In this issue:

• Summertime Specials
  HUGE DISCOUNTS on Turkey, Morocco, Italy, Kenya & Tanzania, Iceland & Greenland, Switzerland
• Africa
  Southern Africa, Ethiopia, Morocco, Kenya & Tanzania, West Africa
• Asia/Pacific
  Japan
• Europe
  Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
• Latin America
  Mexico, Nicaragua & El Salvador, Peru, Bolivia & Galapagos
• Middle East
  The Gulf States, Israel & Jordan
• Info Centre
  Almost-guaranteed tours feature, Facebook fan page, Xmas vacation ideas, Tour Leader profile (Rob Kruse)

SUMMERTIME SPECIALS! (click on the image for more info)

Discount amounts per person for dates and tour codes indicated.

SOUTHERN AFRICA
GUARANTEED

This is one of our most varied series of tours anywhere. In all, we offer 31 days in five countries—many people who are going all that way choose to visit all 31 in one shot. However, no segment of this trip will disappoint those with less time or resources. The breakdown:

SA2: SOUTH AFRICA, 18 days
SA3: SOUTH AFRICA & NAMIBIA, 29 days
SA5: SOUTH AFRICA & NAMIBIA, 24 days
NA2: NAMIBIA & BOTSWANA, 19 days
AF1: SOUTHERN AFRICAN CIRCUIT, 31 days

ETHIOPIA'S MESKEL FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER CLOSING SOON!

Our September Ethiopia departure is set to coincide with Meskel, celebrated for over 1,600 years. Festivities begin with a huge procession bearing flaming torches into Meskel Square. The marchers include priests in their brightly hued vestments, students, brass bands, contingents of the armed forces, and bedecked floats carrying huge, lit crosses.

See codes ET1 and ET2 with an extension to the Omo Valley.

DISCOUNTED MOROCCO
NOW GUARANTEED

Our new, very nicely priced November departure of our classic Morocco: North & South is now guaranteed with just a few places left. The off-peak timing of this trip allows us to reduce our pricing considerably ($900 off per couple!), without altering the daily highlights and inclusions, and without compromising on our usual clean, comfortable hotels and expert leadership.

See codes MO5

KENYA & TANZANIA SAFARI

We still have some late availability on our discounted running of our November 2010 safari in Kenya and Tanzania. We were able to negotiate some better rates for this one departure—save $800 per couple! This is an excellent time to visit the region; the "short rains" have greened the landscape and many animals have newborns. You'll save money on this trip, but no aspect will fall short of our usual high standards. Click on these codes for full details, including information on our beautiful lodges.

See codes KT1 and KT4

WEST AFRICA

As much as we enjoy making your Tuscany or Greek Isles dreams come true, we especially love offering trips like this—a quintessential off-the-beaten-track experience. Our regional exploration of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo and Benin is unique in the marketplace, and our trip—which is only available twice a year—is always a sell-out. Bring your sense of adventure and join us for this astounding journey, arriving in Dakar on 18 October 2010.

See codes WA1 and WA3

AUTUMN IN JAPAN

Our small-group concept works perfectly in Japan, where our use of the famously efficient train network allows us to virtually eliminate expensive and polluting bus travel, and makes dining at local restaurants possible—a cultural immersion unto itself! Our enormously popular, highlight-packed tour includes Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Beppu and Takayama on two islands, including Kyushu, a charming corner of "traditional" Japan. Autumn is the perfect time to travel, with mild temperatures and fall colour.

CAUCASUS: THREE ANCIENT LANDS

This is an extraordinary journey well outside the world of mass tourism, into a mosaic of Eurasian cultures, spectacular landscapes and exceptional hospitality. The Caucasus region is emerging as a destination waiting to be discovered by the discerning traveller who has an appetite for adventure and a thirst for discovery. We still have space on our October AZ1 tour of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia—now guaranteed!

See code AZ1

MEXICO'S COPPER CANYON

We are very pleased to wrap up our 6th year of operation in Mexico's breathtaking Copper Canyon region with an October trip that travels mostly by train. We are also delighted to be working with such a high calibre of local leadership, whose attention to personalized service and vast area knowledge make for a truly special experience for travellers. Everywhere our local guides go, they are known, respected and liked, and their rapport throughout the Copper Canyon makes your journey more a family experience than a group trip.

See codes MX6

NICARAGUA & EL SALVADOR

Our inaugural tour of these two unspoiled 'up-and-comers,' concluded to rave reviews! Our Fall 2009 group's highlights included the interesting cultures, charming colonial architecture, breathtaking scenery, and friendly, curious locals. Our program was designed by one of our senior Tour Leaders who travelled extensively in the area, and has been improved based on feedback from our last trip. Our October 2010 tour is almost guaranteed!

See code NI2

PERU, BOLIVIA & GALAPAGOS

October marks the tail-end of the dry and cooler season in the Andes—the perfect time to visit. Two of our most popular trips in the region are now guaranteed with limited space:

PE2: PERU & BOLIVIA, 14 DAYS
P29: PERU & GALAPAGOS CRUISE, 16 DAYS

To add an exciting extension to view the mysterious Nazca Lines, the charming town of Ica, and the Ballestas Islands see codes PE6 and P30.

THE GULF STATES

There is still time to join our comprehensive regional tour of the Persian Gulf States (Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain) in October 2010. This unique tour provides a rare and fascinating glimpse into the traditional lifestyles of the Arab Sheikhs, as well as the natural and historical wonders of contemporary Arabia. None of these countries require visas in advance, though hotel space and internal flights have limited space and our tour will be closing soon. Book now to avoid disappointment! This tour is also available in February 2011.

See codes GS1 and GS5

A WINNING COMBINATION!

We knew this one would take off—a combo of our ever-popular tour of Israel (IS8) topped off with a thrilling extension to Petra, across the border in Jordan. How can you go to this area and NOT stop off at Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World?! The highlights:

Jerusalem, Masada, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, and, of course, the 'Rose Red City': Petra.

See code IS8

ALMOST-GUARANTEED FEATURE

We've developed a handy new feature to determine which tours are close to being guaranteed. All our trips require a minimum complement, and this new page is updated often with a small selection of tours that need just a couple of more travellers in order to confirm. But remember, this list is not exhaustive; if your preferred trip is not listed simply e-mail us or give us a toll-free call.

Click here to access the list of almost-guaranteed tours.

We have revived our presence on Facebook with a fresh new page that is updated frequently with newsy bits, Tour Leader profiles, discounts, and photos of recent trips. Visit today and click that you "like" us!

HOLIDAY SEASON TRAVEL IDEAS

This may seem rather far-sighted, but believe it or not, now is the time to start thinking about getting away for the busy Christmas holiday period...

Warm up to CUBA! A colourful, 14-day journey across one of the world's most vibrant island nations. Some travel restrictions may apply, depending on nationality—call for details.
See code CU1

Our Christmas departure of COSTA RICA includes Tortuguero, Monteverde, Granada, Nicaragua and Manual Antonio. This fascinating natural wonder is the perfect way to spend the winter holidays. Spend Christmas Day in a cloud forest and New Year's Eve on the Pacific coast in Quepos.
See code CR2

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA is always a popular trip at this time of year. VN1 spends 15 days in Vietnam; VN2 adds five days in Cambodia. Why not spend Christmas Day in beautiful Hoi An and New Year's Eve in the Mekong Delta?
See codes VN1 and VN2

WESTERN TURKEY We've added a December date for our most popular trip in Western Turkey! It might be a bit on the chilly side in Istanbul, but the south and coast are still pleasant, and you can't beat the off-season rates—a whopping $900 cheaper than the same trip in spring and fall!
See code TW4

What could be better than Christmas on the Nile in Luxor? Temperatures are mild, making our CLASSIC EGYPT the perfect winter holiday! Highlights include Cairo, the temples of Luxor, a Nile cruise, awesome Abu Simbel and New Year's in Cairo.
See code EG3

ROB KRUSE AT LARGE—IN AFRICA!

We have just assigned our intrepid and much-revered Tour Leader Robert Kruse to 44 days of touring in Southern Africa this fall. It took a lot of rubber arm-twisting, of course, but he finally succumbed to the exotic allure of no fewer than eight southern African gems—South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Swaziland, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, Mayotte and Madagascar.

Rob's so excited, he's been dancing around like a lemur, and we thought you might like to join him! We still have a few spots left on this spectacular series, and invite you to consider joining Rob on the following possibilities:

SA2, SOUTHERN AFRICA, 18 DAYS
10-27 September 2010

MR1, INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS (Mauritius, reunion, Seychelles, Mayotte), 13 DAYS
01-13 October 2010

MG1, MADAGASCAR, 14 DAYS
13-26 October 2010

MG2, INDIAN OCEAN ISLES & MADAGASCAR, 26 DAYS
01-26 October 2010

Space is limited and won't last long, especially with Rob Kruse now at the helm. Call our sales department to place your deposit today!