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Voyages Jules Verne launches 13 new escorted tours

26th September 2013 Print

Specialist tour operator Voyages Jules Verne continues to live up to its reputation for innovation with the introduction of 13 new itineraries to its worldwide programme. Travelling in small groups – the maximum generally being 25 people, often less – each itinerary has been carefully assembled to give travellers the best possible experience of their chosen destination.

Many of Voyages Jules Verne’s escorted holidays include special events, arranged exclusively for clients, whilst a number offer No Single Supplement places on selected departures (subject to availability) that are perfect for solo travellers and those who prefer not to pay a financial penalty for travelling alone. Early Booking Offers also apply on several of the new tours, when booked by 15 December 2013.

New to Voyages Jules Verne’s 2013/14 programme are:

In Europe

New Year on the Douro: Cruise the beautiful Douro River through northern Portugal to Spain on this one-off departure that will guarantee 2014 gets off to a memorable start. Sailing on the MS Douro Prince, which has been reserved exclusively for use by clients of Voyages Jules Verne, this six-night itinerary includes a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, a traditional Portuguese dinner with port tasting at the Quinta da Avessada in Pinhão and full-board arrangements on the vessel. Departing 27 December 2013, the price is from £1,265 pp*.

Grand Tour of the Baltics: Enjoy an extraordinary journey through five countries surrounding the Baltic Sea on this 17-night itinerary, staying in comfortable four and five-star accommodation during visits to Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Moscow. Multiple-night stays in each city mean more time for sightseeing, both independently and on escorted excursions. Departing 12 April, 28 June, 9 August & 6 September 2014, the price is from £2,345 pp*.

The Balkans Revealed: Discover the historic lands of the Balkans on a 12-night exploration of Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania, the many highlights of which include city tours of Sofia, Belgrade and Bucharest, a cruise on the Danube Defile and a traditional farmhouse dinner in Sibiel. Departing from April to October 2014, the price is from £1,495 pp*.

Siberia & the Lena River: Sailing on the MS Mikhail Svetlov - ideally sized for exploring the waters of the Lena River - this remarkable 13-night cruise (plus one night in Yakutsk, one flying) takes intrepid travellers through Siberia to the Arctic Sea. Witness an area rich in wildlife and birdlife, inhabited by nomadic ethnic groups whose way of life has changed little over the centuries, whilst enjoying on-board activities ranging from lectures on history, permafrost and the Cossacks’ conquest of Siberia to local food and drink tastings, and Russian language lessons. Departing 28 July 2014, the price is from £5,495pp*.

Amsterdam to Avignon: This nine-night itinerary blends two cruises aboard sister ships (operated by CroisiEurope) of two great European rivers: the Rhine and the Rhône. Travelling from the North Sea to Provence, the journey starts in Amsterdam before meandering south to Arles, with en-route visits including Haarlem, Cologne, Mainz, Lyon and Avignon. Departing 17 May, 27 June & 28 September 2014, the price is from £1,745 pp*. Early Booking discount of £50 pp applies if booked by 15 December 2013.

Champagne Waterways: Explore the pretty waterways of France’s Champagne region from the deck of the MS Raymonde: a brand-new, CroisiEurope-operated barge that also carries bicycles on board for those wishing to explore the passing scenery at closer hand. This six-night, full-board cruise also features guided tours along the Champagne route as well as several opportunities to sample the region’s world-famous bubbles in situ. Departing 12 June, 10 July & 4 September 2014, the price is from £1,995 pp*. Early Booking discount of £50 pp applies if booked by 15 December 2013.

Malta, Sicily & the Aeolians: Visit Valletta, Gozo, Syracuse, Catania, Lipari and Vulcano on this sublime seven-night journey aboard the three-masted cruiser, SC Panorama. Appropriately for a company called Voyages Jules Verne, the cruise passes Stromboli – the island from which the adventurers emerge from their ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ in Jules Verne’s classic novel, and where there’s the chance to see live lava eruptions if conditions allow. Departing from April to June, and in September & October 2014, the price is from £1,945 pp*. No single supplement applies (subject to availability) on 28 April and 13 October 2014.

Worldwide

The Great Cities of China: Tick off Hong Kong, Chengdu, Xian, Shanghai and Beijing during a comprehensive 12-night tour of China’s must-see sights that includes escorted city tours, visits to a panda breeding centre, Tian An Men Square and the Terracotta Army, an acrobatic show, a traditional Peking Duck dinner and much more. Departing 1 December 2013 and January to May, August & October 2014, the price is from £1,695 pp*.

From Petra to the Taj Mahal: Witness two of the ‘New7Wonders of the World’ on this 18-night tour that melds Jordan’s highlights (the Dead Sea, Aqaba, Petra and Amman) with intoxicating Indian experiences (hotel stays in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Nimaj). There’s also dinner at a private camp on the outskirts of Petra and, in India, a unique arrival at the historic Nimaj Palace hotel by bullock cart before enjoying a private rooftop dinner with fireworks. Departing 16 November & 21 December 2013, and from February to May 2014, the price is from £1,995 pp*. No single supplement applies (subject to availability) on 12 April and 10 May 2014.

Secrets of the Seychelles: Enjoy island hopping amid the balmy waters and stunning scenery of the Indian Ocean on a sublime seven-night cruise (plus one night flying) that visits Mahé, Praslin, Curieuse, Felicité and Moyenne, as well as allowing ample opportunity for swim stops, a beach barbeque, walking tours of the Cousin Island bird reserve and Aride Island, and an ox-cart tour of the Veuve Nature Reserve. Departing 6 December 2013 and January to October 2014, the price is from £2,695 pp*. No single supplement applies (subject to availability) on 6 December 2013 and 4 April & 30 May 2014.

Private Train to Samarkand: Uzbekistan’s historic treasures unveil themselves on a nine-night journey that starts out in Tashkent before setting off along the Silk Road to the green city of Shakhrisabz, and onwards to Bukhara, Khiva & Samarkand. Four nights are spent on board the excellently-appointed Private Train, with comfortable hotel accommodation provided for the remainder of the itinerary. Departing 25 August & 18 September 2014, the price is from £2,695 pp*.

From Pagan to Mandalay: Known for its 3,000 pagodas, the beautiful Burmese city of Pagan is the embarkation point for a seven-night cruise aboard the RV Orient Pandaw (plus two nights flying) that includes excursions to the lively riverine town of Pakokku and ancient capitals of Ava and Amarapura, escorted walks in an Irrawaddy village and in the picturesque, temple-dotted Sagaing Hills, and a visit to the palace and craft workshops of Mandalay. Departing from July to December 2014, and from January to April 2015, the price is from £1,845 pp*. No single supplement applies on all departures (selected cabins), subject to availability.

The Taj Tour: Cleverly combining stays at fine hotels in the world-renowned Taj Hotels group with a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal, the name of this 12-night itinerary needs no further explanation. Travel from the colonial hill station of Shimla via Delhi, Agra and Jaipur to Old Bombay on the Indian Ocean, exploring India’s rich heritage. Guests also enjoy a unique dining experience at Steam: a restaurant set in and around a restored steam engine - complete with a recreated Victorian-style station - at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. Departing 27 November & 18 December 2013, and throughout 2014, the price is from £1,595 pp*.

*According to the itinerary selected, prices are based on two sharing and include air travel or Eurostar rail travel, taxes, transfers, accommodation, some meals, a sightseeing programme and the services of guides and local representatives.

Booking with the best

Voyages Jules Verne was placed among the top ten UK holiday companies in a recent survey of Which? Travel magazine readers (July 2013). Achieving an overall customer service score of 85%, VJV performed consistently against a set of criteria that included ease of booking, value for money and overall holiday quality.

All of VJV’s holiday arrangements are fully bonded with ABTA and ATOL, giving customers complete confidence and peace of mind when planning their next trip. The price quoted at the time of booking, including any increases or reductions applicable at the time, is guaranteed by Voyages Jules Verne as the price its customers will pay.

To book, or to order a copy of the latest World of Wonders brochure - spanning worldwide departures until December 2014 - visit vjv.com.