Jetsettersblog

From colourful festivals to unique local celebrations, World Expeditions and their European division UTracks choose their favourite events around the world for 2012…

JANUARY: VIETNAM
TET NGUYEN DAN – VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR 23 January 2012
WHY: Festive atmosphere, street gambling and dragon dances: Tet Nguyen Dan (literally meaning “the first morning of the first day”) is the biggest and the most sacred festival in Vietnam and is celebrated nationwide. An occasion for family reunions, it marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and the arrival of spring, with the Vietnamese taking extreme care to start the new year out right: they buy new clothes, paint and clean their homes, pay off all debts and make amends to rid themselves of all bad feelings!
BOOK IT: Treat your family to the Vietnamese New Year celebrations with World Expeditions’ luxury 13-day Vietnam Family Explorer. Departs on 22 January, from £1,250 per adult (£790 per child).

FEBRUARY: LAOS
LAO ELEPHANT FESTIVAL 17-19 February 2012
WHY: Saddle up – who could pretend to have visited Laos, the ‘Land of a Million Elephants’, without meeting one of these superb animals? The Elephant Festival is organised to raise awareness of the need for action to protect the Asian elephant as part of Laos’ vital cultural and natural heritage. Expect to see colourful elephant processions, elephant bathing, mahout demonstrations, ancient Baci ceremonies, traditional Monk blessings, night markets and of course the prestigious ‘Elephant of the Year’ contest.

BOOK IT: Make sure you are in Laos on time for the Elephant Festival with World Expeditions’ Best of Laos and Cambodia (15 days) that departs on 16 February. From £1,550 per person.

MARCH: INDIA

HOLI – FESTIVAL OF COLOURS 8 March 2012

WHY: Let the spirit of revelry overtake you… Although it is the least religious of Hindu holidays, Holi (“the Festival of Colours”) is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. Celebrated all over India since ancient times, it welcomes the arrival of spring, commemorates various events in Hindu mythology and is a time of disregarding social norms and indulging in general merrymaking: participants hold a public bonfire, spray friends and family with coloured powders and water and go absolutely crazy!

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ compact Delhi to Kathmandu trip (7 days) will make sure you are in Jaipur, the capital of the desert lands of Rajasthan, for Holi. Departs on 7 March, from £590 per person.

APRIL: HOLLAND
QUEEN’S DAY 30 April 2012

WHY: Europe’s biggest street party! Every year on 30 April the Dutch celebrate their Queen’s Day. It is by far the most widely celebrated holiday in the country (Amsterdam alone welcomes two million party-going visitors) and the entire nation dresses in orange, the royal colour. Grab a bargain at one of the many garage or car boot sales (street trading laws are relaxed for 24 hours), there are street performers on every corner and cafés see their outside terraces in full swing, with live music pulling in the customers.
BOOK IT: Celebrate Queen’s Day in Holland with UTracks’ compact 4-day Tulip Tour. Departs on 28 April, from £430 per person.

MAY: UK
GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHEESE ROLLING 28 May 2012

WHY: For hundreds of years the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling has been taking place on this steep hillside. Although traditionally by and for the residents of the local village of Brockworth, the event now sees people from all over the world taking part. A guest roller starts the race by releasing a 7-8lb round of cheese down a treacherous slope and competitors then hurl themselves down the slope after it. The first person to arrive at the foot of the hill (usually after numerous tumbles) is the winner and gets the cheese!
BOOK IT: Book UTracks’ self-guided A Week in the Cotswolds (8 days, NEW FOR 2012) which departs daily and plan it around the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling. From £556 per person.

JUNE: PERU
INTI RAYMI – FESTIVAL OF THE SUN 24 June 2012

WHY: Daytime expositions, street fairs, dancing in the streets and live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups: Inti Raymi (“the Festival of the Sun”) is a weeklong celebration marking the beginning of a new year. Originally celebrated by the Incas, today it is the second largest festival in South America, after the carnival of Rio de Janeiro, with hundreds of actors chosen to represent historical figures. The greatest honour? Being selected to portray the Sapa Inca, the Emperor of the Inca Empire, or his wife Mama Occla.

BOOK IT: Book World Expeditions’ Peru – Raft, bike and hike (14 days) that departs on 24 June and get to Peru on time for the Inti Raymi celebrations. From £1,590 per person.

JULY: MONGOLIA
NAADAM – THE THREE GAMES OF MEN 11-13 July 2012

WHY: Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Naadam is a true test of manhood in such traditional games as horse racing, archery and wrestling. The most widely watched festival among Mongols, it enjoys special popularity comparable to that of football in Europe, baseball in the US or sumo wrestling in Japan. It is believed to have existed for centuries, although today it formally commemorates the 1921 revolution, when Mongolia declared itself a free country.

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ special Trans Siberian Adventure Naadam Festival (23 days) departure on 2 July costs £3,690 per person.

AUGUST: FRANCE
CORSO DE LA LAVANDE – LAVENDER FESTIVAL 3-7 August 2012
WHY: Corso de la Lavande (“the lavender festival”) is a significant colourful local affair – and a wonderful excuse to visit Digne-les-Bains, the self-styled “capitale de la lavande” and one of the most visually striking regions of Provence! Here, the local lavender harvest is celebrated during the first week of August in a half-a-century old festival. The town comes alive as parades with elaborate floats and presentations of folklore culminate in a grand ball, all devoted to this abundant crop.

BOOK IT: Celebrate Corso de la Lavande with UTracks’ self-guided Best of Provence (8 days). Departs daily from April to October, from £790 per person.

SEPTEMBER: ETHIOPIA
MESKEL – FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS 27 September 2012

WHY: Meskel is Ethiopia’s most colourful Christian festival – but even for non-believers, it offers a dazzling excuse to celebrate with bonfires and parties! Thousands of locals and visitors get together to watch priests, nuns and parishioners sing, clap, beat drums and dance as they put on a unique show for the crowd. Meskel commemorates the recovery, 17 centuries ago, of the cross on which Jesus was crucified and the Ethiopian Church still claims to have its own piece, hidden from public view at the remote monastery of Gishan Mariam.

BOOK IT: Make sure you are in Ethiopia to celebrate Meskel with World Expeditions’ special departure of the Ethiopia Explorer (16 days) on 21 September. From £2,220 per person.

OCTOBER: BHUTAN
JAMBAY LHAKHANG FESTIVAL 29 October – 2 November 2012

WHY: A hugely popular religious festival, Jambay Lhakhang takes place every autumn at one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Jambay Lhakhang is known for its two special events: ‘Mewang’ (the “fire blessing ceremony”), where locals run underneath a huge flaming gate made out of dry grasses with ambers and piles of burning grasses falling on their head; and ‘Tercham’ (the “dance of treasure”), where dancers with their face covered by a mask perform a dance completely naked.

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ dedicated departure for Land of the Thunder Dragon – Jambay Lakhang Festival (13 days) is on 25 October 2012. From £1,890 per person.

NOVEMBER: ARGENTINA
FIESTA DE LA TRADICIÓN – TRADITION DAY 10 November 2012

WHY: This is the best opportunity you will have to see the ‘gaucho’ culture and get a feel for country life in Argentina. There are competitions, dances, horse and bronco riding, folk music and asados (“barbecues”), as well as exhibitions of local craftwork including silverware, spurs, stirrups and saddles. The finale involves hundreds of gauchos in their traditional dress – typical bombachas (“baggy jodhpurs”), wide-leather belts, boots and leather hats – parading through the centre of town.

BOOK IT: Book World Expeditions’ 11-day Patagonia Adventure which culminates just in time for Fiesta de la Tradición. Departs on 27 October, from £1,890 per person.

DECEMBER: CHILE
NEW YEAR’S FESTIVAL 29-31 December 2012

WHY: Attracting one million tourists from around the world, this three-day festival culminates with a huge (30,000 explosions!) firework display. Live bands play until the early hours of the morning on Plaza Sotomayor, while local traditions include: eating lentil dishes with 12 grapes to symbolise each month of the year; writing down everything that was bad about the old year and then symbolically burning the paper; going out walking with luggage so that you travel during the year; and wearing ‘lucky’ items, such as yellow underwear.

BOOK IT: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chile with World Expeditions: Book Chile End to End (18 days) that departs on 31 December 2012, from £3,290 per person.

For more information and bookings please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk and www.utracks.com  The all-inclusive policy of World Expeditions and UTracks ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.

PIC journey: EPIC Mongolia, led by me, Anna Griswold, president of Asia360° Travel Co.!

This comprehensive 19-day exploration across Genghis Khan’s homeland — truly one of my all-time favorite destinations — reveals a breathtaking land of reindeer herders, eagle hunters, vast skies and endless steppe. One of the last unspoiled places on earth (horses far outnumber cars and few paved roads exist), Mongolia is known for its wonderfully hospitable nomadic culture and simply stunning landscapes.

EPIC Mongolia is the latest offering in our new line of meticulously designed and expertly guided EPIC journeys, which focus on authentic details for a peerless experience of the real Asia.

I have traveled extensively through this magnificent country, and as I guide our small group of travelers, we will explore in depth the golden Gobi Desert sand dunes, the Flaming Cliffs and crystal-blue Lake Khovsgol. We’ll experience first-hand authentic Mongolian culture as we ride camels and horses, overnight in traditional gers and witness Mongolia’s most famous event: the Naadam Festival. The country’s most important and revered national holiday, this celebration of culture features “three manly events”: wrestling, archery and horse racing. The colorful world of the Naadam Festival and the culture that surrounds it will fascinate and charm even the most seasoned world traveler!

EPIC Mongolia captures the very essence of this boundless and mystical land. I invite you to join me on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

To learn more, call us today at 1-877-ASIA-360 or visit our website!
Asia360° Travel Co.
PO BOX 3065
Boulder, Colorado 80307

Leading Asia specialist, Travel Indochina, has launched its brand new Small Group Journeys brochure for 2012/2013, featuring 70 unique itineraries and 1,000 departures to destinations across Asia including the latest addition of Burma and various new Specialist Collection Journeys to Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Bhutan.

Created by an award-winning designer, Travel Indochina’s new-look brochure is the company’s best and most user-friendly yet. It offers a simple way of digesting Travel Indochina’s great range of quality escorted small group tours, including the largest diversity of holidays to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos of any UK tour operator, together with a large variety of journeys to Thailand, China and Tibet, India, and Japan – for groups of up to 16 people.

The new catalogue perfectly enables the specialist tour operator to share its experience of the “real” Asia with interested customers. Every journey page now features top “Insider Experiences” detailing unique encounters that are exclusively available to guests of Travel Indochina, such as the opportunity to avoid the crowds at Angkor Wat by entering the temple through a lesser-used entrance.

In addition, most journey pages highlight Travel Indochina’s fantastic array of online travel videos to give customers a real taste of Asia. Each online video enables the expert operator to share information on their destinations, top Insider Experiences and unique style of travel whilst providing a great opportunity for interested travellers to hear from – and be inspired by – expert Western tour leaders and professional local guides, as well as past clients.

New for 2012, travellers can enjoy some very special experiences on Travel Indochina’s new 9-day and 13-day tours to Burma, which will operate every month from January 2012 onwards. Whilst covering the highlights of this unspoilt destination, guests of Travel Indochina can take a horse and carriage ride through the Bagan plains at sunset, share lunch with the resident nuns at a local nunnery in Mandalay, and meet the locals at a little-visited village on the banks of the Irrawaddy river.

Further good news is that journeys to Indochina and beyond can be booked in conjunction with Vietnam Airlines, which is launching the UK’s first ever non-stop flights to Vietnam from 9th December 2011. This new service will shave up to seven hours off the flight time and offer convenient onward connections to Cambodia, Laos and Burma.

Lesley Wright at Travel Indochina comments: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Small Group Journeys brochure, which we believe is our best ever design. The content really highlights the breadth and depth of our company’s offering, whilst also developing our philosophy of sharing the experience through our “Insider Experiences”, which delve deeper into the destinations and provide our customers with insights and experiences that many travellers miss. We very much hope our new revamped brochure will inspire them to share the real Asia with us in 2012 and beyond.”

The new 2012/13 Mountain Kingdoms brochure is out now – call 01453 844400 for a copy or email info@mountainkingdoms.com

Packed with 120 exciting holidays, there are 23 fabulous new treks and tours in addition to lots of old favourites.

Highlights include four new trips to the must see destination of 2012, Burma, some wild and remote treks in Nepal, and the southernmost trek in the world in Tierra del Fuego.

Once again the Mountain Kingdoms Early Bird booking incentive will reward those keen to book, and this year applies to all 2012 flight inclusive holidays featured in the new brochure.
Clients booking before the 30th November 2011 will receive a £50 discount – visit www.mountainkingdoms.com  for details and conditions.

NEW TREKS & TOURS

Bhutan

Birding in Bhutan – an exceptional specialist tour created for true birding enthusiasts in a paradise of rare and endemic birds.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.
Mount Chomolhari & the Bonte La – magnificent high mountain trekking beneath snowy peaks, through remote valleys and across high passes.

Nepal

Village Trails of Nepal – the perfect gentle walking holiday combining relaxed day walks, comfortable hotels and the spectacular Himalaya.

Annapurna & Everest Panorama Trek – two short tea house treks amidst the breathtaking scenery of Nepal’s two most famous mountain ranges.

Everest Base Camp in Style – exhilarating strenuous trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar, staying in the Khumbu’s best lodges.

Rolwaling & Bigu Gompa – a glorious trek to one of Nepal’s best ‘off the beaten track’ mountain valleys, next to the Tibetan border.

Api Base Camp with Tashi Tenzing – a reconnaissance trek led by Tenzing Norgay’s grandson, in a remote, little visited, corner of Nepal.

The Kagmara La Pass to Dolpo – a thrilling trek in ‘Wild Nepal’, from the calm waters of Rara Lake, over the Kagmara La to isolated Upper Dolpo.

India & Sri Lanka

Incredible India & Brahmaputra River Cruise – an enthralling tour encompassing both the frenetic energy and serene beauty of India.
Leh & Indus Valley Trails – a delightful short summer walking holiday to the mountains and monasteries of ‘Little Tibet’.
Trails of Buddha’s Island, Sri Lanka – a gentle walking holiday visiting the island’s main historical, cultural, wildlife and scenic highlights.

Mongolia & Central Asia

Genghis Khan Trails & Naadam Festival – take the Trans-Mongolian train from Beijing to experience ancient cities, desert travels, mountain walks and traditional festivities.

Nomads & Ibex Trek – a two week magical, mountain adventure in the remote northwest corner of Mongolia.
K2 & Gasherbrum Base Camps – a sensational trek through wild, dramatic and unspoiled scenery into the heart of the Karakoram mountains.

Burma

First Class Tour of Burma – a relaxed exploration of the cultural and scenic highlights of the Golden Land, staying in quality hotels throughout.

Dragon Kingdoms of Burma & Bhutan – an easy walking and sightseeing holiday to two of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist kingdoms.

Golden Trails of Burma – gentle walks, cultural highlights and comfortable accommodation – the best way to explore this remarkable country.
Mount Phongun & the Burmese Himalaya – trekking in the remote highlands of northern Burma, with an ascent of Phongun Razi (3,635m/11,920ft).

Other destinations

Northern Lights & Husky Sledding, Norway – an action-packed winter adventure in Norway’s icy north, aiming to see the dazzling Northern Lights and taking in a thrilling sledding experience.

Tierra del Fuego – the Ultimate Adventure – from the southernmost trek in the world to Patagonia, via a voyage through the Beagle Channel.

Bedouin Trails of Jordan – easy walking and sightseeing in Jordan, from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea.

Serengeti Walking Safari – unspoiled landscapes, impressive wildlife and luxury camping – the best way to experience wild Africa.

Ngorongoro Highlands & Serengeti Wilderness – a fabulous walking safari in style in two of Africa’s most pristine wildlife areas.

Avalon Waterways will launch three ships in 2012, offering four new itineraries in Egypt and Southeast Asia. The Avalon Angkor will have 16 staterooms and will offer the new, 14-day “Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River” cruise-tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok from $3,819 per person, double. An optional extension to Luang Prabang or Hanoi and Ha Long Bay will be available. The ship will have a colonial design and will be hand-finished in brass and teak. Its staterooms will measure 172 square feet and will have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and balconies. The ship also will feature a sun deck, a 24-hour bar, a dining room, a massage area and fitness equipment.

Avalon will charter the five-star Mayfair for Nile River cruises and the Kasr Ibrim for Lake Nasser sailings (a new waterway for Avalon) for 2012. With these ships come three new Egypt itineraries — a nine-day “Highlights of Egypt” program from $2,606 per person, double; a 12-day “The Pyramids, Lake Nasser & Nile Highlights” itinerary from $3,441; and a 13-day “Egypt & the Nile in Depth” program from $3,538. Travelers who book 2012 Egypt, China or Galapagos cruises by Aug. 30, 2011, can save up to $300 per person. For more information, call 877-380-1535 or visit www.avalonwaterways.com

Goway Travel is offering packages for the Naadam Festival of the Mongols, which originates from the Hun era (209 BC).

It consists of the three Games of Men namely, archery, wrestling and horse racing. The Naadam was a competition among the nomadic Mongol tribes to test whose horses were the best, who had the strongest men and whose soldiers were the most outstanding archers. The Mongols started celebrating Naadam Festival nationwide on July 11 to 12 each year since 1921 to celebrate their independence from China.

The opening ceremony is the most impressive part of this glorious festival as various rituals, traditional music and dance take place in the Central Stadium. Genghis Khan’s nine white flags are carried into the stadium by soldiers in the military uniform of Genghis Khan.

Hundreds of artists in traditional Mongolian costumes of different eras perform dances and songs for the opening ceremony while parading with hundreds of musicians and Tsam masked dancers.

Goway has been offering travel to Mongolia for years and while the best time to visit can be anytime between May to October. Goway’s private 12-day The Gobi and Karakorum Explorer is one of many independent travel ideas starting at $2,416 per person based on twin share.

Highlights of the journey include Ulaan Baatar, Erdene Zuu Monastary in Karakorum, the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag known for its abundance of dinosaur remains, the sand dunes of the Gobi desert, horseback riding to the glacier gorge of Yolyn Am.

Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and idyllic island destinations. Today Goway is recognized as one of North America’s leading travel companies for individuals, families and groups to select exotic destinations around the globe. Goway has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia.

For more information, call 888-469-2988 or visit www.Goway.com/asia/Mongolia

Leading Asia specialist, Travel Indochina, is offering its adventure-seeking customers an exclusive chance to partake in an exciting “Trans-Mongolian Adventure” this summer (departing 2nd July 2011). This 17-day experience of a lifetime will operate just once in 2011 to coincide with the spectacular Naadam Festival and will give travellers a unique opportunity to meet local reindeer herders, stay in traditional “gers” and ride rare camels through Mongolia’s wild landscape, for a truly amazing adventure they will never forget.

Led by an experienced Travel Indochina Product Manager, the specialist tour operator’s brand new “Trans-Mongolian Adventure” itinerary will spend two days at Mongolia’s most important and colourful festival, the Naadam Festival, which is celebrated all over the country. On this journey, customers will have a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the excitement of this major festival, away from the crowds in the traditional town of Moron, and gain a fascinating and authentic insight into the local Mongolian people and their “three manly sports” of archery, wrestling and horse racing.

Ideally suited for travellers looking to explore exciting, off-the-beaten-track regions where tourism is still in its infancy, this one-off Exploratory Journey offers an array of unforgettable travel experiences which are not available in more established destinations elsewhere in Asia. Travel Indochina’s thoughtfully-constructed itinerary will include a two-day trip on the Trans-Mongolian Railway, which is one of the world’s most famous railway lines that winds past the Great Wall and magnificent Mongolian terrain. This journey also offers the chance to travel as the locals do – atop a rare two-humped Bactrian Camel – as guests wind through the dunes of Mongol Els from the edge of the Gobi Desert into Central Mongolia.

Whilst enjoying Travel Indochina’s unique style of travel, guests can also spend an afternoon visiting a local family of reindeer herders, known as the Tsaschin, and discover their fascinating way of life as they’re welcomed into their everyday lives. Other once-in-a-lifetime experiences include an optional hike or horse ride to the top of an extinct volcanic crater, a visit to a local Buddhist monastery, and the opportunity to enjoy some free time to soak up the atmosphere in the capital city of Ulan Bator before being treated to a farewell traditional Mongolian concert.

Travel Indochina’s 17-day “Trans-Mongolian Adventure” journey starts from £2,560 per person for twin share accommodation or £2,935 based on occupancy in a single room. The company’s “willing to share” option is also available at twin share prices. Prices include 6 nights’ hotel accommodation, 9 nights’ accommodation in comfortable “ger” camps, one overnight train journey, one domestic flight, all road transport in air-conditioned vehicles, all sightseeing as specified, entrance fees, Western tour leader (based on a minimum of seven travellers), local English-speaking guides throughout, airport transfers and daily breakfast, 10 lunches and 12 dinners.

SpiceRoads Cycle Tours, a Bangkok-based cycling tours specialist, is offering summer escapes to India’s Nubra Valley and Mongolia. This summer, clients who join any of the departures to Northern India and Mongolia will receive $150 off the tour price if booked by March 31. Between March and July, the company will also offer cycle-based tours of Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kerala, Cambodia, Yunnan Province, Laos and Bhutan.

SpiceRoads is taking a different mode of transport to Ayutthaya in March — a steam train. In honor of the first rail service to Ayutthaya on March 26, 1894, Thailand is rolling out two steam locomotives for a special trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. The 1950s Japanese-built Pacific steam locomotives are only pulled from their home at the Thonburi depot four times a year. The ride begins from Hua Lampong train station and on arrival in Ayutthaya, we switch iron horses to start an easy bicycle ride through the towering chedis amidst crumbling ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This special tour costs 2,950 THB per person (25 percent discount for children 12 to 16 years old) and includes pick up and drop off at your Bangkok hotel, train ticket, lunch, mountain bike and helmet, and a guided tour by bicycle of Ayutthaya. Book now as this tour is limited to 16 people.

A $250 discount will be given on the first departure (March 27) on the 11-day Cycle from South to Central Sulawesi. Other departures are on May 15, Aug. 7, Sept. 18 and Oct. 23. A $300 discount is offered on the 10-day Tibetan journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu on April 21 and June 9. The tour rides 350 miles from Lhasa, with a detour to see Everest Base Camp, before ending in Kathmandu. A $150 discount is offered on the May 28 Seven Summits of Kathmandu Valley tour. This challenging ride on off road trails and jeep tracks you will climb to the top of seven summits. Clients who join any of the Mountain Biking the Philippines tours in 2011 will automatically be upgraded to a full suspension bike rental. The tour cycles 250 miles in nine days on the 11 day tour, with 85 percent of the riding on dirt roads and single track trails. Departures to the Philippines are on March 13, Nov. 20 and Dec. 11. For more information, call 011 66 (0) 2712 5305, email info@spiceroads.com  or visit www.spiceroads.com

Audley has launched a new China, Russia & Central Asia brochure with many new itineraries in each destination as well as suggestions for ‘Great Journeys’ – trips that take in more of the contrasting landscapes and cultures available in this region.

Highlights include:

Family China – a new family itinerary which takes in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin and Longji as well as two nights in Hong Kong. Activities include the Sony ExploraScience centre in Beijing, a Kung Fu lesson, a cycle ride around Xian’s city walls, the aquarium in Shanghai, a cruise up the Li river, the rice terraces around Longji and perhaps a visit to Disneyland in Hong Kong!

This 16 day itinerary costs from £2,950 per adult and £2,300 for children under 12, based on a family of four travelling together.

Avoid the Crowds in China – Audley focus on getting clients away from the crowds as much as possible. Even on a Classic China itinerary they will try to steer clients towards areas that are slightly off the beaten track.

So instead of going to see the Great Wall in Beijing they will take clients out to Jinshanling, a bit further away but much quieter and more dramatic.

As well as the Terracota Warriors they will recommend clients go to the Hanyanling Tombs and on the Li River they will encourage clients to take a private boat trip instead of one of the larger shared boat options.

The brochure also focuses strongly on Yunnan Province where it is still possible to see the rural and unspoilt China and where there are many different tribes and minorities.

For example Audley recommend the village of Shaxi with its wonderful weekly market and Lake Lugu where you can go walking, take boat trips in a traditional dugout canoe or simply relax and take in the beautiful views.

There are several suggested Yunnan itineraries in the brochure including the 14 day Yunnan Discovered which takes in Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shaxi, and the Tibetan town of Zhongdian. This itinerary costs from £2,000 per person.

21st Century China – the new brochure also includes a spread on modern China and its cutting edge art, architecture, design and engineering. For example a trip on the Maglev train in Shanghai, the 798 Art Zone and Olympic Park in Beijing and stylish modern hotels such as The Opposite House in Beijing and 88 Xintiandi in Shanghai.

Iran – following the controversial 2009 elections, visitors were put off going to Iran. However the political situation there has stablised through 2010 and things are likely to remain calm until new elections due in 2013.

This means that now is a good time to go and Audley suggest an eight day Iran Uncovered itinerary taking in Tehran, Yazd and Esfahan.

The Ukraine – often overlooked as a destination, the Ukraine has a wonderfully rich history as well as beautiful countryside and coastline. Audley suggest a one week itinerary that combines Kiev and Lviv and costs from £1,200 per person.

Russian River Cruises – a great way to see Moscow and St Petersburg as well as the beautiful countryside between and the Golden Ring towns including Uglich, Goritsy and Kizhi. Audley have started offering a new boat that is a higher standard than previously available with an eight day itinerary costing from £1,700 per person.

The Three Capitals – a 10 day trip to the three major cities of Kiev, Moscow and St Petersburg, providing a wonderful introduction to the culture and history of the Ukraine and Russia. This itinerary costs from £2,200 per person.

Great Journeys – Audley offer several different journeys through the region. These include the Silk Route, the Trans-Siberian railway, an overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu, the railway from Beijing to Lhasa and a trip following in the footsteps of the ancient tea traders in Yunnan.

On the Silk Route Audley have itineraries ranging from an 11 day Uzbekistan Discovered trip that takes in the legendary cities of Samarakand, Bukhara and Tashkent to a 21 day Classic Silk Route journey for those with more time, going through Western China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Audley also offer options for the Trans-Siberian Railway including both public trains and private trains.

The private Tsar’s Gold train is new to the brochure and although less authentic it offers a more comfortable way of doing the Trans-Siberian with a number of set itineraries from Moscow to Beijing, or vice versa, via Mongolia.

One of Audley’s favourite journeys is the overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu as it is rich in culture and scenery. They suggest a 15 day trip that costs from £3,700 per person and takes in all of the highlights including Everest Base Camp.

Further details from Audley on 01993 838 200 www.audleytravel.com/nca

Follow Audley on Twitter www.twitter.com/audleytravel
Subscribe to Audley’s RSS feed of travel articles www.audleytravel.com/magazine

Emerging Asian hotel investment company Red Planet Hotels continues to chronicle an array of achievements as it forges ahead in its mission to place multiple limited service hotels in key Asian cities.

In recent significant developments for the company, the number of rooms it has under construction surged past 1,000 last week, fuelled by the injection of fresh investment capital.

Red Planet Hotels Chief Executive Officer Tim Hansing said the company is developing a portfolio of Tune hotels in China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh.

It currently has 1,023 hotel rooms through six hotels in Jakarta, Bangkok, Pattaya, Angeles City and two in Manila, with more announcements expected soon.

All Red Planet-owned hotels operate under a franchise agreement with Tune Hotels. Tune Hotels is part of the Tune Group, the private investment group of Tony Fernandes, founder and group CEO of low-cost airline AirAsia and Team Principal of the Lotus F1 Racing team.

“Tune Hotels’ business model is solid and complements our investment methodology,” Hansing said at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific in Hong Kong.

“Even though many investment companies have been looking to contain expenses and put expansion on the back burner, we were able to go out at the end of the global financial crisis in 2009 and raise significant capital.

To be able to raise funds and then to quickly secure sites and contracts to have over 1,000 keys under construction is a tremendous achievement and testament to the strength of our experienced management team and the Tune Hotels business model. We are looking for more opportunities to expand in Asia’s emerging markets with multiple sites in key cities, particularly those that Tune Hotels have interest in.”

Hansing said the limited-service hotel synergy presented Red Planet Hotels with some fantastic opportunities for expansion across the region and sites are continually being scoped and investigated. Tune Hotels is a rapidly growing chain of hotels that have embraced the limited-service model used by low-cost airlines and employs a self-service online booking system, encouraging guests to book early to enjoy low prices.

Using the demand-based pricing booking system, guests can book rooms at prices starting from $3 (or even lower during promotion periods) through the web at www.tunehotels.com.

It currently operates 10 hotels — seven in Malaysia, two in Indonesia and one in England, and has entered into strategic partnerships to open 20 hotels in India and a further 14 hotels in the United Kingdom.

For more information, call 011 66 (0) 2 207 2951, email tim@redplanethotels.com  or visit www.redplanethotels.com  or www.tunehotels.com