Far Away Places 2007
The new brochure from Travelsphere (0800 19 14 18, www.travelsphere.co.uk) boasts its biggest choice ever with 70 holidays to 40 countries around the world, 10 of which are brand new.
The brochure continues to address the growing demand for more flexibility with itineraries featuring an increase in upgraded hotel options, special departures to festivals and events, choice of duration, included extras, extend your stay, add-ons, pre-bookable excursions, stopovers, internal flights and regional airport departures.
Quirky Departures…
Harbin Ice Festival, China during January. (Pg 23).
Hong Kong Shopping Festival – end of June to end August (Pg 32).
Stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan (guest house). (Pg 35)
Turtle Island, Borneo. (pg 59)
Pushkar Camel Fair, India in November. (Pg 70).
Stay in the remote kingdom of Bhutan. (Pg 77).
Kandy Perahera Festival in Sri Lanka – July 23. (Pg 79).
Whale watching in South Africa (pg 96).
Kalahari & Fish River Canyon, Namibia. (Pg 101).
Stay on the tiny tropical island of Nosy Be in Madagascar. (Pg 103)
View Turtles on Ras Al Had beach in Oman and sleep in a Bedouin tent. (Pg 113)
Rio Carnival, Brazil - February 15. (Pg 115).
Mexico - Copper Canyon. Travel on-board the Chihuahua Pacifico train, through 406 miles of north-western Mexico. (Pg 129)
New Ideas…
China’s Shangri-la. 10-days from £1195. Pgs 20-21
Hong Kong. 6-days from £659. Pg 32.
Delights of Southern Thailand. 10-days from £895. Pg 40
Taiwan. 8-days from £1095. Pg 47
New Zealand. 16-days from £1495. Pg 67.
Foothills of the Himalayas.. 9-days from £995. Pg 71
Zambia & Botswana.. 10-days from £1745. Pg 93
Madagascar. 10-days from £1595. Pgs 102-103.
Tunisia. 8-days from £599. Pg 105.
Oman. 6-days from £599. Pg 113.
Taiwan. 8-days from £1095. Includes all meals and sightseeing. Pg 47.
Accommodation: Three nights’ Taipei. Overnight Hualien. Overnight Kaohsiung. Overnight Taichung.
Itinerary: Formerly known as ‘Formosa’ (the Portuguese for ‘beautiful), the idyllic island of Taiwan, located off the south eastern coast of Mainland Asia, boasts stunning coastal scenery, towering mountains - some over 3,000 metres high, emerald green forests, waterfalls, six national parks and 18,000 species of wildlife - 20% of which belong to rare or endangered species.
Highlights: Breathtaking views from Taipei 101 – the world’s tallest building, a trip to the Taroko Gorge, a canyon with walls shot through with marble, plus the famous Sun Moon Lake which resides in a traditional setting of mountain peaks and temples.
Departures: February, March, September, October, November.
Zambia & Botswana. 10-days from £1745. Pg 93.
Accommodation: Four nights bed and breakfast. Three nights full board. Four nights Livingstone, Zambia. Three nights Botswana.
Itinerary: This action packed adventure in Africa, introduces visitors to the outstanding natural beauty and diverse wildlife of Zambia and Botswana. Game drives are included in the famous Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and Chobe National Park.
Highlights: Guided walking tour along one of the most scenic sections of Victoria Falls. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi River and a trip by boat into Neighbouring Namibia with a visit to Kasika Island.
Departures: May, August, September and October.
Madagascar. 10-days from £1595. Pgs 102-103.
Accommodation: Seven nights full board. Two nights Antananarivo. Two nights Berenty. Overnight Fort Dauphin. Two nights Andasibe.
Itinerary: Madagascar is renowned for its staggering collection of animals and plants, most of which are exclusive to the island. The islands most famous indigenous species are the Lemur birds, Chameleons, myriad birds and an amazing array of flora.
Highlights: Walking trip through the Berenty Nature Reserve – the island’s foremost lemur reserve, followed by a night walk within the forest to observe nocturnal species.
Departures: March, May, September, November.
Oman. 6-days from £599. Pg 113.
Accommodation: Four nights bed and breakfast in Muscat.
Itinerary: Known as ‘the jewel in the crown of Arabia,’ Oman remains a largely undiscovered gem. The country is rich in natural beauty and boasts year-round sunshine, clear deep waters, long sandy beaches, groves of citrus trees, mosques, forts, castles and souks.
Highlights: Excursion to the Grand Mosque, regarded as one of the nation’s most important religious buildings and the Muttrah souk, a traditional market offering souvenirs including silver and frankincense. Dune bashing in four-wheel-drive vehicles with a visit to a Bedouin home in the Wahiba Sands – a vast mass of undulating red and white sand dunes.
Departures: February, March, April, June, August, October.