Jetsettersblog

Kensington Tours launched a luxurious new tour of Egypt featuring privately guided experiences of the country’s attractions with a trained Egyptologist and five-star accommodations from Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, including an opulent Nile cruise and pampering at a Red Sea resort.

This private-guided 12-day itinerary is priced from $4,985 per person double occupancy. As with all of Kensington’s programs, the itinerary is completely customizable to an individual customer’s travel schedule, budget and preferences. The Oberoi-Egypt tour costs, on average, 30 percent less than identical itineraries from premium operators.

Kensington’s Oberoi-Egypt program includes accommodations for four nights at the palatial 18th century Oberoi Mena House in Cairo and three nights at the lavish Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh on the coast of the Red Sea, plus daily breakfast at the hotels;

a four-day cruise down the Nile aboard the opulent Oberoi Philae, including three meals per day (all cabins feature private balconies with sun loungers and floor-to-ceiling river views);

exploration in Cairo of the Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the city’s vibrant bustling markets and bazaars;

tours of Kitchener Island and the High Dam/Philae in Aswan, the ancient monuments of Edfu and Kom Ombo, the Valleys of Kings & Queens, Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple;

several days of leisure at the secluded paradise of Hurghada where travelers can dive, snorkel and swim in the Red Sea;

complete private guided itinerary with a trained Egyptologist;

ground transport in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with an English-speaking driver; all internal Egypt flights; all monument/entrance fees;

and VIP visa service and airport assistance.

Roundtrip international airfare, drinks, vacation insurance, laundry, tips and other optional itinerary activities are not included in the price.

Kensington Tours offers custom private guided tours to more than 80 countries around the world. The flexibility of Kensington’s offerings allows for personalization of every tour at a wide range of price points.

The company’s private tours are regularly benchmarked at 30 percent less than identical tours from premium group operators. Kensington Tours was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” in 2008 and 2009 by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine.

For more information, call 888-903-2001, email info@kensingtontours.com  or visit www.KensingtonTours.com

General Tours World Traveler is offering privately guided or small-group escorted sightseeing to Middle East destinations, including Egypt, Jordan and Israel.

In Egypt, the company now offers three unique Cruise & Tours. Priced from $2,099 per person, these Nile voyages range from eight to 11 days.

Luxury hotels include the Sofitel El Gezirah and the landmark Oberoi Mena House.

In addition to the newly renovated Sonesta Sun Goddess and the all-suites Star Goddess, General Tours also offers sailings aboard the luxurious Oberoi Zahra, recently featured in Architectural Digest.

With only 20 guests per departure, Ancient Pathways to Petra was designed to explore both the ancient and modern faces of Jordan.

A leisurely two-night stay just steps away from the Petra visitors’ entrance affords unhurried, intimate exploration of the legendary Lost City.

Guests also venture off the beaten path to explore rarely-visited sites of antiquity like Pella and the Biblical City of Gadara.

An off-road excursion in Wadi Rum explores the Bedouin culture of the south while an art gallery visit in Amman reveals the vibrant 21st century spirit of the country.

With privately guided sightseeing, Discover Israel & Jordan is an eight-day Affordable Luxury tour with similar immersive experiences.

The company’s signature on-tour flexibility is evident during the chauffeured private car journey from Jerusalem into Jordan when guests can specify their travel route to visit either Nazareth or the Mount of Beatitudes.

America’s growing fascination with Syria is evidenced in two recent New York Times articles in which Damascus was cited as one of “The 31 Places to Go in 2010” and an American Mideast expert was quoted saying,

“The pitch is go now, before the masses arrive.” Newly redesigned for a maximum of 10 guests, Ancient Syria & Baalbeck includes a four-night stay at the luxurious Four Seasons in Damascus and two nights in Aleppo, plenty of time to explore the city’s ancient sites and its bustling souk, described by Times writer Lionel Beehner as “the Arab world’s most impressive souk, a sprawling network of noisy corridors and cramped stalls where, for the past seven centuries, every kind of spice, sweet, soap, silk, dried fruit, carpet, metal, jewelry and water pipe imaginable has been sold.” General Tour’s Family & Friends program offers $50 to $150 per person savings when three or more guests travel together.

These savings can be combined with the company’s other offers — including World Traveler Club discounts and exclusive AARP Member Benefits. All of the company’s departures are guaranteed.

For more information, call 800-221-2216 or visit www.GeneralTours.com

Swain Tours is offering its Exploring Egypt package from $2,629, including air.

The 11-day/nine-night package includes Cairo and a Nile River cruise including Luxor and Aswan.

Package includes international coach class air from New York (JFK); private roundtrip airport transfers; internal coach-class flights in Egypt; four nights in Cairo at Swiss Inn Golf Pyramids;
private Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids and Sphinx tours;

private Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Mosques tours;

four-night Nile River Cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard Movenpick Radamis I;

all excursions while cruising;

one night Cairo at Novotel Cairo Airport;

entrance fees to sights as listed in itinerary;

and nine breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners.

Travel dates are Feb. 5 to March 31.

Must book by Feb. 28, 2010.

Must complete travel by March 31.

Package is priced $2,629 per person double occupancy.

Roundtrip coach class air is included aboard Delta from New York (JFK).

For more information, visit www.swaintours.com

Lakani World Tours, best known for luxury private jet tours and customized tailor-made journeys, added a small selection of escorted group tours, designed for travelers who wish to experience the best that each region has to offer in the company of like-minded travelers.

Lakani’s group tour destinations were selected due to high traveler demand and are often less accessible places where escorted group travel has great advantages.

In the African/Middle East region, group tours are scheduled to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Namibia, West Africa, Libya (pending Libyan visa approval) and Egypt’s Nile River and Lake Nasser.

On the Indian sub-continent, travelers can choose between North and South India (or both for those with more time), and attend a colorful festival on Kingdoms of the Himalayas — Bhutan & Sikkim.

Asian journeys include Western Asia featuring Iran and Eastern Turkey and East/Southeast Asia covering Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar with the luxury Orient Express Road to Mandalay cruise, Thailand, Japan, China, Tibet and Mongolia.

In South America, an indepth tour to Peru with the Colca Canyon is offered. Lakani group tours are limited to 14 travelers and are escorted by experienced Lakani tour directors.

Luxury features on each journey include deluxe accommodations at the finest hotels in each locale, all meals, a la carte dining with Lakani’s exclusive Dine By Choice allowing flexibility to explore local flavor, special entertainment and comprehensive sightseeing.

For more information, call 888-565-5554 or visit www.lakani.com

Voyages to Antiquity, the new destination cruise line introduced by former Orient Lines chairman Gerry Herrod, will inaugurate service May 4.

And even before it started sailing, the new cruise company was named Best New Educational Cruise Line for 2010 by Shermans Travel Media. The online travel marketing site announced the list of top 10 cruise lines in various categories on their website and included them in the Top 25 Newsletter sent to over 4 million subscribers.

Voyages to Antiquity features cruises tracing the classical civilizations of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Adriatic and Red Seas.

Inaugurating service on May 4, the company offers nine itineraries and 16 departures.

Cruise programs have been planned to provide the best in cultural travel, including a roster of expert lecturers, supported by a team of classical history graduates.

Lecture topics will focus on the history, archaeology, art and cultures of the “cradle of civilization” and the Mediterranean region. A sample roster of expert lecturers includes John Julius Norwich, historian and author of “The Middle Sea,” who will trace the development and impact of the ancient cultures in Rome, Greece and Egypt; Mary Beard, professor of classics at University of Cambridge and author of “Pompeii: Life of a Roman Town”; and Michael Vickers, professor of archaeology at the University of Oxford and curator of Greek and Roman antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum.

“We are obviously delighted with this recognition by Shermans,” said Mitchell J. Schlesinger, director of sales and marketing.

“It reflects the growing interest and response from experienced international travelers seeking ‘up-close-and-personal’ travel experiences focused on personal enrichment and education.

The destination-intensive product is proving extremely popular with single travelers.”

Voyages to Antiquity cruise fares include shore excursions, shipboard gratuities and wine with dinner.

Free air is offered from select East Coast gateways, with add-ons of $99 or $199 from over 70 North American gateways.

Recently announced inaugural season booking incentives include no supplement for single occupancy in most categories on all sailings except Nov 12;

$1,000 savings per stateroom on cruises departing May 17, May 31, June 28, July 26 and Aug. 9; $500 savings per stateroom on May 3, June 14, July 12 and Aug. 23 departures; and air taxes and surcharges included in the cruise fares.

Aboard the Aegean Odyssey, 350 guests will enjoy boutique-style cruising. “Concierge class” services and amenities are available in the 82 new staterooms and suites in categories A-G, ranging from 200 to 500 square feet. The ship will serve continental cuisine augmented by regional foods and wines obtained during each voyage. There will be open seating dining in the main restaurant and alternative dining at the Terrace Café and Tapas on the Terrace.

For more information, call 877-398-1460 or visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com

Through its partnership with Relais & Châteaux, Silversea Cruises is introducing L’École des Chefs, a new interactive cooking school that will be featured on 11 voyages in 2010.

The Relais & Châteaux L’École des Chefs program offers a culinary curriculum and events hosted by Silversea Executive Chef David Bilsland. Educated in classic French cooking, Bilsland’s career includes several years as a chef instructor at the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London.

He will present a program developed in collaboration with Jacques Thorel, the owner of L’Auberge Bretonne and a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux.

The curriculum for each cruise is designed to celebrate the cultural flavor of the ship’s itinerary. Highlights include workshops covering a range of topics including basic knife skills, kitchen terminology, sauces, baking, cooking demonstrations with wine pairings, Q&A sessions, cooking competitions between Bilsland and the ship’s own culinary team, a “Lunch and Learn” event and “Take It Home” recipes.

Also offered on certain voyages, when the itinerary permits, is “Market to the Plate,” an escorted tour to a local market, and a “Culinary Outing” to a restaurant, hotel or other venue with a chef escort. Select L’École des Chefs voyages will also feature Silversea’s wine consultant, Lyn Farmer.

The James Beard Foundation Award-winning wine and food writer will host lectures, conduct tastings and guide guests through wine and food pairings as part of Silversea’s Wine Series enrichment program.

Following below is a list of the L’École des Chefs voyages for 2010. Fares listed are per person based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite and do not include port charges and handling fees that range from $150 to $575 per person, depending on the itinerary.

• The Silver Wind departs Athens Nov. 9 on a 16-day sailing to Dubai with calls in Rhodes, Alexandria, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Aqaba, Safaga and Muscat. Silver Savings fares start at $7,318.

• Silver Shadow departs Los Angeles May 13 on a 12-day sailing to Vancouver with calls in San Francisco, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria. The sailing includes a Wine Series program hosted by Farmer. Silver Savings fares start at $3,678.

• Silver Shadow departs Los Angeles March 5 on a 17-day sailing to Fort Lauderdale with a crossing of the Panama Canal and calls in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Puerto Quetzal, Cartagena and Santa Marta. Silver Savings fares start at $5,478.

• Silver Shadow departs Fort Lauderdale April 28 on a 15-day sailing to Los Angeles with a crossing of the Panama Canal and calls in Santa Marta, Cartagena, Puntarenas, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas. Silver Savings fares start at $4,838.

• Silver Spirit departs Fort Lauderdale Nov. 22 on a 10-day roundtrip calling at Grand Turk, Antigua, St. Bart’s, St. Kitts and Spanish Town, B.V.I. The sailing includes a Wine Series program hosted by Farmer. Silver Savings fares start at $4,182.

• Silver Spirit departs Fort Lauderdale Dec. 20 on a 14-day roundtrip to Grand Turk, Antigua, Bequia, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Bart’s, Spanish Town and Key West. The sailing includes a Wine Series program hosted by Farmer. Silver Savings fares start at $6,598.

• Silver Whisper departs Sydney Jan. 18, 2011, on an 18-day sailing to Singapore with calls in Brisbane, Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Thursday Island, Komodo Island, Bali, Semarang and Karimunjawa Archipelago. Silver Savings fares start at $6,118.

• Silver Wind departs Nice Oct. 20 on a 10-day sailing to Istanbul with calls in Portovenere, Livorno, Sorrento, Taormina, Athens, Santorini and Kusadasi. The sailing includes a Farmer-hosted Wine Series program. Silver Savings fares start at $4,678.

• Silver Cloud departs London June 7 on a 10-day sailing to Stockholm with calls in Rostock, Visby, Tallinn and St. Petersburg (extended two-night stopover). The sailing includes a Wine Series program hosted by Farmer. Silver Savings fares start at $5,082.

• Silver Whisper departs Santiago Dec. 3 on a 16-day Chilean fjord sailing to Buenos Aires with calls in Puerto Montt, Laguna San Rafael, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn and Montevideo. The sailing includes a Wine Series program hosted by Farmer. Silver Savings fares start at $6,998.

• Silver Cloud departs San Juan April 14 on a 15-day trans-Atlantic sailing to Barcelona with calls in St. Maarten, Antigua, Tenerife, Las Palmas, Casablanca and Malaga. Silver Savings fares start at $4,398.

Globus and Cosmos are offering travelers 10 percent off the land portion of air-inclusive European vacations.

The discount applies to a broad selection of tours, including the following: Globus — (Family Travel) London & Paris:

A Tale of Two Cities (seven days, London and Paris), priced from $1,599; (Platinum Collection) Italy at Leisure (10 days, Rome, San Gimignano, Venice), priced from $2,779; (Vignette) Enchanting Europe (13 days, England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland), priced from $2,599;

The Best of Southern England (seven days, London, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Bath, Brighton), priced from $1,189;

The Best of Switzerland (eight days, Zurich, St. Moritz, Lugano, Zermatt, Gruyène, Lucerne), priced from $1,649;

Spanish Fiesta (14 days, Madrid, Vitoria, Pamplona, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville), priced from $2,279; and Italian Treasures (10 days, Rome, Lucca, Florence, Venice, Assisi), priced from $1,949; and Cosmos — (new LeisureScapes) Rome & Sorrento (15 days, Rome and Sorrento), priced from $1,549; (new LeisureScapes) Costa del Sol (14 days, Torremolinos), priced from $1,229; (new) The Magic of the Italian Lakes (eight days, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Garda), priced from $999;

British Panorama (nine days, London, Leeds, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bristol), priced from $999;

Prague, Vienna & Budapest (nine days; Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Salzburg), priced from $989;

Grand Tour of Spain (15 days, Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Pamplona, Burgos, Salamanca, Seville, Granada, Cordoba), priced from $1,675;

Italy & Greece (12 days, Rome, Florence, Venice, one-night Adriatic Sea Cruise, Olympia, Tolon, Athens), priced from $1,599;

and Cairo, Alexandria & the Mediterranean (eight days, Cairo, Alexandra and Marsa Matruh) priced from $949.

For more information, call 866-313-2855 or visit www.globusjourneys.com

Titan HiTours, the escorted tours specialist, has released its first worldwide programme of National Geographic Journeys (0800 988 5175 www.ngjourneys.co.uk ) with an exclusive collection of 22 inspiring journeys across the globe by land, river and sea.

The programme is operated in conjunction with the National Geographic Society and provides a thorough immersion into the kaleidoscopic world of colourful cultures, ancient civilisations, amazing wildlife and breathtaking natural wonders with which the Society is synonymous.

The brochure has a truly worldwide focus encompassing such varied destinations as Europe, Africa, North America and Asia, providing an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the great explorers and discover the world, National Geographic-style.

National Geographic Journeys’ unique selling point is the depth of experience that these holidays offer. Each exceptional itinerary is accompanied by a knowledgeable and passionate National Geographic expert and also includes a variety of extra-special experiences such as private museum viewings and access to restricted areas.

These two elements combine to bring each destination vividly to life, ensuring a rewarding, insightful holiday experience that’s quite unlike anything else on the market.

In addition, travellers will enjoy the finest hotels in their class, comfortable transportation, the award-winning VIP Home Departure Service (with transfers to and from their own front door) and, of course, the high levels of quality, customer satisfaction and value for money for which Titan HiTours is renowned.

The brochure’s headline tour is Treasures, Temples & Tombs, a 12-day journey through time to explore Ancient Egypt’s 4,000-year-old history. Starting in Cairo, the tour takes in the pyramids of Giza and the treasures of the Egyptian Museum before moving south to Aswan and on to the incredible temple of Abu Simbel.

From Aswan, the tour continues aboard a luxurious Nile Cruiser, the M/S RA II on the Nile, stopping to visit such famous sites as the temples of Luxor and Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings.

The experience is enhanced by the insightful presence of a renowned Egyptologist, plus other exclusive National Geographic touches including a visit to the colourfully restored tomb of Nefertiti (which is closed to the general public) and private access to the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx.

This holiday operates two departure dates (6 June and 26 September, 2010) and costs from £3,598 per person, to include flights, transfers, full-board accommodation, the services of a guide and a National Geographic expert, entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary, and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service.

There are several brand new itineraries in the 2010 brochure.

At the southern end of Africa, for example, the Cape Town to Victoria Falls itinerary (departing 22 October) offers a taste of colonial splendour with a journey aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail.

With prices from £3,998 per person, this holiday offers particular value for money with six nights full board aboard the elegant train. Starting with time to explore Cape Town and its many attractions, the journey north is accomplished in the sumptuous, five-star style of Rovos Rail’s extraordinary Pride of Africa train service.

This comfortable cross-country adventure ends with a two-night stay at Victoria Falls, with time to enjoy a guided walking safari in the African bush – the ultimate thrill of nature in the raw.

The price includes flights, transfers, accommodation, most meals, the services of a Rovos Rail representative, entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary, and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service.

Over on the other side of the world, the Cities of Silk & Stone itinerary takes in the key highlights of China, including the ancient wonders of the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors; the modern metropolis of Shanghai; the monumental engineering project of the Three Gorges Dam; iconic wildlife like Giant Pandas; and a three-night cruise on the mighty Yangtze River.

With two departures offered (in June and September), this particular holiday costs from £2,848 per person, to include flights, transfers, accommodation, most meals, sightseeing and activities as stated in the itinerary, the services of a guide and a National Geographic expert, and the VIP Home Departure Service.

Continue reading Titan HiTours National Geographic Journeys…

Swain Tours is offering an 11-day/nine-night Exploring Egypt package, priced from $2,629 air inclusive.

It visits Cairo with a Nile River cruise including Luxor and Aswan.

The itinerary includes international coach class air from New York (JFK); private roundtrip airport transfers; internal coach-class flights in Egypt; four nights in Cairo at Swiss Inn Golf Pyramids; private Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids and Sphinx full-day tour; private Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Mosques full-day tour; four-night Nile River Cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard Movenpick Radamis I;

all excursions while cruising; one night in Cairo at Novotel Cairo Airport; entrance fees to sights as listed in itinerary; and nine breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners.

Travel dates are Jan. 6 to March 31. The superior four-star package is priced $2,629 per person double occupancy. The single supplement is $940. Prices are based on Wednesday departures.

For more information, call 800-227-9246, e-mail swainvalues@swaintours.com  or visit www.swaintours.com

Families Worldwide has launched its new brochure for 2010 /11 which reveals 14 brand new trips, guaranteed departures (once 4 people have booked) and a guarantee for early bookers that they will receive the lowest possible price for their trip before departure (i.e. late booking is a bad idea – the trip might be full and the price won’t be cheaper).

Also new for 2010; a number of the itineraries contain a serious amount of walking for families who really enjoy being active (marked by a boot print in the brochure).

The popular Post Exam Stress Buster trips feature again, which depart before most schools break up (avoiding peak season prices) and certain other itineraries are exclusively for families with teenagers.

Trips can be enjoyed three different ways (no other operator offers this):

Group departures: The most popular type of adventure holiday with, typically, three or four families travelling together on set dates with set itineraries.

Private departures: Perfect for families who prefer to travel alone or create their own small group with friends; the itineraries are created by Families Worldwide but groups are free to select their own, private, departure dates.

Tailor made: Families Worldwide offers the chance for adventurous families to build their own itineraries and select their own departure dates to Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania, Kenya, Costa Rica, Oman, Ecuador & Galapagos and Nepal.

Here is a brief synopsis of the new trips:

Sinai & Desert (Egypt) – 9 days from £999 pp (minimum age 7 years)

A genuine desert experience; includes the pyramids, camping in the desert Bedouin style and snorkelling in the Red Sea.

Morocco Highlights – 12 or 15 days from £899 pp (min. 7 years)
A thorough introduction to this fascinating country including the cities of Fez, Meknes and Marrakech plus Roman ruins, a camel trek to a Bedouin camp, the High Atlas Mountains and seeing where Gladiator was filmed. Optional three day extension to Essaouira on the coast.

Active Costa Rica – 10 days from £1749 pp (min. 11 years)
Highlights of the trip include flying through the rainforest on a zip wire, riding a horse ranchero style, white-water rafting and a visit to Arenal Volcano at night.

Cuba Libra – 12 days from £1899 pp (min. 5 years)
Discover the west of Cuba on this educational trip which includes learning about the revolution, a city tour of Havana, staying in an eco lodge, a boat trip around the Bay of Pigs, rainforest walks and a visit to a tobacco plantation.

Guatemala & Belize – 14 days from £2799 pp (min. 7 years)
Visit two Central American countries on this trip which includes exploring the jungles of Tikal NP, ancient Maya temples, a boat trip on Lake Atitlan, discovering volcanoes and even snorkelling with sharks!

Footsteps of the Incas (Peru) – 13 days from £2149 pp (min. 12 years)

A chance to hike the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Also includes a city tour of Cusco, rafting, cycling, horse riding and Santa Catalina Convent.

Paradise Island (Bali) – 15 days from £1599 pp (min. 2 years)
Bali really is an island paradise and the itinerary for the trip includes Hindu temple visits, Tropical Bird Park, guided walks, rafting, tree top adventure park, watching a Barong Dance and an elephant ride.

Chinese Crackers – 14 days from £1999 pp (min. 7 years)
Highlights of this fascinating trip include the famous Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall, a Shaolin Temple and a chance to try Kung Fu and Tai Chi.

Hanoi to Saigon (Vietnam) – 15 days from £1499 pp (min. 5 years)

An exciting trip to south east Asia with highlights including the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, Halong Bay junk cruise, Mekong Delta boat cruise and a train ride from Hanoi to Dong Hoi National Park for guided walks.

The land of Dracula (Romania) – 8 days from £999 pp (min. 5 years)

Get under the skin of the myths and mysteries of Transylvania with a visit to Dracula’s Castle. Also includes a visit to a salt mine and a bear sanctuary.

Slovakia, Finland, Austria & Bulgaria – winter trips from £729 pp (min. 5)

Four brand new winter trips from 6-8 days in duration. Activities include husky sleigh rides, snowmobiling, staying in a snow hotel (Finland), snow-shoeing, cross country skiing and downhill skiing.

Families Worldwide trips include flights, all transportation, accommodation, some meals (depending on itinerary) and the services of a tour leader.

Call 0845 051 4567 or visit www.familiesworldwide.co.uk