Press Room - Press Releases

A world of choice

The introduction of a new airport, road and hotel in Jiuzhaigou, China - a national nature reserve and World Heritage Site, has unveiled a stunning alpine region of dazzling lakes and mountains inside Sichuan's Northern Province.

Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18 or visit www.travelsphere.co.uk), the UK's No. 1 operator of escorted tours to China has introduced a fascinating 13-day tour of northern China from £1,595 with all travel, accommodation, meals and sightseeing included. The price includes scheduled flights to Chengdu, returning from Shanghai, 11-nights full board accommodation - two nights' each in Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, Tunxi and Hangzhou - once described by Marco Polo as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The tour also features an overnight stay in the Yellow Mountains - celebrated in Chinese art and poetry for centuries and two nights' in Shanghai.

Further details can be found in Travelsphere's new Far Away Places brochure for 2006, which features over 60 holiday ideas in 36 countries around the world. The company continues to address the growing demand for holidays of a longer duration with several new add-on and extend your stay options, together with special departures to festivals and events around the world.

For example, as part of the 10-day tour of Nepal from £995, you can add-on an extra 2-night stay to enjoy jungle activities on a full-board basis at the Chitwan National Park - home to more than 43 species of mammal from just £249. The 8-day tour of Japan from £1195 gives you the option to add-on a lovely two night stay in a traditional Japanese guest house known as a Ryokan from just £349. The 8-day tour of Libya from £1095 also gives you the opportunity to discover the fascinating area around Benghazi in Eastern Libya on a 4-night add-on on a full-board basis from £395. Journey 2,700 miles west of the coast of Chile for a cultural 5-night add-on to the remarkable Easter Island from £799.

For those in search of unique places, events or festivals around the world, have a look at the 'special departure' tours which you simply tag on or incorporate into existing itineraries. The 12-day tour of Turkey on March 22 has been specially arranged to coincide with the total solar eclipse on March 29, available on a half-board basis from £895. Join the thousands of pilgrims at the Kandy Perahera Festival in Sri Lanka this July, featuring colourful processions of elephants, dancers and musicians, available on a half-board basis as part of the 14-day tour from £1265. Lovers of the green fingered variety should head to Thailand on November 14 for the annual Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Exhibition. The festival will be held in Chiang Mai in 2006 in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of King Bhumibol, available as part of the 15-day tour of Thailand with all travel, meals and sightseeing included from £1225.