New tours, new destinations and early bird savings. The internet may have changed the way travellers do their research, but travel brochures are still a popular way of obtaining travel information.
1. Creative escapes in Vietnam and Cambodia
Creative Holidays has released its 2015/16 Vietnam & Cambodia brochure featuring Creative Club hotels, a new Central Coast Vietnam section, side trips and a range of regional itineraries.
The brochure, which was designed by KarryOn’s parent company Leedham Creative, has expanded offerings in the Central Coast Vietnam region of Danang, Hoi An and Hue.
Highlight hotels in Danang include the InterContinental Danang, located on a private beach 20 minutes north of the city. At The Fusion Maia Resort every room has a private pool and guests can enjoy daily spa treatments as part of the room rate.
There’s also the Grand Mercure Danang, which provides exceptional value for families or visitors who don’t want to stay on the beach though guests at the 4-star property can take advantage of the complimentary shuttle to Danang Beach.
In Hoi An there’s a selection of hotels located along the river and coastline ranging from budget to high-end properties such as the sophisticated Nam Hai.
A 12-night Vietnam Food Experience is among the itineraries in brochure, taking guests from north to south via guided market tours with local chefs, cooking classes and demonstrations. The tour is priced from $5,823 per person, twin share.
There’s also a nine-night Historic Cities of Indochina taking guests to Vietnam War museums in Ho Chi Minh City, marvel at the temples of Siem Reap before getting insight into the life for royalty and local villagers in Luang Prabang, Laos.
For travellers seeking shorter getaways, the brochure includes a three-day Halong Bay cruise itinerary and a three-night Six Senses Con Dao Island Escape trip, which takes travellers to the hideaway for the rich and famous is recognised as one of the world’s top eco lodges by National Geographic Traveler.
2. Explore India via river ship
Travelmarvel has launched its new India brochure featuring must see-sights and a brand new river ship.
Using past guest feedback, Travelmarvel has simplified its new program to four itineraries focusing on India and Sri Lanka.
The tour range from 12- to 31-days in length, with the most popular itinerary being the 14-day Authentic India lower Ganges river cruise aboard the custom-built 22-suite RV Rajmahal – a new vessel that first set sail in 2014.
Sailing from Patna all the way to Kolkata guests will enjoy an authentic glimpse of the real India, stopping at several villages along the way. The itinerary is priced from $5,495 per person, twin share.
In Sri Lanka guests can choose a 12-day Spendours of Sri Lanka itinerary, which takes in Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Ahungalla and Colombo or combine it with the India river cruise and land itinerary to create the 31-day Sri Lanka & India Revealed.
Clients that book early can take advantage of the ‘Fly Free, including taxes’ on holidays of 20 days or longer. There’s also a ‘Companion Fly Free, including taxes’ special available on the 12-day Splendours of Sri Lanka itinerary.
Offers are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.
3. New tour in Spain with Cox & Kings
Cox & Kings launched its 2015 tour collection, packed with new itineraries and inspiring holiday ideas throughout the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, Far East, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Among the new tours available is the eight-day Splendours of Andalucía travelling from Malaga to Granada and ending in London.
Along the way, guests will visit the bullring in Seville and drive to Gordaba to explore the picturesque town of Carmona. Other highlights include a tour of Jewish headquarter – a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets and tiny squares, and view the synagogue – and a stop by the Charterhouse – one of the finest examples of Spanish baroque architecture.
Meanwhile, itineraries in Japan, Crete, West Africa, China and South Africa have also been revised to feature more attractions.
4. Explore new itineraries in South America, Asia & Europe
Explore’s new brochure has over 260 tours within its pages (and over 500 online), taking in over 120 countries.
Exciting new destinations now offered by Explore include Papua New Guinea, Dijibouti, Georgia and Modova.
New tours are available in Cambodia, Costa Rica, Russia, France, Nicaragua, Poland and Sweden with new self-guided walking and cycling tours and private journey’s on selected itineraries. Many itineraries have been reviewed and enhanced throughout the brochure ensuring an exciting adventure awaits you!
Among the most popular trips is a sail along Turkey’s beautiful Turquoise Coast on a traditional wooden ‘gulet’. Guests explore small bays and islands, discover ancient relics and swim and snorkel in the warm clear waters.
Other highlights include a visit to the hillside village of Kalkan, the harbor town of Kas and the submerged ancient city of Kekova with its sunken ruins and stunning medieval castle.
Departing from Fethiye, the package includes seven nights cruising, seven breakfasts, six lunches, seven dinners, experienced Explore tour guide and boat crew and transfers from $1,353* per person.
5. Infinity tracks new rail tours in Europe
Hitting the shelves on 9 February is Infinity Holidays’ new rail brochure, with new pages for tours in Germany, Vietnam and Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.
There are some big changes with the Eurail passes – children aged between four–11 years travel FREE with an accompanying adult across the entire Eurail pass range, limit is two children per adult.
Seat reservation fees still apply as per normal and you must book a seat for children when trains are compulsory to reserve.
First Class Youth Eurail passes are now available and Poland, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro are now part of the Eurail Global Pass.
The company has also added some interactivity this year with QR Codes for the Rocky Mountaineer, The Ghan, The Indian Pacific and the Eastern & Oriental Express. Check them out with your clients on Youtube by scanning the QR code.
5. New Urban Adventures to undertake
Global day tour operator Urban Adventures has expanded its tours around the world, with new food experiences in Cambodia and Tijuana plus an exporation of Hong Kong’s diverse neighbourhoods and an addition to the customisable tour series in Dubai.
The four-hour ‘Taste of Tijuana’ tour invites guests to eat like a local at some gastronomic gems. On the tour guests will enjoy tacos from the back alley taco cart that only locals know about, there’s also a stop by a traditional Mexican popsicle shop. Your clients will also try the city’s oldest open-air market for exotic fruits, local cheese and Oaxacan mezcal.
The tour is priced from $106 per person and departs 3.00pm everyday.
The four-hour Cambodian Cook-out is the best way to get to the heart of a country, which is through its food and this rings especially true in Cambodia.
This Siem Reap cooking class begins with a walk through a quiet village for an insight into daily local life and the many fruits and vegetables grown there. Arrive at the tranquil cooking venue, complete with herb garden, close to sunset and get hands-on with preparing a three course Cambodian meal, eaten in a peaceful dining area. Take-home recipes will help with mastering those cooking skills back at home.
The tour is prived from $57 per person and departs everyday at 3.45pm.
Hong Kong Highs and Lows invites travellers to explore Hong Kong’s economic diversity. This tour will show travellers what it means to live in Hong Kong and explores the affluent area of Kowloon Tong as well as urban Kowloon’s social housing districts.
Visit one of the biggest shopping malls in Hong Kong, a factory-turned art studio and exhibit space, the Garment District and finish with a treasure hunt through the city’s best known flea market. From luxury to grassroots, this tour shows the real Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Highs and Lows is priced from $62 per person and run for three hours. It departs on Tuesday and Thursdays at 2.00pm.
And in Dubai Urban Adventures has arranged for customisable tours of the UAE city. Guests can choose from a Dubai private tour can consisting of anything from a walking tour of the city, uncovering art galleries and hidden cafes, a night on the town with the city’s best DJ acts and clubs or a private desert safari with the option for an overnight stay.
Travellers are able to develop their own itinerary with an expert Urban Adventures local in Dubai for a unique tour unlike anyone else’s.
This service is priced from US$100 per person and can range from three days to two days.
6. Explore Turkey and the Greek island by ship
Discover the World has just released the 2015 Celestyal Cruises brochure, showcasing the very best in Greece & Turkey cruising.
Utilising the line’s two ships – Celestyal Crystal and Celestyal Olympia – the cruise lines primarily operates sailings in Greece and Turkey between March and October on itineraries ranging from four, five and eight days.
Among the tours is the four-day Iconic Aegean, which offers a taste of the Aegean with visits to Mykonos, Santorini and Crete.
There’s also the Idyllic Aegean itinerary, which starts with a three-night Greek Island and Turkey sampler or depart on a Monday for a four-night cruise to explore the sun-laden Turkish Coast and more Greek Isles, or join the two cruises together for a sensational voyage visiting them all.
Celestyal Cruises are currently offering attractive SMART Fare* savings on four, five and eight-day cruises throughout Greece & Turkey. Book by 31 January 2015 and early bookers can save up to an additional 20 percent off the SMART Fare.