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SMALL GROUP TOURS 2027–2028

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GUIDED BY CURIOSITY The most memorable journeys are rarely the ones that cover the most ground. They are the ones in which you had enough time; time to return to a neighbourhood you liked, to linger over a conversation with a local guide, or to sit with a view before moving on. That conviction shapes Cox & Kings’ approach, helping curious travellers go beyond the obvious and experience the world more deeply. It has also shaped this collection of tours, where smaller groups allow more time for discovery, more access to remarkable places and more meaningful encounters along the way. We are delighted to introduce a new North American programme, which blends the continent’s astounding scenery with its many places of world-historical significance. The Atlantic Passage: Nova Scotia to New England, for example, traces the cultural and natural richness of two countries from Halifax to Boston, while our American History and Culture Trail follows the founding of the US through its landscapes, architecture and living history. Elsewhere, new tours of Nepal and Bhutan bring together two of the Indian subcontinent’s least-

seen, most alluring nations. Bhutan: Journey to the Dragon Kingdom guides travellers around the country’s deeply spiritual temples, monasteries, and stupas, while Nepal: A Journey through the Himalaya, brings together the natural wonders and man-made splendour of Buddha’s birthplace. In Europe, the Grand Tour of Central Europe and the Grand Tour of the Balkans both take the long view – these are regions that reward attention, and we have given them itineraries to match. We are also glad to welcome Algeria to our programme, as well as a new West African tour, which takes in Ghana, Benin and Togo. Our specialist-led programme also offers new tours. Moorish Spain examines the centuries of Muslim civilisation that shaped the peninsula, while our late Roman and early medieval Rome tour follows the arc from empire to papacy through its basilicas and mosaics. We hope you find something here that calls to you, and, when you travel with us, that you return having understood more than you expected. This is, we believe, what Cox & Kings has always been known for.

Jennifer Charlton

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio

Managing Director Cox & Kings

Executive Chairman AKTG

Front cover: cham dancer, Bhutan Left: inset: a traditional kyl kayak player, Kyrgyzstan; background: Djety-Oguz Gorge, Kyrgyzstan

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TRUSTED HERITAGE, DELIVERED TODAY Founded in London in 1758, Cox & Kings is the world’s oldest travel company and has served the British royal family as well as world-famous heads of state, while also pioneering culturally adventurous journeys and tours. Our story began one spring day in the mid-18th century, when Richard Cox established the firm that would become Cox & Kings on 25 May 1758, while working in London for the commander-in-chief of Britain’s armed forces. First called Cox & Co., the company began as a regimental agent for Britain’s forces, overseeing supplies, wages, shipping and travel arrangements. In later years, Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany the son of George III, and Winston Churchill, the British prime minister, numbered among its clients. After World War I, Cox & Co. merged with Henry S King & Co, a prominent bank with shipping capabilities and deep connections within the Indian subcontinent. It had offices across Britain, Egypt, France and India, and began to develop its tours, while also gaining a number of prominent clients. In the 1922 Sherlock Holmes story, “The Problem of Thor Bridge”, Dr Watson keeps records of the cases of Sherlock Holmes in a Cox & Kings vault; in 1924, the company supported the explorer George Mallory’s pioneering attempt to summit Everest; and in 1931, Mahatma Gandhi – the father of post-colonial India – travelled with Cox & Kings to Europe. In 2018, Cox & Kings marked its 260th anniversary with tours and journeys to all seven continents. In 2019, it joined AKTG. Today, the company continues to organise

escorted Small Group Tours and private tailormade travel, with a focus on authentic experiences for the culturally curious, providing the same, longstanding, detailed, award-winning service to all its clients, globally. Having witnessed so much progress, we remain primed for much more. Cox & Kings mastered the golden age of rail, the rise of aviation and continues to thrive, branching out to new destinations and offering new adventures. Our centuries of experience are a working advantage, enabling us to plan and host carefully executed, exquisitely planned tours, deepening people’s understanding of the world through shared discovery.

Above: Richard Cox acting as a regimental agent for his mentor, Lord Ligonier, circa 1758

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GLOBAL, PERSONAL SUPPORT

A FORCE FOR GOOD

Our personable, well-informed team is online, on the phone and on the ground, at home and in your destination, around the clock. They will aid and guide you, whenever you require it. Whatever you need, we’re waiting.

Travel should be a force for good, a way to give back to a world that gives us so much. That’s why each tour booked with us supports A&K Philanthropy’s initiatives, helping communities and conservation efforts in the places we visit. From 2027, guests can even visit these projects on a select number of tours.

UNPARALLELED PEACE OF MIND

AWARD-WINNING, RATED AND FÊTED

We are ABTA-bonded, ATOL-protected, and our global network of offices and trusted partners in over 100 countries means your journey remains secure and safe, should the unexpected happen.

We’ve served Gandhi and Churchill, won numerous accolades, including Wanderlust and British Travel Awards, and today maintain an “excellent” rating on Trustpilot.

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CONTENTS INTRODUCTION About Cox & Kings

Where you stay and how you travel

Solo Travellers

Specialist-Led Tours

INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

LATIN AMERICA

INDIA

EUROPE

PERU

ITALY AND MALTA

The Golden Triangle and Shimla

Train to Machu Picchu

Passage Through Rajasthan

Peru and Galápagos Odyssey

The Grand Tour of India ourney Through the J Himalayan Foothills Treasures of Southern India Passage through Kerala

Puglia and Basilicata

Umbria: Undiscovered Heart of Italy 98

Splendours of Chile

ARGENTINA Patagonia: Untouched Wilderness

Wonders of the New World

COLOMBIA Treasures of Colombia

BHUTAN

Ravenna: Mosaics and Marble

100

NEW SPECIALIST-LED

Rome: Patricians to Popes

102

Majestic Malta

104

SOUTH AMERICA Splendours of South America

Grand Tour of South America

Splendours of Andalucia

106

Journey through the Heart of Spain

108

NEW SPECIALIST-LED

NEW Bhutan:

MEXICO Highlights of Mexico

PAKISTAN Pakistan: Persians, Mughals and Mystics

SPECIALIST-LED

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

NEW Nepal:

Journey to the Dragon Kingdom

Sicily: Normans in the South

NEPAL A Journey Through the Himalaya

Classic Sicily SPECIALIST-LED

CHILE 28

SRI LANKA Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island

Neapolitan Treasures: Caserta, Sorrento and Amalfi

CUBA 40

Splendours of Cuba

CENTRAL AMERICA Natural Splendours of Costa Rica

Splendours of Central America

Moorish Spain: El Cid to the Alhambra

110

Portuguese Pousadas

112

IRELAND NEW Journey through Ireland

116

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE NEW Grand Tour of Central Europe

118

Timeless Romania

120

Journey through the Baltic States

122

GREECE AND THE BALKANS The Heart of Ancient Greece

124

Wonders of Ancient Crete

126

NEW Grand Tour of the Balkans

128

TURKEY AND THE CAUCASUS Classical Turkey Left: Jodhpur, india above: a Scarlet Macaw, Costa Rica; top right: The temple of Abu Simbel, Egypt

130

SPECIALIST-LED

Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans 132 Across the Southern Caucasus

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134

“Our first Cox & Kings experience was a brilliant introduction to India. The logistics were perfect and the tour manager was excellent. We started and finished at The Imperial hotel in Delhi, and the group was a good size: 15 people. Our tour manager changed our schedule in Jaipur to give us an exceptional experience of the Holi festival, right in the middle of the city. Many wonderful memories made with a group of like-minded travellers.” A COX & KINGS GUEST

CENTRAL ASIA

AFRICA

CENTRAL ASIA

MADAGASCAR

NEW Grand Tour of Central Asia

138

Uzbekistan: Heart of Central Asia

142

Madagascar Wildlife Adventure

184

SOUTH AFRICA

SPECIALIST-LED

Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand

144

Colours of Kyrgyzstan

146

Highlights of South Africa

186

NAMIBIA Namibia: Untouched Wilderness

190

WEST AFRICA NEW Coastal Kingdoms

of West Africa

EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA JAPAN Japan’s Cultural Treasures

152

SOUTHEAST ASIA Grand Tour of Indochina

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

NORTH AMERICA

EGYPT

CANADA

Egypt: Ancient Wonders of Cairo and the Nile

164

NEW Journey through Egypt

166

NEW T he Atlantic Passage:

156

TAIWAN Taiwan: The Beautiful Island

158

Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert

196 198

NEW Rockies to Pacific: Mountains,

MOROCCO China: The Grand Tour

Nova Scotia to New England NEW Eastern Canada: Rails,

Rivers and Refined Cities

154

CHINA

192

Rainforests and Coastal Cities

200

170 USA

TUNISIA

NEW American History

Tunisia Explored: Carthage to the Sahara

NEW Treasures of the

and Culture Trail 172

Pacific Northwest

202 204

ALGERIA NEW Treasures of Algeria

174

JORDAN Splendours of Jordan

176

OMAN Oman: An Arabian Odyssey

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180

A RICHER UNDERSTANDING Often, the things we bring home guide us further on in life. This isn’t always true of physical mementos. Those serape blankets and Uzbek ceramics are beautiful reminders of distant places, but they aren’t going to help us understand life in ancient Rome, recall exactly when the Silk Road brought such amazing wealth to central Asia, or truly grasp why, for centuries, people have made such a great fuss about the Great Pyramids – nor why more intrepid travellers strike out for the lakes and peaks of Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park, or the medieval city of Bukhara. When we get it right, great travel leaves us with a greater level of understanding, enabling us to turn a mental souvenir into a compass, opening new routes towards a richer appreciation of our world. You will pick up a plethora of such stimulating points of enlightenment on a Cox & Kings small group tour.

We limit our parties to 18 guests, and they average out at just 14, ensuring a more detailed, more personal experience. In smaller groups, you can access areas off-limits to larger tours, mingle more easily with the locals, and ask guides and tour managers many more questions.

This page: Namibia; right top: Egypt; centre right: Kyrgyzstan

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On a select number of our tours, guides and managers are joined by a specialist lecturer – often drawn from academia, publishing or the museum sector – who’ll enrich your understanding of the place even further.

Our itineraries are detailed, but also flexible, balancing time within a group with opportunities for independent exploration. We also favour characterful, well-located hotels that enhance the sense of place.

We have helped travellers find their way in the world for over two and a half centuries, and we’re still deepening our knowledge. In 2027 and 2028, we’re branching out into West Africa, Algeria, North America, Nepal, Bhutan and the Balkans, while also furthering our depth of coverage in places such as southern Europe, with new tours like Moorish Spain: El Cid to the Alhambra, which explores the cultural influence of Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula. So why not join us on your own voyage of discovery? Travel with a smaller group, and you’ll gain a richer understanding of the world.

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INSIGHT IS NOT ACCIDENTAL In 1993 on Italy’s northeastern coast, work was halted on an underground car park after locals made an extraordinary discovery. Excavations at the site, on Via Massimo D’Azeglio in Ravenna’s centre, revealed a remarkable complex of floors and foundations, dating from the Byzantine era, right back to the Roman Empire. There was a sixth-century palace; the relics of another building dating back to the fourth century, as well as an even earlier, first-century dwelling. The discovery – dubbed Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra or “House of the Stone Carpets” on account of the detailed mosaic flooring – was soon recognised as one of the most consequential discoveries of recent times. Those “stone carpets” may have been found by accident, but now they occupy a key position within Cox & Kings’ Specialist-Led Tour, Ravenna: Mosaics and Marble. Travellers are led to these exquisite relics after visiting Ravenna Art Museum’s contemporary mosaics. This mix of excellent access and careful planning is typical of Cox & Kings. Our guides, tour managers, specialist lecturers and experienced supporting staff pierce beneath the surface of the things – quite literally, in the case of those ancient mosaics – to create tours that offer a depth of context and understanding hard to find elsewhere.

Our tour parties are small, which makes for greater flexibility and access; our itineraries are well paced, giving you time for personal reflection; the hotels we choose are characterful and centrally located, ensuring that the cultural threads that tie your tour together are woven through the whole experience; and our planning and preparation are discreet and seamless, enabling you to focus on your own personal journey, rather than minor practicalities. We know the sights that travellers long to see – the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Samarkand’s domes, and the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu – yet we also include lesserknown, equally rewarding places in our tours and tour extensions, such as Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted Mughal city outside Agra, or the towering pillars of China’s Zhangjiajie National Park, which inspired the ‘floating mountains’ in James Cameron’s 2009 film, Avatar. Above: Resplendent Quetzal, Costa Rica; top: Galla Placidia Mausoleum, Ravenna; top right: Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan; bottom right: a Tibetan woman preparing food, Nepal

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On our tours the past and present come together vividly. On Pakistan: Persians, Mughals and Mystics (p40), the ancient world opens up via a visit to Harappa, one of the most important Bronze Age settlements discovered within the region, while more modern forces of history are brought to life at the Indian border near Lahore, during the elaborate Wagah border ceremony.

Our guests love to see rare, exotic and charismatic animals. In response, we have developed deep relationships with local parks, reserves and custodians, enabling guests to glimpse tigers in India, track rhinos in Namibia, see the flamingos of the Atacama salt pan, and the dazzling birdlife thriving in Costa Rica’s wetlands.

Culinary experiences aren’t limited to the café or restaurant table. On our Across the Southern Caucasus tour (p134), you get a masterclass in making arishta, traditional Armenian noodles; in The Heart of Ancient Greece (p124) you join a truffle hunt, before sampling some fungi from earlier forages; and on Nepal: a Journey Through the Himalaya (p36) you learn to roll, fold and steam Nepalese dumplings with local women.

To understand a place, you also need to look beyond its monuments and grasp the beliefs that give them meaning. Rather than simply admire sacred buildings, we make sure you see, say, the Golden Temple in Amritsar during an evening Palki Sahib ceremony, or witness a puja ritual at Sri Lanka’s ornate Temple of the Tooth.

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JOURNEYS SHAPED AROUND YOU To become well-travelled, we sometimes need to stand still. A tour around Istanbul’s palaces, mosques and bazaars can be fascinating, but you may want an afternoon to return to that one spot where the minarets caught the evening light just so. A group excursion to see the condors above Peru’s Colca Canyon can be unforgettable, but you might hanker after just a day or two at a quiet beach. Pausing beside the antique tiling still in place on the Silk Road, you might wish you had a world-renowned expert beside you, to explain how wealth and power came together in Central Asia.

Cox & Kings has been in business for long enough to know how to make room for these moments, creating itineraries to meet the needs and interest of almost every guest, by balancing expert guidance with personal freedom and flexibility. Well-paced itineraries, coupled with well-placed hotels, and well-informed tour managers, specialist lecturers and guides only add to this sense of confident group travel peppered with moments of insight and autonomy. To travel with Cox & Kings is to take a journey that feels full and insightful but not overburdened by crowding or scheduled appointments. Play around with pre- and post-tour extensions by, say, adding a trip to the Amazon rainforest after taking in Machu Picchu, or a leisurely few days in Kerala after a Grand Tour of India, and you will soon discover just how many journeys can be shaped around you. And if the perfect tour (combined with the right tour extensions) isn’t contained within these pages, we can still accommodate your wishes. Our tailormade service lets you choose your own mix of experiences, countries, itineraries and destinations – any place, any time, any group size. We’ll make it effortless and memorable.

left: Inset: a Peruvian woman weaving; background: the ancient Inca ruins of Moray, Peru

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WHERE YOU STAY AND HOW YOU TRAVEL We select centrally located, characterful hotels that complement and enhance every Cox & Kings tour, whether it’s the Imperial Hotel in Delhi, where Gandhi, Nehru and Mountbatten met to discuss plans for Indian independence; a Pugliano estate of archetypal dry-stone walls and trulli roofs; or the only hotel located inside the Iguazú National Park, enabling you to view the thundering waterfalls before the day-trippers arrive. Each of these places is a destination in its own right, with character and a sense of place that connects deeply to its surroundings.

And those connections reach beyond the check-in desk. Thanks to our centuries of experience, deep global relationships, and hugely experienced tour managers, our guests move through their tours as welcome, familiar additions to the social fabric of the countries that they visit, free to ask questions, indulge their curiosity, and take in a destination’s sense of place more deeply. We include the cost of international economy flights from London within all Cox & Kings tours, and offer regional departures for a supplement, as well as flight upgrades for those who prefer to travel in greater comfort. Our on-the-ground support network, trusted local partners and regional offices are backed-up by a dedicated 24/7 assistance service, available throughout your journey. Continuous access to a dedicated support service, alongside coordinated local oversight, gives us the ability to respond quickly and effectively, should plans need to change. Your journey will feel flexible, carefree and enriching, partly because it’s underpinned by such robust systems and experienced teams. Even before you choose where to go, we describe tours accurately, carefully grading levels of activity and accommodation, enabling informed choices, long before you pack your bags. And once you’re with us – from luggage-handling and transfers between destinations, through to seasonal insights and access to local ceremonies and festivals – you’ll soon learn just how these skills, experience and focus make for a very different way to travel.

Left: Narendra Bhavan, India; right: Namibia

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TOUR STYLE AND ACTIVITY LEVEL We classify each of our tours in terms of its style and activity level, helping you choose the one that best suits your interests and pace.

TOUR STYLE

PRESTIGE These are our most comfortable tours and usually feature fivestar deluxe accommodation throughout.

SELECT Simpler in emphasis, these itineraries typically feature three and four-star accommodation throughout, or the best alternative elsewhere.

SIGNATURE Most Cox & Kings tours fall under this category and are based in four- or five-star accommodation where available, or the best alternative elsewhere.

DISCOVERY Best suited to the hardier traveller, these tours typically include some quite basic accommodation, possibly longer and rougher road journeys and, in some cases, more strenuous activities, such as trekking.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

ACTIVE These tours feature more walking, earlier starts, cross more uneven terrain and include full-day excursions requiring good fitness and mobility.

MODERATE These tours are medium pace, with some longer travel days, crossing some uneven terrain, featuring longer walks that require good fitness and mobility.

LEISURELY These tours have extra leisure time and short travel days, set a more relaxed walking pace, and only occasionally cross uneven terrain, requiring reasonable fitness and good mobility.

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ON THE SIDE OF SOLO TRAVELLERS Are you travelling independently? Then you’re in good company. Cox & Kings celebrates and supports solo travel. On our dedicated solo traveller tour dates, we don’t have any single supplements, and we limit our party sizes to just 14 guests, ensuring these tours are welcoming and amicable, with a good mix of personal downtime and jovial companionship. Guests on Cox & Kings solo-traveller tour dates often find they have a great deal in common and derive a huge amount of enjoyment from our journeys’ carefully structured mix of time spent in one another’s company and free time alone. Cox & Kings also negotiates with its chosen hotels to ensure solo travellers are offered a double or twin room, all to themselves, at no extra cost, and works hard to keep other costs down. Outside of these dedicated solo traveller tour dates, we actively welcome individual travellers on all of tours, only charging carefully costed, low single supplements. You might be booking for one, but you’re rarely on your own with us.

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS OR ADD-ONS On dedicated solo tours, Cox & Kings doesn’t levy any single supplements or other add-ons and works hard to keep costs down.

CAREFUL STRUCTURING AND A LIKE-MINDED GROUP Guests on Cox & Kings solo-traveller dates find they have a great deal in common and derive a huge amount of enjoyment from our journeys’ carefully structured mix of time spent in each other’s company and free time alone.

SINGLE OCCUPANCY OF DOUBLE ROOMS Cox & Kings negotiates with its chosen hotels to ensure solo travellers are offered a double or twin room.

SMALL GROUP SIZES We limit our solo-traveller tour parties to no more than 14 guests, to ensure these journeys remain welcoming and amicable, giving you more time with our guides, greater access to smaller, more characterful hotels, and more time and space at key sites.

GROUP TOURS WITH SOLO DEPARTURES IN 2027 INDIAN SUBCONTINENT India: Golden Triangle and Shimla Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island

page 22 page 34

LATIN AMERICA Peru: Train to Machu Pichu Treasures of Colombia Natural Splendours of Costa Rica

page 48 page 62 page 78

ALSO WELCOME EVERYWHERE ELSE

page 112 page 130 page 134

Outside of these dedicated solo traveller tours, we also welcome individual travellers on all of our tours, and only charge carefully costed, single supplements.

EUROPE Portuguese Pousadas Classical Turkey Across the Southern Caucasus CENTRAL ASIA Uzbekistan: Heart of Central Asia

page 142

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA Tunisia Explored: Carthage to the Sahara

page 172

Left: Kyrgyzstan

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SEE MORE DEEPLY WITH SPECIALIST-LED TOURS When you’re exploring new ground, a little expertise goes a long way. That’s why a selection of our tours are led by specialist lecturers, who, outside these roles, work as academics, writers and museum curators. They provide detailed insight, enriching commentary and privileged access that’s very hard to arrange independently. Travel with them, and they’ll truly unlock the places you visit.

Moorish Spain: El Cid to the Alhambra – overseen by our long-standing friend Diana Driscoll, an expert in Islamic civilisations – brings to life the way Muslim rule shaped many beautiful and important aspects of Iberia; Rome: Patricians and Popes guides travellers across another stunning cultural fissure in Europe –the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of the Middle Ages; and Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand takes the long view along the Silk Road, guiding guests around the great cities that served perhaps the greatest trade route of antiquity. Our lecturers don’t just join you on your journey, they also curate and lead these tours, offering their detailed commentary into the places you visit. Often, they also open doors typically closed to the public, arranging private visits and rewarding encounters with local artisans, cultural figures and custodians. They aren’t alone, of course; all lecturers are supported by local guides and tour managers, who also share their knowledge on our carefully structured journeys. Take one of these tours, and the insights you gain will stay with you long after you’ve returned home and unpacked.

L-R: Alhambra, Spain; Uzbekistan; Rome, Italy

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“I had wanted to visit Ravenna, for years and it didn’t disappoint. The tour was fascinating throughout. We had a wonderful lecturer, so knowledgeable, and also friendly and approachable at all times; she communicated her enthusiasm for her topics brilliantly.” A COX & KINGS GUEST

OUR SPECIALIST TOUR LEADERS DR SALLY DORMER

DR MURAT R SIVILOGLU

Dr Sally Dormer is a freelance art historian and lecturer. She read history at the University of Durham, before gaining an MA in medieval art and a Ph.D at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She is a course tutor and lecturer at the Victoria & Albert Museum and also lectures for the Art Fund and the Arts Society.

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu is Associate Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Civilisations at Trinity College Dublin. He has published widely and is a frequent public speaker. Dr Şiviloğlu’s lectures combine academic expertise with a passion for bringing the people, places and stories of the Islamic world to life for wider audiences.

Sicily: Normans in the South tour, page 92. Ravenna: Mosaics and Marble tour, page 100. Rome: Patricians to Popes tour, page 102.

Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans tour, page 132. Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand tour, page 144.

DIANA DRISCOLL

ANDREW SPIRA

Diana Driscoll read ancient Middle East and Islamic studies at SOAS. She is an independent researcher who gives regular talks at the British Museum. Her area of expertise is the Islamic world: religion, history, culture and languages.

Andrew Spira graduated from the Courtauld Institute of Art before working at the Temple Gallery, London, and as a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum. He was a programme director at Christie’s Education for 14 years and has led numerous cultural tours to Europe.

Moorish Spain: El Cid to the Alhambra tour, page 110.

Sicily: Normans in the South tour, page 92.

ROWENA LOVERANCE Rowena Loverance is a Byzantine art historian, specialising in sculpture, mosaics and icons. She worked for more than 20 years at the British Museum and is a visiting research fellow at King’s College, London. Ravenna: Mosaics and Marble tour, page 100. Rome: Patricians to Popes tour, page 102. Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans tour, page 132.

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THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT India, with its ice-frosted peaks, serene hill stations, ornate desert palaces, ancient shrines, languid waterways and vigorous jungles, retains a singular place in travellers’ hearts. Its trees and grasslands shelter tigers, rhinos and elephants, while its cities, towns and villages welcome visitors, with locals displaying a degree of hospitality worthy of the Sanskrit adage, “atithi devo bhava” or “the guest is god”. Further south lies the island of Sri Lanka, once prized for its red rubies and blue sapphires, now beloved by visitors for its emerald attractions: lush, green tea plantations, palm-fringed shores and deep forests.

Left: inset: sari factory, India; background: Lake Pichola, India

To the west is Pakistan’s Mughal architecture and Sufi shrines – unjustly overlooked by many. And in the north-east, visitors to Nepal can enjoy Himalayan vistas and Kathmandu’s palaces, while Bhutan’s monasteries and rhododendron forests draw in thousands of adventurous travellers each year. The Indian subcontinent is at the heart of the Cox & Kings story – we even had the privilege of arranging travel for Mahatma Gandhi – and our guides can reveal its hidden depths to you better than anyone.

View our full collection online The destinations and tours featured in this brochure represent a small sample of what we offer. Our website contains a wealth of additional itineraries, detailed country guides and accommodation options. coxandkingstravel.com 21

solo departures available

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE AND SHIMLA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

13 days, 11 nights

From £3,495

From £4,295

Prestige

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Admire the sunset over the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh gardens. • Catch the toy train to Shimla in fully glazed, panoramic Vistadome air-conditioned carriages. • Enjoy a welcome dinner at a UNESCO-awarded haveli townhouse with views over Old Delhi. • Take a rickshaw tour of Old Delhi for glimpses of vital city life.

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

Explore all three sides of the Golden Triangle – one of India’s most celebrated and important cultural regions. The tour takes in imperial Delhi, the Taj Mahal at Agra and a three-night stay in the princely city of Jaipur, before concluding at the beautiful, breezy Shimla hill station.

DAY 1: FLY TO DELHI Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Delhi. (N)

Above: Taj Mahal; top right: Kalka-Shimla toy train; bottom right: Jaipur’s City Palace

DAY 2: DELHI Arrive in Delhi and transfer to The Imperial for a night. Visit the Jama Masjid mosque and explore the labyrinthine streets of Old Delhi by cycle rickshaw. Tour of New Delhi, including a drive past India Gate and the former viceregal residence. Attend

a welcome dinner at Haveli Dharampura, enjoy a dance performance, and take in views of the Red Fort and Jama Masjid from the upper terrace. (D) : The Imperial DAY 3: NEW DELHI • AGRA Visit Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutb Minar tower. Drive to Agra and stay at the Trident Agra (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D) : Trident Agra (Days 3-4) DAY 4: AGRA Sunrise visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal before exploring the tomb of Itmad-udDaulah and Agra Fort. Visit Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) for sunset over the Taj Mahal. (B, D) DAY 5: FATEHPUR SIKRI • JAIPUR Continue to Jaipur via the deserted

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india • indian subcontinent

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,245 TOUR CODE: IGT 05 Feb - 17 Feb 27

04 Feb - 16 Feb 28

19 Feb - 03 Mar 27

18 Feb - 01 Mar 28

26 Feb - 10 Mar 27

25 Feb - 08 Mar 28

05 Mar - 17 Mar 27

03 Mar - 15 Mar 28

12 Mar - 24 Mar 27

10 Mar - 22 Mar 28

19 Mar - 31 Mar 27

17 Mar - 29 Mar 28

17 Sep - 29 Sep 27

15 Sep - 27 Sep 28

01 Oct - 13 Oct 27

29 Sep - 11 Oct 28

22 Oct - 03 Nov 27

06 Oct - 18 Oct 28

05 Nov - 17 Nov 27

20 Oct - 01 Nov 28

19 Nov - 01 Dec 27

03 Nov - 15 Nov 28

26 Nov - 08 Dec 27

10 Nov - 22 Nov 28 17 Nov - 29 Nov 28 24 Nov - 06 Dec 28

sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri stepwell. En route, enjoy lunch at the lavish Laxmi Vilas Palace. Stay three nights at a converted royal hunting lodge, Ramgarh Lodge. (B, L, D) : Ramgarh Lodge (Days 5-7) DAY 6: JAIPUR Morning visit to Amber Fort and the Anokhi Museum. Afternoon visit to the striking City Palace, home of the present maharajah and the curious Jantar Mantar observatory. (B, D) DAY 7: JAIPUR Your day is at leisure to relax. Perhaps explore Jaipur’s bazaars, seeking out traditional Indian crafts, including jewellery, silver and silk. (B, D) DAY 8: CHANDIGARH Explore the Birla Mandir temple before flying to Chandigarh. Selected as the new capital of Punjab in 1948, the city was designed by the hugely influential SwissFrench modernist architect Le Corbusier and completed in the early 1960s. Stay for a night at the Taj Chandigarh. (B) : Taj Chandigarh

DAY 10: SHIMLA

Explore the historic Mall, a popular thoroughfare through Shimla established during the Raj era. Enjoy stories of its many colonial buildings while making your way to the grandest example: the Viceregal Lodge, a palatial 19th-century residence. (B, D) DAY 11: SHIMLA

Your day is at leisure, with options to explore Shimla on a nature walk, enjoy afternoon tea at the Oberoi Wildflower Hall, or visit the state of Dhami for birdwatching and lunch with a noble family.† (B, D) DAY 12: DELHI Drive to Chandigarh and connect with the train to Delhi. Stay overnight at The Imperial and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L*, D) : The Imperial DAY 13: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport; fly to London. (B)

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin / double room. All prices are subject to availability. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £5,295 TOUR CODE: IGS 15 Oct - 27 Oct 27

22 Nov - 04 Dec 27

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Prestige tour: five-star, deluxe accommodation and high-level comfort throughout. *Festival departures Diwali: 22 Oct 2027, 06 Oct 2028 Holi: 12 and 19 Mar 2027, 03 and 10 Mar 2028 † Optional activities: These activities can be pre-booked and incur an additional cost.

DAY 9: SHIMLA Catch the early-morning Kalka Shimla Express toy train to Shimla, passing through stunning mountains. Enjoy the 360-degree views from the panoramic, fully glazed Vistadome carriages. Stay for three nights in this breezy, altitudinous settlement in the Western Himalaya, which served as the British summer capital during the Raj era. (B, D) : Oberoi Cecil (or similar) (Days 9-11)

Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, L*: Packed lunch; D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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PASSAGE THROUGH RAJASTHAN DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

16 days, 14 nights

From £3,495

From £3,995

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Dine on flavourful, local Mewari cuisine on the terrace of a historic fort. • Take a scenic rail ride through tunnels and beside waterfalls in rural Rajasthan. • Enjoy two 4x4 tiger safaris in Ranthambore National Park. • Ride a rickshaw to a welcome dinner overlooking Lake Pichola. • Stay in grand forts and palaces.

FLIGHT ROAD

In Rajasthan, medieval forts look out across the Thar desert, Bengal tigers roam forest reserves, and sandstone palaces highlight this state’s regal history. After a tour of Mumbai, travel through the heart of Rajasthan, exploring magnificent temples and ornate palaces, finishing at the astounding Taj Mahal in Agra.

DAY 1: FLY TO MUMBAI Fly from London (regional connections available) directly to Mumbai. (N) DAY 2: MUMBAI

Above: Mehrangarh Fort; top right: Bengal tiger, bottom right: woman at Jaipur stepwell

Arrive and transfer to Trident Nariman Point. Afternoon sightseeing, visiting the imposing Gateway of India, colourful Chor Bazaar and Victoria Terminus. (N) : Trident Nariman

DAY 3: FLY TO UDAIPUR Stay two nights at Fateh Niwas heritage hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner at Ambrai restaurant overlooking Lake Pichola. (B, D) : Fateh Niwas (Days 3-4) DAY 4: UDAIPUR Sightseeing in Udaipur visiting the City Palace, miniature-painting studios and Jagdish temple. Afternoon cruise on Lake Pichola before an evening cultural performance. (B) DAY 5: RANAKPUR • DEOGARH On to Deogarh, visiting the Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Stay at Deogarh Mahal, a former palace, now a heritage hotel. Afternoon village walk. (B, D) : Deogarh Mahal (Days 5-6)

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INDIA • indian subcontinent

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,245 TOUR CODE: PTR 20 Jan - 04 Feb 27

19 Jan - 03 Feb 28

10 Feb - 25 Feb 27

09 Feb - 24 Feb 28

24 Feb - 11 Mar 27

23 Feb - 09 Mar 28

03 Mar - 18 Mar 27

01 Mar - 16 Mar 28

17 Mar - 01 Apr 27

15 Mar - 30 Mar 28

22 Sep - 07 Oct 27

20 Sep - 05 Oct 28

13 Oct - 28 Oct 27

11 Oct - 26 Oct 28

27 Oct - 11 Nov 27

25 Oct - 09 Nov 28

03 Nov - 18 Nov 27

01 Nov - 16 Nov 28

17 Nov - 02 Dec 27

15 Nov - 30 Nov 28

DAY 6: DEOGARH Take a scenic 90-minute rural train ride from Khamil Ghat to Phulad, through tunnels and past waterfalls in an area that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s story “The Man Who Would Be King”. Dine on spicy, local Mewari cuisine on the hotel terrace. (B, D) DAY 7: JODHPUR Travel by road to Jodhpur and stay for two nights at Ajit Bhawan, a former palace that once served as the official residence of Maharaj Dhiraj Sir Ajit Singh. (B) : Ajit Bhawan (or similar) (Days 7-8) DAY 8: JODHPUR Visit Jaswant Thada and continue to the formidable Mehrangarh Fort. Take a heritage walk through the streets dotted with temples and bazaars and learn more about the “blue city” Brahmins. (B)

DAY 11: JAIPUR

Begin with a visit to the 16th-century Amber Fort. Spend the rest of the day exploring the royal city of Jaipur, including the City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory and colourful bazaars. (B) DAY 12: RANTHAMBORE

NATIONAL PARK Travel to Ranthambore for two nights at Jungle Vilas. Afternoon safari† in Ranthambore. (B, L, D) : Jungle Vilas (Days 12-13) DAY 13: RANTHAMBORE

NATIONAL PARK Early morning safari† in search of Bengal tigers. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or visit the Tiger Watch Project‡ to learn about regional wildlife preservation. (B, L, D)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. * Festival departures: Diwali: 27 Oct 2027, 11 Oct 2028 Holi: 17 Mar 2027, 01 Mar 2028 † Ranthambore safaris: This safari will be conducted by 4x4 and not canters (open-top buses). ‡ Optional activities: These activities can be pre-booked and incur an additional cost.

Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 14: FATEHPUR SIKRI • AGRA DAY 9: BIKANER

Drive to Bikaner in the Thar desert for an overnight stay at the Narendra Bhawan, a grand residence that was home to the last reigning maharajah of Bikaner. Enjoy an afternoon visit to Junagarh Fort and a walk through the old city. (B) : Narendra Bhawan DAY 10: BIKANER • JAIPUR

Drive to the royal city of Jaipur. En route, enjoy lunch and a guided tour at a traditional haveli manor house. Transfer to the Hotel Narain Niwas Palace. (B, L, D) : Hotel Narain Niwas Palace (Days 10-11)

Morning drive to Agra, visiting the deserted sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Overnight at the Trident Hotel Agra. Enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, L, D) : Trident Hotel Agra (or similar) DAY 15: AGRA • DELHI

Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Visit Agra Fort before departing for Delhi and an overnight stay at Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka (or similar). (B) : Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka DAY 16: FLY TO LONDON

Transfer to the airport; fly to London. (B)

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THE GRAND TOUR OF INDIA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

17 days, 15 nights

From £4,395

From £5,395

Signature

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Observe an evening Palki Sahib ceremony at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. • Take a walking tour of Varanasi’s hidden alleys and markets. • Dine in a regal palace. • Ride like a local on a rickshaw tour through Old Delhi. • Stay in a traditional mansion and explore rural Rajasthan.

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

This rich, rewarding tour takes in holy cities, the resplendent Taj Mahal, Jodhpur’s blue-washed houses, and the lakes and palaces of Udaipur. Guests will also head in search of tigers at Ranthambore National Park, and get a chance to extend their tour to Kerala’s idyllic backwaters.

DAY 1: FLY TO AMRITSAR VIA DELHI Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Amritsar, via Delhi, with British Airways. (N)

Above: Amritsar’s Golden Temple; top right: view from Agra’s Red Fort; bottom right: Varanasi waterfront

DAY 2: AMRITSAR Arrive in Amritsar, transfer to Taj Swarna and enjoy a welcome dinner. Visit the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib night ceremony. (D) : Taj Swarna (Days 2-3)

DAY 3: AMRITSAR • WAGAH Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen (langar). Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to Attari-Wagah for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B) DAY 4: FLY TO VARANASI VIA DELHI Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at the Taj Ganges. Visit the riverside Dasaswamedh ghat, or stepped wharf, to witness the wondrous aarti ceremony from the Ganges. (B) : Taj Ganges

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INDIA • indian subcontinent

DAY 5: VARANASI • FLY TO DELHI Awake early for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, followed by a walking tour of Varanasi’s paan bazaar, craftsmen colony and the spice, jewellery and flower markets. Take an evening flight to Delhi for a two-night stay at The Imperial. (B) : The Imperial (Days 5-6) DAY 6: OLD & NEW DELHI Morning tour of Old Delhi via rickshaw. Pass the Red Fort, visit the Jama Masjid mosque, then explore on foot. In the afternoon, tour New Delhi with a drive past India Gate and the Viceregal Residence, then visit Qutb Minar and the tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun. (B) DAY 7: AGRA

Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at Trident Agra. In the afternoon visit the Agra Fort. Later, see the Taj Mahal as it’s bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. (B) : Trident Agra DAY 8: FATEHPUR SIKRI •

RANTHAMBORE Visit Mehtab Bagh Gardens to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur for lunch at the regal Laxmi Vilas Palace before a train ride to Sawai Madhopur. Stay at Jungle Vilas. (B, L, D) : Jungle Vilas (Days 8-9)

leisure. Evening aarti ceremony at a local Hindu temple. (B) : ITC Rajputana (Days 10-11) DAY 11: JAIPUR Morning tour of the ancient palace of Amber Fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace (a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture) Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharaja Museum. Later view Hawa Mahal, the “Palace of Winds”, with its elaborate pink sandstone facade. (B) DAY 12: JODHPUR • ROHET Drive to Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and view the bluewashed Brahmin houses. Stay at Rohet Garh, a traditional mansion. (B, D) : Rohet Garh (Days 12-13) DAY 13: ROHET

Day at leisure. Optional 4x4 safari to visit the Bishnoi tribal village.* (B, D) DAY 14: RANAKPUR • UDAIPUR Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Stay at the Trident Udaipur. (B) : Trident Udaipur (Days 14-15) DAY 15: UDAIPUR Morning tour of the City Palace and a miniature painting studio. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure followed by a cultural dance show and farewell dinner. (B, D)

DAY 9: RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing on 4x4 safaris. Drive through the park in search of deer, sloth bears, birds, and the elusive Bengal tiger. (B, L, D)

DAY 16: FLY TO DELHI Transfer to the airport and fly to Delhi for an overnight stay and farewell drink at the Trident Gurgaon. (B) : Trident Gurgaon

DAY 10: JAIPUR

DAY 17: FLY TO LONDON

Morning drive to Jaipur to stay at the ITC Rajaputana for two nights. Afternoon at

Transfer to the airport; fly to London. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,495 TOUR CODE: GNI 05 Feb - 21 Feb 27

04 Feb - 20 Feb 28

12 Feb - 28 Feb 27

11 Feb - 27 Feb 28

12 Mar - 28 Mar 27

10 Mar - 26 Mar 28

19 Mar - 04 Apr 27

17 Mar - 02 Apr 28

24 Sep - 10 Oct 27

22 Sep - 08 Oct 28

08 Oct - 24 Oct 27

06 Oct - 22 Oct 28

22 Oct - 07 Nov 27

20 Oct - 05 Nov 28

05 Nov - 21 Nov 27

03 Nov - 19 Nov 28

19 Nov - 05 Dec 27

17 Nov - 03 Dec 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. * Festival departures: Diwali: 22 Oct 2027, 06 Oct 2028 Holi: 12 and 19 Mar 2027, 10 Mar 2028 † Optional activities: These activities can be pre-booked or booked locally and incur an additional cost. . Hotel choices may be subject to change.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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JOURNEY THROUGH THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

13 days, 11 nights

From £3,095

From £3,895

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the Dalai Lama’s home town and meet with local monks. • Take a scenic ride on the Kangra Mountain Railway. • Meet a local family in Dharamsala. • Enjoy a sunset walk through pastoral Gaddi villages. • Experience a tour and tasting at a tea estate.

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

Travel to the holy city of Amritsar and McLeod Ganj, home to the Tibetan government-in-exile. Journey through the foothills of the Himalaya to Shimla. Along the way, take in the cultural diversity of this region through its temples, monasteries and museums.

DAY 2: AMRITSAR On arrival, transfer to the Hyatt Amritsar and attend a welcome dinner. Then take an evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib ceremony and nightly kirtan (devotional prayers); after dark, the temple and its surrounding sacred pools are lit beautifully. (D)

: Hyatt Regency Amritsar Hotel & Spa (Day 2-3) DAY 1: FLY TO AMRITSAR VIA DELHI Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Amritsar, via Delhi. (N)

Above: McLeod Ganj; top right: Taragarh Fort frescoes; bottom right: Kalka-Shimla toy train

DAY 3: AMRITSAR • WAGAH Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen. Take a guided walk by the Gurudwara Saragarhi war memorial, weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort in the city known for its colonial architecture, and stop by the well-

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india • indian subcontinent

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 14) SINGLE SUPP: From £945 TOUR CODE: HTT 16 Feb - 28 Feb 27

15 Feb - 27 Feb 28

09 Mar - 21 Mar 27

07 Mar - 19 Mar 28

30 Mar - 11 Apr 27

28 Mar - 09 Apr 28

21 Sep - 03 Oct 27

19 Sep - 01 Oct 28

05 Oct - 17 Oct 27

03 Oct - 15 Oct 28

26 Oct - 07 Nov 27

24 Oct - 05 Nov 28

02 Nov - 14 Nov 27

31 Oct - 12 Nov 28

known Jalebi Wala Chowk shop, selling delicious, local sweets. Late-afternoon visit to Attari-Wagah, on the Pakistani border, for a changing of the guard ceremony. (B) DAY 4: MCLEOD GANJ Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama. Visit the Dalai Lama’s monastery and gain insights into Buddhism from a local monk. Take a tour of McLeod Ganj, visiting local markets. (B) : Fortune Park Moksha (Days 4-5) DAY 5: DHARAMSALA After breakfast, take in the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture, and the Thosamling Nunnery. Visit a local family to see the regional Gaddi dress. Later, take a walk through traditional Gaddi settlements to Naddi village, enjoying sunset views over the Dhauladhar mountain range. (B) DAY 6: PALAMPUR Visit Kangra to admire the ruins of its medieval fort, and the Bajeshwari Temple. Drive to Palampur, stopping en route for a tour and tasting at a tea estate. Arrive at Taragarh Palace for an overnight stay, and to visit Tashi Jong Monastery. (B, D) : WelcomHeritage Taragarh Palace DAY 7: PRAGPUR VIA KANGRA MOUNTAIN RAILWAY Visit the 13th-century Shiv Baijnath Temple. Drive to Baijnath to board the Kangra Mountain Railway for the scenic ride to Nagrota. Travel to Pragpur and stay at a converted old manor house†. (B, D) : Judge’s Court (Days 7-8)

DAY 8: PRAGPUR Morning at leisure, with the option of a visit to the temples of Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni*. In the afternoon, walk to Garli Heritage Village to see its mix of European and Asian architectural styles. (B, L, D)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DAY 9: SHIMLA

† Accommodation: Due to limited accommodation options, you may be required to stay in alternative locations.

Full-day drive through the Himalayan foothills to the former British hill station of Shimla. On arrival, check in to the Oberoi Cecil. (B, D) : The Oberoi Cecil (Days 9-11)

Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). * Optional activities: These activities can be pre-booked or booked locally and incur an additional cost.

Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 10: SHIMLA Full-day tour of Shimla, including the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum and the Gaiety Theatre. Later, enjoy time at leisure for a stroll. (B, D) DAY 11: SHIMLA Travel aboard the Himalayan Queen toy train from Shimla to Kandaghat and enjoy the striking Himalayan scenery. This narrow-gauge railway is considered one of the finest engineering feats in India. Afternoon at leisure. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D) DAY 12: DELHI Travel by road to Chandigarh to take the train to Delhi. Overnight at the Trident Gurgaon. (B) : Trident Gurgaon DAY 13: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport; fly to London. (B)

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TREASURES OF SOUTHERN INDIA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 12 nights

From £3,145

From £4,195

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Cruise aboard a wooden shikara boat through Kerala’s backwaters. • Explore Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage by visiting artisans’ workshops. • Visit the riverside Meenakshi Temple for a thrilling night ceremony. • Take lunch at a colonial-style tea planter’s bungalow. • Try south Indian cuisine at an interactive cooking demonstration.

ROAD

The delicate scent of spices, the ring of temple bells and a rich tapestry of ancient arts and crafts epitomise Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Travellers on this tour will take in hill stations, tropical backwaters and templefilled towns, and stay in some of the region’s very best hotels.

DAY 1: FLY TO CHENNAI Fly from London (regional connections available) with Emirates via Dubai. (N)

Above: Kerala riverboat; top right: fishing by Fort Kochi; bottom right: Chidambaram Temple

DAY 2: CHENNAI On arrival, transfer to the Taj Connemara. At leisure before an afternoon tour of the city followed by free time at Marina Beach. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) : Taj Connemara

DAY 3: MAHABALIPURAM • PUDUCHERRY Morning walking tour of Mylapore, the ancient heart of Chennai. Take an autorickshaw to the Kapaleeswarar Temple. Continue to Puducherry, visiting the UNESCO-listed shore temples at Mahabalipuram en route. Stay at the Palais de Mahé, in the French Quarter’s heart. (B) : Palais de Mahé (Day 3-4) DAY 4: PUDUCHERRY Morning visit to the experimental community development, Auroville, including the Mohanam Cultural Centre to see traditional crafts, and the large Matrimandir dome. Afternoon guided walk through Puducherry; stop by the Aurobindo ashram, stroll to the lively Tamil quarters and take in the Ganesh temple in the evening. (B)

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INDIA • indian subcontinent

DAY 5: CHIDAMBARAM •

KUMBAKONAM See the daily rituals at Chidambaram Temple and take in the local calligraphylike art of kalamkari, before driving through scenic countryside to Kumbakonam to stay at the Mantra Koodam. In the evening, try your hand at pottery and enjoy an interactive culinary demonstration, led by expert chefs. (B, D) : Mantra Koodam (Days 5-6) DAY 6: KUMBAKONAM Sunrise visit to the local market. After breakfast, discover the crafts and culture of Tamil Nadu. Observe master foundrymen produce extraordinarily detailed bronze statues, and see pattu silk weaving on wooden handlooms. Later visit the Darasuram Temple, renowned for its delicate stone sculptures. Afternoon at leisure. (B, D) DAY 7: TANJORE • CHETTINAD

Drive to Chettinad, stopping at Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore en route. Continue to the art gallery and Saraswathi Mahal Library at the Tanjore Palace. Arrive in Chettinad for an overnight stay at Chidambara Vilas. In the evening, enjoy a superb culinary experience. (B, L, D) : Chidambara Vilas DAY 8: MADURAI Explore the village market, stopping for a traditional cup of tea before visiting some of the impressive mansions. Travel to Madurai. Evening visit to the illuminated Meenakshi Temple and Hall of a Thousand Pillars for the night ceremony. Overnight stay at the Heritage Madurai. (B) : Heritage Madurai

DAY 9: MUNNAR Travel to the hill country around Munnar for an overnight stay at Fragrant Nature. After lunch in a traditional tea planter’s bungalow, visit the Suryanelli tea factory to enjoy a guided tour, tea tasting and a stroll through the plantation. (B, L, D) : Fragrant Nature DAY 10: KUMARAKOM Morning at leisure. Travel to Kumarakom for two nights at the Rhythm Kumarakom (Poolside Cottage). Upgrade to a Lakefront Luxury Villa with plunge pool from £115 per person for 2 nights. (B, D) : Rhythm Kumarakom (Days 10-11)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 11: KUMARAKOM

SINGLE SUPP: From £1,045

Day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings or explore village life in the backwaters.* (B, D)

TOUR CODE: CMK

DAY 12: KOCHI

Morning cruise aboard a shikara boat through Kerala’s backwaters before driving to Kochi. Visit the Mattancherry Palace and enjoy an evening kathakali dance performance. (B) : Eighth Bastion (Days 12-13) DAY 13: KOCHI Morning sightseeing tour of Kochi including the traditional Chinese fishing nets and the 16th-century St Francis Church. Explore hidden Kochi, including the city’s Jewish quarter and an oldstyle washhouse where white hotel linen is slathered on the washing stones. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel in the evening. (B, D)

GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18)

10 Jan - 23 Jan 27

09 Jan - 22 Jan 28

31 Jan - 13 Feb 27

30 Jan - 12 Feb 28

14 Feb - 27 Feb 27

13 Feb - 26 Feb 28

28 Feb - 13 Mar 27

27 Feb - 11 Mar 28

19 Sep - 02 Oct 27

17 Sep - 30 Sep 28

17 Oct - 30 Oct 27

15 Oct - 28 Oct 28

07 Nov - 20 Nov 27

05 Nov - 18 Nov 28

DAY 14: FLY TO LONDON Fly home via Dubai with Emirates. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. * Optional activities: These activities can be pre-booked or booked locally and incur an additional cost. † Festival departures: Pongal: 10 Jan 2027 and 09 Jan 2028

Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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PASSAGE THROUGH KERALA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 12 nights

From £3,745

From £4,395

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Witness Mysore Palace illuminated by 100,000 lights at night. • Join a culinary tour of Mysore. • Experience afternoon tea at a planter’s house. • Ride the scenic Blue Mountain Railway. • Embark on a boat and canter safari in Nagarhole National Park.

RAIL ROAD

Experience the immense Maharajah’s Palace in Mysore, the wildlife of Nagarhole National Park, the lush beauty of rural Wayanad, a rail ride through the Nilgiri Mountains and a cruise along the peaceful backwaters of Kochi, on this beautiful, tranquil tour of south India.

DAY 1: FLY TO BENGALURU VIA DUBAI

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Bengaluru with Emirates. (N)

Above: Coonoor tea garden; top right: Mysore Palace; bottom right: Onam harvest festival food

DAY 2: BENGALURU Check in at the Taj MG Road. Later, enjoy a guided tour tracing Bengaluru’s captivating history, then attend a welcome dinner. (D) : Taj MG Road

DAY 3: SRIRANGAPATNA • MYSORE Travel to Mysore, stopping en route at the island fortress of Srirangapatna, the former capital of south India’s most powerful 18th-century rulers. Take an evening food tour of Mysore’s culinary delights, including masala dosa. (B) : Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel (Days 3-4) DAY 4: MYSORE • SOMNATHPUR Join a walking tour visiting some of Mysore’s architectural wonders, including the Maharajah’s Palace, which combines Hindu and Saracenic architecture. Later, visit the Keshava temple at Somnathpur. Return to the Maharajah’s Palace in the evening to see it illuminated by over 100,000 bulbs. (B)

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india • indian subcontinent

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,445 TOUR CODE: PKR 14 Jan - 27 Jan 27

13 Jan - 26 Jan 28

21 Jan - 03 Feb 27

20 Jan - 02 Feb 28

04 Feb - 17 Feb 27

03 Feb - 16 Feb 28

11 Mar - 24 Mar 27

09 Mar - 22 Mar 28

16 Sep - 29 Sep 27

14 Sep - 27 Sep 28

14 Oct - 27 Oct 27

12 Oct - 25 Oct 28

04 Nov - 17 Nov 27

02 Nov - 15 Nov 28

DAY 5: NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK

Travel to Kabini for an overnight stay at the Serai Kabini, close to the Nagarhole National Park, home to tigers, leopards, crocodiles and vultures. Take an afternoon boat safari in search of wildlife. (B, L, D) : The Serai Kabini DAY 6: NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK • WAYANAD Early morning canter (open-sided minibus) safari. Travel to Wayanad, a place of outstanding natural beauty with tropical forests, valleys, waterfalls and spice plantations. (B, L, D) : Wayanad Wild (Days 6-7) DAY 7: WAYANAD Morning at leisure. Later, enjoy an interactive Keralan cooking class, lunch and a guided nature walk. (B, L, D) DAY 8: COONOOR

Leisurely drive to the Coonoor hill station. Enjoy lunch on the terrace of the Taj Savoy, as well as an afternoon tour of Ooty’s botanical gardens, filled with more than 1,000 varieties of plants. (B, L) : Gateway Coonoor (Days 8-9) DAY 9: OOTY • COONOOR Drive to Ooty and ride the Blue Mountain Railway to Coonoor. The narrow-gauge railway runs through the verdant Nilgiri Mountains. Visit a planter’s house for tea and a walk through the plantation. (B)

DAY 10: KOCHI Travel to Coimbatore and board the train to Ernakulam. Check into the Eighth Bastion; have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the surroundings. (B, L) : Eighth Bastion (Days 10-11) DAY 11: KOCHI Visit some of the highlights of this enchanting port, taking in the architectural styles that blend Arab, Jewish and European influences. View the remarkable, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, explore the 16th-century Portuguese-built Mattancherry Palace, the Church of St Francis and India’s oldest active synagogue. Wander through markets and visit the vibrant Dhobi Ghats laundry houses. Later, go to the Kathakali dance studio to see a traditional performance. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 12: KERALAN BACKWATERS Drive to the backwater region of Kerala. En route, take a cruise on a wooden shikara boat through picturesque waterways. Stay at Coconut Lagoon. (B) : Coconut Lagoon (Days 12-13) DAY 13: KERALAN BACKWATERS Day at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D) DAY 14: FLY TO LONDON VIA DUBAI Airport transfer; fly with Emirates, via Dubai. (B)

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solo departures available

SRI LANKA: THE ENCHANTED ISLAND DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 12 nights

From £3,595

From £3,895

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Explore the sacred Dambulla caves and ancient Sigiriya rock fortress. • Witness a puja ceremony at the ornate Temple of the Tooth. • Stay in a beautifully restored and converted 19th-century tea factory. • Journey by train through lush, scenic tea country.

ROAD

The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka contains a wealth of cultural, archaeological and natural treasures. This comprehensive tour visits both popular and lesser-known sites in the north, centre and south of the country. Highlights include the jungle-bound fortress of Sigiriya, the wildlife-rich Yala National Park and the cave temples of Dambulla.

DAY 1: FLY TO COLOMBO Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) with Sri Lankan Airlines. (N) DAY 2: COLOMBO

Afternoon transfer to the Cinnamon Lakeside and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) : Cinnamon Lakeside DAY 3: DAMBULLA Travel to Dambulla, home to Asia’s most impressive cave temples. Stay at the Heritance Kandalama. (B) : Heritance Kandalama (Days 3-5)

Above: Buddhist temple in Anuradhapura; top right: Galle’s stilt fishermen; bottom right: leopard in Yala National Park

DAY 4: ANURADHAPURA • MIHINTALE Drive to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s ancient capital and home to fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Visit Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. (B)

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sri lanka • indian subcontinent

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 5: SIGIRIYA • POLONNARUWA

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18)

Morning visit to the Sigiriya rock fortress. Continue to the medieval city of Polonnaruwa. (B)

SINGLE SUPP: From £1,095 TOUR CODE: CET

DAY 6: KANDY

Continue to the beautiful, mountainous city of Kandy; stay at the Earl’s Regency. In the evening, watch a traditional dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja. (B) : Earl’s Regency (Days 6-7) DAY 7: KANDY

Take a morning visit to Kandy’s lush, bountiful Royal Botanic Gardens. Afternoon at leisure. (B) DAY 8: NUWARA ELIYA

Board the train to Nanu Oya, winding through picturesque landscapes. Visit a tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya, a town set at an elevation of 1,880 metres (2,055 yards) above sea level. (B) : Heritance Tea Factory (Days 8-9) DAY 9: HORTON PLAINS Early morning visit to Horton Plains. Nestled in Sri Lanka’s highest plateau, This area is inhabited by large populations of monkeys and sambar deer. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B) DAY 10: ELLA • YALA NATIONAL PARK Visit the Rawana Ella Falls and the monumental Buduruwagala Buddhist statues. Head on to Yala and stay at Cinnamon Wild. (B, D) : Cinnamon Wild (Days 10-11)

DAY 11: YALA NATIONAL PARK Morning safari in Yala National Park. Covering 1,300 sq km (500 sq miles), the park encompasses a diversity of jungle habitats, including lagoons and riverside locations where elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild pigs, jackals and marsh crocodiles thrive alongside a great variety of birdlife. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D) DAYS 12 - 13: GALLE • AHUNGALLA

Drive to Ahungalla, stopping for a tour of Galle Fort before continuing to the Elephant Transit Home. Stay at Heritance Ahungalla or upgrade to the Cinnamon Bentota Beach Resort & Spa from £325 per person. Following day at leisure. (B) : Heritance Ahungalla (or similar) DAY 14: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to Colombo; fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines. (B)

12 Jan - 25 Jan 27

04 Jan - 17 Jan 28

19 Jan - 01 Feb 27

11 Jan - 24 Jan 28

26 Jan - 08 Feb 27

18 Jan - 31 Jan 28

02 Feb - 15 Feb 27

25 Jan - 07 Feb 28

09 Feb - 22 Feb 27

01 Feb - 14 Feb 28

16 Feb - 01 Mar 27

08 Feb - 21 Feb 28

02 Mar - 15 Mar 27

15 Feb - 28 Feb 28

09 Mar - 22 Mar 27

29 Feb - 13 Mar 28

16 Mar - 29 Mar 27

07 Mar - 20 Mar 28

19 Oct - 01 Nov 27

14 Mar - 27 Mar 28

16 Nov - 29 Nov 27

17 Oct - 30 Oct 28 14 Nov - 27 Nov 28

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £4,645 TOUR CODE: CES 12 Oct - 25 Oct 27

09 Nov - 22 Nov 27

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Train journey: Seats are subject to availability and are obtained close to the travel date. An alternative journey may be required. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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NEW FOR 2027

NEPAL: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HIMALAYA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 12 nights

From £4,245

From £4,595

Signature

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Ease into Nepal’s rhythm with a soundhealing ceremony and dinner at Avata Wellness. • Roll, fold and steam your own Nepalese dumplings with the women of the Patan community. • Track wildlife by road, river and foot in Chitwan, then meet the indigenous Tharu people. • Slow down for two nights at the hillside Tomijong lodge, beneath the mighty peaks of the Himalaya. • Visit the Shanti Peace Pagoda and boat along the peaceful waters of Phewa Lake.

Head into the Himalaya on this comprehensive tour of Nepal, the mountainous birthplace of Buddha. Your journey begins in the three ancient capitals of the Kathmandu Valley, taking in their royal squares, temples and stupas. Then it’s into the wilds of Chitwan for safaris by road, boat and foot. Spend time amid the natural beauty of Pokhara, before concluding in the traditional Newari village of Bandipur. ROAD

DAY 1: FLY TO KATHMANDU Fly from London with Qatar Airlines. (N) DAY 2: KATHMANDU Arrive in Nepal’s capital and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a sound-healing session and dinner at Avata Wellness. (D) : Hotel Yak & Yeti (Days 2-4) DAY 3: KATHMANDU Today, explore a selection of Nepal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beginning with the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, set on the sacred Bagmati River; and the landmark domed stupa of Boudhanath. Then visit the nearby city of Lalitpur for a workshop in making momo – Nepalese steamed dumplings – and a tour of Patan

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nepal • indian subcontinent

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,045 TOUR CODE: NPL 10 Oct - 23 Oct 27

22 Feb - 06 Mar 28

31 Oct - 13 Nov 27

08 Apr - 21 Apr 28

14 Nov - 27 Nov 27 GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin / double room. All prices are subject to availability. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Hotel choices may be subject to change.

Durbar Square, with its ornate Newar architecture. (B, L)

mountain lodge. (B, L, D) : Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Days 8-9)

DAY 4: KATHMANDU Begin the day with a rickshaw tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, home to centuries-old temples and royal residences commissioned by the Malla dynasty. Continue to Swayambhunath, a gleaming stupa built on a hilltop and an important Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site. Finish at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a former palace of the Malla kings. (B)

DAY 9: TOMIJONG Enjoy a day at leisure, to unwind at your lodge or explore the surrounding villages, hiking trails, rice terraces and rugged, mountainous scenery. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK Drive to Chitwan, arriving in time for an afternoon boat safari on the Rapti River, rounded off with drinks and an introductory briefing on the jungle. (L, D) : Barahi Jungle Lodge (Days 5-7) DAY 6: CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK Enjoy an early-morning safari drive with breakfast, followed by an afternoon walking safari. Chitwan’s sal forests, tall grasses and waterways form a habitat for a diversity of life, including tigers, leopards, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species. This evening, enjoy folk dancing by Chitwan’s Tharu community. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: POKHARA Transfer to the welcoming, waterside city of Pokhara, arriving for an afternoon at leisure beside Phewa Lake. (B) : Temple Tree Resort (Days 10-11) DAY 11: POKHARA Your day begins with a visit to the Shanti (Peace) Pagoda, affording you views over the city and Phewa Laka, and out to the snow-capped Annapurna mountains. Later, in the afternoon, visit the cascade of Davis Falls and the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave beneath it, as well as the small Hindu temple of Bindhyabasini. (B) DAY 12: BANDIPUR

Drive to the mountain village of Bandipur, with the afternoon at leisure to stroll the traditional Newari streets and soak up the Himalayan views. (B) : The Old Inn (Days 12-14)

Embark on a boat safari to a Tharu community lodge for lunch and insights into henna and traditional wall art. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: KATHMANDU Return by road to Nepal’s capital city, check back into Hotel Yak & Yeti, and join a farewell dinner later that evening. (B, D) : Hotel Yak & Yeti

DAY 8: TOMIJONG Drive to Pokhara and onward towards Tomijong, then enjoy a scenic hike to your

DAY 14: FLY TO THE UK Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight. (B)

DAY 7: CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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Left: Boudhanath stupa; above: view of Annapurna mountains; below: Nepalese dumplings

NEW FOR 2027

BHUTAN: JOURNEY TO THE DRAGON KINGDOM DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £4,695

From £4,945

Signature

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Fly into Paro on one of the world’s most dramatic Himalayan approaches. • Hike to the Tiger’s Nest monastery, which clings to a cliff high above the Paro Valley. • Cross the flag-draped Dochula Pass and its 108 shrines, with views across the eastern Himalaya. • Walk the glacial Gangtey Valley, winter home of the rare black-necked crane. • Try archery in traditional Bhutanese clothes and share lunch with a local family.

Although Bhutan opened its doors to the world in 1974, age-old Buddhist traditions continue to thrive and define the character of this former hermit kingdom. On this tour, travel between the highlights, passing through meadows, forests and valleys to visit fortified monasteries, pagodalike temples and hilltop stupas steeped in history and spirituality.

FLIGHT ROAD

DAY 1: FLY TO KATHMANDU, NEPAL Overnight flight from London with Qatar Airlines. DAY 2: KATHMANDU Arrive in Kathmandu for exploration of the Nepalese capital’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Durbar Square, home to historic temples, courtyards and palaces; the ancient temple complex of Swayambhunath, with its hilltop stupa and Buddha statues; Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple and pilgrimage site; and the gilded stupa of Boudhanath, which houses numerous sacred relics. (D) : Hotel Yak & Yeti

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bhutan • indian subcontinent

DAY 3: THIMPHU, BHUTAN Fly on to Paro, and continue by road to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. If time permits, take tea with the nuns of the Zilukha Nunnery or witness the sundown flaglowering ceremony at the Tashichho Dzong monastery. (B, D) : City Heritage (or similar) (Days 3-4) DAY 4: THIMPHU Visit the National Memorial Chorten, adorned with fine wall paintings and precious Buddhist statuary. After lunch, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, where artists practice the centuries-old traditions of Bhutanese arts and crafts. Optional visit to Kaja Throm farmers’ market. (B, L, D) DAY 5: GANGTEY

Take the scenic five-hour drive to Gangtey Valley, traversing Dochula Pass for views of the eastern Himalaya. Take an evening stroll to enjoy the mountain vistas. (B, D) : Dewachen Resort (or similar) (Days 5-6) DAY 6: GANGTEY Walk the Gangtey Nature Trail through pine forests to Khewa Lhakang, a protected roosting area for the blacknecked crane. After lunch, stop by the Black-Necked Crane Visitor Centre, then Gangtey Monastery, with the option to attend evening prayers. (B, L, D) DAY 7: PUNAKHA

Take an excursion to the Chimi monastery and fertility temple, with a detour in the village of Pana for a walk through ricefields. Later, visit the hilltop nunnery of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup. (B, D) : Meri Puensum (or similar) (Days 7-8)

DAY 8: PUNAKHA Hike to the pagoda-like stupa of Khamsum Yuelley Nagyal Chorten. Take lunch with local hosts, then continue to Punakha Dzong, a sprawling 17th-century monastery set on the confluence of the Pho and Mo rivers. This building houses the sacred remains of Bhutan’s founder, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. (B, L) DAY 9: PARO Head to the historic valley town of Paro. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong – the national museum of Bhutan – which houses thousands of artworks. Continue to Rinpung Dzong nearby, a fortified Buddhist monastery containing numerous shrines and temples. Later, try your hand at archery in traditional Bhutanese dress at a local farmhouse. (B, L) : The Village Lodge (or similar) (Days 9-10) DAY 10: PARO Visit one of Bhutan’s most eye-catching and precipitous landmarks: Taktsang – or Tiger’s Nest – a monastery built in 1684 and perched high up on a rocky ledge. Back on lower ground, consider the option of a traditional hot-stone bath at a local spa. Finish the day at Druk Choeding temple, where monks impart blessings to their devotees. (B) DAY 11: KATHMANDU, NEPAL Fly back to Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a final afternoon at leisure to explore the city. (B) : Hotel Yak & Yeti

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 16) SINGLE SUPP: From £545 TOUR CODE: BHU 17 Oct - 28 Oct 27

12 Mar - 23 Mar 28

31 Oct - 11 Nov 27

15 Oct - 26 Oct 28 29 Oct - 09 Nov 28

DAY 12: FLY TO THE UK Transfer to Kathmandu international airport for your flight home. (B)

Far left: Punakha Dzong; above: cham dancer at Shechen Monastery; left: stupas in the Dochula Pass

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PAKISTAN: PERSIANS, MUGHALS AND MYSTICS DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £4,395

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the tomb of the fourth Mughal emperor, Jahangir. • Experience the famous Wagah border ceremony from the Pakistani side of the border. • Admire the grandeur of the Royal Fort in Lahore. • See the artisans who produce Multan’s renowned kashikari glazed pottery.

ROAD

Above: tomb of Bibi Jawindi; top right: Wazir Khan Mosque; bottom right: Hiran Minar

The Mughal Empire – derived from the word Mongol – originated in Central Asia and went on to dominate almost all of the Indian subcontinent. Babur, its first ruler and a direct descendant of the conqueror Amir Timur, united Mongol traditions, Persian culture and the Central Asian arts patronage with the wealth and vigour of the subcontinent. Focusing on one of the empire’s lesser-visited successor states, Pakistan, this tour explores the Mughal’s legacy, whose cultural influence travelled as far as Queen Victoria’s court.

DAY 1: FLY TO LAHORE Fly overnight from London to Lahore via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. (N) DAY 2: LAHORE Check in at Pearl Continental Lahore, tour the Shalimar Gardens, then enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) : Pearl Continental Lahore (Days 2-4) DAY 3: LAHORE Enjoy a full day’s sightseeing around Lahore, the historic capital of both the Mughal Empire and the Punjab region. Highlights include the Badshahi Mosque, the Royal Fort, the Wazir Khan Mosque, and the restored Persianate Shahi Hamman (Royal Baths). (B)

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pakistan • indian subcontinent

DAY 4: LAHORE

Visit the tomb of Emperor Jahangir, the only one of the six major Mughal emperors to be buried in what is now Pakistan. Continue to the nearby tomb of his favourite wife, Nur Jahan. Later, take in the Lahore Museum, mentioned in the works of Rudyard Kipling and home to impressive Mughal artefacts. Conclude the day at the Anarkali Bazaar, which dates from the reign of Emperor Akbar the Great. (B, L) DAY 5: HARAPPA AND MULTAN Travel to Multan, stopping en route in Harappa, ancient home of one of the subcontinent’s earliest civilisations. In Multan, visit a workshop where artisans still produce the city’s famous kashikari pottery, a style brought by Mongol invaders from Central Asia. Continue to Ramada Multan. Optional excursion to the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam for a performance by local Sufi musicians. (B) : Ramada Multan (Days 5-7) DAY 6: UCH SHARIF AND MULTAN This morning, drive to Uch Sharif. Said to have been founded by Alexander the Great, the city has long been a stronghold of Islamic rule in the subcontinent. See the famous Sufi shrines, including the 15th-century Tomb of Bibi Jiwandi. After, return to Multan. (B, L) DAY 7: MULTAN

Enjoy a morning tour of Multan, including the city’s key Sufi shrines as well as the Shahi Eidgah mosque. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure or take an excursion to visit the Multan Arts Bazaar. (B, L)

DAY 8: SHEIKHUPURA & LAHORE

Drive to Sheikhupura to see the beautiful Hiran Minar complex, built in commemoration of Emperor Jahangir’s favourite antelope, Mansraj. Jahangir was noted for his love of both hunting and wildlife. Travel on to Lahore; stay at the Pearl Continental. (B, L) : Pearl Continental (Days 8-9) DAY 9: LAHORE

Explore the Heera Mandi district, including the Fakir Khana Museum (subject to confirmation), inside the former home of the Mughal Emperor’s Treasurer. Visit Wagah to see the India-Pakistan border ceremony, followed by dinner. (B, D) DAY 10: ROHTAS AND ISLAMABAD Drive to Islamabad, pausing en route to visit the 16th-century Mughal fort at Rohtas. Proceed to Islamabad and stay at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel. (B) : Islamabad Marriott Hotel (Days 10-11)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,145 TOUR CODE: MUG 17 Mar - 28 Mar 27

2 Feb - 13 Feb 28

10 Nov - 21 Nov 27

8 Nov - 19 Nov 28

DAY 11: ISLAMABAD AND TAXILA Visit nearby Taxila, an ancient Buddhist centre that was conquered by Alexander the Great. Return to Islamabad for a highlights tour of Pakistan’s modern capital, followed by a farewell dinner. (B, D) DAY 12: FLY TO LONDON Fly to London via Istanbul or extend your stay. (B)

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EXTENSIONS INDIAN SUBCONTINENT These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

AMRITSAR 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS, FROM £545

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: The Golden Triangle and Shimla Head to the heart of India’s Punjab region, to stay at the luxurious Taj Swarna hotel. Spend a full day taking in the city’s highlights, beginning with the holiest site in Sikhism: the Golden Temple. Worshippers flock to this gold gurdwara, which stands at the end of a water-bound causeway. Continue to the Ram Bagh Garden, built in the 19th century when Punjab was a Sikh kingdom. Finish by viewing the Wagah border ceremony on the India-Pakistan border, where each nation’s security forces perform daily manoeuvres in ceremonial dress. : Taj Swarna or upgrade to Heritage Boutique Ranjit’s Svaasa

SHIMLA 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS, FROM £995

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Grand Tour of India Round off your tour of the Indian subcontinent with a visit to the breezy, former British colonial summer capital. Take in the scenery on the narrowgauge, Kalka-Shimla Toy Train as it climbs Himalayan foothills, then enjoy the mountainous views, lakes, charming architecture and easy pace of this former hill station, before flying home via Delhi. : The Oberoi Cecil

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extensions • indian subcontinent

HARIDWAR AND CORBETT NATIONAL PARK 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS, FROM £1,095

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: The Golden Triangle and Shimla Journey through the Himalayan Foothills Continue your Indian journey with a visit to ancient holy city Haridwar and the thriving tiger habitat, the Jim Corbett National Park. Arrive in Haridwar in time to witness the evening aarti ceremony, when locals and pilgrims stand in reverence at the Ganges waterfront, illuminated by oil lamps. Spend the night at Amrit Bhawan hotel, then proceed to Jim Corbett National Park, staying two nights at Jim’s Jungle Retreat. Enjoy a full day viewing the wildlife as well as a morning safari drive, with a chance to spot Bengal tigers and elephants, as well as numerous birds and other native species. : Amrit Bhawan, Jim’s Jungle Retreat

KERALA 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS, FROM £795

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Grand Tour of India Drop your tour tempo in the laid-back southern state of Kerala, which offers a calming contrast to the north of the country. This is a serene land of languid waterways, verdant hills, little villages, delicious food and fine beaches. Your extension includes a cruise on the backwaters aboard a traditional kettuvallam – a converted rice boat – and a stay in the historic port city of Kochi. Spend two nights in a poolside cottage at the Rhythm Kumarakom hotel, and two at the Fragrant Nature Kochi hotel. : Rhythm Kumarakom, Fragrant Nature Kochi

Images clockwise from top left: Amritsar’s Golden Temple; elephants in Jim Corbett National Park; Keralan houseboat; Shimla.

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VARANASI 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS, FROM £965

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Journey Through the Himalayan Foothills Immerse yourself in spiritual India, in one of the country’s oldest continually inhabited cities, and one of the holiest places in the subcontinent. See the rituals performed daily on the banks of the Ganges, descend the waterside ghats – its world-famous stepped wharfs – and explore Varanasi’s ancient bazaars and narrow lanes, before catching your return flight from Delhi. : Taj Ganges, Varanasi or upgrade to heritage Surya Uday Haveli

GOA 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS, FROM £495

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Passage Through Rajasthan The Golden Triangle and Shimla Trade the bustle of northern India for Goa’s palm-lined shores on this leisurely extension. After exploring Rajasthan or the Golden Triangle, settle into a few days at leisure, unwinding by the beach or within resort facilities. Fly south to this languid coastal haven, enjoy a boutique stay at the Earth Maison Goa, with the option to upgrade to five-star luxury at Alila Diwa Goa or The St. Regis Goa Resort. Enjoy the resort or explore Goa’s beaches and markets independently. Depart refreshed, your journey complete. : Earth Maison, or upgrade to Alila Diwa Goa or The St. Regis Goa Resort

MARARI BEACH 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS, FROM £695

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Passage Through Rajasthan Treasures of Southern India Bask on the tranquil coast beside Mararikulam, a small Keralan beach town, staying in a Garden Villa at the Marari Beach Resort. The beach itself is delightful, while this village-style accommodation has individual thatched cottages (or upgrade to a Pool Villa), and is set among coconut groves, lily ponds and fruit trees. There is a salt-water swimming pool for cooling off, an ayurvedic spa offering herbal massages and therapies, a yoga centre, and a range of indoor and outdoor dining options. : Marari Beach Resort

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extensions • indian subcontinent

LUCKNOW 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS, FROM £1,295

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Passage Through Rajasthan, Journey Through the Himalayan Foothills Enjoy a refined introduction to Awadhi heritage, elegant architecture and famous cuisine, via a stay in the historic city of Lucknow. This extension also includes a visit to Kannauj, India’s historic centre of perfume-making, as well as a tour of Lucknow’s thriving markets, and plenty of opportunities to buy some of the city’s intricate chikan embroidery. : Taj Mahal Lucknow

Images clockwise from top left: Boats on the Ganges; Bara Imambara interior; view of Asfi Mosque; Golconda Fort; Keralan fishing boats; Goa

HYDERABAD 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £795

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Passage Through Kerala Treasures of Southern India Discover the rich legacy alive today in Hyderabad, the country’s fourth biggest city, where grand monuments, regal palaces and fine culinary arts combine to create a distinctive and memorable extension to your visit to the Indian subcontinent. Take in the city’s majestic architecture, its spicy food and its complex cultural heritage, as well as its charming squares and cafes. : Taj Krishna

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call 020 3627 3097 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA Don’t let the shared languages fool you; Latin America is a place of varied, diverse and rewarding extremes. Let the roar of Iguazú Falls overwhelm you and find tranquillity among the peaks and glaciers of Patagonia; revel in the rainforest foliage of the Amazon basin, and the expansive, pastel vistas of the Atacama Desert. See the world-famous species still thriving in the Galápagos Islands, and the world-changing engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. Peru’s Machu Picchu and the Mesoamerican temples of Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico are reminders of great, lost civilisations, while Medellín, Rio de Janeiro, Lima and Buenos Aires are cosmopolitan beacons of cultural brilliance.

Opposite: inset: a guanaco in the Torres del Paine National Park, Chile; background: the Atacama Desert, Chile

Our Latin America collection includes focused explorations of individual countries, as well as thrilling multi-country group tours crossing Central and South America; and if you can’t quite find the tour to satisfy all your desires, you can add on additional places and experiences via our tour extensions.

solo departures available

TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

16 days, 14 nights

From £4,195 (Signature) From £4,695 (Prestige*)

From £5,195 (Signature) From £5,795 (Prestige*)

Signature and Prestige*

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Stay overnight at Machu Picchu, the stunning, world-famous Inca citadel. • See the oldest colonial mansion in Lima. • Spot condors over Colca Canyon. • Enjoy a scenic rail ride across Peru’s altiplano aboard the stylish Titicaca train. • Take the opportunity to visit during local festivals such as Inti Raymi and Corpus Christi†.

Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel 2,430 metres (7972 feet) above sea level, retains its place among the heights of world archaeological and scenic sites. Yet this tour includes a wider range of wonders, such as Cuzco, once the capital of the Inca empire; Arequipa, the “White City” where Baroque architecture meets indigenous craftsmanship in blocks of local, pale sillar stone; and the high waters of Lake Titicaca, as well as characterful hotels and elegant train travel. FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

DAYS 1-2: FLY TO LIMA

Fly from London (regional connections available) and transfer to your hotel. Take a half-day city tour, including Casa Aliaga, the oldest colonial mansion in Lima and the Baroque majesty of San Francisco monastery. (N) (B) : Casa Andina Premium Miraflores/ Country Club Lima Hotel*

DAY 3: FLY TO AREQUIPA Fly over the Andes to Arequipa, known as the ‘White City’ thanks to the use of pale, volcanic sillar stone masonry in much of its buildings. Admire its ornate facades and colonnaded plazas, surrounded by icecapped volcanoes. (B) : Costa del Sol Wyndham (Days 3-4)

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peru • latin america

DAY 4: AREQUIPA Take a full-day city tour to see such sights as the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, which dates from the 16th century, and the Juanita Mummy Museum. (B, L)

a traditional weaving demonstration. Continue to the Sacred Valley. (B, L)

DAY 5: COLCA CANYON Drive into the Andes towards Colca Canyon (around four hours, partly on unpaved roads, with stops), passing breathtaking views of the altiplano and herds of grazing llamas and vicuñas. (B, L) : Aranwa Colca/Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs* (Days 5-6)

DAY 11: SACRED VALLEY Take a half-day visit to the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, an astounding feat of engineering. Later, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 6: COLCA CANYON Early morning excursion to Condor’s Cross to see condors flying over the canyon. Later, visit Maca, a town famed for its preColumbian textiles. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B) DAYS 7-8: LAKE TITICACA

Travel by road to Puno and Lake Titicaca (around six hours). Stay on the shores of the lake and take a full-day tour of the Uros people’s man-made, floating, reed islands, as well as the naturally formed Taquile Island. (B, L) : GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca DAY 9: TRAIN TO CUZCO Take the Titicaca train to Cuzco (approximately 10 hours). Enjoy lunch and relax with a pisco sour in the observation car, as you pass through Andean plains, where vicuñas and alpacas thrive. (B, L) : Casa Andina Premium Cusco/Palacio de Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel* DAY 10: CHINCHERO • SACRED VALLEY Travel by road to the indigenous village of Chinchero to see its Inca terraces and

: Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley/ Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba* (Days 10-11)

DAY 12: MACHU PICCHU Drive to Ollanta and take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Tour the spectacular ruins and stay in the town of Aguas Calientes nestled in the river valley directly below the ruins’ sanctuary. (B, L, D) : Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel/ Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel* DAY 13: CUZCO Enjoy a morning at leisure or take the opportunity to further explore Machu Picchu (purchase ticket at time of booking). Return to Cuzco by rail and transfer to your hotel. (B) : Casa Andina Premium Cuzco/Palacio de Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel* (Days 13-14) DAY 14: CUZCO Take a half-day tour of the Inca capital including the San Blas district, the cathedral and the extraordinary Temple of the Sun at Coricancha. Afternoon is at leisure or take an optional excursion to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum or the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, before a farewell dinner in the evening (B, D). DAYS 15-16: FLY TO LONDON VIA LIMA Fly to London, arriving the next day. (B) (N)

top left: Machu Picchu; top right: Santa Catalina convent, Arequipa; bottom right: Floating Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18)

SINGLE SUPP: From £945

SINGLE SUPP: From £1,295

TOUR CODE: TMP (Signature)

TOUR CODE: TML (Prestige)

21 Mar - 05 Apr 27

26 Mar - 10 Apr 28

02 May - 17 May 27

07 May - 22 May 28

18 Apr - 03 May 27

09 Apr - 24 Apr 28

06 Jun - 21 Jun 27

02 Jul - 17 Jul 28

25 Apr - 10 May 27

16 Apr - 01 May 28

04 Jul - 19 Jul 27

03 Sep - 18 Sep 28

09 May - 24 May 27

30 Apr - 15 May 28

05 Sep - 20 Sep 27

01 Oct - 16 Oct 28

† 14 May - 29 May 27

14 May - 29 May 28

03 Oct - 18 Oct 27

23 May - 07 Jun 27

21 May - 05 Jun 28

30 May - 14 Jun 27

28 May - 12 Jun 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

† 11 Jun - 26 Jun-27

+ 02 Jun - 17 Jun 28

27 Jun - 12 Jul 27

+ 11 Jun - 26 Jun 28

25 Jul - 09 Aug 27

25 Jun - 10 Jul 28

29 Aug - 13 Sep 27

23 Jul - 07 Aug 28

12 Sep - 27 Sep 27

20 Aug - 04 Sep 28

26 Sep - 11 Oct 27

27 Aug - 11 Sep 28

10 Oct - 25 Oct 27

10 Sep - 25 Sep 28

SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £5,295

24 Oct - 08 Nov 27

17 Sep - 2 Oct 28

TOUR CODE: TSP (Signature)

07 Nov - 22 Nov 27

24 Sep - 09 Oct 28

04 Apr - 19 Apr 27

23 Apr - 08 May 28

08 Aug - 23 Aug 27

06 Aug - 21 Aug 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. Clockwise from top left: Peruvian women in traditional dress; macaws in the Amazon rainforest; Candelabra Lines on Paracas Peninsula, Peru; Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro; Ollantaytambo, Peru

GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin / double room. All prices are subject to availability. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14)

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION † Festival departures: The tour departing on 11 June 2027 and 2028 coincides with the Inti Raymi festival, held on 24 June. This tour has a modified itinerary and includes a full day of ceremonial celebrations in honour of the Sun God. Enjoy the re-enactment procession of hundreds of Inca descendants in colourful finery accompanied by music and dance. The tour departing on 14 May 2027 and 2 June 2028 coincides with the Corpus Christi, a culturally rich festival in Peru blending Christian celebration with the local, indigenous traditions. Itinerary: The order of the itinerary allows gradual adjustment to the altitude, while taking in the major sights of Peru. There are some early morning starts and long drives. Currently all departures will fly to Peru via Amsterdam. Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. *Prestige tour: Five-star, deluxe accommodation and high-level comfort throughout. Optional upgrades: On days 9, 13 and 14 of the Signature departures, it is possible to upgrade to the Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel from £165 per person. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

call 020 3627 3097 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

peru • latin america

EXTENSIONS

PERUVIAN AMAZON 4 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £450

The Peruvian Amazon is filled with the most beautiful and diverse array of wildlife, and the region around Puerto Maldonado provides an excellent opportunity to explore the rainforest, rivers and Sandoval Lake – home to macaws, black caimans, giant otters and monkeys. Fly from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado for two nights at the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion (individual bungalow, full board). Take shared guided walks and boat trips, and explore the hanging bridges for views over the lush canopy. Upgrade to Reserva Amazonica (river-view bungalow) from £265. : Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion

NAZCA AND PARACAS 4 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £945

Travel south of Lima along the coast to Paracas (three and a half hours) and stay for two nights at Aranwa Paracas Resort & Spa or La Hacienda Bahia on the bay, or upgrade to Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort from £125. Take a 90-minute overflight from Pisco to see the mysterious Nazca Lines – vast drawings of animals, plants and symbols etched into the desert by ancient civilisations – then cruise to the Ballestas Islands, home to sea lions, penguins and a vast array of birds, including Peruvian boobies. : Aranwa Paracas Resort & Spa / Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort

RIO DE JANEIRO AND IGUAÇU 6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS FROM £1,795

Combine your trip to Peru with a visit to Rio and the thundering Iguaçu Falls (called the Iguazu Falls, if you’re seeing them from the Spanish-speaking, Argentinian side) . Fly to Rio and transfer to the beachfront PortoBay Rio de Janeiro Hotel for three nights (Superior partial ocean-view room). Take a full-day tour to marvel at Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain and enjoy a leisure day on the beach before flying to Iguaçu for two nights at Recanto Cataratas Resort. Visit both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of these falls, then continue to Lima via São Paulo. : PortoBay Rio de Janeiro Hotel; Recanto Cataratas

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PERU AND GALÁPAGOS ODYSSEY DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 12 nights

From £7,995

From £8,795

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Cruise the Galápagos islands in a luxury catamaran and see its extraordinary wildlife. • Admire ancient Inca fortresses and citadels, including the worldfamous Machu Picchu. • Enjoy an artisanal chocolate experience in old Quito, Ecuador.

FLIGHT RAIL

Combine the ancient Inca treasures of Peru with Ecuador’s capital, Quito, and a four-night luxury cruise around the Galápagos islands. The remarkable voyage around the islands includes land excursions alongside naturalist guides, seeking out the unique wildlife for which this archipelago is so well known.

DAYS 1-2: FLY TO LIMA

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Lima via Amsterdam with KLM. Transfer to your hotel, and discover both colonial-era and contemporary Lima, on a half-day tour of the Peruvian capital. Wander through a thriving local market, and enjoy a pisco sour cocktail-making demonstration on the panoramic rooftop terrace of your hotel. (N) (B) : Souma Hotel

Above: a Frigatebird in the Galápagos; top right: Cusco, Peru; bottom right: Quito’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Ecuador

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peru & ecuador • latin america

DAYS 3-4: FLY TO CUZCO •

SACRED VALLEY Fly to Cuzco in the Andes, and transfer to the Sacred Valley via Chinchero to learn about traditional weaving. Stay for two nights at the Casona Yucay. The following morning visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, and the village of Pachar with its artisanal brewery. (B) : Casona Yucay DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU • CUZCO Transfer to Ollanta railway station and board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Take a guided tour of the striking Inca ruins, then catch a late afternoon train back to Cuzco. (B, L) : Casa Andina Premium Cusco (Days 5-6)

DAY 6: CUZCO Take a half-day tour of the ancient capital of the Inca empire including the cathedral, San Blas district, and the Coricancha Temple of the Sun. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or take an optional visit to the Inca ruins at Sacsayhuamán. (B) DAYS 7-8: FLY TO QUITO VIA LIMA

Fly to Lima and on to Quito, Ecuador’s capital city. Tour the historic centre, including the UNESCO-protected San Francisco basilica, the Middle of the World equatorial line monument, and Chez Tiff Chocolatier, where you can learn about Ecuadorian chocolate making. (B) : Hilton Colon Quito

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DAY 9: FLY TO THE GALÁPAGOS

Fly to the Galápagos and board the Monique for a four-night cruise. The catamaran offers up to 16 guests a luxurious and sustainable way to explore the wildlife-rich archipelago. (B, L, D) : Monique (or similar) (Days 9-12) DAYS 10-12: THE GALÁPAGOS Take shared shore excursions with a naturalist guide and enjoy close encounters with some of the rarest animals, including land iguanas, frigatebirds, Darwin’s finches, red and blue-footed boobies and Galápagos penguins. (B, L, D) DAYS 13-14: FLY TO UK VIA AMSTERDAM Fly to Quito or Guayaquil to connect with a flight to the UK via Amsterdam, arriving the next day. (B) (N)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 16) SINGLE SUPP: From £3,895 TOUR CODE: CON 10 Apr - 23 Apr 27

01 Apr - 14 Apr 28

08 May - 21 May 27

13 May - 26 May 28

05 Jun - 18 Jun 27

10 Jun - 23 Jun 28

31 Jul - 13 Aug 27

05 Aug - 18 Aug 28

11 Sep - 24 Sep 27

02 Sep - 15 Sep 28

09 Oct - 22 Oct 27

30 Sep - 13 Oct 28

06 Nov - 19 Nov 27

28 Oct - 10 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Locally escorted tour: This tour is led in each destination by a local tour guide. 2028 Galápagos cruise: 2028 cruises are based on The Tribute, a sophisticated Galápagos yacht for max 16 guests. On each departure, it is possible to upgrade to the Owner’s Suite from £985 per person Hotel choices may be subject to change. Top: giant tortoises in the Galápagos; above: a blue-footed booby in the Galápagos; top and centre right: The Monique; bottom right: a land iguana in the Galápagos

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

call 020 7873 5000 or speak to your travel agent

peru & ecuador • latin america

THE MONIQUE The Monique is a new, sustainable and state-of-the-art catamaran. Its twin hulls glide smoothly between the most remarkable islands in the Galápagos. Cruises aboard this vessel feel wonderfully exclusive; Monique accommodates a maximum of just 16 guests and has a guest-to-crew ratio of almost 1:1. Travellers enjoy daily land and marine excursions, helmed by onboard experts and enhanced by complimentary equipment hire, including kayaks, paddleboards, wetsuits, snorkelling kits, and expedition binoculars. Dining on board is a tailored affair, with gourmet dishes made primarily with locally sourced ingredients. The main deck features an observation platform, dining area and panoramic lounge. The upper deck includes a sun terrace and shaded terrace, while the sky deck offers an outdoor lounge, dining area, hot tub, bar and leisure space. Guests are accommodated in large, elegant staterooms across the main and upper decks.

The Monique is set to become part of a newly redesigned carbonneutral fleet, equipped with solar panels and fuel-efficient systems, among other improvements, all intended to minimise its impact on these volcanic isles and their unique resident wildlife.

EXTENSIONS FINCH BAY ECO HOTEL

AMAZON

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £695

5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £1,895

Extend your stay in the Galápagos with two nights at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz island. Located just steps away from the beach and across the bay from Puerto Ayora town, the hotel is nestled between tranquil mangroves. Land-based excursions or trips to nearby wildlife sites aboard the hotel’s own boat are on offer.

Discover the vast contrast in Ecuador’s ecosystems with a visit to the rainforest. Stay for three nights at the Napo Wildlife Centre or La Selva Lodge and explore the jungle on morning and afternoon excursions led by expert guides. A night in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, on the itinerary. : Napo Wildlife Centre

: Finch Bay Eco Hotel

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SPLENDOURS OF CHILE DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

15 days, 12 nights

From £5,295

From £5,995

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Watch the sun set over the Atacama Desert. • Take a private boat trip on Lake Todos los Santos. • Enjoy a stay in the vicinity of the Torres del Paine National Park. • Join a farewell lunch at a traditional Patagonian ranch.

FLIGHT ROAD

Pinched between the Andes and the Pacific, Chile unfurls over 4,000km (2,485 miles) from the ever-changing contours of the Atacama Desert in the north to glacier-sculpted Patagonia in the south. Between these extremes, you’ll find landscapes that have stirred the poets and artists for centuries. This tour explores Chile’s desert, mountains and Patagonian wilderness, and allows time to discover some fascinating traditions.

DAYS 1-2: FLY TO SANTIAGO

Above: The Valley of the Moon, Chile; top right: Torres Del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia; bottom right: Easter Island

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Santiago with British Airways. Check into your hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) : Plaza El Bosque Ebro (Days 2-3)

DAY 3: SANTIAGO Join a morning tour of Santiago, which takes in the city’s cathedral, its historic main square, and Sky Costanera, the panoramic observation deck of the tallest building in South America, where travellers can take in views across both the city and the Andes. In the afternoon, drive out to the Undurraga vineyard for a tour and wine-tasting. (B) DAY 4: FLY TO CALAMA • SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA Catch an early morning flight to Calama and transfer to your three-star hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Take an afternoon excursion to the Valley of the Moon and stay until dusk, to see the valley’s mesmerising sunset. (B) : Hotel Poblado Kimal/La Casa de Don Tomás (Days 4-6)

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chile • latin america

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAYS 5-6: ATACAMA DESERT

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18)

Take a full-day journey into a spectacular desert landscape. Visit the salt flats where flamingos thrive, and stop at the village of Toconao, with its white stone buildings. Continue to a traditional farm for lunch and visit Tebinquinche lagoon. Day six is at leisure, with an optional excursion to El Tatio’s geysers or the 17th-century fortress of Pukará de Quitor. (B, L) (B)

SINGLE SUPP: From £1,095 TOUR CODE: SOC

DAYS 7-8: FLY TO LAKE DISTRICT VIA

SANTIAGO Fly to Puerto Montt via Santiago and transfer to the town of Puerto Varas; stay overnight at your hotel beside the lake. In the morning, visit Petrohué Falls and take a boat trip on Lake Todos los Santos. Then take an afternoon drive up the lower reaches of the Osorno Volcano for views of the surrounding mountains. (B) : Cabaña del Lago DAY 9: FLY TO PUNTA ARENAS • PUERTO NATALES Fly to Punta Arenas and continue to Puerto Natales, set amid jagged peaks and the fjord of Last Hope Sound. Enjoy views over the water in your fjord-view room. (B) : Hotel Costaustralis DAY 10-11: TORRES DEL PAINE Drive across Patagonia to Torres del Paine National Park. See its granite peaks, emerald lakes and forests, and take a shared boat excursion on Lake Grey for a close view of its glacier. The afternoon of Day 11 is free to enjoy at leisure or take an optional tour. (B, L) (B). : Auralta Patagonia/Pampa Lodge or Lago Grey

23 Jan - 06 Feb 27

22 Jan - 05 Feb 28

06 Feb - 20 Feb 27

05 Feb - 19 Feb 28

22 Feb - 08 Mar 27

19 Feb - 04 Mar 28

06 Mar - 20 Mar 27

04 Mar - 18 Mar 28

16 Oct - 30 Oct 27

14 Oct - 28 Oct 28

30 Oct - 13 Nov 27

28 Oct - 11 Nov 28

13 Nov - 27 Nov 27

11 Nov - 25 Nov 28

27 Nov - 11 Dec 27

25 Nov - 09 Dec 28

15 Dec - 29 Dec 27

16 Dec - 30 Dec 28

DAY 12: PUNTA ARENAS Drive to Punta Arenas, visiting a traditional Patagonian estancia (ranch) en route. Discover how people live in this remote region and enjoy a quincho barbecue. Take a short afternoon tour of Punta Arenas, situated on the vital 16th-century sea route, the Magellan Strait. (B, L) : Almasur Punta Arenas

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in 4-star accommodation or above, except in San Pedro de Atacama, where 3-star accommodation is provided. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 13: FLY TO SANTIAGO Fly to Santiago for a final night in the Chilean capital. (B) : Plaza El Bosque Ebro Hotel DAYS 14-15: FLY TO LONDON Morning at leisure before an overnight flight with British Airways. (B) (N)

EXTENSIONS EASTER ISLAND

WINELANDS OR VALPARAÍSO

6 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £1,995

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £395

A visit to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is an extraordinary experience. Nearly 1,000 moai statues scatter the island. Dating from the 12th to 17th century, these huge figures serve as a reminder of the civilisation that once thrived along these remote shores. See the monolithic statues, the quarry where their stones were cut, and the ceremonial settlement of Orongo. A final night is spent in Santiago before your flight home.

At the end of your tour explore the colourful hills, funiculars and bohemian atmosphere in the old port of Valparaiso, one of Chile’s most distinctive cities. Alternatively, stay and unwind at one of the winery hotels not far from Santiago.

: Hotel Taha Tai (or similar), Plaza El Bosque Ebro Hotel

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: Hotel Ayca La Flora Australis cruise extension: There is also the opportunity to travel aboard the Stella or Ventus Australis across to Ushuaia in Argentina and explore the glaciers, scenery and wildlife of the southernmost part of the world, including Cape Horn.

PATAGONIA: UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

16 days, 13 nights

From £6,195

From £6,995

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Take a scenic Andean lake crossing. • Tour the vast, spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. • Stay in the vicinity of the Torres del Paine National Park. • Cruise along the Beagle Channel, on the southernmost tip of the continent and surrounded by jagged peaks.

FLIGHT ROAD

Patagonia is one of the world’s great wilderness areas and its culture is intertwined with that of the European pioneers and gauchos (traditional horsemen). This fascinating journey through four national parks in Argentina and Chile reveals the distinct cultures and landscapes of this remote part of the world.

DAY 1: FLY TO BUENOS AIRES

Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. (N) DAY 2: BUENOS AIRES Arrive in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the streets of Buenos Aires on foot before joining a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. (D) : Alvear Art Hotel (Days 2-3)

Above: Torres del Paine National Park; top right: sea lions in the Beagle Channel; bottom right: the Iguazú Falls

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argentina & chile • latin america

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,395 TOUR CODE: PAT 30 Jan - 14 Feb 27

29 Jan - 13 Feb 28

13 Feb - 28 Feb 27

12 Feb - 27 Feb 28

27 Feb - 14 Mar 27

26 Feb - 12 Mar 28

23 Oct - 07 Nov-27

21 Oct - 05 Nov 28

06 Nov - 21 Nov 27

04 Nov - 19 Nov 28

20 Nov - 05 Dec 27

18 Nov - 03 Dec 28

DAY 3: BUENOS AIRES

Morning tour of Buenos Aires, taking in its singular blend of European cultures and grand architecture. (B)

DAY 9: TORRES DEL PAINE Morning walk in the national park to see Salto Grande waterfall and take in another view of the Paine massif’s famous “horns” peaks. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 4: FLY TO BARILOCHE

Fly to Bariloche on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Transfer to Hotel NH Edelweiss. (B) : NH Edelweiss (Days 4-5) DAY 5: BARILOCHE Half-day tour of Bariloche’s scenic surroundings, including Moreno Lake, Angostura River and Campanario Hill. (B) DAY 6: PUERTO VARAS Take a full-day shared journey by coach and boat through the Lake District to Chile. Travel across lakes and mountains, past waterfalls and forests, to the lakeside town of Puerto Varas. Stay at a lakeside hotel. (B) : Hotel Cabaña del Lago

DAY 10: EL CALAFATE

Drive across the border to El Calafate in Argentina. Stay at Hotel Kosten Aike. (B) : Hotel Kosten Aike (Days 10-11)

DAY 11: PERITO MORENO Full-day tour of the five-kilometre (threemile) wide Perito Moreno Glacier. Admire it from the observation platforms and take a cruise on the lake beside its majestic ice wall. (B) DAY 12: FLY TO USHUAIA Fly to Ushuaia, the world’s most southerly city. Enjoy panoramic views across the bay from your hotel. (B) : Hotel Los Acebos (Days 12-13)

DAY 7: FLY TO PUNTA ARENAS • PUERTO NATALES Fly to Punta Arenas and transfer to Puerto Natales. Stay at the Hotel Costaustralis, beside the waters of Last Hope Sound. (B) : Hotel Costaustralis

DAY 13: BEAGLE CHANNEL • TIERRA DEL FUEGO Morning cruise on the Beagle Channel. Afternoon visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park and a farewell drink at your hotel. (B)

DAY 8: TORRES DEL PAINE

DAY 14: FLY TO BUENOS AIRES

Take a full-day tour of Torres del Paine National Park, widely considered one of the best national parks in Patagonia. This remote area has mountains, glaciers and lakes, and is a home to guanacos, condors and flightless rheas. (B, L) : Auralta Patagonia/Hotel Lago Grey (Days 8-9)

Fly back to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel. In the evening consider an optional dinner and tango show. (B) : Alvear Art Hotel DAYS 15-16: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport and fly with British Airways, arriving the next day. (B) (N)

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TOUR EXTENSION: IGUAZÚ 4 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £945

Extend your stay with a visit to the Iguazú Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Enjoy a half-day tour of the Brazilian side of the falls before transferring to the Gran Meliá Iguazú for a stay inside the park. The following day is at leisure. Upgrade to a falls-view room from £195. : Gran Meliá Iguazú

WONDERS OF THE NEW WORLD DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

11 days, 8 nights

From £3,895

From £4,095

Signature

Leisurely

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Stay inside Iguazú National Park and see the world-famous falls at dawn or sunset. • Visit Buenos Aires’ colourful Caminito alley and the Recoleta Cemetery, resting place of Eva Perón. • Take in spectacular views and the carioca atmosphere from your beachfront hotel in Rio de Janeiro.

FLIGHT

Offering an outstanding introduction to Argentina and Brazil, this journey combines the elegance of Buenos Aires with exotic and flamboyant Rio de Janeiro. The tour also travels to the awe-inspiring waterfalls of Iguazú – shrouded in their own mist, they thunder amid tropical jungle, stretching for kilometres along the border.

DAY 1: FLY TO BUENOS AIRES Catch an evening flight from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. (N) DAY 2: BUENOS AIRES Arrive in the morning, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) : Alvear Art Hotel (Days 2-4) DAY 3: BUENOS AIRES Half-day tour of Buenos Aires, including the Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Perón is buried, and La Boca district, birthplace of the tango. (B)

Above: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; top right: the Iguazú Falls; bottom right: Búzios Peninsula

DAY 4: BUENOS AIRES Enjoy a day at leisure, or take an optional trip to an estancia ranch in the Pampas countryside. (B)

call 020 3627 3097 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

argentina & brazil

• latin america

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £945 TOUR CODE: WNW † 28 Jan - 06 Feb 27

27 Jan - 06 Feb 28

25 Feb - 07 Mar 27

10 Feb - 20 Feb 28

11 Mar - 21 Mar 27

02 Mar - 12 Mar 28

08 Apr - 18 Apr 27

06 Apr - 16 Apr 28

16 Sep - 26 Sep 27

21 Sep - 01 Oct 28

21 Oct - 31 Oct 27

19 Oct - 29 Oct 28

04 Nov - 14 Nov 27

09 Nov - 19 Nov 28

18 Nov - 28 Nov 27

30 Nov - 10 Dec 28

02 Dec - 12 Dec 27

18 Dec - 28 Dec 28

DAYS 5-6: FLY TO IGUAZÚ / IGUAÇU

Fly to the Iguazú Falls and stay at the Gran Meliá Iguazú, inside the national park (upgrade to a falls-view room from £195). Tour the Brazilian side of these magnificent cataracts, with time to see the Argentinian side at your own pace. Experience the falls at dawn or dusk, when the park is closed to other visitors. (B) : Gran Meliá Iguazú DAY 7: FLY TO RIO DE JANEIRO Fly to Rio and transfer to your hotel beside the city’s world-famous Copacabana beach. Upgrade to an oceanfront room from £45 per person. (B) : Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana (Days 7-9)

DAY 8: RIO DE JANEIRO In the morning, visit Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car. In the afternoon, take in Corcovado Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. End the day with a farewell drink. (B) DAY 9: RIO DE JANEIRO

Take a day at leisure. Optional excursions include the Tijuca rainforest, a visit to the botanical gardens, or behind-the-scenes Carnival experience. (B) DAYS 10-11: FLY TO LONDON Enjoy another day at leisure (use of a day room at your hotel from £125 per person). In the evening, transfer to the airport for an overnight flight with British Airways. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Locally escorted tour: This tour is led in each country by a national tour manager. Itinerary combinations: To combine this tour with Santiago and Chilean Patagonia, see our Splendours of South America tour, pages 64-67. Argentina flight: The flight to Buenos Aires is currently via Rio de Janeiro. † Rio de Janeiro: The 28 Jan 2027 departure includes three days and two nights in Rio due to Carnival. If you would like to extend your stay to include the parade, please enquire. Hotel in Rio is subject to change for 2028 departures.

Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

EXTENSIONS BÚZIOS BEACH

SANTIAGO AND MENDOZA

5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £795

6 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £1,295

Stay for a few days in the balmy beach resort of Búzios (a popular spot for locals, around three hours from Rio de Janeiro) and enjoy its sandy shoreline, clear waters, chic shops and restaurants. It is possible to further upgrade to Casas Brancas from £185 per person.

Combine cosmopolitan Santiago, Chile, with Argentina’s wine capital of Mendoza, an attractive city of parks and avenues. Both lie at the foot of the Andes. Head first to Santiago for two nights, before flying on to Mendoza to tour its tree-lined streets and nearby vineyards.

: Vila d’Este /Vila da Santa

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: Plaza El Bosque Ebro, Park Hyatt

solo departures available

TREASURES OF COLOMBIA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £3,895

From £4,995

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the Gold Museum in Bogotá to see countless pre-Columbian treasures. • Stay at a tranquil restored hacienda hotel in coffee country and take a ride in an iconic Willys Jeep. • Gain insight into Medellín’s inspiring cultural and social transformation and support a community project. • Soak up the colonial Caribbean atmosphere of Cartagena on a walking tour.

Travel from Andean peaks to tropical Caribbean coastlines, passing through the mountain capital of Bogotá, picturesque Villa de Leyva, fertile coffee country, vibrant Medellín, and the colonial port of Cartagena, one of South America’s most beautiful towns.

FLIGHT ROAD

Above: Cartagena; top right: Local women in Cartagena; centre right: Cocora Valley; bottom right: San Agustín

DAY 1: FLY TO BOGOTÁ Fly from London (regional connections available) via Paris. Transfer to your hotel in one of Bogotá’s most exclusive areas. (N) : Hotel Chico 97 (Days 1-2) DAY 2: BOGOTÁ Morning walking tour of the historic La Candelaria district, Botero’s art collection and the Gold Museum, featuring one of the world’s most complete collections

of ancient gold artefacts. After the tour, enjoy a light meal and familiarise yourself with Colombian culture via a game of tejo, a popular national throwing game. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L) DAY 3: VILLA DE LEYVA Transfer by road to Villa de Leyva, one of Colombia’s finest colonial towns. En route, stop at Zipaquirá to see the remarkable salt cathedral, built inside an old mine. Stay at the Posada de San Antonio. (B) : Posada de San Antonio (Days 3-4) DAY 4: VILLA DE LEYVA Full-day tour of this beautiful town‘s cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. Visit the nearby Dominican convent, and the Muséo El Fosil to see its 120-millionyear-old kronosaurus skeleton. (B)

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colombia • latin america

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 5: FLY TO PEREIRA

GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18)

Transfer by road to Bogotá airport and fly to Pereira in the coffee region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit a local coffee farm to learn about the growing and production of high-quality beans. Stay at Sazagua Cocora, set in a tranquil private nature reserve. (B, L) : Sazagua Cocora (Days 5-6)

SINGLE SUPP: From £895 TOUR CODE: TCO 06 Feb - 17 Feb 27

05 Feb - 16 Feb 28

13 Mar - 24 Mar 27

11 Mar - 22 Mar 28

06 Nov - 17 Nov 27

04 Nov - 15 Nov 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

DAY 6: COFFEE REGION Explore the verdant Cocora Valley, famous for its wax palm trees – the tallest palms in the world. Ride in a Willys Jeep, walk into the cloud forest, and visit the traditional villages of Filandia and Salento. (B, L)

DAY 7: MEDELLÍN

DAY 8: MEDELLÍN

Travel by road to Medellín (approximately five hours), stopping at a scenic look-out for views over the Cauca River. Stay at the Hotel Faranda Collection. (B) : Hotel Faranda Collection (Days 7-8)

Full-day tour to learn about the cultural and social transformation of the city. Visit the hillside Comuna 13 with its street art and outdoor escalators, and take lunch with a cooking demonstration at Las Berracas, a community project empowering local women. Continue to the centre to see the curved sculptures by artist Fernando Botero and on to Cerro Nutibara hill for panoramic views. (B, L) DAYS 9-10: FLY TO CARTAGENA Transfer to the airport and fly to the beautiful Caribbean city of Cartagena. Stay in the historic centre. Discover the old town on a walking tour, visit the Spanish fort of San Felipe and the charming neighbourhood of Getsemani, before returning to your hotel for a farewell drink on the rooftop terrace. (B) : Hotel Santa Catalina

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £4,995 TOUR CODE: TCS 28 Aug - 08 Sep 27

26 Aug - 06 Sep 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAYS 11-12: FLY TO LONDON Morning at leisure or visit the national aviary. Overnight flight via Amsterdam with KLM. (B) (N)

EXTENSIONS SAN AGUSTÍN

CARIBBEAN BEACH STAY

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,095

5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £695

Fly to Bogotá for a night before exploring the pre-Columbian sites of San Agustín, home to the world’s largest megalithic necropolis. Enjoy a full tour of its archaeological park, explore its stone statuary, and see Fuente de Lavapatas, a monumental ceremonial site carved in to the stone bed of a mountain stream.

Stay on at the beaches of Isla Barú, just off the coast of Cartagena, or head deeper into the Caribbean to stay a little father offshore, on the tropical Rosario islands.Alternatively transfer to Tayrona, where the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains meet the Caribbean Sea. : Rosario del Mar/Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort

: Hotel Chico 97, Akawanka Lodge

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SPLENDOURS OF SOUTH AMERICA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

18 days, 15 nights

From £5,995

From £6,995

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Enjoy a privileged stay close to the dramatic Iguazú Falls. • Discover Patagonia’s celebrated sights on both sides of the Andes. • Soak up the Latin-American culture of Buenos Aires and vibrant Rio de Janeiro. • Luxuriate in a beachfront stay at the legendary Copacabana beach.

FLIGHT ROAD

Explore the highlights of Brazil, Chile and Argentina, combining spectacular natural wonders with some of South America’s most exciting cities. Start in the foothills of the Andes, discover the extraordinary landscapes of Patagonia and marvel at the towering Iguazú Falls, before ending your journey in the marvellous, oceanside city of Rio de Janeiro.

DAY 1: FLY TO SANTIAGO, CHILE Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. (N) DAY 2: SANTIAGO Transfer to your hotel and in the evening enjoy a welcome dinner. There’s also an optional afternoon visit to a nearby winery (enquire at time of booking). (D) : Plaza El Bosque Ebro (Days 2-3) DAY 3: SANTIAGO Tour the city’s historic centre, San Cristobal hill and the Museum of PreColumbian Art. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Above: a herd of guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park; top right: La Boca district, Buenos Aires; bottom right: glacier in Patagonia

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argentina, brazil & chile • latin america

DAY 4: FLY TO PUNTA ARENAS • PATAGONIA Fly to Punta Arenas for a short tour and views of the Strait of Magellan. Continue through the vast wilderness to Puerto Natales. Check into your hotel, and relax in your fjord-facing room. (B) : Hotel Costaustralis DAY 5: TORRES DEL PAINE Take a full-day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park to see its peaks, glaciers, lakes and wildlife. (B, L) : Auralta Patagonia/Pampa Lodge or Lago Grey (Days 5-6) DAY 6: TORRES DEL PAINE Take a morning walk in the national park, close to Lake Nordenskjöld and Salto Grande waterfall. In the afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure. (B) DAY 7: EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA Cross into Argentina and continue to El Calafate on the shores of milky-blue Lago Argentino. (B) : Hotel Kosten Aike (Days 7-8)

DAY 8: PERITO MORENO GLACIER Full-day tour of Perito Moreno Glacier. Optional boat trip in front of the gigantic glacier wall. (B) DAY 9: FLY TO BUENOS AIRES Fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to your luxury hotel. Later, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant. (B, D) : Alvear Art Hotel (Days 9-11) DAYS 10-11: BUENOS AIRES Half-day tour of the elegant capital city and the colourful La Boca district. Day 11 is at leisure; take an optional excursion to an estancia (ranch) in the Pampas, or the old, town of Colonia in Uruguay. (B)

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,795 TOUR CODE: SPG 14 Jan - 31 Jan 27

13 Jan - 30 Jan 28

† 28 Jan - 13 Feb 27

27 Jan - 13 Feb 28

04 Feb - 21 Feb 27

03 Feb - 20 Feb 28

11 Feb - 28 Feb 27

† 10 Feb - 26 Feb 28

18 Feb - 07 Mar 27

24 Feb - 12 Mar 28

04 Mar - 21 Mar 27

02 Mar - 19 Mar 28

18 Mar - 04 Apr 27

09 Mar - 26 Mar 28

14 Oct - 31 Oct 27

16 Mar - 02 Apr 28

21 Oct - 07 Nov 27

12 Oct - 29 Oct 28

28 Oct - 14 Nov 27

19 Oct - 05 Nov 28

04 Nov - 21 Nov 27

26 Oct - 12 Nov 28

11 Nov - 28 Nov 27

02 Nov - 19 Nov 28

18 Nov - 05 Dec 27

09 Nov - 26 Nov 28

25 Nov - 12 Dec27

16 Nov - 03 Dec 28

10 Dec - 27 Dec 27

23 Nov - 10 Dec 28

DAYS 12-13: FLY TO IGUAZÚ / IGUAÇU Fly to Iguazú Falls; stay at the Gran Meliá Iguazú inside the park (upgrade to a fallsview room from £195). Guided visit of the Brazilian side of these striking cataracts and time at leisure to explore the various walkways on the Argentinian side. The cascades can be experienced while the park is closed to other visitors. (B) : Gran Meliá Iguazú DAY 14: FLY TO RIO DE JANEIRO,

BRAZIL Fly to Rio and stay at the beachfront Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana (side Copacabana sea-view room). Upgrade to an oceanfront room from £45. (B) : Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana (Days 14-16)

DAYS 15-16: RIO DE JANEIRO Full-day city tour including Corcovado, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, and a cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain finishing with a farewell drink at your hotel. Day 16 is at leisure; optional excursions include a visit to the old centre of Rio or a 4x4 tour to Tijuca forest. (B) DAYS 17-18: FLY TO LONDON

Overnight flight with British Airways. Please enquire for supplements for day use of room if required. Arrive in London the next day. (B) (N)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. † Rio de Janeiro: The 28 Jan and 10 Feb 2028 departures include three days and two nights in Rio due to Champion’s Parade / Carnival. If you would like to extend your stay to include the parades, please enquire about prices. Itinerary: On certain departures this tour may join the Wonders of the New World tour from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Clockwise from top left: Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio; llamas in the Atacama Desert; Búzios beach; Jabiru storks in the Pantanal Wetlands; Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

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argentina, brazil & chile • latin america

EXTENSIONS ATACAMA DESERT 5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,095

Fly to Santiago and, on arrival, take a flight to Calama; continue to the small oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Explore the landscape of the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, on two half-day tours. See desert villages, the salt flats and the Valley of the Moon with its colourful rock formations before returning to Santiago to join the group. : La Casa de Don Tomás

PANTANAL WILDLIFE 5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,895

Visit Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland, and a world-class wildlife watching destination. Fly to Cuiabá in the north Pantanal and stay at Pousada do Rio Mutum for three nights (full board) exploring the mosaic of lakes, rivers and savannahs. Take shared excursions in search of capybaras, tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys and over 650 bird species. : Pousada do Rio Mutum

BÚZIOS BEACH 5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £795

The beach resort of Búzios provides a relaxing stay at the end of your journey. Please refer to page 71 for details. : Vila d’Este/Vila da Santa

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GRAND TOUR OF SOUTH AMERICA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

17 days, 15 nights

From £5,495

From £6,795

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • A coast-to-coast, multi-country tour. • Take overnight stays at Machu Picchu and inside Iguazú National Park. • Enjoy a scenic train journey across the altiplano. • Visit the floating islands of Lake Titicaca and stay on its shore. • Bask in a beachfront stay in Rio de Janeiro. • Easter departures.†

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

Above: The Iguazú Falls; top right: Man-made reed islands on Lake Titicaca, Peru; centre right: la boca, Buenos Aires; bottom right: Machu Picchu

This varied, fascinating tour focuses on South America’s cultural and natural highlights, revealing the continent’s diversity, while passing from high Andean scenery down to the thundering Iguazú Falls. Stop in dynamic cities along the way, including Bolivia’s capital of La Paz, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires in Argentina and the exotic Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

DAY 2: LIMA Enjoy a morning tour of Lima, with a stop at the historic Cordano tavern for a welcome pisco sour cocktail. (B)

DAY 1: FLY TO LIMA, PERU Fly from London (regional connections available) to the Peruvian capital with British Airways. Transfer to your hotel. : Casa Andina Premium Miraflores (Days 1-2)

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU Take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu and explore the famed Inca citadel. Stay at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, a town close to the historic sanctuary. (B, L, D) : Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

DAY 3: FLY TO CUZCO • SACRED VALLEY Fly to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire. Transfer to the Sacred Valley, via the indigenous village of Chinchero and Ollantaytambo Inca fortress. Stay at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley. (B) : Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley

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argentina, brazil, bolivia, & peru • latin america

DAY 5: CUZCO Morning at leisure or further explore Machu Picchu (buy tickets at time of booking). Later return to Cuzco by train and check into your hotel. (B) : Casa Andina Premium Cuzco (Days 5-6) DAY 6: CUZCO Morning tour of Cuzco and San Blas. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursions. (B) DAY 7: TRAIN JOURNEY TO PUNO Take the stylish Titicaca train across the altiplano (high plain) to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Enjoy fine vistas from the elegant dining car or the observatory bar car; make a short stop at La Raya, the highest point of the route. Check into your lakeside hotel. (B, L) : GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca

DAY 8: LAKE TITICACA, BOLIVIA Travel by road to Huatajata in Bolivia, visiting the town of Copacabana and its famous shrine en route. See the exhibition at the Andean Roots Eco Village, discover how reed boats are constructed, and meet a spiritual Kallawaya healer. Stay overnight at the Inca Utama on the shores of the lake and observe the southern constellations from the hotel’s astronomical observatory. (B, L) : Inca Utama Hotel

DAY 9: UROS IRUITOS • LA PAZ Take a hydrofoil cruise to the Uros Iruitos floating reed islands and visit the Quewaya Sustainable Project. Continue overland to La Paz for an afternoon tour of the city, including the Witches’ Market and Moon Valley. (B) : Hotel Mitru Sur DAYS 10-11: FLY TO BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA Fly to Buenos Aires, the Argentinian capital, and a city of grand architecture and European influences. Take a morning city tour, including the cathedral, La Boca district and the Recoleta Cemetery. Afternoon at leisure. (B) : Alvear Art Hotel DAYS 12-13: FLY TO IGUAZÚ / IGUAÇU Fly to Iguazú and stay at the Gran Meliá Iguazú within the park (upgrade to a falls-view room from £195). Take a half-day tour of the Brazilian side of the falls for panoramic views and time at leisure to enjoy the various nearby walkways on the Argentinian side. (B) : Gran Meliá Iguazú

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 14: FLY TO RIO DE JANEIRO,

BRAZIL Fly to Rio, set beside mountains, forests and golden beaches. Transfer to your beachfront hotel, enjoy your superior partial ocean-view room, or upgrade to a deluxe panoramic room from £80. (B) : PortoBay Rio de Janeiro (Days 14-15)

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,395 TOUR CODE: GTA 11 Mar - 27 Mar 27

21 Oct - 06 Nov 27

† 25 Mar - 10 Apr 27

28 Oct - 13 Nov 27

08 Apr - 24 Apr 27

04 Nov - 20 Nov 27

29 Apr - 15 May 27

11 Nov - 27 Nov 27

DAY 15: RIO DE JANEIRO

06 May - 22 May 27

23 Mar - 08 Apr 28

Full-day tour of Rio de Janeiro, including Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain, followed by a farewell drink. (B)

13 May - 29 May 27

† 06 Apr - 22 Apr 28

20 May - 05 Jun 27

13 Apr - 29 Apr 28

27 May - 12 Jun 27

20 Apr - 06 May 28

10 Jun - 26 Jun 27

27 Apr - 13 May 28

08 Jul - 24 Jul 27

04 May - 20 May 28

19 Aug - 04 Sep 27

11 May - 27 May 28

02 Sep - 18 Sep 27

18 May - 03 Jun 28

09 Sep - 25 Sep 27

25 May - 10 Jun 28

16 Sep - 02 Oct 27

09 Jun - 25 Jun 28

23 Sep - 09 Oct 27

06 Jul - 22 Jul 28

30 Sep - 16 Oct 27

17 Aug - 02 Sep 28

07 Oct - 23 Oct 27

31 Aug - 16 Sep 28

14 Oct - 30 Oct 27

07 Sep - 23 Sep 28

DAYS 16-17: FLY TO LONDON

At leisure or optional excursions (day room use from £145). Overnight flight with British Airways, arriving the following day. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. † Easter departures: 25 Mar 2027 departure will spend Easter at Machu Picchu. 6 April 2028 departure will spend Easter in Buenos Aires. Itinerary: This tour has some early starts and long days. The Lima flight is currently via Madrid. Locally escorted tour: This tour is led in each country by a national tour manager. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Left: Rio de Janeiro; top: Moon Valley, Bolivia; top right: a marine iguana in the Galápagos; bottom right: BÚZIOS, Brazil

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argentina, brazil, bolivia, & peru • latin america

EXTENSIONS GALÁPAGOS WILDLIFE 6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS FROM £3,495

Take a pre-tour extension to the Galápagos Islands, to see the wildlife that so inspired Charles Darwin. This volcanic archipelago is best explored aboard an expedition cruiser on a threeor four-night cruise, combined with a two-night stay in Quito, Ecuador. Daily shore excursions in small groups allow for extraordinarily close observation of the islands’ animals. You may spot giant tortoises, marine iguanas, brightly coloured crabs, and an abundance of birdlife including blue- and redfooted boobies, frigatebirds, flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins and Darwin’s finches. : Archipel Catamaran , Hilton Colon

BÚZIOS BEACH 5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £795

At the end of your tour, drive two and a half hours from Rio to the charming beach resort of Búzios. Popular with locals, Búzios has excellent restaurants, chic shops and numerous sandy beaches. Relax on the peninsula with rugged backdrops and crystal-clear waters, or take an optional boat excursion to various tranquil beaches and nearby islands. Stay in a villa suite with bathtub or upgrade further to a seafront villa suite or to Casas Brancas from £125. On certain departures you can add an extra night free of charge. .

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: Vila d’Este

HIGHLIGHTS OF MEXICO DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 12 nights

From £4,295

From £6,795

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Explore Mexico City’s oldest gourmet food market. • Take a boat ride through the beautiful, cavernous Sumidero Canyon. • See how oven-fresh tortillas are made by indigenous locals. • Visit an off-the-beaten-path Yucatán cenote, or sinkhole. • Witness unique local traditions during Day of the Dead celebrations†. • Semana Santa (Easter week) festival departure available†.

Discover the legacy of the Aztec, Mayan and Spanish empires on this outstanding tour of Mexico’s finest sights. Explore pre-Columbian pyramids and temples, colourful cities, and the natural beauty of valleys, canyons, waterfalls and tropical rainforests.

FLIGHT ROAD

DAY 1: FLY TO MEXICO CITY Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways and check into your hotel for three nights. (N) : Galeria Plaza Hotel (Days 1-3)

DAY 2: TEOTIHUACÁN In the morning, visit the “Plaza of the Three Cultures” and continue to the pyramids of Teotihuacán, dating back 2,000 years. On your return, stop at the historic Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (B, L) DAY 3: MEXICO CITY Full-day city tour, including the Zócalo (main plaza), the National Cathedral, the Anthropological Museum and the gourmet San Juan Market. (B, L) DAY 4: FLY TO OAXACA Fly to Oaxaca, a beautiful colonial city, and take an afternoon tour. Stay at your characterful, centrally located hotel. (B) : Hotel Na’ura (Days 4-5)

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mexico • latin america

DAY 5: MONTE ALBÁN Morning visit to the impressive Zapotec capital of Monte Albán. Afternoon at leisure or visit to the ruins of Mitla. (B) DAYS 6-7: FLY TO TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ •

SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS Fly to Tuxtla Gutiérrez via Mexico City, and take a boat along the Grijalva River to the Sumidero Canyon. Continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas. The following morning, tour this colonial town and the nearby Mayan villages of Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula, and visit a local home to see how fresh tortillas are made. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B) : Hotel Diego de Mazariegos DAY 8: PALENQUE Drive from the cool highlands to the tropical lowlands and Palenque. Consider an optional visit to the Roberto Barrios waterfalls. (B, L) : Chan-Kah Resort Village

DAY 9: PALENQUE • CAMPECHE Enjoy a morning tour of the ancient Palenque ruins, one of the greatest Mayan sites in Mexico. In the afternoon, drive to Campeche via the scenic Sabancuy coast (five hours). (B, L) : Castelmar Hotel DAY 10: KABAH • UXMAL • MÉRIDA

Drive to the ancient Palace of Masks at Kabah and then head to Uxmal, another important archaeological site, for a tour of the Mayan ceremonial centre. In the afternoon, continue to Mérida and check into your hotel. (B, L) : Gran Hotel Panamericana (or similar) (Days 10-11)

top left: the Pyramid of Kukulcan, Chichén Itzá; top right: Oaxaca; bottom right: Teotihuacan

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DAY 11: MÉRIDA Morning walking tour of the city. (B) DAY 12: CHICHÉN ITZÁ Transfer to Chichén Itzá and tour the ancient Mayan city. In the afternoon, visit the Yokdzonot Cenote, a freshwater sinkhole considered sacred by the Maya, and take a refreshing swim. Stay just steps from the archaeological site and enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D) : Hotel Hacienda Chichen DAYS 13-14: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to Cancún for a direct overnight flight with British Airways. (B) (N)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £695 TOUR CODE: HOM

MAP TBC

17 Jan - 30 Jan 27

16 Jan - 29 Jan 28

07 Feb - 20 Feb 27

06 Feb - 19 Feb 28

28 Feb - 13 Mar 27

05 Mar - 18 Mar 28

† 24 Mar - 06 Apr 27

† 12 Apr - 25 Apr 28

† 27 Oct - 09 Nov 27

† 27 Oct - 09 Nov 28

14 Nov - 27 Nov 27

12 Nov - 25 Nov 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). † Festival departures: 24 March 2027 and 12 April tours coincide with the Semana Santa (Easter week) processions in Oaxaca, while the 27 Oct 2027 and 27 Oct 2028 departures coincide with the Day of Dead celebrations, where families pay respect to the deceased with offerings such as flowers and food. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

call 020 3627 3097 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

mexico • latin america

EXTENSIONS CARIBBEAN COAST 5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £995

Enjoy the clear waters and white sandy beaches of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera on the Caribbean coast, south of Cancún. Relax on the sand, or take optional excursions to the marvellous pyramids of Tulum or the coastal channels of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Upgrades to oceanview rooms or to Ana y Jose Hotel & Spa are also available. : Mereva Tulum

COPPER CANYON 6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS FROM £2,145

Before the start of your main tour, explore northern Mexico’s vast Copper Canyon, one-and-a-half times deeper than the Grand Canyon. Fly to Los Mochis or Chihuahua and take the Chepe train up the Sierra Madre mountains. Stay for two nights at Hotel Mirador at Posada Barrancas with spectacular views over the canyon and, depending on train schedules, combine with overnight stays at El Fuerte, Los Mochis, Creel or Chihuahua. : Hotel Mirador Posada Barranca

GUATEMALA 8 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS FROM £2,195

Combine your journey with neighbouring Guatemala, flying from Cancún to Guatemala City and onward to Flores. Take in the country’s highlights, including the classic Mayan site of Tikal in the Petén jungle, Lake Atitlán, the indigenous Chichicastenango market (Thur or Sun) and the beautiful colonial-era city of Antigua. Return to London from Guatemala City via Madrid or Miami.

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Clockwise from top left: Mérida; Tulum; Copper Canyon; Antigua Guatemala; Chichén-Itzá, Yucatan

SPLENDOURS OF CUBA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

11 days, 9 nights

From £2,595 From £3,295 (Oriente*)

From £3,195 From £4,095 (Oriente*)

Discovery

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Take a ride in a classic American car and stroll around old Havana. • Dine at privately run paladar restaurants. • Experience rural life in Las Terrazas community. • Gain insight into the Cuban Revolution at the Che Guevara museum and mausoleum. • Extended Oriente departures.*

*ORIENTE DEPARTURE

ROAD

Above: Havana; right: Viñales Valley

Cuba’s tropical landscape, delectable natural produce and proud, revolutionary history lies at the heart of this tour. Discover the faded colonial grandeur in Havana and Trinidad, delightful rolling countryside, tobacco and coffee plantations, the historical sites of the revolution and the ever-present rhythms of the island’s son and mambo styles of music.

DAY 1: FLY TO HAVANA Fly from London (regional connections available) via Madrid to the Cuban capital. Transfer to your hotel, and enjoy your colonial-class room. (N) : Iberostar Selection Parque Central (Days 1-2)

DAY 2: HAVANA Take a walking tour of Old Havana with a stop at El Floridita, home of the daiquiri cocktail. Enjoy lunch at a characterful paladar (small restaurant) and a tour in a classic American car, visiting Revolution Square and a rum museum. (B, L) DAY 3: LAS TERRAZAS Drive to the rural community of Las Terrazas in the province of Pínar del Rio. Visit the partially restored 19th-century coffee estate. (B, L) : Hotel Moka (Days 3-4) DAY 4: VIÑALES Take a full-day tour of the beautiful Viñales Valley. Visit a tobacco plantation and take a boat ride through the Indian Cave, with its pre-Columbian cave paintings. (B, L)

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cuba • latin america

DAY 5: PENINSULA DE ZAPATA •

CIENFUEGOS Travel to Cienfuegos via the Peninsula de Zapata. Take a boat through the mangroves and drive past Playa Girón, site of the Bay of Pigs invasion. (B, L, D) : Meliá San Carlos

*ORIENTE DEPARTURES

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

16 DAYS, 14 NIGHTS FROM £3,295

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £495

On selected dates, the tour continues through the interior to Santiago de Cuba and provides a glimpse into eastern Cuba’s history, culture and scenery.

DAY 6: CIENFUEGOS • TRINIDAD

DAY 8: TRINIDAD

Morning tour of Cienfuegos, the “Pearl of the South”, and visit to the botanical gardens. Continue to Trinidad; stay at Hotel Mystique Trinidad La Popa, overlooking the old town. Dine at an independent paladar restaurant. (B, D) : Hotel Mystique Trinidad La Popa (Days 6-7)

Day at leisure in Trinidad or take optional excursions. (B) DAY 9: CAMAGÜEY

Drive to Camagüey (five to six hours) for a tour of its winding streets – designed to deter pirate attacks. Stay overnight. (B)

Morning walking tour of Trinidad, visiting the Romantic Museum or Cantero Museum, and Casa de la Musica. In the afternoon, drive to the Valley of the Sugar Mills, dotted with ruins of large former plantations, and visit the Manaca Iznaga watchtower, once used to surveil plantation slaves. (B, L)

DAYS 10-11: HOLGUIN • SANTIAGO DE CUBA Full-day journey to Santiago de Cuba for a two-night stay, visiting Holguin and Castro’s birthplace at Biran en route. Explore the island’s first capital and birthplace of Afro-Cuban culture, including the historical centre, El Morro fortress, and the Gran Piedra, set in the Sierra Maestra mountains. (B, L)

DAY 8: SANTA CLARA • HAVANA

DAY 12: SANCTI SPÍRITUS

Drive to Santa Clara to see the Che Guevara mausoleum and museum. After a farewell lunch, travel to Havana. (B, L) : Iberostar Selection Parque Central (Days 8-9)

Full-day journey to Sancti Spíritus for an overnight stay, visiting El Cobre church, Cuba’s most important shrine, and the city of Bayamo en route. (B)

DAY 7: TRINIDAD

TOUR CODE: CUB 6 Nov - 16 Nov 27

04 Mar - 14 Mar 28

20 Nov - 30 Nov 27

18 Mar - 28 Mar 28

15 Jan - 25 Jan 28

04 Nov - 14 Nov 28

05 Feb - 15 Feb 28

18 Nov - 28 Nov 28

19 Feb - 29 Feb 28

*ORIENTE DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £545 TOUR CODE: CUO 24 Oct - 08 Nov 27

27 Feb - 13 Mar 28

14 Nov - 29 Nov 27

22 Oct - 06 Nov 28

23 Jan - 07 Feb 28

12 Nov - 27 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DAY 9: HAVANA

Day at leisure to stroll along Old Havana’s cobbled streets or take optional visits to the Bellas Artes Museum, Hemingway Museum or the Revolution Museum. (B) DAYS 10-11: FLY TO LONDON

Fly via Madrid; arrive the following day. (B) (N)

DAYS 13-14: SANTA CLARA • HAVANA Take a short tour of Sancti Spíritus. Continue to historic Santa Clara for a visit, then on to Havana for your final two-night stay. (B, L) (B) DAYS 15-16: FLY TO LONDON Morning at leisure. Fly to London overnight via Madrid. (B) (N)

Discovery tour: Suited to hardier travellers, with some basic accommodation and rougher journeys. Accommodation: Due to the current economic situation in Cuba, the properties that we use may vary from those featured and will be confirmed in your final travel documents. Travel in Cuba: We recommend an extremely flexible approach to booking a holiday and travel in Cuba. The extended Oriente departures are better suited to the hardier traveller due to longer road drives. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

TOUR EXTENSION: CAYO SANTA MARIA 8 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS FROM £445

After visiting Santa Clara on Day 8 or Day 13, continue to a sandy cay off Cuba’s north coast. Stay for three or four nights at the Angsana Cayo Santa Maria, or upgrade to the first-class Meliá Buenavista from £130 per person. Drive to Havana for a final night before your flight to London. : Angsana Cayo Santa Maria/ Meliá Buenavista

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solo departures available

NATURAL SPLENDOURS OF COSTA RICA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £3,295

From £3,695

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Explore forest canopies from the hanging bridges at Monteverde. • Cruise the canals of Tortuguero and cross Lake Arenal by boat. • View the conical Arenal Volcano from the comfort of your hotel. • Take a boat trip along the river at the biodiverse Caño Negro, a bird-watchers’ paradise.

ROAD

Lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the small country of Costa Rica is one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth. This journey explores some of the major national parks and the astonishing variety of wildlife and contrasting habitats found here, including rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, lakes and canals.

DAYS 1-2: FLY TO SAN JOSÉ

Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. Transfer to your hotel in downtown San José. The next day, visit either Poás or Irazú volcano for views of the crater and surrounds and enjoy a welcome lunch. (N) (B, L) : Delta Hotels by Marriott San Jose Aurola (or similar) (Days 1-2)

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costa rica • latin america

DAY 3: SARAPIQUI Travel to the verdant Sarapiqui region and visit a cacao plantation to learn about the crop’s indigenous origins, cultivation and chocolate production. Stay at a colonialstyle hotel and enjoy a short nature walk along its private trail, to discover more about this area’s biodiversity. (B) : Hacienda la Isla Lodge DAY 4-5: TORTUGUERO

Take an overland transfer to Caño Blanco on the Caribbean coast and cruise through the backwaters that lead to Tortuguero, looking out for birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Stay on the main canal’s banks and enjoy a full day of shared excursions. From July to September, you may see turtles nest on the beach. (B, L, D) : Pachira Lodge DAY 6: LA SELVA BIOLOGICAL STATION • ARENAL Return to Caño Blanco by boat and drive to Arenal, visiting La Selva Biological Station en route. Learn about the researchers’ work and take a walk in the protected rainforest surroundings. Stay at Magic Mountain / Arenal Paraíso, with views of the Arenal Volcano. (B, L) : Magic Mountain / Arenal Paraíso (or similar) (Days 6-7)

DAY 7: CAÑO NEGRO Full-day tour of Caño Negro, an important wetland habitat for a huge range of bird species. (B, L) DAY 8: LAKE ARENAL • MONTEVERDE Take a boat across Lake Arenal, and enjoy the spectacular views of the lake and its surroundings. Continue to Monteverde and take an afternoon tour to the Selvatura Butterfly Garden & Walkways, exploring the tree canopy from its hanging bridges. (B) : Monteverde Country Lodge/ Hotel Fondavela (or similar) (Days 8-9)

Far left: a resplendent quetzal, Monteverde; left: Tortuguero’s canals; above: Arenal Volcano

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £645 TOUR CODE: NSR

DAY 9: MONTEVERDE

Take a tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, a habitat for rare flora and fauna such as the colourful quetzal bird. Visit a family-owned coffee farm to experience sustainable coffee, from seed to cup. Enjoy a farewell drink at your hotel. (B, L)

Return to San José via the town of Sarchí, home to traditional handicrafts and colourful oxcarts, for your final night. (B)

Transfer to the airport; fly with British Airways. (B) (N)

02 Feb - 12 Feb 28

20 Jan - 31 Jan 27

09 Feb - 19 Feb 28

27 Jan - 07 Feb 27

16 Feb - 26 Feb 28

03 Feb - 14 Feb 27

23 Feb - 04 Mar 28

10 Feb - 21 Feb 27

01 Mar - 11 Mar 28

24 Feb - 07 Mar 27

08 Mar - 18 Mar 28

10 Mar - 21 Mar 27

15 Mar - 25 Mar 28

17 Mar - 28 Mar 27

22 Mar - 01 Apr 28

10 Nov - 21 Nov 27

5 Apr - 15 Apr 28

17 Nov - 28 Nov 27

08 Nov - 18 Nov 28

24 Nov - 05 Dec 27

15 Nov - 25 Nov 28

12 Jan - 22 Jan 28

22 Nov - 02 Dec 28

26 Jan - 05 Feb 28

29 Nov- 09 Dec 28

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 10: SARCHÍ • SAN JOSÉ

DAYS 11-12: FLY TO LONDON

13 Jan - 24 Jan 27

GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £ 4,245 TOUR CODE: NSS 31 Mar - 11 Apr 27

19 Jan - 29 Jan 28

03 Nov - 14 Nov 27

29 Mar - 08 Apr 28 01 Nov - 11 Nov 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). 2028 departures are 11 days and nine nights and do not include the overnight stay and tours in Sarapiqui. Extensions may also differ in length, please enquire for details. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Clockwise from top left: Hanging Bridge, Monteverde, Costa Rica; Tamarindo Beach; a macaw in Corcovado National Park; a squirrel monkey in Manuel Antonio National Park; a traditional ox-cart, Sarchi

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costa rica • latin america

EXTENSIONS TAMARINDO 6 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £645

Tamarindo is in Guanacaste province on the Pacific coast and has an abundance of sandy beaches and a lively atmosphere. The nearby Playa Grande beach, meanwhile, is one of Costa Rica’s most important nesting sites for leatherback turtles. Spend your days at leisure or enjoy turtle watching (Nov-Mar), or boat trips through the mangroves. Hotel upgrades available to the boutique Cala Luna or the beachfront Capitán Suizo from £345. : Wyndham Tamarindo

MANUEL ANTONIO 6 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £945

The smallest of Costa Rica’s national parks, Manuel Antonio is also one of the most visited due to the remarkable diversity of its wildlife. Its rainforest extends down to the beautiful beaches, where it is possible to spot monkeys, sloths and armadillos. Travel from Monteverde to here to spend days at leisure or take excursions, such as rainforest walks and boat tours in search of dolphins. : Parador Nature Resort & Spa

SAN GERARDO DE DOTA

CORCOVADO

PANAMA

4 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £495

5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,695

5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £695

Leave your group at Sarchi and transfer to San Gerardo de Dota, a birdwatchers’ paradise and home to more than 150 species including striking quetzals. Stay for two nights and take an early morning tour in search of the resplendent quetzal in the surrounding primary forest.

Fly to Drake Bay and transfer to Aguila de Osa, set on a cliff amid a privately protected rainforest. Stay for three nights on a full-board basis and take a local shared excursion to explore Corcovado National Park and its trails (a reasonable level of fitness is required), and a snorkelling trip to Caño Island.

See Panama City and the Panama Canal; tour the old, colonial city, then head on to that wonder of 20th century civil engineering that connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Also consider an optional visit to the Miraflores canal locks or to Soberanía National Park for some excellent birding. (B)

: Trogon Lodge

: Aguila de Osa

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: Best Western Plus Panama Zen

SPLENDOURS OF CENTRAL AMERICA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

19 days, 17 nights

From £4,995

From £6,995

Select

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Navigate through the locks of the Panama Canal. • Spot wildlife in Costa Rica’s cloud forest and visit a sloth sanctuary. • Cruise on Lake Nicaragua and see the lava of the active Masaya Volcano. • Explore colonial towns and Mayan ruins, including Tikal and Copán.

FLIGHT ROAD

Take in the natural and cultural wonders of Central America, from tropical landscapes and active volcanoes, to colonial heritage and crumbling Mayan cities. Gain insight into the historic civil conflicts and colourful indigenous cultures of the region, and learn about the 20thcentury engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal.

DAY 1: FLY TO PANAMA CITY Fly from London (regional connections available) via the US/Amsterdam. Stay at the Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel. (N) : Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel (Days 1-3) DAY 2: PANAMA CITY Enjoy a morning city tour, taking in the ruins of old Panama and the historic colonial district. Afterwards, sit down for a welcome lunch. (B, L) DAY 3: PANAMA CANAL Take a shared partial-transit tour through the locks of the Panama Canal. (B, L)

Above: Tikal Mayan Ruins, Guatemala; top right: Panama’s Centennial Bridge; bottom right: Antigua, Guatemala

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costa rica, guatemala, honduras, nicaragua & panama • latin america

DAY 4: FLY TO SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA Fly to Costa Rica’s capital and visit a coffee plantation on the fertile, mineral-rich slopes of the active Poás Volcano. (B, L) : Hotel Presidente / Parque del Lago Hotel DAYS 5-6: MONTEVERDE

Transfer to Monteverde, close to the Cordillera de Tilarán. In the afternoon, visit Selvatura Butterfly Garden and Hanging Walkways, and the sloth habitat to see Costa Rica’s best-loved animal within a conservation-focussed setting. The following day, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest to explore its beautiful, rare flora and fauna. (B) : El Establo Mountain Hotel (or similar)

DAY 7: GRANADA, NICARAGUA Take a full day’s journey across the border into Nicaragua to the city of Granada, overlooking Lake Nicaragua (seven-eight hours). (B) : Patio del Malinche Hotel (Days 7-8) DAY 8: GRANADA Enjoy a tour of the city, including its Franciscan convent. Take a boat through the canals and among the small islands of Lake Nicaragua, Central America’s largest lake. Afternoon at leisure, then visit the Masaya Volcano to see its glowing lava (subject to volcanic activity). (B) DAY 9: FLY TO EL SALVADOR • SUCHITOTO Transfer to Managua and fly to San Salvador, El Salvador’s capital. Continue to the charming lakeside settlement of Suchitoto. (B) : Casa 1800 Suchitoto DAY 10: ROUTE OF THE FLOWERS Explore the cobbled streets of Suchitoto, then transfer to Joya de Cerén, the archaeological site known as the “Pompeii of the Americas”. Explore cloud forest trails and enjoy volcano views as you journey along the picturesque Route of the Flowers to Ataco. (B, L) : Casa 1800 Ataco

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DAY 11: COPÁN, HONDURAS Visit the traditional artisan town of Ataco, famed for its vibrant street murals, and stop at Santa Ana en route to Honduras (approximately 10 hours). (B, L) : Hotel Marina Copán (Days 11-12)

indigenous community. Continue by road to the Flores area for a stay beside Lake Peten Itza. (B) : Villa Maya / Hotel Casona del Lago (Days 14-15)

Tour the Mayan ruins of Copán with its intricate and well-preserved sculptures. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 15: TIKAL Enjoy a morning tour of Tikal, one of the most spectacular Mayan ruins, in the heart of the jungle. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L)

DAY 13: LIVINGSTON, GUATEMALA Cross into Guatemala and on to the Caribbean coast, visiting the impressive carved stelae at Quiriguá en route (around six hours). Take a 90-minute boat ride to the town of Livingston, with its strong Garifuna culture. (B) : Hotel Villa Caribe (or similar)

DAYS 16-17: FLY TO GUATEMALA CITY • ANTIGUA Fly to Guatemala City; transfer to colonial Antigua, set beside three majestic volcanoes. Take a walking tour followed by a farewell dinner. The next day is at leisure, or take optional excursions. (B, D) (B) : Hotel Cacique Real

DAY 14: FLORES Take a morning walking tour of Livingston, and a boat trip along the lush gorges of the Dulce River to visit Bird Island and an

DAYS 18-19: FLY TO LONDON VIA THE US Transfer to Guatemala City; fly via the US, arriving the next day. (B) (N)

DAY 12: COPÁN

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,095 TOUR CODE: GCA 14 Jan - 01 Feb 27

13 Jan - 31 Jan 28

11 Feb - 01 Mar 27

10 Feb - 28 Feb 28

04 Mar - 22 Mar 27

09 Mar - 27 Mar 28

04 Nov - 22 Nov 27

02 Nov - 20 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). Locally escorted tour: This tour is led in each country by a national tour manager. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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costa rica, guatemala, honduras, nicaragua & panama • latin america

EXTENSIONS LAKE ATITLÁN 4 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £725

Extend your tour with a visit to picturesque Lake Atitlán, a sapphire-blue lake surrounded by hills, volcanoes, Mayan villages and market towns. Take a boat trip to local settlements and visit the colourful Chichicastenango market, one of the most famous and festive indigenous markets in Central America. : Hotel Villa Santa Catarina

Clockwise from top left: Flores, Guatemala; Lake Atitlán; Ambergris Caye, Belize; Copán, Honduras

BELIZE BEACH 5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,095

Relax on bright, sandy beaches or swim in easy seas of Ambergris Caye, the largest island off the coast of Belize, peppered with swaying palms and surrounded by the fishtank-clear Caribbean waters. Enjoy days at leisure by the beach or snorkelling in the sheltered waters of the nearby barrier reef. Consider an optional upgrade to Victoria House Resort & Spa from £265. : Portofino Hotel (beach cabana)

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call 020 3411 2135 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

EUROPE Only in Europe are the world’s best-loved sights surrounded by such an array of equally rewarding, lesser-seen attractions. Italy has been drawing travellers for centuries, not least with the Neapolitan treasures of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Yet regular visitors may not have taken in Umbria’s medieval facades or Ravenna’s marvellous mosaics.

Opposite: inset: Cefalu, Sicily; background: The Palatine Chapel of the Royal Palace, Palermo, Sicily

Then there is the sun-soaked Spanish region of Andalucia, with its Moorish colonnades, and Portugal, where you can stay in restored pousada hotels, tour the country’s vineyards and drink in its distinctive viticulture. Head east for the ancient streets of Crete, Transylvania’s often-overlooked fairy-tale castles, and Turkey, to see where Europe meets Asia. Or strike out for the southern Caucasus, to take in ancient monasteries, and taste brandy from vineyards that once supplied Churchill and the Russian Tsars. Cox & Kings was founded here, and our enduring connections across the continent allow us to show you Europe at its most romantic – whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned returnee.

NEAPOLITAN TREASURES: CASERTA, SORRENTO AND AMALFI DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

8 days, 7 nights

From £2,795

From £6,445

Signature

Leisurely

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Tour the sprawling Bourbon Palace and Gardens of Caserta, known as the Neapolitan Versailles. • Take in the eternal charm of Sorrento with a stay at a characterful hotel overlooking the coast. • Discover the many faces of Naples, exploring Certosa di San Martino, Royal Palace and Piazza del Plebiscito. • Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Italy’s Campania region is celebrated for its scenery, with colourful cliffside towns that stagger down to meet the Mediterranean. It’s also a place of riveting history and tempting gastronomy. Tour the historic highlights of Naples, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, before visiting Caserta Palace, Italy’s Versailles. Also take in the fabled Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii for greater insight into this region’s storied past. ROAD

DAY 1: FLY TO NAPLES Fly to Naples and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Later, join your tour party for a welcome dinner. (D) : Hotel dei Cavalieri Caserta (or similar) (Days 1-3) DAY 2: NAPLES Visit the monastery-turned-museum of Certosa di San Martino, which has one of the finest collections of nativity scenes in the world. After lunch at a pizzeria, tour the Royal Palace of Naples, the Piazza del Plebiscito, and the medieval fortress of Castel Nuovo, once the royal seat for the kings of Naples. (B, L)

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italy • europe

DAY 3: CASERTA Begin the day with a half-day walking tour of the Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the largest former royal residence in the world and encompasses a manicured park with fountains and Greco-Roman statues. (B) DAY 4: HERCULANEUM, POMPEII AND SORRENTO En route to Sorrento, visit Herculaneum, home to Roman ruins including public baths, villas and mosaics; and Pompeii with its ash-preserved basilica, the Temple of Apollo and the oldest known Roman amphitheatre. (B) : Hotel La Tonnarella (or similar) (Days 4-7) DAY 5: SORRENTO Your day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel, explore Sorrento, or take a pre-bookable tour of the island of Capri, loved by pleasure-seekers since Roman times. (B)

DAY 6: AMALFI COAST Spend a day touring the famous, scenic Amalfi Coast. Your day includes a visit to the attractive town of its namesake, a popular beachside resort since the early 20th century, and nearby Villa Rufolo, a 13th-century hilltop house, beloved by the German composer Richard Wagner, which gazes over the twinkling waters of the Gulf of Salerno. (B) DAY 7: SORRENTO Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Sorrento further, or simply relax. Later, in the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel with your fellow travellers. (B, D) DAY 8: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to Naples Airport and catch your flight home, or continue your journey via one of our extensions. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £995 TOUR CODE: NAP 06 May - 13 May 27

04 May - 11 May 28

20 May - 27 May 27

18 May - 25 May 28

09 Sep - 16 Sep 27

07 Sep - 14 Sep 28

07 Oct - 14 Oct 27

05 Oct - 12 Oct 28

21 Oct - 28 Oct 27

19 Oct - 26 Oct 28

Far left: The Royal Palace of Caserta; left: the Amalfi Coast; top: Naples

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CLASSIC SICILY DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

10 days, 9 nights

From £3,545

From £9,295

Signature

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Stay in beautifully appointed, centrally located hotels in the heart of Palermo and Taormina. • Taste a local cuisine shaped by centuries of Mediterranean influences on a street-food experience in Palermo. • Explore the ancient legacy of Magna Graecia in Syracuse and Ortigia. • Visit Villa Romana del Casale to see one of the world’s finest collections of Roman mosaics.

The Mediterranean’s largest island, Sicily, is as culturally rich as it is beautiful. It is home to superb Norman architecture, vibrant Roman floor mosaics, Arab-inspired gardens, and possibly the finest Greek temples to be found anywhere in the world. Alongside this, the island has some magnificent natural scenery, from volcanic Mount Etna to quiet beaches in the south. This tour explores the best that the island has to offer. ROAD

DAY 1: FLY TO CATANIA • SYRACUSE Fly from London (regional connections available) to Catania with British Airways. Transfer to the nearby ancient Sicilian settlement of Syracuse and check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with the rest of your party. (N) : Grande Albergo Alfeo (or similar) (Days 1-2) DAY 2: SYRACUSE • NOTO Tour Syracuse, including the Greek theatre, considered one of the most important examples of its kind; the Ear of Dionysius limestone cave; and Ortygia island. Continue to the UNESCO-listed city of Noto, renowned for its magnificent baroque architecture. (B)

Above: The Greek Theatre at Taormina; top right: a Ballarò market stall, Palermo; below right: Sicilian ceramics

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italy • europe

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £695 TOUR CODE: CLS 03 May - 12 May 27

01 May - 10 May 28

07 Jun - 16 Jun 27

15 May - 24 May 28

14 Jun - 23 Jun 27

12 Jun - 21 Jun 28

06 Sep - 15 Sep 27

11 Sep - 20 Sep 28

20 Sep - 29 Sep 27

18 Sep - 27 Sep 28

11 Oct - 20 Oct 27

09 Oct - 18 Oct 28

DAY 3: CATANIA • CEFALÙ • PALERMO

In the morning, drive to Catania to view the cathedral – damaged by an earthquake in the late 17th century and rebuilt in the Baroque style – and Piazza Stesicoro. Continue to Cefalù to visit the Norman cathedral with its mosaics. (B) : Piazza Borsa (or similar) (Days 3-5) DAY 4: MONREALE • PALERMO Drive to Monreale to visit the Norman cathedral, a leading example of NormanArab architecture. Return to Palermo for a tour including the magnificent ArabNorman cathedral; the Palatine Chapel, located within the Norman palace and covered in Byzantine-influenced mosaics; and the historic old town. Later, enjoy an afternoon street-food experience for lunch. (B, L) DAY 5: PALERMO Enjoy a day at leisure in the Sicilian capital; feel free to explore independently, or simply spend some time relaxing. DAY 6: SEGESTA • ERICE • AGRIGENTO Visit the Park of Segesta where you see one of Sicily’s best-preserved Doric temples. Proceed to the town of Erice with

its imposing fortified walls overlooking the city of Trapani. Stop at Grammatico, the world-famous pastry shop. (B) : Colleverde Park Hotel (or similar) DAY 7: VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES • PIAZZA ARMERINA • TAORMINA Morning visit to the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s most impressive ancient Greek sites, and the largest archaeological park in Europe. Afternoon drive to the elegant resort town of Taormina via Piazza Armerina to view the Roman mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale. (B, L) : Hotel Ariston (or similar) (Days 6-7) DAY 8: MOUNT ETNA Visit the highest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, for panoramic views. Stop at a local vineyard for a wine tasting and lunch. (B, L) DAY 9: TAORMINA Take a guided tour of Taormina’s ancient theatre – the second largest on the island. Enjoy a farewell lunch and afternoon at leisure (B, L) DAY 10: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport; fly to London. (B)

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specialist-led tour

SICILY: NORMANS IN THE SOUTH SPECIALIST LECTURERS: Dr Sally Dormer or Andrew Spira

HISTORY • ART • ARCHITECTURE

DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

6 days, 5 nights

From £3,295

Signature

Leisurely

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Stay in the historic heart of Palermo throughout your tour, the island’s capital for both the Norman and Islamic rulers of Sicily. • Visit the Arab thermal baths at Cefalà Diana, the only example in Sicily. • Taste traditional pastries at a renowned bakery, some of which trace their origins back to Arabian and Norman times. • Sample Sicilian liqueurs at a local producer.

Sicily has been a crossroads of civilisations since ancient times, and no period saw such a rich cultural exchange as the first centuries of Norman rule. Situating you in the heart of Palermo – capital for both Norman kings and Islamic emirs – this tour reveals the island’s unique history, including the Romanesque architecture of the Normans, the legacy of Byzantine artisans, and the enduring Arabic influence on Sicilian cuisine. ROAD

DAY 1: FLY TO PALERMO, SICILY

Fly from London and transfer to your hotel for five nights. This evening, enjoy a welcome lecture and dinner. (D) : NH Collection Palazzo Sitano (or similar) (Days 1-5) DAY 2: PALERMO

Tour the historic heart of Palermo, including the Norman Palace, and the cathedral with its treasury. Enjoy a light street-food lunch, where you will be offered the chance to sample authentic local dishes such as arancini – deep-fried rice balls inspired by the Arabic dish kibbeh and said to have been created for Emperor Frederick II. Proceed to St John of the Hermits Church, a 12th-century hybrid of Norman and Arab design. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. (B, L)

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Italy • europe italy

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 3: CEFALÀ DIANA

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £795 TOUR CODE: PMO

Visit the thermal baths of Cefalà Diana, a rare example of a surviving Arabic hammam in Sicily, still filled with geothermically warmed spring water. Proceed to a local bakery where you have the opportunity to sample traditional Sicilian pastries, several of which have medieval origins. Conclude with a tasting of local liqueurs. The rest of your day is at leisure. (B)

12 May - 17 May 27

Dr Sally Dormer

09 Jun - 14 Jun 27

Andrew Spira

06 Oct - 11 Oct 27

Andrew Spira

10 May - 15 May 28

Dr Sally Dormer

07 Jun - 12 Jun 28

Andrew Spira

04 Oct - 09 Oct 28

Andrew Spira

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

DAY 4: MONREALE

Visit the imposing Cathedral of Monreale with its Byzantine-style glass mosaics and its Benedictine cloister, a high point of Norman architecture in Sicily. Return to Palermo, visit Zisa Palace and Cuba Palace, both of which display impressive Arab craftsmanship. (B)

DAY 5: PALERMO • CEFALÙ

This morning, visit Palermo’s 12th-century Church of St Mary of the Admiral, which features impressive Byzantine mosaics, as well as some notable Christian inscriptions in Arabic in the building’s interior. Proceed to Cefalù and its cathedral, commissioned by Roger II who brought artisans from Constantinople to complete the lavish interior. This evening, enjoy a farewell drink with the group. (B, D)

DAY 6: FLY HOME

Transfer to the airport for your return flight or begin your tailor-made extension. (B)

Clockwise from top left: Palermo at sunset; Monreale Cathedral, Palermo; the Thermal Baths of Cefalà Diana; Monreale Cathedral’s interior mosaics

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PUGLIA AND BASILICATA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

8 days, 7 nights

From £2,695

From £8,295

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Explore Lecce, the “Florence of the South”, and enjoy an aperitif at a Bourbon-era palazzo. • Visit Castel del Monte, Frederick II’s extraordinary medieval fortress, and take lunch at a typical agriturismo. • Stay in carefully selected countryside retreats, enabling you to take in Puglia’s timeless landscape and join in the region’s relaxed way of life. • Taste local olive oil, cheese and freshly baked Altamura focaccia.

Known as “the heel of Italy”, the region of Puglia offers some of the country’s most remote coastline and countryside, dotted with ancient sites and whitewashed towns. The neighbouring Basilicata region is a rustic area with historic centres and fine beaches. Over the centuries, both regions have been influenced by ancient Greek, Roman and Norman rule, which is noticeable in the varied architecture and historic remains that you will see on this tour. ROAD

DAY 1: FLY TO BARI • OTRANTO Fly from London (regional connections available) to Bari and transfer to the pretty coastal town of Otranto for three nights. In the evening, join the rest of your tour party for a welcome dinner. (D) : Tenuta Centoporte (or similar) (Days 1-3) DAY 2: OTRANTO • GALLIPOLI Begin your day with an exploration of Otranto, a port town situated on the ancient Greek site of Hydrus. In the afternoon, sample Puglian wine before going on to visit the picturesque coastal town of Gallipoli, which according to legend was founded by Idomeneus, an ancient ruler of Crete. (B)

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ITALY • europe

DAY 3: LECCE Travel north and tour Lecce, one of Italy’s best-preserved baroque cities. Visit the Duomo and admire the ornate 17th-century interior before enjoying an aperitif at one of the city’s historic palazzos. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B) DAY 4: OSTUNI • ALBEROBELLO Travel to Ostuni to tour its cathedral and historical centre. Drive to Alberobello and enjoy a tour of this UNESCO-listed town, famous for its trulli – traditional conical dwellings. Visit an oil mill and dairy to sample local cheeses, olive oil and antipasti. Enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, D) : Masseria Caselli (or similar) (Days 4-7) DAY 5: TRANI • CASTEL DEL MONTE • BARI Begin the day with a visit to Trani, a whitewashed port city of Jewish origins. Enjoy light lunch in a typical agriturismo restaurant overlooking Castel del Monte, then continue to the renowned fortress itself. Built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, who ruled much of southern Italy in the 13th century, this octagonal fortress is a masterpiece of medieval architecture set high on an isolated hill; an image of the fortress appears on some of Italy’s one-cent coins. Continue with a visit to Bari’s old quarter with San

Sabino Cathedral and San Nicola Basilica. This evening and the following evening, a return transfer to the nearest village is laid on, enabling you to enjoy a dinner at leisure. (B) DAY 6: ALTAMURA • MATERA Drive to Altamura to visit the celebrated Romanesque cathedral. While there, visit a local bakery and taste freshly baked focaccia. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera. The Sassi district is divided into two parts: the Sasso Caveoso and the Sasso Barisano, each with countless churches and distinctive features. The tour includes a visit to the typical Sassi dwelling of Casa Grotta, a Rupestrian church and the Crypt of the Original Sin with its delicate frescoes (B, L) DAY 7: BRINDISI Take a guided tour of this historic port city, overlooking the Adriatic. Known as the “Gateway to the East” it has been a centre of maritime trade since ancient times. After the tour, enjoy some free time to eat and shop. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in Ostuni. (B, D) DAY 8: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to Bari airport and fly to London, or begin your tour extension. (B)

Above: Alberobello, Puglia; below: Matera; far left: the Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £445 TOUR CODE: PUB 05 May - 12 May 27

03 May - 10 May 28

26 May - 02 Jun 27

24 May - 31 May 28

01 Sep - 08 Sep 27

30 Aug - 06 Sep 28

15 Sep - 22 Sep 27

13 Sep - 20 Sep 28

06 Oct - 13 Oct 27

04 Oct - 11 Oct 28

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EXTENSIONS SOUTHERN ITALY These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

RAGUSA AND MODICA 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,850

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Classic Sicily Deepen your appreciation for Sicily’s landscape and culture with this extension, taking in the little-seen, yet hugely rewarding towns and settlements in the island’s far southeast. Ragusa, a hilltop city filled with perfectly executed Sicilian Baroque buildings, is complemented by the equally well-preserved Modica, known for its beautiful streets and its distinctive gastronomic heritage; the town’s grainy, crystalline chocolate is supposedly based on an ancient Aztec recipe. Visit a local chocolate lab to find out more or simply enjoy a stroll within this too-oftenoverlooked Sicilian quarter.

LIPARI AND SALINA 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,500

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Classic Sicily Having explored Sicily’s charms, cross the waters to the volcanic Aeolian Islands, which lie just to the northwest. Travellers will meet the caper producers on Salina, the second-largest in the archipelago, and try the island’s sweet Malvasia wines; catch a sunset cruise to Stromboli, one of the two islands in this chain with an active volcano; and take in the archaeological museum at Lipari, which covers the island’s development, from the prehistoric period to classical times.

MALTA 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £895

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Classic Sicily After touring Italy’s southerly island, head just a few miles further south, from Sicily’s Pozzallo ferry port to Valletta, the European Union’s smallest capital city. Malta is also the EU country that receives the most hours of sunshine, and offers many gem-like beaches, numerous ancient sites and megalithic temples. It also has more recent historic artefacts, such as its George Cross – awarded to the island collectively in 1942 following the wartime Siege of Malta – which is housed in Valletta’s 15th-century Fort Saint Elmo.

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NORTHERN PUGLIA 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £545

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Puglia and Basilicata Strike out from the familiar heart of Puglia to its lesser-known northerly reaches. Guests taking this extension stay in Vieste, a beautiful seaside fishing port, and have the chance to explore the Gargano peninsula and its other, equally charming settlements, such as Peschici with its antique trabucchi fishing platforms. There is also the opportunity to venture inland to nearby ancient beech forests and the charming hilltop town of Monte Sant’Angelo.

Clockwise from top left: Ragusa; Vieste; Ischia; Riace Bronze statue in Reggio Calabria; Valletta, Malta; Salina

CALABRIA

ISCHIA

5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £2,750

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £685

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION:

Classic Sicily

Neapolitan Treasures

Explore the lower portions of the Italian peninsula once settled by the ancient Greeks, and where reminders of their ancient culture survive. Visit the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria for the Bronzi di Riace, incredible lifesized bronze statues of heroic warriors, dating from the 5th-century BC; try the grilled swordfish sandwiches sold on the streets of Scilla; see the craggy villages of Aspromonte; and visit Magna Graecia communities such as Bovesia, where Griko, a variation of Greek, is spoken.

Settled by Greeks in the eighth century BC, Ischia is a ruggedly beautiful island that juts out of the Tyrrhenian Sea 30km (18 miles) off Naples. Here, shaded by lemon, pine, and evergreen oak trees, precipitous towns beckon with their cliff-edge hotels and restaurants, while mineral-rich springs promise a soothing soak. Be sure to cross the causeway to the centuries-old Aragonese Castle, which crowns a nearby islet. This fortification staggers down the cliff face and has existed in some form since antiquity.

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UMBRIA: UNDISCOVERED HEART OF ITALY DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

8 days, 7 nights

From £2,895

From £7,595

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Experience the subterranean mystique of the Narni Underground, and Todi with its blend of Roman, Etruscan and medieval architecture. • Join a farewell dinner at a restaurant built into Orvieto’s underground caves. • Visit Civita di Bagnoregio, an ancient town built high atop a tuff and only accessible by footbridge. • See Baglioni Chapel, with its breathtaking Renaissance frescoes.

right: Civita di Bagnoregio; bottom right: Orvieto Cathedral; top right: the Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi

ROAD

Situated in the heart of Italy, Umbria is a bucolic beauty with a past stretching back to the ancient Etruscans. This tour reveals the region’s highlights. Enjoy expertly guided tours as you travel from the Umbrian capital of Perugia, a centre of art and culture, to Orvieto and its dazzling 14th-century cathedral. Highlights include visits to Assisi, birthplace of Italy’s patron saint; Rasiglia, known as “Little Venice”; and Narni, where caves beneath a convent reveal historical treasures.

DAY 1: FLY TO ROME, ITALY Fly from London (regional connections available) to Rome Fiumicino with British Airways. Transfer by private coach to Perugia and to your hotel, with the option to upgrade to the nearby five-star Sina Brufani Hotel for £250 per person. (N) : Hotel Locanda della Posta / The Bank Hotel (Days 1-4) DAY 2: PERUGIA Begin with a half-day walking tour of Perugia. Visit the Piazza IV Novembre in the historic centre of the city, which contains the medieval Fountain of Maggiore, and continue to the remains of the Renaissance fortress of Rocca Paolina; the 16th-century Perugia Cathedral; and

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italy • europe

the Etruscan Arch of Augustus. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B) DAY 3: ASSISI Discover Assisi with a half-day guided tour of the birthplace of Italy’s patron saint, Francis of Assisi. As well as visiting the exterior of the Basilica di San Francesco, which houses the saint’s remains, also visit the Temple of Minerva, the impressive 13th-century Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, and the Fountain of the Three Lions. (B) DAY 4: GUBBIO • SPELLO Journey to Gubbio for time at leisure to explore this ancient town in the foothills of the Apennines. You may wish to visit the Duomo (Cathedral) and the Piazza Grande, or head up to the hilltop Basilica of Saint Ubaldo. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Spello, visiting the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Baglioni Chapel, which contains Renaissance frescoes by Pinturicchio. (B, L) DAY 5: RASIGLIA • SPOLETO Visit the medieval village of Rasiglia, nicknamed “Little Venice” for its many streams; enjoy some time at leisure. After lunch, go to the ancient town of Spoleto, founded in the 10th century BC. (B) : Hotel San Luca (Days 5-7) DAY 6: NARNI • TODI

Enjoy a private journey to the hilltop town of Narni. Here you enjoy an atmospheric guided tour of the Narni Underground, subterranean chambers discovered beneath a former convent in 1979. Spend some free time in the ancient hilltop town of Todi before returning to your hotel (B)

DAY 7: CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO •

ORVIETO Begin the day with an excursion to the hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio, a remarkably beautiful, sparsely populated settlement. Then head to the town of Orvieto, a larger hilltop settlement known for its wine and ceramics, visit its ornate 14th-century cathedral, and enjoy some free time to explore. Round off your journey with a special farewell dinner, in a restaurant that forms part of the Labyrinth of Hadrian – a complex of ancient caves, cisterns and tunnels cut deep into the region’s soft volcanic rock. (B, D) DAY 8: DEPART ROME This morning, transfer to Fiumicino Airport for your departure flight. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £895 TOUR CODE: UMB 8 May - 15 May 27

6 May - 13 May 28

29 May - 5 Jun 27

27 May - 3 Jun 28

11 Sep - 18 Sep 27

9 Sep - 16 Sep 28

9 Oct - 16 Oct 27

7 Oct - 14 Oct 28

TOUR EXTENSION: ROME 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £350

Pre- and post-tour extensions are available in Rome for more leisure time in the Eternal City, whether you wish to relax or explore. : Grand Hotel Palatino

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specialist-led tour

RAVENNA: MOSAICS AND MARBLE SPECIALIST LECTURERS: Dr Sally Dormer or Rowena Loverance

HISTORY • ART • ARCHITECTURE

DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

4 days, 3 nights

From £1,895

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the Church of San Pietro in Sylvis, the oldest in the Ravenna area. • See the varied marble and mosaic decoration of the Church of San Vitale. • Explore the unique 10-sided mausoleum of Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths. • Admire the work of Ravenna’s modern mosaicists in a city that remains at the centre of mosaic art.

ROAD

Uncover Ravenna’s glittering past with experts Rowena Loverance or Dr Sally Dormer. In 402 AD, the Italian city became capital of the western Roman empire, and mosaicdecorated churches were built. It flourished in the sixth century under the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines, who commissioned further splendid monuments, before the Lombards assumed control in 751 AD. Today, Ravenna is replete with relics of this illustrious history, as you will see firsthand.

Above: the Basilica of San Vitale; top right: the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe; near centre right: the Mausoleum of Theodoric; far centre right: Bologna; bottom right: the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe

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DAY 1: FLY TO BOLOGNA* • RAVENNA Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. Transfer to Ravenna and visit Sant’Apollinare in Classe, an excellent example of early Christian basilica-style churches. (D) : Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi (or similar) (Days 1-3) DAY 2: RAVENNA Visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, with its fine early-Christian vault mosaics. Continue to San Vitale, one of the most significant Byzantine churches. Travel to the Residenza dei Vescovi to view masterpieces from the Museo Arcivescovile, the archiepiscopal chapel and Ravenna’s 18th-century cathedral. (B)

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Italy • europe

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 3: RAVENNA

GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £345 TOUR CODE: IMA

See the Palace of Theodoric and the octagonal Orthodox, the former residence of the ancient Ostrogothic ruler. Continue to the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, again built by Ostrogoth king Theodoric; the fifth-century octagonal Arian baptistery, with its mosaic of Christ’s baptism; Dante’s tomb, the resting place of the poet Dante Alighieri, and the basilica of San Francesco. Visit the city art museum to admire contemporary mosaics. Continue to the palace of Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra to see its marble inlays and mosaics. (B, D)

11 Mar - 14 Mar 27

Rowena Loverance

10 Jun - 13 Jun 27

Rowena Loverance

11 Nov - 14 Nov 27

Dr Sally Dormer

9 Mar - 12 Mar 28

Rowena Loverance

08 Jun - 11 Jun 28

Rowena Loverance

09 Nov - 12 Nov 28

Dr Sally Dormer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION DAY 4: RAVENNA • FLY TO LONDON

Visit the unique, 10-sided Mausoleum of Theodoric, built from huge blocks of ashlar masonry on the outskirts of Ravenna. Drive to the seventh-century protoRomanesque church San Pietro in Sylvis, which provides useful comparisons with Ravenna’s buildings. Transfer to Bologna for your flight, begin your extension, or continue to Rome for Rome: Patricians to Popes on the following page. (B, L)

Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star characterful and historic hotels in the heart of Ravenna. * On some departures, arrival and departure might be at Venice airport. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

TOUR EXTENSION: BOLOGNA 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £495

Extend your tour with two nights in Bologna, one of Italy’s gastronomic capitals and home to Europe’s oldest university. : Art Hotel Commercianti

Combine this tour with Rome: Patricians to Popes (on the following page) and enjoy a nine-day, unbroken, deeper journey among Italy’s beautiful artistic and cultural legacies.

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NEW FOR 2027

specialist-led tour

ROME: PATRICIANS TO POPES SPECIALIST LECTURERS: Dr Sally Dormer or Rowena Loverance

HISTORY • ART • ARCHITECTURE

DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

5 days, 4 nights

From £2,645

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • See key sights and artworks that illustrate Rome’s shift from an imperial city to a medieval seat of religious power. • Stay in a beautifully appointed 17thcentury hotel, overlooking the Palatine Hill, and just a short walk from the Colosseum, Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum. • Examine the newly rediscovered medieval frescoes in the Aula Gotica, some of the most important paintings in Rome from this period, not easily accessible to the general public. • View pivotal mosaics, frescoes and sculptures that have shaped Christianity’s worldview.

This page: the Basilica of Santa Prassede; top right: mosaics in the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana; bottom right: Rome

Explore the ecclesiastical history of the Eternal City through its oldest churches, from late antiquity and the last of the Western Roman emperors, to the Middle Ages and the rise of papal primacy. As you admire centuries-old frescoes, mosaics and icons, your specialist lecturer will passionately illuminate the details with their deep knowledge of Rome’s role within Christendom.

ROAD

102

DAY 1: FLY TO ROME Fly from London, or join this tour after enjoying Ravenna: Mosaics and Marble [see the previous page] with which this tour can be combined. Stroll past the crumbling arches and columns of the Roman Forum, an ancient centre of political decision-making and public speaking, as well as the Circus Maximus, once the racing ground of both aurigae and agitators (novice and experienced chariot drivers). Attend your welcome dinner at a local trattoria. (D) : Hotel Kolbe (Days 1-4)

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Italy • europe

DAY 2: ROME Begin your day at the Basilica of San Clemente, a 12th-century basilica on top of a fourth-century church, which itself was constructed atop a Roman Republican-era dwelling. Be sure to pause beneath the gilded apse mosaic, with its motif of scrolled vines and blooming flowers framing a crucified Christ. Continue to Santi Quattro Coronati, a minor basilica containing 17th-century frescoes by Giovanni da San Giovanni. After lunch, visit the Lateran Baptistry, founded by Pope Sixtus III in 440 AD; the fourth-century Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, among Rome’s best-preserved buildings from Late Antiquity; and Sant’Agnese fuori le Mura, a minor basilica with notable, early Christian catacombs, which contain the remains of St Agnes. (B) DAY 3: ROME Today, explore more of the Eternal City’s holiest buildings, starting with the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, the oldest extant place of Christian worship in Rome; the early-medieval Basilica of Santa Prassede, said to house a column upon which Jesus was flogged before his crucifixion; and the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. After lunch, proceed to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, which is crowned by its original 12th-century belltower; and the Basilica of Santa Sabina, with its long, colonnaded nave and fifth-century cypress doors carved with biblical scenes. Return to your hotel on foot in time to attend an insightful lecture. (B)

DAY 4: ROME

Visit the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, dedicated to the patron saint of music; the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, which houses the medieval Madonna delle Clemenza icon; and the exterior of Casa dei Crescenzi, Rome’s oldest surviving medieval residence, built in part from ancient Roman spoila. Enjoy lunch in the Jewish Quarter, then drive to your final two stops of the day: the Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio, with its striking circular design; and – last but not least – the Basilica of Santa Maria in Domnica, with its vibrant ninth-century apse mosaics. This evening, attend a farewell dinner at a local trattoria. (B, D)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £645 TOUR CODE: RPP 14 Mar - 18 Mar 27

Rowena Loverance

14 Nov - 18 Nov 27

Dr Sally Dormer

12 Mar - 16 Mar 28

Rowena Loverance

12 Nov - 16 Nov 28

Dr Sally Dormer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION DAY 5: FLY TO THE UK

Transfer to the airport; fly home. (B)

Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Combine this tour with Ravenna: Mosaics and Marble (on the previous page) and enjoy a nine-day, unbroken, deeper journey among Italy’s beautiful artistic and cultural legacies.

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103

MAJESTIC MALTA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

7 days, 6 nights

From £2,295

From £3,945

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit a historic palazzo in Valletta accompanied by a Maltese noble. • Take a guided tour of Fort St Angelo, the ancient seat of the Knights of Malta, followed by an aperitif. • Experience the famous Maltan Waterfront through superior sea-view rooms. • Tour the Grand Harbour on the water with a boat tour. • Explore the second island, Gozo, by tuk-tuk.

ROAD

Malta might be one of Europe’s smallest nations, but its strategic position in the Mediterranean has gifted it a rich culture cultivated over millennia. This tour goes beyond the resorts for which the island is famous, exploring instead the capital, Valletta; the headquarters of the Knights of Malta at Fort St Angelo; as well as the historic Hagar Qim temples and Mdina. Highlights include a tour of an aristocratic palazzo, and a tuk-tuk ride around Gozo island.

DAY 1: FLY TO MALTA Take a morning flight from London (regional connections available) to Malta with Air Malta. Transfer to your hotel for the duration of the tour. (N) : Waterfront Hotel (Days 1-6) DAY 2: VALLETTA Embark on a guided tour of Malta’s compact capital, Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with baroque marvels, twisting streets and charming cafés. Highlights include St John’s CoCathedral and the palatial rooms of Casa Rocca Piccola. Enjoy a welcome lunch at Rampila Restaurant, uniquely situated in the city’s 16th-century bastions. (B, L)

Above: Valletta; top right: the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu, Gozo; bottom right: the Blue Grotto

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DAY 3: DAY AT LEISURE

Spend a free day enjoying the facilities of the hotel, including the outdoor pool and sun terrace. Alternatively, explore more of the area, perhaps with an excursion to the tiny third island of Comino, famous for its enticing white sands and azure waters. (B) DAY 4: BIRGU Explore Birgu, including a visit to Fort St Angelo, the ancient seat of the Knights of Malta. Access to the order’s private sections of the fort, which to this day enjoy extraterritoriality, has been arranged, followed by an aperitif. Next, enjoy a half-hour private harbour cruise aboard a traditional Maltese passenger boat. These colourful vessels are icons of Maltese culture. (B) DAY 5: GOZO

Cross by ferry to Gozo, Malta’s second largest island, for a full-day tour by tuktuk. Highlights include exploration of the main town of Victoria, famous for its 16th-century citadel; UNESCO-listed Ggantija temples, and the Xwejni salt pans, whose shimmering pools are still harvested in the ancient tradition. Stop en route for lunch. Return to Malta in the late afternoon. (B, L)

DAY 6: HAGAR QIM • BLUE GROTTO • MDINA Embark on a day tour of the 5,000-yearold temple complex of Hagar Qim and the historic city of Mdina. The day also includes a boat ride to the Blue Grotto – a series of sea caves naturally lit by breaks in the rock. (B) DAY 7: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to Malta airport and fly to London. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £945 TOUR CODE: MLB 14 May - 20 May 27

12 May - 18 May 28

11 Jun - 17 Jun 27

09 Jun - 15 Jun 28

10 Sep - 16 Sep 27

08 Sep - 14 Sep 28

01 Oct - 07 Oct 27

29 Sep - 05 Oct 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Tour Extension: See page 96 for details on combining this tour with an extension to Ragusa and Modica in Italy. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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SPLENDOURS OF ANDALUCÍA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

8 days, 7 nights

From £2,745

From £6,245

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Discover Andalucía through its culinary traditions on an evening tapas experience with a local food expert. • Explore the architectural masterpieces of Moorish Spain, from Seville’s Alcázar and Córdoba’s Mezquita to the magnificent Alhambra palace complex in Granada. • Enjoy lunch at a beautiful, 15thcentury former monastery. • Visit a historic wine cellar in Jerez de la Frontera to learn about sherry production.

Andalucía is one of Spain’s most iconic regions, strewn with superb Hispano-Moorish architecture. As well as visiting two of Spain’s greatest sites – the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Córdoba – this tour explores some of the region’s prettiest countryside and towns, delving deep into Andalucian history and culture. Further highlights include lunch at a historic monastery, and a tapas tour of Seville with a local food expert. RAIL ROAD

Clockwise from top left: Alcazar Real, Seville; Carmona; La Mezquita, Córdoba; Plaza de España, Seville; Alhambra, Granada

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DAY 1: MÁLAGA • SEVILLE Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways; take a private coach transfer to your hotel. (N) : Hotel Catalonia Giralda (or similar) (Days 1-3) DAY 2: SEVILLE Take a full-day tour of the city with a local guide, including a welcome lunch to meet your group. Explore Seville’s cathedral, the largest in Europe and the burial place of Christopher Columbus; as well as Giralda, Alcázar and the Mercado del Barranco. In the evening, enjoy a tapas tour with a local food expert. (B, L) DAY 3: JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA Explore Jerez de la Frontera, the home of sherry, touring the city and tasting some of its finest wines in a cellar. (B)

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 4: CARMONA • CÓRDOBA

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18)

Depart Seville and drive to the village of Carmona; explore at leisure, before taking lunch at a restaurant housed within a former 15th-century monastery. Travel on to Córdoba (B, L) : Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia Córdoba (Days 4-5)

SINGLE SUPP: From £895 TOUR CODE: ALA 07 May - 14 May 27

05 May - 12 May 28

04 Jun - 11 Jun 27

02 Jun - 09 Jun 28

11 Jun - 18 Jun 27

09 Jun - 16 Jun 28

24 Sep - 01 Oct 27

22 Sep - 29 Sep 28

DAY 5: CÓRDOBA

08 Oct - 15 Oct 27

06 Oct - 13 Oct 28

Take a half-day walking tour of Córdoba with a local guide, including visits to La Mezquita (the city’s mosque) and the synagogue. (B)

05 Nov - 12 Nov 27

03 Nov - 10 Nov 28

DAY 6: CÓRDOBA Tour the Medina Azahara this morning and in the afternoon catch a train to Granada and check into your hotel. (B) : Meliá Granada (Days 6-7)

DAY 7: GRANADA Embark on a half-day tour of Granada, which includes the Alhambra Palace. Built by the Moors in the 13th and 14th centuries, the palace is a spectacular complex of buildings and courtyards, and encompasses the celebrated Generalife gardens. In the evening, walk to a nearby restaurant for a farewell dinner. (B, D)

DAY 8: GRANADA • FLY TO LONDON Take a morning at leisure. Transfer to Málaga airport or begin your extension. (B)

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JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF SPAIN DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

9 days, 8 nights

From £2,795

From £8,795

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the Monastery of Yuste, once home to Charles V, and Francisco Pizarro’s house in Trujillo. • Admire Mérida’s Roman ruins, arguably the most impressive outside of Italy. • Stay in Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Catherine of Aragon and the home of Cervantes. • Enjoy traditionally aged local ham and cheese, and tour a producer’s drying house.

Journey into Spain’s cultural heartland, via three historic regions: Castille-Leon, one of the oldest Spanish kingdoms; Castille-La Mancha, the setting for Don Quixote; and rugged Extremadura, known as the “Land of the Conquistadors”. You will experience some of Spain’s bestpreserved medieval centres, delicious local delicacies, and the three UNESCO-listed cities of Segovia, Salamanca and Toledo.

DAY 1: MADRID • ALCALÁ DE HENARES Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. Transfer to Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote’s author. Join a welcome dinner. (D) : Parador Alcalá de Henares (Days 1-2) DAY 2: ALCALÁ DE HENARES Take a morning tour of this storied municipality, with its notable university, cathedral and UNESCO-protected centre. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B)

ROAD

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Spain • europe

DAY 3: ALCALÁ • SALAMANCA Enjoy a tour of Segovia, including its firstcentury Roman aqueduct. Continue to Ávila, one of the oldest cities in Spain. Take a walking tour around the 14-metre(46-feet-) high walls, which date back to the 11th century. Travel on to Salamanca. (B) : Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor (or similar) DAY 4: SALAMANCA • MÉRIDA

Enjoy a half-day walking tour of Salamanca’s historic city centre, including the Plaza Mayor, one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Spain; the cathedral; and the university, which – founded in 1134 – is the oldest in the Hispanic world. Depart Salamanca for Mérida, pausing en route to visit the Monastery of Yuste, once home to the Habsburg Emperor Charles V. (B, D) : Parador de Mérida (or similar) (Days 4-6) DAY 5: MÉRIDA • CÁCERES

Take a walking tour of Cáceres, one of the most charming cities in Extremadura. Explore the maze of narrow, cobbled streets that twist and turn among ancient palaces, mansions, arches and churches. From the defensive walls, enjoy views of the turrets, spires and gargoyles that have watched over the city for almost a millennium. (B, L)

DAY 6: MÉRIDA • ZAFRA Enjoy a gastronomy tour to discover some of Spain’s best-loved delicacies. Tour a traditional producer and drying house to learn about the ham-curing process before enjoying a tasting of the ham and local cheeses. Conclude with some free time to explore the village of Zafra, known as “Little Seville”. Return to Mérida. (B) DAY 7: MÉRIDA • TOLEDO Today it is the capital of Extremadura, but Mérida was also once the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. See the extensive Roman ruins – some of Spain’s most impressive – including the amphitheatre. Continue to Toledo, pausing en route to visit the picturesque village of Trujillo, including the home of conquistador Francisco Pizarro. (B) : Hotel María Cristina (or similar) (Days 7-8) DAY 8: TOLEDO Tour this historic city, formerly the capital of Spain, and where Jews, Christians and Muslims coexisted peacefully – as reflected by its interesting mix of historical buildings. In the morning, take in the main sights, including the 13thcentury Gothic cathedral, St Tome Church and Santa Maria La Blanca Synagogue, followed by time at leisure. (B) DAY 9: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport, about an hour from Toledo, or begin your extension. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £595 TOUR CODE: EHS 05 May - 13 May 27

03 May - 11 May 28

12 May - 20 May 27

10 May - 18 May 28

02 Jun - 10 Jun 27

31 May - 08 Jun 28

13 Oct - 21 Oct 27

04 Oct - 12 Oct 28

20 Oct - 28 Oct 27

11 Oct - 19 Oct 28

Far left: Segovia Cathedral; above: Segovia’s aqueduct; left: Mérida’s Roman ruins

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NEW FOR 2027

specialist-led tour

MOORISH SPAIN: EL CID TO THE ALHAMBRA SPECIALIST LECTURER: Diana Driscoll

HISTORY • ART • ARCHITECTURE

DURATION

SPECIALIST-LED TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 13 nights

From £5,495

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Enjoy a detailed tour of the Alhambra, the finest palace-city of medieval Islamic Spain. • Take guided visits to seven important UNESCO World Heritage Sites. • Catch high-speed trains between ancient cities, admiring Iberia’s Meseta Central plateau as you travel. • Visit the cellars in Valdepenas, known for its aloque bottlings, created by co-fermenting red and white grapes, and taste some of its wines.

Before there was Andalucía, there was al-Andalus. Medieval Spain experienced centuries of Muslim rule, first under the Umayyad Caliphate, then as a collection of independent emirates. Led by a specialist lecturer, this tour delves into Spain’s Islamic period – both the conflict and commingling with Christendom – taking you to examples of HispanoMoorish architecture, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. RAIL ROAD

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DAY 1: FLY TO BILBAO Fly from London to Bilbao and transfer to your hotel in the city of Burgos. (D) : Hotel Rice Palacio de los Blasones / Hotel Abba Burgos (Days 1-2) DAY 2: BURGOS Explore Burgos, one of medieval Castile’s most beautiful and influential cities, with visits to Burgos Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the resting place of El Cid, as well as the historic centre, including the Arco de Santa María, Plaza Mayor and Paseo del Espolón. (B)

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DAY 3: SANTO DOMINGO DE LA

CALZADA • ZARAGOZA Transfer to your hotel in Zaragoza, pausing in the charming town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada en route. (B, L) : Hotel Palafox (Days 3-4) DAY 4: ZARAGOZA Discover the medieval heritage of Zaragoza, beginning with a walk through its historic centre followed by a guided visit to the 11th-century Aljafería Palace – built when the city was the capital of an independent Muslim state, and replete with well-preserved Islamic architecture. (B) DAY 5: TOLEDO Take a high-speed train through the plains of Castile and León, via Madrid, to Toledo and transfer to your hotel.* (B, D) : Hotel Sercotel Toledo Renacimiento (Days 5-6) DAY 6: TOLEDO

Tour the historic centre of Toledo, where Muslims, Christians and Jews engaged in peaceful exchange over centuries, giving rise to its nickname: the “City of Three Cultures”. Your tour includes a guided visit to the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, an outstanding example of Mudéjar architecture. (B) DAY 7: VALDEPEÑAS • CÓRDOBA Travel to Córdoba, stopping en route in Valdepeñas for a wine cellar visit and tasting, then check into your hotel. (B) : Hotel Las Casas de la Judería Córdoba (Days 7-8)**

DAY 8: CÓRDOBA Córdoba became the Umayyad caliphate’s capital before the city was conquered by the Crown of Castile. This blend of Islamic and Christian influence is exemplified by the magnificent mosque-cathedral, where you enjoy a guided visit after strolling through the city’s streets. (B) DAY 9: CÓRDOBA • SEVILLE This morning, visit the 10th-century Medina Azahara, a fortified palacecity established by the first caliph of al Andalus, Abd ar-Rahman III. Then take a high-speed train to Seville and check into your hotel. (B)** : Hotel Las Casas de la Judería Seville (Days 9-10) DAY 10: SEVILLE Today’s tour of Seville delves into the history of Andalucía’s capital. Following a walk in the old town, enjoy guided visits of Seville Cathedral and its minaret-turnedbelltower, built on the site of the former Almohad Great Mosque; and the Royal Alcázar, with its centuries-old Islamic and Christian architecture. (B) DAY 11: ANTEQUERA • GRANADA Travel to your hotel in Granada, stopping in Antequera en route to visit the Moorish fortress of Alcazaba and the historic Plaza de San Sebastián. (B) : Sercotel Palacio de los Gamboa (Days 11-13) DAY 12: GRANADA Set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is an ancient city that became a centre of power during the Al-Andalus era. Visit the Alhambra, the finest surviving palace-city of Spain’s medieval Islamic period, including its Nasrid palaces and the Alcazaba fortress, as well as the Generalife summer palace nearby. Later, enjoy a flamenco show with dinner. (B, D) DAY 13: GRANADA

Spend half a day exploring more of Granada’s medieval treasures, including the hillside neighbourhood of Albaicín – shaped by the Nasrid emirate and reshaped by the Catholic monarchs. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,545 TOUR CODE: MSP 15 Apr - 28 Apr 27

Diana Driscoll

14 Oct - 27 Oct 27

Diana Driscoll

13 Apr - 26 Apr 28

Diana Driscoll

12 Oct - 25 Oct 28

Diana Driscoll

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. *Trains: Train tickets include a 20kg bag each and a carry-on. On day five, guests change trains in Madrid, and carry their own bags. **Hotels in Córdoba and Seville are not accessible by bus and are, instead, a two-to-10 minute walk away. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 14: FLY HOME Transfer to Málaga airport and catch your departure flight. (B)

Far left: Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral; above: Granada; left: Burgos Cathedral

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solo departures available

PORTUGUESE POUSADAS DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

8 days, 7 nights

From £2,645

From £3,845

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Stay in historically significant buildings, such as a Moorish castle, and an Augustinian monastery. • Discover the colourful Pena Palace and learn the secrets behind Portugal’s world-renowned pastéis de nata tarts. • Visit historic wine estates and cruise through the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Douro Valley. • Explore one of the oldest centres of learning, the University of Coimbra, and its magnificent Biblioteca Joanina.

ROAD

Discover the old-fashioned charm, medieval architecture and rugged landscape of Portugal on this eightday journey from Lisbon to Porto. Staying at two of the country’s famed pousada properties – one of which was once a Moorish castle, and the other, a 12th-century monastery – explore historic regional centres including Coimbra and Porto; and the picturesque, terraced hillsides and vineyards of the Douro valley, where port – the world-renowned fortified wine – is still produced.

DAY 1: FLY TO LISBON Fly from London (regional connections available) to Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal. Transfer to your pousada, not far from the Portuguese capital. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group at your hotel. (D) : Pousada Castelo de Palmela (Days 1-3) DAY 2: LISBON Half-day tour of Lisbon, where grand squares, elegant boulevards and historic neighbourhoods reflect centuries of maritime heritage. Visit the richly ornamented Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture, admire the 16th-century Belém Tower, and wander the cobbled streets of the old town. Afterwards, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace. (B)

Above: the Douro river valley; top left: the university of Coimbra; bottom left: Lisbon

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DAY 3: SINTRA Visit to the UNESCO-listed parish of Sintra and Pena Palace – once the summer residence of King Ferdinand II. Enter a local bakery for an introduction to making pastéis de nata tarts. At the conclusion of your tour, enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Palmela. (B) DAY 4: COIMBRA & GUIMARÃES Depart Palmela and drive to Guimarães. Stop en route at Batalha Monastery, and Coimbra, home of Portugal’s oldest and most prestigious university. Tour the campus including the Baroque Biblioteca Joanina, one of the most ornate libraries in the world. Enjoy free time in Coimbra before continuing to Guimarães. (B, D) : Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães (Days 4-7)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 5: PORTO

DAY 7: DOURO VALLEY

Take a half-day tour of Porto, the country’s second city. Today’s highlights include the decorative Chapel of the Souls, São Bento Railway Station with its blue azulejo tiles, and the UNESCO-listed waterfront in Ribeira. Later, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the city before returning to Guimarães. (B)

Take a full tour of the Douro Valley, famous for its steep, terraced vineyards carved into mountains. Visit two quintas (wine estates) for wine tasting, and a threecourse farewell lunch with wine. Later, enjoy a relaxing boat tour on the Douro to admire the region from the water. (B, L)

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18)

DAY 6: GUIMARÃES Enjoy a full day at leisure to return to Porto by train, or explore the historic city of Braga, one of Portugal’s most celebrated pilgrimage sites, with Baroque churches and sweeping views. (B)

SINGLE SUPP: From £795 TOUR CODE: PFJ 14 May - 21 May 27

12 May - 19 May 28

4 Jun - 11 Jun 27

2 Jun - 9 Jun 28

10 Sep - 17 Sep 27

8 Sep - 15 Sep 28

24 Sep - 1 Oct 27

22 Sep - 29 Sep 28

DAY 8: FLY TO LONDON

8 Oct - 15 Oct 27

6 Oct - 13 Oct 28

Take the morning at leisure and transfer to Porto airport or begin your tailor-made extension by staying on in the heart of Porto, or travelling north to Santiago de Compostela. (B)

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £3,595 TOUR CODE: PFJ 25 Oct - 01 Nov 27

23 Oct - 30 Oct 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

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EXTENSIONS SPAIN AND PORTUGAL These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

MADRID 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £545

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Journey through the Heart of Spain With its narrow-laned old quarters, handsome plazas filled with regal statues, and museums housing masterpieces of European art, the Spanish capital is well worth your time. For the imposing, visit Madrid’s grand Royal Palace, and for the reposing, choose Retiro Park, with its lakes, statues and manicured gardens. Madrileños love to eat well, and you are spoilt for options thanks to the city’s numerous cafés, bars and tapas restaurants open all hours. The shopping is also excellent with a wide selection of stores, boutiques and local markets. : Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Sol

Clockwise from top left: El Retiro Park, Madrid; the Alhambra, Granada; Gibraltar; Cascais, Portugal; Toledo

TOLEDO

SEVILLE

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £295

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £545

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION:

Journey through the Heart of Spain

Splendours of Andalucía

A short high-speed rail ride from Madrid is one of Spain’s most fascinating cities: Toledo. Its medieval old town is a jumble of narrow, winding streets, perched on a small hill above the Tajo River. The dominating cathedral is a remarkable Gothic structure containing the tombs of kings, and art by El Greco, Velázquez and Goya. Other highlights include the Alcázar fortress, which occupies the highest point of the city; the 13th-century synagogue of Santa María La Blanca; and Museo del Greco, a museum dedicated to the Spanish-Renaissance artist.

In Seville, you will find streets fragranced by orange trees and alive with flamenco music and chatter over tapas. This romantic city was one of the earliest Moorish conquests, becoming the second city of al-Andalus, and many remnants from this riveting period remain. That includes Seville’s Gothic cathedral – originally a mosque whose marvellous minaret is now the Giralda belltower. The cathedral is also the burial place of Christopher Columbus. Another essential stop is the Alcázar of Seville, a royal palace displaying a medley of Mudéjar, Moorish, Renaissance and Gothic design.

: Hotel María Cristina Toledo

: Catalonia Giralda

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extensions spain & portugal • europe

GRANADA 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £445

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Splendours of Andalucía The Andalucían city of Granada is set below the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is home to the Alhambra, a Moorish stronghold and a triumph of Islamic art and craftsmanship; the nearby hillside gardens of the Generalife; and the Gothic cathedral with its Royal Chapel. : Meliá Granada

GIBRALTAR

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £795

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £645

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION:

Splendours of Andalucía

Portuguese Pousadas

An easy trip from Spain, Gibraltar offers a blend of British and Mediterranean cultures. The Rock dominates this small peninsula; a cable car to the top lets you gaze across the sea as far as Morocco, while the historic Great Siege Tunnels and stalactite-adorned St Michael’s Cave take you inside the iconic monolith.

Enjoy the historic charms of Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the northern Galicia region and the final destination on the Way of Saint James pilgrim route. The city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is a must, with its medley of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque buildings, not least the cathedral with its ornate towers.

: The Eliott Hotel

: Hotel Compostela

PORTO

CASCAIS AND ESTORIL

3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £495

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION:

Portuguese Pousadas

Though known for its port wine, Porto – Portugal’s second-largest city – is admired locally as a beautiful, walkable riverine city, where medieval streets accommodate fine modern and contemporary architecture, while the banks of the Douro widen to meet the Atlantic. Take in the Baroque cathedral, the beloved Lello Bookshop, as well as ornate cafes, or relax by the coast.

Thirty kilometres (18 miles) west of Lisbon are the coastal resorts of Cascais and Estoril, part of the Portuguese Riviera. Popular among royals and nobles since the 19th century, these towns tempt with their sandy beaches, palatial villas, and cobblestone centres, sprinkled with restaurants and shops. Cascais’s marina has played host to the America’s Cup, while Casino Estoril helped to inspire Ian Fleming’s first Bond novel, Casino Royale.

: Pestana A Brasileira

: Hotel Inglaterra Estoril

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NEW FOR 2027

JOURNEY THROUGH IRELAND DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

13 days, 12 nights

From £5,595

Call for price

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Experience traditional rural crafts with a Mourne stone wall-building experience. • Visit Pearse Lyons Distillery, an independent whiskey distillery housed in an 18th-century church and sample its drinks. • Explore the prehistoric tomb of Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site older than the Pyramids. • Tour Hillsborough Castle, the British Royal Family’s official residence in Northern Ireland.

ROAD

Explore the breadth of the Emerald Isle on this comprehensive tour visiting both the Republic and Northern Ireland, including their storied capital cities. Wander historic castles, country estates and insightful museums, sample local flavours – from traditional bread to fresh oysters – and spend time immersed in folkloric landscapes, including the relic-strewn Boyne Valley, the soaring Mourne Mountains, the Giant’s Causeway and the lunar-like Burren.

DAY 1: FLY TO DUBLIN Fly from London, and enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. (D) : Iveagh Garden Hotel (Days 1-3) DAY 2: DUBLIN See the sights of Dublin, Ireland’s effervescent and walkable capital, founded on either side of the River Liffey more than 1,000 years ago. Continue to Dublin Castle for a guided visit, followed by a self-guided exploration of the National Museum of Archaeology. Later, visit the Pearse Lyons Distillery – housed within an 18th-century church – and sample its celebrated whiskey. (B) DAY 3: COUNTY WICKLOW • DUBLIN Travel south of Dublin to County Wicklow, known as the “Garden of Ireland” for both its wild and landscaped beauty. Here you

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visit the Powerscourt estate, including its stately mansion, ornamental garden and natural waterfall, followed by a visit to the Glendalough ruins. (B) DAY 4: BOYNE VALLEY • COUNTY DOWN

Start the day in the Boyne Valley with a visit to the prehistoric tomb of Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is older than the Pyramids of Giza. Afterwards, cross the border into Northern Ireland. (B, D) : Slieve Donard (Days 4-5) DAY 5: MOURNE MOUNTAINS Embark on an excursion to the Mournes, a range of granite mountains that includes Northern Ireland’s tallest peaks. Built between 1904 and 1922, the Mourne Wall stretches across 15 of the summits; here you participate in a stone wall-building experience for insight into this method of construction. (B)

DAY 8: CAUSEWAY COAST • DERRY Head north to the Causeway Coast for a self-guided audio tour of the Giant’s Causeway. Here, thousands of interlocking basalt columns stagger down from the cliffs to the sea, forming a coastal path. Continue to Derry for a privately guided walk along its 17th-century walls. (B, D) : The Ebrington (or similar) DAY 9: SLIGO • COUNTY MAYO Enjoy a taste of the Atlantic with an oyster experience in the town of Sligo, then visit the National Museum of Country Life in the grounds of Turlough Park House, where exhibits reveal the story of the rural Irish between 1850 and 1950. (B, D) : Westport Coast Hotel (Days 9-10) DAY 10: CONNEMARA Spend a day in Connemara – a coastal region of peaks, lakes and heaths – with a self-guided visit to Kylemore Abbey. (B, L)

DAY 6: BELFAST

DAY 11: GALWAY • COUNTY CLARE

Head north towards Belfast, stopping in Newtownards for a traditional breadmaking session at a farmhouse kitchen, followed by a visit to Hillsborough Castle – the British Royal Family’s official residence in Northern Ireland – for a self-guided tour of its staterooms and landscaped gardens. (B, L) : Fitzwilliam Hotel (Days 6-7)

Arrive in the lively coastal city of Galway, well known for its bohemian spirit, rich cultural scene and welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy its cobbled streets and colourful shopfronts, and consider an optional guided food tour, exploring the city through its flavours. (B) : Old Ground Hotel (Days 11-12) DAY 12: THE BURREN

DAY 7: BELFAST Discover Belfast on a guided walking tour of its centre. Then visit the hull-shaped Titanic Belfast museum, which tells the story of the ship’s ill-fated voyage in the former shipyard where it was built. The rest of your day is at leisure, or prebook an optional Black Cab Tour of the city. (B)

Cross the Burren, a lunar-like limestone landscape, arriving at the Cliffs of Moher for a self-guided walk. Stop in at Rathbaun Farm, a working farm complete with a 250-year-old cottage, for tea and a sheepdog demonstration. (B) DAY 13: FLY HOME Transfer to the airport; fly home. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,345 TOUR CODE: JTI 13 Jun - 25 Jun 27

11 Jun - 23 Jun 28

11 Aug - 23 Aug 27

09 Aug - 21 Aug 28

22 Sep - 04 Oct 27

20 Sep - 02 Oct 28

Above: The Record Tower, Dublin Castle; left: Giant’s Causeway; far left: Mourne Mountains seen from Tyrella beach, County Down

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NEW FOR 2027

GRAND TOUR OF CENTRAL EUROPE DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

16 days, 15 nights

From £5,595

Call for price

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Take an exclusive, private tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery to learn more about local Czech beermaking craftsmanship. • Discover Prague’s medieval charm with an early-morning visit to its castle. • Explore Sanssouci Palace, Frederick the Great’s magnificent summer residence. • Embody the spirit of the Grand Tour of Europe, journeying by rail from Vienna to Prague. • Enjoy a unique spring-water tasting in Mariánské Lázně, discovering the character of its mineral springs.

RAIL ROAD

From Berlin to Prague, this Grand Tour of Central Europe traces the region’s layered history: the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie, Sanssouci Palace and Wittenberg’s Castle Church, Warsaw’s rebuilt Old Town and the pilgrim shrine of Jasna Góra, Kraków’s Wawel Castle and Cloth Hall, Budapest’s Fisherman’s Bastion, Vienna’s Hofburg and Spanish Riding School, and Prague’s Charles Bridge. Sixteen days by coach and first-class rail, with private tastings at Pilsner Urquell and Mariánské Lázně, and optional excursions to AuschwitzBirkenau and Bratislava for those who want to go further.

DAY 1: BERLIN Fly from London and check in to your hotel and join a welcome dinner. (D) : The Hoxton Charlottenburg (Days 1-3) DAY 2: BERLIN Take a half-day tour, tracing Berlin’s modern history and civic life through its landmarks: the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt and Alexanderplatz. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, and perhaps consider a visit to Museum Island, a centrally located complex of world-class museums set on an island in the Spree and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)

Above: The Old Town Market Square, Warsaw; top right: The Orangery Palace in Sanssouci Park, Berlin; bottom right: Vienna

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austria, czech republic, germany, poland, hungary • europe

Cathedral; and the rose garden of the Volksgarten and Josefsplatz. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 3: POTSDAM AND WITTENBERG Enjoy a morning in Potsdam, touring the interior and gardens of Sanssouci Palace, passing the New Palace and the 18th-century houses of the Dutch Quarter, and taking in the Old Market Square. The afternoon continues to Lutherstadt Wittenberg, where Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of Castle Church; St Mary’s Church, where he preached, and the Luther and Melanchthon houses. (B, L) DAY 4: WARSAW VIA POZNAN Travel from Berlin to Warsaw, breaking the journey in Poznan, a university city whose Old Market Square is ringed with Renaissance facades. (B, D) : Polonia Palace Hotel (Days 4-5) DAY 5: WARSAW Warsaw’s old town unfolds on foot: Castle Square beneath Sigismund’s Column and the Royal Castle; St John’s Archcathedral, reached along Świętojańska Street, with its Gothic interior; the Old Town Market Square, its coloured facades gathered around the Warsaw Mermaid; the Barbican, once the boundary between the Old and New Towns; and the quiet, triangular Kanonia Courtyard behind the cathedral. The walk ends at the Gnojna Góra lookout, with views over the Vistula. The rest of the day is free. (B) DAY 6: WARSAW TO KRAKOW

Drive south to Krakow, stopping at Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, the “Luminous Mountain”, Poland’s most visited shrine, drawing some four million pilgrims each year. An audio-guided tour of the monastery is included. (B, L, D) : H15 Hotel Francuski (Days 6-7)

DAY 12: VIENNA Enjoy a day at leisure in Vienna, with an optional (pre-bookable) rail excursion to Bratislava, where a short walking tour can also be arranged. (B) DAY 13: PRAGUE Travel to Prague by rail. (B, D) : K+K Fenix (Days 13-15)

DAY 9: BUDAPEST A morning tour is split between the two halves of the city: the Buda side of the capital, taking in the Castle District and Matthias Church, and the Pest side, including St Stephen’s Basilica. The afternoon is free. (B, L) DAY 10: VIENNA Drive on to Vienna via the Pannonhalma Archabbey, an important medieval abbey, and the ancient town of Sopron. (B, L, D)* : Hotel Josefshof am Rathaus (Days 10-12) DAY 11: VIENNA

Take a walking tour of the Austrian capital taking in the neo-Renaissance facade of the State Opera on the Ringstraße; the courtyards of the Hofburg Palace and the Spanish Riding School; St Stephen’s

DAY 7: KRAKOW

DAY 14: PRAGUE Rise early for a visit on foot to the Old Town and Charles Bridge, taking in the Castle District for a walk and entry to its associated buildings. After time and lunch at leisure, visit Konopiště Castle. (B) DAY 15: MARIENBAD AND PILSEN Take in two beloved Bohemian spa towns. Begin in Pilsen with a private morning tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery, followed by time and lunch at leisure in Mariánské Lázně, taking in the Colonnades, the mineral springs and the Singing Fountain, with a spring-water tasting included. End the day with a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B, D) DAY 16: FLY HOME Transfer to the airport and fly home.

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,745 TOUR CODE: GTE 08 May - 23 May 27

06 May - 21 May 28

12 Jun - 27 Jun 27

10 Jun - 25 Jun 28

11 Sep - 26 Sep 27

09 Sep - 24 Sep 28

09 Oct - 24 Oct 27

07 Oct - 22 Oct 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

A walking tour covers the Barbican and St Florian’s Gate, the Main Market Square, St Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall, the Royal Route and the exterior of Wawel Castle and Cathedral. In the afternoon, an optional visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau can be arranged; the self-guided visit requires a scheduled coach transfer and should be booked well ahead. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DAY 8: BUDAPEST

Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above.

The drive to Budapest allows a photo stop for the Basilica of Esztergom, seen to particular advantage from the Slovak side of the Danube against its hill, and a Slovak lunch in Banská Bystrica. (B, L) : Hotel Continental (Days 8-9)

*The abbey’s library is due to reopen following its restoration, though a date has not yet been confirmed. Should it be closed, a tour of the Herend porcelain factory is included in its place. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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TIMELESS ROMANIA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

11 days, 10 nights

From £3,095

From £5,795

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Full day exploring the north’s painted monasteries. • Visit the neo-Renaissance Peles and early 20th-century Pelisor palaces. • Experience Romanian hospitality over dinner in a local family home. • Visit the village of Viscri, frequented by Britain’s King Charles III. • Enjoy lunch at the historic Manuc’s Inn, founded in 1806 and one of Europe’s oldest surviving inns.

With its folkloric heritage, picturesque villages and wonderful natural scenery, Romania is fascinating to explore. This tour reveals the country’s highlights, including Transylvania’s fortified Saxon churches; Bucovina’s exquisite painted monasteries, dramatic castles and palaces; medieval towns and the beautiful Carpathian Mountains.

ROAD

Above: Sighisoara; top right: Romanian folk dancers; bottom right: Sucevita monastery

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DAY 1: FLY TO BUCHAREST Fly from London (regional connections available) to Bucharest with British Airways. Check in to your hotel and in the evening join the rest of your tour party for a welcome dinner. (D) : Grand Hotel Continental (or similar)

DAY 2: BUCHAREST • SIBIU In the morning, transfer to Sibiu, a pretty Romanian city on the banks of the Cibin river that once served as the capital of Transylvania. Stop en route to enjoy lunch at your leisure, and later also enjoy a free evening in the city. (B) : Hermanns Hotel & Spa Sibiu (Days 2-3) DAY 3: SIBIU • SIBIEL In the morning, enjoy a tour of Sibiu’s old town, taking in the Romanian Catholic Cathedral and entrance to Brukenthal National Museum, among other sights. In the evening, visit the picturesque village of Sibiel. Enjoy dinner in a local family home, and see a cooking demonstration, preparing traditional meat and cabbage rolls. Later, return to Sibiu. (B, D)

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romania • europe

DAY 4: SIBIU • BIERTAN • VISCRI SIGHISOARA Transfer to Sighisoara, via Biertan Fortified Church, one of the finest examples of late medieval architecture in Transylvania. Continue to Sighisoara, pausing en route to tour Viscri, a picturesque village visited regularly by King Charles III. (B) : Hotel Central Park (or similar) DAY 5: SIGHISOARA • BISTRITA• VORONET • BUCOVINA Tour the UNESCO-listed old town of Sighisoara, with its well-kept lanes and buildings. Its walls encircle cobbled streets lined with colourful 16th-century Burgher houses. Visits include the citadel and the clock tower. Explore the medieval town of Bistrița, with its colourful merchants’ houses, Gothic church and squares that reflect centuries of Saxon heritage. Later, continue to Bucovina. (B, D) : La Conac in Bucovina (Days 5-6) DAY 6: GURA HUMORULUI Take a tour of the area’s painted monasteries, which are among Europe’s greatest artistic works and recipients of UNESCO World Heritage status. Later, enjoy dinner and a folklore demonstration. (B, D) DAY 7: AGAPIA • BRASOV Head south to Brasov, via the Agapia monastery, a Romanian Orthodox nunnery dating back to 1649. Continue to Bicaz Gorges for lunch and on to Brasov. (B, L) : Hotel Aro Palace/Radisson Aurum (Days 7-8)

DAY 8: BRASOV • BRAN CASTLE Take a short drive through the beautiful Transylvanian countryside to Bran Castle, which is famously associated with Dracula, the legendary character from Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel. Later, take a walking tour of Brasov’s old city, seeing such sights as the Council Square and the entrance to the Black Church, and visit Brasov Museum. (B) DAY 9: BRASOV • BUCHAREST After breakfast, travel to Sinaia, a beautiful Carpathians mountain town, to visit the neo-Renaissance Peles Castle and the Art Nouveau Pelisor Castle. Later head on to Bucharest for an afternoon at leisure. (B) : Grand Hotel Continental (or similar) (Days 10-11) DAY 10: BUCHAREST

Take a walking tour of Bucharest, seeing Victoria Avenue, Stavropoulos Church and Saint Anton Church, among other landmarks. Eat lunch at Manuc’s Inn, the oldest in the city. (B, L) DAY 11: BUCHAREST • FLY TO LONDON Visit the Palace of Parliament, a vast architectural relic from the Ceaușescu era. Transfer to the airport and fly to London, or begin your extension. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £795 TOUR CODE: ROA 07 May - 17 May 27

05 May - 15 May 28

18 Jun - 28 Jun 27

16 Jun - 26 Jun 28

16 Jul - 26 Jul 27

14 Jul - 24 Jul 28

03 Sep - 13 Sep 27

01 Sep - 11 Sep 28

17 Sep - 27 Sep 27

15 Sep - 25 Sep 28

TOUR EXTENSION: SOFIA 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS FROM £295

Pre- and post-tour extensions are available to the Bulgarian capital, known for its soothing mineral springs, varied, fine architecture, mountain views and ancient, well-preserved remains. : Hotel Via Serdika

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JOURNEY THROUGH THE BALTIC STATES DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

10 days, 9 nights

From £2,595

From £4,745

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Admire the Rundale Palace, one of the only examples of Rastrelli Baroque architecture outside Russia. • Tour Riga Central Market and sample traditional Latvian delicacies. • Visit Trakai and taste kibinai, originally a Crimean pastry brought to Lithuania in the 14th century. • Discover the summer residence of Tsar Alexander III at Langinkoski, where nature and history meet in a peaceful riverside fishing lodge.

Above: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Estonia; top left: Rundāle Palace, Latvia; bottom left: Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania

Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are confident, outward-looking nations, each with their own identity and distinct European culture. The countries’ rich and colourful histories can be best appreciated in their capital cities, which all possess beautiful architecture, while the surrounding countryside features lakes, forests and wetlands, dotted with manor houses, medieval castles and splendid rococo churches. ROAD

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DAY 1: FLY TO HELSINKI Fly from London with Finnair and check into your hotel. (N) : Hotel Lilla Roberts (Days 1-2) DAY 2: HELSINKI After breakfast, travel to the medieval coastal town of Porvoo to see its historic centre and cathedral. Take a guided tour of the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge Museum, the summer retreat of Russian tsars, including Alexander III, before returning to Helsinki for a welcome drink and dinner. (B, D)

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Estonia, FINLAND, Latvia & lithuania • europe

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £895 TOUR CODE: BAL 23 May - 01 Jun 27

21 May - 30 May 28

06 Jun - 15 Jun 27

04 Jun - 13 Jun 28

08 Aug - 17 Aug 27

06 Aug - 15 Aug 28

05 Sep - 14 Sep 27

03 Sep - 12 Sep 28

12 Sep - 21 Sep 27

10 Sep - 19 Sep 28

DAY 3: HELSINKI • TALLINN

Tour Helsinki on foot, taking in the city centre, the harbour, its markets, as well as the Orthodox Uspensky Cathedral, Lutheran Cathedral and Mannerheim Street. In the afternoon, travel to Tallinn by ferry, and check into your hotel. (B) : Hotel Nordic Forum (Days 3-5) DAYS 4-5: TALLINN

Enjoy a morning walking tour of Tallinn, one of northern Europe’s best-preserved towns. Founded in the early 13th century, Tallinn has been influenced by periods of Danish, German, Swedish and Russian control. Highlights include the Gothic town hall and square, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Toompea Castle, seat of Estonia’s parliament, and visits to Balti Jaama market and the bohemian district of Kalamaja. There is also an optional afternoon visit to Rocca al Mare open-air museum. The next day is at leisure. (B) (B)

Latvian delicacies. The afternoon is at leisure. (B) DAY 8: VILNIUS, LITHUANIA Journey over the border from Latvia to Lithuania via Rundale Palace and the Hill of Crosses, a place of national pilgrimage. After lunch, continue to Vilnius. (B, L) : Hotel Vilnia (or similar) (Days 8-9) DAY 9: VILNIUS

Tour Vilnius, visiting Cathedral Square, the Gate of Dawn, St Casimir’s Church, the Holy Spirit Church, the KGB Museum, Gediminas’ Tower and the art district of Uzupis. After a traditional Lithuanian lunch, visit Trakai Island Castle. (B, L) DAY 10: FLY TO LONDON VIA HELSINKI Transfer to the airport; fly to London, via Helsinki, with Finnair. (B)

DAY 6: PARNU • RIGA, LATVIA

Drive to Riga in Latvia, stopping en route at the beachside town of Parnu, then to the 13th-century ruins of Sigulda Castle, and the Turaida Castle in the Gauja Valley. Enjoy a traditional Latvian lunch. (B, L) : Hotel Grand Poet (Days 6-7)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Direct flights: Some airlines offer direct flights back from Vilnius. Please speak to your travel consultant if you would prefer to use one of these options. Due to their narrow streets, this tour’s cities are best explored on foot. The tour is not recommended to those with limited mobility. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

TOUR EXTENSION: SOUTHERN FINLAND 6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS FROM £1,895

From Helsinki travel, east into the mystical region of Finnish Karelia and the Lakeland, arriving in Lappeenranta on the shores of Lake Saimaa, before continuing north to Jyväskylä. Here, dense forests stretch endlessly and lakes shimmer. Known as Karjala in Finnish, this is a land where nature is woven into the fabric of daily life, shaping the culture, myths and traditions of its people. Continue to western Finland and Turku, the oldest city in Finland and the country’s capital during more than 600 years of Swedish rule. Surrounded by the world’s largest archipelago, Turku offers an irresistible blend of heritage, maritime culture and contemporary energy.

DAY 7: RIGA This morning, tour Riga, the Baltics’ largest capital. Highlights include witnessing an organ recital at the cathedral; St Peter’s Church; and the House of Blackheads. Also visit Riga Central Market to try some

: Hotel Rakuuna, Boutique Hotel Yöpuu, Hotel Kakola and Hotel Lilla Roberts

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THE HEART OF ANCIENT GREECE DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 11 nights

From £3,845

From £9,495

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • See the birthplace of democracy, exploring Athens’ most famous monuments. • Visit Monemvasia, one of the oldest continually inhabited fortified towns in Europe. • See the spectacular clifftop monasteries of Meteora. • Experience the flavours of northern Greece at a truffle-hunting demonstration with trained dogs, followed by a tasting.

Considered the birthplace of Western civilisation, Greece’s influence still resonates today in the fields of architecture, science, engineering and philosophy. Incorporating the classical sites of Olympia, Delphi, Mycenae and Epidaurus, this tour also visits the extraordinary rock formations of the Meteora region and the man-made marvels of the Corinth Canal.

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DAY 1: FLY TO ATHENS Fly from London to Athens with Aegean Airlines. Transfer to your hotel and join your tour party for a welcome dinner. (D) : Amalia Hotel Athens DAY 2: ATHENS • CORINTH • NAFPLION Morning tour of Athens, including Syntagma Square, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium. Finish at the Acropolis to view the Parthenon and visit the museum. Leave Athens and visit the Corinth Canal. Continue to Nafplion, with a stop at a local winery for a tasting. (B, D) : Amalia Hotel Nafplio (Days 2-3)

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greece • europe

DAY 3: NAFPLION • MYCENAE • EPIDAURUS Drive to Mycenae, the seat of mythic King Agamemnon who led the Greek armies against Troy. Visit the Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean Walls and the Royal Tombs. Depart for Nafplion, a picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff. Continue to Epidaurus to visit the fourth-century theatre. Return to Nafplion. (B) DAY 4: NAFPLION • SPARTA • MONEMVASIA En route to Monemvasia, visit the Museum of the Olive to learn about the history, culture and cultivation of the olive in Greece; and Sparta, land of legendary King Leonidas and his army. Arrive in Monemvasia for a walking tour of its narrow lanes, visiting the castle, perimeter walls, old mansions and churches. Later, enjoy some time at leisure before dinner within this medieval fortified town. (B, D) : Kinsterna Hotel

DAY 8: DELPHI Take a full day to enjoy the archaeological site and museum at Delphi, famous throughout the classical world for its oracles. Visit the Athenian Treasury, the Temple of Apollo and the museum containing masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture. (B) DAY 9: KALAMBAKA Travel to Kalambaka and visit the Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum. Take part in a truffle-hunting demonstration, with dogs, followed by a light snack of mushroom and truffle pasta. (B, L, D) : Amalia Hotel Meteora (Days 9-10) DAY 10: KALAMBAKA Enjoy a full day’s visit to the remarkable Meteora Eastern Orthodox monasteries, built high on rocky outcrops in the mountainous reaches of Thessaly. (B, D) DAY 11: ATHENS

DAY 5: MYSTRAS • KALAMATA

This morning, travel to Mystras and visit the remains of the castle and old town. (B, D) : Pharae Palace Hotel DAY 6: KALAMATA • OLYMPIA Depart for Olympia, a crucial religious site in ancient Greece. Visit an olive oil farm en route, and stay in Olympia overnight (B) : Europa Hotel DAY 7: OLYMPIA • DELPHI Visit the archaeological sites of Olympia, including the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Continue to Arachova, near Delphi. (B) : Anemolia Hotel Arachova (Days 7-8)

Depart Kalambaka and transfer to Athens. On this long, scenic route back to the Greek capital, you can admire the Plain of Thessaly, with its bucolic panoramas, and the Vale of Tempe, as well as a deep gorge formed by the Pineios River. Later, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Athens independently. Check in to your hotel, then join the rest of your tour party for a farewell drink. (B) : Amalia Hotel Athens

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,145 TOUR CODE: GRD 07 May - 18 May 27

05 May - 16 May 28

21 May - 01 Jun 27

19 May - 30 May 28

11 Jun - 22 Jun 27

09 Jun - 20 Jun 28

03 Sep - 14 Sep 27

01 Sep - 12 Sep 28

17 Sep - 28 Sep 27

15 Sep - 26 Sep 28

01 Oct - 12 Oct 27

29 Sep - 10 Oct 28

DAY 12: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to Athens airport and fly to London, or begin your tour extension. (B)

Far left: The ancient theatre of Epidaurus; top: Delphi; left: Meteora, Thessalia

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THE WONDERS OF ANCIENT CRETE DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

8 days, 7 nights

From £2,695

From £6,645

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Join a beekeeping experience and honey tasting to take in the sweet fruits of the island’s rich flora. • Visit the archaeological sites of Knossos and Eleftherna. • Try a local wine tasting with a traditional Cretan lunch. • Take a boat out to Spinalonga, a fortified island that bears traces of Greek, Ottoman, Byzantine and Venetian rule.

As a strategic gateway to the eastern Mediterranean, Crete has been ruled by a number of great powers, from the Minoans, one of Europe’s first civilisations, to the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires. This tour explores Crete’s scenic and cultural highlights, including the Palace of Knossos, an incomparable monument of ancient Minoan society.

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DAY 1: FLY TO HERAKLION • RETHYMNO Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways, and transfer to the seaside city of Rethymno. Stay for the three nights. (N) : Theartemis Palace (Days 1-3)

DAY 2: APTERA • CHANIA Visit the ancient site of Aptera. Continue to the town of Chania with its Venetian harbour, and visit the Allied Cemetery, which contains 1,545 burials from World War II. Enjoy a welcome lunch, then continue to Rethymno for a guided walk along the facades of Venetian and Turkish buildings up to the old port. (B, L) DAY 3: ARKADI • ELEFTHERNA • RETHYMNO This morning, visit the fortified monastery of Arkadi. Continue to the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna with its impressive collection of artefacts from Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Meet a beekeeper for an introduction to beehives and their cultivation. (B)

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greece • europe

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 4: PHAESTOS • MATALA •

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18)

HERAKLION Drive across the island to the Messara Plain and visit Phaestos, the second Minoan palace. Continue to Matala, a pretty seaside town, and enjoy a swim or relax on the beach. Drive to Heraklion, the island’s administrative capital, stopping en route at the archaeological site of Gortyna, a ruined, ancient town. (B) : Aquila Atlantis Hotel (Days 4-7)

SINGLE SUPP: From £645 TOUR CODE: CRH 6 May - 13 May 28

4 Sep - 11 Sep 27

2 Sep - 9 Sep 28

11 Sep - 18 Sep 27

9 Sep - 16 Sep 28

2 Oct - 9 Oct 27

30 Sep - 7 Oct 28

DAY 5: KNOSSOS • PEDIADOS

Morning drive to the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, the centre of Europe’s first civilisation. According to myth, it was home to King Minos and site of the legend of Theseus slaying the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Then drive to the Pediados region south of Heraklion, Crete’s most famous wine-producing area. Visit a wine estate for an introduction to Cretan wine with tasting and a traditional lunch. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L)

8 May - 15 May 27

DAY 6: KERA • SPINALONGA • HERAKLION Visit the Church of Panagia Kera to view the finest Byzantine frescoes in Crete. Continue to Agios Nikolaos for a stroll through this beloved port town, then on to Elounda and take a boat to Spinalonga. Formerly a leper colony, this fortified island has been imprinted by Greek, Ottoman, Byzantine and Venetian occupation. Return to Heraklion. (B)

DAY 7: HERAKLION Morning at leisure to relax by the pool or explore Heraklion’s old town. Afternoon guided visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum with its collection of Minoan treasure. Enjoy a farewell drink with the group. (B) DAY 8: FLY TO LONDON Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to London with British Airways, or begin your tour extension. (B)

Far left: Chania; top: Knossos palace; left: beekeeping in Crete; below: the Acropolis, Athens

EXTENSIONS ATHENS

NAXOS

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £695

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £545

Extend your time in Greece with three nights in the Greek capital, to take in its ancient sights and contemporary charms. Your tour cost includes a flight from Crete to Athens, as well as any transfers required on a private basis.

The largest of the Cyclades, Naxos lures visitors in with its sandy beaches. Its rich history is a draw, too; Venetian and Byzantine rulers each left their mark. The pretty waterfront town of Chora is just the place to try the local wine, cheese and fresh fish. Stay for three nights, with transfers and ferry tickets included.

: Amalia Hotel Athens

: Argo Boutique Hotel

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NEW FOR 2027

GRAND TOUR OF THE BALKANS DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

17 days, 16 nights

From £6,395

Call for price

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • See Mostar’s UNESCO-listed Old Bridge and Ottoman heritage. • In Sarajevo, stand at the crossroads of civilisations where Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic and Jewish heritage coexist within a few city blocks. • Enjoy the waterfalls and wonders of UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes. • Hear Zadar’s Sea Organ, the world’s only musical instrument played by the ocean waves. • Follow the historic route of the Orient Express from Central Europe to Istanbul, taking in seven countries and 15 towns and cities.

ROAD

From Ljubljana to Istanbul, this Grand Tour of the Balkans crosses seven countries in 17 days. It takes in the Triple Bridge and castle of Ljubljana, the cascading lakes of Plitvice, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the walled Old Town of Dubrovnik, the fjordlike Bay of Kotor, Mostar’s rebuilt Stari Most and Sarajevo’s Ottoman bazaars. After a reflective pause at Srebrenica, it stops by Belgrade at the meeting of two rivers, before concluding at Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern.

DAY 1: VENICE • LJUBLJANA Fly from London, transfer to your hotel and join a welcome dinner. (D) : Grand Union (Days 1-2)

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DAY 2: LJUBLJANA Take a walking tour with a local guide, seeing Ljubljana Castle, the City Hall, the Triple Bridge and the Franciscan Church, following the Ljubljanica River through a compact capital of open squares and cafés. The rest of the day is free. (B) DAY 3: ZADAR VIA PLITVICE Drive to Zadar via Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s oldest national park, stopping for lunch en route. Simple, wooden walkways lead through the park’s waterfalls and interlinked, colourful lakes. (B, L) : Hotel Bastion Heritage (Days 3-4) DAY 4: ZADAR Take a walking tour through Zadar’s Roman ruins and medieval churches, ending at the city’s newer additions:

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the balkans • europe

its Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installations. The afternoon is free. (B, L) DAY 5: SPLIT • DUBROVNIK Drive to Split for a walking tour, then enjoy some free time and lunch, before continuing on to Dubrovnik (B, L) : Hotel Sumratin (Days 5-6) DAY 6: DUBROVNIK Tour Dubrovnik’s Old Town, under UNESCO protection, seeing the cathedral, the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, Placa street and the city walls. The afternoon is at leisure. (B) DAY 7: HERCEG NOVI • MONTENEGRO Enjoy a full-day excursion to Montenegro, taking in Perast, a charming fisherman’s village; the medieval town of Kotor; a scenic cable-car ride up Lovćen Mountain; and the rock formations of Lovćen national park. (B, L) : Hotel Lazure DAY 8: MOSTAR • SARAJEVO

Drive to Mostar for lunch and explore the city independently, perhaps taking in the famous Stari Most bridge, rebuilt after its wartime destruction. Arrive in Sarajevo in the evening. (B, L) : Hotel President (Days 8-9) DAY 9: SARAJEVO Take a tour with a local guide in Sarajevo’s bazaars and Austro-Hungarian architecture; the city was the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B, D)

Memorial and Cemetery. Continue to Belgrade. (B) : Excelsior Hotel (Days 10-11) DAY 11: BELGRADE Take a guided, introductory tour of Belgrade, a city at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences sit alongside lively cafés. The afternoon is free. (B, D) DAY 12: NIŠ • SOFIA Drive to Sofia via Niš, birthplace of Roman emperor Constantine; explore the old town. Continue to Sofia. (B, D) : Sofia Balkan Palace (Days 12-13) DAY 13: SOFIA

Enjoy a walking tour, familiarising yourself with one of the oldest cities in Europe. Later, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B, D) DAY 14: PLOVDIV • EDIRNE

Drive to Edirne via Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Continue to Edirne. (B) : West Door Hotel DAY 15: EDIRNE • ISTANBUL Take a morning tour of Edirne, which includes Sinan’s Selimiye Mosque, the Eski Camii, and the historic Bayezid II Kulliyesi medical museum. Continue to Istanbul. (B) : Hotel Royan Hagia Sophia (Days 15-16)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,895 TOUR CODE: GTB 10 May - 26 May 27

08 May - 24 May 28

07 Jun - 23 Jun 27

05 Jun - 21 Jun 28

13 Sep - 29 Sep 27

11 Sep - 27 Sep 28

04 Oct - 20 Oct 27

02 Oct - 18 Oct 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION DAY 16: ISTANBUL

DAY 10: SREBRENICA • BELGRADE

Take a tour of Istanbul’s old town, including the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before dinner. (B, D)

Drive towards Belgrade, stopping at Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina and visiting the Potočari

DAY 17: FLY HOME Transfer to the airport; fly home.

Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Far left: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; left: Dubrovnik, Croatia; top: Sofia, Bulgaria

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solo departures available

CLASSICAL TURKEY DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

11 days, 10 nights

From £3,145

From £6,595

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • See the fantastical landscape and ancient cave dwellings in Cappadocia. • Discover the centuries-old ritual of Turkish coffee in a historic coffeehouse. • Enjoy exclusive access to the archaeological excavations at Magnesia with a private lecture from the archaeologists working to uncover the ancient city’s secrets. • Take a private visit to an Istanbul mosque with a local imam.

Once the centre of the Ottoman empire, Turkey has both shaped and been shaped by cultures on either side of the Bosphorus. Today, its marriage of Western and Eastern traditions is an irresistible draw. This tour combines Turkey’s natural wonders and man-made marvels, including Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the remarkable classical sites of Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus, and the magical, cave-filled landscapes of Cappadocia. ROAD

Above: Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul; top right: The Library of Celsus, Ephesus; bottom right: Cappadocia

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DAY 1: FLY TO ISTANBUL Fly from London (regional connections available) with Turkish Airlines. Check into your hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) : Royan Hotel Hagia Sophia (Days 1-3) DAY 2: ISTANBUL Take a walking tour of the city, stopping at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, among other sights. (B) DAY 3: ISTANBUL Tour the Egyptian Bazaar, the secondlargest covered market in Istanbul; and continue to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest covered souk. Try Turkish coffee in one of the city’s old coffeehouses. Later, join a local imam for a private visit to a mosque from the Ottoman period. (B)

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,095 TOUR CODE: CLT 10 Apr - 20 Apr 27

08 Apr - 18 Apr 28

01 May - 11 May 27

29 Apr - 09 May 28

29 May - 08 Jun 27

27 May - 06 Jun 28

18 Sep - 28 Sep 27

16 Sep - 26 Sep 28

16 Oct - 26 Oct 27

14 Oct - 24 Oct 28

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £4,045 TOUR CODE: CST 02 Oct - 12 Oct 27

30 Sep - 10 Oct 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

DAY 4: CANAKKALE

Drive to Canakkale and tour the Gallipoli battlefield, site of the aborted Allied invasion of 1915. Visit Cape Helles, Suvla Bay and Anzac Cove. (B, D) : Kolin Hotel DAY 5: TROY • PERGAMON • KUSADASI Visit Troy to see the legendary walls and a replica of the wooden Trojan Horse. Travel on to Pergamon, a Greco-Roman city of exceptional beauty. Lunch is served near Pergamon, where you will be divided into small groups and join local families for a home-cooked meal. (B, L) : İlayda Avantgarde Hotel (Days 5-6) DAY 6: KUSADASI • EPHESUS Tour Ephesus, home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Walk the city’s Marble Road to the Temple of Artemis, the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre of Ephesus. (B, L) DAY 7: KUSADASI • MAGNESIA

Visit the city of Magnesia, which rose to prominence in 400 BC. Enjoy a private lecture from the archaeologists overseeing excavations, as well as exclusive access to the areas not normally open to the public. (B, D) : Adem Pira Hotel

DAY 8: HIERAPOLIS • KONYA Visit Hierapolis and explore its necropolis, as well as the Gate of Domitianus and Byzantine Baths. Drive to Konya and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlâna, built in 1274 to house the tomb of the Sufi poet and founder of the Mevlevi Order (B) : Hich Hotel (or similar) DAY 9: CAPPADOCIA Drive to Cappadocia, stopping en route at the Sultanhani Caravanserai, a rest station along the ancient Silk Road. Tour Özkonak Underground City, a fascinating ancient settlement built into the side of Cappadocia’s Mount İdis. Later, visit a local Cappadocian family at their traditional stone house. (B, D) : Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel (or similar) (Days 9-10) DAY 10: CAPPADOCIA Take an optional, dawn hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s striking landscape (£365 per person). Tour the monastic centre of Göreme; move on to Pasabag Valley, to admire tower-shaped hermitages; stop at Uchisar, a rock-carved citadel with panoramic views. The final stop is Avanos, an ancient town best known for its red clay pottery, which you can see being made in a local studio. (B, L) DAY 11: FLY HOME Transfer to the airport; fly home. (B)

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GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

TOUR EXTENSION: ANTALYA 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £875

Extend your tour out to Turkey’s lush, beachside town of Antalya. A major port since ancient times, Antalya offers both archaeological wonders with easy shoreside leisure attractions. : Ruin Adalia Boutique Hotel

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specialist-led tour

ISTANBUL: BYZANTINES & OTTOMANS SPECIALIST LECTURERS: Rowena Loverance or Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

HISTORY • ART • ARCHITECTURE • ARCHAEOLOGY

DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

7 days, 6 nights

From £2,495

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Travel with an expert in Byzantine and Ottoman history and culture. • Visit Topkapi Palace, a residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years. • Stay at a premium hotel in Istanbul’s historic centre for the duration of the tour. • Take a ferry ride to the Princes’ Islands, famed for their gardens and villas.

ROAD

Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, enjoyed more than four centuries of imperial patronage, resulting in one of the most dramatic skylines in the world. This comprehensive tour visits several of the city’s most exquisite mosques and palaces, including Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. Together with the energetic street life and vibrant bazaars, they make Istanbul one of Europe and Asia’s most alluring cities – as you will discover firsthand.

Above: The Suleymaniye Mosque; top right: Galata Tower; bottom right: Topkapi Palace

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DAY 1: FLY TO ISTANBUL Fly from London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines. Transfer to your hotel and in the evening join the rest of your party for a welcome dinner. (D) : Royan Hotel Hagia Sophia (Days 1-6) DAY 2: ISTANBUL

Morning visit to Zoodochos Pigi (Silivri Kapi cemetery), the Church of Theotokos Kyriotissa (Kalenderhane Mosque), Suleymaniye Mosque complex, and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. In the afternoon, continue to the Theodosian city walls at Edirne Kapi, the Porphyrogenitus Palace (Tekfur Sarayı), then conclude with a stop at the garden of the sacred shrine and spring, Ayazma Blachernae, dating back to 451 AD. (B)

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Turkey • europe

DAY 3: THE PRINCES’ ISLANDS

Take the early-morning public ferry to the Princes’ Islands, a nine-island archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, passing Leander’s Tower, ancient Chalcedon and Antigone. Stop at Chalki to visit the Church of St Nikolaos and the Greek Orthodox seminary. Continue to the isle of Prinkipo for an optional visit to the Monastery of St George. (B)

view the Hippodrome ruins, the Blue Mosque, the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, and the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Little Hagia Sophia Mosque). Conclude the day with a visit to the lively Grand Bazaar. (B)

DAY 4: ISTANBUL Enjoy a morning tour of the Beyoglu district, known historically in Greek as Pera or “beyond” given the area lies across the water from the ancient centre of Constantinople. Visit the Galata Tower, which was famously garrisoned by Genoese troops during the capture of the city by the Ottomans in 1453 and dates from 1348. After a light street-food lunch, continue to the Crimea Memorial Church, built in the mid-19th century in memory of fallen British soldiers, where a special drinks reception has been arranged. (B, L)

DAY 6: ISTANBUL Take a morning visit to the Church of St Saviour in Chora (Kariye Mosque), famous for its rich 14th-century mosaics and frescos. Continue to Theotokos Pammakaristos (Fethiye Mosque) for an external visit, and then to Theotokos Panaghiotissa (Mouchliotissa), the only Byzantine church still belonging to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Walk through the historic Fener district to see the cast-iron Church of St Stephen of the Bulgars. In the afternoon, visit the Basilica Cistern (Sunken Palace) and conclude at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Finally, in the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your tour party in the historic Eminönü district. (B, D)

DAY 5: ISTANBUL Take a morning walking tour of Sultanahmet, including Topkapı Palace and the superb collections of the archaeological museum. In the afternoon,

DAY 7: FLY TO LONDON Morning walking tour of Beyazit, the Third Hill, and the old city centre. Fly from Istanbul to London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £545 TOUR CODE: TIS 3 Apr - 9 Apr 27

Rowena Loverance

12 Jun - 18 Jun 27

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

16 Oct - 22 Oct 27

Rowena Loverance

1 Apr - 7 Apr 28

Rowena Loverance

10 Jun - 16 Jun 28

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

14 Oct - 20 Oct 28

Rowena Loverance

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solo departures available

ACROSS THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

15 days, 14 nights

From £3,545

From £5,095

Signature

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the beautiful Khan Palace in Azerbaijan. • Meet a local qvevri master and discover Georgia’s ancient wine-making tradition. • Attend a performance of Armenian spiritual music. • Step into a local home and experience the traditional preparation of lavash, Armenia’s famous UNESCO-listed flatbread.

Take an exciting journey across all three states of the southern Caucasus. Beginning in the oil-rich Muslim nation of Azerbaijan on the shores of the Caspian Sea, travel through Georgia, famous for its ancient monasteries and viticulture, and finish in the small, proud nation of Armenia, one of the oldest Christian countries in the world.

DAY 1: FLY TO BAKU, AZERBAIJAN ROAD

Above: Tbilisi Old Town, Georgia; top right: Gergeti Trinity Church, Georgia; bottom right: the ruins of the Temple of Zvartnots with Mount Ararat in the background, Yerevan

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Fly from London (regional connections available) to Baku via Istanbul, Turkey, with Turkish Airlines. (N) DAY 2: BAKU Arrive early morning and transfer to the hotel for immediate occupancy. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the Azerbaijani capital,

taking in a panoramic view of the city and bay; dine at a local restaurant. (B, D) : Hilton Garden Inn (or similar) (Days 2-3) DAY 3: GOBUSTAN • ABSHERON Admire Gobustan’s 20,000-year-old rock carvings. Enjoy an excursion to Absheron to see the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dagh fire. (B) DAY 4: SHEMAHKA • KISH • SHAKI Visit the Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum in Shemahka. Continue to Shaki, stopping en route at a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox church in Kish. (B, L, D) : Macara Sheki DAY 5: SHAKI • TELAVI, GEORGIA Tour Shaki, set in the scenic Caucasus foothills, taking in its 18th-century

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AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA & ARMENIA • europe

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

palace. Cross the border into Georgia for a vineyard lunch and wine tasting. Continue to Telavi via the Gremi Church of Archangels and Royal Tower (B, L, D)

GROUP SIZE: Average 16 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £845 TOUR CODE: AZA

: Holiday Inn by IHG (or similar) DAY 6: TELAVI • SIGHNAGHI • TBILISI

Enjoy a morning visit to Telavi market. Meet a qvevri master, who will demonstrate how these large earthenware wine-keeping jars are made. Sample local wine and “firewater” brandy before lunch at Tsinandali wine estate. This afternoon, tour the hilltop town of Sighnaghi. (B, L) : Artizan Design Hotel (Days 6-7) DAY 7: TBILISI Tour the Georgian capital, including the Old Town, with its beautiful Orthodox churches, mosque, synagogue and sulphur baths. Continue to the history museum on Rustaveli Avenue. (B) DAY 8: GORI • UPLISTSIKHE • KAZBEGI

Visit the sixth-century Jvari Monastery, followed by Mtskheta, then continue to Gori, birthplace of Joseph Stalin. See the museum, his private train and the house where he was born. Travel to Kazbegi via the cave city of Uplistsikhe, set on the path of the Silk Road. (B, D) : Hotel Porta Caucasia DAY 9: KAZBEGI • TBILISI

Walk to the picturesque Gergeti Trinity Church, which dates from the 14th century. On a good day you may even catch sight of the summit of Mount Kazbegi, one of the most beautiful peaks within the Caucasus. Drive on to Tbilisi and enjoy free time in the city. (B) : Artizan Design Hotel DAY 10: HAGHPAT • DILIJAN Cross the Armenian border and continue to the UNESCO-listed Haghpat Monastery, a masterpiece of Armenian architecture, followed by the Goshavank Monastery. Travel on to Dilijan. (B) : Dilijan Tun (or similar)

continuously inhabited cities. Visit the city’s museum of ancient manuscripts, and the genocide memorial complex. (B) DAY 13: KHOR VIRAP • NORAVANK • YEREVAN Travel to Khor Virap monastery, where Armenia’s patron saint, Gregory the Illuminator, was imprisoned. Enjoy the views of Mount Ararat, then continue to Noravank Monastery, situated within a breathtaking gorge. Later, arrive in the wine-producing village of Areni for lunch. Return to Yerevan. (B, L) DAY 14: YEREVAN • EJMIATSIN •

ZVARTNOTS Tour the centuries-old monuments of Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots, including the Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, and the seventhcentury Zvartnots Temple. On the return journey to Yerevan, visit the village of Parakar, enjoy a traditional Armenian lunch, and participate in a traditional arishta noodle-making masterclass. Later join a farewell dinner at an Armenian restaurant. (B, L, D)

23 Apr - 07 May 27

21 Apr - 05 May 28

07 May - 21 May 27

05 May - 19 May 28

03 Jun - 17 Jun 27

01 Jun - 15 Jun 28

18 Jun - 02 Jul 27

16 Jun - 30 Jun 28

27 Aug - 10 Sep 27

25 Aug - 08 Sep 28

03 Sep - 17 Sep 27

01 Sep - 15 Sep 28

24 Sep - 08 Oct 27

22 Sep - 06 Oct 28

01 Oct - 15 Oct 27

29 Sep - 13 Oct 28

15 Oct - 29 Oct 27

13 Oct - 27 Oct 28

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £4,195 TOUR CODE: AZS 22 Oct - 05 Nov 27

20 Oct - 03 Nov 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

DAY 15: FLY HOME After breakfast, transfer to the airport and catch your return flight home. (B)

DAY 11: DILIJAN • SEVAN •YEREVAN See Lake Sevan, then travel on to the Pagan Temple at Garni, and hear a performance of Armenian spiritual music. Take in Geghard Monastery, followed by a visit to a local home to see the preparation of Armenian lavash bread. (B, L) : Tufenkian Historic Hotel (Days 11-15)

TOUR EXTENSION: ISTANBUL 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £395

Pause your journey to Baku or from Yerevan and enjoy two nights to explore Istanbul, Turkey. Take in the mosques, bazaars, waterfront and imperial buildings of this ancient metropole.

DAY 12: YEREVAN Tour Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest

: Royan Hotel Hagia Sophia

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CENTRAL ASIA The majestic steppe and mountains of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan gave rise to a nomadic culture that has been welcoming visitors for millennia. Lying between the edge of China and the beginnings of Europe, the Silk Road threaded through this region, bringing wealth and cultural cross-pollination. Any tour should take in the minaret-crowned cities of Samarkand and Bukhara; the eagle hunters still practising in Kyrgyzstan’s Djety-Oguz Gorge; the “singing” dunes of Kazakhstan’s Altyn-Emel National Park, which resonate with mysterious tones when the wind blows; the glacial meltwaters of the Seven Lakes at the foot of Tajikistan’s Fann; and the flames of Turkmenistan’s Darvaza Gas Crater.

Opposite: inset: an eagle hunter in Kyrgyzstan; background: the Tien Shan mountain ridge, Kyrgyzstan

We love taking guests to this storied region, often overlooked by other travel companies, and we even arrange a tour with a specialist lecturer-guide to give you deeper insight.

NEW FOR 2027

GRAND TOUR OF CENTRAL ASIA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

22 days, 20 nights

From £6,095

From £10,345

Discovery

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Explore Almaty’s museums, squares and bazaar on an expertly guided walking tour. • Stay in yurts lit by the glow of the flaming Darvaza Gas Crater. • Learn how to cook the Uzbek national rice and meat dish of plov. • Witness an eagle hunting demonstration in Kyrgyzstan. • Take lunch amid the glacial beauty of Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes.

This grand tour weaves together Central Asia’s five Stans: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. You explore cities shaped by the Silk Road and Soviet rule, cultures preserving age-old traditions, and a tapestry of landscapes – from open steppes and wide deserts to hulking mountains and twinkling lakes.

DAY 3: DARVAZA Visit the Earthquake Monument of Turkmenistan, commemorating a 1948 quake that levelled almost every building in the city, followed by a trip to the Gulistan Bazaar. Later drive into the desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater; the natural gas has been burning here for over 50 years, giving rise to its nickname, the “Door to Hell”. (B, L, D) : Darvaza Yurt Camp**

ROAD

DAY 1: ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) via Istanbul. (N)

Above: Registan Square, Samarkand; top right: the Independence Monument, Ashgabat; bottom right: the Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan

DAY 2: ASHGABAT Check into your hotel, visit the National History Museum and tour Ashgabat’s famous white-marble landmarks. (B, D) : Hotel Oguzkent (or similar)

DAY 4: KUNYA-URGENCH • KHIVA, UZBEKISTAN Explore the historical treasures of KunyaUrgench, site of the first capital of the Khwarazmian Empire that ruled over swathes of Central Asia. After your tour, transfer by road to Khiva. (B, L) : Bankir Hotel (or similar) (Days 4-5)

FLIGHT RAIL

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Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan • central asia

DAY 5: KHIVA Tour the Silk Road city of Khiva, focusing on the UNESCO-protected, intricate clay-walled inner town of Itchan Kala and its numerous well-preserved madrasas, minarets, mosques and palaces. (B, D) DAY 6: BUKHARA Take the Jaloliddin Manguberdi highspeed train* to Bukhara, check into your hotel and enjoy some time at leisure. (B, D) : Minorai Kalon Hotel (or similar) (Days 6-7) DAY 7: BUKHARA Bukhara’s old centre is one of Central Asia’s most intact medieval cities. Spend the day touring its historical attractions, including the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, the Poi Kalyan complex, the Trading Domes, the Samanid mausoleum, and the restored 10th-century Ark fortress. (B) DAY 8: BUKHARA • SAMARKAND See more of Bukhara’s key sites, including Chor Minor, Magoki Attori Mosque, and the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace – once the country residence of the Emir of Bukhara. Take a train to Samarkand, followed by an evening visit to Registan Square. (B) : Kosh Havuz Hotel, Zarafshan Parkside Hotel (or similar) (Days 8-10)

DAY 9: SAMARKAND Discover Samarkand, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. See Registan Square again, in daylight, to enjoy a small music concert and lecture. Continue to the Afroasiyob Museum, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and the GurEmir mausoleum – final resting place of emperor Timur. Finish with a cooking demonstration of plov, Uzbekistan’s national dish, at a heritage house. (B, D) DAY 10: SHAHRISABZ • SAMARKAND Take a trip to the ancient city of Shahrisabz, birthplace of the emperor Timur; explore its buildings and visit a silk paper workshop. (B, L) DAY 11: PENJIKENT, TAJIKISTAN Cross the border to the Tajik city of Penjikent; visit the Rudaki Museum, dedicated to the eponymous “father of Persian poetry”; and the archaeological ruins of Penjikent. (B, D) : Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar) (Days 11-12) DAY 12: SEVEN LAKES • PENJIKENT Journey to the glacial waters of the Seven Lakes, which shimmer at the foot of the Fann Mountains. Enjoy a lakeside picnic lunch and return to Penjikent. (B, L)

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DAY 13: ISTARAVSHAN • KHUJAND Drive to Khujand, pausing en route to visit the historic Hazrat Shah complex and the Mug Teppe fortress in Istaravshan. (B, L) : Grand Hotel Khujand (or similar) DAY 14: KHUJAND • TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN Spend your morning sightseeing, visiting Khujand’s Museum of Archaeology and Fortification, Shaikh Muslihiddin Mosque, the Soviet-era Arbob Cultural Palace, and Payshanba Bazaar – the largest market in Tajikistan. After, drive to Tashkent. (B) : Inspira-S Hotel (or similar) (Days 14-15) DAY 15: TASHKENT

Tour Uzbekistan’s capital, a city shaped by both the Soviet Union and the Silk Road, visiting the Khast Imam Complex, Chorsu Bazaar, the Applied Arts Museum, Amir Timur Square, Navoi Theatre Square, Sailgoh street and a handful of Soviet-era metro stations. (B)

DAY 16: BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN After a morning at leisure, take an afternoon flight to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and check in to your hotel. (B) : Hotel Ambassador (or similar) (Days 16-17) DAY 17: BISHKEK Browse a panoply of produce amid the hubbub of Osh Bazaar, before a city tour taking you to the Historical Museum, Central Mosque, Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, the Statue of Manas and the Philharmonic Hall. (B) DAY 18: BURANA • KAJI SAY En route to Kaji Say, visit the 11th-century Burana Tower, one of the last remnants of the ancient city of Balasagyn; and the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, where an artisan will demonstrate how yurts are made. Arrive in Kaji Say on the shores of the vast saline lake of Issyk-Kul, staying overnight in yurts. Enjoy a sunset walk in Skazka Canyon. (B, D) : Oimo-Tash Yurt Camp** (or similar) DAY 19: KARAKOL On your journey to Karakol, watch an eagle hunting display, and walk amid the dramatic red rock formations of DjetyOguz valley. Arrive in Karakol for a tour of its sights, some of which reflect the strong Russian imperial influence on the city. (B, D) : Green Yard Hotel / 78 Hotel (or similar)

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

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Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan • central asia

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,595 TOUR CODE: CAT 9 May - 30 May 27

7 May - 28 May 28

20 Jun - 11 Jun 27

18 Jun - 9 Jul 28

22 Aug - 12 Sep 27

20 Aug - 10 Sep 28

10 Oct - 31 Oct 27

8 Oct - 29 Oct 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Discovery tour: Suited to hardier travellers, with some basic accommodation and rougher journeys * We aim to book guests onto the new high-speed Jaloliddin Manguberdi train for their journey between Khiva and Bukhara. If the train’s schedule changes, we will have to use a slower service. ** Please note that the yurt camps accommodating guests on days three and 18 are quite basic, and have shared bathrooms. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 20: CHARYN CANYON • ALMATY,

KAZAKHSTAN Drive to Kazakhstan’s Charyn Canyon – aptly nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia” – for a scenic, circular hike to a high vantage point. Transfer to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital and its most populous city. (B) : Rixos Hotel (or similar) (Days 20-21) DAY 21: ALMATY Explore Almaty with a walking tour, visiting stately Astana Square, Panfilov Park, the colourful Ascension Cathedral, the Central State Museum and Green Bazaar, among other attractions. Attend your farewell dinner. (B, D) DAY 22: FLY TO THE UK Transfer to Almaty airport for your departure flight. (B)

Clockwise from top left: the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan; Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan; the Ascension Cathedral, Almaty; eagle hunters in Kyrgyzstan; Tulpar Kol Lake, Kyrgyzstan

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solo departures available

UZBEKISTAN: HEART OF CENTRAL ASIA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £3,895

From £5,695

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • See the beautiful architectural legacy of one of the world’s great empires. • Sample local wines in the cellars of a Tsarist-era producer in Samarkand. • Taste traditional plov at a historic merchant’s house in Bukhara. • Travel on Uzbekistan’s renowned Afrosiyob and Jaloliddin Manguberdi high-speed trains*. • Tour a restored silk paper mill in Samarkand.

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

Set on the Silk Road, Uzbekistan has played host to waves of conquerors and nomads, from Alexander the Great to Timur. See the legacy they left behind in the towering fortresses of Khiva and Bukhara, and the bluedomed mosques of Samarkand. The remnants of more recent Soviet history are evident in the capital city, Tashkent, where highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Modernist Tashkent with its bustling Chorsu Bazaar and an elaborately decorated metro station.

DAY 1: FLY TO TASHKENT Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) with Uzbekistan Airways. (N) DAY 2: TASHKENT Transfer to your hotel early in the morning, then enjoy an afternoon tour of the capital, stopping at the medieval Khast Imaan Complex, and the newly appointed UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Chorsu Bazaar and the resplendent Soviet-era Kosmonavtlar metro station. (B, D) : Mercure Tashkent South (or similar)

Above: the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, Samarkand; top right: the Khast Imam Religious Complex, Tashkent; bottom right: Bukhara, Uzbekistan

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uzbekistan • central asia

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £945 TOUR CODE: UZB 19 Mar - 30 Mar 27

10 Mar - 21 Mar 28

09 Apr - 20 Apr 27

17 Mar - 28 Mar 28

16 Apr - 27 Apr 27

07 Apr - 18 Apr 28

07 May - 18 May 27

14 Apr - 25 Apr 28

14 May - 25 May 27

05 May - 16 May 28

03 Sep - 14 Sep 27

12 May - 23 May 28

10 Sep - 21 Sep 27

01 Sep - 12 Sep 28

17 Sep - 28 Sep 27

08 Sep - 19 Sep 28

24 Sep - 05 Oct 27

15 Sep - 26 Sep 28

22 Oct - 02 Nov 27

22 Sep - 03 Oct 28 20 Oct - 31 Oct 28

DAY 3: FLY TO URGENCH • KHIVA

DAY 8: SHAHRISABZ • SAMARKAND

Transfer to the airport and fly to Urgench. Visit the ancient fortresses of AyazKala and Toprak-Kala, before taking an afternoon’s drive to Khiva via Ulli Khovli, a well-preserved, antique mud-brick courtyard home. (B, L, D) : Bankir Hotel (or similar) (Days 3-4)

Drive to Shahrisabz, birthplace of Timur, and visit the summer palace, mosques and mausoleums. Continue to Samarkand. (B, L, D) : Movenpick Samarkand (or similar) (Days 8-10) DAY 9: SAMARKAND

DAY 4: KHIVA Enjoy a full-day tour of Khiva, to see the Kunya Ark, Islam Khoja minaret, Tash Hauli palace and visit a local bakery. (B, D)

Take a full-day tour of Samarkand, visiting Registan Square, the Ulugbek observatory, Siyob Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr Mosque and the Bibi Khanum mosque. (B)

DAY 5: BUKHARA

DAY 10: SAMARKAND

Take the Jaloliddin Manguberdi highspeed train* to Bukhara, Later, check into your hotel. (B, L, D) : Paradise Plaza (or similar) (Days 5-7)

Continue your tour of Samarkand. Visit the Gur-Emir mausoleum, the final resting place of several members of the Timurid dynasty, including Timur himself. Other sights include Afrasiab Museum, Shah-iZinda necropolis and the Khodja Doniyor mausoleum. After lunch, stop in at a silk carpet factory before returning to your hotel for the evening. (B, D)

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £4,745 TOUR CODE: UZS 20 Aug - 31 Aug 27

18 Aug - 29 Aug 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DAY 6: BUKHARA Tour of the city, visiting Chor Minor mosque, the Poi-Kalyan complex, the surviving trading domes, and Lyab-i-Hauz – once the city’s principal source of water. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a plov cooking demonstration. (B, D) DAY 7: BUKHARA Continue your tour of Bukhara, with visits to the Ark, a vast fortress whose foundations date back 2,000 years; the summer palace of the city’s final emir; and the 10th-century Samanid mausoleum, decorated with Zoroastrian symbols. (B)

Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. * We aim to book guests onto the highspeed Jaloliddin Manguberdi train for their journey between Khiva and Bukhara. If the train’s schedule changes, we will have to use a slower service. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 11: TASHKENT

Enjoy a later start, then visit one of Samarkand’s renowned silk paper workshops and join a wine tasting. Later, travel by rail to Tashkent. (B, D) : Mercure Tashkent South (or similar) DAY 12: FLY TO LONDON

Enjoy a morning at leisure. Later transfer to the airport and fly home with Uzbekistan Airways. (B)

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specialist-led tour

UZBEKISTAN: THE GOLDEN ROAD TO SAMARKAND SPECIALIST LECTURER: Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

ART • ARCHITECTURE • HISTORY

DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £4,295

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Tour with a specialist lecturer to gain deeper insights into this region. • See traditional silk weavers at work. • Tour the Savitsky Museum in Nukus, home to one of the largest collections of Soviet avant-garde art in the world, with an expert curator. • Visit artisanal ceramic workshops. • Travel on Uzbekistan’s famous Afrosiyob train from Samarkand to Tashkent.

FLIGHT RAIL ROAD

Visit the most magnificent cities of the ancient Silk Road with our expert Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu. These sites include Uzbekistan’s second largest city, Samarkand, built by the 14th-century emperor Timur; the medieval city of Bukhara, with its dazzling blue mosaic domes; the jade-green city of Khiva; and Nukus, home to the Russian avant-garde art collection of Igor Savitsky, who protected his paintings from the Soviets.

Above: Bukhara, Uzbekistan; top right: traditional ceramics in Bukhara, Uzbekistan; bottom right: the summer palace of the Emir of Bukhara, Uzbekistan

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DAY 1: FLY TO TASHKENT Take an overnight flight from London (regional connections available) with Uzbekistan Airways. (N) DAY 2: TASHKENT • FLY TO NUKUS Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. After an introductory lecture and welcome lunch, take a city tour to see the highlights of Tashkent, including Kukeldash madrasa, the Museum of Applied Arts, Muyie Mubarak library, Tillya Sheikh mosque and some of the impressive Soviet-era metro stations. In the afternoon, fly to Nukus. (B, L) : Hotel Inspira-S / Jipek Joli (or similar)

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uzbekistan • central asia

DAY 3: CHILPAK • KHIVA

Enjoy a morning tour of the Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art, which houses the spectacular collection of Igor Savitsky, who secreted away thousands of Russian avant-garde and post-avant-garde paintings during the Stalinist period. Besides this extensive art collection (second only to St Petersburg), he also collected thousands of Uzbek artefacts, textiles and jewellery. Tour the museum with a local specialist. En route to Khiva, stop at Chilpak to see the fourthcentury Zoroastrian Tower of Silence. (B, D) : Feruzkhan Hotel (or similar) (Days 3-4) DAY 4: KHIVA Take a full-day tour of the old walled city of Khiva, capital of Khorezm between the 16th and 20th centuries, and one of the most remote of the Silk Road cities. Visit the Kunya Ark fortress, the original residence of the Khiva khans; the beautifully decorated Tash Hauli (stone palace); the Friday Mosque; madrasas which now house museum collections; and a UNESCO-listed silk carpet workshop. (B)

DAY 7: BUKHARA Visit the Persian Samanid brick mausoleum, the Bolo Hauz mosque and the Sitora-i Mokhi-Khosa. Later explore the Balyand mosque, a jewel of 16thcentury architecture, and the treasures of the city’s Jewish quarter. (B) DAY 8: VABKENT • GIJDUVAN • RABATI MALIK • SAMARKAND Drive to Vabkent, and continue to Gijduvan, to see such architectural marvels as the 15th-century Ulugbek Madrasah built in tribute to the Sufi scholar Abdul Khaliq Ghijduwani. After lunch, continue driving to Samarkand via Rabati Malik Caravanserai. (B, L) : Wellfort Hotel (or similar) (Days 8-10) DAY 9: AFROSIYOB • SAMARKAND

Drive to the ancient deserted site of Afrosiyob on the outskirts of Samarkand. Continue to the observatory of Ulugbek, Timur’s astronomer grandson, and see the Bibi Khanum mosque, built by Timur for his favourite wife. End at the magnificent Gur-Emir mausoleum, where Timur is buried beneath its fluted domes. (B)

DAY 6: BUKHARA Take a full-day walking tour of Bukhara, visiting the trade domes and bazaars. See the Lyab-i-Hauz pool, the Chor Minor, and the Poi-Kalyan complex of minarets and madrasa, dating from the 12th to the 16th century, and gain insight into the city’s rich history. (B)

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £495 TOUR CODE: UZA 23 Apr - 04 May 27

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

07 May - 18 May 27

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

17 Sep - 28 Sep 27

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

08 Oct - 19 Oct 27

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

21 Apr - 02 May 28

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

DAY 10: SHAHRISABZ • SAMARKAND

05 May - 16 May 28

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

Drive to Shahrisabz, birthplace of Timur, who commissioned an enormous palace here, the ornamented audience chamber of which remains. (B)

15 Sep - 26 Sep 28

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

06 Oct - 17 Oct 28

Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu

DAY 11: SAMARKAND • TASHKENT

DAY 5: DRIVE TO BUKHARA

Embark on a full-day drive to Bukhara (seven to eight hours) through the Kyzylkum desert, stopping at the Amu Darya River, known as the Oxus River in the ancient world. (B, L) : Emir Hotel (or similar) (Days 5-7)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

Visit the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and the Samarkand Museum of History, Culture and Art. In the afternoon, travel by rail to Tashkent. Enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D) : Inspira-S Hotel (or similar)

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

DAY 12: TASHKENT • FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport; fly to London. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative).. Private visits: Please note that the exclusive and individual nature of private visits means that they are subject to confirmation nearer the time of departure. Mosques, private houses and other buildings often have fluid opening times. If any visits have to be rearranged, please be assured that we will seek alternatives of equal interest. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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COLOURS OF KYRGYZSTAN DURATION

SMALL-GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

10 days, 8 nights

From £2,745

From £3,995

Discovery

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Issyk-Kul. • Walk beneath the striking red sandstone cliffs of Djety-Oguz. • Discover the prehistoric petroglyphs at Cholpon-Ata. • Stay overnight in a yurt on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. • Learn about the ancient art of hunting with eagles.

ROAD

Discover Kyrgyzstan’s little-known delights, including its cinematic scenery, deep cultural heritage and Soviet-shaped capital. After touring manicured Bishkek, savour the wild contrast of the Chon-Kemin Valley, with its lofty mountains and alpine meadows, and the natural beauty and ancient petroglyphs around Lake Issyk-Kul. Then admire the red undulations of Djety-Oguz Gorge, the wooden architecture of Karakol, and the ancient minaret of Burana Tower. Throughout, gain insight into Kyrgyz traditions, from carpetmaking to eagle hunting.

Above: Djety-Oguz Gorge; top right: traditional Kyrgyzstani musicians; bottom right: Holy Trinity church, Karakol

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DAY 1: FLY TO BISHKEK Fly overnight with Turkish Airlines from London (regional connections available), via Istanbul. (N) DAY 2: BISHKEK Transfer to Hotel Ambassador for a rest and breakfast. Explore the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where plazas and well-kept parks lead to triumphant monuments. Visit Ala-Too Square, with its statue of national hero, Manas, flanked by distinctly Soviet architecture. Continue to the Old Square, followed by Victory Square, which memorialises World War II. Finish the morning at Bishkek’s Museum of Art. Later, visit Osh Bazaar, a market filled with Kyrgyz produce. (B) : Hotel Ambassador (or similar)

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Kyrgyzstan • central asia

DAY 3: BISHKEK • CHON KEMIN After breakfast, drive to Chon Kemin via Boom Gorge. On the way visit Burana Tower, the last remains of the ancient city Balasagun. Check in to a mountainous lodge, enjoy a walk, and then dinner. (B, D) : Kemin Guest House (or similar) DAY 4: CHOLPON ATA • KARAKOL Journey to Lake Issyk-Kul’s northern shore, to take in the ancient petroglyphs adorning boulders near the resort town of Cholpon-Ata. These carvings date from as far back as 800 BC, and depict deer, snow leopards and hunters. Later stop by the Ethnographical Museum. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Issyk-Kul, one of the world’s highest navigable lakes. (B, D) : Green Yard (or similar) (Days 4-5) DAY 5: TEPKE • KARAKOL

Take a morning drive to the village of Tepke to visit a stud farm and its Kyrgyz horses. The farm also raises cows and sheep in this rustic corner of the Issyk-Kul region. After lunch, return to Karakol for a visit to Dungan Mosque, with its colourful and Chinese-influenced architecture; and the 19th-century wooden Holy Trinity church. (B, L, D) DAY 6: DJETY-OGUZ GORGE • TAMGA Begin with a journey by road along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, pausing en route at several beauty spots. Continue to the Djety-Oguz Gorge to admire its striking red rock formations, followed by Barskoon Gorge, walking to one of its famous waterfalls. Finally, transfer to your

yurt camp near the quiet town of Tamga, for a folklore performance, dinner and an overnight stay. (B, D) : Nomad Lodge Yurt Camp* (or similar) DAY 7: KOCHKOR En route to Kochkor, stop at Fairytale Canyon for a 30-minute walk amid its unusual red rock formations. Meet a local eagle hunter to learn about the ancient tradition of hunting with raptors, and to watch a demonstration using a pelt as bait. Then travel on to Kochkor, pausing in Kyzyl-Tuu, to meet a family that specialises in traditional yurt production. (B, D) : Nomad Lodge Guest House / D&D Guest House (or similar)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £545 TOUR CODE: CKZ

DAY 8: BISHKEK After breakfast, visit a local artisan’s workshop. In Kochkor workshop masters produce huge carpets, using their own unique machinery, fashioned partially from old tractor parts. Later, transfer on to Bishkek. (B, D) : Hotel Ambassador (or similar) (Days 8-9) DAY 9: CHUNKURCHAK • BISHKEK Visit the stunning Chunkurchak Gorge for a full morning among its breathtaking natural scenery; return to Bishkek in the afternoon. (B, D)

18 May - 27 May 27

16 May - 25 May 28

15 Jun - 24 Jun 27

13 Jun - 22 Jun 28

13 Jul - 22 Jul 27

11 Jul - 20 Jul 28

17 Aug - 26 Aug 27

15 Aug - 24 Aug 28

DAY 10: FLY HOME Transfer to the airport for your Turkish Airlines flight back to the UK, or begin your tour extension. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Discovery tour: Suited to hardier travellers, with some basic accommodation and rougher journeys. *Yurt camp: Please note that the yurt camp accommodation on Day 6 is basic and has a shared bathroom. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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EXTENSIONS CENTRAL ASIA & BEYOND These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

FERGANA VALLEY 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £995

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand Explore more of Central Asia with a visit to the Fergana Valley, set between the Tien Shan, Gissar and Alay mountains and mostly within Uzbekistan. This region has been a centre of silk production for centuries, and a visit to the silk factories of Margilan offers a chance to see these continuing traditions. In the ancient city of Kokand, you can explore the legacy of the former khanate in landmarks such as the Palace of Khudayar Khan, while Andijan is the birthplace of Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty that ruled over swathes of the Indian subcontinent. : Grand Hotel Fergana, Mercure Tashkent South

TURKISTAN, KAZAKHSTAN

TURKMENISTAN

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £2,395

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,695

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION:

Grand Tour of the Five Stans

Uzbekistan: Heart of Central Asia

Traders and pilgrims have passed through the Turkistan region of Kazakhstan for centuries, and new vigour brings greater reason to take in this important spiritual and historical centre. Visit the Gunny Ethnic Village (founded in 2009 to promote Kazakh culture) to enjoy lunch, as well as archery, yurt building, and eagle hunting demonstrations, and a horse show. Later, catch an overnight train from Almaty to Shymkent. Over the following days, journey through desert and explore further, before heading on to Tashkent or Turkistan for your departure.

Arrive in Ashgabat, a capital city that gleams with white marble monuments, to see the Neutrality Arch, Ahalteke Horse Stables and Russian Bazaar among other monuments. Journey to the ever-burning Darvaza Gas Crater, evocatively called the “Door to Hell”, staying at a yurt camp nearby and enjoying a barbecue by the glow of its flames. Drive to Kunya Urgench and see the numerous 12th-century mausoleums and minarets before crossing into Uzbekistan and flying to Tashkent to join your group tour on the following day.

: Overnight Train, Rixos Turkistan, Ateca Suites Tashkent

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: Yyldyz Hotel, Darvaza Yurt Camp, Mercure Tashkent South

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extensions • central asia

ALMATY 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £395

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Colours of Kyrgyzstan Set at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, Almaty is Kazakhstan’s cultural centre and an attractive place to extend your tour. Here tree-lined streets and leafy parks are dotted with cafés, fountains and Soviet-era monuments. Worthy stops include the First President’s Park; the Ascension Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden churches; the bustling Zeleny Bazaar; and the State Museum of Art. For dramatic panoramas, take the cable car to Kok-Tobe hill, and look out over this charming city. : Kazzhol Park Hotel

INDIA 8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS FROM £1,395

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: Uzbekistan: Heart of Central Asia Switch the Silk Road for India’s Golden Triangle in this carefully choreographed, richly rewarding tour of the country’s most beautiful and important cities. Begin in the lively capital, touring both Old and New Delhi, taking in the Red Fort, the erstwhile residence of Moghul emperors; Raj Ghat, a memorial complex housing tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, among other leaders; as well as the war memorial, India Gate; Rashtrapati Bhawan, the president’s residence; and Qutab Minar tower, a masterpiece of perfect proportions, and the tomb of Emperor Humayun. Travel on to see Agra’s impressive Mughal architecture, including the inimitable Taj Mahal; Itimad-ud-Daulah, the beautiful tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg; and the mighty 16th-century Agra Fort. Then explore the delicate, deserted sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, abandoned by its inhabitants in the 16th century, before finally surveying the excellent museums, architectural sights and vibrant bazaars of the “Pink City”, Jaipur, including the ravishing Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, and the city’s hilltop Amber Fort. : The Claridges New Delhi, Trident Agra, Royal Heritage Haveli Jaipur, Trident Gurgaon

Clockwise from top left: the Khudayar Khan Palace, Uzbekistan; the Ascension Cathedral Russian Orthodox church, Almaty; the Red Fort, Delhi; Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, Turkistan

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150

call 020 3930 5233 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA In East Asia, you’ll find Japan’s serene Shinto shrines and teahouses, Zen gardens and high-velocity bullet trains; Taiwan’s antique monasteries, heart-rending scenery and refined gastronomy; and China’s Great Wall, heterogeneous street food, deep traditions and vigorous megacities. Venture out into Southeast Asia to encounter a beautiful melange of countries rich with both natural and cultural wonders, including Cambodia’s incomparable Hindu-Buddhist temples of Angkor Wat and Vietnam’s French-colonial architecture, languid islands, riverine villages and stepped rice paddies.

Left: inset, The Temple of Heaven, Beijing; background: traditional Chinese, oil-paper umbrellas

Our expertly curated tours across the region include introductions for first-time visitors that weave together the must-sees, as well as journeys to lesser-known quarters sure to reward your curiosity.

JAPAN’S CULTURAL TREASURES DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £6,995

From £9,995

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony experience and cooking class in Kyoto. • Visit Shirakawa-go to see the UNESCOlisted, thatched gasshō-zukuri houses. • Tour the historic Nomura Samurai House and Garden. • Try your hand at a bonsai-tree shaping workshop in Tokyo.

RAIL

Discover the deep and storied heritage of Japan on this journey through the country’s main island of Honshu. Begin with an exploration of Tokyo and the nearby Hakone National Park, visit the tranquil Kenroku-en garden and the castle of Kanazawa, before exploring imperial Kyoto with its many temples and shrines. Experience the sombre history of Hiroshima, then visit the picturesque island of Miyajima with its celebrated torii gate. Finish with a visit to Himeji, famed for its castle and gardens.

DAY 1: FLY TO TOKYO Fly overnight from London via Seoul (or similar) with Korean Air. (N) DAY 2: TOKYO Arrive in the Japanese capital and transfer to your hotel. (N) : Hotel New Takanawa (or similar) (Days 2-4) DAY 3: FUJI-HAKONE-IZU NATIONAL PARK Full-day excursion to the Fuji-HakoneIzu National Park for views of Mount Fuji, a cruise on Lake Ashi and a ride on the Mount Komagatake Ropeway cable car. Enjoy a welcome lunch. (B, L)

Above: Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park; top right: apprentice geishas In kimonos; bottom right: Kinkakuji Temple, Kyoto

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japan • EAST asia & southeast asia

DAY 4: TOKYO

Full-day tour visiting Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo National Museum and the peaceful Meiji Shrine. Try your hand shaping a bonsai tree and visit the Imperial Palace East Garden. (B, L) DAY 5: KANAZAWA Morning departure by the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa. Visit Kanazawa Castle park, Kenroku-en Garden and the Nomura Samurai House. Check into your hotel for the following two nights. (B, L) : ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa (or similar) (Days 5-6) DAY 6: KANAZAWA • SHIRAKAWA-GO Morning visit to the Higashi-Chayamachi District, full of teahouses, craft shops, and the Omicho fresh produce and fish market. Take an afternoon excursion to Shirakawa-go to see the UNESCO-listed gasshō-zukuri houses, notable for their pitched, thatched roofs. (B) DAYS 7-8: KYOTO

Travel by express train to Kyoto, visit Nijo Castle, enjoy a walking tour of Nishiki food market, attend a cooking class at the WAK JAPAN cultural centre, and experience a tea ceremony. The following day is at leisure to explore Kyoto at your pace. Stay at your hotel for two nights. (B) : RIHGA Gran Kyoto (or similar) (Days 7-8)

DAY 9: KYOTO • NARA • HIROSHIMA Take a morning visit to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), then Ryoanji Temple, famous for its Zen rock garden. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the historic city of Nara, then return to Kyoto to catch the bullet train to Hiroshima. Check into your hotel for the following two nights. (B) : Grand Prince Hiroshima (or similar) (Days 9-10) DAY 10: MIYAJIMA ISLAND • HIROSHIMA Take the ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the Itsukushima shrine and its traditional torii gate. Travel back to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Memorial Museum. (B) DAY 11: HIMEJI • TOKYO

Board a bullet train north to the city of Himeji. Take a tour of Himeji Castle, which, unlike most castles in Japan, is still in its original form and is arguably the finest example of medieval castle architecture in the country. Afterwards, stroll in the Koko-en Garden, which consists of nine separate, walled gardens with ponds, waterfalls and a tea ceremony house. Enjoy a farewell lunch. Travel to Tokyo and check in to your hotel. (B, L) : Villa Fontaine Grand (or similar) DAY 12: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport and fly back to London via Seoul (or similar), arriving later the same day. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £2,795 TOUR CODE: JCT 15 Mar - 26 Mar 27

13 Mar - 24 Mar 28

22 Mar - 02 Apr 27

20 Mar - 31 Mar 28

29 Mar - 09 Apr 27

27 Mar - 07 Apr 28

05 Apr - 16 Apr 27

03 Apr - 14 Apr 28

04 Oct - 15 Oct 27

02 Oct - 13 Oct 28

08 Nov - 19 Nov 27

06 Nov - 17 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. FESTIVAL DEPARTURES Cherry blossom season Hanami is the Japanese custom of enjoying the springtime cherry blossom, which may be seen on March and April departures. Autumn leaf season Momijigari is the Japanese custom of seeking out pretty trees at the height of their autumnal blush, and may be experienced on departures between September and November. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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GRAND TOUR OF INDOCHINA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

17 days, 14 nights

From £4,345

From £5,245

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Cruise on Halong Bay, Vietnam. • Eat lunch at KOTO restaurant, an enterprise that trains underprivileged youths in Vietnam. • Enjoy a sunset cruise on Angkor Thom moat, Cambodia. • Join a farewell dinner in the Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia.

FLIGHT ROAD

Head into the heart of Indochina, starting with the rapidly developing country of Vietnam, with its karststrewn bays, green mountains and thrumming cities. Sample life along the Mekong Delta by boat and on foot, before striking out into the kingdom of Cambodia, culminating in a visit to the awesome HinduBuddhist temples of Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious structure.

DAY 1: FLY TO HANOI, VIETNAM Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) with Vietnam Airlines. (N)

Above: Angkor Wat, Cambodia; top right: Halong Bay, Vietnam; bottom right: Ngoc Son Temple, Vietnam

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DAY 2: HANOI Arrive and transfer to The Ann Hanoi hotel. Join a welcome dinner. (D) : The Ann Hanoi (or similar) (Days 2-3) DAY 3: HANOI Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Take lunch at KOTO restaurant, an organisation that trains underprivileged youths. This evening, there is the opportunity to see a water puppet show*. (B, L) DAY 4: CRUISE ON HALONG BAY Enjoy a cruise amid the magical, karststrewn scenery of Halong Bay, and explore a cave by sampan skiff or kayak. Stay aboard your cruise ship, the Indochine Premium. (B, L, D) : Indochine Premium (or similar)

call 020 3930 5233 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

vietnam, laos & cambodia • EAST asia & southeast asia

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,145 TOUR CODE: LVX 11 Jan - 27 Jan 27

10 Jan - 26 Jan 28

01 Feb - 17 Feb 27

31 Jan - 16 Feb 28

15 Feb - 03 Mar 27

14 Feb - 01 Mar 28

01 Mar - 17 Mar 27

21 Feb - 08 Mar 28

17 Oct - 02 Nov 27

28 Feb - 15 Mar 28

01 Nov - 17 Nov 27

30 Oct - 15 Nov 28

08 Nov - 24 Nov 27

06 Nov - 22 Nov 28

DAY 5: FLY TO DANANG • HOI AN Cruise around the karst limestone islands. Disembark in the late morning and drive to Hanoi Airport for your evening flight to Danang. Transfer to the beachfront Boutique Hoi An Resort. (B)

: Boutique Hoi An Resort (Days 5-7) DAY 6: HOI AN Take a walking tour of Hoi An. Enjoy lunch at Streets International restaurant, a social enterprise that assists street children. Take an afternoon at leisure. (B, L) DAY 7: HOI AN Enjoy a day at leisure, with the option to take a cycle ride through the countryside or a visit a village*. (B) DAY 8: HUE Drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hue (weather permitting), stopping at the Museum of Cham Sculpture en route. Afternoon visit to the tomb of the Nguyen emperor, Tu Duc. Dine at a restored royal home of the Nguyen dynasty. Stay at the Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa. (B, L, D) : Pilgrimage Village Resort DAY 9: FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY Cycle to the Imperial Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City, then take a river cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda. Transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay at the Grand Hotel. (B) : Grand Hotel (Days 9-11) DAY 10: HO CHI MINH CITY Drive through the countryside to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Later tour the city, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. (B)

DAY 11: MEKONG DELTA Drive to Cai Be, and explore the Mekong Delta by boat and on foot. (B, L)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DAY 12: FLY TO PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA Fly to Phnom Penh and transfer to La Rose Suites Hotel & Spa. (B) : La Rose Suites (Days 12-13)

* Optional excursions: Pre-bookable options at additional expense.

DAY 13: PHNOM PENH Visit the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum. Later, take a tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. (B, L)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above.

Departure dates: Dates may change slightly as a result of flight schedules. Hotel choices may be subject to change.

DAY 14: FLY TO SIEM REAP Fly to Siem Reap and stay at Lotus Blanc Hotel. Afternoon visit to Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and the Bayon Temple. Watch the sun set with a cruise on Angkor Thom moat, drink in hand. (B) : Lotus Blanc (Days 14-15) DAY 15: ANGKOR TEMPLES Take a full-day tour of these worldfamous temples. In the morning, visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. After lunch, explore Ta Phrom and Neak Pean Temples. Join a farewell dinner at Khmer House, Srah Srang, within the Angkor Archaeological Park. (B, L, D) DAY 16: ANGKOR TEMPLES Enjoy a morning excursion to Banteay Srei Temple and Angkor National Museum. Later, Transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam. (B) DAY 17: FLY TO LONDON Fly to London. (N)

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CHINA: THE GRAND TOUR DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

16 days, 14 nights

From £5,595

From £6,995

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the Forbidden City with an expert guide. • Cruise on the Yangtze River. • Tour the less-visited Jinshanling section of the Great Wall • Enjoy a tea tasting at the Huxinting Teahouse in Shanghai • Take a private, expert-led tour of the Shanghai Museum

FLIGHT RAIL

This comprehensive tour visits many of China’s best-loved sights. In Beijing, travellers explore such historic treasures as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Then the tour party moves on to Xi’an to marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, and take in the stunning landscapes between Guilin and Yangshuo. Later, there is a trip to see the pandas of Chengdu, before travellers board a scenic cruise along the Yangtze, which includes a visit to the Three Gorges Dam. The tour ends in Shanghai, the thriving coastal city where modernity meets tradition.

DAY 1: FLY TO BEIJING Fly overnight from London via Amsterdam (or similar) with KLM. (N) DAY 2: BEIJING Transfer to the Novotel Beijing Peace. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, and later enjoy a welcome dinner at a Peking duck restaurant. (D) : Novotel Beijing Peace (or similar) (Days 2-4) DAY 3: BEIJING Visit Tiananmen Square and tour the Forbidden City with an expert guide. Take in the historic Liulichang district. In the evening, see a state acrobatics show. (B, L)

Above: The Forbidden City, Beijing; top right: a panda cub, Chengdu; bottom right: the Guilin Hills and Li River, southern China

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CHINA • EAST asia & southeast asia

DAY 4: GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Drive out of the city to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a quiet and impressive section of this historic structure. (B, L) DAY 5: XI’AN Visit a hutong (a traditional, bustling neighbourhood street) in a pedicab, then drive to the railway station to board a high-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an. Check into the Grand New Century Hotel Bell Tower Xi’an (B) : Grand New Century Hotel Bell Tower Xi’an (Days 5-6) DAY 6: TERRACOTTA WARRIORS • XI’AN Take a morning excursion to the Terracotta Army and the Xi’an Museum, followed by a lesson in Chinese calligraphy. Later, visit the Muslim quarter and Great Mosque. (B, L) DAY 7: TRAIN TO CHENGDU

Catch a high-speed train to Chengdu, and transfer to the Kempinski Hotel Chengdu. Enjoy an evening excursion to a Sichuan Opera music performance. (B, L) : Kempinski Hotel Chengdu DAY 8: FLY TO GUILIN Take an early visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Later, fly to Guilin and stay overnight at the Sheraton Guilin. (B) : Sheraton Guilin DAYS 9-10: YANGSHUO Board a morning cruise down the Li River, past a dramatic landscape of limestone peaks. Arrive in Yangshuo and stroll along

busy West Street, then transfer to the Lijing Resort. Enjoy the following day at leisure, to rest or explore the Yangshuo region independently. (B) : Lijing Resort DAY 11: CHONGQING Take the train to Chongqing, then transfer to the port to board a five-star passenger vessel for a cruise to Yichang. (B, D) : Victoria Jenna (or similar) (days 11-13) DAYS 12-13: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE Cruise through the striking Three Gorges section of the Yangtze, an area of towering cliffs and twisting canyons. Enjoy shore excursions to Fengdu’s Ghost City and to watch the Romance of the Three Kingdoms show. (B, L, D)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,495 TOUR CODE: CGS

DAY 14: YICHANG •

12 Mar - 27 Mar 27

10 Mar - 25 Mar 28

TRAIN TO SHANGHAI Disembark in Yichang and visit the Three Gorges Dam, then take the train to Shanghai. Stay at the Central Hotel. (B) : Central Hotel (14-15)

03 Sep - 18 Sep 27

01 Sep - 16 Sep 28

08 Oct - 23 Oct 27

06 Oct - 21 Oct 28

22 Oct - 06 Nov 27

20 Oct - 04 Nov 28

DAY 15: SHANGHAI Enjoy a morning tour of Jade Buddha Temple and Yu Garden, followed by tea tasting at the Huxinting Teahouse. In the afternoon, take in the Shanghai Museum with an expert guide, then end the day with a walk along the historic Bund. Finally, attend a farewell dinner. (B, D)

DAY 16: FLY TO LONDON Fly overnight to London (regional connections available) with KLM. (B)

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TAIWAN: THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 10 nights

From £4,195

From £6,795

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Discover ancient treasures at the National Palace Museum. • Enjoy a farewell dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. • Discover traditional Hakka culture at Beipu village. • Take a tour of a Buddhist monastery. • Catch a private boat excursion on Sun Moon Lake.

ROAD

Early Portuguese sailors named Taiwan Ilha Formosa (Beautiful Island) because of its soul-stirring scenery. Experience this natural beauty firsthand, alongside the cultural highlights. Energetic Taipei is home to possibly the best collection of Chinese artefacts in the world, while Sun Moon Lake is an atmospheric place to rest. The countryside is often the biggest surprise, with deep gorges, snowcapped mountains, hot springs and tea plantations.

DAY 1: FLY TO TAIPEI Fly from London (regional connections available) with China Airlines. (N) DAY 2: TAIPEI Arrive in Taiwan’s capital and transfer to The Landis. (N) : The Landis (Days 2-3) DAY 3: TAIPEI Enjoy a full-day tour of Taipei, taking in the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Longshan Temple. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B, L, D) DAYS 4-5: SUN MOON LAKE

Above: the Jiufen coastline, Taipei; top right: Wuji Tianyuan Temple, Taipei; bottom right: Taroko Gorge

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Drive to the village of Beipu, home to members of the Hakka community. See their vernacular architecture and sample Hakka food, then continue to Sun Moon

call 020 3930 5233 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

taiwan • EAST asia & southeast asia

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,295 TOUR CODE: TWP 05 Mar - 16 Mar 27

03 Mar - 14 Mar 28

16 Apr - 27 Apr 27

14 Apr - 25 Apr 28

15 Oct - 26 Oct 27

13 Oct - 24 Oct 28

29 Oct - 09 Nov 27

27 Oct - 07 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. *Fo Guang Shan Monastery: Overnight stays at the monastery are subject to availability, and a night at a nearby hotel may be provided instead. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Lake. The following day, take a private boat excursion on the lake, then visit the Wenwu Temple and the Tse-en Pagoda. (B) : Einhan Taihe (Days 4-5)

hills, limestone caves, dense forests and fine beaches. Explore the park on foot, then head north towards Taitung. : Hotel Royal Chihpen

DAY 6: ALISHAN Drive to the Alishan Forest Park, one of the island’s most spectacular mountainous regions. Take a walking tour. (B, D) : Alishan House

DAY 9: EAST COAST NATIONAL SCENIC AREA • HUALIEN Drive north through the East Coast National Scenic Area towards Hualien. (B) : Lakeshore Hotel Hualien

DAY 7: TAINAN • FO GUANG SHAN MONASTERY Catch an early ride on the Alishan Forest Railway to see the sunrise (weather permitting) from the summit of Mount Alishan. After breakfast, drive to the mountain town of Zhuqi. Continue to Tainan to visit Fort Anping and historic Yanping Street. Then visit Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan’s largest Buddhist monastery. (B, D) : Fo Guang Shan Monastery Guesthouse

DAY 10: TAROKO GORGE • TAIPEI Morning visit to the Taroko Gorge. Drive to Taipei with a stop at Kavalan Whiskey Distillery for a tour and tasting. Stay overnight at The Landis. (B, D) : The Landis (Days 10-11)

DAY 8: KENTING NATIONAL PARK • TAITUNG Rise early and join the monks for their traditional morning prayers. Drive south to Kenting National Park, an area of low-lying

DAY 11: YANGMINGSHAN Head to the Yangmingshan National Park. Enjoy the landmark Flower Clock, lakes and pavilions. In the afternoon, walk to Beitou Park and Xinbeitou Historic Station, a Japanese-built wooden railway station. Later, attend a farewell dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant. (B, D) DAY 12: FLY TO LONDON Fly direct to London. (B)

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EXTENSIONS EAST & SOUTHEAST ASIA These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

SUZHOU 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £895

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: China: The Grand Tour See Suzhou, “Venice of the East”, with its UNESCO-listed gardens, ancient pagodas, silk heritage and historic canal streets. Visit the Hanshan buddhist temple; the Suzhou Museum, designed by the renowned Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei; take in Tiger Hill and its 2,500-yearold Yunyan Pagoda; and learn more about the region’s pioneering and precious textiles traditions at its silk museum and associated workshop. : Four Points by Sheraton

Clockwise from top left: Suzhou, China; Osaka, Japan; Naoshima Island, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Luang Prabang, Laos; Ninh Binh, Vietnam; Koh Rong Island, Cambodia; Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China.

ZHANGJIAJIE 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,395

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION: China: The Grand Tour Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s striking, natural sandstone pillar-like peaks or “karsts” are UNESCO-listed and inspired the famous floating Hallelujah Mountains in the 2009 film, Avatar. See these beautiful formations, walk along the world’s longest glass-bottomed bridge, ride soaring cable cars and walk beside the park’s meandering Golden Whip stream on this both peaceful and aweinspiring extension. : Hilton Garden Inn Wulingyuan

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call 020 3930 5233 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

extensions • EAST asia & southeast asia

OSAKA

OKAYAMA

SEOUL

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,545

5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £2,295

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £2,195

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION:

Japan’s Cultural Treasures

Round off your Japan tour with a visit to the country’s third-largest city. Take in Osaka Castle, the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shinto shrine and the city’s lively Dotonbori district; and enjoy Osaka’s signature takoyaki street food, before catching your return flight home.

Extend your stay by taking in Koraku-en garden, one of Japan’s finest; Himeji Castle, one of the country’s best-preserved feudal fortresses; as well as the Edo-era canal and cityscape of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area; and incredible contemporary art island of Naoshima, home to numerous museums showing works by famous Japanese artists such as Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama, as well as pieces by James Turrell, Walter De Maria and Claude Monet.

See every aspect of the South Korean capital on this fulsome tour extension. Stroll among the traditional dwellings of Bukchon Hanok Village; see the ceremonial changing of the guard at Gwanghwamun Gate; tour Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces; take an excursion to the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea; visit Namdaemun Market, one of the country’s oldest markets; and take in panoramic views of the capital from Namsan Seoul Tower.

: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka (or similar)

: ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama, Granvia Okayama

: The Botanik Sewoon

KOH RONG ISLAND

NINH BINH AND MAI CHAU

LUANG PRABANG

5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £895

5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £995

5 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,095

SUGGESTED TOUR COMBINATION:

Grand Tour of Indochina

Lay back in the most relaxed, least developed of Cambodia’s islands. Koh Rong has clear seas, bright sands, waterfalls and plenty of opportunities to take jungle walks, snorkel, fish and dive. The speedboat ride over to this island is thrilling, and the villas at the island’s Royal Sands – built from locally sourced teak, bamboo and limestone – are suitably languid.

Visit the soaring, fairy-tale limestone karst mountains, rice paddies and rivers of Ninh Binh, as well as the charming, rural villages and farms of Mai Chau; stay in comfortable, environmentally sound ecolodges; take a sampan ride down the Ngo Dong River; and visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital, with its temples honouring Vietnam’s dynasties.

Laos is a laidback, landlocked nation of Buddhist temples, riverside towns and beautiful scenery. This three-night extension places you in the northern city of Luang Prabang – UNESCO-listed for its traditional and colonial architecture – at the Villa Maly Boutique Hotel. It includes a guided tour that takes in the Royal Palace Museum, Heuan Chan Heritage House, Wat Xiengthong temple, and the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. You’ll also cruise on the Mekong at sunset, visit the picturesque Kuang Si waterfall, learn about the art of silk weaving, and stop by the Bear Rescue Centre.

: Long Set Resort (or upgrade to Royal Sands - finest resort on the island)

: Tam Coc Garden, Mai Chau Ecolodge

: Villa Maly

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MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA From dune-bound tombs to labyrinthine medinas, precious nature reserves to ancient ruins, there is much to explore in this beguiling, historic region, which includes Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Oman. Few travellers overlook the majesty of Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza; many also list the pink sandstone facade of Petra in Jordan as a once-in-a-lifetime attraction. Yet the Numidian and Roman relics of Tunisia and Algeria remain similarly well-preserved; Morocco’s souks, mountains and walled cities are endlessly rewarding; and though little-known, Oman’s rolling sands and ornate mosques make it a greatly satisfying place to visit.

Left inset: Hassan II Mosque, Morocco; background: Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

We know this complex region inside and out, and work with exceptional local guides to show you its treasures.

EGYPT: ANCIENT WONDERS OF CAIRO AND THE NILE DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

9 days, 8 nights

From £4,295

From £4,495

Prestige

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Learn about archeological digs during an onboard lecture. • Luxury river cruise guided by expert Egyptologists. • Ride a traditional felucca sailboat around Elephantine Island. • Visit a local grassroots community project in Cairo working to protect the Nile.

BOAT FLIGHT

Explore Egypt’s wonders via the Nile on this exceptional tour. After visiting the pyramids of Giza and the new Grand Egyptian Museum, fly to Aswan, where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile. Here you board one of two A&K Sanctuary vessels – the Nile Adventurer or Sun Boat IV – for a four-night, five-star cruise to Luxor. During excursions to temples and tombs, Egyptologists regale you with tales of pharaohs and a pantheon of gods, offering insight into this ancient world.

Above: Dendera Temple; top right: Philae Temple; bottom right: Giza’s pyramids

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DAY 1: FLY TO CAIRO Fly from London (regional connections available) and transfer to your hotel. (N) : Sheraton Cairo Hotel (Days 1-3) DAY 2: CAIRO Start your tour with a visit to Cairo’s citadel – a medieval fortress that now houses a number of museums – followed by the city’s mosques and the huge Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. Later, travel to an island in the Nile to visit the Very Nile community initiative, which oversees a number of sustainability projects. Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Later, join a welcome dinner, served with wine. (B, D)

call 020 3930 5211 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

EGYPT • north africa

DAY 3: CAIRO • GIZA

Visit Giza’s world-famous pyramid complex. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last standing of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, as well as the oldest – built over 4,500 years ago. Nearby, the Sphinx guards King Khafre’s enormous funerary monument. Continue on to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum. Explore the highlights of the 12 main galleries that chart the evolution of one of the world’s most remarkable civilizations. (B, L) DAY 4: ASWAN

Fly to Aswan this morning to begin your four-night Nile cruise. After lunch, take a traditional felucca sailboat around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum (weather permitting). In the evening, attend a welcome reception and programme overview. Enjoy wine and beer with canapés, followed by dinner. A folklore show and whirling dervish performance completes the evening (subject to confirmation). (B, L, D) : Nile Adventurer or Sun Boat IV, A&K Sanctuary (Days 4-7) DAY 5: AGILKIA ISLAND • KOM OMBO After breakfast, take a short boat ride to see the Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. Next, it’s on to the quarries that supplied much of the granite used to build the pyramids. Here you see the Unfinished Obelisk. Back aboard, enjoy lunch, then visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek. In the evening, enjoy a buffet of local specialities, and traditional music and dancing. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: EDFU • LUXOR Explore the extraordinary Temple of Horus (also known as the Temple of Edfu). Despite being built by the Greeks, this structure is the largest and most completely preserved pharaonic temple in Egypt. Back aboard, take part in an Egyptian cookery lesson while cruising through the Esna lock. In the afternoon, join your Egyptologist as they guide you around the Temple of Luxor. Finally, enjoy a sumptuous dinner on board. (B, L, D) DAY 7: LUXOR Start the day exploring the Valley of the Kings alongside your Egyptologist. You have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens – the final resting place of queens, princes, princesses and other high-ranking rulers – and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Returning to the Nile, pass the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in ancient times for their haunting “voices” at dawn. After lunch, your Egyptologist will guide you around the Temple of Karnak, part of the monumental city of Thebes. Return to your vessel for tea. In the evening, enjoy a farewell gala dinner, with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine. (B, L, D) DAY 8: CAIRO

Fly to Cairo and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, or take an optional visit to the old Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo. In the evening, enjoy a farewell drink overlooking the Nile. (B) : Sheraton Cairo Hotel

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,195 TOUR CODE: EGT 21 Jan - 29 Jan 27

13 Jan - 21 Jan 28

06 Feb - 14 Feb 27

06 Feb - 14 Feb 28

18 Mar - 26 Mar 27

17 Mar - 25 Mar 28

11 Apr - 19 Apr 27

18 Apr - 26 Apr 28

05 May - 13 May 27

12 May - 20 May 28

09 Oct - 17 Oct 27

09 Oct - 17 Oct 28

02 Nov - 10 Nov 27

02 Nov - 10 Nov 28

04 Dec - 12 Dec 27

04 Dec - 12 Dec 28

DAY 9: FLY TO THE UK

Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your direct flight back to London. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Prestige tour: five-star, deluxe accommodation and high-level comfort throughout. *Itinerary variations: On some departure dates, the cruise will sail from Luxor to Aswan. Occasionally, the ship may be amended by A&K Sanctuary due to operational reasons. An alternative boat of the same standard will be provided. It is possible to upgrade your cabin, subject to availability; please enquire for prices. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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NEW FOR 2027

JOURNEY THROUGH EGYPT DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 11 nights

From £5,795

From £5,995

Prestige

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Luxury river cruise guided by expert Egyptologists. • A dmire the rock-carved temples of Abu Simbel by day and night. • V isit the Funtasia creative community project in Luxor. • U ncover the history of Coptic Christianity in Cairo.

BOAT FLIGHT

Egypt is a land of unmatched mythos, where ancient temples and tombs – once swallowed by the desert – continue to be uncovered. On this tour, you explore the greatest sights of this veritable treasure trove, journeying from Giza’s grand pyramids and the temples of Abu Simbel and Luxor, to the less-visited relics of Dendera and Abydos. Your experience is elevated by a luxury Nile cruise, as well as the company of expert Egyptologists – there to answer your burning questions and illuminate the mysteries of this ancient civilisation.

Above: Abu Simbel; top right: Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut; bottom right: Egyptian baker in Luxor

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DAY 1: FLY TO CAIRO Fly from London and transfer to your hotel with a Nile-view room. (N) : Sheraton Cairo Hotel (Days 1-2) DAY 2: CAIRO • GIZA Today you visit the last standing of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, as well as the nearby Sphinx. Afternoon at leisure. Back at the hotel, attend your welcome dinner. (B, L, D) DAY 3: ABU SIMBEL Early flight to Abu Simbel via Aswan. Check into your lakeside resort hotel, with the afternoon at leisure. This evening, attend a light and sound show at Abu Simbel’s temples. (B, D) : Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort

call 020 3930 5211 or speak to your travel ADVISOR

egypt • north africa

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,595 TOUR CODE: JTE 19 Apr - 30 Apr 27

29 Jan - 09 Feb 28

07 Sep - 18 Sep 27

09 Mar - 20 Mar 28

17 Oct - 28 Oct 27

02 Apr - 13 Apr 28

10 Nov - 21 Nov 27

04 May - 15 May 28 17 Oct - 28 Oct 28 18 Nov - 29 Nov 28

DAY 4: ABU SIMBEL • ASWAN This morning, visit Abu Simbel to explore the rock-carved temples of Pharaoh Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Between 1964 and 1968, these temples were relocated to escape flooding in a remarkable mission led by UNESCO. Drive to Aswan and board your vessel to begin your Nile cruise. This afternoon, sail around the islands of Aswan on a traditional felucca boat. (B, L, D) : Nile Adventurer or Sun Boat IV, A&K Sanctuary (Days 4-7) DAY 5: AGILKIA ISLAND • KOM OMBO Tour Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, arriving by motorboat, then visit the Unfinished Obelisk within an ancient granite quarry. Return to your Nile vessel and sail to the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to crocodile-headed Sobek. This evening, attend a buffet dinner of local specialities accompanied by traditional dancing and music. (B, L, D) DAY 6: EDFU • LUXOR Visit the well-preserved Hellenistic Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus. While your ship passes through Esna Lock, enjoy a lesson in Egyptian cooking. Then explore the Temple of Luxor alongside your Egyptologist. (B, L, D) DAY 7: LUXOR Visit the Valley of the Kings – resting place of many a famous pharaoh – with the chance to see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Continue to the Temple of Karnak for a tour. Return to your boat for afternoon tea, before attending this evening’s farewell dinner complete with gourmet cuisine. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: LUXOR Disembark and visit the Medinet Habu archaeological area, site of the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III. After, stop in at the Funtasia Cultural Centre, a philanthropic endeavour supported by Cox & Kings that provides creative workshops to local children. Afternoon at leisure. (B) : Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa (Days 8-9) DAY 9: DENDERA • ABYDOS • LUXOR Embark on a full-day excursion to the ruins of Dendera – home to the Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor – and Abydos, where some of Egypt’s first pharaohs were buried. Return to Luxor by road. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Prestige tour: Five-star, deluxe accommodation and high-level comfort throughout. Based in five-star accommodation, with the exception of the overnight stay at Abu Simbel, where the accommodation should be regarded as simpler. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals. Itinerary variations: Occasionally, this tour’s ship may be amended by A&K Sanctuary due to operational reasons. An alternative boat of the same standard will be provided. It is possible to upgrade your cabin, subject to availability; please enquire for prices.

DAY 10: CAIRO Fly to Cairo and visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum. Fully opened in 2025, the museum contains some 100,000 artefacts, including the complete collection of Tutankhamun’s funerary objects. (B, L) : Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino (Days 10-11) DAY 11: CAIRO Discover Cairo’s Coptic Christian heritage, visiting the Roman Fortress of Babylon and the important buildings within its grounds, including St Sergius and Bacchus Church, the Coptic Museum and the Hanging Church. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening, enjoy a farewell drink overlooking the Nile. (B) DAY 12: FLY HOME Transfer to Cairo Airport for your return flight. (B)

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NILE RIVER BOATS - A&K SANCTUARY A&K Sanctuary’s flotilla of riverboats are well-known for being among the most sophisticated leisure vessels to ply the waters of the Nile, and have the most experienced and skilled crews within this region.

NILE ADVENTURER This A&K Sanctuary vessel affords guests a luxurious standard of cruise on the world’s longest river. Interiors blend the contemporary and the traditional, with nods to Egyptian heritage such as Cairene rugs and Arabian patterns. There are 32 cabins, all air-conditioned and with Nile views. The extensive teak-floored sundeck includes private cabanas around the pool area – the perfect spot for relaxing while taking in the scenery. Gourmet cuisine, sightseeing excursions, onboard entertainment and expert Egyptologists elevate your cruise experience. The Nile Adventurer embarks on well-paced, expertly designed voyages that take in the best of the ancient sites along the river.

Nile Adventurer

Standard King Bed Cabin, Nile Adventurer

SUN BOAT IV

Sun Boat IV

Standard King Bed Cabin, Sun Boat IV

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Art deco style meets contemporary comfort aboard the Sun Boat IV, an A&K Sanctuary vessel. Guests are accommodated in 34 standard cabins, two presidential suites and two royal suites, all of which afford Nile views – most through floor-to-ceiling windows. Each is fully equipped with a private bathroom, air conditioning, minibar, and satellite television. Completing your elevated experience on this timeless river: shore excursions alongside experienced Egyptologists, and gourmet dining in an elegant setting amid hand-painted images of life in Nubia. That’s not to mention the sun deck, a relaxing open area with a heated swimming pool and Egyptian marble surrounds.

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EGYPT • north africa

EXTENSIONS EGYPT These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

ABU SIMBEL MORNING EXCURSION BY AIR FROM £495

On Day 3 of the Ancient Wonders tour, fly to Abu Simbel via Aswan for a guided exploration of the magnificent temples of Ramses II, now situated high above the banks of Lake Nasser. Following your excursion, fly to Aswan to rejoin the group onboard your cruise vessel.

ALEXANDRIA 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £1,355

Explore the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria on a 3-night extension. Uncover its Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic history and visit the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Also explore the war cemeteries and museum at El Alamein. Transfer to Cairo for your flight home. : Steigenberger Cecil Hotel

RED SEA 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £1,465

End with a relaxing beach stay on the shores of the Red Sea. Stay for four nights at the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh or the Chedi. : The Chedi / Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh

LUXOR 4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS FROM £645

Extend with a two-night stay at the Hilton Luxor. Visit the Mummification Museum and experience a light and sound show at Karnak Temple. Alternatively, add an excursion to Dendera and Abydos, or a stay at the characterful Al Moudira. Return to Cairo for a final night. Available only on the Ancient Wonders tour. : Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa

Above: columns of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut; bottom: El Mina Mosque by the Red Sea

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MOROCCAN EXPLORER: IMPERIAL CITIES TO DESERT DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 11 nights

From £3,895

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Dine in an authentic riad in Fez. • Explore Chefchaouen’s medina on a walking tour. • Drink mint tea with a local nomadic family and watch the sun set over the desert dunes. • Sample local food at the souks of Fez.

ROAD

Explore the imperial cities of Fez, Rabat and Marrakech, all former or current capitals of Morocco and all known for their traditional architecture, maze-like medinas and fragrant souks. Along the way, travel through diverse landscapes, from the Atlantic coast and High Atlas Mountains through fertile plains to the Sahara, whose dunes remain a crossroads for nomadic communities.

DAY 1: FLY TO MARRAKECH Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. Transfer to your hotel in the city. (N) : Hotel & Ryads Barriere Le Naoura DAY 2: CASABLANCA • RABAT After breakfast, travel to Casablanca for a city tour including the Hassan II Mosque. Continue to Rabat for a stay of two nights in the centrally located La Tour Hassan Palace. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (B, D) : La Tour Hassan Palace (Days 2-3)

Above: Koutoubia Mosque; top right: Ait Benhaddou; bottom right: fountain in Hassan II Mosque

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morocco • north africa

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,445 TOUR CODE: DEZ 12 Mar - 23 Mar 27

03 Mar - 14 Mar 28

26 Mar - 06 Apr 27

17 Mar - 28 Mar 28

16 Apr - 27 Apr 27

31 Mar - 11 Apr 28

10 Sep - 21 Sep 27

21 Apr - 02 May 28

24 Sep - 05 Oct 27

28 Apr - 09 May 28

08 Oct - 19 Oct 27

08 Sep - 19 Sep 28

05 Nov - 16 Nov 27

22 Sep - 03 Oct 28 06 Oct - 17 Oct 28 13 Oct - 24 Oct 28 03 Nov - 14 Nov 28

DAY 3: RABAT

Take a morning tour of Rabat, including the Royal Palace and the 12th-century Hassan Tower with its mausoleum. Afternoon at leisure. (B) DAY 4: CHEFCHAOUEN Travel by road to the blue-walled town of Chefchaouen, perched beneath the rugged Rif Mountains. Take a walking tour to discover the casbah with its charming gardens. Stay overnight at a beautiful riad furnished in Arabic style with exemplary views across the region. (B) : Dar Echchaouen DAY 5: VOLUBILIS • FEZ Travel to Fez, stopping en route at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, once the western edge of the Roman Empire. (B, D) : Palais Ommeyad (Days 5-6) DAY 6: FEZ Join a full-day tour of Fez, the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities. Explore the winding streets and alleys of the medieval medina, including the Attarine madrasa, souk and tanneries. This evening, dine at a historic riad. (B, D) DAY 7: ERFOUD Full-day drive to Erfoud on the edge of the Sahara, between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountain ranges. Stop at Ifrane village for a walking tour. : Palais du Desert (Days 7-8)

DAY 8: ERG CHEBBI Morning at leisure. Later, visit the caravan town of Rissani, then journey into the Sahara in 4x4s. Stop to drink mint tea with a local nomad family and see the sun set over the dunes. (B, D) DAY 9: OUARZAZATE Travel to Ouarzazate, stopping at Todra Gorge, an impressive orange-coloured canyon. Tour Ouarzazate and visit the Tifoultoute Casbah. Continue to the village of Ait Benhaddou, a superb example of traditional architecture; scenes from Gladiator, Prince of Persia and The Jewel of the Nile were shot here. (B, D) : Ksar Ighnda

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. Tour extensions: Post-tour extensions are available in Essaouira or the Atlas foothills, which include accommodation and private transfers. Please speak to a Cox & Kings travel consultant for further details. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 10: MARRAKECH Depart for Marrakech. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Jardin Majorelle to see the exotic plants and Berber Museum. (B) : Barriere Le Naoura (Days 10-11) DAY 11: MARRAKECH Take a full-day city tour of Marrakech. Highlights include the lavish architecture of Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Medersa, the Koutoubia mosque, and the souks. Finish in Djemaa el Fna square, a carnival of musicians, fire-eaters, storytellers and snake-charmers. Attend a farewell meal at a local restaurant. (B, D) DAY 12: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport and fly home. (B)

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solo departures available

TUNISIA EXPLORED: CARTHAGE TO THE SAHARA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

11 days, 10 nights

From £2,895

From £4,295

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit a carpet-weaving workshop in ancient Kairouan. • Take lunch in a beautiful old house in Tozeur’s medina. • Enjoy a cocktail at sunset in the Saharan dunes. • Learn about traditional Tunisian cuisine at a family-run eco-farm.

ROAD

Delve into Tunisia’s eventful history, cultural traditions and cinematic scenery on this Small Group Tour, journeying from ancient coastal cities to the rippling Saharan dunes. Several civilisations have shaped Africa’s northernmost country, as you discover on visits to Carthage’s ruins, Monastir’s Islamic fortress, the Roman town of Dougga, and fortified Kairouan with its early mosque. Your tour also takes you to traditional Berber villages and desert oases.

DAY 1: TUNIS Fly from London; transfer to your hotel. (D) : Belvedere Fourati (Days 1-2) DAY 2: TUNIS • CARTHAGE • SIDI BOU SAID Visit the Bardo Museum to view superb Roman and Byzantine mosaics and artefacts. Continue with a walking tour of the historic medina of Tunis. In the afternoon, explore the ruins of Carthage. Finish with tea and sweet treats in blue and white Sidi Bou Said, enjoying sublime views of the Gulf of Tunis. (B, L)

Above: Sidi Bou Said; top right: Dougga’s Roman ruins; bottom right: Great Mosque of Kairouan

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tunisia • north africa

DAY 3: DOUGGA • KAIROUAN Drive via Testour to Dougga, once the capital of the Numidian kingdom and one of North Africa’s best-preserved Roman towns. Perched on a hillside, the archaeological ruins span Numidian, Punic, Hellenistic and Roman cultures. After lunch, drive to the city of Kairouan. (B, L, D) : Hotel La Kasbah

DAY 7: TAMEZRET • MATMATA • SFAX Return to Douz by 4x4, then transfer by road through rocky landscapes to visit Berber villages and a traditional underground cave dwelling. Continue north to the port city of Sfax. (B, L) : Les Oliviers Palace (or similar)

DAY 4: KAIROUAN • TOZEUR Morning tour of Kairouan, home to the first mosque in North Africa. Explore the old medina, including a stop at a carpetweaving workshop. Later, head south west through increasingly arid scenery to the ancient oasis town of Tozeur. (B, L, D) : Tozeur Plaza (Days 4-5)

DAY 8: EL DJEM • MONASTIR • SOUSSE Drive to El Djem and visit North Africa’s most impressive amphitheatre, as well as a mosaic museum in a reconstructed Roman townhouse. Continue to Monastir to see the Ribat fortress and the Bourguiba mausoleum. After lunch, journey to Sousse. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or explore the souk with your guide. (B, L) : Sousse Palace Hotel

DAY 5: TOZEUR

DAY 9: HAMMAMET

This morning, learn about life in the oasis and surrounding desert, backdrop to many films. Explore the Sidi Bouhlel canyon and drive through date plantations to the Eden Palm Museum for insights into date cultivation. Explore the old town on foot and admire the architecture, characterised by patterns of sand-hued bricks. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, or take an optional 4x4 desert tour. (B, L, D)

In the morning, head inland to Douar Laroussi, a working family ecofarm set amid olive groves. Discover Berber traditions and culture, and learn how to make harissa and claypot bread, followed by lunch. Transfer to the coast for a stay at the beachside Le Royal Hammamet (Pool View room). Rest of day at leisure. (B, L) : Le Royal Hammamet (Days 9-10)

DAY 6: DOUZ • SAHARA

Today, drive across Chott el Jerid, the largest salt flat in the Sahara, to the small town of Douz. After lunch, your desert adventure begins with a two-hour 4x4 ride south into the rolling dunes. Rest of afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy traditional “sand bread” and a cocktail, while the sun sets over the dunes. Stay overnight at Tiniri Camp. (B, L, D) : Tiniri Camp

DAY 10: HAMMAMET Take a morning visit to nearby Nabeul to see a family-run pottery. Return to Hammamet and explore the ninthcentury fort and medina. Take an afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D) DAY 11: FLY TO LONDON

Transfer to Tunis for your flight home. Alternatively, extend with additional time on the coast. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £695 TOUR CODE: TUN 11 Mar - 21 Mar 27

30 Mar - 09 Apr 28

08 Apr - 18 Apr 27

20 Apr - 30 Apr 28

13 May - 23 May 27

11 May - 21 May 28

23 Sep - 03 Oct 27

21 Sep - 01 Oct 28

07 Oct - 17 Oct 27

05 Oct - 15 Oct 28

SOLO DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 14) SMALL GROUP TOUR: From £3,495 TOUR CODE: TUS 04 Nov - 14 Nov 27

02 Mar - 12 Mar 28 02 Nov - 12 Nov 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on single occupancy of a twin / double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above, with the exception of the desert camp, where accommodation should be considered more basic. Mosque visits: Both men and women visiting the mosques must be fully covered. Women must also cover their heads with a scarf. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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NEW FOR 2027

TREASURES OF ALGERIA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 13 nights

From £3,945

From £8,295

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Stroll the maze-like streets of Algiers’ casbah, followed by Arabic tea and pastries. • Discover the ancient foggara irrigation systems of the Timimoun oasis. • Watch the sunset over the dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental. • Learn about the Mozabite Berbers of the M’Zab Valley medieval pentapolis. • Explore magnificent Roman ruins at Timgad, Tiddis and Djemila.

Journey from the Casbah to the Sahara on this carefully curated exploration of Algeria. Your tour takes in historic cities, including its capital, Algiers, the “Red Oasis” of Timimoun and the cultural hub of Constantine, alongside traditional Berber villages, Ottoman palaces and well-preserved Roman ruins. It’s also a showcase of Algeria’s scenic geography, revealing Atlas peaks, deep gorges, palm groves and undulating dunes. FLIGHT ROAD

Above: Casbah of Algiers; top right: GRAND ERG OCCIDENTAL NEAR TIMIMOUN; bottom right: Ghardaia in the M’zab region

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DAY 1: ALGIERS Fly from London; transfer to your hotel. (N) : Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden (Days 1-2) DAY 2: ALGIERS Spend your day sightseeing in the capital of Algeria. Visit the Casbah – Algiers’ labyrinthine medina and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the landmarks of the city centre, including the NotreDame d’Afrique, the Bardo National Museum and the seafront promenade. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (B, D) DAY 3: TIMIMOUN Early morning transfer to Algiers airport for your flight to Timimoun, the “Red Ochre City” in the Sahara, with its striking neo-Sudanese architecture. Visit the

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algeria • north africa

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £925 TOUR CODE: ALG 17 Apr - 30 Apr 27

18 Mar - 31 Mar 28

01 May - 14 May 27

22 Apr - 05 May 28

25 Sep - 08 Oct 27

13 May - 26 May 28

09 Oct - 22 Oct 27

23 Sep - 06 Oct 28 07 Oct - 20 Oct 28

abandoned citadel of Ksar Draa and a local artisan market. (B, D) : Hotel Gourara (Days 3-4) DAY 4: TIMIMOUN

Full-day excursion around Timimoun, including the ancient foggara irrigation network, the Sebkha salt lake, the village of Aoulef and surrounding ksour (fortified villages), finishing with the sunset over the Grand Erg Occidental dunes. (B, D) DAY 5: GHARDAÏA

Over 90 per cent of Algeria is covered by the Sahara Desert, and today you continue across this vast expanse, through the dunescape of the Grand Erg Occidental, to the city of Ghardaïa. En route, stop briefly at a ksar village and the tomb of Saint Charles de Foucauld. The journey time is seven hours, excluding stops. (B, L, D) : Hôtel Belvédère (Days 5-7) DAY 6: GHARDAÏA • M’ZAB VALLEY Explore Ghardaïa and the surrounding M’zab Valley, including the city’s distinctive Ibadite architecture, market and minaret; and the fortified towns of Beni Isguen and Mélika. (B, D) DAY 7: M’ZAB VALLEY Visit the last two of the M’Zab Valley’s “Pentapolis” towns, Bou Noura and El Atteuf, including a five-minaret mosque, troglodyte cemeteries and craft workshops. Afternoon at leisure. (B, D) DAY 8: BOU SAÂDA Drive to Bou Saâda (six hours, excluding breaks), stopping en route in Laghouat for lunch and a visit to the town’s medina and mosque. Upon arrival, visit the old ksar and the Etienne Dinet Museum, dedicated to the eponymous 19th-century Orientalist painter. (B, L, D) : Hôtel Caïd (Days 8-9)

DAY 9: BOU SAÂDA Today, explore Bou Saâda’s palm grove, artisan workshops and lively local market, with your afternoon at leisure. (B, D) DAY 10: TIMGAD • GHOUFI CANYON • CONSTANTINE Pass through the Aurès mountains to Timgad, the UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient Roman city, and its archaeological museum. Continue with a drive through the Ghoufi Canyon, whose rugged slopes are strewn with Berber cave dwellings, before arriving in Constantine. (B, L, D) : Hôtel Cirta (Days 10-12)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above in Algiers and Constantine. In other cities the accommodation is of a simpler, three-star (best available) level. Tour extensions: A post-tour extension is available to explore Oran and Tlemcen. Please speak to a Cox & Kings travel consultant for further details. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 11: CONSTANTINE Named after the fourth-century Roman emperor, Constantine is considered the capital of eastern Algeria. Spend the day sightseeing, with visits to the gorgespanning El Kantara and Sidi M’cid bridges, the Palace of Bey Ahmed, the medina and covered markets, and the Cirta Museum – dedicated to the city’s Roman period. (B, D) DAY 12: TIDDIS • CONSTANTINE Morning excursion to the Roman ruins of Tiddis, which perch over the Oued Rhumel gorge and feature baths, a temple, a necropolis and Latin inscriptions. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B, D) DAY 13: DJEMILA • ALGIERS Visit the UNESCO-listed Roman ruins of Djemila, including its forum, triumphal arch and archaeological museum. Continue west to Algiers, arriving in time for your farewell dinner. (B, D) : Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden DAY 14: FLY HOME After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport for your flight. (B)

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SPLENDOURS OF JORDAN DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

8 days, 7 nights

From £2,945

From £3,595

Prestige

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Visit the biblical site of Mount Nebo. • Spend two full days exploring Petra and visit the remote ruins at “Little Petra”. • Take a 4x4 desert excursion over the dunes of Wadi Rum. • Enjoy time at leisure to enjoy the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea.

ROAD

This tour reveals the best of Jordan’s cultural heritage and desert-bound landscapes. Visit hallowed Mount Nebo, where the Bible says Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land. Tour the classical city of Jerash, famed for its Roman ruins. Explore the Nabataean city of Petra, staying just a stone’s throw from its rockhewn complex; and stop by lesservisited “Little Petra” (Siq al-Barid). Your tour ends with a drive across Wadi Rum’s shifting sands, and a resort stay beside the Dead Sea’s still, mineral-rich waters.

Above: Petra’s Monastery; top right: Hercules Temple in the Amman Citadel; bottom centre: Wadi Rum; bottom right: Dead Sea

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DAY 1: FLY TO AMMAN Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amman with Royal Jordanian Airlines. Transfer to your hotel. (N) : InterContinental Amman (or similar) (Days 1-2) DAY 2: JERASH • AMMAN Take a morning tour of the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, hidden for centuries in sand. In the afternoon, explore Amman, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Amman is built on seven hills, and your ascension to its hilltop citadel is rewarded with panoramic views. Here you also see the ancient ruins of the Temple of Hercules, and the small but fascinating National Archaeological Museum. The highlight of downtown Amman is the

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jordan • middle east

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

restored Roman theatre. Built into the side of a hill, the theatre dates back to the second century AD and has a capacity for 6,000 people. Tonight, attend a welcome dinner. (B, L, D)

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £795 TOUR CODE: SPJ

DAY 3: MADABA • MOUNT NEBO •

SHOBAK • PETRA Travel along the King’s Highway, visiting Madaba, home to a Byzantine mosaic map of the region; the biblical site of Mount Nebo, where Moses is reputed to be buried and where he first saw the Holy Land; and the crusader castle of Shobak. Continue to the historic city of Petra and check into your hotel, situated at the entrance to this archaeological site. (B, L, D) : Crowne Plaza Resort Petra (Days 3-5) DAY 4: PETRA

Take a guided tour of the UNESCOlisted site of Petra, the rose-red city rediscovered by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. More than 2,000 years ago, Petra was used as a temporary refuge by nomadic Nabataeans. Starting with only a few caves, they carved the sandstone to create this spectacular fortress city, which became the capital of their desert kingdom. (B, D) DAY 5: PETRA Return to the main site for more exploration with your guide. Consider an optional evening visit to Petra by candlelight; approximately 1,800 candles light the way down the Siq, their glow picking out various points of interest. (B, D)

DAY 6: LITTLE PETRA • WADI RUM •

DEAD SEA Take a morning visit to Al Beidha and “Little Petra” (Siq al-Barid), before driving to Wadi Rum for a 4x4 excursion into the desert. In the afternoon transfer to the Dead Sea and check into your hotel for a two-night stay. (B) : Crowne Plaza Jordan - Dead Sea Resort & Spa (Days 6-7) DAY 7: DEAD SEA Enjoy a day at leisure, or take an optional morning excursion to the baptism site of Jesus in Bethany, on the banks of the River Jordan. In the evening, enjoy a farewell drink with your group. (B)

21 Feb - 28 Feb 27

11 Mar - 19 Mar 28

14 Mar - 21 Mar 27

25 Mar - 02 Apr 28

28 Mar - 04 Apr 27

08 Apr - 16 Apr 28

11 Apr - 18 Apr 27

22 Apr - 30 Apr 28

25 Apr - 02 May 27

29 Apr - 07 May 28

02 May - 09 May 27

06 May - 14 May 28

12 Sep - 19 Sep 27

09 Sep - 17 Sep 28

26 Sep - 03 Oct 27

23 Sep - 01 Oct 28

10 Oct - 17 Oct 27

07 Oct - 15 Oct 28

24 Oct - 31 Oct 27

21 Oct - 29 Oct 28

07 Nov - 14 Nov 27

04 Nov - 12 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Prestige tour: five-star, deluxe accommodation and high-level comfort throughout. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 8: FLY TO LONDON Fly from Amman to London with Royal Jordanian Airlines. (B)

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EXTENSIONS JORDAN These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

TOUR VARIATION: DESERT ADVENTURE 8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS FROM £475

Explore the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum with an extended five-hour drive followed by a night under canvas. The dramatic colours of the sandstone mountains are spectacular at sunrise and sunset, while the clear night sky reveals innumerable stars. Stay overnight at Saraya Rum Camp. The following day, continue to the Dead Sea to rejoin the group for a night’s stay at Crowne Plaza Jordan - Dead Sea Resort & Spa. : Saraya Rum Camps

THE DEAD SEA 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £220

Not only a geological wonder, the Dead Sea’s hypersaline waters are also steeped in history, with mentions in both the Bible and the Torah. The lake has been popular with travellers for centuries, in part because its salty waters and mineralrich mud are reputed to have therapeutic benefits. Extend your stay here with an additional two nights, affording you more time to enjoy the buoyant waters, as well as the expansive spa facilities at the hotel. : Crowne Plaza Jordan - Dead Sea Resort & Spa

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jordan • middle east

THE RED SEA & DEAD SEA 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £1,095

Visit the shores of the Red Sea and Dead Sea, both ideal places to unwind at the end of your tour. The Red Sea has clean, sandy beaches and clear waters and a wide array of marine life, while the salty, still waters of the Dead Sea are rich in nutrients. Following your visit to Wadi Rum, transfer to Aqaba for two nights at the InterContinental Aqaba by IHG, followed by two nights at the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. : InterContinental Aqaba by IHG, Crowne Plaza Jordan - Dead Sea Resort & Spa

Images clockwise from top left: Wadi Rum, Jordan; Dead Sea at sunrise, Jordan; Al Rahmah Mosque, Saudi Arabia; salt crystals in the Dead Sea, Jordan

SAUDI ARABIA 7 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS FROM £4,495

Saudi Arabia unfolds from Jeddah, where the Corniche, Floating Mosque and old town set the scene, before the bullet train carries you to holy Medina. The extension continues to AlUla for three nights, with two full days devoted to Hegra, the Nabataean city second only to Petra, alongside the Lihyanite tombs of Dadan and the open-air inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah. Riyadh follows, its modern and historic quarters explored in a single day, before flying home via Amman. : Novotel Tahlia, Cloud 7 Residence, Joudyan Hotel Riyadh

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OMAN: AN ARABIAN ODYSSEY DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

9 days, 8 nights

From £3,645

From £3,995

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Enjoy a beachside stay in Muscat. • Journey across the country in 4x4 vehicles. • Spend a night under the desert sky in Sharqiya Sands. • Watch the auctions at Nizwa cattle market. • Visit a traditional Omani home and see local artisans at work.

ROAD

The Sultanate of Oman is one of the least known yet most rewarding destinations in the Middle East. As you travel between desert, sea and mountains, visit the country’s key cultural and scenic sights, including magnificent forts and palaces, the rolling dunes of the Sharqiya Sands, the vast, rugged peaks of the Jabal Akhdar range, and the coast’s picturesque fishing villages.

Above: Nizwa Fort and Mosque; top right: Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque; bottom right: Wadi Bani Khalid

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DAY 1: FLY TO MUSCAT Fly from London (regional connections available) with Oman Air. Transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. (N) : InterContinental Muscat (Days 1-3) DAY 2: MUSCAT AND SURROUNDS Visit Barka fish market and the Barka fort. Continue by road to Nakhal hot springs. Take an afternoon visit to the beautifully preserved Bait Al Ghasham before returning to Muscat. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B, L, D) DAY 3: MUSCAT Enjoy a morning visit to the spectacular Grand Mosque, followed by a tour of the city, which takes in the Bait Al Zubair Museum, the sultan’s palace and the forts of Al Jalali and Mirani. Continue to the city’s immaculate Royal Opera House,

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oman • middle east

the largest in the Middle East. Visit the Sidab Women’s Association and enjoy a traditional Omani lunch. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure. (B, L) DAY 4: WADI ARBAYEEN • BIMAH • RAS AL HADD Drive south in 4x4s along the coast from Muscat to the seafront village of Ras Al Hadd, exploring en route the dramatic landscapes of Wadi Arbayeen. Visit the clear waters of the Bimah Sinkhole, and dhow workshops in Sur, then continue to the coast on the tip of the Gulf of Oman for an overnight stay. Later that evening, visit the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to learn all about its green turtle nesting sites as well as its successful conservation efforts†. (B, D) : Turtle Beach Resort (or similar) DAY 5: SHARQIYA SANDS

Take a scenic drive through the eastern Hajar Mountains, one of the highest ranges in the Arabian peninsula, to Sharqiya Sands. Stop at Wadi Bani Khalid, a picturesque river valley, before continuing to Sharqiya Sands. Drive through the rolling dunes to meet the local Bedouin people. Stay overnight at your desert resort. (B, D) : Arabian Nights Resort (or similar)

DAY 6: JABAL AKHDAR Depart early for the Jabal Akhdar mountains, stopping en route at the Oman Across the Ages Museum and the banana plantations at Birkat al Mauz. Stay on the Sayq Plateau amidst dramatic canyon scenery. (B, D) : Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa (Days 7-8) DAY 7: JABAL AKHDAR Take a morning walk to explore the breathtaking scenery and traditional villages of the Jabal Akhdar. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B, D) DAY 8: NIZWA • JABAL SHAMS •

MUSCAT Visit the new souk in Nizwa and the massive Nizwa Fort, as well as the traditional Friday cattle market. Next, stop at Al Hamra village and visit Bait Al Safah, a traditional Omani house and living museum. Continue to Jabal Shams, Oman’s highest peak, stopping en route at Wadi Ghul and Wadi Nakher villages. Return to Muscat via the Sumail Gap. (B) : InterContinental Muscat DAY 9: FLY TO LONDON Transfer to the airport; fly to London. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £975 TOUR CODE: OAO 22 Jan - 30 Jan 27

14 Jan - 22 Jan 28

19 Feb - 27 Feb 27

03 Mar - 11 Mar 28

12 Mar - 20 Mar 27

17 Mar - 25 Mar 28

24 Sep - 02 Oct 27

30 Mar - 07 Sep 28

08 Oct - 16 Oct 27

29 Sep - 07 Oct 28

05 Nov - 13 Nov 27

27 Oct - 04 Nov 28 03 Nov - 11 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION † Turtle viewing: Turtles are most commonly seen between July and October. ‡ Grand Mosque visit: Both men and women visiting the mosque must be fully covered. Women must also cover their head with a scarf.

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals. Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above, with the exception of Ras al Hadd, where the accommodation is simpler. Tour extensions: Post-tour extensions are available in Muscat and Salalah. Please speak to a Cox & Kings travel consultant for further details.

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AFRICA Africa is both humanity’s oldest and most youthful home. On this continent, we evolved alongside some of the world’s most charismatic beasts; now, travellers come from far and wide to witness these animals on safari, seeking out lions, rhinos, elephants and more. With its wide range of national parks and high-quality lodgings, South Africa is an excellent choice for a wildlife-focused holiday, combined with wine tastings and beautiful backdrops. For a change of scenery, try Namibia, with its stark, dune-bound beauty and desert-adapted wildlife; or Madagascar, the island home of tree-leaping lemurs.

Left: inset: Himba woman, Namibia; background: Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia

Humanity began in Africa, so the story of its people is the story of all of us. You can explore more of this story in our culture-focused tours, such as to West Africa, where the traditions of vodun (voodoo) survive and the history of slavery is sensitively retold. One journey to Africa with us always inspires more.

MADAGASCAR WILDLIFE ADVENTURE DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

18 days, 15 nights

From £6,295

From £9,795

Discovery

Active

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Walk in Andasibe-Mantadia’s primary rainforest. • Enjoy a traditional music performance at sunset in Isalo National Park. • Dine at a special chef’s dinner in the capital, Antananarivo. • Take evening walks in search of nocturnal species.

FLIGHT ROAD

Much of Madagascar’s flora and fauna is found nowhere else on Earth. This tour enables you to discover its extraordinary wildlife, scenery, idyllic beaches and fascinating culture, which is founded on a mix of Christianity and ancient spiritual beliefs. Your itinerary is well paced, focusing on the wildlife in Andasibe, Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks.

DAY 1: FLY FROM THE UK Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) via Addis Ababa. (N)

Above: Verreaux’s sifaka lemurs; top right: ISALO NATIONAL PARK; below right: a Parson’s Chameleon

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DAY 2: ANTANANARIVO Arrive in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) : Palissandre Hotel & Spa

DAY 3: ANDASIBE Travel to the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Take an afternoon walk in the Analamazaotra Reserve or VOIMMA forest. Take a night walk, during which you may spot species such as greater dwarf, mouse and eastern woolly lemurs. (B, L, D) : Vakona Forest Lodge (Days 3-4) DAY 4: ANDASIBE • VAKONA PRIVATE RESERVE • ANALAMAZAOTRA RESERVE Enjoy a morning walk in the Andasibe National Park to search for lemurs. In the afternoon, visit Lemur Island in the Vakona Private Reserve, a sanctuary for lemurs, ahead of a short walk in Andasibe. Before dinner, embark on a night walk in the nearby Analamazaotra Reserve again, known for its lemurs, including the largest living species, the Indri indri. (B, L, D)

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madagascar • africa

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 8 (max 12) SINGLE SUPP: From £845 TOUR CODE: MWA 03 Apr - 20 Apr 27

22 Apr - 09 May 28

18 Sep - 05 Oct 27

15 Sep - 02 Oct 28

02 Oct - 19 Oct 27

30 Sep - 17 Oct 28

06 Nov - 23 Nov 27

14 Oct - 31 Oct 28 28 Oct - 14 Nov 28

DAY 5: ANTANANARIVO Drive back to Antananarivo for an afternoon city tour, including the hills of the royal palaces. Enjoy a special chef’s dinner in the evening. (B, L, D) : Palissandre Hotel & Spa DAY 6: ANTSIRABE Drive to Antsahabe, a village typical of the Merina people, for a short visit. Continue to the spa town of Antsirabe for a late lunch and afternoon tour. Antsirabe is a centre of the gem trade and home to hundreds of pousse-pousse (rickshaws), a legacy of Chinese labour imported to work on the railways. (B, L, D) : Couleur Café Hotel (or similar) DAY 7: AMBOSITRA Leave early for Ambositra (five to six hours, including breaks), Madagascar’s handicraft and wood-carving capital. Enjoy an authentic Malagasy lunch and visit local workshops. (B, L, D) : Artisan Hotel (or similar) DAY 8: RANOMAFANA

Take a scenic drive to the Ranomafana National Park (six to seven hours including breaks). In the afternoon, visit Tanala village, and in the early evening, walk in search of nocturnal species. (B, L, D) : Hotel Thermal (or similar) (Days 8-9) DAY 9: RANOMAFANA

During a morning walk in Ranomafana National Park, look out for the parks’ three resident bamboo lemur species as well as a plethora of beautiful birds. Later, visit the Ranomafana Arboretum, home to hundreds of rare trees. In the evening, enjoy another nature walk. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: RANOMAFANA • FIANARANTSOA • AMBALAVAO Drive to Ambalavao via Fianarantsoa (five to six hours, including breaks). Visit the Anja Reserve, home to ring-tailed lemurs, and the Antemoro paper factory. (B, L, D) : Betsileo Country Lodge or Anja Reserve Lodge DAYS 11-13: RANOHIRA • ISALO NP Travel to Ranohira (five hours, including breaks). Spend the next two days exploring the sandstone landscapes of Isalo National Park. Seek out flora and fauna including ring-tailed lemurs, Malagasy hoopoes, and Verreaux’s sifakas, and enjoy a traditional music performance at dusk. (B, L, D) : Relais de la Reine (or similar) (Days 11-13)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Discovery tour: Suited to hardier travellers, with some basic accommodation and rougher journeys. We recommend a flexible approach to travel in Madagascar as the itinerary may adapt due to local road conditions. Group tour manager: This tour is fully escorted by a local tour manager from arrival in Antananarivo to Day 16 in Toliara. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAYS 14-15: ZOMBITSE-VOHIBASIA • IFATY Travel towards the west coast, stopping en route at Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, where it may be possible to spot Appert’s tetrakas, one of the most endangered birds on the island. The region is known for its large baobab trees and traditional family tombs, central to Malagasy culture. Transfer on to Ifaty, a quiet coastal fishing village with a long beach. The next day, explore the nearby forest and relax, before joining a farewell dinner. (B, D) : Les Dunes d’Ifaty (Days 14-15) DAY 16: FLY TO ANTANANARIVO Walk in the Reinala Private Reserve. In the afternoon, fly to Antananarivo. (B, L, D) : Palissandre Hotel & Spa DAYS 17-18: FLY TO THE UK Take an afternoon flight to the UK via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, arriving the following day, or extend your tour with a tropical beach stay. (B)

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HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTH AFRICA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 11 nights

From £5,995

From £8,695

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Spend three nights in a private safari reserve handpicked by Cox & Kings. • Take an early morning adventure to spot meerkats at sunrise. • Sample Cape Malay cuisine at a local home. • Tour world-class vineyards on a private wine-tasting “safari”.

FLIGHT ROAD

This escorted group tour blends a selection of South Africa’s quintessential experiences into a well-paced itinerary for lovers of wildlife, walks, wine and sensational scenery. Go on safari, ascend Table Mountain, tour Wineland vineyards and more, with an average group size of just 10 people.

DAY 2: PORT ELIZABETH • KARIEGA GAME RESERVE Arrive in Port Elizabeth and transfer to the Kariega Game Reserve. Check into your lodge. After lunch, join a late-afternoon safari drive within the reserve, rounded off with sundowners. (L, D) : River Lodge (Days 2-4) DAYS 3-4: KARIEGA GAME RESERVE

DAY 1: FLY TO PORT ELIZABETH VIA

JOHANNESBURG Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg. (N)

Board specialist safari vehicles for morning and late-afternoon safaris in a “Big Five” wildlife reserve. Cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and an assortment of antelope species also roam these lands. (B, L, D)

Above: Clifton, Cape Town; top right: a South African wine tasting; bottom right: giraffes in Kariega Game Reserve

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south africa • africa

DAY 5: TSITSIKAMMA • KNYSNA

After an early morning wildlife drive, head to the Tsitsikamma National Park. Here you can take a scenic walk and cross the suspension bridge that spans the gorge at the Storms River mouth. Then continue west to the coastal town of Knysna. (B, D) : Knysna Hollow (Days 5-7) DAYS 6-7: KNYSNA

In the morning, cruise across a stunning lagoon to the Knysna Heads, followed by a leisurely stroll through the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Your afternoon is at leisure. The next day is at leisure also, enabling you to relax, or join an optional excursion. (B, L) (B) DAY 8: OUDTSHOORN Drive to Oudtshoorn. Take a guided tour of the Cango Caves, one of Africa’s most spectacular natural rock formations. Its vast network of tunnels and chambers is filled with delicate stalagmites and stalactites. After lunch, enjoy an informative excursion to a working ostrich farm, where you will come face to face with the world’s largest bird. (B, L, D) : De Zeekoe (or similar) DAY 9: CAPE WINELANDS

Head out on an early morning meerkat adventure, meeting habituated wild meerkats accompanied by an expert guide. Continue along the scenic Route 62. Stop at the quirky town of Barrydale for lunch (payable locally). Stay in the heart of Franschhoek. (B, D) : Franschhoek Boutique Hotel (Days 9-10)

DAY 10: CAPE WINELANDS Spend a day touring the Cape Winelands. Drive through mountain ranges and vineyards between the golden triangle of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. Join a 4x4 wine-tasting “safari” sampling “Big Five” grape varieties. (B, L) DAY 11: CAPE WINELANDS • CAPE TOWN Take a guided morning walk around Stellenbosch, including a visit to the village museum charting the history of the region. Transfer to Cape Town for an afternoon to explore the bustling V&A waterfront, followed by dinner at a home in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, where you can taste the region’s famous Cape Malay cuisine. (B, D) : The Commodore (Day 11-12) DAY 12: CAPE TOWN

Take a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, including an Atlantic seaboard drive past fishing villages and the seaside suburbs of Camps Bay and Hout Bay, finishing at Cape Point. Return via the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a stylish local restaurant. (B, D) DAYS 13-14: CAPE TOWN

Begin today in spectacular fashion: ascending Table Mountain via cable car (weather permitting; this excursion may take place on Day 11). Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home, or extend your journey to Victoria Falls or a beach stay (see pages 188-189 for ideas).

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 16) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,295 TOUR CODE: HZA 13 Jan - 26 Jan 27

26 Jan - 08 Feb 28

10 Feb -23 Feb 27

02 Feb - 15 Feb 28

10 Mar - 23 Mar 27

01 Mar - 14 Mar 28

18 Aug - 31 Aug 27

22 Mar- 04 Apr 28

08 Sep - 21 Sep 27

23 Aug - 05 Sep 28

29 Sep - 12 Oct 27

13 Sep - 26 Sep 28

27 Oct - 09 Nov 27

27 Sep - 10 Oct 28

17 Nov - 30 Nov 27

25 Oct - 07 Nov 28 08 Nov - 21 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. February-March departures may allow guests to experience the famous harvest season in the Cape Winelands. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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EXTENSIONS SOUTH AFRICA These extensions are priced based on the tours with which they are usually combined. They can also be taken as a tailor-made extension of any other tour. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

CAPE TOWN 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £320

Cape Town has one of the most spectacular city locations in the world, nestled between Table Mountain and the vast Atlantic Ocean. Extend your stay by two nights with time at leisure to explore the city’s many restaurants, galleries, shops, museums and community projects. Alternatively, book an optional excursion, such as a trip to Robben Island or a helicopter tour over the city. It is also possible to stay further south in Camps Bays for exclusivity and relaxation. : The Commodore (or similar)

CAPE TOWN & VICTORIA FALLS 5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS FROM £1,225

At Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi thunders over a 100-metre (328-foot) drop into a narrow ravine, dividing Zimbabwe and Zambia. While not the world’s highest nor widest waterfall, it can lay claim to being the largest sheet of falling water and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Stay an extra night in Cape Town, then fly to Victoria Falls for a threenight stay at Waterfall Lodge or Insika Lodge. Take a guided tour of the Falls and a Zambezi river cruise. : Waterfall Lodge, Insika Lodge

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HERMANUS WHALE WATCHING 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS FROM £740

Hermanus, a small seaside settlement just two hours’ drive from Cape Town, is one of the best places in the world for oceanand land-based whale watching. Between June and November, the nearby bays are filled with whales arriving to breed and rear their young. Stay for two nights at the Marine Hotel. Spot whales from the hotel and beach, or pre-book an optional boat trip for a closer view of these majestic mammals. : The Marine Hotel

PORT ELIZABETH

INDIAN OCEAN

2 DAYS, 1 NIGHT FROM £150

7 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS FROM £1,595

Enjoy a pre-tour stay at The Beach Hotel in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) for a night. The coast here is famous for the resident dolphins and visiting whales, both of which can be spotted close to shore. The following day, meet your group at the airport and go to Kariega Game Reserve.

Unwind with an Indian Ocean extension, where turquoise seas lap palm-dotted beaches. In Mozambique, visit the Lagoon Coast or sun-soaked Bazaruto archipelago. Explore the verdant forests and sugar plantations of Mauritius or the paradisal Seychelles archipelago. Extend from £1,595 per person, including an extra night in Cape Town, flights, and five nights at the beach (based at LUX* Grande Gaube Mauritius).

: The Beach Hotel

: LUX* Grande Gaube Mauritius

Clockwise from top left: penguins at Boulders beach, Cape Town; a humpback whale in the bay at Hermanus; Cape Recife Lighthouse, Port Elizabeth; Le Morne beach, Mauritius; Victoria Falls

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NAMIBIA: UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

15 days, 12 nights

From £6,445

From £9,395

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Stay in the desert and explore Namibia’s vast sand dunes. • Search for desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland. • Walk with San bushmen and visit to a Himba village. • Track rhino with an expert guide.

ROAD

Experience Namibia’s stark, wild beauty on this comprehensive tour. Journey from the Germaninfluenced capital of Windhoek to the coastal town of Swakopmund via the Namib, an otherworldly desert of towering sand, skeletal trees and lunar landscapes. Head north to Damaraland’s rugged mountains and savannas and wildlife-rich Etosha National Park with its gleaming saltpan. On the way, search for desert-adapted animals and learn about Namibia’s cultural heritage.

DAY 1: FLY TO WINDHOEK Fly overnight to Windhoek via Addis Ababa or South Africa. (N)

DAY 2: ARRIVE WINDHOEK Arrive in Namibia’s capital this afternoon. An orientation tour takes you by the Alte Feste – a 19th-century German-colonial building – and the gothic landmark of Christuskirche. Join a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D) : Avani Windhoek DAY 3: KALAHARI Take an early visit to a non-profit community project that trains and supports marginalised women. Continue to the dunes and grasslands of the Kalahari. In the afternoon, take a nature drive and enjoy sunset drinks. (B, D) : Suricate Kalahari Tented Lodge (or similar)

Above: Namib-Naukluft Park; top right: Hohenzollernhaus, Swakopmund; bottom right: Namibian desert Elephants

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namibia • africa

DAY 4: NAMIB DESERT Join local San bushmen for an earlymorning walk to learn how huntergatherers survived in these harsh landscapes. Depart for a five-hour drive to the Namib Desert. (B, D) : The Desert Grace (Days 5-6)

DAY 9: TWYFELFONTEIN • DAMARALAND Embark on a morning 4x4 drive in search of rare desert elephants, mountain zebras, giraffes, oryx, springbok and kudu. Later, visit the prehistoric rock art of Twyfelfontein and the Damara Living Museum. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: SOSSUSVLEI Leave Sossusvlei early for an enjoyable 4x4 shuttle to the giant dunes and photogenic Deadvlei clay pan. Return to your lodge via the 30-metre- (100 feet-) deep Sesriem Canyon. Afternoon at leisure. (B, D)

DAYS 10-11: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK Drive for four hours to the Etosha National Park. Time permitting, enjoy an afternoon safari drive. The following day take drives in the park, famous for its vast salt pan, and home to some of the largest elephants in Africa and rare rhinos. (B, D) : Etosha Safari Lodge (or similar) (Days 10-11)

DAY 6: SWAKOPMUND

Drive to the coastal town of Swakopmund, a seaside resort with German architecture and cultural influences. Travel via the Namib-Naukluft Park and its “Moon Landscape” (a five-hour drive). (B) : The Delight (Days 6-7) DAY 7: SWAKOPMUND

This morning, take a catamaran cruise in Walvis Bay in search of seabirds, seals, penguins, dolphins and whales. Later, enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B)

GROUP SIZE: Average 10 (max 16) SINGLE SUPP: From £695

DAY 12: OTJIWARONGO

TOUR CODE: NAM

Visit a local Himba village to learn about their culture. Drive south via Otjiwarongo to Otjiwa, a privately owned game reserve dedicated to conservation and land management. Take a sundowner safari drive and optional night drive. (B, D) : Otjiwa Eagles Rest (or similar) (Days 12-13)

16 Apr - 30 Apr 27

21 Apr - 05 May 28

07 May - 21 May 27

12 May - 26 May 28

18 Jun - 02 Jul 27

16 Jun - 30 Jun 28

26 Oct - 09 Nov 27

10 Nov - 24 Nov 28

DAY 13: OTJIWA DAY 8: DAMARALAND Depart early and travel along part of the Skeleton Coast with stops to see a shipwreck and seal colony. Head inland on gravel roads to the heart of Damaraland, passing Brandberg, Namibia’s highest peak, and the Petrified Forest. Journey time is six to seven hours. (B, D). : Lodge Damaraland (or similar) (Days 8-9)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

Rise early, for an exciting morning rhinotracking activity, by vehicle and on foot. Afternoon at leisure. (B, D).

12 Nov - 26 Nov 27 GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website. GUIDELINE PRICES: The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin / double room. All prices are subject to availability. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, please visit our website.

DAYS 14-15: FLY HOME Transfer to Windhoek airport (three-hour drive) for your flight via Addis Ababa or South Africa. Alternatively, extend to visit the wetlands of Namibia’s Zambezi region, spectacular Victoria Falls or Cape Town. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above, with the exception of Swakopmund, where accommodation is high three-star. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

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NEW FOR 2027

COASTAL KINGDOMS OF WEST AFRICA DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

19 days, 17 nights

From £6,995

From £12,395

Discovery

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Observe the colourful Akwasidae festival in Kumasi or the Millet festival in Akosombo. • Discover voodoo traditions in Togo and Benin, from sacred fetishes to masked dances. • Take a boat over Lake Nokoué to Ganvie, one of Africa’s largest stilt villages. • Tour the mud-castle homes of the Batammariba people on a walk in the Atakora highlands.

Explore West Africa on this rewarding group tour of Ghana, Benin and Togo – neighbours woven together by the thread of history, and each with a story to tell. You will discover the voodoo religion, the legacy of the Ashanti Empire and Atlantic slave trade, and age-old traditions, from masked dancing to glass beadmaking, with expert guides offering insight throughout.

DAY 1: ACCRA, GHANA Fly from London; transfer to your hotel. (N) : La Villa Boutique (Days 1-2)

ROAD

Above: festival celebrations in Kumasi, Ghana; top right: a traditional village in Kara, Togo; bottom right: a shekere player in Ghana.

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DAY 2: ACCRA Tour the capital of Ghana, including the National Museum, the historic quarter of Jamestown, and a workshop

where elaborate “fantasy coffins” are built as an expression of local culture. Later, attend a welcome dinner. (B, D) DAY 3: ANOMABU • ELMINA Drive along Ghana’s Gold Coast to the fishing town of Elmina, stopping en route in Anomabu to see posuban shrines. In Elmina, you visit the old town, fish market and castle – the oldest European structure in sub-Saharan Africa. (B, L) : Coconut Grove Beach Resort (Days 3-4) DAY 4: KAKUM NATIONAL PARK • ELMINA Cross the canopy walkway of Kakum National Park for a view of the rainforest. Next, visit the nearby Stingless Bee Centre, followed by an afternoon boat ride to see Elmina Castle from the water. (B, L)

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benin, ghana & togo • africa

DAY 11: KARA

Watch the Kotokoli people perform a dramatic display of horsemanship. En route to Kara, visit the Kabye people to see a blacksmiths’ demonstration. (B, L, D) : Hotel Lumen Valley (or similar) (Days 11-12) DAY 12: ATAKORA HIGHLANDS • KARA

Take an excursion into the remote Atakora highlands inhabited by the Batammariba people, and walk between the fortified takienta homes, which are built from layers of clay and mud in a layout shaped by animist beliefs. (B, L, D) DAY 5: KUMASI Drive to Kumasi (seven hours with stops), the historic capital of the Ashanti kingdom. Visit the Ashanti Cultural Centre, followed by the possibility of attending an Ashanti funeral, an event full of music and colour. (B, L) : Lancaster Kumasi City (Days 5-6) DAY 6: KUMASI Explore Kumasi’s cultural highlights, including the Royal Palace Museum. Attend the vibrant Akwasidae festival*, a unique Ashanti celebration. Witness the pageantry of the grand procession and see the King and Queen Mother arrive with their retinues, adorned in gold and shaded by colourful umbrellas. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L) DAYS 7-8: AKOSOMBO

Early start, for drive to Akosombo (six hours). In the afternoon, cruise on the Volta River. The next day, visit a Krobo community that produces glass beads in the traditional way, for use as jewellery and in ceremonies. (B, L) : Royal Senchi Hotel & Resort (Days 7-8) DAY 9: KPALIMÉ, TOGO Cross into Togo and on to the rural town of Kpalimé, set amid coffee and cocoa plantations. Take a nature walk to learn about local plants, butterflies and other insects. (B, L, D) : Hotel Parc Residence (or similar) DAY 10: ATAKPAMÉ • SOKODÉ Head north to Sokodé, stopping en route in the hilly town of Atakpamé, where weavers create fabric called kente; and at a traditional palm alcohol distillery. This evening, witness a traditional fire dance, performed by the Tem people to hypnotic drum rhythms. (B, L, D) : Hotel Lamirelle or Solim

DAY 13: DASSA-ZOUMÉ, BENIN Drive into Benin and on to Dassa-Zoumé, stopping en route at the Dankoli Fetish, a sacred voodoo shrine. This afternoon, observe the Egungun masked dance, associated with ancestral spirits. (B, L, D) : Hotel Jeko DAY 14: ABOMEY • OUIDAH Drive to Ouidah. En route, stop in Abomey to visit the Royal Palaces (subject to their restoration schedule); and cross Lake Nokwe by boat to visit Ganvie, one of Africa’s largest stilt villages and home to Tofinu fishermen. (B, L, D) : Casa del Papa (Days 14-15)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 12 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,795 TOUR CODE: WAF 04 May - 22 May 27

22 Feb - 11 Mar 28

07 Sep - 25 Sep 27

04 Apr- 22 Apr 28

22 Oct - 09 Nov 27

19 Sep - 07 Oct 28 20 Oct - 07 Nov 28

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Discovery tour: Suited to hardier travellers, with some basic accommodation outside the larger cities and rougher journeys. In parts of Togo and Benin, twin-bed rooms may not be available. We recommend a flexible approach to travel in West Africa as the itinerary may adapt due to local conditions. *Festival Departures: All departures coincide with the Akwasidae festival in Kumasi, except the October tour, which instead visits the Millet festival in Akosombo. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 15: OUIDAH Take a morning walking tour of Ouidah – the spiritual centre of the rich and complex voodoo religion – passing the Python Temple and Catholic cathedral, then visit the Zinsou Foundation Museum and its collection of contemporary African art. (B, L, D) DAY 16: LOMÉ, TOGO Drive to Lomé, Togo’s capital, stopping en route to attend a Zangbeto mask dance and witness a voodoo ceremony. In Lomé, enjoy an introductory city tour. (B, L) : Hotel 2 Fevrier DAY 17: LOMÉ • ACCRA, GHANA Visit Lomé’s lively Grand Marché, where the famous Nana Benz women sell their traditional wax-print fabrics; and the Akodessawa Fetish Market, Africa’s largest voodoo market. This afternoon, return across the border to Accra and attend your farewell dinner. (B, L, D) : La Villa Boutique DAYS 18-19: ACCRA Explore Accra and catch your flight home, arriving the following day. (B)

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NORTH AMERICA Stretching from the Tropics to the Arctic, North America is a continent of world-famous, must-see landmarks and remarkable opportunities for memorable, crowd-free adventures. Come to Canada for its Great Lakes, welcoming cities and vast wildernesses. Although home to more than 41 million people, much of the country remains lightly populated, with the majority of Canadians living along its US border and its Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The United States’ thrilling natural features – such as the rock formations of Monument Valley and New England’s kaleidoscopic autumn leaves – are complemented by centres of culture that continue to shape our age.

Left: Inset and background: Banff, Canada

Our Small Group Tours take in celebrated natural wonders alongside elegant, storied cities, while also introducing lesser-known places that many travellers overlook.

NEW FOR 2027

THE ATLANTIC PASSAGE: NOVA SCOTIA TO NEW ENGLAND DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

16 days, 15 nights

From £8,995

From £15,995

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Discover Canada’s seafaring history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. • Follow Nova Scotia’s photogenic coastline to Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and the UNESCO-listed town of Lunenburg. • Enjoy the Cabot Trail, one of North America’s most scenic drives, winding through the Cape Breton Highlands. • Visit Prince Edward Island, home to the Green Gables farmhouse made famous in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel. • Journey from Atlantic Canada to coastal New England aboard the high-speed CAT ferry.

Journey along the coast on this tour of North America’s Atlantic shores, visiting the port cities and seaside hideaways that dot the northeastern edges of Canada and the USA. Your journey begins in Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, and ends in Boston, the capital of New England, with guided sightseeing at each port of call, as well as ferry crossings and coastal drives that showcase the spectacular nature of this wavecrested corner of the continent. ROAD

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DAY 1: HALIFAX, CANADA Fly from London and transfer to your hotel for a drinks reception. (N) : Prince George Hotel / Hollis A DoubleTree Suites by Hilton (Days 1-3) DAY 2: HALIFAX Tour of Halifax, Canada’s major Atlantic seaport, visiting the hilltop fort of Halifax Citadel and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (B) DAY 3: HALIFAX Take an excursion along Nova Scotia’s South Shore with a stop at the fishing village of Peggy’s Cove, famous for its picturesque lighthouse, and continue to the UNESCO-listed town of Lunenburg. (B)

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £2,795 TOUR CODE: TAP 14 Jul - 29 Jul 27

10 Jul - 25 Jul 28

26 Jul - 10 Aug 27

24 Jul - 08 Aug 28

30 Aug - 14 Sep 27

28 Aug - 12 Sep 28

20 Sep - 05 Oct 27

18 Sep - 03 Oct 28

DAY 4: BADDECK

Follow Nova Scotia’s Marine Highway, passing fishing villages and beaches, continuing to the picturesque town of Baddeck. Upon arrival, visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, which celebrates the achievements of the telephone’s inventor. (B) : Inverary Resort / Silver Dart Lodge (Days 4-5) DAY 5: BADDECK Follow the Cabot Trail, one of North America’s most scenic drives, as it winds along the coast. (B, D) DAY 6: CHARLOTTETOWN Journey through northern Nova Scotia to Caribou, and cross to Prince Edward Island. Continue to its capital, Charlottetown. (B) : The Great George Hotel (or similar) (Days 6-7) DAY 7: CHARLOTTETOWN Today’s tour showcases the beauty of Prince Edward Island, with its red cliffs and green countryside. Before returning to Charlottetown, visit Green Gables, the farm that inspired Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. (B, L) DAY 8: MONCTON Cross the impressive 13-kilometre Confederation Bridge back onto mainland Canada, arriving in Moncton. Visit Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, famous for its ‘flowerpot’ rock formations, and Fundy National Park, with its scenic coast, waterfalls, valleys and forested hills. (B) : Hyatt Place Moncton Downtown (or similar) DAY 9: DIGBY Travel south to Saint John for lunch in one of New Brunswick’s oldest cities, set on the

shores of the Bay of Fundy. Next, cross the bay by ferry to the ‘scallop capital of the world’, the fishing town of Digby. (B, L) : Digby Pines Golf Resort (or similar) (Days 9-10)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). Hotel choices may be subject to change.

DAY 10: DIGBY Explore the fertile lands surrounding Digby, beginning with Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. Continue to the village of Bear River for a tour and tasting at the Bear River Vineyards. Return to Digby for an evening at leisure. (B)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 11: BAR HARBOR, USA Depart early for the scenic ferry crossing to Bar Harbor in the US state of Maine. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. (B) : Regency Bar Harbor (or similar) (Days 11-12) DAY 12: BAR HARBOR Take a guided tour of Bar Harbor, including its waterfront, boutiques, galleries and seafood restaurants. (B)

Opposite and above: Peggy’s Cove, Halifax, Canada; below: Boston, USA

DAY 13: BOSTON Your drive to Boston via Kennebunkport and Salem is a classic New England coastal journey, showcasing rugged shorelines, fishing villages, and historic seaports. (B) : Hilton Boston Park Plaza (or similar) (Days 13-14) DAY 14: BOSTON Embark on a walking tour of downtown Boston, following the ‘Freedom Trail’ that connects major Revolutionary War sites such as Boston Common, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. Later, attend your farewell dinner. (B, D) DAY 15-16: FLY HOME After breakfast, transfer to the airport; fly home, arriving the following day. (B)

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NEW FOR 2027

EASTERN CANADA: RAILS, RIVERS AND REFINED CITIES DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

16 days, 15 nights

From £7,495

From £12,645

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Voyage to the base of Niagara Falls, followed by time in the heritage town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and lunch at Inniskillin Winery. • Enjoy scenic journeys aboard Canada’s famous VIA Rail trains, travelling in Business Class. • Explore Indigenous culture with a stay in Wendake, complete with storytelling around the fire of an authentic longhouse. • Discover the UNESCO-listed old quarters of Québec City, the only walled city in North America. • Experience the natural beauty of Algonquin Provincial Park and the Muskoka Lakes region.

Take the scenic route through Eastern Canada on this comprehensive group tour, sightseeing by road, rail and boat. You journey from the big-city bustle of Toronto and the thunderous Niagara Falls to French-Canadian Montréal and Québec City, then on to the Canadian capital of Ottawa. Along the way, visit charming heritage towns and areas of abundant natural beauty – picture crystalline lakes, rolling hills and unspoilt forests.

DAY 1: TORONTO ‘Fly from London and transfer to your hotel for a drinks reception. (N) : Sheraton Centre (or similar) (Days 1-2) DAY 2: TORONTO Take a sightseeing tour of Toronto, including its urban parks and landmarks, from the modernist City Hall and its Romanesque predecessor to the famous CN Tower, where you later enjoy dinner with the chance to visit the sky-high observation deck. (B, D)

RAIL ROAD

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028

DAY 3: NIAGARA FALLS

GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18)

Head south, skirting the industrial towns of Oakville and Hamilton, and heading through the vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula. Enjoy a boat tour on the Niagara River for a closer view of the thundering falls. The rest of your day is at leisure. (B) : Sheraton Fallsview (or similar) (Days 3-4)

SINGLE SUPP: From £1,995 TOUR CODE: ECR

DAY 6: KINGSTON

Take a tour of Kingston, a lively riverside city that was once a French fortress, became a British citadel and served as Canada’s capital from 1841 to 1844. Visit Fort Henry to learn about the city’s military past. (B) DAY 7: MONTRÉAL Ride the VIA Rail Corridor train out of the 1000 Islands region to Montréal, the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. Enjoy an evening at leisure. (B, L) : Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain (or similar) (Days 7-8) DAY 8: MONTRÉAL

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Montréal, including the French Quarter, Old Montréal, Mount Royal, an outside view of the 1976 Olympic site and other points of interest. Next, venture inside the 19th-century Notre-Dame Basilica, a masterpiece of gothic revival architecture, followed by time at leisure. (B) DAY 9: QUÉBEC CITY • WENDAKE Follow the St Lawrence River via the scenic Chemin du Roy Highway, arriving in Québec City. Enjoy a guided tour, exploring within the walls of the UNESCOlisted historic district. Depart to Wendake and transfer to your hotel. (B, D) : Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations (Days 9-10)

12 Jul - 27 Jul 28

18 Aug - 02 Sep 27

16 Aug - 31 Aug 28

08 Sep - 23 Sep 27

06 Sep - 21 Sep 28

13 Oct - 28 Oct 27

11 Oct - 26 Oct 28

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: For departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit our website.

DAY 4: NIAGARA FALLS Follow the scenic Niagara Parkway to the historic village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, host of the Shaw Festival of theatre. Explore the village before continuing to Inniskillin Winery for lunch. (B, L) DAY 5: KINGSTON Return to Toronto and board the VIA Rail Corridor train, travelling in business class past rolling hills, sparkling lakes and farmland to Kingston. In the evening, depart on a *sunset dinner cruise through the Thousand Islands archipelago. (B, L, D) : Kingston Marriott (or similar) (Days 5-6)

14 Jul - 29 Jul 27

DAY 10: WENDAKE Begin your day around the fire in the Ekionkiestha National Longhouse, with an Indigenous storyteller. Later, take a tour of the wider museum to learn about the Huron-Wendat Nation. (B, L, D) DAY 11: OTTAWA Drive to Ottawa, pausing en route for lunch at an authentic “sugar shack” restaurant. Upon arrival, see the sights of Canada’s capital, including Parliament Hill, the residences of the Prime Minister and Governor General, the National Arts Centre and ByWard Market. Your evening is at leisure. (B, L) : Lord Elgin (or similar) (Days 11-12) DAY 12: OTTAWA Explore more of Ottawa, starting with the National Art Gallery. Head to ByWard Market to find somewhere for lunch, then take a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Select tour: Simpler in emphasis, based in three- or four-star accommodation (or best alternative). *The sunset dinner cruise through the 1000 Islands will not be operating for the Oct departure. Instead, dinner will be included on day 5, and there will be a morning 1000 Islands cruise on day 6. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Opposite: Niagara Falls; above: Québec City; below: Algonquin Park

DAY 13: GRAVENHURST Journey to Gravenhurst, passing sparkling lakes, rushing streams and quintessentially northern towns. Stop en route at Algonquin Park’s Logging Museum and its visitor centre to learn all about the human and natural history of this area. (B) : Residence Inn & Suites Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf (or similar) (Days 13-14) DAY 14: GRAVENHURST Enjoy a relaxing lunch cruise on Lake Muskoka, passing dense forests and waterfront cottages. After, enjoy leisure time before your farewell dinner. (B, L, D) DAY 15-16: FLY HOME Transfer to Toronto airport; fly overnight, arriving home the following day. (B)

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NEW FOR 2027

ROCKIES TO PACIFIC: MOUNTAINS, RAINFORESTS AND COASTAL CITIES DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

15 days, 14 nights

From £11,345

From £11,945

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Travel through Banff National Park and Lake Louise, where the Rocky Mountains rise above glacier-fed lakes. • Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific, tracing mountain passes, river canyons and forests. • Cruise the Gulf Islands to Victoria, tour the 22-hectare (55-acre) Butchart Gardens, and take afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress, a ritual the hotel has kept alive since it opened in 1908. • Explore coastal Vancouver: watch orca and humpback whales off the Pacific coast, cross the 137-metre (450-feet) Capilano Suspension Bridge, and ride the gondola up Grouse Mountain. • Experience one of the world’s great scenic drives along the Icefields Parkway before venturing onto the Athabasca Glacier aboard a specially designed Ice Explorer.

The beauty and majesty of Alberta and British Columbia come to life on this two-week, river-deep, mountainhigh tour of western Canada. See the peaks, waterfalls and hot springs of Banff National Park, tread the ancient ice of Athabasca Glacier, then ride the Rocky Mountaineer train from the slopes to the coast, to take in the delights of Vancouver.

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DAY 1: CALGARY Fly from London (regional connections available), transfer to your hotel and join a welcome reception. (N) : The Westin Calgary (or similar)

DAY 2: CALGARY • BANFF Take the Trans-Canada Highway into the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The snow-dusted peaks fill the horizon as you approach your destination: Banff National Park. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B).

: Hotel Canoe (or similar) (Days 2-4) DAY 3: BANFF Tour Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest, taking in the historic Banff Springs Hotel, Tunnel Mountain and Bow Falls. Travel on to Lake Louise, one of the most beloved beauty spots in Canada; return to Banff in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

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canada • north america

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £2,795 TOUR CODE: RTP 18 Jun - 02 Jul 27

16 Jun - 30 Jun 28

06 Aug - 20 Aug 27

04 Aug - 18 Aug 28

24 Sep - 08 Oct 27

08 Sep - 22 Sep 28 22 Sep - 06 Oct 28

DAY 4: BANFF Enjoy a day to experience Banff at your own pace. Stroll through the streets of this pretty mountain town – first developed as a hot-spring resort in the 19th century – or take an optional ride on the Banff Gondola for views of the Rockies. (B) DAY 5: BANFF • JASPER

Head north along the Icefields Parkway, taking in blue-green lakes, streams, forests and snow-frosted peaks, to the Columbia Icefield. Venture out onto the Athabasca Glacier in an all-terrain Ice Explorer, take a walk on the ice, then head to Jasper. (B, L) : Forest Park Lodge (or similar) (Days 5-6) DAY 6: JASPER Embark on a full tour of Jasper National Park, taking in the craggy Maligne Canyon* and the placid waters of Maligne Lake – the largest body of water in the Canadian Rockies. (B) DAY 7: JASPER • KAMLOOPS Enjoy some of the most breathtaking and varied scenery found beside any railway tracks in the world, aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train. See Mount Robson, as well as glittering lakes, vast ranches on the Cariboo Plateau and coastal rainforests in Fraser Canyon. Stay in Kamloops. (B, L) : Accommodation arranged by Rocky Mountaineer DAY 8: KAMLOOPS • VANCOUVER Take the Rocky Mountaineer train to its terminus: Vancouver’s Pacific Train Station. (B, L) : Georgian Court (or similar) DAY 9: VANCOUVER • VICTORIA Cruise to Vancouver’s Gulf Islands and visit Butchart Gardens before travelling on to

Victoria, once a gold-rush town, but now the verdant capital of British Columbia, with fine museums and public gardens. (B) : Inn at Laurel Point / Coast Victoria (or similar) (Days 9-11) DAY 10: VICTORIA Enjoy a morning tour of Victoria, including such highlights as the Beacon Hill Park, Thunderbird Park and Oak Bay. Later, enjoy Afternoon High Tea at the Empress Hotel and the rest of the day at leisure. (B, L)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Signature tour: Based in four-star accommodation or above. *Note: Access to Maligne Canyon is subject to reopening following the Jasper wildfires. Inclusion in the itinerary is conditional upon confirmed public access at the time of travel. Hotel choices may be subject to change. Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 11: VICTORIA Take a whale-watching excursion, to see orcas, minkes and humpback whales, among other species. Afterwards, enjoy a day at leisure, with the option to visit the Malahat Skywalk – a tall, spiral forest walkway – as well as the totem poles on display at the nearby city of Duncan. (B) DAY 12: VICTORIA • VANCOUVER Cruise through the Gulf Islands, a summer retreat for residents of both British Columbia and Washington State, take a sightseeing tour of Vancouver, stopping off at Granville Island’s food stalls, market and galleries, before continuing to Stanley Park to see its display of totem poles. (B) : Georgian Court (or similar) (Days 12-13)

Opposite: Victoria, British Columbia; above: Vancouver Island; below: Stanley Park, Vancouver

DAY 13: VANCOUVER Tour the North Shore of Vancouver, visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain and the thrilling Cliffwalk, a heart-stopping journey along the granite cliffside offering panoramic views of the canyon below. Ride the Blue Grouse Gondola for views of the city. Finish with a farewell dinner. (B, D) DAYS 14-15: FLY HOME Fly home, arriving the following day. (B)

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NEW FOR 2027

AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE TRAIL DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

12 days, 11 nights

From £6,595

From £11,745

Signature

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Tour the landmarks of Washington, D.C. and explore the nation’s story at the National Museum of American History. • Visit Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. • Gain moving insights into the American Civil War at Gettysburg National Military Park. • Discover the legacy of Thomas Jefferson at his historic residence of Monticello. • Step back into 18th-century America with full access to the Colonial Williamsburg living museum.

Trace the foundational story of the United States, from the American Revolution and Civil War, right back to colonial times, on this insightful tour of its key heritage sites. You visit Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Charlottesville and Williamsburg, following in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers and leaving with a deeper understanding of the people and places that forged this modernday superpower. ROAD

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DAY 1: WASHINGTON, D.C. Fly from London, and enjoy a welcome dinner in the historic neighbourhood of Georgetown. (D) : Capitol Hilton Hotel (Days 1-2) DAY 2: WASHINGTON, D.C. Embark on a guided coach tour of Washington DC’s historic and cultural landmarks, including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the National Mall. Then guide yourself around the National Museum of American History, which traces the cultural and technological history of the USA through its collection of significant artefacts. (B)

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DAY 3: BALTIMORE

Explore Baltimore by coach with a two-hour guided overview, taking you from the historic Inner Harbor, through the waterfront neighbourhood of Fell’s Point to the cultural district of Mount Vernon, with views of Camden Yards and Johns Hopkins University. After, take a self-guided tour of Fort McHenry, a pentagonal bastion that defended the city’s harbour during the War of 1812. (B) : Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor

and the 19th-century cyclorama depicting Pickett’s Charge. Then join a tour of the battlefield. (B) : Hotel Gettysburg DAY 7: CHARLOTTESVILLE En route to Charlottesville, visit Luray Caverns, a subterranean world of monumental stalagmites and stalactites millennia in the making. You also have access to the Caverns’ Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, Heritage Village and Toy Town Junction. (B) : The Draftsman Hotel (Days 7-8)

DAY 4: PHILADELPHIA

Arrive in Philadelphia for a guided coach tour of the “City of Brotherly Love”, passing by leafy Fairmount Park, the historic buildings of Boathouse Row, and Benjamin Franklin Parkway – a boulevard modelled on the Champs-Élysées and lined with cultural institutions. Your tour includes time to relax and explore on foot. (B) : The Notary Hotel, Autograph Collection (Days 4-5) DAY 5: PHILADELPHIA Begin the day viewing the cracked Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of American independence; then visit Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed; finally, admire the eclectic collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (B, D)

DAY 8: CHARLOTTESVILLE

Visit Monticello, home of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, with a 45-minute guided experience. Have lunch at the 18th-century museum-cum-restaurant, Michie Tavern, then go to the historic Downtown Mall shopping area. (B, L) DAY 9: WILLIAMSBURG

Transfer to Williamsburg, stopping first for a self-guided tour of the American Revolution Museum before going on to Yorktown Battlefield, site of the final battle of the American Revolution. (B) : Woodlands Hotel & Suites (Days 9-10) DAY 10: WILLIAMSBURG Enjoy a day to explore the Colonial Williamsburg living museum, where interpreters and heritage buildings transport you back to the 18th century. Join your farewell dinner here. (B, D)

DAY 6: GETTYSBURG

Visit Gettysburg, site of one of the most pivotal battles in the American Civil War and where Lincoln delivered his immortal address. At the museum and visitor centre, you can view an illuminating documentary

DAYS 11-12: FLY HOME Return to Washington, D.C., via Mount Vernon, George Washington’s former estate. Transfer to the airport; fly home, arriving the following day. (B)

GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £1,545 TOUR CODE: AHT 02 Jun - 13 June 27

07 Jun - 18 Jun 28

07 Jul - 18 Jul 27

05 Jul - 16 Jul 28

25 Aug - 05 Sep 27

23 Aug - 03 Sep 28

08 Sep - 19 Sep 27

06 Sep - 17 Sep 28

Opposite: The Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC; above: Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia; below: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

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NEW FOR 2027

TREASURES OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST DURATION

SMALL GROUP TOUR

PRIVATE TOUR

TOUR STYLE

ACTIVITY LEVEL

14 days, 13 nights

From £7,295

From £13,695

Select

Moderate

(incl. flights)

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES • Journey through the dramatic Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, with visits to Multnomah Falls and Smith Rock State Park. • Discover Crater Lake National Park, home to the deepest lake in the US, with lunch overlooking its waters. • Taste the flavours of Oregon wine country, both in Ashland and the scenic Umpqua Valley. • Follow the coastline from Yaquina Head Lighthouse to Cannon Beach, taking in sea lion colonies, ocean vistas and the landmark Haystack Rock. • Explore Washington State’s wild beauty with a stay beside Lake Quinault, scenic touring through Olympic National Park and a ferry crossing into Seattle.

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Little known, yet hugely rewarding, America’s Pacific Northwest is filled with natural and manmade beauty, from the calm deep waters of Crater Lake and tumbling torrents of Multnomah Falls to the divine wines of Umpqua Valley and delicate fragrances of Portland’s rose gardens. This tour rewards curious travellers with a gratifying journey among bustling harbour towns, surf-cuffed beaches and pristine wildernesses, before arriving in the metropolitan streets of Seattle.

DAY 1: PORTLAND Fly from London and transfer to your hotel in time for your welcome dinner. (D) : Dossier Hotel (or similar) (Days 1-2) DAY 2: PORTLAND Visit the International Rose Test Garden, to enjoy its 10,000 roses, representing 610 varieties from across the world. (B) DAY 3: BEND Travel to Bend, a city set amid the forests of Deschutes County. En route, visit the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls – Oregon’s tallest falls – and Smith Rock State Park’s deep river canyons. (B) : Best Western Peppertree Bend (or similar) (Days 3-4)

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GROUP DEPARTURES 2027-2028 GROUP SIZE: Average 14 (max 18) SINGLE SUPP: From £2,195 TOUR CODE: TPN 24 May - 06 Jun 27

22 May - 04 Jun 28

07 Jun - 20 Jun 27

05 Jun - 18 Jun 28

19 Jul - 01 Aug 27

17 Jul - 30 Jul 28

09 Aug - 22 Aug 27

07 Aug - 20 Aug 28

06 Sep - 19 Sep 27

04 Sep - 17 Sep 28

DAY 4: BEND Visit the High Desert Museum, which both conserves and showcases the wildlife and habitats of Oregon’s “high desert” region through its various indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces. Afterwards, take a guided tour of Deschutes Brewery, a beloved local craft brewery. (B) DAY 5: ASHLAND Travel to the leafy city of Ashland. En route, visit Crater Lake National Park, which has the deepest lake in the US; enjoy lunch overlooking its pristine waters. (B, L) : Ashland Springs Hotel (or similar) (Days 5-6) DAY 6: ASHLAND Take a guided walking tour of Ashland to learn about its past. Then visit a local winery for a tasting, discovering firsthand how this part of Oregon produces some of the most diverse wine varietals in the Pacific Northwest. (B) DAY 7: NEWPORT Move on to the city of Newport. En route, enjoy a winery tasting and lunch in the Umpqua Valley and a visit to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area – the largest expanse of coastal dunes in the US. (B, L) : Best Western Plus Agate Beach Inn (or similar) (Days 7-8) DAY 8: NEWPORT Visit Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, Yaquina Head Light, whose original Fresnel lens was manufactured in Paris in 1868 before being shipped to the tip of this ruggedly beautiful headland. Continue to Newport Sea Lion Docks, where hundreds of wild sea lions swim, bask and play. (B)

DAY 9: ASTORIA En route to Astoria, visit the coastal cities of Depoe Bay and Cannon Beach – a great place to view the natural landmark of Haystack Rock. Arrive in Astoria and visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum, home to the largest trove of maritime artefacts in the region, where you can board a floating lighthouse. (B) : Lloyd Hotel Astoria Bayfront (or similar)

DAY 10: QUINAULT Follow the Quinault Rain Forest Loop, a circular drive beside the Quinault River into Olympic National Park and back, with opportunities to stop for waterfalls, wildlife, short walks and photographs. (B) : Lake Quinault Lodge (or similar) DAY 11: SEATTLE Head to the Olympic National Park visitor centre to learn about this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its coastal meadows and Roosevelt elk herds. Catch the ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. (B) : The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle (or similar) (Days 11-12)

Opposite: the Oregon coastline; above: Seattle; below: Multnomah Falls, Oregon

DAY 12: SEATTLE Explore Seattle, stopping first at its most famous landmark: the Space Needle. This 184-metre (600-feet) observation tower affords 360-degree views over the city. Then go to Chihuly Garden and Glass, an urban garden and gallery dedicated to the glasswork of Dale Chihuly. Afterwards, enjoy a cruise from Seattle Harbour and a farewell dinner. (B, D) DAYS 13-14: FLY HOME Transfer to the airport; fly home overnight, arriving the next day. (B)

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OPPOSITE: Inset: Samarkand’s traditional architecture, Uzbekistan; background: Uzbek silk carpets PHOTO CREDITS: BLACK BEAN PRODUCTIONS: Devin Trull / GETTY IMAGES / Tom Griffiths / KINTZING: Korena Bolding / SHUTTERSTOCK / UNSPLASH

REGISTERED OFFICE: Abercrombie & Kent Limited, trading as Cox & Kings, St George’s House, Ambrose Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3LG Registered in England No. 1082430

ABTA No.V6398

GUIDED BY CURIOSITY