23 Dec 2014
Good Value South Africa
The current rate of exchange with the rand means that South Africa is very good value at the moment and 2015 will be an ideal time to visit.
For example Audley are offering a nine day 'Escarpment & Safari' itinerary from just £1455 to include a self-drive safari in the Kruger National Park with the chance to see the Big Five. The price includes return overnight flights, six nights' accommodation and hire car for seven days. The Namibian dollar is linked to the rand so Namibia is therefore another great destination to visit in 2015 with a 13 day 'Wildlife Highlights of Namibia' trip starting at £2140 per person.
Villages of Southwest China
As the main tourist sites of China become increasingly busy, Audley have sought out areas where clients can still get off the beaten track and see the 'real' China. They have introduced a new 'Villages of Southwest China' itinerary that visits the minority villages in Guanxhi and Guizhou as well as seeing Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge. This 15 day tour costs from £3925 per person to include return flights, 12 nights' accommodation and a private driver/guide throughout.
Bali Refound
Audley suggest clients visit the east coast of Bali, away from the crowds in the south for a more authentic Balinese experience with beautiful countryside, traditional villages and relaxed coastal towns. They have put together a new 13 day 'Bali Refound' itinerary visiting Ubud, Mount Agung, Tembok, Amed and Candidasa with some trekking and a local cookery course also included. It costs from £2075 per person.
They also suggest exploring the lesser-known eastern islands by boat. A number of options including schooners, luxury yachts and liveaboards ply these waters and can take you to Komodo, Flores, Sumba, Sulawesi, Raja Ampat, the Spice Islands and Papua, mooring in remote areas that are seldom visited by Westerners.
Uruguay
Audley are finding Uruguay is becoming an increasingly popular destination, with wonderful vineyards, boutique hotels, interesting colonial cities, white sandy beaches, excellent horse riding and the lively resort of Punta del Este. It is a good alternative to Argentina and significantly less expensive. A 15 day self-drive itinerary starts at £3270 per person to include flights.
Off-Beat India
Audley are constantly seeking out less explored areas of India and have recently put together new itineraries in Gujarat and the Deccan Plateau.
Gujarat is on India's western coast, not far from the border with Pakistan. Audley suggest a 'Wildlife Treasures of Gujarat' trip that tracks down some of India's most unique wildlife including the Asiatic lion, striped hyenas, blackbuck and Asiatic wild ass. It also includes time in Ahmedabad, the sixth biggest city in India yet barely visited by tourists. A 14 day tour costs from £2570.
The Deccan Plateau region is in the heartland of south India and far from the usual tourist route. The principal city of Hyderabad has a rich history thanks to its former position as India's wealthiest princely state and the Deccan countryside includes some superb archaeological sites with Muslim monuments, forts and Hindu temples. Audley's Deccan Plateau itinerary also takes in the coffee plantations of Coorg before heading south to Kerala for a few days on the beach. This 16 day trip costs from £2790 per person.
Hawaii
Audley have seen a significant increase in enquiries to Hawaii over the last year and expect this to grow even more in 2015. They have sent several specialists there over the last few months to gain in depth knowledge and can combine the main sights with the smaller, less visited islands and include smaller bed and breakfasts as well as the large resorts. They suggest for example a 14 day Hawaiian Whales and Beaches trip that explores the natural beauty of the islands as well as its rich marine life. It costs from £3580 per person to include return flights, transfers and six nights on Maui, five nights on Hawaii and one night in San Francisco.
Further details from Audley on 01993 838 000 www.audleytravel.com
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Issued on behalf of Audley by:
Jemma Hewlett PR
Tel: 01491 614660
