Luke Nguyen takes APT to China’s Yunnan Province
Yunnan Province has been added to APT’s broadened choice of small group China tours next year through a tour inspired by Luke Nguyen’s Greater Mekong television series.
The celebrity chef, APT’s Vietnam Ambassador, visited Yunnan as part of the TV series.
As well as the new 11-day Yunnan Adventure tour, APT’s just released China 2013 brochure significantly bolsters the company’s presence in China with six more departures on its most popular tour, the 13-day Best of China (lead-in price has dropped from $5295 to $4995 in 2013), three more China-Vietnam combination tours (ranging from 21 to 35 days) and three more China land-only tours (9 to 19 days).
In all, the brochure offers nine tours (choice of total 67 departures), 37 of which include a four-day Yangtze cruise on the 64-suite The Sanctuary MS Yangzi Explorer (largest suites on the river, highest staff to guest ratio and wine, beer and soft drink included with lunch and dinner).
APT has scheduled four departures of the 11-day Yunnan Adventure (from $4395 per person twin share) over the March to October season with Luke Nguyen escorting the March 11 departure over six days in the province. The Yunnan sector is also available in the 19-day China Explorer holiday (from $8195).
He has shaped many features of this itinerary, including a Yilang roast duck lunch and watching Xizhou’s trained cormorant birds fishing in the local river. On his escorted tours, passengers will also take part in a cooking demonstration in a local family home.
Luke Nguyen adds a high-value cultural aspect to APT tours, said Debra Fox, APT General Manager Marketing.
“It’s the type of experience sought by our discerning and experienced traveller customers. Luke offers an intellectual wow factor because he is so highly regarded and trusted.”
She said the Yunnan Province tour was an ideal adventure for someone who had already been to China and seen the must-see sights, or for those wanting to escape the crowds and uncover the breathtaking natural landscape and cultural diversity of this remote and fascinating destination.
Ms Fox said the APT China product was one of style, which is reflected in the hotels used by APT — Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai, Peninsula Hotel Beijing, Songtsam Retreat Shangri La (part of the MGallery Collection), Crowne Plaza Lijiang, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Le Meridien Angkor Siem Reap and Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers in Ho Chi Minh City.
All China tours offer touring in groups of up to only 28 travellers and all prices are inclusive of tipping and port charges. The China-Vietnam combinations will be larger numbers.
APT’s Freedom of Choice Inclusions (choice of local sightseeing or dining at no extra cost) is available now in seven locations with the addition of Lijiang in the Yunnan Province.
APT SuperDeals for the new brochure are Companion Fly Free including air taxes on 9-15 day tours and Fly Free including taxes on China-Vietnam combination tours and the 19-day China Explorer. Bookings must be deposited by October 31, 2012.
The lead-in tour is the 13-day Best of China (from $4995) which includes four-night luxury Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges region, Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, luxurious hotels, 32 meals, internal flights, tipping and airport transfers.
As well as the cruise, highlights include thebest-preserved parts of the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, Chongqing Zoo and the Giant Pandas, premium seating at an acrobatic show in Shanghai, a guided tour of Tian’anmen Square and the World Heritage-listed Forbidden City. Included in the meals is a Peking Duck banquet at the famous Quanjude Restaurant and a farewell dinner at the Cathay Room overlooking the Bund at the Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai.
Agents contact: 1300 278 278, see www.aptgroup.travel or local BDM.