DESTINATIONS — ESCORTED TOURS
packing the country’s top sights into a whistle-stop 10-day itinerary which goes from Lima to Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, takes the train to Machu Picchu before moving on to Lake Titicaca. The tour starts at £3,018 including flights on October 26. Splurge: If clients have the budget to splash out, Peru is the place to do it. Cox & Kings’ luxury group tours use higher-grade hotels such as historic properties or prime locations: in Peru, guests stay at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu, next to the site entrance, instead of 20 minutes away in the valley, while Cusco visitors are upgraded to converted monastery the Belmond Monasterio. The Luxury Train to Machu Picchu tour from Cox & Kings starts at £3,945 for 15 days, although the private option leads in only slightly higher at £3,995.
l VIETNAM Save: This backpacker favourite can suit any budget, with lower-cost options including G Adventures’ Vietnam on a Shoestring, part of the operator’s Yolo range for 18 to 39-year-olds. These tours use guesthouses and locally-owned hotels, and have fewer inclusions than standard tours so travellers can choose the excursions they want. The trip starts at £599 plus Etihad flights from £550 return in November. Spend: This is a budget-friendly destination, so it doesn’t take much to upgrade. Premier Holidays recommends a private tour with air-conditioned car and English-speaking guide as the
Spick and span: the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam
On track: luxury train in Peru
best way to see the country. Its Glimpses of Vietnam takes in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hoi An, Hanoi and Halong Bay, along with smaller villages and optional excursions. The 13-night trip costs from £2,265, with international and domestic flights, three-star B&B accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees. Splurge: Vietnam is home to stunning properties both modern and historic, so those with bigger wallets will be rewarded with better accommodation and sumptuous Vietnamese cuisine. Travel Indochina’s Vietnam Discovery has
standard and deluxe departures, with the latter featuring international- standard hotels and starting at £3,445 for 14 days including Thai Airways flights, some meals, transfers and a cruise. TW
Hue the lad: cycling in Vietnam
48 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 28 August 2014
PICTURES: G ADVENTURES; DRAGOMAN; COX & KINGS; TRAVEL INDOCHINA
Pitch perfect: camping in Peru
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