RIGHT:
Panama City
BELOW: Zebra
crossing, Kenya
Head to Costa Rica for incredible biodiversity, then cross into Panama for fascinating history
w KENYA AND TANZANIA If ever there was a duo linked by geography, it’s Kenya and Tanzania, tied together by the magnificent plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti, where animals roam freely between the two, especially during the famous annual migration of the wildebeest. Travelsphere managing
with time on land to explore Indochina’s most iconic cities. However you choose to get around, there are big-ticket sights along the way, from the 800-year- old temples of Angkor Wat and exquisite Royal Palace at Phnom Penh, to the Cu Chi Tunnels of Ho Chi Minh City and lantern-filled Old Quarter of Hoi An. Julian Appleyard, commercial
director at Great Rail Journeys, says: “Cambodia and Vietnam complement each other perfectly on a tour. Both have rich histories and cultures, plus breathtaking scenery. A customer favourite on this trip is Halong Bay. Guests love the cruise, where they visit some of the caves and islands, but many tell us watching the sunset over the bay is the best experience of the trip.” Book it: Rail Discoveries, sister brand to Great Rail Journeys, has a 14-day Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia tour starting from £1,995, with departures on October 16 and in 2019. The price includes international flights, rail and coach travel, guided tours and accommodation.
raildiscoveries.com
w ITALY AND CROATIA Rewind to the Roman Empire, and Italy was at the centre of the world, extending its influence across the Mediterranean and beyond – not least to neighbouring Croatia, which still bears some of the most
magnificent Roman ruins in the world, from Diocletian’s Palace in Split to the remarkably well- preserved amphitheatre in Pula. Then there were the Venetians,
who likewise left their mark, with the signature lion still seen carved into buildings in Hvar, and an Italian-inspired cuisine. A two-country tour helps
uncover these historic ties, while still showing off all the food, wine, cities and scenery you’d expect of this region. Shearings’ Venetian & Istrian
Coast trip contrasts the canals of Venice with the ancient city of Pula, allows time to wander through Istrian coastal resort Rovinj or go out for an impromptu dinner in colourful Lido di Jesolo, and admire the beautiful architecture along both coastlines. Book it: Shearings’ 12-day Venetian & Istrian Coast by coach starts at £1,131 including 11 nights’ half-board accommodation and four excursions, departing June 2 and September 8, 2019.
shearings.com
w COSTA RICA AND PANAMA “Costa Rica offers a wildlife adventure with a variety of ecosystems, including volcanoes, rainforest and cloud forests,” says Cox & Kings Latin America product manager Vessela Baleva. “In neighbouring Panama City, you can cruise along the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most impressive engineering feats.”
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travelweekly.co.uk 13 September 2018
Despite being neighbours, these small nations offer quite different experiences. Head to Costa Rica for incredible biodiversity – looking out for nesting turtles, the colourful quetzal and slow-moving sloths along the way – plus spectacular views of Arenal volcano, Monteverde cloud forest and the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Then cross into Panama for fascinating cultural history and colonial architecture. Book it: Cox & Kings’ 14-day Panama & Costa Rica Experience starts at £3,195 including flights, accommodation and some meals.
coxandkings.co.uk
director Alastair Campbell says: “Each half of the trip offers a different experience. In Kenya, it’s all about the wildlife. You’ll start in the Samburu National Reserve, where residents include lions, elephants, cheetahs and giraffes. Next, head off on a two-day safari in the Masai Mara Game Reserve to spot the ‘big five’. “In Tanzania, there are plenty of chances to catch sight of wildlife, but here you’ll also delve into the culture of the country. Visit the Ngorongoro Crater, take a guided walk around a 500-acre coffee plantation, and visit a local community to learn about a Travelsphere Cares initiative, the Masai Clean Cookstoves.” Book it: Travelsphere’s Kenya and Tanzania Grand Tour costs from £5,699, departing October 8, 2019, including flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions.
travelsphere.co.uk
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