one of the world’s most extensive such projects ever undertaken, spanning over 60 years, the results are magnificent. But our tour is much more than two cultural cities. We experience the traditional Germany of small towns and picturesque villages too, rolling countryside plus reminders of the former East Germany even the occasional ‘Trabant’ – and, as you would probably expect, these distinctive cars are rapidly becoming collector’s items! Another face of Germany is medieval Meissen where the most stunningly beautiful porcelain is crafted by highly skilled artisans in the only factory in Europe where the processes are still completed entirely by hand. Finally and in complete contrast we visit Colditz Castle, the famous Second World War Prisoner of War camp for serial would-be escapees including the legless fighter pilot Douglas Bader. This tour contains some fascinating insights to Germany, its vibrant and remarkable cities; striking countryside; and its past, present and future.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BERLIN You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Berlin. On arrival a coach will take you to your hotel either the four-star superior Hotel Maritim Berlin or the four-star superior Maritim Pro Arte for two nights. The four-star superior Hotel Maritim Berlin, ideally located very near the famous Potsdamer Platz in the heart of the centre and very convenient for visiting the sights. The four-star superior Maritim Pro Arte is a beautiful modern hotel is perfectly located between the Brandenburg Gate and the Gendarmenmarkt, and just a stone’s throw from Unter den Linden with its elegant shops – perfect for exploring on foot. The hotel is spacious, very comfortable and houses a wonderful art collection.

DAY 2 - BERLIN Berlin is an incredible place, originally two separate 14th century towns; it has always been a city of contrasts and never more so than in its recent past which makes it such a fascinating place to visit.

This morning we have a guided tour seeing amongst the many sights the iconic “divided city” location – Checkpoint Charlie; symbol of the city, the Brandenburg Gate; the parliament building, the Reichstag partly designed by Norman Foster; the Unter Den Linden, the city’s most famous boulevard; the cathedral and of course what remains of the ‘Wall’ - ironically now a protected historical monument.

The afternoon is free for you to explore the city and there’s plenty to explore!! It would be very wrong to think Berlin is all about politics, but it is one of the most vibrant cities you will ever visit, with an atmosphere and optimism to match. There’s also the magnificent Charlottenburg Palace and the legendary Dresden

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Experience this eclectic capital from a unique perspective – behind the wheel of a Trabant, the official car of the DDR, affectionately known by the locals as a Trabi. Take a trundle back in time through Berlin's cobbled streets in convoy on a Trabi safari. After a brief introduction, follow the guide car out for a truly unforgettable ride. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

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H E I DE L B E RG , M A I N VA L L E Y &

T H E ROM A N T IC ROA D

• Return flights• Five nights in four-star accommodation with dinner and breakfast• Visit to baroque Heidelberg, seat of one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities• Discover the Romantic Road, its bucolic scenery plus picturesque and beautifully preserved 16th century Rothenburg with its twisting lanes and atmospheric squares

• Tour of Würzburg’s Residenz, one of Europe’s most richly decorated 18th century palaces and city of the Prince Bishops• Visit to medieval Bamberg, one of Europe’s most beautiful small cities• Explore the picturesque river Main and its delightful medieval towns of Miltenberg and Wertheim• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Medieval Germany at its most delightful; the serene rivers, Main, Neckar and Danube; fairy-tale castles; the architectural masterpieces of medieval Bamberg

plus Heidelberg, gem of the ‘Grand Tour’

Bamberg Town Hall

Many people think they know Germany, but are delightfully surprised by its iconic historic cities, expansive rolling countryside, fairy-tale castles, perfectly

preserved medieval villages and the warmth of its people. You’ll find all this and more as we explore one of its most fascinating regions Heidelberg and Franconia. Bordered by two of Europe’s most stunningly beautiful rivers - the Main and Neckar– it’s also full of astonishing cultural gems.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN WURZBURG You fly to Frankfurt then drive to Würzburg, to your hotel for the next three nights, the excellent four-star Maritim where we also have dinner. Straddling the River Main and surrounded by vine-clad hills and wooded slopes, the city’s origins stretch back to Celtic times.

DAY 2 - ROTHENBURG & RESIDENZ During the 18th century, Würzburg was a seat of the Prince Bishops who created the truly magnificent Residenz, one of Europe’s finest Baroque palaces, constructed to outshine Vienna and Versailles– an aim which in artistic terms they certainly achieved!There is a huge amount to admire here and our tour brings this splendid buildings history and architecture to life. You start with the incredible staircase, said to be the world’s most beautiful – with its glorious frescoes plus the marvellously intricate decoration of the Imperial Hall. Continuing you can admire one room completely covered in gold leaf, and another having 600 mirrors. Fine-art adorns the beautifully wood-panelled walls and there are extensive views over the elegant gardens.

One of the most unusual rooms has the most incredible acoustics you will probably ever experience. Walk across the room and your footsteps echo with increasing resonance, then on reaching the centre, the noise reverberates seemingly forever in a series of surreal crescendos! The calculations involved to create this effect 300 years ago are quite startling.

We then travel back in time, following the “Romantic Road” itself. The route’s name derives from its poetic journey through history, evoking the period when its medieval towns held ultimate sway and Teutonic chivalry reigned supreme. You can sense the history in unbelievably picturesque medieval villages whilst Baroque churches and hilltop castles unveil before you as we wind along the stunningly beautiful Tauber Valley. We soon arrive in the undoubted jewel, spectacular Rothenburg where you meet the 16th century head on! It simply could not be more idyllic, crowning a hill overlooking the meandering river below, nestling securely behind perfectly preserved medieval walls.

At the peak of its power, this Protestant town suffered greatly during the Thirty Years’ War subsequently remaining too impoverished to expand beyond its walls in the ensuing centuries thus ensuring its almost perfect survival creating today’s present gem. Narrow, cobbled streets lined with tall gabled, half-timbered houses with staircase turrets and oriel windows lead to St Jakob’s Church and a fine medieval Town Hall at its heart. You really have a genuine glimpse of the past.

DAY 3 - BAMBERG This morning enjoy an easy drive though the scenic Steigerwald Natural Park to remarkable Bamberg, quite simply one of Europe’s most beautiful small cities, staggeringly so, but easily on a par with Prague! The masterpiece you see today began its artistic journey during the 11th century when the Emperor Heinrich II planned a capital as grand as Rome. Although it never became so large Bamberg boasts spaciousness with a wealth of fine buildings belying its size. Pride of place goes to its outstanding

gothic cathedral but this is but one example of the city’s shining beauty and range of architecture, from Romanesque to Baroque it is like an incarnation of an architectural text book. Not only is it historic, it is stunningly beautiful too, located on the main Danube Canal with a fascinating tangle of lanes lined with merchants’ houses culminating in its picturesque main square and traditional daily market. You must visit the town hall, covered with the huge colourful frescoes so typical of central Europe, almost hovering on wooden piles whilst below the River Main flows swiftly on. We have included a walking tour of this superb baroque townscape whose reflections dance on the river, lending an extra special ambience to the whole gorgeous scene. We return to Würzburg in good time for dinner.

DAY 4 - WERTHEIM & MILTENBERG We leave Würzburg heading downstream along the picturesque River Main valley, the medieval theme continues as we call at another stunning historic town, Wertheim. Nestling beautifully at the confluence of the Main and Tauber, it’s a patchwork of twisting alleys and superb panoramic viewpoints with a ruined castle looming high above. Following the valley we soon arrive in Miltenberg acknowledged as one of Germany’s most beautiful villages, medieval and well preserved.

Continuing we join the Niebelungstrasse Route running through the heart of the Odenwald Forest, the inspiration for the medieval myths and legends of the great Wagnerian epics with which it is so indelibly linked. We stay two nights with dinner at the comfortable four-star Maritim in Mannheim.

DAY 5 - HEIDELBERG This morning we visit nearby Heidelberg, a wonderful city that positively flaunts its beauty. Its setting is second to none, nestling by the picturesque river Neckar, in a valley dominated by its imposing castle, high on a wooded hillside - a real-life fulfilment of the perfect medieval German landscape! The town itself is a maze of historic, baroque and gabled buildings lining the river with its romantic old-town behind. Adding to this, its 14th century university, one of Europe’s most prestigious lends Heidelberg that genteel atmosphere rather similar to that of Oxford or Cambridge. During the 19th century it was the centre of Germany’s Romantic Movement, on the route of ‘The Grand Tour’ and visited, amongst many others, by the artist Turner who captured its splendours for eternity. During our guided walk we see the principal sights but Heidelberg’s greatest monument, is simply the city itself. During the afternoon, you are free to explore as you wish, perhaps taking a stroll through the picturesque squares and lanes to enjoy a cooling “Weisswein” or a tasty beer in one of the many delightful street cafes or heading up the hill for a closer look at the pink sandstone magnificence of the castle, before returning to our hotel for our final dinner.

DAY 6 - RETURN FLIGHT Today bid farewell to this historic and traditional corner of Germany returning to Frankfurt at the appropriate time for your return flight.

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Dramatic railways and cable cars superbly showcase the Alps – breathe deeply and the air is like wine. Experience nature’s awesome power in

immense glaciers, tumbling waterfalls and foaming rivers

S W I T Z E R L A N D T H E M AT T E R HOR N &

T H E G L AC I E R E X PR E S S

• Return flights• Seven nights in four and three-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner• Visit Zermatt and the iconic Matterhorn• Travel on the breathtaking Glacier Express, twisting its way through breathtaking alpine scenery• Enjoy a trip on the Bernina Express, another world- class railway journey

• Visit Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva• Travel on the charming Centovalli Railway to Locarno• Visit Italy’s fabulous Lake Maggiore and the delightful town of Stresa• Stay in the picturesque Swiss Alpine village of Klosters• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Glacier Express

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DAY 2 - ZERMATT & THE MATTERHORN Our first day trip takes us up the Mattertal Valley. Climbing upwards, the scenery becomes ever more spectacular. Lush meadows covered with wild flowers and studded with tiny shepherds’ shelters give way to dense forests, crowned by snow-capped

mountains that glisten in the sun. As the road traverses towering viaducts and jaw-dropping

precipices we admire the finesse of Swiss engineering. We pass countless torrential

mountain streams and tumbling waterfalls before arriving at legendary Zermatt, nestling at the foot of the mighty and instantly recognisable Matterhorn. Zermatt

is a car-free jumble of typical Swiss chalets, hotels and ancient wooden farm

huts strewn along the valley floor. Dramatic cable cars and soaring footpaths weave ever upwards to the majestic amphitheatre of the surrounding lofty summits.

The Matterhorn is the ultimate Alpine peak. Yet it’s remarkably shy until you reach the end of the village, turn a corner, and the Swiss national symbol is revealed in all its unrivalled glory. This is truly one of life’s ‘wow’ moments. For an even better view, you can take the dramatic cog railway to the Gornergrat. At over 10,000 feet, an absolutely awe-inspiring mountain wonderland of glaciers and summits awaits you. If you prefer, you can relax in one of the many delightful cafés – or take a gentle ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

DAY 3 - LAKE MAGGIORE This morning we travel over the Simplon Pass, to the warm sunshine of Italy, the peaceful shores of Lake Maggiore and its most attractive town, Stresa, which owes its origin to the days of the ‘Grand Tour’ when Europe’s 19th Century aristocracy crossed the border from Switzerland and experienced their first taste of Italy! Unmistakably Mediterranean in character, its shores, lined with oleanders and palms, backed by classic belle époque hotels create an ambience of classic gentility. Arriving in Stresa you will have some free time to wander around the cobbled streets, you’ll find them lined by a wealth of thriving traditional shops, bakers and butchers displaying a mouth watering variety of cakes, salamis, hams and a host of other delicacies. The Italians do this so well - and they make ideal ‘goodies’ to take back to friends at home. Relax in one of the many cafes in the main square and partake in the Italian pastime of people watching, whilst enjoying a real Italian coffee. Literacy enthusiasts can relax at the bar of the Grand Hotel, featured in Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’ also frequented by George Bernard Shaw and Charlie Chaplin amongst others.

Boarding our private launch we cruise across the shimmering waters of central Lake Maggiore taking in the sights of one of the real gems of northern Italy, the stunning Borromean Islands. Isola Bella dominates the landscape with its belle époque 17th century villa and astonishing ornamental gardens featuring ten interlocking terraces imaginatively planted with a host of colourful and exotic shrubs, with fine marble statues perched on each terrace, which can be seen as we navigate around the island.

Cruising along the shores of Isola Pescatori, the fisherman’s Island, we can see how the island has retained its original charm, with the traditional fishing boats anchored along the shores and finally Isola Madre the largest of the Islands with its English style botanical gardens, a mass of greenery can be seen as we cruise by heading back to the opposite shore of the Lake in Verbania. From Verbania we drive along Lake Maggiore returning to Switzerland and Locarno, then board the narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway to Domodossola, named after the so-called ‘hundred valleys’ through which it passes.

Spectacular mountain scenery … the iconic and unmistakeable Matterhorn … dramatic rides on railways, chair lifts and cable cars … awe-inspiring views of glaciers and summits

… gentle valley slopes and lush meadows disturbed only by cowbells and chalets … This is Switzerland at its most wonderful and you’ll enjoy the very best that this unique country has to offer during eight remarkable days that will stay with you forever.

Switzerland is world famous for its cleanliness, its clockwork efficiency and its welcoming, friendly people – as well of course as for its astonishingly beautiful Alpine landscapes. But this tour also takes us into the seductive arms of Italy - to Lake Maggiore and the charming lakeside resort of Stresa, where you can walk in the footsteps of Europe’s 19th century aristocracy who first crossed the border to experience their first taste of Italy in the days of the ‘Grand Tour’. You’ll have so much to look forward to on this spectacular tour, so much to take in and enjoy. But as always with Riviera tours, we aim to create the perfect balance between organised visits in the experienced hands of our knowledgeable guides and free time for you to choose what you want to do and explore at your leisure.

There’s little to compare anywhere in the world with the mighty Matterhorn – the ultimate Alpine peak and Swiss national symbol. You can admire it from a quiet café or a horse-drawn carriage in the little town of Zermatt – or get up close if you take the dramatic cog railway to the Gornergrat at over 10,000 feet. A gentler train ride on the Centovalli Railway carries you through a ‘hundred valleys’, with deep ravines, chestnut forests and tiny villages all around you. A private launch will take you on an unforgettable cruise over the shimmering Lake Maggiore. The legendary ‘Glacier Express’ will transport you 120 kilometres past stunning mountain scenery, waterfalls, ravines and rivers. But many visitors will also relish just as much, the chance to stroll along lakeside and wooded footpaths, or relax in world famous Klosters, the ski playground of royalty.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN BRIG You should arrive at the airport to take your flight and on arrival you will be taken to the small and charming town of Brig, perfectly located in the Rhône Valley at the head of the Simplon Pass. It’s surrounded by the lofty peaks that are so typical of this beautiful country. Brig grew in prominence during the 17th century after monopolising the trade in silk, salt and mail between adjacent France and Italy. The wealth that resulted led to the creation of the country’s largest private residence: the Stockalper Palace.

We either stay four nights with breakfast and dinner at the three-star Hotel Victoria. It’s a comfortable family hotel that’s everything you’d expect from Switzerland - spotlessly clean and professionally managed with pride, efficiency and a smile. It has traditional antique furniture throughout, but thoroughly modern fittings and is extremely conveniently located directly opposite the station. Some departures will stay at the four-star Hotel Alex is located in a quiet sunny spot a 10 minute stroll to the village of Naters, just opposite and across the Rhone River from Brig. The rooms all have bath/shower, safe, hairdryer, TV and free wifi. The 8th floor restaurant serves breakfast and dinner and offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Light snacks and drinks are available on the garden terrace and a sauna/steam bath and Jacuzzi are available at extra charge.

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Passing over viaducts, bridges and deep ravines, chestnut forests and tiny villages clinging to the mountainsides, the train arrives in Domodossola where we will meet the coach for the final part of our return journey.

DAY 4 - MONTREUX & CHÂTEAU DE CHILLON Today we travel to Montreux on the sunny shores of Lake Geneva where you have a full day at leisure to choose what you’d like to do best. You could take a civilised cruise with lunch on board one of the many beautiful belle époque style paddle-steamers plying the lake. Or you could take the spectacular cog-wheel railway to the peak of Rochers de Naye that dominates the lake. Back down by the lakeshore, the famous 13th century Château de Chillon stands guard over the Rhône Valley just outside the town. It’s Switzerland’s most visited historical building, and the very essence of the romantic medieval fortress. Or perhaps you’d prefer to simply stroll along the charming lakeshore promenade, admiring the surrounding vine-clad terraces and the view of France’s snow-capped mountains of the Haute-Savoie on the opposite bank.

For those who prefer to stay closer to Brig and like to walk in the fresh mountain air, there are some easy footpaths close by, just a couple of stops down the railway. From here a spectacular cable-car and gondola ride whisks you up to 8,684 feet to the Bettmerhorn from where you can enjoy an amazing panoramic view over the Aletsch glacier, Europe’s longest and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

DAY 5 - THE GLACIER EXPRESS Today we take the legendary ‘Glacier Express’ - one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world and which for many will be the highlight of the holiday. It’s an absolute joy to travel on this specially designed train with

its large panoramic windows, and to experience its several changes of locomotive that are needed to cope with the varied gradients. The four hour journey, travelling just 120 kilometres, winds and twists its way through ever more stunning scenery. We pass mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls, forest-covered hillsides and ravines with torrential rivers. The railway seems to float over high viaducts and punch its way through mountain tunnels. The highest point on your journey is the Oberalp Pass at 6,700 feet, where you’re well above the tree-line. Snow can remain here well into June. Another highlight is the Upper Rhine Gorge, sometimes called the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’, totally inaccessible until the railway was opened in 1903. After lunch on board (payable locally), we arrive in Chur. From here, winding ever-upwards, our coach takes us up to charming Klosters, renowned as the Royal Family’s favourite ski resort. The village is a wonderfully appealing huddle of typical dark-wood chalets, surrounded by invigorating alpine peaks creating a charming and cosy atmosphere in which to immerse yourself. Our hotel for the next three nights with dinner is the four-star Silvretta Parkhotel, located in the village centre. It has a large indoor pool with whirlpool and fitness area, the Panorama restaurant where we take dinner, a lounge bar and spacious, well appointed rooms.

DAY 6 - KLOSTERS While in Klosters you have free access via all the nearby cable cars and chair lifts to the surrounding peaks. You’ll enjoy a wonderland of stunning Alpine views linked by spectacular walks. The homely chalet-restaurants serve local specialities on their sunlit terraces.

DAY 7 - THE BERNINA EXPRESS Today, we enjoy a contrasting day of spectacular scenery and extraordinary Swiss engineering, taking the famous Bernina Express to Tirano just over the Italian border. This remarkable train twists upwards in an amazing sequence of spirals, loops, 55 tunnels and 196 bridges past the chic resort of St Moritz to the summit at Ospizio Bernina and at 7,400 feet, Europe’s highest through station. Here we’re surrounded by stunning vistas over the snow-clad peaks and ice-cold glacial lakes that strikingly mark the watershed between the Mediterranean and Black Sea river systems. The views will take your breath away.

Next we wind our way down through pretty pastures and dense pine forests to Tirano.

You have some free time here before we board our coach returning to Klosters via the stunning Upper Engadine Valley over the Fluela Pass (normally open late May to mid October). The Bernina Express railway and its surrounding countryside was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. No surprise then that it’s acknowledged as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT At the end of a truly spectacular tour, you’ll be transferred to Zurich airport for your return flight home.

Château du Chillion

Stockalper Palace, Brig

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Victorian tourism began in Interlaken below the snowy Jungfrau and pearl of the Swiss Oberland. Travel by steamer, cable car and mountain railway

experiencing Switzerland’s finest sights

S W I T Z E R L A N D' SB E R N E S E OB E R L A N D

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation in Interlaken, with breakfast and dinner• Four days of planned touring• Two days free with your own personal itinerary and included Bernese Oberland Regional Travel Pass• Breathtakingly beautiful scenery • Travel by a combination of rail, post bus and lake steamer

• A dramatic mountain railway ride past the majestic Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger then Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald• Visit to Brienz and another breathtaking ride on the Brienz Rothorn cog railway• Spectacular cable car ride to beautiful Lake Oeschinen• Visit to regal Lucerne and its picturesque waterfront• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Schynige Platte

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Spectacular scenery, picture postcard villages, the gentle tinkling of cowbells drifting across lush green pastures, elegant hotels, spotless streets, superb service and a tradition of

splendid hospitality… all these delights are yours to enjoy on a journey to the heart of the stunning Swiss Alps.

Staying in Interlaken, pearl of the quintessential Bernese Oberland, world tourism was literally born here and has been at the heart of the welcoming town of Interlaken since Victorian times. You’ll explore the delights of Interlaken itself, ride to the legendary mountain resort of Grindelwald and to Meiringen where Sherlock Holmes met his fate. You’ll take in the stunning mountain views from Kleine Scheidegg, including the infamous Eiger North Wall. You’ll visit beautiful Lake Oeschinen and the world famous city of Lucerne. You’ll ride to the top of the Rothorn by steam train and cruise the placid Swiss lakes by steamer, with ever-present soaring peaks reflected in the shimmering water.

Switzerland is not just about lakes and mountains, stunning though they are. On one of the free days you could visit Bern, the country’s picturesque capital. With its cobbled streets, picturesque arcades and painted fountains, its charming medieval historic centre surrounding its gothic cathedral has remained largely untouched since the 15th century. Included is a trip to beautiful Lucerne which has always attracted visitors, including our own Queen Victoria. Drawn by its beautiful lakeside location and distinguished by its 14th century Chapel Bridge, a wooden walkway originally built as a defensive work, now the unique symbol of this most regal of cities.

The legendary Swiss rail network is rightly regarded as the world’s finest, famously operating like clockwork. Your holiday includes a Bernese Oberland Regional Pass which gives unlimited access to a huge variety of railways and post bus routes throughout the region.

All this makes Interlaken the perfect base for a holiday exploring some of the world’s finest scenery, picture perfect towns, villages and unique vibrant cities. This superb and varied tour includes two free days for you to choose your own preferred itinerary, plus five days of planned touring exploring the very best the region offers.

This fabulous holiday is the perfect way to experience the jewel at the heart of Europe that is Switzerland’s iconic Bernese Oberland.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN INTERLAKEN You fly to Geneva and transfer to the extremely comfortable four-star MGallery Royal-St. Georges Hotel for seven nights with breakfast and dinner. The beautifully located hotel in Interlaken’s historic centre, just a few minutes’ walk from the station has real pedigree, welcoming guests in style and comfort since 1908. Established during the golden age of travel and kept tastefully up-to-date ever since, it seamlessly blends a classical heritage with modern facilities to meeting your every need. The grand public areas with their traditional furnishings are reminders of an opulent past when only the well-to-do could afford to visit such fashionable haunts. The bedrooms (either in modern or traditional style) have everything you’d expect from a contemporary hotel with this rating - with well appointed bathrooms, satellite TV, safe, mini bar and free wifi. This evening we dine in the hotel’s ‘Les Miriors’ restaurant – before perhaps retiring to the hotel’s art nouveau bar for a digestif.

DAY 2 - INTERLAKEN Well known for its genteel atmosphere, Interlaken’s position at the heart of the Bernese Oberland makes it the perfect base from which to explore

this amazing region’s fascinating towns and villages. Mighty mountains surround you and today you’ll get up close and personal with some of the world’s most famous peaks – the majestic Jungfrau (young maiden), Mönch (Monk) and Eiger (Ogre). Together they form a trio of giant snow-capped peaks soaring upwards to nearly 11,000 feet. We take the narrow gauge railway to Lauterbrunnen, nestling in a stunning vertical sided glacial valley formed millennia ago. With mountains now completely dominating the skyline, and with only upward views, we change onto the mountain cog railway. It climbs steeply through the fashionable ski resort of Wengen, across the slopes of the famous Lauberhorn world cup ski race reaching one of Europe’s highest railway junctions, Kleine Scheidegg, and some of the world’s most breathtaking alpine scenery. You’ll wonder at the audacity of climbers conquering these snowy peaks and glistening icefields. Breathe deeply

and take the crisp mountain air deep into your lungs – it’s almost like wine! You’ll want

to photograph the beauty here before descending to the picturesque

mountain resort of Grindelwald with the flower-decked,

shallow roofed “chocolate box,” chalets so typically

Swiss. This afternoon we

take the yellow post bus for a scenic drive

over the 6,400-foot Grosse Scheidegg pass. This is one of

the most beautiful routes in the region, crossing the ‘secret’ Rosenlaui

Valley where no private cars are allowed to disturb the tranquility of the flower-filled alpine meadows, dwarfed by the towering jagged peak of the Wetterhorn. Finally we reach Meiringen – a wonderfully pleasant town, famous for its role in the final demise of Sherlock Holmes at the nearby Reichenbach Falls, a spectacular water torrent plunging towards the valley floor. Visit the small Sherlock Holmes Museum or just relax in Meiringen itself, before joining the train back along pretty Lake Brienz to Interlaken.

DAY 3 - BRIENZ ROTHORN RAILWAY Since the final years of the 19th century, travellers have been transported to the summit of the Switzerland’s peaks by some of the world’s

most amazing feats of railway engineering. The lines are so steep that they have to be

assisted by toothed “rack” rails between conventional tracks. Many of the original

steam locomotives have long since been replaced by electric traction but today though, you have the chance to experience one of the few routes still

operated primarily by steam. After a short regular train journey

to the lakeside resort of Brienz, we join

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the remarkable Brienz Rothorn railway for the breathtaking ride to the Rothorn. This is a dizzying peak with superb panoramic views across lakes and valleys to the surrounding summits. Although many of the locomotives are modern diesels, a few of the original coal-burning engines from the 1891 line opening are still used. The sight and sound of these “old ladies” huffing and puffing their way up the mountain just as they did over a century ago is truly wonderful. It brings out the child in all of us.

There’s time for lunch at the summit and a leisurely wander around Brienz itself following the return ride. If you’re feeling energetic, you can choose instead to take the steep but enjoyable hike down the mountain. After that, we return by lake steamer to Interlaken.

DAY 4 - FREE DAY IN INTERLAKEN There are countless fascinating things to do in and around the Interlaken area – and it’s nice to have a choice. So today you are free to spend as you wish. Explore the town at your leisure or you could use your included Bernese Oberland Pass to discover more of the surrounding region. If you feel like a gentle walk in peaceful surroundings without travelling too far, the Swiss footpath network is meticulously signposted. You could take the funicular to Harder Kulm, or the Post bus to Habkern or Beatenberg with its staggering views over Lake Thun and the snow-clad Jungfrau. Another peaceful option is a steamer cruise on either of the two lakes from which Interlaken takes its name. Or there’s the ride up the other side of the valley from Lauterbrunnen to the village of Mürren. Perched high on a ledge, this is where Arthur Lunn developed the idea of the downhill skiing holiday, and founding the company that eventually became Lunn Poly. This lovely car-free village is a great spot for lunch.

For a supplement, take the spectacular cable car ride to the Schilthorn. Famous for its revolving restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, it starred in the Bond film “On Her

Majesty’s Secret Service”. On the return journey you could stop to view the amazing Trummelbach Falls, hidden within a deep cleft in the mountain. And anyone with an interest in flora should definitely consider a day out riding another historic mountain cog railway which winds upwards from the pretty nearby village of Wilderswil to the Schynige Platte Peak. Here there’s an excellent alpine garden home to many rare plants - including the legendary Edelweiss.

Wherever you choose to go, keep an eye out for the gorgeous pink glow on the snowy peaks as the sun sets. Once back at the hotel, you can be sure of a relaxing evening at the Royal-St. Georges.

DAY 5 - LAKE OESCHINEN Today’s trip starts by train along the lake to Spiez. Here we change onto the BLS railway to twist and turn up the picturesque Kander valley to the small town of Kandersteg. Then we take a cable car for a spectacular ride to beautiful Lake Oeschinen, set in a mountain amphitheatre high above the main valley, carpeted with the most beautiful wild flowers. A short scenic walk will get you close to the characteristic Swiss cows roaming the lush high pastures, producing the rich milk whose final destination is that delicious Swiss chocolate!

Returning to picturesque lakeside Spiez, you’ll have some free time for lunch and a wander before returning at your leisure by lake steamer to Interlaken. You could take time to stop off exploring the pretty communities lining the lakeside.

DAY 6 - LUCERNE After breakfast, we’re off today on a tour to Lucerne. Our outward train takes the lakeside route to Brienz, then over the steeply graded scenic Brünig Pass into central Switzerland. As you leave the station in Lucerne you’ll be greeted by the familiar scene of so many calendars and chocolate boxes - the unmistakable wooden covered bridge across the end of the lake.

You’ll have plenty of time to explore Lucerne and its charming waterfront. Then we board the narrow gauge train returning back over the Brünig Pass via Meiringen along the lake to Interlaken.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY Your last day is again free for you to choose your own personal itinerary, perhaps using your Bernese Oberland travel pass. You might decide to take the easy ride to Bern - capital of the Swiss Confederation, for a day of shopping and culture in the city where Einstein worked. Another relatively short trip will take you to Mulenen for a ride on one of the world’s steepest funiculars to the conical peak of the Niesen, with dominant views over Spiez and Lake Thun. Or there’s Gstaad, the super-chic resort on the route of the Golden Pass narrow gauge “express” train.

Close to Meiringen is the excellent Swiss Open Air Museum at Ballenberg, where historic houses and farms from throughout the country have been reconstructed. They’ll give you a real insight into a former rural way of life, much of which has now sadly disappeared even from Switzerland.

If the weather looks good and you’re still eager for even more high mountain scenery, why not take the train to Kleine Scheidegg and continue on the Jungfrau Railway through the heart of the Eiger mountain itself to Jungfraujoch (direct supplement payable). This is Europe’s highest railway station with breathtaking glacier views that are normally reserved for the best mountaineers.

This evening we enjoy our last meal together in the Royal-St. George. It’s your last chance to swap stories and share the wonders of Switzerland‘s stunning Bernese Oberland with your fellow travellers.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT You transfer by coach back to Geneva airport for your return flight back to the UK.

Brienz Rothorn Railway

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your tickets for a classical concert in Salzburg

8 DAYS

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£899

Experience Mozart and Strauss, taste the finest apple strudel and experience the genteel atmosphere of the world’s most atmospheric café’s

L A K E S & MOU N TA I N S OF AU S T R I A

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner• Tour of the Salzkammergut – the stunningly beautiful Austrian Lake District• Visit to St Wolfgang - a perfect lakeside Austrian village with half timbered, frescoed, flower-laden buildings at every turn• Stay in Kaprun in the heart of the Austrian Alps

• Visit to Europe’s highest waterfalls at Krimml• Tour of the stunningly attractive Alpine Road, taking you to the foot of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain• Guided tour of medieval Salzburg, Italianate and Baroque, the city of Mozart• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 7 LEARN TO YODEL IN THE ALPS AND RECEIVE A DIPLOMA AFTER

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St Wolfgang

Over 150 years ago, Austria became one of the very first countries to attract visitors travelling for sheer pleasure and when you join us on this tour, you

will see the reasons why - it is as near to perfection as you can get! Travellers came for the pristine alpine scenery unavailable at home, crisp clean air, the distinctive fragrance of the pine forests and the mirror-like lakes, their reflections magnificently amplifying the visual effect of these stunning vistas. So journey with us to the heart of Europe, where the mighty snow-capped alpine peaks tower above lush green pastures, nourished by the crystal clear melt-water streams, dotted with historic wooden farmhouses with the air, heavy with the sweet scent of alpine meadows. This is some of the most staggeringly beautiful alpine scenery in the world. As you travel the twisting alpine roads, the views become increasingly impressive with each bend: rising from another verdant, almost manicured pasture, are the striking pink and grey alpine peaks, puncturing the sky above. Studded throughout this staggeringly beautiful scenery are countless picture-postcard villages, crammed with a jumble of traditional iconic wooden houses with their gently sloping roofs and window boxes impossibly full of colourful flowers. This is Austria: a largely rural land of soaring snow-capped mountains, tumbling waterfalls and fairytale castles where legends abound with almost touchable medieval history. Then we have the unique beauty of the Salzkammergut, one of the most naturally spellbinding and stunning lake districts in the world: a breathtaking blend of lofty mountains, lined by tree studded banks and hauntingly calm lakes filling scenic valleys, which resonate with the unmistakable tones of Tyrolean cow-bells echoing over the water.

Austria is so much more than some of the world’s most stupendous scenery, remarkable though it is. Throughout its history it has been home to some of the greatest composers who have ever graced the planet: Haydn, Schubert, Strauss of course, and undoubtedly Mozart, with nowhere typifying this astonishing cultural legacy more than Salzburg. Mozart’s birthplace, this gorgeous city’s ‘old town’ possesses one of the world’s greatest concentrations of baroque architecture and a wonderful genteel atmosphere enhanced by numerous street musicians who keep the city’s amazing musical pedigree alive. The imposing Hohensalzburg fortress, sitting high upon the riverbanks, overlooks the city and completes the scene.

One of the delights of this lovely corner of Europe is its tradition of coffee and cakes, taken in one of the numerous almost regal tea rooms dating from late 18th century, decorated in ochres and browns, using fine silverware and delicate china cups. Try the famous apple strudel and cherry cake, but there are countless others! All made with the finest ingredients, often soaked in one of the delicious liqueurs for which the area is also renowned: they do nothing for your waistline, but plenty for your taste buds! The Austrians are a lovely people and a few still traditionally lederhosen-clad – very much a symbol of regional pride.

Well-mannered and friendly, they are genuinely so hospitable to visitors and delight in sharing their country’s heritage, scenery and many other attributes with visitors. It’s called “Gemütlichkeit”, a tradition of which they are justifiably proud.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN SALZBURG You should arrive at the airport to take the flight to Munich and on arrival you will be taken just over the Austrian border to Salzburg, staying three nights with dinner at the four-star Hotel Stadtkrug situated in the historic centre just below the monastery. This is a gorgeous hotel and at 700 years

old, one of the oldest buildings in Salzburg. It was an inn during medieval times, and with Mozart living

just around the corner, the hotel’s passionate and enthusiastic owner is absolutely certain

Mozart simply must have drunk here! Whether you believe that is up to you, but what is true is that it has

been owned by the same family for three generations and staying here is a wonderful experience; it is full of

antiques, with the character and ambience unobtainable in modern hotels. The traditional

restaurant reflects the owner’s personal time-honoured values and specialises in really well

executed traditional menus with most of the produce coming from their own organic farm - they even make their own schnapps.

The rooms are extremely modern and have benefited from extensive recent investment but still maintain the hotel’s magnificent medieval charm. On the roof there is a terrace which is a wonderful place to have a relaxing drink whilst surveying Salzburg’s glorious skyline.

DAY 2 - GUIDED TOUR OF SALZBURG Up until 200 years ago, Salzburg was an independent state ruled by a series of Archbishops who turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps. The old town is delightful, displaying wonderful architecture dating from the medieval to 18th century, whilst one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, perched high on a cliff-top, dominates the skyline. Spread below is a maze of tiny streets lined with the exquisite shops that make window-shopping so satisfying. Then there is the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace with its famous trick fountains and the natural beauty of the Mirabell Gardens are a must for the fan of things horticultural. With its genteel atmosphere of bygone times, surrounded by a magnificent Alpine backdrop, Salzburg is a superb spot to relax and explore at your leisure. Salzburg’s most famous citizen was Mozart, one of the greatest musical geniuses to have ever lived and whose achievements were staggering! He played the piano at three; could compose rudimentary music at five and wrote his first opera at fourteen! His home has been restored and reminders of him are evident throughout the city. This morning, we have a guided tour seeing all the principal places of interest then you are free to enjoy the afternoon exploring the city at your own pace. And yes… there are plenty of interesting museums and hidden gems in the city which have nothing at all to do with Mozart or the ‘Sound of Music’, so famously filmed throughout the city and surrounding area!

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L A K E S & MOU N TA I N S OF AU S T R I A

DAY 3 - SALZKAMMERGUT Today we leave the city behind for an absolutely stunning display of outstanding natural beauty: the amazing Salzkammergut, the Austrian Lake District. This morning’s scenic drive takes you first to picturesque Mondsee, a charming town perched on the northern shore of the lake that bears its name and renowned for its church, the set for Maria’s wedding in the film “The Sound of Music”. As the day progresses the scenery becomes ever-more spectacular. Following beautiful scenic routes alongside sparkling lake shores and through velvet green hill pastures brings us to the second lake of the day, the dramatic Traunsee and the picture postcard setting of the fishing village of Traunkirchen which until the last century could only be reached by boat. Leaving lakes behind for a short while, we pass through the picturesque spa town of Bad Ischl. Mountains and forest stretch in all directions as we head for St Wolfgang where there’s time for lunch amidst truly glorious scenic surroundings. St Wolfgang, with its lovely maze of 15th century, frescoed buildings, must surely rank as one of the most gorgeous villages you will ever see and it is famed for its church altar, one of the high points of Gothic Art. Relax in this delightful lakeside spot this afternoon or perhaps take the steam-hauled rack railway to the summit of the Schafberg Mountain high above, for a spellbinding view across the entire lake district in all its unrivalled scenic splendour. We then return to the hotel for dinner.

DAY 4 - ZELL AM SEE This morning we drive into the High Alps and firstly visit the spectacular 17th century Hellbrunn Palace just outside Salzburg. Commissioned by an archbishop and much visited by emperors, each room is a revelation decorated in a variety of themes from Chinese to those specially shaped with perfect acoustics where talented musicians performed. The gardens are stunning, famous for their ‘trick’ fountains, endlessly stopping and starting plus shell-covered grottoes and water-driven clockwork figures. You will stay in the small Alpine village of Kaprun, at the very heart of the spectacular Zell am See region. Nestling at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn and the dramatic Grossglockner mountain range, Austria’s highest, you will stay four nights with dinner at the excellent four-star Hotel Das Alpenhaus. This very stylish hotel enjoys superb mountain views with every room having a balcony from where you can truly appreciate the glorious vistas in every direction. The restaurant is of very good quality and there is a lobby bar with terrace and a panoramic view, further cosy lounge bar, spa and wellness centre with both indoor and outdoor swimming pools (outdoor pool

open summer months, weather permitting). All the modern, comfortable rooms are extremely well-appointed with mini-bar, safe and all the facilities you would expect in a hotel of this standard. In short your comfort is assured.

DAY 5 - KRIMML WATERFALL Today we commence our exploration of some of the world’s finest alpine scenery, seeing nature at its forceful best. After breakfast, we take the twisting road amongst timelessly picturesque woodland and peaceful pastures and through an ever-narrowing valley, discovering one of Europe’s great natural wonders, the Krimml waterfalls. The highest in Europe and the fifth highest in the world, this amazing series of waterfalls tumbles 1,200 feet from icy glaciers, with huge clouds of spray seemingly suspended as if by magic over the lush green forests below, accompanied by the unmistakable roar of enormous volumes of cascading water, it makes an unforgettable spectacle. It is at moments like this that you become completely overwhelmed by Mother Nature’s unbridled power, majestic grandeur and sheer beauty. We have ample time to explore the park, taking the dedicated path where alpine flora and fauna abound, before returning to our hotel.

DAY 6 - GROSSGLOCKNER Today we enjoy another breathtaking journey into this alpine wonderland, visiting Austria’s highest mountain – the Grossglockner, as we drive along one of Europe’s oldest and most celebrated alpine routes. On leaving Zell, the scenery gradually changes from lush green meadow, through dark pine forests, then above the tree line a truly dramatic landscape of snow and ice reveals itself. Bronze Age knives, ancient gold jewellery and Roman statues found here prove traders have passed this way for at least 3,000 years. The route evolved into a 17th century pack road and the present Grossglockner High Alpine Road, opened less than 100 years ago. It offers a spectacular show of continually changing vistas, glaciers, rugged valleys and mountains, each a postcard in itself, leading from the carpet-like pastures of the Salzach valley to the Hochtor pass at 2,505 metres – one of Europe’s highest. We continue twisting up the rugged and beautiful valley to reach the mighty Pasterze Glacier and the ‘Emperor’s Viewpoint’. This is more than just a spectacular view: you can really immerse yourself in the high alpine surroundings, rocky crags and pure white snowfields, crystal clear waterfalls and deep blue glacier ice fields. You can hear the eerie whistling cry of the marmots, the rather endearing rodents found only in the high mountains – and keep a look out for the ibex with their striking horns whilst eagles soar on the clear thermals above. This is a truly breathtaking experience! Should you wish, you can take the

spectacular funicular railway ride to the Pasterze glacier and walk on the surface – there are few places in the world you can do this and it should not be missed! Please note this trip is subject to weather conditions.

We return to the hotel for dinner, over which you can reflect on the magnificent sights you have seen during this wonderful day.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY You have a free day to relax or explore before a delightful yodelling lesson. Perhaps take the cable car up to the Kitzsteinhorn, one of the largest glaciers in the Alps for amazing views across wonderful mountain landscapes. Take a stroll around the village or visit nearby Zell for a boat trip on the lake. Zell am See has a delightful centre and lakeside promenade, plus fine traditional buildings, some of which house fine museums including one dedicated to the history of the region and its people. For those with a head for heights, take the cable car to the summit of Zell am See’s own mountain, the Schmittenhöhe, for a marvellous 360 degree panorama of the snow-capped Alps – breathtaking! For the more energetic there are superb alpine walking trails for all abilities. This evening, you can choose to learn an old form of communication, yodelling! It was first used by herders in the Central Alps to communicate with livestock or other villages across the mighty peaks. The earliest record of a yodel dates back to 1545, and by the mid 19th century, yodelling had become popular in the theatres and music halls of Europe. Have fun trying to master the art yourself, and come away with a diploma for your efforts.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today a coach will return us to the airport at the appropriate time.

Salzburg

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU For music lovers, Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, one of the world’s most beloved composers. Enjoy a recital by the renowned Salzburger Schlosskonzerte in the most intimate and stunning of locations, the Marble Hall of the world-famous Mirabell Palace. Several scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed in the wonderful gardens of this magnificent 17th-century palace. Feel like royalty in this most glamorous of locations, whilst soaking up the romantic ambience of a very special evening. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£949

Austria, Bavaria and Italy, the Brenner Pass, ancient Roman roads, the Zugspitze and the staggering remains of a Stone Age man, amazing

variation with echoes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

AU S T R I A N T Y ROL & I N N SB RU C K

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star superior accommodation with breakfast and dinner• Stay in picturesque Seefeld in the heart of the astonishing Austrian Tyrol• Experience some of the world’s most breathtaking alpine scenery• Sightseeing tour of Innsbruck, Royal City of the Habsburgs• Experience the Aachensee cog railway using original 19th century steam locomotives

• Visit the wonderfully preserved Cistercian Monastery at Stams with its amazingly intricate baroque and gold leaf decoration• Tour the Italian Tyrol visiting the stunning town of Bolzano and the spa town of Merano• Visit the former silver mining village of Rattenberg, full of beautiful 15th century buildings• Tour the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, seat of the Bavarian Kings• See the immense Oetz valley glaciers• Option to join complimentary walk• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Neuschwanstein Castle

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Stunning pink and grey snow-capped mountain peaks; sparklingly clear and torrentially flowing streams; verdant meadows; swathes of densely forested

hillsides; shimmering lakes; wooden chalets bedecked with bright flowerboxes; iconic onion-shaped church spires. Coupled with a tradition of genuine hospitality, tasty cuisine, excellent local wine, schnapps and great beer, plus an intriguing history stretching back to pre-historic times – all the unmistakable hallmarks of the astonishingly beautiful Tyrol. We stay in the utterly charming alpine village of Seefeld, a perfect spot from which to explore the many and varied highlights of this mountainous province, bisected by the twisting river Inn.

We enjoy the culture, imperial history and historic treasures of the region’s capital Innsbruck, marvel at the mountain vistas and the awe inspiring natural beauty of the glaciers and towering summits of the Oetz valley. See Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze and the towering turrets of the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. Travel by train on one of the world’s oldest steam railways, still using original locomotives from the line’s 1888 opening. Plus venture along the outstandingly beautiful Brenner Pass, guarded at every twist and turn by a host of medieval castles, to explore the melting pot of architecture and language where north meets south in the Südtirol. Once an integral piece of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now the northernmost part of Italy, culturally the area is unmistakably part of the Tyrol. In its capital Bolzano, you can visit one of the planet’s oldest men - Oetzi the Iceman - a remarkably preserved Stone Age mountain dweller. It is clear there is so much more to the Austrian Tyrol and its surroundings than at first meets the eye.

Of course you will adore some of the world’s most outstandingly beautiful Alpine scenery but also discover some real hidden treasures: delightfully medieval Rattenberg, once a silver mining centre, now an atmospheric village; the gorgeous stucco work and gilded altar of Stams Monastery; Innsbruck’s glittering polished copper ‘Golden Roof’ and fabulously decorated Hofkirche founded by the Habsburgs; Merano’s affluent spa town, Belle Époque elegance and a host of other gems just cry out to be explored. You will be enchanted by this amazing blend of gorgeous scenery, crisp mountain air, immense glaciers, and sloping chalet-style wooden buildings in perfect harmony with their stunning surroundings and the host of fascinating towns and places of interest at the heart of one of Europe’s most fascinating regions.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN SEEFELD Fly to Munich or Salzburg then drive over the Austrian border to Seefeld one of the Tyrol’s most attractive villages with its chalet-style, wooden buildings bursting with colour from countless window boxes. We stay seven nights with dinner at the superior four-star Krumers Post hotel, parts of which are 300 years old, perfectly situated on the main village square opposite Seefeld’s charming church. Built in typically Tyrolean style with the classic low sloping roofs and wooden exterior, rooms are generously sized and are very well appointed featuring all the facilities you would expect from such a rating. The hotel’s terrace on the main square (heated when necessary), serves drinks from the bar and snacks, including an excellent apple strudel. There is also a coffee shop, interior bar with occasional live music, and the excellent spa, with indoor pool affording views over the attractive village and the mountains beyond. You may upgrade to a suite - even more spacious plus added features

to make your stay special. For the finest view of all though, visit the rooftop sun terrace equipped with sun loungers. The restaurant - decorated extensively with wood, reflecting the local style - serves very good quality Tyrolean specialties and international cuisine. Managed by the same caring family for generations, the staff members are what really make the Krumers Post special - many have been here for

years, offering friendly and helpful service, always wearing a genuine smile, and continuing the true

tradition of Austrian hospitality. It’s ideal for a comfortable stay. DAY 2 - INNSBRUCK After breakfast, we take the short drive along Inn valley to the Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck, for a guided tour of this delightful city. An important trading centre since Celtic times, then capital of a Dukedom before being incorporated in the Habsburg Empire, today your eyes

can feast on the historic architecture. There is the famous Golden Roof, the

magnificent baroque St Jakob’s cathedral and the former Imperial Palace, once home of

Empress Maria Theresa, the Stadtturm belfry tower with its excellent views across the city and Schloss Ambras, the Renaissance castle and palace. Today Innsbruck is delightful - wander its

medieval streets, absorb the genteel ambience or just listen to the talented street musicians before we return to Seefeld mid afternoon.

DAY 3 - BOLZANO The Tyrol was first documented as a Province in 1271 and history still has a key role in today’s as we take the historic Roman “Via Claudia Augusta”, flirting with the Swiss border. The route overflows with astonishing Alpine scenery – rolling hills, studded with apple orchards, majestic snow-capped peaks, roaring rivers, shimmering lakes, and the occasional village – a kaleidoscope of the perfect Alpine landscape. The Südtirol (South Tirol) was always a frontier region, regarded by the Romans as the start of “The North” and by German and French Emperors as start of “The South” and because this key mountain trade route traversed their lands, the Tyroleans became rich on tolls and taxes, eventually becoming incorporated in the mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Firstly we visit opulent Merano, a lovely spa town where its just lovely to just wander, taking in the glorious Belle Époque buildings, fine gardens and excellent cafes which line a leafy river bank walk, all set in a theatre of high mountain peaks.

After the First World War the Südtirol became Italian but even today this fiercely independent region is undoubtedly Austrian in style and outlook, retains its German language, its culture and unique architecture. Bolzano, the region’s capital, gives you the opportunity to experience this fascinating mix of modern Italian and historic Tyrolean lifestyles - classic Italian coffee and delicious Tyrolean cakes make a great match! Bolzano’s strategic location is

one reason for its many castles and fortified buildings, plus its historic centre and gothic cathedral complete with colourful mosaic

roof are fascinating. But for something different, in 1991 an amazingly

mummified 5,000 year old man was discovered high in the Alps. Now preserved at the Archaeological Museum you can view his body – which staggeringly, in addition to tattoo’s, carries evidence of rudimentary treatment of arthritic

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pain! His clothes and weapons are displayed too, and we have surprisingly detailed information on his life - he was 45 years old when he died, had no tooth decay, carried a sophisticated fire lighting kit and even wore thermal shoes. An internationally significant source of research, knowledge gained from “Oetzi”, as he is nicknamed, has changed our view of human history!

Our return to Seefeld takes us through the famous Brenner Pass - one of the most important transalpine trade routes since earliest times, as evidenced by the host of ruined castles guarding seemingly every hilltop. The scenery is simply stunning here, as mountain top after mountain top just gets higher and more colourful, with most way above the tree line.

DAY 4 - OETZTALER GLACIER ROAD Today we drive up the ever narrowing Oetztal valley to the high mountain resort of Soelden, enjoying ever more scenic views. Despite being almost 5000 feet high, this remote village is dwarfed by surrounding giant snow-capped mountains. Our spectacular drive continues up the Oetztaler Glacier Road into the heart of the mountains for stunning views of glaciers and peaks, ice and snow covered throughout the summer. Breathe deeply for several minutes - the rarefied air deep in your lungs has an almost medicinal quality! Keep your eyes peeled for the mountain wildlife here, including eagles and those delightful indigenous rodents, marmots - hugely entertaining bundles of fur with a spine tingling whistle. It was near here that Oetzi the Iceman met his fate all those millennia ago, the victim of a Bronze Age arrow, why he was attacked, we shall never know.

This afternoon we return to the river Inn and a guided tour of the splendid Cistercian monastery at Stams. Founded in 1273, the two majestic onion shaped towers of its superb 17th century Basilica, can be seen from far and wide. This is a truly magnificent building justifiably renowned for its murals, ceiling frescoes, fine Baroque altar and breathtaking gold leaf decoration. Having suffered a turbulent history, including dissolution by the Nazis, Stams has been beautifully restored and is once again a thriving monastic community, welcoming travellers of all nations and beliefs and even baking its own delicious bread!

DAY 5 - FREE DAY IN SEEFELD Today is a free day so you can take pleasure in Seefeld’s many attributes as you wish. Perhaps enjoy a round of golf, a horse drawn carriage ride or a gentle stroll around the lake before selecting a favourite café to sample some of those luscious “torte” cakes. There are several chairlifts, cable cars or a funicular railway, enabling you to explore the village’s higher reaches such as the rocky outcrops Seefelder Joch and Härmelekopf. The tourist office operates a range of guided walks, whether you choose an easy ramble or a more challenging walk, it’s an excellent way of discovering the hinterland. Explore the peaceful meadows and woodlands, hire a boat on the lake or perhaps indulge yourself in the hotel’s excellent spa. Whatever your choice, you’re assured of another splendid meal at the hotel this evening.

DAY 6 - NEUSCHWANSTEIN Today’s drive takes you into nearby Bavaria seeing the might of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. Some of our journey will be on the fabled ‘Romantic Road’ and the beautiful ‘Deutsche Alpenstrasse’ – the Alpine Road, leading to one of Germany’s most famous monuments and one which seems to typify an image of the country, the castle of the instantly recognisable, and equally unpronounceable, Neuschwanstein! This is the classic ‘fairytale’ castle, inspiration for so many stories and allegedly the model for Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ that has fascinated children the world over.

One of Bavaria’s most famous kings, Ludwig, modelling himself on France’s Louis XIV, embarked on an epic castle building programme, eventually bankrupting the then independent country! Indeed, one of his pet projects is the subject of our tour today. Clinging to the side of a vast valley in the most dramatic of settings, Neuschwanstein was constructed with pink granite, a symbol of Ludwig’s self-belief as divinely chosen for kingship and in homage to his idol, Wagner! The architecture inside is equally impressive, with marble everywhere; the design draws freely from different architectural styles, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic. Tapestries and intrinsic art decorate the walls and the standard of workmanship is admirable.

DAY 7 - ACHENSEEBAHN After breakfast let us head back in time over 100 years, taking a journey to Jenbach where the

unmistakable aroma of steam coal, which once graced every British station, fills the air and a narrow gauge railway winds away into the hills. This is a magically scenic experience on the truly historic Achenseebahn, a metre gauge railway climbing from the Inn valley using rack assistance to surmount the steep gradient. The coal-fired locomotives are amongst the world’s oldest working steam trains still doing the job they were built for in the 19th century, taking tourists at a leisurely pace up to the beautiful Achensee Lake.

Rejoining your coach, we journey even further back in time to delightful medieval Rattenberg, the Tyrol’s smallest municipality nestling by the river Inn. The gorgeous medieval stone buildings you see here are the result of growing rich on the proceeds of silver mining, then prospering from nail and glass making. It’s wonderful exploring the narrow streets, discovering the charms of this historic village. The creation of fine glassware is its major occupation today - raw materials fashioned into exquisite pieces by the skilled craftsmen – no wonder this lovely spot has such renown. Climb to the ruined castle for splendid views of the town and it surroundings – there’s also a lift, so don’t miss the fine panorama!

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today at the appropriate time you will be returned to the airport for your return flight. COMPLIMENTARY GUIDED WALKAn increasing number of you want to stretch your legs whilst away so you may want to join our complimentary walk. Places are limited so please advise at time of booking. Our walk begins in Seefeld, and as we wend our way through the pretty meadows, we pass by the striking sight of an Olympic ski jump. We continue along with the unmistakable alpine scent in the air, pausing occasionally to spot perhaps some interesting wildlife or unusual flowers. Our naturalist guide will make sure you truly make the most of this sojourn into this remarkable natural wonderland. Continuing through the lush forest, picturesque Lake Mösern comes into view and then it’s time for refreshments against a picture-perfect backdrop you will never forget. Approximately 6 miles. 3hrs trip duration 4 hours duration approx. 3.5 hours

Lake Achensee

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£759

The heart of the Austria-Hungarian Empire, medieval, baroque and fin de siècle showpieces blend with the precision of the Spanish

Riding School and the romance of the great composers

PR AG U E , V I E N NA , B OH E M I A &

T H E DA N U B E VA L L E Y

• Return flights• Seven nights in four-star accommodation, with breakfast and three dinners• Guided tour of medieval Prague, central Europe’s jewel• Guided tour of Prague’s 17th century castle district• Tour of Vienna’s Schönbrunn, summer palace of the Hapsburg dynasty• Explore the magical Wachau, the vine-covered stunningly beautiful Danube Valley

• Guided tour of imperial Vienna, a true cultural capital• Visit to Melk Abbey – Austria’s magnificent Benedictine monastery• Visit to the exquisitely beautiful Bohemian historical town of Cesky Krumlov• Tour of the Budvar Brewery, home of one of the world’s finest beers• Experience Bohemia’s breathtaking scenery• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 4 VISIT THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL IN VIENNA, THE OLDEST OF ITS KIND

Schönbrunn Palace

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Call us to pre-book your tickets for a classical concert in Vienna

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This wonderfully varied tour visits two of Europe’s most alluring capitals, follows the most romantic stretch of the serene River Danube - Austria’s enchanting Wachau,

explores Melk’s incredible baroque monastery and steps back in time seeing Bohemia’s bucolic scenery, crowned by the medieval gem of Cesky Krumlov - one of central Europe’s most utterly beautiful and unspoilt towns. At the heart of central Europe since the earliest civilisations and steeped in tales of powerful emperors, this, plus some of the world’s most exquisite architecture and momentous cultural collections all await you.

Bohemia’s rolling hills and extensive forests were once hunting grounds for medieval lords and its historic centres of Ceske Budejovice and Cesky Krumlov wonderfully retain their medieval atmosphere, stunning beauty and complete authenticity. Continuing onwards you will be enchanted by the sheer majesty of the gorgeous River Danube, as it twists its way through countless charming villages, their rose-coloured buildings adorned with the colourful murals so typical of central Europe. With its rugged valley sides covered with vines and forests almost impossibly springing from every nook and cranny, and punctured by ruin-encrusted rocky pinnacles, this is some of Europe’s most stunning river scenery. In contrast, dominating the valley is Melk’s palatial mustard-yellow Benedictine monastery, Austria’s most richly decorated building.

Imperial Vienna, a truly elegant city, one of the real gems of Central Europe conjures an image of culture, ornate architecture, elegant cafés, aristocratic palaces, imposing cathedrals and everywhere the romantic music of the great composers: Beethoven, Mahler and, of course Strauss. Reality is no different and as capital of the Hapsburg Empire, holding sway over much of Central and Eastern Europe for centuries, there is a wealth of things to see. In the city’s heart is the lovely St Stephen’s cathedral and the centre of Viennese life. Then the Hofburg, formerly the Court Palace, now home to the crown jewels and relics of the Holy Roman Empire, the Vienna Boys’ Choir and the famous Spanish Riding School. Similarly impressive, the Kunsthistorisches houses the world’s fourth largest art collection, together with antiquities from throughout the ancient world.

Then to Prague - often described as ‘The Magical City’, ‘The Golden City’ or ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ – this stunningly beautiful capital has been a melting pot for innumerable civilisations: Slav, Jewish and German, all leaving unique legacies. Architecturally it is a marvel, and in terms of its sights, a revelation, with some six centuries of stunning buildings, ranging from medieval, through to baroque and art nouveau. Subsequently, some forty years of self-imposed isolation prevented haphazard development, followed by a further twenty of superb renovation and it is not an exaggeration to state few of the planet’s cities look this good! Of course it has its palaces, cathedrals and beautiful churches, but its real charm is to be found in

the city’s unique atmosphere, especially during the evening; take a wander through the old town, where quite literally, around every corner you will find a picture postcard view. You will love this superb tour!

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN PRAGUE You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Prague. We then continue staying two nights with dinner at the smart four-star Hotel Clarion located on the edge of Ceske Budejovice ’s beautiful old town, in the heart of scenic Bohemia.

DAY 2 - CESKY KRUMLOV After breakfast we take a short drive through some lovely countryside; dense, boar infested forests bisected by a series of mirror-like lakes are alive with flocks of wildfowl and rolling meadows carpeted with colourful flowers completely surround you. Next we have a guided tour of the castle in historic Cesky Krumlov, probably the most exquisite of Czech towns with vanilla and rose-coloured houses clinging to steep lanes, winding to the foaming blue river, meandering in the gorge below. Afterwards there is some free time to explore the compelling beauty here with much to see: the Rococo theatre complete with its original scenery; the arsenal; medieval fortifications; renaissance and gothic houses; tiny marketplaces and traditional shops with artisans busy at work. Most people are unaware of Cesky Krumlov and long may it be so, but it is astounding, with its haunting atmospheric old town, tangled tiny streets and undiscovered magical ambience.

Returning to 13th century Ceske Budejovice, or in German, Budweis is famous for its 700 year old brewing heritage and home to the original Budweiser. This is definitely not to be confused with the US brand of the same name (the subject of extensive legal conflict!) and you yourself can judge which is superior, as we sample the original, straight from the barrel during our fascinating visit to this historic brewery!

This evening we enjoy a meal out in a local restaurant to soak up the atmosphere and sample some great typical cuisine.

DAY 3 - MELKThis morning we head south through picturesque, wooded countryside into Austria, soon descending to the legendary Danube, for a visit to Melk’s stunning monastery towering high above the valley. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this extraordinary and enormous building standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a palace it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th century, reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th, it has remained a monastic school and monastery to this day. It is famed for its astonishing gilded 200m long Emperor’s Gallery, its historic portraits of Austrian emperors, many fine rooms and a stupendous library of 100,000 priceless 17th century volumes, intricate medieval manuscripts, plus fragments of the famed Nibelungenlied manuscript immortalised by Wagner.

Just downstream we follow the Danube’s most beautiful stretch, the fabled Wachau; at its narrowest point, where the river funnels through steep, wooded and vine-clad cliffs, nestles tiny, enchantingly historic Durnstein. Stunningly beautiful and, superbly photogenic, its gorgeous sky blue basilica dominates the medieval centre, with the ruined castle above where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned whilst returning from the Crusades. Wander where your feet take you and perhaps enjoy a local speciality in a charming wine tavern before continuing through the Wienerwald hills to Vienna and two nights at either the Hotel Lindner or the Hotel Regina, both centrally located.

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DAY 4 - VIENNA Ruling much of Central Europe for centuries until its demise at the end of the First World War was the vast, multinational Hapsburg Empire with its capital, Vienna. This morning we have a guided tour of this superbly civilised city which entered its golden age during the 17th century, and over the next two hundred years today’s showpiece of wonderful buildings, galleries, churches and palaces were built. First of all there is the Hofburg, the former royal court now a collection of museums, home to the Vienna Boys’ Choir, the Spanish Riding School, the crown jewels and the world’s fourth largest art collection. Then there are the Emperor’s apartments and outstanding medieval craftsmanship in the relics of the Holy Roman Empire including, allegedly, the crown of Charlemagne himself!

The Ringstrasse, a collection of imposing imperial buildings, including the parliament and old law courts, remains seemingly unchanged by the passing decades. St Stephen’s Cathedral, with its striking multi-coloured roof has dominated the skyline since the 12th century and outside is the ideal spot to watch street entertainment: from fire-eaters to mime artists and even opera singers - not forgetting the designer shopping on the Graben and countless quieter areas too!

This afternoon, you can choose to visit the Spanish Riding School, where the renowned Lipizzaner horses have been trained for over 450 years in the art of classical dressage. Enjoy a guided tour of the schools, the world’s largest oval horse walker, and the stables in the Stallburg, one of

Vienna’s most prominent Renaissance buildings, whilst discovering the school’s history and traditions, and learning about the horses themselves.

During the evening, and for a real sense of the atmosphere of centuries past, you could visit one of the numerous classical concerts held in one of the city’s beautiful churches. Here you can listen to the sounds of the great composers such as Handel, Bach or Strauss, the memories of which will stay with you for many years. DAY 5 - SCHONBRUNN PALACE This morning we have a guided tour of the magnificent 18th century Schönbrunn, the Hapsburg’s summer residence and everything a palace should be: grandiose, fabulously decorated, crammed with priceless works of art, Chinese and Meissen porcelain, furniture, tapestries, lacquer-work, chandeliers and glassware. Look above and below, the intricate detail of the floors and ceilings is truly outstanding. The palace became the permanent home of Emperor Franz Josef, boasting an amazing 1441 rooms, including the parlour where a six-year-old Mozart played for Empress Maria Theresa!

Outside, as you would expect, within the estate’s 435 acre plot are the equally impressive manicured gardens, with a blend of regimented flowerbeds, fountains and sculptures.

This afternoon we take the pleasantly scenic journey through rolling hills, crossing the former Iron Curtain and you can just define where the border once was. We soon arrive in that other great Imperial city – Prague, staying three nights at the centrally-located, four-star Jury’s Inn. The hotel is ideally located, just one mile from the medieval centre, opposite a tram and metro station allowing easy exploration.

DAY 6 - PRAGUE Often described as Europe’s most beautiful city, Prague’s unique ambience is rooted in a historic past and a vibrant present- an apparently effortless and heady combination unrivalled anywhere. Centuries of royal patronage have created this masterpiece and this morning is dedicated to an in depth guided tour of Prague’s wonderful medieval old town. Its plethora of architectural splendours includes the classic Charles Bridge with its fascinating turrets, Tyn Church, the Powder Tower, the old Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square and the magnificent 11th century Staromestske Namesti – literally one of the world’s most beautiful squares with its legendary 15th

Charles Bridge

Astronomical clock, Prague

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU Few experiences are as delightful as enjoying some of the world’s most famous music in Vienna, a city with a magnificent musical heritage. Listen to a recital by the world-class Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra in the beautiful Palace Orangery, the largest in the world, where Mozart himself performed in 1786 and many sumptuous festivities took place during the reign of the Habsburgs. Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

century astronomical clock and stunning buildings. This afternoon perhaps wander slowly back to your favourite spot to explore further or perhaps take a scenic cruise along the River Vltava for a different perspective on the city.

DAY 7 - PRAGUE CASTLE This morning we have a guided visit of Hradcany, Prague’s spectacular Castle and Cathedral complex and the centre of political power for a thousand years. Perched on a cliff towering over the city you’ll learn about the great history of royal rulers, medieval warfare and differing religions and politics resulting in an intriguing mix of palaces, churches and fortifications covering seven hectares. Amongst the many fascinating buildings are the Spanish Hall, with its amazing art featuring Brueghel, Dürer, Holbein, Da Vinci and Titian; Golden Lane, a delightful collection of tiny craftsmen’s houses and the Romanesque St George’s Basilica and the stupendous Cathedral with its brilliant stained glass. The view from here is simply breathtaking - the stunning panorama of historic rooftops spread out before you is quite literally, the City of a Hundred Spires. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish; stroll down to the medieval city or relax over a well earned refreshing drink, before continuing to enjoy its many delights as you wish for the rest of the day. This evening we dine at a charming local restaurant, where you can reflect on the wonders of this diverse and culturally rich corner of Europe.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today you will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight.

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,099

Almost at the roof of the world, an extraordinary blend of outstanding natural beauty, a Viking heritage of exploration and wartime courage

coupled with sophisticated cities full of Scandinavian style

NORWAY

• Return scheduled flights

• Seven nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and three dinners

• Sightseeing tour of Oslo, including the Oslo Pass allowing free entry to all museums and local transport

• Visit to the famous Viking museum

• Visit to the country’s largest ‘stave’ church, built entirely of wood

• Travel to the wild Telemark region and visit the power station at Rjukan, setting of the ‘Heroes of Telemark’ film and arguably the most crucial sabotage operation of WWII

• Travel on the famous Oslo-Bergen rail line and the world’s steepest railway to Flåm

• Enjoy two cruises on Norway’s most spectacular fjords and see the country’s most popular waterfall

• Walking tour of Bergen

• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Naeroyfjord

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Although most of us may be aware of Norway’s remarkably spectacular fjords, few appreciate that this oddly-shaped country on the edge of Europe offers so

very much more. Sophisticated and cosmopolitan Oslo, is superbly located at the head of its own fjord and seems surrounded by water. From its amazing new Opera House built to resemble a glacier at the water’s edge, to its Royal Palace, art galleries and Maritime museums, this is a city which will surely surprise and delight you.

We also enjoy two of Europe’s most breath-taking rail journeys: the Oslo to Bergen plus the celebrated Flam railway – the world’s steepest, operating without cogs or cables. Who could forget the world’s most outstandingly majestic fjords!, stunning, beautiful and enchanting, we enjoy boat trips on two of the finest. And finally, typically Nordic Bergen – a member of the medieval Hanseatic League, crammed with charming cobbled streets and colourful buildings lining its delightful quayside.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN OSLOFly to Oslo and transfer to the modern four-star Scandic Byporten Hotel with breakfast, ideally located right in the centre of the city. The spacious, smart reception is welcoming and bright and there is a lobby bar where you can relax with a well-earned drink after a hard day’s sightseeing and enjoy views of city life through the panoramic windows. The light, modern rooms are furnished in typically Scandinavian calm neutral tones and are well-appointed with all the facilities you would expect for a comfortable stay.

DAY 2 - OSLOAfter breakfast we embark on a sightseeing tour of Oslo. Norway’s relatively small capital city is a beguiling mix of the old and the new, featuring world-class museums, cutting-edge contemporary architecture and beautiful open spaces. We’ll see the National Gallery which houses the original of Edward Munch’s ‘The Scream’, undoubtedly Norway’s most extraordinary artist, the imposing Royal Palace, the nearby Ibsen Museum and the famed Vigeland sculpture park. We then reach the peninsula of Bygdøy and Oslo’s most popular attraction - the Viking Ship Museum.

This houses two incredible 1000-year old oak Viking longships in a remarkable state of preservation. From here you may walk to see two other fascinating museums: the unmissable Kon-Tiki Museum contains the actual reed and balsawood crafts used by Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl on his landmark expeditions to recreate ancient man’s theoretical voyages in the 1950s. Next door is the Polar exploration ship Fram, used by Roald Amundsen on his journey to Antarctica. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this charming city with the use of the Oslo Pass, which allows free entry to the city’s main museums and galleries, plus unrestricted travel on all public transport.

DAY 3 - TELEMARKToday begins with a journey west to the picturesque Telemark region made famous by the Norwegian resistance, whose heroic actions between 1942-44 helped prevent the occupying German forces from developing the ‘heavy water’ needed to further their atomic bomb-making capabilities. We visit the site of the processing plant at Rjukan that was destroyed by a team of Norwegian saboteurs in February 1943, then travel to Lake Tinnsjø. It was from here that the Germans planned to transport their remaining stocks of processed ‘heavy water’ back to Germany but the ‘Heroes of Telemark’ as they became known (you have probably seen the film of the same name) blew up and sank the steam ferry carrying the heavy water.

We travel back through this stunning landscape finishing with a visit to the country’s largest ‘stave’ church at Heddal, a spectacular 13th century wooden structure that looks like something straight out of a fairytale and return to our hotel in Oslo. DAY 4 - BERGEN RAILWAY After breakfast we depart from Oslo on the fabled Bergen Railway. Often cited as one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, Oslo-Bergen is the highest line between any two cities in Europe, peaking at 1,222m. One moment you are speeding alongside lakes and forests that seem to stretch as far as the eye can see and then as the railway climbs further you are past the tree line and on to the barren Hardangervidda plateau where patches of snow linger well into July.

Just over five hours later you arrive at the mountain resort of Voss, where you check into the historic four-star Fleischer’s Hotel for two nights with breakfast and dinner. This beautiful, classic hotel dates back to the 19th century and is still owned by the fourth generation Fleischer family! You will be assured a warm welcome on arrival into the reception area with its lovely wooden paneling and furnished with comfortable leather chairs and sofas in rich, relaxing colours. Dine in style in the elegant restaurant before retiring to the cosy bar for a digestif. Enjoy stunning lake and mountain views from the large terrace or take a swim in the indoor pool.

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The rooms are classically decorated in warm tones and offer all the facilities you would expect in a hotel of this quality.

DAY 5 - FLÅM RAILWAYThere’s a real treat in store today – a trip on the world-famous Flåm Railway. From Voss we head to Myrdal, where we change trains for Flåm, a 20-kilometre journey that sees us descend 865m on one of the world’s steepest railway lines, deemed ‘the world’s best train ride’. You will marvel at the engineering feat of 20 tunnels carved through sheer mountainsides, you will be left speechless at the beauty of the sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls and you will be in awe as you eventually reach the mouth of one of Norway’s most spectacular fjords, Aurlandsfjord. Your hour-long journey ends in Flåm,

where you board a two-hour ferry for Gudvangen across the UNESCO-listed Naerøyfjord and its jaw-dropping vistas. From Gudvangen you take a coach for the return journey to Voss.

DAY 6 - VØRINGFOSSEN & FJORD CRUISEWe leave Voss for the pretty village of Eidfjord, which is nestled on the banks of Hardangerfjord, Norway’s second longest fjord, known as the Queen of Fjords. Our journey takes us across Norway’s longest suspension bridge, and from Eidfjord we continue up the valley to Vøringfossen, the country’s most renowned – and arguably most spectacular waterfall. As it falls 182 metres into the sheer-sided gorge below, you may be lucky enough to see its amazing rainbow from the viewing point offering sensational views of this magnificent natural spectacle. Camera memory cards filled, we head back to the massive open waters of Hardangerfjord for a cruise along the fjord, passing by some charming tiny villages,

before transferring on by coach to Bergen, where you will stay for two nights at the charming and historic Grand Hotel Terminus, a classic art deco hotel dating back to 1928. Ideally located within walking distance of the main sights of Bergen, the rooms are well appointed with all the facilities you would expect from a hotel of this standard. The atmospheric oak-panelled bar, offering speciality whiskies, is an ideal place to relax with newly made friends at the end of the day.

This evening we dine at a local restaurant serving authentic Norwegian cuisine.

DAY 7 - BERGENAfter breakfast we take a morning walking tour of this beautiful coastal city. Bergen has a long fishing heritage and we will walk around its famous fish market before strolling along the colourful wooden houses and warehouses that make up the UNESCO site of the Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf. Originally built in the 14th century for German merchants trading out of the city, these beautiful waterside buildings have been converted into characterful shops and restaurants that wonderfully evoke Bergen’s medieval past.

The afternoon is spent at your leisure. A wealth of sightseeing opportunities include the house of Bergen’s most famous son, composer Edvard Grieg, or a ride on the Fløibanen funicular up to the summit of Fløyen for a breathtaking view of the city. If that all sounds like too much effort, simply stroll around the narrow, cobbled streets with their pretty archways before settling down in a café or restaurant to order a plate of fruits de mer or even the local speciality of herring. They are guaranteed to be as fresh as the air, water and panoramas that you have experienced over the past six days that make Norway so wonderfully invigorating and unique.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHTTransfer to Bergen airport for our return flight home.

Bergen

Flam Railway

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6 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£899

Once two of Europe’s strongest nations, rich with the footprints of the Vikings and the Hanseatic League wonderfully contrasted modern ‘Scandinavia’.

You will love their ‘civilised’ atmosphere

S TO C K HOL M & C OPE N H AG E N

• Return flights• Five nights in centrally located four-star accommodation with breakfast• Sightseeing tour of Stockholm, one of Europe's most delightful medieval cities • Tour of Sweden's Royal Palace with its magnificent lavish rooms crammed with sumptuous furnishings and state regalia• High speed train from Stockholm to Copenhagen• Sightseeing tour of Copenhagen centred on the charming Nyhavn Harbour, one of Europe's most picturesque and authentic waterfronts.

• Visit to Roskilde, Denmark's first capital now home to the world's finest Viking museum featuring five superbly preserved 1,000 year old vessels, plus authentic reconstructions of Viking skills based on archeological research• Visit to Roskilde Cathedral, final burial place of the Danish Royal family• Visit to Fredericksborg Slot, the Nordic Versailles - a baroque masterpiece - once a royal palace, full of art, antiques, period furnishings, exquisitely decorated rooms and all surrounded by intricate formal gardens.• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Nyhavn

DAY 3 - TRAIN TO COPENHAGENStockholm offers a wide variety of wonderful attractions, so this morning you are free to explore its delights as you wish - the list is almost endless! You could discover Stadshuset (City Hall) where Nobel Prize winners enjoy their banquet, or visit one of more than a hundred other museums and galleries.

This afternoon we take the high speed train (approximately 5 hours) to Copenhagen. You are whisked in comfort though almost deserted rolling landscapes which characterise rural Sweden. After the sea bridge and tunnel, we arrive in Copenhagen staying three nights with breakfast at either the Hotel Kong Arthur or Scandic Copenhagen depending on the date travelled. The four-star centrally located Kong Arthur, a lovely family-run boutique four-star hotel, centrally located just off one of the city's lakes and converted from three 19th century townhouses surrounding a cobbled courtyard adorned with colourful flowers. There are three restaurants, a bar, spa and the individually decorated bedrooms are very well appointed. The top floor features a gallery displaying contemporary Danish art. The modern four-star central Scandic Copenhagen is an excellent hotel with stunning view over the city. Recently renovated in a modern Nordic style it reflects the best in Danish design and is very near the renowned Tivoli gardens. The rooms are modern and typically Scandinavian with an urban city or a calming nature design and the excellent restaurant typically uses quality and organic ingredients.

DAY 4 - COPENHAGENAfter breakfast we have a guided tour of Copenhagen, a real revelation, ironically perhaps best known for two iconic landmarks, the Carlsberg Brewery and the Little Mermaid, the statue inspired by the famous Dane - Hans Christian Andersen. You'll see the Royal Danish Theatre which played a key role in his life. Other sights include the Houses of Parliament, the Christiansborg, the magnificent Amalienborg Palace, winter residence of the Monarchy and the world famous Tivoli pleasure gardens famous for its street entertainers and music concerts.

The afternoon and evening are free so that you can explore the many wonders of this scrupulously clean, smart yet relaxed city as you wish. The remarkable Royal Library, is worth a visit as are the National Museum and the Ny Carlsberg art collection - another cultural highlight founded by the famous brewer!

On a glorious summer evening there is nowhere more pleasant than one of Copenhagen's harbour side restaurants to enjoy a leisurely dinner.

DAY 5 - VIKING MUSEUM & FREDERIKSBORG PALACEToday we explore a little more of Denmark commencing with historic Roskilde, the country's medieval capital. Firstly we visit the outstanding Cathedral, one of the world's few brick built gothic structures. Next we visit the extraordinary Viking museum, on the remains of an ancient harbour. It features five 11th century Viking ships in staggering condition after being preserved in mud for centuries. There's also a vibrant community of craftsmen here perpetuating boatbuilding skills by constructing replica boats including a 30 metre long "Sea Stallion of Glendalough" which in 2007 repeated its original voyage to Dublin.

Next we head north to Frederiksborg Slot a majestic Renaissance palace, a real Nordic Versailles. Surrounded by a stately lake and set in glorious manicured baroque and romantic English styled gardens. Fredericksborg is now a national museum and is a fitting end to the day as we return to Copenhagen late afternoon.

DAY 6 - RETURN FLIGHTToday you will be transferred to Copenhagen airport for your flight home.

Think of Sweden and Denmark and a host of unique images immediately spring to your mind. Quaint, historic capitals rich with the architectural legacies of the Hanseatic League;

pristine streets, wide-open spaces; a love of nature and respect for the environment; home of the Vikings, modern monarchies; peace-loving and some of the most pleasant people you will ever meet. All this is true but there really is so much more. You may find it surprising that Denmark and Sweden were two of medieval Europe's most powerful nations. Today both are littered with countless legacies: rich palaces rivaling Europe's finest burst with art and antiques; sleepy thatched villages with exquisite churches abound plus atmospheric gabled towns with delightful cobbled streets and typically Baltic historical centres everywhere. There are significant Viking remains and a host of museums to visit, indeed Stockholm itself has over 100 including a fascinating one dedicated to the Nobel Prizes.

Both cities have played host to royalty since the Viking age and their palaces and wonderful parks, set against a stunning background of picturesque lakes, canals and natural harbours, create a majestic framework for today's vibrant modern capitals where queues are rare, graffiti is even rarer and litter is almost unknown. Colourful waterfronts hark back to the great Viking traditions of yesteryear with a host of cultural delights from the Dark Ages to the ultra modern of today.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN STOCKHOLMYou should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Stockholm where you will be met and transferred, to either the centrally located, four-star hotel Radisson or Scandic for two nights with breakfast. Scandic Grand Central is a classic 1890's building, set in the heart of Stockholm city centre, surrounded by restaurants, shops, cafes and bars. Formerly a theatre, reminders of its heritage feature heavily in the hotel's design, with spotlights over the reception and the stage still remaining. All rooms are chicly decorated with wood floors, TV, safety deposit box, a real urban Scandinavian design.

The Radisson Blu, Royal Viking a superb modern building making extensive use of glass and tasteful polished stone, is ideally located within walking distance to Stockholm's old town, Gamla Stan. The impressive spacious lobby offers a variety of seating areas, a stylish bar and its well regarded Fisk restaurant. There is also an indoor pool and gym, with the decor of the rooms classically Scandinavian designed to create a crisp, soothing ambience.

DAY 2 - STOCKHOLM CITY TOURStockholm is a fascinating city tumbling across an idyllic archipelago on the shores of the Baltic Sea. This morning we have a city tour when history comes to life and you can really appreciate not only its cultural and architectural highlights but the sheer atmosphere, harmony and evident love of life emanating from virtually everywhere. "Gamla Stan" - the medieval old town set around some small islands is the city's heart. Many of the city's oldest buildings dating from the 13th century are here: Storkyrkan and Riddarholmskyrkan churches; coronation and the burial places of Swedish monarchs with their tall spires dominate the city.

We visit the Royal Palace, the king's official residence and the unmistakable jewel in Stockholm's crown. This combination of current royal residence, workplace, museums and historic monument is open to the public, making it unique amongst European regal palaces. You will also see the Royal Apartments, great corridors, historic rooms and three separate museums including the treasury's crown jewels. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to return to your own particular favourite corner of the city. To enable you to travel freely around Stockholm, we have included a Stockholm Travel Card for your convenience.

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Nyhavn

5 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£959

Positively unique! A culture steeped in Norse mythology and a landscape forged by the elements and volcanic forces. Be humbled by the earth’s

overwhelming power, delightful puffins and magical whales

IC E L A N D

• Return flights• Four nights in a choice of centrally located four-star accommodation with breakfast• Tour of Reykjavik, the world’s most northerly capital• Visit Thingvellir National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site. At Thingvallavatn Lake, where the great Atlantic rift tears Iceland apart along tectonic plates, you can walk between the American and Eurasian continental divide• See the staggeringly immense Myrdalsjokull glacier• Discover the contorted lava plateau through the Threngsli pass

• See the awesome natural power of Gullfoss Waterfall• Be spellbound by the grace and harmony of some of the world’s largest and most intelligent creatures on a whale and dolphin watching cruise• Reynisfjara’s volcanic black sandy beach – home of the iconic Puffins and twisted rock formations• See Eyjafjallajokull – the infamous volcano which grounded most of Europe’s aircraft in 2010• Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon’s geothermal spa, with its surreal natural warmth amongst jet-black lava formations• Encounter ‘geysir’ which gave its name to similar phenomenon worldwide• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls

In this modern age there is sometimes a tedious similarity between countries across the globe, with the same old multinationals, predictable restaurant chains and designer shops. Iceland

though is such a refreshing change; a wonderfully welcoming place, like nowhere else with friendly yet fiercely independent people, a culture steeped in Norse mythology and a landscape forged and still being moulded by the essential forces of water, ice and fire.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN REYKJAVIK You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Reykjavik. We have a choice of centrally located hotels depending on your chosen departure date.

The characteristic four-star Hotel Centrum is on one of the Reykjavik’s oldest streets. A superb property originally one of the city’s oldest houses built in 1764 now spread over three buildings. Newly renovated, it is beautifully designed in the style found in Reykjavik around 1900 and underneath the remains of a Viking Longhouse. The modern rooms feature satellite TV, mini bar, radio, iron and ironing board, safe, tea and coffee making facilities.

The four-star FossHotel Reykjavik provides Scandinavian style and class with edgy yet sophisticated décor. It is in fact the largest hotel in Reykjavik professionally managed by the same group as its sister hotel the Hotel Centrum. Located approximately 300 metres from Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street offering a superb choice of stylish restaurants and bars.

The sleek, bright and spacious standard rooms are located on the 2nd to 7th floor and are fully equipped with flat screen TV, iron and ironing board, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, writing desk and free wifi access, bathrooms with shower and hairdryer.

DAY 2 - SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS & VIK Today we explore Iceland’s delightfully diverse south west shoreline firstly climbing through a remarkable lunar like landscape of multi-coloured lava plateaux, through the Threngli Pass and descending across the sparkling River Olufsa – famous for its excellent salmon. To the north you can see Myrdalsjokull and Eyjfjalla Glaciers - the latter famous for its volcano below, which infamously halted Europe’s air traffic in 2010. We head for two of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss tumbles ribbon-like over a great overhanging lava cliff whilst Skogafoss is one of the countries highest, plunging some 60 metres in an impressive shower of shimmering spray.

The natural wonders continue as we approach the imposing wall of ice forming the snout of the immense Solheimajokull Glacier. You may notice a sulphurous hint in the air here, as the waters emanating from the glacier here are called “Stinking River” due to the sulphurous acid content absorbed from the hot geothermal rocks beneath your feet.

Next we make for Iceland’s southernmost point, the beautifully situated village of Vik, seeing its famous black beach and towering cliffs where you may be lucky and spot the renowned Puffin colonies.

DAY 3 - WHALE WATCHING & BLUE LAGOON After a breakfast we experience something completely different, departing the old harbour

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seeking arguably the planets most graceful creatures, whales and dolphins. Depending on conditions and with luck you may see grand

humpbacks and spectacular killer whales, but more normally

delightful minke whales. Dolphins are prevalent too and there is nothing

quite like that moment when a first fin is spotted or a giant of the ocean astonishingly

breaks the surface in front of your eyes. Countless endearing puffins nest here and depending on conditions can be seen hurtling around the waters and cliffs entertain themselves as much as you in a remarkable display of colour and aquabatics.

Early afternoon we have a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik situated around its natural harbour on a fjord. Dominating the skyline is the impressive Hallgrimskirkja church – Iceland’s largest, its extraordinary bell tower inspired by the shapes of cooling lava columns. You will see the monument to the explorer Leif Eriksson whose discovery of America pre-dates that of Columbus by around 500 years. Nearby is the modern day home of the Althingi, the world’s oldest parliament. The fishing harbour is a fascinating quarter, redolent of timeless scenes as weather beaten trawler men returned with the hard won fruits of nature.

To end our day we visit an Icelandic icon, the Blue Lagoon, should you wish you can take a bathing experience you will never forget. Volcanic rocks hide a wonderland of steaming, mineral-rich waters, geothermally heated to a constant 38c deg in a stunning setting.

DAY 4 - GOLDEN CIRCLE Today we embark on a full day tour around the Golden Circle, aptly named due to its dramatic cocktail of amazing geology, geography, politics, history, culture, raw natural energy but most of all its scenery, which takes your breath away. Iceland has literally spilled into the sea from the “Mid Atlantic Rift” where the two great American and Eurasian tectonic plates tear apart.

Firstly we drive past steam jets ominously and noisily erupting from the bare earth, seemingly from a submerged steam train. Normally hidden from our gaze, we astonishingly experience the dramatic effects of these massive forces at Thingvellir. Continuing to the Hvita river, just upstream lies a layer of varying rock ‘pavements’ and as we approach this wild location a distant smoke-like spray column rises above the lava fields. This incredible natural wonder promotes complete awe and you will immediately understand why the locals named them Gullfoss - the Golden Waterfalls.

Next a third spectacular natural phenomenon, the Haukadalur, one of the world’s most active geothermal areas. Here you experience the amazing Strokkur, a pool of slowly bubbling, gurgling, steaming water quietly simmering away until, with almost no warning, it erupts with a roar in a towering jet of steam shooting 20 metres or more above your head. Strokkur is the most impressive geyser, an unpredictable phenomenon named after the biggest hereabouts known locally as Geysir. We then return to our hotel after an incredible day.

DAY 5 - RETURN FLIGHT Today you will be taken to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight.

There is a misconception that Iceland has an expensive cost of living, however since the reduction in the value of the Kroner some years ago, in our experience Reykjavik prices are no different than most other European capital cities.

8 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£799

Explore a magnificent corner of Europe, rich with history, atmospheric towns full of diverse architecture and an abundance

of UNESCO World Heritage sites

H E L S I N K I , TA L L I N N & R IG A

• Return scheduled flights• Seven nights’ four-star accommodation with breakfast and three dinners• Stay three nights in Finnish capital Helsinki, with a guided tour of this coastal melting pot of Scandinavian and Russian influences• Visit the Suomenlinna Fortress, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site straddled across six of Helsinki’s islands• Journey across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia aboard a modern, comfortable ship• Visit picturesque Kadriorg Park with its fairy tale Swan Lake, manicured gardens and an included guided tour of its crowning glory baroque palace

• Stay two nights in Estonian capital Tallinn, including a walking tour of the charming Medieval Lower Town and the hilltop Upper Town • Enjoy a relaxing countryside drive from Tallinn to Estonia’s cultural capital Tartu, with time to enjoy the impressive museums, university-town atmosphere and Old Town• Stay two nights in Latvian capital Riga, with a walking tour of the riverside Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage gem boasting a mix of gothic and Art Nouveau architecture• Escorted by our experienced Tour Manager

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The countries bordering the Baltic Sea have managed to remain slightly under the radar when it comes to busy tourist spots in Europe, yet those who visit these Baltic

beauties are richly rewarded. The three neighbours featured on this tour, Finland, Estonia and Latvia, remained part of the Russian Empire until 1917 (with Estonia and Latvia remaining under Soviet Union rule until it was dissolved in 1991), meaning that strong Russian influences now mingle with hallmarks of both Western and Eastern Europe to create cityscapes that are unique to this part of the world.

Nowhere is this tug of love between Europe and Russia more evident than in Helsinki, which is where we spend the first three nights of this tour. In fact, it was Czar Alexander I of Russia’s decision to make it the Finnish capital in 1812 (bringing it conveniently closer to St Petersburg) that put Helsinki literally and figuratively on the map. The Czar wasted no time in employing respected German architect Carl Ludvig Engel to redevelop the city, and his neo-classical influence under Russian commission played a huge part in shaping its aesthetics, giving Helsinki fine buildings to cement its new position of importance. Until then Helsinki had struggled to find its feet since being first established as a trade town to rival Estonian neighbour Tallinn by King Gustav I of Sweden in the 16th century, yet it thrived under Russian rule, and these Russian roots are so evident in the look of the city that it has often been used in place of the Soviet Union in Cold War-era Hollywood movies such as the 70s spy film The Kremlin Letter. Add a leafy landscape that’s typical of Scandinavia and modern development that began for the 1952 Olympic Games and continued to create a lively hub of culture, education and industry, and you’ve got all the elements of the intriguing capital city that Helsinki is today.

While it’s difficult to think of the cosmopolitan city centre as a ‘beach resort’, Helsinki does actually boast dozens of beaches lining the Baltic Sea. Many also don’t realise that the city is in actual fact an archipelago with ownership of some 330 islands. Six of these islands have the impressive Suomenlinna Fortress spread across them, which is still inhabited by a small community of around 1000 locals who occupy buildings designed to blend into the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site - now a tranquil spot, despite its previous role as a fierce defender of Finland. We’ll spend time discovering the secrets of Suomenlinna and enjoying the unique, almost eerily peaceful atmosphere that shrouds the fortress, regardless of the fact that it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki.

Despite Finland being in Scandinavia and Estonia being a true Baltic State, these near neighbours are thought to share a warm mutual affection, especially since 1991 when Estonia gained independence and newly restored diplomatic relations saw the two countries become far more interlinked. It’s hardly surprising that the majority of Finns have visited Estonia, especially when you see for yourself how easy the Tallink Ferry makes hopping across the Gulf. With Helsinki being in the south and Estonian capital Tallinn in the north, the two cities essentially face each other, and you’ll find many similarities reflected between the two. Both boast maze-like Medieval Old Towns with cobbled streets and crumbling, crooked walls, and churches topped with soaring spires and steeples, although Tallinn’s split-level Historic Centre divided into the grand hilltop Upper Town and the washed-out rainbow of Lower Town buildings clustered below is perhaps even more fascinating for its layout. Tallinn’s own throwbacks to Russian rule mix with European influences from the Middle Ages, including its prominent trio of gothic churches, St Olaf’s, St Nicholas’ and the Church of the Holy Ghost, and the beautiful baroque palace in Kadriorg Park, which is where we spend our first afternoon in Estonia.

South of Tallinn we find the city known as Estonia’s cultural capital, Tartu, a perfect pit stop when travelling through the forests of the Estonian countryside towards Latvia. This pretty city is firmly focused on the intellectual, as home to the national university of Estonia and a variety of important museums. A large student population creates an energetic mix of cultures and ideas in Tartu, with the Kissing Students Fountain that takes pride of place on the Old Town Square serving as a reminder that this city relishes its reputation as a hive of learning and knowledge. From our stop-off in Tartu it’s then time to cross the border between Baltic States Estonia and Latvia, on our way to its capital, Riga, which sits on its namesake Gulf, beside the Baltic Sea. Commonly known as the pearl of the Baltics, this shining example of a characterful Latvian city is an intriguing mass of contradictions, where elegant art nouveau masterpieces sit alongside brooding gothic buildings and quaint wooden structures. This city, divided at its heart by the Daugava River, undoubtedly has something of a split personality, merging the flamboyant, elaborate and intricate with areas of stripped-back simplicity. You can expect to see building facades dripping with ornate carvings in the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, then wander a little further off the tourist track and you’ll find yourself in one of Riga’s ‘wooden neighbourhoods’ where the pace slows considerably and the scenery becomes much leafier, hinting at the thick forests that surround this city by the sea.

From Helsinki just north of the Baltics, to Riga, our southernmost stop, this tour takes in four important cities across a trio of countries on the cusp of where Russia and Europe collide. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll experience this unique meeting of cultures set amongst the splendour of Baltic beauty, including the sea itself and deep green countryside that we cross while on our journey of discovery through this hidden gem corner of Europe made up of Finland, Estonia and Latvia.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN HELSINKI You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Helsinki. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

You will stay in the four-star Scandic Simonkenttä located right in the heart of Helsinki. A modern hotel with large, comfortable bar and lounge areas looking out over one of the main squares and the Chapel of Silence. The rooms are classically Scandinavian in design and feature cosy wood panelling and crisp white linen.

DAY 2 - HELSINKI Helsinki is a beautiful, bustling capital city - an idyllic archipelago nestled on the Gulf of Finland and boasting over 300 islands. Surrounded by lush forests and vast, picturesque parks, both

Central Park and Kaivopuisto Park offer stunning views overlooking the sea, just two of the city’s tranquil spots that provide us

with an uplifting breath of fresh air. Our morning tour takes us around many of Helsinki’s highlights, including its striking Railway Station, the gold-topped Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral and the sculptural Sibelius Monument created from organ pipes. During the afternoon, we’re free to explore the city’s vastly varied sights

DAY 3 - SUOMENLINNA FORTRESS

Today, prepare to be transported back in time as we take a short ferry ride from the mainland to

Riga

the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Suomenlinna Fortress. Despite a tumultuous history, the fortress is now the epitome of peace and tranquillity. Our expert guide will bring the fort’s history back to life as we explore Suomenlinna’s four bastions, as well as a wealth of other attractions within the fortress walls, including deep and eerie connecting tunnels, a turquoise-topped dual use church/lighthouse, the ominous canons, lakes, gardens and even a beach. Outside of the crumbling fortress walls, we meander through the cobbled streets, across connecting bridges and in between old wooden buildings now home to quaint restaurants and artists’ workshops. In the afternoon you’ll have some free time where you may choose to head back to Helsinki or stay on Suomenlinna.

DAY 4 - TALLINN Today, we leave Finland in our wake and cross the Gulf from Scandinavia to Estonia. We dock in the port of Tallinn and drive east along the coast until we arrive at picturesque Kadriorg Palace. Built in the 18th century by Russian Emperor Peter the Great as a gift to his wife Catherine, this sweeping confection of a building now houses one of the country’s best art collections. Here, we take a guided tour of its intricate interior, taking in the exquisite and mesmerising ceiling in the main hall, as well as the impressive manicured gardens and fountains that the palace overlooks. After this most regal outing we continue to Tallinn to settle into our hotel before heading out for dinner in a local restaurant.

You will stay for two nights at the four-star Nordic Forum Hotel. Located at the geographical centre point of Tallinn and just moments away from the Old Town. The bright, stylish hotel boasts a large bar and restaurant as well as a top floor heated swimming pool with views of Tallinn’s famed towers. The rooms and public areas are designed to reflect a combination of Old Town and nature.

DAY 5 - TALLINNEstonia’s capital Tallinn is, quite simply, a time warp. Its fairy tale UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, a

rabbit-warren of atmospheric streets neatly situated below an impressive hilltop Upper Town, offers endless discovery; an ancient castle, a pastel-coloured baroque Parliament building, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. As you enter Tallinn’s Old Town through its landmark 14th century Viru Gate, you’re immediately struck by the heady fragrance of fresh blooms from the plethora of flower shops that line the road ahead. Sitting in the shadows of the church steeples, castle walls and grand cathedrals you’ll happen across a hotchpotch of winding streets and alleyways, colourful buildings and traditional traders. Stroll through Catherine’s Passage, an atmospheric hidden alleyway lined with all manner of artists’ workshops. Once we’ve enjoyed our morning walking tour of the upper and lower Old Town with a local guide, there’s time to seek out various local treasures, wander through the shadows of the city walls, or maybe just a short stop to sip a coffee and watch the world go by.

DAY 6 - TARTU After breakfast we continue our tour to Tartu, Estonia’s second largest city. On our arrival we’ll have time to enjoy lunch and explore one of the many impressive museums that give Tartu its reputation as Estonia’s cultural capital. The Old Town Square is the perfect place to people watch and take in the views of the Emajogi River, the Kissing Students Fountain, the pretty pink Town Hall and the curious Leaning House - home to the Tartu Art Museum. Not only that, but the Medieval St John’s Church, boasts some of the best views over the Old Town from its belfry.

We set off again mid-afternoon on our journey to Riga, capital of Latvia, where we’ll settle into our hotel before heading out for the evening to sample some local cuisine in a nearby restaurant.

You will stay in either the four-star Radisson Blue Ridzene or the four-star Wellton Hotel & Spa.

The Radisson Blue Ridzene sits by a delightful park with a pretty lake and fountain, just a short walk from the Old Town. The bright and airy lobby leads through to a striking glass pyramid-roofed dining room, reminiscent of the Louvre. The Wellton Hotel & Spa is located in the Old Town itself, just a short walk from the main squares and the iconic marketplace. The hotel boasts a wonderful spa if you wish to treat yourself after seeing the wonderful sights of Riga. Rooms have a light and airy feel with neutral tones.

DAY 7 - RIGAToday, we visit beautiful Riga, largest of the Baltic State cities. Situated at the mouth of the River Daugava, this charming, cosmopolitan city offers a real mix of architectural styles. Spires of dark, gothic churches tower above the shadowy cobblestone streets below.

During our morning walking tour, we explore these hidden delights and the Medieval maze that makes up the Old Town, including the striking foliage-covered Powder Tower - home to the Latvian War Museum, and the central Dome Square - the

heart of seven atmospheric streets. Stand on the marked spot on the square and you can see all three golden cockerels on top of the Old Town church spires.

During the afternoon, you’re free to explore the city as you wish, a stroll through Riga’s famously vast Central Market, five pavilions of old Zeppelin hangars so iconic that it’s included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, along with the city’s Old Town.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT After breakfast it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the beauty of the Baltics and take the transfer for the flight home.Helsinki harbour

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HAND-PICKED FOR YOU

Call us to pre-book your tickets

for a night at the ballet

Knowing a bit about Russian art brings to life the culture of the entire country. ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON

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The Kremlin, St Basils, the finest ballet, the Winter Palace, Chekov, Tolstoy, Stravinsky, Catherine the Great and Tchaikovsky. There are many facets to Russia,

so undeniably influential and tantalisingly fascinating

MO S C OW & S T PE T E R SB U RG

• Return flights• Six nights in centrally located four-star accommodation with breakfast• Sightseeing tour of Moscow, highlights include; The Bolshoi Theatre, colourful St Basils Cathedral , The Golden Domed UNESCO Novodevichy convent, world renowned museums, Iconic Soviet Skyscrapers, and many more…• Tour of Red Square and the Kremlin, one of the world’s most thought provoking building complexes; actually three cathedrals, great palaces, the Senate and Treasury• Tour of some of Moscow’s most iconic metro stations

• Sightseeing Tour of St Petersburg, Peter the Great’s Imperial city with its myriad of canals and lavish architecture. Highlights include, The Hermitage, The Peter and Paul fortress with its striking Cathedral, The extraordinary Church of the Holy Blood, Palace Square, and River Neva to name a few!• Travel by high speed train between Moscow and St Petersburg in just four hours• Tour of the Hermitage, winter palace of the Tsars with one of the world’s greatest fine art collections• Tour of Peterhof, summer palace of the Tsars, with its outstanding gardens• Services of an experienced tour manager

Kremlin Wall and Moskva River

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NEW INCLUSION VISIT THE VODKA MUSEUM IN MOSCOW

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DAY 2 - MOSCOW & RED SQUAREThis morning is a true revelation where news broadcasts, political speeches, books and films just come alive. The sense of history is overpowering as one great building after another, plus fascinating facts and stories hold you spellbound on our guided tour. We see the 16th century Novodevichy Convent where Russian noblewomen would retire whilst the adjacent cemetery reads like a Russian ‘who’s who’....Chekhov, Prokofiev, Gogol, Khrushchev and Yeltsin to name but a few. We’ll also visit the enormous riverside Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, built to mark the victory over the French in 1812. Other highlights include the world famous Bolshoi Theatre, Lubyanka Square - erstwhile home of the KGB!, Tverskaya, Moscow’s main thoroughfare and the legendary Red Square, home to the GUM, renowned in Soviet times as a place to queue for one’s paltry allocation of pots and plates, now however a thoroughly modern and upmarket department store! None is more iconic than the 16th century St Basil’s Cathedral with its multicoloured domes, whose architects were blinded by Ivan the Terrible to prevent them from creating anything to compare. This afternoon you are free to explore.

DAY 3 - THE KREMLINThis morning is dedicated to a guided visit of the massive Kremlin complex - the awe inspiring heart of Russian power. Commissioned in the 15th century by Ivan the Great with walls and towers built by Italian master stonemasons, it was the world’s largest medieval fortress. You’ll learn about its fascinating

history seeing a staggering three cathedrals and the royal residence Terem Palace whose great Bell Tower so dominates this iconic skyline. As the USSR’s power base during Soviet times, the imposing Palace of the Congresses was added

and you can still see red stars lingering atop some of the towers. The most imposing though is the Great Kremlin Palace, a 700 room former home of the Tsars with its splendid Armoury collection dating from 1511 with a complete room displaying the jewellery and ‘eggs’ of the legendary designer Fabergé.

This afternoon is free to perhaps visit the history museum dedicated to the Chief Administration of Corrective Labour Camps and Colonies (better known as GULAG!),

the Tretyakov State Gallery, Pushkin Museum plus much more.

Moscow and St Petersburg have always remained pivotal to Eastern Europe’s culture and unsurprisingly harbour some of the world’s most influential history,

finest architecture, most stunning art and artefact collections, and thus almost always feature on today’s travellers’ wish lists of ‘must see’ destinations.

First to Moscow – for many steeped in mystery, the grand “Cold War” Soviet parades are long gone now, yet the city still retains a tantalising, almost remoteness from Europe’s other great capitals. Top of any visitor’s list is the extraordinary Kremlin complex, three cathedrals, great palaces, the Senate, the remarkable Treasury plus several grand squares and towers. Equally recognisable are St Basil’s Cathedral with its amazing multi-coloured domes, plus the monumental Red Square – home to Lenin’s tomb, whose worldwide influence like Stalin’s, remains undeniable if somewhat tainted.

Yet there is so much more to Moscow than the awe inspiring sights and politics. See the city’s fine university where famous writers like Chekhov, Sakharov and Pasternak studied and the stunning Bolshoi, arguably the world’s finest ballet. Shopping takes on a refreshing novelty in the grand arcades of Tverskaya Street and bohemian Arbat Street. Gorky Park, Stalin’s Bunker, the Gulag Museum, Victory Park and Tolstoy’s house…. the list of fascinating places goes on, and all linked by the legendary metro with its cathedral – like stations and grand designs – Moscow is utterly unique.

Next, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, St Petersburg, Imperial capital of the Tsars, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and truly worthy of an emperor! The majestic boulevards and splendid baroque buildings, threaded by winding canals and set amongst great parks are so redolent of the classical Italy which inspired Peter’s great vision.

A magnificent monument of old Russia, the Tsar’s winter palace, the Hermitage houses one of the world’s finest art collections; the magnificent St Isaac’s Cathedral is simply inspiring and the waterfront’s grandeur has to be seen to be believed. The Peter and Paul Fortress with its ornate cathedral featuring marbled columns and glittering chandeliers is the Romanovs’ final resting place. St Petersburg though has another face too: lose yourself in the parks, take a stroll along the canals criss-crossing the city or window shop in the city’s department stores and markets. Then there is the Kirov (now known as the Mariinsky), one of the world’s most famous ballet companies where Nureyev, Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova gained worldwide recognition. Other famous St Petersburgers include Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Pushkin whose wonderful cultural legacies still endure.

The city was founded by an emperor and was home to Catherine the Great and the Romanovs. Subsequently the Revolution radically changed the course of 20th century world history and then came a change of name to Leningrad; the arrival of Stalin; the Second World War’s brutal three year siege followed by the ‘Cold War’. Recently it has been time for two more St Petersburgers to take centre stage: Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin. Today St Petersburg has emerged wonderfully from this turbulent past, reclaiming its rightful place amongst the world’s most beautiful and fascinating cities.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN MOSCOWOn arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You will stay for three nights on bed and breakfast in either the four-star Courtyard By Marriott City Centre, the four-star Novotel Moscow Centre or the four-star Mercure Paveletskaya all within easy reach of Red Square with all of the comforts you would expect of an international standard hotel.

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DAY 4- ST PETERSBURGMoscow is immensely proud of its underground railway, the Metro, perhaps Stalin’s one truly welcome legacy. It features some of the city’s most momentous architectural works, making extensive use of reflective marble walls, glittering chandeliers and grandiose halls. The central stations boast grand columns, stunning mosaics and statues with our tour featuring visits to some of the most striking and fascinating stations. This afternoon we bid farewell to magnificent Moscow taking the Sapsan, (high speed train) across the Russian plains to the stunning home of Peter and Catherine the Great, St Petersburg, staying three nights at the four-star Novotel, ideally located just off Nevsky Prospekt one of the city’s finest shopping streets, within walking distance to most of the sights.

DAY 5 - ST PETERSBURG & THE HERMITAGE MUSEUM This morning we have a sightseeing tour, experiencing the sheer splendour of imperial buildings like the Hermitage and the Peter and Paul Fortress, religious icons such as the Alexander Nevsky

Monastery, the golden dome of St Isaac’s Cathedral and the extraordinary towers of the Church of the Holy Blood. You will visit grand and busy boulevards like Nevsky Prospekt, plus the canals and arched bridges affording the city its unique sobriquet ‘The Venice of the North’, the River Neva and Palace Square occluding with the Admiralty.

We see Peter’s Cabin, one of St Petersburg’s original buildings and once the Emperor’s residence. Close by is the Peter and Paul Fortress, once the hub of imperial military power renowned for its glittering golden spire, it later became a prison, with Dostoyevsky, Trotsky and Gorky amongst its inmates. Its austere 12 metre walls must have been truly soul-destroying for the incarcerated. The gleaming cathedral is the final resting place of Peter the Great and the Romanovs.

This afternoon we visit the Hermitage, the immense building complex including the

marble, fine glassware and gilt of the Tsar's winter palace, now displaying one of the world’s finest museum collections. The statistics are staggering - over three million artefacts - European paintings alone occupy 120 rooms including masterpieces by Da Vinci, Raphael,

Rembrandt, Monet and Michelangelo.

DAY 6 - PETERHOFThis morning we explore Peterhof, with its amazing gardens, fountains and palaces, magnificently finished by Catherine the Great.

The lavishly decorated baroque Grand Palace is packed with fine art highlighted by the Throne Room. Outside the beautiful 1,500 acres of landscaped formal parkland display English and French design with bronze sculptures and summerhouses with geometrically arranged flowerbeds in complete harmony with their surroundings. And the final spectacle, flowing towards the sea, is the incredible Grand Cascade of 176 fountains emitting a staggering 30,000 litres per second!

This afternoon you are free to explore as you desire amongst the city’s remarkable attractions - perhaps a boat trip observing the stunning waterfront, the huge golden dome of St Isaac’s Cathedral, or alternatively just stroll along the river lined by attractive 19th century merchants’ houses.

Russia is a remarkable country and especially for first time visitors is a true eye-opener. Many leave with more questions than answers, but more than anything else you will be truly fascinated.

DAY 7 - RETURN FLIGHTToday at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.

The Hermitage

HAND-PICKED FOR YOU A night at the ballet is not to be missed when in Russia, the home of classical ballet. Performances at some of the top theatres can sell out within hours of going on sale. What could be better than following in the steps of Catherine the Great for an evening of sophisticated entertainment? Call us to pre-book this optional experience.

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Rivalling Prague’s beauty, the home of Copernicus and Pope Jean-Paul II, 6,000 historic buildings, one of Europe’s finest

medieval squares and Poland’s capital for 500 years

K R A KOW

• Return flights • Three nights in excellent quality, centrally located four-star accommodation, with breakfast• Guided walking tour of the medieval city and Poland’s former capital

• Visit to Wawel, the castle district, one of Europe’s most striking royal residences• Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau (included but optional)• Optional tour of the cathedral-like Salt mines, the source of Krakow’s wealth• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Wawel Cathedral

Krakow is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities, ranking with Prague and Vienna as one of the real architectural gems of central Europe and its historic centre is

a UNESCO world Heritage site. The city first came to prominence nearly 1,000 years ago when it became the royal capital of Poland. It remained so for 500 years, spanning both the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. The castle evolved to become the sumptuous Royal Palace and was the centre of ancient trade routes to the orient and Baltic. This, together with salt (that vital commodity, which it possessed in abundance) ensured its immense prosperity, and the result is the amazing collection of palaces, aristocratic buildings and works of art that you see today. The city reached its zenith during the 16th century when learning and science prospered and over the centuries influence from Prussia, cities from the Hanseatic League and absorption within the Hapsburg Empire have all left their classic and architectural influence, contributing to the masterpiece that is now Krakow.

Centred in a magnificent medieval square, the second largest in Europe, the statistics are staggering – over 6,000 historic buildings and monuments, 18 museums, 2.5 million works of art, one of Europe’s oldest universities and over 140 churches – many of them stunningly decorated in their own right. Spared any significant war damage, today the city is a delight to explore. Krakow is far from just a collection of buildings, its atmosphere is vibrant, alive and timeless with the past and present beautifully intertwined.

Poland and Krakow in particular have always been very religious and it is impossible to mention the city without including the Catholic Church. In 1978 the unknown Archbishop of Krakow was elected Pope John Paul II, the highest office of Catholicism, in what was at the time officially an atheist country. There is no doubt this fact unified the country, helped the Polish people to throw off the yoke of communism and led to a surge of self-confidence and optimism that is so evident today.

The city also boasts a great cultural past, which is hardly surprising from the country of Copernicus and Chopin. During the evening there could be nothing better than to attend one of the numerous classical music concerts that are held in churches throughout the city.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN KRAKOWYou should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Krakow. On arrival a coach will take you to our hotel, the four-star Novotel, very modern and well managed, it is centrally located, within walking distance of the main sights and has a bar, good restaurant, fitness facilities including an indoor swimming pool and all rooms are air-conditioned for your additional comfort.

DAY 2 - KRAKOWAfter breakfast we will have a walking tour of Krakow, following which we defy you to disagree that this is one of the most beautiful cities you have ever seen.

During our tour we will see the amazing Rynek, the main square, lined with exquisite medieval buildings and always busy with locals going about their daily business, exchanging a few words or enjoying a coffee in one of the numerous street cafés. In the centre is the Cloth Hall, which as its name suggests, has been used for textile trading since the 16th century. Today it is full of small stalls selling beautiful, locally-made amber jewellery and an art gallery. Overlooking the square is St. Mary’s church so richly decorated with fine paintings, gold-leaf and silverware, it could be mistaken for a cathedral. The 14th century stained glass is particularly ornate with striking beams of light creating a kaleidoscope of colour in the chancel below. Since medieval times, from the top of one of the two ornate spires a trumpeter sounds a warning

of potential attack every two hours. You will also see the immense Florian Gate and the remains of the medieval fortifications built to defend the capital of Poland. Also the church where years later Pope John Paul II held Mass to a grateful congregation and the wonderful Slowacki Theatre – the design of which is based on the Paris Opera House.

We will see a host of other sights too, including the University and Collegium where the famous astronomer Copernicus theorised that the earth was not the centre of the solar system – bravely driving a coach and horses through centuries-old scientific thinking!

Later we visit the Wawel castle district which, dating back to the 11th century, is built on a bend on the river Vistula below and dominates Krakow. This was the political and cultural capital of Poland for over 500 years and today the myriad of buildings comprise amongst others, the Royal Palace, Cathedral, Senators’ Hall, Treasury and Armoury. We will see the cathedral that is the final resting place of the Polish monarchs. You can tour the Palace and Royal chambers which host an impressive range of rooms that have been restored to their original and stunning Renaissance and Baroque state, overflowing with fine furniture, works of art and Europe’s largest collection of tapestries. There will be free time to explore the rest of the complex, including the wonderful three-tiered Renaissance courtyard.

This afternoon, should you wish, you will have the option of a tour to the famous Salt Mines (your tour manager will advise locally of the times and costs). DAY 3 - AUSCHWITZ & BIRKENAUWe thought long and hard about how appropriate it would be to include this morning’s destination in a holiday – Auschwitz and Birkenau. These places need no introduction. As a company, our philosophy is that we try to inform our clients about all aspects of the countries we visit, which includes the history as well as visits to ‘tourist musts’.

Auschwitz has been left virtually as it was when it was liberated in 1945. It is now a museum and monument. This morning’s guided tour will be extremely moving. First we visit Auschwitz and then nearby Birkenau and the notorious watchtower from where we can appreciate the sheer scale of the atrocities that happened. We return to Krakow during the afternoon and the mood will immediately lift as we have time to explore Krakow’s beautiful range of attractions. Alternatively, if you wish to stay in Krakow for the full day, you are free to do so.

DAY 4 - RETURN FLIGHTAt the appropriate time the coach will return us to

the airport for our return flight.

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8 DAYS

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U N DI S C OV E R E D M A LTA

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Old Valleta

Between Africa and Europe, with 6,000 years of history - think of the Maltese Falcon, the Knights of St John and the George Cross. There is just so much to experience!

• Return flights • Seven nights in a choice of four-star superior and four-star accommodation in St Julian’s. Breakfast and dinner are included• Guided tour of historic Valletta, city of the Knights of Malta and a baroque masterpiece• Tour of the unspoilt island of Gozo• Guided tour of Rabat and the ancient capital, atmospheric Mdina

• Visit St. Paul’s Catacombs, burial place of early Christians• Tour of the Neolithic temples of Ggantija and Tarxien, claimed to be amongst the world’s oldest free-standing structures, pre-dating pyramids• Visit to the picturesque fishing port of Marsaxlokk• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

NEW INCLUSION DAY 5 ENJOY A GUIDED TOUR OF THE CARMELITE PRIORY WITH A RESIDENT MONK

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twisting streets and alleyways with almost completely intact battlements. The pace of life is very relaxed here and what can be better than sipping a coffee whilst watching the world go by?

We visit the largest and best preserved of the island’s prehistoric temple sites, Ggantija - even older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. Some of the stones weigh several tonnes and stand 6 metres high: legend says they were brought here around 3,600BC by a female giant! It may be small but Gozo’s countryside with its low hills and fertile valleys creates a feeling of spaciousness, especially when the terraced fields turn into a patchwork of wild flowers and thyme.

The coastline is simply dramatic and sheer cliffs plunge into deep blue waters: especially at Dwerja where geology and the sea have together formed a huge natural arch in the cliffs known as the Azure Window, with an inland sea, a cliff-bound lagoon behind.

DAY 4 - FREE DAYToday you have a free day for you to explore as you wish. A wander around St Julian’s perhaps, with its picturesque quayside lined by excellent fish restaurants. One thing in Malta we really recommend but cannot organise for you is a visit to the Hypogeum, a series of underground burial chambers and temple dating from 3,500BC. Visits need to be reserved well in advance and are very limited. Tickets may be booked at www.heritage malta.org. Should you wish to pre-book the Hypogeum, Sunday will always be a free day unless your tour departs on a Saturday or Sunday, in which case Friday will be the free day.

DAY 5 - MDINA & CARMELITE PRIORYAfter breakfast, we take a guided tour of the historical Carmelite Priory, home of the friars of this Roman Catholic order. Our guide is none other than a resident monk, who will show you what life here is like devoted to the service of the brotherhood. Get a glimpse into a way of life dating back to the 17th century and see how little has changed since then. We then take a short drive to ancient Mdina for a guided tour of the former capital and the jewel in the crown of the entire island. You will see St Paul’s Catacombs at Rabat, a maze of early Christian burial chambers dating from the 4th century, complete with over a thousand tombs, plus an ancient Roman villa complete with its fantastically preserved mosaic floor. After, we visit the Church of Mosta, with the third largest dome in the world, amazingly decorated, but principally famous as the unfortunate recipient of a direct hit by a bomb during Mass. Fortunately it failed to explode, establishing the legend of a miracle.

DAY 6 - FREE DAYToday is a free day to explore as you wish.

DAY 7 - NEOLITHIC TEMPLESAfter breakfast you visit the amazing Neolithic temples at Tarxien, which date between 3,000 and

1,800 BC and offer important evidence of the ancient cultures that once inhabited Malta. You also have a short walking tour of Vittoriosa, so named to commemorate the Great Siege victory of 1565, before continuing to the pretty waterside village of Marsaxlokk where for centuries fishermen have landed their catches and repaired nets on the picturesque quayside, which has changed little over the years. Today, lined with cafés and simple restaurants it is an ideal spot to relax.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHTAt the appropriate time you will be taken to the airport for your

return flight.

For 6,000 years Malta has been at the crossroads of almost all the ancient Mediterranean civilisations and on mention of the island, the immediate thoughts are of

the Knights of St John, the Maltese Falcon and the George Cross. With a long and turbulent past and being the mid-point between Africa to the south and Sicily to the north, with a language bearing influences of Latin, Arabic and Semitic dialects, it is a unique destination with so much of its past on display. Its temples are the world’s oldest buildings, pre-dating the pyramids by 1,000 years.

Many visitors to this wonderful island never experience its undiscovered side, but on this tour we feel we have created a superb balance of interests ranging from a wonderfully varied history, unique scenery and atmospheric old towns, all in an ideal destination in which to relax.

A Maltese we once met, remarked that the island is like an extended family, which may be a romantic vision, but often that’s just the way it is!

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN MALTAYou should arrive at the airport to take your flight. On arrival a coach will take you to your four-star hotel in St Julian’s, the Golden Tulip Vivaldi, ideally located on a scenic stretch of coastline with one of Malta’s few sandy beaches 400 metres away. It has an extensive lobby; restaurant, offering a full international buffet; a gymnasium and roof top swimming pool; plus all the facilities you would expect from a four-star hotel. We stay on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

You may wish to upgrade to the superb four-star superior Le Meridien St Julian’s. This excellent hotel in central St Julian’s overlooks the stunning Balluta Bay, and is one of Malta’s finest. The superior rooms are modern and spacious, furnished in a contemporary style. All rooms are air conditioned and offer a balcony with a town view, tea and coffee making facilities, minibar, safe plus all of the facilities you would expect from a hotel of this quality.

DAY 2 - VALLETTAToday you visit the wonderful 16th century city of Valletta where you enjoy a guided walking tour. Built by the Knights of St John after a huge siege by the Ottoman Turks, it was Europe’s first planned city since Roman times. Valletta, one of the world’s strongest fortresses, is located on a magnificent natural harbour and has changed little since it was built. St. John’s cathedral is remarkable, with overwhelming decoration and colour, an intricate marble floor, a wonderful ceiling covered in gold leaf and fine paintings with the high point being Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Beheading of John the Baptist’.

You will visit the Malta Experience which tells the story of this wonderful island using the latest audio-visual techniques. In the afternoon you may want to visit the archaeological museum, the Grand Master’s Palace or the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo which houses the replica of the George Cross. Valletta has a typical Mediterranean atmosphere and appearance, with quiet squares lined with restaurants and intricate wrought iron balconies adorning the tall honey-coloured houses bedecked with geraniums and given life by the constant chatter of the Maltese greeting each other in the street.

DAY 3 - GOZOToday you visit the nearby sleepy island of Gozo and its capital, Victoria, a charming medieval town with

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£799

The crucible of civilisation, democracy, theatre, philosophy and so much more. Its blue skies, outstanding welcome and the zest for life

inside every Greek are a true revelation

C L A S S IC G R E E C E

• Return scheduled flights • Stay in four and three-star accommodation, with daily breakfast and two dinners• Guided walking tour of the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum, the heart of ancient Athens• Guided tour of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games• Guided tour of Delphi, home of the legendary ‘oracle’, the ancient fountain of all wisdom• Browse through Athens’ famous flea market

• Cross the engineering marvel that is the Corinth Canal• Stay in and explore Nafplion, one of the country’s most charming seaside towns• Visit the site of ancient Mycenae, home of Agamemnon• Wonder at the perfect symmetry and incredible acoustics of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus• Optional trip to the classic Greek islands of Hydra and Spetses• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Acropolis

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As the cradle of western civilization, of democracy, philosophy, the theatre, and so much more, Greece has drawn visitors for

centuries. All have extolled the purity of its skies, the overwhelming hospitality rooted in its ancient civilization and the zest for life of the Greeks themselves.

Obviously, Greece is synonymous with antiquity, with Athens in particular a city of intriguing paradoxes – ancient yet modern; busy and frenetic but so laid-back; a capital city, yet in places as intimate as a village. And if one building can ever symbolise an entire nation, it is the Parthenon - but Athens is much more than this. The hugely acclaimed new Acropolis Museum succeeds wonderfully in displaying the outstanding ancient masterpieces within to the finest effect.

Our tour visits the very best of Classical Greece: firstly you spend a night at the centre of the world! At least that’s what the ancients believed Delphi to be – the world’s navel, where mortals, via the ‘oracle’, communicated with Apollo. In complete contrast, Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, is set in an idyllic pine-forested valley, and is the very spot where the modern Olympic torch is kindled from the rays of the sun. Then there’s Mycenae, and a very different experience – a place of pre-classical bronze-age myths and legends and of a fierce, untamed people so vividly depicted in Homer’s epics. You also tour Epidaurus, the greatest healing centre and finest theatre in the ancient world.

We also stay for three nights in one of Greece’s most charming and sophisticated small towns, Nafplion. Guarded by two imposing Venetian castles, the old town of Nafplion is a jumble of red-roofed houses overlooking a wide sheltered bay. The town’s air of quiet elegance draws weekend visitors from Athens and many of the older mansions have been sympathetically renovated, whilst the wide, palm-lined promenade and charming central square are the perfect places to while away an afternoon.

Greece though is far from being a series of ancient sites, there is some startlingly beautiful scenery too: the steep ravines of the Peloponnese mountains are spectacular, their peaks rocky and barren, whilst heather and broom cover the slopes and the enchanting scent of wild thyme and oregano hangs heavy in the warm air. The views from Delphi in particular are quite exceptional, with the valley below a silvery sea of olive groves. And in Greece we are never far from the sea – innumerable bays, coves and headlands form one of the most enchanting coastlines in the world, with islands and distant mountains shimmering under cobalt blue skies.

Greek cuisine, known for its simplicity, has been legendary for centuries, with many previously unknown regional dishes now becoming standard fare – try stuffed courgettes and dolmades made from tender cabbage leaves or a salad of ‘horta’, mountain greens with lemon and olive oil, or perhaps a ‘stifado’, a stew which can be made with beef or wild boar. And of course, there’s nothing like some freshly-caught fish just simply grilled and enjoyed under a starlit Mediterranean sky in a genuinely atmospheric taverna!

So come with us and enjoy one of the most beautiful and intriguing countries in the world, and catch a glimpse of the fine slender threads that still join our modern world to the distant past in ancient Greece.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATHENSYou should arrive at the airport for your flight to Athens, transferring to the excellent quality four-star Hotel Divani Palace Acropolis for one night, with breakfast. The hotel is superbly located

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in a quiet residential area, nestling below the rock of the Acropolis, just a few minutes’ stroll from the new Acropolis Museum and the Plaka district with its atmospheric tavernas and traditional shops. All rooms are air-conditioned with balcony, satellite TV, safe, mini-bar and hairdryer. There’s a small pool, a lobby bar, a top-class open-air rooftop restaurant with great views of the Acropolis and in the basement you can even see an exposed section of the ancient city walls.

DAY 2 - ACROPOLIS This morning you have a walking tour of Athens, visiting firstly the Acropolis, so fittingly one of the great ‘Wonders of the Ancient World’. Ascending the hill you soon experience the Parthenon itself – its blindingly white marble columns with their perfect symmetry and balance completely dominate the skyline.

We also visit the new Acropolis Museum with its amazing glass floor displaying ancient houses, streets and even an olive press below. Exhibits include superb sculptures and an incredible series of carved pediments from the temple of Athena. We then explore the picturesque old district of Plaka.

This area dates from when Athens had shrunk to no more than a village below the Acropolis by the end of the 18th century. It is utterly charming, being crammed with neo-classical mansions, balconies overflowing with geranium pots and twisting cobbled lanes lined with homely tavernas, their tables spread across the street.

After some free time for lunch we leave Athens and drive north past Mt. Pendeli, from where the marble of the Parthenon was quarried and drive through Thebes, before starting the ascent of Mt. Parnassus, site of the Delphic oracle. We stay at the centrally-located simple three-star Acropole or Fedriades, with dinner,

DAY 3 - DELPHIDelphi is simply amazing, with a unique wealth of monuments dedicated to Apollo. The setting has an extraordinary natural beauty, in a series of terraces overlooked by the lofty crags and cliffs of Mt. Parnassus, with birds of prey soaring on the thermals above. As we enter the sacred sanctuary you’ll see the treasuries which were crammed with gold, silver and all kinds of precious objects donated by grateful city-states after having had the benefit of the god’s wisdom.

Hydra Island

Corinth Canal

Overlooking it all is the superb temple itself and below, in an underground chamber, was a geological fault which probably emitted mind-affecting vapours from deep within the earth. This was where the oracle relayed the god’s thoughts and wisdom, which were always open to several interpretations - in return for a fee!

The adjacent museum has some of the finest exhibits in the country, including the spectacular, full-size ‘Charioteer’, a masterpiece of ancient bronze sculpture and one of only a handful ever recovered intact. In the afternoon we drive westwards, passing through a timeless Greek landscape of tiny isolated villages, olive groves and rolling hills. We cross the huge spans of the amazing new Rio bridge connecting the mainland with the Peloponnese and continue southwards to the site of ancient Olympia, where we stay for one night at the excellent three-star superior Hotel Europa Olympia. Beautifully situated on a quiet hillside, the hotel features low-rise buildings set in lovely gardens, an open-air pool and an excellent restaurant where we take our included dinner.

DAY 4 - OLYMPIAThe ancient Olympic Games were as major an occasion then as they are today – though hopefully cheaper to stage! Taking place every four years, the stadium had a staggering capacity of 45,000, an enormous number and a clear indication of the event’s importance. All military conflicts ceased for the duration and huge rewards were conferred on the winners, whilst penalties for cheating included fines, bans and public embarrassment - how little has changed!

Events included the discus and javelin, sprinting and wrestling. The Olympiad continued for about 1,000 years and we’ll experience a fascinating tour of the site, also visiting the excellent museum housing numerous extraordinary finds. This afternoon we experience the spectacular wild and mountainous landscape of the Peloponnese, driving through the province Arcadia, known as the land of the god Pan and woodland nymphs in antiquity. In the afternoon we arrive in the small town Nafplion, our base for the next three nights at the four-star Amphitryon Hotel, with breakfast.

DAY 5 - MYCENAE & EPIDAURUSNafplion is one of Greece’s loveliest seaside towns, crowned by two massive castles built by the Franks and Venetians and attacked in turn by the Ottomans and the Greeks themselves during their War of Independence. In fact, Nafplion was chosen as Greece’s first modern capital in 1825 before it was moved to Athens five years later. The town has kept an air of quiet sophistication, with a beautiful pedestrianized waterfront promenade, lined with comfortable cafés and tavernas, a marble-paved main square and lots of fascinating boutiques and galleries set between the neo-classical red-roofed houses.

This morning we visit Epidaurus, birthplace of Asclepios - the god of healing, and whose sanctuary here became the greatest centre of medicine in the Classical world. The ancient Greeks believed that one should be healthy in both mind and body, so the plays and music performed here in the acoustically-perfect theatre played an integral part in the therapeutic process. We then visit Mycenae, entering the imposing citadel through its magnificent 3,300

year old Lion Gate, where you can still discern the pivot holes carved for the door hinges. We return to Nafplion in the afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure to explore this delightful town.

DAY 6 - NAFPLION FREE DAYOf course Greece, whilst being renowned for its ancient sites, is equally famous for its stunning islands, so today we offer an optional trip visiting two of the most beautiful: Spetses and Hydra. Spetses is the most southerly of the Saronic Islands, just a few hundred metres from the Peloponnese coast. Its pine-covered low hills lead down to a really attractive main town, full of narrow alleyways, charming houses, shady squares and waterfront restaurants around the old harbour. There are very few cars allowed on the island so horse-drawn carriages remain a popular way to get around.

As our boat rounds the headland you get your first glimpse of one of the most attractive anchorages in the entire Aegean: Hydra’s lovely harbour, full of traditional ‘caiques’, whilst ascending the hill behind them is row upon row of opulent mansions, once owned by rich shipping families. Most streets are too narrow or steep for cars, so take some time, wander where your feet take you, enjoy a coffee, and absorb the unique atmosphere that is the Greek islands.

DAY 7 - ATHENSToday we say goodbye to Nafplion and head back to Athens for our last night at the Divani Palace Acropolis. The afternoon is at leisure: how about some shopping in the nearby flea-market? The centre of the city is within walking distance, with Constitution Square and the opulent Hotel Grande Bretagne where Churchill stayed. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by the elite National Guard, ‘skirted’ in the instantly recognisable national costume and opposite is Athens’ best-kept secret, the extensive National Gardens, full of winding sandy paths, hidden grottoes, pergolas and shady ponds.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHTToday at the appropriate time, the coach will transfer you to the airport for your return flight, after a most fascinating and unforgettable tour.

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A living museum with astonishing ancient ruins, romantic old townsand a fascinating culture that continues to be shaped by

powerful legacies of the East and the West

DI S C OV E R NORT H E R N C Y PRU S

• Return direct flights• Seven nights in four-star superior accommodation, with daily breakfast and dinner for four nights• Stay in Kyrenia, one of the most picturesque ports in the Mediterranean• Guided walking tour of Kyrenia’s old town and harbour, with included entrance to the stunning castle and its museums• Visit Güzelyurt, inhabited since ancient times and Lefke, a university town settled since Neolithic times• Visit the ancient city of Soli, offering a detailed look at life in late Roman and early Byzantine times, and where St Mark was baptised• Stop at the Palace of Vouni, the only Phoenician stronghold in the west of the island

• Visit the famous St Hilarion Castle with breathtaking views, said to be the inspiration for Snow White’s fairy-tale castle• Visit lovely Bellapais village, made famous by author Lawrence Durrell in his book Bitter Lemons, and see the remains of its beautiful Gothic abbey• Guided tour of the old town of Nicosia, the last divided capital in the world, seeing the Turkish north with an opportunity to cross the border to the Greek south• Visit the ancient ruins of Salamis, one of the Mediterranean’s most impressive and significant archaeological sites• Guided walking orientation tour of Famagusta, where modern life goes on amongst medieval ruins• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Few places are as uniquely positioned as Cyprus, at the exhilarating crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa. For thousands of years, the birthplace of

Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, has seduced travellers with the promise of endless summers, windswept beaches, and romantic harbours. Successive invasions by powerful neighbouring empires, each leaving traces of their culture, have created a rich and complex heritage, plus some of the world’s most significant archaeological sites and best preserved villages.

The first settlers arrived in 7000 BC, followed by waves of Mycenaean Greeks. Next came raids by the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians, before Roman rule brought peace and prosperity. In AD 330 Cyprus became part of the Byzantine Empire, leaving an astounding Christian legacy. The island was then conquered in 1197 by Richard the Lionheart and sold to his lieutenant, Guy de Lusignan, turning it into a Crusader state. Over the next centuries Cyprus fell under Venetian, Ottoman and even British rule in 1878. At long last, independence was granted and the Republic of Cyprus was formed in 1960. However, the nation was divided – the Greek Cypriots were optimistic for a union with Greece, whilst Turkish Cypriots pushed for a Turkish state. This led to the formation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), separate to the republic in the south. The Green Line, set up by the UN to keep the peace, still divides the island, but the relationship between both sides has vastly improved with ongoing attempts at reunification. A growing number of crossing points on the line also makes travel between north and south much easier, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore this remarkable island.

Join us on this wonderful tour as we discover spectacular northern Cyprus, dominated by the impressive Kyrenia mountains that keep watch over the pristine coastal strip, dotted with lovely seaside towns. We stay in one of the island’s most beautiful towns, ancient Kyrenia, one of the ten kingdoms of Cyprus during the Classical Greek period, complete with its own magnificent castle.

We head northwest to Güzelyurt, an area less frequented by visitors but unmissable because of the astonishing ancient sites, incredible Soli and the mysterious Palace of Vouni. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer scale of the ruins here, some dating as far back as 500 BC. Further inland stretches the island’s main mountain range, the lofty Troodos Massif, and at the foothills lies the university town of Lefke, where you will see the legacy of its past rulers.

On our eye-opening tour we take you to renowned St Hilarion, which is said to have inspired several more famous fairy-tale castles. Perched atop a craggy peak, the views from the top are absolutely incredible. We also enjoy a drive to Bellapais village, renowned for its medieval ‘Abbey of Peace’, one of the most beautiful in the eastern Mediterranean.

A tour of Cyprus would not be complete without a visit to bustling Nicosia, the divided capital city and last of its kind in the world after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The northern half, Lefkoşa, is occupied by the TRNC, whilst the southern half, Lefkosia, is

the capital of the Republic of Cyprus. You will have the opportunity to cross the Green Line, with your passport on hand of course, to visit south Nicosia and experience the difference between both sides.

Finally, we head east to coastal Famagusta, the charming and atmospheric old town with the deepest harbour of the island, surrounded by 15th-century Venetian walls. You will see the ghost town of Varosha, left as it was when it was abandoned in 1974, as well as ancient Salamis, one of the most significant and stunning archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

When it comes to Cypriot cuisine, it is very similar to that of Greece and Turkey but with small differences that the Cypriots would be quick to point out. The absence of international fast food chains has been filled by Turkish fare, and the Cypriots take great pride in serving locally grown produce. The island’s long history of winemaking since Lusignan rule also means you’ll find a good selection of local wines.

Step back in time on our wonderful tour and visit this living, breathing museum to get a real sense of civilisations past, with its plethora of ancient ruins, religious remains and medieval sites. At the same time, you will experience the wonderful culture, climate, and hospitality, and perhaps most intriguing of all, how history has influenced and shaped the Cypriots today.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN CYPRUSTake a direct flight to Larnaca, Erkan or Paphos, depending on your departure airport. We transfer to Kyrenia and your hotel for the next seven nights, the 4-star superior Arkin Colony. Centrally located between the old town and the harbour in a classic colonial-style building, the hotel offers well-appointed rooms with all the facilities you would expect. Relax by the rooftop pool or at the spa, and dine at a choice of two restaurants and two bars.

DAY 2 - KYRENIAThis morning we have a guided orientation of Kyrenia, blessed with the most beautiful harbour in Cyprus and set against majestic mountains that bring cooler air and encourage greener landscapes. Kyrenia underwent a renaissance during British rule, as roads were built and the harbour was developed, turning it into a bustling port town.

Our excellent local guide will take you on a walking orientation tour, visiting the charming old town, harbour and Belediye Meydani, the town hall square. Included is entrance to the splendid 8th-century castle, first built by the Byzantines, possibly on the site of an earlier Roman fort and later strengthened by the Lusignans and the Venetians. You’ll also be able to access the castle museums, housing a range of archaeological finds and an impressive 3,000-year-old shipwreck.

The afternoon is free for you to relax or further explore Kyrenia’s serpentine alleys, where delights await at every turn. Why not visit the main mosque, the Ağa Cafer Paşa Camii? Remarkably, the distinctive minaret of this 16th-century structure is visible from wherever you are in the harbour area.

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DAY 3 - GÜZELYURT, SOLI & THE PALACE OF VOUNIToday we head northwest, passing sleepy villages and unspoilt countryside to the ‘fruit basket of Cyprus’, Güzelyurt. It is nestled in the foothills of the Troodos mountains, the massive block of igneous rock that rose 90 million years ago like Aphrodite from the sea, following a volcanic eruption. Here, a remarkable variety of trees bearing soft fruits, citrus and nuts flourish in abundance. There are astonishingly preserved ancient churches, such as the Agios Mamas Church and Monastery that was built on the site of a temple dedicated to Aphrodite. Important artefacts can be found in the Museum of Archaeology and Nature, including ones from the Neolithic period and Bronze Age.

Next we visit the spectacular ancient city of Soli, one of the most impressive sites on the island. The quality of information provided gives us great insights into life here during late Roman and early Byzantine times. Originally settled in early 11 BC, Soli was one of the most important Greek capitals of Cyprus and a vital location for Christianity, being the place where St Mark was baptised. Only a part of the site has been excavated but already there is so much to discover – the ruins of the Roman theatre, a nymphaeum, the temple of Athena, a palace, a necropolis, and a great basilica with marvellous 4th-century mosaics. Gold jewellery was recently unearthed from the tombs here and can be seen in the archaeological museum in Güzelyurt.

We then take a short drive and stop to see the extraordinary remains of the Palace of Vouni, set in an idyllic location facing the Mediterranean with splendid views. Its origins are shrouded in mystery but archaeologists have deduced that it was built in early 500 BC. Its historical significance simply cannot be overstated, as it was constructed during a time when the West was ruled by the Greeks, and the east by the Phoenicians with Vouni being their only stronghold in the area.

Our last stop for the day is historic Lefke, located next to the Green Line. First inhabited during the Neolithic period, the legacy of previous rulers can be seen in its buildings, some of which date back to the 7th century. The delightful town is known for its university, copper mines, and Jaffa orange groves.

DAY 4 - ST HILARION & BELLAPAISToday we succumb to the romance of two storybook highlights. First, we visit St Hilarion castle that many say is the inspiration for two others – Bavarian King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein and Snow White’s castle in Disneyland. Included with the tour is entrance to the

castle, which is best enjoyed if you’re fairly mobile, but the breathtaking views can still be enjoyed from the easily accessible viewpoint at the entrance or from the castle’s café.

Then we visit the beautiful village of Bellapais. It is a sheer pleasure wandering through the tangle of narrow lanes past flower-bedecked buildings up the hill, where you’ll find outstanding views of Kyrenia harbour and the cerulean sea. A gem of the village is its medieval ‘Abbey of Peace’, the ruins of a monastery that once offered shelter to Augustinian monks who were expelled when Jerusalem fell to Saladin. The site also houses a museum, and the abbey’s Gothic refectory serves as a unique venue for concerts and lectures.

After a lovely day of sightseeing, we return to Kyrenia in the mid-afternoon.

DAY 5 - NICOSIAToday we explore the world’s last divided capital, Nicosia, once a small town established by the Ptolemaic dynasty in 300 BC. Enjoy a guided tour of the old town, seeing the impressive Venetian city walls – Nicosia was a walled city for more than a millennium – and the superbly preserved Kyrenia gate, adorned with inscriptions left by past rulers including the British. Discover the main square, the Bandabuliya covered bazaar, and the Venetian column, transported from the ruins of Salamis. See the mammoth Selimnye Mosque, visible from both sides of the capital and its most historically significant mosque. If it looks remarkably like a church, it’s because it was formerly St Sophia, a 13th-century Roman Catholic cathedral, before the Ottoman invasion introduced the twin minarets that tower above.

You can choose to explore more of the north – perhaps visit Büyük Han, the great 16th-century inn that was once used by the British as a prison, and now houses a vibrant collection of shops and cafés.

Should you wish, you can cross the Green Line into south Nicosia with your passport on hand, and experience the difference between the two sides. Visit the world-class Cyprus Museum, by far the best on the island and a real trove of archaeological treasures. Or head to the 11-storey Shacolas Tower, the tallest building in south Nicosia, once used to peer over the Buffer Zone into the north, but today serves as an observatory for enjoying spectacular views of the city.

DAY 6 - FREE DAYYou have a full day at leisure, and Kyrenia is the

perfect place for further discovery. Why not take a stroll through town or a boat ride from the harbour? Perhaps go shopping at the Bandabuliya for a good selection of souvenirs and gifts, from textiles to pottery and jewellery. If you prefer to relax, take a refreshing swim in the rooftop pool or indulge in some pampering at the hotel spa.

DAY 7 - FAMAGUSTA, SALAMIS & ST BARNABASThis morning, we travel to the east coast, first visiting the Monastery of St Barnabas, once one of the most prominent Christian sites on the island. Today, it houses a religious icon and archaeological museum. There is a mausoleum said to house the tomb of St Barnabas himself, one of the great figures of early Christianity and the founder of the Cypriot Church.

We continue our journey, passing numerous relics from the past including the 7th-century Royal Tombs of the Kings, before arriving at one of the most thrilling highlights of our tour – ancient Salamis. This spectacular site is one of the Mediterranean’s most significant archaeological sites, bolstered by its scenic beachside setting.

During Classical Greek and Roman times, Salamis was a chief cultural centre, as well as the richest and most important city on the island for 1,700 years. You can still see the original amphitheatre, the gymnasium built during Emperor Hadrian’s reign, the Greek and Roman baths, and wonderful mosaics. Even after a century of careful excavation, the site has yet to be fully excavated.

Next, we visit the charming town of Famagusta and enjoy a guided walking orientation tour, seeing Othello’s Tower, the ruins of the Venetian palace, and the impressive city walls where British officers in the 1930s played golf along the tops. Possibly the most dominant landmark of the town is the 14th-century Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque, originally a church modelled on the French cathedral at Reims. Threading between the photogenic remains of ruined churches are plenty of shops and restaurants.

Nearby is Varosha, once a lively resort dubbed the ‘Monte Carlo of the Middle East’, frequented by celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, but it was abandoned during the war in 1974. Although it is now a shadow of its former self, the ‘modern’ ruins left behind are very much worth seeing to gain a better understanding of the island’s history and legacy.

After a fantastic day of sightseeing, we return to the hotel.

DAY 8 - HOME Today you take your direct flight home after a truly memorable tour.

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W O R L D W I D E T O U R S

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Heart of the ‘fertile crescent’ with sights beyond wonder and so numerous you almost trip over them. Hugely atmospheric, with Jerusalem

one of the world’s most evocative cities

J E RU SA L E M , G A L I L E E & T H E DE A D S E A

• Return direct scheduled flights• Seven nights in four-star hotels with daily breakfast and dinner• Tour of Caesarea, ancient Roman capital of Judea• Guided walking tour of Acre, the only fully-preserved crusader city in the world• Boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee• Visit the spectacular fortress of Masada• Visit the serene site of the Sermon on the Mount and the Church of the Multiplication• See Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation

• Guided visit to the holiest site in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem• See the famous Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall, holy sites of Islam and Judaism• Visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity• Guided walking tour of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem• See the Dead Sea Scrolls & the Yad Vashem, the moving memorial to the Holocaust• Stay on the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Dome of the Rock

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Jerusalem and the Holy Land represent an extraordinary collection of both classical and Biblical sites unmatched anywhere else in the world. From the palaces of Herod the Great

to the Sea of Galilee and the Old City of Jerusalem, the places we visit and the stories behind them are inextricably linked to the very basis of our Western civilisation, but it is only by actually going to see them that everything falls into place.

Uniquely nestling between Europe, Africa and Asia, at the heart of the ‘Fertile Crescent’, the world’s cradle of civilisation, this remarkable region probably has more remains and influences of more civilisations, religions and empires, and in such a small area, than anywhere else on earth! Fought over by countless generations, it has seen the clash of civilisations and religions since the dawn of history itself. The Canaanites, Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Saracens, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, the British: all have ruled here and all have left remarkable footprints.

We visit Caesarea, one of the three most important ports in the ancient world, plus the spectacular cliff-top fortress of Masada where the final battle of the first real revolt in the Roman Empire took place. It was in the decades leading up to the revolt that Jesus carried out his ministry and we’ll visit all the major sites associated with him, from his birth in Bethlehem, to his early years in Galilee and the final acts around Jerusalem.

We’ll also have a guided tour of Acre, the best-preserved and most complete Crusader city in the world, visited by Marco Polo, fought over by Richard the Lionheart, Saladin and even Napoleon. During more modern times we’ll find out about the British involvement and about the many challenges facing the region today.

Old Jerusalem, tiny at just one square kilometre, throughout recorded history has always been one of the world’s most evocative cities and it is no exaggeration to say you are literally tripping over monuments as you wander through its maze of streets, mercifully too narrow for motor traffic which only serves to amplify its ancient atmosphere.

Split into its four distinct quarters: Jewish, Islamic, Christian and Armenian, you notice the differences immediately as you wander amongst them. Changing little over the centuries, it is bustling, vibrant and so oddly ‘real’ it is almost a film set.

From the shores of the sparkling Mediterranean to the fertile valleys of the north, the great inland lake that is the Sea of Galilee, to the desert landscapes of the south and the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea, our tour will cover an extraordinary panorama. So come with us and discover what makes the ‘Promised Land’ such a remarkable and totally unique place to visit.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN TEL AVIVWe fly to Tel Aviv and transfer to the four-star Grand Beach Hotel for one night, with dinner.

DAY 2 - CAESAREA & ACREToday we visit the ancient city of Caesarea, built by King Herod as capital of Roman Judea to honour Caesar Augustus, thus ensuring he was appointed Governor, a position subsequently held by Pontius Pilate. It was the biggest port in the Eastern Mediterranean, the site of one of Herod’s magnificent palaces and today it has a host of superb remains to explore. Next we have the 12th century, thoroughly amazing Crusader city of Acre: the beautifully vaulted and huge Knights’ Halls are in a state of almost unrivalled preservation and admirably display medieval European military architecture at its magnificent best. Leaving Acre we stop in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up and visit the great church of the Annunciation, before driving to Tiberias

on the Sea of Galilee at the four-star Leonardo Plaza Hotel for one night with dinner. Some tours will stay at the fascinating Kibbutz Lavi in the hills above Tiberias.

DAY 3 - SEA OF GALILEE & CAPERNAUMThis morning we’ll be immersed in some of the most important events in Jesus’ early life. Crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat we arrive at Capernaum where Jesus lived, healed the sick and recruited his first five disciples. Nearby is Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Overlooking the whole area is the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. A simple octagonal church has been built, surrounded by beautiful gardens with wonderful views of the Sea of Galilee. Our hotel tonight, with dinner, is the four-star Daniel Hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea.

DAY 4 - DEAD SEA & MASADAToday you can enjoy one of life’s must-do experiences - ‘bob’ like a cork in the Dead Sea, surrounded by the desert scenery of the lowest point on earth! Your hotel also offers relaxing spa treatments using salt extracts from the mineral-rich waters. Then we have the opportunity to visit the spectacular fortress of Masada - site of one of the ancient Romans’ greatest sieges.

We continue to Jerusalem and the four-star Leonardo Hotel or Grand Court Hotel, just next door, for four nights with dinner.

DAY 5 - JERUSALEMThere is such an enormous amount to see, experience and absorb in this most remarkable of cities, it is almost overwhelming. Firstly we visit the Mount of Olives and the world’s oldest continually used cemetery for a panoramic view of the ancient city, punctuated by the startlingly beautiful Dome of the Rock where Muhammed rose to heaven. After touring the Garden of Gethsemane, we enter the remarkable warren of streets and alleyways that make up the Old City. Here, in such amazing proximity, lie some of the holiest places for over half the world’s population!

We visit the Western Wall and walk along the Via Dolorosa before we finally come to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre built over Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. The richness of decoration is astounding and the atmosphere is indescribably moving.

DAY 6 - BETHLEHEMToday we drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds' Fields. One of the oldest churches in the Holy Land still in use, it marks the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus. For centuries it was one of the most fought over holy places. It was seized and defended by a succession of armies, yet still retains fragments of mosaics and paintings from the 4th and 12th centuries. Back in Jerusalem we visit the Yad Vashem, the humbling Holocaust memorial and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed.

DAY 7 - FREE DAY IN JERUSALEMToday is at leisure. The Tower of David museum built on the remains of another of Herod the Great’s palaces provides a particularly impressive history lesson plus spectacular views over the unchanged cityscape. Then you will just love to explore under your own steam: you can see Roman shops still being used and wander into some of the quieter churches – still spectacular and where a choir’s gentle harmonies resonate throughout the alleyways.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHTAt the appropriate time you transfer to Tel Aviv airport

for the flight to the UK after a truly remarkable tour.

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A ‘world in one country’ is no exaggeration – incredible game viewing, a vast patchwork of different cultures, scenery and history coupled with superb

food and wine make for a world-class destination

S OU T H A F R IC A

• Return scheduled flights• Staying in excellent quality three and four-star hotels with breakfast, two lunches and three dinners• Full day guided safari in the Kruger National Park, one of the world’s most outstanding game reserves• Tour of the legendary Zulu War battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift• Internal flight to the stunning ‘Garden Route’• Visit Hermanus, for the world’s finest on-shore whale watching (dependant on season)• Enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful small country of Swaziland• Stay in the heart of the fabulously beautiful Western Cape’s Winelands, experiencing a cellar tour and tasting at a 300-year old wine estate

• Visits to the legendary Cape of Good Hope plus Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens• Visit to Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum, a real ‘must’ in understanding contemporary South Africa• Stay three nights in cosmopolitan Cape Town – one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities, dominated by the instantly recognisable Table Mountain• Visit the awe-inspiring Blyde River canyon, the third largest in the world• Option to spend a night in a tented safari camp, experiencing a ranger-led bushwalk• Escorted by our experienced tour manager • Optional 3-day journey from Cape Town to Pretoria on one of the world’s most luxurious trains, Rovos Rail. See price booklet & website for full details

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Table Mountain

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South Africans call their homeland ‘a world in one country’. It covers an area equivalent to five times the size of Britain, with a climate ranging from temperate, Mediterranean and

sub-tropical to desert; it offers spectacular scenery with arguably the finest wildlife on earth and no less than eleven official languages. South Africa is truly a world-class destination!

Firstly, a more naturally beautiful country would be difficult to find - from the serrated peaks of the Drakensberg mountains, to the contorted and timeless semi-desert landscapes of the Karoo and the forested sea-shores and mirror-like lakes of the Garden Route, the enchanting temperate valleys of the Winelands, the rare proximity to nature found in the national parks and the instantly recognizable symbol of the country, Table Mountain - all under an endless azure-blue sky. Quite remarkable!

Then there is the wildlife, one of the main reasons visitors travel to Africa. One of the finest places in the world to experience this is the Kruger National Park, which is a similar size to Wales. It is exactly how you imagine the African bush to be, as depicted on countless TV documentaries: areas of sweeping savannah, bisected by rivers full of hippos, muddy waterholes lined with animals quenching their thirst, and the bush itself, home to zebra and antelope, studded by immense biscuit-coloured termite hills and towering above it all, instantly recognisable giraffes! The park is home to an incredible 150 mammal and 500 bird species including the ‘big five’: elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. Game-viewing is an intensely moving experience with nothing preparing you for the waves of emotion inspired by an encounter with these wonderful, almost regal creatures thriving in their natural habitat. Just to highlight the variety of flora too, the Cape Peninsula alone has twice as many plant varieties as Britain, which is 5,000 times bigger. But South Africa is not just about scenery and wildlife, fabulous as it is.

The cities are amazing and highlight the country’s diversity. Brash Johannesburg, city of gold and South Africa’s cultural capital, with skyscrapers of concrete and glass separated by canyon-like streets contrasting with townships on its outskirts. Then there is the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town, overlooked by the vast bulk of Table Mountain and easily Africa’s most beautiful and sophisticated city. It is a real multi-cultural melting pot, with stunning Cape architecture, superb beaches, the best cuisine in the country, fabulous street musicians, mime artists and entertainers adding to its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Any country is shaped by its past - South Africa more than most with its recent history a constant struggle between the British, Afrikaners, and various indigenous peoples, the Zulus being the most well known. The British annexed the Cape from the Dutch during the 18th century, who then set out inland founding the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. However, with the discovery of the world’s largest gold deposits, British interest flourished! This culminated in the Boer War and unification of the country. We all inevitably associate South Africa with the inhumanities of the old Apartheid system, which needs no explanation.

Our visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg takes us on a fascinating, horrifying, humbling and ultimately inspiring journey from the dark days of ‘whites only’ privilege, through to Nelson Mandela’s historic release. Documentary film, texts, sound clips and live accounts recapture life in the old South Africa.

We also visit the famous battlefields of the Zulu Wars, Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift – one a crushing British defeat sending shock waves throughout the Empire, the

other a valiant stand of just 140 against 4,000 Zulus. Few tours visit these remarkable sites, a vital and deeply moving part of South Africa’s unique heritage.

The Garden Route in the Western Cape is legendary. With a mild climate and facing the southern Indian Ocean, this unique region encompasses beautiful coastal and mountain scenery. Depending on the time of year, we’ll have the opportunity to travel to the beautiful seaside resort of Hermanus, the best place for on-shore whale watching. We also spend a most enjoyable few days surrounded by the seemingly never-ending rows of vines in fertile valleys, backed by the lofty mountains of the enchanting Winelands.

This wonderful 16-day tour is designed to highlight South Africa’s truly amazing diversity of cultures, its curious blend of old and new, and its phenomenal scenery and wildlife. You leave with the feeling that the new South Africa, open to the world after years of isolation, is a land of superlatives which cannot fail to impress the welcome visitor!

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport to take your overnight flight to Johannesburg.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN JOHANNESBURGAfter our morning arrival, we transfer to the four-star Indaba Hotel in a prosperous suburb, north of the city. On the way to our hotel we take the opportunity to visit the Apartheid Museum, a truly fascinating exhibition charting the apartheid years and the struggle against it, culminating in the first democratic elections. It is a superbly presented walk through contemporary history using original material, riveting eyewitness accounts, photographs and film. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the pleasant leafy district of Fourways and nearby Montecasino shopping mall.

DAY 3 - PANORAMA ROUTEAfter breakfast we depart for the open spaces and farmlands of the highveld, following the Panorama Route to Kruger National Park, one of the most scenic drives in South Africa. We follow the spectacular rim of the Blyde River Canyon, an amazing 20-mile long and 2,300- foot deep gorge cutting a vast swathe through the Great Escarpment separating the temperate grasslands of the highveld and the drier savannah beyond. Deep circular rock formations created by years of erosion and many excellent vantage points offer superb photo opportunities for some of the most breathtaking views in Africa. Our hotel for the next three nights is the three-star superior Hippo Hollow Country Estate, beautifully located in the midst of lush forest on the banks of the Sabie River on the edge of the National Park. It has lovely gardens, two pools, a very cosy bar, an excellent restaurant and an open-air terrace overlooking the grounds and river where you can actually watch the hippos! A more relaxing spot would be difficult to find. Dinner is included tonight.

DAY 4 - KRUGER GAME DRIVEToday we have a full day’s game drive in specially adapted 10 seat 4x4 vehicles. There is simply nothing to beat that rising feeling of anticipation and excitement as we enter the nearby park in the half-light of the spectacular African dawn, surrounded by the noise of a unique ‘dawn chorus’. Which animal shall we spot first? Perhaps an elephant, a

family of warthogs or possibly even the elusive cheetah. The experienced

game rangers know the best tracks and waterholes whilst their stories will amuse, inform and fascinate you. Most have lived here all their lives, accumulating a vast wealth

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of knowledge. One minute they can be talking about the constituents of elephant dung and the next about the mating behaviour of hippos or the latest UK football scores!

DAY 5 - KRUGER FREE DAYThis is a day at leisure for anyone who just wants to take it easy by one of the pools at the hotel or do some hippo-spotting from the lovely lawn overlooking the river. Alternatively, you could try elephant-back safaris, exciting helicopter flights or even river rafting (all subject to weather conditions), as well as sunset safaris or night safaris where you can experience the unique thrill of an open 4x4 vehicle game drive by spotlight.

Exclusively for Riviera guests, there are also a limited number of places available to stay the night at a tented camp and go on a bushwalk. Our camp is a real ‘back to nature’ experience, with no electricity or en-suite facilities – we use portable ‘bush’ showers and toilets. Our chef will create excellent wholesome cuisine and you can listen out for any nocturnal visitors whilst sitting around the campfire! You rejoin the main tour on the morning of day 6.

DAY 6 - SWAZILAND & KWAZULU NATALToday we leave Kruger on our way to the battlefields of Zululand. After breakfast we’ll drive south, entering the small but scenically beautiful country of Swaziland. As the road climbs past the interestingly-named Piggs Peak we descend through lush green fields and rolling hills interspersed with small farms and drive through the country’s small capital Mbabane, passing the parliament house and Royal Palace en route. We cross back into South Africa in the afternoon and enter Kwazulu Natal province, staying at the simple three-star Battlefields Lodge for two nights on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 7 - ISANDLWANA & RORKE’S DRIFTAfter breakfast we visit the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Brilliantly dramatised in the films Zulu Dawn and Zulu, these two battles, just a day apart, became a defining moment for the British Empire. In 1879 at Isandlwana, a depleted force of 1,300 were surprised and outmanoeuvred by a 20,000-strong Zulu army armed with cowhide

shields and spears. Only a handful survived. The next day just 9 miles away, about 140 British soldiers, some wounded, held off 4,000 Zulus for over ten hours at Rorke’s Drift, an action earning eleven Victoria Crosses, the largest number ever awarded in a single engagement. Isandlwana particularly, remains a haunting and lonely place, with mass graves marked by simple white stones. Our specialist Zulu guide will really make those desperate encounters come alive. We return to our hotel in the afternoon. Lunch is included today.

DAY 8 - KNYSNAAfter breakfast we return to Johannesburg airport, flying to George in the Western Cape and at the heart of the gorgeous Garden Route. We take the short drive to the coastal town of Knysna and our hotel, the charming three-star superior Knysna Hollow Country Estate. The comfortable rooms are all whitewashed and thatched and many overlook the two swimming pools. There is an excellent restaurant, with an extensive wine selection and a convivial bar. Dinner is included this evening.

DAY 9 - FEATHERBED NATURE RESERVEKnysna has been called South Africa’s favourite small town and with its stunning lagoon location, numerous art galleries, craft shops and the excellent Knysna Quays marina shopping and dining complex, it’s not hard to see why. The Garden Route, as its name implies, really is a scenic treat! This magnificent stretch of coastline encompasses mountains, lagoons, pristine beaches, indigenous forests, wetlands teeming with birds, lakes and mountains, all blended together in a feast of sheer natural beauty: it really has it all. This morning we take a ferry across the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a South African Natural Heritage site which we explore by 4x4 vehicle. We stop at some magnificent viewpoints whilst our guide describes the area’s fauna, flora, history and shipwrecks, followed by an easy downhill guided walk and delicious buffet lunch under the canopy of the milkwood trees.

DAY 10 - HERMANUSThis morning, we take the long scenic drive to the Cape’s beautiful Winelands. During July to November we drive via Hermanus, the world’s best spot for on-shore whale watching. These gentle giants move in seemingly permanent slow motion and are a truly amazing sight as they playfully cavort in the water. You arrive in the Winelands by late afternoon, staying two nights on bed-and-breakfast at the excellent four-star Devon Valley Hotel, which is a real find. This little property is set on the valley slopes offering breathtaking views, lush gardens, a relaxing shady terrace, a comfortable bar with dark leather armchairs, fireplace and a wide selection of single malt whiskeys.

DAY 11 - WINELANDSToday we tour the awesomely beautiful Winelands. Set in a valley backed by majestic mountains, rows of manicured vines and orchards stretch into a distance studded by lime-washed, often thatched, 300 year-old wineries built in the unique Cape Dutch style, seemingly mirroring the undulations of the surrounding countryside. Our first stop is the small town of Franschoek in a magnificent setting at the head of a valley, then to elegant Stellenbosch established 300 years ago and home of South Africa’s most prestigious university. Period buildings and historic streets reinforce the town’s dignified atmosphere. We have time to explore this delightful town before enjoying a fascinating cellar tour and tasting at the award-winning Boschendal Wine Estate. Tonight we’ll enjoy an included typical South African BBQ or Cape Malay Buffet dinner at our hotel.

DAY 12 - CAPE TOWNThis morning we visit the amazing Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, located just outside Cape Town and set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

These incredible gardens are some of the best in South Africa, with numerous fascinating endemic flora and orchid varieties. We soon arrive in Cape Town and our hotel, the four-star Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, staying three nights on bed and breakfast. It is located right in the centre of this bustling city within walking distance of the V&A waterfront. The afternoon is spent at leisure when you can start to explore this beautiful city.

DAY 13 - CAPE OF GOOD HOPEThis morning, we visit Cape Point and the legendary Cape of Good Hope, firstly driving past pristine beaches to the picturesque fishing harbour of Hout Bay. We continue along the breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, full of rugged seascapes, to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, then on to Cape Point itself. We see the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean currents and the treacherous promontory of rocks and swells, the scourge of mariners for centuries. Finally we visit Boulders Beach and its penguin colony, returning to the city during the afternoon.

DAY 14 - FREE DAY IN CAPE TOWNCape Town, featuring British, Dutch and Cape Malay influences, is simply one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities with so much to offer the visitor! You could do some bargain shopping at the Waterfront, followed by a sumptuous seafood lunch. Or maybe go people-watching at fashionable Camps Bay? Obviously no visit to Cape Town is complete without taking a revolving cable car ride to the top of iconic Table Mountain which has announced the city to generations of sea-farers. The views are fabulous. You should also visit Robben Island (weather permitting and based on availability), where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27-year incarceration, and whose visitors since its opening have included Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Gates and even Nelson Mandela himself. Perhaps though, simply wander where your feet take you, or relax a little, taking afternoon tea in beautiful colonial splendour at the Mount Nelson hotel – the choice is yours.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHTOur final day in Cape Town is at leisure before a transfer to the airport, at the appropriate time, for our return flight via Johannesburg to the UK.

DAY 16 - ARRIVE HOMEWe arrive back in the UK after a truly unique tour.

ROVOS RAIL EXTENSIONOn selected departures our tour continues from day 15 to Pretoria, for three days aboard one of the world’s most luxurious train journeys, the Rovos rail. DAY 15 - BOARD ROVOS RAILTransfer to Cape Town railway station this morning to board the gleaming carriages of Rovos Rail and settle into your luxurious wood-panelled private Pullman or Deluxe cabin. Our train departs at 11am and as we roll through the Winelands you’ll be able to enjoy the first of many wonderful meals on board. Traditional afternoon tea is served in the Lounge and Observation cars as we approach the charming perfectly-preserved Victorian town of Matjiesfontein where we disembark for a short tour. This evening listen out for the gong that heralds dinner and make your way to one of the two dining cars for one of the best meals you’ll ever have on a train! DAY 16 - KIMBERLEYWake to the wide-open panorama of Africa. There’s no hurry to get up today as breakfast is served until 10am! After lunch our train pulls into Kimberley, South Africa’s most famous diamond-producing town. At over 700ft deep the Kimberley Big Hole is the largest man-made and hand-excavated hole in the world. We also visit the nearby Diamond Museum, a moving testament to the thousands of miners who toiled here over the years. Back on board it’s time for afternoon tea again before this evening’s sumptuous final dinner. DAY 17 - PRETORIAAs we near our journey’s end we travel through Johannesburg and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand before arriving at Rovos Rail’s

private railway station in Pretoria at around midday. We say goodbye to our extraordinary home for the last two nights and enjoy an included lunch in Pretoria and a short sightseeing tour of the city before our flight home this evening. DAY 18 - ARRIVE HOMEYou arrive home this morning after a truly remarkable tour of South Africa.

Dining car

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Victoria Falls, arguably Africa’s greatest natural wonder, with often-overlooked Botswana and incredible Cape Town, what a tour!

V IC TOR I A FA L L S , B OT S WA NA SA FA R I

& C A PE TOW N

• Return scheduled flights• Excellent quality, hand-picked three and four-star hotels, with breakfast and five dinners • Experience one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, the stunning Victoria Falls, with an optional helicopter flight• Watch the fire-red sunset over the mighty Zambezi River during our sundowner cruise on the ‘African Queen’ • Explore Botswana’s vast Chobe National Park, one of the world’s most outstanding game reserves and home to one of the world’s largest elephant herds: the real heart of Africa

• Stay four nights in cosmopolitan Cape Town, one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities, with guided tour• Full-day tour to the Cape of Good Hope, see where two oceans meet experiencing unique flora and fauna, including Africa’s only penguin colony• Tour the Western Cape’s stunning Winelands with its manicured scenery of endless vines and unique Cape Dutch architecture plus a visit and tasting at a 300-year old winery• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

11 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,499

Victoria Falls

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There is something almost haunting about Africa and everyone should visit it at least once during their lives. Its sense of vastness and isolation, whilst at the same time a

unique closeness to nature, leaves an indelible mark on its visitors and on this incredible three-country tour, you see some of the very best it has to offer.

We see one of the finest natural wonders on the planet, the amazing Victoria Falls as well as one of its most naturally beautiful cities, Cape Town, with its surrounding fertile Winelands, plus we visit one of the world’s finest and least visited game reserves, all set in the beautiful countries of Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.

Our tour starts in Zambia, adjacent to the spectacular Victoria Falls, or as the locals call it - ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, the Smoke that Thunders! It may be a cliché, but the falls really do take your breath away and it is at places such as this, that visitors realise just how powerful Mother Nature really is. The statistics are awesome: three times as long as Niagara and twice as high, this is the largest single body of falling water in the world! At times of peak flow, the spray rising from the abyss is too thick to even see the foot of the falls, whereas during the dry season (generally Sep-Dec) the more adventurous may be able to walk to the edge of the vast chasm or even bathe in one of the pools next to the rim itself!

Nearby Botswana is a wild and beautiful country and remains one of the few places on earth that really is unspoilt – a true wilderness where animals are free to roam and migrate freely along their traditional routes. Botswana’s Chobe National Park, a huge reserve of over 10,500 unfenced square kilometres is renowned for having the greatest concentration of game, particularly big cats, in the whole of Southern Africa, and a safari here is a truly exceptional experience.

The Chobe River, an integral part of the ecosystem, allows for superb close-up viewing of a huge variety of animal and indigenous bird species. Fish eagles are common and can often be seen swooping low over the waters, their stillness broken only by families of hippo. But what makes Chobe so special, is that it is home to the world’s largest concentration of elephants, well over 100,000 of them, all protected for over a hundred years. It is a moving and an almost humbling experience to see them inter-acting with each other: playing, bathing and splashing in the blue river, as depicted on countless TV documentaries.

Then for a complete contrast, it’s on to South Africa and stunning Cape Town set in a breathtaking location. Backed by ever-present blue skies and the iconic Table Mountain, fringed with white sand beaches and the nearby fertile, seemingly never-ending valleys of the Winelands, it is blessed with a surfeit of world-class natural wonders.

South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, Cape Town was the first settlement founded by Europeans and now it’s a lively, cosmopolitan and bustling centre, with superb restaurants and excellent shopping, especially within the tastefully restored Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Explore the Bo-Kaap district, one of the city’s most vibrant quarters with its unique Cape architecture, home to jazz clubs and artisans. Take the revolving cable car to the top of Table Mountain, visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for much of his life and visit the Cape of Good Hope - the southernmost point on the African continent.

Our tour offers incredible variety: the amazing natural wonder of Victoria Falls, the enthralling safari experiences of Botswana and the sophisticated style of Cape Town. You will return home with some wonderful photographs and incredible memories: an invigorating and uplifting reminder of how wonderfully diverse and beautiful our planet really is.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport for your overnight flight to Johannesburg.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN LIVINGSTONEAfter your morning arrival you will connect with your onward 1 hour 50 minute flight to Livingstone in Zambia and our hotel for the

night, the three-star superior Avani Victoria Falls resort, located just a short walk from Victoria Falls. All rooms are air-conditioned and brightly decorated in an African theme with a balcony or patio overlooking the extensive landscaped gardens.

The resort has a large pool, bar and restaurant and Riviera guests are welcome to use the excellent restaurant, bar and facilities of the five-star Royal Livingstone Hotel next door. After some time to relax and freshen up, we experience one of the highlights of your tour – a sunset cruise along the mighty Zambezi on the African Queen. As the boat slowly glides across the expanse of a river inhabited by hippo and crocodiles, simply settle into a shaded wicker armchair, absorb the unique surroundings, sip a refreshing drink, become acquainted with your fellow travellers and reflect on how good life can be! DAY 3 - VICTORIA FALLSThis morning we approach Victoria Falls for an outstanding guided walking tour. The area around the falls is surrounded by a unique, lush rainforest eco-system, watered by the fine spray rising from

the falls. As we pass through several rainbows arching through the mist, the roar of the

falls intensifies and conversation becomes virtually impossible. The anticipation

mounts and on your first view, you will fully appreciate why this is truly one of the wonders of the natural world! During low water flow, an optional boat trip is available to Livingstone Island from where the famous explorer himself first saw the falls. For the ultimate view you can take a helicopter or even a ‘micro-light’ aircraft flight (essentially a powered hang-glider) on an optional ‘Flight of Angels’ tour. During the afternoon we drive west parallel to the Zambezi until it joins the Chobe River, actually forming the Botswana border, which we cross on small open speedboats.

We stay three nights half-board at the four-star Chobe Safari Lodge (some groups may stay at the nearby four-star Chobe Bush Lodge or four-star Mowana Lodge), beautifully located overlooking the river itself. All the air-conditioned rooms are well furnished in an African theme and river-facing. The lodge, with its high-ceilinged thatch-roofed public areas blends superbly with the natural surroundings. It also has a lovely swimming pool overlooking the river and an open-air bar and restaurant.

DAY 4 - CHOBE SAFARIThere is simply nothing to beat the feeling of excited anticipation and rising expectation as we start our game drive in the half light of an African dawn, accompanied by a unique ‘dawn chorus’.

Using specially adapted 10-seater open-sided safari vehicles we look out for big cats, giraffe and elephants. You will see a wide variety of game: beautiful impala, monkeys, warthogs, kudu, even leopards if we are lucky! The birdlife is also simply superb – look out for the darting pied kingfishers, African skimmers, ibis, ground hornbills and a variety of brilliantly coloured bee-eaters. We return

to our lodge mid-morning for some relaxation by the pool and a spot of lunch. During the afternoon we take a boat safari on the Chobe River, the main watercourse in the region. Elephant and hippo sightings are virtually guaranteed all year-round. Fish eagles and crocodiles are also often spotted, but during the peak of the dry season (Aug-Nov), hundreds of elephants congregate along the shore for their daily drink – an awesome game viewing experience, unique to Africa! As the sun sets beyond the wide grassy plains on the horizon, we are treated to one of this continent’s greatest gifts: the amazing multihued spectacle that is an African sunset.

DAY 5 - FREE DAY IN CHOBEToday is at leisure at your lodge. You may either relax and enjoy the excellent facilities or take additional optional game drives or river safaris in this, the real heart of Africa.

One of the trips on offer includes a short excursion to Namibia just on the other side of the Chobe River or, you may wish to try your hand at fishing for the fearsome Tigerfish.

DAY 6 - FLIGHT TO CAPE TOWNAfter breakfast we cross back into Zambia across the Chobe River and drive back to Livingstone airport. From Livingstone we fly (commercial jet) to Cape Town, via Johannesburg and transfer to our hotel, the four-star Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel for four nights bed and breakfast, beautifully located within walking distance of the V&A waterfront.

DAY 7 - CAPE OF GOOD HOPEThis morning we drive to Cape Point, visiting the legendary Cape of Good Hope, originally known as the Cape of Storms. We pass pristine beaches, the fishing harbour of Hout Bay and continue along the breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, full of rugged seascapes and cliffs, to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, one of the world’s biodiversity hot-spots. At Cape Point itself you see the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean currents and the treacherous promontory of rocks, the scourge of mariners for centuries. Finally, you visit Boulders Beach and its resident penguin colony before returning to the city in the afternoon. Lunch is included today.

DAY 8 - WINELANDSToday you tour the awesomely beautiful Winelands. Set in a wide valley backed by majestic mountains, rows of manicured vines and orchards stretch into the distance, studded by lime-washed, often thatched, 300 year-old wineries built in the unique Cape Dutch style, sympathetically mirroring the undulations of the surrounding countryside.

Later you visit the small town of Franschoek in a magnificent setting at the head of a valley, then elegant Stellenbosch, established 300 years ago and home to South Africa’s most prestigious university. Period buildings and historic streets reinforce the town’s dignified atmosphere.

We have time to explore this delightful town before enjoying a fascinating cellar tour and tasting at the award-winning Neethlingshof Wine Estate. Lunch is included today.

African Fish Eagle

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Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

DAY 9 - FREE DAY IN CAPE TOWNCape Town, featuring British, Dutch and Cape Malay influences, is simply one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities, with so much to offer the visitor! Today is at leisure to explore as you wish.

In addition to the excellent shopping and dining available within the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront complex, no visit to Cape Town would be complete without taking the revolving cable car to the summit of iconic Table Mountain, the unofficial symbol of South Africa and with breath-taking views. You should also visit Robben Island (weather permitting), where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years incarceration, and whose visitors have included Bill Gates, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton and even Nelson Mandela himself. Wander through the Bo-Kaap area, the very image of small-town South Africa. Tours are available to charming nearby Hermanus, the world’s premier onshore whale watching location (Jul-Nov only). Alternatively, simply just wander where your feet take you, or relax a little, taking afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson, one of the great colonial hotels of the world: the choice is yours.

DAY 10 - RETURN FLIGHTYour final day in Cape Town is again at leisure, before transferring to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight to Heathrow via Johannesburg.

DAY 11 - ARRIVE HOMEYou arrive back in the UK after an extraordinary tour.

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Boulders beach

14 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,599

From the endless sand dunes in the world’s oldest desert, to the vast salt pan and teeming waterholes of Etosha, to the haunting Skeleton Coast,

Namibia’s diversity is simply awe-inspiring

NA M I B I A

• Return scheduled flights• Stay in excellent-quality three and four-star hotels and safari lodges• Daily breakfast and 11 meals included• Explore one of the world’s most spectacular and least populated countries, with amazing wildlife, unique desert landscapes, outstanding night skies and an incredible sense of silence and space, such a rarity in modern life• Visit the awe-inspiring red sand dunes of the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, a photographer’s dream

• Option to experience an unforgettable hot-air balloon or helicopter flight over the desert• Stay in the charming seaside resort town of Swakopmund and enjoy the option of light aircraft flights over the famed Skeleton Coast• Full-day driving safari through Etosha National Park, the jewel of Namibia’s national parks• See ancient rock art and experience fascinating tribal culture in remote Damaraland• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Namibia is one of our most extraordinary destinations – its amazing, remote and extreme landscapes have created an utterly unique country of exceptional and

surprising beauty. The statistics are incredible – as one of the world’s emptiest countries, Namibia has the third lowest population density in the world. The vast Namib Desert, the oldest in the world, covers the whole coastal region, 1,243 miles from north to south and extending 93 miles into the interior. The rest of the land is either mountainous or semi-arid, and includes a large part of the Kalahari. Only 1% of the land is arable. The country itself is more than three times the size of the UK, but with a population barely over two million.

Back in the 1880s, during the ‘scramble for Africa’, what is now Namibia became one of a number of German colonies across West Africa. At first, the settlers were few and co-operated with the various indigenous tribes. However, after an uprising in 1904 was brutally crushed by the German authorities many thousands perished from thirst and starvation. After the end of WWI the local tribes were initially more welcoming to South Africa, which was entrusted to administer the country. After a prolonged guerrilla war during the last few years of apartheid, Namibia finally gained its independence in 1990.

Whilst many people are surprised to hear that Namibia is such a young country, it is remarkably stable and efficient. The infrastructure in Windhoek and other major towns is much better than many other African countries, however much of the road network is made up of gravel roads. The very low rainfall means that they remain in good condition throughout the year and our coaches are specially adapted for these conditions.

The country’s small capital, Windhoek, is our first port of call – you’ll notice some German street names and a few older buildings here and there, but generally this is a low-rise modern city of wide clean avenues, rows of palm and jacaranda trees interspersed with a few 19th-century church steeples. Within just a 10-minute drive of the centre you’ll find yourself in open countryside and within another 10 minutes you’ve lost sight of the city altogether. That’s the beauty of Namibia – you are always a short distance away from the wide-open vistas and unspoilt horizons of the real Africa.

The Namib Desert is undoubtedly a major highlight – this vast sea of shifting dunes is 55 million years old, the world’s oldest desert. The seemingly endless panorama of shadow and light, with an astounding palette of colours ranging from orange, terracotta to deep reds is at its best early in the morning or at sunset. The dunes at Sossusvlei are some of the highest in the world and you’ll have the opportunity to climb one of the dunes overlooking the remarkable Dead Vlei salt pan. Amazingly, specially-adapted animals do manage to live here – look out for oryx and ostriches in amongst the camel thorn trees along the dry river beds.

As a complete contrast, the seaside resort of Swakopmund with its fine Lutheran church, lush gardens and red and white lighthouse looks a world away from the harsh arid landscape that surrounds it. Founded in 1892 as the country’s main harbour, nowadays the port facilities are down the coast at Walvis Bay and Swakomund is a pleasant, though somewhat sleepy, holiday spot with a nice beach, interesting colonial buildings and a number of good fish restaurants. It’s also the starting point for a number of fascinating trips: take a light aircraft flight over the Namib; visit the nearby dunes with a specialist naturalist guide or take a catamaran cruise in the bay to spot dolphins and seals.

Towards the north of the country the region of Damaraland is a remote and ruggedly beautiful region with Namibia’s highest mountain, cliffs and

arid valleys with numerous fascinating examples of ancient rock art. We visit the most famous of these, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back 6,000 years. We’ll also visit a village of the local Himba tribe, with time for you to ask questions about their daily lives and see their remarkable hairstyles and jewellery.

Etosha National Park, despite being one of the emptiest places in Namibia – nothing grows on its enormous salt pan – is nevertheless the best place to see the huge variety of wildlife that has adapted to this difficult environment. Etosha’s famous waterholes attract everything from rhino, to elephants, zebras, giraffes and lions, all in close proximity to one another. Not all of Etosha is made up of the barren salt pan, so there’s also plenty of exciting opportunities to track game in the bush too.

After so many years of South African influence, almost everyone in Namibia speaks English, as well as ‘Namlish’ – a fascinating mixture of German, Africaans, local dialects and English. Namibian cuisine has also been strongly influenced by German culture – you’ll find dishes like wiener schnitzel, tasty sausages and excellent locally-brewed lagers in restaurants. The South African predilection for a good ‘braai’ (BBQ) can be experienced in the wide range of freshly grilled game meats at most hotels and of course there’s also a varied selection of well-priced Cape wines to choose from.

It is no exaggeration that Namibia is a unique destination – you’ll be amazed at its diversity, its wildlife, its colours and its people, all within a vast landscape that will capture your imagination and your heart.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport to take your overnight flight to Johannesburg.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN WINDHOEKAfter your morning arrival you will connect with your onward 1 hour 50 minute-flight to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia and our hotel for the night, the centrally located four-star Avani Hotel with breakfast. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to relax after your flight.

DAY 3 - SOLITAIREWe leave Windhoek this morning and soon we are in open country, without another building or road in sight. This is our first experience of driving on Namibia’s famed gravel roads, but with a smooth ride on our specially adapted coach. We stop to appreciate the scenery as we cross the Tropic of Capricorn. The low hills in the distance are interspersed with acacia trees and bushes – the soils here, as in most places in Namibia, are far too poor for agriculture, so this is cattle country, but you’ll wonder exactly what they find to eat. You’ll start spotting some game too: some tall Kudus or

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springbok perhaps and many trees with huge thatch-like structures which are the nests of sociable weaver birds. We arrive in Solitaire at around lunchtime – it’s no more than a filling station and lunch-stop surrounded by hundreds of square miles of emptiness. Our hotel for two nights is the 3-star superior Namib Desert Lodge, on dinner and breakfast basis.

DAY 4 - SOSSUSVLEI DUNESAn early start today as we enter the vast Namib Naukluft National Park. Look out for oryx, with their long straight horns, superbly adapted for this harsh climate. The further we drive, the redder and higher the dunes become, before finally reaching the point where the road ends and we transfer on to 4x4 vehicles for the final 3-mile drive through the sand to the Sossusvlei dunes. In the distance you’ll be able to discern the enormous bulk of ‘Big Daddy’, at 325 metres one of the highest dunes in Namibia. Our destination is Dead Vlei, located on a flat clay salt pan, the dramatic contrast between the white salt pan and the sun-blackened stumps of the trees against the red sand of the dunes is absolutely extraordinary. The more adventurous can climb of one of the nearby dunes, but remember you’ll need to tackle the rather steeper descent. Your afternoon is at leisure at our hotel – the sunsets here are simply amazing, and at night you’ll see more stars than you could have thought possible.

DAY 5 - WALVIS BAYSubject to availability, you may have the option to go on a hot-air balloon flight, to watch the sunrise from high above the vast sea of dunes of the Namib – an experience few superlatives can describe. After breakfast we head towards the Atlantic coast at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Walvis Bay is the main port of Namibia whilst Swakopmund retains the air of a sedate seaside resort, with its red and white lighthouse, its pier and lush gardens – a world away from the surrounding desert landscape. Our Swakopmund hotel for two nights is the 3-star superior Plaza Hotel with breakfast.

DAY 6 - FREE DAY IN SWAKOPMUNDA day at leisure to enjoy the charms and sea air of Swakopmund, with its clean wide streets and German-inspired architecture. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, a long beach and numerous

optional trips to try out. One of the most popular is a catamaran harbour cruise in search of dolphins, seals and seabirds; there are also light aircraft flights along the stunning coastline to spot some of the famous shipwrecks of the Skeleton Coast; finally, there’s the opportunity for a desert drive in 4x4 vehicles on a ‘living desert’ tour to track and spot all the amazing geckos, lizards, beetles and chameleons that manage to survive this inhospitable environment.

DAY 7 - CAPE CROSSThis morning we follow the coast north towards the Skeleton Coast before arriving at Cape Cross, site

Walvis Bay

Cape Cross Seal

Etosha waterhole

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of the largest Cape fur seal colony in world. Sustained by the nutrient-rich waters of the cold Benguela current the sheer size of the colony is a sight to behold – but be prepared for the smell! Turning inland we cross into Damaraland, an area of desert, including Namibia’s highest mountain, which is rich in ancient remains. Our hotel for two nights is the 3-star Damara Mopane Lodge with dinner and breakfast.

DAY 8 - DAMARALANDOur destination today is Twyfelfontein, Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with numerous 6,000-year old rock engravings. As you would expect, there are depictions of animals to be found locally such zebras, lions and giraffes, but intriguingly a seal and penguin are also shown, which live hundreds of miles away. The whole area is surrounded by fractured red sandstone cliffs and escarpments – with few signs of human settlement. Nearby we’ll also visit the organ pipe rock formation before an included lunch. Your afternoon is at leisure to relax in the spacious gardens and pool at your hotel.

DAY 9 - HIMBA TRIBAL VILLAGEToday we gain a fascinating insight into the culture of the local tribe, the Himba. Following a semi-nomadic lifestyle, they have retained much of their unique customs, dress and very distinctive hairstyles. We visit them at one of the local villages, guided by

members of the tribe, to see their way of life at first hand. We stay for one night at the 3-star superior Taleni Etosha Village, with dinner and breakfast.

DAY 10 - ETOSHA GAME DRIVEThis morning we enter Etosha, Namibia’s most famous national park. Slightly larger than Wales, Etosha is home to over 100 mammal species, including elephants, giraffe, rhino, lions and elusive leopards. Our first stop is the Okaukuejo waterhole where you are usually guaranteed to see a large variety of game. Continuing our drive through the park, we stop at other waterholes and the Etosha Outlook viewpoint which is located in the salt pan itself. Our home for the next two nights is the excellent four-star Mokuti Lodge on dinner and

breakfast basis, the closest lodge to the park’s eastern gate. With its numerous thatched buildings, lush gardens and pools, this cool, green oasis of calm is an ideal spot for some ‘down-time’.

DAY 11 - ETOSHA FREE DAYA day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful gardens and facilities of your lodge. Alternatively, the lodge also has its own spa and half-day safaris are also available into Etosha.

DAY 12 - CRAFT MARKETSaying goodbye to Etosha we head south, finally back on tarmac roads, towards Windhoek. On the way we stop for a visit to the popular Okahandja craft market,

full of interesting wood carvings and curios. Our destination is the Midgard Country Estate, set in its own 29,600 acres of beautiful countryside. With two swimming pools, large stables, hiking trails, a vintage car collection and even a skittle alley, this is a fascinating last night in Namibia. Dinner is included tonight. DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHTA morning at leisure until our afternoon departure for our return overnight flight to the UK, via Johannesburg. DAY 14 - ARRIVE HOMEYou arrive home this morning after a truly extraordinary tour.

14 DAYS

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16 DAYS

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£2,799

With some of South America’s most exceptional sights, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lake Titicaca, Peru will never disappoint!

PE RU W I T H A M A Z ON

• Scheduled return flights• Explore the extraordinary civilization of the Incas, the colonial heritage of the Spanish Conquistadors and the colourful culture of present-day Peru• Stay in three and four-star hotels with breakfast and five meals• Guided visit to Machu Picchu, the fabled ‘Lost city of the Incas’• Tour of Sacred Valley of the Incas• Guided sightseeing of Cusco, once capital of the Inca empire, now one of South America’s most enchanting cities

• Visit to famous floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world• See the great South American condor in flight, at the stunning Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest• Guided tour of Arequipa, one of South America’s most charming Spanish colonial cities• On selected departures enjoy a two-night stay in a jungle lodge in the Amazon, including all meals and excursions• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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sea-fish similar to sea-bass, marinated in lime juice. Alpaca steaks are popular too, but you may wish to draw the line at the Inca speciality of guinea pig, still considered a delicacy. There are over thirty different types of potatoes, one of which is bright yellow and delicious baked in salt, and the most mouth-watering corn on the cob, totally different from the selectively bred varieties we are used to.

Peru is fascinating: a striking mixture of old-world Spanish influence combined with many Inca customs and beliefs persisting to this day. Peruvians are justly proud of their unique and complex cultural heritage and no visitor can fail to be enchanted by their genuine kindness, intrigued by their long and colourful history and captivated by their spectacular and beautiful country.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport for your overnight flight to Lima, via Madrid.

DAY 2- ARRIVAL IN LIMAOn arrival transfer to the four-star Casa Andina Select Miraflores, where you stay overnight with breakfast.

DAY 3 - FLY TO AREQUIPATransfer straight on to a domestic flight to the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa where we stay for two nights at the three-star superior Casa Andina Select Hotel, with breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your flight.

DAY 4 - AREQUIPASituated at an altitude of 7,660ft, Arequipa is Peru’s second-largest city and a good place to start acclimatising to the higher altitude. Its skyline is dominated by a trio of spectacular volcanoes – in fact many buildings are constructed from volcanic sillar rock, the hue of which gives Arequipa its ‘White City’ moniker.

After breakfast we set out on a tour that begins at the Carmen Alto viewpoint, which offers spectacular views of the city.

We head through the Yanahuara quarter with its small, cobblestone

streets and beautiful mestizo baroque church dating from 1750. We then head downtown to Arequipa’s UNESCO-listed historic centre and arguably Peru’s prettiest square, the Plaza des Armas, which features the 17th century baroque Jesuit church of La Compáñia. We then head across the

plaza to the cathedral, a grand piece of colonial architecture. With 12 giant marble columns, a high vaulted ceiling, the cathedral is impressive on its own, but is given further dramatic emphasis when viewed against the backdrop of the three mighty snow-capped volcanoes.

We move on to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, founded by the Spanish in 1580 for the nuns of the Order of Saint Catherine of Siena. Peru has many magnificent religious structures, but none can match the grandeur and sheer scale of this working convent, which includes streets, chapels, cloisters, squares and an

art gallery.The afternoon is at leisure,

giving you the opportunity to browse the local craft market or further explore the pretty streets of dazzling colonial buildings. Many have been transformed into shops, hotels and restaurants, where you can sample some of the excellent cuisine for which the city is

Peru is without doubt the most intriguing and fascinating of all South American countries. The incredible remains of the Inca civilization are a huge draw and combined with its

colonial architecture, the stunning vistas of the jagged peaks of the Andes, the Amazonian jungle, its superb cuisine and the warmth of the Peruvians themselves, this is one of the most captivating destinations in the world!

Firstly, its scenery is world-class: the Andes, the second highest mountain range in the world rising to a jaw-dropping 20,000 feet, run like a backbone down the entire country. Snow-clad volcanoes pierce the sky, whilst torrential rivers surge through rocky valleys from the numerous glaciers. At lower altitudes is the altiplano, a timeless plateau covered with tufts of wiry grass and studded with occasional but distinctive low thatched houses of the indigenous Indians. Completing the scene are small herds of instantly recognisable llama, whilst above, giant condors soar on the rising thermals.

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. At 13,000 feet the luminescent light and clear air cause the lake to emit a stunning sapphire-blue colour and its infinite vastness stretches into the horizon. With the ever-present Andes as the backdrop, the dark greens of the altiplano plunge into the deep waters whilst an eerily haunting silence pervades; it exudes an almost other-worldly natural beauty. The lake itself is home to the Uros, an Indian people who live much as they have always done, on extensive floating islands constructed from reeds.

Peru, in all our minds though, is indivisible from the fabled Incas, that remarkable people who, by the early 16th century had created the greatest empire in the then world. Stretching from Colombia to Chile, amazingly without the benefit of writing, ferrous metals, horses, currency or wheels. The Incas were the last of dozens of pre-Colombian civilisations, but how did a tiny group of 160 Spaniards manage to conquer this highly organised and sophisticated society of 32 million people? We visit the sites of battles, palaces and the most sacred temples of the Incas answering this question and many others.

We stay a few days in Cusco, the oldest inhabited city in the Americas. As Peru’s undisputed archaeological capital, surrounded by exceptionally beautiful Andean countryside, it is one of South America’s most charming cities. It is a curious blend of old and new with immense, virtually earthquake-proof Inca walls lining cobbled streets and forming the foundations of some gorgeous colonial buildings, reminiscent of medieval Spain. We see its 16th century cathedral, fabulous art and opulent treasure collections, the main square where the conquistadors were almost overwhelmed and the last Inca emperor was executed in a public display of Spanish supremacy.

The most striking image of Peru, and probably the entire continent, is of course the awesome Machu Picchu. One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times, it is set in a breathtaking landscape of rich rainforest, deep perilous gorges and lofty snow-covered peaks. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer exhilaration felt as you approach the site and it gloriously comes into view. You ascend a slope and suddenly there it is, its magic hits you right between the eyes: the classic view from countless travel posters, it will truly take your breath away!

Peru is also the culinary centre of South America with many specialities. You should try ceviche, a meaty

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famed. Try locally caught trout cooked on a hot stone, the sweetest corn on the cob you’ll ever taste or even an alpaca steak … all washed down with a pisco sour, of course.

DAY 5 - COLCAAfter breakfast we head north to Colca, site of one of the world’s deepest canyons. As we pass through the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve we see desert landscapes, exotic rock formations and grasslands populated by vicuñas, llamas and Andean deer. We climb even further to over 12,000ft and the Pampa de Toccra, a plain featuring a lake where pink flamingos reside in season. The trip features several jaw-dropping viewpoints, including the Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa – at over 16,000ft above sea level the air here is thin but the view of the volcanoes around Arequipa is simply jaw dropping.

In the afternoon we reach Chivay (alt.11,900ft), the small town near Colca Canyon where we stay for one night at the three-star superior Casa Andina Hotel, with breakfast.

DAY 6 - COLCA CANYONToday will undoubtedly be another of this tour’s many highlights as we head to Condor Cross for

some magnificent views of the Colca Canyon. Prepare to be amazed, the canyon is more than twice the depth of the Grand Canyon and is one of Peru’s most popular sights. This is also where you can get some amazing close-up views of one of the world’s most spectacular birds in flight – the Andean Condor. The Colca Canyon region is one of the last remaining habitats of this endangered giant vulture, which has a wingspan of up to 10ft.

At around midday we continue eastwards to Puno on Lake Titicaca, where we stay two nights on bed and breakfast basis at the three-star superior Posada del Inca Hotel, overlooking the lake. A packed lunch is included today.

DAY 7 - LAKE TITICACAThe panorama of Lake Titicaca has to be seen to be believed. Reflecting the blue sky above, is a fabulous deep blue expanse of water stretching as far as the eye can see.

After breakfast we board our private motor launch and visit the famous floating Uros Islands where the local Indians, living much as they always have, construct these islands using many layers of totora reeds. We then visit the island of Taquile, further into

the lake and famed for the highest quality knitware in Peru. It’s very much a typical village, with no roads or electricity, where the Indians proudly still adhere to their traditional culture and dress. Lunch is included in Taquile. DAY 8 - CUSCOThis morning we say goodbye to Lake Titicaca and head northwards to Cusco. We firstly

drive through the altiplano, the high-altitude Andean plateau observing small herds of llama, alpaca and the low mud-brick, thatch-roofed houses of the local farmers. As the scenery slips by we start climbing gradually towards La Raya, at 14,170ft, the highest point on this stunning journey.

After our included lunch, we also visit the fascinating church of the Andahuayillas, known as the Sistine Chapel of the America’s due to the high quality of its artwork, arriving in Cusco in the late afternoon. Our coach is adapted for this high-altitude journey by having oxygen-enriched air piped into seating area.

Our Cusco hotel for two nights is the four-star Costa del Sol Ramada with breakfast.

DAY 9 - CUSCOAfter breakfast we have a tour of Cusco, one of the most beautiful cities in South America, a heady mixture of traditional colonial architecture interspersed with fascinating Inca remains. The main square, nestling within a maze of narrow streets and quaint piazzas, has been the centre of the city since Inca times and used to be surrounded by three palaces.

Today it is the site of three churches, including the 16th century cathedral, so huge it took 100 years to complete. It has an exquisitely carved wooden choirstall and over 400 paintings, including one thought to be a Van Dyck, plus the Last Supper featuring guinea pig as the main course!

We then visit the Qorichancha, the Incas’ principle temple to the sun. This was the ‘navel’ of the Inca world, originally covered in sheets of pure gold and contained the Incas’ most sacred object, the golden disc of the sun. Although the Spanish built the Santo Domingo convent over the Inca temple, many of the internal walls remain and have now been excavated.

Our final Inca site is the extraordinary Sachsayhuaman with three vast megalithic walls, a staggering thousand feet long and with the largest blocks of stone ever found in Inca structures, all moved with no wheels. This was also the site of the final epic four-day last stand of the Inca rebellion. Had the conquistadors lost, the history of South America could have been quite different.

Pisac market

Plaza des Armas, Arequipa

DAY 10 - MACHU PICCHUToday will certainly be the highlight of your tour! After driving to Ollaytambo station we board the specially constructed Explorer train taking us on one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys through the increasingly narrow Urubamba river gorge to the legendary Machu Picchu. As we descend, the scenery changes from semi-arid brush and cactus to dense, lush rainforest. Below us, the river rushes headlong into numerous rapids whilst above, the precipitous sides of the gorge rise to dizzying heights.

Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. It suddenly and magically appears before you, its wonder and mystique astounds - the only Inca settlement never discovered or destroyed by the Spanish. Set on a ridge overlooking the gorge of the Urubamba River, it was rediscovered in 1910 by Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, but with the site being completely overgrown, he had no idea of the immense significance of his find. No one knows why it was built in such an inaccessible spot or why it was mysteriously abandoned. As you walk through its gates, temples and houses, our guide will explain the significance of the location in relation to the equinoxes and how central mountain-worship was to the Incas.

We return by train to the Urumbamba Valley, known as the ‘Sacred Valley of the Incas’ where we spend two nights at the four-star Casa Andina Sacred Valley Hotel with breakfast.

DAY 11 - PISAC & SACRED VALLEYThe Sacred Valley was the empire’s breadbasket, spiritual centre and home to some of its most iconic symbols. Its wide fertile plain, with ancient terraces hugging the valley sides and the imposing peaks of the Andes beyond is truly an awesome sight.

Firstly we visit Pisac, famous for its dominating fortress and colourful Indian market. It is a fantastic sight, full of traditionally dressed locals bartering for all kinds of produce, chickens and goats. Every kind of local handicraft is available too – from vibrant hand-made rugs and ponchos in bright reds and yellows, to local ceramics and a huge variety of high quality llama and alpaca knit-ware. After an included lunch we visit the massive fortress and temple of Ollantaytambo. Built along a dominant rocky bluff, and was the site of a rare Conquistador defeat. You can examine the astonishingly intricate Inca stonework – its beauty and precision unique in the world and all hand-crafted using stone tools. Interestingly, Ollantaytambo was unfinished and still has the earthwork ramp used to transport the huge stone blocks used in its construction.

DAY 12 - FLIGHT TO LIMA Today we travel back to Cuzco airport for our short flight to Lima, staying one night at the four-star El Pardo Doubletree by Hilton, with breakfast.

DAY 13 - LIMA & RETURN FLIGHTThis morning we enjoy a city tour, including lunch, visiting Lima’s most important colonial sites. You will see the Presidential Palace, the Plaza del Armas, Lima’s central square, surrounded by colonial-era buildings and the cathedral, in the central UNESCO listed area of the city. We will also visit the Casa Aliaga one of Lima’s best-known colonial mansions built by Pizarro for one of his lieutenants in the 16th century. Lunch is included today. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for our return overnight flight. DAY 14 - ARRIVE HOMEWe arrive back in the UK, after a superb and highly memorable tour.

AMAZON JUNGLE LODGE EXTENSION On selected dates our tour continues into the Peruvian Amazon basin with a two-night stay at an eco-lodge in the jungle. DAY 12 - AMAZONThis morning you begin your journey into the vast Amazon rainforest with a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Madonaldo. We make our way to the Madre de Dios River where our adventure starts with a 25 minute ride by motorized canoe to the excellent Inkaterra Hacienda

Concepcion Lodge for two nights on full board basis. After lunch, we take a guided walk through the local nature trails, where you’ll discover the differences between primary and secondary rainforest, its complex ecosystem and the many fascinating uses of its plant life. At dusk, we’ll navigate the river by motorized canoe, to spot nocturnal animals’ behaviour and the southern constellations above us.

DAY 13 - AMAZONToday you will understand why the Madre de Dios is called the biodiversity capital of Peru! We will use the motorized canoes to cross mirror-like oxbow lakes and visit the Tambopata National Reserve, home to the endangered giant river otter, black

caiman, and one of the world’s biggest fresh water scaled fish, the paiche, as well as blue and yellow macaw and red howler monkeys.

After a buffet lunch back at the lodge, we’ll enjoy a unique view of the rainforest from a canopy walkway. Ascend one of the two 98-foot towers and cross the 7 hanging bridges that connect the treetops, with the chance to watch white-throated toucans, woodpeckers, squirrel monkeys and three-toed sloths.

DAY 14 - FLY TO LIMAAfter breakfast, you take the canoe back to Puerto

Maldonado from where we fly to Lima for a one night stay at the four-star Casa Andina Select Miraflores, with breakfast.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHTThis morning we disembark and visit the local

Manatee Rescue Centre before transferring to the airport for our flight back to Lima to connect with our

homeward overnight flight, via Madrid.

DAY 16 - ARRIVE BACK HOMEWe arrive back in the UK after an amazing and unique tour.

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11 DAYS

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From Emperor butterflies, toucans, the iridescent green plumage of the Quetzal to unique three-toed sloths, explore one of the most scenic and bio-diverse countries on the planet -

now accessed by direct flights from the UK

C O S TA R IC A

• Return direct scheduled flights• Premium economy flight upgrades available at a supplement• Stay in hand-picked three and four-star hotels• Stay in the fascinating capital, San Jose• Explore the area around the perfect cone of the still-active Arenal Volcano• Travel to the remote Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, renowned for its incredible birdlife

• See the extraordinary Monteverde Cloud Forest from above on the superb hanging bridges• Option to try out an exhilarating ‘zip-line’ tour through the rainforest• Stay for three nights at Manuel Antonio overlooking the Pacific Ocean and one of Costa Rica’s most popular National Parks• Daily breakfast and five meals included• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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In Costa Rica every road seems to lead to another waterfall, a coffee plantation, a volcano, a lush rainforest or a stunning

tropical beach. Everywhere you look, you are greeted by smiling faces who are immensely proud to live in a country whose happy motto is 'Pura Vida' - pure life!

Costa Rica was named as the rich coast by Spanish conquistadors who, as always, hoped to find gold and silver. Ironically, the opposite was true - not only were there no precious metals of any description, but the impenetrable jungles and lack of local inhabitants made it virtually impossible to farm the land. This why Costa Rica is not superbly endowed with the huge cathedrals, grand architecture and all the trappings of colonial administration. The Costa Ricans, or Ticos, were not brutally conquered like the Aztecs to the north or the Incas in Peru and the Spanish ruled in a more benevolent manner till 1821 when the country gained its independence. The long hoped-for Costa Rican riches finally came to pass when the country became the first one to export coffee directly to Europe and later on was also the first to farm and export bananas on an industrial scale. Nowadays Costa Rica is one of the few counties in the world not to have any armed forces and the country's president won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for helping to end the vicious civil war in neighbouring Nicaragua.

Costa Rica has realised that its real riches come from its immensely fertile volcanic soils which have created a biodiversity of incredible range, variety and complexity - a veritable natural paradise! Surprisingly, the government has designated more than 25% of the country as protected reserves or national parks, a goal that is actively supported by the vast majority of the population. So what can you expect to see here? One of its most well known and likeable inhabitants is the three-toed sloth, but this is not even close to the tip of the iceberg! There's green iguanas, hundreds of varieties of brightly coloured tree frogs, howler and capuchin monkeys, tapirs, elusive jaguars, toucans, scarlet macaws, hummingbirds a-plenty, crocodiles, leatherback turtles, whales - the list just goes on and on! One particularly extraordinary animal is the quetzal, the most breathtakingly stunning bird in Central America.

Our tour visits the country's charming capital San Jose before striking out for the Arenal volcano, still active and with a perfect cone and surrounded by its own national park with roughly half the species of Costa Rica to be found here. We'll take an easy walk along one of the many trails nearby and see some attractive views of the peak. From our comfortable base we will also visit the Caño Negro reserve, close to the border with Nicaragua. The main access route here is along the Rio Frio and the best way to spot wildlife is our boat safari which gives you uninterrupted views along its banks. More than 300 bird species have been identified here, including kingfishers, ibis, toucans, storks and even a type of vulture, plus you are also likely to see caimans and monkeys.

Our next port of call is the renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest, a unique ecosystem created by the warm Pacific winds being pushed up and condensing on the mountain slopes. The trees here are covered in mist and mossy vines, bromeliads, ferns and the greatest diversity of orchids on the planet! We explore via system of hanging bridges so as to look down on the thick vegetation below. There's plenty of hummingbirds here and you may be lucky enough to spot a quetzal. You may also choose to

experience the incredible thrill of zip-wiring through the forest - this is one of the best places in the country to try this (at extra charge).

Our final stop for three nights is at Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Known for its beautiful palm-fringed beaches, laid back lifestyle and next to the country's smallest but most visited national park, this is the perfect spot to take some time off, relax, find a nice restaurant or bar and watch the sun slowly sink into the mighty Pacific Ocean.

With the new direct flights from London Gatwick to San Jose, we are sure you will come back from this surprising, amazing country with a real burning desire - to go back! Pura Vida! DAY 1 - DEPARTUREDepart from London Gatwick on your direct British Airways service. We arrive in San Jose in the afternoon and transfer to the four-star Radisson Hotel for one night with breakfast. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 2 - ARENALAs we leave the city behind, on our way to Arenal, we pass by coffee and sugarcane plantations before stopping in Sarchi, an artisan town, known for its brightly-painted traditional oxcarts which were used for transporting coffee from the highlands to port. If time permits there may be a visit to a local school on the way to Arenal.

Later this evening after checking into the four-star superior Royal Corin or Arenal Kioro Hotel for two nights with breakfast, you may look forward to sampling some typical Costa Rican cuisine - dinner is included at a local restaurant.

DAY 3 - CAÑO NEGRO RESERVEArenal, famous for the perfect symmetrical cone of the Arenal Volcano, is Costa Rica's youngest volcano. But today we head north, close to the Nicaraguan border, to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Here we embark on a boat to quietly float along the Frio River – your local guide will point out what is considered to be some of the most abundant bird life in Costa Rica. Turtles, iguanas, caimans and numerous monkey species can also be spotted in the lush wetlands and along the river banks. Lunch is included.

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Tonight, enjoy an optional evening at the family-run Eco Termales Hot Springs – the four pools (ranging in temperature from 91-105 degrees Fahrenheit) are surrounded by the local flora of the forest and are a great way to relax at the end of the day. The trip includes a plentiful buffet dinner.

DAY 4 - MONTEVERDEIn the morning, embark on an hour-long walking tour (mostly easy and flat) in Arenal National Park whilst enjoying scenic views of the volcano. We turn south today to drive towards the Monteverde Cloud Forest, staying for two nights with breakfast at the three-star Heliconia or the four-star El Establo Hotel. Your evening is free to try out one of the many excellent local restaurants, cafés and bars.

DAY 5 - MONTEVERDE CLOUD FORESTThis stunning Cloud Forest boasts an extraordinarily diverse ecosystem, being home to 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, 130 species of mammals and an astounding 500 species of birds, not to mention more than 3,000 species of plants. Possibly the best way to enjoy all this is from above: the Selvatura Hanging Bridges are a system of walkways that offer a unique view into the jungle from up to 180 feet above the forest floor. If you are feeling really adventurous, this is where you have the option to try what is considered to be the country’s best ‘zip-line’ experience!

This afternoon enjoy lunch and a tour of a traditional Costa Rican coffee farm where you’ll see how one of Costa Rica's top exports is grown in this tropical region and its importance in the development of the country as a whole. Dinner tonight is included at a local restaurant.

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DAY 6 - MANUEL ANTONIOThis morning we drive along the shores of the striking

Pacific coast towards Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the country, with an exotic combination of exquisite beaches and an exuberant tropical forest.

We arrive in Manuel Antonio in the afternoon, with the rest of the day at

leisure to enjoy all of the delights of this popular beach area where it’s not unusual to see iguanas and white-faced monkeys on the beach! Our hotel for three nights with breakfast will be the four-star Parador Resort & Spa. This evening, take a taxi ride into town – there’s plenty of great food, music and friendly bars to choose from.

DAY 7 - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARKToday, we take a guided walking tour in Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica's most popular conservation areas. Its wide range of land and marine biodiversity and beautiful coral reefs make this one of the world's most impressive natural habitats. Your local guide will lead you through the paths of this tropical paradise to discover a unique

combination of thick coastal forest, beaches and mangrove lagoons which are home to more

than 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds. You’ll observe

several species of monkeys, iguanas, and birds and possibly even the three-

toed sloth.

DAY 8 - FREE DAY IN MANUEL ANTONIO

Enjoy all of the pleasures of your final day in Manuel Antonio National Park. You can

take it easy on the beach or beside the hotel pool, with a pina colada or daiquiri in hand, or perhaps join the optional Catamaran

cruise that sails along the coast with picturesque views and time for snorkelling off Biesanz beach. Tonight, dinner is included at one of the most popular restaurants in

Manuel Antonio.

DAY 9 - SAN JOSETravel back to San Jose today for our last night in Costa Rica. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city independently, visit some of the galleries and museums or linger at a lovely restaurant for dinner tonight. The opportunities are endless in this energetic city.

DAY 10 - RETURN FLIGHTTransfer to the airport for your overnight direct flight to London Gatwick.

DAY 11 - ARRIVE HOMEWe arrive home this morning. STAY AN EXTRA DAY IN COSTA RICABetween April to end of October, British Airways schedules mean that all our tours will need to stay for an extra night in Costa Rica, making this a 12-day holiday. The extra night will be spend in San Jose and on Day 2 we will head out of the city to the Poas Volcano with a chance to view the vast steaming crater, weather permitting. You'll visit the spectacular La Paz Waterfall Gardens, the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica and a rescued wildlife preserve with over 100 species of animals. Wander the trails to view the five waterfalls with spectacular views from above, below and in front of the falls. We'll have lunch at the park before returning to San Jose in the late afternoon.

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9 DAYS

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£2,329

Some of North America’s most spectacular scenery combined with an incredible train journey and a luxury cruise to the world’s last great wilderness, Alaska

• Return direct scheduled flights, with premium economy upgrades available• Excellent hand-picked superior three-star hotel accommodation • SilverLeaf service on Rocky Mountaineer including two breakfasts and two lunches• Travel on the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic highways and walk on the 300-metre thick Athabasca glacier• Stay and tour Vancouver, vibrant, sophisticated and overlooking the Pacific Ocean• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Extend your nine-day holiday with a seven-night full board luxury Alaskan cruise through the ‘Inside Passage’ with Holland America Line • Visit the awe-inspiring World Heritage Site of Glacier Bay National Park • Enjoy optional glacier helicopter flights, bear and whale-watching, fishing, kayaking, hiking and even dog-sledding, amongst the huge selection of shore excursions• Option to travel on the spectacular White Pass and Yukon Railroad

C A NA DA' S RO C K Y MOU N TA I N E E R &

A L A S K A C RU I S E

Rocky Mountaineer

INC

LUDING A L A S K A CRU

ISE16 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£3,099

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The Canadian Rockies, coupled with an Alaskan cruise, must surely rank amongst the very finest scenic and wildlife holidays on earth! Combining Canada, the world’s

second largest country, with a cruise to Alaska, the largest state in the US, our tour has been designed to showcase the very best that such an enormous area can offer.

The magnificent Rocky Mountains are Canada’s crowning glory: home to bears, majestic elk, moose and beaver, with vast forests that seem to go on forever. Opaque lakes of stunning emerald green and turquoise reflect the magnificent scenery like no other place on earth. Carpets of wild flowers bedeck the green meadows spread beneath the towering glaciers - huge expanses of brilliant white ice and snow, contrasting with the muted greys and pinks of the jagged peaks. We stay in Banff, the very heart of the mountains, then travel along a monument to man’s engineering prowess, the ‘road of steel’ that is the great Trans-Canadian railway, on the incredible Rocky Mountaineer train. Crossing high passes, deep ravines and innumerable spectacular bridges, places that can only be seen by rail, the Rocky Mountaineer is acknowledged as the ultimate way to travel through the beautifully rugged terrain of Alberta and British Columbia.

Finally, we arrive in Vancouver, nestling beside the immense majesty of the Pacific Ocean, which ranks alongside Sydney, Cape Town and San Francisco as one of the world’s most naturally beautiful panoramas. With its gleaming glass skyscrapers reflected in the azure-blue ocean, Canada’s third-largest city is a fascinating and cosmopolitan metropolis encircled by water and mountains.

Our seven-night cruise with Holland America Line to Alaska is available as an extension on all departures.

The cruise includes two days at sea sailing the calm, sheltered waters of the famed Inside Passage. In Alaska, we visit the historic ports of Skagway and Ketchikan, where the prospectors of the 1890’s Klondike gold rush took their first steps towards riches or heartache!

We spend a whole day cruising the pristine waters of Glacier Bay, travelling through a landscape that was completely covered by a 20-mile wide glacier just 200 years ago! The park contains eight tidewater glaciers, extraordinary twelve-storey walls of ice in countless shades of blue and white, creaking and groaning their way to the sea where huge blocks up to 200 feet high break loose and crash into the chilly waters. On board you will enjoy unparalleled service and extraordinary sights coupled with exciting and unique experiences via the many shore excursions on offer.

So, come join us on this wonderful tour and explore one of the most exciting places in North America, located in truly awesome scenery, with enchanting wildlife and welcoming people. You are sure to return with some amazing lifelong memories!

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN CALGARYCheck in for your flight to Calgary. Following our afternoon arrival we transfer to the three-star superior Delta Bow Valley in central Calgary for one night.

DAY 2 - CALGARYToday we start our spectacular journey from Calgary across the gently rolling prairies of Alberta and soon the amazing slate-grey, snow-capped peaks of the Rockies come into view. Our hotel for the next three

nights is the three-star superior Banff Park Lodge, in the spa resort of Banff. With its wood-panelled interior, cozy fireplace and excellent indoor pool, our hotel is an easy 5-minute stroll into the

centre of this attractive small town.

DAY 3 - BANFFThis morning our breathtaking journey

is along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular roads in the world, with stunning mountain vistas.

Our first stop is famous Lake Louise, completely encircled by high peaks,

perhaps the most photographed view in the Rockies. We then take in Peyto Lake, one of the world’s most beautiful azure-

blue glacial waters. Finally we see the Columbia Icefield, the largest in the Rockies, covering an area of

over 200 square miles with depths of over 1,000 feet. We’ll ride on a

giant ‘Snocoach’ (weather permitting) across the Athabasca Glacier for a closer

inspection of the massive crevasses before returning to Banff.

DAY 4 - FREE DAY IN BANFFToday we have a free day. Why not take a leisurely ‘float’ trip on the Bow River or a dip in Banff’s relaxing hot springs. There are also helicopter trips on offer, or perhaps a ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain at 7,500 feet on the Banff gondola. Several walks commence from the peak and there’s also a restaurant with an open-air terrace. Also very popular is afternoon tea at the magnificent Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, built in the style of a massive Scottish baronial castle.

DAY 5 - ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TRAINThis morning we set off on what is one of the world’s greatest train journeys! Boarding the Rocky Mountaineer you’ll be led to your assigned comfortable reclining seats, with plenty of legroom and large panoramic windows. The train begins its spectacular two-day 585-mile journey following the wide Bow River valley before crossing the Continental Divide at Kicking Horse Pass. Next come the famed spiral tunnels, an engineering marvel built 100 years ago, and as we follow the Columbia River we cross the dramatic 500-foot steel span of Stoney Creek bridge. The excellent on-board commentary highlights the intriguing history of the towns en route and the building of the railway itself. Meals in SilverLeaf Class include excellent hot meals served at your seat on each day including complimentary snacks, tea and coffee, non-alcoholic drinks, plus beer and house wine with lunch, all served at your seat (bar service at extra cost). Upgrade to the excellent GoldLeaf Services and their impressive Dome carriages - see overleaf for details. Our overnight stay is in a range of medium-class hotels in the town of Kamloops.

DAY 6 - VANCOUVERWe continue our journey to Vancouver. Following the Fraser and Thomson River canyons, passing the Jaws of Death Gorge, Avalanche Alley and Hell’s Gate Canyon, we criss-cross the river many times as we travel through some of British Columbia’s most scenic country. We finally reach Vancouver during the afternoon after a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey. Our hotel for the next two nights is the three-star superior Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in downtown Vancouver, close to the main shopping areas and the harbour-front promenade.

DAY 7 - VANCOUVERVancouver regularly features as one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities: the blue of the

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Pacific Ocean with its picturesque harbour, the glass skyscrapers reflecting the sunlight and the lush coastal mountains form a stunning backdrop. This morning we tour the city stopping at Stanley Park, with its famous collection of totem poles and Prospect Point, which offers lovely views. The afternoon is at leisure - there’s plenty to see and do in this sophisticated city. A popular, easy walk starts from Vancouver’s waterfront pedestrian promenade to the huge expanse of Stanley Park. The path continues along the seashore and offers stunning vistas across the bay until you reach English Bay’s sandy beach, a lovely spot to watch the sunset.

DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHTThis morning is at leisure. Those returning home will transfer to the airport at the appropriate time for their flight, arriving next morning.

DAY 9 - ARRIVE BACK HOMEYou arrive back in the UK.

ALASKA CRUISE EXTENSION DAY 8 - EMBARK MS NIEUW AMSTERDAMFor all those continuing on to our Holland America Line Inside Passage cruise, embarkation begins at 11.30am and cabins are normally available from around 1pm. Our ship sails at 5pm, passing below Vancouver’s spectacular Lion’s Gate suspension bridge.

DAY 9 - AT SEAOur first full day at sea and there’s plenty of time to ease into shipboard life and take in the amazing scenery of the Inside Passage. For anyone who prefers a little more activity, there are a huge variety of onboard talks and activities available. This evening is the first formal night of the cruise.

DAY 10 - JUNEAUWe spend the morning cruising the narrow 25-mile long Tracy Arm fjord to view the massive twin Sawyer Glaciers. Hemmed in by near vertical ice-scoured granite mountainsides, the glaciers are surrounded by a wild and barren landscape –

reminiscent of the last Ice Age! Look out for harbour seals basking on the many ice floes in the bay. After lunch we arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s state capital. From here there’s a widely varying selection of shore excursions on offer, ranging from flying to a glacier by helicopter and dog-sledding with teams of huskies, to whale-watching, kayaking, a typical Alaskan salmon bake, fly fishing by sea plane and a variety of hikes in the surrounding area.

DAY 11 - SKAGWAYAn early start today as we arrive in Skagway at 7am. Our ship remains here all day allowing plenty of time to explore this historic gateway to the Klondike, originally a lawless tented city during its gold rush days. The shore excursions include a number of helicopter glacier sightseeing opportunities, but what makes Skagway unique is that it’s the start of the White Pass & Yukon railroad and there are a number of excursions that include a fascinating ride on the restored carriages of this 100-year old route through the Alaskan wilderness. The most striking feature of Alaska is the sheer sense of isolation and

tranquil beauty. People are a rarity, settlements more so; the land is not farmed or used by man in any way and the forests, seemingly, unmanaged! There’s wildlife galore, safe in the sanctuary of this pristine wilderness - there are few places like this left on the planet.

DAY 12 - GLACIER BAYToday is yet another tour highlight as your cruise-ship slowly enters the magnificent Glacier Bay National Park, with eight actively calving glaciers, more than anywhere else on Earth, access to this amazing spectacle is strictly controlled by the US Parks Service. Surrounded by snow-clad 10,000-foot peaks of the Fairweather Range, the nutrient-rich waters teem with salmon and humpback whales. On-shore it’s also home to black bears, moose and wolves. Our ship will spend the day cruising this huge area comprising 900 square miles of marine waters and although we do not actually dock anywhere, National Park Service rangers will come on board to provide specialist commentary and answer any questions.

DAY 13 - KETCHIKANAfter a morning’s cruising, we arrive at the small town of Ketchikan after lunch, where a number of breathtaking trips are available, via seaplane, into the nearby Misty Fjords National Monument or the remote Tongass National Forest – a perfect environment, only accessible by air, where bears can be spotted fishing for salmon. Amongst the many other activities available, there’s salmon fishing, a crab feast, sea kayaking, and for the really adventurous, a ‘zip-line’ descent through the forest canopy!

DAY 14 - AT SEAOur last full day is spent at sea returning through the Inside Passage.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHTWe arrive back in Vancouver in the morning, where you disembark and transfer to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight.

DAY 16 - ARRIVE HOMEWe arrive back in the UK, with some wonderful memories.

Black Bear

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER GOLDLEAF SERVICE

YOUR CRUISE SHIP – MS NIEUW AMSTERDAM

Upgrade to the double-decker dome coach with its panoramic wrapround windows. Guests also have access to the open-air observation vestibule at the end of each carriage. Impeccable service is complimented with three-course gourmet meals in the lower-level dining room. Cost per person: £334 for 07/05/17 (£351 for all other dates, subject to availability).

Holland America Line’s Vista-Class ship, launched 2010, the 2,106 passenger MS Nieuw Amsterdam has more outside ocean view staterooms that most other ships in Alaska. The Promenade deck goes right round the ship with plenty of classic teak deck chairs to relax in, whilst its stunning 8-deck atrium and spacious public rooms are adorned with a wide variety of art and antiques.

Dining options include the Vista dining room, serving five-course meals with impeccable service. A more intimate option are the Pinnacle Grill (US$29 pp supplement), which features sterling-silver beef served on top of the range china and linens, The Canaletto Italian Restaurant ($10pp Supplement) and the Pan- Asian Tamarind Restaurant ($20pp Supplement). The informal Lido restaurant has free seating and buffet-style service for lunch and breakfast and waiter service for dinner. You may also enjoy daily afternoon tea, complimentary hot hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour and late night snacks. There is also the chance to go to the B.B. King’s Blues Club, a vibrant blues musical experience. There are two formal evenings when gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie.

The spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms all feature complimentary 24-hour room service, fresh fruit daily, flat-panel TVs, bathrobes, Egyptian cotton towels and Elemis bath products. The Deluxe Veranda staterooms are particularly popular and early booking is recommended.

Deluxe verandah stateroom

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service

Other ship facilities include a three-tier theatre, the Crow’s Nest observation lounge, a piano bar and sports bar, the Explorer’s Lounge where complimentary newspapers, books and internet are available, the Greenhouse Spa and hair salon with its steam room and ‘hydro’ pool, a covered pool and a large open observation deck right at the very top of the ship.

Alaska Cruise

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15 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,849

Explore the world’s most famous National Parks, intriguing Native American culture, amazing desert landscapes, the lush forests and

lofty peaks of Yosemite and vibrant, pulsating cities

C A L I FOR N I A & T H E G OL DE N W E S T

• Return direct scheduled flights, with premium economy upgrades available• Stay in hand-picked three and four-star hotels • Stay two nights in cosmopolitan San Francisco, one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities, dominated by the instantly recognisable Golden Gate Bridge, with guided tour• Guided tours of San Diego and Los Angeles• Stay in glitzy Las Vegas – the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ with eye-popping architecture, staying on ‘the strip’

• Experience the stunning beauty of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Yosemite National Parks• Visit timeless Monument Valley, a masterpiece of ancient erosion• Enjoy a superb optional helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, at one mile deep, one of the wonders of the natural world• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Golden Gate Bridge

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We visit their most famous treasure, Monument Valley. Immortalised by John Wayne in classic westerns such as ‘Stagecoach’ and ‘She Wore A Yellow Ribbon’, this instantly recognisable landscape, with its fiery-red spindles of rock is even more spectacular when you find yourself within it!

In nearby Utah we visit Bryce Canyon, an enormous amphitheatre created by thousands

of spires, pinnacles and towers of eroded pink-hued rocks that have produced an intricate labyrinth of deep gullies. Finally, high in California’s Sierra Nevada we visit Yosemite and some of the world’s most pristine and awe-inspiring wilderness. Dominated by the huge mass of the Half Dome rising to almost 9,000ft, its vertical granite wall is so huge and smooth that until 50 years ago it was thought to be un-climbable. The wildlife is as varied as the landscapes. There are the black bears of Yosemite, mule deer and chipmunks at Bryce and rare mountain lions at even higher altitudes, whilst coyotes still roam the deserts and vultures soar over the canyons.

From the highest plateau to the deepest gorge, from LA to San Francisco,

this tour showcases the very best of western USA’s natural and manmade

wonders and you will return home with some truly amazing memories.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN LOS ANGELESYou should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Los Angeles. After our afternoon arrival, we transfer to the nearby four-star Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel for one night.

DAY 2 - LOS ANGELESLA, the city of glitz, glamour, the stars and miles of pristine beaches – it’s all here! This morning we see the best it has to offer – Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Sunset Strip and Santa Monica. During the afternoon we head south, following the coast, to charming San Diego, staying two nights with breakfast at the three-star Best Western Plus Bayside Inn, close to the waterfront and the city’s ‘Little Italy’ quarter with its many restaurants and cafés.

DAY 3 - SAN DIEGOWith over 260 days of sunshine a year, San Diego is the classic Southern California city, set around a sweeping bay and numerous sparkling white sand

beaches with its beautifully restored Gaslamp Quarter. After an

included morning city tour, you are free to experience San Diego’s numerous attractions.

There are few places in the world that generate more iconic imagery than California and the western USA, and even fewer live up to it in reality! The

sights and amazing natural wonders just roll off the tongue, with probably nothing more aptly named than the Grand Canyon. Then there’s Monument Valley, whose towering sandstone pillars are immortalised in countless Westerns, the Painted Desert, Yosemite, home to the highest waterfall in the USA, the lofty snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. The natural splendours of this huge region are quite simply astonishing. Combine these with the allure of such genuinely unique cities as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas and you have a destination that simply cannot be matched. Our tour visits all these and more besides!

Inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans, California and Arizona were then visited by Spanish explorers searching, as always, for gold. They found none, but founded Missions all along the California coast. During the 19th century, California, Nevada, Utah and most of Arizona, were ceded to the USA for just $15 million and by a twist of fate, barely a year later gold was finally discovered and the Californian Gold Rush began. Prospectors flooded in and within just a year San Francisco’s population rocketed from just 600 to 25,000. They were soon followed by the trans-continental railroad and the ‘Golden State’ was born.

The names of the cities, some of the most famous in the world, still display their Spanish heritage: San Francisco, charmingly eccentric with a topography few cities in the world can match. Its centre is row upon row of lovingly restored Victorian houses, easily explored using the iconic wooden cable cars that trundle up and down the steep hills and valleys. The magnificent brick-red Golden Gate Bridge beautifully completes the picture.

In contrast, Los Angeles is the archetypal US megacity, criss-crossed by six-lane freeways. Nevertheless, it is home to some very attractive and exciting neighbourhoods like Santa Monica. No visit would be complete without a stroll down the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Then it’s off to San Diego, which has the laid-back atmosphere so typical of Southern California – its surfing beaches, cultural attractions and the balmy climate have made it one of America’s most popular cities. Finally there’s Las Vegas, originally an isolated oasis in the Mojave Desert and now a vibrant, exciting and genuinely fascinating manmade wonder that attracts over 40 million visitors a year and boasts 15 of the world’s largest hotels.

For many, however, the real attraction will be America’s most famous National Parks. The Grand Canyon is such an astonishing natural wonder that the sheer scale of it is almost too much to comprehend. Over a mile deep and 14 miles across, this geological masterpiece offers a glimpse of the enormous complexity and beauty of the normally hidden rocks beneath our feet. There is simply nowhere like it on earth! Subject to weather conditions, there is the option of a spectacular helicopter flight over the canyon. Much of Arizona is occupied by the Navajo Reservation – one of the few Indian tribes that has rejected the commercialism of gambling in favour of heritage tourism.

DAY 5 - GRAND CANYONLeaving Phoenix we drive through the Sonora Desert, the ‘new-age’ resort of Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and then on towards the Grand Canyon itself. When you first experience this great chasm, the grandeur is truly overwhelming, almost beyond the grasp of human imagination and one of the few sights in the world that mere words can never, ever describe! Photographs or mere statistics just cannot prepare you for such gigantean scale: over a mile deep, with rocks as old as the earth itself. Its mind-boggling series of shapes, colours and glaring desert light; contrast with jet black shadows, formed by pinnacles of rock interspersed by stark promontories. The

south rim extends for 14 miles and we visit some of the best viewing points, each one providing a different perspective over the constantly changing panorama. Our hotel is the three-star Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn.

DAY 6 - MONUMENT VALLEYThis morning you have the option of taking a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight for the ultimate panoramic view of the Grand Canyon,

a truly magical display of natural beauty! As the light gradually grows ever

stronger, the crisp shadows rapidly shorten and the greys and

blues change to reds, yellows and ochres in a kaleidoscope of intensive

colour. It is at moments such as these that you truly feel the might of Mother

Nature! From the Desert View Watchtower we have our final, lingering look over the

canyon with the meandering Colorado

River visible in the distance, before crossing the Painted Desert, through the vast 16 million-acre Navajo Indian Reservation, towards Monument Valley. Arriving a few hours before sunset, this is the best time to view the incredible flat-topped towers of red sandstone that rise so dramatically from the surrounding barren desert, with the softer light affording ideal photographic conditions. Here, the bustle of civilization seems so far away and as the sun sets there is an amazing and almost magical stillness in the air. For those wishing to see the Valley from a different perspective and gain a greater understanding of its historical significance we have the option of a guided 4x4 tour by a local Navajo Indian. Tonight we stay at the three-star Monument Valley Inn in the nearby small community of Kayenta.

DAY 7 - BRYCE CANYONAfter an early start we arrive at the town of Page just next to the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River and whose building created the vast Lake Powell. We then cross into the Mormon state of Utah and climb to almost 8,000ft as we arrive at Bryce Canyon National Park. Created by thousands of years of erosion, Bryce Canyon presents an almost surreal landscape of multi-hued and delicate rock pinnacles – a quite exceptional, strange and exotic topography with a uniquely fragile quality. We stay in the three-star Best Western Ruby’s Inn, a mile outside the park.

DAY 8 - ZION NATIONAL PARKThis morning we continue to Zion National Park where the scenery is made up of layers of petrified sand dunes, hundreds of feet thick as well as huge sheer cliffs and gorges. Unlike the Grand Canyon and Bryce, we reach the bottom of the main canyon experiencing a completely new perspective. Leaving Zion in the afternoon we drive towards the glittering bright lights of Las Vegas, the glow of which can be seen from thirty miles. Our hotel for two nights is the stylish four–star Tropicana Resort & Casino superbly situated in the vibrant heart of the Vegas

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Grand Canyon

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A great favourite is the Maritime Museum with its many historical ships, including the Star of India, the HMS Surprise, a replica of an 18th-century frigate and used in the film ‘Master & Commander’, a Soviet-era submarine and the famous aircraft carrier, the USS Midway. A visit to the Midway is particularly fascinating and includes a tour of three decks, 35 types of aircraft and even the option of trying out your own flying skills in a high-tech flight simulator! During the afternoon, why not dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean? Take the ferry across the bay to Coronado and the Victorian Del Coronado Hotel, used in the film ‘Some Like It Hot’ and host to a multitude of famous names such as Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart and even Edward VIII. Whale watching cruises (Feb-Mar is best) or Harbour cruises to view the US Pacific Fleet are also very popular. Next to the world-famous San Diego Zoo are the 1,200 acres of Balboa Park, the largest cultural complex west of the Mississippi with 15 museums and numerous other attractions, all set amidst wonderful sub-tropical gardens and fountains.

DAY 4 - MOJAVE DESERTToday we leave the coast driving towards Phoenix in Arizona. Climbing to 4,000ft, passing though the Cleveland National Forest and hugging the US-Mexico border, we descend towards the hot sands and wide plains of the lower Mojave Desert. We cross the Colorado River and the California- Arizona state line at Yuma before staying one night with breakfast at the excellent three-star Hampton Inn Happy Valley, just north of Phoenix.

Monument Valley

‘strip’. Tonight we have the option of a ‘Vegas by Night’ tour, probably the best time to appreciate its unique atmosphere with everything bathed in a glow of all-encapsulating neon, so brash it’s almost an art form.

DAY 9 - LAS VEGASToday we have a full day at leisure to explore the self-styled ‘entertainment capital of the world’ which really is everything you expect it to be. It’s an almost surreal apparition growing out of the desert! It’s where the world’s most renowned sights and cities such as Venice, Paris, New York and even the Pyramids have been recreated in such detail. You can even take a trip on a gondola on a canal on the 1st floor of one of the hotels! Whatever your opinion and taste, shocked or captivated, you cannot fail to be impressed! Tours by helicopter are also available to the west rim of the Grand Canyon. This is the only section of the canyon where helicopters are permitted to actually fly and even land on the canyon floor itself. This evening why not take in a show? Always amongst the most impressive in the world, you are assured of a memorable night whichever one you choose.

DAY 10 - SIERRA NEVADAToday we leave Las Vegas driving through the barren Mojave Desert. Our route skirts the famous Edwards Air Force base, before climbing even higher through the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. On reaching the peak, literally from one minute to the next the climate changes from the burning heat of the desert to temperate grasslands and forest as we cross the Tehachapi Pass and travel through the vast fertile plains of the San Joaquin Valley. This evening, we stay at the three-star Yosemite Southgate Hotel with continental breakfast in Oakhurst just outside Yosemite National Park.

DAY 11 - YOSEMITE VALLEYThis morning we enter the park and drive through incredible scenery to Yosemite Valley itself where we are confronted by one of the most staggering views in the USA: a deep, lushly forested valley encircled by the steely grey vastness of sheer granite cliffs and domes rising by over 4,000ft on all sides, bisected

by some of the highest waterfalls in North America. Dominated by the granite monolith of El Capitan on one side and the instantly recognisable Half Dome on the other, it is impossible not to find your heart touched by this overwhelming natural grandeur.

We then continue to Sonora and stay at the three-star superior Best Western Plus Sonora Oaks for one night with breakfast.

DAY 12 - SAN FRANCISCOFor many, San Francisco will be one of the highlights of the tour. From its beginnings as a 19th-century mining boomtown to the sophisticated metropolis you see today, it is simply one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world. Nestling on a bay astride the blue Pacific Ocean, dominated by the instantly-recognisable Golden Gate Bridge, the city spreads out over forty-three steep hills on one side and a vibrant green carpet of forests on the other.

This afternoon we have a guided tour of the city, visiting Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob Hill, Lombard Street and Union Square. The rest of your day is at leisure. Why not wander along the busy waterfront of Fisherman’s Wharf, choose from one of the many seafood restaurants or watch the antics of the sea lions on Pier 39?

We stay at the four-star Marriott Marquis for two nights.

DAY 13 - FREE DAY IN SAN FRANCISCOOur final full day and there’s still so much to do! You can amble through Chinatown, the largest outside Asia, and wonder at the pagodas and oriental markets. Or perhaps take a stroll down to the renovated Ferry Plaza Building on the waterfront, converted into a huge alfresco Farmers’ Market every Saturday. Try the once predominantly Italian

North Beach, still home to innumerable bistros, delis and bakeries, which during the 50s attracted the bohemian writers and avant-garde artists of the Beatnik movement.

And don’t forget the Haight-Ashbury district and the ‘Summer of Love’ for which San Francisco is still famous today. Alternatively, there’s an optional trip to visit Muir Woods, a US National Monument, which contains a unique 560-acre stand of giant 300-foot high Coast Redwoods. The trip also visits the quaint artists’ colony of Sausalito.

The short boat ride to the USA’s most infamous prison, Alcatraz Island, known as ‘The Rock’, is well worth the trip – the fascinating audio guide is narrated by ex-prisoners and guards. Other popular trips include a scenic harbour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge.

DAY 14 - RETURN FLIGHTOur flight departs in the late afternoon, so why not use your final morning for some last minute shopping – Macy’s department store is always popular and is centrally located on nearby Union Square.

DAY 15 - ARRIVE HOME We arrive back in the UK after a very special tour, the memories of which will last a lifetime.

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16 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,299

Explore some of the world’s finest National Parks, with North America’s most truly spectacular and extraordinary scenery, coupled with

the endlessly fascinating history of the Old West

W E S T E R N WON DE R S OF T H E U SA

• A wonderful tour visiting no less than nine national parks and monuments spread across Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana, including two days in magnificent Yellowstone• Return direct scheduled flights• Stay in hand-picked three-star hotels, with eleven breakfasts included• Experience the unique landscapes and geology of Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, with its geysers, hot springs, waterfalls and herds of bison, elk and grizzly bears• Visit that iconic symbol of the USA, Mount Rushmore, featuring the colossal heads of four of America’s greatest presidents, set in the Black Hills of South Dakota• Visit the ‘mile-high city’ of Denver and Salt Lake City, the centre of the Mormon faith

• Drive through classic cowboy country in Wyoming and learn about its famous historical figures, such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Buffalo Bill• See the site of Custer’s famous Last Stand on the Little Bighorn Battlefield• Explore some lesser-known, but no less remarkable sights, such as the Devil’s Tower, Mesa Verde and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison• Gaze in awe at the incredible variety of sandstone arches, spires, balanced rocks and monoliths sculpted by nature in Arches National Park• Travel on the historic Durango & Silverton steam railway through the spectacular scenery of the Colorado Rockies• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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The magnificent Old West conjures up images of cowboys and Indians, lawmen and outlaws, as well as courageous frontiersmen, forging ever westward in search of

freedom, independence and greener pastures. No other period has influenced American culture and defined its history as greatly as the Western frontier. Its legendary figures – Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickock – are now commemorated in film and fiction.

Areas of the West had already been populated since 11,000 BC with the arrival of the first Paleo-Indians. Long before Columbus, trade routes existed in places such as Yellowstone, a real highlight of our tour. The western territories saw rapid development in the 1840s with major settlements, largely due to the California Gold Rush and Oregon Trail.

Beyond the myths and legends, the West is famed for its bountiful natural treasures. As the largest region covering more than half of the USA, it is also the most diverse, boasting an impressive range of spectacular landscapes, from some of the highest mountain peaks, to expanses of desert lands and rolling plains. Our exhilarating tour focuses on the Mountain States – Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado – and extends northeast to the Midwestern state of South Dakota.

Our first stop is ruggedly striking Utah, featuring monumental red-rock mesas, vast canyons and arid deserts. The unique jaw-dropping natural sandstone structures of Arches National Park offer glimpses into the Earth’s turbulent geological past dating back over 100 million years. Salt Lake City, the capital, still has a small-town feel, despite its university and downtown skyscrapers.

We explore breath-taking Colorado, synonymous with outstanding vistas, mountain towns, and top-class ski resorts. We visit no less than three National Historic Landmarks, officially recognised by the US government for their significance – be swept away by the majesty of the Rockies, mirrored in the national park’s many crystal-clear lakes; witness the extraordinary cliff dwellings built by ancient Native Americans in Mesa Verde National Park; and relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear on the Durango & Silverton Railroad in a vintage steam locomotive, passing through the unspoiled San Juan Mountains.

Our tour takes us north into South Dakota with its gentle rolling prairies and four times as many cattle as people. As we pass through Custer State Park, try to spot its numerous inhabitants, from diminutive prairie dogs to slow-moving buffalo herds. Rising high over the treetops of the Black Hills is iconic Mount Rushmore and the faces of four great presidents, immortalised in the granite mountainside. We visit the historic gold rush town of Deadwood, first settled by miners and then all sorts of characters, both lawful and unsavoury, all seeking their fortune. Looming above the plains is Devils Tower, a flat-topped volcanic formation, a unique marvel of nature and the recipient of the first National Monument title.

We cross over to Montana, the epitome of the independent American frontier spirit. The unmistakable scent of pine fills the crisp country air, as we forge ahead to the Little Bighorn Battlefield, the site of the epic clash between the 7th Cavalry and several Native American tribes.

Heading south-west into Wyoming, the endless expanse of blue skies and rustling grasslands lets us know we’ve arrived in cowboy country, especially in the picturesque town of Cody, named after its founder, ‘Buffalo Bill’. Surrounded by stunning mountains, this charming town wouldn’t look out

of place in an old Western. America’s most sparsely populated state is home to several world-famous national parks. In Yellowstone, where every view is a picture-perfect moment, there’s an absolutely astounding blend of natural beauty, rugged wilderness,

plentiful wildlife, and the world’s largest concentration of geysers. The

neighbouring Grand Teton National Park is equally blessed with dramatic vistas of gorgeous landscapes dominated by snow-capped peaks and crystalline alpine lakes.

When it comes to the cuisine of the West, you’ll find it as varied as its

scenery. Many areas are steeped in ranch culture and hunting traditions, so wild game and meat dishes, particularly beef, are common. Chuckwagons and BBQs, historically used for cooking out on the prairie, still feature in cooking events. Native American staples have also found their way into the American kitchen, such as corn, beans, and squash, referred

to as the ‘three sisters’. On this incredible journey, you’ll experience the lands and

legends of a bygone era, and discover why its indomitable spirit still thrives today.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport for your direct

flight to Salt Lake City, arriving later on the same day. We stay overnight at the well-located three-

star Red Lion Hotel.

DAY 2 - SALT LAKE CITYA walking tour of Salt Lake City will give you a fascinating insight into its unique history and culture. It dates back to 1847 with the arrival of the Church of the Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), the first settlers in the valley, who travelled far in their search for an isolated area where they could practise their religion. Our visit includes the splendid Temple Square, forty years in its construction and the Beehive House, one of the two official residences of the first Church leader, Brigham Young. Later today, a long but fascinating drive takes us south-east, travelling over the Wasatch Plateau into the remote Price and Green River basins. We stay for two nights at the three-star Super 8 Hotel in Moab, with continental breakfast.

DAY 3 - ARCHES NATIONAL PARKThis morning, when the light is at its best, we'll visit one of our tour’s highlights, Arches National Park. Boasting the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches within a relatively small area, there are around two thousand colossal sandstone arches, soaring spires, monoliths and balanced rock formations, making the landscape utterly unique and a photographer’s paradise.

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This Mars-like topography, with its changing colours of oranges and deep reds, is sure to leave an indelible mark on the memory. Spend the afternoon at leisure – your options include a boat trip on the Colorado River or a 4x4 off-road tour.

DAY 4 - MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARKLeaving Moab, we soon cross into Colorado and arrive at Mesa Verde National Park, the only one exclusively devoted to Native American archaeological remains. Marvel at the past dwellings of the Anasazi, an Ancestral Puebloan people who inhabited the area between AD 600 to AD 1300. Their intriguing mud-brick buildings are some of the best preserved in the country, thanks to the dry desert climate and the stunning cliffside location under massive folds of rock – a truly extraordinary sight. Tonight we stay at the three-star Durango Downtown Inn.

DAY 5 - DURANGO & SILVERTON RAILROADWe enjoy a real highlight this morning, as we take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Railroad, one of the USA’s best-loved heritage railways. Running on narrow-gauge tracks originally laid in the 1880s, the locomotives used today date from the 1920s and are completely coal-fired and steam-driven. As the railway slowly gains height, the scenery becomes ever more rugged, with the muted greys and pinks of the jagged peaks contrasting beautifully with the dense forests in the deep valleys below. Our wonderful vintage train follows the Animas River Valley through the San Juan National Forest, until it reaches the charming ex-mining community of Silverton. We re-board our coach headed for the small town of Montrose, where we stay at the three-star Holiday Inn Express, with breakfast.

DAY 6 - BLACK CANYON & DENVERThis morning we visit one of the most spectacular canyons in the US, the Black Canyon, where its dark walls plunge more than 820 metres to the Gunnison River gorge below. Although others may be larger or wider, the Black Canyon is so narrow and deep that

its floor only receives 33 minutes of sunlight a day. Continuing east through the magnificent Colorado Rockies, we finally arrive in Denver, the ‘Mile High City’, Colorado’s cosmopolitan capital. Our hotel for the night is the four-star Holiday Inn Denver at Cherry Creek.

DAY 7 - ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKToday we head into the spectacular vastness of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Whereas much of the European alpine areas are managed in some way, the Rockies, being so vast, have remained as wilderness, so the scenery is just as beautifully pristine as it has always been. We continue to Wyoming's capital, Cheyenne, for our stay at the three-star Microtel Suites by Wyndham, with breakfast.

DAY 8 - RAPID CITYHeading up into South Dakota, we drive through scenic Custer State Park, home to abundant wildlife, including

Lower Falls, Yellowstone

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bighorn sheep, antelope, elk, coyote, prairie dogs, and ‘begging burros’, wild donkeys with a reputation for approaching passing vehicles to ‘ask’ for food.

We then arrive at Rapid City, capital of South Dakota, where we stay two nights at the three-star Howard Johnson Hotel, with continental breakfast. The hotel is located within walking distance to the downtown area, which is easy to explore on foot.

DAY 9 - MT RUSHMORE & CRAZY HORSE MEMORIALToday you’ll enjoy one of the highlights of your tour – the amazing granite rock carvings of the four Presidents at Mount Rushmore. The faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln look down over the Black Hills from stony heights to inspire and remind us that even the impossible is possible. You'll be fascinated by the story of the one man who designed and sculpted this incredible monument and the ingenious techniques used in its construction, all set in the glorious natural beauty of mountains, forests and emerald meadows. We’ll also visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, still in the process of being sculpted from the mountain cliffs – on a truly vast scale, it will be 172 metres high and 195 metres long when completed.

DAY 10 - DEADWOOD & DEVILS TOWERHeading east, we pass through legendary Deadwood, the historic gold rush town and a National Historic Landmark, with its wonderfully restored Main Street. Settled by illegal gold rushers in the 1870s, it attracted gunslingers, gamblers and outlaws, including Wild Bill Hickok, who was gunned down here during a poker game. One of the town’s most famous citizens, Calamity Jane, was immortalised in the film of the same name by Doris Day in the song, Deadwood Stage.

Crossing back into the wide-open spaces of Wyoming, we’ll visit the remarkable Devils Tower National Monument. The remains of an ancient volcano rising mystically above the surrounding area, it has been a spiritual icon for many of the Plains tribes and is also instantly recognisable as the aliens’ landing ground in Steven Spielberg’s film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. We stay the night in Sheridan at the three-star Best Western, with breakfast.

DAY 11 - LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELDToday we cross into the vast grassy hills of Montana, site of the

US Cavalry’s greatest defeat at the hands of Native American tribes. Commanded by the flamboyant Lt Col Custer, the famed US 7th Cavalry suffered huge losses against the combined forces of the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, led by several major war leaders including Crazy Horse. Our local guide will take us through the dramatic events that led up to Custer’s Last Stand. We stay the night in Cody at the three-star Best Western Sunset Inn, with continental breakfast. In the evening, you may wish to experience the Cody Nite Rodeo, which runs on a nightly basis from June till August.

DAY 12 - CODY & YELLOWSTONEThe town of Cody is named after ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody, US soldier, bison hunter, showman and one of the most colourful figures of the Old West. His career began at age 11 when he worked on the

wagon trains, then at 15 he was the youngest rider on the Pony Express. He was also a Union soldier in the Civil War, a famed fighter against the Indians and most notably, the founder of the Wild West Show that ran for 30 years. He was probably the world’s first international showman, dining with heads of state, including Queen Victoria. We then cross into Yellowstone National Park over the 2,590-metre-high Sylvan Pass. We stay two nights in West Yellowstone at the three-star Three Bear Lodge, with breakfast.

DAY 13 - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKWilderness is the theme of the day as we head into the park, the USA’s first and finest nature reserve. The breathtaking scenery is incredibly special – see the stunning Lower Falls, twice the height of Niagara; the awe-inspiring Yellowstone Grand Canyon; wonderful bubbling mud pools, steaming rivers and hot springs, including the most famous geyser of all, Old Faithful. There are opportunities to catch sight of the park’s strikingly diverse wildlife, such as herds of bison and elk, or if you’re lucky, grizzly bears.

DAY 14 - GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKToday we head south into the spectacularly scenic Grand Teton National Park. Its mountainsides are carpeted with forests, whilst crystal-clear streams cascade down canyons into large, pristine lakes, in which the jagged peaks are magnificently mirrored on calm days. In summer, the area becomes a canvas of vibrant-coloured wildflowers. Tonight we stay in the famous resort town of Jackson at the three-star Quality Inn 49-er, with continental breakfast.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHTThis morning we have time to leisurely wander through charming Jackson, or perhaps try out a float trip on the nearby Snake River. We then leave for the drive to Salt Lake City airport for our overnight direct flight home in the evening.

DAY 16We arrive home full of memories of a unique tour.

Mesa Verde National Park

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14 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,099

Experience the unique culture, history, music of America’s Deep South, home of the blues, plus the charms and classic images of the lone star state, Texas

DE E P S OU T H U SA PL U S T E X A S

• An amazing tour exploring the unique culture, history and music of America’s Deep South, the home of blues, jazz and country music, combined with the charms and the classic images of Texas, the ‘Lone Star State’• Return scheduled flights, with premium economy upgrades available• Stay in hand-picked three and four-star hotels• Spend three days in ‘The Big Easy’, New Orleans, and enjoy a walking tour with a local guide through the iconic French Quarter• Explore the incredible life and times of Elvis, the King of Rock n’ Roll, through the places where he recorded his greatest hits and his unique home in Memphis, Graceland• Visit Studio B in Nashville and Sun Studios in Memphis, where some of the world’s best loved songs of the last fifty years were recorded

• Stay in Nashville, ‘Music City USA’ and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame• Experience a ride on Amtrak’s ‘City of New Orleans’ train from Memphis to New Orleans• Guided tour of Houston’s NASA Johnson Space Centre, from where the Apollo Moon landings were planned and controlled• Visit the Alamo in San Antonio where 183 settlers fought for Texas’ independence from Mexico• See where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas and tour the fascinating museum dedicated to that fateful day• Stay in Atlanta and visit the Center for Civil and Human rights, an engaging cultural attraction• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Chattanooga

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Take one of America’s classic ‘road trips’ exploring the Deep South, renowned for its gracious hospitality, its charming southern drawl, its unique Creole and Cajun

cuisine and, of course, the most popular music genres of the 20th century – jazz, rock n’ roll, the blues and country.

Flying into Atlanta, Georgia, site of the 1996 Olympic Games, which really put the city on the map. Home to CNN and the Coca Cola Corporation, two of the US’s most iconic ‘institutions’, Atlanta has a lovely laid-back southern charm and is the perfect start to a fascinating tour. We then travel through the rolling rich farmland of Tennessee, past the cotton fields of Mississippi to Louisiana’s moss covered bayous and the vast South Texas plains. You’ll stay in some of America’s most fascinating cities: Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, the amazing New Orleans, as well as Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.

We stay two nights in Nashville, known as Music City USA, the centre of the huge country music industry - where aspiring artists come to start their careers, songwriters try out their new songs and where anyone can walk into one of the myriad of live music venues and hear some of the best music-making in North America.

Not too far down the road lies another of America’s great musical cities - Memphis. Home of the remarkable Sun Studios that launched Elvis’ stratospheric rise to fame and the site of his sprawling home, Graceland; Memphis also played a pivotal and tragic role in the civil rights movement as the place where Martin Luther King was assassinated.

We stay three nights in New Orleans, ‘The Big Easy’ with its motto ‘Laissez les bons temps rouler’ – let the good times roll, depicts exactly what makes this city such a rewarding place to visit. Its famously progressive spirit and liberal attitudes date back to its French roots, when convicts were freed on condition that they settled there. Then it became an unruly smuggling enclave ensuring its rebellious streak continued to thrive. Always pushing the boundaries, it was inevitable the exceptional French, Spanish, American and African cultures fused so harmoniously producing a unique city which has given birth to jazz and its most famous son, the remarkable Louis Armstrong. It was also home to some of the greats of American literature such as Mark Twain and Tennessee Williams, who famously said that ‘America only has three cities, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. All the rest are Cleveland!’

Our extension into the ‘Lone Star State’ of Texas includes a visit to the very soul of Texas – theAlamo, where in 1836 an estimated 183 men were killed by Mexican troops trying to prevent Texas from gaining its independence. As the second largest US state, Texas is unbelievably almost three times the size of the UK, and has a proud cowboy tradition dating from the 19th century. We discover this almost legendary western heritage during our visit to a working cattle ranch learning how the life and back-breaking work of cowboys evolved into the sport of rodeo, next we see the Fort Worth stockyards, in their heyday the world’s largest.

Who can ever forget the excitement, hope and sheer exhilaration the US gave the world during the 1960s and ‘70s at the height of its space program, the moonshots and those immortal phrases ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’

and of course probably the world’s most famous understatement, ‘Houston, we have a problem!’ We’ll tour the Johnson Space Centre and NASA’s ‘Mission Control’ from where the ill-fated Apollo 13 crew was saved from almost certain disaster by the innovative thinking of some of the best scientists and engineers in the world. It does not seem so long ago, but would you believe the return trajectory through the earth’s atmosphere was calculated using a ‘slide rule’ – how the world has changed! The space centre is still used today to train astronauts and develop the new technologies for future manned missions to Mars.

Finally it’s Dallas, which during the 1980s was the setting of the world’s most watched TV programme! However probably more famously, in 1963 the ’Big D’ was propelled to world attention when (allegedly!), Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy, for whatever reason we shall ultimately never know and after which it seemed the entire planet went into mourning - especially so when his son poignantly saluted his father’s coffin. We see the ‘grassy knoll’ and learn all about the events of that famous day.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN ATLANTAYou should arrive at the airport for your flight to Atlanta and on arrival we transfer to the three-star Holiday Inn Express Downtown, just a short stroll from the Centennial Olympic Park.

DAY 2 - ATLANTA & CHATTANOOGAAtlanta is the base of one of America’s best known companies, CNN and home to the Center for Civil and Human rights. We enjoy a tour of the Centre for Civil and Human Rights. This afternoon we transfer to the charming small town of Chattanooga for a one night stay at the three-star superior Choo Choo Hotel, aptly converted from the original railway station.

DAY 3 - NASHVILLEThis morning enjoy a ride on the ‘world’s steepest passenger railway’ to the top of LookoutMountain just outside town experiencing tremendous views, on a clear day across a staggering seven states! Driving deeper into Tennessee to Lynchburg, this quintessential little town is a true slice of unspoilt ‘50s America, with its red-brick courthouse, general store and one traffic light! It’s a great place to just browse the shops and get a bite to eat before we visit Lynchburg’s claim to fame: the Jack Daniel Distillery. Obviously it’s where Jack Daniel’s whisky is made, since 1884 and a tour (and tasting!) is a great experience. Interestingly, the county is ‘dry’ and locals are not allowed to consume

the product they are most famous for!

Continuing across Tennessee’s rolling green hills we soon arrive at ‘Music City USA’, Nashville, staying two nights at the three-star superior Hyatt Place Opryland, with continental breakfast. Tonight you have the opportunity to attend a country music concert at the Grand Ole Opry. (For overnight stays on Fri/Sat only).

DAY 4 - NASHVILLEIn downtown Nashville we visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. A huge museum of all things ‘Country & Western’, it has floors of fascinating exhibits from the earliest days of country music to the mega-stars of today. There are films and videos of music’s greatest, with their life-stories and costumes. The famed Music Row is close by, lined with studios and record company offices, where we visit the legendary RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded many of his greatest hits, followed by a ‘who’s who’ of recording superstars such as Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Lower Broadway is Nashville’s nightlife centre, with stupendous live music in famous honky-tonk bars like Robert’s Western World and The Stage on Broadway and many more. There’s a fantastic atmosphere along the entire street and an evening here is a real ‘must’!

DAY 5 - MEMPHISToday we say goodbye to Nashville and head to the far west of Tennessee and the city of Memphis and America’s artery, the Mississippi. From its earliest beginnings as a small French garrison, Memphis grew into a magnet for freed slaves after the Civil War and as a cotton trading centre. More infamously, in 1968 Martin Luther King visited to help in a sanitation workers strike and was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, now converted into the Civil Rights Museum. We stay in Memphis for two nights at the three-star superior DoubleTree by Hilton, right in the centre of downtown Memphis.

DAY 6 - SUN STUDIOS & GRACELANDThis morning we have a guided tour around the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll – the legendary Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded his first hit. This insignificant, yet iconic 1950s building, was the starting point for Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison amongst others and is a designated National

Historic Landmark. You can still see Jerry Lee’s piano and Elvis’ microphone! Just a few miles south of Sun Studios, is one of America’s biggest tourist attractions, Elvis’ Graceland. The ‘King’ bought the Graceland mansion for $100,000 in 1957 when he was just 22 and it was his main home until his death. From the time it opened to the public in 1982, Graceland has expanded to include Elvis’ private airplanes and his extensive car collection. One of the most iconic houses in America, Graceland’s Meditation Garden is also Elvis’ final resting place. This evening is at leisure to sample the music scene at Memphis’ famous Beale Street.

DAY 7 - AMTRAK TRAIN TO NEW ORLEANSAn early departure this morning as we catch the renowned ‘City of New Orleans’ Amtrak train service to New Orleans, a real little piece of America. The double-decker, classic silver coloured train carriages, so typical of the US, feature comfortable reclining armchairs with plenty of legroom, as well as a panoramic glass observation deck and dining car.

Our journey takes us through vast forests, farms and the small ‘southern’ towns lining the eastern bank of the Mississippi like pearls on a necklace. Nearing New Orleans, excitement mounts and we cross Lake Pontchartrain, bizarrely it appears like the train is actually travelling over the water itself. We stay three nights at the three-star superior Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, well located within the French Quarter and a short walk from restaurants and attractions.

DAY 8 - NEW ORLEANSThis morning we have a walking tour of New Orleans’ famous French Quarter with an expert local guide. We see the charming art galleries and antique shops along Royal Street, the white stucco St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, full of artists, musicians and fortune tellers, and walk up the iconic Bourbon Street, centre of the city’s nightlife. This afternoon you have the option of a fascinating boat tour of the nearby Louisiana swamps, known for their alligators, snapping turtles and moss-draped cypresses in the bayous. In the evening why not step out and try New Orleans’ famed Cajun cuisine – there’s loads of fantastic restaurants.

DAY 9 - FREE DAY IN NEW ORLEANSA free day to relax in the ‘Big Easy’ and explore further afield. Alternatively, you may choose to visit some of the most fascinating Antebellum Plantations outside New Orleans. Oak Alley Plantation is a National Historic Landmark and is considered to be the Deep South’s most spectacular mansion. Dating from 1839 with two rows of mighty oaks leading down towards the Mississippi River, the house has been fully restored to its magnificent 19th century opulence and grandeur.

Nearby we also visit a more modest mansion from a different world: the Laura Plantation was owned by a Creole family who lived apart from the American mainstream for almost 200 years.

DAY 10 - HOUSTON & NASAWe leave New Orleans this morning heading ever westwards along Louisiana’s Cajun country towards Texas. As we enter the outskirts of Houston, our first stop is at the world-famous NASA Johnson Space Centre, still a working NASA base from where the international space station is controlled. We visit ‘Mission Control’, now restored to its 1965 look with all the original equipment and furniture – a unique experience.

We also see a full-size Saturn V rocket which famously has no on-board computer, they were just too big at the time, plus the huge indoor training facility for the astronauts of the International Space Station. Tonight we stay at the nearby three-star superior Hilton NASA Clear Lake.

DAY 11 - SAN ANTONIOWe continue further into the south Texas plains arriving in San Antonio this afternoon. Originally settled by the Spanish who built a mission station here, the Alamo, whose name was destined to be one of the most evocative words in American history. It was here in 1836 that a seriously outnumbered group of settlers, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, were besieged by the Mexican army for nearly two weeks before they were overrun. Tonight we stay at the three-star superior Menger Hotel, just round the corner from the Alamo and within easy walking distance to the charming Riverwalk area with its many bars and restaurants, ideal for trying out the region’s famed Tex-Mex cuisine.

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Graceland

DAY 12 - DALLAS & FORT WORTHWe say goodbye to friendly San Antonio and travel north to Dallas, where we visit the infamous Dealey Plaza where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. The floor in the Texas Book Depository from where the fatal shots were fired has been converted into the excellent 6th Floor Museum dedicated to explaining the background and the events of that fateful day on the 22nd November in 1963. We stay overnight in the three-star superior Courtyard by Marriott Downtown in the centre of Fort Worth, with plenty of restaurants nearby.

DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHTA free morning in Fort Worth where we explore the historical Stockyard District, before our afternoon flight back to the UK.

DAY 14 - ARRIVE HOMEYou arrive home this morning after a really memorable tour.

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9 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,969

Travel on the iconic Amtrak trains between two of America’s greatest cities, followed by the natural wonder that is Niagara Falls

• Return direct scheduled flights, with premium economy upgrades available• Stay in hand-picked four-star and three-star hotels• A unique tour travelling in comfort on the iconic Amtrak trains between Washington, New York and Niagara Falls• Stay three nights in Washington DC and two nights in both New York and Niagara Falls• Guided tours of Washington and New York

• See the White House, Arlington Cemetery, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, plus much more• Visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home and estate along the Potomac River• See Niagara Falls, nature’s iconic wonder, from every possible perspective• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

WA S H I NG TON D C , N E W YOR K C I T Y

& N I AG A R A FA L L S BY T R A I N

Niagara Falls

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The afternoon is free to explore New York’s many fascinating museums, shops and neighbourhoods. You could take a cruise around Manhattan, see the Statue of Liberty, a wander round the superbly restored Meatpacking District or perhaps a memorable helicopter flight over this most photogenic of cities. One of the simplest pleasures though is just a stroll through Central Park, used in countless films’ sets and undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous urban spaces - the perfect place to watch New Yorkers taking it easy. ‘The Met’, with its extraordinary collections of Native American art, Impressionists and ancient Egyptian treasures is a New York landmark and an absolute ‘must-see’ world-class institution. A wander through Chinatown or Little Italy helps you appreciate the mammoth ethnic melting pot New York was, is and always will be. Another great option is the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Centre for the finest sunset views. The latest landmark is of course the thought-provoking ‘ground zero’ visitor centre where the World Trade Centre once stood.

This evening, explore ‘the city that never sleeps’, there’s a vast choice of restaurants and entertainment from classic Broadway musicals to jazz clubs or just Greenwich Village’s intimate little bars. Absorb the ‘buzz’ - this is truly one of the world’s greatest cities!

DAY 6 - AMTRAK TRAIN TO NIAGARA FALLSEarly this morning from Penn Station, a wonderful classic building in its own right, we board the Amtrak Empire Service to Niagara Falls. This iconic American journey takes us through up-state New York’s wonderful bucolic scenery, following the Hudson River valley, bisected by finger lakes, forest-covered hillsides and studded with the neat settlements so typical of small-town America. Arriving in Buffalo this afternoon, we cross the Rainbow Bridge into Canada for the most for the most spectacular views and our hotel for two nights with breakfast, the four-star Marriott Gateway on the Falls (Falls view rooms available from £26pp supplement).

DAY 7 - NIAGARA FALLSNiagara Falls has long been a magnet for daredevils, sightseers and honeymooners but there are few superlatives which can describe the sheer spectacle in front of you as the equivalent of over one million bath-fulls of water cascade every single minute over a 200 foot high cliff, crashing in a deafening roar below.

We have included a thrilling boat cruise on the famous Hornblower Cruise to get you as close as possible to the thundering waters at the base of the falls (subject to weather in Apr & Nov). For a real close-up experience, you’ll also explore the tunnels, staggeringly behind the very falls themselves, for an astonishing view of the massive wall of water - but from the inside! Then we’ll take a lift, walking

along the bottom of the Niagara Gorge for a truly spectacular ‘close-up’ view of some

amazing white-water rapids.

The sights and sounds of New York & Washington are familiar from countless Hollywood

films and TV dramas – but nothing can prepare you for the sheer extraordinary scale and vitality of these remarkable cities. The iconic Manhattan skyline reflects the very essence of the United States - striving to be the biggest and the best! We enjoy a wonderful day on board the Maple Leaf train service crossing into Canada spending two nights at Niagara Falls, seeing this incredible natural phenomenon from all angles.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON DCYou should arrive at the airport for your scheduled flight to Washington DC. After our early afternoon arrival, we transfer to the centrally located four-star Cambria Suites Hotel or the Hyatt Regency in Arlington for three nights. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 2 - WASHINGTON DCWashington DC - nestling serenely on the Potomac River, we have all seen this amazing city’s glistening array of world-famous monuments in countless political thrillers like ‘All the President’s Men’! But when you imagine the worldwide importance of the decisions taken here, the reality of Washington can be overwhelming.

On our guided tour this morning we’ll have the benefit of an expert local guide to show us the world-famous museums, buildings and memorials of the Capitol, the White House, the Vietnam and World War II Memorials, the Lincoln Memorial and so much more. The afternoon is at leisure.

DAY 3 - MOUNT VERNONThis morning we drive through beautiful countryside to nearby Mount Vernon, George Washington’s stunning home and estate. There is so much to see here: the impressive, yet intimate, formal ground floor rooms display a wealth of original furniture. Walk through the original gardens, where the ‘greats’ of 18th century America once strolled and still supply plentiful vegetables and fruit. You will visit Washington’s tomb, the slave quarters and the pioneer farm with its unusual 16-sided threshing barn, designed by Washington himself.

Returning to the city this afternoon you are free to explore some of the excellent Smithsonian Museums, perhaps the world-famous Air and Space Museum or the host of other attractions in this amazing city.

DAY 4 - AMTRAK TRAIN TO NEW YORKThis morning, a poignant visit to Arlington, America’s renowned military cemetery, huge at 624 acres and final resting place of the Kennedys, John and Robert, with memorials to the two space shuttle disasters plus the Lockerbie bombing amongst many others. We have some free time for lunch before boarding the impressive sleek Amtrak train for its 3.5-hour journey to New York, then transferring to the three-star Cambria Suites Hotel near Times Square.

DAY 5 - NEW YORKThis morning we enjoy a fascinating tour of New York’s amazing sights with a ‘hop-on hop-off’ tour pass, including bustling Times Square, the iconic Rockefeller Centre, laid-back Central Park and the Empire State Building. Our tour allows you the freedom to use your pass independently and get off at whichever particular sight you want to see, or join your tour manager on a fixed itinerary visiting the major sights.

Next it’s a fascinating visit to the Daredevil Museum learning about all the ‘brave’, or perhaps just foolhardy, riding over the falls and seeing many of the home-made barrels constructed to survive this incredible feat – sometimes! DAY 8 - TORONTO & RETURN FLIGHTThis morning we say goodbye to Niagara Falls and head out to the small community of Niagara-on-the-Lake, often cited as the prettiest town in Ontario. With its wonderful Victorian-era architecture, it’s a fascinating insight into a small Canadian town of a hundred years ago. We then continue on to Toronto, Canada’s largest city. Its soaring glass skyscrapers contrast with the parks and lakefront boardwalks of a host of communities. Dominated by the CN Tower – at 1,815 feet the western hemisphere’s tallest freestanding structure, we take an exhilarating ride to its observation deck in exterior glass lifts. Once there, are you brave enough to walk on the glass floor? This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our return overnight direct flight.

DAY 9 - ARRIVE HOMEWe arrive back in the UK after a truly memorable tour, the memories of which will last a lifetime.

Empire State Building

Lincoln Memorial

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14 DAYS

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£1,699

Tour the unique deserts, forts, palaces and temples of Rajasthan, arguably India’s most colourful state, plus two of India’s greatest

monuments, the Taj Mahal and Amritsar’s Golden Temple

• Return direct scheduled flights• Premium Economy upgrades available at a supplement• Stay in handpicked three, four and five-star hotels.• Daily breakfast and four meals included• Visit the extraordinary Golden Temple of Amritsar, the Sikh holy shrine and one of India’s most awe-inspiring sights• Experience the breathtaking Taj Mahal, the simple purity of its white marble and the exquisite workmanship of its inlay work• Relax on a two night stay in beautiful Udaipur, India’s most romantic city of lakes and palaces• Visit Pushkar, city of Lord Brahma and setting of the renowned ‘Camel Fair’, one of Asia’s most ancient and fascinating spectacles (special departures available)

• Stay two nights at one of Rajasthan’s best-known heritage hotels – the Khimsar Fort• Visit the ‘blue city’ of Jodhpur with its vast and imposing fortress• Spend two nights in the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, with its teeming markets, amazing City Palace, remarkable 18th century Astronomical Observatory and iconic Palace of the Winds• Experience the fascinating ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony on the Indo-Pakistani border• See the poignant site of the Amritsar Massacre• Opportunity to upgrade to one of the world’s most famous and photographed hotels – Udaipur’s incredible five-star Taj Lake Palace Hotel• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

R AJA S T H A N , T H E TAJ M A H A L &

AMRITSAR’S GOLDEN TEMPLE

Taj Lake Palace

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India is steeped in history, mystery and magnificence. It’s a heady cocktail of extraordinary contrasts, sumptuous palaces, splendid forts, lush countryside, haunting deserts

and vibrant cities. Our extraordinary tour takes you to some of the most colourful and amazing places on the entire planet – from Amritsar’s Golden Temple to the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, the gleaming white of the Taj Mahal, and the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur. Then there are the parched ochre dunes of the desert sands and the array of reds and yellows exploding from a classic Indian sunset across a city’s jumbled rooftops. India is all this and much more. It’s not just a country; it’s an entire continent crying out to be discovered and explored.

You’ll visit some of this wonderful destination’s finest jewels; many world famous, while others are less well-known but equally enthralling. In this religious melting pot, you’ll experience some of the world’s most spiritual sites - including the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, and the revered Hindu town of Pushkar with its unique Brahma temple, sacred lake and historic bathing ghats. Jaipur’s City Palace and the Palace of the Winds will amaze you with their grandeur, yet none compare with the Taj Mahal, that supremely beautiful and romantic masterpiece, truly one of the few wonders of the world.

Another great and unmissable wonder is Agra’s 16th century awe-inspiring Red Fort. Once at the heart of the Moghul Empire, it’s a fitting overture to the many other magnificent citadels for which Rajasthan is rightly famous – especially the imposing and vast Mehrangarh Fort with its enchanting panoramic view over the 'Blue City’ of Jodhpur. Finally it’s on to Udaipur, nestling serenely in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful settings. Surrounded by a series of scenic hills and lakes, almost silhouetted against the clear blue sky, its multitude of intricately turreted and balconied palaces surround the lakeside - a perfect blend of man and nature in complete harmony and quintessential India at its most mysterious, romantic and thought-provoking.

Spectacular though India’s cities, palaces and monuments are, a country is nothing without its people and you can travel the whole world before you find a welcome as warm and genuine as that in India. Increasingly aware of their unique sophisticated culture, Indians are eager to share their knowledge with you – and to practice their English, which is almost universally spoken. You really sense that this is a country ‘on the move’.

Of course, India also possesses one of the world’s greatest cuisines, which for many will be one of the highlights of your holiday. Universally but incorrectly described as curry, there is a huge variety on offer making use of gorgeously fresh vegetables, pulses, meat and fish all expertly blended with an almost infinite array of herbs and exotic spices. With some dishes cooked quickly and some more slowly, it’s a real gourmet’s delight, so totally different and tastier than the majority of Indian restaurants we are used to at home. All this combined with the legendary Indian passion for service, ensures you will get the very best out of your visit to this fascinating and enchanting part of the world, returning home with some truly enchanting memories.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou check-in for your overnight flight direct to Delhi.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN AMRITSAROn arrival we connect with the domestic flight to the Sikh holy city of Amritsar. Our hotel for the next two nights is the five-star Hyatt Amritsar. During the early evening we enter Amritsar for our first glimpse of the remarkable and beautifully floodlit Golden Temple, silhouetted against the dark sky with its rich golden glow shimmering in the surrounding waters.

DAY 3 - GOLDEN TEMPLEGloriously romantic by night, the Golden Temple is also extraordinary and fascinating by day, with this magical building alluringly reflected in its huge sacred pool, surrounded by marble colonnaded

arcades. Once inside, the richly gilded inlay work is a revelation - wood panels decorated with gold and silver plus ivory carvings, all under a brilliant dome containing 100kg of pure gold. In accordance with Sikh custom anyone is offered sustenance free of charge, with the resultant kitchens capable of feeding 6,000 people per hour – we see their huge vats of dhal (lentils) and an ancient machine producing a constant stream of hot chapattis! We also see the site of the Amritsar Massacre, where in 1919 a nationalist demonstration of unarmed locals was fired upon by the British authorities, without warning. This pivotal event had a profound effect on Gandhi, who then initiated his ultimately successful ‘civil disobedience’ campaign. In the afternoon we take the short drive to the nearby Bagh Border post with Pakistan. Over the years this has developed into a light-hearted, rather bizarre competition as to who has the most flamboyant marching style and vociferous supporters, with thousands coming to see this daily. It’s a typically Indian concoction, a blend of open-air theatre, party and military parade. Finally, both border gates are ceremoniously closed and the respective flags lowered for the night! A buffet dinner at your hotel is included tonight.

DAY 4 - FLY TO DELHIWe fly to Delhi, and after lunch we continue by road to Agra and the Taj Mahal, arriving late afternoon, staying one night at the centrally-located, four-star Taj Gateway.

DAY 5 - TAJ MAHALIn the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal seems to float, mirage-like, above the surrounding landscape. A combination of extraordinary beauty, symmetry and history makes this wonder of the world one of the planet’s most amazing monuments and you have plenty of time to admire it from all angles.

Then, in stunning contrast, you visit the vast red sandstone 16th century Agra Fort, once the headquarters of the vast Moghul Empire.

Jaipur City Palace

Taj Lake Palace

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This afternoon we continue to Jaipur, staying two nights at the new five-star Radisson Blu, with its large pool and excellent dining options.

DAY 6 - AMBER FORT & JAIPURJaipur is a fascinating place, its pink-coloured buildings contrasting beautifully with the kaleidoscope of striking reds, saffrons and deep violets of hundreds of traditional saris whose countless sequins reflect the midday sun. Welcome to Rajasthan, India’s most colourful state!

Our first stop the Amber Fort, located in an amazingly scenic location in the nearby hills. Our tour includes sections reserved for the Maharaja’s wives and concubines and the amazing hall of mirrors. We have a photo stop outside the pink sandstone Palace of the Winds, an incredible honeycomb of windows from which the royal household’s ladies watched the street life and processions below. Next, we visit the City Palace, home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur, viewing the superb collection of formal robes, intricate carpets, fine paintings and an impressive armoury. Finally we see the outstanding 18th century Jantar Mantar open-air Observatory, an extremely accurate collection of early astronomical instruments.

DAY 7 - PUSHKARThis morning we leave Jaipur and we experience one of India’s greatest institutions – the iconic railway system, we board the comfortable ‘chair class’ carriages of the Shatabdi Express, travelling to Ajmer. From here we drive to Pushkar, the sacred Hindu town, home to the world’s largest camel fair. A gathering of as many as 160,000 dealers and coinciding with the full-moon in November, business often takes a back seat to musicians, snake-charmers and dancers on hot coals. After checking into the family-run three-star superior Pushkar resort, it’s time to explore the town. We visit its rare Brahma temple, the only place in the world where it is permitted to worship the creator-God of the Hindu religion, continuing through the small market to visit the sacred lake and bathing ghats at the town’s heart. A buffet dinner at your hotel is included tonight.

DAY 8 - NAGAUR FORT & KHIMSARLeaving Pushkar, we continue towards Nagaur Fort, a little-known fort-cum-palace complex displaying a unique merging of Rajput and Moghul architecture. With its 800-year history and careful restoration, it well deserves its UNESCO recognition. Driving through pleasant country roads, through an arid landscape of sand dunes, we are off the beaten track, surrounded by the rural India of ox carts and small villages before seeing the astonishing Khimsar Fort, where we stay for two nights. Nothing prepares you for the sight of this grand, 16th century edifice of towers, domes and ramparts, in the same family for 21 generations, now a charming heritage hotel. The rooms are all different and spread out within the walls. There’s a bar, restaurant, tea room and spa, plus a lovely pool. Dinner is included tonight, either set out within the picturesque ruins of one of the buildings or along the battlements.

DAY 9 - FREE DAY IN KHIMSARToday we have a free day enjoying our peaceful surroundings, with the option of a jeep drive into the local ‘bush’ hopefully spotting blackbuck and bluebuck, two of the local antelope species, then a walk experiencing colourful village life. There’s plenty of time to relax or explore and enjoy this

delightful hotel. Marvel at its extensive ramparts, stroll through the lush green gardens watching

peacocks, before taking tea on the veranda. This afternoon perhaps enjoy a drive to the dunes and a short camel cart ride before halting at

the desert’s edge to experience that magical moment when the sun sinks slowly in a fiery glow. This evening, there’s a delightful Kalbelia dance troupe, a typical Rajasthani puppet show and traditional

musicians.

DAY 10 - JODHPURThis morning we take the short drive to

Jodhpur, the ‘Blue City’, so named after the colourwash of its ‘old city’ which is totally dominated by the imposing Mehrangarh Fort towering above. Few sights can match this for pure grandeur, a gigantic mass of stonework seemingly growing from the huge hill on which it stands. Its museum houses Emperor Akbar’s sword, plus numerous howdahs and antique belongings of the Maharajas. This afternoon we walk through Jodhpur’s fascinating open-air Clocktower Market, crammed with orange and red turbaned vendors selling absolutely everything and a real photo opportunity. Tonight we stay at the four-star WelcomHotel Jodhpur.

DAY 11 - UDAIPURToday we leave Jodhpur and the plains of Rajasthan behind us, driving east to the Aravali Hills. Here the landscape changes to smooth bare hilltops interspersed with lush green narrow valleys, in one of which lies Ranakpur and arguably India’s finest Jain temple. Beautifully constructed entirely from white marble and completely covered by some of the world’s finest intricate carvings, no two of its 1,444 columns are identical. After lunch we continue to Udaipur, where we stay two nights at the four-star Oberoi Trident Hotel. You may also upgrade your stay to the utterly sumptuous five-star Taj Lake Palace, one of the world’s finest hotels and an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience!

DAY 12 - UDAIPURUdaipur, the City of Lakes with its backdrop of green-covered hills, has a stunningly romantic setting which never fails to impress! The stage for countless ‘Bollywood’ films and James Bond’s ‘Octopussy’, Udaipur’s most famous sight is the astonishing white marble Lake Palace, seemingly floating on the calm waters of Lake Pichola. Overlooking this is the vast complex of the City Palace, where we’ll see the Maharani’s amazingly decorated private apartments, courtyards, pleasure gardens and a host of miniature paintings, palanquins and armaments. We’ll also see the great Durbar Hall and the Crystal Gallery, lined with thousands of unique items of crystal, all produced in Birmingham in 1877. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish. Dinner is included tonight.

DAY 13 - FLY TO DELHIWe fly back to Delhi this morning for one night at the five-star Hyatt Regency

Hotel. We drive through the city’s wide, tree-lined avenues designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and tour the best sights of both Old and New Delhi, including Humayun’s

Tomb, the Qutub Minaret and the poignant reminders of the British Raj, before an afternoon at leisure at your hotel.

DAY 14 - RETURN FLIGHTYou transfer to the airport for the return flight to London, arriving later the same day.

The ‘Taj’ at dawn, a tiger in the wild and the Himalayas are amazing sights, all infused with an extraordinary and eclectic mix of colours, sounds, customs and religions

• Return direct scheduled flights• Premium Economy upgrades available at a supplement• Stay in hand-picked three, four and five-star hotels • Visit all the major sights of Old and New Delhi• See the breathtaking Taj Mahal bathed in soft morning light, gazing in awe at the simple purity of its white marble and the exquisite craftsmanship of its inlay work• Spend two nights in the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, capital of the desert kingdom of Rajasthan with a guided tour of its City Palace and astronomical observatory and see the Palace of the Winds

• Marvel at the extraordinary location and beauty of Amber Fort, home of one of India’s most powerful Maharajas• Stay in an original Rajasthani fort, beautifully converted into a stunning Heritage Hotel• Enjoy a guided tour of the 400-year old deserted Moghul city of Fatehpur Sikri• Daily breakfast and seven meals included, plus a sumptuous buffet when staying at the Oberoi Cecil in Shimla• Travel on the famous Shimla railway• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

11 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,399

15 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,799

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I N DI A PL U S S H I M L A

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India, a unique country and civilisation, is a mind-boggling potpourri of sights, sounds, colours and experiences as well as a culture-shock of astonishing contrasts. Immerse yourself in this

tour and prepare for a revamp of any preconceptions towards one of the world’s ‘must-see’ destinations!

The jewel of our tour is surely the Taj Mahal in the early morning, when its colours and ethereal beauty is at its most amazing. Built to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, Emperor Jahan’s wife, it took 20,000 men 22 years to finish it. The end result transcends the extraordinary world monument it is. The tomb represents the ultimate expression of a pure and enduring love, a tangible expression of the unquantifiable. But there’s more. We’ll see the real India, a subcontinent that covers the full gamut of evolution, from the natural world, including the nation’s unofficial symbol, the tiger, in Ranthambore, through the Rajasthan forts and palaces of the Moghul Empire, to the more recent Raj and British colonial influence.

We’ll stay for three nights in Rajasthan, regarded as India’s most colourful state, a region fringed by deserts, populated by a fiercely proud, warrior race and a plethora of forts and palaces. No area in all of India more clearly illustrates the paradox of ancient and modern which exist side by side.

We stay in Rajasthan’s capital city of Jaipur, known as the ‘Pink City’ due to the colour of its walls and so many of its buildings, and we visit the Maharajah’s City Palace as well as the great Amber Fort, one of the masterpieces of Rajput architecture, guarding the northern approaches to the city.

We delve, ever deeper, into the culture and history of Rajasthan with our stay at the Alsisar Mahal, a restored fort, converted into one of the region’s best heritage hotels. A wonderfully romantic setting where Belgian crystal chandeliers hang above exquisite marble floors, cut from the very quarries that supplied the builders of the Taj Mahal.

On selected departures our tour continues on to the hill-station of Shimla, effectively the summer capital of India during the Raj. At over 7,300ft, the cooler climate made this the ideal location to escape from the searing summer temperatures on the plains below. Dominated by the baronial splendour of the Viceregal Lodge, Shimla was, in those days, a microcosm of late Victorian English society. Surrounded by vast forests of teak and pine and located across a long ridge with steep mountainous terrain on all sides, Shimla was not the easiest place to get to. But Victorian engineers managed to build one of the marvels of Indian Railways, the 96-kilometre narrow-gauge line to Shimla, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our journey ‘clickety-clicks’ along those very tracks laid by those intrepid imperial engineers more than a century ago.

But India is not all history and architecture – genuine Indian cuisine is far more varied and interesting that what we are used to at home. From a simple hot chapatti fresh from the oven, to the delicate spices of Kheer, a sweet rice pudding, a trip to India will change your view of Indian cookery – and don’t worry, many of the curries are quite mild! However, for the

brave at heart, there’s the gasket-blowing prospect of Phaal curry. Whichever culinary delight you choose, the one guarantee is that the Indian people are supremely hospitable and will go out of their way to ensure their visitors enjoy their stay.

From the flawless grandeur of the Taj Mahal, to the mighty fortresses of Rajasthan and from the reminders of past glories of the Raj in Delhi to the teeming markets of Jaipur, our India tour encompasses the very best of northern India, ensuring a lifetime of truly amazing memories.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREAirport check-in for your overnight flight to Delhi.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN NEW DELHIOn arrival, we transfer to the five-star Taj

Palace Hotel for one night. All rooms are stylishly furnished and air-conditioned

with flat-screen TVs, personal safe, mini-bar and complimentary tea/coffee. After a short rest we commence our guided tour of New Delhi. The city centre,

designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1911, is bisected by wide, tree-lined

avenues, a hub which clearly reflects the Raj legacy and home to the former Viceroy’s

Palace, now the Presidential Palace. Heading down the imposing Rajpath, we pass India Gate and the Parliament building. We’ll visit some of Delhi’s older monuments, including the Qutub Minaret, started in 1199, which is the tallest stone built tower in India. Nearby is Humayun’s tomb, an outstanding example of Moghul architecture and the first mausoleum of its type, pre-dating the more widely known Taj Mahal by nearly a century.

DAY 3 - OLD DELHIThis morning we continue our city tour, first visiting Old Delhi, starting with the Raj Ghat, a fittingly simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. We continue past the imposing walls and battlements of the great Red Fort before visiting the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. We leave Delhi in the afternoon for our drive to Agra, arriving at our four-star Oberoi Trident hotel, in the late afternoon. A buffet dinner at your hotel is included tonight.

DAY 4 - TAJ MAHALWe rise early to catch the sun rising over the Taj Mahal. In the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River behind it, the Taj Mahal seems to float, mirage-like, above the surrounding landscape. A combination of extraordinary beauty, symmetry and history makes this wonder of the world one of the most amazing monuments on the planet and you will have plenty of time to admire it from all angles.

Moving on, we continue our tour with a visit to the vast red sandstone Agra

Fort. Completed in 1573, it was the headquarters

of the Moghul Empire, boasting vast size and opulence, its buildings make it more of a walled palace than a fort. In the evening you have the option of completing a wonderful day with another visit to the Taj Mahal, to witness the shrine at sunset.

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DAY 5 - FATEHPUR SIKRILeaving Agra this morning we continue towards the ancient abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1571, as Emperor Akbar’s imperial capital. Although it was mysteriously abandoned just 15 years later, it remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with numerous palaces, wide courtyards and beautiful carvings. Just 15 kilometres away is the Bagh Bharatpur, a luxury Heritage Hotel in Bharatpur where we stop for lunch before going on to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express for our comfortable two and a half hour journey to Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting preserve of Maharajahs, its 400 square kilometres of forested rolling hills, valleys and lakes

form a unique ecosystem. Started in 1973, India’s famous Tiger Project was created to protect the country’s tiger population. Despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived and numbers have stabilised. Our hotel for the next two nights is the comfortable family-run three-star Ranthambore Regency on full board basis.

DAY 6 - RANTHAMBORE TIGER SAFARIAn early start this morning is worth the sacrifice as we head out to the park for our safari using specially-built, 20-person, open-top four wheel drive vehicles known as ‘canters’. After many years of conservation, Ranthambore is now the best place to spot tigers in India, but the reserve is about more than tigers – over 300 bird species have been counted including

impressive crested eagles, painted stork and wild peacocks. The park’s residents also include large numbers of sambars, the largest Asian antelope, as well as marsh crocodiles, wild boar and rare sloth bears and leopards. Look out for the playful troop of black-faced langur monkeys near the main entrance gate.

We return to our hotel in the late morning, with time to relax before and after lunch. In the afternoon we take our second trip into the park for another chance to spot the elusive tigers.

DAY 7 - JAIPURLeaving Ranthambore after breakfast we head north to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Our afternoon tour will cover all the major highlights of this ancient city. The famous Hawa Mahal, known as the Palace of Winds, is one of our first stops before we continue to the Astronomical Observatory constructed in 1726 and on to the City Palace, still home to the present Maharajah of Jaipur, where we’ll view collections of costumes, carpets, paintings and the impressive armoury. Our hotel for the next two nights is the new four-star Hilton Jaipur.

DAY 8 - AMBER FORTThis morning another highlight, on a tour of highlights: you’ll visit the immense Amber Fort, located in the hills just a short drive out of Jaipur. Sampling all the most fascinating sights, our guided tour includes the sections reserved for the Maharajah’s wives and concubines as well as the remarkable hall of mirrors, with tiny delicate convex mirrors embedded like a mosaic in the walls and ceilings. Dinner tonight is included and will be taken at the Shahpura House.

DAY 9 - RAJASTHANAfter breakfast, we bid goodbye to Jaipur and head north, deeper into the interior of rural Rajasthan. We pass numerous small villages and towns on our way to the Sekhawati region of the state and the village of Alsisar. This was once part of India’s Silk Road and over the years the merchants here grew very rich, building a large number of luxurious mansions known as ‘havelis’, to display their wealth through the magnificence of their frescoed walls. Although most of these have now been abandoned, the imposing and luxurious residence of the local kings has been lovingly restored into an amazing Heritage Hotel, the Alsisar Mahal, where we stay for the night with a buffet dinner. A maze of winding corridors, cool courtyards and arched colonnades, lead to the charming rooms, all different, but most are spacious and some with four-poster double beds. Rooms are air-conditioned, with bath or shower, but no TV. In the afternoon we take a guided walk through the village to explore the best examples of the havelis that lie just outside the walls of the Alsisar Mahal.

DAY 10 - NEW DELHIAfter breakfast we head back to Delhi and the last night of our tour, at the Taj Palace Hotel.

DAY 11 - RETURN FLIGHTIn the morning we will transfer to the airport for our flight home, arriving back in the UK to reflect on a once-in-a-lifetime tour.

India Gate, New Delhi

Amber Fort

SHIMLA EXTENSION On selected departures our tour continues on to Shimla, the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, for three nights of five-star indulgence, at the famed Oberoi Cecil Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 11 - TRAIN TO SHIMLAWe take the morning express train from Delhi for our four hour journey north to Kalka. Our train reservations are in ‘chair-class’ carriages, with comfortable seating, air-conditioning and large windows. At Kalka we change trains onto the Shimla narrow-gauge ‘toy’ train for the last part of our journey. Although the carriages are smaller and not air-conditioned, the compensation is the increasingly spectacular scenery en-route. Inaugurated by Viceroy Lord Curzon back in 1903, this amazing railway encounters no less than 800 bridges and 102 tunnels on its 96 kilometre journey to Shimla. A packed lunch is included today.

We arrive in Shimla’s small station in the late afternoon from where we are transferred straight to the town’s haven of luxury, the five-star Oberoi Cecil Hotel, where we stay for three nights, bed and breakfast. With its Burmese teak floors, magnificent atrium lobby, its excellent restaurant, indoor pool and Asian Spa, this is one of India’s best-known hotels. All the spacious rooms are air-conditioned, beautifully furnished and have views of the surrounding teak forests.

DAY 12 - SHIMLAToday we explore the many reminders of British colonial life in Shimla. The most fascinating by far is the immense Viceregal Lodge and its beautiful botanical gardens, built in Scottish baronial style to house the Viceroy and his staff for the six months they were based in the town. Although some of the interior of the building is closed to the public, the

areas that are open give an incredible glimpse into the not-so-distant past. Particularly touching is the large collection of photographs from the late Victorian era and the last years of the Raj. We also take a walk along the pedestrian-only Mall, from Scandal Point and Christ Church past the mock-Tudor Post Office, the Gaiety Theatre and the Town Hall. There are a huge number of shops and markets and Shimla is particularly known for the quality of its locally made pashmina shawls.

DAY 13 - FREE DAY IN SHIMLAEnjoy a day at leisure in Shimla, relax at the hotel pool or spa, or maybe take another stroll along the mall and do some last minute bargain hunting in the markets. Alternatively, there are a number of short local ‘treks’ that can be arranged in the surrounding hills. A sumptuous buffet dinner is included at the Oberoi Cecil tonight.

DAY 14 - TRAIN TO DELHIToday we say goodbye to Shimla and the Oberoi Hotel as we start our return journey to Delhi. This time we descend by car to Kalka from where we catch the train back to Delhi for our last night at the Taj Palace Hotel.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHTWe depart Delhi in the early afternoon on our flight home to the UK, arriving back the same day.

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15 DAYS

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£2,499

Varanasi, a city as old as time, with its amazing sights and sounds, and then Nepal ringed by the world’s highest peaks with a unique chance of seeing Mt Everest from the air

• Return scheduled flights• Stay in hand-picked hotels, ranging from a simple three-star lodge in Chitwan National Park to five-star luxury in Delhi and Kathmandu• Visit the major sights of Old and New Delhi• See the breathtaking Taj Mahal bathed in the soft morning light• Explore the fascinating city of Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, with boat trips on the revered river Ganges and a rickshaw ride through its teeming streets• Gaze in awe at the remarkable artistry of the temple carvings of Khajuraho

• Take one of the world’s most exciting flights – to uniquely see Mt. Everest and the Himalayas from the air • Take a once-in-a-lifetime elephant-back safari through the lush forests of Chitwan National Park, in search of rhinos• Visit Kathmandu, the centre of Nepali culture and wander through Patan Durbar Square• Stay in Pokhara, with its amazing close-up view over the great Annapurna range• Daily breakfast and five meals included• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

I N DI A & N E PA L I N C L U D I N G M T. E V E R E S T, T H E G A N G E S & VA R A N A S I

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People say it’s a life-changing experience. And there’s no doubt that when you make the incredible journey to India and Nepal, you’ll

return with a new outlook on life and endless extraordinary memories. Fascinating and intriguing, this is a world that’s far removed from our western way of living.

Our wonderfully designed tour encompasses the very best that Northern India has to offer. From fascinating Delhi and the Taj Mahal to Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world, you’ll visit holy temples and mosques, exquisite palaces, the mighty fortresses of the Moghul Empire and many powerful reminders of the past glories of the Raj. Nothing quite prepares you for the breathtaking beauty and majesty, the purity of the white marble, its exquisite ornamentation, precious gemstones or constantly shifting colours of the Taj Mahal. Created by thousands of craftsmen for Emperor Shah Jahan, in his wife’s memory, with whom he fell in love at first sight, it is one of the wonders of the world and still stands today as a symbol of eternal love.

Nearby is the 11th century Agra Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage site, fought over, destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries to become a walled city housing palaces, pavilions, mosques, gardens and priceless treasure, as befits the seat of the vast Moghul Empire.

City of temples, palaces and “ghats” descending to holy waters, Varanasi has been a cultural and religious centre for thousands of years. Legend has it that the city was founded by the Hindu deity Lord Shiva 5,000 years ago, growing famous for its fine muslin and silks, perfumes, ivory works and sculpture. Certainly 3,000 years old, it’s one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest in India. One of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, Buddhism was founded nearby.You’ll see for yourself the towering Dhamekh Stupa where Buddha is said to have revealed his Eightfold Path to nirvana.

Then it’s off to Nepal, a complete contrast and rich in some of the world’s most astonishing natural beauty. You’ll take a once-in-a-lifetime flight to the Himalayas, seeing the staggering white peaks of Mount Everest, visit the captivating medieval city of Kathmandu, seek out rhinos, bears and tigers on an elephant-back safari through the jungle, and share the peace and tranquillity of Buddhist monks at prayer.

Can you picture yourself on the summit of Mount Everest? Probably not! But few people will ever get as close as you will when you take a flight on our private plane, soaring high above the clouds to the vast scale of the immense Himalayas. It’s incredible to think here you are at the highest point on the planet, something you probably have never contemplated you could ever experience. You can take photographs of this amazing panoramic view from the cockpit.

Chitwan National Park brings you close to one of the world’s finest natural wonders. Hills, raging rivers, flood plains, tropical forests, grassland and lush vegetation, the park is home to migratory birds, rhinos, leopards, elephants, bears and of course the elusive and endangered Bengal tiger. Seeing this wonderful wildlife in the traditional way, on elephant back, is an unforgettable experience.

You’ll be amazed and rewarded every day by the most dazzling and colourful array of unexpected sights, heady aromas, and a true culture shock of astonishing contrasts.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou arrive at the airport for your overnight flight to Delhi.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN NEW DELHIArriving late morning you stay one night at the five-star Leela Ambience hotel, with

all the excellent facilities you expect from an international hotel. After a rest you begin a guided tour of New Delhi, a beautiful city that

clearly reflects the legacy of the British Raj. Surprisingly green, it is divided by wide tree-lined avenues with the Presidential Palace (formerly the Viceroy’s residence) at its centre. You see the imposing Rajpath, India Gate and the Parliament building and visit the 12th century Qutub Minaret – the tallest stone-built tower in India – and Humayun’s tomb, upon which the Taj Mahal is modelled.

DAY 3 - OLD DELHI & AGRAA guided tour of Old Delhi takes you first to the memorial of the great Mahatma Gandhi, the Raj Ghat. Then there’s the Red Fort, one of the world’s great fortifications with huge walls nearly two miles long. Next it’s one of Asia’s largest mosques, the Jama Masjid. Holding 25,000 worshippers, it displays wonderfully intricate decoration and marble work. In the afternoon we take a fascinating drive to Agra to stay two nights at the four-star Taj Gateway hotel.

DAY 4 - TAJ MAHALWe rise early to catch the sun rising over the Taj Mahal – undisputedly one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. In the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River, it seems to float like a mirage above the surrounding landscape. Built from dazzling marble, its colour changes from white to yellow, cream and almost to orange… an exquisite image that you’ll remember forever.

Next you visit the immense Agra Fort. Completed in 1573 from red sandstone, dominating the surrounding area, this was the magnificent seat of the vast Moghul Empire.

This evening you can visit the Taj Mahal at sunset as an option. Bathed in light of a different colour, the varying shadows afford another view of this astonishing, world-renowned and enthralling icon.

DAY 5 - ORCHHA AND KHAJURAHOLeaving Agra by train in comfortable air-conditioned ‘chair-class’ to Jhansi, one of the centres of the Indian Mutiny, we continue by coach to nearby Orchha. Surrounded by jungles, this remarkable medieval town is an architectural gem. Discover the 14 chhatris – or cenotaphs – built as memorials to its Bundela rulers. Soak up the magical atmosphere as parrots and vultures circle these mystical buildings, with fabulous views to the river. Marvel at the palaces of the Orchha

Fort complex, admire the fine architecture and step inside to see the bold, colourful

religious murals. After lunch at the splendid Amar Mahal Palace or Orchha Resort we drive to the small town of Khajuraho for bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Taj Chandela.

DAY 6 - VARANASIToday we visit some of Khajuraho’s remarkable temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of

the seven wonders of India. Originally 85 temples were

built between the 10-12th centuries and today,

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22 of these mystical shrines survive. Their colours change with the intensity of the sun and the carved figures illustrate sensuous poses of such high relief that you can distinguish jewellery and manicured nails. You then take the 45 minute flight to Varanasi. Founded in the 6th century BC, and one of the oldest cities in the world, Hindus believe it to be the centre of their universe.

Nestling on the holy River Ganges, Varanasi’s old city is a labyrinth of tangled alleys, shops and workshops, through which we take an exciting rickshaw to the river. Buzzing with pilgrims, the banks are lined by high, centuries-old palaces, with descending steps or ‘ghats’ down to the waters. Here the faithful wash themselves in the holy waters while brightly clad Brahmin priests practise yoga and meditation. Boarding a small boat you explore this incredible waterfront. We witness the Aarti, one of the most impressive Hindu ceremonies, as large crowds chant and pray, setting small candles adrift on the water in memory of loved ones. You will also probably see several of Varanasi’s famous funeral pyres, where mourners gather and the whole riverbank glows with a flickering yellow as the deceased receives instant enlightenment.

We stay two nights, with breakfast at the four-star Taj Gateway hotel.

DAY 7 - VARANASIThe soft morning sun illuminates the river through the mist. After a morning boat ride, you walk through Varanasi’s narrow lanes and enchanting array of shops selling carpets, intricate polished brassware and fine silks. This afternoon we drive to nearby Sarnath, where 2,500 years ago, after gaining enlightenment himself, the

Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, founding one of the most enduring of world religions. We visit the 1,700-year-old Dhamekh Stupa, towering 31m high and said to mark the spot where Buddha revealed his Eightfold Path leading to ‘nirvana’ - and see a green marble coffin allegedly containing his relics.

DAY 8 - KATHMANDUAfter a free morning we fly to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, one of the world’s most naturally beautiful countries. Set in a bowl-shaped Himalayan valley 4,500 feet above sea level, this captivating city and Nepal’s cultural heart is surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains. The contrast with India is striking, with Buddhist temples reminiscent of the

Far East much in evidence. We visit the famous 14th century Boudhanath Stupa, Tibetan in origin and one of the holiest of Buddhist sites. The gentle sound of chanting and praying fills the air, while traders sell lamps, cloth and all sorts of fascinating goods in an enchanting kaleidoscope of colour and noise. We stay two nights with breakfast at the sumptuous five-star Hyatt Regency hotel.

DAY 9 - MOUNT EVEREST FLIGHTToday you experience something most people never will, a flight to the Himalayas to see majestic Mount Everest. Twice the size of the Alps, their sheer immensity is mind-blowing. Carrying just 16 passengers, our aircraft flies over peaks and clouds bathed in an early morning golden glow. The 45-minute flight offers an incredible panorama and you can take a photograph of the world’s highest mountain from the cockpit. If conditions are unsuitable we have two more opportunities during the holiday. This afternoon you explore the fascinating sights of Kathmandu and visit Patan Durbar Square, one of the most glorious examples of traditional Nepalese architecture, full of centuries-old temples and palaces.

DAY 10 - CHITWAN NATIONAL PARKYou take the scenic drive to Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s most famous wildlife reserve and one of the finest in Asia. Overlooking the lush forested valley and the Rapti River, the Narayani Safari Lodge, where we stay for two nights with full-board is clean and comfortable but simple, without telephones or televisions – a real opportunity to experience and savour the peaceful surroundings. We visit a local village by ox cart to learn how local people live in a sustainable manner in harmony with their

spectacularly beautiful surroundings. After dinner, a slide show brings the huge variety of flora and

fauna of the reserve to life.

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DAY 11 - ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIViewing wildlife in its natural habitat is often a life-changing experience. Rising early, as the sun breaks and accompanied by a unique ‘dawn chorus’, we cross into the reserve in the traditional manner – on elephant back. This gentle giant quietly brushes through the undergrowth without disturbing other animals to ensure wildlife viewing at its best. Each elephant carries four people and your naturalist guide should help you spot rhino, wild boar and if you’re very lucky, sloth bears. We return to the hotel for breakfast, after which there will be an opportunity to watch the elephants bathing in the river. After lunch, we have the option of a trip by dugout canoe to a crocodile farm, returning on foot along the riverbank.

DAY 12 - POKHARAWe drive north towards the small town of Pokhara in central Nepal. Inhale the clean air, taking time to fully comprehend the staggering beauty of an area surrounded by some of the world’s highest mountains. This afternoon, we take a boat ride across Lake Phewa for unbeatable views of the Annapurna mountain range. Watch reflections of their dazzling white peaks sparkle in the mirror-like water, and listen to the soothing sound of silence. This is probably one of the finest mountain panoramas in the world. We stay for two nights at the four-star Pokhara Grande Hotel with breakfast.

DAY 13 - FREE DAY IN POKHARAA relaxing day to potter about this charming lakeside town, with plenty of opportunities to

bargain for local handicrafts, try out some of the many restaurants and take in the amazing views.

DAY 14 -KATHMANDUWake up early today and catch the sun rise over the Annapurna range, a truly magical experience. Watch the mountain peaks turn from soft pink to shimmering gold as the sun climbs higher in the clear blue sky. There are twelve peaks in the world

higher than 25,000 feet, eight of them are in Nepal and from this spot on clear days you can see three of them. Truly staggering!

In the afternoon, we fly back to Kathmandu for our final night at the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHTDepart for our flight home via Delhi or Doha arriving later the same day.

Pokhara, with the Annapurna range

Elephant back Safari, Chitwan

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14 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,599

Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala - discover their remarkable cities, thought-provoking temples and astonishing natural wonders

• Return scheduled flights• Stay in hand-picked three, four and five-star hotels. Daily breakfast and five meals included• Visit Chennai’s Fort St George, where Clive of India commenced his glittering career• Explore the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram• Enjoy a tour of elegant Pondicherry, a French colonial outpost until 1954• See the breathtaking temples of Madurai, southern India’s greatest cultural icon• Visit Periyar National Park and enjoy a nature walk through primeval virgin forest• Explore the fascinating and undiscovered Chettinad region visiting its extraordinary traders' mansions

• See the extraordinary World Heritage Site of Tanjore’s Brihadeeswara Temple• Visit a 500-acre Spice Plantation high up in the stunningly beautiful Western Ghats learning how the world’s most popular spices are grown• Relax amongst the backwaters of Kerala at the end of your tour• Enjoy a day on a typical houseboat cruising Kerala’s picturesque canals and waterways• Visit Cochin on the Malabar Coast, India’s first European colony, settled by the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

S OU T H E R N I N DI A & T H E BAC K WAT E R S

OF K E R A L A

Chinese fishing nets, Cochin

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see. Gliding gently in a typical Keralan houseboat all local life is there to be enjoyed: fishermen casting their nets from tiny wooden canoes, sari-clad women washing clothes, while kingfishers and darters look out for an easy meal. Cochin is the main city here, Portuguese in the 16th century, it was the first European colony in India. We’ll see St Francis church, India’s first, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried plus Cochin’s most iconic sight, the famous Chinese fishing nets – huge wooden cantilevered structures, operated by just four men as they are lowered and raised from the waters below.

Southern Indian cuisine displays a marked difference too; Tamil Nadu is known for the huge variety of its vegetarian dishes, different chutneys and pickles, whilst in Kerala, coconut, seafood and bananas feature heavily. Whatever your tastes, the food of the south is a revelation and completely different to what often passes for Indian cuisine at home.

In short, perhaps the greatest allure of India is that we feel it with all our senses: from the unbelievably luminescent saris of every hue and description, to the noisy excitement of the markets, the heady aromas of the spices, the delicate flavour of a dosa with a hot sambar soup. Azure skies above crown the lushest of greenery below, all reflected in the Keralan backwaters. Every day brings a myriad of new discoveries on this outstanding tour.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURETake your overnight flight to Chennai (Madras) via Colombo.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN CHENNAIOn arrival we transfer to the five-star ITC Chola hotel for one night with breakfast.

DAY 3 - MAHABALIPURAMThis morning your immersion in one of the world’s oldest cultures commences by discovering Chennai’s bustling streets, passing numerous Victorian-era buildings and the famous Marine Beach, with its fish market and multi-coloured long wooden fishing boats drawn up on the sand, before arriving at the very centre of colonial Madras, Fort St George. This was one of the most vital outposts of the British Empire – its first in India, the home of Clive of India for many years and the military base for numerous wars against the French. Continuing south we soon arrive at Mahabalipuram, a port which traded with Rome in ancient times. Its huge 7th century temples have been carved remarkably from vast granite monoliths and are now UNESCO World Heritage sites. Our hotel is the three-star superior Ideal Beach Resort, with breakfast and we have time to enjoy the lovely beach-side setting and pool in the afternoon.

DAY 4 - PONDICHERRYAfter breakfast we travel south to Pondicherry and on arrival have a walking tour of the beautiful old French colonial centre of ‘Pondy’. Both its architecture and ambience are very different from any other Indian town.

Less familiar than the north, visiting the south of India is an incredible journey of discovery: we’ll see amazing thousand-year old rock-cut and granite temples, intricately carved, rising to

over 200ft high, packed with pilgrims and devotees and remarkable forts, mansions and churches from British, French, Dutch and Portuguese colonial periods. We’ll sail on converted rice barges through the tranquil backwaters of Kerala and walk through fragrant spice plantations and pristine tropical forests of the Western Ghats. Staying in colonial hotels, lakeside bungalows, thatched cottages and hundred-year old original traders’ mansions and we’ll experience a cuisine and hospitality renowned throughout India. All blended together; this outstanding eclectic mix will ignite your imagination.

Southern India and specifically the vast states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are worlds away from New Delhi, Agra or Rajasthan. It’s much more laid back here, slower paced and a simpler way of life. There are no deserts here and lush fertile land yields plentiful harvests of rice and every sort of tropical fruit.

In the higher elevations of the Malabar Hills in the Western Ghats, the altitude and temperature are perfect for every type of spice - the ‘black gold’ of 500 years ago was not oil but pepper from these very hills. Vast fortunes were made and lost, battles and campaigns were fought and colonies founded just to control the spice trade. We’ll stay in Kumily, at 2,600ft, markedly cooler than the plains below, with its lush spice plantations and Kerala’s best known Nature Reserve, Periyar, where we’ll explore the enchanting forest during a fascinating walk with a naturalist guide.

The great temple cities of Tanjore and Madurai are quite unique - there is nothing like them anywhere else in India. The astonishing craftsmanship and sheer scale of these temples is extraordinary. But the real beauty here is that they are not mere tourist attractions; they are working Hindu shrines, many locals visit daily and many more travel great distances. You’ll see young people and families, from every walk of life, coming to pay their respects.

In Chennai, we’ll visit Fort St George, the British fortification where Clive of India first rose to prominence from a lowly clerk with no military training, to a Major-General securing India for the East India Company and ultimately the British Crown. The fascinating museum houses some of his letters, period military uniforms, cannons and arms.

We’ll also explore one of the least visited but most intriguing regions of Tamil Nadu - the Chettinadu. Originally home to the Chettiars, financiers and traders par excellence, they amassed vast wealth trading in raw materials with Burma and South East Asia. Using their profits to build opulent, flamboyantly coloured 60-room mansions housing their extended families, the beauty of these unique houses has recently been rediscovered and great efforts have been made to preserve their remarkable legacy.

The setting of the novel and film ‘The Life of Pi’, visiting Pondicherry is like stepping back in time. One of India’s few French colonial outposts, it was one of the major centres of military operations against the British. Changing hands several times during various wars, the French subsequently stayed, although nothing remains of the impressive fortifications - all were demolished. Independent since 1954, what remains is an elegant, quiet, tree-lined slice of the Côte d’Azur transplanted to sub-tropical India.

Palm-fringed Kerala has the highest literacy rate of any Indian state and thus is one of the most affluent too. Its greatest natural assets are the 900kms of waterways known as the backwaters, creating a watery world of tranquil palm-shaded canals, with mats of water hyacinths lazily floating by and paddy fields stretching as far as the eye can

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There’s a sleepy, almost Mediterranean air here, with bougainvillea-clad walls and mustard-yellow coloured neo-classical villas. We’ll see the impressive Governor’s residence, the former site of the French fort designed by the French military architect, Vauban – there is even a Hotel de Ville! We stay the night at the three-star superior Dune Eco-Lodge with breakfast.

DAY 5 - TANJOREWe continue our journey south to Tanjore, with a two-night stay at the three-star superior Ideal River View Hotel with breakfast. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the tranquil surroundings and palm-shaded pool of this charming hotel.

DAY 6 - TANJORETanjore was the capital of the ancient Chola Empire and is mainly known for its extraordinary Brihadeeswara Temple, the template for all in southern India. Standing over 200ft tall, its main tower is covered with an intricately-carved ochre-coloured facade which glows in the morning light. A working temple for over a thousand years, surrounded by colonnaded halls and a fortified wall, it is a testament to the power and wealth of the Chola Empire which at sunset seems to give off a red hue. Tanjore is also noted for its fine metalwork and the nearby Royal Palace’s art gallery houses a fascinating array of bronze sculptures.

DAY 7 - CHETTINADWe drive to the nearby Chettinad region, which you are sure to love. Undiscovered, it’s a revelation, the real rural India of small farming communities where we’ll stay the night in a beautifully restored traditional Chettinad mansion, the Chidambara Vilas, with breakfast.

DAY 8 - MADURAIAfter breakfast we’ll explore this undiscovered region, visiting other remarkable mansions, seeing the local Maharaja’s palace, plus local handicrafts.

A fascinating visit is to a tile workshop, where each piece is delicately handmade and decorated, whilst saris are still woven to age-old local designs on traditional wooden handlooms. We’ll also sample some of the region’s unique cuisine during lunch, served on a banana leaf. In the afternoon we drive to Madurai for one of the tour’s real highlights: the Meenakshi Amman Temple. This is the southern India’s Taj Mahal, a complex shrine of courtyards, vast pillared halls, a sacred lake and no less than twelve gateway towers completely covered with thousands of brightly-painted stucco carvings. Madurai was already an ancient city well before Chennai was even founded, trading spices with the ancient Romans. It is considered to be Tamil Nadu’s spiritual and cultural heart. This afternoon we take tuk-tuks to visit the temple at dusk, exploring its busy traditional markets full of impossibly laden stalls and tailors rattling away at their ancient Singer sewing machines!

Our hotel is the four-star Taj Gateway Pasumalai, wonderfully located on a quiet hilltop above Madurai, set in landscaped gardens and offering outstanding views.

DAY 9 - KUMILYThis morning we re-visit the temple in daylight plus tour the nearby Nayak Palace, with its vast throne-room and ceremonial courtyard. Then drive west towards the distant outlines of the Western Ghats, the mountain range and border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The road zig-zags through lush forest with fleeting glimpses of verdant valleys below then crossing the border, we arrive at Kumily, surrounded by spice plantations and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Our hotel for the next two nights is the charming four-star Spice Village, with breakfast. Made up of low-rise cottages thatched with local elephant grass and scattered across spacious gardens, it has a wonderfully atmospheric bar, a small pool and follows admirable eco-friendly practices.

DAY 10 – PERIYAR WILDLIFE RESERVERising early, with a tropical dawn chorus ringing in our ears we enter the wildlife sanctuary for a guided nature walk through the tall stands of teak, bamboo, wild fig and beautiful jacaranda trees. The reserve has a small population of rarely seen tigers, however, as the reserve’s core surrounds a large lake, the birdlife is absolutely excellent, with over 260 species recorded, including hornbills, parakeets, kingfishers, eagles, kites and flycatchers. You may also be lucky enough to spot a Malabar giant squirrel or a lion-tailed macaque.

After returning to the hotel for a late breakfast, the day is at leisure until our afternoon visit to one of the numerous local spice plantations where our guide explains the uses, medicinal and culinary, of pepper, cloves, curry leaves, cardamom, vanilla, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon and a host of others.

Periyar National Park

DAY 11 - KUMARAKOMThis morning we leave the hills of Periyar behind us descending towards the Keralan coast, passing the almost carpet-like tea plantations en route.

We stay at Kumarakom, at the four-star superior Coconut Lagoon, accessible only by boat through one of the many canals here. Occupying a prime lakefront position, the hotel’s grounds are a huge 33 acres, so it never feels crowded. There’s plenty of hammocks dotted about, a beautiful pool surrounded by swaying palms and an excellent spa centre.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy the tranquillity and explore your home for the next two nights.

DAY 12 - KERALA HOUSEBOAT CRUISEToday we discover the Keralan backwaters in the best way possible – by traditional houseboat. Leaving from nearby Alleppey, each houseboat accommodates six to eight guests plus three crew who prepare a delightful and typical Keralan lunch on board. It’s a wonderful way to travel, passing paddy fields, coconut palms and colourful local houses – watch out for the plentiful birdlife, children walking (or rowing!) back from school, people washing their clothes, pots and pans and even themselves in the narrow waterways. We return to our hotel in time for dinner.

DAY 13 - COCHINThis morning we leave Coconut Lagoon for the short drive to Cochin, the Malabar Coast’s most historic port, traditionally from where India’s invaluable spices were shipped to Europe. The city’s oldest quarter is Fort Cochin, a fascinating maze of narrow alleyways and large merchants’ houses, whilst the nearby bazaar district of Mattancherry has the Dutch Palace and the subcontinent's oldest synagogue. The iconic sight in Cochin is the famed Chinese fishing nets, vast cantilevered contraptions that still work to this day.

Our hotel is the five-star Crowne Plaza with breakfast.

DAY 14 - RETURN FLIGHTFly home to the UK, via Colombo, arriving later the same day.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madarai

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13 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,599

Discover old Ceylon with its sacred caves, ancient temples, palaces, lost cities and a unique cuisine blended with excellent game viewing

and a relaxing few days on a tropical beach

SR I L A N K A

• Return direct scheduled flights• Stay in charming hand-picked three and four-star hotels• Experience superb scenery• Visit Kandy and see the Temple of the Tooth• See the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens, created over 150 years ago• Guided tour of the 5th century Royal Palace and Citadel at Sigiriya Rock• Visit to the Buddhist Monastery of Dambulla and its incredible Cave Temples

• Stay in the colonial hill-station of Nuwara Eliya, centre of the ‘Ceylon’ tea trade• Visit the Elephant Transit Home, where elephant orphans are looked after, before being reintroduced into the wild• Take a safari in Yala National Park, famed for its leopards and elephant herds• Spend three nights relaxing on one of Sri Lanka’s idyllic tropical beaches• Daily breakfast and eleven dinners included• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Yala National Park

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As soon as you arrive, your senses are overwhelmed by Sri Lanka! The warm tropical air, the colourful wild flowers and the jungle, the striking colours of the

saris adorning every woman, the variety of exotic fruits and spices, the beauty of the countryside, the mystique of countless temples and orange-clad Buddhist monks and wild elephants – this is a varied place indeed! Marco Polo, arguably the greatest explorer of all time, described it simply as the finest island in the world!

During its two thousand year history, Sri Lanka has attracted countless invaders and visitors from nearby India, the Arabs, the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British. The 145 years of British rule left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka’s culture and institutions – from a deep love of cricket to the red pillar-boxes still found on street corners. Today, this fabled island of spices and gems is a vibrant blend of entrancing Buddhist culture, ancient cities, wildlife- rich lowland jungles, home to leopards, elephants and monkeys, a mist-shrouded hill country and tropical palm-fringed beaches.

Our tour takes you to all the major sites of historical and cultural interest, visiting three outstanding UNESCO World Heritage sites and finishing with three days’ relaxation in one of the country’s finest beach resorts. Two nights are spent in Sri Lanka’s fascinating ‘Cultural Triangle’, where we visit one of the best-preserved ancient sites on the Indian subcontinent. Sigiriya Rock, an impregnable 5th century palace and fortress clinging to the top of an immense granite monolith soaring up 600 feet is Sri Lanka’s most remarkable sight, with amazing views of the jungle-covered plain below. Around the base of the rock we see beautifully laid out fountains, gardens and bathing pools, incredibly still working, linked by an ingenious web of underground, gravity-fed water channels.

The cave temples of Dambulla, another World Heritage site, highlight Sri Lanka’s extraordinary artistic heritage. Their entire walls and ceilings are completely covered by sumptuously painted, perfectly preserved frescoes and shrines, whilst hundreds of gold-coloured statues of all shapes and sizes positively glow in the darkness - truly amazing!

Kandy, formerly isolated by dense jungle, was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is today custodian of Sinhalese culture. Here we visit the Royal Botanical Gardens which also contain, in a typical colonial house, the wartime HQ of Lord Louis Mountbatten and Far Eastern Command, as well as one of Buddhism’s holiest shrines, the Temple of the Tooth.

Sri Lanka’s hill-country is remarkably beautiful. The dense jungle of the lowlands gives way to more open countryside, with charming small villages, extensive lakes and pine-covered hillsides, with a slightly cooler and less humid climate. It was here during the 19th century that the vast tea estates were created by the British. We visit one of the finest such establishments before staying in the hill-station of Nuwara Eliya, with its colonial-era racecourse, bowling green, half-timbered houses and churches.

We also stay for two nights next to the county’s second-largest national park. The 380-square mile Yala National Park is famed for its high concentration of leopards. Its open undulating terrain with grassland and shrub jungle, as well as fresh and salt-water lagoons, make it ideal for spotting a wide variety of game including wild boar, sambar deer, sloth bears, plus over 200 bird species. We enjoy an exciting safari in the park. After our tour we drive to the west coast

spending three nights by the stunning beaches of the Indian Ocean.

One of the most enjoyable things about a visit to this beautiful island is its delicious cuisine! Indeed, Sri Lanka was one of the original ‘Spice Islands’ with cinnamon, cochinilla, nutmeg and all manner of other exotic flavours combined with fresh vegetables including peppers, aubergines and okra blending wonderfully with fresh seafood and meat giving a truly unique and delicious cuisine.

A further attraction of this remarkable country are the Sri Lankans themselves, one of the most

friendly and hospitable people you’re likely to meet and immensely

proud of their beautiful homeland. The fertile plains, the colourful towns

and villages, the lush forests of the interior with the vast

plantations of tea, rubber and coconuts will entrance you

while its history and traditions will capture your imagination.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport

to take your flight to Colombo.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO After your lunchtime arrival we stay for one

night at the nearby four-star Jetwing Lagoon Hotel, with breakfast and dinner.

DAY 3 - DAMBULLAToday the adventure begins and the sights and the sounds of Sri Lanka gradually unfold. The countryside is stunning – scenic paddy fields studded by water buffalos accompanied by wiry, loin-clothed farmers, extensive coconut groves, pineapple fields, working elephants with attentive mahouts astride their necks and everywhere the dense jungle interspersed by huge lakes. We visit the amazing, 1st century cave temples of Dambulla, a UN World Heritage site and a wonderful introduction to the Buddhist religion. Located within an immense granite outcrop, this series of five caves are richly adorned with remarkably preserved frescoes and over 150 Buddhist statues. In the caves’ semi-darkness, surrounded by the serene faces of dozens of beautifully painted statues, it’s not difficult to imagine the incredible sense of awe this sacred site held for generations of worshippers.

We stay two nights at the three-star superior Sigiriya Village Hotel, with breakfast and dinner.

DAY 4 - SIGIRIYA ROCK This morning you visit what for many will surely be the most memorable and fascinating monument in Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, or the ‘Lion Rock’, is a massive 600ft granite tower with sheer cliffs on all sides crowned by the remains of a 1,500 year old royal palace. The entire site is encircled by a moat and ramparts enclosing a variety of water gardens, the remains of numerous buildings and caves.

As you approach Sigiriya rock, you see some of the finest ancient murals in the country – the ‘cloud maidens’ are found under a fold of rock

and show in exquisite detail a procession of jewelled, beautifully dressed women bearing offerings of lilies and lotus flowers. Facing us

is the imposing final entrance to the palace above: in ancient times the colossal head

of a lion (hence ‘Lion Rock’) was built in brick and plaster, visitors entering

through its mouth. Today, just the two front paws remain, their

claws menacingly extended, still guarding the palace. It should be noted that

there are numerous steps to the top of Sigiriya rock, but should pose no problem for those with normal mobility. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy our hotel’s pool and facilities.

DAY 5 - KANDY This morning we leave Sigiriya for Kandy. Sri Lanka is noted for its magnificent spices so en route we visit a fascinating garden where we see many indigenous plants such as pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon before arriving at Kandy, the country’s royal capital. You stay two nights with breakfast and dinner at the four-star Cinnamon Citadel Hotel, beautifully located overlooking the scenic Mahaweli River and surrounded by peaceful forested hillsides. The hotel as a pool overlooking the river, with a colonnaded lobby, a charming bar and restaurant.

DAY 6 - KANDY Kandy’s crowded and bustling streets teem with daily comings and goings: the many white-uniformed children returning from school and the myriad of shops. The centre is dominated by a beautiful lake and the fascinating Temple of the Tooth, said to hold Buddha’s tooth. This is Buddhism’s most sacred shrine on the island and during our visit, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the many ceremonies. You also visit the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens. Planted over 150 years and covering a huge 150 acres, the gardens hold thousands of plant species and some superb examples of mature tropical trees. Strolling through lawns, shady avenues and immaculately kept flower beds, we see exotic birds and the commemorative trees planted by Edward VII, George VI, Princess Anne and the Queen.

Other highlights are the Avenue of Royal Palms and ‘Bat’ Drive where you can spot the large fruit-eating ‘Flying Foxes’ hanging upside down! The gardens also house Lord Mountbatten’s imposing HQ from World War II. Kandy is famous for its traditional dancing and so this evening we experience a colourful and hugely skilful display of this ancient art.

DAY 7 - TEA ESTATES After a leisurely breakfast you leave Kandy, driving through increasingly mountainous scenery to Sri Lanka’s premier tea-growing areas. Winding ever upwards, the lush tropical jungle gives way to tall pine forests and then box-like tea bushes begin – few at first and then seemingly covering every fold of the landscape like a huge green carpet. You visit one of the best-known tea estates to see how our favourite drink is rolled, dried and graded, followed by a refreshing cup of Ceylon’s finest. Nuwara Eliya, the main hill station, is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level and called ‘Little England’ due to its spring-like climate, parks and golf course. You stay at the four-star St Andrews Hotel, originally part of a Victorian mansion.. It is famed for its classic 19th century public rooms and lovely, English inspired flower beds and lawns. Even High Tea is served.

DAY 8 - ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME & YALA You say goodbye to Sri Lanka’s hill country this morning on your way to Yala National Park in the south of Sri Lanka. At around midday we arrive at the Elephant Transit Home, supported by the UK’s Born Free Foundation, at Udawalawe National Park, where you’ll be able to watch young elephant orphans being given one of their daily feeds.

You stay two nights at the excellent four-star Jetwing Yala Hotel with breakfast and dinner. The hotel is located just 4 kilometres outside the national park and features a pool, bar and restaurant, set in a stunning beach location.

DAY 9 - YALA SAFARI An early start this morning, accompanied by the unique sound of a tropical ‘dawn chorus’. As the morning mist disappears with the rising sun you explore the jungle and its incredible range of wildlife in 4x4 vehicles. The normally elusive leopard offers the Park’s most exciting game viewing and Yala has a high concentration of these big cats. They are the island’s top predator so are far less shy than elsewhere in the world. Yala is also known for its elephants, saltwater crocodiles, wild boar, sloth bears, monitor lizards and a huge variety of birdlife. After a late breakfast you can relax by the hotel’s pool before an optional second, early evening safari.

DAY 10 - GALLE After breakfast you head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle, with its imposing 16th century Dutch fort, where you have a guided tour. You soon arrive at the excellent four-star superior The Lighthouse Hotel with breakfast and dinner. Designed by the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel has an old world charm and elegance set among the sea and palms of the southern coast and is easily accessible from the Dutch colonial town of Galle. The rooms are comfortably furnished and have TV, safe, air conditioning, mini bar, iron/board, tea/

coffee-maker, free wifi and private balcony.. The hotel has various restaurants and bars offering local and international cuisine, and facilities also include, two pools, spa, tennis court and gym.

DAYS 11-12 - FREE DAYS Two whole days to take it easy at your hotel and enjoy the palm-shaded beach and pool.

DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHT You transfer to the airport for the return flight, arriving home later the same day.

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Lighthouse Hotel, Galle

12 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,399

Just opening to the outside world, with world-class Buddhist monuments, fascinating ethnic minorities and a unique culture

B U R M A & I R R AWA DDY R I V E R C RU I S E

• Return scheduled flights• Stay in five-star hotels with daily breakfast• Stay in the heart of Rangoon and see the amazing Shwedagon Pagoda, the ‘heart and soul’ of Burmese Buddhism• Stay two nights in overwater stilt bungalows overlooking the extraordinary Inle Lake• Gaze in awe across the plains of Bagan, studded with thousands of pagodas as far as the can see• Guided tour of Mandalay and cross the world’s longest teak bridge

• See the floating gardens, cottage industries and unique water-borne life of Inle Lake • Experience a four-day luxury river cruise on board the new five-star RV Sanctuary Ananda• Explore the Irrawaddy’s fascinating riverside villages, colourful local markets and intriguing Buddhist temples and pagodas• All shore excursions and meals included whilst on the cruise• All staterooms and suites are outside cabins with private balconies• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

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Imagine stepping back to a time without mobile phones, cash dispensers or even supermarkets. Imagine discovering a deeply spiritual, traditional society that’s only just opening up to the outside

world. This is Burma - intriguing, alluring and still the preserve of the discerning visitor. Now’s the time to experience this remarkable country’s true authenticity before it takes its place on the tourist map.

Sailing down the Irrawaddy you’ll discover an incredible and timeless land of huge variety in topography and culture; a land rich in intriguing history and steeped in two thousand years of Buddhist civilisation and arguably the most extraordinary country in South East Asia.

THE RV SANCTUARY ANANDAThe newest and one of the most luxurious ships in Burma, the 5-star RV Sanctuary Ananda was launched in September 2015 and offers the ultimate in river cruising in Burma. The ship features just 21 staterooms and suites, all exquisitely designed to blend contemporary Asian elegance with charming traditional colonial touches, reflecting the richness and variety of Burma’s history. Full details of the ship and the various categories of staterooms on board, along with deckplans are available on our website.

YOUR ACCOMMODATIONAll the staterooms and suites have been meticulously designed to embody the grace and style of the colonial era, using the finest materials, with rich fabrics, hardwood floors and original artwork. Great care has been taken to make each a luxurious haven with all the modern amenities you would expect from a five-star floating hotel. Each cabin features full-length floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening out to your own private balcony and offering the best possible panoramic views. All the air-conditioned staterooms and suites have a small seating area and writing desk, flat-screen TV with on-demand movies, safe, hairdryer, luxury bed-linens, bathrobes and premium toiletries.

DINING ON BOARDThe cuisine on board the RV Sanctuary Ananda has been designed to reflect the diversity of the cultures in Burma and its surrounding countries but there will always also be non-Asian options as well. Your day starts with a sumptuous breakfast with freshly prepared breads, eggs cooked to order and a generous selection of tropical fruit to try. Lunch is usually a buffet with plenty of salads and a variety of main courses, whilst dinner is always a highlight, with a variety of choices for each course. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and local beer are complimentary all day at the bar and at lunch, as are local house wines during dinner.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to Rangoon (Yangon), via Bangkok.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN YANGON After our afternoon arrival in Bangkok, we connect on to Rangoon for two nights at the five-star Sule Shangri-La Hotel, with breakfast.

DAY 3 - YANGON Today, we begin our tour of the picturesque garden city of Yangon. There’s an eclectic mix of Buddhist shrines and many impressive remains of the old colonial city centre, like the Secretariat Building and Post Office. We visit Scott Market - crammed with colourful, aromatic and exotic vegetables and plenty of local handicrafts.

But the truly unforgettable highlight is the Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments. We time our visit for the late afternoon to benefit from the extraordinary light at its most magical. The pagoda’s astonishing shining golden dome, Buddhist Myanmar’s heart and soul, rises to 321 feet and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold. We’ll have ample time here watching the devoted praying and making

their offerings.

DAY 4 - INLE LAKEWe fly to the hill town of Heho before continuing to Inle Lake. Locally-made long-tail

wooden boats transport you to our hotel for two nights, the five-star Myanmar Treasure

Resort, with breakfast.This afternoon we explore the local

handicraft and cottage industries that thrive in rural Burma. You’ll visit a boatyard where sleek long-tail boats

are constructed using age-old techniques, and a weaving

workshop using wooden looms like those from pre-industrial

Britain to produce intricate items from silk and lotus fibres. There

are so few places left in the world where such remarkable artisanal skill

can now be seen. We visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in

Shan State.

DAY 5 - INLE LAKE We continue our exploration by long-tail boat of the lake and its fascinating villages, visiting local markets for an insight into the lifestyle of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha tribal minorities in their colourful and distinctive clothes and headdresses. We see the famous leg rowers, local fishermen and floating gardens where fruit and vegetables are grown.

Our scenic afternoon long-tailed boat ride takes us into the verdant canals around the shores of the lake. Our destination is the 14-18th century Nyaung Ohak ruins. Many pagodas here are slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, with plants and small trees growing out of them at bizarre angles. Breathtaking views across the valley and the surrounding forest-covered Shan Hills make it well worth the ascent.

You return to the hotel in time to enjoy the stunning beauty of a glorious sunset over the mirror-like waters of the lake. As the sun fades in an explosion of fiery reds and oranges, the unparalleled beauty of a tropical sunset will truly astound you.

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Cabin aboard RV Sanctuary Ananda

DAY 6 - MANDALAY This morning will be free to relax in the luxurious surroundings of your resort. Later today we say goodbye to Inle Lake and fly on to Mandalay. Upon arrival we’ll visit Mandalay Hill where spiral staircases lead to sweeping views of the city and its temples. We stay one night at the five-star Mandalay Hill Resort.

DAY 7 - EMBARK RV SANCTUARY ANANDA Today we enjoy a morning tour of Mahamuni Pagoda

and nearby we’ll visit the Kuthodaw Paya, which contains the world's biggest book. We embark our luxurious home for the next four days and sail the short distance downstream to the small town of Amarapura, the 18th century Burmese Royal capital, to see some traditional silversmiths and silk weaving workshops, before returning to the ship for a welcome reception and the first of many delicious dinners on board.

DAY 8 - MINGUN We explore the small town of Mingun by ox-cart, taking in the unfinished Mingun pagoda with its huge bell. After lunch we continue southwards, enjoying an informative lecture on Burma, sarong tying and a cooking class demonstration.

DAY 9 - BAGAN This morning we arrive at Pokokku and we take a tri-shaw ride to its bustling vegetable market and traditional cigar factory. In the afternoon we arrive at one of the great highlights of our journey along the Irrawaddy – the plain of temples at Bagan. We’ll visit some of the most significant pagodas and temples of the 2,000 listed around Bagan. We’ll also visit a workshop to see the ancient technique of Burmese lacquerware.

DAY 10 - BAGAN You can start the day early with an optional

hot-air balloon ride (seasonal, subject to availability & bookable on board). We then explore some more intriguing local temples and monasteries. We then return to the ship for time to relax, perhaps leaning over the teak handrail of the Sun Deck, with a chilled cocktail in hand before going into the Captain’s splendid dinner.

DAY 11 - RETURN FLIGHT This morning we enjoy an early breakfast on board before we disembark and fly back to Rangoon. Late afternoon, we will fly to Bangkok to connect with your overnight flight home

DAY 12 - ARRIVE HOMEWe arrive home today.

IMPORTANT NOTE On Burma & Irrawaddy river cruising, the itinerary, timings and places visited en-route are subject to weather conditions and water levels. You will need to have a sufficient level of mobility to manage getting into small boats, walks up steps and over uneven ground. After so many years of being closed to the outside world, the general facilities in Burma outside the larger towns and hotels tend to be basic, road transport can be lengthy and service slower than in other more developed countries in South East Asia.

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Shwedagon Pagoda

16 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,699

Explore China's greatest cultural legacies, iconic monuments, astounding palaces and its astonishing scenery along the legendary Yangtze River

A G R A N D TOU R OF C H I NA

I N C L U D I N G YA N G T Z E C RU I S E

• Return direct scheduled flights• Staying in hand-picked four-star and five-star hotels• Enjoy our five-star Yangtze River Cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges, including full-board• Travel through the world’s largest ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam• Visit the amazing Forbidden City, the seat of Imperial power for 500 years and the world’s largest concentration of preserved ancient wooden buildings• Marvel at the exquisite symmetry of the Temple of Heaven and the imperial gardens at the Summer Palace in Beijing• Travel from Shanghai to Beijing on one of China’s new 186mph high speed trains

• Visit the astonishing Great Wall of China, the only man-made monument visible from space• See the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and the less well known underground museum• Watch baby pandas at play at the Chengdu Panda Research Centre• Enjoy the bright lights and shopping of Shanghai• See the man-made wonder of the Longshen Rice Terraces• Cruise the world-famous Li River surrounded by thousands of limestone peaks• Travel on the world’s fastest train in Shanghai• Daily breakfast and 13 meals included plus a Peking Duck banquet• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Since the days of Marco Polo, China has fascinated our western minds in the most compelling way. The country’s immense size, almost unimaginable wealth and other-

worldly culture have together woven an intoxicating and quite irresistible spell.

But the Chinese today are living through an astonishing transformation. As well as being justly proud of their long history and unique cultural legacy, they’re keen to show you their huge achievements as a rapidly growing world superpower.

China has always been a nation of superlatives. The most populous on earth, it’s also the fourth largest. Silk, tea, paper money, porcelain and gunpowder all originated here. Effectively closed to outsiders for most of its 6,000 year recorded history, China has developed its own unique character, language and society.

At the heart of Beijing lies the spectacular Imperial Palace. Here, emperors issued decrees to kneeling dignitaries for hundreds of years. Collectively called the ‘Forbidden City’, it contains a staggering 9,999 rooms. Adorned with paintings of dragons and phoenixes, carvings and inscriptions, it’s crowned by typically Chinese turned-up roofs with gold-hued tiles. Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest plaza and final resting place of Chairman Mao, holds a staggering 600,000 people. The immense Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven are stunning in their simplicity and laden with symbolism. And beyond the city lies the stupendous 4,000-mile Great Wall, the largest structure ever built by man and one of the new seven wonders of the world.

Two centuries before the founding of ancient Rome, Xian was already a world-class city and gateway to the Silk Road. Home to over a dozen dynasties, it houses the extraordinary 6,000-strong Terracotta Army. First discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, the life-size and remarkably preserved warriors all have their own individual features. They’ve guarded the tomb of the first Qin Emperor for more than two millennia.

Although on a much smaller scale than Beijing or Xian, Guilin has some of China’s most breath-taking scenery. Beautifully set around four lakes and two rivers, it’s surrounded by the stunning karst limestone scenery of lush forest-covered peaks and pinnacles. You’ll also visit the extraordinary Longshen Rice Terraces, carved into the hills in their thousands over centuries by the hands of Yao tribesmen.

In Chengdu, you’ll see some of the world’s most endangered and enchanting animals – Panda bears. This is the leading Panda research and breeding centre in China. We’ll visit them in the morning while they’re still active, and before they sleep for the rest of the day after eating their fill of bamboo.

Our relaxing three-day cruise on the Yangtze is a welcome change of pace as our five-star ship, the 428-foot long river cruiser RV Century Sun, navigates through the spectacular Three Gorges. There are wonderful views from the balcony of every cabin and the service onboard is just as perfect.

Shanghai, China’s wealthiest city, is an intoxicating mix of colonial tradition and modern economic dynamism. Occupied by the western powers during the 19th century, the riverside Bund became one of the greatest trading centres of the world. Today this lovingly restored waterfront contrasts with the forest of skyscrapers that cover the skyline – with more seeming to rise up every day.

But China is also home to one of the world’s great cuisines – with the ubiquitous Peking Duck from the north, chillies from the west and fruit and carp from the sub-tropical climate of the south. Real Chinese food is both a revelation and a gourmet paradise. In Britain our standard greeting is ‘How are you?’ In China, it’s ‘Have you eaten today?’

This tour is a remarkable journey of discovery of one of the world’s most ancient cultures, aspects of which are almost beyond our comprehension, blended with a remarkably stunning topography and a staggering pace of modernisation.

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport to take your overnight direct flight to Beijing.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN SHANGHAI Transfer to our hotel, the four-star superior Central Hotel for one night with breakfast. This evening we enjoy a fascinating stroll along the colonial ‘Bund’, Shanghai’s riverside promenade DAY 3 - TRAIN TO BEIJINGThis morning you experience a thrilling ride on China’s new 186mph high speed train service to Beijing. On arrival we transfer to our hotel, the four-star Mercure Downtown for three nights with breakfast.

DAY 4 - FORBIDDEN CITY Our first stop today is at Tiananmen Square, the largest in the world. Opposite is the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the entrance to the Forbidden City, where Chairman Mao announced the birth of the People’s Republic in 1949. Through the central arch, once reserved solely for the emperor himself, lies a different world. Spread over 250 acres, with 9,999 rooms, this, the world’s largest palace complex, was the seat of imperial power for 600 years.

Next, just below the Drum Tower, our cycle rickshaws await! This city still has its ‘Hutongs’, translated as alleyways, consisting of traditional one storey houses built around historic courtyards – still staggeringly housing 20% of Beijing’s residents, it’s a fast disappearing way of life in the modern city. Pedalling through these maze-like alleys, there is a very real sense of being transported back in time. After lunch we have a leisurely visit to the great Temple of Heaven.

The park surrounding the temple is full of locals, playing board games, dancing, playing music and singing. This full and fascinating day is rounded off with an optional visit to a performance of the famous Kung Fu show.

DAY 5 - THE GREAT WALL Today is one of the tour’s highlights as we drive towards the mountainous areas to the north and the aptly named Great Wall of China. The section you’ll see is at Mutianyu, a popular spot, but much less visited by the masses, so you can experience it at its best. We pass through farms, fruit orchards and then in the distance, we catch our first glimpse of the amazing Great Wall snaking like a sinuous dragon’s tail along the forested ridges above. The views from the top are simply superb: endless folds of hills and mountains in all directions – a wild landscape, as untamed as when the wall was built.

Returning to Beijing we visit the vast Summer Palace and take a relaxing boat ride on the huge man-made lake at its centre, overlooking 300 acres of beautiful formal gardens. This evening we enjoy the classic local dish in one of Beijing’s best restaurants: a Peking Duck banquet which in this, its purest form, takes chefs five years to learn the

roasting process and 15 years to master it!

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DAY 6 - XIAN After breakfast saying goodbye to Beijing, we take our short flight to Xian which prior to Beijing was the centre of Chinese culture for over 2,000 years, plus the start of the exotic Silk Route to the west. Our first stop is the city’s imposing Ming Dynasty walls, 60ft

thick, 40ft high and stretching for nine miles! We stay two nights at the four-

star Days Inn Hotel Xi’an.

DAY 7 - TERRACOTTA ARMY Another of the tour’s highlights is today’s visit to the stunning Terracotta Army. The

first Qin Emperor united China’s warring factions and began the construction of

the Great Wall. His mausoleum took 11 years to build but intriguingly the great earthen mound that covers it still remains unexcavated. Guarding it was his Terracotta Army. Drawn

up in traditional battle order, the vanguard consists of rows of archers and crossbowmen, followed by columns of infantry and chariots. Staggeringly, each figure is unique, lifelike and realistic, some even have potbellies! This evening you have the option to see the spectacular Tang Dynasty show, which interprets ancient Chinese myths through dance and music.

DAY 8 - GUILIN & LONGSHEN RICE TERRACES Today we fly to Guilin. We see

another of China’s great wonders: the Longshen Rice Terraces. Over

hundreds of years the ethnic Yao tribes have cut thousands of rice terraces into the steep hills and over every fold of the landscape. Our hotel for two nights in Guilin is the four-star Bravo Hotel with breakfast. Dinner is included tonight.

DAY 9 - LI RIVER CRUISE After breakfast we board our comfortable excursion boat for our cruise down the Li River - simply one of the most stunningly beautiful river journeys in the world. Majestically rising from the flat rice paddies surrounding the river, are literally thousands of conical-shaped limestone peaks and pinnacles covered in verdant tropical forests. A magical, fairytale landscape which has been celebrated for thousands of years by the greatest Chinese painters and poets. There’s always something interesting round every bend: you’ll see farmers tending their fields, swaying bamboo groves and water buffalo cooling off in the river. After our included lunch on board, you’ll have some free time to wander around the picturesque riverside town of Yangshuo. Its pedestrianised main street is lined with a variety of al-fresco cafés, restaurants and shops.

DAY 10 - FLY TO CHENGDU We fly to Chengdu for one night at the four-star superior Tianfu Sunshine Hotel with breakfast. This afternoon we walk through Jin Li Street, a recreation of a traditional shopping street, with plenty of local handicrafts and places to sit down and relax with some local green tea or coffee.

DAY 11 - CHENGDU Spread out over 200 acres, the Chengdu Panda Breeding & Research Centre has been beautifully landscaped with bamboo-shaded pathways leading to the large panda enclosures. It is the largest such centre in China and now houses over a hundred of these wonderfully photogenic creatures. One of the most popular stops is at the baby panda enclosure where there will usually be 3-4 youngsters playing, eating and climbing over specially constructed bamboo frames. You will also see the lesser-known arboreal red pandas, with their red and white faces and bushy stripy tails. After a light lunch at the centre, we return to Chengdu to walk through its main attraction, Jin Li Street, a recreation of a traditional shopping street, with plenty of local handicrafts and places to sit down and relax with some local green tea or coffee.

Longshen Rice Terraces

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YANGTZE THREE GORGES CRUISE – RV CENTURY SUNThis five star, 428-foot long river cruiser has 153 well-appointed outside cabins over four decks and offers a one-sitting restaurant, gift shops, a cigar lounge, library, and hair-salon, plus a spacious sundeck with bar and 360-degree views. There are also massage rooms, a small fitness area, spacious observation lounge and bar. Full board is included, buffet-style for breakfast and lunch, whilst dinner normally includes a wide variety of both western and Chinese dishes. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are included with meals. The cabins are a very spacious 26 square metres and well-appointed, with twin beds (doubles on request), bathroom, TV with BBC World and HBO, phone, safe, air-conditioning and large sliding glass doors leading to a small balcony. Onboard activities start with early-morning complimentary tea, coffee and pastries followed by tai chi on the sundeck and mah-jong classes, acupuncture and herbal medicine, plus other aspects of Chinese culture.

DAY 12 - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE After breakfast there is an optional visit to Fengdu ‘Ghost’ City or participate in some of the various activities on board. This afternoon we visit the remarkable Shibaozhai pagoda – rising twelve stories up a sheer cliff face, this delicate temple is an architectural jewel and inspirational for generations of artists.

DAY 13 - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE Today we enter Qutang, the first Yangtze gorge, continuing through the Wu Gorge just before lunch. This afternoon we transfer to a smaller riverboat

for a leisurely cruise upstream on one of the Yangtze’s Lesser Three Gorges, the Shennv or ‘Goddess’ Stream. This is a newly opened and less visited 15-km long tributary of the Yangtze with some truly spectacular views through very narrow gorges, surrounded by pristine jungle-clad sheer cliffs rising up to 300ft. Tonight it’s the Captain’s Farewell Banquet followed by dancing in the lounge. Afterwards, head out on deck to watch the ship passing through the five massive ship locks and watch in awe as the vast steel doors close behind us and our ship perceptively descends.

DAY 14 - THREE GORGES DAM Cruising downstream through the lower Xiling gorge towards the massive Three Gorges Dam, you must visit the viewing platform and fully appreciate the colossal size of this mammoth project. Disembarking at Yichang, we fly to Shanghai – an economic powerhouse since the British and French forced trading concessions from the Chinese back in the 19th century, its trade in opium, silk and tea, rapidly made it Asia’s most dynamic city. This remarkable city has risen again, becoming an extraordinary blend of colonial and ultra-modern. We stay three nights in the aptly named Central Hotel, perfectly

located right on Nanjing Road, just a ten minute stroll from the Bund (the famed waterfront) and People’s Square.

DAY 15 - SHANGHAIThis morning we have a short tour of the principal sights, including the Jade Buddha temple and the Yuyuan Gardens in the old quarter, passing by the old British Consulate, the Bund’s oldest building. This evening you have the option to attend the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

DAY 16 - RETURN FLIGHTThis morning we catch the world’s fastest train, the Maglev, on our way to Shanghai’s Pudong airport for our direct flight home, arriving later the same day.

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13 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,999

Discover the very best of Japan’s stunning temples and shrines, intriguing pagodas, manicured gardens, fast-paced cities, incredible cuisine and outstanding natural beauty

JA PA N L A N D OF T H E R I S I N G S U N

• Return direct scheduled flights. Premium economy upgrades available at a supplement• Stay in hand-picked four-star hotels, with daily breakfast and three meals• See the famous sights of Tokyo - the Meiji shrine, Omotesando Street, fashion-setting Harajuku and the Akihabara electronic town• Visit the stunning Nikko National Park, with its outstanding Shogun-era architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site• Enjoy astonishing views of Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi and the hotspring mountain spa resort of Hakone• Travel at 189 mph on the incomparable bullet trains

• Reflect on the horrors of war at Hiroshima's Peace Park and museum• Experience the spectacular 300-foot Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji• Guided tour of Kyoto, former Imperial capital and the essence of traditional Japan• Guided tour of Nara, Japan’s first capital with its huge bronze Buddha• Opportunity to stay the night in a ‘Ryokan’, a traditional Japanese Inn• Opportunity to learn origami, traditional flower arranging or Japanese cooking• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Mount Fuji and the Bullet Train

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Japan - an ancient culture of emperors, fierce shoguns, samurais and brutal martial arts. Yet it’s also a place of gentle geishas, colourful kimonos, exquisite garden design and Zen

Buddhism. How did a country so deeply rooted in such diverse heritage become one of the most modern and advanced economies on the planet? Pondering such questions is what makes a trip to Japan so incredibly rewarding. Having travelled there once, you’ll feel almost hypnotically drawn back to this truly enigmatic country.

Japan’s roots lie in an ancient feudal culture, with many customs from these times still pervading modern society. The Portuguese and Jesuit missionaries arrived in the 16th century and by all accounts, they were initially treated well, mainly because the Japanese were impressed with their new technology – firearms. Despite trading together successfully for nearly a century, Christianity and western ideas were deemed to be undermining the social order and the Portuguese were expelled. All contact with outsiders was banned for over 200 years. The only country on earth to have been so completely isolated from all external influences, Japanese art and culture developed in its own unique way, until pressure from the US finally broke down the barriers in the 1850’s.

It’s this unique development of its culture which makes Japan so utterly fascinating today. Inevitably, we harbour preconceptions about its complex etiquette, but you need not worry! The Japanese are a truly welcoming people and allowances are made for us ‘strange’ foreigners! Our tour is designed so you not only see the best of Japan, but come home having started to understand it.

Our tour covers three of Japan's capitals, both past and present. You’ll ride on a high speed bullet train past iconic Mt. Fuji, one of the most instantly recognisable places on the planet. You’ll have the option to stay at a typical Japanese inn, bathe in a hot spring, and see the spot where the first atom bomb was detonated. With longer stays in both Tokyo and Kyoto, you’ll have a unique opportunity to get right under the skin of this extraordinary country.

In Tokyo – the archetypal mega-city – you’ll see its most fascinating districts, including the shopping and entertainment mecca of Ginza. It might sometimes seem as if its entire thirteen million inhabitants are all simultaneously trying to get on the same metro train – but everything runs on time and everyone is faultlessly polite. The mountains north of the city are home to one of Japan's most scenic areas, Nikko National Park, relatively unknown outside Japan. Surrounded by breathtaking lakes, waterfalls, forests and hot springs, you’ll visit one of the country's most extraordinary shrines - dedicated to one of its greatest Shogun warriors.

Kyoto, the capital city for over a thousand years - and still considered to be its cultural heart - has carefully retained far more of historical Japan than any other major city. With exquisite shrines, temples, Zen gardens and traditional handicrafts such as ceramics, lacquer-ware, calligraphy and woodblock prints, Kyoto is a treasure-trove waiting to be discovered. We have four nights here and a whole day free in the city, so you'll have plenty of time to explore to your heart's content. You might visit a private

home discovering the traditional arts of origami, flower arranging or Japanese cuisine, or opt to spend an unforgettable night in a ‘Ryokan’, a typical Japanese inn. We also visit Nara, Japan’s first capital, dating back to the eighth century. Here, traditional culture first took root and it is famous for its great Buddhist monuments and time-honoured festivals.

Hiroshima is forever destined to be synonymous with the world's first use of an atomic bomb. Your visit to the Peace

Memorial Park and museum, with the shattered remains of the nearby dome

marking the epicentre of the resultant blast, will be an unforgettable experience.

Japan, like Europe, has four very distinct and wonderful seasons. Winter can be very cold, but springtime, with pink cherry blossom hanging heavy on millions of trees, is considered a great time to visit. May and June are quieter and warmer, with flowers and plants in full bloom in countless gardens. July and August are the festival months, time of colourful processions, whilst autumn is breathtaking, with the vibrant red and orange hues of maple trees everywhere you look.

Japanese food is increasingly being rightfully recognised as one of the world’s

great cuisines and it goes way beyond just sushi… with teppanyaki, teriyaki, sashimi, yakitori, udon noodles, and a huge variety of sake rice wine. Utilising the freshest possible ingredients cooked without oils, fats or butter, it is a revelation. Even the famous “bento box” packed lunches, available at any railway station, are wonderful to look at, very tasty and excellent value. Despite what you may have heard, restaurants in Japan are certainly no more expensive than at home.

So place preconceptions aside and visit Japan on the tour of a lifetime. Prepare for wonderful service, the world’s politest people and a true assault on the senses. Immerse yourself in this extraordinary culture of contrasts, where the neon lights and gadgetry of huge futuristic cities live side by side with thousand-year old ceremonies, shrines and hot spas.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE You arrive at the airport for your overnight direct flight to Tokyo.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN TOKYO On our arrival, we transfer to our hotel, the excellent four-star New Otani, for four nights with breakfast. Perfectly located in the heart of Tokyo, close to the Japanese parliament, the nearest metro stop is just a couple of minutes' walk allowing you explore at ease (all station names are given in English). In addition to a wide variety of dining options the hotel has a charming traditional garden. The air-conditioned Garden Tower rooms have hairdryer, TV, safe and

minibar. This afternoon we have our first taste of Tokyo with a short orientation walk in the

surrounding area, with rest of your first day to relax after the flight.

DAY 3 - TOKYO This morning we commence the exploration of Japan's

capital and largest city. At first glance, Tokyo might seem similar to

other great Asian cities like Singapore or Shanghai, with its gleaming

glass skyscrapers and busy, fashionable shops. But

you'll soon begin to notice some of the many fascinating

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differences – like the spotlessly clean and surprisingly quiet streets. There's no beeping of horns here, that would be far too impolite!

Our first stop is the famous Shinto Meiji shrine, dedicated to one of its past emperors. Set in outstandingly lush parkland, this is a working religious site where you may be lucky enough to see a typical Japanese marriage underway. Then we move on to some of Tokyo's most renowned quarters, including Omotesando Street, Tokyo’s 'Rodeo Drive', full of luxury brand shops. Then there’s the Harajuku area where teenagers sport the latest outrageous fashions and the Akihabara electronic town, home to one of the first stores devoted to personal robots. We savour some Japanese cuisine at our included lunch.

DAY 4 - NIKKO NATIONAL PARK Today we drive north of the city passing through delightful farmland and small towns towards the great spine of mountains running the length of Honshu, Japan’s largest island.

We soon arrive at the Nikko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with some of the best Shogun-era architecture in the country. Dating from the 17th century, built by thousands

of skilled craftsmen, and dedicated to one of the country's greatest Shoguns, the unique and dazzling Toshogu shrine consists of a complex of wonderful shrines, gates and pagodas full of astonishingly intricate wood carvings and rich paintings. This is one of Japan’s most revered pilgrimage sites both for Buddhism and Shinto. After an included lunch, we continue to the 300-foot Kegon Falls and the serene waters of Lake Chuzenji, formed after a volcanic eruption around 20,000 years ago and a fine example of the famed natural beauty of the Japanese landscape. We return to Tokyo in the late afternoon.

DAY 5 - TOKYO This morning we visit Tokyo’s Asakusa district. Full of traditional small houses and shops, it’s a unique insight into the Tokyo of a hundred years ago. We will then transfer by boat down the Sumida River to Ginza, widely recognised as one of the world’s most luxurious shopping destinations. It’s brimming with ultra-modern department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses. Your afternoon is free to shop, explore, or perhaps indulge in some fascinating people-watching.

Another option is to head to the Tokyo National Museum, just a few stops on the metro. Here you’ll find the world’s largest collection of Japanese art, with pottery, painting and prints, textiles, fashion and oriental antiquities.

DAY 6 - MOUNT FUJI & HAKONE Saying goodbye to Tokyo we drive towards Mt. Fuji, probably Japan’s most instantly recognisable sight. Fringed by thick forests and a crescent-shaped ring of shimmering lakes, we are presented with one of the world’s greatest and most spectacular views. We visit two

of these beautiful lakes to give you the best chance of appreciating and enjoying the stunning panorama from two different angles – and some of life’s most amazing photo opportunities. Our first stop is at Lake Kawaguchi, well known to the Japanese but as yet undiscovered by most foreign visitors. Next we head south to explore the fascinating mountain resort of Hakone. Descending to the smooth dark blue waters of Lake Ashi, we take a cruise on a rather unusual Japanese version of an early 19th century pirate ship. From here, especially on a clear day, the views of Mt. Fuji are one of the world’s greatest panoramas.

Arriving at the four-star Hakone Hotel, we stay for one night with breakfast and dinner. The entire area here is geo-thermally active, and provides the perfect opportunity to try one of Japan's unmissable experiences – bathing in an 'onsen', a hot spring at our very own hotel.

DAY 7 - BULLET TRAIN This morning we travel to Hiroshima on Japan's iconic gleaming white bullet train. With reclining seats, plenty of legroom, air conditioned comfort and speeds up to 189 mph, this is an incomparable way to travel. Arriving at lunchtime, we’re on our way to one of the country’s most distinctive views on the nearby small island of Miyajima. A huge red 'Torii' gate sits just offshore; widely celebrated, at high tide it appears to float between the sea and sky. This popular little island is easy to explore on foot. It has a relaxed holiday atmosphere, lots of interesting shops and a covered market. Returning to Hiroshima, we stay the night at the four-star ANA Crowne Plaza or the Sheraton Hiroshima.

DAY 8 - HIROSHIMA There’s a sobering reminder of the horrors of war this morning as we visit Hiroshima's Peace Park and museum, displaying the remains of the only building to survive the atomic bomb blast of August 1945. The city has been completely rebuilt and there are no signs left of the devastation of that fateful day. Yet you may notice a small digital counter indicating the number of days since the last atomic test - it's surprisingly recent.

Tunnels of Torii Gates

This afternoon we leave Hiroshima by coach to the old imperial capital of Kyoto. En route we’ll visit the superb Korakuen garden at Okayama – built in 1700 and renowned as one of Japan’s most exquisite gardens, with lawns, lakes, wooden bridges and shrines and teahouses! Our hotel for four nights in Kyoto is the centrally located four-star Royal Hotel and Spa, with breakfast.

DAY 9 - KYOTO This morning is one of the real highlights of the tour as we explore some of the overwhelming treasures of Japan’s most revered city. First is the spectacular and beautiful Golden Pavilion, dating from the classical Muromachi age of Japanese temple design, perfectly overlooking its lake and garden. The whole of the upper floors, covered in gold leaf, glow in the morning light with an almost blinding intensity. Nearby is the Ryoan-ji temple, or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace, home to Japan's most famous Zen garden, consisting of fifteen rocks surrounded by white gravel carefully raked by monks daily. As a complete change we then move on to the amazing Arashiyama bamboo forest - experiencing an almost other-worldly feel as the light streams through the tall green columns of bamboo, up to 30 feet high!

Yet another iconic Kyoto monument is next - Nijo Castle. Set at the heart of the city and built in the 17th century, it's famous for its wooden floors remarkably designed to creak like a nightingale’s song, thus warning its occupants of any impending stealthy attack!

Finally we take a walking tour through Kyoto's Gion district. Here is the classic image of Japan; streets of wooden houses, the unmistakable sound of wooden sandals reverberating on the pavements, bright, silk-clad geishas, cherry trees and a host of traditional restaurants.

DAY 10 - NARA Capital city before Kyoto, Nara is just a few miles south. Firstly we see one of the country's most iconic shrines, made from thousands of red Torii gates forming two extraordinary vermilion-

coloured wooden tunnels up a hillside. Arriving at Nara you'll be greeted by the dozens of tame deer considered for centuries to be messengers of the gods. The main sight though is the amazing Todai-ji temple, astonishingly the world’s largest wooden structure. Housing a huge bronze Buddha, this is a truly inspiring sight and just one of Nara’s several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

DAY 11 - FREE DAY IN KYOTOYou’re free today to explore and discover the many delights and attractions of Kyoto. There are still more enchanting temples to see - like the 15th century Silver Pavilion and the even older Eikando temple, marvels of architectural and garden design within an easy walk of each other along the charming Philosopher's Path. Other delightful options are a lesson in origami, flower arranging, dressing as a geisha or learning to cook a typical Japanese meal. All of these unique experiences can be arranged by your tour manager in local homes – a wonderful way to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Tonight you also have the option of staying in a Ryokan, a typical Japanese inn. You’ll sleep on a rolled out futon with tatami matting on the floor. You’ll also enjoy a traditional 'kaiseki' multi-course dinner. Beautifully prepared and served, it’s just as stunning to look at as it is to eat. This is subject to availability and needs to be pre-booked, please mention at time of booking. From £109 per person (single supplement from £156).

DAY 12 - BULLET TRAIN After a last free morning at leisure, we take our bullet train to Tokyo staying overnight at the four-star Excel Tokyu near the airport.

DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHT We fly directly back to the UK, arriving later the same day, with memories of an incomparable tour full of the most extraordinary insights and experiences that Japan has to offer.

Miyajima

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16 DAYS

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£1,899

Visit the major sights of Vietnam and Cambodia, the very essence of Indochina, experiencing their captivating blend of French colonial history,

unique local culture and beautiful rural scenery

V I E T NA M & C A M B ODI A

• Return direct scheduled flights • Premium economy upgrades available at a supplement• Four and five-star hotel accommodation with breakfast, plus five meals• Stay and tour Phnom Penh, ‘Pearl of Asia’ and considered the most beautiful of Indochina’s French colonial cities• Visit the vast ancient city and temples of Cambodia’s Angkor, one of the world’s greatest ancient sites• Tour of Vietnam’s beautiful capital Hanoi by cycle rickshaw, including the Temple of Literature, its wide tree-lined avenues, colonial belle-époque villas and Ho Chi Minh’s thought-provoking mausoleum

• Take a leisurely cruise aboard a converted Chinese junk in Halong Bay• Visit the awe-inspiring Citadel and Forbidden City in Hue• Stay in the heart of exciting Saigon visiting the fascinating Cu-Chi tunnels, the huge former Vietcong underground stronghold and a poignant reminder of the US-Vietnam conflict• Be inspired by the hauntingly beautiful countryside, with shimmering rice-paddies studded with gentle buffalo tended by conical hat adorned farmers• Enjoy a full day trip on the mighty Mekong River delta, the world’s 10th largest river system• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Angkor Wat

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The overwhelming image retained by visitors to Vietnam is that of a country blessed with an extraordinary beauty. It’s a mosaic of mist-shrouded mountains, vibrant green

forests, a patch-work of rice paddies and pristine white beaches, whilst its villages and cities are custodians of the culture and monuments of a unique 2,000 year old civilisation.

A journey through some of the delightful countryside is like stepping back in time: farmers bent double underneath their traditional conical hats work in fields stretching into the distance, whilst docile water buffalo methodically plough the rice paddies. On the roads there are bicycles being ridden to market, over-loaded with everything from huge sacks of rice to an imponderable number of ducks! Lining the riverbanks are wooden houses, balancing precariously on stilts and thatched with palm leaves.

Vietnam has a long and chequered past: for 2,000 years it was ruled by the Chinese, the Khmers, Mongols, Portuguese and the Japanese. They all left their legacies in the temples and Pagodas, together with palaces, fortresses and innumerable other buildings in every style imaginable. It was then colonised by the French, whose contribution was cathedrals, fine mansions, neo-classical public buildings, not forgetting excellent baguettes and pastries – an eclectic mix! Many visitors also inevitably recall the US-Vietnam war – who could forget those dramatic images of the frantic helicopter flights from the roof of the US embassy?

In the past few years Vietnam has opened its doors to the world and much has changed. Today, in one of the world’s last communist countries, the motorcycles and western dress of the industrious youth happily co-exist with orange-clad Buddhist monks and political posters from a different era. Visitors are invariably impressed by the development of excellent hotels and services in all the major centres and the much-improved road network.

Hanoi and Saigon still retain a French flavour in their pavement cafés, architecture and wide tree-lined boulevards. In Hue, the former imperial capital, we see the amazing Citadel and its imperial Forbidden City, modelled on Beijing. Contorted by years of erosion, we’ll also explore the staggeringly beautiful rock formations of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

But Vietnam is more than just history and scenery. It also boasts a world-class gastronomic heritage: a delicious fusion of Malay, Chinese and Thai cuisines. With plenty of French-run restaurants thrown in for good measure, all at excellent prices, you really are in for a treat! The Vietnamese themselves are a wonderfully friendly people, always smiling, courteous and proud to show off their beautiful country to all.

Our tour in Cambodia includes a stay in the capital, Phnom Penh. Beautifully located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh, with its vibrant riverside ambience, is one of the ‘hidden gems’ of Asian cities. After being virtually completely depopulated during Pol Pot’s regime, the city is now full of life and thriving once more. A short flight away is the town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the incredible complex of temples within the ancient city of Angkor. At its height in the thirteenth century, Angkor had a staggering one million inhabitants, larger in area than Manhattan. It was the capital of the fabulously wealthy Khmer Empire that stretched from Thailand, through Laos and Cambodia to southern Vietnam. The incredible state of preservation, the beauty of its design and artistry of its sculptures have, for many, made Angkor one of the great wonders of the world.

Vietnam and Cambodia are countries in flux, but bicycles and mopeds still outnumber cars by 100 to 1, so now is the time to visit these most fascinating and colourful destinations, whilst so much of their unique character and traditions are still in evidence!

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE You should arrive at Heathrow airport to take your overnight direct flight to Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN HANOIAfter our morning arrival, we transfer to the five-star Melia Hotel, for three nights on bed and breakfast. This is a fabulous hotel with three restaurants, lovely pool, fitness centre and all the facilities you would expect from a major international property. We have a wonderful introduction to Hanoi on our trip into the city’s old town by cycle rickshaws with time for some lunch before returning to our hotel. The rest of the

day is at leisure.

DAY 3 - HANOI Today we explore Hanoi, past and present. The French created this gorgeous colonial city of tree lined avenues, belle epoque villas, grand public buildings and an Opera house, all built around more than a dozen enchanting lakes. This graceful scene blends beautifully with its old quarter, a tangle of narrow streets, the commercial heart of the city for hundreds of years and now full of tiny shops, pagodas and the ever-present populace astride their bicycles and mopeds.

During our guided tour we also see the beautiful Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and Vietnam’s first university, and the imposing marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh himself, embalmed and eerily on display. This afternoon is free for you to explore this beautiful city as you wish. You could even visit a traditional water puppet show - a real spectacle where, as the name suggests, with the aid of fireworks and music, folk stories are played out by skilful puppeteers.

DAY 4 - HALONG BAY CRUISE Today we visit Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Leaving Hanoi, we enter a timeless landscape of rice paddies, following the Red River delta to the emerald seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. Just offshore, some 3,000 limestone islands and outcrops rise almost vertically from the sea, forming one of the most extraordinary and spectacular bays in the world.

As we board our converted Chinese junk and glide along the jade-green waters it’s not hard to imagine how the myths of their creation began: a dragon is said to have plunged into the sea and its thrashing tail sculpted the craggy islands. We visit some of the vast and beautifully illuminated caves and grottoes before having lunch on board. We return to Hanoi late afternoon.

DAY 5 - HUE Today we fly south to Danang and then drive over the stunning scenery of the Hai Van Pass before descending to Hue, Vietnam’s last royal capital and its traditional centre of religion, culture and education. It’s one of the country’s most beautiful small towns, bisected by the serene Perfume River and dominated by its immense Citadel. This houses the ancient capital, encircled by an amazing 6 miles

of high, 65 foot-thick walls and a moat. Tonight we stay for two nights on bed and

breakfast basis at the excellent five-star Imperial Hotel Hue.

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DAY 6 - HUE IMPERIAL CITY This morning we start with a leisurely river cruise to the magnificent seven-storied Thien Mu pagoda, a working Buddhist shrine, affording beautiful views towards the mountains on the border with Laos. We then visit the incredible complex of the Citadel and within it, the Imperial City. We see the Palace of Supreme Harmony, which contained the emperor’s throne and was the site of the most important official ceremonies and functions. Everything is painted in the royal colours of red and gold and the whole building is a stunning example of the magnificent lifestyle enjoyed by the Vietnamese royal family.

In the afternoon we visit Emperor Tu Duc’s mausoleum. More interested in poetry than running the country, Tu Duc’s lifestyle suggests he had plenty of free time - he had 104 wives, 50-course meals and tea made from the dewdrops of lotus blossoms! It took 3,000 workers three years to build his amazing mausoleum, which includes a large lake, pavilions and a theatre. Lunch is included today and the evening is at leisure.

DAY 7 - SAIGON Today we fly to Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as the locals still insist on calling it. Brash and boisterous, it has real zest for life. Built virtually from scratch by the French, on a bend of the wide Saigon River, we stay three nights on bed and breakfast at the excellent, five-star Equatorial Hotel. Saigon is Vietnam’s culinary capital offering a very wide variety of excellent dining experiences, from top class restaurants in swish luxury hotels to French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Indian options, plus everything in between.

DAY 8 - CU CHI TUNNELS This will be a day to remember! We visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a complex underground network stretching for 200 kilometres, which included hospitals, meeting rooms, sleeping quarters and kitchens. Begun during the last

years of French rule and vastly expanded during the 1960’s, the tunnels provided a base for the Vietcong from which to attack US forces within just 30 miles of Saigon. Our visit here is a fascinating insight into these times: we see the tunnels themselves and examples of the many mantraps and stake pits which protected them. Despite being carpet-bombed, the tunnels were never really penetrated and should you wish, you may even try out real period weapons on a firing range.

We continue through rural farming communities back to Saigon. In the afternoon our city tour covers all the major sights including the colonial-style central post office, the cathedral and the Reunification Palace where famously in 1975, a

tank burst through its gates in the final defining moment of the Vietnam War. We also see the War Remnants Museum and the lively Ben Thanh market, a fascinating insight into Saigon daily life - you can find anything here, all at extremely good prices!

DAY 9 - MEKONG RIVER DELTA Today we drive out of Saigon towards the great Mekong River delta. The first stop is at one of the many islands where we walk through a typical village and try out several different types of tropical fruit that are grown in the area. Travelling in small boats we continue our exploration through the narrow canals by visiting the aptly named Coconut Island, where locals specialise in producing rice paper, coconut cakes and other local delicacies.

Dappled sunlight filters through the wide leaves of the mangroves as we arrive at a typical local restaurant for lunch of local Mekong specialities, including the famous and delicious deep-fried elephant ear fish! We return to Saigon in the afternoon.

DAY 10 - FLY TO PHNOM PENH Our last morning in Vietnam and we have just enough time for a morning walk round Saigon centre, a coffee and a delicious pastry in one of the many cafés before taking the short flight to Phnom Penh and our hotel, the centrally-located four-star Himawari Hotel for two nights on bed and breakfast.

DAY 11 - PHNOM PENH Today we’ll visit the majestic Royal Palace with its silver pagoda and the fascinating National Museum. After lunch in a local restaurant, we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum – originally a school, turned into the country’s most notorious prison by the Khmer Rouge, it now charts the terrible suffering during their occupation of the city. Finally there’s time for a stop at one of the local markets before we return to our hotel for the evening.

Pho Bo

DAY 12 - FLY TO SIEM REAPWe leave for the airport and our short flight to Siem Reap, staying three nights at the five-star Angkor Palace Resort and Spa on bed and breakfast, it is extremely comfortable with two restaurants, a large pool and spa.

DAY 13 - ANGKOR Today we see the haunting soft morning light rise over the eerie temples of Angkor. Surrounded by jungle, shrouded in mist with a tropical dawn chorus reverberating in the air, this is something you will never forget! We visit the huge fortified 13th century city of Angkor Thom, with its five monumental gates, and 300-foot wide moat - its centre containing one of Angkor's most remarkable sites, the temple of Bayon. Crowned by over fifty towers, each with four enormous carved heads looking out in every direction, this is an awe-inspiring masterpiece of Khmer art. We'll also visit the smaller temple of Ta Prohm which has been left in its natural, unrestored state, with giant tropical trees bursting through the ruins, their roots clinging like vast tentacles across the walls and roofs. After lunch at a local restaurant and late in the afternoon we see the massive temple of Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious structures in the world. The main entrance faces due west to catch the rose-red glow of the setting sun a truly magical time of day.

DAY 14 - FREE DAY IN SIEM REAP Today we have left free for you to return to the many monuments of Angkor, explore Siem Reap or relax around the attractive pool at the hotel. Alternatively, you could take an interesting tour to the nearby lake of Tonle Sap to visit a floating village, subject to water levels.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHT At the appropriate time you will be taken to the airport for your return flight via Saigon (change of aircraft) connecting to our homeward direct flight to Heathrow.

DAY 16 - ARRIVE BACK HOME We arrive back in the UK in the morning after a truly unforgettable tour.

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

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15 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,699

17 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£2,059

Enjoy the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ in the north, travel on the upper reaches of the Mekong and experience the beauty of Laos before seeing

the River Kwai and a five-star stay on a tropical beach

T H A I L A N D & L AO S

• A superb tour combining two of Asia’s most enchanting countries, with amazing scenery, wonderful cultural legacies and some of the world’s most engaging people• Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham• Premium economy flight upgrades available from Heathrow• Stay in four and five-star hotels, including a charming riverside eco-lodge• Visit the poignant WWII memorial at Hellfire Pass on Burma’s ‘Death Railway’, travelling by train over the infamous ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’• Stay in vibrant Bangkok visiting the Grand Palace and stunning golden Wat Pho temple

• Travel through Thailand’s famed scenic countryside, tracing the Kingdom’s history to Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, two of its most significant historical sites • Tour the unspoilt beauty of northern Thailand and the Golden Triangle close to the Burmese border• Spend three days relaxing on the tropical shores of the Gulf of Thailand at the excellent five-star Dusit Thani Resort• Extend your tour and explore Luang Prabang, the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site in Laos, acknowledged as SE Asia’s best preserved colonial town• Daily breakfast and eight meals included• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

Wat Arun Temple

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the surrounding hills. Stroll along ‘food street’, a long narrow lane full of sizzling barbequed Mekong fish,

multi-coloured salads, noodles and vegetables, all freshly prepared in a vibrant kaleidoscope of

colour, rushed activity and mouth-watering aromas.

One of the real highlights of any visit to Asia is its cuisine. You’ll have plenty of chances to sample some typically Thai and Lao dishes, both in your hotels and at the bustling food stalls at the night markets, especially in Chiang Rai and Hua Hin. Bangkok has virtually every kind of cuisine you could wish for, whilst Luang Prabang is famed for its excellent restaurants offering a fusion of

French and Asian menus.It’s no surprise that Thailand is known

as the land of smiles – the people are genuinely friendly, polite and welcoming. So

come with us and explore the cultures, scenery, cuisine and people of these two amazing and very

different countries.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE You should arrive at the airport for your overnight flight to Bangkok.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN BANGKOKYou transfer to the excellent four-star Rembrandt Hotel for two nights with breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the excellent pool and restaurants at your hotel. Exploring the city is easy, as the hotel provides a tuk tuk shuttle service to the busy stalls and shops of Sukhumvit Road.

DAY 3 - BANGKOKBangkok is a truly amazing city with ‘must sees’ being its spectacular Grand Palace, plus the most important of all Thai Buddhist monuments, Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Palace is Bangkok’s most famous landmark, for 150 years the Siamese Kings’ home and seat of government. Adjacent is Bangkok’s largest temple, the astonishing Wat Pho, famed for its huge 46-metre long reclining Buddha, staggeringly completely covered with gold leaf. You’ll also discover Bangkok’s delightful klongs (canals), explored by small boat, which surprisingly quickly lead to an enchanting water-borne world, full of verdant orchards, palm trees and picturesque paddy fields.

Our fascinating Thailand and Laos tour combines one of Asia’s best-loved destinations with its least well known neighbour. We also explore some of

the lesser known corners of Thailand - the scenic far north and the Golden Triangle, as well as the haunting remains of the Burma-Thailand railway. We finish by spending some wonderfully relaxing days on the beaches of the Gulf of Thailand. Selected departures continue to Luang Prabang in Laos - with its quaint French colonial buildings and a charmingly slow pace of life set in a charming riverside location on the upper reaches of the Mekong.

Bangkok is one of Asia’s most vibrant cities. Outwardly it’s ultra-modern, with soaring glass skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls, yet at heart it’s a traditional Buddhist society, full of hushed street corner shrines and neighbourhoods of small houses nestling around communal courtyards. We visit all the major sights including the extensive Grand Palace, home of the revered Royal Family, site of the amazing Emerald Buddha, as well as discovering the city’s more intimate riverside life.

Heading west to the province of Kanchanaburi, better known by its most famous river, the Kwai, you’ll see the poignant site of the Bridge over the River Kwai. This was just one of many bridges, viaducts, cuttings and embankments built under horrific conditions by thousands of Commonwealth POWs on the 415-mile ‘Death Railway’ between Thailand and Burma. You’ll cross the bridge itself and visit Hellfire Pass: a walk along the huge railway cutting is a deeply moving experience.

Remarkably, Thailand was the only country in SE Asia not colonised by the West, so an exploration of its unique history is an intriguing journey: our tour visits Ayutthaya, the ancient capital city of Siam for five centuries. Going back in time even further to Thailand’s golden age we’ll discover the ancient 13th century Sukhothai kingdom, exploring some of the most interesting sites in its beautifully maintained Historical Park.

Chiang Rai, bordering Burma and Laos, is located in Thailand’s beautiful ‘Golden Triangle’. Once the centre of extensive illicit opium production, today the region’s ethnic communities have transformed their way of life – mainly through the efforts of the present King’s mother. A keen gardener, she supervised the creation of a beautifully landscaped garden that’s arguably Thailand’s finest. The cooler temperate climate is perfect for a huge range of highland flora, including rare orchids.

One of the highlights is the two days we spend in the hills just outside the city of Chiang Mai, the slightly higher elevation affording a welcome respite from the tropical temperatures. A walk through the old city gives a glimpse of its glorious past as capital of the 18th century Lanna Kingdom. You’ll visit Chiang Mai’s most famous temple, Doi Suthep, with its superb views and there will also be time to relax in our beautiful resort.

Then we fly back down to Bangkok and drive to the Gulf of Thailand for three relaxing days on the tropical shores of Hua Hin at the five-star Dusit Thani Resort.

On selected dates we explore Thailand’s lesser known neighbour, Laos. After decades of isolation under communist rule, Laos has gradually opened up and is wonderfully devoid of mass tourism – it’s like stepping back in time! Luang Prabang is its cultural capital – it’s a unique and remarkable blend of traditional Lao wooden buildings and intricately decorated temples with delightful French colonial villas. At dusk, the main street metamorphoses into a charming open-air market attracting the many minority tribes from

DAY 4 - FLOATING MARKETFrom Bangkok we set off on our tour of Thailand to see one of the most iconic images we have of the ‘Land of Smiles’ - the famous Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak. The jostling boats are filled with colourful flowers, fruit, food and drink, plying their trade as they have done for centuries. We soon arrive at the River Kwai, immortalised by David Lean’s iconic film. Constructing the bridge was just one of many tasks set for the thousands of allied POWs as they laboured to build the infamous ‘Death Railway’ under the most terrible of conditions. We visit the Chong Kai War Cemetery, on the site of a hospital and prisoner of war camp. We stay for two nights with breakfast at the lovely riverside eco-friendly River Kwai Resotel, surrounded by jungle.

DAY 5 - RIVER KWAIThis morning we board the local train which travels along the line and viaducts built by the POWs. We continue upcountry by road to Hellfire Pass – a deep railway cutting only 300ft long, although it took Allied POWs more than three months to dig it out of solid rock, working 18 hours a day. A thousand Australian and British servicemen toiled here, with just 300 surviving. A trail leads to the pass where you can observe the simple black granite memorial. The excellent museum is operated by the Australian Office of War Graves and has some very poignant testimonies.

DAY 6 - AYUTTHAYAToday we arrive at the ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya. This was Thailand’s capital up to 1767, when an invading Burmese army razed the city to the ground. During our tour of the city you’ll see some of the ancient palaces and temples, now lovingly preserved, as well as some more modern sites such as the beautiful Summer Palace, built in the late 19th Century. We spend the night at the four-star Classic Kameo Hotel with breakfast.

DAY 7 - SUKHOTHAIOur journey into Thailand’s history continues as we drive north to the ancient capital of Sukhothai. The Sukhothai kingdom ruled up to the mid-1400s – a time during which the Thai alphabet was

created and Buddhism was established as the official religion of the kingdom. The Historical Park has some of the most striking ancient temples in the country. Our hotel is the four-star Legendha, with breakfast.

DAY 8 - LAMPANG & CHIANG RAIContinuing our journey we head for Thailand’s most northern province of Chiang Rai. Today we break our journey in the small friendly town of Lampang, where

we have a traditional sightseeing tour by horse carriage. Onwards to Chiang Rai, we arrive at the four-star Dusit Island Resort in the afternoon for a two nights with breakfast.

DAY 9 - GOLDEN TRIANGLEToday we explore the rainforest-covered hills deep in Chiang Rai province where the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s mother spent many years overseeing numerous projects developing new crops, thus enabling villagers to eradicate opium cultivation. We visit her Royal Villa with its museum and delightful gardens at Doi Tung.

Thailand’s most northerly point is the small market town of Mae Sai and with Burma just across a small river, its streets are crammed with remarkably priced Burmese sarongs, puppets and intricate embroidery. This afternoon we explore the nearby Golden Triangle where the Mekong and the Ruak rivers meet, as do the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma, with a huge glistening Golden Buddha on the riverside. Just downstream is the ancient city of Chiang Saen, a fascinating juxtaposition of centuries-old ruined city walls and temples, sitting ‘cheek by jowl’ with modern day villagers’ homes.

DAY 10 - CHIANG MAIThis morning we see the work of one of the province’s most famous sons and now one of Thailand’s foremost artists, Chalermchai Kositpipat. His remarkable White Temple, is undoubtedly Thailand’s most unusual – it’s mostly white and silver with just one room of another colour: the public toilet, which is gold! Then we travel across to the ‘New City’, Chiang Mai, founded in 1296. After a brief tour of the city we head to our home in the hills for two nights with breakfast, the delightful four-star superior Panviman Resort, in the Mae Rim valley.

DAY 11 - FREE DAY IN CHIANG MAIThe entire day is at leisure to enjoy the many facilities of our hotel. The resort has a 24 hour buggy service to help you get around the extensive hillside grounds. Temperatures here in the hills are 5 to 6 degrees cooler than in the city, and despite this being tropical Thailand, between November and February it can be a little chilly in the mornings and evenings, so be sure to bring a warm cardigan or pullover with you.

Wat Pho

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Death Railway

DAY 12 - HUA HINA short visit this morning to Chiang Mai’s most famous temple, Doi Suthep, with its spectacular views across the city. We take a short domestic flight back to Bangkok, from where we head for the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, spending three relaxing nights at the superb five-star Dusit Thani, with breakfast, near the beach resort of Hua Hin. For many years this was the resort of choice for the Thai Royal family, who have a palace nearby. The town is known for its vibrant night market and numerous fish restaurants. The Dusit Thani is a 10 minute drive away, set in lush tropical gardens and boasting three restaurants, two superb pools and excellent spa. There are several world-class golf courses close by.

DAY 13 & DAY 14 - FREE DAYSTwo full days at leisure to enjoy the wonderful pool and facilities at your hotel.

DAY 15 - RETURN FLIGHTToday we transfer to Bangkok airport for your return flight, arriving later the same day for Heathrow flights.

DAY 16 - ARRIVE HOMEManchester and Birmingham flights arrive back this morning.

LAOS EXTENSION

On selected departures our tour continues to Luang Prabang in Laos for two nights. DAY 15 - FLIGHT TO LAOSA morning transfer from Hua Hin to Bangkok Airport for the short flight to Luang Prabang. After checking

in at the three-star superior Luang Prabang View Hotel there’s a short city tour and the more energetic can climb the 328 steps of Mt Phousi to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the small city and surrounding countryside. At the base of the stairs you can explore the charming night market with its food street and ethnic handicraft stalls.

DAY 16 - LUANG PRABANGThis morning you can witness and even partake if you wish, in the early morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’, or offering alms to the monks, a tradition providing some wonderful photo opportunities. You’ll also visit the market to see the locals shop for superb fresh produce.

After breakfast our walking tour explores this amazing small town, with its quaint Royal Palace. This whole UNESCO-protected area contains a wonderful fusion of beautiful French colonial buildings and traditional Lao houses. Next it’s the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its sweeping roofline in the classic Luang Prabang style.

Not far from town is the picturesque Kuangsi waterfall, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool and walk along the woodland trails. We enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of the lush tropical forest surrounded by its unique sights and sounds. Just adjacent is the Bear Rescue Centre whose worthy mission is protecting the rare Asiatic black bear. We arrive back in Luang Prabang by late afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 17 - RETURN FLIGHT We fly back to Bangkok with onward connections to the UK, arriving at Heathrow later the same day.

DAY 18 - ARRIVE HOMEManchester flights arrive back in the morning.

Kuangsi Waterfall

The White Temple, Chiang Rai

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14 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£1,999

Experience the colonial history of Malaysia, its modern mix of cultures, incredible cuisine and the natural treasures of tropical Borneo, the land of the Orang Utans,

before relaxing at the sumptuous Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort and continuing on to the bright lights of Singapore

M A L AYS I A , B OR N E O & S I NG A P OR E

• Return scheduled flights• Premium Economy upgrades available at a supplement• Stay in hand-picked four and five-star hotels• Tour historic George Town in Penang by cycle rickshaw and travel on the Penang Hill funicular railway• Take the train through the centre of Peninsula Malaysia from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur• Tour Kuala Lumpur and marvel at the soaring Petronas Twin Towers• Guided walking tour of the fascinating multi-cultural legacies of Malacca

• Fly to Borneo and visit the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre• Stay three nights at the luxurious five-star Shangri- La Rasa Ria Resort, with its own nature reserve, golf course and mile-long beach• Option to experience a ride on the steam-driven North Borneo Railway• Enjoy a two-night stay in Singapore with a tour of the city and its famed Botanical Gardens• Daily breakfast and five meals included• Escorted by our experienced tour manager

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Although Malaysia is a member of the Commonwealth and was part of the British Empire for many years, it is perhaps less well known than many other ex-colonies

in South East Asia. Yet there's so much to see and experience between peninsula Malaysia, its outlying islands and the vastness of Borneo: it may sound like a bit of cliche but the country really is an incredible 'cultural melting-pot'! Every major city is a fascinating mixture of Chinese, Indians and Malays, all with their own individual histories, architecture, traditions and cuisines. In the not too distant past, Malaysia was an assortment of competing states which only finally became independent as late as 1963. Prior to that, the three main cities, Penang, Malacca and Singapore, were known as the Straits Settlements and were controlled direct from Britain. Before we came on the scene Malacca in particular was fought over by the Dutch and Portuguese who first settled there in the 16th century - there's still a sizeable community here proud of their Portuguese surnames. Add to the mix the intriguing indigenous tribes of Borneo and no other country in the region can boast such a contrasting collection of cultures!

Borneo: Malaysia's shining verdant jewel in the crown, is the third largest island in the world. Its luxuriant tropical forests teem with thousands of extraordinary endemic plant and animal species: there are no fewer than 102 types of bat, long-tailed macaques, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, flying squirrels, the world's largest snake, sun bears and of course the remarkable red-haired 'man of the forest', the Orang Utan. Borneo is also known for the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore. Our tour includes a stay in the Borneo sate of Sabah, covering the northern tip of the island and dominated by the towering bulk of Mt. Kinabalu, at over 13,400ft, the highest peak in Malaysia.

The first stop of our exploration of peninsula Malaysia is the island of Penang, just off the north-west coast. Its main settlement, George Town, was founded in 1786 by Francis Light of the British East India Company. He built Fort Cornwallis, which still stands to this day and promoted it as a free port, vastly increasing trade and attracting big numbers of Chinese and Indian settlers. The same successful tactic was followed in Malacca to the south and both cities, along with Singapore, developed their unique mix of cultures which is still evident today. What is particularly fascinating is that despite being bombed by the Japanese in WWII, George Town still has thousands of pre-war buildings, mostly Chinese-owned 'shophouses' and numerous fine colonial-era villas and public buildings which have helped it attain UNESCO World Heritage status. Both George Town and Malacca represent a fascinating glimpse into 18th century colonial life which cannot be experienced anywhere else.

In complete contrast, the cities of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are super-modern, with numerous startling skyscrapers of all shapes and sizes - a glimpse into the future perhaps? After our short stays in 'KL', we fly to Sandakan in Borneo, a lesser known colonial outpost which unfortunately was bombed very efficiently by the Allies towards the end of WWII - not many original buildings survive. But it is here that you can get closest to one of the natural wonders of this amazing island - a few miles outside town you'll visit the famed Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre where you can see Orang Utans in their natural forest habitat. Then it's off to Kota Kinabalu, via a short flight, for a relaxing three night stay at the renowned five-star Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, considered one of the best hotels in the country.

Of course, any trip to the Far East cannot be complete without trying out the delectable and surprising flavours of one of the world's most varied cuisines.

The best known Malaysian dish is satay - chicken skewers rubbed with turmeric

and grilled over coals along with a mildly spicy peanut sauce. But there's so much

more: try Nasi Kandar, steamed rice soaked in curry sauce with prawns chicken

or mutton; or perhaps Hokkien Mee, fried

thick yellow noodles,

or Beef Rendang, Curry

Laksa - the list is almost endless!

The Malaysians themselves are supremely welcoming and keen to share their history, culture and cuisine with all visitors, so come with us and explore this extraordinary country!

DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport to take your overnight Singapore Airlines flight to Penang, via Singapore.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN PENANGAfter our afternoon arrival we transfer to the four-star superior Parkroyal Hotel on Batu Ferringhi beach for three nights with breakfast. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to relax after your flight.

DAY 3 - GEORGE TOWNThis morning we enjoy a walking tour the beautifully preserved colonial centre of George Town. A UNESCO World Heritage site, George Town is perhaps unique in South East Asia in having over 30,000 pre-war buildings. After a fascinating ride by cycle rickshaw you’ll enjoy an included lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the many facilities of your hotel. In the evening, the local night market is an easy stroll from the hotel and a great chance to try the local street cuisine or hone your bargaining skills!

DAY 4 - PENANG HILLReached by the Penang Hill Funicular Railway, the 2,700ft Penang Hill was used a cooler retreat during the British colonial period and many prominent bungalows were built here, as well as the original

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official residence of the Governor. You can still see the Post Office and Police Station. After an included lunch, you are free to enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

DAY 5 - TRAIN TO KUALA LUMPURAfter a free morning, we cross over the eight-mile Penang Bridge to Butterworth on the Malaysian mainland where we take the afternoon train service for the four-hour journey to the capital, Kuala Lumpur. The train has recently been upgraded and offers a modern, air-conditioned and comfortable service – a perfect way to see rural Malaysia. Our hotel in ‘KL’ for two nights is the four-star superior Maya Hotel with breakfast, well located right in the centre of the city and close to the city’s world-famous landmark, the gleaming Petronas Twin Towers. Lunch is included today.

DAY 6 - MALACCAToday we drive to one of the most famous of the Straits Settlements, Malacca. Originally colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it was later taken over by the Dutch, before finally succumbing to the might of the British East India Company. There’s plenty to see in the many old shophouses now converted into attractive boutiques and cafes, but many are still family homes as well. Like George Town, this vitally strategic port is a blend of Chinese, Hindu and Muslim cultures and fascinating insight into the historical legacies of all these civilizations. Lunch is included today. In the afternoon we return to our hotel in ‘KL’.

DAY 7 - SANDAKANToday we fly to Sandakan in Malaysian Borneo for a one night stay at the three-star superior Sabah Hotel with breakfast. Founded in 1879 by the British North Borneo Company and with fascinating colonial history, Sandakan is a charming small port

on the eastern side of Borneo.

DAY 8 - SEPILOK ORANG UTAN CENTREThis morning we visit the nearby Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, a highlight of our tour! The aim of the sanctuary is to re-introduce Orang Utans into the wild and as such it is open to the forest. There are two feeding times every

Singapore

day but the Orang Utans are free to come and go as they please. There is a smaller area where younger individuals are cared for. Right next door is another sanctuary for the endangered Borneo Sun bear. Late in the afternoon we catch the short flight to Kota Kinabalu on the western side of Borneo and transfer to the outstanding five-star Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa for three nights with breakfast.

DAY 9 - FREE DAYA day at leisure to enjoy they huge sandy beach and extensive swimming pools at your hotel. There is also a 400-acre nature reserve adjacent to the resort as well as championship 18-hole golf course and superb Spa. Choose from five restaurants and two bars – this is the best spot to watch the spectacular sunset over the South China Sea.

DAY 10 - FREE DAYA further day to relax or perhaps take the option to experience one of the last surviving steam locomotives in Asia – the North Borneo Railway. Departing from Kota Kinabalu station, the trip includes a ‘Tiffin’ lunch.

DAY 11 - FLY TO SINGAPOREOn arrival, transfer to the four-star Swissotel Merchant Court, with breakfast, well located next to the many restaurants of Clarke Quay.

DAY 12 - SINGAPOREToday you have the opportunity to explore Singapore’s unique blend of Indian, Chinese and Malay influences. We’ll enjoy a tour of the riverfront area and spend time in the beautiful botanic gardens, of which the Orchid enclosure is an outstanding feature.

DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHTAfter a morning at leisure, you have a late afternoon transfer to the airport for your overnight Singapore Airlines flight home.

DAY 14 - ARRIVE HOMEYou arrive back in the UK this morning.

22 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£3,999

Its mountains, rivers, fiords and glaciers are breath-taking. Experience magnificent National Parks, charming towns and pristine landscapes

plus wonder at its volcanic geysers and boiling mud pools

N E W Z E A L A N D L A N D OF T H E L ON G W H I T E C L OU D

• Return scheduled flights• Enjoy a two-day stop-over in Singapore • Stay in hand-picked three and four-star hotels• Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland, the City of Sails• Experience the warm sub-tropical climate in the stunning Bay of Islands including a dolphin-watching cruise• Enjoy an authentic rural home stay and home-cooked dinner• Visit the Te Puia, Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland• Admire Napier’s beautiful Art Deco architecture on a guided walking tour• Visit the ‘Sunshine City’ of Nelson and cruise along Abel Tasman National Park’s stunningly scenic coastline• Vineyard visit and tasting in Marlborough, one of the world’s finest wine regions

• Visit Christchurch, New Zealand’s second city• Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, one of the world’s great train journeys • Enjoy an included helicopter flight around the iconic Franz Josef glacier, with a snow landing• Stay two nights in Queenstown and enjoy this resort’s scenic location• Cruise awe-inspiring Milford Sound• Get a close-up view of snow-capped Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak• All breakfasts, a traditional Maori Hangi feast in Rotorua and a private wine-tasting in Marlborough are included• Escorted by our experienced Tour Manager

Queenstown

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Wellington Cable Car

A bit of a cliché, yes, but it’s true: New Zealand is one of those holiday destinations of a lifetime – its mountains, rivers, fjords, and scenery are quite literally

breath-taking! And with a population of only a few million in a land approximately the same size as the UK, you’ll quickly become attuned to the easy-going Kiwi lifestyle as you travel through the country’s magnificent national parks, charming towns and pristine landscapes.

Getting to New Zealand can be a long and tiring journey, so we have chosen to include a stopover in Singapore and fly with Singapore Airlines, renowned for their world-class service and with direct flights to Auckland and from Christchurch. We have two days here to explore the many attractions this thrilling Asian metropolis has to offer, including its dazzling architecture, superb cuisine and vibrant mix of cultures.

We stay in Auckland for two nights to give you the best opportunity to acclimatise to the time zone. We then travel to the sub-tropical Bay of Islands for two nights - a wonderful region of small historic towns and a deeply indented coastline filled with golden sandy coves, a paradise for sailing and boating.

New Zealand is primarily a farming country, full of dairy herds and of course millions of sheep – so what better way to experience this way of life than to stay a night with a New Zealand family on their farm! In the fertile region of Cambridge, south of Auckland,

February 2011, a major reconstruction programme is underway in the city centre. Fortunately, access to the wonderful Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park and the Canterbury museum has not been affected and already city architects are winning awards for some very innovative projects, including the new ‘temporary’ cardboard cathedral.

The TranzAlpine train crossing of the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass must rate as one of the world’s great railway journeys and you’ll love the stunning views from the panoramic windows. Our tour then follows the west coast of South Island to the magnificent Franz Josef glacier. The best way to experience this amazing natural phenomenon is from the air, so we have arranged for an included helicopter flight, with a snow landing, to see the magnificent Franz Josef glacier – a breathtaking highlight of your tour!

Queenstown, situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is often described as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, or ‘the Scenic Gem of the South Island’. Whichever description is most apt, you can be sure you’ll not be disappointed by your stay in one of the country’s outstanding resorts, always busy with visitors enjoying its many restaurants, shops and activities on offer. We have a full day at leisure here, so you can choose to relax or be as active as you wish.

The small lakeside township of Te Anau is the gateway to the World Heritage Fjordland National Park, and what a park it is! The grandeur and majestic beauty of this untouched landscape almost defies description, from glacier-carved valleys, through thousands of hectares of virgin forest, to glimmering lakes, waterfalls, and Alpine peaks, these are world-class sights to savour. Our cruise, on one of the world’s great fjords, Milford Sound, is the highlight of our visit before heading northwards to Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain and a fitting conclusion to your holiday in Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Of course, New Zealand is not just about its extraordinary landscapes – the cuisine and wines are just as good a reason to go: you won’t find better lamb or beef, or fresher seafood. Look out for blue cod from South Island, green-lip mussels,

our group will be split between a number of local farmsteads where you’ll be able to gain a first-hand understanding the very basis of the country’s economy whilst getting to know your friendly hosts.

Rotorua is one of North Island’s greatest areas of geothermal activity, with its spectacular geysers, steaming hot pools and bubbling mud. It’s also a centre of Maori settlement and in the evening you attend a Maori Hangi (feast) featuring a Powhiri (formal welcome) and traditional songs and dances relaying the stories of Maori myths and legends, followed by a meal of lamb, chicken and kumara (sweet potato) cooked in the traditional way, in an underground oven.

We continue to the east coast and the renowned wine-producing region of Hawke’s Bay, facing the Pacific Ocean. Here we stay in charming Napier, famous for its unique architecture, a legacy of a 1931 earthquake when the whole town was rebuilt in just two years in the Art Deco style of the time.

Wellington, New Zealand’s diminutive capital, offers a bustling waterfront and from Mt Victoria, there are outstanding views of the city’s beautiful harbour. Te Papa, the fascinating National Museum, covers every aspect of New Zealand’s history, art, culture and geography. Crossing the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands by InterIslander ferry we cruise through the Marlborough Sounds with their beautiful turquoise-blue waters on our way to Nelson, known as South Island’s sunniest spot and next to the beautiful coastal scenery of the Abel Tasman National Park. Her you’ll enjoy a wonderful cruise with the chance to walk a section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

New Zealand has gained a reputation as an outstanding wine-growing nation, and Malborough on the northeastern corner of South Island is certainly one of the key regions for producing premium quality wines. We’ll stop at one of the numerous wineries for a tasting.

Christchurch is the country’s second largest city and following the devastating earthquake of Queenstown

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snapper and for big appetites, grouper! The local free-range lamb is world-famous, but the cheese, manuka honey, fruit and even ice-cream are all equally superb. And you cannot leave without trying a kiwi pavlova for dessert! If you enjoy wine, then Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blancs are considered some of the best in the world – we include a wine tasting at a famous estate on our way through the region.

Our wonderful tour has been designed to make getting to New Zealand as easy as possible and covers all the awe-inspiring highlights of this remarkable country, as well as many of the less explored corners, such as our farm stay in Cambridge, the Art Deco city of Napier and Nelson with the Abel Tasman National Park. Our included trips on the TranzAlpine train, the helicopter flight over the staggering Franz Josef glacier and the visit to Mt Cook will surely be experiences that you will treasure for many years to come.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURETravel to Heathrow or Manchester airports for your overnight flight to Singapore on the award-winning Singapore Airlines.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN SINGAPOREOn arrival, you’ll transfer to the four-star Swissotel Merchant Court, with breakfast, located on the Singapore River and next to the many restaurants of Clarke Quay. This exciting stop-over allows time to relax and adjust to the time difference between flights. It also offers the opportunity to explore Singapore’s unique mix of Indian, Chinese and Malay influences. You’ll enjoy our tour of the riverfront area and some time in the beautiful botanic gardens, of which the orchid enclosure is an outstanding feature. Our hotel also has a large outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, as well as a fitness room.

DAY 3 - FREE DAY & FLY TO AUCKLANDToday is at leisure to further explore all the attractions of Singapore. Visit the shopping mecca of Orchard Road, savour the cuisine of Little India, try a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel or stroll along the waterfront and visit the incredible Gardens by the Bay – Singapore’s 21st century version of Kew Gardens! In the evening we take the Singapore Airlines overnight direct flight to Auckland.

DAY 4 - ARRIVAL IN AUCKLANDWelcome to New Zealand! You’ll arrive in Auckland around midday and transfer to the four-star Grand Millennium Hotel for two nights with breakfast, well-located for all the city’s attractions. The rooms are some of the most spacious in the city and all have a bath with separate shower, hairdryer, minibar, safe, iron/board, TV, air-conditioning, tea/coffee-maker and free wifi. There is an indoor pool, a popular lobby bar and two dining venues, one of them a Japanese restaurant, as well as room service. The rest of your day is at leisure.

DAY 5 - AUCKLANDYour sightseeing tour of the ‘City of Sails’ includes the panoramic city and harbour views from Bastion Point, trendy Parnell Village, the lovely bays of the waterfront drive and the vibrant Viaduct Harbour area. We also visit the Auckland Museum which gives an excellent introduction to the artistic legacy and cultures of the peoples of the Pacific including the monumental carvings, buildings, canoes and taonga (treasures) of the Maori, as well as the diversity of cultures which now combine to form the

rich tapestry of race, nationality and creed which is modern New Zealand. Your afternoon is free to explore the city further.

DAY 6 - BAY OF ISLANDSDeparting Auckland we head north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge along the Hibiscus Coast to view giant Kauri trees at the Parry Kauri Park. Continuing our journey over the gentle green landscape of North Island we reach Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands in the afternoon. Here you’ll take a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty House, where in 1840 Maori chiefs and the original European settlers signed the Treaty of Waitangi, the basis of the future governance of New Zealand. Our hotel for the next two nights is the four-star Scenic Hotel, with breakfast.

DAY 7 - BAY OF ISLANDS CRUISEThis morning we see the Bay of Islands in the best way possible via a fascinating boat cruise meandering around the idyllic beaches of the islands that make this area so popular. There’s usually an excellent chance of seeing wild dolphins which are common in the Bay of Islands. Continue on to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ where, conditions permitting, the boat will sail slowly through it before stopping off at the lovely Urupukapuka Island to stretch your legs. There will be time for a swim or short walk up to the wonderful lookout point from where there’s a marvellous panoramic view over the whole bay. Our boat will drop us off at the historic little town of Russell, the first European settlement in New Zealand and just a 10-minute ferry trip from Paihia (ticket included). This is an ideal place for a spot of lunch or a relaxing walk along the waterfront. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy many of the activities the Bay of Islands has to offer.

DAY 8 - HOME STAYThis morning leave the Bay of Islands and travel south through rolling forested hills and lush farmland to the Cambridge region south of Auckland. Here you will have the unique experience of staying the night at a number of local homesteads (max. four guests per stay), including a home-cooked dinner and lively conversation! New Zealand is primarily an agrarian economy, so this is the perfect opportunity to understand this way of life.

DAY 9 - ROTORUASaying goodbye to our hospitable farming

hosts, we take the short drive to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. Rotorua has the

most energetic thermal activity in the country with bubbling mud pools, gushing

geysers, beautifully coloured hot springs and terrace formations created by the hot, mineral-rich waters. Rotorua is also renowned for its Maori cultural activities. We visit Te Puia – where our local Maori guide will explain traditional Maori arts and crafts and we’ll view the famous Pohutu Geyser in the

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Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. This evening you’ll enjoy a visit to the Tamaki Maori Village, a re-creation of a typical Maori forest community, where we’ll be treated to an evening of ceremonial rituals, storytelling and intriguing insights into Maori life, ending with a powerful cultural performance, before dining on the traditional Hangi buffet dinner (Maori feast) cooked the traditional Maori way in an earth oven. Our hotel is the four-star Distinction Hotel, with breakfast.

DAY 10 - NAPIERDeparting Rotorua we travel to the charming lakeside town of Taupo, stopping en-route at Huka Falls to marvel as the mighty Waikato River thunders through its narrow canyon. Then it’s on to Napier, known as the Art Deco capital of the world. After an earthquake in 1931, the centre of the town was rebuilt in the Art Deco style which was in fashion at the time. On arrival we meet our local guides and take a fascinating walking tour of these beautiful Art Deco buildings. Our hotel is the excellent four-star superior Scenic Hotel Te Pania, with breakfast, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

DAY 11 - WELLINGTONYou continue south to Wellington where we enjoy a night in New Zealand’s capital city, staying at the four-star James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, with breakfast. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington with free time to explore the vibrant waterfront and beautiful gardens. We also visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s outstanding National Museum, to learn about the shaping of its land, the spirit of its diverse peoples, its unique wildlife, landscapes and its distinctive popular culture.

DAY 12 - NELSONToday we cruise to South Island, across the Cook Strait by Interislander ferry, through the Marlborough Sounds, including the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound and into Picton. We continue to Blenheim and the famous wine-producing region of Marlborough where we stop for some wine tasting. Our final destination today is Nelson, New Zealand’s sunshine town, known for its many art and craft galleries, and relaxed atmosphere. Our hotel for the next two nights is the

excellent four-star Trailways, with breakfast.

DAY 13 - ABEL TASMAN CRUISEThis morning we join a catamaran cruise along the stunning shoreline of Abel Tasman National Park. En route you’ll learn about the history of the park and view the famous Split Apple Rock, a fur seal colony and the park’s famed golden beaches and crystal clear waters. For the more adventurous, there is the option of landing ashore at Apple Tree Bay and walking the short 7km-section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track to Anchorage (approx. 2 hours walk). This walk has stunning views of the

Tasman Bay through native bush. The track is well defined and signposted and requires a reasonable level of fitness. Our boat will collect the walkers at Anchorage on its return down the coast. A packed lunch is included today. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure in Nelson.

DAY 14 - CHRISTCHURCHTravelling south through the Golden Downs Forest and over the Lewis Pass we arrive at the lovely alpine village of Hanmer Springs for a lunch stop (not included) before joining the upper reaches of the Canterbury Plains to the ‘garden city’ of Christchurch. Since the earthquake of 2011, the city’s rebuilding programme is in full swing and there will be an opportunity to visit to the Re-Start Mall, the controversial ‘Cardboard Cathedral’ and the Botanic Gardens. Our hotel is the three-star superior Quality Hotel Elms, with breakfast.

DAY 15 - TRANZALPINE TRAIN & HELICOPTER FLIGHTToday we traverse the Southern Alps aboard the world-famous TranzAlpine train to Arthurs Pass. From your modern panoramic carriage you’ll see the farmland of the Canterbury Plains give way to the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, crossing numerous bridges and viaducts en route. At Arthurs Pass, we are met by our coach for the journey to the West Coast, stopping in Hokitika to visit a Greenstone workshop where the local jade-like stone, highly prized by pre-European Maori, is crafted into exquisite jewellery. Continue south through forests and farmland, with views of the Alps to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west, to the village of Franz Josef. This afternoon prepare yourself for what will be one of your trip’s highlights! On arrival you will experience this magnificent glacial alpine environment with a 20-minute scenic helicopter flight. View the incredible natural phenomenon of the glacier as it winds slowly down the ice-carved valleys from its origin in the mountains high above you. Enjoy an amazing alpine landing where you will be able to step out of the helicopter into year-round snow. Our hotel tonight is the four-star Scenic, with breakfast.

Milford Sound

Napier

Bay of Islands

DAY 16 - QUEENSTOWNContinuing south, we travel past deserted beaches, through vibrant rainforests and tiny settlements. This wilderness forms part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, so designated because South Westland and Fjordland have some of the most dramatic forest, mountain scenery and natural resources in the world. We travel over the scenic Haast Pass to the popular Lake Wanaka, and then on to the beautiful year-round resort of Queenstown where our hotel for the next two nights is the four-star Copthorne Lakefront Resort, with breakfast. The centre of bustling Queenstown is just a short walk away.

DAY 17 - FREE DAY IN QUEENSTOWNNestled below the rugged Remarkable Mountains, Queenstown enjoys an exceptionally scenic setting and is known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’. Today is at leisure to enjoy all that this resort has to offer. Experience the thrill of a jet-boat ride along the Shotover River, a 4x4 safari, helicopter trips, guided walks, a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the 100-year-old vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw, or ride the Skyline Gondola high above Queenstown for superb views of the area – the choices are almost endless!

DAY 18 - MILFORD SOUND CRUISELeaving Queenstown we skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and travel via Te Anau through the Homer Tunnel into the spectacular Cleddau valley and famous Milford Sound, arguably the most spectacular fjord in the country. A boat trip on the deep fjord waters between sheer granite cliffs rising thousands of feet, affords wonderful views of mile-high Mitre Peak and the 500-foot Stirling Falls. There is a good chance of seeing dolphins, fur seals or penguins during our trip before we return

to the charming small lakeside resort of Te Anau. A packed lunch is included today. Our hotel in Te Anau is the four-star Distinction Luxmore, with breakfast. Late in the afternoon there will be time for an optional visit the nearby Glowworm caves, unique to New Zealand.

DAY 19 - OMARAMAToday we travel back north and visit Arrowtown, a township with a colourful history - in its heyday this was a rough and ready frontier gold-mining boomtown. Nowadays, its popular main street is lined with some excellent art galleries, cafés and boutiques. We continue through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, pass pretty Lake Dunstan, cross the distinctive Central Otago countryside (where many scenes from the Lord of the Rings were filmed) and over the dramatic Lindis Pass to the vast Mackenzie Basin. Your overnight accommodation is in the simple three-star Heritage Gateway Hotel, with breakfast, in the small rural community of Omarama.

DAY 20 - MOUNT COOKA day with some more spectacular sights. We head north alongside the azure glacier-fed Lake Pukaki to

Mount Cook, at 12,316ft New Zealand’s highest mountain and surrounded by jagged snow-covered peaks. There’s time for short walks in the spectacular Hooker Valley (depending on the weather) and a visit to the Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre (entrance fee), or for an optional helicopter flight over the spectacular West Coast glaciers. We continue towards the magnificent blue waters of Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, before crossing Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains back into Christchurch and the Quality Hotel Elms for our last night in the country.

DAY 21 - RETURN FLIGHTA fond farewell to New Zealand. Transfer to the airport for your flight home via Singapore.

DAY 22 - ARRIVE HOMEArrive back in the UK after an incredible once-in-a-lifetime tour.

OPTIONAL MEAL PACKAGECheck out our Riviera Travel website for details of our pre-bookable special meal package available for this tour, priced from £237 per person.

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Explore Australia’s larger-than-life natural and man-made wonders, from the sun-baked Outback, lush rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef,

to some of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities

AU S T R A L I A

• Return scheduled flights• Premium economy flight upgrades available at a supplement from Heathrow• Stay in handpicked three, four and five-star hotels, with breakfast throughout• Stay in some of Australia’s greatest cities - Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, Cairns and Sydney• Enjoy a lunch on the iconic Colonial Tramcar in Melbourne and a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train• Drive the full route of the Great Ocean Road, the best coastal drive in Australia• Option to see the Twelve Apostles by helicopter• Visit the Barossa Valley, including a winery tour and tasting• Option for a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Outback• Explore Alice Springs and take a walk in the nearby MacDonnell Ranges• Visit the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum• Experience an amazing included Outback dinner under the stars outside Alice Springs

• See timeless Uluru (Ayers Rock) at both sunrise and sunset and experience a guided walk at its base• See the incredible domes of the Olgas• Enjoy the unique atmosphere of some of the Northern Territory’s best-known ‘roadhouses’• On tours including our three-day ‘Top End’ extension, visit Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, see ancient rock art and learn about Aboriginal culture, plus enjoy a dinner cruise along the stunning Katherine Gorge• Enjoy a full-day catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef• Discover the amazing rainforest around Cairns on the Kuranda Scenic Railway• Experience the amazing landscapes and Eucalypt forests of the Blue Mountains• Stay four nights in Sydney, one the world’s great cities and delight in its iconic skyline from our harbour cruise• Enjoy plenty of free time at leisure in Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney• Escorted by an experienced tour manager

Uluru

21 DAYS

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£3,699

24 DAYS

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£4,699

Bay of Islands

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Sydney Harbour

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Australia is big... really big! This vast island continent could swallow up Europe whole, with room to spare.

For some 50,000 years, a tiny Aboriginal population lived here in harmony with the untamed primal wilderness, undisturbed by the outside world until European colonisers arrived, spearheaded by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. Since then Australia has flourished, and now makes her presence felt around the world, thanks in large part to the boundless enthusiasm and resourcefulness of her people, the outgoing, energetic descendants of convicts, gold miners, explorers, traders and adventurous settlers down the centuries.

You’ll travel in style on trains, boats and planes (and luxury coach) on your escorted Australian adventure, where diversity is the watchword at every turn, serving up sights, sounds and exotic experiences to delight all your senses. Our itinerary reads like a roll-call of world-renowned tourist icons, from sunset-reddened Ayers Rock to Sydney Harbour Bridge, ‘the Coathanger’, silhouetted against the evening sky; the wine-rich Barossa Valley; eucalyptus forests of the Blue Mountains; and the 1,400-mile-long underwater paradise teeming with life that is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on the planet.

Australia’s land-based fauna is extraordinary too; kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, kookaburras and emus are strangely familiar from a thousand wildlife documentaries, but never less than astonishing when you finally meet them in the flesh in their natural habitat.

Our adventure begins in sporting-mad Melbourne, capital of culture, whose 88-storey glass and steel Eureka Skydeck Tower commands spectacular vistas over the city’s Victorian architecture and historic ‘Queen Vic’ street market, the illustrious Cricket Ground, and the Rod Laver Arena. We’ll head out to the Dandenong Ranges and ride the famous Puffing Billy steam train, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to roam the city at leisure on its free tramcar services, and wander among the boutiques, cafés and bars in the winding ‘laneways’.

We’ll leave Melbourne and head along the Great Ocean Road towards the garden city of Adelaide, enjoying breath-taking scenery, most memorably the Shipwreck Coast’s crumbling limestone stacks, known as the ’Twelve Apostles’, offshore of the Port Campbell National Park. Our route also takes in

the stunning Blue Lake at volcanic Mount Gambier, and the wine-growing Coonawarra Region, before arriving in the South Australian capital for some more ‘city time’. Another fine wine region, the Barossa Valley, lies close enough to Adelaide to afford us a wonderful day out, and the chance for you to sample the produce at its oldest winery.

From Adelaide you’ll fly to Alice Springs and the ‘Red Centre’ where the barren outcrop of iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock), shrouded in Dreamtime legends, towers incongruously above the flat vastness of the sun-baked Outback. In ‘the Alice’ you’ll enjoy a wonderful outback dinner around the campfire and under the awe-inspiring southern constellations. Our two night stays in both Alice Springs and Ayers Rock ensure you have plenty of time to enjoy both these amazing places without feeling ‘hurried’.

On selected departures we offer an even more complete Aussie experience when our tour includes an extra three nights in Darwin, Kakadu National Park and the stunning Katherine Gorge - some of Australia’s most memorable landscapes and wildlife, including the famous saltwater crocs!

Of course, no visit to Australia would be complete without experiencing the astounding Great Barrier Reef, lying sandwiched between white coral sand beaches with turquoise waters and the lush, green tropical rainforest. We have a relaxing four night stay at one of Cairn’s best hotels so that you have plenty of time to enjoy the many experiences on offer. Whether snorkelling or in a glass-bottomed boat, you’ll be astounded at the coral reef’s vividly colourful inhabitants, and with such a teeming abundance of wildlife all around you in forest, ocean and sky, you cannot help but feel a strong connection with the life force of the natural world here.

If you had to choose a spectacular venue for the finale to this holiday experience of a lifetime, surely none could surpass sophisticated, cosmopolitan Sydney, the coastal city ‘par excellence’, with its iconic Opera House, the glorious surfer’s paradise of Bondi Beach, and the soaring Harbour Bridge – climb it, if you dare! Wonderful beaches, harbour cruises, opera, fine dining, excellent shopping, a superb day’s excursion into the glorious Blue Mountains - Sydney is a ‘holiday in a city’ in its own right.

Big, brash and beautiful, Australia serves up a heady cocktail, with extraordinary ingredients: modern cities and ancient folklore, mountains and rainforest, desert and seascapes, culture and the ‘great outdoors’, all mixed to exhilarating effect. It’s unmissable!

DAY 1 – DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport for your flight to Melbourne, via Dubai.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN MELBOURNEWelcome to Australia! Melbourne is consistently listed as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Our home for the next three nights is the five-star Pullman on the Park, located in East Melbourne and within the city's main sports and entertainment district. It is directly opposite Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena, home of the Australian Open tennis tournament. Our hotel is adjacent to Fiztroy Gardens, created using the Union Jack as a pattern and home to Captain Cook’s cottage which was transported brick-by-brick from Yorkshire. A pleasant ten minute walk across the gardens brings you into the city centre, with access to the city’s free tramcar services.

DAY 3 - MELBOURNEAfter breakfast you take a sightseeing tour of this cosmopolitan city. You’ll see Federation Square which buzzes with a daily program of events and cafes, the Victoria National Gallery, the Old Melbourne Gaol and the Exhibition Building built for the Great Exhibition of 1880. Our first stop is the spectacular Eureka Skydeck Tower with its awe-inspiring views from the 88th floor, the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere. The Skydeck also offers the world’s only ‘Edge Experience’ (at extra charge) – a glass cube which slides out from the building – with you inside! Our included lunch is on Melbourne’s famous Colonial Tramcar restaurant. Dining aboard the Colonial Tramcar is not only a culinary delight, but also a trip into a little piece of Victoria's history. After lunch hop off the tram and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore this fascinating city. Why not take a stroll along the vibrant Southbank Promenade along the Yarra River or perhaps you may wish to join your Tour Manager and discover some of Melbourne’s famed ‘laneways’ – great fashion, history, bars and cafés, with plenty of choices for dinner!

explained phenomenon. Back on the road, we pass through the wine growing region of Coonawarra and typical south Australian bush country (look out for kangaroos & emus!) before our afternoon arrival in Adelaide, capital of South Australia. Our accommodation for two nights is at the five-star Intercontinental, in the very heart of the city overlooking the Torrens River and the famous Adelaide Oval, with plenty of restaurants within walking distance.

DAY 7 - BAROSSA VALLEYWe take a city sights tour this morning making sure we stand on the spot that Colonel Light did when he planned the city. In 1836 his plan was a simple one, a one square mile city centre completely surrounded by parks and open space – and this is still how the city is set up today. Venturing out of Adelaide mid-morning we make our way to one of the most renowned wine regions in Australia – the Barossa Valley, just an hour out of the city. Our visit today is to the very special winery of Seppeltsfield, considered the most historic in the valley. The Seppelt family had a profound influence on the Australian wine industry and you will have a chance to try out their produce at a private tasting in the winery’s impressive Trophy Room.

DAY 8 - FLY TO ALICE SPRINGS This morning we transfer to the airport for our direct flight to Alice Springs, capital of ‘The Red Centre’. We’ll have a short drive around ‘The Alice’, stopping at ANZAC Hill for the panoramic views of the town and the surrounding area. This afternoon we visit the Old Telegraph Station, the original site of Alice Springs, established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, and linked via an underwater cable network to London.

Our hotel for the next two nights is the four-star Lasseters, with a pool and spa, restaurant and poolside café. You’ll have some time to relax and freshen up before our special dinner this evening. Just 15 minutes out of Alice is The Earth Sanctuary, located at the Quandong Homestead. We enjoy a mouth-watering bush BBQ with music

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Blue Mountains

DAY 4 - MELBOURNEThis morning take it easy and enjoy a lie in, do your own exploring or you may also take a trip to the ‘Queen Vic’ - the Queen Victoria Market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. A historic landmark spread over two city blocks, the vibrant and bustling Vic Market offers everything from Australian gourmet foods, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs. Eat, shop and explore the iconic food halls and heritage sheds and enjoy some typical Aussie banter with the stallholders!

Early afternoon we drive out into the Dandenong Ranges that overlook the city. Here you’ll take a ride through the lush mountainside from Belgrave to Emerald Lakeside on the historic ‘Puffing Billy’ steam train. We head back to our hotel with the evening at leisure to enjoy the city. Melbourne is known as the cultural capital of Australia so there’s usually lots of theatrical productions on offer.

DAY 5 - GREAT OCEAN ROADWe set off early this morning on the Great Ocean Road, Australia’s most spectacular coastal highway. It’s a breathtaking drive along more than 300 kilometres of the best coastal scenery this country has to offer! To the west of the Otway Ranges we join the "Shipwreck Coast" which stretches through Port Campbell National Park. We stop for some great photos of the Twelve Apostles - huge pillars which loom out of the surf, carved over time by the fury of the Southern Ocean. We continue to Warrnambool, a small seaside town on the shores of Lady Bay and our hotel for the night, the three-star superior Quality Suites Deep Blue Hotel & Spa.

DAY 6 - ADELAIDEWe have another big travel day today as Australia really is a vast place to see! After breakfast we head towards the South Australian border and the town of Mt. Gambier. Built on the slopes of an extinct volcano, it’s famous for its Blue Lake where between November and April its waters change to a brilliant blue almost overnight, a yet-to-be-

Katherine Gorge

and entertainment and experience the spirit of the Outback through stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. You’ll even learn how to cook a swagman’s damper! After dinner relax around the camp fire and take in the truly amazing night sky before heading back to the hotel.

DAY 9 - ALICE SPRINGSEarly risers have the option of an amazing hot-air balloon ride to watch the sunrise over the Outback.

Later this morning we visit the School of the Air. You’ll be charmed by the stories about the school and its students, scattered amongst hundreds of square miles of the Outback. Alice Springs is a major base of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and we’ll also visit the museum dedicated to it.

This afternoon, we explore the majestic Western MacDonnell Ranges. The natural beauty in this area is outstanding! We stop briefly at Simpsons Gap, an important spiritual site to the Arrarnta Aboriginal people, where several dreaming trails and stories cross. At dusk Simpsons Gap is a good place to see Rock-wallabies along the gap's short walking track. We travel on a little further to Standley Chasm where we can take a walk through the picturesque short gorge.

DAY 10 - ALICE SPRINGS TO ULURU (AYERS ROCK)We bid farewell to The Alice this morning and begin our journey south with a number of rest stops along the way at some typical Australian ‘roadhouses’. You’ll really be able to appreciate the barren landscape of the ‘Red Centre’ - a vast, seemingly never-ending desert plain dotted with spinifex and desert oaks.

We arrive at Yulara, the small resort near Ayers Rock, mid-afternoon and check into our accommodation, the four-star Desert Gardens, with breakfast, centrally located to all the resort facilities. In the evening we drive to ‘Sunset Strip’ to admire the Rock with a glass of bubbly and some nibbles as the sun sinks below the distant horizon in an explosion of colours - Uluru puts on a remarkable light show as it changes colour from red to orange to lilac in a matter of minutes.

DAY 11 - ULURU (AYERS ROCK)An early start this morning to get to the sunrise viewing area and experience the first rays of the sun as it rises above Uluru. You then have a unique guided ‘Mala’ walk around a section of the base of Uluru. You’ll discover its powerful spiritual significance, the amazing Dreamtime stories associated with it and see many fine examples of Anangu rock art along the way.

Nearby is the Cultural Centre where we can purchase our lunch. Early afternoon, we visit the nearby Kata Tjuta or “place of many domes”. There are excellent views from an observation deck and time for a short walk into the beautiful Mount Olga

Gorge. Back at the resort we have time to visit the Yulara Village or perhaps a dip in the pool to freshen up.

DAY 12 - FLY TO DARWIN OR FLY TO CAIRNS

At this point, certain departures between May-Aug will continue on to Darwin for a three-day ‘Top End’ tour, while departures at other times (during the Wet Season in Darwin) will fly on directly to Cairns and will be three days shorter – please see day 16 (13) opposite. The days included in the shorter tour are shown in brackets below.

If continuing to the ‘Top End’ you transfer to Ayers Rock Airport to connect with our flight to Darwin, Northern Territory’s capital city. Our hotel for the night is the Oaks Elan Darwin, a brand-new four-star property. We have time to freshen up as later this afternoon we will be heading out to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. The market is both a social event and a fabulous local market with over 200 stalls and nearly 60 food stalls from more than 30 different countries. With the multi-cultural background of Darwin, you’re sure to be tempted by some delicious food and smells! It’s also a great spot to watch the stunning sunset over the Timor Sea. Your Hotel in Cairns is the four-star superior Pullman International for four nights with breakfast.

DAY 13 - KAKADU NATIONAL PARKWe depart early this morning to make the most of our time in Kakadu National Park. On our first stop is by the side of a billabong where we have the opportunity for a true indigenous cultural experience with local Aboriginal people, who will show you the many medicinal plants of the Bush, and the techniques of basket weaving, dilly bag and spear making – you can even have a go at blowing a digeridoo! Next, we join the Adelaide River Queen for a ‘Jumping Croc Cruise’. It may be hard to believe that a saltwater crocodile, the most dangerous reptile in Australia, can be enticed to jump out of the water just in front of us – but that’s exactly what happens! From here, we travel on to the Bark Hut Inn roadhouse for our lunch stop before we enter the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest, with magnificent scenery, unique flora and fauna. At Cooinda we board our sunset

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cruise on Yellow Waters - nowhere else will we see such a concentration of so many species of diverse birdlife than here, including Brolgas, Egrets, Jabiru and hopefully a crocodile or two. Our hotel for the night is the three-star Mercure Crocodile with breakfast.

DAY 14 - KATHERINE GORGEAborigines have inhabited this land for more than 50,000 years, leaving behind incredible galleries of rock art - more than 5,000 sites of historical or cultural importance have been identified, though only a few are open to visitors. This morning we head to Nourlangie Rock - the walls of this rocky outcrop have served as canvases for tens of thousands of years, a window to a rich spiritual tradition. From here we continue onto Katherine and our hotel, the simple, three-star Knotts Crossing Resort with breakfast. A visit to Katherine would not be complete without a cruise through Katherine Gorge and tonight you’ll do it in style as we join the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Cruise. Enjoy excellent Australian cuisine in the tranquil surroundings and discover the stories of the local Aboriginal tribes as the magnificent backdrop of cliff faces take on an amazing golden hue with the setting sun.

DAY 15 - LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK & FLY TO CAIRNSAfter breakfast we travel north along the Stuart Highway to Litchfield National Park, considered the jewel of the Northern Territory’s crown. This 65,000-hectare National Park has untouched rainforests, hot springs, huge termite mounds, magnificent waterfalls and stunning scenery. You’ll visit Florence Falls and Wangi Falls, where you may enjoy a refreshing swim, in croc-free waters! From Litchfield we continue back to Darwin airport for our evening flight to the Queensland city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Our home for the next four nights is the centrally-located four-star superior Pullman Cairns International with breakfast. Overlooking Cairns Harbour and the lush mountains beyond, the hotel is just moments from the city’s best dining and the Esplanade promenade.

DAY 16 (13) - CAIRNS KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAYThis morning we join the Kuranda Scenic Railway for an amazing ride through dense tropical rainforest,

ravines and spectacular gorges in the magnificent Barron Falls National Park. Constructed in 1891, the railway is a monument to the pioneers of tropical North Queensland. The end of the line is the town of Kuranda. Surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest the village is full of arts and crafts shops and a good spot for lunch. We return to the coast via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, skimming over the top of the rainforest canopy, with some amazing views.

DAY 17 (14) - GREAT BARRIER REEFAfter breakfast we head out to Michaelmas Cay with Ocean Spirit Cruises. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most complex expanse of living coral on earth, extending from Cape York in the north to the Tropic of Capricorn in the south - one of the world’s greatest natural wonders! The low lying sand bar of Michaelmas Cay offers us the opportunity to snorkel amongst the spectacular fringing reef, full of colourful parrot fish, corals and giant clams – look out for sea turtles! The cay is also a protected seabird sanctuary host to over 20,000 migratory terns and gannets. We arrive by catarmaran with plenty of time to enjoy the snorkelling (equipment provided), a semi-submersible tour, a glass-bottom boat trip, as well as a delicious hot and cold buffet lunch before returning to Cairns in the afternoon.

DAY 18 (15) - FREE DAY IN CAIRNSWe have a totally free day today to enjoy all that Cairns offers: there are trips available on the scenic Cook Highway to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree rainforest; to the Atherton Tablelands; a night-time tour of Cairns zoo or helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef.

DAY 19 (16) - FLY TO SYDNEYSadly you are coming to the final part of your tour… but what a way to finish – in the stunning city of Sydney! After our flight from Cairns we transfer to the four-star superior Parkroyal Darling Harbour with breakfast for four nights, ideally located an easy stroll from numerous harbour-side restaurants, cafés and local attractions. The rest of your day is at leisure.

DAY 20 (17) - SYDNEYSydney is Australia’s largest city and its vast harbour and surrounding beaches make for some of the most

picturesque scenery in Australia. Our tour of the city takes you through the historic area known as ‘The Rocks’ followed by a stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. This was carved out of the sandstone by convicts for Governor Macquarie’s wife so she could watch the activity in the harbour and await the arrival of ships from England! From here you have some wonderful views of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. We continue through the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay and on to famous Bondi Beach where we have time to take a stroll along the promenade. Of course, no visit to Sydney is complete without actually getting on the beautiful harbour itself, so this afternoon we take a sightseeing cruise and see probably the most exciting and beautiful harbour in the world.

DAY 21 (18) - BLUE MOUNTAINSWe travel inland to the Blue Mountains, located to the west of Sydney. Known for its dramatic scenery, this area encompasses steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages dotted with guesthouses, galleries and gardens. You’ll see the stunning Three Sisters rock formation and take in the splendid views of the vast Jamison Valley below. You may like to take a cliff-side short walk (or take the coach) to the Scenic Skyway cable car 270m above the valley and with great views of Katoomba Falls. You then take the world's steepest incline railway to descend 415m down the escarpment at a gradient of 52 degrees. At the bottom, an excellent boardwalk path takes you through the lush eucalyptus forest teeming with a rich diversity of plant and birdlife. We return to Sydney in the late afternoon.

DAY 22 (19) - FREE DAY IN SYDNEYToday we have a totally free day in Sydney to spend as you wish. The opportunities are almost endless and the choice is yours. Relax at one of the city’s many beaches, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Opera House, a sea-plane trip over the city, a harbour dinner cruise, or the more adventurous may want to climb the famous Harbour Bridge!

DAY 23 (20) - DEPARTUREEnjoy some free time this morning before transferring to the airport for our flight home, via Dubai.

DAY 24 (21) – ARRIVE BACK HOME

Twelve Apostles

• See the magnificent Taj Mahal with its pure white marble and exquisite craftsmanship

• Visit the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, with a guided tour of its City Palace, the Astronomical Observatory and see the Palace of the Winds

• Marvel at the extraordinary location and beauty of Amber Fort

• Discover the amazing beauty of the ‘Lake City’ of Udaipur and its many royal palaces

• Visit the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves, with India’s best ancient cave paintings

• Services of an experienced tour manager throughout

• Return scheduled direct flights from Heathrow

• Enjoy your own deluxe en-suite compartment on one of India’s most luxurious private trains

• Savour exquisite Indian or continental cuisine – all meals on board are included

• Stay in hand-picked 5-star luxury hotels in Delhi and Mumbai

• Visit the major sights of New Delhi, including poignant reminders of the Raj

• Experience a unique food and heritage tour of Old Delhi by cycle rickshaw

• Game drive in the tiger reserve of Ranthambore National Park

T H E H E A RT OF I N DI ABY LU X U RY T R A I N

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T H E D E C C A N O DY S S E Y

The distinctive royal blue carriages of the luxurious Deccan Odyssey carry just 96 guests between Delhi and Mumbai. There are 16 carriages of sheer luxury; each has just four

deluxe twin or double air-conditioned cabins with their own private bathroom, fine bed linen and tasteful wood panelling. For the ultimate in attentive service, each carriage even has its own butler.

Two beautifully appointed, wood-panelled restaurant cars serve superb mouth-watering international and Indian cuisine created by top Indian chefs. This, plus crisp table linen, fine china and superb service ensures dining on the Deccan Odyssey complements your travel experience beautifully.

After wonderful touring every day, unwind in the convivial bar and lounge car, where you can share your travel experiences with like-minded travelling companions over refreshments that fit the occasion, like a cup of fine refreshing tea, as the unchanging visions of rural India gently slip by.

Or pamper yourself with the facilities on board – a spa, a small gym and a hairdresser await. Should you feel like a little peace and quiet, perhaps catch up on some reading or just admire the passing scenery, there is also a comfortable lounge car with a small library. If you need to keep in touch with home, complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the train.

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DAY 1 - DEPARTUREYou should arrive at the airport to take your overnight direct flight to Delhi.

DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN DELHIAfter our late morning arrival, we transfer to the five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in the centre of the city for one night’s bed and breakfast. All rooms are stylishly furnished with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, personal safe, mini-bar and complimentary tea/coffee. In the afternoon we take a guided tour of New and Old Delhi. Bisected by wide tree-lined avenues, New Delhi was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1911 and clearly reflects the legacy of the British Raj. Surprisingly green and low-rise, at its centre we see the former Viceroy’s Palace, now the Presidential Palace and as we head down the imposing Rajpath, we reach India Gate and the Parliament buildings. We’ll also visit some of Delhi’s older monuments: the 12th-century Qutub Minaret is the tallest stone-built tower in India, whilst nearby is Humayun’s tomb, an outstanding example of Moghul architecture and the first mausoleum of its type, pre-dating the Taj Mahal by nearly a century.

DAY 3 - OLD DELHIThis morning is at leisure for a much-needed lie-in and late breakfast. At around midday, we plunge into the bustling heart of Old Delhi for a tour with a difference. Travelling by cycle rickshaw, you’ll see the

busy shopping streets and walk through the markets where the locals buy their food and spices, with several opportunities to taste what’s on offer. You’ll explore parts of the capital few tourists will get to see and finish in a typical ‘haveli’, a traditional mansion, where high tea and snacks will be beautifully laid out. Then, early in the evening we proceed to the Safdarjung Railway Terminal to join the train and start our wonderful journey aboard the Deccan Odyssey towards our first port of call, Ranthambore National Park.

DAY 4 - RANTHAMBORE TIGER SAFARIThis morning we visit Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting preserve of Maharajas, its 400 square kilometres of rolling hills, valleys and lakes form an enchanting and unique ecosystem. India’s famous Tiger Project was created to protect the country’s tiger population and despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived, numbers have stabilised and this remains the best place to spot tigers in the world. After an early start, we drive into the park for our morning safari in specially built 20-person open-top, four-wheel drives known as ‘canters’. As part of its conservation efforts, Ranthambore strictly limits the number of daily visitors and the routes that can be followed within the park. But the park is not just about tigers – over 300 bird species have been counted, including impressive crested eagles, painted storks and wild

peacocks. The reserve’s residents also include large numbers of sambars, the largest Asian antelope, as well as marsh crocodiles, wild boar, rare sloth bears and even leopards. Look out too for the playful troop of langur monkeys near the main gate. We return to the Indian Maharaja in the late morning, with time to relax before and after lunch on board.

During the afternoon we set out to visit some of the local villages around the National Park. It’s a great way to gain an insight into the daily lives of the farmers and typical Indian village life. On our way back to the train, we stop for high tea at what used to be the Maharaja’s hunting lodge, now the intimate Sawai Madhopur Lodge, with its shady colonnaded verandah overlooking the lawn and lush gardens.

DAY 5 - TAJ MAHALIn the morning we arrive in Agra, where we visit one of the world’s most iconic monuments – the Taj Mahal. Framed by the winding Yamuna River behind it, this absolute masterpiece seems to almost float like a mirage above the surrounding landscape. The combination of its extraordinary beauty, symmetry and history has made this one of the world’s most amazing monuments and we’ll have plenty of time to admire it from all angles. When you experience this amazing combination of natural and man-made beauty you will realise that everything you have ever heard about the Taj Mahal is true – it really is one of the most amazing creations on the planet.

11 DAYS

FROM ONLY

£3,699

DE L H I - M U M B A I ON T H E DE C C A N ODYS S E Y

D e l h i – R a n t h a mb ore – A g ra – J a ipu r – U d a ipu r – Vado d a ra – E l lo r a C ave s – Mu mb a i

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After a stop for lunch at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Agra, we visit the marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan’s wife for her father, known as the ‘Baby Taj’ and a chance to see the marble inlay workshops for which Agra is famous. We return to the Indian Maharaja for our sumptuous dinner as we travel on towards Jaipur in Rajasthan.

DAY 6 - JAIPUROur tour of the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur sees all the major highlights, including the Hawa Mahal, the famous Palace of the Winds, subtly constructed so the ladies of the Palace could view the busy streets below without being seen. We continue to one of the highlights of the entire tour: the immense, 17th-century Amber Fort, crowning one of the many rugged hills surrounding Jaipur, and once the capital of the entire state. We see the royal apartments, the sections reserved for the Maharaja’s wives and concubines as well as the remarkable hall of mirrors, with tiny delicate convex mirrors embedded like a mosaic in the walls and ceilings. We also explore the home of the present Maharaja; the City Palace with its collections of costumes, carpets, paintings and an impressive armoury, followed by one of Jaipur’s most famous sights, the 18th-century Astronomical Observatory. At first glance the oversized instruments look like geometric modernist sculptures, but each has a specific function and is remarkably accurate. It has been described as ‘cosmic architecture’ and our expert guide will explain their religious and scientific significance. After lunch at the Jai Mahal Palace, the afternoon is free to wander through Jaipur’s fascinating markets or perhaps enjoy an optional spa treatment at the Jai Mahal Palace, one of the city’s opulent luxury hotels.

DAY 7 - UDAIPURThis morning we arrive in the most beautiful city of Rajasthan, Udaipur, the City of Lakes. One of its most imposing buildings is the City Palace, majestically overlooking Lake Pichola. We enter through the famous triple arched gate, the Tripolia, where the Maharajas were famously weighed with the equivalent in gold and silver, subsequently distributed amongst their subjects. Inside this vast palace with its myriad pavilions, terraces, courtyards and gardens you appreciate the sense of overwhelming opulence of the royal court.

Another of today’s highlights is a boat trip across the shimmering glass-like surface of the lake, with its glittering Lake Palace floating like a white marble

ship at its centre. Our lunch is taken in the 17th-century Jagmandir Palace, known as the Lake Garden Palace, which occupies one of the islands on the lake and offers wonderful views of the city. In the afternoon you’ll enjoy a walking tour through Udaipur’s markets, known for their local handicrafts, including cloth lanterns, handmade paper, miniature paintings and pottery. This evening we continue our southward journey through the endlessly fascinating Indian countryside.

DAY 8 - VADODARAThis morning we arrive in Vadodara, known as the cultural capital of the Gujarat. The city is the residence of the Maharajah of Baroda, whose royal residence, the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, dates from the 1890s and is said to be several times larger than Buckingham Palace. We visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh museum, located within the palace complex and originally built as school for the Maharaja’s children, it now houses a number of fascinating paintings of Indian royalty, as well as sculptures and an Oriental gallery. Vadodara is also known for its vast UNESCO-listed archaeological park which includes forts, palaces, mosques, temples, tombs, many monuments pre-dating the Moghul conquest. We finish our day with a sumptuous high tea in the Lakshmi Palace before returning to our train for dinner.

DAY 9 - ELLORA CAVESEnjoy a slower paced day today as we wind into the state of Maharashtra. There’s time to relax and enjoy the train this morning as we head towards the city of Aurangabad after lunch. Our destination is the extraordinary complex of rock-carved temples known as the Ellora Caves, one of India’s most unusual UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Dating from around 600AD and incorporating Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples and monasteries, they are sited along a side of a gentle slope, which enabled their builders to cut down into the rock from above, much like the rock-carved temples of Petra in Jordan. The age, size and complexity of the carvings is unique in India and many of the temples are still in use today. We return for dinner and the final night on our train.

DAY 10 - MUMBAIThis morning, the Deccan Odyssey pulls into Mumbai’s magnificent Victoria Terminus, a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture and one of the world’s busiest railway stations. After breakfast

we say goodbye to our home for the past seven nights and enter the incredible 24-hour bustling metropolis of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital. Our tour of Mumbai includes the iconic Gateway of India, where British viceroys and governors would land on arrival in the country. Our hotel is the five-star Leela Mumbai on the outskirts of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax around the hotel’s luxuriant gardens or shady free-form pool and enjoy its many facilities, savouring the sights you have seen, the experiences you have had and the people you have met on this unique journey of discovery.

DAY 11 - RETURN FLIGHTAfter breakfast we depart for the airport and our daytime direct flight to the UK, arriving back later the same day.

Note: reverse itineraries substitute the city of Jodhpur for the Ellora Caves and the order/timing of visits will be different.

INDIA

Mumbai

Delhi

Udaipur

Vadodara

Jaipur Agra

Aurangabad

Ellora Caves

RanthamboreNational Park

Key:Route

Arrive

Depart

Arrival/Departure

244 245

E U RO PE A N TO U R S

AUSTRIAAustrian Tyrol & Innsbruck .............................................................265

Lakes & Mountains of Austria ........................................................265

BELGIUMBruges .................................................................................................. 263

CROATIADubrovnik, the Dalmatian Coast & Montenegro ......................267

CYPRUSDiscover Northern Cyprus ............................................................. 254

CZECH REPUBLICPrague, Vienna, Bohemia & the Danube Valley ........................265

FRANCEBurgundy, Dijon & the Rhône Valley ............................................261

Dordogne, Albi & Carcassonne ..................................................... 260

Monet’s Garden, the Loire Valley & Fontainebleau ................ 258

Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva & Annecy ........................................... 260

Nice, Monaco & the Cote d’Azur ...................................................261

Paris .......................................................................................................257

Rouen, Honfleur & the Highlights of Normandy .................... 258

Undiscovered Provence ................................................................... 262

GERMANYBerlin, Dresden, Meissen & Colditz ............................................ 263

Cochem, Luxembourg & the Moselle Valley ............................. 264

Heidelberg, the Main Valley & the Romantic Road ............... 264

The Romantic Rhine, Black Forest & Alsace .............................. 264

GREECEClassic Greece .....................................................................................257

IRELANDCork, Kilkenny & the Ring of Kerry ...............................................261

ITALYApulia, Lecce & Vieste - Undiscovered Italy ..............................253

Bologna, Parma & Ravenna ............................................................252

Classical Italy ..................................................................................... 246

Florence & Tuscany ...........................................................................251

Lake Como, St Moritz & the Bernina Express ............................ 248

Lake Garda, Venice & Verona ........................................................ 250

Lake Maggiore, Orta & the Matterhorn ......................................249

Pisa, the Cinque Terre & Portofino ...............................................252

Pompeii, Capri & the Bay of Naples .............................................247

Rome - Ancient & Baroque..............................................................253

Sicily ..................................................................................................... 246

Venice - Classic & Undiscovered ...................................................252

Western Sicily, Palermo & the Aeolian Islands .........................251

MALTAUndiscovered Malta ......................................................................... 264

POLANDKrakow ................................................................................................. 268

PORTUGALLisbon, Oporto & the Douro Valley ............................................. 254

Madeira the Pearl of the Atlantic ................................................. 254

244

HOW TO B O OKPlease contact your preferred travel agent to book.

For more information, visit www.rivieratravel.co.ukor call 01283 744 390 for trips to Canada and cruises or 01283 744 370 for all other holidays.

Call us from Monday to Friday (9am to 7pm) and on the weekend (10am to 4pm).Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

ABTA Number V4744

For your protection, we are a fully bonded member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) number V4744 and hold an Air Tours Organisers’ Licence (ATOL) 3430. This ensures the highest level of legal compliance and financial standing.

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1SP

244 245

WOR L DW I DE TO U R S

RUSSIAMoscow & St Petersburg .................................................................270

SCANDINAVIAHelsinki, Tallinn & Riga ................................................................... 269

Iceland .................................................................................................. 268

Norway ................................................................................................ 269

Stockholm & Copenhagen ............................................................. 269

SLOVENIASlovenia & Lake Bled .........................................................................265

SPAINBarcelona & the Highlights of Catalonia ....................................255

Classical Spain ................................................................................... 256

Madrid, Salamanca & Toledo ..........................................................255

Santiago, Bilbao & the highlights of Castile & León ................257

SWITZERLANDSwitzerland’s Bernese Oberland .................................................. 266

Switzerland, the Matterhorn & the Glacier Express .............. 266

AFRICANamibia ................................................................................................272

South Africa .........................................................................................271

Victoria Falls, Botswana Safari & Cape Town .......................... 273

ASIAA Grand Tour of China ..................................................................... 283

Burma & Irrawaddy River Cruise .................................................. 286

India & Nepal ..................................................................................... 282

India & Shimla ................................................................................... 280

Japan - Land of the Rising Sun ....................................................... 283

Malaysia, Borneo & Singapore ...................................................... 286

Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal & Amritsar’s Golden Temple ..........281

Southern India & the Backwaters of Kerala ...............................281

Sri Lanka .............................................................................................. 284

Thailand & Laos ................................................................................. 285

The Heart of India by Luxury Train .............................................. 282

Vietnam & Cambodia .......................................................................287

AUSTRALASIA Australia .............................................................................................. 288

New Zealand - Land of the Long White Cloud.......................... 289

NORTH AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EASTJerusalem, Galilee & the Dead Sea ...............................................270

NORTH AMERICACalifornia & the Golden West ........................................................274

Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Cruise ..........................277

Deep South USA .................................................................................275

Washington DC, New York City & Niagara Falls ......................278

Western Wonders ..............................................................................276

SOUTH AMERICACosta Rica....... .....................................................................................279

Peru & Amazon ...................................................................................279

BOOKING CONDITIONS ................................................................ 290

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SICILY

Supplements Excelsior Palace Baia Taormina Sant Alphio GardenStandard Single Supplement £129 £159 £169

Single Supplement with Sea View (No Balcony) £229Single Supplement with Sea View (with Balcony or Terrace) £269

Front Sea View (No Balcony) £105Sea View (with Balcony or Terrace) £59Side Sea/Etna View (No Balcony) £75

Side Sea/Etna View (French Balcony) £85 These room supplements are priced per person, subject to availability. Please note when booking a Side Sea/Etna View room, we are unable to guarantee which view you will be allocated.

Room Supplements

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single and sea view rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes return flights as indicated, seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner, airport departure taxes and transfers, all tours as mentioned, guided tours of Valley of the Temples, Villa at Piazza Armerina and Monreale, visits to Palermo, Siracusa and Etna and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Occasionally the opening times of the places of interest vary, and if this happens we may have to change the order of events. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months’ weather permitting.NOT INCLUDED: Costs for Mount Etna exploration are: cable car €30; cable car, jeep and compulsory guide €63, Ortygia boat trip €10, approximate costs, payable locally.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel 2nd Hotel PriceDublin 16/05/17 Aer Lingus 15:40 21:10 3hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £949

20/06/17 15:40 21:10 3hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £93926/09/17 15:40 21:10 3hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £97910/10/17 06:50 12:25 3hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £879

Gatwick 07/04/17 British Airways 07:20 12:10 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Excelsior £89911/04/17 14:50 19:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £90918/04/17 14:50 19:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £92921/04/17 07:20 12:10 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £92907/05/17 Thomson Airways 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £99914/05/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £99921/05/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,01928/05/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £99904/06/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £99911/06/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £99918/06/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,01925/06/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,01927/08/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £96903/09/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £1,01910/09/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,02917/09/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £1,01924/09/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,02926/09/17 British Airways 14:50 19:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £1,02901/10/17 Thomson Airways 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £99908/10/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £97915/10/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Excelsior £94922/10/17 06:00 11:05 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £869

Luton 12/05/17 easyJet 07:45 12:30 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £99916/06/17 07:45 12:30 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £99913/09/17 07:45 12:30 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £1,03911/10/17 07:45 12:25 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £949

Manchester 23/04/17 easyJet 07:00 11:55 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Excelsior £89914/05/17 Thomson Airways 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £1,01919/05/17 easyJet 07:00 11:55 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,03921/05/17 Thomson Airways 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £1,01928/05/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £1,03904/06/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £1,03911/06/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,03918/06/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £1,01925/06/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £1,01927/08/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £99903/09/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,03904/09/17 easyJet 16:10 21:05 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,04910/09/17 Thomson Airways 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £1,03917/09/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Baia di Ulisse Sant Alphio £1,04924/09/17 16:25 21:45 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £1,04901/10/17 16:25 11:50 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £1,01908/10/17 06:30 11:50 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Sant Alphio £99915/10/17 06:30 11:50 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Taormina £95922/10/17 06:30 12:50 2hrs.40 Kaos Hotel Excelsior £949

CLASSICAL ITALY

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £199 per person. The price includes seven nights accommodation breakfast and four dinners (on the first four nights), all tours as mentioned, guided tour of Siena, guided tour of Arezzo, guided tour of Florence, guided tour of Rome, return flights as detailed, airport departure taxes and transfers, timed entrance to the Uffizi gallery, (reservation and entrance fees included) and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 2nd Hotel PriceBirmingham 20/04/17 Monarch 16:10 20:35 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £879

30/05/17 06:50 11:20 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £91917/06/17 06:50 11:20 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £91920/09/17 08:00 12:30 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £91909/10/17 06:50 11:20 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £879

Bristol 25/04/17 easyJet 12:05 16:15 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £87917/05/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £91912/06/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £91910/09/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.30 Beverly Hills £91915/10/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.30 Beverly Hills £869

Dublin 15/05/17 Ryanair 06:50 11:20 3hrs.10 Beverly Hills £90906/09/17 Aer Lingus 06:30 11:15 3hrs.10 Beverly Hills £919

East Midlands 11/05/17 Ryanair 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 Beverly Hills £89920/06/17 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 Beverly Hills £89924/09/17 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 Beverly Hills £929

Edinburgh 17/05/17 Ryanair 06:25 10:55 2hrs.35 Beverly Hills £91925/09/17 06:25 10:55 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £939

Gatwick 20/04/17 easyJet 15:50 21:55 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £85912/05/17 09:15 10:50 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £89920/06/17 09:05 10:45 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £89906/09/17 09:05 10:45 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £89924/09/17 09:05 10:50 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £89915/10/17 09:05 10:45 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £849

Glasgow Int 08/06/17 Jet2 07:20 12:15 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £93905/10/17 07:20 12:15 3hrs.10 Beverly Hills £919

Heathrow 19/05/17 British Airways 07:05 11:45 2hrs.30 Beverly Hills £95917/06/17 Alitalia 07:25 14:15 2hrs.30 Beverly Hills £95904/09/17 07:25 17:20 2hrs.30 Beverly Hills £95909/10/17 British Airways 07:05 11:45 2hrs.30 Beverly Hills £919

Leeds Bradford 11/05/17 Jet2 07:40 12:15 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £93904/06/17 08:30 13:05 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £93914/09/17 07:40 12:15 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £93905/10/17 07:40 12:15 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £919

Luton 15/05/17 Monarch 07:35 12:05 2hrs.20 Beverly Hills £89912/06/17 07:35 12:05 2hrs.20 Beverly Hills £89914/09/17 15:45 20:15 2hrs.20 Beverly Hills £899

Manchester 25/04/17 Jet2 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £89912/05/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £93908/06/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £93904/09/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £94925/09/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 Beverly Hills £939

Newcastle 04/06/17 Jet2 07:45 12:45 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £95910/09/17 07:45 12:45 2hrs.55 Beverly Hills £959

Stansted 30/05/17 Ryanair 08:45 11:15 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £89920/09/17 08:45 11:15 2hrs.25 Beverly Hills £899

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

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POMPEII, CAPRI & THE BAY OF NAPLES

Room Supplements

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin room. Single and sea facing rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes return flights as indicated, seven nights‘ accommodation with breakfast and dinner (The Hotel Mediterraneo is on a bed & breakfast basis), airport departure taxes and transfers, all tours as mentioned, guided tours of Pompeii, Naples Archaeological Museum and Sorrento, visit to Herculaneum, cruise to Capri and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting. NOT INCLUDED: There will be a charge for swimming pool towels of 2 per towel per day at the Vue D’Or, Villa Maria and the La Badia. Occasionally the opening times of the places of interest varies, and if this happens we may change the order of visits, however the overall content will not be reduced.

PLEASE NOTEThe Hotel Mediterraneo is on a bed & breakfast basis.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person.

Dublin Departures

Airports & Flight SupplementsPlease select your preferred airport and date from the list below.

Hotels & Cost of TourNow choose your preferred Hotel. Add the above flight supplement where applicable for your final price.

All flights departing Dublin with Aer Lingus at 07:20 and returning from Naples at 12:20 with a flight duration of 3hrs.15

Hotel Sea facing room with

balcony

Sea facing room with balcony or

Terrace

Sea facing room with French

balconySea facing no balcony

Side sea facing room with balcony

Standard Room (Main Building)

Single Room

La Badia 3* £55 £115Villa Maria 3* £89 £79 £199

Vue D’or 3* Superior £99 £199Aminta 4* Superior £169/£199 £209Cesare Augusto 4* £159Grand Europa 4* £169 £30Mediterraneo 4* £179/£239Michelangelo 4* £169

Parco dei Principe 5* £149These room supplements are priced per person, subject to availability

Airport Birmingham Bristol East Midlands Gatwick Glasgow Luton Manchester Newcastle StanstedAirline Thomson Airways Thomson Airways Thomson Airways British Airways Norwegian Air Thomson Airways Thomson Airways Monarch Jet2 Thomson Airways Thomson Airways EasyJet

Duration 2hrs.40 2hrs.45 2hrs.55 2hrs.40 3hrs.15 2hrs.00 3hrs.00 2hrs.50 2hrs.50Flight Out 07:00 16:55 14:30 14:30 17:25 06:10 06:10 17:10 15:10 07:15 15:40 06:35 14:15 15:15 14:45 06:40 13:40 16:50 06:10 16:55

Flight Return 11:45 21:40 11:00 20:10 20:10 19:15 12:00 12:00 19:35 11:45 20:20 20:20 19:30 20:00 19:50 11:25 18:40 21:50 11:15 21:0507/04/17 £30 £3011/04/17 £014/04/17 £30 £3019/04/17 £021/04/17 £30 £3028/04/17 £30 £0 £3005/05/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £012/05/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £019/05/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £4026/05/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £4002/06/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £009/06/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £016/06/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £4023/06/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £030/06/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £025/08/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £30 £30 £4001/09/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £008/09/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £015/09/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £022/09/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £4029/09/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £30 £40 £006/10/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £4013/10/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £40 £020/10/17 £30 £40 £40 £0 £40 £0 £30 £40 £0

Departure Dates

La Badia 3*

Villa Maria 3*

Vue D'or 3* Superior

Aminta 4* Superior

Cesare Augusto 4*

GrandEuropa 4*

Mediterraneo4*

Michelangelo4*

Parco Dei Principe 5*

07/04/17 £899 £84911/04/17 £779 £89914/04/17 £789 £94919/04/17 £919 £91921/04/17 £999 £93926/04/17 £979 £79928/04/17 £999 £849 £1,049 £97905/05/17 £999 £879 £949 £1,099 £999 £1,099 £1,129 £1,079 £1,64912/05/17 £1,029 £889 £969 £1,149 £1,019 £1,129 £1,199 £1,099 £1,67919/05/17 £1,029 £899 £969 £1,159 £1,019 £1,129 £1,249 £1,099 £1,69926/05/17 £1,029 £899 £969 £1,159 £1,019 £1,129 £1,249 £1,099 £1,69902/06/17 £1,029 £899 £989 £1,159 £1,029 £1,129 £1,299 £1,099 £1,74909/06/17 £1,029 £899 £989 £1,159 £1,029 £1,129 £1,379 £1,099 £1,74916/06/17 £1,029 £899 £989 £1,159 £1,029 £1,129 £1,399 £1,099 £1,74923/06/17 £1,029 £899 £989 £1,159 £1,029 £1,129 £1,399 £1,099 £1,74930/06/17 £1,029 £899 £989 £1,159 £1,029 £1,129 £1,399 £1,099 £1,74925/08/17 £999 £939 £1,019 £1,119 £1,029 £1,099 £1,399 £1,099 £1,79901/09/17 £1,029 £969 £1,039 £1,169 £1,039 £1,129 £1,399 £1,119 £1,79908/09/17 £1,029 £969 £1,039 £1,169 £1,039 £1,129 £1,399 £1,119 £1,79915/09/17 £1,029 £969 £1,039 £1,169 £1,039 £1,129 £1,399 £1,119 £1,79922/09/17 £1,029 £959 £1,019 £1,169 £1,039 £1,129 £1,379 £1,119 £1,79929/09/17 £1,019 £929 £999 £1,139 £1,019 £1,129 £1,299 £1,099 £1,69906/10/17 £999 £899 £989 £1,099 £999 £1,099 £1,239 £1,079 £1,62913/10/17 £979 £859 £969 £1,049 £979 £1,079 £1,179 £1,059 £1,59920/10/17 £949 £829 £949 £999 £949 £1,049 £1,099 £1,039 £1,579

Departure Dates

La Badia 3*

Villa Maria 3*

Vue D'or 3* Superior

Aminta 4* Superior

Cesare Augusto 4*

GrandEuropa 4*

Mediterraneo4*

Michelangelo4*

Parco Dei Principe 5*

19/05/17 £989 £859 £929 £1,119 £979 £1,119 £1,209 £1,059 £1,808 16/06/17 £999 £869 £959 £1,129 £999 £1,129 £1,369 £1,069 £1,868 25/08/17 £989 £929 £1,009 £1,109 £1,019 £1,089 £1,389 £1,089 £1,789 22/09/17 £999 £929 £989 £1,139 £1,009 £1,099 £1,349 £1,258 £1,76906/10/17 £929 £829 £919 £1,029 £929 £1,029 £1,169 £1,009 £1,708

248 249

LAKE COMO, ST MORITZ & THE BERNINA EXPRESS

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single and lake view rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. *The Price of the Single supplement in the Grand Hotel Imperiale are double rooms for sole occupancy. The price includes seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner, return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, all tours as mentioned, one way journey on the Bernina Express in standard class, boat to Bellagio, guided tours of Bergamo and Villa del Balbianello (including entrance fee) and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Room Supplements

Supplements Cadenabbia 4* Menaggio 4* Regina Olga 4* Imperiale 4* Victoria 4*Single Supplement £89 £169 £169 £469* £229

Lake View £85 £105 £135 £119 £75Lake View with Balcony £139 £279

These rooms are priced per person, subject to availability.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Hotel PriceHeathrow 21/04/17 British

Airways07:40 11:30 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £959

11/05/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,04930/05/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,04906/06/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,04920/06/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,04906/07/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £99913/07/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,03908/08/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,01918/08/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £1,00914/09/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £1,02921/09/17 07:50 11:35 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £1,02912/10/17 10:25 15:50 2hrs.00 Menaggio £999

Liverpool 18/08/17 Blue Air 06:30 10:30 2hrs.15 Imperiale £1,149Luton 20/04/17 easyJet 07:30 17:30 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £939

18/05/17 07:30 17:30 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £99908/06/17 07:30 17:30 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,02918/07/17 18:25 21:50 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,02910/08/17 18:35 17:10 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,01912/09/17 08:50 17:30 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,04905/10/17 08:50 21:55 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £949

Manchester 07/04/17 Flybe 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £89904/05/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Menaggio £1,02911/05/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £97919/05/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99926/05/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99901/06/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99904/06/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Victoria £1,17915/06/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99922/06/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99925/06/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Victoria £1,15906/07/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £97913/07/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Menaggio £1,01920/07/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £97904/08/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £97910/08/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Menaggio £1,01917/08/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Menaggio £1,01924/08/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £97907/09/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99914/09/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99917/09/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Imperiale £1,15924/09/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Imperiale £1,14928/09/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Menaggio £1,02905/10/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Menaggio £99913/10/17 11:30 15:30 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £899

Stansted 20/04/17 Ryanair 13:40 18:30 2hrs.00 Menaggio £99916/05/17 13:40 18:30 2hrs.00 Regina Olga £1,02930/06/17 13:40 18:30 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £99920/07/17 13:40 18:30 2hrs.00 Menaggio £1,01926/09/17 13:40 18:30 2hrs.00 Regina Olga £1,04919/10/17 13:30 18:30 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £849

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Hotel PriceBirmingham 07/04/17 Flybe 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £899

04/05/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Menaggio £1,02911/05/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £97919/05/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £99926/05/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £99901/06/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £99906/06/17 12:05 15:50 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,02922/06/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £99925/06/17 06:45 20:40 2hrs.10 Victoria £1,15907/07/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £97913/07/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £97927/07/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £97904/08/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £97913/08/17 06:45 20:40 2hrs.10 Victoria £1,14924/08/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £97907/09/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £99912/09/17 12:05 15:50 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,04921/09/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Menaggio £1,02928/09/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.15 Cadenabbia £99905/10/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Menaggio £99913/10/17 12:05 15:50 2hrs.10 Cadenabbia £899

Bristol 20/04/17 Ryanair 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £93904/05/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £97918/05/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £1,04930/05/17 08:35 07:00 2hrs.05 Regina Olga £1,02901/06/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,02915/06/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,06929/06/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £1,03913/07/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £1,03908/08/17 08:35 07:00 2hrs.05 Regina Olga £1,05931/08/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,15921/09/17 12:25 16:00 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £1,04928/09/17 12:55 16:30 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £1,04903/10/17 08:35 07:00 2hrs.05 Regina Olga £1,08919/10/17 12:55 16:30 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £909

Cardiff 12/05/17 Flybe 09:45 13:25 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £97923/06/17 09:45 13:25 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £99928/07/17 09:45 13:25 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £97918/08/17 09:45 13:25 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £97929/09/17 10:05 13:45 2hrs.00 Cadenabbia £99915/10/17 10:05 13:45 2hrs.00 Imperiale £1,049

Dublin 27/04/17 Aer Lingus 07:00 11:20 2hrs.30 Cadenabbia £93909/05/17 07:00 11:20 2hrs.30 Regina Olga £97918/06/17 07:00 11:20 2hrs.30 Imperiale £1,17918/07/17 Ryanair 06:15 10:10 2hrs.25 Regina Olga £1,05910/08/17 Aer Lingus 07:00 11:20 2hrs.30 Cadenabbia £1,00905/09/17 Ryanair 06:15 10:10 2hrs.25 Regina Olga £1,03905/10/17 Aer Lingus 07:10 11:20 2hrs.30 Cadenabbia £939

East Midlands

20/04/17 Ryanair 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,01911/05/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,04916/05/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Regina Olga £1,04925/05/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,04908/06/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £1,01915/06/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,04929/06/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £1,01906/07/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,03920/07/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Cadenabbia £99903/08/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,03917/08/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,03905/09/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Regina Olga £1,06914/09/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £1,04926/09/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Regina Olga £1,06903/10/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Regina Olga £1,06912/10/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 Menaggio £999

Edinburgh 21/04/17 easyJet 09:30 18:05 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £95905/05/17 09:30 18:05 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £99927/06/17 14:40 18:05 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,04921/07/17 13:30 18:05 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £99913/08/17 14:40 18:05 1hrs.55 Victoria £1,16917/09/17 11:30 18:05 1hrs.55 Imperiale £1,17906/10/17 11:30 18:15 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £949

Gatwick 27/04/17 easyJet 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £95904/05/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £97909/05/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £99912/05/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £97925/05/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,02901/06/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,02908/06/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £99918/06/17 13:50 13:50 1hrs.55 Imperiale £1,15923/06/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £99927/06/17 13:45 18:40 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,02907/07/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £97921/07/17 13:45 18:40 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £97928/07/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £97903/08/17 13:45 12:20 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,01910/08/17 13:45 12:20 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £97918/08/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Imperiale £1,14924/08/17 13:45 12:20 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,01914/09/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,02921/09/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,02924/09/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Imperiale £1,14929/09/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £99906/10/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £92915/10/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Imperiale £1,04919/10/17 13:45 13:50 1hrs.55 Menaggio £929

Glasgow Int 20/06/17 easyJet 09:35 11:30 1hrs.55 Regina Olga £1,04927/07/17 13:35 11:30 1hrs.55 Cadenabbia £97924/08/17 13:35 11:30 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,01928/09/17 11:35 09:30 1hrs.55 Menaggio £1,029

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PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single and lake view rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes return flights, seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner; airport departure taxes and transfers; all tours as mentioned; boat cruise to Cannobio, journey on the Centovalli railway, cruise to Borromean islands and entrance to villa and gardens, visit to Lake Como, panoramic journey to Zermatt, executive coach travel; services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting. NOT INCLUDED: Matterhorn cable car, approximate cost £70, payable locally in Swiss Francs.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

LAKE MAGGIORE, ORTA & THE MATTERHORN

Room Supplements

Airports & Flight SupplementsPlease select your preferred airport and date from the list below.

Hotels & Cost of Tour Now choose your preferred Hotel. Add the above flight supplement where applicable for your final price.

Airport Birmingham Bristol East Midlands Edinburgh Gatwick Glasgow Heathrow Luton Manchester StanstedAirline Flybe Ryanair Ryanair Easyjet Easyjet Easyjet British Airways Easyjet Flybe Ryanair

Duration 2hrs.10 2hrs.15 2hrs.10 2hrs.15 2hrs.10 2hrs.30 2hrs.00 2hrs.30 2hrs.15 2hrs.15Flight Out 12:05 08:35 12:00 20:05 13:45 11:35 20:10 20:10 07:50 08:50 18:35 08:50 11:30 08:05 13:30 08:05

Flight Return 10:30 07:00 15:35 18:05 12:20 09:30 18:05 09:30 11:35 17:30 17:10 21:55 15:30 18:30 14:25 21:4525/04/17 £20 £0 £002/05/17 £0 £20 £0 £009/05/17 £0 £0 £20 £016/05/17 £0 £0 £0 £0 £023/05/17 £0 £20 £0 £0 £030/05/17 £0 £20 £0 £20 £006/06/17 £0 £0 £013/06/17 £0 £20 £0 £020/06/17 £0 £0 £0 £027/06/17 £0 £0 £0 £20 £004/07/17 £0 £0 £0 £0 £011/07/17 £0 £20 £0 £018/07/17 £20 £20 £025/07/17 £0 £0 £001/08/17 £0 £008/08/17 £50 £015/08/17 £0 £022/08/17 £0 £20 £20 £0 £2029/08/17 £0 £0 £0 £0 £005/09/17 £0 £0 £0 £012/09/17 £20 £0 £20 £019/09/17 £0 £0 £0 £026/09/17 £0 £20 £0 £003/10/17 £0 £0 £0 £20 £010/10/17 £0 £0 £0 £017/10/17 £0 £20 £0 £0

Departure Dates Astoria 4* Regina Palace 4* Superior Grand Hotel Bristol 4*25/04/17 £949 £1,09902/05/17 £999 £1,11909/05/17 £999 £1,119 £1,05916/05/17 £999 £1,119 £1,05923/05/17 £999 £1,119 £1,05930/05/17 £999 £1,119 £1,05906/06/17 £1,149 £1,07913/06/17 £1,149 £1,07920/06/17 £1,049 £1,149 £1,07927/06/17 £1,049 £1,129 £1,07904/07/17 £1,029 £1,03911/07/17 £1,029 £1,06918/07/17 £1,029 £1,06925/07/17 £1,029 £1,06901/08/17 £999 £1,06915/08/17 £1,06922/08/17 £999 £1,099 £1,03929/08/17 £1,049 £1,149 £1,05905/09/17 £1,159 £1,08912/09/17 £1,159 £1,08919/09/17 £1,049 £1,159 £1,08926/09/17 £1,049 £1,129 £1,05903/10/17 £979 £1,069 £99910/10/17 £949 £1,049 £89917/10/17 £929 £999

Hotel Single Room Lake ViewAstoria 4* £225 £65

Regina Palace 4* Superior £205Grand Hotel Bristol 4* £199

These room supplements are priced per person, subject to availability.

Dublin DeparturesAll flights departing Dublin with Ryanair at 06:15 and returning from Milan at 10:10 with a flight duration of 2hrs.30

Departure Dates Astoria 4* Regina Palace 4* Superior Grand Hotel Bristol 4*09/05/17 £979 £1,099 £1,03906/06/17 £1,069 £1,13918/07/17 £1,049 £1,08901/08/17 £1,209 £1,09919/09/17 £1,069 £1,179 £1,10910/10/17 £919 £1,019 £869

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LAKE GARDA, VENICE & VERONA

Room Supplements

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms and Lake View rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner, guided tours of Verona and Venice, all transfers, tour of Lake Garda, tour of the Dolomite mountains, scheduled flights as mentioned, airport departure taxes and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting. NOT INCLUDED: Optional cable car on Dolomite tour €17, approximate cost, payable locally.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airports & Flight SupplementsPlease select your preferred airport and date from the list below.

Hotels & Cost of Tour Now choose your preferred Hotel. Add the above flight supplement where applicable for your final price.

Dublin Information

Departure Dates Brione 3* Cristallo 3* Savoy 4* Kristal 4* Europa 4* Portici 4* Borgo Antico 4*17/04/17 £639 £689 £809 £73922/05/17 £709 £739 £889 £1,029 £809 £779 £75919/06/17 £779 £799 £939 £1,079 £859 £849 £81917/07/17 £849 £989 £1,119 £899 £879 £82928/08/17 £809 £799 £979 £1,109 £919 £889 £81918/09/17 £809 £819 £979 £1,109 £929 £889 £81909/10/17 £649 £619 £749 £819 £749 £719 £679

All flights departing Dublin with Ryanair at 07:20 and returning from Milan at 11:45 with a flight duration of 2hrs.30

Airport Birmingham Bristol Cardiff East Midlands Edinburgh Gatwick Heathrow Manchester StanstedAirline Flybe Easyjet Flybe Ryanair Jet 2 Easyjet British Airways Flybe Ryanair

Duration 2hrs.10 2hrs.15 2hrs.05 2hrs.10 2hrs.15 2hrs.10 2hrs.00 2hrs.15 2hrs.15Flight Out 12:05 15:00 09:45 12:00 07:15 13:15 08:55 13:45 13:45 07:50 07:40 07:50 10:25 11:30 08:05

Flight Return 15:50 13:05 13:25 15:35 11:45 16:50 12:20 13:50 18:40 11:35 15:50 18:55 14:20 15:30 14:2510/04/17 £20 £017/04/17 £0 £0 £2024/04/17 £20 £20 £0 £40 £20 £001/05/17 £20 £0 £0 £40 £0 £2008/05/17 £20 £0 £0 £0 £40 £20 £015/05/17 £20 £0 £50 £0 £20 £022/05/17 £20 £0 £20 £40 £0 £40 £2029/05/17 £20 £0 £40 £0 £40 £20 £005/06/17 £20 £0 £40 £0 £40 £2012/06/17 £20 £0 £0 £0 £20 £019/06/17 £20 £0 £0 £50 £10 £40 £2026/06/17 £20 £0 £0 £0 £20 £003/07/17 £0 £0 £0 £2010/07/17 £20 £0 £20 £017/07/17 £0 £40 £2024/07/17 £20 £20 £20 £2031/07/17 £20 £60 £20 £007/08/17 £20 £50 £0 £014/08/17 £40 £40 £2021/08/17 £20 £50 £0 £028/08/17 £20 £0 £0 £70 £30 £40 £2004/09/17 £20 £0 £50 £20 £40 £20 £011/09/17 £20 £0 £50 £50 £0 £40 £20 £018/09/17 £20 £0 £0 £50 £0 £40 £20 £025/09/17 £20 £0 £40 £0 £40 £20 £002/10/17 £20 £0 £20 £0 £40 £20 £009/10/17 £20 £60 £0 £40 £2016/10/17 £20 £0 £0 £20 £0

Departure Dates Brione 3* Cristallo 3* Savoy 4* Kristal 4* Europa 4* Portici 4* Antico Borgo 4*10/04/17 £699 £739 £82917/04/17 £699 £749 £869 £79924/04/17 £729 £729 £839 £949 £81901/05/17 £729 £769 £869 £999 £839 £799 £71908/05/17 £739 £769 £899 £1,009 £849 £799 £74915/05/17 £739 £779 £919 £1,019 £849 £819 £76922/05/17 £749 £779 £929 £1,069 £849 £819 £79929/05/17 £789 £929 £1,069 £849 £829 £79905/06/17 £779 £789 £929 £1,069 £81912/06/17 £769 £789 £929 £1,069 £81919/06/17 £769 £789 £929 £1,069 £849 £839 £80926/06/17 £789 £789 £949 £1,069 £859 £839 £80903/07/17 £829 £969 £1,099 £869 £859 £80910/07/17 £829 £969 £1,099 £879 £859 £80917/07/17 £829 £969 £1,099 £879 £859 £80924/07/17 £829 £969 £1,099 £899 £859 £80931/07/17 £969 £1,099 £89907/08/17 £969 £1,099 £89914/08/17 £969 £1,099 £89921/08/17 £799 £959 £1,099 £90928/08/17 £789 £969 £1,099 £909 £879 £80904/09/17 £799 £809 £969 £1,099 £919 £879 £79911/09/17 £799 £809 £969 £1,099 £919 £879 £80918/09/17 £799 £809 £969 £1,099 £919 £879 £80925/09/17 £769 £779 £899 £1,029 £889 £849 £79902/10/17 £729 £689 £839 £929 £849 £799 £77909/10/17 £699 £669 £799 £869 £799 £769 £72916/10/17 £629 £639 £749 £829 £779 £749 £679

Hotel Lake View Room Single Room Room with BalconyBrione 3* £169

Cristallo 3* £69 £169Savoy 4* £149Kristal 4* £165Europa 4* £69 £109Portici 4* £109

Antico Borgo 4* £109 £39These room supplements are priced per person, subject to availability.

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WESTERN SICILY, PALERMO& THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 2nd Hotel PriceGatwick 27/04/17 05:50 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £999

04/05/17 05:50 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,04911/05/17 05:50 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,06918/05/17 05:50 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,09908/06/17 05:50 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,11915/06/17 05:50 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,11922/06/17 05:50 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,11907/09/17 05:55 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,09914/09/17 05:55 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,09928/09/17 05:55 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,09905/10/17 05:55 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,04912/10/17 05:55 10:15 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,029

Heathrow 07/09/17 British Airways

08:00 13:00 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,09914/09/17 08:00 13:00 2hrs.50 Alberi Del Paradiso £1,099

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £179 per person. The price includes seven nights accommodation with breakfast and five dinners, plus two dinners at a local restaurant, return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, all tours as mentioned, guided tours of Erice, Segesta and Palermo, entrance to the Norman Palace visit to Monreale, entrance and guided tour of the Pellegrino wine Cantina, entrance to the Salt Museum, visit and ferry to the Aeolian Islands, and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting.

Cefalu room upgrades: Hotel Alberi del Paradiso, Deluxe sea facing room with balcony £79 per person, Deluxe sea facing room with balcony for Sole Occupancy supplement is £249; Hotel La Calette, Deluxe room from £99 per person - prices based on two people sharing, Deluxe room for Sole Occupancy supplement is £249.PLEASE NOTE: Aeolian Islands - Occasionally bad weather prevents travel to the Aeolian Islands for safety reasons, however we will endeavour to reschedule this visit to an alternative day. If this is not possible a refund of £28 per person will be made on your return to the UK.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £249 per person. The price includes seven nights accommodation with breakfast and four dinners, all tours as mentioned, timed visit to the Uffizi gallery (reservation and entrance fees included), airport departure taxes and transfers, flights as mentioned and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting. NOT INCLUDED: Should you wish to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, entrance is €18, approximate cost, payable locally.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

FLORENCE & TUSCANY

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel 2nd Hotel PriceBristol 23/04/17 easyJet 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £929

12/05/17 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £91902/06/17 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £97917/09/17 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £98906/10/17 07:10 10:55 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Piccolo £959

Dublin 29/04/17 Ryanair 13:15 11:00 2hrs.45 Mediterraneo Palazzo £93931/08/17 12:30 09:55 2hrs.45 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £899

East Midlands

23/04/17 Ryanair 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 Mediterraneo Palazzo £92917/05/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 Mediterraneo Palazzo £98928/06/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £96912/07/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 Corona d'Italia Palazzo £94913/09/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 Corona d'Italia Palazzo £97901/10/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 Mediterraneo Piccolo £969

Gatwick 29/04/17 easyJet 08:45 12:25 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £94912/05/17 14:20 18:10 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £91917/05/17 14:20 18:10 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £97902/06/17 08:20 12:05 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £97924/06/17 06:25 10:05 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £92912/07/17 14:20 18:10 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Palazzo £94904/08/17 14:20 12:05 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Piccolo £1,01931/08/17 12:25 16:15 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £93919/09/17 14:25 18:15 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £93906/10/17 12:25 16:15 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Piccolo £959

Heathrow 30/04/17 British Airways 08:50 13:05 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £92910/05/17 08:50 13:05 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £97925/06/17 08:50 13:05 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £94913/09/17 08:50 13:05 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Palazzo £95901/10/17 08:50 13:05 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Piccolo £949

Leeds Bradford

13/05/17 Jet2 07:40 11:50 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Piccolo £1,03924/06/17 07:40 11:50 2hrs.30 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £96905/09/17 07:40 11:50 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Palazzo £1,039

Luton 21/05/17 easyJet 12:35 16:20 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Piccolo £99909/06/17 12:20 16:05 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Piccolo £99908/09/17 12:35 16:20 2hrs.10 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £93907/10/17 06:35 10:20 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £979

Manchester 30/04/17 Jet2 15:30 19:45 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £97906/05/17 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Piccolo £1,03921/05/17 15:30 13:40 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Piccolo £1,04909/06/17 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Piccolo £1,04925/06/17 09:10 13:40 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £99901/07/17 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 Corona d'Italia Palazzo £99904/08/17 08:30 13:00 (blank) Corona d'Italia Piccolo £1,00908/09/17 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £98917/09/17 09:10 13:40 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Palazzo £1,03907/10/17 08:30 19:00 2hrs.30 Mediterraneo Palazzo £1,029

Newcastle 13/05/17 Jet2 15:30 19:50 2hrs.40 Mediterraneo Piccolo £1,03901/07/17 15:30 19:50 2hrs.40 Corona d'Italia Palazzo £1,00919/09/17 15:45 20:05 2hrs.40 Corona d'Italia Le Fonti £989

Stansted 06/05/17 Ryanair 08:45 12:55 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Piccolo £98928/06/17 08:45 12:55 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £94905/09/17 08:45 12:55 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Palazzo £98918/10/17 08:45 12:55 2hrs.10 Mediterraneo Le Fonti £849

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PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £129 per person. The price includes four nights accommodation with breakfast at four-star Hotel Internazionale; return flights; all taxes and charges; return transfers; guided tour of Bologna; guided tour of Parma including Cathedral entrance; guided tour of Ravenna including entrance to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites; tour of La Perla Parma ham with tasting; visit to Villa San Donnino local producer of Balsamic Vinegar with tasting; all touring as mentioned; services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

BOLOGNA, PARMA & RAVENNA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 04/06/17 Monarch 18:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £659

18/07/17 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 £63917/09/17 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 £66903/10/17 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 £659

Bristol 26/04/17 Ryanair 06:45 15:30 2hrs.45 £64903/05/17 06:45 15:30 2hrs.45 £65921/06/17 06:45 15:30 2hrs.45 £65905/07/17 06:45 15:30 2hrs.45 £63913/09/17 06:45 13:50 2hrs.45 £68911/10/17 06:45 15:30 2hrs.45 £689

Edinburgh 19/06/17 Ryanair 06:50 11:00 2hrs.45 £69904/09/17 06:50 11:00 2hrs.45 £699

Gatwick 22/04/17 easyJet 11:25 10:50 1hrs.55 £64918/05/17 07:10 15:10 1hrs.55 £65927/06/17 07:10 15:10 1hrs.55 £65910/07/17 11:30 10:50 1hrs.55 £63904/09/17 11:30 10:50 1hrs.55 £66911/10/17 11:30 10:50 1hrs.55 £659

Heathrow 22/04/17 British Airways 08:20 12:30 2hrs.05 £66909/05/17 08:20 19:00 2hrs.05 £67904/06/17 08:20 12:30 2hrs.05 £67905/07/17 08:20 12:30 2hrs.05 £67917/09/17 08:20 12:30 2hrs.05 £689

Luton 18/05/17 easyJet 13:25 17:05 1hrs.55 £65919/06/17 13:25 17:05 1hrs.55 £65919/09/17 13:30 16:55 1hrs.55 £669

Manchester 25/04/17 Ryanair 10:50 14:40 2hrs.10 £66909/05/17 10:50 14:40 2hrs.10 £67906/06/17 10:50 14:40 2hrs.10 £67927/06/17 10:50 14:40 2hrs.10 £67918/07/17 10:50 14:40 2hrs.10 £65919/09/17 10:50 14:40 2hrs.10 £68903/10/17 10:50 14:40 2hrs.10 £679

Stansted 26/04/17 Ryanair 08:45 18:20 2hrs.05 £64903/05/17 08:45 18:20 2hrs.05 £65921/06/17 08:45 18:20 2hrs.05 £65913/09/17 08:45 18:20 2hrs.05 £669

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £199 per person. The price includes four nights at the four-star Grand Hotel Guinigi and three nights at four- star superior Grand Hotel Miramare, with breakfast and dinner; return flights; all taxes and charges; return transfers; guided tours of Pisa with entrance in to the Cathedral, Baptistery and Camposanto; guided tour of Lucca; visits to a working Tuscan vineyard and tasting; cruise by private charter boat along the Cinque Terre (subject to weather conditions); visit to Portofino; all transport and tours as mentioned; services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting.NOT INCLUDED: Should you wish to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa entrance is €18 (Approximate cost, payable locally).

IMPORTANT NOTEFor safety reasons visiting the Cinque Terre and Portofino by boat is inevitably subject to weather conditions. If we are prevented from sailing to the Cinque Terre we will travel by rail visiting the villages of Monterosso , Vernazza and Manarola. If we are prevented from sailing to Portofino we will travel by local bus, approximately a ten minute drive - the only other possible method allowed. In these cases, refunds of £23 and /or £4 per person per the respective tour will be given. Should these circumstances occur, the Captain’s decision is final, please consider this when booking this holiday.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

PISA, THE CINQUE TERRE & PORTOFINO

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBristol 23/04/17 easyJet 07:15 11:00 2hrs.10 £1,199

31/05/17 14:25 18:10 2hrs.10 £1,28920/09/17 18:30 22:05 2hrs.10 £1,24901/10/17 06:25 10:05 2hrs.10 £1,229

East Midlands 23/04/17 Ryanair 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 £1,19924/05/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 £1,28913/09/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 £1,27901/10/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.15 £1,229

Gatwick 27/04/17 easyJet 12:25 16:15 2hrs.10 £1,19924/05/17 12:25 16:15 2hrs.10 £1,24931/05/17 14:20 18:10 2hrs.10 £1,24908/06/17 12:25 16:15 2hrs.10 £1,24913/09/17 12:25 18:10 2hrs.10 £1,24905/10/17 14:25 18:15 2hrs.10 £1,129

Manchester 27/04/17 Jet2 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 £1,21908/06/17 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 £1,26916/09/17 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 £1,26905/10/17 08:30 13:00 2hrs.30 £1,149

Newcastle 16/09/17 Jet2 15:30 19:50 2hrs.40 £1,299

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. The price includes return flights, four nights accommodation with breakfast at the four-star Hotel Principe, single rooms available at the relevant supplement, return transfers, sightseeing tour of Venice, entrance to St Mark’s Cathedral, entrance to the Doge’s Palace, sightseeing tour of undiscovered Venice, boat tour to Murano and glass-making demonstration, services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Price Single SupplementBirmingham 28/05/17 Monarch 18:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £819 £215

25/06/17 18:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £819 £21516/07/17 18:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £729 £13906/08/17 18:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £729 £13903/09/17 18:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £819 £21501/10/17 18:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £819 £215

Bristol 13/03/17 easyJet 15:20 13:25 2hrs.15 £699 £13903/04/17 15:00 13:05 2hrs.15 £799 £21501/05/17 15:00 13:05 2hrs.15 £819 £21512/06/17 15:00 13:05 2hrs.15 £819 £21524/07/17 15:00 13:05 2hrs.15 £779 £13928/08/17 15:00 13:05 2hrs.15 £829 £21523/10/17 15:00 13:05 2hrs.15 £819 £215

Dublin 16/04/17 Ryanair 14:00 18:05 2hrs.05 £819 £21513/11/17 07:40 11:45 2hrs.05 £659 £99

East Midlands 24/04/17 Ryanair 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 £849 £21519/06/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 £819 £21531/07/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 £749 £13925/09/17 12:00 15:35 2hrs.05 £869 £21523/10/17 12:00 16:00 2hrs.05 £869 £215

Edinburgh 12/06/17 Jet2 07:15 11:45 2hrs.15 £849 £21528/08/17 07:15 11:45 2hrs.15 £869 £215

Gatwick 29/01/17 easyJet 08:40 18:50 2hrs.10 £499 £9905/03/17 08:40 10:40 2hrs.10 £629 £9927/03/17 08:35 16:15 2hrs.10 £759 £13909/04/17 08:40 16:15 2hrs.10 £829 £21501/05/17 08:35 16:15 2hrs.10 £849 £21528/05/17 08:40 21:50 2hrs.10 £849 £21519/06/17 08:35 16:15 2hrs.10 £849 £21516/07/17 08:35 16:15 2hrs.10 £759 £13920/08/17 08:35 16:15 2hrs.10 £779 £13911/09/17 08:35 16:15 2hrs.10 £849 £21509/10/17 08:35 16:15 2hrs.10 £849 £21505/11/17 08:40 18:50 2hrs.10 £729 £9904/12/17 07:00 18:50 2hrs.10 £529 £99

Heathrow 05/03/17 British Airways 08:45 12:50 2hrs.10 £629 £9919/03/17 08:45 12:50 2hrs.10 £729 £13925/06/17 08:55 13:00 2hrs.10 £849 £21531/07/17 08:55 13:00 2hrs.10 £759 £13913/08/17 13:40 13:00 2hrs.10 £729 £13925/09/17 08:55 13:00 2hrs.10 £849 £21529/10/17 08:45 12:50 2hrs.10 £829 £21513/11/17 08:45 12:50 2hrs.10 £679 £99

Leeds Bradford 24/04/17 Jet2 07:00 11:15 2hrs.30 £849 £21508/05/17 07:00 11:15 2hrs.30 £849 £21524/07/17 07:00 11:15 2hrs.30 £769 £13911/09/17 07:00 11:15 2hrs.30 £849 £21509/10/17 07:00 11:15 2hrs.30 £849 £215

Luton 19/03/17 easyJet 13:00 10:35 1hrs.55 £699 £13910/07/17 13:25 17:05 1hrs.55 £729 £13917/09/17 13:25 17:05 1hrs.55 £819 £215

Manchester 13/03/17 Jet2 09:30 12:15 2hrs.30 £729 £13916/04/17 08:00 11:45 2hrs.30 £849 £21504/06/17 08:30 12:00 2hrs.30 £849 £21510/07/17 07:30 12:00 2hrs.30 £759 £13920/08/17 08:00 12:00 2hrs.30 £799 £13903/09/17 08:00 12:00 2hrs.30 £849 £21517/09/17 08:00 12:00 2hrs.30 £849 £21529/10/17 easyJet 11:15 15:30 2hrs.30 £829 £21505/11/17 11:15 15:30 2hrs.30 £729 £99

Stansted 29/01/17 Ryanair 11:45 16:35 1hrs.55 £499 £9927/03/17 06:20 22:30 1hrs.55 £729 £13904/06/17 06:20 22:30 1hrs.55 £819 £21506/08/17 06:20 22:30 1hrs.55 £729 £13901/10/17 06:20 22:30 1hrs.55 £819 £215

VENICE - CLASSIC & UNDISCOVERED

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PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £149 per person. The price includes return flights as indicated and four nights’ accommodation with breakfast, airport departure taxes and transfers, all tours as mentioned, timed entrance to the Villa Borghese (reservation and entrance fee included), entrance to the Colloseum and the Forum and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

ROME - ANCIENT & BAROQUE

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Hotel PriceBirmingham 09/04/17 Monarch 15:55 20:35 2hrs.55 President £659

11/05/17 06:50 11:20 2hrs.55 President £67922/06/17 06:50 11:20 2hrs.55 President £68905/09/17 06:50 11:20 2hrs.55 President £70903/10/17 06:50 11:20 2hrs.55 President £689

Bristol 30/04/17 easyJet 12:10 16:20 2hrs.30 President £63921/05/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.30 President £64905/06/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.30 President £68917/09/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.25 President £67912/10/17 12:10 16:20 2hrs.25 President £659

East Midlands 23/04/17 Ryanair 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 President £63921/05/17 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 President £64925/06/17 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 President £65924/09/17 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 President £67908/10/17 15:35 19:40 2hrs.35 President £709

Edinburgh 20/09/17 Ryanair 06:25 10:55 2hrs.25 President £729Gatwick 27/04/17 easyJet 09:15 13:25 2hrs.25 President £659

05/06/17 09:15 13:25 2hrs.25 President £65911/07/17 British Airways 08:30 12:50 2hrs.25 President £57920/09/17 easyJet 09:15 13:15 2hrs.30 President £67912/10/17 09:05 13:10 2hrs.30 President £65905/11/17 09:15 13:15 2hrs.25 President £639

Heathrow 27/04/17 Alitalia 07:25 14:15 2hrs.30 President £68911/05/17 07:25 14:15 2hrs.30 President £66922/06/17 07:25 14:15 2hrs.30 President £70907/09/17 British Airways 08:30 11:45 2hrs.30 President £72903/10/17 Alitalia 07:25 17:20 2hrs.30 President £709

Leeds Bradford 25/06/17 Jet2 08:30 12:15 2hrs.45 President £67924/09/17 08:30 12:15 2hrs.45 President £69915/10/17 08:30 12:15 2hrs.45 President £679

Manchester 23/04/17 Jet2 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 President £65930/04/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 President £65914/05/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 President £66923/05/17 Ryanair 07:15 10:35 2hrs.50 President £66913/06/17 Jet2 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 President £67911/07/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 President £59905/09/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 President £69915/10/17 07:15 12:10 2hrs.45 President £67905/11/17 14:00 13:25 2hrs.45 President £659

Newcastle 07/05/17 Jet2 07:45 12:50 2hrs.45 President £67917/09/17 07:45 12:50 2hrs.45 President £709

Stansted 14/05/17 Ryanair 08:45 17:25 2hrs.25 President £64913/06/17 08:45 17:25 2hrs.25 President £65907/09/17 08:45 17:25 2hrs.25 President £67908/10/17 08:55 17:25 2hrs.25 President £659

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £165 per person. The price includes seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner, all tours as mentioned, return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, guided tours of Lecce, Matera and Bari, three dinners at local restarurants and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

APULIA, LECCE & VIESTE - UNDISCOVERED ITALY

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 3rd Hotel PriceDublin 12/06/17 Ryanair 15:55 20:50 3hrs.25 Hotel Vieste £1,019

11/09/17 15:55 20:50 3hrs.25 Hotel Vieste £1,019Gatwick 01/04/17 British Airways 08:25 13:00 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £879

08/04/17 08:25 13:00 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £89915/04/17 08:25 13:00 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £94919/04/17 07:30 12:10 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £97926/04/17 07:30 12:10 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £99901/05/17 07:40 12:15 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £99906/05/17 08:25 13:00 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £1,02913/05/17 easyJet 08:40 12:55 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £99915/05/17 British Airways 07:40 12:10 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02920/05/17 easyJet 08:40 12:55 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £1,02927/05/17 08:40 13:15 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02930/05/17 12:15 16:35 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02903/06/17 08:40 13:15 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02906/06/17 12:15 16:35 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02910/06/17 British Airways 08:25 13:00 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02917/06/17 easyJet 08:40 12:55 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02919/06/17 British Airways 07:40 12:15 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £1,02924/06/17 07:40 12:15 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02928/06/17 07:30 12:15 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02913/09/17 easyJet 12:15 16:40 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02923/09/17 08:40 13:05 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02927/09/17 12:15 16:40 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £99904/10/17 British Airways 07:30 12:15 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £99907/10/17 08:25 12:35 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £97914/10/17 08:25 12:35 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £939

Heathrow 02/09/17 British Airways 15:10 20:05 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02909/09/17 15:10 20:05 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02916/09/17 15:10 20:05 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,029

Liverpool 13/05/17 Ryanair 06:45 11:15 3hrs.05 Hotel Vieste £99917/06/17 06:45 11:15 3hrs.05 Degli Aranci £1,02907/10/17 06:45 11:15 3hrs.05 Degli Aranci £979

Manchester 10/04/17 Ryanair 16:00 20:35 3hrs.10 Degli Aranci £93928/04/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Degli Aranci £94905/05/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Degli Aranci £99919/05/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Degli Aranci £1,02902/06/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Hotel Vieste £99916/06/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Hotel Vieste £99901/09/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Hotel Vieste £99915/09/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Hotel Vieste £99922/09/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Hotel Vieste £99906/10/17 16:50 21:25 3hrs.10 Hotel Vieste £949

Stansted 29/04/17 Ryanair 06:20 10:45 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £99917/05/17 06:20 10:45 2hrs.45 Hotel Vieste £99921/06/17 06:20 10:45 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02906/09/17 06:20 10:45 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02920/09/17 06:20 10:45 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £1,02911/10/17 06:20 10:45 2hrs.45 Degli Aranci £949

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MADEIRA THE PEARL OF THE ATLANTIC

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 04/09/17 Monarch 06:15 10:55 3hrs.55 £919

East Midlands 18/09/17 Jet 2 14:05 18:40 3hrs.55 £949Gatwick 04/09/17 Monarch 12:50 17:30 3hrs.50 £919

30/10/17 12:50 17:30 3hrs.50 £799Manchester 09/10/17 Jet 2 10:15 15:15 3hrs.55 £899

30/10/17 07:00 15:00 3hrs.55 £799Stansted 18/09/17 Jet 2 15:00 19:40 3hrs.55 £909

09/10/17 15:00 19:40 3hrs.55 £859

DISCOVER NORTHERN CYPRUS

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are available for £169 per person. The price includes return flights, seven nights' accommodation at Enhotel Quinta del Sol with breakfast and dinner, return transfers, all touring as mentioned, wine tasting, entrance to Palheiro Gardens, entrance to Monte church and tropical gardens, entrance to Ribeira Brava & visit to a banana plantation in Madalena do Mar and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are available for £169 per person. The price includes return flights, seven nights' accommodation at Arkin Colony Hotel with breakfast and four dinners, return transfers, all touring as mentioned, entrance to St Hilarion Castle, entrance to Salamis and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Birmingham East Midlands Gatwick Luton Manchester StanstedAirline Monarch Jet2 Easyjet Monarch Jet2 Jet2

Duration 4hrs.45 4hrs.35 4hrs.45 4hrs.30 4hrs.40 4hrs.45Flight Out 14:10 14:55 15:20 13:55 14:45 09:00 13:50

Flight Return 21:45 22:35 22:40 21:20 22:25 16:40 21:2511/09/17 £50 £2030/09/17 £30 £4007/10/17 £40 £2004/11/17 £0 £50

Departure Date Price11/09/17 £93930/09/17 £92907/10/17 £89904/11/17 £849

Airports & Flight SupplementsPlease select your preferred airport and date from the list below.

Add the below flight supplement where applicable for your final price.

LISBON, OPORTO & THE DOURO VALLEY

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £239 per person. The price includes return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, three nights accommodation with breakfast at the four-star superior as detailed above, three nights at five star hotel Sheraton Hotel Porto or Porto Palacia Hotel & Spa with breakfast and dinner, and one night at five- star Pousada Cascais with breakfast and dinner; all tours and transport as mentioned, entrance to Sintra’s Royal Palace, entrance to Coimbra University, visit to Taylor’s Port Lodge and Jeronimos monastery; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel PriceBirmingham 11/05/17 Monarch 07:00 10:45 2hrs.50 Lisboa Plaza £1,019

12/06/17 07:00 10:45 2hrs.50 Lisboa Plaza £1,01918/06/17 15:05 18:45 2hrs.50 Lisboa Plaza £95920/08/17 15:05 18:45 2hrs.50 Lisboa Plaza £94924/09/17 15:05 18:45 2hrs.50 Lisboa Plaza £96902/10/17 07:00 10:45 2hrs.50 Lisboa Plaza £949

Bristol 12/04/17 easyJet 14:05 17:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £87931/05/17 14:05 17:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £97922/06/17 14:05 17:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £93902/07/17 07:00 10:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £92910/09/17 07:00 10:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £97927/09/17 14:05 17:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £94922/10/17 07:00 11:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £849

Dublin 31/05/17 Ryanair 06:50 10:00 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £91918/07/17 06:45 10:00 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £94907/09/17 Aer Lingus 07:40 11:15 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £969

Edinburgh 04/05/17 easyJet 06:20 10:05 3hrs.10 Lisboa Plaza £98908/06/17 06:20 10:05 3hrs.10 Lisboa Plaza £99929/08/17 07:35 11:15 3hrs.10 Lisboa Plaza £98919/09/17 06:10 10:00 3hrs.10 Lisboa Plaza £1,00915/10/17 07:30 11:10 3hrs.10 Lisboa Plaza £929

Gatwick 20/04/17 easyJet 17:15 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £91904/05/17 17:15 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £94923/05/17 17:15 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £95908/06/17 17:15 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £95926/06/17 09:55 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £95912/07/17 09:55 16:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £94929/08/17 17:15 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £94907/09/17 17:15 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £96924/09/17 10:30 20:35 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £96915/10/17 10:30 20:30 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £889

Heathrow 23/04/17 British Airways

07:30 11:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £96908/05/17 07:30 11:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £96904/06/17 Air Portugal 11:20 15:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £97902/07/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £96919/09/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £98902/10/17 11:20 15:05 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £969

Liverpool 23/04/17 easyJet 09:40 13:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £91918/06/17 09:40 13:00 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £95913/09/17 07:30 10:45 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £96908/10/17 10:00 13:15 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £919

Luton 12/04/17 easyJet 12:30 15:45 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £87923/05/17 12:30 15:45 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £93922/06/17 12:30 15:35 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £93918/07/17 12:35 15:50 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £94913/09/17 12:35 15:50 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £94908/10/17 06:45 10:00 2hrs.45 Lisboa Plaza £899

Manchester 20/04/17 Air Portugal 17:15 13:40 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £93918/05/17 17:15 13:40 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £97912/06/17 Monarch 15:30 19:20 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £1,01926/06/17 Air Portugal 17:15 13:40 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £97912/07/17 17:15 13:40 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £97920/08/17 Monarch 15:30 19:20 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £96903/09/17 Air Portugal 17:15 13:40 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £98927/09/17 17:15 13:40 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £98922/10/17 Monarch 15:30 19:20 2hrs.40 Lisboa Plaza £889

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BARCELONA & THE HIGHLIGHTS OF CATALONIA

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at supplement from £165 per person. The price includes six nights’ accommodation, (three nights in the four-star Ciutat De- Tarragona and three nights in the four-star Catalonia La Pedrera), with breakfast and three dinners, guided tours in Tarragona and Barcelona, timed and guided visit of Sagrada Familia, guided tour of Poblet Monastery, all tours as mentioned, airport departure taxes, return flights to Barcelona and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to Picasso museum €11 approximate cost, payable locally.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 22/04/17 Monarch 06:40 11:20 2hrs.15 £749

22/05/17 06:40 20:55 2hrs.15 £79916/06/17 06:40 11:00 2hrs.15 £79904/09/17 06:40 20:55 2hrs.15 £79902/10/17 06:40 20:55 2hrs.15 £799

Bristol 04/05/17 easyJet 07:15 14:15 2hrs.15 £78901/06/17 07:15 14:15 2hrs.15 £81922/09/17 07:00 11:00 2hrs.15 £81914/10/17 10:35 10:40 2hrs.15 £789

Dublin 08/06/17 Ryanair 06:15 10:20 2hrs.15 £79907/09/17 12:30 21:15 2hrs.15 £819

East Midlands 07/05/17 Ryanair 09:35 13:25 2hrs.15 £80905/06/17 09:35 13:25 2hrs.15 £81911/09/17 09:35 13:25 2hrs.20 £81906/10/17 09:35 13:25 2hrs.20 £799

Edinburgh 12/06/17 Ryanair 06:30 11:25 2hrs.45 £81918/09/17 06:30 11:25 2hrs.45 £819

Gatwick 20/03/17 easyJet 16:05 20:30 2hrs.10 £69922/04/17 07:00 11:15 2hrs.10 £72907/05/17 09:10 12:30 2hrs.10 £76901/06/17 07:25 15:20 2hrs.10 £77904/09/17 07:25 20:30 2hrs.10 £77902/10/17 07:25 20:30 2hrs.10 £77909/11/17 10:35 10:40 2hrs.10 £649

Heathrow 27/04/17 British Airways 16:30 10:10 2hrs.00 £76918/05/17 09:15 21:20 2hrs.00 £81912/06/17 11:10 15:05 2hrs.00 £81914/09/17 07:45 11:40 2hrs.00 £81914/10/17 11:10 10:10 2hrs.00 £789

Leeds Bradford 22/05/17 Jet2 08:45 12:30 2hrs.30 £81916/06/17 08:45 11:15 2hrs.30 £79922/09/17 08:45 11:15 2hrs.30 £79906/10/17 08:45 11:15 2hrs.30 £779

Luton 04/05/17 easyJet 07:00 16:35 2hrs.15 £78918/09/17 17:45 21:25 2hrs.15 £819

Manchester 20/03/17 Monarch 15:45 21:10 2hrs.20 £73927/04/17 Ryanair 06:25 10:20 2hrs.20 £76913/05/17 Monarch 08:00 11:40 2hrs.20 £81908/06/17 07:25 20:30 2hrs.20 £81907/09/17 07:25 20:30 2hrs.20 £81905/10/17 07:25 20:30 2hrs.20 £81909/11/17 Ryanair 16:30 10:15 2hrs.20 £689

Newcastle 18/05/17 easyJet 17:25 21:35 2hrs.15 £79914/09/17 17:25 21:35 2hrs.15 £799

Stansted 13/05/17 Ryanair 08:15 10:50 2hrs.20 £77911/09/17 08:15 14:00 2hrs.20 £779

MADRID, SALAMANCA & TOLEDO

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms available at the relevant supplement. The price includes six nights accommodation with breakfast and three dinners plus one dinner at a restaurant, (except those dates staying at the Catalonia Gran Via, where only one dinner is included), all tours as mentioned, airport departure taxes and transfers, return flights and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting. Please Note: There are only a limited number of twin rooms at the novotel - most have one king sized bed and one convertible single bed. Room type available will be confirmed upon booking.NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to Aranjuez €9, or €4 if you are over 65 approximate cost, payable locally. Entrance to the Private rooms are an additional €5.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Madrid Hotel Price Single SupplementBirmingham 24/04/17 Iberia Express 10:35 15:45 2hrs.30 Catalonia £699 £209

08/05/17 10:35 15:45 2hrs.30 Novotel £689 £12905/06/17 10:35 15:45 2hrs.30 Catalonia £719 £20904/09/17 10:35 15:45 2hrs.30 Novotel £689 £12909/10/17 10:35 15:45 2hrs.30 Catalonia £689 £20911/05/17 17:55 21:45 2hrs.15 Catalonia £719 £20907/06/17 17:50 21:45 2hrs.15 Catalonia £719 £20920/09/17 17:55 21:45 2hrs.15 Novotel £689 £12914/10/17 13:40 21:45 2hrs.15 Catalonia £679 £20916/09/17 06:25 10:25 2hrs.35 Catalonia £689 £209

Edinburgh 15/05/17 easyJet 12:00 16:35 3hrs.00 Catalonia £749 £20922/06/17 12:00 16:35 3hrs.00 Catalonia £749 £20911/09/17 12:00 10:40 3hrs.00 Catalonia £749 £20918/10/17 12:05 17:10 3hrs.00 Catalonia £709 £20902/05/17 12:05 16:35 2hrs.25 Catalonia £719 £20915/05/17 12:05 16:35 2hrs.25 Catalonia £719 £20922/06/17 12:05 16:35 2hrs.25 Catalonia £719 £20924/08/17 12:05 16:35 2hrs.25 Catalonia £719 £20911/09/17 Norwegian Air 10:05 18:15 2hrs.25 Catalonia £719 £20926/09/17 easyJet 12:15 16:35 2hrs.25 Catalonia £719 £20918/10/17 12:15 16:35 2hrs.25 Catalonia £679 £209

Heathrow 24/04/17 British Airways

07:25 11:50 2hrs.20 Catalonia £729 £20917/05/17 07:25 11:50 2hrs.20 Novotel £719 £12913/06/17 07:25 11:50 2hrs.20 Novotel £719 £12916/09/17 07:25 11:50 2hrs.20 Catalonia £749 £20909/10/17 07:25 11:50 2hrs.20 Catalonia £719 £209

Liverpool 11/05/17 easyJet 17:10 21:15 3hrs.00 Catalonia £719 £20913/06/17 16:55 21:00 3hrs.00 Novotel £689 £12920/09/17 16:55 21:00 3hrs.00 Novotel £689 £12914/10/17 13:40 21:00 3hrs.00 Catalonia £679 £209

Luton 07/04/17 easyJet 13:10 17:15 2hrs.30 Catalonia £689 £20908/05/17 13:10 21:55 2hrs.30 Novotel £689 £12905/06/17 13:10 21:55 2hrs.30 Catalonia £719 £20904/09/17 13:10 21:55 2hrs.30 Novotel £689 £12904/10/17 13:00 17:05 2hrs.30 Novotel £679 £129

Manchester 07/04/17 Ryanair 06:30 10:40 2hrs.50 Catalonia £689 £20902/05/17 06:30 10:40 2hrs.50 Catalonia £719 £20923/05/17 06:30 10:40 2hrs.50 Catalonia £719 £20917/06/17 06:30 10:40 2hrs.50 Catalonia £719 £20906/09/17 06:30 10:40 2hrs.50 Novotel £689 £12904/10/17 06:30 10:40 2hrs.50 Novotel £679 £129

Stansted 07/06/17 Ryanair 08:25 10:35 2hrs.50 Catalonia £719 £20906/09/17 08:25 10:35 2hrs.05 Novotel £689 £129

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CLASSICAL SPAIN

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £179 per person. The price includes six nights accommodation with breakfast, all tours as mentioned, guided visit of the Alhambra, guided tour of Cordoba's Mezquita, guided tour of Seville, airport departure taxes and transfers, return flights to Malaga and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting. NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to Alcazar €9.50, Seville Cathedral €9, approximate costs, payable locally.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 3rd Hotel PriceBelfast City 18/04/17 Aer Lingus 13:50 18:35 3hrs.10 Corona £699

13/09/17 13:50 18:35 3hrs.10 Corona £739Belfast Int 16/05/17 easyJet 14:55 13:05 3hrs.10 Corona £719

18/10/17 07:00 13:05 3hrs.10 Corona £719Birmingham 06/03/17 Monarch 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Alixares £679

20/03/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Alixares £67928/03/17 07:00 11:50 3hrs.00 Alixares £67903/04/17 07:00 11:50 3hrs.00 Alixares £69910/04/17 07:00 11:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £71915/04/17 07:00 11:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £71904/05/17 07:00 11:45 2hrs.45 Alixares £71912/05/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £71919/05/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £71927/05/17 07:00 11:45 2hrs.45 Alixares £71904/06/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £73913/06/17 07:00 12:15 3hrs.00 Corona £73921/06/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £73925/06/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £73902/09/17 07:00 11:45 2hrs.45 Alixares £73912/09/17 07:00 12:15 3hrs.00 Corona £73918/09/17 07:30 11:45 3hrs.00 Alixares £73927/09/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £73904/10/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £71916/10/17 07:30 11:45 2hrs.45 Alixares £71926/10/17 07:00 11:55 3hrs.00 Corona £71904/11/17 07:00 11:45 3hrs.00 Corona £599

Bristol 13/03/17 easyJet 06:30 10:45 2hrs.35 Alixares £69925/03/17 Ryanair 16:25 21:45 2hrs.35 Alixares £69902/04/17 easyJet 06:05 10:20 2hrs.35 Corona £71919/04/17 06:05 10:20 2hrs.35 Corona £71922/04/17 06:05 10:20 2hrs.35 Alixares £71905/05/17 Ryanair 17:30 21:45 2hrs.35 Corona £73916/05/17 17:30 21:45 2hrs.35 Corona £73902/06/17 easyJet 06:05 10:20 2hrs.35 Corona £75913/06/17 06:05 23:50 2hrs.35 Corona £75922/06/17 06:05 23:50 2hrs.35 Alixares £75907/09/17 Ryanair 17:30 21:45 2hrs.35 Alixares £76913/09/17 17:30 21:45 2hrs.35 Corona £75921/09/17 17:30 21:45 2hrs.35 Alixares £75902/10/17 17:30 21:45 2hrs.35 Alixares £73918/10/17 17:30 21:45 2hrs.35 Corona £739

Dublin 04/04/17 Aer Lingus 07:00 12:20 3hrs.00 Corona £62906/05/17 07:00 12:20 3hrs.00 Alixares £69910/06/17 Ryanair 07:20 10:35 3hrs.00 Alixares £71924/09/17 Aer Lingus 10:05 11:55 3hrs.00 Corona £76915/10/17 07:00 12:10 3hrs.00 Corona £679

East Midlands 13/03/17 Jet2 11:00 19:10 3hrs.30 Alixares £68902/04/17 09:15 14:05 2hrs.55 Corona £70922/04/17 09:15 14:05 3hrs.30 Alixares £70905/05/17 Ryanair 17:05 21:10 2hrs.55 Corona £71907/05/17 Jet2 09:15 12:05 2hrs.55 Corona £72914/05/17 09:15 12:05 2hrs.55 Corona £72915/05/17 Ryanair 17:10 21:10 2hrs.55 Alixares £71911/06/17 Jet2 07:35 12:05 2hrs.55 Corona £74922/06/17 07:35 11:35 3hrs.10 Alixares £74905/09/17 07:15 12:25 2hrs.55 Corona £74915/09/17 07:35 12:25 2hrs.55 Corona £74906/10/17 09:15 12:25 2hrs.55 Corona £729

Edinburgh 16/04/17 Jet2 09:00 19:45 3hrs.15 Corona £71913/05/17 14:40 14:05 3hrs.15 Alixares £73916/06/17 07:00 20:55 3hrs.15 Corona £75917/09/17 07:00 19:40 2hrs.55 Corona £75902/10/17 07:00 12:10 3hrs.15 Alixares £739

Exeter 22/05/17 Flybe 08:00 16:30 2hrs.30 Alixares £71925/06/17 12:15 18:50 2hrs.30 Corona £73918/09/17 08:00 10:30 2hrs.30 Alixares £73908/10/17 06:15 17:45 2hrs.30 Corona £719

Gatwick 04/03/17 Monarch 16:30 20:20 2hrs.45 Alixares £65918/03/17 16:30 20:20 2hrs.45 Corona £65901/04/17 16:30 20:20 2hrs.45 Alixares £67907/04/17 15:40 20:05 2hrs.45 Corona £67914/04/17 15:40 20:05 2hrs.45 Corona £69921/04/17 15:40 20:05 2hrs.45 Corona £67928/04/17 15:40 21:10 2hrs.45 Corona £67902/05/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £69908/05/17 07:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £69913/05/17 08:10 20:20 2hrs.45 Alixares £69917/05/17 07:10 12:30 2hrs.45 Corona £69923/05/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £69927/05/17 08:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £69930/05/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £69902/06/17 08:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Corona £71907/06/17 07:10 12:30 2hrs.45 Corona £71914/06/17 07:10 12:30 2hrs.45 Corona £71920/06/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £71927/06/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £71903/09/17 08:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Corona £71910/09/17 08:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Corona £71914/09/17 08:10 11:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £71920/09/17 07:10 12:30 2hrs.45 Corona £71925/09/17 07:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £71930/09/17 08:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £71903/10/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £69910/10/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £69917/10/17 07:40 19:45 2hrs.45 Corona £69927/10/17 08:10 12:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £67905/11/17 16:30 20:20 2hrs.45 Corona £57911/11/17 16:30 20:20 2hrs.45 Corona £579

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 3rd Hotel PriceGlasgow Int 15/04/17 Jet2 07:30 14:30 3hrs.30 Alixares £739

06/05/17 07:30 14:30 3hrs.30 Alixares £73911/06/17 07:30 12:35 3hrs.30 Corona £75909/09/17 07:30 12:35 3hrs.30 Alixares £75916/10/17 09:30 12:35 3hrs.30 Alixares £739

Leeds Bradford 25/03/17 Jet2 10:00 14:40 3hrs.30 Alixares £67904/04/17 09:35 21:10 3hrs.10 Corona £69918/04/17 09:35 14:40 3hrs.10 Corona £69904/05/17 09:35 14:40 3hrs.30 Alixares £71914/05/17 09:35 12:05 3hrs.10 Corona £71922/05/17 07:00 12:05 3hrs.30 Alixares £71901/06/17 09:35 12:05 3hrs.30 Alixares £73910/06/17 07:00 12:05 3hrs.30 Alixares £73926/06/17 16:55 20:20 3hrs.30 Alixares £73902/09/17 07:00 12:05 3hrs.30 Alixares £73917/09/17 07:00 12:05 3hrs.10 Corona £73927/09/17 09:35 14:40 3hrs.10 Corona £73904/10/17 09:35 14:40 3hrs.10 Corona £71913/10/17 09:35 14:40 3hrs.10 Corona £719

Luton 16/04/17 easyJet 12:55 10:25 2hrs.30 Corona £67909/05/17 Monarch 15:00 11:50 2hrs.30 Corona £69921/05/17 15:00 10:45 2hrs.30 Corona £69906/06/17 15:00 11:50 2hrs.30 Alixares £71918/06/17 15:00 10:45 2hrs.30 Corona £71911/09/17 15:00 19:45 2hrs.30 Alixares £72919/09/17 15:00 11:55 2hrs.30 Corona £71907/10/17 easyJet 06:05 11:50 2hrs.30 Alixares £699

Manchester 06/03/17 Monarch 07:00 12:00 2hrs.45 Alixares £67920/03/17 07:00 12:00 2hrs.45 Alixares £67928/03/17 07:00 11:50 2hrs.45 Alixares £67906/04/17 07:00 11:50 2hrs.55 Alixares £69912/04/17 07:00 11:50 2hrs.55 Alixares £71917/04/17 07:00 12:00 2hrs.45 Alixares £69923/04/17 07:05 11:50 2hrs.55 Corona £69903/05/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £71918/05/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.45 Alixares £71926/05/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £71906/06/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £73912/06/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Alixares £73921/06/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £73928/06/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £73901/09/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £73909/09/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Alixares £73918/09/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Alixares £73929/09/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £73905/10/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.45 Alixares £71915/10/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £71926/10/17 07:05 12:00 2hrs.55 Corona £71904/11/17 07:00 11:55 2hrs.55 Corona £599

Newcastle 03/04/17 Monarch 07:15 12:15 3hrs.10 Alixares £71907/05/17 07:15 12:15 3hrs.10 Corona £73920/05/17 07:15 12:15 3hrs.10 Alixares £73904/06/17 07:15 12:15 3hrs.10 Corona £75905/09/17 07:15 12:15 3hrs.10 Corona £75915/09/17 07:15 12:15 3hrs.10 Corona £75906/10/17 09:15 12:15 3hrs.10 Corona £739

Southampton 12/06/17 Flybe 08:30 12:45 2hrs.45 Alixares £73911/09/17 08:30 12:45 2hrs.45 Alixares £73909/10/17 08:30 12:45 2hrs.45 Alixares £719

Stansted 19/04/17 easyJet 06:05 10:35 2hrs.45 Corona £67919/05/17 Ryanair 07:25 11:55 2hrs.45 Corona £69901/06/17 07:25 11:55 2hrs.45 Alixares £71912/09/17 07:25 11:55 2hrs.45 Corona £71913/10/17 07:25 11:55 2hrs.45 Corona £699

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

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PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £95 per person. The price includes return standard class seat on Eurostar. Coach transfer from Paris, Gare du Nord rail station to your hotel, and return, guided sightseeing tour of Paris ‘By Day’, guided sightseeing tour of Paris ‘By Night’, visit to Montmartre, three nights accommodation with breakfast, all rooms with en-suite facilities and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. For Dublin dates, price includes all details as above except that transport is return flights from Dublin to Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris with coach transfers to your hotel.NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to the Château of Versailles €15, Bateaux Mouches optional cruise €13.50,Optional Paradis Latin £80, approximate costs, payable locally.

REGIONAL RAIL CONNECTIONS & STANDARD PREMIER CLASS UPGRADESee bottom of page 16 for details.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £50 per person

PARIS BY EUROSTAR

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Hotel PriceDublin 18/03/17 Ryanair 06:25 22:45 1hrs.45 Ibis £339

19/04/17 Aer Lingus 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £35913/05/17 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £36917/06/17 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £37915/07/17 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £35912/08/17 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £35915/09/17 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £36920/10/17 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £34910/11/17 09:50 13:10 1hrs.45 Ibis £339

Dublin Departures

Departures including Regional Rail Connections to LondonHotel Mercure 4*

Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price04/03/17 £319 22/04/17 £349 24/06/17 £369 19/08/17 £349 14/10/17 £369 11/03/17 £329 06/05/17 £359 01/07/17 £369 09/09/17 £329 28/10/17 £359 25/03/17 £339 13/05/17 £369 08/07/17 £369 16/09/17 £369 11/11/17 £369 01/04/17 £339 09/06/17 £369 22/07/17 £359 23/09/17 £369 25/11/17 £329 08/04/17 £339 16/06/17 £369 05/08/17 £349 30/09/17 £369

Ibis 3*Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

03/03/17 £289 03/05/17 £319 23/06/17 £319 29/09/17 £329 01/04/17 £319 24/05/17 £319 12/08/17 £319 20/10/17 £309 19/04/17 £319 03/06/17 £319 15/09/17 £329 10/11/17 £289

TimHotel 3*Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

18/03/17 £299 17/06/17 £329 02/09/17 £329 07/10/17 £329 08/04/17 £309 01/07/17 £329 09/09/17 £329 28/10/17 £309 13/05/17 £329 15/07/17 £319 23/09/17 £329 25/11/17 £299

Departures from London St. Pancras InternationalHotel Mercure 4*

Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price04/03/17 £279 29/04/17 £309 24/06/17 £329 09/09/17 £289 11/11/17 £329 11/03/17 £289 06/05/17 £319 01/07/17 £329 16/09/17 £329 25/11/17 £289 25/03/17 £299 13/05/17 £329 08/07/17 £329 23/09/17 £329 01/04/17 £299 24/05/17 £329 22/07/17 £319 30/09/17 £329 08/04/17 £299 09/06/17 £329 05/08/17 £309 14/10/17 £329 22/04/17 £309 16/06/17 £329 19/08/17 £309 28/10/17 £319

Ibis 3*Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

03/03/17 £249 03/05/17 £279 23/06/17 £279 15/09/17 £289 10/11/17 £249 01/04/17 £279 24/05/17 £279 12/08/17 £279 29/09/17 £289 19/04/17 £279 03/06/17 £279 26/08/17 £279 20/10/17 £269

TimHotel 3*Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

18/03/17 £259 13/05/17 £289 15/07/17 £279 09/09/17 £289 28/10/17 £269 08/04/17 £269 17/06/17 £289 29/07/17 £279 23/09/17 £289 25/11/17 £259 29/04/17 £289 01/07/17 £289 02/09/17 £289 07/10/17 £289

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement per person. The price includes seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and two dinners in three and four-star accommodation as mentioned; return flights to Athens, all airport taxes and transfers, walking tour of Athens, guided visits to the Acropolis, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia and Delphi; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Please note that where hotels have a swimming pool, this will be open in the summer months, weather permitting. NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to archaeological sites and museums, approximately €76 per person or €41 per person for EU citizens over 65 years, optional full-day two-island cruise €34 per person.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

CLASSIC GREECE

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Price Single SupplementGatwick 17/03/17 Aegean 11:30 08:40 3hrs.45 £849 £299

03/11/17 11:30 13:25 3hrs.45 £849 £299Heathrow 07/04/17 Aegean 12:15 13:25 3hrs.35 £979 £299

21/04/17 12:15 13:30 3hrs.35 £999 £29912/05/17 12:15 13:25 3hrs.35 £999 £29926/05/17 12:15 13:30 3hrs.35 £1,039 £29902/06/17 12:15 13:30 3hrs.35 £1,039 £29909/06/17 12:15 13:25 3hrs.35 £1,039 £29908/09/17 12:15 13:30 3hrs.35 £1,039 £29922/09/17 12:15 13:25 3hrs.35 £999 £29906/10/17 12:15 13:25 3hrs.35 £979 £299

Manchester 07/04/17 Aegean 11:30 08:35 3hrs.50 £889 £29921/04/17 11:30 08:40 3hrs.50 £889 £29902/06/17 11:30 08:40 3hrs.50 £929 £29909/06/17 11:30 08:35 3hrs.50 £929 £29908/09/17 11:30 08:35 3hrs.50 £929 £29922/09/17 11:30 08:35 3hrs.50 £889 £29906/10/17 11:30 08:35 3hrs.50 £889 £29903/11/17 11:30 08:35 3hrs.50 £799 £299

Aegean Airlines Business Class upgrade: please call for prices & availability

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £219 per person. The price includes seven nights four star and four star superior accommodation with breakfast and four dinners (including two at local restaurants), airport departure taxes and transfers, return flights to Santander, visit to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, winery tour, guided tours of Burgos, León and Santiago, entrance into Burgos Cathedral and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

SANTIAGO, BILBAO & THE HIGHLIGHTS OF CASTILE & LEÓN

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 3rd Hotel PriceDublin 20/06/17 Aer

Lingus13:15 17:05 2hrs.10 AC Palacio Del Carmen £919

19/09/17 13:10 17:00 2hrs.10 NH Santiago £919Stansted 08/05/17 easyJet 07:00 10:35 2hrs.15 AC Palacio Del Carmen £869

15/05/17 07:00 10:35 2hrs.15 NH Santiago £87920/06/17 18:30 10:35 2hrs.15 AC Palacio Del Carmen £91903/07/17 07:00 10:35 2hrs.15 AC Palacio Del Carmen £94904/09/17 07:00 10:35 2hrs.15 AC Palacio Del Carmen £91919/09/17 18:30 10:35 2hrs.15 NH Santiago £91906/10/17 Ryanair 18:35 10:35 2hrs.15 AC Palacio Del Carmen £849

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ROUEN, HONFLEUR & THE HIGHLIGHTS OF NORMANDY

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £159 per person for the Hotel Litteraire Gustave and £189 per person for the Mercure Rouen Champ de Mars. The holiday includes standard class return seat on Eurostar, with coach transfers to your hotel, four nights accommodation with breakfast, all tours as mentioned, guided walking tour of Rouen, visit to D-Day beaches, visit to Honfluer and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.For Dublin dates, price includes all details as above except that transport is return flights from Dublin to Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris with coach transfers to your hotel.NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to Bénédictine Palace €5.20, Bayeux Tapestry €7.50 and Arromanches Museum €6.20, approximate costs, payable locally.

REGIONAL RAIL CONNECTIONS & STANDARD PREMIER CLASS UPGRADESee bottom of page 16 for details.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Departures including Regional Rail ConnectionsDate Out In Hotel Price Date Out In Hotel Price

20/04/17 13:31 16:13 Gustave £499 27/07/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £42927/04/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £499 15/08/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £52904/05/17 13:31 16:13 Gustave £559 31/08/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £54911/05/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £559 07/09/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £55918/05/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £549 14/09/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £52908/06/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £549 21/09/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £55915/06/17 12:24 16:13 Mercure £549 05/10/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £52929/06/17 12:24 16:13 Mercure £499 19/10/17 12:24 16:13 Mercure £52911/07/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £529

Departures from London St. Pancras InternationalDate Out In Hotel Price Date Out In Hotel Price

20/04/17 13:31 16:13 Gustave £469 27/07/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £39927/04/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £469 15/08/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £49904/05/17 13:31 16:13 Gustave £529 31/08/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £51911/05/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £529 07/09/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £52918/05/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £519 14/09/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £49908/06/17 13:31 16:13 Mercure £519 21/09/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £52915/06/17 12:24 16:13 Mercure £519 05/10/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £49929/06/17 12:24 16:13 Mercure £469 19/10/17 12:24 16:13 Mercure £49911/07/17 12:24 16:13 Gustave £499

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £185 per person. The holiday includes return standard class on Eurostar (Dublin departures includes flights to Charles de Gaulle airport and airport departure taxes), all coach transfers and transport, six nights accommodation with breakfast and three dinners at hotels as mentioned, entrance to Monets Gardan, Villandry and Leonardo da Vinci’s House; Guided tour of Fontevraud Abbey; Visit to Ackerman wine cellars and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to Chenonceau €10, Chinon €8.50, approximate costs, payable locally.

REGIONAL RAIL CONNECTIONS & STANDARD PREMIER CLASS UPGRADESee bottom of page 16 for details.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

MONET’S GARDEN, THE LOIRE VALLEY & FONTAINEBLEAU

Departures including Regional Rail ConnectionsDate Out In 2nd Hotel 3rd Hotel Price Date Out In 2nd Hotel 3rd Hotel Price

20/04/17 12:24 17:39 Mercure Mercure £659 08/08/17 12:24 17:39 Kyriad Mercure £649 11/05/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Mercure £679 31/08/17 12:24 17:39 Alliance Mercure £699 18/05/17 12:24 17:39 Alliance Mercure £679 07/09/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Novotel £699 04/06/17 13:31 16:30 Kyriad Mercure £669 14/09/17 12:24 17:39 Mercure Novotel £699 15/06/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Novotel £699 28/09/17 12:24 17:39 Mercure Novotel £699 29/06/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Novotel £699 05/10/17 13:31 17:39 Alliance Mercure £679 21/07/17 12:24 17:39 Alliance Mercure £679 19/10/17 12:24 17:39 Kyriad Mercure £669

Departures from London St. Pancras InternationalDate Out In 2nd Hotel 3rd Hotel Price Date Out In 2nd Hotel 3rd Hotel Price

20/04/17 12:24 17:39 Mercure Mercure £629 08/08/17 12:24 17:39 Kyriad Mercure £619 11/05/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Mercure £649 31/08/17 12:24 17:39 Alliance Mercure £669 18/05/17 12:24 17:39 Alliance Mercure £649 07/09/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Novotel £669 04/06/17 13:31 16:30 Kyriad Mercure £639 14/09/17 12:24 17:39 Mercure Novotel £669 15/06/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Novotel £669 28/09/17 12:24 17:39 Mercure Novotel £669 29/06/17 13:31 17:39 Mercure Novotel £669 05/10/17 13:31 17:39 Alliance Mercure £649 21/07/17 12:24 17:39 Alliance Mercure £649 19/10/17 12:24 17:39 Kyriad Mercure £639

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

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EUROSTAR DEPARTURE INFORMATION

For your convenience, return regional rail connections to London are available on selected dates for those tours where listed from over fifty regional stations. Check the below list for your local station, taking note of any applicable supplements.

*£10 supplement is applicable. **£20 supplement is applicable. ***£30 supplement is applicable. *** *£50 supplement is applicable. Departure times may vary, but will allow sufficient time to connect with the relevant Eurostar service and will be advised with your travel documents. All stations are subject to availability at time of booking.

STANDARD PREMIER CLASS UPGRADEIn order to enjoy your Eurostar experience to the full, you may upgrade to Standard Premier Class for only £139 return, subject to availability. This price includes a complimentary light meal, offered from a selection of sweet and savoury cold snacks and includes a drink appropriate to the time of day, served at your seat while you relax in the spacious comfort of Standard Premier Class.

North WestTrains from these stations arrive into

London EustonCarlisle ****

Chester ***

Glasgow ****

Lancaster ****

Liverpool ***

Manchester ***

Preston ****

Runcorn ***

Stafford ***

Stockport ***

Stoke on Trent ***

Warrington Bank Quay ***1 stop on the London Underground (approximately 10 minute walk)

North EastTrains from these stations arrive into

London Kings CrossDarlington *

Doncaster *

Durham *

Edinburgh ***

Grantham *

Leeds *

Newark *

Newcastle *

Peterborough

Wakefield *

York *Adjacent to London St Pancras

East MidlandsTrains from these stations arrive into

London st PancrasChesterfield **

Derby *

East Midlands Parkway *

Leicester *

Sheffield **

Wellingborough

East AngliaTrains from these stations arrive into

London Liverpool StIpswich *

Norwich *4 stops on the London Underground

South West & WalesTrains from these stations arrive into

London PaddintonBath *

Bristol Parkway *

Bristol Temple Meads *

Cardiff *

Exeter ***

Newport *

Oxford

Plymouth ***

Swansea ***

Swindon *

Taunton ***5 stops on the London Underground

London Kings CrossCambridge *Adjacent to London St Pancras

West MidlandsTrains from these stations arrive into

London EustonBirmingham Int. *

Birmingham New Street *

Coventry

Wolverhampton *1 stop on the London Underground (approximately 10 minute walk)

South & South EastTrains from these stations arrive into

London WaterlooBournemouth ****

Porstmouth Harbour ***

Salisbury ***

Southampton ***

Winchester ***4 stops on the London Underground

London St PancrasBrighton *

FIRST CLASS UPGRADE ON UK REGIONAL CONNECTIONSYou may upgrade to First Class for only £47 per person return, subject to availability. This price excludes departures from Bournemouth, Portsmouth Harbour, Salisbury, Southampton, Winchester and Brighton.

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MONT BLANC, LAKE GENEVA & ANNECY

Departures below travel by Eurostar to Paris with onward rail

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. The price includes return flights, seven nights in a four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners in your hotel plus two in local restaurants. All tours mentioned, the Aiguille du Midi cable car, Montenvers cog rail-way to the Mer de Glace, guided walk of Annecy, guided walk of Aosta and a Guided tour of Chateau de Chillon and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 Per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Hotel Price Single SupplementBristol 20/05/17 easyJet 12:15 15:30 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,039 £185

29/06/17 07:35 10:50 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,179 £23913/07/17 07:35 10:50 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,199 £23903/08/17 07:35 10:50 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,199 £23907/09/17 07:35 10:50 1hrs.40 Aiglons £1,149 £255

Dublin 15/06/17 Aer Lingus 12:15 16:05 2hrs.15 Aiglons £1,139 £25527/07/17 12:15 16:05 2hrs.15 Mercure £1,219 £23918/09/17 12:15 16:05 2hrs.15 Mercure £1,199 £185

Edinburgh 11/05/17 easyJet 10:45 14:35 2hrs.15 Aiglons £999 £239Gatwick 20/05/17 easyJet 12:50 16:00 1hrs.35 Mercure £1,039 £185

15/06/17 13:45 16:00 1hrs.35 Aiglons £1,099 £25524/07/17 12:50 16:00 1hrs.35 Aiglons £1,159 £30914/08/17 12:50 16:00 1hrs.35 Mercure £1,199 £23918/09/17 12:50 16:00 1hrs.35 Mercure £1,149 £185

Heathrow 26/06/17 British Airways

11:40 13:35 1hrs.40 Aiglons £1,159 £30927/07/17 13:55 15:15 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,199 £23904/09/17 13:55 17:35 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,159 £185

Liverpool 08/06/17 easyJet 13:20 16:45 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,059 £23904/09/17 13:20 16:45 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,159 £185

Luton 29/06/17 easyJet

07:10 10:30 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,149 £23925/09/17 07:10 10:30 1hrs.40 Aiglons £1,099 £239

Manchester 11/05/17 easyJet 10:50 14:15 1hrs.40 Aiglons £999 £23915/06/17 10:50 14:15 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,149 £23926/06/17 10:50 21:55 1hrs.40 Aiglons £1,169 £30924/07/17 10:50 14:15 1hrs.40 Aiglons £1,159 £30914/08/17 10:50 14:15 1hrs.40 Mercure £1,199 £23925/09/17 10:50 14:15 1hrs.40 Aiglons £1,099 £239

Station Date Out Return Duration Hotel Price Single SupplementSt Pancras 08/06/17 07:55 15:01 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,059 £239

13/07/17 07:55 15:01 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,199 £23903/08/17 07:55 15:01 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,199 £23907/09/17 07:55 15:01 2hrs.13 Aiglons £1,149 £255

Departures below travel by Eurostar to Paris with onward rail

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £295 per person. The price includes return flights or Eurostar and onward rail, seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and five dinners; guided tours of Sarlat, Albi and Carcassonne, all transfers, entrance to gardens at Marqueyssac, ‘garbare’ river cruise, journey on Martel railway, entrance to Lascaux II caves and all tours as mentioned and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotel features a swimming pool, these will be open during the summer months according to weather conditions.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

DORDOGNE, ALBI & CARCASSONNE

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Carcassonne Hotel PriceBirmingham 29/05/17 Flybe 10:55 14:20 1hrs.50 Mercure £999

Bristol 01/05/17 easyJet 10:00 13:15 1hrs.50 Mercure £99920/05/17 13:05 16:20 1hrs.50 Saint Antoine £99919/06/17 10:00 13:15 1hrs.50 Mercure £1,04917/07/17 10:00 13:15 1hrs.50 Mercure £1,07931/08/17 10:00 13:15 1hrs.50 Mercure £1,07928/09/17 10:00 13:15 1hrs.50 Best Western £1,07916/10/17 10:00 13:15 1hrs.50 Mercure £999

East Midlands 17/04/17 Ryanair 11:40 15:10 1hrs.55 Mercure £89908/05/17 11:40 15:10 1hrs.55 Mercure £99905/06/17 11:40 15:10 1hrs.55 Mercure £1,05912/06/17 11:40 15:10 1hrs.55 Mercure £1,15912/07/17 06:55 10:25 1hrs.55 Mercure £1,10902/08/17 06:55 10:25 1hrs.45 Best Western £1,10918/09/17 11:40 15:10 1hrs.45 Mercure £1,09902/10/17 11:40 15:10 1hrs.55 Mercure £999

Gatwick 17/04/17 easyJet 08:25 14:35 1hrs.50 Mercure £89901/05/17 08:25 14:35 1hrs.50 Mercure £99920/05/17 08:25 17:15 1hrs.50 Saint Antoine £99927/06/17 08:25 17:15 1hrs.50 Mercure £1,07929/07/17 08:25 17:25 1hrs.50 Mercure £1,07921/08/17 08:25 17:25 1hrs.50 Mercure £1,07928/09/17 08:25 17:25 1hrs.50 Best Western £1,07916/10/17 08:25 17:15 1hrs.50 Mercure £999

Heathrow 05/04/17 British Airways 07:40 11:10 1hrs.45 Best Western £96916/05/17 07:40 11:10 1hrs.45 Mercure £1,01905/06/17 07:40 11:10 1hrs.45 Mercure £1,06912/07/17 07:40 11:10 1hrs.45 Mercure £1,09902/08/17 07:40 11:10 1hrs.45 Best Western £1,09904/09/17 07:40 11:10 1hrs.45 Saint Antoine £1,09910/10/17 07:40 11:10 1hrs.45 Mercure £1,019

Manchester 08/05/17 Jet2 07:20 11:35 2hrs.30 Mercure £1,03929/05/17 07:20 11:35 2hrs.30 Mercure £1,04912/06/16 Ryanair 12:35 16:05 2hrs.30 Mercure £1,15919/06/17 Jet2 07:20 11:35 2hrs.30 Mercure £1,08917/07/17 07:20 11:35 2hrs.30 Mercure £1,11921/08/17 07:20 11:35 2hrs.30 Mercure £1,12904/09/17 07:20 11:35 2hrs.30 Saint Antoine £1,11902/10/17 Ryanair 12:35 16:05 2hrs.30 Mercure £1,039

Station Date Out Return Duration Carcassonne Hotel PriceSt Pancras 05/04/17 08:31 13:53 2hrs.13 Best Western £969

16/05/17 07:55 13:51 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,01927/06/17 07:55 08:53 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,09929/07/17 08:31 08:53 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,09931/08/17 07:55 08:53 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,09918/09/17 08:31 08:53 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,09910/10/17 08:31 08:53 2hrs.13 Mercure £1,019

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BURGUNDY, DIJON & THE RHÔNE VALLEY

Departures below travel by Eurostar to Paris with onward rail

Station Date Out Return Duration PriceSt Pancras 19/05/17 07:19 16:01 2hrs.13 £969

15/09/17 07:19 16:13 2hrs.13 £979

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £299 per person. Return flights or Eurostar and onward rail, transfers, seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and 2 dinners. Guided tours of Lyon, Dijon and Beaune. Visits to Vienne, Cluny, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Chateau de Cormartin, Fontenay Abbey, wine tasting, all other tours as mentioned and services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, pools are open during the summer months weather permitting.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 02/06/17 Flybe 12:05 15:40 1hrs.40 £979

08/09/17 12:05 15:40 1hrs.40 £979Edinburgh 13/05/17 easyJet 19:45 18:05 1hrs.55 £979

Gatwick 19/05/17 easyJet 08:10 18:45 1hrs.40 £96915/09/17 08:10 18:40 1hrs.40 £97914/10/17 14:40 13:40 1hrs.40 £899

Heathrow 13/05/17 British Airways 12:05 16:00 2hrs.20 £97917/06/17 15:50 19:30 1hrs.40 £1,00901/09/17 15:50 10:05 1hrs.40 £1,009

Manchester 19/05/17 Flybe 11:05 14:25 1hrs.55 £96902/06/17 11:05 14:25 1hrs.55 £97908/09/17 11:05 14:25 1hrs.55 £97914/10/17 11:05 14:25 1hrs.55 £899

Southampton 17/06/17 Flybe 15:40 19:05 2hrs.00 £97901/09/17 07:00 10:25 2hrs.00 £979

CORK, KILKENNY & THE RING OF KERRY

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are available at a supplement £109 per person. The price includes return flights, two nights’ accommo-dation at Imperial Hotel, Cork with breakfast and one dinner and two nights’ accommodation at Lake Hotel Killarney with breakfast and dinner, entrance to Kilkenny Castle, guided tour and entrance at Jameson Distillery, entrance to Blarney Castle & Gardens, scenic coach tour of Ring of Kerry, return transfers and all touring as mentioned and the services of a Rivera Travel tour manager.DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 11/06/17 Aer Lingus 08:40 14:55 1hrs.35 £699

03/09/17 08:40 14:55 1hrs.35 £699Bristol 23/04/17 Aer Lingus 12:50 11:05 1hrs.25 £609

23/07/17 12:50 11:05 1hrs.25 £699Gatwick 23/04/17 Ryanair 12:15 10:10 1hrs.25 £599

28/05/17 12:15 10:10 1hrs.25 £66923/07/17 12:15 10:10 1hrs.25 £68901/10/17 12:15 10:10 1hrs.25 £629

Heathrow 11/06/17 Aer Lingus 09:30 11:40 1hrs.25 £70917/09/17 09:45 11:50 1hrs.25 £679

Manchester 14/05/17 Aer Lingus 09:00 14:50 1hrs.35 £65925/06/17 09:00 14:50 1hrs.35 £69903/09/17 09:00 14:50 1hrs.35 £69901/10/17 09:00 14:50 1hrs.35 £639

Southampton 28/05/17 Aer Lingus 12:40 10:45 1hrs.35 £66917/09/17 12:40 10:45 1hrs.35 £659

Stansted 14/05/17 Ryanair 08:10 14:55 1hrs.25 £64925/06/17 08:10 14:55 1hrs.25 £689

NICE, MONACO & THE COTE D’AZUR

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is based on two people sharing a standard twin room. Single, city view and sea/garden view rooms are available at the relevant supplement. The price includes return flights, departure taxes and transfers, seven nights accommodation with breakfast and two dinners in the hotel and two in local restaurants. All tours as mentioned, a guided walk of Nice and tour of Monaco, visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where the hotel features a swimming pool, pools are open May – Sept weather permitting.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Mercure 4* Le Meridien 4*SuperiorBirmingham 09/06/17 Monarch 15:55 19:55 2hrs.10 £999 £1,299

29/09/17 15:55 19:55 2hrs.10 £969 £1,16913/10/17 15:55 19:55 2hrs.10 £939 £1,119

Bristol 22/04/17 easyJet 07:00 10:35 2hrs.05 £899 £1,09917/05/17 12:50 16:25 2hrs.05 £949 £1,24909/09/17 13:55 17:30 2hrs.05 £979 £1,27921/10/17 13:55 17:30 2hrs.05 £849 £1,099

Dublin 09/06/17 Aer Lingus 10:50 15:05 2hrs.35 £999 £1,299Gatwick 22/04/17 easyJet 11:55 15:30 2hrs.00 £899 £1,099

17/05/17 11:25 15:00 2hrs.00 £949 £1,24917/06/17 British Airways 13:15 17:05 2hrs.00 £1,019 £1,31923/09/17 easyJet 11:35 15:05 2hrs.00 £949 £1,24921/10/17 11:35 15:05 2hrs.00 £849 £1,099

Liverpool 28/06/17 easyJet 12:40 16:25 2hrs.15 £999 £1,299Luton 28/04/17 easyJet 07:15 10:50 2hrs.10 £949 £1,199

Manchester 28/04/17 Jet2 08:00 12:20 2hrs.15 £989 £1,23931/05/17 08:00 12:20 2hrs.15 £1,039 £1,33928/06/17 08:00 12:20 2hrs.15 £1,019 £1,31929/09/17 08:00 12:20 2hrs.15 £989 £1,18913/10/17 08:00 12:20 2hrs.15 £959 £1,139

Newcastle 17/06/17 easyJet 10:10 14:05 2hrs.30 £1,019 £1,31923/09/17 10:10 14:05 2hrs.30 £989 £1,289

Stansted 31/05/17 easyJet 12:55 16:30 2hrs.00 £979 £1,27909/09/17 18:10 21:45 2hrs.00 £979 £1,279

262 263

UNDISCOVERED PROVENCEAirports / Stations & Supplements

Hotels & Cost of Tour Now choose your preferred Hotel. Add the above transport supplement where applicable for your final price.

Dublin

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. The price includes flights to Nice, Marseille, Montpellier or return standard class rail travel on Eurostar and TGV to Aix en Provence, airport departure taxes, coach transfers to the hotel, all tours as mentioned, seven nights accommodation with breakfast, two dinners in hotels, two dinners in local restaurants and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Please Note: There are only a limited number of twin rooms at the Novotel - most have one king sized bed and one convertible single bed. Room type available will be confirmed upon booking.NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to Papal Palace and Bridge in Avignon €13.50, Petit Palais museum €6, approximate costs, payable locally.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Please select your preferred departure point and date from the list below.

Room supplements

Date Aquabella 4* Novotel 4* Roi Rene 4* Superior Renaissance 5*25/04/17 £1,199 £84902/05/17 £929 £1,25908/05/17 £949 £1,24909/05/17 £1,279 £1,29915/05/17 £1,279 £949 £1,299 £1,27916/05/17 £1,279 £1,29922/05/17 £949 £1,29929/05/17 £959 £1,29905/06/17 £1,279 £959 £1,299 £1,32912/06/17 £1,289 £95913/06/17 £1,289 £1,29919/06/17 £1,289 £959 £1,299 £1,32926/06/17 £959 £1,32903/07/17 £1,289 £95928/08/17 £1,279 £959 £1,249 £1,32929/08/17 £1,279 £1,24904/09/17 £1,279 £959 £1,349 £1,37905/09/17 £1,279 £1,34911/09/17 £1,279 £959 £1,349 £1,37912/09/17 £959 £1,34918/09/17 £1,279 £959 £1,349 £1,37919/09/17 £1,279 £959 £1,37925/09/17 £1,279 £949 £1,34926/09/17 £949 £1,34902/10/17 £899 £1,29903/10/17 £1,229 £89909/10/17 £1,229 £89910/10/17 £89916/10/17 £899 £1,299 £1,199

Supplements Double Room for Sole Occupancy Superior TwinAquabella 4* £405

Novotel 4* £185Roi Rene 4* Superior £365*

Renaissance 5* £449* £129These room supplements are priced per person, subject to availability. * Supplement varies depending on departure date

Airport/Station Belfast Birmingham Bristol Edinburgh Gatwick Heathrow Leeds Bradford Liverpool Luton Manchester St Pancras StanstedAirline/Rail Provider Easyjet Monarch Easyjet Easyjet Easyjet British Airways Jet2 Easyjet Easyjet Jet2 Eurostar Ryanair

Duration 2hrs.30 2hrs.10 2hrs.05 2hrs.25 1hr.55 1hr.55 2hrs.05 2hrs.15 2hrs.05 2hrs.20 2hrs.15 1hr.55Departure Time 10:05 15:55 12:45 07:45 17:25 07:55 07:25 13:05 10:40 12:40 07:20 08:00 12:58 07:15 06:35

Return Time 14:05 19:55 16:20 11:10 21:30 11:20 16:50 16:50 14:45 16:25 11:00 12:20 12:14 12:14 14:3025/04/17 £0 £0 £002/05/17 £40 £008/05/17 £20 £4009/05/17 £0 £2015/05/17 £10 £10 £20 £6016/05/17 £40 £022/05/17 £2029/05/17 £60 £005/06/17 £40 £0 £4012/06/17 £0 £5013/06/17 £20 £3019/06/17 £20 £20 £40 £026/06/17 £0 £4003/07/17 £20 £028/08/17 £20 £50 £029/08/17 £0 £004/09/17 £40 £20 £40 £4005/09/17 £0 £011/09/17 £20 £012/09/17 £018/09/17 £40 £4019/09/17 £20 £025/09/17 £20 £026/09/17 £0 £002/10/17 £40 £40 £003/10/17 £20 £009/10/17 £20 £2010/10/17 £0 £2016/10/17 £40

Date Aquabella 4* Novotel 4* Roi Rene 4* Superior Renaissance 5*22/05/17 £939 £1,28905/06/17 £1,269 £949 £1,339 £1,31928/08/17 £1,269 £949 £1,309 £1,31912/09/17 £949 £1,33916/10/17 £889 £1,289

All flights departing Dublin with Aer Lingus at 10:45 and returning from Nice at 15:00 with a flight duration of 2hrs.45

262 263

BRUGES BY EUROSTAR

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Hotel PriceDublin 05/03/17 Aer Lingus 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £339

02/04/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £37907/05/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £37907/06/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £38916/07/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £37906/08/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £37903/09/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £38901/10/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £37908/11/17 06:40 10:10 1hrs.45 Martins £339

Dublin Departures

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £95 per person for the Martins Brugge, £149 per person in the Hotel Casselbergh, £89 per person in the Academie Hotel and £79 per person in the Golden Tree. The price includes return standard class seat on Eurostar, (Dublin departures include flights to Brussels) coach transfer from Lille to your hotel in Bruges (approximate transfer time one hour), walking tour of Bruges, three nights accommodation with breakfast, chocolate making demonstration and a visit to First World War battlefields and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. For Dublin dates, price includes all details as above except that transport is return flights from Dublin to Brussels with coach transfer from Brussels to Bruges. NOT INCLUDED: Entrance to “Halve Maan” brewery museum €8, boat trip €7, Flanders Field museum €7, Passchendaele Memorial Museum €7, approximate costs, payable locally.REGIONAL RAIL CONNECTIONS & STANDARD PREMIER CLASS UPGRADESee bottom of page 16 for details DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £50 per person

Departures including Regional Rail Connections to LondonHotel Academie 4*

Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price08/03/17 £319 23/04/17 £369 25/06/17 £399 16/08/17 £399 04/10/17 £379 12/03/17 £329 03/05/17 £379 28/06/17 £399 23/08/17 £399 08/10/17 £379 19/03/17 £329 07/05/17 £379 09/07/17 £399 06/09/17 £399 15/10/17 £379 26/03/17 £349 17/05/17 £379 16/07/17 £399 10/09/17 £399 22/10/17 £379 05/04/17 £369 04/06/17 £399 23/07/17 £399 17/09/17 £389 05/11/17 £369 09/04/17 £369 14/06/17 £399 26/07/17 £399 20/09/17 £389 15/11/17 £369 19/04/17 £369 18/06/17 £399 09/08/17 £399 24/09/17 £389

Golden Tree 3*Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

26/03/17 £309 14/05/17 £329 09/07/17 £319 20/08/17 £329 01/10/17 £329 09/04/17 £319 11/06/17 £319 23/07/17 £319 03/09/17 £329 15/10/17 £329 23/04/17 £329 25/06/17 £319 06/08/17 £329 17/09/17 £329 12/11/17 £309

Grand Hotel Casselbergh 4* SuperiorDate Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

26/03/17 £409 14/05/17 £439 09/07/17 £439 20/08/17 £439 01/10/17 £439 09/04/17 £439 11/06/17 £439 23/07/17 £439 03/09/17 £439 15/10/17 £439 23/04/17 £439 25/06/17 £439 06/08/17 £439 17/09/17 £439 12/11/17 £409

Martin’s Brugge Hotel 3* SuperiorDate Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

05/03/17 £319 14/05/17 £359 05/07/17 £349 30/08/17 £349 11/10/17 £359 19/03/17 £319 21/05/17 £359 16/07/17 £349 03/09/17 £359 25/10/17 £359 29/03/17 £319 31/05/17 £359 19/07/17 £349 10/09/17 £359 29/10/17 £339 02/04/17 £359 07/06/17 £359 30/07/17 £339 13/09/17 £359 08/11/17 £319 05/04/17 £359 11/06/17 £359 06/08/17 £359 20/09/17 £359 19/11/17 £319 23/04/17 £359 21/06/17 £359 13/08/17 £359 24/09/17 £359 26/11/17 £319 07/05/17 £359 28/06/17 £359 20/08/17 £359 01/10/17 £359

Departures from London St. Pancras InternationalHotel Academie 4*

Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price08/03/17 £279 23/04/17 £329 25/06/17 £359 23/08/17 £359 08/10/17 £339 12/03/17 £289 03/05/17 £339 28/06/17 £359 27/08/17 £359 15/10/17 £339 19/03/17 £289 07/05/17 £339 09/07/17 £359 06/09/17 £359 22/10/17 £339 26/03/17 £309 17/05/17 £339 16/07/17 £359 10/09/17 £359 05/11/17 £329 05/04/17 £329 28/05/17 £349 23/07/17 £359 17/09/17 £349 15/11/17 £329 09/04/17 £329 04/06/17 £359 26/07/17 £359 20/09/17 £349 16/04/17 £329 14/06/17 £359 09/08/17 £359 24/09/17 £349 19/04/17 £329 18/06/17 £359 16/08/17 £359 04/10/17 £339

Golden Tree 3*Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

26/03/17 £269 28/05/17 £289 23/07/17 £279 17/09/17 £289 09/04/17 £279 11/06/17 £279 06/08/17 £289 01/10/17 £289 23/04/17 £289 25/06/17 £279 20/08/17 £289 15/10/17 £289 14/05/17 £289 09/07/17 £279 03/09/17 £289 12/11/17 £269

Grand Hotel Casselbergh 4* SuperiorDate Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

26/03/17 £369 28/05/17 £399 23/07/17 £399 17/09/17 £399 09/04/17 £399 11/06/17 £399 06/08/17 £399 01/10/17 £399 23/04/17 £399 25/06/17 £399 20/08/17 £399 15/10/17 £399 14/05/17 £399 09/07/17 £399 03/09/17 £399 12/11/17 £369

Martin’s Brugge Hotel 3* SuperiorDate Price Date Price Date Price Date Price Date Price

05/03/17 £279 07/05/17 £319 28/06/17 £319 30/08/17 £309 25/10/17 £319 19/03/17 £279 14/05/17 £319 05/07/17 £309 03/09/17 £319 29/10/17 £299 29/03/17 £279 21/05/17 £319 16/07/17 £309 10/09/17 £319 08/11/17 £279 02/04/17 £319 28/05/17 £319 19/07/17 £309 13/09/17 £319 19/11/17 £279 05/04/17 £319 31/05/17 £319 30/07/17 £299 20/09/17 £319 26/11/17 £279 12/04/17 £319 07/06/17 £319 06/08/17 £319 24/09/17 £319 23/04/17 £319 11/06/17 £319 13/08/17 £319 01/10/17 £319 30/04/17 £319 21/06/17 £319 20/08/17 £319 11/10/17 £319

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

BERLIN, DRESDEN, MEISSEN & COLDITZ

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are available at a supplement of £109 per person. The price includes return flights, two nights at both the Hotel Maritim or the Pro Arte Hotel in Berlin and the Hotel Steigenberger De Saxe or the Hotel Maritim in Dresden with breakfast, return transfers, guided tour of Berlin, walking tour of Dresden, visit and tour of Colditz Castle and museum, visit and tour of Meissen porcelain factory, all touring as mentioned, services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

*Please note: some dates will operate in reverse to the itinerary as printed in the brochure. These dates will stay first in Dresden for two nights followed by two nights in Berlin. You will experience the same tours and visits.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st City* PriceBirmingham 24/04/17 Flybe 06:50 10:10 1hrs.45 Berlin £549

22/05/17 06:50 10:10 2hrs.15 Dresden £56912/06/17 06:50 10:10 1hrs.45 Berlin £57910/07/17 06:50 10:10 1hrs.45 Berlin £57906/08/17 12:45 20:20 1hrs.45 Dresden £57913/09/17 06:50 16:05 1hrs.45 Berlin £58904/10/17 06:50 16:05 1hrs.45 Berlin £579

Bristol 19/04/17 easyJet 07:00 16:45 2hrs.00 Dresden £56917/05/17 07:00 16:45 2hrs.00 Berlin £58918/06/17 13:05 16:45 2hrs.00 Dresden £59917/07/17 13:15 16:45 2hrs.00 Berlin £59920/08/17 13:15 16:45 2hrs.00 Dresden £59917/09/17 13:15 16:45 2hrs.00 Dresden £60912/10/17 13:15 16:45 2hrs.00 Berlin £589

Dublin 20/05/17 Aer Lingus 07:00 11:00 2hrs.10 Berlin £54912/06/17 Ryanair 07:20 11:00 2hrs.10 Berlin £56924/07/17 07:20 11:00 2hrs.10 Berlin £59914/09/17 Aer Lingus 07:00 11:00 2hrs.10 Berlin £56904/10/17 07:00 11:00 2hrs.10 Berlin £549

East Midlands 10/04/17 Ryanair 06:30 10:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £54915/05/17 06:30 10:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £56905/06/17 06:30 10:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £57903/07/17 06:30 10:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £57914/08/17 06:30 10:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £57904/09/17 06:30 10:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £58902/10/17 06:30 10:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £579

Edinburgh 04/05/17 easyJet 09:15 12:55 2hrs.20 Berlin £58908/06/17 09:15 12:55 2hrs.20 Berlin £59910/08/17 10:20 10:55 2hrs.20 Berlin £59907/09/17 10:20 10:55 2hrs.20 Berlin £60910/10/17 09:35 20:20 2hrs.20 Berlin £589

Gatwick 19/04/17 easyJet 08:40 18:10 1hrs.55 Dresden £54904/05/17 08:40 18:20 1hrs.55 Berlin £56920/05/17 08:20 18:20 1hrs.55 Berlin £56908/06/17 08:40 18:20 1hrs.55 Berlin £57925/06/17 07:25 18:20 1hrs.55 Dresden £57924/07/17 08:40 18:20 1hrs.55 Berlin £57910/08/17 08:40 18:20 1hrs.50 Berlin £57904/09/17 08:40 18:20 1hrs.50 Berlin £58914/09/17 08:40 18:20 1hrs.55 Berlin £58902/10/17 08:40 18:20 1hrs.55 Berlin £579

Glasgow Int 19/06/17 easyJet 10:55 14:00 2hrs.20 Berlin £59915/09/17 10:55 14:00 2hrs.05 Dresden £609

Heathrow 24/04/17 British Airways 07:15 11:00 1hrs.45 Berlin £56915/05/17 08:45 12:20 1hrs.45 Berlin £58905/06/17 08:45 12:20 1hrs.45 Berlin £59910/07/17 Germanwings 08:50 12:55 1hrs.45 Berlin £59906/08/17 09:00 17:35 1hrs.45 Dresden £59915/09/17 08:50 17:35 1hrs.45 Dresden £60910/10/17 08:50 12:55 1hrs.45 Berlin £589

Liverpool 25/06/17 easyJet 18:15 15:20 1hrs.55 Dresden £57917/09/17 18:15 21:40 2hrs.00 Dresden £589

Luton 17/05/17 easyJet 06:30 17:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £56903/07/17 06:30 17:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £57916/10/17 06:05 17:00 1hrs.50 Berlin £559

Manchester 10/04/17 easyJet 06:30 10:05 2hrs.10 Berlin £56908/05/17 06:30 10:05 2hrs.10 Berlin £58922/05/17 06:30 17:50 2hrs.00 Dresden £58919/06/17 06:30 10:05 1hrs.55 Berlin £59917/07/17 06:30 10:05 1hrs.55 Berlin £59914/08/17 07:00 10:35 1hrs.50 Berlin £59907/09/17 07:00 10:35 1hrs.50 Berlin £60925/09/17 07:00 10:35 1hrs.50 Berlin £60912/10/17 07:00 10:35 1hrs.50 Berlin £589

Stansted 08/05/17 Ryanair 06:30 18:10 1hrs.50 Berlin £56918/06/17 06:30 18:10 1hrs.50 Dresden £57925/09/17 06:30 18:10 1hrs.50 Berlin £589

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

264 265

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are available at a supplement of £109 per person. The price includes return standard class Eurostar, six nights’ accommodation including breakfast and dinner, entrance to Bitburger brewery, all coach transfers and touring as described and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. NOT INCLUDED: River cruise from €13, wine tasting €10, approximate costs, payable locally.

REGIONAL RAIL CONNECTIONS & STANDARD PREMIER CLASS UPGRADESee bottom of page 16 for details

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

COCHEM, LUXEMBOURG & THE MOSELLE VALLEY

Departures including Regional Rail Connections to LondonDate Out In Price

06/05/17 14:04 16:08 £67913/05/17 14:04 16:08 £69903/06/17 14:04 16:08 £72901/07/17 14:04 16:08 £72905/08/17 14:04 16:08 £72902/09/17 14:04 16:08 £72916/09/17 14:04 16:08 £729

Departures from London St. Pancras InternationalDate Out In Price

06/05/17 14:04 16:08 £64913/05/17 14:04 16:08 £66903/06/17 14:04 16:08 £69901/07/17 14:04 16:08 £69905/08/17 14:04 16:08 £69902/09/17 14:04 16:08 £69916/09/17 14:04 16:08 £699

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £189. Eurostar and onward rail, transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation, with breakfast and 3 dinners. Guided tours of Cologne and Wiesbaden, orientation tour of Freiburg, visit to Heidelberg, Colmar & Alsace wine route, Triberg, Titisee & the Black Forest, 3 day Freiburg Welcome card (includes use of local transport and the Schauinsland cable car) all other visits as mentioned and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

REGIONAL RAIL CONNECTIONS See bottom of page 16 for details

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

THE ROMANTIC RHINE, BLACK FOREST & ALSACE

Departures including Regional Rail Connections to LondonDate Out In Price

10/06/17 12:58 16:13 £88917/06/17 12:58 16:13 £88924/06/17 12:58 16:13 £88908/07/17 12:58 16:13 £86922/07/17 12:58 16:13 £85905/08/17 12:58 16:13 £82912/08/17 12:58 16:13 £82902/09/17 12:58 16:13 £89909/09/17 12:58 16:13 £899

Departures from London St. Pancras InternationalDate Out In Price

27/05/17 12:58 16:13 £84910/06/17 12:58 16:13 £85917/06/17 12:58 16:13 £85924/06/17 12:58 16:13 £85908/07/17 12:58 16:13 £83922/07/17 12:58 16:13 £82905/08/17 12:58 16:13 £79912/08/17 12:58 16:13 £79902/09/17 12:58 16:13 £86909/09/17 12:58 16:13 £869

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £119 per person. The price includes five nights’ four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner, return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, sightseeing tours of Bamberg and Heidelberg, entrance and tour of Würzburg ‘Residenze,’ all tours as mentioned and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.Please note in Germany beds are often one bed base with two mattresses and individual bed linen.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

HEIDELBERG, THE MAIN VALLEY & THE ROMANTIC ROAD

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 05/06/17 Lufthansa 13:30 16:40 1hrs.45 £779

12/07/17 08:55 16:40 1hrs.45 £76904/09/17 08:55 16:40 1hrs.45 £779

Edinburgh 15/06/17 Lufthansa 12:45 16:20 2hrs.00 £77920/07/17 12:45 16:20 2hrs.00 £76917/09/17 12:45 16:20 2hrs.00 £779

Heathrow 24/05/17 Lufthansa 09:30 17:00 1hrs.40 £75915/06/17 13:30 17:00 1hrs.40 £75920/07/17 13:30 17:00 1hrs.40 £74924/08/17 13:30 17:00 1hrs.40 £74917/09/17 13:30 17:00 1hrs.40 £759

Manchester 24/05/17 Lufthansa 09:05 16:35 2hrs.00 £77905/06/17 12:20 16:35 2hrs.00 £77912/07/17 09:05 16:35 2hrs.00 £76904/09/17 09:05 16:35 2hrs.00 £779

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £89 in the Golden Tulip Vivaldi and £359 per person in the Le Meridien St Julians. The price includes return flights to Malta, airport departure taxes, seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner, return transfers, all tours as mentioned, ferry to Gozo, all entrance fees, executive coach travel and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting. NOT INCLUDED: Should you wish to visit the Hypogeum on a free day, you must book well in advance on the internet site http://www.heritagemalta.org The cost is €30 per person, €15 for Senior Citizens. Sundays will always be a free day unless your tour departs on a Saturday or Sunday, in which case Friday will be the free day.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

UNDISCOVERED MALTA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Golden Tulip 4* Le Meridien 5*Birmingham 04/05/17 Ryanair 06:25 11:15 3hrs.10 £799 £1,199

20/06/17 06:25 11:10 3hrs.20 £839 £1,24927/06/17 06:25 11:10 3hrs.20 £839 £1,24905/09/17 07:05 11:50 3hrs.20 £849 £1,24903/10/17 06:25 11:10 3hrs.20 £829 £1,229

Bristol 04/05/17 Thomas Cook 06:00 11:15 3hrs.20 £799 £1,19913/06/17 Air Malta 13:15 10:10 3hrs.20 £899 £1,30908/10/17 Ryanair 10:20 07:20 3hrs.20 £829 £1,229

Gatwick 13/05/17 Air Malta 11:55 08:40 3hrs.00 £829 £1,23903/06/17 11:55 08:40 3hrs.00 £849 £1,25923/09/17 11:55 08:45 3hrs.00 £859 £1,25908/10/17 11:55 08:45 3hrs.00 £839 £1,239

Heathrow 23/05/17 Air Malta 10:50 17:05 3hrs.10 £849 £1,27920/06/17 10:50 17:05 3hrs.10 £869 £1,27912/09/17 10:50 17:05 3hrs.10 £879 £1,27903/10/17 10:50 16:55 3hrs.10 £859 £1,259

Leeds Bradford 13/05/17 Jet2 06:45 12:05 3hrs.40 £829 £1,239Luton 05/09/17 Ryanair 19:35 16:45 3hrs.10 £849 £1,249

Manchester 23/05/17 easyJet 06:15 11:20 3hrs.20 £829 £1,25913/06/17 06:15 11:20 3hrs.20 £849 £1,25912/09/17 06:15 11:20 3hrs.20 £859 £1,259

Newcastle 03/06/17 easyJet 16:20 21:35 3hrs.25 £889 £1,299

264 265

SLOVENIA & LAKE BLED

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are available at a supplement from £125 per person. The price includes return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, three nights at Hotel Stadtkrug in Salzburg and four nights at Das AlpenHaus in Kaprun, both four-star with dinner bed and breakfast, tour of the Austrian Lake District, guided tour of Salzburg, visit to the Krimml waterfalls, tour to the Grossglockner mountain, all transport as mentioned, services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Please note Austrian beds are generally one base with two mattresses and indvidual bed linen. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

LAKES & MOUNTAINS OF AUSTRIA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Duration PriceBirmingham 15/05/17 Lufthansa 10:35 21:55 1hrs.50 £919

05/06/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £98922/06/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £98903/07/17 10:35 21:55 1hrs.50 £98903/08/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £98904/09/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £99918/09/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £979

Edinburgh 12/06/17 easyJet 18:05 21:50 2hrs.15 £96911/09/17 18:05 21:45 2hrs.15 £979

Gatwick 15/05/17 British Airways 08:00 11:40 2hrs.00 £89912/06/17 08:00 11:40 2hrs.00 £96910/07/17 easyJet 06:20 21:55 1hrs.50 £96914/08/17 06:20 21:55 1hrs.50 £96911/09/17 06:20 21:55 1hrs.50 £979

Heathrow 22/05/17 Lufthansa 10:55 16:00 1hrs.55 £97908/06/17 10:55 16:00 1hrs.55 £98926/06/17 10:55 16:00 1hrs.55 £98917/07/17 10:55 16:00 1hrs.55 £98914/08/17 10:55 16:00 1hrs.55 £98914/09/17 07:25 16:00 1hrs.55 £999

Manchester 22/05/17 Lufthansa 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £97905/06/17 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £98922/06/17 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £98903/07/17 10:40 21:55 2hrs.00 £98903/08/17 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £98914/09/17 06:55 15:25 2hrs.00 £999

Stansted 08/06/17 easyJet 13:20 16:35 1hrs.45 £96910/07/17 13:15 16:30 1hrs.45 £96918/09/17 13:20 16:35 1hrs.45 £959

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a standard twin room, Single rooms are available at a supplement from £99 per person, Junior Suites are available from £95 per person. The price includes return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers; seven night’s four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner at the four-star Krumers Post Hotel; sightseeing guided tour of Innsbruck; entrance and guided tour of Stams Monastery and Neuschwanstein Castle; a journey on the Aachensee Cog Steam Railway; all tours and transport as mentioned; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Please note Austrian beds are generally one base with two mattresses and individual bed linen.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. Return flights, transfers, five nights’ centrally located accommodation with breakfast. Guided walking tour of Ljubljana and Maribor, visits to Ptuj, Lake Bled, Piran and Lipica Stud Farm, wine tasting, all other visits as mentioned and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

AUSTRIAN TYROL & INNSBRUCK

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 30/05/17 Lufthansa 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £1,009

20/06/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £1,02911/07/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £1,02919/09/17 10:35 15:30 1hrs.50 £1,029

Edinburgh 06/06/17 easyJet 18:05 21:45 2hrs.15 £99912/09/17 18:05 21:50 2hrs.15 £999

Gatwick 23/05/17 easyJet 13:50 21:55 1hrs.50 £97906/06/17 18:30 21:55 1hrs.50 £99904/07/17 06:20 21:55 1hrs.50 £99912/09/17 06:20 21:55 1hrs.50 £99903/10/17 13:50 21:55 1hrs.50 £949

Heathrow 13/06/17 British Airways 12:40 16:25 1hrs.55 £1,02904/07/17 12:40 21:00 1hrs.55 £1,02926/09/17 12:40 16:25 1hrs.55 £1,009

Manchester 23/05/17 Lufthansa 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £1,00920/06/17 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £1,02911/07/17 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £1,02919/09/17 10:40 15:25 2hrs.00 £1,02903/10/17 10:40 21:55 2hrs.00 £979

Stansted 30/05/17 easyJet 13:15 16:30 1hrs.45 £97913/06/17 13:20 16:35 1hrs.45 £99926/09/17 13:20 16:35 1hrs.45 £979

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel Price Single SupplementGatwick 30/06/17 easyJet 13:00 16:50 2hrs.25 Best Western £729 £125

Heathrow 11/05/17 British Airways

08:15 12:30 2hrs.25 Best Western £679 £12508/06/17 08:15 12:30 2hrs.25 Best Western £679 £12506/07/17 08:15 12:30 2hrs.25 Best Western £659 £12503/08/17 08:15 12:30 2hrs.25 Best Western £599 £12507/09/17 08:15 12:30 2hrs.25 Lev Hotel £679 £15505/10/17 08:15 12:30 2hrs.25 Lev Hotel £679 £155

Luton 18/05/17 Wizz Air 07:30 11:20 2hrs.05 Best Western £679 £12517/08/17 07:30 11:20 2hrs.05 Best Western £699 £12521/09/17 07:30 11:20 2hrs.05 Lev Hotel £679 £15512/10/17 07:20 11:05 2hrs.05 Lev Hotel £649 £155

Manchester 03/07/17 Monarch 17:25 10:55 2hrs.35 Lev Hotel £689 £15507/08/17 17:25 10:55 2hrs.35 Lev Hotel £689 £155

Stansted 18/05/17 easyJet 13:05 16:45 2hrs.15 Best Western £679 £12522/06/17 13:05 16:45 2hrs.15 Best Western £679 £12530/06/17 13:05 16:45 2hrs.15 Best Western £699 £12517/08/17 13:05 16:45 2hrs.15 Best Western £699 £12521/09/17 12:55 16:35 2hrs.15 Lev Hotel £679 £15512/10/17 12:55 16:35 2hrs.15 Lev Hotel £649 £155

PRAGUE, VIENNA, BOHEMIA & THE DANUBE VALLEY

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £149 per person. The price includes: return flights; all airport transfers and taxes; seven nights four-star accommodation as mentioned with breakfast and three dinners; guided tours of Cesky Crumlov castle and Vienna; two sightseeing tours of Prague; guided visit of Melk Abbey; entrance to Durnstein Basilica; entrance and tour of Budvar Brewery; guided tour and visit of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace; all transport as mentioned; services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 05/06/17 Czech Airlines 13:30 11:45 2hrs.10 £819

11/09/17 13:30 11:45 2hrs.10 £849Bristol 15/05/17 easyJet 18:20 21:50 2hrs.10 £789

22/06/17 18:20 21:50 2hrs.10 £79907/09/17 18:15 21:50 2hrs.10 £829

Dublin 03/07/17 Aer Lingus 11:50 15:55 2hrs.25 £79914/08/17 11:45 15:55 2hrs.25 £79909/10/17 11:45 15:55 2hrs.25 £779

East Midlands 08/05/17 Jet2 17:15 21:10 2hrs.05 £78926/06/17 17:15 21:10 2hrs.05 £79911/08/17 06:50 10:40 2hrs.05 £76902/10/17 17:15 21:10 2hrs.05 £789

Edinburgh 01/06/17 easyJet 06:00 09:50 2hrs.25 £81921/09/17 06:10 10:00 2hrs.25 £849

Gatwick 11/05/17 easyJet 08:55 12:25 2hrs.10 £78922/06/17 08:55 12:20 2hrs.10 £79920/07/17 08:55 12:20 2hrs.10 £75914/08/17 08:55 12:20 2hrs.10 £75921/09/17 08:55 12:20 2hrs.10 £82909/10/17 09:00 12:20 2hrs.10 £769

Glasgow Int 18/08/17 Jet2 16:00 20:15 2hrs.35 £779Heathrow 15/05/17 British Airways 07:35 11:15 2hrs.35 £839

03/07/17 07:35 11:15 2hrs.35 £80904/09/17 09:55 13:40 2hrs.35 £879

Leeds Bradford 11/05/17 Jet2 07:10 11:00 2hrs.35 £80920/07/17 07:10 11:00 2hrs.35 £77907/09/17 07:10 11:00 2hrs.35 £849

Manchester 08/05/17 Jet2 17:00 20:50 2hrs.10 £80905/06/17 16:20 20:40 2hrs.10 £81918/08/17 06:45 10:50 2hrs.10 £77911/09/17 16:20 20:40 2hrs.10 £849

Newcastle 26/06/17 Jet2 14:35 18:35 2hrs.10 £81904/09/17 14:35 18:35 2hrs.10 £849

Stansted 01/06/17 easyJet 11:50 15:05 2hrs.30 £79911/08/17 11:50 15:05 2hrs.30 £75902/10/17 11:50 15:05 2hrs.30 £789

266 267

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £419 per person The price includes return flights, airport departure taxes, seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner, all transfers and transport using a second class six-day Bernese Oberland Pass and touring as mentioned, services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.Please note: opening/closing dates of some mountain railways may be subject to weather conditions. Some places or routes suggested for your ‘free’ days may be subject to entrance fees or a supplement.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

SWITZERLAND’S BERNESE OBERLAND

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBristol 30/06/17 easyJet 07:35 21:20 1hrs.40 £1,569

14/07/17 07:35 21:20 1hrs.40 £1,56908/09/17 07:35 21:20 1hrs.40 £1,569

Dublin 07/07/17 Aer Lingus 12:15 16:05 2hrs.15 £1,55908/09/17 12:15 16:05 2hrs.15 £1,599

Edinburgh 16/06/17 easyJet 07:00 10:50 2hrs.15 £1,56921/07/17 07:00 10:50 2hrs.15 £1,56915/09/17 07:00 10:50 2hrs.15 £1,569

Gatwick 23/06/17 easyJet 11:55 21:55 1hrs.40 £1,54921/07/17 08:10 10:55 1hrs.40 £1,54911/08/17 11:55 21:55 1hrs.40 £1,54901/09/17 08:10 21:45 1hrs.40 £1,549

Heathrow 16/06/17 British Airways

13:55 17:35 1hrs.40 £1,54907/07/17 08:20 10:10 1hrs.40 £1,54904/08/17 08:20 21:15 1hrs.40 £1,54915/09/17 08:20 10:10 1hrs.40 £1,549

Liverpool 30/06/17 easyJet 13:20 16:45 1hrs.50 £1,56908/09/17 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,549

Luton 04/08/17 easyJet 07:30 21:30 1hrs.50 £1,549Manchester 23/06/17 easyJet 10:50 21:55 1hrs.50 £1,569

14/07/17 10:50 21:55 1hrs.50 £1,56911/08/17 10:50 21:55 1hrs.50 £1,56901/09/17 10:50 21:55 1hrs.50 £1,569

SWITZERLAND, THE MATTERHORN & THE GLACIER EXPRESS

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £119 per person for the Alex Hotel and £129 for the Victoria Hotel. The price includes return flights; seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and dinner; return transfers; all touring as mentioned; train to Zermatt; standard class journey’s on the Glacier Express, Centovalli railway and Bernina Express; boat cruise on Lake Maggiore; Services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.Please note that in Switzerland beds are often one bed base with two mattresses and individual bed linen.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel PriceBirmingham 07/06/17 Swiss 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,299

14/06/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,29905/07/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,29919/07/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,29902/08/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,29923/08/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,29906/09/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,29920/09/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,29904/10/17 08:40 17:10 1hrs.50 Victoria Hotel £1,229

Gatwick 03/06/17 easyJet 07:10 10:30 2hrs.10 Alex Hotel £1,19909/09/17 07:10 10:20 2hrs.10 Alex Hotel £1,219

Heathrow 31/05/17 Swiss 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23907/06/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23912/06/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Alex Hotel £1,23914/06/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23928/06/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23905/07/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23912/07/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23919/07/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23926/07/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23902/08/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23916/08/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23923/08/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23930/08/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23906/09/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23913/09/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23920/09/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,23927/09/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,21904/10/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Victoria Hotel £1,16906/10/17 08:40 17:05 1hrs.55 Alex Hotel £1,169

Luton 16/06/17 easyJet 13:10 16:35 2hrs.10 Alex Hotel £1,21919/08/17 13:20 16:30 2hrs.10 Alex Hotel £1,219

Manchester 31/05/17 Swiss 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,29912/06/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Alex Hotel £1,29928/06/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,29912/07/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,29926/07/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,29916/08/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,29930/08/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,29913/09/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,29927/09/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Victoria Hotel £1,27906/10/17 08:40 17:10 2hrs.00 Alex Hotel £1,229

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DUBROVNIK, THE DALMATIAN COAST & MONTENEGRO

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £199 per person. The price includes seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner in three and four-star accommodation as mentioned, return flights, all airport taxes and transfers, all touring as mentioned, guided visits of Dubrovnik and Split, all transfers and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. All departures arrive into Dubrvovnik, except from Bristol and Heathrow. Please note UK passport holders do not require visas for this holiday. However, please be aware that holders of other passports may require visas for entry into Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia. We advise you check with the relevant embassy prior to booking. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months weather permitting.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel 2nd Hotel PriceBelfast Int 30/04/17 Jet2 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £959

07/05/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,01914/05/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,04921/05/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,04928/05/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,05904/06/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,05911/06/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,05918/06/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,05925/06/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,05902/07/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,05927/08/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,08903/09/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,10917/09/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,10924/09/17 07:15 12:20 3hrs.30 Plaza Argosy £1,079

Bristol 09/05/17 easyJet 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,02916/05/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,04923/05/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07930/05/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07906/06/17 06:45 11:0 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07913/06/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07920/06/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07927/06/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07929/08/17 06:45 11:05 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07905/09/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07912/09/17 06:45 11:00 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07919/09/17 06:55 11:05 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07926/09/17 06:55 11:05 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,07903/10/17 06:55 11:05 2hrs.35 Olympia Argosy £1,029

East Midlands 30/04/17 Jet2 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £93907/05/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £99914/05/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,02921/05/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,02928/05/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,03904/06/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,03911/06/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,03918/06/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,03925/06/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,03902/07/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,03927/08/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,06903/09/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,08917/09/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,08924/09/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,05901/10/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £99908/10/17 06:45 11:30 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £949

Edinburgh 30/04/17 Jet2 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £95907/05/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,01914/05/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04921/05/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04928/05/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,05904/06/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,05911/06/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,05918/06/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,05925/06/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,05902/07/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,05927/08/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,08903/09/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,10917/09/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,10924/09/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,07901/10/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,01908/10/17 06:45 11:50 3hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £969

Gatwick 26/04/17 easyJet 07:00 11:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £86903/05/17 Norwegian

Air Shuttle06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £949

10/05/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £99917/05/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,02924/05/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04931/05/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04907/06/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04914/06/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04921/06/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04928/06/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04905/07/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04923/08/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,04930/08/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,06906/09/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,08913/09/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,08920/09/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £1,06927/09/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £99904/10/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £94911/10/17 06:00 10:20 2hrs.20 Plaza Argosy £849

Heathrow 29/04/17 Croatia Airlines

10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £92906/05/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £97913/05/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £99920/05/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02927/05/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02903/06/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02910/06/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02917/06/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02924/06/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02901/07/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02919/08/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02926/08/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,04902/09/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,04909/09/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,04916/09/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,04923/09/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,03930/09/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £98907/10/17 10:50 14:10 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £939

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel 2nd Hotel PriceLeeds

Bradford30/04/17 Jet2 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £93907/05/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £99914/05/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,02921/05/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,02928/05/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,03904/06/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,03911/06/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,03918/06/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,03925/06/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,03902/07/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,03927/08/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,06903/09/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,08917/09/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,08924/09/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £1,05901/10/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £99908/10/17 07:15 12:00 3hrs.00 Plaza Argosy £949

Manchester 27/04/17 Jet2 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £89904/05/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £94911/05/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £99918/05/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £99925/05/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £99901/06/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,01908/06/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,01915/06/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,01922/06/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,01929/06/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,01924/08/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,02931/08/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,03907/09/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,09914/09/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,09921/09/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £1,04928/09/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £99905/10/17 08:05 13:10 2hrs.40 Plaza Argosy £929

Stansted 09/05/17 easyJet 18:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,02916/05/17 18:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,04923/05/17 18:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07930/05/17 18:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07906/06/17 18:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07913/06/17 18:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07920/06/17 18:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07927/06/17 18:30 23:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07929/08/17 19:30 23:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07905/09/17 19:30 23:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07912/09/17 19:30 22:40 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07919/09/17 07:30 11:30 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07926/09/17 07:30 11:30 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,07903/10/17 07:30 11:30 2hrs.25 Olympia Argosy £1,029

268 269

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £99 per person. The price includes return flights to Krakow, airport departure taxes and transfers, three nights accommodation with breakfast at the four-star Novotel Krakow Centrum, guided sightseeing tour of Krakow, visit to the castle district, visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, return airport transfers and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.NOT INCLUDED: Optional trip to Salt Mines 125 Polish Złoty approximate cost, payable locally.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

KRAKOW

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration PriceBirmingham 05/03/17 Ryanair 16:35 20:30 2hrs.40 £419

07/05/17 16:55 20:55 2hrs.40 £46917/09/17 16:55 20:55 2hrs.40 £47912/11/17 17:40 20:40 2hrs.40 £399

Bristol 31/03/17 easyJet 07:00 14:05 2hrs.40 £44912/05/17 07:00 14:05 2hrs.40 £50923/06/17 07:00 14:00 2hrs.40 £50911/08/17 07:00 14:00 2hrs.40 £50915/09/17 07:00 14:00 2hrs.40 £50906/10/17 07:00 14:05 2hrs.40 £499

East Midlands 31/03/17 Ryanair 09:10 21:20 2hrs.30 £46923/06/17 09:10 21:20 2hrs.30 £49904/08/17 09:10 21:20 2hrs.30 £49906/10/17 09:10 21:20 2hrs.30 £489

Edinburgh 23/04/17 easyJet 06:45 11:00 2hrs.40 £47902/06/17 06:00 11:10 2hrs.40 £49911/08/17 06:00 11:10 2hrs.40 £49908/10/17 06:45 10:45 2hrs.40 £489

Gatwick 21/03/17 easyJet 08:55 19:45 2hrs.20 £41921/04/17 09:25 13:20 2hrs.20 £45912/05/17 09:25 13:20 2hrs.20 £48910/06/17 14:00 13:20 2hrs.20 £47907/07/17 09:25 22:00 2hrs.20 £47915/08/17 09:25 13:20 2hrs.20 £47915/09/17 09:25 13:20 2hrs.20 £47908/10/17 09:20 13:15 2hrs.20 £46903/11/17 08:55 12:45 2hrs.20 £399

Heathrow 23/04/17 British Airways 17:10 20:55 2hrs.20 £45902/06/17 10:00 13:30 2hrs.20 £47904/08/17 10:00 13:30 2hrs.20 £479

Leeds Bradford 04/05/17 Ryanair 06:40 18:10 2hrs.30 £46906/07/17 06:40 18:10 2hrs.20 £47907/09/17 06:40 18:10 2hrs.30 £49909/11/17 09:30 17:20 2hrs.30 £399

Liverpool 21/03/17 easyJet 07:45 11:05 2hrs.40 £41907/05/17 07:05 11:05 2hrs.40 £46917/09/17 07:05 11:05 2hrs.40 £479

Manchester 21/04/17 Jet2 15:10 20:15 2hrs.50 £48909/06/17 15:10 20:15 2hrs.50 £50918/08/17 15:10 20:15 2hrs.50 £51908/09/17 15:10 20:15 2hrs.50 £49922/09/17 15:10 20:15 2hrs.50 £50913/10/17 15:10 20:15 2hrs.50 £499

Newcastle 07/07/17 Jet2 15:15 19:35 2hrs.35 £49908/09/17 15:15 19:35 2hrs.35 £49903/11/17 09:00 17:20 2hrs.35 £419

Stansted 05/03/17 Ryanair 08:45 21:50 2hrs.20 £41908/04/17 08:45 21:50 2hrs.20 £45904/05/17 08:45 21:50 2hrs.20 £46909/06/17 08:45 16:50 2hrs.20 £47906/07/17 08:45 21:50 2hrs.20 £47918/08/17 08:45 21:50 2hrs.20 £47922/09/17 08:45 21:50 2hrs.20 £49917/10/17 08:45 16:50 2hrs.20 £46909/11/17 08:45 21:50 2hrs.20 £399

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes return flights, airport taxes and transfers, four nights’ accommodation with breakfast, comprehensive guided touring programme as mentioned, Whale Watching Experience and entrance to the Blue Lagoon, the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

ICELAND

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Hotel Price Single SupplementBirmingham 08/06/17 Icelandair 13:25 07:50 2hrs.50 Centrum £1,149 £319

08/06/17 13:25 07:50 2hrs.50 Fosshotel £1,049 £31920/07/17 13:25 07:50 2hrs.50 Centrum £1,149 £31920/07/17 13:25 07:50 2hrs.50 Fosshotel £1,049 £31907/09/17 13:25 07:50 2hrs.50 Centrum £1,139 £31907/09/17 13:25 07:50 2hrs.50 Fosshotel £1,039 £319

Dublin 08/06/17 Wow Air 12:20 06:20 3hrs.00 Centrum £1,119 £31908/06/17 12:20 06:20 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £1,019 £31917/09/17 12:20 06:20 3hrs.00 Centrum £1,079 £31917/09/17 12:20 06:20 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £989 £319

Edinburgh 14/05/17 easyJet 07:00 09:00 2hrs.15 Centrum £999 £31914/05/17 07:00 09:00 2hrs.15 Fosshotel £959 £31918/06/17 07:00 09:00 2hrs.15 Centrum £1,099 £31918/06/17 07:00 09:00 2hrs.15 Fosshotel £999 £31923/07/17 18:00 20:30 2hrs.15 Centrum £1,099 £31923/07/17 18:00 20:30 2hrs.15 Fosshotel £999 £31927/08/17 18:00 20:30 2hrs.15 Centrum £1,099 £31927/08/17 18:00 20:30 2hrs.15 Fosshotel £999 £31914/09/17 18:00 20:30 2hrs.15 Centrum £1,099 £31914/09/17 18:00 20:30 2hrs.15 Fosshotel £969 £319

Gatwick 05/06/17 Wow Air 12:00 06:20 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £1,039 £29922/06/17 12:00 06:20 3hrs.00 Centrum £1,129 £31922/06/17 12:00 06:20 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £1,029 £31920/07/17 12:00 15:50 3hrs.00 Centrum £1,129 £31920/07/17 12:00 15:50 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £1,029 £31914/08/17 12:00 06:20 3hrs.00 Centrum £1,129 £31914/08/17 12:00 06:20 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £1,029 £31927/08/17 12:00 15:25 3hrs.00 Centrum £1,129 £31927/08/17 12:00 15:25 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £1,029 £31911/09/17 12:00 06:20 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £1,029 £29924/09/17 12:00 15:25 3hrs.00 Fosshotel £999 £299

Luton 14/05/17 easyJet 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Centrum £999 £31914/05/17 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £959 £31904/06/17 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,099 £31904/06/17 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £999 £31918/06/17 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,099 £31918/06/17 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £999 £31916/07/17 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,099 £29916/07/17 06:20 08:40 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £999 £29910/08/17 06:00 08:40 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,099 £31910/08/17 06:00 08:40 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £999 £31914/09/17 06:00 08:40 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,099 £31914/09/17 06:00 08:40 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £969 £31924/09/17 07:15 10:15 2hrs.15 Fosshotel £969 £299

Manchester 21/05/17 Icelandair 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,079 £31921/05/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £1,009 £31904/06/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,129 £31904/06/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £1,029 £31916/07/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,129 £29916/07/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £1,029 £29920/08/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,149 £31920/08/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £1,049 £31907/09/17 13:25 07:50 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,139 £31907/09/17 13:25 07:50 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £1,039 £31917/09/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Centrum £1,089 £31917/09/17 13:25 08:00 2hrs.55 Fosshotel £999 £319

268 269

HELSINKI, TALLINN & RIGA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 3rd Hotel PriceGatwick 30/06/17 Norwegian Air

Shuttle10:10 15:40 2hrs.50 Radisson £879

13/07/17 10:10 15:55 2hrs.50 Wellton £87927/07/17 10:10 15:40 2hrs.50 Wellton £89917/08/17 10:10 15:55 2hrs.50 Wellton £87931/08/17 10:10 15:40 2hrs.50 Radisson £89914/09/17 10:10 15:40 2hrs.50 Wellton £89921/09/17 10:10 15:55 2hrs.50 Radisson £84928/09/17 10:10 15:40 2hrs.50 Wellton £799

Manchester 30/06/17 Finnair 17:50 11:05 2hrs.35 Radisson £97931/08/17 British Airways

operated by Finnair

10:25 11:35 2hrs.35 Radisson £99914/09/17 10:25 11:35 2hrs.35 Wellton £99921/09/17 10:25 11:35 2hrs.35 Radisson £94928/09/17 10:25 11:35 2hrs.35 Wellton £899

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £219 per person. The price includes seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast and three dinners (including two in a local restaurant), return flights; departures taxes and transfers; all tours as mentioned.; tour of Helsinki; guided visit of Suomenlinna Fortress; ferry corssing from Riga to Tallinn; visit to Kadriorg Park; guided tours of Tallinn and Riga and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

NORWAY

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £249 per person. The price includes flights to Oslo, returning from Bergen, airport departure taxes and transfers, seven nights accommodation with breakfast and three dinners, all tours as mentioned, tour of Oslo, visit to Viking Ship museum, one-day Oslo Pass, full day tour to Telemark, train to Voss, train to Flam and cruise to Gudvangen, trip to Voringfoss and Hardanger fjord cruise, Bergen walking tour, and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Flight Return Flight Duration PriceGatwick 21/05/17 Norwegian Air

Shuttle09:20 Direct 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,109

04/06/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 18/06/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 03/07/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 09/07/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 17/07/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 24/07/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 06/08/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 13/08/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 20/08/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 27/08/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209 03/09/17 09:20 09:15 2hrs.05 £1,209

Heathrow 02/06/17 British Airways 10:25 Direct 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,239 19/06/17 12:55 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,219 10/07/17 10:25 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,209 21/07/17 12:55 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,209 28/07/17 12:55 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,209 04/08/17 07:50 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,209 18/08/17 12:55 11:30 2hrs.05 £1,209 25/08/17 12:55 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,209 01/09/17 12:55 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,209 04/09/17 12:55 13:40 2hrs.05 £1,209

Manchester 02/06/17 Scandinavian Airlines

10:55 Copenhagen 20:05 2hrs.10 £1,309 19/06/17 12:40 16:00 2hrs.10 £1,279 10/07/17 19:50 16:00 2hrs.10 £1,279 21/07/17 10:15 13:40 2hrs.10 £1,279 28/07/17 10:15 13:40 2hrs.10 £1,279 04/08/17 10:15 13:40 2hrs.10 £1,279 18/08/17 10:55 Direct 20:05 2hrs.10 £1,279 25/08/17 10:55 20:05 2hrs.10 £1,279 01/09/17 10:55 20:05 2hrs.10 £1,279 04/09/17 12:05 18:55 2hrs.10 £1,279

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement from £285 per person. The price includes return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, five nights accommodation with breakfast, all tours as mentioned, guided tour of Stockholm, tour of Sweden’s Royal Palace, high speed train from Stockholm to Copenhagen, guided tour of Copenhagen, visit to Fredericksborg Slot, Visit to Roskilde Viking Museum and Roskilde Cathedral, and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

STOCKHOLM & COPENHAGEN

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration 1st Hotel 2nd Hotel PriceBirmingham 28/07/17 Monarch 14:50 17:50 2hrs.40 Grand Central Kong Arthur £969

22/09/17 14:50 17:50 2hrs.40 Grand Central Kong Arthur £939Dublin 14/07/17 Scandinavian

Airlines10:15 12:05 2hrs.35 Grand Central Kong Arthur £989

Edinburgh 25/06/17 Norwegian Air Shuttle

09:40 13:40 2hrs.15 Radisson Kong Arthur £96906/07/17 15:55 13:40 2hrs.15 Grand Central Kong Arthur £92919/09/17 10:30 12:20 2hrs.15 Grand Central Kong Arthur £929

Gatwick 09/06/17 Norwegian Air Shuttle

09:10 12:05 2hrs.20 Grand Central Kong Arthur £89914/07/17 17:00 12:05 2hrs.20 Grand Central Kong Arthur £93925/08/17 17:00 12:05 2hrs.20 Radisson Scandic £94926/09/17 17:00 13:30 2hrs.20 Grand Central Kong Arthur £899

Heathrow 25/06/17 British Airways

11:25 16:35 2hrs.30 Radisson Kong Arthur £96906/07/17 11:25 16:35 2hrs.30 Grand Central Kong Arthur £96911/08/17 09:15 13:45 2hrs.30 Grand Central Kong Arthur £96919/09/17 11:25 16:35 2hrs.30 Grand Central Kong Arthur £929

Manchester 09/06/17 Norwegian Air Shuttle

09:20 21:55 2hrs.25 Grand Central Kong Arthur £939

28/07/17 Monarch 16:00 17:45 2hrs.25 Grand Central Kong Arthur £96925/08/17 Norwegian

Air Shuttle09:20 14:10 2hrs.25 Radisson Scandic £989

22/09/17 09:20 14:10 2hrs.25 Grand Central Kong Arthur £939

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JERUSALEM, GALILEE & THE DEAD SEA

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the above relevant supplement per person. The price includes return scheduled flights to Tel Aviv, airport departure taxes, return transfers, seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner staying in four-star hotels, hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person, the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager and all touring as mentioned; including guided visits to Caesarea, Acre, Capernaum, Tabgha, Nazareth, Masada, Bethlehem and Jerusalem including, the Western Wall, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Shrine of the Book and Yad Vashem. Please note visits to certain sites, such as Bethlehem, may be dependent on the prevailing security situation. Where hotels feature a swimming pool, pools are open in the summer months, weather permitting.

VISAS & HEALTHUK & Irish nationals do not require a visa.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

MOSCOW & ST PETERSBURG

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the above relevant supplement. The price includes six nights accommodation with breakfast in four star hotels, return flights, airport departure taxes, return transfers, all tours and entrance fees as mentioned, guided visits of Moscow & St Petersburg, guided tour of the Kremlin including entrance into the Armoury museum, guided tour of Moscow Metro, second class high speed Sapsan train from Moscow to St Petersburg with reserved seat, entrance to Hermitage museum, entrance to Peterhof, services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

VISA & HEALTHRussia Visa Application forms must initially be completed electronically at http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk then printed and be signed by the applicants. All applications for UK citizens must then made in person at the Application Centres in London or Edinburgh in order for biometric data (fingerprints – a simple process taking 5 – 10 minutes) to be collected. Visa costs are from £50.00 plus a service charge of £38.40 and the option to return by post at a cost of £9.80 (total of £98.20 per person). Should you require additional help through an agency please contact us for a recommendation. The granting of a visa is at the discretion of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in London and its Consulates. All payments made towards visa fees and service charges are non-refundable and do not guarantee the issuance of a visa should your application be declined. Please ensure you have at least two empty pages in your passport, and that it is valid for a minimum of six months after the visa’s expiration. You will also need one recent passport photo, ‘Tourist Vouchers’ which will be obtained from the hotels via us - no charge applies for these however a fee of £55.00 is charged by the hotels should the reservation be cancelled. Please apply for you visa no more than six weeks prior to travel. Your tourist vouchers will reach you 4 – 6 weeks before departure. As requirements and prices may differ non UK passport holders should refer to: Http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £100 per person

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Arrival in UK Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 20/03/17 EL AL 14:20 10:15 4hrs.40 £1,299 £369

01/05/17 14:20 10:15 4hrs.40 £1,379 £36915/05/17 15:25 10:15 4hrs.40 £1,399 £41922/05/17 15:25 10:15 4hrs.40 £1,399 £36919/06/17 15:25 10:15 4hrs.40 £1,399 £41924/07/17 15:25 10:15 4hrs.40 £1,399 £41911/09/17 15:25 10:15 4hrs.40 £1,259 £36930/10/17 14:20 09:05 4hrs.40 £1,259 £36906/11/17 14:20 09:05 4hrs.40 £1,259 £369

All timings quoted are local. Israel is GMT+2hrs.Flight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound flight approximately 50 minutes longer. All EL AL B747 or B777 flights include personal TV’s, 32” seat pitch, complementary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including vegetarian option, 20kg baggage allowance per person. Please note seats in exit rows are allocated at check-in and bulkhead seats are normally reserved for families with infants. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.EL AL Business Class upgrade, subject to availability, price to be confirmed after we receive your booking. Enjoy dedicated check-in desk, seperate cabin area and a wider seat with a pitch of up to 60” with adjustable leg and headrests, as well as a welcome glass of champagne, after-dinner liqueurs and airport lounge access.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Flight Return Flight Duration Price Single SupplementBirmingham 24/05/17 Lufthansa 07:15 Frankfurt 11:15 1hrs.50 £1,199 £285

21/06/17 07:15 11:15 1hrs.50 £1,199 £29919/07/17 07:15 11:15 1hrs.50 £1,099 £22509/08/17 07:15 11:15 1hrs.50 £1,099 £22506/09/17 07:15 11:15 1hrs.50 £1,149 £245

Heathrow 16/05/17 British Airways 08:45 Direct 15:50 3hrs.35 £1,249 £28506/06/17 08:45 15:50 3hrs.35 £1,259 £31511/07/17 08:45 15:50 3hrs.35 £1,199 £22529/08/17 08:45 15:50 3hrs.35 £1,149 £22520/09/17 08:45 15:50 3hrs.35 £1,149 £245

Manchester 24/05/17 Lufthansa 06:55 Frankfurt 11:15 2hrs.00 £1,199 £28521/06/17 06:55 11:15 2hrs.00 £1,199 £29919/07/17 06:55 11:15 2hrs.00 £1,099 £22509/08/17 06:55 11:15 2hrs.00 £1,099 £22506/09/17 06:55 11:15 2hrs.00 £1,149 £245

Jerusalem

Tel Aviv

ISRAEL

Sea of Galilee

Dead Sea

Nazareth

Tiberias

Acre

Caesarea

Capernaum

Masada

Bethlehem

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Boat Trip

270 271

PRICE INCLUDES The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement above. Scheduled flights to Johannesburg and from Cape Town; all transfers; thirteen nights accommodation on bed and breakfast basis; three dinners; visit to the Johannesburg Apartheid museum; visit to Blyde River canyon; full day Kruger safari; tour of Zulu battlefields, including lunch; tour of the Featherbed Nature Reserve including lunch; whale-watching in Hermanus depending on season (19 Apr - 21 Nov); Winelands tour, including wine tasting; visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; tour of Cape Point; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

ROVOS RAIL PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the above supplement. The price includes everything already mentioned for the South Africa tour above. Additionally the tour with Rovos Rail includes two extra nights accommodation in a Pullman Suite (approx. 7 sq. metres) with sofa that converts to twin bunk beds or double bed (on request), personal safe & mini-fridge, en-suite bathroom with shower and hairdryer; all meals, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (local brands, excluding Champagne), 24-hour room service and limited laundry service whilst on board; all off-train excursions; Pretoria city tour including visits to the Kruger Museum & Vootrekker Monument; all transfers; the services of Riviera tour manager. Rovos Deluxe Suite supplement: £479 per person (single £230 supplement in addition to Pullman Suite single supplement). Deluxe suites are larger (10 sq. metres) with small seating area, with double or twin lower beds (some twins in an L-shape configuration). Royal Suites on request, price on application. For full details on the train and itinerary please see the Riviera website.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £500 per person.

VISAS & HEALTHBritish passport holders do not currently require a visa. However, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least thirty days after the intended return date and there are at least two completely empty pages, otherwise you may not be permitted to travel. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for South Africa at least a month before departure. The Kruger National Park is considered a malarial zone, although the risk is reduced during the South African drier ‘winter’ months of May to August. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate medication well before departure and ensure you use a strong mosquito repellent. As of June 2015, if you are travelling to South Africa or transiting through a South African airport with a minor (up to and including 17 years of age), new documentation requirements apply. Please visit the following website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements for more information.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to travel.

SOUTH AFRICA

Connecting flights from UK regional airports

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 05/04/17 South African 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,099 £259

26/04/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,099 £24912/07/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,099 £25909/08/17 21:05 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,099 £24904/09/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,299 £25911/09/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,299 £26913/09/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,299 £26920/09/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28925/09/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28927/09/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28904/10/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28909/10/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28911/10/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28918/10/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28923/10/17 21:00 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,399 £28930/10/17 21:05 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,299 £26906/11/17 21:05 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,299 £26913/11/17 21:05 06:25 11hrs.00 £2,299 £26922/11/17 21:05 06:25 11hrs.00 £1,899 £289

Departures below include the Rovos Rail TourHeathrow 25/09/17 South African

Airways21:05 06:25 11hrs.00 £3,299 £1,219

30/10/17 21:05 06:25 11hrs.00 £3,299 £1,219All timings quoted are local. South Africa is GMT +1 or +2 hrs, depending on season.Flight information: South African Airways flights are on an Airbus 340 with 80% of economy class seats having 33” to 34” seat pitch, seat-back TV’s with video on demand. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.South African Business Class Upgrade from £2,129 per person return, subject to availability, please call for further information.Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.

Airport Airline Flight Out To/From Return Flight Arrival Supplement per person (Return), fromAberdeen British Airways 17:55 Heathrow 11:15 £150Edinburgh 16:25 10:00 £150Glasgow 17:05 10:00 £150

Manchester 17:10 10:00 £150Newcastle 16:30 11:05 £150

Above supplements include taxes and should be added to Heathrow tour prices. UK connecting flights are subject to availability and both timings and prices are subject to change without notice. Once booked, all domestic flights are non-transferable and non-refundable. Higher UK domestic prices will be applicable for any bookings upgrading to South African Airways Business class.Note: Lower UK domestic fares may be available on the Internet and if you wish, you may book these direct with the relevant airline. However, Internet fares will not permit you to check-in your luggage and obtain your boarding passes to your final destination, leaving you less time to check-in for your international departure at Heathrow; should your homeward flight be delayed and you miss your onward UK domestic flight, these lower-priced Internet tickets which have not been purchased through us are not transferable to a later flight and you could be obliged to purchase a new full-fare ticket.

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town

ZAMBIA

ZIMBABWE

Kruger National Park

ZuluBattle�elds

Swaziland

George

KnysnaStellenbosch

Pretoria

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272 273

NAMIBIA

PRICE INCLUDES The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Limited numbers of single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement above. Scheduled return flights to Johannesburg with return connections to Windhoek; all transfers; eleven nights' accommodation on bed and breakfast basis, plus eleven meals; visit to Sossusvlei dunes, visit to Cape Cross, Twyfeldontein rock art site, Hambi village and full day Etosha safari; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

VISAS & HEALTHBritish passport holders do not currently require a visa. However, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least thirty days after the intended return date and there are at least two completely empty pages, otherwise you may not be permitted to travel. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for Namibia at least a month before departure.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to travel.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Actual Flying Time Price Single SupplementHeathrow 15/03/18 South African 21:00 07:20 12hrs.50 £2,849 £299

19/04/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,799 £26917/05/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,799 £26914/06/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,599 £26919/07/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,849 £29909/08/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,849 £29913/09/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,849 £29929/09/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,849 £29911/10/18 21:00 06:55 12hrs.50 £2,849 £29908/11/18 21:00 07:20 12hrs.50 £2,899 £309

All timings quoted are local. South Africa is GMT +1 or +2 hrs, depending on season.Flight information: South Africa Airways flights are on an Airbus 340 with 80% of economy class seats having 33” to 34” seat pitch, seat-back TV’s with video on demand. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.South African Business Class Upgrade from £2,489 per person return, subject to availability, please call for further information. Please note Business Class upgrades will only be bookable from 11 months prior to departure.Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.

Connecting flights from UK regional airports

Airport Airline Flight Out To/From Return Flight Arrival Supplement per person (Return), fromAberdeen British Airways 17:55 Heathrow 11:15 £170Edinburgh 16:25 10:00 £170Glasgow 17:05 10:00 £170

Manchester 17:10 10:00 £170Newcastle 16:30 11:05 £170

Above supplements include taxes and should be added to Heathrow tour prices. UK connecting flights are subject to availability and both timings and prices are subject to change without notice. Once booked, all domestic flights are non-transferable and non-refundable. Higher UK domestic prices will be applicable for any bookings upgrading to South African Airways Business class.Note: Lower UK domestic fares may be available on the Internet and if you wish, you may book these direct with the relevant airline. However, Internet fares will not permit you to check-in your luggage and obtain your boarding passes to your final destination, leaving you less time to check-in for your international departure at Heathrow; should your homeward flight be delayed and you miss your onward UK domestic flight, these lower-priced Internet tickets which have not been purchased through us are not transferable to a later flight and you could be obliged to purchase a new full-fare ticket.Please note connecting flights will only be bookable from 11 months prior to departure.

NamutoniEtoshaNational Park

Okaukuejo

Solitaire

Sossusvlei

Walvis Bay

Swakopmund

Cape Cross

TwyfelfonteinKhorixas

Windhoek

Okahandja

NAMIBIA

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VICTORIA FALLS, BOTSWANA SAFARI & CAPE TOWN

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the above relevant supplement. The price includes eight nights accommodation, including breakfast in three and four-star hotels; half-board basis at Chobe Safari Lodge or Mowana Safari Lodge; 2 lunches in Cape Town; scheduled direct flights to Johannesburg and returning from Cape Town; flights between South Africa and Zambia; all transfers; walking tour of Victoria Falls; sunset Zambezi River cruise; game drive and boat safari in Chobe; full day guided tours to Cape Point and the Winelands; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. NOT INCLUDED: £60 per person Zambian multiple-entry visa.

VISAS & HEALTHBritish passport holders do not currently require a visa to enter South Africa or Botswana but must have at least three completely empty pages in their passport and at least six-month validity from date of travel, otherwise you may not be permitted to travel.Zambia visas: Multiple-entry visas to Zambia are required for all British passport holders and cost £60 per person from the Zambia High Commission at Zambia House, 2 Palace Gate, London W8 5NG,Tel: 0207 5896655. Visa forms may be downloaded from www.zambiahc.org.uk and you will need to enclose a completed form, your passport, 2 passport photos and a photocopy of your Riviera confirmation invoice - no other documents are necessary for normal tourist visas. Postal applications normally take 5 working days to process. Other passport holders should check with the relevant embassies well before departure. Visa fees can change without notice and once issued, any costs are non-refundable.Important note: Zambia and Botswana are malarial areas and your GP can recommend the appropriate precautions that should be taken. As of June 2015, if you are travelling to South Africa or transiting through a South African airport with a minor (up to and including 17 years of age), new documentation requirements apply. Please visit the following website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements for more information.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Actual Flying Time Price Single SupplementHeathrow 24/02/17 South African 19:00 06:25 12hrs.45 £2,699 £369

24/03/17 19:00 06:25 12hrs.45 £2,699 £36916/06/17 19:00 06:25 12hrs.45 £2,499 £34921/07/17 19:00 06:25 12hrs.45 £2,699 £35915/09/17 18:05 06:25 12hrs.45 £2,699 £36906/10/17 19:00 06:25 12hrs.45 £2,799 £38903/11/17 18:05 06:25 12hrs.45 £2,799 £389

All timings quoted are local. South Africa is GMT +1 or +2 hrs, depending on season.Flight information: South Africa Airways flights are on an Airbus 340 with 80% of economy class seats having 33” to 34” seat pitch, seat-back TV’s with video on demand. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.South African Premium Class Upgrade from £2,489 per person return, subject to availability, please call for further information. Upgrades are not available for flights to Livingstone and between Johannesburg and Cape Town.Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.

Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA

NAMIBIA

BOTSWANA

ZAMBIA Livingstone

Chobe/Kasane

Cape Town

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274 275

CALIFORNIA & THE GOLDEN WEST

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 22/03/17 Virgin Atlantic 15:30 12:05 11hrs.35 £1,999 £679

05/04/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,049 £71926/04/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,239 £73907/05/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,279 £73916/05/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £76922/05/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £76931/05/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £76912/07/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,599 £78923/08/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £79903/09/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £79913/09/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £76919/09/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £76926/09/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £74904/10/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £74912/10/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,299 £74925/10/17 15:45 12:05 11hrs.35 £2,169 £68908/11/17 14:00 11:30 11hrs.35 £1,849 £629

All timings quoted are local. California is GMT -7 or -8 hrs, depending on season. Single room supplements are per person and subject to availability.Flight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound flight approximately 1 hr. 30 minutes shorter. All Virgin Atlantic flights (on A340-600) include personal TV’s with hours of award-wining entertainment, 32” seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including vegetarian option, 23kg baggage allowance per person. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy upgrade from £659 per person return, subject to availability, please call for further information. Enjoy a dedicated check-in desk, separate cabin area and a wider seat with a pitch of up to 38”Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room and includes scheduled direct flights to Los Angeles and returning from San Francisco; all transfers; thirteen nights accommodation on room only basis in three and four-star hotels and four continental breakfasts; all tours and National Park entrance fees as mentioned; guided city tours of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement.

VISAS & HEALTHBritish passport holders do not require a visa under the USA Visa Waiver Programme. Please see Washington DC, New York City & Niagara Falls by Train for full details (Page 35).

There are no current health requirements for the USA. However, whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we often enjoy walking tours (sometimes over unmade paths) of the various places of interest. This tour also reaches an altitude of 8,000ft and temperature variations can be unpredictable, especially during winter, spring and autumn. For these reasons this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

CALIFORNIA

ARIZONA

NE VADA

OREGON IDAHO

UTAH

San Francisco

San Diego Phoenix

Grand CanyonKayenta

Bryce Canyon National Park

Las Vegas

Yosemite National Park

Los Angeles

Monument Valley

Zion National Park

Sonora

Oakhurst

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DEEP SOUTH USA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 08/03/17 Virgin Atlantic 12:30 06:50 9hrs.35 £2,199 £689

29/03/17 09:30 07:05 9hrs.35 £2,299 £67912/04/17 11:50 10:00 9hrs.35 £2,399 £67903/05/17 11:50 10:00 9hrs.35 £2,399 £66917/05/17 11:50 10:00 9hrs.35 £2,399 £66931/05/17 11:50 10:00 9hrs.35 £2,429 £69920/09/17 11:50 10:00 9hrs.35 £2,429 £69904/10/17 11:50 10:00 9hrs.35 £2,469 £74918/10/17 11:50 16:38 9hrs.35 £2,469 £74901/11/17 09:25 16:38 9hrs.35 £2,199 £68915/11/17 09:25 16:38 9hrs.35 £2,099 £659

Manchester 29/03/17 Virgin Atlantic 11:00 08:20 9hrs.00 £2,299 £67912/04/17 11:00 08:20 9hrs.00 £2,399 £67903/05/17 11:00 08:20 9hrs.00 £2,399 £66917/05/17 11:00 08:20 9hrs.00 £3,184 £66931/05/17 11:00 08:20 9hrs.00 £2,429 £69920/09/17 11:00 08:20 9hrs.00 £2,429 £69904/10/17 10:20 17:49 9hrs.00 £2,469 £74918/10/17 10:20 07:00 9hrs.00 £2,469 £74901/11/17 10:20 07:00 9hrs.00 £2,199 £68915/11/17 10:20 07:00 9hrs.00 £2,099 £659

All timings quoted are local. Atlanta is GMT -4 or -5 hrs, depending on season. Single supplement subject to availability.Flight information: Flying time showin is outbound, inbound is about 30 minutes shorter. All Virgin Atlantic flights (on A340-600) include personal TV's with of award-winning entertainment, 32" seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including vegetarian option, 23kg baggage allowance per person.

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room and includes: scheduled return flights to Atlanta; all transfers and journey on Amtrak ‘City of New Orleans’ rail service from Memphis to New Orleans; domestic flight from Dallas/Ft.Worth to Atlanta; twelve nights accommodation, on room only basis in three-star superior or four-star hotels; four continental breakfasts; all tours as mentioned including Chattanooga incline railway, tour of Jack Daniels distillery, entrance to Country Music Hall of Fame, Studio B tour, Sun Studio tour, ‘Platinum’ tour of Graceland, New Orleans walking tour with local guide, NASA Johnson Space Centre, entrance to the Alamo, 6th Floor museum in Dallas, tour of and entrance to Atlanta Civil Rights Museum; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

VISAS & HEALTH British passport holders do not require a visa under the USA Visa Waiver Programme. Please see Washington DC, New York City & Niagara Falls by Train for full details (Page 35).

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

There are no current health requirements for the USA. However, whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we often enjoy walking tours (sometimes over unmade paths) of the various places of interest. For these reasons this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

TEXAS

LOUISIANA

ARK ANSAS

TENNESSEE

ALABAMAGEORGIA

MISSISSIPPI

Atlanta

New OrleansHouston

San Antonio

Dallas

Memphis

Nashville

Chattanooga

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WESTERN WONDERS

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room and includes: scheduled direct flights to Salt Lake City; all transfers; 14 nights accommodation in three-star hotels with 11 breakfasts (some continental); all tours as mentioned including visits to Arches, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, & Grand Teton National Parks, Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, guided tour of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, city tour of Salt Lake City & Denver, Durango & Silverton railway; porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Please note: adverse weather conditions may result in some road closures in Yellowstone in early or late season.

VISAS & HEALTH British passport holders do not require a visa under the USA Visa Waiver Programme. Please see Washington DC, New York City & Niagara Falls by Train for full details (Page 35).

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

There are no current health requirements for the USA. However, whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we often enjoy walking tours (sometimes over unmade paths) of the various places of interest. For these reasons this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 31/05/17 Delta Airlines 13:55 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,499 £849

14/06/17 13:55 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,599 £86928/06/17 13:55 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,799 £86912/07/17 13:55 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,799 £88926/07/17 13:55 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,899 £88916/08/17 13:55 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,869 £88913/09/17 13:55 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,599 £88927/09/17 13:40 13:20 10hrs.45 £2,299 £779

All timings quoted are local. Utah is GMT -6 or -7 hrs, depending on season. Single supplement subject to availability.Flight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound is about 1hr shorter. All Delta Airlines B767-300 flights include personal TVs with hours of entertainment, 31-31” seat pitch, amenity kit, a choice of meals and soft drinks (alcoholic drinks are charged extra), 23kg baggage allowance per person. Please note Delta Comfort+ with 34” seat pitch, priority boarding and free drinks at the front of the main economy cabin can be selected at extra charge direct with the airline after your tickets are issued approx. five weeks prior to departure. Delta One class upgrades: please call for details, prices will be confirmed after we have received your booking. Subject to availability. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.

Salt Lake City

Little Bighorn

Sheridan

Jackson

West Yellowstone

Cody

Cheyenne

Rapid City

Denver

Silverton

MontroseMoab

Durango

UTAH

IDA

HO

NE W MEXICO

COLORADO

WYOMING

MONTANA

S. D

AK

OTA

AR IZONA

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YOUR HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CRUISE SHIP - MS NIEUW AMSTERDAMThe Holland America Line Vista-class ship, launched in 2010, the 2106 passenger MS Nieuw Amsterdam has more outside ocean view staterooms and verandas than most other ships in Alaska. The Promenade deck goes right around the ship with plenty of classic teak deck chairs, whilst its stunning eight deck atrium and spacious public rooms are adorned with a wide variety of art and antiques. Dining options include the Vista dining room, serving five-course meals with impeccable service. A more intimate option is the Pinnacle Grill (US$29 pp supplement), which features sterling-silver beef served on top of the range china and linens, The Canaletto Italian Restaurant ($10pp Supplement) and the Pan-Asian Tamarind Restaurant ($20pp Supplement). The informal Lido restaurant has free seating and buffet-style service for lunch and breakfast and waiter service for dinner. You may also enjoy daily afternoon tea, complimentary hot hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour and late night snacks. There is also the chance to go to the B.B. King’s Blues Club, a vibrant blues musical experience. There are two formal evenings when gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie. The spacious, elegantly-appointed staterooms all feature complimentary 24-hour room service, fresh fruit daily and flat-panel TV’s. The Deluxe Verandah staterooms are particularly popular and early bookings are recommended. Other ship facilities include a three-tier theatre, the Crow’s Nest observation lounge, a piano bar and sports bar, the Greenhouse Spa and hair salon and an indoor pool.

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room and includes: flights to Calgary, returning from Vancouver; seven nights on room-only basis, staying in superior three-star hotels (medium class in Kamloops, arranged directly by the Rocky Mountaineer); guided visits to Lake Louise, Peyto Lake & the Athabasca Glacier and ride on Snocoach; two breakfasts and lunches, selected drinks and staff gratuities on Rocky Mountaineer train; tour of Vancouver; all transfers and hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera tour manager. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement.Cruise: seven nights in an inside K category cabin with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner; transfers on return to Vancouver; all port charges. Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions. On-board currency is the US dollar.Extras: Subject to change, US$12.50 per person per day, or US$13.50 for suites, will be added to your onboard account for cruise staff gratuities and a 15% service charge is added to drinks bills.

VISAS & HEALTHCanada: Under Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, British passport holers are required to obtain an eTA prior to travelling to Canada. Other nationality passport holders should check with the relevant embassy.The application can be done via the website: www.canada.ca/eta. You will need to provide basic personal information similar to what was previously collected on arrival into Canada. eTA is a convenient authorization that is electronically linked to your passport, which means you will need to travel with the same passport you used when they applied for and obtained your eTA.

Alaska, USA: British passport holders do not require a visa under the USA Visa Waiver Programme (The VWP allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days). British passport holders qualifying for the Visa Waiver programme must apply online for authorisation to enter the USA, for which there is an administration fee of $14 per person. This may only be submitted online by visiting the official website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and registering at least 72 hours prior to travel. Without authorisation prior to travel, admission may be denied at a US port of entry. Holders of non-British passports will need to contact the American Embassy in London for details at least three months prior to departure. Details can be found on: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/how-to-apply.

As of 01 April 2016, all travellers wishing to enter the US under the VWP now need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport). Your passport is an ePassport if it carries this internationally recognised symbol on the front cover. If you do not have an e-passport then you have two options:Apply for a new passport which contains the embedded electronic chip or Obtain a US Tourism & Visitor visa via the following link: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/how-to-apply

From 21 January 2016 most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria since March 2011, or are dual nationals of these countries, will no longer qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Programme and existing ESTAs could be revoked. You will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.If you are in any doubt about whether you qualify for the VWP, or if you’re concerned that an existing ESTA may have been cancelled, you should contact the US Embassy or Consulate.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

There are no current health requirements for Canada or the USA. However, whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we often enjoy walking tours (sometimes over unmade paths) of the various places of interest. This tour also reaches an altitude of 5,700ft and temperature variations can be unpredictable, especially during spring and autumn. For these reasons this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £400 per person.

CANADA’S ROCKY MOUNTAINEER & ALASKA CRUISE

Cruise Cabin Information Single Room Supplements

Rocky Mountaineer Upgrades

Category PriceGoldLeaf Service: Upgrade to the double-decker dome coach with its panoramic wraparound windows. Guests also have access to the open-air observation vestibule at the end of each carriage. Impeccable service is complimented with three-course gourmet meals in the lower-level dining room. Subject to availability.

£334pp for 06/05/17,£351 for all other

dates.

Cabin Category Cabin DescriptionInside cat. K Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed and a showerInside cat. I Slightly larger than K cabins, with two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed and a shower (limited availability)Outside cat. G Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed, a bath and shower and partial sea view on Upper Promenade deckOutside cat. D & C Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed, a bath and shower and a full sea view on the Main deckOutside deluxeveranda (all cats.) Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed, a bath and shower, a small sitting area, a private veranda and floor-to-ceiling windows

Superior Veranda suite

Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed, a bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirpool bath and shower, a dressing room, large sitting area, private veranda, sofabed for one person, floor to ceiling windows on the Navigation Deck, the highest cabin deck

Prices for outside deluxe veranda cabins are based on the position and deck of each cabin category. Other cabin categories are available, please ask for details.

Heathrow Flight & Tour Price06/05-27/05/17 £31903/06-17/06/17 £35922/07-16/09/17 £379

For Manchester departures add £99Heathrow Flight, Tour & Cruise Price

06/05/17 £95913/05-20/05/17 £999

27/05/17 £1,06903/06-17/06/17 £1,109

22/07/17 £1,15919/08/17 £1,059

26/08-09/09/17 £1,01916/09/17 £979

For Manchester departures add £99Single rooms/cabins subject to availability. Single supplements for holidays including Alaska cruise are based on category K inside cabin. Please call for single supplements in any other cabin categories.

Airport 06 May 13 May 20 May 03 Jun 10 Jun 17 Jun 22 Jul 19 Aug 26 Aug 02 Sep 09 Sep 16 Sep Heathrow Flight & Tour £2,249 £2,329 £2,389 £2,489 £2,579 £2,579 £2,699 £2,699 £2,659 £2,659 £2,599 £2,529

Heathrow Flight, Tour & Cruise £3,099 £3,189 £3,249 £3,459 £3,539 £3,539 £3,699 £3,599 £3,459 £3,459 £3,399 £3,299

Cruise cabinsupplements, per person per cruise, subject to availability

Inside cat. I £20 £20 £30 £20 £20 £20 £30 £30 £20 £20 £20 £20Outside cat. G £140 £190 £175 £185 £185 £185 £150 £175 £135 £140 £135 £185Outside cat. D £245 £225 £255 £225 £225 £225 £255 £255 £245 £245 £245 £225Outside cat. C £265 £245 £270 £245 £245 £245 £275 £270 £265 £265 £265 £245Outside deluxe veranda cat. VF £330 £375 £365 £560 £560 £560 £525 £455 £510 £515 £510 £465Outside deluxe veranda cat. VD £330 £375 £365 £560 £560 £560 £525 £455 £510 £515 £510 £465Outside deluxe veranda cat. VC £375 £395 £385 £565 £565 £565 £535 £460 £515 £515 £515 £490Outside deluxe veranda cat. VB £395 £405 £395 £575 £575 £575 £545 £470 £525 £525 £525 £500Outside deluxe veranda cat. VA £415 £425 £415 £580 £580 £580 £555 £480 £535 £535 £535 £515Outside deluxe veranda cat. VQ £450 £460 £450 £620 £620 £620 £580 £515 £570 £570 £570 £555Superior veranda suite cat. SY £705 £750 £835 £935 £935 £935 £900 £830 £700 £700 £700 £745

Flight, Tour & Cruise prices are based on SilverLeaf Service on Rocky Mountaineer train & category K inside cabins on Alaska cruise. All cabins subject to availability. Flight Information: London Heathrow departures: are with Air Canada departing at 13:05 depending on season, with arrival back into the UK at 11:40, flight duration 8hrs outbound, 9hrs inboundAir Canada Premium Economy Upgrade: From £ per person, subject to availability, please call for further information. Enjoy a dedicated check in desk, separate cabin area, larger TV screen, premium cuisine and 38" seat pitch.All timings quoted are local, Vancouver is GMT -7 hrs. Flight Upgrades: Air Canada Business Class also available, subject to availability. Prices to be confirmed after booking.

KamloopsBan�

CalgaryVancouver

Ketchikan

Skagway

Juneau

CANADA

USA

Glacier Bay National ParkUSA

Key:

Extension Stay:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Train

Route

Cruise

278 279

WASHINGTON DC, NEW YORK CITY & NIAGARA FALLS

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single Supplement Niagara Falls View Room Supplement Heathrow 02/05/17 British Airways 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £2,199 £539 £29

13/06/17 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £2,199 £539 £2922/08/17 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £1,999 £499 £5205/09/17 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £2,199 £579 £2726/09/17 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £2,199 £579 £2710/10/17 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £2,199 £549 £2324/10/17 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £2,199 £549 £2307/11/17 10:45 06:40 8hrs.00 £1,969 £529 £23

All timings are local. New York is GMT -4 or -5 hrs, depending on season. Single supplement subject to availability.Flight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound is about 30 minutes shorter. All BA A380/B787 flights include personal TV’s with hours of entertainment, 31” seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including vegetarian option, 23 Kg baggage allowance per person. Please note seats in exit rows are allocated at check-in and bulkhead seats are normally allocated to families. With infants. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.BA World Traveller Plus: please call for further information, subject to availability.

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room and includes: scheduled direct flights to Washington DC, returning from Toronto; all transfers and journey on Amtrak train between Washington DC and New York, and between New York and Niagara Falls; seven nights accommodation on room only basis in four-star hotels; all tours as mentioned including Washington DC sightseeing, Mt. Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, New York sightseeing and in Niagara Falls the Hornblower cruise (subject to weather conditions in Apr & Nov), Niagara tunnels & Daredevil Museum, CN Tower visit; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person (not at rail stations); the service of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement above.

VISAS & HEALTHBritish passport holders do not require a visa under the USA Visa Waiver Programme (The VWP allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days). British passport holders qualifying for the Visa Waiver programme must apply online for authorisation to enter the USA, for which there is an administration fee of $14 per person. This may only be submitted online by visiting the official website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and registering at least 72 hours prior to travel. Without authorisation prior to travel, admission may be denied at a US port of entry. Holders of non-British passports will need to contact the American Embassy in London for details at least three months prior to departure. Details can be found on: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/how-to-apply.

As of 01 April 2016, all travellers wishing to enter the US under the VWP now need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport). Your passport is an ePassport if it carries this internationally recognised symbol on the front cover. If you do not have an e-passport then you have two options:Apply for a new passport which contains the embedded electronic chip or Obtain a US Tourism & Visitor visa via the following link:https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/how-to-apply

From 21 January 2016 most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria since March 2011, or are dual nationals of these countries, will no longer qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Programme and existing ESTAs could be revoked. You will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

If you are in any doubt about whether you qualify for the VWP, or if you’re concerned that an existing ESTA may have been cancelled, you should contact the US Embassy or Consulate.Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.There are no current health requirements for the USA or Canada. However, whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we often enjoy walking tours (sometimes over unmade paths) of the various places of interest. For these reasons this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

NE W YORK STATE

PENNSYLVANIA

Washington DC

New York

Niagara Falls

TorontoCANADA

VIRGINIA

Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Train

278 279

PERU & AMAZON

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Return Arrival Actual Flying Time Price Single SupplementHeathrow 26/04/17 LANTAM 19:20 Madrid 17:20 14hrs.50 £2,359 £479

10/05/17 19:20 17:20 14hrs.50 £2,499 £47919/07/17 19:20 17:20 14hrs.50 £2,699 £47927/09/17 19:20 17:20 14hrs.50 £2,499 £479

All timings quoted are local. Peru is GMT -5hrs. Single room/cabin supplements are per person, subject to availability.Flight Information: LANTAM Airlines B787 from London Heathrow to Lima (via Madrid) have generous 32” seat pitch, seat back TV’s and 23kg luggage allowance. Domestic flights within Peru are on B737 aircraft with 32” seat pitch and no seat-back TV.LANTAM Airlines Business Class: Enjoy a dedicated check in desk, 44” seat pitch, full flat bed and excellent 3 course meals. Please call for further information.Aircraft types may be changed without notice.

Departures below exlude the Amazon

Departures below include the AmazonAirport Date Airline Flight Out Via Return Arrival Actual Flying Time Price Single Supplement

Heathrow 24/05/17 LANTAM 19:20 Madrid 17:20 14hrs.50 £2,899 £60909/08/17 19:20 17:20 14hrs.50 £3,099 £60925/10/17 19:20 17:20 14hrs.50 £2,799 £609

For Flight information please see above.

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room and includes return scheduled flights; 11 nights accommodation (13 nights if taking Amazon extension) with breakfast in four and three-star hotels, five meals (nine if taking Amazon extension); all tours as mentioned, guided visits to the Col-ca Canyon, Sacred Valley, Pisac market, guided tour of Arequipa, Machu Picchu, Cusco, visits to Uros & Taquile islands; all transfers and one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

VISAS & HEALTHUK & Irish citizens do not currently need a visa to enter Peru, however your passport should have at least six months’ validity after your return date. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for Peru at least a month before depar-ture.This tour includes five days at altitudes in excess of 11,000 feet so you do need to be reasonably fit and mobile. Helpful information about the possible effects of altitude sickness can be found on the NHS Fit For Travel website: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/altitude-and-travel.aspx. If you suffer from heart or respiratory problems, we stongly recommend you talk to your GP prior to booking. In order to minimise the effects of altitude, we have designed our tour to encourage a slow acclimatisation process by spending the first two nights in the Andes at the slightly lower altitudes of Arequip, before visiting the higher elevations of Lake Titicaca and Cusco. Our experi-enced tour managers will also be able to advise on how to minimise the effects of the altitude.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to travel.

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING YOUR AMAZON STAYDue to limited space available on the boat transfers to the lodge, guests’ luggage is restricted to 22lbs (9.5kg) per person, but the lodge has secure storage available for extra baggage near the airport.Weather is hot and humid year-round. May to Oct is the ‘dry’ period when exploration on foot is easier; Nov to Apr is the wet season, making it the ideal time to explore by canoe. The lodge also provides ‘wellies’ for all clients, although we recommend some good boots and a lightweight hooded rain jacket or poncho.Electricity is normally limited to 4 hours per day and wifi is very limited in the main lodge. There are no TVs or air-conditioning, in keeping with the natural environment.

DEPOSITThe deposit for Peru is £200 per person. Chivay

Arequipa

Lima

Cusco

BRAZIL

PERU

Puno

Lake Titicaca

SacredValley

Machu Picchu Puerto

Madonaldo

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Train

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementGatwick 03/05/17 British Airways 11:45 08:15 11hrs.35 £2,199 £549

31/05/17 11:45 08:15 11hrs.35 £2,099 £54920/09/17 11:20 10:40 11hrs.35 £2,199 £54904/10/17 11:20 10:40 11hrs.35 £2,199 £54918/10/17 11:20 10:40 11hrs.35 £2,199 £54902/11/17 11:25 09:20 11hrs.35 £2,199 £53909/11/17 11:25 09:20 11hrs.35 £2,199 £53916/11/17 11:25 09:20 11hrs.35 £2,199 £539

All timings quoted are local. Costa Rica is GMT -6hrsFlight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound is about 30 minutes shorter. All BA B777 flights include personal TV’s with hours of entertainment, 31” seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including vegetarian option, 23 Kg baggage allowance per person. Please note seats in exit rows are allocated at check-in and bulkhead seats are normally allocated to families. With infants. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.BA World Traveller Plus: please call for further information, subject to availability.

COSTA RICA

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Nine nights accommodation (ten during summer flight schedules between Apr - Oct) in three and four-star hotels with breakfast and five meals; scheduled flights to/from San Jose; all transfers; guided tours of San Jose; Cano Negro; walking tour at Arenal, Monteverde handing bridges Coffee farm, Manuel Antonio national park; all local transport by coach as described; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

VISAS & HEALTHUK & Irish citizens do not currently need a visa to enter Costa Rica, however your passport should have at least 90 days’ validity after your return date. Please check with your GP regarding inoculations required for Costa Rica.

DEPOSITThe deposit for Costa Rica is £200 per person.

COSTA RICA

San José

Monteverde

Arenal

Manuel Antonio

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

280 281

INDIA & SHIMLA

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Nine nights accommodation (thirteen nights if taking Shimla extension) in three, four or five-star hotels; daily breakfast, two lunches and five dinners (plus one extra dinner when staying in Shimla); scheduled flights to/from Delhi; all transfers; guided tours of New and Old Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal; guided tour of Fatehpur Sikri; two game drives in Ranthambore; Jaipur city tour; visit to Amber Fort; walking tour of Havelis at Mandawa; all local transport by train or coach as described; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Please note no twin rooms are available at the Oberoi Cecil Hotel, all guest rooms contain one queen-size bed only.NOT INCLUDED: India visa, please see below.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders will require a visa for India. Please ensure that you have at least two empty pages in your passport and that your passport is valid for a minimum of 190 days from the time of submitting your visa application. At the time of departure you will be able to travel as long as both the passport and the visa are valid.India visas: Personal applications: to apply for an Indian visa please visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk where you can apply, pay online and schedule an appointment to submit your application in person at your nearest centre, dependent on your home address. Online applications: British Passport holders are now eligible to apply for an e-visa online, you must ensure your passport is machine readable and has a biometric chip (without this you may be denied entry into India). The cost of a single entry tourist e-visa is US$60.00 and will be converted into pounds by your bank. The website to apply for the e-visa is: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Here you will find all the information to assist you with the completion of your application.Postal applications: you must either apply and pay online, print off the completed application form, payment confirmation and submit by post; or alternatively, you must apply online, print off the completed application and submit along with payment by postal order. Personal cheques are NOT accepted. In both cases you must submit your passport along with a self addressed stamped envelope and two, 2x2” passport photos to: India Visa Application Centre (West London), The Vista Centre, First Floor – Part A Block, 50 Salisbury Road, Hounslow, TW4 6JQ.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

Full details of costs, application form and addresses can be found on http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk, email: info.in@vfshelpline.com or tel: 0905 7570045 (calls cost 95p per minute). Visa fees are subject to change without notice and non-refundable.

Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that in visiting a number of historical sites, paths may be uneven and uphill and we often enjoy walking tours of the main sights. Therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. In the tropics temperatures and humidity levels will also be quite high for most of the year. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for India at least a month before departure.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementDepartures below exclude Shimla extension

Heathrow 27/04/17 Virgin Atlantic 22:00 17:30 8hrs.30 £1,399 £29901/05/17 22:00 17:30 8hrs.30 £1,399 £29919/10/17 21:55 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,689 £399

Departures below include Shimla extensionHeathrow 23/01/17 Virgin Atlantic 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,999 £519

23/03/17 21:50 17:35 8hrs.30 £1,969 £46906/04/17 21:55 17:35 8hrs.30 £1,849 £44920/04/17 22:00 17:30 8hrs.30 £1,799 £44928/09/17 21:55 17:35 8hrs.30 £2,059 £54902/10/17 21:55 17:35 8hrs.30 £2,059 £54909/10/17 21:55 17:35 8hrs.30 £2,059 £54912/10/17 21:55 17:35 8hrs.30 £2,059 £54930/10/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £2,059 £54909/11/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £2,059 £54916/11/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £2,059 £54923/11/17 21:50 17:30 8hrs.30 £2,059 £549

All timings quoted are local. India is GMT +5.30 hrs. Single room supplements are per person and subject to availability.Flight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound flight approximately 45 minutes longer. All Virgin Atlantic flights include personal TV’s with hours of award-wining entertainment, 32” seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including a vegetarian option, 23kg baggage allowance per person. Please note seats in exit rows are allocated at check-in and bulkhead seats are normally reserved for families with infants. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy upgrade from £479 per person return, subject to availability, please call for further information. Enjoy a dedicated check-in desk, separate cabin area and a wider seat with a pitch of up to 38” with adjustable leg and headrests, as well as a welcome glass of champagne and after-dinner liqueurs.Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

TAMIL NADU

K ARNATAK A

GOA

ANDHRAPRADESH

MAHARASHTRA

GUJARAT

RA JASTHAN

UT TARPRADESH

NEPAL

INDIA

BANGLADESH

SRI LANK A

HIMACHALPRADESH

JAMMU ANDK ASHMIR

HARYANA

ORISSA

MADHYA PRADESH

BIHAR

WESTBENGAL

TRIPURA

MIZORAM

ASSAM

MANIPUR

NAGALAND

ARUNACHALPRADESH

MEGHALAYA

KERALA

Cochin

Kumarakom

Udaipur

Ranthambore

Khajuraho

Jodhpur

Agra/Taj Mahal

Varanasi

Bodhgaya

Shimla

Madurai

Pondicherry

Tanjore

Chettinad

Chennai

Kolkatta

Mumbai

Delhi

Ahmadabad BhopalDhaka

Bangalore

Hyderabad

FatehpurSikri

Jaipur

Alsisar

Kalka

KathmanduChitwanNational Park

Pokhara

Key:

Extension Stay:

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Arrive

Depart

Train

Train

280 281

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Twelve nights accommodation in three, four and five-star hotels; daily breakfast and four dinners, scheduled flights to/from Delhi, domestic flights to/ from Amritsar and from Udaipur; all transfers; guided tours of Amritsar, Agra and the Taj Mahal, Jaipur city tour, visit to Amber Fort, city tour of Pushkar, Jodhpur and Mehrangarh Forts, visit to Nagaur Fort, Ranakpur temple, Udaipur city tour Delhi city tour; all local transport as described; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. NOT INCLUDED: India visa.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders require a visa for India. India visas: Please see India & Shimla for full details (page 37).

Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that in visiting a number of historical sites, paths may be uneven and uphill and we often enjoy walking tours of the main sights. Therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. In the tropics temperatures and humidity levels will also be quite high for most of the year. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for India at least a month before departure.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single Supplement Taj Palace Upgrade Supplement Taj Palace Upgrade Single SupplementHeathrow 08/03/17 Virgin Atlantic 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,999 £459 £449 £1,339

22/03/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,949 £399 £349 £1,09912/04/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,699 £399 £339 £99904/10/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,999 £459 £459 £1,35918/10/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £2,059 £489 £459 £1,38901/11/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,999 £459 £459 £1,35915/11/17 21:50 17:55 8hrs.30 £1,999 £459 £459 £1,359

All timings quoted are local. India is GMT +5.30 hrs. Flight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound flight approximately 45 minutes longerVirgin Atlantic flights include personal TV’s with hours of award-wining entertainment, 32” seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including a vegetarian option, 23kg baggage allowance per person. Please note seats in exit rows are allocated at check-in and bulkhead seats are normally reserved for families with infants. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy upgrade from £479 per person return, subject to availability, please call for further information. Enjoy a dedicated check-in desk, separate cabin area and a wider seat with a pitch of up to 38” with adjustable leg and headrests, as well as a welcome glass of champagne and after-dinner liqueurs.Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.There will be variations in luggage allowances between international & domestic flights. Please see your itinerary for further details.

RAJASTHAN, THE TAJ MAHAL & AMRISTAR’S GOLDEN TEMPLE

TAMIL NADU

K ARNATAK A

GOA

ANDHRAPRADESH

MAHARASHTRA

GUJARAT

RA JASTHAN UT TARPRADESH

NEPAL

INDIA

BANGLADESH

SRI LANKA

PUNJAB

HIMACHALPRADESH

JAMMU ANDK ASHMIR

HARYANA

ORISSA

MADHYA PRADESH

BIHAR

WESTBENGAL

TRIPURA

MIZORAM

ASSAM

MANIPUR

NAGALAND

ARUNACHALPRADESH

MEGHALAYA

KERALA

Cochin

Kumarakom

Udaipur

Jodhpur

Pushkar

Agra/Taj Mahal

Varanasi

Bodhgaya

Amritsar

Madurai

Pondicherry

Tanjore

Chettinad

Chennai

Kolkatta

Mumbai

Delhi

Ahmadabad Bhopal

Kathmandu

Dhaka

Bangalore

Hyderabad

Ranakpur

Jaipur

NagaurKhimsar

Ajmer

ChitwanNational Park

Pokhara

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Train

Internal Flight

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Scheduled flights to Chennai and from Cochin via Colombo; all transfers; twelve nights accommodation in three, four and five-star hotels with breakfast; Five meals; guided visits to Fort St George in Chennai, temples at Mahabalipuram, Tanjore and Madurai, guided tour of Pondicherry and Chettinadu region, walking tour of a spice plantation and Periyar nature walk, day-cruise on the Kerala backwaters by houseboat, city tour of Cochin; porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour managerNOT INCLUDED: India visa.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders require a visa for India. India visas: Please see India & Shimla for full details (page 37).

Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that in visiting a number of historical sites, paths may be uneven and uphill and we often enjoy walking tours of the main sights. Therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. In the tropics temperatures and humidity levels will also be quite high for most of the year. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for India at least a month before departure.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

SOUTH INDIA & THE BACKWATERS OF KERALA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Arrival in UK Actual Flying Time Price Single SupplementHeathrow 09/03/17 Emirates 13:40 Colombo 08:15 11hrs.00 £1,799 £479

30/03/17 Sri Lankan Air 21:30 10:55 12hrs.00 £1,699 £47920/04/17 21:30 10:55 12hrs.00 £1,599 £35905/10/17 21:30 10:55 12hrs.00 £1,799 £47919/10/17 21:30 10:55 12hrs.00 £1,799 £47902/11/17 21:30 10:55 12hrs.00 £1,859 £48916/11/17 21:30 10:55 12hrs.00 £1,859 £489

All timings quoted are local. India is GMT +5.30 hrs. Single supplement subject to availabilityFlight information: Flight times shown are outbound. Return flight is approx 1hr.25 longerSri Lankan Airlines Business Class Upgrades: please call for further information. Subject to availability.

TAMIL NADU

MAHARASHTRA

GUJARAT

RA JASTHAN

UT TARPRADESH

NEPAL

INDIA

BANGLADESH

SRI LANK A

PUNJAB

HIMACHALPRADESH

JAMMU ANDK ASHMIR

HARYANA

ORISSA

MADHYA PRADESH

BIHAR

WESTBENGAL

TRIPURA

MIZORAM

ASSAM

MANIPUR

NAGALAND

ARUNACHALPRADESH

MEGHALAYA

KERALACochin

Kumarakom

Udaipur

Ranthambore

Khajuraho

JodhpurPushkar

Agra/Taj Mahal

Varanasi

Bodhgaya

Amritsar Shimla

Madurai

Pondicherry

Tanjore

Chettinad

Chennai

Kolkatta

Mumbai

Delhi

Chandigarh

Lucknow

Ahmadabad BhopalDhaka

Hyderabad

FatehpurSikri

Jaipur

Alsisar

Kalka

KathmanduChitwanNational Park

Pokhara

Mahabalipruam

Periyar

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PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room; Scheduled return flights; 13 nights accommodation with daily breakfast; five meals; all transport as indicated; hotel porterage of one bag per person; tour of New & Old Delhi, visit to Taj Mahal & Agra Fort; visit to Orchha Fort & Chatris; tour of Khajuraho temples; evening & morning boat ride on Ganges, rickshaw ride & city tour of Varanasi; visit to Sarnath; Kathmandu city tour; Mt. Everest scenic flight; elephant-back safari at Chitwan; boat ride on lake at Pohkara & early-morning trip to see sunrise over the Annapurna range; services of an experienced Riviera Travel tour manager.NB: Please note the Narayani Safari lodge in Chitwan National Park enjoys a temperate climate, therefore air conditioning is unnecessary. Whilst there are three opportunities to take the Everest flight during the tour, should weather conditions make flying unsafe (this is rare), the sterling equivalent of the fare will be refunded on your return to the UKNOT INCLUDED: India and Nepal visas.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders require a visa for India and Nepal. India visas: Please see India & Shimla for full details (page 37).Nepal visas: these can be obtained in the UK, by post or in person at the Embassy of Nepal, 12A Kensington Palace Gardens, LONDON, W8 4QU. A 15 day visa is £20.00 per person and can take up to two weeks to process. Alternatively they are available at a cost of $25 per person on arrival in Kathmandu. Visa fees are subject to change without notice and non-refundable.

Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that in visiting a number of historical sites, paths may be uneven and uphill and we often enjoy walking tours of the main sights. Therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. In the tropics temperatures and humidity levels will also be quite high for most of the year. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for India at least a month before departure.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

INDIA & NEPAL

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 16/03/17 Jet Airways 20:50 Direct Outbound / Via

Delhi Inbound11:20 8hrs.30 £2,699 £579

13/04/17 20:50 10:20 8hrs.30 £2,599 £48927/04/17 20:50 10:20 8hrs.30 £2,499 £48912/10/17 20:50 10:20 8hrs.30 £2,699 £57926/10/17 20:50 10:20 8hrs.30 £2,699 £57909/11/17 20:50 10:20 8hrs.30 £2,699 £579

All timings quoted are local. India is GMT +5:30 hrs. Single room supplements are per person and subject to availability.Jet Airways Flight information: *Flight timings shown are outbound, inbound flight (via Delhi) is approx. 45 minutes longer.Jet Airways upgrades are subject to availability on request, please call for detailsThere will be variations in luggage allowances between international & domestic flights. Please see your itinerary for further details.

TAMIL NADU

K ARNATAK A

GOA

ANDHRAPRADESH

MAHARASHTRA

GUJARAT

RA JASTHAN

UT TARPRADESH

NEPAL

INDIA

SRI LANK A

PUNJAB

HIMACHALPRADESH

JAMMU ANDK ASHMIR

HARYANA

ORISSA

MADHYA PRADESH

BIHAR

WESTBENGAL

TRIPURA

MIZORAM

ASSAM

MANIPUR

NAGALAND

ARUNACHALPRADESH

MEGHALAYA

KERALA

Dhaka

Cochin

Kumarakom

Udaipur

Khajuraho

OrchhaJhansi

Jodhpur

Agra/Taj Mahal

Varanasi

ChitwanNational Park

Mount Everest

Pokhara

Amritsar Shimla

Madurai

Pondicherry

Tanjore

Chettinad

Chennai

Kolkatta

Mumbai

Delhi

Chandigarh

Ahmadabad Bhopal

Kathmandu

Bangalore

Hyderabad

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Train

Internal Flight

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a room/cabin and includes: scheduled flights to/from Delhi and Mumbai; all transfers; two nights in five-star hotels with breakfast; seven nights in a deluxe cabin with en-suite facilities on the Deccan Odyssey train with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner including tea/coffee, bottled water and soft drinks at mealtimes; butler service on board; all tours as mentioned including all entrances fees: Delhi & Mumbai city tours, Ranthambore safari, guided visits to Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Vadodara and Ellora Caves; porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera tour manager. Note: reverse itineraries substitute the city of Jodhpur for the Ellora Caves and the order/timing of visits will be different.NOT INCLUDED: India visa, please see below.

VISAS & HEALTHPlease see website for more information. www.rivieratravel.co.uk

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £500 per person.

THE HEART OF INDIA BY LUXURY TRAIN

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Arrival in UK Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 19/10/17 Jet Airways 20:45 15:50 8hrs.30 £3,999 £1,489

16/11/17 20:45 15:50 8hrs.30 £3,999 £1,48911/01/18 20:45 15:50 8hrs.30 £3,999 £1,48905/04/18 20:45 15:50 8hrs.30 £3,699 £1,26918/10/18 20:45 15:50 8hrs.30 £3,999 £1,48915/11/18 20:45 15:50 8hrs.30 £3,999 £1,489

All timings are local. India is GMT +5.30 hrs. Single supplements are per person and subject to availability.Flight information : Flying time shown is outbound; return flight is 1hr.20 longer.Jet Airways Business Class upgrades: subject to availability and on request, please call for details.

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Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single Supplement Ryokan Inn Supplement Ryokan Inn Single SupplementHeathrow 12/06/17 All Nippon Airways 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,399 £649 £159 £875

13/07/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,299 £629 £129 £83027/08/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £2,999 £619 £119 £81804/09/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,299 £649 £119 £84819/09/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,399 £649 £109 £80525/09/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,399 £649 £109 £80505/10/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,499 £699 £119 £86519/10/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,399 £699 £109 £80531/10/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,399 £699 £109 £80511/11/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,599 £699 £89 £80519/11/17 19:35 16:00 11hrs.45 £3,599 £699 £89 £805

All timings local. Japan is GMT +8 hrs. Single supplements are per person (subject to availability).Flight information: Flying time shown is outbound, inbound flight approx 45 minutes longer. All flights include personal TV’s with hours of entertainment, 34” seat pitch (ANA), 31” seat pitch (BA), amenity kit, complimentary drinks throughout the flight, a choice of meals including vegetarian option, 23kg baggage allowance per person. Please note seats in exit rows are allocated at check-in and ‘bulkhead’ seats are normally reserved for families with infants. Aircraft types and facilities may be changed without prior notice.All Nippon Premium Economy upgrade subject to availability, please call for further information. Enjoy a dedicated check-in desk, separate cabin area and a wider seat with a pitch of up to 38” with adjustable leg & headrests.

Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.

JAPAN - LAND OF THE RISING SUN

PRICE INCLUDESThe price for this holiday is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Price includes eleven nights accommodation, daily breakfast and three meals, direct flights from London Heathrow, two journeys on bullet trains, sightseeing and entrances as described in Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Hiroshima, Okayama, Kyoto and Nara, hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person, the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Ryokan Inn Supplement: Whilst in Kyoto, on day 11, you have the option of staying in a Ryokan, a typical Japanese inn. You’ll sleep on a rolled out futon with tatami matting on the floor.

VISASUK nationals do not require a visa but other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy. However, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the intended return date.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to travel.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Tokyo

Nikko National Park

Kyoto

NaraOkayama

Hiroshima

Hakone

JAPAN

Key:

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Depart

Train

GRAND TOUR OF CHINA

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the above relevant supplement. Scheduled flights to and from Shanghai; 14 nights accommodation in four-star hotels with breakfast, 9 lunches & 5 dinners including 3 nights on board Yangtze cruise ship; guided tours of Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu and Shanghai; four domestic flights and two rail journeys; all transfers and hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. N.B. Itinerary may be subject to change depending on domestic flight timings and Yangtze & Li river water levels. Meals in China: all included lunches and dinners are Chinese meals and are set menus of several courses and dishes shared around tables of 6-10 persons, one local beer or soft drink is normally included as is unlimited Chinese tea; breakfasts are buffet style with western food options. Hotel beds can be ‘firm’ in China and rooms are normally twin-bedded; requests for double beds cannot be guaranteed.NOT INCLUDED: China visa.

PLEASE NOTE Departures will operate in and out of Shanghai and will travel between Beijing and Shanghai via train.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders require a multiple-entry tourist China visa which is valid for two years (valid from the date of issue). Personal applications cost £151 per person, this is inclusive of the £85 visa fee and a £66 service charge. Postal applications cost £175 per person, this is inclusive of the £85 visa fee and a £90 service charge. Visas are processed via the China Visa Application Service Centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Full details are available on www.visaforchina.org. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from date of travel and have at least two completely empty pages. Visa fees are subject to change without notice and non-refundable.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 18/04/17 China Eastern Airlines 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £2,999 £569

16/05/17 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £2,899 £56913/06/17 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £2,799 £49925/07/17 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £3,059 £49905/09/17 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £3,269 £56912/09/17 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £3,299 £56917/10/17 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £3,199 £56931/10/17 21:00 15:05 13hrs.50 £2,699 £539

All timings quoted are local. China is GMT +7hrs.2017 Flight information: Flight timings shown are outbound. China Eastern international services are on A330E aircraft with 32” seat pitch. China Eastern Business Class upgrades: subject to availability and on request, with 58” seat pitch and 169-degree recline. Please call for details.Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.

ChongqingShanghai

Guilin

Yichang

Beijing

CHINA

Xian

Chengdu

Key:

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Arrive

Depart

Train

Internal Flight

River Cruise

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PRICE INCLUDES The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Scheduled flights to Colombo. Eleven nights’ half-board basis at four-star hotels (three-star superior in Sigiriya for 2017), all transfers, guided visits to Elephant transit home, Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla cave temples, Kandy city tour and Botanical Gardens, Kandyan dancing, visit to a tea estate and spice garden, jeep safari in Yala National Park, Galle city tour, Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person, services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. NOT INCLUDED: Sri Lanka Visa, please see below.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders will require a visa prior to travel to Sri Lanka. A Tourist Visa will cost US$35 per person and the Visa will need to be applied for online using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) System. This can be obtained by logging on to www.eta.gov.lk Here you will need to complete the online application form and submit it accordingly. The majority of the application form requires personal information. You will also be asked to provide the address of your accommodation in Sri Lanka, which will be the first hotel of your tour:Jetwing Lagoon Hotel, Panumugama Road, Negombo, 10250, Sri Lanka. Tel: 0094 312 277140Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the intended return date and there are at least two completely empty pages. Please note that without an approved ETA you will denied entry to the country. Visa costs are subject to change without notice and are non-refundable.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for Sri Lanka at least a month before departure. Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we enjoy several walking tours around a number of historical sites where paths are uneven and uphill. Therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

SRI LANKA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Arrival in UK Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 23/01/17 Qatar Airways 21:55 06:20 12hrs.10 £1,999 £469

06/02/17 21:55 06:20 12hrs.10 £1,999 £46927/02/17 Emirates 22:00 07:10 11hrs.55 £1,999 £46913/03/17 22:00 07:10 11hrs.55 £1,999 £46920/03/17 22:00 07:10 11hrs.55 £1,999 £46917/04/17 Sri Lankan Air 21:30 20:00 10hrs.35 £1,899 £44901/05/17 21:30 20:00 10hrs.35 £1,599 £37918/09/17 21:30 20:00 10hrs.35 £1,899 £39909/10/17 21:30 20:00 10hrs.35 £1,899 £39923/10/17 21:30 20:00 10hrs.35 £1,899 £39913/11/17 21:30 20:00 10hrs.35 £1,999 £419

All timings quoted are local. Sri Lanka is GMT +5.30 hrs. Single supplement subject to availabilityFlight information: Flight times shown are outbound. Return flight is approx 1hr.25 longerSri Lankan Airlines Business Class Upgrades: please call for further information. Subject to availability.

We are delighted to offer a number of departures exclusively for solo travellers, please see www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single-holidays for more information or to request a brochure. Alternatively call one of our friendly advisors on 01283 248 333.

Exclusive Departures for Solo Travellers

SRI LANK A

Colombo

SigiriyaDambulla

Kandy

Nuwara Eliya

Yala National Park

Galle

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THAILAND & LAOS

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Return Arrival Actual Flying Time Price Single SupplementFifteen Day Tour

Birmingham 02/02/17 Qatar Airways

15:20 Doha 05:55 14hrs.20 £1,899 £44904/05/17 16:15 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,699 £36927/07/17 16:15 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,849 £38914/09/17 16:15 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,799 £38912/10/17 16:15 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,899 £39902/11/17 15:20 06:00 14hrs.20 £1,899 £399

Heathrow 02/02/17 Eva Air 21:20 Direct 19:20 11hrs.25 £1,899 £44904/05/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £1,699 £36927/07/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £1,999 £38914/09/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £1,799 £38912/10/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £1,899 £39902/11/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £1,899 £399

Manchester 02/02/17 Qatar Airways

15:20 Doha 06:00 14hrs.20 £1,899 £44904/05/17 16:10 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,699 £36927/07/17 16:10 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,849 £38914/09/17 16:10 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,799 £38912/10/17 16:10 06:50 14hrs.20 £1,899 £39902/11/17 15:20 06:00 14hrs.20 £1,899 £399

All timings quoted are local. Thailand is GMT +6hrs.Heathrow Flight Information: Eva Air flights are on B777-300ER aircraft with generous 33” seat pitch, seat-back TVs and 20kg baggage allowance. Return flights are 1hr.35 longerEva Air Elite (premium economy) Class: Enjoy a 38” seat pitch and 19.5” - wide seats, noise-cancelling headphones and 3-course meals. Please call for further Information. Aircraft types may be changes without notice. Price from £419 per person, subject to availability.Manchester Flight information: Qatar Airways are on Airbus A330-300 aircraft which has 31” seat pitch in economy and 60” seat pitch in business class. On Doha to Bangkok the aircraft is a Boeing 777-300ER which has a 31-33” seat pitch in economy and 78” seat pitch in business class.Birmingham Flight information: Qatar Airways are on Boeing 787-8 aircraft which has a 30-31” seat pitch in economy and 50” seat pitch in business class. On Doha to Bangkok the aircraft is the same as the Manchester flights.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementSeventeen Day Tour

Heathrow 09/02/17 Eva Air 21:20 Direct 19:20 11hrs.25 £2,259 £54908/06/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £2,059 £46928/09/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £2,199 £49919/10/17 21:20 19:20 11hrs.25 £2,199 £499

Manchester 09/02/17 Qatar Airways

15:20 Doha 06:00 14hrs.20 £2,339 £54908/06/17 16:10 06:50 14hrs.20 £2,129 £46928/09/17 16:10 06:50 14hrs.20 £2,259 £49919/10/17 20:35 06:00 14hrs.20 £2,259 £499

For Flight information please see above.

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Scheduled return flights to Bangkok; 13 nights accommodation, or 15 nights with Laos extension, in four & five star hotels, plus an eco-lodge with breakfast & eight lunches (nine with Laos extension); guided tour of Bangkok, visit to a floating market, visit to the River Kwai bridge & train trip, Hellfire Pass, guided tours of Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Lampang, Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle & Chiang Mai; guided tour of Luang Prabang on laos extension; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Single rooms are subject to availabilty at the relevant supplement.NOT INCLUDED: Laos visa.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders require a visa for Laos, available on arrival in Laos at a cost of $36 per person. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and that there is at least one completely empty page. Visa fees are subject to change without notice.All British passport holders do not currently require a visa for Thailand.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Departures below are for the 17-day tour

Bangkok

THAILAND

LAOS

Luang PrabangChiang Rai

Hua Hin

River Kwai

MYANMAR(BURMA)

Ayutthaya

Sukhothai

Lampang

Chiang Mai

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Internal Flight

Laos Extension

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MALAYSIA, BORNEO & SINGAPORE

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Eleven nights' accommodation in three, four and five-star hotels with breakfast and five meals; scheduled flights to/from Singapore; all transfers including train from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur and two flights' guided tours of George Town & Penang Hill, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Sandakan including the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear santuary, Singapore city tour; all local transport as described; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

VISAS & HEALTHUK & Irish citizens do not currently need a visa to enter Malaysia, however your passport should have at least 90 days’ validity after your return date. Please check with your GP regarding inoculations required for Malaysia & Borneo

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

DEPOSITThe deposit for Malaysia is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Actual Flying Time Price Single SupplementHeathrow 10/04/17 Singapore

Airlines11:25 05:55 14hrs.00 £2,299 £579

05/06/17 11:25 05:55 14hrs.00 £1,999 £58924/07/17 11:25 05:55 14hrs.00 £2,399 £62918/09/17 11:25 05:55 14hrs.00 £2,159 £57916/10/17 11:25 05:55 14hrs.00 £2,199 £57906/11/17 11:25 05:55 14hrs.00 £2,299 £57913/11/17 11:25 05:55 14hrs.00 £2,299 £579

Manchester 13/03/17 Singapore Airlines

11:10 09:15 14hrs.00 £2,299 £57910/04/17 12:00 09:15 14hrs.00 £2,299 £57905/06/17 12:00 09:15 14hrs.00 £1,999 £58924/07/17 12:00 09:15 14hrs.00 £2,399 £62918/09/17 12:00 09:15 14hrs.00 £2,159 £57916/10/17 12:00 09:15 14hrs.00 £2,199 £57906/11/17 12:00 09:15 14hrs.00 £2,299 £57913/11/17 12:00 09:15 14hrs.00 £2,299 £579

Flight information: flight duration do not include a connecting time of approximately 2hrs.45 on the outbound journey in Singapore, return flight durations are 13hrs.45 to Heathrow and 16hrs.15 to Manchester. Please note all flights to and from Manchester involve a short stop over in Munich (no change of aircraft).Singapore Airlines flights include 32” seat pitch, 11” seat back TV with thousands of movies and programmes, 30kg baggage allowance. Singapore Business Class upgrade: includes 51” seat pitch, converting to a 79” long flat bed, 18” widescreen seat back TV and 40kg baggage allowance. Subject to availabilty and on request.

BURMA & IRRAWADDY RIVER CRUISE

IMPORTANT NOTE ON BURMA & IRRAWADDY RIVER CRUISINGThe itinerary, timings and places visited en-route are subject to weather conditions and water levels. You will need to have a sufficient level of mobility to manage getting into small boats, walks up steps and over uneven ground. After so many years of being closed to the outside world, the general facilities in Burma outside the larger towns and hotels tend to be basic, road transport can be lengthy and service slower than in other more developed countries in South East Asia.

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room/cabin, five nights bed and breakfast in five-star hotels in Rangoon, Inle Lake and Mandalay and four nights on full board on the cruise in a suite on Bagan deck (other cabins at a supplement), including non-alcoholic soft drinks, local beer and local wine at dinner on the RV San ctuary Ananda; all flights as mentioned; all transfers; porterage of one item of luggage per person: guided tours of Rangoon, Inle Lake, Mandalay and all shore excursions as described whilst on the cruise; gratuities for the ship’s crew; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.NOT INCLUDED: Burma visa.

BURMA VISABritish passport holders require a visa for Burma prior to arrival. This is available by post or in person at a cost of £14 per person from the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, 19a Charles Street, London W1J 5DX (open Mon-Fri 10.00-12.00). Visas are valid for three months from date of issue. Please allow at least five to ten working days for processing. For more information and a visa application form, please call 0207 148 0740 or see http://www.londonmyanmarembassy.com. Visa costs are subject to change and non-refundable. Online Applications: British passport holders are now eligible to apply for an e-visa online at a cost of 50USD per person. The website to apply for the visa is http://www.evisa.moip.go.mmFurther information will be sent to you regarding visa's with your confirmation after you have made a booking.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £500 per person.

Airport 18 March 17 15 April 17 17 September 17 08 October 17 26 November 17Heathrow Flight, Tour & Cruise £2,769 £2,399 £2,399 £3,369 £2,769

Single Supplement* £1,019 £749 £749 £1,179 £1,029Cruise cabin supplements, per person per cruise, subject to availability

Deluxe suite Bagan deck £160 £140 £140 £260 £160Deluxe suite Mandalay deck £410 £340 £340 £650 £410Luxury suite Bhamo deck £720 £640 £640 £1,170 £720

All timings quoted are local. Burma is GMT +6.5 hrs. Single room/cabin supplements are per person (Subject to availability).Flight information: Thai Airways B747 or A380 flights to Bangkok have a generous 32-34” seat pitch, seat-back TVs with video on demand and 20kg baggage allowance. Flights between Bangkok and Rangoon in Burma are on Thai Airways A320 aircraft with 31”seat pitch and no seat-back TVs. Aircraft types may be changed without notice. Flight Information: Thai Airways Royal Silk (Business) Class upgrade: Enjoy a dedicated check-in desk, airport lounge access, 60” seat pitch, 170-degree recline and excellent 3-course meals. Price to be confirmed after we receive your booking. All upgrade classes are subject to availability.*Single supplements shown are based on the Suite Bagan deck. Please call for prices for single supplements in other cabin categories.

Cruise Cabin Information

Cabin Category Cabin DescriptionSuite Bagan Deck Double or two twin beds with 27m2 (291ft2) of living space, luxury bathroom with shower and small balcony at the bow of the ship.Deluxe Suite Bagan Deck

Kingsize double bed or two twin beds. Between 27-28m2 (291-301ft2) of living space including private balcony with chairs & table and luxury bathroom with shower.

Deluxe Suite Mandalay Deck

Kingsize double bed or two twin beds. Between 27-28m2 (291-301ft2) of living space including private balcony with chairs & table and luxury bathroom with shower.

Luxury Suite Bhamo Deck

Kingsize double bed or two twin beds. Between 31-33m2 (334-356ft2) of living space including private balcony with chairs & table and luxury bathroom with shower, early morning tea/coffee in room and complimentary laundry service.

I N D O N E S I A

M A L A Y S I A

BORNEO

BRUNEI

Kota KinabaluSandakan

Kuala LumpurMalacca

Penang

Singapore

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Train

Yangon(Rangoon)

Heho

Inle Lake

Mandalay

Mingun

Sagaing

Bagan

Amarapura

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Route

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Depart

Internal Flight

Cruise

286 287

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room; thirteen nights on bed and breakfast in four and five-star hotels, five lunches; all flights as mentioned; all transfers; guided tours of Hanoi, Halong Bay cruise, Hue, Saigon, Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong Delta and Phnom Penh, plus one-day entrance and guided tour of Angkor; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.NOT INCLUDED: Cambodia visa, please see below.

VISAS & HEALTHVietnam visas: British Passport holders no longer require a visa to enter Vietnam up to 30th June 2017. The requirement is that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport from the date you are due to return home and that you must leave 30 days between exit and re-entry into Vietnam. Each visit can be no longer than 15 days. If you have a different type of British nationality – for example ‘British National (overseas)’, you’ll need a visa before entering Vietnam.Cambodia Visas: Available on arrival in Phnom Penh upon completion of a simple application form and payment of $30 per person. You will also need two passport-sized photos and if you arrive without photos, there is an extra charge of around $2 per person. Visas may also be arranged and paid for online prior to departure: please see http://www.cambodianembassy.org.uk for details.Please note all visa costs are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to application.

Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that in visiting a number of historical sites, paths may be uneven and we often enjoy walking tours of the main sights, therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. In the tropics temperatures and humidity levels are quite high for most of the year. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for Vietnam & Cambodia at least a month before departure.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £200 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 10/03/17 Vietnam Airlines 11:00 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,299 £499

24/03/17 11:00 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,369 £49928/03/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,199 £45911/04/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,199 £45921/04/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,199 £45928/04/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,099 £45906/06/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £1,899 £45920/06/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £1,899 £45918/07/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,399 £45919/09/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,189 £49903/10/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,299 £49910/10/17 14:45 07:15 11hrs.30 £2,299 £49913/10/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,299 £49924/10/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,299 £49903/11/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,299 £49907/11/17 11:00 07:15 11hrs.30 £2,299 £49914/11/17 14:45 07:40 11hrs.30 £2,299 £49921/11/17 11:00 07:15 11hrs.30 £2,299 £499

Flight information: Vietnam Airlines B787 flights to/from London Heathrow to Hanoi and from Saigon have generous 32” seat pitch, seat-back TV’s and 30kg baggage allowance. Domestic flights within Vietnam and to Cambodia are on B737 aircraft with 32” seat pitch and no seat-back TV.

Vietnam Airlines Economy Deluxe Class: Enjoy a 38” seat pitch and 35 degree recline and 40kg baggage allowance. Please call for further information.Vietnam Airlines Business Class: Enjoy a dedicated check-in desk, 60” seat pitch, flat bed and excellent 3-course meals. Please call for further information. Aircraft types may be changed without notice. All upgrade classes subject to availability.Departures from Dublin are available on selected dates. Please call for further details.There will be variations in luggage allowances between international & domestic flights. Please see your itinerary for further details.

VIE TNAM

THAILAND

CAMBODIA

Hanoi

Phnom Penh

LAOS

Halong Bay

Danang

Gulf of Tonkin

Ho Chi Minh CityMekong

Delta

Hue

Siem Reap/Angkor

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Internal Flight

288 289

PRICE INCLUDESThe price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. It includes scheduled flights to Melbourne and returning from Sydney and all domestic flights within Australia; all transfers; 18 nights' accommodation on the 21-day tours and 21 nights' accommodation on the 24-day tours in three, four and five-star hotels; daily breakfast and three meals (or four meals on 24-day tour); city sightseeing in Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs and Sydney; Puffing Billy train trip; wine tasting in the Barossa Valley; walk at The MacDonnell Ranges and at the base of Uluru; visit to the Olgas; trip on the Kuranda Railway and Skyrail; Ocean Spirit catamaran trip to Michaelmas Cay; trip to Blue Mountains and Sydney Harbour cruise; tours extending to Darwin include Jumping Croc, Yellow Waters and Katherine Gorge river cruises, Aboriginal cultural experience & visit to Litchfield National Park; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

VISAS & HEALTHAll British passport holders need to obtain an Australian eVisitor visa prior to departure. By using the eVisitor system you will not need to send your passport away for a visa stamp or label. The eVisitor visa is free of charge and valid for a three-month stay within a twelve-month period from the date the eVisitor visa is granted. It may be applied for only online at www.border.gov.au. Click on to ‘ImmiAccount’ and follow the instructions; once you have successfully completed the online application form, your approval should be received by email within 24 hours. You should print this and take it with you. When you check-in for your flight to Australia at the airport, airline staff will use your passport to electronically confirm that you have authority to travel to Australia prior to boarding.There are no current health requirements for Dubai or Australia. However, whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we often enjoy walking tours (sometimes over unmade paths) so this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to travel.

DEPOSITThe deposit for this tour is £500 per person.

AUSTRALIA

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Arrival in UK Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 15/03/17 Qantas 12:05 Dubai 06:55 22hrs.15 £3,899 £869

03/05/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £3,699 £83913/09/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,299 £93904/10/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,399 £95918/10/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,399 £95915/11/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,499 £919

Manchester 02/05/17 Emirates/Qantas 21:10 Dubai 07:40 23hrs.05 £3,799 £83912/09/17 21:10 07:40 23hrs.15 £4,399 £93917/10/17 21:10 07:00 23hrs.15 £4,499 £95914/11/17 21:10 07:00 23hrs.15 £4,499 £919

Birmingham 02/05/17 Emirates/Qantas 21:20 Dubai 07:50 23hrs.15 £3,799 £83912/09/17 21:20 07:50 23hrs.25 £4,399 £93917/10/17 21:20 06:25 23hrs.25 £4,499 £95914/11/17 21:20 07:50 23hrs.15 £4,499 £919

All timings quoted are local. Sydney is GMT +10hrs or +11hrs during daylight saving timeFlight information: Flying time shown is outbound and includes a stop-over in Dubai. Inbound flights from Sydney are around 2hrs.15 longer. Qantas A380 flights include a personal TVs, 31” seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks and meal choices and 30kg baggage allowance per person. All domestic flights are on Qantas but aircraft types and facilities may vary. Emirates A380 and B777 flights include personal TVs, 32” seat pitch, amenity kit, complimentary drinks and meal choices and 30kg baggage allowance per person. All aircraft types and facilities mentioned may be changed without prior notice.Qantas Premium Economy upgrade: from £1,305 per person return for international flights departing/arriving into Heathrow only. Subject to availability. Please call for further information. On A380 aircraft enjoy a dedicated check-in, separate cabins, special menus and wider seats with a pitch of between 38-42”Qantas & Emirates Business Class upgrades: please call for details, prices will be confirmed after we have received your booking. Subject to availability.

Departures below are for the 21-day tour

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Via Arrival in UK Flight Duration Price Single SupplementHeathrow 17/05/17 Qantas 13:05 Dubai 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,699 £1,029

31/05/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,699 £1,02914/06/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,699 £1,02916/08/17 13:05 06:55 22hrs.50 £4,799 £1,059

Manchester 30/05/17 Emirates/Qantas 21:10 Dubai 07:40 23hrs.05 £4,799 £1,029Birmingham 30/05/17 Emirates/Qantas 21:20 Dubai 07:50 23hrs.15 £4,799 £1,029

For flight information please see above.

Departures below are for the 24-day tour

Cairns

Darwin

Kakadu National Park

KatherineGorge

Melbourne

Blue Mountains

Warrnambool

Adelaide

Alice Springs

Sydney

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

NE W SOUTHWALES

SOUTHAUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND

NOR THERNTERRITORY

Key:

Extension Stay:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Route

288 289

NEW ZEALAND - LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD

PRICE INCLUDES

The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, eighteen nights bed and breakfast in three and four star-star hotels in Singapore (including an early-check-in) and New Zealand (including Rural Homestead stay); two evening meals and two packed lunches; scheduled flights to Singapore and Auckland, returning from Christchurch; city sightseeing in Singapore, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Bay of Islands cruise, guided visit to Waitangi Treaty grounds, guided visit to the Te Puia geothermal area, Tamaki Maori village, Napier guided walk, Interislander ferry, Marlborough wine tasting, Abel Tasman coastal cruise, TranzAlpine train, 20-minute scenic helicopter flight with snow landing, Milford Sound cruise, visit to Arrowtown and Mt. Cook; hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person; all transfers; the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.Note: Rural homestead stay on day 8 is on shared facilities basis; some activities such as boat cruises are weather-dependent; whilst there will be three opportunities to take the glacier helicopter flight during the tour, should weather conditions make flying unsafe, the sterling equivalent of the fare will be refunded on your return to the UK.VISAS & HEALTH

British passport holders do not currently require a visa to either Singapore or New Zealand, as long as your passport is valid for at least six months after the intended return date.There are no current health requirements for Singapore or New Zealand. However, whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that we often enjoy walking tours (sometimes over unmade paths) so this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided relating to visa requirements is true and correct at time of publication, changes in requirements after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Therefore, whilst we strive to provide the most up-to-date information, we strongly suggest that you re-confirm requirements with the relevant embassy prior to travel.DEPOSIT

The deposit for this tour is £500 per person.

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Return Arrival Actual Flying Time Price Single SupplementHeathrow 14/03/17 Singapore Airlines 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £4,399 £1,029

11/04/17 11:25 05:55 12hrs.40 £3,999 £91924/10/17 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £4,799 £1,20907/11/17 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £4,799 £1,20914/11/17 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £4,799 £1,20909/01/18 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £4,999 £1,25923/01/18 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £5,099 £1,25913/02/18 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £5,199 £1,25927/02/18 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £5,099 £1,25901/05/18 11:30 05:55 12hrs.40 £4,599 £1,129

Manchester 14/03/17 Singapore Airlines 07:00 09:15 12hrs.40 £4,399 £1,02911/04/17 07:05 09:15 12hrs.40 £3,999 £91924/10/17 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £4,799 £1,20907/11/17 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £4,799 £1,20914/11/17 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £4,799 £1,20909/01/18 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £4,999 £1,25923/01/18 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £5,099 £1,25913/02/18 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £5,199 £1,25927/02/18 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £5,099 £1,25901/05/18 09:10 07:50 12hrs.40 £4,599 £1,129

All timings quoted are local. Singapore is GMT +8hrs, New Zealand is GMT +11hrsFlight information: actual flight times shown are to Singapore. Onward flight to Auckland is 9hrs.40. Return flying duration excluding time between change of aircraft in Singapore is 24hrs.20.

Singapore Airlines flights include 32” seat pitch, 11” seat back TV with thousands of movies and programmes, 30kg baggage allowance. Singapore Business Class upgrade: includes 51” seat pitch, converting to a 79” long flat bed, 18” widescreen seat back TV and 40kg baggage allowance. Subject to availabilty and on request. Flight price to be confirmed after we have received your booking. Aircraft types may be changed without notice.

Auckland

Bay of Islands

Rotorua

Taupo

Napier

WellingtonNelson

Christchurch

Hokitika

Queenstown

Te Anau

Omarama

Picton

Rural Homestay

Arthur’s Pass

Franz Josef

Milford Sound

Mount Cook

Key:

Route

Arrive

Depart

Trans Alpine Train

BOOKING CONDITIONSThese booking conditions set out the terms of your contract with Riviera Tours Limited trading as Riviera Travel (Riviera). Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them. References to “you” and “your” and “passen-ger(s)” means all persons named on the booking (Booking Party) (including those added at a later date) “We”, “us”, “our” means Riviera. For cruises, we will be the contracting carrier.1. Making your bookingSubject to availability, we will confirm your holiday by issuing a confirmation invoice to the party leader who confirms they have authority on behalf of the Booking Party including minors (under the age of 18) and are responsible for obtaining and providing all information and payments required by us in accordance with these booking conditions.Please check your documents carefully and contact us immediately if any information on any document is in-correct. We cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracies in any document within 10 days of our sending it out (5 days for tickets). You may contact us by e-mail at info@rivieratravel.co.uk or call us on 01283 742300.2. PaymentThe relevant deposit and insurance premium (if purchased) must be paid to confirm your booking. The balance of the holiday cost is due 8 weeks* prior to the departure. If full payment is not made on time, we will cancel your booking and keep all payments paid at that date and levy the cancellation charges shown in clause 7. If booking within 8 weeks* of departure, full payment must be made at the time of booking. * 13 weeks for cruises aboard the Aegean Odyssey and Queen Mary 2. 3. Your contractA binding contract comes into existence when we issue the confirmation invoice. 4. The cost of your holidayPlease note, advertised prices may have changed by the time you book your holiday and errors occasionally occur. You must check the price of your chosen holiday at the time of booking.The prices in our brochure were calculated on 17/08/2016 on the basis of then known costs and exchange rates of £1 to €1.15 and $1.30 as shown in the Financial Times Guide to World Currencies. We reserve the right to change prices and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before or after your holiday is confirmed. Subject to the correction of errors or amendment costs, once your booking is confirmed we guarantee the price will not change.5. Special requests Special requests, must be advised at the time of booking. Unless specifically confirmed by us in writing, all special requests are subject to availability. 6. Changes by youAny amendments and transfers we agree after issue of the confirmation invoice will cost £15 per person plus any costs incurred by us and or charged by our suppliers. A change of holiday dates is a cancellation of the original booking and the cancellation charges in clause 7 apply. Name changes are allowed 2 weeks or more prior to travel if you are prevented from travelling. All costs must be paid before the transfer can be effected. 7. Cancellation by youCancellation of the booking must be requested in writing (letter or email) to us which will be effective when received by us. Where the cancellation charge below is shown as a percentage, this is the holiday cost. Insurance premiums and amendment charges are not included in the holiday cost below and are not refundable.

All holidays other than cruises (river, sea and ocean)Period before departure withinwhich written notification Cancellation chargeof cancellation is received by us per person cancellingMore than 56 days deposit56 – 31 days 50% 30 – 15 days 95% 14 days or less 100%

Cruises (river, sea and ocean - except Aegean Odyssey & Queen Mary 2)Period before departure withinwhich written notification Cancellation chargeof cancellation is received by us per person cancellingMore than 56 days deposit56 – 31 days 80%30 – 15 days 95%14 days or less 100%

Cruises on Aegean Odyssey & Queen Mary 2Period before departure withinwhich written notification Cancellation chargeof cancellation is received by us per person cancellingMore than 91 days deposit90 – 61 days 50%60 – 31 days 75%30 – 16 days 85%15 days or less 100%

In addition, change or cancellation of flights and other transport costs can result in 100% cancellation charges irrespective of the date of cancellation. Part cancellation will require recalculation of the holiday price and we will re-invoice you accordingly. A single person supplement will be payable if a cabin or hotel room is occupied by only one person except where 100% cancellation charges have been paid by the person cancelling. See clause 6.8. InsuranceIt is a requirement of booking that you have valid and appropriate travel insurance for the full duration of your trip. You should ensure that your policy provides at least comparable cover to that provided by the policy we offer as shown on our website and brochures. 9. Changes or cancellations by usWe plan holidays many months in advance. Occasionally for reasons of force majeure or other circumstances beyond our control it is necessary to make alterations to the arrangements. We reserve the right to alter or cancel itineraries, accommodation or other arrangements at any time. Significant changes to your booking before departure include; change of accommodation to a lower official clas-sification or a change of outward departure time of 12 or more hours. We will tell you as soon as possible of any significant alteration. If there is time before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following: (a) accepting the changes, (b) purchasing an alternative holiday offered by us of similar standard to that originally booked, if available or (c) cancelling the booking for full refund of all monies you have paid to us. We will, where appropriate, pay you compensation set out in the table below. Compensation will not be payable where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or we have to cancel because the minimum number of bookings necessary for us to operate your holiday has not been reached. When we have to cancel or significantly change your holiday, we cannot accept liability for the cost or cancellation of any unused service (such as, but not limited to, flights, hotels, rail travel and car parking) which does not form part of the arrangements contracted with us.No compensation is payable for minor changes. This includes a change to a similar ship, flight or Eurostar de-parture time of less than 12 hours, accommodation to that of a similar standard, airline (except as specified in clause 20 “Flights”), London airport to another London airport, type of aircraft (if advised) or destination airport.

Period before departurea significant change Compensation per personor cancellation is notified to you More than 56 days Nil56 - 15 days £1014 days or less £25

Please also see clause 20.If there is a significant alteration of the holiday after departure, we will make suitable alternative arrangements at no extra cost to you for the continuation of the holiday. If you do not accept these for good reason or it is im-possible to make suitable alternative arrangements, we will where possible return you to the place of departure

or to another place to which you have agreed with us. Compensation will not be payable if the alteration is minor or if due to an event of force majeure or is not our fault. We cannot guarantee that cruises will call at every port on the itinerary. Cancellation of part of the itinerary, substitution of ports or unavailability of some services will not amount to a significant alteration.10. Force majeureWe cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance of our obligations are prevented or affected, as a result of force majeure. Force majeure includes any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events will usually include (whether actual or threatened) war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, epidemics, fire, closure, restriction or congestion of airspace, airports and ports and all other events outside our control or the UK Foreign Office advice. 11. Our liability to you (1) Subject to clauses 11(6), 11(7) and 11(8), we promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to provide as part of our contract with you are performed with reasonable skill and care. (2) We are not responsible for any failure in performance which is wholly attributable to your fault or the un-foreseeable or unavoidable act or omission of a third party unconnected with the supply of any service to be provided under the contract or by force majeure. (3) We are not responsible for any services which do not form part of our contract with you. (4) The services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract will be subject to the laws and applicable standards of the country in which they are provided. (5) Subject to clauses 11(6) and 11(7), where we are found liable to you for loss of, delay and/or damage to prop-erty (including money), the maximum amount we will have to pay you is £1,000 per person. For all other claims excluding property and or death or personal injury, the maximum amount we will pay is twice the holiday price (excluding insurance premiums, amendment/cancellation charges and any service charge paid by you). (6) Our liability to you will never exceed that of any transport carrier or supplier and we shall have the benefit of all and any applicable international conventions, rules and regulations. In respect of carriage by air the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention for international travel by air and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EC Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air and COTIF, the Convention on International Travel by Rail). Copies of the applicable international conventions and EU regulations are available from us on request. (7) Where carriage is performed on inland waterways the liability of the carrier to all passengers shall be de-termined in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims. The limit for claims involving death or personal injury is 175,000 SDR per passenger per carriage. The Strasbourg Convention as amended applies to vessels navigating on waterways located in the territory of a state party which limits passen-ger claims involving death or personal injury to 60,000 SDR per person subject to a maximum of 6,000,000 SDR. (8) In the event of international carriage by sea the provisions of EC Regulation 392/2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers in the event of accidents (“Regulation“) will apply. The Regulation limits the liability of the carrier in respect of passengers and their luggage in the event of accidents. A summary of the Regulation may be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=URISERV:tr0018&from=EN. This applies strict liability for shipping incidents as defined and requires compulsory insurance. The Regulation limits the maximum amount we may have to pay if found liable in the event of death or personal injury occurring during the course of carriage to a maximum of 400,000 SDR or in the event of terrorism 250,000 SDR. Damages can be reduced for any contributory negligence of the passenger.The maximum amount payable for loss or damage to luggage is 2,250 SDR subject to a deductible of 149 SDR per person. There is no liability for money or valuables except when deposited with the ship in which case the liability is limited to 3,375 SDR. Provision of safes in cabins is not a deposit with the ship whether a charge is levied or not.The daily conversion rates for Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) can be found on the International Monetary Fund website at www.imf.org . (9) We will not be liable for consequential losses including loss of profits. 12. Complaints and problemsAll complaints and any problems must be made at the time in resort and confirmed in writing. If you remain dissatisfied you must write to us within 28 days of your return to the UK with booking reference and full details of your complaint. In respect of cruises which commence in the EU complaints pursuant to EU Regulation 1177/2010 must be sent to us as soon as possible. We will respond within 28 days. If you are not happy with our final decision you can refer your complaint to the Cruise Line International Association which is the voluntary complaints body authorised by the Department of Transport to deal with complaints at Passengerrights@cruising.org.13. ArbitrationDisputes arising out of, or in connection with your booking which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitration under a special independent scheme arranged by ABTA which provides for a simple arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on the customer in respect of costs. Full details will be provided on request or obtained from www.abta.com. Your application for arbitration and other required documents must be received by ABTA within 18 months of your return from the holiday. For injury and illness claims, you can request the ABTA mediation procedure and we have the option to agree to this. 14. Behaviour and damageYou are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss must be made on demand as soon as possible. If in our or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we are entitled to terminate the holiday of the person(s) concerned and or require you to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility to you. No refunds will be made. You must not solicit other persons for commercial purposes or advertise goods or services without our prior written permission.15. Conditions of suppliers.You are bound by the terms and conditions and conditions of carriage of our suppliers and independent contrac-tors which we incorporate into these booking conditions which may limit or exclude liability to you. Copies are available on request or online on www.rivieratravel.co.uk/conditionsofsuppliers. 16. Passports, visas and health requirementsFor guidance we have details on our website of passport and visa requirement for British citizens booking our hol-idays, together with details of any compulsory health requirements. It is, however, your responsibility to ensure you have and comply with passport and visa requirements, and you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions. We cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to comply with these requirements. 17. Foreign Office adviceThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice which we recommend you consult.18. Financial security and ABTA membershipWe hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 3430). When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday* from us, you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit, you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent or your credit card issuer where applicable. You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.*The flights and flight- inclusive holidays we arrange are ATOL protected providing they are made available in the UK. For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.We are a member of ABTA (ABTA number V4744). If your holiday does not include flights, ABTA will financially protect your holiday by ensuring you receive a refund or, if your arrangements include return travel to the UK (other than flights) you are returned to the UK in the event that your holiday cannot be provided as a result of our insolvency. Please go to www.abta.com. For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme contact ABTA at 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ www.abta.com.

COMPREHENSIVE EUROPEAN INSURANCE FROM ONLY £19.90. SEE PAGE 32 FOR DETAILS

Printed 12/16

ABTA Number V4744

Age on date of travel

Europe Worldwide excl. N. America N. AmericaUp to 5 days 6-8 days 9-15 days Up to 16 days Up to 26 days Up to 17 days

18-65 £19.90 £29.90 £34.90 £49 £69 £6966-69 £34.90 £39.90 £44.90 £79 £99 £9970-74 £34.90 £44.90 £54.90 £89 £109 £10975-79 £54.90 £64.90 £74.90

Please Call 0330 024995280+ £64.90 £84.90 £104.90

All premiums include insurance premium tax of 20%

Comprehensive Holiday Insurance from only £19.90

Travel insurance is a vital aspect of booking any holiday, giving you protection against unforeseencircumstances that could otherwise spoil your holiday. To assist you with this, we have arrangedcompetitive travel insurance from Travel & General Insurance Services Limited to specifically meet your needs on a Riviera Travel holiday. It is a condition of booking that you purchase travel insurance that properly covers you for the holiday you are taking.

Travel insurance is provided by Riviera Travel as an appointed representative of Travel & General Insurance Services Limited who are authorised and regulated by the FCA and details can be found on their website www.fca.org.uk.

Our Insurance Premiums (per person)

It is a condition of the policy that you must declare all pre-existing medical conditions for yourself and anyone else named as an insured on the policy, your immediate family and any travelling companions to Healthcheck on 01702 427179 to ensure that you have the appropriate cover. A policy booklet is provided which contains all of the terms and conditions and must be read carefully to ensure that it meets your requirements. You may return the policy and the proof of purchase for any reason within 14 days of purchase to receive a full refund provided that you have not travelled or made a claim.

If you have any queries regarding the insurance you can contact Travel & General Insurance Company on 0845 345 3456.

It is a condition of booking that everyone travelling with us is adequately covered, so if you do not takeout our insurance please state the name and number of your policy at the time of booking.

BOOKING CONDITIONS19. FlightsIn accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a “Community list” which contains details of air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The Community list is available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm. We are required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as pos-sible. If the carrier becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we/the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative the provisions of clause 9 Changes and cancellation by us will apply. We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm the flight timings which will be used in connection with your flight. The flight timings shown in our brochure, website and/or on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. Flight timings are outside our control. They are set by airlines and are subject to various factors including air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions and the ability of passengers to check in on time. Specific instructions relating to departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your travel documents ap-proximately 2 weeks before departure. Please check your tickets very carefully to ensure you have the correct flight times. Flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements. 20. Delay and Denied Boarding RegulationsFor cruises which begin in the EU, EU Regulation 1177/2010 applies. Any liability we have for providing accommo-dation is limited to €80 per passenger for a maximum of 3 nights. If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline, de-pending on the circumstances, the airline may be required to pay you compensation, refund the cost of your flight and/or provide you with accommodation and/or refreshments under EC Regulation No 261/2004 - the De-nied Boarding Regulations 2004. Where applicable, you must pursue the airline for the compensation or other payment due to you. We are not the carrier and have no liability to you under this Regulation. If your airline does not comply with these rules you may use the CAA Passenger Advice and Complaints Service. See www.caa.co.uk 21. Brochure / website / advertising material accuracyThe information contained in our brochure, website and other advertising material is believed correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. However, errors may occasionally occur and information may sub-sequently change. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. 22. Children For holidays other than cruises, we are unable to accommodate children under 9 years old at the date of depar-ture. For cruises, the minimum age limit is 12 years old at the date of departure. We reserve the right to limit the number of children on any particular cruise. Any minor must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 21 or over. If the adult is not the minor’s parent, a “Parental Consent Guardianship Form” must be signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to sailing. 23. Health and safety You must attend all mandatory safety briefings and drills at the commencement of the holiday and any subse-quent briefings or drills required during the holiday by any carrier or supplier. You must at all times comply with rules and regulations and the orders and directions of carriers and our suppliers and warrant that your conduct will not impair the safety of others.We, carriers, our suppliers and/or the relevant authorities are entitled to administer a public health questionnaire at any time. You must complete the questionnaire and supply accurate information regarding any symptoms of illness. We may deny boarding to any passenger who has symptoms of any viral or bacterial illness. You must report illness and you may be required to remain in your cabin or hotel room as required by the ship’s captain or the hotel manager. Refusal to comply with any of these procedures may result in your holiday being terminated. We have no liability to you in the event that we cancel or curtail your holiday as referred to in this clause.In respect of cruises which commence in an EU Member State and where necessary in order to meet applicable international, European and national safety requirements and/or where the design or structure of the ship or port infrastructure and equipment, including port terminals, makes it impossible to carry out the embarkation, disembarkation or carriage of a passenger suffering from a disability of reduced mobility in a safe or operationally feasible manner, we and the carrier are entitled to refuse a booking from the person concerned. Passengers must be fully mobile to travel on any cruise. We cannot provide individual assistance to any passenger for walking, embarking or disembarking or travelling on other forms of transportation. In the event that you require assis-tance with embarking or disembarking from the ship at the first or last port as a result of your reduced mobility or disability, please advise us at the time of booking but in any event no later than 48 hours before the assistance is required. Some ships may not have elevators. You must check at the time of booking. Some excursions re-quire a good level of physical fitness and do not have vehicles and/or there are restrictions re access. Regulation 1177/2010 may be viewed at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32010R1177&-from=EN and the DFT Guidance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-guidance-notes-relat-ing-to-regulation-eu-no-1177-2010.The carrier, acting via the captain, reserves the right to refuse passage, disembark or confine to a cabin any pas-senger whose physical or mental condition or behaviour is considered in the sole opinion of the captain to consti-tute a risk to the passenger’s own well-being or that of any other passenger or crew member. The carrier and the captain reserve the right to disembark any passenger whose behaviour affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other passengers or of any crew. During passage through locks or under low bridges or in the event of adverse weather conditions, it may be necessary to close the sundeck to passengers. Sundeck closures are rigidly enforced in the interests of safety.

Ships may be required to moor alongside one another in some ports. This may result in your view being blocked. It may also result in your having to cross other ships in order to go ashore. While we take reasonable steps to minimise noise and vibrations on the cruise ships, you acknowledge and ac-cept that some noise and vibration may be experienced on vessels and that we will not be liable to you in relation to such noise and vibration.24. Food allergiesIf you have any food allergies which may cause significant health issues, you must report this in writing at the time of booking or as soon as convenient. It is your responsibility to ensure that you actively avoid any food you are allergic to and make all appropriate enquiries to establish the ingredients of any food. The supplier is not under any obligation to prepare or provide special meals.25. SmokingPassengers must observe the non-smoking policy on board the ships, hotels and other transport provided. If smoke is detected in any accommodation, a cleaning fee of £165.00 per occurrence will be billed to the passen-ger's account. Smoking restrictions include e-cigarette smoking. If there is violation of the non-smoking policy, then passengers may be disembarked from the ship or asked to leave the hotel without refund. 26. Indemnity You must indemnify us and the carrier for all penalties, fines, charges, losses or expenses incurred or imposed upon us, the carrier or our suppliers by virtue of an act or violation of law by you and or any breach of these terms and conditions or any carrier’s or suppliers terms and conditions of conditions of carriage.27. Pregnancy The river cruise ships, yachts and Star Clipper ships do not have doctors or facilities to deliver babies or pro-vide-natal treatment. We recommend that women who are less than 12 weeks pregnant seek medical advice prior to travel. For safety reasons women past their 24th week of pregnancy at any stage of the cruise cannot be carried on board. Airlines also have restrictions.Pregnant women are required to produce a fitness to travel certificate based on the proposed holiday itinerary and transport provider’s requirements. The carrier expressly reserves the right to refuse passage to board to any passenger who appears to be in an advanced state of pregnancy and the carrier shall have no liability whatsoever in respect of either such refusal and/or the carriage.28. Medical facilities/treatment on board and ashoreThere are no doctors on board any of the river cruise ships, yachts and Star Clipper ships in our programme. Should you require medical attention during your holiday then local medical services can be contacted for emer-gency treatment. The cost of such treatment is your sole responsibility. We are not be liable for any aspect of medical treatment provided to you ashore or in resort.If you have any medical condition which may need treatment during a cruise, this must be disclosed at the time of booking in order for a risk assessment to be undertaken as to whether you can be safely carried. You may be asked to provide medical evidence for this purpose. Carriage is dependent on the nature and extent of the medical condition, the itinerary and length of cruise. In relation to other holidays please notify us in writing of any medical or reduced mobility needs at the resort or on transport provided by us. This includes adapted hotel rooms and assistance at airports.In relation to your own medical equipment, there are limited storage facilities on board ships and in hotels. You must check prior to booking if the equipment is allowed on board aircraft, ships or hotels. Scooters cannot be carried on board ships due to space limitations and reasons of safety.29. Disability/wheelchairs/service animalsDuring our holidays, we visit many historical sites and often enjoy walking tours of various places of interest. Some holidays, therefore, may not be suitable for clients of impaired mobility. Our priority is always the comfort and safety of passengers as well as complying with the strict legal require-ments relating to safety of life at sea and inland waterways. In order to achieve these objectives, passengers with reduced mobility or disability or who need assistance dogs should at the time of booking provide as much detail as possible of the matters set out on our website at www.rivieratravel.co.uk/reducedmobilityinformation. Passengers may be required to be accompanied or may be refused carriage. You warrant that you have consid-ered the INFORMATION TO PASSENGERS FOR REDUCED MOBILITY AND DISABILITIES and that you have made all relevant notifications to us.Please be aware that there are no wheelchair accessible cabins on any of the river cruise ships, yachts and Star Clipper ships used on our cruises. Disabled rooms in hotels are limited in number and so must be prebooked and subject to availability.30. SecurityWeapons, ammunition, explosives, substances that are hazardous, disabling, or illegal, or any other article that in the sole opinion of the captain may be considered dangerous, are strictly prohibited aboard the ship or carried on any form of transport or hotels.You consent to a reasonable search being made of your person, property, cabin, hotel room and to the removal and confiscation or destruction of any object which may, in our opinion or that of any carrier or supplier will impair the safety of others or of property or be illegal or inconvenience others.31. Data ProtectionPersonal data relating to individuals shall be collected, processed, stored and used securely and in accordance with relevant data protection laws. You consent to the collection, processing, storing and use of your personal data to enable us to perform the holiday. This may include providing your details to Governments, immigration, port state control, police, flag state and other competent authorities and / or as may be required by law. In the case of emergencies you consent to our providing personal data to doctors, next of kin, our insurers and advisors and your medical insurers. Personal Data shall only be kept for as long as is necessary or required by law.32. Law and JurisdictionSave as provided by law and subject to the provisions of the Regulation all claims must be brought in the English courts which shall have exclusive jurisdiction and shall be subject to English law.

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1SPTel: 01283 744370/744390 Fax: 01283 742301 Email: www.rivieratravel.co.uk

Brochure Code AGENT

VOYAGES OF A LIFETIME BY TALL SHIP

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES BY SMALL SHIP

THE DALMATIAN COAST BY YACHT

THE HEART OF INDIA BY LUXURY TRAIN

ESCORTED TOURS FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

ESCORTED TOURS QUEEN MARY 2 TRANSATLANTIC CROSSINGS WITH A CLASSIC

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

2017 ESCORTED TOURS FOR THE DISCERNING TRAVELLER

RIV

IERA

TR

AV

EL • 2017

CO

LLECT

ION

OF ESC

OR

TED

TOU

RS

Fascinating new tours • Hand-picked highlights • No surcharges guaranteed

Main HQ Brochure 244pg DEC 2016_OFC.indd 1 22/12/2016 09:41

LUXURY RIVER CRUISES IN EUROPE

LUXURY RIVER CRUISES THAT COST LESS THAN YOU THINK

OUR 2017 EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION

The finest cruises • Brand new ships • Fascinating tours included

RiverCruise.UKOffice.100pp.Dec2016.OFC.indd 1 14/12/2016 17:25

SUPERB RIVER CRUISES IN ASIA

A S I A N R I V E R C R U I S E SM E KO N G & G A N G E S

ANGKOR WAT TAJ MAHAL

VARANASI

Asian River Cruises 12pg_MAY 2016.indd 1 30/11/2016 17:28

Q U E E N M A RY 2 T R A N SAT L A N T IC C RO S S I N G SF ROM S O U T H A M P TON TO N E W YOR K

W I T H A C H O I C E O F C L A S S I C N ORT H A M E R I C A N TO U R S

NE

W Y

OR

K, THE GRAND CANYON, LAS VEGAS & THE O

RIG

INAL

QU

EEN

MA

RY

NEW

YORK & THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

NEW YORK & NIAGARA FALLS

Transatlantic Cruise 16pg_OCT 2016.indd 1 19/10/2016 16:44

V O Y A G E S O F A L I F E T I M E

B Y T A L L S H I P

OUTSTANDING CUISINE

ELEGANT DINING ROOM CATEGORY 2 CABIN, ROYAL CLIPPER

Tall Ships 8pg_SEPT 2016.indd 1 17/10/2016 16:44

M E D I T E R R A N E A N C R U I S E S B Y S M A L L S H I P

M V A E G E A N O DY S S E Y

ANDALUCíA & SPA NIS H COA STAL CRUIS

E

ANCIENT GREECE & SICILY CRUISE

MV AEGEAN ODYSSEY

Aegean Odyssey 16pg_OCT 2016.indd 1 19/10/2016 16:47

T H E D A L M A T I A N C O A S T B Y Y A C H TM V C O R O N A M S A D M I R A L M S A Q U A M A R I N

SPECTACULAR PORTS OF CALL

SUN DECK, MS ADMIRAL

CABIN, MV CORONA

T H E H E A R T O F I N D I A B Y L U X U RY T R A I N O N T H E D E C C A N O DY S S E Y

TOUR INDIA'S ICONIC SIGHTS

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

LUXU RIO US C ABINS

Deccan Odyssey 8pg_NOV 2016 OPTION.indd 1 07/12/2016 17:17 Solo Travellers Brochure_AGENT_OCT 2016_SL.indd 1 30/11/2016 17:35

Browse www.rivieratravel.co.uk for more information and contact your preferred travel agent to book

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1SP Tel: 01283 744390/744370 Fax: 01283 742301 www.rivieratravel.co.uk

All rights reservedABTA Number V4744

Published 12/16