ESCORTED TOURS - The Ultimate Travel Company · The Palaces of Central India India 19 Feb – 04...

2018 – 2019

E S C O RT E D TO U R S

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TRAVEL WITH US ON A JOURNEY NOT MEASURED IN MILES, BUT IN MOMENTS

We hope you’ll enjoy this snapshot of some of our many fascinating tours to exceptional destinations, both long haul and closer to home, during 2018-2019.

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

Please enjoy this overview and don’t forget to register your interest on the reply-paid card so we can provide you with more details.

WELCOME TO OUR ESCORTED TOUR PROGRAMME FOR 2018 -2019

Above and beyond level of service. The best holiday I’ve had in a long time. I can’t fault the trip, you thought of everything and delivered! Wonderful!

Mr J Armstrong and Mr M Price

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WHAT SETS OUR ESCORTED TOURS APART FROM THE REST?

N I C K V A N G R U I S E N

M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R

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

• INSPIR ING IT INERARIES Carefully planned, with the assistance of our tour leaders and/or guest lecturers, we ensure that travellers derive maximum enjoyment from their chosen destination.

• EXPERTISE Decades of knowledge, experience and attention to detail are the hallmarks of our Escorted Tours team.

• VALUE FOR MONEY Whilst our tours might appear a little costly on paper, because they include so much

more than other comparable tours, we believe they offer excellent value for money.

• CAREFULLY CHOSEN ACCOMMODATION We base our selection on comfort, character and location, not necessarily star-rating.

• TOUR LEADERS & GUEST LECTURERS Our teams will do everything to ensure the smooth running of your journey and add their expertise to more specialised departures. They are chosen for both their knowledge, and their dedication.

• FINANCIAL PROTECTION We hold an ATOL licence and are also full members of ABTA.

Over the last few years we have built an enviable reputation for escorted touring. Here’s why:

25 –27 Vanston Place London SW6 1AZ Telephone 020 3411 4595

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Escorted Tours Destinations Tour Dates Page

Opera & Ballet in Berlin Germany 17 Jan – 20 Jan 2018 8

The Treasures of Mexico Mexico 02 Feb – 15 Feb 2018 8

Exploring Rajasthan India 03 Feb – 17 Feb 2018 9

The Jewels of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka 04 Feb – 17 Feb 2018 9

The Laos Mekong Laos to Thailand 05 Feb – 18 Feb 2018 10

The Sultanate of Oman Oman 09 Feb – 16 Feb 2018 11

The Palaces of Central India India 19 Feb – 04 Mar 2018 11

St Petersburg: Treasures of the Russian Tsars Russia 21 Feb – 25 Feb 2018 11

A Journey through Central India India 24 Feb – 11 Mar 2018 12

Arbuthnott’s Chile Chile 01 Mar – 14 Mar 2018 12

Brazil: Colours & Flavours Brazil 06 Mar – 19 Mar 2018 12

Art in Vienna Austria 14 Mar – 18 Mar 2018 13

The Kingdom of Jordan Jordan 16 Mar – 24 Mar 2018 14

Hidden Treasures of Venice Italy 19 Mar – 23 Mar 2018 15

Riding in Rajasthan India 23 Mar – 07 Apr 2018 15

Exploring Andalusia: Jerez, Seville & Cadiz Spain 09 Apr – 15 Apr 2018 15

Iran: Persian Treasures Iran 12 Apr – 26 Apr 2018 16

TOUR CALENDARThe Gardens of Lisbon & Sintra Portugal 16 Apr – 20 Apr 2018 16

Discovering Albania Albania 09 May – 15 May 2018 16

Peru: Land of the Incas Peru 18 May – 31 May 2018 17

Poland: Krakow & Warsaw Poland 03 Sep – 07 Sep 2018 18

Art & Architecture in Barcelona Spain 12 Sep – 16 Sep 2018 18

Romania: Wildlife of the Carpathians & the Danube Delta Romania 16 Sep – 24 Sep 2018 19

The Battlefields of Gallipoli Turkey 17 Sep – 21 Sep 2018 20

Eastern Canada Canada 20 Sep – 04 Oct 2018 20

A Taste of Parma Italy 01 Oct – 06 Oct 2018 20

Assam & the Mighty Brahmaputra India 18 Oct – 29 Oct 2018 21

An Ultimate Invitation: Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea 22 Oct – 07 Nov 2018 22

Cruising the Danube Romania to Austria 23 Oct – 01 Nov 2018 22

Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon Bhutan 15 Nov – 29 Nov 2018 22

Durrell Wildlife Expedition: Andamans, Myanmar, Bangladesh & India Myanmar to India 04 Feb – 19 Feb 2019 23

An Ultimate Invitation: Antarctica Argentina to the Antarctic 14 Feb – 03 Mar 2019 24

Spanish Pyrenees with Wild Insights Spain 12 May – 19 May 2019 25

An Ultimate Invitation: The Road to Mandalay Myanmar 08 Sep – 23 Sep 2019 26

Namibia with Wild Insights Namibia 05 Oct – 21 Oct 2019 25

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OPERA & BALLET IN BERLIN1 7 – 2 0 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8

Marie-Thérèse Hill’s annual opera tour travels to Berlin, a city renowned for its rich artistic and musical heritage, and includes performances of Strauss’s opera Ariadne auf Naxos and George Balanchine’s ballet Jewels.

• Go behind the scenes with a back stage tour of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, newly reopened after extensive renovation

• Visit the city’s finest art galleries including those on Museum Island, the Gemäldegalerie and the Museum of Decorative Arts at Schloss Köpenick

• See architecture new and old at the Reichstag with its inspired new interior and dome, and enjoy lunch at its rooftop restaurant with fabulous views over the city

TOUR PRICE: £1,650 PER PERSON SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £199

THE JEWELS OF SRI LANKA4 – 1 7 F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 8

Travel with Dick Bradford to the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, with its ancient past, colonial traditions and spectacular scenery, and discover rock-hewn fortresses, magnificent temples, ethereal religious sites and ruined cities.

• Explore the remarkable fortress of Sigiriya, the well-preserved remains of the 11th century capital, Polonnaruwa, and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, last capital of the Sri Lankan kings

• Discover British built colonial buildings in Colombo and explore Nuwara Eliya, the famous hill station set in the heart of the picturesque ‘tea country’

• Visit the charming old town of Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon, and discover its Portuguese and Dutch heritage

TOUR PRICE: £4,965 PER PERSON SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £1,150

EXPLORING RAJASTHAN3 – 1 7 F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 8

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

• See the beautiful haveli frescoes in Alsisar and visit the formidable Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur with its jumble of blue and white buildings

• Travel through rural Rajasthan to the vibrant villages of Nagaur, Sardar Samand and Narlai and stay in former Royal palaces, hunting lodges and forts

• View the shimmering Lake Palace and Lake Pichola in the enchanting city of Udaipur and take the optional extension to marvel at the iconic Taj Mahal

TOUR PRICE: £5,740 PER PERSONSINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £1,495

Explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison and his wife Louella return to Mexico to discover its ancient civilisations, colonial art and architecture and vibrant cultural traditions.

• Visit the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon at Teotihuacán in Mexico City and the magnificent Mayan archaeological sites of Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza

• Discover colonial artefacts and rich history in the well preserved colonial cities of Oaxaca, San Cristóbal de las Casas and Merida

• Experience the country’s natural wonders including the spectacular Sumidero Canyon, the vast Loltun Caves and the remarkable Celestun Biosphere Reserve where pink flamingo nest in their thousands


THE TREASURES OF MEXICO2 – 1 5 F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 8


Join Director Martin Thompson on a scenic cruise through Laos exploring not only its historic and cultural heritage, but also its awe-inspiring scenery of mountains, rapids, gorges and jungles.

• Embark on a 10-night voyage aboard the charming 10-cabin river boat, the RV Laos Pandaw, from the former French capital of Laos, Vientiane, to Chiang Rai in the ‘Golden Triangle’ of northern Thailand

• Explore the one-time royal capital and UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang and visit the fascinating temples and tribes of Chiang Rai

• Take an optional extension to see the magnificent Khmer temples at Angkor in Cambodia

TOUR PRICE: £4,950 PER PERSON S INGLE SUPPLEMENT: £880

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THE LAOS MEKONG

THE PALACES OF CENTRAL INDIA

1 9 F E B R U A RY – 4 M A R C H 2 0 1 8Join historian and guest lecturer Sir Roy Strong and Joanna Worsley to discover the palaces of Central India ranging from magnificent mountain-top forts to those built down below by British architects in the late Victorian era.

• Stay in a wonderful 18th century fort in the village of Maheshwar, and visit Mandu, a 15th century marvel of early Islamic architecture

• Explore Orchha with its majestic collection of abandoned cenotaphs and impressive fort stunningly located on an island in the boulder-strewn Betwa River

• Discover Gwalior, dominated by one of the most impressive and least visited forts in India, approached through a canyon of mysterious giant rock sculptures of naked Jain deities

ST. PETERSBURG: TREASURES OF THE RUSSIAN TSARS2 1 – 2 5 F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 8Tania Illingworth returns once more to the winter splendour of St. Petersburg to explore the unique and unsurpassed architectural and artistic legacy of the Tsars and Tsarinas.

• See the beautifully-preserved palaces of Pavlovsk, Yusupov and the Catherine Palace

• Study the extraordinary treasures of the State Hermitage in the Winter Palace with curator Professor Alexei Leporc

• Enjoy a private viewing of the newly opened Fabergé Collection and attend a ballet at the fabled Mariinsky Theatre



THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

9 – 1 6 F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 8Take a journey of adventure with Marie-Thérèse Hill to the ancient kingdom of Oman, an alluring country of historic forts and palaces, dazzling mosques, spectacular mountains and vast deserts.

• Stay in the luxurious five-star Alila Jabal Akhdar resort and discover the magnificent landscape and remote villages of the ‘Green Mountains’ of Jabal Al Akhdar

• Explore the desert fortresses and bustling souk in the ancient capital of Nizwa and stay in a luxury Bedouin-style desert camp amongst the rolling dunes of the Wahiba Sands

• Visit the striking modern Royal Palace and the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat


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ARBUTHNOTT’S CHILE1 – 1 4 M A R C H 2 0 1 8

Hughie Arbuthnott has created a holiday during which you will travel with him to see some of the highlights, as well as explore the lesser known areas, of this diverse and dramatic country with an optional extension to the Atacama Desert.

• Discover the beautiful Colchagua Valley in the heart of the wine country, staying at the family run vineyard of Viña La Playa in the shadow of the Andes

• Sample Chilean and Latin American cuisine with one of Chile’s top chefs at Mapuyampay Lodge in the Curico Valley, and relax by the pool under trees laden with fruit

• Marvel at the magnificent scenery of Northern Patagonia at Mallin Colorado Ecolodge surrounded by lakes and glaciers with options for walking, riding and fishing

BRAZIL : COLOURS & FLAVOURS6 – 1 9 M A R C H 2 0 1 8

Travel with renowned photojournalists and restaurateurs, Chris and Carolyn Caldicott, on a journey in search of culinary delights, evocative images of bustling markets, stunning beaches, hidden villages and vibrant festivals.

• Enjoy an exclusive private Caipirinha making lesson with one of Rio’s top barmen on top of Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro

• Explore the beautiful Renaissance buildings and vibrant Bahian markets of Salvador and enjoy a home cooked meal in a private house

• Explore the bohemian fishing town of Trancoso, and the former sugar port of Paraty with its glorious beaches and enchanting Portuguese architecture on cobbled streets washed daily by the tide



A JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL INDIA2 4 F E B R U A RY – 1 1 M A R C H 2 0 1 8

Caroline and Peter Stanley lead a delightful off the beaten track tour through Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh encompassing stunning palaces, forts and temples, rich and varied wildlife, and the natural beauty of the countryside.

• Relax at the stylish and luxurious country retreat of Shahpura Bagh and gain an intimate insight into local village and farm life

• Visit Bundi, a charming fortified town of narrow lanes and ancient havelis, and the impressive forts of Gwalior and Orchha on the rarely visited eastern edge of Rajasthan

• Stay at the Sarai at Toria, an idyllic property located on the edge of Panna Tiger Reserve on the beautiful Ken River, and visit the extraordinary temples of Khajuraho


Join art historian Douglas Skeggs and Marie-Thérèse Hill on this enchanting tour which embodies the very essence of Vienna, with the option to see Verdi’s opera Otello at the famous Wiener Staatsoper.

• Visit the city’s magnificent art collections from the Old Masters of the Kunsthistorisches Museum to the late 19th and early 20th-century masterpieces in the Belvedere Palace and the Liechtenstein Palace

• Hear a special piano concert by retired Austrian Ambassador Dr Gustav Ortner at his private apartment

• Enjoy a private visit and lunch at the 17th-century Schloss Ludwigstorff on the banks of the Danube


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ART IN VIENNA

THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF VENICE

1 9 – 2 3 M A R C H 2 0 1 8Take an exceptional tour with Nicola Howard and Guest Lecturer Peter Lauritzen, author on and resident of Venice, to find the hidden gems as well as many world famous masterpieces of art and architecture.

• Visit San Marco privately by night and see the fascinating Palazzo Grimani and the elaborately decorated state rooms of the Scuola Grande di San Marco

• Marvel at the replica of Veronese’s Louvre Miracle at Cana in the Palladian Refectory at San Giorgio, and the fine Veronese cycle at San Sebastiano

• See the masterpieces of the Academy of Fine Arts and enjoy a reception at the Palazzo Da Silva, home of our lecturer

RIDING IN RAJASTHAN

2 3 M A R C H – 7 A P R I L 2 0 1 8Discover the magic of India on a challenging yet comfortable riding tour with Simon Lawrance through Rajasthan, combining the state’s proud tradition of horses and horsemanship with its rich cultural heritage and remote tribal villages.

• Take a seven-day riding safari from the eastern Thar Desert to the rolling foothills of the Aravalli Hills, perfect for the experienced rider with well-schooled horses and attentive guides

• Stay in accommodation ranging from a luxury tented camp to the former palaces and hunting lodges of Rajasthan’s rulers, taking in fascinating sights and eating delicious regional food

• Following the ride, discover the grand Mughal fortresses and palaces and ancient Hindu temples of the beautiful cities of Udaipur, Jaipur and Agra including the famous Taj Mahal



Liz Bonham travels to the small desert kingdom of Jordan, with its impressive archaeological remains and breath-taking desert and mountain scenery.

• Visit the finely preserved Roman city of Jerash followed by Madaba, with its Byzantine churches and exquisite mosaics, and Mount Nebo from where Moses surveyed the Promised Land

• Marvel at the great Crusader Castle at Kerak and the rock-hewn ‘rose red’ city of Petra, one of the most spectacular sites in the Middle East

• Take a desert safari through the awe-inspiring landscape of Wadi Rum, onetime haunt of T. E. Lawrence, before a couple of days relaxing at the Dead Sea

THE KINGDOM OF JORDAN


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EXPLORING ANDALUSIA: JEREZ, SEVILLE & CADIZ 9 – 1 5 A P R I L 2 0 1 8Join Caroline and Peter Stanley on a colourful tour which embodies the essence of Andalusía, based at a delightful hacienda halfway between Seville and Jerez, with the opportunity to sample delicious regional cuisine and wines.

• Stay at Hacienda de San Rafael, formerly part of a thriving olive estate, now restored and converted into a privately-owned hideaway

• Visit the La Yagueda de la Cartuja-Hierro del Bocado stud for Cartujano horses and see a performance at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

• Take day trips to Jerez, including a sherry winery, the historic city of Seville, with its famous gothic cathedral and Moorish architecture, and the ancient port city of Cadiz



DISCOVERING ALBANIA9 – 1 5 M AY 2 0 1 8

Travel with Gillian Craig to one of Europe’s most mysterious countries, which remains as yet largely undiscovered, full of remarkable archaeological sites and architectural jewels but also astonishing natural beauty.

• Visit the evocative Greco-Roman site of Apollonia and Butrint, one of the most important yet little known classical archaeological sites of the Mediterranean

• Discover the well-preserved Ottoman city of Gjirokastra, haunt of Lord Byron, and Berat with its Sultan’s Mosque and Tekke (medieval citadel)

• See Shkodër, one of the oldest and most historic places in Albania, and the Mosque of Ethem Bey and the National Museum in the capital Tirana


THE GARDENS OF LISBON & SINTRA 1 6 – 2 0 A P R I L 2 0 1 8

Antonia Lloyd Owen tours Lisbon and nearby Sintra, accompanied by landscape garden designer Gerald Luckhurst, and explores the splendid palaces and gardens, a reflection of Portugal’s ‘golden age’ in the 16th century.

• Visit the impressive Ajuda Botanical Gardens in Lisbon and the 17th-century Palácio de Fronteira with its ornate tile-work, both inside and out, and beautiful formal gardens

• Enjoy a private visit and wine tasting in the historic garden of Quinta (historic country house) da Piedade in Lisbon

• Explore Monserrate Palace in Sintra with its English style garden, and see the 18th century Royal Palace of Queluz surrounded by delightful baroque-style gardens inspired by Versailles

IRAN: PERSIAN TREASURES1 2 – 2 6 A P R I L 2 0 1 8

Explore Iran with Director Martin Thompson and Guest Lecturer Antony Wynn; discover its vibrant cities, exquisite Islamic architecture and incomparable archaeological sites whilst enjoying the traditional warmth and hospitality of its people.

• Visit the sacred shrines, tombs and lush rose gardens of Shiraz, city of ‘roses and nightingales’, and the nearby archaeological site of Persepolis

• See the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and Towers of Silence in the city of Yazd, historically the centre for Iran’s Zoroastrian community

• Visit the exquisitely decorated Imam and Friday Mosques in Isfahan, one of the greatest cities of Islam, and spend time in its famous bazaar



Join Director Rowan Paterson on a captivating tour of Peru taking in the very best of this magical country, combining its rich Inca heritage with its remarkable colonial legacy and the picturesque grandeur of the Peruvian Andes.

• Visit the Inca stronghold of Cusco and Machu Picchu, the famous mountain-top ‘Lost City of the Incas’, and travel along the Sacred Valley on the luxury Hiram Bingham train

• Board the Belmond Andean Explorer for a stunning 2-day rail journey across the high ‘Altiplano’ to Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon, where Andean condors wheel on the thermals rising from its depths

• Explore the beautiful ‘White City’ of Arequipa with its 17th century cathedral, now fully rebuilt after several earthquakes


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PERU: LAND OF THE INCAS


POLAND: KRAKOW & WARSAW3 – 7 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Tania Illingworth takes a journey to explore the golden age of the Kingdom of Poland which, from the 16th to 18th century, was one of the great powers of Europe and enjoyed a long period of architectural and artistic achievement.

• Explore Krakow with its superb Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings untouched by the ravages of war, including the Royal Castle with its magnificent Renaissance courtyard and fine art collection

• Take an optional excursion to the Jewish Memorial at Auschwitz or alternatively visit the astonishing Salt Mine at Wieliczka including the Chapel of the Blessed Kings, hewn by hand from solid salt

• Wander through the Old Town of Warsaw, the royal capital, an impressive mix of classicism and remarkable post-war reconstruction


ROMANIA: WILDLIFE OF THE CARPATHIANS & DANUBE DELTA 1 6 – 2 4 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Travel with wildlife and ornithology expert Andy Bunten to the South-Eastern Carpathians, some of the wildest mountains in Europe, followed by the Danube Delta, a unique habitat for birdlife.

• Explore the beautiful Piatra Craiului mountains looking for signs of bears, wolves, lynx, red deer, wild boar, white-backed woodpeckers and wallcreepers

• Visit the famous Council Square and the Black Church of medieval Braşov and Bran Castle, linked with Count Dracula

• Take a 4-night cruise on board a comfortable 8-cabin floating hotel in the Danube Delta, observing many rare species of birds such as pigmy cormorant, glossy ibis, white pelican, dalmatian pelican and red-footed falcon

TOUR PRICE: £2,595 PER PERSONSINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £225

A RT A N D A RC H I T E C T U R E I N BA RC E LO NA1 2 – 1 6 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Marie-Thérèse Hill explores the capital of Catalonia which, since the 1992 Olympic Games, has been transformed into a modern and cosmopolitan city renowned for its Catalan Modernist architecture (often known as Art Nouveau in the rest of Europe).

• Focusing on the works of Antoni Gaudí, to whom the city is inextricably linked, visit the famous unfinished La Sagrada Familia and Gaudí’s Crypt at the Church of Colònia Güell

• Explore the Gothic Quarter and the magnificent Cathedral, and dip into the city’s art collections at the Picasso Museum and the Miró Foundation

• Take a day trip out of the city to visit the 10th century Monserrat Monastery famous for its Black Madonna statue



A TASTE OF PARMA1 – 6 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Explore the Duchy of Parma and its surrounds with guest lecturer and historian Sir Roy Strong and Nicola Howard on a tour which will be a feast for the senses, amazing palaces and churches, stunning works of art, festival opera and world famous cuisine. • Hear opera at both the Teatro Verdi and the

enchanting small opera house in Busseto, near Verdi’s birthplace

• See how Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham are made in their native land and enjoy a private lunch as guests of Franco Maria Ricci, the famous publisher, and visit his new museum and labyrinth

• See the art of the painters Parmigianino and Correggio in the original settings for which they were painted including the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Parma and Fontanellato’s moated castle

TOUR PRICE: TO BE ADVISED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: TO BE ADVISED

EASTERN CANADA2 0 S E P T E M B E R – 4 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8

Join David Wickers, Director of Bridge & Wickers, on a memorable journey to Canada’s magnificent east coast encompassing a mix of lively cities and outstanding scenery, wilderness and wildlife.

• Marvel at the mighty Niagara Falls, on a boat ride and a walk under the falls, and discover the picturesque charm of Niagara-on-the-Lake village

• Soak up the French culture and discover the incredible history of Quebec City, and explore the buzzing metropolis that is Montreal, with its strong French and British influences

• Immerse yourself in the beautiful wilderness of Saint Alexis des Monts mountain resort and indulge your adventurous side with activities such as hiking, paddle boarding and kayaking, or simply relax in the luxurious spa


THE BATTLEFIELDS OF GALLIPOLI1 7 – 2 1 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Military historian Lord Ramsbotham and Cicely Taylor explore the Gallipoli Peninsula to re-examine the history of one of the bloodiest Allied military campaigns of World War I.

• View the three landing and evacuation sites of Suvla Bay, Anzac and Helles, including W Beach where the Lancashire Fusiliers, uniquely, were awarded 6 VCs

• See the main battlefield of Sari Bair, including some trenches and the site of the May 1915 truce, and both the French and the two main Turkish memorials

• Visit a number of Allied memorials, including those to the missing and buried at sea, and meet with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission gardener


Martin Thompson takes a wonderful journey along the mighty Brahmaputra through the heart of Assam to sample the gentle peace of the river, the pristine countryside and the diversity of culture and wildlife.

• Cruise for seven memorable nights aboard the MV Mahabaahu, a very comfortable river boat chartered exclusively for a maximum of 40 people

• Enjoy excursions to beautiful villages, ancient monuments and tea plantations in the complete absence of other visitors

• Take a safari through the Kaziranga National Park, a sanctuary to the Indian ‘big four’ – tiger, one-horned rhino, buffalo and elephant – as well as a rich diversity of birdlife

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TOUR PRICE: FROM £3,995 PER PERSON S INGLE SUPPLEMENT: £1,345

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AN ULTIMATE INVITATION: PAPUA NEW GUINEA2 2 O C T O B E R – 7 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Managing Director Nick Van Gruisen and his wife Iris invite you on a journey of discovery to one of the world’s last great frontiers, accompanied by renowned photojournalists and restaurateurs, Chris and Carolyn Caldicott.

• Cruise from Cairns to the rarely visited island of Papua New Guinea in the Coral Discoverer, a state-of-the-art expedition ship chartered exclusively for the 12-day cruise

• Snorkel through bubbles from hot springs, over some of the best coral reefs in the area, and drink in unforgettable scenery ranging from volcanic mountains to pristine forest and rivers

• Paddle in traditional canoes to remote villages to meet local tribes, see traditional tribal dances and walk with locals to learn of the fascinating history of fierce fighting during World War II

TOUR PRICE: FROM £9,435 PER PERSON SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: FROM £2,740


BHUTAN: LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON1 5 – 2 9 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Susie Orso leads a captivating journey through the tiny kingdom of Bhutan, encompassing splendid monasteries and dzongs, spectacular landscapes of fertile valleys, lush forests and snow-capped peaks and unique culture.

• Visit some of the country’s most impressive dzongs (fortified monasteries) in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro and see a colourful local festival in Bumthang

• Take in the sensational view of the Himalayas from the 3,150 metre-high Dochula Pass, and the astounding views as you trek to ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery which clings to a cliff face above Paro

• Explore the Phobjikha Valley, a designated conservation area, home to the black-neck crane and one of the most scenic places in Bhutan

TOUR PRICE: £5,435 PER PERSONSINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £545

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Join art historian Douglas Skeggs and Marie-Thérèse Hill on a delightful journey along the River Danube aboard the luxury river vessel MS Amadeus Silver III through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. • Sail from Bucharest through the Danube Delta,

home to many unique species of birds, fish and other wildlife, stopping along the way to visit the charming small towns of Hirsova and Constanta

• Cruise through the famously beautiful passage of the ‘Iron Gates’ before reaching the ‘White City’ of Belgrade, followed by the UNESCO world heritage site of Budapest

• See the unspoiled city of Bratislava, one of the most important cities in the former Austro-Hungarian domain, before reaching Vienna, heart of the Habsburg Empire

TOUR PRICE: FROM £3,650 PER PERSON S INGLE SUPPLEMENT: FROM £310

CRUISING THE DANUBE

D U R R E L L W I L D L I F E E X P E D I T I O N : A N DA M A N S, M YA N M A R , BA N G L A D E S H A N D I N D I A4 – 1 9 F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 9Travel with Director Martin Thompson and Amelia Dalton, ornithologist and wildlife expert, Andy Bunten and a senior Durrell lecturer on our sixth but arguably most exciting expedition in association with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

• Sail aboard the 62 cabin comfortable Silver Discoverer, chartered exclusively, with an excellent expedition team, attentive service, imaginative food, a spa, gym and on-board swimming pool

• Bask in the tropical seas amongst the coral gardens of the Andaman Islands, and discover the stunning complex of dramatic temples from the ancient Arakan Empire at Mrauk Oo in Myanmar

• Paddle through the vast labyrinth of creeks and channels of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, rich in varied wildlife, and view the flocks of birdlife, from fish eagles to flamingos, on Chilika Lake in India, Asia’s largest lagoon


SPANISH PYRENEES: ORCHIDS, WALLCREEPERS AND BONE-BREAKERS1 2 – 1 9 M AY 2 0 1 9

Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights return to this scenically magnificent and delightfully timeless part of Spain where the snow-covered spires of the mighty Pyrenean range descend to rich forests and flower-festooned meadows.

• From your base on the edge of Jaca take relaxed day-trips to pine forests, alpine meadows, poplar-lined river-valleys and bird-rich patchworks of farmland and scrub

• Look out for the iconic species of the area, from the diminutive Wallcreeper to the colossal Lammergeier plus Black Woodpecker, Citril Finch, Alpine Chough and Golden Eagle

• Immerse yourself in meadows carpeted with Trumpet gentians, Elder-flowered Orchids and Dwarf Narcissi


NAMIBIA: LAND OF CONTRASTS

5 – 2 1 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9

Keith and Linda Offord of Wild Insights re-visit the northern half of this immense, wild and stunningly beautiful country, brim-full of African wildlife.

• Explore thornveld, savannah, semi-desert and coast, looking out for Namibian endemics including White-tailed Shrike, Rockrunner and Carp’s Tit

• Spend four days in the vast Etosha National Park, home to a wide variety of African mammals including elephant, black rhino, oryx, lion, cheetah and leopard

• Stay in excellent quality Namibian lodges, hand-picked for their perfect position, surrounded by wild, exciting habitats


1 4 F E B R U A RY – 3 M A R C H 2 0 1 9

Travel in the footsteps of Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton with Managing Director Nick Van Gruisen and his wife Iris to the Great White Continent, home to some of the world’s most enchanting creatures including whales and the fabled albatross.• Explore the dramatic scenery of the Tierra del Fuego

National Park in Argentina’s Patagonia before boarding in Ushuaia

• Take a 12-night cruise on One Ocean’s newest vessel, the comfortable all ensuite Resolute, chartered exclusively, with unsurpassed ice classification, excellent manoeuvrability and large indoor and outdoor viewing platforms

• Cruise across the Drake Passage to the wondrous glaciated landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula returning via the South Shetland Islands, territory of the rowdy chinstrap penguin, fur seal and blue-eyed shag


A N U LT I M AT E I N V I TAT I O N : A N TA RC T I C A

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F I N D O U T M O R EIf you would like to find out about any of the tours featured in this brochure or receive a booking form, please complete and return this postage paid card. Alternatively, telephone one of our experts direct on 020 3411 4595 or email us on [email protected]

You can find out more online at theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk/escorted-tours

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8 – 2 3 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

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

• Following a two-night stay at the Governor’s Residence in Yangon, board Belmond’s (formerly Orient Express) luxurious river vessel, Road To Mandalay, chartered exclusively for an 11-night cruise

• Cruise through the jungle-clad gorges of the upper reaches of the river to the market scenes of Katha from George Orwell’s Burmese Days, and the ancient capital of Mandalay

• Watch the sunset over one of the wonders of the world, the 3,000 temple ruins spread across the great plain of Bagan

TOUR PRICE: FROM £4,995 PER PERSONSINGLE SUPPLEMENT: FROM £560

A N U LT I M AT E I N V I TAT I O N : T H E ROA D TO M A N DA L AY

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ESCORTED TOURS - The Ultimate Travel Company · The Palaces of Central India India 19 Feb – 04...

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