Overseas heritage holidays

Long haul travel specialist Bales Worldwide has joined forces with English Heritage to launch a new collection of heritage holidays to be offered exclusively to the organisation’s membership.

The English Heritage Travel Collection features journeys to ancient and exotic locations, including Egypt, Indochina, India, Chile/Argentina, Jordan and Zambia. Prices for a nine day journey to Egypt including Cairo and a Nile cruise start at £775 per person based on a twin/double share. The collection can be viewed and booked online via English-heritage.org.uk/holidays.

The holidays have been designed with the heritage aficionado in mind, delving deep into each destination’s history, from the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay in Vietman, and the majestic temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, to Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan and the awe inspiring Rose Red City, Petra.

Michelle Davis, business development manager from English Heritage comments, “Bales was the obvious partner for our exciting new overseas travel collection. This family owned company has a rich history itself with a staggering 60 year track record of taking culture seekers from the UK to far flung lands such as China and Arabia. The English Heritage Travel Collection includes many of the world’s most breathtaking historical and archaeological sites which will certainly appeal to our 665,000 strong membership.”

“We are thrilled to be working with English Heritage on this special collection of holidays which is so true to the ethos of a Bales holiday, appealing to the expanding market of those looking for far more than a tan from their travels,” commented Iain Fenton, sales and marketing director, Bales Worldwide.

Initially seven journeys will be offered with a wide range of departure dates throughout the year:

The Jewel in the Crown – A 10 day journey priced from £1,670 per person which retraces the colonial splendour of India with stays in beautifully restored heritage hotels, former residences of Indian princes, as well as a visit to the breathtaking Qutb Minar (located in Mehrauli in South Delhi and the tallest brick minaret in the world), and a tour of the wonders of the wetland bird sanctuary at Keoladeo Ghana National Park.

The 10 day holidays costs from £1670 per person based on two sharing and includes all flights, accommodation in heritage hotels, transportation, sightseeing, an English speaking guide and most meals.

Travels through Indochina - This 17 day journey is through the wonderfully scenic country of Vietnam with time to explore the elegant boulevards of French-colonial Hanoi, enjoy a picturesque overnight cruise on Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site, and the peaceful coastal port of Hoi An. Then continue on to Saigon by road and river through the lower reaches of the Mekong River to visit the colourful floating markets and catch a glimpse of rural life along the river.

The holiday ends at the majestic temples of Angkor, representing the classic period of Khmer art and civilization. This 17 day holidays costs from £2831 per person based on two sharing and includes all flights, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, English speaking guide and most meals.

Other options include:

• A sixteen day Lakes, Mountains and Vineyards holiday from £2830 per person – visit the beautiful Lake District region, which straddles Argentina and Chile, then onto the vineyards of Santiago and Mendoza.

• An eight day Egypt Discovery holiday from £775 per person - evocative and mysterious, the Land of the Pharaohs casts its spell over all who travel there.

• The Splendour of Jordan, an eight day holiday from £1270 per person - journey through the deserts and mountains of Jordan, a land of incredible variety and contrasts, and visit the unforgettable ancient city of Petra.

• Take a Zambian Safari Adventure for nine days from £2125 per person - walking safaris, excellent lodges and the amazing Victoria Falls.

• In Search of the Shangri-La, a seventeen day holiday from £3280 per person - combining the Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan with Sikkim, then onto Darjeeling and Pemayangtse in north-east India.

For bookings go to English-heritage.org.uk/holidays.