Insight Vacations Launches New Exotics Collection

Insight Vacations has just released its new Exotics Collection, featuring a range of premium escorted journeys, a majestic new destination, and a variety of authentic Signature Hotels, Dining and Experiences. For the first time, the brochure includes an augmented feature that enables you to enjoy India’s flavor using your smartphone to get a preliminary taste of what this incredible region has to offer.

The Exotics Collection offers luxury tours to India, Bhutan, Nepal, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco.

“We are thrilled with the success of our India program since launching in 2012, and we are delighted we can continue to introduce new product to this extraordinary region,” says Marc Kazlauskas, President of Insight Vacations. “Each itinerary featured in the Exotics Collection has been chosen to showcase these culturally and historically rich destinations, and when combined with Insight’s Signature inclusions, we guarantee our guests a truly unforgettable experience.”

The Exotic Collection’s Signature Experiences include game safaris in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Bhutanese cooking classes, and a guided tour of Bhutan’s only commercial cheese factory. Guests stay at hand-selected Signature Hotels with highlights such as the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, Bangalore’s opulent Leela Palace, and the Divani Caravel hotel in Athens. Guests enjoy delectable Signature Dining experiences at every magnificent turn, including a cooking demonstration with a renowned chef in Olympia and a highlight luncheon at India’s Laxmi Vilas Palace.

“When traveling to these wonderful countries with Insight, you can be assured that your safety, comfort and security are our absolute priority – our ground teams are the very best in the business,” says John Boulding, President and CEO of Insight Vacations. “They will take care of you every step of the way.”

Two new itineraries have been added in India, including a sojourn from Delhi to Udaipur on the Colors of Rajasthan and a venture through Mystical South India where guests visit some of India’s oldest temples from Kochi to Chennai. Bhutan – Dragon Kingdom highlights the newest destination to feature its own itinerary, due to the rising increase in Bhutan’s popularity. Additional new 2014 features include four-day stopovers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, extensive hotel upgrades, additional transfers and flight inclusions on some itineraries and extensive Wi-Fi availability on coaches and in hotels.

Insight Vacations is a part of a joint initiative with The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation established by The Travel Corporation to encourage sustainable tourism within our own family of brands and in the places we visit. To date, TreadRight has donated more than US $2 million to sustainable tourism projects around the world. To find out more about our work with TreadRight visit: www.TreadRight.org.

For more information, visit www.insightvacations.com. For reservations, contact your travel agent or call Insight Vacations at 888-680-1241.

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Terra Incognita Ecotours gives travelers India experience that also supports wildlife preservation

 

India is an amazing tourist destination where the most and least adventurous of travelers can experience an exotic culture that will leave them inspired, says Ged Caddick, founder of Terra Incognita Ecotours who has been enchanted with India for most of his life. It was one of his first ecotourist destinations when he launched his charitable ecotour company 10 years ago. This spring, Ged is gearing up to launch his best India trip yet – all while making a huge difference to wild tiger conservation.

“Our ecotours are designed to give back in a big way to the places we visit,” explains Ged. Every traveler donates a percentage of their trip cost directly to WWF – India, the organization tasked with the critical conservation efforts to save one of the most endangered and majestic mammals on earth – the tiger.”

Ged’s ecotourists spend 11 days visiting two of the countries’ national parks searching for – and observing – wild tigers. Corbett National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park are renowned for their tiger habitat and incredible wildlife viewing.

“We guarantee our tourists will see endangered tigers,” says Ged. “Because we employ only the most knowledgeable local guides, they know where to find the tigers and safely take us to them. Nothing on earth compares to the first time you look directly into the eyes of a wild tiger. Words simply can not explain the experience.”

Ecotours.com attracts travelers who want an adventure of a lifetime, but want to make a difference as well.

“Our tours give directly back to the places we visit,” explains Ged. “In India, we have dinner with the scientists of WWF India who are tasked with saving these magnificent animals from the brink of extinction. It’s a humbling experience to learn everything they go through to save these animals. Often our ecotours inspire a lifetime of charitable giving by travelers to our conservation partner. They develop a bond, a shared personal experience with the plight of these wonderful creatures.”

WWF India scientists have their work cut out for them. They are tasked with reducing human-tiger conflict and working with local communities to develop sustainable alternative livelihoods and reducing pressures on tiger habitat. They are also responsible for minimizing the illegal trade in tiger parts and other wildlife. They build awareness about tiger conservation and strengthen tiger protection by providing need-based infrastructural support to the forest department.

“The support we get from Ged’s ecotours helps us immensely,” says WWF India. “Our charitable partners are the only reason we are able to do what we do to protect this magnificent endangered animal. Without donors like Terra Incognita Ecotours, tigers would be losing their battle for survival in densely populated India.”

Terra Incognita’s Spring India excursion departs Monday March 11 for 10 days/11 nights.

For more information about this life-changing adventure viewing and saving wild tigers, visit www.ecotours.com.

About Terra Incognita Ecotours

Gerard “Ged” Caddick founded Terra Incognita ECOTOURS in 2004 after over fifteen years of working in the expedition travel industry. He earned a Masters degree from the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology and is passionate about conserving wild places. Ged lived in Belize, Central America for a number of years in the late 1980’s and worked in the conservation of endangered species for twelve years before becoming involved in the expedition travel industry. It is this mix of expedition travel (a.k.a. ecotourism) and conservation that has helped to shape Terra Incognita Ecotours. For more information, visit www.ecotours.com.

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Pacific Delight Tours Offers Savings Save Up to $1000 on Luxurious India Journeys

Luxury tour operator to Asia, Pacific Delight Tours (http://www.PacificDelightTours.com) is offering travelers significant savings to experience a once in a lifetime journey to India. Couples can save up to $1,000 on the 12-day Inspirational India tour featuring highlights including the temples of Khajuraho. Alternately, couples can save up to $400 on the 9-day Dreams of the Taj – India Experience tour featuring a memorable stay in Samode in an air-conditioned luxury tented garden encampment. Discounts are valid on tours booked and paid in full by Dec. 15, 2012.

The 12-day Inspirational India journey offers the sights and culture of a deeply spiritual country with stunning beauty and intriguing history. Following a stay in Delhi, the modern country’s capital, the tour travels to the holy banks of the River Ganges with a visit to Varanasi, the religious center of Hinduism in India. The group also visits Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhism, and the Sarnath Museum, housing the famous Lion Capital of Asoka as well as an impressive collection of sculptures and artifacts of Buddhist origin. Participants will enjoy a picturesque sunrise boat excursion on the Ganges followed by a city tour.

The next stop is a visit to the famed Khajuraho temples featuring well-preserved sculptures and carvings. A morning drive to Jhansi is highlighted by a journey to Orchha temple, well-known for its spectacular view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs. In Jhansi, the group transfers to the train station to board the Shatabdi Express Train bound for Agra.

Travelers will visit the magnificent Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is a memorial to his favorite wife. The group will also stop at Agra Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is more like a palatial walled city than a fort.

The group will then drive from Agra to the “Pink City” of Jaipur, known as one of the world’s best planned cities built in accordance with Vastu Shastra (the Indian alternative to Chinese Feng Shui). En route, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital, now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The group continues through the picturesque Rajasthani countryside highlighted by views of camels, elephants, age-old villages and traditional women dressed in the brilliantly colored saris of the region.

A tour of the Amber Fort offers a marvelous example of Rajput architecture, decorated in intricate ivory, mirror and glasswork overlooking scenic Maota Lake. Participants will also visit the City Palace Museum to observe a remarkable blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art and the impressive Jantar Mantar, considered the largest stone observatory in the world.

The final stop on this journey is Udaipur, also known as “City of Dreams.” The group will explore Udaipur’s City Palace and museum on the east bank of Lake Pichola, followed by a visit to Jagdish Temple, an excellent example of Indo-Aryan architecture. Travelers will also enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruise on Lake Pichola.

Pricing for this land-only itinerary starts at $3,699* per person, based on double occupancy, with the $1,000 per couple promotional discount already factored into the price. Departure dates are Nov. 1, and Dec. 6, 2012 as well as Jan. 10, Feb. 7, and March 7, 2013. For full details for the itinerary, visit: www.PacificDelightTours.com.

The 9-day Dreams of the Taj – India Experience captures the country’s stunning beauty and intriguing culture. The group will first explore the capital city of Delhi, where travelers will visit the Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi, and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque with a courtyard large enough to fit 25,000 worshippers. A rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the colorful market of the old city, will be sure to impress, along with a tour of New Delhi and a visit to two monuments of Delhi’s past – Humayuns Tomb and Qutub Minar. The Journey then takes the group down the ceremonial avenue of Rajpath, punctuated by Mughal-style gardens, fountains and shallow pools, past the imposing India gate and Parliament house, culminating with a visit to a local temple.

In Samode, guests will spend a memorable night in a luxuriously-furnished, air conditioned tented encampment in the romantic garden paradise of Samode Bagh, nestled on 20 acres of beautiful grounds nearby Samode Palace. Participants will enjoy a visit to Samode Village where they will experience an authentic camel cart excursion. The tour will also feature a trip to the city of Jaipur, with a stop at the City Palace Museum.

Travelers will take a jeep ride up to Amber Fort, and later travel to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital, now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The incredible India experience concludes with a visit to the world famous Taj Mahal to observe the finest example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Persian, Ottoman, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles, and a stop at Agra Fort.

Pricing for this itinerary starts at $1,699* per person, based on double occupancy, with the $400 per couple promotional discount already factored into the price. Departure dates are Nov. 18, and Dec. 2, 2012 as well as Jan. 13, Feb. 17 and March 10, 2013. For full details for the itinerary, visit: www.PacificDelightTours.com.

Each Pacific Delight Tours land-only India package includes: all intra-India air (applies to 12-day Inspirational India journey) and ground transportation; accommodations in deluxe or five-star hotels for the duration of the trip; meals per the itinerary; the expert services of English-speaking tour guides; sightseeing to some of India’s most historical and noteworthy attractions; all fuel charges, taxes and fees; and USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. All departures are guaranteed with a minimum of two passengers.

For more information or to book, consult your local travel agent, contact Pacific Delight Tours at 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com.

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Travel Like Royalty through India aboard the Opulent Maharajas’ Express with Vacations By Rail

Vacations By Rail is intorducing three rail journeys aboard India’s newest luxury train, the Maharajas’ Express, to its global product line. New itineraries take travelers along two popular routes—New Delhi to Mumbai (and reverse) and a circle journey of northeastern India beginning and ending in New Delhi.

The 8-day Princely India and Royal India itineraries showcase India’s colorful culture—and include an opportunity to meet royalty. Highlights of these two rail journeys include visits to the country’s most popular areas from Vadodar and Udaipur to the royal state of Rajasthan and its popular cities of Jodhpur and Jaipur as well as a visit to the acclaimed Ranthambore National Park to catch a glimpse of the elusive tigers. The 7-day Classical India tour highlights India’s rich history with visits to the royal city of Gwalior, Varanasi and the sacred River Ganges, the temples of Khajuraho, and the imperial splendor of Lucknow. All itineraries include a visit to Agra and the renowned Taj Mahal.

“All of our Maharajas’ Express itineraries offer a unique way to see a great deal of India in a short period of time without feeling rushed,” said Todd Powell, president of specialty travel company Vacations By Rail. “The train is a veritable rolling hotel on wheels caring for a traveler’s every need.”

Built in 2010, the Maharajas’ Express is India’s newest luxury train featuring 23 well-appointed carriages including two dining rooms serving Indian and continental cuisines, a lounge car and bar car. The train travels approximately 2,000 kilometers through the duration of each trip. Each rail journey includes accommodations aboard the train in deluxe cabins with en suite bathrooms, all meals, house wine, beer, spirits and soft beverages and all off-train excursions.

Luxury rail journeys aboard the Maharajas’ Express start at $6,265 land-only per person based on double occupancy. Departures are available October 2011 through April 2012.

To book your luxury rail journey aboard the Maharajas’ Express, contact a Vacations By Rail travel specialist at 877-929-7245.

For detailed itineraries and additional information about the Maharajas’ Express or any of Vacations By Rail’s luxury rail vacations, visit www.vacationsbyrail.com.

About Vacations by Rail:
Vacations By Rail is a leading seller of rail travel and tours in North America and around the world. Travelers can choose from the largest selection of independent rail vacations, escorted rail tours, and luxury rail journeys around the world. Vacations By Rail also provides virtually every European rail pass and ticket to meet customers’ European travel needs. For more information on Vacations By Rail and the company’s products, visit www.vacationsbyrail.com or call 877-929-7245.

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