The internet may have changed the way travellers do their research, but travel brochures are still a popular way of obtaining travel information. Here’s what new this week.
1. Disney fun with Creative
It’s the happiest place on earth bundled down into exciting packages and deals with Creative Holidays.
The brochure is among the company’s new-look programs, created alongside Leedham Creative, KarryOn’s parent company.
Inside the 2015/16 brochure, the tour operator offers tips on how to get toe various parks and where to stay where discovering the world of Disney Parks & Resorts.
Among the theme parks covered include Disney in Paris, Orlando, Hong Kong, Hawaii and California.
As well as tips, the program also offers advice on places to eat, facilities and activities for all the family.
2. Travelmarvel expands South America program
Travelmarvel has expanded its South America choices in 2016, with a range of new highlights including a new Peru tour, a new small ship for its Galápagos cruising, an exciting new Ecuador rail extension and a new ‘Travelling with Friends’ booking offer.
The 72-page brochure offers a choice of 12 itineraries next year, such as the new 11-day Iconic Wonders of Peru.
This shorter itinerary takes guests to 14 towns, villages and cities, including Lima, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu to Cusco and Lake Titicaca.
Highlights include the chance to learn how make the nation’s most famous drink, the Pisco Sour (with an obligatory tasting, of course); the chance to stay at the Sacred Valley’s Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa; a visit to a Peruvian family to share lunch and insight into their culture; and a cruise amid the idyllic reed islands of Lake Titicaca.
Cruising remain an important part of Travelmarvel’s offering in South America and in 2016 the premium travel operator will introduce Galápagos cruising aboard a newly refurbished ship, the M/V Santa Cruz II.
Set to be one of the most modern vessels cruising the Galápagos Islands, the ship will accommodate just 90 guests who will enjoy a range of onboard facilities including two Jacuzzis, a main restaurant, different social spaces and an al fresco dining area.
For its Amazon cruising Travelmarvel continues to use the boutique sized MV Anakonda, taking guests on a deluxe cruise of the world’s largest river system.
Operating in the Ecuadorian Amazon, each suite onboard offers 20 square meters worth of space, a private balcony, Jacuzzi and panoramic windows. Cruise highlights include guided rainforest hikes, canoe trips, and skiff boat trips to remote riverside communities.
Travelmarvel has also extended its Chilean Fjords Cruising for 2016, offering a much wider choice of departures aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zaandam.
As well as offering cruise extensions, in 2016 guests will be able to book Travelmarvel’s new rail journey through the Ecuadorian Highlights.
This four day journey from Guayaquil to Quito takes in the breathtaking vistas of the Ecuadorian Andes, from fast flowing rivers to deep ravines and cloud forests.
3. National Geographic Orion sails to Europe
Image: Ken Duncan
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has revealed it is sending National Geographic Orion to Europe next year for the ship’s first program in the continent.
As part of its inaugural 2016 European program, the ship will offer 11 one-week itineraries and 22 sailings travelling to Portugal, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, the Baltic Republics and Scandinavia.
True to Lindblad-style, each itinerary will provide travellers with enriching and authentic experiences by a team with a diverse scope of expertise covering history, political science, art, photography and music.
European experiences include discovering the Latvian town of Riga by bicycle, crossing the mighty Daugava River to the island of Kpsala and hiking the lighthouse at Sumburgh Head.
The first European deployment ‘Portugal and Spain: From the Algarve to Catalonia’ departs on 24 April 2016.
4. Go to Gallipoli with Albatross
Your clients can get ready for ANZAC Day next year, with Albatross Tours’ recently released 2016 ANZAC Tours programme featuring two very special ANZAC Day on the Western Front tours as well as a unique range of tried and tested Gallipoli and Western Front tours for travel in the European summer months.
Euan Landsborough, Managing Director of Albatross Tours has no doubt the 100th year anniversary of the First World War that passed over the weekend will result in more travellers wanting to visit the memorable sites and moving locations of the Western Front.
The brochure includes tours led by an expert team of War Historians, Battlefield Guides and specially trained tour managers.
Itineraries range from three or four nights.
“Travel agents also have a lot to gain from selling Albatross tours with the opportunity to earn more commission due to the inclusiveness of these tours, plus they can book these tours with confidence with our guaranteed group departures.”
Euan Landsborough, Albatross Tours Managing Director
5. Second chance to pay respects in Gallipoli this year
For those who missed out on paying their respects at the official ceremony on the weekend, Fez Travel is offering the chance to do so in the coming months at the official ‘August Offensive’ ceremony on 6 August.
The tour operator has announced three itineraries of varying lengths, which include attendance at the August Offensive ceremony.
The August offensive saw the heaviest fighting of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. It was one last attempt to break out of the deadlock that the campaign had fallen into. An integral part of the August offensive was an attack on heavily fortified Turkish trenches at an area known as ‘Lone Pine’.
It became known as ‘The Battle of Lone Pine’.
The Australian government has announced that they will be holding a special service at Lone Pine Australian Memorial in 2015 for the 100th anniversary of ‘The Battle of Lone Pine’. No ballot will be held for attendance at this event.
Fez is also offering a monthly departure of its specialist Battlefield tours from May to October as part of its celebrations of the Centenary of Gallipoli.
The eight-day Battlefields tour spends some time getting to know Istanbul, including a visit to the Military Museum, before heading to the Gallipoli Peninsula where participants will spend several days exploring the Battlefields in depth.
6. Kimberley cruising with APT
APT Kimberley Coast Cruising 2016 brochure has launched, with tours on MS Caledonian Sky and the Oceanic Discoverer and special early bird fares.
Both ships will operate full charters on the APT program in 2016, cruising the Kimberley coastline between Broome and Darwin. Both will be chaperoned by an APT Expedition Leader, an expedition team and onboard expert lecturers.
The line’s Kimberley Coast Cruise itineraries are fully inclusive and cover all sightseeing, APT’s bespoke ‘Signature Experiences’, park and cruise fees, expert services of an APT Expedition Leader/Team, an all day drinks package on the MS Caledonian Sky or drinks with lunch and dinner on board the Oceanic Discoverer cruise, transfers to and from the ship, expert guest lecturers and all meals.
The lead in cruise is the 11-day Kimberley Coast Cruise, which travels from Darwin via Selaru Island to Broome aboard the MS Caledonian Sky. It comprises a ten-night cruise from Darwin, taking in King George River and Falls, Jar Island, Mitchell Falls, Naturalist Island, Montgomery Reef, Buccaneer Archipelago and the Lacepede Islands before disembarking at Broome.
To help agents secure early sales for the first time ever, APT is offering a ‘Fly Free’ SuperDeal to the region on all cruise and land tour combinations, representing a saving of up to $2,400 per couple.
Cruise-only bookings qualify for a ‘Companion Fly Free’ offer. Availability is limited, terms and conditions apply and the offers are valid until 31 July 2015 or until sold out.
