The launch of Classic Oriental Tours� new Asia brochure offers many new exciting travel options including the first group tours to Iraq and revamped tours to China, led by the company�s repositioning as Asia�s five-star touring company.

The 48-page brochure features twenty destinations with new destinations this year including Borneo, Iraq, Jordan and Syria.

Classic Oriental Tours managing director Trevor Lake, known to many as Mr China, says the changes to the popular program represent the biggest operational shift since the company�s inception 15 years ago.

�Our programs are designed to expose passengers to the �real China�, taking in orientation walks, lectures, and visits to traditional villages as well as the more popular and well known sights,� Mr Lake said.

�Bulk buying advantages have enabled us to elevate accommodation on most tours to five-star deluxe hotels while retaining the most competitive prices.

�In fact many of our five-star tours are the same price as other companies �adventure tours�.

�All tours have been redesigned and stays in major cities have been extended as more attractions and points of interest have opened to the public in recent years.

�We now recommend a three night stay in Xian where the recently discovered Han Tombs are visited, a trip to a traditional village - the people still live in caves - and passengers will attend a lecture on Chinese Art at the Tang Museum.

�Classic Oriental Tours is also using the only European built cruise vessels which ensure European standard of safety and comfort. These boats are the largest and best equipped boats on the Yangtze.�

New destinations this year include Malaysia with both self-drive holidays and guaranteed daily departures through the rainforests and beaches of Borneo.

Classic Oriental Tours is the first company in Australia to sell tours to Iraq and the company expects the first group tours to depart later this year.

�Iraq is one of the best destinations to see ancient archaeology � it is considered the �cradle of civilisation� where between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago writing was invented, the first written legal code was recorded, and first towns established,� he said.

�All tours to Iraq travel by way of Jordan and have strong archeological and historic basis.�

Classic Oriental Tours is reporting strong demand for Vietnam this year and the company is offering five separate tours every month with accommodation options ranging from two to five star.

�With this year�s itineraries we have set the benchmark for deluxe touring in Vietnam and we also cater for independent travellers and offer touring featuring home stays and stays with ethnic tribal groups,� he said.

In India, Classic Oriental Tours is the sole GSA for the Royal Orient in Australia formerly known as the Palace on Wheels and offers five-star luxury and service.

These great value tours are examples of Classic Oriental�s philosophy that quality doesn�t have to be expensive:-

The 21-days Freewheelin Vietnam includes comfortable travel by bus between major cities and resorts, with suggested itinerary but flexibility to plan your days as you go. Includes airfare ex Australia, twin share room, all domestic transportation by bus (train option available), optional sightseeing all priced from $1,890 per person. Travel Malaysia with Classic Oriental Tours and you can enjoy the benefits of a self-drive holiday plus pre-booked accommodation. The eight day/seven night holiday pass including car hire and accommodation in two-star hotel from $625 per person.

China tours start from the nine-day China Splendours tour starting in Beijing touring Tienanmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Ming Tombs before heading to Shanghai for the delights of this European-like city and Tongli and Zhouzhuang, priced from $1,699 per person.

For more information please contact your local travel agent.

ENDS FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TOUR PRICES FOR SPECIFIC DESTINATIONS PLEASE CONTACT SARAH BEATON � PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER ON (02) 9028 0710