This season's update from the ITC Luxury Travel Group includes new and inspirational trip ideas such as following in the footsteps of Rudyard Kipling in India, a surprise cruise in the Mediterranean, new wildlife trips in Europe and Madagascar and an affordable private island stay in Zanzibar.

Contents:

1.       Follow in the footsteps of Rudyard Kipling on a new Jungle Book-inspired itinerary
2.       Rainbow Tours expands Kilimanjaro trekking trips with two new routes
3.       Stay on board a luxury catamaran on the Riviera Maya - plus save up to £925 per person
4.       Villa Select introduces two new properties in the Algarve
5.       Plot your own cruise on the MS EUROPA 2
6.       Discover the wildlife of northern Europe on a new fly-drive holiday
7.       New expert-led group tour to Madagascar announced for 2016
8.       Celebrate Shakespeare 400 on an exploration of Shakespeare's Italy
9.       Late availability – stay on a private island in Zanzibar from only £1,250 per person
10.     Brochure update

 1. Follow in the footsteps of Rudyard Kipling on a new Jungle Book-inspired itinerary

Western & Oriental has introduced a new India itinerary, The Jungle Book Adventure, to celebrate the release of the latest movie adaption of Rudyard Kipling's classic story. Rudyard Kipling was born 150 years ago in Mumbai (then Bombay) and his most famous work was inspired by the wildlife of some of India's famous national parks including Pench and Kanha. Wildlife encounters in the Jungle Book Adventure begin at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, which boasts the most visible number of tiger sightings in the State of Maharashtra. Guests will spend three nights at Tadoba with private game drives included to spot tigers as well as leopard, wild dogs, hyena, sloth bears, wild boar and other species. Accommodation is at the recently opened Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge, the park's first luxury hotel. Three further nights are spent at Jamtara Wilderness Camp to explore Pench National Park, the real-life backdrop for The Jungle Book, on the trail of Shere Khan the tiger, Baloo the sloth bear, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the mongoose and other characters from Kipling's tales. Prices for the eight-day trip start from £2,499 per person based on two adults sharing, or from £9,599 per family based on two adults and two children travelling together. These prices include flights to Nagpur via Doha with Qatar Airways, six nights accommodation on a full board basis plus the day use of a hotel room at either end of the journey, six exclusive game drives at Tadoba National Park and five exclusive game drives at Pench National Park, plus all transfers. Prices are subject to change and availability and travellers should note that India's national parks close from 1st July to 30th September every year.  To book, contact Western & Oriental on 020 3588 6130 or see www.westernoriental.com for further details.

2.     Rainbow Tours expands Kilimanjaro trekking trips with two new routes

Following the popularity of its small group climb along the Rongai route, Rainbow Tours is expanding its trekking trips to Kilimanjaro with the introduction of group climbs along the Shira route and the Lemosho route.

The Shira Route is an eight-day climb exploring the wilderness of the Shira Plateau and the Kibo Icefields on a route designed to avoid the crowds. The Lemosho Route is slightly longer, allowing walkers more time to acclimatise to the altitude and more time to admire the surrounding scenery. Both routes converge to reach Stella Point (5,735 metres) and Uhuru Peak (5,896 metres).

Rainbow Tours works closely with its partners in Tanzania to ensure that guides and porters employed on its trips are paid above the average wage and are equipped with suitable gear including mountain jackets imported from the UK. There is a ratio of one guide to every two climbers on Rainbow Tours' trips so walkers are very well looked-after regardless of their pace or their reaction to the altitude.

Prices for the Kilimanjaro Group Climb – Shira Route start from £3,200 per person and prices for the Kilimanjaro Group Climb – Lemosho Route start from £3,275 per person. Both trips are 12 days in total and these prices include flights, transfers, accommodation, mountain fees, the services of qualified expert guides and porters during the climb, meals as indicated and certain mountain equipment. Although advertised as group departures, all of Rainbow Tours's trekking trips to Kilimanjaro can also be arranged as private climbs if required. For full details, contact Rainbow Tours on 020 7666 1266 or see www.rainbowtours.co.uk.

3.      Stay on board a luxury catamaran on the Riviera Maya - plus save up to £925 per person

Guests at Mexico's NIZUC Resort & Spa can now spend one night of their holiday at sea, thanks to the introduction of a newly commissioned luxury catamaran.  The 56-square foot catamaran collects guests from the resort's private pier and sails to a destination of their choice, such as down the Mayan Riviera, to Isla Mujeres or to scuba dive at the MUSA underwater museum. Whilst on board, guests can enjoy a four-course dinner crafted by the resort's culinary team and enjoy the services of an on-board butler who will share local knowledge and ensure the catamaran is fully stocked with the guests' choice of champagne, snacks and drinks. ITC Luxury Travel is offering one free night at NIZUC Resort & Spa along with this luxury catamaran experience. Prices start from £7,329 per person based on two adults sharing an Ocean Master Suite for six nights on a room-only basis, followed by the option of one night on a full board basis on NIZUC's luxury catamaran. This price includes return economy class flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick and private transfers. This offer is valid for bookings made before 30th November 2016 and for travel completed between 4th April and 19th December 2016, representing a saving of up to £925 per person. To book, contact ITC Luxury Travel on 01244 355527 or see www.itcluxurytravel.co.uk.

4.       Villa Select introduces two new properties in the Algarve

Villa specialist Villa Select has introduced two new properties in the Algarve for 2016, including the newly built Villa Aksia. Situated just 200 metres from the beach and 300 metres from shops and restaurants near Albufeira, this is a great addition to Villa Select's Portugal portfolio. The villa sleeps ten guests across five bedrooms and the stand-out features include a children's pool and a 12 x 5 metre main pool, both of which are heated, plus a separate games room with TV, DVD and pool table. Rental prices start from £745 per week in low season, including October half term. The second new property is the charming Villa Ancamar, which sleeps eight guests and is situated between Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, around 2km from the beach. Rental prices for this property start at £1,745 per week. Both villas are available throughout the year, including the winter season – flights are not included in the quoted prices. For further information or to book, see www.villaselect.com or telephone 01789 595435.

5.       Plot your own cruise on the MS EUROPA 2

ITC Luxury Travel is offering its clients the chance to join a surprise cruise on board the MS EUROPA 2 this May. The only fixed ports of call will be the departure point of Istanbul and the arrival port of Athens – once at sea, cruise passengers will take the helm and vote democratically on which direction they should sail. Passengers will have the pick of 20 destinations around the Mediterranean and Aegean seas to cover on the 10-day cruise. The ship's captain will present guests with a list of potential routes and ports, accompanied by a weather forecast for the days ahead, whilst a lecturer will advise on the highlights of the potential destinations. Guests can book the cruise, which runs from 14th – 24th May 2016, via ITC Luxury Travel. Prices start from £3,649 per person based on two sharing, including international flights with British Airways from London Heathrow into Istanbul and back from Athens. This price is based on accommodation in a Veranda or Ocean Suite of Category 1 to 2, subject to availability. To book, contact ITC Luxury Travel on 01244 355527 or see www.itcluxurytravel.co.uk.  

6.       Discover the wildlife of northern Europe on a new fly-drive holiday

Discover the unspoiled natural beauty and native wildlife of the wild taiga forests that carpet Eastern Finland and the Russian border on Bears, Wolves & Wildlife Adventure, a new fly-drive holiday available this summer from Regent Holidays. Nights are spent in a lodge hide to make the most of the rare opportunity to photograph and get up close to Europe's last brown bears and learn about Finland's local carnivores, from wolves and wolverines to lynx. For birders, there's the chance to look for eagles and even some of the owls that Finland is famous for – the great grey owl, hawk owl and pygmy owl.  This six day tour operates between May and August and costs from £1,459 per person, based on two sharing and including return flights, six days car hire, accommodation and most meals. To book, contact Regent Holidays on 020 7666 1293 or see www.regent-holidays.co.uk.

7.       New expert-led group tour to Madagascar announced for 2016

Rainbow Tours is delighted to announce that highly respected biologist, author, editor and long-time Madagascar expert Lucienne Wilmé will lead its Madagascar Wildlife Extravaganza small group tour from 6th – 23rd November 2016. Resident in Antananarivo, Lucienne's main interests are in biodiversity, biogeography and geomorphology of south-western Indian Ocean and she has published numerous papers on the wildlife and conservation of Madagascar. She will escort travellers around areas of southern and western Madagascar including Isalo National Park, the Kirindy Forest, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, providing expert guidance on Madagascar's unique wildlife, landscapes and natural history.  Prices for the 19-day tour start from £5,795 per person, based on two adults sharing. This price includes flights, transfers and land transportation; the services of an English-speaking Malagasy guide and drivers throughout, as well as tour leader Lucienne Wilme; all accommodation, meals, park permits, excursions and activities as outlined in the itinerary. For full information, click here.

2016 dates have also been announced for the popular Madagascar Wildlife Discovery Tours, which are also group departures. Travellers on these tours will see a superb variety of lemurs, endemic birds and a catalogue of extraordinary reptiles, frogs and invertebrates, along with diverse flora. The 19-day tours cost from £3,995 per person, with departures scheduled for 3rd September 2016, 17th September 2016, 22nd September 2016 and 8th October 2016. To book any of these tours, contact Rainbow Tours on 020 7666 1266 or see www.rainbowtours.co.uk.

8.       Celebrate Shakespeare 400 on an exploration of Shakespeare's Italy

Thirteen of Shakespeare's plays – around a third – were set entirely or partially in Italy, although it is not known whether the playwright ever visited the country himself. Western & Oriental is giving travellers the chance to mark 400 since Shakespeare's death with a stay in Venice and daytrip to Padua (Padova). 'Resplete with Renaissance treasure', but often overlooked, Padua is the setting for The Taming of the Shrew. It is just 20 minutes from Venice, where Portia outwitted Shylock to save her beloved Antonio's skin in The Merchant of Venice, and where Othello was also set. A three-night short break with Western & Oriental includes a three-hour Shakespeare-inspired guided tour of each city. Prices start from £760 per person, including flights and three nights at Bloom & Settimo Cielo, a stylish B&B in a typical Venetian townhouse. The price also includes private boat transfers from the airport, three-hour city tours in Venice and Padua and rail travel between the two cities. To book, contact Western & Oriental on 020 3588 6130 or see www.westernoriental.com.

9.       Late availability – stay on a private island in Zanzibar from only £1,250 per person

Staying on a private island is no longer the preserve of millionaires and celebrities – Rainbow Tours has a fantastic last-minute opportunity to stay on Chapwani Private Island in Zanzibar this spring with a saving of £250 per person. Departures from London Heathrow on 20th March 2016 now start from £1,250 per person, based on two guests sharing a Bungalow for seven nights on a half-board basis. Flights are overnight in both directions, so travellers would arrive back at London Heathrow on 29th March 2016. Flights are with Qatar Airways and the price also includes road and boat transfers. With just 10 bungalows and one family villa, Chapwani Private Island is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Focus is placed on eco-tourism, with hot water produced via solar panels and a menu created using home-grown vegetables, fresh eggs from the island chickens and seafood from local fishermen. Guests can enjoy snorkelling or diving, indulge in a massage or take a boat to Stone Town for shopping or exploration. To book, contact Rainbow Tours on 020 7666 1266 or see www.rainbowtours.co.uk.

10.   Brochure update

• Western & Oriental launched its new India brochure in February 2016, providing potential travellers with information on the key regions and cities, a guide to wildlife and national parks, iconic attractions and options for travelling by river and rail. The brochure also provides suggestions for family travel, descriptions of key festivals and events and  an introduction to India's culinary traditions as well as recommended accommodation and travel routes
• ITC Luxury Travel and Western & Oriental launched Kids in the Med and Kids Beyond the Med in February 2016, bringing together the best family holidays in Europe and worldwide. Kids in the Med also includes self-catering properties from sister company Villa Select. Both brochures focus specifically on the family-friendly aspects of a holiday and the pertinent information for parents
• Villa Select compileda brochure of its Top 20 Villas in January 2016, highlighting some of its most popular and picturesque properties accommodating between six and 12 guests. The majority of villas are in Europe, but there are also selections from Koh Samui and Barbados illustrating Villa Select's long-haul portfolio
• Other Shores, the customer magazine of ITC Luxury Travel Group, released its latest issue in January 2016, including features written by top travel writers Ben Ross, Tom Chesshyre and Mike Unwin and an interview with guidebook publisher and writer Hilary Bradt
• Western & Oriental published its 2016 USA and Ranch Americabrochure in January 2016, with holiday inspiration covering iconic cities and national parks to popular fly-drive routes. The brochure features an extensive collection of ranches where guests can experience the cowboy lifestyle with daily horse riding and other outdoor activities such as fishing, rafting and archery
• Rainbow Tours released a dedicated Madagascar brochure in November 2015, introducing clients to the wildlife, geography, accommodation and regions of one of its best-selling destinations

- Ends -

Images to accompany these stories can be downloaded here from WeTransfer. Images are numbered according to the contents list above.

For further information, please contact Kate Popham, Group Head of PR on 020 7666 1259 or email kate@westernoriental.com