Magical tours that show you theworld
WHO wouldn’t want to fulfil their dream of taking a holiday on the other side of the world? Escorted tours go everywhere from the Great Barrier Reef to the Great Wall of China and the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and they show you the wonders of the world without the stress of dealing with language barriers or confusing transport systems.
Instead, you can leave it all to an experienced tour company, which will provide a sophisticated itinerary so that you can get stuck in to the culture and make the most of your time away.
Intrepid over-55s are at the forefront of this seamless style of travel, fulfilling bucket-list dreams. Direct flights, air-conditioned coaches and a high standard of hotels have all helped fuel a boom in escorted tours overseas, which are now the choice of 1.5million British holidaymakers every year.
A tour manager and well-versed local guide will waft you to the front of queues and provide a stream of fascinating insights – so much more satisfying than relying on guide books.
And you can often add a short stay to the end of the tour to suit your interests – a beach holiday in Thailand, perhaps, or an in-depth look at Cambodia’s temples.
So where are you going for your next global adventure?
BEGUILING FAR EAST
THE Far East is where you’ll find ancient ruins in rainforests, temples glinting in the sunshine, skyscrapers sparkling in cities, and culinary aromas rising from street corners.
Suspend disbelief as you stand on China’s Great Wall, which snakes for thousands of miles, or admire the stunning autumn colours in graciously hospitable Japan.
In friendly Vietnam, you’ll discover great food, fabulous French colonial architecture, and the limestone stacks of Ha Long Bay.
And you’ll ascend to the realm of the gods in Cambodia at the magnificent Angkor complex, where a thousand temples are situated among the twisting vines.
INTOXICATING CANADA
LOOKING for adventure? It doesn’t come much bolder than the wideopen skies and pristine wildernesses of Canada and Alaska.
From train rides through grizzly bear country, to glacier expeditions, to panning for gold, you’ll be spoilt for intoxicating experiences to enjoy.
The iconic Rocky Mountaineer train scythes through hidden canyons and past plunging gorges and shimmering, turquoise lakes. And on a luxurious Alaska cruise, you will never forget the sound of glaciers calving.
MARVELLOUS MARDI GRAS
MARDI Gras is America’s biggest party, running for 12 days in February with an extravaganza featuring nearly 70 carnival parades, special beads, king cake and d loads of fun. An escorted tour at this time will take you right into the heart of the celebrations in New Orleans. . A journey through the Deep South will also take you to the country music capital of Nashville, and Elvis Presley’s Graceland home in Memphis. And no tour would be complete without a jazz cruise on a paddle-steamer along the mighty Mississippi.
AWESOME AUSTRALIA
THERE’S nowhere else on Earth like Australia – a place where you can spot kangaroos and koalas in the wild, and witness aboriginal traditions stretching back to the dawn of time. Snorkel with an instructor, or view the colourful coral, turtles and tropical fish from a semi-submersible at the unspoiled outer Great Barrier Reef.
At sacred Uluru (Ayers Rock), watch the colours change through burnished oranges to deeper reds. And you’ll know for sure you’re in a different world after a seaplane flight over stupendous Sydney, a dip in the surf at Bondi Beach, and a cruise around the dazzling harbour.
On an escorted tour, where everything is expertly taken care of, all you’ll have to do is soak up each incredible experience as it comes your way.