The world's your oyster with Titan HiTours
Titan HiTours, the escorted tours specialist, has released the second edition of its 2011 Worldwide brochure with an expanded array of guided, group holidays to almost every conceivable corner of the globe.
With a full complement of overland, cross-border, single-centre, no-fly and cruise-and-tour options spread across 364 pages, the Worldwide programme effectively constitutes an irresistible menu of the world's most amazing travel experiences. What's more, the brochure introduces over 25 brand new itineraries, making this one of the most comprehensive and varied programmes ever from Titan HiTours.
The number 25 has additional resonance to the Worldwide brochure, as this is also the number of years that have elapsed since Titan first introduced its California and the Golden West tour. This remains one of the company's best-selling tours to this day; and the 2011 brochure contains an improved and updated version of the itinerary to celebrate its quarter-century. The 16-day overland adventure still starts and ends in Los Angeles, taking in lively San Diego, glitzy Las Vegas and laid-back San Francisco along the way - not to mention the incredible natural landscapes of the Grand Canyon, Mojave Desert and Yosemite National Park. However, the tour now benefits from additional enhancements including a two-night stay at the luxurious Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, plus admission to Universal Studios in Hollywood for a behind-the-scenes peek at the workings of the movie industry. Departures are available year-round and the package costs from £1,395 per person, to include flights, transfers, accommodation, various excursions as detailed in the itinerary and Titan’s exclusive VIP Home Departure Service (which collects clients from - and returns them to - their own front door).
Las Vegas is also a highlight in one of the brand new itineraries; the National Parks Explorer with Las Vegas. Introduced in response to customer demand, this 12-day journey through the American West begins with a two-night stay in ‘Vegas’ before moving on to the breathtaking landscapes of no less than six National Parks. This corner of the USA is blessed with incredible natural scenery, from the soaring monoliths of Zion National Park to the colourful rock formations of Bryce Canyon and the natural sandstone arches of the aptly-named Arches National Park. Of course the undisputed high points of this itinerary are two of America's most instantly recognisable features: the towering sandstone buttes of Monument Valley and the awe-inspiring grandeur of the mighty Grand Canyon. Less well-known (but equally fascinating) is the world's best-preserved meteorite impact site; an enormous crater that's been described as 'a colossal fingerprint from space'. This holiday has four possible departure dates (in September and October, 2011) and costs from £1,795 per person, to include flights, transfers, accommodation, various excursions as detailed in the itinerary and the VIP Home Departure Service.
A further taste of the Wild West can be found on the Calgary Stampede and the Rockies itinerary, another of the Worldwide brochure's new additions. The star attraction of this tour is the chance to participate in the famous Calgary Stampede - the world's best and largest rodeo event that's reverently known as 'greatest outdoor show on Earth'. This major event takes place every July and there are three possible departure dates for this itinerary, each of which provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy the Stampede and all its attractions to the full (with grandstand seating for the rodeo itself as well as the thrilling chuckwagon races). Leaving Calgary, the tour continues through the Rocky Mountains via Lake Louise, Victoria Glacier and the resort towns of Banff and Jasper before finally ending in Edmonton. A particular highlight along the way will be the chance to walk on the massive Athabasca Glacier - or even drive across it in an Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle. Costing from £2,595 per person, the holiday includes flights, transfers, some meals, admission to the Calgary Stampede, sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary and the VIP Home Departure Service.
Some of the new itineraries are even available at discounted prices. One such example is the Tuscan Escape with Umbria itinerary, where discounts of up to £200 per couple are available on selected departure dates. The new tour is ideal for those looking to explore this world-famous region at a relaxed pace. As this is a single-centre itinerary (with accommodation provided throughout in a comfortable hotel in central Siena), the hassles of repeatedly packing and unpacking are avoided, while the city is conveniently located for easy day-trips to attractions in the wider area. All the highlights of Tuscany are included in the itinerary, from the cultural attractions of Florence and Pisa to the rural charms of San Gimignano and the Chianti wineries. There is also a full day's excursion to the neighbouring region of Umbria, whose treasures include the medieval city of Assisi and the hilltop town of Perugia. Costing from £1,295 per person, this 8-day package includes flights, transfers, some meals, sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary and the VIP Home Departure Service.
One European country that has seen considerable expansion in the brochure is Turkey, which has grown from a single itinerary in the previous brochure to three in the 2011 edition. The first of the two new tours is the 5-day Agatha Christie's Pera Palace, another single-centre tour that's based in the opulent splendour of Istanbul's grandest and most historic hotel. During its heyday in the early 20th Century the hotel's guests included heads of state, royalty, Hollywood stars and - perhaps most famously - the novelist Agatha Christie, who is said to have written her thriller Murder on the Orient-Express whilst staying here. The holiday costs from £1,195 per person. The other new option is the 7-day journey from Istanbul to Ephesus, a leisurely, two-centre holiday combining the bright lights and bustle of the Turkish capital with the magnificent Roman ruins of Ephesus. The itinerary includes guided visits to all the major highlights, including the Topkapi Palace (the ancestral home of the Sultans); the magnificent basilica of Hagia Sophia; and the city's most famous landmark - the six minarets of the Blue Mosque. This holiday costs from £995 per person, with both prices including flights, transfers, most meals, sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary and the VIP Home Departure Service.
Also costing from £995 per person is the 8-day Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Islands tour, which incorporates a brief stay in this fabled city (known romantically as the Pearl of the Adriatic) with a voyage along the stunningly beautiful Dalmatian coastline. The cruise ship's small size is considered to be of particular appeal; the MV Adriatic Queen only carries a maximum of 25 guests on each sailing, with the ship being chartered exclusively for Titan HiTours customers. This ensures an intimate and relaxed onboard ambiance, allowing passengers to savour the natural beauty and rich history of the coastline and its many islands in the uncrowded company of like-minded travellers. The package price includes flights, transfers, half-board accommodation, sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary, port taxes and the VIP Home Departure Service.
Commenting on the brochure, Dan Whitehouse, Marketing Director said, "Our expanded Worldwide programme contains an incredible range of differently themed itineraries that also benefit from Titan's usual high levels of service and exceptional value for money. Each balanced, comprehensive itinerary includes all the highlights that one might expect to see in a particular region, with every listed excursion (including admission charges) contained in the quoted price. And with our Tour Managers accompanying each group for the duration of the holiday, guests are able to sit back, relax and enjoy a hassle-free experience throughout”.
For details or to book visit the website: titanhitours.co.uk
