For expert help planning your South America vacation, call a travel specialist at 1-800-942-3301
| Around the World: Wonders
A 24-Day tour starting from $64,950
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Join an around-the-world journey of 24 days to discover astonishing natural and cultural wonders. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PRICE OF THE EXPEDITION INCLUDES:
• All hotel accommodations, meals, group transportation, excursions and other group activities from arrival in London on October 29, 2009, through departure from Istanbul following breakfast on November 21, 2009 • Airport transfers at beginning and end of trip • Transportation by private jet (or other conveyance) according to the itinerary, including meals, beverages, wine, beer and liquor on board our private jet • Complete program of special events and activities • Enrichment program of lectures and presentations by a team of experts • Professional expedition staff and physician to assist you throughout the trip • Bottled water throughout the expedition • Baggage handling abroad • All gratuities • Amenities package • Comprehensive medical evacuation insurance. PRICE OF THE EXPEDITION DOES NOT INCLUDE: • Airfare and taxes from home cities to London and return from Istanbul (see airfare section below) • Passport fees and visa charges • Accident/baggage/cancellation insurance • Personal expenses such as immunizations, laundry, telephone, fax charges, taxis • Liquor except as noted above. AIRFARE Because travelers originate from a variety of home cities, airfares will vary. We are happy to reserve flights in the class of service you prefer, and to arrange for your airport transfers and pre- or post-trip hotel accommodations. EXPECTATIONS OF TRAVELERS We consider this a fast-paced, strenuous program. Walking and climbing stairs are required to board and disembark the jet at most airports, to get around in hotels and to participate in many excursions. Riding in four-wheel-drive vehicles on rough terrain or unpaved paths can aggravate back conditions.
OCTOBER 29, 2009: Orlando, Florida
Meet fellow travelers, lecturers, and expedition leaders at a festive welcome dinner at our hotel. Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando OCTOBER 30 & 31: Tikal, Guatemala More than 2,000 years ago, the Maya people erected their most magnificent city, Tikal. Visit its monuments, including the towering Pyramid of the Giant Jaguar and the Great Acropolis. Westin Camino Real, Tikal NOVEMBER 1 & 2: Easter Island, Chile is remote, mysterious island is a wonder of ancient stone villages, open-air sanctuaries, and giant moai. ese brooding statues, carved in quarries of volcanic tuff and inexplicably transported for miles to the coast, stand up to 50 feet tall and weigh as much as 250 tons. Hanga Roa or Taha Tai Hotel, Easter Island NOVEMBER 3: Rarotonga, Cook Islands e South Seas paradise of Rarotonga is one of the few pockets of pure Polynesian culture in the world. Relish exquisite reefs, winding valleys, and beautiful beaches. The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa NOVEMBER 4: Cross the International Date Line Crossing the International Date Line, lose a day en route to Australia and arrive the next day. NOVEMBER 5 & 6: Ayers Rock (Uluru), Australia Explore this mammoth sandstone monolith, adorned with symbolic Aborginal rock paintings and carvings, and also walk among the Olgas’ dome-like monoliths. Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock NOVEMBER 7, 8 & 9: Chiang Mai, Thailand Against a striking mountain backdrop, Chiang Mai is dotted with magnificent wats (temples) and rich with history. Visit the Tribal Museum, and discover weavings, silverwork, and carvings in craft markets. Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai NOVEMBER 10 & 11: Xi’an, China Lost to history until 1974, the tomb of China’s first emperor reveals a vast army of life-size terra cotta soldiers, horses, and chariots, each unique and each arranged as if for battle. Shangri La Golden Flower Hotel, Xi’an NOVEMBER 12 & 13: Jaipur, India In Rajasthan’s exotic pink-stone capital of Jaipur, explore the ornate Amber Palace; the “palace of winds” built for courtiers to view public events; the City Palace; and marvelous instruments of Jai Singh’s observatory. Enjoy a gala evening featuring costumed performers, artisans, and a royal Rajasthani banquet. Rambagh Palace Hotel, Jaipur NOVEMBER 14, 15 & 16: Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan Pass through a narrow passageway to discover hidden, 2,000-year-old rock-carved tombs and temples. Also ride through the lunar landscape of Wadi Rum. Petra Mövenpick and Mövenpick Resort Aqaba As an option, explore beautifully preserved Greco-Roman ruins in Jerash, with overnight at the Mövenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa. NOVEMBER 17 & 18: Cairo & the Great Pyramids, Egypt Marvel at Cairo’s soaring mosques and minarets, and the Giza plateau’s iconic Great Pyramids and Sphinx. Four Seasons Hotel, Cairo NOVEMBER 19, 20 & 21: Istanbul, Turkey/Depart for Home Located at the juncture of Europe and Asia, Istanbul –ancient Byzantium – boasts masterful art, grand Ottoman palaces, and imposing mosques. Spend two days exploring Istanbul’s marvels. After breakfast on the third day, transfer to the airport for commercial flights homeward. Four Seasons Hotel, Istanbul Itinerary and prices are subject to change.
Lecturers
Expert lecturers help create a rich context for your journey, increasing your awareness and knowledge of areas like art, history, geography and politics. Professor Emeritus Patrick Hatcher taught in both the history and political science departments at the University of California at Berkeley, where he received his Ph.D. in history. Currently a Kiriyama Fellow in the University of San Francisco Center for the Pacific Rim, he is a specialist in Chinese and Korean history, military history, and comparative history of Asia and the West. Now working on his fourth book, Hatcher has led educational tours and is seen frequently on KRON-TV (NBC) in the Bay Area as a national security specialist. Wayne Ranney, Earth scientist and geologic interpreter, is the author of four books and numerous publications on the landscape evolution of our planet. An instructor of geology at Yavapai College in Sedona, Arizona, he has also led study tours since 1993. His work has taken him to such exotic assignments as Antarctica, Africa, Latin America, and the North and South Poles. His passion for geology brings the past to life and clarifies how geologic events shaped the landscape – and the human history – of our destinations. Expedition Leaders Professional expedition leaders take care of every detail, leaving you free to immerse yourself in every amazing destination. To be announced. All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.
Single from $68,950 Itinerary and prices are subject to change. |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||