Insight Vacations has announced the launch of its 2012 USA and Canada Premium Escorted Tours & Cruises collection, featuring 19 comprehensive holidays across the east and west coasts of the United States and Canada, Alaska, Mexico and for the first time ever, Hawaii.
Lorraine Sharp, managing director, Insight Vacations said “The popularity of the United States and Canada is at an all-time high with Australian travellers.
“While interest has always been there, the huge increase in demand has occurred over the past 12 months thanks to the meteoric rise of the Australian dollar. In addition, the increased air capacity has ensured there really has never been a better time for Australians to travel to North America.
“To meet the growing demand for the region, Insight’s 2012 USA and Canada, signals our largest offering to date. This includes three innovative new itineraries, the 10/12 day Hawaiian Dreams; the eight-day Mexico’s Great Colonial Cities and the eight/11-day Southern Elegance.
“These three itineraries form part of the new Gold series, a range of five itineraries that offer a deluxe experience minus the price tag. Each of these great value tours feature luxury hotels in outstanding locations, delicious dining experiences (often at restaurants with renowned chefs) plus smaller groups, more leisurely days and an experienced Tour Director who acts as a Personal Concierge, attending to all guest’s needs.
“Also included in Insight’s Gold program is the popular 13/20-day Grand Canadian Rockies & Alaska Cruise, which now features some of America’s best hotel properties plus GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer train and for the optional cruise portion, an elegant experience on the luxurious Holland America Line. The eight-day Cities of the East Coast itinerary has also been enhanced, with a number of hotel upgrades such as the historic Waldorf Astoria in New York, the Grand Fairmont in Washington, DC and the luxurious Langham in Boston amongst its offerings
“The new Gold series perfectly complements our existing premium product in North America. Guests of our premium range also enjoy more intimate groups limited to just 40 passengers on luxury coaches that offer business class legroom and a panoramic view of each place visited. They also benefit from the services of an experienced tour director and plus more inclusions such as sightseeing, Premium Highlights, Personal Insights and exclusive private tours. These high value excursions, often worth hundreds of dollars, ensure travellers can truly become immersed in North America’s diversity. Guests can also tailor their tour with a number of optional excursions, specially selected to highlight the destinations visited.
“In addition to these inclusions, Insight guests also have the assurance of staying in selected hotels, either centrally or scenically located, which have been handpicked to perfectly complement their locations for example the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and The View Monument Valley, which are located right within the National Parks. This year we have raised the bar even higher with a number of enhanced property options including the prestigious Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, the award-winning Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and The Four Seasons in Whistler (currently the only five-star hotel in Canada) to name just a few.
“Each itinerary on Insight Vacations’ 2012 USA & Canada Premium Escorted Tours & Cruises program comprises many meals including a light buffet and welcome drink on the first day of tour. Insight’s Highlight Dinners feature traditional dining experiences such as a succulent Maine Lobster dinner in Portsmouth or Native feast on Ottawa’s Turtle Island or the world famous Mexican mole dish with it’s surprising hint of chocolate in Puebla, while Dine-Around nights provide a number of speciality restaurant options in a range of cities visited. Plus, introduced for 2012, ,Insight has added even more included on-tour dining with Feature Lunches, such as a gourmet lunch at the Pacific’O on the beach in Maui, and a Celebration Dinner featured on every tour.
“With more sightseeing, premium highlights, personal insights and dining options included in the tour price than ever before, Insight Vacations is the perfect choice for North America.
“The 2012 USA and Canada Premium Escorted Tours & Cruises is also more accommodating for solo travellers than ever before. Using a singles-friendly symbol ‘ST’, we have designated a number of tour dates across the program to identify travel dates that might suit solo travellers. Not only does this guarantee those travelling by themselves won’t be hit with single room supplements, it also means they are more likely to meet like-minded people as potential travelling companions.”
New tours for 2012 include:
- The 10-day Hawaiian Dreams priced from $3899 per person, twin share, land only (single supplement option from $1975). 12-day option also available, priced from $4695 per person, twin share, land only (single supplement priced from $2415). Visiting the islands of Hawaii, Maui and Oahu. The 12-day option also includes two nights on the lush garden isle of Kauai.
- The eight-day Mexico’s Great Colonial Cities is priced from $2050 per person, twin share, land only (single supplement option priced from $1075). Visiting Mexico City, Morelia, Patzcuaro, San Miguel del Allende and Guanajuato.
- The eight-day Southern Elegance is priced at $2650 per person, twin share, land only, (single supplement option $945). 11-day option also available priced from $3575 per person, twin share, land only (single supplement option $1285). Visiting Atlanta, Asheville, Charleston, St Simons Island and Savannah. The 11-day option continues to New Orleans for two nights.
Insight Vacations’ 2012 USA & Canada brochure is out now. All itineraries, pre and post accommodation can be booked online via the agent area of its website at www.insightvacations.com.au.