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10 days, Priced from A$2999

Easy Pace Tour, Departs from Paris, finishes at Nice

Tour code E720A

Spend quality time in three very different parts of France; Paris, the cultural capital, Provence and the Rhone Valley, and the sun-drenched resorts of the Riviera.

Itinerary

Day 1 – PARIS AT LEISURE

On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Insight’s Airport Transfer Service departs for your tour hotel at 08:30, 11:00 & 13:30. The afternoon is yours to relax & settle in. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Pullman Paris Bercy

Day 2 – PARIS SIGHTSEEING

In the mid 19th century, Baron Haussmann transformed much of medieval Paris into something more modern; admire his work on a guided city tour. You’ll see all the main sights; Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe & the Eiffel Tower. Then embark on a relaxing River Seine cruise which concludes with a visit to the gilded Église du Dome to see Napoleon’s tomb. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this most romantic of cities. There’s plenty of time to stroll by the Seine, visit the impressionist paintings of the Musée d’Orsay, or enjoy a pleasant hour or two watching the passers-by from a Parisian café. (BB)

Day 3 – PARIS AT LEISURE

There is certainly no shortage of things to do & see in this great capital city! Perhaps meet the enigmatic Mona Lisa in the Louvre? Ascend the Eiffel Tower by elevator, or the hill of Montmartre by mini-train, for superb panoramic views? Don’t miss the chance for a shopping spree in the famous department stores or the elegant designer boutiques of the Left Bank. By night why not try one of the world famous cabaret shows, for an evening of excitement & glamour? (BB)

Day 4 – PARIS – AVIGNON – NIMES

Transfer to the Paris station to board a comfortable TGV train for a journey through fertile vineyards & agricultural lands to Provence. See the greatest of the Roman remains, the incredible three-tiered Pont du Gard, before arriving at the old Roman city of Nîmes. During your orientation tour, gaze up at the Roman Arena – you’ll see it’s more complete & better preserved than even Rome’s Colosseum. You’ll also see the 2,000 year old Maison Carrée, one of Europe’s finest Roman temples. Now on to your hotel for dinner.

Hotel: Imperator Concorde (BB,D)

Day 5 – AVIGNON & COTES DU RHONE EXCURSION

Journey to Avignon where a little train ride gives an overview of this papal city, with its medieval battlements & 39 towers. See the ‘Pont d’Avignon’, immortalised in song, then walk through the narrow streets to visit the Palace of the Popes, the biggest Gothic palace in the world. After some free time, head towards the Rhone river & the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the renowned wine. À votre santé! Return to Nîmes this afternoon where you are are leisure. As night falls the Spanish influence is palpable, – perhaps join the locals for a glass of sangria & the sound of flamenco in the lively tapas bars & bodegas. Or even take an optional excursion to the fortified town of Aigues Mortes, completely encircled by ramparts? (BB)

Day 6 – EXCURSION TO ARLES

Spend the morning in Arles! Follow in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh on a guided tour of this beautiful town. The Camargue begins at the gates of Arles & you return to Nîmes through part of this unique landscape. Soak up the atmosphere at an outdoor café, visit the modern Carré d’Art, or cool off amid the canals & shady walks of the Jardin de la Fontaine. It’s up to you. Tonight, for your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants to choose from. Bon appetite! (BB,DA)

Day 7 – NIMES – AIX-EN-PROVENCE – MONACO

Join the highway to ‘the most beautiful town in France after Paris’, Aix-En-Provence. After some time to appreciate the elegant mansions & bustling cafés of the Cours Mirabeau, continue to the hill-top village of St Paul de Vence, where contemporary painters perpetuate art as a living tradition. Enjoy sweeping views over the Cote d’Azur then drive to the Principality of Monaco, ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century.

Hotel: Fairmont Monte Carlo (BB)

Day 8 – MONACO AT LEISURE

Two DAYs to relax & rub shoulders with the jet-set on the glamorous Cote d’Azur! But first, drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit. Then walk with your Tour Director through the old town to see the Royal Palace, where the Grimaldi family lives, the yacht-filled harbour & the Cathedral, housing the tombs of the late Prince Ranier & Princess Grace. The rest of the day is completely free to explore this fashionable resort, or venture further afield? The choice is yours. (BB)

Day 9 – MONACO AT LEISURE

Easy Pace means more time at leisure. Maybe have a late breakfast or take an optional excursion to the magnificent villa of the Baroness Rothschild, situated on Cap Ferrat? In the afternoon, perhaps spot the celebrities or do some last minute shopping in the exclusive boutiques of this unique principality. This evening, join your new found friends for a celebration dinner with local wine before your last chance to try your luck in one of the casinos of Monte Carlo. A perfect finalé to your tour. (BB,HD)

Day 10 – NICE

Bid au revoir to the sunny French Riviera this morning. Insight’s Airport Transfer Service arrives at Nice Airport at 06:15, & 09:00 hours. (BB)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

Premium Escorted Europe and Britain 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■View Paris from a unique perspective on a leisurely Seine cruise & visit Napoleon’s tomb

■See all the sights of Avignon on your little train ride & visit the Palace of the Popes

Included Personal Insights

■Discover the heritage of contemporary art at medieval hilltop Saint-Paul de Vence

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■See Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe & Eiffel Tower

■See the greatest legacy of the Romans, the aqueduct of Pont du Gard

■See the Maison Carrée & Roman Arena in Nïmes

■Wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape

■Enjoy sightseeing of Arles & visit the Roman Amphitheatre

■Visit charming Aix-en-Provence

■Drive on part of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit & see the Grimaldi Royal Palace

■Visit the Cathedral in Monaco to see the tomb of Princess Grace

■Try your luck at one of the casinos in Monte Carlo

■Scenic Drives – French Riviera & Camargue

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage

■Standard class train journey by TGV from Paris to Avignon

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack

■Airport arrival & departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 & Day 10

■Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport

Included Quality Dining

■Dine-Around evening at your choice of restaurant from our selection in Nimes (DA)

■Highlight dinner in The Principality of Monaco (HD)

■9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, plus tea or coffee (D)

9 days, Priced from A$2975

Premium Escorted, Departs from Rome, finishes at London

Tour code E925B

If you had to define Europe by just a handful of cities and sightseeing experiences, then look no further than this tour. This is your classic European itinerary.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ROME AT LEISURE

Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, your airport arrival transfers depart for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30 & 15:30. Then this historic city is yours to discover – stroll down the Via Veneto for a taste of ‘la dolce vita’. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza St Peters.

Day 2 – ROME SIGHTSEEING

A local guide introduces you to the grandeur of the city today. Begin with a visit to St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. See Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Pieta, as well as the splendid dome, completed after his death. Cross the Tiber to hear tales of the glory of ancient Rome! Visit the Colosseum and overlook the Forum, once the bustling centre of commerce, law and religion. Later, there is time for shopping or continue sightseeing if you wish. (BB)

Day 3 – ROME – FLORENCE

Before leaving Rome, a visit to the priceless art collection of the Popes in the Vatican Museums is a must. Your guide illuminates some of the most famous pieces, before you emerge into the Sistine Chapel. This is where your audio headset comes into its own, providing clear, expert commentary from your local guide. Gaze up now and truly appreciate the significance of Michelangelo’s famous painted ceiling. Head north to the cypress clad hills of Tuscany. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the Chianti wines that make this region so famous. On arrival in Renaissance Florence, walk with your guide to the marble clad Cathedral and Baptistery, where Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’ have been recreated in all their glory. Next stop is Signoria Square, lined with fountains and sculpture. Finally, visit the church of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo.

Hotel: Londra (BB,D)

Day 4 – FLORENCE – VENICE

Proceed north towards Venice, glorious city of quaint bridges, squares, canals and gondolas. Step back into the 16C for one of the tour’s most memorable experiences. A private launch ferries you past canals lined with ornate palaces to St Marks Square, dominated by its magnificent Basilica and overlooked by the great Clock Tower where bronze Moors beat out the hours on a huge bell. Nearby is the Campanile and Doges’ Palace which is connected to the prisons by the Bridge of Sighs. See a demonstration of Venetian glass-blowing before enjoying a highlight ride by traditional gondola along the picturesque canals.

Hotel: Continental (BB,D)

Day 5 – VENICE – LUCERNE

Travel through some of the richest farmland in Europe as you cross northern Italy. Glimpse the beautiful Italian Lake District as you pass Lake Como to enter Switzerland. Continue into the heart of the Swiss Alps, past gushing streams and soaring peaks, through the St. Gotthard Tunnel to scenic Lucerne. Get together with your friends for dinner tonight and choose from our selection of restaurants.

Hotel: Astoria (BB,DA)

Day 6 – LUCERNE SIGHTSEEING

Walk with your Tour Director to visit the emotive Lion Monument. Then spend time shopping, or stroll across the Chapel Bridge to the ornate Jesuit Church. Later, embark on a highlight excursion by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of one of Switzerland’s most famous mountains, Mount Pilatus. Admire the views over the snow-capped Jungfrau and Eiger peaks before returning to Lucerne. Later if you wish, hear from our guest speaker and local expert about the ‘Secret Swiss Army’ and the efforts this peaceful alpine country makes to maintain its famous neutrality. (BB,D)

Day 7 – LUCERNE – PARIS

Drive to Basel before crossing the Rhine to France. Travel across the fertile fields of Burgundy to Paris, the vibrant heart of French life, and a city which glitters by night. Here, you have the option of a night-time illuminations tour.

Hotel: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel (BB)

Day 8 – PARIS & VERSAILLES

Travel out to the elegant town of Versailles to visit the immense palace built for the Sun King, Louis XIV. Your guide leads you through the royal apartments and there is time to take a stroll in the fine formal gardens. Return to Paris for a comprehensive guided sightseeing tour. See Garnier’s Opera, Notre Dame Cathedral and the immense facades of the Louvre. From the Place de la Concorde, drive down the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower for panoramic vistas over the city. The afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

Day 9 – PARIS – LONDON

Cross the battlefields of the Somme and pause for a moving visit at the WWI cemetery in Fromelles. Learn how our conservation partner, The Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, helped find a final resting place for many of these brave men. Continue to Calais for your short voyage to Dover. After a drive through the Kent countryside, your tour ends in London. Extend your stay with extra nights in London if you wish. (BB)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

Premium Escorted Europe and Britain 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Learn all about ancient Rome as you overlook the Forum and visit the Colosseum

■Visit the superb Vatican Museums, treasure house of the Catholic faith, and the Sistine Chapel

■Enjoy a gondola ride through the peaceful canals of Venice

■A ride by cog-wheel train and cable-car to the summit of Mount Pilatus

■Ascend Gustave Eiffel’s wonderful creation for spectacular views over Paris

■Visit the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, the imposing residence of Louis XIV

Included Personal Insights

■Hear from our guest speaker and local expert about the ‘Secret Swiss Army’ and the efforts this peaceful Alpine Country makes to maintain its famous neutrality.

■Enjoy a short tutorial about the world famous Chianti wines of Tuscany

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Visit St Peters Basilica in the Vatican City seeing Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’

■See the Cathedral, ‘Gates of Paradise’ and open-air gallery of Signoria Square in Florence

■Visit the Church of Santa Croce housing the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo

■Cruise to St Mark’s Square to see the Doges’ Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Basilica

■Enjoy a demonstration of traditional glass-blowing in Venice

■View the emotive Lion Monument and covered Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

■See Notre Dame Cathedral and drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

■Pause at the moving WWI cemetery and battlefield of Fromelles

■Scenic Drives – the Apennines and Swiss Alps

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Airport arrival transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 (Should your flights not coincide with these departure transfers, please make your own way to Rome airport or ask to purchase a transfer)

Included Quality Dining

■Choose from a selection of restaurants in Lucerne on your Dine-Around evening (DA)

■8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 3 three-course table d’hôte Dinners or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

9 days, Priced from A$1699

Premium Escorted, Departs from & returns to Tunis

Tour code E960

Come on a caravan of discovery through diverse landscapes, peppered with the traces of a long and eventful past, laced with a rich cultural heritage.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE TUNIS

Welcome to Tunisia! On arrival in Tunis, you are met & transferred to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, join your Tour Director & fellow guests for a Welcome Drink & dinner.

Hotel: Tunisia Palace/Africa El Mouradi (D)

Day 2 – EXCURSION TO CHEMTOU & DOUGGA

Set off for a glorious day in the lush, rolling countryside of the north. Travel to Dougga to see Tunisia’s largest Roman site, the city of temples, dating back to the 4th century BC! After an included lunch continue to Bulla Regia to visit the underground mosaics, then on to Chemtou, famous for its Roman marble workshops. See the marble quarry & visit the local museum before returning via Jendouba & Beja to Tunis for an evening at leisure. (BB,L).

Day 3 – TUNIS – CARTHAGE – SIDI BOU SAID – HAMMAMET – SOUSSE

Begin with a guided tour of the UNESCO listed Medina of Tunis, with its mosques, shops & well ordered souks full of leather, copper, silk & jewelry. Take in the exotic scent of oriental perfumes & incense & see the city through the eyes of the locals. Drive on to ancient Carthage, whose armies almost toppled Rome after Hannibal’s invasion of Italy. Visit the remains of Roman Carthage from 146BC, before departing for the blue & white seaside village of Sidi Bou Said & Nabeul, to see how the local artisans produce beautiful ceramics. In nearby Hammamet, the St. Tropez of Tunisia, visit the old Spanish fort, then continuevia Port el Kantaoui for a walk in the harbour. Stay tonight in the UNESCO listed city of Sousse. Visit the Medina & the Ribat, one of the best conserved ‘fortress-monasteries’. After a relaxing dinner maybe take an evening stroll along the beach.

Hotel: Mövenpick (BB,D)

Day 4 – SOUSSE – EL JEM – GABES – MATMATA – DOUZ

Stop in El Jem to visit one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in existence & the local museum. Continue to Gabès, famous for its spices, henna & straw baskets, evidenced by the aromas at the colourful spice souq in Old Jara. In the village of Matmata, visit the unusual troglodyte dwellings featured in the Star Wars films. Further westward, arrive in the desert village of Douz, a major palm oasis, producer of ‘diglat noor’ dates & gateway to the Sahara Desert.

Hotel: Shara Hotel/Golden Yasmin Sun Palm (BB,D)

Day 5 – DOUZ – KSAR GHILANE

Start the day with a short walking tour of Douz & mingle with the locals at the weekly market. Board your four-wheel drive vehicles for an adventure deep into the Sahara to spend the night in a tent hotel in Ksar Ghilane. This is one of the best desert experiences in the world – the Sahara Desert as you had always imagined, with golden s& dunes stretching for miles. It was the setting for the film of Lawrence of Arabia, & location for some of the film’s iconic shots. In Ksar Ghilane, take a guided walk inside the village & stop at the famous hot springs. Free time to shop for a blue Toureg turban?

Hotel: Ksar Ghilane Resort (BB,L,D).

Day 6 – KSAR GHILANE – CHOTT EL JERID – TOZEUR

After breakfast, hit the road once more in your off road vehicles & travel via the desert town of Kebili, before crossing the Chott El Jerid, Tunisia’s largest salt lake. The sun shimmering on the salty surface produces a startling mirage. Stop en route for photos before arriving in the oasis town of Tozeur. This afternoon, visit the ‘Dar Cherait’ museum, where the staff wear traditional costume & you can easily imagine Tunisia & its people of one hundred years ago. Relax with dinner at your hotel tonight.

Hotel: Palm Beach (BB,D)

Day 7 – RED LIZARD TRAIN & MOUNTAIN OASES EXCURSION

Set off early by four-wheel drive vehicles to take advantage of the sun-rise in the desert. Now no trip to Tunisia is complete without a ride on the Red Lizard train! The Belle Epoque carriages, the desert scenery & the Seldja Gorge all add up to an unforgettable experience. Return to Metlaoui for a jeep ride to the three mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza & Midés. The stunning gorges & spectacular landscapes were featured in films such as ‘The English Patient’. After an included lunch, enjoy the beautiful views back to Tozeur. (BB,L,D)

Day 8 – TOZEUR – GAFSA – SBEITLA – KAIROUAN – TUNIS

Journey via Gafsa for a photo stop at the famous Roman pools. Now visit the ancient Roman & Byzantine ruins of Sbeitla, where lunch is also included. Stop in the city of Kairouan, Tunisia’s holy city, listed by UNESCO for its rich architecturaland cultural heritage. A guided tour includes a visit to the Great Mosque, the Barber’s Mausoleum & Medina. Kairouan was home to a flourishing crafts industry during the 14th & 15th centuries & you also see weavers at their looms & learn the art in the making of fine Tunisian carpets. Arrive back in Tunis where you enjoy a last night highlight farewell dinner with traditional entertainment.

Hotel: Tunisia Palace/Africa El Mouradi (BB,L,HD)

Day 9 – TUNIS

Your Tunisian adventure comes to an end after breakfast with transfers to Tunis airport.(BB)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

Ancient Civilizations 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Enjoy a four wheel drive adventure to stay among the dunes of the Sahara

■Visit the ‘Dar Cherait’ museum to get a taste of ‘Old Tunisia’

■Journey through the spectacular 9-mile long Seldja Gorge aboard the Red Lizard Train

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Visit Bulla Regia, Dougga & Chemtou which showcase in different ways the early Roman presence in this region.

■Tour the UNESCO listed Medina of Tunis

■See the remains of ancient Carthage, one of the Mediterranean’s greatest civilisations

■Visit the seaside towns of Sidi Bou Said & Nabeul & witness local pottery being made

■Visit the old Spanish fort in Hammamet

■Walk through the harbour of Port el Kantaoui

■Visit the Medina & the well preserved fortress-monastery in Sousse

■Visit the huge Roman amphitheatre & local museum in El Jem

■Explore the colourful spice market of Old Jara

■Visit the cave dwellings of Matmata, featured in the Star Wars films

■Enjoy a walking tour of Douz to the weekly market

■Take a guided walk inside the village of Ksar Ghilane & stop at the famous hot springs

■Cross the salt lake of Chott El Jerid

■Take an excursion by jeep to the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza & Midés

■See the famous Roman pools at Gafsa & visit the ancient ruined city of Sbeitla

■Enjoy a guided tour of Kairouan with visits to the Great Mosque, Barber’s Mausoleum & Medina

■Witness a demonstration of carpet weaving in Kairouan

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack

■Arrival & departure transfers between the airport & your Insight tour hotel

Included Quality Dining

■Celebrate the tour finalé at a Farewell Dinner with traditional entertainment (HD)

■8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 4 Lunches (L), 6 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

13 days, Priced from A$4499

Med/Nile Cruise, Departs from Cairo, finishes at Amman

Tour code I999

From the world’s oldest pyramid in Cairo to Jordan’s Crusader forts this tour is a virtual time machine, catapulting you forward through time and history with each and every visit.

Itinerary

Day 1 – CAIRO AT LEISURE

Welcome to Egypt! When you arrive in Cairo, you enter a land of wonders and mysteries, many of which are revealed on this tour. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: Marriott

Day 2 – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING

After a detailed pre-tour briefing, commence your sightseeing in Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom. See the colossal statue of Rameses II and alabaster sphinx. Nearby at Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser; dating from 2686BC, it’s the oldest in the world. Now enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you will see the Sphinx and visit inside one of the Great Pyramids! Later, return for the Sound & Light Show! (BB)

Day 3 – CAIRO – LUXOR – JOIN CRUISE

Fly to Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom. In private moorings near the edge of town, your cruise boat awaits. Board in time for lunch and then visit Luxor Temple which provides an unforgettable introduction to ancient Thebes. Now continue to Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built by man. Walk through the avenue of Ram-headed sphinxes, to stand among the huge columns of the Hypostyle Hall.

Ship: MS Medea/MS Sapphire/MS La Boheme (BB,L,D)

Day 4 – ON BOARD SHIP

Cross to the west bank of the Nile and stop for a photo of the towering Colossi of Memnon. Visit the reconstructed Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. After venturing inside three of the tombs, return to your cruise ship and drift upstream, past palm fringed villages and irrigated fields to Esna and Edfu. (BB,L,D)

Day 5 – ON BOARD SHIP

This morning visit the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God, possibly the most complete in Egypt. Get your cameras ready as you cruise to Kom Ombo. The temple, dedicated to both Horus the Elder and Sobek, the Crocodile God, is a glorious sight from the river. Inside you will find some mummified remains of some small crocodiles. Celebrate in true Egyptian style at a Galabea Party and Dinner. (BB,L,HD)

Day 6 – ON BOARD SHIP

Cruise to exotic Aswan in the cool of early morning. Visit the Aswan High Dam and also the ancient Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan and sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan’s Botanical Gardens and enjoy high tea in English colonial style before the sun sets. (BB,L,D)

Day 7 – ASWAN – CAIRO

This morning, why not join an optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the rock by Rameses II and later rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Otherwise, spend the morning in Aswan as you wish, before your transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.

Hotel: Marriott (BB)

Day 8 – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING

Visit the Citadel for breath taking views over Cairo. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great Mosque you will visit next. Later, visit the famous Egyptian Museum. Here, among the many thousands of artefacts on display, view Tutankhamun’s magnificent treasures. (BB)

Day 9 – CAIRO – AMMAN

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Jordan. On arrival at Amman Airport, you are met by your Jordanian Tour Director and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: Marriott/Le Royal (BB,D)

Day 10 – AMMAN – JERASH – PETRA

The trip to Jerash reveals the most beautifully preserved Greco-Roman city still in existence. Explore the ruined temples of Artemis and Zeus, the Whispering Column, Forum, Hadrian’s triumphal arch and Street of Columns. Return to Amman for a city tour seeing the huge Roman Amphitheatre and the Citadel Hill. After some free time, continue south to Petra. Hotel: Marriott/Beit Zaman (BB,D)

Day 11 – PETRA SIGHTSEEING

Spend the whole day visiting Petra. The approach to this lost city is through a narrow gorge, the Siq, whose walls rise up 200 metres. Emerge from the path to see the magnificent Treasury, carved out of solid rock and standing over 40 meters high. Wind your way through the canyon to explore the Roman Amphitheatre and the ancient tombs. (BB,D)

Day 12 – PETRA – AMMAN

Follow the Kings Highway to visit Shobak, an authentic 12th century crusader fortress whose galleries, chapels and ramparts recall the gallantry of the Crusaders themselves. Continue to Mt Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land. At Madaba see the mosaic map in St George’s Church, dating from around AD560. Return to Amman or why not extend your stay at the Marriott Resort and Spa at the Dead Sea? Ask for details.

Hotel: Marriott/Le Royal (BB,D)

Day 13 – DEPART AMMAN

Transfer to the airport for your onward flights.(BB)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

Ancient Civilizations 2011

Ancient Civilizations 2012

Included Premium Highlights

■Enjoy a guided tour of Giza to see the Sphinx and visit one of the Pyramids

■Enjoy a magical Sound & Light Show at the Great Pyramids of Giza

■Visit the amazing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings

■Take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis on Philae Island

■Enjoy high tea in English colonial style before the sun sets in Aswan

■Enjoy a visit to the famous Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see the treasure of Tutankhamun

■Visit Petra, a city carved into a gigantic natural Amphitheatre and lost for hundreds of years

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■See the colossal statue of Rameses II & Great Alabaster Sphinx in Memphis

■View the Step Pyramid of King Zoser in Sakkara, the oldest in the world

■Enjoy a visit to Luxor Temple which lay hidden beneath the sand for thousands of years

■Tour the Temple complex of Karnak with its vast Hypostyle Hall

■Photo opportunity at the towering Colossi of Memnon

■Visit the Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus at Edfu

■Sail by traditional ‘felucca’ around the Botanical Gardens in Aswan

■Visit the unfinished obelisk in the granite quarries and see the Aswan High Dam

■Visit Mohammed Ali Mosque and enjoy views over Cairo from the Citadel

■Visit Jerash, the finest surviving example of a Greco-Roman city

■See the Roman Amphitheatre and Citadel Hill in Amman

■Visit the Crusader fortress of Shobak

■Take in the view of the Promised Land from Mt Nebo and see the mosaic map of the Holy Land

Included First Class Services

■Insight’s professional multi-lingual Tour Directors accompany you

■Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours

■Sightseeing by air-conditioned coach

■Deluxe and first class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

■4 night Nile cruise on MS Medea or MS Sapphire or La Boheme (or similar) with all cruise boat gratuities included

■Scheduled air travel Cairo/Luxor, Aswan/Cairo and Cairo/Amman

■Services of Insight’s Representative in Egypt

■Insight traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Arrival & departure transfers between the airport and your Insight tour hotels.

Included Quality Dining

■Egyptian dinner and Galabea Party with entertainment (HD)

■12 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 4 Lunches (L) and 7 Dinners (D), plus bottled water, and tea or coffee with included lunches and dinners whilst cruising

11 days, Priced from A$3250

Med/Nile Cruise, Departs from & returns to Cairo

Tour code J945

The Great Pyramids, Karnak, Egyptian Museum, West Bank are all here, but this tour sets itself apart by also including the formidable temples of Abu Simbel.

Itinerary

Day 1 – CAIRO AT LEISURE

Welcome to Egypt – a land that abounds in ancient wonders and mysteries which has enthralled travellers for centuries! You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Relax and settle in, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Hotel: Marriott

Day 2 – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING

Join your Tour Director for a detailed pre-tour briefing. Then commence your exploration of Cairo with a visit to the Citadel, for breathtaking views over the city. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great alabaster mosque you visit next. Then take some time to test your bargaining skills in the famous Khan El Khalili bazaars. This afternoon, visit the famous Egyptian Museum, an unrivaled warehouse of Pharaonic treasure. Among the many exhibits on display are the fabulous artefacts recovered by archeologist Howard Carter from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. (BB)

Day 3 – CAIRO – ASWAN – ABU SIMBEL – JOIN CRUISE

Transfer to the airport for your flight via Aswan to the ancient Nubian lands near Egypt’s southern border. On arrival, board your comfortable cruise boat on Lake Nasser. Get your camera ready now as you visit the Great Temple of Abu Simbel. Originally built by Rameses II, this temple was designed to impress and it still serves that purpose today. You are confronted by four towering statues of the Pharaoh himself, carved out of a single slab of rock. The smaller Temple of Hathor, built for Rameses’ wife, Nefertari, is also guarded by six 10 metre statues. Spend some time exploring inside the 3,200 year old walls, depicting scenes of Rameses and the Gods. Tonight, experience the monuments lit in all their glory at the sound and light show.

Ship: MS Prince Abbas (BB,L,D)

Day 4 – ON BOARD SHIP

Enjoy the ever changing scenery as you cruise to the ancient ruined citadel of Kasr Ibrim, still occupying its original strategic high ground. Cruise on to Amada, noted for having the oldest surviving structure on Lake Nasser. Also, it has some of the finest carvings of any Nubian temple. Explore the temple dedicated to Amun-Re and Re-Harrakte and also visit the Tomb of Penniut, deputy of Nubia. (BB,L,D)

Day 5 – ON BOARD SHIP

This morning you visit Wadi El Sebou, – the ‘Valley of the Lions’, named after the great Avenue of Sphinxes which led to the Temple of Rameses II. Now time to relax and enjoy your superb cruise facilities as you continue on to exotic Aswan – where the Middle East overlaps with Africa! (BB,L,D)

Day 6 – ASWAN – ON BOARD SHIP

Visit the Temple of Kalabsha, built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus and dedicated to the local fertility god Mandulis. Disembark now and cross over the Aswan High Dam. Take a motorboat to the Temples of Philae, rising from the waters of the Nile. Aswan granite was used by many of the Pharaohs to build their temples and tombs and you visit one of the quarries on your way to your second cruise ship which will transport you up the Nile. This afternoon, enjoy high tea in English colonial style before sunset.

Ship: MS Giselle or MS Saphire or MS La Boheme (BB,L,D)

Day 7 – ON BOARD SHIP

For a change of mood, embark on a traditional Nile sailing boat (felucca,) around Aswan’s Botanical Gardens. Cruise on to Kom Ombo to visit the only temple in Egypt dedicated to two gods – Horus the Elder and the crocodile headed Sobek. In fact, crocodiles were kept in the temple and some mummified remains are still on show. Set sail again for Edfu. Tonight celebrate in Egyptian style at an Oriental Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

Day 8 – ON BOARD SHIP

In Edfu this morning, two black granite falcons guard the entrance to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. After exploring the beautifully preserved wall reliefs, continue your Nile cruise to Luxor. On arrival, visit the fabulous Luxor Temple. The obelisk now occupying the centre of the Place de la Concorde in Paris originally came from this temple. (BB L D)

Day 9 – DISEMBARK LUXOR – CAIRO

Drive over to the west bank of the Nile for a photo stop at the towering Colossi of Memnon. Next, visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. Return to Luxor to the Temple complex of Karnak. Among its splendours is the Hypostyle Hall, the largest of any temple in the world. Later, transfer to the airport to board your flight back to Cairo.

Hotel: Marriott (BB)

Day 10 – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING

Drive out to Memphis, to view the colossal statue of Rameses II and great alabaster sphinx. Nearby at Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser; dating from 2686BC, it’s the oldest in the world. Your tour reaches its zenith with a guided tour of Giza where you see the enigmatic Sphinx and venture inside one of the magnificent Pyramids! (BB)

Day 11 – CAIRO

Your tour comes to a close with a transfer to the airport. (BB)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

Ancient Civilizations 2011

Ancient Civilizations 2012

Included Premium Highlights

■Visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see the treasure of Tutankhamun

■Visit the awe-inspiring Temples of Rameses II at Abu Simbel,

■Experience the monuments of Abu Simbel lit in all their glory at the sound and light show

■Take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis on Philae Island

■Enjoy high tea in English colonial style before the sun sets in Aswan

■Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and tombs of the Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings

■Venture inside one of the Pyramids of Giza and see the enigmatic Sphinx

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Visit Mohammed Ali Mosque and enjoy views over Cairo from the Citadel

■Visit the famous Khan El Khalili bazaars

■Overview Kasr Ibrim and visit the Amada, Wadi El Sebou & Kalabsha temples

■Sail by traditional ‘felucca’ around the Botanical Gardens in Aswan

■Visit the Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus at Edfu

■Enjoy a visit to Luxor Temple which lay hidden for thousands of years

■Tour the Temple complex of Karnak with its vast Hypostyle Hall

■Photo opportunity at the towering Colossi of Memnon

■See the colossal statue of Rameses II and great alabaster sphinx in Memphis

■View the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest in the world

Insight’s Cairo & Nile Cruise

■Insight’s professional multi-lingual Egyptologist/Tour Director accompanies you

■Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours

■Sightseeing by air-conditioned coach

■Deluxe Cairo hotel with all service charges, taxes and porterage

■3 night Lake Nasser cruise on MS Prince Abbas (or similar) and 3 night Nile cruise on MS Giselle or MS Sapphire or MS La Boheme (or similar) including all cruise boat gratuities

■Scheduled air travel Cairo/Aswan/Abu Simbel and Luxor/Cairo

■Services of Insight’s Representative in Egypt

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Arrival & departure transfers between the airport and your Insight tour hotel.

Included Quality Dining

■Egyptian dinner and Galabea Party (HD)

■10 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 6 Lunches (L) and 5 Dinners (D), plus bottled water, tea or coffee with included lunches and dinners while cruising

7 days, Priced from A$1850

USA & Canada, Departs from Scottsdale, finishes at Las Vegas

Tour code AEC

The amazing and diverse scenery of America’s canyonlands is concentrated in a relatively small area surrounding the Colorado River.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE PHOENIX – SCOTTSDALE

Your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel in Scottsdale. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. Hotel: Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa

Day 2 – SCOTTSDALE – GRAND CANYON

Head north to the spectacular scenery and towering red rocks of the quaint bohemian colony of Sedona. Browse the stores and galleries, or join a fun optional jeep excursion through the superb landscape. Enjoy one of Arizona’s finest drives through Oak Creek Canyon, before travelling on to Grand Canyon National Park. Join a local specialist for an informative presentation about the wonders of the Grand Canyon. Then experience breathtaking vistas as the sun sets on the canyon walls during a stroll with your Tour Director along the rim. Spend the night inside the park, enjoying peace and quiet after the crowds have departed. This evening, enjoy a private dinner in the Thunderbird Room, while taking in the magnificent views of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Hotel: National Park Lodges (B,HD)

Day 3 – GRAND CANYON – LAKE POWELL

The choice is yours in the morning: wake up early and see the sun rise over the canyon, take a leisurely walk and watch for wildlife, board the park shuttle to explore the various lookout points, or take a short hike down into the canyon. Optional flightseeing tours over the Grand Canyon by helicopter or plane are available from your Tour Director. After bidding farewell to this natural wonder, head to Historic Cameron Trading Post, featuring Southwest Native American arts and crafts. The journey carries on through the Painted Desert, a colourful fantasyland of mesas, buttes and badlands, and through the Navajo Indian Reservation. Stop at the Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at the lakefront resort. The scenery is breathtaking with towering rock walls rising out of the water. Take a leisurely cruise on spectacular Lake Powell and explore the scenic Antelope Canyon with its dramatic steep, sandstone walls. This evening, enjoy an interpretive presentation about the diverse ecosystem of the Colorado Plateau. Hotel: Lake Powell Resort (Guaranteed Lake View Rooms) (B,D)

Day 4 – LAKE POWELL AT LEISURE

The entire day is yours to do as you please. Relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities, or join a complimentary excursion to Monument Valley Tribal Park for a guided tour of this magnificent area. The choice is yours; your Tour Director will be happy to assist you in planning your day. (B)

Day 5 – LAKE POWELL – BRYCE OR ZION

Perhaps join an optional float trip down one of the most scenic stretches of the Colorado River before heading to Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah. This is home to an ever-changing diversity of naturally carved amphitheatre, balanced rocks, gravity-defying bridges and rock spires of pink, red and orange hues. Enjoy a leisurely walk along Sunset Point to view the great amphitheatre of odd-shaped monoliths known as hoodoos. There is time at leisure before checking in at the lodge. Selected departures will continue on to Zion National Park for an overnight stay. Hotel: Bryce Canyon National Park Lodge or Zion Park National Park Lodge (B, D)

Day 6 – BRYCE OR ZION – LAS VEGAS

Travel through more amazing scenery to the lush cliff-and-canyon landscape of Zion National Park. Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary to experience the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some time to explore at your own pace. Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife, or hike through the narrow pink-coloured gorges and dramatic canyons. A complete change of scenery awaits you in the afternoon when you arrive in Las Vegas, a collection of bright lights and neon signs, huge themed hotels of unbelievable design and the omnipresent slot machine. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you please. Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (B)

Day 7 – DEPART LAS VEGAS

Your Enchanting Canyonlands adventure ends with a departure transfer to Las Vegas International Airport. Or, if you feel you would like to experience more of America’s magnificent national parks, this itinerary forms part of both the Great Western American Adventure and the America’s Magnificent National Parks. (B)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

USA & Canada 2012

Included Premium Highlights

■Stroll with your Tour Director along the rim of the Grand Canyon, while enjoying outstanding views as the sun sets on the canyon walls

■Take a leisurely cruise on dramatic Lake Powell and explore the scenic Antelope Canyon

■Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary

Included Personal Insights

■Discover the wonders of the Grand Canyon with a local specialist

■Join a local guide for a tour of Monument Valley Tribal Park

■Experience an informative presentation at Lake Powell about the ecosystem of the Colorado Plateau

■Join a guided tour of Monument Valley Tribal Park by special vehicles

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Visit the artist colony of Sedona, set in the splendour of Red Rock Country

■Drive through the amazing landscape of Oak Creek Canyon

■Travel the length of scenic Desert View Drive along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

■Stop at Historic Cameron Trading Post featuring a collection of Native American arts and crafts

■Journey through the Painted Desert and Navajo Indian Reservation

■Explore the rugged beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park

■Enjoy a leisurely walk along Sunset Point to view the hoodoos

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book with map and information pack

■Airport transfer service on the first and last day of your tour

Included Quality Dining

■Highlight Dinner of local cuisine at the Grand Canyon (HD)

■6 Full Breakfasts (B) and 2 three-course table d’hote Dinners or Buffets (D)

16 days, Priced from A$4499

USA & Canada, Departs from Toronto, finishes at New York

Tour code AQUC

Cosmopolitan cities embodying the North American East and highlighting their cultural differences blend perfectly with natural wonders and fun activities.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE TORONTO

On arrival at Toronto International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. Hotel: Hilton Toronto

Day 2 – TORONTO SIGHTSEEING & NIAGARA FALLS EXCURSION

Rise to the top of the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing tower in the Americas, for views from four look-out levels. Travel up University Avenue to see Queen’s Park, the Parliament buildings and museum row. Now it’s on to Niagara Falls. View this great natural wonder up-close on the Maid of the Mist cruise. Browse the shops and galleries of Niagara-on-the-Lake before returning to Toronto. (B,D)

Day 3 – TORONTO – OTTAWA

Follow the shores of Lake Ontario to historic Kingston where you view the old buildings, churches and fortifications. Now continue to the capital of Ottawa to visit the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Tonight, travel by giant canoe to Turtle Island to savour a native feast accompanied by traditional dance.

Hotel: Lord Elgin (B,HD)

Day 4 – OTTAWA – MONTREAL

Enjoy an orientation tour along the stately boulevards of Ottawa seeing the green-peaked roofs of the Parliament, City Hall and National Art Gallery. Now continue to Montreal in the French speaking province of Quebec. Join a local guide to see the cobblestone streets and buildings of the old town, the grand mansions of Mount Royal, downtown area and visit Notre-Dame Basilica. Hotel: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth (B)

Day 5 – MONTREAL – QUEBEC CITY

Start the day with breakfast at Montreal’s Museum of Archaeology and History before continuing to Quebec City, set atop sheer cliffs at a narrowing of the St. Lawrence River. The day is at leisure to soak up the city’s old-world charm.

Hotel: Hilton Quebec (B)

Day 6 – QUEBEC CITY SIGHTSEEING

Experience Quebec’s unique European charm with a local guide: the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, ramparts, National Assembly, Basilica, City Hall, Place Royale and Citadel. Venture north to visit Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, the first pilgrimage shrine in North America and the Montmorency Falls. (B)

Day 7 – QUEBEC CITY – BAR HARBOR

Bid “Au Revoir” to Quebec and cross the US border. Relax and enjoy the countryside while travelling east toward the Atlantic coast, to the quintessential New England fishing village of Bar Harbor, Maine.

Hotel: Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina (B)

Day 8 – BAR HARBOR – ACADIA EXCURSION

Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park, with its dramatic rocky shoreline, beaver ponds and spectacular views from the top of Cadillac Mountain. Explore Bar Harbor on your own in the afternoon, take an optional nature cruise or go whale watching, before feasting on a traditional Maine lobster dinner. (B,HD)

Day 9 – BAR HARBOR – BOSTON

Follow the rocky Maine shoreline south, stopping in picturesque Kennebunkport for a chance to soak up typical New England life. Pass Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s only coastal city, en route to Boston, Massachusetts. Hotel: Hyatt Regency Boston (B)

Day 10 – BOSTON SIGHTSEEING

Boston is one of America’s oldest and most historic cities. Join your Tour Director for a trip along the Freedom Trail. See Beacon Hill, Faneuil Hall, Charlestown, Bunker Hill Pavilion and the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party was planned. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. (B,DA)

Day 11 – BOSTON – PHILADELPHIA

Travel to Philadelphia where both the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were written. Explore Independence National Historic Park, visit the Liberty Bell and view Independence Hall. Hotel: Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing (B)

Day 12 – PHILADELPHIA – WASHINGTON DC

Tour the award winning National Constitution Center before continuing to Washington DC. The afternoon is free to perhaps visit one of the Smithsonian’s museums, the Kennedy Center, or stroll through the historic cobblestone streets of Georgetown. Hotel: Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel (B)

Day 13 – WASHINGTON DC SIGHTSEEING

See Capitol Hill and The White House on your morning guided city tour. Stops include the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials and the WWII and Vietnam Veterans Memorials. In Arlington, board the narrated Tourmobile and visit the National Cemetery. (B)

Day 14 – WASHINGTON DC – NEW YORK CITY

Depart the nation’s capital and visit Baltimore’s Inner Harbour. There is time to explore this historic area before heading to the Big Apple. The afternoon is at leisure.

Hotel: The Alex (B)

Day 15 – NEW YORK CITY SIGHTSEEING

This morning’s orientation tour includes Times Square, the Financial and Broadway Districts and Battery Park. After, visit the Top of the Rock observation deck with stunning views of the New York skyline. In the evening, join your Tour Director and newfound friends for a farewell dinner at a New York restaurant. (B,HD)

Day 16 – DEPART NEW YORK CITY

The tour comes to an end with departure transfers to JFK and Newark International Airports and La Guardia Airport. (B)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Rise to the top of the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing tower in the Americas

■View Niagara Falls up-close on the Maid of the Mist cruise

■Admire the dramatic architecture and grand decor of Notre-Dame of Montreal

■Start the day with a special breakfast at Montreal’s Museum of Archaeology and History

■Visit the shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre and the Montmorency Falls

■Take in the natural beauty of Acadia National Park on a morning excursion

■Tour the award-winning National Constitution Center in Philadelphia

■Board the narrated Tourmobile and visit the National Cemetery in Arlington

■Stop at the Top of the Rock observation deck for stunning views of the New York skyline

Included Personal Insights

■Transfer to Turtle Island by canoe and explore the village with a native interpreter

■Your Tour Director brings the story of the American Revolution to life as you walk along Boston’s Freedom Trail

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■See museum row, Queen’s Park and City Hall in Toronto

■Browse the shops and galleries of Niagara-on-the-Lake

■Explore 20,000 years of human history at the Canadian Museum of Civilization

■See Ottawa’s Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal and the Prime Minister’s residence

■Enjoy panoramic views over Montreal from Mount Royal

■See the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel and the historic walls of Quebec City

■Stroll along the shops and historic waterfront buildings of Kennebunkport

■View Independence Hall and visit the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia

■See the Capitol, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and The White House in Washington DC

■See the world famous sights of New York City

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and onboard restroom

■Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book with map and information pack

■Airport transfer service on the first and last day of your tour

Included Quality Dining

■3 Highlight Dinners of local cuisine in Ottawa, Bar Harbor and New York City (HD) plus a Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Boston (DA)

■15 Full Breakfasts (B) and 1 three-course table d’hote Dinner or Buffet (D)

20 days, Priced from A$8647

USA & Canada, Departs from & returns to Vancouver

Tour code ACGZ

Glaciers and green forests combine to create a pristine experience that captures the grandeur of the Canadian West and Alaska.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE VANCOUVER

Welcome to Vancouver! On arrival at Vancouver International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink. Meet your fellow travellers and prepare yourself for an adventure like no other. Hotel: Fairmont Pacific Rim

Day 2 – VANCOUVER – VICTORIA

Explore Vancouver; stop in the evergreen oasis of Stanley Park and learn the significance of the park’s famous totem poles to the aboriginal people. Discover the eclectic community of English Bay and explore Chinatown, North America’s second largest Chinese community after San Francisco. Visit historic Gastown, where Vancouver was originally built in 1867. Later, travel by ferry to Victoria and join an orientation tour that introduces you to the Inner Harbour, the ornate Parliament Buildings and Bastion Square. This evening, dinner tonight is served at one of Victoria’s restaurants. Hotel: Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour (B,HD)

Day 3 – VICTORIA SIGHTSEEING

Start the day with breakfast at the famous Butchart Gardens, 55 acres of exquisite floral displays, meandering paths and spectacular views. A representative from Butchart Gardens will give a brief talk on the gardens and the history of the Butchart family. There is ample time to explore these gardens which have delighted visitors from around the world for over one hundred years. The rest of the day is yours to leisurely explore Victoria. Popular optional activities include a whale watching cruise and horse-drawn carriage ride. As an option this evening, why not experience the magic of Old Chinatown on a guided walking tour, complete with a Chinese banquet? (B)

Day 4 – VICTORIA – WHISTLER

Journey across the Strait of Georgia back to the mainland and motoring along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. Enjoy a stop at the beautiful Shannon Falls before climbing over the Coast Mountains. Upon arrival in Whistler, join a local guide for a walking tour of the village and learn about this 2010 Olympic venue. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Peak 2 Peak Alpine Experience, the world’s highest and longest gondola ride between the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains or a visit to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center and learn about two distinctly different First Nations of British Columbia. Hotel: Westin Whistler (B,D).

Day 5 – WHISTLER – KELOWNA

Travel to the Okanagan Valley to Kelowna, one of Canada’s most beloved vacation spots. The lush Okanagan region is Canada’s wine capital with some 60 wineries producing world-class vintages. Visit a beautiful winery and sample an array of outstanding local wines. Hotel: Delta Grand Okanagan Resort (B)

Day 6 – KELOWNA – BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Journey through four of Canada’s most spectacular national parks: Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho and Banff. Travel from primeval forests to Ice Age glaciers, from spectacular waterfalls to soaring peaks. At Giant Cedar in Mount Revelstoke, enjoy a guided walk through a stand of 1,000-year-old red cedars (weather permitting). At Kicking Horse Pass, cross the Continental Divide, where all the rivers of North America are diverted to the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff before arriving at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, a grand Scottish baronial castle, for a two-night stay in the heart of Banff National Park. This evening, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (B,DA)

Day 7 – BANFF AT LEISURE

Enjoy leisure time in Banff. Perhaps enjoy an optional float trip down the Bow River or a helicopter tour of Mount Assiniboine. This evening, why not partake in a fun and entertaining dinner show? (B)

Day 8 – BANFF – YOHO NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy an interpretive walk along the shore of Lake Louise, Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness,” and learn about the history and geography of this breathtaking area before moving on to another great icon of the Canadian Rockies – Moraine Lake, crowned by ten notable peaks. As you approach Yoho National Park, stop at the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint and learn about the construction of these famous tunnels. Pass by the spectacular Natural Bridge, patiently carved by the Kicking Horse River, and arrive at exquisite Emerald Lake, one of Canada’s most outstanding wilderness settings. Your home tonight is the historic Emerald Lake Lodge, built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces. After dinner, enjoy an informative presentation on the local history of the region. Later stargaze under the night sky and savour a liqueur and s’mores, a traditional American campfire treat, by a lakeside bonfire. Hotel: Emerald Lake Lodge (B,D)

Day 9 – YOHO NATIONAL PARK – JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Today motor along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway and witness amazing scenery such as Crowfoot Glacier hanging improbably from a cliff face some 900 feet above and Columbia Icefield, North America’s largest sub-polar ice pack. At Athabasca Glacier, one of the icefield’s six principal “toes,” climb aboard a specially-designed Ice Explorer for a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour over steep grades, snow and ice as you ascend partway up the glacier. En route to Jasper, perhaps join an optional gentle float trip down the Athabasca River. Your home for the next two nights is the picturesque Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in the heart of Jasper National Park, an alpine wonderland of immense forests, jeweled lakes, soaring waterfalls, soothing mineral hot springs, rugged glaciers, colourful meadows and majestic mountains. After dinner a local wildlife expert will lead an informative presentation about some of the park’s most interesting residents which include elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, black bear, beaver and caribou. Hotel: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (B,D)

Day 10 – JASPER NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING

Join your Tour Director for an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Canadian Rockies. Stroll along the canyon’s trail, past beautiful waterfalls, astounding rock formations, and learn about the underground river system. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Jasper is the base for a host of optional tours and activities. Perhaps enjoy a boat cruise on Maligne Lake or join a guided nature walk at Mount Edith Cavell along the “Path of the Glacier.” The choice is entirely yours! (B)

Day 11 – JASPER – ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TRAIN – KAMLOOPS

Relive the golden age of rail travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train, one of the world’s great rail journeys. For the next two days, enjoy travelling in your choice of RedLeaf or GoldLeaf Service as the train journeys from Jasper in the Rocky Mountains to Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean. View spectacular scenery as the train journeys across the Continental Divide and over the Yellowhead Pass back to British Columbia. On arrival in Kamloops, transfer to your Rocky Mountaineer-assigned hotel. Hotel: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer (CB,L)

Day 12 – KAMLOOPS – ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TRAIN – VANCOUVER

Continue your journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train and follow the river into the Thompson Canyon with its rugged walls and dry sagebrush landscape until it dramatically merges with the Fraser River. On arrival in Vancouver, transfer to your hotel. End the day with dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to your hotel for the night. Hotel: Fairmont Pacific Rim (CB,L,HD)

Day 13 – ALASKA GLACIER BAY INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE

Head out to North Vancouver and the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. Cross the spectacular suspension bridge, 230 feet (70 metres) above the Capilano River, and join the award-winning Treetops Adventure, a guided nature tour along a series of elevated walkways. Guests on the 20-Day Land Tour & Cruise are transferred to Canada Place to board Holland America Line’s ms Zuiderdam for an unforgettable Alaska Glacier Bay Inside Passage Cruise. (D)

Day 14 – SCENIC CRUISING – INSIDE PASSAGE

Enter a region so isolated, it can only be accessed by sea or air. Come face-to-face with the grandeur of the Ice Age. Slowly glide past a maze of bays, glacier-carved fjords and waterways protected from the open sea by islands and other land masses. The ms Zuiderdam is designed for Alaskan cruising with its airy lounges, teak decks and roomy verandahs, allowing for comfortable observation of the ever- changing panorama of unspoiled virgin forests and vast wilderness that stretch from British Columbia to Skagway, Alaska. (B,L,D)

Day 15 – JUNEAU

Juneau is a place to let your imagination run wild. Stop in rustic shops offering jade and ivory sculptures, silver jewelry, wooden masks, intricate beadwork and apparel designed by native Alaskans. Visit Gold Rush- era bars such as the Alaska Hotel with its ornate Victorian furnishings, or the Red Dog Saloon showcasing Wyatt Earp’s gun. Perhaps take an optional guided tour of the State Capitol or climb aboard the Mount Roberts Tramway. Follow in the footsteps of the original North Americans as you explore the Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields just outside the city, or trek through the lush Tongass National Forest. And don’t hurry, daylight here lasts well into the evening! (B,L,D)

Day 16 – SKAGWAY

Established in 1897 as a trading post for prospectors headed to the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway was once known as “hell on earth,” an untamed, violent town controlled by organized criminals. Today, of course, the town is a bit more civilized, though its colourful past is carefully preserved in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. For a truly memorable excursion, take an optional ride on the narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon Railroad, which was built in 1897 to take miners over treacherous terrain to the distant goldfields. The railway still uses vintage parlor cars, the oldest built in 1883. (B,L,D)

Day 17 – GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK SCENIC CRUISING

In the watery wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park, behold a landscape at its literal moment of creation. Your ship becomes a time machine as you travel thousands of years back in time, witnessing the life cycle of a new land from Sitka-spruce forests alive with grizzlies and wolves to the algae, lichens and mosses that were the beginnings of life in the region. In this isolated land the shrill noises of modern life are replaced with the deep, thunderous boom of building-size icebergs calving into the sea from a vast river of ice. It is raw, primordial… and unforgettable. (B,L,D)

Day 18 – KETCHIKAN

Welcome to the salmon capital of the world! Part of the town is built along a steep hillside, part is built on pilings over the water where bald eagles watch from waterside perches. An outstanding collection of totem poles makes the town an essential stop for anyone interested in native art. To make the most of your time ashore, consider taking an optional guided tour through town, a harbor cruise or a float plane “flightseeing” trip. If you prefer a more hands-on experience, you can take a sport fishing charter, kayak expedition, jeep ride or mountain excursion on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The adventure never stops. (B,L,D)

Day 19 – AT SEA

Today is a day of relaxation as your cruise returns to Vancouver. Take advantage of the ship’s many outstanding facilities, or simply relax on deck with a drink and watch the unmatched scenery glide by your floating palace. (B,L,D)

Day 20 – DEPART VANCOUVER

After disembarking, a departure transfer takes you to Vancouver International Airport, or the tour hotel in Vancouver for passengers extending their stay. Please do not schedule flights before 12 p.m. (B)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

GoldLeaf Service

■Custom-designed bi-level Goldleaf Dome Coach with panoramic views from full-length dome windows

■Gourmet breakfast and lunch selections served in lower-level dining room with picture windows

■Complimentary snacks and all beverages including alcohol served at your seat

Included Premium Highlights

■Enjoy breakfast at the Butchart Gardens and explore the spectacular floral displays

■Tour a renowned winery and taste local vintages in the scenic Okanagan Valley

■Gather around a bonfire overlooking Emerald Lake, roast s’mores and enjoy a liqueur

■Climb aboard a specially-designed Ice Explorer to ascend partway up the Athabasca Glacier

■Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train for one of the world’s great rail journeys

■Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park and join the Treetops Adventure

Included Personal Insights

■Join an informative talk with a representative from Butchart Gardens

■Enjoy a guided walking tour of Whistler Village

■Stroll along Lake Louise with your Tour Director and enjoy an informative talk

■Learn of the history and early explorers of the area at Emerald Lake Lodge

■Enjoy Jasper National Park’s wildlife from a unique perspective at a fun get together with a local expert

■Learn about the underground river system at beautiful Maligne Canyon

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■See English Bay, Chinatown, Gastown and the totem poles of Vancouver’s Stanley Park

■See the Inner Harbour, Parliament Buildings and Bastion Square in Victoria

■Visit five national parks: Mt. Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho, Banff and Jasper

■Enjoy a walk through 1,000-year-old red cedars

■See Moraine Lake, the Spiral Tunnels and Natural Bridge in the Rocky Mountains

■Journey along the magnificent Icefields Parkway

■Soak up the beauty of Alaska on a 7-night cruise onboard the ms Zuiderdam

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director (Days 1-13)

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour

■GoldLeaf Service onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train including gratuities to onboard train personnel

■All facilities aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zuiderdam

Included Quality Dining

■Highlight Dinners of local cuisine in Victoria and Vancouver (HD) plus a Dine-Around evening at your choice of restaurants from our selection in Banff (DA)

■10 Full Breakfasts (B) and 3 three-course table d’hote Dinners or Buffets (D)

■2 Continental Breakfasts (CB) and 2 light deli-style Lunches (L) onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train in GoldLeaf Service

■7 Full Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L) and 7 Dinners (D) aboard the ms Zuiderdam

16 days, Priced from A$4650

USA & Canada, Departs from Phoenix, finishes at Denver

Tour code AAM

This tour offers the complete experience of North America’s most popular parks including the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE PHOENIX – SCOTTSDALE

Your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel in Scottsdale. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. Hotel: Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa

Day 2 – SCOTTSDALE – GRAND CANYON

Today’s first stop is in the Travel through Oak Creek Canyon on your way to one of the world’s great natural wonders – Grand Canyon National Park. Join a local specialist for an informative presentation about the amazing features of the Grand Canyon. Then, Don’t forget your camera as you embark on a stroll with your Tour Director along the rim to watch the sun set over the canyon walls. Tonight, enjoy a private dinner in the Thunderbird Room while taking in the magnificent views of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Hotel: National Park Lodges (B,HD)

Day 3 – GRAND CANYON – LAKE POWELL

After a morning at leisure at the Grand Canyon, move on to the Historic Cameron Trading Post. Your journey countinues on through the Painted Desert, a colourful fantasyland of mesas, buttes and badlands, and through the Navajo Indian Reservation. Stop at the Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at your resort where you are guaranteed lake view rooms. The scenery is breathtaking with towering rock walls rising out of the water. Take a leisurely cruise on the spectacular Lake Powell and explore the scenic Antelope Canyon, with its dramatic steep sandstone walls. this evening enjou an interpretive presentation about the diverse ecosystem of the Colorado Plateau. Hotel: Lake Powell Resort (Guaranteed Lake View Rooms) (B,D)

Day 4 – LAKE POWELL AT LEISURE

The entire day is yours to relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities. Perhaps take a float trip down the Colorado River, or join our complimentary excursion to Monument Valley Tribal Park for a guided tour of this amazing landscape. The choice is yours. (B)

Day 5 – LAKE POWELL – BRYCE OR ZION

This morning, perhaps enjoy an optional float trip down the Colorado River. Later, visit the balanced rocks, gravity-defying bridges and rock spires of Bryce Canyon National Park. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Sunset Point to view the hoodoos. Time at leisure before checking in at the lodge. Selected departures will continue on to Zion National Park for the night. Hotel: Bryce Canyon National Park Lodge or Zion Park National Park Lodge (B,D)

Day 6 – BRYCE OR ZION – LAS VEGAS

Travel through more amazing scenery to Zion National Park. Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary to experience the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some time at leisure. A complete change of scenery awaits upon arrival in glittering Las Vegas. Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (B)

Day 7 – LAS VEGAS – SALT LAKE CITY

Travel on to Salt Lake City, host city of the 2002 Winter Olympics and home of the Mormon religion. Hotel: Salt Lake City Marriott City Center (B)

Day 8 – SALT LAKE CITY – GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

SeeTemple Square before travelling across the Oregon Trail to Jackson, Wyoming.Continue to your lakeside lodge overlooking Jackson Lake and the stunning peaks and glaciers of Grand Teton National Park. Hotel: Jackson Lake Lodge (B)

Day 9 – GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK – YELLOWSTONE

Explore Grand Teton National Park, stopping to admire the incredible views at Jenny Lake. Move on to Yellowstone, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park and renowned for its geothermal activity, spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife. After dinner, join a local guide for an informative sunset stroll through Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin. Hotel: National Park Lodges (B,D)

Day 10 – YELLOWSTONE SIGHTSEEING

Explore Yellowstone National Park: walk among the erupting geysers, see colourful bubbling mudpots and witness Old Faithful shooting over 120ft into the air. See free-roaming herds of buffalo, deer, elk and bear in their natural habitat, and don’t miss the thundering Lower Yellowstone Falls. (B)

Day 11 – YELLOWSTONE – BILLINGS

Travel down the Shoshone Canyon through the Absaroka Rocky Mountains to the old Wild West town of Cody to visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, built in honour of one of America’s great Western legends. Stay overnight in the old cattle town of Billings, Montana.his evening, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Billings (B,DA)

Day 12 – BILLINGS – CUSTER STATE PARK

Relive “Custer’s Last Stand” at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, before driving into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Join Kevin Costner’s Original Deadwood Tour and explore this once lawless town with a local expert. Relive the days of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, who made this town famous during the gold rush of the 1870’s. Now continue to Custer State Park, teeming with wildlife such as buffalo, deer and elk. Hotel: The State Game Lodge (B,D)

Day 13 – BLACK HILLS EXCURSION

Start the day at Crazy Horse Memorial, a gigantic sculpture dedicated to all Native Americans. Come face-to-face with four American Presidents at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 14 – CUSTER STATE PARK – CHEYENNE

Travel across the high plains into Wyoming. Stop at the historic Fort Laramie, site of one of the great frontier outposts, before continuing to Cheyenne for an orientation tour and overnight stay. Hotel: Little America Hotel & Resort Cheyenne(B)

Day 15 – CHEYENNE – DENVER

Enter Rocky Mountain National Park and pass over Trail Ridge Road to the source of the Colorado River (weather permitting). Take an orientation tour of the Mile High City of Denver, before a farewell dinner with newfound friends. Hotel: Denver Marriott City Center (B,D)

Day 16 – DENVER – DEPARTURE

Your vacation comes to an end today. A departure transfer to Denver International Airport is provided. (B)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Stroll with your Tour Director along the rim to watch the sun set over the Grand Canyon

■Take a leisurely cruise on spectacular Lake Powell and explore scenic Antelope Canyon

■Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary

■Stop in the Wild West town of Cody to explore the Buffalo Bill Historical Center

■Join Kevin Costner’s Original Deadwood Tour and explore this once lawless town

■Visit Fort Laramie, a former frontier outpost of the American Cavalry

Included Personal Insights

■Discover the wonders of the Grand Canyon with a local specialist

■Stop at the Glen Canyon Dam and learn about the Colorado River Storage Project

■Experience an informative ecosystem presentation at Lake Powell

■Join a guided tour of Monument Valley Tribal Park by special vehicles

■Enjoy a guided sunset stroll in Yellowstone National Park and learn about the Upper Geyser Basin

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Visit the artist colony of Sedona, set in the splendour of Red Rock Country

■Drive through the dramatic landscape of Oak Creek Canyon

■Travel the length of scenic Desert View

■Drive along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

■Stop at the Historic Cameron Trading Post featuring Native American arts and crafts

■Journey through the Painted Desert and Navajo Indian Reservation

■Enjoy a leisurely walk along Sunset Point to view the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park

■View Temple Square in Salt Lake City

■Stop in the historic town of Jackson and view its iconic antler arch

■View Old Faithful and the other natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park

■See the enormous Crazy Horse Memorial and visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial

■Journey along Trail Ridge Road inside Rocky Mountain National Park

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book with map and information pack

■Airport transfer service on the first and last day of your tour

Included Quality Dining

■Highlight Dinner of local cuisine in the Grand Canyon (HD)

■Choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around evening in Billings (DA)

■15 Full Breakfasts (B) and 5 three-course table d’hote Dinners or Buffets (D)

15 days, Priced from A$4385

USA & Canada, Departs from San Francisco, finishes at Las Vegas

Tour code AGW

Glorious cities, wine country, dramatic canyons and coastal towns… this is truly a marvellous and diverse composition of the American West.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE SAN FRANCiSCO

Welcome to California! On arrival at San Francisco International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. Hotel: InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Day 2 – SAN FRANCISCO SIGHTSEEING

Spend the morning taking in the bustling activity on Union Square, the famous cable cars, the stately Victorian homes of Alamo Square and the beautiful Golden Gate Park. After a free afternoon, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for an informative walking tour through Chinatown, followed by an authentic Chinese banquet at a local restaurant. (B,HD)

Day 3 – SAN FRANCISCO – NAPA & SONOMA

Enter California’s lush premier Wine Country. Travel to Napa and step aboard the beautifully restored Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy fine dining and wine tasting while travelling through the Napa Valley’s picturesque landscape. Next, travel along the scenic Carneros Highway to the Sonoma Valley and enjoy a tour and tasting at a local winery followed by some time at Sonoma’s historic plaza. The evening is at leisure. Hotel: The Lodge at Sonoma, a Renaissance Resort & Spa (B,L)

Day 4 – SONOMA – YOSEMITE

Travel through California’s Gold Country to spend the night inside Yosemite National Park, close to North America’s highest waterfall. Tour the valley enjoying the rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome and the abundant wildlife. Hotel: Yosemite Lodge at the Falls (B)

Day 5 – YOSEMITE – MONTEREY

Early risers can enjoy the peace and quiet of Yosemite Valley, or take a short walk to the Yosemite Falls. Drive through the fertile San Joaquin Valley, stopping at a historic fruit stand en route to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Browse the art galleries and shops on Ocean Avenue, then travel along the scenic 17 Mile Drive. Pass the Pebble Beach Golf Links and multi-million dollar mansions before arriving at Monterey. End the day with a lecture and private dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, with time to view some exhibits. Hotel: InterContinental the Clement Monterey (B, HD)

Day 6 – MONTEREY – SANTA BARBARA

Head south to San Simeon for a guided tour of Hearst Castle, the grandiose estate of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. Continue through the vineyards of the Central Coast to the elegant resort of Santa Barbara. Enjoy an orientation tour of this seaside paradise before checking into your beachfront resort. This evening, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort (B,DA)

Day 7 – SANTA BARBARA – LOS ANGELES

Visit the Mission Santa Barbara and learn about the chain of 21 California Missions along California’s El Camino Real. Then, journey along spectacular Santa Monica Bay, passing through glamorous Malibu on your way to Santa Monica. There is time to stroll along Third Street Promenade. Visit the J. Paul Getty Museum with its collection of Western art, set against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views. Continue on to your luxurious hotel at L.A. LIVE, the city’s newest and one-of-a-kind entertainment destination. Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE (B)

Day 8 – HOLLYWOOD SIGHTSEEING

Board mini-coaches to cruise past movie stars’ mansions, while enjoying stories about celebrities past and present from your guide. Continue on to see the Hollywood Sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Enjoy a private tour of the Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards ceremony. The afternoon is free. Perhaps join an optional Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour? (B)

Day 9 – LOS ANGELES- SCOTTSDALE

Travel across the Mojave Desert to Scottsdale. Enjoy the resort’s spectacular facilities or visit Old Town Scottsdale. Hotel: Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa (B)

Day 10 – SCOTTSDALE – GRAND CANYON

Head to the towering red rocks of Sedona. Browse the stores, galleries and restaurants, or perhaps join an optional jeep excursion. Enjoy one of Arizona’s finest drives through Oak Creek Canyon, before spending a peaceful night inside Grand Canyon National Park. Join local specialist for an informative presentation about the wonders of the Grand Canyon. Later, a stroll with your Tour Director provides breathtaking views as the sun sets on the canyon walls. Tonight, enjoy a private dinner in the Thunderbird Room while taking in the magnificent views of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Hotel: National Park Lodges (B,HD)

Day 11 – GRAND CANYON – LAKE POWELL

This morning maybe watch the sunrise over the canyon, take optional flightseeing tours by helicopter or plane, or board the park shuttle to various lookout points. Later, head to the Historic Cameron Trading Post, featuring Southwestern arts and crafts. Continue through the mesas and buttes of the Painted Desert and the Navajo Indian Reservation. Stop at the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center to learn about the impact of the Colorado River, before arriving at your resort where you are guaranteed lake view rooms. Take a leisurely cruise on the magnificent Lake Powell and explore the scenic Antelope Canyon, with its dramatic steep, sandstone walls. This evening, enjoy an interpretive presentation about the diverse ecosystem of the Colorado Plateau. Hotel: Lake Powell Resorts (Guaranteed Lake View Rooms) (B,D)

Day 12 – LAKE POWELL AT LEISURE

The day is yours to either relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities or join a complimentary guided tour of the amazing landscapes of Monument Valley Tribal Park. The choice is yours. (B

Day 13 – LAKE POWELL – BRYCE OR ZION

This morning why not join an optional scenic float trip down the Colorado River? Then, visit Bryce Canyon National Park and enjoy a stroll along Sunset Point to view the odd-shaped monoliths known as hoodoos. Time at leisure before checking in at the lodge right inside the park. Selected departures continue to Zion National Park for the night. Hotel: Bryce Canyon National Park Lodge or Zion National Park Lodge (B,D)

Day 14 – BRYCE OR ZION – LAS VEGAS

Travel through more amazing scenery to the lush cliff-and-canyon landscape of Zion National Park. Join a private Zion Canyon Shuttle with live commentary to experience the scenic highlights of the park, followed by some time at leisure. A complete change of scenery awaits you on arrival in Las Vegas, where the rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (B)

Day 15 – DEPART LAS VEGAS

Your adventure ends with a departure transfer to Las Vegas International Airport. (B)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

USA & Canada 2012

Included Premium Highlights

■Travel through the Napa Valley’s picturesque landscape aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train

■Visit a winery and enjoy wine tasting in California’s premier wine growing district

■Enjoy a guided tour of Hearst Castle – the palatial estate of William Randolph Hearst

■Visit the beautiful Mission Santa Barbara and learn about the chain of 21 California Missions

■Explore the J. Paul Getty Museum with its world-class collection of Western art

■Board special mini-coaches for a cruise past Hollywood homes of the rich and famous

■Venture behind the velvet rope on a private guided tour of the Kodak Theatre

■Stroll with your Tour Director for spectacular views as the sun sets on the Grand Canyon

■Take a leisurely cruise on spectacular Lake Powell and explore Antelope Canyon

■Explore Zion Canyon onboard a private shuttle with live commentary

Included Personal Insights

■Learn about the famous alleyways, streets and buildings of San Francisco’s Chinatown

■Enjoy a fascinating presentation about marine life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

■Discover the wonders of the Grand Canyon with a local specialist

■Stop at the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center and learn about the Colorado River Storage Project

■Explore Monument Valley with a local guide

■Experience an informative presentation at Lake Powell about the wildlife of the Colorado Plateau

■Join a guided tour of Monument Valley Tribal Park by special vehicles

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■See Union Square, the cable cars, Alamo Square and Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

■Explore the shops of the beautiful Spanish Sonoma Plaza

■Experience the natural beauty and wildlife of Yosemite National Park

■Visit picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea and browse the shops on Ocean Avenue

■Take the scenic 17 Mile Drive past Pebble Beach Golf Links and fabulous mansions

■Drive down Santa Barbara’s State Street, view the Court House and Stearns Wharf

■Travel along beautiful Santa Monica Bay past Malibu and celebrities’ beachfront homes

■Stroll along the popular Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica

■Drive along Sunset Boulevard, see Beverly Hills, Hollywood, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

■Visit the artist colony of Sedona, set in the splendour of Red Rock Country

■Drive through the dramatic landscape of Oak Creek Canyon

■Travel the length of scenic Desert View Drive along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

■Stop at the Historic Cameron Trading Post featuring Native American arts and crafts

■Journey through the Painted Desert and the Navajo Indian Reservation

■Explore the rugged beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park

■Enjoy a leisurely walk along Bryce Canyon’s Sunset Point to view the hoodoos

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book with map and information pack

■Airport transfer service on the first and last day of your tour

Included Quality Dining

■3 Highlight Dinners in San Francisco, Monterey and the Grand Canyon (HD) plus choose from a selection of restaurants on a Dine-Around evening in Santa Barbara (DA)

■14 Full Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train (L) and 2 Hotel Dinners (D)

11 days, Priced from A$2925

Premium Escorted, Departs from & returns to Mexico City

Tour code ACMX

Exquisite colonial towns, stunning pre-Columbian sites, colourful folklore, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine all blend together for the perfect exploration of Mexico.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE MEXICO CITY

Welcome to Mexico! On arrival at Mexico City International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to welcome you and answer your questions. Please join us at 7 p.m. for a Welcome Drink and meet your fellow travellers. Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Hotel

Day 2 – MEXICO CITY SIGHTSEEING

Start the day with a visit to the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology and explore the superb Maya and Aztec exhibits. One of the highlights of your visit is a presentation by your Tour Director on the amazing Aztec Calendar, often referred to as the Sun Stone. Next visit the Historic Centre of Mexico City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch explore Mexico City’s imposing central square, the third largest in the world. The “Zocalo,” as it is known colloquially, is flanked by some of the city’s most impressive sites including the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral and Templo Mayor. First admire the frescoes and learn about Diego Rivera and the Mexican Muralist Movement at the National Palace. Next visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest church in Latin America. Finally view the Templo Mayor, or Great Pyramid, the most important temple in the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan. Then enjoy Mexico’s world-famous cuisine at a welcome dinner of tasty signature dishes at one of Mexico City’s fine restaurants. Enjoy traditional live Mariachis and learn about the history and importance of Mariachis in Mexican culture. (B,L,HD)

Day 3 – MEXICO CITY – QUERETARO

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan, one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico and one of the ancient world’s most impressive cities. Under the expert guidance of your Tour Director, discover a vast complex of monuments, including the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Learn of the Teotihuacanos’ accomplishments and their far-reaching cultural and artistic influence. Then journey to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Queretaro. A private cocktail reception awaits you in one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful colonial mansions; admire the mansion and learn more about this outstanding architectural jewel. Later enjoy a brief walking tour of this little-visited colonial gem with special attention given to the Historic Monuments Zone and its wealth of outstanding buildings. Later check-in for an overnight stay at a sprawling 16th century hacienda. Hotel: Hacienda Jurica (B,L,D)

Day 4 – QUERETARO – GUANAJUATO

Arrive in San Miguel de Allende, a colonial architectural jewel with beautiful mansions, flower-filled patios, luxuriant gardens and cobblestone streets. The town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and is considered one of the loveliest of Mexico’s colonial cities. Enjoy a stroll through the city centre under the guidance of your Tour Director to see the famous Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel and the beautiful Casa de Allende. Wander on your own and browse the many interesting shops; perhaps visit one of the spectacular private gardens or art galleries the city is famous for, or simply relax in “El Jardin,” the central square. Then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guanajuato. Check-in at your hotel, located on the site of one of Guanajuato’s most beautiful haciendas where metals from local mines were once processed. The building has been proclaimed part of a World Heritage Site and is protected by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. Dinner tonight is served at one of Guanajuato’s finest restaurants, situated in an old colonial hacienda with glorious gardens. Meet the Chef and learn about tonight’s menu and ingredients. Hotel: Camino Real Guanajuato (B, L, HD)

Day 5 – GUANAJUATO SIGHTSEEING

Set out with your Tour Director on an exploration of this captivating city, built at the centre of the world’s leading silver mining area of the 18th century. Guanajuato’s history, culture and monuments are as rich as its silver mines were during the Colonial era. Explore the winding streets, subterranean passages and lively downtown. View the most interesting sites including the Juarez Theatre, Alley of the Kiss, La Alhondiga – site of the first rebel victory in the War of Independence and Hidalgo Market – designed by famous engineer Gustave Eiffel. Visit a local mine and learn about Guanajuato’s mining industry during the 16th century. Lunch is served at a lively cafe along the shaded Union Garden. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure in the city centre, or relax by the hotel swimming pool. This evening dinner is served at one of Guanajuato’s finest restaurants, followed by an informal presentation and tasting of Mexico’s national drink – tequila. (B, L, HD)

Day 6 – GUANAJUATO – MORELIA

Travelling back in time from the colonial era to Pre-Columbian times, you arrive in the state of Michoacan and the impressive colonial city of Morelia. The exquisite colonial architecture has made the Historic Center of Morelia a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View the beautiful Conservatory of the Roses, Clajivero Palace and Palace of Justice. At the outstanding central square, visit the Cathedral and Government Palace with its beautiful murals. See the 18th Century Aqueduct before checking into the delightful Villa Montana Hotel, designed as a rambling village on a hill with superb views over the historic centre. Enjoy a cocktail at the hotel and the afternoon at leisure. This evening, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: Villa Montana Hotel & Spa (B,L,DA)

Day 7 – PATZCUARO EXCURSION

Explore the Purepecha highlands and discover the subtler aspects of this little-known corner of Mexico. Stop for views of the archaeological site of Tzintzuntzan and then stop in Santa Clara del Cobre, where you enjoy an exclusive visit to one of the local copper craftshops. Observe local artisans at work, learn about the copper-working techniques that produce some of Mexico’s most unique and coveted works, and perhaps try your hand at copper-working! Next visit the small, tranquil colonial village of Patzcuaro, the centre of Purepechan culture, situated on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro. Back at the hotel, enjoy the evening at leisure. Relax on the terrace overlooking the city or take a dip in the inviting pool. (B,L)

Day 8 – MORELIA – TAXCO

Heading for the legendary silver mining town of Taxco, cross into the state of Mexico and stop in the delightful whitewashed village of Ixtapan de la Sal. Back on the road, enter the state of Guerrero and drop down into the perennial spring time climate of Taxco, one of Mexico’s most beloved colonial towns. From the hotel, marvel at the impossibly situated village, wedged into the mountain which was home to the very first and largest Spanish silver mine in the Americas. This boom and bust town has been declared a National Monument to preserve the original character displayed in the cobblestone streets, red tiled roofs and white adobe buildings. Explore the winding streets lined with cafes and shops, the Plaza Borda (central square) with its ornate church – the Parroquia de Santa Prisca, and Casa Borda. Taxco is famous for its hundreds of silver workshops and has become the most prolific silver jewellery centre in all of Mexico. Visit one of the renowned silver shops and learn about the silver making process before time on your own to explore the city and to browse Mexico’s finest display of silver craftsmanship. Dinner is at the hotel this evening with superb views of the colourful city centre. Hotel: Posada de la Mision (B,L,D)

Day 9 – TAXCO – PUEBLA

Rise early for breakfast before setting out to one of Mexico’s most important and exceptionally well-preserved archaeological sites – Xochicalco. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xochicalco’s ritual centres, temples and plazas cover almost 2500 acres. Xochicalco was a meeting place for a wide variety of cultures including Toltec, Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec and Aztec. After a visit to the interesting museum, explore the site and view the marvelous Pyramid of the Plumed Serpent. Next find yourself transported back in time to the era of the Spanish conquistadors at the stunning 16th century hacienda of Hernan Cortes, conqueror of Mexico. Wander the majestic buildings and luxuriant grounds before enjoying a delightful lunch in this well-protected refuge. Later journey to Puebla and check in at your remarkable hotel, a former convent built in the 16th century in pure Viceroyship-era style for a wealthy religious order. Hotel: Camino Real Puebla (B,L,D)

Day 10 – PUEBLA SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy a brief walking tour of the Historic Centre of Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in architectural treasures, traditions and cuisine. The bucolic central square is impressive with its colonial-style cathedral and host of buildings decorated with the ubiquitous azulejos (tiles). Join a local expert for a privately guided visit to the Iglesia de Santo Domingo. Admire its outstanding Rosary Chapel, one of the most elaborately decorated chapels in Mexico, and a masterpiece of Mexican Baroque with dazzling use of gold-leaf stucco and onyx stonework. Then, board your motorcoach and navigate the most interesting neighbourhoods. Stop at one of the finest Talavera ceramic workshops in the city. Learn the age-old tradition of Talavera craftsmanship that has evolved from Pre-Columbian roots and assimilated techniques, materials and processes from Spain and the modern era. After lunch, set off to wander the city’s picturesque streets on your own. Perhaps visit a museum, explore the shops, join a Mexican cooking lesson or relax at a sidewalk cafe and soak in the atmosphere. Discover why Puebla is considered Mexico’s gastronomic capital as you enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant featuring “Cocina Poblana” – Puebla’s signature dishes, including two of the country’s most popular recipes: mole and chiles en nogada (seasonal). Meet the Chef and learn about the ingredients and techniques involved in tonight’s tasty local dishes! (B,L,HD)

Day 11 – PUEBLA – MEXICO CITY – DEPARTURE

This morning return to Mexico City. En route, stop for the best views of Cholula’s iconic Great Pyramid, the largest stone monument in the world, with a colonial church at its top and the active volcanoes of Popocatepeti adn Iztaccihuatl as its background. Your tour ends at Mexico City International Airport and the hotel in Mexico City for passengers extending their stay. Please do not schedule flights before 2:30 p.m. (B)

Please note: In selected locations, the tour requires walking on uneven surfaces and climbing some stairs.

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

USA & Canada 2012

Included Premium Highlights

■Visit the National Museum of Anthropology and its superb Maya and Aztec collections

■Visit the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral and view the Templo Mayor

■Explore the UNESCO-listed Pre-Hispanic and holy city of Teotihuacan

■Visit one of San Miguel de Allende’s most beautiful private gardens or art galleries

■Visit one of Guanajuato’s richest silver producing mines of the colonial era

■Discover the UNESCO-listed site of Xochicalco and visit the museum

■Visit Hernan Cortes’ spectacular hacienda and enjoy lunch on the beautiful grounds

■Visit the outstanding Rosary Chapel, one of Mexico’s most elaborately decorated chapels

Included Personal Insights

■Find out about the amazing sacred Aztec Calendar and its use to the Aztec people

■Enjoy Mariachi bands and learn about their history and significance to Mexican culture

■Enjoy a cocktail at Casa de la Marquesa in Queretaro and learn about this colonial jewel

■Meet a Chef in Guanajuato and learn about cooking techniques and ingredients

■Learn all about tequila, Mexico’s national drink, and enjoy tequila tasting

■View copper artisans at work in Santa Clara del Cobre and try your hand at copperworking

■Enjoy silversmith demonstrations in Taxco and learn about the silver-making process

■Learn about the unique art of Talavera ceramic production on a guided workshop tour

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Historic Monuments Zone of Queretaro

■Stroll with your Tour Director through San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

■Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Guanajuato with your Tour Director

■Explore UNESCO-listed Morelia and view the beautiful 18th century, 253 arches Aqueduct

■Tour Purepecha country view the archaeological site of Tzintzuntzan and visit Patzcuaro

■Stroll the main plaza in Ixtapan de la Sal

■Explore Taxco, a National Monument and world-class silver jewellery centre

■Discover Puebla’s Historic Centre on foot and navigate its neighbourhoods by coach

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour

■First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book with map and information pack

Included Quality Dining

■4 Highlight Dinners of local cuisine in Mexico City, Guanajuato and Puebla (HD)

■Choose from a selection restaurants on your Dine-Around evening in Morelia (DA

■10 Full Breakfasts (B), 9 Lunches (L) and 3 three-course table d’hote Dinners or Buffets (D)

11 days, Priced from A$2750

USA & Canada, Departs from & returns to Los Angeles

Tour code ASWD

Capture the glitz and grandeur of the Southwest from California’s vibrant coast and enchanting deserts to the wondrous Grand Canyon and incomparable Las Vegas.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE LOS ANGELES

Welcome to the City of Angels! On arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. Please join your Tour Director and your fellow travellers at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink at the hotel.

Hotel: InterContinental Los Angeles Century City.

Day 2 – LOS ANGELES SIGHTSEEING

Start your discovery tour following in the footsteps of the stars at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Sign. Enjoy the red carpet treatment as you are taken on a private guided tour of the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. Next, visit the boutiques and restaurants at The Grove, LA’s ultimate entertainment destination, and the adjacent historic Farmers Market. This afternoon, follow the ocean breeze to laid-back Santa Monica. Stroll along Palisades Park and visit the historic pier or the Third Street Promenade shopping and dining pedestrian area. Dinner tonight is at a restaurant in stylish Beverly Hills. (B,HD)

Day 3 – LOS ANGELES – PALM SPRINGS

Leave dazzling Los Angeles for Palm Springs, the desert oasis and popular getaway of old-time stars. Stop at the Desert Springs Premium Outlets for top value designer shopping. Arriving in Palm Springs, feel the air cool as you ascend 5,873 feet (1,791 meters) on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway into the pines of Mount San Jacinto. The views of the valley below are breathtaking. Descending back into the desert, drive past homes of rich and famous celebrities while learning about Palms Springs history and Native American heritage. Tonight is at your leisure to stroll the chic shops, galleries and restaurants. Hotel: Hilton Palm Springs (B)

Day 4 – PALM SPRINGS – LAS VEGAS

Rise early and experience the magic of the desert in the morning on an optional excursion to Joshua Tree National Park with its rich cultural history, surreal geologic features and fascinating wildlife. Or relax with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. On the way out to Las Vegas, stop at historic Hadley Fruit Orchards for a chance to buy the finest dried fruit and nuts and indulge in its celebrated date shake. Arrive in Las Vegas late afternoon, just in time for some fun in Sin City!

Hotel: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (B)

Day 5 – LAS VEGAS AT LEISURE

Today is yours to enjoy as you please. Relax by the swimming pool, try your luck at the casinos and have fun exploring the Strip — look out for pirates sinking a galleon at Treasure Island and the musical water ballet at the Bellagio! Shoppers will enjoy browsing the Forum Shops at Caesars or the ultra luxurious Crystals at the new CityCenter featuring the world’s most elite designers. (B)

Day 6 – LAS VEGAS – GRAND CANYON

Leaving Las Vegas, see the Hoover Dam, the engineering marvel spanning the Colorado River. Travel a portion of Historic Route 66, stopping at the iconic outposts of Kingman and Seligman. This afternoon, you’ll be awed by the immense landscape as you enter Grand Canyon National Park. Carved by the Colorado River over millennia, the colossal canyon is ranked as a top natural wonder of the world. Later, join your Tour Director for a sunset walk along the rim. This evening, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Grand Canyon. Hotel: National Park Lodges (B,HD)

Day 7 – GRAND CANYON SIGHTSEEING

Rise early for one of Mother Nature’s grandest shows – sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Join a local expert for an exclusive presentation on the history and geology of this 1.7 billion- year-old wonder. Then, explore the canyon’s South Rim with your Tour Director, stopping at spectacular overlooks all along Desert View Drive. Learn about Native American culture while keeping an eye out for deer, bighorn sheep and the California condor. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Maybe explore Canyon Village, attend a free Ranger Program, take a short hike into the canyon or take an optional flightseeing tour by helicopter or airplane. (B)

Day 8 – GRAND CANYON – SCOTTSDALE

Leave the Grand Canyon behind and wind down stunning Oak Creek Canyon as you enter Red Rock Country. Admire the red rock formations used as backdrops for many Western movies as you arrive in mystical Sedona. There is time to explore the town on your own or join an optional jeep tour before continuing south. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, one of North America’s best preserved cliff dwellings. Arrive in Scottsdale and your stunning resort.

Hotel: InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa (B,D)

Day 9 – SCOTTSDALE – SAN DIEGO

Head towards the Pacific coast, driving past the giant saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert and the Imperial Sand Dunes of California. Arrive in San Diego, California’s second largest city, boasting a dazzling cityscape and one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. Hotel: San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter (B)

Day 10 – SAN DIEGO SIGHTSEEING

Explore San Diego starting with the historic Gaslamp Quarter, quaint Seaport Village, the Embarcadero and Balboa Park, the nation’s largest urban cultural park. The afternoon is at leisure; perhaps visit the San Diego Zoo or take a harbour cruise and explore Coronado Island, home to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado. This evening, head for Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, celebrating San Diego’s rich Spanish heritage. Enjoy the mariachi bands and raise your Margarita to your newfound friends at a Highlight Dinner with your Tour Director at a local Mexican restaurant. (B,HD)

Day 11 – SAN DIEGO – DEPART LOS ANGELES

Stop in sparkling La Jolla, “the jewel” by the sea, before continuing on to Mission San Juan Capistrano to learn about the legendary returning swallows and California mission history. Your tour ends in Los Angeles with a departure transfer to Los Angeles International Airport and the tour hotel in Los Angeles for guests wishing to extend their stay. (B) Please do not schedule flights before 5 p.m.

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Ascend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating aerial tramway, to the cool pines of Mount San Jacinto

■Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America

■Visit Mission San Juan Capistrano, one of California’s original 21 missions

Included Personal Insights

■Step beyond the Red Carpet and hear behind-the-scene stories about the Oscars at the Kodak Theatre

■Enjoy a talk on the geology of the Grand Canyon by a local expert

■Learn about California’s 21 Spanish Missions and the “Miracle of the Swallows” at Mission San Juan Capistrano

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Drive along the legendary Sunset Strip and discover Hollywood’s main iconic sights

■Explore The Grove and historic Farmers Market, one of LA’s favorite shopping and dining destinations

■Stroll through the attraction-packed seaside community of Santa Monica

■Shop for designer bargains at the Premium Outlets in Desert Springs

■Tour Palm Springs and learn about its famous past and present residents

■Travel along a portion of Route 66 and stop at two iconic outposts

■Explore the Grand Canyon on a morning excursion and a sunset rim walk

■Drive through spectacular Oak Creek Canyon and Red Rock Country

■Stop in artistic Sedona, enjoy its red rock formations and learn about its mystical energy vortexes

■Journey through the Sonoran Desert dotted with the ever-present saguaro cactus

■Explore San Diego’s downtown attractions, the waterfront and Balboa Park

■Visit Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, commemorating San Diego’s transformation from a Mexican pueblo to an American settlement

■Stop in the coastal resort of La Jolla, the jewel of Southern California’s coast

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Airport arrival and departure transfers on Day 1 and Day 11

Included Quality Dining

■3 Highlight Dinners of local cuisine in Beverly Hills, at the Grand Canyon and San Diego’s Old Town (HD)

■10 Full Breakfasts (B) and 1 three-course table d’hôte Dinner or Buffet (D)

8 days, Priced from A$2425

USA & Canada, Departs from St John NB, finishes at Halifax

Tour code AMLS

Recharge on this seaside escape highlighting striking ocean vistas, colourful harbours and the intriguing history of Canada’s eastern maritime provinces.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE SAINT JOHN

Welcome to Saint John! On arrival at Saint John International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. Your Tour Director will be at the hotel to meet you and answer any questions this afternoon. Join your Tour Director and fellow travellers at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. Hotel: Hilton Saint John

Day 2 – SAINT JOHN – CHARLOTTETOWN

Set out this morning to view the Saint John River’s Reversing Falls, caused by the Bay of Fundy’s reversing tides. You’ll experience more of the effects of the tides when you stop at the Hopewell Rocks. Depending on whether you visit during high or low tide, the rocks could reveal their full height – nearly four stories high – or appear as tiny islands barely surfacing in the Bay, evidence of the world’s highest, wildest tides. Drive across the modern Confederation Bridge to Charlottetown, capital of Prince Edward Island. This evening, your Tour Director offers you a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: Delta Prince Edward (B,DA)

Day 3 – PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND EXCURSION

Visit Founders’ Hall, Canada’s Birthplace Pavilion, where you’ll walk through the “Time Travel Tunnel” learning about Canadian history, starting with the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 and concluding with the joining of Nunavut in 1999. Then, immerse yourself in local history with a guided walking tour of graceful Charlottetown. Travel up the north shore to explore the wind-sculpted sand dunes, beautiful beaches and broad inlets of Prince Edward Island National Park. Take a guided tour of Green Gables, the farm house that inspired the setting for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables.” This evening is at leisure. (B)

Day 4 – CHARLOTTETOWN – INGONISH BEACH

Ferry across the Northumberland Strait to Nova Scotia and travel on to charming Pictou, renowned as the “Birthplace of New Scotland.” Docked on the waterfront you’ll see the full-sized replica of the Ship Hector, commemorating the voyage of the first Scottish immigrants in 1773. Continue your tour driving along the scenic Cabot Trail over Cape Smokey until you reach Ingonish Beach at the foot of the Cape Breton Highlands. Check in your hotel superbly located on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Hotel: Keltic Lodge Resort & Spa (B,D)

Day 5 – CABOT TRAIL & CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK EXCURSION

An amazing full-day adventure travelling the full length of the Cabot Trail, one of the most spectacular drives on the continent. Enjoy stunning vistas of rust-coloured cliffs, the deep blue ocean and postcard-perfect fishing harbours. Explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park, an exceptional wilderness area where you may spot a moose among the lakes and streams. (B)

Day 6 – INGONISH BEACH – HALIFAX

Bid farewell to the highlands and travel to Baddeck Bay and tranquil Bras d’Or Lake. Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site where models, photo displays, artifacts, and films describe the fascinating life of the great inventor. Travel south across the narrow Canso Strait and continue to Halifax, Nova Scotia’s lively harbour-front capital. This evening is on your own to stroll the waterfront, with its intriguing shops, take-outs and pubs. Hotel: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront. (B)

Day 7 – HALIFAX SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Halifax including the Public Gardens, waterfront and Spring Garden Road, and learn about the Halifax Explosion and the city’s connection to the Titanic. Visit the Citadel National Historic Site offering superb panoramic views. This afternoon is on your own. Perhaps explore the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic or the boutiques and restaurants nestled in the three-square-block of Historic Properties, Canada’s oldest shipping warehouses. Those looking to snap picture-perfect photos can join an optional excursion to the idyllic village of Peggy’s Cove. (B)

Day 8 – DEPART HALIFAX

Your tour ends with a departure transfer to Halifax International Airport. (B)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Discover the sand dunes, wetlands and forests of Prince Edward Island National Park

■Explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park, famous for its highlands and ocean scenery

■Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site on Cape Breton Island

■Visit Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and enjoy its spectacular panoramic views

Included Personal Insights

■Discover Canada’s history at Founders’ Hall, Canada’s Birthplace Pavilion

■Join a guided walking tour along the streets of downtown Charlottetown

■Learn more about “Anne of Green Gables” on a guided tour of Green Gables Heritage Site

Included Additional Excursions Sights

■View the Saint John River’s Reversing Falls, caused by the Bay of Fundy’s reversing tides

■Stop at the Hopewell Rocks, four stories high at low tide and tiny islands at high tide

■Travel on Confederation Bridge, the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered waters

■Ferry across the Northumberland Strait from Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia

■Journey along the Cabot Trail, one of the country’s most scenic drives

■Discover the highlights of Halifax on a morning sightseeing tour

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Airport arrival and departure transfers on Day 1 and Day 8

Included Quality Dining

■Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurants from our selection in Charlottetown (DA)

■7 Full Breakfasts (B) and 1 three-course Table d’hôte Dinner or Buffet (D)

7 days, Priced from A$3225

USA & Canada, Departs from & returns to Anchorage

Tour code AJAK

A is for “Ah-some” Alaska. Spectacular Denali National Park, calving glaciers and abundant wildlife combine to create the ultimate Alaska experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE ANCHORAGE

Welcome to Anchorage! Upon arrival at Anchorage International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your hotel. Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink at 6 p.m.

Hotel: Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa.

Day 2 – ANCHORAGE SIGHTSEEING

Get acquainted with downtown Anchorage, the “City of Lights and Flowers” and the largest state’s largest city, on this morning’s orientation tour. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center and learn about the rich heritage and traditions of Alaska’s first people during this private presentation. Then, drive around Lake Hood to visit the largest float plane base in the world. Meet an Alaska Bush Pilot, who shares fascinating stories about the joys and hazards of flying in rural Alaska. Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own, browsing Anchorage’s shops and native art galleries. Join your group for a Highlight Dinner at a popular downtown restaurant. (B,HD)

Day 3 – ANCHORAGE – DENALI NATIONAL PARK

Ride the world-famous Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Denali and view the spectacular scenery from your window seat and through the transparent roof-top vista domes of its shared cars. Travel to the heart of Alaska’s rugged interior to the six million acre Denali National Park and Preserve, home to majestic Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest mountain. The park is a sub-arctic ecosystem and an internationally designated biosphere preserve with moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears and wolves. Tonight, get a taste of frontier Alaska at a rollicking Highlight Dinner theatre featuring old-time sourdough song-and-dance and hearty Alaska fare. Hotel: Grande Denali Lodge (B,HD)

Day 4 – DENALI NATIONAL PARK

Begin your day with an easy one-hour guided hike to learn about the tundra and wildlife in the park. The remainder of the day is open for optional activities including an exciting rafting trip down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing for a close-up look at Mt.McKinley or stop at the Denali Visitor Center and join the various park tours on your own. (B)

Day 5 – DENALI – GIRDWOOD – MOUNT ALYESKA

Board a deluxe motorcoach for your journey south on the George Parks Highway. Stop in Big Lake along the way for an exclusive visit and lunch at the home of champion dog musher and four-time Iditarod winner Martin Buser. Martin welcomes you to his home to meet his dogs and share the challenges of competing in the 1,049 mile dogsled race. Continue on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm with its dramatic views. Arrive in the town of Girdwood, home of Alyeska Resort and ski area. Ride the aerial gondola for panoramic views of the mountains and sea at your leisure.

Hotel: The Hotel Alyeska (B,L)

Day 6 – PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND CRUISE

Spend the day on the 26 Glacier Cruise through Prince William Sound and into the College Fjord. Not only will you get up close enough to hear the thundering calving of glaciers, but you’ll have the chance to spot sea otters, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, kittiwakes and whales among the prolific wildlife. (B,L)

Day 7 – GIRDWOOD – ANCHORAGE

Travel to Seward for an exclusive presentation at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Learn about the center’s research, observe its aquarium and wildlife rescue center. Have lunch and explore downtown on your own. Return to Anchorage for a departure transfer to the airport or to the tour hotel if you are extending your stay. (B) Please do not schedule any flights before 6 p.m.

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Explore the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage

■Visit the world’s largest float base at Lake Hood

■Ride the world famous Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Denali and view the spectacular scenery from its panoramic dome cars

■Ride a gondola to the top of Mt. Alyeska ski area for panoramic views of the mountains and Cook Inlet

■Board the 26 Glacier Cruise and spot wildlife and count glaciers in Prince William Sound

Included Personal Insights

■Meet Alaska’s first people and learn about their culture at a private presentation at the Alaska Native Heritage Center

■Listen to tales of flying in rural Alaska with an Alaskan Bush Pilot

■Learn about the wildlife of Denali National Park on a guided one hour hike with your Tour Director

■Visit the home of Iditarod Dog Musher Martin Buser in Big Lake and listen to the challenges of competing in this epic dogsled race

■Meet the sea mammals and learn about the research and wildlife rescue efforts with a representative of the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■Discover Anchorage on a guided orientation tour of the downtown area

■Explore the aquarium and exhibits at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward

■Experience the breathtaking beauty of Alaska on an optional 7-Day Southbound Glacier Discovery Cruise

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40-passenger coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Airport arrival and departure transfers on Day 1 and Day 7 for the land tour; and Day 14 for those taking the cruise portion.

■All facilities aboard the Holland America Line ms Statendam or ms Zaandam

Included Quality Dining

■2 Highlight Dinners Anchorage and Denali National Park

■6 Full Breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L)

■*7 Full Breakasts (B), 6 Lunches (L) and 7 Dinners (D) on the ms Statendam or ms Zaandam* (*Exclusive to 14-day Land Tour and Cruise)

8 days, Priced from A$2350

USA & Canada, Departs from & returns to New York

Tour code ACEC

Capture the spirit of America on this enlightening tour of the nation’s major founding cities so pivotal to its past and present history.

Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVE NEW YORK CITY

Welcome to New York City! On arrival at JFK, Newark or La Guardia airports, your transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer questions. Join your Tour Director and fellow travellers at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink at the hotel. Hotel: Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.

Day 2 – NEW YORK CITY SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE

This morning, wake up in “the city that never sleeps” and get an insider’s perspective of bustling New York City as you sightsee with your local guide. Starting in Battery Park, taking in views of the Statue of Liberty and the former site of the World Trade Center — future home of the Freedom Tower. Marvel at New York’s iconic skyscrapers including the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building and get an overview of the gardens and attractions at Central Park. Take in the whole fantastic cityscape when you ascend to the Top of the Rock observation deck for panoramic views. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps take in a Broadway show, go shopping or explore New York’s acclaimed museums. (B)

Day 3 – NEW YORK CITY – BOSTON

This morning, journey to historic Newport, Rhode Island. Travel along Ocean Drive, lined with the Gilded Age mansions of America’s wealthiest families. Visit The Breakers, the grandest of Newport’s summer ‘cottages’ and a symbol of the prestigious Vanderbilt family’s social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. Later this afternoon, arrive in Boston. Tonight, your Tour Director offers a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure. Hotel: Hyatt Regency Boston (B,DA)

Day 4 – BOSTON SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE

Your Tour Director will provide fascinating insight into the history of “Beantown” on this morning’s historical sightseeing tour. With several stops along Boston’s famed Freedom Trail, you’ll hear all about the struggle and courage of the American colonists during revolutionary times. Then, view the colourful neighborhoods of Back Bay and Bunker Hill, site of the noted revolutionary battle. Your afternoon is free to pursue your own interests. Perhaps take a stroll through Boston Common or browse the 100-plus shops and restaurants at historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Or join an optional excursion including a tour of the prestigious campus of Harvard University, America’s oldest university founded in 1636. (B)

Day 5 – BOSTON – PHILADELPHIA

Today, set out for Philadelphia, known as the “City of Brotherly Love” and America’s first capital. Explore the comprehensive Independence National Historic Park and its many historic attractions. View Independence Hall, where America’s founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776, and the giant cracked Liberty Bell in its own glass pavilion. This afternoon, check into your downtown hotel, in the heart of Philadelphia. Tonight, enjoy a Highlight Dinner tonight at a local restaurant. Hotel: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (B,HD)

Day 6 – PHILADELPHIA -WASHINGTON DC

Learn all about the United States Constitution and its contemporary relevance during your morning visit to “The Story of We the People”exhibit at the National Constitution Center. Depart for Baltimore and a visit to its historic Inner Harbor. Explore the vibrant waterfront and browse dozens of shops, restaurants, eateries and attractions. This afternoon arrive in Washington DC where the rest of your day is free to start exploring the city’s many attractions.

Hotel: The Fairmont Washington, D.C. (B)

Day 7 – WASHINGTON DC SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE

Begin your day with an insightful guided tour of Washington DC with a local guide. View the capital’s iconic landmarks, including the White House, Washington Monument and National Mall. Contemplate and be inspired as you visit the World War II and Lincoln Memorials. Visit Arlington National Cemetery where you’ll step aboard a narrated Tourmobile to learn about the final resting place of America’s patriots, both humble and well known. You’ll see the eternal flame at President Kennedy’s grave and watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Maybe take in one of the Smithsonian Institution’s excellent 19 museums and galleries – view the Apollo space modules at the National Air and Space Museum or examine the Hope Diamond and the “Night at the Museum” dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History. This evening, join your Tour Director and newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,HD)

Day 8 – WASHINGTON DC – DEPART NEW YORK CITY

Your tour ends in New York with a departure transfer to JFK, Newark or La Guardia airports and the tour hotel in New York City for travellers wishing to extend their stay. Please do NOT schedule any flights before 7:00pm on the last day of tour. (B)

Tour Dates & Total Prices

USA & Canada 2011

Included Premium Highlights

■Ascend to the Top of the Rock and enjoy the grand views of “The Big Apple”

■Tour The Breakers, the wealthy Vanderbilt’s opulent mansion, in Newport

■Visit Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell Center and National Constitution Center

■Visit Washington’s iconic World War II and Lincoln memorials

■Explore Arlington National Cemetery aboard a narrated Tourmobile

Included Personal Insights

■Join a local guide and get an insider’s look at New York’s top landmarks and attractions

■Step into Colonial history as you walk along the Freedom Trail in Boston

■Learn the steps taken to achieve America’s independence at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historic Park

■Meet a local expert for insights into Washington DC’s iconic sites

Included Other Excursions & Sights

■View New York’s Statue of Liberty, the former site of the World Trade Center, the Empire State and Chrysler buildings and Central Park.

■Discover the charming colonial town of Newport, Rhode Island, and travel along Ocean Drive.

■View the colourful neighborhoods of Boston’s Back Bay and Bunker Hill, site of the noted revolutionary battle.

■Explore Philadelphia’s Independence National Historic Park, viewing its many historic attractions including Independence Hall

■Visit Baltimore’s historic Inner Harbor and browse its many attractions

■See the White House, the Capitol, the Washington Monument and National Mall

Included First Class Services

■Escorted by a professional Tour Director

■Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom

■Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

■Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack

■Airport arrival and departure transfers on Day 1 and Day 8

Included Quality Dining

■2 Highlight Dinners of local cuisine in Philadelphia and Washington DC (HD) plus a Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurants from our selection in Boston (DA)

■7 Full Breakfasts (B)